Monthly Archive October 2019

MEANT TO TAKE THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN BUT WOUND UP AT THE FISHING HOLE

The Thang:

SSH x 15, IW X 15, Hillbillies X 15. Run to the parking deck; Heels to Heaven x 24 decreasing by 2 at each level of the parking deck while running up and down the steps and Heel Tap Squats x 2 increasing by 2 at each level of the parking deck. After all the Heels were completed did peoples chair waiting on the six. Run back through the steps but this time Merkins x 12 decreasing by 1 at each level of the deck and WWII Sit-ups x 1 increasing by 1 at each level. Run to the brick benches; inverted plank with feet on the benches for Peter Parkers x 10, Incline x 10, Dips x 10, and Derkins x 10 then repeat-o. Run back the to beginning for COT.

The Moleskin:

So 6 decided to get their sweat on at The Fishing Hole on this cool autumn morning. Missing was Frehleys Comet who had tweeted the day before that he would be joining in on the action. It was speculated that he decided to go to Arsenal to handle the whales’ genitalia rather than The Fishing Hole to hang out with a couple of Cooter’s. He tweeted late this morning that he hit his snooze. Can anyone vouch for him?

When announced that one of the first exercises was to be Heels to Heaven, twitterless, and slackless Fireman Ed immediately proclaimed his displeasure but made certain that your honorable QIC did every one of them as he counted aloud. Young Cooter gave a dissertation on how the Heel Tap Squat is the step-brother to the Monkey Humper. Chopper and Single Malt kept us all moving ahead making sure no one was left behind passed out in the stairwells. Gentleman as always it was a pleasure.

Announcement:

Please remember the family of our F3 brother Toby out of Cape Fear as well as all the F3 brothers there. If any of you reading this feel like the world is caving in on you and you just can’t go on then please reach out to your brothers of F3. Most if not all of us have felt the same at one point or another.

The Summerlin Suicide Almost Lived Up To Its Name

The Thang:

Warm-up (in place):

  • SSH x20
  • IW x20

Mosey to corner of Summerlin & Wessynton for warm-up part 2:

  • Low slow squats x10
  • Mountain climbers x10

Mosey to corner of Summerlin & Abbottswood for the Summerlin Suicide. Run to each speedbump (there are 3) and back, and then a fourth point back up at Rea Rd. At each speedbump (and at Rea), 10 merkins. At the start, 10 squats each time. #mileage

Regroup and mosey one block west to Abbotswood & Brynwood. Hopper led Mary to allow the PAX to catch their breath.

Down Brynwood in the direction of home, stopping at each street light for Heels to Heaven.

Plank at Brynwood and Wessynton to collect the six, followed by lung walk, bear crawl and backwards run down Wessynton to get back to Summerlin.

Mosey back to school and to the wall. Partner up. Partner 1 runs a lap around the parking lot, while Partner B does wall sits, ending in dips.

Finish with Mary (Dollies, Rosalitas) before the mutiny. Done.

Moleskin:

The usual great Hydra group was in full force, including the refusenik trifecta, as well as a strong Flattenin’ the Hills representation #BrotherhoodBonds #KottersMargo. It’s pretty easy to tell with this group how your workout is going. When the chatter is high and NOBODY (among 23 PAX) is counting, you know you’ve lost them. That happened on exercise #2. When they start complaining (e.g., during the Summerlin Suicide), you know you’re pretty much in the zone.

Unfortunately, on the last trip down Summerlin during said Suicide, YHC caught an edge of the asphalt and took a pretty big spill, twisting an ankle pretty good. They say ankles never really heel fully (#HighSchoolGlory), and I can affirm that conclusion. I appreciate Hopper jumping in and leading the next 10 minutes or so, and the PAX for their genuine concern. Tighten the laces, and press on. There was an 80’s movie reference (in the O2 deprivation accompanies by pretty sharp pain, I don’t remember) upon retaking the Q, but it was swift and with authority. I think Hopper had had enough of the PAX’s mumble-chatter in those 10 minutes, anyway.

