After a solo mission last week, YHC was hopeful to have some company for this week’s edition of Olympus. I had 3 hard commits, so the odds were good. After a double pre-run (gotta hit the 2020 mileage goal), I rolled up to the AO (a minute late) and found Swiss Miss and High Tide in the parking lot. After my Mr. Rogers routine (changing out of running shoes and into lifting shoes, we got started.
Appetizer: SSH, Sharon Towers, Prying Squat
Main Course:
Repeat 4 times for 400 swings, 80 merkins, 32 goblet squats, 32 deadlifts, 40 clean and press.
Mary: 60 second hard style elbow plank and hollow body hold
COT: Circle up with the RockZero pax
Announcements:
Moleskine:
Weinke planning the night before and decided to pull out one from back in April when F3 shut down for bit. Used it for the WOD but never got the chance to personally inflict it on some unsuspecting PAX. Today was that day.
DiCCS provided then we moseyed towards the soccer fields and our ultimate destination: the pond loop.
A quick loop with a couple warmup exercises on the way was really just a chance to show the PAX the stations we’d be hitting along the way.
The Thang
The Ramp is, as the name implies, designed to start on the easier side and slowly increase the intensity. We started by doing the shorter loop and 10 reps each of Dry Docks, LBCs, and Squats. Repeato with 15 reps each.
Round 2 upgrades to the longer loop with 10 then 15 reps of Merkins, Big Bois, and Bobby Hurleys.
Round 3 is the longer outside loop and 10 then 15 reps of Mike Tysons, American Hammers, and Bomb Jacks.
Sensing the need for a bit of a reprieve we took a short break for some Mary, including Flutters, Box Cutters, and American Knockouts.
Back at it with the Final Round; a big figure eight with all reps done on the sidewalk between the ponds. For the finale we did Diamond Merkins, Jump Squats, and Burpees. 10 reps then 15.
With about 10ish minutes remaining I pulled out my handy dandy phone app with a random number generator. Setting it to dice mode I let the PAX choose the exercises as we made our way back to COT, stopping at various intersections to exercise. The PAX call cadence and the app chooses the total reps.
Back at COT we finished the remaining few minutes with some bear crawls, Lunges, broad jumps, and suicide runs.
Moleskin
Carb Load – Not only is he a Site Q for the Floater AND Blackhawk, but he’s constantly pushing me the whole time.
Rockwell – Apparently Rockwell showing up in Saturday is out of the norm (haha get it? You know, cause his name is Norm… Nevermind). You wouldn’t know it though cause he’s working hard and then went and ran the neighborhood 5k right after. Finally hit 50 but it isn’t slowing him down
Chatterbox – what a transformation! Started F3 back in July and now he’s leading 4+ mile Qs and running with Ignition. Way to go buddy!
Paper Jam – Moving down to Millbridge from SOB in the next month. It was good to meet him in person. Hopefully an announcement in the making. I’ll leave it at that as a teaser and provide details in the future
Chopper – Another SOB-land guy, Chopper was making the journey to get his Passport stamped. He’s currently in 2md place in the leaderboard and really racking up the unique AOs. If anyone is gonna catch Das Boot it’s him
YHC took us out
DICCS given.
The plan is to run 3 miles while executing 1000 exercise reps. I stole borrowed this from Fuse Box from Blackhawk in April sometime. As this was my first Saturday (60 minute) Q, I wanted to ensure its validity. I learned the hard way when asking a fellow Q-Site coordinator to Q my site, it comes with a, “sure, if you Q mine.”
The Warm Up and The Thang all run together. Warm up, stretching, exercises, stretching…
Having only posted Homecoming once, I wanted to ensure I knew the layout so I drove to the school at lunch Wednesday. I drove around the school multiple times to fully map our my plan. Did you know there is an officer in car securing the school during school days? I guess he didn’t like the older model all white car canvasing the school and escorted me off the campus. It was funny.
Technically the Warm Up – Mosey for a bit – 26 SSH, 24 Emp Walk, Calf Stretch. 26 Plank Jacks, 24 Dolly Parton’s, Jimmy Dugans. (100)
Get After It:
Shout out to Das Boot for keeping me honest with the time and the mileage.
Shout out to Damascus for showing up and getting after it even though he did not plan on coming out at all.
Then there’s Posse. Thanks for talking the whole time and especially for wearing those Richard Simmons borrowed tights. Gave the rest of us something to talk about…and really appreciate the leadership today.
