“Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like [The Wiggler]… and totally redeem yourself!”**

“Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like [The Wiggler]… and totally redeem yourself!”**

See you out there tomorrow!  5:30 am – corner of Foxcroft and Rothwood.  Post-holiday hiatus pace…

 ** Harry Dunne, Dumb & Dumber

 

Taking Skunk Works to “11!”

For any pax looking for an extra push over the cliff show up to Skunk Works tomorrow. This will be a workout taking you beyond your preconceived limitations. Site Q Harley, when asked how hard this workout should be, answered simply; “11!”

Bring a bucket lads. BD

It just got real in the Foxhole – Shovel Flag Complete

With the black paint still drying, the newly created Foxhole Shovel Flag was firmly planted in the soil of Elon Park Elementary and 10 men including 1 FNG (John) headed out into the gloom to put a downPAINment on the week.

Here’s The Thang: 

Warmup – Leave the Bells

          Jog around parking lot

          SSH x 50

          IW x 20

          Backward Lunge x 20

          Toe Touches x 10

Grab the bells and head to the cones and line up

          Lunge walk with KB overhead press x 25 yds 

Line up in two lines facing each other

          From one gate to the next, perform travelling 2 hand swing

          2 lines moved in unison facing each other (requires some trust in your partner not to sling their bell at your face)

          When the next gate was reached, rinse and repeat back to original gate

Mosey to playground and partner up with size mattering

          Partner 1: Flexed arm hang (yes Mr. Reagan we remember how)

          Partner 2: 3 clean and press with each arm

          Flapjack through 3 sets

          Plank-o-rama while everyone regroups 

Mosey to back lot and line up – keeping partners

          Partner 1: Merkin renegade rows w/ 2 KB (found that some KB are flatter than others – Mic Check took a nose dive halfway through the second set)

          Partner 2: Run 2 B-ball courts and back

          Repeat until 30 cumulative merkin-rows were completed

          Partner 1: 2 KB Overhead Press

          Partner 2: Caraoka 2 B-ball courts and back

          Repeat until 40 cumulative presses completed 

          Partner 1: 2 KB Bicep Curls w/ Squat if you got it (Frehley’s intended only 1 KB but there was no stopping once PAX got going)

          Partner 2: Backward run down and back

          Repeat until each partner does 2 sets

Time for some Mary – Circle it up

          LBC with KB x 40

          KB overhead to touch the toes x 20

          Freddie Mercury (no KB) x 40

          Mason Twist x 20

          Superman x ??? w/ an impromptu singing of the Greatest American Hero song by Frehley’s

Mosey back toward cars with a stop on the wall for some people’s chair

          Set 1: Ball dragger (KB hanging down) x 1 minute

          Set 2: Upright rows x 45 sec

          Set 3: Overhead KB press x 30 sec

Return to cars for some air squats to close out into COT

Moleskin:

– FNG Pebbles (John) made a strong showing this morning showing up to a gear workout on his first post.  Not sure if he will be thanking or hating his friends Loogie, Mic Check, and The Worm for bringing him out for the beat down.  He did great though and we look forward to seeing him again in the gloom.

– It was great to be back in the gloom today with my brothers.  Just one week away and YHC remembered what it was like when F3 was not in the weekly routine.  I appreciate the fitness, fellowship, and faith you men provide on a daily basis and thank you for the opportunity to lead.  Aye!

– Please remember Haggis who is out of the workout rotation this week while he is recuperating.  We will welcome him back next week.  Chipotle has the Q at Bagpipes tomorrow.  Show up and get worked.       

Climbing Down #Old100

Having designed a Panther victory workout, I was forced to return to an old standby for our workout. The beautiful thing was that it forced us to keep count in our heads, thereby reducing the mumblechatter and bellyaching. So I took my frustration out on the PAX.

The Thang:

Mosey to the Carmel Fields
Warmup: 25xSSH, 20xSquats, 20xMuddyMerkins

Mosey to ChurchAtCLT campus
The Old100 (1 mini-lap after each set)
100–Squats
90–Mtn. Climbers
80–Walking Lunges
70–Windmill Planks
60–BroadJumps

Plank–NMLB

Mosey to the CaC courtyard
50–dips
40–dry docks
30–Knee ups
20–Handrelease merkins
10–burpees

Plank-NMLB

Halftime: (No Lap)
50–Squats
45–Mtn. Climbers
40–Walking Lunges
35–Plank Windmills
30–BroadJumps
25–dips
20–drydocks
15–kneeups
10–handrelease merkins
5–burpees

Mary:
25xLBCs, 20xDollys, 20xRoselitas, 6inch

Moleskin
When I grabbed my shoes this AM, I discovered they were still soaking wet from the awesome Saturday Murph workout. So I had to go dig up my mud run shoes.

