F3 Knoxville

Tag: Borg

Dora B.L.I.M.P.S – Strength Under Control

THE SCENE: 55 and clear skies. The gloomiest of glooms.

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER: Dutifully and “unprofessionally” administered.

WARM-O-RAMA:

  • SSH x15
  • Knoxville Cherry Pickers x10
  • Abe Vigoda x10 
  • Willy Mays Haze x9
  • Tempo Merks x10
  • Tempo Squats x10
  • FLBAC x10
  • RLBAC x10
  • Grady Corn x10
  • Moroccan Night Clubs x10 (This is where the wincing *read growth* began.)
  • Chattanooga Cherry Pickers x10
  • SSH x10

THA-THANG:

Mosey for 11s on the “Little Baby Hill”. Hurleys at the bottom. Big Boys at the top.

Mosey to the fountain.

Grab a battle buddy for Dora. Pax one performs exercises below. Pax two bear crawls to the fountain and mosey back.

  • 50 Burpees
  • 100 Lunges (double single count)
  • 150 Imperial Walkers (double count)
  • 200 Merkins
  • 250 Plank Jacks
  • 300 Squats

RTB

MARY:
Flutter Kicks (IC – 15)
Basilisk (IC – 10)

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Often when a word is translated, we get the meaning but lose the all the underlying intent. The Greek word for “meek” is praus. We usually interpret that as gentle or humble, which it does mean that. But the background to the word Praus is actually loaded with something like,  “strength under control”.  It’s original use comes from something close to meaning a powerful horse that is tamed.

Matthew 21:5 says, “Look, your king is coming to you, humble (same word – praus) and mounted on a donkey.” This doesn’t mean weak. When we think about it, Jesus was the epitome of “strength under control”

Today, if we’re honest, guys typically struggle with taming their behaviors/habits, appetite (Hello, Halloween candy), thinking (negative self talk), bodies, temper, ego, sexual desires, worldly desires (spend money), etc.

How does one bring strength under control? Discipline.

3 Types of Discipline

  1. Reactive Discipline – when you’re tempted or drawn into something
    (eh hem…Halloween candy last night?). It’s important to know when you’re weakest and what to avoid.
  2. Structural Discipline – routines and habits that make you better.
    The best way to create a habit is to link it to something else.
  3. Expansive Discipline – opportunities for growth, “doing it anyway”
    In the face of fear, hesitation, difficulty, etc.
    Almost always thankful I did what I was most afraid of
    The more dread, the more reward.

Exercise meekness (praus) in your life.
Cultivate and strengthen the 3 types of discipline in your life – Reactive, Structural, Expansive. Know you have the strength to do what needs to be done. Know you have the discipline to control it.

MOLESKIN:
Welcome FNG – Blindspot! Prayers for Ocho finishing up doctoral work deadlines and for Mathlete traveling for work.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Brolympics – Nov 5! Get signed up! See Slack for details!
Christmas Parade is happening! We’re signed up! Watch Slack for details!

What needs to go?

THE SCENE: Crisp, clear autumn morning. Couldn’t hope for better.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

  • Slow windmills
  • Imperial walkers
  • Cheer leaders
  • Cherry pickers
  • Tempo Merkins
  • Up dog/Down dog
  • Right plank/left plank

THA-THANG:

  • Mosey to pool wall for 10 Wall-pees
  • 4 rounds:
    • 20 jungle boi squats
    • 5 pull ups
    • 20 merkins
    • 5 wall-ups
  • Mosey to amphitheater and do 3 rounds
    • 20 LBCs
    • 20 flutter kicks
    • 20 Freddies
    • 20 awkward turtles
    • Bear crawl up the hill
    • 5 burpees
  • Mosey to fountain and do 2ish rounds until time
    • 20 dips
    • 20 step ups
    • 20 dry docks (or Der-docks for +)
    • 20 BBS
    • 20 Iron Mikes
  • RTF

MARY:
Pulled in Erector for Heels to Heaven and Skewer for some Hammers
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

In my pre-blast, I mentioned the need to make hard choices over the next couple months, and I wanted to expand on this just a bit.

I, personally, have been buried with too much stuff. After the relative low of the past couple years, my self-regulation was totally out of whack, and I have said yes to WAY too many things. All good things that bring value when done right, but doing it right requires time to think and plan, which is impossible when there isn’t even enough time to drive between them.

While this is partly a result of a desire to be generous, that isn’t the whole story. When I really scrutinize my inner most thoughts, there are also elements of self-importance, image, and arrogance.

Self-importance in the sense that it is affirming to feel responsible, to have others look to me.

Image in the sense that I want people to see me as the guy who “does it all”. To say things like “I don’t know how you do it”

Arrogance in the sense that I have rather too high an opinion of my own ability and how it compares to others.

In short, it’s ME focused. In F3 we are peer led, not just to make it easier, but because when I give someone else the lead, it gives them an opportunity to develop their skills. It also diffuses the tendency of groups to orbit around strong personalities.