28 freeloaders responded to the rumors that there might be refreshments and morning booze offered up at the end of today’s workout. 2 former Hydra co-Site Qs decided to reunite in order to co-Q an hour of misery and miscommunication (representative of the 2 years they spent together leading Hydra). Aside from their birthdates, they have yet to discover any other common traits, interests, or characteristics. The show went something like this…
Announcements:
DICCS given while I was rolling up in parking lot screaming out the truck window, since I was running a tad bit late–
Warm up– Mosey up towards school turn circle back to grab a few PAXS that were actually later than me…Continue Mosey to circle island down below near fields.
20 SSH–10 Low Slow Squats–10 Merkins in Cadence– upward dog– downward dog– can opener stretch and runners pose–Mosey down trail stopping before bridge for Al Gore while 6 catches up- Mosey to Millbridge parkway and wait on 6 in plank position.
The Thang
Mosey up to first street on the left (Golden View) for CLEAR AS MUD directions- Follow the road around and around the cul-de sac and back up (June) to (Millbridge) and back to starting point. At each intersection and there are 7 do the follow exercise..
Intersection 1-20 – Speed Skaters- 1 Burpee-
Intersection 2- 20- Bonnie Blairs- 2- Burpee
Intersection 3-20- Jungle Boy Squats- 3 burpees
Intersection 4- 20 Speed Skaters- 4 burpees
Intersection 5- 20 Bonnie Blairs- 5 burpees
Intersection 6- 20 Jungle Boys – 6 burpees
Intersection 7- 7 Burpees and circle back for the 6
Rinse and Repeat this one more time but only running between (June rd )and (Golden View rd) not all the way around.
Mosey down hill to trail head back to Kenningston and when at bottom
20- Jungle Boys- 20 Bonnies Blair’s while the 6 comes in
Mosey to clubhouse parking lot for a Zinfandel favorite since it was his original Q–
Bear Crawl/Dry Dock- 4 bear crawls- 1 dry dock and work our way up to 40/10– yikes we stopped at 28/7
Walk to other lot for a Doughboy Favorite ( dude is not affected in the least way by AB work).
1 Big Boy- 4 LBC or pistol LBCS depending on what I call– get to 10/40 as above- we stopped this at 28/7 also
Finish up Bear crawl/Dry Dock begin at 32/8 and get to our goal of 40-10-yikes.
Finish up our Big Boy/LBC – starting at 8/32 and getting to our goal of 10/40- yikes.
Mosey Back to COT
60 Speed Skaters/80 Bonnie Blair’s/80 Jungle Boys/56 burpees– LEG DAY BABY!!
Moleskin
As always, I love Qing this group of dudes and appreciate the opportunity as usual. Last night while driving home when I was SAFETY stopped at a stop sign and catching up on GroupMe I noticed a interesting post…. I noticed I had to step up help my boy Zinfandel out as he had the opportunity to take the wifey out on the town. Today we did a fast paced total body workout but I am sure most peoples legs will be screaming at them tomorrow. A few call outs from today
Deep Dish- Has graduated to the gazelle group- heck of a job brother. I would advise you to see ignition, swarm or pursuit groups soon– FYI though if they get wind you like to run they turn into bullies and yell at you and bully you into working out with them.. Heads up brother
Goodfella- always crushes it and then makes everyone feel better saying he is winded and sore– blah blah blah- we almost believed you.
Doughboy- WTF is the deal with your ABS– you were 2 cycles ahead of( I am the Darn Q) on every big boy– nice job man
Bread Boy- Has spread his scent at yet another site- SHOCKER
Banjo- glad you came out brother- good seeing you back out
Maddog- Nice ride brother- I thought I was following Zin this morning and I was getting a little nervous he was going to take my darn Q- Nice push as always brother.
Jwow- heck of a job and nice to see you back out after Popeye tried to kill us yesterday.
Centerfold- WOW- few months removed from surgery and back at it
Premature and SugarDaddy- fellows have been crushing it lately and logging some serious miles
Announcements
Goodfella has some big news on a big project he has been working on for 3 years- I will not blast it here yet but AWESOMENESS.
Deep Dish- the 6th man. He would see Goodfella at flag football games and saw his F3 shirt and asked him about. he showed up at Dromedary the following Wednesday and it was on…. 35lbs down, running like a gazelle and been with us 15 months..
