Marriage isn’t Chuck E. Cheese

YHC had the privilege to lead 24 other men through a stations workout with a discussion on the transformational relationship with our Ms. Conditions were perfect – 62 degrees and a slight breeze. The Disclaimer was disclaimed and we were off. Here’s what we did:

The Thang

  • 20 SSHs (IC)
  • 15 Imperial Walkers (IC)
  • 10 Low Slow Squats (IC)

Mosey to Top of Main

  • 20 Alternating Shoulder Taps (IC)
  • 15 Mountain Climbers (IC)
  • 10 Merkins (IC)

Mosey to First Baptist Parking Lot

  • 2 Burpees at 10 stations

Mosey to behind the Police Station

  • 20 Squats
  • 15 Calf Raises
  • 10 Turkish Getups

Mosey to Top of Main

  • 20 LBCs
  • 15 Bomb Jacks
  • 10 Tempo Merkins

Mosey to the corner of Tom Hall and Monroe White

  • 20 Alternating Shoulder Taps (IC)
  • 15 Mountain Climbers (IC)
  • 10 Merkins (IC)

Mosey to Academy and Monroe

  • 20 Squats
  • 15 Calf Raises
  • 10 Turkish Getups

Mosey to Mosey to behind the Police Station

  • 20 LBCs
  • 15 Bomb Jacks
  • 10 Tempo Merkins

Mosey back to COT

  • 20 SSHs (IC)
  • 15 Imperial Walkers (IC)
  • 10 Low Slow Squats (IC)

Total Mileage – 2.20

NMM

We call our wives “M” because she is the Most important relationship we have. That relationship is transformational. Before marriage it was “me” and “her.” Once married, “we” became an “us.” It is no longer solely about you. You are to serve your M. You are to pursue joy with her – even when things are tough. Its not a game. There is no scoreboard. There are no winners and losers and no one gets a participation trophy. We are to love her as Christ loves the Church.

Society tells us that marriage is 50/50. Let me assure you that is a farce. There are times it is 80/20. There are times it is 20/80. As John Michael Montgomery once said, “Life’s a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.” Marriage isn’t about keeping tally of who has done what. This isn’t Chuck E. Cheese – you can’t trade in your emptied dishwasher tickets for a guy’s weekend. That’s not how it works. You empty the dishwasher so she doesn’t have to. You set the example for your children so they know how to be a good husband one day or what to look for in a future husband. They are watching, so make your actions count.

It was my pleasure this morning to have the opportunity to lead today. I was encouraged by the push from the guys and the mumblechatter at the stops. Today personified why F3 matters so much to me. But remember, if your focus becomes more about the fitness and fellowship with your friends and less about loving your wife, your concentrica is out of alignment. Keep each other accountable and pursue your wife. Let her know she matters. Don’t seek relationship maintenance. Instead, keep accelerating. Don’t meet in the middle, go the distance and serve her.

Aye!

Italian Job

 

 

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Month of the M

YHC was fortunate to be called out of the bullpen by Bobber.  Prior to the workout, YHC was asked to offer a few thoughts on marriage during the beatdown.  Being a novice at that topic (but constantly trying to improve through learning and practice), it seemed appropriate to consult the Q source.

Last evening, fittingly, the M and 2.0’s came with me on a tour of downtown Fort Mill where YHC furiously scribbled out 5 stations worth of exercises designed to align with each of the 5 points of M preparedness as cited in the Q source.  YHC’s M fittingly remarked that I was getting a workout before the workout.  She was right.

Upon arrival this morning, YHC pulled in the lot at 5:08 to be greeted by numerous PAX – some of whom (Stang, cough, cough, Stang), arrived sans gloves.  All were quickly reminded to get them if they did not have them already.   After a few PAX scurried in at 5:14,. all were disclaimed and we moseyed off to Kimbrell’s after the 5 core principles of F3 workouts were voiced.

