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7am 9/11/21 – A.O. Mastodon In honor of 9/11 we worked hard and spent time honoring those who lost their lives and talked about where we were when we heard the news 20 years ago.

WOR:

Side Straddle Hops x 15 IC
Goof Balls x 20 IC
Abe Vigodas x 20 IC
Step ups on coupon x 20 IC
Air Squats x 20 IC

The Thang

The World Trade center was 110 stories or 2226 steps. Roughly 1.1 miles. We grabbed our coupons and walked/jogged around the 1.1 mile loop past Dan Taylor alley. Along the way we stopped and did the following work for each number represented. We did the shorter loop around the lack passing the pool on the 2nd time around.

AA Flight 11 (Murder Bunnies) – crashed into North Tower @ 8:46am. 92 people died (sit ups)
US Flight 175 (Side Straddle Hops with partner) – South Tower @ 9:03am. 65 people died (Air squats)
AA Flight 77 (Coupon Rows) hit Pentagon at 9:37am. 64 people died (push ups)
UA Flight 94 (Coupon Step ups) Passengers retook the plane & it crashed. 44 people died (KB swings)

2977 people lost their lives that day. We did two burpees or blockies at the base of Hoffa and then ran up and did 9 and then ran down and did 7 and then ran back up and did 7 more.

COT: Prayed for 9/11 victims and families. Captain’s extended family who has COVID, Haiti, Afghanistan, Hurricane recovery and families displaced

Moleskin: John 15:12-13 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Pax: TBTF, Crack, Noodles, Cookies, Bad Debt, Jail Break, Dirty Laundry, Aloha, Bloomer, Captain Crunch

It was warmer this morning than it’s been recently. Great conditions at AO Tar Pit to get a sweat going. We did not disappoint!

WOR: Done in silence to honor the fallen on 9/11. We did some reps, but no talking, no count.

NOR: Beaker, Jolly, Shiplap, Cookies, DaVinci, Tortuga( Respect) Rainman, 8 Track, Katniss (Q)

*at this point our ironpax makeup group (Beaker and DaVinci) disappeared into the gloom to complete their mission. The rest of us moseyed to the top of the hill in front of the school, in front of the half mast American flag.*

Thang 1: The Rising

In 2002 Bruce Springsteen released an album about 9/11. We used the title track “The Rising” about the firefighters’ POV that morning – mixing side straddle hop, merkins, people’s chair during the verse and blockbees during the chorus.

The rest of the workout is inspired by lyrics from this song and the efforts of the 343 fireman we lost that day. “Lost track of how far I’ve gone. How far I’ve gone, how high I’ve climbed. On my back’s a sixty pound stone. On my shoulder a half mile of line.”

Thang 2: 343

The firefighters on September 11 climbed countless flights (110 in total) to reach victims in the Twin Towers. Their gear can weigh in excess of 75 lbs. Coincidentally, about the weight of two coupons.

…………..

Partner up.

Both partners must summit a staircase, but one partner must farmer carry two coupons to represent the 75lbs of firefighter gear.

Perform 343 cumulative reps together. Do this for 4 brutal exercises:

-Burpees

-Overhead press

-Thrusters

-Block merkins

Reps may only be done at the summit of a staircase

Only a max of 50 reps per partner before you must descend and pick another staircase

Do not repeat the same staircase until you’ve done at least one other staircase.

……………..

We did not complete the 343×4, but it was grueling all the same. Some groups made it through about half the total rep count. I heard mumble chatter like “I bet this was so much worse inside of a burning building.” Aye. Let’s give those men thanks.

Also let it be known, Shiplap broke a coupon on his march back to the flags. He may or may not have been trying to wheel his coupon back on his rolling speaker and said “Why haven’t I tried this before?” right before it cracked into pieces.

Moleskin: A recent WSJ article memorialized Todd Beamer, hero from AA Flight 93 on 9/11 (the guy who said “Let’s roll!”). The Airfone operator Todd spent 14 minutes relaying information to on the ground remarked that at certain points, she questioned the urgency and authenticity of Todd’s call because his voice was calm and steady the entire time. What gives you calm in the storm? Family? Reading scripture? Working out? Whatever it is – do more of it.

COT: We praised SAGA’s recent success with his exam, prayed for a healthy and safe delivery of Shiplap’s 4th son, and thanked God for the beauty and peace we live in each day since the chaos of September 11, 2001. And prayed for a return of the unity we all felt on September 12.

