Guest Q at Stingray w/ our Cape Fear F3 Brothers

Here I was, actually at a sweet brewery in Surf City NC on a family vaca (Salty Turtle Brewing Company), taking some ‘adult’ time away from having to watch my 2.0’s like a hawk on the beaches of Topsail.  Got to thinking after seeing my boy Shakespeare Q at Grandstand in Myrtle, man wouldn’t it be great to get at least one f3 workout in if I’m within distance.  Come to find out, the Cape Fear pax had an upcoming boot camp on that Friday, about 45 min from where I was staying.  A couple tweets to the F3 Cape Fear twitter handle, and some never ending chatter from my Lake Wylie / the Fort brothers, and it was confirmed that the Friday Q would relinquish his duties for this week and hand them over to an out of towner.  Much thanks for that men – felt great to get out.

Knowing these guys wouldn’t see me for a long time, I figured it would be ok to throw as many burpees at them as possible.  What I didn’t expect was to have a mini beer Olympics at the beach house the night before after the kiddos went to bed.  Luckily, that finished at 11p so I got to bed early and woke up at 4:30a to make the long trek out to Stingray, an awesome park outside of Wilmington.  The 2 FNG’s confirmed the night before both ignored my calls to get up and come with.

Upon arriving there a little early for the 5:30a start, I met a few of the pax who were startled by the fact that the shovel flag was completely torn from the shovel and missing.  3 pax came to pre run 3 miles (these guys don’t mess around) and by the time they got back it was gone.  I sure hope the wind caused this, but anyway, we quickly discussed my lack of warming up and that they should all stretch.  Upon hitting go-time, we got to work:

  1.  EMOM – I brought my trusty bluetooth speaker and did my infamous warm-up for 5 minutes
    • 30 SSH’s and 8 burpees every minute on the minute for 5 minutes.  After a quick 150 SSH and 40 burpees to the sweet sweet sounds of buckcherry and the rocky soundtrack, we moseyed for a burpee mile so I could get the lay of the land
  2. Burpee mile – ran a mile loop of the nice trail at the park and stopped every quarter mile to do 5 burpees and then a random ab workout until the last pax finished.  About 15 minutes in and we had a mile under our belt, 150 SSH and 60 burpees.
  3. 11’s, Zima (Sweati CSAUP) style – informed them that our 11’s would be different than what they’re used to.  We’d do 1 burpee, 1 dip, then 2 burpees and 2 dips, then 3 / 3, 4 / 4, you get the point, up to 11.  That’s an add’l 66 burpees and 66 dips in about 6-7 minutes.  Got us to a mile run, 150 SSH, and now 126 burpees, and 66 dips
  4. Switched it to 7’s, but did it the right way.  We moseyed to a new parking lot and did a true 7’s (1 rep at the start, run to the other end of the parking lot and do 6 reps, run back and do 2, then 5 on the other end, etc etc…).  We did the worst merkin ever for the first exercise (1 worst merkin ever = 1 wide arm merkin, 1 merkin, 1 diamond merkin).  The other exercise on the other side was bomb jacks.  So post #4 station, we did 21 worst merkins ever (equivalent of 63 merkins) and 21 bomb jacks.
  5. Last but not least, we didn’t have a ton of time, maybe 7 minutes, so we stuck w/ 7’s but did burpees (hehe) and regular merkins, only the kicker was you had to bear crawl to the other side of the parking lot between exercises 1 and 2, and then jog back once you finished the “top” of the 7.  Most pax got through about 4 or 5 rounds of that, so the burpees being the first exercise (starts w/ 1 rep), we got another 10 reps in of burpees and about 22 merkins on the other half w/ some bear crawls / jogs in between.

End count was about 2 miles covered, 136 burpees, 150 SSH, 66 dips, 85 merkins (21 worse merkins ever = 63 merkins + 22 merkins on the #5 station), 21 bomb jacks and some bear crawls sprinkled in.

At one point during the burpee mile when I was picking up the six, I heard a couple almost vomits, so not sure when it happened, but it was confirmed that it happened either then or after that lol.  Always a good sign and a heck of an effort by that Pax who gave it his all, even if it made him get a little sick.  I feel like I received a medal.

Appreciate the 10 other pax for coming  out and supporting a Guest Q and for their push throughout the boot camp to finish strong.  We had some prayers for family (one brother) with cancer, travels, and for 2.0’s.  Thanks for having me out men – looking forward to the next time!

Cha Ching

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4 Corners of Body Destruction

No, we did not do the Body Destroyer for 45 minutes, Birdcage! However, there was consistent feedback that this was a brutally different workout. Welcome to “ya never know what ur gonna get with Straight Up!”

