Author Archive Brushback

Adonis-like pecs and shoulders? Yes please.

It was a wet and foggy morning, but 17 men were destined for greatness none-the-less.  No new guys….let’s go…..

  • Short Mosey with high knees and butt kickers

COP:

  • SSH x 20 IC
  • Merkins x 10 IC  (slow)
  • IW x 20 IC
  • Diamond Merkins x 10 IC (slow)
  • Explosive jump squats x 10 IC (slow count down; high jump with knees to chest)
  • Burp and Merk to 10 (1st burp 1 merkin, 2nd burp 2 merkins, 3rd burp 3 merkins….up to 10)

Mosey to side of church by the lovely fake grass knoll

Plank series: (remain in plank for entirety)

  • High plank (hold 45 secs)
  • Elbow plank (45 secs)
  • High plank with alternating shoulder taps x 10 IC
  • 6 inches (10 sec countoff courtesy of Alf)

Circuit:

  • Plank walk to your right (20 yards)
  • Bear crawl slolom through pilars (first set of pillars)
  • Crabwalk slolom through pillars (second set of pillars)
  • Repeato: but start on opposite side with plank walk to your left
  • LBCs to wait on 6

Partner-up: 

  • Partner 1 plank on partner 2’s feet while partner 2 completes 25 old school situps (flapjack)
  • Partner 1 plank while partner 2 completes 20 derkins (flapjack)

Short mosey to medians

Partner combo work: (LBCs to wait on 6 after each set)

  • Combine for 150 merkins: partner 1 does merkins while partner 2 runs suicides to 2 medians
  • Combine for 50 HR burpees: partner 1 burpees while partner 2 runs suicides to medians

Mosey to playground

Circuit:

  • 10 pull-ups / 15 donkey kicks on swings / 15 incline merkins (pvc pipes) x  2 sets
  • Rinse and repeat with 5 / 10 / 10

Sprint work:

  • 3 rounds of gasers AYG (approximately 75 yds to light pole and back)

Mary:

  • Flutter x 25 IC (varied between very slow and fast)…hold
  • Protractor: 10 / 45 / 90 / 10
  • Poor man’s LBC
    • Right elbow to left knee x 10 IC
    • Left elbow to right knee x 10 IC

1 minute left…..10 HR burpees OYO…..Done

Moleskine:

All too often we forget to work on building up our strength while we sprint like madmen from place to place.  I certainly appreciate the cardio, it’s key, but i’m starting to feel like skinny arm Rob Lowe. Today was meant to pound on the upper body; hopefully it was both hated and loved by the Pax. Impressed with everyone’s resolve to push through today; not that I would expect anything less.

I was smoked at several points during the workout and regretted some of my ill-advised calls (primarily during the plank walk into bear crawl and crabwalk combo.  Shoulders are hurting.

Some observations.  Lobster Roll continues to beast; Alf is a monster (planked while myself and BOG both did derkins on his back); Mermaid can do limitless merkins; Scabby and Sacagawea are fast!; Hops doesn’t really tire (#stamina). I’d also through YL, Boutique and Margo into the staying power camp.  Welcome Van Pelt from Winston-Salem.  Great work men.

Meaningful takeout by Mermaid. Aye!

Who’s afraid of the 13th?

19 brothers of A51 gathered in the gloom expecting pain as a result of Friday the 13th.  Pain was subsequently served and hopefully in enough quantity to satisfy the PAX.

The Thang:

Mosey to nearby lot:

COP:

  • SSH x 13 IC
  • IW x 13 IC
  • Merkins x 13 IC…hold….
  • Plank with alternating shoulder taps x 13 IC

Aquatic center lot: partner-up and size matters

  • Partner carry length of lot; 13 jump squats each; run back down (flapjack, rinse and repeat)
  • Wheelbarrow length of lot; 13 derkins each on planking partner (flapjack, rinse and repeat)

Fast mosey to shopping center at Carmel/51

Triple 13s (forever to be known as the Freddy Kreuger courtesy of Chelms)

  • Bottom of first stairs: 13 HR merkins
  • Run: up stairs, across to 2nd stairs, descend x 13
  • Bottom of second stairs: 13 smurfjacks
  • Repeato: 12, 11, 10…….1

Mary:

Flutter x 13 IC…..hold

Dolly x 21 IC…..hold……10 count Champagne……10 count Mighty Might

Fast mosey down 51 to front of CC…..stop….. AYG…..to launch lot!!

Moleskine:

Strong veteran crew out there this morning.  Knew we would have some good chatter with Semi, Hannibal, Steinbrenner and of course the everpresent Q-nagging from Chelms.  Couple of mumbles of concern as we entered the paliative care lot for COP, but alas the Q wasn’t trying to hurt anybody….at least not yet.

