A Dozen in the mist

When 19 HIM descended upon Bushwood and the Snake Pit, YHC did not know how the split would break out.  7 opted for no kettle bells and a ruck or a beatdown delivered by Olaf but 11 HIM chose to join YHC for a 4 corners style workout  – parts of which may have surprised a few folks and parts were likely expected (consistency is a trait we are trying to sharpen after all).

At 0500, YHC came upon a large parking lot and with no rain falling, sidewalk chalk was decreed the flavor of the day to sketch out the work that was to follow.  Upon completing the 4 corners of 3 exercises each, an arrival happened at 0511.  The next 4 minutes of mumble chatter and the joy of seeing fellow brothers in the gloom ensued until 0515 arrived, when Olaf disclaimed us enthusiastically.  With that, we were off.  Here’s what happened.

COP:

Noticing that a total of 12 PAX brought bells, the math worked out favorably to break up into groups of 3 (more on the significance of that later).  We walked/jogged/ran/moseyed with our bells to Corner number 1 of the parking lot.  After completing 10 windmills IC, 3 bells were left and the PAX and 9 bells moseyed to

Corner #2 – after 10 Imperial Walkers were done in cadence, 3 bells were left and PAX and 6 bells moseyed to….

Corner #3 – after 10 Hillbilly Walkers in cadence, 3 bells were left and the PAX and the last 3 bells moseyed to…..

Corner #4 – the last 3 bells were left and we circled up to complete COP of:

5 burpees, 10 low slow squats, after squat #10 the people’s chair was held while we completed 10 moroccan night clubs and 10 air presses in cadence.  Bobber was notably pleased at this sequence and we recovered to begin 4 corners in groups of 3 – the main event.

Groups of 3 completed all 3 exercises in counts of 9, 22 and 21 – fittingly aligned with today’s date.  Upon completion, PAX ran to the next corner and continued this effort for 30 ish minutes with the kettle bells left at each station (more on that later).  The lucky exercises were:

Corner 1 – 9 thrusters, 21 chest presses, 22 flutters with press

Corner 2 – 9 manmakers, 21 hammer curls, 22 squats

Corner 3 – 9 burpees, 22 swings, 21 upright rows

Corner 4 – 9 flying squirrels, 22 merkins on the bell (11 each side), 21 LBC’s with the bell

PAX completed nearly 2 rounds and got their money’s worth.

All bells were then brought back to corner #1 at 0555 and YHC posed the following thoughts:

NMM – Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us that though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves but a cord of three strands (the number of PAX per group) is not easily broken.  PAX were assigned 3 per corner for a reason beyond the math.  We reflected on this as well as the significance of being a part of as shield lock and how we are better with this in our life than not.  It ensures that we are also leaving no man behind per F3’s credo.

The different weights of kettle bells represent the fact that, in life, we never know what weight we will be asked to carry – the same way no PAX knew this morning what weights would be at which stations (other than their own of course) but we do know that a weight shared among many becomes less and less of a burden and more of a joy.  As we work through and overcome struggles and challenges, we realize that the joy on the other side is worth the work, the pain, the sacrifice and the abandonment of ourselves in serving and being there for others – living 3rd.

My thanks goes out to 3D for the call to the bullpen and the opportunity to Q #eastofthepeachstand.

Honored to share the gloom with you all.  Until next time,

Cyclops

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Deck of Pain

After a quick disclaimer and generic warmup, we moseyed over to firepit area and circled up for the Deck of Pain.

Twelve strong men got stronger on Monday with a whole lot of fun kettlebell reps. We all took turns drawing from the deck so that YHC couldn’t be blamed for every card…

Spades were Squat Thrusts

Diamonds were Dead Lift/Upright Row combos

Clubs were Curls/Shrugs combos

Hearts were Tricep Extensions/Shoulder Press combos

Reps were figured by the face value of the card drawn, with all face cards being 10.

Aces meant a quick lap around the parking lot, and the Jokers made us do 10 burpees/manmakers.

Everyone worked super hard, and the mumble chatter was kept to a minimum.

Prayers for our families, our teenagers, and for us to have strength to get through our trials and keep to our goals.

Thanks to everyone for the fun morning in the gloom!

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12ish Days of Christmas at Snake Pit

Been a while since I was Q at the ol’ Snake Pit and as I’m not scheduled for next month, I figured it was time to pull th5e 12 Days of Christmas workout out of the bag.

After a short warm up, we got after it.  Despite what U Haul said, we got to day 9.

Just like the song, you repeat each set every time you add another exercise.

1 – Run/Walk
2- Turkish getups
3- Goblet squats
4- LBCs
5- Shoulder press
6- Chest press
7- American hammers
8- Calf raises
9- Sumo squats
10- Lunges
11- Lawnmowers
12- Dead lifts

 

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F3 Dads 2020

Having no idea what to expect, but knowing that YHC was (IS) not comfortable seeing big groups together at WEP when I drive by on 160, we set up cones 6+ft apart making two lines about 50 yards from each other.

