Wait, these things have straps?
Warmup:
SSH x 20
IW x 20
Windmill x 20
Merkins x 33 (SHCOTM Merkins)
The Thang:
Ruck press x 10
Ruck rows (rutrows) x 12
Ruck squats x 15
REPEATO?
No straps on your rucks, single file line and lets move out around the track. Alternate 100m rucks up and 100m rucks down.
REPEATO. THE WHOLE THING? YES, THE WHOLE THING. Until time is up.
Moleskine:
Not the craziest workout, nor the most demanding physically, however the monotony of the same thing over and over combined with all the overhead ruck work is enough to drag you down. You had to dig deep mentally today.
Lots of 2nd F this morning as well and as always it is an honor to lead the faithful of SPEARHEAD, albeit a little intimidating. Some of these guys are beasts—you know who you are.
There’s nothing like a chilly early morning rain to make your workout make you feel alive. Hope you men enjoyed it.
Leatherwood Mountain Ultra Run
Trying this again folks….
A perfect event for F3. Enjoy the beauty of the mountains while you push yourself to the limit! The title “Ultra Run” may put you off but take it from me if you can run a half-marathon then you can definitely do this. There are 10 mile, 50k, and 50 mile options. All are on trails, all will be testing. This event most likely involves an overnight trip to the location (not far from Blowing Rock) so it will be a great opportunity for some 2nd F.
No way I can run 31 miles…!
Try it. You’ll be shocked. A trail run is very different from a road race because the course is unique and you are not racing against the clock in the same way that you do in a marathon or half. Typical finish times for the 50k last year were 7-9 hours. No way to cheat on this one. Just do it!
Event Details The Leatherwood Mountains Ultra Run will be held on the grounds of Leatherwood Mountains Resort and Stables. Unlike most events that are held on public lands, this event will be primarily on private land. Don’t miss it….You WON’T be disappointed!!! What makes this event so unique is the availability of luxury mountain cabins to rent at Leatherwood. Get a group of runners, friends, or family together and make a memorable weekend vacation. Who wouldn’t want great mountain views and a hot tub at your convenience?!?!
It is recommended to stay at Leatherwood the night before and possibly the night after the event. There are numerous cabins for rent. Make it a family event and bring your M and 2.0s. They will have a great time in the expansive grounds while you are killing yourself out on the trail.
Course Race course will take place over varied terrain in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Much of the race will be on single track trail, but will have a mix of asphalt, gravel, and jeep trail roads. If you have experience running in the Blue Ridge Mountains you’ll know that the trail could change from one day to the next. One day could be dry, the next could be muddy.
50 Mile – Course will consist of 4 loops. There will be 3 unique loops, with one loop of 10 miles being repeated. Gain and loss will be about 11,000ft. Start time: 7am
50 Kilometer : Course will consist of 2 unique loops, which will also be run by the 50 milers. With around 7,000 to 8,000ft gain.
10 Mile – Runners will pass through Rawhide Aid Station twice. Race Start: 9am
Hard Commit
Register and pay here: http://lwmtnultrarun.com/ then post your hard commit in the comments below. Cabins for rent are here: http://www.leatherwoodmountains.com/cabins.htm. Please note if you are interested in sharing a cabin with others.
Training
Once we have a few sign ups Haggis will coordinate trail running practice sessions. Any questions please either post below or email Haggis at George@stonemanrocks.com.
Does the clay tell the potter what to do?
5 pax posted for another Thursday gathering of The Yardstick. Agony had posted at Bastion prior, but the rest had not hit a 1st F workout prior to the 3rd F workout.
The Thang:
Great discussion and insight from all the pax — focused principally on how we so often try to limit God’s intentions and his ways to what we can conceive or imagine. We try to shrink him down to our size. Pretty prideful to assume our finite, limited minds can fully discern His plan for this world. (Isaiah 55: 8-9)
If we can allow ourselves to be humbled (which He will do to us whether we want to be humbled or not), then maybe, just maybe, we’ll be willing to admit that His plan is actually better than ours.
Other questions to ponder included:
* Is there really one way to God? John 14:6
* Is there really one name by which we must be saved? Acts 4:12
* Is there really a Book of Life? If so, how do we get our names in its pages?
As always, it’s a highlight of YHC’s week to be a part of this 3rd F group. Special welcome to Tank who joined The YardStick pax for the first time. Come back brother. All are welcome. The invitation is for all.
Announcements:
Next week: How would you want your obituary to read? What do you want people to say of you when you die?
“…putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now….”
8 of the pax gathered in a corner near the WF Atrium; and the brown baggers of the Lions Den, after a pre-game Namearama, dug into Matthew 3:13-17.
