Tag: JWOW

Just. Keep. Posting.

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On a crisp 48 degree morning, a similar # of pax posted for a convergence at The Fort/Milkshake to commemorate 8 yrs of pain and impact in the Gloom of Fort Mill, SC and elsewhere in York County.   The occasion drew pax from Rock Hill, Metro and Raleigh.

The Thang

Double D led a warm up with yog to the Church of God parking lot plus some Carioca

COP — Mtn Climbers, Peter Parker, Parker Peter, Monkey Humpers, SSH, Seal Jacks, Merkins

Hand off to Jekyll

Yog up the hill to the rug factory lot and a re-introduction to, yes, you guessed it  — The Board Pain!!!

See photo for the Weinke from here….or check your soreness today (Sunday) for those who were present.  A Jekyll Classic!  Heard at F3 from Redwood @Santini “I’ve been avoiding this Board for years…100 Burpees!!”

Yog back home

COT

Naked Man Moleskin

8 years…Is that a long time?  Well, the average time of degree completion for US college students is 6 years.  Only 50% of startups make it to the 5th year mark.  So, I suppose 8 years qualifies as something of a landmark.  At the same time, I don’t personally remember much about being 8 years old.  What about the 8 years from 2-10 years old?  Or maybe 10-18 years old?  Yes, I remember more…and if I had my way I’d like to forget some of those moments!

Well, I can remember quite a bit of the past 8 years.  I quite clearly remember 9.29.12…a date etched in my memory like my wedding day, my daughters’ birth dates and my birthday.

As I reflect back on 8 years of #Impact delivered by the men of F3TheFort, what really matters is 10.06.12 and 10.13.12.  You see, those were the Saturdays when pax returned to WEP for week 2 and week 3.  And FNGs posted for their own personal version of #TheLaunch.  And then Saturdays became Tuesdays, too.  And then a short time later they also became Thursdays.   In the end, what matters the most is not what happened in the past, but what happens today.  Or what will happen tomorrow when pax post to one of 30+ workouts across Fort Mill/Tega Cay or 70+ workouts across York County.

Just. Keep. Posting.  The one true constant across life is #Change.  Since 2012, I’ve moved to a different house,  nurtured two chicks out of the nest, collected a paycheck from two additional employers and traversed through a lot of ups and downs.  One of my rocks during this period has been the community of #HIMs known as F3TheFort.  You’ve been steady in your acceptance of me each time I post.  And along the way, you’ve revealed to me more and more parts of myself as you’ve revealed parts of yourself.  I know I’m all the better for it, and so is my family.  I’m pretty certain you’re better too.  And in the process our town, county and country are also better.

So, yes, we should take heart in what’s transpired over the past 8 years.  It is remarkable.  It is a blessing.  Some might call it a miracle….or miracles.  And the only way to honor this fruit and express our gratitude to God and the men who’ve contributed (past and present) is to Just. Keep. Posting.  Because if a day ever comes when no one posts…well…let’s Just. Keep. Posting.

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EMOM Kettle Bell Blast

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15 muscle men got stronger this morning with a stupid workout by YHC. We busted out about 40 minutes of straight slinging bells, with very little rest. I mean, this is a kettle bell AO, so we did kettle bell stuff… lot’s of it. Mumble chatter was light, I guess the guys were too busy oxygenating to waste breath, or I was too red-faced to hear it over my own heart beat…

After a quick confirmation that there were no FNG’s we commenced with a quick disclaimer and on to the warmup to get some blood pumping. SSH, Windmills, Imperial Walkers, Moroccan nightclubs…

Gave the guys a brief explanation, and started pumping iron! We did the following 30 exercises for 1 minute each with no rest in between besides how long it took to transition into the next exercise.

