DATE: 2022-07-11
AO: Octagon
Q: Golden Pike (GP)
PAX: Heihei, Spacebar, Bunny Slope, Wentworth, Oompa, Scoober, Red Ranger, Tin Cup, Vandelay, bloodshot, Sweet Roll, Black Flag, Tater Tot, Khakis, The Plague, Room Service, Chiclets, Z-bo, Slow Pitch, Tugboat (Grant Leach), Joe Bradley, Edison, Honey Maid, Ice T, Low Flow, Redacted, Danza
COUNT: 29
It was a kind of muggy morning with a high around 77, but with a light breeze so it wasn’t too bad. Ice-T and GP took turns going through the introduction spiel as smurphers screeched into the parking lot.
WARMUP: Moseyed to the back lot and Ice-T lead us in 12x SSH, Tappy Taps and Imperial walkers.
PRE-THANG: Ice-T partnered PAX up and had one partner AMRAP between copperhead squats and bobby hurleys, while the other guy ran across the parking lot and did 2 burpees. THE THANG:
Golden Pike lead us on to the field and to the hill. We started a three-man grinder and partnered up.
Guy #1 bear crawls up the hill and does squats AMRAP.
Guy #2 is doing the exercises in order AMRAP.
Guy #3 runs around the track and relieves guy doing exercises. Guy #1 is relieved by guy #2 and then goes and runs around the track.
The exercises were:
Merkins
Monkey humpers
Pike
Freddy Mercuries
Cherry pickers
Bonnie blairs
Box cutters
Mountain Climbers
MARY: Ice-T lead us in 12x gas pumpers. GP lead 12x Freddies. Ice-T lead 12x MargeNHomers and we ended with Rancid-style hammers.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This Saturday the shovel will be passed from Cheap Seats to Hei Hei.
COT: Several weeks ago, when Ice-T asked if I’d like to take the shovel flag for Octagon, I immediately said “Yes”. And part of the reason I said “Yes” so quickly is because Octagon has been one of the most consistent parts of my life since I have started F3. It’s also close enough that I can just roll right out of bed and be here before I’ve realized how much I miss my bed.
Ice-T told me that he considers Octagon “The Most Welcoming AO” and when I heard that, it actually resonated with me. I’ve felt that here. Part of the reason I never really participated in sports as a kid is often I was considered clumsy and I had a lazy eye, so my depth perception is shit. I often felt unwelcomed by teams I’d try to be a part of. So, I love community and I am affable enough to endear myself to most people, but I’ve always avoided athletics out of a complete inability to see a community where I’d fit.
All that changed when I came to F3. Octagon became instrumental to helping me see how I could have fun working out while also finding a connection with men from all walks of life.
I also saw many men come through Octagon who were dealing with deep, heavy things in their life. So, I saw how much I need this community and I also saw how much it needed me. Yes, I have had sad clown syndrome at times, but generally what has drawn me to come back is for ME to be there for the sad clowns. I have long believed that what ails our society is not a lack of men displaying warrior strength, but a lack of men who are strong enough to be vulnerable and admit their own need to be saved. We seek power, status, money, you-name-it and it’s still never enough. The 3rd F of F3 is important because THAT is what keeps us humble. Without humility, I would never, ever want to come back to an F3 beatdown or stay for a coffeeteria. I want Octagon to be a place where we are humble, welcoming and able to be strong in the ways that truly matter to God and our loved ones.
Though all the wealth of men was mine to squander
And towers of ivory rose beneath my feet
Were palaces of pleasure mine to wander
The sum of it would leave me incomplete
Though every soul would hold my name in honor
And truest love was always by my side
My praises sung by grateful sons and daughters
My soul would never still be satisfied
It’s not enough, it’s not enough
I could walk the world forever
Till my shoes were filled with blood
It’s not enough, it’s not enough
It’s Not Enough, The Modern Post (Dustin Kensrue)