Sore legs, laps, and laughter

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Due to scheduler difficulties, YHC didn’t know about this Q until a day or two before, which is fine, because there’s so darn much a guy can do in a Q at an AO that’s as diverse as the Ranch

Unfortunately, I was about 5 minutes late. I didn’t give myself enough margin this morning, my car was coated in ice and I’d not been over I77 on 160 in quite a while, and found out that those lights are awful now.  Thankfully Ruby Slippers was warming everyone up already, and I didn’t get much ridicule, and the Q reigns were handed over with a smile.

More warmup

Quick mosey around the parking lot followed by 10x SSH and 10x Low Slow Squat. Now I’m warm enough

The thang

Mosey north around to the traffic circle and take the long way to the school entrance. Everyone grabs a pillar for support.  Here we did some balance and strength exercises focusing on muscles that don’t get a lot of use for F3ers. This may sound a bit similar to my Ballroom Q earlier this week, and that’s because it is.  After a set of leg exercises, we took a full lap.

Each exercise was done on each leg for an OYO count of 30, except the last round in which we did 40 each leg. Each exercises is about keeping the leg up the entire time, and bouncing it as close to the maximum height achievable. The goal is to minimize the use of inertia gained from swinging your leg from vertical.

Round 1
  1. Knee at waist level, toes pointed down (knees at 90º angle), bounce knee up as high as possible
  2. Knee again at waist level, snap kick out, keep knee high
Round 2
  1. Knee bounces from above
  2. Kicks from above
  3. Leg straight out to the side, toe pulled up and turned inside (toward the ground), heel high. Raise as high as possible
Round 3
  1. Knee bounces from above
  2. Kicks from above
  3. Straight leg raises to the side from above
  4. Leg straight toes down, raising as high as possible directly behind
  5. Leg straight out front, turning out at the femur so the knee points as far away from center as possible, foot cocked out even farther outside and toe up. Raise up straight as high as possible
Round 4

Same as round 3, but with 40 count

After round 4 there was just enough time to mosey back to CoT

CoT

Announcements, Dam2Dam and teased the Yeti some more

Praises and prayers offered

NMM

During CoT I was pretty frank about what was going on with me yesterday and this morning. I was spiritually devastated by what happened at the capital… more so than when I saw the Trade Centers being hit with 747s 20 years ago. At a guess I’d have to say that I never considered myself to be all that safe in everyday life, but I always believed that our nation throughout all of the insanity and cult like worship of certain people over the years would be tempered and stronger for it.

But yesterday, seeing the injustice, the incitement to sedition, and then actual sedition, with no attempt to stop it… It hit harder than my worst break up. I was so affected that I wasn’t able to eat dinner last night (which, for a fellow of my size, is a pretty big deal).

I spent a lot of time trying to calm myself yesterday through prayer and meditation.  A few times I thought I had a handle on it and let God take the stress and concern. Lol, not so much…. I had to laugh, a lot, when I was laying in bed at 1950 last night as the M was trying to escape the 2.0’s room after bedtime, and my watch buzzed with this message:

I nearly called Ruby Slippers to tell him I couldn’t make it this morning. I knew I was going to be exhausted this morning. I’m sore in many muscle groups already. I didn’t think there was any way I could stand up and be a leader this morning.

But instead I prayed some more, and got a good night’s sleep. I showed up (late) and was able to enjoy some time with some great F3 brothers.

Fantastic mumble chatter this morning. The thing I remember most is being reminded  (3rd time this week) that I need to catch up on Cobra Kai.

I have to continue to remember that this world isn’t owned by me. My safety isn’t promised in any way. I’m blessed beyond measure.  My faith in God should be directing me to live as if nothing I have is mine. The evil one still owns this world and his corruption is everywhere.

Despite that, Jesus paid for my sins and I know where I’m headed when my time is up. My job is to remain well equipped for the fights that come my way.

