3 Pax gathered under the parking lot lights at Joust on a chilly spring morning. Based on the attire and numbers you might have guessed it was December. The Q was carrying what looked like a grocery bag use to pick up a dog’s business, but the disclaimer was made and off we went.
Mosey back to and around the track for:
Triangle of Pain (you can’t really circle up with 3 PAX):
20 SSH IC
20 IW IC
20 Mtn Climber IC
10 Merkin IC
After that the Q revealed a flashlight and asked Smokey to pick a slip of paper from the bag. It read
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, cannot be heard, cannot be smelt. It lies behind stars and under hills and empty holes it fills. It comes first and follows after, ends like, kills laughter.”
The Pax had 1 minute to solve the riddle and failed this time (answer: The Dark) so to Grandmother Mtn we went for 11s – toes to bar at the top and LBCs at the bottom
Smokey tried for a rename today by virtually Slaloming down the frosty slopes of Grandma, work was done and the Pax plotted their strategy to solve the next riddle.
After the 11s, Yeti chose the riddle. It read:
“What is the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space, the beginning of every end and the end of every race?”
Again 1 minute to solve and Yeti had the answer before he finished reading – the Letter E
The reward was a quick trip to the school wall for some posture wall sitting and traditional People’s Chair – much better than 11s on a steep hill and the motivation to solve the riddles increased
Smokey was up again with the riddle and pulled a slip reading:
“What is nowhere but everywhere, except where something is?”
Again a minute to solve and the Pax were stumped though Smokey was close with oxygen. (answer: Nothing) so down to the field we went for 7s across the field – squats at the far side and money humpers on near side
Yeti pull the next riddle which was:
“The more you cut me, the bigger I grow. What am I?”
Another minute passed and the Pax were stumped (answer: a Hole).
Jack Webb let out a little chuckle and descended onto the field to lead us in a quick round of 1-10 merkins with 4x air presses
We were out of time so back to the cars for COT
Moleskin:
Answers:
16 men posted on this muggy like July October morning for some promised old school suckage. YHC doesn’t post often on Mondays any more and was surprised to see some old school PAX (Ocho Cinco) gather up in the gloom.
Geraldo and LaRonda quickly learned that the 2 rocks mysteriously at our assembly point were coming with us and they were voluntold (YHC did say please) to grab the rocks and follow YHC
Little baby jog to the soccer fields for…
COP – 15x SSH, 15x IW, 15x Mtn Climber and 15x Low Slow Squat
Form up in two lines behind Geraldo and LaRonda for what amounted to about 2 1/2 laps around the field of Indian Coupon run
PAX were relieved when we stopped and dropped the rocks in their rightful place.
Partner up and find a spot on the sidewalk facing the field for 1-2-3.
P1 – runs to second unlit post and back
P2 – does called exercise
flapjack until called quantity is achieved
Round 1 – 100 hand release merkins
Round 2 – 200 flutters
Round 3 – 300 squats
Round 4 – burpees (each PAX runs 2x)
Round 5 – 8 count man-makers (each PAX runs 1x)
Circle up on the field for 6MOM – 20x LBC, 20x LBC right, 20X LBC left, 20x Greg Lougainis, 20x Mtn Climber
10x 8 count man-makers IC
Form up in 2 lines for some Indian Run back to the cars
COT
Moleskin:
18 men stepped into the probably typical but seemingly cold Friday AM gloom with the promise on the Twitter of some #FunFriday. This is how it went down:
Mosey to the near end of the track for quick circle and 20xSSH
Mosey to the far end of the track for a quick circle and 20xIW
Mosey to the near end of the track for a quick circle and 20xMtn Climbers (no one saw the forshadowing in that one)
Mosey to the far end of the track, next to Grandma Mountain for something new. Not 7s or 11s but 14s. Burpees at the bottom and squats at the top.
After that little bit of work we moseyed up Grandma one more time for some gym work. Partner up where P1 does AMRAP pullups while P2 does 30 LBCs and flapjack 3x.
Mosey to the far end of the field for a little push-a-rama – Merkins x10, Wide Merkins-10 and Diamond x5
Finally on to #FunFriday with relay races. 4 man teams for 25 yard sprints. In the Total Request Live segment, we did one round with bear crawls rather than sprints
Mosey back to cars for 10 burpees OYO
COT.
