Danger Zone, B.O.M.B.S, ABC’s

WARMUP:
10 – Side Straddle Hops
10 – Windmill
10 – Moroccan Night Club
10 – Cherry Pickers
10 – Merkins

While moseying to The Circle Fountain…

Danger Zone
PAX runs while Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins plays in the background. Every time the words “Danger Zone” are heard PAX does single squat then resumes running. End result is 3 and a half minutes of run with sporadic squats.

THE THANG:
B.O.M.B.S.
Similar to Dora 1-2-3 but more exercises. Partner up. Pax 1 does exercise while Pax 2 runs to the other end of the end of the sidewalk and back. Swap out and continue the exercise until each amount of reps are complete. The exercises and reps are: 50- Burpees / 100- Overhead Claps / 150- Merkins / 200- Big Boy Sit-ups / 250- Squats.

Short message about pushing through the trials in your life. It’s only making you stronger to get through those tough times.

“Your life will be enlarged in proportion to the amount of iron you have endured, for it is in the shadows of your life that you will find the actual fulfillment of your dreams of glory. So do not complain about the shadows of darkness —in reality, they are better than your dreams could ever be. Do not say that the darkness of the prison has shackled you, for your shackles are wings —wings of flight into the heart and soul of humanity. And the gate of your prison is the gate into the heart of the universe. God has enlarged you through the suffering of sorrow’s chain.”
~GEORGE MATHESON

Mosey back to Parking lot

3 minute EMOM
10 Burpees
20 Merkins
30 Squats

MARY:
Alphabet (or ABCs)
On your 6 – feet elevated like 6-inch hold – spell out the alphabet with your feet. All capital letters preferred.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Royale last Q at The Abyss – 5/18/22
DaVinci Art Raffle
New AO – The Yard starts tomorrow, Grassy Knoll on Q
COT:
Anxiety and Prayers for Families

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For those who chose to fartsack, shame on you. For those who posted elsewhere this morning smart choice. We ran to back parking lot for a quick COP then went right into the pain. At bottom of entrance to GHMS we would run to the first light pole: 5 squats and 10 merkins; run back to starting point. Then run to next light pole and do same exercises.  Run back to starting point. Run to the next light pole, and so forth till you ran to each light pole up to Dam Road. I call is Lights to Heaven.

It sure felt like I was going to heaven with the loss of oxygen.

thanks Shower Curtain for opportunity.

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90’s Pirates and the Killer B’s

WARMUP: Mosey around the parking lot until we circled up by the Petsmart

3 Burpees
10 HR Merkins
18 SSH IC
24 Seal Jacks IC
25 Mountain Climbers IC
Mosey back to Best Buy

THE THANG:
This was a derivation of the Killer B’s workout from the Iron Pax Challenge.

Starting at the stop sign the workout consisted of the following:
10 yard broad jump
10 Burpees
10 yard broad jump
20 Bobby Hurleys
10 yard broad jump
30 Big Boy Sit-ups
Bearcrawl back to the stop sign
4 rounds.

Tesla killed it and we all picked up
The 6 together. With a few minutes left we moseyed across the parking lot for a 6 minute EMOM
10 HR Merkins
15 LBCS
15 2ct Flutters
(Last minute we did 10 BBS and 30 Hello Dolly’s)

Ran to flag for 21 Tempo Merkins and 10 LBCS which got us to 6:00.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Invergence tomorrow.
COT:Prayers for anxiety and families.

Just for context the Pirates of the early 90’s featured Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla… otherwise known as the Killer B’s. Reminiscing about this on Wednesday with Anchorman made me nostalgic…So of course it inspired me to incorporate it into a workout. 😁

Thanks to all who came out this morning!

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Miles, Merkins, and Bear Crawls

Warmup: 55 SSH (IC) (While we had a visit from the boys in blue)

The Thang:

Merkin Mile part 1. Runde to Marina parking lot.

