I was expecting about 4-8 pax this morning at BRP and planning a usual BRP beatdown that might have included some disc golf antics. It was a little odd that:
- Panda from Davidson showed up to BRP at 6:45am, a full 3 miles south of PRoD with no travel papers and
- Another guy (can't recall his name) drove in asking if this was F3, but that's not the first time we've had someone find us from the webste.
- It was also odd that Outlaw said something about surprising Moses on Saturday in a text string on Monday night (which I flippantly discounted, considering the source).
But, since I wasn't looking for these clues, my spidey senses were not activated and the mass of men running at me from Bailey Middle school, being led by Grantan, Ret. (Bagboy) carrying a shovel flag was a shock and a sight to behold. Wow. Just wow. I can't thank you enough for coming out in such a YUGE show of love and support. I'm guessing there were over 100 guys for the bootcamp and another 20 or so who finished their workouts to COT with us for a total of 123 pax. Most of them are listed above and a few more weren't on the website (Rogue, Pooh, Rudy, Crocs' 2 kids, 66's 3 kids, Peanut Butter & Jelly (9-Lives 2.0), Connoli)
Thang (paraphrased due to my aging brain):
We spent some time on the soccer field with warm-up running (50% speed, 75%, 100%) while partners planked. We also did a COP with common warm-o-rama exercises, including perkins and slow squats (is there any other way?). Then we made our way to the football field, passing the playground on the way and working in either 10 pull-ups or 20 dips.
Keeping your partner, we wheelbarrowed across the field, did some 'mericans and returned the same way. Dora showed up to keep us all entertained with running and exercises, including crucifix 'mericans, squats, and WW2 sit-ups /Crunches.
Partners stayed together for full-field running with partner/derkin/plank in 1 end zone and helping-hand 10x each hand in the other endzone, 2 rounds.
We returned to the soccer field passing the playground and got in another 10 pull-ups or 20 dips and circled up for a final COP, The Burpee, and the long-awaited mobility moment(s)!
Moleskin:
- First of all, thanks to M.Moses and my shorties (not so short anymore) for organizing the catering with Charlie (long-time friend of F3LKN & manager of Fresh Egg Corneliu), providing bananas & coffee, and for organizing this for months!?! Thanks for coming home for this birthday weekend as well, Mike & Bec. It was great to have you here in person and to share this F3 part of my life with you.
- Thanks to my Shieldlock, my great neighbors, Swingstate, my relay team, and many others who covertly communicated this event through word of mouth and managed to get 123 guys to post, some of whom (ahem…Rudy, Elmers) hadn't posted for 2 years.
- Bagboy, Wafflehouse, Duval – covert meetings with my wife should now cease!
- Rogue called me out for ending the workout 3 minutes early. Acknowledged, brother. I'll accept that I shorted you by 3 minutes. I owe you.
- Meanwhile, several pax called BS on the workout intensity, since this was a large group, a light beatdown was expected. Y'all should know by now that I don't like to pay refunds on my workouts.
- To Stalker (my partner for the workout): size isn't always critical, but sometimes it matters. Thanks for being normal height!
- Swingstate / Nantan – those were kind words in the COT, brother. Thank you. If my dog could speak, I wonder if she would say something equally nice…given the way she greets me. So, as I have promised myself before, I'll do my best to become the guy my dog (and you) think I am.
- Sister Callahan – thanks for taking us out in reverent prayer, giving thanks to the Almighty on our behalf. At that point, I don't think I could have closed us out without choking up.
- Swingstate – are you to thank for the Shovel Flag Lager giveaway? That was fantastic. I think many pax took a can of the SF Lager home from the workout.
- The gift basket you gave me was filled with AGED wines and STINKY cheese. Are you sending me a message? Regardless, thank you! That was generous. Rest assured I'll put it to good use. Did you know I was moving to Davidson? LOL
- Honestly, if I had known M.Moses and y'all were planning this, I wouldn't have hosted the Eleven Lakes happy hour the night before or agreed to Turnpike's EH at the Viking on Tuesday. But, those events made this a great, week-long birthday celebration.
- Seeing some of you travel from distant lands… Mountain Island (Mojito), Denver (Burning Bush), Race City (Crack, Senator, Contra, Big Mean, others), MECA (Frodo, Skipper), no push-ups land (Optimus), clips & wheels only country (Ghost & Professor), and the depths of your Saturday morning slumber (Toga) …was heartwarming.
- I know there are some (The Farm, Ludi, MMOB, others) who didn't hear about this and would have like to attend. Thanks for reaching out. I love you all and am blessed to have you in my life! May God bless each of you with His Joy.
Amen. Amen. Recover. Recover.