Tag: El Diablo

  • The Bert Fallen Hero WOD – from Fracsac

    Mr Rogers did a great thing by bringing the Fallen Hero theme to El Diablo. YHC signed up for the Q, or got signed up, but whatever. Getting to the AO early, the only other pax in the gloom was Mahatma. YHC was not alone, gonna be a good day! Wait, is that HG strolling down the path with his morning Joe? Three is good, then Channel Mullet and ThumbWar make it a handful.
    Mosey to the field for a warmup. Regular warm up stuff. Another Pax joined, so that’s probably it. Head to parking lot for the WOD.

    The Bert – Modified to fit 45 minutes

    50 burpees – one pax does the cadence for 10 x burpees, next pax counts a 10 or 20 second rest then counts 10 IC until we go around to 50.

    The last of the Pax showed up during the burpees making us 10 strong.

    100 ‘mericans – Go around to each pax IC x 10 taking a rest at each set of 25.

    100 walking lunges – same concept of 10 each pax IC but no rest.

    100 squats – same concept with no rest

    Now back down to walking lunges, ‘mericans and burpees.

    Stopped right at 6:15

    CoT

    NMM

    – YHC can take credit for not only introducing Hawgcycle to the IC burpee but for him actually calling the cadence. Unlikely story being in F3 for 10+ years but ok.
    – Mr Rogers is not good at cadence. I mean, he can count, I think, just not well. He was wearing a weighted vest so there’s that. Both Dale and Frito Lay had amazing cadence. Oh, and Mahatma wanted to hear a clap at the top of his IC burpees, just gonna leave that sit for a bit.
    – The Bert has a 400 M run after each evolution. We cut the lunges and squats short too. This was mentioned mid way through and HG became very upset. He kept saying we need to run the 400s. We ran around the parking lot once but that didn’t help.
    – Thank goodness a nice lady was walking by and took our pic, sweat and timers apparently don’t mix
    – Post CoT YHC hears “See ya Frac”, and HG is off on his 400m run. He really did want that.
    – 2 years ago YHC would do 400m runs and a certain Pax would complain about it, not naming names but now he loves them. The power of F3!

    Thanks for posting with me today. You make me better!

    SYITG

  • Bomb bomb bomb da bomb bomb – from Kilo

    The morning started with YHC trying to will REM sleep a little longer but the alarm came at 0500… it really started yesterday as I was pulling into the outskirts of NOLA when Mayhem texted me asking if I was still going to Q. I had forgotten I signed up to Q in honor of my mom’s birthday. Without the proper time to plan a workout, I picked up an old one that would meet Hawg’s desire for load.

    The Thang:
    Disclaimer given in a cracking voice I haven’t known since my teenager days, a mosey to the WOR spot and some things to get the heart rate about where Triple likes it.
    Partner up and mosey to the lot for some parking lot pleasure:
    BOMBS
    Burpees – 50
    Overhead Claps – 100
    Merkins – 150
    Big Boys – 200
    Squats – 250

    then a mosey a wide patch of grass for a little merkin high five ladder.

    We had the honor of being joined for the first time by Chaos (Mayhem’s 2.0) who may not love his name but was surprised at how hard the PAX worked and will be returning if he ever needs more window tint.

    COT: Prayers for John and his family as they mourn his loss, for Vagabond’s son and Bolt’s son as they serve our country, for Chaos and his journey to LSU that he may find a good group of men, and for my mom who without her this backblast wouldn’t be written.

    Finish the week strong gentlemen. SYITG

  • Rocky Balboa Returns (2-Year Manniversary Edition) – from Mr Rodgers

    Backblast: Rocky Balboa Returns (2-Year Manniversary Edition)
    QIC: YHC
    PAX: Too many to name, one less after Mustard’s ankle called it quits
    Conditions: Dry skies (for once), humidity set to “drenched”

    At 5:29 AM sharp, YHC gave a lightning-fast disclaimer (no actual lightning this time), and we were off to the rock pile. I instructed each PAX to choose a partner and a rock wisely—because no one wants to get stuck with a pebble… or a boulder.

