16 men found their way to #F3daVinci from regions near and far *based solely on the legend of YHC’s Q-ing prowess.
COP
The Thang
Mosey to Blakeney playground. 10 pull-ups. Bear crawl up incline path.
Find a wall. Perform 1 jump-up, then 1 incline merkin. 2 jump-ups, then 2 incline merkins. Keep going up to 10.
Mosey to retaining wall near Blakeney Heath Rd. Muscle-up and stand on wall x 10.
At this point it was 7:12AM and the Stonehenge double downers rolled up. Non-DD-ers circled back to the fountain area to collect them. Greetings, introductions, hugs, 1 or 2 butterfly kisses. 3 TOPS.
Mosey behind Target for suicides. Run to each of 6 giant lamp post and back to starting lamp post. 15 merkins every time at starting point. Mary while waiting for 6.
Mosey through Target paking lot, stopping for 20 supine pull-ups at cart corral.
Continue towards courtyard area. People’s chair in tunnel for 6 and instruction.
Introducing: The Burp & Perp
Triple Nickel:
Mosey back to Niagara Falls (fountain area). Grab some wall. 1 dip, then 1 derkin. 2 dips, then 2 derkins. Keep going up to 10. A different PAX calls each set.
Moleskine
Announcements
19 fierce competitors hit the mean streets of Ballantyne for this week’s edition of #F3Bagpipe. Here is how it unfolded.
Mosey to nondescript parking lot for COP:
The Thang
Mosey to a separate but equally nondescript parking lot for a relay race.
Don’t Turn Arounds (DTA’s):
Mosey to Costigan Park for another relay.
Win At Any Cost-igan:
Mosey to basement of BV parking deck.
6-Inch Challenge:
Pillars of the Community:
Stairs down to bottom and back home at 6:15 sharp.
Moleskine
Announcements
18 human beings reported to The Maul to sharpen themselves and each other, and to support Mr. Bean on his birthday. Done and done, including a special birthday coupon for the guest of honor.
COP
The Thang
Mosey to parking lot in front of Target. At the end of each parking lot aisle, perform 20 merkin-based exercise reps or 40 core-based exercise reps, then sprint down the aisle towards Target and mosey back down the next aisle. Plank for the 6 upon arrival at the end of the aisle and to wait for next called exercise. Exercises listed below:
Mosey back to theater lot for name-o-rama, announcements, BOM.
Moleskine
Announcements
After weeks of anticipation it had finally arrived. F3 da Vinci launch day. The AO scouted, shovel flag honed, workout weinkified; Mic Check and YHC were ready. That new shovel flag smell hung in the air as it was planted at Niagara Falls (the main fountain area in Blakeney shopping center). As 7AM approached it was exhilarating to see PAX slowly filter in from all directions. 10. Then 20. 30. Then 35. The total finally resting at 35 eager men and one 2.0 that wanted to be able to say “I was there when it all started”. The growing chatter of brothers welcoming each other in the gloom mixed with splashing noises from the surrounding fountains made for the perfect soundtrack to start the day. And there it was. 7:00. A quick welcome and disclaimer was given and we were dispatched to the grassy area behind the fountains for COP.
COP: SSH x 25, IW x 20, CDD x 20, Merkins x 20 (all IC)
The Thang
Due to the large size of the group we divided into 2, with the first half staying with YHC and the 2nd following Mic Check.
Tuck’s group
Circuit at Niagara Falls
Repeat circuit as many times as possible for approximately 25 minutes. At 7:30 mosey North to building with 2nd level shopping area with stairs on either end (by Noah’s Art). YHC has affectionately named this area Nakatomi Plaza (because YHC can).
Welcome to the Party, Pal (7’s at Nakatomi Plaza)
Mosey to West entrance of Blakeney (near 131 Main) for 10 minutes of suicides using straightaway with abundant light poles and trees. Perform 5 merkins at each light pole/tree before turning around.
Mic Check’s Group
Welcome to the Party, Pal (same as Tuck’s group).
People’s chair w/ shoulder presses, then run around the building. Merkins then run around building. Slow merkins with plank hold then run around 2 buildings.
Niagara Falls (same as Tuck’s group, but add 5 reps to all exercises on each subsequent lap)
At around 7:55 both groups met up at Niagara falls for some mary to close things out together.
BOM: Hops
Moleskine
What an honor it was to co-lead such a large group of strong men and to help bring this truly great AO into fruition. We’re already reaching more men in the South Charlotte area, with 4 FNG’s at launch (thanks to EH’ers Bratwurst, Loogie and Mighty Mite). YHC received very positive feedback about the AO and the workout. So, yeah. Couldn’t be happier about how things went.
