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History Lessons in the QUAY!!

This mornings workout was a little different. I had pre-blasted we would be taking a tour of the History of the FD and learning about my story.

FNG: Nope

Workout: Moseyed to Milkove Shopping Center for a warmup. Merkins, side-straddle-hops and we learned it used to be a Piggly Wiggly and it burned down in 1987. Moseyed to First National Bank where stopped for the Pledge of Allegiance. “The Flag does not stand for skin color, race or religion. It stands for Freedom!!” We moseyed to Hardees Parking Lot and did some exercises. The PAX learned that the Hardees was the first fast food chain restaurant in Fuquay-Varina. Moseyed to the corner of Main & Academy Street. Here we showed off our gluts by doing Monkey Humpers and learned that in 1941 My grandpa opened up a Antique Furniture store called Hoke Powell Interiors. Later on, he sold appliances and TV’s. Off to TR Ashworth’s where the PAX learned that downtown Fuquay had burned 3 times, 1916 being the 1st time and the 2nd was at Proctor-Barbour Tractor Repair shop in 1946. In 1977 the entire block burned causing $500,000.00 in damage. Off to S. Fuquay Avenue where we stopped at DMV. This was the first Fire Department as well as Cultivate coffee shop across the street from DMV. It started out with 1 fire truck house under a tin awning for cover and then grew to a 2 truck fleet. The Fuquay Springs Fire Department official formed in 1925.

We then moseyed t 301 S. Fuquay Avenue where it is now Station #1 (Headquarters). The PAX performed many different exercises here and we even entered the apparatus bay to see our 1945 Mack fully restored this past January. They learned we run 2 Engines, 1 Ladder and a Rescue Company, Brush Truck for EMS calls out of this house. We have 2 other stations and Building Station 4 as we speak.

We left Station #1 and passed the F3 boys that meet for bible study. Stopped at Ashworth’s clothing to learn if you have expensive taste this is where you need to shop. (I can’t afford a tie in their) We headed back to the parking lot at the trot and ended the tour. The PAX found out how I became a fireman, and we were finished.

Mary: No Time

T-Claps: FRAM he is a BEAST wearing a pack with over 30 lbs all week at every workout!!

Announcements: Picnic Saturday

Prayers: Buford and his procedure, the force who was visiting from Metro co-worker who passed away.

I shared from Sunday “Who’s Beautification Process are you working for?

The World or the Kingdom of God!

You got to know where you are supposed to be!!

F3 has been amazing for me! Thanks for hearing my story. Honor to Lead!!!

Drowned Rats at the Yard

15 Pax took to the pool for a run, swim, run at the prison yard.

Woody, Sunshine, Warbucks, Bondo , Fonzie  Banana Seat  POTS  Fumunga  LED  Sprinkler  Deadbolt  Shredder  Laettner  FRAM and  Breach on the Q

Warm-Up: Running to the pool from the parking lot,

The Workout: Partner up for laps, partner one was swimming laps while partner 2 was hitting the merkins for 2 rounds, then v-ins for 2 rounds and then burpees for 2 rounds followed by some squats while everyone finished up. Had a few mins to dry and off and then hit the pavement back to the yard. All the rats made it without drowning and all were accounted for.

Mary: Circle up for some LBC’s, box cutters, and Homer to Marge to finish off the workout.

Announcements: Picnic this Sat at Harris Lake(Check Slack for details)
T-Claps (Recognition): From Warbuck-very appreciative of all the donations to the NCCC unit they were very thankful for all the stuff that was donated.

We also learned a little more about POTS in COT.

Prayer: Fram-Prayers for his daughter-teenager not getting along with mom very well, Fumunga- His brother-in-law is getting a divorce and needs prayers to get through and for the kids.

I decided that this morning would be a coupon day. Thought for sure it was going to be raining this am.

Arrived at Mutiny this am to find about 4 cars in the PVA. I headed down to the circle behind Club Works to unload some coupons. Once unloaded I met all the PAX at normal starting spot.

