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No Spelling Bees Were Won Today in Old English

QIC:  Gusher

Date: 3/17/2020

PAX: Pediasure, Recycle, FNG-Glamper, Whittler, Friar Tuck (respect), Hambone, Moneyball, Blindside, Mr. Clean, Fissure, Burrito

AO: Smackdown

Conditions

Mildly cold, predominantly moist, extreme fog conditions, W-Road and Front of Mountain were treacherous, high risk flu, pollen count high, wind SSW 4mph, dew point at an even 48%, UV Index at 0.

COP

Delayed Disclaimer

Forward Fold (IC); Willie Mays Hays (IC), Disclaimer for FNG’s arrival at 5:32am; Warmup resumed with SSH (IC); Imperial Stormkickers (IC); Baby Arm Circle (IC); Reverse Baby Arm Circle (IC); Jog around the track through the fog.

The Thang

Gathered in a broad circle so as to not make contact per CDC’s instructions; Gathered as a group of 12, exceeding the limit of CDC’s instructions. 50% obedience rate.
THE PATRICK

Plankjacks (25)

Alternating Shoulder Tap Merkins (15)

Twinkle Toes (25)

Red Bull Smurf Jacks (IC was the goal)

Imperial Walkers (20 each leg)

Carolina Drydocks (15)

Knerkins (10)

Each round followed by suicides (three rounds total as St. Patrick was ardent defender of orthodox Trinitarianism)

One Round of Burpeecide: one group does the burpeecides (10 burpees total) while other group does LBCs, then switch.

Marys: Flutter kicks (IC); Freddie Mercury (IC)

COT

We are in an unusual time of anxiety and fear with this pandemic. In the Bible we are often told to “fear not” in situations that are naturally fearful. It never helps to tell people to stop fearing. There always needs to be a reason greater not to fear than the cause of the fear itself. The Bible will often say, “fear not” whatever is before you, rather, fear God. We always fear what we are most aware of. We should be live in all situations fearing God, which is to live in constant awareness of who He is. But fearing God involves not only awe of his greatness, but also trust and love. We have someone in control that is greater than the unknown before us, in this case of the virus. It is a great cause for concern and a call to exercise caution and wisdom. But we are to be more aware of God than we are of the virus.

St. Patrick’s most famous prayer was called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” where he prayed for courage and protection from God above. The lines shared today are: Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. We go forth in our callings with God’s protection and with wisdom from above.
BALL OF MAN: Non contact BoM.

Moleskin

Patrick is not easy to spell when it is broken down into exercises. Well, at least not easy for YHC. Burrito, of course, knows how to spell perfectly well and will humbly remind the Q. YHC is grateful. First round was almost PATRCK (Russian spelling, just ask Dostoevsky). Second round was almost PATRIK (French spelling, just ask Dumas). Final round was the correct spelling of PATRICK (Irish spelling, just ask Bono). Mumble Chatter was constant by one for whom we are all grateful. Burrito can’t count in cadence with Red Bull speed so had to modify. FNG came out in a pandemic, served in two branches of the military, flew planes, and is known mostly for glamping and can’t unsee Burrito’s pepperoni pressed against glass.

News

2nd F Third Thursday is cancelled.

Stay tuned into Slack for any changes in procedure during these interesting times. Slack will also help productivity at work from home.

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    More Burpees and All Pax Shouted, “Amen”… kind of, almost

    QIC:  Gusher

    Date: 02/18/2020

    PAX: Friar Tuck, Booby Trap, Newport, Blindside, Prosciutto, Laces Out (Respect), Pediasure, Moneyball, Burrito

    AO: Smackdown

    Conditions

    Temperature, moderate; Moisture, indecisive — on again off again. Flu risk, moderate; Allergy, low in our area; Running, perfect conditions; Sweat index, high risk; Mosquito activity, none; Fog, thick; Gas, heavy but healthy.

    COP

    Quick warm-up lap; SSH (30 IC); IW (15 IC); Willie Mays Hays (10 IC); Forward Fold (10 IC); SSH (21 IC)

    THE THANG
    Burpeecides with a Side of Fun
    Four cones marked the course for suicides. PAX begin at cone 1 with 1 burpee, proceed to cone 2 for 2 burpees. Return to Cone 1 and repeat singular burpee moving on to Cone 3 for 3 burpees. This same pattern continues to cone 4 for 4 burpees concluding with a burpee at the finish line. Each burpeecide round is a total of 13 burpees.

    PAX counted off by twos. Ones ran the burpeecide first while the second group performed an exercise (amrap) until all PAX completed their burpeecide. Once complete the groups switch places.

