F3 Knoxville

Tag: Half Caff

The Amazing Race: Big Ball Edition (Soot Co-Q)

THE SCENE: Lower to Mid 60’s, partly cloudy. Couldn’t ask for better weather!
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH, Arm Circles, Imperial Walkers, This and That, Tempo Squats
THA-THANG:
We divided everyone into two teams for an Amazing Race style workout. Each team was given a clue, then had to decide what landmark that clue was hinting at. If the team went to the right location, Soot or I would tell them the workout for that spot. The first team to hit each location and finish each workout won. A few bonus rules: bear crawl every bridge, 1 burpee at each landing or top of each staircase, and bernie up every hill. Each team went in opposite orders, I led one clockwise while Soot led the other counter-clockwise. Here are the clues, locations, and exercises:

  • “It rises in the morning, but never gets out of bed” – The Sunsphere – Here we did 7’s between the edge of the water and the base of the sunsphere with Smurf Jacks and Star Jacks
  • “Here you might enjoy a nice view of the river, but you won’t enjoy the dense new additions to your team” – The Rockpile – Here we did 30 reps of Thrusters, Tricep Extensions, Curls and Front Raises
  • “The crown jewel of UT’s campus. The hallowed high ground” – The Hill – Here we lined up at the flag pole and did flutterkicks while one at a time each of us bear crawled around the flag pole
  • “Floors of empty spaces” – 11th Street Garage – Here we did the following in all 4 corners of the garage: 15 reps of Merkins, Squats, LBCs, Mountain Climbers (2ct)
  • “It’s almost time for our show to end, so be sure to grab your seats” – The Amphitheater – Here we just did 50 inverted rows
  • “End our race with a world tour and a splash” – The AO – Here we did a kind of inverted Indian Run. While running in line around the fountain, the person in front would do burpees until the rest of the team caught up, then the next person would pick up where they left off and the first person would go to the end of the line. The first team to a total of 200 burpees won.

The race ended just before 8am with our team reaching 200 burpees while Soot’s team was only 3 burpees behind

MARY:
Abort led us in an ATM cash out
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Soot led the word talking about how he and I met his junior year of college when he went to visit a campus ministry that I work for called the Navigators. After meeting we got lunch a couple times and eventually started meeting on a weekly basis for discipleship. After graduating, Soot and I have maintained that relationship, although we no longer meet as often, and Soot has gone on to lead his own Bible study and invest in guys the same way I invested in him. Also, Soot was the guy who first got me to come out to F3. After a lot of tip toeing in the shallow end, I eventually became more involved with F3 here and have also brought a few other FNG’s in along the way.

We shared all this for a few reasons. One being the importance of relationships and community. Soot and I have maintained our relationship with one another even in busy seasons, when he was deployed in Kuwait, and now as he moves from CO to NC. The second being you never realize how far a simple invitation will go. I invited Soot to grab lunch, which led to a mentoring relationship, which led to Soot mentoring others as well. Soot invited me to a workout, which led to me being more involved here with Big Ball and the Quacken, which also led to me inviting others to workouts. These relationships we have and the invitations we extend to others are important, and we never know how far they’ll end up going.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Hardship Hill is coming up

CMU Trail of Fears (Being Conquered)

[ The Scene ]

  • It’s hot with a capital h o t
  • PAX circle up in the bat cave where some shade is afforded

[ Warm-o-Rama ]

  • Windmill: 10 x 4 IC
    • 1 burpee
  • Rockette: 10 x 4 IC
    • 2 burpee
  • Baby Arm Circles
    • F: 10 x 4 IC
    • B: 10 x 4 IC
    • 3 Burpee
  • Seal-Clap Squats: 5
    • Down —> 1 4-count seal clap
    • Up = 1
    • 4 burpees
  • SSH: 10 x 4 IC
    • 1 burpee

[ The Thang ]

—mosey to CMU pile by bat cave—

(1) CMU Warm-Up

  • 5 CMU Getups
    • Deadlift up CMU
    • Squat w/CMU
    • Up + chest-press CMU
    • Deadlift down CMU on ground
  • 10 Cross-Overs
    • CMU on ground
    • Burpee on 1 side
    • “Jump” on the burpee is over the CMU
    • Burpee on the other side
  • 15 CMU Curl Presses
    • Curl + press – back down
  • 20 CMU Flutter Kick Presses
    • Execute flutter kicks while doing 20 CMU presses above
  • 25 CMU Drags
    • Bear Crawl formation
    • Take 1 hand – pull CMU through your legs to your other hand
    • Bear crawl up until the CMU is in the same start position as before
    • R & R
    • Every CMU pull = 1