My heart still hurts for this nation, and probably will continue to ache even if justice is ever served…

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6

Upside Down

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SkyQ was stirring the Site Q’s spirit 30 days ago, suggesting he needed to loop YHC in for a New Year’s Eve Q at The Ranch.  Little did he know 12/31 happens to be my birthday, so there was no way I could pass up the invite. 12 pax posted in the damp (but not rainy) Gloom to make it official.

The Thang

Warm up yog around parking lot

Extended COP — familiar set of exercises interspersed after every two with increasing rounds of Burpees, starting with 2 and increasing by 2 each round up to 12

Mosey to the picnic tables and partner up

Partner 1 = 12 Derkins + Partner 2 = Balls to the Wall  / Flapjack (3 rounds)
Partner 1 = 12 Bombjacks + Partner 2 = People’s Chair / Flapjack (3 rounds)
Partner 1 = Donkey kicks + Partner 2 = Plank / Flapjack (3 rounds)

Mosey to soccer field and muster up

The next series will involve moving down and back across the soccer field…BUT…in recognition that 2020 was a year when “holding ground” qualifies as success, the objective is to make the trek with backwards or sideways moves (ie, Carioca, NUR, Crawl bear, Backward or sideways lunge,  side shuffle).  The only acceptable method forward is Bear Crawl)

We proceeded to move back and forth across the field and each down/back was marked with a set of Burpees declining by 2 with each series (10-8-6-4-2).  Final traverse for all pax was a Bear crawl

Circle up for Mary

Series of core exercises, capped off with Superman rendition of Happy Birthday song courtesy of JWOW and Backdraft.

Mosey home

COT

Thank you to Ruby Slippers for the opportunity to tie off 2020 —  it was truly an honor to be in The Gloom IN PERSON with the pax to finish the strangest year any of us have experienced.

It was an upside down year given that no one could have foreseen a pandemic coming.  Or a stock market rally in the aftermath.  Or legalization of pot in some states along with criminalization of holiday family gatherings.

This upside down and backwards orientation aligns perfectly with the Gospel and sets the stage for a new approach to 2021.  I’ll pick my One Word for 2021 (Now) and review 2020 and make plans for 2021…all the things that I would typically DO in prior years.  But 2020 has taught me that NONE of these matter unless they’re connected to the will of my Creator.  Rather than focus my energies on what I’m doing, I first need to create space for what He’s doing…and then fit my part in as accompaniment ( I think that might be a musical term, Band Camp?).

Thanks to the pax who posted to help me celebrate the completion of my 54th year on the Big Ball.  And thank you to all pax of The Fort for carrying me and each other through an upside down year.

Cheers!

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5

The Bubble Meets Cindy

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Today, after the pre-ruck, 11 Pax, five of whom did the “double,”  Met Cindy for a bit of a beat down.  Congrats to those that doubled down!!

The thang:

Pretty simple, the Pax meandered around Baxter Village un and down stairs stopping here and there for 1) 20 or 10 curls, 2) 20 or 10 prone presses, 3) 20 or 10 squats and 4) 20 or 10 rows, each arm.  The Pax completed four rounds with a lot of walking with their Cindy or ruck.

Moleskin – we all have burdens, but with the help of others and faith in the Sky Q our burdens will be lessened.

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5

Bulgarian 7-10 Split

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11 PAX gathered in the crisp gloom.

Disclaimer was given.

Hard charge out of the gate.
With the ageless Straight-Up and Harry Carey moving quickly behind YHC, we hit the first mile at 6:56/min pace.

As the PAX regrouped into a circle at the Teacher Parking lot area of the elementary school, Poppins rolled his ankle. Splinter ran back to get his truck and transported Poppins to his vehicle. Unfortunately, he was done for the day.