We wrapped up fairly uneventfully, until the end, where there was pretty much a mutiny to end the workout. Maybe I stopped my watch immediately after the fall and thus I was behind? I don’t know, but the PAX who finished strong got their money’s worth.

Pleasure to lead this morning, what may be the best site in A51. Thanks to Sprockets for the takeout, as well as Sprockets and Gummy for the opportunity to Q this group of men (and lucky for you that I disclaimed myself before the workout).

Announcements:

  • Puddin’ has the Q at Kevlar tomorrow (self-advertising). You won’t want to miss.
  • Coat drive is going on through November 4. Bring your coats to a site near you. Unresolved question was whether a coat from Runstopper would be accepted.

SOB/A51 Holiday Karaoke Party

Who: Pax and Ms of SOB/A51. Other pax from surrounding regions are of course welcome.

What: Annual Holiday Party. Dinner catered by Brown Bag. Beer, wine, soda, tea, and water. And of course, some of the best musical fellowship around.

When: Friday November 22 at 6:30 PM.
This is the Friday BEFORE Thanksgiving!!

Where: Providence Downs South Clubhouse
1203 Venetian Way
Marvin NC 28173
…Same location as last year for the SOB party, Doc’s Clubhouse…

Why: Why not? You’ll regret not being there if you miss it!

Q&A
Q: How much does this cost?
A; $30 dollars per person. For those of you that aren’t good at math, $60 for a pax + his M.

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Send Mighty Mite $30 per person
http://paypal.me/wallacepoole
You’re not signed up until you send the money via paypal.

Q: What is on the menu?
A: Brown Bag will be catering. War Eagle has ordered the meal option that will include grilled chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, veggies, rolls, and brownies.

Q: BYOB?
A: We will provide a modest selection of beers, wines, water, sodas, and tea. If you’d like to bring your favorite drink enjoy and share, you are encouraged to do so.

Q: Dresscode?
A: Casual. Dress comfortably to spend time both inside the clubhouse and outside on the patio(weather permitting)

Q: Is there really going to be karaoke?
A: Yes. Come prepared with 2-3 of your favorite songs rehearsed. Burpee penalty for non-singing pax. JK….?

Q: When should I sign up?
A: Yesterday. Since you can’t do that, sign up right now!!
In all seriousness, it really does help the Qs plan this event when pax sign up in advance. If you know you’re probably going to be there, go ahead and sign up. Here’s the link again in case you lost it

SIGN UPS ARE CLOSED KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR LOGISTICS UPDATES





Q: What if I have any additional questions that are not covered here?
A: Reach out to War Eagle or Mighty Mite in the gloom or on Slack.

A “Briarcrest” Workout?

I may be a site Q of Ignition but The Floater is my favorite Waxhaw site. Why?  It has everything.  It’s a sleepy southern town with a Main St., a burpee train, “city blocks”, residential areas, long flat straightaways, random parking lots, a pedestrian bridge, multiple big hills, a school (or two) and a cemetery.  The options are endless.  Plus, I’ve always thought there was something cool about running/working out in a town when it’s dark and shut down.  Downtown Waxhaw is also home of one of my favorite local burgers at Broome Street Burgers (the guacamole burger last week was on point) and my favorite ice cream at Brain Freeze Nitro Cream (formerly in the South Main St. BBQ location but now they have their “own” space next door).

The weather was perfect today.  59 degrees, clear skies, really no reason to not be here, none.

11 men made it out this morning. (same as in the Pursuit photo although they are claiming 12)

DiCCS were given (Disclaimer, Cell phone, CPR, Safety)

Mosey the .3 mile “church lap” which is the block that encompasses the Waxhaw United Methodist Church property.  This was also a preview lap for some of the upcoming workout.