As we arrived at the launch site of the triple 13 and instructions were given, the real vitriol came out. Such statements were heard as, “Q must have forgotten the weinke” and “how uninventive”.  Both of which i believe were Semi.  This little gem was thought up a couple of days ago. I’m a big fan of having a plan set out before me, that is both mentally and physcially challenging.  The mental challenge comes in with the time it takes to slog through this for 20 minutes; i know i had my doubts about finishing it out.  Solid effort by the PAX to push through; no one was quitting and pushed hard.  Tclaps to Udder and Lex Luther doing all of this with the ruck, and to the Larry Birds (Chelms, Bout Time, Purple Haze, maybe couple others).

Took the count to 21 on the Dolly to throw the pack off the scent, as by that time the calls of “how predictable” began to rain down.  Take that and like it!  And no Chelms, mary is not my wheelhouse.

There was a small band of pre-KBers but I couldn’t tell who it was as they were tucked back in a dark corner.  Good job of making sure to be in the most likely spot to get accosted.  Shout out below if you want credit.

Gentlemen, it was a pleasure to lead you this morning.  I thank God for F3 and each and every one of you.  The bonds we have made through the physical exertion, fellowship, and the growing of our faith cannot be overstated.

Thanks for the takeout Snowflake.  Aye!

Mudrun? What do y’all know about Mudrun?

18 crusaders met in the gloom for a beatdown at The Brave.  Barnes (Mermaid) and Elias (Brushback) took the helm and charged into the unknown for what was sure to break us down only to build us up.  The pax moved as one machine, but when the machine breaks down, we break down, and we ain’t going to allow that. No man left behind.  Here’s what went down:

Mermaid on Q:

Mosey to Premier parking deck

COP

SSH x 10 IC

Merkin x 20 IC

Jump squat x 15 IC

Run up stairs to top of deck; Burpees to wait for six; Run back down stairs

Run up ramps to top of deck; Burpees to wait for six

Mary:

IC: Flutter x 10/hold/High Flutter x 10/hold/Heels to Heaven x 10

Mosey back down to the bottom of ramps; Burpees to wait for six

Partner up: Bear crawl / Under-Overs

Bear crawl 25 yards up ramp/Partner 1 plank/Partner 2 does 10 Under-Overs.  Bear crawl 25 yards and flapjack.

Mosey back down ramp. Burpees to wait for six.

AYG to top of first ramp. 10 jump squats. Mosey back down.

AYG to top of first ramp. 5 burpees OYO. Mosey back down.

Brushback on Q:

Fast mosey from deck down B’tyne Commons

Quick stop at guard rail to wait for six: Dips x 10 IC / Derkins x 10 IC

Continue mosey; plank work to wait for six (RHH, RLH, LHH, LLH): and yes we did all of this without returing to regular in between; you had to be there it was EPIC!

Stop at fitness trail below Lake Courtyard (Marriott) for circuit traing:

Circuit:

Pain Stations: 

Shimmy across parallel bars / 10 pullups / 30 merkins (finger-tip / crucible / ply-o) / 10 knee-ups

Lap 1 around lake with pace with 3 stops: Derkins x 15 / Jump-ups x 15 / Dips x 15

Lap 2: no stops; push through with as close to 5k haul-A pace as you can

The goal was 3 rounds of this but the pax quickly called me out as “eyes bigger than stomach” (Champagne), and a myriad of groans and cat calls.  Hey, why not shoot for the moon brothers! Though we did only have 20 minutes to complete.  Most got to 2 rounds completed; few just shy; others like Haggis, Frazier, were 2+.

Quick regroup and head to start: 6:16. DONE!

 

Our goal today was to push hard with minimal breaks to get the heart rate up and force the Pax to keep going through O2 deprivation.  To do well in MR or obstacle races you must be able to keep moving and recover on the runs between the obstacles.  Deck work was tough and accomplished the objective.  Second 30 minutes objective was strength work (pain stations) in between constant fast-paced running.  Everyone pushed today and if you pushed beyond your preconceived limits then you accomplished the ultimate goal of this training.  If you can push yourself for 60 minutes then you will smoke/crush/mutilate the MudRun.

Welcome FNG Patches (Josh).  He’s a friend of Dory and Mermaid.  Former PE teacher; got us on to Dodgeball, Globo-gym, and then Patches O’Houlihan per Madame Tussauds.  The Pax speaks and so it is….

We were honored to lead you men.  This is a great AO, and a workout that must be in your rotation. Aye!

I’m suuuperrrr, thanks for asking

It was a brisk but comfortable morning. 19 brosefs escaped the fartsack for what was sure to be a smoker…at least as hoped by the Q.  Here’s what went down…


The Thang

Quick disclaimer given as no FNGs…let’s mosey….butt kickers, high knees…enough of that…circle up.