FNG: Welcome Rob Del Riego F3 abacus

Warm Up: We joined forces with Red October for a lap around the gym. Circled up for 30 IC side-straddle-hops, 10IC good mornings, imperial walkers, hillbillies, Frankenstein’s, merkins. Red October went to shelter and we headed off to lower parking lot.

The Workout: Once I realized we had 11 PAX I had Fram head to his car to grab some more coupons. While we waited for him, we ran suicides. After that we lunged walked, bear crawled and crawl beared to the end of the lot. It was here that I went over the stations. Below is what we did:

One PAX on tire carry around circle. He was the timer.

One PAX moseyed to stop sign at top of hill and returned.

American Hammers with weight

Bench Press w/RR weight

Mace triceps extension

Bent over rows w/weight

Squats w/mace rotating L/R hand

Fire Hose Press

Weights between legs roatating hands

Overhead rotations w/weight

Once we rotated through we formed 2 lines and Indian Run around gym. At the 1st corner was 5 burpees OYO. Lined up and 2nd corner 5 burpees OYO, 3rd 10 Merkins on my up and down, last corner 20 crab jacks. Indian Run back to coupons. Loaded them up in the truck and headed to the wall for wall chairs w/seal claps. We then BTW for a 30 count.

Mary: Dauber and Gump were already there stretching. We did 30 IC low-slow flutter, homer-to-marge/left/right leg up also to 10 IC. Stretched and Have a Nice Day!

Announcements: 11:00 am this Saturday F3 Cook-out. See slack for details.

T-Claps: Fram for wearing over 30lb vest the entire workout and to all who EC this am. Special recognition that my workout met the standard for 16 bit. He knows what I am talking about. Glad I did not disappoint you!

Prayers/ Praise: 16 bits mother-in-law battling cancer and treatments, Kayleigh, Daubers daughter travel mercies headed back to Baylor. Praise Fanny Pack daughter graduating 5th grade.

Something that hit me the Preacher said yesterday in Church.

“Who’s beautification process are you enrolled in?”

The world or the kingdom of GOD?

You’ve got to know where you are supposed to be!!!

Honor to led Gents!!

Baby Yoga at Disney.

Several PAX had indicated over a couple of months that we should do more stretching or yoga during a workout.  YHC thought what better time to drop it on my 2 year celebration week.  40 min of  yoga from a non-YOGI master.  Names of moves and fluidity were suspect, but nonetheless we made it through. DRP taken!

FNGs: John P. AKA: Cheesy Tots
Warm Up: SSH, SFAC, Frankenstein’s
The Workout: Various Yoga poses.  Don’t know all the names, but we moved through Vinyasa’s, Triangles, Warriors, Reverse Warriors, Runner pose, Twisting Triangle, Etc…etc…..etc… Groan, grunt, cuss, Groan….breath……hold breath…..breath……groan, cuss, breath again……..CUSS!  “Damn that was fun, different and great! Let’s do it again sometime.” said various PAX’s.  Cue a “That’s what she said line” by Quiver every 30 sec during the ME.
Mary: LBC, Rev LBC, Full LBC, Butterfly’s, Two hand heel tap, Oblique V-ups, Scissors.
Announcements: Too many to list, check Slack.
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer: Woody’s son traveling to West Coast, Family in Golf cart accident. Fram daughter in NE.

It gets HEAVIER as we go!

YHC had been wanting to get out the big boy toys for some bulking up.  The Prison Yard is notorious for coupons and tabata style work. We had tires, ropes, an ab wheel, Pain sticks, 15lbs DB – 65lbs DB, 125lbs on the straight bar, 40lbs Tractor weights, a fire hose and battle rope. Time to get to work.

