Cool temps greeted the PAX as they rolled in, about 38 at launch. Smaller numbers for the post election morning workout. Point Break said he was up until 2 watching it but still posted. YHC helped Margo get the best Christmas display in Charlotte started the night before. It felt like a HC by Margo, but the fartsack prevailed. Mr. Miyagi may be a more appropriate name for Margo. “Before you learn art of Christmas lights, first, you trim the hedges.” With little time to prepare, YHC went with a similar weinke from my Q last week at NOE. 4 respects rolled in and we were off.
COP
Mosey to the turf patio for COP.
Sharon Towers x 10 IC
Imperial Walker x 10 IC
Low Slow Squat x 10 IC
Mountain Climber x 10 IC
Plankjack x 10 IC
Peter Parker x 10 IC
The Thang:
Mosey to the Avenue of Trees closest to the church. Lunge walk to first tree, run to second and 5 jumpsquats, lunge walk to third, run to fourth and 5 jumpsquats all the way to the end.
Using every other tree, we next ran a merkin suicide. Run to the second tree, 5 dry docks, back to start. Run back to second tree, 5 dry docks, run to fourth tree 5 merkins, back to start. Each time continuing the 5 from the previous run working up to 5 dry docks, 5 merkins, 5 wide arm, 5 diamond, 5 burpees for a total of 25 dry docks, 20 merkins, 15 wide arms, 10 diamonds and 5 burpees.
Mosey to the rock pile by the baseball fields, grab a rock and groups of 3. YHC was the odd man out and used the timer from the other groups. Ran a grinder from the rock pile to the hot box. In the group of 3 someone always running as the timer between the 2 stations.
Rock Pile Hot Box
Mosey back to launch. Smokey with the prayer.
Moleskin:
Super easy group today. The grinders always take more time than expected, should have kept it at 3 rounds to leave some time for Mary. Not so much mumblechatter as it was real conversations. Kind of crazy, ha. Snuka and I got caught up on Smokey’s church and all the great things they are doing. Plenty of election talk, Point Break was our knowledge base and just needed an interactive map and we would have been good to go. The 4 respects I’ll put up against any other PAX in A51, some straight up fast and strong guys. Now that Meathead is back at 5:30 we even had a joint COT. The negotiations started a few weeks ago and we were able to iron things out at the blood drive. Voodoo holds a hard line, but you got to stay on the good side of the Nantan. Amazing what can be worked out when guys get together over a pint. Ductwork on Q next week.
Wednesday, November 4
Brothers: 25…FNG (Hang Up), Cargo, Posse, Fusebox, Loafer, Flanders, Nailz, Reaper, Shop Dog, Snitzel, Doughboy, Sugar Daddy, Ex-Lax, 0 69, Dilbert, Undercoat, Surge, Xerox, Ditka, Popeye, Rockwell, Draper, Rudy, Sledge-O-Matic, and Mayhem
As you will recall, the great Ricky Bobby (not our beloved F3 brother, but Wil Ferrell) in Talledega Nights refused to say “I love crepes” while Frenchy held his arm behind his back before finally breaking it. Cal (John C Reilly) swoops in and states “don’t you say it Ricky. These colors don’t run.” Well this morning, they did…with a little gear work as well.
25 F3 brothers sported their F3 gear, American paraphernalia, and bandanas to show solidarity for this country and each other. Yes, Fitness (F1) is important to all of us. Fellowship (F2) in our communities (CPR training on November 9 and 16), wheelchair project on November 7, Makeshift Marathon on November 14, Briarcrest run coming up, and weekly folding parties and giveaways at Christ’s Closet) are equally important. Don’t forget the 3rd F (Faith). Q Source meetings on Mondays and Fridays, bible study on Zoom calls and in person on Saturdays and Sundays, and discipleship study (with pizza and beer) on Monday nights. My point…during this time of flux in the election process, rioting, racial injustice, furloughs, COVID 19, we can be positive change agents in our homes, communities, and nations. Braving the cold was one thing to overcome this morning. Being there for each other to overcome the things that will hit us today, tomorrow, and in weeks, months, and years to come…MUCH more important.
