I was very excited to be able to lead the men of Turning Point on this day because it gave me the opportunity to show some RESPECT a fellow F3 brother who has meant a lot to me, the one and only Granola. Over the years I’ve appreciated his mumblechatter, his work ethic, his commitment to helping others get better and so much more. Surrounded by the amazing Turning Point PAX, we set out on a mission to celebrate Granola while pushing ourselves and one another to get better. From what I observed it was mission accomplished. For those who require even more details, here’s how it all went down…
WEATHER
50 (appropriately)
COP
MOSEY to upper blacktop at back of school for COP
* After our opening exercise, all rep totals added up to 50 in honor of Granola’s 50th birthday. To start things off, Granola’s old friend JIMBOB decided to stop buy for a visit.
JUMPING JACKS X 50 IC
* The PAX weren’t too excited about doing this many SSH. Neither was the Q.
IMPERIAL WALKER X 10 IC
MERKINS (T-PLANK) X 10 IC
BURPEES (6-ct.) X 10 IC
OLD-SCHOOL SIT-UPS X 10 IC
BEAR CRAWL across blacktop IC
THE BEATDOWN
MOSEY to tear corner of walking track to explain what’s next.
Run to soccer goal:
T-PLANK MERKINS X 10 IC
Run to first corner:
4-CT. FLUTTER KICKS X 10 IC
Run to second corner:
PRISON SQUATS X 10 IC
Run to third corner:
BURPEES X 10 IC
Run to fourth corner:
LAP 1: TPM X 10 IC
LAP 2: 4-CT. FK X 10 IC
LAP 3: PRISON SQUATS X 10 IC
LAP 4: BURPEES X 10 IC
LAP 5: DEALER’S CHOICE X 10 IC
* Reps total 50 per lap, and if all five laps are completed, reps for each exercise total 50.
MOSEY to staff parking lot for MARY
MARY
FLUTTER KICKS X 10 IC
AMERICAN HAMMER X 10 IC
IMPERIAL WALKERS X 10 IC
T-PLANK MERKINS X 10 IC
HILLBILLIES X 10 IC
Jog to shovel flag
RECOVER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Leo Pride Run this Saturday
* Run Hard 5K next Saturday
* John Flanagan Memorial 10K – November 11
* Dec 9 – Cottonmouth
* Dec 15 – F3/FiA Christmas Party
* Grow Ruck in January
PRAYER REQUESTS
* Swanson’s dad – headed to Duke for surgery on vocal chord
* Granola – skin cancer on back removed today
DEVO/CLOSING THOUGHTS
Before sending the PAX off, I took a moment to review the workout for the day and how each of the exercises added up to 50 to purposely honor Granola’s recent RESPECT-iversary. I shared how he has been a major encouragement to me over the years, probably without even realizing it most of the time. Granola is one of those guys who comes to a workout to enjoy the fellowship by adding his fair share of mumblechatter but also by pushing himself and the guys around him physically. He’s unofficially mentored countless runners, including me, by running slower than he needed to but faster than we needed to just to help us improve. I shared with the PAX that nearly every time I run I focus on my breathing because of the advice Granola gave me long ago. Because of that advice, I’ve been able to do more as a runner than I ever hoped.
All of these thoughts were so important for me to share because there was another F3 brother who was also a huge encouragement to me by the way he brought humor and a solid work ethic to our workouts and who also served as a mentor and role model for many runners, including me. His name was John Flanagan, and I very much regret that I never took the time to share with him what he meant to me or thank him for all he had done for me. Well, as I shared with the PAX, I sure as hell wasn’t going to allow that to happen again, so I said what I said to Granola with all of the TP PAX as my witnesses. From their response, they agreed with my sentiments and could definitely relate to being made better thanks to Granola’s impact.
In closing, I challenged the PAX to let one another know how much they’re appreciated because none of us is guaranteed that opportunity will be there tomorrow. While the world around us focuses inward – on self and selfish desires – we MUST continue to look outward, serving one another and building each other up in the Faith. As it is written, as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Let’s be men who live this out every day, not as a catchphrase but as a way of life!
I am a better man because of the role F3 Lexington has played in my life.
I am a better man because of what the men of Turning Point have given me.
I am a better man because I have known Ty Thomas – 50 – Granola.
RESPECT indeed.