Tag: Architect

  • 5 Years On – from Rudy

    5 Years ago, my Dad passed on after a short cancer battle. 5 years can fly by in an instant – still feels like yesterday. Today, I drew up a Q calling on memories of him.

    Grab a rock. YHC was happy that Mr Rogers noticed that I got a larger one. Trying to do my Dad proud…

    The Thang: 1 minute of exercise, 30 seconds of rest. Each time, that rest would include 4 burpees.

    Round 1: Dad loved his DEWARS. Derkins, Elbow Plank, Werkins, American Hammer, muRkins, and Smurf Jacks. 24 Burpees in.

    Round 2: Dad, an OB doc) loved delivering babies. STORK: Squat, Thruster, Overhead press, Rows, Kettlebells. 44 Burpees in.

    Round 3: An avid golfer, with 4 hole-in-ones: GOLF: Gas Pumper, Outlaw, LBT, Flutter Kick. 60 Burpees.

    Round 4: He introduced my kids to his favorite snack – Peanut Butter and Butter sandwiches. PBB: Piston, Big Boys, Bench press. 72 Burpees.

    Round 5: He gave me my name – Robert Paul Christmann, JR: Jump squats, Rifle hold. Last time, we only did 3 burpees – brings a total of 79 burpees, his age when he passed.

    Back to the flag for COT. I still remember when my Mom called 5 years ago. It wasn’t a surprise. I was flying to Madison that day, hoping to see him one last time. I didn’t get to that time, but I am blessed with memories of the times I shared with him. Grief and sadness help shape us all – so today, I can be thankful both for my time with him, and for the times I still miss him.

    Thank you all for letting me share some memories of him!

  • Gotcha – from Hawgcycle

    Warm-up: SSH, IW, GG, Merkins, Bobby Hurly
    On the line: open the gate, close the gate, high knees, butt kicks, scoops

    Mosey to Gym:

    Gotcha – 1 line at the 3 point line. First two pax have a ball. Pax 1 shoots a 3. If he doesn’t make it he gets his own rebound and tries to score before pax 2 scores. If he doesn’t he’s out. Continue until one man left. There was a way to buy back in.

    Buy-in #1 – 30 Abe Lincolns, 60 Monkey Humpers, 90 Big Bois

    As predicted by Mayhem, the buy in was too steep. Although a couple of us came close.

    The Architect won the first game and pretended to do squats while the losers finished up.

    We reduced the buy-in for game two. Fast Tax and YHC got back in to be quickly dismissed once again.

    Buy-in #2 – 20 Big Bois, 40 Monkey Humpers, 60 Abe Lincolns

    I assume The Architect won again. It was him and Mayhem at the end, but I was too busy to pay attention.

    We took a break from basketball to do some
    wall work – BTW. Chicken Peckers, BTW, Pecker Chickens, BTW, Pecker Mayhem

    We then divided up into 3 teams of 3. Teams 1 and 2 play a game of 3 on 3 sudden death wile Team 3 does 10 merkins, 10 Bobby Hurleys, 10 Big Bois, in perpetuity. The losing team swaps with the team doing exercises.

    We made it through three games and headed back to the flag

    NMM
    * There are two kinds of people in the world. Those that enjoy having fun occasionally and Mr. Rogers
    * Speaking of everyone’s favorite neighbor, I did Q a workout that made him remove the weight vest. That feels almost as good as making an FNG puke. I consider it a badge of honor.
    * My shot was off. Must have been the wind
    * At first I was skeptical of Mahyems 10-count hip-slap, shoulder-tap merkin. I’m now fully on board having developed what I have now decided to call the Pecker Mayhem. This will prove to be the pinnacle of Mayhemdom

  • The Daniel – from Kilo

    YHC woke up ready to Q, ready to pick up the pace to get through this week and ready to honor one of our fallen heroes. Inspired by The Architect’s callout a few weeks ago to Q more this was my 2nd Q in as many weeks. And so on the Eve of El Diablo, YHC did what all good non professional trainers do… googled “hero workouts” and scrolled a little bit until the Daniel popped up. The PAX came out from the gloom, some in cars, some on foot coffee in hand, some on bikes and we began the Thang.