A big shout out to all the men that joined me. I was very, very proud of them, and especially proud of Short Sale, Nomad and Sparky. Seriously, this was not an easy workout. A special thanks to Crawdaddy who helped with the group activities and leading his team. Here is what we did. If you decide to copy it for one of your Q’s, feel free to but you have to invite me because I want to do it again!

I. Beginning: Disclosure mentioned; No FNGs

Theme: First thought on Discipline today:  “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” (Zig Zigler)

A head’s up that we will have teams. Divided into teams. Advised we will be competing against each other’s team.

2 running lines to warmup. During warmup, ask person you are running next to:

1, If you had unlimited time, what would you consider to be your favorite thing to do with your time?

2. If you had unlimited money, what would you do?

II. Running Warm-up: 2 line Groups 

Gradually moseying around The Ranch/school doing toy soldiers, butt kickers, high knees fast,  one leg hops, side straddles.  

Another thought: “Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us for sacrifice. We cannot give our hearts to God and keep our bodies for ourselves.” (Elisabeth Elliot)

III. 2 Circle up Warm-ups around school

First Circle in front of school: 8 merkins, 9 squats, 11 toe raises, 10 second Shoulder Stretch

Second Circle in back of school: 8 SSHs, 8 Ab Bigodas, 10 second Partner hamstring stretch

Meant to read this one to the guys: “The battle of prayer is against two things in the earthlies: wandering thoughts and lack of intimacy with God’s character as revealed in His word. Neither can be cured at once, but they can be cured by discipline.” (Oswald Chambers)

IV. Workout Segment: (Entire Soccer) Field challenges

Team Straight Up vs. Team Crawdaddy

**Reminder that if someone on your team is not finished with the exercise and you are, then join in and do it with them to help them succeed and be a teammate! Do all exercises together as a group; push your team; form is crucial; your captain will make you do it again if you do not do it correctly!

Start in the middle of the field and race to your corner

Corner #1:

7 bropees

20 Parnerkins (Partner Derkins) (each partner has their turn)

(Similar to parts of a 1 legged Hail Mary without the bench) 13 Single leg in the air dips each side; after you go down one, then give the other partner a high five, then go on the the next dip, then a high five, . . . so you want to sit next to each other but in opposite directions

8 Squerkins each

15 Deep Squat creating an X on the way up

Leap frog to the half field line

Plank position crawl (keep your back flat, abs tight) from half field line to the next corner to Corner #2.

Corner #2:

7 bropees

9 Dive bombers (“Under the hedge/fence” and clap one of your partners hand once “under the fence”)

14 Skull Crushers doing at same time with your partner/team

17 alternating lunges each side

Tunnel of Love with your entire Team (no coupon); 2 pass throughs per person

65 imaginary towel hops in unison as a team

Wheelbarrow with partner to next corner cone (switch half way); go to Corner #3 (or back to the mid-field cone if we are out of time)

Corner #3:

7 bropees

19 Canoe Crunches (like Boats to Canoe but no boat and rather row your canoe back “through the water”; doing both sides is one)

14 total Walking merkins – 2 left, then 2 right equals 4; face your partner, do not go the same way. Pass each other every time.

18 Boxing puncher planks (one PAX fist to another PAX’s fist; no pushup)

Plank (10 sec hold) to 6 inches (10 sec hold) – 2X each

Partner carry (Fireman’s carry) to half field line (Parter up on your team and whichever partner has enough in him to do it!). Then switch to . . .

Alternating Broad jumps with partner (pass the other partner on each jump) until corner cone #4

Corner #4:

7 bropees

13 Pattycake (single) Merkins

4 Burpee Squat next to your partner; do at same time

36 Squats

18 Frog crunches (on the ground in standard crunch position, legs bent at 90 degrees in air with insides to feet touching each other only; then with hands in prayer position, reach to the connection point of your feet)

Lunge and reach (10 each side pretending you are picking up a can from a shelf and putting it way up high)

Weekend at Bernie’s to middle of field; switch half way

WOWWY! There were a lot of exercises! Did we make it all the way through all 4 Corners of Body Destruction? Well, . . . almost. I would say both teams had about 2-3 exercises left. It was a close race to the end to see who would finish first. To hard to tell. Until next time, Team Crawdaddy!

V. Mosey back to COT

I encouraged the PAX to focus on being disciplined in all aspects of life, especially their time with God.

“God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness.” (Billy Graham)

Announcements

Whetstone – consider getting involved; see Rebel (newsletter) if you have questions about it

Praises

Prayer requests.

Sending out into Thursday’s work day and special prayers for the children starting school and for dad’s to be encouraging to their kids for the year.

Thanks for the opportunity, Backdraft! Aye!

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#Quagmire

19 PAX showed discipline by putting in work and getting after it on this humid morning.

Disclaimer was disclaimed.

The Thang.

