Pax: Goodfella, Hi-Hat, PETA, SoCal, Showgirl, FNG Exodus
One of the Forest Hill Church pastors (F3 “SoCal”) mentioned to me a couple months ago about these 30-minute workouts they were holding on Monday mornings at the church. The leader of the group is a young, jacked, Tactical Defense Professional and Competitor from Indian Land, SC who served in Afghanistan. He is in training for an upcoming competition. Since SoCal’s daughter is in my son’s Kindergarten Class at NorthPoint, I felt like I was being EH’d all over again by Ice9. So…I attended my first workout, with Hi-Hat and some other F3 Pax from Indian Land and the area (Periscope and PETA). I posted 2 more times to feel it out and volunteered to Q for my 4th workout at this “unofficial” F3 AO at Forest Hill – Waxhaw.
The Thang:
Though these guys have been doing 30-minute workouts so far, I have been pre- and post-running to get some more exercise. They joined me last week on a post-run and mentioned we needed to make this a thing to get to 45 minutes…sounds a lot like F3! I designed a typical Strength + Speed + Core workout to cram into “only” 30 minutes, and it went well. Here is how it looked/felt:
5-minute warning goes off (already?), mosey around the lot doing some side shuffles, backward running, etc.
Two minutes left for a quick Merkin Ladder in front of the church doors. Brutal way to end. DONE!
Moleskin:
F3 is all about being Freed to Lead as we all know. I’m grateful for the opportunity provided by the crew to join them for a “non-F3 workout” weeks ago, but also to allow me to lead these men today. Of the 6 Pax posting today, 5 of us either participate or have participated in F3 at some point or season of life (i.e. Showgirl hasn’t posted since March!). I’m also grateful for brother Hi-Hat showing up every week with me for accountability. He and his son (“Rock”) have been a tremendous addition to the NorthPoint family as well. Welcome to our F3 FNG and current Forest Hill Site Q, “Exodus” (Tristin Turner). Exodus left the desert of Afghanistan after he tore his bicep working out, but returned back to his family in SC to do the work he needed to do there.
What God has taught me through this is that F3 is everywhere, and it doesn’t have to be an official F3 workout or AO to do what F3 does. As long as we stick to the 5 Core Principles, it all works out (I even gave a quick disclaimer this morning!). God revealed to me what is happening through this workout and this site. After the workout, one Pax talked about his HS daughter struggling with Anxiety and Depression. Another wanted us to pray for his buddy who is going through a very difficult season of life. We also talked about 3 little girls at the school who are dealing with a tough domestic issue/divorce at home that is affecting them so much. This is creating a Bridge between guys from Forest Hill Church, NorthPoint Christian Academy, F3 Waxhaw & Indian Land, and non-F3 on a Monday to break themselves down so they can be built back up. There is a consistent bridge between these organizations and the mission of F3 to “Plant, Grow, and Serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership”. So many lives are being impacted by the work being done through and at Forest Hill and NorthPoint, and it has been a blessing to witness this for myself on a daily basis over the past 4 months.
We are in discussions with the school and church about when to launch the Official F3 AO and weekly workout here on campus. It will happen sooner rather than later, and the AO Name is already decided. There is no doubt it will be a success due to the need and interest in the communities and the organizations involved here. This site is going to bring me out of Site Q retirement, so I appreciate you guys praying for and supporting us. It’s the right time and place. Looking forward to seeing you guys soon. Iron Sharpens Iron!
YHC took us out in prayer!
Goodfella
“And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” – Romans 8:28
Holiday gatherings, the time honored tradition of cramming ourselves into an enclosed space during the annual global pandemic that is flu season. Like watching aircraft try to land at Cheese Curd’s house due to the excessive volume of overly festive lights that confuse red-eye pilots coming from Vegas, it’s a train-wreck waiting to happen. But who doesn’t love the Festivus-inspired airing of our grievances while imbibing on expired eggnog or a keg of classy beer like Schlitz Malt Liquor. And why should the SLT of Area 51 deny pax an opportunity to gather and celebrate the holidays in style? So as the dually appointed 2nd F Q of Area 51, I present to you the Area 51 2021 Holiday Kegger, or Holiday Gathering for the grown-ups that have to sell this to their Ms.