(10 count)

—walkdown the stairs from the bat cave—

—mosey with CMUs to the beginning of lighted path leading up to Saturday morning AO—

(2) CMU Trail of Reps

  • CMU Curls
  • CMU Presses
  • CMU Squats
  • Nickel – Dime – Quarter
  • Light 1 = 5 CMU Curls
  • Light 2 = 10 CMU Presses
  • Light 3 = 25 CMU squats
  • Rinse & Repeat until we get to the small parking lot right over there
  • However – switch the order of the Xs once you get done with the first 3 lights
    • 4th light = 5 CMU Presses
    • 5th light = 10 CMU squats
    • 6th light = 25 CMU Curls

***Disclaimer: this sucked***

There was a teaching moment in this evolution of the beatdown however

Teaching Moment/Q Tip #1: Sweep/Pickup the 6/Wagon-Wheel/No Man Left Behind

The command of “Sweep/Wagon Wheel” was given 3x by the QIC

Pele was the singular HIM that responded and came back initially – the rest of the PAX followed suit after some prompting.

Why do we circle back/wagon wheel/pickup the 6/sweep if the QIC gives the command? (1) Not because the Q is in charge or commands it, but because any one of us could be the 6 on any given day. All of at some point in time have been the 6, you know what it’s like. (2) Circling back/wagon wheel/pickup the 6/sweep isn’t just a physical thing – it’s also mental as well. Sometimes all people need is a little encouragement and if you’re the 6 I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you probably needed some encouragement. Think about what circling back/wagon wheeling/picking up the 6/sweeping does for the 6 – not only does it reaffirm physically “No man left behind” but it also affirms mentally for the 6 and the PAX “No man left behind.”

We circle back. We Wagon Wheel. We pickup the 6. We sweep. No man left behind. That is a non-negotiable of F3. Period.

(Teaching Moment/Q Tip #1 was sunk in with 5 burpees by all PAX – we grow and move together – no man left behind)

Teaching Moment/Q Tip #2: It’s just a piece of rock

We have this thing at Asylum PM – if you break a CMU, 100 burpees or something crazy (stupid) like that. I’ll tell ya, people are generally pretty safe with their CMUs then, right?

However, it happens.

Dewey broke his CMU. Two pieces, on the ground. Disclaimer: Dewey is a tough hombre. Dewey is also the youngest PAX out there and he’s holding his own with the rest of us. Dude is straight crushing it in arguable one of the hardest CMU workouts to hit Asylum PM in a while.

Sometimes all people need a little encouragement. So you broke your CMU? Guess what? It’s a piece of rock – it’s okay. You’re crushing it man, keep your head up.

The bigger of the 2 broken CMU pieces is then shared by the PAX all the way back to the CMU pile. That’s what we do. CMUs are gonna get broken. It’s okay.

However, Teaching Moment/Q Tip #2 was sunk in with 5 burpees as well by all PAX – we share each other’s burdens)

Ah, I digress. Back to the hellish workout.

(Recover by parking lot)

(10 count)

Time to deliver these from whence they came – if you get down to the CMU pile first – come help someone else out with theirs that might be struggling (20/80 success on this).

(3) Pickett’s Charge to the Bat Cave

  • From the Asylum weekday morning AO car parking lot to the top of the overlook to the bat cave

Q lines up PAX in 2 lines – with Lilydipper and Pusher out front

The standard is as such —> run up Pickett’s Charge led by Lilydipper and Pusher —> no one passes them on the way up.

Teaching Moment/Q Tip #3: No one is above the standard, not even the Q.

Q stops PAX after first small hill on Picket’s Charge – reminds men of the standard set – PAX get in merkin plank position – 5 up/down merkins are executed.

Why? You are not above a standard – set by a Q or not. I am not above a standard – set by a Q or not. No one is above a standard – set by a Q or not. I don’t care how fast you are. No one cares how fast you are. There is a standard (set by the Q or not) for a reason. And a Q (and HIM) should expect and accept it to be followed. It’s not about you. It’s about the PAX. Challenge me on this. All feedback is encouraged and welcomed.

