1Mile Challenge x 2

1Mile Challenge x 2

10 PAX at F3-Swift kicked off the Spring race season a little late (only by 2 months) with a 1600m Time Trial at Community House Middle School.

The THANG:

  • 0500 – Early crew of Bunker, Stump Hugger, and Bratwurst arrive for some extra warm-up around the oval.  Eventually, Honey Bee may have shown up early, so we’ll count him as FIFO instead of LIFO.  Back to cars.
  • 0515 – Roll out of the bus lot towards the track with the rest of the crew.  Mosey around the track, familiarizing oneself with the oval that many of us ran around in more light last Thursday at the Black Diamond workout, albeit, it’s now dark and we have a different focus.
  • After 10 minutes or so of easy running, we commence with the usual drill set of toes 20/20/20, heels 20/20/20, high knees x 25, butt kicks x 25, B-skips to 50m, and one last stride.
  • Start the countdown of about 5minutes to get in one’s own zone.  Find Tuck wandering in the dark.
  • BOM for the Lord’s Prayer.
  • Give final instructions – easy on the first lap, “3rd 500” is the hardest, yada yada yada.
  • Clock counts 3, 2, 1, GO! – run 1600m (0.994mile) AYG.  Record your time on the clock.  Fastest time was 5:09.
  • Bend over, wheeze, cheer in the next guy, let’s mosey to recover a few laps while saying goodbye to HoneyBee (off to get educated at F3 Community leadership forum).
  • Line up in finishing order of Time Trial, brag about your time, create 3 teams of 3 PAX based on finish order (1,9, 4), (2, 8, 5), and (3, 7, 6).  Not exactly scientific, but hope it works to create even teams.  Bring out JRR Tolkien’s shiny new relay batons and distribute among the teams.
  • 1600m Relay will split between team members.  Rules – each PAX needs to run at least 400m total, hand off as often as you want, finish fast. YHC doesn’t recall all of the teams, but he does recall JRR Tolkien crossed the line in last place (though uninjured).  Fastest relay time was 5:09, what a coincidence.
  • Mosey a couple more laps to recover, COT, Abacus takes us out.  PAX depart.

The 1600m Results (click for Full Results):

F3 Name PR on 10/20/14 10/21/2014 4/28/2015 5/17/2016 PR on 5/17/16?
Abacus 0:07:40 0:06:51 0:06:57 0:07:07
Bunker 0:05:56 Yes*
Bratwurst 0:05:13 0:05:10 0:05:20 0:05:09 Yes
Honey Bee 0:05:31 0:05:27 0:05:23 0:05:20 Yes
JRR Tolkien 0:05:24 Yes*
Soft Pretzel 0:06:05 0:06:04 0:05:57 Yes
Strange Brew 0:06:45 0:06:53 0:07:07 0:06:35 Yes
Stump Hugger 0:12:50 0:09:42 0:09:22 Yes
Tuck 0:06:21 Yes*
Wild Turkey 0:06:40 Yes*

*no previous time

The Moleskin:

  • Weather couldn’t have been much better.  Shirtless temps, slight breeze, low humidity, no rain, dry track.
  • First, the relay was a fun idea from JRR Tolkien.  Running AYG after exertion of the 1 mile was an OK idea.  Splitting up the PAX based on results was a fair and decent idea.  Giving the PAX 2 minutes to decide how they would run the relay was a smart idea, but it was too short because not sure they would have come up with anything more creative, therefore dumb idea.  The losing teams had each PAX run 1/3 of the distance (a little over 500 meters) continuously only passing off the baton once between each PAX.  The winning team strategy, having been practiced with baton passing the night before and strategy worked out with VDOT tables, distance preference, and other weird science, was to have SoftPretzel lead off 200m, pass to StumpHugger to run 200, pass to Bratwurst run 400, pass to StumpHugger for 200, pass to Soft Pretzel to run 300, and pass to Bratwurst for the anchor of 300m.
  • Now, let’s talk about these amazing individual results!
  • Abacus has been there for every 1 mile speed challenge at CMHS.  While this year wasn’t a PR, his dedication is admirable as only a few PAX have shown up for every one.  Now that his busy work season is over, he’ll be back in form soon with more consistency!
  • Bunker has a PR by account this was his first mile race in a LOOOONG time (or ever).  However, his pacing to the sub 6 was admirable and he drug others along with him.  Known as the high mileage man of the SoB PAX, he’s already at 647mi total for 2016.
  • Bratwurst – new PR since the glory days of being a teenager.
  • HoneyBee has been putting in the time and dedication and starting to see results across the board.  As an indication that long distance training doesn’t sacrifice ALL speed, despite improving his marathon PR, he’s dropping the mile time every time he runs it (dropped 1 second from a month ago, too).  Sounded like he pulled an “early Haggis” on Tolkien and slipped by with over a lap to go and never looked back.
  • JRR Tolkien’s first second time running the mile at Swift with the 5:22 a month ago and a 5:24 today.  Perhaps a very aggressive goal to go 5:10, he was on the pace early before the dizzybacks and stairs of the previous day (and HoneyBee) caught up to him.  Fabulous job on closing with strong performance – you’ll catch HoneyBee one day, sometime soon, in the near future.
  • Soft Pretzel had a previous barrier of 6:00 in his head.  Running a month ago, he was just over.  Running a year ago, same thing.  Running a year and a half ago, you know the story.  Well, today was the day to keep on the number, pace it smartly, and go low.  This guy EARNED it!  Now that’s out of the way, better things to come.
  • StrangeBrew, Bratwurst’s finest pupil and co-leader of Mountain Goat, has been working to drop time from the beginning.  Slight setback last year, but the dedication he’s been putting in to the running is admirable.  Dropping 20+ seconds is AMAZING!  Keep it rolling…
  • StumpHugger was confused which watch, phone, iPAD he should believe for his final time, but in the end, it was still a PR!  He still feels there’s some speed that was left out there either earlier in the warmup or still in the tank, so he’s going to re run this soon.  When he does, another PR for sure.  It should be noted that SH was pretty Swift on 2×200 for the winning team in the Relay.
  • Tuck has been developing into quite the runner lately, and this 1 Mile was his chance to show off the hard work.  PR by account of no previous recorded time, and the march to go lower starts now.
  • Wild Turkey – first timed 1 mile since middle school (check!), high vis yellow shirt with reflective accents (check!), PR on the mile when there aren’t burpees involved (check!) – this guy is a Runner!  As probably the newest consistent PAX at Swift, the next year is going to bring some good things as the mile time keeps going lower and lower.

Announcements:

  • F3 Dads Ballantyne starts Saturday morning 5/28 at 9am at the Bull Ring (Ballantyne Corp Pl and Brixham Hill Ave, 28277) near the new Sarah’s YMCA. Runs weekly through June.
  • F3 Dads Matthews starts Saturday morning 6/4 at 9am at the softball fields in Colonel Beatties Ford Francis Beatty park at 4330 Weddington Rd, 28105.  Runs weekly through June.

Workout in the kitchen of a Cracker Barrel

This was my 2nd or 3rd time ever posting at The Charge simply bc of proximity to where I live but man-o-man what an awesome AO!

This is what we all experienced together…
Run to track and circled up for COP. SSHx25, IW x25, Merkins x 20, mountain climbers x20, Peter Parker x20, Parker Peter x20, plank for 20 seconds. Recover.

Take a lap around track and up steps to picnic table. 10 jump squats, 10 dips, 10 derkins. Rinse and repeat 10,15,15 – 10,20,20 – 10,25,25 – 10,10,10

Take lap around track and up to stadium steps for some Modified 7’s. Bottom of steps 1 burpee top of steps 7 Merkins. Then 2 burpees and 7 Merkins. Then 3 burpees and 7 Merkins – all the way up to 7 burpees and 7 Merkins.

Mosey around back of campus to loading area. Partner up. P1 runs to end of gate and back. P2 does call exercise. Flap jack. Called exercises consisted of lbcs, heals to heaven, flutter, Mason twists, Freddie mercury.

Mosey to wall. Wall sits w two sets of 100 air presses.

Mosey back to lot for COT.

