When YHC first posted TheBrave it was to support old man Tolkien and his Muthaship AMRAP workout. Lets be honest, I’ve been called sadistic from time to time and that sounded painful… it was. After that epic beatdown I knew I had found an AO which would stretch PAX and make them stronger. Naturally when ThinMint offered up a spot on the Q schedule YHC began to scheme. How does one live up to the title of “toughest damn AO in south town?” This is what was devised:
THE THANG:
At the stroke of 0615 (and no we didn’t wait for Frehley’s to exit his vehicle after he came in hot during the last 20 seconds of 0614) a mosey commenced off into the gloom. Headed to the nearest corporate lot where we had a COP:
25 SSH, 20 IW, 10 Merkins, hold plank, 15 Mtn Climbers, hold plank, 10 Peter Parkers, hold plank, 10 Parker Peters, 6 inches.
Thus warmed up the pax continued to mosey down past Duckworths to the light and hung 3 rights, returning to launch point (remember that circuit as we’ll be revisiting it.) The Pax were divided into two crews and party favors were distributed. YHC brought;
2X 20kg Bumper Plates, 2X 25 kg Olympic style plates, 2x 60 lbs sandbags, 2x 40 lbs slam balls, 2x 20 lbs slam balls.
Each group gathered one of each party favor and prepared to sweat. Format was simple, run the aforementioned .5 mile circuit carrying the party favors (unweighted runners ran catch me if you cans with 5 burpees each time they reached the weighted runners.) 1s headed clockwise, 2s headed counter clockwise. Upon returning to the vine those who ran without weights did more burpees, those who ran with weights did the following:
Bumper Plate = Chest to plate merkin, stand and lift plate to chest, repeat 5x
40 lbs slamball = squat throw 10x
20 lbs slamball = ball-over pushups
Olympic plate = Merkins on the plate standing vertical (hold rim of the plate in vertical orientation, more of a balance move) X10
Sandbag = Standing straight-leg rows
After above set completed all pax run an un weighted lap and repeat above set. Upon completion of two laps as above, un-weighted runners get weights and repeato. The PAX managed 3.5 rotations (except ThinMint and Mario who, refusing to leave things unfinished, ran their last unweighted .5 miles)
Moleskin:
Based on the count of grumbles, mumbles curses and “I hate you flipper” comments received during the course of the workout, YHC’s goal of breaking the suffer barrier was well achieved. This was a tough one, even by the sadistic standards of ye olde angry dolphin, yet the PAX as ever rose to the challenge. As always we were all completed embarrassed by the strength and speed demonstrated by ThinMint and Haggis. Clearly genetics are unfair giving those two maniacs that much speed AND strength. For me it is always so gratifying to see tired smiles at the end of a Q and today was no exception. It was my extreme honor to lead, and YHC hopes to be allowed back again soon. Next up one of you SOBs need to come Q RockZero so the best damn AO in all of A51 can get a taste of the ferocity which seems to be on tap every Friday in SOBland!
Announcements:
Sign up for Savage Race and e-mail Goonie/Poptart with your 4 man team information. Dont forget to sign up under team “F3 Nation” when signing up on the website.
Consider contributing to “Operation House Rescue” which is what YHC is calling an effort being lead by Transporter out of union county. On presidents day he’ll be working with any contributing PAX to help rescue a home for a local family, reach out to him for more details.
I’m happy to confirm 14 PAX showed up for a Friday bootcamp at Covenant Day this am. Since I now understand the #51counts should only come AFTER the workout, rest assured for 14 motivated souls, the world is a better place. And with a thorough disclaimer, off we went…
THANG: Mosey to parking lot for COP n the parking lot, SSH x 20, 10 merkins, IW x 20, 10 merkins, Mtn Climbers x 20. Mosey across Fullwood into new neighborhood. Partner up, each runs opposite direction of the big outer loop, meet up for 10 handslap merkins, continue around and do 10 deep squats. Repeat x3. Mosey back over to new field at Covenant Day. Run 7’s with burpees on far end and plank jack on near end. Plank up for group. Mosey across campus to far East side. Triple nickel with derkins (feet up on wall) x 5 run across field, 5 squats, then back x 5. Mosey out of campus then AYG crossing the street and back to the cars for some Mary; Freddy Mercury, Flutter and LBC x 15 each. Done.
