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All Kinds of Merkin Madness

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Great night for an AO! Mid- 50’s, mostly dry ground, no fog. All unexpected pax for tonight’s study in the “Way of the Merkin”. YHC got this idea just hours earlier and some brave pax even helped me try out a few new Thangs that I’ll use at future Q’s. We learned first hand about the evolution and many forms of the Merkin tonight. Flag planted and feet moving at 1900.

FNG’s: No

Warm Up: Moseyed to the batting cage lot for 10 counts of: Good Mornings, Frankenstein’s, Fazio Arm Circles F/R, Standard Merkins (13 ct. my lucky number), Moroccan Night Clubs, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, 13 ct. Diamond Merkins, Daisy Pickers, and Windmills.
The Workout: Thang 1. 4 corners with 5,10,15,20 count exercises at each successive corner. Exercises were LSF (IC) and for 2nd round, Prisoner Squats. 3rd round was 3,6,9,12 of double merkin burpees with lunge walks on short ends. This challenged the pax and YHC. No mumblechatter by corner 3.

Thang 2.  Rocks. YHC called 13 counts of the following exercises: Curls for the Girls x 3, Tricep Press x2, Squats x2, Deadlifts, Rut Rows x 2, Shoulder Press x 3, Ground Pounders x2, Trunk Twists, Bus Drivers. Scattered among these sets were 13 count Hand Release Merkins, Staggered Grip Merkins (13 on each side), Dirkins, And Irkins. Rocks were rotated sporadically throughout. Got on our  six for some chest Press blowouts. Each set was 13 count then pass the rock. We did 5 sets of these and a final set of 26. YHC took “the big rock” for final set since I accidentally stick Shredder and The Natural with it for Bus Drivers and GP’s.

Thang 3. To the pavilion. 2 pax complete merkin crawl w/irkins on every table and bench surface around the loop. This was completed while other pax completed SSH in cadence. We switched so both groups could feel the unique aspects of the strengthening qualities of these very different exercises. Did a People’s Chair 10 count from each pax for recovery followed by 20 wide grip merkins.

And no merkin workout would be complete without some Jack Webb’s at the tennis court. We went to a 5 count on this as time expired.

Mary: None
Announcements: Lots of stuff and opportunities on Slack. Q sheet. Try to get out and support VQ’s…helps more HIM to jump in and want to Q.
T-Claps (Recognition): Shredder for getting in some miles before AND after this workout.
Prayer: Injured, sick pax.  Dusty’s brother dealing w/mental health and stroke issues, Kubota’s workplace, The Natural’s M for more recovery. Honored for the opportunity to lead gentlemen!

Not Your Average Hump Day In The Gloom

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I was especially excited this morning. After all, I created my first F3 Shovel flag the night before and even had time to throw some camo paint on it. Got to the AO and set up shop as I stared at my masterpiece waving in the wind. I wasn’t alone though. There was a dark colored truck in the lot. Then the men’s bathroom door swung open and YHC assumed it was lipstick for sure with his IBS and all, but to my surprise it was Dahmer. Shortly afterward an unfamiliar PAX walked up as we were about to start by the name of Sea Legs. We met Mr. Kotter with greetings of welcome.

Warm up:

The Windmill X10, SSH X25, Imperial Walkers X12, The Frankenstein X10, wide squat stretch OYO for 10 count… and a mosey down to the outside corner of the soccer field.

The Workout:

B.L.I.M.P.S around the soccer field stopping at each corner for an exercise. PAX started at Corner 1 with an exercise, then moseyed along the long stretch to Corner 2,  stopped for an exercise, sprinted across the short stretch to Corner 3, stopped for an exercise, moseyed down the back stretch to Corner 4 and stopped for an exercise, before sprinting back to Corner 1.

Round 1: The “B” round…..5 burpees to start us off and a mosey to Corner 2. Five more burpees and a sprint to Corner 3. Five more burpees and a mosey to Corner 4 for 5 more Burpees before sprinting back to Corner 1…total of 20 burpees for Round 1

Round 2: The “L” round…..10 lunges for each corner with a mosey on the long stretches and  sprints on the short sides

Round 3: The “I” round….15 imperial walkers at each corner with a mosey on the long stretches and sprints on the short sides

Round 4: The “M” round…..20 merkins in the corners with a mosey on the long stretches and sprints on the short sides

Round 5: The “P” round……25 plank jacks in the corners with a mosey………..and sprints………….

