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Plenty of Benjamins @ Paradise City

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

 

Translating your F3 Workout at Home is a Bad Idea…

It’s Sunday again and you know what that means…For most, its a fartsack, a day of rest, or it just may be that opportunity to start your week early with some miles. Rode into Womble a little early, tailing 187 who was just ahead of me coming out of Wescott. Planted the flag and walked over to the curb to do some stretches and was quickly greeted by UTI, who had just pulled into the lot. Having seen Vasoline and Cupid getting EC on the way in, we’d surely have some good speed on the route this morning and at least 5 PAX.

Off in the distance, a red truck carrying Skidmark came rolling up Stinson and then followed by Pikachu, who had rolled in three minutes until the start time. Within that 3 minutes, we had some quality mumblechatter, including commentary on Skidmark’s collection of sneakers and some very questionable ways that F3 may or may not translate with the M’s prior to bedtime. In home AO’s just wouldn’t be a good idea, in my opinion, and if the name-or-rama included any more than 2, well then.. that would just be something else entirely…

On that note, YHC took PAX along the left side of the soccer fields and onto the back lot for the following exercises.

Warm Up: Circled up for Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Good Mornings X10, Fazios 10 F\B, another mosey to the front side of Womble to the the baseball field parking lot for some prisoner squats X10 and a squat hold while I explained the route.

The Workout: We would keep to some nice easy pavement miles, with a few gradual hills, but nothing too exhausting. As YHC knew he had 3/4ths of the FML crew running this morning and given the speed of Vasoline, UTI, and Cupid, obviously I’d be the six. With all that speed out in front, I kept the mileage to a respectable 4.5 mi, knowing that the gazelles up front would come back several times and get about 5-6 between the route and the pickups. Route would go along the right side of the baseball fields and out to Grigsby and then Raleigh St. From there, PAX would make their way onto Jones, then Veterans. Once out of Veterans, PAX would make a sharp right up Skymont and through Rhamkatte, eventually crossing Holly Springs Road and back onto Stinson up to Womble and then back around the baseball fields. At the Stinson split, the FML crew went on to get 5ish more miles for a total of 10, while Vasoline, UTI, and Cupid pulled YHC up Stinson and around the ball fields. Great work by all in attendance this morning.

Mary: Stretches OYO
Announcements: Mulch sign-ups through July and August. Check slack for details. As announced at U-Turn yesterday, Healing Transitions could use some basic hygiene products (ie: Soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, shave essentials, etc..).

T-Claps (Recognition): Those getting those extra miles this morning and entire crew for picking up YHC. At one point early in the run we (me and my Garmin) were going about 8:40 for the first mile and a half, and those dudes still were a quarter mile ahead. Strong, Men…just really strong!

Prayer: UTI’s cousin’s dad, who recently passed and another relative who recently contracted Covid. Continued prayers for friends and family dealing with financial hardship and health issues. Also additional prayers to the Jensen family, who is dealing with the loss of their young son, Clay. Keep this family in your prayers this week as they go through this very difficult time.

UTI took us out.

Humid Morning for a Run

FNGs:

None

Warm Up:

Light jog around the parking lot with a few exercises to get the group warm and ready for a run

The Workout:

YHC had pre-blasted an old school U-Turn route in reverse and that I was Qing in celebration of my 2 years with F3.  These 2 years have brought new friendships, greater health and an increased amount of community out reach on my part.  The reasons for this was demonstrated multiple times this morning as everyone picked up the six (which consisted of myself).  This act of support is one of the reasons I have continued to post even when I feel like I don’t want to or can’t.

This morning’s run was a humid one, but everyone got 5+ miles and some good fellowship.  Some PAX (the crazier variety) got 15+ miles.

Great work men and thanks for the opportunity to lead.

Mary:

None.

Announcements:

A few PAX indicated there may be a group training for their 1st Full Marathon later this year.

Emeril is collecting supplies for Healing Transitions.  Please consider getting soap, shaving cream, etc. and providing to Emeril this week.  Also they will take your old running shoes, don’t just throw them out, consider giving them to a group that could use some support.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Thanks to everyone for supporting me the last 2 years and I look forward to what we do in the future.

Prayer:

YHC took us out, with unspoken prayers and praises.

Chasing Away Bats

FNGs: n/a
Warm Up: Mosey to track and 400m jog

Some birds seemed to be flying around in the gloom, having a good start to their day. Upon closer examination – they were bats finishing up their night!

The Workout:

100m of A skips + 10 merkins, 100m B skips + 10 SSH.

800m run at 5k pace

100m of side shuffles + 10 burpees, 100m of karoke + 10 merkins

800m run at same pace as first 800m

Grab some fence for claws and leg swings (2 sets of 10, each leg)

800m run, try to keep same pace as first 2

100m walk to recover, 100m A Skips + 10 merkins

Final 800m run, stay strong for both laps

After all those half-mile intervals, there weren’t any bats left in sight! The PAX chased them away!

