Two Minutes of Toughness

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2024-06-08
Weather: 58 and ideal

Q: Radio
PAX: 14 – Boxcar, Swift, Muck, Dr. Quinn, Buzz Kill, Oshag, Santa’s Little Helper, Bon Temps, Axeman, Incognito, Splitter, Count Chocula, Chewbacca, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Michael Phelps and other arm stretches; SSH in cadence (while Radio’s voice changed; Grass Grabbers; then dynamic stretches.
Moseyed up to the coupons and carried them to the FB field for instructions related to our stations for toughness training.

Tha Thang
We had 8 stations which we traveled to using a locomotor movement of your choice and performed for 2 minutes. The stations were:
1) Bench Squats on bleacher (or Decline Merkins)
2) Bear crawl up; crawl bear down scoreboard hill
3) Step ups on bleachers (or Mucho Leggo)
4) Coupon rifle carry down, curl and OH press up
5) Bleacher dips (or coupon bench press)
6) Tire flips (or walking lunges)
7) Farmer’s carry up & down tennis court stairs
8) Ab station-select your weakness

After the 2 minutes, stations 1-4 would travel back to center for 5 Welsh Dragons to complete in one minute while stations 5-8 traveled back to complete 5 Man Makers; then rotate to the next station; then rest for a few seconds.
We completed this entire circuit about 1 1/2 times. We finished with a bonus round of toughness for 2 minutes of a plank.

Workout inspired by thoughts from Jay Bilas’ book, Toughness. Also, further inspiration and gratitude from podcasts related to our D Day veterans and those soldiers who know what true toughness is amidst the greatest stressors life (and death) can present. Thank you!

Teaching points-
Toughness has nothing to do with size, phys. strength, or athleticism.
Toughness is a skil; and it is a skill that can be developed and improved.
Show strength in your body language. Tough players (men) project confidence and security with their body language (Ex. Posture, demeanor, temperament, and smiling, etc.).
True toughness is the ability to handle phys., ment., and emot. stress with poise, grit, and confidence .
True toughness is training your body, mind and emotions to be flexible, responsive, and resilient.
True toughness is doing what’s right, not what’s easy and convenient.

Closed with I Corinthians 15:58.

End in COT

Is it winter or spring? Basketball Golf!

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2024-04-13
Weather: Clear and 43

Q: Radio
PAX: 14 – Baby Driver, Chewbacca, Bam, Dr. Quinn, Morpheus, Flu Shot, Incognito, Hoser, Muck, Corn Dog, Subject Matter, Oshag, Santa’s Little Helper, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Michael Phelps; low plank; high plank; Rt. Foot to Rt. Hand and reach to the sky; repeat on left side;
Dynamics-high knees; butt kickers; pigeon pulls; knee hugs; Frankensteins; high shuffle both directions; mosey to coupons and carry to basketball courts.

Tha Thang
Did Basketball Golf (in honor of Mark Pope as new UK basketball coach and it being The Master’s weekend) shooting and exercise game with emphasis on 7 reps of every exercise as the perfect number (in honor of Mr. Basketball Travis Perry). Used four goals with teams of three or four at each basket shooting from 18 different spots/holes (9 holes inside the 3 pt. line and 9 shots/holes beyond the 3 pt. line). Each hole /spot was assigned an exercise (ex coupon swings). The team would complete 7 reps of these plus a rep for each miss. We put a limit of 14 total reps. Didn’t want to watch a ton of misses in a row. Every 10 minutes the quarter horn would sound and we would run 7 sprints under 49 seconds. We also took a quick trip to the pull up shelter for a ladder down from 7 pull-ups alternating with a ladder up of 7 step-ups.
We finished by returning to the basketball courts for everyone to get a chance at a halfcourt shot or a miss equaled 21 reps of a coupon exercise of your choice. Returned coupons back to parking lot.
We closed with Matthew 7:7-12 (ask, seek, knock).

End in COT

The Round-About Way

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2024-02-10
Weather: 55 and raining

Q: Radio
PAX: 14 – Baby Driver, Muck, Axeman, Dr. Quinn, Cowbell, Oshag, Flu Shot, Bettis, Morpheus, Wingman, Incognito, Hoser, Radio, Santa’s Little Helper

Warm-O-Rama
Michael Phelps with c-o-r, high plank with 5 core principles, low plank with n-o-r
Stationary – grass grabbers (10 IC), Abe Vigodas (8 IC), SSH (20 IC)
Dynamic – WHKn, PP, QP, Franks, BK, and HKn
Everyone grabbed a coupon or two and placed them in baseball shelter or in the parking lot in front of it.

Tha Thang
We had 9 stations (arms, agilities, abs, jumps, shoulders, tires, legs, upper body/chest/back, and full body) each with 4 exercises choosing any 3 of the 4 to perform throughout the time. Each station lasted 2:40 seconds then we had 20 seconds to rotate. We did a second round for a 1:30 with 10 seconds to rotate choosing any two of the exercises at each station to perform during the allotted time. Everyone worked hard and there was no complaining because we got to workout and shower at the same time!
Special shoutouts to Oshag for the music today and Dr. Quinn for helping me load the tires (one donated by a guy named Sous Vide—ever heard of him; and the other by our VA brother, Boo Boo)!!!!
So, impressed with each F3 man today—thanks for being there for each other in the rain. Summary:
One of the four exercises at each station was probably easier or more enjoyable; one exercise was likely an exercise you dread. Two were tolerable or at least okay. Likewise, in life at a traffic round-about typically there are 4 exits. One is the most direct route to your destination; two others may get you there but will take extra time, effort and meandering; one will never get you there—it’s opposite of the true destination. Spiritually, God has provided the Way (Jesus) to Him. Choose and stay true to that path. We often say we choose Jesus but we tend to meander off the path and have to go through some extra junk to get back on track. Others head out on their own taking them away from, and opposite of, Christ.
Proverbs 3:5-8 says it even better!

