Tag: Ruby Slippers

Just. Keep. Posting.

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On a crisp 48 degree morning, a similar # of pax posted for a convergence at The Fort/Milkshake to commemorate 8 yrs of pain and impact in the Gloom of Fort Mill, SC and elsewhere in York County.   The occasion drew pax from Rock Hill, Metro and Raleigh.

The Thang

Double D led a warm up with yog to the Church of God parking lot plus some Carioca

COP — Mtn Climbers, Peter Parker, Parker Peter, Monkey Humpers, SSH, Seal Jacks, Merkins

Hand off to Jekyll

Yog up the hill to the rug factory lot and a re-introduction to, yes, you guessed it  — The Board Pain!!!

See photo for the Weinke from here….or check your soreness today (Sunday) for those who were present.  A Jekyll Classic!  Heard at F3 from Redwood @Santini “I’ve been avoiding this Board for years…100 Burpees!!”

Yog back home

COT

Naked Man Moleskin

8 years…Is that a long time?  Well, the average time of degree completion for US college students is 6 years.  Only 50% of startups make it to the 5th year mark.  So, I suppose 8 years qualifies as something of a landmark.  At the same time, I don’t personally remember much about being 8 years old.  What about the 8 years from 2-10 years old?  Or maybe 10-18 years old?  Yes, I remember more…and if I had my way I’d like to forget some of those moments!

Well, I can remember quite a bit of the past 8 years.  I quite clearly remember 9.29.12…a date etched in my memory like my wedding day, my daughters’ birth dates and my birthday.

As I reflect back on 8 years of #Impact delivered by the men of F3TheFort, what really matters is 10.06.12 and 10.13.12.  You see, those were the Saturdays when pax returned to WEP for week 2 and week 3.  And FNGs posted for their own personal version of #TheLaunch.  And then Saturdays became Tuesdays, too.  And then a short time later they also became Thursdays.   In the end, what matters the most is not what happened in the past, but what happens today.  Or what will happen tomorrow when pax post to one of 30+ workouts across Fort Mill/Tega Cay or 70+ workouts across York County.

Just. Keep. Posting.  The one true constant across life is #Change.  Since 2012, I’ve moved to a different house,  nurtured two chicks out of the nest, collected a paycheck from two additional employers and traversed through a lot of ups and downs.  One of my rocks during this period has been the community of #HIMs known as F3TheFort.  You’ve been steady in your acceptance of me each time I post.  And along the way, you’ve revealed to me more and more parts of myself as you’ve revealed parts of yourself.  I know I’m all the better for it, and so is my family.  I’m pretty certain you’re better too.  And in the process our town, county and country are also better.

So, yes, we should take heart in what’s transpired over the past 8 years.  It is remarkable.  It is a blessing.  Some might call it a miracle….or miracles.  And the only way to honor this fruit and express our gratitude to God and the men who’ve contributed (past and present) is to Just. Keep. Posting.  Because if a day ever comes when no one posts…well…let’s Just. Keep. Posting.

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2 Mile Moderate Ruck and… Jello Shots?

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Due to construction at Walter Elisha Park, Millllkshake met at Fort Mill First Baptist Church with The Fort. After the disclaimer, 6 split-off for a 2 mile moderate ruck that included some church stairs, and a couple good hills. We set off on the pre-determined route, stopping four times for some low, slow squats, pushups, and a few other exercises.

Along the way, we had a great conversation about what it means to be a man. This included being responsible for protecting, providing for, and training up our wives and children. (among others) We thought about who in our lives had been good examples to us, guiding us on this journey to become men, and what  we are doing to be good examples to those we are responsible for.

I lost both of my Grandfathers this year, and spent some time reflecting on what I’ve learned from them. I’m grateful for good examples that I can think back on, and I strive to practice what I’ve learned as I raise my own children, and as I lead other men in a professional setting as well.

At some point during the walk, Bowser shared a story about when he stood-up for his sister, and the conversation shifted to some less-good examples of good decision making. It seemed that many of those experiences were closely related to the vicinity of jello-shots. (Not Bowser) 😉

Thank you for the good conversation, and thanks Drop Thrill for the opportunity!

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RPG/Varsity Convergence

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It was a beautiful rainy morning. 17 dudes converged under the awning at NaFo. A dozen or so arrived by 05:00 for some Sasquatch Broga. Around 05:20 we started the Varsity Bootcamp. This is usually when the RPG guys would take off running but since it was raining cats and dogs, everybody decided to stay for my beatdown. I appreciated the crowd.

