Tag Archive for: Cupid

Benny Hills and Some EC

With Rune in full swing, YHC pre-blasted some EC at 5:05 with a nice Main Event route at 6am offering some street miles with a mix of hills and scenic trails. Redenbacher liked the route last night, but apparently not enough to show this morning. Arrived to an empty lot, but not for very long as Vasoline came rolling in to hold YHC accountable for some pre-game mileage. On the way back into Womble, we spotted Boy George circling the soccer fields heading in the opposite direction for some EC as well.

Cupid rolled in with a few minutes til 6am and then we had Oboe, who has become a regular at AGS. At 6am, we mosey’d to the baseball field concession stand by the bleachers for the following exercises

Warm Up: Good Mornings X10 IC, Imperial Walkers X 10, Hillbillies X10, mosey’d to the umpire\kid statue and performed Fazio Arms X10F\B, Prisoner squats X10, and then mosey’d to Grigsby with alternating butt kickers and Frankensteins.

The Workout: Squat held for the route. Continue down Grigsby, back to Raleigh, and then onto Jones. From Jones head to Veterans and then onto the back side of Paradise City’s EC route, proceeding right out of the greenway and then a semi circle to Arctic Ridge, and then back to the greenway. When you come out of the greenway, head straight up Skymont to the end through Rhamkatte and then back to Bass Lake and onto Stinson to tackle the hill back to the flag. All sounded good in the squat hold and we were off. Boy George only needed a few miles to complete his Rune max so he peeled off, once we hit Jones, which had YHC with this morning’s gazelles. Having done about 4mi at that point, the humidity was taking a toll on YHC and was starting to get dehydrated, so informed the lead PAX that I was good for about 3 more miles and would make my way through Jones and Veterans, but to continue on and would meet them back to the flag.

YHC made his way through Rhamkatte and then back to Womble. When I arrived at Womble, had seen Boy George in the distance and proceeded back down Stinson to meet Cupid, Vasoline, and Oboe. Got a little concerned when we did a few circles and there was no sign of the PAX at 6:53. This was about a 5 mile route and surely with their speed and despite the humidity, they should be back by now. Apparently, there was some confusion and their route was somewhat extended and finished back on the Raleigh side of Stinson and not via Bass Lake. Oboe later shared that it was kind of like a Benny Hill episode with several comical turns to get back. Pikachu- if you are reading, you might want to look up the Benny Hill show to understand. Also, we still need to get you educated on the 80’s classic-Miami Vice after last week’s draft call. I haven’t forgotten and I got you!

In any event, everybody earned their mileage this morning. It was a steamy one and lots of rolling hills. Very strong work!

Mary: We missed her this morning.
Announcements: Rune-get your numbers in.
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting after it this morning. Vasoline with 11mi after a strong U-Turn performance yesterday.

Prayer: Pablo and Martini and their families. Oboe who recently lost his father-in-law this past week. Additionally, Cupid, who’s grandmother is in hospice. YHC took us out.

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.

A Proper Backblast

10 Pax presented themselves this fine morning to exercise the mind, body, and spirit. Joyful comradery and scholarly conversation was abundant this morning as Pax navigated along the route honoring Ursa Major. Members of the organization supported and encouraged each other the route. The conversations, while scholarly and thought provoking, also allowed for debate. We concluded with a trust circle that gave gentlemen the opportunity to share their feelings in safe and secure place empowered by fellow men. We enjoyed tea at Starbucks at the conclusion.

EC: Emeril, Banana Seat, Cupid, Full House, Pikachu, Skidmark

FNGs: Unfortunately no
Warm-up: Calisthenics: Mountain People, Regal Wayfarers, Appendage circles, Mountain ascenders
The Workout: Ursa Major 5.2 miles
Mary: Yoga
Announcements: Rune
T-Claps (Recognition): Full House just pushing through
Prayer: McKeon family, Full House’s wife’s uncle, Martini’s mom

Crazy 8’s

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.

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

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.

Welcome Back Humidity!

19 PAX took on the humidity and welcomed the sweat back to U-turn. Lots of EC going on as we started with about 10 guys it felt like and finished with 19.

Warm Up:
Windmills, Frankensteins, SSH, in place High Knees and Butt Kickers

The Workout:
5 mile new school route. Pick up the six happened more than twice but we were safe.

Announcements:
RUNE sign up is out. Cut off is Friday May 29th.Dad’s camp sign up for August. Memorial Day all AO’s will be open and there will be a murph happening for those that want to join at Womble. Details on Slack/FB.

T-Claps (Recognition):
All the EC guys out there. YHC decided to do 10 burpees after each mile, fun stuff.

