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Yo Joe! 13 PAX take on Cobra Commander and Embrace the Suck..

Q Tour continues and this week found YHC close to home with a trip to Purple Cobra. Pre-Blast for this week’s workout showed a picture of a contemplative Cobra Commander from the early 80’s GI Joe cartoon. He was sitting on a Cobra throne exploring any one of a dozen highly ‘motivating’ possibilities. This was how YHC was feeling Monday morning, trying to keep with theme of changing things up and keeping the planned workouts on tour unique.

As a product of the 80’s, I used to watch GI Joe religiously. Back in the day Cobra Commander used to put Duke and the boys in compromising situations inflicting his wrath of terror. This dude was a straight up a$$hol3. Not exactly what was trying to lay down this morning for PAX, but it was gonna suck and we were gonna make all 45 minutes count.  Nemo and Pots approached YHC as he was working through the Weinke he put together asking for a heads up about this morning’s plan, the following exchange went something like this…

Nemo- “Hey Mookie, what kind of a pre-blast can you give us about this morning”

YHC- “Did you read the pre-blast with Cobra Commander?”

Nemo- “Yes- I used to love GI Joe”

YHC- “Yeah, Cobra Commander was such a dick, right?”

Nemo- “Yeah he was..”

YHC- “There’s your pre-blast”

At this point a crowd started to form. DawgPound, Redenbacher, and 187 were finishing the last steps of their EC runs. Dumbo fresh off a Disney vacation came rolling in with Pablo. We even got a visit from Rainmaker, who noted he was starting back up to posting again. Both site Q’s-Warbucks and Foghorn showed, along with Bobby Dall.  Lucky Charms was also present and accounted for.

5:30am hit and it was showtime..

Warm Up: YHC lead PAX with a nice brisk jog down the parking lot and up along Sunset Lake Rd via the side walk and back down to the Wells Fargo lot where we circled up for the following exercises.. SSH X25, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Good Mornings in Cadence X 10, Fazio 10F\10B, Seal Claps X10.. 2 Burpees OYO, mosey to the next corner of the lot 4 Burpees OYO, mosey to the far corner of the lot 6 Burpees OYO, and one more final mosey to the last corner for 8 Burpees OYO back to the start. Mosey’d out of the lot and formed 2 lines, one behind YHC and one behind 187.

The Workout: Led PAX behind Harris Teeter in dual Indian Runs to the loading dock behind the cleaners and pet store. Instructed PAX to grab a rock for each hand similar in weight and ones that they can easily grip. These will be your rocks for the series of exercises YHC had planned. All PAX gathered rocks and remained on plank with rocks in hand while waiting on the six.

Rock Webbs (1:2 Ratio)

YHC called for a series of Rock Webbs, where PAX would perform Merkins with hands over rocks, which were on the ground. After 1 Merkin, we’d rock press to 2 in cadence. YHC took PAX to 5 Merkins and 10 Rock Presses for now, saving the best for last for later. Upon completion, instructed PAX to the walls for a set of Balls to the Wall X20 in Cadence. PAX returned to their rocks and with a “Let’s go… Bring your rocks,” from YHC and we were off to the ramp for some exercises and sprints.

Rock Solid Merkin Sprints 

Partner Up…

Round 1

Partner 1 at Bottom of Ramp performs Rock Presses (AMRAP)

Partner 2 Sprints Up the ramp to just before the intersection, performs 5 merkins, sprints back (switch)

Round 2

Partner 1 at Bottom of Ramp performs Rock Lateral Raises (AMRAP)

Partner 2 Sprints Up the ramp to just before the intersection, performs 10 merkins, sprints back (switch)

Round 3

Partner 1 at Bottom of Ramp performs Rock Front Raises (AMRAP)

Partner 2 Sprints Up the ramp to just before the intersection, performs 15 merkins, sprints back (switch)

Round 4

Partner 1 at Bottom of Ramp performs Rock Rows (AMRAP)

Partner 2 Sprints Up the ramp to just before the intersection, performs 20 merkins, sprints back (switch)

Out of all the planned items for this morning, this next decision was the most questionable. YHC instructed PAX to drop their rocks and get back into their lines for another dual Indian Run. This time the lines would flow into the Planet Fitness lot and around all 4 corners. YHC was not planning for the parade of sad clowns rolling in around 5:50 to water their Ferns at Planet Fitness this morning, which detoured our lines slightly to side walks and out of harms way. All still accounted for and back to the rocks. PAX grabbed rocks and mosey’d back to the loading dock with a plank hold for the six.

Finish What We Started..Rock Webbs continued.

