Mercy

It was a blessing to post with 7 #HIMs this morning. We finally got a break from seven straight days of rain. JWOWW shared his frigid and wet Yeti experience with us which drastically reduced our FOMO. Polaroid ran a 5K during our workout and finished up the boot camp with us, like a boss. Today’s workout was a slow burn. Intentionally reps that forced us to use our core instead of momentum.

The Thang:

SSHs (20x), IWs (20x), HBWs (20x) Slow Sumo Squats (15x), WMs (15x), MCs (15x)

Mosey w/ your kettlebell to the first corner.

Circuit 1:

  • Upright Rows (7x)
  • Floor Presses (7x/side)
  • American Hammers(7x)
  • Kettlebell Swings (15x OYO)
  • Crushing Halos (10x/side OYO)

Mosey w/ your kettlebell to the next corner.

Circuit 2:

  • Overhead Squats (7x)
  • Bent Rows (7x/side)
  • Curls (7x/side)
  • Around The World (10x/side OYO)
  • Get Ups (5x/side OYO)

Mosey w/ your kettlebell to the next corner.

Circuit 3:

  • Goblet Squats (7x)
  • Kettlebell Holds (2x, 5 counts)
  • Travolta’s (15x)
  • Skull Crushers (20 OYO)
  • Figure 8’s (8x/side OYO)

Mosey w/ your kettlebell to the next corner.

Circuit 4:

  • Tricept Extensions (7x)
  • Saxxon Press (7x)
  • Oblique Press (7x/side)
  • Kettlebell Swings (10x OYO)
  • Ribbons (10x/side OYO)

Partner Drills – Line up at the stop sign and face the end of the parking lot.

  • Partner Drill 1: 100 floor presses total and alternate runners to the end of the parking lot.
  • Partner Drill 2: 100 curls total and alternate runners to the end of the parking lot.
  • Partner Drill 3: 100 goblet squats total and alternate runners to the end of the parking lot.

Moleskin:

What’s the difference between grace and mercy? Mercy is God not punishing us as we deserve.Grace is our undeserved favor from God. An illustration of their difference In today’s terms is as follows:

  • The mercy of God is like God forgiving your financial debt.
  • The grace of God is like filling up an empty bank account with new money.

Know that we deserve God’s wrath but we’re still here because He is merciful. # Proverbs 28:13. Share His mercy by forgiving and praying for others who have trespassed against you. The act of forgiveness is counter to today’s culture but can lead to more abundant life under His mercy.

Peace,

Deacon

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We’re going “Jack Webb” today…

Started out a bit chilly so YHC jumped in with the disclaimer and we took off for a mosey…that was about maybe 100 yards in change.  This workout had been predetermined to be “leg friendly and minimal running” and that bar was set immediately.

In the warmup, we did the “Shady” home warmup with incorporated getting the body stretched and blood pumping.  Warmup included: SSH, Mary Catherine of some sorts (no name for what looks like an elliptical movement), stretch of shoulders and arms, cherry pickers, windmill, squats, Moroccan night clubs, low slow squats, merkins, and finally some runner stretches.

After the warmup, we got into the Thang.  Immediate partnering up ensued, size didn’t matter, but picking someone you didn’t know very well did.  Incorporated into the Thang was going to be encouraged mumble chatter with your partner to get to know them – how’d they get their name, what’s their hospital name (not the name of the hospital), where they grew up, work, etc.  Kind of like a COT naming 101 session.  As my word of the year is “listen”, part of the message today was getting to know your fellow PAX.

Here’ the gauntlet that was laid down using “Jack Webb” as the theme:

  • Classic Jack Webb – 1 merkin, 4 overhead claps; 2 merkins, 8 overhead, etc. up to 10 merkins and 40 overhead
  • With your partner – 1 mak-tar-jai, 4 plank hand slaps; 2 MTJ, 8 hand slaps…all the way up to 10 and 40
  • Also together with your partner – 1 crab foot slap (don’t recall the actual name but get in crab position and lift left leg up and slap with right hand, alternate feet and hand = 1 rep), 4 LBCs…this up to 10 crabs and 40 LBC
  • Last together with your partner – 1 burpee, 4 squats.  This was get as many as you can b/c of time which I believe partners were in the 8 burpee, 32 squat range
  • In the last few min we did some MARY and called it a morning

As we wrapped up, getting to know the PAX 1 person at a time is important as that accountability and personal level of basic “I know where you’re from and I’m listening to who you are” helps develop and enrich your shieldlock.

