Tag: Flea

Crazy RECON at Crowders

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10 of us, including 2 FNG’s,  joined together at Crowders Creek Elementary on a chilly March morning to RECON the area with hope that we can form a new AO here.

I gave a better-than-usual disclaimer since we had some new guys (Welcome Thing and Iced-T) and we fumbled (that’s a big fence) moseyed around the parking lot.  Eventually we made our way to the center lot (future parking area) while doing some toy soldiers and shuffles along the way.

We circled up for Warm-a-rama which included:

  • 11 Windmills IC
  • 12 Cherry Pickers IC
  • 20 SSH IC
  • 20 Peter Parkers
  • 20 PJ’s IC

The Thang

Our next mission was to find a hill so back to moseying we went.  There is a MASSIVE hill next to the ball field, but visibility was low so we settled on a easier hill which turned out to be pretty nasty anyway.

I had everyone do a King of the Hill type exercise where one guy did as many CDD as possible, while the rest of the gang ran down the hill and backwards up x2.  The idea was to continue to do this until everyone had a chance to be the King and inevitably this is what we did, however, we reduced the up/down to x1 and had the last few guys be Kings together to save some time and our legs from burning.

After finishing up we moseyed our way to the playground.  This AO has a massive playground that we should be able to use for all kind of nastiness in the future so I wanted to point it out this morning and incorporate it to give future Q’s some ideas.  So I created a new exercise I’m calling “Crazy 8’s” which took up the rest of the time.

This consisted of the following:

  • Burp-UP using a piece of playground equipment
  • Jump Lunges
  • Freddie Mercury’s
  • Run
  • Repeat x8

Keeping with the theme, we started with 1 Burp-UP, 8 Jump Lunges (Double Count), 8 Freddie’s (Double Count), and then a figure 8 style lap around 2 landscaping circles in the parking lot leading back to the playground.  We increased the Burp-Up’s by 1 each time, Jump Lunges remained at 8, and Freddie’s increased by 8 each time.

Most of us finished, a few of us didn’t, but we all got better for it.  Those that didn’t have something to shoot for next time because I think this one will turn up again for sure.

For those that finished here is the count of what we accomplished.

  • Burp-UP’s x 36
  • Jump Lunges x 64 (DC)
  • Freddie Mercury’s x 288 (DC)

With only 5 minutes to spare, we went for a long mosey (dang fence) back around the school and made it back to CoT a minute late, but I don’t think anyone minded.

CoT

As usual we finished up with a CoT which included all the usual Announcements, Praises, and Prayers.  Special prayers were lifted up for mothers, mother-in-laws, and stepmothers.  Also, some prayers for this new AO in the hopes that it can help bring new men to F3 and extend our reach further into Lake Wylie.

Welcome once again to our FNG’s Thing and Iced-T and all those that joined today.  It was a pleasure to lead you all this morning and hope to see everyone again next week!

-Flux

 

https://youtu.be/vKG4jGj-F28

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6

Quick Adjustments at Quagmire

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It was a cooler morning than anticipated when YHC rolled into Quagmire to set up the day’s activities. As soon as I got there, I realized my original plan wouldn’t work because there were two semis parked in the middle of the ideal workout space. But, I’m flexible, and quickly made adjustments to the weinke to accommodate, then drove off to meet the other PAX.

Ten HIMs beat the fartsack (and, to their dismay, failed to check the Twitter machine) to post this morning. As the clock ticked to 0515, a brief disclaimer was disclaimed (“You will go upside down today, so modify as necessary…and be sure to breathe”), and off we went for a mosey through the parking lots with some knees to chest, high knees, and toy soldiers before circling up outside Books-a-Million for a short COP.

COP

10 Windmills IC

20 Moroccan Night Clubs IC

15 Merkins IC

Quick stretch in downward dog then honeymooner, with some side to side low plank (6″) work and a brief battering ram for good measure. Recover to our feet and mosey to the red balls for some more warm up.

