Back To School Special

Back To School Special

19 men, including FNG Soprano assembled in the parking lot of Matthews Elementary this morning to get in some good work.  Since it is the first week for CMS and some folks are starting to taper for BRR, YHC wasn’t sure how many PAX we would get.  19 is a good number.  Once the disclaimer was given, we did the following.

Mosey around the front of FBC to the side parking lot and circle up for COP
SSH x 20
IW x 20
Merkin x 10
LSS x 20
Burp & Merk x 5

Mosey over to the low wall for circuit work
Incline Merkins x 10
Dips x 15
Step Ups x 10 (each leg)
Decline Merkins x 10
Dips x 15
Step Ups x 10 (each leg)
Wide Arm Merkins x 10
Dips x 15
Step Ups x 10 (each leg)

Mosey over to the greenway and partner up at the bottom of the hill. Partner 1 does called exercise while partner 2 runs to top of hill and back.  Flap jack.
Round 1 – Flutter
Round 2 – Dolly
Round 3 – Freddie Mercury

Mosey to the front of the school and partner up. Partner 1 does 10 Merkins while Partner 2 does 10 LBCs.  Flap Jack when done.
Repeato counting down from 10 to 1 for each partner.
Mosey over to the side parking lot for some sprints.  AYG to one end and recovery jog back.
Repeato x 4

Moleskin:
Great work out there today.  I wanted this to be a good mix of upper and lower body for those of us who are starting to taper for BRR.  I for one am starting to notice a slight reduction in the humidity and it is much appreciated.

I’ll drop by the school today and apologize for the smelly sweat angels we left at the front door of the school.  Hopefully we will not hear about unexplained sicknesses at Matthews Elementary on the news tonight.

Welcome to FNG Soprano.  Hope to see you again next week.  There are several new faces making appearances at Peak lately, and they keep coming back.  Keep’em coming.

Blue Tiger pulled up right at the end of the workout.  Hope it is nothing serious and that we will see you back soon.

Thanks for the takeout by Jello.

Chime in with any other mumble chatter.

Fat Camp BB: A Tribute to the Site-Q’s

A Tribute to F3 Leaders

After taking it easy during most of the workouts for the past month or two (MAF’fing it), YHC decided to honor both of the site-Q’s, Pebbles & Mario, who are tough as they come, by throwing down one of the hardest workouts YHC could put together at their site. You can always count on Pebbles to step up and Q a strong workout at a number of locations week-in and week-out, and he has been the face of F3 Indian Land for some time now. Pebbles challenges others to give their best effort during workouts, leading by example, and you always see him competing at the front of the pack. He has revived the Black Diamond workout, helped start Fat Camp, and challenged PAX from several regions to test their boundaries for several years now in The Gladiator Games (which may or may not be skewed to his strengths).  We need more leaders like Pebbles in F3, we just prefer they don’t stare down the PAX with crazy eyes, to keep men coming back to the workouts.

Mario might just be the youngest SOB despite turning 25yrs old, but if you were to measure leadership by age, Mario would be a RESPECT.  I looked up what it means to be a Leader in the F3 Dictionary and here’s what I got:

A leader shows up to an F3 Dads Workout without being a dad and plays with so many 2.0s that an FNG might think you’re the father of more kids than Antonio Cromartie (13 known 2.0s). A leader steps up to be an active site-Q for multiple AO’s The Brave, Fat Camp, and F3HotTubs. A leader volunteers to manage the never ending Twitter responsibilities for SOB workouts while having a full-time job and full-time grad school.  A leader doesn’t just sign up for the Whetstone Mentorship Project but coordinates and markets the program so heavily because he sees that other men can and should strengthen each other, and acts as a mentor or mentee when possible at all times.  A leader puts more value on a F3 Spartan Team going #1 rather than beating anyone individually. A leader moves forward through obstacles and adversity with positivity and purpose, even when it’s the inexplicable loss of a your father, or some d-bag stealing the bike you worked so hard to pay for.

Mario is the definition of a leader. Buddy know we will be here by your side as you go through this tragedy and lead your family.

We have tremendous leaders in F3 Nation, and YHC sees them every morning from 5:15am-6:15am daily, reads about them in backblasts, sees them in action in community service projects, and knows F3 Nation is a big reason why there are more and more leaders in our communities.  Great work men, continue your leadership. Today, YHC just wanted to publicly recognize two of many for their leadership contributions.

Summary

YHC had the week off from my regular Wednesday men’s group, and volunteered last minute to lead ‘Fat Camp’ for the first time, as a tribute to the Fat Camp Site-Q’s (Pebbles & Mario), and openly promised to make it the HARDEST workout of their week on reduced Twitter marketing (are you happy Twitter followers?!?). 14 men answered the bell, but you’ll need to ask them if YHC delivered on that promise…as for me, it’s Thursday Morning and YHC is flat-out car-accident sore.

