#Kotter Q was how it was billed

8 PAX joined YHC this cool morning. Site Q Wegmans has been holding me accountable with getting out to post, regularly. His solution: put him on the Q list! It worked.

Disclaimer – Disclaimed.

Warm up:

Mosey around parking lot; dynamic stretches:

+Karaoke left/right

+Knees to chest / ankles to hips

COP:

+40 SSH; in cadence

+8 Windmills; in cadence

+10 Imperial Walkers; in cadence

+10; Merkins / 8 Peter Parkers / 8 Parker Peters; all in cadence

+Honey Mooners / Downward dog

Mosey past pull-up bars towards the playground

The Thang:

Two teams –

25 yards – Wind sprints: Result – Losing team 10 burpees / Winning team 5 burpees

25 yard – bear crawls: Result – Losing team 10 burpees / Winning team 5 burpees

25 yard – wheel barrows – Result – Losing team 10 burpees / Winning team 5 burpees

Partner- up:

Exercise #1 Partner 1: 100 Merkins  (total between both partners) / Partner 2: run lap around playground

Exercise#2 Partner 1: 200 LBC  (total between both partners) / Partner 2: run lap around playground

Exercise#3 Partner 1: 100 Carolina Dry Docks  (total between both partners) / Partner 2: run lap around playground

~5 minutes of Mary.

COT.

NMM:

Thanks to Site Q Wegmans for getting me on and keeping me on the Q List. It was the motivation I needed to get back into shape to at least try to bring a beatdown.

#CoopStrong

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The Ranch – Where you need to prepare for the unexpected!!

8 Ruckers were out marching around when 16 more PAX arrived at the cold Ranch. YHC was expecting low numbers since the temp was 20-22, but I was thrilled to see the men circling and getting ready for the unexpected.

The Thang:

Mosey to entrance
COP

SSHs-20
CCDs-18
Seal Jacks-20
Wind Mills-15
Imperial Walkers-20

Mosey to baseball field……it was creepy dark!!

3 rounds of Crawl, Walk Run

Home to 1st-bear crawls
1st to 2nd-lunge walk
2nd to home-Run

Mosey to bridge

Two lines and Partner is next to you
Wheel barrow little baby Jesus up steps alternating when needed

Indian Run to Football field

Partner Carry to playground

With Partner: 1 does exercise/1 runs lap
Pull ups
Derkins
Swing Crunches
Dips

Burpee Indian Run back to COT

IT was a fun filled day at The Ranch and the PAX worked hard and pushed each other. Message was about being prepared and no matter if its preparing for breakfast or for retirement, as a leader we need to be ready for the expected. Today my Director resigned from our team and company. We don’t know who our leader will be or what our organization will look like, but as leader of my work and home I need to look in the mirror and say, Get After It! There is no waiting to see where the chips fall,  but to get out in front and lead. Reflect on all things in your life and address those things that you need to get prepared for……finances, stronger marriage, tough talks with the kids and death. Don’t leave these for someone else to take care of.

Thanks Jiffy for the lead…..humbled and honored!!

Cake Boss out!

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2019 Q1 PFT – The Coop

YHC decided that 2019 needed to have an old tradition re-instituted, the Quarterly Physical Fitness Test.  So, Wegmans has given me the last Wednesday of every 3rd month to test and track the progress of the Pax.  The Thang:

Pull Ups – 1 minute

Situps – 1 minute

Pushups – 1 minute

1 mile run on track

Done – here are the results, in no particular order.  Just how they showed up on the sheet.

DNP – Did not Participate (these guys did a pre-run!)

Name Pull Ups Sit Ups Push Ups 1 Mile Run
FunHouse 5 45 37 6:40
Sk8orDie 5 39 37 DNP
DarkHelmet 22 42 64 7:21
Kaiser 15 22 61 7:38
SugarBug 3 29 36 8:41
Esso 12 38 43 8:25
Sasquatch 24 54 64 DNP
ChickenHawk 25 43 60 7:37
Wegmans 1 26 24 8:54
Husky 13 45 52 7:34
PunchList 12 39 33 6:48
DirtyHarry 5 50 50 7:28
Youts 18 44 51 8:49
Slash 8 26 31 8:45
Xray 3 12 25 9:15
Chunck 2 32 20 8:32
Tinsel 22 38 36 8:43
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The Fort – We are on a “Journey” and looking for “Hook Ups”.