Howie (Bratwurst 2.0) is following in his father’s footsteps for sure. The 11 year-old blew by me on a straightaway at the Niagara Falls circuit, just like his Dad does multiple times a week.
Mary seemed extra hard at this workout. I was in extreme pain trying to get the count up to a respectable number. The V-up roll-up was not the biggest hit of the morning.
A big thanks to Hops for the moving take-out.
There was a good turnout at the Starbucks coffeteria. Although the venue was probably a little small for a group of our size. Most of us wound up congregating on the back patio (which seemed A LOT colder than when we were running through it minutes earlier).
Thanks to the Stonehenge site Q’s (Mr. Bean, Frehley’s Comet and Wild Turkey) for ending their workout early to allow for a double-down. T-claps to double-downers Fire Hazard, 777, Lex Luthor, Commish, Heartbreaker, Linus, Champagne, Strawberry, Big Tuna and Outback. Some of these fellas also did a Stonehenge pre-run. T-claps to Bunker for a 2.5 mi da Vinci pre-run.
YHC owes Mic Check a huge debt of gratitude. He is a great leader as you all know and there is no one better to co-lead this site. I look forward to learning more from him as we go through this journey.
We hope to see you at da Vinci regularly. I cannot wait to see what other Q’s do with this site. We have barely scratched the surface. The all-star Q’s of the next several weeks (Haggis, Madame Tussauds, Outback, Champane, Mr. Bean) will surely break the AO in nicely until it is purring like a kitten. Don’t miss it.
Group Pic: Link
PreBlast:
Announcements:
Family Hike at Anne Springs Close Greenway on Sat 1/23 at 12PM.
See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
-Deuteronomy 1:21
The next great SOB AO is just sitting there. The least we can do is go up and take possession of it. Join us this Saturday at 7AM at the Blakeney Shopping Center to help launch F3 da Vinci with style. Coffeteria to follow at Starbucks. Stonehenge will be ending at 6:45AM on launch day, so doubling down is thoroughly encouraged.
We are excited to bring F3 to even more men in the Ballantyne and surrounding areas. The Blakeney AO was selected very carefully and deliberately. It is strategically located and is full of iron sharpening features that we’ll be utilizing for years to come. Get some!
Why “da Vinci”?: You may have heard of Leonardo da Vinci. He was a true creative genius; a master of painting, sculpture, invention, architecture, science, mathematics, engineering, music and on and on. This name sets the tone for the type of creative/thoughtful workouts that we’d like F3 da Vinci to be known for.
Where: Blakeney Shopping Center (corner of Rea Rd. and Ardrey Kell Rd.). Park in courtyard area in front of main fountain/playground area and gather in fountain/playground area.
When: Saturday, January 16th at 7AM
Style: Bootcamp
Site/Launch Q’s: Tuck and Mic Check
18 PAX braved the rain and posted for some delicious holiday Ciabatta, with promises of “no running” paving the way.
For the uninitiated, Ciabatta refers to Tabata, a form of high-intensity interval training developed by a Japanese scientist. Each exercise is performed for 8 cycles of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. Doing 8 different exercises / rounds this way is a full F3 Ciabatta cycle. Normally a timer or tabata app is used to mark time, but YHC decided to do so using 20 second clips of popular holiday songs formed into an iTunes playlist and played through my car’s sound system.
Mosey to open space in front of Ulta for COP:
Mosey to shopping center overhang for Ciabatta instruction (and shelter from torrential downpour). Mosey to wall area between Firebirds and Cantina 1511 for the main event.
The Thang
Round 1: Merkorma
Round 2: Dips
Round 3: Animal Walkorama
Round 4: Squatorama (extra credit for holding Al Gore in between exercises)
Round 5: Lunge-orama
Round 6: Plankorama (extra credit for holding plank between exercises)
Round 7: Jumporama
Round 8: Mary (extra credit for holding feet at 6 inches between exercises)
Naked Man Moleskine
YHC doesn’t know what was more exhausting: the actual workout or typing up the BB. The brief downpour during COP was very concerning to YHC (considering my plan for using my car as a rolling boombox), but thankfully it abated after a few minutes, lasting just long enough to completely soak us. The car as boombox worked out nicely, BTW. Hopefully the PAX enjoyed YHC’s twist on F3 Ciabatta. The hardest rounds for YHC were dips, merkorama, squatorama and mary. How about you? Last Christmas by Wham! was Frehleys’ favorite and the PAX seemed to momentarily get lost in George Michael’s sweet voice. Dominick the Donkey was another crowd favorite. Rebel Yell FNG’s “Haggis” and “Mario” seemed a little timid and unsure of themselves, but with constant positive reinforcement and instruction they made it to the end unscathed. YHC hopes they come back. Saw some serious potential there. Thanks to Strawberry and Heartbreaker for the opportunity to lead a fine group of young men.