Backblast, 9/10/21. 5:30am, Ground Zero

Nothing exciting. We ran.

NOR: Crack, Jolly, T-Bone (respect) Panhandle (respect), Panda Express, Banks, Bloomer, Cookies (ruck), Giggles, Knight Rider, Gummi Bear, Cheese (respect), Tortuga (respect) Q

COT: Prayers for Saga’s exam, Noodles’ new job adjustment, Crack’s 2.0 internship and horse selection, travel, praise for bodies that work, recovery from nagging injuries.

The morning of an Iron Pax workout has a different feel to it. We had an unofficial record number of attendance at Tar Pit and also a record for IPC participants.

WOR: SSH x 25, Picking Daiseys, Arm Circles, Michael Phelps

NOR: Banks, Cookies, Zoro, Milk Duds, Archive, Tortuga (Respect), Jolly, 8 Track, Wet Burrito, Baby Sitter, Sparrow, Saga, Big Mac, T-Bone, Giggles, Panda Express, Ralphy, Crack, Panhandle, Shiplap (Q)

Had a great showing this morning for a good beatdown to work out that lactic acid buildup from yesterday’s IRON PAX.

WARMORAMA:

Abe Vigodas
Arm Circles
Mountain Man Poopers
Motivators
Squats

THE COUPON CODE!

Coupon codes were generated by finding a partner and calculating half of their age. The coupon codes were then used as individual rep counts for the remainder of the beatdown.

Thang One: Pearls on a String. Using your generated coupon code as the rep count, one partner caries both coupons to the next light pole while the other partner runs ahead and starts on his reps. Reps swapped between merkins and squats, and the coupon-carrying partner helped the other on their reps if they got to the next light pole early.

Thang Two: Hoffa Estates

We had a beautiful time at Hoffa Estates! One partner runs up Hoffa and the other partner completes their coupon code reps of each round. After the 6 rounds, we repeated the rounds with a lunge walk to the path and back approximately 50 yards away.

Round 1 Reps: Thrusters
Round 2 Reps: Skull Crushers
Round 3 Reps: One Arm Rows
Round 4 Reps: Curls
Round 5 Reps: Rows
Round 6 Reps: Kettle Swings

We ended with a COT. Colossians 1 was referenced as the moleskin for the morning, but more specifically verses 15-23 are an awesome short synopsis of the gospel. Verse 22 has become a life verse for me, and a great pick me up when I’m feeling discouraged or accused.

In attendance, Panhandle, BOGO, Da Vinci, Sparrow, 8-Track, SAGA, FNG (Giggles), T-Bone, Panda Express, Ralphie, Aloha, Cookies, Tortuga, Shiplap, Gummi Bear, Jolly, Big Mac

F3 is open to all men, led in a rotating fashion, happens rain or shine, outdoors, you’re responsible to know your body and modify as necessary.

Warmorama

Motivators

Picking Daisies

Butt kickers around the parking lot

High knees

Good Mornings

Bat wings.

Vaccine’s train our immune system to create proteins that fight disease which we call “antibodies.” Today’s antibody is targeted to combat the disease known as Ironpax-W1 variant. Symptoms of this particular variant include, muscle aches, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, vomiting and physical agony. It only afflicts males, and the primary risk factors appears to be those with a penchant for waking up at the wee hours of the morning.

The vaccination process is multi-step. For full effect, patients are advised to pursue good form and full range of motion.

Step 1. Mosey to Hoffa

Step 2. 5 forward murder bunnies.

Step 3. 5 double shoulder tapping pushups.

Step 4. 5 reverse murder bunnies.

Step 5. 3 blockees with thruster. Demonstrate form.

Step 6. 3 blockees with lateral jump

Step 7. 3 blockees with perpendicular jump.

Step 8. 3 blockees with lateral jump and vertical block

Step 9. 3 blockees with perpendicular jump and vertical block.

Vaccination is complete, unfortunately, early evidence suggests vaccination is about 1-3% effective at fighting all symptoms apart from confusion.

Thang 2 – Mono a mono.

20 minutes EMOM

BBSU, Curls, overhead press (Start at 6 of each, if you are successful, increase by one, if you are unsuccessful decrease by one.)

Moleskin: Vaccine’s work by preparing your body in advance for a future attack. If you wait until the attack and then want to get vaccinated, it’s too late.

