We’ll Drive Home Backwards

9 Men showed up at The Pit for a Kettlebell Workout from a Runner (not a professional).  YHC made a commitment to less than a mile of total distance.  Fortunately Odometer Fraud (look it up) works for the workout as well.

Here’s what we did:

COP – SSH, Windmills, IW, MNC

Paula Abdul

Carry the bell 2 lines forward, 1 line back, set of KB exercises, Repeat till end of lot

  • 20 Swings (160)
  • 15 Goblet Squats (90)
  • Interlude – KB Bear Crawl the Line
  • 10 Curls 5 Ea. Arm (60)
  • 10 Overhead Press (60)
  • 2 Man Makers alternating arms on the Merkin (12)

Mosey back for COT

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Uncomfortable

7 PAX for the Gears Edition of Tune Up Tuesdays at Block Party.  We kept it nice and simple, but simple doesn’t mean easy.

The Thang:

No warm up, STL style.

Launched down White, around Kanawah, and down Massey at a sub-8 pace.  3 Pain Stations on the route:

  • Little Ceasers
  • Wolfe Funeral Home
  • Sisk Memorial

10-20-30 Merkins-Dry Docks-Mountain Climbers

Headed up Springs Street and took a right on Confederate (5 Burpees OYO for the 6) to the intersection with Monroe White.  Next routine was a variation on Burp-Back Mountain.

  • Ran up to Fort Mill Town Hall Parking Lot, 5 Burpees, then back down the hill and
  • Ran up to the other Hilltop at Williamson and Watson, 5 Burpees

Repeat 6 times total (3 per side).

Meet at the FMCOG lot for some COP while waiting for the 6.  Proceeded to Nur back lot, then some lateral shuffles across the lot.  Ran back up Academy to the Shovel Flag for some Mary before closing out in COT.

NMM

Band Camp especially enjoyed Burp Back mountain… enough said.

3.8 Miles covered, proof here

 

Read your newsletter.

Honor to Serve.

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Golden Corral…GOTTA GO

It was raining and the temps were dropping throughout the morning but as discussed with several PAX, it’s mornings like this when memories are made and durability is built.

In the end, 22 PAX posted this morning with 13 for this final Golden Corral of edition in January. It started a little something like this…

Disclaimer
50 Fast SSH
10 Jump Squats
10 Merkins
10 Burpees

Run to TCES: ~1.2mi
Jack Webb: 1 Merkin : 4 Overhead Claps (Total of 10:40)
10 Burpees

Run to TC Baptist Church: ~.8mi
Wide Arm Merkins
1 V-Up : 4 Flutters I/C (Total of 5:20)

Run back to Teeter:
Al Gore’s followed by baby squats
15 Mike Tysons
5 Burpees

Run to the end of the center
More Mike Tysons & SSH

Move to another storefront
Dips

COT

Until next time…Maximus

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Pain posting at BAOPS

Alcatraz eventually became a prison on an island in the cold waters off the Northern California coast. It was known to be difficult to escape for the inmates that called Alcatraz home. The waters surrounding it were cold and rough, much like its residents.

When Trucker took over Alcatraz, he had a vision for our own little AO on the island, well, it’s really a peninsula but just go with me here. He wanted those that posted at Alcatraz to experience their hardest (or close to their hardest) workout of the week. The idea of coasting into the weekend wasn’t exactly his cup of tea. That said, for those of us that Q Alcatraz now, we have the Trucker-created acronym, BAOPS, in our minds when planning our pain. BAOPS stands for the Best AO for Pain on Saturday. You get the idea now?

For Ruby Slippers and I on this brisk morning, we knew we had to answer the call. The planning began earlier in the week when Ruby said he was incorporating cinder blocks. That’s when I knew this would be top-shelf. Ya see, when a man named after fancy footwear says he’s bringing pain like that, it’s time for the rest of us to bring our big-boy shoes. He shared his plan with me on Friday night and I had to chuckle; it was all I could do to keep from splashing at the thought.

To kick off this adventure, Fish Sticks, Trucker, Geronimo and I decided we needed to get to the AO early for a few rounds of pull-ups which has become quite the nice addition. At 0630, we had 17 of us gathered in the parking lot to embark on this journey.  While not swimming cold, choppy waters, we did see all the cinder blocks lined up and knew we were in for something special.

