Tag: Long Duck

Running Focus

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9 men showed up for the workout at the Colosseum.  I decided to slow it down a bit and focus on form mostly due to getting my butt handed to me at the Honey Badger 24 hours earlier.

We began with a short mosey to the Middle School playground for some warm-up exercises.

SSH x 20

Imperial Walker x 20

Moroccan Night Clubs x 20

Windmills x 15

Next, we ran to the front of the school.  I explained five things that I learned to improve my running.  We practiced each technique by running to the school sign and back.

  1. Breath using both your nose and mouth.  It takes alot of practice, but over time it becomes easier to do.
  2. Good posture, head high and back straight.  Keeps airway open and helps avoid injuries
  3. All body parts should move in the direction your body is running.  Sounds obvious, but watch your arm and shoulder movements while you run.
  4. Cadence or the number of steps per minute.  This can vary by runner, but typically you should aim for 160-180 steps per minute.  A few years ago, I had a bad case of plantar fasciitis.  I was told by an experienced runner to slow my pace down and focus on increasing my cadence.  Within two weeks time, my feet were back to normal.
  5. Mentally prepare yourself. If you are running a race or setting a goal, you’ve got to believe you can accomplish it.  Surround yourself with people who are going to encourage and support you.

Next, we ran to the top of the hill to the bank parking lot.  We performed plank squares with each arm and leg.  We ran back down the hill to the school sign for some ab exercises.

Back to COT

 

 

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Lucky 13s

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Typical warm humid July morning in Ft Mill.  Thirteen men posted at Sweep the Leg and this was my first time as Q for this type of running workout.

Disclaimer
Count off

Thang:

Sweep the Leg 072020

The route is a one-mile distance using the out and back style: Run out to Gold Hill Elementary school, where the flag pole is ½ mile from the parking lot and run back (total is one mile).

At each ¼ mile along the route, there is a sheet with exercises to do.  See table below.  Count 15 for all exercises.

Loop 1/4 mi 1/2 mi 3/4 mi 1 mile
1 LBC Merkins Monkey Humpers Bobby hurleys
2 Big Boy S/u Dips Squats Mtn Climbers
3 Freddie Merc. Diamond M Calf Raises SSH
4 Amer. Hammers Carolina Dry Docks Lunges Plank Jacks

We had a few runners complete all four miles.

Fini, COT

Notes: The one hill on the return leg was not pleasant after the first mile.  Good practice for the upcoming SWEATI.

Keep Cash and his family in your prayers.

Top three: Bones, Speed Racer, Long Duck

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Four Corners

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Today we did a four corner workout on the NaFo football field.

We started with a mosey around the parking lot and circled up for some SSH, Moroccan NC, Cherry pickers/tappy taps, imperial walkers and windmills.

The 8 strong hit the field for four corners:

1st corner: Merkins, Flutters and Squats

2nd corner: Widearm Merkins, LBC’s and Mountain climbers

3rd corner: Diamond merkins, BB situps and Calf raises

4th corner: CDD, American Hammers and Box cutters

We did three rounds of each starting at 20 reps each then 15 and finally 10 reps.

We ended with some Mary at COT

Thanks to Harry Carey for letting me lead these men.

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DIY DORA + Hill Repeats

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This was YHC’s second Q at MP – and what a joy it was. I scanned through all *cough* ten *cough* of the back blasts to ensure the weinke was worth the price of admission.

As the HIM rolled in, the clock struck 0513 and we headed to the flag to say the pledge of allegiance. 

0514: Disclaimer, quick run down of the warm up lap and a hint at the plan for the day. 

And we’re off.

.55 mile loop at a 6:45 pace up Main St, left on Clebourne, left on 160, back to the gravel lot for a quick few movements.

 

Dynamic Warm Up

Karaoke in Gravel Lot, facing 160 out and back

Side Shuffle in Gravel Lot, facing 160 out and back

Butt Kickers

Circled up for Wind Mills in the paved lot.