The image that I should be most focused on is the one I project to my 2.0s. I sought involvement because I saw my father as being uninvolved, but now I see that I can be just as disconnected from them when I’m too involved. My attention for them is sacrificed when I must attend to the group.

So now, I find myself working through the new problem, what needs to go.
MOLESKIN:
Just great to be back with the pack.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Halloween event Thursday, 6-8 (setup at 4). Brolympics Nov 5. Christmas parade December 10.

Now THAT’S Impressive

THE SCENE:  High 40s and clear.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER:  Administered
WARM-O-RAMA:

OYO

THA THANG:

IPC Week 4!

  1. 100 Gas Pumpers
  2. 50 Jump Rope
  3. 1 mile run
  4. 25 Hello Dollies
  5. 25 Burpees
  6. 50 Jump Rope
  7. 400-meter run
  8. 25 Hand Release Merkins
  9. 25 V-Ups
  10. 50 Jump Rope
  11. 400-meter run
  12. 25 Leg Raises
  13. 25 Jungle Boi Squats
  14. 50 Jump Rope
  15. 400-meter run
  16. 25 4-count flutter kicks
  17. 25 Bonnie Blairs (hard way)
  18. 50 Jump Rope
  19. 400-meter run
  20. 100 Big Boy Sit-ups
  21. 50 Jump Rope
  22. 1 mile run

MARY:

Fagettabowtit.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

Me and 13 of the best men I know

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

You finished Week 4 of the Iron PAX Challenge!  Impressive!  You ran 3 miles and completed 700 reps of exercises!  Very impressive!

You know what I find MORE impressive?

  • All 14 of you set an alarm to go off this morning. You got yourself out of bed and came out here knowing what we were planning to do.  Your determination is impressive. 
  • At one time, each one of you came out here in the dark, without knowing another man, and decided to give it a go. If you were like me, your first day kicked your butt – but you came back.  Your resolve is impressive.
  • Many of you have done this for months or years on end. Continually subjecting yourself to these trials to become an increasingly better version of yourself – and to challenge your brothers out here to do the same.  Your consistency is impressive. 
  • Many of you lead Qs. You lead five to ten other men in exercises, a thought, and a prayer.  It might be uncomfortable and intimidating, but you do it because you know that you get better at leading by practicing leading.  Your leadership is impressive.
  • When you lead, several of you have shared from the heart – your struggles, your challenges, your setbacks – you’ve been transparent in this ball of man. That takes real courage.  We may impress each other with our strengths, but we relate to each other through our weaknesses.  Your transparency is so impressive. 

Iron sharpens iron and that’s what we are doing out here.  Each and every one of you made a commitment to be here.  I watch you getting stronger and faster, building your endurance, building your toughness, growing your faith, growing as leaders, and challenging the rest of us to do the same.  That is so impressive and I’m grateful for you men.

Throughout scripture, Jesus was impressed by people on several occasions.  What was it that impressed Him?  Not material things…  Not power…

Jesus is impressed by humility.

  • He said, “Whoever humbles himself like child…is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Mathew 18:4).
  • The Canaanite woman who said “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table” impressed Jesus (Matthew 15:27).
  • About the sinful tax collector who beat his chest and prayed, “God, be merciful to me a sinner”, Jesus said he left justified (Luke 18:14).

Jesus is impressed by faith.

  • The centurion in Capernaum who pleaded, “just say the word, and my servant will be healed…” – impressed Jesus (Matthew 8:10)
  • About the blind beggar near Jericho, Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 18:42).
  • All over Scripture we read about Jesus in heaven sitting at the right hand of God. In Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, Hebrews, Colossians, Revelation… And then there is a description in Acts 7.  Stephen, just before he is killed for his faith, looks to heaven and sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  You know what literally gets Jesus on His feet?  Persistent faith.

Maybe we could train ourselves to be impressed by the same – faith and humility. 

MOLESKIN:

I wish I could say it as elegantly as he did… Ocho mentioned after the BOM that faith and humility are hand-in-hand with each other.

I’m impressed by Ocho for coming out these last couple of months and showing real progress in his fitness.  You’ve showed grit, brother!

Likewise, I’m impressed by Papa Lock for making time in his crazy schedule to post several times a week – he too is making steady progress.  Stick with it – and you’ll be unrecognizable in a year!

I’m impressed by Skewer for leading Qs – each one better than the last – and for courageously sharing his struggles during some of his BOMs.

I’m impressed by Slappy for posting today – despite his injuries – and gutting it out through the entire IPC.  GRIT.

I’m impressed by Borg for being able to run circles around me at 59 years old – and for continuing to demonstrate that age is just a number.

I’m impressed by Rocket for his long-term steadiness and tenacity to work through obstacles and keep getting stronger

I’m impressed by Boy George for nearly completing his insane race last weekend

I’m impressed by Erector for conceiving this merry band of misfits – and for being a machine out there today.

I’m impressed by Bobbitt, who has been with us for a little over a year and has totally transformed his fitness level – and emerged as one of the region’s best AOQs.