    The THANG:

    WOR: SSH, GG, Hillbilly’s, Slow Pagodas, Imperial Walkers, and finished with some TIE Fighters

    @ the Playground
    5 Rounds: 10 pull-ups, 10 merkins, hold a plank and rotate

    Mosey to the track for a 400 m Washington Football Team Run

    Rock Pile Partners: 10 thrusters, merkins, 11 thrusters, merkins

    Mosey to the track for 800 m on your own

    Different partners: 10 squats, merkins, 11 squats, merkins

    Started a Washington Football Team run but cut it short, PAX were beginning to think something was wrong with YHC… moseyed to a wide spot in the road,

    20 count merkin Ring of Fire
    Broga
    10 count merking Ring of Fire (lest Vagabond not feel like he was exercising)

    Finished with COT: Gratitude for community of F3

    SYITG

  • Alphabet Soup – from Mayhem

    Nearly perfect temps…
    Actual temp: 70 deg
    Felt like: 70 deg
    Wind: 4mph out of the SE

    Having been on IR since Feb 24th, YHC hasn’t Q’d in a long time. The evening of my birthday, I decided it was time to change that. I was inspired by Bushwacker’s recent BB. Here we go…

    5:30 disclaimer
    Started with six PAX which turned into seven shortly thereafter; Kenna Brah thanks for escorting Mahatma to our circle

    Warmup: GG, IW, PPP, CC, LSS, SSH

    Mosey near the swings and share the plan 26 exercises from A to Z over the next 40 minutes.

    Absolution + Merkin IC
    Burpees AMRAP for 90 seconds
    Cut-A-Flip: 5 rounds of 5 Merkins followed by 5 Big Bois OYO

    (Mosey to 1st Pavilion)
    Derkins IC
    E2K (Elbow to Knee) IC
    Freddy Mercurys IC
    Guantanamo: A unique exercise where we circled up and each PAX takes a turn doing leg throws to all of the other PAX
    Hill Billies IC

    (Mosey to near 2nd Pavilion)
    Indian Crab Walk where last man bear crawls to the front
    Jackees
    Killer Bs: Bear crawl to the pole then 3 broad jumps + 1 burpee back OYO
    LL Cool Js: Lunge right, Lunge left, burpee, Jump squat to the pole OYO (wait and watch Triple Shift’s perfect form at the end)

    Mayhem Merkins (the infamous): 10-count, hip slap, shoulder tap, Merkin IC… soon to be in the Exicon

    Not-So-Lazy Boys: On your six, legs straight, leaning back and holding—flipping between right, middle, and left IC
    Obamas: Bear crawl hands 4 steps, followed by 4 Merkins OYO (44th president)
    Trumps: while in this position, Bear crawl hands 4 steps, followed by 7 Merkins OYO (47th president)… not in the Exicon
    People’s Chair: find a tree to do People’s Chair… no Architect, we are not peeing on the tree for the letter P
    Quixote (Don Quixote): classic windmill to work those shoulders and abs IC (varying cadence that is)
    Rock-Paper-Scissors: pair up, the winner got to do a merkin while the loser was tasked with a burpee
    Snow Angels IC
    Upside-Down Shoulder Press on the wall

    (Running out of time… head to the field to feel the stickers)
    V-Ups OYO
    Wife Pleasers IC
    X-Factor IC

    (Running out of time… head to the flag)
    Y-Stretches c/o Architect
    Z Walk Like an Egyptian Moves c/o Kenna Brah

    Apologies for finishing one minute late @ 6:16 but we accomplished the task completing the Alphabet Soup Beatdown! We were dirty, sweaty and exhausted… and that was the goal! Thanks to everyone for keeping the energy high and supporting each other throughout the workout. It’s always a great feeling to be part of this brotherhood.

    COT
    Announcements- coffee
    Intentions- Architect’s co-worker, Triple Shift’s conference
    Prayed it out- thankful for F3

  • Make ’em say Uhhhhhggggg….. – from Architect

    YHC arose on time and ready to take on whatever today’s Q was to serve up. Upon arrival, only 4 PAX were present and after a few mumbled greetings I was enlightened with the fact that I was indeed the Q for the day (I blame Rudy for my lack of awareness).