Originally, YHC was going to call this the “Paula Abdul” burpicide, but the lyrics to “Opposites Attract” actually say “two steps forward, two steps back,” which gets you nowhere, and that’s unacceptable. So, it went nameless. But, we did what worked out to two burpees and five LBCs at every ball (ten balls total), running forward two balls, do two burpees, then back one ball, five LBCs, etc., all the way across the front of Target. Lots of mumblechatter that this didn’t feel like just a warmup. But we were warmed up by the end, so the title fit.

With the six in, quick mosey to the (semi blocked) roadway between Target and Home Depot for

The Thang

Partner up for a Dora inspired, wall dependent workout. Partner one ran across the street to the broad wall facing Home Depot to complete two wall walks (plank to BTW to plank; aka “wall worm” in the exicon, but it’s one of two definitions, so wall walks was preferred). Partner two found a spot on the Home Depot wall to complete as many reps as possible of the prescribed exercise, When partner one returned, switch places, keep counting reps for a cumulative total.

Exercise breakdown:

100 air humpers with feet on wall (aka “glute bridge”)

200 Rockette chairs (Peoples Chair with alternating leg kicks, single count – it’s a good burn)

300 sit ups with straight legs up the wall (try to touch your toes!)

400 plank wall taps

500 calf raises

All groups made it to the calf raises, but no groups got through all 500 reps (that’s a lot of calf burning) before time demanded a quick mosey back to COT.

Announcements

  • Read your newsletter
  • Rooster was fun; keep an eye out for other CSAUPs coming up, like the Yeti on Feb. 24 (make an 18-man team if you need to, but try to be a part of it)
  • Read your newsletter

Praises and Prayers

  • Tater’s a grandpa (but he doesn’t know what to call himself). Grandson Fletcher was born at 32 weeks, so he’s in the NICU. Prayers for Fletcher and his parents.
  • Royale’s mom’s surgery went well; prayers for full recovery
  • Royale’s aunt was bit by a dog, so prayers for recovery there too
  • YHC’s in the middle of leading another missionary training that has been filled with bumps; pray for peace and wisdom

NMM

I didn’t get to share this at the end – I’m bad about actually having a message during the workout. The words come later.

My word for 2018 is “deeper” – deeper faith, deeper relationships, digging deeper, etc. It seemed innocuous enough when I chose it, but this past week has showed me that it is anything but. In my role of training and equipping new missionaries, I spend countless hours putting together week-long training events that directly affect the lives of people looking to live long-term in cross-cultural ministry. I love what I do, and though I’ll admit that there’s no perfect program, I think we’ve built a pretty good thing here.

So naturally, it’s extremely frustrating when I have to change things, especially last minute.

Like when it snows and the city shuts down on the first day, and I have to somehow provide food and transportation to 11 people. Or when I have to cram a 5-day training into four days without going outside the 9-5 schedule because of childcare constraints. Or when I have to teach somebody else’s session because the presenter has to attend to a family health issue and the backup presenter is out of town. Technology issues, schedule issues, supply issues, the list goes on. Just when I think I’m making progress (two steps forward), something happens and I need to change something (one step back). I feel completely out of control.

All I can do is trust God.

God answers your prayers, but it doesn’t always happen the way you expect.

More trust. Deeper faith.

I’ll let you chew on that.

-Jedi

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4

THE PAX OF FORT PLEDGES TO HELP ANOTHER BROTHER AND HIS FAMILY OUT

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Its Christmas time and the word of the month is giving so I am asking if you would take moments pray about giving to help a fellow pax. Last year Stang got the Fort and the Rock pax to donate gift cards, cash and presents for me and my family.  This was huge for me and my family, with that  being said I feel the need to help a fellow pax and give back. I have been in touch with our pax of the Fort looking for someone to help out. This morning in COT it was mentioned by Destiny that a fellow pax’s son has just been diagnosed with leukemia and his wife is pregnant with twins. Then again Ginsu and Rock thrill had a tweet about it and come to find out it is an Area51  pax named Bout time his sons name is Jennings. This hits close to home and just knew this is who we need to help this year. a few

