This morning, on the pearly shores of Lake Whoopeegonnagetcha, many men gathered maybe hoping for a Dday inspired beat down but instead getting one from the previous site Q Clavin. On Monday, at Watts ups beat down I asked Maybelline if today was still free as I needed inspiration to make my first time returning to a week with 2 workouts in more than 2 years!!
Pledge
Short disclaimer and we would stretch for about 3-4 minutes where I imparted my small amount of wisdom since I’ve battled several issues ( as others have) that we all should take time to properly stretch before any workouts …. Way too many of us now are in the respect column and NEED to be careful .
End with plank and 10 IC plank jacks followed by SSH 10x
Mosey to gates
10 merkins and 10 big boys
At first light 1 burpee mosey asked what we should do at next light and so on ….. this group was super excited to call out increasing Burpees that I had to intervene at opening for parking to decrease numbers till we reach 1 at turd shack!
Mosey to pull up bar and ask for exercise several call for pull ups which was previously decided but needed another finally a call for squats …. Tell all in line to continue squats until their turn at bar and do however many pull ups/ chin-ups or even dead hangs ( a week or 2 before recent Murph overheard someone talking about needing more of these in workouts. Even this morn there was some chatter for upcoming Annihilation workout ).
4×4 through woods into Riverwood plantation for 10 big boys and merkins each…look a light as we mosey …. Nope … 1 burpee at each street moving to right …. huh? Gastones Hill ? Wonder what’s next ? 5 Lbcs at each box up About half would turn into hill others roughed out battling gravity !!
Mosey to bottom and give choice of right or left ( similar to watts up on Monday ….. but …. My mind had already been made up before workout …. So it was my right their left as I was facing the group ( not much of a choice, huh?)
Mosey to old dr office and climb wall behind FOod Puppy and groove
Over to the ( half destroyed) loading dock beside Bellacinos ( plenty of fine eating all over the ground which some jumped in and enjoyed !!) 2 times of jumping up onto dock bear crawl down and 10 merkins
Lastly the wall for step ups and derkins differing counts
Finish all work at pelicans with a hamstring stretch each side to cool down and 45 second hold feet 4-6 inches off ground.
At end told all of recent visit with Christine and Turtleman ( when he was still with us) where she told my M and I of being at home alone and she sat in his recliner and thought about his life over the last 1-2 years being only in that same recliner reliant upon others for help …. I related to the men that has been something I’ve thought of for weeks now and wanted the men to take home and just sit in a recliner and consider “ living” only in that position for months on end
Annihilation Saturday schiele
All Monday AOs closed except Sandlot ( dare I say Neverland??) thus Monday for Turtleman inspired beat down
Prayers for Barnes family and Maybellines mother
Praise for my son, Time Frames 2.0 and their buds all returning safe from senioritis travels to FL
Thanks men …. I needed this
Moleskin is this…. Earlier this year when I researched for my Turtleman inspired workout I read many a many workout and reminisced about a good friend indeed constant companion of The T man …. Gastone ….. so I cobbled together some of my fav moments though the years I. Hopes that we can all inspire the G man to come on back …. Miss you big guy
Author: Clavin (Page 1 of 12)
Time to fly 5 by 5.
Gumby began the workout with a warm up routine complete with stretches that a certain doctor ignored ( one day even he will will find value in stretching those joints and ligaments)
No more wooden nickels.
Assemble and collect coupon, meet handicapped parking lot where I continue another warmup
Cue the music ….. Nickelback
50 IC imperial walkers
25 arm circles forward
25 backwards
50 squats
25 lunges forward
25 back
50 SSH single count
Rub two nickels together, try to get them to mate ( paraphrased)
Now
25 curls
10 overhead presses
10 squats
5 kettlebell swings
5 box jumps
This was main event but would diminish curls by one and at each multiple of 5 do another subroutine
Go on down to the 5 and dime.
Instead of four corners or triple nickels we did 5 corners ….. ish.
5 merkins
5 side lunges ( lunge to each side for 1 count)
5 flutters
5 lbcs
5 burpees in center
If I had a nickel for each time……
Prayers and concerns for Turtleman, niece running her first ever marathon today Kiawah Island, others
I am Stephen Sobota ….. one last time 55 … Clavin!
Men, never ignore that strong or silent voice in your head that tells you much like Rafiki, “ It is time!” When that sounds in your brainpan or ears telling you it’s been toooo dammmmmmnnnn long since you last led ….. so take up those reins … and giddy up!
Like so many Qs that I’ve led, this entire workout came to me in a flash, I mean it’s so simple, even a mailman can do it!
Arrive early … one truck … a few more will pull in giving us an even 5!
