Douangdara

11 men posted at Honey Bader on a cool damp morning.
Disclaimer given and we were off with a mosey run (side shuffles, high knees, toy soldiers included)
Circle up for the WARMUP
SSH (12x I/C)
Windmills (12x I/C)
Imperial Walkers (12x I/C)
Morrocan N/C (12x I/C)
Low Slow Squats (12x I/C)
Arm Circles (12x I/C)
Peter Parkers (12x I/C)
Plank Stretches (12x I/C)

Run to school entrance
Plank
Read the account of the 31 US soldiers killed in the Extortion 17 Chinook helicopter shot down in Afghanistan (copied below).

Bench work
Derkins (17)
Step ups (20)
Dips (17)
Butt touch squats (17)
Incline Merkins (20)
Calf raises (17)
Leg lifts, grab post (17)

Run to pull up bars
Pull up routine:
Regular pull up (8)
Switch grip (6 and 6)
Toes to bar (11)

All pax grab a cinder block go to street
All pax Plank
Read hero story of 1st class Petty Officer John Douangdara, 26, and his Military Working Dog Bart (copied below)
Relay/block routine #1
Run to distance #1, run back to start
Blocks: do 13 curls, 13 squats (13+13=26)
Run to distance #2, run back to start
Blocks: do 13 curls, 13 squats
Run to distance #3, run back to start
Blocks: do 13 curls, 13 squats

Flutter for six, with block

Relay/block routine #2
Crawl Bear to distance #1, run back to start
Blocks: do 13 OH Press, 13 KB swings
Crawl Bear to distance #2, run back to start
Blocks: do 13 OH Press, 13 KB swings
Crawl Bear to distance #3, run back to start
Blocks: do 13 OH Press, 13 KB swings
Flutter w/ block for six,
Return blocks

Pull up routine again:
Regular pull up (8)
Switch grip (6 and 6)
Toes to bar (11)

To the street, a little mary to collect everyone:
Gas pumpers,
American Hammers

Run suicides to three cones.

Run to shovel flag.
Mary: Freddie Mercuries, Mountain Climbers, LBCs

Fini, COT
TWO FNG’s!  first is “Poppins” (a chimney sweep) EH’d by Refugee, and “Yeti” (2.0 of Sasquatch).

Take Aways: Need lights for the cones to see better in the dark.

Extortion 17
On August 6, 2011, a U.S. Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter approached a landing zone in Afghanistan 40 miles southwest of Kabul. The helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was on a mission to support the 75th Ranger regiment that had secured an insurgent compound and were tracking down fleeing enemy militants.

As the chinook approached the landing zone, two enemy fighters ran out of a building and launched rocket propelled grenades. The first round missed the helicopter, but the second struck its rear roto blade. The resulting explosion caused a disastrous imbalance and tore the chinook apart. The helicopter spun out of control and crashed. There were no survivors.
The loss of 31 us military service members was devastating singular loss. Those killed were some of the U.S.’s most highly trained and battle-honed commandos.

In past Honey Badger workouts, I have chosen other Extortion 17 members to honor: Snr CPO Kraig Vickers; CPO Stephen M Mills; Specialist Spencer Duncan; Senior Chief Petty Officer Heath Robinson

Today we honor:
Petty Officer 1st Class John Douangdara, and military working dog Bart
John (nick named “Jet Li”) Douangdara was born on December 29, 1984, in Sioux City, Iowa. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on February 15, 2002, and served at posts in the US, Europe and Iraq. In 2008 John became an Assault dog handler and deployed multiple times to Afghanistan to support SEAL team operations; and was the lead dog handler for SEAL team six. John and One of his dogs, toby, saved the lives of six Canadian service members, where unfortunately his dog died of injuries received in the actions. Later, both john and his dog received honors from the Canadian military for their actions.
On Aug 6 2011 1st class PO Douangdara (aged 26)  and his military working dog Bart were killed in the extortion 17 chinook crash from being shot down by enemy fire.
John is survived by his parents and four brothers and sisters.
Today There is a dog park named after John in Sioux City Iowa. John is laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, and the Purple Heart.

