Author: Sarlaac (Page 4 of 6)

The plan was to meet at  BallJoint’s place at 2:45am and head out 3am. At 3:01 still no BallJoint, he finally showed and we left at 3:15am for the adventure ahead, 206.7 miles over the next 30 so hours.  Our start time for the F3Gashouse Coconut Horses was 5:45am in Lexington, SC just outside of Columbia.

Van 1 – AKA: The Folsom Hammers consisted of:

A Commander of the USS Enterprise – Shatner – our Chauffeur/companion runner

A somewhat professional welder – Sparky – Navigator/companion runner

A Dookie professional and part time concrete guy – RoundUp

A ‘used’ tool saleman / snap on guy – GearWrench

A bone marrow eating/bone broth drinking – no Carb animal – Wichita

A master of words / medical selling machine – Bedpan

A 6:40 pacer / race car driving / part time mechanic – BallJoint

A cool Star Wars worm/pit guy – YHC Sarlacc

The first 2 hours driving to the start location consisted of various stories from Sparky and Shatner’s vasectomies to Bedpan’s Strip club with his mom to RoundUp’s, you guessed it, dookie stories to Sparky’s WWJD store (yes, What Would Jesus Do).

So a little in site to the stories:

Sparky and Shatner both shared stories from the vasectomies and were talking about the problems they experienced from it. Sparky claims that he took pictures and sent pictures of his ‘Grapefruit’ size balls.

Bedpan shared with us a story about how he and his mom were invited to go to a Strip club together…….did it happen? you ask The Pan.

RoundUp the only one of us to take a pooh in the woods while at an exchange zone, yes there was port a potties but he said he couldn’t make it that far. His Dookie balls story is a classic. Him and his dad, Hacksaw in a public restroom and Hacksaw blows out some ‘dookie balls’ and they come running under the stall to RoundUp. Follow up that one with either HIM.

Sparky shared a story about him in his young foolish days with some of his friends and the Cops show up. His buddy gets shoved up against their Jeep by the officer. His buddy sees the officer has a WWJD bracelet on and his buddy says to the officer, “Sir, Jesus would not have shoved me that hard against that Jeep.” Office says, sorry. The real question I know are asking, Did Sparky go to jail that nigh? You ask him.

After laughing so hard at all the stories, Shatner or Oh Shat, landed the USS Enterprise at The Launching Pad for the start of the Race around 5am. We collected all of the race collateral and the waiting began for the 5:45 am start.

Leg 1: BedPan lead the team off with 6.77 miler and had 3 kills. While BedPan was out, RoundUp informed us that we has going to run the Leg 2 (10.52 miles) as a warm up for his Leg 3.

Leg 2: Wichita/RoundUp ran 10.52 miles with 2 kills.

Leg 3: RoundUp/Sparky ran 3.32 miles with 0 kills.

Leg 4: BallJoint ran 4.52 miles with 5 kills at 6:40 pace fyi he drank a beer after his leg

Leg 5: GearWrench ran 7.64 miles with 2 kills.

Leg 6: YHC Sarlacc ran 6.29 miles with 0 kills.

We had exchange with Van 2 at this point and headed off to get some well deserved grub. If you are ever in the Santee Area, check our Lone Start BBQ – fantastic food and neat area. After getting our bodies full we headed to rest a little at the next Van exchange at Lake Marion. I look up and what do my eyes see, a  Chippendales model in ranger panties in Lake Marion. Yes, Wichita is standing in 60 degree water and all of a sudden goes under. He comes back and talks RoundUp, Bedpan and GearWrench to join him. If you are a Facebook person, go to RoundUp’s page and see the Live video he did, worth the laugh. We later were informed by the park ranger who stopped by to say hi to us, that they have some 16 ft alligators in the water and they live in a pond just feet away from where our boys are getting some Cold Water Therapy.

By far, our biggest treat was the arrival to this exchange zone from a Giant Penguin, Big Pappy made the 2 plus hour drive to just to come see us and give us encouragement. He is a true HIM.

It’s finally time for the exchange from Van 2 back to us for our 2nd legs.

Leg 13: BedPan ran 3.53 miles with 2 kills.

Leg 14: Wichita ran 5.51 miles with 1 kill.

Leg 15: RoundUp ran 8.85 miles with 5 kills at 7:35 pace

Leg 16: BallJoint ran 7.42 miles with 2 kills at 7:40 pace he drank a beer after his leg

Leg 17: GearWrench ran 2.45 miles with 0 kills

Leg 18: YHC Sarlacc/Shatner ran 9.68 miles with 0 kills

We had our 2nd exchange with Van 2 and tried to find some much needed food. It was close to midnight and Waffle House is usually the only thing open. We tried 2 different Waffle Houses that told us they were closed or taking online orders only. We headed to a gas station to get some petro and trash food from inside to hold us over. We then headed to the next van exchange zone to try to get some much needed rest. Let the snoring begin. Oh my word, never in my life have I heard anyone snore as loud as Bedpan. He was in the back part of the van that is separated by a wall and he was shaking the windows. Wichita and Sparky were outside on the ground in 40 degree weather. YHC got 0, that is ZERO sleep. I need my CPAP and just can’t sleep without it.

