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Let Me Teach You a Lesson…

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It normally doesn’t take this long to squeeze out a backblast, but this one needed to take some time to do it justice. We all joke at the lessons M4L can provide. Sometimes he shows to workouts he commits to, sometimes he doesn’t. Sometimes he does 1/2 of the workout, sometimes he does 1/2 Side Straddle Hops, sometimes he does a full one or just flaps his arms. On that Friday, last week at Kung Pow, he delivered one of the more memorable Q’s I’ve been a part of, and truth be told…when he shows to Q, they always have a lesson.

On an aside, these guys at Wescott are bringing it and I’m not saying it because it is home turf. I have yet to see a duplicated workout and every single one has a signature footprint. Pablo’s manhole merkins, Deadbolt and DoubleD’s Reagan era burpeefest, and who could forget that time where YHC almost killed Fram, DoubleD, Sprinkler, and Fonzie with cardio cul-de-sacs a few weeks ago.

I will say this, anytime I have seen M4L Q, I always come away with something. It could be an exercise routine, it could be something personal he has shared, but more importantly, his Q’s always extend beyond just a workout (hence F3- more than a workout) and have always shown me to appreciate the moment and embrace these great things we have… F3 and each other. Just like we tackle these workouts, we are also going through everything life throws at us together.

On this Friday morning, it was destined that something special was gonna happen. Pre-Blast yielded 8 HC’s, which was a really high number considering none of the regulars were HC’ing the night before. Also, nobody HC’s anymore…anybody else notice that?

Picked up Deadbolt… yes- we drove only being a half 0.4 mi down the road.  Arrived  to a completely full Wescott parking lot, 13 PAX limbering up, representing all areas of SouthWake-some from Fuquay, another from 12 Oaks, even one from Cary and also from Raleigh. 15 total- A new record at Kung Pow.  Full House later shared that he was undecided that morning, but just like Nemo from a few weeks ago, he was drawn by the pre-blast marketing campaign.

What on earth did M4L have planned? Whatever it was, it was about to go down as we were at 5:29 and the mumblechatter was starting to rise above the level that gets us exposed on our neighborhood Facebook page.

Time to mosey. Extended the 15 PAX group across the street to do some warm-ups at the Veterinary clinic across the street.

FNGs: None, but would be alot cooler if there were…
Warm Up: SSH X10, Burpee X10, Uneven Merkins- Right arm extended forward x10\Left Arm extended forward X10. Mumblechatter= more burpee X10, then followed by a mosey back to M4L’s vehicle.

The Workout: Upon arrival, M4L pops the trunk. Strategically stacked where several bricks with the words “No OYO” spray painted on them. Everybody grab a brick- one for each hand. I’ve seen this workout once before, but judging by the other faces they had not and wasn’t sure what they were more surprised by…the possibility that they’d have to carry these bricks the whole workout or what M4L meant by “No OYO.” As suspected, Midget instructed PAX to mosey with bricks in hand down Wescott Ridge. PAX stopped about halfway down among the trees lining what we refer to in Wescott as the ‘fairway.’

As a tribute to New Mexico, PAX performed a series of quick feet with bricks in hands. Recover on the mosey to Bells Walk (oh- if anyone puts the bricks down, 10 burpees with bricks for all PAX). At Bells Walk, M4L calls for a Indian Brick Walk with curls where the trailing PAX double times it to the front curling alongside group of 14 PAX who are also curling in single file. Made it to the end of the cul-de-sac for 31 Monkey Humpers with bricks (31 years since entering the US) . This was also in honor of one of our favorite Wescott residents, bless her heart. She is looking for a gently used Oboe, so if anyone knows a friend of a friend who has one let us know. A real Oboe…not you, Oboe. Really- not kidding.

After those were performed, M4L called for a faster paced Indian Run with bricks, except halfway down the street, Q ended up ‘dropping’ his bricks.. 10 burpees OYO all PAX. Continued to the end of Bells Walk and onto Dumbo’s house. How we were able to fit all 15 PAX in his driveway was beyond me, but we did and its unfortunate he did not have a Ring camera to capture this. There was mumblechatter as to the other cameras he has in his house, but we would need to wait for him to return from vacation to either confirm or deny.

