Celebrating another trip around the sun

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Having survived another trip around the sun, I set off to Q Disney, while I was weather watching the last couple days it went from no rain to getting soaked to it might rain to it will rain. We ended up with a mostly no raining workout.
FNGs: none
EC: Nemo and Pablo
Warm Up: Quick loop out of the parking lot and back to the flag, with tweaking my calf again. We did 24 Imperial Walkers, 25 Hillbillys  10 Sir Fazio forward and back, 15 daisy pickers, and 10 good mornings.
The Workout:
             Thang 1:  Went to the soccer field, grab a partner, I had set 3 cones out. Partner 1 would do 10 count balls to the wall, 20 shoulder taps, and Peoples chair                                          until their partner gets back. Partner 2 would do 10 merkins, 15 ankle grabs, and 20 squats. We repeated this 3 times adding 5 to the merkins, ankle                                   grabs and squats reps.
              Thang 2: Head to the shelter for some Dora 123. 100 step-ups, 200 dips, and 300 lbc’s.
              Thang 3: One round of 7’s on the parking lot, consisting of Carolina Dry docks and Star Jumps
Mary: Popcorn Mary consisting of Freedy Mercuries, Six Inches, low slow flutter, Side Crunches, WW1’s, and others.
Announcements: Rune sign-ups,  F3 10th anniversary in January
T-Claps (Recognition): Fanny Pack for letting me take his Q spot, Texas Ranger, and his 2.0 seahawk from Carpex for coming out.
Prayer: Pablo’s, Hobo, and Martini families as they deal with loved ones in Hospice.

NMS: Since having found F3 just over two years ago, I am probably in the best shape I have been since my late teen’s early twenties. F3 has changed my and my family’s life for the better, and it means a lot. Thank you.

Who’s Gonna Carry the Boats?

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I have gained a bit of a reputation over the years of not being hard to talk into things, so when there was a challenge of doing fritter (post at Possum Trot, Disney, and Crazy Ivan with at least 2 mile EC runs before each workout) with 4 mile EC runs I was pretty quick to jump onboard. Unfortunately, I did so without knowing that a tropical storm was going to be dumping rain on us for those 3 days. The feeling was well summed up by a text from Skidmark at 0431 stating “Worst idea ever” as we began our commute to Disney under absolutely pelting rain. As Goggins says – “suffering is the true test of life.”

 

The rain kept up throughout the 4 mile EC, at one point just fully peltering us around mile 3 (right when most men would’ve decided to stay in  the fart sack instead of coming out to the boot camp)  tapering off to a slight drizzle by the end. We navitaged the confusing neighborhood EC run thanks to the course on our watches and came upon Nemo running EC on our way back to the AO.

 

Sadly no other cars showed up. 0530 hit and we were off – I knew we needed the full 45 minutes if we were going to go the distance.

ECEC: Skidmark, Pikachu
EC: Nemo

FNGs:

None today – rain scared them off.
Warm Up:

SSH, Daisy Picker, Sir Fazio forward/backward x10 IC

The Workout:

An homage to a classic that Deadbolt introduced me to years ago – 10 rounds with Tyson. However, we stayed in the meetup parking lot and worked the 4 corners there in the hopes that we would finally make all 10 rounds. Exercises at each corner were:

Round 1 – Standard Merkins

 

Round 2 – Jump Squats

 

Round 3 – Pickle Pounders

 

Round 4 – Turkish Getups

 

Round 5 – Burpees

 

Round 6 – Diamond Merkins

 

Round 7 – Star Jumps

 

Round 8 – Prisoner Squats

 

Round 9 – Peeping Lipstick (Turkish Getup on the down, Star Jump on the up)

 

Round 10 – Double Merkin Burpees

We stayed together and finished with time for 3 minutes of mary.
Mary:

With no breaks in between – LBC, Low Slow Flutter, Freddy Mercury, Homer to Marge, Boat Canoe x10 IC
Announcements:

RUNE signup – $20 registration, winning team picks benefitting charity.
T-Claps (Recognition):

Nemo for the rainy EC. Skidmark, Nemo, and YHC (can you T-Claps yourself???) for continuing the pursuit of the Great Value Fritter.
Prayer:

Grace within our community – the F3 one and the one at large.

Our leaders and small business owners.

