Last chance to order a FORT Region shirt (new colors)

2016-03-212017-06-16Leave a comment

QIC: Italian Job
Posted In: Alcatraz, Block Party, Clydesdales, Flight Plan, Golden Corral, Laces In, Laces Out, Millllkshake, Pantheon, Quagmire, Ring of Fire, Run 'n Gun, Slow Burn, Tempo, The Armory, The Ballroom, The Colosseum, The Fort, The Hive, The Ranch, The Swamp, Varsity

We will be doing a redesign of the FORT logo later this year, so this is your last chance to order the current FORT design before then. Think of it as a way to say you are a FORT region original before all the newbies arrive. For all of you wondering if we would ever have another option other than gray, you are in luck. MudGear just released red and royal blue!

The MudGear obstacle race jersey fits close to the skin without compression (tapered cut). Its highly breathable, wicks sweat, and has excellent drainage capability. This is the style all regions wear across this great nation of ours. Don’t you want to be a great American? Aren’t you proud of the hours of pain and gallons of sweat you lose with your F3 brothers? Why wouldn’t you get this shirt? Also available in badass black (standard F3 Nation uniform color for our workout ninjas). Is it visible to oncoming traffic at 0515? Nah. Does it need to be? Meh. Will you blend in with your surroundings? Probably. Will you look good wearing it? Heck yes!

Price: $33 (MudGear red, blue, black)

Also available is the black Sport-Tek Adult Competitor Tee. This one is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and breathable. It has a looser fit. This is the more cost-effective version. Not as durable, but just as sweet. Ladies cannot resist a man in black. Heck, there was even a movie (or 3) about men in black. Don’t you want to impress the ladies? Why wouldn’t you want to rock out a bad mama jama black F3 shirt? Show the CrossFitters what a real shirt looks like on a real #HIM! I hear it actually makes you do better merkins.

Price: $24 (Sport-Tek black)

The grey on black looks pretty sweet. Last day to order is 4/3/16. To save you shipping charges, I’ll deliver them to you when they arrive in late April. Get them before they are gone! Don’t look back on this and say, “I wish I would have gotten the shirt.” Just click below and order it now. Operators are standing by. Do it!

F3 The Fort Shirts Pre-Order

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10 years in the making

2016-03-12Leave a comment

Posted In: Slow Burn

10 showed up for a rare High Life Q on an abnormally warm Friday morning for what ended up being a not so slow-burn. Q forgot his gloves and should have known better.

The Thang:

Run from CFA parking lot down to the Empire parking lot.

SSH x 30
Low slow squats x 20
Imperial Walkers x 20
Merkin x 15

Line up along the line outside Baxters Bunch (RIP).
-Walking lunge halfway, butt kickers to Empire. Karaoke back,
-Side shuffle halfway, then flip. Backwards run from Empire to Baxters Bunch (RIP)

Q then had everyone partner up with someone of a comparable size. YHC mentioned that his 10-year wedding anniversary is next Friday. Partner work today is in honor of the hard work and reliance you have to have with one another to make it work 10 years (and more).

First up…
1 – wheelbarrow from first line outside Baxters Bunch (RIP) to Empire and back. Switch as needed. In hindsight, not so slow burn.
2 – Partner carry to Empire and back. A little morce moderate but still not so slow burn.
3 – partner leg raises, x 10, straight up and down. Then, x 10 each side to work obliques.
4 – partner shoulder taps. 3 x 10
5 – partner squats – interlocking arms/back to back. Seen in a tweet Apache sent. Disaster. Modified.

Q then moved the group to the wall. Wife (and you) are there to be each other’s rock when times are tough.

Balls to the wall x 3
People’s Chair x 3

Ab call out
Run back to CFA. Joined by 5 runners.
Before COT – Q wanted to note one last item. Importance of humility; doing things that you don’t always want to do to make her happy and/or may be a little embarassing. Finish with 10 monkey humpers in the CFA parking lot.

