My goodness was the weather confusing this morning. Got up and it said it was 57 but then quickly dropped to about 50 when the workout started. But then add in all the wind it probably felt more like 45. What to wear, who cares we are real men, right? We don’t worry about those things… 🤔 Well, after a crazy day of tornadoes, rain and storms I think the PAX welcomed the dry air.
So about this time a month ago I Q’d the Brave and wanted to see if we could make it all the way to Morrison Y, Bradshaws, Murderhorn and then back to COT within the hr while stopping for a few dance routines. Ok, maybe the dance was on the weinke but again these were manly men so we laced up our running straps and did burpees instead – a lot.
This time around being the original Q that YHC is, i decided we would do this route again but this time in reverse. So for those that were privy to last months workout, you were able to receive a second dose – don’t you feel privileged?
Let’s start from the beginning. To my surprise Fahvra had made a return, but exclaimed this had actually been his second time posting this week – impressive. Especially for a guy that lives all the way over in Tega Cay, living the high life. Well, he decided to grace us with his very fast presence this morning.
Lively group this morning and was excited to see so many posting on such a windy day. It got me motivated a little. We had an overall fast group today so I knew we would be ok doing the same route (in reverse).
We quickly marched up Ballantyne Commons and into Thornhill to find the murderhorn playground where we did 3 sets of 5 pull-ups and 10 LBCs by the road.
After that a quick mosey up murderhorn and onto the staircase above Bradshaws we did 7s – Burpees and Jump Squats. Fire Hazard and Fahvra took off and led the whole way. I believe they even got an extra round in. Taco Stand was carrying me through and I tried to keep up but I am pretty sure he passed me. Dude is getting fast and is posting a lot – great job!
We were now half way through and already at 2.4 – as Fire Hazard exclaimed. I didn’t tell him but I already had 2.5 even though I was behind him. He must have been talking breaks somewhere.
”Let’s go”, YHC exclaimed and we were off to our next destination – the Shell station at the corner of Elm and Bryant Farms. At each pump we did 5 burpees and Bearcrawled in between each pump – total of 5 pumps I believe.
A long dark jog to ‘The Flats at Ballantyne’ we crawled into the parking lot – literally…forwards and backwards and forwards and backwards and forwards and backwards and maybe one more time, my arms were shot at this point.
Time to head home, we grabbed some pavement with our feet on Community House and mumblechattered our way back to the light at Ballantyne Commons. 5 Merkins and we headed to COT for some Mary.
Man…..great showing today. Proud to get out here when I can. Always love the push my F3 brothers provide in the gloom. As many of you know, I struggle with sleeping (a lot) and have not been able to get out near as much as I would like. Almost to the point now that posting during the week has become almost impossible. So although I had 1 kid and the M throwing up at home this morning, I made a commitment to you guys and made it happen. By the way, the M actually understood and she knows that I love you all and F3. I was already up at 4a changing kids sheets so might as well go at this point. 🙂
Well, have to get back to kid duties so can not write too much more. Love you all and hope to see in the gloom again soon!
One-Niner out!
Prayer Request: Please pray for Lee, Softies father in law. He had a heart attack and is now going to be approaching each day with the understanding that it could be his last. I am glad Soft Pretzel shared this prayer request this morning because it all gives us something to think about. We never know when our last day may be so fellas, live as if it is your last. Hug your wife, your kids…call your parents. But most of all love Jesus and let others know this! He is the greatest gift ever given.
Announcement: Run Jen Run 5k. Check it out. There will be 4 chairs being pushed and a great opportunity for F3 to show up and support.
If anyone has read my backblast – probably not a lot since I do not write them often enough BUT I am neither flashy nor entertaining and strictly get to the point of the day.
