Remembering Levi, One Year Later

PAX: T-Cell, Moneyshot, Hipster, Princess Aurora, Spinal Tap (Kotters), SATCO (FNG) and En Fuego (QIC)

7 PAX tried out a new potential residence for the Skunk, journeying to the home of the III Pillars AO, and in doing so faced a “kid-friendly” workout full of monkey bars, relay races and crab hunting in an effort to honor Levi Hughes, the son of a buddy of mine who passed away in a drowning accident one year ago today.   This workout was performed just under 12 months ago, about 3 weeks after Levi’s funeral, and today we turned to it again, hoping the little man was enjoying what he was seeing.

Levi Hughes embraces his dad, Jonathan, during the

Warm up with a mosey heading up to the field, making separate stops to perform 3, 13 and 15 merkins (Levi’s birthday of 3.13.15)

COP: SSH x 13, WMH x 13, Scorpion Stretch x 13 (totaling 39 reps, representing the 39 months Levi spent in the arms and care of his family and friends).  Head to the monkey bars to begin the…

THANG:

L – Lateral Pull-Downs, aka pull-ups.  273 total reps amongst the team of 7, approximating 39 per PAX (YHC had a little trouble with his math here – PA there for the rescue).  Upon completion, head to the track for a relay race – 2 PAX complete a lap while the remaining PAX hold high plank; repeat for next 2 PAX and then final 3 PAX.  Head to corner of the field for:

E – Escalator utilizing BLIMPs.  Collective counts of 70, 140, 210, 280 and 350 (YHC again a little fuzzy on the math) with respective BLIMP of Bodybuilders, Lieutenant Dangers (Dans with a merkin thrown in – became quickly apparent that each PAX had their own way of performing said exercise), Imperial Storm Squats, Merkins and PlankJacks.  Knock out respective count as a team and then run to next corner to begin next exercise.  All in, head back to track for next relay race, this time PAX hold low plank

V – Vacuum Cleaners. Two PAX hop in wheelbarrow position; wheelbarrow to sideline (approx. 20 yards), perform 5 derkins, reverse wheelbarrow back to starting line.  Flapjack until all PAX have wheelbarrow’d.  Back to track for final relay race, this time PAX alternate between high and low plank

I – Indian Crab Walk.  Levi’s favorite beach activity was crab hunting, and in his final moments he got to live out the excitement of putting on his Crab Hunting t-shirt (favorite shirt to wear) and get ready to head to the beach to go do just that.  PAX line up on their six, PAX in the back crabwalks to the front, then next PAX, etc.  PAX on six alternate doing LBCs, flutters and American Hammers.  Perform until time no time left on the clock – got to believe the little man enjoyed that one – and we mosey back for COT.

Honor to have led and appreciate you allowing me to celebrate Levi this morning.  Thank you for showing up and doing your part.

We discussed in the COT, I’ll throw in the backblast as well.  Levi’s mom mentioned in the eulogy that Levi came to her at 11:00 that night wanting to hop in bed with her.  Whereas normally she might encourage him to head back to his bed, that night she rolled over and they spent their last night together, just the two of them, in a bunk bed.   Amazing moment that gives YHC a tiny bit of joy in an otherwise extremely sad situation.  Great reminder to YHC and hopefully to us all – nothing is guaranteed, enjoy and appreciate each day and breadth for the gift that it is, keep telling those little ones in your life how much you love them.  And the next time little feet patter into your room in the middle of the night, maybe roll over and create some space while you still can.

En Fuego

Wet Bomber

PAX:

Cub cadet, Nanny, Crawspace, Porcelain, Hi viz, Tiny dancer, Bicentennial Man, Vector, Pumpkin spice, T cell, PA, Bad boy (QIC)

Temp: 70 Degrees, and rain…lots of it. LOTS OF IT.

LOT’S OF RAIN.

