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731 Days Later

Two years goes fast.  I still remember my first post and how I thought I was going to die most of the time.  How did those guys move so much?  How were they not as exhausted as I was?  Who is this Banana Seat guy and how has he not been arrested for torture? Kenny’s Grave was the only AO I went to for some time.  Thursday was my F3 day and that’s what I did.  And, honestly, having Banana Seat Q most of my first work outs was probably a blessing because, well, you know how he is.  He made me do things I didn’t think I could do and made me keep wanting to come back to see what more I can do.  So, for that Banana Seat, I thank you.

Two years later and I’m still enjoying every minute of these workouts, pushing myself and others to achieve things previously unachievable.  The things I’ve accomplished along the way were things that I would have told you I’d have never done before.  As we’ve all heard in the past, they workouts don’t get any easy, you get stronger.  And I’ve gotten a lot stronger and not just physically.

On to the workout, the preblast indicated that the numbers 24 and 16 would be prominent.  I was hoping the reasons would be fairly obvious.  I also remembered something that New Mexico said on Friday at Deadbolt’s 6 year Q, “Anniversary Q’s don’t have to suck, you know?”.  With that in mind I set out to make us all sweat but not to make us all regret it.  I also wanted to work in some of the things we did in my first workout so I borrowed a bit from that old backblast.

FNGs:

Not today

Warm Up:

We ran a lap around the track, mixing in butt kickers, high knees, and carocia.  We finally circled up near the tennis courts for:

Squatted overhead claps x24 IC

Windmill x16 IC

SSH x24 IC

Daisy Picker x16 IC

Burpees x5 OYO

The Workout:

The Red October guys went about their business why the rest of us moseyed down the parking lot some.  We partnered up to do some partner plank hops.  P1 did shoulder taps while P2 did side hops over their legs 24 times, and then switched.  Each partner did two rounds.

We moseyed a bit further to do some chilly broad jumps to traverse the rest of the parking lot down to the circle.  PAX got in chill cut plank position and spaced out a bit while the first guy got up and jumped over everyone.  When he was done he got down in to plank and the next guy went.  We got through 3 rotations before reaching the end.  From there we went and fished a rock out of the water and circled up for some quick rock work:

Curls for the girls x12

Tricep extensions x8

Ground Pounder x12

Rut Rows x8

Rinse and repeat (had to get 24 and 16 reps).  5 more burpees and then we carried our rocks up to the back parking lot and lined up.  We started with 24 dips on our rocks and then bear crawl pushed them to the other side of the parking lot where there was an island.  On that side we did 16 dirkins with our feet up on the curb.  To work our way back across the parking lot we put our rocks in our bellies and crab walked.  Back at the start we did 24 midget cookie pouches with our rocks.  With our rocks in hand we duck walked to the other side where we did 16 goblet squats.  We held our rocks and lunge walked back across and finished up with 5 more burpees.

We returned our rocks back to the drain and made our way over to the soccer field and lined up along the sideline.  Instructions were given that we would sprint across the field, do an exercise, sprint back, do an exercise, etc. The exercises were Bobby Hurley x24, irkins on the bleachers x16, tuck jumps x24, and lastly 5 more burpees.

We did a slow Indian run up to the bathroom building for a 24 count people’s chair before heading to the tennis courts for…

Mary:

Our esteemed Red October colleges joined us in the circle for:

American Hammer x24

LSF x16

LBC x24

and to round it off, 4 burpees for 24 total during the workout

Announcements:

The Bass Lake mulch project continues.  Great work is being done by UTI and the team so please help volunteer and help solidify F3 in the community.  We probably wake a lot of people up so giving ourselves good press can only be good.

T-Claps (Recognition):

To all the guys that did the ruck yesterday morning, helping bring food and supplies to Mama’s House.  It’s a great place and I love that we’re doing things to help them.  I was proud to see LED and Fram and F3 in a post from Mama’s House last week thanking them for their charity

Prayer:

For everyone dealing with all the things.  So much stuff is going on right now and we’re all dealing with something.  Maybe that’s the biggest take away that there is, we’re all dealing with something so have grace and patience for your fellow man.

I also reminded God that I think he left the oven on.

 

As always, it was an honor to lead.  When I started doing this there was no way I ever thought I’d be able to lead a workout, for many reasons.  I’m glad that I do and I’m glad that I can and I encourage anyone that hasn’t to get out there and do it.  You will surprise and impress yourself, I guarantee it.

 

010000

This Ruck was the best morning ever to adjust Gross weight!!!

