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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Choose Discipline and BRR

It was a steamy morning at WEP, but that didn’t discourage Last Call during his VQ nor did it scare off any pax from supporting him.   A lively and energetic group of 23 pax posted to honor and encourage him.

Santini had EH’d FNG/Wazowski (aka Ernie Bhend) so a full fledged disclaimer was pronounced and the baton was handed to Last Call to launch.

The Thang

Last Call took the pax on a warm up lap of WEP, then circled the pax up in the grass near the parking lot (YES, the grass!  What a bold move for a VQ!)

COP

SSH x25

Moroccan night clubs x20

Mash up of Hillbilly Walker + Imperial Walker x20

Merkins x10

Peter Parkers x20

Slow squat x20

LBCs x20

Hand off to DD

Mosey to playground & partner up
Partner 1: Run lap
Partner 2: Continuous pull ups (keeping cumulative count with partner)
Flap jack
Rinse & repeat
Tip of the cap to Senator Tressel for his emphasis on need for more pull ups

Plank sequence including Makhtar N’Dyae ( requeted by Santini)

Mosey to the grassy area near the statues at the bottom of the hill & plank it up for commentary about Blue Ridge Relay.  (Yes, it is a shame that The Fort has no teams competing this year in BRR.  Thus, the next 30 mins of the workout became BRR-lite)

Run to top of hill almost to gazebo + 5 Burpees + run back down
Rinse + repeat for 5 total rounds

Mosey to pathway heading out the back of the parking lot & regroup with partner
Partner 1: Run down hill, up other side to trail intersection and back
Partner 2: Continuous merkins (continuing cumulative count with partner from earlier point)
Flap jack
Rinse + repeat

Plank sequence, squats, bombjacks

Mosey to bottom of hill at COT & regroup with partner
Partner 1: Run up hill to 4th light post and run back down
Partner 2: Continuous donkey kicks (keeping cumulative count with partner from earlier point)
Flap jack
Rinse & repeat

Mosey back to grass where Last Call started and circle up

Flutter x10

Hello dolly x10

Freddy Mercury x10

Rosalita x10

Penguin x10

Superman x3

Run to tent in middle of park

Run home AYG

COT

Naked man moleskin

Solid VQ effort by Last Call today — well done, brother!  Welcome to the club and find a way back into the center of the circle somewhere ASAP so you can hone the skills and expand the experience.

Welcome to FNG/Wazowski (yes, he’s an eye doc)!  You had the privilege (and pain) of enduring a tough workout on a particularly swampy morning — great job making it through to the finish today!  A little merlot splash proves just how far you can push when challenged by other like-minded men.  You’ve found a home here in The Fort for sure.  Look forward to seeing you back in the gloom soon!

T-claps to all the pax for the support of Last Call and Wazowski today.  Special recognition to Santini for EH of Wazowski and Sir Topham Hat for EH of Last Call two months ago.  Also kudos to Peabody, Longshanks and others sweeping the six.

Welcome back home to Ginsu!  Great to have you back in the gloom with your brothers.  Look forward to hearing more about the China experience and your expanded family.

Did I mention the weather was warm and humid today?

That was a tough outing today – great work by everyone pushing through!

In the absence of any BRR activities in The Fort this year, I felt compelled to bring that experience home.  It is an incredible event, and I am disappointed we won’t have any teams to represent The Fort this year.  I know Rooney is running with Dredd & OBT on a 6-man team — way to represent us, brother!  The hills and the pain and the sweat today were all reflective of the reality of what it is to run the BRR – but only the smallest taste of the joy of that event was gained today.  Please consider BRR in 2018 – you won’t regret it.

The message throughout today’s workout revolved around the monthly theme of Discipline.  When I saw Chicken Hawk’s message at the start of the month, I was immediately disturbed.  The word brings about uncomfortable feelings for me related to punishment, reprimands and admonishment from parents, teachers and bosses.  Discipline is something I experience as being imposed on me by someone else, which I never receive well.  I quietly thought maybe I would check out on the theme for August.

Then, on a business trip this week I made some poor choices around web surfing in the lonely isolation of a hotel room.  My re-entry back home included a volatile interaction with the M around my indulgence in a personal vice.  BOOM!  Discipline (or my lack of it) suddenly hit me between the eyes.  It became very real very quickly…clearly this is the right theme for me this month.

