Tag: GasHouse (Page 43 of 53)

As this was not an official F3 Gastonia event, I was not sure how to proceed with a full Back Blast but here goes. Thanks to the work of Freight and Rudolph, there had been much discussion and planning for F3 Gastonia to participate in the Community Foundation Run. Turns out there was more to this day than just a 5k Run.

We started with a little pre-race get together just in front of the Rotary Pavilion. There was the typical mumble chatter, a little stretching, etc. I am not sure of the exact time but there was a group of YMCA line dancers (?) doing some work when Hot For Teacher spotted one of the dancers had collapsed and seemed to be in distress. Luckily for him, there were a large number of law enforcement and EMS personnel very close. However, his best luck was probably the fact that Whoopee was so close. Whoopee (#HIM) immediately responded to the situation and directed and participated in the care of this man and frankly, his revival. I am sure there are details that I missed as my adrenaline was pumping and I was in awe at what I was witnessing. One of our own F3 Leaders was using his skill, training and humanity to take care of this gentlemen’s needs, which at that moment were life-threatening. No joke. When he left in the ambulance, I do not think his prognosis was really known. We found out later that he was at the hospital, alert and talking. There were several events that had to take place to put the PAX right at that spot at that moment. I do not believe it was a coincidence that Whoopee was placed there when needed. At Sunday School yesterday, my class was asked if anyone had experienced what they would describe as a “God Moment” recently. I could not keep from describing the scene from Saturday morning. It was quite a site.

We still had a race to run. It felt strange trying to transition to the starting line.

The Thang

After we all regained our composure (as much as we could), we started to make our way to the start line. Pizza Man stopped at the sign that read “6 Minute Mile”. The remaining PAX moved on farther from the start line. We spent several minutes waiting, shared some good mumble chatter and YHC shared a moment from the very first Run for the Money 5k that I ran 8 – 9 years ago. As I made the last turn and started up South St I felt like I was maintaining a nice pace. A few hundred yards up the hill, a woman pushing a TWO-KID stroller blew past me and kept it up until the finish. Needless to say that did not do much for my self-esteem and made me question my training regiment.

The gun sounded and we were off. Not far after the start, YHC made a comment that I just wasn’t ready mentally for the start and Whoopee chastised me (deservedly so) and asked if I needed a hug. I said no (got over my SV moment) and we forged ahead. For some reason, I paced myself with Whoopee for almost the entire 5k. Normally I would not be able to keep up with him but for some reason, I pushed myself to. Maybe it was because I wanted to have him beside me if I collapsed during the race or maybe I just wanted to be close to someone who had just saved a life or maybe I felt he was shook up a little from the event, not sure. It was not planned but that’s how it happened.

We set out at a relatively good pace for me along with Rudolph, Roscoe (until he pushed ahead) and JK2. The other PAX were spread out, some in front of us and some behind. It was a great representation for the group. We shared some good mumble chatter and even had to laugh as 10 year olds (or younger) were passing us. About the time we hit the first significant hill, I heard someone say (I think it was Whoopee), “We need to run more.” I couldn’t respond as I was unable to catch my breath.

All the PAX plus some 2.0’s finished the race in proud fashion. It was a great event and I was proud to be in a crowd of thousands sporting my F3 Gear. We shared some congrats before some of us headed for part 2 at the Community Garden.

From downtown, we made our way to the Community Garden to push some gravel as opposed to pushing the rock. It seemed harmless enough but it did not take long to come to terms with my age after shoveling gravel into wheel barrels and then moving the gravel to the appropriate dump area. I must admit that I was impressed to see Spiderman doing sprints with his full load of gravel. I was definitely more sore from the Garden work than from the Run.

I was able to reflect later on the day and realized how these events had allowed us to experience all three F’s in a grand manner. The Community Foundation is an organization that supports our Community in big ways and their Run is the biggest one day event in the County in terms of raising money for local non-profits. We were able to add to that. We witnessed what I called a “God Moment” (3rd F?) as Whoopee and others jumped in to save a life. We then served the Community in fellowship at the Garden (2nd F). The fact is the entire event was all 2nd F and it was great. And of course, the 5K Run and moving gravel were both great 1st F workouts.

During the morning, I had several persons ask me about my shirt and what F3 was. I found myself talking very proudly about my association and how the group has helped me personally over the last year. I also must say that I have ran that 5k 4 – 5 times over the last 9 – 10 years and this was my best time yet. This is also not a coincidence as I look back at what I have done over the past year with all of you guys.

