Author: The Carpenter

  • No Snow

    3 kettle bell monsters (1 was a LIFO) landed in the parking lot for a (mostly) snowless fight and that went like this…

    COP all IC – 20 SSHs, 20 imperial walkers, 20 copperhead squats, 10 helicopters, 10 don quixotes, arm circles

    Mosey to the parking lot

    Swing – Goblet Ladder – 10 two-handed swings / 10 goblet squats, continue to do 10 two-handed swings but reduce the goblet squat by one… repeat until down to 10 two-handed swings / 1 goblet squat

    Sit-up Press and Go – partner up, one person does sit-up presses while the other walks around the bus loop holding up the kettle bell high.

    Beast Mother – Circle up. Start with two reps on each side and add two reps until peak at eight reps on both sides of the following: one arm swing, clean & press, snatch, front squat press

    Sit-up Press and Go – partner up, one person does sit-up presses while the other walks around the bus loop holding up the kettle bell high.

    Goblet – Swing Ladder – 10 two-handed swings / 10 goblet squats, continue to do 10 goblet squats but reduce the two-handed swings by one… repeat until down to 10 goblet squats / 1 two-handed swing

    Numerama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out

    Announcements – Continue to pray for Lab Rat’s Dad and for Lab Rat

    NMS:

    The forecast called for snow. There was no snow but there were a bunch of no shows… BUT Mudface was in the parking lot when YHC arrived and that was enough for a kettle bell party.

    YHC and Mudface moved to the school entrance for a COP. Mudface asked how we could circle up with only two guys. We (awkwardly) faced each other as YHC called cadence and he yelled out numbers. The teamwork was perfect and somehow we found ourselves missing Lab Rat’s constant talking and Emoji’s crazy numbers.

    We moved to the parking lot for a change of scenery and No Idea rolled in. He shared how he was halfway to the AO when he realized that his kettle bell was still at home. He still made it in time for a large majority of the pain. There was little to no mumble chatter during the ladder. The Beast Mother provided a sizable challenge for us and the PAX pushed through with vengeance.

    The PAX was greeted by snow at 6:13 am right as the goblet-swing ladder completed and we were finishing up.

    YHC shared that the snow is like God’s love coming down on us. No Idea said, “What? Is God’s love cold and unwelcome like this snow??” YHC responded, “sometimes it is tough love and that is what makes us stronger and more disciplined.” Love comes in many forms… Love isn’t saying, “Yes, do whatever you want whenever you want.” True love requires sacrifice and sometimes true love is tough love. F3 provides tough love and discipline every morning in the gloom! We experienced that again this morning!!

    See you in the gloom!

    The Carpenter

  • Two Years of DaVille

    7 committed warriors jumped out of the fart sack into a soaking wet DaVille two-year birthday party that went something like this…

    Parking lot tracers (dedicated to Lab Rat)

    Mosey to the basketball court behind the school for the COP.

    COP All IC – 20 SSHs, 10 merkins, 20 LBCs, 10 merkins, 20 imperial walkers, 10 merkins, 20 copperhead squats, 10 merkins, 10 don quixotes, arm circles, 10 merkins.

    Suicides (dedicated to Circle K) – Suicide followed by 30 invisible jump ropes. Rinse & repeat

    Mosey to the school wall.

    Donkey kick party (dedicated to Opus) – 5 donkey kicks, touch a tree, increase by 5 up to 20 with touching a different tree in between, descend back down to 5 with touching a different tree in between.

    Mosey to the road to the nearest light post.

    4×4 trail (dedicated to Spit) – Partner up. One partner runs the road to the last light post at the end of the football field parking lot and back while the other partner does two 4x4s at each light post. Switch and repeat until the last light post.

    LBC trail (dedicated to Phonics) – Return on the road to the original light post while stopping to do 5 LBCs at each light post.

    Mosey to the flag. 20 flutter kicks IC to finish.