The COP – because Slapshot was present (and because YHC felt like it), 5 burpees were done in between each of the following exercises done in cadence:

Windmills – 10 D/C, Imperial Walkers – 10 D/C, Low Slow Squats – 15 then holding people’s chair while doing 10 D/C  Moroccan night clubs I/C and 10 D/C air presses I/C.  Then we moseyed off to M preparedness station #1 – Maintenance = deceleration

Station 1 – Unity Presbyterian – because status quo enables no movement, we decelerate, therefore PAX were asked to do 7’s in a jacob’s ladder format – kracken burpees at the top and squats at the bottom of the driveway.  Planking was done until the 6 arrived back at the top of the hill.  The lesson was reinforced and on we moved to station 2.

Station 2 – Fort Mill 1st Baptist Church – Culture is a Jester.  When it comes to our relationship with the M, culture denatures and softens marital relationships (we meet each other halfway, etc.).  PAX did the following circuit – an exercise for each of the light poles with some free exfoliation for those who went gloveless as there may or may not have been some bear crawling between stations.  40 squats, 30 SSH’s, 20 wide arm merkins, 10 hand release merkins, 20 regular markins, 30 SSH’s and 40 squats before returning to the parking lot entrance to re-emphasize culture’s hindrance of acceleration and moving on to station 3 – the crowd pleaser.

Station 3 – Fort Mill Church of God – There is NO 50 yard line.  The relationships with our M require more than 50% effort.  It requires our best to be aligned because we know if we aren’t aligned at home in our most important earthly relationship, it becomes next to impossible to have alignment in the other relationships within our concentrica.   Since we must operate in the red zone, PAX were instructed to bear crawl more (maybe much more) than 50 yards downhill to the red zone where 5 burpees awaited   Then PAX returned to the start via crawl bear (crowd pleaser) uphill.  The return was somewhat slower than the start…….somewhat.

Upon completion – movement to Academy street left YHC to cover the last two points – because one of  the PAX incorrectly answered that the M is our best friend (spoiler alert – point 4 – the M is NOT our best friend), YHC had to graciously call out the gaffe and assign 5 burpees for the miss.  We then proceeded to articulate the 5th and final point – Joy trumps happiness and then moseyed back Academy Street – safely crossed the railroad tracks and sauntered into COT – roughly 2 1/4 miles later.

Announcements were made, prayers were offered for Stang’s mother in law, Pusher’s Mom/Esso’s MIL, and fittingly for marriages. Stang graciously took us out in prayer.

NMM – to look around the group this morning, YHC could not help but be filled with a feeling of gratitude.  Mumble chatter, fellowship, hard work doing things together we would very likely not to do on our own and the feeling that YHC has so many other brothers beside him to do life.  It eases the feeling of burden we often face.  YHC has said before that Q-ing is an honor.  And when Bobber made the call asking YHC to stamp the passport and trek east of the Peach Stand, there was only one answer.  I am better prepared to face each day because of those who choose the hard thing and encourage YHC to the same.  For that, my thanks and gratitude go out to each of you.

Meantime, study and practice the 5 points reviewed.  Alignment at home means greater alignment and impact downstream – the call being asked of each of us.   Until next time, thank you, gentlemen.

Cyclops

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Impromptu

10 PAX @ 0515, but no Q

Kaiser tapped me to run point until B.O.B. arrived

Warmup circle near parking area to make sure BOB wasnt’ searching for us when (if?) he arrived.
Did some warmup stuff
-SSH
-MC
-Shoulder Tap
-Yoga
-a few burpees
-Merkins
-more yoga
Trying to buy time for B.O.B.

Went to the track took a lap to thing about what we were going to do.

Goal Line
– bear crawl as a group, stopping every 10 yards for 5 merkins
– stop at the 50

50 yardline, partner up
– one partner goes one way the other goes toward the other goalline
– Lunge walk out
– 10 American Hammers (called by ‘el Spaniard)
– go to the 40
– sprint back to the 50
– go to the 30
– etc.