When all PAX were in, YHC continued his Rock Webb count to 6 Merkins 12 Rock Presses (IC). At 8 Merkins and 16 Rock Presses, instructed PAX back to the walls for Balls to the Wall IC X20 and an extra People’s Chair X10 IC. Back to the rocks and then continued 9 Merkins 18 Rock Presses IC. At that point, YHC got up and hadn’t gotten in 2 steps before Oliver Twist in the form of DawgPound demanded that we couldn’t end that way. “Please sir, I want some more” is what he said although I could be mistaken as I was somewhat hallucinating after that 18 count. That’s the thing about accountability, you’ll have dudes call you out if you don’t finish what you started….Here we go Dawgpound, just for you..10 Merkins 20 Rock Presses (IC). YHC was never so glad to return rocks at an AO in his life. Shoulders at this point were on fire.. I think at one point this last series had affected Dumbo to the point of confusion as his Merkins and Rock Presses looked more like Squats.

2 lines…Let’s Go. Indian Runs to back beyond the flag to the spot where Mary would be performed. Before we got to Mary, we had one more series. Plank hold for the six..

Merkin Tap Jail Break

From plank, PAX performed a series of 10 Merkins, hold, then transitioned to Shoulder Taps X20 IC, mosey 70 yards down the lot. Plank hold for the six. From plank, 10 more Merkins and 20 Should Taps in cadence. YHC usually likes a good jail break at the end of Cobra, so that’s what we did.

Mary: LBC X20, Low Slow Flutter X20, Homer to Marge X20, Pickle Pounders X20, Pigeon Stretches, Downward Dog, one last Shawshank.
Announcements: YHC needs someone to cover Ivan as he had a conflict. Potts later volunteered to cover Q. Check him out on Friday!
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX pushing each other this morning and holding each other accountable, including YHC. 187, Redenbacher, and DawgPound for getting some EC.
Prayer: Continued Prayers for Forceps and his family. Prayers for Wiggly and his family. First Responders and Military. All Unspoken. YHC took us out!

Always an honor to lead. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity this morning!

Water Fountain in the Bathroom? No, but it smells like someone is dying in the Men’s room…

FNGs: Welcome Fatback- Homicide Detective city of Raleigh, brought out by Rainmaker
Warm Up: Rainmaker was rolling in late with our FNG- PAX did SSH until they arrived and joined the circle. YHC then delivered the pre-workout FNG speech while we did SSH.  (about 4 minutes of SSH) Pax mosey to the top of Ting Park for IW x10 HB x10, Windmills x8, Mountain Climbers x25
The Workout: Pair up based on Speed. Pax went in opposite directions around park. Each time they met Double Merkin Burpees x10. We repeated this four total laps (2 Miles) Burpees were about every 1/4 mile.  Next we mosey to the bottom of Ting Ramp for Merkin Suicides. At each lamp post (12 total) 2 merkins at post and then 2 back at bottom of ramp. 48 total Merkins during suicides.
Mary: We were running short on time, so YHC sang Mary Had a Little Lamb while we did Suicides.  Yoga cool down during COT
Announcements: Tremendous work on coming together for our brother Forceps this past weekend. Memorial Service for his son this weekend at Hope 12-2
T-Claps (Recognition):  A lot of Cotters this morning came out for a good start to their week. Welcome back Bigalo, Particle Board, Rainmaker and our FNG Fatback for pushing hard.
Prayer: Leahy Family, Rainmaker’s fellow officer Chris lost his wife at 41 from a virus. A gentle reminder if your sick, stay home and get well. Even a small virus can turn deadly. Rainmaker to follow up if the family needs any support, other than our prayers.

 

 

First Appearance of the Steel Mace

Snow came the day before. Still 10 men braved the chilly weather to come see the steel mace!!

FNGs: Nope
Warm Up:
Quick lap to warmup
Circled up for the following
Good Mornings
Fazio Arm Circles
Leg Swings both directions both legs
BackStroke
The Workout:
Counted off by three. We had four stations, but I wanted groups of three since there were three Pax present that had already did a steel mace workout. They should be the Shepard for the steel mace. The goal was to keep the legs fresh for tomorrow’s long ass run.

3 complete circuits. Each Station was 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Each pax did 5 to 10 reps each exercise. After completion keep on going till the timer sounds.

Station 1:
Stairs — Run them or carry a bell. Just get up and down them.