Lots of 2nd Fs today which everyone knows about- painting, moving furniture ect..
Next Saturday cross-country trails will be put in over at 5 stones if your free bring chainsaws, rakes, pruners, muscle- it will start around 8:30am. They will allow us to use them as well and we might even have access to Fuse Boxes bathroom if we need and if we can continue trails to Champion Forest.
10 PAX overcame fartsackville on a balmy 42 deg Friday morn for the latest episode of #overdrive. Our co-site Qs, Hairband and Lamont, needed an emergiQ. Being a good looking, forever 49 yo, ultra-wise, and humble guy, YHC offered to modify his recent meathead weinke to fit in some running and hillwork. I also promised no merkins or bomb jacks to lure out Shepherd. The latter did not work.
COP
Lil mosey around the parking lot and along the main road. That’s enough running….what is this, a Glass Joe Q?
20 SSH – IC
10 Windmills (sorta) – IC
10 LSS – IC
Squat stretch L/R/C – OYO
10 Arm Circles (in memory of Woody) – IC
The Thang – YHC is a science teacher, so I do what most teacher’s do….rehash and reimagine a lesson plan/weinke from my Wed Meathead Q.
Set 1 – Alternating 10 1H swings with 10 rack walking lunges. Flip flop right and left until you get to 50 swings and 50 racked walking lunges.
Set 2 – Alternating 10 cleans with 10 rack walking lunges. Flip flop right and left until you get to 50 cleans and 50 racked walking lunges.
Set 3 – Swings and Squats
Run a Hairband mile/Lamont Recovery Lap
Set 4 – Swings and Romanian Deadlifts
Run a Hairband mile/Lamont Recovery Lap
Set 5 – 7’s on the Hill with the KB
Run a Hairband mile/Lamont Recovery Lap
3MOM
COT
DONE
Moleskine:
Great work today by all the PAX. The the hill 7’s with the kettlebell was a crowd pleaser, especially at the end of the workout. Carrying a bell for that long got old fast, but was worth it. A few observations.
Thanks for allowing me to lead.
Unplugged out!
Fin
Here we go again with the 5th iteration of something that shouldn’t have happened once. 15 PAX popped the red pill (and some ibuprofen) and posted at The Brave for the most ambitious and Christmassy Deck Run ever. We covered 5-6 miles and conquered a world record 9 decks. It was great on so many levels.
That’s right, 9 decks were ascended; the most of any Deck Run in recorded history. Here is a little historical context:
Here’s how it went down. And up.
0520. Taco Stand heads out early, and solo, looking to keep his heart rate down for his #MAF training. If you ask YHC, this lone wolf has the biggest heart of the bunch. No seriously, you should get that checked out Taco, it’s a dangerous condition.
0525. YHC rolls up and Cheese Curd is already there, strapping on his ruck. Usually it is not a ruck that Curd is strapping on in dimly lit parking lots, but that is a different story for a different time. Recuping from a recent injury, Curd has decided to use the sure-fire rehab strategy of walking up concrete ramps while carrying a bunch of extra weight. Curd is now primed to shatter the glass ceiling of parking deck-related sports by being the first man to ever ruck the Deck Run. But if he is rucking can we still call it the Deck Run? It’s definitely not the Deck Ruck because there are runners. Let’s go with the Deck… Thing.
0526. The nervous energy and determination are palpable. YHC can sense the PAX are eager to get started on this unprecedented, audacious feat. The kind of feat that you tell you grandkids about one day. The kind of feat that Frehley’s could have told his grandkids about TODAY, if he had shown up. The kind of feat that you get a tattoo over, like Rock Thrill’s IronMan or Tolkien’s Spartan, except dumber and even more regrettable. Speaking of which, Wingy how is the logo coming?
0527. Tagalong reaches into his beard, removes a headlamp and straps it on. He is now ready to finally gain the respect of his family and friends.
0528. Disclaimer & instructions are urgently and dramatically delivered as Kirby casually searches his car for a headlamp. Even with stakes this high, with everything on the line, Kirby CANNOT be rattled. He flat out refuses. One time Kirby and Chuck Norris had a staring contest and Chuck Norris killed himself with a roundhouse kick TO HIS OWN FACE mid-contest. True story.
0529. Tolkien reluctantly saunters up, looking like he is only there because YHC talked him into it. YHC is ok with this.