    Numberama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out.

    Announcements: Let’s continue to pray for Lab Rat’s Dad and support our brother in this time.

    NMS:

    It is incredible to think that the first DaVille workout was on 3/22/16 and that almost two years has passed since the launch of F3 up north in Mechanicsville. YHC clearly remembers that first morning and Abacus’ challenge via text to show up. Circle K led a beat down that morning and YHC did not want to disappoint for this two year birthday party of DaVille! YHC included specific exercises to honor those who have made some significant contributions to the DaVille pain over the years.

    The rain was pounding the windows at 4:30 am and it woke up some of the PAX so some were ready to roll as soon as they arrived. The PAX stepped out of their cars around 5:26 am and waited for Phonics to arrive at his normal 5:29:57 time. He didn’t disappoint.

    The PAX launched into a set of parking lot tracers in honor of Lab Rat. The PAX attacked them at a lightning pace and it elicited comments from Lab Rat (big surprise?). The parking lot tracers seemed more like a sprint than a time to stretch and warm up.

    The move to the basketball court immediately brought up countless memories of Circle K and his dedication to suicides. The COP worked in YHC’s favorite COP set of merkins that added up to 50 IC (100 total) right out of the gate. The PAX groaned as expected and that was a sign of strong start.  The suicides were somewhat tricky with Lake Mechanicsville right in the middle of the court.  The PAX avoided swimming as part of the workout and nailed the suicides with reckless abandon. The invisible jump ropes also paid homage to Circle K.

    The move to the wall brought out comments about the missing Opus. Opus has been recovering from an injury so he had a valid reason for staying in the fart sack. The PAX didn’t know this during the workout however. The donkey kicks brought up memories of Opus starting us with them before doing anything else in some of his Q’s. Donkey kicks are a lot more difficult when the ground is muddy/slippery.

    The 4x4s on the road provided ample opportunity for muscle failure but the PAX steamrolled it. Spit introduced us to 4x4s. My first memory of them was at Dogpile during one of his Q’s. They have become one of YHC’s favorites because of the amount of pain that can be dished out in short order.

    The LBCs on the way back were dedicated to Phonics because of his memories of cold, wet workouts over the past two years at DaVille. The goal was to soak up AS MUCH WATER as possible. Goal achieved. Mission accomplished. The PAX was soaked!

    YHC could have included many more exercises to honor the DaVillians who have left it all on the fields and parking lots over the past two years. We could have sprinted around the bus loop for Spike. We could have done all kinds of crazy squats for Helix. We could have done lunges from Atlee High School to Washington D.C. and back for Emoji. We could have done some skull crushers for Yardsale. We could have sprinted across fields for Wheelie. We could have done some pole smokers for anyone else…

    DaVille is always a party! The last two years have provided countless memories and opportunities to engage in challenging workouts as a team. The truth of “the workouts do not get easier but you will get stronger” continues to ring true every F3 morning in the gloom!

    Happy 2 year Birthday, DaVille!

    The Carpenter

     

     

     

  • Anniversary Kickoff

    The week started the right away for two runners who descended on Atlee High School parking lot in order to take off on a run that went something like this…

    Leave the parking lot and follow the road behind the high school around toward the entrance to the Honey Meadows neighborhood. Go through that neighborhood until the cut-through that leads to the Kings Charter neighborhood. Run on the main road until the first clubhouse and turn right. Head on that road, up the hill, turn and return the same way all the way back to the start for a total of roughly 5 miles.

    NMS

    YHC arrived with a sense of expectancy for the start of his anniversary week. YHC’s first post was to the opening day of DaVille on Tuesday, 3/22/16. Today’s run started from that same location. Tomorrow’s DaVille fun fest (aka. beat down) will start there as well.

