This Doors tune was playing as I rode into The Vine parking lot ready for a rainy adventure, but I checked the radar and saw a glimmer of hope, a sliver of cloudless air heading our way. At least until I saw Tolkien dressed in his full Gore-tex rain-suit like he was going on a expedition. But 11 bad-asses were looking at me for direction, So I had faith and headed to the parking deck to wait it out…
The Thing:
Mosey from Vine to Ballantyne Village parking deck, lower level.
Start at bottom:
Invented these on the fly (it showed) using the pylons and forming a square: we shuffled left, backpedaled, shuffled right, thensprint forward (x3). This didn’t go very well, but whatever.
Take stairs down to lower level
Head over to hill for Triple nickel Deuce: 5x merkins, up hill, 5x jump squats (x2) – Yet again it was too wet for hill work.
Mosey out and head for Ballantyne Lake Road towards Lakes (ponds x2)
Partner like speed – Dips x 25 each (posts) Hand slap merkins x 10 – One partner takes a lap around pond on left, one takes pond on right. Flap Jack – Repeat x2.
No waiting on the 6 with this crew – Jameis Skrong
Mosey out to John J, hang a right past Bad Burger
Small parking lot on right: Burpee Suicides x3, x6, x9 – Plus squats at start x3, x6, x9 – Plank for 6 (me)
Mosey to Ballantyne Resort Check time and distance (Yes Mario, I was on track and sad you couldn’t see it)… Cross Johnston road, to Loch Ness (third pond), water theme? Anyone? …dang
One lap around Loch Ness, first patio 10 dips, second 10 derkins
Plank near entrance for 6 (not me this time)
Check time…One more pond, yes! Mosey around Ballantyne Medical towards Ballantyne Commons.
Stop at pond, circle it even though mumble chatter was an all-time high. Thanks Fire Hazard for keeping your wits and encouraging me to go for it.
Head back to Start. Almost lost Tolkien as he tried to collect the layers of said rain-suit he peeled off along the way. I asked if they were bread crumbs for a couple of no shows. You know who you are.
Five minutes left for various mary – yes, more water themed workouts (it was very wet). Almost everyone got one in, the windshield wiper hurt but was my favorite. (still nothing?)
Done
Mole:
I was dead set on getting the four ponds and the mileage, maybe the work suffered a little along the way. We managed about 20 burpees and a few dozen merkins and some killer mary. All good. You guys rocked it today. Appreciate the kind words. Toughest spot to Q in my opinion, hope you all feel as good as me about the beers that are coming soon. No salad tonight ladies…
Thanks again for the take out Squid!
Fredo xoxo
Lots of announcements: Get on Slack or twitter and look up the various awesome causes your brothers are doing this month. Its freakin cool how much we all give back as an organization and even more so on an individual basis.
Do something good this weekend – your heart will thank you.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve showed up for a workout… and namely F3 Mountain Goat, where between the radar and the forecast, a cancel would have been the only logical outcome… and yet like clockwork, the clouds part, and for 45-60 minutes… n’er a drop!
That’s what happened this morning! When I arrived at 0455 for pre-run, wind shield wipers were going, and one lone car was waiting for me in the parking lot… Benny! Of course, Benny being out in the freezing rain shouldn’t surprise anyone… he’s from Jersey!
So Benny and I took off on the pre-run, mainly for me to see how wet Strawberry Ln would be, and to also see if the rain was going to subside, stay the same, or get heavier! The radar and forecast would have supported the latter.
As we came back into the parking lot, more cars had arrived, so it wasn’t just Benny that had questionable decision-making skills… those also belonged to Purell, Nomad, Retread and Bullwinkle.
Having exceeded the threshold of “3 or less, coffee is best”… and seeing that the rain was actually diminishing, we hit the streets of Raintree (ironically) for the following:
Done! Depending on pace, goats completed 4-6 miles… excellent on a day that looked like a rain-out!!
Moleskin
Excellent job this morning… especially the dedication to GET UP… and then get out there! Those know I don’t like being cold… WET and cold is the ultimate crap-show! But I’ll be honest and say that it really wasn’t that bad! Several were in shorts, and I was down to 2 layers by the end of the workout!
Great to have Bullwinkle out… keep going, my brother! You’re doing great!