Round 6: The “S” round……30 squats in the corners with a mosey……….and sprints

Mary: We were at 6:15 exactly…and so Name-O-Rama began

Announcements: Reminder to all that we need to fill up the Q Sheet and to frequently check Slack

T-Claps: Sea Legs for posting after 7 months absent

Prayer Requests: Continued prayers for Wiggly, and prayers for Forceps and his family. Prayers for all our military and their families

Pre-Leap Day Leaps!

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14 PAX for Sheepdog on Friday 2-28-20

EC: Lipstick, 187, Pikachu, Shredder, YHC

FNGs: None
Warm Up: SSH, Goofballs, Frankensteins, Hillbillies, Imperial Walkers, Daisy Pickers, Good mornings
The Workout: PAX formed up and ran Black Snake style to front parking lot. After 10 plank jacks, the PAX paired up, and leap frogged from to one end of the parking lot. 10 Hurpees OYO and then leap frog back to starting point, with 10 plank jack break in the middle. Leaping frog style takes longer than you would think, so leaping was briefly put on hold as PAX Black Snaked to playground for the main event: Dora with one partner lapping the mini-track – 100 Dive Bombers, 200 Frog Crunches, 300 Jump Squats
Mary: Embrace the suck! Circle of PAX held horse riding pose for 3 minutes.
Announcements: Blue Ridge Relay teams are forming, looking at a 9 and 12 team to get filled, watch for slack updates. Memorial Service Saturday 12-2pm, 2F at Harvest Moon to follow workout.
T-Claps (Recognition): @Fanny Pack @Tetanus @Dovetail @Breach @Gump @Sprinkler @Beater @UTI @Farva @Pikachu @Lipstick @187 @Shredder
Prayer: Family for Forceps, Beater, Wiggly, Pikachu

Making Stuff Up

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Pax of 2 showed up and neither of us felt like taking Q.  So we took turns calling sets and filled the 45 minutes up.  Good workout and conversation on a Saturday am.  Turns out our children are in the same 4th grade class and we had no idea.

Warm Up:  Side straddle hops, fazio arm circles, daisy pickers and a few more.

The Workout:

Started at the rock pile for 3 rotations of 15 sets of:  curls, upright rows, tricep press, squats, ground pounders and shoulder press.

Moved to parking lot and did chest press, merkins, lunges and other rock exercises.

Moved to wall and did balls to wall and seated wall, lunges and bear crawls

Moved to playground and did too many merkins, dips and leg exercises

Mary:   Various core exercises

Prayer:  Forceps and his family.

UTI Talks a Big Game

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EC:  Banana Seat, YHC, Deadbolt, Mr. Terrific, Alpine – I’m sure there were others….  I didn’t get a great tally  Notable mentions are Pikachu, Lipstick, Katniss, Mr. Terrific, and Aquaman that were charting their own course this morning and did not COT with us today.

FNGs:  Brought into the gloom by Emeril.  Gilligan was once a rower which naturally means he must sail.  He didn’t say it but by the looks of him I’d say he likely has an eclectic group of friends that enjoy getting lost in remote and exotic locations.  Welcome Gilligan!

Warm Up:  As part of warm-up, YHC took a moment to get the runners sorted.  Immediately kicking the runners planning to go slower than a 10-min pace out onto the route.  Other runners (technically non-Uturners) were launching at the same time and they left pretty abruptly.  Having them filter through the crowd just added to the confusion.  The remainder hung with me for a little warm-up.  Daisy Pickers, Frankensteins, light jog, butt kickers, high knees, carioca, and Backwards jogging were all on the menu.

The Workout:  Standard Uturn route was the plan with mandatory Pick-up the 6 spots at the 12 Oaks Circle and at Irving.  Ultimate plan, have all waves finish the run at the same time.