FNGs: None

Warm Up: I/C SSH 20, I/C 10 Good mornings, Daisy Pickers, Frankenstien’s SFAC forward/reverse.
The Workout:  Thang 1> Instructed PAX’s to get into groups of 3 and we talked about each of the stations.  The 3 man teams rotated inside of each station performing a super set per muscle group.  Each exercise was 50 sec with 7 sec rest/rotate. After each superset was complete PAX rotated to next station.  Superset 1 ABS (Toes touch each plate on the straight bar with 125lbs while holding a bench press/AB wheel/ Double overhand smash with battle rope.) Superset 2 Shoulders (Two PAX standing press the tire while 3rd man does Bobby Hurley’s, Rotate through every 50 sec…There was some swearing on this one) Superset 3 Biceps ( Railroad iron curl/Hammer Curls 40lbs/15 lbs alternating curls…FED EX gets credit for naming the BB on this station) Superset 4 LAT/Delts (Front raise with fire hose/ Heavy bag or tire flip/Pain Stick press….DEADBOLT wanted to know if there was a rest station built in) Superset 5 Shoulders/Traps (Tractor weight shrugs/Upright Rut Rows/ 30lbs or 65lbs Lawnmowers) Thang 2 > Stack’em Curls for the girls with Plank hold.  40lbs, 60 lbs, 35lbs, Railroad iron, 25lbs, 15lbs. Start with two reps and work your way up to 12 reps finishing with the 15lbs. As the PAX move through the stackems the other plank hold while waiting their turn and when you finish move to plank hold.  Release when last PAX gets to end of group….DOUBLE D was sleeveless Fuquay-Varina style and was ready for the gun show after this.
Mary: OYO 10 reps. Big Boys, Butterflys, Two handed heal touch, Leg climb, Freddy Mercury on Q’s count. Cobra to Downward dog stretches.
Announcements: Carpex swap.  Quiver signed up and willing to Co-Q.
T-Claps (Recognition): Sprinkler for running EC with an EH from POTs.
Prayer: Banana Seat with unspoken.  YHC took us out.

Urban Legends

Kung Pow is a fake AO created out of convenience by those Wescott guys and those older PAX from Fuquay looking for an easier paced workout on Fridays. When you travel to AOs over time, you hear things. Sometimes you hear a few things here, you hear few things there, or you get anecdotal accounts from a friend of a friend, culminating in a perception like the one I have painted in my opening sentence. Remember when everyone thought Mikey from the Life Cereal commercial died due to an overdose mixture of carbonated soda and Pop Rocks? Pop Rocks got a really bad rap after that. This morning was all about protecting the street cred of Pop Rocks…er Kung Pow.

Though the perception shared above was all from a good place,  formed out of high quality banter and mumblechatter over the past year with no ill will and a lot of salt, YHC set out this morning to debunk this Urban Legend.

You see, at Kung Pow, we teach lessons. Last week, DB shared with us the finer points of being Edward. After the workout was over, it was clear..Don’t be Edward. This week was extra special as we had one PAX member (after a ton of back and forth on a group chat) that had HC’d early that had yet to step foot inside Wescott on a Friday morning (not even when points were involved for a May Challenge or the promise of a name in large font on a T-shirt).

With the HC in place, YHC began working on the lesson plan. Some Q’s can wake up the morning of without any preparation or planning and deliver, others may drink a bunch of bourbon and put the PAX on auto pilot the next day with a Dora for 45 minutes at Paradise City (circa 2017-2018), but not YHC. Everything has to be mapped out, everything has a reason, it has to be calculated, and there has to be a message. Don’t get me wrong, there is improvisation to speed or slow things down throughout, but you will get a full 45 minutes of whatever was planned for that morning by YHC starting and ending on time.

As I was planning the workout for this week, YHC was also very aware of what was being transferred from pen to paper, so much so that my posting this week started on Thursday. Lesson to all Q’s- “If you can’t Q it, don’t do it”- plan accordingly.

Arrived early to the lot to see a parking lot with many vehicles. Lots of EC this morning- some runners and a few ruckers. Planted the flag and saw a car roll in I hadn’t recognized. Door opens and was pleasantly surprised and  greeted by CrabLegs, who had been headlocked by M4L to come hang out in his old neighborhood. Little known fact about CrabLegs- he is an OG Wescott alum. Was great to have him back in the hood this morning. At about 5:25 our EC’ers and Rucker’s came rolling back in to grab a quick squirt of water before our 5:30 kick-off.