18 men came to The Fort for an extremely hyped beat down by YHC on the twitter machine. Ginsu is off of the machine so I had to hype it up even more. I think everyone got their money’s worth and here is what happened.

Standing right in the parking lot:

SSHs
CCDs
Seal Jacks
Wind Mills
Imperial Walkers

3 lines at stairway to heaven
Run/lunges every other pole

Mosey to Hill
7s-Derkins/Bombjacks

Back to stairway to heaven
Partners
1-suicide 4 poles
2-sumo squats
-calf raises
-Backward lunges

As we were working out, I asked the men about getting extremely good hook ups. No we were not talking dates or “women”, but events and special treatment. I heard things like Masters Tickets and Playing Augusta and Meet and Greet with front row tickets at concerts. YHC was able to be on the track at the Daytona 500 right next to the drivers…..was totally wild. Point is we felt special and privileged.  I told the men that the best hook up available to every single one of us is when JESUS escorts us through to heaven. All of us will have our day in front of the big guy and the invite to all of us from Jesus today is, are you with me or against me?? Does he know you? I’d be happy to discuss with anyone about this hookup because it happens on this side of eternity…..not at the ticket window!

Hand off to Ginsu

Ginsu focused on the Journey and taking in everything along the way. The good and bad builds us into the men we are. The choices we make and lessons learn can make all the difference.

Mosey to Springs building and find wall
Alternating
-People’s chair
-Muscle Ups-10counts with hold

Mosey to parking lot
-Broad jump Burpees 3 islands (50yards), Run back

-bear crawl 4 step then Merkin, 3 islands (50yards), Run back

Mosey to playground
Partners
1-pull-ups
2-run lap
3 rounds

COT

Thanks Bonsai for the Q

We carried a piece of wood the whole workout called The 6 as a reminder of servant leadership and that by picking up the 6 we are developing future leaders.

Qsource LDP led by Old Bay after COT

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The Armory: Envelope Notes

A lucky 13 PAX gathered in the not too cold late-January gloom for this rendition of The Armory.

Set the disclaimer into motion and the PAX soon followed moseying over to the far side of the church parking lot.

Warm Up:
Windmill x10
SSH x35 (sparked up Trucker’s legendary mumble chatter)
Mountain Climbers x10 (fast count)
Down Dog –> Honeymooner
Mountain Climbers x10 (fast count)
Down Dog –> Honeymooner –> Down Dog –> Standing forward bend (SFB)

Mosey towards bells but then right turn to the back side of the church

Imperial Walkers x10
Hillbilly Walkers x15
Merkin x 10 (slow count)
Down Dog –> HM –>  DD –> SFB

Mosey to bells

The Thang:

Circuit of:
Goblet Squat x20
Upright Row x12
Merkin x10 (modified to manmakers in the 2nd set)
Romanian Deadlift x12 (this was a lot)
Split Squat x8 each side (lunge isolating the reps to one leg before moving to the other side)
One arm press x8 each arm
Kettlebell Swings x20

Mosey a little — 8 snatches (each arm) — rinse and repeat.

At Trucker’s suggestion, we utilized the bell during the Merkins by modifying to 10 Manmakers. I’m not 100% sure that’s what he meant, but his input was helpful.

We made it through 3 sets. Somewhere in the workout we held a plank and everyone shared their word for 2019. I believe Deacon’s word is Maat or Ma’at which is Egyptian mꜣꜥt /ˈmuʀʕat and required a little explanation: the additional plank challenge was welcome. We also discussed at one point how feeling the weight of the kettlebell and gravity pulling you down also allows you to feel the earth holding you up.

After 3 sets, we sprinted to the end of the parking lot and back, did some pigeon lunges, and followed that with flutters until the hour arrived (we made it to 40).