But today I do have one thing that I will share that has been weighing on my heart these last few weeks. So much in the past I have relied on the 1st F (which is great btw – we all need it) to bring me satisfaction, happiness and purpose – but to be honest it really hasn’t. What it has done for me (and I am only speaking for myself) is drawn me further away from my family and God because I rely too heavily on the physical aspect of F3. I could go on and on as to why I have done this in the past but I would rather focus on the future. My relationship with Jesus has grown exponentially over the last month and its mainly because I did not have much of one to begin with. I went to Church, sang the songs, listened to the sermon and then went about my week, never looking back or forward and absolutely never spending time in the Word or time alone with Christ. Jesus has really hit me hard these last few weeks and i have began to realize that He is the most important thing in my life and I need to stop searching for purpose and start trusting His will for my life – as He is my purpose and He will use me as he see fits in any situation i encounter. Why am I telling you all this, I wanted to share this because I feel like something has drastically changed in my life over these last few weeks and honestly, its hard to keep in BUT also I would like for everyone who reads this to know that i need accountability, I need people to tell me when i am not acting Christ like, when I fall short of being a friend. This is just the start of my deeper Jesus-centered walk so I will trip up, I will say things or do things that don’t sound like what I am saying here – but just know I am working hard on myself through Him to be better, to love you all more as Jesus did and most of all love Him more.
Probably didn’t expect all that from a Brave backblast but there it is, I said it…lol
So with all that being said, here is the ‘to the point of the day’ backblast. Another soggy Carolina morning as Mario and YHC drew straws on who would Q this morning. Still not sure who won but I took the reigns and off we went. It was a quick decision on whether or not we should hit the deck as the rain had suddenly stopped and the puddle soaked pavement started to feel more welcoming – so we took a chance and headed out on my planned route down community.
We made a stop at the first intersection for some merkins and squats, allowing the 6 to catch up. Then headed over to the apartments at the intersection of Bryant Farms and Community House for a bearcrawl/crawlbear sequence, intertwined with some merkins and squats once again.
Once that was over we made our way to the shell station at the corner of BF and Elm for some pump to pump bear crawls and squats. Bearcrawl to each pump, 5 squats at each pump x 4.
We then moseyed over to the stairwell by bradshaws for 7s – burpees and squats.
Quick Mosey to the stoplight at Ballantyne commons and elm for merkins, squats and flutters and then headed west towards the playground off the murderhorn.
Once we arrived, we accomplished 3 rounds of 5 LBCs and 5 pull-ups.
After which, we headed back for COT. Total of around 5 miles for the day and made it just in time to make COT.
Prayers for Buckys Mother-in-law and our current world relationships as many have probably read the news today.
Announcements: Davinci and Stonehenge convergence on 1/11 (i think). Get with Wild Turkey and Mighty Mite for deets.
On a brisk chilly morning 37 men across the REAL, FAKE Swift and Bagpipe fought the freeze to get better. Apparently there was a mutiny among the Swift PAX with the inability to determine which WO was the REAL Swift, but that was nothing compared to the contention that the Oatmeal-flakes brought to the Bagpipe board last week when it was suggested to move Bagpipe to Panera. Although I have an opinion i will not take the time to express it here since the decision was made clear this morning when Tagalong announced that Bagpipe would be staying at The Vine. Frehley’s had some strong influence (possibly a political payoff) on this one which awarded him the Oatmeal Cup.
So with the trophy given, the Bagpipe PAX ventured out. Wait…no we didn’t…we did 40 merkins to get those shoulders warm before stomping some asphalt.
We got close to a mile in, working in some merkins, squats and other various exercises before hitting our landing point at the bottom of Bagpipe hill.
11s was called with Burpees at the bottom and Squats at the bridge, starting with 1 Burpee. Instruction was to partner up so everyone had someone to encourage.
Although we only made it to 8 Burpees we still got in our 9 and 10 before COT.
Thanks to all the PAX for showing up and thanks to Kirby and Tagalong for the opportunity to lead.
Announcements: Bring lightly used clothes and Toys to your AOs this week for Escobar. Please bring lightly used clothes (business clothes and “NEW” socks are preference) for Strawberry to take to Church on the Street.
Christmas Party sign-up is over. If you made the list, look forward to a good time to be had this Friday!
Ironically this is the first time YHC has had the opportunity to Q since taking over as co-site Q of Bagpipe – mainly due to injury. YHC was SO glad to be able to share some of the muscle memory with the PAX as it was the perfect morning to go on an adventure. Well…not too much of an adventure but enough to make some of the early mumblechatter wonder where we were going and if we would end up in a deck since the sprinkle was starting to melt away some of the manly PAX’s egos. But I digress.
Lets take a step back for a moment…
When YHC first pulled in there was already some mumble as to if YHC would show, this was even further exacerbated by the fact that the PAX refused to circle up where they usually do and were meandering through the Vine parking lot like a pack of dogs that lost their Alpha. Unfortunately for them that Alpha never showed but YHC did, and in some aspect was able to untangle the web of confusion that helped in regaining the PAX’s confidence in YHC – only for a little while that is.
