Like any first time there can be butterflies, maybe a little queasiness.  There’s that first date, the first kiss, the first time I Q’d with CSPAN and Audit.  Come to think of it, kiss, CSPAN and Audit should never be mentioned in the same sentence, or paragraph for that matter.

Such was the case this fine morning when I was given the honor to have my very first full Q, let’s make it special, how about a #blackdiamond.  You only live once!

Started morning at 5:05 AM sharp, the standard disclaimer while Gears came sliding into his parking spot.  He felt it safer to ride in a metal box on ice than run the quarter mile to TCES.  YHC then dropped the #truthbomb that this was his first full Q and that things could go horribly bad.  They did!

Brief speech on mental toughness (thanks Jekyll) and how it led me to think about spiritual toughness, and the things we experience and how God is continually shaping us, building our spiritual toughness, to help us make the tough choices that keep us on the narrow path.  With that in mind, the 6 of us set off…did I mention their was about 2 inches of slurpee blanketing the campus?

The Thang:

1/4 mile run around TCES car pickup lane to COP (under the awning)

20 SSH
20 IW
20 Windmills
10 Merkins – Hold it
10 CDD

Run to the bottom of the stairs behind TCES for Stairway to 11. Start with 5 burpees, run the flight of stairs to the middle landing, do 5 merkins, run to the top and do 5 squats, run back to the base and start over with 6, continuing in this regard until you hit 11. Not a lot of mumble chatter here. Gotta say wrist deep in slush is not my favorite.

After a couple of breathy 10 counts, we proceeded to the back lot of TCES for some AROD 3-2-1’s or Reverse Doras. Partnering up, partner 1 runs/slides the back of the school to the fire hydrant while parter 2 begins 300 squats, then exchange. After squats came 200 Bomb jacks but in the interest of time (and a little surprise), YHC dropped it to 100. Last run was 100 merkins. After completion I was really feeling like this was a good first time, even if I was all cold and wet!

10 count from Gecko and we headed to our final destination, the Amphitheater. Along the way some irresponsible person left a bunch of cinder blocks in our path (surprise). So we picked them up and hit the Amphitheater. 4 stations, 4 exercises

Station 1 – 20 Presses (climb to the next landing)
Station 2 – 20 Curls (climb to the next landing)
Station 3 – 20 Uneven Merkins (10 each side, climb to the next landing)
Station 4 – 20 Headbangers Squats/Goblets (Thanks for the audible Sen Tressel)

Rinse and Repeat

Run back up the hill and drop the blocks where we found them. Thanks to Maximus for collection afterwards. Then another 1/4 mile run around the pickup lane to finish where we started. Never got to the AbLab but I’m thinking not too many wanted to spend any time on their backs. Finished up with COT

Announcements: CAH and the 40 Day Challenge (drinks and ind wrapped snacks to AOs), CAH Workout (check Pre-blast) this Saturday, Mudrun, P200 meeting rescheduled for next Wed after RNG (Towne Tavern), CNW2 at The Swamp next Friday

Prayers: Pray for those who have no shelter in this weather, Thankful for forgiving families

Really enjoyed Qing at TCES and this place has so many options. Honored to be a part of F3 and especially the Fort! Aye!