Monthly Archive March 2016

A Tiolet bowl beatdown

After installing a new toilet that my 2 year old destroyed I had no time to pre-blast or think up a routine for the Pax.  Sloppy helped put the final touches on the install and proceeded to inform the crew The Valley was going to be a GOP toilet bowl beatdown.  I don’t think anyone left wanting more.

The THANG:

Warmup 30 x side straddle hops 15 squats, 10 windmills, 10 merkins

Run to 1/4 mile to greenway

Burpee broad jumps 200 yards

Bear crawl 200 yards

200 yard sprints x 10

Mosey to hill

1/4 mile sprint to top of hill

People’s chair x 30 count

Jack-la-lane x 20 count

People’s chair x 30 count

Mary filled with LBC’s, Rosalitas, and Dolly’s

The Moleskin:

Stoked to have Talkbox make a surprise cameo coming to this side of town.  Good small core group of men to have fellowship with and share a beatdown.  Thankful for each of them.

Sorry for the delay on the backblast, definitely my goat for Q’ing a workout.

Peace on your week,

GOP

The Eric Liddell on Turbo

10 PAX at #F3Swift officially launched at 0515 on Tuesday morning for a Swift favorite workout with a new twist.  Some Swifters (and some clandestine Indian Land mud runners) found the late start time too slack, and instead started at 0500 for some easy running.

The THANG:

  • 0500 – HoneyBee, Bratwurst, Bunker, OneNiner hit the road early.  Wait for it, wait for it, there’s Gumbo!  And he has a friend – Heisman.
  • 0515 – 1mi warm-up to the inner Bull Ring at 2nd F pace
  • Drills including walking on heels, toes, high knees, butt kicks, and a regular stride to loosen things up a bit
  • Start the sets of the following on the Bull Ring:
    • 200m at F-pace (800m race pace – see below for more details) w/ 400m jog recovery
    • 200m at F-pace w/ 400m jog recovery
    • 400m at F-pace w/ at least 4 minutes jog to recover
    • Repeato for 3 times total
  • Mosey back to the Vine for about 0.5mile

The Moleskin:

  • The “Eric Liddell” workout is a Swift staple that typically starts off a new training block with rounds of 200, 200, and 400m at the 1 mile race pace.  Today was a maddening TURBO edition for the PAX where we picked up the speed and lengthened the recovery to compensate.  That’s why we only got in 3 rounds (but about 1.5miles running REALLY fast).  While there is a goal below for the F-pace, it tends to feel like it just borders on your 99% effort pace.  Not quite 100%, but knowing that you probably could not go much faster for that distance.
  • Note: F-pace is your 800m Race Pace, or 4 seconds per 200m faster than your 1 Mile Goal Pace.  Some examples:
    • 1Mile Goal,     200m Goal Split,     200m F-pace split,     400m F-pace split
    • 0:05:00,     0:00:38,     0:00:34,     0:01:07
    • 0:05:30,     0:00:41,     0:00:37,     0:01:15
    • 0:06:00,     0:00:45,     0:00:41,     0:01:22
    • 0:06:30,     0:00:49,     0:00:45,     0:01:30
    • 0:07:00,     0:00:53,     0:00:48,     0:01:37
    • 0:07:30,     0:00:56,     0:00:52,     0:01:44
    • 0:08:00,     0:01:00,     0:00:56,     0:01:52
  • Serious speed on display today with HoneyBee and Mario trading turns to lead the PAX through these intervals.  Noted that it was a “moderated” Mario that didn’t blow out any individual segment, and even kept moving forward on the recovery instead of the bent over grabbing knee position that many of the PAX had after the 400m intervals.  HoneyBee didn’t have to call out splits to Haggis this time, but the presence of Haggis was still felt as HoneyBee was literally propelled a few times at the start of the interval to get a jump on the rest of the field.  The false starts are starting to accumulate, so not sure what happens on the next false start.
  • A big peloton today with Bunker, Tuck, Gumbo, Heisman (2nd time at Swift), and Fire Hazard.  Looks like the high speed and short distance definitely benefits Bunker, and there will be some personal records broken at the 1 mile challenge as that translates to longer intervals.  Tuck is back at Swift after running 50% of his annual miles in a 2 week span to prepare for and dominate with the Ultra squad for the Palmetto relay.  Gumbo battling a nagging injury that hopefully isn’t worse after today.  First time YHC has seen FireHazard run since he was limited to bike support on the Balrog – doesn’t seem like he’s lost too much.  Great to have Heisman from SC out today – hopefully the clandenstine Indian Land mud runners didn’t pull the bait and switch to get you there.
  • Cheddar is returning to form after an absence at Swift.  This 2 week perfect attendance streak can’t be broken now!
  • There was a Tootie sighting today!  Baby sleeping through the night, check.  Getting more sleep than normal, check.  Got a Blue Ridge Relay team commitment, check.  Need to start training, check!  Today was the day.  Great to have you back!

