F3 Gastonia

Fitness, Fellowship, Faith

Page 10 of 917

FRC didn’t relocate for a paving project

4 HIM showed for FRC at the normal location. Caution was thrown to the wind. This is what happened…
In the dim pre-dawn hours, when the world was still cloaked in darkness and the air was thick with the quiet anticipation of a new day, four friends found themselves running through a paving construction site. Their names were Quiche, Dr. Seuss, Golddigger, and Sargento, an unlikely quartet whose lives intertwined in ways as unique and unexpected as their names.

Quiche, with his love for culinary adventures, was often the mastermind behind their escapades. His nickname, borrowed from the savory pie, suited his quirky yet thoughtful personality. Quiche was the planner, the one who always had a scheme up his sleeve, and tonight was no different. He had convinced his friends to join him in an early morning jog through the newly paved construction site, promising an adventure they wouldn’t forget.

Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Sam, was the storyteller of the group. His nickname was a testament to his whimsical imagination and love for rhymes. As they ran, he couldn’t help but narrate their journey in a sing-song voice, turning the mundane act of running into a fantastical tale. “Through the site, in the night, we take flight,” he chanted, his words bringing a smile to his friends’ faces despite the early hour.

Golddigger, known for his relentless pursuit of success and wealth, was a sharp contrast to Dr. Seuss’s whimsical nature. His nickname, initially a jest, had become a badge of honor. He approached life with a pragmatic mindset, always on the lookout for opportunities. This morning run, however, was a rare deviation from his usual routines, a chance to bond with his friends away from the hustle and bustle of his ambitions.

Sargento, the steady and reliable one, was the glue that held the group together. His nickname, derived from the Spanish word for sergeant, was a nod to his disciplined nature and leadership qualities. He ensured their adventures were not only fun but also safe. As they navigated through the uneven terrain of the construction site, Sargento kept a watchful eye on his friends, guiding them through potential hazards.

The construction site was a maze of freshly poured concrete and scattered machinery. The smell of wet cement lingered in the air, mingling with the earthy scent of early morning dew. The ground was uneven, and the path was illuminated only by the faint glow of distant streetlights and the occasional flicker of a construction lamp. It was an unusual place for a run, but it was precisely this peculiarity that made it exciting.

As they ran, their laughter echoed through the deserted site, a stark contrast to the usual cacophony of construction work. They dodged piles of gravel and leaped over trenches, their movements fluid and synchronized like a well-rehearsed dance. Each of them brought a unique energy to the group, creating a harmonious balance that made their friendship special.

The adventure culminated as they reached the far end of the construction site, where the first light of dawn began to break through the darkness. They paused, panting and exhilarated, to watch the sunrise. The sky transformed into a canvas of pink and orange hues, a breathtaking reward for their early morning endeavor. In that moment, standing together amidst the unfinished landscape, they felt a profound sense of camaraderie.

Their run through the construction site was more than just a physical exercise; it was a celebration of their friendship and the unique bond they shared. Quiche, Dr. Seuss, Golddigger, and Sargento, despite their differences, complemented each other perfectly. As the new day dawned, they knew that no matter what adventures awaited them, they would face them together, with laughter, creativity, ambition, and unwavering support.

Sargento out!

I Just Wanted to be on the Missing BB List

Most ran, some rucked. As of right now, since this BB is way past due Purple Haze is visiting Italy to learn to talk with his hands, so stay out of arms reach when he gets back as he could be dangerous. Or perhaps he will just lean to one side.

The QSource topic was Meeting. It was epic! Just ask anyone that was there.

My return to Midoriyama!

I think I’ve only been to Midoriyama once in about 4 months because of track season. You know I had to do some Ultimate Frisbee for my first Q back. We had 11 show up so we rotated Oompa to Leppards team once my team was up like 10 points. Anyway, I learned one thing, 4 months off is not recommended. One of the only times in my life I felt physically old. Definitely time for me to be more consistent with my fitness. I’ve used my athletic ability as a crutch for too long.  To all you younger guys get consistent now!!!   Anyway, Hei Hei caught too many passes on me. Luigi my 2.0 played better than I did. Oh yeh and of course Leppard lost!!! Lost in an awesome way. On the last play I threw a laser beam about 3/4’s of the field to Broke who caught it right on Leppards head for the win!!! Good work Leppard!

The Same Week – Yank PT Test 6/2024

10 PAX weren’t afraid to tackle one of the toughest tests in F3 Gastonia, the Classic PT Test.  Formulated by Broke’s mastermind, and passed down through the generations, the workout itself is legendary, and we get to see from year to year how we stack up.  What started at the Grier Middle School track at Gashouse has morphed into more of a franchise, taking to all Saturday AOs on this crisp and gorgeous June morning.

