Tag: Half Shell

011 Ruck PT at Fire Ant

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Lucky me, after the weekend of the GoRuck Selection Facebook Live event I get to Q the Fire Ant.  I felt privileged to be the first.  If you don’t know what the GoRuck Selection is just check out Go Ruck on Facebook.  This event goes 48+ hours of some of the worse PT, ruck marches, and extra weight carries you can imagine.  If you’ve done a GoRuck Tough, it like that on steroids for 2 straight days!  And it’s led by 7-10 of GoRuck’s best cadres.  Completion % is > 2%.  And you get to watch this live on Facebook!  It’s crazy, if you want to check it out, video replays are on their FB page.

So we had 14 PAX ready to test their will on the ruck, including Sasquatch and Wegmans who borrowed rucks to join us, as well as Tinsel for his 1st ruck workout! I had asked all the regular ruckers to bring their sandbags and they did not disappoint.  It’s amazing how the numbers work out sometimes.  14 guys + me /  7 sandbags of extra weight = perfect fit!  (Spiderman later ragged me for clip boarding for like 4 minutes…he was right) After Dark Helmet’s Q school disclaimer we lined up 2×2 with a sandbag between each man and started the long march.

We moseyed over to the church parking lot north of the shopping center talking about the GoRuck Selection and Doug – the only man to finish the 48 hour Selection this year.  About half of the ruckers watched some of the Selection on Facebook Live at some point this weekend.  Many of them were yelling at their devices “DFQ 011!!!!!” at least a few times…

When we arrived I told them about our goal today.  In honor of 011s Selection completion we had 11 ruck exercises and we would complete 11 reps for each.  These were some of my favorite PT items the cadres had 011 go through countless times during Selection!

  1. 8 count Burpees with ruck on
  2. Ruck Curls
  3. Squat Thrusters
  4. Flutters with ruck press
  5. Overhead ruck press
  6. Ruck sandbag toss (in the grass)
  7. Ruck Swings
  8. Man Makers
  9. Tricep Extensions
  10. Overhead Ruck Hold with Lunges
  11. Ruck sandbag Bear-hug Carry for 110 yards

This PT was brutal and allowed for plenty of mubblechatter.  We completed the full rotation twice before we were almost out of time.

Once complete, we lined back up in 2×2 formation.  Each man had a sandbag between them.  This time we would rotate the bags between partners on our route back to COT.  We took the long way and each man carried a bag twice.

Back to COT right on time – Dark Helmet and his 6 PAX not so much.  We did flutters while we waiting for their LATE return.

COT with Nameorama – announcements – prayers – BOM

An Honor to Lead

-Royale

 

 

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Alcatraz “fun”

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8 HIM got better this morning at Runde Park for some Lutefisk and Bear Grylls fun.

After a quick disclaimer (no FNGs) we moseyed around the parking lot to the field where we circled up for 7 warm-up exercises:

Peter Parkers  x 15
American Hammers x 15
Carolina Dry Docks x 15
Krakken Burpees x 5 OYO
E2K’s (R ankle over L knee, L elbow to R knee like a crunch) x 15
Ranger Merkins x 15
Seal Jacks x 15

And yes, that spells PACKERS.  GO PACK GO!!  Thank goodness the NFL is back on.  I’ve been having withdrawals.

The Thang:

Start with a modified “Charles Bronson:”
Perform 50 exercises at point A, sprint 100-ish yards to point B, army crawl to point C, mosey back to point A for 50 different exercises.
1st exercise: 50 x Side Straddle Hop
2nd exercise: 50 x Merkins
3rd exercise: 50 x Jump Squats

Next a modified “Millennial:” The PAX thought I would be calling out the exercises via text, twitter, or some other form of nonverbal communication.  Perhaps  we’d just have Bear Grylls do all of the exercises for us while we sat and watched.  But no, we’re gonna earn this one.  Split PAX into 2 teams of 4.  Starting point, do 25 x of each exercise, mosey 100 yards, 25 x of exercise, mosey 100 yards back, 25 x of exercise… you get the point.  Rinse and repeat 10x for a grand team total of 2000 ‘reps’ in honor of the millennials born around the year 2000.
1-Carolina Dry Docks
2-Squats
3-Moroccan Night Clubs
4-Flutters
5-Mountain Climbers
6-LBC’s
7-Merkins
8-Lunges
9-Side Straddle Hop
10-Burpees (a crowd pleaser)

And with that Lutefisk handed the baton to Bear Grylls.  The PAX were toast, and unsure of what to expect from what we saw earlier which looked like the unloading of Myrtle Beach from his Range Rover onto the sidewalk above captured in bags.

