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Wait…What did Sprinkler just say?.. 8 PAX Get Some Laughs and Rock Work at GP

Q Tour Bus had YHC’s next stop at Ground Pounder. Home of the best mumblechatter in SouthWake. Saturday morning’s exchanges definitely did not disappoint. Loving this Q tour thing and getting to know PAX I typically do not see at the AO’s normally frequented. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to post and have a few 2nd F’s with Sprinkler. All I can say is this guy is hilarious if you ever have some time to be stationary with the guy and just talk. Most of my exchanges with him have been at U-Turn runs and a single run at AGS, but after a few coffee stops has me feeling that he needs to Q somewhere soon, and when he does, I’ll be one of the first to HC.

Rolled in early as has been the case at the other AO’s. YHC has been here before, but usually see something I haven’t noticed and always looking for ways to change things up. As I rolled in, I saw Redenbacher’s car parked along the fence side spaces, but no Redenbacher in site. Planted flag and began ‘chalking’ the parking lot with the exercise circuit we’d perform for this edition of Ground Pounder. As I was finishing up with the chalk, I see Redenbacher coming in in the distance. Solid EC+ Uturn and then back for a double down. He wasn’t looking right and later explained that he had a few splashes of merlot on the runs this morning, but was gonna stick it out and have some fun with rocks.

Cars started rolling in carrying Shredder, DOA, Schroeder, Fanny Pack, Sprinkler. We later got a visit from Midget, who had texted YHC that he’d be coming in hot from this morning’s Whiplash in Raleigh. A solid 8 this morning.

Friggin Cold was the forecast this morning not exactly pleasant for rock work, but we decided to get warmed up quickly. First time this week I broke a promise to PAX regarding the workout. I promised no running, but had to get a light mosey in to get the blood circulating. It was a skinny lap so no harm no foul.

Warm Up: Circled up for SSH’s X20, Good Morning’s X10, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Bat Wings 20 Fazio F\B, Overhead, Seals. Morocan Nightclubs. Mumblechatter started to brew as we moved over to the rock pile to pick out a few gems.

The Workout: Instructed PAX to find a nice rock, one they’d be comfortable with doing a series of full body exercises with. There would be 7 stations this morning, with some Cusacks and Bear Crawls in between.

Station 1: All with Rock

Squats X20 on YHC’s Up and Down

Squat Presses X20 on YHC’s Up and Down

One of the lessons YHC has to learn is to not be so serious when he Q’s. I have a tendency to get too focused on the cadence and exercise count that I miss all of the quality mumblechatter that goes on. As I got half way through the squat press count, Midget started some exchange about how Sprinkler is going to put out “Fanny’s” fire on this posting challenge. From there, it escalated to something about some famous actor guy, Ron J. Eremy something, and then later punctuated by the Merriam-Webster-Shredder definition of the word “Indefinitely.”

Finished up this station with Upright rows X20

Cusack’d to Station 2

Station 2: All with Rock

-Ground Pounders X15

-Simba’s X5 left to right\right to left

-Wonder Bras X20 in cadence

Cusack’d to Station 3 (Playground)

Station 3:  (Playground) All with Rock

-Uneven Merkins on Rock X10

Derkins X10  in Cadence with slaps on each side of the rock (kind of like extra shoulder taps) before moving back in starting position

Dips with Rock X15

Cusack to Station 4

Station 4: All with Rock

-Overhead Presses X20

-2 Handed Front Raises X15 (modify exercise is more upright rows if rock too heavy)

-Tricep Extensions X20

Station 5: All with Rock

“Nemos”

-Start at top curl half way X25

-Start at bottom curl half way X25

-Start at bottom all way to top X25 (all exercises in cadence)

YHC advised PAX to switch out rocks with a smaller version. One that would be challenging for “Bus Drivers”

Station 6: (Back side of the bathrooms along the wall)

-Peoples Chair with Bus Drivers X15 in cadence

-Balls to the wall X20 in cadence

-Peoples Chair with Bus Drivers X15 in cadence

YHC advised PAX to partner up and pick a rock they’d both be comfortable with in plank position.

Station 7:

Partner 1- Planked with Rock; Partner 2- Bear Crawl 20 yard to the next speed bump; mosey back

Rinse\Repeat

Back to the rock pile for 2 burn out sets  of curls and tricep extensions X30 and X29 in cadence respectively (short changed PAX on that last rep. Lost count).