I’m impressed by Tuba for the steadfastness he demonstrates in his life and his parenting – and for wearing shorts even in the dead of winter

I’m impressed by 3-Peat for his resolve to show up over and over again – not listening to the devil on his shoulder telling him to sleep in today

I’m impressed by Oh Brother for posting with us just days after moving to town – and coming back out two days in a row now

I’m impressed by Mathlete for leading this group well and challenging us all to accelerate our fitness, fellowship, and faith.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Today – Shovel flag handoff at the Asylum PM
  • Oct 8 – 2.0 Workout
  • Oct 27: Halloween event in Oak Ridge
  • Nov 5: Brolympics at the Asylum
  • Dec 10: Oak Ridge Christmas parade

A little leg and sumpin’ else

THE SCENE: Warm and clear at 70 degrees.

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER. Welcome to Fitness Fellowship and Faith, Voluntary, Free, Peer led, not a pro, no knowledge of injuries or fitness considerations, it is each person’s responsibility to be safe and to modify as necessary. Most important, don’t get hurt.

WARM-O-RAMA:  

SSH
Arm circles – small
Imperial walkers
Knox Cherry pickers
Plank
Upward Dog
Downward dog
Indian Run to the coupons – last man does 1 burpee then sprints to the front

THA-THANG:

Carry your coupon through the entire workout. Or use it on the ground to complete exercises like Merkins.

20 Thrusters 20
Lunges (uphill to cones, mosey back)
10 Bonnie Blairs (jumping lunge) (10 Each leg)
Bernies
40 Curls
High knees
20V-ups or modify with 20 LBCs
Lunges
20 Alternating Side Squats
Bernies
20 Grave Diggers (20 each side) (4 count carefully, use your legs)
Butt kicks
10 American Hammers (10 each side)
30 Merkins
20 Flutter kicks with block held high (4 count)

Repeat from the top until the alarm goes off

MARY:

15 minutes of PAX choice, everyone got to choose one, including both FNGs

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

What does “Know your limits” mean?
I told a story about playing soccer in a tournament of several games a few weeks ago and the next day mentioned to a Bible Study group that my feet and ankles were very sore from it. Another man in the group said, (somewhat scoldingly) “You gotta know your limits.” His response stuck with me, because he has no clue about me or my “limits”.

So I posed the question at this morning’s COT – What does “Know your limits” mean? The responses from several PAX helped clarify the situation for me. Here are a few insights from the group.
• As a part of living, we are always traversing what appear to be limits as we learn and adjust.
• In order to know your limits, you must explore them and keep them up to date by going and touching them from time to time, because of course they change.
• Consider the source, someone may be giving you advice based on their own limits which could be very bad advice for you.
• Consider the source, and listen, if it is someone who knows you well and they are giving you solid advice from a friend.

The depth of the responses was much greater than I can post here, and I am very grateful that I learn so much from other PAX.

The HIMs at The Project have been a driving force to help me push my limits, shoulder to shoulder. A few months ago, I asked for agreement in prayer to get rid of the nagging fear that I was pushing too much, so that I could enjoy the journey. My fear is gone and I am no longer training “to get slower, slower”, but I am gaining ground. Most encouraging is that I am watching the men around me grow as husbands and HIMs, as well as athletes because they are pushing and evaluating their limits as a natural part of who they are.

My conclusion is that there is no way to “know your limits”, because they are invisible and always changing, so put your confidence in God and your hope in His promises. Maybe it would be better to say, “Know His promises”!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Welcome “Breadbowl” and “Wipeout”, previously known as FNGs.

Isometricovery

THE SCENE: Clear skies, cool fall breeze, 65ish
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER:  Done!
WARM-O-RAMA:
Mosey for a bit, then SSH, Moroccan Night Club, Knoxville Cherry Pickers, Sideways Cherry Pickers, LG arm circles FWD/BWD, Mosey to the coupons

THA-THANG:
Isometric movements with weights as a recovery workout for IPC off day.  Range of motion and control with coupons.

  • 20X 8 count curls, mosey, 20X 8 count curls
  • 20X 8 count squats, mosey, 20X 8 count squats
  • 20X 8 count overhead press, mosey, 20X 8 overhead press
  • 20X 8 count kettlebell swings, mosey, 20X 8 count kettlebell swings (yes, in slow motion)
  • 10X 8 count American hammer
  • Long mosey back to flag

MARY:
Atlas Shrugged
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA.

8 PAX

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Recovery takes discipline – to slow down and sometimes do nothing (or something that feels like nothing) as a planned part of an intense training period can payoff big time in performance.  Recovery workouts after intense exercise like the IPC workouts can help prevent injuries from overtraining.
MOLESKIN:
The workout was disappointingly slow at first, but a few winges were heard as the isometric exercises did their work, especially when we got to the “slow-motion” Kettlebell swings when there was no momentum to raise the coupon on either end of the pendulum.  Thanks for the honor of leading the Q, you all are an inspiration to me.