Mary: Glorious stretching (runner’s stretch, pigeon pose)

Announcements: Mulching at Bass Lake, couple spots open. 3rd F meeting went well, everyone should read up about it.
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Thanks for one of Pikachu’s friends getting a job. Prayers for people falling ill that can’t be visited by loved ones.

We ran Crossways

FNGs: Nope
Warm Up:

Some mumble chatter and frankenstiens

The Workout:

See Title

Mary:
Announcements:
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:

Those dealing with addiction

Memory is fleeting…

Been a while since I posted or Q’d PC, on the way in I saw 187 running, but when I got the flag he was not there, however, he timed it perfectly and showed up with 2 mins to spare and then we were off.

FNGs: none
Warm Up: Mosey over to the front of the Jiffy Lube and circle up for a warm-up of SSH, SirFazio Arm Circles, Imperial Walkers, Good Morning
The Workout:

Thang 1: Short Mosey to the goodwill parking lock then Partner up, 1 partner does 10 count Balls to the Wall, 20 count Shoulder tap and holds Peoples Chair, while the other partner crosses the parking lot and does 15 merkins, 15 lbc’s and 15 start jumps, repeato 3 times.

Thang 2: Short Mosey to behind town hall burger for 7’s of Squats and Freddy Mercury’s

Thang 3: Short Mosey to bending the Jiffy lube for 2 rounds of 10 Irkens,  15 Derkins, and 20 Dips

Mary: Back at the flag, we did some arm stretches,  Pigeon and runners pose, then a 2 rounds of popup mary
Announcements: New AO’s: Need More Ruck 6:00 am Sunday at Needmore Hilltop Park.  Unnamed Banks Road Elementary AO, Mondays 5:30 AM
T-Claps (Recognition): The Pax for dealing with my forgetfulness this morning.
Prayer: YHC’s Friend Duane Lindsey who passed from ALS on Sunday, for his Wife and Family.  All of our First responders.

Foggy U-turn

FNGs: none
Warm Up: Good morning, SSH x 20, Merkins x 20, IW’s x 10, Hillibillies x 10, various stretching
The Workout: PAX of 20 for 5+ miles this Saturday morning through the fog.  Numerous PAX picking up the 6 along the way, nice work!
Mary: none
Announcements: sign up for mulch at Bass Lake
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Martini, Skidmark and M healthy baby and for Natty Ice’s M.

Dirty 30

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!

OG Fritter Foundation Co-Q at the Cobra

FNGs: Not today!

EC: 187, Cupid, Dumbo, Fanny Pack, Mookie, Pablo, Redenbacher

Warm Up: On our way to the Butcher’s Market we stopped for SSH, Good Morning, Daisy Pickers, Fazio Arm Circles

The Workout: Pablo and YHC talked the night before and Pablo said, “I’ll fill in what you don’t use” so YHC set out to take up half the time. It ended up taking 2/3 of the time…

Thang 1: 11’s at the Butchers Markets with Captain Thor (big boy sit ups and American Hammers IC – 1:2 ratio) on one end and Jack Webb’s on the other end (1:4 ratio). The PAX all stayed together.

Thang 2: Pablo let us in rounds of Balls to the Wall and People’s Chair. Three rounds of each with half the PAX doing that and the other half switching between Mtn Climbers, LBC and Freddy Mercury. After the initial 3 rounds we switched from Balls to the Wall to People’s Chair.

We moseyed back to the flag the long way to ensure we got our second whole mile (remember back when scoring for Rune only allowed for whole miles and 2 max at an AO?)

Mary: Pablo killed us with 6 minutes of increasingly difficult core exercises. YHC was so gassed he doesn’t remember them all. I know we did Freddy Mercury, Box Cutters, Homer to Marge and Pickle Pounders. Fathers Day isn’t too far off so start practicing now!

Announcements: Check the interwebs…

T-Claps (Recognition):

Prayer: Pablo’s Mom, Fanny Pack’s Daughter.

One Merkin and One Day at a Time

FNGs: None

Warm Up: OK, I am sorry 1 Burpee only but my arms were tied. Circled up for SSH, Hillbillies, Imperial Walkers, Seal Claps, and Overhead Seal Claps.

The Workout: Purple Cobra World tour consisted of Merkin Suicides in HT parking lot, followed by Dips and Prisoner Squats at the benches in front of HT, and then PAX moseyed in back of HT for a few Straight and Side Arm Raises with rocks in between Peoples Chair hold.

Someone had a good idea,  so we held Peoples Chair with rock shoulder presses as we counted 5 reps each. Finally, prior to returning the rocks we did Curls for the Girls. The next destination was to the bottom of the hill on Lassiter Road for some more Merkins, running backwards up the hill for Star Jumps. Final destination prior to Mary was donating some Balls to The Wall at GFC.

Mary: American Hammers, LBC’s, Low Slow Flutter all for cadence count of 30. Homer to Marge with one leg variation and then rolled over for alternating superman and superman to get some back exercises in.

Announcements: Dads Camp opening up.

T-Claps (Recognition): Nemo and Aquaman EC.  187, Bullseye, and Wallaby, nice to see you guys.

Prayer: Moment of silence and unspoken. Honor to lead and thank you.