Thanks for making a difference and working to “reinvigorate male community leadership” in Gaston County as F3’s Mission States.

Until the next workout or event. Aye!

3 PAX posted early (for a Saturday) at The Gashouse for Monk’s 3F lesson from John 21 on some very #HIM for sure. As we wrapped up our lesson, four more joined to make us an even 7 (again – math hard for Bandit). Numbers today were certainly down as most of the regulars were running the Community Foundation Run in downtown Gastonia. According to Stroganoff’s BB, they had about 20 guys there participating or helping in some way.

Ok… it’s 0700. Here we go!

Disclaimer

• I am not a professional
• You are participating at your own risk
• You are responsible for your own well-being
• You are here voluntarily, and you are not paying to be here
• Know your limits and do the best you can

Warmup

• SSH x20 IC
• Mericans x10 IC
• Low Slow Squat x20 IC
• Toy Soldier x10 IC
• Body Builders x10 IC (8 count)
• Stretch.
• Rinse and Repeat 3 times.

Mosey to the flag for the Pledge.

Mosey to school and 1 lap around the track.

Next exercise is the Merican Suicide Ladder. Starting at goal line, run to 25 yard line area and back then complete 5 Mericans. Do this 6 times. Rinse and repeat 3 times, increasing reps by 5.

Mosey to courtyard for some Dora 1,2,3. with Mericans, LBC, and Squats. PAX partner up. P1 does AMRAP while P2 runs up stairs and back. Flapjack until team reaches combined number of reps.

Mosey to bottom of hill by baseball field. Elevens up and down hill. Start at bottom. 1 LBC. Sprint to top. 10 Burpees Burps. Bear Crawl hands first feet first to bottom. 2/9,3/8,…

Next we mosey back to the parking lot for a little Mary. My clock says only 1 minute left. Most are waiting for the church bells to ring. But with time on the clock, we must press on! First is the dying cockroach IC x 20. Still waiting for the bells, YHC calls the final excercise… BURPEES… AMRAP until the bells ring. OK… something must be wrong with my watch, the bells, something…. still doing burpees. FINALLY… the bells ring! STRONG WORK PAX!!!

I will start this back blast by thanking my Brother in Law and sister for the wonderful hospitality and generosity during the Backwoods Brawl.  You see, Whoopee informed us early in the day that Boss Hogg’s M is named LuLu COLTRANE Hogg, which means that Lulu is my sister and Boss Hogg is my brother in law (no not really, but we played them on TV).  Thanks to Whoopee for reuniting family members.  Yet another reason he is the undisputed Nantan of the Gashouse.

I started the day by heading to the Parking AO and dropped off a clipboard with copies of the disclaimer.  Disclaimers were very important for the Backwoods Brawl because no one wants to be sued if someone got injured or seriously killed.  I duct taped an F3 sticker to a piece of cardboard and put it on a stake at the road to mark the turn in spot for the clown cars and a Backwoods Brawl sign directional poster inside the gate and headed to the Farm an hour and a half ahead of the launch.  (If you know what happened to the stakes I used out there let me know.  They disappeared and they belong to Short Sale’s daughter)

Bandit, Whoopee, and Stroganoff showed up early to help set up the course and the coffeerama.  Boss Hogg got the UTV out for me and I picked up Stroganoff and headed out to put up the signage in the gloom.  A few creek crossings and some trails in the dark was a great way for Stroganoff to start his day.  He said it was like a ride at Disney. (Editor’s note: it was not Space Mountain)

We returned to base and the Clown Cars arrived.  We circled up and Boss Hogg gave us a history of the property and I gave the Nantan a few minutes to address the PAX before we started with the warm up.  Now keep in mind we were hearing Rooster’s crowing, goats bleating, and dogs barking.  We started with the SSH.  Some of the dogs were surrounded in the circle prior to the jumping jacks and when we started they gave some seriously puzzled looks like “what in the wide, wide worlds of sports are you guys doing?”  Next we paid tribute to the mountain we were on with some Appalachian Americans (Hillbillies), Merkins, and a few more but I was ready to go so we set off to the Wagon Trail.  The beauty of the trails at that hour with the sun coming up was the start of a great F3 experience.

