Octagon of Pain, same low price, but now with more jumping!

Great morning and a great crowd of 16 PAX at the Poopdeck.  I mean it was still hot and humid as hell, but that’s par for this summer.

After a quick disclaimer we took off around the lot for a mosey that included some shuffle steps, NUR, and Toy Soldiers before circling up near where the cat lady roams for some Warm-A-Rama.

  • Windmills x10 IC
  • Planks (2x 10 counts)
  • Merkins x 10 IC
  • Morroccan Nightclubs x 10 IC
  • Low, Slow Squat x 10 IC
  • Hold squat (2x 10 counts)

Short Mosey to the upper lot (deck?) at the Poopdeck, I’ve been Q-loaded the last couple of weeks and the previous 2 Q’s were brutal on the arms and shoulders so I decided to mix it up a bit this morning by giving the upper body a complete break at the expense of all leg plyo workout.  I wasn’t sure how it was going to go over, but everyone seemed pretty beaten by the end.  In any case, here is the breakdown of how it works:

  • 8 Cones setup in an Octagon in the parking lot (fairly large in diameter though I didn’t count the paces) with a 9th cone in the middle of the Octagon.
  • Each cone had a (jumping) exercise on it
  • Pair up (only for the push, none of this required a partner)
  • Pick a cone, do the exercise on the cone, and then Broad Jump to the center cone and do 8 Burpees, then Broad Jump back to one of the 7 remaining cones and continue through until all 8 are completed and a trip back to the center cone after each cone for 8 more Burpees.
  • The exercises were:
    • 100 SSH
    • 100 Jump Rope
    • 50 Jump Squats
    • 50 Jump Lunges (25 each leg)
    • 50 Lateral Jumps (25 each leg)
    • 50 Knee Tuck Jump-ups
    • 50 Squat Jacks
    • 25 Bomb Jacks
      • ~64 Burpees
      • lot of broad jumping!

Everyone made it through at least once, which was the goal. In typical Jedi fashion he made it through a couple extra.  With about 10-15 minutes left we lined up for some Indian running around the parking lot.  Lead PAX drops and does 4 Burpees and rejoins at the back of the line.  We cycled through each of the 16 PAX twice before heading back to CoT and about 2 minutes of Mary to end the workout.

  • 6th annual Invergance at Rush Pavilion 9/21 @ 5:30
  • Prayers for all the teachers and kids in school
  • Prayers for injured PAX

Thanks Peg for the opportunity to Q!

Until next time,

-Flux-

 

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Still in Abyssness

I seem to keep having my last Q in the Carolinas at least once a week now. Gonna need to stop calling it that until I got a final date for when I leave. Bones gave me the Q for abyss at sea legs, came up with something on the spot that went more or less like this today-

Mosey to basketball court, COP

Mosey to the back road. At top of back road, tried having us do rugby sprints, learned its kinda hard to do it coming downhill, didn’t realize the angle was as steep as it was when trying to stop suddenly for six inches. Did this all the back to basketball courts

WIth a partner, each man does 30 pullups  altogether, switching off to run to give breaks between sets. I love my pullups, and 30 is ambitious I think for most people.

After this went on to main event. Tried explaining the whole routine before starting, but learned it was alot easier to just go round by round and have the PAX follow along till the habit picked up.

ISLAND HOPPING

4 islands nearest us in parking lot, do a set of an exercise and run to next. then,Far away islands, run to each and do 15 LBCs.  last island near middle by COT, 10 burpees before moving on to next round. rounds were as follows:

1.10 merkins

2.20 squats

3.20 monkey humpers

after going through one cycle of this, PAX had it down pat. 10 minutes, left, started over with intention that everyone do as much as they could before time. Pax in lead got to monkey humpers again before COT called.  As usual, Jedi was beast mode and in the lead and never looks like he’s dying haha.

Had lunch with Qbert today who was present, I asked him what the general impression was of ” a whopper Q”, if it had any general characteristics . He answered that it was that nobody ever knew what it was going to be or what to expect. Really, Really glad to hear that because honestly, my biggest thing that I want to avoid at all costs, is to be too predictable or cliche when I lead the beatdown. So its good to know.

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Pantheon-A good decision or not . . . ?

Been sick for four days now and decided to suck it up and lead this morning no matter how I felt. Tough, tough decision. Stupid decision to go out, too, but I couldn’t leave my brothers hangin’ in the (almost) cold. Just didn’t do any fist bumping today or breathing in somebody’s face. Worked on my verbal compliments today and, boy, were there plenty to give with this group of men!  It was a blast as usual when you don’t know what you’re going to get with Straight Up!