Warm-Up:
Yoga
Merkins
Shoulder Tap
SSH
Burpees 10 in cadence
IW
HW
Yoga

Thang:
Mosey toward the “black-top” area between the schools and find a bench

Bulgarian Split Squats
-10 each leg
-10 more each leg
-10 more each leg (this was a crowd favorite)
Step Ups
-10 each leg
-10 more each leg
Bulgarian Split Squats
-10 in cadence each leg (this confirmed their crowd favorite status)
-10 more in cadence each leg
Box Jumps – 10

Moved to the track-ish area
Lined up on the front line
Bear Crawl across the track
Crawl Bear back
15 burpees in cadence
Lunge Walk to the other side
Burpee-Broad Jump back
Some Yoga

11s w/
1 Merkins – 10 Shoulder Taps
got to 5 merkins and 6 shoulder taps

Moved back to benches
more Bulgarian Split Squats
– 10 in cadence each leg
– 10 more in cadence each leg
– (crowd favorite status confirmed)

Mosey to COT
Finished the 11s
Freddie Mercuries
Some Yoga to close us out

Prayers for:
– Poppins’s ankle
– blessing of science and medicine
– strength for those facing COVID
– the Spirit to remind us this isn’t our permanent home

NMM:

Make someone, just one person, feel special today

Thanks Long Duck for the opportunity to lead.
—
Band Camp Dismissed

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3

Pyramid attempt at Fire Ant

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On Christmas Eve, Divac introduced us to the way he was going to run The Fire Ant AO now that he is in charge. And guess what, it’s not for the faint of heart. That said, I had to live up to the billing.
In recent months, I’ve noticed a great way to challenge the PAX is to post the Weinke on the socials ahead of time. It also holds me accountable to planning the proper beatdown. So here goes:

Ruck 1 mile at a sub 14min/mi pace to TCES. Full disclosure, Punch List led us at a 13:37 pace…giraffe.

10 Man Makers
20 Lunges (ea leg)
30 Merkins (single ct)
40 Real Squats (you know what this means)
50 Mountain Climbers (left/right = 1)
60 LBC’s (single ct)
70 Curls
80 Peter Parkers (40 I/C) – I believe this is where the leaders ran out of time.
90 Bent Over Rows (45 I/C) – I was really looking forward to these!
100 Flutters w/ Press (50 I/C) – Surprise, Surprise. I was really, really looking forward to these.

Ruck 1 mile back to the Start Ex at a sub 14min/mi pace. We made it about .25mi and I abruptly stopped everyone for a Switzer. The new instructions were to Jail Break back to the Start Ex to complete as many Flutters/Press as you can until 0600. The leaders arrived at a 10:05 pace and a heart rate that neared, “explosive.”

COT practices with the Golden Corral bootcampers.

SYITG,
Maximus

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1

The tougher the practice, the more fun the game.

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10 PAX gathered at the Abyss to close out 2020 the right way – by taking the DRP.  YHC got some help from the 2.2 the night before so the weinke was spelled out on the pavement for all to see.   Preparedness (and checking the weather forecast) helped set the tone for all to get their money’s worth.  Here’s what we did:

Mosey to the back of the school, a lap on the track at increasing speed up to AYG on the final straightaway and a circle up for COP.

COP – Various exercises in cadence, including low slow squats, people’s chairs, Moroccan night clubs while in the people’s chair, Imperial Walkers and Hillbilly Walkers and SSH’s – all in cadence.  A quick mosey to the basketball courts where more fun was on tap.

At the top of each key (there were 4 total), exercises were specified.  PAX completed the first exercise, ran to the second court, did the exercise there, ran back to the start and repeated this sequence until the 4th and final top of the key was reached:

Top of the Key #1 – 5 burpees (this was done 4 times total – 1 for the start and 1 for each of the 3 return trips)

Top of the Key #2 – 10 bobby hurleys

To of the Key #3 – 15 bombjacks

Top of the Key #4 – 20 boxcutters

Successful completion and the opening act was complete.  A quick 10 count was voiced and off we went for 12’s, 30’s and 20’s.

