Plenty of Benjamins @ Paradise City

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It was summer of 2019 and after U.T.I hit me with waves of EH’s I finally decided to come see what this F3 thing was all about. It was a hot, muggy July Monday morning at Paradise City as U.T.I and I pulled into the parking lot at around 5:25am. Soon I had a bunch of dudes calling me FNG and wasn’t sure how to take it. I felt a bit more comfortable when I learned that the “F” stood for “friendly”.

What else do I remember? This guy named Midget was running the workout and he seemed a nice enough guy. What ever happened to him, anyway? Legend has it he moved away. I thought I saw his picture on the back of a milk carton but it could have been someone else.

Fast forward 1 year (give or take a couple of days) and it was time to roll for my 1 year anniversary workout. I was humbled this morning to see some of the faces that have over the past year pushed me beyond those fitness limits we often impose on ourselves.

FNGs: Nada

EC: Pikachu, 187, Aquaman

Warm Up:

5 burpees OYO (I wanted to pack as much intensity as possible into morning so not much of a warm up……sorry not sorry)

The Workout:

Thing 1: All About The Benjamins

The goal was to get an upper body, leg and core workout while also putting some mileage on the wheels. We did the classic 4 corners and our mode of transport was via Indian Run.

Round 1 (Triceps/Shoulders, Chest) :

Corner #1 – Diamond merkins x 25, Corner #2 for dips x 25, Corner #3 for Ranger Merkins x25, Corner #4 for Derkins x25

Indian Run back to Corner #1 to start the Leg Workout

Corner #1 for jump squats x 25, Corner #2 for monkey humpers x25, Corner #3 for lunges X25, Corner #4 for Hillbilly squats X25

Indian run back to corner #1 to hit the abs

Corner #1 for Low Slow Flutter X25, Corner #2 for American Hammers x25, Corner #3 for WW2s X25, Corner #4 for LBC’s X25

Indian Run back to Corner #1

Thing #2: Quarter Pounder

Cones set up at 25 yards, 50 yards, 75 yards and 100 yards

Run to first cone (25 yards) – 25 merkins and run back to goal line

Run to 2nd cone (50 yards) and perform 50 LBC’s, then back to goal line

Run to 3rd cone (75 yards) and perform 75 mountain climbers then run back to goal line

Run to 4th cone (100 yards) and perform 100 SSH and then back to goal line

Thing #3: Railroad Trackers

Broke into 2 groups and laid railroad tracks up the hill between baseball field and soccer fields. Then mosey down the hill and over to Mary

Mary:

Mary: YHC thought it fitting to play “Thunderstuck” with the thunderstorms that had rolled through just prior to the workout. PAX could choose between holding plank or chillcut, but had to perform one merkin whenever the word “Thunder” was sung in the song.

Boxcutters X15

Homer to Marge X20

Have a Nice Day

Announcements:Mulch Spread continues – sign up for Saturday mulch spread at bass lake and also new AO tomorrow Captain Caveman (steel mace workout) at Holly Springs parking garage

T-Claps (Recognition): To those PAX that stepped in and led the rep count

Prayer: Jensen family, those struggling with mental health issues, first responders and military

 

Indian Runs and Burpees at Paradise

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EC: Dawgpound, Emeril, Vasoline, McNugget, Dumbo
FNGs: Nope
Warm Up:

Everyone came ready and we started the workout.

The rules of the workout were set. No negative thoughts and if someone asked if you are tired the only response was “I don’t get tired!!”
The Workout:

Started in a one group Indian Run

We came to the first corner. I was so excited I forgot about the 5 Burpees. We made it up at the next corner.

Corner 1:
10 Reverse Merkins

Back into the Indian Run to corner 2:
5 Burpees — These are the ones we forgot at corner 1
Squatters Pyramid to 15
4 Burpees

Down the ramp to corner 3:
3 Burpees
10 Reverse Merkins

Back into the Indian run to the basketball court
Corner 4
2 Burpees
5 PGUSJ — Prisoner Get Up Squat Jumps
1 Burpee

3 Man Indian Run for the next lap. The first to finish had to come pick the rest of us up.

Corner 1
5 Double Merkin Burpees

Corner 2
5 Double Merkin Burpees
5 Reverse Lunges Each Leg

Corner 3
5 Double Merkins
5 Reverse Lunges Each Leg
5 T Merkins

Corner 4
5 Double Merkins
5 Reverse Lunges Each Leg
5 T Merkins
5 PGUSJ

Back into one large Scout Run for the following stops

Corner 1:
10 Reverse Merkins

Back into the Scout Run to corner 2:
5 Burpees — These are the ones we forgot at corner 1
Squatters Pyramid to 15
4 Burpees