Ball o’ man

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How to ride Amtrak to Raleigh and Back

2016-03-04Leave a comment

QIC: Trucker
When: 03/04/16
Pax: CSPAN, Bass-O-Matic, High Life, Speaker, CoCo, Package, Destiny, Mainframe, MASH, Spitz, Boeheim, Airborne, Chickhawk, Shortsale, Birdcage, Rocky Top, Deacon
Posted In: Slow Burn

A little over a year ago, YHC took a job that required me to travel to/from Charlotte and Raleigh a couple days a week. Being in the Transportation Planning Consulting world and working with NCDOT Rail Division, there was no question that the best way to travel was via AMTRAK. So as I prepared the weinke for Slowburn, it dawned on me that not too many PAX know that there are 3 passenger rail trains a day traveling back and forth, and how could I not only educate the PAX about this, but relate it to my weinke? Many of the Fort PAX know that YHC always talks about trains, loves hearing the whistle during morning workouts, and how important my job is relating to rail. So after a quick disclaimer, 15 PAX mossy to Bunch House parking lot. COP consisted of a few traditional exercises, with a few moans. Then the educational piece began.

AMTRAK operates, with financial assistance from NCDOT Rail Division, three passenger rail trains a day between Charlotte and Raleigh. As a weekly rider, and working with Rail Division, I have learned a lot in regards to the operations of the system.

The first train that leaves Charlotte is Train 80 – Carolinian Train, leaving at 7:00am. This train operates daily to Penn Station, New York City with 24 stops along the way. With that, PAX did 80 squats then ran a lap around the Empire/Bunch House building to replicate a trip to Raleigh.

The second train that leaves Charlotte is Train 74 – Piedmont Train, leaving at noon. This train operates daily to Raleigh with 8 stops along the way. With that, PAX did 74 LBCs then ran the frontage road and back.

The last train that leaves Charlotte is Train 76 – Piedmont Train, leaving at 5:15pm. This train operates daily to Raleigh with 8 stops along the way. With that, PAX did 76 flutter kicks then ran the frontage road and back.

The first train that leaves Raleigh is Train 73 – Piedmont Train, leaving at 6:45am. This train operates daily to Raleigh with 8 stops along the way. With that, PAX did 73 CDD then ran the frontage road and back.

The second train that leaves Raleigh is Train 75 – Piedmont Train, leaving at 11:45am. This train operates daily to Raleigh with 8 stops along the way. With that, PAX did 75 merkins then ran the frontage road and back.

The last train that leaves Raleigh is Train 79 – Carolinian Train, leaving at 4:50pm. This train operates daily to Penn Station, New York City with 24 stops along the way. With that, PAX did 79 Freddie Mercury’s then ran the frontage road and back.

Throughout, statistics were mumbled, such as the average speed for the train is 79mph, it takes roughly 3 hours and 20 minutes for the train to run between Charlotte and Raleigh. Average fare ranges from $40 – $85 depending on train number or business vs coach car.

PAX then lined up at end of frontage road, sprinted to the hand rails, performed 15 reverse pull-ups, sprinted to other end of frontage road.

10 burpees OYO

Ab lab: LBC Webbs ( 1 heel to heaven/5 flutters, increase each round by 1/5( upto to 5/25, then back down. Russian twists and LBCs. Mossy to COT.

3 runners then decided to pull into the train station for COT.

The theme may seem quirky, but the intent was to make it fun. Remember, use AMTRAK to Raleigh sometime, it is a relaxing way to travel with free Wifi and you don’t need to deal with drivers like Package 🙂 http://www.ncbytrain.org/

Prayers to injured, Destiny’s co-worker, all construction workers, and Spitz HS buddy.

The Maltz Challenge is March 11th at NAFO. Watch Twitter for details, CSPAN promises it to be fun and easy, or he will do 100 true military merkins.

Trucker

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Feeling the Burn!