Station 2:
Kettlebell
LawnMowers
Push up On the Bell
Push Press
Chest to Chest in bridge

Station 3:
Battle Rope and Core
Battle Rope
Midget Love Handles
Midget Getups
Midget Cookie Pouches

Station 4:
Steel Mace
Upper Cut
Bent Over Rows
Side Paddle Overhead (No lunge)
Kayak
Ballistic Curl

Mary:

Circled up for some stretching:

Leg across and open up the hips. Like getting in a pigeon pose but keep the leg straight
Runners pose and open up the hip
Runners pose concentration on going deeper
Fire Hydrant Circles
Fire Hydrant Kicks

Announcements:

ATT run tomorrow

T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:

Wallaby as he comes home from Rehab
Forceps and his family
John, Deadbolt’s friend that is battling cancer

Last Man Standing

YHC had been thinking about this Q for a few weeks and trying to figure out how to pull it off. I wanted to make sure everyone pushed themselves but we all stayed together. How we could modify and keep the integrity of workout in tact. It was challenging to pull off but I think it well this time. I’ll reflect more on it and take suggestions on how to improve. The main even was pre-blasted so everyone knew what was coming.

This is also a great workout to prepare for the South Wake Beer Mile in October.

EC: Deadbolt, Mookie, Skidmark

FNGs: None

Warm Up: Very minimal as we got right to it. 25 SSH, 10cc IW, 10cc Hillbillies

The Workout: Last man standing theme. Down to the tunnel and runs were completed on the long portion of the greenway

  • 1/4 mile run and a minimum of 5 rep exercises completed in certain amount of time.
  • 1st round needed to be completed in 2:40 (includes running and exercises)
  • 2nd round 2:35
  • 3rd round 2:30
  • So on and so forth
  • We completed 12 rounds for 3 miles with the last at 1:50 return and completed the exercises. At this time we had 6 Pax still in: Snap, Pablo, Pikachu, Lipstick, Lucky Charms, and Skidmark
  • If you didn’t make the cutoff time you ran to until leaders were coming back and then did exercises with the group.

Indian Run around the complex with stops to 10 counts of erkins, derkins, and dips, 10 burpees OYO, 10 box jumps, and 25 merkins.

Return to basketball court

Mary: 10 minutes of stretching

Announcements: Long Ass Run Saturday. 22 milers start at 0715 from New Hill. 14.5 mile from New Hope Church Road at 0815, 0930 South Point Mall. Details on Slack.

T-Claps (Recognition): Pax this morning really pushed themselves. Lipstick somehow managed to run a lap, do exercises, take a shit, and make the next run in time. Quite impressive!

Prayer: Wallabee, Bernie’s family, Buford’s friend, those battling addictions

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

Good Times at Johnsville

EC: UTI, Skidmark, YHC had an abbreviated EC that included the John
Warm Up: Jogging, Karaoke, Frankenstein, shuffles
The Workout: Reverse Indian Run down Paradise City EC route to the Bridgewater Pool. Pax paired up based on speed for partner loops. Partners went in opposite direction and met back at full loop (0.4 Miles) for Patty Cake Merkins x10 in Cadence. Repeated this 5 times with increasing intensity levels – 1K Pace 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%.  Pax headed back to Ting with cool down mile
Mary: Went through some stretching as we talked Announcements.

Quick Note from the Q: I often find I have pain during or after running that typically go away. A big part of this has to do with no warmup and cooldown. I purposely (and selfishly) tried to integrate more warmup and a cool down during our time.  I always tell myself I don’t have the time to spend on it and just need to get going for the miles.  I tried something different today by integrating the cool down into our announcement time. It was a great opportunity for Skid to share his thoughts/connection on the Run for Dedee 5K, while we all appropriately stretched our muscle groups.  All this to say, Find time for the pre/post run work. It will lead to better things, speed, injury prevention, etc…

Announcements: ATT Run 2/22; Standing 2F Thursday’s at Lowes Foods @ 530; Run for Dedee 5K begining of April at Sugg Farm See Skidmark for details
T-Claps (Recognition): All Pax for sticking with me this morning. I wasn’t sure how the turnout would be and I was excited to see 14 heads as I came back from the John!
Prayer: Sick Families (UTI’s), All those going through Addiction, Pikachu’s Wife who is dealing with Back Pain

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

Can we find a dry line?

It’s a good thing Nemo and ShamWow! came to the party today. A fish and a magical rag is exactly what the weather called for… It’s always and honor to lead. Today inspired me to Q more often so if you fartsacked because you melt in the rain, I’ll let you know when reservations for fastpasses and dining experiences open again…

EC: Katniss

FNGs: Waiting for dryer weather…
Warm Up: For a moment, considered a shelter warm-up but what’s the point…

Quick mosey around the soccer field back to the lot for circle up. SSH x25, 5 Burpees OYO, Clap Series – Overhead x15, Seal x15, Overhead x10. Mickey Mouse Merkins (WDW) x5 slow count in cadence. Let’s go!

