Suicides, Burpees and Other Hard Things

Suicides, Burpees and Other Hard Things

8 men rolled into Fat Camp today ready to work on their speed and strength. Each and every one of them left faster and stronger and this is how they did it.

Thang

  • Brisk warmup lap and circle up with a bell for disclaimer and COP
  • Seal jacks x12 IC, Windmill x10 IC, IW x10 IC
  • Pick up your bell and don’t put it down for a set of 7s Goble Squat / 2H OHP (civilian cadence)
  • Mosey to the lower parking lot for some speed work – lot is about 125m long
    • Straight set of suicides using lightposts as markers. After out and back at 3rd lightpost sprint to the end for plank-o-rama recovery
    • All the way back stopping at every light for 5 merkins (30ish total). Mary recovery
    • Repeat suicides but do backwards run when coming back. Plank-o-rama
    • 10 burpees, sprint half, 10 burpees, sprint the rest. Mary
    • Sprint 2/3, bear crawl the rest. Plank-o-rama including a LONG 6-inch 10-count by Mario
    • AYG entire distance
  • Mosey back to upper lot and circle up for another set of 7s in plank the entire time, only rest if you have to. Merkins / Mountain Climbers (in cadence)
  • Bring your bell to the playground for descending pull-up ladder (10, 9, 8 … 1). Between pull-ups we did various exercises to let the shoulders recover (tea bag squats, single leg deads, lots of mary)
  • 10 minutes left, time for the fun stuff
    • 4 3 guys grab sandbags (40-60 lbs in various shapes and sizes) and do a long distance carry as fast as you can around the playground loop (1/4 mile or so)
    • Other 4 guys pick a plate. Hairburner to the first speed bump, sprint to the end, 10 merkins, sprint back, hairburner back to start. Jog over and grab a sandbag when it comes in
    • Most guys got to do each set of fun 2 times
  • Done. General kind enough to take us out

 

Moleskin

Man, the weather is perfect. If you have been fartsacking lately, don’t miss the next few weeks as it is the best time of year to get up early and come workout with your brothers. The turf was a little wet and cold this morning so PAX were given a choice of soft but wet field or hard, dry pavement. All but one (Mario) voted pavement so suicides were in the lot.

Winged this one a bit but an hour is a nice, long time so we managed to hit just about every area of the body. Only true plan was to avoid any ballistic exercises, do some pull ups, and use the other stuff (sandbags, plates) that made it into the truck last night. Success. Mario mentioned early on that his quads were sore and YHC is sure this didn’t help one bit. Also success.

The 7s may sound easy, but they definitely were not. YHC was introduced to the merkin/mtn climber set at a Metro workout and it has quickly become a favorite. Luckily, no one noticed the plates sitting in the grass which made for a nice surprise and definite crowd pleaser when hairburners were announced.

FMB had to roll out a little early but was working hard enough that he put in an hour’s worth of effort in 50 minutes. YHC had the misfortune pleasure of facing him as he smoked the pull-ups while YHC slowly quivered through the last 1 or 2 of each set. Flint put in a strong effort after some time off for vacation. Although, he did skip modify most some of the bear crawl claiming a need for gloves. Have you seen Mario’s leprosy dry hands? If he can bear crawl, no one has any excuse.

General was a workhorse as always. Crushed us in all the running (including the sandbag run and burners) except for the backwards run. It’s been said before, but Fire Hazard’s reverse run is a work of art. Forward running is a complete and utter mess work in progress, but backwards the man is uncatchable (YHC tried, YHC failed).

Great meeting our relatively new brother Kirby today. Was worried he might cough up a lung at one point, but dude pushed through to the end. Even took the sandbag out on one last trip around the playground while everyone else was calling it a day. Strong! He also did not trip over any curbs today. #F3Works

Bounty Hunter is stepping right up and into his recently acquired Site Q duties. Tweeting out the night before, announcing upcoming VQs in COT, and even tweeting out the count after. YHC accidentally tweeted the count as well as this is the first time a Site Q has beat me to it. Solid work, Bounty. Fat Camp is lucky to have you.