Ten stations were set up about 10 yards apart for partner work. The pace setters on the end were either a ruck down and up the hill or carry a 100lb sand bag up and down the hill. The other stations were AMRAP and included…. a ton of sandbags.  Each bag had different weights from 30lbs to 60lbs and included: calf raise into overhead press, bear crawl bag drag, row into curl, dead lift into kettle bell swing, and a ball slam and jump from crunch position.

With that a mosey to COT where we honored CSPAN with one thing each of us is thankful for. Prayers and praises for kids, uncles, jobs.  Praises for families, F3, job anniversaries.  Bear Grylls led us out in prayer.

I feel honored, humbled, and blessed to be able to have an opportunity to lead these true HIM who come out and give it all they have to get better.

Lutefisk out.

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Tour of The Swamp

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We started promptly at 0515 this morning. The parking lot at The Swamp is pretty dark, and since there weren’t any FNG’s, I made a partial disclaimer and we were off. Of course, it was pointed out to me that it may have been the shortest disclaimer ever…

When we got over in front of The Home Depot we attempted to make a circle so we could stretch:

SSH’s – 20

Windmills – 10

Sun Gods – 10 each direction

Plank to Downward Dog and into Honeymooner x 2

Recover for shoulder stretches – Each arm across, each arm behind the head

Mosey over to the front of Target for The Thang:

We partnered up and got started:

Partner 1 found a spot on the wall for People’s Chair while partner 2 Duck Walked to the second Big Red Ball (or the other side of the cross-walk) and ran back. Partners then switched. We did this twice.

We had a little too much mumble chatter while transitioning to the next exercise so I extended it. The group had to lung walk from the first big red ball to the last, moving towards 49 in front of Target, and had to stop and do 5 Flying Squirrels at every other ball. At the last ball the Q forgot about the Flying Squirrels, but the PAX provided a very gracious reminder.

Next, we mosey’d around to the back of the building. Partners again: Partner 1 performed the exercise while partner 2 ran to the building and back (about 50 yards each way). Partners then switched. Exercises were: Plank, Shoulder Taps, and Big Boy Sit-Ups. Seemed like so much fun the first time Q called for a Rinse and Repeat.

After two 10 counts we mosey’d over to the stairs near the fountain. Partner 1 performed Air Squats while partner 2 ran up the stairs, across the platform, down the other side and back. Partners then switched. We did this for 8 minutes.

At the end of the 8 minutes, giving us 10 minutes left, we mosey’d over to the fountain where the PAX were instructed to find a spot on a bench. Since I haven’t been able to work in upper body much lately, I threw one upper body exercise into the mix. On our bench we were to do Irkins, followed by single count step ups on our bench, with a short break in between rounds. Amount to be performed was 30, 20 and then 10.

A slow mosey brought us back to COT with two minutes left for MARY.

Announcements: Lots of announcements today, which included but was not limited to: 9/21 Invergence, Ragnar, and Bourbon Chase.

Prayers: We are praying for the PAX doing the GRT tonight. We are praying for job searches and next steps in life. We are praying for healing for injured PAX and sick family members.

Thanks Cha Ching for the opportunity to lead. Now that we have more local AO’s in relation to my house it’s been a while since I’ve made my way to The Swamp. As always, it was a blast!

  • Peg
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Board of Pain at the Fire Ant

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It was an honor to again be placed on the Q list of the long list of candidates for The Fire Ant. After Spiderman renewed the mission of this AO, I knew I needed to make it worthwhile for the 14 others who decided to remove themselves from the fartsack this gloom.

THE THANG

So we began with the following: We took a quick ruck march around the building to the front of the Harris Teeter where YHC had previously placed the BOP. At this point YHC gave the F3 Disclaimer. YHC requested that everyone partner up. I then explained the Board: Partner 1 was to perform the first exercise and partner 2 was to perform the movement timing mechanism/then flapjack. The the pair was to go to the second exercise and timing mechanism. The exercises and timing mechanisms are listed below:

Exercises: Merkins, Low Slow Squats, CDD’s, Lunges, Flutters w/Press, Ruck Thrusts, Curls, Tricep Extensions, Lateral Lunges, American Hammers, Overhead Presses, Ruck Swings, and Man Makers.

Timing Mechanisms: Shuffle, Karaoke, Butt Kickers, High Knees, Ruck Run.

After much mumblechatter was had and we made it through the list YCH led us into the following word. Once the message was given the group headed back to the COT and held our Rucks overhead until 0600.

NMM

This was a morning surrounded with many HIMs in whom YHC is intrigued by. Men who wake up at 0345-0445 to get to a workout at 0500 or 0515 almost every day of the week. Most of the PAX in attendance this gloom are planning on taking what they do with fellow F3 brothers each day and taking it into the world this coming weekend. These PAX will be participating in a Goruck event in Charlotte in remembrance of 9/11 and the men and women who sacrificed their lives on that horrific day. 9/11 is a day, if you were alive, that all will remember no matter what you were doing on that dreadful morning. However, our country came through the struggle united and closer than I had ever seen before.