Wave 1: Fun-paced

  • left at 0600, go your pace but stay together

Wave 2: Fast-paced

  • Warm-up at 0600 and left after a bit

Wave 2.5: The Sick Kids

  • left a little after Wave 2, we weren’t sure what we’d do.  We managed 2 miles.
  • Title explanation here:  I woke up this morning for 5 miles EC and 5 miles ME.  Apparently my health isnt quite with me (yet again).  I wound up back at Panera with 20 mins to spare about 6 miles EC+ME, grabbed a coffee and met everyone outside for COT with said coffee in hand.  The coffee was great, esp with my cough, etc.  A little fun to be very well rested and warm for COT while the rest of you just kicked ass but were probably cold.  I’ll be back to 100% soon and not look a like such a…  (what’s the F3 lexicon for A-hole?)

Wave 3: 3 milers

  • 0625 Start

Mary:  Gilligan kept talking about some named Mary-Ann…  Dude has it bad…

Announcements:

  • Showing support for Forceps today at Jon’s memorial – Hope Community Church 11:30 to 2PM
  • BRR, Looks like we have a new 12-man (16-bit) and 9-man (Yogurt) teams in formation.  A few slots left so reach out to YHC or a captain of your choosing to get locked in.  I’m averaging about 2 headlocks for every 2nd F this week so act fast.
  • Wilmingon race is a few weeks away – check out the slack-o-sphere for details on the walk with CrabLegs

T-Claps (Recognition):  It was a cold one this morning.  Great work starting your Saturday off right

Prayer:

  • Forceps
  • Wiggly
  • Wallaby

Lots of 20s at Thunder

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FNGs: None

Warm Up:  Planted flag after meeting LipSync in the parking lot.  He has HC’d in his famous way on FB after my pre-blast targeted PAX who had fart sacked or was pondering doubling-down in the evening.  He ran a mile before meeting us at the flag.  Fanny Pack showed up and was ready to get to work after having a tough day at work.  Mental note made to bring the heat.  Rams strolled in with shoe laces that needed more tying after I told him we would be running around the soccer pitch.  It was getting close to 7PM and no sign of Pikachu had HC’d.  With 30 seconds to spare, Pikachu strolled in with two housemates, Jobs and Doogie.  He convinced them to come out after telling them I had worked out earlier this morning and I was over 50 years old.  Gorgeous night with temps in the high 50’s.  Love wearing shorts in February.  As the clock struck 1900, we were off in a nice mosey around the pitch to the amphitheater.  Mumble chatter was great.  The PAX were ready.   20 reps or in cadence were the trend identified by clever PAX after completing 20 SSH, 20 Daisy pickers and 20 Don Quixotes.  More 20’s with seal claps, overhead claps and sir Fazio arm circles (F/B).

The Workout: Took advantage of the offerings at the amphitheater and conducted 20 ic BTTW, 20 People’s Chair, 20 merkins, 20 step ups (L/R), 20 hanging over the edge WWIIs, 20 monkey humpers.  Added 20 shoulder taps and 20 squats.  Took a rest on the mosey to the path and began an Indian run to the rock pile.  PAX were asked to grab a rock they would be comfortable doing multiple reps.  Some rocks were bigger than others.  Gathered in the parking lot, each PAX found a parking space and got ready for the high tempo rock workout.  First exercise – a PAX favorite, 10 curls for the ladies.  Drop rock.  Hit the parking space curb with 10 step ups in cadence.  Back to the rock.  10 Overhead presses.  Back to the curb. 10-step ups ic.  Back to the rock for 10 rut-rows.  Hmmm, back to the curb for step-ups.  Back to the rock for bus drivers.  Changed things up and had PAX execute 10 erkins from the curb.  Back to the rocks for Ground Pounders.  I was reminded they do not count if you don’t hit the ground.  Set the rock aside and had PAX do build a bears with a merkin on each side of the curb.  Called an audible and had PAX get on their six with rock on their chest.  This is where I really challenged the PAX with continuous arm/chest movements with the rock.  Lats would be tested.  The following exercises were completed:  10 chest presses, 10 bent arm or straight arm curls, rock above chest for 20 ic with feet 6 inches off ground.  Rinse and repeat three times.  FUN.  On the last repeato, added a 45 degree for extra credit.  On our feet and had PAX John Cusack to the far end of the parking lot.  Set the rock down for 20 toe taps ic, followed by 20 Simbas.  Arms were burning.  Demonstrated the plank slap rock exercise and executed 20 of them.  Had PAX push their rock a few spaces.  Love the smell of rock on pavement. Executed 10 rock up and over on each side of shoulder.   Added 20 goblet squats.  Checked the watch and noticed we had less than 11 minutes left.  Time flies when you are having fun.  Our inner kids came out as we returned the rocks seeing who could get the most sparks.  Tie between Pikachu and Dauber IMO.  Line up on the path and mosey to the tennis courts for Mary.