NMM:
I referenced Mary Oliver‘s passing two weeks ago and none of the PAX were familiar with her work. So YHC took the opportunity to read some of her poem “The Summer Day:”

I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention . . .
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild precious life?

Gotta up the culture and Third F challenges during the First F work. F3 is certainly more than a workout.

Announcements:
Joe Davis Run
Yeti
Paradise Reading Center

Prayers and Praises:
Shady’s M back pain
38 Special: 2.0 is having an EKG
Deacon’s dad is recovering well from surgery
Chicken Hawk’s extended family interpersonal
Trucker’s 2.0 is dealing with some illness

Official welcome to FNG’s from last week: Chunk and Pigeon. Must have missed getting into the system directly and should now be up and running as PAX of The Fort.

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Keep Moving to Get THROUGH It

15 pax shook off fears of rain & cold to post to The Fort, seeking a jump start to the MLK weekend.  All veterans this morning so Anchorman checked the Disclaimer box in brief fashion and then offered a preview with comments about avoiding the pit of “getting stuck” and embracing the opportunity sharpen yourself by “going  through it.”  Oh yeah, he also made a reference to 100 burpees coming over the next 60 mins.

The Thang

Run to front parking lot between WEP and Springs

COP — SSH, Burpees x10, IWs, Merkins, Flutter kicks, Burpees x10 (count=20), Morrocan night clubs, Overhead claps, Morrocan night clubs

Run to Pike’s front lot

People’s chair, Burpees x10 (count=30), people’s chair

Run to bottom of Massey St hill

1 Burpee at bottom, run to top, 2 Burpees, continue down and back up adding 1 Burpee on each end until 10 Burpees at the top. Result: 55 total Burpees (count=85)

Handoff to DD

Mosey to memorial park

Makhtar N’Dyae

Knee-tar N’Dyae

Mosey to parking lot grass

Tunnel of love

Mosey to Pike’s front lot

People’s chair on wall / Donkey kicks x10 on wall
Rinse & repeat

Bear crawl across lot / crawl bear back
Rinse & repeat

Mosey to Springs side lot

Plank it up shoulder to shoulder for bunny hops through the pax to the end of the parking lot.

Freddy Mercury / Hello dollies

Move to wall

Wall pull-ups x10

Sprint to curb and back

Wall pull-ups x10

Mosey back to WEP

Burpees x10 (count =95)

Box cutter

Rosalita

4 Minutes of Burpees

COT

NMM

We had a great morning at WEP with a lively group of mostly veteran pax.   Cool and damp, but no rain until COT.  Thank you to all the pax present, to Bonsai for the invite to Q and to Anchorman for sharing the lead in High Impact fashion.

T-claps to X-Ray and Slash for consistency in their first 30 days since their initial post at The Fort. And t-claps to Esso for their EHs and encouragement.

The theme for the day was about not getting stuck when facing adversity and instead going THROUGH it.  Anchorman referred to an article by Jalen Hurts (Alabama QB transferring to Oklahoma) where he describes his faith through the experience of the January 2018 National Championship game and the following season in Fall 2018.   Hurts said, “This isn’t something you’re stuck in,” I’d tell myself. “This is something you’re going through.” And one thing I can promise you is that I’m better off for having gone through it. Everything I dealt with at Bama: I’m stronger for it. I’m wiser. I’m a better man.” You can read the article here.

Anchorman didn’t waste any time delivering extended pain during the opening COP with his shoulder series of Moroccan night clubs and overhead claps…drawing much mumblechatter.  The move over to Massey Street triggered even stronger mumblechatter.  The pax rose to the challenge despite the grumbles.  They got THROUGH it.

The suspense of reaching the 100 burpee mark carried us through the final 30 mins of the workout.  With about 6 mins left, we chinned up close to the bar, reaching the 95 mark.  Anyone who expected YHC to stop at 100 surely won’t make that mistake again.  Everyone lost count of their total during the 4 mins of burpees wrap-up.  But they all got THROUGH it.

