Men, as you all probably know at this time, the governor is allowing for a staged reopening of the state of Texas on May 1. I understand that this exciting news, but please take it with caution. The overall recommendation is to still stay home as much as possible, but I also understand that cabin fever has been rough on us all. I am longing for the days of personal interaction outside of my house. There has been mumble chatter about setting up happy hours and in-person workouts. Each of you must decide for yourselves what you consider safe for you and your families. I will make recommendations, but each man here should be accelerating toward being a HIM and, therefore, must make the decisions most appropriate for his health and family.
Given the loosening of restrictions tomorrow, I recommend we continue to stage our Ultra Bluejeans Network (UBJN) workouts virtually as our main conduit of keeping 1F accelerating. However, I know that there are pockets of PAX that have and continue to meet in person in small groups at times outside the Gloom. If you can and/or have set up these workouts in a way that allows for proper distancing, keep it going! I would ask, however, that you keep the groups small (4-5 max). This is a time to show leadership and adaptability. If you have other ideas for workouts, themes or AO’s make use of them, blast it to your fellow PAX and share it on Twitter. I will also ask that you take pictures of your workouts and send to F150 for posting, but please make sure you’re not breaking any distancing rules to get that pic!
In conclusion, use your best judgment when thinking about non-virtual workouts. Don’t bring unnecessary attention to yourselves or F3 but use your leadership and creativity. We are out to positively influence other men and our communities! This is a great time to EH men in our communities with the number of men I see out exercising in solitude. Men, let it be known if you post outside of an UBJN virtual workout. This will encourage other PAX to post to workouts. Look on Twitter or Slack for workouts outside the region for a change up. A special thank you to Special Sauce, Agnes and others who have stepped in with the SIP Daily Challenges! These have been fantastic even though I have failed to complete one in quite a while. Keep it up! #coronavirus #isolatedbutnotseparated #isi
F3 Dallas Preblast April 19, 2020
Our mission is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership.
To join our virtual workouts click on “Virtual Workout AO” in the schedule.
Workout AOs:
MONDAY:
5:30 AM – 6:15 AM | Double Time Running & Mutt Ruck | Flag Pole Hill (Second Parking Area) | Q: Oatmeal
TUESDAY:
5:30 AM – 6:15 AM | Bootcamp Workout | Virtual Workout AO | Q: TBD
WEDNESDAY:
5:45 AM – 6:30 AM | Bootcamp Workout| Virtual Workout AO | Q: TBD
THURSDAY:
5:30 AM – 6:15 AM | Bootcamp Workout | Virtual Workout AO | Q: Podcast
FRIDAY:
5:30 AM – 6:15 AM | Bootcamp Workout | Virtual Workout AO | Q: TBD
SATURDAY:
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM | Bootcamp Workout | Virtual Workout AO | Q: TBD
Q Source AOs:
FRIDAY:
11:30 AM | Q Source | Check Twitter (@f3_dallas)
Q Source Groups are a great place to learn and explore the leadership philosophy of F3. We meet to improve our leadership skills for the benefit of our families, workplaces and neighborhoods. The philosophies are based on timeless principles, they are also useful for any group that wants to improve the leadership skills of its members.
WEATHER POLICY:
As Texas weather is never typical, know we do workout outdoors and our weather policy is…
1. We don’t cancel for cold, wind, or rain. If possible, we defy the forecast and POST!
2. We don’t mess with lightning. Lightning will kill you. If there’s lightning, we will relocated, cancel, or ENDEX.
3. Check Twitter for updates before the workout.
4. #SYITGF3
Fitness Test Circuit – 4/6/2020
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA:
PAX: Oatmeal, Rump Roast, Alright Alright, Sally, Draper, Shifty McCoy, F150
QIC: PowPow
AO: Virtual via the UBJN (Garages, backyards etc)
F3 DISCLAIMER & WELCOME: Umm…..
WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH x 15, ISTx15
THA THANG:
Fitness Test Circuit – All exercises OYO
- Burpees x 20
- Calf Raises x 30
- Ski Abs x 20 (each time across is a rep)
- Merkins x 20
- Squats x 20
- LBCs x 40
- Carolina Dry Dock x 20
- American Hammer x 20 (count = 1,1,2,2)
- Nipplers x 20
- Jump Squats x 20
- Mountain Climbers x 20 (count = 1,1,2,2)
After completing the above circuit, PAX partnered up to tackle the circuit Dora-style. The partner doing the “running” completes 10 single count side-straddle hops, then partners flapjack. The Dora circuit was:
Burpees > Calf Raises > Ski Abs > Merkins > Squats & LBCs. Same rep count as above.
Then switch back to OYO Circuit where Dora Circuit left off:
Carolina Dry Dock > American Hammer > Nipplers > Burpees > Calf Raises > Ski Abs > Merkins > Squats > LBCs > Carolina Dry Dock > American Hammer > Nipplers. Same rep count, Nipplers cut short for time.
MARY:
Done throughout workout
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
YHC shared what it has meant to him to be part of F3 DFW for the past year. Thank you to the PAX for everything they do to support each other and the community, accelerate F3 DFW and give it away. Thank you to Oatmeal for the EH.
MOLESKIN:
It was YHC’s one-year anniversary with F3 and VVQ (Virgin Virtual Q). Since YHC’s first post was the Q2 2019 Fitness Test, we paid homage with a fitness test circuit. Not sure why I decided to only go to Mountain Climbers when planning the workout.
Shifty took an extended bathroom break during the workout, leaving Rump Roast to do most of the Dora workout without a partner. Dora is tough over video call, it would have worked better if the partner doing the exercise just has to complete a pre-determined number of reps while the “running” partner performs AMRAP of an exercise that lets them keep eyes on the screen (SSH, IST, OH Claps). That way the exercising partner can complete the assigned reps and just start doing SSH and the other partner will see this and know when to switch. No verbal communication needed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Alright Alright is Q’ing a workout for Fort Worth on Wednesday. Draper has the regular Q that day and will likely converge with Fort Worth.
2. Don’t forget Special Sauce’s daily challenge from Saturday – reach out to someone! Do it today and then reach out to someone else tomorrow!
Go Run! 3/28/20
OYO workout (or grab another PAX but stay the requisite 6′) to bring back a little running into everyone’s life.
The Thang:
– 5 mi run (make it longer or shorter if need be based on pace)
@ each mile interval perform the following
x20 merkins
x40 squats
x60 Icebox palms out/thumbs up backward arm pulses (Hitchhikers)
Repeato, but goal is negative splits (i.e. each mile gets faster through the last one)
Modification: 1/2 mile interval for 2.5mi; 1.5x reps listed above
Mary when complete:
x20 flutter kicks DC
x20 heals to heaven
x20 side plank leg ups SC each leg
x20 sky pickles

Get some fresh air! 4/4/20
PAX: PowPow (in person), AlrightAlright (in spirit from another AO), perhaps others that have not confirmed
QIC: Oatmeal
AO: Any nearby park
Tha THANG:
YHC continued his aversion to the virtual workout to give you all a chance to stretch your legs. Find yourself a park and get some fresh cool air. But remember keep your SPACE!
1/2 mi run
30 bear crawl steps DC 1-1, 2-2
x10 Squats
x10 Peter Parker’s
x10 American hammers DC
x10 Crowd pleaser merkins
x10 E2K each leg
1/2 mi run
30 crab walk steps DC 1-1, 2-2
Repeato exercises
Repeato run
Alternate bear crawls and crab walks with each run
Continue for one hour! Have fun 🙂
#stircrazy
The Wheel of Pain Co-Staring Oatmeal
Pax:
Island Time, Special Sauce, Alright Alright, Draper, Sally, Ice Box, Siesta, Dem Apples, Oatmeal, 2 FNG’s Greenspan and Rainman. (I think I remembered everyone)
QIC:
YHC, Rump Roast
Weather:
46 degrees and beautiful
AO:
Burleson
Disclaimer:
Given
Warm-O-Rama:
SST’s x20 IC
IST’s x20 IC
Cotton Pickers x15 IC
Burpees x15 OYO (Because there was too much Mumbblechatter)
The Thang:
Mosey to the fountain at the Quad bro
Wheel – of – Pain (roughly 45min OYO)
Mosey back to Burleson
4mins of Mary
CoT:
YHC prayed us out
Announcements:
Texas Independance Day 18K comming up in 2wks
Mumblechatter:
The warm-o-rama had a lot of chatter that YHC self consciously took personally. So I decided to dole out some OYO Burpees to quiet the noise. Then we were off to the Quad and although our little clusters chatted it was much quieter. Once we got to the spot the chatter started again, especially, the fact YHC needed Oatmeal to explain the Wheel of Pain since even I had forgotten how awful it was. I heard about it that I didn’t have a speaker…. It was a rough crowd this morning! I believe Coach K would have been proud had he been present today. He was there in spirit.
