Goals and grace

AO: the-knoll
Q: morning star
PAX: Sooie, AAA, Pebbles, El Capitan, morning star, DB, Bumble bee (2.0). Big red (2.0), Tonk (2.0), Fish biscuit (2.0)
FNGs: None
COUNT: 10
CONDITIONS: 40’s with a hint of spring

YHC and Bumble bee were late … thanks to the PAX for starting the warm up as we showed up.

WARMUP: whatever the PAX did before YHC showed up, followed by: motivator (6 to 1), hard style low slow squats, lazy imperial walkers.

Instructions/set up for the thang: pick a weight if you like … this is an auto-regulated workout … two transition signs to pay attention to: you lose power or feel stiffness in your body or you can’t talk in complete sentences … if you experience one of those drop your weight and do jumps without it or do SSH if you’re working without a weight.

THE THANG: 20 sets of 11 seconds of jump squats (with or without the weight) followed by 49 seconds of active recovery (fast and loose drills; keep moving).

YHC encouraged the PAX to practice appreciation using the GAMES method:
G – gratitude: think of something you’re thankful for right now
A – anticipation: what are you looking forward to?
M – memories: what’s a time in the past you experienced joy?
E – experiences: what’s something you can do to create some relational joy?
S – singing: hum a tune, sing a song ..

We got to memories.

Took a detour before we finished to organize a search party for Bumble bee. We found him at the backstop pretty shaken up. YHC got to practice helping him get back to joy using what I’ve recently learned: VCR (validate, comfort, recover). PAX kept working with the weight ball during this time.

Finished the 20 rounds.

MARY: led by Sooie … flutter kicks, heel touches, something else and breath work.

MOLESKIN: YHC shared about a big goal I went after last year: simple timeless. 10 sets of 10 single arm kettle bell swings followed by 10 turkish getups with a 71lb kettle bell, autoregulated by the talk test.

YHC started with a 30# KB and insured my shoulder. Since then I’ve realized that my approach towards this goal was going to be long and with some detours to strengthen my core, reflexive strength, etc. Now I’m doing things like head nods, crawling, rocking, rolling. This is completely different than swinging or lifting a kettle bell. However, this is my path way towards my goal.

The takeaways:
1 – what big goal are you going for?
2 – give yourself freedom and grace to enjoy the journey and accept that the journey may be different than you imagined

Shared prayer requests and appreciations and YHC took PAX out with a prayer.

Followed by some great conversation around Sooie Brewie.

YCH appreciates this space, you men (and your 2.0s) and the grace and encouragement we offer one another.

Great to see Tonk and Fish biscuit out with us again!

-m out!

dad jokes; lol

AO: the-knoll
Q: morning star
PAX: Sooie, Wolfpack, G-string (Eli Kresta), The Banker, Pebbles, DB, Malibu, morning star, Link (2.0), Bumble bee (2.0), RP (2.0)
FNGs: None
COUNT: 12
CONDITIONS: dark, yet lovely

WARMUP: split into 4 teams and mosey to the tree line while passing a ball among the team … stop at the knoll hill and roll down.

30 SSH (led by RP), motivator x5, balance follow the leader style, 15 low slow squats (led by RP)

THE THANG: mosey to the backstop and split into 4 stations:
1. move rocks into a pile, then do it again
2. Three sets of motivators x 5
3. Crawl forwards and backwards between the backstop benches (change crawling each set)
4. One partner does a body builder burpee, the other does fast and loose drills, then switch

Continue at your station until another team team relieves you. The motivators are the clock, once they finish, they transition to new stations.

Music: Dad jokes music …

MOLESKIN: YHC talked about the importance as men, and especially fathers to learn to get back to joy from challenging emotions. There’s a joy center in our brain that can keep growing as we practice appreciation and connection. Joy is relational, its about being delighted to be with someone. YHC was inspired by a workbook my 2.0s have been going through to create a “calming bag” to help with this. My intention is to go to the bag instead of food when I’m stressed and dysregulated.

YCH encouraged the PAX to reflect on how they are leading by example in their household, especially in the area of soul/heart care.

YHC prayed the PAX out.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
– F3 Franklin has a monthly physical challenge; run/walk/ruck at least 1 mile a day … reach out if you want access to the spreadsheet.
– YHC will be taking a mini-break from AOQ for Feb/March, Wolfpack will sub in for me. Honor to Wolfpack for his willingness; excited to grow under your leadership!