2016-03-02Leave a comment

QIC: Seacrest
When: 02/26/2016
Pax: Deacon, Barry Manilow, Short Sale, Destiny, Fahrvergnügen, Rebel, Patton, Reeses, Socrates, Flat Tire, Twister, Spitz, Ginsu, Vanilla Ice, Solid State
Posted In: Slow Burn

I got the Q call the day before Slow Burn and decided to take a run at it. This is one of the best AO’s in The Fort and always brings out the mumble chatter. Before today, I didn’t realize the level of “RESPECT” out here…if you know what I mean.

The Thang:

Mosey around the mulch piles at Lowe’s for a quick warmup and circle up.

COP

WM x 15

SSH x 30

MNC x 30

Overhead Claps x 30

Merkins x 10

Plank Jacks x 15

Mosey to the from of Baxter Bunch…

Count off in twos and break into groups.

7 Pullups on one side, run to Empire Pizza and 1 Squat. 6 and 2, 5 and 3, 4 and 4…you get the point.

Next, count into 3’s…

10 Pullups

10 Merkins

20 Dips

Rinse and Repeat x 3

Mosey to the side parking lot for 3 rounds of old fashioned suicides. 50%, 75% and 100%. Flat Tire thought we should do some odd percentages, but pretty sure he stayed at 50…just sayin.

Circle up for some Captain Thor (Thanks Maximus). All the way to 10! This was a real crowd pleaser.

Mosey back to Chick-fil-A and finish up with 15 Grave Diggers on each side.

Moleskin:

Great mumble chatter, as usual, for this AO. Pleasure to join you guys!

Twister mentioned he had socks older than me during the last round of Grave Diggers. Dude may need new socks…again…just sayin.

Prayers and Praises to all mentioned and unspoken.

Thank you, SS, for the opportunity to Q. Pleasure!

Until next time…

Seacrest, out!

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PRE-BLAST: Uptown Lunch Gonna Funk You Up…

2016-01-282017-06-16Leave a comment

QIC: Italian Job and Dark Helmet
When: 02/05/16
Pax: All PAX who work or are proximate to Uptown at lunchtime on the First Friday of any given month.
Posted In: Clydesdales, Flight Plan, Golden Corral, Laces In, Laces Out, Millllkshake, Pantheon, Quagmire, Ring of Fire, Run 'n Gun, Slow Burn, Tempo, The Armory, The Ballroom, The Colosseum, The Fort, The Hive, The Ranch, The Reservation, The Swamp, Varsity

Oh me, oh my…
The revival begins on Feb. 5 at 1130, and will continue on the First Friday of EVERY month going forward. PUT IT IN YOUR CALENDAR.
Location: Jason’s Deli in the Epicenter Uptown.

The 2nd F Uptown lunch had sputtered and maybe even stalled, but just like two good F3 men who don’t know when to quit (yes sir, may I have another?) Italian Job and YHC decided it was time to get serious and make it a thing again. (Because somewhere in my brain-damaged mind, seeing you fools in the Gloom isn’t enough…)

BUT! You say, can’t we go somewhere else? Jason’s Deli isn’t my favorite… Answer: It’s a free country. Do what you want. But WE will be here. Trust me, we wracked our brains to figure out the best spot based on seating capacity, price range, proximity, etc. This is the spot. The VSF is planted and this is the plan until further notice.
I mean, I get it. Jason’s isn’t exactly gourmet. Might not even be all that #FuelChallenge friendly, but kind of like First F stuff, if you came for the food only, you may be missing the point. So, spread the word to all your favorite Uptown-working PAX, tell it in the COTs, tweet it, etc., and get over there for some high-quality 2nd F.

Again, the details are above. To reiterate, Jason’s Deli in the Epicenter. The First Friday of every month. At 1130.

Questions? Concerns? Please feel free to bug Italian Job with that crap.

Otherwise, see you there. It’s Friday morning and we’re in the spot… Don’t believe me? Just watch…

Helmet, out.