It was at this moment that the bat flippers thought I wouldn’t get the required mileage due to the stop for the wind mills. I enjoyed their words and snickered on the inside as we prepped to head out.

 

Weinke

The weinke was to be simple, but effective; a DIY DORA, if you will.

Start at the base of Massey St and mosey up to the end of the Sisk Memorial Church Parking Lot

Upon arriving at the end of the lot each PAX was to do the following:

10 Merkins

20 Squats

30 LBCs

Mosey back down the hill, rinse and repeat ten times to total 100-200-300.

After that first lap, it got awfully quiet. As we passed each other, like ships in the night, each PAX put in the work necessary to conquer “Hill One.” Esso did give me a good laugh. At one point he and I passed and he whispered “I hate you right now.” 100% worth it.

Fish Sticks, Long Duck, Maximus, and Gears led the pack as the rest of us hobbled behind. I am sad to say that nobody completed the full 10 rounds, though a few hard hitters made it 9. 

As quickly as it started, it ended, and we ran back to COT across 160. 3.9 miles total.

 

Naked Man Moleskine

This weinke, again, was simple yet effective. YHC has been attending Sweep The Leg and the hills have been my downfall. My goal today was to target a weakness and attack it, in the hopes to become better. That is the life we as leaders must live, or else we will become stagnant and fail. 

We should have this perspective with our faith as well. I think of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

This is the way we must live out our faith. For if we run aimlessly and without plan, the enemy will overtake us. Take some time today to focus on your current path and what trajectory you are on – intentional or unintentional. 

 

Thanks, Shanks, for the fun times today.

Punch List out. 

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Preparedness with a Board of Pain

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“Preparedness – Getting ready for the expected while BEING ready for the unexpected” – QSource

The unexpected: At anytime during the workout you hear my whistle, drop and do 20 burpees. Whistle unexpectedly went off 5 times for a total of 100 burps/pax…

The expected: BOP & 3 miles

  • 40 merkins
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 30 wide grip merks
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 20 diamond merks
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 10 derkins
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 40 squats
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 30 monkey humpers
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 20 lunges (ct one leg)
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 10 bomb jacks
  • ru 1/4 mi
  • 80 side straddle hops
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 60 lbc’s
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 40 flutters
  • run 1/4 mi
  • 20 big boys
  • run 1/4 mi

95+% HUMIDITY. AGAIN.

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Varsity Rocks

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Six men came out to Varsity to start their Fourth of July weekend off right.
Mosey Run (Toy soldiers, Butt Kickers, High Knees)

Warm up: [hint for the newbies out there: it might be helpful to remember the acronym SWIMLAPPs for a warmup routine]
SSH (IC 10x)
Windmill (IC 10x)
Imperial Walker (IC 10x)
Moroccan Nightclub (IC 10x)
Low Slow Squats (IC10x)
Arm Circles (IC 10X)
Peter Parker (IC 10x)
Plank stretches (enjoyed the orange/pinkness of the soon to be rising sun)
Downward dogs
Honeymooners

The Thang (patriotic tunes played here; playlist below)
Interval routine. Three sets:
Set A: Do the below 32 seconds on, 10 sec standing rest in between
Merkins
Cherry Pickers
Squats
Dips
Bobby hurleys
Set B: Do the below 40 seconds on, 15 sec rest in between
Mountain Climbers
LBC
Derkins
American Hammers
Crabby Patties
Set C: Do the below 45 seconds on, 20 sec standing rest in between
Flying Squirrels
Imp Walkers
Squat Jumps
step ups
SSH

We repeated all three sets.

Fini
COT

Welcome FNG “hacksaw”, 2.0 of Shopvac. Hacksaw just finished his first year at the Citadel.
Prayers/Praises: Prayers for Bonsai for peace for his family and he to recover asap.

