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We Need To Retire That One…

For a while now, those guys in Wescott have been putting together a Friday morning routine since March. Through neighborhood accountability among PAX, sometimes there were 3, other times there were 6, and then eventually through word of mouth, suddenly there were 10+. Over the past few weeks, this AO has  been drawing double digits.

Maybe it’s those outstanding post game 2nd F’s- sometimes including home cooked bacon, often times ice code tailgate refreshments, or maybe its those clever marketing campaigns-Reagan Era Beatdowns by some of SouthWake’s elder statesmen, deranged Easter Egg hunts, or some weird creepy photoshop work involving Mr. Rogers. Hey.. whatever works, but the Mr. Roger’s angle in pre-blast last night was enough to entice Nemo into heading straight down Sunset Lake Road instead of taking that right onto Holly Springs Road from Wood Creek and onto Crazy Ivan.

Some have been skeptical about these workouts that these men have been putting together up at that pool on the hill off of Sunset Lake Rd. One PAX even went so far as yesterday to call it a ‘fake’ workout and one that should be abandoned for the sake joining a celebratory birthday Q, where sometimes the featured EC is YouTube Yoga, with a non-F3 affiliated virtual led instructor- Mary Beth? Those who throw stones I guess. You know who you are and I still love ya.

While it would have been nice to celebrate Midget’s birthday this morning in person at Crazy Ivan, we now have a legitimate AO in Wescott, with an actual reference on the Q sheet, and the ability to check a box to write a backblast. For those reasons alone, there was an increased need to be accountable this morning and Q in the absence of our site Q, Deadbolt, who is currently vacationing with family. By the way, his Reagan Era beatdown last week with Double D was one that will be long remembered by those in attendance for a very long time. No fake news on that one.. Over 100 burpees and the guys attending the 1776 workout the following day were still talking about it. Ain’t that right, Pikachu? You know. You were there.

Since cancelling this morning’s workout was not an option, YHC decided to honor Midget’s birthday with a workout that mimic’d one of his favorite Raleigh AO’s- Whiplash. Thankfully, we didn’t cancel as when I got to the lot, it was filled with pickup trucks and SUV’s. Lots of PAX getting EC beforehand. A real sight of beauty. Pretty soon there were 10, once Pablo emerged from a distance one street over. Exchanged some light mumblechatter, and as 5:30 hit, we went right to work.

2 lines formed as we proceeded out of the lot in Indian Run formation down Wescott Ridge and over to the new annex they are building off of Bible Way Court. Circled up in the cul-de-sac within the new annex and performed the following

Warm Up: Good Mornings X10 IC, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Fazio X10 F\B, Seal Claps X10, Overheads X10. Formed 2 lines and made our way out of this new development, but not before giving instruction on what we’d be doing.

The Workout: Little known fact about Wescott, there are 7 cul-de-sacs (not including the 1 we were exiting). The workout was simple..

2 line (5 PAX per) Indian Runs throughout the entire workout

-5 Burpees at each intersection we pass either entering or exiting (Total 85 Burpees for the workout)

-At each cul-de-sac progressive exercises would be performed X10 reps each exercise, tacking on a new exercise at each cul-de-sac visited

Proceeded first down Bible Way to head toward the cul-de-sac of Eden Glen on the backside of Wescott, which Deadbolt usually refers to as Fuquay South. A boat was seen in front of his house, but wasn’t his. Seemed fitting though that the first exercise should be Boat Canoes, but made zero sense to get PAX on their six, so we settled for some squats X10 at the bottom of the first cul-de-sac. Finished those and headed back up the hill in Indian Run formation. At the intersection, did another set of 5 burpees, ran an few hundred yards and then another 5 burpees at the Brightling intersection.

Passed by YHC’s casa, where the sprinklers were running. Let PAX know, if they needed a water break, this would be a perfect time as my water was their water. No takers. We had work to do and continued the Indian run to the next cul-de-sac. This next one was situated way down hill so Pablo cleverly said we should do Mountain Climbers. Perfect.. 10 Squats and 10 Mountain Climbers IC at the bottom of the cul-de-sac. Back in the Indian Run lines.

