Joint Operation Command – The JOC – time for revival and invigoration of leadership!

34 Men at the JOC

Was so cool to see two regions come together as originally planned for The JOC. Kenyan has been working hard to attract the PAX from both regions to this awesome AO and today it happened.

I want to thank Kenyan for the opportunity to Q and I am humbled for the call. I want to thank Pusher and DOuble D for accepting the invite to Co-Q with me and making the 3 headed monster complete. The compliants about it being a moderate site were outstanding…..Thank you! I want to thank all the PAX for posting this morning and you all have choices and I don’t take it lightly that you chose to post at The JOC. T-clapps to Lake Wylie PAX for posting and making the trek….much appreciated. Way to go FNG Steve – aka Bluto for posting. That was no easy task for 1st Timer and you did awesome!!

The Thang:

Cake Boss intro and disclaimer and them off to Soccer field lot

  • COP
    • Plank
    • Merkins
    • SIde Straddle HOps
    • LBCs
    • Plank
    • Wide Arm Merkins
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Freddy Murcurys
    • Plank
    • Peter Parkers
    • Moracan Night CLubs
    • Squats
    • Hello Dollys
    • Plank
    • Parker Peters
  • Mosey to end of lot
    • High Knees half way then mosey to end
    • BUtt kickers half way then mosey to end

Hand off to Pusher

  • 5 Burpees
  • Mosey 100 yards or so
  • 4 Burpees
  • Mosey 100 yards or so
  • 3 burpees
  • Mosey 100 yards or so
  • 2 burpees
  • Mosey 100 yards or so
  • 1 burpees
  • I think we did exercises after running but who knows…..people we dying and I pulled my hip flexor, but it was all getting us better!!!

Hand off to Double D

  • 6 Burpees
  • Bearcrawl/backward bearcrawl at each light change
  • 7 Burpees
  • lunge/backward lunge at each light change
  • 8 burpees
  • Mosey
  • 9 burpees
  • Sprint
  • 10 burpees
  • Again  we did exercises after running but who knows…i was seeing the Saints in the clouds

COT

Great time was had by all. Kenyan has solid Q list of guys to pull into the JOC Q rotation. Read your newsletters!!

Steve FNG – Bluto owns or runs the Amor Artis brewery on main street n Ft Mill. Go hit him up but more importantly……get him to post and get better each day!

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BIG DAY at THE YARD!!

11 showed for THE   YARD this past Saturday.

4 elected a pre-run.  3 for a 10K:  White Lighting, Harry Carry and Cake Boss with one for a  5K: Twister

Disclaimer was provided with the admonition that part of the “moderate” is that THE YARD  is only :50 long.  So, off to the THANG:

Warm up – SSH, Plank Work, Lunges and very slow and low squats!!

The PAX were given the option of using a Cindy (cinder block) or a rock for the balance of the workout.  Five PAX elected a Cindy – excellent choice.

Mosey to hill (gentle slope) at entrance of  FMMS.  Here the PAX executed a Jacob’s Ladder of 10 (not 7) with Bomb Jacks and Jump Squats carrying their “coupon”up and down the gentle slope.

Next, mosey to parking lot to south of FMMS and execute a two rounds of:

  1. 20 curls
  2. 20 prone presses
  3. 20 skull crushers or rows

Mosey back to the gentle slope at entrance

2nd Jacob’s Ladder of 7 with Merkins and Squats with three rungs achieved before moseying back to COT for a bit of ab work.

The MOLESKIN: why the burden – besides enhancing the workout, the extra weight represents the burdens that we all carry around with us – let’s loosen those by giving them up to our Lord!!

 

 

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Badger 1 year Convergence

Thank you to our QICs of the Badger Convergence.  For those that were close with Badger and his family who was in attendance it was a blessing to see 78 strong come out in his honor.

Cyclop’s Portion of Badger Convergence

The W/O: The sets follow the dates of every March madness trip I took with badger and the 71-64 significance is the final score of the Kentucky-Wisconsin game in 2015 (our first trip) when badger’s badgers knocked off unbeaten Kentucky in the final 4.  I heard a bit about that. 😎

3 – burpees
19 – merkins
20 – squats
15 – LBCs

64 second – wall sit (people’s chair):  reflect in silence on how we leave no doubt as badger did.