Warm-up:

  • Side Straddle Hop x 20 IC
  • Merkins x 10 IC
  • Imperial Walkers x 20 IC
  • Calf Stretch x 15 seconds, flapjack

The Thang:

Church Lap 4 Corners

  • Starting corner 15 Donkey Kicks on the wall along Church St. (this is when Recalculating exclaimed, “this must be a Briarcrest workout”)
  • 15 Merkins at the McDonald and Broad St. intersection
  • 15 Big Boi sit-ups at the Broad and Price St. intersection
  • 15 Squats at the top of the hill at the Price and Church St. intersection
  • Rinse and repeat x 4 total

Pickup the six when you’re finished

Mosey down Church St. across the tracks, past the skate park to the “Deer Crssing” sign at the bottom of Another Bad Idea (hereinafter, “ABI”)

  • 5 Mike Tysons, hard run up ABI to stop sign (this is when Recalculating asked for “air donkey kicks”)
  • 5 LBCs, hard run the rest of the way up ABI to the High St. (appropriate name) intersection
  • 10 Plank Jacks
  • Back down ABI stopping for 5 more LBCs at the stop sign on the way down
  • Rinse and repeat x 5 total

Mosey back to COT, 6:15 and some seconds am.

Done!

MOLESKIN:

Today was more running that anticipated.  My goal is usually to stay around 2.5 miles to 3 miles for the PAX to have some running and just as much time for bootcamp exercises.  However, ABI can kind of be considered an exercise in itself I guess.

Why is performing donkey kicks a “Briarcrest” exercise as Recalculating exclaimed?  Is it because donkey kicks are great for both stability and toning?  Is it because they target your gluteus maximus which everyone knows is the largest of our three glutes muscles and comprises the bulk of our booty?  Are we bootylicous in Briaracrest? Are we known for our stable and toned butts?  I don’t know the answers to any of the rumors that are apparently swirling around Lawson but would defer to Recalculating for more info.

Everyone really pushed it out there today.  It’s great to see the PAX as a whole continue to improve.  The six get faster, the gap gets smaller, and the pax in general did a good job of staying together.  I was trying to explain to a new neighbor the other day why he needs to come out and not just hit the gym and it’s exactly the point above.  Everyone pushes everyone, regardless of level.  You’re not alone.  We endure and improve together.  The man you help and push today will be the man that pushes and helps you tomorrow. 


Thank you for the opportunity to lead today. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Clyent Dinner is converging with Christ’s Closet this afternoon at 5:30pm at the white house on the Corner of New Town Rd. and Byrum Rd.  Great opportunity for some 1st, 2nd, and 3rd F
  • Glidah mentioned him coming out last fall but then falling off the wagon until Catfish EHed him back out.  It’s important to hold each other accountable and to reach out to guys who haven’t posted in while or should be out posting with us.  With the next few months of great weather there should be less excuses.
  • Carb Load and Deadwood are working on a workout/breakfast on Thanksgiving morning at The Floater if you are in town.  More details to come.
  • Turkey Bowl flag football also happening on Thanksgiving morning at Elon Park on Ardrey Kell Rd. in Ballantyne.  This should start after The Floater event so no conflicts. 

Squat Pyramid: The Girevik’s Cure for Standing Frog Butt

The continuing saga of manly transformation from limp-bodied rag dolls to slabs of sinewy steel…Week 1, Day 2: The Squat Pyramid.

Protocol: 1 Clean, 1 Press, 1-n Squat Pyramid, 1 Renegade Row ea side. Based on combined effects of rhabdo, DOMS and rigor mortis from Day 1’s Press Pyramid and Heavy Swings, the dread of Squat Day loomed large. End result: Didn’t seem to bad on the way up, snuck up on you on the way down, then the 5 minutes of snatches about wrecked you. One Squat Day down, eight to go.

Wrapped up by working on our full body…tension: Racked carry, 1 min hard style plan, 1 min hollow body hold, 1 min glute bridge (see Day 1 BB for technique, directives on each). Bring a towel or pad for future workouts–we will end with this sequence going forward.