OK, enough of that.
Exercises (if the Lexicon is incorrect, asking for grace). Mash and Bootcamp collided for some blood (I pricked my finger on a rock), sweat (the salty discharge coming from my face), and tears (didn’t see anyone crying, but it may have happened).
Thangs:
Farmers carry to middle of parking lot
Irkins with coupons
Heels to heaven
Dirkins with coupons
Block burpees
Mash moseys to light and/or moseys around Mount Chiseled
Basketball slides (5 to left/5 to right with Bobbly Hurleys mixed in. As a side note, pains me to acknowledge him, me being a Tarheel)
Jane Fondas (I made that up) with coupons and bricks
Supermans
Kettle bell swings
Plank jacks
Ditkas/punches with bricks
Moroccan night clubs
Side straddle hops
Russian crab dips
Potato pickers
21s/curls with coupons
Shrugs with coupons and/or bricks
1 handed pushups (alternating) on coupons
Love handle sit ups (made that up too)
Tricep extensions
Etc. and so forth
Ended with Have a Nice Days. Favorite part.
I’m sure I forgot something. Oh well…
Thanks to Fusebox for “voluntelling” me to queue.
Thanks to Posse for taking the family photo (I’m IT challenged).
Later brothers. Thanks for who you were, are, and will be moving forward.
Mayhem out
8 Pax posted at Fast Twitch not scared off by the message YHC gave yesterday. After an adequate disclaimer was given, since the Giants only lost by 2 points the beatdown would be hard instead of brutal. Quick mosey out of the Arbo lot to the intersection of Providence and Shallowood.
Quick cop of
LSS 15 IC
20 Mountain Climbers IC
Main Event:
Shallowood Half Pipe Triple Nickle(aka Purple Haze go to spot for all his Q’s)
5 Squats at the bottom
5 merkins at the top
Leaders were instructed at the end to pick up the six should they finish early. After a quick 10 count by Wild Turkey, mosey up to the intersection of Windbluff and Providence for 5 squats on your own. After being told by Alf we still had more time left, I quickly told him a plan was in place. Particularly after being told by Purple Haze we were still short of being under 5 miles.We then proceeded to do 11s in the far lot of the Arbo lot, 1 burpee at the bottom, 10 Carolina Dry Docks by Sushi Rocks. Keep going till you have made it to 10 burpees or till YHC called time at 6:10 seeing we had 5 minutes to get back to launch. Followed by Lex Luthor with the takeout.
Moleskin:
Pretty sure the title speaks for itself, back in October I had reached out to Purell about stepping up as Site Q only to find out he had already planned on asking me later that same day. It’s been awhile since I’ve been a Site Q and having posted at Fast Twitch for most of my 4 years in F3 it only seemed fitting to take over for Purell. Tclaps for Purell for running a tight ship for over 2 years at Fast Twitch, you have been a model Site Q and pax the past few years. Fast Twitch will be in good hands with YHC and Astro running the show at the premier worst 60 minute workout in all of Area 51.
In terms of the workout, Plan B was 7s on Shallowood so trust me it would’ve gotten way worse(and that was just part of it). Alf was up front crushing it the entire time along with Purple Haze who is supposedly tapering for a Relay Race this weekend along with Ductwork not too far behind. Followed by the triple threat of Wild Turkey, Lex Luthor and Ironsides. With YHC and Retread not too far behind.
Announcements:
Purple Haze is on Q next week
If you have been to Fast Twitch at any point in the last few months, expect a message from YHC or Astro about Q dates. Looking to fill out the calendar for the rest of 2020 and going into the first part of 2021.