The Thang:
FNG to Lions Den –> Rev. Flo-rida prayed the pax in
Great discussion and questions such as:
*How humbled must John have been to baptize Jesus? He wasn’t just baptizing a cousin; he was baptizing the one about whom he had been testifying…the Messiah.
*Was it necessary for Jesus to be baptized? If so, why?
*How important is it for us to have the approval of our father? And what about our 2.0’s – how often do we let them know how pleased we are with them?
A privilege for YHC to spend a lunch hour with like-minded men searching for the truth to matters of infinite consequence. Not a bad way to spend an hour. Great to have Rev. Flo-rida and Boba Fett join the Lions Den pax for the first time. Hope to see you guys again soon. Aye!
Announcements:
Ribeye on Q at The Lions Den next week. Text:John 1:29-42
Picking Up The Pace at SPEARHEAD
10 SPEARHEADs came out in the cold this morning to continue work on rucking speed and pace.
The Thang:
- 0345 – Extra credit ruck launch – 3 Miles
- 0445 – Launch from back parking lot
- 10 Men, 40lb Sandbag, Full Water Can
- We followed the same route from last week.
- Our goal this week was to end with 6 miles, but the addition of a new coupon (water jug) seemed to put a slight damper on the pace.
- 5.9 miles was our final distance with an average pace of 15:20/mi
Moleskin:
- Strong work out there today. At times we were moving very quick, and it was tough to keep it up with the coupons in tow.
- We have started to see some new faces around SPEARHEAD over the last couple weeks as training ramps up for the Custom Challenge, Custom Heavy, and other non-F3 challenges that the PAX are participating in. It’s been great to get to know some new PAX and welcome them in to the fun and fellowship that comes along with distance rucking.
- Dallas sent Gulfstream down from the North to get some intel on the confederate squad. We enjoyed having him, but we had to keep our civil war secrets to ourselves for the duration of the ruck.
- I know some of you would rather be carrying 150 pounds each of trees and whatnot instead of focusing on speed. Hoff will be sure to quench that thirst for you very soon….
- At one point today, Hoff picked up a dead Christmas tree from the side of the road and carried it a few blocks. Mighty Mite carried a log he found in someone’s trash for about two miles. These guys were just looking for ways to make their morning more painful. Strong work, guys!
- Thanks for letting me lead two weeks in a row, I enjoyed it and I hope that you got something good out of it.
Announcements:
SPEARHEAD Civil War workout is coming up in February. The North SPEARHEAD will face off against the South SPEARHEAD. Contact your team’s general if you want to participate. The Hoff is leading the South, Dallas is leading the North.
DREDD is coming down to Q SPEARHEAD South on 1/17, I hope we will see everyone out for this special guest Q!
New Site Brings New Life to Rebel Yell
The VSF was planted and like the Phoenix rising from the ashes Rebel Yell was reborn, full of new life, as 17 Faithful thawed out at it’s new urban location – Stonecrest.
The Thang
Frasier came screaming in at the last possible moment and caught up to the pax on our leisurely meander past the cinema to the parking lot behind Jersey Mike’s for a little warm up.
COP
SSH x 40 (last 10 fast)
Slow Squat x 30
Rock hoppers x 20
Tighten up the circle for a little Ring of Fire with Up Downs – pigskin style. Down when you heard the whistle. #crowdpleaser
Mosey towards speed bumps
Karoake Right/Left, High Knees, Butt Kicks, backwards run – about 200 yards worth.
Mosey up Grandfather Mtn’s nephew across Elm Ln to Ballantyne Trace.
Split into 3 groups – group 1 at top of street; group 3 at bottom; group 2 runs down to replace 3, 3 runs up to replace 1 etc….(audible had to be called – more in moleskin)
1st round
Top: Merkins
Bottom: CDD’s
2nd round
Top: Mtn Climbers
Bottom: Hand release Merkins
Mosey back to Stonecrest for a some ‘Semi Gloss’ behind the movie theatre.
90 secs then 10 merkins
60 secs then 20 CDD’s – another audible thanks to Radar
Mosey back to parking lot for some Hill Mary
Group 1 bear crawls up hill and back down while group 2 does The Dolly – flapjack
Group 1 dragon crawls up and down while group 2 does the Rosalita – flapjack
Group 1 dragon crawls up and down while group 2 does The J Lo – flapjack
Group 1 crab walks up and down while group 2 does burpees – flapjack
Moleskin
No WhiskeyDicking around this morning for the 2nd week of ‘Re-Rebel Yell’. Matter of fact, I think we may have broken a record for Rebel Yell counts. Part of the reason why we changed locations. Glad to see that decision is bringing more PAX out on Thursdays. Keep it coming.
YHC had more plans with that whistle today besides the Ring of Fire Up Downs but plans change, like they always do. Figured it would come in handy during ROF as when mumble chatter was heard the whistle was blown. There were quite a few whistles but surely not too many.