Give disclosure also announcing that for today and today ONLY! We shall not be known as The Labyrinth ….. but Neverland …. More later…
MNC Toy Soldiers Imp walkers and goofballs all IC (10x)
Complete circuit with 10 big boys
Mosey to gates of Martha’s for… 20 oyo big boys and 20 lbcs
Announce that today we honor Turtleman …. And YES !!! before I go any further all you ole fogies who wanna dis me for using the Wednesday Martha’s workout can kiss my apple !! Always remember that there was constant confusion for years as to …” is this Dark night? Is this dark Knight? Is this Martha’s House … is this …… blah blah blah!!! “
We tried to mosey to the maintenance shed ( like Monday) but the cleanup crew came in early for OT ( unlike Monday ) …. Defer to stands for 40 calf raises, 20 heels out calf raises and 20 heels in
Move to concession area …. Look … a flag …pledge!
Dora time !
100 merkins 200 squattos 300 lbcs
After partner up ( I joined a team … so 3 … and 2)
Each partner would bear crawl the concession area ( yep. I remember this royally sucked but had to try it anyway!!)
So next we would lunge ….. nope …. That too sucks …. We have many other leg exercises ahead …. So all remaining trips would be a nur
So…. You guys know what an Indian run is ?? Well!!! Turtleman tried a few times …. Usu unsuccessfully to create a slow turtle crawl and last man would bear crawl to front and slow to “ keep the pace” …. We did this VERY SUCCESSFULLY !!! Excellent job men!! Going down one path
Now for elevens …. But…. Turtleman was always known for big boys … but I remember one day he not only hit us with a question of what is the difference between a big boy and a WW1 but he made us do elevens with WW1 on one side and WW2 on the other!!! That’s what we did
Upon completion I told all of what I most remember of these is that all pax were overusing this and creating a rash just above the buttocks … which Turtleman called “ swamp butt!”
Times closing in …. Last thing I wanna do are suicides …. So I give a distance and we race Pell mell and slowzee after until next suicide finally reaching the last break point in front of gates and I announce jail break!! We have 30seconds !!
It was at this point that Captain Stubing recalled how Turtleman always made workouts fun and JJ recalled those winter workouts under cover of picnic shelters where those who participated would reap the rewards come summer when all the girls would flock to them !!
I passed two final nuggets to the men that to me… Turtleman always is willing to turn a conversation around and ask, “ but how are you …. Or the M … or the 2.0 doing”. And lastly … I’m sure HIPAA and Watts up will concur …. Hands down…. Perhaps the worst person to complete a backblast was …………… Turtleman.
Much thanks to Maybelline for letting me get the Q … the men for letting me lead … and mostly for the Big T …. Who one day at a Downtown workout told me …. “ you know, I think it’s time you lead a Q site!”
Prayers for Clutch’s wife’s cousin Sean ( Shawn?) facing leukemia and Turtleman
And as a final note …. TMan had chosen the name Neverland …. Had added that since we are young at heart and reaching back for our childhood… Neverland!! I thought he had a great thing … until ( was it T Square or Hushpuppy??… or someone else that ….”wasn’t that the name of the place were Michael Jackson ……. “
Wirenut led warm up …. Train … u know the drill … tried to “quickly” assemble pain Labbers to show boot camp what they’d miss by delivering some IC monkey humpers …. Too bad no Short Sale or Whoopee …
Mosey to circle lead more warm ups and then discuss idea for todays beat down …. Assembled toys different kettlebells 25/45 jump rope slam ball dumbbell’s 5/8 set of weights …. Choose your poison or choose an an ab exercise …. Timer to be 2 sand buckets or a rope sled attached to heavy tire …. Truck down path and around stone monument ….
Intermission a la Rudolph climb steps lunge top side lunge next 2 in opposing directions beat crawl and crab walk last 2
Intermission 1.5 mosey to my truck for coupons 20 curls 20 overhead press then 15 now 10 what to finish ? 6 sounds right
Back to program … continue all for / more cycles
Finish few ab exercises after returning supplies to truck …. Music by CCR …. Celebrating Fogerty finally obtaining ownership of his music catalog earlier this year … prayers for Time Frame ( broken toe) Wirenut loss of father ( first wedding anniversary and birthday since loss ) Tube friend battling cancer
And now without further ado, …… before that ….. I realize it’s been a lonnnnnngggg time coming …. Undoubtedly much of Gastonia has been awaiting this moment much as your Uncle Fred with the bad jokes, bad breath and under sized clothes that just won’t depart for other locales ….. he very obviously had overstayed his welcome …… wait !…..was I ever welcomed? Certainly there was some initial controversy from 2 or 3 individuals who pined for the glory days of other names for the workout location. I even offered the site to one who had no interest! And yet, what’s in a name? Does it or any name make the location? Does a particular Q hold more sway than another? Shouldn’t…. We should all be equal ….. including supported.
