Today, I was graciously welcomed with open arms and ears by my fellow brothers across state lines.  I was bestowed with the honor to Q WEP today and admittedly, I was a touch nervous.  Not for the workout itself, but what my message would be and how could I deliver it in front of this group of men.  When texting with Longshanks the night before, he said speak from the heart and God will fill me with the words.  Well I took his advice, prayed and was ready to lead.

I arrived quite early, threw on my ruck and began laying down the cones to create the NoCo “Middle Earth” for the rendition of The Sharknado.  I planted the Sweet Tooth shovel flag in the middle and headed back to the lot as the cars started rolling in.  Never intended for it but got a good 1.2 miles of rucking in before the beat down.  As 0700 hours approached, I called out the minute warnings and at time…we mosey to the center of the field.  Amazingly I got my first BS call for not giving the #Disclaimer…We do things a little differently in the North County…I will pay you back later!

Warm O Rama

#Disclaimer- Are you happy now boys?

Pledge of Allegiance

SSHx15 IC

Cotton Picker x10IC

Toy Soldier x10IC

Monkey Humper x10 IC

American x10 IC

Mountain Climber x10 IC

 

Drive by from Maximus

 

Interlude:

Many of the Pax do no me…some did not and I wanted to let them know why I was here and not just at WEP, but here on this Earth.  I explained that my little girl was taken from me and my family and have every reason not to be HERE.  I prefer, so does my M and 2.1, to be with HER.  But we can’t.  And the reality is I am weaker, I have lost passion for activity such as Spartan races, other CSAUP events, routine things as weekend trips, birthday parties and others because the memories and reminders are too painful.  I have gained 30 pounds.  I am in constant depression.  I have had one day of sobriety in the 6 months and 6 days since Sweet Tooth passed away.  But yet, I am STILL HERE.  One reason I neglected to mention at this point but hope I delivered during the CoT prayer was my faith.  Another reason, the support of my F3 brothers.  I explained how Jimmy Olsen and Mooch came to NY to support me.  Helped create the ST shovel flag to remind me, and all those in NY that F3 has my 6.  I explained how Mooch gave me this card with a prayer called “Carry” and it means so much to me and I shared it.

“WE ARE HERE TO CARRY YOU, THERE TO PICK UP THE PIECES WHEN THE PIECES ARE BIGGER THAN LIFE.  WE WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH THE TOUGH, STRENOUS, MIND-BENDING TIMES.  CARRY YOU THROUGH THE BURDEN SPREAD AND SHARE THE BURDEN WITH YOU.  WE WILL CARRY YOU UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO CARRY SOMEONE ELSE.  WITH TIME, YOU WILL CARRY ONE ANOTHER.  THAT IS HOW WE CARRY EACH OTHER.

Obviously, I am not in the shape or mindset to carry any of you, the Pax to or for anything.  But what occurred to me, and what I shared is that through the efforts of keeping my daughter’s spirit alive through Operation Sweet Tooth, a Not for Profit, I will be carrying someone…a stranger.  A child that is sick, homeless, without friends or family, hopes or dreams.  OST will be able to “carry” that spirit so a child knows a stranger cares.  You, the Pax of F3, are sharing this burden with me.  And together, with your help, your support just might give my M and I the strength, to begin healing…and be able to “Carry Each Other”.  As I closed, I looked around the circle, bowed and gave my heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

 

“Now, who wants to get their ass kicked!?”

We split into two groups as Peabody grabbed the Pax that converged who wanted a more moderate workout and I grabbed the remaining and led them to cone number one and gave the details of SHARKNADO!

The Thang:

Exercises are always to be done at this cone.

15 burpees, run a lap around the strategically placed cones.

20 Diamond Mericans, Lap

20 WWII Sit-ups, Lap

20 Mericans, Lap

20 Scorpian Dry Docs alternating the Leg, Lap.

Rinse and Repeato.

Usually the goal is to complete 4 tornados but I wanted to make sure there was some time for fun and MARY.  With about 15 minutes left I called time.
Each Lap equated to .20 miles so each tornado was exactly 1 mile.  The Pax completed anywhere from 2.5 to 4 miles.

There was an amazing amount of mumblechatter.  The Pax attempted to audible the workout to 30 seconds of standing, or airborne mindbenders or something else less strenuous.  Thankfully the You vs You mentality prevailed and there was none of those shenanigans.  One Pax, Squirrel, did miss out on some of the fun as he was “carrying” a little excess baggage…Thankfully he used the port a jon and did not contribute to the doggy piles in our route.