[ COT ]

  • # off
  • Name o Rama
  • FNGs
  • BOM

“Learn how to discern a win” – Jerry Flowers

    • Sometimes all people need is encouragement
    • When you can’t discern a win you’ll begin to mislabel victories
    • Identify a win – examples:
        • Lost something but gained something else
        • Lost something but gained a prayer life
        • Didn’t get the position or promotion but got character development and discipline along the way – that’s a win
        • I wanted to give you 5 examples of what I’ve identified as a few wins/victories for me so far this year:
          • Told to work from home indefinitely and feeling trapped inside all day —> freedom to be more intentional with my prayer life and pour more into things I love like F3 and walking outside – that’s a victory and a win.
          • A couple “failed” relationships —> intentional experiences and I’m being protected – given insight. That’s a victory and a win.
          • Started leading a small group of men – who are all married and in their 40s and up – I don’t say that to boast, I say that because for me this is a win for me because I didn’t see that modeled well a lot when I was growing up and now the Lord’s placed me there so I can actually see it modeled well while I learn how to lead – irrespective of my age or life experience – that’s a blessing and a win.
          • A few different opportunities have come and knocked on my door professionally and personally and instead of just flinging open the door – I’m learning to exercise judgement and wisdom in my decisions – for me that’s a victory and win.
          • We all have that one friend – and if you don’t that’s okay too – that has always been a little crazy right?
            • Well my dad has that one friend too. Great guy, snuck pre-21 years old Steam  a 6 pack at my dad’s wedding a while ago. We all get together for a guys weekend this weekend and play golf, shoot, wet our whistles probably a little more than we should, especially this particular guy and a bi-product of that led to him just opening up and saying “I remember having nowhere to turn, and just crying out to God for help.” Getting to recognize the weight of what was actually happening when he was verbally processing this was a huge win and victory. God’s on the move. 

So, what did we learn?

(1) No Man Left Behind. Period. Circling Back/Wagon Wheeling/Picking Up the 6/Sweeping is more than just a physical action.

(2) Stuff happens. Things break. There are consequences. But we share each other’s burdens. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Keep your head up.

(3) There’s a standard for a reason. No one is above the standard. Not even the Q.

(4) Learn how to discern a win so you don’t mislabel victories in your life.

(5) Sometimes all someone needs is just a little encouragement.

Iron. Sharpens. Iron.

-Steam

 

Hill Yeah

[ The Scene ]

  • Muggy
  • Hot
  • THICK air

[ Welcome/Disclaimer ]

  • Welcome to F3: Fitness-Fellowship-Faith
  • My name is Steam and I’m honored to be your Q this morning
  • Any FNGs?
  • Couple of things before we begin:
    • (1) I’m not a professional
    • (2) You’re here on your own volition
    • (3) You know your body better than anyone so if you need to modify anything we do in the next 45 minutes feel free to do so, but push yourself and the men around you.
  • I’ll have water, my phone, and med gear in my ruck so feel free to toss anything like your keys/wallet/phone in there before we step off

[ Warm-o-Rama ]

  • SSH: 25 x 4
  • Baby Arm Circles: 20 x 4 (forward & Backwards)
  • Man-Maker: 15 x 8
  • Tempo Squat: 10 x 4

[ The Thang ]

(1) Cash-In w/Ring of Fire with All Benches

    • Pick a bench
    • Long sides: 5 incline merkins
    • Short sides: 5 dips
    • Mosey clockwise to the next bench
    • Rinse & Repeat until you get around to your OG bench
  • We Warmed Up?

(Mosey to the bottom of colorful stairs)

(2) 25s by 5s

    • Here: burpees
    • Up the hill at the top before Maplehurst apartments: Lower LBCs
    • Only 5 reps at each station
    • 25 total – end here
      • Done? Pickup the 6 with someone else —> Abort went full BEAST MODE and swept the crew

(20 count)

(Mosey down to the light and across the street – American Indian style – headed back to WFP)

(Turn R into WFP at the entrance)

(4) 25s

    • Every lightpost from here to the security building on the left under the bridge: 
      • 5 squats
      • 5 merkins
      • 5 SSHs
      • 5 Shoulder Taps (4 count)
      • 5 SSHs

(Mosey back BTTW to the AO)

[ Mary ]

(1) Quarter Pounder – 25

    • Flutter Kicks: 25 x 4
    • LBCs: 25 x 4
    • American Hammers: 25 x 4
    • Hello Dolly’s: 25 x 4

(Light stretching to finish out the 60 seconds)

[ COT ]

  • # off
  • Name o Rama
  • FNGs
  • BOM

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive”

John Eldridge, “Wild at Heart” 

Happy 11s Day

[ Welcome/Intro/Safety-Brief ]

  • Welcome to F3: Fitness/Fellowship/Faith
  • Name is Steam and I’m honored to be your Q this morning
  • FNGs?
  • Couple of things before we begin:
    • Not a professional
    • You’re here on your own volition – meaning that you made a conscious choice to be here – you’re here on purpose
    • I don’t know any injuries you may or may not have – you do. If there’s anything you need to modify this morning feel free to do it. We start and end with the same number. Push yourselves and the men around you.
  • Do something a little different today:
    • Posted in Johnson City a few weeks ago and they did this at the beginning and I thought it was really cool.
    • (1) Pray over the men and our time