Standard Disclosures No FNGs today

Quality over Quantity today

Topic of the Month: Victory

Shared what came to mind for me was:

1 Corinthians 15:57: But thanks be to God! He gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Warm-up:

Ran a small lap: doing

High knees

Butt kickers

Bunny hops

Figure 8s

Toy Soliders

Continued with:

12 each person’s name SSHs

12 Ab Vigodas

15 Low slow squats

15 Peter Parkers

12 Merkins

15 Moroccan nightclubs

Rolling Crucifix – 4X each side

Table Twists – 4X each side

The Thang:

Attempted to run individually .65 miles but we cut it short at .35 miles

Moved to the field:

3 Exercises in a row:

1. Twisting Pistons until failure

2. 4 “Mancave move” (name made up by me) while others choose between X-jumps or no arms up burpees or scissor squats. 2 people did the move at a time and then 2 more rotated in. “Mancave move” is a merkin on weights, right row, merkin, left row, left row, merkin, squat press of weights up and control down, then repeat

3. 12 Alternating plank jacks or just plank jacks if you are not coordinated

20 second rest

2 Exercises in a row:

1. The Lazy Dora: Partner up;

One partner planks (Regular plank or back plank if you choose)

Other partner:

60 total Heals to the Heavens (12 each, then rotate with partner)

60 total each side Austin Ass-Kickers (12 each, then rotate with partner)

60 total cross jacks + 60 total plank jacks (12 each, then rotate with partner)

2. Tree hugger (for all of us) for 3 go-rounds: squat position hugging imaginary tree and PAX not hugging sprints around the group and taps shoulder of next person who then sprints, . . . 3X around for each person.

30 second rest

Burst Training:

2 50 yard sprints

Final Exercises:

15 Straight Calf Raises

10 Merkins

10 Squats

15 Outward Calf Raises

10 Merkins

10 Squats

Mosey to parking lot

COT

Announcements/Read your newsletter

Highlighted Praise:

Fish Sticks going to see extended family over the weekend

On the Rocks has read 94% of the Bible. Have you?

Highlighted Prayer Requests: For children in our area suffering from things such as bullying, identity issues, and self-esteem challenges. Our challenge: to encourage these preteens/teens with words of Victory listed above.

Diesel’s father’s next steps in life

Safety for Fish Sticks half marathon

Fish Sticks: thanks for the opportunity to lead some outstanding, hustle-oriented men this morning! It was fun!

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Best of Both Worlds

YHC freely confesses a fear of Alcatraz.  For over four years the site has represented a area of extreme difficulty, best to be avoided.  However, at the behest of the Senator, YHC committed to Q and to over come his fear.  He also, inexplicably, committed to Q at the Fort the same day.

The Thang

Part One

As Ragnar was in full swing, YHC felt it appropriate to lead off with a run, out and back. So,  out for approximately :10 with a two sets of SSHs, crab planks and twisting planks.  Run back to Runde park to pick up second half.

Moleskin

We discussed the theme of the month: control.  Specifically noting that we can control some things, and some things we can’t.  What get’s us in trouble is that tendency to try and control everything – its not possible.  We also discussed the Serenity Prayer which is a very fitting reminder for us all.

Part Two

Each PAX grabbed a cinderblock and made 3.5 rotations of the ball field doing curls, squats, tricep extensions, rows and presses in sets of 20.  YHC confesses to way too much mumble chatter, a signal of his ongoing fear of The Rock.

Closed with COT and the Serenity Prayer by Mr. Jenkins.

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JEEVE’S GROWN MAN GAME OF THREE SQUARE

Warm Up Mosey to the Warm-up circle, exercises in cadence

  • Side Straddle Hop (20, four count)
  • Imperial Walker (20, four count)
  • Low Slow Squat (20, four count)
  • Wind Mill (20, four count)
  • Hillbillie (20, four count)
  • Merkin (10, four count)
  • Peter Parker (20, four count)

Mosey around the parking lot

We counted off into three groups and split up to each off the three squares.

Square 1

  • Merkin – OYO 15
  • Hello Dolly – OYO 30
  • Carolina Dry Dock – OYO 25
  • Star Jack – OYO 20

Once each square was completed we went into 15 yards of frog jumps, then 15 yards of bear crawl and lunges back to the starting line.

After the first station, we did Moroccan Nightclub until the six was in.

After a 10 count, each group rotated to the next square

Square 2

  • Big Boy Sit-Ups – OYO 25
  • Shoulder Taps – OYO 40
  • Diamond Merkins – OYO 15
  • Squats – OYO 25

More frog jumps, bear crawls and lunges.