What a great morning. YHC arrived a few minutes early to scope out the AO. A little awkward when some ladies got out of their cars and the showdown began as they wondered what I was doing as I wondered what they were doing. They left to go on a run and I exited to see what we were going to get ourselves into this morning.
After BA gave me directions to the track – we were off and running. The early dips and derkins smoked the arms with plenty more planned in the winkie.
Tesla was churning out the laps and exercises like it was no big thing.
As we moseyed to the back of campus for some runs and Mary – I think Sysco decided to deliver pallets of cooked bacon. It was like trying to exercise in a Cracker Barrel. John Deere is coming off a cold so he claims he couldn’t smell anything. Good for him!
Arena – I enjoyed chatting it up with you. Anxious to compete with and against each other this Fall on the pitch.
Good work this morning by all!
Thanks for allowing me to lead – great pax!

Not Your Death Twitch

23 PAX made the right choice and posted at Death Valley for their #DRP and here’s how it went down.


The Thang:

COP:
SSH X 20
Merkins x 10
IW X 20
Merkins x 10
Squats x 20

7th Heaven
Head out on Strawberry turning down Rosecliff for some 7’s, merkins a the bottom, squats at the top. Plankorama for the 6 to finish.

Bumping It
Partner up, size and speed does not matter, Partner 1 runs down strawberry while Partner 2 performs all exercise, flapjack.
Round 1- Flutter kicks
Round 2- Dolly’s
Round 3- LBCs
Round 4- Heels to Heaven

Mosey back to the AO stopping at the road humps for 10 merkins OYO

Peoples Chair AKA “The Semi-Gloss”
Grab a piece of wall for two rounds of Air Presses x 50 IC.

Mary
Rosalita x 20
Flutter Kicks x 20
Sid the Kid X 10 OYO
Bicycle x 10
Dolly’s x 10

Moleskin:
Strong work by the PAX today, many Death Valley regulars and good to see some familiar faces.
Usual PAX out in front, Fletch, Bulldog, Sweeney Todd (that dude is fast).
PAX almost got taken out by Sweeney Todd coming in hot during COP.
Before exiting the truckster Tiger Rag inquired if there would be some running, YHC complied and the WO was #TRApproved.
Good to see Mermaid out there recovering from surgery, he said it was the most mileage in since, strong work brother.
Cinder Block work was planned but looks like the Site Qs may need to replenish the supply.
YHC was questioning my choice for 7’s on Rosecliff after Five Knolls at #FastTwitch, definitely feeling it.
Busch never gets tired and manages to chat the entire workout.
Semi Gloss make quick work of his pre-workout routine in his office at SCMS.
Spackler excels at 2nd F.
Calls for gassers at the end were duely ignored.
Thanks to Semi Gloss for taking us out and to Dollywood for the opportunity to lead.
Please sound off with any mumble chatter.


Announcements

Memorial Day Convergence at Symphony Park, double down with a workout and a 5K, Pre-blast here: http://f3nation.com/2016/03/14/memorial-day-metro-charlotte-convergence-how-do-you-say-thank-you/
Day Zero 3rd Anniversary Convergence 5/28, it will be High Intensity and Epic

Four Year Skunkiversary

There were still a few folks pulling into the LOT at 5:30, so after a welcome address and thorough disclaimer we went on a quick warmup run to the Tennis Pavilion and back. At that point, the 31 Pax in attendance were instructed to Circle Up so that we could begin the 4 year Anniversary of Skunkworks.
Warm UP COP
Diamond Merkins x 20 IC
20 SingleArm Alternating Swings – 20 Merkin Chaser
Squat x 20 IC (strange offbeat cadence count)
30 SingleArm Alternating Swings – 30 Merkin Chaser
IW X20 IC
40 SingleArm Alternating Swings – 40 Merkin Chaser
Quick Mosey to Hill for Hill/Bench circuit – Flutter to wait on the six
Facing Hill – 20 Two Handed Swings – Sprint Up Hill to Pavilion – 20 Triceps DIPS
40 Two Handed Swings – Sprint Up Hill to Pavilion – 40 Triceps DIPS
60 Two Handed Swings – Sprint Up Hill to Pavilion – 60 Triceps DIPS
Regroup (LBC IC while waiting)
20 Snatches (10 each Arm) – Sprint up Hill to Pavilion – 20 Incline Merkins
40 Snatches – Sprint up Hill to Pavilion – 40 Decline Merkins
60 Snatches – Sprint up Hill to Pavilion – 60 Decline Merkins Audibled to only two rounds at the approval of all in attendance – save the hands for another day.
Partner UP – similar Bell Weight for Sprints and Doubles
P1 completes Double KB Exercise – P2 Sprints ~75 Yards and Back (flapjack)
3 Rounds Of Each Exercise (Plankarama when done)
Exercises to Perform – Double Clean – Double Push Press – Double Squat (Only had time for Double Cleans)
Quick Mosey back to LOT to begin Namarara and COT.

