Author: ATTILA

Today was a challenge at Gridiron as this AO’s faithful have been ravaged by injuries (more to come).  For those that are still standing, here is how it went down:

• COP
  • 25 SSH
  • 25 Russian Soldiers
  • 10 merkins
  • 20 Freddy Mercuries
  • 20 Crab Cakes
  • 20 DQ
  • Arm Circles – 10 small/5 big – both forwards and backwards
  • Bear crawl around parking lot island
• Mosey to playground for 24/7’s – 7 jerkins and 24 PLTs x3 (some guys got in an extra set of jerkins while waiting for the group to finish
• Mosey to the football field for a Lindsay with dips and WWII sit-ups
• Mosey to the track for 10 minutes of intervals – 30 seconds hard run followed by 30 second mosey
• Over to SPMS field for a Dora – 100 Carolina Drydocks, 200 Hello Dollys and 300 squats
• Mosey to the picnic pavilion for 25 one-legged step-ups with each leg
• AMRAP on football field – bear crawl ½ width of field, run ½ width, backwards run back full width
• COT with YHC taking us out

We have some significant injuries amongst various Gridiron posters/faithful as noted below:

• Earthworm – eye injury, OUT
• Cecil – back injury, TAKE HEED TO PRE-WORKOUT DISCLAIMER
• Ragweed – back stiffness, TAKE HEED TO PRE-WORKOUT DISCLAIMER
• Nightcrawler – ¾ inch deep cut on foot, OUT
• White Deer – swallowed by fart sack due to lack of testosterone, OUT
• Loose Goose – injured calf/Achilles; TAKE HEED TO PRE-WORKOUT DISCLAIMER
• Johnsonville – no known current injuries, but it is only a matter of time

Stay healthy my friends.  The humidity is gone.  The weather is spectacular.  There is not a better time to post at your favorite AO’s.

Announcements:

• Convergence on September 30th – 6 am and 7 am workouts; bring the numbers

It was a privilege to lead these men this morning.  Nothing better than the fellowship that comes from a good beatdown.

Attila

9 Gridiron faithfuls and 2 new redwoods showed up for beatdown this morning.  I do not hate them; I just hate myself.  Here is how it went down:

• COP
  • 25 SSH
  • 20 Russian Soldiers
  • 20 Freddy Mercuries
  • 15 Crab Cakes
  • 20 Hello Dollys
  • 30 APD
  • 10 merkins
  • 20 Copperhead Squats
  • 10 8 count body builders
  • 20 Helicopters
• Mosey to the playground and partner-up
  • 4x – 20 PLT/10 jerkins
• Mosey to the SPMC field for an abbreviated beast with burpees, monkey humpers, LBCs and merkins
• Mosey to the short hill by for 10 Bernies
• Mosey to the football field for a triple check
  • Dips
  • KB high pulls
  • Run across the field and back
• COT with YHC taking us out

Today was an awesome example of why Gridiron is great.  Nightcrawler was flying solo as a single parent this weekend with 3 young girls…God bless you Nightcrawler!  You are a brave man.  He brought his girls, and MEarthworm came and played with them while Daddy got a beatdown.  Not going to see that every day or at every AO.   These girls now know that Daddy is one of the boys.  Thankfully, he did not hurl in their presence.  Sounds like he was on the hairy edge today.

Welcome to EF Hutton; hard to believe that you have been to Gridiron before.  It has been a while since we had a double dipper at Gridiron.  Major t-claps for him.  He did mention that it was good to miss the jerkins after Swirly’s traditional arm beatdown.

Welcome also to Screwball!  Good to have another connection to the Gloucester corridor.  Hoops’ cousin got a taste of his growing strength.  Hoops was strong today, leading the pack during the beast.  Where did that come from?  White Deer might need to check that boy for chest hair.

Announcements:

• Convergence on September 30th – 6 am and 7 am workouts; bring the numbers
• Cecil will be bringing back the pre-game devotional back to Gridiron in September – more details to come

It was a privilege to lead these men this morning.  Nothing better than the fellowship that comes from a good beatdown.