If I have never had the pleasure of posting with you in the Gloom I would like to take a second and share my story, Dec 2015 on Christmas eve my 2.5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia ALL Type B, on Christmas day she had surgery to have a port installed and her first 3 rounds of chemo. We spent Christmas in the hospital and I broke down never cried so hard in my life. I reached out to God prayed that everything will be okay and about 10 min later after the took my daughter back for surgery he answered my pray because a peace just came over me and heard the words its going to be okay.  The last 2 years have been a hard 2 years with ups and downs but also have enlightened me, allowed me to get closer to God.  It also allowed me to become apart of F3 with out the men of this group not sure where I would be mentally and physically today. I like to thank you for the push the words of encouragement.

 

I am asking pax to give what your heart tells you. Prayers gift cards, cash etc. I have seen what awesome pax you can be when challenged to give you all always go above and beyond.

See your site Q’s for collections and or Dark helmet , Stang, Witch hunt, Royale and Cornerstone, we want to wrap it up by 12/22/17

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 18:16

A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

 

Thanks Again HIMS

Cornerstone

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18

The Fort pledge to help another Pax out

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Its Christmas time and the word of the month is giving so I am asking if you would take moments pray about giving to help a fellow pax. Last year Stang got the Fort and the Rock pax to donate gift cards, cash and presents for me and my family.  This was huge for me and my family, with that  being said I feel the need to help a fellow pax and give back. I have been in touch with our pax of the Fort looking for someone to help out. This morning in COT it was mentioned by Destiny that a fellow pax’s son has just been diagnosed with leukemia and his wife is pregnant with twins. Then again Ginsu and Rock thrill had a tweet about it and come to find out it is an Area51  pax named Bout time his sons name is Jennings. This hits close to home and just knew this is who we need to help this year. a few

If I have never had the pleasure of posting with you in the Gloom I would like to take a second and share my story, Dec 2015 on Christmas eve my 2.5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia ALL Type B, on Christmas day she had surgery to have a port installed and her first 3 rounds of chemo. We spent Christmas in the hospital and I broke down never cried so hard in my life. I reached out to God prayed that everything will be okay and about 10 min later after the took my daughter back for surgery he answered my pray because a peace just came over me and heard the words its going to be okay.  The last 2 years have been a hard 2 years with ups and downs but also have enlightened me, allowed me to get closer to God.  It also allowed me to become apart of F3 with out the men of this group not sure where I would be mentally and physically today. I like to thank you for the push the words of encouragement.

 

I am asking pax to give what your heart tells you. Prayers gift cards, cash etc. I have seen what awesome pax you can be when challenged to give you all always go above and beyond.

See your site Q’s for collections and or Dark helmet , Stang, Witch hunt, Royale and Cornerstone

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 18:16

A gift opens the way
and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

 

Thanks Again HIMS

Cornerstone

 

 

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4

Quagmire –

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20 At the Quagmire for a fill in Q

  • Welcomed everyone and introduced Will our FNG
  • We did a disclaimer
  • We mentioned Victory and what it looks like in all areas of our lives
  • Mosey to COP
  • Mosey to alley between Home Depot and Target
  • Beatdown doing 8 exercises and sliding crates on the ground (burners)
  • Mosey to fountain for derkins, dips and step ups
  • Mosey to COT
  • Had some announcements
  • Few prayers and couple of praises
  • Ball of Man

Thank you for the lead DaVinci!

CB

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0

Chasing Victory, Monopoly Lessons

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As I was thinking about my Q. I was struggling to bring something personal to this workout. I then realized it was the last day for the month and with the months theme of victory. I knew exactly what I was going to do. There are several life lessons learned from one of my favorite board games.

Short Warmup around the Bounce and Bowl parking lot.
High Knees, Butt Kickers, Side Shuffle, 5 good form Merkins
Disclaimer given. Missed it at the beginning as was talking about Victory.

COP – 51 SSH (you know why), IW, LBCs, MT Climbers

Mosey to Marina Parking Lot
Partner up
Partner 1 runs to middle rolls dice
Partner 2 planks until Partner 1’s return. Move forward number of stations as rolled on dice. Perform exercise.  Flapjack.