Inside the driveway, all 15 PAX performed 31 tricep extensions , followed by 31 overhead presses. With arms already significantly torched, M4L now reveals the true meaning of the lesson behind the “No OYO” bricks. He instructed PAX to partner up. From here, one member of the unit would give their bricks to the partner, so one carries all 4 on the mosey, while the other stays with him for moral support. Do not leave your partner- He will need you.

Not sure Fram got that memo, even with 4 bricks, he was running a 5K pace and YHC was having trouble keeping up with him as he made his way up Wescott Ridge and down to the Palm City cul-de-sac where M4L used to live. At the cul-de-sac, M4L shared a story of what F3 means to him and specifically how PAX should never do life alone- hence the “No OYO” bricks. We all carry something and should never feel afraid to ask for help and lean on your brothers to help you through difficult times. A message that hit home with everyone that morning.

On the return, PAX mosey’d with their bricks again, making sure that each partner didn’t leave the other behind. At the top of the hill, M4L did a quick check of the lead PAX to ask where their partners were. If they were left behind, he instructed them to apologize for leaving them behind as a reminder that we are all accountable to ensure we are picking up the six.

Mary: Merkins on the “Bring Sally Down”- A tribute to “Gone in 60 Seconds” (67 seconds to be exact-the amount of time remaining in the workout)
Announcements: Q Swap coming in August; New AO- Something Awesome on Monday
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting out there this morning. A great crowd, great workout, great message.
Prayer: Healthcare workers, Bondo’s new grandchild Piper. Continued health for families near and far.

Double D took us out!

Escalations at Purple Cobra

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FNGs: None

Warm Up: Moseyed over to the hill for 15 SSH IC, 10 Sir Fozio Arm Circles F+R, Michael Phelps, 20 Mountain Climbers.

The Workout: Escalating Doras.

50 merkins, 100 squats, 150 LBCs.

100 peter parkers, 200 squat jumps, 300 reverse LBCs.

50 burpees, 100 star jumps, and most of the planned 150 big boy situps…we ran out of time.

Mary: Moseyed back to the start for 10 pickle pounders IC.

Announcements: Dumbo Anniversary Q at Disney

Prayer: Wisdom for our nation’s leaders, COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness

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!

Did Bambi Smell my Farts???

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Four PAX sauntered out on EC ready to improve their mile splits, while feeling like they were wearing a sweater with the thick blanket of humidity.  Shamwow was quick to point out 3 deer about half a mile in as soon as YHC let four very timely farts from his nether regions, Dahmer laughed with amusement as the deer ran off.

9 Eager PAX began warmup, not realizing what YHC had in store, lap around the soccer field and then back to the parking lot for some good mornings x 10 count, daisy pickers x 15, SSH x 20, Fazio arm circles front and back, moving into overhead clap x 10 and then IW’s x 15.

YHC intended to have the Indian run up to go straight to the big parking lot via passing by the abyss, until Nemo happened to pipe up and wondered why we weren’t stopping.  Indian run train paused to let the passengers off for a DORA, two men teams 50 merkins, 100 LBC’s and 150 squats with alternating partner running down for 5 x star jumps.  Post completion of DORA, PAX headed back aboard the Indian run train to head to the originally intended target, big parking lot.

Arriving at the lot DB asked what they did to piss off YHC, nothing, just wanting to serve up a beat down :).  PAX then moved into 4 corners in the lot – two teams – all staying together for 10 x wide grip merkins at corner 1, 10 x lunges at corner 2, 20 mountain climbers IC at corner 3 and 20 prisoner squats at corner 4, rinse and repeat.

All once again hopped on the Indian run train to head to the benches for alternating irkins, dirkins and dips x 10 while other group did 15 x shoulder taps in cadence.  PAX hopped on the train for the last stop back at the soccer field for Mary.

Mary started with 10 x american hammer, 15 x box cutter, 10 x 6 inch leg lift, 10 x low slow flutter, 15 x reverse LBC and 10 burpees courtesy of POTS.  Train came to a stop with have a nice day.

