THE MAIZE BACKBLAST—25 FEET
Date: 10-13-22
Weather: 47 degrees, light breeze, dark outside with lots of stars visible
25 PAX: Bogey, Vlassic (Respect), Dr. Thunder, Betty, Boji, Lincoln Logs (Respect x 2), Grand Slam, Fine Print, Band Camp, Yodel, Lamont Lopes FNG- now forever known as J-Lo!, Robin Hood, Storm Chaser, Hard Hat (got younger), Da Fridge, Big Unit, Obi-Wan, Smurf Turf, Longneck, Sasquashhh, Speed Square, Hoser, Ketchup, Slow Clap (Respect), T-Ball
Q: T-Ball
25 PAX joined me today in the gloom for a glorious and much needed beatdown for YHC as I spent the last 6 days in California for work and a little R&R, which meant In & Out Burger and various other delicacies aimed at fattening my waistline and letting my Queen sing loudly. The King had to come deliver a knockout blow, but the plan for today was to get a little evil on the PAX, which they were more than willing to do! The HIM arrived to hear the F3 Core principles, Mission statement, Motto, and Credo, as well as exercise disclaimer. We were lucky to welcome Lamont Lopes to the group and proceeded to WOR.
Warm-o-rama: We performed 10 quick IC High Knees, 10 IC butt kicks, 5 inchworms, 10 jump tucks, followed by runners stretch mixed with Pigeon stretch on both sides and mixed in some upward/down dog variations to complete the quick and efficient WOR. PAX then proceeded to the block just west of the parking lot for the Pre-Thang.
Pre-Thang: We collectively ran to the first intersection and had various PAX lead us in 2 exercises at each intersection. The first intersection was 20 LBCs and 20 Merkins. We then ran to second intersection to be led through 20 Monkey Humpers IC and 20 Carolina Dry Docks. We proceeded down the hill to the 3rd intersection for 20 Mountain Climbers and 20 Werkins followed by running to the starting point and finishing with 20 Freddie Mercuries IC and 10 Burpees. PAX then counted off 1-4 and formulated 4 groups based on their number. We proceeded to Atlas for the Thang.
The Thang: The Thang consisted of 4 stations, using the hill and the block that leads out to F street serving as our track of sorts. The 4 stations were listed below and it was fortuitous that Ketchup drew the straw to start in group 3. I could hear him a block away cursing my existence and balling up his bandana to throw at me once he saw me again! Exercises below were continued with each group working through these until they were pushed, with the burpee station serving as the push group once their burpees were done. At all stations 25 reps of each exercise were performed and then R&R until pushed.
- Station 1: Box Cutters, Werkins, Bobby Hurleys, Groiners, Alt Shoulder Taps—crab walk or bear crawl to next station once pushed
- Station 2: Apollo Onos, Diamond Merkins, Jump Squats, Chinooks IC, WWI Big Bois—R&R and then sprint to next station when pushed
- Station 3: 25 Burpees, then sprint to station 4 to push that group
- Station 4: Flutter Kicks, Ranger Merkins, Low Dollys, Alternating Lunges, Seal Claps, then sprint up Atlas to Station 1 at top of hill.
Each group completed the entire loop when Omaha was called at 6:06am. Everyone moseyed back to shovel flags for Mary and all living beings were accounted for. 1 round of Rancid Hammers were completed upon arriving at the flags, and much to the surprise of YHC, we ended exactly with 25 PAX, which held significance for today’s COT! Was meant to be! We then met and got to know our FNG Lamont Lopes, who told us he used to get called Lopez which upset his M and hence the name, J-Lo! Welcome brother!
Prayers/Announcements:
-Prayer for Bogey’s friend Tim and wife as well as daughters dealing with some family issues
-Freed to Bleed Friday Oct 21st, PAX encouraged to consider donating
-2.0 workout at Dragon’s Lair 10/22, led by Scouts in Ketchup’s command—Vlassic kindly offering coffee/donuts to follow at his church across from the park to follow.
-Ketchup SF pass next Tuesday at Wild Kingdom
-10/22 Project Pink Poker tourney at JE Dunn-don’t have to play poker to come and support a good cause
-SF pass at Berm next week
-Sparty hosting halfway house on 10/30
Circle of Trust:
YHC started this COT by asking each PAX to raise their hand if they are working on a goal or multiple goals currently. Most raised their hands. I then asked who had that goal written down on paper or in a place that stares them in the face daily or has a direct accountability partner. Not as many hands went up, but several still did. This past week, I was in San Francisco for a work trip and had the pleasure of listening to Carl Lewis (Olympian, Philanthropist, amateur singer 😊) present to the Congress of Neurologic Surgeons on his life and lessons from competing at the highest levels in any profession. He shared that he didn’t get into track or jumping until he was 15 years old. Told us that his sister was always faster than him and used to go to track practice with his folks, when they encouraged him to go play in the sand of the long jump pit. Mind you, he didn’t start jumping or running track until 15. He started to jump and liked it. Then, he set a crazy goal and said he wanted to long jump 25’. He had no idea whether he could do it, but he wrote it on his high school jacket to look at that number every day. 18 months later, he broke 25’ in the long jump. He continued to practice goal setting and very intentional training throughout one of the most decorated Olympic careers of any athlete. He qualified for 5 straight Olympics in track and field. His first was boycotted in 1980 by the US team, but he set a goal to make the US Olympic team in 1984 in 4 events (100, 200, 4 x 100 relay, and the long jump). He not only got gold medals in all 4 events that year but proceeded to win 9 gold medals and 1 silver medal in the Olympics in his entire career.
While the honors and accomplishments are many, the hammer hit me when he said what went through his head going to his 5th and final Olympics in Atlanta. He said he wanted to try out for all 4 events, because he never wanted to ask himself “Could I have made it?”. He did qualify in all 4 and that was the sticking point for a life of intentionality and never being afraid to fail. I challenged myself and all PAX to ask themselves “How do you make your life meaningful and what means the most to you? What are some opportunities you can take advantage of and how can you improve your intention and focus to accomplish those goals. 25 feet. 25 reps. Set the goal and stick it!
YHC
T-Ball