Author: f3straycat

  • 8.14.23 Killer B’s Redux

    AO#ao_lightningrod
    Q@Stray Cat (Portland, OR)
    PAX@Red Curry @Rip @Sketch , Ratchet
    FNGs: 1 Ratchet
    COUNT: 5

    WARMUP:
    SSH x 20IC
    Toy Soldiers x 10 IC
    Third Grade x 10 IC
    Halos x 10 IC
    Forward Arm Circles x 5 IC
    Backward Arm Circles x 5 IC
    Jane Fondas x 10 IC (both sides)

    Mosey to Field
    Rows x 25 IC
    Decline Merkins x 25 IC
    Rows x 15 IC

    THE THANG:
    Killer B’s:
    Line up on end zone
    10 yds broad jump
    10 burpees
    10 Bonnie Blairs (HC)
    10 Big Boys
    Repeat above 3x
    Bear Crawl back
    Repeat until out of time
    MARY:
    Rows x 15 IC
    LBCs x 40 IC
    Flutter Kicks x 30 IC
    Big Boys x 25 IC
    Superman Hold 30 IC
    Mosey back to Lightning Rod
    ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    COT:
    I’m struggling with some internet addiction.  We had a lot of mumble chatter about this.  Generally people recommend technology to limit access and turning off notifications.  I’m going to try this and maybe make a GO30 in September.
    StrayCat out

  • 7.26.2023 Health is Wealth

    AO#ao_lightningrod
    Q@Stray Cat (Portland, OR)
    PAX@Red Curry
    FNGs: None
    COUNT: 2

    WARMUP:
    SSH x 25IC
    Third Grade x 10IC
    Scissor Arms x 10IC
    Imperial Squat Walkers x 10IC
    Toy Soldiers x 10IC
    Don Quixote’s x 10IC
    Halos x 10IC
    Jane Fondas x 10IC (both sides)
    Mosey to Track

    THE THANG:
    Rows x 10IC
    Dips x 12 IC
    Repeat above 3x

    30 YDS Broad Jump Burpees
    30 YDS Bear Crawls
    Repeat above 3X

    50 Big Boys
    Run all bleacher stairs
    Repeat above 2X
    Return to Lightning Rod

    MARY:
    Flutter Kicks x 25IC
    Superman’s x 10IC (two times)

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    Saturday at @Ghost (Eagle Creek, OR)

    COT:
    Went to the Doctor yesterday for the first time in 10 years (not recommended).  I’m grateful for F3, since I would definitely not enjoy the health I have without all of you helping me get in shape.

    -StrayCat Out

  • 7.24.23 Ex-Girlfriend V2

    AO#ao_lightningrod
    Q@Stray Cat (Portland, OR)
    PAX@Red Curry @Output (Eagle Creek, OR) , Hatch
    FNGs: None
    COUNT: 4

    WARMUP:
    SSH x 25IC
    Don Quixote x 10IC
    Toy Soldiers x 10IC
    Daisy Pickers x 10IC
    Halos x 10IC
    Forward Arm Circles x 10IC
    Backward Arm Circles x 10IC
    Mosey to Playground
    Plank on Merry-Go-Round (rotate together)
    Dips x 12IC

    THE THANG:
    10 Man Makers
    Rifle Carry Down Hill
    30 Coupon Swings
    Murder Bunny Uphill
    Repeat above for time

    MARY:
    Plank 20 sec
    Side Plank 20 sec
    Side Plank 20 sec other side
    Flutter Kicks x 30IC
    LBC x 30IC
    Box Cutters x 25IC
    Jane Fondas x 10IC (each side)

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    CSAUP

    COT:
    I saw some people on Twitter discussing if Sleep should be the other half of “The Queen” (in addition to diet).  I think sleep is very important for health, and I’ve struggled getting good sleep in summer.  Here are some tips:

    1. Invest in a better mattress and bedding
    2. Block out light
    3. Minimize noise
    4. Set Thermostat to 65 to 68F
    5. Get at least 7 hours sleep
    6. Set your alarm for the same time each day
    7. Keep naps around 20 min
    8. Relax for 30 min before bed
    9. Disconnect devices 60 min before bed
    10. Get 30 minutes of natural light exposure
    11. Exercise for at least 20 minutes each day
    12. Limit caffeine after 2pm
    13. Limit alcohol 60 min before bedtime
    14. Eat Dinner a few hours before bed
    15. Limit nicotine use and smoke exposure
    16. Reserve your bed for sleep and sex only
    17. If you can’t sleep, get out of bed after 20 minutes and so something without screens or much light
    18. Keep a sleep diary

    -StrayCat

  • 7/21/23 Form School

    Backblast! Form School
    DATE: 2023-07-21
    AO#ao_lightningrod
    Q@Stray Cat (Portland, OR)
    PAX@Red Curry @Rip @Unicorn , Phobos
    FNGs: 1 Phobos
    COUNT: 5

    WARMUP:
    SSH  IC25
    Toy Soldiers IC10
    Third Grade Exercise IC10
    Halos IC10
    Forward Arm Circles IC5
    Backward Arm Circles IC5
    Scissor Arms IC10
    Slow High Knees IC10
    Mosey to Field

    HardStyle Bigboys x 10
    Three sets:
    Strict Rows IC12
    Strict Squats IC12

    Strict Merkins to Failure

    THE THANG:
    10 Strict Form Burpees
    40 Yds Lunge Walk
    10 Strict Form Merkins
    40 Yds Bear Crawl
    20 Yds DeadBug Shuffle

    MARY:
    Mosey back to flag
    FlutterKicks IC25
    LBC IC25

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    Timberline Trail
    Ghost CSAUP

    COT:
    Good Timber
    by Douglas Malloch
    The tree that never had to fight
    For sun and sky and air and light,
    But stood out in the open plain
    And always got its share of rain,
    Never became a forest king
    But lived and died a scrubby thing.
    The man who never had to toil
    To gain and farm his patch of soil,
    Who never had to win his share
    Of sun and sky and light and air,
    Never became a manly man
    But lived and died as he began.
    Good timber does not grow with ease:
    The stronger wind, the stronger trees;
    The further sky, the greater length;
    The more the storm, the more the strength.
    By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
    In trees and men good timbers grow.
    Where thickest lies the forest growth,
    We find the patriarchs of both.
    And they hold counsel with the stars
    Whose broken branches show the scars
    Of many winds and much of strife.
    This is the common law of life.

    it was great to see Unicorn 2.0 (Phobos) at this beatdown.
    -StrayCat Out

  • 7.15.23 Good Timber

    Backblast! Good Timber
    DATE: 2023-07-15
    AO#ao_thedeepend
    Q@Stray Cat (Portland, OR)
    PAX@Spinner (Beaverton, OR)@Goon , Boomerang, Cemento
    FNGs: 1 Cemento
    COUNT: 5
    WARMUP:
    SSH x 25
    Third Grade Exercise x 10
    Don Quiote x 10
    Imperial Walkers x 10
    Halo x 10
    Scissor arms x 10

    Mosey to Skate Park
    2 sets of hardstyle big boys
    2 sets of strict dips on picnic bench

    Mosey to field
    3 sets of strict rows
    2 sets of strict squats
    2 sets of strict merkins

    THE THANG:
    10 Strict Form Burpees
    20 yds Strict Lunge Walk
    10 Strict Merkins
    20 yds bear crawl
    Repeat above 2X

    20 yds dead bug shuffle
    20 yds Crab Walk

    MARY:
    25 HC Flutter Kicks
    25 HC LBC
    25 Leg Raises

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    CSAUP at @Ghost (Eagle Creek, OR) place
    CSAUP Timerline Trails

    COT:
    Good Timber
    by Douglas Malloch
    The tree that never had to fight
    For sun and sky and air and light,
    But stood out in the open plain
    And always got its share of rain,
    Never became a forest king
    But lived and died a scrubby thing.
    The man who never had to toil
    To gain and farm his patch of soil,
    Who never had to win his share
    Of sun and sky and light and air,
    Never became a manly man
    But lived and died as he began.
    Good timber does not grow with ease:
    The stronger wind, the stronger trees;
    The further sky, the greater length;
    The more the storm, the more the strength.
    By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
    In trees and men good timbers grow.
    Where thickest lies the forest growth,
    We find the patriarchs of both.
    And they hold counsel with the stars
    Whose broken branches show the scars
    Of many winds and much of strife.
    This is the common law of life.