We paused after the Tunnel of Love to reflect on a tragic example of getting stuck instead of getting through it.  I learned last week about a 53-yr old Chicago father of four who committed suicide.  His name is Tim.  Tim was a year ahead of me at ND in the late 1980s, and we lived in the same dorm for three years.  I don’t recall having any contact with Tim after he graduated in 1988.  But, certain of my classmates from the Chicago area did have contact with Tim.  In fact, some lived nearby, attended the same church, had kids in the same schools and the same sports leagues.  Looked at in some ways, Tim appeared successful — professional career in the financial sector, home in a sought-after suburb, four kids, private schools, etc.  At the same time, Tim battled alcoholism…maybe all those achievements weren’t truly fulfilling for him…maybe he was stuck…maybe he wasn’t getting through it…maybe he couldn’t get through it, at least not without help, not without a partner, not without a group.  The most chilling comment in many emails I read about Tim and his situation was when the email sender said “…then I lost touch with him.”  The challenge this week is to consider someone you know who’s facing tough circumstances, someone at risk of getting stuck and reach out to that person.  If you’re in the unfortunate place of being stuck or at risk of being stuck, identify someone who can help you start moving.  That’s the essential action to getting THROUGH it.   If you need two names, put Anchorman and Double D on your list.

SYITG

 

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Sally vs. Roxanne

Nine men braved the gloom to settle the question of which challenge is better: Sally or Roxanne.

Began with a warm up:
Short mosey run
Pull ups (5 oyo)
SSH (IC 12x)
Moroccan Nightclub (IC 12x)
Windmill (IC 12x)
Peter Parker (IC 12x)
Plank stretches
Pull ups (5 oyo)
Run to the high school for the below.

Thang 1: 10 exercise routine: exercise for 32 seconds, rest/transition for 10 seconds
1. Imperial Walkers
2. Dips
3. LBCs
4. Jump Squats
5. windmills
6. American Hammers
7. Step ups
8. OH claps
9. Flutters
10. Calf raises

Thang 2: Sally Plank Routine (low plank-high plank) Song: Flower by Moby

Thang 3: Repeat above 10 exercise routine

Thang 4: Roxanne push up routine Song: Roxanne by the Police

Thang 5: Repeat 10 exercise routine

Short Mary round
Run to COT

Official poll results: Sally was preferred over Roxanne. it was close though.

Prayers/Praises: All went well for DirtyHarry’s daughter at the hospital. Kaiser for new role at work, while running own business.
Also: Prayers for all law enforcement, first responders and medical professionals.

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Heavy Hors D’oeuvres at Block Party

Today, we enjoyed a variable palate of play sand, peat gravel, and dirt. Luckily it rained around 0400, making it not “too dry” of an offering. I rolled up around 0445 to check site conditions, and had my back up plan ready in case it was too moist. Cars started rolling in around 0505. 

 

Meet up to start

Disclaimer

Mosey halfway around park and Back

Stop at .10 & .20 Mile Intervals to Warm Up

Each Stop = Warm Up Exercise (s)

Mosey to 

7 x Merkins

Pause for walker!

3 x Merkins

Mosey to next .10

11 x SSH

10 x Windmills

10 x Deep Squats + Yogi Squat

Mosey Back to Parking Lot

Quick Yoga Sun Salutation/Side Plank both sides

 

Partner Up 

This is when I turned to my truck bed, filled with a delicious offering of pain. 

Grab some heavy hors d’oeuvres and mosey to the lower Pike Parking Lot. Halfway(ish) we swap coupons with partner. 

 

Circuit Down in the Parking Lot – Flap Jack the following:

Partner 1 Runs up the grass hill and back, partner 2 works out with coupon. Flapjack.

Squats

Thrusters

Deadlifts

Bent Over Rows

Curls

Every round, shift to sandbag to the left of you so everyone enjoys the varying weights (40-60).

After we finish in the lower parking lot, we mosey to the base of the hill.

