Varsity: Keeping up the pace

I have to be honest…..I’m so late with this back blast all I remember is I could not straighten my arm for 4 days. The pullups and curls with the cinder blocks killed me…..lol

5 of us came to The Varsity for some serious work. I was recovering from The Bear run and a pulled muscle in my hip so it was an all strength day at Varsity…..Ginsu’s favorite AO even though Ballroom is better.

The Thang:

Mosey to Band Lot

3 rounds – 25reps, 20 reps, 15 reps

  • Merkins
  • CDDs
  • Squats
  • Lunges
  • Leg raises
  • LBCs

Mosey to School entrance

3 rounds – 25reps, 20 reps, 15 reps

  • Dips
  • Derkins
  • Step Ups

Mosey to Pull up Bars

10 Excercies on the ground – 20 reps

Then do 10 pullups

  • merkins
  • sumo squats
  • Bunch of others

Was a great fellowship day as we had 5 and so we really pushed each other. Great mumble chatter and getting to know the PAX.

Thanks for the Q Harry Carry!

Cake Boss

 

TClap |
1

Steadfast

18 Pax posted at the Coop in full representation of 3 solid regions today (Richmond, Fort Mill and Ballantyne). The temperature dropped and it felt like spring again. Wegmans, Skate or Die, Sasquatch and Cici did a pre-run for extra credit. Double Mint put up a strong post as his downpainment before spending the day at Carowinds.  T-Claps to all 18 high impact men that challenged themselves both mentally and physically today. 

The Thang:

Mosey to Sugar Creek Elementary’s Bus Loop

COP: SSH (30x), IW (20x), HillBilly Walkers (15x), WM (15x), Moroccan Night Clubs (15x), Sumo Squats (15x), MC (15x), Peter Parkers (15x)

Mosey to the pull up bars: Jacobs Ladder with burpees at the bottom, pull ups at the top 8x

Mosey to Sugar Creek Elementary’s Parking Lot: Windsprints (2x)

Mosey to the wall: Wall Merkins 3x, People’s Chair 3x

Moleskin:  

We are constantly feeling good and bad vibes during our journey of life. Life is filled with valleys and peaks. Like a train on parallel tracks, we continually find ourselves between the good track and the bad track. When things go well in life, we are soon challenged with a tragedy or a loss. Remain steadfast. Be aware of when you become unbalanced between pride and humility, right and wrong, etc. Remain steadfast and in balance.

TClap |
7

The Coop take 2

Humid 75 degree morning. Fort Mill, SC Nation Ford High School or better known at 0515 as The Coop.
See and recognize about 10 guys. we have the normal gloom what ups.
0514 rolls around DOAH says hey hope you don’t mind I’ve got a videographer with me. Doing some spotlight piece on wellness for his CO-OP. I say whatever you need to show up is good with me. I give a terrible disclaimer and were off.
Mosey around parking lot with some dynamic stretching here and there.
Circle up warm ups- SSH, Merkins, 6 inch hold, flutter, windmill, peter parkers, mtn. climbers.
Mosey to pull up bars. series of pull ups and merkins
Out to road. Bear crawl down the hill.
Go to the wall. Balls to wall while we work our way down the Pax so everyone broad jumps. Hurry up this hurts.
Mosey to basketball court. partner up 100 merkins, 150 squats, 200 big boy sit-ups. you and your partner hold each other accountable.
a couple guys had to leave early so 10 burpee buyout.
if you and your partner finished early start doing burpees until all finished.
At this point I hope the video guy knows how to fix the sound we had a lot of moaning and complaining.
all finished here up the hill for one last set pullups and then a little burpee buy out also.
COT.
praise for Dark Helmet sister, prayers for bounty hunters friends who had pregnancy issue. Marriages, travel.

Thanks for having me out to Q Punchlist.

