Oh, this is going to be fun!

by | Mar 18, 2017 | Houston, The Hogg

Waking early, so that YHC could down some coffee, go through the usual early AM routine, and finalize plans, as the Q, for the beatdown to ensue, YHC heard the rain coming down and thought, “Oh, this is going to fun!” Yes, that was what was going through YHC’s mind, but that wasn’t always the case.

YHC can remember the first couple of times of coming to grips with the reality of “Rain or Shine. Hot or Cold.” YHC can recall the initial reluctance that such conditions would elicit, almost involuntarily. It’s understandable, after all, we’ve all spent years being conditioned to think of inclement weather as something to be avoided. In our adult lives, it typically presents an impediment or mars the smooth functioning of our busy lives. Work shoes destroyed by the unseen puddle. The flight canceled or delayed by a snow storm. The 2.0’s birthday party that the M has been planning for weeks, suddenly upended by a thunderstorm. And so, it’s understandable that as the PAX contemplate posting or returning to the warm cocoon of the fartsack, that they sometimes miss the opportunity for a lot of fun.

Think back for a minute to when you were young. When summer days lasted forever and the school year seemed interminably long. Recall what your instinctual response was to those snow and rain storms? Yes, it was play time! Who couldn’t wait to put their boots on and go splash in puddles? Who didn’t want to race out to make a snowman, as the first flakes started to fall, even if there wasn’t enough snow to make a snowball? What about those muddy games of football down at the local field with the other kids from the neighborhood, after a heavy rainstorm? YHC certainly remembers those times fondly.

It was those memories that changed YHC’s mindset about such days. That slogan, “Rain or Shine. Hot or Cold.”, doesn’t have to be viewed only as a challenge, a calling only to be heard only by the most hard core PAX. No, not at all, in reality, it’s a call to all, an invitation to come play and have fun, like when you were younger.

So, that’s why, as YHC heard the rain coming down, “Oh, this is going to be fun!” was the thought going through YHC’s head.

Somewhat sadly, the rain began to die off as YHC walked out the door to the AO, but YHC still knew that fun lay ahead.

 Disclaimer

YHC is not a professional. This is a free workout. You’re out here voluntarily. Push yourself, but don’t hurt yourself. If you have a serious medical condition, get some help with that (just kidding). Let’s get after this.

Conditions

High 60s. Humid. It had just stopped raining, so puddles, mud, and wet grass were all around. Just perfect!

Warm Up/COP

  • Side Straddle Hops x 51 IC
  • Seal Jacks x 25 IC
  • Windmills x 15 IC
  • Imperial Walkers x 20 IC
  • Toy Soldiers x 20 IC
  • Moroccan Night Club x 20 IC
  • Smurf Jacks x 24 IC

The Thang/NakedManMoleskin

The PAX paired up, while YHC went at it solo. Three times previously, since F3 Houston started, YHC has attempted to lead the PAX in a Super 21, but each time, due to a Q-fail of either adding too many or too complicated a set of exercises, the PAX were never able to finish in the time allotted. So, YHC was bound and determined that today would be THE day to have them see it through by going back  the original script, as laid out in the Exercon…almost.

From the CES Toyota Center, the PAX mosey over to the park by the Bellaire pool and amphitheater. YHC took a moment to point out to the PAX that there was a perfectly dry area up on the amphitheater that we most certainly would…NOT…be using. Nope, straight out into the middle of the field, where YHC knew it would be nice and squishy.

While YHC viewed this as playtime, the early mumblechatter indicated that the PAX were still dealing with their conditioned responses. YHC heard the complaints coming from the PAX about how their clothes were getting wet and dirty, and YHC thought back to the phrase a good friend’s older brother often used, “Acknowledge and duly ignored.” Nope, YHC would have none of that and hoped that by the end of the BC, that maybe the PAX would have their own epiphanies about the true nature of working out in those conditions.

YHC led the PAX through the 1-5 rep cycle, then had them mosey to the baseball outfield, which was even more squishy than the park, for reps 6-10; then 11-15 were done on the woodchip-laden ground around the playset; 16-20 were back on the field; and the last rep of 21 was performed back at the Toyota Center.