After finishing line up on the far goal line
– bear crawl as a group, stopping every 10 yards for 5 merkins
– stop at the 50

B.O.B. finally shows and we head to the pull-up bars for 7s with
– Squat Thrusters using a cinderblock
– Pull-ups

COT for some mary

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Ripple Effect

15 PAX gathered to defeat the fartsack on a chilly but hospitable Thursday AM in the gloom.

Here’s what we did:

PAX were disclaimed and moseying commenced to the top of the hill at the high school entrance.  We did the following exercises in varying quantities in cadence:

Low slow squats, Moroccan night clubs in the people’s chair, 5 burpees OYO, imperial walkers, hillbilly walkers, windmills (Trucker approved), merkins, a few down dog and up dog stretches and we commenced/moseyed  to the Main Event – part one

1 – Jacob’s Ladder – 7’s were called – Kracken Burpees at the bottom and a run to the top for squats.  PAX finished at the top of the hill, planked and, when the 6 arrived, recovered and moseyed to Main Event – Part 2

2 – East or West – PAX were divided in teams of 2 and Bobber was given the choice to take his team (1) to the east field or the west field.  Choosing West, team 1 moseyed to the end zone and team 2 to the East end zone.

PAX performed the following exercises at each yard line in a head to head competition.  PAX ran to the specified yard line, did the exercise and nur’d back to the goal line each time

Team East – 10 diamond merkins, 20 burpees, 30 lunges, 40 squats, 50 SSH’s, 40 shoulder taps, 30 flutters, 20 burpees, 10 werkins.  Team leaders reached the red zone, but not the end zone

Team West – 10 kracken burpees, 20 bombjacks, 30 SSH’s, 40 Hello Dolly’s, 50 flutters, 40 Rosalitas, 30 burpees, 20 boxcutters, 10 kracken burpees.  Team leaders reached the red zone here too.

Time was called at 0556 to allow for mosey time to COT at 0600.

Announcements were made about this thing called the Yeti and a blood drive on 3-10.

Prayers were offered up and praises as well.

NMM – Ripple Effect – In our lives we encounter opportunities to make an impact numerous times a day.  Yet an “ordinary” moment to us could be an opportunity to make a moment extraordinary for someone else.  Holding a door for someone else, paying for a cup of coffee for the person behind you in a drive thru.  If you’ve ever been an a position to do for someone else, the feeling of doing so can bring about a joy to us and a lift the other person could be desperately needing.  Or, better yet, it may inspire the person you helped to do the same for another, and another, and another.  Our ripple effect can be an inspiring light to others if we allow it to be.  So let it.  YHC thanks Slap Shot for the call to the bullpen.  It’s always an honor to lead and a privilege to serve.

Cascade your influence well, men.  It makes a difference.  And greater than we’ll likely ever realize.

With Gratitude,

Cyclops

 

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Movement

14 Men, 45 Minutes, Goals Met.

The Thang:

COP Warmup:

  • SSH
  • IW
  • MNC

Mosey to Parking Round-a-bout, bear crawl the circle

Pearls on a String – 3 sets of each group after some distance.

Mosey

  • Merkins – 10
  • Monkey Humpers – 15
  • Dying Cockroach – 20

Mosey

  • MC – 10
  • Squats – 15
  • Flutter – 20

Mosey

  • CDD – 10
  • HB Squats – 15 (Crowd Pleaser)
  • Box Cutter – 20

Mosey to Pull-Up Bars,  Partner up

Partner 1 – 2 Pull-up Burpees
Partner 2 – Run the hill
Repeat 5 times

NMM:

Ring Of Fire Site Q request a verse that speaks to the Q.  Today mine was Ephesians 4:14-16, specifically focusing on how we are all fitted together for building up the body.  Seek to “know your role” and contribute where Sky Q has you.  You’ll make a bigger impact if you are working for his glory and not your own.

Finished with COT, Praise-o-rama.

Read your newsletter.

Honor to Serve.

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Ring of Fire honors fallen heros

YHC got the call to Q the newly renamed AO Ring of Fire in honor of our fallen F3 brother Cash. NAFO has become the home where we honor a lot of our hero’s who have fallen to protect our families and nation. It is also where we host the annual MURPH WO to honor LT. Michael Murphy who was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element in support of Operation Red Wings, as well as a graduate of The Penn State University (We Are…Penn State). Ironically there is a MAFO parking stall with the PSU logo near our normal COT spot, which was highlighted as we mossy over the field. This year and last has been crazy with loss of life; from COVID, to cancer, to military operations. It also has been a troubling time for our country and not to get political (which I don’t like to do) but we are all sons of HIM, it shouldn’t matter what side we are on politically, we are a country that was founded on men being created equal – ALL people should be and have to be treated the same way. Right now, this has been lost.