Moleskin:
1) Interesting how where you were yesterday influences what you think today. Stone Cold was in Tampa and this fine 35 degree morning felt cold. YHC had been in Pittsburgh this week where it was snowing with 23 wind chill yesterday this 35 felt great.
2) Yeti thinks we had a strong turnout due to a “magnetic” Q. YHC thinks it was the #FunFriday in the tweet
3) Why 14s up Grandma? Simple answer is that 1+2+3+…+14=105 so it’s another way to get to 100 burpees and a lot of trips up the hill
4) Amazing how fast you feel running on the flat track after all those trips up Grandma
5) Doesn’t appear the PAX watch many track or swimming relays. Somehow the 4 man relay had about 12 legs. Might have something to do with all the BRR training the PAX does. Relays don’t have to be 200+ miles…
6) Good to have Les Mis back for a time from South Africa for a bit
17 men posted to the frosted plains of Death Valley on this holiday week. Rumor is that the DV AO is plagued by gophers and so we needed to chase it down. Here is how it happened
Mosey around the lot for latecomers (Floorslapper was later than that allowed for) and down the access path to the baseball fields for COP
SSH x 20
IW x20
Mtn Climbers x20
Merkins x10
Sometime during COP we picked up Floor Slapper and our FNG. FS wasn’t late, he was being hospitable to the newcomer…
Mosey to the top of the stairs for the gopher…
P1 runs the track
P2 runs to the baseball bleachers and does 10 burpees, 40 jump lunges and 20 flutters
Meet at the starting point for 10 hand slap merkins and flapjack
Repeat for ~25 minutes
Regroup and mosey to the grass by the bus lot for mary
LBC x 20
Dolly x 20
Freddie Mercury x 20
“Sherpa” x 10 (6 count exercise combining makhtar ndiaye and mountain climber)
Rosalita x 20
COT
Moleskine:
The gopher isn’t the most social of workouts (or maybe YHC isn’t the most social guy out there). So we spent a little extra time today in COT sharing what everyone wants for Christmas. YHC doesn’t remember all the requests but here are some of the highlights:
Smokey – the next Peyton Manning to enroll at UT soon
Semi Gloss – CMS to spring for heated seats in the Semi Gloss shack at DV
Puddin Pop – some colorful workout shirts because he’s putting the blue and gray away in ‘17
Fireman Ed – the freedom to wear tights without shorts to workouts
Retread – front row tickets to the Soap Box derby in his hometown of Akron, OH
Salt Lick – more pull-ups and less running at all workouts
Tiger Rag – Clemson national FB championship and a purple paw print for the hood of the Jeep
Floor Slapper – a watch that keeps time with atomic clock precision so he’s not late to workouts
If you’re still reading it might be good to know that that list above is a complete fabrication by YHC as an attempt to save what is otherwise a lack luster BB.
Always a privilege to lead.
12 men stepped into the best lit middle school parking lot in SCLT on an uncertain morning to keep moving forward. An even dozen is a great number for the first 2 F’s and we embarked into the darkness for some old school favorites:
Mosey to track for a moving COP
Half a lap and an exercise, rinse and repeat (like an old school Harley workout) – ran a full mile and did SSH, IW, Squats, Mtn Climbers, Lunges, Flutter, Freddy Mercury
Pair up for some laps and exercise – P1 runs while P2 exercises – 2 rounds with merkins and squats
Mosey to the baseball bleachers for stations
10 merkins, 10 supine pull-ups and 20 step ups – 2 times through
Mosey to the Semi-Gloss Shack for some People’s Chair with Block Presses (yes there are still some blocks at DV)
To the bottom of the dark, uneven hill by the parking lot for 7s – burpees at top and squats at bottom
Bear crawl to top of hill
Finished the last 90 seconds with some Flutters and Rosalita
Moleskine:
1) Runstopper needs a sign to answer the questions about Ninja Turtle – must have heard him answer the same questions 3x during the moving COP. Good news is that NT is doing well and close to the starting point of the BRR in southern VA – really amazing to think about that hike
2) Joker’s Wolly Vest has a broken zipper. When he warmed up and took it off he had to slip it off like a dress. Think he should add a new one to his Christmas list.