Attila

It is the dog days of summer, but that did not stop 8 strong redwoods from posting today at Gridiron.  YHC and White Deer shared the Q, with YHC starting us off.  Here is how it went down:

• COP
  • 25 SSH
  • 20 Russian Soldiers
  • 20 Freddy Mercuries
  • 25 APD
  • 10 merkins
  • 20 Helicopters
  • 8 8 count body builders
• Mosey to the playground and partner-up
  • 25 PLT/10 jerkins x2
• Mosey to the Pavillion – 25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (right leg), 25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (left leg) at the picnic tables
• Mosey to the Gridiron for 4 corners
  • 4x 10 burpees
  • 4x 10 LBC
  • 4x 10 monkey humpers
  • 4x 10 WWII sit-ups
  • 2x 10 merkins/2x 10 Carolina dry docks
• Bear crawl 1/4 of the football field and then run to the end zone before YHC passed the Q to White Deer
• Mosey to the parking lot
  • 2 minute plank challenge
  • 10 merkins with left leg raised/10 merkins with right leg raised
  • Boat/canoe with KB
  • 10 KB presses with each arm
  • 20 KB Alabama honeymoons
  • 10 one armed curls with each arm
  • 10 KB halos
  • 10 second KB hold
  • Bear crawl around the island
• COT with YHC taking us out followed by coffee at Einsteins

YHC and White Deer were supposed to split the Q 50/50.  In actuality, YHC took 75%, much to the joy of Johnsonville’s back.  As always, Johnsonville led the charge with a strong performance, but there were some concerns that he might (re)injure himself during the workout.  Raise your hands if this surprises you.

Strong showing from Cecil in his grand reappearance.  In addition, it was great to see Ragweed back at the Gridiron.  Great perseverance on a humid morning!

The highlight of the workout was White Deer demonstrating jerkins on the playground.  As always, White Deer was fast and reckless, slamming is head on the bars.  Most people would be impacted by such a fierce blow to the head.  Not so with White Deer; no harm and onward he went.  Draw your own conclusions.

Finally, as for announcements, there was a happy hour for Toga on Wednesday.  Sorry if you missed that.  The event appeared to fly under the radar.  Toga, we will miss you; come back soon!

Stay cool in this heat.  Drink plenty liquids (or was that what the M told me to do this morning before I left).

Attila

The temperatures were moderate, the humidity was unseasonably absent, and the Gridiron AO was filled with lush, green grass.  Today was made for a classic Gridiron boot camp workout (void of White Deer’s mumblechatter).  Here is how it went down.

• Warm-up
  • 20 SSH
  • 15 Helicopters
  • 20 IW
  • 10 merkins
  • 20 deep squats
• Mosey to the football field for a lindsey with dips and WWII sit-ups
• 15 Freddy Mercuries/25 APD
• Mosey to the practice field for 11s with burpees and LBCs
• 25 APB/25 PLTs
• Mosey to the back of the school for 5 pull-ups and 10 jerkins
• Mosey to the softball field for an arch loader
  • Bear crawl
  • Karaoke
  • Crawl bear with backwards run
  • Karaoke
  • Lunges
  • Combat crawls
• Ring of fire (10 merkins)
• Mosey to the parking lot for COT
• COT – Earthworm takes us out with a great prayer for Cheech’s family and all involved/touched by the fatal accident of a week ago; we continue to remember them.  Earthworm, thanks for leading us in that time.

Today was great day at Gridiron.  It was a blessing to have Pew visit us from Lexington, SC.  Our F3 brethren in SC are still mourning the loss of our brother Cheech.  I was floored to hear that Cheech’s wife was teaching VBS this week.  She is an amazing woman.  In addition, the F3 PAX in SC have shown great grace and mercy to the young woman who was driving to work that morning.  These men have loved her, and give us a great example to follow.

Welcome to Gridiron Byproduct!  Thanks for making the drive from DaVille and joining us today.  Your effort was strong, and we enjoyed your fellowship.  You are always welcome back to be a part of our brotherhood.

I have one thing to say about Krü, the man is slow, steady and determined.  It is something to behold.  I have immense respect for our brother’s effort.

Finally,  the PAX got a great shot of energy when Nightcrawler rolled into the parking lot just as we began to embark on our workout.  It has been a long time, but we are glad to see your familiar face.    Do not be a stranger brother!  Spare us from any future interventions.

Many of the PAX enjoyed some fellowship at Einstein’s after the workout.  It was a great turnout on a holiday weekend.  Hopefully we burned enough calories to partake in some extra BBQ, bourbon and brews this holiday weekend.  Remember that there is a convergence on our nation’s birthday at Dogwood Dell.  Stay safe!

Attila

YHC was fired up for Gridiron.  School is out; sports are done.  That means my 2.0 was ready to join, and he had a huge smile on his face.  I cannot think of a better way to start Fathers’ Day weekend.  Here is how it went down.

• Warm-up
  • 25 SSH
  • 20 Russian soldiers
  • 10 merkins
  • 20 DQ
• Burpee march
  • 15 burpees down the parking lot followed by:
    • 10 double count LBC
    • 25 double count APD
    • 20 single count WWII sit-ups
  • Repeat for a total of 5 cycles
• Mosey over to the Pavilion…25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (right leg), 25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (left leg), 25 dips and for mountain climbers for those that waited for the rest of the PAX to finish
• Mosey to the track for 10 minutes of intervals – 20 sec sprint (which proved challenging for some, including YHC) followed by 40 second mosey
• Mosey to the front of the school for triple check – bear crawl, leg lifts and wall sit
• Close out with ring of fire (10 merkins)
• Mosey back to the parking lot for COT
• COT – YHC took us, giving thanks for our able bodies and some great fellowship

Today was an Attila special, a sampling of muscle groups, with the hope that men were pushed and strengthened.