    Warm-Up? Nope.
    Due to distance and time management (and possibly because warm-ups are overrated), we skipped tradition. Instead:

    Pax 1: 10 Side Straddle Hops

    Pax 2: Rifle carry the rock to the beatdown zone
    Switch and repeat until arrival. By the time we got there, Vagabond dropped a rock on Mayhem’s head, giving us a preview of the punishment to come. Shoulders were smoked. Mission accomplished.

    Exercise 1: “Rocky Balboa Returns”
    Pax 1: Run bleachers with your rock

    Pax 2: AMRAP — 5 Burpees, 10 Merkins, 15 Squats, Big Boys

    x3 Each

    💬 You’re the champ… until you drop the rock.
    Spoiler: several PAX were dethroned early.

    Exercise 2: “Stairway to Suck”
    Pax 1: Burpee broad jump at base, sprint up next stair set

    Pax 2: AMRAP — 5 Burpees, 10 Rock Thrusters, 15 SSH, LBCs

    x3 Each

    💬 It looks like a stairway. It feels like doom.
    Colonel Mustard’s ankle tapped out here. Respect.

    Exercise 3: “The Crawlinator”
    Pax 1: Bear crawl up ramp, run stairs, crawl to next set

    Pax 2: AMRAP — 5 Hellraisers, 10 Rock Squats, 15 Rock Shoulder Presses, Flutter Kicks

    x1 Each

    💬 Now featuring puddles of sweat to make bleacher crawling extra sketchy.
    Even YHC took off the weight vest. That says it all.

    Wrap-Up:
    Kid Rock blared. Sweat flew. Rocks were dropped. Bodies collapsed. Intentions were lifted to the Lord Almighty, and we dispersed knowing we earned this manniversary.

    Two years in, and still standing. Barely.

  • Cat Herding at El Diablo – from Fracsac

    The Double Nickel week continued with 8 Pax joining YHC.

    Hokie arrived with an FNG, adding to the already eclectic atmosphere at the flag. Thumb War was assigned to get to know the FNG throughout the workout and tell us about him at the COT.

    Disclaimer given and mosey to the field for a warmup. Lots of confusion over the Star Wars themed movements. Hand Grenada and Bogey thought they were already at coffee with all the mumble chatter. YHC was losing the pax and somewhat disappointed but faith was restored when the pax properly identified the greatest exercise ever created. YHC completely recovered with the Squat Twist. That really seemed to get Bogey back in the game. HG seemed lost, probably looking for Mayhem. Opportunity was taken to throw in some Catalina Wine Mixers. Aquanet really liked those and was telling Kilo how they truly were the 2nd best exercise. Kilo simply responded that he could fly a plane now. CWMs have that effect.

    Mosey to the corner of the field. YHC turned to see where the FNG was and realized he already shook Thumb War. He somehow sent him back to the flag. With HG looking for ghosts, The Architect was being drawn to the Bogey side. We quickly did 5 burpees at 11 different stations. Hokie pointed out that we did them at the cones and he was certain we did 55. Yes, yes we did.

    Mosey to the rock pile. YHC told the pax there was a theme coming.

    We did U-Hauls with the rock, followed by Rows. HG was mumbling to himself, the Architect and Bogey were sparring over Star Wars knowledge, and Hokie was looking for more cones. Aquanet and Kilo were making engine noises, not sure what that was about. But Thumbwar was back, which seemed to make our FNG a little disappointed.

    Mosey to the playground for Pull Ups. This was turning into Cat Herding. Somehow got the pax to do 3 rotations of 3 x pull ups with planking.

    Mosey to the KNOT steps. No sign of those guys.

    First we did Everest, which is a lunge up the step and a squat, alternating.

    Next was Elf on the Shelf.