TClap |
1

The Honey Badger 1776 Challenge

There was alot of chitter chatter on Twitter…..and Slack……leading up to this workout on 7/1 regarding posting to Badger or some other location in the greater Fort area. I ponder if some thought my idea of a finishing this Badger workout with an earned patch was like luring kids with candy and less worthy. I guess others though 0430 wakeup was a little too early, disturbing their beauty sleep, and had to lament about that as well (even though preruns and prerucks some participate in do indeed launch around that time). I guess  some people still think Badger workouts ONLY come from a book.

Well, I like to think they were all wrong. If others chose to not post to Badger, that’s their choice. That’s part of what 7/4/1776 is all about.

But 11 HIMs did show up early. They heard my disclaimer. We had a VERY brief warmup run then the  COP right at the start

15-20 or so of the following to loosen up a little:
* SSH
* Windmill
* IW
* MNC
* and a few other things

Then off we went to the track/football field for the main event.

The Honey Badger 1776 Challenge

Laps of 400m runs, plus 1,776 Exercises
Not many words of inspiration. Get right into it. OYO, You vs you. Similar to the Fort’s infamous Board of Pain, but I tweaked it a little because wanted everyone to complete it in around 90 minutes, not get 1/2 way only to come back a week later to get 1/2 way again. Q Special was  – if running out of time – allow folks to team up to accumulate/add reps together. Goal is for everyone to complete it in 1.5 hrs or so. We did not need it.
  1. 50 Burpees
  2. 100 Calf Raises (50 Reg / 50 Toe out)
  3. 100 Ski Abs (DC)
  1. RUN 400m
  1. 100 Merkins
  2. 100 LSS
  3. 100 LBC
  1. RUN 400m
  1. 100 CDD
  2. 100 Jump Squat
  3. 100 AMERICAN Hammer (DC)
  1. Run 400m
  1. 100 Overhead Clap
  2. 100 Mountain Climbers (DC)
  3. 100 Hello Dolly
  1. Run 400m
  2. Q Special – Teaming can start after this run pending time remaining
  1. 100 Wide Arm Merkin
  2. 100 Jump Lunge (SC)
  3. 100 Flutter (DC)
  1. Run 400m
  1. 100 Plank Shoulder Tap (SC)
  2. 100 Hillbilly Walker AND – Badger Challenge of 100m Crab Walk
  3. 100 SSH AND – Badger Challenge of 100m Bear Crawl
  1. Run 400m
  1. 26 Burpees
  2. CROSS THE FINISH WITH 400m RUN!!

Music was provided. Not the death metal Dirty wanted to satisfy his unicorn rainbow spirit animal urges, but what I provided was good enough. MAN WAS IT HOT!! We all were completely coated in those little rubber pellets in the artificial turf field. Longshanks was King for sure, but we all pushed each other through it and everyone completed it. That was the goal, and we met it.

As we were around #12 or so the sun started coming up…..an amazing red glow that got brighter and more vibrant as daybreak drew closer. We all took a moment now and then to admire God’s creative artistry on display. It was absolutely stunning. and seeing it as your rounded the curve halfway through a lap was quite motivating. It gave you that little boost only He can do.

Back to the COT for a little discussion on Freedom, getting patched, and A/P/P.

Those who were there earned a “Freedom Isn’t Free” patch. Yes, a patch. For one, in honor of 7/4/1779. For two, the BoP is pretty much a mini CSAUP. Completing a slightly watered down version (half the running. a few different exercises, but more exercises) IMO warranted something to remember that.

