10 men including 2 FNGs made it out on the last day on winter/first day of spring hopefully. YHC determined via Google Maps that a nice running circle around the neighborhood next to the AO exactly equaled 1km, so it was decided this workout would include a 5k, broken up in 5 laps.
The clock struck 7, disclaimer given and mosey to the park parking lot.
SSHx25
It appears the park was busy at 7am on a Saturday with cars coming though so we mosey down to the soccer field to continue.
IWx25
Merkinsx20
Low slow squatx25
Mountain Climberx25
Now for the 5k – 5 laps with planking after each lap until the 6 returned and called exercises in between.
Lap 1
LBCx25
Lap 2
CDDx25
Lap 3
Jump squatsx20
Lap 4
Wide Arm Merkinsx25
Lap 5
5k total
Since the number of PAX exceeds the number of cinder blocks left, mosey to the rock pile to grab a lifting rock. Some chose wisely, others didn’t.
Arm Curlsx20
Overhead Pressx20
Goblet Squatx20
Bear Crawl to middle of field, lunge walk back, without our rocks
Rinse and Repeat
Bear Crawl to middle, lunge walk to parking lot
Circle up for the encore with Mary
LBCs
Flutter
Rosalita
Russian Twist
Thanks to all for coming out – this was the first time I raised the shovel flag helping Abacus as co-site Q. Good to see two FNGs – Huskie and Steele. Also, welcome back Croissant now that the new born is no longer a new born. As always great to see Beaver, Joker, Cold Cuts, Picasso, Slap Shot and Dig Dug.
No announcements. COT and send out.
It was a colder than normal this morning in the Gloom but that didn’t keep the faithful from posting Stonehenge this morning.
17 MEN decided to take on the Ballantyne 4 Corners this AM and got better because of it.
16 regulars and 1 FNG were ready to launch so a full disclaimer was given and off we went.
Quick mosey to the parking lot next to the Ballantyne Village parking deck.
COP
IW x 15 in cadence
Low Slow Squats x 15
Slow merkins x 10
Tony Horton
20 small arm circle forward, 20 small arm circles backwards
10 large arm circles forward, 10 arm circles backwards – to get the arms and should warmed up.
The Thang
Directions were given for the 4 corners.
There were 4 stations on the circuit and the plan was to rinse and repeat the circuit for the duration of this morning.
Station 1 – go to the basement of the parking deck and run up the stairs, 5 burpees at the top, back down the stairs, then up the ramp to the top 5 burpees, then back down.
Station 2 – Fountain – 20 split squats (Right and Left Leg)
Run down to the corner of Ballantyne Commons – Station 3 – 20 merkins
Then run back up to the driveway to Ballantyne Village – Station 4 – 20 jump squats
due to the size, divided up the pax into four groups, to start at one of each of the stations.
Then continue thru the cycle over and over until time called.
Regroup and head back to launch
Enough time to do some mary
Flutters x 25 in cadence
Protractor
6 inches, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 45 degrees, 6 inches – about 4 minutes
Finished
NMM
Good solid group today and everyone was working hard and pushing it. FNG Ricardo Relego – aka Mr Jingles pushed it hard the entire time too, and didn’t back down from the challenge.
This one was a grind of a workout and everyone did a great job. YHC has a love hate relationship with these kinds of workouts – but they do make you better. They are great mudrun prep.
Thanks Wild Turkey and JRR Tolkien for the opportunity to lead today. Its always a great group and its a great AO.
Shout out below if YHC missed anything – was in the pain cave for a lot of this workout.
Announcements:
Guys still looking for mudrun team members – if interested reach out to Fire Hazard.
Steeplechase coming – if interested contact Market Timer.
Thats it.
Champagne Out.
16 at the Outland this AM, filled with either redemptive expectations or sheer morbid curiosity after reading the preblast. At a minimum, most were hoping that this workout would be like one of those palate-cleansing gari pickled ginger slivers that you are supposed to eat between sushi rolls, perhaps enough to completely eliminate the lingering taste from last week. Speaking of sushi, I stopped at the Quick Trip on the way home and they were all out . . . but we’re getting off track here. Anyways, after blasting a little Haggard in the parking lot we rounded up everyone and were off and running. EE and GJ claim to have completed a prerun, but all I see on Strava is a 30 min trip to Bojangles. Kiefer also ran something like 17 miles doing marathon training, and gave us a little flyby.