Stations
1-(GO)-20 SSH
2-20 CDD
3-20 Hello Dollies
4-10 Inch Worm Merkins
5-20 Mountain Climbers
6-60 Calf raises – 20 each position
7-(Jail) 10 Burpees – (Just Visiting)-10 Windmills
8-10 Wide Arm Merkins
9-20 LBC’s
10-20 Monkey Humpers
11-20 Peter Parkers
12-20 Mac Tar Jai
13-(Free Parking)-10 Bomb Jacks
14-10 Diamond Merkins
15-20 Russian Twists
16-20 Seal Jacks
17-20 Ski Abs
18-20 Sumo Squats
19-(Go To Jail)
20-20 Merkins
21-20 Freddy Mercury’s
22-20 Lunges 10 per leg
23-20 Parker Peters
24-20-Plank Punches
Back to Go, Take a Lap of Parking Lot
Interruptions: Short discussions about life lessons learned from the Game (not in order and not all covered)
https://gutsisthekey.com/2013/01/21/18-life-lessons-from-monopoly/
1. The game must be played with others. It is no fun to play alone.
2. You choose a game piece that represents you to other’s playing the game. It is like a public persona. You get to choose this image.
3. Baltic Ave or Boardwalk; You could end up on either one. It’s all the roll of the dice.
4. You only get paid as you keep on going around the board.
5. You can make a lot or lose a lot, just by where you happen to land in life.
6. Chance can be a good thing or bad but sometimes you hope for it cause it seems the only way to change your circumstance.
7. Nobody likes to go to jail, unless they are in worse trouble playing the game.
8. If you build on what you get, it can help you get more and win the game.
9. You can profit a lot, when others visit your places; especially if you have them developed.
10. There are costs with everywhere you go and everything you do.
11. You can not stay still for very long. Sometimes you can skip a turn but this may be good or it may be bad.
12. Sometimes you can move extra spaces and this may be good or it may be bad.
13. A cheater can ruin the game for everybody.
14. Sometimes you have to give some away, so people you like can stay in the game.
15. You never know what to expect in the game.
16. A good game takes a long time.
17. It’s only a game and the point of it is to have fun.
18. The only thing you get to keep when you quit the game is the relationship with the person you played with.

What does Victory look like for you? Are you chasing the right things?

Announcements
Christmas Party – Things to bringC
Children’s Attention Home – 36″ or larger Duffel Bag, Alarm Clock, Umbrella
Operation Sweet Tooth – Toy any age – Unwrapped
Regal Manor clubhouse
BYOB
Deep AO – Change of Time to 7AM – Pusher and Double D on Q
Berwick area – Looking to develop AO on that area (Udder, Wild Thing, Flipper, One Shot, Cerrano, Axl, Vinny)
Children’s Attention Home – Friday Dec 8th. Needs Head count locked down by this weekend.

Prayers/Praises
Missionary Family lost 20 bags of belongings (entire life in those bags). People stepped up and donated bags and stuff.
Suicide of a friend. Tough time of year.
Brother in laws father stage four cancer.
Opening up your home for Thanksgiving. Need to keep that up for Christmas.

Always humbled by the eagerness and willingness of the PAX. Lots of mumble chatter within the group and between the teams. Appreciate the opportunity to Q.

Cornhole
Out.

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10

Mini Board of Pain at The Abyss

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I hate being cold. BUT…..thankfully F3 makes sure the chill does not last long. The cold makes for good running and workout weather.

There’s always a good solid number of folks who show up at the Abyss, and today did not disappoint. No FNGs , disclaimer was said and off we went.

Moseyed around the entrance area parking lot. Nothing fancy, just a nice light run for a few minutes or so. Gathered up along the side of the school near the grassy hillside we ALL love (saving that for another Q) for the COP:

  • SSH x 25
  • WM x 15
  • IW x 20
  • MNC x 20
  • STRAWBERRY pickers x 15

Didn’t want to take too much time away from the main event. No talking (a first for a NASA Q), we just moseyed on over to the back of the school, where there is a nice oval track. Here I had the main event set up.