I have to admit, I neglected to write everyone’s name down right after so I hope I didn’t leave anyone out. I also hope I got the FNG’s new names accurate. IT had been a while since I’ve lead a large group of men and it felt almost like a VQ. I hope I was able to mask that and pull off a solid beatdown. Until next week my friends!
I Feel the Need for Speed! 02/20/20
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA:
PAX: AlrightAlright, PowPow, Coach K, Special Sauce, Draper, Ina, Pepper
QIC: Oatmeal
AO: La Madeleine/SMU Track
F3 DISCLAIMER & WELCOME: Given in a brain fog
WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH x 20IC
IST x15IC
Windmills x 10IC
THA THANG:
YHC had the PAX to the track for some much needed speed work. We commenced the following with each PAX taking the lead for each length. Should the “12” not finish in the given time, there was to be punishment.
400m@95sec, 60 sec rest when the “six” finished with 20 squats during rest period
200m@45sec, 30 sec rest when the “six” finished with 10 merkins during rest period
400m@90sec, repeat active rest period with squats
200m@44sec, repeat active rest period with merkins
400m@89sec, repeat active rest period with squats
200m@43sec, repeat active rest period with merkins
400m@88sec, repeat active rest period with squats
400m@87sec, repeat active rest period with merkins
Half bleacher run
Mosey back to La Mad
Mary:
Homer/Marge with some mumble chatter by YHC adding a few exercises in throughout
Uptown crunch
Low dollie
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
YHC prayed us out.
MOLESKIN:
YHC had a need for speed this morning and brought along the PAX for some fun on what was a blustery and wet winter morn. The challenge was to get faster with each “rep” or face punishment. Unfortunately, YHC did not set stretch goals to allow us to fail in a safe environment so we coasted through the workout without any punishment. YHC did note that this workout created quite the excitement (or fear) to exceed the targeted times with each run. So much so that the jumpy PAX false started numerous times on one particular 200m run so YHC thought 10 burpees would quell the skittish PAX. It appeared to have the desired effect as there were no more false starts!
Once again YHC had issues with the opening disclaimer. For the life of me, I cannot understand why it is so hard to remember an announcement that we hear every morning. Perhaps it’s the Gloom, my reduced posts or my age. No matter, I shall endeavor to get my act together.
Overall, I think the workout met my desired objective and I think we, as PAX, could use more speed work with faster times!
Impromptu Q
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA:
PAX: Bleep, Chairman Mao, Coach K, Ina, Slushii, Special Sauce, Ultra, Beater (F3 Indy), Dontcha Know (F3 Greensboro)
QIC: Alright Alright
AO: Caruth Park
F3 DISCLAIMER & WELCOME: Given
WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH x20
IST x15
Squats x10
Merkins x5
THA THANG:
Run
Merkins x5 IC
Run
Merkins x5 IC
Run
Merkins x5 IC
Burpees x6 for not picking up the 6
Run
Merkins x5 IC
Burpees x3 for lollygagging
Run
Merkins x5 IC
Run
Merkins x5 IC
Run
Merkins x5 IC
Mosey to Tennis Courts
Burpee Dan with Increasing Burpees across both courts and back
Dirty McDeuce
Alternating Lunges x12
WWI Sit Ups x12
Overhead Claps x12
Bear Crawl Across Both Courts
Crawl Bear Back
Repeato x3
MARY:
Maybe, don’t really remember.
