Author: Flintstone (Page 8 of 23)

We had a full squad of 9 in the starting lineup on the ballfields of Midoriyama for gummies, space cakes, Afroman, and a sandwich bag full of green stuff.  Hard to recall all the events through the haze, but I’ll do my best:

Slaw posted needing Qs, and 4/20 was available.  YHC felt like the man for the job, as leading the men of Midoriyama is often a worthy challenge, and a themed beatdown seemed to be the way to go.  Many were consulted, including a number of PAX from ours and other regions, Cheech and his buddy Chong, Willie Nelson, and Snoop Doggy Dogg.  We launched with a disclaimer, and a classic hit from Afroman as the beatdown began:

The Thang:

4 exercises, 20 reps each (IC):

• SSH
• Mike Tysons
• Dying Cockroaches
• Goofballs

To the woods for blocks, then to ballfield #2, not on the inside, nobody was gonna score tonight, but we’d use the corners and foul poles as marks:

Bleachers behind home plate, so

• 15 x Dips (IC)

Partner Up

• Partner #1 – 3 x Reverse Lunges (Count Left)
• Partner #2 – Farmers Carry both blocks
• Partner #1 runs to catch Partner #2 when finished
• Switch and Repeato until the team reaches the left field foulpole

From Left Field to Right Field

Rifle Carry the block, stopping at the ballpark lights & dead center field for

• 3 x Overhead Presses

So YHC stashed a bag of goodies in right field, so now it was time to break out the first round

Gummies – each PAX was given a gummy and encouraged not to eat more than 1, especially if they weren’t used to them

YHC also broke out the bag of grass for:

Puff – Puff – Pass

• Circle Up
• All PAX hold Al Gore while standing on the block
• The PAX with the green dropped for 2 x Merkins (OYO), then passed the bag to the next PAX (on the left, obviously) to do the same as he jumped back into an Al Gore
• Repeat til burned out
• Round 2 was the same, but with 6 inches & American Hammers w/block

The field started filling up, and some guys with bats started taking large cuts on the softball field.  It was 5:45pm and they had a game at 6:45.  Why they were there that early, YHC will never know.  It certainly wasn’t to get in a workout.  Doubt any of the guys ever stole 2nd base.  Anyways, that added a layer of confusion while we were already in a state of questionable decision-making, so we could’ve descended into chaos.

We stuck to the Weinke instead

• 30 x Dips (OYO)

3rd base side

• Farmers Carry & Lunges

Left Field to Right Field

• Rifle Carry and Overhead Presses

And it was about this time that they launched one over the fence that wasn’t ever going to hit us, but was a little too close to not get a courtesy warning call.  It’s like not yelling “Fore” when you slice the golf ball into the other fairway. It’s not like the golf ball is likely to hit anyone, you just yell it anyways.  We were their targets.  Like wooden ducks in a carnival game, and we were almost too dazed (from the workout) to realize it.

But realize it we did, so we grabbed up the goodies and headed to Field #3 where there were no overgrown softball mashers looking for target practice an hour before the actual event.

Last Round / Best Round as we delivered a special batch of 420 brownies to the PAX, with some showing restraint after the gummies and declining, while others dove in.  In the meantime, YHC gave instructions for:

Dimebag Destroyer

• Run to Right Field
• 1 x Burpee (OYO)
• Run back to the Left Field foulpole
• 2 x Burpees (OYO)
• Back and forth until the final round of 10 x Burpees (OYO)

And with that we were off, at least those of us that weren’t partaking in the edible delicacies.

Was good to run after a workout full of carries and block work.  We wrapped it up in time to make the long trek back to put the blocks up and put a bow on the day with the COT.  Was fun, stupid, and physically demanding all at the same time.  Mission accomplished.

Moleskin:

Midoriyama is the challenge, and Slaw isn’t afraid to throw it out there.  The heat that we’ll get for the next few weeks will toughen us up.  It’s a sifter to see who can handle it.  There’s been lots of sweat and hard work put in this year.  Keep pushing, even, or really especially, when it gets uncomfortable.  We won’t know what we’re made of until we start reaching beyond what we know we can do.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead

Yabba Dabba Doo

A baker’s dozen came and did the thing on a perfect Thursday morning at the F3 Gastonia AO known as the Greatest Of All Time.  There were Sizzle Suicides (because of course there were) & Tammy Wynettes.  No monkeys were spared, and only one PAX left behind.  Here’s what I remember:

The Thang:

• 10 x SSH (IC)
• 10 x Don Quixotes (IC)
• 10 x Hillbilly Walkers (IC)
• 10 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)
• 10 x Mike Tysons (IC)
• 10 x Mountain Climbers (IC)

Mosey to Floyd & Blackies, not for coffee, but the requisite Sizzle Suicides.  See any of YHC’s prior backblasts at The Goat for a description of the Sizzle Suicides.