It was odd to have 3 2.0’s at Gridiron, and none of them were sired by Johnsonville.  White Deer brought Hoops and his buddy FNG Cletus.  Hoops remarked that he is more of Circus Maximus fella about 1/2 way through his first bootcamp-style workout, but he was also quick to throw some one-liners at his father.  With that, you are always welcome to join us.

I was grateful to have my eldest 2.0, Mariner, present.  With Earthworm MIA (something about a wedding and needing his beauty sleep), ground & pound got trashed.  Mariner is fleet of foot, and it was fun to provide him an opportunity to excel amongst the Gridiron PAX.

As always, Chum Bucket was a quiet, but strong warrior.  Johnsonville was not far behind, but perhaps not as quiet.  Both elevate the rest of us, and I am grateful for their consistency at Gridiron.

APB continues for Nightcrawler.  YHC might smuggle a duck from the Wellsley pond over to Gridiron to lure our resident Elmer Fudd back.

Enjoy a sports-free weekend, and Happy Fathers’ Day to all those in the PAX being celebrated.  Here is hoping your 2.0’s are not as scarred as White Deer’s.

Attila

The rain has stopped, and the weather was perfect.  Seven strong redwoods posted for a Memorial Day weekend Gridiron.  Here is how it went down:

• Warm-up
  • 25 SSH
  • 10 merkins
  • 20 Freddy Mercuries
  • 20 Russian soldiers
  • 20 helicopters
• Burpee march
  • 15 burpees down the parking lot followed by:
    • 20 WWII sit-ups
    • 25 APD
    • 20 LBC
  • Repeat for a total of 5 cycles
• Mosey over to the Pavilion…25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (right leg), 25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (left leg), 25 dips
• 25 PLTs – rinse and repeat
• Mosey to the track/field and line up in the end zone for an Indian crawl on the field:
  • PAX forms a line and the group performs an exercise while the man in the back bear crawls to the front of the group.  The exercise is switched once each man has bear crawled to the front, similar to an Indian run)
  • Exercises were deep squats, Carolina dry docks, hillbillies, planks, flutter kicks
• Mosey to the track
  • Run 200m
  • Karaoke 200m
  • Run 200m
  • Mosey 200m
  • Backwards run to end zone (100m)
  • Burn-out 100 yard dash
• Mosey to the parking lot with COT
  • Announcements:
    • Convergence on Monday at Belle Isle (6:30)
    • West End lunch now on Friday’s at Jason’s Deli
  • YHC took us out with a prayer of Thanksgiving

Moleskin – YHC called an audible on the workout today when he realized Earthworm and White Deer were MIA.  Neither likes a good run (WD has a legitimate excuse with a replaced knee), so YHC took advantage of their absence by adding a little field work at the end.  EW/WD, you were missed, but today was not your day.  Things we did not do – one-handed snatches, boat/canoe, KB EMON’s…thing we did do – run.

Welcome back Nightcrawler!  Johnsonville and White Deer’s Facetime intervention was  successful.  Although, Gridiron is not a day on the links, and Nightcrawler did not appear to come dressed for a beat down.  Did the golf shirt give that away?

My second welcome back goes to Loose Goose.   The man who introduced me to F3 missed his alarm for Dogpile, so he got back to his roots with Gridiron.  Do not be a stranger Loose Goose.  It was great to have you.

Mumble chatter was non-existent today.  The usual suspect (White Deer) was absent, and his replacements were Johnsonville, Cheetah, Chum Bucket and Flip Phone.  Those men are just quiet assassins.  They went about their business of just making my red pill look like a sugar pill.  Well done men!

Enjoy your long weekend!  Hopefully we burned a few calories in order to make space for some stellar BBQ this weekend.  You’re welcome!