I have much to learn still around Discipline.  Santini mentioned during the workout and in a long conversation afterward that the root of the word Discipline relates to “learning.”  The learning I’ve gained in the past few days has come through dwelling on my word for 2017 — CHOOSE —  in the context of Discipline.  In this frame of mind, I am beginning to see Discipline as part of my pathway from where I am currently to the future I CHOOSE to pursue.  In this way, Discipline becomes part of the learning process of how I move toward the fuller, holier life I long for…because I CHOOSE to seek that future point, NOT because someone else is imposing anything on me.

Thanks to Bonsai for putting me on the calendar and for looping in Last Call for the VQ.  We missed you today.

Thanks to all who posted and endured today’s workout.  Your presence, effort, resilience, encouragement and support inspire me!

 

 

 

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CO VQ with Weezer at Block Party

14 Pax came looking for a party at Block Party this morning only to be greeted with some pain and humidity.  The temps didn’t feel bad this morning but the air was thick.  I think all the pax were soaked after the mosey except for Weezer.  Who should have been sweating with his VQ warm-up just ahead, however this cool cucumber delivered a COP like he’d been doing it for years.  Here’s what went down…

Weezer on Q

COP:  Mosey to the wall lot on 160.  In cadence – SSH x 25, WM x 10, IW x 20, Low Slow Squat x 15, Morrachian Night Clubs x 20                                                                                                                                      12 single count slow merkins (focus on form), Mountain Climbers x 15

Pass off to STH – Mosey to lot above and find a spot on the ledge.

Single leg step ups x 10 each leg, 10 Burpees, 20 Dips.  Rinse and repeat 3 times

Mosey to lot across from gun shop.  Sprint the hill to the top.

50 Shoulder Taps – Run to 2nd light (50 yds), Bear Crawl to curb (20 yds), 10 Bombjacks – run back  Ab work – Slow Freddie Mercuries                                                                                                                              50 Mtn Climbers – Run to 2nd light (50 yds), Bear Crawl to curb (20 yds), 10 Bombjacks – run back  Ab work – Hello Dolly                                                                                                                                                        50 CCDs – Run to 2nd light (50 yds), Bear Crawl to curb (20 yds), 10 Bombjacks – run back                  Ab work – X&Os                                                                                                                                                              50 Merkins (Crowd Pleaser)- Run to 2nd light (50 yds), Bear Crawl to curb (20 yds), 10 Bombjacks

Mosey back to COT.  2 Mins left so 10 Burpees and Protractor

NMM:  Had a great group of Pax today.  Lots of good mumble chatter and complaining.  Which as a Q I’ll take the latter as a compliment. Tclaps to Weezer for stepping up to lead the COP.  Next up will be the full meal deal for him.  Seeming how he pulled off the COP like a seasoned veteran, the rest will be a cake walk.  I spoke a little bit at COT about how Qing has helped me become a better leader at home, work and in the community.  I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and try it if you haven’t done so already.  You will be a better person for it.

Prayers for Kielbasa friend’s family, Bonsai’s friends daughter, Ginsu’s adoption, & patience. Mission Trip and Tclaps for the support of the pax.

Until Next time –

STH/Weezer

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The Colosseum 2017.31

This was an impromptu Q that I had forgotten I committed to while Seacrest was in charge, but I love to Q, so being reminded the night before made me a little happy (in my pants).  When training I like to focus on “tactical” strength or “functional” strength.  This means that you may be able to use the strength and endurance you cultivate during one of my workouts.  Today I covered picking up a lifeless body.

Mosey to basketball lot for warmup (simply for space reasons):  SSH, hillbilly walkers, windmills

Mosey to the bottom of the entrance hill and partner up for the main event:
10x Superman Squats (aka, squat picking up your partner from sitting to standing)
20x Jump squats
30ish Lunge walk holds then sprint to top of hill
Rinse and Repeat

Mosey to wall by the flag for 4 minutes of holds
6 in & B2W (you and partner alternate when one fails)

Mosey to half wall around back for quick dora, 100 Merkins, 200 LBCs, 300 squats
Start at edge of lot then run to wall do one muscle up and run back.