MOLESKIN: Pretty basic bootcamp today. Had a little confusion by half the PAX as to which outer loop to run in the new neighborhood. All good though. Lots of new manhole covers and some thick mud to deal with. YHC called an audible to the field to help clean everyone’s shoes. Great group, not too much chatter, we kept moving for 45 minutes. YHC took us out in prayer.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Check out iTunes F3 podcast today at 11:30am as Witch Doctor is talking about nutrition. Having been the recipient of his prescriptions and advice at BRR last year, I think you should listen. Reminder to be sure to check with a site Q if you’re leading a workout and plan to attend a location on a different day than normal as these schools and churches are usually only aware of our presence on specific days and times.
Thank you everyone for coming out this morning and have a great weekend.
18 came out of their holes like groundhogs and moved a lot! Thanks for the bday wishes (43 for me). Great to see some familiar faces return after hiatus. (CableGuy, CrabCake)
Disclaimer given.
Warm up was running around including butt kicks, side side, backward etc.
Circle up had SS Hop, Peter Parker, Merkin, Mtn Climber, LBC, ImperialSqualWalker, Windmill.
5 Burpees OYO (did that a few times to help McGee get his 100…)
Back of Target, partner up. Each speed bump (6) do 10 Hand Slap Merk and each partner does 10 Leg/Ab throws. Plank at end.
Grass hill: bottom 7 Carolina Dry Docks, Bear Crawl Up, 7 Squats at top, back down (x3)
Mosey to St Matthew (10 speed bumps). 4 Burpees at first bump, 3 Broad Jumps at next one (repeat all the way around 10 bumps). Plank.
Mosey to Stonecrest fountains walls, partner up. 1 does 20 dips, 2 does 20 LBC (flap jack), run around building (x2).
1 does 20 Derkins, 2 does Burpees (flap jack), run around building (x2).
Mosey to base for Mary: Heals x12, MicCheck called Russian Twist x12, MorningAfter called Russian Twist c12 again, then McGee given ownership of final minute called Jack Knife then Burpee finish.
Moleskin:
Fun morning. I slept absolutely terribly but was energized by the opportunity to bday Q. Smiles all around to see returns of Cable Guy (“you remember me?!”) Crab Cake, 777 after way too long. Escobar sprinted strait from the car to our warmups, nice timing! Kudos to Heartbreaker who braved limit sleep and several high octane brews with Beaker (who fartsacked but blamed it on newborn baby not beer). Extra juice out there with McGee forging ahead so hard, lots of extra effort and emotion, prayers and support for him. TagAlong goes all out, glad we kept him from running away. Awesome take out from Mic Check- much appreciated. Loogie and Torpedo-would love you as my O-Line back in the day (that’s a complement). Long Haul should be called “fast haul”. Snookie needs to Q soon – new baby excuse only lasts so long. ToolBag is becoming a real regular and it shows-awesome. Goonie kept referencing sadistic Outback’s Q yesterday but forged ahead. Frito, no way he’s 50+, need to card him. MorningAfter – always going hard, rarely a word, but great presence. Chopper, we knew we had met before and figured it out by the end, work/industry circles…small world.
When cleaning up at the Y saw RockThrill who was so appreciative of the Joe Davis participants.
Announcements:
Savage Race-Adventure race in Concord, lots of F3 teams needed (Goonie)
Awesome takeout MicCheck.
Honor to lead, great crew, awesome way to kick off bday!!
So, it’s been a few days, but I’m pretty sure 11 dudes showed up, and I know we spent time on the baseball field and on a really dark street, and this is probably close to the rest of it:
COP in main lot, respecting the natural circle that #DMZ pax always form at 0528: SSH x20, plank jack x15, seal jack x15, squat jumps x15, mericans x15
Mosey through Carmel Rd Park, and to the immaculately-maintained baseball field that Hannibal somehow didn’t even realize existed. Divide into 3rds for 10 sumo squats jumps at 2nd base, 5 pull ups at the 1st base dugout, and 5 at the 3rd base dugout. Marvel at the Pax’s ability to do pull ups using the shingled roof of a baseball dugout. Thanks Titan for the inspiration, probably 4 years ago. Repeato until the Q calls time.
Repeato, but with dips at the dugouts, until Q calls time.
Head over to #@Church @CharlotteCLT, cross Colony. Think we’re turning right on Tufton Brae for a brief COP in the cul-de-sac before heading to Mill Pond for the #MainEvent. Quickly realize the road is going on, and on. Stop at the end, where it changes names and doglegs left, for COP: wide-arms, flutter, Michael phelps. Ask someone if this road ever ends; One Eye says yes, and he seems trustworthy, so we head left in search of the end.