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Are You Committed?

YHC had the honor to share the Q with Dark Helmet in celebration of his six years in F3. The disclaimer was disclaimed and the group split between The Fort and Milkshake. Here’s what we did:

  • 10 Imperial Walkers (IC)
  • 10 Low Slow Squats (IC)
  • 10 MNCs, Overhead Claps, Raise the Roofs, Little Baby Arm Circles (IC)

Mosey to the back parking lot

  • 20 Burpees
  • Lap
  • 40 Merkins
  • Lap
  • 60 Squats
  • Lap
  • 80 Little Baby Arm Circles
  • Lap
  • 100 Calf Raises
  • Lap
  • 80 LBCs
  • Lap
  • 60 American Hammers
  • Lap
  • 20 Burpees

Transition to Dark Helmet

For DOAH’s half, we ran around downtown to various parking lots for mumblechatter, Burpees, Bear Crawls, Flutters, and a myriad of other “fun” things. At each stop, he spoke to the 5 Core Principles, the Credo, and various other lessons on becoming a better man through F3. He’s an example of how a man can change if he commits.

So, are you committed? Without commitment, nothing happens. Commitment is required for any gains; gains in your fitness, faith, marriage, work, and life. Commitment is not a feeling. It’s a requirement to get through the hard times. We post in the heat, cold, rain, or shine. Why? Because doing the hard thing at the hard times prepares you for the the future. Commitment isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary to get you prepared for the next hard thing. You can’t get out of something that you don’t put into.

Six years ago, DOAH made the first commitment to daily investment into his fitness. Because of his efforts, he’s down over 50 pounds and up hundreds of new friends. He’s a better husband, father, and leader. What’s his secret? Commitment to betterment – the daily red pill. You have to commit if you want to see gains. Get after it, fellas. Today’s your day. Take it!

Aye!

Italian Job

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Venice or Vienna

7 PAX on a perfect South Carolina morning in November.

Disclaimer was given

Mosey to Band Practice lot
Warmup in cadence
Side-straddle Hops
Imperial Walkers
Hillbilly Walkers
Shoulder Taps
Some Yoga
Squats
Split Squats (L, then R)
Some more Yoga

100 yard runs
1x @ 50% & some exercises for the six to rejoin
2x @ 75% & some exercises for the six to rejoin
1x @ 90% & some yoga for the six to rejoin
4x @ 100% & a walk back

Mosey to the Pull-up Bars for the HIIT portion:

20 seconds on, then 20 seconds rest

Pull ups
Mountain Climbers
Chin ups
Merkins
Burpees
3 rounds

Squats
Knee Ups
Split Squat Left
Split Squat Right
Monkey Humpers
2.25 rounds

Mosey to COT

NMM:
How hard would you push if it weren’t for the guys around you?
How important is it for you to show up so other guys are encouraged to push themselves merely by your presence?


Band Camp dismissed

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6 of My Heroes w/ Me @ Honey Badger

Site Q got my verbal confirmation to Q @ The Badger Den even though I’m deathly afraid of what goes on at the AO on Mondays. Wednesday’s and Friday’s…cakewalks. Monday’s…find me at The Armory. I know I need to run with the big boys to become a big boy though. I appreciate the reminder from Shield and Splinter.

Warmup: 20 SSH + 10 Imperial Walkers

The Thang: Each Pax gave me an exercise to add to my “U R My Hero WOD” board of pain.
I started with Kettlebell Swings.
Stang suggested Hand Release Merkins.
Splinter goes all Splinter on us and suggests Burpees.
Harry Carry added Big Boy Sit Ups.
Cheddah wanted Squats.
Refugee suggested Upright Rows (nice!).
Shield added Side Straddle Hops.

We had our weinke. No joke, these guys are my heroes. The chase after getting better and it’s inspirational.

Round 1: Do 50 Reps, then run a lap (400 meters). Swings x50, lap. HRM x50, lap. Etc.
Round 2: Do 25 Reps, run a lap. Swings x25, lap. HRM x25, lap. Etc.
It looked like Harry Carry and Splinter was going to finish Round 2 so I shared that Round 3 would have been 10 reps and a lap.