Ruby took control, disclaimed us and warmed us up with Wind Mills, Tappy Taps, Burpees, SSH, Merkins, Burpees and a few other things. Who does burpees in a warm up? We then all grabbed a cinder block, made our way to the field and counted off in 4’s for the 4-corner beat down. He had set up 4 stations in the corners about 15yds apart from each other.
Station 1: 10 Man Makers, 20 Cinder Block Swings, 30 Overhead Presses
Walk to station 2 with the cinder block in the rifle carry position, overhead.
Station 2: 10 Man Makers, 20 Cinder Block Swings, 30 Bent Over Rows.
Lunge walk to station 3 while holding the cinder block.
Station 3: 10 Man Makers, 20 Cinder Block Swings, 30 Derkins w/ your feet up on the block.
Walk to station 4 with the cinder block in the rifle carry position, overhead.
Station 4: 10 Man Makers, 20 Cinder Block Swings, 30 Curls
Lunge walk back to station 1 while holding the cinder block.

We continued on this circuit until our never-ending 30mins had expired. It felt like 30 days and holy smokes, the collective groan from the PAX almost woke the neighbors. We were all on the struggle bus after this and guess what, we were only 1/2 way through this wonderful nonsense.

Gee, THANKS TRUCKER!!! Now we’ll hand off to Maximus for what was intended to be the tour de hills of our lovely AO. Once I told the PAX about the 3 hills we were to be visiting, you could hear it again. That collective groan, yeah, it voiced itself again. Anywho….

Mosey to Hill 1 at the front of the neighborhood by the Fire Station:
Run down without busting your tail for 5 burpees and 10 Flutters I/C
Run up the hill for 2 squat burpees and 10 Flutters I/C
Complete this 4 times

Mosey to the next hill, Hill 2 down by the circle:
Run down the hill for (5) 8ct burpees and 10 Freddy Mercury’s
Run up the hill for (2) 8ct burpees and 10 Freddy Mercury’s
Complete this 3 times

C’MON MAN!!!! REALLY???? Did our time really expire before we can complete Hill 3? Yes, yes indeed. Fortunately, we got back to the AO in time do complete a few rounds of Mary.

Aaaannnndddd, there you have it. BAOPS lives on!!!

Announcements: FM Study Hall volunteers needed. D2DB reminder. Do yourself and your concentrica a favor by engaging in everything F3 has to offer. Spiderman cemented this by a call to action for the PAX to GET IN A SHIELDLOCK. There were more announcements but I apologize, my stenographer failed to show.

Prayers/Praises: Some serious things on the hearts of our PAX and if you want to know what they are, you should’ve posted. Praise for our boy, Skipper, now 1wk into this new chapter of his life with us in F3. Welcome.

Until we SYITG,
Ruby Slippers & Maximus

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OTB #1 with Rucks & Sand bags

Physically, we put in the work. Due to the suck we endured together, like hearing each other struggle through the sand bag evolutions, and other things you can read about below, there is a little bit tighter of a bond. Hard stuff builds the bond and on this Thursday morning, it was time to build.

After the planning committee did their work, we rolled into the AO with the following 60min throwdown:

Rucks consisting of the standard weight
60lb & 80lb sand bags

1mi run (slick)

To the field which was about 55yds, side to side:
MAN-MAKER BRUTALITY:
It didn’t take long but this is where we realized this would be no mailed-in workout.
With rucks on, grab a sand bag. Throw the sand bag several times until you get about 5-7yds out (about 2 throws) then do a man-maker with your sand bag (mind you, you’re ruck is still on your back). As you stopped to do your man-makers, you added 1 more every time.

25 Flutters w/ Ruck Press I/C

For the return trip, it’d be a sand bag toss (with your ruck on) then when you get overtop the bag, execute (1) 8ct Body Builder.

Run across the field and back (slick)

25 Flutters w/ Ruck Press I/C

Ruck on – bear crawl to the other end however this time, you’re dragging the sand bag, too.

25 Flutters w/ Ruck Press I/C

Ruck on – crawl bear back to the other end, however this time, you’re pulling the sand bag, too.

