Horse Head

Horse Head

Twenty men did the work of 50 lesser men.  And that doesn’t even count the seven Pax that posted for Red Coats, Rednecks and Rucks, or the four old men that power walked around the track.

Mosey to track for a lap, then to midfield for the standard warmup fare:  SSH, low squats, merkins, mountain climbers, I-Walkers.

Mosey to near endzone and pair up.

  • Pax 1 touch the Horse Head at the top of the stairs.
  • Pax 2 perform called exercise
  • Flapjack until team completes 100 reps of Heels to Heaven

Mosey to 50 yard line

  • Pax 1 touch the Horse Head at the top of the stairs.
  • Pax 2 perform called exercise
  • Flapjack until team completes 125 reps of hand release merkins.

Mosey to far end zone

  • Pax 1 touch the Horse Head at the top of the stairs.
  • Pax 2 perform burpees
  • Flapjack until each pax completes 2 trips to the Horse Head

Mosey to 50 yard line

  • Pax 1 touch the Horse Head at the top of the stairs.
  • Pax 2 perform called exercise
  • Flapjack until team completes 80 reps of Low Hold Squats, in cadence (hold at bottom of squat for 3 count)

Mosey to near endzone

  • Pax 1 touch the Horse Head at the top of the stairs.
  • Pax 2 perform called exercise
  • Flapjack until team completes 200 flutter kicks

Mosey to midfeld for Mary:

  • Dolly x10
  • 1 legged Dolly x 10
  • Other legged Dolly x 10
  • Stop motion Dolly x 10 (move in or out on Q’s call)
  • Flutter x 10
  • 1 legged flutter x 10
  • Other legged flutter x 10
  • Stop motion flutter x 10

Mosey back to start for COT.

Moleskin

  •  I am a big fan of the Partner / Team Total exercises mostly for the accountability effect:  I can’t slack on the run because my teammate is back there doing burpees.  Nor can I slack on burpees because I wouldn’t be pulling my load.  It’s a near-perfect antidote to fatigue-induced tendencies to buy flannel footy jammies and sip cocoa from an oversized mug.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
  • All were pleased to learn, none more than Horse Head himself, that we were to touch the Horse Head bust, not Horse Head’s bust.  Can’t remember how he got his name (even though he told me last week), but I feel for his M, who wakes up daily to a Horse Head in the bed.
  • Strong work by the Pax on a grind of a workout.  Good to see the Metro and 51 guys mix it up.  And thanks to DD’s for the leadership at the site.

Devils Turn Preblast

Two options for Devils Turn tomorrow:

5:15 option: The usual – meet at the greenway parking lot by Trader Joes. Run to South Charlotte Middle School (site of Death Valley) for some track work.  Run back to parking lot for a total of approximately 6 miles.

5:30 start option: Meet us at Death Valley site for the track work only.  We’ll be running 800m intervals.

Devils Turn is a great running workout and will boost your fitness like no other.  However, the early start and longer distance may put some folks off.  Now’s your chance to give it a try!

Bagpipe goes anti-clockwise

 

13 men felt dizzy after this workout…

Mosey to parking lot for warm up: 30 Side Straddle Hops, 20 Imperial Walker, 20 merkins – plank – 10 more merkins.

Mosey to pull up bar area (the dungeon): 20 supine pull ups, 10 full pull ups, 10 burpees, 1 lap around loch ness.  Repeat.

Mosey to picnic tables: 5 durkins, 10 dips, 5 durkins, 10 dips, 5 durkins, 10 dips, 5 durkins, 10 dips, 5 durkins, 10 dips.

Line up for merkin/mary/sprint ladder: 2 merkins, 25 flutter, sprint to other end of grass area.  4 merkins, 25 heels to heavens, sprint.  6 merkins, 25 dolly, sprint.  8 merkins, 25 left side raises, sprint. 10 merkins, 25 right side raises, sprint.  Plank for a while, then 10 fast merkins.

Mosey to starting line and get ready for a one mile time trial around the lake.  3.3 laps in anti-clockwise direction.

Mosey back to parking lot – done!

Moleskin:

– Good core work today by all.

– Honey Bee had requested that we run in an anti-clockwise direction (some would say counter clockwise) so that we could avoid the steep downhill around the lake.  It seemed to work for him as he destroyed the field today, leading by a long way.