[ Warm-Up Xs ]

  • SSH: 11 x 4 IC
  • Rockette: 11 x 4 IC
  • Cherry Picker: 11 x 4 IC
  • Imperial Walker: 11 x 4 IC
  • Little bit of this (arms/back stretch)
  • Little bit of that (arms/back stretch)
  • 5 burpees

Pre-step off: Ruck has med gear, water – feel free to throw anything in. I’ll have my phone throughout as well

[ PT ]

(Mosey to Big Ball stairs)

1 – 11s

(Split up the group in 2 if need be for #s)

  • At the base: 1 Squat
  • 1st plateau: 10 man-makers
  • R & R (9/2, 8/3, etc)
  • Group 1: go counter clockwise
  • Group 2: go clockwise

(11 SSHs)

(11 count)

(Mosey to bridge across water to Amp)

  • across the bridge: walking rockette = walkette
    • Kick leg up and touch with opposite hand

(Mosey to amphitheater)

2 – 11s (Ping Pong – Down)

  • Stage: Box jumps (or step-ups) – make sure to stand up it you can (good form)
  • Top: pull-up/chin-up
  • After you complete whatever # of pull-ups /chin-ups you’re on each time — run around your respective side back to the stage
  • start with 11 box jumps — 11 pull-ups/chin-ups
  • 10:10
  • 9:9
  • So on and so forth
  • PAX finished with 11 up/down incline merkins on the stage + running up to the top of the amp and knocking out 11 pull/chin ups

(11 SSHs)

(11 count)

(American Indian run back to AO)

[ COT ]

  • # off – 11
  • Name o Rama
    • Postman, PDA, Jenner, Clark, Bilko, Swanson, Walrus, Magic Mic, Half Calf, Abort, Steam
  • FNGs – none
  • BOM
  • Has 2020 been hard? Have you ever found it hard to lead in your marriage or relationship or job?
  • Quote from a young man who just graduated that G-6 and I both know that’s now serving dutifully in the Army full-time and he dropped this knowledge on us sometime last year and I’ve always kept it close because it’s relevant and makes sense:

“Leadership should be a burden, if should be hard.”

            – Tanner Swanner

  • Leadership is not always easy, it’s just not. But do you have enough in the tank and enough grit to lead yourself so that you can lead others?
  • Spoiler alert: you do.

This verse ties in well along this topic, and the 4 different versions below say it a little differently but there are a few words I want to draw out/point out:

    • “strength of soul”
    • “greatly emboldened me”
    • “encourage me by giving me strength”
    • “made me bold with strength in my soul”
  • Psalm 138:3 (ESV): “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased”
  • (NIV): “When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.”
  • (NLT): “As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving my strength.”
  • (NKJV): “In the day when I cried out, you answered me; and made me bold with strength in my soul.”

Turn Up the Volume

THE SCENE: Perfect morning. High 70s
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
1. Shoulder circuit (no rest):
– 15 manly arm rotations forward + backward
– 15 Moroccan night clubs
– 15 shoulder taps
– 15 OH claps
– 15 shoulder taps
– 15 Moroccan’s
– 15 manly arm rotations backward + forward
2. ATM’s
3. Cobra Merkins
4. Little bit of…
5. Tempo Squats

THA-THANG:
Mosey to rock pile by L&N and grab paver coupon

Head toward amphitheater, but while walking:

  • 25 curls, 25 OH tricep extensions, 25 OH presses, 10 walking lunges
  • 20, 20, 20, 10
  • 15, 15, 15, 10
  • 10, 10, 10, 10
  • 5, 5, 5

Volume circuit on stage:

  • 50 curls, 50 OH triceps, 50 OH presses, 50 merkins, run stairs, 50 inverted rows
  • 40, 40, 40, 40, stairs, 40
  • 30, 30, 30, 30, stairs, 30
  • 20, 20, 20, 20, stairs, 20
  • 10, 10, 10, 10, stairs, 10

Additional final set of 10 curls, 10 tris, 10 presses, 10 burpees, stairs, 10 rows while waiting on others to finish

Mosey back to AO to return rock

Simple and painful

MARY:
No time. Finished right at 6:15
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
11 PAX. No FNGs
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Echoed Pfeiffer’s word from Saturday. Don’t be a scumbag. Be a great person and don’t surround yourself with negative people.
MOLESKIN:
Insert any personal comments, notes, devotion content, etc.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Insert information about upcoming events, 2nd or 3rd F opportunities, and any other announcements.