COP

  • SSH x 20 IC
  • IW x 20 IC
  • Low slow squat x 15 IC

Settle-in gents for some pec work…

  • Merkins x 10 IC
  • 4 Super burpees OYO (5 pushups, 5 jumps per burpee)
  • Freddy Mercury x 15 IC
  • Wide-arm Merkins x 10 IC
  • 4 Super burpees OYO
  • Freddy Mercury x 15 IC
  • Diamond Merkins x 10 IC
  • 4 Super burpees OYO
  • Freddy Mercury x 15 IC
  • Peter Parker Merkins x 10 IC
  • 4 Super burpees OYO
  • Freddy Mercury x 15 IC

1 mile from our destination where we stand….follow me on a fast mosey….and enjoy the burpee mile on the way

  • 1 mile fast mosey run to McAlpine Elementary playground; 3 stops along the way for 10 burpees OYO (30 total)

Playground circuit – 3 rounds

  • 10 pullups (30 total)
  • 20 CDD (60 total)
  • 30 Russian Twists (90 total)

alrighty, now we got to get back, but before we go…4 super burpees OYO

  • 1 mile fast mosey back (but not as fast as first as Q and pax getting gased…except for Bushwood, Lobsta Roll and Mermaid who were Larry Birds)
  • stop halfway for 10 burpees OYO

Sweatbox set

  • 20 jump-ups
  • 20 squats with toes to wall or better yet heels as toes are basically impossible…Q fail
  • 25 jump-ups

Mary

  • Flutter x 20 IC …hold
  • Dolly x 20 IC
  • LBC x 20 IC
  • 1 more super burpee to close it out!!

 

COT

  • Truely solid work by all pax today. I was smoked and everyone kept up and put in a strong effort.
  • Some good mumblechatter going on today:
    • Hannibal reminded Q half-way into merkinfest that the AO is quite large (obvious call to audible…no such luck…but great try)
    • Stone Cold at the playground, “oohhh shiny….” and proceeds to put his tongue on the metal playset support
    • Every super burpee call was met with abudance of groans and grumbles. Man-up!
  • Nice having the muscle-bound trio of Chanel, Brown and Stone Cold join us. Pay it back gentlemen by going to Skunkworks and Meathead.  Great to mix in some iron with the cardio.
  • Strong Larry Bird efforts on the running from Lobsta Roll, Bushwood, and Mermaid
  • Flutie Flakes posting in shorts and short sleeves…get some!
  • Lots of “that sucked” for the Q afterwards so mission accomplished. YL says he’ll be hearing “4 super burpeess OYO” in his head the rest of the day.
  • Totals: 235 Merkins (counting CDD and super burp merkins), 61 Burpees, 30 pull-ups, 45 jump-ups, and 2.2 miles with strong pace

Thanks for the great takeout YL.  This time of the year it is important to focus on all the blessings we have, and to pass on our abundance to those in need both locally and globally.  God is great!

Announcements:

  • January 10 we have rented a theatre at Regal Stonecrest for an A51 viewing of the movie Unbroken. 7 pm. Invite to follow.
  • Joe Davis Run – January 10; sign-up.
  • Meathead plug – all KB workout Thursdays. come get stronger along with getting faster.
  • December 24 – be on the lookout for a convergence, possibly at Anvil.

The few, the proud….

This small but determined crew wouldn’t let overindulgence and sloth take its grip. The holiday season won’t be making us softies! We proceeded to get an upper body pump and keep on the move.

10 Hand release burpees OYO…follow me!

COP:

SSH x 25 (IC)

Diamond Merkins x 13 (IC)

IW x 20 (IC)

Wide Merkins x 13 (IC)

10 HR burpees OYO

Follow me…fast mosey across street to parking lot by Jack in the Crackbox

The Thang:

Partner up: size matters somewhat but since this was a veteran crew with equal strength and speed didn’t really matter. To note; Bout Time is relatively new but can bring it for sure.

  • Partner 1 25 sit-ups while Partner 2 planks on feet (flapjack)
  • Partner 1 25 derkins on planked Partner 2 (flapjack)
  • Repeato x 15
  • 10 HR burpees OYO

Follow me…fast mosey down 51 to greenway at the pull-up bars and find partner.

  • Partner Combo work: combine for 100 pull-ups and 50 HR burpees
    • break it down with partner 1 doing 10 pull-ups while partner 2 does 5 HR burps (flapjack)
  • Plank-o-rama: LHH, LLH, RHH, RLH, 6 inches – 10 count Bushwood, 10 count Frazier
  • CDD ladder to 10 with partner: 1,1,2,2,3,3…….10,10

Follow me…fast mosey back up to CCH…to benches

Bench set: leg work

  • 20 jump-ups
  • 20 sumo jump squats
  • repeato x 15

COT:

  • Circle up for Ring of Fire: pax planked in circle, 1 pax runs around circle and re-planks, repeat until all have run
  • Flutter x 25 (IC)
  • LBC x 20 (IC)
  • Dolly x 20 (IC)
  • To finish it off 10 HR burpees OYO

Tally: 147 merkins (counting CDD); 65 HR burpees; 50 pull-ups; approx 1.8 miles

Moleskin:

It was a tough morning to make it out being the day after Thanksgiving and that it was again in the mid-20s. Solid work by a veteran pax.  I hope it was worth making it out of the fartsack.  No complaining, just work by this crew.

Honor and a privilege to lead these men and at one of the best AOs. Aye!