Partner Farmer Carry sandbags to upper Pike Parking Lot

Line up on end of the parking lot:

Partner 1 lunges with coupon on shoulders across lot, partner 2 does 10 merkins, runs to partner 1 and flapjack. Do to the end of the lot. Switch sandbags. 

Line up on this side of the lot.

P1 holding sandbag does manmaker burpees while P2 runs to far end of lot and back. Flapjack. Do two rounds. 

Mosey back to COT. Halfway there, partner 2 takes the bag from partner 1. 

Everyone grabs a coupon! Flutters to the end. 

 

Name-a-rama

 

Announcements

YETI Happening 2/23

Joe Davis Run for Recovery – 3/9 – Prices go up 2/1

Q Source this week: Lizards, Bull Frogs, and Leeches 

If you aren’t doing Q Source as the group, it is still worth reading. I was pushed by Pusher to do so, and I think I will. 

 

Prayers/Praises

C-Span was next-door to the active shooter at the UPS store in Philly yesterday. Pray for his (and concentrica) continued safety and readiness at all times. 

Prayers for my brother-in-law and his current dive down deep into “end of times” theories. His marriage, relationships, and work are all suffering. Pray that he keeps his eyes focused on Jesus first and foremost. 

 

After we prayed we discussed our words for the year. I heard a few in passing, but wanted to remind all to keep your focus on your word and let those close to you know it and hold you accountable to it. 

Mine is Activate. I am not the leader I want to be, and I have for too long sat passively and let things happen as they happen. This is the year I activate the leadership within me that I know has always been there. 

Block Party was a mainstay of mine this past summer, and I’m excited I finally was asked to Q. Thanks for the opportunity, Shady. I appreciate you asking me to step up. Everyone kept saying how quickly the 45 minutes went. I agree and I was happy we were able to keep it moving quickly! Great work by all men who showed up. 

Punch List Out.

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“Is this a typo?”, said Grantan. “A long time coming”, said the new Nantan. “Hey man, you tha Q,” said Bonsai.

Thanks Shady for the chance to VQ. We had 21 PAX at this Block Party. I felt the love and encouragement, made it fun and invigorating. A slight chill on this early 2019 morn also added some vigor.

The first Mosey took us to a lot too close to potential noise ordinance violation, so we audibled to Founders, where the warm-up Windmills, Little Baby Circles, Imperial Walkers, and Hillbilly Walkers ensued. I purposefully passed over the traditional warm-up SSHs, trying to save legs for what came later.

I then introduced a Dora, had two exercises planned for it but one PAX said, “Where’s the third?” So Doras typically involve three exercises I learned, VQ mistake, but then Bonsai chimed in, “Hey man, you tha Q.” So we partnered up and settled in for 100 LBCs and 200 Flutters.

Then a circuitous Mosey route around the bank across the street to the lot below the old Springs complex. Ab work: a Captain Thor 1:4 up to 10 big boys and then Rosalitas in cadence, in Spanish, like they should be shouted.

Then a Bear Crawl up the Hill to the upper lot where we circled up for a word on Accountability. In short, the point: accountability is about more than sharing our brokenness, about more than sharing our struggles, but sharing our dreams and desires and ambitions as we say to one another, “Go for it, brother!”

And then, the beat down. 22 was the operative number, Lunge Jumps and Merkens the mix. It went down like: 20 LJs, 2 Merks; 18 LJs, 4 Merks; 16 LJs, 6 Merks…and so on, down to 2 and 20.

A third and final Mosey then to the COT. Remember QSource. Remember Joe Davis. PAX hopeful for new job opportunities. Sugardaddy’s daughter Caroline going Legally Blonde this week:) Pray for her Elle Woods debut.

LAST WORD: About half way through with us all holding a Chillcut, I shared my one word: Deeper. Going Deeper for me means caring for my soul well this year. But how? I’m gonna pursue better and more beautiful inputs. Yes, I’m talking about reading better literature, listening to better stories, discovering beautiful art and landscapes that inspire me. But better and beautiful abounds when I’m engaged with my 2.0s, and M.

Oh, and this is the mountain if any of you want to “go for it” with me.

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