F3 Gastonia

Fitness, Fellowship, Faith

Page 766 of 917

What the heck are we doing?

24 men showed to boost the Midoriyama count to a new height on Tuesday. With warm weather among us, all the fields and parking lots were filling up fast with kick ballers, baseballers and soccer phenomes. Seeing that so many PAX are having injuries I’ve been looking and finding more ways to build strength for legs and core. I found plenty to help TT with his erector spinae ( haha ) and Leppard’s leg, while also helping us slower runners with some strength that we can apply to our runs. Tiger brought two FNG’s with him.  Not a lot of cardio today, with that lets begin. TT took off on his run and Floppy, Swimmer and Canteen to the trails and Oompa on his recovery ruck,  the rest got to work.

Warm up  x15 IC

Moroccan Nightclubs

Hillbillies

Cotton pickers

Squat

Don Q

Rocky Balboa

Mike Tyson

 

Mosey to the small soccer field to get some blocks, only to find our field has been over ran with soccer teams. OMAHA, mosey to the parking lot for some Rout 66. We need to show out for the soccer moms. With a few PAX in good form with their hip hop style, we began the THANG.

Skater squat.

Salute Plank.  Bear Crawl to the next line.

Sandy V. Crab walk to the next line.

Hip Thigh extension.  Crab walk to the next line.

Mosey to the next parking lot.

Single Leg Deadlift.

CDD. Bear Crawl to the next line.

Mosey back to the start.

 

 

Good job today men. I know that you all wanted to run more, but we can do that next time. Welcome Mongoose and Hey Jude, good job Tiger with the FNGs and showing them the ropes. It was a gut busting good time from the hip hop/west side style Skater Squats to the quick Hip Thigh Extensions being rolled out. This was definitely a great 2nd F workout as well. Thank you guys!!

 

 

Announcements:        The Forge on Wednesdays. LBFC’s for the monthly challenge, 40 day challenge,

Prayer Request:  Many request from house fires to untimely deaths. A friend of Billy Madison’s named Katey, Dealing with cancer, please so a prayer of hope and comfort for these families.

 

Day 4 of 40

No FNG’s so we started with the Pledge.

Warm-up:
20 SSH (IC)
10 Merkins(IC)

We moseyed down Riverwood Parkway and stopped at Plantation Trail and River Ridge Drive and did 20 squats at each location before heading to Gastone’s Hill (aka Village Ridge Drive)

We ran Gastone’s hill three times and at the top it was 5 burpees and at the bottom was 10 hand release Merkins (not push-ups- Thanks Whoopee)

On the way down the hill after round three, Turtleman brags and says he is going to 3 rounds running forwards and 3 rounds running backwards next Wednesday when he has the Q.  So that gave me an idea, let’s do one round backwards up the hill.  At some point we did 4 burpees and 40 LBC’s ( day 4 of 40).   Running back down the hill to a waiting 5 burpees and headed back to Plantation Trail and River Ridge Drive and did 20 squats.

We turned into the vacant office parking lot and lunged to a light pole then hopped the cement wall and circled up for 5 burpees near the dumpster.  I saw the dock next to Bellacino’s and we jumped it then bear crawled down the side.

Moseyed to the wall for 10-15-20 of dips and derkins.  Time to head back to Snoballs and Gastone closed out the program with some flutter kicks.

Thank you for allowing me to lead.

Stacked deck?

A beautiful morning for a beatdown at Goat Island. Actually the Island was locked due to high water levels, so we stayed on the mainland. It’s all good.

Brief disclaimer, I’m not a professional, etc.

Pledge of Allegiance

Dolph was hollering about some Floyd and Blackie’s so we moseyed that way. When we reached the back of the coffee shop parking lot we came upon what appeared to be a bunch of zombies (imagine a scene from The Walking Dead where they round a corner only to be blocked by walkers and have to find another way). These were really just the girls (mainly) from the bootcamp on a field trip it appeared. Keep moseying back to the green and finally to the gazebo of pain.

The Thang!

The Deck of Death (stacked version)!!!

Each suit in a deck of cards is an exercise, each card determines the number of reps. Aces are are a lap around the green and jokers give a choice of 14 burpees or a lap around the green.

Clubs – Burpees

Diamonds – Merkins

Hearts – LBCs

Spades – Squats

Mayor and his infinite wisdom immediately claimed that my choice of exercises was not imaginative enough. Maybe so but he still hated having to run around so much. Ice up son!!!

We had a good time with some excellent mumble chatter, especially when the PAX realized that the deck I was carrying wasn’t exactly even. Maybe there were a few extra cards to spice things up. How’s that for imagination Mayor?!?