Announcements: Deadbolt 6 year anny at Cletus tomorrow, new job for Bobby Dall, Derrick Davis run sign up, and a special Happy 38th Birthday to Dahmer.

Prayer requests: Crablegs, family of Clay (Roger Roger’s neighbor) who lost his battle with cancer and Flanigan for minor cardiac procedure.

T Claps: All PAX for putting in some sweat equity this morning

 

“I feel the need for speed.” – Said no possum ever.

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FNGs: None

Warm Up: 2 PAX for EC. 8 PAX took the DRP for today.  20 SSH, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Hillbillies, 10 count cadence good mornings, 10 count cadence daisy pickers, Quad and Hamstring stretch.
The Workout: First half of ME: 7 speed and power plyometric exercises for 30 sec timer per exercise. 10 sec rest in between. 1. Jump Squat 2. High Knees 3. Tuck Jumps 4. Calf Raises 5. Lateral Bounds 6. Butt Kicks 7. Jump Lunges.  PAX rotated as rabbit in the middle,for the pace setter per exercise. Rinse and Repeat 3x. 14 min and 20 sec total cycle.

Second half of ME: Two groups of three and one group of two. Three stations: Bridge Hill Sprints, Grab bag of weights for upper body and 20 yard sprints. Hills and sprints did 3 reps before rotating.  Weight group did variety of upper body exercises called out at random from PAX. Each round the reps were reduced by one. Two hills , two sprints then working our way down to 1 rep.

Mary: Yoga stretches focusing on hip flexers,quads, hamstrings and lower back.
Announcements: Dead Bolt 6 year anniversary at Cletus on Friday. CSAUP coming in the fall and Q-swap. (Banana Seat)
T-Claps (Recognition): LED, FRAM and FED-EX helping family in need with furniture in Angier.
Prayer: Clay Jensen’s family, Crab legs struggling with health, Dead Bolt’s daughter in third week of Nursing at Wake Med. Tension and depression in society and in homes during this time.

Tire-go-Round @ Prison Yard

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FNGs: None
Warm Up: Mosey to 4 corners of building and explain exercises. 10 SSH, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10, Hillbillies.
The Workout: At each station PAX had to do abs of choice, arms, legs using a 15 count in cadence. Station 1 > weights and kettle bell  (curls/tries/press & goblet squats) Station 2 > 12 lbs sledge swings on big tire & fast feet on small tire.  Station 3 > Front Raises with fire hose. Squat with med ball press and release.  Station 4 > Sand bag toss (hit ground and leave body) Pain stick (anything upper body) After 3 exercises rotate to next station.  1 person would drag the tire from station to station and pass to a new person.  Every lap around the circuit took 5 burpees off the 50 burpees in the bank.  Circuit timer was set at 30 min.  Team did 10 burpees OYO at the end…the tire only made 8 laps around the circuit.
Mary: Hamstring and Hip/Glute stretch
Announcements: Sign up for Mulch at Bass lake, Prison Break (in beta) after Prison Yard.
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Kid battling cancer (Roger-Roger).  (New Mexico) friend is seeing some recovery progress from Leukemia. (FRAM) wife going in for health screening from feeling bad. (Double D) Pray for all the tension and first responders during this time. All spoken and unspoken prayers. New Mexico took us out.

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.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Takeover

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The mouse was away so two of the misfits from Alice in Wonderland were in charge. Tweedle Dee and Tweddle Dum grab the reigns.

FNGs: None today
Warm Up:

Got into an Indian run to head to the warm-up location. As we proceeded on the run we noticed the current pathway was roped off. This resulted us in turning around and running pass the abyss. This turned out to be a good thing. We were able to check out the wait time. Only 5 minutes. What a great day this was going to be.

Made it to the parking lot on the other side of the baseball field.

25 Side Straddle Hops
Bat Wing With Randy’s
Fazio Arm Circles forward
Fazio Arm Circles backward
Seal Claps
Overhead Claps
Randy’s
Good Mornings

It was time to get back in the Indian Run and head to the abyss. We were concern that the wait time was increasing. The queue for the abyss is nothing like the queue for Peter Pan’s flight. So we had to hurry.

The Workout:

We split up into two groups. Group one started with the exercises up top and the other group went down the stairs first.