Prayer:
Mr. Terrific and job search, Emeril’s wife’s uncles died from heart attacks. Frumunga’s family member had a heart attack. Martini’s mom battling cancer now in Hospice care. Katniss co-worker, Cupid’s grandma in Hospice, Aquaman mentioned how God will bring good out of all this pandemic we are experiencing.

Strong work gents.
BS Out!

Boulders, Breakfasts, and Banana Seats

After running the “old school” U-Turn loop this am, YHC decided to take the Q at Ground Pounder with a real focus on “muscle moves” and rep counts.  11 pax showed up for a lot of rock work and an impromptu photo shoot by Banana Seat.  When asked if he was joining the workout, he responded he was only a spectator this morning, and this guy just stood there eating his breakfast….but got some great photos of the workout.  There’s gotta be a name for this type of behavior in the lexicon. Either way, we all did 5 burpees in honor of our breakfast eating photographer/spectator’s arrival and departure in his “sweet” new ride.

EC: Nemo and Coal Ash

FNG’s: None
Warm Up: SSH, Sir Fazios F/R, Seal Claps, Overhead Claps, Frankenstein’s, Windmills, Good Mornings.
The Workout: Merkin ladder up of 10,15,20, and 25 counts with 13 SSH in between each set.

Rock Time

Descending ladders of rock exercise combos. Counts were 20,15,10.  Curls for the Girls/Ground Pounders. Then Triceps Extensions/Squats. Then Shoulder Press/Rut Rows.  Each combo was followed by a break where we did 20,15,10 reps of chest presses and an ab exercise with rock. Finished this portion of the workout w/ 20 count IC of Bus Drivers. Every driver drives in his own way!!!

Bear Crawl across lot with 10 merkins, return trip with lunge walk followed by 10 squats. Repeato with two rounds of “penalty exercises” for pax doing rock exchanges during the workout.

To the Wall for 2 rounds of BTTW with each pax doing 5 count and 1 round of People’s Chair with each pax doing a 10 count.
Mary: each pax took a turn calling a 10 count exercise including: diamond merkins, nipplers, Shoulder Taps, spider man merkins, Pickle pounders, WW2, plank holds, burpees, squat jumps.
Announcements: Many AOs open. Looking at possible Fleming Loop site soon. Mr. Terrific taking the lead at Tiger Blood with a speed and form focus.
T-Claps (Recognition): PAC-Man’s Birthday. Happy 33rd.
Prayer: DOA’s family member with cancer/stroke, Coal Ash grandma w/ demensia , YHC’s daughter Julia recovering from stomach bug but with some mental barriers to cross and my M with strained relations with her mom. Mr. Terrific and his career change time. Our country and nation. Honored to lead HIM’s.

You took a tranq to the jugular man!

FNGs: None
Warm Up: Imperial walkers x 10; daisy pickers x 10; hammy stretching 10 counts; frankensteins x 10, SSH x 20
The Workout: 19 PAX on this Saturday for 5+ miles trekking through the old u-turn route.  Good route, lots of mumblechatter, all helped pick up the six.  Various PAX for EC, Cupid, Dawgpound, Dumbo, Emeril, Full House.
Mary: none
Announcements: Roon race coming up in June – see Banana Seat for details
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Prayers for Mr. Terrific in his job search, healthcare workers, first responders

The Importance of Intentionality

EC: Cupid, Full House, Nemo, ShamWow!
FNGs: None, in spite of my best efforts to make one.
Warm Up: Mosey to GCF for warm-ups. Daisy Pickers ICx10, Imperial Walkers > Hillbilly ICx10, Fazio Arm Circles (both directions) ICx10, SSH ICx20
The Workout: Mosey to the bottom of the hill by Town Hall Burgers. PAX partnered up and it was now that I discovered a 13th PAX (@Oboe). He snuck in so quick and stealthy like that there were no punitive exercises. YHC knows the struggles of arriving on time all too well!!!

We did BOMBS with one partner running to the intersection and performing 5 star jumps before returning to switch with your partner. All reps are shared moving to the next exercise when one is done.

B – 50 burpees
O – 100 Overhead claps
M – 150 Mountain climbers IC
B – 200 Big boy sit ups
S – 250 Squats

PAX then mosey to the rail behind Jiffy Lube for 3 sets of 20 dips / low slow flutter with partners switching each time. Mosey back to the flag site (would have been a flag if YHC had remembered his)…
Mary: Homer to Marge ICx50
Announcements: Slack
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Wallaby, Bobby Dall’s sister, Full House uncle, healthcare workers. YHC took us out.

This morning I asked a series of 3 questions during the workout. First, what do you think is most important in your life? Next, where do you spend the majority of your time (pre-Covid-19)? And last, how do you spend your money (again, pre-Covid-19)? Make sure the answers to the last 2 questions support the first. It’s important that we are all intentional with our resources. Don’t coast through life men, find a problem and fix it. We are ALL counting on you!

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