Field trip!

AO: the-knoll
Q: The Banker
PAX: AAA, DintyMoore, G-string (Eli Kresta), Malibu, Pebbles, Sooie, Bumblebee
FNGs: None
COUNT: 8
CONDITIONS: Perfect!

WARMUP: we jogged in place, we did ankles to the butt while reciting the mission, credo, and core principles of F3

THE THANG:
We ran with a buddy to the Babe Ruth baseball fields.
11’s – Burpees with duck walk to Lt Dans and bear crawl back.
Wall sit challenge
We ran back with a different buddy

Moleskin- when you grinding take a step back and look around at others that might be in a similar spot. It helps to focus on others which is what F3 is all about.
Also don’t forget “Dreams are what make life tolerable.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dad Hike, Franklin is have a “Biscuit Run” or ruck in a few weeks. See G for details.

Count off by two’s for no reason

AO: the-knoll
Q: The Banker
PAX: morning star, G-string (Eli Kresta), Pebbles, Siri, AAA, Wolfpack, Malibu, Bumblebee
FNGs: None
COUNT: 9
CONDITIONS: chilly to freezing

WARMUP:
21’s on SSH, we nailed it!
41 SSH
Slow squats
Slow merkins
Willie May Hayes

THE THANG:
Partner Dora AMRAPs at table with one partner running to home plate and back while the other performs exercise
3X each exercise

Step ups
Single leg sit to stand
Single leg squat

Partner carry

Perfect Merkins
Dips
Shoulder presses

Wheelbarrow

Mary- knee-ups and hour v-ups

ANNOUNCEMENTS: see channels

Snowmagedditon Pt. II

AO: the-knoll
Q: Sooie
PAX: El Capitan, morning star, Pebbles, Sooie, Bumblebee (2.0)
FNGs: None
COUNT: 5
CONDITIONS:
A balmy 17 degrees

WARMUP:
Yes/No/Maybe
Baby arm circles
Back BAC
Don Quixotes
Good mornings
Split jacks
Imperial walkers
WMH

THE THANG:
6 cones setup in the middle of the snow blanketed field. 6 reps of an exercise at each cone going out. Mosey back. Various MOT between cones for each exercise.
– plank shoulder taps. MOT: human snow machine (hands on sled, push with feet)
– squats. MOT: Marty McFly’s (lay back on sled, push with feet)
– Big boy sit-ups. MOT: Paddle Boat (6 or stomach on sled, propel using arms only)

Mosey to the hill.
Partner up:
Partner A rides sled downhill and uphill.
Partner B keeps up with Partner A downhill, pulls Partner A uphill. Reverse, repeat.

Downhill free for all:
Grab a sled, ride it downhill, mosey back up. Only rule is you can’t use the same sled consecutively. (5 PAX, 4 Sleds). Odd man out does step ups at the flood table.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Lean PAX continues through Valentine’s Day

COT:
Prayers for requests mentioned
🐗☕️™️ after

Snowmagedditon Pt. I

AO: the-knoll
Q: Sooie
PAX: Sooie, Pebbles, morning star, Bumblebee (2.0)
FNGs: None
COUNT: 4
CONDITIONS:
🥶❄️🥶

WARMUP:
Joint mobility special led by Morning Star

THE THANG:
Mosey through the snow around the knoll to the flood table.

ELEVEN’s
Dips at the table
Sled down the hill
Floor to ceilings with sled full of snow at the bottom.
Jog up.

Mosey back to the playground
Big boys
Flutter kicked
Sled planks

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None. Expect more of the same Thursday for Snowmageddon Pt. II

El Cap’s Indie Rock Block

AO: the-knoll
Q: El Capitan
PAX: morning star, G-string (Eli Kresta), Pebbles, Sooie, Wolfpack, El Capitan, AAA, @BigRed (2.0), @Link (2.0), @Bumblebee (2.0)
FNGs: None
COUNT: 10
CONDITIONS: Starlit, upper 30s

TUNES: Indie / Alternative Jams

WARMUP:  

– Climb stretch routine
– Willie Mays Hayes (3x each side)
– Don Quixotes (in cadence)
– Cherry pickers (in cadence)
– On your own stretch

THE THANG:

ROUND 1:

Caboose-is-loose up Harpeth knoll hill, right at Harpeth Bend, back up to the coupon tree.