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Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow …

2016-01-22Leave a comment

QIC: Barry Manilow
When: 01/22/16
Pax: Crab Cakes, Old Bay, Backdraft, Stang, Solid State, Change Order, Paula Deen
Posted In: Slow Burn

I am now clearly convinced that F3 men will work out in any weather. ANY. WEATHER.
The message today: We’ll try to keep warm and stay safe.
Disclaimer (the Q blew this, so there was overwhelming agreement to “I’m not a professional”)

The Thang:
Mosey to the front lot at Lowes (through the 2″ of slush and freezing rain) …
Keep moving for warm-up, butt kickers to the first light, then jog it out to the second, turn around, high knees, jog, turn around, karaoke (L), jog, karaoke (R), jog, windmill walkers, jog, pull the knee to chest, jog, bear crawl (through the slush, BAD.IDEA.), jog

Mosey and circle up on the left side lot …
Imperial Walker x 13 (Q blew counts right off the top), Squat x 12, SSH x 12, Cherry Picker x 12, CDD x 12

Mosey to the back of Lowes …
12 x Dips, 12 x Derkins, 12 x Squats, OYO

Mosey to the last side of the building for some wall work, Bear Crawl (or “The Snow Plow”) from one end to the other, recover, rinse and repeat

Again, Mosey to the back of Lowes …
12 x Dips, 12 x Derkins, 12 x Squats, OYO

Mosey to the front of the mini mall by The Playhouse (boy it sure looked warm in there) …
Begin with 10 x Bombjacks, thanks to Backdraft
Begin again with 24 x single count LBC (against the building in the dry-ish), run 1/3 down the front for 12 x CDD, back to the start for 24 x LBC, run down 2/3 for 12 x Squats, back to the start for 24 x LBC, run to the end for 12 x merkins and back to the start for 24 x LBC

Mosey back to the side of Lowes
Imperial Walker x 12, Squat x 12, SSH x 12, Cherry Picker x 12, CDD x 12 (again the Q blew the counts)

Back to COT and be entertained by the key incident

The laminated Weinke was adjusted to keep dry-ish, so we did not see Jack Webb and Freddie Mercury. And our number for Burpees was …. ZERO

Praise to Paula Deen for making an appearance after a few months “off” … In a later text he wrote, “I’ll get back in more often”. Praise to Backdraft for his year anniversary following ankle surgery.

Honored to lead at the place it all started for me, the legendary Slow Burn, and honored to be joined by 7 #HIM

Looks like we made it,
Barry Manilow

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PRE-BLAST: The Gloom is Coming to York, SC

2016-01-212017-06-16Leave a comment

QIC: Popeye & Apache
When: 01/30/16
Pax: All PAX
Posted In: Millllkshake, Pre-Blast, Run 'n Gun, Slow Burn, The Armory, The Fort, The Hive, The Reservation

Back at the 5-year anniversary Ultra-Convergence in Charlotte, something Dredd said at the end stuck with me. I’m paraphrasing this quote but it’s fairly close: “Some guy out there needs this. Some guy out there is wondering what the heck his life is all about. Some guy out there is being a lousy Dad. Some guy out there is being a lousy Husband. Some guy is out there is getting ready to get fired. YOU may be the only guy out there to help him.”

For months I’ve tried #EHing Deputies and other folks I work with to come to F3. Each time I swing for the Turkey Punch, they would ask, “When would #F3 come to York?” No matter how hard I would Turkey Punch them to try out The Fort, The Patriot or any other AO, the excuse was, no one (right now) has the desire to wake up at 0 dark 30 to drive 20+ minutes to Rock Hill or Fort Mill to work out. Each time we’d end the conversation, I would answer “I didn’t know when F3 is coming to York, but we were thinking about it.”

Well it’s time to stop thinking! It’s time to pull the pin and throw the F3 grenade to York, SC.

At first, I didn’t think I should be the guy who lives in Catawba 30+ minutes away, to be the one to take the leap in being the site Q for a new AO in York. I work in York, so that was a lame excuse. So after Dredd’s quote kept repeating in my head, a lot prayer and getting constantly #TurkeyPunched by Apache, I feel the call that now is the time to bring F3 to Western York County.