E-Ticket Rides at Disney

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FNGs:  None

EC:  ShamWow!, Nemo and Full House

Showed up to Disney with three workouts planned in my head.  I wasn’t sure how many PAX would take my challenge after taking a picture of the abyss and posting it on the socials.  I wanted to make sure I had a plan for 3 PAX, <10 PAX or  >10 PAX.  It was a very long time since I had taken the 22 mins drive at o dark hundred in the morning.  I drove in silence doing a walk through in my head of the planned activities.   Planted the flag and greeted PAX I had not seen in 8 weeks.

Warm Up:  Nine PAX and a pooch took to the pitch after a mosey around it.  Completed SSH, Hillbillies, Good am, Seal Claps, Overhead Claps, Fazio Arm Circles, and static arm stretches.  The pitch was beautiful (flat, manicured) with temps  in the high fifties.

The Workout:  Mosey to the abyss.  Paired up for a Dora: 100 merkins, 200 LBCs, 300 SSH; hold squat/ completed squats and helped PAX finish their Dora.  Thanks for the assistance on the count of SSH Nemo – apologies for not clarifying single vs four count SSH.  Partner not doing Dora, ran/walked the stairs.  At the bottom of the stairs, PAX completed 5 Star jumps before starting back up.  Some PAX chose running up the dirt trail parallel to stairs.  Indian run back to pitch.  Nice sprints by Yogurt and POTS.

Mary: Lots of yoga.  Popcorn 10c AB work.

Announcements:  See Slack/FB

T-Claps (Recognition):  Special shout out to my Shield-lock brothers:  Masters for their support.

Prayer: YHC took us out.  Prayers for injured PAX, everyone struggling with pandemic, first responders, delivery drivers.  Honored to lead.

Disney is “officially” opened for business

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FNGs: None

EC: Skidmark, ShamWow!, Nemo, Pablo

Notable Absences: the beer deadbolt promised for after the workout

Warm Up: A quick jog around the soccer field.  Circled up at the flag: SSH IC x 20, Windmill IC x10, IW IC x 10, HB IC x 10, Sir Fazio Arm Circles IC 10 forward and 10 back, seal claps x10, overhead claps x10

The Workout: PAX split into groups of 4 or 5 and did an Indian run over to the high school main entrance.  2 rounds of 10 Irkins, Derkins and Dips on the benches or curb.  Then PAX remained in their Indian run groups and did 11’s on the road/hill that goes between the school entrance and Middle Creek Park Ave: Burpees at the bottom/Star Jumps at the top.  PAX then split into 2 groups to Indian run back to the flag for Mary taking the long way to admire the abyss on the way.

Mary: All exercises in cadence: LSF x20, Boxcutter x20, Homer-to-Marge regular x10, right leg up x10, left leg up x10, pickle pounders x20

Announcements: see FB and Slack

T-Claps (Recognition): Barb Key (Deadbolt’s M for tolerating him for 26 years, Happy Anniversary!)

Prayer: Continued prayers for Fanny Pack’s daughter and Wallaby

April 30 / at Disney (Middle Creek Park) QIC: POTS “Typhoon Lagoon”

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April 30 / at Disney (Middle Creek Park) QIC: POTS “Typhoon Lagoon”

 Social Distancing was in place

 EC:

Nemo, Redenbacher

PAX:

4

 FNGs:

None

 Warm Up:

Side Straddle Hops (SSH), Good Mornings, Frankenstein’s, and Windmills

 The Workout: 

  • 3 rounds of “Peoples Chairs” and “Ball to the Wall” with a mosey around parking lot between each set.
  • 2 rounds steps ups with a mosey around parking lot between each set.
  • 2 rounds Urkins, Durkins, and Dips with a mosey around parking lot between each set.

 Mary:

The PAX took turns with several rounds of ab exercises to close out the Q.

 Announcements:

Check slack for further announcements.

 Prayer:

Unspoken

 

 

 

April 23 / at Disney (Middle Creek Park) QIC: POTS “Take’n the Hill”

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April 23 / at Disney (Middle Creek Park) QIC: POTS “Take’n the Hill”

 Social Distancing was in place

 EC:

Nemo, Redenbacher,

PAX:

8

 FNGs:

None

 Warm Up:

Side Straddle Hops (SSH), Good Mornings, Fazio Arms Circles (forward and backward) Imperial Walkers,

 The Workout: 

 Take’n the Hill (backside of soccer fields)

 1st round 20 merkins, run up hill to frisbee golf hole / net, run to frisbee golf tee, 20 merkins, run back to bottom of hill.