0530. And just like that, it’s go time. No more talk. No more casually looking for personal items. Let’s do this!
Midriff’s shorts are high but his excitement is higher. He leads the PAX out of the gate and stays out in front for most of the run. The nine decks start falling, one by one. A nucleus of YHC/Wingman/Midriff/Softie/Wild Turkey/Tolkien/Tagalong/Brexit/Goonie forms, with smaller groups breaking off and doing what they need to do to get the job done.
It was fun to look up now and then and see PAX in different decks. While running North on Community House we spotted Kirby and Teddy running in the Hampton Inn deck. While on the roof of one of the Community House decks we spotted Taco on the roof of the next deck. We are everywhere and cannot be stopped.
After crushing the 9 decks and honestly just embarrassing them, the various groups coalesced back at launch with a few minutes to spare. All groups, that is, except the dynamic duo of Sweetwater and Das Boot. These two overachievers decided to tack on an extra three quarters of a mile to the route before returning home. Why? Because they eat pieces of sh*t like you for breakfast, that’s why.
With our spirits high, bolstered by the satisfaction of knowing we had each taken more deck than any man that had come before us, we stood 6 feet apart and pondered life’s great questions. Who is on Q next week? Does it make sense to go to the 10-year F3 anniversary (spoiler alert: no it does not). When is the next Deck Run/Thing? Are there horse socks?
So what did we learn from Deck Run V? For YHC it is this.
Be honest, you thought there would be more deck-related puns in this backblast.
Coming in 2021: COVID vaccines but more importantly, Deck Run VI – 10 decks – “The Deckathalon”
-TUCK
The Warmup
Starting the morning at HOT 25 degrees can always be painful but feels like heaven after 10- minutes. DiCCS were given two minutes before 5:30 and Zinfandel stated just like Premature to be two minutes early.
17 PAX started off with a Mosey to Dreamchasers not for a beer but “simple” warmup.
20 SSH
15 Imperial walkers
10 downward and 10 upward dog
Calf stretch 15 seconds per leg
Left and right runners stretch
Mosey to the large open parking lot to start the THANG
The Thang
The Thang was simple, four exercises and running. Cannot get any easier.
PAX learned the proper parts of completing a burpee or as Chastain taught me “The Deconstructed Burpee” however I added a twist, performing the burpee Paula Abdul style.
PAX arrived at end of the street and One Star thanked me it was done. I laughed since he did not know that was the beginning. PAX circled up to complete 50 Merkin Circle and I gave the command to begin the next set of deconstructed burpees, starting with 20 Merkins. After Merkins, PAX ran to Providence Road, completed 15 In and Outs, and headed south to enter the road with the large hill to finish the burpee set, 10 Bobby Hurleys and 5 burpees. PAX ran halfway up the hill and entered the parking lot to start another deconstructed burpee set, Merkins and In and Outs. Once that was finished, PAX ran to the top of the hill and finished the next two exercises. At this point, a lot of chatter and I was asked if I knew any other exercises. That is when Chicken taught me the statement: you Q they do and we both laughed.
I told PAX, it only makes sense to run the 4 corners and of course an exercise at each corner to complete another burpee set. I was happy to see Surge, One Star, and Carb Load at the first stop sign doing 15 In and Outs without being told. We also had a new form cop beside Recalculating, Zinfandel.
Zinfandel kept stating Bobbly Hurley’s are not bend overs but squats boys! We finished the four corners and saved the best for last. Run up and down the large hill and yes with another set of burpees. PAX finished this task with 6 more minutes to spare which is enough time to complete another 4 corner and yes with burpee set!
Everyone pushed it today and got in a good workout to start winding down the week. Great job!
Announcements
Special shout out to Rockwell was 6th guy and has been part of F3 for 5.5 years.
Chicken Little explained the significance of being appreciative for what you have since unfortunately one of his colleagues was killed
2020 Passport through December 31 (visit new AO to post) – Chastain send link and Das Boot has the lead, great job!
High Hat promoted Appetizer AO
11 men gathered in the gloom for this week’s edition of Nightmare on Elm led by YHC. Pretty standard morning of 26 degree weather and everyone arriving at 5:29 in order to enjoy the last few moments of warmth. The power of the fartsack is strong this time of year, t-claps to these fine gentlemen for not succumbing to the dark side. Disclaimer was given with special emphasis on social distancing and keeping YHC honest in that regards #keepeachotheraccountable. 5:30 and we were off.