It’s an opportunity to catch up with people you’ve only seen in the dark at 0530, so you won’t recognize them in the harsh halogen infused light of a rented space with dropped ceilings. And since Thanksgiving is close enough in our rearview that the “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear” disclaimer isn’t warranted, our super-spreader turkey gatherings have enough time to process the Omicron variant and gear up for another classy super-spreader event. Because how could your holidays get any worse? Take a look around you, Ellen! We’re at the threshold of hell! So let’s get some alcohol and put it to work killing the germs it was designed to kill.
Here are the details that you need to know:
The Area 51 SLT will graciously be providing the following.
And remember, your donations are going towards a good cause shoring up the Area 51 paypal account. Not just a lift kit for Purple Haze’s truck. Because nothing says over compensating like needing a step-stool to get into your mid-size truck.
T-Claps to High Tide for pulling some strings and getting us these sweet digs. More details to follow.
Looking forward to it, men.
Mild morning with 21 PAX arriving bright eyed. It was a pleasure to lead today.
Warm-up
Mosey from the parking lot by the shed for a warm up.
20 Imperial walkers
Plank, 6”, repeat
20 Mountain climbers
Mosey to front of middle school
20 side straddle hops
Plank, 6”, repeat
Calf stretch
Runners stretch
The Thang
Mosey to school road in front of the MS, stopping at first streetlight
Alternate 10 x merkins, 10 x big boy sit ups at each light to the stop sign
Mosey to large parking lot by football field, 4 corners
Three series of:
25 heels to heaven
25 plank jacks
25 american hammers
25 mike tyson’s
Mosey back shed, gather as a group and then to COT
The Moleskin
We had a great turn out and there was a lot of complaining especially with the third round of mike tyson’s (was only planning to do two) but complaining = a good workout so I thought we should continue.
Announcements
Fuse Box noted a few changes for the race tomorrow. Be there by 7am (or earlier) to start by 7:15am.
Chastain is still open to do more burpies so sign up/donate even if you don’t want to run.
F3 dad’s are getting together 12/11 for a kickball game but really to do a toy drive for Christ’s Closet. New and used toys will be collected. The event will be at the high school lot 9am.
Zin is doing an “ornament” exchange on 12/4…bring whatever you like to drink or what you want to get rid of…either way is good. Still don’t know what type of ornament he is looking for. Guess you have to show u to find out just please RSVP so he can get a better idea of how many will show. Its for all Pax, even guys that are not part of F3.
EFFEE will be hosted in February. Location and date to be confirmed
Chatterbox’s wife is selling traditional Indian meals to benefit Roof for a child.
The Monday after Thanksgiving is always brutal, getting back into the swing of work and real life after a blissful few days off spent watching football and eating too much is a real kick in the stones. We’re entering the mad dash sprint between Thanksgiving and Christmas where we fight the urge to shut it down at work while trying to tie up loose ends so we can focus on more enjoyable things like buying gifts for loved ones, planning gatherings, and watching superior collegiate tackle football teams prevail over their lesser rivals. The early alarm got the sprint season started earlier than desired, but health and fitness are imperative at this time of year so tossing around kettlebells is a fine way to attack the day.
We are wrapping up the current program which focuses on squats, cleans, presses, and snatches much to everyone’s delight. My reading of the Holy Spreadsheet of Antioch told me that 6 sets were in order, but the group found that news most displeasing and insisted that the correct number was 4. Have it your way. Following the compulsory portion of the workout we did complexes of swings, merkins and LBCs for three rounds, then rows and deadlifts for a bit. The playlist was my Spotify curated Christmas music list. I’m unsure if the rest of the group shared my early season enthusiasm but I certainly tried to make it a holly jolly Monday.
When Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” inevitably came on we wondered how much she makes each year from the song, originally released in 1994. After minutes and minutes of exhaustive internet research it appears that Mariah makes about $3 million annually, which would definitely put some fruit in your cake. I’m old enough to remember when the queen of Christmas was young, attractive, and sane. “Last Christmas” by Wham! clocks in at about $1 million per year. Conversely, whoever wrote “The Christmas Shoes” should be required to pay royalties to everyone whose ears that atrocious pile of dreck has ever assaulted.
It’s officially Christmas season, so remember to move the elf.
