Q: Who did Paul Bear Bryant defeat in his last game as head coach of Alabama in the 1982 Liberty Bowl?
What does that have to do with this morning’s events at Falcon Nest (née Hawks Nest, née Falcon Crest)? You had to show to know, but because you’re wasting unrecoverable time in order to read this…I’ll tell you.
YHC threw out some 1980’s Big Ten Football trivia (more specifically 1983-84). What do Jim Everett, Jim Harbaugh, Chuck Long, Jack Trudeau and Mike Tomczak have in common?
They were all Big 10 quarterbacks (Purdue, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio State) in 1983…though Harbaugh didn’t start until 1984.
Some fact and fiction about these illustrious pigskin slingers from the heartland (actually Trudeau grew up in California and Everett in Albuquerque….but I digress as usual).
Fiction: Jack Trudeau is related to famous cartoonist Garry Trudeau of Doonesbury fame. Siri & Clover were wrong. Garry is married to Jane Pauley, however.
Fact: Jim Everett remains the only quarterback to defeat Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame in the same season.
Fiction: Jim Harbaugh owns non-pleated khakis.
Fact: Michigan leads all Big 10 schools with 9 football national championships, Ohio State has 8, Minnesota (yes, Minnesota) has 6 and Illinois has 5 (2 more than Clemson).
Fiction: Alabama leads the nation in football national championships with 16.
Fact: Yale leads the nation in football national championships with 18.
So we did some exercises, and some of the pax, of course, didn’t do many of the called exercises. Spackler, STOP TRAFFIC, did 5 burpees, which were the first he’s done in 4+ years #augustmiracle
Runstopper took his shirt off before the workout. One of the pax asked YHC after teaming with the Stopper for the rock work if I was sufficiently shamed by my shirtless partner and the fact I couldn’t do tricep extensions with the rock Stopper chose. I was, indeed.
Emoji begged for LBC’s, so YHC obliged at 6:12am.
Jet Fuel knows his college football. He asked the question at the top of this backblast. The Answer: Bear Bryant defeated the Fighting Illini of Illinois by a score of 21-15 in the 1982 Liberty Bowl. Bryant died less than 4 weeks later.
T-claps and praise God for Veg-O-Matic’s newest 2.0.
Floor Slapper was on time, and was also getting legal advice from Brokovich during the 6 minutes of Mary. He returned the favor of free expert advice by giving Erin a “turn your head & cough” test prior to Brokovich’s doughnut run for the family.
Brokovich is also a geographical genius. The capital city of Bulgaria is Sofia, and he answered it in a “Rainman-like” 0.87 seconds. Impressive…and also a bit frightening.
Motorboat suggest monkey humper’s in front of the windows at the newly opened gym next to the Lodge. We did a drive-by but no humpers. Next week, perhaps.
T-claps to Slingshot & Bootlegger for running in. Huddle House did not join the OP posse this morning.
War Daddy Snuka put in the work as usual and his olfactory toughness was on display during 6 MoM as the only pax within 15 feet of the rotting refuse in the dumpster.
Grits took us out with prayer after COT; he also was doing a myriad of his own exercises throughout the workout. #trifusenikwannabe
Clemson alums & devotees Deep Dish and Marge kept mumbling something to the effect that they thought the only team in the Big Ten was Ohio State. #erroneous
According to Puddin’ Pop, we went a “legit” 1.65 miles. You’re welcome, boot campers.
We did work in some burpees, some Makthar D’Jaiye’s (did you catch when we did them?), and his brother Walthar. No CCV’s though I did give Erin a demo after the workout. We’ll do them at Hydra on 8/25.
Have a great week, fellas. Go encourage someone as you’ll likely be the only person who does so today for that person.
“encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone” – Saul of Tarsus in a letter to the pax in Thessalonica (modern day Thessaloniki, Greece)
12PAX and 16 2.0s (at least to start), left the city life behind and went west, found a little rain, no cell service, and perhaps one serial killer.
