F3 New Orleans

Tag: Hand-Grenada

  • Can we get a WHO DAT!

    Cool and crisp conditions this morning at Rock City, perfect “football weather” for a black and gold themed beatdown on the heels of the Monday night Saints vs. Panthers game.  A few die-hards were sporting team gear and after the disclaimer along with a brief explanation of what lied ahead, we brought it in for a “Who Dat on 3″…not quite the same coolness as Brees in the Dome but it helped get the juices flowing.  Then a mosey to the usual field for a quick warmup of SSH, Arm Circles, Imperial Walkers, Windmills, and LS Squats.

    Made our way to the rock pile to select a companion for the morning and over to the large field for some drills.  First up would be a round of exercises paying homage to the Saints 11-2 record so far this season.  What better way to celebrate the 11 wins than with 11’s!  Here’s how it went:-Curl Press with rock (10-1)-Backpedal to parking bumpers (approx 15-20yds)-Hand Release Derkins w/feet on parking bumpers (1-10) -Lunge Walk back 

    Now we couldn’t forget about the 2 losses so in an effort to push ourselves to get stronger, we circled up for 2 minutes of Up-Downs.  Might have been a bit ugly at the end but the PAX hung in there for a long two minutes.  

    Next up would be a “Heisman Run” giving a shout out to Mark Ingram and Cam Newton that would be taking the field later that night.  In order to be considered for the Heisman Trophy, one must show superb running skills with the ball, maintain possession of the ball, and be fast.  Using our rocks as footballs and making sure not to fumble, we warmed up with Squat Press x20 before tucking in the rock(ball) for a run weaving around the trees(defenders) and finishing with an endzone celebration of Squat Press x10.  Then waited for the six with a wall con roca sit on the fence. 

    Still time for another circuit so this time we partnered up in a line for some “Boom and Zoom” to give props to our elite running backs, Ingram and Kamara.  YHC assumed it was common knowledge that the talented duo is nicknamed “Boom and Zoom” but apparently he was wrong.  After some heckling and discussion, we noted that to be a star running back you must be strong enough to keep from coughing up the ball and fast enough to gain yardage.  Therefore PAX #1 stayed put for “Boom” curls AMRAP to work on the guns while PAX #2 “Zoom” ran around the tree and back (50yds total?) as the timer.  We did this for approx 4-5 minutes with some grumbling from the peanut gallery after a few minutes in.

    Two minute warning was approaching so we called an audible to keep rocks overhead as we made our way back to the rock pile.  From there a mosey back to the flag, a few minutes of planking, concluded by a “Who Dat” plank/merkin circle. 

    COT included some lewd yet fitting nickname suggestions for our FNG but we landed on Piper…welcome!  Also an announcement for Crazy Ivan race coming up in Jan.  Prayer intentions for Brad Brechtel and for a good, safe, injury free football game tonight. 

    Thanks for letting me lead.  Hopefully we’ll be 12-2 by the time anyone reads this.  Who Dat! 

    Tool  

  • Spartacus II….again…

    DISCLAIMER, let’s mosey…

    COP: -SSH x 20 IC

    -IW x 20 IC

    -Mt Climbers x 20 IC

    -Arm Circles x 20 IC (10 ea. dir.)

    Grab a rock, medium, one you won’t drop on your head…Let’s mosey to the shelter (cuz it has benches).  With a timer: 1 min exercise and 15 secs rest.

    1. Bulgarian Split Lunge (30 sec/ea leg)

    2. Shoulder Press

    3. Goblet Squat

    4. T-pushup

    5. Alternating Step-up w/rock

    6. Squat Press

    7. Side Lunge with Touch (Elf on the Shelf)

    8. Merkins

    9. Lunge and Rotation

    10. Elevated Wife Pleasers Rinse and Repeat for a total of two rounds.

    Time to send your rock home and time for some Mary:

    -LBC x 20 IC

    -Flutter Kicks x 20 IC

    -Hello Dolly’s x 20 IC

    -Penguins x 20 IC

    -Dying Cockroach x 20 IC

    -J-Lo’s x 20 IC

    Let’s mosey to the SF. Countoff, namerama, announcements, and a prayer. It was an honor to lead. SYITG…

  • 12-0 at #Rockne City

    What a beautiful, cool, crisp day for football. Or at least to celebrate football. So 18 men gathered in the gloom at Pontiff Park in a celebration of Notre Dame’s undefeated season, Rockne style. OK, so maybe 1 man was celebrating Notre Dame’s perfect season, but that man was the Q (YHC) so he forced his opinions on everybody else. I know Rudy was with me in spirit. A quick disclaimer and off we go.