3 – burpees
17 – LBC’s
20 – flutters
16 – burpees

DORA partner up – 71 burpees.  Partner 1 runs to semi trailer and back while partner 2 does burpees then switch off and repeat until 71 is reached

3 – burpees
16 – squats
20 – lunges
17 – flutters

71 seconds – balls to the wall

Reflect on leaving no doubt and what that means for each of us – then mosey to COT.

 

Change Order’s Portion of Badger Convergence

18 merkins
48 Lbc
4 burpees
9 merkins
11 side startle hops
20 freely mercury
07 merkins
39 Lbc
Run a lap in between each

Jiffy’s Portion of Badger Convergence

Headed over to the side of Parking Lot…

 

I shared the Pax my background with Badger – I joined F3 because of him.  F3 has had a meaningful impact on my life and I owe that to Badger.  I shared with the Pax how quickly things turned for Badger and encouraged them (and myself) to make sure we are using our time and resources very intentionally.

 

The workout

 

I had cones setup and the Pax did the following sequences:

  • Lunge Walk to each cone and stop and do 10 jump squats, run back
  • Bear crawl to each cone and stop and 10 merkins
  • 20 LBC’s in cadence
  • Sequence of 10 merkins, 10 plan jacks, 10 merkins, 10 plank jacks, 10 merkins, 10 plank jacks

 

  • Lunge Walk to each cone and stop and do 5 bomb jacks, run back
  • Bear crawl to each cone and stop and 10 carolina dry docks
  • 20 American Hammers in cadence
  • Sequence of 10 merkins, 10 shoulder taps, 10 merkins, 10 shoulder taps, 10 merkins, 10 shoulder taps

 

  • Lunge Walk to each cone and stop and do 10 monkey humpers bomb jacks, run back
  • Bear crawl to each cone and stop and 10 dips
  • 20 flutters in cadence
  • Sequence of 10 merkins, 10 side shoulder punches, 10 merkins, 10 shoulder punches, 10 merkins, 10 shoulder punches

 

  • Straight suicide

 

 

We then ran to the side and between a couple of islands did a Jacobs Ladder with Bomb Jacks on one side and Burpees on the other with a total of 6.

 

Great job by the Pax pushing each other and picking up the 6 at the end.

 

We headed back to the group at the end for COT.  It was an honor to serve especially in honor of Badger.

 

Trucker’s portion of Badger Convergence

Ran behind 9 rounds. Badger would have been 40 this year. So honored him with 40/4 workout. Each PAX had to do 4 rounds of 4 exercises of 40 reps with a run from 9 rounds to end of parking lot.
Merkins
Squats
LBCs
CCD

Then over to Red Bowl wall for 40 leg raises. Wall sits with 2 burpees each down the line. Repeat with 4 scorpion merkins.

Missy to oil change store. 4 PAX lined up 20 yards away while the other took 4 car tires and flipped tires to partner, return back to start. Each PAX then grabbed a tire nd did 40 shoulder presses.

Mossy to COT

 

Senator Tressels Portion of Badger Convergence

After COP, mosey to the inclined driveway by the apartment complex on Tega Cay Drive.  I gathered the group and told them that Matt was my neighbor and friend.  Our families spent time together and that Matt was active in an adult men’s soccer league.  Matt’s fight with cancer was very short and that he was gone way too soon.

 

On to the workout:

 

Jacob’s ladder, 1-7, with burpees at the top of the hill.  Plank when you are finished.

 

Walk to the grass area in front of the apartment gym and circle up for  Jack Webb’s (10/40).

 

Freddie Mercs x 20, and Hello Dolly x 20, all in cadence.

 

End with 90 seconds of the body destroyer.  As the Pax laid still and quiet,  I told them to think about how much they have, how lucky they are, and that every day is a gift.

 

Mosey  back to the Harris Teeter lot for COT

 

End.

 

Decibels Portion of Badger Convergence

 

MERKINS X25

ALTERNATING LUNGES X25

TOE TAPS X25

TONY HAWK BURPEE X15

Heals to Heaven x25

GORILLA HUMPER X20

IMPERIAL WALKER X20

EMPTY WHEELBARROW

SQUATS X20

LBCs  X39

E2K X20 EACH SIDE

ROSALITA X25

During the workout we keep 3 soccer balls moving at all time to honor Badger’s love for soccer. 

