After All These Years

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3+ years of F3, dozens of posts at Womble including early days of Crazy Ivan as a site Q when getting 3 guys was a strong turnout, but I don’t think I have ever taken lead at Cletus. Slot was open on Q sheet and really needed some increased accountability to close a tough week out with the chance to spend 45 mins+ with a great group of #HIM each dealing with their own weights on their shoulders and each looking to put in some work together, earn some small victories and get stronger in many ways.

FNGs: Nope
Warm Up: Jog to far lot, quick set of the usual stuff
The Workout: In the “Ivan Lot” and we set up at one end. First we did a sprint to the far end (intention was to hold a “race finish” pace), then a jog back to other end and repeat for total of 3 laps. Second we burned the shoulders – arms out and hold for slow 10 count, Fazio ICx0 front, hold out for 10, Fazio ICx10 reverse, hold out for 10, Slow Seal Claps ICx10, hold out for 10, Overhead ICx10, hold for 10 and done. Third we did 10 count merkins straight up to SSH ICx25 and we repeated 2 more times. That was 1 set. We did 2 more full sets of the whole thing. Nice mix of different stuff, some solid cardio and shoulder work.
Mary: 2 quick sets LBC, Homer, 6″ hold, Low Slow Flutter, 6″ hold
Announcements: Mulch, let’s keep contributing and helping out the Town
T-Claps (Recognition): Hardy for gearing up for a Ninja Challenge this weekend, we know you will do great and we hope you enjoy the competition
Prayer: FloJo shared with us how he got his name and what F3 has meant to him. YHC talked about the weight we are all carrying on our shoulders. Don’t carry all that weight around alone, it might knock you down – YHC took us out. Let’s keep FloJo, Hardy and their family in our prayers as FloJo travels to SC for a work opportunity.

6 Year Anniversary Gala at Cletus

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Wow – 6 years.  When I first gave into the 18 month long headlock by Gnard Dogg from Raleigh – I remember telling my M that “maybe this will be good – I can catch a Friday workout a few times a month to change up things for me at the Y (Sad Clown).  Little did I know that 6 years later, I would have accomplished the following:

  • Probably 1,000 posts
  • 7 half marathons completed
  • 2 Blue Ridge Relays
  • Maybe 3,000 miles of running
  • 10+ CSAUPs
  • 100+ Q-ed workouts
  • Hundreds of Clown Car rides
  • Stronger Marriage and relations with my kids
  • Major advances in my career / leadership (I accredit some of this to F3)
  • Countless memories with hundreds of new friends

WOW

Rolling into the parking lot at Cletus, Mookie and I got a little concerned.  On the way over in the clown car, we discussed what we would do if we had more than 25 Pax.  I did not want too many in our group(s) given Covid.  I quickly discussed what I had planned to Mookie as we drove over.  I remember him looking at me like “Are you crazy?”

As it became obvious that the Pax count would be near 40 – we decided to go with the Audible and split the pax.  I am very glad we did.  T-Claps to Mookie for the co-Q

FNGs:  None – Shovel flag planted at 5:29
Warm Up: Got things started with a mosie down to the field near the small pavillion.  The one we always warm up in when the crowds are big

  • Hand Release Burpees x 5 (OYO)
  • Good Morning x 10 (IC)
  • SSH x 20 (IC)
  • Moroccan Night Clubs x 20 (IC)  – note:  no one of Moroccan decent was offended with this reference
  • Mountain Climbers x 20 (IC)
  • Hell – it’s time to go

The Workout:

Pax of 38 was split into roughly half.  Mookie too one to the lower field and YHC kept the other half up top at the Soccer field.  It went down like this

Thing 1:  The Elle McPhereson

The Split pax on the soccer field would split again into two groups.  Groups would perform exercises on duct taped sheets in two (2) of the four corners (diagonal from each other).  Group 1 would sprint 50% around the track while Group 2 did the exercises.  Group 2 does AMRAP until all of Group 1 makes it to the opposite corner.  Group 1 would signal with a “yell” for Group 2 to stop the reps and run the same direction (clockwise around the field to them).  This was repeated for 20 minutes while the other Pax was down on the field.  Basically we were looping the 1/2 miles around the soccer field.

