Author: f3gusher

QIC:  Gusher

Date: 09/05/2020

PAX: Blue, Hambone (Respect)

AO: Reformation

Conditions

Recorded for Posterity: the state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc. could not have greeted the PAX with better conditions, unless one has a problem with perfect conditions. And then, no doubt, sir, the problem is not with the climate. Wind came in at a light prance from the north at 5mph to freshly brush across the face. Refreshing indeed. The temperature was an honest 59 degrees with clear skies for an actual feels like of 59 degrees. What you feel is what you get with today’s temps. Combining a 54 degree dew point with an 84% humidity left all invigorated for an early morning workout. Even the sweat felt sweet and smelled like the deciduous rose of Sharon. The pressure came in at 30.24 in. The barometric and atmospheric pressure are like the great mysteries of life; they cannot be explained, but only experienced. The UV index was 0, but with the cool temperature, no one would blame a man for wearing sunglasses. Maybe laughed at a little, but not blamed. This is a no blame zone. Allergy risk is low, mosquito index is moderate, and umbrella index inconsequential. If concerned about mosquito activity, the recommendation is to eliminate standing water to avoid mosquito breeding. Summary: conditions were nice.

COP

Willie Mays Hays (IC), Forward Fold with no groans (IC), Arm Circles in the forward direction followed by reversing the direction followed by handpicking cherries followed by Ray Lewis (IC)

Modified Michigan Mile (MMM, or 3M, or M to the 3rd)

The Michigan Mile is a conditioning drill implemented by hockey players. It follows the suicide format beginning at one’s own red line and then utilizing the blue line, opposing red line, around the goal etc. We modified this as we are neither hockey players nor on an ice rink. The ’92 NHL Electronic Arts game for Sega Genesis cannot be surpassed; therefore, this 3M honors this game. #GoRedwings. I mean, look a this graphic. Sharp, clear, technologically advanced.

8 Cones spread across the AO in the shape of a gigantic hockey rink. Each time upon returning to cone one, PAX execute the exercise at each cone passed. For example, on the 5th round one would perform exercise at Cone 1 and run to Cone 5, performing exercises at Cones 4, 3, and 2 upon return to start. Repeat this pattern up to Round 8. Pretty easy concept. PAX remain together and Al Gore it for the six at each station. All for One, One for All type stuff.

Cone 1: 10 Merkins; Cone 2: 15 BBSU; Cone 3: 20 High Step Ups (10 each leg); Cone 4: 20 Dips; Cone 5: 15 Carolina Dry Docks; Cone 6: 15 Leg Ups; Cone 7: 20 Squats; Cone 8: 30 SSH

After completion of full MMM course, PAX run the course for the cone reclamation project and then a fun-run up the hill, ending with LBCs around the flags.

COT

The Psalm of the Day was Ps. 46 – God is a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble and a fortress. Some poetic language throughout describing the trials and issues of life that may bring about anxiety or unrest in mind and heart. For one prone to anxiety/worry, this Psalm is a comfort and serves as Cone 1 in life’s version of the Michigan Mile. No matter how far one might wander off to other cones to engage in the responsibilities of life, Psalm 46 is the cone to return to, like a mental North Star. The Psalm’s comforting balm is verse 10, Be still and know that I am God. Amid life’s anxiety inducers, there is an active resting in God. Being still is not an idleness, but an active rest just like the 10 Merkins of Cone 1.

Moleskin

Three PAX showed up in a very Athos, Porthos, and Aramis manner ready to take on some betterment. There was no D’Artagnan which was sad because everyone needs a D’Artagnon in their life. But if the number exceeded 4, allusions to Dumas’ second greatest literary work would not make sense. This is neither here nor there, but I will pacificistically fight over the ranking of his greatest work if anyone places it lower than #1 on the greatest novel of all time. Anyway, light conversation ensued throughout with substantial time given to listing the body parts sore from the week’s Iron Pax. We also learned about an intense hike Blue and two others did while reenacting a prison escape. It was fascinating. Hambone is celebrating 22 years of marriage today. Blue creates fantastic jewelry for his M on their 15th anniversary and can also help out if anyone wants to build a retaining wall. Big congrats to both for the milestones. And big props to Blue for his giftedness with gemstones.