Once time had been called, I gathered the Pax in a straight line to make sure we got out of the tornado through the tunnel, the Tunnel of Love.  This was my “fun” element.  It was a pretty long line with 34 remaining Pax and by the time YHC finished up the tunnel, it was a little crooked.  I guess we needed some maintenance.  Fun times had by all!  Well maybe not but that is my story and I am sticking to it.

MARY

Gathered the Pax to circle up again around the flag and drop to their 6.

Dying Cockroach x15 IC

LBCx15 IC

Low Flutter x15 IC

Low Dolly x15 IC

Homer to Marge x3 with 5 down slow count

Freddy Mercury x15 IC

Superman/Banana x 5

Recover Recover!

 

Heartfelt Moleskin

It was great to see some familiar faces, meet new Pax and put a face with a twitter handle.

Shout out to my hometown boys from Hicksville, Long Island who came out to support.  Big Papi, Squirrel and Gatsby.

I appreciated the EH to come down and Q from Maximus and CSpan even though Maximus was only able to give a quick hug during his drive by.  Still appreciated.

Enjoyed the mumblechatter and yes…this exercise is definitely a rump kicker. You are welcome.

There are definitely some beasts down in this neck of the woods as some of the Pax seemed eager for extra credit laps.  God bless you!

And of course, a humble thank you for my brother and fellow Spartan Longshanks.  I truly value our friendship that we have developed and I am always grateful for your support and encouragement.  I am sorry I left out the burpee train…And I am glad I get to see your other side…but I won’t tell!

T Claps to Peabody for converging and letting me work his group in the beginning and end!

Announcements:

Great work being done by The Fort brothers on collaborating on ways to bring minorities into F3.  F3 is for everyone.  Our country may be divided, but there is no reason F3 should be.  Keep up the great work and keep an eye out for Chicken Hawk’s Back Blast…must read.

Purchase your tickets to the Christmas party.  Your brother Italian Job fronted the cash…don’t leave him with an awful credit card bill.  I would hate to see the interest he will charge you in return.

Hit up Longshanks for Operation Sweet Tooth.  His PB has links to the Children’s Attention Home and Levine for items needed.  Again, much appreciation for all your support on keeping my daughter’s, and our spirit alive.

If I missed something, I apologize.  Give me a shout out and I will make sure I add it.

 

US Military Veterans:

We thank you for your sacrifice, your service, and you willingness to lay it all on the line for millions of strangers who count on you to do so.  My grandfather fought in WW2 and received a Purple Heart.  My uncles served in WW2 and Vietnam and earned the same.  I come from a military family and I never walk past a brother, or sister, without them letting them know my appreciation.  We saw this at Chick O’teria (Coffeeteria at Chick Fil A) when two veterans where there enjoying each other’s company.  They even asked us what the deal was with our group.  As great as F3 is when it comes to fraternity and brotherhood, we don’t hold a matchstick to those who fought for our country.  The highlight of my day was thanking them and blessing them for our service.  And Tclaps to all those who have served and lead by example within F3…of course, that goes without saying, to the F3 Nantaan himself, Dredd.  Thank you for traveling North of your comfort zone to help with the Veteran’s Pier.  I wish I was there but I HC’d months ago…and I honor my word…and I had a message that was important to deliver.

 

Prayer: 

I took us out today.  Amazing how over 6 months ago and even time before that, that I was afraid to take my brothers out in prayer.  Things change.  But one thing that doesn’t is God.  He is loving.  He is caring.  He is with us.  And what he gave us in addition to our bodies, are our minds.  And with that, the power of CHOICE!

Each and every day you make choices.  Even the smallest, seemingly trivial choices today can have a dramatic impact down the road, even if you don’t know it.  Today, and every day I choose to live.  That may seem like a no brainer, but for my wife and I, this is a choice.  How I choose to live, is according to Him.  I have all the reasons and all the excuses to choose to live otherwise.  That is not the path I choose.  That is not leadership.  That is not invigorating the male community.  That would not help anyone, including myself or family to succumb to that choice.  No.  I choose to make the wise choice.  Whether it was 6 months ago, yesterday, today or tomorrow…I choose Him, and I choose to be one day closer to my baby and ensure that I walk a life that allows me to do it.  And I encourage every one of you, to help inspire others, to choose the path of worthiness and righteousness so that can be one day those you touch can be one day closer to their light…whatever it may be.

“Live Life, Own Every Second and Never, Never Take Anything For Granted!”

Humbly yours,

-Olive