Down the ramp to corner 3:
3 Burpees
10 Reverse Merkins

Back into the Scout run to the basketball court
Corner 4
2 Burpees
5 PGUSJ — Prisoner Get Up Squat Jumps
1 Burpee

3 Man Scout Run

Corner 1
5 Burpees

Corner 2
5 Burpees
5 Curtsy Squats

Corner 3
5 Burpees
5 Curtsy Squats
5 T Merkins

Corner 4
5 Burpees
5 Curtsy Squats
5 T Merkins
5 Squats

Mary:

Fellowship run to the corners

Corner 1:
LBC

Corner 2:
Homer to Marge

Corner 3:
Supermans

Corner 4:
Have a nice day

Announcements:

I cannot remember. Probably something about mulch and all.

T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:

They’re Coming From All Directions

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YHC did not sleep well last night nor is in perfect operating condition (hammy/knee). Shocker right… Truth be told, seems like most pax are banged up a bit at most times. but we keep pushing… for ourselves and each other to become a better version of ourselves each day. The bar for Paradise City is set high. It’s supposed to be high intensity with a goal of getting 3 miles. We just don’t stop for too long in the City.  YHC challenged himself with putting together this Q and also going on a 5 day Q tour this week with EC each day. Get the ice bags ready! 15 determined pax attended stop 1 at Paradise City.

EC: Dawgpound, Dumbo, Pablo, Skidmark, Pikachu, Cupid, Boy George, Fanny Pack

FNG’s: nope
Warm Up: Loop mosey around the soccer fields and tennis courts and down the ramp stopping for Good Mornings, Frankenstein’s, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, and Seal Claps all IC.
The Workout: YHC pre- blasted a rounding the bases theme, so that’s what we did. Home plate was bottom of the ramp… 5 burpees. First base was at the b-ball court… 10 merkins. 2nd base was at the top of the hill… 15 squats. 3rd base was by the ticket booth at the top of the ramp… 20 mountain climbers.  Back to home plate was 25 Freedom Hammers IC.  Pax travelled to each base and back home again, before going to the next base.  Pax stopped to do exercises on the way out AND on the way back in. In all, 25 burpees, 70 merkins, 75 squats, 60 mountain climbers, and 25 Freedom Hammers with just a tad under 3 miles running. Toward the end, there was some confusion among the pax as to where to wait/how to bring in the six.  This guy went this way…that guy went that way. When in doubt, circle up for some Mary exercises.  YHC knew we needed about .3 more miles. I had a plan!
Mary: LSF’s IC, Dying Cockroach IC. With all pax back, we “emptied the tank” as Yogurt calls it and ran hard up the ramp to the top.  Stopped for some H2M, then mosey back to the flag.  Finished up with some trash pickup and some Pickle Pounders.
Announcements: July 4th workout.  Womble Park. 0600. 1776 exercises with 7.4 miles.  Sign up to mulch at Bass Lake.

T-Claps(Recognition): Moped for coming a long way in a short few weeks of AO’s. That guy is coming to get it! All pax determined to finish today’s challenge.
Prayer: All those struggling with addiction.  The Jensen family…a young boy battling cancer.

No case of the Monday’s at Paradise City!

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I don’t know how you started your Monday but 9 HIM set their week up for success by starting at Paradise City. We got our 3 mile minimum in. We got wet (humidity was at 105%). We got stronger. We got through it all without Dawgpound messing up my Q! Lets go…

FNGs: nope

EC: Dawgpound, Dumbo, Emeril, Pablo, Pikachu

Warm Up: SSH, Good Morning, Windmill, Fazio Arm circle F/R, Merkins, Squats

The Workout: Today we took a field trip to the green way across the street. PAX traveled to and from in a scout run. Once through the first section of the green way, PAX started in the cul de sac at the top of the hill with 10 LBC (in cadence). Run to the bottom of the hill and do 5 star jumps on the bridge then back to the top of the hill. Rinse and repeat as many times as you can. Scout run back to the flag for Mary. You could tell the legs were tired…the return pace was considerably slower than the outbound pace.

