Backblast: I AM SMALD

WOR:SSHs x15
Goofballs x15
Michael Phelps OYO
Batwings x10 each of forward arm circles, backward arm circles, Moroccan night clubs
Mosey around the lot

The Thang:
Completed 2 EMOMs
1) SMALD
10 sec prep
3 sets of 5 cycles
45 of exercise (either Squats, Merkins, Am Hams, Lunges, or Dips)
15 sec rest
30 sec rest between sets

Mosey around lot

2) CLAP
10 sec prep
3 sets of 4 cycles
45 of exercise (either Calf raises, LBCs, Am Hams, or Plank)
15 sec rest
30 sec rest between sets

Mosey around lot; end with 3 min of copperhead squats and calf raises

Moleskine:
Know the limits of your patience, especially with your kids. Give yourself a time out if you need one.

COT:
Moment of silence followed by prayer requests and praises.

Backblast: Alien Abduction

DATE: 2025-02-12
AO: #ao_tar_pit
Q: @Big Mac
PAX: @Panhandle @SAGA @Tortuga @The wet burrito @Falsetto @Beaker @Da Vinci @Samsonite @Katniss @Bloomer
FNGs: None
COUNT: 11

WOR: 7x Motivators, 10x copperhead merkins, 10 forward arm circles, 10 backward armcircles, 10 overhead claps, 5 Michael Phelps, OYO good mornings, calf stretching.The Thang:
Rumors of a UFO reach the PAX, the sightings occur at the bottom of the wheel. Of course the PAX investigate.
Stage 1 – Tractor beam
The sightings were true. All PAX are immediately caught in the tractor beams of increasing intensity. To resist, PAX must fully complete all exercises within the EMOM.
Beginning at 4x merkins, BBSU, and squats and increasing by 1 per minute.
PAX who fail are abducted with coupons to the top of the hill.
By 19 reps all PAX were abudcted.
Stage 2 – Scientific Observation
The aliens seek to understand our capacities and run an experiment to determine our physical and mental aptitudes. In a rotating fashion the next PAX offers an exercise, (Burpee, lunges x2, BBSU x3, merkins x4) and then repeats from the beginning all exercises so far (think Simon) next adds it on. We redo from the beginning. Rotate calling it out. If you mess up, take a step back but continue doing exercises.Stage 3: Destroy the CORE: The aliens decide that our physical aptitude is adequate and that our mental aptitude is "cute". They decide to keep us as pets. However, the end of the experiment coincides with the most important alien tradition of high tea celebrated for precisely 6 minutes every 3 years by all aliens. The absolute importance of tea time means no aliens are watching the PAX. Since the aliens do not sleep or slumber, this represents the only possible chance at escape for the PAX over the next three years. The PAX quickly decide to attempt to destroy the core of the engine to protect earth and then to escape using the convenient escape pods.Challenge: The PAX have 6 minutes to destroy the CORE. They must construct explosive devices using supplies found where we are being held. To construct a device, PAX must complete 5x burpees, 5x thrusters and 5x merkins. Each device represents one "throw" at the core. Devices are stored in the coupons.
Whenever the PAX want, they may descend the hill to the CORE to attempt successfully exploding all 10 pillars in the CORE. devices (KUBB sticks) must be thrown at least outside the painted parking lines to avoid melting from the heat of the CORE. If the PAX run out of attempts AND the CORE is not destroyed, they may reascend the hill with coupons to construct as many additional devices as desired. If the CORE is not destroyed within 6 minutes, the aliens will return from tea and will surely be angered by the PAX mutiny and turn them into decorative wall hangings rather than pets.Epic movie style: the PAX destroyed the CORE in 6 minutes and 30 seconds just as the aliens were arriving.However, given the delay in CORE detsruction the PAX only had 1 minute and 30 seconds to reach the escape pods.To get to the escape pod (which will feel like it’s in the exact place we are starting, but that’s just the messed up physics of alien technology), we PAX must bernie up the hill to make sure none of the aliens attack us from behind, and then bear crawl through a tunnel too small to walk in back to the stairs and then descend the steps back to what appears to be (but is definitely not) the same starting location which is where the escape pods are located. Anyone who does not make it in the allotted time will be destroyed with the ship. Everyone else can enjoy a leisurely ride back to earth.Unfortunately, given the late start, none of the PAX arrived at the escape pods in time. (@Tortuga was just feet away). All PAX were destroyed with the alien ship.However, @SAGA choose to livestream the experience and the PAX received post mortem honors for having saved the planet and protecting others from the alien forces.Moleskine: You never know when you might be abducted by aliens or have some other tragic event take away what feels normal, make sure to cherish the mundane.COT: Prayers for @Falsetto‘s back, @Samsonite M’s mother’s procedure, and @Katniss‘s (I might be remembering wrong?) 2.0’s procedure.