COP:

High knees  x 20 IC
SSH x 20 IC
BABY ARM CIRCLE  x 20 IC
Seal claps x 20 IC
Willy Mays x 15 IC
Before mosey, wanted to get a slight burn.
1 Air press – 1 wide Merkin
2 Air press – 2 wide Merkin
3 Air press – 3 wide Merkin
etc…up to 10
The Thang:
Mosey to driving range poles:
Partner up – Rotating pole between partners.
PAX 1: Bar Craw to first pole while
PAX 2 Lieutenant Dan lunges to next pole
Alternate until completed.
Mosey to Playground:
Stay in partners –
Round 1:
50 pull ups
100 dips
Round 2:
100 merkins
200 squats
Extra credit:
Pull-ups till burn out while partner planks. Drop more than 5 seconds, you’re done.
Mosey back toward parking lot only to stop at the bottom of the hill.
PAX to sprint to top of hill and perform 5 burpees. Slow mosey back to bottom. Plank and wait.
Rinse and Repeat x 3

 

MARY:

American Hammers x 30 x IC

Announcements:

  • Leadership luncheon is June 21st @ Cafe at Thistle Farms. How to deal with difficult people buy Dr. Jerry Hickson. Please RSVP to T-Cell by June 17th.
  • July 4th bicentennial mall. 1 hour
  • September 14th 5 year workout. #strivefor100

Prayer requests:

  • Gillian – Heart valve replacement complications.
  • Cub cadet friend named Alecia – Has breast cancer
  • Penny loafer wife has cancer, please pray for their family.

6 June 1944

Temp : 72 and Muggy

Gloom Factor : Nil

PAX: Paco, Puddles, Lockbox, T Rex, Stretch, Boo, Juice, Big Country, BnB, Bad Boy, Reveille, Red Skull, Hot Route, Bagger Vance

QIC: Bagger Vance

Mosey to STEM lot for WOR:
SSH X 13 IC
Squats X 13 IC
WMH X 13 IC
Merkins x 13 IC

THANG
6 – 6 – 19 – 44
Run 400 M

6 Burpees
6 8 Ct Body Builders
19 Squats
44 Flutter Kicks IC
Run 400M

6 Burpees
6 Man Makers
19 SGL LEG Lunges
44 Hello Dollies IC
Run 400M

6 Burpees
6 8 Ct Body Builders
19 Jump Squats
44 Dragon Flags/Heels to Heaven
Run 400M

6 Burpees
6 8 Ct Body Builders
19 SGL LEG Side Lunges
44 Superman Plank IC
Run 400M

At this point Boo and Lockbox were jawing pretty obnoxiously about who was fastest.
We stopped on the run back on the back sidewalk to pair off and sprint to a pole at some 200M away. While the rest of us had some good natures fun YHC left Juice back to fire the starting gun and see who was faster Boo or Lockbox. While Boo claims a KY Derby like foul on Lockbox, the record shows that Lockbox took race one. (By the way, Juice smoked them like a 4 alarm fire, dude is quick.)

Slowsey back to startex where we had time for some plank for the 6 and 20 Flutter Kix IC.

TIME

NMM:
Today we honored the brave souls who fought for our freedom and that of the world at Normandy 75 years ago. Most of the guys in that circle of trust would have been on the front lines had they been around 75 years ago. It’s pretty amazing when you’re around the 18-25 year old set how courageous our grandfathers & great grandfathers were in the face of the Axis of Evil. Thank yall now and forevermore.

BH:
First Friday Lunch tomorrow. Location : TBD.
Prayers up – Offshore and fam are fostering a child beginning any day now.
Ludwig, Penny Loafers and Dupree’s Ms and their roads to recovery.
Stretch’s granddad Ed.
CAPSLOCK MIL
All those traveling.
June 21 Leader’s lunch Q’d by Vector. Hit me up for details.

YHC,

BV

III Pillars – 06.04.19 – “Leggy”

5 hit up the Pillars of Three for a fiery assault on the lower body.

QIC: Princess Aurora

PAX: Bad Boy, Boone’s Farm, DFrost, En Fuego

THE THANG:

Medium mosey over to the track for a proper warmup in the COP:

  • SSH x 15
  • Jane Fondas R/L x 20
  • Alabama Prom Dates x 20
  • WMH x 20
  • LBAC F/R x 15

Each PAX gets three cones and lines up along the end of the field. PAX were instructed to take 10 Lunges forward, drop a cone, and repeat x 2. This was to adapt the workout to each man’s kinesiological tendencies and ensure all were doing the same number of reps.