3 more intersections- 15 more Burpees to the next cul-de-sac for an added set of shoulder taps. So here we go- 10 Squats, 10 Mountain Climbers, 10 Shoulder Taps. Everyone still together we formed a somewhat fellowship run out of the cul-de-sac on the bottom of the back side of Brightling Way to the intersection.. Yep- 5 more burpees. 2 lines reformed and we headed up the second worst hill in the neighborhood.

By that time, we were starting to see some fatigue by a few PAX, but iron sharpens iron and although there were some pick ups of the 6, the lines were evenly distributed with very minimal lag time where neither line was way ahead or way behind. A very good mix in each lane and we all pushed each other. At the top of Brightling and Wescott Ridge- another 5 burpees and then proceeded down to that palm tree house at the bottom of Wescott Ridge. 10 Squats, 10 Mountain Climbers IC, 10 Shoulder Taps, and 10 Star Jumps. Back in 2 lines with 3 more intersections and 15 more burpees. Saw a few neighborhood clowns running, but appeared they wanted no part of these HIM trains, either due to social distancing or that they couldn’t fathom 10 dudes just suddenly dropping in front of them doing choreographed burpees at the end of their street almost as if they were possessed.

Home stretch and one more hill left, two lines still in tact, headed right on Danagher for one final cul-de-sac. 5 more burpees at the intersection. For those who have posted here before, this hill is like a Tyson knockout punch to the face, especially closer to the end of the workout. Lots of final adrenaline on display after these intersection burpees. Squat hold for the 6. At the top of the cul-de-sac, 10 Squats, 10 Mountain Climbers IC, 10 Shoulder Taps, 10 Star Jumps, and 10 Hand Release Merkins. This last exercise got two thumbs down from Fonzie as a Mother Trucker certified exercise. 2 lines reformed and 5 more burpees at the bottom of the hill. No time to proceed forward.. 5 out of 7 cul-de-sacs covered, 3mi later, and just enough time for 6 minutes of Mary.

This workout wasn’t meant to be easy, but we pushed through it together, and we’ll do it again next week. These guys absolutely killed it this morning. Double D indicated that we should retire this workout, but I’m gonna reserve the right to break this one out on special occasions or when certain PAX want to really separate fact from fiction on the type of workout we are delivering in Wescott on Friday.

Mary: Boat Canoes X10, LBC X20, Homer to Marge X10, Low Slow Flutter X10, Pickle Pounders X20 IC, Downward Dog, and one extra Good Morning, because that it was.

Announcements: Check out the new AO Banks Road Elementary on Monday, another new Sunday option with a Ruck at Hilltop Needmore. Check slack for details
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX in attendance this morning and those getting EC- Fonzie, LED, New Mexico, Double D, Nemo, FedEx. FRAM and Sprinkler for sticking with it and pushing through the entire workout. Iron sharpens Iron in effect all morning.

Prayer: First responders, those experiencing financial impacts from the pandemic, and additional prayers for family and those in our communities battling health issues. YHC took us out.

Always an honor to lead. Thank you for this opportunity this morning.

What’s this Steel mace thingy?

I was excited for I have been wanting to share a steel mace workout with my brothers for quite some time. I hoping this becomes a thing for I need more than one day to pick heavy things up and sit them back down.

The workouts are going to go over the exercises until folks get familiar with the steel mace.

Post EC: Dawgpound (I was barely moving), Dumbo and Emeril
FNGs: None
Warm Up:

We bounced like we were in onnit
Foot traces
Tootsie roles
A barrel full of hips
Spinal Twist
Shoulder ringers
Ear to Shoulder

The Workout:

Classroom

Curtsy Squat — Weight on Leg that is still
    Back Kickstand Squat
    Curtsy Squat
    Curtsy Squat Side Lung
Bow Draw
    Side
    Front
    Back
Rotational Bent Over Row — Weight on side of the hinge
    Single High hinge
    Rotating Single High Hinge
    Straight Arm High hinge
Upper Cut
    Standing
    Battle Lunge (reverse)
    Battle Front Lunge Press (reverse to forward lunge)
Death March
    Switch Squat
    Switch Squat to Forward Lunge
    Forward Lunge Back Lunge Squat

The workout:

4 Rounds of 5 exercises. 45 seconds on 15 seconds off. We went from Curtsy Squats to Upper Cut, to Bow draw to Rotational bent over row to Death March

Mary:

Downward dog into Runners pose with a twist
Downward dog into Pigeon with rotation and sleeping pigeon
Leg out in front stretch

Announcements:
Mulch
Steel maces are at Play it Again sports Cary if you want to pick one up.