Backblast! Classical Eatdown

AO: #ao_mastodon
Q: @Stock boy
PAX: @Big Mac @Jailbreak @Dumpster @Falsetto @TBTF
FNGs: None
COUNT: 6

WOR:
Trunk twists, Abe Vigodas, good mornings, tin soldiers, Michael Phelps

Thang 1:
Billy Madison (10 reps each) with graduation celebration lap around the lot after each grade:
K – Side straddle hops
1 – Flutter kicks
2 – Shrugs
3 – Merkins
4 – Calf raises
5 – Rows
6 – Skull crushers
7 – Goblet squats
8 – Curls
9 – Derkins
10 – Lunges
11 – Thrusters
12 – Blockees

Thang 2
Circle of Mary

Moleskine:
Don’t be judgemental (James 4:11-12)“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
COT:
@Big Mac’s friend mourning loss of his father, @Mr Roboto’s mother, @Manhole’s dad, a couple of recent deaths of high school students in the community

Backblast! 16’s + Potluck

DATE: 2025-02-04
AO: #ao_mastodon
Q: @Stock boy
PAX: @Samsonite @Linc @Jailbreak @TBTF @Glowstick @Ankles
FNGs: None
COUNT: 7

WOR:
Motivators, Abe Vigodas, copperhead squats, tin soldiersThe Thang:

  1. 16’s at the lampposts – merkins and BBSUs, alternating mode of transport between lunge walks and imperial walkers
  2. Back the way we came with a different PAX calling 5 – 10 reps of any exercise

Moleskine:
Be thankful for blessings, and when hard times come, trust in GodCOT:
Prayers for @Sparrow and his M, Claire.

Monday Ultimate

DATE: 2025-02-03
AO: #ao_flat_earth
Q: @DQ
PAX: @Fiona @Candyland @Manhole @Samsonite @Shiplap @Jolly @TBTF @Banks @Panhandle @Krampus @Velveeta @Gummi Bear @Tortuga @Archive @Cheese @Crack @Spielberg @T.B. @Panda Express @Jack
FNGs: None
COUNT: 21
WOR:

  • SSH
  • Down and back

The Thang:
Two simultaneous games of 5 v 5-ish ultimate

Moleskine:
Being logical isn’t always best:

  • At Emilia’s birthday party, I was in the kitchen washing dishes. My grandma offered to help dry. I initially was going to say go relax and enjoy the party due to the fact she’s my grandma, but accepted her offer and we had a great conversation as a result.
  • Emilia got new flossers and is very excited about them. She offered me one the other night during bedtime, and I wanted to say no since I have my own and those flossers are more expensive than my floss. But I accepted because even though it didn’t make sense for me to take one of hers, she really just wanted to share something she was excited about with me.

In both instances, I think relationships were enriched doing something that "didn’t make sense".

COT:

  • @Krampus and M with their ultrasound today. Prayers that baby and mom have a clean bill of health.