13 men looking for frostbite on their fingers posted at The Maul and were not disappointed.
COP
Thang
Mosey behind Michael’s for rail walk aka the worm up loading dock ramp.
Mosey to St. Matthew. Count off. 1’s and 2’s each form a team. Plank up for instructions.
St. Matthew Mercy Mile
…And Pious People’s Chair
Mosey back to the movie theater parking lot, carrying 2 or 3 pavers.
Moleskine
Honor to lead, as always. The pavers were brutally cold on the fingers this morning. Holes in every glove fingertip didn’t help. Did anyone notice that Mighty Mite showed up dressed for work? #laundryday He still smoked us all. Thanks for carrying the pavers back to the lot. And thanks to Squid for the takeout.
Announcements
13 SOB’s took a 6 mile tour of Olde Decklenburg and against all odds scaled all 7 Ballantyne parking decks (ramps up, stairs down), stopping at each parking deck level and every fountain wall along the way for 7 exercise reps. Chelms said it couldn’t be done, but the men of Ballantyne proved otherwise. Ok maybe he didn’t say it, but he was definitely thinking it. At the risk of giving other AO’s deck envy, here we go…
The Thang
Huddle up in the Vine parking lot to lay down the challenge and provide sufficient motivation.
COP: nope.
Mosey to Premier deck, cutting through Ballantyne Hotel parking lot. Stop at fountain for step-ups.
Deck 1 (Premier):
Stop at putting green for squats with chair presses overhead.
Deck 2 (Harris):
Mosey to decks on N. Community House using trail that runs parallel to Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. Stop at picnic tables along the way for dips.
Deck 3 (Northernmost on N. Community House):
Deck 4 (just South of previous deck):
Deck 5 (MetLife):
Stop at circle between MetLife and Woodward buildings for squats with chair presses overhead.
Deck 6 (Woodward):
Mosey to Ballantyne Village, stopping at fountain near Bad Daddy’s for derkins.
Deck 7 (Ballantyne Village):
Hustle back for 6:15 arrival back at The Vine.
Moleskine
The challenge of completing the mission as a team was a lot of fun. Thanks to Mr. Bean for pushing the pace and encouraging everyone along the way. It was great to see Mic Check out there. We rolled out the concrete carpet for him. Thanks to Fire Hazard from rescuing YHC from a wrong turn in the Ballantyne Hotel parking lot. And a special thanks to Pebbles for crop dusting and providing an unplanned obstacle for the PAX to overcome. 6 miles, 7 decks, 13 PAX. 6+7=13. #mathisfun
Announcements
Kids with possAbilities This Saturday from 2:-30-5:30 @ OMB Brewery. Charity to raise funding for therapy & scholarships for children w/ developmental delays. Bring your $, dogs & 2.0’s.
Thanksgiving Day Turkeybowl has been moved to Matthews Sportsplex @ 7:30am.
Area51 going to Knoxville, TN to help lead expansion. 12/5/15.
Gladiator Games. 12/12/15. (Preblast)
4th annual Area 51 Christmas party. 12/12/15 (RSVP by 12/4 – Preblast)
16k Baxter Village Trail Run. $30. 1/1/16. (See Pebbles for details)
Register for Joe Davis Memorial Resolution Run. 1/9/16.
Dime, a Dozen. A workout so important and sensational that the media arrived halfway through to collect footage and possibly conduct interviews. Tape at 11. Remember, the camera adds 10 lbs., so if you thought you were in shape, you’re not. Maybe Dear Abby will get the scoop on #CharlotteAgenda.
COP
-SSH x 30
-IW x 20
-MC x 20
-Hold plank for instructions
Dime, a Dozen
A dozen donkey kicks against wall that runs down the center of Tartarus level 1 (parallel to the football field). Crab walk to opposite wall that borders deck. Muscle-up and over wall without feet touching the wall. Once over wall, move into the road in front of you, plank parallel to the curb and complete 1 merkin with a hand up on curb. Bear crawl across road, turn & place feet on curb and complete 1 derkin. Bear crawl back across road and complete 1 merkin with opposite hand up on curb. Muscle-up and back over the wall. Broad jump back to starting point. Repeato, adding 1 additional merkin/derkin each round, all the way up to 10 (total of 120 donkey kicks and 165 merkins/derkins). Mary while waiting for the six.