    The Warm-Up:

    SSH x 20 IC
    Peter Parkers x 20 IC
    Hill Billies x 20 IC
    Plank Jacks x 20 IC
    Arm Circles IC, 10 Forward, 10 Backwards
    Windmills x 10 IC
    Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    Grad a rock and head to the track.

    The 12:
    Notre Dame finished the 2018 season undefeated at 12-0. Our last undefeated season was 2012. Notre Dame was the only college football team to beat 12 FBS schools this season. And if we win 2 more games, we will win our 12th national championship. The Pax could hardly contain their excitement. Da Parrish and Bogey marveled at Notre Dame’s gauntlet of a schedule. Rev Sox and Hand-Granada were speechless. War Eagle knew it was coming, and did not show because he could not bear it. Hawg removed his shoes in homage. Mahatma was so inspired, he almost removed his Clemson orange t-shirt (but he didn’t…)

    12 reps of each rock exercise to celebrate the 12 victories this year. 3 rounds to celebrate the #3 ranking.
    Rock shoulder press x 12 IC
    Rock curls x 12 IC
    Rock rows x 12 IC
    Rock squats x 12 IC
    Rock chest press x 12 IC
    One lap around the track, sprint the straight aways, jog the curves.

    Rock shoulder press x 12 IC
    Rock curls x 12 IC
    Rock rows x 12 IC
    Rock squats x 12 IC
    Rock chest press x 12 IC
    One lap around the track, sprint the straight aways, jog the curves.

    Rock shoulder press x 12 IC
    Rock curls x 12 IC
    Rock rows x 12 IC
    Rock squats x 12 IC
    Rock chest press x 12 IC
    One lap around the track, sprint the straight aways, jog the curves.

    Circle up for some Mary
    LBC x 20 IC
    Penguins x 20 IC
    Flutter kicks x 20 IC
    Dying cockroach x 20 IC
    Hello Dolly x 20 IC
    American Hammer x 20 IC

    Finally, rock lunges with a twist x 10 IC.

    The we returned our beloved rocks, and moseyed back to the flag.
    High plank for 30 sec, left arm plank for 30 sec, right arm plank for 30 sec.
    Left leg cross-over Merkins x 10, Right leg cross-over Merkins x 10.
    Hamstring stretches for a cool down, and a strong finish.
    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer. Hawg thoughtfully offered a prayer for Notre Dame to beat Clemson (at least I think that’s what he meant…)

    Thanks for letting me lead. Here’s to a great season. Go Irish!
    Walleye

  • Stop me if you’ve heard this before

    Today marks year 3 of YHC’s F3 addiction.  Thanks to the brotherhood which has welcomed me, challenged me, improved me.  Its been a great ride, and one I look forward to for many more years.  I hope that in some small way, I’ve helped other F3 members in the same way that everyone around the Flag has helped me.

    So – what better way to celebrate 3 years than by replaying the workout that first got me hooked on this.  Back before Hawg became a stoner, he was a thrust into the role of Emergency Q, as the Q for the morning of November 23rd, 2015 failed to show.  No, it was not “Shorty”.  It was a true and faithful brother of a slightly different height.

    Looking for Amnesty

    In hindsight, I have no idea how I survived that workout.  As Mambi referred to his first workout – I would echo that description for mine: “From Couch to F3”.  But it hooked me, and set me on a path.

    So here we are – November 19th, 2018.  Anniversary #3.  What did I do for the anniversary?  Uh, the same thing I did on November 23rd, 2015.  Same as I did on November 21st, 2016.  Same as I did on November 20th, 2017…  I’ve never been called “creative”.