5:30 hit and YHC welcomed everyone to Kung Pow, including one PAX that was a man of his word and showed, Emeril. He had also managed to headlock Yoshi into EC and the ME this morning, but no Dawg.

Damn, Dawg! To think I had “The Man” by the Killers Q’d up for COT and you didn’t show. Next time I guess. Maybe you and 187 can post together as he has been dodging my Q’s for weeks.

Warm Up:

After a pleasant greeting to start the morning off, we quickly transitioned to the warm-up that I affectionately term “The Pablo.” It is named the Pablo after one of the toughest workouts recorded by its namesake at Kung Pow where for 40 minutes we Indian Ran lower and upper Danagher with burpees (which is a long street at the top of Wescott that has a hill at top). Indian Runs stop periodically at 7 separate sewer caps were PAX perform a progressive set of burpees. 1 then 1-2 then 1-2-3 and so forth.

This morning we didn’t do that version of the Pablo. If he posted, we would have, but this morning we fellowship ran all the way to the lower Danagher cul-de-sac and performed 5 Burpees OYO at the first sewer. YHC asked for a quick count off…A total of 15 with 3 PAX- DoubleD, Deadbolt, and CrabLegs on a fellowship walk while solving student loan debt.

Mosey’d to the next sewer cap- 10 merkins, mosey-Fazios X10 F\B-Chinooks at the 3rd Sewer cap, 5 burpees at the 4th sewer cap, Imperial Walkers X10  at the 5th cap, Hillbillies at the 6th sewer cap, Good Mornings X10 at the top. Mosey back down to the 4 way intersection- squat hold for the 6- 5 burpees.

The Workout:

Breathtaker-Kung Pow Style

With 15 PAX, YHC split the group into 3 lines. My man Sprinkler brought dem hoses out this morning. Asked the lead guy in each line with a hose to fall to the back of the line. PAX would stay in their lines the entire time for this rotation. Each line would perform an Indian Run with trailing PAX with the hose double timing to the first. Upon the trailing PAX making it to the front, the entire line would perform 5 Burpees in unison, with the front guys continuing on the run and now the last guy in the line picking up the hose and double timing to the front…more burpees, rinse repeat. Lines continued to the last tree of the fairway down Wescott Ridge and continue back to the start at the pool entrance. Lead lines picked up the six, returned the hoses to the curb and mosey’d to the next circuit.

On the mosey, YHC informed PAX to obey the speed signs. At each speed sign facing them, we would perform 20 merkins. There were 2 on the route to Brightling Way. YHC missed the second of the two, but we have a lot of honest PAX that didn’t want to get cheated this morning, so doubled back to complete the 20 owed. Continued on the mosey to YHC’s home.

Mookie’s Brickyard

Rolled up to YHC’s driveway where PAX were instructed to pull 2 bricks each from a perfectly stacked pile. They were delivered fresh by M4L the day before and with all the rain that rolled through yesterday into the early morning, they may have soaked in a little extra weight. First exercise called was bicep curls. As we were curling, YHC shared a little factual history on Kung Pow and how it was born out of the pandemic.

Originally when things shut down around SW and parks and playgrounds closed, PAX weren’t left with many options. Home gyms, garage-mahal workouts, and occasional neighborhood runs were the norm. Out of strong desire to continue core F3 values within the guidelines in front of us, black ops workouts continued on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in rotating fashion. This continued until the restrictions started to lift and we were continuously seeing double digit numbers on Friday. I think at one point after numerous post blast PAX numbers of 14, 19, 23 on the 1st F channel of Slack continuously surfaced, Shredder said “Black Ops?…Why don’t you just legitimize this AO.” So we did and we have been serving the geriatric community with these weak sauce routines I’m describing in this backblast ever since. Hell- I made it so convenient for myself this morning, I didn’t even bring the bricks to the pool lot.

As I mentioned earlier, YHC does things for a reason. This morning we were going to transport these rocks back to where they originated-Midget’s truck, which was conveniently parked back at the pool.

