Typically, I’ve put announcements at the end of the backblast but in this case I definitely have an important one to put front and center. Transporter and the Union County PAX have been working to restore a house in Union County. The house is home to her daughter and 2 other grandchildren that she is supporting. She lost her husband recently and has also taken in a man that has been struggling. Her house is sinking into the ground and in need of major restructuring and remodeling. Transporter has put together a Go Fund Me Page and a Sign up Genie Volunteer page and is asking for support in the form of monetary contributions or labor. Visit the links below for more information on the project and TCLAPS to Transporter and the Union County crew for their work on this.
https://www.gofundme.com/debbies-house-improvement
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/409094eafaf2dabfa7-f3debbies
YHC was under direct order from the pregnant M to remove everything from the garage that I have not used recently. 6 buckets filled with rocks, sand, plate weights and probably mouse feces stuck out like a sore thumb and were on the chopping block for disposal, because Goodwill doesn’t have a GEAR aka PROP section yet. Quick on my feet, “I am using these Friday for my Brave Q! BOOM” Puzzled face and eye roll but I was in the clear to keep them, atleast for now.
Pre-run with Argonaut (dude has been all over the pre-runs before every AO) for a solid 1.1 and saw Triple 7 getting after it for some Pre-Brave miles (this dude has also been racking up some serious mileage)
Warm-up
AMRAP Thang Time
YHC had staged 6 buckets filled with rocks, sand, plate weight and mouse feces in a dark place. Veteran in security dealings, Fire Hazard; advised we stay away from using buckets on the main drive that runs into the putting green. Crisis averted, security problem resolved as we moved over to the lot.
1 lap around the Bull Ring and do all of the exercises below. Each subsequent lap around the Bull Ring repeato all the exercises below subtracting one exercise after each lap (moving from 8 to 1, ending the last lap with just the bucket carry/back pedal.
*Caveat, the below exercises can be done anywhere on the loop around the Bull Ring.
6:10, leave the buckets YHC will be back to get them (MISTAKE…) and mosey back to COT. COT was going great with Name-o-rama and getting ready to name an FNG until…Our man, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) pulls up to let us know he has found our “Props” and reinforce that he does not like “Props”….officially killing “Props”.
Moleskin
Our Security Officer friend calling the Gear “Props” reminded me of Ted from Billy Madison calling the Sh*t “Poop”. C’mon man…But, in all seriousness we are very lucky to have the access that we do to the AO’s and properties that we do and need to work within their guidelines to ensure that our presence is tolerated and welcomed. Therefore, it has being asked that Gear…props…no longer be used in any of the Ballantyne corporate areas/lots/decks etc and that we keep these items on the running trail areas only. Thanks Madame Tussauds and Fire Hazard for pointing this out and posting on Slack.
Strong work from the group of men this morning. Fahvra surprised us all by leading the pack and I didn’t confirm whether he actually completed all of the laps but my money is that he did. Mario and Soft Pretzel also pushed hard and were killing it at the front of the pack.
TCLAPS to Transporter for:
Also, mad props (no pun intended) to Pearl Jam for hanging tough and having the stones to make The Brave workout numero uno.
More props being handed out to Argonaut, MT and others for leading some Mary as YHC and Fire Hazard rounded up PAX at the end.
Appreciate Bus Boy and Big Tuna switching it up from Centurion this week and joining YHC. Although they probably saw Thin Mint on the schedule and figured that his 45min would be tougher than YHCs
Fire Hazard, appreciate you going to pick up the Gear (props) in an effort to help mend our relations with the Chief Security Officer (CSO).
As I mentioned, great work gents always and honor to lead. Keep getting after it! SYITG
Over and Out
-General
(Tuck don’t even think about it)
Evidently 13 Patriots charged through South Charlotte with Old Glory held high at RockZero, one of the best AOs in the region. Here’s what I mean by that….
With two shovel flags present – RockZero’s trusty steed and a The Big House’s shovel flag making a guest appearance – A through disclaimer and Clif’s Notes summary of today’s menu commenced, which included the following twist:
The Flags were coming with us. By the end of the hour, each PAX shall have carried it at least once. The only rule was: you cannot pass the Flag to someone else; someone else must step up to take it from you. #Leadership
COP
SSH X 30 (or 10 more than Gummy was comfortable with)
Mountain Climbers X 20
Low slow Merkin X 15
IWs X 20
The Thang
Mosey to the library for something I called “The Man-o-Pede”..or…after looking at it….another sequel to those human centipede movies. The idea was to have an “indian run” but with planks and sprints all the way back to the flags.
