11 men gathered in an elementary school parking lot on an it-feels-colder-than-the-thermometer-said kind of morning. NBD, we’re taking off quickly to get warmed up. No, wait, here comes Floor Slapper. Pause at the school entrance for half-hearted SSH and mountain climbers. Here comes somebody else. Should we wait? The car had a FIA sticker. Do they meet here? Would it be creepy if we waited? Let’s go. Quick right out of the school, then another right down the road there into the neighborhood (Puddin’ Pop can provide road names if you need them). Slight pause at the turn to wait again – oh, that’s just Floor Slapper, somehow 50 yards behind the group on a 50 yard run. Down to the bottom of the hill where, finally, Puddin’ Pop came in with the late arriver, Slice.
Run back up the hill to the first speed hump, 5 HR merkins. Back down to the start. 5 squat jumps. Repeat up to the second road hump, then all the way to Rea. Spackler was out front, but muttered “a little aggressive” when he passed me at the Rea turnaround. Hannibal appreciated that we had we already had 2 miles behind us, less than 20 minutes in. Maybe “appreciated” isn’t the right word.
After a brief Mary recovery, gather at the end of the road there, then AYG to the end of the road where it dead ends into the other road (.25 miles). Another bit of Mary, then slow mosey up the road to the road with the hill that starts with “Fox”. Triple Nickle on said hill with CDDs at the top, squat jumps at the bottom.
A little more Mary, then slow mosey on the trail through the woods (disclaimer). Find a partner that you don’t know well. One partner planks and holds the other’s feet for 20 old school situps, then flapjack. Yog up to the picnic tables for 10 derkins, 15 dips, repeat. Over to the front field for a handful of all-you-care-to-give sprints. Done.
3.5 miles total. We didn’t do Champagne-level merkins, but we worked in enough upper body stuff to make me tired. Speaking of Champagne, his date with Squid at The Lodge must’ve gone late since he was a no-show. #VoodooCommit. Hannibal was looking fresh in his camo pants – does Hops know you have his pants?
We have a naming issue with Pele – he was named in Metro, but works out in the Southland where we already have a Pele. A small group gathered after the workout to discuss referring to him henceforth as “Pele 2 – Electric Boogaloo”. Here, take a few minutes to watch the Dance Combat scene. You’re welcome.
11 men gathered in the safest AO parking lot in the city, were properly disclaimed, then proceeded thusly.
Yog out of the police department visitor’s lot into the dangerous streets of Pineville. Not really. Just down the park driveway to the entrance for a high-visibility warmup COP near the road. #advertising. We did the usual (SSH, IW, etc.), then moseyed back into the park down the driveway, interrupted by lunge walks, burpee broad jumps, carioca, etc. AYG back to the park entrance (quarter mile). A little Mary recovery, then AYG back. Amble over to the little walls nearby for some 10x derkins, 20x step ups, 30x dips. Repeat.
Partner up and gather at one end of the parking lot. Partner 1 does an exercise while partner 2 runs to the first median. Flapjack, but run to the second median. And so on. Three sets: 100 HR merkins, 150 jump squats, 150 LBCs. Udder bullied Cinnamon into a faster pace on the last lap to get the win, just as Alf’s PEDs were wearing off.
Meander over to the nearby grassy field. Mary. Then line up abreast for wind sprints across the width of the field. 10 sprints with a countdown from 10 between each one. Mermaid was nervously looking at his watch the whole time. It was a little longer back to the cars than I remembered, but we were only about 30 secs over.
This is a great new AO out in Pineville. Tons of space in the parking lots and fields, lots of picnic tables, walls, etc. Get out there and support the westward expansion of SOBs and Area 51.
Joe Davis Run signups still open. We’re trying to get to 1000 guys registered, and we’re around 500 now. See the newsletter for details.
20 men gathered for their weekly exam at Death Valley. Semi didn’t even say hello as he headed into his office at 5:26. A concise disclaimer was given, and off we went. A couple of guys whispered “we aren’t going to the field, are we?”. That field was built to hold water, not drain. After a few days of rain, that would’ve been a bad idea. Remember the New Year’s convergence a few years ago at OP?
Yog gently down the street to the daycare parking lot to test my recently strained calf. Seems ok. Circle up in the daycare parking lot for a warmup. A few guys were uncertain how to handle the parking median that bifurcated our circle, but they persevered. SSH, IW, CDD, Squats, MC. After I questioned Bounce about his effort, he began hurling insults about my polyps. Gross. Back to the school parking lot.
