“Keep It Simple” Boot Camp – 9/10/2020

“Keep It Simple” Boot Camp – 9/10/2020
14 PAX came out for a chilly Thursday AM beatdown. PAX in attendance include: Gummi Bear, Banks, Captain Crunch (2Q), HotBox, Bloomer, Sparrow, T-Bone, Shiplap, Katniss/Katness, Wet Burrito, Noodles, Archive, DaVnci, TBTF

We started with a quick WoR with Abe Vigotas x15 IC and Motivators x7 IC
We then moseyed to the COOTES and started with 25 pull ups and 25 merkin.

Next we made two single file lines. One line was the merkin line and the other was the squat line. Each PAX was able to call out the exercise of their line 1 time throughout our mosey around the Captain Crunch Mile (intended to do the full Archive mile but was running short on time). We did 25 merkins and 50 squats each time it was called. About half way we cut the reps to 15 merkins and 25 squats. Once the mosey was complete we made it back to the COOTES for 15 more pulls ups and 25 more merkins. For good measure we sprinted to the top of Hoffa and performed BBSs until all PAX were complete then bear crawled or crab walked down Hoffa and made our way back to the flag.

CoT – Prayers for the community and overall health of the PAX and families. There were a few specific requests that to be honest I can not recall right now but were part of the prayer.

9.11.20 — IPC week 3 EC Recovery Yoga

After a long week of solid posts and getting after coupons, squats, and general exertion, YHC invited and guilted various PAX down to the AO for some active recovery. The recipe was the same (see previous lists), but except for myself and Big Mac the players were all different! 6 PAX (Gummi Bear, Crack, Big Mac, SAGA, Tortuga, Captain Crunch) posted for the typical jog and some good time stretching out.

Nicely cool but no breeze. The clouds gave us a slight misting at the end as we wound down, which was well timed as a soft closing to our week. The feeling after was very chill and loose among all the PAX (check the Name-o-rama vid!).

COR/NOR/COT: Prayers for flexibility and grace with others and sustainable effort through the weeks — against injury and over extending — for the wisdom to know when to rest and to abide

9.11.2020 AO to AO Night Run

Six paxs; Crack, Double Beef & Chedder, Shamu, Noodles, Tortuga, and Gummibear posted at 9pm for a night run of 6 miles. Originally, we had just three paxs HC, but within a few hours of the event we had three more HCs including Double Beef and Chedder HC’ing with a buzzer beater minutes before.

Warm up: 5 minute stretch followed by about a quarter mile jog

Thang: Run from AO mastodan to AO Tarpit and back. 6 miles. This was a group run that included several releases. It was awesome to see that we all came in under 54 minutes to complete this. Kudos to Noodles for coming in under 54 minutes having never run six miles before, with his longest run prior to this being 2 miles. Running 6 miles at under a 9 minute mile pace!

Cooldown: walk around parking lot and stretch on your own.

NOR/COT: Crack; time away from home for work and hosting students at his home. Noodles and all of us being thankful for a group such as this to be able to post at for a 9pm friday workout and push one another.

Moleskin: It really is awesome to throw out a friday evening workout event idea such as this and get such a good response.

IronPax Week 2 Backblast

Today’s workout was expertly crafted by the HIM of F3Greenwood. We did exactly what was specified, but added our own spin, specifically: Sprinklers and Flamingos.

Winners: Banks, T-Bone, Captain Crunch, Saga, Crack, Too Big To Fail, Gummy Bear, Big Mac, Shiplap, Noodles, Katness, Tortuga, Sparrow

Here’s the short version (see embedded GIF):

Here’s a link to the long version:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/chr4ybxjd1d8olm/F3-wheaton-ironpax-week-2-full-length-video.MOV?dl=0
(Note to future readers, that dropbox link will be dead sometime within the next 80 years, as will I. Future readers, is the future cool? Do you have jetpacks, flying cars, or child safety seats that buckle easily? Do bicycle helmets still pinch your neck skin? Do you still carry a “phone” in your pocket, or are they implanted? Do you even call it a phone? If someone offers you a “phone” implant that says “666”, don’t do it.)

Here are the details of the workout:
https://f3greenwood.com/2020/09/06/2020-ironpax-challenge-week-2/

9.8 Big Bang Y2K

15 PAX for a IPC warmup.

WOR- Motivators x7, Super Slow Windmills, Super Slow Tappy Taps, Balancing Stick.