The Thang

YHC arrived ~30 minutes early to unpack the truck and set up the field with tons of gear.  Several witty PAX like Wild Turkey assumed a 60minute MAF run was in the cards for Fat Camp, but there would be NO running today (or low heart rates) other than a half-hearted mosey around the parking lot to pick up the final two PAX coming in hot with their vehicles.  The PAX were looking for the Q at 5:13am and apparently missed the bright headlamp and giant truck parked next to the field. Quick disclaimer was given recommending modifications as necessary given the nature of the planned workout #HEAVYstuff #cantsueme

The workout of the day was a TABATA format: 4-min @ 7 different stations w/ 15 seconds of transition time in-between.  The 7 stations were done for two sets, for a total of 13* 14 stations.  2 men started at each station, one man rotating clockwise and the other man rotating counter-clockwise at the completion of each 4-min segment.  So of the two men at station #1, one would move to 7>6>5>4>3>2>1>7>6>5>4>3>2 while the other man would move to 2>3>4>5>6>7>1>2>3>4>5>6>7 at the conclusion of the 4 min period. To YHC instructions seem so simple, but for whatever reason… listening to instructions seem to be the hardest exercise of any workout #noonelistenstotheQ .  Aside from Exercise #7, YHC threw out some of the toughest exercises that could be done for 4 minutes straight, out of respect for the Fat Camp Site-Q Leaders Pebbles & Mario.

*Apologies for YHC’s FIRST, and likely LAST, Q-fail ever, and despite having supernatural genetically infused math skills, YHC miscounted the number of stations by 1, so only 13 4-min rounds were completed not 14*

  1. Partner #1 performs a Weighted Sled Push (~250lb) down and back, while Partner #2 performs American Hammer with 20lb sandbag. Flapjack when P1 completes sled push.
  2. Both Partners continuously carry ~85lbs Home Depot Bucket of pavers around two cones.  Any rest from carrying would be done in a plank position.
  3. Tug-O-War between partners, where partners were to provide plenty of constant resistance against the other partner the entire time.
  4. Farmer’s Carry of 2X45lb Kettle Bells or 2X45lb Barbell Plates around two cones. Throw in shoulder shrugs as added level of difficulty. Any rest from carrying would be done in a plank position.
  5. Partner Resistance Bands: P1 clipped resistance band around waist and ran FORWARDS, while P2 pulled two straps behind P! for forward resistance. On the way back P1 runs BACKWARDS, while P2 pulled two straps for backwards resistance. Flapjack.
  6. Partner #1 Wheelbarrow to the cone, flapjack, Partner #2 wheelbarrow back. Repeato. Modification was Crab Walks not Bear Crawls because #bearcrawlsarebullcrap
  7. Both partners low side shuffle to one end of the cones, do 3 burpees, side shuffle back to the other set of cones, 3 burpees. Repeat until 4min is up.

COT…. load the gear back in to truck, be inspired by a great heart-felt takeout by Bubble Boy, peace we outa here!

Naked Moleskine

Back to the Workout… To YHC surprise, 14 men showed up to Fat Camp, which was a larger group than YHC expected. Lucky that 7 stations were in order, and that we had an even number of men which made for a perfect rotation.

Fire Hazard pumped his knees higher than a marching band drum major, and pulled like an ox during the partner resistance band exercises. Peppermint apparently wasn’t getting enough of a workout farmers carrying 90lbs of deadweight, that he carried two paver buckets (170lb) around the cones #ridiculous.  After basically smashing everyone* in the Horsey Hill Race Monday, Fahvra proved he’s got more than just speed and and sexxxy ripped body (direct quote from Flint), but enough power to go toe-to-toe in tug-o-war with pound-for-pound one of the strongest guys in F3 Pebbles.  Speaking of Flint, he’s made great strides in such a short time in F3 and YHC is very proud of him for stepping up to lead Foxhole Monday (despite YHC missing the VQ on account of the “poo-drips” #TMI). Wild Turkey always gives his all, and YHC observed him gassing out his forearms on battle-rope swings like he was back in wrestling camp… wait was that a called exercise (NO)? Despite a busted shoulder, One-Niner beasted the workout and YHC bets could go all day walking on his hands in partner wheelbarrows.  Argonaut has ridiculous strength, choosing to carry the 45lb KB above his head for farmers carry, just as he carried the 70lb log above his head up Bagpipe Hill during one of YHC’s Brave Q’s.  While the heavy sled would barely budge for many Pax, Mighty Mite had no issues pushing the lowest bar (hardest), and even was seen pulling the weight sled backwards without using the tow rope. Firemarshall Bill dragged YHC across the field in tug-o-war faster than Harambe the silver-back gorilla did with the kid at the Cincinnati zoo a few months ago. YHC is sending him the bill for a new pair of workout shorts and butt-bandaids from the turf-burn YHC incurred after only a few minutes.  First time meeting Bubble Boy at a workout, but the guy is legit, and will be pushing for the lead in any workout he posts at. Good to see Kirby show up and work hard at Fat Camp, after YHC invited him after meeting him at Bagpipe the day before. Hope to see you at more workouts.  Bourne is a grinder, and showed it’s not the size of the dog in the fight… it’s the size of the fight in the dog (or something like that).  JRR Tolkien’s apparently just a runner now…a slow one at that, and struggled through everything 🙁 But it was a pleasure to lead a different workout, and serve my F3 Brothers. Thank you Pebbles & Mario for the opportunity to lead.

