Tag: Cowbell

  • Return of the Pax – from Russo

    With all due respect to Mark Morrison, and unbeknownst to me when YHC arrived, today was a day of returns. A Return of the Mack (Pax) at Granny’s. First up: a tanned, rested, and ready Shooter, full of fish, beer, and sangria (but no ice cream), as even the pull of a Mediterranean cruise is nothing compared to the friendly confines of Grandma’s House.

    Next up: Akbar, making a return from the valley of temporary single parenthood, where he had to be both hunter/gatherer for his brood and bedtime story teller, among his other numerous tasks at Casa Landshark It’s a Trap!

    Then, in an appearance that stunned YHC: a vigilant Cowbell! And at 5:14!! He either sensed his ears burning from the pax wondering how/where he’s been, or he knew it was JV’s turn to Q.

    Finally, it was the return of Bushwhacker, hobbling from weekend activities where sacrifices were made to the water gods. With this now a 2-week streak of posts, Bushwhacker is dangerously close to something that could be considered a Granny’s regular, but we all know there is no such thing.

    With the pax confirmed, off we went in 57 degree weather, infirmities and all.

    Warmup – all IC, 10x to 15x
    – Sealjacks
    – Toe touches
    – High knees
    – Cherry pickers
    – Hillbillies
    – Grass grabbers
    – Butt kicks

    Thang

    YHC passed the newly refurbished bridge on the trace, close to Jackson Ave., on Sunday, so a mosey to the bridge was in order (the tunnel needs a break), stopping every block or so for 5 8-count bodybuilders, then adding 10 monkey humpers, and then 15 LMCs.

    Once we reached the bridge, it was cross the bridge in varying fashion, with 10 merkins and 10 crunchy frogs after every crossing.

    Crossing the bridge, we did:
    – sprints (2x)
    – Bear crawl
    – Lunges
    – Side shuffles (2x)
    – Back pedal (2x)
    – Murder bunnies

    Mosey back to start, with more 8CBB’s thrown in, and we arrived back for a one minute plank.

    The usual COT, Name-o-Rama, and prayer closed us out.

    Gents, I know at least a couple of you were dealing with injuries, so much respect to you for joining us. You could have chosen to sit it out, but your fellowship was much appreciated.

    SYITG

  • Hit the Bricks! OR When Everyone’s Falling Apart, It’s Time to Push ‘Em Harder – from Bushwacker

    With May weather showing up in February, who knew we would get more 50s in the morning! It was a welcome way to start a challenging beat down on what will prove to be a gorgeous day! For YHC, this morning was about putting my money where my mouth is. There have been some grumbles about the same people signing up to lead the same workouts, and, to be quite honest, the work outs and moral are suffering. How creative, challenging and dynamic can a Q be with his beat down, when he’s lead the same one on the same day 30 out of the last 40 times?! So Bushwacker’s name was added to the sign up sheet and he brought the pain! (maybe a little too much?)

    WARMORAMA

    With Q running a little behind setting up props for the main-ish event, Zoo lander was kind enough to get things started with some Toe Touches and 1 or 2 other exercises. QIC continued with: IC 5 Torso Twists, x10 High Knees, Butt Kicks, Scuba Steves, Mountain Climbers, Shoulder Taps

    THANG

    OYO 100 Lunge Walks towards the west, then mosey to The Shaft.

    1st and 10:

    Markers were set up on the sea wall at 20′ intervals (not enough room for 10 yard intervals). Starting at the 1st marker each man started 11’s with 10 merkins and 1 Burpee in the same place. After, sprint to the last marker and recovery run back to the second marker for 9 Merkins and 2 Burpees, sprint to the end, recovery walk to marker 3, etc. etc. When finished, return to the start and Plank or core exercise to wait for the 6. It was as the process was being explained that Grundy graced us with his presence.

    After all the PAX (and then Jose) had finished, they took advantage of the markers to run Suicides (or Gaskets, Wind Sprints or whichever moniker you prefer).

    Next was a mosey back to the Gazebo, which was when Grundy revealed his inhaler on account of a mild asthma attack! He eventually made it to find Akbar’s Ring of Fire in progress. Whereas the Ring of Fire is a circle of Planks where each man drops for a Merkin as the count reaches him, Akbar’s version consists of a Merkin followed by a leap to to your feet and a hop with hands raised, all in a Burpee-ish fashion. 50 some-odd counts later, the Pax returned to 100 Lunge Walks OYO then mosied the rest of the way to the flag.

    By this point JV was stealing Jose’s grumble thunder regarding all of this darn running, on account of a lingering mystery injury to his foot/ankle. At the flag: 25 Jump Squats OYO, on the wall for: IC Freak Nasties, Irkins, Dirkins, and 25 OYO Box Jumps, where the acutely winded Grundy barked his shin on the cocnrete wall. EMT Todd was on sick leave, and since almost-Eagle Scout Baby Yoda was not present, the always prepared and ever dependable Zoolander leapt into action grabbing a first aid kit from his truck for a little BLS work on the twice-felled Grundy.