Last,  4 minutes of hold
Protractor 10deg & Support position on wall (alternate on failure)

And that’s all she wrote.  This was  a lot of fun.  Prayers and announcements.  Prayers for the guys at VC Summer that were told to go home (which suddenly got a lot more personal).  Prayers for the #Give2Give campaign and the hope that we may reach more guys and improve the quality of life for the Sadclowns that know no better.

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#HypeTrain Coming in HOT!

13 HIMs bought a ticket for a runaway train at #LacesIn on a beautiful Thursday morning at Fort Mill High.  What train you ask?!?  Well none other than the #HypeTrain itself.  After getting tasked with the Q for #LacesIn over 6 weeks ago YHC went on a all out #Hype Campaign to get as many Pax to #LacesIn as possible.  Did it work?  Meh.  But it was a fun ride.  Worked out for the best – less people to be disappointed by the over#hyped and under delivered beat down from YHC.  Oh yeah – before I forget – 5 other HIMs decided to go yogging (soft “J”) which is apparently running for an extended period of time.  #LacesOut

The Thang:

Static Warmup (apparently the Pax had a real problem with this one – apparently if you do not do SSH, IW, WM, Merks, Low Slow Squats (IN THAT ORDER) you will never hear the end of it)

1 min Squat Sit  (some *ahem* CSPAN *ahem* were not able to accomplish this task)

Deep Squat x 10  (no like….ALL the way down)

Warm-up Merkin (like it came from an alien planet)

On-all-fours Shoulder Stretch (yes – YHC did not pick the best patch of asphalt)

On-all-fours Bad Dog Hip Stretch (see above)

On-your-back Hip Thrusters

 

Whew!  So sorry to try something new.  It will not happened again.  Warmup over.  Pax happy.

Partner Up (size does not matter)

Partner 1 to run to end of parking lot and back (no YHC did not realize how long that really was)

Partner 2 to do perfect form merkins (no count total – just AMRAP with perfect form)

Flap Jack

Next round Deep Squats (no like….ALL the way down)

Final round LBCs with your feet on the ground (just humor the Q please)

Run it back again except partner run shortened to 3/4 but 3 froggers added at each light pole

Run it back a final time – partner run shortened to 1/2 but 5 froggers added at each light pole

CAN I GET A TEN COUNT!?!?!

Moving on to Rugby Sprints x 5 with LBCs with feet on the ground, Flutters, Mountain Climbers, Flutters, and LBCs with your feet on the ground

Next we move to the dreaded Partner Push/Sprint/Push (size kinda matters this time)

Flap Jack then Rinse and Repeat

Little baby jog back to a much better patch of asphalt for 6MOM with “the new one” added in there but apparently not appreciated.

COT

Great work men!  Welcome FNG – Deflategate!  Thank you all for posting to the #HypeTrain.  Very much appreciated.  YHC has been away from F3 for a month for vacations and business travel and got a taste of what life without F3 was like…..not good.  Old habits began to emerge around intake of food and drink so it was great to get back out and see each and every one of you waiting there for me to try and make myself a better man.  Asked the Pax what they saw in the mirror – did they see successes and strengths or failures and weaknesses?  What impact could you make with those around you if you saw the former (as the Sky Q sees you)?  Taking it a step further – what do you see when you look at those around you?  Do you see their strengths or their weaknesses?  Do you see their past sins against you or do you see what they have done for you?  Have you really forgiven them or do you see how they wronged or disappointed you in the past?  It’s hard to do but think about how your relationship would change for the better if you could really give grace to those around you as the Sky Q has given to you.  Thanks for the opportunity to lead gentlemen!  Always an honor.  Be a better man today then you were yesterday.  Aye!

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Standard Fare Track Work at LacesOut

Five pax gathered at 0500 (15 minutes ahead of the “Hype Train” arrival) for some good, old fashion, interval track work.  Conditions were mild for a summer morning in the Carolinas, but the air was still pretty thick.

Warm Up

We started out with a warm-up lap that ended up being 4 laps, and probably at a pace faster than most would consider typical warm-up speed.  After that, a series of moving exercises to stretch out the legs.  Each half way across the field (with a jog for the rest of the way).