The MINI Board Of Pain

The real Board of Pain has become somewhat of a legend in The Fort region. It has been around for quite some time challenging people to complete it, and it is pretty much THE most challenging thing to try and complete in a 45min workout. I figured we need to keep our eye on the prize and came up with the mini version, lest people forget what the real one can do to the unprepared. There are 18 exercises, 100+ reps each, on the real BoP. With runs between exercises. This one is a scaled down, slightly rearranged version. Three groups of 5 exercises, 25 reps each OYO (unless otherwise noted), nonstop, with runs after every 5th exercise:

  1. Burpees
  2. Calf raises (50)
  3. Ski Abs
  4. Merkins
  5. Long, slow squats >>> Run a lap
  6. LBCs (50)
  7. CDDs
  8. American hammers
  9. Mac Tar Jai
  10. Jump squats >>> RUN FORREST, RUN!!
  11. Mountain climbers
  12. Shoulder raises (50)
  13. Mary Catherines
  14. Hello Dolly!
  15. Wide arm merkins >>> Run like the wind(ed)…
    >>> RINSE AND REPEAT
    (missing from the original BoP were squat jacks, nipplers – whatever the hell those are, and burpees)

Again, NO talking from the Q. A first for NASA (mark it down). I did provide some Pandora streaming music, albeit with a little minor technical difficulty pairing my speaker with my phone (folks were on exercise 4 by the time I got it figured out). The PAX really got after it! Alot of great support and mumblechatter. Most everyone completed 2 full circuits, a few started on their third. GREAT JOB BY ALL!!

We took it right up to ~ 5:57. Enough time for a slow Indian run back to the COT.

Announcements, Prayers, and Praises:

  • READ YOUR NEWSLETTER
  • IF you have nasty, dirty, stained, smelly athletic clothing that desperately need to be cleaned – talk to DaVinci. A friend is starting up a company whose product will save those clothes and make them look/smell new. Send them in, they’ll clean them for FREE, and return them good as new.
  • Christmas party – SIGN UP AND GO!! You won’t regret it.
  • Joe Davis run for Hope in Jan 2018
  • Rock Hill’s Rooster CSAUP
  • York’s Ice Breaker CSAUP
  • Turkey drive for Paradise community
  • Prayers for Whopper’s Mom as she undergoes surgery and for quick recovery.
  • Prayers for Cha-Ching as he tries to find balance in his life (aren’t we all)
  • Prayers for Flea’s son in his continued amazing recovery from health issues at birth
  • Prayers for those unsaid
  • Praises for everyone continuing to push themselves every day to get better

NMM:

I kept the conversations to the end of the COT. Yes, believe it! I just want to highlight how amazing this thing we call F3 is, how much of an impact it can have on yourself AND others. Each and every day PAX are coming out at o-dark-thirty, rain or shine, heat or cold. They’re there to work out, but are drawn out by the people, the fellowship, and mad stronger by the Faith. The more and more you are exposed to the 3 F’s, the more and more you submit yourself to them and what they can do, the more and more you change. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Each and every day PAX in F3 strive to get better in some aspect of their lives. And it has a contagious effect – you find yourself getting pulled along by those leading the way, or you may be pulling others along who need your leadership. It is amazing to watch people transform. I’ve seen many FNGs since I’ve started, and the ‘then vs now’ comparisons are inspiring to say the least. Those 3 F’s can have a profound impact on one’s life.