Group 1 (Arms and Chest)

  • Burpees
  • Wide Grip Merkins
  • Carolina Dry Docks
  • Diamond Merkins

Group 2 (Legs and Abs)

  • Jump Squats
  • WW1
  • Star Jumps
  • Mountain Climbers

Thing 2:  “The Michigan”

This workout was from the original scrolls of Southwake.  It was named by a Ohio State fan.  “Because it sux”.  The pax gathered on the end line of the soccer/football field.  All we did was sprints and Jack Webbs.  It went like this

  • Ten – 100-yard dashes +  2 Hand Release Jack Webbs (2 hand release merkins and 8 halleluiahs) 
  • Eight – 80 yard dashes + 4 Hand Release Jack Webbs
  • Six – 60 yard dashes + 6 Hand Release Jack Webbs
  • Four – 40 yard dashes + 8 Hand Release Jack Webbs
  • Two – 20 yard dashes + 10 Hand Release Jack Webbs

That went on for 20 minutes – it was a smoker

The 2 groups converged on the North Tennis Courts for Mary and COT

Mary:

  • Low Slow Flutter
  • LBC Ladder (IC)
    • 5
    • 10
    • 15
    • 20
    • 10
    • 5
  • Have a nice day

Announcements:

  • Mulch
  • Q Swap in August

T-Claps (Recognition):

  • Gump for 5 years of F3!
  • YCH for 6 years
  • Kid Cracker for the Kotters – welcome back brother!

Prayer:

  • Unspoken
  • 1st responders
  • Brony’s friend with Cancer

YHC took us out in prayer

Photos, 2nd F and Busch Latte

I love you all

DB Out!

6 Minute abs

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FNGs: Negative
Warm Up: Hillbillies x 15, Imperial walkers x 15, SSH x 20, good morning x 10
The Workout: Moseyed over to the rockpile. While in transit, YHC announced these were NOT going to be rock pushes. Trying something completely different.

YHC instructed pax to grab a rock about the size of a baseball. Huh? Baseball? Yep.

What we do is get into plank position and toss the rock back and forth from hand to hand. While one pax does this, their partner does A-skips around the parking lot. Did 5 reps of this.

I saw this movement on Kari Pearce’s Facebook page. She’s an absolute monster and has a lot of cool core workouts. Give her a follow.

We returned the rocks to their home and moseyed to the pit.

On to 11s. LBCs and Up-Downs. YHC was totally smoked after this. Moseyed to the tennis courts for Mary.

Cupid took us out.

Mary: 6 minute Abs, popcorn style . Inspired by something about Mary.
Announcements: Bass Lake Mulch signup.
T-Claps (Recognition): errybody getting down and wet in the grass this morning
Prayer: Thise battling depression, addiction and substance abuse. That the almighty can guide and keep Hardy healthy as he continues in his Ninja endeavors.

Cletus It’s the Humidity that makes it feel so hot!

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EC:  Vasoline, Full House, Katniss

FNGs:  Not Today
Warm Up:  25 SSH, 15 Frankenstein’s, 15 Imperial Walkers, 15 Hillbillies
The Workout:  With a fresh set of legs, planned to get PAX 3 miles with some stops on the way.  A few too many stops, a lot of humidity, a Q suffering from too many Fartsacks, so we ended up with 2.3.

Circled the soccer fields the long way headed to the amphitheater:

Stop 1 – 2 groups, 1 group BTW, 1 Group 20 step-ups in cadence, Switch

Continued towards the baseball fields and stopped at the rock pile

Stop 2 – Pick a rock, I was a little over zealous, picking a @Breach rock and it caught up to me later 15X overhead press, 15X Curls for the girls

Around the baseball fields to the back parking lot

Stop 3 – 20X Merkins, 20X Prisoner Squats

Continue around the fields and back to the Amphitheater

Stop 1 – Same as last time but 2 sets

Back around the soccer fields and to the rock pile

Stop 2 – 15X overhead press, pass the cadence, Q was hurting but the PAX were strong, 15X curls for the girls, 2 sets

Back around the baseball fields

Stop 3 – Same as last time

Cut through the baseball fields on the way back because we wanted time for Mary

Mary: Popcorn Mary, 5X Plank up downs with holds each time, Oboe Box Cutters, Full House LBC’s, may have forgot one, and have a nice day
Announcements:  1776 Workout tomorrow, Bass lake mulch project sign up
T-Claps (Recognition):   All PAX today for starting there Friday off right!
Prayer:  Full House Took us out, prayers for those traveling this holiday, and prayers for healing with all the craziness around us.

Yogurt and the Steel Curtain

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Most PAX seem to put there own flare into workouts when they Q, and as I am approaching my 1 year anniversary, I have to say I enjoy inserting some competition into the workout. Nothing pushes men more than winning and earning the right to talk some good ole fashion SMACK.