This was the the penultimate Post for Reformation before things move over to Convoy (see announcements). As such we wanted to leave the place on a quiet note. The workout, then, attempted to remain clear of houses so the nearby folks could sleep. Bryan Adams already did his Waking Up the Neighbors in 1993 and there is no need to repeat that today, showing him that it is, in fact, possible to stop this thing he started. Such is the power of F3. Speaking of Bryan with a Y Adams, he participated in a trio alongside Sting and Rod Stewart for the Three Musketeers soundtrack which seems apropos for today. The music video was weird (see VH1 while playing your Sega Genesis). Sega Genesis holds the center plot for YHC’s top six saddest life experiences. But that is neither here not there. This is a backblast, not therapy. Or is it? Just kidding. Or am I? Are these even read?

Word of the Day: Scherzando: Definition – “(in music) playful; sportive” Origin: of Italian origin; scherzando being the gerund of the verb scherzo “to joke.” Entered English in the second half of the 18th century. Sentence Use: The scherzando mood effected by the chorus line “All for one and all for love” performed by the Bryan-Rod-Sting triumvirate leaves listeners both confused and perplexed if eye contact is made with a friend, but restful and grateful for the 3 F’s of F3 when reflecting upon life in solitude.

News

Convergence Labor Day, see Slack for details.

Reformation has one more Saturday and things move over to Signal Mountain Middle High School. Will add Monday to the mix, beginning September 14. Again, see Slack for Details.

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QIC:  Gusher

Date: 08/20/2020

PAX: Amber Alert, Prosciutto, Red Raider, Burrito, Whittler, Snow Patrol, Pomade, Shrinkage, Jenny Craig, Joanna, Naked Gun, FNG-H.R., Pediasure, Vienna, Natty Lite, Pound Dog, Hambone, Truckstop

AO: Smackdown

Conditions

A delicate 65 degrees, with a Nor’ Easterly breeze of 2mph. The algid air meshed well with the 97% humidity, making LBCs on the mildly gelid grass with its 64 degree dew point feel like resting on the cool side of the pillow. The pressure in the air held at a steady and comfortable 29.95. But that is just the mountain ridge air for you. PAX could focus solely on getting better without having to worry about donning sunscreen given that the UV Index came in at 0. YHC is no scientist nor the son of scientist, but figures this is due to the sun’s rising schedule at 7:05am, long after 19 men got better. Who rise before the sun rises? PAX do, that is who. The day’s pollen count measured in at 9 grains per cubic meter of air; this is good news for the body’s natural histamines.

COP

SSH (25IC); Forward Fold and Accompanying Moans from the Assistant to the Regional Q (10IC); WMH (10IC) SSH (25IC); Forward arm circles/Reverse/Ray Lewis (15IC for each); Third Grade Exercise (10IC)

AMR(ounds)AP with Some Burpees in between

Coupons were so strongly recommended for several of the exercises that one could even use the word “required” and not be wrong.

The first round of body movements came with the instruction of 20 reps per exercise. Each successive round decreased the number of reps by one, because if there is a minimum number pertaining to generosity, it would be one. After each exercise the PAX run across the field with glee and perform 5 burpees and return to coupon for next exercise.

Exercises: Curls (x20); Squats (x20); Merkins (x20); LBCs (x20); Block Dips (x20); Bonnie Blairs (x20); V-Ups (x20); Block Press (x20). 5 burpees between each exercise for total of 40 burpees per round. Repeat exercises decreasing rep by one (really, read the instructions; yet, repetition aids learning and all that. Are these things actually read?). The goal: see how many rounds can be completed.

COT

Encouraged the PAX to contemplate contentment. YHC family discussion seasonally addresses the question, “If I just had __________________, then I would be happy.” How would we answer that question and what does it reveal. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, noted that he experienced times of plenty and times of lack. We think sometimes if we had plenty then we would be content. But Paul says that we have to learn contentment in both situations because contentment is not ultimately about what our circumstances are or what our possessions entail. The antidote to discontentment is gratitude. When we look around and see what our blessings are we can thank the Giver and enjoy what we have and be content in our situations, knowing even hardships are for good. Let’s be men who find it more natural to give thanks for the blessings than it is to focus on what we think is missing.