Line up abreast under the light pole, facing the cars. Suicides to the basketball goals with 5x the called exercise back at the light pole. HR merkins, Jump Squats (or Squat Jumps if you’re picky), Heels to Heaven, something else.
Down to the track for some Mary, then an AYG (or AYCTG – all you care to give) 400m lap.
Mosey over to the bleachers. Partner up. Partner 1 does the exercise while partner 2 does 10 burpees. Flapjack. Repeat with derkins, step ups, monkey humpers and incline merkins. Quick mary break (during which Spackler gave new meaning to the term “preblast” with his warning of what he was about to unleash). Now partner 1 does the exercise while partner 2 runs the stairway/ramp loop. Flapjack for a few exercises. Back up to the parking lot. Done.
Fun group this morning. After I had to cancel a couple of Qs last week to take care of my calf (not a baby cow, Semi) I was glad to get back out there. We all came dressed for 41 degrees and got a humid 50ish instead – I was sweating like a summer workout out there.
15 men took the wrong exit off the highway and found themselves in a middle school parking lot at 5:15 am. Runstopper should not wear those fluorescent tights within 100 yards of a school or he may end up on a registry. Efficient, but thorough, dislclaimer was given, and off we went.
Warmup yog to the entrance at Davie Park. Pause there for a cursory COP (SSH, IW, MC), then proceed down to the gate. Keep your hands visible so the cop in the giant, unmarked SUV doesn’t get alarmed.
Fastest mile in South Charlotte – down the driveway to the little baby loop in front of that building down there and back to the gate. Floor Slapper joined us here and narrowly avoided a long, cold, lonely run. Slow mosey up to the entrance to recover with Mary (recurring theme so I could catch my breath).
AYG from there to the traffic light at Rea. Mary recovery. AYG to the first entrance to Calvary on 51 (short but fast run).
Choose a lifting rock, then up to the nearby “Islands in the Stream” parking lot for 11s. 10 HR merkins on the other end of the parking lot (500 yards), back for 1 squat thruster with your rock. Continue with 9/2, 8/3, etc. This sucked a lot. From Strava, it looks like we ran just under 2 miles back and forth in that parking lot. It was a mental grinder. TL led Mary (awkwardly long) after he finished.
Return your rock, then AYG back to the entrance of Davie. Brief Mary interlude, then AYG up to the traffic light at the daycare. Quick breather to wait for the six, then AYG to the school entrance. Done. 5.5 miles.
Nice work by the guys on a cool morning. I had to design a workout where I wouldn’t get left behind, so lots of short segments and back and forth. Baracus joined us for (hopefully) his last real run before the marathon this weekend. Good luck, BA.
Announcements:
Sign up for the Christmas Party and Joe Davis Run.
Only the best for those who chose The Rock this morning. The South African delegation was all ready when I rolled in at 6:56, plenty early. I planted the shovel flag (one of a few that regularly fly in Area 51). Hammer and Wolfman came in hot at 7:00. Wolfman was dressed for January – save some of those layers for later big guy.
Slow yog over to the library parking lot. At my first Rock workout 3 years ago, Runstopper wore us out in that parking lot. I don’t think we’ve been back since, but it was nice to have new scenery. The giant Calvary parking lot just isn’t enough. Lots of traffic at 7:15 at the library – early, early voters I guess. Regardless, we got our usual warm up in (SSH, Squats, etc). Partner up for some here-and-theres with stuff mixed in. Over to the long part of the parking lot – run the loop (.2 miles maybe), 10 merkins, lap, 20 jump squats, lap, 30 LBCs. Repeat with a half of the loop. Unsuccessful attempt to get the guy doing squats and pullups on a tree branch to join us. What’s weirder than meeting guys in a church parking lot for a workout? Doing it by yourself in a library parking lot.
Indian run out of the parking lot, up to 51 and left to the first entrance. As we started the run, Hammer yelled something about his back and going home. So he left. Onward. (I checked on him later. He’s fine. Just old.)
Grab a lifting rock (avoiding giant anthills). Carry it over to the parking lot where we lined up abreast on one end. 10 curls, run to the first median and back. 15 curls, run to the second median. 10 curls, first median. Repeat (after trading rocks) with overhead press, tricep extensions, squats, and squat thrusters. We had to stop there before we got too yuge. Sometime during this segment, Boerewors said he had a bottle of home-brewed IPA in the car. So we had that to look forward to. Dingo chose the biggest rock, so he was killing it when he got to use the small ones that Wolfman and Boerewors picked.