Find the end. Learn later that road is called Loch Lane. COP of something down there, then run back to the midway point. AYG back to the end, with 5 burpees at the start and finish. Return to the end of the Loch, with 5 burpees at each driveway on the right. Turns out there aren’t many, so that was easy. Return with 5 hand-release mericans at each driveway on the right (new right). There are more, so it’s not as easy.
Regroup for COP: diamonds (yes, Orlando, the index fingers and the thumbs are supposed to touch), Boone left and Right, and more squats. Mosey out, head south (!) on Carmel, to find Tufton Brae and prove YHC isn’t insane. He’s not, and the street is even shorter than he thought. COP with something I can’t remember.
Head home, stopping for some People’s Chair and air presses at @#C@@#%%Clt#NC, then back to the sandlot for 5 pull ups and 10 jumping lunges. AYG back to base. 2.4 miles.
Thanks for the keys, OneEye. My glutes were still sore on Wednesday, which suggests we did more squats than usual. Or that I have a weak ass. Or both.
Jamboree, I hope you thawed out eventually, though I doubt you would have admitted you were cold.
NEXT WEEK FAST TWITCH WILL MEET AT CALVARY CHURCH at 0515
Park above Entrance 3 where you park for Anvil. Do not post at South Charlotte MS
Sixfold Anvil Challenge
Start at 0515
Top of Entrance 4: 20 Carolina Dry Docks.
Run to CHAMPS Pavilion: 10 Jump Up/10 Dips/10 Derkins
Run to Traffic Circle Island above Entrance 2: 15 Jump Squats
Run to the bottom of Entrance 3: 5 Hand-Release Burpees
Run back to the Top of Entrance 4. Repeat until 0615.
Approximate length is 1.2 miles
Challenge is 6 repetitions. Return to cars for COT at 0615.
YHC Q’d FT 11/15/2016. Read backblast HERE. The loop is modified slightly from 11/15/2016. We ran it twice last time. First was introductory. 2nd was AYG. It hurt. YHC noted in the backblast that the Challenge would be issued when the opportunity presented itself. Opportunity presented in the form of a FT Q invitation from Haze. YHC spoke with security at Calvary as this is not a scheduled workout (Wednesday or Saturday).
Proper form is the expectation for exercises.
Can you make it through 6 repetitions of the Anvil?
7 PAX showed up even though Goodfella pre-warned them about the merkin party. Tapping on your front shoulders should bring instant flashbacks to this mornings workout.
THE THANG:
A long mosey to the rock pile (lunge walk across bridge). SSH x 25, Merkin Ladder x 55, Squat x 20, IW x 25.
Grab a running; I mean lifting rock and partner up. Partner 1 run with the rock / Partner 2 does 3 burpees and catches P1. Flap jack until 2 laps are completed. Catching Hollywood is plain awful.
Mosey to half wall (bear crawl across bridge) : Dips x 25, Decline Merkin Ladders x 15, Dips x 15, Incline Merkin Ladders x 55
Mosey to block pile: Partner 1 run with 2 blocks / Partner 2 does 3 burpees and catches P1. Flap jack until 1 lap in completed. Block Triceps Extensions x 12, Un-even Merking Ladders: Left Side x 15 and Right Side x 15.
Mosey back to start for peoples chair combined with bear crawls.
Finish off with a quick round of merry.
We did a bunch of running with weighted objects and the group did a great job staying together.
Groundhogs are not usually indigenous at such high altitudes… but given the festivities of a day such as Groundhog’s Day… the excitement couldn’t be contained!! 27 bleary-eyed PAX shunned the comforts of their beds to join in the festivities… and after a sincere disclaimer, here is how it went down:
The Thang
Mosey to bus parking lot for COP:
SSH x20
Merkins x10
Low Slow Squat x20
Imperial Walker x20
Mountain Climbers x15
Miscellaneous Planking
Mosey to playground, and line up in two STRAIGHT lines behind Beaver and Sensei…. the Principal of Matthews Elementary would have suspended everyone of you… but I digress.
Partner with the hog across from you. With your partner, do:
Mosey to the bus parking lot for some grinders… not the sandwiches… the exercises! Split up into teams/groups of 5 x 5… again some were math-challenged by the advanced calculations… but I don’t think we lost anyone! Next time we will allow calculators!