Announcements –
Whetstone Mentoring program – see link http://f3nation.com/2015/11/06/isi-in-action-the-whetstone/
Thank you Lex Luthor for taking us out.

Moleskine: 5 Pax answered the early bell and enjoyed the ~3 mile pre-run – A grand total of 31 would be counted present for the main event. For Four years, Skunkworks has been the Tuesday morning Kick in the teeth that the southland’s gear heads and runners alike look forward to for an equal part lifting and running. There is a great group of Q’s that continue to push the pax and a loyal following that carries through the seasons. Wanted to keep it fairly simple this morning so that the group would have plenty of time to work. Hopefully everyone found something they liked in the Kettlebell work and nearly 2 miles of hard running. Following a thorough warmup COP, we ambled to the Hill. Time seemed to fly by this morning as everyone seemed to be settling into their own paces as we sprinted from Hill to Tennis Pavilion. Apologies for the strange cadence during the squats this morning, was in between the count and it was pretty awkward – too fast of squat or two slow of count, maybe a combination of both. The three swing/dip rounds went off without a hitch, but we had to audible the snatches to just two rounds in favor of saving time for Doubles (a 2015-2016 skunkworks staple –thanks TR). I know we had several Original pax from the first Skunkworks in attendance this morning and it is great to see how the site continues to grow under your support. After the Pre-run and main event I was pretty spent, so if you saw, heard or otherwise observed any backblast worthy item – please post in the comments. All that I can recall was a flying bell during Alt swings in COP and Swiss Miss being caught in a gas tunnel early on. Strong work by all!

Cinder Block Surprise

Posted on behalf of Utah:

21 of Area 51’s finest arrived for YHC’s V-Q. Being in the Clydesdale category, I felt the need to run and share the experience of carrying extra weight with the group but let’s not spoil the surprise ending.

Warm up-

After weak attempt of disclaimer and inaccurate directions were given(clearly demonstrating my leadership skills) we did a mile warm up mosey to Rea Rd and Hwy 51. Continue to our new favorite hill, Five Knolls.

The thang-

Partner up, size/speed does not matter(story of my life). Partner one runs the two mile Five Knoll route and partner two runs the almost two mile Rea Rd to Colony and back route. Meet partner and flapjack.

The usual suspects were burning up the hills. Strong work.

A round of Mary at the entrance of Five knolls waiting for the six(YHC).

Mosey back to Cary Ridge while avoiding two cars cresting the hill. Q fail, safety first always use cross-walks. I attribute the excitement to the final surprise waiting for us. Could it be burpees, indian run or all you got? Not on my watch brothers. Get in groups of five and let’s play everyone’s favorite game- carry the cinder block back to the launch!

The look on Hairball was priceless. I heard him say “sweet, cinder blocks!”. I know what to get him for Christmas.

At that point YHC grabbed a block and ran figuring anarchy could erupt at any moment.

Tough way to finish but great teamwork was on display.

Moleskin-

The entire group worked hard today so not a whole lot of mumble chatter. Although I thought I kept hearing someone say “best Fast Twitch ever”.

Make sure to thank Cane for talking me out of the original plan-cinder block carry from Five Knolls back to launch.

They say you never forget your first Q. My legs and shoulder will happily forget this one.

Thank you for the opportunity to lead a great group of men.

 

Announcements

Day Zero convergence Saturday the 28th 7:00a.m.

Fast Twitch 3 year anniversary next Tuesday

SOFAWIB: Cannon Call

3 members of the Pax fell for my “possibly donuts” trap and instead were presented with “possibly worse” in the form of a 3 mile Murph.

The Thang: Cannon Call
Run to Randwick (cannon entrance) and back for time (1.4 mi round trip).
Do 1/2 of a Murph (50 pullups/100 merkins/150 squats)
Run back to the cannon and back for time.
Do 2/2 of a Murph
If finished before the bell rings, start again.