 

Announcements

  • F3 Christmas Party – December 2nd, 7 -11:30 PM. A lot of hard work has gone into planning the party so please don’t miss it. You will regret it if you do. If you can, please register and pay before the end of the month to help with the deposit. PB and link to register is here: http://f3nation.com/2016/10/11/south-charlotte-christmas-party-2016/
  • VQs on the calendar at Fat Camp with Bubble Boy up next week and Uncle Phil on deck. If you haven’t been to Fat Camp (ever or in a while), this is your perfect excuse. Come support some VQs and put this 60 minute Wednesday workout in your rotation.

Moderately Tough

12 men (1 FNG – White Collar) started their week off right at F3 Base Camp.  Here is what we did:

2 small laps around the parking lot.

COP with some exercises

Get in groups of 4 for The Gopher

Partners 1&2 run down to track for a fast lap while Partners 3&4 run down to baseball bleachers for 20 of 3 diff called exercises.  Meet back at Gloss’ second home for 20 Burpees (cumulative amongst group).  Flap jack.  Did 3 rounds of that.

Back down to track for a couple more laps with some mary at the corners.

Back to lot to finish with pax choice Mary.

Done

Moleskine

Good group at Base Camp on Monday.  Don’t let “moderate” fool you.  Starting to notice that the only thing moderate is that exercises in COP are normally cut off at about 10.  That’s it.  YHC had to be reminded on Sunday that Base Camp was his for the taking.  Felt I needed to unleash some Gamecock frustration on the pax which seems to be a reoccurring them for me this season.  The Gopher does the trick when called upon.  Simba didn’t disappoint and continued with his trademarked fake gag midway through.  Our FNG was not humored as he truly was gagging over by Gloss’ chalet.  YHC tried to comfort him by telling him according to Kelly Clarkson, whatever didn’t kill him would make him stronger.  Dumpster Fire was really pushing it on the runs from what I could tell.  He is so ready for Fast Twitch.  Goonie was fighting back tears of gold all morning.  Apparently the Irish were looking for rainbows on Saturday with no luck.

Good work men.  Sorry for the late BB.

Announcements

Sign up for The Roshambo.  It’s a great time. :/

Making eagle

With Fall starting to show up for real with morning temperatures below 50, YHC is grateful for the indoor workout space that we have at Gumby, and wasted no time heading in from the car and getting ready.  Here’s what happened:

Corpse Pose (shavasana): Meditation/Devo

TABLE TOP:  Cat/Cow -> Extended Child’s Pose -> table top side bends ->

Plank -> Up Dog -> Down Dog (Walk the dog) -> Half-way Lift -> Forward Fold -> (i.e. Sun Salutations) once slowly with Q, then 2X OYO – follow breath, meet in Mountain

Mountain -> Plank -> lower through chaturanga to Up Dog and hold. (YHC talked about Up Dog pose for a long time)

Sun Salutation all the way through OYO, stopping in Mountain on 2nd time

Eagle Pose – on right leg, R arm over L.  Hold 5 breaths.

Sun Salutation 1X OYO.

Eagle Pose – left leg, L arm over R. Hold 5 breaths

Step back, then lower down through Chair to sit and then lie in middle of mat.

Neck stretch: right hand under hip, left hand over head and gently pull head to left and hold 10 breaths.  Push back to center.  Flapjack with 10-breath hold.  Push head back to center.

Roll to right then push up to Seated.  Right leg straight, left leg bent with foot flat beside inner thigh.  Twist left with elbow.  Back straight, head last.  Hold 5 breaths, try to get bit more stretch each exhale.  Release with head first then back.  Flapjack for 5-breath hold.

Lie down and grasp knees to chest.  Rock side to side for a bit, the rock front to back getting bigger and bigger until come to feet and hands.

Plank.  Once all in, Sun Salutation 2X OYO.  Meet in Mountain.