The last arrival redirected our initial launch out onto the fields of Carmel Park. From the mumble sounds like Hamlet found some residual puddles to do merkins in.

Rerunning this workout south of the border, the PAX of Area51 were more focused on the counting then the hecklers at Bandit.

I was impressed by the PAX who pushed themselves through this beatdown style of workout. The laps and high reps begin to add up, but everyone pushed hard.

In fact, I O2-deprived myself that I during COT when a guy introduced himself as “New Guy” I assumed that was his nickname and was about to close up shop. Thanks to Hops for the arbitrary 80s TV show recall when #NewGuy announced his name to be Blair (well we know who Hops had a crush on from FoL).

And don’t worry Skywalker, I won’t call you out for fartsacking this workout.

Announcements:
Run N Gun launches at Carmel Middle School. Paced 5k plus Tibata.

Singing in the Rain (Posted on behalf of Floor Slapper)

(Posted on behalf of Floor Slapper)

10 dedicated gentlemen braved the rain and completed the Murph workout.  Actually, the rain held off until Tool Time’s late arrival which brought the heavy rain and wind.  Here’s what transpired:

Jog over to teacher’s parking lot for COP:

  • SSH x 20 (IC)
  • IW x 20 (IC)
  • Squats x 20 (IC)
  • Merkins x 15 (IC)

Enough of a warm-up, let’s get to the main event:

  • 1 mile run (run to the fire station and through the back entrance of neighborhood & then back to playground)

10 sets of 10/20/30 reps of the following:

  • 100 pull-ups
  • 200 merkins
  • 300 squats

Finish it up with:

  • 1 mile run (same route)
  • With the premiere of “Lone Survivor” on everyone’s mind, PAX that returned early headed back out to regroup with those still out on the route to finish up the run #NOMANLEFTBEHIND #BROTHERHOOD

Still have 20 minutes left so hit the parking lot for 6 MOM:

  • LBCs x 20 (IC)
  • Dolly x 20 (IC)
  • Mason Twist x 20 (IC)
  • Freddie Mercury x 20 (IC)

Head over to front of school for PC:

  • PC x 60 sec (w/ Air Presses, drop ’em 3 inches, etc)
  • Decline Merkins x 20 (OYO)
  • PC x 60 sec

Mosey over to track for 4 corners:

  • 1 lap around track with 10 Frog Kicks, 10 Jump Squats, 10 Merkins, & 10 Burpees at the corners

3/4 sprint back to the launch point

Finish with lunge walk musical chairs until everyone found a spot in COT

Moleskin:

  • This morning’s workout was definitely conducted in the GLOOM.  Not a dry spot to be found after the past 24 hours of heavy rainfall & PAX quickly found themselves in deluge 5-10 minutes into the workout as the skies let loose another round of showers.   Fortunately, lightening stayed off in the distance.
  • Fraiser, Lobster Roll & Alf led the PAX on the 1 mile bookend runs for the Murph.
  • Strong effort by all the PAX on the circuit work to quickly complete the 100/200/300 reps at the playground.
  • Floor Slapper called for one more exercise, Squats, as he headed over to his car to grab his phone to record who was in attendance.  PAX must have thought this one was optional as all declined the invitation.
  • Several of the PAX enjoyed some 2nd F at Dunkin Donuts afterwards.

Announcements:

  • Let Baracus know your interest level (None, Maybe, Looking Forward to It) in participating in Blue Ridge Relay next September.
  • Check weekly e-mail and website for additional news.

 

 

Oh good. It’s Raining Again.