Announcements:

  • April 19, 2016 – 2nd Anniversary of the Swift workout and the 3rd running of the 1 Mile Time Trial at Community House Middle School.
  • Everyone knows something about Eric Liddell already if you saw Chariots of Fire.  But that was mostly just about the runner – the “flying Scotsman”.  When YHC was recently listening to the Relevant Podcast , there’s a new movie coming out about the later years of Eric Liddell and why he was memorialized in China.  It’s called “The Last Race“, and is probably the kind of movie that will make a showing at the Ballantyne Village Theater soon.  Click the links to learn more about it, and stay tuned for something we’ll definitely have to catch for a 2nd F event.

Modified Mini Murph at Bagpipe

A year or 2 ago, “The Murph” was sweeping through F3 like a tornado in Kansas. Not many sightings since then so I thought I’d re-introduce it with some significant modifications. Some may recall that “The  Murph” was named after “Murphy” from Lone Survivor whose notorious workout included 100 pullups, 2 merkins, and 300 squats as quickly as possible and in addition to running – I think it was a mile but could have been more. The modifications this morning were several: 1) broke out into partners – teams of 2 and 1 team of 3,  2) added burpees and dips, and 3) changed the rep count and included them as the team total (ie; so 100 meant 50 for each partner).

Warmup: SSH X 20; Imperial Walker X 20, Peter Parker and Parker Peter X 20 total, and Merkins (20). Mosey to fitness trail and broke into 2 groups at the pullup bars on opposite sides of the bridge.

Workout: “The Modified Mini Murph” (reps are team total):

Pull-ups X 50, Burpees X 75, Merkins, X 100, Dips X 150, Squats X 200.  Complete 3 laps around the lake for each person on a team. The teams mixed in laps with reps of exercises as they deemed necessary.

After completing, the PAX stayed at the knee wall above the lake for Mary (Flutters X 20, Bicycle X 20, Heels to Heaven X 20, and Protractor for 2 minutes). Between each set, completed 5 slow merkins – each with a “slow” 5 count).  Ran 3 laps around the steps leading up to the parking lot and returned to the Start.

 

“Don’t you feel bad they’re so far ahead?” – Pele

As always, an interesting morning at SOFA WIB.  We kept it simple today.  Running plus 3 exercises on repeat.  It was not easy.

Thang

Run to Lancer and Windyrush.  Right on Lancer.  Run to Olde Providence Rd (1 mi), stopping at each side street (7 in all) to complete:

10 hand release merkins
20 sumo squats
30 knee ups

Repeat on the way back, plus we threw in a bonus at the end of the route, thanks to the OP sign “It’s time to pay your dues”, which seemed like it was speaking to me.

Forgot the satellite watch, but several others had 3.6 miles total plus the 150 hand release merkins, 300 sumo squats, and 450 knee ups.  As intended, a full body beat down in only 45 minutes.