2nd round 20 squats

3rd round 20 American Hammers

4th round 20 lbc’s

5th round 5 burpees

 Mosey’d to the Abyss for some 7’s which included Plank Jacks at top with Star Jumps at bottom.

Mary:

Some leg / hip work lead by Foghorn. Name of exercise yet to be determined.

 Announcements: 

Check slack for further announcements.

 Prayer:

Nemo’s Aunt and Uncle

Pablo’s Mom

Stairway to Eleven

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Was informed by Lipstick late last night that he may oversleep his Q at Disney, so I took the Q to ensure the “happiest place on earth” continued to run smoothly.

EC: Emeril, Pablo

Notable Absences: Dumbo

Midget Sighting: Yes (confirmed with multiple witness, but not on slack)

FNGs: None

Warm Up: Mosey around the soccer fields.  Exercises led by Emeril: Good Mornings, Cotton Pickers, Hillbillies, Imperial Walkers

The Workout: Mosey to the abyss, partner up (at a safe distance) for a Dora 1-2-3 (100 Merkins, 200 Mountain Climbers In-Cadence, 300 squats) with exercises split between partners.  Partner 1 start the exercises, partner 2 travel down the abyss and do 5 star jumps (adding 1 star jump for each additional trip down the abyss) and back up to switch with partner 1.  Wash rinse and repeat until all exercises are completed.  Mosey back to the flag for the next exercise; 11’s on the road/hill between the flag at the top and stop sign at the bottom.  Starting at the flag, run to the stop sign for monkey humpers (in cadence) and back to the flag for shoulder taps (in cadence).  Finished with no time to spare

Mary: No time

Announcements: Check Slack and FB, Running this Saturday at Womble

T-Claps (Recognition): Foghorn on the front line with all this chaos

Prayer: Q*bert (his dad has been extra salty), Dawgpound’s daughters (stuck home with dad…), First Responder, HCPs, All those affected by the Corona Virus with illness, job displacement, challenges with schedules, kids, and TP shortage.

Wrassling at Disney

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EC: 187, Dawgpound, Emeril

FNGs: Nope, not today!

Warm Up: Today’s warm up is inspired by Hulk Hogan. Late in his career, Hulk likely had to stretch each day to keep his body moving. Given the groans this morning, we needed it too. GM x 10, Daisy Picker x 10. We all know Hulk Hogan had a large chest too and given our desire to look the part we did Bat Wings (Fazio arm circles F/R, seal claps and overhead claps) and Jack Webs (1:4 ratio stopping at 5). At this point in the workout, “Whatcha gonna do, when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”

The Workout: Now that we’ve warmed up and we are trying to look the part, its time to get familiar with the ring and practice for our upcoming tag team match. PAX mosey to the Culture Center where they partner up. Partners run opposite directions and alternate performing Patty Cake Merkins x 10 and Broke-back Merkins x 10 (5 each partner). We’ve tested the ropes, prepared to tag in our partner and learned that they have our back! But the ticket for the match is full and we will have to wait our turn so PAX line up for an Indian run over to the Abyss to start preparing some signature moves.

Oh Yeah…the Abyss! Today we started prepping for Macho Man Randy Savage’s signature move “The Flying Elbow”. If you want to do it right, you’re going to have to climb up on the top turnbuckle and then stick the landing. To prepare, partner 1 ran to the bottom of the stairs, did 10 Monkey Humpers and returned while partner 2 did big boy sit ups. Switch, rinse and repeat x2 full trips. The PAX are “too hot to handle and too cold to hold” so we mosey back to the flag for our next signature move.

“To be the man, you have to beat the man” but the man, Ric Flair, has the figure 4 leg lock. In order to compete, we have to work on those legs. PAX complete a lazy dora. (100 low slow flutter, 200 homer to marge and 300 squats). Partners alternate by 10, 20 and 30 respectively. Up until this point in the workout there had been some mumble chatter and a little hazing of the Q. Oddly enough, during this portion of the workout you couldn’t hear anything but the birds waking up. YHC could help but think “If you don’t like it, learn to love it!”.

Lastly, in the event that the Undertaker were to try to put a Tombstone on you, you better be prepared to be upside down so the PAX did Balls to the Wall while each man counted to 5. I think most of the PAX were spent at this point and it seems as though we were reminded “The fear of death is far greater than the death itself”. Good work beating the fartsack and accelerating your fitness. The nonsense was my way of making that DRP taste a little sweeter.

Mary: SSH x 30. I saved them for last because the form sucks no matter when we do them these days. Tighten up boys!

