YHC arrived a bit groggy, tired from a run/post yesterday to find multiple very sweaty dudes who had already completed some Murph EC. T-Claps to those fellas.
On my mind today was the general concept of leadership. I may just be speaking for myself, but I firmly believe that humans need opportunities to lead. No matter what someone might say, I’d argue that somewhere inside them they have the desire to lead others. It’s human tendency as strong as the desire to be with others, to relate, to belong.
But I think along the way a lot of us unconsciously lose the fire to lead. Not due to any fault of our own, but life just beats us down over the course of time. Relationships go sour, high school was not kind to you, projects turn out poorly, deadlines get missed, fluoride secretly added by government agents poisons us into docility (maybe? No? ok yea not that one). No matter what it is, society finds a way to squeeze our desire to lead out of us.
In comes F3… I’m grateful for this organization of men because of the opportunities it gives us to lead. Whether it’s picking up a site-Q, Qing an individual workout, or convincing other men in the community to come out – this organization is composed of leaders. Those tiny successes re-kindle the fire that we lose over time. These small victories convince us by and by that maybe we are leaders. Maybe we are good enough to take charge.
So my challenge today for the PAX is to lead. Lead whenever possible – in things both big and small. Pick up the Q at a site you’ve never been to (OCL anyone?). Headlock another man to find his way to F3. Volunteer to take charge a your next social event. Help out with the next big project at work. Help lead your kid’s next field trip. Whatever it looks like in your life, see those leadership opportunities and take them when they present themselves.
Don’t fall into the trap of assuming someone else will.
With those thoughts out – let’s get dapper.
Warming of the PAX
Lap around the field (2 burpees at each corner)
SSH x 30
WMH x 10
Imperial Walker x 10
Arm circles x 10
Working of the PAX
Goal today was to construct Bow Ties. We utilized the entire field (2 full size soccer fields side by side), starting in the middle. PAX would
- Run to a corner, complete a leg exercise
- Run down the side of the field to the other corner, complete an arms exercise
- Run back to the center of the field, (forming a nice triangle), and complete a 4×4 (full body exercise)
- Run to the 3rd corner of the field, leg exercise
- Run down the side to the 4th corner, arm exercise, back to the middle
- Complete 4x4s in the middle until all PAX are in.
1st round:
Legs: Jump lunges x5 (each side)
Arms: diamond merkins x5
1 4×4
Legs: Jump lunges x5 (each side)
Arms: diamond merkins x5
4x4s until PAX are all in
2nd round:
Legs: Jump squats x10
Arms: Donkey Kicks x 10
2 4x4s
Legs: Jump squats x10
Arms: Donkey Kicks x 10
4x4s until PAX are all in
3rd round:
Legs: Squats x 15
Arms: drydocks x 15
3 4x4s
Legs: Squats x 15
Arms: drydocks x 15
4x4s until PAX are all in
4th round:
Legs: Monkey humpers x 20
Arms: Merkins x 20
4 4x4s
Legs: Monkey humpers x 20
Arms: Merkins x 20
4x4s until PAX are all in
At this point in the morning, YHC looked in amazement to his watch, realizing that the morning had not yet his 6:00… And so we departed on what would become a final bowtie-shaped journey, taking up the rest of the 15 minutes exactly.
5th round:
Transportation change – PAX bearcrawled to and from the corners of the field, running the sides between exercises
Corner 1: WWIIs x 25
Corner 2: LBCs x 25
5 4x4s
Corner 3: WWIIs x 25
Corner 4: LBCs x 25
Pick up the 6
The PAX that somehow finished early (Harbaugh and Assissi didn’t even look tired) picked up the six and we all finished right at 6:15.
Speaking of/to/with the PAX
Two opportunities to compete in the IronPAX challenge tomorrow – Nightshift is leading a group at the Skunk in Hillsborough (see slack for details). YHC is leading a group at Rameses tomorrow. Bring a watch for exact timing, and if you can’t make it out tomorrow – you are welcome to complete the challenge yourself at any point to compete!
Jersey Mike’s 2nd f today at noon! Also – if you’re bringing people out – make sure and get them into all of the different channels – we’d like to a get a bar night going again, need to get more folks into the 2ndf channels to make that a possibility.
Probably other announcements that YHC has forgotten after his post-sunrise biscuit kitchen induced 2 hour food coma.
Prayer request: FoodLion’s family friend has a daughter, Keegan, who is starting treatment for cancer – keep her and her family in your prayers as she begins the journey.
As always – it is an honor to wake up early and lead a bunch of aliased dudes through the gloom. I’m blessed to have this community for that opportunity, and I challenge all of you to find those opportunities in your life to lead.
Much love, SDR