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Wait…What did Sprinkler just say?.. 8 PAX Get Some Laughs and Rock Work at GP

Q Tour Bus had YHC’s next stop at Ground Pounder. Home of the best mumblechatter in SouthWake. Saturday morning’s exchanges definitely did not disappoint. Loving this Q tour thing and getting to know PAX I typically do not see at the AO’s normally frequented. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to post and have a few 2nd F’s with Sprinkler. All I can say is this guy is hilarious if you ever have some time to be stationary with the guy and just talk. Most of my exchanges with him have been at U-Turn runs and a single run at AGS, but after a few coffee stops has me feeling that he needs to Q somewhere soon, and when he does, I’ll be one of the first to HC.

Rolled in early as has been the case at the other AO’s. YHC has been here before, but usually see something I haven’t noticed and always looking for ways to change things up. As I rolled in, I saw Redenbacher’s car parked along the fence side spaces, but no Redenbacher in site. Planted flag and began ‘chalking’ the parking lot with the exercise circuit we’d perform for this edition of Ground Pounder. As I was finishing up with the chalk, I see Redenbacher coming in in the distance. Solid EC+ Uturn and then back for a double down. He wasn’t looking right and later explained that he had a few splashes of merlot on the runs this morning, but was gonna stick it out and have some fun with rocks.

Cars started rolling in carrying Shredder, DOA, Schroeder, Fanny Pack, Sprinkler. We later got a visit from Midget, who had texted YHC that he’d be coming in hot from this morning’s Whiplash in Raleigh. A solid 8 this morning.

Friggin Cold was the forecast this morning not exactly pleasant for rock work, but we decided to get warmed up quickly. First time this week I broke a promise to PAX regarding the workout. I promised no running, but had to get a light mosey in to get the blood circulating. It was a skinny lap so no harm no foul.

Warm Up: Circled up for SSH’s X20, Good Morning’s X10, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Bat Wings 20 Fazio F\B, Overhead, Seals. Morocan Nightclubs. Mumblechatter started to brew as we moved over to the rock pile to pick out a few gems.

The Workout: Instructed PAX to find a nice rock, one they’d be comfortable with doing a series of full body exercises with. There would be 7 stations this morning, with some Cusacks and Bear Crawls in between.

Station 1: All with Rock

Squats X20 on YHC’s Up and Down

Squat Presses X20 on YHC’s Up and Down

One of the lessons YHC has to learn is to not be so serious when he Q’s. I have a tendency to get too focused on the cadence and exercise count that I miss all of the quality mumblechatter that goes on. As I got half way through the squat press count, Midget started some exchange about how Sprinkler is going to put out “Fanny’s” fire on this posting challenge. From there, it escalated to something about some famous actor guy, Ron J. Eremy something, and then later punctuated by the Merriam-Webster-Shredder definition of the word “Indefinitely.”

Finished up this station with Upright rows X20

Cusack’d to Station 2

Station 2: All with Rock

-Ground Pounders X15

-Simba’s X5 left to right\right to left

-Wonder Bras X20 in cadence

Cusack’d to Station 3 (Playground)

Station 3:  (Playground) All with Rock

-Uneven Merkins on Rock X10

Derkins X10  in Cadence with slaps on each side of the rock (kind of like extra shoulder taps) before moving back in starting position

Dips with Rock X15

Cusack to Station 4

Station 4: All with Rock

-Overhead Presses X20

-2 Handed Front Raises X15 (modify exercise is more upright rows if rock too heavy)

-Tricep Extensions X20

Station 5: All with Rock

“Nemos”

-Start at top curl half way X25

-Start at bottom curl half way X25

-Start at bottom all way to top X25 (all exercises in cadence)

YHC advised PAX to switch out rocks with a smaller version. One that would be challenging for “Bus Drivers”

Station 6: (Back side of the bathrooms along the wall)

-Peoples Chair with Bus Drivers X15 in cadence

-Balls to the wall X20 in cadence

-Peoples Chair with Bus Drivers X15 in cadence

YHC advised PAX to partner up and pick a rock they’d both be comfortable with in plank position.

Station 7:

Partner 1- Planked with Rock; Partner 2- Bear Crawl 20 yard to the next speed bump; mosey back

Rinse\Repeat

Back to the rock pile for 2 burn out sets  of curls and tricep extensions X30 and X29 in cadence respectively (short changed PAX on that last rep. Lost count).

