So many things were going my way this morning. First, I was able to “sleep in” because I was slated to Q at one of F3 Lexington “late” AOs. Next, the weather was FINALLY warming up a bit. The air felt absolutely perfect when I stepped out of my car at the Shank. What made it even better, though, was that as I walked up to the PAX gathered by the shovel flag I saw Ken Doll walking up as well.
For someone who Qs as often as I do, you might think KD and I would cross paths more often. Unfortunately, we do not, so to have him present this morning was a nice little encouragement. That guy knows how to lead men and also how to Q a workout, so even though I’ve done it a bunch I wanted to be on my game today.
It also helped to see so many familiar faces in that circle. The Shank regulars are a great bunch of HQDs (High-Quality Dudes), and it’s always a challenge to find something to push these guys physically. I think I did that today…
Here’s how it all went down…
WEATHER
Mid-50s and GLORIOUS
COP
Take a warm-up lap around the walking track and circle up under the shelter for COP.
* About halfway through this lap, Buzzsaw and Ken Doll passed me. Was I not going fast enough for them? Then more PAX passed me as if we were doing an indian run. This was not part of my plan at all. I stuck to my guns and thwarted the attempted Q d’etat.
SSH X 11 IC
* My choice to stop at 11 confused many (if not all) of the PAX. Was I a big Spinal Tap fan? Did I just miscount? Am I going crazy? (ANSWERS: Yes – No – Possibly). Simply put, as I revealed later we did one rep for each of the PAX in attendance. Good thing we didn’t have 31 or this would NOT have ended well.
MERKINS X 11 IC
TTT X 11 IC
T-PLANK MERKINS X 11 IC
* These are still a new exercise to most, but they’re catching on. There’s nothing fun about them except the results when you’re done with them.
SQUATS X 11 IC
SHOULDERS TAPS X 11 IC
IMPERIAL WALKERS X 11 IC
6-COUNT BURPEES X 11 IC
THE PLAN
Mosey to short bridge
T-PLANK MERKINS X 11 IC
BEAR CRAWL to other side
T-PLANK MERKINS X 11 IC
BEAR CRAWL back
T-PLANK MERKINS X 11 IC
BEAR CRAWL to other side
T-PLANK MERKINS X 11 IC
BEAR CRAWL back
RECOVER
* T-Claps to those who did and extra set while waiting for the 6
Mosey to nearest light pole
RUN around outside path. At each light pole complete 1 BURPEE. Continue until 45 BURPEES are completed. Each light pole represents one candle on my birthday cake.
This was inspired by Rocking Chair who had us do this at Crypt on his birthday. The only problem was, we “lit” the candle and then had to go back and “blow them out.” We only had time this morning to light them.
* We stopped at BON JOVI BENCH – the halfway point – to regroup and complete the 1 missing TPLANK MERKIN from earlier (having only completed 44 at the bridge). Then we resumed our BURPEE fun.
MARY
<Circle up at entry of walking track for MARY
FLUTTER KICKS X 25 IC
LBCs X 25 IC
AMERICAN HAMMER X 11 IC
BBSU X 11 IC
* It was unanimously agreed that sit-ups, crunches, etc. are BRUTAL on the cement. Next time I’ll be sure to take this section to the grass.
Take a cool-down lap around the walking track and circle up under the shelter for final exercise
T-PLANK MERKINS X 11 IC
RECOVER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Grow Ruck coming up last weekend of January. Saturday morning leadership class from 7-11 (workout, breakfast, class) – $10
* 4-yr. Big Bang Anniversary Convergence on March 3 at Graveyard
* MGC Long Run – Feb 3
* 100K Dam-to-Dam Relay (Feb. 24th) Paper Jam and Juice are heading that up.
* Light House for Light 5K – March 8 (7PM)
* Saturday – Hollow, Ambush, Surge will converge at Shank
* Friday lunch at Salsarita’s
* Tuesday lunch at Schlotzky’s
PRAYER REQUESTS
* Scooper – in Haiti on a Mission’s Trip
* Injuries (Dunphy/groin), Ken Doll & Pew (knee), Pearl (rotator cuff)
* Doo Dah
* Braniac’s father-in-law (stroke)
* Family members of 3 National Guardsmen who committed suicide in recent months
DEVO
Proverbs 10:17
“People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.”
I recently accepted the challenge to read one chapter of Proverbs per day for the month of January. In addition to reading and reflecting, I decided to share what resonated most with me with two groups – some F3 brothers to whom I’m accountable and my wife and two college-aged kids. The process of sharing my reflections, especially with my family, has yielded some encouraging results. First, having assumed my place as a spiritual leader in my family, something I’ve not always done, my wife and kids have expressed their appreciation and excitement over doing this little study. Next, by placing a value on their reflections it has given them a voice in communicating their understanding of the Scriptures. It’s still a new discipline for me, but I can’t wait to see how this process of sharing the Word in this way continues and what comes from it.
I challenged the men to seek God’s wisdom, found in His word, and then share it with the people around them, especially their families. I believe what will come out of this would be extremely powerful and beneficial to us all.
As always, it was a pleasure to stand among and lead these men. I look forward to seeing them in the gloom soon.
– Chedda