With that, the PAX set off on a 3.2 mile run in the Rea Road/Raintree/Piper Glen neighborhoods, with men stepping up to take the flag from each other at various points along the way. The PAX were to hold for the six at each turn in the neighborhood with varying forms of Mary and planks.
Upon return to campus, continue running up to rock pile, grab a lifting rock. Plant shovel flags. (evidently the PAX in charge of planting the flags thought that the blades of grass would keep the shovel flags upright?)
20 triple-lindy’s with the rock (bicep curl, transition to shoulder press, transition to tricep extension = 1)….Cue Gummy who informed the PAX that a true triple lindy involves a dive as well….so be it! (bicep curl, transition to shoulder press, transition to tricep extension, put the rock down, do a burpee = 1) Gummy made friends today.
Mosey back to parking lot for 2 minutes of Mary. Fin.
TClaps to Gummy for the send-off.
Moleskin
Announcements
Can’t believe it has been a year since YHC was EH’d by the SOG (Screech Owl Gang). Much appreciation for all the PAX that have pushed and pulled YHC along. Grabbing the Q today was easy to give back and take a trip down memory lane . . .
Pulling into the lot, dissappointed not to see Dirty Bird “Rise Up” as there needed to be some words exchanged.
Warmup
1 “year anniversary” lap
COP
Disclaimer – 1 year does not make a professional
SSH x 36
Burpees x 5
IW x 36
Burpees x 5
MC x 36
Burpees x 5
Flutter x 36
Burpees x 5
THE THANG
Now that PAX are starting to catch on, we continue with the 3-6-5 theme
Mosey down sidewalk
36 reps at the 5 cones for MADAP
Merkins
American Hammers
Dry Docks
Air Presses in Air Chair
Patriot Plank Jacks (on your FIVE fingertips)
Plank Work and then Rinse and Repeat
Some Mary and then head to “Transporter’s house” for some wall work
AP x 36
Mike Tyson x 5
Jabs x 36
PATRiOT Mike Tyson x 5
Partner up and get a lifting rock, err, running rock. Goodfella thought I said “Frack rock” apparently.
CMIYC
P1 runs backwards with rock
P2 does 3 Burpees and catches P1 to flapjack
Mosey to front of school
Dips x 36
Decline Merkins x 5
Rinse and Repeat
Mosey to start for some Mary and COT
MOLESKINE
PAX are like the Patriots . . . wicked smaht. They figured out the theme real quick. Not a lot of idle chatter so hopefully that meant some work was being done. Couple snide remarks about the Patriots but just jealousy. Couple snide remarks about the lifting rocks but just jealousy of Goodfella’s boulder.
Announcements:
Debbie’s house project is happening Pres Day weekend. Lots of opportunities to pitch in: Money, Time, Materials, Food, etc. More info to come from Transporter, Shop Dawg, and Troylette. Nice job leading this fellas.
Welcome Tiny Dancer!! I can’t say that name without remembering Elton John, 1984 at Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX… opened with that song… last tour with Dee Murray before he died… plus Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone…. the quintessential Elton John lineup!
I digress…
9 Goats gathered this morning to mock the Arctic air mass and increase our heart rates, breathing rates and mileage!
Retread, Goonie and Tiny Dancer all made the mistake of showing up early at 0500 and were commandeered by YHC to do a pre-run for a running workout… yes, it is definitely an oxymoron!
Once back to the parking lot, we were joined by the other goats, and having been disclaimed, we proceeded to do the following:
Moleskine
I need to start by announcing that Retread has agreed to transition to be the co-site Q for Mountain Goat. He is perfect for the role, and I can’t wait to partner with him on running the site.
And of course that means Strange Brew is going to transition out of the co-site Q role. I can’t thank him enough for all of the input, patience, commitment, and servant leadership! The site wouldn’t have gotten to where it has without his leadership. Thank you, brother!!
Welcome to Tiny Dancer as mentioned above! He came with Goonie, and is a recent transplant to NC from NYC. This is his 3rd workout ever… and 3rd this week! We want you to keep coming back… great work out there!
Also, welcome to Marlin who I think is a site-FNG today! Great to have you join us… please come back! We’ll hold that BRR spot for you!! 🙂
Retread, The Mouth, Tweetsie, Lois, and Insomniac.. you guys are awesome!
Lots of mumblechatter about Elton John during the warm-up run… with occasional lobs to The Mouth for poignant comments!