11 pax made their way out to Bushwood today to freeze their butts off with One Star volunteering last night to be at the Helm. So you know he was likely making it up on the fly! But we love it and definitely joke about it!
Slightly longer mosey to get everyone warm
Warmup:
Mosey with side step the parking lines
THANG
BOMBS from down range. 5 stations 1 reps, after each station runt to middle and do one burpee.
Head to rock pile, Partner up as we go to the short track. AMRAP while partner ran to wall and did 10 donkeys. flip flop. Curls/Overhead press/Tri/Bent rows
Head to the Front wall with Partner. Wall exercise while other partner bear crawls to curb then lunge walks back. Presses/Jabs/Donkey Kicks.
Finish with Story time with Ross…I mean One Star. Wall sit while each pax alternates Balls to the Wall and explains how they got their F3 name! We just about finished right before YHC got his chance.. Sorry fellas, yuo’ll have to wait till next week to find out How I got the name Tanyatine!
Moleskin:
most of us were freezing, but were glad the wind had decided to take a nap today, otherwise it may have been trouble. Its time to bring out the insulated gloves, just in time to put them away as a heatwave will be coming through. YHC overheard Twinkle toes lookign to see if he can reach @ 140 post this year, so I have to write the BB for him to get credit. I know you have missed a couple posts counts from some that have not written a BB at Bushwood…Is there a Back Blast School??!!
Welcome Rainman to your first Bushwood post… Sorry we didn’t have tunes for you.. Definitely sorry, yup, definitely sorry…Maybe next time next time. big ben
We had some discussion as Bushwoods own The Juice had some sad news last week that his father had passed from ALS, so keep his family in your prayers as I am sure it is difficult time much less around the holidays.
As we end Movember for Mens health, Johnny Utah reminded us yesterday at Firestarter to keep his friend Rick in our prayers as battles Colon cancer. My family has been affected with this and it really is awful to go through or see a loved one or friend go through. I continually remind everyone and highly recommend getting checked out. YHC will be getting my 3rd scope tomorrow in the last 7 years as a preventive measure. This year is a little different as I know I am at the age where my Brother was diagnosed. So quick prayer for that if you will that all is clean, and that I can get through the prep!! While I know it sucks, trust me, the alternative is worse.
Announcement:
PS, I was able to get into my car a few minutes after the PAX left as lately my keys have not been happy with the cold weather and decide to not want to work until they get nice and toasty.. so quick tip if you FOB decides to crap out, warm it up a little or open it up and just warm the battery.. That Tanya’s tip of the season!
22 PAX converged at the Improper Pig in Waverly with hopes of a well-organized bootcamp for the 6th Annual Turkey Jam. What they received was something a little different. After a full and fair disclaimer, we were off, warming up with a mosey around the Green Monster, before ending up in the Harris Teeter parking lot for:
COP:
LSS x 10
5 merkins OYO
SSH x 10
5 merkins OYO
LBC x 10
THE THANG:
Mosey across the Harris Teeter parking lot, up the stairs behind the Atrium ER, then across Providence Rd, and stop at a small wall near Fifth Thirds Bank.
3 rounds: Dips x 15 and Incline merkins x 15,
Then mosey to the smaller parking deck a few feet away to the ground floor. Line up facing the other side of the deck and in front of us was a line line of columns. Run to each column and perform the called exercise. When you get to the other side of the deck, elbow plank while waiting on the 6.
Round 1: Merkins
Round 2: LBCs
Round 3: Floor slap squats
Round 4: Flutter kicks
Then mosey to the bigger parking deck behind the hotel. Divide into two groups on the bottom floor. Run up the assigned stairwell to the top floor of the deck, perform 5 merkins and run across the top of the deck to another stairwell, run back down the stairwell to where we started.
Then run up the stairwell that Snowflake “found” to the top of the deck and enjoy the sunrise over South Charlotte. Run back down the same stairs and mosey to the small green space in front of the hotel and grab a chair for some arm work.
2 rounds of curls and 1 round of tricep extensions with the chair.
Mosey back to launch and line up in front of the Christmas Tree facing the Green Monster.