The Warm Up: Broga w/ Sasquatch and then 25 SSH
The Thang: HIIT as follows:
Burpees: 60s
Rest: 45s
Merkins: 45s
Rest: 20s
Squats: 45s
Rest: 20s
LBCs: 60s
Rest: 20s
Mountain Climbers: 45s
Rest: 20s
Bear Crawls: 1 lap around the circle
Rest: 45s
Imperial Walkers: 45s
Rest: 20s
Plank Jacks: 45s
Rest: 20s
Monkey Humpers: 45s
Rest: 20s
SSH: 60s
Rest: 20s
Flutter Kicks: 45s
Rest: 20s
Rosalitas: 45s
Rest: 20s
Alternating Shoulder Taps: 45s
Rest: 20s
Bomb Jacks: 45s
Rest: 20s
60s Intro to the new Site Q Splinter
Rinse and Repeat from the top

I enjoyed this workout more than I thought I would. I love the Seconds app and HIIT style. I encourage the Pax to give it a try for a workout. It’s worth the price to upgrade to the full version.

COT
Shovel Flag Handoff off from Harry Carry to Splinter

I am extremely proud of my good friend Splinter. It took 2.5 years of EH’ing to get him out in the gloom. Now he’s running with the Big Boys 4-5 days each week and responsible for an AO. ‘At a boy Splinter!

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The site formally known as The COOP.

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Let me start off by saying cancer sucks. It took one of our PAX last week and I am still mad about it. Jay Griggs known in the gloom as Cash, 51 battled this aweful disease on and off for about two years. He left behind his wife Christine and two kids Katie (14) and Will (12). We came together today to do a workout for him and also to rename this AO in his honor. We wanted to give a name that if someone who didnt know Cash would ask we could explain that the name was in his honor and keep Jays legacy in The Fort going. More on the name at the end.
We statrted with a disclaimer and quick dynamic warmup.
51 SSHs in cadence.
Mosey down the hill for some instructions.
3 cones at bottom of hill. do the first cone run up hill to nafo crosswalk do 10 bombjacks, run back to pull up bars do 5 pull ups, run down to bottom of hill for the next cone, keep repeating until YHC stops the group.
Cone 1- Merkins and Squats
Cone 2- CDDs and American Hammers
Cone 3- Alternating lunges and Alternating Shoulder taps
At each of the cones we did a total between the two exercises 51 reps.
Mosey back to Cot.
We took this time to let the Pax know the AO formally known as The Coop was now to be known as Ring of Fire. One of Jonny Cashs greatest hits. So when someone says how did this palce get the name we can explain.
Announcements and naming of FNG.
FNG- Sappin Patel- Spam
reach out to funhouse to help with at risk middle school kids on their off days from school_ takes palce at forest hill church.
8th annual anniversary party of the Fort. held Oct 2nd 630-930 at 3399 Pleasant Rd. Convergence the following morning at 0630 first baptist fort mill.
Prayers-
for the family of Cash.
marriages and keeping real with raising shorties.
Backdraft Out.

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The Hypest Hype Train Workout Ever

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Welcome to the most advertised AO in all of The Fort region. Trucker has a good thing going here and i wanted a part of it as a Q sometime. So i thought long and hard about who i wanted as my co-Q for this beatdown. Well as an expert trash talking Pax there was but only one choice that I knew I wanted! Mr. site Q himself ,Trucker the one person who can almost talk as much trash as me! HaHa

Trucker had the first part of the morning and started us off with some dynamic stretching in parking lot. We then moseyed out the road to the path beside Tega Cay Drive to the first hole green where we did 10 Squats. More mosey to the tennis court steps where we did 15 Merkins. Still more mosey all the way up to Hole number 1 tee boxes. Do 5 burps OYO. we where then instructed to run down cart path to the green and do 10 merkins and 15 squats then run back to tee box  and do 5 Burpees. Along the way the sprinklers came on and soaked a few of us. The grounds crew didn’t like us on their course so they kicked us off. Plus Trucker was on the red tee and the rest of us where on the white tees.

So we moseyed down to Tega Cay Drive again and made a right to the retaining wall for 2 rounds of 10 Step-Ups per leg and 10 Derkins. Yet some more mosey back to tennis court steps for 5 Burpees and 10 CDD. Mosey from there to the Firehouse for 5 burpees. Mosey back to parking lot for you guessed it 5 more Burpees. Trucker managed somehow for not being a runner to get us at 1.75 miles.

Next I had the real part of the workout. I thought 30 minutes of Warmup was a bit excessive but thats how all of Truckers Q’s are!

Had Pax mosey to baseball field and had them get in 3 lines planked feet to feet.

While in plank position all Pax did Mak Tar Dyes while the six bear crawled up to the front of the line and yelled for next person to proceed to front. Total distance was 100 yards. This sucked!!!

Next up I had 4 cones lined up about 30 yards apart from each other. Pax did 10 reps of 4 exercises at each cone then after all exercises done they bear crawled to the next cone. Exercises where Hand Release Merkins, Scorpion Dry Docks, Big Boi Sit Ups, and Sumo Squats.

