Start at the light, end at the light

FNGs: nope!
Warm Up: Butt kicks, High knees, Karaokes, A skips (B skips and C skips for @LED and YHC)
The Workout: Lights set the stage for the speedsters at each corner of the track, marking out each 100m. @LED started his morning before the other PAX arrived to get done by 6am. Even though the workout called for picks ups and slow downs, @Da Business refused to slow down, he just powered lap after lap. After a 1 mile at 10k pace to start, PAX briefly recovered. Then did repeats for 10 min, 300m pickups with 100m jog to recover. After an easy 800m recovery, PAX did more repeats for 10 min of 200m pickups with 200m active recovery. Every pick-up ended at the finish-line. A few PAX closed with 50m strides, some did 4, some did 1.
Mary: Walking
Announcements: Dee Dee 5k, Family friendly AO on Saturday at 9am
T-Claps (Recognition): @LED starting early and pushing solo, @Slide Rule keeping good form, @Pikachu for embracing the track and @Da Business being a solid rock!
Prayer: Family prayers for: Forceps, Slide Rule, Pikachu

All Kinds of Merkin Madness

Great night for an AO! Mid- 50’s, mostly dry ground, no fog. All unexpected pax for tonight’s study in the “Way of the Merkin”. YHC got this idea just hours earlier and some brave pax even helped me try out a few new Thangs that I’ll use at future Q’s. We learned first hand about the evolution and many forms of the Merkin tonight. Flag planted and feet moving at 1900.

FNG’s: No

Warm Up: Moseyed to the batting cage lot for 10 counts of: Good Mornings, Frankenstein’s, Fazio Arm Circles F/R, Standard Merkins (13 ct. my lucky number), Moroccan Night Clubs, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, 13 ct. Diamond Merkins, Daisy Pickers, and Windmills.
The Workout: Thang 1. 4 corners with 5,10,15,20 count exercises at each successive corner. Exercises were LSF (IC) and for 2nd round, Prisoner Squats. 3rd round was 3,6,9,12 of double merkin burpees with lunge walks on short ends. This challenged the pax and YHC. No mumblechatter by corner 3.

Thang 2.  Rocks. YHC called 13 counts of the following exercises: Curls for the Girls x 3, Tricep Press x2, Squats x2, Deadlifts, Rut Rows x 2, Shoulder Press x 3, Ground Pounders x2, Trunk Twists, Bus Drivers. Scattered among these sets were 13 count Hand Release Merkins, Staggered Grip Merkins (13 on each side), Dirkins, And Irkins. Rocks were rotated sporadically throughout. Got on our  six for some chest Press blowouts. Each set was 13 count then pass the rock. We did 5 sets of these and a final set of 26. YHC took “the big rock” for final set since I accidentally stick Shredder and The Natural with it for Bus Drivers and GP’s.

Thang 3. To the pavilion. 2 pax complete merkin crawl w/irkins on every table and bench surface around the loop. This was completed while other pax completed SSH in cadence. We switched so both groups could feel the unique aspects of the strengthening qualities of these very different exercises. Did a People’s Chair 10 count from each pax for recovery followed by 20 wide grip merkins.

And no merkin workout would be complete without some Jack Webb’s at the tennis court. We went to a 5 count on this as time expired.

Mary: None
Announcements: Lots of stuff and opportunities on Slack. Q sheet. Try to get out and support VQ’s…helps more HIM to jump in and want to Q.
T-Claps (Recognition): Shredder for getting in some miles before AND after this workout.
Prayer: Injured, sick pax.  Dusty’s brother dealing w/mental health and stroke issues, Kubota’s workplace, The Natural’s M for more recovery. Honored for the opportunity to lead gentlemen!

Not Your Average Hump Day In The Gloom

I was especially excited this morning. After all, I created my first F3 Shovel flag the night before and even had time to throw some camo paint on it. Got to the AO and set up shop as I stared at my masterpiece waving in the wind. I wasn’t alone though. There was a dark colored truck in the lot. Then the men’s bathroom door swung open and YHC assumed it was lipstick for sure with his IBS and all, but to my surprise it was Dahmer. Shortly afterward an unfamiliar PAX walked up as we were about to start by the name of Sea Legs. We met Mr. Kotter with greetings of welcome.

Warm up:

The Windmill X10, SSH X25, Imperial Walkers X12, The Frankenstein X10, wide squat stretch OYO for 10 count… and a mosey down to the outside corner of the soccer field.

The Workout:

B.L.I.M.P.S around the soccer field stopping at each corner for an exercise. PAX started at Corner 1 with an exercise, then moseyed along the long stretch to Corner 2,  stopped for an exercise, sprinted across the short stretch to Corner 3, stopped for an exercise, moseyed down the back stretch to Corner 4 and stopped for an exercise, before sprinting back to Corner 1.

Round 1: The “B” round…..5 burpees to start us off and a mosey to Corner 2. Five more burpees and a sprint to Corner 3. Five more burpees and a mosey to Corner 4 for 5 more Burpees before sprinting back to Corner 1…total of 20 burpees for Round 1

Round 2: The “L” round…..10 lunges for each corner with a mosey on the long stretches and  sprints on the short sides

Round 3: The “I” round….15 imperial walkers at each corner with a mosey on the long stretches and sprints on the short sides

Round 4: The “M” round…..20 merkins in the corners with a mosey on the long stretches and sprints on the short sides

Round 5: The “P” round……25 plank jacks in the corners with a mosey………..and sprints………….

Round 6: The “S” round……30 squats in the corners with a mosey……….and sprints

Mary: We were at 6:15 exactly…and so Name-O-Rama began

Announcements: Reminder to all that we need to fill up the Q Sheet and to frequently check Slack

T-Claps: Sea Legs for posting after 7 months absent

Prayer Requests: Continued prayers for Wiggly, and prayers for Forceps and his family. Prayers for all our military and their families

Beach body Ab work at Downtown Train

Ten strong for an ab workout at Downtown Train even had a nice surprise and rare visit from several PAX we don’t see too often!

FNGs: Nope

Warm Up: 10 burpees OYO, SSHs, Windmills, Merkins, 10 squat jumps OYO

The Workout:

Mosey to library parking lot and partnered up for Dora. Exercises and count was 200 American hammers, 300 dying cockroaches, and 400 LBCs. Partner 1 did exercise while partner 2 ran lap around parking lot. Rotate and repeat. After total rep count for each exercise was finished, held plank hold for 10 second count by each PAX (3 rounds).

After Dora , moseyed to parking garage for  some suicide ladders of WWIIs (5, 10, 15) and once to the far end of parking deck 50 mountain climbers (two rounds).

Mary: Wen’t around the circle and each PAX called an exercise. 20 burpees OYO, Homer to Marge, good mornings, Freddie Mercury, can’t recall the rest but each PAX got a turn.

Announcements: Check Facebook and Slack

T-Claps (Recognition): Fed Ex, LED, Fonzi, and Warbucks for making the rare trip to Downtown Train.

Prayer: Spoken and unspoken, friend of Pumpkin Spice, YHCs brother-in-laws father, Wallaby, Forceps, Fed Ex’s co-worker.

New Route to Crossways

EC: Skidmark
FNGs: Nope
Warm Up:
Circled up for the following:
Side Straddle Hops
Frankenstein Kicks
Leg Swings
Good Mornings
The Workout:

Took the Paradise City EC route and when we got to the greenway we took it to Crossways. Ran Crossways and back. Then took the greenway back to the parking lot.

Mary:
Circle up for the following:
Hamstring stretch. Pulling you down by holding onto your calfs and pulling.
Runner Pose deep stretch. Keeping your back upright push into the stretch.

Announcements:

Run for Dede April 4th https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-run-for-dee-dee-5k-registration-84539745655

T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:
Pikachu’s wife
Wiggly
Forceps and his family
Wallaby
Lipstick’s Sister

Welcome to The Nest…A retreat where comfort is a state of mind

Q Tour rolled back into Fuquay this morning. Fresh off a Dawgpound beatdown at Paradise City the day before, YHC found himself in a tough spot this morning. Not only did I have Q at The Nest this morning, but Q at a place that was very unfamiliar and with some noticeable soreness. This morning YHC would be leading with a nagging hip issue which was self-inflicted in YHC’s attempt to turn Emeril salty during our 4-man Indian Run yesterday. YHC knew better, and to be honest it doesn’t take much to turn Emeril salty, but DawgPound said to push ourselves and unfortunately overachieved.

Arrived super early to Falcon Park only to scope out the grounds and start to piece together the workout in real time on walk through. Planted the flag and was amazed at how well lit this park was and just the significant number of possibilities. After I had chalked up the main lot, I see a car roll in carrying Fumunga. He was gonna fly solo on EC this morning as YHC was looking to limit the running this morning and focus on some stretches before the others rolled in. He took off, probably made it to Raleigh and back in the 30 minutes he had before the Main Event.