Lower down through Chair to 6.  Lie down.  Start hip stretches with rope/strap:

  1. Alternating knee to chest 5 rounds of R/L. Start w/1 breath
  2. Alternating straight leg up (with towel or strap). 2 rounds w/5 breaths per side.  Feet @90 to legs and toes pulled in to shin.  Press through both heels. Total 2X/side.
  3. Straight leg to side: Return to your right side and take both strap ends in your right hand, extending your left arm along the floor. Exhale to lower your right leg to the right. Try to keep your left hip on the floor and your left kneecap pointing up. Inhale to lift your right leg back up; exhale to release it to the floor. Switch sides. 5 breaths. Total 2X/side.
  4. Inhale to bring your right leg back to vertical. With the strap around the arch of your foot, bring both ends into your left hand. Place your right thumb into your right hip crease and draw your hip down slightly so that you maintain length and space in the lower back. Exhale to draw your leg left across your body. 5 breaths.  Inhale to bring your leg back to vertical. Release the strap and switch legs. 5 breaths.  Total 2X/side.
  5. Dead Pigeon. Switch sides.  Total 1X/side

Lie down for shavasana (revisit meditation)

COP

Announcements:
KB Clinic at Calvary Saturday @ 7:00 (free professional instruction – what? What???)
Southern Discomfort next Saturday
Prayers for safety as Tang and his brother run in a 50K race this Saturday

Moleskin:

Welcome to Area 51’s newest PAX: Snap (Jason deBuhr).
Good to see Tang back out in the gloom (looked like he didn’t get the “bring a mat not a towel” email).
This looked like a seasoned group of yogis this morning, with the only pose giving anyone trouble (well, at least me) being the Eagle Pose.  Probably would have been a hilarious photo op, but the paparazzi (aka Horse Head) were fartsacking this morning, so the moment passed unrecorded.
Thanks for the excellent take-out, Tweetsie.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

SOUTH CHARLOTTE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2016!

F3 SOUTH CHARLOTTE CHRISTMAS PARTY, FRIDAY DECEMBER 2ND, 2016. 7PM-11.30PM

Tis the season for the South Charlotte Christmas Party. This year we will be celebrating Christmas together- Area 51, SOBs, Indian Land, and Union County.

(“This is a must attend event”!!) Mark your calendar, dust off the dance shoes, buy the M a new dress, or just come see Tolkien dance the macarana!  Who doesn’t want to see Tiger Rag do the worm across the dance floor?! or maybe Hops will bring back the F3 Christmas poem. Hopefully Pop Tart doesn’t wear a creepy 80’s band outfit! or we finally get to see what Haggis wears under that kilt!

The night will include a DJ, great food, prizes, and awards. 

As most of you know F3 Olive’s daughter died suddenly about 6 months ago. He is from Isotope. Operation Sweet Tooth is a non-profit organization created to honor her memory by bringing joy to other kids. This year, the F3 South Charlotte Christmas Party will push a drive for donations of toys for Operation Sweet Tooth to benefit Alexander Youth Network.  Specific details to follow regarding what to donate.  Your Q’s for this are Hairball A/51 & Dumpster Fire SOBs.

No need to drive- Uber will take you out to SOB land!

The Details:
Venue: Firethorn Country Club, 1108 Firethorn Club Drive, Marvin, NC 28173
Date: Friday December 2nd, 2016
Time: 7.00pm-11.30pm
COST: $45.00 Per Person to include, food, venue, prizes and DJ

CASH BAR.



Mr. Bean, Mario, Mermaid, Champagne, & General

Conlan Cones

I saw the need for a Q on Slack and was about hit enter when, JRR Tolkien volunteered. Knowing he is both injured and sick (#trailpooper), I decided to share my availability. It was the right call. Get well JRRT!

Disclaimer was delivered, but heard the PAX mumble it was the worst disclaimer ever. (What a distinction.)

Circle of Pain/Warm-Up
Dash out the Vine lot, to the hotel parking lot
20 Side-straddle hops (jumping jacks)
10 ‘Mericans (push-ups)
15 Imperial Walkers
10 Offset right push-ups
10 Low-slow squats
10 Offset right push-ups
10 Arm circles
10 Diamond push-ups

Stage 1 – Loch Ness
Starting at the closest patio to the stairs, run one lap around the lake and complete 100 push-ups. PAX can decide where and when, just get in the full 100. (I came in last.)