Almost 2 years ago before I started F3, I was a rather diffident person. I kept up a good facade, but if someone were to ask me to do 100+ burpees, do a handstand vertical against a wall, run a few trails in the middle of the night, run from Columbia to Charleston, ruck 20+ miles with 40lbs or so on my back doing exercises along the way, participate in a few completely stupid and utterly pointless events with alot of miles and alot of pain along the way, or run a marathon – I would just laugh and say “some day”. If someone were to ask me if I feel closer to God, even reading the Bible regularly and attending church again, I’d shrug it off and say “some day”. If someone were to ask me if I felt more in control of my own emotions, actions, and judgments, were the best husband and father a family could ask for, I’d roll my eyes and say “some day”. Well those “some day”s are now. I cannot believe some of the things I have done since the MANY amazing F3 PAX have entered my life, pushing and pulling me along to get better, push my limits. Their open-ness, inspiring stories, leadership, wisdom, and listening abilities have inspired me and helped me become a much better man in many ways. Their non-judgement has made me at ease when I do not feel as Christian as I should be in my ways, and with their help and leadership I am changing that. I am still a work in progress, but I am not afraid anymore to admit it nor am I afraid anymore to climb the proverbial mountain towards self improvement. I am eager and inspired to tackle it.

In the spirit of the month of Thanksgiving – each and every day I thank God for F3, and for the amazing people who really make it what it is.

Thank you for the opportunity to lead!
– NASA

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6

3×3

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In the better late than never category was able to get out to lead my VQ.  Joined in the rainy gloom by 15 PAX.  After a quick disclaimer we moseyed over to the basketball court area for warmup (Squats, Cherry Pickers, Merkin, Windmill, SSH, and Moroccan Nightclub)

Prepping for this had the #3 stuck in my head for some reason so wanting to not overthink things and keep it simple for my VQ I had exercises written down at 3 stations w/3 exercises at each around the track.

  • Station 1 – 30 Squats, 50 SSH, 20 Lunges
  • Station 2 – 20 Big Boy Sit Ups, 50 LBC, 30 American Hammer
  • Station 3 – 20 CDD, 30 Dips, 15 Burpees

I never really have a great concept of time out in the gloom so planned on 2x through each and see where we’re at (thank you Royale & Bones for helping me keep time!)  Had some extra time after that so decided to mosey to the top of the track for partner up exercise of wind sprints and burpees (note to self, don’t ask for suggestions on partner exercises)

Recovered and had a few minutes left so wall chair was recommended.  Ran the wall chair with the pax at each end doing a bear crawl to the curb + 2 burpees.  Mosey back to COT for LBC, Flutters, and Freddie Mercuries.

Thank you for the opportunity to lead.  I found it to be a good and enjoyable challenge.  Was great to have encouragement from the group!  Till next time

Baywatch

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2

You Still Have 40%

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17 brave men gave it their all this morning in the gloom of Quagmire.  After a disclaimer and a quick reminder of the theme of the month (VICTORY) it was off to better ourselves.

Quick Mosey complete with:

  • High knees
  • Butt Kickers
  • Karaoke
  • Toy Soldiers
  • Knees to Chest

Standard circle with warm up exercises

Series of exercises that “simply” came to mind:

Using the parking lot in front of Old Navy (slight incline) and Mosey up and down several times between exercises:

  • Lunge walks (up)
  • 10 Squat Jumps
  • Bear Crawl (down)
  • Reverse Lunge Walk (up)
  • 50 Squats
  • High Knees (up)
  • Butt Kickers (down)
  • 50 Merkins
  • 50 LBC’s in cadence
  • Plank challenge for 170 sec
  • 50 Burpee’s (10/min)
  • 3 Wind Sprints

It was repeated several times about pushing to the limits of what you are capable of.  As I have “famously” said once (and will obviously never live down), “When you think that you can’t go any further you have about 40% left in the tank.”  Many times we quit too early when pushing ourselves and it is not because we can’t “physically” do it but because our mind tells us to quit.  It is only when we push through those barriers on a consistent bases can be experience growth and grit to make us stronger men.  Super proud of every man who posted this morning and proved to themselves that they are willing to leave it all at COT.

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Brickhouse VQ @Poopdeck

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Less rainy than what they called for.

Disclaimer

Off for a mosey

warmups

4 corners:

Corner 1: Brick webbs

Corner 2: Crab humpers

Corner 3: Cinder block burpee

Corner 4: Monkey humpers

Mosey to the wall

Balls to the wall w/2 burpees each

COT: Marriage maint, prayer etc

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