NMM
Rolled in on two wheels just in time. Almost took out the horde of roving waifs known more commonly as FastTwitch as they were running to Locust. Consider that a warning shot brothers, stay south of 51.

Unless your BMI is lower than the interest rate, mileage goes up means reps are going down. I didn’t finish, but it looked like everyone else was well within range.
Still made time for Xs and Os as a tribute to my wounded site Q. Get better soon, Kirk.

Low numbers, low chatter, lots of fellowship, support, and hard work. Misery loves company, and you guys are the best.

Announcements
The #MetroRunClub syndrome is spreading south. Expect nothing but hills and running until sometime in October.
Thank you for the takeout, Hammer.

And thank you all for making SOFAWIB your choice for possibly donuts every Tuesday.

SOFAWIB Pre-Blast: Maybe Donuts, Maybe Worse

YHC is at the helm of the SOFAWIB tomorrow.

Maybe we’ll do another Murph. Or maybe some hill work. Or maybe we’ll just get donuts.

Post and help me decide.

SOFAWIB – 0530, Olde Providence Elementary.

No Rhonda at this Workout

It’s late in the day and I need to get this off my to do list. Here it is.

14 PAX showed up for The Matrix. Some were hoping for ladies just like Area 51 on Saturday. Others were not. We effectively kept them away the entire workout.

The Thang:
Mosey around front of school and circle up for COP: IW, SSH, Peter Parker, Low Slow Squat, Merkins, & Elbow Planks
Mosey around the back of the school and to the front playground: 3 sets of 5x pull-ups, 10x knee ups, 15x merkins feet on low rail, 15x merkins feet on high rail.
Some planking
Mosey to front of school: 3 sets of 15x 1 legged squats (each leg), peoples chair, lunge walk to curb.
Mosey to back of school: 3 sets of 15x raised feet CDD, 15x dips, 15x Donkey Kicks over on school wall.
Some planking.
Mosey to front of school and partner up: P1 Runs to cones and back while P2 does exercise. Flap Jack. Exercises were 200x Flutter, 200x Dolly, LBC until times up.

Done.
Thanks to Squid for the take out.

Moleskine:
Quiet group today so not much to craft here. I could make up the entire thing, which has been done in the past, but nothing coming to mind today.

Apparently 2 F3 Guys from Metro brought there wives/GF’s/Mistress/Sister’s to Area 51 on Saturday and made for a pretty awkward workout. Pop Tart said he hasn’t worked so hard before at an F3 workout to make sure he didn’t get lapped by either of them. He thought Alfette may be coming today and apparently forgot that Alf’s girlfriend was Rhonda.

Announcements:
Matrix converges with Metro at South Park in 2 weeks for Memorial Day.
Sign up to Q the Matrix.

Base Camp Pyramid

Posted on behalf of Marge:

On an unusually brisk morning in south Charlotte, 20 men came out to SCMS to start their week off right at Base Camp.

Here’s what we did:

Circle up, disclaimer
• Obligatory run around light posts and down to track. Half way around then to the center of the football field for COP
• 20 SSH
• 20 IW
• 10 LSS

4 Corners – Run around the track and stop at each corner to do called exercise
• Corner #1: 5 Merkins
• Corner #2: 5 Squats
• Corner #3: 10 LBCs

Pyramid on big baseball field
• Do exercise then run from Centerfield to 3rd base to Home Plate to 1st Base then back to Center field
• 5 burpees
• 5 burpees, 10 merkins
• 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 15 LBCs
• 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 15 LBCs, 20 CDDs, 25 jump squats
• 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 15 LBCs
• 5 burpees, 10 merkins
• 5 burpees

Walls sits x 2

Jack Webb – up to 7 then down to one (counting by 2 on the way down)

Mary
• Rosalita
• Dolly

Great job out there by all this morning. I Q’d this workout at Hydra (with only a few modifications) a few months ago and it was intense. I knew the Base Camp crew could handle it and you didn’t disappoint. The track work at the beginning served as a good warmup for the Pyramid. I debated having a 4th lap in there but, after conferring with new Co-Site Q and all-around awesome dude Goonie, decided it was better to leave time at the end for Jack Webb. Strawberry, Floorslapper and Thin Mint were crushing the Pyramid (I’m sure I missed a couple of others… I’m sorry). Heartbreaker’s form was impecabble (I think he said “it really hurts when you use good form”). Goonie made sure my squat form was better after a lackluster showing a couple weeks ago. Thanks, man. I don’t know what any of us would do without you – you’re a true inspiration. Thanks to Fireman Ed for helping me with my Jack Webb cadence. I think we changed speeds on the arm raises about 5 times and I clearly had a Q-fail when counting the pushups.