YHC talked to Breach about a food Ruck for Momas House of Thrift. Put it out on slack earlier in the week so you HIM could prepare. It was not disappointing this morning with 13 PAX for the Ruck and 3 for some miles. Arrived this morning to find at least 8 already packing the food into their back packs. M4life had a little extra pack for each one to hand off and carry along the route. 

FNG: None 

Warm UpThe RUCK 

The WorkoutAt 6:00 am we were off. Started the Ruck off with lots of mumblechatter. It was noted right off, that someone was already complaining about the weight of their pack. No name calling! After we hit the blue trail towards Breaches house he mentions, hey lets stop by my house. I said whats up? Nothing, I have a case of toilet paper we can pass around OTW. I was the first one to tote the box of paper. It was passed around for the first mile….until it was Breaches turn. He did carry it for a few feet before stopping and we regrouped. (Box of toilet paper no fun to carry.) We removed all the toilet paper and stuffed it into grocery bags and packs. This would have been the best morning ever, to adjust gross weight. Lots and Lots of TPBack on the route to Momas House. Still heard complaining about the weight a certain HIM pack. No Names! A little over 4 miles we arrived to drop off the food. We estimated it was over 400lbs of food. Way to step up and help out when in need!! We soon found ourselves getting refreshments and coffee at Dunkin. The Ruck back was a much faster pace! The total Ruck was around 8.5 miles.  Breach and I decided we did not need to lead. We walk to fast!

MaryNone 

AnnouncementsBass Lake mulch starts back Saturday M4life reminded to donate to the 4 families dealing with COVID and can not work.  

This is one of the best ways to get to know everyone. One minute you are walking and talking and the next you are near the middle or rear fellow shipping with another. Come out and join us next week. 

After much discussion when we returned we will make the food Ruck a monthly trek. More details to follow. 

T-Claps (Recognition) Pikachu, Cupid and Skidmark for getting some miles this morning. All the HIM’s for getting up and supporting this worthy cause to assist those in need. 2.0 Slaps LED’s son for joining us OTW back.  

PrayerContinued prayer for LED’s friend. Victims of COVID. Our Country. Others had unspoken. Those who carried to much weight this morning! 

It was an honor to leadSprinkler 

Prision Yard 7/14

5 Pax members got a little stronger at the Prison Yard

Sprinkler, Fram Double D, b-bit and Warden Breach on the Q

Warm Up: a quick mosey around the parking with 22 rep counts of SSH, Imperial Walkers/Hillbillies, and Frankensteins

The Workout: 5 Stations, 2 minutes of work followed by 15 seconds of rest to rotate stations.

Station 1: Farmers carry w/ shoulder shrugs of 2 5 gal water bottles

Station 2: Traveling merkins on the ladder

Station 3: hurdles, jump  over and back

Station 4: Kettlebell swings and Fire hose squats

Station 5: Tire Flips

Mary: Ab burnout with slow and controlled Freddie Meercuries and Leg lifts, 22 counts in cadence.

Prayer: Closed in prayer

Stack’ems and Slides…upside down

9 PAX and a glowing dog showed for Mutiny. The 4 A.M. storm left the weather feeling nice for about 10 mins. No Red October today so all the PAX got BS. Thoughts of going back home were expressed but the pax held strong. Missing a lot of the regulars today. Here is what we did.

Warm Up:
Lap around track
Air squared x20 IC
Mtn Climbers x20 IC
Good mornings x10 IC
Willy Mays Hayes x10 IC
Then out to main road

The Workout:
Indian run down to gas station
Stack’ems up the hill
1 – 5 burpees
2 – 10 squat jumps
3 – 15 merkins
4 – 20 alternating lunges
5 – 25 plank jacks
Run to top, do #1. Run back down, do #1.
Run to top, do #2. Run back down, do 1 and 2.
Etc…
Indian run back

Tennis court
BTTW shuffle with shoulder taps
– shuffle to right, 5 taps each side, shuffle left, 5 taps
– Fence sit hallelujahs x10
– Rinse and repeat

Mary:
Freddy Mercury arms crossed x15 IC
Side raises x10 each
American Hammer x15 IC
Pretzel x10 IC each
Superman x10 on Q up/down

Announcements:
FV Ruck event coming this Fall
SW swap week in the works

T-Claps (Recognition):
Fram with EC

Prayer: Clays family
Gamecocks niece out of nicu
Norms unit has covid guy on life support

Strong work today men! Appreciate the lead.