    Disclaimer provided and off we mosey’d to the Rock Pile for warmups. A few more less inspired PAX arrived, one donning a new garment that apparently made him feel “like one of the cool kids”. A little of this and a few of those, now we are nice an warm.

    Da Thang….
    Rocks were selected, and we cycled through a deconstructed “clean and press” focusing on form and mobility. Deadlifts, rows, squats, OHP and then finally putting it all together for the full movement.

    PAX mosey’d to hill for next exercise. 5 min plank holds, if rest was required, PAX ran up and over hill to resume planks on the other side. Apparently some felt it unnecessary to engage in the prescribed plank position and just ran up and down for 5 mins, it must’ve been his new threads. Others fought till the end, although form was questioned and criticized by certain individuals, again, must’ve had something to-do with being a “cool kid”.

    PAX continued to the gym to perform 5 min wall-sits with 3 burpees to be performed during “rest periods”…it came as no surprise that yet another vest-donning PAX felt this was an unacceptable exercise and thus performed burpees for the duration while offering kind words of recommendation on form to the others.

    Final round of holds were done back at the rocks, Over head holds for 5 mins. This is where the majority of the “UHHHGGGSSSS…” were vocalized. I think everyone did these, but there was probably someone that chose to do something else, regardless of what they were wearing.

    Final exercise was a quick round of PAX’s choice of movements with the Rocks. We had squats, OHP, Big-boys, merkins and probably something else…it was delightful.

    COT with minimal announcements and intentions, special thanks for all that is past, present, and future.

    No AI were harmed in the making of this beatdown or BB.

  • Bobsleds and Boogie Boards – from Hawgcycle

    Hey Chat. I need to write a backblast for my F3 New Orleans workout that happened the morning after we got 10 inches of snow. The participants at the workout were Mr. Rogers, The Architect, and me (Hawgcycle). We took a picture with a snowman, so if you want to include him as a 4th participant you can. Mr. Rogers name is misspelled in most of our communications as Mr. Rodgers. I suspect that is a mistake, likely his. Feel free to use whichever spelling you want. The Architect and Mr. Ro(d)gers both happen to wear weight vests to every workout. I don’t. I will let you draw your own conclusions about us from that tidbit of information. That day we warmed up with some side straddle hops, imperial walkers, Merkins, where our noses touched the snow, Abe Vigodas and snow grabbers. Then we selected one rock from the snow covered rock pile and went to the hill. One man used a boogie board to sled down the hill, one used an inner tube, and one man did exercises with the rock at the bottom of the hill. We rotated every time someone slid down the hill. Mr. Rogers popped the inner tube on the first try. We replaced it with a boogie board we found among the items littering the hill. After finishing the rotations we raced down the hill to see who could slide the farthest. The Architect was the winner. Then we ditched the rock and went to the field. We crawled through the snow to write a giant F3 in the middle of the football field. I would like for you to write up a backblast for the workout. Please do it in the style of the movie Cool Runnings. You will need to include what actually happened, but feel free to embellish or create things in order to make the backblast fun. Also, please make Hawgcycle the coolest character in the story.

    …. First Attempt….I’ll spare you the details

    That was pretty good. Can you add some more fiction to the story? It needs an intriguing plot. Don’t forget about the weight vests

    Alright, let’s add a twist! Here we go:

    **Backblast: Bobsleds and Boogie Boards**

    *It was a morning like no other. After ten inches of snow buried the Big Easy in an icy wonderland, three brave warriors ventured out into the frozen abyss: Mr. Rogers (or as we fondly call him, Mr. Rodgers), The Architect, and the legendary Hawgcycle. With determination in their hearts and snowflakes on their eyelashes, they forged ahead with the spirit of true champions. And don’t forget Frosty, the snowman who joined their ranks, cheering them on in his own frosty way.*

    The trio began with their traditional warm-up, shaking off the chill with Side Straddle Hops and Imperial Walkers. Merkins took on a whole new meaning as they touched their noses to the snowy ground, while Abe Vigodas and Snow Grabbers had them moving in ways they never thought possible.