The Thang
Mosey to the parking lot betwixt Harris Teeter and CFA for COP:
IW x 12, Hillbillies x 12, Peter Parkers x 10, hold 6 inches, Parker Peters x 10, Big Arm Circles forward x 10, Big Arm Circles backwards x 10, SSH x 15
Mosey to first round. It was at this time that Frehley’s commented that he thought that we were just going to warm up the whole time. Yep, YHC threw an extra set or two in there because it was cold and most of us (Mudflap excluded) are old. And besides when it is 26 degrees isn’t the whole workout basically one big warm up? Cross Rea down Piper Station Dr and run to the circle where the hotels and Auto Bell are. Count off by 3’s. 1’s run to the Residence Inn sign for 10 hand release merkins, 2’s run to the fountains at the new hotel (Hilton) for 10 diamond merkins and 3’s run to Piper Glen Animal Hospital for 10 wide arm merkins. After each station run back to the circle for 10 shoulder tap merkins. 2 rounds of this and the upper body was feeling it.
Now that upper body had been addressed time for some cardio. Run to the Brown Bag parking deck. Triple Nickel of 5 donkey kicks at the bottom and 5 burpees at the top for 5 rounds. Be sure to run along the outside of the deck and not up and down the stairs. YHC was originally going to make this a Triple Nickel Adjusted for Inflation and increase the reps from 5 to 10 to 15 but timing was not going to allow it. In fact due to timing YHC had to audible and drop the 5 rounds to 3.
Time was running short but we needed to get legs in. Run to the Stonecrest fountains at Chipotle and spread far apart on the fountain wall. With your back to the wall put your left foot on the wall and crank out 25 right leg lunges. Be sure and get low. Then alternate for 25 left leg lunges with right foot on the wall. Add in 25 low slow squats and finish the leg sundae off with 10 more alternating lunges.
Mosey back to launch and when we hit the theater parking lot time to shake it up and make the rest of the jaunt home backwards. 1 minute to spare and Long Haul led us in some plank work.
Moleskin
Solid work by all. The time really flew by for this workout for whatever reason. Long Haul was practicing social distancing by blowing past the Pax. He was in the merkin group with Patent Pending, Cooter and myself and kept about a 200 yard separation from us because well he was that much faster. We wondered if it was possible for one to outrun Covid. Apparently it runs in the family as Long Haul’s 2.0, Mudflap, was at the front with his old man the whole workout too. I know that this will come as a shock to everyone but Frehley’s was full of mumblechatter early on. YHC thought that he had worked some of it out of Frehley’s until at the end Frehley’s challenged Long Haul to a sprint back to launch #sandbagging. Steady Teddy was killing it as always. Glad to hear the 2.0 is inevitably going to get a full ride and you will be able to retire early. Patent P brought Shade out who had posted in Charleston and one other place I believe. Shade did awesome and I enjoyed the little bit of time I got to speak with him (what is it with all these Wisconsin transplants in SOB land?). And I always enjoy getting to catch up with Patent P. It did make YHC’s morning to see the dynamic duo of Patent and Loogie show up, especially since Loogie is now officially a beach bum. You guys embody the fellowship aspect of F3, even when pushing yourselves, which is why many of us get up to exercise at 5:30 in cold or hot weather. Speaking for myself it is much more enjoyable than working out solo. Circuit City ditched his traditional bright, hi-vis attire for an all black ninja attire. It must be in keeping with Best Buy’s Black Friday promotion. Cooter, appreciate the push in the pre-run. Cooter wanted to go an extra lap but YHC wanted to keep some in the tank for the Q. Cooter is becoming such a #seriousrunner. So Rousey’s 2.0 and my 2.0 are besties. A couple of months back my 2.0 was hanging with his when Rousey bemoaned that his gym was closed. My 2.0 mentioned that he ought to try this F3 thing that her dad did. Imagine that a 12 year old EH’ing guys. Anyhoo Rousey showed up and 3 months later he is one of the most consistent and reliable posters and crushing workouts. The funny part is that he was amazed when I told him that yeah, we work out outside even when it is below freezing. Now he is showing up in 26 degree weather in shorts…I think the California weather is officially out of your system.
Thanks to Circuit City and Swine Flu for giving me the opportunity to lead.
Announcements