Announcements

  • This Saturday is a great opportunity to get a Metro style workout from one of their BEST Q’s without having to make the drive Uptown.  Post @ Stonehenge this Saturday @ 6am (The Vine American Kitchen) as Foulball has volunteered to Q (yes, the guy that just ran a 16:37 5k at Greekfest which was good for 3rd place overall out of over 1,000 runners) #mancrush .  As an added bonus, you may see the long awaited return of our brother Tuck who has been on the shelf with knee issues.
  • Stop reading all the news smut about Anthony “Carlos Danger” Weiner sexting (someone told me about that, ok), instead read the F3 Area51 Newsletter, Wingman does a GREAT job putting it together week-after-week.  It has details about CSAUP and Convergences coming up.

SYITG ~ JRR Tolkien

“Flint-Hole” Death by 11s AMRAP

Workout Summary

Appreciate all the PAX that showed up for the virgin Q. The first of many. I think this time @jrrtolkienF3 was kidnapped on his morning prerun.  He would never miss a #flintcommitment. His absence only made us think about calling Liam Nelson to chase down the kidnappers…nah. The rest of the Flint committee was off.

The Thang:

Theme of the day… Death by “11”s

Warmup:

  • Run around school
  • Side straddle hop 11x
  • Imperial walker 11x
  • Low slow squat 11x
  • Merkins 11x
  • KB Swing 111x

Workout:

  • Head down to field
  • Starting at half field / KB Swing 11x
  • Run to end of field and back / Push press 11x each arm
  • Run to end of field and back / Goblet squats 11x
  • Run to end of field and back / Burpees 11x
  • Run up to the play structure / Pull-ups 11x
  • Run back to field and repeat until 6:05… AMRAP

Cool down:

  • Circle up on field
  • LBCs 11x
  • Run to mid field and back
  • Reverse LBCs 11x
  • Run to mid field and back
  • Flutter 11x
  • Run to mid field and back
  • Repeat until times up

Moleskin

A good group of PAX for the virgin Q. Wasn’t too many to keep up with. Voodoo flaunted the 60lb KB. Argonaut lapped most people, it wasn’t even close. Marlin needs a new clock.

Announcements

  • Convergence Labor Day talk to @voodoo
  • KB clinic 7am October 8 Calgary

*Backblast posted verbatim by JRR Tolkien on behalf of Flint… SMH*

Let there be Rock…

10 pax wisely chose the meathead option this morning, ignoring calls for more running (except YHC who, contrary to form, arrived so early he got in a few laps before the workout).  With AC/DC blaring, here’s what we did to get stronger than you:

The Thang

COP

  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 5 in cadence (10 total), switching hands on pax count
  • Imperial Walker
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 10 IC (20 total)
  • Prying Squat
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 15 IC (30 total)
  • Side Straddle Hop
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 10 IC (20 total)
  • Hard-style Planks with Merkins
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 10 IC (20 total)

Doubles

Partner up, like size bell, choose wisely for volume

  • 5 double front squats
  • 1 seesaw press (press L then R)
  • Flapjack
  • Rinse & repeat forever (10-15 sets)

Singles

  • Snatch ladder 1 to 5, with 1 swing between each rung
    • All the way up on the Left, then on the Right
  • Heavy suitcase carry to far sidewalk and back
  • Snatch ladder 5 to 1, with 1 swing between each rung
    • First on the Left, then on the Right

Extra Credit

  • LBCs with bell on chest
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 5 IC (10 total)
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 10 IC (20 total)
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 15 IC (30 total)
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 10 IC (20 total)
  • Alternating 1-hand Swings – 10 IC (20 total)

Done

COT

Announcements

  1. Meathead Q is open next week, 9/8.  Let High Tide or Brown know if you’re able to lead it.
  2. Labor Day Convergence – 9/5, 0700 – Stonecrest AO
  3. Area 51 5th Anniversary Convergence – 9/14, 0515 – Calvary Church AO
  4. Gumby, the new flexibility workout, launches 9/28, 0530, in the Scout Hut at Matthews United Methodist Church.  Bring a yoga mat or beach towel.   (Final dry run before launch, next week 9/7.  All are welcome.)

Naked Skin Gets Ripped Off Your Hands:

Great group assembled this morning, as YHC finished his hot laps on the track (got there too early and had nothing else to do).  Last week’s FNG, Lulu, returned for another dose.  Site FNG, Costanza, came out after several posts at Olympus and other A51 sites.  Welcome, guys!  Glad to have you among us.

YHC disclosed early on to the group of his soreness, achiness, and general lethargy, and reminded the pax to modify up or down in intensity as desired.  YHC would be modifying down, because of the above but also because of the squat volume planned, but you are encouraged to do what best meets your needs/goals.

