Anvilversary 2 – A Different Version of a Constant Theme

Anvilversary 2 – A Different Version of a Constant Theme

For the last two years, I’ve marked the middle of the week by posting at the same place with more or less the same men and it is amazing how much better I am for it. I’m not sure if I’m faster or stronger than I was (although I think so, on both counts). I’m not sure I’m a better leader or a better follower, a better father or a better worker (although I probably am, on all counts). What has resonated with me, though, is the necessity of consistency. I think I speak for most men in F3 when I say the following: I am in the middle 1/3 of my life and it is hard. I am needed and necessary everywhere I go, to each place I’m called, and I’m oftentimes worn out. I’m involved in a lot of good things, cutting back isn’t an option, how do I keep at it and how can I excel? Actually, forget cutting back or coasting, I want to accelerate…

Depending on who you talk to, you’re going to get a variety of similar answers, many of which are helpful: depend on God, invest in your wife and children, choose wisely who you associate with, do something you enjoy and/or are suited for, serve others instead of focusing on being served. F3 also helps, and we who founded Anvil wanted it to be part of (note: not “the only”) solution: run a hard workout, welcome the FNG, look out for the 6, encourage everyone. Oh yeah, and if we can have a little fun along that way, that might be kinda cool too…

Sentimentality aside, Anvil year 3 began just like we started year 1: we ran around the parking lot (yep, still really big and still uphill both ways). A 1/4 or 1/2 mile later we circled up for the standard COP: SSH (not 200), IW, squats, merkins, mtn climbers, then ran around and over to North Face for an extended triple-nickel (hand-release merkins and jump squats). Sucking wind, we than ran back up (uphill, again) the parking lot to the volleyball pit for our anniversary favorite: animal parade through the sand (partner up, P1: burpees, P2: bear crawl there and back, flapjack; repeato with gorilla jump and dragon walk. Finish with wheelbarrows). Finally, with 7 minutes left, we sprinted to the pavilion/sauna/covered area thing for 11s (dips/derkins). 1 minute left so AYG back to the cars. Circle up for COT. Nameorama. Pat everyone on the back. Find your towel, drink your water, adios.

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Moleskine:

– Seriously – I owe everyone a big cobains for posting this so late. Y’all killed it out there and I gave your war story no respect. That’s on me. Not being the kind of Q I want to be.

– Morning started ominously with the sighting of that shooting star as we ran toward COP. I’m glad to say that nothing happened (that I know of) that can be attributed to that celestial event. It was cool to see though.

– Your welcome for the tour of the AO, as well as the backside, flanking manuver attack of North Face. I had no desire to run up that thing either (although we did it 5 times). Thought it might be easier if we attacked from that angle. I was wrong – it still sucked.

– 80 degree starting temp so wanted everyone to have an opportunity to grab a swig of water with our run through the cars at halftime. Not sure that worked quite right, though. Might have lost some folks who were “looking in their car for their water” for a very long time.

– Great to see BOG out again. Well done, man!

– Mermaid: Tclaps, man. Well done on the Calvary food drive and equally well done on the co-SiteQ. It’s been an honor and privilege to lead beside you.

Announcements:

– Can’t remember. If it was important, it’s on the email. If it was urgent, it’s already passed.