Instructions were given to hold at the top of the hill, and not run back down.  That didn’t stop Freon.  Failure for all PAX to follow the plan is a failure in leadership.  YHC doubled down with the leadership failure and just left him, but not before the first of many:

• 30 x Monkey Humpers (OYO)

Mosey to the church across from the apartments.  Oh Freon didn’t get to do them, let’s go again:

• 30 x Monkey Humpers (OYO)

It’s like the old days, when the F3 Gastonia PAX first found out what Monkey Humpers were, and whoever was Qing couldn’t wait to break them out as many times as possible and our asses hurt for days.  YHC was trying to recreate that feeling.  You’re welcome.

To the church parking lot, for the requisite complicatedness that the PAX come to expect from a Flintstone Q.

Partner Up

• Both PAX lunge walk to opposite ends of the church parking lot
• 20 x Eskimo Merkins (OYO)
• Both PAX lunge walk back to the middle
• 20 x Tammy Wynettes (“Stand By Your Man”)
  • PAX 1: 20 x Merkins (keeps count)
  • PAX 2: 20 x Squats (synchronized w/PAX 1)
• Repeat in opposite directions, switching roles w/Tammy Wynettes

Lots of lunging.  Right amount of suck.  Time to further shred them abs, but first, Bottoms Up:

• 15 x Monkey Humpers (IC)
• 20 x Michael Phelps (IC)
• 20 x Toe Touches (IC)
• 20 x Freddie Mercuries (IC)

By the time the Freddies roll around, YHC is ready to be done with all that.

Here’s the part where the PAX were expecting something new, fresh, and inventive.  Nope.

Round 2 (See round 1 above):

• Lunge Walk
• Eskimo Merkins
• Tammy Wynettes
• Repeato

Then

• 15 x Monkey Humpers (IC)
• 20 x Michael Phelps (IC)
• 20 x Toe Touches (IC)
• 20 x Freddie Mercuries (IC)

Second round was about the same amount of suck as the first, if not a little more.  Abs were done, but still more to come.  Let’s go home.  Start the mosey back on Front St, stopping for, you guessed it:

• 30 x Monkey Humpers (OYO)

Little more mosey.  Hey have y’all heard of these things called Monkey Humpers?  How funny is that?  I guess not funny to everyone.  One PAX said it was offensive to monkeys.  Surely not.  They’re flattered that we’re thinking of them.

• 30 x Monkey Humpers (OYO)

Mosey back to the house with the fresh new privacy fence inspired by years of F3 torturing the resident fluff dog for a quick round of, well, this:

Groups of 3

• PAX 1: Mosey to the statue and back
• PAX 2: Hold 6 inches (or 10, or whatever you got)
• PAX 3: American Hammers
• PAX 2 & 3 swap back and forth whenever til PAX 1 gets back, then a different PAX gets up to run
• Repeato til all 3 PAX finish running

We really only got through 2 PAX running before it was time for COT

Announcements and Prayer Requests were there but I need to wrap up this backblast and go to work.  Maybe I’ll add them later in the day.

Sore today.  I guess the monkeys won.

Thanks for the opportunity to do dumb and slightly irreverent things.

Yabba Dabba Doo

A slim crowd by Ground Assault standards, but 7 PAX did the thing this morning, putting in miles in Belmont.  Anchorman and Dr. Seuss rucked, while the rest of us hit The Loops.  YHC found a place to add a little distance on the route to hit the magic number of 5 miles, but while out on the course, made an early turn and ended up about a half mile short of where we were supposed to be.  We improvised.  Pockets and Gavel had it right all along though, as they came prepared.

Announcements:

• 4/29 – Convergence – Midoriyama @ 0700
• 4/19 – 2nd F Lunch – Papas & Beer in Dallas
• 5/6 – Lake Wylie Ruck CSAUP – 4 Man Teams

Prayer Requests:

• Termite’s brother
• YHC’s mom and dad

Always good to get out there.  Keep pushing.