It took zero movement to get to COT where we did name-o-rama, announcements and a quick roundtable of prayers and praises.  Enjoyed the push this am and especially the welcomed mumble chatter.  Looking forward to next time!

Shady

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If it was sunny and 70 it would be called JV

Trying to keep some momentum on this Gloomy Friday, so I’ll knock out the backblast the same way 7 diligent men knocked out everything I threw at them this morning.

The Thang

The rain stopped long enough for the 15 minutes we took to mosey around NAFO HS.
1st stop
Merkins x10 IC
OH claps x15 IC
Repeat x 2

2nd Stop
Alternating step ups x 30 IC
Monkey Humpers x 15 IC
Repeat x2

3rd Stop
Suicides ~10m, 20m, 30m
Reverso Suicides ~30m, 20m, 10m

Final Stop-Main Event

Teams of 3 and 4
Station 1 = Wall ball
Station 2= Double leg dot drills
Station 3=Alternating pole dodging run drills (guess you had to be there) to the end of the awning
Runner was the timer and rotated to the wall ball
Run this rotation for 15 min

Change-o
Station 1 = Wall Ball OH Squats (Sumo squats for a challenge)
Station 2= Single leg dot drills
Station 3= Nur (backward run) to the end of the awning
Runner was the timer again and rotated to OH Squats.
Run this rotation for 10 min

Mary
Open body rockers x 20 OYO
Flutter kicks x 20 IC
Freddy mercury x 20 IC

Thanks for the opportunity. I haven’t been the most diligent on the weekdays lately and getting out this Friday was the kick in the pants that I’ve been needing. Thanks also to everyone who posted to Varsity. It wasn’t easy, but everyone gave it their best.

TAP
Harry Carey’s Grandmother in law leaving the homestead for assisted living.
Skate or Die’s friend who’s son’s cancer came out of remission.

Geronimo! out

 

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13 HIM showed up on a blustery Tuesday to make the choice to get better.

Warm Up

  • SSH
  • Cherry Picker
  • Windmill
  • Hamstring stretch
  • Peter Parker
  • Parker Peter
  • Moroccan Night Clubs
  • 5 Burpees OYO
  • Mosey to the playground

The Thang

“500”

100 reps of each exercise in sets of 20 with a run up the hill and back after each set.

  • 20 Merkins (x5)
  • 20 Pull-ups (x5)
  • 20 Big Boy sit-ups (x5)
  • 20 Dips (x5)
  • 20 Squats (x5)
  • Run up the hill (x5)

That took most of the time. We mosey-ed around the park as a cool down and it was time for the COT. Pull-ups suck. Must do more.

https://youtu.be/7w02YaC0j1k

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WEP for some 45’s and an almost Merlot

11 PAX showed up with no fear of what was supposed to be a wet morning. Lucky for us, after a quick sprinkle during the disclaimer, mother nature held out for us.

The DOHA and I were teaming up for this one and I knew ahead of time that he was very eager to include cinder blocks into the rotation.

Mosey up the hill to the end of the parking lot away from the” house.”

45 was my target rep number (Presidents) and the PAX were so excited to participate:

45 SSH- fluctuating cadence to fast

45 Imperial Walkers

45 Moroccan night clubs

45 Seal Jacks

At the great request by DH, over the to the curb for some calf raises (15 reg, 15 out, 15 in)

Mosey to bank drive through area. Partner up

A little round of Dora. Started out as 100, 200, 300 but had to modify because of time.

Partner One-

100 knee jump slaps

150 merkins

200 flutter kicks

LBC’s waiting on the Six

Partner Two- runs around the Bank

Mosey back to last parking lot to the wall for some wall sits. PAX were to remain in sit position, while each PAX steps out to sidewalk for 3 burpees.

Once completed, we headed back to COT area to pick up the cinder blocks.

Hand off to DH

Mosey with CB up the hill and to guess where, the same parking lot we were just at!

DH had us all line up right where the wall sit area was for COP with the CB’s. Before starting, DH shared a message about PAX asking for help when they need it, and emphasized there would be no judgement. Many PAX are out there struggling (maybe on IR) and continue to face their challenges alone.