  • toy soldiers
  • butt kickers
  • soccer-style groin stretch
  • high knees
  • pigeon walk
  • duck walk

The Thang

The run exercise consisted of mix of laps and recoveries (big surprise!).  Pattern was as follows:

  • 400m at fast pace, 200m walking recovery
  • 800m fast pace, 200m walking recovery
  • 1200m fast pace, 200m walking recovery
  • 1600m  fast pace, 200m walking recovery
  • 1200m fast pace, 200m walking recovery
  • 800m fast pace, 200m walking recovery
  • 400m at fast pace, 200m walking recovery

Fast pax (McGyver and HiHat) almost complete every round before we had to break for a quick stretch and meet up with the Laces In guys.  Including warm-up laps, we all clocked in about 5 miles.

Great work by all pax!

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Laces In and Laces Out: Back together Again!!

Long time ago…..in a different AO……Laces Out and Laces In were together. Today we could say that again. Its like meatballs and spaghetti or hot dogs and hamburgers…..its just natural!!

So the Laces out clan arrive at 0500 and take off running to Baxter like the fools they are. Hills and cars and danger Will Robinson!! But they all made it back safely and met us Laces IN  crowd at COT. No water melon ….losers!! haha

Laces In we did a little tour of the High School, with some 4 corners and some other pain stops along the way. There is a ton of potential and no Rosalita calling the 5.0 anymore. If we bother anyone out here, they better join the PAX as they have no other reason to be out there at 0 dark 30.

Great PAX and awesome times. Be sure to post to Laces In/Out and bring an FNG!

Cake Boss Out!

 

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Block Party – Q School With Double D and Cake Boss

15 or so PAX came to the latest installment of Q school with YHC and Double D.

Double D gave the intros and we quickly realized some PAX might have come for a regular beat down, only to find out we were teaching how to give a beat down.

Double D took the 201 PAX and I took the 101 PAX and we instructed best we could. (See documents on website)

Again, it was hot a mofo out there and we were dripping even teaching the beat down, not just delivering it.

We regathered at about 0550 and answered some final questions from the PAX.

t-clap’s to all the PAX looking to lead. Its amazing what can happen from leading a group of guys in a boot camp. Things start to happen and confidence is grown…..no more sad clown!

Thanks to Ginsu for  the lead and we look forward to all these new Qs in the mix!

 

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Golden Corral , buffet of choices

It was a humid July morning at 18 HIM met for a assortment of pain.  12 choose YHC for BC and 4 WhatDid ruck beat down.  Zima and MacGivor went for a sweat fest run.  The 12 boot campers went off with me.

20 SSH

  1. 20IW

20 Moroccan Nightclubs

run 100% across parking lot, 10 bombjacks

Set up for a Rock Hill Wakkers Starfish (Change Order new what was coming):

100 merkins

100 LBC

100  Squats

50 Pike Presses, between each stations 10 burpies

Next up a Merkin Wave for 7 rounds . Crowd pleaser.

Jack Webb

Sprint back across parking lot for 10 more bombjacks.

series of Wall Sits including each PAx doing Bear Crawls.

finish up with another set of merkin wave.

.Annoucements, praises and prayers.

read your newsletter.

Always an honor to lead.

 

 

 

 

 

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Fast 5 Training @ LO = Bad Idea

Pretty sure my favorite style of running is trails but for some reason, I love using the track. Schedule was being drawn up a few weeks back and I got pulled in early.  Thus it was my turn to Q Laces Out and like usual, I did a bad thing.

The Thang

  • Warmup Run 1 Mile
  • Partner Up for Fast 5 Training
    • Fast 5 Training is basically Catch Me if You Can on the track. Partner 1 starts walking/light jog while Partner 2 runs as fast as he can around the track. Once he catches Partner 1, they switch. It’s about 2 laps of sprinting, 1 recover
  • Cool Down 1/2 Mile
  • No Yoga or Stretching

NMM

  • Great group out there today
  • I earn the 6 award for just under 5 miles
  • I believe Trojan takes the cake for most miles (just over 6)
  • It’s Chippendales (muggy muggy muggy) season y’all
  • Gears did his typical anti-establishment run (if you want to get better, click HERE)
  • Fast group this AM, thanks for the push guys
  • Thanks for indulging my bad ideas
  • Planning Fast 5 for mid-late October

Prayer & Praises

  • Prayers for Gears work situation (He’s fine just dealing with a lot)
  • Prayers for families
  • Prayers for Injured Pax

Always an Honor. Aye!

Zima

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