Make it happen

21 men tackled day five of the new year at Block Party. Here’s what we did.

Warm up

  • 10 Low Slow Squats (IC)
  • 10 Hillbilly Walkers (IC)
  • 10 Moroccan Night Clubs (IC)

The Thang

The route today was .5 miles (left on Main St., left of Clebourne St., left at Founders, left on White St.).

Round 1 – Take a Lap

  • 10 Burpees
  • 20 Merkins
  • 30 LBCs
  • 40 Squats
  • 50 Calf Raises
  • 1 Lap

Round 2

  • 10 Wide Arm Merkins
  • 20 Lunges
  • 30 Flutters
  • 40 Overhead Claps
  • 50 SSHs
  • 2 Laps

Round 3

  • 10 Diamond Merkins
  • 20 Jump Squats
  • 30 Crunchy Frogs
  • 40 Alternating Shoulder Taps
  • 50 MNCs
  • 3 Laps

Total distance: 3.5 miles.

NMM

I was encouraged this morning to see so many men shunning the fartsack for a chance to better themselves physically. We covered some ground, but kept close enough that no one ran alone. I enjoyed the heck out of this morning. Today’s mumblechatter reminded me of how important the 2nd F is. Fitness without fellowship is a workout group. Fellowship and friendship takes us to the next level and makes us better men. And men need other men to keep accelerating.

I recently read, “You can’t get wet reading about the ocean.” I found it appropriate for the first week of the year as people begin making resolutions. This is the time of year people make resolutions for a “new year and a new you.” They make promises to get in shape, to make more money, to read more, or basically become a better version of themselves. However, come mid-February, the gyms are empty, the books haven’t been cracked, and work status quo and malaise has settled in.

Resolutions fail because change requires effort. Change takes a dream, willpower, consistency, and guard rails. It’s gradual. It’s difficult. But it’s worth it!

You must take action if you want improvement. Take the first step even if it feels strange or others say its stupid. Growth can only happen if you move forward. So dream it, want it, do it, do it again, and have someone to keep you accountable. Positive habits require consistent effort. Make it happen and have friends to keep you in line. Then bask in the glory in accomplishing your goals.

Aye!

Italian Job

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

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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A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

With the new boot camp option East of the Peach Stand, YHC quickly volunteered to Q. Very exciting to see the new AO up and running under the leadership of L Train. After asking to Q, he mentioned that he wants a message at this AO every week, so YHC was challenged as well. The message is built into the work, stopping and holding a static movement prior to each iteration of a workout.

0515 struck and the boot campers broke off from the kettlebell crew. We hit the pavement and toured parts of CRHS that have seemingly been untouched by the Snake Pit!

Movement 1/COP – Mosey around back of school to parking lot near baseball fields (.5 miles).

Circle Up

Windmill

Tappy Taps

SLOW Moroccans

1:5, 2:10, 3:15, 4:20, Burpees:SSH

Plank.

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Exasperate – To irritate or frustrate intensely.

Let’s face it. Parenting is hard. When I’ve given it all of I’ve got and I know that my child needs to be loved… love is the last thing I want to show them with the way that they respond to my attempted disciplines. This commonly leads to me either raising my voice louder and being shorter with them, or taking away privileges and toys – much to their chagrin. It’s a lose/lose – and this is because it doesn’t show the training and instruction of the Lord. 

Last night was one of those nights. My M was out with friends and I was in charge of the four of them. I put my toddler down, and had my 4 month old in my arms as I was putting my 3 & 5 year old to bed. Things went south quickly as they began to deviate from my “plan” – and I lost my temper. I screamed louder than I can remember in order to prove a point. Much to my dismay – it only worsened the situation. 

Squatzilla 

3 space lunge walk, 10 squats. Mosey back.

6 space lunge walk, 20 squats. Mosey back.

9 space lunge walk, 30 squats. Mosey back.

12 space lunge walk, 40 squats. Mosey back.

15 space lunge walk, 50 squats. Mosey back.

 

Movement 2 – Mosey to Band Practice Field (.3 miles)

Low Plank.

How does one show love to their children while training them up in the ways of the Lord?

Proverbs 15:1

“A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

No matter how frustrating it can be. No matter how annoyed I grow. No matter how much I am not getting what I want from my 3 and 5 year olds in the way of behavior… I cannot respond with a harsh word. I cannot yell. I cannot lose my temper because my kids are not giving me what I want. Think about it. Parenting and marriage are some of the greatest sanctification tools we’ll ever come to know. If we can keep our head on straight as Jesus did with the Pharisees, we can turn away wrath in our children and lead them in the proper direction. If we lose our temper due to a low boiling point… we only make our children more angry.

After the incident of yelling at my daughters, I spent some time downstairs putting my youngest to sleep. My oldest then came downstairs and did the most amazing thing: she showed me grace by asking to cuddle with me. My heart immediately melted and I was deeply challenged by what I was experiencing. A lesson from my five year old – how to respond gently. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to partake of a precious moment with her. It changed the course of the rest of the evening.

Bearpees 

Bear Crawl four steps, do one six count burpee in cadence. Bear crawl eight, do two burpees. It grows to forty:ten. 

4:1 – 40:10

This iteration was a crowd pleaser… and was particularly difficult.

 

Movement 3 – Mosey to Stadium Ticket Booth/Booster Building (.3 miles)

People’s Chair.

How do we respond if we’re feeling discouraged and not offered grace by our 2.0’s?

Lamentations 3:22-23

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new each morning; great is your faithfulness.”

If you’re feeling like I’m feeling right now – discouraged and feeling like a failure with regard to being a parent. Remember that there is grace and always another chance. The LORD will always offer another chance if you are willing to take it. Do not lose heart; The Lord’s compassions are new each morning. Keep your head up. Love your families. Do your best. 

How do we identify strengths in our children? Maybe the things we perceive as needing correction maybe just need direction? Strength, resilience, organization. All can read their head in a way that we could perceive as a problem – but maybe it’s something we need to hone within our 2.0’s. 

Finisher

While holding People’s Chair – PAX step off and do 5 reps of a movement, one at a time:

CDD’s

Bomb Jacks

Mosey back to COT to link up with the Snake Pit. Solid work, men.

 

Announcements

Invergence – Friday – Forest Hill Fort Mill – 0515

 

Prayers/Praises

Pray for Drop Thrill’s brother with a head injury, currently in ATL

Praise for Drop Thrill becoming a Great Uncle for the third time! 

Prayers for relationships. UHAUL’s neighbors are moving away. “Take advantage of the relationships you have while you have them.”

Prayers for our jobs as husbands, fathers, friends. How do we respond when we don’t get our way?

 

Thanks, L Train, for the second Q at Bushwood! Welcome FNG Gilligan!

Punch List out.

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