Day 3 is back to Press Pyramid and Heavy Swings. Saturday at ELE, at 0630, or OYO. Day 4 is Squat Pyramid again, Monday at 0530, ELE.

Remember, this is really an OYO strength program that meets to share KBs and alienate Header’s “friends.” Why he and Chin would do that to anyone is beyond me, but F3 is better for it, for now we have a Piggly added to the Pax list. You post with a surname like Wiggly, that’s like a Chin Music hanging curve getting swatted all the way to Laredo. Lots of pressure on our boy Piggly–don’t waste a great nickname by not showing up next time. Plus, we need to talk more about that Kate Spade leather KB/clutch you nipped from the wife. Many questions….well, more comments, really.

3 1/2 Corners

Silly me agreed awhile back to take a Q at Sparta, and then I asked, what is the minimum expected mileage. Response: 4.5 miles. Dang it. What have I signed up for. I haven’t run over 4 miles in at least a year. After studying google maps last night, I finally came up with a workout that allowed me to lead from the middle knowing that running is not my strong suit.

The Thang: Run down to the parking lot of MUMC for a little warm up. Some SSH, IWs and merkins to get loose. Then, head across the street to the Hampton Green neighborhood. Run down Whitefrairs Lane and turn down each road, run to the end and perform 20 merkins until you have done all 7 roads. On the way back up Whitefrairs, 10 jump squats at each street light. Collect the 6, and head back over to MUMC.

We performed 4 corners, or more like 3.5 corners. At each corner do 20 of called exercise: LBCs, Sister Mary Catherines, Heels to Heaven, and Merkins. We got 3 laps in. Head back to launch point.

We had just enough time for a round of the can opener to work on the abs.

We covered right over 5 miles. Who knew.

Moleskin: Thanks for the invite to lead Gypsy and Madison. All I know is it had to be better than running with a tire. Everyone pushed hard and hopefully I am not invited back.

Running Practice

16 guys showed up. We worked out. It was hard. Here’s what we did:

Warm-up:

  • Mosey around the parking lot and circle up
  • SSH x 24 (struggling to count)
  • IW x 21 (Still having issues)
  • Low Slow Squats x 15 (final got it!)
  • Potato Pickers x10
  • Calf Stretch
  • Merkins x20
  • Mountain Climbers x20
  • LBCs x15 (I think that’s enough)

The THANG:

  • Break into two lines for indian run. Take the long way around the schools until we get to the “F3 Playgroung”(?? – I was told this is the name…news to me)
  • Partner up
    • P1 – rotate through Dips x20 / Derkins x20
    • P2 – Run a lap
    • Repeat for three rounds total
  • Mosey toward the back of the school to the paved alcove area
  • Grab some wall – people’s chair
    • Calf raises x20
    • Toe Raises x20
    • rinse and repeat
  • On your six
    • Heals to Heaven x20
    • American Hammers x20
    • Pistol LBCs x10 each leg
    • Freddy Mercury (Dana called and counted)
  • Back on the wall – peoples chair
    • Calf raises x20
    • toes raises x20
  • Mosey up to the globe (5 minutes left and hearing the “reminders” from the group)
  • All the way back to COT, alternate Mosey and Sprints at light poles and up.down the hill…I think that’s what people ended up doing
  • Back to COT only 1 minute late

Moleskin:

I think we ended up covering about 2.5 miles and a good mix of mosey and sprints. Those toes raises sucked, and I think most would agree. My deepest apologies for the lack of deep/thought provoking content provided…brain not functioning currently.

Announcements:

  • Folding Party for Christ’s Closet Thursday night 10/10 – 5:30-8:30. Reach out to Dana for more info.