– Haggis was chided for his use of correct English and in a fit of pique he forced the pax had to run on the left and pass on the right.  Strangely, the 1 mile run seemed a lot more fun and a much more decent affair when performed this way.

– No Bagpipe next week.  Converge at Skunkworks with the rest of area 51.

 

Building Blocks

Get ready to bring it for a full body blast tomorrow at Anvil. Limited to no running for all you sad clowns at home with bum knees, ankles and other parts.

13 = unlucky number @ Skunkworks for those that prefer not to run and/or the chronic mumblechatterers

The shovel flag was not planted as Harley was gone, so we’ll say the VSF was planted and then 24 of Area 51’s finest would-be mumblechatterers got after a Combine-like approach to Skunkworks.

The Thang:

COP:

Mosey to field w/KB

SJs x 20, SSHs x 25, H-R Merkins x 13, Goblet Squats x 13

PARTNER WORK

  • P1 – KB 2-handed swings, P2 – AYG Sprint Lap; Flapjack
  • 13 H-R Burpees
  • P1 – High Pulls – Alt 3R/3L/Etc., P2 – AYG Sprint Lap; Flapjack
  • 13 H-R Burpees
  • P1 – Push Press – Alt. 3R/3L/Etc., P2 AYG Sprint Lap; Flapjack
  • 13 H-R Burpees

ASCENDING LADDER SUICIDES
Start with exercise, then AYG lap after each, so we did 10 total laps after the following:

  • KB Push Press – 5R/5L, 7/7, 9/9
  • KB Goblet Squat – 3, 5, 7, 9
  • High Pulls 5R/5L, 7/7, 9/9

MoM: Mason Twists w/KB x 13, CCVs – 13R/13L

Hand-off to Tiger Rag for the last few minutes for the following:

  • Viking (racked bell, lunge, press, stand, re-rack = 1) x 5 ea side
  • Lunge with high kick x 8 ea side
  • Side lunge with press x 8 ea side

Moleskine:

Skunkworks started off in somewhat predictable fashion other than the SJs – which got the “tough guys” mumblechattering something to the effect that the exercise wasn’t manly enough….as if the pax looks manly doing any of these exercises in the gloom.  Didn’t hear any of the aforementioned tough guys mumblechattering once we started the 13 AYG laps in between the metalwork.

All Merkins and Burpees were hand-release variety, so to eliminate the poor form, head-bobbin’ merkins, spartan burpees, etc, etc.  #crowdpleasers

Safe to say the pax would have welcomed more than the one 10-count that Young Love called out.

A few other comments:

* Great to see the return of Brown’s Mushmouth lid, rivaled only by Semi-Gloss’ yellow Garlock lid and Udder’s workout beret.

* A few of the smokeboot-wearing pax lamented the tight track not allowing for passing.  Agreed.  #shorttrack #rubbinsracin

* Site Q Harley will undoubtedly be disappointed that YHC’s regimen did not elicit any merlot spillage.  #qfailure

* TR did ask for a 10-count of sorts after finishing the 13th lap, so YHC did a couple Mary exercises prior to TR’s launching the Viking attack on the pax.

Announcements:

TR on Q at The Charge tomorrow.  Radar on Q at DV.  A pax to be named later on Q at Anvil & The Maul.

Also, could be a good time to check out a 3rd F workout if you haven’t done so already: Aftermath (Wed @ Sbux-Piper Glen), The Yardstick (Thu @ Panera-SoPk), Compass (Fri @ Arbo-ChikFilA), and The Stand (Fri @ Panera-Carmel Village).  0630 – all pax are welcome – come just as you are.

Lone Survivor Movie Premier – Evite that came from Stone Cold now functional (email went out 12/12).  Friday, January 10th – join the pax for a solid 2nd F opportunity; then be sure to post at an Area51 site near you Saturday morning for The Murph at all 7 Saturday workouts – Area 51, Outland, Stonehenge, The Rock, Day Zero, Ascent (modified), & Olympus.

Skunkvergence on Christmas Eve to be Q’d by TR.  Fast Twitch to converge at CDHS with the Skunkworks pax.  No word from the Bagpiping SOBs yet?  Coffeteria to follow Skunkvergence at Arboretum somewhere.