Run .25 miles – 25 Merkins

Run .25 miles-25 HR Merkins

Run .25 miles – 25 Merkins

Run .25 miles – 25 HR Merkins.

We ended up by the Marina Parking Lot for stage 2 of the workout.

10 Minute EMOM

5 Diamond Merkins

10 LBC’s

15 2-ct Flutters

5 Diamond Merkins

I scaled this portion up as we went a long and we ended on

7 Diamond Merkins

15 LBC’s

15 2-ct Flutters

7 Diamond Merkins

To cool down from the EMOM we did 20 SSH (IC) and 10 Michael Phelps.

Merkin Mile Part 2. Marina to Runde Parking lot.

25 Merkins

Run.25 Miles (we bearcrawled a portion of this up “the hill” to keep everyone together)

Run .25 Miles – 25 HR Merkins

Run .25 Miles – 25 Regular Merkins

Run.25 Miles – 25 HR Merkins

All Told we finished 2 miles with 100 regular Merkins, 100 HR Merkins and 100(and change) of Diamond Merkins.

After some LBC’s IC and just about 20 minutes to go in the WO. I asked the PAX to choose between option 1 and option 2.

Of course Option 3 was selected. As a result I called (partially inspired by JWOW’s Q the previous day) to do a Bearcrawl Webb. For this one, and since it’s BAPOPS, I called a burpee bear Crawl Webb.

1Burpee-4 Bear Crawl Steps. We did it all in the Runde parking lot and got all the way up to 10-40.

With just a handful of minutes left we got down to the Basketball court where I planned a “tempo” cool down.

12 Low Slow Squats IC

12 Tempo Merkins IC

12 Big Boy Sit-ups IC

12 American Hammers IC

Then went to

10 Low Slow Squats

And….before I could call the Merkins Uber distracted us all with a Huge Osprey flying overhead. It was effective in that it got the PAX out of the Tempo Merkins..it was in-effective in that since we only had 60 seconds left it gave me the opportunity to call 10 Burpees OYO.

This was a great morning and great time to spend with the men. Thanks to all who posted and Skipper for the Opportunity!

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VQ Warmup with a side of Tabata

WARMUP: Spectre led the warmup for his VQ. He was well prepared with a plan and executed :
10 SSH IC
10 Merkin IC
10 Mountain Climbers IC
10 Imperial Walkers IC

The second portion of his warmup had the pax circle up. One pax would take off running in a loop around the parking lot while the remaining pax would do an exercise. The exercises were :
Squats
Parker Peters
Arm Circles
Arm circles reversed
Moroccan Night Clubs.

We each got a turn. At the conclusion of the warmup feedback was provided. Overall a great VQ warmup! Can’t wait to see him lead a full WO in the future! (Spoiler it’s going to be at the Swamp)

THE THANG:
For my portion of the workout I led a simple Tabata. 1:00 minute of reps followed by 15 seconds of rest. During each minute the reps of the exercises would increase by 1 as you go. Meaning you would start with 1 Merkin to 1 shoulder tap but could end with 6 merkins to 6 shoulder taps by the end of the minute.
This sequence repeated for all exercises listed below.

Merkin: Shoulder Tap, Peter Parker, Row, Plank Jack

Squat: Forward Lunge, Calf Raise, Reverse Lunge, Jump Squat

Big Boy Sit-up: LBC, Hello Dolly, Flutters, Freddy Mercury

Recovery Lap around the parking lot and then round 2.

Once we were done had 60 seconds left so we did 20 Hand release Merkins and 10 Burpees.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Read the Newsletter
COT: prayers for cable guy and prayers for safe travels.

Thanks to Triple Lindy for the invite!

