F3 Knoxville

The Power of 3…On Monday.

THE SCENE: 40s, cold, dark, character-building.

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

  • Welcome to F3: Fitness – Fellowship – Faith
  • My name is Steam & I’m honored to be your QIC this morning
  • Couple things:
    • I’ll have my phone, water, and a med kit in my ruck throughout the workout just so everyone is aware. If you need to put keys, wallet, or whatever in there, feel free to do it.
    • I’m not a professional (depends who you ask)
    • You’re here on your own volition – thank you for making the choice to be out here.
    • If you need to modify anything we do this morning – do it. BUT push yourself and the men around you. Some people didn’t wake up with breath in their lungs this morning but you did. You did. Make it count.
  • Name of the game this morning = The Power of 3


WARM-O-RAMA: (IC = In Cadence)

  • SSH (Side-Straddle Hop): 10 x 4 IC
  • Baby Arm Circles (Forward): 11 x 4 IC
  • Imperial Squat Walker: 12 x 4 IC
  • Merkin (Down/Up): 10
  • In Cadence Burpee: 5

THA-THANG:

(mosey to the flagpole down from the AO)

  1. Connect the Dots
  • 3 points of contact: Pavilion – FlagPole – Far Corner of AO
    • Pavilion = Bench pull-ups
    • FlagPole = Man-Makers
    • Far Corner of AO = Jump Squats
  • 3 rounds of this: starting with 3 reps at each point of contact – and increasing 3 reps at each point of contact for the next 2 rounds (3rd and final round = 9 reps at each point of contact)
  • Recover at the flag pole when you’re done –> Flutter Kicks

(Mosey to playground)

(Battle buddy it up)

  • BB1: Incline merkins on bench (3)
  • BB2: Decline merkins on curb outside playground (3)
  • Rinse & Repeat 3x –> adding 3 reps each time

(mosey to parking lot outside of playground)

  • Power of a Curb // Power of 3
    • 10 x 4 Rocky Balboas on the curb IC
    • 10 x 4 incline merkins IC
    • (sprint to a parking space about 20m away)
    • 10 (down/up) merkins
  • Rinse & Repeat 3x
    • HIM are expected to step up and lead. Why? Because you have what it takes. Even when you’re tired. Even when you’re sore. Even when you’re like “Why the hell did I choose to do this this morning?!”
    • Q chooses different members of PAX to lead the next 2 iterations of the Power of a Curb //Power of 3 –> be lead –> lead.

(Mosey to hill outside of AO parking lot)

  • 3 Tree Hill
    • 3 points of contact: Base of hill – middle of hill – top of hill
      • Base of hill = 10 iron mikes (5 each leg // 10 total)
      • Middle of hill = 10 star jacks (1-count)
      • Top of hill = 10 dry docks (1-count)
    • PAX executes 1st round of this – recovers at the base of the hill
    • Q challenges PAX – this IS NOT a dictatorship of the Q. The PAX , the men, honestly the individual decide what exercises to do, how hard to do it, or not to do it at all.
    • Q asks PAX if they want to continue, or do something else (Q did not have anything else planned but could have come up with something hard (Q hoped the men would stay in the fight for just 5 reps more) – adding 5 reps to each point of contact on the hill.
    • PAX voices they want to push/fight on for round 2. Let’s do this.
    • RINSE AND REPEAT ADDING 5 REPS AT EACH POINT OF CONTACT
    • Recover at the Base of the hill.
    • PAX are GASSED. This is not an easy workout.
    • Q challenges the PAX again – makes the ask to kill round 3 together – adding 10 reps to each point of contact.
    • PAX are gassed but still in the fight. Respond to do round 3 on the hill.
    • Q identifies 3 PAX to lead at each point of contact.
    • PAX moves forward up this hill, not leaving anyone behind.
    • Recover at AO.

MARY:

  • 3 Corners:
    • C1 = 25 x 4 Flutter Kicks
      • Karaoke to C2
    • C2 = 25 x 4 American Hammers (Q called them Boat rowers…made sense in my head lol, didn’t even think of American Hammers)
      • Reverse karaoke to C2
    • C3 = 25 x 4 LBCs
    • Converge in the middle of the parking lot
  • Q identifies 3 HIM to lead at 1 of the 3 corners – PAX choose which corner to go to
  • When each corner is done –> sprint back to the middle and hold the merkin plank –> All PAX execute 5 down/up merkins
  • Rinse & Repeat 3x (Q identifies 3 more PAX each time to lead a corner)

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

18 PAX – No FNGs

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

“Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.”” – 1 Chronicles 28:20 (ESV)

MOLESKIN:

Knights of the 21st Century Men’s Ministry

This comes from a daily email I get from The Knights of the 21st Century (check it out ^^). Daily motivation and spiritual guidance for men wanting be men of impact, for their families, their work, and themselves. As a young man, I tend to forget to be strong and brave and have courage – both when and not when the odds are stacked up. I’ve included the email below, take a look and be encouraged men of impact!