Freezebee

DATE: 2025-01-20
AO: #ao_flat_earth
Q: @DQ
PAX: @Shiplap @Tortuga @Gummi Bear @Jolly @White Noise @Jack @TBTF @T.B. @Banks
FNGs: None
COUNT: 10
WOR:

  • SSH
  • Down and back

The Thang:
Ultimate, but a little colder

Moleskine:
When I’m going through tough times, I sometimes lose focus on God’s goodness, love, and presence in my life. Something that helps me do better is marking moments in my life where I’ve recognized God has made himself known. Being a good remember-er of these past times God has delivered you through will help you face current and future trials, giving you more focus and faith he’ll show up.

COT:

  • Health among the PAX and families
  • @Jack hosting a pastor friend and for a meeting with his church leadership to discuss an opportunity

Sand and Snow and Spa

DATE: 2025-01-14
AO: #ao_tar_pit
Q: @DQ
PAX:@Jolly @Tortuga @Big Mac @LeMond @Panhandle
FNGs: None
COUNT: 6
WOR:

  • SSH
  • Goof balls
  • Arm circles
  • Abe Vigodas
  • Good mornings

Pre Thang
Bring all coupons and sandbags to the spa. Baton death march with 3 burpees around the school.

Main Thang
At the spa, PAX split into two groups. The first group did the following EMOM circuit, a minute per each exercise:

  • 10 burpees
  • 15 thrusters
  • 20 uneven merkins
  • 25 skull crushers
  • Lap around the small wheel

While the first group did that circuit, each PAX of the second group grabbed a 60# sandbag. Each performed the following 3 times:

  • Top of spa: 10 shoulder to shoulder presses
  • Carry bag to base of spa
  • Base of spa: 10 squat cleans
  • Carry bag to top of spa

When a sandbagger finished, they joined the EMOM circuit. Once all sandbaggers finished, that round was done. The groups then switched and repeated.

Extra Thang
Simultaneous spittoons:

  • 60 sandees
  • 300 goblet squats

There’s-still-time-left Thang
Run down and back up the hill. 15 thrusters at the spa. Repeat. PAX all completed about 3 rounds of this.

Moleskine:
My family had a week of annoying inconveniences. Work was busy. A stomach bug hit everyone in our house. We had to postpone Emilia’s birthday party. A classic @Bloomer moleskine comes to mind, "When you can’t get out of it, get into it". My M and I sucked it up and just got through it.

COT:

  • @LeMond’s BIL and @Big Mac’s uncle’s upcoming major surgeries

Backblast! X-Mas Beatdown that is NOT 12 Days of X-Mas

DATE: 2024-12-24
AO: #ao_mastodon
Q: @TBTF
PAX: @Stock boy @Linc @Falsetto @TBTF
FNGs: None
COUNT: 4

WOR:
Warm-Up (5 Minutes): “Rudolph’s Warm-Up Run”
· 2-minute jog (Imagine leading Santa’s sleigh! Stay light on your feet.)
· Reindeer High Knees– 30 seconds
· Toy Soldier Kicks– 30 seconds
· Arm Circles– 30 seconds (forward and back)
· Mountain Climbers– 30 seconds
· Reindeer Hops– 30 seconds (light squat jumps)
The Thang:
The Thang:
Christmas Movie-Themed Boot Camp
Circuit 1: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (8 Minutes)
Rudolph powered through adversity—this will make you push through too!
· Cinder Block Sleigh Pulls(2 minutes):
· We did more of a push around COOTES
· “Antler Lifts”(Overhead Coupon Press) – 1 minute

