The 20-degree weather abated this morning as we headed into the gloom but the rain decided to fill that void. 8 PAX and a 2.0 (lured by the promise of donuts) mingled briefly in the light rain. Disclaimer was provided and off we went.
Here’s what went down.
The Thang
Mosey across 51 and over to the Charlotte Catholic deck. CoP @ bottom entrance.
Warm-Up Exercises in cadence:
WAVE 1: Growing Pains (aka “Ab Ramps”)
Wave 2: Triple Nickel
Finished with 20 Dragonflys on the chain-link fence for good measure. Toes all the way up to the fence.
Mosey back to Launch Point
Did a Merkin-Wave to 100 until time expired. Called time and COT.
Moleskin
Announcements
The Thang
Gathered up with 5 minutes to spare. Mighty Mite showed up donning his Santa hat and a full white beard. Makes a side comment that he’s not 100% sure what that stuff is gonna look like once this is over. Midriff came decked out in his full Llama pajamas. YHC with the Santa Suite (Waist up). So far, we’re looking like the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse. Cable Guy and Big Ben round out our quintet. They didn’t have festive outfits but they brought the festive cheer anyway.
6:30, “Little hand says it’s time to rock and roll”. Quick disclaimer, start the playlist, and we’re off. Gotta make sure we have enough time to get through the weinke. Of all the workouts I’ve Q’d this one is the most up in the air. We might be done in 20 minutes, we might not complete it, we’ll see how this plays out. I do have options.
Head out of the PetsMart lot with 5 festive men and over to the big Christmas Tree near Banana Republic. Need to bask in the Christmas glow.
CoP Exercises in cadence:
Now that we’re good and warmed up, mosey across the street to the medical plaza. As we cruise past the fountain at the medical plaza we pick up Dwight and Watson. Now we’re up to 7. Huddle up in the parking lot closest to Rea and Ardrey Kell for a little…
12 Days of Christmas
I dole out the instructions and turn the playlist up to 11. These are not your mother’s Christmas tunes. Just then, C3P0 and Johnny 5 pull in to bring our group to 9.
Starting at the first tree, we build our Christmas pyramid.
This is where YHC shows the PAX that this is indeed his first Saturday Q (although they wouldn’t find out just yet). Checking my watch regularly so I don’t screw this up I decide to cut us short just as we’re getting to Day 11. The lead PAX sweep the course and pick up the rest of the group. Head back to the PetsMart lot for some mary to wrap this up.
Mary:
Called time and … damn. PAX look gleeful as though Christmas has come early. Turns out YHC had his weekday Q schedule in his head this whole time. Guess what? 15 more minutes. To their delight, I snatch back the elusive present of ’15 minutes off’ and we set out for an improvised final push.
Playlist still rocking we mosey over to the lot in front of NC Velo. Going the full length of the lot from Rea to the Best Buy we start with a round of Triple Bs. Every three parking spaces rotate between:
Once we get down the lot we reverse course with:
Finish it up with a couple of AYGs to squeeze out the last bit of energy from the group.
Head back to the launch to finish up that Mary we started:
And time.
Moleskin
Announcements
Playlist
For anyone interest in a 1-hour, fast paced Christmas Workout Playlist see below. Some are classics, some are obscure. But they all kept us moving this morning.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 19 years. Today we reflected on innocent lives lost and the heroes who ran into those buildings to rescue and save those inside. In memory of the fallen, we conducted this morning’s workout in silence. Only my cadence and commands were heard as we took time to reflect and remember.
The Thang
Mosey across 51 and over to the Charlotte Catholic deck. Up stairwell #1. CoP on top level.
Warm-Up Exercises in cadence:
Mosey back down the stairs to the entrance
WAVE 1: Catch me if you can (Partner Up)
Back down Stairwell #1 and across to the stadium fence. 9 WWII Sit-ups, 11 Leg Lifts, toes all the way to the fence (2 Sets).
Mosey over to Stairwell #2
WAVE 2: Deck Routine (Same Partners)
Back across to the stadium fence. 9 WWII Sit-ups, 11 Leg Lifts holding the fence.
Getting close to 6:00am so we detoured from the schedule to avoid the incoming teacher vehicles and headed over to the rock pile on McMahon St. It was at this point that Hops blew a wheel coming in hot to the rock pile. Wisely opted to walk it off rather that push through. Mermaid, being the solid Site Q he is, left no man behind and took off with Hops.
WAVE 3: Rock Work
AYG down to Hwy. 51 and then mosey back to Launch Point
Mary until time is called
Called time and COT.
Moleskin
Announcements
Its’ official, today marks the beginning of the second half of 2020. 17 PAX (including one 2.0) decided to kick it off by making themselves a little stronger. Temperature was acceptable for July 1st but the humidity was @ 100%. YHC broke a sweat just delivering the disclaimer.
Here’s what went down.