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since Badger went to be in heaven.  I was blessed to spend time with him prior to his passing.  We talked about him being saved and how important that was to him.  He let me know that his M was a big reason he was saved but also seeing my families reaction to losing our daughter and son and our dependence on God at that time.  I am saying this to let you know as Christians people watch our actions and want to make sure our actions match our words.  I encourage every Christian brother in F3 to live out your faith and in times of need lean on God just like Badger did in his time. 

My M and I received a letter from Badger.  In that letter he mentioned F3 and the support he and his family received after the diagnosis.  I remember him just being in awe of all the people that were praying for him.  He was so touched by this community that he asked that I make sure that his boys get involved in F3.  It was such a blessing to have Jeter and all the his relatives experience the convergence.  To have 78 men in our community support Badger was an emotional journey for all of us that knew him.  I had several members of his family let me know how much they appreciated the convergence and the support for Badger.  Thank you to each man that showed up!

Badger was a man I respected to the utmost.  He was not a guy that sought attention or glory, but he was always there when you needed him.  He loved his family and was a loyal friend.  I am still in awe of how he bravely prepared to walk into heaven.  It was so comforting to know he was going to see Jesus.  He told me many times that he would take care of our babies (Elizabeth Grace and Garrett) until we met up with him.  Badger was a great Father and I know he is having a blast with my kids in heaven. 

Let us all take this time to pour into, support, love on and encourage our F3 brothers. Then take that momentum and turn it to our families.  Then take that momentum and pour it out on the least and the lost in our community.  Badger knew that God had a purpose for him and that purpose was to spread the word of God’s Grace and Love.  Let’s make that happen for him.

 

 

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Dancin’ at the Ballroom with the topic of Mentorship

10 bootcampers and 2 runners for a total of 12 got out of the fart sack to get better.  This morning all three Fs were in action to get better.  This morning we focused the conversation on one area which included the theme of mentorship. Discussion included:
  • Recognition that we have something to offer and we have to resist the idea that we don’t or we don’t have time.
  • Quickbooks suggest a great read “As Iron Sharpens Iron” which is a book split between the mentors and menthe’s perspective
  • We recognized the mentors show up and don’t have to be there which makes them special (unlike a parent that is always there… from a child’s perspective
Before we launched we did a little stretching… Broga Style
Mosey up the parking lot a few meters and lined up in three lines for some back and forth with run, power skip, side shuffle while the line is doing squats, mountain climbers, SSH.
Mosey to Football field to celebrate the the 28th day of the month.
  • 5 yard increments 1,2,3…reps up to 28
  • Bear crawl between 5s all the way down the field and back
  • Exercises CDDs, Squats, Seal Claps
  • Run after each cycle back to end zone and back
Mosey to wall for wall work
5 min of MARY
It was an honor to lead
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River District Run – Clydesdales

21 posted to Clydesdales.  Pretty simple backblast.  We ran.  Here’s what many pax ran, but not all.

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You getting Chesty with Me?

Disclaimer

Warmup

Live Right is the second quadrant of the QSource. It is the HIM’s dedication to Purposefulness. Purpose is an Advantage sought.

SET 1:
Merkins , 10 IC
Derkins, 10 IC
Incline merkins, 10 IC

LAP

SET 2:
Wide grip merks, 10 IC
Diamond merks 10ic
Carolina Dry Docks 10ic
Lap

Live Right is focused on the HIM’s IMPACT on the lives of other people and how he helps them to Accelerate

Repeat set 1, 8 reps ic
Lap
Set 2×8
Lap
X6’s
Lap
X4’s
Lap
X2’s

The HIM is also a man who finds that in his effort to Live Right by carrying the Survivors and IMPACTing the Sad Clowns he gets an unexpected benefit—he himself is kept Right.

COT

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Just a Mere Tune-Up

How in the world did I get the honor of Qing one of the most popular ruck workouts of the year? I don’t know but I didn’t want to disappoint. Usually, that last comment means it’s time to absolutely BRING IT. But the trick this AM was to find that balance of bringing it but not killing it since we’re dangerously close to being short on GRH/GRT/GRL PAX.