T-Claps (Recognition):
Dumbo, Pablo, Emeril and Pikachu for joining me with my new favorite toy
Prayer:
All those with addiction
All those dealing with these crazy times.

Indian Runs and Burpees at Paradise

EC: Dawgpound, Emeril, Vasoline, McNugget, Dumbo
FNGs: Nope
Warm Up:

Everyone came ready and we started the workout.

The rules of the workout were set. No negative thoughts and if someone asked if you are tired the only response was “I don’t get tired!!”
The Workout:

Started in a one group Indian Run

We came to the first corner. I was so excited I forgot about the 5 Burpees. We made it up at the next corner.

Corner 1:
10 Reverse Merkins

Back into the Indian Run to corner 2:
5 Burpees — These are the ones we forgot at corner 1
Squatters Pyramid to 15
4 Burpees

Down the ramp to corner 3:
3 Burpees
10 Reverse Merkins

Back into the Indian run to the basketball court
Corner 4
2 Burpees
5 PGUSJ — Prisoner Get Up Squat Jumps
1 Burpee

3 Man Indian Run for the next lap. The first to finish had to come pick the rest of us up.

Corner 1
5 Double Merkin Burpees

Corner 2
5 Double Merkin Burpees
5 Reverse Lunges Each Leg

Corner 3
5 Double Merkins
5 Reverse Lunges Each Leg
5 T Merkins

Corner 4
5 Double Merkins
5 Reverse Lunges Each Leg
5 T Merkins
5 PGUSJ

Back into one large Scout Run for the following stops

Corner 1:
10 Reverse Merkins

Back into the Scout Run to corner 2:
5 Burpees — These are the ones we forgot at corner 1
Squatters Pyramid to 15
4 Burpees

Down the ramp to corner 3:
3 Burpees
10 Reverse Merkins

Back into the Scout run to the basketball court
Corner 4
2 Burpees
5 PGUSJ — Prisoner Get Up Squat Jumps
1 Burpee

3 Man Scout Run

Corner 1
5 Burpees

Corner 2
5 Burpees
5 Curtsy Squats

Corner 3
5 Burpees
5 Curtsy Squats
5 T Merkins

Corner 4
5 Burpees
5 Curtsy Squats
5 T Merkins
5 Squats

Mary:

Fellowship run to the corners

Corner 1:
LBC

Corner 2:
Homer to Marge

Corner 3:
Supermans

Corner 4:
Have a nice day

Announcements:

I cannot remember. Probably something about mulch and all.

T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:

Do that on your own time

FNGs:none
Warm Up: good mornings, windmills, bat wings
The Workout: Pax Indian ran along a path from the hill to no where to the greenway to nowhere with a total of 4 stops – hill, loading dock at HT, Wells Fargo and greenway. We traveled down and back rolling the dice 2x at every stop. 5 bonus burpees for doubles.

We were only supposed to do the double 5x but got 6. I corrected my mistake on the 7th which started the mumble chatter. YHC quickly ended that letting the PAX know they could do whatever they wanted at 6:15 but until that time I’d continue calling the shots. That EC run to end our Rune might have added some salt to the comment…

Mary: homer to Marge, low slow flutter
Announcements: mulch. July 4th workout (earlier today since I’m so late with this BB)
T-Claps (Recognition): all those that RUINED their legs this month
Prayer: addiction and recovery, front line workers