Attila

If there was ever a morning to say see you in the gloom, this was it.  A faithful and loyal PAX assembled, and here is how it went down:

• Warm-up
  • 25 SSH
  • 10 merkins
  • 20 Russian soldiers
  • 20 helicopters
  • 20 DQ
• Mosey to the cover of the Pavilion…25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (right leg), 25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (left leg), 25 dips…PAX does Al Gores waiting for everyone to complete
• Partner-up for the journey to the Pillars of Pain – 1 man does a double KB farmers carry while his partner does 15 monkey humpers and then karaokes to catch-up, trade-off, and rinse and repeat until we reach the Pillars
• Deck of Death with burpee marches mixed in
  • Exercises for the deck of death – merkins, crab cakes, WWII sit-ups and deep squats (all in cadence)
  • Stopped the deck 3x to do a burpee march to another station in the Pillars – performed a burpee at each concrete block until progressed 13-15 blocks down, finally reaching the other end of the pillars
• Mosey back to the KBs at the front of the Pillars
  • 10 lawnmower pulls with each arm
  • 15 standing rows
  • 25 Alabama honeymoons
  • 10 halos each direction
• Finished up with 25 pole smokers

COT at the Pillars with YHC taking us out, giving thanks for the PAX and the comradery and fellowship we are blessed with.

Moleskin – There was one thing that was obvious today…White Deer found the conditions quite “nipply,” and we all knew it.  I guess you could say he was excited to be there today, and Farrah Fawcett would be proud (reference for the over 40 portion of the PAX).  While uncomfortable for some, White Deer was unabashed (no surprises there).  Thankfully for him, no one recommended a manzere for future workouts.  Thankfully for us, no small children were present for which we had to explain this visual.

I say it often, but Chum Bucket is a beast.  He sets a pace, and keeps it upbeat for the entire PAX.  It is a privilege to have him with us.  He is always encouraging the PAX, which does not go unnoticed.  Cecil, Johnsonville and Earthworm each were dealing with some form of injury.  YHC was grateful for them being there and battling through.  Major t-claps earned.  It is not the same without these men.

Rumor has it that Flip Phone was “warm and cozy” in his fartsack…so weak.  Nightcrawler’s whereabouts remain a mystery.  We will be waiting for you when the PAX reassembles.

The PAX went to Einstein’s for additional fellowship afterwards.  With all games being rained out and fewer obligations to attend to, everyone felt the freedom to stick around for a while.  No truth to the rumor that Cecil was hoping to stay there all day and avoid the estrogen onslaught that would be invading his house for a shower later that day.  It was a true blessing to have this time of fellowship with these men.

Attila

White Deer and YHC tag-teamed Q’ed this edition of Gridiron, with YHC kicking it off.  Here it how it went down:

• Warm-up
  • 25 SSH
  • 20 Russian soldiers
  • 8 8 count bodybuilders (pan PAX count)
  • 10 merkins
  • 20 APD
  • 20 Freddy Mercuries
  • 20 DQ
• Mosey to the Pavillion – 25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (right leg), 25 dips, 25 one leg step-ups (left leg), 25 dips…PAX does WWII sit-ups waiting for everyone to complete
• Mosey to the football field for four corners (using 1/2 the field)
  • Partner-up and wheel barrow to each corner with 10 deep squats at each stop
  • Karaoke run to each corner with 10 merkins at each stop
  • Bear crawl and Crawl bears to each corner with 10 WWII sit-ups at each stop
  • Backwards run to each corner with 10 monkey humpers at each stop
• Mosey to the parking lot for KB flurry led by White Deer
  • Bear crawl to KB in middle of parking lot
  • 15 two handed swings
  • 10 merkin rows
  • 20 presses
  • 10 lawnmower pulls with each arm
  • 10 halos clockwise and 10 counterclockwise
  • 10 around the worlds clockwise and 10 counterclockwise
  • 10 figure eights each direction
  • 10 one-handed swings with each arm
  • 20 sit-up presses
  • Boat/canoe/paddleboat
  • 15 standing rows
  • 25 Alabama honeymoons
  • 10 tricep curls while laying on your 6
• Parking lot sprints to end

COT with YHC taking us out with a prayer of  thanksgiving, grateful for the able bodies to work-out and the fellowship of the PAX

Moleskin – Note to self, do not include an exercise unless you are sure you remember all of its components.  YHC completely butchered the 8 count body builders.  It had been a while, and it was brutal to see.  Earthworm would be shaking his head in bewilderment.

Chum Bucket was a beast on the four corners.  The man is a human wheel barrow with epic strength.  I have nothing but admiration for his efforts.  If only I had that type of strength.  I was impressed to say the least.

Good to see Cheetah out again.  He is becoming a regular, which is welcomed.  Johnsonville continues to work hard despite a healing knee.  Great teamwork from the father and son on the wheelbarrows.  Big t-claps!

Welcome back Cecil!  We knew you were coming back after a few weeks away, so we amped up the  workout just for you.

Finally, YHC confirmed how to silence the mumble chatter from White Deer…all it takes is a few red pills.  White Deer was ready to take the Q over after 4 iterations of four corners.  YHC had more, but he had had enough.

A few of the PAX did go get bagels at Einstein’s for some fellowship afterwards.  It was a blessing to be with the GridIron PAX as iron sharpens iron.  Thanks for letting YHC lead.

Attila