The alternating swings in cadence, mixed along with standard A51 COT fare of IW, SSH, etc., seemed to go pretty well, so that’ll likely make a reappearance.  It was an “easy” way to warm-up and get 100 swings under our belt while keeping the pax together.

The double front squat + seesaw press was planned for 15 rounds.  YHC’s sore hammies & glutes were screaming, so while I wasn’t counting, it was audibled out at about 10-12 rounds, I’d guess, although your mileage may vary.  That seemed to be a pretty good pairing of exercises, but I may have to play with the 5:1 ratio, as the presses didn’t seem to be quite right.  5:3 or 3:1 might be better next time.

The snatch ladder was tough for all, it seemed.  It looks so simple on paper – each ladder is “only” 15 snatches & 5 swings, with a momentary rest before doing it on the other side – but it seemed much harder.  Perhaps it was because it was later in the workout.  Regardless, we got our met-con in for today.

Extra credit work was an audible as we were ahead of schedule, likely due to cutting short the squats, although that doesn’t quite fully explain it.  Probably because of Awesome!  Regardless, we got another 100 swings and some loaded carries in, so that’s a bonus.  Good thing the weinke always carries a few audibles, just in case of such an emergency.

Lots of small group 2nd F today during the partner work.  That’s one of the best parts of doubles work, IMO.  Thanks, Blazing Saddles, for partnering up with YHC.  (BTW, I watched the video, but I didn’t see anything of note.  Bagpipes were cool, though.  What’d I miss?)

Playlist – AC/DC, inspired by YHC’s concert attendance over the weekend.

Thanks for the take out, Freedom.  Let’s all remember Destiny; he needs our prayers.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead, gentlemen.  It’s always an honor.

Aye.

Green (Brixham) with SPEED

22 men gathered on the GREEN fields of Ballantyne on Tuesday morning for a weekly dose of some SPEED.  Here’s what went down.

PreBlast: http://f3nation.com/2016/08/29/preblast-green-with-speed/

The THANG:

  • 0500 – Several PAX for the optional pre-run launch from the Vine while YHC visited the Brixham Green to lay down some cones.
  • 0515 – Gather rest of the PAX from the Vine for more warm-up.  Mosey toward the Brixham Green loop (https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/13457389) and drop a bottle if you want, then continue on the loop to get our bearings for the intervals to come.  After about 10min of running and 5min of warm-up drills (with the B-skip thrown in in honor of Mario, who was DR), make sure the PAX know the intervals.  Stop when the clock ticks 0610 and head back to COT.
    • 1600m (2 laps of the Green) with 5min recovery – recovery is about 1 min less than the interval run, or about half the distance.  Make sure you get in adequate recovery, and suggestions are to catch up or drop back with another PAX on recovery to at least not be on your own the WHOLE morning.  Seemed to work out decent.
    • 1200m with 4min recovery
    • 1000m with 3min recovery
    • 800 with 2min recovery
    • 400m with 1min recovery
    • start going back up with 800m, 1000m, 1200m, 1600m
  • 0615 – Everyone back in the lot before Bagpipe, but not soon enough to have to look busy as if we were standing around for a while.

Moleskin:

  • A lot of PAX came out for this one.  Even a FNG to F3 came to Swift, which doesn’t normally happen, but of course we welcome any guy that wants to get his run on to come to Swift.  Challenging for us all.  #IronSharpensIron
  • Workout called for mix of 1600, 1200, and 1000, but YHC modified it to put it in the stepdown intervals to give some variety and shorter intervals to look forward to.  If we had to go back up all the way, would have been very difficult.  Typically, max interval distance (the running part at I-pace) should be 8K (about 5mi) OR 6% of your weekly mileage (and whichever is less).  The max intervals for distance of 8K in that fashion would have been 1600 down to 400 and then back up to 1200.  Fortunately, we didn’t have enough time!  The longest anyone got was 5.8K of intervals by making it back up to 800m, so at 5.8K total I-pace, that meets the 6% mark for a 60 mile week! Probably enough for everyone because most aren’t doing 60 mile weeks, YET…
  • Haggis – back after a hiatus, good to see this PAX in recovery mode.
  • Rock Thrill – Great to have this brother among us this morning.  Not often do we get his wisdom and steady attitude.
  • Nard Dog – starting to really lay down the miles these days.  Comes to work every week and the speed progress is showing.  Is he picked up on a BRR (wait, YHC should know the answer to that one, yes he is – SOBs)  or Ragnar team yet?  Look out!
  • FNG Hunka Bunkas, brought by Bunker, came out after only 1 week living in Charlotte.  Either he works for Bunker (refer to Flint / MT relationship), or Bunker has some dirt on him, because that has to be the fastest EH ever.
  • Long Haul – got to be the best close on a 1000m interval of the morning.  Came shooting around the corner walking down the other PAX in his group.  Strong work!
  • Transporter – evidently this PAX (site FNG?) knows Transportation, for he was blistering up the track today.  Strong push on the 400, almost put YHC down a lap.
  • Citgo – only gets faster as the intervals roll on.  Even though he said he would be the “slow” man on a CRC BRR team, would be an absolute steal on any relay team.  Great to have around and help lead the PAX.  However, you might ask him what he’s doing in the bushes all of the time.  Seems at least once each morning he comes sprinting from some landscaping area right before we start the next interval.  Secret stash?

