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6 Year Anniversary Gala at Cletus

Wow – 6 years.  When I first gave into the 18 month long headlock by Gnard Dogg from Raleigh – I remember telling my M that “maybe this will be good – I can catch a Friday workout a few times a month to change up things for me at the Y (Sad Clown).  Little did I know that 6 years later, I would have accomplished the following:

  • Probably 1,000 posts
  • 7 half marathons completed
  • 2 Blue Ridge Relays
  • Maybe 3,000 miles of running
  • 10+ CSAUPs
  • 100+ Q-ed workouts
  • Hundreds of Clown Car rides
  • Stronger Marriage and relations with my kids
  • Major advances in my career / leadership (I accredit some of this to F3)
  • Countless memories with hundreds of new friends

WOW

Rolling into the parking lot at Cletus, Mookie and I got a little concerned.  On the way over in the clown car, we discussed what we would do if we had more than 25 Pax.  I did not want too many in our group(s) given Covid.  I quickly discussed what I had planned to Mookie as we drove over.  I remember him looking at me like “Are you crazy?”

As it became obvious that the Pax count would be near 40 – we decided to go with the Audible and split the pax.  I am very glad we did.  T-Claps to Mookie for the co-Q

FNGs:  None – Shovel flag planted at 5:29
Warm Up: Got things started with a mosie down to the field near the small pavillion.  The one we always warm up in when the crowds are big

  • Hand Release Burpees x 5 (OYO)
  • Good Morning x 10 (IC)
  • SSH x 20 (IC)
  • Moroccan Night Clubs x 20 (IC)  – note:  no one of Moroccan decent was offended with this reference
  • Mountain Climbers x 20 (IC)
  • Hell – it’s time to go

The Workout:

Pax of 38 was split into roughly half.  Mookie too one to the lower field and YHC kept the other half up top at the Soccer field.  It went down like this

Thing 1:  The Elle McPhereson

The Split pax on the soccer field would split again into two groups.  Groups would perform exercises on duct taped sheets in two (2) of the four corners (diagonal from each other).  Group 1 would sprint 50% around the track while Group 2 did the exercises.  Group 2 does AMRAP until all of Group 1 makes it to the opposite corner.  Group 1 would signal with a “yell” for Group 2 to stop the reps and run the same direction (clockwise around the field to them).  This was repeated for 20 minutes while the other Pax was down on the field.  Basically we were looping the 1/2 miles around the soccer field.

Group 1 (Arms and Chest)

  • Burpees
  • Wide Grip Merkins
  • Carolina Dry Docks
  • Diamond Merkins

Group 2 (Legs and Abs)

  • Jump Squats
  • WW1
  • Star Jumps
  • Mountain Climbers

Thing 2:  “The Michigan”

This workout was from the original scrolls of Southwake.  It was named by a Ohio State fan.  “Because it sux”.  The pax gathered on the end line of the soccer/football field.  All we did was sprints and Jack Webbs.  It went like this

  • Ten – 100-yard dashes +  2 Hand Release Jack Webbs (2 hand release merkins and 8 halleluiahs) 
  • Eight – 80 yard dashes + 4 Hand Release Jack Webbs
  • Six – 60 yard dashes + 6 Hand Release Jack Webbs
  • Four – 40 yard dashes + 8 Hand Release Jack Webbs
  • Two – 20 yard dashes + 10 Hand Release Jack Webbs

That went on for 20 minutes – it was a smoker

The 2 groups converged on the North Tennis Courts for Mary and COT

Mary:

  • Low Slow Flutter
  • LBC Ladder (IC)
    • 5
    • 10
    • 15
    • 20
    • 10
    • 5
  • Have a nice day

Announcements:

  • Mulch
  • Q Swap in August

T-Claps (Recognition):

  • Gump for 5 years of F3!
  • YCH for 6 years
  • Kid Cracker for the Kotters – welcome back brother!

Prayer:

  • Unspoken
  • 1st responders
  • Brony’s friend with Cancer

YHC took us out in prayer

Photos, 2nd F and Busch Latte

I love you all

DB Out!

Did Bambi Smell my Farts???

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Officially 1st work out at this new AO (NeedMore Ruck)Sent out a pre backblast Saturday. I was not expecting many since all the fireworks shows and parties the night before except Pots. I knew he would not let me down. To my surprise when I pulled into Hilltop Needmore Park 4 Pax was chatting in PVA.  

 

FNG: Ian (will name him next week) 

Warm UpNone 

The WorkoutAt 6:00 am on the dot we started. We hit the red trail first for 2 miles. After completing this loop off to the yellow which is 1 mile. After we ended up at the parking lot LED & FNG Ian had to cut a trail. Took a quick pic and we then hit the blue trail. All in all it was 5 miles. Great mumblechatter through out.  

MaryNone 

AnnouncementsBass Lake mulch starts back SaturdayWe had much discussion on naming this AO. It was decided NeedMore Ruck. This came from Hilltop Needmore Road and the community in which it lies Needmore Community. 

T-Claps (Recognition) All who made it out after July 4th to start Sunday morning off right. LED for bringing FNG. 

PrayerSilent 

It was an honor to leadSprinkler 

Memory is fleeting…

Been a while since I posted or Q’d PC, on the way in I saw 187 running, but when I got the flag he was not there, however, he timed it perfectly and showed up with 2 mins to spare and then we were off.