Mosey back to the cars, stopping for some Mary near the fake grassy knoll. Finish with a few sprints. Done.
Boerewors made good on his claim and produced a solid IPA that he and the boys made. That’s right. We shared a beer in the parking lot of a church at 8:05 on a Saturday morning. Safe Lite didn’t hesitate to pop it with his wedding ring. Not his first one, methinks.
Beautiful fall morning out there, with the sun rising as we worked. Fall is awesome.
Announcements:
Christmas party signups – newsletter or website.
Repeat quote for me, but necessary. It was moist. Regardless, 7 men showed up to put in work. Sure, a few of them might’ve been there for the cancelled kettle bell workout, but still.
Meager disclaimer provided, Little W introduces himself as McGee’s dad. Interesting development. Onward. Did I mention the rain? Yog over to the covered entrance with the fake grassy hill. Warmup in relative dryness – SSH, IW, Mountain Climber, Squats, Peter Parker.
Over to the rock pile near the entrance. Select a lifting rock, then jog it over the hotbox. Select a picnic table. With the rock, 10 curls, 10 overhead presses, 10 tricep extensions. Run to the 1st trashcan. Repeat with all 7 trashcans. Recover with a little mary.
Jog back to the fake grassy hill. Old school: He Hate Me – 10 lunges each leg, 10 burpees, 10 old school situps. Keep going for 9 minutes. Recover with a little mary.
Back to the hotbox. People’s Chair on the wall. AYG to the church entrance and back (qtr mile-ish). Recover in chair. AYG to second light post. More chair. AYG to closest light post.
Around to the tables. 5 right leg step ups. 5 incline merkins. 5 left leg step ups. Run to the last trash can. Repeat with all 7 trash cans. Recover with a little mary.
Grab your rock and head back to the covered entrance. 15 squat thrusters with rock, 10 HR merkins. Repeat. Take your rock back the pile. Indian run back to cars. 1 more minute for Peter Parker and Parker Peter. Done.
Moleskin
Good times. I was surprised to see a fair sized group of guys when I rolled in, not so secretly hoping nobody showed up and I could go home. That’s why we post though – nobody would do that workout in that weather on his own. It was fun having a couple of Metro guys from the CORE workout group – Little W and Hoe Down. Little W is McGee’s dad. He took it pretty easy on McGee despite our questions. McGee hopes he’s in that good of shape when he’s 59. The rain was with us the whole time, but it wasn’t terrible. I sweat so much that I wasn’t any wetter at the end than I have been all Summer.
Announcements:
Sign up for Southern Discomfort (10/22)
Kettle Bell Clinic rescheduled for next Saturday (10/15)
Joe Davis Run is coming up in early January
Posted on behalf of Boerewors:
Finally a nice cool morning at the rock, winter is coming, so time to get into shape.
The Thang
Warmup: Disclaimer and run to the far side of Calvary for some SSH and IW.
Ran to parking lot along Pineville-Matthews for some small curb elevated merkins (mini derkins?):
10 merkins, spider walk left a couple of steps, mountain climbers, spiderwalk right, wide arm merkins, spiderwalk (SW), diamonds, SW, peter parkers, SW, run to other curb and back, more merkins, spiderwalks, widearms and done.
Ran over to the baseball field. Grabbed a lifting rock, and some more partner loops around the outside of the baseball field:
Speedhump jumpsquats starting with 20, dropping by 2 every hump until done… once we got down to 10 the complaints seemed to get less.
Quick visit to the Hotbox for a couple of partner lamp post loops:
Mosey over to the Soccer field and found the “driest” field, before doing some sideline to sideline sprints from the hand release position.
Sideline stops included:
Run to far fence with 3, 2, 1 bumpies at goalposts.
Indian run back to start with quick mary, finished it off with some more merkins.
The Moleskin:
Lovely cool morning, perfect weather for working out. Q was nicely leading from the rear for the first half, before my legs decided to cooperate.
Total distance of 3.6 miles, all with some serious water weight in shoes/clothes from the field towards the end.
Thanks for the Q guys!
Announcements:
New workout next Sunday for people looking to get into distance training. Reach out to Flipper for more info.
Southern Discomfort on the 22nd:
Eleven men gathered on a dryer than expected morning. The disclaimer was tremendous. Trust me. It was great. Off we went:
Yog around the parking lot a bit to count medians, check on construction (gone), etc. Settle into the inner ring of the parking lot for warmups: SSH, IW (non-squat version, Mermaid), Mountain Climber, HR Merkins. Warm up lap around the church and back to the warmup area.