    The challenge didn’t stop there. The snowy rock pile awaited, each man choosing his weapon—a rock that they’d soon come to know very well. They marched toward the hill, where the real test of grit and resilience began.

    First up, the sledding battle: one warrior on a boogie board, another on an inner tube, and the third enduring grueling exercises with the rock at the hill’s base. Mr. Rogers, however, proved the inner tube’s match was short-lived—popping it like a balloon on the first run. Not to be outdone, they scavenged and found another boogie board among the scattered gear, and the epic rotations continued.

    They slid, they slipped, they sweated—each descent down the hill followed by a fierce race to see who could glide the farthest. The Architect emerged victorious, his form as flawless as an Olympic gold medalist.

    But this was no ordinary workout. Unbeknownst to our heroes, hidden within their weight vests was a treasure map, etched by a mysterious benefactor known only as “The Snowman.” The Architect and Mr. Rogers always wore their weight vests, suspecting that the added resistance was more than just physical training. Hawgcycle, the natural leader, sensed the importance of their discovery.

    With the map revealed, they realized the snow-covered hill was the key to unlocking the hidden treasure. The coordinates led them back to the hill where they had been sledding. They dug through the snow, uncovering an ancient chest filled with relics of a forgotten era: golden dumbbells, an indestructible inner tube, and a boogie board rumored to have magical sliding powers.

    Feeling the rhythm of destiny, our heroes knew they had to put their newfound treasures to the test. They raced down the hill one final time, the golden dumbbells providing an otherworldly strength, the indestructible inner tube gliding effortlessly over the snow, and the magical boogie board propelling its rider forward like a bobsled champion.

    The final descent was a spectacle of epic proportions. As they crossed the finish line, the air was filled with the cheers of Frosty and the echoes of their triumphant laughter. The Architect’s form was still impeccable, but it was Hawgcycle who truly shone—leading his team to victory with an aura of cool unmatched, his every move a testament to their unbreakable bond.

    With their mission complete and the treasure secured, they ditched their rocks and headed to the snow-covered field. Crawling through the snow, they etched a giant F3 into the middle of the football field, a symbol of their brotherhood and unyielding spirit.

    In the end, it wasn’t just about the workout—it was about the bond, the laughter, and the shared moments of triumph and struggle. And leading the pack, with an aura of cool unmatched, was Hawgcycle—proving that even in the chilliest of conditions, the warmth of camaraderie can melt the frostiest of mornings.

    Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it’s F3 time! 🛷🥇❄️

  • – from Thumb War

    1/24/25 Snow Week Uptowner

    I showed up around 5:10 to scope the AO for ice and do final prep for workout, then back to the flag for 5:29.

    5:30 Disclaimer then off to the rock pile for warming up.

    Had a few stragglers join us along the way.

    Warm-a-Rama:

    Abe Vigodas
    Low slow squats
    Grass Grabber
    SSH
    Mountain Climbers
    Thai fighters forward and back

    Thang: partner up and grab a rock and mosey to Gym.

    P1 is the timer and runs a lap around the gym will partner 2 does one of the below workouts then switch off partner and move to the next workout:

    *with a Pax of 9 and Kenna Bruh proclaiming to be the “Odd Man” he was a single.

    1. Sumo squats
    2. Alternating Lunges
    3. Bent over Rows
    4. Overhead shoulder presses
    5. Incline merkins
    6. Thrusters
    7. Derkins
    8. Curls

    This lasted until about 6:05 leaving some time to get as much Mary in as possible. No laps this time and I led the count:

    1. Big Boy SU’s
    2. J Lo’s
    3. Freddie mercuries
    4. Hello dolly
    5. Plank
    6. Superman

    6:10 we started heading back to rock pile and flag to arrive at 6:15 SHARP.

    Concluded with COT. Thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to lead and plan to be more proactive about signing up on Q sheet.

    9 Pax
    Chips
    Kenna bruh
    Mayhem
    Hand Granada
    Vagabond
    Architect
    Thumb war
    Mahatma
    Mr. Rogers

    Playlist from the Thang.