Announcements: Hank Williams once said “To sing like a hillbilly, you had to have lived like a hillbilly. You had to have smelt a lot of mule manure.” If you want to sing like a hillbilly hit up Midget4Life for a trip to Raleigh. I GUARANTEE you will learn at least one lesson if you do!

T-Claps (Recognition): Dawgpound for the best ‘themed’ shirt at the workout! Whoooooooo!!!!

Prayer: All those struggling physically, mentally and emotionally that we might be a source of comfort for them.

I had a good time this morning. Thanks for the opportunity to lead you men. I’ll try to do better next time!

A Ferris Wheel at Disney?!

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11 PAX, including 1 FNG, (4 for EC) swallowed that DRP and posted at Disney today for a ride on the new Ferris Wheel.  YHC wanted to see if he could make a decorative design for the new ride on Strava and I think it turned out pretty nice!

EC: Deadbolt, Mookie, 187, Pablo

FNGs: Welcome “The Mechanic”

Warm Up: Quick mosey around the soccer field then circled up for excercises.  All exercises in cadence: SSH x20; IW x10, HB x10, Arm Circles x10F x10R, Seal Claps x10, Overhead Claps x10, Windmill x10

The Workout: Mosey to the center of the soccer field to explain the workout to PAX: starting at the center of the field, PAX would jailbreak to a designated corner or side of the field and squat hold for the 6, then Q called an exercise then jailbreak back to the center of the field for another exercise.  This pattern was repeated around the entire field like spokes on a wheel (or Ferris Wheel design for Strava).  Exercises around the perimeter were Burpees, Star Jumps, Shoulder taps, Derkins, Prisoner Squats, Toe Taps, BTTW and exercise at the center field was 30 sec chilcutt plank hold.  Once we made it around the field, we did the entire routine in reverse order with the same exercises except dipplers (decline nipplers) in the center field instead of 30 sec plank hold.

Mary: All exercises in cadence: LSF x20; Homer to Marge x10 regular, 10 right leg up, 10 left leg up; Freddie Mercury x20, Box cutter x20, Pickle Pounder x20, 60 sec chilcutt plank hold.

Announcements: ALS walk April 18 in Raleigh for Crablegs (details to be posted on FB/Slack), Memorial service for Forcep’s son this Saturday

T-Claps (Recognition): Crablegs posting in the gloom!  Always a pleasure seeing you out there!

Prayer: Crablegs, Wallaby coming back to town today, Wiggly and his family, First Responders and Soldiers, Unspoken prayers, Crablegs took us out!

You Say It’s Your Birthday…It’s My Birthday Too…and Mine Too!

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Funny the coincidences you find in SouthWake. I had known there to be a very high population of PAX sharing the first name “Todd” (ie: Wiggly, Norm, Pablo, Maybelline, Coal Ash, and YHC), but what are the chances of 3 PAX posting on the same morning, sharing the same birthday. That’s just crazy talk. Arrived to Disney this morning not feeling any older, but definitely forgetful as YHC forgot his flag. Did remember the chalk to mark the ground with, but did forget the flag. As I was starting to make my way down the lot, Dawgpound came rolling in for some EC. Exchanged some pleasantries and headed toward the Community Center to the back side in front of the football stadium entrance.

This area is a nice one for circuit training as I did see Pablo introduce this once before. There is a lower level and upper level with staircases on opposite sides. Lots of room for running up and down and in between. At the bottom of the staircase, I labeled ‘Get Ups’. As you travel ahead and bend toward the right there is another stair case (mini abyss). At the foot of this staircase, I labeled “Wide Grip Merkins.” Travel up the stairs of mini abyss and straight ahead to the walkway that joins the original staircase in the distance, I labeled this spot “Diamond”. To the left there is a brick shelter, that has a perfect wall for B2W’s. Labeled that ‘B2W’ of course.

Made my way down the staircase back to the beginning and ventured back out to the large lot of Disney by the high school entrance. Noticed a yellow gate that was closed to the right, which would connect school traffic from either side.

Checked the watch, which left plenty of time to make it back without a mosey. A bit chilly this morning, but not too cold and would produce some comfortable workout conditions. Back to the starting point, saw a few more cars and more rolling in. 187 and I exchanged some ‘Happy Birthday’s,’ knowing from last year we shared the same day. Additionally, I learned on Monday at Paradise City that Doc also shared the same birthday, but would he be here this morning? Turn around and there he was to complete the birthday trio.

