Devil’s Turn, Swan Song for the McAlpine Greenway

Devil’s Turn, Swan Song for the McAlpine Greenway

Appropriate that the swan song for the McAlpine Greenway venue for Devil’s Turn was pretty well soaked, and yet 8 pax showed up to slog it out in the muck, well done men!  We had 6 Metro Pax for whom YHC will likely not remember all the names but they powered through 6 miles with one of them absolutely flying out there (as per his watch was at a slightly faster than 7 min pace), well done!  Swiss Miss as the lone 4 miler didn’t even break a sweat (was that possible with this humidity?) and is looking quite strong, stronger than he lets on I believe.  A lot of fellowship chatter amongst the Metro pax as they cruised along (YHC can hear it for about the first and last mile).

Admittedly YHC got lost #O2Dep and forgot to take one of the veer rights and did some serious mud running (good practice), can’t say it was any faster after Fast Twitch, slower if anything due to a non recovery but good pain nonetheless.

Reminder that next week and beyond the new venue is at the Rea Road Greenway entrance with the same times (5:15 for 6 milers, 5:30 for 4 milers and 5:15 Clydesdales for as far as you can go)

A Run on the Bank

The VSF was planted and 19 Maulers took off for a stroll around Stonecrest.

Thang:

Jog to one of the parking lots (the entire place is one big parking lot).

COP

SSHs x 25

IWs x 25

Merkins x 15

LBCs x 20

Jog to fountain

11’s: Jump Ups & Derkins

Planks

Jog to ATM for some runnin’ & the like:

Lunge walk x 40 yds

Burpee Broad Jumps x 40 yds

Defensive Shuffles x 40 yds

Repeato

Sprint x 40 yds

Repeato

Backwards Run x 40 yds

Repeato

Planks

Jog to back of movie theatre

Peoples chair x 2 min.

BTWs x 3

Peoples chair x 1 min. with shoulder presses

Mosey to home parking lot

Circle up for…..

5 Minutes of She-Hate-Me w/rotating triumvirate of:

Wide arms x 10

Jump squats x 10

Freddie Mercury’s x 10

6 MoM

One-legged Dolly L x 10

One-legged Dolly R x 10

One-legged Flutter R x 10

One-legged Flutter L x 10

Greatest American Hero w/musical accompaniment

Butterflies in GAH position x 10

Mason Twist x 15 – Special Thanks to Market Timer for the suggestion to finish off the workout

Moleskine:

As YHC pulled into The Maul I noticed a street sweeper making his rounds.  Thought there may be some merlot to be cleaned up when we were through, but alas, no spillage from any of the pax.  I’ll do better next time.  Did hear some mumblechatter during the 11’s that the walls were too high for jump-up’s.  Dora has a gash on his shin that speaks to that.

The Maul has some serious studs among the pax.  T-claps to all of you.  Special shout-out to Tuck, who has been at it for just 2 weeks, but I swear he’s posted 16 times.  And Frack who was an FNG Monday was back for more pain in the Stonecrest gloom today.  Also, IPTAY is bringing it consistently.  Great work men.

Also, pretty sure Boutique and Tuck are not-too-distant cousins.  #lookalikes  F3 brothers for sure.

Pretty sure Mighty Mite is on Q next week, so brace yourselves boys.  He’s typically the War Baby of the pax, and he’ll have plenty of energy to bring the pain next week.

Announcements:

Signup on website for Patriots Festival.  Can triple down with the workout or do just the 5k and tribute to veterans.  #freedomnotfree #honorourfallenheroes

Signup as well by this Friday for fall mudrun and goruck in August

3rd F workouts – The Yardstick – Thursday 0630 at Panera South Park and Compass – Friday 0630 at Chic-Fil-A Arboretum

F3 Dads – Saturdays in June – Francis Beatty Park at 0900, 2.0’s of any age; Header is your Q

New Monday workout – DMZ – launches 6/3 at Carmel Middle School

THIS SATURDAY – 5/25 – new 0700 workout at McAlpine Elementargy (name TBD)

 

 

Thank you sir, may I have another?

The shovel flag was firmly planted, and 44 PAX (including 2 FNG’s) started the day off right.         

