(01.26.22) – Clockwork “CORE”nge

AO: Lightning Rod

QIC: Lumbergh

PAX: Bob Evans, Herbie, Samurai, Walkman, Slash, Free Lunch, Steamy Nix,

Conditions

Frosty and foggy! But energy was high!

Warm up

  • SSH x 20 IC
  • 3rd Grade Exercise x 15 IC
  • Slow High Knees x 10 IC
  • Monkey Humpers x 10 IC
  • Windmills x 10 IC
  • Scissor Arms x 10 IC

Mosey to field

The Thang

Mosey to the middle of the field. Setting up five cones, one in the center of the field, the rest 20 yards away from center creating an ‘X’.

PAX starts in the center and always returns to the center station after visiting each station. Every time the PAX returns to the center of the field –> 5 Merkins (EVERYTIME)

  • Start with your Merkins
  • RUN to the first station do the work, NUR back to center
  • Continue thru this rotation, until all stations have been visited
  • Start next round by adding 5 more reps to each station, Merkins remain 5 reps always
  • Station 1 – Big Bois
  • Station 2 – Opposite Arm/Foot Touches in Pike Plank (HC)
  • Station 3 – Double Leg Raises (without touching the ground)
  • Station 4 – Pickle Draggers (HC)

COT

BEATING BURNOUT
Stress is a fact of professional life, but extreme and unrelenting pressures can lead to the debilitating state we call burnout.

Three symptoms characterize burnout: exhaustion; cynicism, or distancing oneself from work; and inefficacy, or feelings of incompetence and lack of achievement. Research has linked burnout to many health problems, including hypertension, sleep disturbances, depression, and substance abuse. Moreover, it can ruin relationships and jeopardize career prospects.

Resolving burnout often requires changes at the job, team, or organizational level. But you can also take steps toward recovery and prevention on your own: Prioritize your health, shift your perspective to determine which aspects of your situation are fixed and which can be changed, reduce exposure to the most stressful activities and relationships, and seek out helpful interpersonal connections.

It’s important to ward off burnout on your team as well: Insist on time for rest and renewal, set realistic work limits, boost your team’s sense of control, provide meaningful recognition, and ask people what help or training they need to succeed.

https://hbr.org/2016/11/beating-burnout

(1.7.22) Battle Buddies


AO: >Lightning Rod

QIC: > Walkman

PAX: > Herbie, Danish, Kiwi, Samurai, Bob Evans, Lumbergh, Slash, Steamy Nix



CONDITIONS

Thank the lord it was 50 degrees because it was WET. Poured on us the whole time but the liquid sunshine provided some great cooling for the beatdown.

Warm Up (Circle of Pain)

Warm up

  • Mosy to the track with our coupons, set the coupons on the goal line. Pax lined up for a six man run with one coupon. The coupon starts at the front, and is passed down the line until the last man has it, then the last man runs it to the front. Completed 2 laps then circled up for: Windmill, Third Grade Exercise, hammy stretch, Halo’s all x10.

The Thang

Partnered up and lined up on the goal line with one coupon per team. The team was responsible for moving the coupon to the other goal line.

Round 1: Lunge walk with coupon handoff every 5 yards. Every 20 yards stopped and the team completed 10 merkin squats (wheelbarrow position as a team, one member is doing merkins and the other is doing squats)

Round 2: Murder bunny (partner doing broad jumps) with coupon handoff every 5 yards. Every 20 yards, stopped and completed 10 merkin squats.

Round 3: Rifle carry (partner just walking) with coupon handoff every 5 yards. Every 20 yards, stopped and completed 10 Thrusters or squats. Raised the stakes – if a team missed a handoff, walked passed a line, or forgot to switch, they owed 5 penalty merkins. This increased communication on the teams and we only had 1 set of penalty merkins across all teams.

Round 4: Bear crawl with coupon drag, coupon switched every 5 yards. Every 20 yards, completed 10 big bois with coupon handoff. Penalty merkins in effect but the pax did great and nobody earned any.

We were tight for time, so started COT on the mosy, sorry everyone.