PAX were assigned 12’s in lane 1, 30’s in lane 2 and 20’s in lane 3’s.  Exercises were as follows – always adding up to the number between both sets

12’s

Set 1 = 10 burpees, run to other side of lot 2 squats, nur back to the start line

Set 2 – 8 burpees, run, 4 squats, nur

Set 3 – 6 burpees, run, 6 squats, nur

Set 4 – 4 burpees, run, 8 squats, nur

Set 5 – 2 burpees, run, 10 squats, nur

On to the 30’s in lane 2

Set 1 – 25 standing lunges, run, 5 merkins, nur back to start line

Set 2 – 20 lunges, run, 10 merkins, nur back to start line

Set 3 – 15 lunges, run, 15 merkins, nur back to start line

Set 4 – 10 lunges, run, 20 merkins, nur back to the start line

Set 5 – 5 lunges, run, 25 merkins, nur back to the start line

And finally…..we closed out 2020 in lane 3 with, of course, 20’s:

Set 1 – 16 bonnie blairs, run, 4 kraken burpees, nur back to start line

Set 2 – 12 hand release merkins, run, 8 kraken burpees, nur back to the start line

Set 3 – 8 Wide arm merkins, run, 12 burpees, nur back to the start line

Set 4 – 4 diamond merkins, run, 16 shoulder taps (double count), nur back to the start line

PAX finished strong and we moseyed to COT promptly at 0600.

NMM: The tougher the practice, the more fun the game.  Our lives will have difficult moments that we must navigate both gracefully and with patience.  As we lead our families and others, this phrase reminded YHC why the DRP and choosing difficult is ALWAYS the better thing.  Consider your ripple effect.  Consider the man who needs to see you out there but has not told you.  We don’t often realize our impact on others until after the fact.  By practicing hard, practicing difficult, pushing through adversity, we come through those moments to reach the realization that they sharpen us.  They improve us.  They strengthen us.  As we turn the page on a calendar year, it is my sincere hope for all of us that we embrace the lessons of 2020.  That we remember what we endured, and as importantly, remember how we finished: stronger than we started.  May the advantageous habits we form create the ripple effect needed in our world – as leaders, husbands, fathers, brothers and any other role we are called to serve.  Choose tougher.  And be better prepared for it.  The tougher the practice, the more fun the game.  Thanks to Grassy Knoll for the call to the bullpen.  To a stronger year ahead.

In Gratitude,

Cyclops

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3

Make it happen

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21 men tackled day five of the new year at Block Party. Here’s what we did.

Warm up

  • 10 Low Slow Squats (IC)
  • 10 Hillbilly Walkers (IC)
  • 10 Moroccan Night Clubs (IC)

The Thang

The route today was .5 miles (left on Main St., left of Clebourne St., left at Founders, left on White St.).

Round 1 – Take a Lap

  • 10 Burpees
  • 20 Merkins
  • 30 LBCs
  • 40 Squats
  • 50 Calf Raises
  • 1 Lap

Round 2

  • 10 Wide Arm Merkins
  • 20 Lunges
  • 30 Flutters
  • 40 Overhead Claps
  • 50 SSHs
  • 2 Laps

Round 3

  • 10 Diamond Merkins
  • 20 Jump Squats
  • 30 Crunchy Frogs
  • 40 Alternating Shoulder Taps
  • 50 MNCs
  • 3 Laps

Total distance: 3.5 miles.

NMM

I was encouraged this morning to see so many men shunning the fartsack for a chance to better themselves physically. We covered some ground, but kept close enough that no one ran alone. I enjoyed the heck out of this morning. Today’s mumblechatter reminded me of how important the 2nd F is. Fitness without fellowship is a workout group. Fellowship and friendship takes us to the next level and makes us better men. And men need other men to keep accelerating.

I recently read, “You can’t get wet reading about the ocean.” I found it appropriate for the first week of the year as people begin making resolutions. This is the time of year people make resolutions for a “new year and a new you.” They make promises to get in shape, to make more money, to read more, or basically become a better version of themselves. However, come mid-February, the gyms are empty, the books haven’t been cracked, and work status quo and malaise has settled in.