WARMUP/COP:

  • Little baby jog to the teacher’s parking lot. Shhh, don’t wake the neighbors.
  • One-legged burpees – OYO 5R/5L
  • Imperial Walker x 25
  • SSH x 35
  • One-legged burpees – OYO 5R/5L
  • Plank and count off
  • Half of group go with Donkey Kong and half with YHC (switch half way at the PAX exchange zone)

Donkey Kong’s lead:

Run to track and line up on field sideline

  • Bear Crawl x 50 yards
  • 10 Burpees
  • Crab Crawl x 50 yards
  • 10 Burpees
  • Lunge walk x 50 yards
  • 10 Burpees
  • Backwards Bear Crawl x 50 yards
  • 10 Burpees

Plank-o-rama

  • Right Hand/Leg High
  • Regular
  • Left Hand/Leg High
  • Regular
  • Right Hand Balboa
  • Left Hand Balboa

Jack Webbs (1 Merkin + 4 arm raises incrementally)

  • Group 1 up to 7 Merkins/28 arm raises
  • Group 2 up to 5 Merkins/20 arm raises

Run to Concession Stand

  • Peoples Chair w/ Raised Arms x 1 minute
  • BTW x 5
  • Group 2 did manage to get in Jack Webb set #6 (6 Merkins/24 arm raises) at the end

Stagecoach’s lead:

Run to baseball field area

  • 20 Dips
  • 10 Supine Pullups
  • 15 Rail Hops (if you’re OCD like me, add 1 so you’re even on each side)
  • Rinse and Repeat

Migrate to shallow right-center field

Push-o-rama:

  • Wide arm merkins x 10
  • Staggered right arm merkins x 10
  • Staggered left arm merkins x 10
  • Partner derkins (PAX 1 plank; PAX 2 decline merkins) x 10
  • Firkins (fingertips merkins) x 10  #buildingstrongfingers
  • Diamond merkins for group 2 (you can thank TR who was begging for ‘em) x 10

Broad jump burpees from center field to the left field foul pole.  #realcrowdpleaser

Jog up the hill to find a piece of wall

  • People’s chair x 60
  • Wall Plank
  • Wall mountain climbers

Entire group come back together at the end for DK’s slow flutter special x 40

COT

Moleskin:

  • The one-legged burpees were a hit to start off COP.  In fact, that’s why YHC added a second set after SSH.
  • Apparently DK’s group 1 was stronger as they managed more Jack Webb sets.  Plus, that group pleaded for some diamond merkins in push-o-rama.  I even heard a call for one-arm diamonds, although no one stepped up on that.
  • YHC called out by PAX for cadence and movements getting out of sync in 2nd round of push-o-rama.  #wastedarms  #QICgotbusted
  • Lively bunch this morning…lots of #mumblechatter.
  • Nice work by all.  Welcome to the 2 FNG’s today.  Hope you enjoyed the workout and come back for more.

Announcements:

  • HDHH tonight – 6 pm at Vintner Wine Market.  Great 2nd F opportunity.
  • 3rd F workouts:
    • Yardstick – Southpark Panara Bread; Thursdays at 0630; see Hops with questions
    • Compass (True Measure of a Man book study) – Chick-fil-a Arbotetum; Fridays at 0630; see Stone Cold or Bulldog with questions
  • Signup for Fall mud run by 5/25
  • F3 Dads each Saturday in June…more details coming soon.
  • New Monday workout (DMZ) at Carmel Middle School starts 6/3.
  • New Saturday workout (name TBD) at McAlpine Elementary starts this week, 5/25.

Fast Twitch Launch, and the Beast Ate My Little Orange Cones

Aye! 14 brave souls (2 brave FNGs) ventured into the extra gloomy gloom to see what all this Fast Twitch talk was all about.  Whatever they were expecting, it probably wasn’t this.

The Thang:
Run to football field for COP
SSH x 20
IW x 15
Merkins x 15
Peter Parkers x 15

Mosy to end line
Run full length of field (goalpost to goalpost) — become one with the field, fellas (foreshadowing).

The Beast: 6 trips down and back full length of field, 6 stops on each trip, 6 reps of called exercise at each stop.  Called exercises:
Merkins
Squats
Jumping lunges
Burpees (crowd pleaser)
Wide Arm Merkins
and something else

11’s on the full length of the field with burpees and squats (smoker)

As pax finishes the 11’s begin burpee laps — run a lap, 10 burpees, repeato until all pax finished w/ 11’s.  Everyone runs at least one lap.