THE THANG:
Roll in on Friday, set up tents, communal area, figure out who is camping where, and get a fire started. The rain moved thru about 1pm and soaked everything for several hours. It did not dissuade the PAX from pushing forward (we had already paid for the campsites and the food) and by late afternoon the rain subsided, most PAX arrived, and the 2.0s were already running around the campsite.
Little did we know that on the way to God’s Country, a wrong turn was taken at a Lowe’s and a new name for one of the PAX was being born.
Upon his arrival, Chuck Wagon FKA Zinfandel, unloaded the food, then promptly informed us that one of his 2.0s did not fare too well and got sick on the ride up. Nonetheless, the promise of good times and sugar was the antidote for a quick recovery. So as the night wore on, with beer and Doritos consumed with reckless abandon, all seemed well…..
As daylight broke, Chastian’s truck was mysteriously parked in Chuck Wagon’s parking space, CW’s tent was gone, his minivan was parked in a different spot, and one stained covered sleeping mat was laying on the ground. As I walked closer to investigate, the minivan started and off it went, into the fog, never to be seen again. Upon closer examination of the crime scene, the stain on the sleeping mat was Dorito’s red, and one could easy surmise that we were down 1 PAX and three 2.0s for the remainder of the trip.
Chastain, as our Nantan, stepped up and took over the food duties. However, he quickly discovered, much to our chagrin, that Chuck Wagon stole the mac and cheese that was planned for dinner. We had 2 options, goto the FoodLion that was 10 minutes away and buy some, or gut it out. We chose the latter.
Saturday morning it was hiking trails for some while others decided to go kayaking. As the hikers were able to witness the clear skies roll out and the rain clouds roll in from the top, the kayakers were able to experience the torrential downpour in the middle of a lake. After hiking, it was lunch at Woodland’s BBQ for most and the coin operated laundry in Boone for the remainder.
After lunch it was more hiking, but this time to the swimming hole and then rock climbing up a waterfall.
With night time settling in, time for hot dogs, brats, and beans, followed by s’mores.
As the sun woke up Sunday morning, time to get rid of all the food, pack up, and go back to civilization.
All children were returned to their Dads without any broken bones.
MOLESKIN
Official rename: Zinfandel to Chuck Wagon, if you can’t figure out the reason, read this backblast again.
Surge made friends with our serial killer, camping neighbor, who we counted as a FNG and gave him the name Dahmer or Manson. We left him a gift of blueberry muffins as a thank you for not cutting our heads off during the night.
I have figured out why they call him Chatterbox, the guy would not stop talking the entire time.
Happy Meal is our professional fire starter and wood finder but he cannot be left in charge of the six.
We are renaming OneNiner’s son as well, it is now Romeo.
Thank goodness for Marta who brought the camping gear that CW was tasked to bring, assign, yet somehow the stuff did not make it.
We discovered that Mad Dog enjoys a good bag of chips a hoy (and so do raccoons).
We all have chair envy over Mad Dogs rocking camper chair, but he will spend most of the week doing an internet search on my Toto.
Sad Puppy provided eye candy for a young hikers (and her mom) at the top of rough ridge.
Hazmat’s wife is going to kill him when she finds out he let Uncle PJ sugar up the kids.
Thank you all for allowing me to organize this chaos and being foolish enough to join me in the adventure.
YHC arrived to find FNG Kyle waiting. As other PAX arrived YHC gave the standard disclaimer and we were bolted faster than airport Bojangles through intestines. Oh, wait, is that Mic Check coming in hot? We circled back for him and then it was game on for real this time.
Moseyed to 131 for warm up. SSH, IW, low arm circles, and merkins.
Moseyed to the lot behind the nail salon, stopping on the way for some Mary at the bank. Once at the lot, partner up, each partnership grabbed a rock. One partner ran, one did reps. Each partnership did 50 combined reps of thruster, burpee over rock, curls, and rock merkins (one hand on rock, other on ground, switching sides each rep).
Moseyed back to the bank for some mary and the first in a humorous series of Loogie expressing his deep appreciation for all the running in today’s programming.