The Thang
Mosey over to the far parking lot for a little warm up.
Warm-Up Exercises in cadence:
Mosey over to the rock pile. Pick your poison and set up in lot next to rock pile.
WAVE 1: Rock/Burpee Set (3 Repetitions)
Return rocks from whence they came. Head down the long straight and over to the Avenue of Trees.
WAVE 2: Avenue of Trees (Triple B’s)
Mosey over to the light post in the middle of the larger parking lot section. During this run, Stone Cold asked if we would be making a detour into the playground sand to do a set of “Sugar Cookies”. Not 100% sure what that meant but am tucking that away for a later Q. Appreciate that Stone Cold.
WAVE 3: Starfish in the parking lot
Plank variations while we wait for the 6 to get in. Last stop, the North Face.
WAVE 4: North Face Loop
Mosey (drag ourselves) back to Launch Point
Just enough time for Freddie Mercuries x20 and then called time. Followed by Countorama, Nameorama, and YHC with the takeout prayer.
Moleskin
Announcements
Final Thoughts
SYITG.
All I could think about last night as I was heading to bed was the slogan from Rip Roarin’ Rapids. If you grew up in the Charlotte area, you’re likely familiar with it. There’s a sign just as you walk in that reads: “You will get wet, you may get soaked.” With that in mind, I built the weinke for a little dry and a little wet. Luckily for the 7 PAX who showed up, they didn’t have to worry about either as the rain had stopped by the time we rolled up @ 5:30am. But even without the rain, with the humidity pushing 90%+, it was like working out inside a dog’s mouth.
Here’s what went down.
The Thang
Mosey across 51 and over to the Charlotte Catholic deck. CoP @ bottom entrance.
Warm-Up Exercises in cadence:
WAVE 1: Catch me if you can (Partner Up)
Back down Stairwell #1 and across to the stadium
WAVE 2: Leg Lifts and Bearkin Lunge Crawls
Mosey over to Stairwell #2
WAVE 3: Deck Routine (Partner Back Up)
Mosey over to rock pile on McMahon rd., pick your weight
WAVE 4: Rock Work
Mosey back to Launch Point
Mary until time is called
Called time and COT.
YHC with the prayer.
Moleskin
Announcements
Quiet morning in the Gloom today. Seven PAX + Three 2.0s (Hang 10? No? Too much?) hit the surf this morning to start off their weeks.
Here’s what went down.
The Thang
Warm-Up Exercises in cadence:
1m OUT and 1m IN Run
WAVE 1: Repeat 2 times (Plank in-between & before run-out)
2m OUT and 2m IN Run
WAVE 2: Repeat 2 times (Plank in-between & before run-out)
1m OUT and 1m IN Run (AYG on the final 30 seconds)
WAVE 3: Repeat 2 times (Plank in-between & before run-out)
1m OUT and 1m IN Run
WAVE 4: Repeat 2 times (Plank in-between & before run-out)
1m OUT and 1m IN Run
Round of Mary. PAX choice.
Called time and COT.
Moleskin
Announcements
Woke up this morning and father time had just struck 40 on my clock. No better way to ring in a new decade than getting up @ 4:45am and getting some work in while the rest of the world sleeps. I have to start this week’s back blast thanking @Lorax and @Fallout for getting me out here 3 months ago. It only took them 6 years to convince me but they stuck with. Now three months in (having gained the ability to talk while working out) YHC is ready for his VQ.
Disclaimer provided. VQ Announced. Apologies provided. Informed the PAX that today is my 40th birthday and they’re all going to celebrate 1980 with me.
The Thang
Quick mosey over to the semi-circle astroturf area to get the blood flowing
Quick Fact: Lots of notable celebrities were born in 1980 (Macauley Culkin, Ryan Gosling, Jessica Simpson, Albert Pujols). But I love chicken and in 1980 we lost a true hero, the original Colonel Sanders. He had 11 spices in his secret recipe.
Warm-Up Exercises in Cadence:
Quick pace out to the Hot Box for some body work.
Quick Fact: In addition to going to school for acting (hence the nickname) I also played hockey. In 1980 USA beat Russia in the Winter Olympics @ Lake Placid: Score = 4-3 (also a variation of today’s date, if you’re European).
Sets of 43 for each called exercise OYO, followed by a run to the parking lot light, 5 burpees, and back. Repeat for each exercise.
Fallout with the 10 count.
Hustle over to the rock pile for some lift/runs. Pick a repping rock.
Quick Fact: Another actor who had a big year in 1980 was Ronald Reagan. He was elected president in 1980 after a fairly respectable acting career. He was the 40th President.
Sets of 40 (20 per exercise per round) for each exercise OYO. Rocks on one end, run around the circle to the portico, exercise, run back. Repeat three times:
Plank while we wait for the 6.
10 more burpees to round out a total of 40 before we leave. YHC with the 10 count.