Run across the Green Monster and at each lamp post perform 3 burpees until we reach the sidewalk that divides the Green Monster and wait for the 6. At the sidewalk, a 70% sprint to the end of the Green Monster and wait for the 6. Then turn around, facing the Christmas Tree, and run back to the sidewalk, performing 3 burpees at each lamp post. Then a 62.5% sprint back to the Christmas Tree.
Circle up in front of the Christmas Tree on the Green Monster for Round-O-Mary (each Pax calling a Mary exercise).
Finish off with some broga moves, ending with the frog.
MOLESKIN:
A big thanks to Trickle who provided the participation trophies for the 2nd year in a row.
It was great to see PAX from all over our region (Area 51, SOB Land, Waxhaw) and Birmingham, AL (Biscuit) for the frozen version of Turkey Jam.
At this point in my F3 career, when I Q a bootcamp, I have a general idea of what I want to do, but for the most part, I figure it out as we go along. Somehow Goonie figured out my strategy and called me out on it. That’s what happens when you post with a brother for about 5 years. They get to know you.
There was a healthy amount of mumblechatter among the group and great to see the runners show up for their annual bootcamp.
One thing of note, Chopper was not the oldest PAX to post, I think that award went to Blue Screen who crushed it.
My favorite part of Turkey Jam is the COT when each PAX has the opportunity to mention one thing that they are grateful for. There were some powerful shares this morning and I know it helped remind me of what I should be grateful for.
I was overwhelmed and thankful for all those who showed up as it is always humbling to lead this group of men.
Happy Thanksgiving my brothers!
What did you do when your parents went out of town for the weekend and abandoned you at home with a bag of Doritos, some frozen pizza, and vague threats not to let them find out you did something stupid? You throw a raging party like the abandoned children that you are. Find 21 of your closest friends, get a keg, put on some loud music, and hope the cops don’t show up.
This is an accurate representation of what happened in the parking lot of Calvary church for the Meat-SACS-vil convergence. 20 men showed up to a plethora of bells, bags, a keg, and assorted gear. They endured lots of bad ideas from the three-headed Q of Unplugged, Wild Turkey, and YHC. Floorslapper finally showed up in the middle of COP to make it a legal drinking age, 21.
The plan was simple, and hatched by Unplugged while he was “teaching” (i.e. playing a VHS tape to his high school class, and making sure they weren’t lighting fires with the Bunsen Burners in the back of the classroom). Since our rival site Q’s (Voodoo and Cheese Curd) were DR it was time to question how said rivalry was hatched up. Likely this was to keep advertising single digit attendance workouts that consist of Dora’s Pathfinder WODs or a spreadsheet that changes names just not content every 6 – 10 weeks. Both of these serve as the perfect excuse to not come up with an original weinke which is a win-win for anyone unlucky enough to be cornered in a dark parking lot and asked to Q next week before the sun rises and you’re still seeing stars.
As readers of YHC’s non-existent online journal, which YHC refuses to call a “blog” because it sounds like something that lives on a riverbed and communicates through farts, will attest; these Wednesday workouts have created an effective contrast. Like riding a bike down a long and peaceful country road and every other hundred yards the bike turns into a bear. One Wednesday you’re standing still holding heavy objects listening to the flatulent sounds of an old man bark about how bad the music selection is and asking yourself “Why am I here?” and the next Wednesday you are walking around a dark track with a heavy object on your back listening to stories of “this one time at GoRuck” and asking yourself “Why am I here?”
Of course, if you’re a regular pax at Anvil this is one of those situations where you’ve decided the convergence would be a healthy alternative from the series of frying pans and fires that are your typical boot camp.
But back to the lecture at hand, this workout flowed better than the clunkily strung together Thanksgiving Turkey hand collage found on the wall of a kindergarten classroom. It started with a little COP from Unplugged who taught everyone how to lift a kettlebell by clapping their hands. No seriously, you should try it one day. Just put your hands on your hips and clap in cadence. Now you’re a professional strongman, go pick up a Volkswagen Beetle. All of our collective lower backs are are still trying to figure out when after clapping you actually lift something heavy. It was during the clapping lifting lesson that Floorslapper decided to grace us with his presence.