Lining back up at the start, PAX then performed the following progression, lunging between cones:

  • Starting Line: 10 Merkins
  • Cone 1: 20 Merkins
  • Cone 2: 25 Merkins
  • Cone 3: 30 Merkins
  • Sprint back and plank/Air Chair for six

Round 2 was Jump Squats (#crowdpleaser) and Round 3 Big Boy Sit-Ups. For the final round, it was 30 Merks at Cone 1, 30 Jump Squats at Cone 2, and 30 BBSUs at Cone 3.

Skip on over to the playground for some pull-up action. Each PAX calls an exercise for the group and performs 15 Pull-Ups. RnR for round 2 with 8 reps.

After a quick gathering of the cones, the group made their way to the bottom of the side ramp to torch the legs one last time with Bernie Sanders up the hill x 5.

Mosey back for Mary:

  • Flutter Kicks
  • Leg Raises
  • LBCs

COT/BOM

MOLESKINE:

The howling was strong during the lunge ladder, and it reached a crescendo during those 30 Jump Squats. There was certainly much cursing under my breath and some jelly legs. Bad Boy even crapped himself a little.

BULLHORN:

  • Prayers for Penny Loafers’s M and praises and continued prayer for the improved condition of Aaron whom Bad Boy has mentioned was in a skateboarding accident a few weeks ago
  • June 21 – Leadership lunch brought to you by Vector – HC by June 17
  • July 4 – Convergence at Bicentennial Mall
  • Late July/Early August: Social Ruck CSAUP
  • September 14: 5th Anniversary Workout – Save the date!
  • Late October/Early November: TN CAN RUCK 002!
  • Be on the lookout for some site upgrades and other new initiatives to help connect the PAX and disseminate information

PA out.

 

The Fourth F: Crapper Presses

PAX: T-Cell, Moneyshot, Venus, Bagger Vance (FIFO), En Fuego

QIC: En Fuego

Conditions: Gorgeous sunrise and an idyllic 64 degrees

No theme for the workout – we are simply shooting for both simple and effective in our perpetual yearning for S3T2.

0530 arrives, we disclaim and head to the soccer field for WOR following a 30 merkin buy-in.  YHC led the PAX thru 12 reps of the following – WMH, LBAC, OP, RLBAC, GMs and Scorpion Stretches.  In an unusual twist, YHC was forced by his fellow PAX to not only keep cadence but the count as well.  Grace extended.

Head to the base of the parking lot to begin the Thang.  Relatedly, if anyone has the contact info to JT Moore’s soccer fields grounds caretaker, please forward to BV.

The Thang:

Workstation 1 – Chest & Shoulders

Starting at base of parking lot, Bernie Sanders to first speed bump and perform 5 merkins; run back to starting point.  Bernie Sanders to second speed bump and perform 10 merkins; run back to starting point.  Complete rhythm through the five speed bumps, and on final return to starting point knock out an extra 30 merkins.  105 merkins later, we are all in and mosey to far end of soccer field for:

Workstation 2 – Legs & Back

Sprint length of the soccer field, perform 30 squats; sprint back to starting point and perform another 30 squats.  Then run from there to playground and complete 40 Steve Irwins.  Return to initial starting point.  All in, we mosey to the baseball field for:

Workstation 3 – Triceps

Partner up; Partner 1 begins repping out dips in the dugout while Partner 2 bear crawls around the four bases, starting at home plate.  Flapjack.  PAX agree aforementioned grounds caretaker of soccer field definitely not the same one running shop on the diamond.  All in, BV hugs it out and says his goodbyes.  PAX then perform extended crab walk from third to first, lining the outfield turf along the way.  Venus confirms it was easier for him to get to first base 20 years ago than today.  Triceps are shot – we head back to Workstation 1.

Repeat Workstation 1 – with YHC instructing PAX to alter lean of the merkin (i.e., if first round was more irkin, do derkins this go-round).  All in, we head to repeat Workstation 2, sans the Steve Irwins.

Just shy of 5 minutes on the clock, we huddle up for Mary, where we perform ascending 1:4s of BBSU and 4-count Flutters.  Got to 5:20 before time called.  Mosey back to starting point – where Moneyshot reminds us all of our 4th F duties, namely, un-topple any toppled crappers identified along the AO.  One is spotted, PAX display impressive 4th F spirit.

Good work today fellas – YHC has us down for about 2.25 miles of AO terrain covered,  240 merkins knocked out, 100+ squats, some Steve Irwins and some triceps that won’t be feeling 100% tomorrow.