FNGs: none
Warm Up: Mosey over to the front of the Jiffy Lube and circle up for a warm-up of SSH, SirFazio Arm Circles, Imperial Walkers, Good Morning
The Workout:

Thang 1: Short Mosey to the goodwill parking lock then Partner up, 1 partner does 10 count Balls to the Wall, 20 count Shoulder tap and holds Peoples Chair, while the other partner crosses the parking lot and does 15 merkins, 15 lbc’s and 15 start jumps, repeato 3 times.

Thang 2: Short Mosey to behind town hall burger for 7’s of Squats and Freddy Mercury’s

Thang 3: Short Mosey to bending the Jiffy lube for 2 rounds of 10 Irkens,  15 Derkins, and 20 Dips

Mary: Back at the flag, we did some arm stretches,  Pigeon and runners pose, then a 2 rounds of popup mary
Announcements: New AO’s: Need More Ruck 6:00 am Sunday at Needmore Hilltop Park.  Unnamed Banks Road Elementary AO, Mondays 5:30 AM
T-Claps (Recognition): The Pax for dealing with my forgetfulness this morning.
Prayer: YHC’s Friend Duane Lindsey who passed from ALS on Sunday, for his Wife and Family.  All of our First responders.

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.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Takeover

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

FNGs: None today
Warm Up:

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

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

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

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

The Workout:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mary:

Tweedle Dee took over with Mary.

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

Announcements:

Sign up for Bass Lake. 2.3 miles to go.

T-Claps (Recognition):

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

Take me out to the ball game

This morning YHC promised some fun at the workout while everyone was gathering around.  Not “fun” fun but actual fun.  I hope I delivered on that.

FNGs: Not today

EC: Norm

Warm Up:

Lap around the tennis courts and then circle up in the parking lot for:

SSH x20 IC

Frankenstein x10 IC

Butt Kickers x10 IC

Windmills x10 IC

Daisy Pickers x10 IC

Imperial Walkers x10 IC

Merkins x10

The Workout:

A quick swing past my car to grab a ball and bat and we ran down to the concession stand to rip off some quick sets at the short wall.  We did 10 stepups with each leg (20 in all), and then 10x irkins, dips, and dirkins.

Afterwards we headed down to the softball field and met at home plate.  PAX counted off to establish batting order and instructions were given.  Each one would get up to bat and hit the ball.  We would all run to the ball and the batter would call out a 10 count of an excercise of their chosing.  If the ball did not make it past the pitcher’s mound before hitting the ground there would be 2 penalty burpees and a strike out would result in 5 burpees.  Luckily no one struck out and there were only two instances of the ball not making it in the air past the mount.  Lots of different exercises were called out and I can’t remember them all but there were burpees (there always has to be that one guy), star jumps, bobby hurleys, LBCs, big boy situps, monkey humpers, and a lot more.  I think in all we made it through 16 batters.

After the first time through the line up we “ran the bases”.  Bear crawls were done from home to 1st base, crawl bears from 1st to 2nd, crab walks from 2nd to 3rd, and duck walks from 3rd to home.  Afterwards we started back at the top of the lineup.

Once we started to run out of time we gathered on the drive way for a slow Indian run up to the tennis courts to circle up for…

Mary:

YHC called out an exercise that he learned while perusing the exicon one night called the Dr. W.  It’s an 8 count exercise.  I’ll let the exicon describe it:

“Dr. W is a sufferable 8-count ab exercise that combines Dolly, Rosalita, and the W; often within the 6MOM. Always a #CrowdPleaser. 1 is legs apart like a Low Dolly, 2 is legs together, 3 is raise the legs to Rosalita position (45-60 degrees-ish), 4 is spread ‘em, 5 is The W (hands together and stretching forward between your legs), 6 is the return to your back (legs still up), 7 is legs together, 8 is legs down. 5-8 Dr. W’s is a good start to get the pax coordinated with the counting. 10 is a magic # that most build up to 15 is just dumb and torture #FetalPositionMaker Qtip – We always emphasize that the W is on the 5 count. Kinda breaks down the motions and gives a 2nd starting point.”

We did 10 of those.  I like them, they’re fun.  After that it was 10x American Hammers and then HAND.

Announcements:

Bass Lake mulch again this weekend.  There were several HIM that signed up but now can’t do it so there are open slots for those interested.

New COVID friendly BRR guidelines came out yesterday from the race director.

Prayer:

1st responders.

Crosby has been sick.  Hopefully he recovers soon and can get back to his regular not posting.

 

Thanks for the privilege of leading you all this morning.

010000

…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.

Possum Trot

FNGs: Welcome Brownie!!
Warm Up: 1 lap around tennis courts SSH, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, Daisy Pickers, Speed hops (side to side/ front to back)
The Workout: two groups 1 football 3 stages of throwing and catching. Round 1 drops equal 1,2,3 burpees. Run to fence with 25 lbs weight between throws. PAX not throwing/catching call out random exercises at each stage of throws rotate through group. Do burpees after each PAX member throws. Round 2 double burpees 2,4,6 for drops and one throw with a frisbee. Total burpees 80+ PAX that can throw and purposely catch 5. PAX that challenged us to be leaders 1. (thanks for the leadership advice Pots)
Mary: Incorporated in workout.
Announcements:
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Co-worker of Sprinkler.