I also took a lot of grief for the Strides…. which were commented to be spelled Straaaaahighyeds… which is very discriminatory towards my Texas accent. Plus, since they were coined by Jack Daniels… there was only one place you could go with that one!!! So we will get better at Straaaahighyeds…. I’ll get better at saying them, and the Goats will get better at running them!
Announcements:
Thanks for the prayer from Tweetsie.
several got 2 miles for pre-run
Disclaimer in detail
off and running…warm-up-o-rama…off and running…dip circuit…off and running…lunge medley…off and running…ABLAB…off and running…merkin melody…off and running…peoples donkey balls melody…off and running
Prayer and Praise
COT and BOM
Naked Man:
~great to back
~no 1-Niner and his KT tape
~Ringer is still fit
~Fire Hazard is an over achiever
~Kirby is funny = quality #chatter
~The Sauerkraut Kielbasa are the new “dynamic duo”
~General kept his sleeves on for the full workout
~Bounty still hates running…
~Birdcage has the 2nd most miles on his P200 Team = who thinks they aren’t a runner?
~Ringer thank you for the invite
~appreciate the 2nd F at breakfast
Be a better man today than you were yesterday,
AYE!
CSPAN
Rhapsody took the lead today and for some reason decided not to do any Freddy Mercury’s. Seems like a crime. I’d like him to make up an exercise called “Fat Bottomed Girls”……I can already see you guys creating ideas in your head…sickos.
Okay fine, here is my idea – Monkey Humpers where your butt has to touch a bench each time you squat.
Rhapsody also avoided any Imperial Walkers…good call. For the record, I vote to re-name those “10 counts”.
First, the guy had pleurisy, a disease typically diagnosed to 90 year old women born in the early 1860’s, this almost killed him but instead just took 1/2 of his lung. Then just a few weeks ago his appendix reminded him that it serves no purpose and forced its way out. His tonsils, wisdom teeth, gall bladder and tail are next.
Fortunately, in between surgeries he made a guest appearance as a Q for the first time in a loooong time.
What we did…
Warmup
Pick up a paver out of his truck and start running…
Quick run down to lower lot – SSH, pick up paver
Run down to circle, Merkins in cadence
Run to new school lot – lunge walk with paver to middle of lot
Next…
Run up to Covenant Church Lane – cross the street
Run downhill and do increasing burpees at each driveway on the right (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Run back up the hill and do the same thing
Then…
Head over to the soccer field…whoops….sprinklers were on. Take a U turn and go to the gravel lot…
Line up and do squat presses with the paver (30 OYO)
Bear crawl to pole and crab walk back
On your stomach – sprint to building and back
Squat presses again (30 OYO)
Bear crawl to pole and reverse bear crawl back
On your stomach – sprint to building and back
Tricept presses (30 OYO)
Bear crawl to pole and reverse bear crawl back
On your stomach – sprint to building and back
Several more sprints took place at this point…
Go over to the fence – 12 burpee/paver presses – pretty hard modification of a burpee
Run back over to neighborhood –
Run down hill – increased squat jumps at each driveway on the way down (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Run up hill – increased burpees on the way up (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
At this point my back had given out and I was so far behind the PAX I’m not really sure what happened in the last 5 mintues. When I came upon the field I heard a lot of heavy breathing, Rhapsody encouring the guys to keep pushing and something about more burpees. The faces of most of the guys told me that it was hard.
Moleskine:
In general it seemed that Lex was the one pushing to the front of the PAX today. After training with his 30lb backpack for several weeks he now feels like a little girl running in the wind.
Horsehead had flashbacks to his broken arm as we ran into the Warner field gloom. Those unsuspecting trip wires could be anywhere. Oh yea, he did a pre-run…or pre-crap depending on how long he spent on the road vs. the port-a-jon. We’ll still give him the extra credit.
Rhapsody took the lead and took us out in prayer.
Despite the cooler temps, we had a strong showing of 18 at Joust this morning, including a 17 year old FNG (Gunnar). It was cold, so off we went after the disclaimer. Here’s what we did:
Warmarama:
Head to Center of the field for warm up
Ssh x20 IC
Merkinx25 IC
Iwx20 IC
Squat x20 IC
Take a Lap around the track
Partner up and Head to the top of stands
P1 10 pull up 10 Hanging Knee Ups – Run around press box up stairs
P2 30 dips 30 incline 30 sit-ups
Flapjack x 3 rounds
Take a Lap around the track
Stop at the base of the Hill
10 diamond Merkins on bottom – 20 lbcs on top x 5 rounds
Plankarama
Take a Lap around the track
Stop at the Bottom Bleacher for some Leg work
20 step ups each leg – 20 Bench squat
Run up stairs and around press box 20 wide arm merkins
X3 rounds
Inverted plankara on Bleacher
Take a lap around the Track
Head back to the lot for 30 Flutters IC
Time is up.