The Thang

One PAX would bear crawl the entire hallway to the end where the entrance to the building was (est 100 yds).

Other PAX would complete instructed exercise until the PAX returned.

CURLS

SQUATS

CHEST PRESS

TRICEP EXENSIONs

AMERICAN HAMMERS

SWINGS

(I Probably forgot one or two here)

Rinse and repeat

It is worth noting that after DH returned from his bear crawl, the PAX noticed him standing in the corner as if in “timeout.”  In fact, he was taking his own timeout to avoid a potential Merlot splash. Nice recovery DH.

Back to COT for some Mary

Heels to heaven

LBC’s

Hello Dolly

COT

Announcements

Joe Davis

Yeti

Prayers and Praises

Family

Marriages

PAX on IR- reach out them

Thanks for the opportunity!

Frat Boy (and DH)

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Presidential Day Massacre at the Armory

The weather mostly held out with a few spitting showers but good  mumble chatter by the 11 pax on this cold and wet morning.  It was a morning filled with maybe a little too many facts our presidents but it was a good lesson that no man is perfect and all even through our flaws we can still achieve great success.  May we all be encourage to NOT be defined by our mistakes and to overcome them.

Warm Up:  In honor of our 45 presidents and 4 assassinated presidents (Four sitting Presidents have been assassinated while in office: Abraham Lincoln, James Abram Garfield (1881), William McKinley (1897-1901), and John F. Kennedy (1961-63)

  • 45 – SSH
    • 4 – Burpees
  • 45 – Mountain climbers
    • 4 – Burpees
  • 45 – Squats (single count)
    • 4 – Burpees
  • 45 – Merkins (single count)
    • 4 – Burpees

THE THANG…

Mosey to the Knee Wall

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were close friends and correspondents — but they also had a bit of a rivalry. Adams’ dying words were, “Thomas Jefferson survives,” unaware that he had died hours earlier. Both died on July 4, 1826.

4 rounds  –

  • 7 – Wall Jumps
  • 18- Skull Crushers
  • 26 – Dips with Bell

10 – Count:

  • Monrovia, the capital of the Liberia, is named after James Monroe. He supported the American Colonization Society in its work to create a home for freed slaves in Liberia.
  • During his presidency, John Quincy Adams enjoyed skinny-dipping in the Potomac River in the early mornings.
  • Zachary Taylor was a tough guy — a major general in the U.S. Army and hero of the Mexican-American War. But oddly enough, what brought him down in the end was a glass of milk and some cherries that he enjoyed on July 4, 1850. The cherries were likely contaminated with bacteria that caused his death by cholera five days later.

Mosey to Open Parking Lot – Partner Up:

Andrew Jackson was involved in as many as 100 duels, most of which were fought to defend the honor of his wife, Rachel. He was shot in the chest in a duel in 1806 and took a bullet in the arm in a bar fight with Missouri Sen. Thomas Hart Benton in 1813.

John Tyler had 15 children, more than any other president. Two of his grandsonsare still alive today. One of Tyler’s children, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, born in 1853, fathered Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. in 1924 and Harrison Ruffin Tyler in 1928.

Combined

  • 100 – Pass Through Lunges/ Halos/ Curls
  • 15 – Bomb Jacks after each 100 (each person)

10 – Count:

  • Millard Fillmore lived the dream of many a teenage schoolboy. Fillmore’s first wife, Abigail Powers, was his teacher while he was a 19-year-old student at the New Hope Academy in New York.
  • Pierce had a tough time guiding the nation and perhaps an even tougher time guiding his horse. During his presidency, Pierce was arrested for running over a woman with his horse. Charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence.
  • James Buchanan regularly bought slaves in Washington, D.C. and quietly freed them in Pennsylvania.

Mosey back to COT

Get ready to rumble: Abraham Lincoln could throw down in the wrestling ring. As a young man, he was only defeated once out of approximately300 matches. He made it to the Wrestling Hall of Fame with the honor of “Outstanding American.”

  • 300 Cumulative Reps (KB Swing, Plank Row or Shoulder Press

Ulysses S. Grant smoked a ton of cigars — at least 20 a day. After a great military victory at the Battle of Shiloh, citizens sent him more than 10,000 boxes of cigars as gratitude. He died of throat cancer in 1885.