BS Out

Okay, so we’re doin’ this…

Told Sprinkler I would take care of the pre-blast, rolled up to 3 pax in the parking lot when I got there and 4 more showed up and we rolled of a little slow to let breach catch up with us.

FNGs: none
Warm Up: none
The Workout: Ruck the Red, Blue, and Yellow Trails at the AO
Mary: Not today
Announcements: New AO Opening Tomorrow Banks Road Elementary, Mulch Continues
T-Claps (Recognition): Those who Received breathtaker shirts.
Prayer: Our Country, First responders, and frontline workers.

NMS: If you have not been out for this AO on Sunday, I recommend it, we had a lot 2nd F/mumble chatter during the workout. You don’t need a rucksack just something with weight in it, or if you are injured, feel free to walk with us without any extra weight.

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.

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 

Lucky 7’s on 7/7 at Prison Yard

FNGs: None
Warm Up: Mosey around Clubhouse, through the tunnel and up a hill  for SSH, Imperial walkers,Hillbillies with a mosey back to clubhouse.
The Workout: 7 station, 7 rep circuit. Descending by one rep each cycle.  OH Sledge swings/Alternate one arm, 50lbs lawnmower pulls, bag toss, fire hose front raise then press, Pain stick toe touches, 25lbs DB bench press, 2-5 gallon water jug farmers walk.  (We made 5 rounds in 30min.)
Mary: (In cadence) Oblique Crunches, Butterfly Leg Raises (Looking for a Exicon name), 45 degree and 6in right and left hold, U shape hold.
Announcements:  Banks rd AO on Mondays, Need-More Ruck AO on Sunday, Mulch sign-ups.
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Teen-age suicide and depression in society. Work on recognizing your Jester as each of us are imperfect.

Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Suicides – Patrick Henry (probably)

That’s the real quote. No need to look it up. In honor of Independence Day, we stepped into our role as minutemen and walked in line formation against the British.

FNGs: None

Warm Up: Mosey Lap, Good Mornings, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, Daisy Pickers, Sir Fazio Arm Circles, Michael Phelps

The Workout: Suicides with the cutbacks set every 3 parking spaces. 5 cones total. In between runs, we would “walk” straight through the parking lot stopping at each cone to perform an exercise. Then “walk” back to the start with another set of exercises.

*Suicides*, Dulkwalk to 10 squats (50 totoal), Bearcrawl to 5 merkins, *Suicides*, Lunge walk to 10 lunge pulse, Crab walk to 5 Carolina dry docks, *Suicides*, Frankenstein to 5 burpees, Mosey to 10 shoulder taps, *Suicides*, Toe Lunge to 10 calf raises, Inchworm to 5 turkish get-ups.

That’s enough of that. We moved to the Red, White, and Blue exercises.

Recovery Mosey, Wall Sit w/ seal and overhead claps, Balls to the Wall. Redbull Smurfjacks, Werkin, Bobby Hurley.

Mary: LBCs, Freddie Mercury, American Hammers, Low Slow Flutter, Boat Hold, Plank Hold, Have a Nice Day

Announcements:Mulch sign up, Norm Picking up KG co-Q, July 4th 1776 workout

T-Claps (Recognition): All who came out

Prayer: Modify as he steps back, Buttermilk’s recovery

Tire-go-Round @ Prison Yard

FNGs: None
Warm Up: Mosey to 4 corners of building and explain exercises. 10 SSH, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10, Hillbillies.
The Workout: At each station PAX had to do abs of choice, arms, legs using a 15 count in cadence. Station 1 > weights and kettle bell  (curls/tries/press & goblet squats) Station 2 > 12 lbs sledge swings on big tire & fast feet on small tire.  Station 3 > Front Raises with fire hose. Squat with med ball press and release.  Station 4 > Sand bag toss (hit ground and leave body) Pain stick (anything upper body) After 3 exercises rotate to next station.  1 person would drag the tire from station to station and pass to a new person.  Every lap around the circuit took 5 burpees off the 50 burpees in the bank.  Circuit timer was set at 30 min.  Team did 10 burpees OYO at the end…the tire only made 8 laps around the circuit.
Mary: Hamstring and Hip/Glute stretch
Announcements: Sign up for Mulch at Bass lake, Prison Break (in beta) after Prison Yard.
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Kid battling cancer (Roger-Roger).  (New Mexico) friend is seeing some recovery progress from Leukemia. (FRAM) wife going in for health screening from feeling bad. (Double D) Pray for all the tension and first responders during this time. All spoken and unspoken prayers. New Mexico took us out.