To think that YHC had Ballantyne Trace figured out would be a misconception. An audible had to be called right away for a shorter run distance to help out with the chest and shoulder domination that was taking place. Sorry for the confusion but hopefully you got something from it.
Glad to see Radar was able to whine his way into posting today. Next time, do what I do. Tell, don’t ask. Recipe for a successful marriage. And that’ll be $150. Had his flatulence not choked YHC during the ‘Semi Gloss’ there would have been round 3.
Speaking of Semi Gloss, a bonus to all of us during this Arctic Vortex has been his inability to go all Chippendale on us. Thank you Mother Nature.
Appreciate Semi Gloss taking us out in prayer.
As always, twas an honor to lead this morning.
Announcements
Don’t forget to sign up if you want to attend the Lone Survivor this Friday at Cinebarre. Limited space available. Cash only. Check website. 2nd F to take place in the lobby at Cinebarre (they have a full bar) starting at 7 or at The Lodge starting at or around the same time. Also bring a few extra dollars if you participated in the Joe Davis Run and forgot to donate for the bagels and coffee.
BRR interest email went out last night. Email Baracas at andersbt@icloud.com if you are interested in joining a team this year.
All Area 51 locations will be doing ‘The Murph’ this Saturday. And no, this wasn’t a former F3’er who passed away rucking the 485 loop in sub 0 temps. Check the website for more details as a convergence will be starting at #F3TheRock at 7am.
I Can Haz Gorucks?
9 gents met in the noticeably warmer but still frosty gloom this morning for a beat down. Goruck training and events may have influenced the Q’s choice of exercises. Time to share the Good Livin.
The Thang:
Warm-up jog around the school.
Circle up behind school for:
Side Straddle Hops x 30
Imperial Walkers x 30
Mountain Climbers x 30
Flutter Kicks x 30 – 10 seconds holds from Bugeater, Lab Rat, and 1 other (Things got fuzzy)
Run to parking lot and partner up for:
20 Selection-Quality Merkins – Partner 1 performs the proper form pushups while partner 2 planks and observes to keep the man honest. (Feet no more than 12 inches apart, legs, back and head in a straight line, hands wherever they are comfortable. Upper arms must break parallel on the down movement, arms must fully straighten on the upward movement, no head bobbing.)
Mosey to Track:
Complete 1 lap around the track by alternating 20-count Bear Crawls (Each hand forward is a count) with 5 Selection-Quality Merkins. Plank when Complete.
Mosey to back field:
20 Burpees on your own.
Crab Crawl across field.
10 Burpees on your own.
Crab Crawl across field.
Tunnel of Love x 2
8-Count Body-Builders x 10?
Circle up:
X-Ups x 10?
Barishnikoff’s x 10 each leg
LBC’s x 75
Jack Web up to 6 – Start with 1 Merkin/4 Arm-Raises, increase up to 6 Merkins/24 Arm-Raises
Mosey to Parking Lot:
20 Burpees on your own.
COT:
The Lone Survivor movie event is almost full, at last count there were only 10 spaces available. Move quickly if you wish to participate. Bring cash or check only as payment, no cards will be accepted. Happy hour prior to the movie is at Vinter’s Wine Market. Times and details on the website.
The Spearhead-affilliated BrewRuck is this Saturday. It will be a good time. Check the Spearhead website for details.
Moleskin:
Great work out there today, everybody was working hard. YHC has not led a workout in some months, please excuse the low number of Burpees and exercises, I will work to get back into proper leading form. Not much chatter was heard this morning, thanks to everyone for tolerating the Selection-Quality push-up tutorial. #Doitrighteverytime
Almost Balmy
Buddy Up
The VSF was planted. 22 men, with a 23rd joining us at some point in the dark gloom, set out for another Wednesday morning hike through Death Valley.
The Thang:
Prior to launch, the pax partnered up with someone of similar fitness level….or that was the goal anyway. Throughout the 45 minutes, the pax was exhorted to not leave their buddy from COP to COT. More on that in the Moleskine.
Jog to track for warmup lap
COP:
20 Rockhoppers (IC)
20 Squats (IC)
15 Groiners (IC)
15 H-R Merkins (IC)
Mosey back to track.
4 laps of 4 corners of the following exercises:
Lap 1: Jump Squat x 13
Lap 2: Partner hand-slap merkins x 13
Lap 3: Burpees x 13
Lap 4: Decline merkins x 7 (alt. corners – partners feet on back of planking partner)
Plank when finished after each lap.
Mosey to football field
Lunge walk across width of football field
Burpee broad jump 1/2 way across field
Bear crawl the other 1/2 of field
Jog back to launch lot
Prairie Fire Mary – 10L, 10C, 10R. Flapjack.
20 old school sit-up’s while partner planks with hands on feet. Flapjack.
