So, one year ago today I decided to channel my inner Matrix and DRP at Man Maker Monday. Did I really want to do this? Wake up at some ungodly hour, hop in my car and go work out and do some weird sh*t with strangers I don’t know and have nicknames! Really? Why on earth would I want to do that? I can wake up…go to the gym or go for a run and get ready for my next Spartan Race without any of these people. Besides, do I really want to listen to this foot doctor anyway? Screw it, I am not going…this is so stupid. They have their own language and acronyms…what is this. Oh and they are very religious…what are they going to preach to me? F that. I am going back to bed.
I have been making bad decisions my entire life. Truthfully, one never knows what repercussions there will be days, months or even years down the road for decisions we make today. Posting as this crazy group calls it would be one of those choices. In one hand, I have the path that is easy, known and comfortable. The other path, has uncertainty, awkwardness and to me is just plain weird. Easy choice for me…wait…ugh. There is something that is pulling me. I don’t know what it is…but it is something.
I put the key in the car, backed out of the garage and anxiously drove to 131 Main. As I got out of my car, with my bandanna and Spartan Finisher shirt on, I gingerly walked up to the Pax. Some nervous hellos as I announced I was a friendly new guy as they say and I got an even warmer welcome. Being informed that this was a KB workout, Frontier was nice enough to lend me a bell. This tall guy Dill call time and we were off. The workout itself was okay I suppose. I don’t really remember because I was not there for the workout. Let me repeat that. I was not there for the workout. I was there for something I have been missing my entire life…a sense of belonging. Yes I have that with my family of course…and my close friends…although that is somewhat fading away as we are in different states and different stages of our lives. Sad to say, that I have never fit in, belonged, was a part of something other than a sports team…and even that I never felt comfortable in my own skin.
We circled up, counted off and started saying these F3 names. There were some strange ones…some cool ones and everything in between. There were guys of all sizes, ages etc. Pretty cool. Then they came to me. Greg Latini, 37 (had to think briefly as it was two days before my Bday) FNG. Dill and Moses asked me about myself. Okay…he is where I can show off. Married, live in Huntersville, from NY, I run Spartan Races and all obstacle runs and I guess that is why I am here! What? There I go, fake front coming out…but hopefully they give me a cool name. What is my last name again? Latini. Okay. Rhymes with martini. Name is Olive. Oh gee thanks. You are named Moses and you give me Olive. Screw this. I am done with this F3 thing. Again I was lying to myself. We gather in for our prayer. Arms on shoulders, we all bow and someone takes us out in prayer. Something felt weird…strange…awkward…but good. It was not really the workout. Maybe not even the prayer. But there was something that was eating at me that caused a feeling I don’t know I ever felt. I gave the bell back…said good bye, was invited to come back out tomorrow. Okay. We shall see. I got home and told my M what transpired. She asked my name and begrudgingly told her Olive. She laughed. She asked if I liked it and would go back…Without hesitation. Aye!
The next day was easy. I woke up. Got in my car. Introduced myself as Olive. Got my butt kicked by the Vern (which was humbling and proved I was not in the shape I thought I was as I failed it) and the rest is history.
Today, although I made it about me…it is all about you, and you and you and you and you too. The Pax. F3 Nation. As I mentioned it was not about the workout. As many of you know…I can bring a pretty good beat down…and you will read that below. But my entire life, I have always been trying to fit in, be cool, be popular, but all with some sort of shell on…I did but I didn’t. I only looked at the Red Pill. I never swallowed it. That decision I made 1 year ago has truly transformed me and rejuvenated my life. It’s not about the workout or that it is presumably free. In fact, I would argue that it is not free…it is free will. Will to be better. Will to want to improve yourself. Will to be a better Father, brother, son, husband, man, steward. Will to have Faith in God, in purpose, in meaning and significance. Will to improve your brothers around you and accept help. It’s everything BUT the workout. The workout is the cherry on top, the fruits of your labor for everything else. This is F3 to me…and it comes only because of all of you!
Oh, there was a little beat down wasn’t there. For your enjoyment, see how the Pax and I celebrated!
It was a crisp 23 degrees but thankfully no real wind. I decided to participate in the ruck standard but bathroom functions interrupted my promptness. As I pulled up I saw blinking lights heading down Gilead. I parked, threw on the sack and ran to catch up. Upon our arrival back to DPK, come to find out Lego stood up Gray Ghost and he had a sadclown solo run…this happens to him way to often.
I grabbed my instructions, headed down to the basement and taped today’s instructions.
Made my way back up…Tweetsie took my pic…Lego arrived at 530…and we were off.
Warm O Rama
Mosey to bottom of deck and circle up. Welcome and disclaimer
SSH x15 IC
IST x15 IC
Cotton Picker x15 IC
Mountain Climbers x15 IC
Instructions given:
The THANG!
Workout themed DAYTONA (Ironically Outlawed themed MMM as qualifying for the Daytona 500 with 125’s) I had this planned for 3 weeks so no plagiarism. Goal of Daytona is to complete 500 reps. IN between each exercise, climb the stairwell (6 flights) and down the ramps. Complete the next exercise and repeato until completo.
25 Burpees-Up stairs, down ramps
50 LBC’s Up stairs, down ramps
50 Mericans Up stairs, down ramps
50 Squats Up stairs, down ramps
50 Freddie Mercury’s Up stairs, down ramps
50 Carolina Dry Docs Up stairs, down ramps
50 lunges Up stairs, down ramps
50 Mason Twists Up stairs, down ramps
50 Wide Grip Mericans Up stairs, down ramps
50 Jump Squats Up stairs, down ramps
25 Burpees!
AnniverSkolin
Needless to say I was extremely humbled by the turnout and all the hard work and effort to complete this. It was truly inspirational seeing everyone grinding…especially the last few exercises…and speaking of which.
Numerous BS calls on the lunges, jump squats and burpee finishers…As Primetime so eloquently, this was an equalizer…and this just plain sucked. I believe all the Pax shared that sentiment.
Except for maybe Mort. Damn that boy can flat out fly…but I did see him actually slow down for once on the burpees…but of course the silent killer kept the mumble chatter in his head.
Smores does not like workouts with homework.
Lego…last one to arrive and nearly first one to complete…thanks for sweeping for the 6 and the compliment that this was not like Daytona but running up Pike’s Peak…I have been there…this was harder! We did not have cars!
Mayhem preferred a different kind of party for my anniversary.
Nobody liked starting with the burpees. I mentioned that I was nice not to start with 50. In retrospect, no I wasn’t…
Some random BS comments and compliments along the way as we were all huffing and puffing…Speaking of which, I think Carpet Bagger and Frogger could have a battle with that. I always knew when he was lapping me.
Tweetsie…toughest Pastor in NoCo. Nuff said.
Holiday, Spare, Count, Dino, Haggen Daz and LaBon…great work…did not have much of a chance to chit chat.
Omega, appreciate you coming out and thanks for the backhanded compliments!
CoT
Lift up those who help protect and serve and less fortunate than us. Lift up Carpet Bagger.
Birthday Q at the Cauldron!
Thank you to you all for coming out and making me a better me. Truly humbling to be part of this great organization and the fine men of Isotope.
Thanks to Snoopy for dangling the Red Pill…
Always Honored and Humbled,
Olive-