    Mosey to the Rock Pile!  Oh wait, an old-school Cowbell Special: 10 Burpees OYO before we get started

    Warm Up

    SSH x5.  Then grab a rock.  Some muttering about how the warmup was as hard as Notre Dame’s schedule.  I will remember that comment, Rev-Sox.  But we’ve got to get busy.

    The Thang

    The thang that hooked me.  The Lieutenant Dan.  Yes, Bogey – WITH A ROCK.  At the end of the tree line, start Lunging and Squatting until you get to the fence.  x2.  x4.  x6.  Must. Keep. Going.  That’s a loooong way to that fence.  When you get there, no rest for the weary!  Grab a People’s Chair on the fence while we wait on the 6.  Mix in some curls while waiting for Triple Shift to finish hauling the largest rock ever seen.

    Once everyone gathered at the fence, it was time to give the legs a breather.  What better way to rest the legs than with The Jack Webb.  Yes, Amnesty – WITH A ROCK.  Merkins (one arm on the rock), Rock Presses.  1x/2x.  2x/4x.  Up to 8x/16x.  Hand Grenada 20 count, please!

    Circle up for some Mary.  One group of 4 PAX scoot over to the playground.  Everone get in a solid 10 Pull Ups, with spotting if needed.  Then hurry back.  Rest of the PAX are doing Mary.

    • Dying Cockroaches while PAX group 1 followed King Kong’s slow mosey return, hanging us out to dry.  31.  32.  33.  34……
    • Hello Dolly for PAX group 2, who seemed to understand that they should try and move a bit faster.
    • Leg Raises for PAX group 3
    • Flutter Kicks for PAX group 4

    Time to start moseying back.  And by Moseying back, I meant The Lieutenant Dan.  Yup, go the other way down the field.  Same as the first time.  Only Al Gore at the end.  Thanks, Kuch, for explaining the Al Gore to Momma and Dem.  “You see, you’re hugging a tree.  A tree hugger.  Get it?  Get it?”  As we again waited on Triple Shift, the PAX were given the choice of modifying the Al Gore: do it with your rock, or do it like Rudy (sans Rock).  Bogey tried with a rock for about 10 seconds, then decided he’d rather be like Rudy.  Good choice!

    Next up – another Hawg special from my second week: the Bloom Where You Are Planted.  Grab your rock.  The goal is to NOT PUT IT DOWN.

    • Shoulder Press, Curl, Row, Squat, Bench Press x12
    • Repeat x10
    • Repeat x8

    Time to return.  But Mambi wanted more – so one more Shoulder Press x6, just for you.  Now return the rocks and head back to the flag.

    Back at the Flag, PAX did 10 more OYO burpees, just because Rev-Sox thought we needed a bit more from the workout.

    Count Off, Name-o-Rama, Announcements, Intentions and circle up for the sweaty Circle of Trust.  Thank you all for what you’ve given me.  And thanks for the opportunity to lead again.

  • The Early Bird

    They say, “The Early Bird Gets the Worm.” F3 Men must get lots of worms, because we get at it early for the morning beatdown. This morning YHC was looking to get it started extra earlier as he started the disclaimer at 5:28am. Several of the Pax quickly pointed out that he was jumping the gun, and he discovered that his watch was two minutes fast, so he backed off.

    Two minutes later…disclaimer, 13 Pax in attendance as we took off on a mosey to the rock pile for the Warm-Up

    Special Guest Q

    YHC noticed several weeks ago that his brother War Eagle was starting to look fairly comfortable at F3 workouts(as comfortable as one can be at a pre-sunrise beatdown). He was running with the Pax and never finishing as the 6, so YHC took it upon himself to sign up War Eagle to Q the Uptowner in November. Today was the morning for War Eagle to practice his cadence in anticipation of the big day. War Eagle was more than up to the task as for the first time in my year of F3, a rookie led the warm-up with no snide remarks or “helpful” comments from the Pax.

    SSH – 25

    Mountain Climbers – 20

    Imperial Walkers – 20

    Peter Parkers – 20

    Hillbillies – 20

    Parker Peters – 20

    Route 66

    Time for everyone’s favorite moment of the work week – let’s grab a rock. We picked up our rocks and moseyed to the far tree line near the picnic benches for some Route 66. YHC enjoyed this workout so much on his last Q that he had to go for another round. Ascending tricep extensions starting with 1 at the first tree and ending with 11 extensions on the 11th tree. Let’s get those triceps burning.