FNGs: Nada

Warm Up:

Frankensteins  X10

Daisy Pickers X12

Then Mosey to the parking lot located halfway around soccer fields for:

5 burpees

SF Arm circles X10

SSH X 20

Then mosey the rest of the way around soccer fields and down to the pit.

The Workout:

THANG 1:

Partner up for a quick Dora. Completing 100 merkins, 200 dips, 300 squats while partner runs backwards up the paved hill and around the corner to the picnic tables at very top of hill, then stop and runs back down the hill.

THANG 2:

YHC had just enough time to lay out some cones and a beach frisbee for a 10 minute lightning round of ultimate frisbee. When a turnover occurred, the team that made the turnover does 1 burpee. All PAX do 10 merkins for each score.

Team Yogurt: Yogurt, Hardy, Florence, Nemo, Cupid

Team Fanny Pack: Fanny Pack, Tetanus, Vaseline, Elton, Katniss

The game started with Team Yogurt getting on the board quickly, but Team Fanny Pack answered to knot it at 1 a piece. And then Team Yogurt brought the pain. At times they showed flashes of the greatest team to ever take the field, the 79 Steelers. Flo Joe/Florence showed great command of the field and precision passing much like Bradshaw. Hardy and Cupid were running past defenders and finding ways to make plays much like Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Team Yogurt quickly notched 5 more scores to just 1 additional score by Team Fanny Pack. The Steel curtain lead by Nemo (Mel Blount) and Yogurt (Jack Lambert) left Team Fanny Pack frustrated and winded at times. 10 minutes Ultimate Frisbee = 6-2 Team Yogurt.

NFL – 1979 – Special – World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers – A Cut ...

Mary:

With 5 minutes to go it was time to mosey back to Mary. With it being Friday YHC felt it appropriate to wrap things up with “Heartache Medication” by Jon Pardi. PAX held plank and performed a Catalina Wine Mixer whenever the word “Drink” appeared in the song. Song ended promptly at 615.

Announcements:

Volunteers to spread mulch at Bass Lake still needed. Check Slack.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Elton, Yogurt, Nemo, Fanny Pack for EC. Team Yogurt for their dominating win.

Prayer:

Military and their families and for the healing of our country through all of the recent adversities

Covid-Delayed Abe 1 Year Anniversary

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FNGs: none
Warm Up: SSH x 15, Hillbillies x 10, Imperial Walkers x 10, Fazio arm circles – 10 front, 10 back, Overhead claps x 10
The Workout: We started with a couple of the exercises I remember from my first post. Moseyed over to the pit. Bear crawl up the steps, stopping at each platform for three Murkins. Squat hold at the top for the 6. Rinse and repeat for a total of three rounds.
Next, moseyed over to the grassy hill at the back of the pit. Run up to the top, exercise, run to the bottom, exercise. Repeat. Top had 10 dips, 10 Urkins and 10 Durkins. Bottom had 10 WWIIs, 10 LBCs.
Moseyed around to the other side of the Hunt Center for a train. Pax took up plank in a parking spot. The first Pax on the end did 10 murkins and then ran down to the end of the group. The next Pax then did 10 murkins, etc. 3 rounds of this and we moved on.
Moseyed over to the rock pile for curls, chest presses and tricep extensions. Round of 15, then 10 and then 5. Returned rocks.
On our way back for Mary, we stopped at the picnic area for some more urkins, durkins and dips.
Mary: Back at the tennis courts for Mary, we did two rounds of popcorn Mary. At least two calls for burpees.
Announcements: Sign up to help spread mulch at Bass Lake. 2 hour time slots on Saturday mornings for the next few months.
T-Claps (Recognition): Special T-Claps to Yogurt for getting me out for my first post and Elton, one of our newest Pax (started last Friday), for joining and going strong!
Prayer: Martini, Pablo and Oboe for losses in their families. The nation for perseverance and wisdom.

These Stones are Different!

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YHC had pre-blasted the possibility of a field trip plus with RUNE going on, I knew this would play well into the pax need for miles as well. YHC ran into Emeril and Vasoline during EC and they made an audible to go ahead and head over to Cletus. Emeril said he needed only 1.6 miles during the workout and he would stop there.  Thank God his watch died out, otherwise Emeril would still be standing in the middle of Grigsby Ave. but YHC recorded 2.07 miles for the workout.  Mission accomplished! We even had an FNG along for the ride.  Welcome FNG Elton!