COT

YHC shared the adventures at The Grizzly – detailing the physical and mental challenges of the event and talking through the teamwork, external focus, and grit required to push through. Bob Evans and his physical preparation helped carry a lot of people, and Samurai’s attitude and mental toughness shined throughout the night. Great event that taught us a lot and I encourage everyone to consider one, and to prep for it accordingly.

Great work Men!

Walkman

(01.03.22) – Faster than Rain

AO: Lightning Rod

QIC: Lumbergh

PAX: Bob Evans, Walkman, Herbie, Kiwi, Free Lunch

Conditions

Wet, wet, wet but north of 40 degrees, which was a nice change of pace lately!

Warm up

  • SSH x 20 IC
  • 3rd Grade Exercise x 15 IC
  • Slow High Knees x 10 IC
  • Monkey Humpers x 10 IC
  • Windmills x 10 IC
  • Scissor Arms x 15 IC
  • SSH x 20

Mosey to track

The Thang

7 of Diamonds – Track Style (Burpees, Big Bois, Squats, Merkins)

Round 1 – Burpees

PAX Runs 400m (complete 7 Burpees) x 4

Round 2 – Big Bois

PAX Runs 400m (complete 14 Squats) x 4

Round 3 – Squats

PAX Runs 400m (complete 21 Big Bois) x 4

Round 4 – Merkins (not enough time to complete)

PAX Runs 400m (complete 28 Merkins) x 4

COT

3 tricks for setting–and sticking to–your New Year’s resolutions, according to career coaches

  • Ask Self Reflective Questions (What am I doing? Who am I with? How do I feel?) –> “Values are the bedrock on which you make decisions, when you rank these values – community, authenticity, faith, whatever they are – you can set goals based on those values.” – Susan Peppercorn
  • Focus on Smaller Goals
  • Find an accountability partner

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/31/how-to-crush-your-goals-in-the-new-year-according-to-career-coaches-.html

(12.15.21) I’ll Take Core for 1000, Alex!!


AO: >Lightning Rod

QIC: > Lumbergh

PAX: > Slash, Bob Evans, Stray Cat, Free Lunch, Steamy Nix, Herbie



CONDITIONS

Snowy I Hope~! Nope.

Warm Up (Circle of Pain)

  • SSH x 20 IC
  • Imperial Walkers x 10 IC
  • Windmill x 10 IC
  • Scissor Arm x 10 IC
  • Third Grade Exercise x 10 IC
  • Slow High Knees x 10 IC
  • Countdown from 5 single leg hamstring stretch, then switch
  • Countdown from 5 Quad stretch, then switch
  • Countdown from 5 calf stretch, then switch, walk feet to hands

The THANG

Partner up the PAX, line up on the endzone, repeat the below

ROUND 1

  • Partner 1 – Big Bois till Partner 2 returns
  • Partner 2 – Bear Crawl to 25 yard line and mosey back
  • Round complete after 250 Big Bois completed

ROUND 2

  • Partner 1 – Leg Raises till Partner 2 returns
  • Partner 2 – Broad Jump to 25 yard line and mosey back
  • Round complete after 250 Leg Raises completed

ROUND 3

  • Partner 1 – American Hammers till Partner 2 returns
  • Partner 2 – Lunge Walk to 25 yard line and mosey back
  • Round complete after 250 American Hammers completed

ROUND 4

  • Partner 1 – Reverse Snow Angels till Partner 2 returns
  • Partner 2 – Side Lunge Walk (switching halfway) to 25 yard line and mosey back
  • Round complete after 250 Reverse Snow Angels completed

Mosey back to LR!

Moleskin

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

When stress is at its peak, it’s hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