    Mosied to Noah Ark and circled up for a variation of Global Warming, where Holding AL Gore, each Pax counted off as they popped up (or squatted lower) individually, counting to 100.
    Mosied back to the flag for…

    MARY

    IC x25 Flutter Kicks, 20 Hello Dollys, 20 Wife Pleasers, 25 Freddy Mercurys, OYO 100 100’s

    COT

    Count, Name, we lost a few of our brethren along the way in Waterpik, Bird, and Grundy, though some came back, in the ineffably resilient Grundy,and some joined late, in Maverick, and later, in Cowbell (Starsky). Speaking of joining us, even though YHC missed his latest actual return last week, welcome back Cotter in Butt Splice! He was kind enough to pray us out on this lovely lovely day.

    The Endurathon benefiting the Nehemiah Project is coming up on March 17-19 at area 3 group camp at Fontainbleau Sate Park. Support the F3 team by sponsoring a loop, or joining in running a loop with Jose, Hammer, Speedy, or Tank. There will be camping Friday and Saturday night so bring the fam!

    The Fury, the Northshore’s 7th anniversary convergence will be on Saturday April 1 starting at 6am on the Lakefront. 12 45 min beat downs, 12 Qs, every hour on the hour! Come for 1, 2, or 12 like Tank. Drinks at the Barley Oak to follow at 6pm. See Slack for the sign up sheet to see who will be Q and to let F3 know which beatdowns you wish to attend. Let’s get a crowd all day long!

    And finally, making this thing – OUR thing – the best it can be, as well as the most attractive to sad clowns and other guys who generally might consider joining us, it takes the effort and dedication of all the PAX. If, excuses aside, your schedule legitimately allows it, consider coming out to a week day beat down and see your brothers more than once a week. As long as Ive been in F3 I can truly say that getting up has been treacherously challenging some mornings, but not once have I EVER regretted getting to a beatdown!
    And while we’re at it, let’s give Russo, Akbar, Shooter, and Waterpik a break and commit to a few Qs. Sign up and let’s get as full as we can a month out each month.

    Big congratulations to Amnesia who, rumor has it, has accepted job offer in Pennsylvania, and to Cowbell and Mrs Cowbell who are expecting TWINS!!!

    Gentlemen, I remain humbled by the opportunity to lead such a fine group of guys, and appreciate your willingness to follow that sometimes fickle, sometimes grueling, sometimes non-sensicle lead

    Bushwacker Sr.

  • 26 + 26 is….7? 4? – from Russo

    Having been tipped off earlier in the day it was the beginning of Akbar’s 53rd trip around the sun, YHC spent a couple minutes coming up with a way to say Happy Birthday in an incorporated unique way (using math of course). So as we jumped into our warmup of 26 SSHs and 26 Sealjacks, I paused to ask him “What’s 26 plus 26?”

    “52” was the response, so I asked “Is that the right number to be celebrating today?” but it was too early for the implication, so a few awkward moments passed until YHC asked “Is it not your birthday today?”

    Then it dawned on him that yes, today was his birthday. Fitting he didn’t think about it, because he is one of the most selfless people I know.

    And then off we went with the rest of warmup:

    All 10x IC:
    – self love
    – Toe touches
    – Grass grabbers
    – Hillbillies

    Thang

    Mosey SW to the Treen building for: Walls of Jericho (7 count of seven exercises 7 times around the hall)

    – Merkins
    – Squats
    – Shoulder tap plank jacks
    – SMCs
    – Groiners
    – Apollo ohnos (2 is 1)
    – Crunchy Frogs

    Followed by: 4×4 (4 more times around, 4 exercises, 4 reps at 4 corners)
    – Hello Dollie’s
    – Leg raises
    – Gas pumps
    – American Hammers

    Mosey back to start where we wrapped up with 20 IC Freak Nastys.

    COT, Name-o-Rama, Announcements and Prayer closed us out.

    Jose gave us a positive update on Katie’s dad, reminders that RCR, Ivan, and Endurathon are all coming up, as is the 2nd Annual Die Hard memorial beatdown at the A1C on Friday and YHC will Q Season’s Beatings on Saturday at the Lakefront.

    Thank you all for joining and reading and one more HBD to Akbar, one of the finest HIM you’ll ever meet.

