Pat McGroin Strain at The Colosseum

Yeah, I strained my groin at The Fort on Saturday.  Yeah, it was still sore this morning.  But it ain’t just every week that Jekyll asks you to Q at THE Colosseum.  Could not cancel, no siree Bob.  And when Atticus and Pusher told me they were coming?  Well something special had to be drafted up.

Beautiful crisp morning it was after a nice rain last night.  An all-star PAX rolled in and after a quick disclaimer was issued, we were off.  As best as I can remember it, this is what we did.

The Warm Up

Brisk run through the car pick-up line and COP in the back B-Ball court lot.  We basically did about every exercise that popped into my head IC in no particular order:

  • Plank set
  • Dips
  • Merkins
  • Parker Peters
  • Peter Parkers
  • Plank Jacks
  • Mountain Climber
  • Low Slow Squats
  • Overhead Claps
  • Moroccan Nightclub
  • Windmill
  • Imperial Walkers
  • Side Straddle Hops

Now we were warmed up and ready to move to light pole ally for the fun stuff.  As we walked that-a way, I had Fusion and McGyver give us an Apache 10-count.  Who brought you out, how long ago, where’d your name come from?  Always enjoy this and always learn something new.  More to come on this.

The Main Event

At first light pole, 5 burpees

Second light pole, 5 burpees + 10 big boy situps.  We added an exercise and 5 reps at each pole.

3rd + 15 merkins

4th + 20 squats

5th + 25 LBC

6th + 30 overhead claps

7th + 35 mountain climbers

8th + 40 side straddle hops

I was pleased to hear Stang lament how terrible this was.  Mission accomplished!  We did another Apache 10-count, this time with FEMA.  Did you know he’s from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and that’s how we got his name?  Did you know he went to school at Louisiana Tech University?  Did you know that’s where I went to school?!?  Very cool.

Next another quick mosey back to the school to the half brick wall.  People’s chair in tight formation while the first in line burpee broad jumped to the other end.  I always like doing this to critique everyone’s burpee form and jumping distance.  It’s the little things, people.

Time running out but still time for some quick Mary.  Back to the blacktop curbs for 3 rounds – flutters, Freddy Mercury, and American Hammers.

Closing thoughts

Not much in the way of announcements / prayers.  Get engaged in Q-Source (great material BTW) and push yourself to attend a 3rd F event or two this summer.  You might just like it and you probably need it.  I know I do.  Prayers for patience with summer break kids and safety on vacations.  Thanks Jekyll for the opportunity to Q!  Hate you had to miss due to work travel but we’ll catch you next time.

Flat Tire

 

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Gemini Birthday Bash

The Thang:

Mosey to the parking lot near the tennis courts

COP: Hillbilly Walkers(20x), Imperial Walkers (15x), 1 min of 7 burpees and 33 SSH, 3x

Mosey to the band’s practice parking lot

Jack Webb Style with Crackin Burpees for the 1 and Bobby Hurley for the 4 with 3-4 partners for encouragement

Bomb Jacks (100x), Overhead Claps (200x), Merkins (100x), Big Boy Sit Ups (100x), Squats (200x)

Moleskin:

On this glorious day, we followed our own advice of not “going it alone.” So we decided to lock shields to celebrate the 40th birthday of two Geminis that were born two days apart. We are humbled and honored by the love and support of our F3 brothers for our birthday bash. We can’t thank you enough.

As we turn 40 years old, we understand that we are progressing into the next season of life. Age 0 to 20 is the spring season where we identify who we are. Age 20 to 40 is the summer season where we learn and grow. Age 40 to 60 is the fall season where we influence others. Age 60+ is the winter season where we share wisdom with others.

What season of life are you in? Own it. Celebrate life and your season daily.

Peace,

Deacon & Shady

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Blown tire = Bullpen

Lets just put this out there.  I was HURTIN.  The Murph did me in like no one’s business.  Shoulders, arms, no extension.  The bed was calling.  Obligation as a PAX and as a site Q made my decision for me.  Have to do the hard thing.  Reborn has been on schedule for months and I got a call at 4:30 saying his tire had blown.  No problem.

Pulling into The Coloseeum there were already a large group of men gathering waiting.  With nothing prepared, I decided shared leadership was the key today.

Maximus: COP

Jekyll: 16s on the track.  Carolina Dry Docks and Jumping Lunges at each corner of track.  15/1, 14/2, 13/3….1/15.