  • End with continuous rotation of exercises of 20 count until we get to 10,000 total reps.

Other Facts:

  • William McKinley almost always wore a red carnation on his lapel as a good luck charm. While greeting a line of people in 1901, he gave the flower to a little girl. Seconds later, he was shot by an assassin, and died eight days later.
  • Teddy Roosevelt was shot in an assassination attempt while delivering a speech in Milwaukee. “I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot,” he told the stunned audience. “I give you my word, I do not care a rap about being shot; not a rap.” He completed the 90-minute speech with the bullet still lodged in his chest.
  • Herbert Hoover’s son had two pet alligators, which were occasionally permitted to run loose throughout the White House.
  • Eisenhower played a big role in popularizing golf. He installed a putting green at the White House and played more than 800 rounds while in office — exceeding the record of any other president. He holds a spot in the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement Category.
  • LBJ wasn’t scared to show off his, err, Johnson — he nicknamed his penis “Jumbo.” According to biographer Robert Dallek, Johnson met with a reporter who asked him multiple times why American troops were in Vietnam. In response, Johnson unzipped his pants, pulled out “Jumbo,” and yelled, “This is why!”
  • “Dubya” garnered the media attention with his frat boy past, but he also has a more wholesome side (aside from painting, that is). During his senior year of high school at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., Bush was captain of the cheerleading team.
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The Coop Shovel Flag Hand Off

It was a crisp February morn… crisp enough to wear short sleeves, in fact. A change was in our midst and you could feel it coming in the air as Phil Collins would say.

Three weird-O’s (NASA, Dirty Harry, and YHC) showed up at approximately 4:10-4:13 to pre ruck four miles. Wegmans joined in somewhere along the way to get his daily mileage in, and then peeled off to get the field ready for his Weinke.

As Wegmans prepped, we finished our rounds and met up with other PAX around the shovel flag, which would soon be in my possession. Sixteen was the count.

Wegmans called the time, disclaimed the disclaimer, and then took us to the field.

We moseyed, we circled up, and we wind milled. Three times, in fact. Just enough to get Ginsu going about his affection for this specific movement. I cannot recall the other warm up exercises, but they were all counted to prime numbers in true Weginator fashion.

It was at this moment that I realized I had to utilize the best part of the AO. The toilet. I truly understand why NaFo is the #bestAO now.

Wegmans counted us off by 1’s and 2’s as I ran for the facilities. I took my break and found there was a 100 yard race of burpee/tire flips (one at a time), and my team has lost. This meant we did 10 Burpees while the other team did monkey humpers in our direction. We had a second chance, and we just about prevailed until shenanigans took place. Wegmans punished all of us with Burpees. That was fair.

Then he handed it off to the new site Q. I had some plans as well…

Football Field Circuit

Partner Workout

Each Partner Wheel Barrows every other 10 yards, both partners complete workouts equal to yard marker on the field that you land. Start at one end zone and work toward the other.

Endzone – Burpee Broad Jumps x 7
10 – Donkey Kicks
20 – Hand Release Merkins
30 – Jump Lunges (each leg)
40 – Air Squats
50 – LBCs
40 – Air Squats
30 – Jump Lunges (each leg)
20 – Hand Release Merkins
10 – Donkey Kicks
Endzone – Burpee Broad Jumps x 7

Gotta go back across the field.

All Together
Bear Crawls every 25 yards, stop for a workout
25 Yards
15 Bomb Jacks
25 Yards
15 Jump Squats
25 Yards
15 Bomb Jacks
25 Yards
15 Jump Squats

Props to Shield for kicking this weinke’s tail on his second post.

End with some Jack Webbs to burn the shoulders – made it to 5 Push Ups & 20 Claps.

Headed back to COT to do some quick Mary.

Ended with a shovel flag hand off. Looking forward to Site Q’ing the Coop for the foreseeable future. Hopefully I can keep the same momentum that Wegmans had working. Thanks to Wegmans for what he’s done with this AO. A true HIM.

Due to my slacking and not submitting this backblast immediately… I’ve lost track of the prayer requests. Please forgive me for that.

Some @HeardatF3 Mumblechatter…

Dark Helmet: “I wonder how this split Q is going to be?”