Yabba Dabba Doo

12 started the workout.  A few left early.  In between was some hills and burpees.  Here’s what I remember:

Talk of the morning was Pallbearer’s Strava and his “Slow -uck”.  As we say in The Gloom, “It’s not that kind of workout”.  PB won’t hear the end of that one, and we’re all better for it.

While we’re on the subject, this workout was inspired by a “HIPAA Violation” workout that the legend put on us at the Yank on a Saturday in November.  It was nasty.  11s with a hill and burpees, diamond merkins, and bobby hurleys. 2 sets of 7 squats on the way up and the way down.  It was nasty.  Here it is.

The Thang:

• 10 x SSH (IC)
• 10 x Don Quixotes (IC)
• 10 x Hillbilly Walkers (IC)
• 10 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)
• Toes Pointed, Write your F3 Name with your Toes
• 10 x Penguins (IC)
• 10 x Mike Tysons (IC)

Mosey to the hill.

Partner up

• Partner 1: 6 Inches
• Partner 2: American Hammers
• 2 minutes, switching whenever
• Partner 1: Flexed arm Plank
• Partner 2: Makhtar Ndiayes
• 2 minutes, switching whenever

Gearwrench bolted to take care of business, but was much happier on the way back.

On to the modified Violation

11s

• Bottom of the hill: Burpees & Double Crunches
• Top of the hill: Burpees & Double Crunches

Modified from the very bottom of the hill to just the dog park for time sake.  Almost finished.

That was that.

Prayers for Ratchet’s son, Huck, Bedpan, PAX traveling, and others

Always a privilege to get to push it with my Folsom brothers.  Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

Yabba Dabba Doo

7 of us got out in The Gloom to follow up race week with some block work.  Here’s what I remember:

Post-Mortimer, JJ mentioned that one of the joys of being the Site Q is finding a substitute Q when somebody backs out.  YHC didn’t need a reason to post on a Monday, but couldn’t wait to jump at the chance to put a beatdown on anyone who came out.  I guess there was a little madness brewing after all.

The Thang:

• 10 x Gravel Pickers (IC)
• 10 x Toy Soldiers (IC)
• Tesla Stretches
• 10 x Mike Tysons (IC)
• 10 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)
• 10 x Low Slow Squats (IC)
• 10 x Imperial Walkers (IC)
• 10 x SSH (IC)

The last thing YHC did in preparing for this Q was to check the weather.  Was surprised to see rain in the forecast, especially after the weinke was planned, but didn’t want to change it.  No matter, we will deposit the blocks at the bank.  Turns out, the bank drive through has been boarded up, as it seems like maybe they’re using it for the new construction going on.  Doctor’s office was the plan anyways, and we get there to notice the picnic tables are gone.  Sad to see the deterioration of the AO under new management.

Blocks were waiting.  Partner up.  Time for work.

• Partner 1 – Run to the bottom of the hill and back
• Partner 2 – Good Mornings (OYO)
• Flapjack
• Repeato for a total of 2 times running and doing exercises

Somewhere in here, BOS said “Why are you mad?  You signed up for that stupid race.”  The grueling challenge of the Mortimer is a sick kind of fun. I guess the after effects hadn’t worn off yet.  Today was going to be gritty.

• 10 x Heels to Heaven (IC)
• 10 x Oblique Crunches L (IC)
• 10 x Oblique Crunches R (IC)

Back to partners

• Partner 1
  • Bear Crawl Pull Throughs to the curb
  • Straight-armed Front carry back
• Partner 2
  • Plank til they get back
• Flapjack

Back to the beginning

• Partner 1 – Run to the bottom of the hill and back
• Partner 2 – Overhead Presses (OYO)
• Flapjack
• Repeato for a total of 2 times running and doing exercises

We don’t do core work just one time at YHC’s beatdowns

• 15 x Heels to Heaven (IC)
• 15 x Oblique Crunches L (IC)
• 15 x Oblique Crunches R (IC)

More Pull Throughs, Front Carries, and Planking

• Partner 1
  • Bear Crawl Pull Throughs to the curb
  • Straight-armed Front carry back
• Partner 2
  • Plank til they get back
• Flapjack

Wasn’t any better the second time around

• Partner 1 – Run to the bottom of the hill and back
• Partner 2 – Chest Press & Pullover (OYO)
• Flapjack
• Repeato for a total of 2 times running and doing exercises

YHC couldn’t wait to bring this workout to the PAX at The Sandlot.  Not sure why.  Maybe we just don’t do much block work at The Sandlot.  Anyways, pullovers with a block suck.  Pretty sure they knew what was coming next

• 20 x Heels to Heaven (IC)
• 20 x Oblique Crunches L (IC)
• 20 x Oblique Crunches R (IC)

No time for another round of bear crawling, wasn’t on the weinke anyways.  The weinke got legs about halfway through the workout, but it didn’t matter.  It was stuck in YHC’s head like a song you can’t get out.  Time to mosey back to the flag.