  • 06.19.2023 Risk

    AO: Lightning Rod

    QIC: @StrayCat

    PAX: @Red Curry, @Goon, @Train (Downranger)

    Conditions: 47deg & got out before the rain started

    MISSION | PRINCIPLES | DISCLAIMER

    The mission of F3 Nation is to Plant, Grow and Serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership.

    F3 is a community of men holding one another accountable to become better.

    Fitness is what brings us together,

    Fellowship is what creates long lasting relationships, and

    Faith is what motivates us to serve and improve our communities.

    Warm-O-Rama

    SSH – IC – 20

    Slow High Knees – IC – 10

    Don Quixotes – IC – 10

    Fast High Knees – IC – 10

    Butt Kickers – IC – 10

    Big Arm Circles Forward – IC – 10

    Big Arm Circles Backward – IC – 10

    Toy Soldiers – IC – 10

    MOSEY to track

    The Thang:

    AMRAP

    • 20 Rows
    • 20 Merkins
    • Bear Crawl 40 YDS
    • 3 Burpees/5 Broadjumps 40 YDS

    Repeat above until out of time

    COT:

    I watched MoneyBall (again) last week. I was reminded about the importance of taking risks. The manager (Brad Pitt) basically bet his career on a new system of building a team, and everyone expected him to fail. When the season was complete, he had changed the entire trajectory of baseball.

    I’ve been working in engineering for about 30 years. The Engineers who do the worst in their careers are the ones who “play it safe”. This typically means taking a a government job where it’s difficult to be fired. I don’t think it’s possible to have maximum impact without taking risks. You have to voluntarily subject yourself to challenges, or you are not doing all you can be.

    If you fail, you have still gained knowledge. So in some sense it is impossible to fail.

    -StrayCat

  • 06.05.2023 – Burner!

    AO: Lightning Rod

    QIC: @StrayCat

    PAX:  @Goon, @FreeLunch, @RedCurry, @Rip, @Unicorn

    Conditions: 50deg and clear

    MISSION | PRINCIPLES | DISCLAIMER

    Warm-O-Rama

    SSH – IC – 25

    Don Quiote – IC – 10

    Imperial Squat Walkers – IC – 10

    Scissor Arms – IC – 10

    Halos – IC – 10

    • MOSEY to the field

    THANG:

    Rows – 20

    Run to top of hill

    Big Boys – 20

    Run to top of hill behind Ben Franklin

    Merkins – 20

    Continue clockwise Run to Field and line up on side line

    Crabwalk to Center of Field

    Imperial Squat Walkers – 20

    Dead bug shuffle to other side line

    Repeat above for time

    Run back to Lightning Rod

    MoM:

    LBCs – IC – 25

    COT:

    CoT Disclaimer:

    We close this thing, the circle of trust, with a brief “shout-out” or prayer or moment of silence – that’s up to the leader. F3 is open to men of all faiths and no faith, and we respect and encourage the moments of openness and honesty of our brothers. We do it because we are thankful for the opportunity to come together and build ourselves into better men and because the vocal and corporate expression of that gratitude builds a strong community.

    Carl Jung: “Hurry is not of the Devil, it is the Devil”

    Psalm 23 for busy people:

    THE LORD IS MY PACE SETTER, I shall not rush,

    He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals,

    He provides me with images of stillness,

    Which restore my serenity.

    He leads me in ways of efficiency,

    through calmness of mind; and his guidance is peace. Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,

    I will not fret, for his presence is here.

    His timelessness, his all-importance will keep me in balance.

    He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,

    by anointing my head with his oils of tranquility,

    My cup of joyous energy overflows.

    Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours,

    For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,

    and dwell in his house for ever.