P1 – LBC’s
P2 – Step-ups
P3 – Incline Merkins
P4 – Dips
P5 – Runner from P1 to P2… then P2 runs and P5 does step-ups…
Everyone did every exercise 2 times… because it’s Groundhog’s Day 2/2!!! Get it??
Mosey back to parking lot… are we done? Are we circling up??
No… YHC disclaimed again, and we mosey’d back to the bus parking lot for a COP replay (only we ran out of time… )
SSH x20
Merkins x10
Low Slow Squats x20
Out of time!! Back to parking lot for COT.
Moleskine
Ok… parts were lame… I wanted to have a little fun with Groundhog’s Day… which is one of my all-time favorite movies. Hopefully everyone got a good full-body workout, and as I always like to demonstrate… it doesn’t take a gym membership to get a good workout. Just some good exercises and all of sudden you’ve worked out for 45-minutes!
I also really like the partner exercises like the over/under stuff… that was highlighted by the Sonny and Cher rendition of “I Got You Babe”, played twice for total annoyance maximization!
Great to have Elrod back out with us from his premier last week! Great stuff out there!! Keep coming back!
Also great to have Sheldon join us on loan from Columbia, and One Man Band, who was christened in Greenville. OMB also gets t-claps for running in/out from down the street near the baseball fields. Very strong! Come join us for the pre-run!!
Great to have a few other new faces… Bonhoffer and Beaver… you guys aren’t regulars, but AWESOME to have you join us!
Kotters to Lamont!
Geraldo gets props for bringing the ruck, then expertly transferring it to Smokey midway through the workout!
Announcements
1. Sign-up to Q… see Sensei or Booyah
2. Sign-up for BRR in September… see Slim Fast
3. Ronald McDonald House volunteer activity over President’s Day weekend
4. Richard Shelter run April 29.
Pele let us know that his wife is 2 years cancer-free today! Amen! Thanks for the take out prayer from Little Mike!
21 PAX showed up even though a “fun and different” workout “with cones” was posted. Since no many of those things happened, including no “400/4” (whatever that is), it seemed like the workout was a loss, until later in the day and the next morning when it became apparent the workout definitely left a dent.
The THANG:
The Moleskin:
Announcements:
10 Pax chose to take on the beast known as Hydra this am.
Short Disclaimer provided – all regulars – so everyone knew what to expect, or so they thought.
Quick jog around the school to get the blood flowing – then head to the small field
COP
SSH x 15 in cadence
IW x 15 in cadence
Low Slow Squats x 10
Slow Merkins x 10
Mosey to concession stand area
The Thang
Round 1 ( 3 x )
10 Jump Ups
10 Dips
10 Derkins
Round 2 (3 x)
Split Squats x 10
10 skull crushers
10 wide merkins
Round 3 (3 x)
10 hovercraft squats – Hops get the credit.
10 Diamond merkins
10 CDD
Playground – 5 minute AMRAP
5 pull ups
10 merkins
15 squats
Six Minutes of Mary – actually 5
Protractor – lost count
Flutter x 20 in cadence
Dolly x 30 in cadence – waiting for everyone to count before calling it.
Done
NMM
Dusted this one off and brought it back out. Every now and again, its good to get a full body beat down without the pounding of all the running we normally do. It shows you can get a pretty solid workout without moving from one spot.
Lots of chatter out there (Harley) but also lots of work going on. YHC thinks Arena and Marge talked the entire time – guess next time YHC needs to make it tougher.
Queen, Deep Dish, and Jet Fuel were putting in some hard work – granted the taller folk have a hard time with these low benches when doing the split squats and hover crafts.
Haze (Kotters), Hops were keeping YHC company, while Good Hands and Harley were trying their best to ignore the Q.
Solid work by all – thanks for the chance to lead – it is an honor and privilege.
HOPS – thanks for the solid takeout.
Keep McGee and Lorax in your prayers.
Announcements
Area 51 HH this Friday – Rusty Onion – 4pm ish.
Champagne Out.
At least 24 PAX posted at the Swift workout today to find out if the wind breeze, hill rise, bikers with spotlights tomatoes with torches, cars distractions, cold air cool temps, or free Lululemon shirts performance run gear could slow them down from running 6 consistent 3minute intervals at a Hard effort.
The THANG: check the PreBlast, pretty much what we did and why –
http://f3nation.com/2017/01/30/preblast-landing-strip-intervals/
The Moleskin:
SYITG,
Bratwurst