End in COT

Choose Your Run & Choose Your Fun

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2023-12-09
Weather: 53 and moist (just for those who cringe at that word)

Q: Radio
PAX: 14 – LeBron, Baby Driver, Flu Shot, Oshag, Santa’s Little Helper, Sous Vide, Subject Matter, Raquel, Cowbell, Muck, Incognito, Dr. Quinn, Molar, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Did some Michael Phelps as guys finished arriving. Then, we did a low plank while doing our count-a-roma , then did high plank while doing name-a-roma. Moseyed to far tennis court parking lot to continue warmup with SSH in cadence doing 21’s ( we failed—added 7 merkins as punishment); did Grass Grabbers (10) in cadence; then successfully completed SSH 21’s. We continued to mosey to the VB shelter close to the pool. There we finished warmup with some arm and shoulder stretches, plus Frankensteins, pigeon pulls, high knees, butt kickers.

Tha Thang
You choose:
1) pull-ups, chin-ups or chin hangs (1 rep)
2) select one of seven Ab exercises, one of seven chest/shoulder exercises, one of seven jumps, and one of seven leg exercises—did 5 reps of each.
3) moseyed/ran to one of four distances approximately 50yds, 100yds, 150 yds or 200 yds and back to the VB shelter.
4) tractor tire flips (1 rep).
Repeat the cycle adding one additional rep up to seven for pull-ups; choose another Ab, chest, jump and leg exercise adding 5 more reps for each; mosey or run your selected distance; then add another rep to the tire flips.
Most of us finished all 7 cycles. Then, we moseyed returning back to home parking lot.

Did count-a-roma and name-a-roma. I closed by reiterating the name of the workout. Just like we had free will to choose our run (distance) and our fun (exercises and their order/reps)…in life we get to choose our path and our actions/attitudes/etc. Many times we take short cuts, cheat ourselves and others (we are sinners) so we need a Savior. Read Isaiah 53:6 as a reminder of what we have in Christ.

It was great to have our brother Raquel back for a visit from North Carolina!

End in COT

IPC #4 – We Aren’t Professionals”

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2023-09-30
Weather: 60 and beautiful autumn morning

Q: Radio
PAX: 21 – Tatanka, Incognito, Lansbury, Hoser, Axeman, No Mas, Flu Shot, Subject Matter, Buzz Kill, Chewbacca, Corn Dog, Baby Driver, Molar, Dr. Quinn, Formica, Morpheus, Buffet, Brown Note, Muck, Phalanges, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Welcome; Michael Phelps while doing a count-a-roma; SSH(8);Abe Vigodas(10); Grass Grabbers(12); Pigeon Pulls; Frankensteins; Butt Kickers; High Knees.
Explained the IPC week 4 challenge workout—both the original version and the modified version.

Tha Thang
The IPC week 4 challenge workout—two options: the original and the modified. Pictures will be provided. Also, included the (3) Kraken Burpees every 5 minutes.

Everyone embraced the work and broke a good sweat while listening to a little Bon Jovi Radio (the guys chose that over Chris Tomlin Radio and Zac Brown Radio).

Moseyed back to Gridlock parking lot. Radio read Psalm 96 aloud and encouraged everyone to listen for a word or phrase that stands out to them personally today. We closed in a COT centering our prayers on the word / phrase God had impressed upon our heart and mind this morning.

Awarded Incognito the F3 trophy today for being so humble and awesome in attacking the original workout!

End in COT

Five More to the Mountain Top

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2023-07-29
Weather: Morning toasty warm

Q: Radio
PAX: 20 – Bettis, Trilogy, Lansbury, Oshag, Santa’s Little Helper, Toto, Wally World, Axeman, Sous Vide, Incognito, Muck, El Fed, Hoser, Swift, Boxcar, Molar, Baby Driver, Dr. Quinn, Bam, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Mosey to the top parking lot; did Michael Phelps; did dynamic warmup activities-high knees, butt kickers, walking knee hugs, pigeon pulls, carioca R and L. Then gas pumpers (10 reps) and American hammers (15 reps I-C). Each person grab a coupon and take it to the lower tennis courts.

Tha Thang
Cardio, core and coupon work increasing reps by 5 after the first activity: (optional activities—go flip a tire or go play tennis)
Bernie around one tennis court & plank 30 seconds
1 – bear crawl across one court & crawl bear back
5 – man makers
10 – coupon swings
15 – burpees or mucho leggo (your choice)
20 – coupon overhead press
25 – mermaids (double leg raises)
Mosey around two courts & plank for 1:00 minute
30 – coupon rows (15 upright / 15 bentover)
35 – merkins
40 – coupon curls
45 – SSH (1 is 1)
50 – coupon chest press
Mosey around four courts & plank for 1:30 minutes
55 – coupon squats
60 – abs alternate heel touch with reach to middle
65 – plank jacks (1 is 1)
70 – shoulder taps (1 is 1)
75 – palms to the sky or Supermans (your choice)
Mosey around six courts (skipped our 2:00 plank)
80 – lunges (40 to the front & 40 to the back)
85 – LBC’s
90 – Rifle carry coupon 90 steps toward home
95 – line jumps (two feet – F to B or S to S)
Take coupons back to home camp and finish with 100 – mountain climbers

Emphasized 3 key fitness principles: progression, overload and specificity. Also, we got to see “Dominic Sampras” vs. “Joe McEnroe” play some outstanding tennis while we lunged (and laughed).
Reminder of I Corinthians 6:19-20 as our closing thought. Terrific work done by all to get to the mountain top of 100 reps-proud of each of you!