    Suicide By Merkins

    YHC set out 4 cones on the field this morning, so the Pax could begin and end the workout with some suicides. The Pax was grateful for YHC’s planning. The opening suicide was Suicide By Merkins. Run a standard suicide but at every cone, hit the ground, and knock out 10 merkins for a total of 80. Tricpes were burning more after the merkins.

    The Conveyor Belt

    Mahatma-Ice made a call for the Pax to select rocks for Rock City as opposed to pebbles or skipping stones. YHC decided that Mahatma was right, so he led in a workout that would require the Pax to use everyone else’s rocks to challenge the whole Pax to up our rock size (unless you are Mahatma or Triple, for them this workout just led to a break from their normal boulder workouts). Two men were stationed at each of the trees that were used for Route 66. YHC would lead an exercise in cadence, following the exercise, the Pax will drop their rocks, and bear crawl to the next tree or rock pair. The Pax did exercises until everyone did one exercise at each tree.

    The exercises for the conveyor belt:

    Shoulder Press

    Curls

    Rockettes

    Rows

    Curls

    Low Slow Squats

    Bench Press

    The Picnic Benches

    From the tree line, we took our rocks to the picnic benches for a few exercises.

    Channing Tatums – 20

    Sit down, Stand Up with Rock (Don’t ask it was dumb)

    Tatum Channgings – 20

    Sitting on the Wall

    YHC always loves a good wall sitting on rock days. The Pax sat until YHC’s legs began to burn then started a 20 count of rows in cadence. Shook out our legs and then sat again. This round of sitting ended with 20 count curls in cadence.

    Standard Suicide

    Back to the field for a good old fashioned suicide. YHC was slightly disappointed by the Pax’s speed on the suicide. Next time he Q’s there will be more suicides at Rock City.

    Mary

    The Pax was instructed to deposit their rocks on the pile and return to the flag. YHC got a little confused during the workout due to the time being off on his watch. Instead of arriving at the flag 2 minutes late (6:15am to the world), he arrived 2 minutes early (6:11am). This meant 4 minutes of the Mary that he was hoping to avoid.

    LBC – 25

    Penguins – 20

    Hello Dolly – 15

    Wife Pleasers – 20

    The Conclusion

    Count-Off, Name-0-rama, Announcements (2.0 workout on Saturday at 7:30am at Audubon Park and the Fight Club at 5:30am on Wednesday), Intentions, Prayer

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead and a special thanks to War Eagle for his F3 growth. If anyone wants to guest Q at the Fight Club in Kenner let me know.

    Rev Sox (I’ve never hated my name more than right now – Go Dodgers!)

     

  • Monday Mayhem – the 11th hour of 49

    My plan is to never give in to a number so although on my last day this side of 50 I won’t blame age on forgetting I had the Q…..must have been the foggy brain left over from the LSU tailgating this weekend.  That said I’m glad that I checked the Q list driving in this morning which at least gave a few minutes to come up with something that resembled a beat down.

    After a quick disclaimer, 22 men strong we left the gated bullpen and head towards open fields near the rock pile.

    Warm Up – in Cadence

    SSH – 26

    Side Lunges  – 10

    Peter Parkers – 20

    Mnt Climbers 10 slow and 10 fast

    Wind Mills x 10

    Peter Parkers Oh wait Parker Peters x 20

    Go grab a rock……head to the hill, I’ll come up with something.  Switched to the Shelter….the aroma was way to inviting not to add it to our workout challenge!