Playlist:
Star spangled banner – KISS
We’re an American bad – Grand Funk
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. – John Mellencamp
Rockin’ in the free world – Neil Young
Born in the USA – Springsteen
American Woman – The Guess Who (yeah, this is a Canadian band, but the song still has merit)
Living in the USA – Steve Miller Band
Pink Houses – John Mellencamp (…ain’t that America for you and me, ain’t that America something to see baby, ain’t that America home of the free…little pink houses for you and me)
California Girls – The Beach Boys

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Cindy at the Badger

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Yesterday at the Badger we honored SWAT Officer Randal Simmons. He was a 27 year veteran of the LAPD that was murdered in the line of duty on February 7, 2008. Officer Simmons christian faith was a strong central part of his character. He was a minister at Glory Christian Fellowship International Church for 13 years passionately serving children and his community. He was a humble and totally selfless individual that shared the unconditional love of Christ with all people he met.

Warm Up

Mozy around the parking lot mixed in with some karaoke
Side straddle hops
Windmills
Toy soldiers in place
Arm circles
Downward Dog / Honeymooner

The Thang

Phase 1 – A CINDY STYLE DORA
100 Block presses – partner run
200 arm curls – partner run
300 LBCs – partner run with cindy

Phase 2 – Individual CINDY
45 Sec wall sit holding cindy
10 pull ups
25 merkins
Run down the hill and back
Rinse and Repeat x5

COT
12 and 6″ Plank hold

Big Boy sit ups

Protractor

Freddie Mercuries

Box cutters

V-ups

Thanks goes out to those honorable men and women in blue who are bravely serving our communities in this time of division and strife.

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Man In The Mirror…at the Minnow Pond

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Differences between this version of Minnow Pond and the last time I Q’d the MP:
1. Societal tension coming from years of oppression and ignorance.
2. The disgusting humidity
3. PAX age range: 14-57

One of these, we discussed & analyzed.
One of these, we suffered through.
One of these, we appreciate.

For the first time in I don’t know how long, there were 0 PAX for extra credit BUT (anything before the but doesn’t matter) we had 11 of us post for the Pledge of Allegiance to our great Nation at 0514. A brief disclaimer followed by a very brief warm-up mosey followed by a very, very brief round of Windmills  led us into the substantive portion of the post.
With the Nation (and world) now (and always, really), we need to address our own personal sins and shortcomings before looking elsewhere. We have to own it rather than saying it is due to someone or something else. Specific to our present tensions onset by centuries of racial injustice, what have I turned a blind eye to, or what have I tolerated? In other words, we need to have a Michael Jackson moment by taking a look at the Man In The Mirror.

As he sings in that song,
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.”

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqe5NP86OCc

A key component to addressing these ignorance’s and learning is to put yourself into challenging 1:1 conversations. In the spirit of the 1:1, we’d be doing 1.1mi loops with 3 stops along each loop.

The loop had us run up Massey to the gas station for stop 1. R/T onto Harris then R/T McCammon then into the Founders bank lot for stop 2. R/T Clebourne then R/T Main St then back to the AO parking lot for stop 3.

At each stop:
10 Mak Tar Jai’s
10 Inch Worms
10 Toe Touches
10 Mountain Merkins (4ct Moutain Climber + 1 Merkin)

After completing the first lap, I realized the rep count was a bit too aggressive. So, we cut it from 10 to 5 and I think everyone was able to complete at least 2 laps.  Had I talked a bit less in the beginning, we might’ve even gotten to a full 3 laps.

Back at COT, we talked about the topic a bit more, shared some announcements and offered prayers & praises. Great start to the day with brothers to my left & right.

Maximus

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APFT at Golden Corral, version 1 of 6

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2nd Tuesdays of the month at GC will be the APFT and we’ll track progress.

Mosey to Lake Wylie Brewing for 10 windmills, 20 imperial walkers, 10 low slow squats.  2 mins AMRAP merkins for count, 2 mins AMRAP big boy sit ups for count, and timed 2 mile run.

Points are awarded for count/time bracketed by age group.