Sign up for COTS

Moleskine

Quote of the day, and BB title, goes to Pele, speaking to Sundancer with such sincerity.  Love the attitude.  We’ll be at the same place next week.

YHC had a bit of a Costanza moment this morning.  Sundancer was apparently upset that we weren’t doing sumo jump squats, and therefore “half-assing it”, a comment that was mostly ignored, as we were finishing when he was arriving.  Only 5 minutes later the perfect reply came to mind.  I hate when that happens.  For the record, we will quit half-assing the exercises when you quit half-assing the runs.  #JerkStore

Swiper pulled me along, yet again, managing to talk through at least 85% of the workout.  He also led some gratuitous monkey humpers as we waited a bit on the six to run back to the AO.

Queen was strong out there.  I believe he was the first to join us back at Windyrush followed by Red Rocks.  Iron Mike wore the hoodie, and perhaps more surprisingly, kept it on.  Talkbox must have had on his Nash ninja shoes.  He almost snuck up on YHC in the last 100m, forcing an all out sprint to the cars.  Speaking of, Sundancer may have gotten a new one, which was not discussed at COT. I thought the “CoExist” and “Eat Local” stickers came with the car, no? Swiper’s car alarm didn’t go off, but we ran by his sister’s old house – one of many things I learned this morning.  Until next week…

  • Kirk

Fast Twitch Swag #FTS

30-40 cars showed up at SCMS this morning. Of those, 13 rolled in for a Ghost Runner-esque Raintree tour. Just a skosh of grumblechatter about the PB and we were off.

Thangarang:

As advertised, here’s what we did:

  • Mosey to speedbump at base of windbluff. AYG up to cartpath crossing at top of Windbluff. Repeat x3
  • Regroup at speedbump
  • #AYGtoProvidence
  • Regroup at Windbluff/Providence stop sign
  • Timed mile: Up Providence (Windbluff to Raintree)
  • Regroup at Raintree/Providence stop sign – Mary til the 6 gets in
  • Recovery mosey down Raintree Ln to 1st Latin entrance on left. U-turn at Latin entrance for #AYGtoProvidence. Repeat x3
  • Mosey to 4 way stop at 4MC, continue left down 4MC to speed bump – Mary til the 6 gets in
  • AYG up 4MC to Raintree Ln. Repeat x3 – recovery mosey on the downs
  • Regroup at 4 way stop til the 6 gets in
  • Mosey to Rounding Run/Raintree Ln stop sign
  • Indian run to base of Woodfox
  • AYG to Strawberry

 Notepad:

  • Most guys took things serious this AM and put in work. FT is a gritty Tuesday option and it’s supposed to push you to your limits. If you left it all out there this morning, T-claps. If not, come back next week and ramp it up a notch.
  • Pinot Grigot (or some crafty IPA) was spilled after the timed mile
  • No idea how the timed mile turned out. Most guys had on watches and nearly everyone PR’ed the Strava segment, so it was in fact, timed.
  • @Haze led the way all morning, most of the way, for about 25 yards between Provi and 4MC. Serious note- the dude’s getting fast #FastTwitchSwag #HeGetsIt
  • @SwishSwish really did lead the pack #shocker. Dropped a CR on the providence hill NBD and ran easily an extra mile scooping the six all morning.
  • @Ironsides looked strong leading up to the CRBR on Saturday. Good luck brother
  • @Huggie and @Utah – 2 other guys who get the #FTS mentality. These guys put in work week after week and it’s paying off.
  • @Pro’s got guts too – not many guys posting on as little sleep as this guy
  • Good seeing @Retread again making the right choice on a Tuesday
  • @Babyfood was @Frasier’s shadow this AM. Crushed the mile hill with a strong pace all morning
  • @Ickey strong work this AM – especially for a guy who typically throws around KBs heavier than @Frasier
  • Didn’t recognize @Icicle this AM without his Gisele Brady hat out there
  • Welcome, @Hannibal. Glad to have you out. Next time you’re in town on a Tuesday, come on back.