Trips Right

Exceptional 59 degree weather greeted the 6 veteran pax at Death Valley this morning. Admittedly, YHC has not posted very many bootcamps as of late but I was really looking forward to Qing this morning. Great to see these guys who have all been getting after it for many years. Once a thorough disclaimer was given away we went. Here is what we accomplished in the 45 minutes allotted.

Mosey To child care lot for COP (exercises in cadence)

Sshx20 Merkinx15 Iwx15 Widearmx15 Squatx15 Diamond x10

Mosey to Davey Park Playground for Triples Circuit:

3 Rounds of Each of the following Exercise: Triple knee raise pull-ups x5 Triple core twist situps x20 Triple mountain climber merkinsx20 Leave the playground toward the visitor center stopping at each lightpole on the way up for 3 triple merkin burpees at each light pole 25 LBC ic at top 3 triple squat burpees at each light pole on the way down Hightail it back to the school to make it right on time Not many announcements today…Vagabond is coming up – check slack for details Moleskin: The triple circuit on the playground turned out to be farm more challenging than anticipated. The Pax will feel that one around their StomACH area for quite some time. Great to see and catch up with the gang that came out this morning and good to see that Brew is on the mend. He was looking strong despite just getting back to regular posting. The other lads were putting in work as is usual with the regulars at DeathValley. Thank you to Dollywood for the opportunity to Q. Take care – Fletch

The Waxhaw Backblast Police are Relentless

27 mostly clothed men decided to join me for some basic bootcamping around UC’s best workout at a school next to the guy’s house that sprays semi-automatic rounds off in his backyard for the entire county to hear. Merica

Warm up: Run long way to basketball court. Note Recalculating’s awe of the concrete quality and flashbacks to when he used to ball out in the streets of Jersey.

Thang:

—Pyramid: 5 burpees, 10 Merkins, 15 HR Merkins, 20 mountain climbers, 25 45 seconds elbow planks, 20 Plank Jacks, 15 HR Merkins, 10 Merkins, 5 burpees

—Run back to parking lot-suicides around the lot, stopping at each driveway (4), 15, 20, 25, then 30 jump squats at each driveway, 5 burpees at beginning

–Bunch of Mary to pass the time, 20 IC of LBC’s, Heel to Heaven, Dolly, American Hammer

—Ran back over to the basketball courts for some more plank fun-6 inches, various merkins, Maktar Ndiyaye, planking

—Partner work-P1 runs to pull up bars and completes 5 pull ups-P@ doing 200 400 shoulder taps with feet on fall. Run back to start, Time!

Moleskine: So I’d like to consider myself somewhat of an 80’s and 90’s rap enthusiast. In somewhat of a shocking twist, although born in Hollywood (West Hollywood, nttiawwt), I grew up in a close suburb where all we listed to was rap. It also helped that my parents worked in the record business and would steal take provide me with CD’s when asked for. It’s an impressive collection that can probably net me $5 from the local used CD store.

But I don’t listen to rap anymore, because most of it is garbage. There is even a rapper named Lil’ Mosey. Trash. Listened to this dude for about 30 seconds before I had to stop. I was embarrassed for him. I mean, my no-longer-famous cousin and I were making rap tracks about the Lakers and macking with the ladies at age 12 that would blow this guy away. With no autotune. Yet one of his songs had 131M views.

So with that being said, I got what you’ve been waiting for.  Hollywood’s top nine West Coast rap groups/rappers of pre-1996 all time (same thing), in order (BTW this cannot be argued, especially if you are from the East Coast. Had to leave some good ones out):

1. LMFAO **homer pick, Christmas is coming up

2. The Pharcyde

3. The Alkaholiks

4. Cypress Hill

5. Jurassic 5

6. Tupac/Dr. Dre/Dogg Pound/Snoop/DJ Quik/Nate Dogg/Warren G

7. Digital Underground

8. Souls of Mischief

9. Ice Cube

So there also was a workout. It was fantastic. Saw a bunch of newer PAX that probably have no idea who was Q’ing since I haven’t been to a bootcamp workout in a while. That’s cool. Lots of good attitudes and strong work from these men. The older PAX: grumpy, loud and opinionated. Can’t a Q’s voice crack without the peanut gallery chiming in? Rough crowd out there, don’t change though. Kept the mileage pretty standard, which surprised people I guess. Shirtless guys and Gazelles were a little upset with this. They got over it though. Go read Posse’s backblast if you haven’t already because you’ll remember that one, not this.   Thanks.