    SYITG

  • It’s a Small World…Small Enough for a Mini Murph – from Bushwacker

    The muggies we live with here greeted us in the gloom, and made temps in the low 60s feel not much cooler than a sauna. With the venerable Steve UNDER the weather, YHC grabbed the Q with all the excitement of a kid on Christmas morn! And so arriving to Russo and an FNG, courtesy of Chewy, was enough to spur on an arsenal of potential shenanigans. Ensuing mumblechatter revealed that, not only had myself and our FNG attended the same event the previous evening, but that our daughters were besties! And so Bestie was he named, until…

    WARMORAMA

    x10 IC:
    SSH, High Knees, Butt Kicks,, Imperial Walkers, Windmills, Cherry Pickers, Self Love

    THANG

    With the late (on time) arrival of Cowbell, we were off. The PAX mosied to The Marsh where we did OYO 5 rounds of 5 Pull Ups, 10 Merkins, and 15 Squats.

    Mosied around the block.

    Rinse and repeat before returning to Granny’s

    MARY

    Circle up on your 6: PAX does a continuous round of exercise, while each man took a turn running up the stairs, around the tower, and back. After around 2 rounds, we switched to the runner picking the exercise after each return.

    Freddy Mercurys, Flutter Kicks, Gas Pumps, Crunchy Frogs, LBCs, 100s, Penguins, Rosalitas…

    COT

    Count, Name, welcome Meat Sweats (aka Bestie)! Special intention for JV who is undergoing a sinus procedure. Chewy prayed us out.
    Many thanks for following the Wack on another wild ride!

  • Finally the clock rolled back for someone!! – from Shooter

    As I turned into the parking lot at the AO, YHC almost had to pause as the sight of an F150 idling with its lights on sat. It was almost like seeing some atmospheric event in my lifetime as there is no way this could be Cowbell.. But to my surprise and the surprise of the rest of the PAX it indeed was Cowbell.. Only conclusion that could be drawn was he finally rolled back his clock for daylight savings..

    Warmup
    15IC Seal Jacks, Butt kicks, SSH, Toe Touches, Windmills, Grass grabbers and alternating leg swings front/back side/side..

    Thang
    2 runners and 3 Ruckers set out with a pause on Messina for 10 OYO worse merkins ever and 20 jump squats then resumed.
    Returned for some core 10IC right elbow left knee F/J 20IC Flutter kicks and LBCs..

    JV closed us out in prayer and until the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!!

  • Board meetings can be complicated!! – from Shooter

    YHC arrived at Grandmas with 4 PAX chatting about the previous night’s trick or treating.. Weather was comfortable and mild for the days planned activities with a ruck plate, block coupon and a jump rope… Pax evened out to 6 as Cowbell came in hot, this was ideal for the pairing of 3 groups with 3 stations planned..

    Warmup was 10IC Grass grabbers, Toe Touches, Selflove, Cherry pickers, arm circles and SSH.. Moseyed the trace for about a quarter mile out and back…

    YHC began to explain his thoughts on what was to take place, but apparently my elementary explanation was not difficult enough for the fellow executives at this mornings AO.. After explaining in further detail we eventually just started and modified along the way.. 3 pairs 3 stations controlled by the jump rope.. P1 (Each pair) stayed at the end of the breezeway completing core exercises while P2 Moseyed down to complete stated exercises of jump rope, curls for the girls and kettle swings.. Jump rope was a 50 count and each PAX kept count on reps. Goal was for each PAX to complete 100 total curls, 75 to 100 kettle bell swings.. Roughly took 3-4 rounds for completion.. Core exercises consisted of Mountain climbers, Peter Parker’s, Parker Peters, Hello Dollies, Hands to heels, LBCs, Donkey kickoffs, Donkey holds and alternating elbow to knees…

    Finished up at 0600, announced Merediths birthday event at Bushwackers this Saturday as well as the camping trip in Kokomo MS on the 18th..

    PAX was closed out in prayer by Steve..

    Thanks for following the lead although the explanation was initially confusing..

    Until the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!

  • This is Halloween – from Russo

    Lower 70s and high humidity this morning while we waited for a cool front that didn’t make it to Granny’s. 5 foolish mortals for Halloween fun a week out. It’s never too early.

    Warmup (all IC, even self love)
    – Sealjacks
    – Imperial walkers
    – Self love
    – Arm circles
    – Grass grabbers

    Thang

    (1) Ghostbusters
    High knees as the theme plays, with a plankjack merkin every time you hear “Ghostbusters”

    (2) Count 1-2-3 (perform exercise while your partner zombie walks the grass and back pedals back)

    100 Merkins
    200 zombie squats
    300 gas pumps

    (3) Bobbing for apples
    20-ish Pew kneels with a Kneel Diamond thrown in

    (4) Mummy Pyramid
    Using the benches:
    – 5 Durkins
    – 10 Urkins
    – 15 Freak Nastys
    – 10 Bulgarian split squats (2 is 1)
    – 5 Step ups (2 is 1)

    (5) Refill the candy bowl (Suicides / Shuttle Run)

    (6) Scary stories
    Designed to become a ghost story around an F3 campfire:
    (A) Join us in the Redrum: Murder Bunnies through the field
    (B) He sat straight up like he was possessed: Exorcist sit-ups (big boys, but your legs remain straight out in front of you)
    (C) You’ve sinned and need Absolution: lots of Absolution IC
    (D) We don’t like our babysitter: Mosey around Granny’s searching for Laurie Strode, practicing our stabbing form along the way
    (E) Camp Crystal Lake: Crunchy frogs IC, designed to be rows, like on a lake escaping Jason Voorhies

    COT, count, Name-o-Rama, announcements, and prayer closed us out.