Mary:  Congratulated PAX for a giving 100% during the workout.  While executing yoga moves, downward dog and pigeon, Dauber talked about the week and how we could be better men at home, at work, etc.  Spent a lot of time on the right side to the chagrin of the PAX and switched it up to the other side.  More stretching and more discussion/thoughts shared.

Announcements:  See Slack and FB; lots of great things happening with 3rd F.  See calendar.  Sign up on Q sheet.  Service at Hope for Forceps son.

T-Claps (Recognition):  Huge kudos for Rams’ new look, he’s lost 70 pounds via intermittent fasting, better eating, and exercise!  Also, great job Pikachu getting housemates out and supporting Jobs throughout the workout.

Prayer:  Unspoken, Victims in Milwaukee, Forceps & Family.  Dauber took us out.  Honored leading you men in the gloom.

 

2nd F at Blackdog Bottle

Seven of Diamonds – The Nest 2/25/2020

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When 5:30 rolled around, 11 PAX showed up, responding to the call for a non-stop, challenging workout.

Warmup:

EC: Norm, Marky Mark, Mr. Terrific, Boy George

SSH 20x, Smurf Jack 20x, Red Bull Smurf Jack 10x

GMs 10x

The Thang:

Whenever I Q, I try to maximize the unique features of the site. The Nest has a fantastic loop that’s not too long and not too short and includes a mini version of the ramp at Ting Stadium.

My goal for every Q is to challenge each PAX to do something beyond his ability. The Seven of Diamonds fit the bill for non-stop work. It’s a simple workout conducted on any circuit with four corners. On each circuit, you complete exercises in increasing multiples of seven: 7, 14, 21, or 28. I was impressed by the hard work everyone put in this morning!

Seven of Diamonds

Here’s today’s circuit:

  • Lap 1: 7 burpees each corner (total 28)
  • Lap 2: 14 low slow flutters in cadence each corner (total 56)
  • Lap 3: 21 Merkins each corner (total 84)
  • Lap 4: 28 squats each corner (total 112)

Everyone landed with someone their own pace. Pikachu and Mr. Terrific took turns challenging each other to sprints on the straightaways. Little did they know that I had sprints planned on the mini ramp. Two or three other groups naturally fell out and counted the exercises together. Faster groups circled back and completed exercises with slower groups.

Turns out that one corner is a bus stop. The bus rolled up while we were doing burpees. Pretty sure the kid was afraid to get out of mommy’s car and walk to bus until we were mostly done.

After completing the first four laps, I converted to an Indian run between corners to keep everyone together. We counted the final lap together, which included all four of the exercises.

Sprints: Finally, with about nine minutes to go, we all lined up for sprints. After all, I really didn’t want to disappoint anyone! In the dark, it was hard to find good markers, but I broke the ramp into thirds.

Three markers: Sprint to first marker, walk back; sprint to second marker, walk back; sprint to third marker, mosey to where we warmed up.

Mary: Low hold 30-60 seconds, Have A Nice Day!

Announcements: Check Slack. Also, look around you. Your F3 brothers are the ones who will make you stronger, both mentally and physically. You’ve tried it on your own, but it’s not sustainable. Enjoy these brothers around you. Keep giving, keep leading, keep motivating.

Prayer requests: Forceps and family, Wallaby and family, Lipstick’s sister

This was a fun Q, always a privilege to lead!