    3 rounds of Tabata 30 sec on with 20 secs rest ONE minute reset between rounds.  At some point during this fun our FNG – now known as Seabiscuit had to much of the rock/smell combination and took a breather –

    Rnd 1

    Mnt Climbers (I think we already did these during warm up…..here you go that age thing creeping in)

    Overhead triceps press

    Squat with OH Press

    Curls

    Lunges

    Rnd 2

    Box Jumps

    OH Triceps

    Squat with OH Press

    BO Rows

    Lunges

    Rnd 3

    Switch Leg step up (with extension)

    OH Triceps

    Squat with OH Press

    Curls

    Lunges

    NOW on to EMOS – a little extra breather will Q fiddled with timer APP

    10 minutes of “Work”

    25 BO Rows

    5 Man Makers – Burpees with rock jump at the end

    Lateral Raises x 15

    OH Press x 20

    Wall  Squat Sit – 10 reps with a 2 second pause in the sitting position

    Rinse and Repeat – Exception – adding reps

    30 BO Rows

    10 Man Makers

    20 Lateral Raises

    25 OH Press

    Wall Squat Sit – Same

    Head back to the pile to return rocks – NOTE to those that were running back with Pebbles in hand; challenge yourself and grab a ROCK next time out.

    PAX assumed a plank position while waiting for all to return; Q while yelling out some encouragement (as would expect) got some chatter for not “fully” participating?!

    Upon all rocks being returned – there was little time for Mary:

    1:30 of plank – rotating contact points

    Head back to flag…..my only regret of the morning; not attempting to accept the challenge Cowbell threw out in his sprint; thanks for the push as that will drive me for a while!

    COT

    FNG – Q was being pressed at the end to tie his F3 name brief break during the Tabata but his commitment to step back in and finish with the PAX definitely earned respect that is reflecting of the name bestowed (I can’t take credit for it but Q in this case gets the final word).  Welcome Seabiscuit!

    F3 2.0 partner workout – Oct 28th 7:30 Brees sandbox – more to come I’m sure via other F3 announcements.

    Special intentions – especially for those in Florida – Thumper is part of a group coordinating some relief effort – please reach out to him with donations as well as the potential to be part of the physical on hand support.

    God Bless Brothers – we are held accountable to lead!

     

     

  • 10 and 1

    Welcome to October.  Fall is here!  Or maybe not.  Nope, down here in the swamp, summer heat and humidity remains the norm.  YHC had spent a weekend up north with the 2.0s, and enjoyed a run in crisp, cool fall weather.  How enjoyable – I hadn’t actually been cold in about 6 months.  But, YHC was slapped with reality twice when stepping off the plane at 9:30 Sunday night – first, HEAT and HUMIDITY.  I suppose fall will arrive someday.  Second – #TClaps to King Kong for letting YHC know he had the Q at Rock City!  What to do, what to do….  October 1st.  10/1.  I wonder what that could lead to?

    PAX appearing left and right in the gloom on Monday morning.  The Uptowners are rapidly becoming a (welcomed) infestation at Rock City (As Angie’s List noted – “You’ve been Gentrified!”).  As the clock struck 5:30, a Rock City record 21 PAX headed out the gate and off to the rocks.

    Super Brief Warm Up

    Circle up in the Pontiff Swamp.  Much grumbling and searching for high ground.  Lets get this party started

    • SSH x38 – as RevSox correctly pointed out, ND scored 38 in their crushing victory over Stanford.  But
    • Peter Parker x25 – face down in the swamp.  More tears of agony from the Uptowners

    Lets just get on with it, shall we?  Grab a rock and mosey to the trees.

    10/1 – Thats an Eleven!

    YHC is rapidly turning into Amnesty – a One-Trick-Pony at Rock City.  No, this wasn’t Spartacus.  It was the 11s.

    Line up in the middle of the field, trees on each side.

    • Burpees on one side (starting at 10x going down)
    • Jump Squats on the other side (starting at 1x going up)
    • Pass your rock heading to the Burpees?  Shoulder Press x11
    • Pass your rock heading to the Jump Squats?  Curls x11

    Go.

    When you finish, on your 6 and do LBC waiting for the 6.  Nice work JV, Bogey, RevSox and King Kong leading the PAX.  As a reward, they get to do more LBCs then everyone else.

    Over to the Parking Lot with your Rock.  Quick dose of Hydration.

    Dora

    Partner Up.  PAX 1 lunge walks (with Rock) out and back 5 parking spaces.  PAX 2 does exercise till PAX 1 returns.  Flapjack.  Rinse and Repeat till all exercises are done.