Stage 2 – Brixham Hill
Run up Brixham Hill, jog back down and complete 10 Heels-to-Heaven
Run up Brixham Hill, jog back down and complete 10 Heels-to-Heaven, 20 Dolly
Run up Brixham Hill, jog back down and complete 10 Heels-to-Heaven, 20 Dolly, 30 Rosalita
Run up Brixham Hill, jog back down and complete 10 Heels-to-Heaven, 20 Dolly, 30 Rosalita and 40 LBCs

Stage 3
Conlan Circle Cones
Run up Conlan Circle, around the traffic circle & back (observe where cones are placed)
Run forward, backward alternating at each cone, around the traffic circle & back
(Running out of time) All you got up Conlan Circle, around the traffic circle and back to the Vine.

FIN

Observations & Notes

I had planned to do the cone work on Brixham Hill, but as I was placing them a man in a white Taurus, shouted, “Pick those things up. We don’t allow that here.” Drowsy and confused, I obliged, but he was a jerk. I brought the cones to Conlan, but it’s not an ideal place with a narrower street and Starbucks traffic.

A solid group of 10 posted today, the diminished numbers most likely due to sickened Panthers fans. All the men that did post ran hard (3.2 miles) through a hilly course. As someone who never considered himself a runner, I can’t recommend enough to mix in some running workouts. They will make you faster at boot camps. Both Bucky & Morning After crushed the final Brixham hill. Slum Lord & Frehley’s certainly don’t show their respectable ages pounding our ‘Mericans and finishing each sprint strong. Dumpster Fire, who dons a banada more often than Brett Michaels, is positing regularly again, losing weight and gaining speed.Paper Jam reminded us, quite loudly, that this workout isn’t Swift. Nard Dog is ready, ready to Q. Let’s get him on the calendar. I’ll be there.

I missed some folks on name-o-rama. Nothing personal, if you are missing, shout it out.

Triple 7’s

Veteran crew of 9 on the coldest morning this fall. Short disclaimer and off we went.

The plan today was simple. Sets of 7’s on 3 different hills. Warm up run to Smokerise to start the festivities.

1. Smokerise – Squats & Merkins

2. Windbluff – Sister Mary Catherine & CDD

3. Rising Meadow – Jump Squats & Burpees

Smaller group this morning due to the Panthers game. Gummy was quick to tweet a picture of he and Ductwork for proof they were at the game and would not be in attendance. As a Dolphins fan, YHC does not have to worry about staying late on Mondays as they are not good enough to earn a MNF game.

Strong work by all. Covered 6 miles and a lot of elevation (over 80 flights of stairs).

Announcements:
Southern Discomfort – 10/22 leaving from Centurion at 7am. Please bring donations to site Q’s at all sites so we can support The Relatives Organization. See more information below.

http://www.therelatives.org/about-us/

A fine line between encouraging and egging

I wasn’t sure I was at the right place this morning, when I saw High Tide’s empty jeep in the parking lot.  Surely he wasn’t out with Fletch for a pre-run.  Turns out he was.  Definitely time for him to turn in his “0.0” sticker.  Today was not Meathead-friendly – or MAF-friendly either.  Here’s why:

Disclaimer

Mosey around driveway to spirit rock and back to start.              

COP:  (Almost Bulldog speed, but about twice Horse Head speed)
SSH – 20IC
IW – 20IC
8-count manmaker – 10IC
LSS – 20IC
Viking Salute – demonstration

On to the Main Thang:
Mosey to start of the ‘round-the-church loop for farmer-carry CMIYC.  Run to buses.  Chasing partner does two 8-count manmakers.  Plankorama until 6 arrives.

Grinders: Partner up into groups of 3.  P1 runs to new building side of parking lot and starts body-weight exercise while P2 and P3 plank.  Once P1 at the far end, P2 takes off and P3 does KB exercise.

KB exercises: Clean Right, Clean Left, Viking Salute Right, Viking Salute Left, Lawn Mower Right, Lawn Mower Left, Goblet Squat, Overhead Press.