Karaoke, Carioca, Bernie, Mosey a 1/4 mile. HIIT (Mosey 4 Lampposts, Sprint 2) Rest of the way back to the playground.

Thang 1: Big Bang (Theory)- PAX circles up and runs/does an increasing number of yards straight backwards/ reps of an exercise. 10 yards/ 10 Kickthroughs, 20 boat/canoe, 30 flutters, 40 oblique crunches, 50 oblique crunches. Q ended up jumping the ball field fence for last three exercises.

Thang 2: Mosey to tennis court.

Y2K- Split into two teams and race to finish a Millennial each. 100 reps of: American Hammers, Imperial Walkers, SSHs, Bernie Shuttle Run 10x, Flutters, Shuttle Run, Crunchy Frogs, 100 count Boat Canoe. More were planned but Q ran out of time.

Great way to prep for IPC!

Moleskine- It’s so much better to be doing the Millennial together rather than doing reps alone in the dark.

COR NOR: Archive (Q), Captain Crunch, Hotbox, Shiplap, Gummi Bear, Shamu, Da Vinci, SAGA, Panhandle, Tortuga, Bloomer, Big Mac, Yoyo Rabbit, DBC, Crack

BOM- Prayers for health and safety especially as kids return to school.

9.7.20 — Labor Day: Fellowship of the Ruck

The Fellowship: 9 Ruckers (Gummi Bear, DaVinci, Panhandle, TBTF, Tortuga, Noodles, Shiplap, Sparrow, Captain Crunch)

Jumping at the long weekend’s opportunity for some extended ruck-work, the nine met at AO-Mastodon at the customary time to begin their trek to breakfast. (not exactly a shortcut to breakfast, but it was perhaps “second breakfast” for some.) Flag in hand, they filed out 2 by 2 to at a brisk, but conversational, pace. (Just outside the AO, penalty burpees were awarded to the whole group for the only flag-drop of the journey. Whether from punishment or patriotism, vigilance was maintained the rest of the morning.)

No Motor Vehicles were used

We rucked to good conversation down Jewell Rd. and up the Prairie Path to Geneva Rd., heading over to the beginning of the Geneva Spur. Our destination: The (soon* to be properly renamed) “Hopewell” Mounds. A short trek on a narrow path and we found ourselves at a nondescript spot with a sign. Thankfully, local guide DaVinci filled in the picture we lacked with historical background and a brief description of the people who had come thousands of years before us and lived by and migrated on the rivers that we now crisscross with our own journeys.

After a brief reflection, the bugs and the time turned our path homeward, and the fellowship began breaking. Gummi Bear and DaVinci began their trek directly back to the AO as the remaining 7 headed south, to pass by Sparrow’s residence and wave at his family.

Despite the Q’s best efforts to foul up his navigation, we did manage to make good time back to Wheaton, saying farewell to TBTF and Panhandle after navigating Lincoln Marsh, and proceeding on to downtown meeting, now 5, for a good hearty breakfast at Egg’lectic’s tent dining on Hale St.

Overall about 8 miles covered before breakfast, with a total time under weight of 128 min, including stops (16 min/mile overall average).

COR/NOR/COT: Blessings on the group, healing for the aches and pains of the PAX — gratitude and intercession for the Ms that made the trip possible — for those working and those unemployed amid the pandemic — for courage and durability as we look to the winter.

After a good breakfast, Tortuga headed south and Noodles parked downtown, leaving the remaining 3 to make the return mile back to the AO.

Great conversation the whole time. After this ruck and HotBox’s Q, I feel like I’ve gotten to know people a lot better and can more appreciate the depth and richness of the collective story we are building. An encouraging day at the start of a new year of school and the rounding out of the 3rd year of F3 Wheaton. Thanks, HIMs of Wheaton!

9.5.2020 EC- Just Banks and Me.

In spirit and heart the Q was present at AO Mastodon at 05:20am ready for business. The Q’s body however, arrived at the AO slightly later; at 5:33am. As the Q drove up, no cars were visible in the parking lot. All was quiet, all was peaceful. The Q stepped from his vehicle, wondering if he would be alone today. As he looked around he noticed, leaning against a light pole, one solitary bicycle. About five feet away from the bike a man lay on his back, on the ground, his knees up, his head resting on the earth, his eyes cast heavenward, observing the vast and seemingly endless sky, and perhaps thinking how small one is in comparison to the universe. That man was banks.