Moseyed back to Blakeney for a series of 10 merkins alternating with 10 LBC at each storefront until reaching Target.
Next, a short jog over to the stairwells behind the fountain. Hey, those guys look familiar – Kirby, C3PO, and T1000 found us after running around the AO for the preceding 40 minutes. We did a 10 minute AMRAP of 10 supine pull ups at the bottom, 10 hand release burpees at the top of the stairs, then 10 wall climbs (balls 2 wall) at the bottom.
Finally back to base for a quick round of Killer B’s (broad jump, burpees, bear crawl), then Mary to time.
FNG Kyle, now named Coxswain, smiled through the beatdown and said he will be back next week. Happy birthday Franky! Kelly has been coming out regularly and doing great – keep it up man. As usual the veterans killed it. Honestly, I was breathing pretty hard trying to keep it challenging for everyone today. Really great 2nd F during the workout and after.
Kirby mentioned to the group that the SOB 3rd F lead (Olaf) is a tremendous resource for those of us looking for guidance in this area. Olaf followed that with a wonderful take out about risk and the importance of being vulnerable.
If you haven’t Q’d at da Vinci recently we’d be grateful if you’d reach out to YHC to get on the schedule.
12 men stepped up to the plate to kick ass at the Brave.
Pretty simple layout.
Run a bit, Warm up, then run to Endhaven Elementary with some exercises on the way.
Once we are at Endhaven we went to the playground. Do 10 pull-ups.
Then go to the other end of the school parking lot and do 20 jump squats.
Run all the way to the bottom of Rougemont St. It is about .4 miles. At the bottom, do 15 Burpees.
Head back up to the to the playground for pull ups and repeat that circuit.
Moleskin:
The great Haggis returned today and killed it. He got three full laps and caught us on the way home.
Everyone seemed to love the format today. Lots of burpees, running and humidity. Everyone pushed hard today. Frehley’s pushed a little too hard and had a code brown and left his 5th towel out in the wild today. Mic Check and Midriff weren’t far behind Haggis, but Mic Check did almost spill Merlot as he sprinted towards the finish. Seems he mis-calculated the distance. Teddy and Wingy also pushed hard the entire time. Teddy has his patented “smoked Teddy” face on for most of the day. Franky showed up to the Brave for the second hard week in a row. Thank you Olaf for leading some of the Mary throughout. Picasso came up with a big push at the end and passed Mic Check as he started his Merlot heaving. Of course War Eagle had the Phone on hand in case any of us passed out, thank you sir for looking out for us, and likely yourself. Kirby pushed the wholesome and kept running until the end.
Thanks for letting me lead another “old School” Brave.
SYITG Fire Hazard
Three ways of the warrior:
Workout adapted from Darebee’s 3-minute Warrior WOD: https://darebee.com/pdf/workouts/3minute-warrior-workout.pdf
HIIT Workout
Moleskine
Announcements
Truth Nuggets
Amazing turn out for the Brave today. A revival! Get those men on Q ASAP.
The Thang:
Run together up Community House and turn in for a brief warm up: LSS x 10, MC x 15, stretching. Continue up CH and stop for Peter Parkers + circle back for 6.
Make a right and arrive at Enhaven Elementary. Groups of 5 do three rounds of: Pull Ups (AYG – pull up group acts as time), Dips AYG w/ step ups mixed in, and Big Boi sit ups AYG (not American Hammers which we all now know are ineffective thanks to Midriff.)
Next: Maximize our mileage without leaving anyone for dead. Out and back on Endhaven with a half mile turnaround for the fastest guys – Fire Hazard, Midriff, Sweetwater, I’m probably missing someone.
Run to parking deck next to the Hampton Inn. Run backwards up each ramp followed by 20 lunges each time, 3 ramps total. Finish with CDDs at the top.
Run back to launch with circle backs + Olaf and I did a bunch of exercises by ourselves at one point.
Moleskin: Great job by the men getting out of their comfort zone to post at this workout. That is what it’s all about. Thanks Olaf for a tremendous take out.
Announcements: SOB Pool Party August 27. Check Slack for details or call Tag Along.