Wegmans: “Well I’ve already seen PL’s Weinke… so…”

Punch List Out.

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The Armory – Viking Metal is always better in the rain

YHC arrived and wanted to do some sidewalk chalk writing but the rain threw a wrench in that plan so had to use the phone as my weinke while also playing the traditional Viking Metal for kettle-bell workout.

After 1 1/2 rounds the cold weather shut my Apple 6plus down. My son would be throwing a fit and saying we need a new phone as this is junk……however just plug it in and it works nicely. Plus saves you $500+ dollars.

So the PAX arrived and we had a kotter, Gridlock come home to the Armory. It was some years ago that I was Q for Gridlock’s FNG appearance. Was great having him and the others there this morning. Nice work men!!

The Thang:

  • SSHs
  • 5burpees
  • squats
  • 4burpees
  • merkins
  • 3 burpees
  • Imperial Walkers
  • 2 burpees
  • Moracan Night clubs (half while holding squat)
  • 1 burpee

Mosey across front of FHC looking for cover, but the rain had stopped so it wasn’t needed.

3 sets of exercises, run lap between them, until time runs out or phone dies….whichever

  • Kettlebell swing
    5 Single hands each & 10 double
    10 Two arm bent row
    10 Figure eight
    10 Goblet squats
    10 Upright row
    10 Dips

    • RUN LAP
  • 10 Lunge press
    10 Sumo upright row
    10 Curls L/R
    10 American Hammer
    10 Bench press L/R
    10 Plank Rows L/R
    10 Tri Extension

    • RUN LAP
  • 10 Flutters
    10 Hello dolly’s
    10 Freddy’s
    10 Deadlift
    10 Sidestep upright row
    10 Kettlebell Merkins

    • RUN LAP

We made it through about 2 rounds of these.

Fun times by all!!

YHC talked about life expectancy  and that wherever we are on the timeline, we should start living intentional. I only have 40% of my life expectancy  left and so there is no wasting the days or hours on silly stuff. GET SOME!!! 2 guys decided to GET RIGHT while in COT and make choice to get better alignment. Well done gents!! We are here to support and encourage you!

Thanks JWOW for the opportunity to lead.

 

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“Brick” Walls of Terror at Block Party

8 at Block Party for a balmy morning with some lively mumble chatter.

Message:

Read the monthly theme to engage in the discussion.

Living

Stretch
Warm up – Mosey to Anne Springs parking lot for some Rugby Sprints with SSH, Merkins, Goof Balls and Mountain Climbers
The thang – Dora-like with partner on the high wall
– 50 Wall climbs
– 20 Handstands
– 50 Spider-Man’s
Mosey to courtyard x3 increasing by 5 each time
  • 5/10/15 – step ups
  • 10/15/20 – derkins
  • 15/20/25 – dips
Cool Down by going back to the wall for some sits with arm flutters, then morrocan night clubs and finally overhead claps
Return to WEP for some MARY
COT
Pleasure to lead
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#Varsity

7 PAX joined YHC on this cool 30 degree morning for a tour of #NAFO.

NAFO has a large AO. We explored a good part of it.

Disclaimer – Disclaimed.

Mosey – Dynamic stretches; Karaoke left/right

COP: 45 SSH; in cadence

10 Widmills; in cadence

Mosey–> bear crawls ~25 yrds

Mosey–> 10 merkins; in cadence / Peter Parker / Parker Peter / Downward dog / Honeymooner

Mosey–> COP; hold plank while one PAX does a lap around the Round-About.

Mosey–> Lung walk to light post, bear crawl to next light post. Turn Around – Crawl Bear, broad jump back to starting point

Form 2 Teams:

~25 yard wind springs (loosing team 10 burpees / winning team: 10 flying squirrels)

~25 yard bear crawls (loosing team 10 burpees / winning team: 10 flying squirrels)

~25 yard wheel barrows; switch partners half way (loosing team 10 burpees / winning team: 10 flying squirrels)

Mosey to back of school:

Cinder-block work: 3 sets of 12 overhead press / 15 bicep curls

Mosey to chairs: 2 set of 20 box jumps / 20 dips

Mosey to COT –> ~3 min of Mary

COT

Thank you Harry Carry for the opportunity. I love this AO!

 

#CoopStrong

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