5 minute biceps

2 handed straight curls 1 minute

2 handed reverse curls 1 minute

1 hand concentration curl 30 seconds each side

1 hand Drag curl 30 seconds each side

2 handed concentration curls 1 minute

5 minute triceps

Closed tate press (lying down, elbows out to side) 1 minute (not a taint-press, Uhaul…)

Close-grip Bench press 1 minute

Skullcrushers 1 minute

Alternating Tricep kickbacks 1 minute

Overhead extension 1 minute

5 minute shoulders

Alt slicer (straight arm side to side with pass) 1 minute

Bent over rows 1 minute

Overhead press (push head through) 1 minute

Alt side raises 1 minute

Front raises 1 minute

5 minute chest

Push up one hand on bell with pass 1 minute

1 arm fly 30 seconds each arm

1 arm bench twister (palm to rear, palm to front) 30 seconds each arm

1 arm Standing upward fly 30 seconds each arm

Standing Valley press (bell crusher forward press) 1 minute

5 minute back

Power bent over row 1 minute

1 arm underhand row 30 seconds each arm

Alternating Y-back 1 minute

Lying pullovers (lats) 1 minute

Top bottom supermans (top with bell) 1 minute

5 minute legs

Goblet squat 1 minute

Alt lunges 1 minute

Straight leg deadlift 1 minute

Calf raises 1 minute

Sumo squats 1 minute

1 Full minute of rest, you’re welcome!

Compound exercises

KB swings 45 seconds, 15 sec rest

Overhead extension/overhead shrug combo 45 sec, 15 sec rest

Alt Side lunge/side bend combo 45/15

Front shrug/Front raise combo 45 sec, 15 sec rest

Goblet squat/overhead press combo 45 sec, 15 sec rest

 

With about 90 seconds left, Polaroid led us in some flutter kicks until 0600.

Countorama, Nameorama, Announcements, Prayers/Praises

Please keep our children’s mental health in your prayers as they are being constantly bombarded with outside stresses at an unprecedented level, including strange school schedules due to covid, social distancing requirements, political pressures, news…

Thanks Uhaul for the opportunity to lead this incredible group of HIMs. I am truly blessed to be able to associate with you all. Keep accelerating!

 

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50th Birthday Beatdown

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Today YHC celebrated 50 years on this planet with 11 great men of this nation. The weather was rainy and I think that might have kept some away but the beatdown commenced.

We moseyed to the front of Springfield Middle School and warmed up with : Windmills, Morrocan Nightclubs, Imperial Walkers and Hillbilly Walkers.

The Beatdown consisted of …….you guessed it 50 reps of each exercise. We split into 3 groups of four and each group took a color.

GROUP 1 RED: 50 MERKINS, BIG BOYS, PLANK JACKS, AMERICAN HAMMERS AND BOMB JACKS

GROUP 2 BLUE: 50 SQUATS, MT CLIMBERS, LUNGES, FLUTTERS AND SSH

GROUP 3 GREEN: 50 DIPS, SHOULDER TAPS, LBC’S, DONKEY KICKS AND DERKINS.

Each group completed one set of each and then it was dealers choice. The remaining time was spent picking random exercises from the board or some even decided running was the better choice….not me but nured a lap.

We ended with some Mary and COT…. Polaroid brought donuts and Harry Carey and family made cookies in the shape of shields.

Thank you all for making my 50th birthday special.

 

 

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9/11 NaFo Tower Climb

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Today on the 19th Anniversary of September 11th I had the privilege and honor to lead the men of The Fort in my version of the Tower Climb.

We honored my friends who gave it all to make sure the citizens of NY would be safe.

POLICE OFFICER RAMON SUAREZ TD-04 NYPD

POLICE OFFICER MARK ELLIS TD-04 NYPD

POLICE OFFICER ANTONIO RODRIGUES PAPD

We started with a two lap ruck walk around the track and then jumped right into the climb.

The goal was at least 30 times up and down with 9 inclined merkins and 11 squats at the bottom. There was some mumblechatter, it was hot and humid but the men of the Fort did not disappoint….if you completed 27.5 times you climbed the equivalent of the Towers.

