Conditions: Cold, Crisp. 34 Degrees.
WARM UP
Kudos and thank you to brother Nitro for leading Warm-a-Rama this morning: SSH, Imperial Walkers, Willie Mayes Hays, Arm Circles, F/Arm Circles, R, Merkins, High Knees, Wide Plank Hold. (Nitro’s vQ is scheduled for April 29 @ The Thicket)
MAIN EVENT
Led PAX out to the far end of the track. Today, we will be attempting The Longest Mile. Had the PAX partner up. Choose wisely as you will get to know your partner real well. As we had an uneven number of PAX today, YHC had the honor of partnering up with the two Double Respect brothers, Stevie Ray and Nitro.
Objective: Partners will take turns carrying each other for a 1/4 of the track. We will stop after each 1/4 to perform an exercise as a group. Exercises were as follows:
- Burpees, x10 OYO, Merkins, x10 OMD, BW Squats, x10 OMD, WWIIs, x10 OMU
- Spider Jumps (Burpee with 2 X Large Mtn Climbers in place of Merkin), x10 OMC, Jump Lunges, x10 On My 1-2, Wide Merkins, x10 OMD, V-Ups, x10 OMU
- 8 Count Body Builders (Burpee with a Merkin and Plank Jack), x10 OMC, Tuck Jumps, x10 OMU, Diamond Merkins, x10 OMD, LBCs, x10 IC
- Broad Jump Burpees, x10 OYO, Prisoner Squat Kicks, x10 On My 1-2, Dry Docks, x10 IC, Flutter Kicks, x10 IC
The group finished the final set of exercises at 0625. Strong work, brothers.
COT/BOM
Had the PAX get cozy and sit in a tight circle at the far end of the track for our COT this morning. Movement out of F3Louisville and adopted by F3Nation (#F3MentalBattle) to designate today (March 27) as a day to address/discuss issues relating to mental health and suicide. (F3 Podcast can be found on Soundcloud and iTunes). Q’s leading workouts were asked to end the workout five minutes early to lead a discussion about these issues amongst the PAX.
No question, there is no way to adequately address such an important and complicated topic in five minutes. But that wasn’t the goal or the point. The point was to cast a light directly onto issues that most, if not all, of us men keep very much in the dark. Truth is, our group ended up spending 25+ minutes opening up and sharing stories and thoughts, and we could have easily gone on for much, much longer. We were all very moved by the personal stories several told of loved ones and close friends who were lost due to depression and suicide. We all admitted how challenging it is to recognize the signs and the difficulty in determining the best ways to approach loved ones, friends, colleagues, etc. who may be going through dark times. The fact is, mental illness and depression can pop up at any time, and when it does, it can touch and impact each and every one of us in a very deep and intimate way. There will be times when we may be called to carry another, and there will be times where we ourselves may need to be carried. It takes courage, strength, faith and trust to carry and be carried. It takes courage, strength, faith and trust to give and get the help we need. We all agreed that F3 provides an opportunity to find fellowship, comfort and help in times of need. We should always endeavor to provide a safe and welcoming outlet and forum to allow brothers, both currently active and those out in the community who may be in need, to openly share and discuss these issues and keep this matter out in the open.
Grateful for the F3 brotherhood and for the opportunity to serve today. Thank you to all who shared their stories in our COT this morning. Be good to yourself and to all those around you. Peace, brothers. Aye.