Tag: Block Party

Conditions: A beautiful starry sky, a gentle breeze and workout weather.

Warm Up

1. SSH x 25 in cadence
2. Carl Penningtons x 10 Frontward and backward rotations in cadence. Bigger and stronger than Mel Penningtons.
3. Mountain Climbers x 25 in cadence. There was some mumble chatter as several Pax noted YHC only using one arm while he opened up an app on his phone. The misunderstanding was quickly dissipated with the next exercise. Apologies to all who thought YHC was slacking on the job.
4. Deconstructed Merkins x 1 minute. 3 seconds per move. Top, Mid, Bottom, Mid, Top, etc. for one minute. Nice and slow, no quivers allowed.

The Thang:

Mosey to the brick pile

While we waited on the rest of the Pax, the speedier (aka hungrier for reps) of the gang assumed the plank position, shoulder to shoulder. We then commenced the Tunnel of Love, as each person did a low crawl under his fellow F3 brethren until we gathered in the six. This proved a fairly entertaining diversion and demonstrated the relative arm length to belly fat ratio of each Pax.

Once all Pax were safely gathered at the brick pile, we lost no time grabbing two blocks apiece and moving to the light poles. Each Pax did a dairy carry for two lights, then:

Overhead press x 40

Curls x 40

Squats x 40

We came back one light, then:

Overhead press x 20

Curls x 20

Squats x 20

Back to the start and:

Overhead press x 10

Curls x 10

Squats x 10

YHC chose his numbering system very carefully. He had just eaten Chinese food the previous day, and these were his lucky numbers. Being charitable and carrying an #IAm3rd mindset, YHC shared his good fortune with his brothers.

Eschewing the blocks, we all grabbed two bricks apiece and returned to the starting line. While waiting on the six, we held the Al Gore position with bricks in hand. We then commenced the same route, doing the Brick Bear Crawl. YHC detests bear crawls, which is why he will always add them to any workout at which he has the privilege to Q. The point is not to avoid pain and struggle, but to embrace it heartily, like a lover. A lover with nasty teeth, foul breath and a hairy back, but a lover nonetheless. At each light we did 20 Mercans. On the way back, we lunged between lights and continued the Mercan-fest with 20 more at each light. Let it be known far and wide that Magic Mike led the charge. He was indeed magical on this morning, calling upon some strange super-power which gave him the strength of 2 GroundBlinds. While waiting on the six, we again held the Al Gore position with bricks in hand.

Time beginning to ebb, we moseyed back to the field to work on our core values. Sensing the Pax were in an especially eager to please mood, we again took a turn down the Tunnel of Love to pick up the six. After we caught everyone up, we dropped right where we were for some earnest core workout.

Flutters x 25 in cadence

Russian Twist (aka The Hartsville Hammer) x 25 in cadence

LBC x 30 in cadence

YHC thought the Pax had enough and began to move toward the COT, but "Nay! Nay!", said the worthy Pax. "We still have 8 minutes," spoke up Divac. The boys had #MansonLamps. YHC was nearly overcome with joy as Pax after Pax offered up more opportunities to hone the knife edge. Iron filings were falling off everywhere.

Crunchy Frogs  x 20 in cadence by Divac

Big Boy Situps x 20 by Magic Mike

Burpees x 10 by Backdraft

Mountain Climbers x 15 in cadence by Radar

We gathered up in the BOM for announcements and devo.

Announcements

• Look for details on a #clowncar at 6am to Sumter for their anniversary convergence this Saturday.
• Take in the Temple at 4:45, then #ActLikeMen at 5:30. It got real last week.
• Shirts are available online. Get some.
• Plan to go to McBee for a 7am beatdown and 8am 5k to support Noah.

Devo

Mark 10:42-45.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

YHC shared how many teams were vying to be first at the MudRun this past weekend, which is a laudable goal. Our team of GroundBlind, Wall-E, GreenAcres and Goldilocks, however, were on a different mission from the first obstacle. GreenAcres busted his knee 150 yards into the race. When given the opportunity to pull a #Spurrier, he declined and hobbled forward. As a team we all resolved to get that man over the finish line, come hell or high water (and there was plenty of both). Our "race" turned into an incredible opportunity to serve.

Jesus came to this world with that same mindset. He lived every moment of His life with laser-focused intent, devoting all His energy, passion, blood, sweat, tears and ultimately His life for us. We are called to follow that same example. #IAm3rd is more than a catchy slogan on somebody's t-shirt. It is a challenge to each of us every day. How can I serve? Who can I serve? Where can I serve? We already know the "why".

Closed with a prayer...

Then we had an opportunity to serve. Sunshine lost his wedding ring in the gloom. We set up a police line (or better said a firemen's line) and started trying to save that poor man's life. Pavarotti bailed out our brother in need when he found the missing ring. What a great way to end the workout.