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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

Purple Cobra

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

FNGs: none
Warm Up:

-Side straddle hops

-good mornings

-Imperial walkers

-hillbillies

The Workout:

Partner up

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

-Standard Merkins

-Squats

-Burpees

-LBC

-Shoulder taps

-Standard Merkins

Mary:

-Freddie Mercury’s

-LBCs

-Pickle Pounders

-have a nice day

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

Forceps and family

Military law-enforcement and first responders

I was hoping for 5.

YHCs first Q in 2020 at Downtown Train. Decided we would go on a little field Trip. Seven PAX took on the challenge, worked hard, and hopefully got a little stronger this morning.

FNGs: None. Almost a year of Q’ing and still haven’t had an FNG.

Warm Up: Jog to Womble. Circled on tennis court for: 10 burpess OYO, Hangy things 10 count x 2, SSH x 25, Merkins x 10

The Workout: Mosey’d to rock pile for rock then headed to picnic tables for the following full body workout:

Round 1: Step ups with rock 3 rounds x 10, 20, 30. Between sets of step-ups SSHs in cadence x 30, x 20, x 10

Round 2: Irkins x 5, x 10, x 15. Between sets goblet squats with rock x 30, x 20, x 10.

50 LBCs in Cadence

Round 3. Dips in cadence x 10, x 15, x 20. Between sets of dips, curls for the girls in cadence x 30, x 25, x 20.

50 Mountain climbers

Round 4. Lunges x 5 each leg, x 10 each leg, x 10 each leg. In between sets American hammers in cadence x 15, x 20, x 25.

Feel like I am forgetting a round, but…

Returned rocks and lined up for hallelujah Indian runs. YHC was hoping to do this the entire way back to Downtown Train home base, but was running short on time and we eventually just pivoted to a brisk jog back.

Mary: Got back in time to honor Da Business’s request of 5 burpees OYO.

Announcements: Long run Saturday on the ATT, multiple distances available ending at Mellow Mushroom in Durham. Multiple 3rd F opportunities coming up. Greenhouse build 2/29.

T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX this morning for working hard.

Prayer: Minute of silence for Forceps and his family.

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

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.

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.

Ivan gets competitive

YHC pre-blasted Crazy Ivan as being something different – a little bit of competition for the pax.

FNGs:

None today – a shame
Warm Up:

Warm up

Warm up lap around the interior of the parking deck – YHC set up some cones on the other end to mark the lap course for the remaining circuits.

SSH x20 IC

Daisy picker x10 IC

Fazio Arm Circles x10 forward/backward

5x burpees OYO for Lipstick being a bit late

 

The Workout:

Pax grab their kettle bell and circle up for circuit 1:

1x Burpee
6x Turkish Getups
10x Squat Thrusters
20x One arm kettlebell swings
Run a lap

After round 1 the pax partnered up based on the speed of which they completed the round. #1 with #2, 3 with 4, etc with one group of 3.

Repeat round 1 with the faster pax from each pair adding 2x burpees each round.

After two rounds of that circuit we circled up for a round with “big bertha” – YHC’s 60lb kettle bell that doesn’t get enough love. We passsed the bell clockwise between pax with each pax doing one overhead press each. Then we passed it back counterclockwise to keep ourselves balanced (with another press.

We then moved on to circuit 2:

1x Turkish Getup
6x Midget Getups
10x Merkin Kettlebell slides
20x Bell Slaps
Run a lap

After round 2 the pax partnered up based on the speed of which they completed the round. #1 with #2, 3 with 4, etc with one group of 3.

Repeat round 2 with the faster pax from each pair adding 2x turkish getups each round.

Mary:

Midget cookie pouch x10
Single leg deadlifts x5 each leg slooooooooow
Homer to marge SW style x10 + x5 each leg – all with kettlebell
Homer to marge exicon style until YHC was tired
Announcements:

2nd F/3rd F – Travis Manion Foundation fundraiser at Bombshell tonight. $5 per pax that show up.

Greenhouse build at Holly Springs food cubbard tomorrow

U-Turn will be different – read pre-blast and expect the differences to continue for the full month

ATT long ass run 22Feb20

New AO Prison Yard – Crooked Creek Park at 0500 on Tuesdays.