    Round 1: Burpeecide; squats

    Round 2: Burpeecide; block curls

    Round 3: Burpeecide; LBCs

    Round 4: Burpeecide; Monkey humpers

    Round 5: All PAX completed burpeecide together.

    MARY: LBCs (20 IC)

    COT

    Thought for the day: Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” We all wake up each day with challenges, burdens, anxieties, and cares. Often these are the easiest things to see and think about. But we are told that there are new mercies every morning, even in the midst of trials and sometimes in the trials. Encouraged the PAX to think about the everyday new mercies. May we have eyes to see them and hearts to give thanks for them.

    Moleskin

    A man learns a lot when doing burpees alongside others and hears even more. YHC was overwhelmed with the abundant joy and gratitude that came from all corners each time another burpeecide round was announced. Truly humbled. These are indeed grateful men. There was great sadness in the gloom when we ran out of time and only completed five of the ten rounds planned. World War I was filmed on an iPhone. Lots of mumble chatter during monkey-humpers. Ones never really knows where to look during monkey-humpers. Tip: don’t look down…it can get quite dizzy. One PAX’s parents were disappointed in having a boy. This came out during a reenactment of the Miracle on Ice. Not sure the connection, but I think his parents are pleased with the way things ended up, and not just for the USA Hockey team; Smackdown for sure is. Last night’s snacks are not savory in the morning. There is a lesson there.

    News

    Tuff Muff 2/22/2020 see Slack for details

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      Color Ernest Shackleton Impressed

      QIC:  Gusher

      Date: 01/21/2020

      PAX: Laces Out (Respect), Whittler, Friar Tuck, Pomade, Burrito, Blindside, Prosciutto

      AO: Smackdown

      Conditions

      Not even Shackleton would launch his ship in this stuff, but we’re the PAX of the mountain and we will embark. Weather app says chill index is very cold…understatement. Weather app says conditions are no good for running…underestimated the men of Smackdown. Weather app also says Dry Skin Index is of very high concern. Don’t know what that means. But its pretty cool in a creepy way the weather app has a skin index. Glad it wasn’t around during middle school.

      COP

      Easy lap around the track to get the blood moving

      SSH (20 IC); WMH (15 IC); IW (20 IC); 3rd Grade Ex (15 IC); LBAC Forward (10 IC)/Reverse (10 IC) Took a nice jaunt across the field to where the coupons mysteriously formed into a Stonehenge of sorts. So we moved them. We get things done.

      The Thang
      One Mile with exercises (AMRAP- style)

      Pax counted off by threes to alternate exercises until everyone completes lap. We do this four times for a mile. Goal is to keep moving and get as many reps as possible before traveling PAX return.

      Lap 1: Run lap, merkins (amrap), SSH (amrap)

      Lap 2: Run lap, LBCs (amrap), Squats (amrap)

      Lap 3: Run lap, Block Curls (amrap), Mountain Climbers (amrap)

      Lap 4: Block Squats (amrap), Dips on the Bleacher (amrap)

      Brief Stop at the Bowflex: Incline Merkins (10 IC), Box Jump to Top, Toe Merkins (30 OYO)

      Mary: Flutter Kick (20 IC); Freddie Mercury (20 IC); Heal Touches (20 IC); Shoulder Taps (10 IC)

      COT

      Continued reflection on the Landfill Tran-Situation (basically any opportunity to remind everyone to go back and read the backblast because it is gold-plated gold). Driving home from the Landfill, YHC remembered a brief prayer made by a minister who was robbed and it highlighted two qualities: grace and gratitude. All kindnesses and blessings, and even hardships that teach us things like endurance and perseverance, are graces. Whether that be trying tests of faith or peaceful moments of blessings. Our response in all things should be gratitude. The 18th century prayer is as follows: “Let me be thankful, first, because he never robbed me before; second, because although he took my purse [old English use of wallet or European man-satchel], he did not take my life; third, because although he took all I possessed, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.” That final petition is poignant. The only difference between a thief and one who does not thieve is grace. Not because I am better. Grace and gratitude.


      BALL OF MAN: It was cold. I don’t think anyone would have complained if we held on to this position a little longer than what would be socially acceptable.

      Moleskin

      It was bone-chilling; one possible suggestion was to Ball of Man the entire workout, maybe an eight-legged race, or something. It was good to have Burrito back after his Kevin Duranting around Nashville. He is home where he belongs and where he is embraced both literally and figuratively. Laces Out is a half marathon machine bringing Racoon Mt. to its knees. California will be getting some wild fire this week, but not the dangerous forest kind. Maybe some west coast handsy type stuff. Biggie Smalls ain’t dead.