End in COT

Time for Summer Camp

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2023-06-03
Weather: Beautiful and in the mid 60’s

Q: Radio
PAX: 19 – No Mas, Santa’s Little Helper, Oshag, Baby Driver, Red Cross, Chewbacca, Buffet, TLC, El Fed, Sous Vide, Swift, Lansbury, Matlock, LeBron, Armstrong, Muck, Radio, Marshall, Boxcar

Warm-O-Rama
We did a little Michael Phelps; then stretches in cadence: 6 merkins, 8 grass grabbers, 10 hillbillies, and 12 SSH; then we did some dynamic stretches: high shuffle, butt kickers, high knees, Frankensteins, and pigeon pulls.

Tha Thang
Off to All Sports Camp we went moseying to the FB field scoreboard doing an Indian run while tossing FB and Basketball as we traveled. We did 4 burpees then bear crawled up the hill to the scoreboard. Next, we each grabbed a coupon and a golf ball. We chipped four rounds of golf seeing who could get closest to the tractor tire (our hole). Furthest away had 8 tire flips, the second furthest away had coupon farmer’s carry. The closest to the hole selected a coupon activity and the second closest gave us the number of reps (ex. 10 overhead presses). After golfing we moseyed to the VB court and divided into three teams; every team played two games (first team to 5 points was the winner). While two teams were playing the other team had 20 step ups, 15 bench squats, 10 dips and 5 pull-ups (if time allowed) in the shelter. Team #1 finished first, team # 2 finished runner-up, and team #3 took the bronze medal of VB camp. We then moseyed to the basketball court. Everyone had a chance to attempt to make 3 free throws in a row. Once you missed you were done. Other F3 guys were doing agilities and ab exercises (ex. Line jumps, defensive slides, LBC, American Hammers, etc.). Only Matlock made three in a row—he was our basketball outstanding camper! Next game was FB where we attempted a throw into the basket from halfcourt showing arm strength, accuracy and touch. We had no true FB mvp (mine was close, but no cigar). We moseyed back to the flag and did low planks, then plank jacks while we did our initial name-o-rama. We had two FNG’s (both 2.0’s—welcome Marshall with Lansbury and Matlock and Boxcar with Swift).

Our COT was based on a Bear Grylls devotional about CONTROL: 1) control what you think about (Prov 4:23); 2) control what you say (is it true, is it kind, is it necessary); 3) control what you look at (Matthew 6:22); 4) control where you go—shortcuts exist, but “easy” rarely means the right path.

Prayed reminding everyone to try some new sports and leisure activities with the family this summer. Don’t be afraid to fail. Yet, demonstrate control spiritually allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.

End in COT

Double Shots, Cowboys (City Slickers) & Country Music

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2023-04-06
Weather: Low 50’s with threats of rain in our midst

Q: Radio
PAX: 15 – Oshag, Incognito, Bettis, Axeman, Zebra, Wally World, Baby Driver, Lansbury, Steve-O, Santa’s Little Helper, Ollie, Phantom Menace, Swift, Radio, The Worm (DR)

Warm-O-Rama
Circle up with Michael Phelps.
Then in cadence: Hillbillies (10); Imperial Walkers (8); Grass Grabbers (10); Merkins (15); and SSH (20).
Dynamic stretches: Butt Kickers; High Knees; Pigeon Pulls; and Frankensteins.
Mosey up to the coupons and settled into the baseball shelter.

Tha Thang
45 seconds of activity (some with coupons) and 15 seconds to recover X2 (double shot) while Steve-O sang to the country music playing. The activities: Upright Rows (C); Step-ups; Overhead Press (C); Box Cutters; Plank Jacks; mosey to the corner and Bernied back; Bent-over Rows (C); Mucho Legos, Chest Press (C); BBS; Bear Crawl to corner and back; Shoulder Taps; Squats (C); returned coupons with Rifle Carry; mosey back to home station.

The time went way too fast. I forgot how fast a 45 minute workout goes compared to an hour long Q. It was great to have Da Worm (DR from Illinois).

End in COT

Leave No Doubt vs. Indecision

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2023-02-04
Weather: Crisp, clear 17 degrees (feels like 9)

Q: Radio
PAX: 12 – Dub-K, Wally World, The Janitor, Bettis, Jello Shot, Sous Vide, Muck, Axeman, Hertz, Lansbury, 49er, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Michael Phelps and overhead arm stretches;
Dynamic stretches – butt kickers, pigeon pulls, walking knee hugs, high knees & Frankensteins;
Static stretches (in cadence) – imperial walkers (10), grass grabbers (12), and SSH (15). We did 5 burpees for one late arrival and 10 more for another late arrival, but we were just celebrating their presence—it was not punishment!

Tha Thang
We moseyed to every shelter to do either approximately 100, 200, or 300 combined reps as a group (meaning we individually completed around 10, 20 or 30 reps of an arm exercise, a leg exercise and an abdominal exercise. As we moseyed from one shelter to another we tossed a football. Any drop led to everyone doing 3 burpees (which we did multiple times—looked like UK receivers of old). The mosey covered 2 miles total, then back at our home station we did tire flips (3 reps at a time) and prowler pushes for about 10 yds as fast as you could go back and forth. As we say in the education world—We went “bell to bell” with activity so that no one noticed the cold temperatures.