June 4th 100 mile backpacking trip – 4 days. See Double D for details.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Lucky Charms for kicking my rear
Prayer:

Wallaby and all pax whose families are dealing with addiction – both those battling and those supporting them. Midget’s friend going into detox.

Rash of cancer scares in local community.

Full House’s client’s wife with brain tumor – successful surgery for lemon sized tumor! Full recovery expected.

UTI’s co-worker Carolyn went from full cancer to remission!

YHC’s wife’s back issues have resurfaced – psychologically tough to have issues that were solved reappear for no good reason.

What’s the Standard F3 Penalty for…

…a whole lot of mumblechatter? Haven’t heard this much since last weekend at Ground Pounder. A new undisputed mumblechatter champion AO? We’ll see. So let YHC know I f there’s an answer to this question. The standardized penalty I used today was 10 burpees OYO. Too soft?

FNG’s: None
Warm Up: Mosey to the former Ivan lot and circle up for ( all IC) SSH x 20, Seal Claps x 10, Overhead Claps x 10, Hillbillies x 10, IW x 10, and Frankenstein x 10.
The Workout: Stop 1 on the journey to get stronger. Each of the 11 pax took turns running the loop of the Ivan lot while remaining pax did an exercise AMRAP together. When runner returns, another pax leaves to run the loop.  Pax switches AMRAP exercises. Go until all pax run their loop. AMRAP exercises were: 3 rounds merkins, 3 rounds WWII’s, 2 rounds alternate lunges, 2 rounds sumo squat jumps, 1 round of LSF’s.

Next stop, the bandstand. Pax on the grass does a 20 count of exercise IC while pax on the bandstand does BTTW. Then pax switch spots.  4 rounds of this with IC exercises being: step ups, irkins, dips, and derkins. Pax up top switched between BTTW and People’s Chair.

3rd Stop, the picnic shelter. Half the pax did continuous SSH IC while other pax “bench crawled” the picnic tables around the square. Pax switch roles. Each man bench crawled and did 50 SSH. If you don’t know what bench crawls are, Skidmark was the first Q to intro me to these.

4th Stop, there’s always rocks to throw around. YHC rotated exercises and all done IC for a total of 45 reps per exercise. Curls for the Girls, tricep extensions, squats, rut rows, and rock spanks. Mumble chatter was extensive during rock spanks. Punishment? The aforementioned 10 burpees OYO. Pax were quick to blame each other for this penalty.
Mary: Tried to get back quickly for Mary but to no avail. Time up as we entered the TBD cage
Announcements: Greenhouse build this weekend. Drop an HC or a DM to @Dumbo. @ Mookie has a goal to Q southwake everything this month. Get out to support one of this HIM’s Q’s. He’s at Tiger Blood tomorrow with a fresh routine to deliver.
T-Claps (Recognition): All the pax who counted cadence while I had my balls to the wall or otherwise occupied in my own beatdown this morning.
Prayer: Our F3 brother Wallaby and family, Pikachu’s M, relief from back pain/injury, our military and nation. YHC took us out.  Thanks my F3 brothers for taking me inside and empowering me to lead and get stronger with you.

Don’t be Fooled by the Rocks…12 PAX ‘Get Right’ with Cardio Trains at Downtown Train

No Super Bowl hangovers this morning for 12 PAX looking to get after it this morning at Downtown Train. Had been to this AO only twice before and really like the surroundings. Nemo really knew what he was doing starting this AO as the face lift to Holly Springs downtown was taking shape. As I planted the flag, Deadbolt came rolling in to cash in his HC from the night before. Katniss followed shortly after. I purposely showed early to evaluate the parking garage. Many probably know having Q’d several times before that things look good on paper, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will translate on that morning, so its’ always good to do a walk through.

After placing my cone markers in the lot the way YHC wanted, I then proceeded toward the library to confirm the rock pit was still in business. Checked that off the list and then proceeded to the lot behind the library. Not knowing how many would show this morning, YHC needed to confirm a running lane that was wide enough for PAX not to run into one another for the suicides I had planned. 6 PAX wide max, maybe seven. Anything more than 7 and we’d have to partner up. Checked that off the list.

Mosey’d back to the lot, which at this point still only contained Deadbolt and Katniss’ trucks. Hadn’t gotten through my third good morning before seeing PAX starting to roll in. Pikachu first and then a series of 8 cars. One right after the other. Wait…is that Double D?