WARM-UP:

  • Slow Windmill – 10
  • Low Squat – 10
  • Mosey – Knees to chest / Ankles to Hips
  • Mosey – Walking Lunges / Toy Soldiers
  • COP in Old Navy Parking Lot
  • I.W. – 10
  • SSH – 25
  • Merkins 20 / Peter Parkers 8  / Parker Peters 10 / honeymooner, downward dog, honeymooner
  • Morrocan Night Club 20

Mosey To WALL behind Target:

  • Peoples Chair – Run to Cone; 3 Burpees – two Pax at a time
  • BTTW
  • 25 Donkey Kicks

Mosey to Pier 1 Imports Parking Lot where cones were spaced out ~25 yards apart for a total of ~100 yards. We side shuffled L/R (alternated at each cone), until we reached the far end of the parking lot. There, a BOP awaited. At each cone we were disciplined and decided to Get After It:

  • 20 Close Grip Merkins
  • 20 Flying Squirrels
  • 20 Wide Grip Merkins
  • 20 Jump Squats
  • 20 Merkins

Bear Crawl 25 yards, Walk 25 yards back to the BOP. I flipped the BOP and we knocked out the following at each cone:

  • 20 Bomb Jacks
  • 20 High Knees
  • 20 Jumping Lunges
  • 40 SSH
  • 20 Merkins

Mosey to Water Fountain:

  • 30 Dips
  • 16 leg step ups

Mosey to Best Buy:

  • Two 50 yard sprints.

I estimate we ran a total of 2.5 – 3 miles during the workout.

COT / Name O Rama / Announcements / Prayers / Praises

Moleskin –

There were 4 PAX who got the respect, of the other PAX saying “RESPECT!” during the COT. As I push myself, and get pushed by my fellow PAX through these beat-downs, I’m very appreciative to see these HIMs (the RESPECT PAX), push themselves and those around them.

The 50+ years young PAX are inspirational to me. It proves to me, that age is a number, the right attitude is a mindset, and through a disciplined approach to how I live my life, I too, can endure a beat-down for years (and hopefully, decades) to come. Thanks men, for leading by example.

DaVinci – Thank you for the opportunity to Q.

#CoopStrong

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2017 Board of Pain at The Abyss – 7/19/2017

17 brave souls showed up for everyone’s favorite summer tradition- the Board of Pain.   With the majority being first-timers I knew this was going to be fun.  There is not better representation of ‘You vs You’ than the #BoardOfPain.

The Thang: perform each exercise and the associated rep count.  You can not move on to next exercise until previous exercise is complete.  In between each exercise is a recovery run of 1/4 mile.  Below are the stats on the day.  Come back next week to compete against the others and yourself.

An amazing effort from all the Pax today, especially first timers.  The Board of Pain tests you both physically and mentally.  Below are resutls:

Prayers
Went around the circle and everyone Pax was asked to give a pray or praise. Too many to remember but they were heard.

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Squad Goals

20 Men (1 FNG) posted at the Swamp.  11 Ruckers went off to do Rucker things while 9 stayed with YHC for a little AMRAP.

 

We previewed the course and had a little COP including Windmills, Imperial Walkers, and Moroccan Night Clubs.

 

The Thang:

30 Minutes Partner AMRAP, Half a Mile Circuit with 7 stations:

  • 20 Merkins
  • 20 Big Boy Sit Ups
  • 20 Peter Parkers
  • 20 Parker Peters
  • 20 Carolina Dry Docks
  • 20 Side Straddle Hops
  • 1 Burpee x Lap Count

Moseyed to COT for 5 MOM:

  • Too many Flutters
  • Just enough American Hammers
  • A touch of Freddy Mercury

 

Naked Man Moleskin:

I had a Cake Boss worthy Homily to share this morning, but maintaining order is more important than imparting wisdom during the 1st F Q.  So, you get the abbreviated (and likely better thought out) version here.

At the beginning of the AMRAP, I asked the guys to partner up with a guy who was comparable fitness-wise.  I asked them to share how many laps they thought they could get around the course.  I have no idea what each guy said, but the intent was to push each other to meet that goal.  I stayed with the FNG and visiting Java from Raleigh.

The purpose of this, and what I wanted to close out with, is that if we aren’t setting goals, we are just going through the motions.  There was some chatter on the twitter machine about moderate workouts being #problematic.  Someone put it best when they said “as long as the guys are working to get better, that’s not an issue”.  So my question to all PAX, regardless of fitness level, is “what are your goals”.  My 1stF goals this year are to a.) run 1500 miles and b.) finish my second marathon in 3:30 or better for a PR.  The reason I put it here is because goals only matter if someone keeps you accountable for them (thus the partner AMRAP).

Every PAX should have a goal for all three F’s, because all 3 F’s are important.  Beyond the F’s, this branches out into your personal and professional life.

Set Goals, Don’t just Coast.   You’ll be amazed at what you can do.

 

Honor to Serve.

 

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