Announcements:

  • Leadership luncheon June 21 at noon at Thistle Farms; get your HCs to Vector
  • The Skunk takes a road trip to the friendly confines of the III Pillars AO (St. Paul / Green Hills Community Church campus) next week.

Honor to have led and appreciative to live out the gloom with each of you

En Fuego

 

 

Atlantis – 05.30.19 – “Lingchi”

7 PAX experienced the lingering death at Atlantis this week. At least the weather was nice!

QIC: Princess Aurora

PAX: Crablegs, Crawlspace, Lunch Lady, Right Said, Trapper Keeper, FNG Woodstock

THE THANG:

Disclaimer and long mosey around the lower fields with some Buttkickers, High Knees, Side Shuffles, and Backpedals strewn throughout. Back to the flag for COP:

  • SSH x 20
  • WMH x 20
  • SnL Squats x 15
  • LBAC x 15
  • Overhead Claps x 15
  • RLBAC x 15

Torture time! YHC quizzed the PAX to see if anyone knew what “lingchi” was.

*Crickets*

So, a quick educational moment for you, dear reader: lingchi is the term given to an old torture and execution technique during which the “recipient” had small pieces of flesh cut away over time. Westerners came to call it “death by a thousand cuts,” and that was to be our theme of the day.

As a group, the aim was to complete 1000 reps of the following:

  • Clerkins
  • Upright Rows (30# plate)
  • Thrusters
  • Sumo Squats (CMU)

After a rocky start in terms of tracking reps (#Qfail), we eventually settled in to a system of marking on the pavement as reps were completed. No surprise that the Thrusters were the first to be knocked out. While time ran out with our counts for Upright Rows and Sumo Squats somewhere in the high 800s, most impressive was that we completed the Clerkins in the eleventh hour. That’s 143 clap merkins each, and if you’ve never done that, YHC recommends you keep it that way.

COT/BOM

MOLESKINE:

Tclaps to everybody for dogging this one out. Had YHC not dragged you around for a half-mile and 5′ COP to start, 1000 reps would’ve been hit across the board. Special shoutout to FNG Woodstock for enduring this as his first workout. Please come back!

Other observations: the scent of fresh cut “grass” in the air, Right Said always keeps a pen and pad handy, and sometimes you just don’t need Mary to close it out.

BULLHORN:

  • June 21: Vector Leadership Lunch at Thistle Farms
  • Late July/Early August: Social Ruck CSAUP
  • September 14: 5th Anniversary Workout – Save the date!
  • Late October/Early November: TN CAN RUCK 002!
  • Be on the lookout for some site upgrades and other new initiatives to help connect the PAX and disseminate information.

PA out.

F3 Nation Classics 1 June 2019

Temp: 70
Gloom Factor: some fog rolling out

PAX: Dizzy, Snooky, Lone Star, Joey Freshwater, Tiny Dancer, Pop a Lock, Operation (FNG), pancreas, kwame, type o +, Bagger Vance

Disclaimer- 0559:30

Quick 10 Burpees to get the juices flowing.

Welcome to the show Joey Freshwater…

Mosey to the front loop, back around to the backside of the Outhouse for 10 Hand Stand Push Ups.

Circle Up for WOR:

SSH X 13 IC
HB, IW, Squats x 13 IC
(Welcome Pancreas…7 Burpees for being tardy)
SUPERMANS X 13 IC
BEAST R/L x 10 IC

THANG: Partner up 1s and 2s.

Evolution I
DORA 1,2,3
100 Merkins
200 Squats
300 4 CT Flutter Kix
P1 works, P2 runs 1/2 the parking lot, Flap Jack til finished.

Evolution II
Dirty McDuece (truncated and modified)
P1 runs to Bridge, P2 does work set
SSH
Atomic Merkins
Lunges
(Q fail here, supposed to be w partner, 4 laps, 3 exercises -upper,lower, abs)

Evolution III
Not the worst idea I have ever Qd but can’t remember the last time I Qd something like this on the fly and was more regretful.
Pyaramid 7s Burpee Pullups (or rows if you’re modifying)
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7,6,5,4,3,2,1

We finished w just about :03 to spare.

