Author Archive Abacus

39 and Counting

10 PAX made their way to McKee Rd Elementary on Saturday for another weekly episode of Area 51.  SF was planted as we waited for the clock to strike 0700 hours.  Nice cool morning as we headed over to the lower parking lot by the soccer fields for a warm-up lap with high knees and butt kickers before we circled up for COP:

  • SSH x 25 IC
  • IW x 25 IC
  • Low Slow Squat x 20 IC
  • MC x 25 IC
  • Peter Parker x 25 IC

Lots of mumble chatter during COP as PAX paid their respects to Ocho Cinco as he was celebrating his last day before moving up from the “hate” weight class.  No birthday burpees handed out (mainly because YHC just didn’t feel like completing any burpees this week), but lots of discussion of Ocho reaching the BIG 40 and how it was all downhill from here.  Pretty mature group (as far as age is concerned) as Ocho was War Baby at “39”.

Led the PAX over to the cinder block pile and everyone took a coupon.  Headed out to the center light pole for a little starfish work.

  • At center light pole, complete 10 block curls, 10 block presses, 10 block squats
  • Drop block and run to 1st light pole for 20 merkins
  • Back to middle for 10 curls, 10 presses,10 squats
  • Run to 2nd light pole for 20 jump squats
  • Back to middle for 10, 10, 10
  • Run to 3rd light pole for 20 wide arm merkins
  • Back to middle for 10, 10, 10
  • Run to 4th light pole for 20 jump squats
  • Back to middle for 10, 10, 10
  • Run to 5th light pole for 20 staggered merkins (10R, 10L)
  • Back to middle for 10, 10, 10
  • Return coupons back to cinder block pile

Mosey to other end of soccer fields and circle up for 6 MOM:

  • Dolly x 20 IC, hold’em
  • Flutter x 20 IC, hold’em
  • Rosalita x 20 IC
  • LBC x 25 IC
  • Back Scratcher  x 20 IC

Time to head over to the Bus parking lot for Suicide Ladder

  • Run suicide to light pole, 1st basketball goal, 2nd basketball goal
  • Add the ladder, so run to light pole, 5 CDD, 1st basketball goal, 10 CDD, 2nd basketball goal, 15 CDD
  • Next round, 5/10/15 squats
  • Next round 5/10/15 LBCs

Mosey back to playground near the launch point for some circuit work

  • 10 Hanging Knee-ups, 20 Dips, 20 Lunges
  • Rinse & Repeat x 3

Head over to front of school for People’s Chair

  • PC x 75 sec (w/ arms out front, arms overhead with air presses x 25)
  • Broad jump out to curb
  • PC x 60 sec (w/ right foot up, then left foot up)
  • Broad jump out to curb

COT

NMM:

  • Lot of mumble chatter at the start as Lobster Roll, Slapshot, and Joker made sure to give Ocho a little grief on the eve of turning 40.  Didn’t seem to bother Ocho too much as he was up front for most of the work-out along with Joker, Cold Cuts, and Lobster Roll.
  • Wanted to incorporate the cinder blocks into the work during the Starfish, but didn’t want to have to have the PAX toting blocks from light pole to light pole.  Keeping them in the middle seemed to work pretty well.
  • Suicides seemed easy enough as we completed round 1.  Adding the ladder for rounds 2-4 seemed to ratchet up the effort a bit.
  • Been a while since YHC attended a work-out where everyone (well, just about everyone as technically Ocho was still in the “hate” decade) is 40 and above.  Everyone was working hard for the full 60

Announcements:

  • Mud Run sign-ups for few more days.  3/31 is deadline.  Couple Area 51 teams looking for a 4th to fill out the teams.
  • 1st Saturday of the month, Joker is leading a work-out in the afternoon with the kids from Alexander Youth Network.  Next scheduled work-out is Saturday, 4/4.  Let Joker, Shawn.Heath@duke-energy.com,  know if you have any interest in helping out.
  • F3 Golf at Olde Sycamore scheduled for 4/30/15.  http://f3nation.com/2015/02/04/the-2nd-annual-f3-golf-classic/
  • See weekly e-mail or F3nation.com website for additional information

5 to start, lucky 7 to finish

(Posted on behalf of Lobster Roll)

4 PAX decided to join “Lobsta” Roll at the start with 2 tardy PAX (DK and YHC) joining a little late for some work in the gloom.  Q took the original 5 off-site for the warm-up.  They took a 1 mile route through the adjoining neighborhood stopping along the way for the following:

  • Stop 1 – SSH x 30 IC, Slow Merkins x 15 IC
  • Stop 2 – IW x 30 IC, Slow Wide-arm Merkins x 15 IC
  • Stop 3 – Squat x 30 IC, Slow Decline Merkins x 15 IC

After a nice warm-up, the PAX got their hands dirty using the blocks

Set 1:

  • 15 IC Shoulder Press
  • 15 IC Back Row (each side)
  • 15 IC Bicep Curl
  • 15 IC Tricep Ext

Set 2:

  • 10 IC Shoulder Press
  • 10 IC Back Row (each side)
  • 10 IC Bicep Curl
  • 10 IC Tricep Ext

Set 3:

  • 5 IC Shoulder Press
  • 5 IC Back Row (each side)
  • 5 IC Bicep Curl
  • 5 IC Tricep Ext

While all this was going on, the two late arrivals had gone on a search mission to find the PAX.  DK and YHC headed down to fire station to try to locate the PAX with no luck.  Ran back to school and with no luck locating the crew, headed to playground for a little circuit work until PAX returned.  DK offered up routine he had dished out at Hydra earlier in the week.