After the wagon trail we arrived at the pond for the first pain and faith station and Monk began with a strong faith Q.  Monk has a lot going on with work so Tclaps for showing up and leading and also for reciting Psalms 8 from memory as part of his Q.  Because Monk needed to leave I switched him to the first Faith Q and totally forgot to plug T-Square in to a later faith session. Super large fail on YHC part and I have asked for and received forgiveness.  Be on the lookout for T-Square sharing the lesson at a future F3 event.  Monk turned it over to Whoopee who started with the pain.

Whoopee began with two lines of group hip slappers, now known as Hip Slapper Wall of Thermopylae.  This was supposed to be done with  P1 holding one leg of P2 and one leg of P3 and so on down the line.  Somehow my partner Pizza Man didn’t have anyone to hold his other leg even though we weren’t on the end so he did “Scorpion hip slappers”.  When it was my turn I was getting it done until my left hand slipped and rubbed against a big piece of mud which covered my left glove.  I then used said glove to give Whoopee a quick “good hustle” encouragement slap to the bum and then we lined up for SHEHATEME across the field.  Ten lunge walk steps each leg, ten merkins, ten burps, three burpee long jumps, and repeado to the end.  We then did the second set of hip slappers that Whoopee deemed effeminate looking so now they will be called “Progressive” hip slappers    where P1 held P2’s feet only.  “Wolverine’s boy” Einstein, as T-Square calls him, broke out a drone and did some photography work along with Squirt who was on the IR and got to ride the four wheeler around and take pictures.  Thanks for them both for documenting the event.

We finished Pain #1 and moseyed at a fellowship pace along the beach trail to pain station 2 at the beach.  Stroganoff had a laminated Weinke and a great leadership lesson on going “all in” in our relationships.   “I believe real leadership is being all in, all the time.  The greatest leader of all time did not scream the loudest but instead was a servant who led by teaching, acting and mentoring.  He was all in like no one else before him.”  Some unnamed PAX inadvertently forgot his filter and introduced a new term “SV” to describe when a man whines about little things.  Possible introduction in the lexicon?  Doubtful…it is NSFW.  “SV” became a popular term the rest of the day.  Stroganoff’s Weinke also included a beat down of Mary.  It was a great series of ab work including LBC’s, Freddy Mercury’s, Homer/Marge, Flutter Kicks, Dying Cockroaches, and Russian Twists.  There were lots of groans from the PAX and even from Stroganoff who did a great job of counting while burning us out.  Even with the pain I remember thinking how peaceful it was lying on a beach beside a wide creek under a clear blue sky.  Then my sandy shoes went up above my head and it started raining sand in my face.

Next we took turns crossing the rope bridge and a quick trail run along the creek and then did a few exercises in cadence.  YHC was supposed to mandate a very long partner carry/wheelbarrow/lunge walk series but audibled due to terrain.  Instead we did a quick plank series before moseying at a “fellowship pace” to the crossroads for a water break.  The Tink trail led us across a creek which some decided to wade across and then on to Bandit’s faith and pain station at the Cemetery.  Bandit gave a great lesson on the parable of pushing the rock and what F3 has meant to him.  Everyone was feeling good about themselves until Bandit announced the Thang of pain station #3.  Elevens with Dying cockroaches up top and then run down an extremely steep hill along the power line for SSH. There was lots of mumble chatter but mainly determination and encouragement.  Einstein had the drone flying overhead again to document the pain.  This was a great cardio beat down and the PAX gave tremendous effort.  Great work men!

Next we moseyed back along the Wagon trail to the Ridge Trail which was a fairly long leg of the run.  It was a nice long gradual uphill leg of the course with lots of fellowship along the trail.  We took a detour off the trail to the top of a large ravine that happened to have some ropes tied to trees.  This was the pulling part of the day.  You drop into the ravine using a rope and then continue downhill to the low spot.  Grab another rope and Batman your way up the side of the slope to the top.  Everyone helped each other to ensure they got down and back up safely.  As the PAX finished JK2 and Whoopee spent some time leading exercises while we waited for the six.  Spiderman was one of the last to reappear and it is rumored he is the only one among the PAX that didn’t use the ropes.  We hit the trails again and this time the bridge was out so the men had to cross the stream which was actually very pleasant.  The stream crossing led us back to the beach and barn area for another Pain Station.  Sargento helped me uncover the stereo and speakers and while Bandit cued the music we took a complete lap around the Beach trail.

Dolph couldn’t be with us but he was still kind enough to drop of a big tire and sledge hammer at the farm for us to use.  It also meant that someone might have a chance to finish first in one of the workouts.  Dolph has been sharpening the iron all year and pushes us all to get better.  #HIM.