Time ran out before we could finish everything, maybe we won’t do the warm up mosey next time. Great work men, it was an honor to lead you today! AYE!!!

Announcements: All have expired by now I think

Prayer requests: Breaker Breaker’s aunt Judy, Lynn Hamm chemo treatments, proms, college exams, year end finish for area schools

Thank you for the opportunity to lead today men.

Allen Tate’s tiny sack

Yesterday we decided we would bring back our Wednesday workout.  We stopped a while back due to a lack of participation.  That’s now changed.  Folsom is full of HIMs.  It was decided that Wednesday at Folsom would be a run/ruck workout.  I received a text last night from Allen Tate that he bought a ruck sack and was ready to go.  He hops out of the truck this morning with what appeared to be a CamelBak.   #tinybabysack  After Volt informed him his bladder was upside down, it was time to clock in.

Sparky, Montross, Volt and Bedpan took off running. Medicine Woman, Allen Tate and YHC went rucking.

Not sure of the chatter from the runners, but Medicine Woman and I spent 45 minutes hearing about a tiny sack.  Allen Tate also never figured out how to use his bladder.

TIME

COT – announcements: Memorial Day 5k or Murph.  If you’re in town, and have a set, be at one of them. Prayer requests: a family Medicine Woman knows, Allen Tate’s mother-in-law, each other.

BOM: Sparky took us out.

Moleskin: I couldn’t be more proud of this group.  There was a time where Folsom was looked at as the B AO.  Everyone at Folsom is pushing hard; getting in better shape and becoming better men.

I’m proud to be a part of F3 Gastonia.  If I’ve ever posted with you, I want to thank you.  Every person I came across has pushed me in one way or another.  #ISI.  We have a great region.  Lean on your brothers. There are not just there for you at a workout. As I have found out, they are there to do life with you also.  My brothers: you have all pushed me not only physically, but spiritually and pushed me as a man.

Philippians 4:13

Huckleberry

Island VQ

Great work today with the VQ from Island. He stepped up in a strong way. We briefly discussed how to prepare the Weinke and I was ready to jump in whenever he needed me, but…….I never got called in from the bullpen. I was the warmer-upper, handed over to Island, then just tried not to be the 6 until the very end.

We started with a welcome to our FNG, disclaimer, briefly reviewed the 5 core principles of F3, hit the pledge, then started into the WU after warning the pax of our impending VQ beatdown.

WU was longer than usual and noticed by a few of the Pax. We did SSH X 48 since I turned 48 today. JK2 asked for “bet you can’t do a hunderd” but I was on a mission.  We got 48, no more, no less. Then we did some merkins, squats, think we also did some flutter kicks then finished with 5 burpees.

Island took over-we moseyed to the soccer field the long way. Not sure if he got lost or just wanted to run for awhile……finally got to the soccer field and he unloaded the instructions. Partner up, P1 does exercise while P2 does a lap. Exercises were AMRAP: Merkins, Squats, Crunchy Frogs. I think we had a few double up on exercise and miss their last round of running but not sure that was any easier.

Next, mosey to the other side of soccer field for round 2-we did 4 exercises X 4 rounds: Bearcrawl up the grassy hill, 3 pull-ups, 20 Merkins, and 25 dips-we did these in any order OYO.

We moseyed to the parking lot for some more pain: It involved burpees and some other stuff but since it has been more than 5 minutes, I have already forgotten-sorry Island. We did some more moseying and ended up back at Snoball’s right…on….time.

I closed us out with quick COT and namorama with FNG Brad Joyce (Durden). Hopefully none of you know him on a professional level, wait, maybe that would not be such a bad idea. He works in mental health in some capacity. Make sure to look for him and make him feel welcome.

Moleskin:

I shared with everyone that I went to my nephew’s confirmation this weekend. The minister talked about the leadership that is missing in our country. I was smiling on the inside because I knew it was not as bad as it could be because of F3 and what we are trying to do within F3 across the whole country, not only in Gas-Vegas (heard that at the run with Stroganoff at Latini Memorial Run last week). Island took his leadership role seriously and kicked some serious butt-it was great to see. Keep pushing each other and pushing the rock. Be a leader in your world as much as you can and keep your brothers accountable.

thanks for the leadership Island-great work.

Whoopee

Blocks

Last week the site Q at Folsom caught a lot of slack from the Folsom pax on the Good ole  GroupMe chat! So, I reminded the pax that I had the Q on Tuesday, go ahead and get it all out of your system,  because come Tuesday you want be able to pick up your phone! I tried to deliver!

Pulling in at Folsom, it was a good site to see! Medicine Woman getting his Ruck on! And the parking lot was pretty full for a Tuesday! 530 hits!