The Heist
PAX: AlrightAlright, Ant Man, Boom!erang, Draper, Icebox, Ina, Livemau5, Oatmeal, Pepper, Plus One, PowPow, Rump Roast, Shifty McCoy, Toto, Special Sauce, Squints (FNG), Sweet Baby,
QIC: Coach K (colloquially Mastermind)
AO: Highland Park / Park Cities / SMU
Disclaimer: Given to extend to injuries to any person. Specifically held people strictly liable for any damage to my truck.
Warm-O-Rama:
SSH x15; IST x15
Tha Thang:
See attached routes. There were two separate groups who ran unique routes with unique exercises. One launched from Burleson and the other group launched from Caruth.
Teams:
Team 1 – Alright Alright, Ant Man, Squints, Toto
Team 2 – Ina, Livemau5, Pepper, Plus One, Pow Pow, Special Sauce
Team 3 – Boomerang, Coach K, Draper, Oatmeal, Icebox, Rump Roast, Shifty McCoy, Sweet Baby
Mumblechatter:
Before YHC gets too far down this verbose post, I’m soliciting honest feedback for these types of workouts. If y’all want this to be more than a once-a-year thing, then YHC can make it happen. Putting this together was genuinely fun for me, so if the people enjoy it then YHC is happy to deliver. Also soliciting any opinions on changes/tweaks to make the experience better for the group and from a competitive standpoint. Livemau5 and Boom!erang mentioned at Bubba’s that the intro/preblast was a fun selling point, which I’m glad to hear.
0530. YHC almost got arrested this morning. We’ll start there. Apparently in Highland Park, using chalk on sidewalks is considered “graffiti”. YHC talked his way out, and then had to skillfully dodge the fuzz at 6 other locations to get the arena set.
0645. PAX started trickling in, and a few PAX were late (to be addressed later). Teams were randomly sorted, so they don’t align with the February teams. Instructions were given, and after a brief cell phone number snafu the Caruth drop team was informed that we were in fact driving to Caruth to launch. Icebox was given command of the Burleson drop, and two cars full of men drove to Caruth right on schedule to get things kicked off. That said, the adventures of our Burleson drop are unbeknownst to me. Rumor has it, Shifty McCoy got to ride on PAX back during some bear crawls.
0700. Brief warm-up before getting things started. It was at this point, we learned that reading every word of the instructions given would be the demise of the day as it ultimately was for one unfortunate group. We knocked out some reps before a 1.3 mile run through Caruth, down Turtle Creek, to Williams Park. Alright Alright and Toto jaywalked across Lover’s, and the rest of the PAX had a conversation about breaking the laws. As YHC had been threatened with arrest for breaking the law, didn’t have much of a leg to stand on. Once we arrived at the Pavilion, YHC was informed the northern part is technically “Goar Park”. Whoops. The Pavilion is a good landmark, so all PAX arrived accordingly.
0710. By the time we arrived, the Burleson drop team had all received instructions to send us the exercises we needed to do. Not to brag, but the timing of this whole thing worked out about as perfectly as YHC could hope. The race was designed to keep the groups connected despite running different routes. Likewise, we had instructions to send them exercises to do at their next stop. We knocked out 60 quick reps at “Goar” Park before running a lonely route up University Blvd to the main quad. The stoplights were not favorable to 4 PAX who got caught by traffic.
0722. Our group had the unfortunate task of crawl bearing up the quad stairs. Pretty simple, right? Alright Alright and Toto had a sizeable lead at this point, but they were still in sight on the way to La Madeleine. Pepper pulled an interesting maneuver over the fence and through the bushes as a shortcut to La Madeleine. We’re not quite sure how much time this saved, but most PAX just ran around. We had a quick debate again on the rules of off-roading it, and there was nothing that explicitly precluded one from leaving the sidewalk, so.
0727. Here’s where “The Office” trivia failed every group. The instructions were for our group to call the others and say “The Tea in Nepal is Very Hot” to which the other group had a list of options to respond. The response (if correct) meant a 10-count, but the wrong responses meant 15 burpees. Only one team managed to make the right choice, and of course it was the team with the lead going in. AA and Toto took off towards the track, while the rest of us suffered through a few extra burpees. This is also where YHC had his run-in with the law.