Certainly, I hope and pray that Dirt will be supported and more successful!
Todays workout remained simple ….
Warm up
12 MNC ic
10 toy soldiers ic
19 high knees ic
67 ssh ic ( this was completely stupid …. Out of breath several times …. Many thought I was done …. Much like the Turkey on Christmas Vacation!)
Mosey
54 would be the theme ( or number of reps ) today
Every time after s mosey I’d call for calf raises, lbcs, flutters, monkey humpers, etc
All this based on my birth date and current age
when we return …. Circle up for Mary … and announce that 54 is NOT. The number anymore and launch us into 2 rounds of Mary starting with 5 burpees…. Many exercises Like overhead claps , seal jacks, flutters , Jane Fondles, heels to heaven, scissor kicks….
As I hand the keys over to Dirt, fireworks and a collective sigh can be heard ….
two final thoughts….. no one should keep any position too long in order to prevent apathy and lack of interest/enthusiasm …. There really are quite a number of other individuals, esp at other locations that need to be persuaded to try moving out or moving up into another role
lastly, many years ago I listened to a comedian who has an excellent point: why do we pile on accolades for someone on their birthday….. they did nothing more than get birthed into the world…. Indeed they don’t even remember any of that ……however, the mother was there ( we hope) and should remember ( again, we hope). This IS the person to congratulate and that should be the person whose called on your birthdate …. I did this to my mom ( many years ago when she was alive and continued to say thanks over the years …. Her initial response was confusion ….. “ Why are you thanking me, it’s YOUR birthday!!” Lol
love you, mom Miss you….. Stephen
Since most of Gastonia is of the Respect persuasion, they may recall SnagglePuss….
This morning was colder and rainy, did not expect many and found only Watts Up curled up under his trucks vents soaking up warmth before exiting vehicle to see what I had in store.
To the best of my knowledge, I have only once ever revisited an entire workout, today I would mostly, but I had a goal and a purpose.
Au revoir…
After pledge, hightail it to the old bank and their atm area for the dry…
Two screwups in the first warmup exercise ….called Imp Walkers and after about 1/2 of the count I realize Watts up is doing the called exercise…. I don’t know WTF I’m doing …. I think I was possibly doing hillbillies and then I stop us at 8!!
Reset …. Let’s do Imp Walkers again ( or at least Watts Up got to do them twice whilst I corrected my form ) to the correct number …7!
Then Hillbillies, butt kickers, high knees, SSH and something else… all IC to the tune of lucky sevens
WALLS IF JERICHO
Lap the building and grounds
We would lap the grounds and then all exercises were 7 reps :
Burpees, Mike Tysons, merkins , Hand release merkins, crunchy frogs, flutters, lbcs
Yes… this routine SUCKED!!!
sayonara
On our seventh and final lap …. We would lap the grounds 7 times ….
Sometimes you can read and reread something and totally miss something as I have done my whole life….
Recently while reading about Jericho I caught on that in the final trip around the city, the Israelites would travel around the walled city 7. Times on the seventh day and then sound the trumpets !!! I mistakenly thought that on the seventh day it was one time around and then sound the trumpets …… That would have been something to witness.
Much of my reasoning though is this … let the Lord speak unto you and be willing to catch what he is telling you. Never stop reading His word, always be willing to learn something new!
adios and via con Dios
we finish up with about 7 minutes !! Wow!! Isn’t that interesting !!
Ab time : heels to heaven, (7) six shooters each leg, Freddie Mercs, cdds,
finish with stretches
auf wiedersehen
prayers for Watts Up’s father-in-law and 6 month old nephew both with heart issues requiring surgeries in near future . Also to pray for those in need at this time of year whether hurts , hang ups, losses, or addictions
So long and thanks for all the fish
Much thanks to Dirt for assuming the role once more
And those I could count on to lead reliably
please step up ….. support the site Q …. Each site Q
TTFN
Arrive early to set up ….carefully open outdoor outlet protector on SnoBalls only to find power off due to off season. Thankfully I had no backup plan for the music, having to rely on obsolete CD technology!
warmup consists of slow arm circles front and back, Imp Walkers IC, merkins IC, plank jacks IC and Mtn climbers IC all ( almost ) to the count of 12 ( messed up once on AC.
collect ice cubes ( aka coupons aka frozen chunks of cement !!)
curls, overhead press, squat and swing x 12
merkins, hand release merkins, flutters and lbcs x 12
lap building
decrease by one until complete
called in Dirt for and exercise ( was seeking it and one more from another pax to complete an 11 routine with a dirty burpee for 12 total ….. then this happened ….
Dirt called for 8 8 counts ( man makers) …. So let’s make it up as we go….