Mary: Series of Pigeon Stretches, Downward Dog transition to upright position. Good Mornings X10, Right leg over Left; Left Leg over Right. Planks, Low Slow Flutter X20, LBC X20, Pickle Pounders X20 all in cadence. Have a nice day!

Announcements: Check slack for 3rd F opportunities

T-Claps (Recognition): All those posting to U-Turn and Whiplash with a Double Down today. Additionally, the 8 PAX today posting in 28 degree cold and putting up with YHC’s rock workout.

Prayer: Moment of silence for Forcep’s son. Additionally prayers for Forceps and his family. Sprinkler 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

Prison Yard Debut 2/13

Pax of 8 got stronger for the official debut of The Prison Yard

Dauber, Double D, Sprinkler, Ball Drop, Banana Seat, New Mexico, and FedEx with Breach on the Q

Warm Up: Jog around the parking lot then circle up for 22 rep count of SSH, Frakeinsteins, Imperial Walkers/Hillbillies and Good Mornings.

The Workout:

6 Sets of 3 Exercises with 15 seconds of rest between each set

Set 1 ( 15 Squats, 15 Merkins, 15 Mountain Climbers )

Set 2 (12 Shoulder Taps, 12 Plank Jacks, 12 Up and overs)

Set3 (12 Thrusters, 12 Lunge jumps, 12 Biceps Curls with the pain sticks)

Set 4 (15 V-ins, 15 LBC’s, 15 WWII’s)

Set 5 (10 Irkins, 10 Dirkins, 10 Dips)

Set 6 (Start with 6 burpees and increase 1 burpee each set)

Announcements: Double D mentioned the Appellation trail opportunity Check slack for details)

Prayer: Go out and be kind to people, prayers for Fram as his wife as they get ready to welcome thier new daughter to the world.

There’s always one

FNGs:none
Warm Up:SSH,windmills, good mornings, fazio arm circles, imperial walkers, frankensteins all in cadence. 5 late arrival burpees.
The Workout: broke off in two groups as Banana seat lead the red October AO.
mutiny began by using the bleachers to do 15 dips with 20sec IC pulse. 15 wrk is with 20 sec low position hold.  15 seeking.  Mosey to end of track where we ran up the hill backwards, ran back down and did ascending monkey squats to 7.  Mosey to concession stand.  Paired up and P1 did 10 London bridge  while P2 did squats. X 2. Moved to curb and P1 did 15 Mike Tyson’s while P2 did reverse lunges. Repeat dropping reps to 7. Mosey to tennis courts did 4 corners shuffling from corner to corner. At 1st corner 10 calf raises, 2nd corner 10 calf raises 20 SSH. 3rd corner the previous 2 and 30 prisoner squats, 4th corner previous 3 and 20 shoulder taps in cadance.  During this exercise mumble chatter was heard that “there is always one”.  I assumed that was directed me.  Glad to be that someone.
Mary: started Mary going around circle and each pax picking an exercise and 10 count.  Wondering where Red October was we went on search party and found them on other side of concession stand.  Joined up and with 1 minute left did AMRAP burpees.
Announcements: 5:00 AO Prison Yard at the new hilltop need more park At clubhouse. There will be toys. Address will be in post.
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Frams wife and baby, sprinklers mom and family

Who’s here anyways?

Apologies for the late backblast. Better late than never? Let’s go…

FNGs: none
Warm Up: SSH x25, imperial walkers x10, hillbillies x10, Daisy pickers x10, fozio arm circles x10 forward x10 reverse, seal claps x10
The Workout: Mosied over to the parking lot with a rock pile. Pax were instructed to get a mediumish rock for many reps. One exercise at each corner, with lunges in between (added in some karaokes and Bernies to mix things up). Started with 10 reps at each four corners, then increased by five each round, up to 25 reps at the last round. Exercises were curls for the girls, triceps, bus drivers and ground pounders.

Moved over to the picnic area. Half of the pax held balls to the wall while the other half did urkins/durkins/dips/abyss merkins, 10 count, switching in between each exercise. Back to tennis courts for Mary.

Mary: Popcorn Mary, 15 counts. I’ve forgotten a few (let this be a lesson to post same-day). But there were some SSH, WWIIs, sweat angels, merkins and pickle pounders.
Announcements: Check slack for upcoming 3rd opportunities.
T-Claps (Recognition): All this HIM getting out there in the cold gloom this week.
Prayer: Wallaby for strength, soldiers and first responders.