So YHC thought it would be good to honor our fallen brothers to show unity and the power in brotherhood.

We bolted over to the field, YHC gave a quick disclaimer and then explained the WO. There was no COP because we would not have enough time to complete the “modified MURPH”.  If you have never done the real MURPH, come out Memorial Day weekend and experience it. It is THE best WO and personal accomplishment you will ever do. What is it you ask rookies? 1 mile run followed with 100 pull-ups, 200 merkins, 300 squats, run a mile. Officially with a 20lb body armor (ruck or weight vest).

The thang:

Run a lap – 10 Pull-ups, 20 Merkins, 30 Squats

Run 2 laps – 20 Pull-ups, 40 Merkins, 60 Squats

Run 3 laps – 30 Pull-ups, 60 Merkins, 90 Squats

Run 4 laps – 40 Pull-ups, 60 Merkins, 120 Squats (only a few completed 4 laps and started on the reps)

For those PAX who posted, great accomplishment to the MURPH twist.

Don’t forget about our brothers who have fallen!!

Peace Out

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Running in Circles

8 HIMs gathered at Ring of Fire today with many thoughts on their mind. Would Pusher bring it? Would it rain? Would we do pull ups? These questions among others brought the Pax into the gloom seeking all 3 F3s and YHC was happy to oblige.

After creating the Weinke, Kaiser reached out to ask that I bring a Bible verse with me the next day. This request led to some soul searching. YHC first thought was to go with Galatians 5:13 which describes our need to serve others in love. Around 4 AM, I woke to the idea of Ephesians 5:8 which calls us to live as the light in this world. Both of which aligned with being examples in every relationship.

The idea behind the Weinke was circles. In 2020, it felt like I was running in circles, each time having to overcome hurdles, only to have those same hurdles pop back up again the next time around. 3 circles were chosen and away we went.

Weather

49 degrees with a threat of rain; Rain started at 6:08 AM

The Thang

Proper Disclaimer was uttered

Mosey to Elementary School lot

  • Toy solders/High Knees
  • Karaoke left
  • Lunge walk/Mosey
  • Karaoke Right

COP

  • SSH x 30
  • IW x 15
  • Merkins x 15
  • MNC x 20

Lets get it!

Circle #1 – stop at each 1/4 of the circle

  • 1st stop – 10 Burpees
  • 2nd stop – 20 Squats
  • 3rd Stop – 30 Mountain Climbers
  • 4th Stop – 40 Flutters
  • Rinse and repeat 3 times

Circle #2 – included the hill

  • 1st Stop – 10 Irkins
  • 2nd Stop – 10 Bombjacks
  • 3rd Stop – 10 Monkey Humpers
  • 4th Stop – 10 Big Boys
  • Rinse and repeat 3 times

Circle #3 – School driveway

  • Partner up due to time
  • Partner 1 runs circle
  • Partner 2 does exercises
  • Rinse and repeat
  • 20 Step Ups
  • 10 Dips
  • 30 Merkins
  • 40 Freddy Mercuries

 

Moleskin

  • Thanks to Kaiser for his leadership and the request for the Bible verse
  • Prayers for Splinter and quick recovery
  • Prayers for continued growth as spouses
  • Accountability to be a “light” in this dark world
  • T-claps to Harry Caray and team for putting together the Dam to Dam Bar 10k

The gloom is always the best way to start your day!

Pusher

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Block Party Beatdown

YHC took the opportunity to celebrate MLK Day by spending some quality time with the M yesterday. During that time, we made our way down to WEP to get an update on the progress of construction of our new amphitheater. While strolling around downtown, I began to formulate my plan for pain at Block Party today. Who knew we had so many telephone poles in Fort Mill?