Pleasure to lead this AM, gents.

HB

#FTS

Announcements:

Quarry crusher 4/16 in Columbia (home of the two-time NCAA bass fishing national champions) – see Haze for deets

Charlotte Brain Tumor 5K/10K Race this Sat in Uptown

Pecking Order

Pecking Order

Mosey to lower parking lot while doing Two-handed Presses and with stops for Merkins and Diamonds along the way.

Two-handed Swings while instructions were given out.

Round 1

5 Two-handed Swings, 5 Snatch (each arm), 5 Clean and Press (each arm), 5 High Pull (each arm), 5 Racked Squats, 5 Merkins…when done sprint up stairs and around median and when back get in line in front of stairs in position finished. Winner does 1 Burpee, 2nd does 2, 3rd does 3, etc. to last place. Do Merkins until last place finishes his Burpees.

Round 2

10 Two-handed Swings, 10 Snatch (each arm), 10 Clean and Press (each arm), 10 High Pull (each arm), 10 Racked Squats, 10 Merkins…Sprint

Round 3

15 of each…Sprint

Round 4

20 of each…Sprint

This workout looks short and sweet from the 10,000 foot level, but trust me, the competitiveness and pain it did bring! The men had no idea what was coming their way until a trend developed when we went from 5 of each to 10…No one thought we would go to 20, and they especially hoped we wouldn’t get there. But we did, 15 and 20 was a pure sufferfest…with the added penalty of burpees, it gave the encouragement and fire to get through it as fast as possible to end up near the front of the line. Dollywood and Fletch were killing it, and then Bulldog in his usual cunning British way got Dollywood to trade bells with him (Sage advice for the young crowd, when it comes to games or workouts, never trust Bulldog!) and up the suffering for Dollywood from 11 to, dare I say it was possible, a 12! Everyone was hammering themselves and really did take the challenge to make it through and no matter get the reps in. MAD was all in and you could see it on his face how hard he was pushing himself, he’s done a great job increasing his running ability since he started F3! Great to see Dropthrill out again and all the fine Brothers of Area 51! Thanks for the great sendoff Bulldog.

Thanks for letting me lead Harley, it is always a pleasure!

Wild Turkey & Friends

Warm-up
Quick lap around the parking lot.

COP 1
SSH x 20
IW x 20
Good Mornings x 5
Mountain Merkins x 20

The Beast
(6 exercises at 6 cones, 6 rounds)
Round 1 – Bomb squats
Round 2 – Scorpion Carolina Dry-docks
Round 3 Bear crawl, big-boy sit-ups
Round 4 Backwards, Sister Mary Catherines
Round 5 Crabwalk, Low-country crab
Round 6 Burpees

Quick lap around the lot, err, not quite…

Jump drills
10 tuck jumps
10 side-split jumps
10 butt-kicker jumps
10 front split jumps
Rinse & repeat

Finish the lap

What time is it? Clock Merkin time! 12+1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11 =  HORRIBLE (This is second time I’ve q’d this and it’s crushed me both times.)

Gimme Shelter
20 dips
10 step-ups (each leg)
10 Mahktar N’Dyie
Rinse & Repeat

Protractor

The End. YHC on the take-out.

Moleskine
It was a pleasure to lead the boys of Thrive today. Union County came to party. I heard some chatter, but everyone was giving it their best effort. I was glad to have brought a few new tricks including the Beast and Mountain Merkins. Lord knows I’ve stolen, I mean been “inspired” by other workouts and qs. Keep posting and leading men. F3 works.

Post Vacation Delight

9 fine men set out perfectly on time as to be expected with a floor slapper work out. Some minor hangover effect from the late Carolina Game as a distraction, overall respectful group.