Bodyweight exercise: Peter Parker, Wide-arm Merkins, Diamond Merkins, Nippler, repeato

Grab your bell and brisk mosey back to lawn by flag pole
Circle up for 6MoM
Flutter press – 20IC
Back Scratcher – 20 IC
Dolly press – 20IC
Freddie Mercury – 20IC
Arms and legs @ 6” holding bell.  10-count.  45 (10-count), 90 (10C) 45 (10C) 6” (10C)
Burpie bonus (if time): 1 burpie for each set your team completed (i.e. if your team got through all five two times, 10 burpies)

Time.  COT  Announcements:
KB Clinic 7:00 @ Calvery
Sign up for Southern Discomfort
See Dollywood about Eagle Banquet November1

Moleskin:
Good to have Horse Head’s chatter (he doesn’t mumble – it’s loud enough for all to hear), even if it starts within seconds of the first COP exercise.  Sounded like he thought the cadence was a bit fast.  My apologies to the longer-limbed guys who can’t swing you’re your four-foot arms as fast as I can for SSH.  #hummingbird

Loved the encouragement during the grinders, most notably Witch Doctor, who hollered (#southernism) to Stone Cold every time he was about half way through his run.

I’m sure there was more choice bits of mumblechatter, but can’t recall due to shoddy (#britism) memory and O2 deprivation, so sound off if you heard one.  Also, I’m not sure who won the race by finishing all exercises for the full team first, so comment if you think you won or know who did.

Thanks for scheduling me to Q, Harley.  Not sure how long it’s been, but too long for sure.

-SM

Preblast – yoydlhdlhfhxo

As tempting as it is (it isn’t) to run through the muddy trail to Foxworth, after a weekend of running muddy trails, thats not happening.

Here’s the plan:

Partner up. Run the HT mile. Back to the playground.

P1 – runs to baseball fence and back

P2 – 7 pull-ups, 14 dips, 21 knee ups

Lather. Rinse. Repeat until 6:06.  Run the HT mile again

What’s Tabata With You?

Ten gathered in the crisp cool of an October morning to voluntarily partake of fine fitness varietals with YHC. This is a brief account of the 50-ish minutes spent together:

WarmUp-orama

  • Quick Mosey Lap
  • 20 SSH IC
  • 10 Low Slow Squat IC
  • 10 Merkins IC

The Thang


NOTE: the Tabata below was modified from the traditional 8 sets, of 20s work, 10s rest. In an effort to get through more sets overall we did 6 sets of 20s of work, 10s of rest, brining each tabata to 3 minutes total.

Main Set
  • Form a semi-circle of PAX.
  • 50 swings OYO (~90 seconds)
  • Tabata Mountain Climbers (3min)
  • 50 swings OYO (~90 seconds)
  • Tabata Jump Lunges (3min)
  • 50 swings OYO (~90 seconds)
  • Tabata LBCs (3min)
  • 20 KB Squats in slow civilian cadence. (~90 seconds)
  • Tabata Merkins (3min)
  • 20 KB Squats in slow civilian cadence. (~90 seconds)
  • Tabata Flutter Kicks (3min)
  • 50 swings OYO (~90 seconds)
  • Tabata Jump ups (like high-knees but, knees together) (3min)
  • 20 bent over row (each arm) OYO (~90 seconds)
Mary In Cadence
  • 6inch Plankjacks (10)
  • LBCs (15)
  • Low Flutter (10)
  • High Flutter (10)
  • 6inch Rock Hoppers (5)
  • Heels to Heaven (15)

Moleskine

Good group of core Foxholers this morning. Numbers have been up. Good effort from all this morning, despite the globo-gym tunes YHC was piping through the bluetooth. Only a few comments about the beats with minimal words. Mighty Might claimed he was overwhelmed with the sensation that he was about to order a $12 jack and coke; not exactly a put down. It could have been a 32oz jack and coke, so…score. Some quality individual efforts out there:

Voodoo was impressive today (not surprising). Let’s ignore the fact that he took a seat at the head of the table (circle), right as we were about to say grace before a meal of KB and calisthenics. Ahem…get back in the semi-circle! Voodoo brought out what appeared to be the 28kg bell today. Heaviest of the group. Well done, way to power through those swings and squats. #siteQexample

Frehleys another solid Foxhole effort, followed by some post-workout leadership on the pull-up bars. Way to push it.

Fire Marshall Bill just learned that FMB is actually a Firefighter. Get. There. Faster. Argo. This partially explains why he often beasts these workouts. Today was no exceptions. Also joined in the post-workout pullups.