ROUND 2:

Four light cones. PAX will team up in pairs of two, choose a coupon, & line up at starting line.

With coupon in tow, Player 1 will LUNGE to each cone.

First cone: 15x goblin squats

Second cone: 15x overhead presses

Third cone: 15x curls

Leave coupon at third cone & bear crawl to backstop benches for 15 step ups

Bear crawl back to third cone & pick up coupon to mosey to starting line.

Player 2 will do the following exercise, then rest (one exercise per round):

– 100x American hammers (2 is 1) with coupon
– 50x big boy sit-ups with coupon at chest or in lap
– Hold plank until Player 1 begins step ups.

Rotate & repeat (3x Rounds)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Convergence in Brentwood on 01/12 in honor of a Knoxville-based PAX that passed away one year ago.

Moleskin: Read a poem titled “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden. Encouraged the PAX to continue to serve their families well (even when it feels thankless & nobody sees).

Prayer requests:

– for @Sooie to get back into the mental groove at work
– for @ElCapitan ’s home recently invaded by ants (#stressful)
– for @Timber as he leads his wrestling team

Thank you @morningstar for the ginger tea!

One for Twenty Twenty-Four

AO: the-knoll
Q: Sooie
PAX: AAA, El Capitan, G-string (Eli Kresta), morning star, Pebbles, Sooie, @Bumblebee
FNGs: None
COUNT: 7
CONDITIONS: Cold and frosty morning…not a lot to say

WARMUP:
Hill Mosey, light sprint, high knees, butt kickers.
BAC
BBAC
Imperial Walkers
Don Quixote
WMH

THE THANG:
Partner Tabata.
1 partner works for 1 minute while the other partner recovers. Focused on form and power

Lunges into leg lifts
Jump Squats
Plank jacks
Power merkins (try to get hands and feet off the deck)
Mtn. Climbers
Rinse, repeat 3x

MARY:
PAX led round-robin:
Merican Hammers
Emperor penguins
Freddie Mercs
Dead Bugs
Big Boys
Jane Fonda’s

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Lean PAX
Plan to schedule a single PAX to lead both Tuesday and Thursday workouts at The Knoll on a given week.

COT:
Expressed gratitude for the men who post at The Knoll. Looking forward to facing 2024 together. Prayer requests mentioned. Prayers offered.

Q Rotation, Christmas edition

AO: the-knoll
Q: morning star
PAX: G-string (Eli Kresta), morning star, Wolfpack, Malibu, AAA, Pebbles, DB, Bumble bee (2.0), Pearl
FNGs: None
COUNT: 9
CONDITIONS: mild 30’s

Disclaimer given.
Instructions: Q will rotate with the Santa hat. Once the PAX is done with his round, choose the next man to lead.

WARMUP: mosey to tree line with marching and ground movement sprinkled in. 7 count motivator led by Bumble Bee at tree line. Mosey to bench while pax take turns circling around group.

THE THANG:
Lots of movement, including:
– dids
– squat jumps
– star jumps
– pull ups (1.5 edition)
– sprint to tree line
– lunges with 60# sand bags
– step ups
– plank rotation
– dead bugs & Freddy mercuries

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
– nyd convergence
– lean pax

COT: Pearl encouraged us to shift from judge (of our selves and others) to scientist. Scientists are curious and explore how things work. Curiosity is key to personal growth. It’s something we naturally did when we were kids and it’s healthy to get back to it.

Honor to all the PAX for their situational awareness as they led.

Honor to Pearl for being willing to do a guest moleskin on his first visit!

Be kind, be curious,
– m out!

Present exchange

AO: the-knoll
Q: morning star
PAX: Timber, Pebbles, 2.0: Smoltz, Brig Red, Bumble Bee
FNGs: None
COUNT: 6
CONDITIONS: dark and in the 40’s

WARMUP: mosey to the tree line and do 5 star jumps oyo, mosey back … with ground movement and exaggerated marching mixed in

THE THANG: gift exchange …
– pax chose numbers
– group did the number of motivators of pax whose turn it was
– each gift had an exercise that the group did when it was opened
– 2.0s got to go twice
– dad 2.0 pair got to swap for last round
– some of the exercises: burpees, jump squats, star jumps. Lt dans, sit ups, pull ups, squats

COT: reflected on gratitude and shared, reflected on needs/wants and YHC closed the group out with a prayer.

I enjoyed the change of pace! See you all Thursday.
-m out