We wrapped up by emphasizing the importance of leaving no doubt about your faith. Let it show up everywhere you go just like we covered every corner (shelter) of the park—F3 everywhere. And, do not have indecision or go back and forth with your faith like we did with the tire flips and prowler push.

We were glad to have @Wingman working out with us (DR from the Ft. Thomas AO in northern KY).

End in COT

It’s basketball season (I once was good, now I’m not)

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2022-12-10
Weather: 40, calm and gray

Q: Radio
PAX: 15 – Radio, Oshag, Santa’s Little Helper, Subject Matter, Sous Vide, Wally World, Axeman, Ollie, Incognito, Splitter, Chewbacca, Buffet, 49er, El Fed, Peach Fuzz

Warm-O-Rama
Mosey to other end of parking lot; SSH-25; Bernie up to the top; grab coupons-did 20 upright rows; dynamic stretches-pigeon pulls, butt kickers, high knees and Frankensteins.

Tha Thang
Moseyed with coupons to the basketball courts and divided up amongst the 4 baskets (3 or 4 per basket). Each team member had either 2 or 3 attempts to make the prescribed shot. If you or your teammates did not make the shot it potentially doubled, tripled or quadrupled the number of reps of an exercise:
RH layup-40 squats with coupon
LH layup-40 LBC
R elbow-35 Mountain Climbers
L elbow-35 Lunges
R short corner-30 Coupon Chest Presses
L short corner-30 Plankjacks
R foul line extended-25 Bentover Coupon Rows
R corner 3pt-20 Coupon Curls
Top of Key 3pt-15 Merkins
After every two or three shots/exercises we recounted and changed teams/baskets.
Finished by returning coupons and high shuffled down to the corner of parking lot leaving our “junk” there (in reference to Gepetto’s Easter Q back in the spring). Sprinted to our home base lighter and freer.
Closing reminder: Joe Sangl has financial saying-“I was broke, now I’m not.” In reference to basketball we often say or feel as we age…”I was good, now I’m not.” Spiritually I’ve come to realize, “I thought I was good, now I know I’m not.” Thankfully, Jesus has bridged the gap and made up the difference or the separation from God’s righteousness and mine.

End in COT

Football—4 Quarters & 4 Phases

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2022-09-17
Weather: Sunny and 60

Q: Radio
PAX: 15 – Sous Vide, Muck, Lincoln Log, Mr. Schneebly, Zebra, Wally World, Jello Shot, Incognito, Chewbacca, Subject Matter, 49er, Axeman, El Fed, Oshag, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Intro & Count-a-Roma; mosey to garbage dumpster to be like Incog;
Dynamic stretches-pigeon pulls, high knees, quad pull, butt kickers, Frankensteins
Static stretches (I-C)—Grass grabbers (10), Abe Vigodas (12), SSH (20), Lincoln Log kept us at a high standard, so we repeated SSH (5) and did much better

Tha Thang
Moseyed to the guardrail tower discussing favorite card game to play; at the rail did 30 incline merkins; finished our mosey to the pull-up shelter discussing best TV show to use as a teaching curriculum.
“Played FB” using arms as offense, legs as defense, agility movement as special teams, burpees as penalties, and abs as intangibles. Played 4 quarters with 4 possessions (rounds), then 3, then 2, then 1 possession (round) with each successive quarter.
1st Q=5 pull-ups, 20 step ups, Carioca step D&B for 40 yards (did 5 burpees at turn around spot), 30 BBS
2nd Q=5 chin-ups, 20 bench squats, sprint D&B (did 6 burpees due to a penalty by Oshag),30 LBC’s
Halftime = talked about John Miller’s QBQ book about being successful and not griping, complaining, or procrastinating (referenced in a talk by Dr. Greg White)
3rd Q=5 alternating shoulder pulls, 30 mtn climbers, high shuffle and pivots D&B, 5 burpees, 20 plank jacks
4th Q=5 your choice pull-ups, 5 walk over the tables, Bernie to 2 burpees (had to stop there due to a “running clock beat down).
Moseyed back to base, but stopped off at the guardrail tower for 5 decline merkins.
Finished right at 8:00.

End in COT

Isn’t this easy boys!

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2022-07-09
Weather: Cloudy, humid, 71 degrees (no rain)

Q: Radio
PAX: 15 – Axeman, The Janitor, Matlock, Sous Vide, Lansbury, Muck, Oshag, Santa’s Little Helper, Ollie, Scoopy, Incognito, Lincoln Log, Steve-O, Jello Shot, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Michael Phelps
Dynamic stretches-high knees, Bernie, Carioca R&L, pigeon pulls, walking knee hug, walking quad stretch, and Frankensteins
Static stretches (I-C)-grass grabbers (12) and Abe Vigoda (10)
Mosey to FB field coupons and carried them to the VB court shelter

Tha Thang
Different Pax drew an activity out of 5 envelope categories: coupon activity, ab exercise, jumps or agilities, push up position activities, and miscellaneous shoulder or quad activities. They also drew an intensity level: easy, moderate, hard, or full (which determined reps – 5,15,25, or 35) and they drew a level / length (which determined how far to go or how long to go). We did the following: coupon swings, curls, chest press, elf on a shelf, coupon to the sky; cock roaches, Am. Hammers, flutter kicks, gas pumpers, and BBS; power skips, double leg bounds, Bernie, high Carioca step overs, and F/B jumps; side planks, pickle pounders, low plank, and incline merkins; T-jacks,crawl bears, burpees, mucho leggos, and bear crawls.