Who else was coming out to celebrate? I left an open invite on preblast the night before, but who would show? After all was said and done, we had 12 total PAX- The birthday boys- 187, Doc, and YHC, along with Emeril, Dawgpound, Java, M4L, Nemo, Bobby Dall, Potts, Quiver, and Pikachu. A great crowd. Unfortunately, most of 12 Oaks missed it, including Slide Rule who HC’d at Panera the week before (Pikachu was there and can vouch).

Quick check of the watch and it was 30 secs to lift off. PAX were greeted and thanked for attending this planned birthday bash. We had 3 birthday’s so YHC fortunately had 3 workouts planned. 5:30 hit and we were off with a skinny lap around the lot.

Warm Up: SSH X43, Imperial Walkers X20, Hillbillies X20, Morocan Night Clubs X10, Fazio Arms X10 F\10B, 2 Burpees… Quickly instructed PAX to form 2 lines. This was met with a Dawgpound groan. I think he knew what YHC meant when he said we’d keep things moving this morning- no 10 counts.

The Workout:

Birthday Party#1

Indian Run out of the main lot all the way to the community center, take a left down past the make-shift classroom buildings, all the way to the main entrance of the football stadium. Broke the Indian Run and quick had PAX squat hold for instruction. Informed PAX to find an accountability partner and that I labeled the ground with a specific exercise, starting with 2 Turkish get ups where we were standing, run around the corner to the base of the (small abyss) to perform 20 wide grip merkins, proceed up the stairs and straight to the walkway for 20 diamond merkins, and then Balls to the Wall on that shelter in cadence X20, before heading back down the stair case to do a rinse repeat of the circuit. If anyone ended early, they’d need to come back for the six until all were finished.

PAX did a great job staying together and in many instances all shared the same cadence counts. Squat hold at the bottom while waiting for the few remaining PAX to mosey down the steps after their second round.

Birthday Party #2

Formed back into same 2 lines and executed an Indian run to the yellow closed gate YHC saw earlier in the morning while setting up. Got to the front and instructed PAX to bear crawl underneath about 10 yards to the street, look both ways and mosey to the large Disney lot. Mosey’d to the far corner, where we would do a progressive circuit with their accountability partner..

Corner 1- 2 Burpees

Corner 2- 2 Burpees, 20 Prisoner Squats

Corner 3- 2 Burpees, 20 Prisoner Squats, 20 Mountain Climbers

Corner 4- 2 Burpees, 20 Prisoner Squats, 20 Mountain Climbers, 20 Shoulder Taps

Formed 2 Indian Run lines again and took PAX to the abyss

Birthday Party #3

At the Abyss, Partner 1 stayed for LBC’s, while Partner 2 proceeded down the Abyss and at the bottom performed Pickle Pounders X20 in cadence before coming back up. At the top, Partners Switched out

YHC remembers Nemo mentioning that it seemed kind of odd PAX were performing Pickle Pounders in silence at the bottom. Usually during this exercise, its a time of ‘Yo Momma’ jokes and ‘That’s what She Said’ humor.  Mumblechatter was really low this morning and appeared to be all business.

Once PAX finished up, YHC instructed a single file Indian Run back to the flag (fortunately Pikachu brought one). As we made it back to the beginning of the lot I’m not sure what 187 said to Bobby Dall, but there was a jailbreak that ensued…one for the books with both in an all out neck in neck foot race.

Circled up for Mary, but not before YHC called for a plank hold. Yep- YHC wanted to check his clock to make sure it was working. Clockwork merkins all the way around from 1-12 to finish up the morning. Nemo likes these, I could really tell.

Mary: Low Slow Flutter X20, American Hammers X20. Asked Doc for an exercise and did some dying cockroaches X10, 187 gave PAX some Peter Parkers X10. YHC also instructed on a series of stretches, Pigeons, Downward Dog, and one last Good Morning in cadence. What a morning it was!

Announcements: Emeril did have an announcement and lead PAX the singing of Happy Birthday to celebrate the birthday trio. Check 3rd F for community opportunities. Forceps’ son Jon’s service will be held next Saturday, Feb 29th at Hope Community Church from 12-2pm
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting out there this morning and pushing each other. Potts is putting in work these past few weeks. I see a half marathon in November for that guy.

Prayer: Forceps and his family. Additional prayers for Lipstick’s sister, Wallaby, and those battling substance issues. All those unspoken and continued health for PAX and their families.  YHC took us out.