We can’t be selfish with this F3 thing. From my perspective the first F is a by product of my favorite part, the second F. Which has helped me be stronger in my third F. I love this brotherhood. Many of you have become more than just work out buddies. You’ve become brothers to me, which I learned so well over the Christmas holidays.

So let’s do this!

RECON THANG:

We are planning a few recon workouts before we launch this thing full throttle. The first is set for January 30th 2016 0700 to 0800 at York Comprehensive High School (275 Alexander Love Hwy. York SC). The folks in York call it York University, because from the road, the facility doesn’t look like a high school at all. Apache and YHC are going to Q round one before we plant a shovel flag in York.

YCHS has most everything a F3 AO needs to bring the pain. Parking Lots, Hills, walls, an ROTC obstacle course, 1.75+/- perimeter for running. Plenty of options for a Q.

So now your job is to #EH guys you know who live in York, Clover and points between, to swallow the #redpill, and start this process of becoming a High Impact Man.

Popeye OUT!

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Preworkout @slow burn Chick-fil-A

2016-01-07Leave a comment

QIC: Apache
When: 01/8/2016
Pax: Attention all Fort Mill region pax
Posted In: Slow Burn

YHC is on Q for slow burn at Chick-fil-A tomorrow. There will be extra credit pre-workout fun run around the baxter area @0430. Let’s get a couple mile warm up before the show begins.

See you there!!! AYE!! APACHE!!!

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The Fort Fuel Challenge 2016

2016-01-032017-06-16Leave a comment

Posted In: Alcatraz, Block Party, Clydesdales, Flight Plan, Golden Corral, Laces In, Laces Out, Millllkshake, Pantheon, Quagmire, Ring of Fire, Run 'n Gun, Slow Burn, Tempo, The Armory, The Ballroom, The Colosseum, The Fort, The Hive, The Ranch, The Reservation, The Swamp, Varsity

Listen… We work out… Some of us work out most days a week. So with all this working out, the question is: Why aren’t we shedding the love handles and the spare tire? With the amount of physical torture we endure, we should be chiseled like a Marble Statue.

Alas, working out is only a portion of the plan… you have to stop eating garbage.

With that, I bring you The Fort Fuel Challenge 2016. This is the new incarnation of what we did a little over a year ago (found here), but this time around you have experience on your side… I am not a professional, but we’ve done this before and have seen results. YHC lost 7.5% of my mass (presumably fat), with the overall lead by Cash coming in at just shy of 10%.

The key to this isn’t calorie reduction (although that may be something you have to look into) and it isn’t about eating the same food every day for lunch. You don’t need to starve yourself to see results, you just need to feed the machine the right fuel. To feed yourself the right fuel, you need discipline and accountability. That’s really what the Fuel challenge is all about…

So here’s the deal. We are going to kick off on January 18th through February 29th. This gives you two weeks to do two very important things… in fact, these are so important that I would propose that you cannot succeed in this program with out completing them:

Clear out all the junk in your pantry/fridge.
Get the M on board

Number 1 is easy. Get rid of the junk now before you start. Less junk means less temptation. Eat it in the next two weeks if you have a problem with throwing it away, but get it out of your food storage before January 18th.

Number 2 is not as easy for some of us, but it is crucial. You cannot do this in your house on your own, especially if your wife is eating a bowl of Ice Cream after dinner every night. You will either come off as a self righteous prick or you will cave. Neither of these is a recipe for success. Get the M on board, she really wants to eat better too.

Base Program

The Fuel Challenge will give you a chance to test yourself with the support of your fellow men of F3. And maybe after 6 weeks, you will stick to the plan (or much of it) in order to live a healthier lifestyle. The program will have a base list of items that are prohibited during the six weeks as follows. This is mandatory and is really what will make the biggest difference in your quality of food intake.

No Fried Food
No Fast Food (inc. Pizza)
No processed snacks like Potato Chips, Candy Bars, Etc.
No Dessert
No Sodas or Sweet Tea
No Cheeses (including shredded, feta, or slices. Get it off your sandwiches and salads)(Cottage cheese will be allowed)
No Cream Based Sauces/Dressings (This Includes Fat Free Options for Ranch, Caesar, Alfredo, Etc.)

This seems like a significant challenge, especially for the road warrior, but you can do it. You just need to be aware of what you are eating and plan.

You will receive ONE free pass per week – this could be a steak dinner, a pizza, etc. – no carryovers though, the pass can only be used that week – try to use your weekly pass in moderation. Some call this a “cheat”, but use if you need to.

After week one, we introduce challenges, which are cumulative. Some would argue the health benefits of a few of these, but I don’t think anyone can claim that limiting these items will have a detrimental effect on your well being. Remember this is not about “dieting”, but about discipline. Keep that in mind.

Here are the cumulative challenges:

Week 2 (and on) – No Red Meat
Week 3 (and on) – No Breads (Sprouted Grain is accepted)
Week 4 (and on) – No Pork
Week 5 (and on) – No White Starches (Potatoes, Pastas, White Rice. We’ll talk about substitutes)
Week 6 – No Dairy or Things Cooked in Butter

Just like last time, we’ve “modified as needed”. Here are a few “Extra Credit” challenges for those so inclined. These are not mandatory, so feel free to adopt whatever works for you.

HC to F3 250. For those that are at 2-3 posts a week, this could be a way to up your game. Tracking F3 250 along with this attention to dietary details could be what takes your fitness (and physique) to the next level. You can even track using this handy template.
Implement Intermittent Fasting. I’m planning on doing this and would encourage you to try the same if you can handle skipping breakfast. There are numerous health benefits that are purported as side effects to Intermittent Fasting, but do your own research and try it if you think it makes sense.

Similar to last time, here’s how we’ll be tracking for accountability/encouragement from the participants:

On January 18th, post your starting weight in the comments of this page. You have time to buy a home scale or find out where the one at your gym is. On the pending February 29th backblast post, you will post your weight using the same scale. This requires honesty and consistency. If you want to weigh yourself in the buff (don’t tell us) just do it both times. Same if it’s in underwear and t-shirt, swim trunks, etc. Having a scale also helps track progress along the way but is not the ultimate measure of health. You will need to post your weight on both posts. You will also track your weight on the My Fitness Pal page.
Sign up for My Fitness Pal and download the app if you have not done so already (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ ). Enter in all of your information including starting weight. This will factor into your suggested daily calorie consumption. Send me (Gears) your MFP id so I can invite you to the group. You can reach me via twitter (@vinsonizer) or simply put the id in the comments below. If you didn’t have enough options, you can just go to the following URL and request group membership: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/100013-f3thefort
Track your exercise and calories on My Fitness Pal. If you see really good results, guys may want to go back and see how you did it. The app allows you to scan bar codes, enter in recipes and ingredients to determine calories, and already has a robust library of foods from restaurants and grocery stores. You can also enter in weight goals and it will help provide daily calorie count, protein, carb and fat limits. You gain higher limits to stay on track with your goals by entering in your workouts.

One last comment to reiterate the above: If you are moved to do so, please view this as an opportunity to exercise not only physical/mental discipline, but also spiritual discipline. Any type of fast can be leveraged as a catalyst for prayer and worship, allowing the limiting of the desires of the flesh to remind us of our dependence on SkyQ. My personal hope is that this will be fruitful in all the self-dimensions of our personal lives: Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind.