Dungaree: Wall Muscle ups, BTTW

MacGuyver: Wall sits into merkins back into Wall sits (#crowdpleaser)

Gekko: Street lights.  AYG to next to pole 2, mosey to pole 3, AYG to pole 4. repeato until 10th pole

Walker: Cant remember but probably Merkins

Jekyll: Mary

all were completely smoked.  Always great to have the high energy and expectation from Walker.  He really drives me to be better and do better.  Unwavering principled man.

We finished up and met up with Ruckers and Pathfinders.

Aye!

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SlowBurning a Ring Of Fire

Great morning for a workout!  13 pax posted (no new guys). The disclaimer was issued and we bolted out of the Chick-fil-a parking lot, Pusher style.

We ran past BP in front of Jimmy John’s for a bit of COP warm-up:

  • SSH
  • Imperial Walkers
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Merkins
  • Windmills
  • Morning Wood, OYO

The Thang

We then ran down to the parking lot in front of Empire and found 12 cones spread out to a large ring.  Time for a burning ring of fire.  Each pax was to start at a cone, doing the exercise (and count) written on the cone.  Once done, they were to run across the middle, around the cone on the opposite side, then back to the middle and plank up for 10 seconds (the non-modified version does cinderblock burpees – yuck!).  After planking up , the pax runs to the next cone.  Rinse and repeat until all 12 cones completed.  Pax were encouraged to pair up.  YHC struggled to keep up with MOAB.  Here were the exercises, in no particular order:

  • 10 Monkey Humpers (4 count)
  • 10 Hello Dollys (4 count)
  • 7 Burpees
  • 10 Merkins (single count)
  • 10 SSH (4 count)
  • 10 Mtn. Climbers (4 count)
  • 10 Bombjacks
  • 10 LBCs(4 count)
  • 10 Plank Jacks (4 count)
  • 7 Morning Woods (turkish get-up)
  • 10 Box Cutters
  • 10 Seal Jacks (4 count)

Once completed, we moseyed to a nearby wall for a little People’s Chair:

Round 1 – one person at a time jumps out and does 2 burpees
Round 2 – Jack Reachers (10x)

We ended with Jack Webbs.  But wait!  We got to COT with 2 minutes to spare so we did a few ab exercises.

Great work by all!  Thanks to Hootie for the opportunity to lead!

Keep it spicy,
Old Bay

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4×4 Fun

I haven’t been to Colosseum in a long time. I’ve been doing the ruck WOs on Tuesdays so it was good to shake up the routine. It was also great to see so many cars rolling in. I haven’t seen several guys in a while due to being under a ruck so it was great to be out in the gloom with them again.

Go time arrived and disclaimer was attempted. Mosey around loops in front of school with high knees, butt-kickers, karaokes both ways. Circle up for normal warm-ups: SSHs, windmills, Peter Parkers, Parker Peters, and some Hillbilly Walkers.

Moseyed over to side lot. Today’s theme was simple, 4 exercises done 4 times. First off was Bear Crawl from top of parking line to curb, 4 Merkins, Crawl Bear back to top of parking line, 4 Donkey Kicks. Repeat 4 times.

Mosey over to lot behind school. 5-Worst Merkins (Wide, Normal, Diamond), 10-Big Boy Situps, 15-Plank Jacks, 20-Shoulder Taps then run to other side of lot. Repeat 4 times.

Mosey to loop in front of school. Starting at center of loop: 10-Burpees, 10-Mtn Climbers (4 ct), 10-Lunges (each leg), 10-Smurf Jacks, then run around loop to center spot of on other side. Repeat 4 times. Lots of good mumble-chatter during this segment, except for Tesh who almost lapped everyone.

Slow mosey over to front of middle school for some Wall Webbs. Start in People’s Chair, walk out on hands into Merkin, walk back up on hands into chair for overhead claps. Normal ratio of 1:4. I cut it short at 6:24 so we had time for some mary (and my legs were starting to burn). Back at cars to finish up with 10 tiny circles clockwise, 10 counter-clockwise, then 20 flutters. Time’s up. Hopefully the PAX got their money’s worth today.

Continued prayers for Stang’s family as they mourn the passing of his grandfather as well as all of the kids that Cornerstone is involved with in their treatment group.