    Spit stormed into the parking lot beeping his horn and driving in a massive circle around YHC’s car. He was wide awake and ready to smash the run. We took off running into the gloom with conversations about the NCAA tournament. Spit shared that he was ready with words about UVA’s historic loss but then UNC tanked… Only one team wins. All the others lose. March Madness is a fan-killer for sure!

    Spit demonstrated how his commitment to running is yielding clear fruit with his pace. He helped to push YHC and keep the challenge fresh throughout the run. YHC took Spit on a new road to give him a little hill. The hill is nothing like the ones at other running AO’s around the RVA but it gave a little taste to keep us honest. Spit broke from the PAX (me) and moved ahead in order to challenge himself on the way back. He made the right decision as YHC started to reveal his lack of long-distance running. YHC was looking for a “break” in the form of burpees, 4x4s or some other insane exercise but there was nothing but one foot in front of the other this morning. The rest of the week will provide an opportunity for that FUN!

    Spit recorded just over 5 miles for the run. He circled back a few times to meet up with YHC so the total for the run was somewhere around 5 miles.

    Numerama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out.

  • ACC Championship

    5 couch potatoes carved out an evening for ACC basketball and the fun fest went something like this…

    COF (Circle of Fat) – All IC – 10 peanut M&Ms, 10 handfuls of Chex Mix, 3 chocolate chip cookies, 1 bowl of popcorn

    ACC Basketball Death Match

    2 UNC fans, 1 UVA fan, 2 neutral fans gutted out the ACC championship game with well-timed grunts, groans, disappointments and excitement.

    Numerama, Namerama, Announcements. (Yes, we did this…)

    NMS

    Spit reached out to YHC and said, “We need to watch this game together.” YHC’s M is out of town so the house was wide open for a gathering. Spit is an avid Tar Heel fan. YHC aligns with UVA since his time on grounds many, many years ago. YHC agreed to the idea with the requirement that some others could join the party. Opus, ChowDAH agreed quickly. Mudface indicated that he had to wiggle (how does Mudface wiggle out of anything?) out of an evening commitment to make it over. Some others were engaged but they turned down the offer in light of other obligations. YHC now knows that he can host a 2nd F gathering on the fly and he will open up the house to a larger crowd in the future.

    The ACC championship game was highly entertaining but the conversation even more entertaining. Numerous comments were made and YHC wished that he had a running log of the ridiculous statements shared along the way. There were multiple references to gas and how “gas pumps” are more than exercises in the gloom. These oftentimes can be used to send a signal to children or dogs…

    UVA pulled out the win and showed why they are a 31-2 team on the season. YHC was grateful that no Hokie fans were in the house because the predictable “we beat you” comments were left outside.

    A request to go to the Barcade in Scott’s Addition came up multiple times. That may be in the (near) future for a 2ndF get-together!

    The Carpenter

  • Merkin Mayhem

    7 warriors found the DaVille parking lot, the SF was planted and fun fest went something like this…

    Mosey to a basketball court beyond the middle school

    COP All IC – 50 SSHs, 10 merkins, 50 LBCs, 10 merkins, 20 copper head squats, 10 merkins, 10 don quixotes, 10 merkins, arm circles, 10 merkins

    Monkeying Around

    Start together in one corner of the basketball court. Partner up – one partner heads in one direction, the other partner goes in the other direction. Lunge to the each corner, 20 Monkey Humpers at each corner. 10 booyah merkins when you meet up with your partner.

    Mosey to the bus loop

    Merkin Mayhem

    Stay with the same partner. One partner runs the bus loop while the other works on accumulating exercises.

    50 merkins, 100 WWII sit-ups, 50 merkins, 200 squats, 50 merkins, 300 invisible jump ropes, 50 merkins

    Mosey to the flag

    All IC – 20 flutter kicks, 20 LBCs, 20 american hammers, 20 freddy mercuries, hold 6 inches for 10 seconds

    1 merkin OYO

    Numberama, Namerama, Announcements, Spit took us out.