About 10 minutes later, Farva rolled in. YHC had indicated that this was his first visit and curious as to The Nest’s unique features. Farva as if taking on the role of Mr. Rourke from Fantasy Island welcomed me to The Nest with a jog around the AO, with specific stops surrounding the Park. He took me across the street to Fuquay Middle School, complete with some nice steps for bear crawling, which lead to an open platform area, perfect for this morning’s warm up. The area also had some nice railings for rail slides. All great items for future Q’s.

Looped back across the street and onto the backside of the park, with the playground on the left and several shelters, one with picnic tables overlooking a large open amphitheater  field, perfect for some ultimate frisbee as well. There is also a large baseball field and additionally rock and brick walls to put your balls on. A really nice place to Q for sure.

As Farva’s tour ended, cars started to roll in. Making good on his mention of visiting YHC’s Q yesterday, DawgPound not only posted, but he also managed to inspire Slide Rule away from Nutcracker this morning to see what this Fuquay Q would be all about. Next Noah’s Ark rolled in, followed by Game Cock. Out from the shadows emerged Boy George.

5:30 am hit and it was go time.

Warm Up: Light jog across the street to Fuquay Middle School, up the stairs and to the open courtyard platform for the following exercises:

SSH X25, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Morocan Night Clubs X10, Bat Wings- 10 Fazio’s F\B, Seal Claps X10, Overhead Claps X10, Prisoner Squats X10 on YHC’s up and Down. Modified Clockwork merkins X10, rotate 3 movements to the right, merkins x10, rotate 3 movements to the right, merkins X10, rotate 3 movements to the right, merkins X10.. 40 total for those scoring at home.  Let’s mosey..

The Workout: Led PAX safely across the street to the backside of the park and back to the flag in the main lot. Squat hold for the six. YHC explained to PAX that he broke up this main lot into 4 corners. We would do progressive sets of exercises with a brisk mosey in between for 2 Rounds.

Round 1

Corner 1- 10 SSH

Corner 2- 10 SSH, 15 Hand Release Merkins

Corner 3- 10 SSH, 15 Hand Release Merkins, 20 Prison Squats on YHC’s Up and Down

Corner 4- 10 SSH, 15 Hand Release Merkins, 20 Prison Squats on YHC’s Up and Down, 25 Low Slow Flutter in Cadence

Round 2

Rinse\Repeat of the above, except we would utilize the giant wall for sets of Balls to the Wall 20 count IC between Corners 2 and 3

After Round 2, we mosey’d behind the picnic shelter to the large wall that opened to the amphitheater field.

Round 3- Erkin X20, Derkins X15, DipsX20

Mosey straight across the field and back to the wall

Round 4- Erkins X20, Derkins X15, and Dips X20

Mosey straight across the field and then back around the park beyond the playground and back to the flag.

Round 5- Curb Appeal

Early this morning YHC saw 5 lonely curbs abutting the main lot with about a 10 yard space to the main lot spots. PAX would perform a progressive round of each of the following with a 10 yard mosey back and forth between each set.

Exercise set:

1 Burpee

1 Burpee, 2 Erkins

1 Burpee, 2 Erkins, 3 Derkins

1 Burpee, 2 Erkins, 3 Derkins, 4 Squats

1 Burpee, 2 Erkins, 3 Derkins, 4 Squats, 5 Shoulder Taps (IC)

1 Burpee, 2 Erkins, 3 Derkins, 4 Squats, 5 Shoulder Taps (IC), 6 Nipplers (IC)

1 Burpee, 2 Erkins, 3 Derkins, 4 Squats, 5 Shoulder Taps (IC), 6 Nipplers (IC), 10 Merkins

Mosey to the back side of the lot to the brick wall for People’s Chair while waiting for the six

Round 6-  B2W and People’s Chair

B2W- 20 Count in Cadence

People’s Chair- 10 Count in Cadence

Rinse\Repeat. At conclusion, YHC called for 2 lines. At this point, DawgPound rightfully stated “There is only a few things that can happen when 2 lines are called.” Yep- DawgPound knows YHC loves Indian Runs.

Round 7- Indian Runs around the lot at the 4 corners to ‘frame up’ up this edition of The Nest. Lots of great push to close out the main event with some cardio. PAX completed 3 laps. Solid work and circled up for Mary.