The challenge at the new AOs is that the tracks aren’t exactly, well, regulation sized tracks.  The Yank’s is especially short, but in preparation for the Yank PT Test, YHC wanted to know how short it was.  A slow mosey with a Garmin watch showed 0.24, and math from there meant that basically, a lap and a half would get us the quarter mile (or a lot closer than just 1 lap anyways), and so that’s what we did.  No short track today in Belmont.  So for the sake of this backblast, 1.5 laps around the track is about 400m.

The Thang:

  • 10 x Seal Jacks (IC)
  • 10 x Don Quixotes (IC)
  • 10 x Imperial Walkers (IC)
  • Tesla Stretches
  • Figure 4 Back Stretches

Instructions for the PT Test given with adjustments detailed, and the plan all laid out.

“So are we gonna do that or just run a lap?”

Good lord.  Of course we’re going to do that.  It’s a better measuring stick than taking a short cut.

The Classic PT Test (Yank Edition):

  • Run 1.5 laps
  • 100 reps each of Merkins, Squats, LBCs, SSHs (no splitting)
  • Run 1.5 laps
  • 75 reps each of Merkins, Squats, LBCs, SSHs (no splitting)
  • Run 1.5 laps
  • 50 reps each of Merkins, Squats, LBCs, SSHs (no splitting)
  • Run 1.5 laps
  • 25 reps each of Merkins, Squats, LBCs, SSHs (no splitting)
  • Run 6 laps

YHC launched the group, then fumbled around with music and a clipboard before joining the group.

Highlights:

  • Doodles crushing the first run
  • Watts Up and Pinto pushing each other to finish
  • Brutus’s monster push to finish the last lap
  • All 10,000 reps accounted for from all PAX
  • Sargento posting on mumblechatter before COT about having the Murph and the PT Test the same week

Official Times*:

  • Flintstone – 32:52
  • Tesla – 35:38
  • Sargento – 36:20
  • Orangeman – 36:50
  • Doodles – 37:31
  • Pinto – 40:18
  • Watts Up – 40:18
  • Brutus – 45:39
  • Gavel – 1 lap remaining
  • Montana – 3 laps remaining

*No video evidence exists of these times, and no Form Police were on hand to slap wrists and hand out “No Reps”.  Thankfully.

We just fellowship moseyed back to the start for COT, and that was that.

It’s like a Q Free Square for the King of the Qs battle for the month.  Much thanks to Gavel for the opportunity to lead, and to Broke for the Weinke.

Yabba Dabba Doo

Working the Masseter

It was nice being back out on Saturday. With some travel and some family in town  I haven’t been able to get out there.  However lack of planning led to some small Q fails for which Mayor let me know.  Here’s what we did

Dora 1-2-3 with Merkins, LBCs and Step-ups while  the other ran to big rock and back or carrying something down and back.

Stations:  1 min timer

Pax choice

Curls

Flutter kicks

Plank jacks

Squats

Merkins

Lateral lunge

Pullovers

Mosey

Round 2:

Step ups

Extensions

Heels to heaven

Nolan Ryans

Swings

Dirty dogs

Reverse lunges

Chest press

I know there were a few confusing moments but sure everyone got their moneys worth.  Mayor made sure to work that masseter and keep me in check, thanks brother.

Gypsy Soul

A tardy Backblast, so the details are fuzzy, but 9 PAX put in work at The Labyrinth and got our gypsy souls rocked.  Here’s what I remember:

EC Wednesday was back, and Whoopee and Maybelline joined YHC for a mosey down to the neighborhood and back before the Beatdown.

The Thang:

  • 10 x SSH (IC)
  • 10 x Imperial Walker Squats (IC)
  • Tesla Stretches
  • 10 x Mike Tysons (IC)
  • 10 x Dying Cockroaches (IC)

The Site Q brought the coupons, and everyone got a block from his truck and we just stayed put in the Pelicans lot for the opening block work.

Block Circuit:

  • 5 x Thrusters (OYO)
  • 5 x Tricep Extensions (OYO)
  • 5 x Chest Press Pullovers (OYO)
  • Run a Lap around Pelicans
  • +1 on Rep counts and Repeato
  • Last Round: 10 reps of each

Always better to add the reps than take them away.  Gives you more to look forward to, Amiright?  Anyways, the experience Q brought music, but no time spent on a playlist, and Pandora picked Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic”, which is a terrible workout song.  Maybelline was bummed that we skipped the song, but that wasn’t the mood YHC was trying to set.