Don’t forget the Joe Davis 5k Memorial Run on Saturday, Jan. 4th.  Worthy cause and also great way to support our brother Rock Thrill.  The Fort will host a convergence at 7am, followed by onsite coffeteria then the 5k.

Other announcements – check website, twitter, or ask a brother of the pax who’s more in-the-know than you.

 

Watch what you say – the Q may be listening

The virtual shovel flag was planted and six men rolled out early to a moon lit track (no head lamps required) to get the day started off right.

The Thang:

Jog down to track and take one lap for warm up.

COP

  • SSH X25
  • Squats X25
  • IW X25

800 meter intervals with lunge walks for active recovery

  • Round 1 – Walking lunges for 100 meters
  • Round 2 – Walking lunges for 100 meters
  • Round 3 – Walking lunges for 50 meters
  • Round 4 – Walking lunges for 50 meters

Mosey to the field for “Four Corners” (ten of called exercise at each corner)

  • Round 1 – Jump squat pivots (thank PH)
  • Round 2 – SSH
  • Round 3 – IW
  • Round 4 – Russian twist
  • Round 5 – Jumping lunges

(did we do a Round 6 – can’t recall due to O2 deprivation trying to keep up with Frasier)

Jog back to parking lot for COT

YHC rarely has a plan with everything slotted in and improvisation is a favorite (as I’m too lazy to plan ahead in that much detail).   PH helped me in this regard with is reference to some lame exercise at BHM call squat pivots (looked like a Dook drill to me).   I decided to add a jump to the exercise.   It may add some explosive power to our jumping but it was painful on the last two corners.

T-claps to Whip Lash for some free advice on taking care of tennis elbow (which I have not played in several years).   It has been nagging for weeks and the chiropractor (same as witch doctor – no?) helped me out big time.

Thanks to PH for the closing prayer – always brings it at the end

Announcements – Keep an eye on the web site and weekly email blast for holiday schedule as there will be some shuffling.  Also, try to sign up for the 5K run in Fort Mill on January 4 to raise funds in honor of Rock Thrills brother.    Parties for the kids at Billingsville Wednesday and AG on Thursday if you can make it.  Give me a shout (pchepul@gmail.com) or sound off below if you want more information on time.  Good way to experience what we are doing there without having to tutor your first visit.

 

Tiger Rag leads the charge – Wed

Tiger Rag has been chomping at the bit to Q the new Wednesday workout and tomorrow is his day. The Charge kicks off tomorrow (Wed) at 0530 and there is also a pre-workout Go Ruck style at 0445 with the Hoff leading the madness.

SPEARHEAD Isn’t a Workout…It’s Training. 1,240 Reps in Cadence…Ouch!

7 Pax assembled for a complete systematic beat down and to knock out several days off the SPEARHEAD 12 Days of Christmas Patch Challenge. 

At the beginning I warned the Pax that today’s format would be a little different and extremely challenging…needless-to-say, we flat out got work done out there today #dowork!

Warm up: NA

The Thang:

(8) Count Body Builders x 100 / Monkey Humpers x 400

Jack Webb Style

Mosey to the End Zone

Merkins x 10

Bear Crawl to 10 Yard Line

Merkins x 10

Bear Crawl to 20 Yard Line

Merkins x 10

Bear Crawl to 30 Yard Line

Merkins x 10

Lunge Walk x 150 (75 each leg)

Overhead Press x 200 / KB Swings x 200 (alternating in groups of 20 until 200 reached while moving down field)

Russian Twists x 100

Bicep Curls x 50/ Tricep Extensions x 50

TOTAL REPS: 1,240

Puke

COT

Moleskine:

Unreal work all around from the Pax today.   Today reminded me of what it feels like during a welcome party.  Many times we all looked like we wanted to quit, but thankfully for the strength of our team we motivated each other to finish the training.

I heard a quote from one of our NoCo brothers that summed up what we are doing at SPEARHEAD better than anything I’ve heard.  “SPEARHEAD isn’t a workout, it’s training.”  We have a specific purpose at our site and as a team we continue motivating each other to do things that we never thought possible. 