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

Lots of 24 Reps Honoring Kobe in the Pouring Rain

FNGs:  None

Pre-blast:  YHC wanted to honor a legend of the NBA, gone too soon, after seeing a bunch of tributes in CA last week while on a business trip.  I saw the forecast for 90% rain with temps in the low 60’s.  I knew there was a shelter at South Park but my F3 planning I did earlier looking up some new exercises were to be – better experienced in the elements.  The Black Mamba would have wanted it that way too.  I asked the PAX to come prepared for rain.

Warm Up:  Rolled up into the parking lot and recognized the Chocolate Fix bumper sticker on Modify’s car.  I had hoped he would be there since this AO was his baby.  Three more vehicles arrived filled with waves, fist bumps and smiles from Noah’s Ark, Sprinkler and Norm (who made it just in time as the clock struck 530 am).  A couple of PAX reminded me of the shelter option.  I politely declined and had the PAX jog to the basketball courts peppering them with Kobe stats for the next 20-30 mins.  At half court, we did the following exercises in 24 cadence counts:  SSH, seal clap/overhead clap combo, monkey jumpers, Don Quixote, Sir Fazio Arm circles.  Recovered with 24 merkins in puddles.

Lakers at Wizards 12/2/15

The Workout:  Found a new Indian run called the Mamba (it was just meant to be I guess) where PAX run in between brothers back to front.  I had calculated a nice 1.5 mile (total) run on the sidewalk of  S Judd Parkway SW.  The weaves were a bit dicey going on and off the sidewalk on to the wet/muddy turf so I called an audible having the PAX run and pass on the Right for safety halfway through the run.  Along the way, PAX executed 3 sets of 8 burpees OYO commemorating Kobe’s two uniform numbers.   I do not think the PAX were impressed with his stats but the idle mumble chatter led to some laughs and threats of throat punches.  We were jelling as a team!  Yay!   We found ourselves back at the basketball court and began 4 corners.  Four corners consisted of:  10 plank jacks ic, 20 monkey jumpers ic, and 30 squats.  The last 40 in the final corner was BTTW with each PAX counting ic to 8 for a total of 40 count BTTW – that sucked btw.  (I initially wanted single count; glad we did a 4 count). The PAX lunged, performed Frankensteins, bear crawled and karaoke’d around the 4 corners.  Mosey to shelter (FINALLY) for Mary.

Mary:  Lots of stretching, LBCs, WWIIs (24s) while YHC got emotional asking the PAX to think about the last few minutes Kobe had with his daughter while the helicopter they were riding on declared an emergency and crashed into the ground killing them both.  (UPDATE:  A day after this BB was written, a news report suggested the pilot did not declare an emergency and switched from VFR to IFR making an ascent through the clouds at 180 mph.  He was at 1400’ trying to maneuver over a mountain top at 2400’. Kobe may not have had any time to reflect.  I am sure there was anxiety in the cockpit, possibly fear.  Regardless, it was an awful event.)  I was saddened and shared my fear of losing a child before me one day.  I asked the PAX to take a minute while lying on the cool, DRY ground, and think about all of their blessings and what was important to them – their family.

Announcements:  Come out Friday to Bombshell for a great cause with Breach and listen to our very own Crosby.  Eagle Scout project on Saturday building a green house (10-2?). See Slack for details.

T-Claps (Recognition):  The All-Star PAX who came out today in the pouring rain!

Shooting guard: Noah’s Ark
Point Guard: Modify
Small Forward: Dauber
Power Forward: Norm
Center: Sprinkler

Prayer
:  PAX friend who lost a baby; Those couples who participated at Hope working on “relationships “ helping others and their own.  PAX injured.  Unspoken.  YHC took us out.

Honor leading you men in the gloom.  -Dauber

It’s the return…

Dauber asked on Sunday if I could fill in for him at Red October on Monday because he was under the weather.  Not having Q’d a kettle bell workout before I promptly went and scoured Crazy Ivan back blasts in order to come up with a workout.  20 minutes later I had a winkie created and was ready to roll for the morning.  Pre-blast went out and then I noticed that Mutiny was doing ultimate frisbee in the morning, which we usually converge one.  Confirmation from Dauber meant my time creating the workout was for not.  Or was it?  I was already signed up to Q Possum Trot so maybe I could make it work on Wednesday morning, using rocks instead of kettle bells.