Announcements:

SFN 5 k this weekend in Matthews; need track commanders; see Rubbermaid for details.

Many races/1st and 2nd F opportunities coming up; Spartan Race in April; CSAUP in West Charlotte and Vagabond over Veterans Day

Pull up Challenge going strong; can jump right in

Sign up for Waxhaw Christmas party asap

Extending the Second Death

A few months back, I came across Fishwrap’s backblast out of Metro (http://f3metro.com/2019/07/03/killing-fishwrap/) and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. If you don’t want to click on the link (not going to be on the toilet that long?), he talks about the concept that there are 2 deaths. Your first death is your physical release from this mortal coil. Your second death is when your name or memory is no longer mentioned in this world. Barring you do something really (in)famous, everyone dies twice. At some point, no one on this planet will ever know you existed. The time between the two deaths may be a good indication of what kind of legacy you leave. If that’s given you the bad kind of tinglies, might I suggest hopping into the final quarter of Q Source, beginning this week? These final months will talk about the aspects of Leaving Right (Get Right → Live Right → Lead Right → Leave Right). Mondays after Asylum or Fridays after Cerberus.

Why the heavy words today, Posse?

My Dad, Dallas, died from cancer about 9 years ago, while my wife was pregnant with our second son. Today, my Dad would have been 94. So all the reps revolved around his birthday (10/9/25) or 94. In addition, I tried to do or create exercises to memorialize him. An active eulogy, if you will. The Pax didn’t know it until now, but they have helped me push my Dad’s second death a little further down the road. 

When I first came up with this workout idea, I was hesitant to follow through with it. Then, in the middle of the night last week, I was persuaded. My oldest son, also Dallas, was making some noise in his bathroom. Walking in on a teenager in those circumstances is always dangerous, but I was more angry than anything that he woke me up & was about to wake the rest of the house. I open the door, just about to whisper-yell, when I see he is sobbing. I don’t say a thing. “I was thinking about Pop Pop. With everything I’ve been doing, I just want him to be proud of me. The way that you and Mom have been comparing us, I love that I carry on his name; but sometimes I struggle to live up to that level.” 

“I feel the same way, son.”

Wow. A 14-year-old is able to crystallize what I’ve been feeling for decades about my Dad. Maybe you have similar sentiments. That’s when I committed to this Q. 

The Warmup

Stolen straight from The Fort’s Tesh when I was canvassing for the #Launch-vergence, this Highland Games-esqe activity lines up with the Scotch-Irish lineage on my Dad’s side.
Teams of 3 line up, picking a suitable kettlebell. Give it 5 swings and release it as far as you can. Then do 10 squats and 9 merkins. By the time you finish, it’s your turn again. Go to the end of the field. Planned on having a return trip, but the aim of these guys was already starting to worry me.
Bring the KB’s back to the start.

The Irish Walk – Teams of 3 by weight. Gotta get to Mount Chiseled, but one Pax cannot touch the ground. Everyone has to be in this no-ground position at least once. #PaxGear It is genuinely mentally uncomfortable to be carried when you feel you are perfectly capable of getting there yourself. Most men are fine carrying someone else but hate when they have to be carried. For these few seconds, reflect on what you’re thinking/feeling. Your level of discomfort is probably a good reflection of how willing you are to open up when you need help.
My Dad would have enjoyed being the carrier and being carried. He probably would have acted like a king when it would have been his turn to get carried. He always had an infectious, carefree attitude. I am a worrier and an over planner, but I’ve been getting better at tapping into that mindset.