Fully Involved

A pax came in a terrible mood and left feeling encouraged… maybe it was the burpees. Another pax gave blood yesterday and struggled at times but was asked several times by his brothers if he was alright. Another pax completely hauled ass up the Abyss and was met by pax willing to finish the mosey back to the flag and pick up his six when he was running low on gas. Guys finished SSH’s for the opposing team to pick up their six. Several guys including YHC grind out the workout despite aches and pains and limitations. At the end, a pax needs a kettlebell for tomorrow and like 3 pax talk about how to get him one and 1 gives him his own kettlebell out of the trunk.  All of this and more examples like them happened at Disney today…plus…we worked out.  Why did this happen? Because this is F3. Its great how a beatdown can help us help other brothers and be our best more than just physically. It was my honor as Q today to help set the stage for that.

EC: Mookie, Dawgpound, Shamwow!, Dahmer, Fanny Pack

FNG’s: Today would’ve been a good one for it
Warm Up: Good Mornings, Windmills, Chinooks, Frankenstein’s
The Workout: Split into two even teams for whole workout.  A little competition goes a long way! Teams Burpee Indian run around the soccer field in opposite directions and back to the flag. Team 2 wins! No penalty yet…mercy given during round 1.

Next, teams burpee Indian run to the large lot where the challenge is a 4 Corner stack up.  5 dirkins, run, 5 dirkins, 10 squats, run, 5 dirkins, 10 squats, 15 irkins, run, 5 dirkins, 10 squats, 15 irkins, 20 SSH IC. Team 2 wins again. Penalty is 5 burpees while winners plank hold. Not too bad..,

Mosey to the abyss. Each team on each side of the stairs. Teams send 1 pax at a time down the stairs, 5 star jumps, and back. While pax at the top complete an AMRAP exercise called by YHC. When each pax returns, exercise changes. We did two rounds of the whole team line before finishing.  Exercises were: merkins, squats, Freedom Hammers, Shoulder Taps, lunges, WW2’s, Nipplers, squats, LSF’s, Diamond Merkins, Lunges, and Freddie Mercury’s. All pax came out of the Abyss alive and Team 2 edged it out again. Penalty was 10 burpees with the winning team doing a squat hold.  Then we all did 5 burpees because even though we were two teams, we are all brothers in F3. Burpee Indian run back to the flag where there was ample picking up the six. Lots of smoked pax led to quite a broken line.  But, nevertheless, team 1 finally wins.  Shamwow! Calls 10 absolutions upon team 2.
Mary: H2M southwake style, 15 each side, 5 burpees, 15 Box Cutters, 5 Star Jumps, 15 Pickle pounders. It was a great day!
Announcements: YHC has the Q at Ivan tomorrow to finish the 5 pack Q with EC.  New AO in Garner in lieu of Detox.  Hardy will be the very first F3 ninja warrior.
T-Claps (Recognition): All the pax today… did you see above?
Prayer: FloJoe wife got a good gig, Quiver’s friend with ALS. Shamwow! Took us out.

They’re Coming From All Directions

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.

…but I would WEAR a shirt today!

Lots of questions from the pax as we gathered in the gloom this morning at the Teeter. “Will I need gloves?” “Will we be doing lots of bear crawls?” “Will we do a lot of ground work?” Turns out we did, so YHC was glad he told Dawgpound to keep his shirt on as he was going to attempt to do the workout shirtless. Since it was a last minute move, he joined the gloom circle with a “half shirt”…nips out and all. Pax joked that F3 Southwake needs a new style shirt order. We agreed a bare pecs shirt would be stylish with just a rectangle cutout for the upper chest area. Anyways… we were off. Mixed signal workout from pax today. Lots of mumblechatter, but also many comments from pax that said they wished they hadn’t run EC.

ECers: Pablo, Dumbo, Emeril, Dawgpound, Dahmer

FNG’s: Too humid maybe???

Warm Up: SSH, GM’s, Daisy Pickers, Sir Fazios, Imperial Walkers and 5 burpees for a late pax. Plus about a half mile warmup mosey. Ends up we got just over 2 miles in on the workout this morning.
The Workout: One long Indian run behind the stores to the dead end hill. Pax partnered up for a DORA.  100 merkins, 200 star jumps (many pax grumbled about this), 300 mountain climbers.  Running pax ran up the hill, did 3 burpees, then returned.  Think I got 18 burpees in total.