Run across the field and back (slick)

Finish with a 1mi run (slick)

It was challenging but it was necessary.

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QSchool @ Colosseum

Esso >>
Open normal, mosey, circle up and then reiterate what you did
Opening

  • T minus warning
  • Look for guys you haven’t seen, introduce yourself
  • Ask if there are any FNG’s
  • Disclaimer 1) not a professional, 2) modify the exercise if need be but do something
  • Take control, be a leader, after this is about building leadership characteristics and guiding other men. THEY WILL FOLLOW YOU UNTIL YOU GIVE THEM A REASON NOT TO

Who has never Q’d?
Cadence counting – we do this for consistency

  • Next exercise is…
  • Starting position… move…
  • In cadence… exercise

SSH
Windmills
Begin calling on pax, they choose exercise, mix in moseys

Gears >>

⁃ Weinke prep:
– at least the night before
– write it down, even if you don’t use it
– KISS
– try to plan for about 20% more than you think you’ll need (mental math)
– go with your strengths, but honor the site theme. If you can’t Q it, don’t do it
– simple routine – Wall Worms
– focus areas on repeat
– lbc
– Flutter
– dying cockroach
– box cutter
– repeat x 2

⁃ Form exemplification
– you are responsible for allowing and even encouraging Good form.
– fast merkins vs slow Merkins
– fast Freddy vs slow Freddy

⁃ Scaleability – size of pax, ability of pax
– know your Pax
– pearls on a string
– Squats
– flying squirrels
– Mountain Climbers
– Burpees

⁃ COT routine
– phone /video Evidence
– count
– name-o-rama
– FNG naming

– announcements (newsletter)
– prayer /praise

⁃ follow up
– BB, counts

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Parking Lot Party

Nice and simple at Quagmire for a rainy end to November.

Mosey to far end of the lot.

COP

  • SSH
  • Tappy Taps
  • Rebel Merkins
  • Mountain Climbers
  • LSS

Mosey to top of the lot next to Zoe’s
Burpee Ladder across lot to 7

Mosey to PetSmart wall
Wall Worms 1:4 Merkins:OH Claps up to 5

Mosey around building back to Zoe lot
Bear Crawl Merkin (x2) Ladder Across lot to 14

Mosey to PetSmart wall
Mike Tysons x 10

Mosey around building back to lot
Crab Walk BBS ladder across lot to 14

Mosey to PetSmart wall
BTTW count down the line (40 sec)

Mosey around building back to lot for COT

2.8 Miles

Read Your Newsletter.

Honor To Serve.

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Laced Up Tight

31 degrees at Laces In? Sure, I’ll take it. I gave the PAX a heads-up, shown below…

At the risk of potential “over-hyping,” here are a number of things to consider for Laces In:

  1. Minow Pond will be converging with us.
  2. AKA will be converging with us.
  3. Looks to be the coldest morning of the week.
  4. Gloves highly recommended.
  5. If you want to stretch or warm up, show up early.
  6. Wheels up 0515 and it’ll be GO-TIME.
  7. You’ll be warm by 0525.
  8. If you’re prone to FOMO, then you should post.

The 12 of us arrived, commented about the cool temps and all the men in tights, were disclaimed and we took off for a lap around part of the gym lot.

Circle Up:
20 x Fast-Paced SSH
10 Burpees
Another lap but this time, just a bit shorter
Line up at one end of the parking lot and bear crawl to the other end of the lot.
Sprint 1/2 way back, 10 Burpees, Sprint the rest of the way

Mosey over to the circle by the stadium:
20 Bomb Jacks
30 Flutter Kicks I/C
Run up the hill to the stop sign and back down
40 Jump Squats
40 Merkins I/C
Run up the hill and back down
10 Burpees

Mosey back to the gym parking lot.

Line up on the line for 2-Tier Grounded Suicides:
Bear crawl out 20 yards, crawl bear back. Bear crawl out 40yds, crawl bear back
10 Wide-Arm Merkins
Crab walk out 20yds, walk crab back. Crab walk out 40yds, walk crab back.
10 Wide-Arm Merkins
10 Burpees

30 American Hammers I/C
20 Flutter Kicks I/C

COT: There are very heavy prayers on the hearts & minds of our PAX. Remember, do not walk alone.

