• Post Type: Backblast
  • When: 09/27/2023
  • AO: Prison Break
  • QIC: Oompa Loompa
  • FNG's:
  • PAX: Westside, Slaw, Ball Joint, Gear Wrench, Def Leppard, Bedpan, Cherie Berry, Hot Corner, Purple Haze

We met up at the Ingles in Dallas to run or ruck.

Announcements: Iron Pax Challenge Relay Friday. Half Marathon Ruck the 21st. Beer ruck in Belmont coming up. Christmas party December 2nd at Lewis Farms.

Praise reports: $4,800 raised for Jackson Hall. Ann Ramsey good biopsy report.

Prayers: Ball Joint’s brother Trojan deployed to Germany for the USAF, Turtleman, Huck, Blart’s 2.0, others on IL and those not mentioned.

Thanks for allowing me to Q again on my anniversary.

Soap box time:

Seven years ago Def Leppard told my M about a bunch of guys who get together and exercise what seems to be the middle of the night. M thought that it sounded like a great idea as my solo running wasn’t decreasing the old waistline. Months earlier my mom showed me the article in Gaston Gazette about a group of guys that did morning workouts. I thought it was the dumbest dadgum thing ever since I had encountered what I surmised was that exact same group of idiots doing burpees in the Martha Rivers parking lot several times during my morning jogs to the park and back home. (Nobody tell my M that she was right, I’d never get to stop hearing about it. I guess mom really knows and wants what is best for you too.)

So at the Stop Soldier Suicide in Belmont the following Saturday morning, I promised Def Leppard that I would show up at Midoriyama that fateful Tuesday afternoon. I did and for me, it was life changing. Some guy named Slaw made us do bear-muda triangles and run up and down the hill at the pond until I thought I was going to die. Then I was presented with one of the more memorable nicknames in F3 nation. Shockingly, I even posted that Thursday while being too sore to lay, walk, or sit, or stand.

But as a result, I have a group of male friends that will help me with anything I would ask if I need something. You have made me a better leader, friend, husband, and father. I have been challenged to do things I would have never believed I would start at 56 years old: Run 200 mile team relays; push Speed for Need chariots up the hill at McAdenville for the Christmastown 5Ks; Nomads; CSAUP’s; Iron PAX challenges; hijack the Ghost Flag in Shelby in sub-freezing temperature; posting and Qing downrange in multiple states; Rucks; Spartan races; Mud runs; and many other events where our shared experiences overcame the at-the-time misery.

Also thanks to all the PAX who I look forward to seeing every time we meet up at the shovel flag.