Jog back out to the hotbox for some wall sits with air presses. 40 count.
At this point Spackler, eager to lead a portion of the workout (I did bump him to Q today) jumped in to give me a breather with a 20 count of hand release merkins.
Indian run the long way back to start.
Quick Fact: After my failed attempt at acting, I ended up with a degree in Computer Science. In 1980 a consortium of DEC, Intel, and Xerox introduced the DIX standard for Ethernet. It ran an astonishing 10Mbps. Also of note, it was not stolen from Al Gore.
Full 6MoM of 10 exercises until time is called. Each PAX contributed and called out an exercise.
Called time and COT with the Meathead men.
Moleskin
Not a lot of mumblechatter this morning. Not sure if that was due to the PAX waiting to see if I was going to screw up, or if I was just too focused on not screwing up that I didn’t pay attention. Likely a healthy combination of the two.
Shout out to Posse who drove in from F3 Waxhaw for my VQ. I mentioned this to the group but will do so again, Posse and the F3 Waxhaw group are running several ‘Q Schools’ throughout the year. Huge help for new guys like me. If you know of any new guys who are hesitant to Q and need a good push, reach out and get them signed up.
Final thanks one more time to Lorax and Fallout. These guys never gave up on me even in the face of tremendous pushback (6+ years) and finally got me over the hurdle. Keep that in mind if you’re getting resistance from guys in your circle. Don’t give up and keep pushing. If they’re like me, they’ll realize pretty quickly how important it is to find something they can do to invest in themselves. For most men my age (40), life is pretty hectic and I found that I’ve spent a lot of the last 10 years doing things for others. Primarily the M, the 2.0s, and obviously work. It’s easy to lose yourself in that routine. Find something that allows you to invest in yourself and gives you the opportunity to build fellowship with other men.
Thanks for the opportunity to lead. Looking forward to more.
Announcements
YHC with the closing prayer.
What a difference 24 hours makes. After making it through a windy but 60-degree warm workout yesterday, this morning’s 27-degree Q school @ Cuthbertson Middle tested the determination and desire of 15 PAX. Hard to tell how many were truly new to the Q but even the pros dialed down their experience levels to show us some of the mistakes they’ve “only ever made once.”
So with a campus full of frost ahead of us, and only one innuendo during the DiCCs, we ventured out.
CoP
Quick lap around the parking lot to knock off the frost and then circle up for a demonstration on cadence. Even though I’ve seen several examples of “cadence challenged” Qs before, Posse put them all to shame in a humble effort to highlight POINT #1, how the quality of the Q sets the tone for the grind. Better examples followed and then a quick round-robin of PAX-led warmups using proper cadence (mostly).
The Thang
Warm up complete and Goodfella sprints to the front of the school. Half the PAX catch up, half get caught off guard and left behind. Point #2 made and we regroup at the front of the school for partner work.
Mosey over to the bus lot for exercises leveraging AO-specific structures. In this case, the covered walkway with columns. After throwing the next exercise out to the group, someone called for bear crawls to the delight of the crowd. Another PAX tried to subvert the exercise by demonstrating an “Alligator Merkin” and the group quickly reversed course and accepted the bear crawls. We originally tried to mix the bear crawls with squat jumps but quickly realized that squat jumps are not a distance sport. Swapped for broad jumps and we’re off. Alternate between the poles. Al Gore while we wait for the 6.
Next up, cross campus movement using landmarks for added pain. 5 burpees per light pole as we headed toward the shed. Plank and Plank Jacks till the group reforms.
Mosey to the rock pile to select a rock. No one told us we were going to shuffle rocks which left some PAX happier than others.
Point #3 (probably not as I’m sure we had learned more by now) about proper form and the handling of large rocks (no innuendos) and then back to the pile.
Getting close to time so we head back to the start using the back walkway. 5 Bobby Hurleys per light (thanks for showing me the move) and we’re back in the parking lot. Half the PAX circled back for the 6, other half took turns calling out cadence to keep us moving and warm. Monkey Humpers, Flutters, LBCs kept us loose.
Short mosey back to the cars and POINT #4 (?) delivered about how to fill time (or shorten time) based on the progress of the weinke. Low milage, varying intensity, but high on learning. Thanks Posse.
COT / Announcements
I’m sure there were announcements but I was wrapped up in some mumblechatter.
Posse with the inspirational quote to take us out.
Gerber with the ring light for visual proof of who he can get to Q next week.
The Moleskin
Great group of guys out there this morning. Special shout out to Posse and the site Qs who assisted for getting this group in shape. Hope to see everyone leading their first Qs in March.
Special shout out to Sprinkles who introduced me to the “Merkin Wave”. Gotta steal this as a “Point Break special” to stick with the beach/ocean theme.
Lots to think about as I put my first weinke together. I’ll be out @ Anvil in Area 51 on March 4th if anyone wants to see the results of actually going to Q school. No promises.