Thanks to Jekyll for the opportunity!
-Mainframe

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Block Party Beat Down

I was excited to Q Block Party after the co-Q at The Fort on Sat.  I arrived early and saw 7 runners take off at 5:00 sharp with Bird Cage leading the way down the back trail.  Cars began to file in and the cars kept coming.  I wasn’t expecting a large crowd and then I heard that CSPAN was still in town and was coming to Block Party so I knew there would be a big and rowdy crowd on hand.

Once we hit 5:15, no FNG’s were present so a short disclaimer and off we moseyed.  Since the park has several obstacles littering the grass from the festival, I was going outside of the park.  We moseyed to the first parking lot up front and circled up.

  • Imperial Walkers
  • SSH
  • Arm circles front and back
  • arm stretch across body
  • mountain climber
  • slow merkin – 3 count down, 3 count hold, 3 count up

Mosey over to the sidewalk and wall near Springs Global.  3 exercises , 3 sets, decreasing reps each set.

  • Dips – Reps –  25/20/15
  • Derkins –         20/15/10
  • Step-UPS –     30/20/10

Mosey to the big hill and meet at the top parking lot.  3 excercises, 15 reps each, then run to bottom of the hill and come back up the hill backwards.

  • Squats/Monkey Humpers/Calf Raises
  • Slow Merkin/MNN/O/H Clap
  • Flutter/ Big Boy Sit-up/Hello Dolly

Mosey back to the sidewalk and wall where we started and do one more set of  dips and derkins 20 & 15.  Mosey back to the park. Since we had a few minutes left I decided to take a lap around the park on the path for an added bonus.  We ended back at the parking lot for set of LBC’s.

This was a great morning and I enjoyed the chatter and hard work.  Through the Q Source, I have been motivated to look for ways to continue to accelerate  in all areas.  I shared with the group that I have been successful in accelerating in King, Queen and Jester control, but the last 4 weeks the QSource was focused on Faith.  I was convicted that I am not accelerating in study and recognize the need to have my shield locks there to hold me accountable and provide the push I need.  I asked everyone to think of where they need to accelerate and who are they going to have beside them to hold them accountable.

Thanks Esso for the opportunity to Q and lead the Pax.

Rebel

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6 years, God only knows where I might have been….

6 years ago YHC rang the bell for the first time with a handful of rag tag HIM’s. There were 3 workouts, total, in The Fort. A lot has changed!  YHC was blessed enough to be able to come to Block Party and Q on a day that has changed my life.  32 other PAX joined YHC in the gloom for some fun for Day 20 for Ass Kickn’ April Y2!

The Thang:

Long loop around WEP

COP

SSH X 50, Squats X 25, IW X 20, Mountain Climbers X 25, Plank Jacks X 25, Slow Sumo Squats X 25, 6 count Burpees w/ hand clap X 10, SSH X 10 – Mosey to playground

DORA 1-2-3

Partner up, 100 Merkins, 200 Squats, 300 LBCs. Go.

Huddle Up

Got the PAX together to briefly talk about what F3 has done for me.  I had initially thought that F3 would always be a physical challenge, and it is, but I would never have guessed how much the 2nd and 3rd F’s would come into play.  Having 32 other men show up at 0515 to work out under my lead, shows exactly what F3 is all about.  Supporting your F3 brother celebrate a special, life changing day by doing burpees and dodging fire ants.  The 1st F is the magnet, always pulling you in.  The 2nd F is the glue, keeping you connected and active.  The 3rd F is the dynamite, serving others, putting yourself 3rd and sharing this crazy thing F3 to all men around you. Off to the hill for Jacob’s Ladder.

Jacob’s Ladder – 8’s – 1 Burpee at top and 7 Bomb Jacks at Bottom. Add, subtract, flippy flop, you know the drill.

Off to COT, but lets do some more while we count down to 0600.  30 seconds of Mountain Climbers, Plank, burpees….. Saved by the Bell. Done.

Great Tuesday morning.  So humbled and blessed with the HUGE turnout this morning.  I couldn’t be more excited about being a part of F3!

FunHouse

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Tri-Q at The Fort

It was an honor to travel across the River on this cool Spring gloom with Italian Job and Canseco to join up with 9 of our Fort and Rock Region brothers on the day before Easter. Thank you Bonsai and the rest of our brothers for the opportunity to lead this morning.