Give the coupons back, and take a quick tour of Martha’s, heading down into the park, stopping at the entrance for:

  • 5 x Burpees (OYO)

Then next to the first shelter.  We need some benches, and there are none finer in all the region:

  • 20 x Dips (OYO)
  • 15 x Derkins (OYO)
  • 10 x Bulgarian Split Squats (Each Leg – OYO)

YHC took the role of Form Police on the Split Squats to try to save some knees.

Mosey to the big flag in the middle of the ballfields for the pledge.  Dusted off an old Weinke and brought back:

Cora Por Dies – Alternate 10 reps of 2 different core exercises while your partner runs the 0.25+ mile route around Ballfield #3

Round 1:

  • 10 x Freddie Mercuries
  • 10 x Flutter Kicks
  • Repeato until

During this round, The Gloom looked so ideally gloomy that we had PAX working to capture the moment photographically.  It was the kind of day they wanted to cherish in their hearts forever, or that they just wanted to be a tshirt design.  Either way, YHC was honored.

  • 10 x Shoulder Taps (IC)

in lieu of a 10 count.  Bullwinkle made everyone else’s Shoulder Taps look sloppy.  Strong work.

Round 2:

  • 10 x American Hammers
  • 10 x LBCs
  • Repeato until

And one more set of

  • 10 x Shoulder Taps (IC)

So now we got to undo the rest of what we did.  To the shelter:

  • 20 x Dips (OYO)
  • 15 x Derkins (OYO)
  • 10 x Bulgarian Split Squats (Each Leg – OYO)

To the entrance:

  • 5 x Burpees (OYO)

Back to finish, with just a little time to spare, and Whoopee was picked to finish us off with Mary and he did so with:

  • 15 x LBCs (IC)

Intense finish for sure.  That was that, and we all got what we paid for.

Moleskin:

I get away from Martha’s for too long and I realize how much I miss it.  Check past Backblasts for what the place means to me, but the PAX and the park just remind me of all the things that I’ve done out there.  It’s always a solid dose of nostalgia getting out there, and yet we’re still doing it.  Numbers are picking back up at both The Labyrinth & Ricky Bobby.  Let’s keep pushing through the summer.

Privileged for an opportunity to lead.

Yabba Dabba Doo

Moist Crossroads

9 Pax attended Crossroads with the season-opening ride for 3 of the DBC (Dallas Bike Club) starting early even though the moisture may have hindered full attendance. I heard there were puddles in some neighborhoods so safety first! 6 runners, no ruckers. Where you at ruckers? Runners mostly got in at least 4 to 5 miles and some were much sweatier than others. Freight running 5 after his 10 mile trail run yesterday. The DBC got in almost 20 miles as they made it to Lincoln County and back. Slaw was breaking in the nice new bike. Defib has some sort of radar on his bike to detect cars and maybe speed traps by police. We all stayed for coffee and a discussion on Missionality. Find what you are meant to do and practice it to be the best you can and serve your greatest purpose. The group helped me through this lesson with great insights. Things discussed were spaghetti, Sports Illustrated, Dolphins, the best Q’s, Valerie Bertinelli, Daffodils and the worst Q (we all know who)!

Announcements: F3 Lunch at Bubba’s 33 June 19th at noon.
Annihilation Workout at Gashouse with Heihei Q Saturday June 8th at 7

Prayer Requests: Turtleman’s family, Freight’s dad, Guffey family, Camm family, Gumby’s mom, Huckleberry. Broke took us out!

I’m No Billy

It was time to pass on the shovel flag, and what better day than a holiday, when work wasn’t an excuse (for most) for not getting out in The Gloom.

Well work wasn’t an excuse, but the Murph was, and we had a whopping 4 PAX on site to witness the passing of the theoretical shovel flag.  (The actual shovel flag was at the Murph.)

Welcome to the Site Q ranks – STOGIE!

Work was done.  Who knows what.

The word for Memorial Day came from the late Rev. Billy Graham, as his words to a Veteran group would be much more poignant than anything YHC would put together.  Freedom is worth fighting for an dying for, but it’s also worth living for, and we have an obligation to live honorably for the rights and privileges that those who lost their lives gave it all to protect.

Moleskin:

It was a short run, by Site Q standards, but I was proud to carry the torch, and appreciate the work that Sarlacc did before me and look forward to Stogie’s leadership.  Thanks to all who got out of their comfort zone to share a word to start the week off right.

#NeverMissAMonday

Yabba Dabba Doo

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 F3 Gastonia

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