0734. On the way into the track was a symbol, but it was for the other group. Pepper was the only one to mistakenly jot it down (symbols were color coded by team). We all got to the track and some soccer/track nonsense was going on. They had lights and cameras – it was a whole ordeal. We got an extra breather as we had to wheelbarrow 100m. On the way out, teams ran right by the actual logo and had to circle back, which gave YHC’s time to catch up a bit. Pepper realized the error of his ways, and the three teams were on a neck and neck jail break up to Burleson.
0740. Just like YHC drew it up, the Burleson drop team had arrived only moments before the Caruth teams. Teams got together to figure out the 5-digit code to break into the truck. Team 1 was the first in the truck, and they got a letter (that was perfectly burnt around the edges and dyed because YHC goes the extra mile). Their team started on a final jailbreak to the getaway car at the top of the Burleson garage. Team 2 soon after got into the truck follow by YHC’s team. Now, YHC noticed that the actual treasure (a sandbag) was still left in the car. Team 1 broke into the truck but left the goods. All three teams were on a final dash up the ramps, and Team 3 (with the bag) strolled up to a posing Team 1 where the unfortunate news that they’d missed the treasure was announced. Team 1 was the fastest team arriving at the getaway car (an exotic hot wheels) before anyone else.
0747. Fast forward a bit, and YHC realized we had 13 minutes of a beatdown left. Remember the stragglers who rolled up late? We did 5 burpees for each of them (totaling 15) followed by some Mary.
Heels to Heaven. Bear Crawl down a ramp.
Freddie Mercury. Bear Crawl down a ramp. Run to the bottom of the garage.
Flutter Kicks, LBCs, Penguin Crunches.
AYG sprint to Burleson.
Heels to Heaven.
Body Destroyer.
0800. Now we had an FNG to name. We got a lot of ammunition from saving lives, CPR, working in the same pit as feature in Ferris Bueller. Ultimately, we settled on Squints. Since the group this morning was shy on their Sandlot knowledge let me break that down. Squints faked drowning to get CPR from Wendy Peppercorn and steal a kiss. After all that, YHC announced that we had smashed the weekly attendance record by 10+. It was also a record for a Coach K Q. On top of all that, we are at 5 FNGs for the month. 5 more to go before Oatmeal takes his dive.
After several trips to deliver people to the abandoned cars at Caruth, 9 (maybe 10) PAX rallied at Bubba’s where the “treasure” snafu was debated a little bit more in good fun. We talked about the workout, the Highland Park popo, the Ticket announcement coming in a couple days, spoilers for 1917, and the Crescent/Uptown area.
If I haven’t lost you yet, thanks to everyone who showed up this morning and busted their ass. It means a lot to me when people engage with these non-traditional workouts, so I appreciate y’all.
Oatmeal’s Toy Box – 1/30/2020
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA:
PAX: Coach K, Sex Panther
QIC: Oatmeal
AO: Burleson Park
F3 DISCLAIMER & WELCOME: Given
WARM-O-RAMA:
SSH x 15IC
IST x15IC
Windmill x 10IC
THA THANG:
Ring of Fire with toys AMRAP for one minute.
Stations:
- Battle Rope
- Swerkins (the real ones with knees to chest in each rep)
- Sandbag Squat Press
- Pullups
- Pipe bomb curls
- Plank Press
- Pipe bomb OHP
- Seal crawl
After each minute of exercises PAX grabbed a coupon and performed one in rotation of the following after each ROF exercise over an approximate 30 yds:
- Backwards coupon drag
- Coupon duck walks
- Cusaks
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
YHC prayed us out.
MOLESKIN:
We started the workout a minute of two late because THC was late arriving to the AO and unloading the toys took a several minutes as did a less-than-stellar setup before kickoff. Mumble chatter started with a bit of surprise and eagerness for the toys, but subsided as we got going. Being there were only three of us, one of whom was Coach K, who nary speaks a word during workouts, but was a fabulous recognizer of patterns this morning. Hats off to his elementary school teachers, as I assume he is much too young to have used, much less known about a Simon. The other two of us were much too winded to say much or perhaps it was just that we were taking in the 90’s hip-hop mix that YHC had planned for the workout! Special thanks to Pow Pow for the battle rope and Frisbee.