Thang:
Longish mosey to the Shiloh Elementary front parking lot for COP, including IW, LSS, and maybe something else that nobody cares about.
Not sure what to name this next one, I considered the “Jackie Robinson”, but we could also go with “The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.” Either way, it’s 6 sets of 7 reps of a rotating exercise, as we run a loop around the lot stopping at each light pole. So 42 total reps of each exercise. We did LBCs, Mountain Climbers, Merkins, Jump Squats, and Burpees (ascending count on the Burpees). It was delightful.
Then we headed over to the drivers-ed dragstrip for a little thing that has now been named the Chunky Monkey. This is a variation on the awful theme of a mid-workout timed mile race that was originally named the Scalded Monkey (I have no idea why I called it that) and has been resurrected a few times now in several variations. I think this one may be the worst yet.
We split the group up 5 ways based on 1-mile pace. Each group was assigned a burpee handicap, with the idea of making this an actual race since the faster guys had to do more burpees. You had to race one mile and also do the burpees, any way you want to split them up.
After that puke fest, I blacked out for 5 mins or so while somebody led something – who knows what actually happened. At some point, we headed back to the picnic table area for some Merkin Mania.
Alabama Slamma – partner up and do sets of decending merkins with your partner. Start at 15 each, and count down to 0.
Head back to launch point for a comical 10 burpee closer, as most pax had non-functioning arms at this point.
Moleskin:
Kiefer looking strong with the marathon training – putting in some high miles now. I think he’s getting up to the 20 mile range, which I hear is the worst part of the training. Probably a good move to skip the boot camp and just keep with the running at this point.
The Monkey burpee race was originally named the Burping Monkey, but after I threw up in my mouth at the midpoint I felt that Chunky Monkey was a better fit. EE won this pretty easily, even doing 40 burpees. Short Circuit did 30, and came in 2nd. I did 30 myself, and finished just ahead of Glass Joe and Donut Hole, but I think they both did 40. This thing was pretty awful for everyone involved.
Good to have The Bus back out, even though he was 37 mins late. We almost missed the Bus, and then Dad would have to take us to school and be late for work – nobody is happy when that happens.
Glass Joe was apparently unhappy with my modification suggestions for the pax during the Slamma, so he cursed me in dwarfish yiddish.
My foot has exploded again after this disaster, so I may just have to cut the thing off and screw in a peg.
I’m sure there were some other humorous and noteworthy events, so bring on the comments.
No Pancho and no Lefty. I think they both went to a Trump rally in Wingate.
Horsehead
Rascally Ranger Fit Test
The Ranger Fit Test is a F3 staple and great way, perfect for OCR season and a great way to benchmark for future goals.
Event / Ranger Goal*
Push-ups – 49
Sit-ups – 59
Pull-Ups – 6
5 mile run – 40 minutes
*The goal is just to get in the door of Ranger School. Once you’re admitted, it becomes exceeding more difficult including three more phases – Fort Benning, Mountain phase and Florida (swamp) phase. Soldiers need to lead while navigating, with little sleep and food. Our little test is just a tiny fraction of the physical and mental strength required.
Moleskine
I’m thankful for the great weather and good turnout. Thanks to site Q Tuck for helping me with setting the 5 mile course. It was a perfect one mile loop, no traffic and slight uphill and downhill section. Tuck also put up big numbers on the sit-up and push-up tests. Soft Pretzel crushed the 5 miles running sub 7 minutes miles. It was also great seeing General, the pull-up king, Icicle and Early Bird. Unfair was on his best behavior, but he may still have been hung over. YHC did not complete the 5 milies in less than 40 minutes, but I did manage to shave more than 9 minutes of my time from the first time I took the test nearly a year and a half ago. F3 works!
Great morning to join other men in south Charlotte for a little F3!
The morning went something like this….
Mosey towards the fields stopping between the buildings for 25 derkins.  Mosey down to the track and run a lap.  Circle up for COP. SSH x 25, Merkins x 25, lbcs x 25, Mason twists x 25, IW x 25.   
Another lap around the track. Partner up. P1 does 20 Merkins while p2 does lbcs. Then flap jack. Then P1 does 19 Merkins while P2 does lbcs. Flap jack. All the way down to 1 merkin. Total 210 Merkins.
Run another lap around track
Line up on goal line for suicides. Run to 10 yrd line back to goal – 20 yrd line back to goal all the way to 50 yrd line and back. Every time we get back to goal line do 10 CDDs. Do suicides 2 more times. Heels to heaven and monkey Humpers.