It was an honor to Q Base Camp where there is a good mix of really strong regulars and new faces. As Simba noted, I was supposed to stop the workout at 6 am so that all Pax could send off outgoing Co-Site Q Fireman Ed with a 1-minute speech about the great work he’s done as Site Q but I had to lengthen the workout when no one could come up with anything. All kidding aside, great work at Base Camp, Fireman Ed. You’ve been a constant at Base Camp for as long as I’ve been a regular there and the success of this site has a lot to do with your leadership. Excited for the start of the Simba/Goonie era.

Announcements:

Joe Davis run next January. Signups soon (Novemberish)

Into The Great Wide Open

Sometimes Q’ing is fun but sometimes its a bit difficult. You are excited to Q but at the same time, you know what lies ahead so your excitement is muffled by what you have in store for everyone. This morning was exactly that. After the least enthusiastic “Ok, well Let’s go” in the history of F3, we set off for new territory.

Headed to Sharonview Rd. by way of the neighborhood with stops for 20 merkins and 20 squats.

Right onto Sharonview and Left onto Sutton Springs Rd. Run to the dead end. 20 merkins.

Partner circuit on Delpond Lane:
–1 runs right to end, 20 merkins. 2 runs left to end, 10 burpees.
–5 Hand clap merkins when you meet (add 5 each time you meet until you hit 20)
–Do 2 complete cycles
–Lots O Mary (over/under, flutter, LBCs, Freddy Mercury)

Run back out to Sharonview. Left on Sharonview and Right on to Rock Creek Dr. and stop alllllllll the way at the bottom.
–AYG to top, 5 jump squats
–AYG to top, 15 jump squats
–AYG to top, 25 jump squats
–Backwards run to top

Run back up Sharonview to neighborhood (Flutters while waiting)
–Do 10 diamonds at each turn (4 total) on the way back to Carmel Park

3.7 miles (or 5.95 kilometers)

Mary out the ying yang

Moleskin (Moleskines are not actually made of mole skin, so why are they called Moleskines?)

We have never ventured to Delpond or Rock Creek at DMZ before and it was worth it. The neighborhood off Sutton Springs Delpond is a bit of a hidden gem. Halfpipes, hills, lighted streets, lots of dead ends and cul-de-SACS. Plenty of options to hit it hard (TWSS). Rock Creek is one serious hill. I think its the steepest hill in the DMZ range.

Agony was excited to hit some new turf. He kept complaining “I’ve already been here”, but then quickly shut it when we pulled into Sutton Springs. He also is our integrity police. You go ahead and tell everyone they didn’t run “all” the way to the top on Rock Creek. Thank you for pointing out all of our sins Pastor Man.

Kirk was found stumbling up on Sharonview. He ran in from his house. T-claps. Got in 8.5 miles today according to Strava. He held back most of the workout until the first AYG up Rock Creek and then exploded to the top. Then he died again.

Rock makes some of the weirdest sounds when he does burpees. Kind of sounds like an air brake on a truck. I didn’t really know what to make of it or how to handle it.

Pothole has 2 holes in his shoes where the big toes are. Might want to invest in some new shoes. Or maybe get your abnormally large big toe shaved down a little. Talk to Kirk as he recently discovered some missing funds.

We had an FNG this morning, Derek. He would see us working out on his way to work and thought he would give it a try. I have no idea who would see us at 5:30am and think “that seems like fun and a good idea”, but Derek did. So, he gets the name Stalker. He posted at a tough workout and killed it. He’ll be back. Mostly b/c we bonded over Vanderbilt.

Good to have a fellow Tarheel in the group in Champs. Come back any time. I know it was good to have you b/c Agony’s jealousy of all things Heels was super high this morning.

Takeout by Hops(TM)

Announcements
Ragnar is 10/7-10/8
The Goat in Metro is 6/4(??)

Bonus points to the first person who can identify the band in the title (no googling).