Feeling 42…..

AO: pain-train
Q: DintyMoore
PAX: Timber, Cheeks, G-string, FLO, Wolfpack, Half Lyfe
FNGs: None
COUNT: 7
CONDITIONS: Wet Ground, Thick Air

WARMUP:
mosey around AO
Dynamic leg stretch

THE THANG:
Honoring 42s of sports history for my 42nd bday

Jackie Robinson – 6 rounds
27 squats (total 137 for career RBIs)
37 second bear crawl (between squats)
42 mountain climbers
10 burpees

The Tillman – 7 Rounds
7 deadlifts
200 meter sprint
15 Pull-ups
45 seconds rest

Mariano Rivera – stretch
Cool down stretches to take it home

MOLESKINE: Thanks for letting me kick off another year with all of you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: wing festival at The Merchant, convergence in Murfreesboro

COT: solid dads event at NCS for HalfLyfe, excited about some possible FNGs

Stations of the Cross

AO: pain-train
Q: G-string
PAX: DintyMoore, Timber, Pebbles, Sooie, Cheeks, Half Lyfe, morning stār, Wolfpack, Siri, Grizzly, FLO, Pitmaster
FNGs: None
COUNT: 13
CONDITIONS:

WARMUP:

THE THANG:
1 Jesus is condemned to death: Jesus is wrongfully judged by Pontius Pilate and sentenced to death. 
Warmup: 5 minutes of stretching and active warmup
2 Jesus carries His cross: Jesus is given the cross and begins his journey to Calvary. 
Lap around the track with logs
3 Jesus falls the first time: Jesus, burdened by the cross, falls for the first time. 
25 Burpees over log
4 Jesus meets His mother: Jesus encounters his mother, Mary, during his suffering. 
Mary: Twenty-Five Leg raises, Heel Taps, Hollow Hold
5 Simon helps Jesus carry the cross: Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus carry the cross. 
To the stage and back
6 Veronica wipes the face of Jesus: A woman named Veronica wipes Jesus’ face with her veil. 
1 minute Rest
7 Jesus falls the second time: Jesus falls again, struggling under the weight of the cross. 
25 Burpees over log
8 Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem: Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem who weep over him. 
21s 3 sets
9 Jesus falls the third time: Jesus falls a final time, nearing the end of his journey. 
25 Burpees over log
10 Jesus is stripped of His garments: Jesus is stripped of his clothing before being nailed to the cross. 
WLS to the cones and back X2
11 Jesus is nailed to the cross: Jesus is nailed to the cross, suffering the ultimate sacrifice. 
Rows 2X15
12 Jesus dies on the cross: Jesus dies on the cross, fulfilling his promise to redeem humanity. 
 Ring of Fire shoulder press 1/2/3
13 Jesus’ body is removed from the cross: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take Jesus’ body down from the cross. 
Buddy Carry
14 Jesus is placed in the tomb: Jesus’ body is laid in a tomb, awaiting the resurrection. 
Drop weight and recovery lap

MOLESKINE:
Taking time to think through the individual moments of Jesus’ passion is a great way to start off Good Friday. Old school covenants required the two people entering the covenant to walk between the halves of animals who had been sacrificed. This symbolized the promise to uphold the covenant lest they suffer the same fate as the animals. When God made His covenant with Abraham, he was the only one who passed between the animals. Abraham never did. This means that from the beginning, God promised that if we ever broke the covenant, He would bear the penalty. Only the sacrifice of Jesus could satisfy justice while also offering immeasurable mercy.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COT: prayers were offered up

Thank y’all for letting me lead!

Block It to Me

AO: pain-train
Q: Sooie
PAX: G-string, Half Lyfe, Pitmaster, Pebbles, Timber, Cheeks, FLO, Sooie
FNGs: None
COUNT: 8
CONDITIONS:
A brazen red caboose looms impudent beneath a purple sky, tinged with orange heralding the approaching dawn. A waxing gibbous moon, luminous and low, bathes the field in amber glow. Across the dew-drenched grass, cinder blocks lie in wait behind the stage, their silent heft a promise of struggle. The air bites with cold, each breath a fleeting wisp before the heart’s next beat.

0530 strikes, and seven of eight who :hardcommit:’d stand ready in the gloom— G-string yet to grace us. Despite his absence, I resolve to begin by easing our fellowship into the crucible, lest we rend bone from sinew too swiftly.