Mary: Series of Pigeon Stretches, Downward Dog transition to upright position. Good Mornings X10, Right leg over Left; Left Leg over Right. Planks, Low Slow Flutter X20, LBC X20, Pickle Pounders X20 all in cadence. Have a nice day!

Announcements: Check slack for 3rd F opportunities

T-Claps (Recognition): All those posting to U-Turn and Whiplash with a Double Down today. Additionally, the 8 PAX today posting in 28 degree cold and putting up with YHC’s rock workout.

Prayer: Moment of silence for Forcep’s son. Additionally prayers for Forceps and his family. Sprinkler took us out.

Roses Are Red, Violets are Blue, 20 PAX @Cletus…And There was Lots to Do..

Q Tour again rode through Womble, picking up where YHC left off on Wednesday at TBD. Pre-Blast promised a bouquet of heart friendly PAX-inspired exercises to increase endurance and stamina. No false advertising this week as YHC wanted to make sure Friday’s addition of Cletus didn’t slow PAX down like an assortment box of chocolates. Today and this week, YHC was aiming for high-intensity, strategically placed exercises.

Having been to a fair share of AO’s, I’ve seen a great many things, and very fortunate to have met some HIM along the way that have not only pushed me, but also had the opportunity to learn from. As I was planning this workout after TBD on Wednesday, I decided to reach out to several PAX each with their own styles as Q and those that have a unique way of bringing out the best in PAX to ask them their trademark or favorite exercises. There are many out there and fortunately for me I have many more Q’s to go this month, so don’t be surprised if I hit any of you up soon that are not listed below.

YHC first dropped a DM to Yogurt on Slack- This might be the only guy that doesn’t get tired at Paradise City. So much so that he runs the ramp at Ting after the workout. When I say run though, its not a run. It’s more of a sprint, and if you see Yogurt sprint, he is a blur going up the ramp. The guy is just fast, really fast. He also credits core work as a foundation for his running and that is an element we needed for this workout.

YHC’s next DM was to Pikachu- The man loves turkish get-ups. YHC hates turkish get ups. No way we were doing these. These and crab walks are my cryptonite. What else does he like? Bear Crawls and Burpees…done!

Next on to Nemo- This guy is notorious for minimal run, high intensity AO’s. His secret weapons, SSH’s and Goof Balls..Oh, and a killer arm routine with rocks. Perfect!

Last on the DM list was Banana Seat- Always a solid workout with this guy. The one Q I seek out when he’s touring to guest Q spots throughout SouthWake and Carpex. Always methodical, pays attention to detail, and most import…form. No surprises here, his pick is Derkin Fence Shuffles starting at the top and working to the bottom. Full body exercise that engages the core and toasts the shoulders.

YHC likes to mosey, so we made sure we had a plan for that to keep us moving this morning.

Quite a few morning PAX got some EC along with Deadbolt, who started early on his way to a solo 8 miles.

As I made my way from marking the back lot, cars started to rolling in. Potts, who had been there on Wednesday, apparently was present to make sure YHC was true to his word in switching up the work out. Hopefully, YHC would not let him down.

PAX started rolling in from EC and before we knew it, there were 20 total PAX, including Cupid, who was posting for his 1 year Anniversary. It was Valentine’s Day. He had to post.

YHC welcomed everybody. No FNG’s so the only disclaimer was that we would keep it moving today… and oh.. Happy Valentine’s Day.

5:30am hit and we were off with the following workout.

Warm Up: Skinny loop around the lot, being careful to side step the FIA ladies and their yoga mats. Entered the first tennis court for shuffles in multiple directions around the court. Already started to hear Midget and his mumblechatter, which was my signal to turn it up a little. Increased the jogging speed a little as we exited the first court and entered 2nd for more of the same with alternating shuffles and then back out. Once out of the courts, exited out of the lot toward the lot surrounded by the rocks we all know and love.

Circled up for Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Moroccan Night Clubs X10, SSH’s X20, Goof Balls X20, Bat Wings 20’s Fazio B\F, Seal Claps, Overhead Claps. Instructed PAX to the rock pile. PAX were to pick a rock they were comfortable with as this would be their rock for everything that came after this.