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All Good at The Swamp

WARMUP:
Mosey to Fuji
SSH, Imperial Walker, Hillbilly, Mtn Climbers
Mosey to Near Death Island
One pax runs around the island while other pax exercise — Squats, Merkins, Parker Peters, Moroccan Night Clubs, Arm circles forward & backward

THE THANG:
Mosey to the fountain
20 Step Ups
20 Dips
10 Box Jumps
20 Derkins
Mosey to side of Best Buy
Balls to the Wall followed by People’s Chair (rinse & repeat)
Mosey to back end of Best Buy lot
10 Monkey Humpers
20 Parker Peters
30 Lunges
40 Shoulder Taps
50 Squats
Pax completed 3 rounds of the above with one lap in between
Mary — Flutters, Dollies, Backscratchers, Box cutters, Superman
Mosey home
10 Burpees OYO

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Spectre VQ next week!
AKA convergence at WEP 4/30
Invergence on Shield Locks at WEP 4/30
Q School coming in May

COT:
After several days of intense upper body beatdowns at AKA this week, on this Good Friday YHC concentrated on legs & core along with a message about the GOOD that is all around us and inside of us at all times. It’s easy to get sucked into the negative in our media, our workplace, our schools, our families and friends. Even when I block out media, change jobs and reel in my interactions with others, the negative INSIDE ME can still take charge and become my focus. It takes strong and intentional commitment to focus on the GOOD. The GOOD is just as much around us as the negative, and the GOOD even surpasses everything else! Let’s make it our mission to focus on the abundance of GOOD all around us.

Among the GOOD this morning was FNG/Hot Wheels, EH’d by Tesla and rising out of bed at his home in Mooresville! Not only did HW drive an hour to post at The Swamp, he engaged like a veteran pax taking his turn counting exercises, sharing about his priorities (Faith, Family, Friends) and his how he surrounds himself with people focused on values and character. In talking about the GOOD in his life experience he highly recommended Love’s as the best truck stop food on the interstate!! Sorry Cake Boss, no Bucee’s mention.

Airwolf’s cadence count melody suggest some real talent hiding in those vocal chords. Hey, Band Camp, we might have a Barbershop quartet or Acapella group Q here!?!?!

Slapshot continues to Make The Swamp Great Again! Thanks for your leadership and the invite to lead in the Gloom!

Last, among the NOT SO GOOD things today was YHC’s poor safety skills. I made the decision to wear the florescent vest even though the parking lots are lit to ensure we could be seen. But that’s not even half the battle — strong safety also requires SEEING and good judgment. Near Death Island got it’s name because of my call to mosey to the traffic island across from Fuji then my lead of the pax into the street without looking left. Yes, I missed an incoming car with high speed destined to take out the back of the pack. Fortunately, they looked and had the presence of mind to stop. The driver stopped too and waved them across. A teaching moment for sure. Stay safe men!

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AKA jack-Web-inar

WARMUP: mosey, Moroccan night clubs, windmills, cherry pickers, low slow squats, los slow merkins

THE THANG: 4 jack webs with a short mosey in between.

MUCHO SHOULDER:
1 merkin – 4 shoulder taps progressive to 10 merkins – 40 shoulder taps (total 55 merkins, 220 shoulder taps)

Take a lap

CALF BURNER:
1 monkey humper – 4 calf raises progressive to 10 monkey humpers – 40 calf raise (total 55 MH, 220 CR)

Take half a lap to the soccer field

CAPTAIN THOR:
1 big boy sit-up – 4 American hammers progressive to 10 BBSU – 40 AH (total 55 BBSU, 220 AH) we had to throw some body destroyers in between and did Superman’s at the end to stretch our abs and lower back.

Half a lap

HOPS AND DIPS:
1 side straddle hop – 4 triceps dips progressive to 10 SSH – 40 TD (you guessed it 55 SSH, 220 TD)

Super slow slow mosey to COT, next time I Q I have to make sure to bring lots of cheese for all the whine we had.

MARY: Moroccan night clubs, windmills, walking dogs and honeymooners
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Read your newsletter
COT: prayers for kids, families and people recovering from injuries and surgeries.

TINSEL OUT!!