Run to parking lot, peoples chair until all pax arrive.

COT

Moleskin:

Ok, so that was a total smoker.  We covered ~3.4 miles, so Fast Twitch did live up to the billing of covering more ground than your average bootcamp workout.  Though the pax was smoked and relatively quiet out there today, and generally not very fast with all the burpees, etc, taking the speed out of us.

I had no idea how long that set of 11’s was going to take.  I had a load of other stuff planned for after that if there had been time.  Don’t worry, it’s all on the list for next time.

Good size crowd for a launch, including 2 brave FNGs.  Hope to see you guys out again.

Totally forgot about my orange cones that I put out to mark the stops for the Beast.  If the DV pax sees them out there tomorrow morning, grab ’em for me.  Thanks.

Turkey Leg is the QIC next week.  Let’s see what he’s got up his turkey leg.

Nice work out there today fellas.

-Sprague

Skunkiversary

Thirty men (including 1 FNG) put on the big boy pants this morning to experience the Best of Skunkworks. Not a lot of surprises here…

Warm Up

  • SSH x 30
  • I-Wokka x 25

Greatest Hit #1:  100 Burpees.  10 minute cap.

Mosey to Ring Road

Greatest Hit #2: Partner up. KB Farmer Sprint with 10 merkin chase.  Take it to main entrance.

Grab a plate from the grass, line for….

Greatest Hit #3: Hairburners.

  • Pax 1:  Hairburn 2 x 25 yards
  • Pax 2-end of line: various KB exercises

A Few Minutes of Mary, Pt. 1:

  • KB Flutter x 10 (KB press)
  • Flutter x 10
  • KB Dolly x 10
  • Dolly x 10
  • KB Rosalita x 10
  • Rosalita x 10

Greatest Hit #4:  Hairburner chase sprints to the house.

  • Pax 1:  burn hair
  • Rest of team 5 merkins, then chase sprint with KBs.
  • Repeat for .3 miles.

A Minute of Mary, Pt. 2:

  • 6″ 
  • 6″ Dolly
  • 6″
  • 6″ Dolly

COT

MOLESKIN

  • The backblast for the original Skunk Works is lost to posterity (I can’t find it–Google black belts, if you can please post in comments), but I know this:  we started with 100 burpees on May 22, 2012 (I can still see the look on NIbbler’s face). And so I thought it was fitting to honor the #BigBang with a 100 burpee reprisal this morning.  I don’t think burpees ever get easier, but we’ve gotten stronger.
  • What Runstopper and Bulldog lack in height, they make up with shortness.  Also, they are burpee machines.  Both are in great shape, no doubt, but there is a decided #dwarfmanburpeeadvantage. I think Runstopper knocked out his 100 in under 5 min.  Bulldog wasn’t far behind, though I am not sure.  I was concentrating on not yakking up my spleen.  Everyone, it appeared, knocked out their 100, though.  Even Hops with his Three-Toed-Sloth Burpees.
  • Lots of strong work on the KB Sprint Chases.  Big crowd waiting for those of us with man-sized bells.
  • Look, just the threat of hairburners made runners out of two non-runners, and they fled to Fast Twitch.  Hope you puked your guts out.  For those who chose to #embracethesuck, they got a couple of rounds on out and backs but the #crowdpleaser was pushing them back to the parking lot, a little over a 1/4 mile away.  Lots of fun.
  • T-Claps to Geraldo who has turned into a hairburner beast and for Crab Cake who actually brought a present  to celebrate one year:  a bottle of Woodford Reserve Bourbon.  It would have come in handy this morning to deaden the pain, but we’ll save it for the June 8, A51 Pool Party in a few weeks (sign up).
  • One year ago, we had two workouts in Area 51.  By Monday we’ll have 16, with three new ones this week alone. But apart from quantity, the quality has grown as well.  We are faster and stronger physically.  We are better men.  We are stronger leaders.  Great work, guys.  Looking forward to the next year and more.

Merkin Mayhem

14 Sons of Ballantyne attacked the day with a gentle combo featuring merkins and abs.

The Thang:

Warm up

Personal record Merkin Day (as many as you can do).  Got to around 30 or so on the F3 count.  25 Side Straddle Hops.  25 mountain climbers.  10 more merkins for good measure.