3) Even during the workout Semigloss wants to go to the john – taking up the position closet to the bathroom door for People’s Chair
4) Dollywood and Ringer pairing up on the exercise and a lap left the rest of us in the dust – young legs
5) YHC has had the privilege to lead 2 workouts this week and has been taking inspiration from things I remember from the 4+ years I’ve been involved in F3. Certainly something I’m thankful for as we head into the holiday season.
Announcements:
Soccer Arms Cup coming up – players and spectators welcome.
Holiday Party sign up
With an extra hour’s rest, PAX turnout was high – 24. So high, YHC was accused of incenting PAX to post. With a quick disclaimer we embarked on the dark, uneven plains of MRES
Jog around back of school to mini-track (with bright new lane lines) for COP:
SSH x 20 IC
IW x 20 IC
Shore Shoulders – front and back
Low Slow Squats x 20
Mtn Climbers x 20 IC
Merkins x 10 IC
Jog to the gym for the main event – break into 4 groups – speed matters, find guys of like speed:
Station 1: (“The Saltlick”) 5 pullups and 10 squats – repeat til relieved and move as a group
Station 2: (“The Turkey Leg”) run from jungle gym, around school to lower lot
Station 3: (“The Joker”) lunge walk across the lot with 5 diamond merkins – repeat til relieved and move as a group
Station 4: (“The Squid”) pick a rock – 10 curls and 10 overhead presses – repeat til relieved and move as a group
Each group got 1 rotation plus 1 of work in before we needed to move on
Jog around and regroup for Mary:
Assorted core exercises with 10 flutters IC in between for some time
The Big Race: Red v. White v. Blue
Relay race down the lower lot and back in 3 team – PAX planked while waiting
Results below
Announcements:
See Cheese Curd if you want to run on trails in the Smokey Mountains next Spring
Sign up for Holiday Party ends soon – sign up
Moleskine:
1) Good to be back at the old stompin grounds and have a great turnout. We needed some #’s to make this workout work with the 4 groups and the PAX delivered.
2) Relay results are currently in dispute with the Court of Arbitration for Sport – some dispute about a hanging chad and 24 not being divisible by 3
3) PSA – If you haven’t already – get out and vote tomorrow
Thanks for the chance to lead – never gets old.
12 men rolled into the lot this morning to see what the fates held for them. Since our fearless site Q was DR YHC decided to engage in a little game of chance to drive the workout. Here is roughly what ensued:
Short jog around the track with some butt-kickers, high knees and shuffles to get the blood flowing
COP:
20x SSH IC
20x IW IC
20x Mtn Climber IC
Let the Fun Friday game begin
Roll the dice – do the exercise from the grid
Run up and down Grandmother Mountain
Repeato until time is up
Exercises were things like: 50 sister mary catherines, 50 yd bear crawl, 100 yd lunge walk, 50 merkins, 50 LBCs, 50 American Hammers, 25 burpees, 3 trips up Gma Mtn with 5 pull ups at the top each, 50 IWs…YHC can’t remember them all
Moleskine:
1) The much discussed hair off between Semi Gloss and YHC was a draw and not much of a show since we both recently got hair cuts
2) Good to have Busch out again at Joust. Dollywood would have been lonely at the front without him
3) 50 reps of anything in cadence will give you a new perspective on the exercise – even LBCs and IWs
4) Probably late to the party on this one but to his close friends, Header really is John the Baptist
5) Thanks to all for the chance to lead and putting up with the randorama
10 men stepped up this morning and decided to start their week off right, after the last week ended so badly for the Panthers. Alf remarked that it was even quieter than normal for a Monday and we set off to see what might be lurking in the gloom.
Quick mosey over to the blocks to pick 6 up for later. The PAX were a little surprised to be getting blocks so soon. YHC had us grab and extra block in case we had late arrivals (Floor Slapper?) or a block broke in transit (Turkey Leg tried his best before the COP).