Moleskin

It appears that all PAX – to a man – view a seemingly endless morning of burpees in five rep increments as quite possibly the greatest blessing of all time. So much so, the speed with which these mighty men executed their exercises in order to be liberated to perform more burpees was excessively shocking, nay, disturbing. It was evident to YHC that a lesson needed to be learned, and that right quickly. You sleep on a teaching opportunity and it will lost forever. A decision must be made and made it was. To the dismay of all and even the outrage of a few, YHC canceled burpees midway through the second round. Leading often involves making tough decisions. Yet, the sooner one learns that life is full of disappointments the better. Disappointment ought not end in quitting; the playlist of life continues. Take your disappointment and turn it into more efficient energy. PAX were very quiet after this, but the silent treatment will not last forever. Regarding the Playlist, there was more disappointment. A special playlist selection was created for Snow Patrol with a song by namesake, Snow Patrol. Yet, the shuffle setting failed to execute said Snow Patrol for Snow Patrol. This was mortifying and discomfiting to the spirit of YHC as it took a good eleven minutes of life that will never be regained searching for a Snow Patrol song that was upbeat enough to serve as a workout song. Again, life and disappointment make for strange bed fellows. Lesson learned.

Vocabulary Lesson: Providentially, “comity” is the word of the day, and despite previously noted disappointment, the morning was characterized by comity, for which the Q is grateful.

Grammar reminder for the day: While the semicolon is often under appreciated, we want to remember not to swing too far on the pendulum with over use. It would not be prudent;;;;;;;neither would it be acceptable in formal writing.

News

Holy Kiss’ mom made it through a 6.5 hour surgery on 8/19 and is recovering, Keep in prayer.

Labor Day Convergence. See Slack for the details.

The trash receptacle at Smackdown needs to keep its lid shut as the stench emanating carries such a deathly aroma that cannot be forgotten. Seriously, it cannot be unsmelled.

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QIC:  Gusher

Date: 07/18/2020

PAX: Natty Lite, Pound Dog, Recycle, Blue, Hambone, Old School (respect), Burrito, Pratt

AO: Reformation

Conditions

72 degrees, Wind coming in hot from the west at 1mph, humidity at a balmy 90% sweat index, dew point at 69 degree, pressure 30.13 in, and UV Index at a solid 0. Allergy at a low risk, with Watson predicting that high humidity will dampen allergens and prevent them from circulating. Not sure who Watson is, but YHC applauds his findings of the day’s pollen count at 6 grains per cubic meter of air. Mosquito Index is moderate, Sweat Index comfortable, and Air Quality is at 38 with Micro Dust/PM2.5 (15.03greekmg/m3) Good – with a finding of Air Quality satisfactory with air pollution posing little to no risk – I mean, we are up on a mountain/ridge. Things are purer.

COP

SSH (21IC), Willie Mays Hays (15IC), 3rd Grade (15IC), SSH (21IC), Mosey Lap to get a preview of the course.

AMRAP Circuit of Pure Happiness

Station 1: 10 Burpees and Bear Crawl to next cone

Station 2: 20 Squats and Lunge to next cone

Station 3: 20 Merkins and High Knees to next cone

Station 4: 20 Toe Merkins and Run to next cone

Station 5: 20 Shoulder Taps and Run to next cone

Station 6: 20 BBSU and Bernie to next cone

Station 7: 20 LBC and Run to bottom of hill and back up to station 1 for a repeat.

Each Round the burpee count remains at 10, add one rep to all other stations. Total ground covered per round is (almost) half a mile.

COT

Encouragement is a greater and more effective motivator than discouragement, criticism, or rugged independence. Knowing there are others who positively push us to be persevere and keep going is a great encouragement, especially when there is a desire to give up and quit. This is true in workouts, but also in most other areas of life. Whether it is in the gloom, or at work or home, let us have an eye for others in order to encourage. When that is our default disposition, we will be listened to more effectively when we do need to offer constructive feedback because the person knows we are for them. One of the purposes of today’s workout was to see how each PAX went through an AMRAP circuit while looking out for one another to push each other, rather than just trying to be the guy who lapped everyone. It was truly awesome to see and shows that F3 consists of HIM who work hard but keep an eye on each other. To know you are with others motivating. YHC had the privilege of Qing the same day his brother Q’ed in Lexington, SC with the same circuit. This demonstrates the connectionalism of F3Nation and knowing others were getting better in another gloom was encouraging. Although, we had a better hill. So, F3Chatt wins. Keep an eye out for those in your life to encourage, build up, and spur on to keep grinding. Grateful for the F3 brothers. Quoted Hebrews 12:1-3 – Great cloud of witnesses…those that go on before us leave a testimony to encourage us to run our races well by faith.