    NMS

    YHC arrived by 5:20 am to see Spit already in the parking lot. Others joined quickly, including Spike who had been out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury. Circle K rolled in at 5:29 am and the PAX took off as soon as he jumped out of his car. Well played, Circle K!

    Grunts and groans were heard throughout the COP. YHC enjoys putting the PAX through 50 merkins IC total during the COP as a way to slam down 100 merkins total before barely getting started. The PAX stepped up to the challenge and fought through the “warm up.”

    Monkey Humpers always surprise the PAX and this morning was no different. YHC remembered a workout at 45MOM that included a ton of Monkey Humpers and it messed up his legs for days. That was goal of this morning. Only time will tell if that occurred…

    The PAX attacked the exercises at the bus loop and took no prisoners! Spike did not seem to be inhibited by his injury at all as he flew around the bus loop at a Spike-like pace. Emoji held a brisk pace despite his admitted ambivalence about running. He always brings the positive energy to the game. Throughout it all, Helix showed impeccable form and demonstrated how to take ZERO shortcuts to the PAX.

    The morning ended with a recognition of Emoji’s 52nd birthday. The man is garnering more respect every second and he showed, once again, that he has the energy for 2.0 while inhabiting a body that is over half a century old. His appropriately named for all of the faces and enthusiasm that he brings to the PAX every time he is out there in the gloom.

    It was another throw-down morning at DaVille! Well done, PAX!!

    The Carpenter

  • 14,411

    8 wind-sailers guided their cars into The Creek parking lot and fired up a party that went something like this…

    Mosey around the church building and back to the far part of the parking lot

    COP – All IC – 20 SSHs, 10 merkins, 20 helicopters, 10 merkins, 20 flutter kicks, 10 merkins, 20 copperhead squats, 10 merkins, 10 don quixotes, arm circles, 10 merkins

    Mosey to the cross at the other end of the parking lot and back to the same place.

    The Mountain

    Pair up – one partner exercises while the other runs to the cross & back. The cumulative exercises were 100 merkins, 200 two count mountain-climbers, 300 squats, 400 LBCs, 500 SSHs. Help the rest of the PAX finish.

    Mosey to the cross

    All IC – 20 American hammers, 20 freddy mercuries, 20 flutter kicks

    Numberama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Breaking bread is open
    • Support TYA in prayer and encouragement for his upcoming 100 miles this weekend!

    NMS

    YHC didn’t know what to expect with the wind gusting as he left the house. The workout was planned and Hardywood had sent a text asking for YHC to “bring it” so he didn’t want to disappoint.

    YHC had the opportunity to climb and summit Mt Rainier (14,411 ft) in Washington State in 2009. The climb required perseverance in both the many months of training and the actual days of the climb. YHC remembered the challenge of the wind on that climb and used that as inspiration for this morning’s beat down.

    The PAX gathered in the parking lot and ChowDAH shared how Opus had challenged him to show up. Opus was nowhere to be seen by 5:28 am and the PAX started barking about the pump-fake challenge. But then Opus rolled in with fight in his eyes.

    The Mountain pushed the PAX to persevere and fight (you against you!). YHC intentionally chose the running to go from the far end of the parking lot to the cross on the other end. YHC shared how much he called upon God during his ascent of Mt Rainier and he encouraged the PAX to call upon whatever higher power they believed in for help. For YHC, he looks to Jesus and his perseverance with staying on the cross to achieve the victory over everything that stands between us and God. The sprints to the cross encouraged me. The rest of the PAX appeared to receive the same encouragement along the way.

    The original plan was to have 200 American hammers but Recess had another plan. He raised his hand during YHC’s description of The Mountain. YHC called on him like it was elementary school and Recess said, “Hey, shouldn’t we have mountain climbers as part of this?” Kaboom! Request granted… 200 two count mountain climbers were substituted in!

    Hardywood and Opus paced the “climb.” Some of the 2.0s disappeared behind bushes and cars at various points but they didn’t give up. They may have needed some entertainment or a change-of-pace.