As Italian Job, Canseco and YHC discussed this workout the previous week, we decided that it would definitely be split into three equal time periods with each of us focusing on different body groups. Italian Job began with the F3 Disclaimer and welcome to all:

WARMUP

 There was no Warm-Up

THE THANG

Italian Job moved right into working the upper body. This is what was done:

10 Burpees (OYO); 5 Plank Destroyers (Plank, Makhtar D’Diaye, Merkin, Alternating Shoulder Tap, Plank Jack); 20 MNCs (IC); 10 Merkins (IC); 20 Little Baby Arm Circles (IC); 10 Wide Arm Merkins (IC); 20 Overhead Claps (IC); 60 Seconds Arm Circles in Plank; Mosey to Springs or Playground; 20 Irkins; 20 Dips; 20 Derkins; Mosey; 10 Wide-Diamond-Wide (OYO); Mosey; Merkin Ring of Fire (10 rounds).

After he finished, the Q Stick was handed off to YHC for the lower body portion performing each of the following exercises for 50-seconds and resting for 10:

Squat + Calf Raises; Squat Jacks; Mosey; Alternating Hamstring Reaches; Broad Jump w/Back Pedal; Mosey; Left Lateral Lung; Right Lateral Lung; Squat Tap-Outs; Mosey; Left Leg Lunge; Right Leg Lunge; Mosey; Step Ups; Squat & Squat Jumps.

Then YHC passed off the lead to Canseco for some Core & Cardio and an awesome work below in the NMM. This is what he led us in:

YHC planned to use the steep portion of the running path for sets of core exercises with a jailbreak between.  We did 2 to 3 exercises for each set and started at the bottom of the hill.

We did the following with a jailbreak between sets.

All In Cadence:
30 Imperial Walkers; 50 Flutters; Jailbreak

20 Mtn Climbers; 20 Freddy Mercurys; Jailbreak

20 American Hammers; 30 Pretzel Crunches (15 each Side); 10 Makhtar N’Diayes; Jailbreak back to top

20 LBC’s ; 10 Delayed LBC’s; Plank w/6 Inches and Up x2

Mosey to COT where IJ led us in another 10-Burpees for fun

Great work was put in by all PaX in attendance. Thank you again for allowing us to lead.

NMM

Canseco shared his heart this morning. Below is what he discussed:

The sun came through the clouds and shined directly on us during Reborn’s leg workout.  We were at the top of the Walter Elisha Park looking out and for a few moments everyone was quiet.  I had something to share with the PAX and in that moment this capped it off.

I have been reading through the gospels the last couple weeks and wanted to share something that has been stirring in me.  So, as we know its Saturday before Easter and Jesus has been crucified and placed in a tomb.  On this day thousands of years ago there were all kinds of emotions for those who were near to Jesus.

Those near to him who followed and loved him were doubtful, confused, and didn’t know what would happen next.  The Pharisees and scribes still saw Jesus as a threat to their own Kingdom and world and placed guards at the tomb.  I find this interesting as he is dead yet they didn’t believe?

I shared Matthew chapter 21 with the PAX when Jesus curses the fig tree that didn’t have any fruit.  Jesus disciples said how can it wither instantly? Jesus answered, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea, it will happen.” 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”  Jesus was preparing them to believe and have faith during the darkest and most doubtful times to come.

We know what happened next.  We have record and an account of the resurrection.  But we still have to figure out what we are going to do with Jesus?

Is Jesus threatening your Kingdom, life, and world.  Are you keeping him at distance and putting HIM away somewhere so as to hide?

Or, are you believing on His life, death, and resurrection as sufficient for your sins and eternity with HIM.  You can’t hide from the light!!!

My prayer for the PAX was that just as the sun rose before our eyes this morning that the Son of Man would rise in each of our hearts this day, tomorrow, and forever.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

April 3rd F Theme-Be Still.

Summer Lawn Service at the Care Center-Sign up now.

Manion WOD-April 27-See Cobra Kai.

Date Night-April 27-Contact Wegmans.

PRAYERS/PRAISES

Prayers and praises were mentioned and Italian Job

lifted them up.

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SACRIFICIAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SHORTIES

SACRIFICIAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SHORTIES

 – Not a professional, you assume all risk

 – Stretch; front fold/squat, rotate, arm stretch upward

– Mosey to field > jog to 50, sprint; repeat NOT A BREAK, GET HEART RATE UP

– Warmup; SSH, Windmill, imperial Walker

 – The seeds of discontent will yield a legacy of damaged fruit. >> WHAT FRUIT DID THE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FATHER YIELD?