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Seven Respects and a Baby

8 men strolled down 160 to Brayden Parkway and looped back to COT. We ran into the STL group near Arby’s. It appeared by the look on their faces, they were having fun. We were also joined by two pax meeting up for a Shield Lock workout and coffee.
Good run this morning, great way to kick off the week.

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The Peacemaker

WARMUP:

Very quick demo of what was coming. 12 exercises pulled from the intro dance to Peacemaker.
The board:

Oh, and everyone grab a 4.5lb paver for each hand. They’re brand new so the gloves are to keep your skin from being sliced open.

THE THANG:

HIIT workouts with all 12 exercises. Everyone, just use the beat!
1. Squat lat pull w/alt leg raise
2. Dumbell scarecrow
3. Lat pulls w/alt high knees
4. Al Gore tricep extensions. Arms out, elbows turned UP
5. Apollo Ono with shrug/lat pull/whatever felt right
6. Overhead press (with optional pelvic thrust)
7. Lunges with full arm motion
8. Side arm lat raises
9. Hillbilly walker
10. Scarecrow again
11. Slow, full arm circles with one arm, holding the other out. Guitar hero style
12. overhead press to tricep extesion and back

We did the above for:
1. 90 seconds on, 20 seconds rest
2. Take a break with a long lap around the parking lot
3. 30 seconds on, 12 seconds rest
4. Two of each, straight down the line, try not to mess up or burpees
5. Everyone did fine, so 10 burpees as a reward
6. Two each one more time, because the ruckers needed to know what they were missing

Spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6k0Pd1cAC3pmdvO7NstFkq?si=75f40460c85245c

Video of our last two minutes is here (as caught by the TeslaCam):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Im8n1SVEW-_TXBNIcm-EoHATl797135/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-CcQb4RhCVMlU7UEx7gyL1tt1dlIvrO6/view?usp=sharing

ANNOUNCEMENTS

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SByJGmeayUfkfNab7
Funhouse talking about what AKA is all about
Tinsel talks about the Manion WOD at Chupacabra on 4/29
YHC letting everyone know that we can soon start posting BBs in Slack, and to update your names or you won’t get tagged

COT:

Talked about F3 being open to all men. While YHC is reasonably certain that most of the men there was some flavor of christian, I asked men to bow their heads for a moment of murmuring silence. When complete I also said I don’t want to ignore things that are difficult in each others lives. grab the man next to you if you need to talk about something. This is CoT, and we trust.

NMM:

I’d been thinking about this workout for weeks, basically the first time I saw the intro credits for Peacemaker, I knew I had to bring this to an AO near me. And it just so happened that I had the Swamp on AKA, so I watched that credit sequence over and over until I had a solid, awful, dumb, stupid workout ready to share with whatever AKA groupies were brave enough to drive out to Rivergate.
I knew it was going to make guys feel dumb, stupid, perhaps even embarrassed, but the smiles went on for miles, and the shoulders have been successfully melted. Mublechatter was epic, everyone had a great time, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have brought a fun, shoulder smoking Friday morning to The Fort. Thanks for putting me on the calendar, Slapshot!
Peacemaker intro:

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Convergence: Love & a passing of the flag

Station 1 (Santini): Traditional Pain Platoon

Just your basic beat the hell out of your legs exercises of lunges, squats, and burpees intermixed with meditation and box breathing exercises. Sprint to the top of the hill, recover, and do more exercises including Moroccan night clubs and Carolina dry docks.

NMM: Anxiety and gratitude are not able to occupy the same space.