When PAX and 2.0s started showing up, YHC was really happy to see everyone and set some expectations to stay in family units and attempt to maintain some distance from others.

BIG circle up for some warmups. All in cadence, most to 10
– SHH
– Merkin
– Imperial Walker
– Hillbilly Walker
– Squat
– Played: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Burpee
– Just like Rock, Paper, Scissors
except the loser has to do a burpee for every person in their family group that beats them. i.e., if you’ve got 3 kids they all throw paper and you throw rock, then you do 3 burpees.

Line up behind one side of the cones
– Dad vs. Kids race: stipulation Dads have to bear crawl.
Loser did 10 burpees counted by the kids
Lots of form critiquing
– Dad vs. Kids race part 2: stipulation Dads have to run backwards (Nur)
Loser does 5 burpees
*Note: it is a lot hotter in the sun at 0900 than 0515

Dad/Kid DORA
50 Merkins
100 SSH
150 Squats
*kids get to count their reps together. E.g., you have 2 kids and each does 10 merkins while you’re running, then your count starts at 21 as they run.

Mosey over to the shade for some yoga and a message about why Dads are leaving the house at Zero-Dark-Thirty. TL/DR: it’s because we want to be better. Not for ourselves, but for our families and our community.

Mosey back to the cones for a session of Leap Frog. WOW, leap frog is quite challenging on the WEP grass with younger kiddos.

0930, it was hot and I knew we had quite a few 2.0s to name. I could also see the kiddos starting to fade (cause certainly no PAX were). So we called it and headed to COT. Brief message about how school is going to look a lot different. Today’s workout is a slight look at keeping a distance from each other, but still trying to enjoy what we can do together.

FNG Count – 10
Spirit Child
First Responder
Hamburglar
Popper
Pulp
PK
Swordy
Designer
Inch Worm
Rogue One

T-Claps all around

Prayers for wisdom to be a better father.


Band Camp dismissed

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It’s a keeper!!

We did some warmup, SSH, Windmills, Cherry Pickers, Arm Circles, Imperial Walkers, Hillbilly Walkers, Hip Openers

Main Event

5 Rounds. Each Round has it’s mode of transportation.  There are 5 exercises that were repeated each round. Do the 1st exercise, then do the transportation, do 2nd exercise, etc.  When done with all 5 exercises.  Repeat with the 2nd transportation.  Added some * options to modify harder if needed.

Transportation

Sprint – 2 aisles

Side shuffle – 2 aisles  *add bell

Lunges – 1 aisle *pass thru with bell

Bear Crawls – 1 aisle *Crawl Bear back

NUR – 2 aisles

Exercises

Curls – 10 ea arm or 20 both

Squats – 10  *20

Overhead Press – 10 ea arm

Tricep Ext – 10  *20

Swings – 10  *20

We almost got thru it all

Airborne told me IT IS A KEEPER!!

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An Old Friend to Start the Week off Right

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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A Day in History

1945: USS Indianapolis Sinking – I-58 Japanese submarine sinks the American cruiser Indianapolis, killing 883 seamen in the worst loss in the history of the U.S. navy.

  • 19 Swings
  • 45 Curls
  • 883 meter (0.546 mi) farmer carry

1958 : NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is created to make sure America will win the space race and 11 years and billions of dollars later, Neil Armstrong stepped out of the lunar module Eagle and onto the moon’s surface on July 20th, 1969.

  • 19 lat pulls
  • 58 triceps extensions
  • Jacobs Ladder, 11’s = clean left/clean right

1981 : Prince Charles marries Lady Diana at a royal ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral, it is estimated 500 million television viewers in 74 countries tune in to witness the fairy tale marriage

  • 19 deadlifts
  • 81 Lawn mower pulls
  • 74 rabbit hops in squat position

Mary

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A Copperhead Christmas (5lbs of Gummies too)

My first time Q’ing and it was a lot of fun (except counting in cadence). A very sincere thanks to the Pax for helping me thru my maiden voyage and braving the weather on a chilly December morning. Happy Holidays to all.