    The wind added extra fun to the running portion. In fact, the wind added extra fun to everything!

    This morning provided yet another adventure with F3!

    The Carpenter

  • Gung Hay Fat Choy!

    13 Chinese (or partial or none) fighters rolled into the The Creek for a Chinese New Year party that went something like this…

    Mosey around the church building running backward for the first length, forward for the second length, backward fro the third length and forward for the final length.

    COP – All IC – 50 SSHs (different cadence… see below), 50 LBCs, 20 merkins, 20 copperhead squats, 20 crab cakes, 20 imperial walkers, 10 don quixotes, arm circles.

    Year of the Dog (curb crawl)

    Curb crawl with (dog crawls are kinda like bear crawling, right?) 11s with merkins and flutter kicks on each end.

    Chung-Kuo (the Middle Kingdom)

    • Do four 4x4s at the first corner while facing the building
    • Run to the first corner and do four 4x4s facing the building
    • Run to the second corner and do four 4x4s facing the building
    • Run to the third corner and do four 4x4s facing the building
    • Return to the first corner and do four 4x4s facing the building

    The PAX went to pick up the six and completed the exercises.

    • Do one 4×4 at the first corner while facing the building
    • Run to the first corner and do one 4×4 facing the building
    • Run to the second corner and do one 4×4 facing the building
    • Run to the third corner and do one 4×4 facing the building
    • Return to the flag and do one 4×4

    Lo Mein

    • Plank up side-by-side
    • Last person army crawls (gets “lo” and noodles their way through) under until all of the PAX has cone

    Back to the flag

    • 20 IC flutter kicks

    Numberama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Breaking Bread this Sunday evening
    • 2nd F gathering at Rise & Shine Diner on Thursday mornings – Wild Thing leading the charge!
    • EH guys as the weather warms up – let’s get guys back with the PAX!!

    NMS

    YHC remembered earlier this week that today was the Chinese New Year. Being that YHC is half-Chinese (Dad is Chinese, Mom is German/Welch), it called for a workout based on that theme!

    The PAX stormed into the parking lot with a purpose. Rounders rode up to an ovation on a bike (with child seat attached in the back). Someone asked if he had given YHC a ride to the workout. Minimal laughter on that one… We were all glad to see Rounders back since his work has prevented him from coming in the mornings. He always helps us take the workout to the next level!

    YHC took liberties to give some family history during the COP. YHC’s grandparents (Dad’s parents) met “on the boat” in transit from China to the United States in the early 20th century. YHC’s grandfather was in the first class part of the boat and his grandmother was in the lower class part. Filet mignon was being served in the first class part but YHC’s grandfather wanted rice and vegetables so he found a way down to the lower class area. Who did he sit next to? The woman who later became his wife and YHC’s grandparents! It was like the Titanic romance story but the ship didn’t sink!

    YHC then shared that his Dad wanted him to blend into American culture and that is why he didn’t learn the Chinese language. YHC only learned a few phrases and one was “Gong Hay Fat Choy.” This is said on the Chinese New Year as a way to wish someone great happiness and prosperity.

    After all that was shared, YHC alerted the PAX that his Chinese background would make it into the rest of the fun (even if it sounded borderline insensitive at points but I can go there since I have China in my blood!).

    YHC called for SSHs as the first exercise and renamed them “jumping chop sticks.” He also shared that he would be seeking to give the Chinese blessing of great happiness and prosperity through the IC. He proceeded to replace (1-2-3…) with “Gong Hay Fat Choy.” YHC didn’t realize how much energy it would take to call out all 4 syllables for the full 50 SSHs IC. That almost destroyed him out of the gate. But, we all rallied.

    The “Year of the Dog Curb Crawls” provided ample pain for the PAX. Hardywood, as expected, crushed the effort. Opus wasn’t too far behind and he demonstrated his increased bear crawling ability! Mudface called out the fact that he was trying to teach his sons to be more culturally sensitive but this workout could set them back years. Aye!