FNG’s: Welcome Elton! Respect.
Warm Up: SSH x 30, Good Mornings and Frankenstein’s.
The Workout: It was all about the mosey field trip today.  We stopped along the way down to the Bass Lake trail several times. Stop 1: 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 20 squats. Stop 2: Repeato but add also Sir Fazio Arm Circles (F/R).   Stop 3: Half the group does People’s Chair on the dugout while other half does 20 Mountain Climbers in cadence.  Switch.  Stop 4: 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 20 squats.   Continue mosey to a new and different rock pile. It’s about .8 miles from the flag to this rock pile for any future Q curiosity.  These rocks…are NOT Womble rocks!  Somehow they are all bigger and more dense, therefore heavier! YHC initially grabbed a bit smaller rock until Doc questioned the move and so I upgraded.  Accountability (or rock shaming) this is what F3 is all about… we make each other stronger!

Rocks were used in a descending ladder of 15,10, and 5 counts of the following exercises: Curls for the girls, shoulder press, rock spanks, toe taps, Tricep presses.  Each series was interrupted by 5 burpees OYO.  Finished all exercises with 30 ct. Rut Rows.  Return of rocks and mosey back up the hill toward Womble again.

Stop 5: 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 20 squats. Stop 6: two groups again. 1 group holds BTTW’s while other group did a dozen hand-release merkins.  We then moseyed back to the tennis court.

We then did a series of 1:4 ratio Jack Webb sprints across the court.  We went up to a five count and circled up for Mary.
Mary: Box Cutters And Pickle Pounders closed us out.
Announcements: Sign up genius is live for 3rd F Town of HS mulch project. Our community needs our help.
T-Claps (Recognition): FNG Elton putting in a solid first F3 appearance. Good amount of EC from Emeril, Vasoline, Yogurt, Abe, YHC, and Go-Gurt. Great to see Crablegs out there today!
Prayer: Pablo and Martini and their families in this time of grief.  Our Nation, those that are exhausted by life’s going on’s right now. Whether we know it or not, there’s a lot hanging over all our heads these days. Don’t be afraid to tell your fellow pax how you really feel or what you really need.  Just because a pax keeps posting doesn’t always mean everything’s ok.  It’s great to post, but there are more facets to life than just the first F.  Be a 2nd or 3rd F to a fellow pax.  Always an honor to lead men!

Dirty 30

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After a few weeks of 29.9’s during CoT, YHC’s 30th birthday (and the loss of hate status) was finally here. 19 pax and 1 pup came out to help celebrate with a beatdown.

FNGs:

None today.
Warm Up:

Mosey across to the old Ivan parking lot.

SSH x30 IC

Sir Fazio x15 forward x15 backward

Imperial Walkers x15 IC

Hillbillies x15 IC

Mosey down to end of the parking lot (towards the pond)
The Workout:

5x Burpees at the end of the lot

Crab walk halfway up the lot

30x of an exercise of the sheet

Mosey to end

5x Turkish getups

Bear crawl halfway down

30x of an exercise on the other sheet

Mosey to end

 

Sheet exercises were Merkins, Diamond Merkins, Wide Merkins, Carolina Dry Docks, Shoulder Taps IC, and Merkins for the first sheet. For the second they were Jump squats, alternating reverse lunges, side straddle hop, squats, alternating lunges, and jump squats.

We removed the bear crawl and crab walk for the last two rounds because we were running out of time.
Mary:

Sadly we ran out of time to close out with a song, so we settled for 30x Low Slow Flutter IC and 30x LBCs IC.
Announcements:

Rune continues – next week is team Skidmark’s rest week.

U-Turn and Disney are looking for site Q’s. Step up and lead!

2nd F after Cletus – thanks Skidmark & Banana Seat for the coffee and donuts!
Prayer:

Pablo, Particle Board, and Rain Maker’s mom passed recently. Check Slack 3rd F for arrangement details.

Martini’s mom.

Full House’s wife’s uncle and former colleague passed this week.

Hardy has four staples in his head from a ninja training accident. Florence’s friend Alex continues to recover.

An honor to lead this morning men – thank you for the encouragement and accountability for another year!

I’ll stomp a decaying coon but I ain’t stepping on that!