WARMUP:
Good Mornings (OYO)
– Joint Movements: From head to toes, we loosen the mortal frame, neck to ankles, in solemn preparation.
Now, to rouse the blood!
– SSH (in cadence): 27x, an odd number chosen to vex the orderly mind.
– Merkin Medley: 5 Merkins, 5 Fingertip Merkins (ferkins, perchance?), 5 Knerkins, 5 Diamond Merkins.
We mosey, a purposeful trot up the path claim our cinder blocks from their stage-side lair. Uponst our return journey, two piercing orbs breach the dark—headlights heralding G-string’s arrival. Whether he hath remained on F3 Franklin time or whether he believeth that F3 has no stretching, F3 needs no stretching, we know not. Yet he is here now; the fellowship is whole. Blocks in hand, we align as one, facing cones set at 10 and 20 yards. Dew seeps through our soles, squishing and squelching with each step, yet our hearts burn for battle.

THE THANG:
Each PAX, in turn, braves a block-laden pilgrimage to the cones, while brothers grind AMRAP on exercises decreed by the returning hero. The cone movements, fierce and varied, are thus:
1. Plank Block and Roll: In plank’s rigid embrace, roll the block end o’er end, crawling 10 yards to the near cone and back—a test of core and cunning.
2. Suitcase Carry: Hoist the block as a valise, striding to the 20-yard cone, swapping hands for the return, shoulders screaming fealty.
3. Murder Bunny: A fiendish hop, hands to block, feet to follow, bounding to the 20-yard cone and back, cursing gravity’s pull.

The AMRAP block exercises, called by each returning PAX, reveal a tapestry of torment. I stood aghast at their masochi..err…creativity in the choosing of our exercises. Among them:
– Block Curls
– Block Rows
– Block Presses
– WW2s with Block
– Murder Bunny Bunny Murder
– 21s (7 curls low, then high, then full)
– Alternating Hand Merkins
– Single-Hand Curls
– Goblet Squats
– And sundry others too nefarious for gentle ears.
At this stage of the battle, I would be remiss if I did not record here an account most unfortunate. During the traversal of the plank block roll, an ejaculation of agony rent the dawn. Our beloved Cheeks, in his exuberance and enthusiasm, thusly rolled the block in a manner where, for but an instance, the block and his hand doth occupied the same time and space. I shouted encouragement and promised that this episode would be entered eternally into the digital annals of our struggles. Aside from this minor imprecation, all PAX completed this portion with dignity and aplomb.

The Finale: Hot Squat Block Brigade
Three cone cycles complete, we muster for the rite of closure. I inducted each PAX into the “Hot Squat Block Brigade”. Blocks are stacked, a cairn of conquest, and we form a line, brothers shoulder to shoulder. In low squat’s fiery grip, thighs quaking, we pass each block hand to hand, forging a new pile at the line’s end. Eight minutes hence, through rotations of grit and groans, every PAX has tasted each station. With final heaves, we restore the blocks to their stage-side crypt, our battleground now hallowed by effort.

MOLESKINE:
YHC shared my appreciation for the bonds of brotherhood forged in the crucible of trial.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SPRING FLING APPROACHETH!!!!
April: The Month of the FNG, find an FNG near you!

COT:
Prayers mentioned and offered. Sooie Brewie enjoyed by all.

Epilogue:
The PAX, forged anew in the crucible depart stronger, bonded by shared strife. The red caboose stands silent, the moon fades, and the sun claims the sky.

Spring 2025 9-Square Tournament

AO: pain-train
Q: Wolfpack
PAX: Timber, Cheeks, Stubs, Siri, Pitmaster, G-string, The Merchant, Sooie
FNGs: None
COUNT: 9
CONDITIONS: Cool and calm

WARMUP: SSH, Merkins, Squats, WMH, Mosey

THE THANG:
Bearcrawl Battle for starting King

9Square
– Two 15 minute halves
– Halftime run around the track
– Corners did 10 merkins between rounds
– Middles did 10 squats between rounds
– King does burpees equal to amount of points between rounds
– If King gets out he has to run to the buses and back

Congratulations to THE Timber who has been crowned our new Universal 9-Square F3 Champion of the Woooorrrlllddddd! And also now owns the record of 15 points!

MOLESKINE: Mumblechatter was consistent and glorious throughout.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Spring Fling April 6th, Merchant Hot Wings April 26th, PainTrain Merkins Madness March 31st

COT: Moment of silence and reflection, especially for those prayers unsaid we keep close to our hearts. Give us the strength and courage to bring those up with honesty to ourselves so we can bring them to others when help is needed.