Mosey up to play ground. Partner up. P1 does wall sits w air presses while P2 runs to other play ground to do 15 hanging knee ups. Flap jack. Rinse and repeat.
Mosey back to parking lot.
COT –
Great work gents!  Not a whole lot of material to write about as everyone was focused and worked hard with not too much modifying.   Sinsei is always inspiring.  Well done leading Freedom!  
Thanks for coming to joust today! Have a great weekend!
11 Men disregarded all normal thought processes as they drove to Matthews Elementary at 5:15 and it poured rain from the heavens, not knowing that in 15 more minutes, there would be stars in the sky! It looked like it would be a wet, soaking workout… but turned out to be only wet! Quickly 3 of us turned to 11, including FNG Al (who came with Dora). We disclaimed and took off into the damp but dry(ing) morning. Here’s how it went down:
The Thang:
We started with a slow mosey tour of the campus…just to make sure everything was still in place!
Circle-up back in the church parking lot for COP:
SSH x 20
Low Slow Squat x 20
Merkins x 10
Imperial Walker x 20
Mountain Climber x 20
Mosey to bottom of parking lot for YHC’s favorite Suicide Runs.
1.  3 lines of suicide touches, then sprint to top of parking lot; 10 Merkins OYO; Rinse and Repeat coming back (including 10 Merkins OYO)
2.  3 lines of suicide touches, then backwards run to top of parking lot; 10 Merkins OYO; Rinse and Repeat coming back (includinding 10 Merkins OYO)
3.  3 lines of suicide touches, then lunge walk to top of parking lot; 10 Merkins OYO; Rinse and Repeate coming back (including 10 merkins OYO)
Mosey over to Stumptown Park amphitheater… which is our wet weather contingency. Despite the drying skies, YHC still wanted to use the facility… kind of a Disaster Recovery test so to speak!
Grouped in 3’s:
1.  P1 bear-crawl across the stage while P2 and P3 do squats… flap jack until stop.
2   P1 crab-walk across the stage while P2 and P3 do LBC’s… flap jack until stop.
Circle up for Tabata circuit.  Starting with PAX we called the exercises for :40 seconds, then :20 second rest.
1.  Flutter Kicks
2.  SSH
3.  Plank
4.  Toe Squat (ask Booyah)
5.  Wide Arm Merkins (smoker)
6.  Burpees (fake last exercise)
7.  CDD’s (are you kidding?)
Mosey back to parking lot…DONE!!
Moleskine:
Excellent work out there this morning!  A special welcome to FNG – Snoopy (Al Pardo) who came with Dora.  To claim to be an acquaintance of Dora is brave enough… but to hop in a car with him at 5:10 and head to a dark parking lot in the middle of the pouring rain is, well… enough said!!  But seriously, welcome!!  Great job out there for your first tme… looking forward to many more to come!
Also a hearty welcome to Body Bag, Grape Juice (Jelly Roll/Jelly Fish), and Lex Luther! I think you guys might have been to Peak before, but regardles… welcome and join us any time! Of course, all 3 were consistently at the head of the group for the exercises… especially the suicides. We will try to challenge you more the next time!!! 🙂
Thanks as always to the regulars that continue to get stronger… Geraldo, Booyah, Lamont, Swiss Miss, The Count… you guys keep the site going strong each week!
It is always an honor to lead such a great group of men!
Announcements:
1.  Keep The Count (Jason Clark) and his family in prayers.  Jason’s Mom, Dad and Mother-In-Law are all experiencing health issues, and just asking for God’s guidance and healing.
2.  Dora mentioned the Red Light and Blue May 13th War Stories.  May 14th is Go Ruck Light.  Or consider sponsoring a vet to participate at www.vetsau.com
3.  Let Slim Fast know if you are interested in running in the Blue Ridge Relay in September.
The next Black Diamond will launch on Thursday 4/14 @ 5:15 from the Trader Joes parking lot in Piper Glen. (This is not a Devils Turn convergence)
For those who haven’t heard. Black Diamond, the brain child of the SOB/Indian Land region, is a rotational workout where day and location is selected by the Q. At each Black Diamond workout the next Q is selected and asked to host the next BD workout in the next week or two.