Mary: Pigeon Stretches to Downward Downward Dog w\alternating calf stretches. LBC X20 IC, American Hammers X20 IC, Freddy Mercury X25 IC, Have a Nice Day
Announcements: Wrightsville 1/2 and Full a few short weeks away. Order your Crab Legs Shirts. Check Slack for details.
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting out there this morning and pushing past their comfort zone.
Prayer: Prayers for Noah’s Ark’s M who has begun a new treatment. Continued prayers for Forceps and his family. Prayers for Fumunga’s grandmother. YHC took us out.

March 2 Murph

Warm Up: Run one mile

The Workout:  50 pull-ups, 100 merkins, 150 squats  (modified by cutting the exercises in half and hit Chick-fil-A instead)

Mary:  Run one mile

Prayer:  Gratitude

Wake Up Call

EC: Emeril, Axe, Lipstick

FNGs: Not today

YHC took a stroll behind Teeter on his EC route and noticed a couple things. 1) 3 giant tires he could incorporate into his workout 2) The beer man sleeping in his van.
Warm Up: 10 Burpees since Daddy Em was late coming back from the little boys room in Teeter. Mosey to Porta Potty behind Teeter to enjoy the smell during our warm ups. SSH x50,IW x10, Hilbillies x10, Morocan Nightclubs x12, hold squat for FAC x10 Fwd/Rev, Overhead Claps x10
The Workout: Mosey over to the guardrail behind Jiffy for sets of Dips x10 regular, left leg up and right leg up, Erkin sets x10 regular & Diamond, Derkin sets x10 regular & Diamond. Mosey over to wall behind dry cleaner for sets of Peoples chair 10 count around, BTTW 4 count around Pax. We repeated guardrail/wall combo twice. This was our second encounter with the beer man, as he was sleeping behind the dry cleaner, which was a different location than YHC saw him during EC.  Next we mosey over to Goodwill for sets of Aligator Merkins across parking lot, Squat Jumps x10 and reverse crabwalk the parking lot back, Squat Jumps x10. We repeated this twice.  We continued to Mosey over to the tires YHC found behind the Chinese Restaurant for what would have been 3-way Patty Cake Merkins while 3rd wheel flipped tires a few times and rotate. However, a delivery truck had come and parked right in front of the tires spoiling YHC’s final event.  YHC quickly took us over to the trail to no where behind Teeter for the same 3-way but substituted 3rd wheel run out and back on the trail. YHC didn’t remember the trail was about .25/mile out and then back…The patty cake merkins got tiresome and we modified to patty cake squats when our arms gave out.  On our way to the trail we encountered the beer man for a third time, sleeping behind the Pizza shop now.  By the time we got back from the trail he was gone again.  I don’t think he was happy with us breaking up his morning cat naps….
Mary: Low Slow Flutter, American Hammers, Boat Canoes and Pickle Pounders with chill cut hold in between for about 2 minutes.
Announcements:  See the interwebs
T-Claps (Recognition): Java! Nice work since the new year. We can finally remove him from the milk carton.
Prayer: Wallaby, Wiggly/Father, Forceps/Leahy Family, Crablegs

What’s a Coupon?

FNGs: None  PAX of 7 enjoyed incredible temps (60s) in the darkness.  Shorts weather in early March!

Warm Up:  Pre-blast mentioned circuit training and the use of coupons.  Some PAX inquired what a coupon was on Slack.  They come in many sizes, shapes, etc.  I chose to bring various dumbbells weighing in from 8lbs to 40lbs.  Planted the flag at 4:45 am and got busy setting up the numerous dumbbell stations.  Needed to adjust gross weight and found a tree line by an old fairway.  Broke out the hand sanitizer and greeted the PAX.  I think one of the PAX had the same idea as he disappeared for a few mins.  He mentioned FedEx’s home or front lawn if the door was locked.  Hmm.  I think the early start time of Prison Yard had interrupted our normal morning routines.  As I looked around, 5 PAX present EXCEPT for the only PAX who HC’d.  I was told he would be racing in on 2 wheels in no time.  A utility truck was spotted and an F3 brother came out but went running off in another direction.  Some said it was Pipe fitter; I cannot confirm.  Clock struck 0500 and we were off for a nice jog around the clubhouse/parking lot.  Circled up for 20 SSH, 10 Don Quixotes, 10 Fazio Arm Circles (F/R), 10 Hillbillies, 10 Imperial Walkers an 10 Daisy pickers.  It was about this time New Mexico graced us with his presence.  Sprinkler was pissed because he knew what was coming:  5 burpees OYO for tardiness.