Still time left on the clock.  Can’t have that.  2 minutes of Mary:

• JJ – 10 x Flutter Kicks (IC)
• Captain Stubing – 10 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)
• Nutria – 10 x Hello Dollies (IC)
• BOS – 10 x American Hammers (IC)

That was it.  No time left for more madness.  At least not til next time.

“We’re all mad here.  I’m mad.  You’re mad… You must be, or you wouldn’t have come here.”

The lunatic’s disease of waking up before the rest of the world to enter this sacred space we call The Gloom and pour sweat, run hills, throw weights, talk smack, lift concerns, give thanks, pick each other up, and do it all again the next day is a disease I hope I never shake.  We train for events more stupid and awful than the everyday things we do, which for most are stupid and awful, but to us just feel like a Monday.  I love it, men.  Thanks for letting me be a part of the group.  Keep pushing.

Yabba Dabba Doo

17 PAX came to The Storm to celebrate another year of F3 Gastonia. We put our counting skills to the test, turned things upside down with some Australian Mountain Climbers, and gave a few shout outs to PAX young and old, present or absent, and one not even a member of F3 Gastonia.  Here’s what I remember:

Nothing like Qing a bootcamp.  It’s fun being in the middle of the circle when you know you’ve got a good one planned.  0530 hit and it was time to get going.

The Thang:

• 10 x SSH (IC)
• 10 x Gravel Pickers (IC)
• Tesla Stretches
• 10 x Mike Tysons (IC)
• 10 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)

Had some complicatedness on the horizon, so I went ahead and explained it once, early, before we were even getting into it, just to set the table.  While I’ve run the Greene Game before, I don’t think any of today’s PAX have played, so I wanted to give them a preview.

We didn’t come to talk or listen to somebody make something complicated, so YHC tried to keep it brief, and off we went to the ballfields for no real good reason than to go to the ballfields for today’s core work:

• 15 x American Hammers (IC)
• 15 x Double Crunches (IC)
• 10 x Oblique Cruches R (IC)
• 10 x Oblique Crunches L (IC)
• 15 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)

And then to the bleachers for an ode to Dirt:

• 10 x Calf Raises (IC)

Mosey back to the main wall at the Storm where it was time to use 3/21:

Partner Up

• Partner 1 – 21 x Australian Mountain Climbers (Count Left Side)
• Partner 2 – Do any combination of these 3 exercises: Dips, Derkins, Step-Ups til they’re done
• Switch
• Repeato for 2 full rounds

Hey, been a while since we did core work:

• 15 x American Hammers (IC)
• 15 x Double Crunches (IC)
• 10 x Oblique Cruches R (IC)
• 10 x Oblique Crunches L (IC)
• 15 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)

All that was just an appetizer.  The main course was on it’s way.

Race week tradition is to break out the Greene Game.  It’s a kick-your-own ass style workout where the laps and exercises are given, you just go as hard as you want and get in the work you want.  The counting is the hardest part.

Y’all know I’m all about the points, and this is no different.  Each exercise has a rep count that’s worth a set number of points.  Finish a set, get that number of points.  This round of the Greene Game was SA inspired:

• 1 lap (less than 1/4 mile) – 1 point
• 10 burpees – 1 point
• 20 HR merkins – 1 point
• 20 Imperial Walker Squats – 1 point
• 20 Big Boys – 1 point

Break it up however you want, you just don’t get a point until the set is finished.  Keep up with your own points.