Nomad and Retread were solid as always!
Benny keeps getting stronger… we’re expecting sub-5:00 miles the next time we do the timed-mile!
Purell… pure glide! I felt bad because we usually don’t run out of pavement on the 5:00 run from that spot. But Purell is like the Space Shuttle… he needs extra runway! If you ever wonder what’s further down the dirt road at the end of Strawberry, just ask Purell!
Announcements:
Have a great weekend! SF
8 Pax kicked off their week in style, with another edition of Little Baby Bricks.
Just your standard-issue 3 hole brick, one for each hand. Only it stays in your hand the whole time. And that little brick gets a little heavier with each step.
The Thang
Warm up lap, w bricks, long way around green space at parking lot up to ball fields.
COP in cadance
SSH x 15
Imperial Walker x 15
Squat x 15
Merkin x 15
Burpees x 5
Run a lap (w bricks) around the parking oval, end up at dugout wall.
People’s Chair – Air Presses (w bricks, you get the picture) x 25, Arms extended Bus Driver x 20, Derkins x 10
Lunge Walk w bricks overhead to next island, Curls x 20, Lunge Walk Backwards to start, w bricks overhead, tricep extension x 20.
Run lap around big fields, partner up.
Wheelbarrow out, flapjack back.
Partner carry out, flapjack back.
Crab walk out, bear crawl back.
Run lap around big fields.
Man-Maker merkins (yes, w bricks) x 8.
Mosey back most of the way, w stop for Mary.
Run long way around green space to launch.
Moleskin
The workout seemed to last as long as it took for this BB to get written (Cobains) I’m surprised not of the bricks found their way back into my car via the windshield (mumblechatter) YHC stopped the Man-Makers at 8, but it looked like several of you were already done.
Despite the smoked shoulders, Great job out there by everyone!
Thanks for the pleasure of Qing.
Snowflake out
It was calling for a 90% chance of rain this morning, we were pretty sure Simba wasn’t going to Q (since we haven’t seen him in over a year) and we’re starting to realize our Q list that we created 6 months ago is not really working anymore. Meanwhile we still get reprimanded from the old site Q (HH) making sure we know what we’re doing – have we ever let you down before?! Trust in the Fault Line and the Whip.
Instead of drudging through the rain, I decided to get there at 4:30 for some pre-work and grabbed a bunch of weights and took them over to the covered gazebo. Y’all don’t even know about the comforts that this AO affords.
Warm up
Gazebo
We all headed to the gazebo where we had 11 stations set up with a timer 30 secs on 10 sec switch stations. We got through this about 4 times.
Station 1 – 45lb bar – squat
Station 2 – chest press with 45lb plate
Station 3 – step ups with 25lb plate overhead
Station 4 – sit ups with 25 lb kettle bell
Station 5 – Merkins (variations)
Station 6 – Shoulder Press/Tri-Extention/Curl with 45lb plate
Station 7 – Lawn Mower, Snatch, Shoulder press with 45lb kettlebell
Station 8 – Derkins
Station 9 – Squat with two 10lb weights in each hand
Station 10 – Lunge walk with 25lb or 45lb plate overhead
Station 11 – Shoulder raises with 8lb shotputs in each hand
We also did group sets of situps, SSH and squat jumps to break up the repetition.
Moleskine
It was chilly this morning but all of us in a wooden outdoor room with lights basically turned the place into a steam room. The sweat stains on the floor and moisture in the air definitely wasn’t appealing. The fact that we were all wearing just towels made things that much worse.
When we got started, I made sure that everyone knew that overhead meant that you carried the weight over your head – Pop Tart pointed out that I’m basically a dumbass for stating this and that was exactly why I told him that I was happy he was there today when he pulled into the parking lot. With no hecklers a Qs day is never complete.
Fault Line was killing it this morning – I don’t think he rested the entire time and was destroying the shoulder presses with the 45lb plate
Witch Doctor had the ISO squat so steady with the bar I thought he got stuck. Someone mentioned that he’s probably done that before.
Big League Chew, wearing short sleeved everything, was also on fire today – I think he likes the strength days. He was pumping out 45lb chest presses like nobody’s business.
All in all the PAX nailed this workout – hopefully you all didn’t mind not running at Kevlar. Fault Line said this was as close to a 0.0 that you could get on a Friday.
