Two Years Since

THE SCENE: What a scene! It’s definitely still Summer.

Two years ago today, I showed up to my first F3 workout at Sea Isle Elementary. I saw no cars as I approached the school. Upon passing the school and turning around, I saw a truck pull around back, so I followed. What I saw was a dozen or so men standing around in a dark parking lot in the middle of a tropical depression.

Irma had made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Southern Florida, then slowly churned through the state, into Georgia, across Alabama (hurricanes really DO hit Birmingham), and finally into West Tennessee. 

Around the same time Irma was making landfall, my friend Jared told me about a new workout group in Memphis. Our mutual friend Rob (AKA Granola) had been and told Jared about it. My fitness had been very inconsistent. I’d run or lift for a couple months, then stop. Ride a bike for a few months, then stop. I never really enjoyed any of it. Group fitness did not appeal to me, but nothing else was working. As an introvert, I had some apprehension about showing up in a dark parking lot, in steady rain, with a bunch of strangers. Jared had promised to be there, and indeed, he was, along with two other new guys. I got out, joined the circle, and tried to do what the Q said to do.

Today’s workout was heavily inspired by that workout, which happened to be Four Eyes’ VQ. I added some things, because we’re all a bit fitter these days, and I left some things out, because the ankle scratchers are still the worst. You can read more about that day here: http://f3memphis.com/a-virgin-q-in-whats-left-of-irma

F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER: Given

WARM-O-RAMA:
During the Disclaimer, YHC noticed Four Eyes’ shoes were untied. YHC instructed Fourest to tie them while we all held plank. Once the shoes were tied, we took a quick mosey to the Sea Isle Elementary rear parking lot, where it all began. 

Toms: “You meticulously researched the original backblast, didn’t you?”
YHC: “You know it.”

SSH x20
Imperial Walkers x16
Windmill x10
Cotton Daisy Pickers x10
Four Eyes did “Split Straddle Hops”, but I don’t know what those are, so we skipped them!

MOSEY TO THE PLAYGROUND!!!!

Just as we were approaching the playground, one of Memphis’ Finest was checking out the area. At first, I assumed we’d been reported for being on the school lot. We’d been kicked out of there in the past, but that seemed like an awfully quick response time. He was shining his flashlight around. YHC and Photoshop approached him. 

Officer: “Have you seen a man and woman walking around?”
Photoshop: “No.”
YHC: “No, just a single female dog-walker.” 
Officer: “Alright, if you do, give us a call. Sorry to bother you all.”
YHC: “Sure thing, no problem.”

Such a gentleman. Even apologized for interrupting my weinke!

THA-THANG:
Partner up! Snookie and I teamed up (half of the 9/12 quadruplets). I don’t know how he did at this routine last time, but I know I sucked at it. Today, we knocked it out! 

B-O-M-B-S
Partner 1 started on exercises. Partner 2 ran to the dog park fence (RIP baseball!), executed a single star jump (shouting “I’m a star!”), and ran back. 
Burpees: 50
Overhead Claps (holding Al Gore): 100
Merkins: 150
Big Boy Sit-ups: 200
Squats: 250

During the merkins, a couple was approaching on the track. They had a dog or two. They never passed us. The Officer didn’t say anything about a dog, so we assumed it was not the fugitives.

There was some chatter about teeth brushing. I don’t know what that’s about. Everyone brushes their teeth!

Flutter kick until all-in. 

Next up, P1 executed 5 burpee box jumps (burpee in front of a bench, then jump onto the bench) while P2 flutter kicked. Flip-flop for 4 rounds total.

Mosey back to the shovel flag. Around halfway, we stopped for some shoulder taps.

Shoestring (I think): “No one does these anymore.”

MARY:
Alternated Carolina Dry Docks and wall sits. 
10 CCD, wall sit, 10 Overhead Claps
9 CCD, wall sit, 9 Moroccan Night Clubs
8 CCD, wall sit, 8 OHC?
7 CCD, wall sit, 15 Cherry Pickers (7 is too few!) (insert obligatory complaints about patterns from Gus)
6 CCD, wall sit, 16 Cherry Pickers to 0615

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
16 PAX, one Irish Goodbye

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Sua Sponte Leadership – This is when a man leads “of his own accord.”

From the Q Source: “In F3, a Sua Sponte Leader is a man who has been freed to Lead. He is a Leader who exercises Individual Initiative (I2) by taking action in furtherance of his Group’s Articulated Purpose without specific instructions. He initiates Movement toward Advantage for his Group in the absence of explicit authority because he is that rare man who will Lead with or without another Leader to direct him. He is That Somebody.”

Are you That Somebody? There are plenty of opportunities to lead that way in F3. Are you leading that way at home – in your marriage, in your parenting? Are you leading that way at work? In your community? Stop waiting for orders and get to work.

We balled up, offered thanks to the Sky Q, and asked his blessing on our day. 

MOLESKIN:
During my first workout, I could barely get through the BOMBS routine. I was partnered with Jared (two FNGs should never be partnered together!), and he definitely did 75% of the reps. I don’t remember doing any burpee box jumps, so I assume I was just laying on the ground hoping to die. I didn’t, and in the COT, Jared was trying to get me named Bean Counter. When I said I was from Martin, Gus or Bruce or both suggested Soybean. Jared named himself Phat Pat somehow. Snookie got named Snookie cause he’s from Jersey. The other FNG was named Way Way Back because of station wagon road trips, I think. 

At F3, I’ve found what I was looking for in consistent fitness – the workouts are usually fun and the accountability keeps me posting. What I didn’t know about myself two years ago was how isolated I was from meaningful male relationships. Most of my best friends are men I’ve met in F3 in the last two years and the number of men I’m in relationship with has grown massively. That’s what really keeps me engaged and it’s been a huge encouragement for my life in general.

Today was fun. I enjoyed the company and the mumblechatter. Thanks to Photoshop for bringing coffee and doughnuts. Thanks for showing up. Keep posting!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
VAPE tonight. VAPE forever!