Station 2 (Shady / Maximus)

Warmup (Shady) – 21 SSH, 5 burpees, 18 SSH, 5 burpees, 12 SSH, someone whined about burpees so we did 10 diamonds merkins…then did 5 burpees
Group 1
  • partnered up and Dora style started out with 100 pull-ups.  Partner 1 on the pull-up bar, partner 2 did a lap around the playgroud
  • Stayed on playground, stayed with partner, Partner 1 AMRAP merkins while partner 2 ran the length of the playground and back to AMRAP merkins
  • Stayed on the AMRAP theme with flutters, then back to merkins, then back to flutters…then (I think) time was called

Group 2

  • Partnered up and Dora style, but this time 50 pull-ups with the run around the playground (Q modification given time and we aren’t cyborgs)
  • AMRAPs were just 1 round of merkins and flutters (again, I think…may need a lifeline here from Max)
  • We made our way to the hill with the statue where Maximus laid down the NUR up the hill and at the top 10 bomb jacks and ran to the bottom where we did 20 American hammers..we did this twice
  • W/ time to spare we ran to the top for 10 diamond merkins and ran to the bottom for 10 V-ups
  • In buzzer beater fashion, we ran to the top again for 10 ranger merkins and ran to the bottom for a partner 1 lay on the ground and grab partner 2s ankles where partner 2 would throw partner 1s feet down 10 times as you straight leg lifted them to his face

Group 3

  • Dora style 50 pull-ups with the run around the playground
  • We made our way to the hill with the statue where Maximus laid down the NUR up the hill and at the top 10 bomb jacks and ran to the bottom where we did 20 american hammers..we did this twice
  • Running low on time ran to the top for 10 diamond merkins and ran to the bottom for the ankle grabbing / feet throwing core exercise 10 times
NMM: After each of the groups had done their pull-ups, Maximus and Shady shared their thoughts and experiences on LOVE.
  • Shady – areas of focus were loving your brother and being your brothers keeper.  Sending a text or reaching out to someone to just say “hey, thinking of you” could change their day.  Realizing that the ones you love are watching you, emulating you, picking up on good and bad habits.  Realizing we don’t know it all, especially to the ones we love, is a sign of humility and a factor of growth and development.  For those of us with children, we have never been parents before so we honestly have no idea what we’re doing.  Love starts with servant leadership and personally for YHC, this usually progresses when the mouth is shut and ears are open.
  • Maximus – For my discussion on love, it begins with being intentional as love is a decision. We must make the decision to be intentional with our actions. Whether it be in our faith, marriage, parenting of our kids, with friends and yes, even with work relationships, we must be intentional. Think about how easy it is to get distracted, whether at dinner with your wife or even on a Zoom call for work. We often allow our minds to wander or even start doing something else while the other person is talking, looking for our engagement. Stop. Be the person who is present in the moment. Put the shoe on the other foot. Love that person as your relationship to them allows.

Station 3 (Pusher & Cakeboss): Love Edition

COP
  • SSHs
  • Windmills
  • Squats
  • Mtn Climbers
  • Merkins
  • IWs
Cake Boss spells love “B-U-R-P-E-E”
The Thang
  • Jacobs Ladder with Derkins and Monkey Humpers
  • Plank/Dip sequence
  • Bear crawl to top with burpees
NMM:
  • Cord of 3 strands cannot be broken. Having God in your marriage is the 3rd string. Adding communication to the marriage strengthens it. – CB
  • Gifts vs Gaps. Focus on the gifts that your wife or significant other bring vs what she is missing. Seeing her this way builds love. – Pusher
  • Much love was on display with all of the mumblechatter and fellowship. The relationships formed through F3 has increased our love internally and is reflected outward to our Ms, 2.0s, PAX and community… #morethanaworkout

Shovel Flag hand off for two leadership positions in the Fort:

Shady handed off the Nantan role to Double D
Esso handed off the Weasel Shaker role to YHC

Awesome work by the PAX today. Hard to put into words how much improved my disposition on life is since moving back to Fort Mill because of F3. Grateful for an opportunity to serve the PAX of The Fort.

NMM: Double D was the site-Q at Block Party when I started posting. If it wasn’t for his steady presence with a commitment to the integrating 2nd F and 3rd F elements into each workout, I doubt I’d have kept posting. Double D is a genuine human, I’m a better dude for knowing him, and I’m excited for his leadership.


Band Camp dismissed

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