Arriving at the park, still unsure what I was going to do, I made up my mind to scrap the original plan and come up with something else.  I’ve tried using a rock in place of a bell before and it just isn’t the same.  Trying to do kettle bell swings while not throwing the rock in someone else’s face is a work out all in itself.  Alas, at least I have a workout pre-built for when I eventually Q Red October (no, Dauber, this is not me signing up for anything).

FNGs: Not today
Warm Up:

Quick lap around the tennis courts.  As we made our way towards the entrance a car was pulling in.  Audible groans and complaints of burpess arose from the HIM in attendance but ulitmately it was someone who was lost or had other business to attend to in their car because they turned around and left a minute or two later.

Circled up for the following:

SSH x20 IC

Windmills x10 IC

Sprinklers x10 IC

Sir Fazio Arm Circles x20 IC (10 forward, 10 reverse)

The Workout:

We made our way to the rock pile and then moseyed to the big hill.  YHC remembered his VQ where we did 11s with rocks and figured that could work here.  We started with 10 Turkish get-ups with the rocks at the bottom, then carry your rock up the hill, put it in your lap and do 1 tricep dip.  Run back down and you know the rest.  PAX were silent, which usually means they’re working hard, which is good.

Afterwards we divided in two two groups.  The first group did 20 Curls for the Girls IC while the other group did American Hammers with their rocks.  When the first group finished we traded places.  After one set we returned our rocks and made our way to the wall inside the tennis courts.

YHC had PAX group up near one end of the wall.  The task was simple, PAX would hold BTTW at about a 45 degree angle while one PAX bear crawled underneath.  When he reached the end he got up in BTTW and the next dude went. We got through two cycles of this before running out of wall.  I had the idea to do wall sits on the way back but everyone was pretty convinced that there was no way we were fitting under each other, which was probably a good call.  I audibled to broad jumps over planking PAX back down the wall.  This seemed to work for everyone but Sprinkler who took exception to the apparent downward dog that Modify was doing.  Kicks to the ribs were expected in retaliation to the calling out but Modify is a good dude and inflicted no bodily harm.

Mary:

We circled up for the following:

WWII x15 IC

Homer to Marge x15 IC

Pickle Pounders x15 IC

Sleeping Hillbillies x10 IC (each side)

Announcements:

Breach’s Travis Manion fundraiser at Bombshell on Friday night.  6p – 9p I believe.  Check with him to be sure

Prayer:

Fram’s wife and baby.  Induction is scheduled for next week but the baby could always come sooner.  They’re both very anxious to meet her.

FedEx’s podiatrist appointment as well as him getting outside of his comfort zone and volunteering to be a prom date to special needs kids

 

010000

Prison Yard Workout 2/4

8 men and one late comer got up early for a Prison Yard style workout at the Crooked Creek pool. The weather was outstanding and the tools of the trade were on display.

Fonzie, Sprinkler, Double D, Farva, FedEx, Fram, Banana Seat, and Oyster(he got lost)  with Breach on the Q.

Warm Up: Run around the parking lot and circle up for 22 counts of SSH, Frankensteins, Good Mornings and Imperial Walkers and Hillbillies.

The Workout:  Round robin of stations 2 rounds each set is 90 seconds followed by 25 seconds to change stations.

Stations are as follows.

Tires

Leg Press

Chest Press

Ropes

Squat double waves

Split Jack Waves

Plates

Russian Twist Press

Plate Figure 8’s

Jump Rope

Jog jumps

1 leg alternate jumps

Pain Sticks

Squat thrust with a merkin

Overhead press

Sandbag

Twist and Pull

Squat and clean

Barbell

Side to Side twists

Squat and push

Med Ball

Lunge and Twist

Up and Over Merkin

Announcements: Travis Manon Event on Friday at Bombshell Brewing from 6p-9p. For every pax member that shows up, Breach will donate $5 to the cause.

Prayer: Be respectful of those around you and remember that the person you encounter may be having the worst day of their life and are acting emotionally. If we slow down and take a second to understand we may be able to make a positive influence in their life.

Be with those that are sick and let them get better fast to get back out in the gloom.

Super Sunday, High-Intensity, Centennial Reps

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, YHC decided to switch it up a little this week by providing a high-intensity workout instead of a standard loop. Truth be told, there was no mention of a certain Patriotic Team, no Twelve counts, nothing about dynasty’s. This Q was dedicated to the history of the NFL, the two teams playing, and the 2 young QB’s that are set to face off against one another later today.