Here was the Thang.  Partner up and while one partner runs laps on the beach trail, P2 performs 5 sledge hammer tire hits, 10 sprinter lunges, 20 dips, and 30 squats and repeado until the music stopped.  Bandit put the stereo on eleven and cued up Tom Sawyer on repeato.  The guys sensed we were near the end and put in some great effort here with some sprints and constant motion.  Next we decided on Roxanne with Merkins and plank jacks and a few more exercises including flutter kicks and Jobu’s before hitting the last trail back to start.  This part was supposed to be a nature trail walk but Whoopee took off up the hill and so we followed behind.

We circled the shovel flag and recited the pledge of allegiance and then brought it in for the COT.

Immediately, and I do mean immediately following the COT it was coffeerama time complete with orange slices (thanks 777), granola bars, coffee, water, Dunkin coffee box, and Outhouse’s surprise Yeti cooler which had not been opened.

As I was Q’ing up some dance music on the system, I noticed Whoopee eating something in aluminum foil with a big smile on his face.  Turns out Lulu and my nieces made piping hot, farm fresh breakfast burritos among other goodies.   Those things were special, especially when accompanied by the refreshments in the magical #yeticooler that Outhouse provided.  Most who had one ate two.  I did.

This was a great day to reflect on God’s creation in a place where that beauty is abundant.  We challenged ourselves, used teamwork to accomplish tasks, had a few laughs, and got better.  It was great preparation for the Community Foundation Run next week.  Bandit’s beat down alone should take a few minutes off your 5K PR.  Thanks again to my brother in law Boss Hogg and LuLu and those that showed up and offered to help along the way.  We missed those that couldn’t make it but hope to do this again someday for our second year anniversary.

Thanks to the men of F3 that planted us at that first workout on March 21, 2015 and those that have shepherded us along the way.   The Backwoods Brawl was supposed to be a celebration of the Gashouse’s 1^st year, to experience all three F’s in one event, and to get beat down at a special AO.  Mission accomplished.

31 men saving their vacation time for later in the year, passed up on the opportunity to take a spring break and posted for the return of YHC to GasHouse.   Again, YHC’s seasonal allergies meant the weinke included pretty much zero contact with anything green or growing.  Last year around the same time, those that were there, may remember the Islands of Pain – again – zero contact with grassy areas.

Speaking of the weinke, here’s what we did (approximately):

Full Sit-ups 10 OYO (something about engaging the core at the beginning of a workout keeps it engaged throughout)
Mountain Climbers 20x
Oblique Crunches 10x each side
Plank Jacks 20x

Now some exercise to get the mumble chatter going:

Sweet Sixteen 15x
Ballerina Squats 15x
Partner Sit Ups – partner 1 does full situps while partner 2 planks while holding partner 1 feet 10x

At this point, I’m pretty sure everyone wondered where this was going, but to tell you the truth, those exercises are harder than they sound if done correctly.

Mosey across the street to the drugstore wall:
Peoples Chair with air presses 15x
Balls to the Wall Mountain Climbers (what could be harder than hip slappers, which was one of the many suggestions provided by Dolph throughout the morning – all appreciated, most ignored)
Peoples Chair with air punches x15

Mosey to next parking lot for some curb-to-curb work:
Crab walk from one side to other and do 5 Mike Tysons
Bear crawl to start and do 5 dips on curb
Repeat this same thing with 10x and 15x of each exercise.

Mosey to next parking lot for Franklin Mint suicides (named after Ben Franklin in Metro because his suicides are hard, but these are more decorative and not sanctioned by the government):
Bunny hop to first island and run back to start, waiting for the 6th before continuing (as explained above, this is not your normal suicide)
Long jump to second island and run back to start
Karaoke to third island and run back to start
Backward run to fourth island and run back to start

Mosey to next parking lot for more curb and gutter work
Fast feet in cadence multiple times at varying speeds
SSH (that can’t be correct you might think, but that’s when we did them)

Mosey back to the previous parking lot to resume more Franklin Mint suicides
Run to first island and do 5 squats and run back to the start
Run to second island and do 10 sumo squats and return
Run to third island and do 15 jump squats and return
Run to fourth island and do 20 start jacks and return

Mosey back to drugstore wall
Donkey kicks 15x

Mosey back to library for LBC and Heels to Heaven before doing the Pledge of Allegiance

Mosey back for picnic tables for a couple of sets of dips
Lots of time left for Mary
Flutter
Merkins
Dying Cockroach
Wide Arms
Protractor
Stagger Right
Russian Twists
Stagger Right
Diamonds

NMM
YHC expected a smaller # today with it being spring break but was happy to see that it almost turned problematic.  GasHouse and Gastonia F3 has taken off!  Before last year when GasHouse kicked off, I really knew no one in Gastonia, but I wanted to help F3 spread.  F3 Gastonia is well on it’s way, and just as in Metro, there are a group of men involved.  It was great to get there and see all the cars in the parking lot, many belonging to the 2ndF group meeting at the picnic tables.

