Weather: Cloudy, 27 Degrees (feels like 25 Degrees), Wind 2 mph
Pre-runners: There were several, some starting at 4:15am, some starting at 5:00am then the normal 5:30am crew. The trails were slick this morning so the running was slower and steady
PAX (22): Ogre, Schrute, Cougar, Chernobyl, Low Flow, D2, Brinks (respect!), Simmons, Woodstock, Duracell (respect!), Longboard, Magnum, Firewalker, Busser, Hip Hip, Ichiro, OGK, Yugo, Eartag, Icy Hot, Ray Ban
FNGs: None
QIC: Boss Hogg
I welcomed the PAX on this beautiful, nearly windless, morning and recited the F3 Mission Statement, “to plant, grow, and serve small workout groups for the invigoration (or reinvigoration) of male community leadership.”
I listed F3’s Five Core Principles:
- Free of Charge
- Open to all men
- Always outside
- Led in a rotating fashion
- End in a Circle of Trust
I reminded the PAX that our Credo is to leave no man behind, but leave no man where we found him
Lastly, I informed the PAX that I was not a professional and to modify today’s beatdown as necessary.
With that being said, the PAX moseyed to the park street that lines the softball fields, just south of the shovel flags. From there I explained the game that was about to take place. The PAX split into two teams, both starting at the center line. Approximately 40 yards away in both directions were tables, each with 100 popsicle sticks that had an exercise listed on them. PAX were to run to the table, complete the exercise and reps listed on the stick, then run back to the starting line in the middle, complete 10 hand-release Merkins, before heading back to the table. The first group to clear their table of the sticks would be the winner. The exercises were a mix of upper body, lower body, and core to include some coupon exercises. Team 1 ended up the victors and “picked up the 6” by assisting Team 2 with finishing out their exercises.
The PAX completed the game much quicker than I anticipated so I had the PAX partner up to complete some BOMBS with a slight modification. BOMBS consist of 50 Burpees, 100 Overhead Claps, 150 Merkins, 200 Big Boys, and 250 Air Squats to be done cumulatively between the partners. The modification was instead of one partner running to a marker while the other begins exercises, the “runner” was to complete a 20-step lunge walk, then call out to their partner to run up, where they would then take over the exercise and their partner would lunge walk.
OMAHA was called at 0650
NOR: See list of PAX above
Announcement and Prayers:
- A new 3rd F channel will be coming for better organization
- Make good decisions when driving to the AOs as the weather starts to get dicey, plan to leave sooner if needed (looking at you, Low Flow)
- Signup for CSAUP and the spaghetti feed the night before is up. If you already signed up for CSAUP before the spaghetti feed was announced, you will need to register for that as well
- Prayers to the families and those affected by the tragedy in Perry, IA
- Prayers to those attending the Impact Retreat
COT
I informed the PAX that I was participating in “Dry January.” I told that PAX that by January 2nd, I was craving a drink, which was pretty telling and had me doing some reflecting on 2023. I told the PAX that during 2023, my relationship with alcohol was not a healthy one. I drank alcohol way more days than I did not, and I pre-ran hungover more times than I can count. Drinking is and probably always will be a huge part of my family’s culture. Birthdays, celebrations, holidays and even just casual get togethers are always centered around drinking. I discussed how I do enjoy drinking. I enjoy the Friday Happy Hours, having a drink with my dad, etc. but that I can’t repeat the same pattern of drinking behavior in 2024 that I did in 2023. I’m confident that I will complete Dry January without any slip ups, but I’m not sure where to go once the month concludes. Do I continue to extend my sobriety? Do I attempt to drink with more moderation? I asked the PAX to keep me in their thoughts and prayers as I attempt to navigate this.
Aye!
Boss Hogg