Moleskin

YHC absolutely overcome to see how excited everyone was to begin the circuit with burpees. It was a joy to surpass even that of the birth of a firstborn. There was some disappointment that each station added a rep per round except for the burpees. But, if there is one thing about life, it is full of disappointments. There is a lesson there. PAX seem to think that the greatest part of The Hill is going down because it just means there is further distance to run up again. Lots of sweat. Not a lot of banter. Lots of great dudes. Really, there was a copious amount of sweat.

News

Hambone Birthday Q, Tuesday July 21 – Come out for some Respect.

July 18 Dictionary.com Word of the Day – Catalyst: noun – “a person of thing that precipitates an event or change; a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic” Use in a sentence: The formation of F3 by HIM served as a catalyst to transform sad clowns into HIM who in turn make others around them better.

Recent Backblasts

QIC:  Gusher

Date: 05/26/2020

PAX: Bumblebee, The Count (respect, respect), Blindside, Pomade, Laces Out (respect), FNG-Rodeo, NordicTrac, FNG-Snatch, Whittler, Dundee, Burrito, Afterbirth, Hambone, Recycle, Prosciutto

AO: Smackdown

Conditions

Nice crisp mountain air, 64 degrees, 1mph wind from the east. Humidity at 91% (good for an A- on a ten point scale), Dew Point at 63; atmospheric pressure coming in at a nice 30.06in. UV Index at 1, so not much need for the SPF. Condition of track, bumpy.

COP

Mosey around track and then gathered in a large distantly safe circle to embark upon the following: Willie Mays Hays (IC); SSH (IC); Forward Fold (IC); Imp. Walkers (IC); FAC/RAC/Ray Lewis (IC).

The Thang

Each dude moseyed to a personal coupon containing the stat sheet for the day’s activities.
LADDER of ASCENDING HAPPINESS
Ten Rounds; between each round run across field and return to coupon to climb the next rung.

Round 1: 5 Burpees (run); Round 2: 5 Burpees, 10 overhead press (run); Round 3: previous rounds plus 15 BBSU (run); Round 4: previous plus 20 merkins (run); Round 5: previous plus 25 curls (run); Round 6: previous plus 30 mountain climbers (run); Round 7: previous plus 35 monkey humpers (run); Round 8: previous plus 40 SSH (run); Round 9: previous plus 45 LBCs (run); Round 10: previous plus 50 squats (run). Go back down ladder if time permitted.

COT

Addressed the great gap between our understanding of events/circumstances in our own lives or greater issues and God’ understanding of events. He knows all and is in control working his purposes even when we do not understand. Mentioned the life of Joseph, who was sold into slavery at 17 by his brothers, then imprisoned being false accused and forgotten in prison until he was 30 yrs old. Then he was promoted to second in command and oversaw resources during time of prosperity. Then two years into the famine his brothers came to Egypt for grain. After 22 years of not knowing why things happened as they did, he was able to trust God, and then could say, “what you meant for evil, God meant for good.” We do not always understand why things happen in our lives, but God has never told us to understand, but to trust him and love him. Heidelberg Catechism question: ‘what comfort does it give to you that God governs all things?’ Answer: ‘That we may be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and confident in our faithful God and Father who says that nothing will separate us from his love. Have a mindset of trust that leads to patience in adversity and thankfulness in prosperity.

Moleskin

Due to extended distance during warmups, it was difficult to hear with clarity and precision. But it sounded like someone bought shoes at Sears Roebuck or something. Maybe a sweet pair of Traxxxx or Pony Hi-tops. Burrito loves mid-90s grunge music apparently. A lot. Something about it being better than a girlfriend in highschool; may explain why he works out in those sweet new glow in the dark Doc Martens. More lawyers added to Smackdown, but this time better hide yo’ wife, definitely better hide yo’ children.

News

No news is good news.

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