  • 5 Pull-ups, 10 Merkins, 1 Burpee
  • 5 Pull-ups, 10 Merkins, 2 Burpees
  • 5 Pull-ups, 10 Merkins, 3 Burpees
  • 5 Pull-ups, 10 Merkins, 4 Burpees
  • 5 Pull-ups, 10 Merkins, 5 Burpees
  • 5 Squats, 10 LBCs, 6 Burpees
  • 5 Squats, 10 LBCs, 7 Burpees
  • 5 Squats, 10 LBCs, 8 Burpees
  • 5 Squats, 10 LBCs, 9 Burpees
  • 5 Squats, 10 LBCs, 10 Burpees

At this point DK and YHC spotted PAX returning from their off-site work and joined in for the remainder of the work-out.

Mosey over the front of the school and find some dry cover for some People’s Chair:

  • Round 1 – PC x 90 secs, LBC x 50 IC
  • Round 2 – PC x 75 secs, Flutter x 50 IC
  • Round 3 – PC x 60 secs, Mason Twist x 50 IC

Stay under cover for a variation of BTW:

  • BTW push-up x 5, Lunge walk to end of covered walkway, jog back around to start position
  • Rinse & repeat x 2
  • Plank session

Mosey to back playground for 3 rounds of:

  • 10 Pull-ups, 20 Dips
  • Plank Session

Mosey back to front playground at launch point for:

  • 5 Toes to Bar, 10 Burpees
  • Rinse & repeat x 2

COT

NMM:

  • YHC & DK arrived at AO at 0701 to find PAX nowhere in sight.  Went out in search of the PAX and ran down to fire station, but no luck.  Should have continued on through the back entrance of adjoining neighborhood and would have run into the crew on their 1 mile loop.  However, we didn’t feel short changed after that Burpee Ladder combo on the playground.
  • Round of BTW push-ups were a smoker.  Start with BTW and then walk it down into a merkin.  5 of these hurt.  O’Tannenbaum seemed to really like these.
  • Good to have Cold Cuts and Picasso back out with us on a regular basis.  Keep Cold Cuts mother in your thoughts & prayers as she is dealing with some health issues.
  • Huggie Bear has become a staple at Area 51 on Saturday mornings.  Need to get him signed up for his VQ in the upcoming weeks.

Announcements:

  • F3 Area 51 Golf Tournament on 4/30 at Olde Sycamore.  Get signed up to play or sponsor a hole.
  • Mud Run sign-ups open a little bit longer.  Race is 4/11.
  • See weekly e-mail for opportunity to serve at Alexander Youth Network.  Work-out with the kids there the 1st Saturday of each month.  Joker is the point person

 

3 x the Fun with BTW Wall Walks

9 PAX members decided it was better idea to roll out of bed on a cold Saturday morning and go run around for 60 minutes rather than stay in the fartsack and catch a few ZZZZs.  We gathered at McKee Road Elementary and the SF was planted firmly in the soil for another Saturday edition of Area 51.  As the clock struck 0700 hours, YHC led a crew of 7 over to the parking lot beside the soccer fields for a brief warm up lap and then we circled up for COP:

  • SSH x 25 IC
  • IW x 25 IC  (Lo and behold here comes Floor Slapper to give us an 8th member)
  • Squat x 25 IC
  • Merkin x 15 IC
  • MC x 25 IC

Mosey over to the cinder block pile and grab a block for some fun.  (Oh, good morning Donkey Kong, glad you could join us.)  Head over to the soccer field and line up along the goal line.

  • 5 curls w/ block, 5 push presses w/ block, 5 goblet squats w/ block, then run out to midfield and back (w/out the block)
  • 10/10/10, then run length of field and back
  • 15/15/15, run to midfield and back
  • 10/10/10, run length of field and back
  • 5/5/5, run to midfield and back

Return the cinder blocks to their resting spot and jog to other end of the school for BTW Wall Walk

  • BTW wall walk 20-25 feet
  • Lunge walk across the bus parking lot
  • 15 incline merkins on the curb
  • Rinse & repeat x 2 (because if 1 round is good for you & 2 rounds are better, then 3 rounds must really do the body good.  Not  sure all the PAX agreed.)

Head over to the infield of the track for 6 MOM:

  • Dolly x 20 IC, hold’em
  • Flutter x 20 IC, hold’em
  • Rosalita x 20 IC
  • LBC x 20 IC
  • CCV x 10R IC
  • CCV x 10L IC

Let’s head back towards the playground near our launch point for a little 3 man grinder.  9 PAX, so 3 even groups of 3.