    …-StrayCat Out

  • 05.22.2023 No Running (but not easy)

    AO: Lightning Rod

    VQ: @StrayCat

    PAX: @RedCurry, @Goon

    Conditions: 50deg, dry

    MISSION | PRINCIPLES | DISCLAIMER

    Warm-O-Rama

    SSH – IC – 30

    Windmills– IC – 10

    Mosey to Field

    Halos – IC – 10

    Butt Kickers – IC – 10

    Slow High Knees – IC – 10

    Jane Fondas (both legs)– IC – 10

    • Pre-Thang

    20 Rows

    Run up Hill

    20 Hand Release Merkins

    Run down hill

    Repeat above 3x

    The Thang:

    Exercises:

    (Traveling around 1/2 of field Clock-wise)

    1. 50 YDS Lunge Walk
    2. 5 Burpees
    3. 40 YDS Bear Crawl
    4. 5 Burpees
    5. 50 YDS Broad Jump
    6. 5 Burpees
    7. 40 YDS Dead Bug Shuffle
    8. 5 Burpees

    Repeat until out of time (PAX completed about 1-1/2 rounds)

    Go to Center of Field

    Flutter Kicks – IC x 35

    LBC – IC x 25

    COT:

    I reflected on the mission of F3 to build male community leadership. The goal is not money, or power or fame for the leader – though there is nothing wrong with those things. The ultimate goal is to build stronger communities.

    I spent the last week with my Daughter’s class of Eight graders in Catalina. Both the fitness and leadership developed in F3 helped me to be effective in my role. It was especially helpful in getting a group of 12 eight grade boys to go to sleep at 10 pm. One of the other chaperones heard that I was “scary” from one of the students. Ultimately that helped all the students have a good week with sufficient sleep.

    From the Q Source:

    Leadership is a skill that a person must learn and master during their lifetime rather than an attribute of their character with which they are born. As a skill, it is like learning to play the piano. If it were an attribute, it would be like having blue eyes or a square jaw.

    Because it is a skill, a person must commit to learning to lead in the same way that they would learn to play the piano. The degree to which they will ultimately master it will depend both upon their natural ability and their willingness to practice. Because we are all born with some leadership ability, even a man with very little natural skill can still be an effective leader if he is willing to practice hard. But a man who will not practice at all will never master the skill even if he is born with the heart of a lion. The decision to become an effective leader is volitional. No one else can make it for you.

    Straycat out

  • 05.03.2023 Ex-Girlfriend

    AO: Lightning Rod

    VQ: @StrayCat

    PAX: @RedCurry, @Rip, @TwoDollars, @Goon, @Output

    Conditions: 45deg, dry

    MISSION | PRINCIPLES | DISCLAIMER

    Warm-O-Rama

    SSH – IC – 30

    Windmills– IC – 10

    Hillbillies – IC – 10

    Imperial Walkers – IC – 10

    Toy Soldiers – IC – 10

    Bridge – IC – 30 count

    Jane Fondas (both legs)– IC – 10

    Third Grade Exercise- IC -10

    Scissor Arms – IC -10

    • MOSEY to Playground w/ Coupon

    Hold plank on Merry-go-round and rotate CW and CCW together per Q

    20 dips (1/2 PAX)

    Pullups (other 1/2 PAX, then rotate)

    The Thang:

    MOSEY to Ex-Girlfriend

    Exercises:

    1. Coupon Swings x 20 (bottom of hill)
    2. Murder Bunnies to top of hill
    3. Man Makers x 10 (top of hill)
    4. Rifle Carry Coupon back down hill

    Repeat until out of time

    Mosey back to Lightning Rod

    Flutter Kicks – IC x 30

    COT: (From Walkman’s post in Mumble Chatter):

    These three things are non-negotiables to be awesome, effective leaders—

    Competence: knowledge, ability, expertise (duh)

    Alliance Building: meaningful connections (harder)

    Wholeness: showing up with all of who you are to confront the demands of reality (hardest)

    One of these three accounts for 80% of your effectiveness.

    I’ve also heard Jordan Peterson talk about the importance of facing the dragon (causing you anxiety) in its cave. This is much better for you than waiting for the dragon to come and find you.