  1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones for other reasons, realize that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season.
  2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events or communities. Many may have websites, online support groups, social media sites or virtual events. They can offer support and companionship.If you’re feeling stress during the holidays, it also may help to talk to a friend or family member about your concerns. Try reaching out with a text, a call or a video chat.Volunteering your time or doing something to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships. For example, consider dropping off a meal and dessert at a friend’s home during the holidays.
  3. Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children or other relatives can’t come to your home, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos. Or meet virtually on a video call. Even though your holiday plans may look different this year, you can find ways to celebrate.
  4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they’re feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
  5. Stick to a budget. Before you do your gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.Try these alternatives:
    • Donate to a charity in someone’s name.
    • Give homemade gifts.
    • Start a family gift exchange.
  6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, connecting with friends and other activities. Consider whether you can shop online for any of your items. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That’ll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for meal prep and cleanup.
  7. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can’t participate in every project or activity. If it’s not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
  8. Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.Try these suggestions:
    • Have a healthy snack before holiday meals so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks.
    • Eat healthy meals.
    • Get plenty of sleep.
    • Include regular physical activity in your daily routine.
    • Try deep-breathing exercises, meditation or yoga.
    • Avoid excessive tobacco, alcohol and drug use.
    • Be aware of how the information culture can produce undue stress, and adjust the time you spend reading news and social media as you see fit.
  9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Find an activity you enjoy. Take a break by yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.Some options may include:
    • Taking a walk at night and stargazing
    • Listening to soothing music
    • Reading a book
  10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Take control of the holidays

Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays.

> That’s a wrap, Lumbergh

Battle Buddy


AO: >The Gauntlet

QIC: > Walkman

PAX: > Walkman



CONDITIONS

34 and damp! Quarter inch of ice greeted me on the car windows. But clear skies lead to a great workout. Solo was a great mental exercise!

Warm Up (Circle of Pain)

Running solo, YHC jogged a lap, completed scissor arms x 10, neck rolls x 10, windmill x10, Third Grade Exercise x 10, hammy stretch x 10.

The THANG

Ran 2.5 miles doing one lap, 10 merkins, 10 GT Squats, and side leg lifts x 20 with 20 second hold on each side, reapeato.

Plank x 60, side plank x 30 ea till time.

Moleskin

Don’t worry, I saved the real battle buddy beatdown for my next Q, and I’ll share my CoT about year end at that time too 🙂

Walkman

(12.10.21) Plant the COUPON


AO: >Lightning Rod

QIC: > Lumbergh

PAX: > Kiwi, Herbie, Steamy Nix, Slash



CONDITIONS

Nice 40 degree start to the day, ground damp but skies were mostly clear for the beatdown.

Warm Up (Circle of Pain)

  • SSH x 20 IC
  • Grab your coupon and mosey to the field
  • Windmill x 10 IC
  • Scissor Arm x 10 IC
  • Third Grade Exercise x 10 IC
  • Slow High Knees x 10 IC
  • Countdown from 5 single leg hamstring stretch, then switch
  • Countdown from 5 Quad stretch, then switch
  • Countdown from 5 calf stretch, then switch, walk feet to hands

The THANG

Round 1

Starting on the endzone, repeat the below

  • 25 curls
  • Rifle carry 100 yards
  • 25 curls
  • Carry the block (dealers choice)
  • Repeat twice
  • Run 400 meters
  • Hold plank to the PAX arrives

ROUND 2

  • 25 OH Presses
  • Rifle carry 100 yards
  • 25 OH Presses
  • Carry block (dealers choice)
  • Repeat twice
  • Run 400 meters
  • Hold plank to the PAX arrives

ROUND 3

  • 25 Block Up Leg Raises
  • Rifle carry 100 yards
  • 25 Block Up Leg Raises
  • Carry block (dealers choice)
  • Repeat twice
  • Run 400 meters
  • Until the six is in, LBCs x 10 IC, Flutter Kicks x 10 IC, Flutter Jacks x 10 IC, LBCs (heals planted) x 10 IC

Mosey back to LR!

Moleskin

Today its simple:

Love your family. Spend time, Be Kind, & Serve One Another. Make no room for Regrets. Tomorrow is not promised & today is short. Go cease it!

> That’s a wrap, Lumbergh

Title

A0: The Gauntlet

QIC: Walkman

PAX: Herbie, Houdini

Conditions

39 and chilly, but dry!

Warm up

All exercises x 12. Scissor Arms, Grady Corns, Third Grade Exercise, Imperial Walkers, Monkey Humpers, Hammy Stretch.

Light jog to the playground.

The Thang

Six man run (one lap, one lead per peson)

Pyramid workout.

Round 1: 10 burpees, 10 GT Squats, 5 pull ups, 10 hanging leg raises

10 merkins

Round 2: 9 burpees, 9 GT Squats, 4 pull ups, 9 hanging leg raises

10 merkins.