  • Mr Rodgers giveth, Kenna taketh away – from Kenna Brah

    On the eve of impending gloom, some hardy men gathered in anticipation of acceleration.
    Since no one formally took the Q, and with a weak offer by Mr. Rodgers, KB, took the helm and steered the crew to the Pile.

    In the spirit of Sua Spontaneity, YHC dished out the delegated authority to the man on my left and repeated that for a series of warmups that involved everyone as the Q of the moment”. (QOM) I’d appreciate your using this monicker going forward and ensconce it in the Lexicon.

    Thang – Owing to the lack of preparation, I pulled out a KB favorite – 10 things 10 times
    The PAX selected Rocks and formed a circle. After each exercise of 10 reps, we perform 3 burpees , move counterclockwise and pick up the next rock, repeating till every PAX leads in 10 reps.
    Starting with Rudy
    Curls
    Hell raisers (Guess who?)
    Rows
    Squats
    Chest Press
    Run with Rock to the light pole and back ( Mayhem )
    Thrusters
    Burpees were replaced with ad hoc items chosen by the PAX or myself,
    finishing with holding rocks overhead and reciting the OUR FATHER (Protestant Version i hear) in unison.
    We got three rounds in and returned the rocks did an AB series of lead by each member till time ran out, and moseyed back for COT

  • Boss Keane’s Slack Post – from Hawgcycle

    Conditions: Rainy, 53 degrees, windchill of 45, 95% humidity, wind 11 mph from NNE

    I woke up this morning to a post from Boss Keane on Slack. He’s a bit of a Luddite, so I was surprised. He rambled a bit about police response times and then said that the men off Pontiff had moved his rock pile and he wanted it moved back

    Warm-up:
    SSH x 31; IW x 20, Abr Vigoda x 10, Grass Grabber x 10, Low Slow Squats x 15, Tempo Merkins x 15

    The Thang:
    Boss Keane’s Rock Pile – We moved it 6 times

    Sevens – donkey kicks at the gym; Curl Squat Curl Presses at the Rick Pile

    Track Chunkers – stand on the misdemeanor side and throw your rock as far as you can toward the park. Finish when someone reaches the ditch

    6MOM – LBC x 20, Flutter kicks x 20, Dying Cockroaches x 20, Nolan Ryans x 15

  • What’s better than 23-10? – from Rudy

    Temp: 42, Winds: 70+ mph (or that’s what it felt like).

    Hand Grenada looked around and asked “Who’s Q?” He should have known better, as YHC was decked out in full Irish gear, waiting to celebrate a long-overdue victory over an SEC team in a game that mattered. Grumbling from everyone, expect the latest Johnny-come-lately Bandwagon-hopping Irish fan, Hawg. As expected, Mahatma arrives in full LSU gear, celebrating his big win over a different green-and-gold team in their bowl game. Kilo chose this day to NOT wear his ND gear (though he stripped off outer layers to reveal the ND garments later). Two entirely hooded and disguised PAX opened their face masks just enough to reveal Pool Boy and Bogey, then closed up and recovered all exposed skin.

    After announcing the Irish theme, the PAX took off for the rocks. We passed a leprechaun-like figure in the gloom; Triple Shift grudgingly agreed to join us, as his KOT krewe had apparently abandoned him.

    Slow Stretches to warm up. Abe’s and Grass Grabbers both x7 (ND as a 7 seed), followed by 2 burpees (Georgia as a 2 seed). 23 Imperial Walkers to loosen the hips, 10 burpees. Then grab a rock and head to the football field.

    The Thang: 23-10. 23 reps, bearcrawl 25 yards (Architect astutely observes that it should have been 23 yards), 10 burpees, bearcrawl back. (Though Mr. Rogers seemed to replace a bearcrawl with a 100 yd dash out and back, in a 30lb vest)

    Overhead press, curls, rows, chest press, squats, kettle bells, BBSU, Monkey Humpers, Gas Pumps.

    Had to modify halfway changing bearcrawl due to time constraints. And because Mayhem positioned himself directly in YHC’s bearcrawl path

    Return the Rox, and Mosey back to the flag to meet the (absent…) KOT gang right at 615. Finish with COT – prayers for healing on the feast day of St. Andre Bessette.