Freedoom Isn’t Free

As well drew close to Independence Day on that Monday, I wanted everyone to remember what went into achieving our independence. It is not just about the soldiers who fought and died in the Revolutionary War. They are a huge part of why we have our independence, but so are the people who essentially started the war. In the years leading up to it, the men and women behind the rebellion from British rule were forging the foundation of a new, independent country knowing that their actions could lead to their own death, or to harm of their loved ones. That took alot of courage to stand behind their convictions. They wanted this country to stand and prosper on its own ruling power, but in order to do that they collectively had to stand and fight on their own willpower. They knew that once they declared freedom from the Kingdom of Great Britain, there was no turning back. Either they would become a free country, or they would all die trying. When those 56 men of the Second Continental Congress from the Thirteen Colonies that made up the fledgling nation signed the Declaration of Independence, they knew the gravity of the situation but were more than willing to do so. Their act of signing and ratifying the Declaration of Independence was an act of treason, punishable by death. Those men were hunted down. Their properties, belongings seized. Their families were taken prisoner or sometimes executed as well. But that did not matter to them. While other men were dying on the battlefield, they were dying behind the lines. MANY made the ultimate sacrifice to forge our freedoms. To this day MANY have made the ultimate sacrifice since to ensure they remain in place. Never forget that. Never take anything you are blessed with in this country for granted, for there are MANY with MUCH less. Pay what you have forward to others less fortunate, even if it means taking risks – however they may affect you –  to do so. That’s how this country, and world, will get better. That’s how our country was born.

Happy Independence Day!! Happy Birthday USA!!

Thanks for the opportunity to lead.
-NASA

TClap |
6

R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A!

Seven men (and one canine) met at NAFO for a mini-convergence of RPG/Broga and Varsity.
Started at 0500 with Sasquatch leading us in yoga stretches for about 20 mins.
then we split up with three running where Crawdaddy was the Q, and four went with the boot camp/Tabata workout.

For the Runners: the did a 4 mile loop through Regal Manor neighborhood.
For the boot camp/Tabata, we did:

Thang:
Tabata Style workout, Each exercise is 35 seconds, with 10 seconds of rest in between.
A round consists of a set each of: legs, cardio, core, and Arms.
LEGS: Step Ups, Calf Raises, Squats, Bobby hurleys, Lunges
CARDIO: Imaginary jump ropes, Seal jacks/SSH, Mountain climber,s Burpees, Cherry pickers
CORE: LBCs, Freddie mercurys, Flutters, Box cutters, Plank hold (low plank)
ARMS: Derkins, Dips, CDDs, Mak tar jai, Incline merkins
In between rounds we did a short one minute run.

COT

NMM:
Songs of freedom were playing during the tabata rounds.
A couple songs in the playlist could be considered critical of America (i.e. Rockin’ in the free world by Neil Young), so why include them in a patriotic playlist? Answer: America has faults and problems, but the reality is we are still the best thing going on this planet, and we should be proud of that. We are truly blessed in this country.

Music Playlist
Star spangled banner – KISS
We’re an American bad – Grand Funk
R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A. – Mellencamp
Rockin’ in the free world – Neil Young
Fast Cars and Freedom – Rascal Flatts
Born in the USA – Springsteen
Living in the USA – Steve Miller Band
American Woman – The Guess Who

TClap |
1

Making Bad Things Better

Most of my Q’s in recent months have been ruck focused.  As I started thinking about what we would do on Wednesday, I realized that one of my last bootcamp Q was likely when Wegman’s held the QvQ event at The Coop in October 2018.  That was a fun Q but there were elements of it that I wish I had done a little different.  So why not take this opportunity to implement a few tweaks.

Warm-Up:

  • SSH x30
  • Merkins x10
  • Wind Mill x10
  • Mountain Climber x10
  • Imperial Walker x10

Mosey to the bottom of the hill by the pull up bars.

Activity 1:  Spider-Man merkins & pull-ups. 5 sets of trees

  • Run to first tree. Complete 2 Spider-Man merkins. Then run to the pull up bars and complete 2 pull ups. Run back down the hill.
  • Run to the first tree. Complete 2 Spider-Man merkins. Run to the second tree. Complete 4 Spider-Man merkins. Run to the pull up bars and complete 4 pull ups. Run back down the hill.
  • Continue the series through the fifth set of trees (10 Spider-Man merkins and 10 pull ups)

Mosey to the football field

Activity 2:  Cross the football field width wise down the yard lines. 5 burpees at each sideline

We did a version of this during the QvQ but I felt that version was ackward.  This one worked much better.