The Workout:

Line up to form Indian Run to the big parking lot by the school.

Circle up and SSH x20

Catch me if you can – Groups broke into 2 and 3. Rounds 1 &2 – 5 Burpees OYO sprint to your partner (who’s back pedaling up the hill), switch. Rinse Repeato back down + up. Round 3 – Prisoner squats and chase.

Mosey to the smaller lot by the baseball fields and find a line. “Can we find a dry line?”

Hold chill cut on your line. First PAX weaves through the line moving up and side shuffle in between (modified Black Snake Indian Run), x2 up the lot and 1x back down. Micheal Phelps.

Mosey to the Abyss.

An old favorite of mine came back out… PAX form one line to Bear Crawl down the stairs – 5 merkins at each landing. Bear crawl back up. Al Gore at the top holding for the 6. Round two – mosey down the stairs bunny hops each stair back up – Al Gore for the 6.

Mosey back.

Mary:

Low slow flutter x20 in cadence, hold 6 inches. Low slow flutter x20. Recover. Extended scissor kicks in cadence holding each rep switching legs for varying times (10-15 seconds) alternating between LSF, 6-inch holds, ESKs. 5 minutes total.  Have a nice day.

Announcements: Weather dependent helping Eagle Scout at food cupboard. ATT run on 2/22.
T-Claps (Recognition): Katniss for his solo EC!!
Prayer: Wallaby, Nemo shared his positive experience with Hope’s Re-Engage marriage program. Prayers to those who are having difficulties and lift them up to seek help. YHC took us out – moment of silence and prayer.

U-turn Pickin’ Up the Six

FNGs: none

Warm Up: good mornings, stretching, daisy pickers, SSH, frankensteins, imperial walkers

The Workout: PAX set up for 3 and 5 mile options, on a damp and wet morning, but hey, the rain held off so that was a bonus.

Announcements: Playhouse build will likely take place weekend of 2/29, Fanny Pack spearheading, Dumbo looking for PAX volunteers to help build green house next weekend, Slide Rule brought up need for PAX to ensure we are all picking up the six – makes us all stronger.  Commit

Prayer: Warbuck’s wifes grandmother, Naperville F3 PAX who recently pass during a workout, Wallaby, Cowboy upcoming travel to Australia.

RailRoaded At TBD

You know it’s time to start the workout when FloJo, Hardy, and Poopeater arrive. Today, they were about 30 seconds late. Ordinarily, they are exactly on time at 5:30, a just-in-time operation!

Warm-up: Mosey + Burpees

Mosey onto Stinson, stop at first parking lot, SSH 25x

Continue mosey down Stinson to Noonday, 10 burpees OYO, mosey back up to parking lot.

There’s your warm-up! Dawgpound: Why did we have to go down the hill to do those burpees? Because after Q’ing and working out at Womble for so long, we needed a different warmup.

The Thang: Railroad Tracks

After having fun with this format on Monday, I decided to continue today.

In the parking lot, each of the 12 PAX planks up on the first 12 lines. First PAX (YHC) runs to end of PAX like an Indian Run to the first open line. Plank up. Each PAX follows until we reach the end. My idea was to simply run back to the beginning from there. But, the first PAX to round the corner (Cowboy?) found a whole new set of parking spots around the corner, paralleling the first set. He started the railroad there and we returned same as we came. Bonus!

Next sets of exercises, same format: Guantanamo, 5 hand-release Merkins, WWIIs before your run to front of line. PAX holds 6 inch while the one PAX does WWII.

Mr. Clarity (i.e., Pablo) kept asking questions, claiming that he was just seeking clarity. Seemed suspiciously like he was trying hi-jack my Q! Indeed the Fritter Goobers brought more chatter to this parking lot than it has heard since the last installment of Ivan.

Balls to the Wall by Request:

Sprinkler and POTS were disappointed we did not do BTW on Monday. So, making sure not to disappoint, we moseyed to the amphitheater. OK, so Sprinkler was genuinely happy to have this exercise, pretty sure he could go 5 minutes. POTS was not as pleased.

Upon finishing up the WWII railroads, PAX moseyed one-by-one down to the amphitheater and took People’s Chair position on the wall. First round 10 second count by each PAX. FloJo is now famous for his I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X counting method.

Mary: American Hammers, pickle pounders, LBCs, etc.

Announcements: Check Slack

Prayer Requests: Sprinkler and his family as they lay his father to rest today. Dawgpound safe air travels. FloJo as his family considers adoption.