People’s Chair – back-to-back with partner
Flutter x 13 (IC). Hold it for 90 seconds.
COT
Moleskine:
Immediately prior to launch, YHC noticed one of the pax still in his car. Thought it was a thin-skinned pax rethinking the post in the cold, so YHC ran over only to discover it was Strange Brew – who has endured temps the likes of which the rest of the 22 pax have never even imagined. DK saved you the LIFO label though Brew!
TR was especially anxious to get moving. Great work by the pax. Tried to keep us moving and didn’t hear much talk once we got moving, so O2 deprivation was at least partially the reason. Appreciate Fletch -my partner and fellow MudRun #closetalker waiting on his buddy at a few of the corners.
Some of the pax were donning headlamps, and they were useful today. It was darker than normal for some reason. Stars out but no moon?
Good to have Cheese Curd back out among the pax – Kotters. And T-claps to Prohibition who has been posting machine since his FNG post just a couple weeks ago.
It’s a new year men – remember to keep EH’ing the sadclowns in your world. They need this just as much as we did…and we still do for that matter.
YHC’s repeated exhortation to “stay with your buddy” comes from Lone Survivor. I’m almost finished with the book (and will be prior to Friday night – see announcements). It’s a powerful story. Marcus Luttrell’s love for and commitment to his SEAL team buddies is what has gripped me the most; even more so than the crazy training they endured, and the harrowing and ultimately deadly operation they undertook in the Afghanistan mountains while going after the Taliban crazies.
Grateful for Stagecoach tapping me to Q at Death Valley, and even more thankful for our brotherhood in F3 – Aye!
Announcements:
Lone Survivor movie Friday night at Cinebarre-Arboretum. Happy hour at 7pm at Vintners. Movie at 8:30pm. Bring cash/check (no credit cards). Don’t pay at booth – pay at table outside our reserved theater.
Also, for those who were at The Fort convergence and Joe Davis Run last Saturday and didn’t chip in – bring cash Friday night to defray cost of onsite coffeeteria. Any profits will go to the Run’s charity: Keystone Substance Abuse Center.
Saturday morning at all Area51 AOs –> The Murph. Post…and EH a buddy.
HDHH tonight at The Lodge at 6pm.
Rebel Yell Thursday – new location – Stonecrest. Same AO as Wednesday’s The Maul.
1 49er Faithful
Trash talking Mighty Mite suggested after Sunday’s Niner victory that I should make The Maul workout this week a Panther vs 49er theme. I took the youngster’s suggestion and 7 men got an earful of Niner history.
Warm up, mosey to Firebirds parking lot
- SSH 25
- IWS 25
- MTN 30
- Plank hold with some 6″ mixed in
Quick mosey to wall
- Dips 30
- hand release MERKINS 20
MM couldn’t control himself and started trash talking. Something about the hand release MERKINS looking like Kaepernick getting sacked.
- Dips 30
- hand release MERKINS X 0, or number of Panther Superbowl trophies
- hand release MERKINS x5, or number of Niner Super Bowl trophies
- hand release MERKINS x16, or the number of the greatest NFL QB, Joe Montana
mosey to ATM, don’t scare the gentleman withdrawing cash
4 CORNERS
- high knees
- shuffle
- back pedal
- shuffle
- REPEATO 3X
- burpee broad jump
- plank walk
- backwards bear crawl
- plank walk
- REPEATO
- high knees
- shuffle
- back pedal
- shuffle
- REPEATO
Mosey to Hill
Hill Ladder with turkish get ups. 1(CAM) to 7(KAP).
Circle for Mary
- Flutter 25
- Dolly 25
- Mason Twist 30
- Side crunch 15 each side (Spackler had a fancy F3 name for it, but the cold has clouded my memory)
- JLO 30 (Maul fan favorite)
Rinse off with Burpees 15, Crabtree’s number.
MOLESKINE
Frehleys rolled up at the last second, I asked him if he needed to warm up a bit, he said he was good to go. A lot of the usual SOBs were in attendance. Spackler, Rebel Yell Q, made just his 2nd Maul appearance. He was doing his homework trying to get used to his new Thursday workout surroundings.
At the start of the workout there was a lot of chatter about fingertips being frozen. I think the burpee broad jump fixed the issue. Market Timer summed it up best calling the circuit, very unsavory.
Strong showing by the PAX this morning. Its always an honor to lead you guys. MM on Q next week. He’ll certainly be in a salty mood after Sunday’s defeat.
Announcements:
Friday is The Lone Survivor movie night. I read the book and can’t wait to see the movie. I highly recommend it. See you there. Bring some extra cash to pitch in for the Joe Davis Run coffeeteria that some of the Pax provided.
Reminder: Rebel Yell is now at Stonecrest Thursdays. Same spot as The Maul.