    The “Chung-Kuo” 4×4 throw down also gave opportunities for muscle failure and fun! Chung-Kuo refers to China as the “Middle Kingdom” and the Chinese belief that they are the center of the world. It is the Chinese and then everyone else. Hardywood commented, “They were the Millenials before there were Millenials!!”

    The 4x4s turned toward the center to pay respect to this middle kingdom… Wild Thing more than kept pace and showed that the double respect (killing it in his 60s) is well-earned by this brother. A few of 2.0s set a lot of the pace and kept everyone on offense for the whole deal.

    The “Lo Mein” exercise was originally going to focus on the crawl but someone shouted out that we would be forming “The Great Wall of China” and that is what we did! There was an odd break in the wall at one point as one of the 2.0s didn’t line up shoulder-to-shoulder. The dynasty would have been threatened by that hole but, alas, we did not have to worry about that this morning.

    We ran out of time or we would have fired up “Beef with Broccoli” for one of the final exercises. It would have been “Partner up. One of you is Beef. The other is Broccoli. Partner carry as far as you can go around the building and then switch. Keep switching until you have made it around the building.”

    The whole PAX came to play today and earned every bit of pain and strengthening along the way. I couldn’t be more proud of this crew. I also couldn’t be more grateful to have the opportunity to be on this team with so many men who are seeking to reject mediocrity and the “sad clown syndrome” that pulls at every single one of us!

    Go eat some Chinese food and celebrate! Call out “Gong Hay Fat Choy” but please do not do SSHs while yelling it in public!!

    The Carpenter

  • 4x4x4x4 almost…

    10 fighters stormed the Atlee High School parking lot to launch into some wackiness that went something like this…

    Mosey to parking lot on the other side of the school.

    COP – All IC – 50 SSHs, 50 LBCs, 20 merkins, 20 imperial walkers, 20 copperhead squats, 10 helicopters, 10 don quixotes, arm circles

    Mosey to the wall of the school.

    • 5 donkey kicks, bear crawl to the side walk, 5 merkins, run back to the wall
    • 10 donkey kicks, bear crawl to the side walk, 10 merkins, run back to the wall
    • 15 donkey kicks, bear crawl to the side walk, 15 merkins, run back to the wall
    • 20 donkey kicks, bear crawl to the side walk, 20 merkins, run back to the wall

    Mosey to the field

    Quarter Pounders with LBCs (modified)

    • Run 25 yards, 25 merkins, run backward to the start, 25 LBCs
    • Run 50 yards, 50 squats, run backward to the start, 25 LBCs
    • Run 75 yards, 75 two count mountain climbers, run backward to the start, 25 LBCs
    • Run 100 yards, 100 LBCs, run backward to the start, 25 LBCs

    4x4x4x4’s (almost)

    • Run to the first corner, do four 4×4’s, run back to the start
    • Run to the first corner, do four 4×4’s, run to the second corner, do four 4×4’s, run back to the start
    • Run to the first corner, do four 4×4’s, run to the second corner, do four 4×4’s, run to the third corner, do four 4×4’s, run back to the start
    • Ran out of time… do LBCs until everyone returned to the start

    Mosey to the flag, 1 SSH IC…

    Numerama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • Breaking Bread – c’mon, someone step up and lead it this month
    • EH guys as the weather begins to warm up

    NMS

    YHC wasn’t sure what to expect since the last time he Q’d this workout nobody showed up. The PAX did not disappoint as the cars piled into the parking lot. Emoji and Kit Kat barely made it. Emoji’s car almost slammed into Lab Rat’s truck which brought out all kinds of commentary from Lab Rat like, “if he hit my truck then estrogen would have poured out his…”

    YHC let Opus know that he inspired the first section of the workout. Opus likes to follow in the footsteps of HoneyDo and hand out Donkey Kicks for fun. The PAX lit those up with the bear crawls and merkins with minimal mumble chatter.