In fact it was and had later learned that it was his first post to this AO. Also nice to see Nemo roll in fresh off his trail race and a very productive morning in line at the new Sunset Dunkin Donuts in which he earned the rights to free coffee for the year.

5:30 hit and we were off…

Warm Up: Skinny brisk lap around the lot and circled up for the following: SSH X 31 (shout out to the Chief’s winning score), Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Good Mornings X10, Fazio X10 F\B, Seal Claps X20, Overhead Claps X20, Smurf Jacks X21, and then the a check of the time with some clockwork merkins, making sure we hit every hour. After we finished up the clock, YHC instructed PAX to count off in 2’s…

The Workout: With 2 lines formed, PAX proceeded with dual Indian runs to the parking garage where we merged into one long line. PAX performed a zigzag shuffle from cone to cone, 3/4th of they way down the long garage. Circled back around the lot to the beginning and proceeded with more shuffles in the other direction. After two rounds of this, YHC instructed PAX to get back in their two lines.

Once in 2 lines, PAX performed 2 sets of burpee indian crawls where PAX bear crawled in single file with the trailing PAX bear crawling at a faster rate to the front. When PAX reached a cone, they would yell “Burpee”. When this occurred all PAX performed 1 burpee, when they reached the second cone- 2 burpees and so forth all the way to the end all the way to six. Given my placement of the cones, this worked for the shuffles that preceded, but was confusing to PAX for the burpee trains. Note to self for next time. In any event, burpees where performed and PAX were putting in some great work.

After 2 rounds of the burpee train, instructed PAX on the circle back mosey to line up against the wall. Once the six was in, lined up for some balls to the wall, with 5 counts for each of the 12 PAX (approx..60 seconds- some slow counts\some fast counts). We then quickly went to People’s Chair for the same 5 counts among the 12 PAX. After these were complete, quickly transitioned to the opposite side of the garage where there were lower ledges….Perfect for some Erkins, Derkins, and Dips X 20.

Mosey’d out of the parking garage and quickly instructed PAX into their Indian Run lines. Mosey’d via Indian Run to the rock pile. Advised PAX to pick a rock they were comfortable performing exercises with. Nothing too crazy, but something that would challenge them without injury. John Cusack’d these gems to the parking lot behind the library. Partnered up, speed mattered.

Round 1- Partner 1-Curls w\rock…Partner 2-Tricep Extensions w\rock X20- then switch

After both exercises performed by each partner, they’d sprint to the middle of the lot to the flags and then back in suicide fashion.

Round 2- Partner 1-Goblet Squats w\rock…Partner 2-Squat Presses w\rock X15

After both exercises performed by each partner, they’d sprint to the middle of the lot to the flags and then back in suicide fashion.

Round 3- Partner 1- Rut Rows w\rock..Partner 2- Overhead Presses w\rock X20

After both exercises performed by each partner, they’d sprint to the middle of the lot to the flags and then back in suicide fashion.

Round 4- Partner 1 places rock on the back of Partner 2, who is holding plank position- Partner 1 runs to the far end of the lot and then they switch.

John Cusack’d the rocks back to the pile.

2 Lines formed again and we Indian Ran the long way back to the lot via the library traffic circle and around the lot using the same route as the skinny lap during the warm up.

Mary: After last night’s halftime show, there was no question that some J.Lo’s had to be on the menu. Did these in cadence X 20 (with lots of mumblechatter coming from DoubleD’s direction), Pickle Pounders X 20, Low Slow Flutter X20, American Hammers X15, Regular Plank for 10 count, Right Arm\Right Leg for 10 count, Left Arm\Left Leg for 10 Count, LBC X25. Have a Nice Day…

Announcements: Deadbolt has Purple Cobra tomorrow. YHC is hitting the reset button this month and planning to Q at every AO in the month of February (although after looking at the Q site sheet, slots are really filling up for this month… Nice work, Men!!!).

T-Claps (Recognition): Redenbacher coming in hot with a 6 Pack and a 9 Pack back to back. All PAX posting this morning after the Super Bowl.

Prayer: Prayers for Wallaby, those in the process of selling their homes, Pikachu’s M and current neck issues, Service Men and Women, including law enforcement and firefighters. YHC took us out.

What a way to start a morning, HIM. Always an honor to lead!