Announcements:
Charlotte Eagles Youth Soccer Club – Meeting to raise awareness 2/22 7-9 at Tiger Rags Place evite link provided below
http://evite.me/y15SYwnurq
Moleskin:
Perfect morning to keep the pax moving around to avoid frostbite as temps were in the upper 20’s at the start. It warmed up quite nicely by the end. Puddin kept me in check during the warmup – counting each and every cadence count. Hopefully everyone got a little something out this morning. Great group of regulars and a few new faces. Joust is a great campus – almost need more than 45 minutes to take advantage of everything there is to offer. That hill alone could occupy half a workout. Got a couple miles in and plenty of merkins. Should have some sore legs later courtesy of hills, stairs, and step ups. Gotta break down to get stronger. Best wishes and safe travels to ChinMusic as he launches for a weeklong mission trip to spread the good word. Great Take out this morning by Busch, thank you for lifting us all up in prayer – much appreciated.
Last time YHC Qed Centurion, it was the day after Thanksgiving and ended up being a workout of 1. Today, we had a 2,800% increase in PAX with a whopping 29, including 6 respects and 1 wannabe respect (Hops). Watch struck 5:30 (as Run Stopper peeled into the lot) and off we went.
Thang
Moleskin
I showed up early today to feel out the AO and found Champagne, Paper Jam and Van Pelt heading out for a little pre-run. Champagne quickly inspected the truck for plates or other items of torture, but today’s plan called for the classics. They can hurt just as much.
Definite grumbles after the merkin/wide-arm merkin/low plank jack combo. Hopefully the grumbles drowned out the sound of my voice cracking on the count in the last few reps. Four corners instructions likely could have been clearer or less complicated. Saw many combinations of merkins/HR merkins/headbobs as well as squats/jump squats/whatever Paper Jam was doing. It’s no secret that YHC usually love burpees. Hated them today though, so I can only imagine how Ickey Shuffle those of you who don’t like them must feel.
Great effort all around today. Rachel, unsurprisingly, led the way through just about everything. Unlike Chelms, he also shows impeccable form on the exercises. Word has it Rachel has his VQ on 3/31 at Centurion. If that’s true, rest on Wednesday and Thursday and then get out and try to survive support him.
Mermaid, Alf, Bout Time, Brilleaux and a few others out front in the deck as well pushing the pace. Thanks for the help leading mary/planks while I sucked wind. Great to meet BoG and Flutie — heard talk of you guys (mostly good) and was great to put faces to the names. T-claps to Fredo, Toolbag, Hops and Paper Jam who showed up today after attending YHC’s somewhat burpee-heavy Q at Bagpipe on Tuesday. Might need to work on my variety. (Probably not going to happen).
For any of you looking for a little more, I would highly recommend attending The Stand (or any 3F for that matter) at Panera right after Centurion. Great discussion every week and a great way to get to know some guys, as well as yourself, on a deeper level. As much as I love and find incredible value in the workouts and the 2ndF, the 3rdF opportunities have definitely been the most rewarding and impactful on my life outside of F3. We are lucky to have these options and the men who step up to lead them — definitely worth your time (if you have it) to at least check out. See the Announcements for a new 3rd F opportunity launching soon in SOBLand on Wednesday mornings after The Maul.
Swiper on Q next week and Abacus will be joining the rank of the Respects as he turns 50. Come on out to Centurion to suffer celebrate. Appreciate the turnout today, it was an honor to lead.
Announcements
The text came from Gummy yesterday morning that Cheese Curd was in a boot and unable to Q at Hydra. He asked which one of Lazy Boy or myself wanted to Q in his place. Before either of us firmly responded, The Accountant told us there was no going back…he had already signed us up.
Hence, he left the fate of 11 men in our hands this morning. It was blustery and dark and temps were dropping quickly. After a quick disclaimer and notice that the pax was getting two Q’s for the price of one, we headed out:
Mosey to opposite side of OPES for 20 SSH (Gummy was quick to note I was already breathing heavy after the SSH….what do you expect, I only had one days notice to get in shape).
Mosey to corner of Windy Rush and Knightswood for 20 IW.