The Workout:

Rock Curls

With the rock, performed 3 sets of 25 Curls in cadence

-Rock starting at top of the curl and half way down

-Rock starting at the bottom and curl half way to the middle

-Rock starting at the bottom and all the way to the top

-Happy Valentine’s Day…Love, Nemo

Cusacked the rocks to the lot behind the volleyball courts. This was a longer mosey and as we had time on the mosey, YHC instructed PAX to get familiar with another PAX and find an accountability partner for this next series of exercises. With everyone partnered up, PAX squat holded with the rocks as we waited on the six. Six was in, and PAX saw 3 cones in the distance spaced about 10 yards apart.

Pop a Squat and Core Speed

-All PAX goblet Squats on YHC’s up and down, leveraging quality form and going all the way down on each rep

-Partner suicide planks. Partner 1 in blank with rock on their back, Partner 2 performs suicide. Rinse repeat with partner switch out.

-Happy Valentine’s Day… Love, Yogurt

Returned rocks to the pile, formed a single line of 20 PAX for an Indian Run to the back lot

Bear Crawl Burpee Trains

Carefully labeled the start of 2 tracks with the words, Train 1 and Train 2. PAX split up into 2 groups of 10

-Both lines continued in bear crawl mode with the guy in the back pulling double time on the crawl to the front. When they arrive at the front they call out 1 or 2 depending on the line, and when they did, all PAX would perform 1 or 2 burpees depending on the train. Went the length of the lot with all PAX getting a chance to move to the front.

-Called a short recovery mosey around the back half of the lot, back to the Train station. YHC called for PAX to partner up for some patty cake Merkins X25.

-Happy Valentine’s Day…Love, Pikachu

mosey’d single file to the fence for the next group of exercises

Cupid Derkin Shuffles

-PAX would occupy their own section of fence and perform some Derkin Shuffles starting at the top of the 3 rung ladder fence

-5 Derkins at the top then shuffle and move down a rung

-5 Derkins in the middle then shuffle and move down a rung

-5 Derkins at the bottom then shuffle and move back to the top

At this point, YHC could tell he was losing PAX as my voice didn’t carry down the line and should have pulled up a fence section in the middle to be audible to both sides. Note to self for later Q’s. One more set was performed and continued in Indian Run back to Tennis Courts.

-Happy Valentine’s Day…Love, Banana Seat

People’s Suicides.. Get some Balls and Sprint

-Partner back up.. Partner 1- Peoples Chair, Partner 2 Suicides (switch)

-Partner 1- Balls to the Wall (Fence), Partner 2 Suicides (switch)

-Happy Valentines Day… Love, YHC

Great efforts on these. One of these day’s YHC will catch UTI, but not likely, especially not on Valentine’s Day.

Mary: Asked 3 out of the 4 PAX present that helped create today’s workout give their favorite Mary exercise- Banana Seat- of course Freddy Mercury’s, Yogurt-American Hammers, Pikachu- Break Dancers, and as Nemo was not present…called on Cupid, as it was his Anniversary. Cupid gave PAX probably the longest 1-minute regular plank hold in recent memory. YHC gave one last exercise….Pickle Pounders in cadence X20.

Announcements: Check Slack for 3rd F opportunities. Healing Transition workouts on Friday’s. Try and get out their and post.

T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting after it on Friday. DB for a solo 8-mi run and those getting in some EC

Prayer: Moment of Silence and prayers for our brother Forceps and his family. Prayers for Wallaby and Lipstick’s sister. First responders and military personnel. All unspoken. YHC took us out.

Uturn DRP

FNGs: None
Warm Up:

Circled up for the following.

Bounce while YHC explained the format for today’s run.  The 3 milers will start at 6:25 and will be lead by Sprinkler.  The 5 milers will go out together and will have three pick ups.  The first one being in 12 Oaks at the circle. The idea here is that this would be a long pickup but should be safer than Old Apex Holly Springs road.  The second pickup would be at the corner of Irving and Green Oaks.  The last pick up would be at the end.  The hope/goal was that all pax would finish at roughly the same time.

Foot traces in both directions
Frankensteins
Hip Openers

The Workout:

We ran.  Seriously for Uturn what do guys put in this section.

Mary:

Cirlced up for runners pose, and pigeon stretch.