Resolutions fail because change requires effort. Change takes a dream, willpower, consistency, and guard rails. It’s gradual. It’s difficult. But it’s worth it!

You must take action if you want improvement. Take the first step even if it feels strange or others say its stupid. Growth can only happen if you move forward. So dream it, want it, do it, do it again, and have someone to keep you accountable. Positive habits require consistent effort. Make it happen and have friends to keep you in line. Then bask in the glory in accomplishing your goals.

Aye!

Italian Job

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5

Shaolin Moderate Workout and Cult Chat

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This is the first full week of 2021 and YHC was glad to step in when a Q was needed at the Ballroom. IIRC, the last time I Qed there was back during Short Sale’s tenure, when Google Maps had no aerial photos.

8 PAX appeared in the gloom on a cool Tuesday morning. The weather said that there was some light rain in the area, but it wasn’t at the Ballroom.

The disclaimer was a disclaimed in a new way today, because YHC would be describing some very odd, new exercises and prescribing modifications as we went along. It may have sounded a bit professional, but I assured the PAX that I was not getting paid.

The warmup

A quick mosey around the parking lot followed by:
15x SSH
10x Low Slow Squat
10x Imperial Walker
10x Hillbilly Walker

Mosey around the back of the school for a stop by the bridge. Here we would do some stretching and exercises that were passed down from the Shaolin lineage, as well as from a cult known as Chung Moo Quan (more on that, later). This was part of the standard warmup from YHC’s studio in MN.

Legs about shoulder width for these, always both sides. Static stretches held 10s

1. Arms overhead, grab the R hand and stretch (pull) to the left without a twist. (lats)
2. Arms straight out, L hand toward L ankle, no twist (obliques and some lats)
3. L arm out, palm up. Grip L fingers with R hand using overhand grip (thumb to thumb) and pull down and back to armpit (inner forearms)
4. Elbows tucked into sides, L hand by chest, grab top of L palm with R overhand. Pull L arm up, push R hand down. Basically fold your hand back toward the elbow (wrist tendons)
5. Widen stance a bit. R in L hand fingertips up. From standing position, dip down to behind the ankles and come back up. (like cherry picker, but just once and up) 3 times.  Then both hands on lower back, chest and stomach out for the “old man getting out of bed” stretch three times. 5 rounds
6. Both hands make a diamond near the ground, legs straight as possible. Slowly orbit from ground, to the right, behind, to the left and back to the ground. Reaching as far as possible for entire movement. 3 orbits each direction
7. Legs out as far as they go, heels down and toes up. Fingertips on the ground (was pretty easy for the PAX to get the fingertips down). Fingertip pushups. Rock back on the way down, over the hands on the way back up. 10x

Mosey up the hill to the back of the school. Everyone on their six. Both sides if only one is listed, static stretches for 10s if not listed

  1. Legs straight out, separated as far as possible, toes up. Arms crossed in front fingertips up, sweep arms over toes 3 times, then grab and pull down for 5s hold.  4 times
  2. L hand to L foot, bending to L, R hand overhead reach to foot
  3. Feet together, pushing down knees (butterfly)
  4. Lay back, L hand grabs R foot and pulls to chest, L foot hovering
  5. Sit up, legs straight. Leaning back with straight back until feet start to hover, hands in fists, pound stomach 30times with fists, double count
  6. 10x 4count Flutter
  7. 10x 4count Hello Dolly
  8. Sit up, hands on ground behind. Both knees bent, kick both legs straight out, to right, and to left 10x. No break between R and L

Mosey around to the front of the building again and instructed PAX to find a pillar for support. Each exercise is right and left leg

  1. L knee at waist level, bounce knee up above waist and don’t let drop below waist. No touching the ground either  x40
  2. L knee again at waist level, snap kick out, no touching the ground  x40
  3. L foot to the side, toe forward. Raise as high as possible, no touching the ground x40

The Thang

Now that the warmup is complete, walk over to the high side of the parking lot and line up for the Doji. This is a balance and strength exercise that can be done by anyone.