This morning I challenged all PAX to remember who and what they represent when they leave the workout each morning. First they represent the one who they place their faith in. Second, they represent their families. Then they represent F3 Nation (an event is a great place to EH Sad Clowns into the brotherhood). Finally, they represent the communities they are a part of from where they live to where they work.

The challenge was to represent well no matter where or what they are doing. And trust me, I write this to remind myself of this challenge.

Announcements, Prayers, & Praises were given with the whole group.

Longshanks led the COT.

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Recovery Q

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Almost evenly split, 6 for the bootcamp and 5 for rucking.  After a busy week of tough workouts and Qs, I did not have much time to plan for this morning’s adventure so I borrowed routines from some HIMs.

Warm-ups:

Butt Kickers

High Knees

Soccer Circles

Next, we jogged over to Just Fresh for COT.

SSH x 20

Imperial Walker x 20

Windmill x 15

Plank

  • Elbows, left arm out for Moroccan Night Club x 10
  • Back to plank
  • Honeymooner
  • Downward Dog
  • Elbows, Right arm out for Moroccan Night Club x 10
  • Back to plank
  • Honeymooner
  • Downward Dog

Next, we lined up for 7 minutes of sprints.  Each segment was 1 minute, any extra time would be used to rest between sets.

We took a break from the running and performed part of this week’s Iron Pax Challenge:

25 walking lunges

25 squats

Rinse and repeat 4x

Next, we went back to the clock for ten minutes of merkins.  Each 1 minute segment, we did 20 merkins, any extra time would be used to rest.  This exercise was tough, not much rest 5 minutes in.

We headed back to COT at a slow jog pace, passing the ruckers twice along the way.  We had time for one set of LBCs before time elapsed.

 

Announcements:

Q School – Golden Corral starting next week

The Fort Invergence – Sept 21 @1730, Rush Pavilion

Prayers:

Injured Pax

Family stresses (kids, jobs, etc)

New F3 Pax – life changing, keep coming out

Families traveling over the holiday

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Fun and Games Friday @ The Swamp

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On a cool Friday morning, things got weird quick. After we ditched 5 ruckers led by Zima, the 17 bootcampers moseyed to a parking lot with some shuffles on the way. Warm-o-rama started with some windmills, peter parker peters, mountain climber merkins, super low super slow squats followed by smurf jacks. We went on to do some T-bombs and a superman hold which led to sun gods and Moroccan NC’s whilst in superman pose. This warm-o-rama made for much mumble chatter.

Next, mosey to the walls between target and home depot for some wall work, where PAX started with a derkin ladder from 10 to 1, running to the other wall in between. Next was ascending testicles, with feet starting at 10 degrees for a 10 count, then 45 degrees for a 10 count, followed by full BTTW 10 count. Mix in some leg work with a squat countdown. Start with 10 squats and hold Al Gore for a 10 count. Not too bad, until you do 9 squats and hold Al Gore for a 9 count. Repeato until 1:1.  Ouch…

Numbered off 1’s and 2’s to split into teams.  Regal forgot he was a 2.  Fridays are hard.  When we finally got the teams even, both teams hold BTTW and one at a time run to other wall and get up BTTW then call for next teammate. First team to have everyone BTTW on the other side wins.  Team 2 won both.  Probably because Regal was on team 2.

Mosey to parking lot where we lined everyone up at the end of the lot. It was game time. Good ole Rock Paper Scissors. Everyone against the Q. If you beat the Q, you had to bear crawl forward approx. 10 yards.  If you tie the Q, 1 burpee.  If you lost to the Q, 1 kraken burpee.  In perfect statistical form, about a third beat the Q.  Next, round two, where the winners bear crawled another 10 yards, the ties did 2 burpees, and the losers did 2 kraken burpees. This went on for a total of 6 rounds and I’m fairly certain I saw 1 or 2 PAX who lost them all.  More ouch…. Regal won

Mosey to grassy hill to finish off the arms with 2 rounds of clock merkins on the hill, mosey back to COT where we met up with the ruckers. With 2 minutes left, busted out the JBL for some linkin park workout. Let the Bodies Hit the Floor (LTBHTF).  On the lyrics “1, 2, 3, 4” we did a merkin. On a “LTBHTF” it was a donkey kick.  Hold plank in between.  Made it just under halfway though the song for a 6am COT.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead Cha Ching!

~Lutefisk

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The Millennial

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25 men showed up for the awesome Fire Ant ruck Q lead by NASA. If your wanted to hear about that, well you’re in the wrong place… YHC had the bootcamp Q.

So I gave the full group the official disclaimer to all Then we split off. 8 of the men came with me.

The Thang

dynamic warmup with high knees butt kickers and toy soldiers.