Warm Up: Jog

Thang: Jog

Cooldown: Jog

Banks and I stepped off by jogging to get warm. The cool crisp air was intoxicating. The stillness on a Saturday morning, even starker then that of a weekday morning. We felt as if we were the only ones living, while the world slept on. As we headed south on west street, the sounds of lawn sprinklers could be heard. Crickets were still chirping their evening chants. We dominated the road, with no vehicles in sight.

For good measure, I kept banks on his toes so he would not be lulled into sleep by the sandman and the enchanting early morning sounds. I would tell him to turn at the very last second, and would often take turns unnecessarily. This was part of his training today.

We ventured out about 2.3 miles and then back again 2.3 miles. On the way back we were galloping passed Marianos, with the bakery smells wafting into our nasal passages, when just there was what appeared to be some form of an exercise group comprised of about 20 individuals, most of them women, who were standing near their vehicles. They proceeded to stare at us in a quizzical sort manner. It was a hard silent stare, and we were not sure what it was concerning. Perhaps they thought we were part of their group coming to join and them. Some things we shall never know. We continued on, undeterred. Up Main street, the sun was coming out, the city was starting to awake from its slumber, to slowly start its Saturday dance. The workers were setting up the french market. But we did not stop, we pressed on. We turned west on Prairie, and we knew home was not far away. There, just around that bend, AO Mastodon awaited us.

COT – Amen

9.4.20 — Yoga Day (reprise)

Back by popular demand and bodily necessity, 10 sore PAX (DaVinci, Sparrow, Shiplap, Wet Burrito, SAGA, Compost (FNG!), HotBox, Banks, Bloomer, Captain Crunch) arrived for an EC recovery day. The day was slightly chilly and misty so they got warm and then got limber.

Warm-O-Rama:

  • Run a quick half-mile, including the hill. Get a lather going. Then head to the tennis court for some good traction and a non-lumpy surface.

Check-in

  • Straight leg forward fold (note how far you can stretch)
  • Seated forward fold (hips then round back)
  • Squat Butterfly

Beginning

  • Begin in Child’s Pose, extending arms in front of you
  • Plank to Down Dog to Forward Fold
  • Extra: Hands interlaced behind your back, stretch knuckles to sky and lean forward slightly

Table / Mountain (Cycle x 4)

  • Forward Fold (toe-touch)
  • Table Pose (straight back, bend knees if needed)
  • Forward Fold (toe-touch)
  • Mountain Pose (hands raised but open in a Y-shape)

Low Lunge

  • Plank (knees if needed) / Up Dog / Down Dog
  • R Leg Lift then forward to Low Lunge to
  • Crescent Pose (arms raised but open, tail-bone tucked in, abs engaged)
  • Split Prep (hands down, forward leg straight, rest on back knee)
  • Walk hands forward and lift back knee, then raise forward hand high Low-Lunge+T-Plank (hold)
  • Lower back knee, reach high hand back for a quad stretch (hold)
  • Both legs back into Cobra
  • (Switch legs and repeat)

Warrior

  • Down Dog
  • Move R foot forward to Low Lunge
  • Turn out back foot 90 degrees and move into Warrior 1 (hands raised) (hold)
  • Warrior 2 (hands forward and back)
  • Reverse Warrior (move forward hand high, back hand rests)

Camel Cycle

  • Table Top to Kneeling (toes curled is slightly easier)
  • Half-Camel pose (hands out straight in front, then rotate gaze and hands straight up)
  • While still looking/reaching up, reach behind with your R hand to touch your R heel (hold)
  • (repeat this motion with the other hand)
  • Full Camel – work both hands back to your heels and open your chest to the sky

Pigeon stretch

  • Lying down, place R foot on left knee, raise left knee and pull gently towards your body with both hands
  • Half-Happy Baby – place your R hand in the arch of your R foot, keeping the 90 degree bend at the knee, straighten the opposite leg to the floor, and pull R knee gently towards the ground.