After the second station, we did overhead claps until the six was in

Discussed the October 3rd F theme of Control and its definition

Square 3

  • Flutter Kicks – OYO 50
  • American Hammer – OYO 50
  • Mountain Climber – OYO 50
  • Side Straddle Hop – OYO 50

More frog jumps, bear crawls and lunges.

After the third station, we did curb step-ups until the six was in

Discussed control and Jeremiah 29:11

Mosey over the a nice little hill and got into partners. We did 200 LBCs with rotating partners running the hill.

Mosey back to the squares. Due to one Pax being late he picked his favorite square and we all completed Square 2 together. More frog jumps, bear crawl and lunges.

Mosey back for COT

Discussed Control and Matthew 6:34

Jeeves’s full VQ is in the books! Glad to have that over!!!

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What? What was that?

Intro:

A lot of fun today. Excellent hard work from the PAX. My hats off to them. They even got to experience a surprise visit from “Gunther” in the beginning.

Disclaimer mentioned. No FNGs today. Mosey 15 feet to circle up for:

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one lifestyle influencing another.” – John C. Maxwell

Warm-up:

12 SSHs

8 Windmills

Around the circle hamstring raises (I can’t ever remember the F3 name of these)

Dynamic Stretching Warm-up:

3 inch worms continuing to straighten legs further on each one

Ninety Squared Stretch – 3X each side

Rolling Crucifix – 3X each side

Table Twists – 3X each side

2 Way Lunge and Reach (yoga style) – 3X each side

Hamstring Reaches – 5X 

Can Openers – 10X each side

10 Chopper Throws (throw down across body) – 10X each side

Frankenstein Shoulder Circles – 10X each side and each way

Imaginary Jump rope for 30 secs

Ran 2 gradual increase of pace warm-up laps (shorter lap)

Mixture of exercises throught the laps: high knees, karoke, shuffles, bunny hops

The Thang:

“A leader is great, not because of his power, but because of his ability to empower others.”  – John C. Maxwell

Between exercises:

  1. Round 1: One person shares a Praise/blessing/gratefulness topic for 15 seconds break before going to next exercise
  2. Round 2: Prayer request: Same as round 1 concept. The focus is on:
    1. You
    2. Family
    3. Close friend

Exercises: 16 Stations + a Surprise Station (We were aiming to get through all of them but were not in a rush. We accomplished about 13.)

We broke up into 2 groups and then rotated the grouping of stations after the 8th station.

Station #1: Surprise Exercise: Donkey Kicks into a High Knee Jump – 18

Station #9: Single Leg Burpees – 6 each side

Station #2: Superman but with arms to the side and rotate shoulders up to ski; legs go up to – 2 sets of 12

Station #10: Back Widow (use elbows) – MAX OYO

Station #3: Under the hedge (Divebombers) – MAX OYO

Station #11: Pancake Pushup, then Dive Bomber to Diamond Pushup – MAX OYO

Station #4: Jumping Lunges – 50 each leg X 2 sets

Station #12: Ninja Tuck Jumps – 12 X 2 sets

Station #5: Deep Carolina Drydocks – 30 head touching ground

Station #13: Reverse Iron Cross Pushup (Rear Delts) – MAX OYO

Station #6: V-ups with a completely straight leg – 15; break 20 seconds, then 5

Station #14: Flutters – 40 

Station #7: Dips – Set 1: 25; Set 2: 15-20 max

Station #15: Body weight tricep extensions pushups – 9 

Station #8: Full body movement: Sprint to stop sign/Run backwards back

Station #16: Sprint ladder with cones (catch the person that goes before you; 3 second delay) – 1 round for each person chased

If waiting for the other group and your group finished first, then you get to pick randomly from a SURPRISE list. The one picked today by Group 1 was:

Surprise Exercise: Squat thrust jacks (burpee then a plank jack) – 10

COT:

Announcements: Invergence, Convergence.

Challenge to take 1 prayer request /week; Can you be an everyday prayer warrior?

Final Prayer/Send off

Thanks for the opportunity today to lead these fine min, Fish Stix!

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Mixed Up Miles

8 pax posted to #LacesOut for a morning of speed training measured by who could start sweating the soonest.  It didn’t take long, with shirts coming off after the first cycle.

The Thang

COP warm up — SSH, Mtn climbers, Parker Peters, Windmills, Hillbilly walkers

Karaoke across football field

Butt kickers and toy soldiers back across

Run 1 mile at 2nd F pace

Line up on track at 50 yd line on home side

Part 1: Run 2 laps counterclockwise
Part 2: Jog 1/2 lap to 50 yd line on visitor side
Part 3: Turn around and run 1 lap clockwise
Part 4: Jog 1/2 lap back to 50 yd line on home side
Total = 1 mile
(Rinse & repeat 4 total cycles or 4 miles)

Stretch

COT

NMM

Solid work by all pax today in the steamy gloom.  5 miles total and plenty of sweat.  Metabolism was cranking for hours afterward.