Announcements:

  • Church on the Street – assist serving breakfast to some of the homeless community of Charlotte.  Sunday mornings.  Sign-up link: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/9040b44a5ab23a57-church2 .  Contact @F3Strawberry for details.
  • 3rdF-Timekeeper – Resumes from Summer break next Tuesday.  0630 at Einstein bagels.  Picking back up with book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.  Next book will be a leadership themed book called “Legacy” by James Kerr.  Intro video here: https://youtu.be/KKvzExoH2Gg
  • Next Week at Swift – BRR Taper – We’ll be keeping up the Intensity, but reducing the Duration to keep the legs sharp.  Familiar 1200m Threshold Pace intervals with 2min rest between each interval.

 

13 Humps

13 fellows got their mind right this morning at one of the humpiest hump-day AOs in Area 51. For a site that typically draws in the upper 20s in numbers, why so low this morning. Here’s my speculation:

“I’m ‘tapering’ for the BRR, bro”

“I got a VIP invite to the Lodge yesterday and had one too many Cold Mountain’s”

“We’ll probably just run the whole time. I remember the last time he Q’ed Death Valley”

“Chester and/or the Horsey gave me the business on Monday”

“School started this week, traffic on Pineville Matthews Rd at 5am is a nightmare. Wait, wasn’t there a crime scene over there a week ago? Sounds too risky.”

“I’m getting caught up on my DVR and was up too late last night. Bachelor in Paradise was too good to miss. Of course I watch it for the chicks though.”

Whatevs, bums. If you weren’t there here’s what you missed.

The thang-a-rang:

Cold start mosey out of the gate to Davie Park a.k.a. Benjamin Moore Park for COP

Merkins x 20 IC, SSH x 25 IC, Mountain Climbers x20 IC.

Pick two of your best buds and form a group of tres.

Gingerly cross 51 to the Windswept neighborhood.

Grinders to the left: Merkins x150 at the end of the culdesac, RDLs right leg x 100 at the start – complete as a team

Grinders to the right: Sumo squats x200ish at the end of the culdesac, RDLs left leg x 100 at the start.

We wrapped up the neighborhood tour with a set of suicides to the end of Windswept. Some token Mary was sprinkled in for giggles.

Mosey back to SCMS. Circle up at the end of the lot in plank position. One guy (or two, or 4) runs a loop around the cars and back to the circle. Errbody held plank til errbody ran a loop. THE END.

The Skinny:

Lotta limp commits yesterday about joining in for a prerun left Buttermaker and I alone for a nice peaceful jaunt through raintree for a few miles before the real deal. Smaller crew for DV was bringing the wood this morning.

The Eagles crew, ST and Dolly were leading the pack, per usual. It wasn’t even close.

Buttermaker’s handing over his baseball head coaching position this season, but still gets to wear the jockstrap and tight sliding pants as the assistant coach.

Gloss and TL were wearing the same shirt today. It was cute. Hadn’t been for the hole in Semi’s you couldn’t tell these guys apart.

Drano kept confusing Edward Scissor Hands and Sweeny Todd. The dudes almost got into a legit fight in the neighborhood until Floor Slapper got between them. Scary stuff.

Good connecting with Chin Music this morning. It was cool learning he played minor league ball with Sidd Finch a few years back. Word has it CM was the only guy that could hit off the monk. #chicksdigthelongball

Pop looked fly in his new running digs. Good thing RFYL wasn’t out there this AM – dude would have been beating the ladies back with sticks.

Strong efforts across the board this morning. Pleasure was all mine.

Hit the Lodge today for HDHH – starting at 4pm. Ball out.

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

YHC and Utah cruised past a pack of FIA ladies crushing the run down 51 headed in the direction of the Anvil AO.  Certainly cannot blame them for wanting a change of pace at, as Hops says, is arguably, the best AO in all of A51.  Options abound on this 100 acre Calvary campus.  14 PAX arrived via automobile and Snowflake ran in.  Dude is a stud.  Respect.  Pre-workout mumbling about the Jeepers among us feeling bad for YHC who recently off-loaded the Wrangler in favor of a 4runner.  Key here is 4.  4 doors that is.  2.0’s and a 2-door Jeep Wrangler es no bueno.  There will be another Jeep in my future.  Thorough disclaimer given to include the essentials and some encouragement to the PAX. Disclaimer given, that is, after Iron Horse rolled in.  Quick hello to IH, who appeared excited as he raised his hands in what appeared to be a victorious manner, having made the launch.  Off we go.

Thang

Mosey from launch lot through the lots near the main buildings to the lot closest to Entrance 1.

COP

SSH x 10 IC

Imperial Squat Walker x 10 IC (Mumblechatter from Gummy began right here)

Low Slow Squat x 10 IC

Mountain Climber x 10 IC-Hold plank

Merkin x 10 IC

Mosey over to the Pavilion at CHAMPS field.  HOME.