Circle up, count off and Name O Rama

NMM:
Welcome FNG Operation, a group retirement plan guy that plays board games…Hot Lips Houlihan and One Foot in the Grave were summarily dismissed, YHC will keep trying.
Quick summation of the three Fs for the FNG and some that may be uninitiated.
Disclaimer on the COT as well as why F3 started.

BH:
Penny Loafer’s wife, Ludwig’s wife, Dupree’s wife. Additionally some Ms and Mother in Laws out of Nolensville.
413 Running Group week II next week. Come out and help us push the 413 guys.

YHC,
BV

31 May 2019 MARSOC SHORT CARD

Temp: 70s
Gloom Factor: Nil
PAX: Venus, Atlas, Offshore, Big Perm, PREVAC, Accounts Receivable, Movin on Up, D’Mish, Master Splinter, Dupree, CAPSLOCK, Yard Sale, Edible Arrangements, Bagger Vance
QIC: Offshore, BV

Quick mosey around the school w some high knees, butt kickers, lunge walk, Bernie and trash pick up.

WOR:
Squats, Good Mornings

Thang:
MARSOC
0. 30 Push-ups
0. 30 Air squats
0. 30 Crunches
0. 10 Burpees
0. 10 Windmills
0. 30 Push-ups
0. 30 Mountain climbers
0. 30 Flutter kicks
0. 10 Burpees
0. 10 Cherry pickers (4-count)
0. 30 Push-ups
0. 30 Star jumpers (or jumping jacks)
0. 30 Back Extensions (“supermans”)
0. 10 Burpees
0. 10 (Brain Fart)
0. 30 Push-ups
0. 30 Lunges
0. 30 Hello dollies
0. 10 Burpees
0. 10 Chain Breakers
0. 3 Sets Max rep Pull Ups

+/- 5 minute plank progression

Hand over to Offshore
Partner Carries, Indian Run, Suicides

Mary:
American Hammers
GMA

Time

NMM-
Classic workout in a box. Not a lot of creativity but I did see some unpleasantly, unsatisfied customers.
Kotters to Venus on his return to earth from the Need to Breath tour.
T Claps to Atlas (Double Respect) for three posts this week.
BH-
Keeping the families of F3 in our prayers…Ludwig, Penny Loafers, Dupree.
Tampa Libra and his M are adopting, look to Slack for their announcement and ways to help.
14 September 19 is our 5th Anniversary. It will be a Saturday at Stonewall. Put it on your calendar.

YHC,
BV

Memorial Day Meltdown

Temp: Summer
Gloom Factor: Nil

PAX: The Jeweler, Floppy Disk, Toga, Frugal McDugal, Pope, Offshore, Olan Mills, Foxtrot Talks a Lot, Blue Mule, Tiny Dancer, Tebow, Bagger Vance (Murph) … Bad Boy, Boone’s Farm, Red Skull, Big Pharm, Vegemite, Yard Sale (Bert) … Tampa Libra (Ruck)

Thang:
Murph
1 Mile Run
100 Pull Ups
200 Merkins
300 Squats
1 Mile Run

Floppy and Jeweler led the way to no one’s surprise. YHC played the role of flesh anchor. Overall, great effort by all PAX and a nice turnout. Good to see Tebow back from Nole & Pope doing his shirtless Pope thing reppin Franklin.

After Murph, we lost a few PAX and picked up a few others for
Bert
50 Burpees
Run 400M
100 Merkins
Run 400M
150 Walking Lunges
Run 400M
200 Squats
Run 400M
150 Walking Lunges
Run 400M
100 Merkins
Run 400M
50 Burpees

Wow, those last everything were tough. Pope pulled us all through on the last 20 Burpees. Apparently, he had a thing w some horses and a cattle round up to catch. While that workout is meant to be done for time, I always like the idea of a battle buddy pushing you through. All PAX performed all reps save a little help from his brothers towards the end of a rep count (Thank you TD).

Now we moved into the Rucking portion of the am. Supposed to make it 5 miles but due to YHC lolly gagging at the start we had to cut off the last .75 in order to make it on time. Most of the PAX had dropped out by this time but we still had Blue Mule, Tiny Dancer, Vegemite, Boone’s Farm, Tampa Libra and YHC. A little slow on the first two miles also held us back from the 5 miler. All in all, we had some good livin.