As for the group today.  Your guys made me extremely proud to be a part of SPEARHEAD.  Check Point and Straight Back were animals out there never missing a beat and performing every rep in perfect form.  Angler was our key motivator helping us all stay focused.  Liquor Cycle is our Mystero and not to mention he is the single most dedicated Rucker I’ve ever known.  Wolfman is our newbie that is drinking the cool-aid and gets the Most Improved Award, while Chicken Wing is our comic relief making us all laugh during such torture, all while of course giving it his all each training session.

I’ve got to work and can’t write more, but would if I could.  It is always a pleasure leading such strong men through our training sessions. 

Respectfully,

The Hoff

 

“We’re kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by [wigglin] out into the country…”**

“We’re kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by [wigglin] out into the country…to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape…” **

Get out there tomorrow and Wiggle – holiday pace – corner of Foxcroft and Rothwood Dr. – 5:30 am…

** Clark W. Griswold, Christmas Vacation

Santa’s Ladder

18 of Santa’s helpers assembled in the gloom on Saturday to build Santa a ladder. This was a solid effort and thank goodness Santa’s ladder only had 11 rungs.

The Thang
Aproximately 3/4 mile jog to Jacob’s Pond (pond adjacent to hill where we often do Jacob’s Ladder).

Santa’s Ladder resembles the 12 Days of Christmas as one must step down each rung after adding another one.

Rung 1:
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Rung 2:
– Run up the hill, 2 Burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Rung 3:
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 Burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Rung 4:
– Run up the hill, 4 Bicycles
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 Burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Rung 5:
– 5 Dolly at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 4 Bicycles
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 Burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Rung 6:
– Run up the hill, 6 Burpees
– 5 Dolly at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 4 Bicycles
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 Burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Rung 7:
– 7 seconds of rest at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 6 Burpees
– 5 Dolly at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 4 Bicycles
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Rung 8:
– Run up the hill, 8 Backscratchers
– 7 seconds of rest at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 6 Burpees
– 5 Dolly at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 4 Bicycles
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Rung 9:
– 9 LBCs at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 8 Backscratchers
– 7 seconds of rest at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 6 Burpees
– 5 Dolly at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 4 Bicycles
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile) – with lunge walk in corners

Rung 10:
– Run up the hill, 10 Burpees
– 9 LBCs at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 8 Backscratchers
– 7 seconds of rest at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 6 Burpees
– 5 Dolly at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 4 Bicycles
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Here, I gave the pax a choice, we can eliminate Rung 12 and only build an 11 rung ladder but it will be with Jack Webbs or we can go along as planned. Pax chose Jack Webbs for Rung 11.

Rung 11:
– 11 Jack Webbs at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 10 Burpees
– 9 LBCs at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 8 Backscratchers
– 7 seconds of rest at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 6 Burpees
– 5 Dolly at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 4 Bicycles
– 3 Flutter kicks at bottom of hill
– Run up the hill, 2 burpees
– 1 lap around the pond (~.20 mile)

Partner Up
-Merkin run ~.75 mile back to launch point
– P1: 10 merkins
– P2 Run until P1 catches up, flapjack
Repeato until back at launch point

COT

Moleskin:
– Welcome to new FNG Sam (F3: On Hold). Picked a heck of a week for virgin post and a great efort all the way through. Tclaps to Crab Grass and Grass Stain for bringing him ou. #F3Growing
– This was a solid workout and included close to 3.5 miles of running (not counting trips up and down hill), 88 Burpees and 66 merkins (within Jack Webbs) and another 40 or so merkins in run back to launch point.  Good call on finishing on Rung 11.  By doing so, we avoided 24 more Burpess, another round of Jack Webbs (that was lanned for Rung 12) and Squats.  #qwassmoked
– Not sure what my fascination with the 12 Days/Ladder theme is but it seems to be working out well for the pax.
– Close Merlot Spillage – Frehley’s Comet looked certain to spill merlot after a solid night of holiday festivities prior to Stonehenge #irishcarbomb. Like a true Gamecock, he kept things in check and made it through spill free.

Announcements:
– January 1 F3 Nation convergence at Freedom Park. This year we had over 150 pax, let’s try and hit 200 in 2014.
– January 4 Area 51 convergence at Joe David 5K. See weekly email for details.