Collapsing Bridges – On the backside of Mt. Chiseled, plank up elbow to elbow on the steep side of the hill. I start at the bottom sending sandbags under the bridge of humanity. If you’re not pulling sandbags, do shoulder taps. I’ve done the Tunnel of Love a couple of times, and certain non-Damascus Pax tend to get creeped out by it. The sandbag version seemed to accommodate the Personal Space Pax.
Once all the bags are at the top of the hill, flip on your back & flutter kick while they come down. Now face the opposite direction to use the other arm in dragging it up the hill. Repeat for the Bridge of Hate.
Back when my son, Little D, was around 4, we would play this game where one of us would be the bridge, and the other would be a bus going under the bridge. At some point, the bridge would collapse on the bus, to the delight of all. When I told Big D about this game, he said he wanted to play! So we have pictures of both D’s, at 83 & 4, playing the bridge game. My Dad never lost his playful spirit. There was always a fun way to look at any circumstance. In his final days, when I had to tell him that his cancer had returned and had it had spread throughout his major organs, he responded, “Well, I guess I’m walking the green mile…”
Subsequently, we made sure to put the fun in his funeral. Hate you missed it. You would have had a blast.

Head back to the start, but 2 Pax have to have a handle on each sandbag, lifting in cadence. If you don’t have any gear, sprint to the start and then back to the six. Take their gear.

The Thang

Station work with One Horse Open Slay or Broke Farmer Carry as the timer

Dips
American Hammer with KB
Lateral Raises
Lateral Ladder Squats
Abyss Merkins on Blocks
Snow Angels with Bricks

The 1HOS is a Christmas remembrance of my Dad starting a charity at our church. Here’s my favorite story about that.

In 1986, I was involved in a program called Salkehatchie.  Salkehatchie is like a Habitat for Humanity for mostly South Carolina Methodists.  He saw how I was so changed by that week in the summer that he thought those same people needed to be visited again around Christmas time.  So he called it CHRISTmas HANDS. He got the church to collect up donations of food and clothing to go back to those families in Columbia who were helped during that Salkehatchie week.  So here we are, a caravan of several cars filled with food & clothes. We were just about to leave the church parking lot for Columbia when a woman calls the church, asking Dallas if she could bring a kerosene heater for us to take down. Something like that was not on our list, but Dallas said: “Sure, we’ll wait for you.” When he hung up, he wasn’t too happy about having to wait or trying to figure out where he was going to put it.

We get to Columbia, and as we were unloading items for one family, a man across the street came over and asked, “Hey, you wouldn’t happen to have a kerosene heater in there, would ya’? I have no heat in my house.”

Stunned by the request, my Dad reached into the back of the truck, pulled out the heater and handed it to him. He then reached into his shirt pocket, pulled out a $20 bill that someone else had handed to him in the church parking lot (also at the last minute), and gave that to him so he could afford some kerosene.

My Dad must have told me that story 10 times in his last year, and we cried about it every time. When you think about how many people had to listen to God AND obey Him so that THAT man could have heat for the winter, it’s just overwhelming.  It was such a wonderful illustration of being a channel for God’s love and in the process, everyone gets wet.
I’ve been shown time and again that listening to those faint nudges is God’s way of lining me up with His work. And being immediately obedient to those nudges has helped me hear those subsequent nudges easier. Positive feedback loop.

Partner up by opposite ability
94 Tricep Extensions
94 Bench Press
94 Curls
Other partner karaokes/side straddles to island and back

Frisburpee – All plank except 4, who are throwing a frisbee to each other. If it’s a bad throw or no catch, the group does a burpee. If the pair does any kind of trick shot & makes it, they are exempt from the next time a burpee is called. 
Carb Load now has a standing invitation to come to my house to throw the frisbee. Gotta get you ready for CanJam season.