  • Group 1 starts with 5 pull-ups, 10 dips, 15 squats.  Keep cycling through until timer returns to relieve you.
  • Group 2 will serve as the timer for 1st round.  Run to back playground with Group 3 and then return to front playground to relieve Group 1.
  • Group 3 completes 10 jump ups/step-ups on the logs, 10 decline merkins with feet on logs, and 10 tire hops.
  • Complete cycling through the 3 stations until YHC calls time.  Everyone completed at least 3 stops at each station.

Time for a little PC at the front of the school:

  • PC x 60 secs with arms out front, arms over head and 25 air presses
  • Recovery walk out to sidewalk
  • PC x 75 secs, with left foot up, then right foot up
  • Recovery walk to sidewalk

Head back over to soccer fields and line up for an Indian Run around the soccer fields, with a 5 merkin chaser for the last mine in line.  Run the perimeter of the light poles lined around the soccer fields.  After lap and a half, line up on the end line of the soccer fields.

  • AYG length of the soccer field and then job back to launchpoint

NMM:

  • Another strong group out there on Saturday.  Ocho Cinco flying as usual on the field with Cold Cuts and Lobster Roll providing a nice push
  • Huggie Bear continues to show up each and every Saturday and quietly put in some good work.
  • Beaver not feeling 100% on Saturday morning but he managed to push through it and finish strong
  • Slapshot back out there this week after leading the week before.  May not be a fan of the BTW Wall Walk but he knocked it out and kept on powering  through
  • Not sure when or from where Donkey Kong arrived.  Handing out the cinder blocks and thinking we only needed 8, until I noticed DK in line.  Not sure when he arrived or from where he came, but he made his presence known all morning
  • Floor Slapper had to bail at COT for one of his kids soccer games/practices.   Glad we could keep you from defecting to Day Zero

Announcements:

  • Mud Run sign-ups still available.  See the weekly e-mail and/or website for the link.
  • Monthly work-out at Alexander Youth Network with the kids there.  Joker is leading the charge and looking for PAX members to help out when available.  1st Saturday afternoon of each month.
  • HDHH at Mellow Mushroom in Ballantyne on Wed, 3/11, from 5-8 pm with 10% of proceed being donated for La Flor Bridge Project in Nicaragua.

JW pays a visit to Dromedary

When all was said and done, 7 PAX ventured out to MRMS/MRHS for another weekly edition of Dromedary.  YHC pulled into the parking lot at 0520 to find it empty.  With still no PAX in sight at 5:24, began to wonder if I was going to be conducting a solo mission similar to the work Champagne put in a while back at The Brave.  However, much to my relief, Soft Pretzel arrived on the scene with 4-5 minutes to spare followed closely behind by Dasher.  By the time we launched at 0530, 5 PAX were in tow and we were soon to be joined by 2 more.

Started with a slow mosey through the massive parking lot out in Marvin with a quick circle back to launch point to collect Bananas as he pulled in right on time.  Now up to 6 PAX we headed up to the crest of the Marvin Ridge parking lot and down the other side to a corner that had a bit of light for the COP:

  • SSH x 20 IC
  • IW x 20 IC
  • Low Slow Squat x 20 IC
  • MC x 20 IC  (Pause as slow moving car slowly came over the top of the hill.  Driver parked and our FNG, Mop Top, jumped out of his car and joined us)
  • Peter Parker x 20 IC

(Quick reminder from Bratwurst with the arrival of an FNG for the disclaimer.  Disclaimer given and then it was back to work)

Time for a little ladder work in the lower parking lot area:

  • Rd 1 – Karaoke across the lot, 5 merkins, Karaoke back, 10 merkins, Karaoke across lot, 15 merkins, Karaoke back, 20 merkins
  • Rd 2 – Lunge walk across, run back with 5/10/15/20 Sumo Jump Squats (really seemed to be a crowd favorite.  Quite a few complements by the time we were finishing up rounds of 15 & 20)
  • Rd 3 – Run across and back each time w/ 5/10/15/20 LBCs

Head on up to the MRMS patio for a little circuit work:

  • 20 Step-ups, 20 Dips, 20 Dolly
  • People’s Chair x 90 sec w/ arms out front and air presses mixed in
  • 20 Step-ups, 20 Dips, 20 Flutter
  • PC x 75 sec w/ left foot up and then switch to right foot up
  • 20 Step-ups, 20 Dips, 20 CDD
  • PC x 60 sec

Circle up for 6 MOM:

  • Dolly x 15 IC, hold’em for 10 count from Soft Pretzel
  • Rosalita x 20 IC
  • LBC x 25 IC
  • Back Scratcher x 20 IC

Back to the wall for a quick round of BTW

Circle back up on patio for initial visit to Dromedary from the man, the myth, the legend, Jack Webb:

  • 1 Merkin/4 Air Presses up to 10 Merkin/40 Air Presses

Jog back to launch point

2 minutes left

  • Bear Crawl up the parking lot 20-30 yards, run it out to top of hill and back
  • 10 Burpees

COT

NMM:

  • Nice work by strong group.  Think we all decided the ladder with the sumo jump squats took us to a bad place.
  • Strong effort by Dasher and Chanel on the ladder rounds as they both were out in front much of time.  And Soft Pretzel was never too far behind
  • Kudos to our FNG, George H, for finding us this a.m  Apparently, a co-worker, Reddogs from F3Metro, had been EHing him for quite a while & George finally buckled when he found out we were now working out close to his home here in Marvin.  Keep coming back out as we would love to have you become a regular.
  • As Bananas mentioned on the jog back to the launch point, JW never seems to disappoint.  1 merkin and 4 air presses seems pretty mild but by the time you get up to rounds 6/24, 7/28, and beyond, you really start to feel it in your shoulders.
  • Shout out to Bratwurst for keeping an eye out for our FNG.  Bratwurst definitely embodies the “No Man Left Behind” concept.

Announcements:

  • Mud Run sign-ups extended.  Get signed up if you’re still interested.  Charlotte South/Area 51 teams are being finalized.
  • HDHH to be held at Ballantyne Mellow Mushroom on Wednesday, 3/11, from 5-8 pm with 10% of proceeds to go towards F3 project to build bridge for community in Nicaragua.
  • Sign up for 2nd Annual F3 Golf event to be held April 30 at Olde Sycamore Golf Course.  Sign up to play or be a sponsor.

If one round of Starfish is good for you, 2 rounds must be most excellent

(Posted on behalf of Slapshot. However, tardy delivery is 100% YHC’s responsibility)

SF was planted and 12 dedicated PAX gathered at McKee Rd Elementary for just another typical day at the granddaddy workout for South Charlotte, Area 51.  Slapshot had the keys for this episode and he led us out onto the soccer fields for a little warm-up run before circling up for COP:

  • SSH x 50
  • Burpees x 10 (Beaver’s favorite)
  • Squats x 50
  • Burpees x 10
  • IW x 25
  • Burpees x 11 (Yes, that’s right.  We did 11 on the 3rd set.  Don’t worry it’s all a part of the plan)
  • Calf raises x 50

Adequately warmed up, Slapshot directed the PAX to run down to the lower field and then around the adjacent neighborhood with a stop at the rock pile to grab a friend.

Round of abs

Starfish (Rd 1) – Squats with rock x 20 at the center light pole upon each return

  • Run to 1st light pole, Jumping Lunge x 20, back to center
  • 2nd light pole, Jump Squat x 20, back to center
  • 3rd light pole, Burpees x 20 (crowd favorite, we were all feeling the love), back to center
  • 4th light pole, Jumping Lunge x 20, back to center
  • 5th light pole, Jump Squat x 20, back to center

Another round of abs

Head up to the playground for a little station work (rotate through the stations, 1 1/2 min at each station)

  • Round 1
  • Toes to bar on the pull-up bars
  • Dips
  • Rock curls
  • Peoples Chair
  • Round 2
  • Pull-ups
  • Dips
  • Rock Curls
  • Peoples Chair

Round of abs

Return to the soccer fields for Round 2 of the Starfish (because everyone knows 2 is better than 1)

  • At the center light pole, shoulder press x 20 with rock each time return to center
  • Run to 1st light pole, Diamond merkins x 20, back to center
  • 2nd light pole, Merkins x 20, back to center
  • 3rd light pole, Burpees x 20 (think we see a pattern here), back to center
  • 4th light pole, Wide-arm merkins x 20, back to center
  • 5th light pole, CDD x 20, back to center

Return rocks to rock pile and head back to launch point

Burpees x 14 (thankfully, Slapshot did not heed Lobster Rolls call to continue on to 100)

COT

NMM:

  • Old man winter still hanging on for a little longer.  No problem as Slapshot got us moving and got the blood flowing.
  • Lobster Roll, Joker, and Ocho Cinco out front pushing the pace on the Starfish with O’Tannenbaum, Slapshot, and Floor Slapper not too far behind.
  • Good to have Pop Tart and Squid out with us on a Saturday morning.  They had been to the AO for The Matrix on Mondays but this was their first venture out to the Saturday morning work-out at McKee.
  • Beaver poked the bear a couple weeks ago when Lobster Roll was leading and casually asked if the PAX would be doing Burpees for the full 60 minutes.  Burpeefest reared its ugly head again this week

Announcements:

  • Sign-ups for Mud Run have been extended.  If you’re interested, get signed up as Madame Toussauds is trying to pull the final few Charlotte South teams together.
  • HDHH Fundraiser to be held on Wednesday, March 11, at Mellow Mushroom in Ballantyne.  10% of proceeds between 5-8 pm will be donated to 2nd F effort to repair La Flor Bridge in Nicaragua.  Escargot, Ironhorse, and others are involved in this effort.
  • Joker is leading effort to hold workout for kids at Alexander Youth Network from 4-5 pm the first Saturday of each month.  Looking for PAX members to help lead or participate in workouts.  http://f3nation.com/2015/02/10/f3-initiative-at-alexander-youth-network/