Anyone who did IPC last year remembers the thrill of Murder Bunnies. Basically reverse hiking a cinder block from between your legs to out in front of you, jumping forward while hunched over, and repeating many times to advance across the field or parking lot. We did that today! Why? Because it is a High Intensity exercise and NOE is a High Intensity Workout.
The Thang:
9 men grabbed their cinder blocks and went to the next parking lot for space. Warm Up = 15 SSH, 15 MC and 15 LSS all IC.
Thang 1: 20 overhead press, murder bunny across, 20 overhead press, rest 30 seconds. 20 curls, MB back, 20 curls, rest. 5 “blockees”, MB, 5 blockees, rest. 20 squats, MB, 20 squats, rest.
Thang 2: Use the HIIT cadence Wild Turkey has taught us and do 3 exercises in the same muscle group, 30 sec on/30 sec off, or 40/20 depending, then rest for 1 minute and repeat. First round was incline, narrow grip merkins on the block, then decline wide grip merkins, then alternating merkins with one hand on block one hand off. Second round was straight leg deadlifts, rotating lunges, and sumo squats (all with block). Round 3 was situps with OH block press, flutter press with block, and LBCs no block.
Thang 3: About 8 minutes of station work. 2 stations were murder bunnies, one was farmer’s carry with two blocks, one was burpees, rest was PAX choice with block – curls, triceps, OH press, etc. Time.
Moleskin: Huge shout out to Midriff for hiding another 8 cinder blocks next to Blakeney Target last night. I retrieved them and put them back in their spot for future DaVinci and Firestarter. If you plan to move them for Maul/NOE, here’s a pro tip – do it the night before because at 5:15 am, you will need to awkwardly waive to all the construction guys working the Target project as they see you taking stuff out of the woods.
Humbled as always,
Soft Pretzel
Posting for LaFawnduh
14 pax joined me for my VQ at the Maul! Started off with a mosey to Regal to see if Napoleon Dynamite 2 was out. Got a warm up in where YHC (Your Humble Correspondent) needs to improve on calling exercises in cadence.
Mosey over to Chipotle as Napoleon wanted a dang quesadilla. Proceeded to do a modified Walls of Jericho (7 reps, 7 reps, 7 laps) of Merkins, jump squats, step ups, burpees, dips, plank jacks and shoulder taps.
Mosey over to Gamestop, grab a copy of Dance Dance Revolution to work on our dance skills. Run to each median (4) and do 15 merkins, back to the line to do 15 lunges. Next was 2 medians and 15 jump squats and 15 merkins. Final median and 15 merkins and 15 lunges.
Mosey back to Tap and Vine for some wall sits and air presses before circling up and half the circle called an exercise for Mary. Ending with Rooster’s call of Big Boy Situps.
Thanks for all who offered great advice and feedback to make my next Q better. Stay focused guys!
What: CPR RUCK event
Wait, what is that? A team building endurance fitness/rucking event with a focus on CPR education and certification
When: Saturday Nov 5th at 7:00 am
Where: Charlotte , NC (alternative location: Matthews, NC). Start/End point TBA. Planning to finish at a local brewery for optional food/drink/fellowship after the event.
Duration: Approx 5-6 hrs
Cost: Total is $35. Breakdown: $20 for the rucking event (this will pay for your unique velcro rucking patch to be earned at the completion of this event and your American Heart Association CPR certification card) + $15 to be paid directly to the American Heart Association for online CPR training to be completed on your own prior to the live event. (If anyone want to join us for the rucking event and learn/practice CPR but not pay for the online video or the certification card then cost is $5 (for the patch).
What can I expect during the rucking event? Exact route and specific exercises will not be released. Show up to find out. This is part of the fun/challenge! Expect to ruck 8-12 miles, complete approx 3 ruck PT workouts, carry additional heavy “stuff”. Work as a team to complete the reps, carry the weight, complete the tasks assigned. Finish together as a team.