This is where the confusion really began…Paper Jam yelling that this is definitely not SWIFT was one comment I heard (but not sure why he cares since he is definitely a runner and enjoys this sh*t) as we ran about .8 miles before warming up. Luckily for the PAX that warm up run was all downhill. Unfortunately for the PAX, if they truly wanted to see the warmth and comfort of the parking deck they would have to climb back out. So that’s what we did after completing a few merkins, side straddle hops and squats.
So about another mile in (12min 47sec later) we found ourselves at the deck. Immediately we jumped into what YHC had planned for the main event. Ok, so I called 5 rounds for this and I think we realistically only had time for 2 but WTH. So this is what we did. At the bottom of the deck we partnered up. Wheelbarrow to the top of the first hill, 10 hand slap merkins. Run opposite staircase as partner to top where you meet up and complete another wheelbarrow (opposite partner) followed by 10 hand slap sit ups. Repeato.
We had a little time left over so we put in a little leg work with peoples chair and counted until YHCs legs about collapsed.
Mosey over to the nearest parking lot where we finished off with some Mary and headed back to COT.
Everyone looked strong out there today and FNG Disabled List (not sure how he got this but cant wait to find out) was out front right away. A Chunder groupie so no doubt he was going to be. Hard to be slow when you are 12 years old.
YHC had to make a quick exit so tagalong took the lead at COT – appreciate it brother! 19 was the count but missed 2. Sorry, if you know who you are feel free to comment below.
Announcements:
F3 Dads Charlotte Checkers on 3/17. Link is posted in SLACK, $23 per ticket. Contact Frasier for more info.
Date night this Saturday, look at the sign up genius MT posted on SLACK. Dinner and Escape Room
New 3rd F initiative: Sandbox. Look for the new F3 SLACK Channel “The_Sandbox”. Family members that have been diagnosed with a terminal illness need our help in facilitating small deeds. This could include yard work, travel, groceries, etc. GREAT OPPORUNITY to serve. Contact Soft Pretzel, Transporter or Flipper.
If you are old contact Mr. Bean. He says he has a workout that doesn’t include running, lifting or young guys nagging you. Its called The Fishing Hole and the first WO is this Thursday, 3/8 at Charlotte Catholic with Chelms on Q.
YHC has been patiently waiting for my own return to The Arsenal. It has been several months, maybe even closer to a year since being at this AO. Apparently, me not being there has been one of the greatest things that has happened because there were new faces everywhere and I politely had to introduce myself – at ironically the AO that YHC and Pebbles started and Fire Hazard and Ringer truly made it what it is today – great job guys!
One nice change that this AO has sprung forth is the 0500 pre-run option. A perfect 3mi warmup through the hills of Point Carpenter. Also known as Ringer and YHCs old BRR training ground for the infamous 2015 race that we were strangely able to talk Pebbles into – which he elegantly disclaimed he would never run again or was it, “I am never running this $@#$ again”. I think it was the latter. But I digress, these hills today were a good warmup for what was to come. One other thing about this time change and the option to have a 0500 prerun. For those who are runners, this is a great day to get atleast 5-6 miles in and still get a good leg workout in as well…something many of us runners neglect and need to strengthen to prevent injury. #foodforthought
0527 and The Thang was quickly approaching.
I believe it was also at this time that Bounty Hunter shouted out asking who I was. touché.
As the PAX scrambled to figure out if they were going to workout or go home – 2 PAX actually decided to leave. I believe it was Sauerkrat and Pin-up – who I unfortunately mistook as Pimp and still thought it was Pimp until I was finally corrected several hours later. Not sure which is better though. Apparently their Savage Race Tapers were calling but still needed that last 3mi to set them off.
0530 – The Thang
Head out across the AO to the 100yard parking lot. Close to a mile where we ran 4-5 strides. Trying to explain their purpose was obviously lost in translation OR I was just lost in my endeavor to actually try to communicate something I barely understand.
Once our loose legs were loose enough to actually begin to beat them to the slow death they deserved the PAX headed over to the playground to not touch one piece of child equipment that grown men frequently abuse (watch it).
We planked until the six returned and performed some dog pissers (thanks Keilbasa).