    • 100 hand-release Merkins
    • 100 Squats
    • 100 LBCs

    Grab the rock and mosey back to deliver our friends to their home.  Then dash back to the flag.  Hold Mission Impossible while we wait for the 6.

    Then wrap it up.  Count-off (21 PAX!), Name-o-Rama, including naming two FNGs: Left Eye (came along with the Uptowners – YHC not entirely sure he followed the connection that left to Left Eye, but it came from references to Lisa Lopes).  Friar Tuck (via Marlin, finishing his formation).  Welcome aboard!

    Convergence on October 13th.  See you there.

    Wrap up with intentions and close out with a prayer.  St. Ignatius, Teach me to be generous.

  • 40 points are better than 0 points

    It was a rough Monday morning for us Saints fans on the heels of that embarrasing loss in the season opener.  Surely a 45min therapy session at Rock City would help cure any hangovers or headaches.  Here’s how the healing went:

    Started with a mosey to usual area for warmup x20ea SSH, AC, WM, LSS, LCC, follwed by a brief delay where YHC pointed out scoring 40 points in a game is nothing to shake a stick….gotta think positive!  YHC annouced we’d knock out 40 of the final exercise which were SSH, despite Rudy’s request for burpees, which would come later.  Then a bear crawl to the rockpile to make sure the juices were flowing.

    We picked our rocks and headed to the main field/track area, keeping the rocks moving along the way with curls and presses.

    Circuit #1:  We lined up on the back of the endzone and partnered up.  PAX #1 ran to opposite endzone for 10 Burpees and ran back (timer) while PAX#2 knocked out Curls x20, LBC X20, Curls x20, LBC x20,…until partner was back.  Flip flop, rinse and repeat twice for a total of 3 rounds.

    Circuit #2:  We lined up again, this time approx 1oyds from the edge of the track.  Got things going with a 10 Burpee pre-thang to bring our total up to 40 Burpees.   Then, 4 rounds of Shoulder Press x10, Bear Crawl to track, Merkins x10, Backwards Bear Crawl…..totaling 40ea on the two exercises.

    Mary:  Round Robin included Hello Dolly x20, V-Ups x10, In-Outs x10, Penguins x20, capped off with LBT x31 to give a shout out to the LSU Tigers scoring 31 points and to Mahatma’s son who is on the team.

    Time was ticking so time back to the rockpile, then a mosey to the flag followed by some planking.

    COT:  YHC explained the orignal workout plan envisioned was hinged around the Saints winning and using the points scored as rep counts and as a way to celebrate our road to the post season.  Since we instead ended with a loss, YHC thought it would be fitting to still use the points scored by the Saints as a reminder for us to be greatful for what you have in life and not stress over what you don’t.  Additionally, we all have rough days on occasion and need to remind ourselves that the next day is a chance to move forward and make any improvements….which is hopefully what our beloved football team will do.  Capped things off with a prayer with intentions for Hawg’s mom and YHC’s son Brady.

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

    Tool

     

     

     

  • 19 for 11

    Back from Canada after a weeklong hiatus, YHC was ready to get back in the saddle.  7 days is enough to enable one to forget just how oppressive August humidity can be in the south.  Feeling like a weakened northerner, unable to face the Southern Summer, YHC decided to dress the part – so for today (and today only), Union General Ambrose Burnside made an appearance at Rock City.

    As the gloom lifted – PAX appeared, crawling out of every nook and cranny at Pontiff playground.  First there were 5.  Then 8.  Then 11.  Uptowners made the long Trek.  The clock steadily ticked towards 5:29 and the PAX just kept appearing.  5:30 – and BAM, 19 PAX set off down the path.

    Warm Up

    Assume the position.  Plank position.

    • Peter Parker x25
    • Parker Peter x25
    • Mountain Climber x25
    • Plank Jack x25

    Recover.  Just kidding.  Back to Plank.

    • Shoulder Taps x25
    • Floyd Mayweather x25

    Recover.  For real.  Now go get a Rock.

    At this point, YHC owes Bogey an apology.  I heard grumbling about lack of guidance on rock size selection.  Who else would grumble, I thought?  So I blamed Bogey.  But alas, it wasn’t him.  The grumbler still remains anonymous.  Probably an uptowner.