I was proud to lead and share my experiences from that fateful morning that changed the world as we knew it.

It was also great seeing DIRTY HARRY return to the gloom

We end with COT and prayers for all the people lost and the people affected still.

FIDELIS AD MORTEM…..ALWAYS FAITHFUL

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Be Men!

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1 Corinthians 16:13; Be vigilant; stand firm in the faith; BE MEN; be strong. (Shatnerized)

I’m grateful for the opportunity to VQ this fine group of HIM this beautiful muggy morning at Varsity. Thanks Harry Carry for the invite!

7 was the count for a moderately hardish full body workout, good way to end a long, hard week. Effort = Reward and all present put forth the effort this morning.

0515 Circled up at the shovel flag for a quick disclaimer, YHC most likely forgot a couple things, but we were off anyway.

Moseyed on down the way toward Sugar Creek Elementary, but stopped about halfway there for some warmups. SSHs, windmills, imperial walkers, Moroccan nightclubs… YHC was informed that I needed to let everyone know when we were starting each warmup exercise… so we continued down the hill for the main event.

Thang 1

At the bottom of the hill we were introduced to the board of moderately hardish pain. This included 4 groups of exercises split up by a little movement, all to be done OYO. Dark Helmet took a look at the board and decided to go do something easier at the IPAX makeup… J/K

Group 1

50 Highknees

30 Makhtars

20 Half-burpees (down and up, no jump)

Run backward up hill to stop sign at JROTC building, then run back to the board.

 

Group 2

50 LBC Toe Touches

30 Squat Jumps

20 Wide Merkins

Side shuffle around elementary school rear parking lot, and back to the board.

 

Group 3

50 SSH

30 Hip Thrusts (on your back)

20 Alternating Lunges

Sprint up hill to stop sign at JROTC building, then run back to the board.

 

Group 4

50 Parker Peters

30 Seated Flutter Kicks

20 Merkins

Run rear parking lot loop, back to the board.

A few did Group 1 again while waiting on the rest of the PAX to finish, and then on to Thang 2.

 

Thang 2

Since Harry Carry called out Capt. Kirk’s natural Bear Crawl technique, PAX bear crawled up the hill, from the Sugar Creek parking lot to the stop sign at the JROTC building. A couple PAX made it all the way, most needed a break. After that enjoyable crawl, we returned to the shovel flag for the following 6 or 8 minutes of Mary;

 

High planks, then reached out with left arm and right leg and switch. Balance was an issue for some…

Side planks, including side hip thrusts and switch.

Super mans

Went around the circle, each PAX picked an ab exercise to include protractors, merkins (core was engaged), box cutters, leg lifts, flutters, LBCs, and body destroyers.

 

Was that Mars in the sky? It looked bright and red to me so yeah, Mars.

 

Count-o-Rama, Name-o-Rama, Announcements, Prayers/Praises, Closing Prayer

Thanks again for the opportunity, thanks all for the effort and support. Be men!

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Live in the PRESENT

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Matthew 6:34, MSG translation, “Give your attention to what God is doing today, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come when the time comes.”

If you’re like me, living in the present moment is unfortunately a rarity. On the homefront I may be PHYSICALLY present but my mind is somewhere else negatively impacting my engagement with my family. At work I find myself focusing on deadlines and things in the future which negatively impact my communication with my team members and clients. My general concerns I have about this election, the future of our nation, what will happen next, etc. just wears me out. What I have learned is that having my head in the future (or even thinking about the past) robs me of joy and leaves me feeling anxious. We miss out on real living with this mindset. Matthew 6:34 reminds us that we need to give God our tomorrow in order to find peace and real living today.

Warm Up –

Light yog around the parking lot
Karaoke
Butt Kickers
Toy Soldiers
Side Straddle Hops
Tappy Taps
Windmills
Arm Circles
Downward Dog
Honeymooner

Main Event –

Bench Workout which includes multiple sets of derkins, dips, and incline merkins

Parking Lot bear crawl together as a group, multiple stops during the crawl for merkins, burpees, squats, mountain climbers, planks. Run back to starting line

Mode of transportation changed to Broad Jumps repeating the workouts in between.