10 burpees oyo! Mumble chatter already!

Lets mosey, to the flag, pledge, mosey back to the “trucks”! Grab a Block!

20 to 1! If you put your block down during the the WO, that will cost you 5 burpees OYO!

20 squats

20 shoulder press

20 curls

20 triceps

then 19 each, 18 each, 17 each, you get the picture! Somewhere around the 16 rep mark, the burpees started for some of the pax! All of the Folsom pax pushed hard, hats off to Hank! I think that guy is a machine! Lots and lots of mumble chatter during this, I think some did burpees, to get a break from the blocks, weird?

5 minutes left, we have time for one more mosey!

Im very proud of these Folsom men, they are a solid group of HIMs, and I am blessed to be a part of!

Announcements: warrior dash, beginning of June, Memorial Day 5k, Memorial Day Murph! Adding a run/ruck day at Folsom on Wednesday

Prayer request: some unspoken, Allen Tate’s mother in law, Bedpans son, each other and families!

Thanks men, for letting me lead! See you in the gloom!

 

Folsom Discipline

Sparky asked for a Folsom Saturday Q and I agreed. The Folsom guys have been really pushing the rock lately so you can’t bring a substandard weinke or the mumblechatter could turn ugly. I arrive around 6:25 and see a big group which is always what you want to see. 18 HIM’s ready to get after it. I like to keep it moving so let’s get started!

Warm Up SSH x 10 IC, Hillbillies x 10 IC, Mosey to the Flag near the road, Pledge, Low Slow Squats x 10 IC, Penguins x 10 IC

Mosey to the pond with the new Pier, can’t because there are fishermen already there, so keep moseying to the large parking lot near the softball field. This was going to be Wilt Chamberlains (100) but YHC “Omaha”ed (is that a word) to 53 (some old guy’s age) but IC so ’twas not easy. LBC’s x 53 IC run back to parking lot near pond and return. Squats IC x 53, run to end parking lot. Flutter Kicks x  53 IC, run to the end of the parking and return. Lunges back to the parking lot entrance. Somewhere in here, while I am trying to catch my breath, we discussed today’s topic, Discipline. I shared the story of my wife’s friend who is a doctor who told her one time that she was never the smartest in any of her schools but she was very disciplined to become a doctor. I read from Navy Seal Jocko Willink’s book, Discipline Equals Freedom. “Don’t worry about motivation. Motivation is fickle. It comes and goes. It is unreliable and when you are counting on motivation to get your goals accomplished – you will likely fall short. So, don’t expect to be motivated every day to get out there and make things happen. You won’t be. Don’t count on motivation. Count on discipline. You know what you have to do. So. Make yourself do it. You do that with Discipline.” Roscoe added “If you don’t feel like posting, go anyway and let the guys pull you through that day. Be disciplined to show up.” Aye!

Mosey back to the playground for a Def Leppard Six Pack. 5 pull ups, 1 CDD. 4 pull ups 2 CDD’s, 3 pull ups, 3 CDD’s, 2 pull ups, 4 CDD’s, 1 pullup, 5 CDD’s. If you must know I am infamous for my CDD form and 5 pull ups is about all I can do at a time. Sister Act had to leave to go to yet another Dance competition about this time. He is kinda group text famous for his outfits and makeup. Ask a Folsom guy, they can show you.

Mosey to the tennis courts for Red Barchetta. After consulting with several music experts (Roscoe, Short Sale and Whoopee) it was decided this is pronounced with a “sh”. I borrowed this from a (noted Rush fan Whoopee) Q a while back. Sprint the length of the tennis courts then 100 SSH (my calves), run back to start and wait on the six. Sprint 75 yards (4 courts) do 75 Mountain Climbers, run back to the start. Sprint 50 yards (3 Courts) 50 LBC’s and run back to the start. Sprint 25 yards (2 Courts) do 25 Merkins. Sprint 10 yards (1 court) 10 burpees, run back to the start.

Stay on the tennis courts and count off  by 1’s and 2’s. 1’s on one side of the nets and 2’s on the other for Wojo’s Sprint Relay. We had 2 teams of 8, 4 stay on this end and 4 to the other end for each team. When I say go, the first guy for each team here sprints to the other end and then the next guy on his team goes to see which team finishes first. Now, when I say these guys got after it, I mean they got after it. Several of these guys (we checked on Strava) were in the 3 to 4 minute/mile pace range and the race was close and hopefully no one was hurt. Every Single Man was pushing with all they had and it was great to see! Gumby’s legs looked like a cartoon they were going so fast!