    The Thang.  11s

    Mosey to the tree-lined field.  Line up in the middle, facing West.  We’ll do 11s.

    • Burpees on the West side (starting at 1, heading up to 10).
    • West to East run: stop at your Rock for 11 Shoulder Presses
    • Squat Jumps on the East side (starting at 10, heading down to 1).
    • East to West run: stop at your Rock for 11 Curls

    When finished, PAX joined the circle for LBC waiting on the 6.

    Hydrate.  Can’t emphasize this enough over the summer.  Stay hydrated.  Quick water break at the Gazebo.

    Change of Plans.  Right, the Gazebo.  I’d forgotten about that.  Since we were all there (except the few left by the rocks because they didn’t want water), we grabbed some bench.  (the other 4 brave souls began running over)

    • Right Leg SU x25
    • Irkins x20
    • Left Leg SU x25
    • Derkins x15.  And those last 2 were killer for the Q.

    Grab a spot on the wall for a rest.  People Chair.

    • 90 seconds.  Up and shake it out.
    • 60 seconds, with Air Press x15

    Mosey back to your rock.  Bring the rock back to the pile (pressing, curling, overhead carrying while moseying).  Then back to the flag.

    Wrap Up: Count-off.  19 PAX, a new rock City record!  Great to see all of the new faces out and about.  Keep EH’ing – bring F3 with you wherever you go!  Announcements of upcoming races and events – Next Gen Gala on August 24th.  Keep up the great work, Babyface!  Finish up with prayers.  All: remember Rev Sox’s father in your prayers.  Losing a lifelong friend and partner cannot be easy, Sky Q: please grant Mr. Rev Sox the strength and comfort to persevere and grow.

    Also – thank you all for the prayers and support you have offered me over the last weeks.  My sister has a diagnosis, and its really the best possible outcome: stage 2a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, nothing below the diaphragm.  That all means her condition is very treatable, with a great prognosis.  Still a long road, and several chemo treatments yet to come.  But this is the best outcome we have been hoping and praying for since the initial diagnosis.  Thank you all again!

  • This BB is Late – I’m a Bum

    Walking back to my house from the Uptowner, I met a man and woman walking their dogs.  The man was in his 50s and dressed as if he might own a sailboat.  It stood out to me that he was wearing sunglasses at 0630, so I will call him Shades.

    Shades:  You alright?

    Hawgcycle:  Yeah, why?  Do I not look alright?

    Shades: ….

    Hawgcycle: …..

    Shades:  Well, I can tell you are not a bum.

    Hawgcycle: …..

    Shades:  Where do you live?

    Hawgcycle: …..

    I’m pretty sure the fact that Shades told me he could tell I was not a bum means:

    1.  He was pretty sure I was bum when he first saw me.
    2. He was still not sure that I was not a bum.

    I’m not sure what the term bum means to Shades, but I am going to take this interaction as a compliment.  My alarming appearance and fatigued stagger leaving the Uptowner Arena means I left it all at the AO.  There is also the possibility that my disheveled hair, $3 flip-flops, painted toenails, and horrendous stench formed his opinion.  I’m sticking with the former.

    Here’s what put me in that state:

    Warm-up

    SSH x 30; IW x 31; Don Quixote x 15; Hug it out OYO while YHC gave some instructions.

    Iron-Pax Pre-Challenge

    20 Hand Release Merkins – 100 yard Bear Crawl – 20 Hand Release Merkins – 100 yard Bear Crawl for time.

    Wood Hero WOD

    400 meter run – 10 Burpee Box Jumps – 10 Sumo-Deadlift High-Pulls – 10 Rock Thrusters.  AMRAP.

    Most of us used the T-Shift Laundry Detergent Buckets to jump over for the Burpee Box Jumps.  A few used the pump wall.  We also used the buckets for the Sumo-Deadlift High-Pulls.

    NMM

    Many things were impressive about this group today:

    • 9 guys posted – big turnout
    • 5 guys wore red.  Most ever
    • All 9 were sub 8:00 on the challenge and ranked top 60ish
    • All 9 attacked the Hero WOD after bearcrawling for days

    Thanks to all those protecting freedoms around the world.