Benny out
Paying back an overdue promise to Rockwell, I was looking forward to using the weinkie I planned to use at Clyent Dinner a few weeks ago. But weather conditions threw most of that out, so I had to come up with some other items.
As we’re getting stretchy for 5:30, I see Waterboy extending a hand to Cargo, whose hands are firmly in his pockets. A shake of Cargo’s head told Waterboy he ain’t shaking. That hinted to me that some gloves may have been left at home for these high 30’s temps. I had plenty of spares in the car for Cargo. Not bragging. Just pick up an extra pair for a Pax. Be a pro. Be prepared.
My favorite part of the DiCCS now is asking who has the knowledge and the will to save another man’s life today. With CPR signups for 11/9 & 11/16 going well, I sense a palpable desire to have more hands raised here. Those who have been recently certified by Karen seem to have more of a swagger when they raise their hands compared to a typical corporate certification. Eager to see what the new guys think in a couple weeks.
Strong Mash crew here, so we take off the back way to make it easy to see who goes where.
The Warmup
Mosey to frontage road (Mad Dog already approved of mosey measurements).
Alternating lights with 10 Smurf Jacks & 10 Imperial Squawkers until we hit the speed bump.
The Thang
Partner with someone of opposite ability.
Point out 3 loops of various distances in front of the high school. Each person will have to do all 3 loops, but they can pick the order. While P1 runs one of the loops, P2 does one of the 3 exercises: Carolina High & Dry Docks (Dry Dock with feet on the bench) | In & Outs | Fire Hydrants (side step up with a leg lift at the end). Exercises also can be done in any order. I picked Wolverine as my partner, but I expected much faster runs on his loops. I know my Q Juice hadn’t emptied out that quickly.
Mosey around the corner to the 1st alcove. “Balls to the Wall until the 6 comes in!” I yell in transit. The group goes noticeably slower. That’s how you keep a group together.
Heels to Heaven \ Rosalita web, but starting at the top. 10 H2H \ 40 Rosies
Recover after 9 \ 36
Mosey to the 2nd alcove
8 \ 32
7 \ 28
Mosey to the lower parking lot, picking a new partner, also of opposite ability.
Start at one island. P1 does a hand release burpee in a parking spot, then bear crawls to the 2nd parking spot for another HR Burpee. P2 is running to the other island & back to relieve P1. Keep going until both partners make it all the way to the next island.
Waterboy politely asks what a hand release burpee is. Unfortunately, I don’t demonstrate because I believe at the moment he’s being sarcastic. I now realize he’s not, so this is my apology.
Some flutters until everyone finishes.
Long mosey to the steps on the other side of the high school.
7’s of Donkey Kicks at the top & Tysons at the bottom of the sidewalk.
Big crowd, so we had to split in half & start at opposite ends.
Lunge walk up the steps. For most, that meant taking 3 steps at a time.
I struggle being able to do these back to back to each other. So spreading them out was something I learned from Honeycomb a couple weeks ago when he Q’ed Homecoming. And it allowed for much better form. I never heard Recal admonish a single Pax on their range of motion.
Most didn’t quite get the full 7 in before we had to head back to the Middle School.
Hang out in front of middle school doing diamond merkins while waiting on the six. Ice9 introduced me to a new definition of Q-jacking when he picked my feet up while I was merkin’ing. I thought he was pulling me into Ignition for whatever Satanic rituals they do to stay so fast.
Jailbreak to COT.
Cargo & Waterboy both ask what a jailbreak is. Once I tell them, they light up, fly off and I never see them again.
Still a few seconds left, so we hit a 6/24 of the web. Learned that from the Ghost Q, Zin.
C2G’ed it. Knowing this will likely be a difficult week for all Americans, I asked God that we be consistently reminded that we are to love our neighbor. Regardless of their political affiliation. When tensions escalate this week, we are called to be peacemakers. If you know someone is across the political spectrum from you, reach out this week and tell them you love them. Find something you agree on and focus on that this week. Both like fishing? Both think Star Trek is better than Star Wars? Neither know what ice cream shoes are?