Thank You, Slapshot

Maximus

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Are You Committed?

YHC had the honor to share the Q with Dark Helmet in celebration of his six years in F3. The disclaimer was disclaimed and the group split between The Fort and Milkshake. Here’s what we did:

  • 10 Imperial Walkers (IC)
  • 10 Low Slow Squats (IC)
  • 10 MNCs, Overhead Claps, Raise the Roofs, Little Baby Arm Circles (IC)

Mosey to the back parking lot

  • 20 Burpees
  • Lap
  • 40 Merkins
  • Lap
  • 60 Squats
  • Lap
  • 80 Little Baby Arm Circles
  • Lap
  • 100 Calf Raises
  • Lap
  • 80 LBCs
  • Lap
  • 60 American Hammers
  • Lap
  • 20 Burpees

Transition to Dark Helmet

For DOAH’s half, we ran around downtown to various parking lots for mumblechatter, Burpees, Bear Crawls, Flutters, and a myriad of other “fun” things. At each stop, he spoke to the 5 Core Principles, the Credo, and various other lessons on becoming a better man through F3. He’s an example of how a man can change if he commits.

So, are you committed? Without commitment, nothing happens. Commitment is required for any gains; gains in your fitness, faith, marriage, work, and life. Commitment is not a feeling. It’s a requirement to get through the hard times. We post in the heat, cold, rain, or shine. Why? Because doing the hard thing at the hard times prepares you for the the future. Commitment isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary to get you prepared for the next hard thing. You can’t get out of something that you don’t put into.

Six years ago, DOAH made the first commitment to daily investment into his fitness. Because of his efforts, he’s down over 50 pounds and up hundreds of new friends. He’s a better husband, father, and leader. What’s his secret? Commitment to betterment – the daily red pill. You have to commit if you want to see gains. Get after it, fellas. Today’s your day. Take it!

Aye!

Italian Job

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Pantheon Pyramid

Prior to posting, YHC was requested to wear the shortest of shorts by our 1st F Q – Gears. YHC was happy to comply. 

A chilly 38 degrees made for a nice leggy start to the morning… in the height of the current political drama (that YHC is so wrapped up in), a bible verse was spoken prior to the disclaimer. 

Hebrews 13:8 – 

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” 

YHC spoke said verse because the focus shouldn’t be so much on earthly things as it has been. 

Disclaimer was stated, and we were off. Lap Around to Back of School, jump onto the playground/turf.

 

COP

20 SSH IC

15 Tappy Taps IC

15 Moroccan Night Clubs IC

Yoga Flow/Stretch Out

Line up facing Basketball Court (watch out for the ropes!)

 

Pyramid  

Each round added an exercise to the mix, starting with 5 burpees. Once we reach 30 SSH, we worked our way back down by removing the exercise with the most reps. Between each round we ran about 50 yards total. 

5 Burpees

10 Big Boys

15 Merkins

20 Squats

25 CDD’s

30 SSH

 

Mosey to Basketball Court

Line up on base line. Crab Walk to Half Court, feet first. Flip and crab walk head first to other base line.

Suicide foul line, half court, foul line, base line. 

Bear Crawl to half court, craw bear to other base line. 

Suicide from this base line. 

Inch worm to half court, on your six.

Windshield Wipers with legs per YHC’s count (left/right).

 

Begin Mosey back toward COT, stopping on the way for some Fifer Scissors x 25.

Reach COT, flutter in wait for six. 

Rosalitas x 20

WWI Sit Ups x 10

0600.

 

A great showing by all. YHC was gassed after Honey Badger and Block Party. Divac apparently loves suicides. Who knew?? 

 

Announcements – 

The Fort is traveling to Rock Hill this Friday, and Metro next Thursday. Hit up Shady for info/clown cars. 

 

Prayers/Praises – 

Prayers for Fish Sticks’ MIL – Flu like symptoms developing.

Prayers for MR. T and his family.

Prayers for Short Sale’s family with multiple people battling illness/pneumonia.

Prayers for Opie’s FIL – bad car accident causing 6 cracked ribs and now pneumonia. He is out of the ICU thankfully.

 

Thanks 38 Special for the opportunity to lead.

Punch List out. 

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