Spontaneous Combustion

AO: pain-train
Q: El Capitan
PAX: Wolfpack, G-string, Stubs, Cheeks, El Capitan, FLO, Pitmaster, Siri, Waffle, @OfficerDangle
FNGs: 1 @OfficerDangle
COUNT: 10
CONDITIONS: Crisp + chilly

WARMUP:

– Downdog, Cobra, sprinter stretch both sides
– 10x three-count merkins
– Back stretches
– BACs & BacBACs x7
– Imperial walkers
– Mosey to grab two cinder blocks with some high knees & butt-kickers thrown in for good measure

THE THANG:

Station Work at playground

80 seconds on, 20 sec. Rest. (Three complete circuits, adjusted to 60 seconds of work for circuits #2 & #3)

– Pull-up / Hangs
– 20 merkins, then hold plank
– Jump rope or Knee Taps
– “Psycho” squats with coupon (goblin goblet, straight-arm, above-head)
– Bear Crawl Plank hip-knee-toes
– Swims :sweat:
– American Hammers with weight / Reverse burpees (sit-up to jump)

Ended with two burpees.

MOLESKINE:

Reading from Every Moment Holy, Volume 1: “A Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee” while drinking coffee. :coffee:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

March Merkin Madness continues! (We knocked out 70 today).

COT:

Nameorama, Countorama, named our FNG Wes @OfficerDangle (welcome aboard!), and closed in prayer.

I enjoyed our time together, men! :el-capitan:

Go to church or the devil will getchya!

AO: pain-train
Q: Wolfpack
PAX: Stubs, Siri, G-string, Pitmaster, Wolfpack, FLO, Waffle, Cheeks
FNGs: None
COUNT: 8
CONDITIONS: Shorts are back on the menu!

WARMUP: The usual suspects.

THE THANG:
Run to Bellevue Church of Christ
10 rounds of:
10 second high plank hold
10 merkins
10 second rest

Run to Bellevue Baptist Church
10 rounds of:
10 second low squat hold
10 squats
10 second rest

Run to Cross Timbers Freewill Baptist Church
10 rounds of:
10 second hollow body hold
10 big boy sit-ups
10 second rest

Run to Bellevue Presbyterian Church
10 rounds of:
10 second low plank hold
5 burpees
10 second rest

Run back to red caboose

MOLESKINE:
Loved the counting rhythm we organically fell into. I think it really helped us lock into the workouts and push it together.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: biscuit run march 1st. Boardgame night Feb 28

COT: My mom sent me a book of daily devotions as she felt it may be good to bring into our COTs when I lead. The thoughtfulness of wanting to share something that was meaningful to her because she felt it would help me too really made an impact on me this week. It made me ask myself the question, am I actively listening to others and am I actively supporting and providing for them based on what I hear? Encouragement to PAX (including myself!) to listen more and take action to better the lives of those around us. Thanks Mom 😀

Total Body AMRAP

AO: pain-train
Q: Wolfpack
PAX: Puzzlah, Half Lyfe, Wolfpack, FLO, Pole Dancer, Lady Liberty, Siri, Stubs, G-string, Cheeks
FNGs: None
COUNT: 10
CONDITIONS: Love when 27 feels warm.

WARMUP: Mosey to pick up coupons, mosey to the playground. 10 SlowSquats. 10 Slow Merkins.

THE THANG:

3 rounds of 10 minute AMRAP.
10 reps of 3 exercises.
Run around inner path at 5 minute mark.
5 reps of each exercise for remaining time.

Round 1:
Goblet Squats w/ coupon
Bavarian Deadlifts w/ coupon
Merkins

Round 2:
Iron Mikes
Big Boy Sit-ups w/ coupon
Blockees (Burpee w/ coupon press)

Round 3:
Monkey humpers
Alternating V-ups
Coupon curls

MOLESKINE: Solid mumble chatter throughout as usual here at PT! Unintentional Guitar Hero playlist slaps.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: leanpax, Spartan race, biscuit run, check the slack!

COT: Patience. I’m struggling with it with the kids at the moment. Constantly reminding myself to take a breathe, give some grace, and take a little longer to connect before responding. Encouragement to Pax to do the same. Where can you find patience with yourself and those around you through the day?

Iron & Fire

AO: pain-train
Q: Sooie
PAX: Wolfpack, Half Lyfe, Siri, G-string, Cheeks, Sooie, Stubs, Pitmaster
FNGs: None
COUNT: 8
CONDITIONS:
Balmy 33 degrees.
Fire playlist courtesy of Wolfpack
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51444TzeSN59drKik8lhkx?si=N_-BxdfGSyS3YU8lFSrdrA&pi=u-tGeq90oXQ7mj

WARMUP:
Loosen up OYO.
Circle up on our six and fire up the bellows: 30 breaths Wim Hoff style to the rhythm of “We Will Rock You”.
Hammer the Anvil: on the last breath transition to high plank. Exhale. AMRAP merkins on a single breath. TClaps to G-string for getting the most reps…probably like 100 or something.
Plank head, shoulders, knees, and toes 5x OYO
Plank jacks 5x in cadence

Mosey to get cinder blocks.