The time came for us to make our way to get the slap bracelet from Van 2 and get our 3rd and final legs underway.

Leg 25: BedPan ran 2.43 miles with 1 kill.

Leg 26: Wichita ran 3.78 miles with 0 kills.

Leg 27: RoundUp ran 7.53 miles with 3 kills at 7:40 pace

Leg 28: BallJoint ran 8.08 miles with 3 kills at 7:39 pace he drank a beer after his leg

Leg 29: GearWrench/Sparky ran 4.59 miles with 0 kills

Leg 30: YHC Sarlacc ran 3.46 miles with 0 kills

We handed the slap bracelet off to Van 2 for the last time and headed to Cracker Barrel for some much need food. We eat everything in sight. We even had the Zero Carb man (Wichita) eat half a jelly biscuit with butter. After eating we heading to the finish line to wait for Van 2 to arrive. Once we see Freight coming, we join in for the last 100 yards or so and cross the finish line together. We stood around for a while and some had a few beers and a few tacos and brats. We took a great picture and headed to the hotel to check in and get ready for dinner.

YHC suggested one of my favorite Charleston locations for dinner, Page’s Okra Grill in Shim Creek. After dinner several guys hung the lobby to watch a little NCAA basketball while others headed to the rooms for rest.

It was an amazing race and I had the honor and privilege of being the Captain for the team. Special thanks to Shatner for driving Van 1.

I’m Sarlacc and I’m Out, until the next one……….May the force be with you…….

Several guys ran, some rucked.

9 HIM’s got stronger.

Many prayer request

Slaw took us out.

All moved inside for discussion of Chapter 2 of The Way of the Shepherd: Discover the SHAPE of your sheep.

I’m Sarlacc and I’m out

YHC arrived for a little EC and Volt did too.

Clock strikes 0530 and time to get to work.

Great to see an old friend, Westside, back out in the gloom all swollen up for all the gym work he’s been doing

Warm-up:

Gravel Pickers IC x 10

Right over Left and stretch

Left over Right and stretch

Arm circles forward and backward

The Thang:

At each light pole plus split in the road total of 10

1 burpee, 10 merkins, 20 shoulder taps

Up to the park entrance

4 minutes of Cherry pickers

pledge

mosey to the horse track and the Trump Wall area

Triple nickel:

use the black handrail for back pull ups (5 wide arm, 5 regular, 5 close hand)

run to Trump Wall climb and 10 hand release merkins, climb down Trump Wall

do 10 dips on bleachers

Repeat above for 5 reps (Sarlacc Triple Nickel)

4 minutes of Cherry pickers

Volt and Stogie leave

Indian Run back to main parking lot (2 burpees for guy in back)

Circle up for Iron Hulk 1:4 ratio (1 merkin: 4 arm press)

We made it to 10, 10 merkins: 40 arm presses

4 minutes of Cherry pickers

Time Up

COT:

I spend time talking about the Whetstone and Shield Lock program and why it’s important and what it is.

Announcements:

The Retreat at Flat Rock, see Sargento, SMR needs runners see Haze

Prayer Requests:

Many mentioned see prayer channel on Slack

RoundUp took us out

I’m Sarlacc and I’m out

11 HIM’s showed up to get a little better.

Freight was well, Freight (full of mumblechatter)

The Warmup:

Gravel pickers IC x 10

Arm circles forward and backward

The Thang:

Mosey to park entrance

16 Light poles from entrance to soccer field

At each light pole:

1 Burpee, 10 merkins, 20 shoulder taps

Circle up for 4 minutes or rounds of Cherry Pickers

Mosey to parking lot for a little modified 4 corner escalators

Corner 1: 10 hand release merkins, run a lap, lunge walk to corner 2

Corner 2: 10 hand release merkins, 20 derkins, run a lap, lunge walk to corner 3

Corner 3: 10 hand release merkins, 20 derkins, 30 CDD’s, run a lap, nur to corner 4

Corner 4: 10 hand release merkins, 20 derkins, 30 CDD’s 40 Mike Tyson’s, run a lap

Circle up for 3 minutes of Cherry Pickers

Time is starting to run short.

Mosey back to the flag

Circle up for Iron Hulk, 1:4 ratio, merkins and arm press, made it to 7 and 28

3 extra minutes of Cherry Pickers

Pledge

COT:

Announcements: Q school, 2nd F lunch Buffalo Wild Wings, Smokey Mountain Relay needing runners

Many prayer request, Gumby back, Tesla, Montross feet

Leppard took us out.