The plan was to challenge the Pax with both an upper and lower body portion in separate doses. YHC made the weinke, reviewed prior to the start and away we went.

19 Pax joined me today. There is definite acceleration at Block Party and this is largely due to the leadership of Bobber. Over the last 8 years, AO success has largely been due to two factors: Site Q and difficulty of the workout. Bobber has been a leader in both areas. T-claps to you!

Weather

30 Degrees but no wind; My “Steve” said pants; Tesh’s “Steve” said no shirt

The Thang

Disclaimer was read

Mosey to top of Massey hill – COP

IW – 15

SSH – 30 (always 30+)

5 Bombjacks

Mosey to church parking lot – COP

Merkins -12

Mountain Climbers – 15

5 Bombjacks

Mosey to John Boys – COP

MNC – 25

CDD – 15

5 Bombjacks

Mosey to Sweet Baby Jesus Church – partner up for a Leg Dora

Partner 1 runs around SBJ

Partner 2 does exercise

150 Squats

150 Forward Lunges

150 Side Lunges

Mosey to Ardrey Street – 9 Telephone Poles on right side

At each pole, do the following:

5 Inchworm Merkins

10 CDDs

16 Shoulder taps

Mosey back to AO for Mary – Feet up for the entire Mary

10 LBCs

10 Flutters

10 Hello Dolly

10 LBCs

10 Flutters

Moleskin

  • Prayers to Utah and his family as they support Colin
  • Jekyll taking over as site Q for Minnow Pond this week
  • Improper Pig has been added to Dam to Dam Bar 10k – Great leadership by Hardwood, L Train, Long Duck, Harry Carry and Floppy Disk
  • Continue to ask for prayer and donations for Harlans Heroes fundraising. Goal is $20k
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Drishti

6 PAX in the rainy gloom moved over to the awning of the pyramid building for some Broga.

I lead some movements that required little hands on the ground to keep us from getting too wet:
Volcano Pose
Standing forward bend
Triangle
Extended Side Angle
Warrior 1
Warrior 2
Warrior 3
And a little Vinyasa flow through Surya Namaskar A

Experimented with leading out front and mirroring (e.g., I used my right foot, but called left to match the PAX). I prefaced it by saying: “if I mess up, do what I do, not what I say.” Which is pretty much happens when we’re leading anyway, right?

Bass lead the run portion:

Returned to COT for some more of Surya Namaskar A during the last few minutes prior to 0600.

A thought for today on Warrior 2. A “drishti” is a focal point that you gaze at over your middle finger in Warrior 2. The visual focus brings the pose into physical focus. What’s your drishti when you’re at your computer later today? Or right now reading this? Is your visual focus assisting your body’s focus? Your mind’s focus? Your spirit’s focus?

Do you want it to?

Thanks Body Wash for the opportunity to lead

—
Band Camp dismissed

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Looked Better on Paper

I arrived a bit earlier this morning to scope out some areas of the campus that I have yet to explore.  Eight men showed up on this brisk morning.  We began with a slow mosey around the elementary school parking lot and stopped at the playground for the typical warm-up exercises (SSHs, Windmills, Imperial Walkers, Plank Stretches, Mountain Climbers, Peter Parkers, and Parker Peters.

Next, we moseyed back to the parking lot.  The first series of exercises was a combination bear crawl/squat across the length of the parking lot.  At every other parking space line, we did 10 squats.  Once finished, we did the same routine except we rolled to each line and did 5 merkins.  Lots of complains about dizziness after the first couple spins but we made it through the craziness.

Once the world stopped spinning, we ventured over to the pull up bars (Trucker approved).  We did 10 reps of jump and grab the bar, pull chin over the bar, and hold position for five seconds.  We took a lap around the bus loop to shake out are arms.  Next round was a jump and grab the bar, raise legs up 90 degrees, and hold for five seconds.  Again, another lap.  Last round was a jump up, rotate grip back and forth, and pull chin up over bar.  One last lap around the bus loop and back to COT for a few minutes of Mary.

Great job everyone!  Thanks for trying something new.

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