Written by and posted on behalf of Gummy (QIC)

Warmup

Jog around school stopping for the occasional exercise
SSH
IW
Squats
Mountain Climber
End next to small track
Murph (half)
4 laps around the track (1/2 mile), then run to playground (100 yards)
50 Pullups
100 Merkins
150 Squats
PAX broke reps down into 5/10/15 or 10/20/20
Run back to track and complete 4 laps
30 minutes left – woohoo!
Really slow mosey to benches next to school for:
10x dips
10x derkins
10x step ups
Repeat for 10 minutes
Meander (slower than a mosey) to back of the school for alternating People’s Chair and Plank-o-rama
In driveway behind school, team sprints
Team 1 AYG run to yellow gate (40 yds) and back. Team 2 goes when last member of team 1 crosses the line.
Repeat 4x
Same thing to pole with meter on it (60 yds) x 2
And to the far pole (100 yds) x 1
Mosey to the covered student drop off area for Mary
Flutter, Dolly, Protractor, Peter Parker, Freddie Mercury, Parker Peter
Moleskin:
It was such a nice morning, then High Tide pulled up and said, “Did you look at the radar? We’re going to get soaked.” The wind picked up right at 7:00, the temp dropped 5 degrees and off we went into the downpour. Great work by the Ascent PAX working through the rain. It really never let up, just slowed down a little so it seemed that much worse when it picked back up. The 2.0s who joined up bailed after the Murph part of the workout and spent the rest of the workout in the car. Hoodies may look cool, but they aren’t so much fun when completely waterlogged.
The downside to doing half of the Murph is that we had 30 mins left in the workout. The guys slogged through some active recovery work on the benches and walls, and then got to it on the sprints behind the school. Strange Brew was killing it.
Great sendoff by Blitzen. We’re blessed to have the lives we do.
Announcements:
Baracus is gauging interest in this year’s Blue Ridge Relay. Contact him if you’re interested in learning more.

Celebrating LT Michael P. Murphy

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10 brave pax came into the gloom for Stonehenge. Like the rest of F3 Nation, we honored LT Michael P. Murphy (Navy SEAL KIA 6/28/2005) by doing his signature workout – MURPH. This patriot was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2007 and is a testament to the strength, courage and bravery displayed by our military every day.  It was a tough workout but due to such a solid effort by the pax, we had time for some bonus work.

The Thang

Jog to parking lot adjacent to Ledge Lake

COP
– Burpees OYO x 5
– Imperial Walker x 15

Jog to lake for MURPH workout

navysealmichaelmurphy-e1304650879378-300x400

MURPH
– Run 1 mile
– Pull Ups x 100
– Merkins x 200
– Squats x 300
– Run 1 mile

We ran the first mile in formation and in total silence.
We modified the workout to 10 sets each of:
– 10 Pullups
– 20 Merkins
– 30 Squats
Pax alternated LBCs and plank until all finished
The last mile was run at your own pace

We had 20 minutes left and so did the following:
– Dips x 15
– Derkins x 15
– Step ups x 15 each leg

Jog back to launch point
– Flutter x 15
– Merkins x 10
– LBCs x 15
– Merkins x 10
– Dolly x 15
– Merkins x 10
– Burpees x 5
– SSH x 25

Pledge of Allegiance recited to Shovel Flag

COT

Naked Moleskin:
– Kotters to Gumbo. Great to have you back in the gloom. He picked a heck of a day to come back out.
– Great effort by everyone and a great way to remember a true American hero and patriot!
– 0600 start paid off as skies opened up with a downpour – Great time at #Lone Survivor by F3 Nation. A great must see movie!
– Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was great. Perhaps this can become a new tradition. You can never be too patriotic!
– Nice to see Haggis at coffeeteria. Hope you heal up and get back at it soon.

Announcements:
– Blue Ridge Relay teams forming. F3 Nation had 15 teams in 2013. Let’s get 25 in 2014!
– Lots of 3rdF workouts have started back up. Find one and post!

I leave you with a soldiers prayer I found that seems appropriate.

Soldiers Prayer
I did my duty,
I paid the supreme price.
I pray you’ll remember,
My sacrifice.
My life was short,
I did my best.
God grant me peace,
In eternal rest.

PREBLAST: Olympus to Converge at The Rock for The Murph

We announced this the last 3 Saturdays in a row but in case you didn’t her or see the Tweet…The meatheads of Olympus are set to converge with The Rock on Saturday Jan. 11th @07:00.

Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike – What day is it?

Q: Who’s happier than a camel on Wednesday?

A: 17 PAX doing Monkey Humpers on the nicest morning of the week.  Pickle was especially happy.  He forgot his gloves and chose other alternatives to keep his, umm… hands warm.

COP:

Run around school Fire Lane, pull a wet rock out of the drainage ditch and head to the parking lot.