Start by standing straight up. Using your L hand reach behind the R shoulder and ‘scoop’ with your fingertips, as you come around the front of your body, step into a deep forward stance with your R knee at 90º, and your L leg straight out, both feet parallel and about 45º off the direction of travel. Shift your stance to L forward stance while scooping behind you with your R hand, when you come back around, step forward staying very low, into L forward stance and push ahead with your L hand open, fingertips just at the shoulder level. Scoop behind w/L going into  R forward, then step forward with R and push with R.

It sounds like a complicated movement, but it wasn’t too difficult for the PAX. YHC called out each movement and we travelled about 15m with it (about 10 steps each foot), then turned around for another go.

After this movement we had about 12 minutes left. I had planned on getting more running into the workout, and skimmed over in my head the various workouts and exercises that would be good for a moderate workout without toasting the legs any more than I already had.

The best way to get some extra steps in? Dora

100 pushups, 200 squats, 300 LBCs!!!

We finished with about 90 seconds left, which was enough time for 20 flutters and a very quick saunter over to CoT

Cot

8 PAX counted off and name-o-ramad

Not a lot to announce right now, so Drop Thrill hyped the 2021 Christmas party.

Praises were voiced, prayers were requested.

nmm

Yeah, so the cult thing. My Shaolin teacher got caught up in a cult known as Chung Moo Quan in the early 90’s. I joked with the PAX about this commenting that they should hand over their wallets and sign some forms, to some good natured chuckling.  Obviously none of us are involved in anything like that, so we can laugh about it.

But have you ever tried to point out someone’s poisonous indoctrination? It’s usually not pretty. The cult indoctrinated don’t usually even know it’s happened because of how “normal” it seemed on the way in. They’ve received a lot of training and are well equipped to remain indoctrinated. Pride, ignorance, shame… all of these methods are veiled as normal and create an indoctrinated member.

I realize it’s super weird to expound on cult membership at a workout or in a backblast, but I assure you, dear reader, that it is relevant to every day lives.

Because while we may not be members of Chung Moo Quan, vandalize a building in the name of Tyler Durden, chant “the greater good” in a hooded robe,  or follow Jim Jones into death, we’re all subject to attempted indoctrination during almost all of our waking hours.

TV advertisements try to indoctrinate you into the cult of yourself.  Talk shows and news commentary try to indoctrinate you into the cult of bitterness, greed, or supremacy.  Our free country is, for the most part, monetizing our minds through indoctrination.  It’s incredibly difficult to tune it out.

This is why my word this year is “Discipline”.  I’m using two definitions. The first is the study of a subject, the second is to train.

Discipline as a study helps me to understand my beliefs and how they work in a world that wants me to change them all the time.  It applies to all 3 Fs as I intend to refocus on nearly 20 years of Shaolin training, be more intentional about being social (the pandemic has made life very cozy for a hardcore introvert like YHC), and actually focus on spiritual beliefs.

Discipline as a training regiment helps me to be strong enough to understand whether indoctrination is attempting to change my beliefs, or I’m just wrong.  As a physical training regiment, discipline can help me get the sleep I need and eat correctly. And as social training, I can tune out awful social static.

 

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6

Deck of Pain

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After a quick disclaimer and generic warmup, we moseyed over to firepit area and circled up for the Deck of Pain.

Twelve strong men got stronger on Monday with a whole lot of fun kettlebell reps. We all took turns drawing from the deck so that YHC couldn’t be blamed for every card…

Spades were Squat Thrusts

Diamonds were Dead Lift/Upright Row combos

Clubs were Curls/Shrugs combos

Hearts were Tricep Extensions/Shoulder Press combos

Reps were figured by the face value of the card drawn, with all face cards being 10.