Sarlacc out!

Wichita and myself were the only ones to get some EC this crispy January morning at Folsom.

0530 and time to roll

The Warm up (proper just for Westside):

Gravel pickers IC x 10

Arm circles forward and reverse (during this YHC explained what we were going to do first)

The Thang:

At each light pole and at the split in the road (total of 10 stops) all the way to entrance of the park.

1 Burpee

10 Merkins

20 Shoulder Taps

At the flag,

4 minutes of Cherry Pickers

Pledge

Mosey to side parking lot

Modified 4 Corner Elevator work:

1st Corner: 10 Hand Release Merkins, take a lap, plank for the 6, then Lunge Walk to 2nd Corner

2nd Corner: 10 Hand Release Merkins, 20 Derkins, take a lap, plank for the 6, then Lunge Walk to 3rd Corner

3rd Corner: 10 Hand Release Merkins, 20 Derkins, 30 CDDs, take a lap, plank for the 6, then Lunge Walk to 4th Corner

4th Corner: 10 Hand Release Merkins, 20 Derkins, 30 CDDs, 40 Mike Tysons, take a lap, plank for the 6

4 minutes of Cherry Pickers

Mosey back to flag pole to start our journey back to the main parking lot.

At each light pole and the split in the road (total 10 stops)

5 merkins at first pole adding 5 at each pole up to 50 at the end.

We almost made it to the last pole but YHC had to call Omaha, to make sure to get

2 more minutes of Cherry Pickers

COT:

2 Chronicles 7:14 , “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”

Winston Churchill is attributed with saying, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Take a look at society today; the conditions that preceded the fall of many great civilizations are in place. You ask, “Can our nation be saved?” Yes! God told Abraham if he could find as few as ten righteous people in the land, He would spare Sodom and Gomorrah from judgment. And a righteous minority can still save our nation. How? Through prayer! God said, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves…pray…seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven…forgive their sin and heal their land.” Notice four important conditions mentioned in this Scripture: (1) “If my people, who are called by my name.” The future of our nation doesn’t rest in the hands of bankers, talking heads on TV, and politicians: it rests squarely in the hands of God’s redeemed people. (2) “Will humble themselves…pray and seek my face.” God, who needs nobody’s authorization or approval to act, promises to move when His people turn to Him and seek His face in prayer. (3) “And turn from their wicked ways.” Instead of complaining about what’s wrong with society, God commands His people to examine their own hearts to see what’s wrong and make it right. And when they do, He promises to: (4) “Hear from heaven…forgive their sin and…heal their land.” The truth is, it’s up to us, not them! It’s not too late. Our nation can still be turned around if we’ll pray and see God with all our hearts.

Announcements:

Ball Joint’s 1 year Anniversary Q this Saturday Jan 8 at Folsom

Prayer Request:

Big Pappy’s family

Gumby’s health

Many with Covid

Wichita took us out

I’m Sarlacc and I’m out

9 was the number of HIM’s that got better at Folsom this morning.

The WarmUp:

10 IC Gravel Pickers

10 IC SSH

Moroccan NightClubs while YHC explained the Thang.

The Thang:

At every light pole to the flag at the entrance of the park plus at the fork in the road, which equals 10, do the following:

1 Burpee

5 Merkins

10 Shoulder Taps

Pledge at the flag

3 minutes of Cherry Pickers

Mosey to the parking lot

Dirty, Dirty 11’s (2 speed humps)

Hand release merkins, Burpee, Burpee, CDD’s

Burpees at each speed hump both ways

3 minutes of Cherry Pickers (some PAX where starting to loose their form at this point)

Mosey to the Horse rink

Triple Dime (10 reps x 3 exercises x 3 sets)

10  Dips

10 Pull ups

10 Derkins

3 minutes of Cherry Pickers (form was really worse on this one for several guys

Indian Run back to the main parking lot with HIM in the rear doing 2 Burpees.

We were 2 minutes late back to the parking lot.

COT:

God’s Greatest Gift to Us

God’s response to our rebellion was to give us himself. He is the great, redeeming, transforming gift. He is the rescue. He is the forgiveness. He is the restoration. He is life, hope, peace, and security. There is no salvation apart from him. There is no deliverance from the presence and power of sin apart from him. There is no restored relationship with God apart from him. There is no new heaven and new earth apart from him. There is no end to sickness and suffering apart from him. There is no defeat of death apart from him. There simply is no such thing as redeeming grace and all that it means apart from the willingness of God to give us himself in the person of the Messiah, Jesus.