 

Suicide Ladder/RockandArkLoader/Grinder Sandwich

SF was planted as 10 PAX gathered at McKee Road Elementary for the weekly edition of Area 51.  Welcomed back Cold Cuts and Picasso after some time on IR (foot injury for Cold Cuts, new baby for Picasso household) and a little winter hibernation and welcomed TNT to the AO as he traveled down from Lake Norman area to post.  With everyone ready to go and no sign of late arrivals, YHC gave the quick disclaimer to remind everyone I am not a professional and they were out there on their own accord and at their own peril.  With all the i’s dotted and t’s crossed, led the PAX over to the soccer fields for a little warm-up lap around the pitch and then we circled up for COP:

  • SSH x 25 (IC)
  • IW x 25 (IC)
  • Low Slow Squat x 20 (IC)
  • Peter Parker x 15 (IC)
  • Parker Peter x 15 (IC)

With the body woken up and the blood flowing, time for a few rounds of Suicides/Suicide Ladders:

  • Line up at the sign at one end of field for traditional suicide.  Run to first tree, back to start.  Run to 2nd tree, back to start.  Run to 3rd tree, back to start.
  • Rd 2, add ladder – 5 merkins at 1st tree, 10 merkins at 2nd tree, 15 merkins at 3rd tree
  • Rd 3 – 5 LBCs at 1st tree, 10 LBCs at 2nd tree, 15 LBCs at 3rd tree

Mosey over to rock pile and pick up a lifting rock and then head back to the soccer fields.  Apparently Lobster Roll was a little suspicious of call for lifting rock, but YHC reassured him we would not be on the move with the rocks.

Rock Exercise/Ark Loader Combos:

  • Rock Curls x 25 OYO, Bear Crawl to midfield & jog back
  • Rock Presses x 15 IC, Crab Walk to midfield & jog back
  • Goblet Squats x 15 IC, Frog Jump to midfield & jog back

Return the rocks to rock pile and then circle up at top end of soccer field for 6 MOM:

  • Dolly x 15 IC, hold’em for long 10 count by Lobster Roll
  • Flutter x 15 IC, hold’em for 10 count by TNT
  • Rosalita x 15 IC
  • Freddy Mercury x 15 IC

Time to head up to the playground at front of school.  PAX divided into 3 groups for 3 man grinders

  • Group 1 started at the playground & worked through sets of 10 Pull-ups, 15 Dips, and 15 jump squats.  Continue cycle until timer PAX arrived.
  • Group 2 headed to logs behind the school & completed 10 Jump-ups/Step Ups, 15 Decline Merkins, and 10 Tire Hops.  Continue cycle until timer PAX arrived.
  • Group 3 served as timer initially and ran from playground to logs behind the school to relieve the PAX at the logs.  When Group 3 arrived at logs, they began cycle of Jump-ups, Decline Merkins, and Tire Hops.  Group 2 became timer and headed back to playground.
  • Keep the rotation going until time called.  Completed about 3 rounds.

After hard push by all the PAX, YHC decided it was time for People’s Chair:

  • PC x 60 secs w/ arm presses x 25
  • Lunge walk out to parking lot
  • Back to the wall for PC x 60 sec w/ call for left leg up followed by right leg up
  • Lunge walk out to parking lot

With the PAX having an opportunity to recover during the PC rounds, YHC decided it was time to focus a bit on chest and shoulders.  What better way than a round of Jack Webb

  • 1 Merkin/4 Air Presses, 2 Merkin/8 Air Presses, all the way up to 10 Merkins/ 40 Air Presses

4-5 minutes left on the clock so we headed over to the track for a round of 4 corners. 1 lap around the track with stops at each of the 4 corners for called exercises from the PAX:

  • Corner 1 – CDD x 20 IC (Beaver)
  • Corner 2 – Burpees x 5 (Huggie Bear)
  • Corner 3 – LBCs(?) x 20 IC (Stump Hugger)
  • Corner 4 – Diamond Merkins x 15 IC (Picasso)

Head back to launch point and line up at entrance to parking lot.  AYG back to launch point.

COT

NMM:

  • Good to have Cold Cuts and Picasso back out in the Gloom with us.  Cold Cuts was on IR for a while with foot injury after Spartan Sprint/Spartan Beast double down back in the fall.  Picasso and his M welcomed a 2.0 little boy about 6 months ago and is looking to get back into the fold now that they have adjusted to the new routine.  Welcome back and look forward to seeing you both back in the gloom regularly.
  • Welcome to TNT from the Lake Norman area.  He is a friend of Lobster Roll and Slapshot and put forth a strong effort.  Come back anytime.
  • Glad to report that Stump Hugger did not have a repeat of his initial visit to the AO (think it may have been his FNG start at The Matrix) when he earned his F3 name on the stumps behind the school.
  • Joker and Lobster Roll were pushing each other hard during the Suicide/Suicide Ladder combo and Cold Cuts was not far behind as the layoff did not seem to affect him too much.
  • Beaver and Huggie Bear put forth consistent effort week in and week out.  The hard work is paying off.