Repeato with 10 merkins between each round, descending to 8, 7,6,5 and then back up 5,6,7,8,9 and we ran out of time before completing the final round.

Mosey back to the track.

6MOM

Each x 25: Plank, Penguin, LBX, Frozen Freddie, Core Rocker (x15).

COT

YHC shared that being injured over the last 3 weeks made me realize how much the 2nd F is critical to what we do. I was doing my workouts at home – not nearly the same intensity for multiple reasons, but still physically challenging, but my M made the comment that she could tell I was missing something. The workouts themselves were not having the same impact on my patience, presence, attitude, joy, etc. I missed the gloom, struggling with other men in the same direction. I missed the fellowship piece, and it cannot be decoupled from fitness without limiting the impact. The need for fellowship is real.

The conversation expanded into what motivates/demotivates us and what we could do to be more inclusive and inviting to F3 for current and prospective participants.

Great work today Men!

Walkman

Accountability

A0: The Gauntlet

QIC: Walkman

PAX: Herbie, Free Lunch, FNG (Platypus), Kiwi

Conditions

45ish and drizzly. Thoroughly expected to get drenched but we were mostly dry other than ground work today!

Warm up

Monkey Humpers x 10, Third Grade Exercise x 10, Side Lunges x 16, Arm Scissors x 10, Imperial Squawkers x 10, Imperial Door Kicks x 10, Mosied a lap as a six man run.

The Thang

Six man run (one lap, one lead per peson)

Merkins x 25

Six Man Run with 3 merkins

Squat Jumps x 25

Six Man Run with 3 Squat Jumps

Burpees x 20

Six Man Run with 3 burpees

Bonnie Blairs x 15 (HC)

Six Man Run with 3 Bonnie Blairs (HC)

Lined up on the goal line for Pinwheels. A pinwheel is a 20 yard sprint with a movement done in a complete circle, repeato to the endzone. Completed Plank walks, Big Boy Pivots (big boy, swivel one direction without your hands or feet, repeato until you’ve made the whole circle). Dead Bugs – circles in both directions each 20 yards, and Peter Parkers.

6MOM

Penguins x 15, Frozen Freddies x 15, Side plank reach x 10 w/ side star x 5 – each side. Big Bois x 2.

COT

YHC shared that most of the successes and challenges I see people having in their lives come back to accountability. The people are embrace it, are good at it, and keep trying to be accountable continue to find success in those areas of their lives. People who avoid it, are bad at it, or don’t try it struggle more. It’s impossible to be fully accountable, especially given all the different aspects of our lives – relationships, kids, work, etc. But growing in accountability in each one of these aspects will yield benefits. In order to sharpen our aim, I shared the four things that an accountable person does:

  1. An accountable person does what they say they are going to do.
  2. When they can’t do 1, for any reason, they proactively communicate it to the stakeholders.
  3. They then own diagnosis of their own failure/shortcoming – they have to identify ‘why’ they missed. This includes asking for help if they can’t identify it themselves.
  4. they own taking corrective action – skilling up, better planning, etc. This includes asking for help if they don’t know how to correct it.

Great work today men!

Walkman

(10.30.21) – Courtyard Clockwork

AO: LavaField

QIC: Lumbergh

PAX: Herbie, Slumberkins

Conditions

Dry and windy with the early sun rising overhead.

Warm up

  • SSH x 20 IC
  • Seal Claps x 10 IC
  • Arm Circles x 10 IC (Fwd & Bkwd)
  • 3rd Grade Exercise x 10 IC
  • Windmill x 10 IC
  • Simple Quad Stretch x OYO

The Thang

Mosey to the courtyard

  • Start at one corner
  • One curl
  • Rifle carry to the next corner (long way)
  • One weighted squat
  • Weighted lunge walk (short way)
  • One Overhead Press
  • Rifle Carry to the next corner (long way)
  • One leg raise (while block pressed up)
  • Shoulder rack to other corner
  • Repeat, adding 5 reps each round (Round 1 one rep, Round 2 five reps, Round 3 ten reps, Round 4 fifteen reps)
  • After 4 rounds, PAX does a mosey lap around the courtyard, wall sit until six is in
  • Repeat rounds but start at twenty reps, adding 5 reps each round (eliminate the rifle carrys in this cycle)