For the first 6 minutes or so of the circuit all you could hear was heavy breathing until someone said, “Can you put some music on?” – that was the last thing I forgot – but I had it all ready – set list was pretty typical middle aged men workout music but completely on point:
There’s more but you’ll have to come back next time to hear it…
TONIGHT is the F3 Christmas Party at Seaboard in DT Matthews at 7:30. Alf said he bought plenty of food so come on – it’s $20 per person so bring a date, or your wife. They have beer and wine AND kombucha on draft – not kidding (Witch Doctor, I’m talking to you).
Twas a damp morning in Sparta, but that did not discourage the 8 warriors that showed up to do battle with the cold elements and the DICE of pain.
The workout started with a brisk run to Colonel Francis Beatty Park. Once arriving at the verge of the battle field, the warriors stretched and prepared for the journey ahead. After the warmup, the Q gave instructions that the DICE of Pain will lead our adventure. The DICE held the wonders of 15 Burpees, 30 LBC’s, 20 Jump Squats, 20 Merkins, 20 Squats, and five other exercises. While running to the first playground area, the PAX stop at each lamp post and the DICE determined their fate.
When the PAX arrived at the playground area, they split off into two groups. While Group ‘A’ ran around the parking lot twice, Group ‘B’ circled around the DICE to do whatever exercise came up on the DICE until Group ‘A’ returned. Flip flop and repeat. It was a glorious battle between Man and Dice, but the DICE did not waver and the PAX had to retire for the day.
The PAX rallied together to return from whence they came, SPARTA.
Mary consisted of a number of stretches to aid on the way home and during the day. Pigeon stretch and a few others I am not sure on the names. Upon completion, the warriors(PAX) received wise words from one of their leaders. The quote is “Pain is the price of Pretty”. In reference to a new pair of warrior boots(sneakers) that were prepared for battle. It appears that the shoe maker made the boots a half size too small in a different color. LOL
Moleskin
Please keep those that are inactive or absent from F3 in your thoughts and prayers. As mentioned in the workout, sometimes it only takes a “Hey man, we miss you out there” to get someone active again. Also, make sure to encourage those that are hurt. Make sure to keep checking in on Snookie, Sling Blade, and Nekot. If I forgot anyone, please make sure to add them.
Q’s are needed for F3 Conviction for January and February 2018. Also, be on the lookout for a Moderate Convention. Basically going over what a moderate workout should be with some work shops and etc. Trying to make sure that we are not running people off that really need just a moderate workout.
So I realized this morning what a slacker I was because I never posted a backblast last week for Overdrive so, no fluff here is what went down…
10 burpees OYO!
COP:
SSH x 20
IW x 20
Mountain Climbers x 20
back to the bells for THE THANG:
1st Round
Merkins X 20
2 Hand Swing X 20
Goblet Squat X 20
10 Burpees
Rinse and Repeat 3X…then sprint to end of parking lot and back.
2nd Round
Staggered Merkins X 20 (10 each side on kettle bell)
Curl 20
Good Mornings X 20
10 Burpees
Rinse and Repeat 3X…then sprint
3rd Round
Overhead Press X 20
Flutter Press x 20
Upright Rows x 20
10 Burpees
Rinse and Repeat 3X…then sprint
MOM
Flutter (no bell)
Backscratcher
DONE!
Moleskine
#Cobains for the “so late why did I bother” backblast but as Madison called out, did it really happen if there was no BB?
This workout was a smoker with 100 burpees mixed in with the other work taking place.
Always an honor to lead!
The cold and rainy conditions were perfect for the impending arrival of Krampus, the half goat, half demon creature that in Alpine folklore accompanies Saint Nicholas and punishes naughty children. Fourteen unfortunate souls were dragged off into the gloom on Krampus’ sled to face their punishment.
Warmup run to the mouth of Tartarus and circle up for COP consisting of 20 SSH in cadence, 20 IW in cadence, 20 Mountain Climbers in cadence.
The Horns of Krampus:
Begin at the bottom of Tartarus’ stairs, run up the stairs to the top and do 20 merkins. Run to the middle staircase and do 19 merkins before descending. At the bottom do 18 merkins, run to the beginning point for 17. Continue up and down stopping along the way until finishing at the launch point with one merkin. For round two repeat the sequence but substitute squats for merkins. Fortunately time was running short after round two so we audibled out of round three with sit-ups to prevent Krampus from inflicting even more punishment.