Mosey to lake wall.

25 seated crunch, 10 slow decline Merkins, 10 slow dips.  Lap around lake.  Repeato.

Mosey to second lake.

Merkin/Mary combo.  2 merkins, 15 flutter, 4 merkins, 15 dolly, 6 merkins, 15 rosalita, 8 merkins, 15 mason twist, 10 merkins, 15 heels to heavens, 8 merkins, 15 wide legged sit-ups, 6 merkins, 15 left side raises, 4 merkins, 15 right side raises, 2 merkins, protractor with Freeleys Comet.

Mosey past 3rd lake to parking lot.

Sprint relay: two teams 50 meter sprint and back while rest of team does squats.

Mosey back to Vine parking lot.

10 burpees in your own time.

Done!

Moleskin:

– Not much chatter from the PAX today.  Everyone focussed on the task at hand.

– 30 count merkins is not bad, but there is no reason we can’t get to 50….

– Mighty Mike burned a hole in the parking lot with his turn of speed during the relay.

– Next week Puppy Love takes the helm for the first time.

Base Camp Rookie Day brought to you by Coal Miner’s Daughter

First off, great turnout today for Base Camp Rookie Day, a total of 21 Pax showed up despite the gloomy weather (although in YHC’s opinion you don’t get a better intro to F3 than that).  A well done workout by Coal Miner’s Daughter who has done a fantastic job as a real leader of Base Camp, well done brother.  We’ll miss you for the next little while.  There were 3 FNG’s and a couple of Kotters out there.

A real thanks to some of the leaders of Area 51 for coming out and bringing the F3 spirit (sorry TR, we don’t do 6 inches at Base Camp).  YHC has learned a lot from you guys, thanks for coming to show other newer folks the same.

21 Pax, including 3 FNG’s, several vets checking our Base Camp for first time and several familiar faces returning after being MIA, showed up for Rookie Day and the “Best of Base Camp”.

The thang:

COP

SSH x 25

Imperial Walker x 25

CDD x 10

Squats x 15

Merkins x 10

Mosey to track for two lines x 400m Indian Run

1 lap of “3’s” from Final Four Base Camp – 3 merkins at six stations around the track

Jog/High Knees/Butt Kicks to bleachers at baseball field

20 dips – 20 incline merkins on rail

20 dips – 15 incline merkins on rail

Mosey to baseball outfield

Karaoke left 30 yards from foul line – 10 merkins

Backpedal 30 yards back to foul line – 20 squats

Karaoke right 30 yards from foul line – 30 LBC’s

Jog back to foul line

Mosey to base of steps

Bunny hop up steps – plank walk down rail back to base of steps

Repeat

Mosey up steps to restroom wall

People’s chair x 40 sec

5 MOM

Dolly x 10

Flutter x 10

Rosalita x 10

LBC x 10

COT

Moleskin: Fantastic effort by all, all PAX staying together during the Indian Run for example (well done Tumbler, Briquette, Big Bear and others on the effort there!).  Great first time effort by Harpo Frack and Crockett, I expect I’ll see some of you at other F3 workouts given how well you cranked it out today.

Announcements:

Next week we are converging with the Matrix at McKee Road Elementary school with a special 7 am Holiday start time.

New Tues workout also at S. Charlotte Middle – Fast Twitch to work on speed kicking off tomorrow

Beyond Billingsville – F3F to Support “Bulldogs Matter” Afterschool Program at AG Middle School

F3 is ready to grow our tutoring/mentoring program in partnership with CrossRoads Corporation. Our goal is to assist kids from Grier Heights as they make the transition to AG Middle School. In addition to tutoring starting in September, there are opportunities to assist this summer.

Summer opportunities – 2013 Freedom School

– Drive MPPC church bus (must be member of church) on June 9 and/or June 15 to take kids to/from Camp Harrison, near Lenoir. Approximate 4 hour round trip.
– Read at Freedom School (summer school program at AG Middle School) for 15-30 minutes, Tuesday – Friday mornings, one time committment
– Field trip chaperone’s – Various one time opportunities on Wednesdays or Thursdays to assist with field trips throughout the summer. Requires committment from 4:30pm to 7:30pm

These are great opportunities to “test the waters” for those who are interested but not yet ready to make a commitment to regular tutoring.