Jesus is the grace of God, given to sinners who cannot free themselves from the death grip of sin. Look into that manger at that baby boy and see grace. The Christmas story is about grace in its most shocking and surprising form. The Lord of lords, one of incalculable glory, humbles himself and takes on human flesh and blood. The Creator, in a way that boggles the mind, becomes the created. The One who made a perfect world now exposes himself to a world stained with imperfections. The judge of all things places himself under judgment. The One who deserves worship becomes the Lamb of sacrifice. The One who deserves everyone’s love subjects himself to being despised and rejected. The One who owns all things lives with no place to call home and no place to rest his weary head.

Come, Let Us Adore Him

Announcements:

Convergence Jan 1 @ 7:00 at Midoriyama

Jan 8th – Ball Joint’s 1 Year Anniversary Q at Folsom

Prayer Request:

Big Pappy’s family

Sister Act’s family

Wichita’s co worker

Mayor’s M

Kids in Foster Care

Shout out to Bedpan for allowing me to swap Q’s with him this morning.

I took us out!

Sarlacc out!!

12 HIMS showed up to get better this morning, well the Q (Huckleberry) got out of his truck in shorts and t shirt and sounded awful, but was still there. We were honored to have the incoming Nantan (Sargento) in our gloom this morning. Everyone did miles this morning.

COT:

A Single Word to Sum Up Christmas

If you had to summarize the Christmas story with one word, what word would you choose? Now, your word would have to capture what this story points to as the core of human need and the way God would meet that need. Do you have a word in mind? Maybe you’re thinking that it’s just not possible to summarize the greatest story ever with one word. But I think you can. Let’s consider one lovely, amazing, history-changing, and eternally significant word.

It doesn’t take paragraph after paragraph, written on page after page, filling volume after volume to communicate how God chose to respond to the outrageous rebellion of Adam and Eve and the subtle and not-so-subtle rebellion of everyone since. God’s response to the sin of people against his rightful and holy rule can be captured in a single word. I wonder if you thought, “I know the word: grace.”

Without the gift of Jesus, grace would be a promise with no power.

But the single word that captures God’s response to sin even better than the word grace is not a theological word; it is a name. That name is Jesus. God’s response wasn’t a thing. It wasn’t the establishment of an institution. It wasn’t a process of intervention. It wasn’t some new divine program. In his infinite wisdom God knew that the only thing that could rescue us from ourselves and repair the horrendous damage that sin had done to the world was not a thing at all. It was a person, his Son, the Lord Jesus.

Prayer request:

Big Pappy and family, Sister Act’s 2.0, Sargento’s friend, Wichita’s co worker, many others.

Announcements:

Convergence Jan 1 @ Midoriyama 7am

We did pledge

Wichita took us out.

Sarlacc out.

We honored the life of a fellow HIM, Chicken Little, by incorporating the WOD created for him into the workout. The goal for this workout was not to leave no man behind and finish together.

The warm up:

10 IC gravel pickers

5 burpees

10 IC SSH

Moroccan Night Clubs (while I explained what was next)

The Thang:

Mosey to the entrance of park

At each light pole (10 total)

1 Burpee, 5 Merkins, 10 Shoulder taps (one side)

2 rounds of everyone’s favorite picking cherries

Pledge and talk a little about Chicken Little and his struggles

Mosey to side parking lot for some dirty 11’s

Dirty 11’s

Big boys on one side and merkins on the other with burpee in the middle both ways

3 rounds of picking cherries

Mosey to the tennis courts for 24 minutes of AMRAP

AMRAP

1 minute of merkins

1 minute of shoulder taps

1 minute of LBC’s

1 minute of cherry pickers

Run to the opposite side of the tennis courts

Repeat the above for a total of 6 times.

COT

We discussed Nehemiah 4:14, you have to fight for your family, your spouse, your brothers, your sisters, your sons, your daughters. We talked about not leaving a brother behind.

Announcements

Christmas Party, Thanksgiving Trifecta, Speed for Need

Prayer Request

Many were listed

Wichita took us out

Sarlacc Out

10 HIM’s showed up to get stronger at Prison Break we all ran, the site Q was fartsacking from staying up too late watching his beloved Blue Devils play.

COT:

I shared about my last 3 years of experience with the Guardian ad Litem program and challenged the guys to consider becoming one. We are in need to fill our next training class with volunteers in January.  Ask me about this life changing opportunity.

Many prayer request. Slaw took us out.

Sarlacc Out

5 HIM’s showed to Run or Ruck

COT:

We discussed ‘Leaving a Legacy’.

Announcements:

Extinction Run, Nov 6 @ 9am Primal Brewery

F3 Gastonia Blood Drive, Nov 10 @ South Point United Methodist Church

F3 Gastonia Christmas Party, Dec 11 Lewis Farm in Gastonia.

Prayer Request:

Big Pappy, Sister Act’s 2.0, Achey Breaky, Many others