Run to the picnic tables in front of the school where some of the PAX began to fret about the slippery conditions. Fortunately no step ups were in the Weinke so the helmets and harnesses were not needed. While reminiscing about Checkpoint’s multitude of mishaps and misadventures at Centurion we did 5 rounds of 20 reps of split squats, dips, and incline merkins. Run back to the launch point for a perfectly on time arrival at 6:15 am. No time for Mary, so the PAX will have to visit Purple Haze at Planet Fitness or Spackler and Buttermaker at Orange Theory to get their core work in.
Today’s Moleskin is brought to you by the good people of Mucinex, DayQuil, and Afrin for allowing YHC to struggle through 45 minutes of a workout and having barely enough voice to explain to the PAX what we were doing. Only 9 more hours to go before our sponsors pass the reins to bourbon to get YHC through my company’s Christmas party (which YHC does not want to go to) and the F3 Area 51 Christmas party (which YHC does want to go to). Please keep Bout Time, his little boy, and his family in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks and months. Also stay tuned to the comz channels for information on how we will take care of them since that’s what we do best. YHC hopes to see everyone this evening at the aforementioned Christmas party at Seaboard in Matthews. Unlike corporate parties, there will be no forced conversation while nursing a single drink, carefully minding each word spoken, and keeping an eye on the watch and waiting for the earliest opportune moment to perform the Irish Goodbye. For those of us who are introverted and socially awkward, these occasions often make us wish that Krampus would arrive to drag us off. At COT this morning, Udder jumped in and fired up the Voice Memos feature on his phone. The lack of confidence in YHC’s ability to remember 13 additional names besides my own is quite distressing. There is still a bit of precious time in the thirties that YHC is clinging to with a vice like grip before the fog of dementia soon sets in. It is also possible that Udder is simply a stereotypical millennial and cannot fathom performing even the simplest of tasks without the aid (crutch) of a smartphone. The latter is the more palatable option so that is what we will go with. Next week Centurion will launch from the Cameron Wood clubhouse on Birnen Drive so Margo can walk us through the winter wonderland of lights he has created in his yard. Those prone to epileptic seizures should probably opt for another AO that day. Merry Christmas.
11 PAX made the right choice and posted for Area 51’s finest workout at Hydra. The 40 degree temperature was deceiving, as several PAX would later regret their decisions to don head coverings after the subsequent beat down. As Sleepy said towards the end of the workout, “My head is on fire.” I will take that as a compliment. You’re welcome.
This is how it went down after a brief, uninspired, and basically worthless disclaimer.
OPES possesses (2) of the most God-awful asphalt parking lots in all of Area 51. Our school bond money at work, gentlemen. We moseyed to the bus parking lot for the downpainment.
COP
Mosey down Rea Rd. towards HT. Left on Chadwyck Farms. Plank-o-rama at the bottom of Chadwyck Farms and Windyrush. Mosey on Windyrush to the base of Evelyn’s Hill.
The Main Event
Since YHC will soon travel to Japan on a wide body Boeing 777 in Economy class, YHC thought it fitting to exact pain and suffering on the PAX in the form of Triple 7’s. If YHC can endure 14 hours from Houston to Tokyo in Economy, then surely the PAX can endure 20 minutes of Evelyn’s Hill. After much debate and mumble chatter, the PAX finally realized that Triple 7’s meant Triple 7’s as detailed below.
7-7-7. Learn it, love it, live it.
After Evelyn’s Hill was conquered, PAX took a Left on Edenbridge, stopping at each “stop” light on the Right Hand side of the road for 5 Heels to Heaven. YHC was delirious after Evelyn, thus confusing “street” with “stop.” Wishful thinking, no doubt. Congregate at the intersection of Edenbridge and Rea for more Plank-o-rama. Brought in the 6 and headed to the OPES black top basketball court.
Planker’s Delight
A staple of any Jet Fuel Q (thank you Dumpster Fire, or should we now call you Senator Dumpster Fire??), this suck fest involves the PAX lined up in plank, shoulder-to-shoulder, each taking turns plank walking down the line, stopping at each PAX for a partner merkin. Pure pain, pure misery, just like Tennessee football.