Aces meant a quick lap around the parking lot, and the Jokers made us do 10 burpees/manmakers.

Everyone worked super hard, and the mumble chatter was kept to a minimum.

Prayers for our families, our teenagers, and for us to have strength to get through our trials and keep to our goals.

Thanks to everyone for the fun morning in the gloom!

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1

Only one thing stopping you….

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…that’s you.  Here’s a fun quote for you, “Do your future self a favor and work hard now.”

There’s been a lot said right now about New Years resolutions, and One-words, and goals for the year.  My question to you is have you acted on any of it?  Have your written anything down regardless of what you want to do?  There is a solution out there to get you thinking and it will take less than 30 min (I would highly recommend thinking about one-word too).  I’ve included a link at the bottom for anyone interested in the ~30 min 8-blocker that CSPAN does.

Once you’ve done this, share it with another PAX or ShieldLock (SL) if you have a SL.  This will be your accountability tracker for at least the next 6 months if not 12.

Moving on to my topic – NoOYO or No On Your Own.  This is HUGE right now and I can’t overemphasize this enough.  There are a lot of sad clowns, lonely guys, PAX / Kotters (guys that haven’t posted in a while) out there right now that need you!  Covid isn’t helping but this is where you can step in.  Each of us has this…probably using it right now as it’s a little computer we call a phone sitting in your hands.  Think of 1-3 guys who you haven’t seen or spoken to in a while, a neighbor down the street who doesn’t know F3, a Kotter or a fellow PAX that is at home.  Reach out to them.  Give them grace and don’t badger them to come to a workout…especially when you may not know their situation.  Offer to meet them at a workout, meet them 1:1 for a walk or run (if they want to be socially distant from you), offer to be an ear to talk to or maybe just meet for a coffee and talk through car windows if that makes them comfortable.  Point being, be the HIM (High Impact Man) you are.  Remember, “we leave no man behind, but leave no man where we found him”.  Here’s my advice: expect excuses, but don’t give up.  Remember the excuses you gave if you were one of those guys and how much F3 has changed your life (or maybe you’re new and still seeing what it’s doing – that’s ok too – and very exciting).  Biggest thing is to not be the guy who turns them off or pushes them away.  Maybe your selling point needs to change or maybe joining them for a virtual beating or 2nd or 3rdF is more what they need right now.

I was reminded this past week how much F3 meant to me.  I spend Christmas and New Years in Michigan on the east side of the state where F3 doesn’t exist.  It was cold and grey and snowy and was not very motivating or enticing to go outside.  But when I thought about taking a week off and being in the back with you knuckleheads, that was the spark I needed to dress appropriately and get my butt out the door.  When I’m reading slack and feeling the FOMO, or seeing the text messages from my SL about how bad the beating was that morning, that spark was fanned.  So I put on my layers and set out to catch up on my 1000 burpees for December and my run prep for D2D.  You know what happened on my run?  First I got cold, but then it got lonely.  Lonely is not a fun place to be. When I started thinking of you all, the loneliness subsides.  Here’s the difference between me (or what we have) and a sad clown – you’re able to draw from what you’ve experienced in F3 and push yourself.  You also have someone barking in your ear when you don’t workout or when don’t show up for a SL meeting or a 3rdF event.  Sad clowns don’t have this because they’re flying solo and don’t have those accountability partners.

I personally can’t imagine living like that now that I have experienced this thing we call F3.  I told my M (my wife) that if we ever moved back to Michigan (which I don’t see that happening anytime soon thanks to the cold and snow we re-experienced when we were there), I would start F3 immediately!  We aren’t meant to be alone and honestly, it’s 100x more fun when we get to be together!

Takeaways:

  1. Continue thinking about your one word – and then share it!
  2. Do the 8 blocker (link below) – this can be very intimate so share accordingly but plan to share
  3. Reach out to 1-3 guys

Remember that this all starts now.  What are you waiting for?

 

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