Author: nstockman

  • Midsummer Beatdown

    The idea of striving to become the best version of one’s self daily is not a new concept. Embarking on that goal through F3 Beatdowns takes that idea to another level. Every breath I take in a Beatdown is partnered with a sense of humility and camaraderie that I have not experienced elsewhere. The opportunity to Q this Beatdown at the Birdcage was something I embraced, and I hope the 24 PAX enjoyed it.

    Quick welcome, disclaimer, and we were off…

    After a brief mosey, the warm-up:
    SSH X 20
    Windmill X 20
    Grassgrabbers X 20
    Hillbilly X 20
    Merkin Ring of Fire (hold in plank while PAX to right does 10 merks, next PAX starts on 5 count…repeat until back to start)

    We then moseyed to a nice paved area for some pre-thang plyos:
    Shuffle Right/Shuffle Left X 30 yards, jog back to start
    Karaoke Right/Karaoke Left X 30 yards, jog back to start
    Backwards X 15 yards/Turn and Sprint X 15 jog back to start
    Sprint X 30, mosey to James J Audubon Statue

    The Thang:
    Partner up for some BLIMPS (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30) with a “Catch me if you Can” Twist
    Partner 1 completes the first exercise (5 Burpees) while Partner 2 jogs away down the driveway. When Partner 1 completes the reps he sprints to catch up with Partner 2. Partner 2 then knocks out 5 burpees while Partner 1 keeps moving down the driveway. Essentially we are adding some sprints and jogs to the whole BLIMPS routine.
    Lunges X 10 (2 is 1), Imperial Walkers X 15 (2 is 1), Merkins X 20, Plankjacks X 25, and Squats X 30

    Awesome job by everyone!

    We then followed that up with some step work on the ledge:
    Right Leg Step up IC X 10
    Right Leg Power Up X 10 IC
    Left Leg Power Up X 10 IC
    Left Left Step Up IC X 10

    Legs burning, we knocked out some more sprints:
    In groups of 5 across the driveway…
    5 merkins followed by a sprint. 4 reps of that and we were on the move again…

    A little mary (LBCs, Penguins, Real Freddie Mercs) then back to the hammer…

    We were a minute early so we planked until 6:15.

    Count off, name-o-rama, sweaty ball o man, and my 2nd q was in the books. What an honor to sweat and work alongside these men. My fitness tracker said 2.89 miles done…not bad with two weeks left until the Gnarly Nutria.

  • Sprints anyone?

    Birdcage crew was slightly smaller than recent days, but it was just the right size for this VQ. After taking some advice from Roots while standing around the flag I felt fully equipped to get this Q rolling. A standard disclaimer to an eager group of 16, and we rolled…Once we took off, the nerves of the VQ shook out and it was just another opportunity to push ourselves and leave this workout better than when we started.  I couldn’t have been more excited and honored to Q.

    A brief mosey followed by a warmup of…

    SSH X 20 IC, Merkins X 10 IC, Mtn Climbers X 15 IC, Hillbilly X 15 IC, Windmill  X 15 IC

    Short mosey to our “track”, or driveway, for the Q where we started a “BLIMP Plus” Routine

    Partner Up and Number off…

    “Partner BLIMPS Plus Chase”

    (5 Burpees, 10 Lunges, 15 Imp Walkers, 20 Merkins, 25 Plankjacks, 30 Squats X 2 with some jogs and sprints sprinkled in)

    Round 1: Partner 1 completes reps while partner 2 waits, once #1 is finished he takes off for a jog around the driveway entry to the zoo. Partner 2 begins and when complete busts a sprint to where partner 1 currently is. When caught up, partner 1 begins second exercise. After 1st complete BLIMP, roles reverse. #2 goes first and jogs, #1 goes second and Sprints to catch up.

    The six long sprints in between the “Sprint round” were a clutch addition to this routine.

    After a 10 count we continued the combined reps and sprints routine.

    Merkin IC X 10-Sprint 40Yds-LBC IC X 20-Jog 40 Yds

    Wide Merk X 8 IC-Sprint 35 YDs-Penguins IC X 15-Jog 35 Yds

    Diamond Merk X 6 IC-Sprint 30 YDs-Superman X 10 (Cadence=Up/Down “1”)-Jog 30 yds

    Next was some bench work oyo to catch our breath from the anaerobic blast of repeated sprints.

    10 LL Power Ups oyo

    10 RL Power Ups oyo

    10 Dips oyo

    8 LL Power Ups oyo

    8 RL Power Ups oyo

    8 Dips oyo

    6…

    6…

    6…

    Mosey to Oak Alley

    Whole group-Progression Sprints @ 40 yds X 3…Finish Strong!

    Jog to the Flag for COT and Counterama, Namearama, Announcements, BOM and Prayer!

    Thanks to all PAX for their effort in this Beatdown. Great job.