————–

Advanced Circuits (if time allows; attempt with caution)

Deep Lunges

  • Low-Lunge position, but elbows down alongside your front leg (or just reach your hands down as far as you can)
  • Side Lunge – rotate your straight leg out on the heel, hands planted for support
  • (switch sides)

Bridge(+Wheel) and Plow

  • Bridge on your back, bring you feet right below your knees. Lift your hips (inhale, then squeeze your glutes and abs before you engage your back muscles) and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
  • Wheel (crazy): from bridge, place your palms flat on the ground (by your ears, fingers toward your toes, elbows close) with your core engaged, then push upward with your arms, stabilize and then hold
  • Shoulder Stand / Plow: From your back, lift your legs up and support your lower back with your hands (elbows on the ground). Work your weight onto your shoulders, pointing your legs as high as possible. For Plow, slowly move your legs over your head to touch your toes to the ground (if possible). Hold.

————–

Spinal Twist (closing)

  • Grab your R knee in your opposite hand and pull it across your body, straightening your right arm out away from your body. (hold)
  • (repeat this cycle with your other leg)
  • Pull both knees to your chest and rest in an egg shape, rolling slightly on your back
  • Corpse Pose (hold for a while, relax, breathe)

Check-in

  • Straight leg forward fold (note how far you can stretch)
  • Seated forward fold (hips then round back)
  • Squat Butterfly

COR/NOR/COT: Prayer for the recovery and health of the group as they hit it hard this month. — for JazzHands’ battles with insomnia and other PAX as they fight the fartsack and attempt to live out their best intentions.

9.3.20 — The Good Form Q

The PAX (Big Mac, Wet Burrito, SAGA, DaVinci, Archive, HotBox, Crack, Crash, Shiplap, Bloomer, Panhandle, Banks, C3PO, Tortuga, Gummi Bear, Captain Crunch) met in the Gloom on with a chill in the air. The Q had just finished re-watching our performance on IronPAX and felt it was time for a word of exhortation and a chance to practice on what he preached.

Warm-O-Rama

  • Imperial Walkers
  • Arm Circles / Seal Claps / Raise the Roof

(a long-winded speech on the evils of Bad Form and the virtues of a different path)

  • Jog to North baseball/soccer field

The PAX broke into two teams and were charged with calling out bad form in the other team as we did reps to failure. Subsequently, very good form was used by all and no penalties were awarded.

Form Fight! (Team Call Out x3 Penalty: Each member does 5 Burpees)

  • Slow Ranger Merkins – To Failure without breaking form
  • Slow Deep Squats – To Failure without breaking form (or most still standing after 2 min)
  • Plank – To Failure without breaking form

No Mercy Mile (as per usual we only had time for 400m)

  • Bear Crawl (100yd)
  • Jog (100yd, 25 Merkins at half-way) (Individual call-out penalty +5 reps)
  • Lunge (100yd) (Individual call-out penalty: go back three stones)
  • Jog (100yd, 25 Squats at half-way) (Individual call-out penalty +5 reps)

Not Enough Mary

  • T-Plank (on elbow) hip-dips
  • Flutters IC x 25 (Straight. Legs. Pointed. Toes.) no time for more… 😥

(jog back to flag)

COR / NOR / COT: For the integrity to watch our form in all aspects of life and choose to do things the right way no matter how hard — the courage to lovingly call a brother out and encourage good form.

IPC: Week 1

The PAX of F3-Wheaton felt the gloom in full force this morning. The much needed rain that fell left a slight haze across the football field at the Tar Pit, and less humid temperature reminded us the fall is quickly approaching. As each PAX arrived YHC felt the anticipation of the PAX as each stretched on their own getting ready for Week 1 of IPC.

WOR: Quick 200 meter jog, Goof Balls IC x 15, Good Balls 2.0 IC x 10, Picking Daisey’s IC x 10, walk right x 10, walk left x 10, Baby arm circles forward progressing bigger OYO, reverse baby arm circles progressing bigger OYO. Demenstration of IPC exersizes – Thanks @gummibear.

The Thang: Complete the following exercises, EMOM complete 3 Burpees

50 Hand Release Release Merkins

100 Leg Lifts

150 Jungle Boi Squats “2Spoonz Style”

200 Big Boy Sit-ups

250 Stationary Lunge Steps (the easy way)

PAX: Archive (Monday), Banks, Big Mac, Captain Crunch, Crack, DaVinci, Gummi Bear, Katniss, Noodles, Saga, Shiplap, Sparrow, TBTF, Tortuga (respect), Sweet Treats

COT: Praise the Lord for the group, the growth we have seen, the support, and the fellow ship. Praying for all of the sickness and safety or teachers, students, and all of society.