Warm Up: Jog to inner parking lot

20 SS hop, 20 Merkins

20 Imp Walk, 15 Diamond Merk

20 Squats, 20 Merkins

The Thang:

Quick Pace to Rock pile: 20 curls/Shoulder press/Triceps, 15 Curls/Shoulder/ Tri, 10 C/S/T

Quick Pace to cul-de-sac: Triple Nickel explained with inside voices:

25 LBC Run up hill, 20 Merk – Repeat x 5

Plank/Gather

Circuit: 10 Pull ups/20 squats/20 incline run to the painted rock

Repeat

7 minutes of Mary: Flutter, Dolly, Bicycle, Russian twist, heels to heaven

10 burpees

I was proud to drag myself out of bed after my vacation to lead this dedicated group. 1 lost Pax to the pitch black port a jon.

Simple

Tomorrow might be the simplest SOFA WIB ever.  No partners, no math, no planking, only 3 exercises (chosen for form), etc.

Run to corner of Windyrush & Lancer (HERE) – choose your route.

Continue on Lancer all the way to Old Providence (1 mile), stopping at each of the seven side streets for the following:

10 hand release merkins
20 sumo squats
30 knee ups

Repeat on the way back.  Continue until time is called, or, as we will be spread out, whenever necessary to turn around to arrive back at the launch site at 0615.

I anticipate everyone will cover 3-4 miles plus 140+ merkins, 280+ squats, and 420+ knee ups, which should leave everywhere at least a little sore.

Road to the restoration of relavence

It’s time the people got what they want from FT: An hour of AYG sprints up/down the nastiest hills in the 704, 6+ miles, and minimal exercises.

Shortly before the hashtag #MakeFastTwitchRelaventAgain started trending, over the last 6-8 weeks, some courageous hooligans took the wheel and started easing the ship back on course. #FastTwitchSwagger What’s in a preblast? A transparent glimmer of the horror to come. An easy way out or a gut check. Read on for what you need to know tomorrow:

To calculate the pace you’ll be running tomorrow, pull out your old TI-83 graphing calculator (or binary abacus for you old dudes). Turn on the calculator. Replace dead batteries. Find a small philips screwdriver and some new AAA batteries. Unscrew battery cover. Remove old batteries. Discard old batteries. Insert new batteries. Replace battery cover. Turn on calculator. Turn off calculator. Place calculator back in drawer. Put on running shoes. Run hard. Run fast. Haven’t put this method to test, but TL says it works.

Wear running shoes. We will be running. Don’t wear gloves, you won’t need them. Probably won’t even do a single merkin. If you’re into headlamps and vests, wear that – your call. We’ll be on sidewalks and streets the whole time.

The Thang:

  • Mosey to speedbump at base of windbluff. AYG up to cartpath crossing at top of Windbluff. Repeat x3
  • Regroup at speedbump
  • #AYGtoProvidence
  • Regroup at Windbluff/Providence stop sign
  • Timed mile: Up Providence (Windbluff to Raintree)
  • Regroup at Raintree/Providence stop sign – Mary til the 6 gets in
  • Recovery mosey down Raintree Ln to 1st Latin entrance on left. U-turn at Latin entrance for #AYGtoProvidence. Repeat x3
  • Mosey to 4 way stop at 4MC, continue left down 4MC to speed bump – Mary til the 6 gets in
  • AYG up 4MC to Raintree Ln. Repeat x3 – recovery mosey on the downs
  • Regroup at 4 way stop til the 6 gets in
  • Mosey to Rounding Run/Raintree Ln stop sign
  • Indian run to base of Woodfox
  • AYG to Strawberry

Total: ~6.5mi

Important: We’ll depart 4MC to head back to campus at 6:03am. Know your pace. It’s 1.3 mi from 4MC back to the school. Modify the repeats from 3 to 2 and get a head start back if needed.

You’ll be there, or you won’t. If you are, you’ll only regret it for 1 of the 24 hours tomorrow – that’s like 4% of your day. Also about the equivalent percentage of correct picks on Purple Haze’s bracket.

Saddle up,

HB