Announcements:

  • Sign up for the Mud Run.  Sign up individually and let Madame Tussauds know if you have a 4 man team or need to be assigned to a team.  Sign up by March 1 for race on April 11.
  • Sign ups ongoing for Blue Ridge Relay to be held Sept 11-12.  Let Turkey Leg know if you have any interest in participating.  6 man, 9 man, and 12 man team options.
  • 2nd Annual Charlotte Brain Tumor race to be held March 21 in Marshall Park in Uptown.  Chelms and YHC have organized Team Chepul Hill to raise money for brain tumor research in honor of our younger brother, Bill, who has been battling a brain tumor since June 2012.  5K, 10K , and 1 Mile Fun Run options.  Sign up info and additional information is available at link below:    http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/TeamraiserEvents/CharlotteBrainTumorRace?team_id=71982&pg=team&fr_id=2420
  • 3rd F opportunity with kids from Alexander Youth Network.  Joker is leading the charge on this and they have been leading workouts with the kids on Saturday afternoons.  Also looking at holding a cookout at the facility in the Spring.  Reach out to Joker for additional information and look for information in upcoming weekly emails.
  • Q School being held for new, prospective, and even veteran Qs who may want a refresher.  Next one is scheduled for Saturday, 2/14, at the Arboretum with Run Stopper at the helm.  Great opportunity to try your hand at Qing, work on things you may not be as comfortable with (Cadence Count for example) or just learn some things you didn’t know.  Sign up link posted in weekly email.

If the PAX wants burpees, the PAX gets burpees

(Posted on behalf of Lobster Roll)

9 PAX decided that the last day of January 2015 would be a fine day to post at Area 51 for another Saturday morning smack down.  Lobster Roll had volunteered to serve as Q with YHC signed up for Site Q School and workout.  Beaver, having taken part in previous Lobsta led beat downs, decided to ask whether the PAX might be doing 60 minutes of burpees.  Probably wished he had left that comment unspoken.

With all the PAX on site and accounted for, Lobster Roll led the PAX on the mile loop down to the fire station, back through the nearby neighborhood (homestead of Cold Cuts who should be back in the mix in the next couple weeks, or so I am told), down through the lower athletic fields and ending up at the cinder block pile.

Along the mile loop the PAX made 4 stops for the following:

  • Stop 1 – 25 SSH (IC) & 25 Merkins
  • Stop 2 – 25 IW (IC) & 25 Wide-arm Merkins
  • Stop 3 – 25 Squats (IC) & 25 Diamond Merkins
  • Stop 4 – 25 LBCs (IC) & 25 Man-maker Merkins

Next up, per Beaver’s request, were a round of burpees:

  • 10 x 10 – 10 burpees every minute for 10 minutes (PAX reportedly not happy with Beaver)

After the burpees the PAX recovered with a session of Mary

Next up in Lobsta Roll’s bag of tricks was the Star Fish.  And to everyone’s surprise, the PAX were each going to carry a cinder block throughout and complete 5 burpees each time they returned to the launch point.  Starting at launch point, run to each of the five light poles for called exercise and then back to launch point for the 5 burpees.  Called exercises (each for 20 reps) were the following:

  • Incline Merkins on the Cinder Block
  • Decline Merkins on the Block
  • Bicep Curls w/ the Block
  • Tricep Extensions w/ the Block
  • Shoulder Press w/ the Block

As PAX finished they joined in another session of Mary to wait for the Six.  Star Fish presented PAX with stiff challenge and Q was glad to see everyone pushing through it.

PAX headed back to playground near the launch point and with a few minutes left the PAX completed as many rounds as possible of 10 Pull-ups and 25 Jump Squats.

Great work by all the PAX!

COT

Announcements:

Sign-ups for April 11 Mud Run are now live.  Get your team together and register.  Or just sign up and teams can be pulled together later.

BRR sign ups are taking place for the race on September 11-12. Reach out to Turkey Leg and let him know if you have any interest.

Team Chepul Hill is participating in 2nd Annual Charlotte Brain Tumor Race on 3/21/15 in Marshall Park in Uptown Charlotte.  5k, 10k, and 1 mile fun run options.  Chelms and Abacus are raising money for Brain Tumor research in honor of our younger brother, Bill, who has been battling Giloblastoma Multiform brain tumor since June 2012.  Sign up to run or participate at following link:

http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/TeamraiserEvents/CharlotteBrainTumorRace?team_id=71982&pg=team&fr_id=2420

 

Let’s do 11s. What was I thinking???

Though the grounds were a bit soggy, the rain had ended and 5 PAX gathered at McKee Rd Elementary for another weekly edition of Area 51.  As YHC arrived at 0659, I found the other PAX ready to get after it.  SF was planted easily after all the rain we have had and after a quick hello we headed off to the bus parking lot to get started.