So here’s how we Posted in terms of the workouts:
Murph – Foxtrot, Tiny Dancer, Blue Mule, Olan Mills, Tebow, Offshore, Pope, Leatherneck, Floppy Disk, The Jeweler, Toga, Frugal McDugal, Bagger Vance

Bert – Yard Sale, Blue Mule, Olan Mills, Vegemite, Big Pharm, Bad Boy, Pope, Red Skull, Leatherneck, Tiny Dancer, Boone’s Farm, Bagger Vance

Ruck – Tiny Dancer, Blue Mule, Vegemite, Tampa Libra, Boone’s Farm, Bagger Vance

NMM: Pretty awesome hang this am HIM.

Grateful for all the men and women in the military as well as our first responders for protecting us here and taking it to the enemy abroad.

Having all the PAX show up like they did was pretty awesome for YHC on this Memorial Day weekend…let’s male it a tradition.

BH:
Prayers up for the Hunter family out of New Orleans, a co-worker of Bad Boy who’s son is in the ICU trauma unit in Atlanta.
Ludwig’s wife, Kate, is still in recovery from her recent surgery to remove a brain tumor.
Loafer’s wife had a biopsy last week, results to come this week.

YHC,
Bagger Vance

Physical Assessment Round 2 – Measuring Day

PAX: Boone’s Farm, Princess Aurora, Pumpkin Spice, Crablegs, DFrost, Lumbergh, Tampa Libra, Napster, En Fuego

QIC: En Fuego

Conditions: A perfect 61 degrees

On August 14, 2018, the PAX of III Pillars underwent a physical assessment to kick off the school year, with YHC informing the PAX that we would reconvene to perform that same assessment at the end of the school year in order to measure our progress over the 9-month period.  With YHC informing the PAX via slack what was waiting their arrival this week, the PAX showed up with their minds and bodies prepped and ready – Pumpkin Spice having visualized for hours a sub 22:00 performance and Princess Aurora knocking out a late-night Taco Bell run, stating his desire in seeking some flatulence-driven extra propulsion for the main event.  With that…

0530 arrives, Pumpkin Spice lets PA know he’s coming after his 22:43 post that took top podium in August, we disclaim and then mosey up to the soccer field.  WOR that included some WMH, LBAC, Moroccan night clubbing and Scorpion stretch.  We wrap up WOR and head to the far end endzone – where YHC instructs one final time what’s about to go down in physical assessment round 2.  It’s you against you out there, focus on proper form and let’s get after it.

The Thang:

Complete the following in order, for time.

  • 40 Merkins, run 2 laps (.25 miles)
  • 40 Merkins, 30 Jump Squats, run 2 laps
  • 40 Merkins, 30 Jump Squats, 20 Burpees, run 2 laps
  • 40 Merkins, 30 Jump Squats, 20 Burpees, 10 Big Boy Situps, run 2 laps
  • 40 Merkins, 30 Jump Squats, 20 Burpees, 10 Big Boy Situps, run 4 laps

All in the PAX completed 200 merkins, 120 jump squats, 60 burpees, 20 big boy sit ups (400 collective reps) and ran 1.5 miles. 

The unofficial official Results:

  • Pumpkin Spice – 21:41 (beyond impressive)
  • Boone’s Farm – 22:30 (90 second improvement from August – TClaps)
  • Princess Aurora – 25:24
  • En Fuego – 26:50
  • Crablegs – 27:29
  • Napster – 27:39
  • Lumbergh – 28:30
  • Tampa – 29:08 (modified due to injury, we saw some Chuck Norris going on throughout)
  • DFrost – 29:45

No time for Mary – mosey back for COT.

Moleskin:

  • The PAX definitely put in the work this morning – no merlots splashed but several held back as each PAX competed against oneself in pursuit of their own respective goals.  All PAX came in sub 30 minutes – fantastic effort
  • Props to Pumpkin – he boldly proclaimed at the onset he was going after sub 22:00 and taking home the gold medal in doing so.  At 21:41, he delivered
  • Props again to Boone’s at knocking 90 seconds off his time from August.  I’m pretty sure YHC almost saw him breathe heavily toward the end.
  • Tremendous F3 spirit shown throughout – lots of verbal encouragement tossed as PAX cheered and supported their brethren.  Always great to see in the workouts

Job well done men – Honor to have led and appreciative to live out the gloom with each of you

En Fuego