A few things happened today that took me back to my first F3 posting. It was February 2015 and I reluctantly agreed to join a friend (Prancing Horse) in this early morning workout. It was a cold dark morning at Fetzer fields in Chapel Hill. I over slept and had to race to the site to get there in time for the workout. With just enough time to shake a few hands we were off to the track. As we circled up, I distinctly remember searching the dark for familiar faces while also sizing up the 20 or so guys who were around me. Not knowing what to expect with respect to the intensity of the workout, and a bit concerned about my level of fitness, I searched for a comforting sign of others who would appear to be in as bad shape as myself. Before I could scan the entire group, we assumed merkin position (whats a merkin). I remember being proud of myself for getting through the merkins and the Carolina Dry Docks (hey I”m not in as bad shape as I thought). Then the Thang began. Shooter took us through a good half hour of devastating exercises on the field. At one point I was trying to do a Crab Walk and thought to myself (and probably said out loud) I don”t think I can do this. Shortly thereafter muscle failure ensued and I found myself in the fetal position. Before I knew it we were circling up for what I thought was signifying the end of the workout. To my dismay, it was another 6-7 minutes of ab exercises they referred to as “Mary”. I”m pretty sure I said again I don”t think I can do this. Finally, it was over and I was exhausted. Guys went around the circle stating their name, a number, and some kind of random name/thing/place?? I was up and said “Uh…I”m new”. A couple of guys asked what I did for fun and for vocation. Determining my drug background (pharmacist) I received the name Tuco – after a drug lord in the series Breaking Bad.
The workout was a blur and I think I was too beat to understand my name. But at the end, everyone of the guys came together and laid their hands on Shooter who led the workout. I remember being quite moved by the prayer that ensued. The prayer was good, but what was really special was a group of guys, sweaty and disgusting, all laying hands on one another to pray and give thanks. Many times prayer is uncomfortable for people (especially men). But here is a group of 20 plus men, all from different backgrounds, all sweaty and tired, praying on a track in the early morning hours. I was able to step back and thought, this is pretty darn cool, I can get behind this.
Fast-forward 2&1/2 years. I showed up to Q House of Pain. Walking up to the group of guys already in the gloom I see Prancing Horse himself (making his first HoP appearance) and then two FNGs. The combination of these made me reflect back. F3 has made such a great difference in my life over the past two years. The workouts still beat me down. However, the relationships I have found bring me up and keep me coming back. Grateful to all the PAX and look forward to extending this blessing to other FNGs!
WARM-UP
25 x SSH, 14 X LBAC FRONT, 14 X LBAC REVERSE, 10 X WINDMILL, 10 X WMH, 15 X MOUNTAIN CLIMBER, 10 X MERKINS
THANG:
PAX runs to the ever popular steel pile. Each PAX picks up a piece of steel. Partner up
Dora – 100 x wide grip merkins, 200 x overhead press with steel, 300 x bent over row with steel. Partner who is not doing the exercise performs a backward run up hill to the second island (50-60 yards). Once PAX are done plank then SSH until rest of the PAX is finished.
Next – head to the top of the parking lot. Note: The parking lot has 3 rows of islands. Each row has four islands. The islands are simply parking lot islands that hold trees and mulch. Starting at the top of the first row, the PAX perform 10 merkins at each island and sprint from island to island. Second row – 10 merkins at each island and bunny hops between islands. Third row – 10 merkins per island and crawl bear is the preferred method of travel between islands.
Love seeing the PAX who finished first go back to collect and encourage the other PAX. Of course Assisi set the pace finishing first and being the first to head back up the hill! Well done as always.
MARY:
25 x Box Cutters, Ring of fire – PAX perform six inch leg hold, then going around the circle each PAX performs 5 cadence count flutter kicks.
COT:
Welcome FNGs Bunyan and Legacy. Great to have you guys out. T-claps to Bunyan for showing up on his own accord. Has a buddy in Raleigh who suggested F3. So he looked it up, found the site, and came out.
Love having some of the Chapel Hill boys make their first appearance to HoP. Welcome Blindside and Prancing Horse!
SOS event Friday night at TOPO Back Bar
SOS Workout at TBL Saturday 7:00
Prayers – Pray for Legacy”s family. His daughter has special needs and they are trying to make a decision about her schooling.