 

Soaring at the EQ

THE SCENE: 45 degrees, little bit of humidity to get the sweat flowing on the pre-ruck.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

Cherry picker x 7 IC

Windmill x 10 IC

OHC x 20 IC
THA-THANG:
Repeat of the “flight of the blue falcon”. Given one 12x8x16 CMU and 5 PAX, one HIM holds the CMU overhead while the rest of the herd runs for a 10 count, then herd completes AMRAP of exercise designated by blockholder until he reaches the group and passes it off. Rinse and repeat until time is up, exploring the AO. Bonus points at equalizer for taking advantage of the benches (dips) and playground (pullups).

MARY:

finished right on time

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Keeping with the theme that Tank set earlier in the week, I mentioned 2 verses, “let all that you do be done in love” and “love your neighbor as yourself”. When you step into a situation, whether it’s work or home, approach with peace, don’t enter with negativity or disgust, as you don’t know what others are dealing with. Also, be truthful, but do so in a loving manner. Respond to emotion with respectful emotion, and respond to facts with facts. Don’t be like me and tell your M, who is terrified of flying, that everything will be fine when she panics about turbulence. Or, even if you do, when she asks “how do you know?”, don’t say “i don’t, but I can’t fly the damn plane, so why worry about it”…
MOLESKIN:
An interesting point that was brought out in the mumble chatter: this is a great hip-pocket Q, with minimal planning necessary (as long as someone has a CMU). Also, it’s great for FNGs to start learning the exicon, or for a Q who is unfamiliar with the AO to get a tour of the space.

Forgot plans, chalk and cups, but didn’t forget to burn calories

THE SCENE: Checkerboard clouds above, cold but not too cold. Pretty ideal for this workout.

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

SSHx20, 10 merks, 5 cobra Kais, 5 cherry pickers. Mosey around Course to explain exercises since I left chalk at home.
THA-THANG:
The Equalizing “kinda hard stuff but not really that hard unless you are out of shape and if you are out of shape it is good for you to do it because fitness is fun and why else would morons like us be up at 5:30am doing stuff in the darkness of a park that is not illegal” Obstacle Course. The obstacles are……

  • 5 burpees
  • 10 pull ups
  • Short chop steps around 11 cones
  • Line drills quick feet
  • 20 Merkins
  • duck walk 4 corners
  • The “didn’t we do this stupid thing before” climb on the “snake” railing
  • 20 BBS
  • Bear crawl up walkway
  • 20 dips
  • 20 rows under the picnic table
  •  20 pickle pounders
  • 20 flutter kicks

Repeat as many rounds as possible till time is up

MARY:
20 box cutters, Peter Parkers, times up!

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
14
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Be fun. Do fun stuff with your kids and your family.  We can sometimes get wrapped up in work, every day stressors of life, or even ourselves and forget to have some fun time with our loved ones. It doesn’t just have to be on the weekend. Take some time this week to do something fun with your kids that you normally wouldn’t. Play a game, wrestle, play 20 questions.
MOLESKIN:
Several prayer requests, good fellowship afterwards with some coffee even though I forgot cups.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
La-z-boys coffee, orange Ts coming soon

Where Is Your Sting?

THE SCENE: Cloudy, mid thirties.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

25 Side Straddle Hops.  10 Burpees. 10 Iron Mikes.  10 Windmills.  10 Cherry Pickers.  7 Baby Arm Circles Forward and Backward.  7 Wide Arm Circles Forward and Backward.
THA-THANG:
Mosey to Stop Sign at Northeastern Corner of Admin Bldg.  We will have cones posted along the road that semicircles around the Admin Bldg.  Each cone will give directions regarding exercises and how to get to the next cone.

  • Cone 1:  20 Big Boy Sit-ups.  Bernie Sanders to Cone 2.
  • Cone 2:  20 Diamond Merkins.  Hop to Cone 3.
  • Cone 3.  20 Shoulder Taps (both shoulders = 1).  Gravevine with left foot in lead to Cone 4.
  • Cone 4:  20 Star Jumps.  Grapevine with right foot in lead to Cone 5.
  • Cone 5:  20 Squat Jumps.  Sprint to Cone 6.
  • Cone 6:  20 Flutter Kicks (four count).  Bear Crawl to Cone 7.
  • Cone 7.  20 Smurf Jacks.  Bernie Sanders to Cone 8
  • Cone 8.  20 Merkins, 40 Baby Crunches, 20 Hello Dollies (four count), 20 American Hammers (four count), 20 Bicycle Kicks (four count), 20 Bottle Openers (both hands = 1).

Mosey back to stop sign at Northeastern Corner of Admin Bldg., picking up cones and signs along the way.  We will squat for one minute to quietly contemplate the beauty of the scenery toward the lake.