Campus Circuit

  1. HOME BASE.  Bench Set: 15 Step or Jump-Up/15 Derkin/15 Dips
  2. Playground: 10 Pull-Ups/15 Jump Squats
  3. Tables Near Main Building: 20 Incline Merkin/15 Carolina Dry Docks
  4. Rock Pile: 15 Curls/15 Tri-Extension/15 Thrusters

Group ran through the 1st circuit together.  Mosey back HOME.  Repeat x 2 at AYG pace.  Repeat Bench Set after round 2 and plank to wait for six.  Plank-o-rama before 3rd repetition.  RAH/RLH/Flapjack/6 inches/Right knee to right elbow/Flapjack/Merkin x 6 IC.  Go for repetition 3.  Stop at lot above Pavilion after rep 3.  On your six.

Mary/Merkin

Flutter x 10 IC/Merkin x 10 OYO/Dolly x10 IC/Wide Merkin x 10 IC/Heels to Heaven x 10/Diamond Merkin x 10/LBC x 20 IC/5 Hand-release Burpees OYO/High Flutter x 10 IC/Hold 45/Rosalita x 10 IC/Hold 6 inches for Brushback 10-count.  Recover.

Mosey over to lot above Entrance 4.  Fly-by the rock pile to make sure all were redistributed into the pile rather than the grass.  Stewards of the AO that we are.

Line up at far end of lot.  Plank.  Right hand forward/Right leg up/Flapjack/High Plank/AYG sprint from High Plank at GO.  Finish at cars at 0615 on the nose.

COT

Moleskin

Saw Brushback at soccer yesterday and he said he would be at this workout.  Glad he made it. Upon arrival, Van Pelt greeted him with, “Dude, I thought you were dead.”  Kotters Brushback.  Life often precludes us from hanging out with our buddies doing man work.  Hope to see you back out soon.

Man, Gummy stayed relatively quiet for a few minutes.  Was hoping he was OK.  Then the call was made for Imperial Squat Walkers.  Flood gates now open.  Just a few of the Gummy offerings today:

“I should have gone to Death Valley.”

“Should have gone to Death Valley.”

“Should have gone to Death Valley.”  (Yes, he said it several times)

“Is there a post-workout feedback form I can fill out?”  Why yes, Comment below.

Maybe it was the company, maybe YHC smelled bad, maybe Gummy missed the DV pax.

Also said something about Bloods and Crips or Turf War when we were twice in the general vicinity of the FIA ladies.   Thanks for the chatter, Gummy.  Always makes the workout more enjoyable.

Speaking of FIA, they appeared to be enjoying this AO.  My weinke put us in their general vicinity on two occasions in a relatively short period of time.  On the first pass, a warm hello was given from several of our group.  Pleasantries reciprocated on the fly by the FIA ladies, who also indicated they were trying to stay out of our way.  Don’t worry about us, ladies, do your thing and enjoy the digs.  Second pass they were at the Pavilion.  YHC made sure they knew we were not following them around campus.  They may have been weirded out a little because they were not seen again.  They looked to be pushing hard.  Way to get after it ladies.

Good to see The Onceler back out.  Been a while.  The Respect group of Snowflake, Van Pelt, and Iron Horse crushed it as usual.  Great work men.  Lobsta, well, he was Lobsta.  Out front and pushing the pace.  Red Rocks and Brilleaux not far behind.  Rest of the crew all pushed hard today, which is usually the case at Anvil.  Lots of encouragement given along the way during the circuit work.  Love that about Anvil and F3.  You can be in your pain cave and you get a hand slap and word of encouragement.  Like pouring gas on a fire.  Just take a minute to imagine trying to do this workout by yourself at 0530.  Would you push as hard as you did today?  Likely that you would not.  Cool to see Sledge, Hammer’s 2.0, push through a tough workout at 13.  Great work Sledge.  Thunder Road keeps getting faster and stronger.  That is what happens when you keep posting.  Solid work today TR.  Same with Utah.  Amazing how much faster and stronger the guy has gotten since beginning F3.

Always thankful to lead this group of men at Anvil.  T-claps to Gummy for the takeout prayer.

Announcements

Memorial Day Convergence.  09/05/2016.  Stonecrest.  0700-0800.

A51 5-year Anniversary Convergence.  09/14/2016.  Calvary Church (5801 Pineville-Matthews Rd).  0515-0615.

3rd F Evening Group.  Hops on Q.  09/20/2016.  Rusty Onion at Carmel Commons.  1930 (7:30PM). Why is being a #HIM important?  All are welcome.

Southern Discomfort.  2nd Annual A51 CSAUP event.  Put it on your calendar.  Logistics to follow soon.

 

 

Getting hip to Gumby

After stepping into the meat cooler that Troop 39’s Scout Hut had become, YHC set about disabling the AC so that we wouldn’t freeze solid while in savasana.  Four more PAX rolled in and we were soon off and running.  Well, not exactly “running.”

