Today’s workout was a real gasser, probably needed after all the junk food and beer consumed over the extended July 4th celebration. The workout details will follow, but first, a big thank you to all the High Impact Men (HIMs) among us. Many individuals come to mind, but you know who you are, so I won’t mention names. Seeing you grind both in and out of the gloom gives the Pax that extra boost to be better individuals, husbands, and fathers. I know I am a better man today than I was two years ago, thanks to the leaders we have within the Pax.
Nothing brings me more joy than helping to grow and introduce more guys to F3. To quote Rosie, “F3 is ours to give away.” The joy is even greater when men you invite stick with it and transform themselves (see Purple Rain and Futon). The magic happens when these guys bring other new guys (Futon/Walkie Talkie –> Yeehaw –> Crabgrass) or (Purple Rain –> Fergie).
To wrap this up, a few lessons learned/takeaways through two years of F3.
- You get out what you put into it, but this requires digging deep and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. A perfect example was the Richmond Grow Ruck (GTE #47). When this was first proposed, I had zero desire to participate because it sounded terrible—the idea of walking around all night with guys yelling at you didn’t sound fun. Back in late 2023, during an MOT run, I mentioned to Rosie that this didn’t seem appealing to me. Rosie listened and offered some solid advice: “These types of challenges are not about you but about pushing through with the Pax, which makes the Pax stronger.” Watching guys push through discomfort and step up to lead during GTE #47 exemplified this.
- Leadership is not just about Q’ing a bootcamp. Some guys don’t want to lead a workout for various reasons: general lack of confidence, concern about their fitness level, or simply not wanting to write a backblast. I understand these reasons and could challenge any of them (have you seen a Hermey or POG backblast?). If Q’ing is not your thing, that’s fine, but find another way to lead. It could be stepping up when a Breaking Bread spot is open, hanging back with the six, or even kicking off an amazing fundraising event for children’s cancer. Over the last two years, I have seen some really amazing leadership outside of Q’ing (new AOs, 2nd F events, etc.). Keep it up.
- Get to know the new guy, and if you are the new guy, get to know the OGs. Remember, the draw to F3 is the fitness. New guys come out because they may want a challenge, want to get back in shape, or maybe just want a bottle of Weller Reserve. The 2nd F (Fellowship) is what keeps them there. This doesn’t have to be anything more than a solid conversation on an MOT run or some solid mumble chatter at First Watch. Maybe even step it up with a cup of “volunteer coffee” at Great Harvest or a slightly better one at Libby Market, coupled with a funny joke or deeper topics like politics (ekk) or the challenges of raising a family. Step it up again with a post-workout breakfast with your buddies. These are my favorite moments, but this 2nd F stuff doesn’t happen unless we engage with each other. Like point #1, this is enhanced by traveling outside your normal stomping grounds (traveling across the James). Trust me on this.
Ok – back to the workout.
Watch hit 5:29 a.m….waiting on my FNG to show up…car coming…mosey to car…nope just Tzatziki. We pick him up and slow mosey to the intersection of Port Savage/Endstone trail. Warmorama designed to honor the guys at my first boot camp two years ago led by Nancy Lopez.
SSH (because you always start this way)
Nancy Lopez – Jazzercize
Body Karate – Dong Quijotes (been awhile man)
Boberry – Collared pickers
Rosetta – Reach up, left, right (snickers about where was he)
Merkins (just because)
McGruff – Downward Dog/Updog.
Start the workout with a punch in the mouth by moseying to the bottom of endstone for Jacob’s ladder. 5 dollies at bottom of hill each time. Ran up hill 7x, with ascending merkins (up to 7). I got to chase a dueling State Farm and Wildcat, who literally SPRINTED up the hill the first round.
Sweat pouring. 20 second OC countdown. Triple Check the other way up endstone trail. Runner goes three mailboxes deep and does 2 burpees. Other guys do jump squats (or regular squats) and LBCs/WWIIs.
Mosey walk back towards the flag. Enter the thunder dome (tennis courts) for four corners (prostutute style). 10 Merkins/20 SSH/30 Monkey Humpers/40 squats.
Ice cold water served to the Pax.
Numbers/Names.
Speech:
Doing this is tough, but it nothing worth doing in life is easy. Ask any top athlete or business leader. I think back to overcoming challenges in my personal life, career, and even relationships. We all face these types of challenges…some more than others. But in the end pushing through is worth it.
Out here – we prove something each morning. We prove we can drag our asses out of bed when not many other men do, put in work, and do it all over again. We do it because stuff like this hardens us and sets us up for the challenges ahead. After all, to quote Mr Hardywood: Transformation does not happen in the comfortable middle, it only takes place at the hard edges.
So – I thank each and every one of you for pushing me and making me stronger. I hope I am doing the same for you.
Wildcat took us out in prayers.
Special shoutout to Fudd, StateFarm and OC for making the trip!