 20 X’s – Everything in cadence, NO OYO

 @ End zone

– Squats, IC > toy soldier to 20

– Monkey Humpers, IC > lunges to 40

– Jumping squats, single ct. > long jumps to 40

– Calf raises 3 ways, single ct. > butt kickers to 20

– Low slow Squat, IC > duck walk to end zone

– Air squared (squat w overhead clap), IC

– Jog to 50, sprint to end zone [X’s 2]

 – A father is the defining relationship in the Shortys life. If a father is loving and warm he provides a template of success for relationships in their future. >> WHAT TYPE OF FRUIT DO WE WANT OUR CHILDREN TO YIELD? NOT JUST OUR WORDS BUT OUR ACTIONS.

 – Repeat X’s 15

 – What do we as father’s have to sacrifice? i.e. jester, time, money, interests. >> FOR THOSE W OLDER KIDS, HOW ABOUT NOT LETTING THEM LEARN FROM THIER OWN FAILURES? CORNHOLE’s MESSAGE @ BLOCK PARTY

 – Repeat X’s 10

 – Repeat X’s 5

 COT

– Doing this so our kids can be free. No more virtuous act that a man can do. RETURN ON INVESTMENT. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.”

 – Count off

– Name O’Rama

– Prayers/Praises

– Prayer

 

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Return to the Gloom

15 PAX Strong posted to the Fort on Saturday. It seemed fitting that my return to the Gloom would be where it all started back in October of 2012. The Fort! I started that workout  an FNG and finished it almost spilling merlot! Got a “cool” name. I also found a brotherhood of guys who aren’t that much different than me. Found something I never knew I needed too. I went all in, with a small hiatus of a hernia repair surgery, brought on by all this new activity. Fast Forward several years and several CSAUPs later. Life happens. New job. Life challenges. Deceleration. I went full #kotter there for quite some time. Sure I went to an occasional workout here and there but in my heart I knew I was decelerating.

So I recently moved to a neighborhood that is populated with quite a few F3 brothers. They really laid into me strong and got me back out to the gloom. I can’t even remember why or when the deceleration started, but this is what makes F3 great! Your proximity to other men. They’ll get in the weeds with you and stay on you and won’t leave you behind. All this to say, if you haven’t seen a guy around in a while, reach out to them. Call them out on twitter. Chances are it’s what they need!

Now onto the 1 hour CSAUP that I crammed down their throats:

Prior to the beatdown Dirty Harry and Punchlist did the 12 Mile Time Hack #weirdos #rucking #330starttime. A couple of us pre-rucked, which was nice.

0630 Time to Roll, this was referenced as a ruck “friendly” workout. So some had rucks, others did not, it was difficult either way.

THANG
-Mosey around the park, stop for some SSH, Merkins and Windmills
-Mosey some more and stop for some Mtn Climbers and a few others I forgot
-Mosey to the…wait for it…

RING OF FIRE
Large Circle comprised of 8 cones. Each cone has an exercise and count. There’s also a cone in the middle.
-Start in the middle and do 5 burpees
-Walk to first cone, do the exercise
-Bear Crawl to the center cone, do 5 burpees
-Walk to the next cone, Repeat
-After completing the ring, run around the playground, return and start over…see how many times you can complete the ring

Here were the exercises and counts (memory is fuzzy):
1. 15 Merkins
2. 20 Lunges (10 each leg)
3. 30 Flutter Kicks (2-count)
4. 15 GTOs (Ground to Overhead) w/ 40# sandbags
5. 20 Squats (either w/ Ruck or Block)
6. 30 Big Boy Situps
7. 20 CDD
8. 30 Mtn Climbers

Half the PAX did it with Rucks on. It was equally difficult for all though. If you had a ruck on you probably got 2 rounds in. No ruck probably got 3 or close to it.

Some notable take-aways:
-Pax get punch-drunk when the workout gets rough
-Apparently noon is not the time to go to a certain type of club
-Tesh kept his shirt on
-Geronimo took his shirt off 😐
-Each round represented 40 burpees and 2-3 rounds were completed…do the math #ouch

I think we were all glad when this one was over.

COT
Announcements
Prayers and Praise
BOM

Thanks to Bonsai for the opportunity. And thanks to my brothers for encouraging me to get back after it. Glad to be back in the Gloom!

Aye!
Zima

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