We do something similar with F3, by practicing in somewhat low-stakes environments, we’re ready when our kids ask for an airplane ride or Da Vinci/Sparrow need help with a house project. If you throw out your back first and then want to get in shape, it’s too late.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

Putting on the armor of God, (Shield of Faith, Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Helmet of Salvation, Sword of Spirit which is the Word of God, Shoes of gospel peace) has to happen in advance SO THAT, in the day of evil, you will be able to stand your ground. Not when the day of evil comes, start putting on the armor now. It’s a vaccine. When the enemy approaches, if you don’t have your armor on, it’s too late.

A warm welcome to FNG Giggles!

Praise for brains and brawns provided by both Tortuga and Heist assisting with Sparrow’s demo, prayer for Big Mac’s 2.0.

Since our Weasel Shaker kindly reminded me Friday afternoon that I was on Q for this workout, the creativity was not flowing. Regardless, I think we managed to find a solid workout in the midst of our wandering. 15 PAX showed up to explore the AO with me.

Warm-o-Rama:
Side-straddle Hops IC – 25
Tappy Taps IC – 10
Arm Circles IC – 10 small forward, 10 small reverse, 10 large reverse, 10 large forward
Merkins IC – 10
Michael Phelps OYO while Q explained Thang 1

Thang 1 – Bataan Death March
PAX started to mosey clockwise around the AO. Last PAX in line dropped and performed 5 burpees then sprinted to the front. Repeat. We worked our way to Dan Taylor Alley in this fashion.

Thang 2 – Dan Taylors
PAX spread out across the width of the field, and then headed east performing Dan Taylors (1 squat, 4 walking lunges, 2 squats, 8 lunges, 3 squats, 12 lunges, etc.) until we reached the east end of the field.

Back to Bataan Death March – we continued our trek around the AO, stopping at the COOTIES station

Thang 3 – Station work
The PAX split into 3 groups. Each group started at one of the three stations, then rotated. The group at station 1 dictated when to rotate.
Round 1: Pullups (20 ea, 100 total), Atomic Merkins (AMRAP), Picnic Table Presses (AMRAP)
Round 2: Merkins (50 ea, 200 total), Dips (AMRAP), Super Mario (picnic table step-ups, AMRAP)

Thang 4 – Mary Hoffa
(At this point YHC was making things up on the fly, so the following may not be 100% accurate…)
PAX moved to the base of Hoffa and spread out.
Round 1: 50 Big Boi Sit-ups, run to top of hill, 50 Little Baby Crunches
Round 2: 50 American Hammers (2=1), run to top of hill, 25 WWI sit-ups
Round 3: YHC does not recall what reps were done, but all PAX were required to Bernie up the hill.

Time was called, PAX headed to the flag.

COT: Archive, Bad Debt, Captain Crunch, Cookies, Crash, Da Vinci, Dirty Laundry (FNG), Heist, Jailbreak, Jazz Hands, Minnie, SAGA, TBTF, Wet Burrito, Crack (Q)

Doughnuts kindly provided by Captain Crunch (penance for arriving late?) and Tortuga

15 PAX showed up on this beautiful Monday morning: @Archive (YDYM), @Crack (BD), @Saga (BD), @DaVinci (BD), @Sparrow (BD), @Cheese (YDYM), @Jolly (BD), @8track (YDYM), @Bloomer (BD), @Wetburrito (BD), @Pandaexpress (YDYM), @Cookies (YDYM), @Zoro (YDYM), @Aloha (YDYM), and @RangerRick (YDYM).

Moleskin: Today we discussed the difference between “excellence” and “perfection.”

Perfection is unrealistic and finite. It concerns the external, how we are perceived by others. In contrast, excellence is attainable as it is a continuous endeavor. It’s about challenging oneself to be better, to learn, and to grow beyond oneself.

Below is a slightly edited poem about it (author unknown).

Excellence is willing to be wrong
Perfection is the need to always be right

Excellence is freeing
Perfection is demanding

Excellence is what can I give to myself and others
Perfection is what does this require/can I take

Excellence is love/being vulnerable
Perfection is fear

Excellence is empowering
Perfection is anger and frustration/ being concerned about external appearance.

Excellence is accepting
Perfection is judgment

Excellence is confidence
Perfection is doubt

Excellence is a journey
Perfection is the destination

In sum, the pursuit of excellence is what defines those who join F3. We are here not only to better ourselves but also to give to others. So, as Bill and Ted have said “Be excellent to each other.”

COT: Lifted up thoughts re: people impacted by Hurricane Ida and for those trying to leave from Afghanistan.