The only thing that should divide us is whether you clap at the top of a burpee.
Digging in deeper on our beliefs only puts us in a hole. Love is the only thing that’s going to pull us through.
Announcements
YHC got to launch about the same time as the pre-runners of War Eagle, Cooter 2 and Drano were heading back from the run. Conditions were pretty windy out there, temps in the 50s, setting up a pretty windy and rainy day. YHC got home from the workout and lost power for pretty much all of Thursday. With being off on Friday and a Halloween weekend, we have what has become my most tardy backblast. So here goes remembering what happened 4 days ago after a Halloween holiday weekend.
COP
Mosey to the parking lot in front of the Teeter for COP.
IW x 13 IC
Sharon Towers x 13 IC
Low Slow Squat x 13 IC
Mountain Climber x 13 IC
Peter Parker x 13 IC
The Thang:
Mosey down the parking lots to Target. With 5 rows of parking spaces in front of us, we ran a merkin suicide. Run to the first row, 5 dry docks, back to start. Run back to first row, 5 dry docks, run to second row 5 merkins, back to start. Each time continuing the 5 from the previous run working up to 5 dry docks, 5 merkins, 5 wide arm, 5 diamond, 5 burpees for a total of 25 dry docks, 20 merkins, 15 wide arms, 10 diamonds and 5 burpees.
Mosey across the street to St. Matt’s, grab a rock and groups of 3. Ran a grinder from the Rea entrance to the wall at the Elm entrance. In the group of 3 someone always running as the timer between the 2 stations. Original plan was for everyone to have 4 rounds at the 2 stations.
Rea entrance Elm
YHC was in the first group at the wall, and after doing derkins for that long we combined the first two rounds and did 3 total.
Mosey back to Stonecrest to the fountains for some Freddy.
F lutter x 13 IC
R osalita x 13 IC
E lbows to Knees x 13 IC
D olly x 13 IC
D ancing Chillcut x 13 IC
Y urpee x 5
Mosey back to launch.
Moleskin:
Great group of A51 and SOBs this morning, solid chatter. We started with 10, and at some point during the merkin suicides Pop Tart and Floorslapper joined us. Pop Tart did give the full disclosure that we were his sloppy seconds of the morning after remembering Hydra started at 6. We’ll take it. The grinder run at St. Matt’s was definitely longer than expected. Glad we combined those 1st 2 legs. We lost Mighty Mite heading to the fountains. He was going to go in the Teeter but didn’t have a mask. He met us back at launch and gave the warning to avoid the hills behind the theatre for a few weeks. So noted. Point Break may have called out YHC for some poor counting/math at the fountains, but that was so long ago I just don’t remember it. I do remember Mighty Mite showing us a picture of him as a kid with his dad circa mid 80’s. His dad looks exactly like Borat, khaki suit and all. Thanks Circuit City for the invite and giving me the lay of the land. Will be back.
11 PAX chose not to run 10+ miles, exercise in Halloween costumes, or eat fried chicken and soda for breakfast at Blakeney.
THANG
0600 – Let’s Go!
Head over to the Tony’s Pizza parking lot to see count many restaurants were shut down by the pandemic. Warmup exercises, lots of merkins, and move along. Head towards Lochness Lake and stop to do some ab exercises. Make our way around Lochness with lots of other exercises. It’s all a blur. The only thing YHC can remember was this bad idea to grab a rock from the pile, carry it around, do a bunch of exercises with it, and don’t let it touch the ground for a long… long… time. Finally 0700 hit and we all gleefully headed back to the lot.
MOLESKINE
Great work by everyone this morning! Focus of the day was to stick together, and not worry about the Strava mileage. It was great to workout with some new faces and of course see some of the guys I have been working out with for 6+ years.