Mosey to Windy Rush and Foxworth for 20 Peter Parker.
At the bottom of Foxworth, we set out for triple nickel. Five squats at the top; Five merkins at the bottom.
Working recovery of 20 Parker Peter.
Indian run back to OPES.
At the benches in the front of the schoolyard, 10 then 15 reps of:
Step-Ups, Derkins, Dips:
Hand off to Lazy Boy:
Partner Up: Pairs work to complete 200 of the following exercises. While one partner does the exercise, the other partner runs around the school:
LBC’s. Merkins, Low Slow Squats
Mosey to back schoolyard: 50 yard sprint, followed by 5 burpees, followed by another 50 yard sprint.
That’s a wrap!
Moleskin:
I love Hydra! Great dudes always show up. Thanks for letting LB and I lead this morning, even if it was under the duress of an old, crotchety Area 51 board member. Items of note I learned today:
Puddin Pop, thanks for taking us out with a prayer!
Hopper and Lazy Boy!
What happens when a site FNG gets to lead? In YHC’s case, he trips and falls flat on his face, non-metaphorically speaking. More on that later……
24 pax knew the greatest Q in the world was leading Peak 51 today woke up bright and early, took a breath of fresh air, and said “damn, I want to go sweat with a bunch of dudes in the gloom.” They chose Peak 51, and sweat was created in the following manner:
Thang
Mosey up to Trade St., hang a right, hang another right into a strip mall parking lot for COP
SSH x 24 IC (YHC’s method of counting the pax for planned weinke)
Merkins x 10
IW x 20
LSS x 15
Mosey down Trade, hang a right on John St. Cross over John when coast is clear, into the Post Office parking lot. Mary while we wait for the six:
Freddy Mercury x 15 IC
Rosalita x 10 en Espanol cadence
Meander on over to the hill for a round of Jacob’s Ladder. Didn’t know if the top was big enough for burpees, so pax did burpees at the bottom, ran up the hill and back down. Started with 1 burpee, went up to seven burpees. Plank when finished. After a few 10-counts, mosey back over John St. turn left to run through the townhomes, back around to the strip mall, with supposed residences on the second floor.
At this point, YHC had probably the most embarassing moment of my F3 life. As we were turning the corner to head to the strip mall, YHC caught a bump in the road and just bit it. Thankfully, the only thing hurt at that point was my dignity and pride #thankslongsocks. T-claps to the pax for not giving me very much crap about it #exceptsmokey. YHC definitely deserved it. It was funny. YHC has a feeling that if that happened at my more routine workouts, I wouldn’t have lived it down for a while. But I digress…..
At this point, “responsible” site-Q’s threw a wrench in the weinke. The plan was to do three-man grinders where the runner runs up the stairs, across the building, and back down. However, YHC was informed that those were residences up there and we shouldn’t mess with the stairs. Well, damn. We did not-as-good grinders across the retail shops in the building, LBCs at one end, tempo merkins at the other #formmatters
Since no stairs were involved, YHC got bored with this rather quickly, so we moseyed to the little track to finish off the morning. Did some prolonged protractor while we waited on the six. Partner up, P1 runs, P2 does called exercise.
Round 1 – squats
Round 2 – CDDs
Mary: Flutter, Dolly, American Hammer, Heels 2 Heaven, Box Cutters
Mosey back to launch, and we’re done.
Skinny
Big thanks to Booyah and Sensei for having me out. It was a lot of fun Qing a site I had never posted at. Supposedly, they’ve never used the hill by the post office – hopefully it will get into the regular rotation. It’s not huge, but it will do the trick for a moderate workout. Hopefully they’ll have me back out again sometime.
Burpees at the beginning are always effective in getting the heart rate up and warming up. Grinders would have been better with the stairs, but hopefully they kept the HR up for most pax. The little track was a nice quick loop, right up until the backstretch when it was a bit uphill and dead into the wind. Altogether, it was a pretty simple weinke, but hopefully all pax got their money’s worth.
Booyah and Sensei run a great show. Excellent turnout and everyone was really supporting one another – the definition of what F3 is. Keep up the great work, gentlemen. Thanks, again, for turning the keys over this morning.
Little Mike with the inspirational takeout.
Announcements:
Keep Fix-it-Felix’s friend in your prayers as he is dealing with a cancer issue
Richard Sheltra race in Pineville on April 29
Savage Race on May 13th in Concord. Area 51, SOBs, and surrounding regions are supporting this CSAUP in lieu of the Columbia mud run.