Soft Pretzel is not soft and doughy. YHC is convinced he is made of some sort of hybrid springy material, he was hopping on the jump ups. We all looked like we were standing still, SP was jumping out of the gym.

Freon claimed pre-workout that he hates now hates the cold. His history in Illinois, Maine, and Colorado (three damn cold places) has made him embrace personal climate control. Thus, Freon was decked out in a sweet neon pullover. Freon moved fast today, but the neon made him seem EVEN quicker. Also, maybe just the early 5:30 eyes, but pretty sure Freon has lost some weight in the last few months.

Uncle Leo was YHC’s neighbor in the semi-circle today. This was great, as Uncle Leo is very fit, and pushed YHC to continue. Also, Uncle Leo’s second consecutive Foxhole post; keep coming bro. We enjoy having you.

Wild Turkey was flying out there, and was probably the most in sync with the musical beats. Not sure if that was on purpose or not, but pretty sure WT was keeping his LBCs and Flutters in time with the tunes (that means WT was going wicked fast). Nice work

Peppermint was one of the few that had enough gas in the tank to keep the jump-ups going for all 6 rounds in the tabata. He looks like a natural with the KBs, even though they have not been part of his fitness regimen much in the past.

Mighty Might crushed it like a man in his 20s. Pretty sure he elected to swing the big 60lb bell, but couldn’t tell for sure, since he was in YHC’s peripheral. MM was especially quick on the bent over rows. #beastmode

Thanks for coming out to SOB’s only Monday workout, leadership opportunities for 2016 are running out; if you haven’t Q-ed a Foxhole in a while, grab some of the November/December spots.

Argonaut out.

Announcements

  • None at all.

PreBlast – Get your motor runnin’

Get your motor runnin’ / Head out on the highway / Lookin’ for adventure / And whatever comes our way

Swift will launch from the Vine Restaurant at 0515 on Tuesday morning.  We will have a single workout this week, but effort level is up to you.

Suggested Kiawah 26.2 training plan this week calls for 20 minutes Threshold Pace (click link for Pace Calculator), 10 minutes Easy, 20 minutes Threshold Pace.  Suggested Kiawah 13.1 training plan calls for 35 minutes Tempo run.  YHC feels comfortable enough to combine the two and do the first option.  Here is the workout:

  • 0500 – Early bird warm-up with optional drills
  • 0515 – 5 minute mosey down to starting point.
  • 0520 – We will all follow this course as an Out & Back – https://www.strava.com/routes/6761095.  #DISCLAIMER: Endhaven is a dark street with the occasional road hump.  Headlamp not required, but is suggested.
  • Swift XL –
    • 20 minutes at Threshold Pace.  Should be around a 5K for most (some under, some over).
    • 10 minutes Easy to regroup the PAX and roughly finish the 10min around where you finished the first segment (probably just get in a group with PAX that you were close to).
    • 20 minutes at Threshold Pace on the reverse trip.  Regroup at 4-way stop near starting point of first 20.
    • 5 minutes mosey back to The Vine for COT.
  • Swift HD –
    • 20 minutes of a Progression Run.  Goal to pick up the pace every 5 minutes.  Start at something Easy and work down to finish first 20 at Half Marathon pace.
      • Here’s the Tempo Run explanation from the Training Plan: “This is a continuous run with a buildup in the middle to near 10-K race pace. A Tempo Run of 30 to 45 minutes would begin with 10-15 minutes easy running, build to 15-20 minutes near the middle, then 5-10 minutes easy toward the end. The pace buildup should be gradual, not sudden, with peak speed coming about two-thirds into the workout. Hold that peak only for a minute or two. The times prescribed for Tempo Runs serve mainly as rough guidelines. Feel free to improvise. Improvisation is the heart of doing a Tempo Run correctly.”
    • 10 minutes Easy to regroup the PAX and roughly finish the 10min around where you finished the first segment (probably just get in a group with PAX that you were close to).
    • 20 minutes of a Progression Run in the reverse direction.  Goal to pick up the pace every 5 minutes.  Start at something just slightly above where you left off near Half Marathon Pace and work down to finish second 20 at 10k Pace.
    • 5 minutes mosey back to The Vine for COT.