5:58 finally came so we closed up shop on the track and headed to COT.

NMM: If you choose to do the hard thing, you have a better chance at becoming better. Find somebody a bit stronger than you or a bit faster than you and then do what they do. Push yourself to keep up with that person. You’ll get better, for sure.

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Hero Workout for PFC Jacob Hancher “Hightower”

Monday we sadly added a new Hero to our workout.  PFC Jacob Hancher was known to F3 Grand Strand as “Hightower”

Jacob William Hancher, 23, passed away October 03, 2020 in Myrtle Beach, SC while serving in the line of duty with the Myrtle Beach Police Department.  He was born July 24, 1997 in Silver Spring, MD.

Jacob graduated from Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, MD in 2015 and attended Horry Georgetown Technical College in Conway, SC.  He began his career with the Myrtle Beach Police Department in 2015 as a Community Service Officer and became a Myrtle Beach Police Officer in January 2020.  Prior to moving to Myrtle Beach, he was a member of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Station 3 from 2014 to 2015.  After moving to Myrtle Beach, he became a member of the Horry County Fire Rescue, Station 45.  He was also an Eagle Scout, Troop 417 in Waldorf, MD

Shield and I created this workout in honor of Hightower.  We wanted to incorporate his age, End of Watch date, and his badge number (374).

We did 9 rounds of 10/3/20 run 400 meters. 10 merkins, 3 burpees, 20 big boys.  Checkout with 77 squats and 100-meter sprint.  This gets you 2.3 miles, 10/3/20 EOW, and 374 reps.

Most of us got to the last round and then the heavens let go and we got POURED on.  After 1/2 of us had finished, we ran for shelter up to the front of NaFo to get out of the rain.  From here, those who didn’t finish completed it under the awning and the rest of us took turns calling out exercises for the rest of the hour.

My phone and speaker were out in the rain too long and malfunctioned during Name-O-Rama.  So no video evidence exists.  RIP Hightower.  Thank you for your service!

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Do 1 More

We had 10 for a Do 1 More workout at Bushwood.

The best part of a Do 1 More for the Q is that you don’t tell the PAX that they will have to do 1 more 😉

Mosey from the football parking lot down the road toward the school.  As we ran past each lamp post, PAX saw an exercise written on the pavement, which started some mumble chatter.  After a little warm-up, PAX were instructed to get a piece of chalk and to AMRAP each of the 8 exercises, with good form, of course.

The 8 exercises were: Merkins, Squats, Burpees, Flutters, CDDs, SSH, Big Boys and Plank Jacks.

There was very little mumble chatter as we were all focused on counting.  Gotta remember music next time 😉

We then ran back down the hill where YHC told them to put their chalk back.  Then we discussed doing 1 more.  Do one more for your M, your 2.0’s, work, and for yourself.  I think Kilbassa said he wanted to have 1 more beer 😉

Then OYO, we completed 1 more rep than we did in round 1 without a timer.  YHC got through the burpees and realized I left my chalk bucket back at the start so I hard to run back to get it and then fell behind.  Stand and Hardwood picked me up as the 6.

Then we did a little Mary where FloppyDisk brought back the overhead claps that he forced us to do at Colesseum.  That was just mean, but made us better.

Great workout gents!  Thanks to Ltrain for the opportunity to lead.

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Stay Hard

I’ve been reading a handful of books these days, and one phrase that has stuck within my mind (as well as my SL) is #StayHard. It has pushed me through the mindset of “I can’t do this” or “I shouldn’t do this.” How many times have we told ourselves that? My question for the PAX today was this: will you stay hard?

And with that, we moseyed.

 

Iteration 1 – Bus Loop Hill Elevens

Nur up grass hill

Run down grass hill 

Bobby Hurleys at the top, CDD’s at the bottom.

Mosey around back of school to playground, switchbacking through the parking lot as we travel.