    The Quarter Pounders were not pure ones in the sense that we did not repeat the exercise at each 25, 50, 75 yard lines. Lab Rat brought this to YHC’s attention when he said something like, “Wait, aren’t we supposed to be repeating the exercises.” This has been noted and will be modified the next time the Quarter Pounders are called upon to dish out some pain…

    The 4x4x4x4’s seemed to do the trick and push the PAX on multiple levels. The ground was slippery and required some creativity to avoid digging a massive hole during each 4×4. YHC did not account for the full length of time that was required but that will go into the lessons learned for the future.

    It was great to see Pincher back with the PAX after many months away. It is always a family reunion when someone rejoins the PAX after some time away.

    It was another glorious morning in the gloom!

    The Carpenter

  • Circles of Pain

    The rain subsided and 10 warriors landed in the parking at The Creek for a sunny and 70 beatdown that went something like this…

    Circle #1 – COP(ain) – All IC

    50 SSHs, 50 LBCs, 20 copperhead squats, 20 crab cakes, 10 merkins, 10 don quixotes, arm circles, 50 LBCs, 50 SSHs

    Mosey to the other side of the parking lot

    Circle #2 – COP(unishment) – All IC with holding 6 inches for 10 count in between each

    20 american hammers, 20 flutter kicks, 20 heels to heaven, 20 freddy mercuries, 50 LBCs, 50 SSHs

    Mosey to the pavillon

    Circle #3 – COP(ress) – All IC with planking with holding 6 inches in between each

    10 merkins, 10 dips, 10 derkins

    Repeat and then 50 LBCs

    Circle #4 – COP(uke) – All IC with Al Gore with Helix squats in between each

    10 copperhead squats, 10 jump squats (OYO)

    Repeat 3x, then 50 LBCs, 50 SSHs

    Circle #5 – COP(unk) 

    10 skull crushers on each side followed by holding 10 derkins and then position for 10 seconds

    15 skull crushers on each side followed by holding 15 derkins and then position for 10 seconds

    Mosey to the flag…

    1 LBC IC, 1 SSH IC

    Numerama, Namerama, Announcements, Opus took us out

    NMS

    YHC dropped a couch on his right leg right above his ankle a few days ago when trying to bring it in via the deck. He wasn’t sure if he would be ready to Q but it healed up enough to go for it (with limited to no running). The PAX rolled into the parking lot and the mumble chatter was cooking, including a guest from Toledo, OH named Venom. Mudface asked YHC if he was carrying the couch by himself. YHC shared that his M was carrying the other side. Mudface then asked if YHC’s M had dropped the couch too. YHC first said, “Yes” but then Mudface said, “Remember, you are a pastor. Don’t lie to me.” YHC then responded with “I don’t know.” YHC later found out that his M did hold up her side of the couch… #truthistold

    YHC alerted the PAX that running would be at a minimum and the normal COP ensued. He also shared that theme was “Circles of Pain.” Ironically, this worked out really well since Circle K was not originally planning on coming to The Creek but called an audible when he woke up later than expected. He was originally planning going for a 8 mile run at another AO. He may have only logged 1/3 mile this morning…

    The groans came early and often as the PAX got down for the LBCs. The lack of running allowed for an efficient set of exercises to maximize the time. The Creek GAS came early and often during the COP and the subsequent circles of pain. Friday mornings seem to be a breeding ground for GAS action heroes.

    There were all kinds of highlights this morning. Mudface is notorious for calling out ridiculously slow counts when holding 6 inches. Circle K and Spit seemed to be enjoying a fine conversation at the beginning but then were mostly quiet the rest of the way. Wild Thing continues to amaze the crowds with his unwavering work at the age of 61 (double respect). Emoji still needs to go back to school to learn how to count. He may have tricked YHC to reduce the LBCs by 10 by adding 10 to the overall count at one point. Nobody will ever fully know…

    It is always an honor to lead the team in the gloom!