After the bicep curls, we quickly transitioned to front raises with the bricks X12, Lateral raises with the bricks X15, Shoulder presses times X10, Shoulder Taps with bricks in hand X10. Recover on the mosey with bricks to the end of Brightling Way.

YHC called Squat hold with tricep extension X20, hold squat, Moroccan Night Clubs with Bricks in cadence X10, mosey with bricks to Roslyn Hills. Squats with Bricks on my up; on my down X15. PAX got into 3 lines of 5 again and performed Indian runs with bricks to the other side of Roslyn Hills. Plank hold for the six.

All 15 accounted for, YHC called brick merkins X20. Recover on the mosey with bricks. Stop at the 4 way intersection-squat hold for the six. PAX got back into their 3 lines of 5 and called for an Indian Run with bricks to the start of the tree line fairway up Wescott Ridge, in front of the 20mph speed sign- 20 brick merkins.

Cusack’d the bricks with alternating lunge walks along the tree line to the intersection at Danagher, squat hold for the 6, continue on the mosey with bricks back to M4L’s truck parked next to the flag. Deposited bricks and circled up for COT reuniting with Deadbolt, Double D and CragLegs with 3 minutes left.

Mary:

Series of stretches- Right over Left, Left over Right, Downward Dog, Calf Stretches, and a 10 count Shawshank.

Dawg- Not sure how you feel about cheating these PAX out of a rendition of “The Man,” but I think deep down they would have thanked you for not showing if they knew I was gonna pull out this additional activity as the finale. Next time- I have faith you will some day show.

Another interesting thing about Kung Pow…COT takes longer. It takes longer because we have to use extra words like “Respect” and “Honor” a dozen times during name-o-rama. What more can I say? The “old” guys like the soft serve they dish out at Kung Pow.

Announcements:

Bed Build, Yogurt looking to gather additional PAX to go on some runs with Davis.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Emeril for trying new things and trying a Fake workout today (see his Strava- 2.79mi and fails to mention “with” phantom bricks and imaginary hoses). Also for headlocking Yoshi for EC and getting him out for the Main Event. A very impressive and notable memory made during 2nd F with Fonzie this morning. Apparently he and Fonzie live almost across the street from one another and Fonzie was unaware of Yoshi’s hospital name…That’s F3 for you. Do any of us really know each other by anything other than our F3 names?

Always an honor and great to see CrabLegs in the gloom. Thank you for posting and hope to see you out and about the neighborhood again soon. All PAX posting this morning. Those bricks are a reminder that running is tough enough, but running with extra weight is tougher. Today we got through it together. Never do life OYO.

Prayer:

YHC took us out. Prayers for Emeril and his family member with cancer. Additional prayers for Sprinkler and Cancun. Continued prayers for first responders and healthcare workers. All PAX traveling and those battling illness.

Always an honor to lead. Thanks for giving me this opportunity this morning.

A little drizzle this am but still sticky!

Driving down Optimist Farm Road this morning. Several PAX ECing and I blew the horn. Fanny Pack said I scared the crap out of them. M4life rolled in with maybe 1 second to spare barefooted. He said he did not need shoes for this easy workout.

FNG: Nope

Warm Up: We moseyed over to the baseball PVA. We did Good Mornings, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, Frankenstein’s, Side straddle hops, merkins, Burpees to 10 all IC.

The Workout: Moseyed behind school and broke off into 2 groups. 1st group BTW while second group did monkey humpers, switched-then we moseyed back down stretch of school for some burpees. Moseyed back to the wall for wall sets with seal claps, group 2 was doing Turkish get up. Moseyed back behind school where we rinsed and repeated. I left a little earlier and got called out. So when we moseyed around the back of the school for another BTW while group 1 did Turkish get ups. Went into the circle where some steps were for step up, Urkins, Derkins and dips. Left there and took the scenic route to the Abyss behind the ball field. While enroute we used steps, ramps wherever they were in sight. Once we arrived at the we split up in our groups for 2 rounds of LBC’s at the top while the other group ran the steps. Moseyed back for Mary.