Along the way, in between stations, the PAX picked up on a Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) leg routine. Keeping with the partner theme, the leg routines were named on the fly, with such gems as the Tango, Fox Trot, and Box Step (credit goes to Bublé and Weedwacker) all being generated. Several are keepers, though YHC thinks they should NOT be paired with Britney’s Monkey Humpers along the ECR for fear that even some of the PAX may get the wrong impression.

As for some observations that YHC made over the course of the workout:

  • The Wreck might want to consider taking up the art of Bonsai. Having nearly gauged half of his face off while doing routine yard ward, working with trees less than a foot high might present less of a threat to his well being. Here’s a link to get him started: http://www.bonsaiempire.com/basics
  • El Blanco just might want to reconsider his dedication to wearing white shirts to each workout. He probably had to use enough bleach to contaminate all of Galveston Bay to get his shirt back to white after Saturday’s workout. So, if he shows up in a spotless white shirt at next workout and you happen to hear a news report of large numbers of fish dying in the bay…well, you know where to point a finger.
  • Fireball will eventually learn that when a member of the PAX complains about something (e.g. their Six getting wet), it’s likely the Q will go right back to that trough.
  • As previously alluded to, Bublé and Weedwacker know their dance steps, and so skilled was the synchronization of their partnered leg routine, YHC thinks that talent scouts from DWTS might soon be calling on them about them pairing up for a male-male dance team this coming season.
  • Glad to have Hookup back in the lineup. He caught a second helping, and not the kind the PAX appreciate, of that bug that’s been going around. Apparently, he had previously passed it off to his kids, who passed it right back to him. Sounds about right.
  • Bublé apparently thought that we had moved the start time of the BC to 0635…and then still decided to show up late. Goodness knows how he deals with Daylight Savings!
  • Inhaler did an outstanding job battling through his first Super 21. The question YHC has is when is he going to give up this whole mind-over-matter, Tony Robbins – Walking Across the Fire Pit thing and get some gloves to workout in?

Count-O-Rama

9 dedicated PAX learned how to play again, even if it did involve a small bit of pain.

Name-O-Rama

No FNGs. Have to address that, once Spring Break is over.

Ball of Man

Circle of Trust, Ball of Man and Thoughts and Prayers

  • Prayers for our Brothers of the Gloom who are/will be traveling this week.

Announce-A-Rama

  • GrowRuck 03 – New Orleans June 9-11 combines F3 Grow School with a GoRuck Tough. Details to follow. Have no doubt, this will be a transformative event for the PAX that do it, as well as for F3 Houston and F3 Texas. Get excited!
  • Spartan Race. Please sign up for the first official F3 Texas(Houston, Dallas and San Antonio Pax) #CSAUP  Quick summary, expect 4-5 miles with 20-23 obstacles, and lots of burpees. See link for more details on the race:  https://www.spartan.com/en/race/detail/1880/overview?filter=sprint  Key info:
    • When: Sunday, May 21, 2017
    • Where: Reveille Peak Ranch|105 CR 114 Burnet, TX 78611
    • Event Q:We need one for the F3 Houston Pax. #leadership opportunity. Who wants it?
    • Registration Info:
      • Event:Spartan Sprint (NOT the Super)
      • Heat: Sunday Morning, 1115-1200 Heat
      • Team Name: F3Texas 
      • Password: Fish61
    • Why:#CSAUP Races are signature events for the F3 Nation. The Spartan Race is a excellent chance to test your Fitness, growth in Fellowship and deepen your Faith (believe me, you will be praying during the race…) Ask any Pax who has done one, and they will tell you that #CSAUP events are their favorite F3 activity!!! #seeforyourself
  • goal is to reach $1000 to obtain Silver Level Sponsorship, which will put the F3 logo on the back of the race shirt.
  • Word of the day – GROW RUCK: The combination of a G-School with a GORUCK IOT Accelerate the Leadership Development Process in a Nomad or Region.

Thanks for the chance to Lead.

Duggar