Wild Turkey was up next, using EMOM to crush pax under the heel of 20 reps per minute of the foundational kettlebell exercises. No snatches to Mighty Mite’s vocal disappointment, but he may be used to that by now (the no snatch part and the disappointment that accompanies it. #Boom #MicDrop) The fun part here was that our plethora of bells acted as “stations” where we shifted every minute to a new weight. And by “fun”, YHC means you were either lucky enough to get 20 reps of goblet squats with a trailer hitch of a kettlebell or unlucky enough to have single leg lunges with the 70 pound “Large Marge” bell courtesy of Unplugged. The groans of the un-initiated gear pax were only barely audible over the rocking sounds of YHC’s bluetooth speaker, until they weren’t because the “battery died”. Lucky for the pax, YHC is always prepared and had a backup. Frehley’s Comet was so relieved.
After the Wild Turkey special, pax were instructed to move the kettlebells to a parking space, lest unsuspecting visitors to the church decide that these were newly installed speed bumps that must be thoroughly tested. YHC was now in charge. Pick up all the rucks, sandbags, the keg, Twig, BOS, and both sets of twins. All pax had to carry something and move to a designated point. At said point, rotate coupons to a random fellow pax and do a called exercise. Then keep moving. Pax all moved in the direction of the Hot Box with one more swap before arriving. At our arrival, pax unceremoniously dumped their coupons on the ground and took a seat against the wall. YHC, having planned nothing, decided that the coupons needed to move from their current location to the other side of the Hot Box. But please, gentlemen, stay in your seats, we can and will do this while seated. And remain seated we did. 19 of the 21 coupons made it from one side of the Hot Box to the other. Then YHC realized the error of his ways and had all of the coupons trucked right back to where they started. The pax were pleased, especially Turkey Leg who is still recovering from his Philly Marathon. Nothing says easy marathon recovery like burning quads. Once coupons were back in their original position pax recovered grabbed their gear and headed back to the cars.
Unplugged took the reins for his second run at Q, because clapping wasn’t enough to get the pax blood flowing. But sprints on the other hand … let’s just say there’s a reason Meathead is a 0.0 workout. Running sucks. High Tide tried sprints once and pax are still looting and rioting in the streets because of that bad decision. But of course if you’re an Anvil or SACS regular you know covering distance is expected. So sprints were on the menu, preceded by some called exercises. After which it was time for some Murray (for overweight middle aged men) as opposed to Mary for single guys still sporting at least a 2 pack in the abs department. And that was the best hour of your week right there.
It was, by all accounts, the best convergence in Area 51 all week. It will be followed by two other convergences on Thursday and Friday. Neither of which will have as many Q’s or as much useless stuff packed into the trunks of their cars.
Thank you to all the pax for showing up today. YHC wasn’t expecting so many pax but was honored to be part of the leadership of this train-wreck well thought out and expertly planned convergence. Here’s to hoping all pax have a Happy Thanksgiving.
On a very personal note, YHC is thankful for this group and for all the Hallmark Holiday card reasons that accompany it. But above all others, no matter how rough life outside of F3 is going, this group of men is a constant beacon. YHC can show up anywhere in the gloom and find others who have shed the trappings of our daily lives to put in work and enjoy 45 – 60 minutes away form it all. Thank you, men.
In the background of all this madness, were the kick-a$$ sounds of a stellar playlist curated by YHC:
Kiss: Detroit Rock City
Motorhead: Motorhead
American Sharks: Overdrive
Motley Crue: Kickstart My Heart
Living Colour: Cult of Personality
Airbourne: Back in the Game
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Higher Ground
AC/DC: Let There Be Rock
Clutch: Fortunate Son (Creedence cover)
Pink Floyd: Run Like Hell
MC5: Kick Out the Jams
The Clash: White Riot
Neil Young: Rockin’ In the Free World
Coheed and Cambria: No World for Tomorrow
Ozzy Osbourne: No More Tears
#SYITG
12 Pax layered up and braved temps in the 20’s to push themselves in preparation for Thanksgiving festivities tomorrow. Prior to the workout 8 guys took part in the Couch 2 5K pre-run led by Tuck. Seeing as this is the next to last training session prior to the ImpactLocal race it was time to ramp up the running and Tuck delivered with hill repeats up and down the Murderhorn. The highlight was as Tuck told the group this plan at the beginning of the session Cold Cuts, who was attending his first C2 5K training, fussed at Picasso, “You said that this was a pre-run where we would just mosey around the shopping center”. In Picasso’s defense that was what the first couple of sessions were but now we are full-fledged kinda runners.