THE THANG:
BATTLE STATIONS!
– 15lb dumbbell farmer carry around the perimeter of the playground holding the dumbbell by the weight rather than the handle. After 1 lap, PAX rotate to next station.
– IYT MERKIN: plyo merkin with hands and feet leave my the ground. Arms make an “I”, then arms make a “Y”, then arms make a “T”
– SUPER IYT: superman position arms in “I” position gripping 5lb dumbbells. Move arms to “Y”, move arms to “T”, back to “Y”, back to “I”
– BLOCK THRUSTERS
– BLOCK TWISTS/HAMMERS
– BLOCK SWINGS
– BLOCK CURLS
– BLOCK CURL TO SHOULDER PRESS TO EXTENSION

All PAX completed each station. Mosey around the perimeter then repeat. Timer exercise for second round was 12lb dumbbell punches 20x.

MOLESKINE:
New years intentions have a better chance of success in the presence of community.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Leanpax
Hearing regarding ADA compliant equipment to Harpeth Knoll parks Thursday, January 9th. Thanks Stubs for putting this on our radar!

COT:
Prayers and requests lifted. Enjoyed the delicious :wolf: :coffee: for coffeeteria

…Held [indoors], rain or shine

AO: pain-train
Q: Siri
PAX: Pebbles, Stubs, Pitmaster, Cheeks, Wolfpack
FNGs: None
COUNT: 6
CONDITIONS:

Dark and damp. Perfect for coffeeteria.

WARMUP:

Side straddle hops, shoulders, mosey to grab a couple coupons and then rendezvous at a pavilion.

THE THANG:

Grab the extra large cinder block and two regular cinder blocks.
One person do short bursts with the 54# cinder block while everyone else does various maintenance exercises.

Short bursts:
5 floor-to-ceiling raises
5 bent over rows (increased to 15 halfway through)
10 goblet squats
Farmers carry two smaller cinder blocks, about 10-15 yards

Maintenance exercises:
Merkins
Monkey humpers
J-los
Burpees
Big boy sit-ups
And whatever else I felt like

Go until everyone has completed 3 rounds with the big coupon.

MOLESKINE:

Rain is not an excuse to miss the pain train.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

– LeanPax starting January 1. Head to the LeanPax channel to refresh on the rules, grab an accountability buddy, and sign up on the spreadsheet.
– NYE Convergence at Titan led by Grape.
– F3 Franklin 10-year anniversary coming in hot. I don’t remember the details…

COT:

Personal details shared, prayer lifted up, Go Team.

Friday the 13th

AO: pain-train
Q: G-string
PAX: Timber, Wolfpack, FLO, Half Lyfe, Cheeks, Pebbles
FNGs: None
COUNT: 7
CONDITIONS:
Crisp and still

WARMUP:
– SSH
– BACs
– Back-BACs
– Slow squats
– Slow merkins
– Willie-Mays-Hayes

THE THANG:
Mosey to grab some coupons
Partner up for a little Dora
THANG 1:
– 150 Floor to ceilings
– 200 One-Arm coupon merkins
– 250 Coupon goblet squats
other partner is running a lap around the playground
THANG 2:
– 50 Pull-ups
– 100 Lunges
other partner is doing bear crawls around the small jungle gym

King and Country Drummer Boy challenge

MOLESKINE:
Happy Friday the 13th! In my family, Friday the 13th is a holiday. My Great-great-grandfather Wynn (who my son is named after) instituted this holiday in the 1930s, and the tradition is that every Friday the 13th he would take off work and pull his daughter, my Grani, out of school and take her to see a movie and get ice cream. It was one way he showed her that their relationship was more important than work or school. She passed away this September at 96 years old and still said her dad was the best man she had ever known.

This tradition has been passed down every generation since, and I will continue it with my children. I share all of this because traditions are important only inasmuch as they connect us through time. Love, family, and community are all remembered and celebrated through carrying on these traditions. As the holidays approach and are celebrated, take a moment to appreciate not only your family’s traditions but why you do them and where they come from. Then communicate all of that to your children. Then maybe one day in 90+ years, your great-great grandchildren will still know your name and treasure what was important to you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
– Franklin 10th anniversary on January 4th.

COT:
– Prayers were offered up.

Thanks for letting me lead you fine gentlemen! G-String out