A few surprises this morning as I got early commits from Emeril and M4L the day prior. Surprised as I’m not sure of the last time I have seen Emeril post on Sunday, and also to my surprise, M4L was there and 3 minutes ahead of a 6am start time.

Sprinkler was already parked as I entered the lot and as I planted the flag, Bobby Dall comes rolling in, with Redenbacher making it an even 6 PAX for this morning.

A few fist bumps, a quick check of the watch, and we were off to the back lot right at 6 o’clock kick-off.

Warm Up: Took PAX to the back of the lot where we circled up for a set of Imperial Walkers X10 and Hillbillies X10. Mosey’d to the back corner of the lot where we performed 10 SSH (in honor of Mahomes’) and 15 Merkins (in honor of Jimmy G). Proceed to each corner of the lot performing these sets until we had all 4 corners (quarters) covered. Informed PAX that we just did 100 reps at the corners and asked if they knew why. Sprinkler and Bobby Dall, not sure which got to the answer first, but correctly shared that it was to commemorate the 100 years of the NFL. I then asked about the 4 corners to which Redenbacher quipped that there are 4 Iowa Hawkeyes playing in today’s game. This was a great call out and rolled with that.

The Workout: Once we got that warm up out of the way, YHC had 4 miles planned (one for each quarter of play), and would get progressively harder as we stopped for exercises in each of the lots Womble had to offer, and one off-property gate located about a mile away. Had PAX form a single file line for a ‘Chieftain’ run. PAX followed up Stinson all the way to the originating lot and beyond to the lot abutting the baseball fields. At this lot, PAX would perform 10 Star Jumps and 15 Prison Squats (on YHC’s Down and Up) at each of the 4 corners.

YHC then called for a ‘Scouting’ Report run where the PAX at the front would run their 5K pace as far as they wanted to go and circle to the back of the line of the PAX that were moving behind in single file. Decided to take the long way around the baseball fields and head left on Grigsby to the gates of Sugg Farm. Great push from all PAX during this run. As we arrived at the gate, instructed PAX to perform 2 sets of 25 Derkins (symbolizing 50 years since the Chiefs won a Super Bowl) and 1 set of 25 LBC (symbolizing the last time the 49’ers won a Super Bowl).

Instructed PAX to engage in a fellowship run back to Womble to the lot adjacent to the volleyball courts. YHC had placed 4 orange cones, making a makeshift field with a 50 yard length. At the end zones of each side, YHC called for sets of Jack Webbs-Merkins\Air Presses in a 2:6 Ratio to signify the number of times each Team has played in the Super Bowl. Performed 5 rounds (2:6, 4:12, 6:18, 8:24, 10:30) with sprints in between each set. Not to short change PAX, YHC called for the air presses to be performed in cadence.

PAX picked up the cones, and we proceeded back to Womble the long way via Grigsby and then onto Stinson via a ‘Chieftain’ run. As we made our final approach back to the flag, YHC short changed the PAX a little on the mileage, so we did a few loops around the lot, while Emeril made absolutely sure 4 miles (quarters) were played.

Mary: Plank o’ Rama- Mount Climbers, Chill Cuts, Pickle Pounders, etc..

Announcements: Enjoy the game, sign up on the Q sheet
T-Claps (Recognition): Sprinkler for the push this morning. Emeril and M4L for their return to AGS and Redenbacher for putting in an 8 pack this week. Bobby Dall for avoiding the fartsack and pushing PAX throughout the workout.

Prayer: Continued Prayers for Wallaby. Shared with PAX that YHC had an opportunity to meet and hear outdoor activist Aron Ralston at a recent sales meeting this week, where he shared his incredible story that was chronicled in the movie, 127 Hours. This gentleman encountered a horrific circumstance where he was trapped and pinned by a boulder while hiking in Utah, only to cut his arm to free himself 5 days after being trapped. The main message he shared was that life will send you boulders, but its how you react to these boulders that make who you are and what you are willing to fight for. Though it was a horrific circumstance, he shared that it taught him gratitude and what is most important in life. With that I challenged PAX to take time this week and write a letter to a loved one that has helped shape you whether it be as a child or as an adult. Take this time to thank someone this week. It’s a small gesture, but quite honestly I don’t think we do this as much as we should in life. Emeril took us out.

Always an honor to lead, HIM! Great work!