Disclosure

Meditation: “Don’t worry.  Trust God.” Luke 12:25 NIV “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

The Main Thang:

Table Top, Cat/Cow 5X w/breath

Step up to Mountain and Sun Salutations: 1st together slowly, then 2nd and 3rd OYO following breathing.

Forward fold and bind arms, turn right to stretch, holding for 2 breaths, center-1, left 2 breaths, center 1.  Then lower all the way down to seated, then back to flat.

Hip stretches: flat on back

  1. Alternating knee to chest 5 rounds of R/L. Start w/1 breath then +1 each round
  2. Alternating straight leg up (with towel or strap). 2 rounds w/5 breaths per side.  Feet @90 to legs and toes pulled in to shin.  Press through both heels. GENTLE HAMSTRING STRETCH
  3. Straight leg to side: Return to your right side and take both strap ends in your right hand, extending your left arm along the floor. Exhale to lower your right leg to the right. Try to keep your left hip on the floor and your left kneecap pointing up. You should feel a stretch in your inner right thigh, but no lower-back strain. 5 breaths. Switch sides. Repeato.
  4. Inhale to bring your right leg back to vertical. With the strap around the arch of your foot, bring both ends into your left hand. Place your right thumb into your right hip crease and draw your hip down slightly so that you maintain length and space in the lower back. Exhale to draw your leg left across your body. 5 breaths. Switch sides.
  5. Bring both knees in toward your chest, then place your right ankle on your left thigh, just above the knee. Hold your left thigh. 5 breaths. Switch sides.

After finishing on the left, roll to one side and use your hands to come to a seated position.  Transition to feet (Mountain): shoulder rolls, neck rolls and side stretches

Hands up for breath, fold, half lift, fold, up for breath.  Sun salutation with full breath at Forward fold, Plank, Up dog, down dog,  OYO.

Fold, half lift on inhale, then step back with left foot for crescent lunge.  BreatheX5.

Straighten right leg and then bring left foot up.  Sun salutation with full breath at Forward fold, Plank, Up dog, down dog,  OYO.

Repeat crescent lunge stepping back with right foot.  Breathe X5.

Straighten left leg then step up.  Sun salutation with full breath at Forward fold, Plank, Up dog, down dog,  OYO.

Lower down to sitting, bring soles of feet together and make back straight from bottom of spine to top of neck.  Lean forward and grab feet with hands, and use arms to pull legs toward body and bend at hips, keeping back straight.  Breathe X10

Relax pose and straighten legs and knock them against mat to stimulate blood flow.

Lie down and draw knees to chest and roll back to release tension.

Closing:  Rest all the way down, relax and deepen your breath.  Remember: Don’t worry.  Trust God.

END

Announcements:

4 more weeks until F3 Gumby officially starts.

Moleskin:

YHC is not a professional (read the Disclaimer), but did manage to make it through the workout with only one name fail.  I had to look this up afterward to figure out that the standing, hands-up pose at the start of the Sun Salutation is called Urdhva Hastasana, or for the more red-blooded: “Upward Salute.”

The nice thing about yoga is that unless you hurt yourself doing it, there’s really no wrong way.  Endless variation.  And modification.  Which is all YHC can do, since the actual “correct” poses require a level of flexibility that only our revered master, Gumby, can attain.  But it’s fun to try and good for a laugh when you google different poses and wonder how a person that flexible can even walk.

Until next week, remember to breathe.  And that worry is a waste of imagination.

In His peace,

Swiss Miss

Quiet suck

After not posting to Bagpipe but maybe twice this year; YHC wanted to pull out an old workout to ensure it hasn’t been done recently. I went back to 2013 and modified a Mighty Might Chutes and Ladder with a Champagne thriller. A little bit of my own touch, and viola = Quiet Suck. After a proper disclaimer was given; we took off.

The Thang:

Mosey across Brixham Hill to open lot
– SSH x 20
– IW x 20
Quickly move to lower patio area around Lock Ness.

Here’s what we’ll do (according to my plans):
– 11’s in the Lower Area: Diamond incline merkins/Wall jump. Run to upper area.
– 11’s in the Upper Area: Wall lunges/Backward lunge (flap jack legs). Run to grassy area.
– 11’s in the Grassy Area: Spartan burpees/Knerkin.
– 1 full lap then back to lower area; Repeat circuit then
– 2 full laps, then back to lower area; repeat circuit then
– 3 full laps then back to lower area; Plank.

Here’s what we actually did:
– 11’s in the Lower Area: Diamond incline merkins/Wall jump. Run to upper area.
– 11’s in the Upper Area: Wall lunges/Backward lunge (flip flop legs). Run to grassy area.
– 11’s in the Grassy Area: Spartan burpees/Knerkin.
– 1 full lap then back to lower area; Repeat circuit then…
– Plank then hang out waiting for McGee, Heartbreaker, Cable Guy, Peppermint, and Dumpster Fire (all of them way out in front) make their way back after earning an extra credit lap.

Partner up for catch me if you can:
– Partner one 5 LBC then run to catch partner two; partner two run backwards until caught. Flap Jack. One lap around Lock Ness.

Quick mosey back to Brixham Hill; cross safely; then AYG back to parking. 1 Min. overtime for pax.