Announcements:

Next Saturday is the ATT Long ass run.
Holly Springs Food Cupboard will be held the second week of October

T-Claps (Recognition):

Forceps

Q Source Message of the day:

Q 1.1 DRP (Daily Red Pill)

The daily commitment to accelerate Fitness, Fellowship and Faith

A man can not get right on their own.

“Going it alone, the Mascot is doomed to fail because no man can disengage the death grip he holds on his own status quo.  Absent a Disrupter, a man willing and able to create a disturbance in his enervated life, he will remain just as he is, clinging to the capsized boat of his life and incapable of initiating the Movement required to Get Right.”

Mascot is a symbol of a something rather than the something itself.

The first disturbance the Disrupter makes in the life of the Mascot is to elicit Commitment.

The mascot has to commit to Movement, not just its appearance.

He must decide to turn Pro rather than continue life as an Amateur

The HIM knows that proper personal alignment requires the constant honing that can only be done through daily practice.  His focus Is on Preparedness.

An Amateur will start each day with the Blue Pill and live a life of seeming rather than being.

No man is too far wrong to Get Right.  It takes just one small movement.  The decision to take the Red Pill.  To commit to your acceleration.  

Prayer:

Forceps and his family

Sheepdog – burn’in love 🔥❤️

Pax of 11 for some burning love at sheepdog.

FNGs: Strawberry Hill (works at Mason Jar Brewing, not a huge fan of beer, first alcoholic drink was Boone’s Farm…and there ya go)

EC: Martini, Mr. Terrific, Shredder

YHC provided the disclaimer and promised some misery ahead.

Warm Up: Old Beater got us rolling with some F3 classics; oh wait… 5 burpees oyo for late pax….., then, mossy to the back,  SSH, squats,  moroccan night clubs, IW&HB, Good Mornings, Indian run to the front, followed by karaoke Indian runs, then Frankenstein’ Indian runs.  Last warm up, more burpees.

The Workout: YHC jumped in with a burning ring of fire. 10 pax circled up with 1 pax as the runner. The runner took one loop, setting the time for everyone else.
4 of the 10 had stations, which included, weighted squats, 25 pound ground pounders, jump rope, and standard Merkins/LBCs. All remaining pax did wing Chung striking starting with singles then doubles then five count. Packs rotated as each runner returned.

The mumblechatter was classic as Old Beater entertained the group with his retelling of his recent snip snip, which somehow included hairnets, a significant amount of iodine, and as he says it, really big paper towels. or, was it a lot of paper towels. Gump jumped in with a “back in my day……”, which evidently was 1948.  It was all pretty funny but did not quite alleviate the burning everyone fell in their shoulders and lats.

Mary:  Jumped into a speed round of Mary with low slow flutters, box cutters, LBC‘s, and crabcakes.

COT: Pax have some homework this week. Be sure to follow through on your commitment. You never know what it may mean to somebody else.

Announcements: ATT next weekend.  lots of 3rd F opportunities coming up. Big and small.
T-Claps (Recognition): Farva for bringing an FNG!

Prayer: Forceps and all Pax that are dealing with struggles.

Curb Appeal.. 10 PAX Post to TBD for a Valentine’s Day Dress Rehearsal

Open spot on the Q-sheet and another opportunity for YHC to continue his SouthWake tour. This time through familiar territory. TBD is one of many AO’s that is operated out of Womble, the home of many memorable beatdowns and sunrises.

Though familiar territory, YHC arrived early to mark the back lot beyond the soccer fields. Planted the flag, greeted Deadbolt as he made his way to start EC along with Dahmer, who also arrived early. There were many exercises on the menu this morning. YHC pulled a Maybelline by writing them down in chalk on the pavement along with a series of marks to help PAX know where to start and stop.

Arrived back to the flag to witness a series of cars start to roll in. Pots, Java, Oboe, Cinder, Snap, Fanny Pack, and yes- a Midget sighting. After a series of fartsacks and numerous alarm malfunctions this week, he made it.

At that time, FIA started rolling in. Not sure of their workout this morning, but the amount of gear that was being carried to the picnic shelter was significant. Whatever was planned possibly included a week long trip afterwards. 5:30 hit..no FNG’s. Go Time..