During the workout YHC asked you all to think of what your life was like before C19. Some of us may have thought of positives, like being able to watch live sports, and how that isn’t broadly possible now. Then YHC asked what positives have come out of C19, and everyone voiced something that they gained despite the pandemic. YHC heard better relationships with wives, opportunity to find meaningful work, more family time, etc. it was great to hear. Sometimes we get caught up in seeing only the negatives of 2020, and there have been many. But it’s the negatives that allow you to understand how special and good the positives of life are. Now may not be a season to crush it, knock it out of the park, but maybe just persevere, don’t quit, keep moving, grind it out. Kind of like picking up a rock and refusing to put it down which none of us did this morning. Hoping that each of you keep on adding to the positives of 2020 through the rest of the year.
MY SHORT GIVE 2 GIVE STORY
Was great to be back to the old stomping grounds of Stonehenge AO. It has been a while. A lot has happened since the days of being co-site Q with my good friend Wild Turkey. Back in those days, we would overload Twitter on Fridays with as many inappropriate memes as possible, berade Tuck and the DaVinci site, troll whoever was Q’ing with photoshopped images, and guys literally were forced to create secondary Twitter handles for F3 and for personal/business. Then we’d throw down an epic weinke, with coupons (giant logs, rock buckets), games involving Nerf Guns, tug-o-war ropes, and give everything we had for 60 minutes on Saturday, after posting Monday through Friday. We never did let Wild Turkey force us to do leg wrestling though. It was a great time, and we all got to know each other week after week. For me, it was the season for physical acceleration and FITNESS, and the start of my transformation.
Eventually I founded a nonprofit Speed For Need, and rolled off as site-Q at Stonehenge to focus on being at Saturday races. I felt this yearning to look outward, to focus on helping people who were in the race for their lives get past the finish line, instead of worrying about my own ranking as I had for 42 Spartan Races and others. Many of you have participated in SPEED FOR NEED races, and are the reason it ever became a thing. A worthy thing. Heck, I have only pushed in 2 races of the 90 races that was have had and 300+ riders. I got to know many of you and your families a lot better than just the workout. To see your compassion and heart to push, guide, and lead someone else in the most unselfish of ways. To literally push someone across the line to finish ahead of you. It was a season of FELLOWSHIP, and I hope we can get back to these races.
Having everything a man could possibly want, being in great shape, having an awesome healthy family, lots of friends, and financial freedom, there was something missing, and for me that thing was FAITH. I found a way to exit my toxic job at the end of 2018, and made the decision to align my new work with God’s purpose for my life. In F3 speak, to find my D2X. It hasn’t been easy, and it’s been a journey that I did not expect. But it has also been the best two years of my life, personally, professionally, and in my walk with God to seek truth… even through a global pandemic. I am truly a blessed man. And when I look back at all of the people I have helped in my video business, almost every single one has been a result of a relationship I’ve formed directly or indirectly through F3. I worship with a community of F3 men at Waypoint Community Church, and just got back from a Men’s Retreat which I was honored to help lead. It’s a season of FAITH for me, that has been the best season ever.
So when I think about it, there hasn’t been a single part of my current life that hasn’t been impacted by being a part of F3 Nation. And it’s you, the men that are a part of F3, who have helped shape me and my life for 6+ years. It’s been Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith with all of you. Giving monetarily isn’t the only way to contribute. But give what you can, time or treasure. The man you help will be the man who helps you. Think of all the men that you know of who could use the principles of F3, regardless of if they put on the black t-shirt. Many of you knew me at the beginning of my F3 days, and my transformation could not have happened without this organization and you men in it. Help another man write their own transformation story in a backblast one day… that man could’ve been you or me.