      News

      No news is good news.

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        Every Time PAX Meet in the Rainy Gloom an Angel Gets His Wings

        QIC: Gusher

        Date: 12/10/2019

        PAX: Burrito, Prosciutto, Holy Kiss, Gecko, Friar Tuck, Blindside, Sidekick, FNG-Curd

        AO: Smackdown

        Conditions

        A nice wintry 57 degrees with rain and moist ground; no concern for flooding as we are on the high ground, yet we showered the valley with blessings

        COP

        A comfortable lap around the track; Imperial Walkers – 20 (IC); Willie Mays Hays – 15 (IC); Third Grade Exercises – 20 (IC) Baby Arm Circles – 15 (IC); Reverse Baby Arm Circles – 15 (IC); Cherry Pickers – 15 (IC)

        The Thang


        Followed the Star for a Christmas around the World with Facts/Myths about the Life of Good Ol’ St. Nick
        Smackdown Christmas tree rested like Stonehenge in the center of the Playing Field with Four Stations at each corner, representing the four corners of the world (more realistic if one is flat earth/metaphorical for the “world is round” folks). PAX begin with 5 Burpees at Stonehenge and then move to Station 1, returning to center for 5 more burpees before heading to Station 2. This pattern continues through Station 4 and then the 5th bonus station at the Smackdown Bowflex Fit Station (or “bleachers” for those who prefer word economy). Each Corner Station offers four gifts for the PAX of 25 reps each.

        Station 1 Gift Basket: Merkins; Squats; Squat Position Jab punches (2 count); SSH

        Station 2 Gift Basket: Plank Jacks; Frog Squats; Squat Position Upper cuts; LBCs

        Station 3 Gift Basket: Diver Bombers; Squat Jumps; Squat Position Ray Lewis; Smurf Jacks

        Station 4 Gift Basket: Mountain Climbers (2 count); Bonnie Blairs (Single); Squat Position Seal Clap; Big Boy Sit Ups

        Bowflex Station Gift Basket: Incline Merkins; Dips; Box Jump to Top; Toe Merkins…Repeat with 15 reps of Incline Merkins and Dips; Toe Merkins 20.

        Thang Fact/Myth Trivia: Station 1 – St Nicholas was 4th century bishop and defender of truth (Fact) and punched a heretic in the face (you decide whether fact or myth…either way our jabs were motivated by truth). Station 2 – in honor our man Friar Tuck we appreciated that St. Nicholas was the patron saint of archers (fact). Station 3 – there was no trivia at this station because YHC underestimated the pain of 25 dive bombers. He said negative things to himself silently while others, namely Burrito, made impressive midwife sounds. Station 4 – The legendary origin story of secret gift giving through the upper portion of one’s home (probably mythfactical) and learned about dowries.

        Mary: Flutter Kicks; Dolly; Rosalita (High Dolly); Freddie Mercury; Heal Touches; Pickle Pointers; LBCs

        COT

        On this VQ, YHC referenced his receiving a 9.3 month EH from his relentless brother, F3-Soaker. After exhausting every excuse, approached the gloom for the first time in September and gratitude and outlook increased for the good. Another brief personal example of how Smackdown has been a positive change, pointed the Pax to Philippians 2 and Paul (and Gecko’s) basis for encouraging one another to be more attentive to others than self. The basis is what makes Christmas so astounding and what motivates the other 11 months of the year. If Jesus who is God did not consider his deity a thing to flaunt but took on flesh to meet our greatest need, then we, too, can consider others. Expressions of thanks to the guys for coming out in less than welcoming weather to support the VQ. And big props to FNG-Curd and Holy Kiss for increasing the flock.

        Moleskin

        YHC needs to spend more quiet time in the Exicon. Got a bit confused with the boxer that corresponds to the jab or the upper cut. Joe Louis and Joe Frazier and the Detroit Red Wings were all mentioned at this point. The patience of the PAX is appreciated. Mom joker were dropping like rain during the Marys, you know who you are. Station 3 was horrible and almost took all the joy out of the season. There are many kinds of cheese. Spelling lesson ensued, curd is a substance mainly of casein, whereas kurd is a people group. We welcome the FNG-Curd from Wisconsin. Whittler was saving lives from unexpected dead things and he, Whittler, was missed by all, especially by Burrito. Fissure modeling leadership by taking care of family…was also missed.

        News

        Forgot to mention the new Third-F channel on Slack. If not forgotten, it would have been included here.

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