So There’s This Guy in Front of the Elevator doing Jumping Jacks…

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EC: Yogurt, Full House

A balmy 48 degrees for YHC’s 2nd Q at the Train. After planting the shovel flag, YHC had to do a little recon on the parking deck to be sure no ice patches were left and we had a clean playing field. Returned to the lot to find many PAX ready to roll. 11 mighty men got stronger aboard the train today.

FNG’s: None
Warm Up: SSH x 20, Good Mornings x 10, Seal/Overhead Claps x 10 each, Frankenstein x 10, IW x 10, and Hillbillies x 10.
The Workout: PAX moseyed a non-traditional DT loop down to the library circle and back to the 2nd floor of the parking deck.

The group did some fast feet on the curbs down the length of the lot. Squat hold for 6. The return trip was typewriter style back down to the beginning using the curbs. Plank hold for the 6. Returned to 1st floor

Pax were each assigned a parking space for a series of AMRAP exercises. The “timer” would be the first pax in line who would run the stairs to the 3rd floor and do SSH x 10 in front of the elevator. No talk of any weird stares from any customers. Too early I guess… Pax would then return to the end of the line, next pax would go and exercise would change.  This train went down to the wall and back until all pax climbed the stairs twice.  AMRAP exercises were:

Prisoner Squats, LSF’s, Merkins, Sumo Squat Jumps, Plank Hold, WW2’s, Split Lunges, Shoulder Taps, Star Jumps, Homer2Marge, Standard Squats, Pickle Pounders, Monkey Humpers, Carolina Dry Docks, LBC’s, People’s Chair, Wide Grip Merkins, Dying Cockroaches,  and 3 sets of Burpees mixed in there.  I think I heard Da Business say “c’mon seriously” when YHC called for the first set.  It’s ok, he was the stair climber on the last set of those. RESPECT  .

The train made it successfully both ways. YHC had 2 more Thang’s on the docket for today including some sprints and some BTTW work, but to no avail as time expired.

Mary: Mixed into the Thang’s.
Announcements: Forceps son memorial service this Saturday 12-2 at Hope Apex. Yogurt has the Q at The Nest Tuesday.  Come on down and get out of your comfort zone he says. Run for DeeDee 5 k coming up.  Check slack or w/ Skidmark about this.
T-Claps (Recognition): All the pax putting in great work today!
Prayer: Forceps, military, first responders, our Nation. Pumpkin Spice has a neighbor who lost his brother, needs support, and hopefully can get EH’d to a workout soon.  This young man needs this community of HIM. Honored to lead fellas!

Purple Cobra

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11 PAX came out to the Cobra today for some full body bear crawling kind of fun. Good work men!!

FNGs: none
Warm Up:

-Side straddle hops

-good mornings

-Imperial walkers

-hillbillies

The Workout:

Partner up

Partner 1 lap/bear crawl around Dunken while other partner engaged in the exercise

-Standard Merkins

-Squats

-Burpees

-LBC

-Shoulder taps

-Standard Merkins

Mary:

-Freddie Mercury’s

-LBCs

-Pickle Pounders

-have a nice day

Announcements: Long ass run this weekend (see Slack)
Prayer:

Forceps and family

Military law-enforcement and first responders

Take your time, we will wait.

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Ten for some running and rucking at AGS. 7 human and 1 pup runners and 2 ruckers. YHC saw that the Q sheet was empty for AGS and was planning on running his favorite route around Bass Lake anyway, grabbed the Q and made these guys run it with me. Initially planned on running Soul Crusher, but decided against it for safety reasons. I’ll wait until it get a little light out and maybe we can do some hill repeats? COT was slightly delayed due to some sever intestinal distress from YHC. I told them to carry on without me, but being the decent men that they are, everyone waited on me to wrap up COT.

FNGs: Nope.

Warm Up: SSHs, Frankensteins, Daisy Pickers all of which impressed UTI.

The Workout: Womble > Greenway > Bass Lake (clockwise) > Greenway > Womble

Mary:

Announcements: Lots of 3rd F opportunities, new spreadsheet. Keep an eye out on Facebook and Slack.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Prayer: Forceps and his family