    Goon also shared about the difference between Cows and Buffalo. Cows run away from storms and Buffalo run to the storms. Buffalo spend much less time in the actual storm than cows.

    Straycat out

  • 04.19.2023 So-crates

    AO: Lightning Rod

    VQ: @StrayCat

    PAX: @RedCurry, @Rip, @FreeLunch

    Conditions: 35deg, misty/raining

    MISSION | PRINCIPLES | DISCLAIMER

    Warm-O-Rama

    SSH – IC – 20

    Windmills– IC – 10

    Toy Soldiers – IC – 10

    Slow High Knees – IC – 10

    Third Grade Exercise- IC -10

    Halos – IC – 10

    Scissor Arms – IC -10

    Big Arm Circles – IC – 10

    • MOSEY to field w/ Coupon

    Rows – IC x 20

    The Thang: Line up on sideline of field

    Exercises:

    1. Manmakers x 10
    2. Coupon Swings x 10
    3. Merkins walk on Coupon x 10
    4. Lunge walk w/ Coupon to other side
    5. Curls x 10
    6. Overhead Press x 10
    7. Big boys x 30
    8. Rifle Carry back

    Repeat until out of time

    Rows – IC x 20

    Decline Merkin – IC x 15

    Mosey back to Lightning Rod

    COT: (From “The Art of Manliness”)

    I’ve started working out with my son (mostly running) and getting in shape for Mt. Hood backpacking. He has gone on four runs with me now. I’ve been thinking about the importance of making physical fitness a habit and ran across this quote from Socrates:

    Editor’s Note: In his Memorabilia, Xenophon, a student of Socrates, shares a dialogue between Socrates and one of Socrates’ disciples named Epigenes. On noticing his companion was in poor condition for a young man, the philosopher admonished him by saying, “You look as if you need exercise, Epigenes.” To which the young man replied, “Well, I’m not an athlete, Socrates.” Socrates then offered the following response.

    Just as much as the competitors entered for Olympia. Or do you count the life and death struggle with their enemies, upon which, it may be, the Athenians will enter, but a small thing? Why, many, thanks to their bad condition, lose their life in the perils of war or save it disgracefully: many, just for this same cause, are taken prisoners, and then either pass the rest of their days, perhaps, in slavery of the hardest kind, or, after meeting with cruel sufferings and paying, sometimes, more than they have, live on, destitute and in misery. Many, again, by their bodily weakness earn infamy, being thought cowards. Or do you despise these, the rewards of bad condition, and think that you can easily endure such things? And yet I suppose that what has to be borne by anyone who takes care to keep his body in good condition is far lighter and far pleasanter than these things. Or is it that you think bad condition healthier and generally more serviceable than good, or do you despise the effects of good condition? And yet the results of physical fitness are the direct opposite of those that follow from unfitness. The fit are healthy and strong; and many, as a consequence, save themselves decorously on the battle-field and escape all the dangers of war; many help friends and do good to their country and for this cause earn gratitude; get great glory and gain very high honors, and for this cause live henceforth a pleasanter and better life, and leave to their children better means of winning a livelihood.

    I tell you, because military training is not publicly recognized by the state, you must not make that an excuse for being a whit less careful in attending to it yourself. For you may rest assured that there is no kind of struggle, apart from war, and no undertaking in which you will be worse off by keeping your body in better fettle. For in everything that men do the body is useful; and in all uses of the body it is of great importance to be in as high a state of physical efficiency as possible. Why, even in the process of thinking, in which the use of the body seems to be reduced to a minimum, it is matter of common knowledge that grave mistakes may often be traced to bad health. And because the body is in a bad condition, loss of memory, depression, discontent, insanity often assail the mind so violently as to drive whatever knowledge it contains clean out of it. But a sound and healthy body is a strong protection to a man, and at least there is no danger then of such a calamity happening to him through physical weakness: on the contrary, it is likely that his sound condition will serve to produce effects the opposite of those that arise from bad condition. And surely a man of sense would submit to anything to obtain the effects that are the opposite of those mentioned in my list.

    Besides, it is a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit. But you cannot see that, if you are careless; for it will not come of its own accord.

    Straycat out