Mosey to bottom of ramp on Tartarus level 1. Partner up.
Heartbreak 1-2-3
Teams of 2 pax working together to reach cumulative exercise goals of 100, 200, and 300 reps. Pax 1 executes as many reps as possible while Pax 2 sprints up the ramp to level 2 BACKWARDS and returns FRONTWARDS. Flapjack until team goal is reached. Exercises are 100 merkins per team, 200 LBCs per team, 300 squats per team. People’s chair while waiting for the six.
Mosey back to visitor lot for Name-O-Rama, Announcements, BOM.
Moleskine
This one was a grinder. As much mental as it was physical to get through all of the rounds/reps. Definitely left with less skin. “Don’t do this again” was by far my favorite quote of the morning (Chelms). A news truck really did show up. Was it for us? YHC likes to think so. It was a real honor to lead at Centurion for the first time. Thank you for the opportunity.
Extra credit for pre-workout Pax: Chelms, Abacus, Hops, Semi Gloss, Purple Haze and Jamboree.
Announcements
2nd F and Bradshaw Social House in Ballantyne @ 8:30 tonight.
Brew Ruck – Tomorrow morning @ 10:15. Starts at Woodlawn Light Rail station and stops at a few breweries. See Mighty Mite for details.
4th Annual A51 Christmas Party. 12/12/15.
Register for Joe Davis Memorial Resolution Run. 1/9/16.
21 Pax elected to attend Bagpipe this fine Tuesday morning despite the many obstacles that lay before them. 2 consecutive days of rain, MNF the night before, election day, nagging injuries, a warm bed, you name it. The potential excuses were many, but Area 51 rallied and was many-er…er.
YHC had been waiting to lead a group of Pax that was divisible by 3. Once YHC realized that day had finally come, a faint tingling sensation arrived and quickly erupted into what can only be called F-Threedom. And so it was. Teams of 3 working together to save themselves, and quite possibly, the world. Original workout plan torn asunder, the disclaimer declared, it was time to mos.
The Thang
And mos we did. To the parking lot behind a little place YHC likes to call the “Courtyard Marriott” for some COP.
SSH x 20, IW x 20, Mountain Climbers x 20. That’s enough of that. To Loch Ness.
Catch Us If You Can
Partner A carries Partner B. Partner C performs 7 burpees (7 in honor of 7-0 start by your Carolina Panthers), and then sprints to catch the pair. Partner C then carries Partner A. Partner B performs 7 burpees and then sprints to catch the pair. Partner B then carries Partner C. Partner A performs 7 burpees and then sprints to catch the pair. Repeato around Loch Ness until back to the start. Mary while waiting for 6. Mos to entrance of Snyder’s-Lance parking lot.
Sleigh
Partner A pushes the sleigh (which is Partner B) up the hill on Ballantyne Corporate Place. Partner C performs 10 diamond merkins and then sprints to catch the pair. Partner C then pushes the sleigh (Partner A). Partner B performs 10 diamond merkins and then sprints to catch the pair. Partner B then pushes the sleigh (Partner C). Partner A performs 10 diamond merkins and then sprints to catch the pair. Repeato until team reaches the bridge at the top of the hill. Run back to the start, Mary while waiting for 6.
Anchor
Partner A pulls the anchor (which is Partner B) up the hill on Ballantyne Corporate Place. Partner C performs 10 werkins, and then sprints to catch the pair. You get it. Repeato until team reaches the bridge at top of hill. Run back to the start, Mary while waiting for 6.
Triple Check
Partner A runs around the the Snyder’s-Lance building while partner B holds Al Gore (chair squat) and partner C holds plank. Rotate until all three members have cycled through.
Bear Crawl Merkorama
Bear crawl through Snyder’s-Lance parking lot, stopping at each parking spot line for a merkin. Continue for an eternity.
6 Minutes of Mary
Circle up. Boxcutters x 20. Then the pax took over and called out exercises for roughly 300 seconds. We performed several repetitive motions utilizing gravity and up to four limbs. Each.
Back to the Vine (a ‘Merican kitchen, from what YHC has been told).
Moleskine
Site FNG McGee (recent relo to A51) said “You guys do things weird down here”, and that made my day. Please come back McGee. Thanks for the opportunity to lead.
Announcements
Gladiator Games – 12/12
A51 Christmas Party at Sardis Swim and Racquet Club 7400 Thermal Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 (M’s invited) – 12/12
Joe Davis Resolution Run – 1/9