Moleskin:
For some reason (stupidity), YHC has been posting exclusively on Tuesdays at Fast Twitch. But I enjoyed my time a few weeks back following Cheddar, and had decided to sign up to Q. However, I didn’t want to take the pax on the same circuit they might have done last week, or the last month; so I decided to pull from archives. “Chutes and Ladders” sounded interesting and with Mighty Might being the author and Q, I knew that I had found a winner. I also remember another just plain terrible circuit that Champagne ran that almost broke my spirit. Both involved the infamous Lock Ness. Perfect! I do remember how to get there! So with a parking lot full of would be Guinee pigs, we set off to try to conquer a new variant to some old circuits. As you can see above, we didn’t come close to completing. The 11’s really kept us planted in each area, and oddly it was very quiet. No mubble chatter. That was noticed almost immediately. Some mistakes made were the choices of the wall jumps and Spartan burpees. Those quietly sucked. It was also a tall order to try and even come close to completing even the 2nd time around. Only the 5 mentioned above were on their 2 laps going into the final circuit. They all shot out early and never looked back. Sorry for the clunky beginning to ‘catch me if you can’. The middle and end went better. Special shout out to Lochte. He was pushing himself hard to get better; and kept a positive attitude — keep coming out brother! Happy birthday to Hail Mary for his 50th (Kotters and please correct me in the comments if I mixed up birthday wishes). All were focused and businesslike today. Hence quiet suck. Thanks to JRR Tolkien for the take out. Keep Mario in your prayers.

Announcements:
A lot’s going on. Please read the newsletter. This weekend – COTS and Labor Day convergence. Two weeks a Tuesday convergence in Fort Mill to see off a brother leaving for active duty. The next day (Wed.) Area 51’s five-year convergence.

Thank you for letting me lead you today.

Professor Torpedo’s class is now in session

19 of the finest students made the trek to Basecamp for the first day of “School in the Gloom”.  Class was in session with Professor Torpedo leading todays lesson in “Beat Down 101”.

The Thang:

YHC lead the Pax on a little mosey tour of he school parking lots. The group then circled up the start of the lesson.

Chapter 1: The COP

  • SSH x 15 IC
  • IW x 15 IC
  • LSS x 15 IC
Chapter 2: 4 Corners Jack Web
YHC leads the class down to the track where we started off as a group on the near corner of the football field and did 1 Merkin and 4 Air presses.  From there we ran up the field to the next corner and did 2 Merkins and 8 Air Presses.  We did this for one trip around the field that put us at 5 Merkins and 20 Air Presses.  We then made another trip around the field and laddered back down 1 Merkin and 4 Air Presses.
Some of the PAX chose not to run in the wet grass and opted to run on the track instead.  This actually increased their running distance and they deserved a round of golf claps, as they did not fall behind and in most cases lead the group.
Chapter 3: Partner 1-2-3
We mosey’d down to the baseball fields and partnered up for the following:
  • 100 Supan Pulls Ups
  • 200 dips
  • 300 seated legs raises
Partner 1 started on the exercises while partner 2 ran back towards the track, up the stairs and looped back to relieve partner 1.  We continued this until the groups finished all the combined exercises.
Chapter 4: Calf Raises Ladder From Hell
Next we mosey’d up the stair that lead up to the parking lot.  YHC instructed the PAX to do 1 calf raise at the bottom of the steps and each time they stepped up, add 1 more calf raise.
In the end, the PAX completed 325 total calf raises.  Since we went in waves, those who finished early did the People Chair until the last group finished up.
Chapter 5: Modified Sprints
The group mosey’d over to the first basketball hoop in the parking lot and lined up for some sprints.
We ended up doing three sprints to the second hoop and back. The first sprint was at 25%, the second at 50% and the third being 100% (or all you had left).
Chapter 6: The end
We next circled up as YHC lead the group in the final 3 exercises –
  • LBC x 15 IC
  • Freddie Mercury x 15 IC
  • Flutter x 10 IC
The moleskin:
The PAX gave it their all and left nothing on the table.  YHC was very impressed at the level of work they put in during Chapter 3.  The PAX never let up.
There was a lot of great mumble chatter and Spackler gave YHC some extra motivation when I started to get gassed during my run up the stairs.
It was great to see Big Tuna make it out to Basecamp.  After he and his family moved out to Weddington, he hasn’t made it out.  His presence has been missed.
A huge thank you to Goonie for taking the group out at the end
Lastly, please keep Mario and his family in your prayers and thoughts.  He and his family are dealing with the sudden loss of a family member and please do your best to help lift them up in this tough time.
Announcements:
Read the news letter as there is a lot of great information

There are several convergences happening:

  1. On September 5th there will be no Basecamp but there is a convergence at Stonecrest (the home of the Maul and Rebel Yell)
  2. On September 13th there is a convergence down in Indian Land.  This will be a chance for everyone to send off Convoy as he and his unit are preparing to ship out over seas
  3. On September 14th at Anvil will be an Area 51, 5 Year anniversary convergence