The Snake Pit Parking Lot, Dec 4th 2019

Warm up in Cadence

20 x SSH, 10 x Chain Breakers, 10 x Cherry Pickers, 15 x Mountain Climbers, 10 x Moroccan Nightclubs

12 Days of Christmas (main workout)

Day 1x: Parking Lot Run (on Day 7 switch to Bear Crawls)

Day 2x: Squat Jumps + previous day

Day 3x: Big Boy Sit Ups + previous days

Day 4x: Merkin with hand release + previous days

Day 5x: U-Haul’s + previous days

Day 6x: Leg Flutters + previous days

Day 7x: Freddy Mercury’s (Bicycle Sit-up) + previous days

Day 8x: Bicep Curls + previous days

Day 9x: Skull Crushers or overhead triceps curls + previous days

Day 10x: Apollo Ohno (speed skaters) + previous days

Day 11x: Kettle Bell Swings + previous days

Day 12x: American Hammers + previous days

Burpee Challenge

1x Burpee in 1 minute,  2x Burpees in 1 minute, 3x Burpees in 1 minute, 4x Burpees in 1 minute, 5x Burpees in 1 minute, 6x Burpees in 1 minute, 7x Burpees in 1 minute, 8x Burpees in 1 Minute

Announcements, Prayers and Praises

Circle of Trust

 

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Snake Bite At Snake Pit

Five years ago my mom passed away after six months of hell, dealing with kidney failure and all that entails.  She had mental health issues, that meant she had to take some strong medicines that basically eventually killed her kidneys.  Ironically my mom retired as a kidney dialysis nurse.

So with today’s anniversary coming up, I thought it was a good opportunity to remember mom, and talk about mental health.  I shared some facts, and the facts decided our numbers for each exercises after COP.

Mom was a huge fan of Elvis and Ricky Nelson. Facts about the two artists:

Elvis – Born 1935
Elvis – Death at age 42
Elvis – 33 #1 singles
Ricky Nelson – Born 1940
Ricky Nelson – Death at age 45
Ricky Nelson – 14 top 10 singles

35 – KB swings
42 – goblet squats
33 – curls
40 – skull (Helmet) crushers (face for radio)
45 – flutters
14 – Turkish getups (pax favorite)

A few facts about my Mom’s life:

Mom – Born 1945  Death – 2014
Mom – Married 49 years to my father
Mom – 69 years old at death

49 – American hammers
14 – cleans

49 – merkins
69 – flutters  

Then we went on to some facts about suicide and mental health among men:

20 US veterans commit suicide daily.
77% of deaths in the US by suicide are male.
10% of men experience depression and anxiety.
Only 36% of psychological referrals are for men.

20 – Lawnmowers
77 – Rosa Litas
10 – Burpees
36 – LBCs

Finally some lighter facts, about Christmas and New Year’s Eve:

14 days till Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas starts on Christmas, not before.
The Twelve Days of Christmas ends 1/5/2020.
12/31 – In the Catholic faith, NYE is the Feast of Pope Sylvester.

I had the pax pick an exercise for the above numbers.  There was much rejoicing.

And we were done!

Thanks 3D for rearranging some schedules to allow me to Q today. Thanks to Bird Cage for all the whining.  Love you brother! Just payback for the Coors Light board of pain!

Brothers your presence today is testimony of what F3 can do.  Five years ago I found out about Mom’s passing about 2:00 am and didn’t make it back to bed that night.  So I posted at Peak 51 in Area 51 (South Charlotte) and was glad I did.  I needed the pax to be around me and pray for me and our family.

Your continued prayers for my father who is 78 and plugging right along are appreciated.  He definitely misses Mom.

Remember: Leave no man behind, but leave no man where you find him.

DT out!

 

 

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Wheel of Man Makers

It was a misty morning at The Snake Pit as 10 Iron Slingers and 3 Runners decided to brave the elements and get better! Quick disclaimer and we were off.

Moseyed over to the next parking lot for some warmups:

  • 20 Side Straddle Hops
  • 20 Windmills
  • 20 Cherry Pickers
  • 20 Low Slow Squats
  • 20 Mountain Climbers
  • 20 Peter Parkers
  • Up/Down Dog

Moseyed over to the hill for some partner work. Partner 1 left their bell and the top of the hill and we all ran to the bottom of the hill together.

The Thang: Partner 1 was the timer and ran to the top of the hill to do a certain number of reps with the bell while partner two did a bell exercise at the bottom of the hill. When partner 1 made it back down the hill then flip flop with partner.

  • Round 1 – Top of Hill 20 snatches (10 Each Arm), Bottom of Hill KB Swings
  • Round 2 – Top of Hill 20 Figure 8’s, Bottom of Hill Goblet Squats
  • Round 3 – Top of Hill 20 Skull Crushers, Bottom of Hill Curls
  • Round 4 – Top of Hill 20 Shrugs, Bottom of Hill Rows
  • Round 5 – Top of Hill 20 American Hammers, Bottom of Hill Bell Flutters

Did a quick round of suicides up the hill. We did five burpees and the first light and 10 burpees at the second light, then ran back down the hill.

We grabbed our bells and Moseyed back to the parking lot near COT.

We had some time left so I introduced the “Wheel of Man Makers” (patent pending). This was a real crowd pleaser. The idea was to do 3 Man Makers at your bell and then rotate right to the bell next to you, and do 3 more. We went all the way around the wheel until we ended up back at our own bell. There were 10 PAX so do the math. .

Circled up for 6 minutes of Mary to end it off.

Back to COT for prayers and praises.

JWOW OUT!

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