Warm Up: Light jog around the lot, leading PAX to the first tennis court on the right for shuffles around the perimeter of the court, alternating lead leg on direction of the shuffle. Exited the first court and proceeded to the next for a rinse repeat and then back out to the lot, leading PAX to the far end of the lot to circle up for the following:

Imperial Walkers IC X10, Hillbillies X10, Good Mornings X10, Prison Squats X10, Bat Wings-Fazio F\B X20, Seal Claps X20, Overhead Claps X20. Mosey to the shelter single file past the FIA workout and to the left around the soccer field Indian Run style.

The Workout:

Brought PAX almost to the backside of the lot, where we converged for some lunge walks back to the speed bump in the center. Instructed PAX to find a parking spot and fill it. With each PAX occupying a parking space, they would sprint to the opposite space directly across and plank hold for the six.

Within this parking space, PAX would perform 1 burpee and mosey back to the start. Sprint back to opposite space and perform exercises in the following pattern

1 burpee, 2 curb merkins- sprint back

sprint forward (plank hold for 6)

1 burpee, 2 curb merkins, 3 derkins- sprint back

sprint forward (plank hold for 6)

1 burpee, 2 curb merkins, 3 derkins, 4 Erkins (in retrospect, pretty much the same as curb merkins)-sprint back

sprint forward (plank hold for 6)

1 burpee, 2 curb merkins, 3 derkins, 4 Erkins, 5 Dips-sprint back

sprint forward (plank hold for 6)

1 burpee, 2 curb merkins, 3 derkins, 4 Erkins, 5 Dips, 6 Nipplers-sprint back

sprint forward (plank hold for 6)

1 burpee, 2 curb merkins, 3 derkins, 4 Erkins, 5 Dips, 6 Nipplers, 7 Shoulder Taps-sprint back

sprint forward (plank hold for 6)

1 burpee, 2 curb merkins, 3 derkins, 4 Erkins, 5 Dips, 6 Nipplers, 7 Shoulder Taps, 8 Squats-sprint back

sprint forward (plank hold for 6)

1 burpee, 2 curb merkins, 3 derkins, 4 Erkins, 5 Dips, 6 Nipplers, 7 Shoulder Taps, 8 Squats, 20 LBC

Group mosey’d back to the speed bump to find the words “BEAR CRAWL” in front of them, so that’s what we did for about 25 yards to the marks YHC had chalked up earlier. At the marks, PAX continued their mosey in single file around the lot where we encountered an “X” along one of the parking spaces, which indicated the entry point for PAX to grab some curb for some curb plank shuffles. PAX proceeded in a single file plank with both hands on the curb shuffling down the line. After about 12 parking spaces, we landed on another “X,” which signified the end of the shuffles. Continued mosey, which transitioned to an Indian Run to the rock pile on the other side of the park. A quick check of the PAX, YHC noticed that we still had some trailing PAX, so instituted an impromptu set of squats while the six came in. With tight formation in tact, continued the Indian Run to the rock pile.

Instructed PAX to pick a rock that will challenge them, but nothing too crazy which would prevent them from performing 20 reps. Circled up for some arm work.

Wonder Bras X10, Curls X10, Triceps X10 (in cadence)

Rinse\Repeat X15 and X20

Indian Run back to the right side tennis court. Lined up along the long side of the court for some Jack Webbs in 1:3 ratio- Merkins and Air Presses in cadence, with a sprint intermission back and forth to the point of origin. Got to a 6:18 ratio before Midget asked when the work out was going to start..That’s when YHC knows he’s done about half the workout and coming off 3 days rest… Did one last sprint intermission and took PAX to the far end tennis courts for some balls to the wall-fence style X20 in cadence.

Circled up for Mary

Mary: Low Slow Flutter X20, LBC X20, Pickle Pounders X20, Homer to Marge X20, Regular Plank, Right Arm\Right Leg up, Left Arm\Left Leg up, Downward Dog, Left over Right, Right over Left with quality hamstring and calf stretches, and one last Good Morning for good measure. Have a nice day.

Announcements: Check Slack for 3rd F opportunities. YHC has your Q at Cletus this week- Happy Valentine’s Day
T-Claps (Recognition): Deadbolt and Dahmer on EC. All PAX for the quality effort in all phases today
Prayer: Continued prayers for Wallaby, Yousef’s son, First Responders and Military.

YHC took us out.