  • Partner carry 10 & 20
  • Bear crawl 30
  • Sprint 40
  • Crab walk 50
  • Reverse Sprint 40
  • Crawl bear 30
  • Wheel barrow 20 & 10

Everyone pushed themselves, the heat and humidity made sure of that!  Great starting the day with such a strong group!

Prayers for safety to all those traveling this week and rememberance of patience and what really matters as we spend time with family and friends.

Thank you Punch List for the opportunity!!

 

TClap |
4

Hero Workout – “Jay”

11 at the Honey Bader to honor Spc. Javion “Jay” Sullivan for his service to our country and giving the ultimate sacrifice.  He was a hero before he went overseas and solidified that truth with his sacrifice  Jay is the last soldier from from Fort Mill to give his life for this country.  He was a man with dreams and aspirations and he is a great reminder that we need to give our all every step of the way.  Thank you Jay for serving our country and thank you for inspiring me to live with purpose!

Who                                        Spc.Javion(Jay)SavonteSullivan

From                                       FortMill,SC

Deceased                 January8th2018 inOperationInherentResolveinAlAnbarProvince

Age                            24yearsold

Survived by                       Wife–RavenSullivan;Daughter3 year-oldMahogany

PartI:

Specialist JavionSullivan diedJan. 8, 2018 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, inanon-combat-related accident, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Sullivan was assigned to the Fort Hood,T Texas based 16th Signal Company, 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade ,which provides communications support to III Corps operations. Serving from 2015 until 2018.

Jay was a star wrestler at FortMill HighSchool. He even had some skills on the basketball court, too. But his parents are most proud of the love he showed his wife, Raven, and3-year-old daughter, Mahogany, as well as his unwavering passion to serve his country.

PartII

Raven andJay met each other while in junior high school. Raven was a student at a private school in Greer and Javion, of FortMill, had cousins at her school. In 2005, they met at Cleveland Park whiles he was playing volley ball and he playing basketball.

His cousins told her he wanted to see her again. After several attempts to ask her out,she finally said yes. They met and continued to date until marrying in 2015. They had one child together, Mahogany.

“Heal ways wanted challenge that was strong, physically and emotionally,”she said.

He had planned on becoming a personal trainer, owning his own gym and developing a line of protein supplements.

“He (also) wanted to build cars from the ground up, and build a house from the ground up—with all the bells and whistles,” Raven said.

Hero Workout – Jay

18 Min. AMRAP – with 24 reps representing Jay’s age and 3 burpees between reps to honor Jay’s daughter Mahogany

  • 24 Pull- ups (8 regular, 8 wide-arm, 8 shrugs)
    • 3 Burpees
  • 24 Inchworm Merkins
    • 3 Burpees
  • 24 squats w/ weight (tire, cinder block)
    • 3 Burpees

Pavement of Pain – To honor’s Jay’s desire for a challenge that was strong both physically and emotionally.  With a life expectancy of 76 years old for men, Jay lost an estimated 52 years of his life.  Each of these exercises are a reminder of making the best of the time we have left regardless how m

  • 52 – Hand release Merkins
    • Run down the hill forward and up the hill backwards
  • 52 – Squat Jumps
    • Run down the hill forward and up the hill backwards
  • 52 – Knees to chest on Pull-up Bar (x2 Big Boy Situps)
    • Run down the hill forward and up the hill backwards
  • 52 – Burpees
    • Run down the hill forward and up the hill backwards
  • 52 – Jumping Lunges (right/left = 1)
    • Run down the hill forward and up the hill backwards
  • 52 – Leg Lifts (tap heals to pavement to 90 degrees)
    • Run down the hill forward and up the hill backwards

Thank you for the opportunity to lead!

TClap |
5