Continue the mosey over to the track for COP:
20xSSH IC
20xIW IC
20xSlow Squat IC
20xMC IC
15xMerkin IC
Blockwork with a partner
Partner 1 does called exercise while Partner 2 runs to far side of track and back – each partner runs 2x
Round 1: Overhead press
Round 2: Curls
Round 3: Squats
Round 4: Flutter with block press
Mosey to the stumps – if you didn’t carry a block the first time, carry it now
3x through 10 jump ups, 20 dips and plank to regroup
Mosey to the back parking lot for Mary – if you didn’t carry a block last time, carry it now
Various exercises IC
Mosey back to the lair of the blocks – – if you didn’t carry a block last time, carry it now
15 Merkins IC
AYG across the field to the cars
15x Slow Squat to close out the time
COT
Moleskine:
1) As Alf observed it was a quiet crew this AM. I suspect there was more banter on Friday and Saturday than today. Even quiet for a Monday.
2) When the PAX discovered we had an extra block at the track, it was dubbed the Safety Block and Alf regaled us with this best impression of a few bars of the 80’s classic Safety Dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjPau5QYtYs
3) The Hates and Hate Hates were absent today – only Masters division athletes toed the line this AM
4) Thanks to OT for the send off
5) Always and honor to lead – thanks
18 of A51’s finest stepped out and got the first week of the year started right at F3TheMatrix. It’s always a quiet crowd early on Monday morning but the first Monday of the year and temps below 40 (finally) made the crew especially quiet. Joker broke up the silence with his arrival in something other than the wolly vest – what’s he going to do when the temps crack 30 degrees? Regardless we persevered and went to work
The Thang:
1 recon lap around the big field to figure out how wet the ground still was – answer was pretty soggy
Circle up for COP:
SSH IC x16
IW IC x16
Merkins IC x16 (one Pax figured out the pattern at this point, another was confused – read on)
MC IC x16
Slow squat IC x16
Mosey back to the cars for some laps and exercises with partner:
P1: Run the ~1/4 mile loop in the parking lot
P2: Do the called exercise until P1 returns
Flap jack
4 rounds with Merkins, Squats, Hanging leg raises and Plack
Pause for a little Mary:
Various core exercises x16 IC
Mosey to the bus lot for some People’s Chair and Ark Loader recovery
People’s Chair, Bear Crawl, People’s Chair, Crab Walk, People’s Chair, Frog Jump, People’s Chair
Mosey back to the cars for 2x AYG with OT taking a false start on rep #2
Moleskin:
1) Warm was nice, but YHC will take dry and a little cooler in the weather department this time of year over the constant rain we’ve had for weeks (months?)
2) If there was any question on Alf’s sartorial chops, he was able to name the manufacturer of Joker’s unexpected hoodie from 20 feet in the 5:30 gloom. Strong label sense.
3) Joker was confused by all the 16 counts today – he thought YHC was doing some strange homage to Molly Ringwald and 16 Candles. I think he needs to get out more
4) Everyone was out there working hard today – great start to what hopes to be a great year
5) Thanks for the privilege to lead today
The Thang:
Run to the darkest, coldest, wettest corner of the AO just to get the PAX thinking and to do a little recon on the conditions on this side of the AO.
Some butt kickers, high knees, shuffle and backward run right back to the cars
COP (IC):
SSHx20
IWx20
Squatsx20
Mtn Climberx20
Find teams of 4 (or 5) for some dueling loop Mud Run training
TM1: Run “small” loop around soccer fields
TM2: Merkins
TM3: Run “long” loop around school
TM4: Lunges
TM 1,2,4 were supposed to bear crawl when they reconvened waiting for TM3, but more on that later
Rotate until everyone takes each station 2x
Mary (IC)
LBCx20
Flutterx20
HTHx20
Freddie Mercuryx20
Mosey to the wall (near playground)
Peoples’ Chair with 50 arm raises – 3x through
Some butt kickers, high knees, shuffle and backward run in the front lot then AYG right back to the cars
Announcements – read the weekly email and Twitter
NM:
1) Unknown before the workout we celebrated 2 trips around the sun today (Salt Lick and YHC) with our double loop duel. Same birthday and year. In a group of 13 the odds of 2 people having the same birthday are about 22% (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_problem). I’ll leave it to someone better at math than I to say what the odds of sharing birthday and year look like.
2) You can workout in an AO for years and still learn something. I always assumed that the park loop was shorter than the school loop at MRES – today we proved 8x that they are basically the same length. The benefit to the PAX was that we avoided the bear crawls in the wet, nearly frosted over grass
3) Always an honor to lead