Bulldogs Matter afterschool program – Starting in September

Collaborative effort between CrossRoads Corporation and AG Middle School to improve the academic, emotional, and social readiness for identified at-risk students from Grier Heights.

Tutoring opportunity Monday thru Thursday from 3:45 to 5:45. Looking for committments of one to two days per month in order to have a constant presence in the program. Our goal is to provide a stable adult influence for the kids and guide them in establishing goals and working toward them. Only requirement is committment to show up – no prior tutoring experience required.

Please shout out below or contact me at pchepul@gmail.com if you are ready to help a young person thru a challending time in their life.

CrossRoads Corporation is a faith-based non-profit organization in partnership with Myers Park Presbyterian Chruch, residents of Grier Heights and other stakeholders in the revitalization of the Grier Heights neighborhood.

By The Book

17 beasts emerged from the dampened Gloom ready to kick Monday in the teeth and stood steady for another massive dose of…

THE RED PILL

1/3 mile mosey down to the far parking lot and back up to the top parking lot for…

COP

  • x26 SSH
  • x16 IW
  • x16 Slow Merkins
  • x16 Squats
  • x16 CCD

Mosey over to Little Baby Track for…

Partner Track Work
Pax 1: 1 lap moderate pace. Pax 2: AMRAP legs exercise. Flapjack when Pax 1 completes lap.

  • Lap 1: Peter Parkers
  • Lap 2: Squats
  • Plank (Zipadee lead)
  • Lap 3: Mountain Climbers
  • Lap 4: Jump Squats
  • Plank

Move to front of school and break into 4 groups for…

Circuit Work
4 groups, 4 exercises, 3 times around the circuit

  • 40 yd* Wall Walk (*up to)
  • 15 Tuck Jumps
  • 40 yd Lunge Walk
  • 15 Plank Jacks (add merkin for extra credit)
  • Plank

Circle up for…

4MOM

  • x16 LBC
  • x10 HTH (courtesy Countertop)
  • x16 Dolly (courtesy Zipadee)
  • x?? Rosalita (counted in Spanish…I don’t speak Spanish, so I have no clue how many we did)

Mosey to Little Baby Playground for…

  • 7s: Dips and Derkins, slow with good form
  • x10 Makhtar N’Diaye
  • x15 Burpees

COT

Moleskin

This was a no-frills, by-the-book F3 bootcamp workout. K.I.S.S. and you will still get smoked pax. Lots of exercise inspiration from Mic Check, Escargot and Snowflake though — wall walks, curcuits and using the blacktop wisely.

It was a soggy one, but misery for misery’s sake is reserved for GORUCK Challenges, so we kept to the blacktops instead of the slop fields, and many M’s did rejoice on this day.

Fraggle had a surprise ruck workout last Wednesday at The Maul — that must explain his new-found speed on the track this morning. I spied Lobster Roll across the lot executing perfect-form Merkin Jacks. Tiger Rag would be so proud. I didn’t see everyone’s work on the set of 7s, but I saw lots more pax executing slow, controlled movements and excellent form.

Welcome to today’s FNG R. Burnett, now known forevermore as “Captain Planet.” Strong work, brother, and we hope to see you out again soon.

According to Sprague’s Buck Rogers Wrist Transponder we covered 1.3 miles. Not bad.

Side note to Young Love: the call phrase is “Sun’s out, guns out.” I didn’t see any sun this morning.

Announcements

When I say “GO!” you say “RUCK!” But only for another day. The deadline for hard committing to being awesome is tomorrow. Stop thinking. Start doing.

USMC Mud Run signup deadline is this week as well. The Superbowl of F3. Get on board.

Triple Down Memorial Day with Wounded Heroes at the Patriot Festival Go The Extra Mile 5K. Register by 5/26. (Choose “F3 Registration/Sponsorship.”)

Fast Twitch new Running/Bootcamp workout begins tomorrow at 0515 (not 0530) at S.CLT Middle School (Death Valley location). Sprague is your Q. Get faster.

New Saturday workout at McAlpine Elementary begins this Saturday, 5/25. We need 20 men to HC and make this their new happy place.

Wiggler – 5:30 am Tues

Come Wiggle with us!  5:30 am launch tomorrow – corner of Foxcroft and Rothwood.  Fellowship / taper pace.  Our numbers are increasing – dont be left out!