 

Iteration 2 – Playground Circuit

10 – 8 – 6 – 4 – 2 

Pull Ups

20 – 15 – 10 – 5

Burpees – Merkins – Squats – Lunge Walk – Dips 

Do one round of pull-ups, then one round of the BMSLD’s. Drop the count, repeat. Work your way down to the end.

Low plank in wait for the six between each round.

Mosey to front soccer field in a roundabout fashion.

 

Iteration 3 – Soccer Field Bear Crawl CMIYC

P1 Bear Crawls while partner Bomb Jacks, mosey to partner and flap jack. 

5 Bomb jacks each round, 5 rounds total. It was just enough for a full out and back between goals.

 

Mary

20 x WWI Sit Up

10 x Gas Pumpers w/arms raised

10 x Crunchy Frog

 

‘Twas a wonderful beatdown that encouraged heavy breathing and sore body parts. 2.4 miles traveled in total. The men put in the work, and it was good. Remember when you’re feeling weak or sore, you can still push through your mental barriers. Stay hard.

 

Announcements

FIA Marathon – Support them any way you can!

Chikin N Wizdom Zoom tomorrow morning, 0630 – 0715 w/Straight Up!

 

Prayer Requests

Ruby Slippers’ co-coaches son, Levi, having seizures more often than usual – pray for this bout of his epilepsy to subside.

Those who are isolated due to COVID, in and out of medical facilities.

Cake Boss’ injury and being on IR.

Geronimo’s job search.

 

Thanks Ruby Slippers for scheduling me literally three months ago! Felt like forever, but YHC still didn’t have the weinke built until last night… hope y’all enjoyed it.

 

Punch List out.

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Just. Keep. Posting.

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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Army Captain John D. Hortman

Frequently Asked Questions - CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness

 

Can’t remember the last time YHC Q’ed HB. Happy to be back to what was the normal Monday AO for about a year. Refugee pulled up looking patriotic as ever and YHC was pleased. 0500 hit and we got to work.

 

Short Mosey around the parking lot. 

COP

10 x Windmill

10 x Tappy Tap

20 x SSH

Runner’s Stretch/Yoga Flow 

 

Today we honored Army Capt. John D. Hortman, 30, from Inman, SC; who died in a helicopter crash at Fort Benning, GA. His light attack helicopter crashed on a live-fire range during an exercise with the Army Rangers and other special operations troops. Also killed in the crash was Chief Warrant Officer Steven B. Redd. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, KY. They were both part of the highly trained Night Stalker aviators. Hortman graduated from West Point in 2004. He was a combat veteran with three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He is survived by his mother, Brenda Jones; sister, Jill; and brother, Andy Pierce.

 

Mosey over to pull up bars to layout the iteration. Trucker was pleased to head in said direction. 

HORTMAN 

AMRAP in 45 minutes

800 Meter Run 

80 Air Squats

8 Muscle Ups (Subbed Pull Ups/Dips ILO Muscle Ups)

Most completed 5 rounds. Our “400M stop sign out and back” was more of a 600M so we all ran about a 5K in the midst of the WOD. Solid work by all. Sasquatch arrived at 0518 and still did the same amount of work as all of us.

We finished the 45 minutes of the WOD and had some time to focus on the core.

 

Six Minutes of Mary in Cadence

In & Outs

Forward Bicycle

Reverse Bicycle

Crunchy Frog

Fifer Scissors

Freddie Mercuries 

 

Mosey back to COT. 

 

NMM

Great work today, we were all pretty winded so mumble chatter fell by the wayside – but that means it was difficult. That’s what it should be – as we honored Hortman can no longer fight for our country. This is what I love about this AO. We suffer because they no longer can. Knowing they paid the ultimate sacrifice prompts YHC to fight harder for more reps and faster runs. 

 

Announcements

Anniversary Party coming up this Friday night. Read your newsletter or hit up Backdraft for details!

Shovel Flag hand off happening at RPG this Friday. 

Prayers/Praises

Sasquatch’s SIL is having a planned C-Section this Thursday. Prayers for a safe delivery and healthy mom/baby. 

 

Thank you, Shield, for the chance to lead these men.

 

Punch List out.

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RPG/Varsity Convergence

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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