    Thank you for indulging me in part I of the Halloween fun, with part II on Friday, especially if you weren’t feeling 100% physically or mentally. That’s what makes you a HIM.

    SYITG

  • Smack talking at the Scramble!!! – from Shooter

    5 PAX embraced the chill of a 2nd morning in the low 50s, however the hot air coming from the chatter quickly had to be put in pause, so YHC could get things started… This morning would consist of two groups. Cowbell and Waterpik ad the runners and JV, Russo and self were the Ruckers… If the conversation between Waterpik (TIGAS) and Cowbell (Hiddy Tiddy) was half as entertaining as Russo (TIGA) and JV (Fighting ☘️) then I would say Steve missed out on an opportunity to come out and create a possible Netflix series… The name that comes to mind would be “Fan Fair” and it would run along side the college football season… Appreciate the entertainment and chatter gentlemen.

    Warmup 15IC SSH, Grass grabbers, Toe Touches, Hillbillies and Butt kicks.
    Runners did standard route as the Ruckers went out 18 min and doubled back.
    Returned for some Mary Left and Right Elbow to knee, bridges, hello dollies, Rosalitas and Crawl 3-4 arm lengths out and return to plank.

    Appreciate Waterpik praying us out with intentions for Zoolander and thoughts for Steve’s grandmother…

    Till the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!

  • 110 Burpees and Some Yoga – from Quarterpipe

    I’m far from the wordsmiths that the rest of y’all are (seriously, how is everyone so creative) but I’ll do my best. I do know that I need to mention that Cowbell showed up late.

    -The Warmup-

    SSH 20
    IW 20
    Seal jacks 20
    Hillbilly 20
    Smurf jacks 15

    -The Thang-

    Mosey to tech center for some 3 way Dora. Since there were only three of us two did the reps and one ran. Totals were combined.

    Burpees 100
    Merkins 200
    Jump squat 300

    -Did some Mary-

    Frogs 20
    Hammer 20
    LBC 20

    -Mosey to splash pad freak nasty/derkin pyramid-

    5-10-15-20-15-10-5 of each alternating.

    -Finally your Q decided to attempt a son salutation-

    Cowbell informed me that I forgot a couple of poses. *insert joke about Cowbell knowing yoga poses*

    Finshed out with 10 burpees OYO and then circle/prayer.

  • Ladder to Oxford – from Russo

    Let the official record show that Cowbell was not only on time this morning, but approximately 93.6 seconds early, and as a result, YHC exclaimed “Gosh A’mighty!!!” because he was outnumbered 2:1 by the men of Oxford this morning (e.g. Ole Miss, by damn), where low 60s greeted us for a nice ladder and slalom beatdown. One of the Rebels yelled to the other “Are you ready?” and the other responded “Hell yeah! Damn right!” and so off we went.

    Flim flam (Warmup, all IC, 10x-20x)
    – Toe touches
    – Self love
    – Hillbillies
    – Cherry pickers
    – Seal jacks

    Bim bam (Thang)
    Simple ladder with reps starting at 10 and up to 100, but between each set, slalom the columns the same number of times (10 reps, one lap, 20 reps, two laps, up to 5 laps and back down to 1 lap)

    10 8-count body builders
    20 jump squats
    30 merkins
    40 plank jacks
    50 crunches
    60 SSHs
    70 high knees
    80 butt kicks
    90 penguins
    100 100s

    Quick jaunt over to the benches for an “Electric chair” pyramid:

    – 5 Bulgarian split squats
    – 10 Step ups
    – 15 Freak nastys
    – 20 Urkins
    – 15 Freak Nastys
    – 10 Step ups
    – 5 Bulgarian split squats

    Hotty Toddy (Mary, all 10x IC)
    – Crunchy frogs
    – Flutter kicks
    – Wife pleasers
    – Gas pumps

    Who the Hell are We? (COT, Count, Name-o-Rama, Announcements, Prayer)

    Quick note that I’m going to lead a CSAUP Halloween-themed something or other on Sunday 10-30 around 3:30PM. Details to come, but save the date.

    Thanks for joining gents. SYITG