Mary: Merkin, Big Boy Sit Ups, Homer to Marge, Low Slow Flutter, Box Cutters

Announcements: Mulch Bass Lake (because we lead out front and not from behind)

T-Claps (Recognition): Runners are RUNEing. Stay healthy!!!

Prayer: Skidmark, Natty Ice, Martini

YHC took us out. It is always a pleasure to lead you men. I feel strongest in the middle of that circle surrounded by you HIM! I’ll try to do better next time.

Bounds & Strides

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FNGs:

Nope.
Warm Up:

Warm up lap with SSH x20 IC, 5x burpees, 10x Daisy Pickers IC, 10x Merkins, and 10x Frankensteins.

The Workout:

We moseyed over to the large parking lot where YHC lead the group through a lap with some cone markings. Pax did an exercise of their choosing x10 in the far corner from the cones – exercises repeated each lap.

After the first lap the next three laps had pax bounding through the first half of the cone runway. The following three laps were counterclockwise and had pax striding through the entire length of the cone runway.

Pax took a cooldown around the course and then met at the bottom of the road coming off the ramp. After a squat hold it was a jailbreak to the basketball court via the road.

Mary:

We circled up on the courts for a little yoga – runner’s pose and pidgeon pose.

Announcements:

RUNE

T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:

10 seconds to spare

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YHC was pretty excited to be returning to the gloom with his fellow brothers after 3 months of quarantine.  I wasn’t looking forward to the early wake-up call, hence I showed up at 5:29 and 50 seconds.  However, we started on time!

FNGs: I would have been in trouble if we did, considering there was no time for a pre-claimer.
Warm Up: Couple Loops around Ting with stopping points for SSH x25, IW/HB x10, Mountain Climbers x15
The Workout: Coach wasn’t happy with the performance over the last 3 months and called for 30 minutes of Suicides.  We started on Court 1 and did our first set of suicides with 5 merkins at the start line each time. Coach was displeased with the lack of hands touching the white lines and called for a second set of suicides with 5 merkins.  Coach was happy with that round and took us out of Court 1. On the way out a friendly Pokemon noticed our direction was towards Court 2 and said “It would be cruel if we go to the next court and do the same thing”.  Pokemon must have known the Coach to well and called it out! Court 2 we switched it up and did the suicides with 5 burpees. Coach wasn’t happy with the amount of time it took and called for a second set with Turkish Get Ups. Still not happy with the time, he called for a fast round of only suicides.  We left Court 2 and headed for Court 3, cause why not?  Court 3 only had 2 tennis courts, so we had to step it up a notch. Suicides had to be completed in less than 90 seconds. The first one was so close, at 92 seconds. The next one was an all out by the Pax. Coach was so proud of his men, he told them we could do a cool down lap around ting at an 8:30 pace
Mary: Yoga
Announcements: F3 Dad’s Camp is happening, Rune
T-Claps (Recognition): PAX putting in some serious miles last week! We had a lot of weekly distance PR’s!
Prayer: Draper’s Father, Wallaby, Pablo/Particle Board/Rainmaker & Martini’s Families who lost their Mother’s this past week

Crazy 8’s

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Day 1 of Rune and the Q opened up the Paradise City for the option of 3 mile EC beginning at 0500. Lots of Pax started before 0500 for EC, more beginning at 0500, and a few more for 0505. As always Paradise City is a minimum 3 mile workout. Money well spent this morning.

EC: Mookie, Full House, Cupid, Aquaman, Roger Roger, Dumbo, Dawgpound, Katniss, Emeril, Pablo, Pikachu, Skidmark

FNGs: None

Warm Up: There was no warm-up. 1st lap was part of the workout.

The Workout: Crazy 8’s. Made a figure 8 with 8 stops and 8 reps of an exercise at the stop.
Stop 1: Merkins
Stop 2: Squats
Stop 3: Plank Jacks
Stop 4: Star Jumps
Stop 5: LBCs
Stop 6: Reverse Lunges
Stop 7: Hillbillies
Stop 8: Burpees

1st lap was a fellowship mosey to get all used to the order. Laps 2-4 was a 2 group Indian Run split into team Pikachu and Team Skidmark. Laps 5-6 was a 3 man catch me if you can Indian Run with 3 merkins. Indian Run group was randomly selected.

Mary: Finish out with some stretching

Announcements: Rune

T-Claps (Recognition): All that EC this morning

Prayer: Pablo’s mom, Full House’s wife’s uncle, Clay, Cupid’s Grandfather, Dawgpound’s BIL, PSI, CHIPS, and other members of the police force and first responders.

4 corners, stack ‘em up pyramid

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EC: Emeril & Skidmark

FNGs: not this day

Warm Up: Warm up lap with stops for SSH, Daisy Pickers, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, Fazio Arm Circles. The mumble chatter picked up during the lap so we did 10 burpees OYO to make sure everyone was getting their money’s worth.

The Workout: 4 corners pyramid. 5 laps around the complex.
Corner 1 – 5 Merkins
Corner 2 – 10 LBC
Corner 3 – 15 squats
Corner 4 – all the exercises above.

Lap 2 double it and Lap 3 triple it before we take it all down on laps 4&5.

All PAX got at least 3 miles.

Mary: Homer to Marge, Big Boy Sit Ups and Low Slow Flutter. Then Dawgpound led us in 4 minutes of stretching.

Announcements: Fritter look a like this week. Rune (running in June)

T-Claps (Recognition):

Prayer: All healthcare workers, Wallaby

YHC took us out. It was a pleasure to lead you men this morning. I’ll try to do better next time.

Swingers at Paradise City

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11 Pax made their way to Paradise City. Pre-blast asked for reflection on whether you could catch Forrest Gump so Pax should have had some idea what was about to happen. Working from home has enabled Pax to catch last minute zzzz’s leading to limited EC and guys showing up at 5:29.

The mornings are always beautiful at Paradise City. All HC’s present and accounted for. Limited mumble chatter.

EC: Aquaman, Vasoline, Skidmark

FNGs: None
Warm Up: 1 lap with stops for SSH x20, Good mornings x 10, Sir Fazio Arm Circles x 10 F/R, Hillbillies x 10

The Workout: 3 laps of Catch Me if you can 2 man Indian Runs.
Lap 1: 5 merkins
Switch partners
Lap 2: 5 squats
Switch partners
Lap 3: 3 burpees

Mosey to the ramp for 11’s. Merkins at the bottom, lunges at the top.
Audible halfway through and mosey to the court for Mary.

Mary: Yoga stretches

Announcements: Bring your Yoga mat to Purple Cobra. Q sheet is empty. If you plan on posting at a workout sign up to Q it. And Pre-Blast the workout.

T-Claps (Recognition): Vasoline making it to the morning workout

Prayer: Wallaby, Wrangler’s daughter

Avoiding the Quarantine 15

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There are so many things I want to say right now. So many ways to begin this backblasts, all make sense, all important, but I don’t think I can truly find the right words to express what this morning meant not just to me, but for a lot of other Pax. On Friday, I went for a run and ran past a few AOs that had kicked off again. Each had 3 Pax, despite warm weather and a bit of excitement in the air. Saturday is a long run day and we know about SW’s reputation. Sunday AGS wasn’t as large as typical. So, what would today bring. And the Q promised 3 miles of high intensity bootcamp. I love this group of guys and we lean on each other more than we realize. 12 men posted at Paradise City this morning and the mumble chatter was on point.

2 for EC: ShamWow!, Skidmark

FNGs: Welcome McNugget and Chaps. Warning: Be very careful when disclosing your first job.
Warm Up: Group stayed together for 1 lap of warm up with SSH x 30, IW x 10, Hillbillies x 10, Good mornings x 10, and Fazio Arm circles x 10 F/R.
The Workout: Group split into 2 with Emeril and YHC taking over.

Emeril’s Q:
1. Erkins/Derkins/Dips on the guardrail
On the Tennis Courts:
2. Suicides, LBC, Preacher Chair
3. 11’s (Merkins/Squats), Balls to Wall, Preacher Chair
Mosey to Ticket Booth
4. Step-ups, Dips, Balls to Wall, Erkins, Balls to Wall, Derkins
5. Top of Ramp x 10 jump squats, Bottom of Ramp x 10 star jumps

Skidmark’s Q:
Stack up suicides: starting at basketball court. Stops at 1st island, bottom of ramp, halfway up ramp, top of ramp. 5 burpees each return to court. Stack em up and break em down.
1. 5 Star jumps
2. 10 merkins
3. 15 Plank Jacks
4. 20 Step ups

Mary: Stretching as a group of 12. Open those hips up and avoid injury.

Announcements: Not right now.
T-Claps (Recognition): Dumbo and Dawgpound PRing 1/2’s on Saturday
Prayer: Wallabe, Fanny Pack’s daughter Julia battling a stomach bug.