Mary: Circled Up and squatted down low. The circle shuffled to the right and left. I called on several PAX for their favorite exercises. FRAM’s were the least liked. Peter Parker with a hold on the way up and down. (Sucked)

T-Claps: 2 visitors from NE Wake region-Thing-a-ma-bob and Tube Top Several PAX’s out getting EC this morning. M4life did workout barefooted! (I bet he is hurting)

Announcements: Bed Build Kohls PVA Saturday morning. %K race this weekend. Check slack for details.

Prayers: Lipstick’s M, Hastelhoff Prayers as well. YHC took us out!

It was an Honor to lead fellas!

Hot Humid Morning at the Yard!

It was drizzling rain when I arrived at 5:10 am to unload all the toys.4 cars were in Parking Lot. All F3 guys getting in some EC. Glad the rain held off.

 

FNG: Nope

Warm Up: Ran a lap around the club house. Circled up for Good Mornings, Merkins, Fazio Arm Circles, seal claps, overhead claps, Hillbillies, Imperial Walkers all 15 IC.

Workout: We worked in Teams of 2. 2 runners were the timers for each station around the club house. Each person rotated after runners were back.

  • Runners-Timers
  • Bench Press w/ RR Iron/LBC’s
  • Curls/Shoulder Shrugs w/tractor weights
  • Tire Flip/Merkins
  • Bench Press Bar with partner up and over/ground pounders
  • Farmers Carry/Bear Crawl

Rotated through 4 times.

Mary: Circled up for Low-Slow-Flutter, Homer-to Marge, Plank Hold all IC

T-Claps: Fram head locked 2 neighbors to come that have not posted in a while.

Announcements: Bed build this Saturday, Holly Springs 5k

Prayers: Breach travel mercies the rest of the week, Friend of mine and DoubleD has cancer, Inspector Gadget rolled his ankle during EC. Hope he recovers quickly.

Honor to lead you Gents!

Ultimate Mutiny Pre-Summer Edition

19 PAX joined in on some Ultimate for a pre-summer humid filled workout. We had one visitor from F3 Raleigh come by and partake (@Oloff)!

Prayers for Warbuck and the passing of his son 5 years ago. Flo-Jo family healing from Cancer.

So much to do, but so little time

FNGs:N/a today

3 Pax for Monthly Challenge EC and several for an EC run.

Warm Up:Side straddle hops, arm circles forward and reverse, seal clap, overhead claps, daisy pickers

The Workout: I started with a blast from the past, my first visit to this AO was the 1776 workout on July 4th 2018.
Mosey around the parking lot and head towards the shelter for 16 rounds of 31 seconds on, 9 seconds off Tabata work:

  • merkins
  • high knees
  • Scorpion dry docks (not enough pull up bars for everyone so I subbed this one out)
  • Plank jacks
  • Side straddle hops
  • Turkish get ups
  • Overhead claps
  • American hammers
  • Lunges
  • Step ups
  • Squats
  • Moroccan night clubs
  • Mountain climbers
  • LBCs
  • Dips
  • Plank shoulder taps

Bear crawl across the parking lot and 7 burpees to finish it off

Mosey to the legendary Abyss for some Dora style partner work

  • 100 Planche merkins (great for biceps)
  • 100 AG squat front kicks
  • 100 mountain climbers (L/R=1)
  • Pick up the 6 and a 10 count squat hold
  • 100 boat canoes
  • 100 crab cakes in cadence between all PAX

Mary: Mosey back to the parking lot for an Embrace the Suck hold (3 minutes). Finished with 25 low and VERY SLOW flutters.

Announcements: Several Pax doing the Triathlon Saturday and they are looking for volunteers, some 3rd F opportunities coming up, my 4yr F3 Anniversary is this Saturday and I’ve got the Q at GP.
T-Claps (Recognition): Everyone that came out this morning despite the threat of pouring rain, and especially those that did EC.
Prayer: We all took a knee and I took us out.