Thats why I participated in the Give 2 Give Campaign and hope you will consider doing it too.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
YHC is leading the workout Mission I’m Possible at The Charlotte Rescue Mission this Saturday 11/7/2020 at 9:00AM. It’s a 45minute workout with the men of the Rebound Program who are going through recovery for substance addiction. We have had 40+ men there the past few months and it has been an amazing experience. YHC has brought my almost 12yr old 2.1 son Will (F3 – Simba) and he absolutely loves working out with me. It’s one of the best hours of my week as well. Disclaimer: This isn’t a F3 dads workout (and probably not the best workout to bring 2.0 daughter either) but it’s not a super intense workout either. It’s low mileage, lots of mumblechatter, but work as hard as you want to. Let me know if you have any questions. mrkevinmyoung@yahoo.com
If you have winter gear, shoes, socks, anything that someone less fortunate could use to survive the winter, bring them to a workout and someone will collect it for The Charlotte Rescue Mission, Roof Above, or another facility that can get them to people who need them. Thanks Lex Luthor for mentioning and being willing to collect.
WHO PUSHES WHO ~ JRR TOLKIEN
Halloween Q without Zin? Yup. His costume or cardio runeth empty for day 6 so I got the emergency call up. Lots of options on Saturday so was not sure of the crowd, BUT was pleasantly surprised to see a nice showing – 14 Pax.
DCCS – yes 1 FNG – extra reading of DCCS. Also got word that the ghost flag was under attack at Commitment – oh well.
Warm up – we would hit every light pole on the two entrance roads with various exercises – 10+ ligths
The thang –
Wall Work at front of School: 1:5 hand release merkins/Wall jump touch – so do 1 HR merkin then 5 Wall Jump Touch. go to 10 – repeato with several variations. Add in a ab web.
Mosey to base of entrance/hill for Evil Elevator. Run a lap and add to the exercise from previous
-10 Mike Tysons run a lap = 1/4 mile
-10 Mike Tysons/20 Squats – run a lap
-10 MT/20 Squats/30 shoulder taps(2 is 1) – lap
-10 MT/20 Squats/30 shoulder taps(2 is 1)/40 lunges- lap
-10 MT/20 Squats/30 shoulder taps(2 is 1)/40 lunges- lap/50 Big Bois
Mosey to tables
various step ups and derkins
parking lot suicide
mosey to COT – but 1 minute of parking space merkin walk
Welcome Eric Christianson FNG = Reno. He lived in Waco, Texas – first thoughts were Karesh–which led to Janet Reno….
This is a great site, even without the track and HS side of things. Lots of different levels showing up – form Das Boot the runner to Ditka the masher, and a ton of fairly new faces. Lots of fun to Q this group.
There is nothing like a surprise Q for the PAX in Waxhaw. This morning, after 1 week of recovery from Covid, Bread Bowl and I rolled into Commitment prepared for a VQ beat down from Turnbuckle for the high rope. Upon arrival, there were 25 PAX from Race City has driven down 1.5 hours, committed to getting the Ghost Flag from Waxhaw, and many in full costume for Halloween. 32 PAX was not a VQ friendly crowd. Mad Dog and TB audibled to a Doughboy Special beat down for our guests from the North Side. They didn’t know what they were getting into showing up to a Waxhaw Workout.
The Thang
Mosey to the circle in the park – Lots of friction coming from the dinosaur costume
Mosey to the trees in the parking lot – Since the Crowd had a lot of Energy
Find a reasonable rock or don’t, up to you on how much torture. Find a partner
Mosey to the school parking lot and find a parking spot
Mosey Back to the Tree Line
Finish with Leuitenant Dan’s
The Race City PAX came for the Ghost Flag. Unfortunately, they will not be able to get out of their car after driving for 1.5 hours and Lieutenant Dan’s. Great group of guys to have visit and grab the flag. Now we have to plan to send 70 PAX back to get it in the coming weeks. It was great to hear from Chief since he has been doing F3 for close to 9.5 years which I think qualifies you as an OG. Continue to expand and bring men out into the gloom. Stay safe on Halloween.
Announcements