Alright, I’ve got my head right, Weinke written and little sleep. Yup, par for the course so let’s roll. 24 brothers joined me at the Fire Ant this morning which for those who’ve not attended, is building quite the strong brotherhood. Again, here’s my plug to try rucking for a month and see if you set the ruck down.

After we disclaimed and talked about the upcoming event this weekend, we made our way to the sidewalk to get in two lines with rucks opened on the ground for a mock inspection. Once complete, zip up, ruck up and fall into 2 lines for a ruck lap around the loop.

Once the lap was complete, stay in 2 lines and lay the rucks on the ground on the outside of the lines. In formation, Side-Straddle Hops, Imperial Walkers, Sumo Squats & Moroccan Night Clubs. Now for a little BEEP BEEP, I’M A JEEP!!

In formation, drop to a squat, hold the ruck out front and duck walk for a bit. Then some ruck curls. Then, drop to a squat, hold the ruck out front and reverse duck walk for a bit back to the starting point. Guess what? More ruck curls.

Now, rotate 90deg so you’re facing the outside, away from the other line for shoulder presses, upright rows and bent over rows. Then a nice set of flutters WITH the needed presses.

Line up on the left side of the 2 long straight-aways for an exercise with the ruck, leave your ruck and run to the far end, do an exercise then run back to your ruck. Here’s the set list:

10 Ruck Thrusters, leave the ruck and run to the other end

5 8ct Burpees then run back

20 Ruck Curls (great on paper), leave the ruck and run to the other end

10 8ct Burpees then run back

Back in our 2 lines of formation for:

12ct Merkins…sans Ruck

Flutters w/ the Press

LBC’s w/ the Rucks up

Box Cutters w/ the Rucks up

More Beep Beep, I’m a Jeep stuff

THAT’S IT!!!

See, not so bad. Just another Tuesday in The Fort.

HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE

SYITG

Maximus

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Spring break, spring break!

What a great morning for a run around Wally World! Cool air and a nice breeze countered the 100% humidity for a comfortable loop of a tried and true Flight Plan classic. The numbers were low by current standards. That can be attributed to 3 things; 1) No looming CSAUP or road race; 2) Some regulars having participated in Charlotte Race Fest 1/2 marathon this Saturday and 3) Spring Break!

The last on the list allowing for a few of the PAX to have an impromptu coffeteria while M’s & 2.0s were tucked snuggly in their beds. A nice cameo from Tesh as we enjoyed our Starbucks. Tackling all the worlds’ problems and comparing who had a better SOI, Twister or Double D.

Annoucnments:

AKAY2 led by Funhouse continues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canoli Run – May 18th – https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/FortMill/SPNCannoli5kRunAndFamilyWalk

Prayer Requests:

Safe travel for all PAX going bi-coastal for Spring Break

Hootie’s Mother In Law for biopsy results that will be received today

Will – Friend of Cyclop’s M who is going into rehab

NMM

For me right now, all is good. I’m not saying I have it all figured out but I know that I’m blessed. I’ve got some time off from the students but that honey do list is long for my Spring Break. So I’m making sure I get this out quickly.

See you in the gloom,

Boeheim

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TABATA FRIDAY

14 men kicked off their Friday morning with a good sweat at The Swamp.  About 1/2 left with their rucks, and the rest of them did this:

The Thang:

Short mosey up and around one of the  large parking lots,  and stop in the front of the Sprint store for COP:

SSHx25,merkin x 10,  IW x 20, windmill x 15, squat x 20, small arm circles (20 F/20R), large arm circle (10F/10R).

Take a lap around the parking lot and stop at the same spot for Tabata:  8 exercises, 8 sets of each exercise, 20 secs per set, and 10 secs rest in between each set.  The exercises were:

  1.  Carolina Dry Dock
  2. Flutters
  3. Squats
  4. Mountain climbers
  5. Freddie Mercury
  6. Jumping Lunges
  7. Merkins
  8. LBC’s

COT

This is my ‘go to’ workout when I have no time to plan a workout.   I accepted the Q invitation from Cha Ching last week, and I didn’t look at the date.  When the reminder came through on Tuesday, I thought,’ oh crap, not this week!’  Work and family obligations have been especially challenging lately,  and I was not planning on squeezing in anything else this week.  But, I canceled on Cha Ching the last time he scheduled me, and I didn’t want to do it a 2nd time.  So, the Tabata fit the bill.  You can make this workout as hard as you like depending on which exercises you pick.  Today’s workout was about in the middle of the tough scale and I designed it to suit my current fitness level and my sore knee.