Here’s the results:

• Anchorman – 31
• Maybelline – 24
• Freon – 24
• Tiger – 22
• Balljoint – 20
• Sister Act – 20
• Stinky Bird – 20
• Flintstone – 19
• Breaker Breaker – 18
• Tricycle – 17
• BOS – 16
• Pockets – 15
• Fannie Mae – 15
• Eh Y’all – 14
• Tooth Fairy – 14
• Gavel – 14
• Dr. Seuss – 2

It’s not always best to just do exercises, but it was today.  Anchorman ran away with the win and took home the trophy.  We gave out alcohol today to the winner, because I guess that’s just a thing we do now.

It was a little more to keep up with than normal, but a pretty thorough beatdown.  YHC was glad to call time and get the PAX together to finish up with… yup:

• 10 x American Hammers (IC)
• 10 x Double Crunches (IC)
• 10 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)

And that was that.

Moleskin:

I posted a picture from 2015 of what was me back then.  It wasn’t something I’m proud of.  The difference is discipline.  When I was a child, I talked and acted and handled my business like a child.  Now that I’m grown, I take care of my business (for the most part), and do what’s required of me whether I want to or not.  It’s the discipline of grinding day in and day out that’s made the difference.  We have to do what we have to do, not what we want to do or feel like doing.  That discipline I wouldn’t have without y’all.  Thanks.

Happy Birthday F3 Gastonia

Yabba Dabba Doo

Running is repetitive.  One foot in front of the other.  Over and over.

We ran Loftin Park.

Our ruckers are faster than yours.

Strong crowd again.

Keep hammering.

Yabba Dabba Doo

The Thang:

• Up
• Down
• Repeato

One of our longer sessions.

Peer pressure probably made some late for work.

It’s hard to count or keep track of time on the Halfpipe.

HTFU

Yabba Dabba Doo

I’ve Q’d QSource 3 times in 2023.  All 3 were cold and rainy.  If you can think of a cold rainy day on Sunday this year, I had the Q.  We will see if it holds up in April.

QSource was on Leading Up and Down the Chain of Command.  Lots of good discussions about:

• The Burden of Leadership
• Criticism from People Who Think They Know Things Because They Read Something Online
• The Longing to Be Understood
• Being Immersed and In the Thick of It and Detached and Reflective at the Same Time
• Giving Ownership
• Who “They” Are
• Situational Awareness
• Taking Blame
• Communication
• Telling, Not Asking, Your Boss What You’re Going to Do

Lots covered in a small amount of time.

No better way to spend a Sunday, even if it’s soggy, and my V’s a bit Sandy because of it.

Yabba Dabba Doo

9 of us got some running in and did some exercises.  Here’s what I remember:

After the Extinction Run, YHC bowed out of EC, but had some running on the agenda.  Shoulda told the guys.  Bad form.

The Thang:

• 10 x Gravel Pickers (IC)
• 10 x Hillbilly Walkers (IC)
• 5 x Burpees (OYO)
• Tesla Stretches (IYKYK)
• 10 x Mike Tysons (IC)
• 10 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)
• 5 x Burpees (OYO)
• 10 x Goofballs (IC)

Get a head count, and we’re off.

Take the long way to the top of the parking lot at Martha’s, and get started on a little Wolfpack Grinder

• 10 x Merkins (IC)
• 10 x Superman Pullups (IC)

Mosey to the bottom of the lot by the Turd Shack

• 10 x Freddie Mercuries (IC)
• 10 x Heels to Heaven (IC)

Repeato, then back to the top for one more set of the Merkins & Superman Pullups before moving on to the upper picnic shelter for:

Dips & Duckies:

• Partner 1 – Dips (OYO)
• Partner 2 – Duck Walk to the end of the sidewalk and back
• Switch

Wanted to come back to it at the end, but there’s never enough time for these things.  One will do.

Ran across the lot, and was chastised for breaking the Strava art, heading to the center of the ballfields for:

Cora Por Diez

• Partner 1 – Run around Field 3
• Partner 2 – Alternate 10 reps of two core exercises til they get back
• Round 1 – Double Crunches & American Hammers
• Round 2 – Baby Makers & Penguins
• Round 3 – Toe Touches & Flutter Kicks

Round 3 got cut a little short for time, but we did get back in time for some more

• 15 x American Hammers (IC)

And that was that.  Got over 2.25 miles, which I caught some flack for for not posting for EC.  It’s usually tough to get miles in my Qs because we spend a lot of time doing exercises, but we stretched out some longer runs this time on purpose.  Got credit for pulling a Gastone and resting by running or a running 10 count.  We didn’t come to stand around.

Better was got.  Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

Yabba Dabba Doo