The Thang:
5:30 so time for the main event. YHC had a preview of what Tuck had planned so I planned my workout accordingly. The running would be kept relatively low but still ever present so as to build upon the pre-run. A disclaimer was given and off to the HT parking lot for warmups consisting of SSH, mashed potato pickers, IW’s, Mtn Climbers and stretching. YHC noted that the workout would consist of Thanksgiving references sprinkled about so we led off with an Indian/Native American/Indigenous Peoples Run to the light by the Chick Fil A. Next stop was the parking deck. Since it took the Mayflower 66 days to cross the Atlantic we used loose math to do 11 pilgrim pushups at the bottom, up the stairs to the top level for 11 turducken kicks and repeato for 6 sets.
Next off to Plymouth Rock which was the big boulders by the office complex along Ballantyne Commons. The group was instructed to break into groups of 3 for a Thanksgiving grinder where 2 of the 3 Pax grab a rock. P1 does curls while P2 heads to the end of the parking lot for LBC’s. P3 is the timekeeper by walking from P1 to P2 holding the rock over their heads for musket carry. Keep rotating. We did this for 400 seconds in honor of the 400th anniversary of the first ever Thanksgiving. A couple of extra minutes left so we did another partial round of gobbler squats, dying cockroaches and musket carry.
Mosey back to launch. A couple of minutes left for heels to heaven, chippy cross and a minute of Planksgiving.
Moleskin:
Great group who made it a fun workout. Apparently where I thought Gobbler Squats was a clever play on words but Picasso noted that I should probably Google it and not on my work computer. YHC stopped by prior to the workout and put a sign on the boulder that said “Plymouth” thinking it would be a mildly humerous take. Olaf sarcastically laughed and then promptly almost ate it tripping over a speed bump…Karma. Also, when YHC stopped to put the Plymouth sign up it was noticed that there was a pretty large water pipe break and there was lots of water in the parking lot. Good thing the lot is a square and we could easily modify to move the grinder to another stretch opposite Plymouth Rock. Overall YHC tried to bring some Thanksgiving spirit to the workout but apparently failed because Jerry World asked as we headed home, “What was the theme or point of that workout?” 🙂
Announcements:
Cold morning with PAX rolling in and were ready to tackle the morning. Great attitudes and a pleasure to lead today.
Warm-up
The Thang
The Moleskin
We had a great turn out considering it was pretty cold. Good to see everyone burning a few calories before some extra pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. It was amazing to see that no one had to stop behind a push and take a dump today.
Have a great day
Announcements
Some chatter on head to Zin’s on 12/4 and bring some IPA’s that you want to get rid of. F3 Waxhaw’s “Ornament” exchange 7-10:30, respond on groupme to the evite.
Fuse had some announcement, but said no one is registering so F$%# you all. 🙂
My daughter is expecting her first child by 11/26, which will be our first grandchild, so we are excited about that.
Prelude
Today, Commitment celebrates 7 years of life with the commitment of 14 Pax to push themselves to be better men. Seven years ago, a group of men decided Waxhaw would be a good place for F3 and to start on a Saturday. Weddington High School was the location for these beatdowns by various Q’s until a couple of mishaps with the track and the AD went full on pain in the ass against F3. Now days, we all meet at Nesbit Park to shape each other. The exercise is only part of it. The bantering, the discussions, the investment in others truly is what gets us up to work out. F3 ruined my ability to run on a treadmill because this is no one to laugh or cuss at during the stupid workout and it seems like time on a treadmill comes to a standstill. Thank you for the push Bottlecap to experience such a great group of men.
The Thang
Mosey to the circle, and get warm
Mosey down the path to Mill Bridge Parkway
Mosey down to the second circle
Mosey Back to the first circle
Mosey out to Circle 3
Mosey back, 1 burpee at every driveway to the road
Mosey back on the road to the COT
COT
What a blessing this morning. Crisp air, great men, and Recalculating keeping everyone in proper form. Recalculating left some fertilizer in Millbridge to help them grow. We are recruiting a new Pax that saw us working out on the road today. God always puts us where we need to be.
Announcements