COP:

  • SSH x 25 IC
  • IW x 20 IC
  • Low Slow Squat x 15 IC
  • MC x 15 IC
  • Peter Parker x 20 IC
  • Parker Peter x 25 IC

No late arrivals, so YHC had the PAX line up at the far light post for a little parking lot work:

  • High knees to middle light pole, jog it out to the other end
  • Butt kickers to middle light pole, jog it out back to start
  • Karaoke, with left shoulder leading, all the way to other end
  • Karaoke, with right shoulder leading, back to start
  • Backwards run to middle light pole, jog it out to other end

Time to get the PAX moving, so we moseyed over to the lower parking lot beside the soccer fields for a round of 11s (YHC originally thought about calling for round of 7s, but unwisely decided to ramp it up a bit):

  • 11s across the parking lot with burpees and sumo jump squats at each end (10 burpees/1 sumo jump squat, 9/2, 8/3, etc).  Apologies to Lobster Roll as he had to plank it up and wait for the rest of us to finish our final two rounds.  Dude is a beast.

Circle up and on your six for 6 MOM:

  • Dolly x 15 IC, hold’em
  • Flutter x 15 IC
  • Rosalita x 15 IC
  • Protractor
  • LBC x 25 IC

Enough ab work, let’s head over to the rock pile and complete a little heavy lifting.  Grab a lifting rock and circle up.

  • Rock curls x 20 IC
  • Rock Presses x 20 IC
  • Goblet Squats x 20 IC
  • Rinse & repeat x 2 (with 15 IC rd 2, 10 IC rd 3)

Head back over to the school for a little PC and wall work:

  • PC x 60 secs (w/ air presses x 20)
  • MC w/ ft on wall x 20 IC
  • PC x 60 secs

Finish up with a little circuit work at the playground:

  • Pull-ups x 10
  • Squats x 20
  • Complete AMRAP until YHC calls time (3-4 rounds completed)

COT

Moleskine:

  • With cold temps and quite a bit of rain having fallen YHC wasn’t sure how many PAX would make it out at 0700 on a brisk Jan morning.  However, as is typical with any F3 endeavor, arrived at AO just before launch time to find the PAX ready to go.  If not a part of F3, how many of us would have posted on a morning like this.
  • 11s sounded like a decent plan when the words came out of YHCs mouth.  However, after the first 4-5 rounds through, definitely had to second guess the call.  Fortunately the PAX powered through it with Lobster Roll making it look easy and O’Tannenbaum not too far behind.  O’Tannenbaum giving Lobster a good push throughout the morning.
  • Beaver has become a staple of the Saturday morning workout at Area 51.  Stepped up to take the Q a few times as well.  TClaps.
  • As always, an honor and a privilege to lead one of these workouts with a great group of men.

Announcements:

  • Sign-ups upcoming for Mud Run and Blue Ridge Relay.  Let Turkey Leg know if you have any interest in joining a BRR team.
  • 2nd Annual Charlotte Brain Tumor Race to be held in Charlotte at Marshall Park in Uptown on Saturday, 3/21/2015.  My brother, Chelms, and I are organizing Team Chepul Hill to participate in the race and raise money for Brain Tumor research, in support of our brother, Bill, who has been battling a brain tumor for over 2 1/2 years.  See the link below for more information:     http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/TeamraiserEvents/CharlotteBrainTumorRace?pg=team&fr_id=2420&team_id=71982

 

Area 51 takes a road trip

With a forecast for a nice brisk morning, YHC pre-tweeted to the PAX of Area 51 to not be late as we would be heading off campus for this week’s work-out.  With SF planted and 5 PAX on hand as the clock struck 0700 we set off for 60 minutes of fun.  YHC’s goal was to take us off the beaten path and explore some new terrain.  Unfortunately for O’Tannenbaum, he got delayed having to scrape a little ice off his windshield and so our 6th PAX member spent the morning trying to locate the PAX.  See below for more on this.  Here’s where we went:

Warm-up jog through the lower parking lot by the soccer fields and circle up for COP:

  • SSH x 25 IC
  • IW x 20 IC
  • Squats x 15 IC
  • MC x 20 IC
  • Parker Peter x 25 IC

Properly warmed up, YHC gave instructions for the PAX to run down to fire station (approx. 0.5 mi) and complete the following:

  • 20 Merkins
  • 20 Sumo Jump Squats (touch the ground each time)
  • Plank to wait for the Six

Now it was time to head off to some new terrain.  Instructions were given for PAX to continue run down McKee Rd to the corner of McKee and Providence Rd (another 0.5 mi or so), with leaders circling back to the Six as necessary.  Once we arrived at McKee and Providence, YHC led the PAX over to the nice green space in the middle of Promenade on Providence shopping center.  Much to DK’s disappointment, we weren’t headed to the Starbucks.