Up top, we did 10 absolutions. At the bottom, we did 5 Prisoner Squat Get Up Jump Squats. Each pax did 2 rounds at the abyss. LBCs were done while waiting on the six.

Now it was up for Tweedle Dee to take over. We all got into the Indian Run to hit up a new ride “The Tilta World”.

Pax found a partner for some bear crawl dora. Each group went to a small island. As one pax bear crawled around the island the other pax did the exercises. 100 Merkins, 200 LBC, 300 Squats.

As pax were riding “The Tilta World” Tweedle Dum received notification that the abyss was up to a 40-minute wait. This meant we wouldn’t get to ride it again today. Though as we proceeded with 15 minutes to go Tweedle Dum got a notification that 13 Fast Passes just opened up. We grabbed them and Indian Run to the abyss.

Once back at the abyss we did the same exact ride as before.

Up top, we did 10 absolutions. At the bottom, we did 5 Prisoner Squat Get Up Jump Squats. Each pax did 2 rounds at the abyss. LBCs were done while waiting on the six.

This time coming up the stairs was a lot harder than the first time. The PGUSJs did not make getting up the steps any easier.

After this was all done we headed back to the starting point.

Mary:

Tweedle Dee took over with Mary.

Homer to Marges South Wake style was done.
Big Boy Situps
Have a Nice Day

Announcements:

Sign up for Bass Lake. 2.3 miles to go.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Prayer:
Praises to Flojo’s wife for finding a job
All addicts struggling.

Welcome to the Rock

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FNGs: Nil
Warm Up: Moseyed to Stinson-side parking lot to avoid anyone getting ‘possumed, and circled up.

SSH x 20

Imperial Walkers x 10

Hillbillies x 10

Fazio arm circles x 10 (forward and backerds)

Overhead claps x 10

Seal claps x 10

The Workout: Mosey over to the pit and line up on the ghost of what was once the sideline for some 11’s: merkins and star jumps, squat holding for the 6 after each leg. Good work by all PAX keeping it tight.

Next was an Indian run from the pit to the rock pile. YHC instructed everyone to grab a medium sized rock. Lined up along the lines of the parking space where YHC called rock pushes. For those not familiar, it’s basically a bear crawl but you also push a rock. Did the length of the parking lot, then did 10 low slow flutters. Did the rock push back to start where we did box cutters.

We circled up and did some popcorn rock work and pretty much heard all the greatest hits. Returned the rocks to their homes.

Moseyed to the picnic shelter for some irking durkins and dips: 15 each.

numbered off, with 1’s on the wall and 2’s holding plank. Did 2 rounds. Moseyed to the tennis courts mary.

Mary: Circled up, YHC called for Windshield wipers. Called out some random PAX to give us an exercise for quasi-popcorn Mary.

YHC closed is out with good mornings

Announcements: Bass Lake mulch. Check the signup sheet if interested.
T-Claps (Recognition): everyone for sticking with it.

Fanny pack for beating the fart sack

me for rhyming

Prayer: Everybody. But especially those on the front lines, first responders and our service members

 

Prison Yard is Back

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9 Pax members got stronger at the reopening of the Prison yard.  Roll call was taken promptly at 5:00 sharp with Double D, LED, Fonzie, Fram, Deadbolt, New Mexico, Roger Roger, 8-Bit and Warden Breach on the Q.

Warm-Up: A little mosey around the parking lot followed by 22 count reps of SSH, Imperial Walkers/Hillbillies and Daisey Pickers.

The Workout: 9 Stations of pain, 2 minutes of work followed by 15 seconds to rotate between stations

Tire Drag down the parking lot and back

Battle rope double arm waves

Jump Rope

Heavy Bag Squats

Tire flips with a merkin

Pain stick overhead press

Firehose reverse lunges

Ab roller

Med ball overhead slams

Mary: Circle up for a slow burn v-Freddie mercury

Announcements: New AO possible in the Garner area on Mondays getting up by New Mexico, details to come

Prayer: Roger Roger mentioned a family with a child dealing with cancer and his father in law is having surgery, Double D mentioned a family that lost their 14yr old.