We transitioned with conversation questions.

End in COT

700-an impressive number & a lot of HUSTLE

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2022-05-07
Weather: Gray, Misty 52 degrees

Q: Radio
PAX: 12 – Sous Vide, Zebra, Oshag, Chewbacca, Santa’s Little Helper, Lansbury, Raquel, Lincoln Log, Axeman, Ollie, Radio, The Janitor

Warm-O-Rama
Static- Michael Phelps, Grass grabbers I-C (12), SSH I-C (10)
Dynamic- High knees, butt kickers, walking knee hugs, quad stretch, pigeon pulls, and Frankensteins
In honor of Sous Vide’s 700th post we did 700 reps of our activities or we did 40 seconds (with a 20 second transition) of the activity.
Since we had 11 men present we each did 64 reps in order to reach 700 reps – starting with Jump ropes.

Tha Thang
We moseyed to the top and grabbed a coupon for each pair. While one person did a coupon activity the partner did a body weight activity. Then we all did an ab exercise and then a movement/agility exercise.
Round 1-coupon swings, body weight squats, BBS, jog to corner and back
Round 2- coupon chest press, lunges, palms to the sky, Carioca to the corner and back
Round 3- coupon upright rows, bench dips, American hammers, ice skaters
Round 4- coupon curls, reverse lunges, LBC’s, high skips
Round 5-coupon squats, mountain climbers, heel touches, T-jacks
Round 6- coupon bent over rows, burpees, shoulder taps, F&B line jumps
Round 7- coupon overhead press, Bobby Hurley’s, plank jacks, S to S line jumps
Round 8- Coupon Gun carry to end of parking lot, bear crawl between cross walks
Ran out of time

Jon Acuff (author) defines HUSTLE as “doing important things others aren’t willing to do.”

Our Sous Vide is a HUSTLER and we are thankful for the example he sets for our F3 group. Reaching 700 posts today is an admirable accomplishment!

Colossians 3:23

End in COT

Just Ruck It (along with some good conversation)

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2022-03-12
Weather: 19 deg, wc 10, snowy & icing yet beautiful

Q: Radio
PAX: 8 – Raquel, Sous Vide, Muck, Lansbury, Geppetto, Incognito, The Janitor, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Started with Dynamic warmup -butt kickers, high knees, walking knee hugs, and Frankensteins.
Static warmup-grass grabbers 12, hillbillies 10

Tha Thang
Rucked and did work at different stops and shelters along the way usually for 40 seconds or 20/30 reps. Some activities done with the ruck if poss.
SSH Shotguns
Ruck swings American Hammers
BBS Reverse lunges
Body wt. squats with ruck Incline Merkins
Front lunges Ruck sack to the sky-abs
T-jacks Chin ups or Pull ups
Dips L-sit hang or chin hang
Broad jumps. Step ups
Ruck the steps by tennis courts

End in COT

Rounding Third and Heading for Home (Baseball season is coming to a close)

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2021-10-02
Weather: 62 and IDEAL!

Q: Radio
PAX: 13 – Lincoln Log, Santa’s Little Helper, Raquel, Oshag, Axeman, Possum, Ollie, TLC, Geppetto, Incognito, Chewbacca, Radio, Czekov

Warm-O-Rama
Dynamic warmup – high knees, butt kickers, pigeon pulls and Frankensteins.
Stationary warmup – grass grabbers (12), imperial walkers (10), and hillbillies (8).
Mosey through the playground, back to the main road.
Did 20 incline Merkins at the wooden rail followed by 20 step ups and 20 decline Merkins.
Mosey to the FB field for some baseball fitness.

Tha Thang
We took the appropriate number of coupons to 1b area and same number to the 2b area. We did not need coupons at 3b or at home plate.
All pax began at home plate. One pax would draw a hit card (either a single, double, triple, or HR); the Q drew the pitch card which was the method of running the bases (Bernie, sprint, high shuffle, low shuffle/defensive slide, double leg bounds/broad jump, single leg bounds, or Carioca).
When we arrived at the base another pax would draw a card out of a hat with the exercise we would all complete. Singles equaled 30 reps, doubles 60 reps, triples 90 reps, and HR equaled 120 reps or seconds.
We had 3 singles on the day (coupon curls, box cutters, coupon upright rows). We had 4 doubles (big boy sit-ups, coupon bent over rows, little baby crunches, and coupon chest press). We had 2 triples today (flutter kicks, Bobby Hurleys &/or you could do bear crawls). We hit 2 HR’s today (plank jacks and Al Gore).
After completing the prescribed number of exercises at the base we moseyed back to home plate to draw the next pitch and hit cards. We did not get through all 7 activities I had prepared for each base. We returned the coupons and moseyed back to the parking lot.

Had a few seconds left so we all did 10 burpees just to stay more fit than the average wimpy man.

Reminded everyone that:
Nobody got out today…everyone got hits.
It was a great day at the park and an awesome way to finish the season!
(Incognito and Lincoln Log said we were all winners and we all deserved trophies.)

End in COT

Trying to be like Votto -shooting for 2000 (hits or reps)

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2021-08-21
Weather: Beautiful, sunny 71 degrees

Q: Radio
PAX: 6 – Muck, Sous Vide, Ollie, Incognito, Radio, Chewbacca

Warm-O-Rama
Grass Grabbers -10; Abe Vigodas-10; Imperial Walkers-11; Hillbillies-10; SSH-21’s (but messed up, so we repeated and did 14’s); then moseyed to the main road and took a left and another left to get to FB field while tossing a FB. We had two drops, so we did 20 dips when we arrived at the FB bleachers.