As I’m writing this backblast, I know we are all deeply saddened to hear the news Forceps shared today. Please keep Forceps and his family in your prayers. We are here for you, brother.

Bring Your Bricks- 9 PAX Get 9 Exercises and 2 Miles at the Nut

YHC’s Q Tour took him to Nutcracker this morning. Rain in the forecast, but that didn’t deter 9 PAX from posting, including Slide Rule who had hoped his newborn would be uncooperative this morning and alleviate his conditional HC from the night before. Alas his 2.0 did Uncle Mookie a solid (see what I did there?), and an uncharacteristic Slide Rule rain post was made.

2 PAX for EC in the form of Flanigan and Nemo. As I arrived and planted the flag, YHC had to decline Nemo’s invite for EC as there were bricks to be found and puddles to confirm prior to the Main Event. After discovery of the bricks to confirm they would be ready for use, YHC returned to the flag to see cars start to roll in. Good crowd, however, I’m starting to feel that global warming having effects on several species that inhabit 12 Oaks. Haven’t seen a Swamp Donkey in some time and have seen a gradual dip in the number of Blue Hen sightings in recent months..Hopefully, we see some sightings soon in the next few weeks.

A hooded Da’Business came strolling in with Fanny Pack not far behind. Fanny Pack was hooked by the pre-blast marketing campaign from the day before, hoping to get his money-back guarantee. Pikachu, Redenbacher, Third Cousin, and of course, Slide Rule rounded out the PAX this morning. 6 o’clock hit and we were off with the following workout.

Warm Up: Light jog around the parking lot in front of the school. PAX then formed a single file line and performed zig zag side shuffles across 6 cones up the hill and around the lot. Performed another series of zig zag side shuffles going the other direction up the hill and around the lot. On the 4th pass, zig zag shuffled backwards from cone to cone and then remained in line for an Indian Run to the basketball courts.

Circled up for some TFB 12’s- Imperial Walkers in Cadence, Hillbillies, Good Mornings, SSH’s, Prisoner Squats (Aaron Hernandez’s- thanks Slide Rule).

Bat Wings- 20 Fazio F\B, Seal Claps, Overhead Claps. Light jog around the track to retrieve bricks from the woods. Light jog back to the basketball courts with bricks and circled up for some Clockwork Merkins- 1-6 o’clock with bricks in both hands as we turned the dial. Not to worry, we were gonna save the best side of the clock for last.

The Workout: With bricks in hand, mosey’d to the lane a good distance from the gate. YHC explained that we would be performing a series of 3X3’s with sprints in between.

Series 1- (Shoulders)

Alternate Arm Shoulder Presses with Brick in Cadence X24

Alternate Arm Front Raises with Brick in Cadence X24

Lateral Raises with Brick in Cadence X12

Sprint to the Gate, mosey back

Realizing we were a good distance away, much too long for continued sprints, YHC instructed PAX to squat hold for the six with bricks in hand. When all PAX were in, YHC instructed PAX to perform lunge walks further down the running lane to shorten the distance.

Series 2- (Arms)

Alternate Curls with brick (palms up) in cadence X24

Alternate Hammer curls in cadence X24

Overhead Tricep Extensions on YHC’s up X24

Sprint to the gate, mosey back

Still not happy with the distance, YHC again instructed squat hold for the six with bricks, and once everyone was in, we bear crawled with bricks to shorten the sprint distance some more.

Series 3- (Legs, Back, and Rear Delts)

Squats with Bricks X24

Alternate Rows with Bricks in cadence X24

Bent over lateral raises with Bricks on YHC’s up X24

Sprint, mosey back.

Squat hold with bricks for six, bear crawl to shorten the distance and then performed a rinse\repeat for one more round.

Mosey’d back to the brick hideout to return bricks and then proceeded in a half moon around the track to the back side of the school. Formed a single line and performed one final Indian Run the long way around back to the flag to circle up for Mary.