There was very little mumble chatter today, save for one moment when one of the Pax let out a rather loud release of gas  (not sure who).  Someone said, ‘dude, you may want to check that’,  and the response was ‘no, I’m good.’  That made me laugh.  Not sure why fart humor still makes mature men crack up.

We had a good crowd today and it was nice to see some new and familiar faces, and also a banged up face (hope you are feeling better Jedi).    I’m glad I was able to fit in this Q and, as always,  it was a privilege to lead such a fine group of men.

Announcements/prayers and praises:

This month is Mental Health Awareness month.

Prayers for Twister’s niece who committed suicide, Cornerstones daughter, and Senator T’s mother.

 

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Building blocks which start with grains of sand

As I drove to the Yard for what was looking to be a beautiful morning, I started to think about what my message for the day would be since I didn’t plan for that portion of the workout…which is very normal.  I quickly became distracted, as I typically do as well, only to find I had showed up at the AO with no message plan…to be continued.

Standing and waiting for the PAX, up strolls Magnum – fearless leader of the AO. Soon to be followed by MASH and then Weezer (although YHC had noticed Twister’s car but no Twister). YHC commented that although the Yard is a moderate workout site, the plan was to step out of the comfort zone today and push yourself just a bit which the workout would accommodate of course. Quick disclaimer and off we mosey’d with some butt kickers and high knees. We circled up and did the following:

  • SSH x25, 2 burpees
  • Low slow squat x10, 2 burpees
  • CDD x20, 2 burpees
  • Plank jacks x10, 2 burpees
  • Cherry pickers x9, 2 burpees
  • Overhead claps x25, 2 burpees
  • Extra shoulder stretching, downward dog and honeymooner to wrap up

The Thang!

Didn’t go far as YHC explained the progression workout getting ready to be unleashed.  Here’s how that went down…  After each of the below items, we were going to run down the hill that exits from the school from the main front doors, then backwards run up the hill (quadzilla style), then run the rest of the way back to where the exercises would be performed.

Once the original 4 finished the first 10 bombjacks, we were joined by Twister and Spartacus who had returned from their 3.2 mile pre-ruck – perfect timing!

  • 10 bomb jacks, then run, then come back and wait for the 6 before the next exercise
  • 20 step ups (10 each leg), then the 10 bomb jacks, then the running and waiting for 6
  • 30 dips, then 20 above, then 10 above, run…you get the point
  • 45 (because 40 didn’t make sense) calf raises – 15 out, regular, in; then 30, 20, 10…
  • 50 SSH, then 45, 30….

Now that the PAX had a nice base sweat going, YHC decided it was time for a short “10 count” via the message portion of the program.  As YHC was running up and down the hill, I noticed all the ant hills and how those little guys were working together to build their homes.  Similar to how we as PAX and HIM structure our lives and communities – grain by grain, brick by brick.  We have to start somewhere and if that’s a grain vs. a brick, it’s still momentum and growth.  We need to rely on whetstones for growth (spoiler alert for soon to follow QSource) as well as shieldlocks.  We can’t do this alone and shouldn’t have to do it alone – just like the little ants, they have their own PAX for support and foundational building.  Last I checked, none of us have this figured out so who better to lean on than your fellow brothers!  One step at a time, one grain at a time….sometimes one “close your eyes” leap!

Next station stop was over by the basketball hoops where we got to sharpen our merkin skills.  After each set of merkins, we ran down to the last basketball hoop and back.

  • 15 regular merkins
  • 15 wide arm
  • 15 diamond
  • 15 decline
  • 15 ranger
  • 15 incline

That’s 90 total these PAX crushed in a matter of minutes.  This left us about 4-5 minutes of MARY where we went around the horn for each PAX to call and count their own exercise.  Off to COT after MARY where we counted off, name-o-rama, and announcements.  Prayers for the PAX parents, friends and 2.0s.  5 of the 6 of us were able to make it over for QSource for further discussion on Whetstone!  Great work and always a pleasure to lead and be part of the early morning gloom (even though it was nice and sunny!).

Shady

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