Mosey to CMU pile.  Men will split into pairs.  One partner from each pair will grab a CMU.  We will do Doras with partner one sprinting to other end of parking lot, doing 10 shin lifts, and sprinting back while partner two starts working on the exercises.  Partners will then switch positions.  These are the exercises that each pair will accomplish:

  • 100 Overhead Presses
  • 100 Curls
  • 100 Rows
  • 100 Bell Ringers
  • 100 Merkins with feet on CMU

Mosey through entrance way gate to northern ball fields.  We will go the ball field that is closest to the entryway and congregate at one end of the marked soccer field in the outfield.  We will throw frisbee three times and race to the frisbee.  We will then race to end of the soccer field and back.  Those men who got the frisbee on the three prior throws will be competing to see who gets a free breakfast from the Q leader. Next, we will split into two teams.  Men will split up to play frisbee football.  Every time the frisbee hits the ground, not only does the possession of the frisbee change to the other team but all team members must do five burpees.  I must give my brother, Waffle House, credit for being the originator of this frisbee/burpee rule.

Mosey to AO.

MARY:
20 Flutter Kicks, Boat Canoe.
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
Seventeen men with one FNG, a friend of Toto’s named Marty Mason.  His F3 name is now Tinder.
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

Edward Abbey was a park ranger and writer.  As a park ranger for the National Park Service he worked in scarcely populated desert areas of Utah, including the Arches National Park and Canyonlands of Southeastern Utah.  In his book Desert Solitaire, he speaks in one chapter about being alone in a very rocky canyon area in Utah.  Although an experienced ranger, he got lost and was stuck on a rock precipice.  He could make a jump across the precipice to a cliff similar in height but which was in the direction he knew would get him home.  He didn’t know how to get back the way he came even though he had tried to track it.  He was running out of water.  His choice was to either die of thirst where he was or make a huge leap from the precipice to the cliff.  The fall if he failed to reach the cliff would be hundreds of feet and would certainly bring him to his death.  He made the choice to jump and, for some good minutes, started thinking about his life before he made the jump.

What would you think about if you were faced with such a situation?  You are about to make the jump that will either continue or end your life?  What thoughts run through your mind.  Would you think about family?  About things that brought you joy?  Actions or lack of action that you regretted?  Would you wish you could say or do some things you had not yet done in life?  Would you have faith that God would follow you through death if death were to occur?  And, on the chance that you might make the jump, would you see life in a different way afterwards?  Would there be things that you would want to accomplish or do that you had yet to attempt?

Abbey gave a very poignant description of his fear and grief before making the jump.  As a man who loved nature, he thought with appreciation yet longing about the beauty of the world all around him before making the death jump.  Obviously, he made it to the other side as he later wrote the book.

As a man I would have been very scared, just as Abbey was.  As a Christian, I hope I would take comfort in verses like the one in Corinthians above.  I hope I would appreciate my mortality and the gift that God has given us in our short lives here on Earth.  But, I also hope I would realize that my perishable body has been clothed with the imperishable armor of God, that my mortality has become immortality through Him.  Then, even knowing I might fall to my death, I could say, “Death, where is your victory, where is your sting?”

MOLESKIN:
Prayers for Pele’s shoulder as he took a mean fall and hurt it during the frisbee football game.  Pusher, a physical therapist, said he didn’t dislocate.  Prayers for our brother, Pinto, who is suffering through treatment of multiple myeloma cancer.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
New pull up bars that we raised money for will be going up.  We will have an AO launch in Morristown on April 4.

You vs You

THE SCENE: 30ish and clear

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

WARM-O-RAMA:

  • SSH x 15
  • Tempo Squats x 15
  • This/that stretch
  • Cherry Pickers x 5
  • OYO stretch

THA-THANG:

Today was an all you can eat buffet in the form of a descending ladder.   Do the corresponding number of reps for each exercise as you work your way down.  Rinse and repeat removing the lowest numbered exercise each round.   Not enough time to finish all of it this morning.

  • 10 Thrust Merkins
  • 9 Iron Mikes (each leg)
  • 8 Roll-up v-ups
  • 7 Carolina Dry Docks
  • 6 Burpees
  • 5 Broad Jumps
  • 4 Freddie Mercury (4-count)
  • 3 Round the clock Merkins
  • 2 Jump Knee Tucks
  • 1 Handstand Merkin
    • Run to the corner of the track after each circuit

MARY:
N/A

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
6 strong!  Hardbody, Overachiever, Training Wheels, Pusher, Cereal, Bartman

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
This morning was a you-vs-you workout.  It wasn’t about finishing…it was about giving 100% the entire time and not quitting.  Therefore we talked about the importance of giving 100% in all areas of your life.

MOLESKIN:

ANNOUNCEMENTS: