The Beyond workouts initiated by Maximus at the start of this year are meant to test the PAX physically with black diamond-esque workouts, along with “extending” the Q in personal ways that may not occur at a standard workout. I jumped at this opportunity when presented and I recommend it to others to consider doing the same.

My Beyond topic was not going to be easy for me, and not known by many PAX. But I truly felt the need to use Beyond as a step moving forward and I have faith in support of the PAX. While my backblast is a little delayed, it is not for lack of thinking about how I was to write it up. I had already done a lot of thinking about it for weeks leading up to my Q.

The workout side of my Beyond was going to be tough and I’m sure the PAX who planned on posting knew a little extra running was coming.

As PAX were arriving, I advised to get their stretching in as we would be jumping right into the workout. A couple PAX arrived expecting Pantheon but were nudged into Beyond for a total of 12. Disclaimer given especially to modify as needed…but to try and push yourself.

I planned to speak in 3 parts during the workout about my spirituality, starting with my background (past), followed by my current status (present) and finishing with how I hoped to move forward (future)…hopefully with direct PAX help.

Before beginning the workout, I asked the PAX to keep an open mind and not to take anything personally. I needed them to bear with me as I knew only one way to speak on this topic and that was to be straightforward about my life experiences and observations. But as I get older, I see my mortality (and possible salvation) at hand.

I first told of my past as it pertained to religion. I was not raised in a religious family. I went to church a couple times, sometimes with my grandparents. Of course I was around Christianity my whole life, but I had no formal education. I told the PAX what I learned of religion as a child amounted to what I saw on tv…the Jim Bakers, the Benny Hinns, etc.  And what I was remember was a lot of asking for money and reading stories like those of older people giving away their life savings to guys like them. In college, I had some discussions with two brothers of the previous partying-type who had recently found God. So, my background is more logical and scientific without faith, or a faith ‘base’.

(I am sure this backblast may miss some things I talked about at Beyond, but possibly add a few things, too)

We moseyed around the school parking lot loop to the start of the straightaway for some “Burpee Miles”.  Our burpee miles were shortened for the .3 mile loop and consisted of 15 burpees, immediate sprint the straightaway cone to cone about :30,  jog around the loop back to the first cone. Rinse and repeat for 3 laps.

We went back for the 6 and crossed to the field for a break while I covered my “present” (or near present) within the last couple years.  A few years back, I used to have lunch meetings with a friend to discuss his Christianity and my spirituality. He always referred to me as a seeker. Some of the best discussions we had was coming at it from the point of view of Jesus as a man on earth. He loved everyone no matter the skin color or religious belief. He treated everyone equally. He had empathy for all men. He believed in good behavior by men.  I have taken this to heart and apply it to experiences in life, social issues, political issues, etc. Very simply…what would Jesus do? What would Jesus say?  Are people around me acting in a manner that Jesus would support?

I told the PAX that in quiet moments, I talk to God almost every day…even if I don’t have him defined by a book or even if I don’t know if I believe!  I ask questions, I ask for forgiveness for myself and I apologize for a lot of bad behavior that I see in the real world. I thank F3 because I know that without the opportunities that F3 has afforded me in this area,  especially seeing the positive things that faith offers, I would be nowhere near the seeking point I am now. While the F1 and F2 are of course important, its the 3rd F that is most consequential for all of us.

Our field work consisted of a continuous cycle through of exercises individually while each PAX put on a 40# ruck sack and carried a 30# sand bag overhead while crossing the soccer field and back. The exercises were, 25 each:

• bombjacks
• clap merkins
• jump lunges left and right
• plank jacks
• squat jumps
• reverse merkins
• squat calf raises (a Tesh special)
• plank shoulder taps

Much to the PAX dismay, we had time for 2 more burpee laps but with the burpees reduced to 10.

In COT, I addressed my “future” and how I move forward from here. I asked the PAX present, as I am asking any PAX reading this now, to reach out to me to discuss their faith….as of this writing a couple already have.  I need to reach out to Whetstone and continue pursuing in various ways. I will add here that while reading verses is ok, relating your personal belief system to me and how it applies in the real world is what I feel I need to hear. Tell me how you came to believe and about the positive ways your faith affects your life.  I see a lot of negativity in the real world, and our past history, and these things weigh on me heavily.  But be warned, if you take on this challenge that I present, there will be hard hitting questions and topics that I am not addressing here.

But I will continue seeking and ask for your help in the journey.

Bolt

Forgive me as there was more at COT but I waited too long for this backblast.