Mode of tansportation changed to Crawl Bear repeating the workouts in between.

Cool Down –

Ran to bottom of the entrance drive. 20 flutter kickers each leg, run to the top of the hill, 20 LBCs. Rince and repeat X4.

End at COT

Thanks Slapshot for the opportunity and the big orange jug of agua…..

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Crazy 8’s & The world’s second longest heart charger

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11 #HIM began their Tuesday at the Colosseum by choosing the DRP. Here’s what we did:

COP – Mosey to the front of the school – we circled up for a warm up – All execrises were double count and in cadence:

Imperial Walkers X12, Hillbilly Walkers X 12, Windmills X 12, 10 burprees OYO, Low slow squats X 12, hold in the people’s chair while doing 10 air presses and 10 Moroccan night clubs both in cadence.

Mosey to the flag for a pledge to honor those who serve and protect us each day.

Mosey on to the basketball courts for Crazy 8’s – Kracken burpees at one end, run to the other end of the courts for Bobby Hurleys – 7 & 1, 6 & 2, etc. etc.

LBC’s were done while the 6 came in and we then moseyed to the base of the hill for the world’s second longest heart charger.

Every other light pole had two exercises listed – one was an 8 count, one was 25 count – because it was August 25.  Every PAX did 5 burpees every time they returned to the start line.

Pole #3 – 8 merkins, 25 side straddle hops, return to the start for 5 burpees OYO

Pole #5 – repeat pole #3 exercises, then 8 diamond merkins & 25 squats, return to start

Pole #7 – repeat poles 3 & 5, then 8 werkins and 25 calf raises, return to the start

Pole #9 – repeat poles 3, 5 & 7, then 8 burpees and 25 lunges, return to the start

Pole #11 – repeat poles 3, 5, 7 & 9, then 8 kracken burpees & 25 jump squats, return to start

Sir Topham Hat and Harry Caray were kings and all got their share of hill work in. Most PAX were toward the top of the hill when YHC realized at was 0555.  Time to call for the mosey back to COT.

Announcements were given, prayers & praises were offered up.  Newsletter was encouraged to be read.

Thanks to Hardwood for the opportunity to Q.  Always great to get out with a group of #HIM and get better.

Honored,

Cyclops

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Covid Vaccine for the Soul Coming in September… Join In

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Has Covid frozen your faith Journey as Churches have closed their doors?  Or maybe Covid has you asking bigger question of God and you would like to be in a community of Men to discover the answers.  Are you interested in growing in your faith walk? Discovering a path toward an Intimate, Abiding relationship with Christ through a small group study.

Maybe you have been in the church for your entire life, the last 10 years or you are just now opening your mind to this idea of a higher power… a “Sky Q”.  Regardless of where you are in your faith walk we all have room to grow and mature in our relationship with Christ.

We are all on a faith journey and some of us are more or less equipped to take our faith deeper.  If you have a gap in any of these areas then I have a challenge for you.

  1. Do you feel that you have created a solid foundation of knowing who God is and his desire to be a part of your life?
  2. Are you in a group that is consistently seeking to grow in a relationship with God?
  3. Do you feel that you have an adequate tool kit to help you grow deeper in your faith?

In September, we will be launching into a Journey to build from the ground up a knowledge of who God is and to start to learn how to have an intimate, abiding relationship with him.  Please reach out to any of the Journey alumni to learn more and to get connected.

Aye!

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An Old Friend to Start the Week off Right

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A last minute call from JWOW brought about an opportunity to return to a kettlebell AO that YHC had not seen in some time.  It was great so see some new faces in the gloom as well as some PAX who had been away for a bit and returned.