Next round was same as above except we did Lt. Dans in between cones and the exercises where  Flutter Kicks 20 total, Wide Arm merkins, Monkey Humpers,and V-ups.

Then all pax bear crawled back to gates of field about 100 yards and did 5 burpees.

I followed my Q like i do all of them with 5 minutes of stretching which i heard more moaning and groaning then both our Q’s together.

Trucker thanks for letting me Q with you! Love you like a brother!

To all my F3 brothers y’all are like family to me. Y’all make me a better man daily mentally spiritually and physically.

Cornerstone Happy 40th Birthday! Thank you for our friendship.

Hope to see y’all on the Trails soon love each of you men.

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50th Birthday Beatdown

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Today YHC celebrated 50 years on this planet with 11 great men of this nation. The weather was rainy and I think that might have kept some away but the beatdown commenced.

We moseyed to the front of Springfield Middle School and warmed up with : Windmills, Morrocan Nightclubs, Imperial Walkers and Hillbilly Walkers.

The Beatdown consisted of …….you guessed it 50 reps of each exercise. We split into 3 groups of four and each group took a color.

GROUP 1 RED: 50 MERKINS, BIG BOYS, PLANK JACKS, AMERICAN HAMMERS AND BOMB JACKS

GROUP 2 BLUE: 50 SQUATS, MT CLIMBERS, LUNGES, FLUTTERS AND SSH

GROUP 3 GREEN: 50 DIPS, SHOULDER TAPS, LBC’S, DONKEY KICKS AND DERKINS.

Each group completed one set of each and then it was dealers choice. The remaining time was spent picking random exercises from the board or some even decided running was the better choice….not me but nured a lap.

We ended with some Mary and COT…. Polaroid brought donuts and Harry Carey and family made cookies in the shape of shields.

Thank you all for making my 50th birthday special.

 

 

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9/11 NaFo Tower Climb

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Today on the 19th Anniversary of September 11th I had the privilege and honor to lead the men of The Fort in my version of the Tower Climb.

We honored my friends who gave it all to make sure the citizens of NY would be safe.

POLICE OFFICER RAMON SUAREZ TD-04 NYPD

POLICE OFFICER MARK ELLIS TD-04 NYPD

POLICE OFFICER ANTONIO RODRIGUES PAPD

We started with a two lap ruck walk around the track and then jumped right into the climb.

The goal was at least 30 times up and down with 9 inclined merkins and 11 squats at the bottom. There was some mumblechatter, it was hot and humid but the men of the Fort did not disappoint….if you completed 27.5 times you climbed the equivalent of the Towers.

I was proud to lead and share my experiences from that fateful morning that changed the world as we knew it.

It was also great seeing DIRTY HARRY return to the gloom

We end with COT and prayers for all the people lost and the people affected still.

FIDELIS AD MORTEM…..ALWAYS FAITHFUL

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16 for minutes at The Ranch

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15 PAX joined YHC this morning for minutes at the Ranch. I wanted to try something a little different which can be a challenge but thankfully, all were willing to test it out. It was touch and go with ShopVac and Nature Boy at the start but fortunately, they decided to stay with us.

Here’s the deal. One exercise for 1 minute followed by a 10 second rest. Then an exercise for 1 minute followed by a 10 second rest. We did that from 0515-0600. The exercises are listed below but know that there is a 10 second rest between each.

Side Straddle Hops
Windmills
Jog
Squats
Calf Raises
Run
Peter Parkers
Parker Peters
Run
Carolina Dry Dock
Air Press
Run
Left side lunge
Right side lunch
Run
Box Cutters
Freddie Mercury
Run
Wide-Arm Merkins
Overhead Claps
Run
Jump Squats
Squats while on the balls of your feets
Run
X’s & O’s
Flutters
Run
Diamond Merkins
Bent over rows
Run
Reverse Lunges
Run
Plank
Run
LBC’s

Back to COT

Simple yet hopefully the PAX found it effective.

Until next time.
SYITG

Maximus

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

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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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Army Staff Sgt/NYPD Officer McNaughton

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Today we Honored Army Staff Sgt/ NYPD Officer James McNaughton. We had 8 Pax start their day off like a hero.

We started in the center of the NaFo football field with a warmup of SSH, windmills and Imperial Walkers.

The workout consisted of several exercises and lots of 100 yard runs.

10 BURPEES- RUN 100 YARDS

27 MERKINS- RUN 100 YARDS

10 DONKEY KICKS- RUN 100 YARDS

27 BIG BOY SITUPS- RUN 100 YARDS

10 LUNGES -RUN 100 YARDS

27 SQUATS- RUN 100 YARDS

RINSE AND REPEAT 5 ROUNDS….some Pax did more

We ended with some Mary and COT

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