My Dad worked in a plastics factory for all my childhood. On his feet all day in a hot, cement warehouse. Smoking a couple packs of Camels every day. And yet, almost every day I asked (which was most days), he would throw the frisbee, football, baseball, whatever, with me after school. I was always amazed when my other friends said their dads didn’t play with them nearly the amount mine did. And most of their dads had office jobs. But I still didn’t fully appreciate that until I had kids. I vowed to play with my kids every chance I could. I know it’s had an impact on my oldest. By the time he got into 5th grade, he asked that we not throw anything in the front yard; that we should throw in the back yard. He said he was tired of his friends coming up and either asking him to go do something else or wanting to throw as well. Now that he’s in high school, our throws are getting less frequent, but I know he values them when we do. Not near as much as I do, though.
I’m not doing as well with the second child. But this new job is providing me with the afternoon time I needed to get the critical playtime we both crave. I encourage you to do the same. Taking them to a practice is not the same as playing with them. Coaching or critiquing every throw is not the same as playing with them. Talking about what’s on their minds as they throw IS playing.

I know it was not a brutal ending to a workout that you may have wanted. But I had so much fun in those last few minutes with you guys! I hope you can reflect on today’s workout not so much with sore muscles, but with a happy heart.

I took us out slightly differently than normal. Before the prayer, I asked everyone to think of 2 people who have had a major impact on their lives – one dead & one alive. They cannot be historical figures, but ones you knew personally.
For the dead one, I encouraged the Pax to memorialize that person TODAY, whether it was donating to their favorite charity, eat at their favorite restaurant, etc. For our family, we are going to McAllister’s tonight for a French dip, potato salad, & sweet tea. My Dad ordered that after church every Sunday for years.
For the living one, go tell that person TODAY what kind of impact they made in your life. Be specific. It’s a good bet they don’t even know.
Mine is going to the youth director who got our church involved in Salkehatchie. My worldview would be completely different (certainly less compassionate) without her coming along in my adolescence.

Our extended family is split between Methodists & Baptists. We would attend each other’s church, but my Dad would make sure to poke a stick as he went. The irony of having this workout at a Baptist church demands that I wrap up with his favorite Baptist joke:
How do you keep a Baptist from drinking all the liquor in your house?
Invite two of them.

Announcements:

Speed for Need needs runners for this Saturday, 10/12 at Let Them Soar in Matthews. https://letthemsoar5k.raceroster.com/ Three runners have dropped and an additional chariot rider has come forward. SFN can even cover your admission if cost is an issue. Contact Rubbermaid or Gypsy for more details & training. Rockwell did, and he’s expecting you to be there with him!

Fusebox became Soapbox for 22 seconds ala War on Christmas style. Ask him for more details, but something about patriotism & Christianity being censored in sports. So reject political correctness and be more open about your patriotism and Christianity.

Clothes folding fun at Christ Closet this Thursday 5:30 PM. Wives & kids welcome. Going to Clyent Dinner? Swing by afterward! Get with Carb Load, Dana, or Ackbar (HBD BTW) for more details. They need to be folded for…

11/9 CSAUP in West Charlotte. http://f3metro.com/2019/10/03/west-charlotte-csaup/ Shop Dawg is Q’ing the Christ Closet giveaway & needs your help. All 3 F’s, but heavier on the 2nd & 3rd F’s than the next announcement on the same day.

11/9 CSAUP in Area 51 / SOB. The Vagabond https://f3southcharlotte.com/2019/10/07/vagabond-2019-csaup-info-pre-blast-and-t-shirt-order/ 13-ish miles across 6 AO’s with 15-minute workouts at each stop. If you don’t want to do all 13 miles, the link gives arrival times at each AO so you can drop in/out for your too low choice of milage.

Q School & Site Q School 11/2 Saturday at Chick-fil-a in Blakeney. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d49afac2aa6fc1-qschool If you don’t know what this is, then you need to go. Talk to me or others who have attended. Do NOT talk to Rubbermaid or Tupperware about it!