Mary: Finished the 2nd half of the clock (without bricks) with clockwork merkins from 7-12 o’clock. Plank Hold for 5 secs and then proceeded with Shoulder Taps X10, Nipplers X10, Plank Hold for 5 secs. YHC managed to keep PAX off the ground for the whole workout up until this point. It was raining and we were already wet, so YHC called for some American Hammers X20, LBC X20, Pickle Pounders X20 in cadence. Transitioned to downward dog, with a slow roll up. Left over Right, Right over Left to stretch out those hamstrings, and as it was raining, instructed PAX to do one final Shawshank stretch…

Announcements: Slide Rule is in initial discussions on an upcoming Golf Tournament, where we’ll need support from F3 SouthWake. Currently in discovery mode, but more details to follow on Slack in the upcoming weeks. 2nd F at Lowe’s Food in Holly Springs on Thursdays…$2.50 pints and fellowship..can’t beat that!
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX posting this morning in the rain.
Prayer: Prayers for Nemo’s niece, who is recently engaged. Continued prayers for Pikachu’s M with back\neck issues and Wallaby. Also prayers for Flanigan and his cardio assessment.

First Q at Nutcracker and definitely not the last. Had a blast this morning, Men! Way to hold me accountable and always a privilege to lead.

1 Year for Downtown Train

1 year ago I launched Downtown Train with 3 things in mind.  I wanted to provide a 0530 start option (Paradise City as still 0545) for those of us with a little less flexibility in the early morning.  As much as I appreciate running, I wanted to provide a boot camp centric option with less miles.  And, I was excited about the parking deck (although I wish it had a couple more levels for some serious fun).  This has been a great AO.  We have our regulars and also tend to attract a diverse crowd every week.  Numbers have stayed low with other more well-known options drawing the large crowds.  That has worked well for those of us who enjoy a smaller group.  I have really appreciated the number of different guys who have stepped up to lead this AO, and having Coal Ash step in as co-Q.  Overall, solid 1st year for Downtown Train and here’s to many more great rides.

FNGs: not this trip
Warm Up: usual loop around downtown, circle up at the flag for 3 rounds – SSH, Good Mornings, Fazio Arms then SSH, Good Mornings, Mt. Climbers then SSH, Good Mornings, Goof Balls
The Workout: headed around the side of the deck and to upper level and started the 1st of 3 sets.  Lined up and did some shoulder burn.  Keeping the arms up, we did Fazios front, hold, Fazios reverse, hold, Seal Claps, hold and then Overheads.  Ran length of deck and knocked out some SSH as promised, then recovered on job and worked through the set a couple times.  Then we changed it up a bit with a shortened version of a Nemo favorite, the Red Barchetta.  Ran length of deck, SSH ICx50, return.  Ran length again and kept back and forth stopping for Mt. Climbers ICx40, LBC ICx30 and Merkins ICx20.  Some other stuff worked in there too but that was the basics of it.  Then we headed to lower deck and lined up on the wall.  Big focus again on really pushing our limits as we rolled through as follows with all in 15 count or ICx15: BTTW into plank hold, then shoulder taps, hold, then nipplers, hold, then bear crawl.  Recover back to wall, rinse and repeat.  Changed it up a bit on final set working in some people’s chair and merkins.  Guys were really pushing themselves through this set and it was pretty awesome to see the energy.
Mary: a couple quick rounds, keeping feet off the ground for 6 inch hold, low slow flutters to LBCs then some Homer to Marge
Announcements: plenty on slack and the calendar
T-Claps (Recognition): everyone who has taken the Q in year 1 for Downtown Train as there have been a lot of guys lead and a lot of great variety
Prayer: YHC shared a message about he importance of intentional communication with others in your life and the value of letting conversations be a little uncomfortable, prayers some spoken and many unspoken and YHC took us out.  Honor to lead this morning and great effort by all.

TRX at Tea Time

FNGs:  None

Warm Up:  With 30 seconds to spare,  planted the flag and gave fist bumps to the three PAX who joined me coming out in the dark 60 degrees for a nice little Murph.  Pikachu was concerned about my whereabouts calling me in 1858.  I was delayed due to parking issues with teenagers at my home.  Regardless, I came in hot behind Dusty and we jumped into a quick warm-up.  Exercises included 10 c of SSH, Don Quixotes, Seal Claps and O/H claps.  Static stretching.

The Workout:  1 mile

100 pull-ups

200 push-ups

300 squats

1 mile run

Introduced a new box of TRX straps offering a modification for pull-ups and push-ups. (Thanks Pikachu for helping me set-up.)  Also broke out the Pandora on the big iPad and played some today’s country.