Circle up for some number of reps of Imperial Walkers, Abe  Vagota, Merkins,  moroccan night clubs, and mountains climbers.

Mosey over to the board I brought,  affectionately called the “millennial”

heres how it goes… 100 reps each exercise, then 100 yard lap around the Parking lot.

1. Side straddle Hops (SC)

2. Merkins

3.LBCs

4.Squats

5. Mountain Climbers (SC)

6. Lunges (SC)

7. Plank Punches (SC)

8. Carolina Dry Docks

9. Flutter Kicks (SC)

10. “Mystery Exercise”  Everyone guessed burpees but I let Manifold pick for us.  He chose poorly….Monkey Humpers…God I hate those things!

Why the “Millennial” you ask?  So you take 10 exercises at 100 reps plus 1000 yards of running

you get 2000 – about the time millennials came into this world.

Finished up with Ab Labs for about 3-4 exercises called out by the PAX.

COT Namorama prayers and announcements.

An Honor to lead

-Royale

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Fire Ants Conquer the Iron Ruck Challenge

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I love the Fire Ant concept! Always a challenge for sure, pushes you to do more. When Spiderman put me on Q I knew what I wanted to do. It was not an original – I took a page from the Iron Pax challenge that has been going around lately. Week 2’s challenge was a beast. I had to work it into a ruck Q.

Great morning! 15 ruckers ready to roll……

We did not roll far. Super tough long ruck about 100 yards to one side of the Teeter parking lot where I wanted us to leave our sweat marks. Circled up for COP:

  • SSH x 20
  • WM x 20
  • IW x 10
  • HW x 10
  • MNC x 20

Then on to the main event. The Iron Ruck Challenge!

  • 5 sets of exercises, each done for 7 minutes AMRAP
  • Each exercise was using your ruck – note they were ALL weighted at least 35lbs, some had more
  • After 20 reps of an exercise, run about 25 yards and back
  • Continue, rinse and repeat exercise/run until 7 minutes are up
  • That completes one set
  • Rest for 1 minute
  • Move on to next set

Exercise sets were:
1. Thrusters
2. Curls
3. Flutters w Press (count on the press up)
4. Swings
5. Man Makers

Everything single count. Used a Tabata timer ap and speaker to keep things moving, audible time changes.

Folks complained about lack of music or a playlist of songs on my phone. I did not bring my boom box either. Hey, I am old – 2 years from 50. Got no time for tinker toys. It’s Pandora, Sirius XM, the radio, or nothing right now. Besides, when you have such epic mumblechatter like we had this morning, who needs music! Also – Cadre ain’t gonna play music while he is whuppin up on us. I’m trying to get my mind ready for that.

Not much talking from the Q. Too busy grunting, groaning, and being winded to talk between sets. Help make your kid’s minds as sharp as they can be is the only words I gave advice on. The kick-arse group of mean mother ruckers there this morning really ground through this. No mods. Good form. A lot of team encouragement and support. Grinded it out to the very end. Everyone ended up doing at least 80-100 of each exercise. Good livin!

Thanks Spiderman for the opportunity to lead. Excellent job by all the PAX there.

-NASA

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Inappropriateness got heavy at the swamp

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8 Men must have not read the Twitter insult by ChaChing and posted to The Swamp for the inappropriatness that is YHC.
Pulled into launch at 5:15 and started immediately into a detailed disclaimer before challenging the PAX to get uncomfortable. The goal was simple: get uncomfortable in order to get better. Ask the PAX to move random heavy things from starting location to other side of AO. Sounded simple enough on paper, mumble chatter confirmed it was much harder than originally planned. Had to make a pitstop half way to get in a quick “Circle of Hump” and two rounds of “Circle of Merkins”. Once in front of Michaels PAX dropped coupons and attention for focused on wonderful list of exercises written in parking spots:
One person per spot with 6in plank hold member being the timer. Exercises were:
– 45 degree lunges
– dot drill
– curls with a coupon of choice
– overhead shoulder press
– spider merkins
– jump squats
– shuttle run
– 6 in plank hold
– burpees
– Mike Tysons

Made it through one round of exercises before calling a coupon less jailbreak back to COT for some cha-cha merkins to keep the serratus shredded.
Count-A-Rama
Name-A-Rama
Announcements and prayers

NMM: Not gonna lie coupons got heavy quicker than expected and at one point was questioning if all PAX were going to make it, YHC included. Greatfull for the motivation and harassment from the PAX to push it and encourage each other to embrace the shared suffering. I’m always trying different things in an effort to challenge everyone to get outside their physical and mental comfort zone BC I feel that’s where true growth occurs. It would be much easier for YHC and probably the PAX to roll through a typical bootcamp beatdown but I enjoy switching things up and hope the PAX doesn’t mind. Thanks again ChaChing for the opportunity.

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