Circled up on the grass/dirt for a little Mary:

  • Dolly x 20 IC, hold’em
  • Flutter x 20 IC
  • LBC x 25 IC
  • CCV x 15R IC
  • CCV x 15L IC

With the PAX regrouped we gathered near the fountains in the middle and the following instructions were provided:

  • Complete called exercise(s) and then run a lap around the Green
  • Lap 1 – 15 Dips, run lap
  • Lap 2 – 15 Dips, 15 Squats, run lap
  • Lap 3 – 15 Dips, 15 Squats, 15 CDD, run lap
  • Lap 4 – 15 Dips, 15 Squats, 15 CDD, 15 Step-Ups (each leg), run lap

Line up on the sidewalk on perimeter of the Green and complete the following:

  • Bear Crawl across the Green, 5 Burpees
  • Crab Walk back across, 10 Burpees

Time to head back towards the AO.  Retrace our path with the PAX running to the fire station with leaders circling back to the PAX as necessary.  Once we reached the fire station we repeated our set with the following:

  • 20 Merkins
  • 20 Sumo Jump Squats
  • Plank and wait for the Six

Line up for Indian Run the final 1/2 mile back to the AO with a stop at the Rock Pile for the following:

  • Rock Curls x 15 IC
  • Rock Presses x 15 IC
  • Goblet Squats x 15 IC
  • Rinse & Repeat x 2 (Rd 2 x 10 IC, Rd 3 x 5 IC)

It was at this point that O’Tannenbaum found us.  (See NMM for more on this).  He joined us for Rd 3 of the rock work before we headed back to the launch point.

Jog back to the launch point.  With a few minutes left on the clock we circled up and completed the following:

  • Rosalita x 20 IC
  • Protractor
  • LBC x 30 IC

COT

NMM:

  • Cobains go out to O’Tannenbaum for missing out on our trek down to Promenade.  Apparently he had arrived just as we were leaving on our run down McKee Rd.  He spent the next 45-50 minutes trying to locate us in the surrounding neighborhoods with no success as he was not close enough behind to see us head down towards Providence Rd.  In YHC’s defense, I did send out the pre-Tweet on Friday night that we would be covering some new terrain and not to be too late, given certain PAX members propensity to show up at 0702/0703 on Saturday mornings.
  • For someone who reportedly does not like to run, Donkey Kong did not have any problem with the 2+ miles down and back to Promenade on Providence.  He and Lobster Roll led the pack on the way out and back to the fire station.
  • Slapshot put forth strong effort on the runs as well.  Not far behind DK and Lobster Roll on the out and back.
  • Think we probably covered 3+ miles when all was said and done.

Announcements:

  • BRR sign ups are ongoing.  Let Turkey Leg know if you have any interest in signing up for the team race that will take place Sept 11th and 12th.  6, 9, and 12 man teams are options.
  • Look for pre-blast about the Spring Mud Run.  Start thinking about 4 man teams.  Race is scheduled for April 11, 2015.

 

Yes, Area 51 AO is still in operation

(Posted on behalf of Lobster Roll.  Tardiness of post is fault of YHC)

What has become a common trend on Saturdays at Area 51, there was a lot of screeching tires heard around 7:00 AM in the parking lot at McKee Rd Elementary.  Pulling up the rear this week was Joker.  He did, however, hop out of his car ready to go!

The day started with a nice warm-up jog around the campus.  This was actually a scouting mission for the QIC as he was making this one up on the fly. . . .

The jog landed us on the track at the front of the campus

Lap 1:

  • Turn 1 – SSH x 50 IC
  • Jog to Turn 2
  • Turn 2 – Burpees x 10
  • Jog to Turn 3
  • Turn 3 – IW x 50 IC
  • Jog to Turn 4
  • Turn 4 – Burpees x 10
  • Jog to Turn 1

Lap 2:

  • Turn 1 – Squat x 50 IC
  • Jog to Turn 2
  • Turn 2 – Burpees x 10
  • Jog to Turn 3
  • Turn 3 – LBC x 50 IC
  • Jog to Turn 4
  • Turn 4 – Burpees x 10

Mosey to rear playground for some circuit work

  • Pull-ups x 10
  • Decline Merkins x 20
  • Dips x 30
  • Rinse & repeat x 2
  • Mix in some plank between each set

Mosey to woods for a trail run

After a nice run through the woods, the PAX hit the stumps for some legs and abs

  • Step-up x 10 (each leg)
  • Flutter x 50
  • Rinse & repeat x 2 (replace Flutter with Dolly for Rd 2 and Mason Twist for Rd 3)

Continuing to explore the campus, the PAX crossed the soccer fields and landed at the mason block pile for some upper body work

  • 4 sets of Shoulder Press, Back Row, & Curls
  • Rd 1 x 20 IC
  • Rd 2 x 15 IC
  • Rd 3 x 10 IC
  • Rd 4 x 5 IC
  • Pause for some ab work between each round

WIthe a little time left to beat the body, the PAX headed to playground at front of school for 3 rounds of Toes to the Bar x 5

Finished the morning off with 10 man-maker push-ups

Nice lead by Lobster Roll and strong work by all