Thanks to STH for the invite!  You were missed!

 

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Windjammer Glory Run

Record breaking 16 PAX at Tempo.  Dash to Windjammer and Back was The Thang.  Lots of 2ndF during the 1stF with a 3rdF pause in the middle to give thanks to Sky Q at the Windjammer Dock.

 

View post on imgur.com

Prayers:

Aging Parents, Marriages, Job Situations.

Much thanks given to Sky-Q at the dock this morning… Praise to the King.

 

Announcements:

G-Fit tomorrow at 1900

CAH Guidance Saturday Sept 2 at 1600

Invergence Sept 29th

Read Your Newsletter

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It Was Sooooo Humid Today…

23 men gathered in the sultry SC gloom for another round of F3 at  Golden Corral.  Some rucked while others boot camped, but we all got a good sweat on this morning.  Here is what we did:

The Thang:

YHC  took the boot campers aside and stated their obligations for the next 45 minutes (don’t get hurt and  if you do, it’s your own fault).  We then moseyed for a dynamic warm up of knee pulls, ankle pulls, toy soldiers, arm circles, and lunge twists.  After we woke up our bodies, we mosey around the lot and found a good spot in front of the Piedmont Family practice for COP:

All in cadence:

SSH x 40, merkin x 10, windmill x 15, crab tags x 20, squat x 20, Peter Parker Peter x 20, diamond merkin x 20, side lunges x 15, wide arm merkin x 15, LBC x 20

Mosey to the corner of the lot for suicide repeats.  Run out and back to the first, second and third concrete islands.  Plank up when finished and wait for the six.  We did five rounds today with the following exercises in cadence between each round:

Round 1:  Carolina dry dock x 20

Round 2:  Diamond merkins x 10

Round 3:  Morrocan night clubs x 30

Round 4:  Can’t remember?

Round 5:  Burpees (10 OYO)

Mosey back to the start point for 5 minutes of Mary:

Hello Dolly x 20, Freddie Merc  x 20, Pretzel crunch x 10L/10R, Superman hold x 2

COT

Big group today – more than I expected.   It’s been a while since I’ve been here,  and even longer since I had the Q so was happy to get the call last night from Decibel.   I think we had about 15 boot campers and 8 ruckers.  Don’t know what the ruckers did, but they looked pretty tired at COT so it must have been good.    There was a lot of chatter today from Decibel and Falcon Crest, as well as from the usual suspects (Pusher, Funhouse, Change Order).  The humidity was in full swing and the heavy air made everything harder today.     The pax did a great job, though, and no one complained, when YHC called for the next round of suicides.   Well done, men!

It was nice to have F3 The Fort’s official historian couple (Lugnut and Spitz) in attendance as well as many, many new pax.   My hope for the new guys is that they take full advantage of all that F3 has to offer and that they become stronger men and leaders.

Announcements/Prayers/Praises

Read your weekly newsletter.  If you are not receiving the newsletter, reach out to Old Bay.

Prayers for the death of a brother-in-law, brother-in-law with cancer, a member of our NC pax struggling with addiction,  children going back to school and heading off to college

Funhouse  made a call for our local F3 pax to be leaders and mentors for young boys in our community.   Deacon called out the Pax to be men of action and not those who stand and watch injustices.

 

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Stinky Morning at the Golden Corral

Cool morning at the Golden Corral with 20 men in attendance for ruck, running and boot camp activities.  The group split up evenly with two getting in some extra miles running.  After a brief disclaimer, we moseyed to the back parking lot for the following warm-up exercises:

SSH x20

Imperial Walker x20

Moroccan Night Club x20

Plank

Windmill x10

Next, we took a short jog to the top of the parking lot for some partner exercises.  First partner, ran up to the cell tower and performed 10 bomb jacks while the second partner performed the following exercises:

CCDs

Flutter Kicks

Burpees

Our workout was disrupted by the passing garbage truck carrying a potent mixture of foul smelling trash.   A few almost lost their breakfast.

Next, we ran to the church parking lot for a round of Doral 1-2-3.

100 – Squats

200 – LBCs

300 – Merkins

we finished with 50 Moroccan Night Clubs and two rounds of step-ups.

Announcements:

Convergence this Friday at Harris Teeter

Prayers:

Ginsu & M safe travels and new addition to family

Those unspoken

 

Always an honor to serve!

 

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