If you are ready to go, comment below

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The Ultra-vergence… Man, that’s a lot of vergence…

2016-01-022017-06-16Leave a comment

QIC: The Redwood Originals
When: 01/01/16
Pax: Approximately 350 of F3's finest.
Posted In: Block Party, Clydesdales, Convergence, Flight Plan, Golden Corral, Laces In, Laces Out, Millllkshake, Quagmire, Ring of Fire, Run 'n Gun, Slow Burn, Tempo, The Armory, The Ballroom, The Colosseum, The Fort, The Hive, The Ranch, The Reservation, The Snake Pit, The Swamp, Varsity

(Poorly paraphrased from Dredd that AM): “Well, we [he and OBT] said, we’ll show up and if it’s just us two, then we’ll go do something else, but if they [the other invited Pax] show up, then we might have something and we’ll see where it goes…” (emphasis added)

That was 5 years ago. Now, we’re celebrating a new year, and we’re celebrating the 5 year anniversary (birthday?) of F3. Clearly, they had something…

As approximately one Pax for every day of the year crawled out of their clowncars and onto what may have been the wettest field I’ve ever been on, the energy was palpable. Friends from all over F3 Nation were reconnecting and new ones were being made, including an FNG from The Fort who apparently EH’ed himself (welcome Speaker)… There were smiling faces and shovel flags everywhere. The fun had started, but before long, it was time for the workout to begin…

As you can imagine, attempting to lead a group of 365 Pax is… well… ridiculous. It’s a little amusing to me that part of the whole reason Dredd and OBT broke off from the other workout group to create F3 was because the size of the group had become problematic and unwieldy. So, how should we celebrate 5 years of F3? Well, let’s see if we can’t have the most problematically-sized group come together and let’s try and make them follow instructions. (*COUGH* *GASP* *COUGH* You’ll have to excuse me, I’m choking a little on the irony…) Regardless, though, we warmed up, Dredd split us up into groups, and off we went. The workout, the “thang”? It was in there… We rotated through stations… there was some running, some ladders, some dips, some derkins, hills, burpees (of course), some other stuff… Was it the best workout I ever had? Well, it wasn’t the worst one for sure. But if you came for the workout, you may have overlooked what was happening.
As always, there were a couple of guys who were definitely there to prove they were fitter than the rest of us. That’s cool, you’re welcome here. There were a couple of guys who were clearly struggling to keep up at all. That’s cool, you’re welcome here. There were guys who wear blue collars all week long. That’s cool, you’re welcome here. There were guys whose net worth is that of a small country in certain parts of the world. That’s cool, you’re welcome here, too. Black, white, fast, slow, tall, short, rich, poor, fat, thin… all irrelevant. Welcome is what you are when you are here. It is this way because for that one hour, we all look basically the same (you know the uniform…) so you don’t know who is rich or poor or otherwise. For that one hour, we all basically act the same (unless you are Apache), we’re here to workout and fellowship a little. No one is elected, there is no hierarchy, no one is grading your performance… You know what it is? It’s because for that one hour, I believe, we are about as free as we can be in our modern, over-technologized, overcommitted, over-everythinged lives. We’re free from roles that weigh us down, free from the constraints that life and the world put on us… We’re just free to BE. That’s why we plant a flag, hustle, then take a knee at the end to give thanks to the SkyQ. That’s why we are proud to call ourselves a part of the Brotherhood of Minivan Centurions.

So, we converged, because I think somewhere deep inside we wanted to show our gratitude for this thing that has meant so much to us. Partly to God for leading us to it (or it to us, whichever), partly to the Redwood Originals for starting and sticking with it until it got to us, and partly to each other for continuing to push us to make ourselves more of what we were put here to do. I think that we came because there is strength in knowing and then physically seeing the fact that we are clearly not alone in this battle we fight. That at every turn, there is a man in a black shirt and running shoes that will help if needed.

Again, paraphrased very poorly from Dredd (right before the Ball of Man): “So now our job is to give it away. To share what has meant something to us. Because there are guys out there right now that you know who are crappy fathers, guys who are crappy husbands about to lose their marriages. There are guys who are crappy employees, or are otherwise just dissatisfied with their lives… and YOU CAN SAVE THEM.” (again, emphasis added)

To quote the immortal Forrest Gump: That’s all I have to say about that…

Until the next one…
Helmet, out.

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