    YHC asked for the theme.

    Burpees
    U-Hauls
    Rows
    Pull-ups
    Everest
    Elf on the Shelf

    It took a while but we got there. Mosey back to the flag for COT.

    Thumbwar did manage to get some info on the FNG. Marine Veteran and aspiring Chef. Welcome Mess Hall!!

    Thanks for joining me and for the brotherhood.

    SYITG

  • Franklin Classic – from Swingline

    BACKBLAST: Franklin Classic
    DATE: 4/30/25
    Q: @swingline
    AO: #El Diablo
    PAX: Mr Rogers, Thumb War, Bogey, Kilo, Hand Grenada, Vagabond, Mayhem, The Architect, Fracsac, Rudy, Padner, Aquanet, and Swingline
    FNG: 2
    TOTAL: 13
    CONDITIONS: ripe for a beatdown

    YHC had the HIM of Pontiff gathered in the field and the mumblechatter begins. Heaven forbid we start out somewhere new! Ornery PAX have to walk a few feet from their comfortable space between the fences. Mr Rogers rolls up with a weighted vest on thinking we are going for a stroll thru the park. Time to prove him wrong!

    (all present tense from here down – picture yourself in wet dewy football field)

    Warm-o-Rama:
    I am Swingline. I am DR from Franklin, TN and not a professional. This is El Diablo. I will bring the heat and I also brought 2 FNG’s today. I ask you HIM to help show them the ropes. Push yourself don’t hurt yourself. Modify as necessary to avoid injury but not to avoid putting in the work.

    We will start with some SSH’s. 30 because it is the 30th of April.
    In Franklin, we start every workout with the mission of F3 to remind ourselves why we are here. Mission stated – especially key for our FNG’s.

    BAC’s x 10, Back BAC’s x 10, Hill Billy Squats x 10 = 30
    Down in plank position 5 core principles and our credo x 5 each = 30.

    Time to heat up the warm up.
    10 burpees.
    Now 9.
    And 8.
    Trend continued: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

    Thang 1:
    Lets mosey north to the playground. Line up and grab some slippery ledge. In high plank, shuffle counter clockwise. When I say down it’s one merkin. Keep shuffling. When I say tuck its toes to ledge. Went around about half the park with several ups and tucks. Recover shortly. Now back CW.

    Thang 2:
    Mosey toward the hill. Stop for some filler work – tracers in the parking lot tracing out the lines of the spaces sprinting forward, shuffling left, politician back, shuffle, and repeat the length of the lot. Had to stop at the corner because the Q can’t figure out angles. Plank for the 6. Now mosey over to the hill for 4/30’s. 30 reps total. 5 burpees at base of hill. Crawl bear (bear crawl backwards) up the hill. 20 derkins or merkins at/near top. Bear crawl down. And 5 burpees at base of other side of the hill. Low plank for the 6. That’s 1 round. Rinse and repeat for 4 rounds. Mayhem only wanted to do 3 rounds but it’s 4/30 so no-go.

    30 jump squats for a little break and we are headed back.

    Thang 3:
    Mosey back toward the field. Tracers to even it out and get some shuffles to the right. Mosey to the goal line. 30 gorilla crawls – 15 each side. Then mosey back to the startex.

    Mary:
    10 “Franklin” Absolutions: 8 count – start in squat position, down to plank, down right elbow, down left elbow, plank jack, right up, left up back to squat – that’s 1
    Captain Thors: incremental 1 big boy to 4 American hammer combo. 1 BB + 4 AH, 2 BB + 8 AH, 3 BB + 12 AH…. all the way up to 9 BB + 36 AH. Was shooting for 10 + 40. Maybe next time boys!