YHC made an early arrival to sketch out the series of exercises that awaited the arriving PAX.   Fortunately, we ended up with 12 present which made partner work administratively more feasible, given the even numbers.

Disclaimers were given to 11 of the 12 PAX as UHaul came in a little hot and hustled to join us for the Main Event.

COP – A variety of exercises were done in cadence including windmills, squats, Moroccan night clubs while holding the people’s chair, side straddle hops and a few burpees sprinkled in between as well.     A mosey to our kettle bells which were conveniently places a few yards from the pyramid of pain – which soon followed.

The pyramid was shared between partners.  While partner 1 began the exercises, partner 2 ran to the far end of the parking lot where a different exercise awaited each trip then ran back after completing the exercise, then partners switched and partner 2 picked up on the pyramid where partner 1 left off.

The pyramid – 10 goblet squats, 10 goblet squats, 20 hammer curls, 10 goblet squats, 20 hammer curls, 30 tricep extensions, 10 goblet squats, 20 hammer curls, 30 tricep extensions, 40 flutters with the bell, 10 goblet squats, 20 hammer curls, 30 tricep extensions, 40 flutters with the bell, 50 kettle bell swings.  Then complete the same in reverse – 50-40-30-20-10, 40-30-20-10, 30-20-10, 20-10, 10.

After all PAX came down the pyramid, we began working back up the pyramid with the remaining time.

The “running” exercises were 4 (and were repeated given the number of trips PAX made)

1) run, 10 burpees, run back

2) run, 10 diamond merkins, run back

3) run, 15 wide arm merkins, run back

4) run, 15 regular merkins, run back

With 90 seconds left, we moseyed with the bells back to COT for name-o-rama, announcements, prayers and praises.

NMM:  Part of YHC’s motivation for F3 and what it stands for is knowing that there are others who post, accelerate and lead by example.  These #HIM inspire and motivate YHC.  Together, we support and encourage one another as we deal with the flux life often brings.  Shared suffering, in any form, is always better than going through it alone.  Whether we are dealing with loss, depression, anxiety, etc.  We all need one another for support as we navigate the lives we are called to lead.   As leaders, be present for those who count on you.  By increasing our durability, we become more resilient in times of challenge.   How are you increasing your durability to answer that call?  Every morning YHC posts serves as a reminder of why we do it – to live third, to increase our resiliency and to constantly improve our preparation to withstand the flux.

Thanks to JWOW for the opportunity to get the week off to a great start in the company of accelerating #HIMs and in pursuit of continually getting right.

Until next time,

Cyclops

 

 

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Back to back Respectables at Colosseum

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I had some big shoes to fill coming off last weeks Q by Rebel.  He brought the pain with some solid 3 minute interval exercises.  The 16 PAX this morning gave it their best as we started out after the brief disclaimer and broga stretching.  Mosey to the back parking lot for the warm up.

We started out with  Mtn. Climbers, Peter Parkers, Parker Peters, SSH, Moroccan night clubs, overhead claps, and imperial walkers.  Mosey to the end of the parking lot for the meat and potatoes.

4 sheets with 3 exercises on each sheet.  2 at each end of the lot.  Do first page Merkins 10, LBC’s 15 and Monkey humpers 20.  Run to the other end of lot do first sheet wide arm merkins 10, hello dolly 15 and squats 20.  Run back to other end of lot do first sheet and then the 2nd sheet Dips 10, bombjax 15 and flutters 20.  Run back to the other end of lot do first sheet then 2nd sheet Side straddle hops 10, american hammers 15 and 20 calf raises.  Back to start point for a brief story on disruption and shieldlocks.

Next round was sheet 1 run a lap around the lot.  Do 5 burpees then do sheet 1 and 2. Run the lot and do 5 burpees then do sheet 1,2 and 3.  Run the lot and you guessed it 5 burpees and do sheets 1-4.

We finished with a few minutes of broga before some of the PAX ran off to the bubble.

Thanks Hardwood for the opportunity.

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