Tell me more about the CPR component: The standard pathway is to sign up online and pay for the American Heart Association (AHA) virtual CPR class. Complete this on your own prior to the event. Should be a 60-90 min video. During the live rucking event there will be some periods of discussion and training related to CPR and commonly used first aid. There will be a specific point in time and place where everyone will have an opportunity to practice CPR on manikins and subsequently perform CPR for a skills check off. Practice till you get it right. Once you pass you will be eligible for your AHA CPR Card (which will come to your e-mail a few days later). If anyone wants to join this event but not spend the money or time for certification in CPR that is ok. You are still welcome to join us and learn/practice CPR with us. Likewise, if you are already CPR certified but want to have fun with us for 5-6 hours you too are welcome. Note: there is not enough time during this event to hold a traditional face to face CPR course. We are using the blended CPR option for this event. If anyone is interested in attending a traditional CPR class please e-mail me as well.
We will likely use the American Heart Association Life Saver First CPR AED course. Once you register for the event we will email you a link to sign up for the online training.
Will I have to do CPR on someone else? Absolutely not! You will learn all the skills you need to know during the online portion prior to the event. We will review some of those concepts and practices as we take breaks from exercising. Everyone will practice on the manikins until they master the skills for the individual skills check off with the instructor.
Will I have to do mouth to mouth? Absolutely not! In fact, the rescue breaths will be simulated and are actually optional. The main focus of CPR in 2022 is on the depth and rate of chest compressions and on how to call for help.
Do I have to be CPR certified to do CPR on someone who needs it? Actually, no. You just need to be willing to help and need to know how.
How long is the CPR certification good for? 24 months
What is the anticipated pass rate for the CPR skills test? 100%. If you don’t get it right on the first attempt you will get a chance to review and re-attempt again.
What is an AED? Automated External Defibrillator. These are now very common in schools, offices, and other indoor spaces. You will practice and learn how to use these simple but life saving tools as well.
What is the anticipated likelihood of finishing the 5-6 hour event? 100%. Just keep going, don’t quit, and ask your team mates for help if you need it. It is a team event. It is not a race. Everyone starts and finishes together.
Tell me more about rucking: www.goruck.com/pages/what-is-rucking
Is this a closed F3 event? No, This is an open event. While it is anticipated that many F3 pax will attend, feel free to invite your friends and family. This is not an F3 custom event or a GORUCK sponsored event. It will have many similarities to the traditional GORUCK Light or GORUCK Basic events but there will not be a military focus.
How much weight do I need to carry in my ruck? There is no required weight! Recommended: 20lb ruck plate if < 150 lbs and 30lb ruck plate if > 150 lbs. If you think you need to use a lighter weight, email prior to the event to discuss. Alternative to a ruck pate would be wrapped bricks or bags of sand.
How many will be participating? At this point we will cap the event at 25 participants. We will have a waiting list after that. This is subject to change.
Indoor/Outdoor/Weather? Event is anticipated 100% outdoors, rain or shine. Small chance if weather is terrible we might go inside for CPR manikin practice and skills test.
Gear List:
Rucksack
Ruck Plate -There is no required weight! Recommended: 20lb ruck plate if < 150 lbs and 30lb ruck plate if > 150 lbs. If you think you need to use a lighter weight, email prior to the event to discuss. No judgment. Push yourself but be safe. Alternative to a ruck pate would be wrapped bricks or bags of sand.
Hydration Bladder
Nalgene type water bottle (electrolytes recommended)
Reflective Bands on the Ruck
Small first aid kit
Working gloves
Hand sanitizer or wipes
Medical gloves optional
Photo ID, $20 cash for emergency
Recommended: Oral rehydration salts, headlamp
Optional: face mask(s).
Team Gear List:
One 20 lb team weight
One American Flag
What if I want to participate but am unable on Nov 5? If there is enough interest, we hope to hold this event again – hopefully annually.
What if I want to get certified in CPR but do not want to do the rucking event? E-mail me and I can direct you to many options for either blended learning or in person learning. Also, we hope to expand the concept of combining CPR training with exercise in 2023 into other less intense fitness events such as a 1 hour F3 or FIA or other group workout or a neighborhood 5K to be followed by CPR training. Let me know of you interest and stay tuned.