Triple Nickel from there with Jump Squats at the bottom, HR merkins at the top of the hill. A little Mary to recover afterwards.
Mosey up to the tennis pavilion. Partner up. Partner 1 runs around the median over there and back (maybe 150 yards) while partner 2 does an exercise. Flapjack. Step-ups, derkins, lunges, dips. Mary to recover a bit.
Mosey down to the second ring of the parking lot for the Beast – early indications that we, unfortunately, wouldn’t have time to get all the way to the burpees. What a surprise! We got through jump squats, merkins, full sit ups and CDDs.
Mosey back up to the start (during which Alf told me he was pleasantly surprised at the quality of my workout – thanks?). Finish up with Peter Parker and Parker Peter.
Moleskine
Good hard work by the gang this morning. I was glad to see it wasn’t raining when I got out there, but the humidity was rough. Not much longer until we’ll all complain about how cold it is. Alf reviewed his pre-workout hair styling routine with some of us before we got started. I’d put him on the good-hair-at-a-workout Mount Rushmore alongside Deep Dish, Cottonmouth (with the old hairstyle) and Purple Haze. I’m going to start a GoFundMe page to get Pop Tart a shirt that fits – his poor children must wonder why their shirts are always missing.
Announcements:
Labor Day (Monday) convergence at Stonecrest at 7:00. Park in front of the movie theatre.
Saturday (9/3) mini-convergence at The Rock with Day Zero and Ascent/Olympus. Q is Prohibition.
Posted on behalf of Boerewors:
I mentioned to Safelite that I have Q this week and he wanted to do a bit of a test run for his first Q, so we split duties this morning.
The Thang
Warmup: Run to the far side of Calvary for some SSH, merkins and Imperial walkers.
3x Northface loops consisted of some lbcs, jump squats and Russian twists. Slight detour on the first loop to picking up Hoover as he came in late after HighT.
From Nothface we took a nice scenic perimeter run down Rea to Pineville Matthews where we stopped at every lamppost to do merkins. Started with 20 and worked down by 2 at every post. We got a bit more than half way before the pax were complaining too much so we switched to lbc to finish the run to entrance 1.
Head over the Grassy Knoll, 20 lbcs at top (working down by 2 every loop), and 2 jump squats at the bottom (working up to 20). eTrade was showing us how it is done, and was most likely the only one to complete this activity.
Quick water break on the way to the rocks.
Do loops around baseball field while watching and explaining the rules of Cricket being played on the baseball field. 20 curls, 20 overhead press, 20 tricep ext.
Head over to hotbox for another water break before some trashcan loops, including: dips, donkey kicks, step ups.
Mosey back to start for 5 minutes of mary.
The Moleskin:
Good work guys, total distance of 3.5 miles. Next week is my 1 year anniversary of joining F3, so was fun to Q again, especially since it turns out the whole pax today happen to be people I roped into F3, haha. Great work by co-Q safelite too.
Thanks eTrade for taking is out.
Announcements:
Convergence for labor day
I haven’t seen a Hydra shovel flag in a couple of years. Nevertheless, 14 men gathered, stretched various things, then proceeded thusly…
Warmup lap around the school back to the front field for the usual warmup – SSH, IW, etc.
Then line up abreast on the sideline. Back and forth to continue the warmup – high knees, buttkickers, broad jumps, lunges, etc.
Mosey to the school wall. Partner 1 does People’s Chair while partner 2 does a lap around the school. Flapjack.
Over the outfield fence – hop the fence, do a burpee, repeat 10x. Awesome.
Back to the wall for the People’s Chair/lap combo. Recover with Plankorama.
Mosey back to the concession area. 10x derkins, 10x jump ups, 10x incline merkins. Repeat.
Over to another outfield fence for the burpee/fence jump thing again. Good times.
Circle up in the field for Mary – Flutter, Freddie Mercury, Dolly, Protractor.
Line up abreast on the end line. Sprint to the other side, 10-count recovery, sprint back. 11 sprints total. Time’s up.
Moleskine
No BRR hijacking today. All on-campus, lots of variety. Something for everyone to hate. I was particularly unhappy about the burpee/fence jumping thing. Good work by the guys this morning. Orange Whip and Rhapsody ran like Ryan Lochte out of Brazil. Daisy’s heavy breathing during the sprints made me uncomfortable, but he was working hard (and usually ahead of me). Deep Dish’s hair always looks the same after the workout as it does at the beginning – how does it not get sweaty or messed up? Good to see that Harley found his visor this week.
Announcements
Pool Party – look for details in the newsletter