Like I said, I like to include a lot in my Q’s so a few minutes left. Time for some Frisbee Rules Football on the tennis courts. This was supposed to be in our parking lot near the pier but no time today. Too many guys in a too small space but touchdowns were scored and touchdowns were dropped. Mosey back to the flag.

More on discipline from Jocko. “It happens in the darkness of the early morning. In solitude. Where I try. And I try. And I try again. With everything I have, to be the best that I can possibly be. Better than I was yesterday. Better than people thought I could be. Better than I thought I could be. Faster and Stronger and smarter. And claim one victory that no one can ever take away from me. Ever. A victory that is earned every single day. A victory achieved because: I will not stop.”

The Darkness

The sun doesn’t shine every day. The storms will come. There are times when the nights will be long and dark and you will be alone. There will be times when the darkness seems to consume everything. But don’t let it consume you. Don’t let it consume you. Even in the darkest times. Even in the strongest storms. Even when the sun is blotted out and the world is falling apart. The Darkness cannot extinguish your light. You. Your WILL. Your determination. No matter what is happening – no matter how hard the fight is. As long as you keep fighting – you win. Only surrender is defeat. Only quitting is the end. Because the Darkness only wins if you let it. Do not let the Darkness win. Fight. Fight on. To fight against the Darkness is to win. Fight on.”

Announcements: Speed for Need has a race on May 28th in Charlotte. Folsom will be having a 2.0 friendly workout once per month during summer months on Saturday at 7:00 am. Roscoe announced the 40 day Challenge Part Deux. Whoopee asked us to help keep each other accountable.

Prayer Requests: Breaker Breaker’s friend battling cancer and his aunt, JK2’s dad, every guy has unspoken prayer concerns.

COT: Sparky with his 2.0’s joined us and took us out in prayer. Coffeeteria at Country Kitchen.

*Thanks to all the guys who posted today. It means so much to the Q to have a large group. Thanks to Pizza Man and Slaw and anyone else who picked up the six. That is an important part of our workouts. Thanks to Whoopee and Roscoe for their encouraging words. Thanks to Huckleberry for being so honest and an inspiration to me. Thanks to the Folsom regulars Roadie, Medicine Woman, Volt, Montross, Gumby and Sparky for showing me and us all how to keep pushing. To be honest, I didn’t feel great today. I was tired and sore from posting Thursday and Friday and had a late night but the group pulled me through today as they have many times!

The Stable is Expanding

In case you haven’t heard, the Coconut Horse is growing. 26 HIMs posted for Rucking or Running. YHC took the Q, so 5 Burpees OYO before we get started running. Hey, it’s Slaw. Welcome to FNG Durden, who was EH’d by Wojo. Great work, brother! Solid work by everyone on a perfect Sunday morning! AYE!

Announcements:

  • Memorial Day Patriot 5k in Charlotte (will be pushing veterans) check with Tool Time if you’re interested.
  • Whoopee mentioned the annual “Memorial Day Murph” for those not running with Tool Time.
  • If you’re planning on ordering Mudgear compression sleeves/ calf condoms, order them through Amazon to help our brothers out getting their gear to the top of the list.
  • Roscoe announced the beginning of “The 40 Day Challenge: Part Deux”. Read  the pre-blast and details at F3Gastonia.com or the backblast channel on Slack.

Prayer Requests:

  • Breaker Breaker’s friend who is battling cancer. Also his Aunt.
  • Pastor Andrew Brunson who is on trial in Turkey
  • JK2’s Father
  • Def Leppard and his upcoming trip to Asia.
  • Defib running the Big Sur marathon and safe travels
  • Some YHC forgot and truly apologizes to those who mentioned prayer requests

YHC took us out in prayer.

Moleskin:

Roscoe mentioned the beginning of the 40 day challenge today. Def Leppard and Whoopee shared some wisdom from Jocko Willink on discipline at Folsom yesterday. Even when you don’t FEEL like posting/running/eating right, the discipline of sticking to your goals will see you through. Even when you feel like you’re just “going through the motions” of working out, do it anyway. You may not like it while you’re going through it, but you will be glad you did after you’re done. Whoopee spoke on keeping each other honest and accountable during the challenge. Don’t be afraid to call your brother out (in a brotherly love kind of way) and help keep him on track. That’s the whole “Iron Sharpens Iron” aspect in the shield lock. YHC has seen firsthand how  much of a difference being disciplined has helped our PAX during the last 40 day challenge. Let’s get to it and push each other.