Tha Thang
100-walking lunges (50 forward, 50 backward)
100-agility jumps (either F/B or S to S)
95-mountain climbers (1 is 1)
Votto HR trot around half FB field
90-ice skaters
85-flutter kicks
80-shoulder taps (1 is 1)
Votto HR trot (same as above)
75-American Hammers (1 is 1)
70-coupon chest press
65-big boy sit-ups
Votto HR trot
60-coupon squats
55-gas pumpers
50-coupon curls
Votto HR trot
45-double leg raises
40-coupon swings (did 20, next exercise, other 20)
35-Dolly’s
Votto HR trot
30-coupon rows (upright or bent over, your choice)
25-box cutters
Ran out of time so we moseyed back to base camp tossing FB.
Had one drop so we did one burpee (because Ollie loves burpees!)

While doing the Votto HR trots we had topics to discuss. We were planning to do 7 of those in honor of Votto hitting HR’s in 7 consecutive games and do over 2000 reps, but we ran out of time. Probably what every MLB player says…”I would have gotten 2000 hits too, but I ran out of time.” An incredible accomplishment and to think Pete Rose has doubled that total—both should be in the HOF. We had a FNG-Chewbacca and he did terrific work!

End in COT

Net Loss, Net Gain with the Big Three

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2021-06-19
Weather: A beautiful 70 degrees!

Q: Radio
PAX: 6 – Sous Vide, Muck, Hertz, Alfalfa, Raquel, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Intro and disclaimer; Michael Phelps OYO, 12 Grass Grabbers -IC; 9 Hillbillies-IC; Groin Stretch to L (9 sec.) then to the R (9 sec.) then repeat; High Knees; Butt Kickers;Walking Knee Hugs; Quad Pull; Frankensteins; Pigeon Pulls; then Mosey to below FB Scoreboard.

Tha Thang
The Work – 1)bear crawl to scoreboard, 30 mountain climbers, jog to bottom, and low plank for 30 seconds. 2) sprint up to scoreboard, 30shoulder taps, jog to bottom, high plank for 1 minute. 3) Bernie up to scoreboard, 30 plank jacks and recover. 4) Forward Lunge with twist to FB midfield, Bernie to far end, side plank on left side 30 sec. 5) Carioca to midfield, switch lead leg and continue to scoreboard end, side plank on right side 30 sec. 6) sprint to midfield, high shuffle to far end, plank for 30 sec., high shuffle with other lead leg to midfield, walk to coupons. 7) Take 2 coupons and Farmer Walk down toward the creek, 3 Manmakers, Farmer Walk back up, 3 Manmakers.
8) 3 Manmakers, rifle carry one coupon guyh down toward the creek, 3 Manmakers, walk and curl your coupon across the creek to VB court, and divide into 2 teams of 3.
The Play – play VB games to 3 points and winners do a prescribed number of “fun activity” and losers do double the “fun activity”.
Game 1 – pull-ups 6/12
Game 2 – coupon squats 15/30
Game 3 – bench step ups 18/36
Game 4 – coupon curls 21/42
Game 5 – coupon chest press 24/48
Game 6 – tricep dips 21/42
Game 7 – coupon rows (upright or bent over 18/36
Walk coupons back to FB bleachers and complete 6 overhead presses, put coupon away, mosey back to flag.

The Talk- during mosey #1 talked about fun experiences with our children as dads (if not a dad, share fun experience investing into someone else’s children). During mosey #2 coming back shared memorable experiences with our dad, grandfather or GGF. Did Name-o-Rama and shared with whole group things we value about our D, GF, and GGF.

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March Madness-Pressure?? or PRESSURE!!!!

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2021-03-20
Weather: Crisp, clear 32 degrees

Q: Radio
PAX: 7 – Axeman, Oshag, Incognito, Raquel, Possum, Hertz, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
OYO – 5 large arm circles (f), repeat (b); 10 Michael Phelps
In Cadence – 10 Grass Grabbers; 9 Hillbillies; 8 Imperial Walkers, 21’s (SSH) and we nailed it; as a reward we finished warm up with 21 Merkins.

Tha Thang
Moseyed to the basketball courts while PAX jogged in place the Q explained our stations using two courts and two basketballs. We broke into a group of 4 and a group of 3 in the other.
A) one person shot 10 free throws while others did one of these stations (sideline jumps; step ups; lunges). After each person shot we did defensive slides across the lane and back for each miss, then we rotated stations.
B) round two we shot 5 three pointers and made slight modifications on the three stations. After each person shot their 3’s we ran lines for each miss.
C) moseyed to tennis courts where we kept same groups and used two courts; PAX planked while stations were explained; one person served 10 serves while others did one of three ab stations (BBS/Box Cutters; Gas Pumpers/Heel Touches; LBC/Palm the Sky). After each person served, for each served missed we all had to jog around that many tennis courts.
D) moseyed to FB field and grabbed coupons and did farmers walk to opposite side of FB field. In same groups we had two garbage cans set up as our targets with a FB for each group. Each person threw 5 attempts from 10 yards and three attempts from 20 yards trying to hit garbage can; meanwhile your group members were doing these three station exercises (coupon shoulder press/swings; coupon upright rows/bent-over rows; coupon bench press/curls). The number of missed throws equal the number of burpees each pax must do later today (we ran out of time). Returned coupons to their home, picked up all equipment, and moseyed back to base camp.