Black Diamonds are supposed to be non-FNG friendly and very high intensity. It will however be #MerlotSpilling friendly. Basically this is a normal high intensity workout amped up with additional hard stuff added in. Come rested and prepared to work.
-Alf
YHC wanted to write a more epic pre-blast but ran out of time, so this will have to do. IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON POSTING AT DAY ZERO TOMORROW, PLEASE READ AND REVIEW THE COURSE MAP SO YOU KNOW WERE TO GO (subject to change… and I have already modified it ). Hoping to see ALL of you who want to be out there tomorrow, and NONE of you who don’t.
What: FREE OCR Course at DAY ZERO (~1mile course with ~10 obstacles… 3x = 3 miles 30 obstacles)
When: Saturday, April 9th @ 7-8am … get there early to get course instruction. Race starts on time!
Where: DAY ZERO AO – McAlpine Elementary School (9100 Carswell Ln, Charlotte, NC 28277)
Who: Only the mentally toughest PAX who will try to complete as many laps as possible in 1hr (YHC challenges all Pax to do 3 laps). If you are not wanting to push yourself to the limits, as last week DZ Q Alf stated, there are several other options in other AOs for you to post at, and suggest you visit those.
Why: What better way to get ready for Spartan, Battlefrog, or Leatherneck Mud Run than to simulate a real Spartan Race, which happens to be this weekend as well. You vs. You …. and brother vs brother, in an iron sharpening battle! YHC Challenges all PAX to complete three laps of the course in the 1hr allotted time.
General Rules / Guidelines:
Course Map attached (pretty close to actual, but YHC has made modifications’ … YHC will better explain obstacles at the site before the race, and there will be cones with instructions as well.
SYITG ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
Gentlemen,
Tomorrow shall mark an important occasion for the men of Union County.
We have a long morning ahead of us, for there are wrongs to be righted, sins to be repented, grievances to be aired, and winds to be broken . . . all in an action-packed 60 mins.
If you attended last week’s #F3Outland, you’ll remember that Shemp and Joe, the two unnecessary Stooges, nearly ruined what used to be a glorious Saturday morning experience by unleashing what amounted to a giant stale Peep of a workout on the pax. Their unwanted sequel to that steamer of a workout from last year reminded us of cinematic gems such as “Son of the Mask”, “Titanic 2”, and “Deuce Bigalo, European Gigalo” – all sequels to something that should never have existed in the first place.
But we all followed along and went Gee when we should have gone Haw . . . time to jerk the bit and steer back on course.
Join me, Pancho, and Lefty tomorrow where we will turn the beat around and play a little #monkeyinthemiddle with what will possibly be the best worst idea to ever escape my twisted and unfiltered mind.
Let’s make Outland Great Again!
Horsehead
A nice cool morning to make everyone sweat.
5:30 struck and off we went for a #HairbandMile #Hairband100ydDash
COP
SSH x 20
Imperial Walkers x 20
Peter Parker x 10
Parker Peter x 10
I feel like I called something else but that may have been when I Q’ed Thrive on Tuesday, it’s all blending together now.
The Thang
Welcome to a Tabata/HIIT workout here is the deal. exercise for 45 seconds, rest for 15 (While moving to the next station) and the 45 second clock starts again. Anyone can do an exercise for 45 seconds right?!
Here are the stations:
We did 25 rounds and everyone was pushing themselves which is exactly what you should do!
Just as we were getting done my friend Jack Webb showed up! 1 Merkin to 4 Air Presses up to 10/40.
6MOM
Pretzel Crunch right for 10, left for 10
Flutter x 20
Rosalita x 20
Freddie Mercury x 27 (just to throw everyone off)
Superman/Banana
Again I think there was something else but can’t remember #O2Dep or #Old… #Both
Moleskin
So let me start with my #Brainfart… I planned an awesome playlist of music using Amazon Prime on my phone, it didn’t occur to me until 5:25am that I needed my phone for the tabata timer app! Ugh!
Grabbed my iPod out of my car and put on an old playlist, still a good playlist, but not as epic as I had planned. As pointed out I still had Whitesnake to pay homage to my Hair Band name.
Great work by everyone, great to see The Bus back, & as a newbie sorry about your arms today bro. Jack Webb has a way of rendering them pretty useless for the rest of the day and your suggestion on pulling that out for kids that show up in your office in trouble is a brilliant idea. #IAmNotAProfessional
I think I heard more groaning than #Mumblechatter through most of the workout which is a good thing.
Announcements/Prayers