PAX, # of reps/time (scores), then total points/ave points
Maximus, 71 merkins (98), 66 bbsu (89), 13:04 (100) = 287/95.7
Gears, 59 merkins (92), 61 bbsu (89), 14:15 (99) = 280/93.3
Dark Helmet, 74 merkins (100), 62 bbsu (90), 15:17 (90) = 280/93.3
Long Duck, 75 merkins (100), 37 bbsu (69), 15:59 (91) = 260/86.7
Change Order, 61 merkins (94), 54 bbsu (86), 16:48 (77) = 257/85.7
BOT, 73 merkins (98), 54 bbsu (74), 15:17 (83) = 255/85
Olaf, 62 merkins (87), 50 bbsu (69), 14:17 (92) = 248/82.7
Body Wash, 67 merkins (94), 32 bbsu (54), 15:31 (84) = 232/77.3
Grout, 44 merkins (76), 38 bbsu (66), 16:41 (78) = 220/73.3
Lutefisk, 52 merkins (76), 50 bbsu (69), 17:29 (63) = 208/69.3

It’ll be interesting to see the progress, we’ll be doing this 5 more times so don’t be afraid to start in July!

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Uphill Times

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19 Pax posted on a Yumid morning to salute Old Glory and dig deep to tackle the surrounding hills.  We were honored to welcome FNG/The Fonz (EH’d by Pusher) and a quasi-Kotter in Santini ( who has lost his excuses for not posting to any downtown FM AOs).  Longshanks led The Pledge and then the fun began.

The Thang

Hills, hills and more hills — that was the recipe for the day.

Brief warm-up in the parking lot to allow Body Wash to catch up with the pax on his late arrival — SSH, Mtn climber, Parker Peter, Merkins

Run to parking lot at WEP

Muster at bottom of hill leading to stop sign at entrance of parking lot

Run to top, do # Burpees of your choice, run back down; rinse & repeat adding # Burpees on each return to the top (UvU format — you pick initial # and increment); continue repeatedly

Muster at bottom of Stairway to Heaven

Run to light pole at top, do # Merkins (starting from last # Burpees, using same increment pattern), run back down; rinse & repeat adding # Merkins on each return to top; continue repeatedly

Run to large parking lot across from gun shop on Massey Street

Run to bottom of Massey Street; run back to top, do # Freddie Mercurys (starting from last # Merkins, using same increment pattern), run back down; rinse & repeat adding # Freddie Mercurys on each return to top; continue repeatedly

Mosey home

COT

Naked man moleskin

Thank you to Longshanks for the Q invite at Minnow Pond — great AO, great format, lively pax who all got after it today.  It was especially sweet since it was my first Q back in The Fort in 90 days.  (Apologies to a few pax I missed in the attendees — Gen X camera malfunction)

Welcome to The Fonz!  Yes, he set a new fashion standard to rival Slash’s collars.  Plus, he pushed toward the front of the pax throughout.  Great first time out….look forward to seeing you again.  And T-claps to Pusher on the EH.

Great to have Santini in The Gloom!  If you have any history with this #Redwood, then you know why it’s great to have him back.  If you don’t, then find the chance to saddle up next to him the next time you see him in the circle and ask him about origin of the Moroccan Night Club. or Stairway to Heaven or the Echochamber.

Theme for the day was hills, because they provide great training for runners.  AND, because we’re living in “uphill times” in my view (pandemic, unemployment, social distancing, racism, injustice, protests, rioting — pure chaos in the headlines).  These hills in life (short, long, steep or any combination) can be strong training ground as well.  Much has been said by many about the “silver linings” of lockdown life.  Certainly that’s been true for me and my family.  At same time,  the tough stuff, the difficulties, the adversity in life are also challenges that can build endurance, resilience, passion, vision for the road ahead.  Take some time to reflect where the tough parts of your current situation are sharpening you and your family for the journey ahead.  Don’t limit your review to just the fun, funny, joyful, positive experiences  — the darker more challenging moments can provide training benefits too.

Great to be back in The Fort!

Keep pushing!

 

 

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