    The Carpenter

  • You vs. You – literally

    1 guy rolled into the parking lot at 5:15 am ready for a beatdown. Another guy rolled in a few minutes after 5:30 am and went in a different direction. The rainy fun fest went something like this…

    Mosey to the back of the high school to a parking lot.

    COP all IC – 100 SSHs, 50 LBCs, 20 copperhead squats, 15 don quixotes, arm circles, 50 LBCs

    Mosey to the wall

    Donkey Crawl

    • 10 Donkey kicks, bear crawl to the sidewalk, 10 merkins
    • 15 Donkey kicks, bear crawl to the sidewalk, 15 merkins
    • 20 Donkey kicks, bear crawl to the sidewalk, 20 merkins

    Mosey to the field

    Quarter Pounder (thanks to Circle K!) with some LBCs

    • Run 25 yards, 25 merkins, run backwards to the start, 25 LBCs
    • Run 50 yards, 50 squats, run backwards to the start, 25 LBCs
    • Run 75 yards, 75 two count mountain climbers, run backwards to the start 25 LBCs
    • Run 100 yards, 100 LBCs, run backwards to the start, 25 LBCs

    4 x 4 x 4 x 4’s

    • 20 LBCs
    • Run to the first corner, four 4×4’s, run back to the start, 20 LBCs
    • Run to the first corner, four 4×4’s, run to the second corner, four 4×4’s, run back to the start, 20 LBCs
    • Run to the first corner, four 4×4’s, run to the second corner, four 4×4’s, run to the third corner, four 4x4s, run back to the start, 20 LBCs
    • Run to the first corner, four 4×4’s, run to the second corner, four 4×4’s, run to the third corner, four 4x4s, run to the fourth corner, four 4×4’s, run back to the start, 20 LBCs

    Mosey to the basketball court – 1 suicide (for Circle K)

    Mosey back to the flag… found Lab Rat and heard a report on his workout, YHC took us out.

    NMS

    YHC woke up early without an alarm and was fired up to lead the PAX in a beatdown that would focus on many of YHC’s weakest exercises. YHC arrived in the parking lot at 5:15 am and nobody was there as expected. 5:20 came… 5:25 came… 5:29 came… No one. 5:31 came… and YHC faced a decision… Pack it in and return to the fart sack or ENGAGE in the beatdown. The thrill of attacking this workout solo fueled the fire and off YHC went across the parking lot.

    Lab Rat showed up a few minutes after YHC launched out and went a different direction. He completed a whole different workout on his own and he can report on that in the comments.

    Leading a COP by myself was an odd but comical experience. YHC enjoys SSHs so he opted to go for the full 100 for the first time in many months. Nobody could complain because nobody was there. Calling out the cadence to myself is borderline insane but somehow was fulfilling at the same time.

    Donkey kicks followed by bear crawls destroy YHC. So… YHC decided to do them. YHC is grateful to HoneyDo for pushing him to the edge of splash merlot with this combination over the last few years.

    The most fun came during the 4x4x4x4’s. Cranking four 4×4’s out at four corners of a field produces a ton of pain. The running in between is no joke. This set of exercises truly tested the “You vs. You” mentality. YHC learned more about integrity this morning since nobody was there to see if there was any cheating going on. That actually made for greater accountability for knocking out the exercises without shortcuts.

    The reunion with Lab Rat was a strong ending to the morning. He shared about his run to the track and his pull-ups. He shared about a similar experience about pushing through the exercises fully.

    60+ degrees and rain feels great after the 4 degree mornings of a few weeks ago. We are getting closer to sunny and 70 every day!

    I will break out this carnival of a workout again in the near future at DaVille and I am looking forward to seeing how it goes with a bigger crowd.

    The Carpenter