  • Reindeer Lunges– 1 minute

· “Reindeer Sprints”– 1 minute (Run 30-40 yards back and forth)
· Low Plank to Merkin– 1 minute
· Rest 1 minuteCircuit 2: “Home Alone: Escape the Bandits” (8 Minutes)
Work on your speed, strength, and agility to “escape” Harry and Marv!
· “Paint Can Swings”(Coupon Swings) – 1 minute
· “Booby Trap Sprints”– 2 minutes
· “Coupon Step-Ups”– 1 minute
· “Spider Crawl” (Bear Crawl 30 yards and back)– 1 minute
· Cinder Block Squat and Press– 1 minute
· Rest 1 minuteCircuit 3: “Die Hard Tower Challenge” (8 Minutes)
You’re John McClane climbing Nakatomi Plaza—time to get gritty!
· “Yippee-Ki-Yay Merkins”– 1 minute
· Perform explosive Merkins (clap if possible) or standard Merkins.
· Deadlifts– 1 minute
· “Vent Crawls” (Army Crawl 20 yards and back)– 1 minute
· “Explosive Escape” (Coupon Thrusters)– 1 minute
· Run To the Exit (up Hoffa and back)Circuit 4: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Grinch’s Strength” (8 Minutes)
Grow your strength three sizes this round!
· “Sled Pushes”– 1 minute
· Push the coupon across the ground as fast as possible.
· Grinchy Goblet Squats(with Coupon) – 1 minute
· “Mount Crumpit Climbers”– 1 minute
· Perform mountain climbers (fast pace).
· Coupon “Max Hold”– 1 minute
· Hold the block at shoulder height or above your head (static hold).
· Mount Crumpit Trail Run – 2 minutesCircuit 5: “Scrooged: Spirit of Fitness Past, Present, and Future” (8 Minutes) – We didn’t make it to this circuit due to time
Channel energy through all the ages of fitness!
· “Past” Dead Stop Merkins– 1 minute
· Drop to the ground, pause for a second, push back up.
· “Present” Block Clean & Press– 1 minute
· Lift the block to your chest and press overhead.
· “Future” Run to Finish– 2 minutes
· To front entrance and back
· Coupon Russian Twists– 1 minute
· Plank Hold (Spirit of Endurance) – 1 minute
Moleskine:
Maintain perspective during the holiday season. For me this means to reflect on how God has blessed me in my life with health, an able body, a loving family, everyday safety, etcCOT:
@Linc for work relationships,
@Stock boy’s friend who is dealing with a health challenge
@Manhole’s dads heallth*routine sourced from downrange backblasts

Stocking Snatching

DATE: 2024-12-26
AO: #ao_mastodon
Q: @DQ
PAX: @Stock boy @Jailbreak @LouGee
FNGs: None
COUNT: 4
WOR:

  • SSH
  • Abe Vigodas
  • Arm Circles
  • Runners stretch

Thang 1
Mosey to, up, and down Hoffa to make sure it’s in suitable condition for a workout

Thang 2
PAX gathered at the top of Hoffa. There, many stockings filled with pieces of paper describing an exercise and rep count. Each PAX would go to a stocking, pick out a paper, and perform that exercise and rep count. After completing an exercise, run down to the bottom of Hoffa, do 10 SSH, and run back up. You then go to a stocking (either the same one you were working on, or a different one) and choose another sheet of paper and perform the exercise and reps. Repeat-o down and back up Hoffa.
If you get to a stocking and you draw the last exercise, you’ve claimed that stocking! And you got to hang it up proudly on your mantle (somewhere along the fence at the top of Hoffa).
The goal of this game was to collect as many stockings as possible. Strategies included working on one stocking, working across many stockings, keeping a close eye on other Pax and picking a sheet from their stocking in an attempt to swipe one away.
The Q put too many exercises in each stocking for a stocking count to really climb. @Stock boy and @DQ ended up on top, tied with 1 stocking a piece.

Moleskine:
When you’re going through a trial, some might have a tendency to isolate, but this is when you most need to lean into your community to get you through.

COT:

  • @Jailbreak’s mom not being able to spend Christmas with the family because of ailments
  • @Jailbreak’s friend who lives in Singapore, who is the only Christian in his family, and whose Christian community is all abroad

Ultimate

DATE: 2024-12-20
AO: #ao_flat_earth
Q:@DQ
PAX: @Bloomer @Shiplap @LeMond @Rosetta @White Noise @Candyland @Jack (Jose La Hoz) @Fiona @Cheese @Krampus @Jolly @TBTF @Tortuga @Banks @Panda Express
FNGs: None
COUNT: 16
WOR:

  • SSH
  • Down and back

The Thang:
Ultimate

Moleskine:
Matthew 7:1-2
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you"

COT:
@Rosetta with a new translation project