    COT:
    This ding dong could not get phone to work, “recorded” a video of you HIM’s name-o-rama Franklin style – appreciate the adjustment.
    Named 2 FNGs that I work with. Welcome!!
    * Podner
    * Aquanet
    Moleskin: El Diablo on your shoulder. When I ok’d to Q El Diablo a few weeks back the first thing that came to mind for a moleskin was the idea of the devil on your shoulder. That thing there tricking you into negativity – like negative self talk and believing lies about yourself and telling yourself stories that might not be true. I’m not ____ enough: good enough, smart enough, don’t make enough money, etc. I encourage all to find ways to battle those lies with truth and confidence. F3 is an amazing organization that can help by surrounding yourself with other men that can pour into you and help you grow in your leadership. I asked the existing PAX to be there for the FNGs (hopefully they keep showing up!!). Remember who you are, you’re true identity and who you are called be as a leader!!
    We squeezed in together with an arm up for a Franklin style ball of man – prayers lifted up – and LEAD on 3!

    PLC was enjoyed by all! A few PAX felt I didn’t prescribe enough burpees so they did some extra credit. I will remember that for next time (or maybe tomorrow :))

    Thanks for letting me lead this morning! You HIM crushed it! And I truly am grateful for the southern hospitality shown this morning!! Thanks brothers!!

    Swingline out.

  • In Honor of Fr Kapan – from Mahatma

    The morning was crispy and after a long train 4 pax crossed the tracks to find Bogey in the cage doing a solo warm up as the clock was now 5:35 so no time to waste. All pax to line up on the goal line for a Red Barchetta – run the field 100 SSH, run back then 3/4 field 75 BBSU yet with the stickers in full bloom we all suffered a little pence then YHC modified to a square dirt patch to finish out – 50 air squats, 25 merkins and only 5 burpees.
    Followed by a short 3/4 track Indian run with the boom box baton – stopped at the pull up bars 3 rounds of 3 PU short run 5 merkins.
    Transition to several rounds of Mary
    Now 3 rounds of 3 PU short run 3 burpees.
    Transition to several rounds of Mary
    Head to the rock pile to grab a solid rock of choice for several rounds of: sitting over head hold, curls, chest press, squats, rows, pistons (thanks Rudy for the intro Handgranada said his back felt them from Monday) curl/sqaut/press, TriCep ext, and finished with curls again.
    Indian Run Back to pin.
    COT – Bogey threw out LQCO reminder for 2026 (better luck to Scantron, Uptown team, Frac/Triple and of course Handgranada)
    Prayers for intensions as well focus on Pride and Humility which Fr Kapan helped his troops endure while in Korean prisoner of war camp.

  • 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

  • Big Boy Battle at the Mound – from Mr Rodgers

    Conditions: Foggy, springy, and perfect for chaos

    Disclaimer? What disclaimer? YHC was so locked in on the plan that a PAX had to ask if we were doing one. Oops. Onward.

    Warm-up at the Rock Pile:

    Low Slow Squats

    Hillbillys

    Grass Grabbers

    4-Count Wife Pleasers

    Peter Parkers

    Shoulder Taps

    Game On: Grinder Relay
    Teams of two. One rock per team. Rifle carry to the Indian Mound with rock hand-offs mid-journey. Let the madness begin.

    Round 1 – 4 Rounds, 3 Sets:
    Set 1:

    P1: Bear crawl up, crawl bear down

    P2: 10 Thrusters + Big Boys until tagged

    Set 2:

    P1: Mound repeat

    P2: 10 Shoulder Presses + Big Boys

    Set 3:

    P1: Mound repeat

    P2: 10 Rock Swings + Big Boys

    Scoring was based on total Big Boy sit-ups per team… which got chaotic fast.

    Mahatma started crawling before instructions were even done (classic), tanking his team’s strategy from the start.

    Round 2 – 1 Round, 3 Sets:
    Now with lunges instead of crawls. Exercises included:

    Burpees

    Squats

    Bent-Over Rows
    (And yes, more Big Boys… so many Big Boys.)