Basketball Medley
Mosey to launch. What, no Mary? Darn straight, no Mary. Done.
Moleskin
Great work by a veteran PAX today. Spackler is preparing for a trip to Kiawah this weekend to support several PAX in their quest to run the 1/2 or full marathon. The exact impetus for this trip remains a mystery. No golf will be played due to British Open-esque weather, yet a golf cart will be involved. No running for Semi Gloss, yet he is attending and riding on said golf cart at a running event. YHC must confess to being initially confused by the conflicting signals, but the clouds were lifted when it was learned that Tito’s would be flowing. Ahhhh, yes….the 13.1 mile booze cruise. Enjoy.
Cheese Curd was crushing Eveleyn’s Hill until he learned the true meaning of Triple 777’s. 3 rounds of fury, then a struggle to survive. See above for further explanation. Hops is basking in WFU’s bowl bid to play the train wreck otherwise known as Texas A&M. YHC attempted to dedicate the Basketball Medley portion to WFU basketball, but was quickly corrected that WFU is still playing football in December. Duly noted, Demon Deacon. Queen, Marge, Hops, Spackler, and Hopper sustained the crush for all 7 rounds. Solid work. #paceyourself. I was worried that Sleepy would suffer a heat stroke in 40 degree weather, but he somehow pulled through like a trooper. Lewinski and YHC waxed poetic on the virtues of Christmas light timers. Stimulating mumble chatter. Scratch n Win left YHC speechless with a flurry of Japanese in the COT. Domo arigatou, Mr. Roboto. Puddin’ Pop was up to his usual gastrointestinal fireworks. Never a dull moment.
Always an honor to lead Area 51’s finest workout. Props to Scratch n Win for the stellar takeout.
Announcements
A51 Christmas Party at Seaboard Friday night
Joe Davis Run
A small but solid crowd showed up at Peak 51 this morning ready to work hard. The disclaimer was given and we took off for the following.
Take a lap around the parking lot and circle up for COP
SSH x 20
IW x 20
LSS x 20
Merkins x 10
Merkins x 10
LSS x 20
IW x 20
SSH x 20
Head over to the playground equipment on the track
Rd 1: 5 Pull Ups, 10 Merkins, 10 Squats, then run a lap
Rd 2: 4 Pull Ups, 10 Merkins, 10 Squats, then run a lap
Rd 3: 3 Pull Ups, 10 Merkins, 10 Squats, then run a lap
Rd 4: 2 Pull Ups, 10 Merkins, 10 Squats, then run a lap
Rd 5: 1 Pull Up, 10 Merkins, 10 Squats, then run a lap
Mosey over to the greenway and partner up
P1 runs up hill and back while P2 does called exercise. Flap jack.
Rd 1: Flutter
Rd 2: Dolly
Rd 3: Rosalita
Mosey back to the launch point and partner up
P1 does 10 Merkins, P2 does 10 LBCs
P1 does 9 LBCs, P2 does 9 Merkins
Flap jack decreasing each number by one until done
Moleskin:
· Not much to say this morning other than folks showed up and worked hard. During COP there was a lot of mumble chatter, but not much after that.
· I like the Merkin/LBC flapjack, but really flubbed the description. Everyone got the idea and it went fine once we got going.
· Props to the 3 ruckers (a Peak record?) given the amount of running involved. We didn’t run the entire time, but there was more than normal.
· Geraldo and Zombie pre-rucked and still wanted to lug those things around for the workout as well.
· Thanks to Nomad and Slim Fast for the pre-run. Good times as always.
· Today is Pearl Harbor day, so please take time to remember our military, especially those who will not be home for the holidays. They are off in a foreign land doing what they do so we can stay home and do what we do. As Nomad put it in the takeout, they protect us so we can come out and do crazy stuff in safety.
· Excellent takeout by Nomad, where both our military and the focus we should have on the reason for the Christmas season was explained. We are all very blessed.
Announcements:
· F3 South Charlotte party tomorrow night at Seaboard’s in Matthews. There is a good chance if you show up w/ $40 you can still crash the party.
· Joe Davis run is on 1/6/18. If you have not signed up, why in the world not?