Mary:  Pigeon poses, static stretches.

Announcements:  5K run (See Slack/FB – Skidmark); Long-ass run at ATT coming up – please support

T-Claps (Recognition):  Fanny Pack for announcing a 9-pack commitment this week  Good luck brother!

First time Fanny Pack came out to Tea Time.  He ended up doing sets of 10, 20, 30.  Huge.  I think he was asked if he would come back and he replied, “I ain’t coming back.”  He clarified later mentioning double posts.

Prayer:  Unspoken; PAX looking for new work/opportunities; PAX injured; Prayers of Thanks for God’s grace and blessings.

Dauber took us out.

Honor leading.  Always enjoy Tea Time.  Consider Q’ing and giving Dusty a break or at least some company!

 

F2 at Black Bottle (Dauber buying). Good mumble chatter about running, training, races, goals, etc.

Something New

SW Leadership team is taking over U-turn for the next few weeks to try some new stuff out. Our objective is to bring everyone back close to the same time for COT. Today was the first test run to see how group releases would work. So here we go. Two minute warning given. Then final minute. 0600 let’s go.

FNGs: Nope but we did have 23 count at start and ended with 29. Birth on the run.

The Workout: Short mosey over to open area with some but kickers. Instructions on how today’s run would work.
Frankensteins x15 IC
5 Mile Group:
Group 1 release – 10:30 pace or greater
4 mins of warmups
Group 2 release – 9:30 pace
4 mins of Mary
Group 3 release
– Pick up the 6 in your group twice. Once at circle in 12 Oaks and again at Irving left turn
3 Mile Group:
Release with group 3. Run route reverse 1.5 then turn

Cool Down:
Circle up 0700 for stretches and yoga poses

Announcements:
Lowes Food 2nd F on Friday’s

T-Claps (Recognition):
Fanny Pack on the PR for milage. Shout out to Brexit on milage total (Strava don’t lie)
Shield lock challenge winners. Wrangler with the tight shield making skills.

Prayer: Farva’s neighbors house burn down need gift cards, Lipstick’s sister battling addiction, Frumonga’s request of little boy with cancer, Pikachu’s wife having back issues

Nice work out there in the cold gloom. Thanks for allowing me to lead and change things up a bit today. Strong 2nd F at Panera following the run as well. Race season is creeping in and beach season will be here soon. Stay Hard!

BS Out

3 F’s for GP 02.08.20 (Forceps, Farva & Fanny Pack)

3 HIMs showed up to GP and mumble chatter started before the clock started.    

WarmUp:

10 Good Mornings,  10 Daisy Pickers,  20 Fozzie Arm Circles, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Hillbillies, 20 3ct SSH, 10 Willy Mays Haze, 30 ct Pigeon Pose, 20 Merkins, 10 X 3 ct Prisoner Squats

The Workout

Mosey to the Rock Pile. Rotate around rocks between sets.

  • 4 sets of 20’s – Curls for the girls
  • 4 sets of 20’s  – Overhead Overhead Tri-press
  • 4 sets of 10’s – Ground Pounders
  • 4 sets of 10’s – Trunk Twists
  • 4 sets of 10’s – Rutrows
  • 4 sets of 10 x  ct – Bench Press
  • 10 x 3ct – Windshield Wipers
  • 10 x 3ct – 6 inches (arms extended)
  • 10 x 3ct – Box Cutters
  • 10 x 3ct – Scissor kicks

Mosey to playground wall:

  • 20 x 3ct Alternating Leg Step Ups
  • 10 Derkins
  • 10 Erkins
  • 10 Merkins
  • 20 Dips  
  • 10 x 3 ct Plank Jacks
  • 10 Merkins (wide grip)
  • 10 x 3ct Lunges
  • 10 x 3ct Rockies
  • 10 Carolina Dry Docks
  • 20 Homer to Marge (10 standard, 5 alternating single leg)
  • 10 Rockies
  • 10 WWII’s
  • 20 – side Crunches (10 each side)
  • 20 – side Leg lifts (10 each side)

T-Claps for Farva and Fanny Pack who doubled down this morning with 5 miles at U-Turn.

Announcements: Play Set Build now scheduled for Feb 28th.

Prayer Requests:  Farva’s neighbor had a house fire a couple days ago and lost everything.

Fanny Pack took us out.