I delivered 4 blockees to complete the 12
EZ gave us flutters and Watts Up had us do ( on back ) OP with extension behind head!!!! Yikes!!
lap building round 3 was rifle carry, 12 x 3 for 36s instead of colt 45, lbcs and something else
why the number 12? Redoing the 12 days of Christmas in honor of a great personal family friend who right now is under hospice care rapidly approaching time.
His name is Robert ( Bob ) Propst …. He lost his wife Marilyn a few years back. …. He’s had quite a few change ups in his life . Early in life he had a great love of song many felt he was Kenny Rogers with his looks and singing style . Gospel music would become his calling for a time until MS stopped him.
A chance encounter with someone would illuminate a
new ministry for him as he would transform and become Storeybook Santa! Or ( others know as) the Dillards Gastonia Santa.
the cd i was to have played was his Christmas Cd … many years ago they gave me the collected works some 6 or 7 discs!
and in case any wondered , yes, this is the same person I organized for Christmas carols after a convergence : of those who attended I recall Oompa Loompa and M, Time Frame and Google, Stroganoff, Rudolph and Myself and M as well as Cap’n Crunch
prayers for Santa, EZ Rider family, Tube and family , achey Braky son with rsv and those battling addiction, loss or holiday sadness
Time for some quick movie trivia….
Pledge
15 IC SSH
15 IC SSH
15 low slow squats
15 low slow squats
16 butt kickers
16 butt kickers
15 IC merkins
15 IC merkins
Kinda felt like Groundhog Day
Ask Captain Stubing for favorite and least fav exercise ( more later)
Mosey to Gastones hill for something ( maybe ) new
20 IC flutters
At EVERY mailbox up and down each street 5 squats
20 Ic flutters
Choose A, B OR C
Captains choice was B …. Burpees!!this was his least favorite
a was his fav of SSH
c was mine of merkins
1 burpee per ALL BOXES ( came up with this as I delivered the mail thru here only a few hours beforehand )
counted 39 ( maybe right,,, maybe not ) but had to add one more at bottom for balance
completed our journey with 5 seconds to count down
lastly, I issued ( as I do now to the one faithful reader) to Be the change You wish to see in the world and also to make this a better place esp for the next generation : ie if at the grocery store don’t just push your buggy into the next one, line them all up , if at the restAurant stack the plates and other stuff to make clean up for the wait staff simpler, if just out and about and come across a piece or two of trash … pick it up and deposit in the trash ….. don’t sit on the sidelines grousing about how others are mistreating the Earth …. Affect change …. Perhaps it will be contagious!
prayers for traveling folks, those that are homeless, struggling, families with losses coping with a change for the holidays
Happy Turkey!!
Well …. Here we go again ….. except the last time Folgers led the Q it was his VQ and he asked , pleaded, begged for me to take care of his BB ….. I had all intentions for him to take care of this himself …. However, he has been suspiciously absent ever since ( hope he’s alright … seems he still has not signed onto slack …. So I’ll try to remember the pax … and I may need to write Maybellines VQ as well …
Here’s what some remember … Whoopee recalled step ups, I remember there was only about 3-5 of us and that there was no recorded namearama …. But the award goes to Ball Joint who had it on Strava and it showed Gastones Hill featured in the Beat down
if there was anyone else I missed please excuse me and give me the chance as to update
Clavin
In order to confuse all, I set the Tabata timer prior to WO for 5 minute intervals as we would perform 5 burpees each time for an aggregate of 50 for EZ Rider. Last week when he hit the magic number he refused to do ANY, so this WO was born! However I failed by announcing we would be doing 50 for him last week and 50 for this week…. In the words of Homer Simpson…. “Doh!!!” We only did 50 total. Warmup consisted of hand release merkins, arm circles, Imp Walkers and plank jacks, sSH and lunges some IC most not. Mosey to gates and 10 BB and bear crawl under gates mosey to lighted path for more lunges….
At concession stand 50 merkins, 100 SSH, 200 lbcs
3sets ic calf raises on bleachers …all 50
25 dips, derkins and 25 each leg leading ( switch legs after 25 for another on other lag in short) ,,,, but wait …. That’s not 50! Do another set!
Circle up for more HRM
next to play area for 5 pull-ups and some dead hang ( approx 50 secs)
next I would attempt 50 IC flutters …. I was personally out of breath and a core meltdown at 34 … and after a brief breather we resumed to completion
mosey long way back to gates and await the 6 … when they were in reach and 30 seconds left on the clock I announce a race to the finish….
great work today … very little mumble chatter
prayers for EZ Riders family, cannot remember other but Oompa prayed us out
announcements
Blood Drive today
Chad 20k or 800 k tomorrow
Christmas Town 5 k ( 2 track commanders) Saturday after Thanksgiving
Christmas party Dec 11