    Winners: Kilo and Mayhem – focused, efficient, and didn’t ask how many reps the other teams had.
    DQ’d Teams:

    Vagabond: Spent more time asking for others’ counts than doing his own.

    Mahatma & Hand Grenada: Jumped the gun, ignored instructions, and swapped bear crawls for lunges due to… stickers.

    Penalty: Losers carried the winners’ rock back. Because pain builds character.

    COT: Quick name-o-rama, a prayer to be grateful for strong bodies (and tougher minds), and we called it a wrap.

    Moral of the story:
    Follow instructions. Respect the stickers. Never trust a Q who skips the disclaimer.

    AYE! 👊

  • The Friendly New Guy – from Hawgcycle

    Conditions: Partly Cloudy, 64 degrees. Humidity 83%. Wind 10.5 m/h from S.

    As promised, an FNG showed up at El Diablo this morning. YHC took control and gave a very succinct and informative overview of the five core principles. Not to be outdone, Frac immediately started throwing his weight around and started making up stuff on the fly. He said YHC needed to assign a person to the FNG to get to know him throughout the work out. That person will then be responsible for sharing the information during the COT. Looking past the humiliation of having my power usurped I agreed to the idea and selected Pinewood for this task, given he was standing next to the FNG and they looked to be about the same age.

    Pinewood immediately declined the role, stating that he had no desire to get to know the FNG. Instead, he planned to put all of his efforts this morning into getting the Mt. Carmel girls running on the track to notice the mustache he has been carefully cultivating. For the next few minutes, we stared at him, asked him to move under the light, asked him to tilt his head in various ways, and then all finally agreed that we could indeed see the moustache he was talking about.

    I looked around the group seeing if there was anyone I wanted to pair the FNG with. Bogey had his hand raised high in the air as he jumped up and down yelling, “Pick me! Pick me!” I continued to scan the audience, looking for anyone. Bogey continued his jumping. I decided two people would be better than one, so I chose Thumb War and Mayhem.

    The work out went something like this:

    Warm-up: SSH x 31, Imperial Walkers x 15, Windmills x 10, Squats x 15

    Not wanting to make the FNG work out in the sticker grass at his first workout, I opted instead to circle up in a gravel pit at the end of the track. From there we did a Dirty McDeuce

    Round 1: Merkins, Lunges, Big Bois, Run a lap
    Round 2: Ranger Merkins, Monkey Humpers, Dying Cockroaches, Run a lap
    Round 3: Larry Craigs, Sumo Squats, Russian Twists, Run a lap
    Round 4: Carolina Dry Docks, Bobby Hurleys, Crunchy Frogs, Run a lap

    It was clear that Bogey did not care who was actually assigned to get to know the FNG. He was talking up the FNG from the very beginning, although we only heard Bogey’s voice…we never heard the FNG say anything.

    Next we moseyed to the wall for 2 rounds of Chicken Peckers and 1 round of Balls to the Wall.

    Then we moseyed to the playground for a station rotation:

    Station 1: L Hangs
    Station 2: Squats
    Station 3: Incline Merkins or Dips
    Station 4: Step Ups
    Station 5: Burpees x 10

    At this point, it became clear that Mayhem and Thumb War each thought the other was the FNG and they had spent the entire workout trying to get to know each other. So I suppose it as a good thing that Bogey at least took the initiative to tell the FNG all about himself.

    At COT, we welcomed Spanx to the fold. There was great discussion about who actually gets credit for bringing in the New Guy. Frac Sac tried to take credit since Spanx filling out his contact info on the national website eventually led to Frac getting a text. Bogey swears he Eh’d a runner at Pontiff named Brian, or Billy, or Bill. Triple will surely try to take credit since Spanx does his laundry there. But Spanx settled the discussion when he told us how he noticed this guy at Pontiff running with the F3 group in flip-flops. At that moment, he said to himself, “I want to be like that man. I need to get in that group.”
    So you’re welcome F3.

    After COT there was TLC and PLC. IYKYK.