Keep pushing,

Slaw

Quality…..not quantity

As I arrived back into the parking lot at the Schiele after an EC run, I was expecting a big crowd as I have not posted at Gashouse in well over a month due to travel, the CSAUP relay and other running events.  As I pulled in, all I saw was Moses.   Maybe the PAX was apprehensive about another Stroganoff Q……..unlikely.  Shortly, a few more arrived but it was a small crowd compared to the normal numbers at Gashouse.  We would still make the most of it.

An FNG, thanks to Hunchback.  Disclaimer.  Short warm up:

SSH X 20 (IC)

Imperial Walkers X 10 (IC)

Pledge

Time to split up as Clavin had the Painlab Q

The Thang

We moseyed to the main parking lot at Grier Middle School for some Stroganoff 5’s:

Bear Crawl across parking lot – 10 Merkins – Lunge walk back to starting location

Rinse – Repeat for a total of 5 reps

Mosey to the steps at First Presbyterian Church for some partner work – Rally to 1000:

Partner 1 does exercise – Partner 2 runs up the stairs for 5 Merkins and back down to switch with partner:

LBC’s X 200

Squats X 200

Flutter Kicks X 200

Mountain Climbers X 200

Freddy Mercury’s X 200

Mosey to the track at Grier for some Booyah Merkins Half Mile:

Same partners.  Partners run opposite direction on track and perform Booyah merkins once they meet up as follows:

1st Half Lap – 8 Booyah Merkins

2nd Half Lap – 6 Booyah Merkins

3rd Half Lap – 4 Booyah Merkins

4th Half Lap – 2 Booyah Merkins

Short mosey to the picnic tables for the following IC work:

Dips X 15

Step Ups X 20

Dips X 15

Step Ups X 20

Mosey back to the Schiele to finish off with some Mary:

LBC’s – Box Cutters – Dying Cockroaches – Mountain Climbers – Nolan  Ryans

Announcements – Prayer Requests – Closeout with a Prayer

4 for Coffeeteria

Good work men.  Good to be back at Gashouse after a long absence.

Welcome FNG Stagecoach.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

Until the next one.  Aye!

Stroganoff

Hills, Buprees, and Bear Crawls!

What an awesome Spring Saturday morning to be outside for a workout! YHC was anxious driving to the Yank, not sure of the turnout but had a well prepared Weinke and ready to push that rock. As I pulled into downtown Belmont, several PAX were finishing up some EC running. By 7am, we had 11 HIMs, including YHC readyfor a Fighting Yank beatdown. Let’s go to work!

Warmup:

SSH – 25 I/C

Toy Soldiers x 10

Lung w/Twist x 10

Burpees x5

 

The Thang:

Let’s mosey to Hawthorn Hill..

Triple Nickle with a Bernie Sanders twist

5x Merkins at bottom of hill, run backwards halfway up and then forward to top of hill for 5x squats. Rinse and Repeat 5x.

YHC hears a train, 5x burpees…

Mosey onto the parking lot down under. Here we lose Pockets, had to leave early but he did make it out for the hill work. All PAX meet in center of parking lot for next set of exercises. We all break off into 4 groups and all perform 5x burpees in center, each group moves to a corner for the given exercise.

Group 1 – 12x Balls to Wall HippSlappers,

Group 2 – Mercins x 11

Group 3 – Imperial Squats x11

Group 4 – WW2 or Big Boy Sit-ups x 11 (Q stated BB sit-ups but was doing WW2)

Complete your exercise, run back to center for 5x burpees and then to the next exercise, back to center for 5x burpees. Continue until each group completes each exercise and then rinse and repeat another round. We completed a total of 40 burpees during the two rounds.

Time to mosey again up to the Field of Dreams…YHC had stopped on his way in  before workout and laid out a triangle of cones for our last exercise, the Bearmuda Triangle, modified. It went like this, 1x burpee at first cone, bear crawl to second cone, 2x burpee, bear crawl to third cone, 3x burpees, and bear crawl back to cone 1, rinse and repeat 3x. The exercise calls for each cone to be 30 yards apart, YHC spaced the cones at about 10-12 yards apart and at that distance, it was a bear crawl beat down.

Mosey to Ring of Fire for a round of PAX selected Marys and finished 5 more burpees. Thanks Boudin!

Pledge

Announcements:

F2 event at Rankin Lake, Frisbee golf. Memorial Day Convergence & Patriot 5K and Global 6k for Water on May 19th.

Prayer request…continue to pray for Breaker Breaker’s friend Lynn Hamm with brain tumor, aunt with recent stroke, Andrew Brunson (missionary in prison in Turkey), Slim Shady upcoming Disney vacation, Tiger’s wife, and men and women in military.

It was an honor to be your Q this morning! Great work by all and way to push that rock! Until next time!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13

 

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