Indian run to behind jiffy lube for some rail action. Pax split in half.  Some worked on the rail for Dips x 25, irkins x 20, Dirkins x 15 while other pax did AMRAP LBC’s, LSF’s, And Freedom Hammers. Switch.  2 rounds of this.

To the great red wall we moseyed.  Again, pax split in two. Half pax did BTTW while Ground pax did 20 Shoulder Taps IC.  Switch.  Repeated except ground pax did 15 plank jacks IC.  Finished with all pax doing People’s Chair for each pax doing a 7 count to their liking.  Indian run with a final jailbreak back to the flag.
Mary: 20 Pickle pounders IC so we can all be prepared for the unexpected!
Announcements: RUNE.  Mulch. And a Disney co-Q Thursday not to be missed.
T-Claps (Recognition): The ECers continuing to go strong.  POTS always supplying the dirtiest jokes.
Prayer: Those in recovery from addiction, praise my daughter Julia is returning to form. Skidmark, his family, and the new baby.

Honored to lead men.  Thanks for being there. I get to accelerate by helping you all accelerate.  I hope I was able to do that today.

No case of the Monday’s at Paradise City!

I don’t know how you started your Monday but 9 HIM set their week up for success by starting at Paradise City. We got our 3 mile minimum in. We got wet (humidity was at 105%). We got stronger. We got through it all without Dawgpound messing up my Q! Lets go…

FNGs: nope

EC: Dawgpound, Dumbo, Emeril, Pablo, Pikachu

Warm Up: SSH, Good Morning, Windmill, Fazio Arm circle F/R, Merkins, Squats

The Workout: Today we took a field trip to the green way across the street. PAX traveled to and from in a scout run. Once through the first section of the green way, PAX started in the cul de sac at the top of the hill with 10 LBC (in cadence). Run to the bottom of the hill and do 5 star jumps on the bridge then back to the top of the hill. Rinse and repeat as many times as you can. Scout run back to the flag for Mary. You could tell the legs were tired…the return pace was considerably slower than the outbound pace.

Mary: Merkin, Big Boy Sit Ups, Homer to Marge, Low Slow Flutter, Box Cutters

Announcements: Mulch Bass Lake (because we lead out front and not from behind)

T-Claps (Recognition): Runners are RUNEing. Stay healthy!!!

Prayer: Skidmark, Natty Ice, Martini

YHC took us out. It is always a pleasure to lead you men. I feel strongest in the middle of that circle surrounded by you HIM! I’ll try to do better next time.

Foggy U-turn

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

A Sisyphus inspired workout

11 PAX and 1 dog posted at Disney for a Sisyphus inspired Q.

FNGs: None
Warm Up: Lap around the soccer field.  Circle up for the following exercises in cadence: SSH, Windmill, Good Morning, SirFazio Arm Circles
The Workout: Mosey to the bottom of the lot to select a rock for today’s workout.  Start on walkway around the soccer field, stop at the first corner for RuttRows ICx10.  Continue around soccer fields, john cusak the rocks, until we reached the split in the path with the hill.  Partner up for a Dora 1-2-3 (shared exercises of 100 goblet squats, 200 overhead presses, 300 curls for the girls), partner 1 ran started the exercises while partner 2 ran down the hill to complete 5 merkins and run back up to switch.  Once all groups were finished, continue to john cusak around the soccer fields stopping along the way to do: Merkins with 1 hand on the rock (10 each side), Midget cookie pouches, tricep extensions.  Once we made it back to the bathroom building we regrouped with our partners to complete 2 rounds of each: partner 1 hold BTTW while partner 2 did LSF while holding the rock x10 in cadence, partner 1 hold peoples chair while partner 2 did Homer 2 Marge with the rock in their lap.  Return the rocks and back to the flag for Mary
Mary: All exercises in cadence: LSF x 20, Box Cutter x20, pickle pounders x10
Announcements: check slack and FB
Prayer: Martini’s Family, Pablo’s Family, Cupid’s Family, First Responders