Remember to knock out your burpees today.

We learned that Shillito baskets are much like carnival baskets / rims—very unforgiving. You hit the rim, you miss the shot (automatic)!

As we watch March Madness games remember pressure makes everything more difficult, so don’t blow a gasket when you see a player choke or miss a shot you think they should make. We missed plenty!

Also, get outside and play with your family (spouse, children, or friends). Spring is here, right?

End in COT

A Radio and 21 Reps in 2021

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2021-01-09
Weather: Calm 28 degrees

Q: Radio
PAX: 10 – 49er, Oshag, Possum, Sous Vide, Incognito, Muck, Hertz, Axeman, Toto, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Michael Phelps, overhead claps, grass grabbers, hillbillies, and imperial walkers -12 of each stretch. Then some Frankensteins and butt kickers. Grabbed the radio and cones and moseyed to the FB field.

Tha Thang
Everyone grabbed a coupon and placed it on the FB sideline. We performed 11 rounds of the following: an agility movement across the field to other sideline (jog/power skips/SLB//Carioca/Bernie Sanders/defensive slides); 21 reps of an abdominal exercise (LBC/palm the sky/gas pumpers/BBS/American hammers); same agility movement back across the field, 21 reps of a coupon exercise (chest press/shoulder press/upright rows/curls/coupon squats); then proceed to the hill for hill work (farmer’s walk with coupon/gun carry coupon/backward lunge down hill/forward lunge uphill/ side lunge and squat/seal crawl/bear crawl/F&B jumps/burpees/sprint hill); when finished with hill work then back to the starting sideline for a static exercise (Al Gore/high plank/side plank/low plank) until everyone was finished. The first person to finish had opportunity to change the radio station literally while another pax shared an interesting radio memory/story.

The workout was somewhat inspired by Wally World’s workout a few weeks ago. I wanted to change the station so bad (I think everyone did) during his 22 workout but couldn’t, so I thought we would change things in 2021 and give others the opportunity to change the station after completing 21 reps of fun, fitness activities. Today may have been the first time Sous Vide has listened to country music in decades!

End in COT

Work Hard, Play Hard, Pray Hard and Sleep Hard

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2020-09-12
Weather: 66 and foggy

Q: Radio
PAX: 10 – Gunther, Wally World, Raquel, Oshag, Hertz, Axeman, Ollie, Sous Vide, 49er, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Michael Phelps, Abe Vigoda-10, Grass Grabbers-10, Hillbillies-10, and SSH-20.

Tha Thang
Mosey to Shelter #1 and performed some “hard work” = pull-ups (5), step ups (10) each leg, bench dips(15). We did 3 rounds of this and finished with 30 bench squats.

Moseyed to the FB field and everyone grabbed a coupon where we “played hard” by dividing into two teams of five for a wiffle ball game. We began game by going over some rules and declaring no BB or HBP but we honored those by doing a Farmer’s Walk to the scoreboard and by completing 5 Man Makers. Plus, we Bernied back emphasizing that baseball players should not backpedal while catching pop ups or fly balls. We played three innings and after each inning we did certain coupon and body weight exercises based on the types of outs (line drives, ground ball, fly ball, strike outs, etc.) made by both teams. The final score was 4-2 so the losing team had to bear crawl (heads hung low) from home to second while the winning team did walking lunges (with big puffed out chests) home to second base then put away coupons.

Moseyed back while continuing to share fond memories from elementary, MS, HS school and/or college (both inside and outside of class) in honor of school starting.

If Incognito or Mr. Hand would have been in attendance I would have explained the rules and skills of baseball/wiffle ball in a little more detail.

Special shout out to our FNG, Gunther. Great to have you on our team!

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What If…

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2020-07-11
Weather: 68 and NICE!!

Q: Radio
PAX: 7 – Count Chocula, Double Tree, Muck, Incognito, 49er, Raquel, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
High plank Name-o-Rama plus 5 Merkins to warmup with since we were down there already. Michael Phelps, Abe Vigodas-14 reps, Grass Grabbers-12 reps, and Hillbillies-10reps

Tha Thang
Mosey to different parts of the park while having “What If” conversations (topics provided by Radio) with a buddy or two. First stop at little league baseball parking lot to do the following three exercises: hip flexor hurdle step overs (1 min.), American Hammers (50 reps /25 to each side), Incline Merkins (20 reps or 30 reps) REPEAT.
Mosey to another shelter to do next three exercises: lateral agility jumps over parking bumpers (30 sec.), Gas Pumpers/Shotgun (50 reps) REPEAT. Mosey to next stop at a shelter and do 5 exercises: broad jumps (30 sec.), BBS (40 reps), Step ups (20 reps) REPEAT, then Dolly’s (50 reps), Decline Merkins (20 or 30 reps) REPEAT. Mosey to another shelter and did 2 exercises: pull-ups (5 reps or AMAP), Box Cutters (10 controlled reps) REPEAT. Then moseyed to FB field for a few coupon activities: Military/Overhead Press (20 reps), Farmer’s Walk across the field, LBC (50 reps), Arm Curls (30 reps), Farmer’s Walk back with other arm, Bench Press (40 reps). Moseyed back to home base.

Shared favorite passage/verse of scripture when we did our Name-o-Rama prior to COT. The “What If” conversations carried over to our coffee/water fellowship time. Very enjoyable!