Mosey back to the end zone

6MoM

  • 20 LBCs x IC
  • 20 Flutter Jacks x IC
  • 20 Flutter Kicks x IC
  • 10 American Hammers x IC
  • 20 Big Bois x IC EC
  • 10 Frozen Glute Bridge x IC

COT

Prayer for today

Dear Heavenly Father,

I struggle with worry. So many times throughout my day I catch myself thinking about my problems. I know focusing on my troubles isn’t healthy, but I can’t seem to stop worrying no matter how hard I try. Help me put an end to worry in my life and find peace through Jesus.

Lord, I choose to let my mind dwell in your goodness today. When I start worrying again, help me turn my thoughts back to you by reminding me of your promises. Jesus gave us his peace so that we could live free from worry. John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” Let the peace of Jesus overflow in my life. His peace is more powerful than my worrying.

When the cares of my heart are many, I will turn to you. I will rest in your presence and let your Holy Spirit comfort me. Thank you for your Word that says I don’t have to worry about anything. (Philippians 4:6)

In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

That’s a wrap

-Lumbergh

Meaning

AO: The Gauntlet

QIC: Walkman

PAX: Herbie, Danish, Free Lunch, Kiwi, Bob Evans

Conditions

48 and wet ground but no falling water. YHC was extremely pleased to see 5 pax in the gloom this morning! So pleasantly surprised it altered my workout and CoT.

Warm up

Mosy lap

Circle up and Mary Poopins x 10, Imperial Walkers x 10, Third Graders x 10, arm scissors x 10.

Mosy Lap

Pull up at the Shipping containers and grab a piece of wall – wall sits with Seal claps x 10, OHP x 12, Cherry Pickers x 12, Forward Arm Circles x 12, Reverse Arm Circles x 12. Mosy to the end zone.

The Thang

Line up on the end zone.

5 burpees, run to 10 yard line, 10 squats, run back.

5 burpees, run to 20 yard line, 20 squats.

Repeato to the 50.

Free lunch reminded us all that, to him, the fourth F is Fsquats.

Mosy to the bike rack stairs.

11’s – burpees at the bottom of stairs, merkins at the top. Start with 10 burpees, run up the stairs, 1 merkin, run down. 9 burpees, 2 merkins, repeato until 1 burpees and 10 merkins. YHC struggled mightily with the merkins! Danish found the dog poop (with his hand) right away, demonstrating great leadership by showing his team where the obstacles were and tackling them first. Great work Danish! Also – how ridiculous for someone to take their dog to the completely fake grass a few minute walk from real grass.

Bob Evans shared that the 3rd F is Faith, and for him it’s why he lives every day the way he does.

Mosied to the tennis courts and completed two sets of fish bones.

Kiwi shared that the second F is fellowship, and that anything in the world worth doing is worth doing with people. Real relationships are required for that to be the case.

Mosied to the starting point.

Penguins x 10, Frozen Freddies x 10, Side plank reaches L & R x 10, big bois x 10.

Danish shared that the first F is fitness, and that for him, fitness sets the stage for the rest of his day. It’s necessary for all the other things to go well.

COT

I had a different CoT planned for today, but when I showed up and saw 5 men were joining me I had to change course. I realized a frustrating internal perspective that I needed to put on the table and share with the group. I’d expected maybe 1 other guy, and as such was somewhat demotivated. Mind you, that’s only happened a few times, and each time it does, it’s great – the intimacy has value too. But the energy of more men is different. I felt I owed the group an apology for doubting them – for the negative expectation I had. How dare I lean into the negative expectation and doubt the value our time together has in the lives of each of you?

I was encouraged not to apologize and that none was necessary, and there’s some truth to that – we all do this for the value it brings to our lives. But there’s more than that. Herbie shared that he feels the same – it’s more motivating to see a larger group, and its also less motivating if you’re battling the fart sack and think it might just be you or only 1 or 2 guys. The importance of this probably varies person to person, but I enjoyed the conversation and appreciated everyones insight into that feeling and how we can think through it.

Thanks for the great start to the day!

Walkman