We started with leg lifts and lunge x10 on the left leg then took a lap. Repeato with right leg. Then we performed a beautiful rendition of the river dance or one legged hops x100 right leg then ran a lap. Repeato with left leg. Following that nice ensemble we pretended to figure skate across the sidewalk – it was lovely, then took a lap. The last exercise (more of a stretch) was called the triangle x 20 on right leg. Repeato with left leg.
After all those fun games we headed to the wall where we performed 40 lunges and 30sec wall sits, 38 lunges and 30sec wall sits, 30 lunges and 30sec wall sits, 20 lunges then 30sec wall sits and finally 10 lunges and 30sec wall sits.
Ran around the school for 1min of Mary and called it a COT.
Thanks again Ringer for letting me Q. I will be back. Fellow PAX get out to the arsenal, it is something of elite nature now – when I’m not Qing of course. I could see the potential.
Names are combined from SWIFT and Bagpipe. 18 at Bagpipe and I believe 16 at SWIFT.
One of the very few workouts YHC has never taken the opportunity to Q is bagpipe, as the typical route to follow is to attend the SWIFT crew on Tuesdays. YHC has been missing out as Bagpipe always has good numbers and for a very good reason, this AO is incredible. YHC typically attends SWIFT, The Brave and even the occasional Stonehendge, but this AO is for those weekly gloom goers that need the extra 15min of the fartsack and still get a taste of what the vine and Ballantyne corp park has to offer.
With not a whole lot of time to plan this workout but wanting to grab the opportunity to Q (while I felt like the legs still needed some rest from that really long 5k I ran on Saturday at Joe Davis) I decided to help a brotha out and grab this last minute Q from Thin Mint.
So with that, here is what we did.
The THANG:
Mosey over to parking lot near the garden bar – new name. A couple of warm up moves to loosen the shoulders.
Plank for the 6 and cadence out some Merkins to 15. Then hit the usual IW, Windmills and a little Plank-O-Rama.
Mosey down to the Fitness path and to the unforgiving pull-up bars where we partnered up.
5 Rounds with your partner each doing 10 pullups and 20 Merkins. In between rounds run to other side of bridge to parallel pull up bars or standard pullup bars. Depending on which side you started.
When finished meet at the outdoor tables beside the pond, don’t know the name of the buildings, pond or any other landmarks for that matter but we met and we stayed with our partners to complete 10 box jumps and 20 Derkins. Again, 5 rounds and after each round we ran.
Once finished, met up and completed some single legs squats, low slow squats and wall sits.
One final mosey to the vine for some flutters and we called it a day.
Total of around 2.3 miles, 50 pullups, around 250 merkins and 50 box jumps.
Moleskin:
Once again, very appreciative of the opportunity to be able to lead Bagpipe this morning and meet some new faces. Thanks Bucky and Morning After for the warm welcomes and hope that no one got lost on our adventure around Ballantyne corp. If I ever get out of making Tuesdays my running day or just need a day off of the legs, YHC will make sure to jump in and either Q or join this group again.
I saw a quote from a very famous person saying, “The Brave, where boys become men, where the weak become strong and where Tolkien never post – unless he has to Q”. Never truer words from a very wise man.
Today there were a lot of burpees, a lot of lunges and a lot of running. Also a few 90sec hang from bars. Total of around 4 miles. Included in the second half of the workout, we ran through two sessions of 30 burpees to mirror being penalized for missing or failing an obstacle – lesson learned, don’t fail an obstacle as 30 burpees straight are terrible.
10 strong made it through and all shared in the 5 burpee penalty at the end.
Remember to wear RED on Fridays in remembrance of those that have deployed and allow us to workout at such an ungodly hour.
Honor to Q the brave and look forward to the next opportunity.
This was a last minute Q for YHC, so did not have much time for originality but still found this one to be an ultimate beatdown a few weeks ago when Q’d by Sharknado. Writing this on a time crunch so no time for witty comments…sorry.
The THANG:
Grab your KB and head to the artificial turf for a one-sided pyramid or tower – still don’t know what to call it but this is how it went:
10 reps of each exercise
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
Round 10
Round 11
After that fun routine was over we mosey’d back over to the playground for some pull-ups
First, a little core pull-up – as many as you can do in a minute.
Pull-O-Rama
6 MInutes of Mary