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EC:  ShamWow, Katniss

It started out as a normal day.  I passed ShamWow as I drove in late for EC and he politely turned around to accommodate my lack of discipline.  We traveled the familiar route with some mumblechatter along the way.  At about the first mile along holly springs road, we abruptly parted from our path like the red sea did before Noah.  There was something in the road that caught both our attentions.  I can only describe it as a cylindrical object about 8 inches in length, purple-ish, and appeared to be made of silicone rubber.  Neither of us had any interest in positively identifying the object as we never broke stride as we abruptly (key word) parted from our path and continued on our way.

FNGs: Not today
Warm Up: 25 SSH, 15 Hillbillies, 15 Imperial Walkers, 10X Fazio Arm Circles FW & REV, 15X Overhead Claps, 15 X Seal Claps, 25 SSH
The Workout:

With a full week of rain, it was hard finding motivation to get back in the gloom.  I’m glad the Q sheet was open for Cletus forcing me to endure another workout in the rain.  It brought thoughts of discomfort and made me ponder why we seek comfort and shun discomfort.   It brought spiritual reflection.  My take away – I have never grown or gained anything by being comfortable.  We grow and gain from discomfort and hard work (discomfort).  Comfort is a time for praise and recovery so that we may go do uncomfortable things!  And balancing them is the trick.  I think everyone can find examples of this in their life by asking the question – What made you who you are?  I imagine there are some uncomfortable memories balanced with times of great joy.  As we get older it is much easier to accept the normal and seek what we have found to provide us comfort.  An F3 workout is a great 45 minute (only) discomfort embrace that provides the correct perspective for the rest of the day whether it brings us challenges or rewards.  We shall conquer the day and be thankful that mostly we have 1st world problems.  This message was less succinctly delivered during Thing 2 which brought a lot of discomfort.

Trying to avoid the downpours so headed to the shelter.  Divided into two groups.

Thing 1

Group 1 BTW  Group 2 10X Derkins Switch

Group 1 Preachers Chair Group 2 20X Dips Switch

Group 1 BTW Group 2 20X Erkins Switch

Repeat

Break in the rain so a trip around the soccer fields, plank hold for the six

Repeat Group 1 and 2 exercises with Derkins going to 20X

Trip around the soccer fields, plank hold for the six

Thing 2

Mosey to the rock pile to select 2 small rocks (some did not heed the advice)

Tabata – 1 minute AMRAP, 10 second rest

5 rounds – overhead press, squats, tricep extentions, curls for the girls, shoulder arm raises

Completed 2 sets, and needed a break, so a trip around the soccer field plank hold for the six

No time for a 3rd set and no time for Mary!

Mary:  Not today
Announcements: RUNE – last day to sign up, ShamWow dropped some knowledge on us and reminded us the treasure is in the journey and not the destination.  Should have been there if you want to know more!
T-Claps (Recognition):  All Pax for embracing the discomfort today in order to grow
Prayer:  Cupid’s grandfather is not doing well and has been battling cancer for a long time (10 years).  Prayers for Cupid, his grandfather, and family during this time.

May 15th Cletus: Started Friday off right but I stopped Short! as Hardy killed the Q

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FNGs:  YES!  Nick Singleton AKA Moped headlocked by Tetanus
Warm Up:  The usual – SSH’s, Fazio Arm Circles FW & Rev, Daisy Pickers, Good Mornings
The Workout:  A tribute to @Yogurt as we headed to one of his favorite places the Pit today.

Thing 1:  11’s Burpees and Plank Jacks across the field.  I tried to add an extra 11 Burpees at the end but got called out that I had it wrong (but Hardy would save the day!), so we headed up the stairs.

Thing 2:  Divided into two groups, 1 group BTW, 2nd group 10X merkins, Switch.  10 count Merkins was long enough so we went to 20 on round 2.  20 seemed to long but there was 1 PAX that couldn’t get enough.  For round 3, it was group 1 peoples chair, group 2 – I requested an exercise, no one had time to respond before Hardy called out Burpees. 10 X Burpees it was.  Repeat for round 4.

Thing 3:  Headed to rocks as I had pre-blasted last week and didn’t deliver on.  15X Curls for the girls, 15X Tricep extensions, 10X overhead Press, 10X Squats, Repeat

Mary:  Popcorn Mary – 15X Pickle Pounders, 15X LSF’s, 30 Merkins (Hardy killed the Q on this one as I was forced to “stop short” and forget what Florence called out next 15X of something), 15X Homer to Marge, and finally Have a nice day.
Announcements: Check Slack
T-Claps (Recognition):  @Moped for hanging in until the end
Prayer:  All those affected or helping with Coronavirus