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Parking lot mosey station to station

Location: Gridlock
Date: 2020-01-25
Weather: Low 30’s and damp

Q: Radio
PAX: 18 – Bagman , Raquel, Muck, Sous Vide, Zebra, Axeman, Oshag, Stapler, Weird Science, 49er, Hanz&Franz, Ricky Bobby, Incognito, Hertz, Lansbury, Cherub, Red Flanders, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
High knees, butt kickers, walking knee hugs, walking glute stretch, Frankensteins, hillbillies-12, grass grabbers-12

Tha Thang
Mosey from bottom parking lot to the top clockwise. At the top we had 9 stations (tractor tire flips, tire sledgehammer swings, burpees, coupon squats, coupon military/shoulder press, merkins, coupon arm curls, coupon farmer’s walk, coupon bench/chest press). We did one station while partner planked. Then we moseyed to next level of parking pad and did bear crawls. Moseyed to next level and did double leg bounds/broad jumps and single leg bounds/high skips on way back. Then moseyed to next level and did Carioca steps up and back. Then moseyed back to bottom and did 50 American hammers. We repeated our mosey pattern to the top and did two stations/planks. Next time did two more stations and planks. Last time around did final four stations and planks.

Each time on the way moseying back down each parking lot section we changed the mobility exercises (partner carry, lunges, Bernie Sanders, exaggerated Carioca steps, high shuffles, sprint and defensive slide). We did a different ab exercise at the bottom each time usually for 50 reps (Dolly’s, Palms to the sky, and finished with big boy sit-ups-18 reps as our final count.

End in COT

Going Picnicking

Location: Gridlock
Date: 07-13-2019
Time: 07:00 am
Weather: Pleasant 68

Q: Radio
PAX: 12 – Genesis, Magnolia , 49er, Oshag, Sous Vide, Lincoln Log, Zebra, Sparky, Incognito, Duggar, Roadtrip, Radio

Warm-O-Rama
Abe Vigodas 15; Imperial Walkers 12; Grass Grabbers 12; SSH-21’s (but had to try again 14’s)

Tha Thang
1) Mosey to Picnic shelter #6 to do American Hammers, Vertical Hops on picnic seats, Burpees (did 2sets of 30 seconds of each in rotating fashion)
2) Mosey to Picnic shelter #2 to do Abs touching outside calves, inside calves, heels; VB net jumps 5, 10, and 15 reps plus a 30 yd sprint; 5 pull-ups, 5 chin-ups, 5 alternating shoulder pull-ups.
3) Mosey to Picnic shelter #3 to do flutter kicks, parking barrier lateral jumps, and bear crawls for 2 sets of 30 in a rotating fashion.
4) Mosey to Picnic shelter #5 to do LBC’s, broad jumps over sidewalk, and 10 merkins plus a 20 yd single leg bound for 2 sets of 20 seconds in a rotating fashion.
5) Mosey to Wood Railings to do Decline merkins alternating with Toe Taps on the railing for 2sets of 30 seconds.
6) Mosey to FB field and did 10 body weight squats, then proceeded to the bleachers for coupon work. One coupon per person do your choice(s) of exercise for 1 minute.
7) Mosey back to parking lot/home base to do 1minute of Annie’s.
8) Finished with Count-a-Rama and Name-a-Rama.

Basically at each Picnic shelter we did an Ab activity, an agility activity and an arm activity geared toward muscular endurance. The moseying helped with cardio.

End in COT

Radio Q – 3/23/19 Backblast

Location: Gridlock
Date: 03/23/2019
Time: 07:00a – 08:00a
Weather: 27 degrees and sunny

Q: Radio
PAX: 12 – Oshag, Kisses, Hertz, Barney Fife, Axe Man, Hanz and Franz, Radio, Disconnect, Incognito, Stapler, Sous Vide and Zebra

Introduction & Welcome

  1. My name (Radio) and review the 3 main components of F3
  2. Count-o-roma = 12 men
  3. Name-o-roma = pax introductions (name, age, and F3 nickname or FNG)
  4. Share F3 disclaimer (not a professional, modify, etc.) & the 5 principles of F3
  5. Goal for the Day = Get to know each Pax better & improve Cardio / Muscular Endurance
  6. Theme for the Day = Baseball & Basketball combo
    1. 9 innings with 5 minute quarters
    2. Balls (mosey), strikes (body wt. or coupon exercise) and outs (Ab exercise)

The Thang
The mosey plus the body weight/coupon exercise and ab activity done with a partner; one partner does body wt. and one does the Ab activity for allotted time then switch places; then, switch to a different partner each time you mosey to get to know them

  1. Mosey (4:00 min.) partner Bear Crawls (:30 sec.)     partner Box Cutters (:30 sec.)
  2. Mosey (3:30 min.) partner Burpees (45 sec.)             partner LBC (45 sec.)
  3. Mosey (3:00 min.) partner Merkins (1:00 min.)         partner B. B. Sit-ups (1:00 min.)
  4. Mosey (2:30 min.) partner Cusaks (1:15 min.)           partner Shotguns (1:15 min.)
  5. Mosey (2:00 min.) partner Farmers Walk (1:30)        partner Flutter Kicks (1:30)
  6. Mosey (1:30 min.) partner Bench Press (1:45)           partner Chilcutts/El plank(1:45)
  7. Mosey (1:00 min.) partner Curls* while partner A. Hammer* (alternate 30 sec. X 4)

Wrap-up

  1. Mosey back to Base Camp (1:00 min.)
  2. Annies abdominal exercise (1:00 min.)
  3. Palm the Ceiling or High Five God abdominal exercise (1:00)
  4. Count-a-roma
  5. Name-a-roma (no FNG’s today)
  6. Circle of Trust