The Workout:  I got an idea from Shredder at a recent 2ndF to incorporate running while PAX conducted circuit training, moving from one station to another.  He emphasized the importance of rotating among three/four muscle groups:  Arms, Abs and Legs.  (I added Back too).  I wrote down three exercises using (Coupons) dumbbells on index cards and set the cards next to the dumbbells spread out under the covered clubhouse area.  Turned on the iPad Pro to Pandora’s Classic Rock station.  (Fonzie was very happy with the tunes.  Lots of singing and great mumble chatter.). Each PAX started at a station, executed 8-12 reps of each exercise on the card.  One PAX ran around the clubhouse twice before PAX rotated positions.  Circuit training consisted of the following exercises:

8lbs:  seal claps, overhead claps, straight front arm curls – palms down

10lbs:  American hammers, WWIIs, Straight arm Tricep extensions

15lbs:  Bus drivers, Tricep curls, Ground pounders

20lbs: Lunges, step-ups, 2 arm overhead squats

25lbs:  Curls for the girls, single arm lawn mowers, Upright rows

30lbs:  Goblet squats, Farmer’s Cary, while on your six, hold dumbbell over your chest while holding 6”

40lbs:  PAX Choice – 1 Arm, 1 ABs and 1 Leg exercise

PAX with no dumbbells – TIME Keeper – Run around the clubhouse twice

RINSE AND REPEAT; modify the run; CHANGED to Farmer’s Carry with two 40lbs dumbbells around the building 1X

RINSE AND REPEAT but back to RUNNING TWICE around the clubhouse

Mary:  PAX helped me put the dumbbells back in my vehicle.  Circled up for Mary.  Lots of arm stretches, static, pot-stirring, Michael Phelps.

Announcements:  MULE – Lots of positive affirmations from NM supporting this Raleigh CSAUP; LED and his great effort securing a road clean-up opportunity with NCDOT – please sign up on Slack/support this endeavor 4X/year.

T-Claps (Recognition):  PAX trying something new at the Prison Yard

Prayer:  Forceps/family

Fonzie and his family making a tough decision having his M stay home with the kids – financially, mentally, physically

LED considering mentoring a child of a single mom; friend of his family that had a stillborn

New Mexico mentioned an F3 brother, Package, recovering from addiction; asking for strength keeping him strong

Dauber’s mom having eye surgery this week.

UNSPOKEN.

Dauber took us out.

 

An honor an privilege leading you all. – Dauber

It’s official… I’m a professional

11 pax took the challenge to push themselves and each other. Today was about getting pushed outside of your comfort zone. I hope we all did that. Katniss was maybe too comfortable since he found 10 cents. He then gave me the 10 cents for my Q efforts. That is how I became a professional.

EC: Dawgpound, Cowboy, Slide Rule, Skidmark, Emeril, Dumbo, Katniss, Maybeline, Warbucks for a quarter mile
FNGs:  Sadly none
Warm Up:

Lap around the soccer fields with the following stops:

Top of the Ramp:
Side Straddle Hops
Fazio Arm Circles

Stop at the corner:
Good Mornings
Hillbillies
Imperial Walkers

Stop at the basketball courts for flutter kicks as I explain what we where about to do.

The Workout:

The goal was to do Indian Run Stack Em Up Suicides and Bring them down.  We did not make it through the bring them down portion though.  Pax got into groups of 3 or 4.

We would then do Indian runs until we reach a stopping point.  At the stopping point we did one of the exercises.  The first stopping point was 3 PGUSJ, second 5 Burpees, 3rd 10 Lunges.  We had a total of 7 stops.  At base location is where we stacked things up.  First when we got back we did 3 PGUSJ.  Then 3 PGUSJ plus 5 Burpees.  We kept on stacking as we went.  Then we tried to unstack.  We only made it to Monkey Hummers on the way down.

The goal was to push yourself past your comfort zone.  Your Indian Run group was supposed to help keep you motivated.

Exercises:
3 PGUSJ (Prisoner Get Up Squat Jumps)
5 Burpees
10 Lunges (5 Each Leg)
15 Hand Release Merkins
20 Monkey Humpers
25 Side Straddle Hops
30 Flutter Kicks

Mary:

Circle up for some stretching
Runners Pose
Pigeon Pose

Announcements:

Shirt order for Wrightsville is happening

T-Claps (Recognition):

All Pax that took the challenge to push themselves and their fellow pax

Prayer:

Forceps and his family
Wallaby
Lipstick’s sister