Where can I find like minded people to train with? There is a growing rucking community here in the Charlotte area. There are also online training programs that will offer to connect you with others as well. Search for some of the following online and let me know if you need help as we can likely direct you further. Rucking is simple and the ruck PT is simple to learn as well. Once we have a participant list, if willing, we will create a group e-mail for purposes of training together if desired.
GORUCK Tribe-Training, Pathfinder Ruck Training, HDT (Heavy Drop Training), All Day Ruck Off – Event Training, Ruck.Beer, F3 Nation, FIA Nation.
I’m in. How do I sign up? E-mail alfredjnewman3@gmail.com. We will send you a link for payment ($20 to reserve your spot; $5 if you just want the patch and the experience but not the certification). We will send you the link to sign up for online CPR training and other details as the event approaches.
Eleven strong entered the Area 51 hotbox known at Centurion. Per Emoji, 110 degrees in Nevada is like 75 in Charlotte since they don’t have much humidity. Pay attention and you can learn something every day (regardless of how true it may or may not be) I promised Homeboy and Shoe I would keep the miles under 2 miles and we came in at 1.6 miles. Average that with last time I promised an under 2.0 mile boot camp and I am just under 2.0 miles. Your welcome
The Thang:
Warm up with ascending Burpees from 1 to 10 (we skipped 7, 8, and 9 – more later) and called exercise in between each number. Mosey across 51 after short bear crawl and head over to the rock pile off McMahon Drive. Tested out a new exercise with rocks – lift, overhead press, and throw the rock. Thankfully no one got hurt and YHC decided to consign that exercise to the closet, never to be seen again (works fine with sand bags). Curls, push presses, skull crushers and rock carry up McMahon and back.
Ditch rock and head down to the swimming pool lot for some partner work. Partner 1 does called exercise up the lot while partner 2 does called exercise at bottom. Thanks to reminder from SlimFast, we did 7 burpees we skipped during warm up. The other PAX were very grateful that SlimFast reminded me that I had skipped 7-9.
Head over to the old starting spot next to the now open art center for CCHS (I will reach out to see if we can go back to parking there for Centurion) for a few minutes of mary. Complete 8 burpees (once again the pax thanked SlimFast
Head over to road between parking deck and football field. Bear crawl to wall, jump/climb over wall, head to opposite wall for 5 donkey kicks and then back over wall and back to fence. 15 Dragon Flies in cadence and then repeat the bear crawl/wall climb/donkey kick circuit.
Up stairs to top of deck and then finish the burpee circuit with 9 burpees. Back down stairs over to the brick patio for some incline merkins, slow squats, and decline merkins.
Mosey back to starting point and run out the clock with burpees.
Naked Moleskin
Great group and shitty weather (humidity of 125% if that is possible). My posse from the neighborhood showed up to help get our count over 10 and much appreciated. It is easy to get stagnant so change is good. Also, we have to continue to headlock guys to grow. Landfill showed us the way by recruiting Dinero – good work.
Not only can I see into the future, as Emoji pointed out, by moving the pax off the road right before a car came plowing thru, I can see into the past, per Snuka, when I called the exact same circuit as last week with the wall climbs.
Shoe has the baddest motorcycle in Charlotte – a Ducati. Looks like Tom Cruise when he rolls in on that thing. Can’t wait to hear how it goes when/if he gets it over 25MPH.
Slim Fast likes to poke the bear since he is under 30 and can run circles around the rest of us. The extra burpees helped him reach his goal.
Per Horsehead (stolen from another BB), there are only 21 frosted flakes in a serving and that seems stingy.
As always, I am blessed to have the opportunity to lead such a fine group of men.
Announcements:
Please consider participating in Tour de Turns on August 6th. Great family event to support to great causes – Loaves and Fishes and Friendship Trays. http://www.tourdeturns.org/
Working on effort to ramp up men involvement in schools. Look for more information in August/September. We need more men involved in our schools to mentor young men.