Seal Jacks x 21

IW x 21

Squats x 20

Merkins x 15 hold ’em for:

Mountain Climbers x 15  hold ’em for:

(YHC note: this was about the time when TR and Bulldog finally stopped the mumble chatter.  They’re like a couple of old ladies playing bridge)

Plank Jacks x 15

The Thang:

Run the perimeter loop of Covenant.  Stopping at each left hand turn for the following:

Jump Squats x20, Monkey Humpers x30, Calf Raises x40  — 6 total stops

Return to your rock and plank-o-rama until the PAX returns

Overhead presses with rock x 50 OYO – run to bus and back

Front raises with rock x 50 OYO – run to bus and back

Grab a partner and wheelbarrow to top of hill, 10 decline merkins for the wheelbarrow, run back down and flapjack.

CDD x 50 OYO  – run to bus and back

Flutter with rock press x 15

Dolly with rock press x 15

LBC x 25

Return rocks and head to cars.

Circle up and grunt out some Jack Webb until the time was up.  I think we hit 7 Merkins.

Moleskin:

As a courteous gesture to the Kevlar PAX I tried to save the chest and back for tomorrow’s Murph.  So legs and shoulders were on the docket today.  After the first super set I considered audibling out of the plan for 180 total Monkey Humpers.  It sucked.  But the PAX can Hump.  We powered through it and TR showed a few cars on Covenant Church Ln his best side.

Sometimes when I am working on EHing a guy, I hear myself talk; and my description of what we do sounds absolutely insane.  I realized this morning that this might be true when I headed out at 5am with the thermometer @ 39 degrees and steady rain coming down AND I was giddy about how much better the weather had gotten.

I enjoyed the privilege of Q’ing this group.  My first time at Kevlar.  Bulldog said to draw up something hard and then add more.  I hope it delivered.

Thanks to Salt Lick for the send off.

Announcements:

  • Some rumors about a movie tonight?  I don’t know if anyone has heard about it.  Sounds like its full.  Bring cash, show up early.  If you haven’t responded positively, you probably won’t get into see Lone Survivor but, I hear they a running Steel Magnolia’s in the next theater.  A good tear jerker for those PAX too slow to HC.

-Alf

Wield the Plow, Bear the Sword

8 men gathered in the Panera at Carmel/51 for #F3TheStand to discuss Chapter 2 of The Masculine Mandate.  Simply, men are called to be men.  So…what does that mean?  What is the Bible’s mandate for masculine behavior?

The Thang

Man’s Assignment

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to keep it.” – Genesis 2:15

At its core, this verse represents our calling as men…to devote ourselves to working/building and keeping/protecting everything placed into our charge…to enhance, through cultivation and protection, what we’ve been given in order to further glorify the Creator.

Work – Wield the Plow

Adam was called to till and cultivate the garden so that it would grow and bear an abundance of fruit.  Our discussion here centered on the fact we are called to work whatever field God have given us…to wield the plow by investing our time, our energies, our ideas and our passions in brining good things into being.  As men we should be devoting ourselves to cultivating something worthwhile for the glory of God and the well-being of our fellow men.  Here we focused on who are we working for…”Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24

Do what we do sincerely and heartily to please and glorify the Lord.  This moved our discussion into the parable of three servants: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30&version=NLT

We focused on and discussed 4 main points as they related to our mandate.

  • Verse 15 – “in proportion to their abilities”…if God has called us, we can accomplish it.
  • Verse 21 – the reward for responsible stewardship is greater responsibilities.
  • Verses 21 & 23 – the commendation for the servant with 2 talents was the same as for the one with 5 talents…the basis for reward is not how much we have but how faithfully we serve…what we do with who/what has been placed in our charge.
  • Verse 26 – “wicked and lazy”…what was given was not enhanced through work and cultivation.

Keep – Bear the Sword

Adam was also placed in the garden to keep it…to guard and protect it.  We are to watch over and keep safe all that the Lord has put under our care.  We discussed here that men should stand up and be counted when there is danger:

  • In our families to make sure they feel secure and at ease
  • In our churches to stand for truth and godliness
  • In our society to guard against evil and defend our nation

We must bear the sword to preserve the fruits of wielding the plow.

Moleskin

Some quotes from the book that resonated with us this morning:

  • “A man’s fingers should be accustomed to working the soil of the human heart – the hearts of those he serves and loves – that he might accomplish some of the most valuable and important work of this life.”
  • “God does not desire for men to stand by idly and allow harm, or permit wickedness to exert itself.”
  • “Truly great men are servants who give themselves to a worthy cause and leaders who stand for what is right.”

Wonderful discussion this morning men.  Champagne and YHC are honored to facilitate as He leads.