I appreciate my Metro bro, the Woof Master Snoop, for accompanying me to GasHouse on one of his rare Saturdays in the gloom.

Thanks to Bandit and Roscoe for headlocking me to Q at the 3rdF lunch back a while, and I hope we can get you guys to Q a workout in Metro in the future.  If anyone has a Sunday afternoon free, post to the Man Cave at Myers Park High School at 4:30 PM (yes PM).  We do 45 min and accommodate all levels.

Thanks for allowing me to Q GasHouse, and maybe we can make it a yearly thing.

Carrier

29 PAX showed up in the gloom for the #GasHouse 1 year anniversary workout.

1 year ago I talked a few friends to go to this new F3 workout that was starting in Gastonia.  I was looking for something different than just weight lifting and thought this may be the change of pace that I needed.  The workouts were tough and a few guys that came with me that first workout have since not returned.  I looked back on the picture of the first F3Gastonia/GasHouse workout and there are only 7 guys who continue to post from that group (BA, Godfather, Squeeker, Wink, Rudolph, DaVinci, Linus). In 1 year it is crazy to think of the changes that have came to F3Gastonia both in the workouts and in the faces that come and go. Hopefully in the year ahead more guys who try a F3Gastonia workout will come back and become regulars.

WU: (In Cadence)

• SSH x 25
• Merkins x 10
• Monkey Humpers aka JoBu’s x 15

Mosey to the flag pole

-Pledge Of Allegiance-

THE THANG:

Mosey to the insurance buliding with the brick wall

In Cadence

• Little Baby Dips x 20
• Derkins x 10- Roscoe “lost a contact” and had to turn back…. or really just took a break…. he did return sometime later to rejoin the group.

Mosey to the church parking lot and partner up

• 150 Merkins/Zombie Walk to Speed Bump
• 150 CDD/Backwards Zombie Walk to Speed Bump

Mosey to the stairs in back of church, partner up, and grab a cinder block….about this time the sky opened up and it started to rain

• 300 chest press/bear crawl up stairs
• 200 bicep curls/run up stairs
• 150 tricep french curl/run up stairs
• 50 blockees/run up stairs

Mosey half way back with cinder blocks

Plank until our 6 reaches us

Mosey the rest of the way back with cinder blocks and deposit in BA and Dolphs truck

Circle Up

• Sally Squats- at this point the Schiele parking lot started to fill up with mini van mothers and I believe they liked the view.
• Sally Monkey Humpers AKA Jobu’s- at this point the above mentioned mini van moms didn’t know what we were up to and I believe became confused of what type of group we were. Some of the mini van Dads may have liked it….. I hope not.
• 5 Burpees

COT:

Nameorama: FNG Huckleberry

Announcements: Mud Run, Relay, Burpee A Thon

Prayers: Requests by the PAX

Coffeeteria: 12 at Panera

As Always It Was A Pleasure To Lead

-BA

Spring is in the air at Boss Hogg’s place and the flowers are blooming like the azaleas at Augusta National. The Big Leaf Magnolia’s are sprouting from the ground and the manicured fairways…wait a minute….this is the Backwoods Brawl…there are no manicured fairways.

We are less than a week away and here is what you need to know.

Where:  Boss Hogg’s Farm (Less than ten minutes from I-85 Exit 21 Cox Road Gastonia)

When:  April 9^th     Parking starts at 0630 at Ranlo Church of God, 1825 Spencer Mountain Road. Please try to clown car from there for ease of parking at the AO so as to preserve the rustic nature of the farm and not scare the animals.  One of the goats is expecting and we don’t want to induce labor early.  Embrace your inner #minivan Centurion.  I do.

The workout will begin as close to 0700 as possible.  Please be early.  You don’t want to be “that guy” at the gate wanting to get in only to hear the squealing pigs and bleating goats and wondering what the heck is going on in there.  The good news is if you do show up on time you will be in for a beat down.  A few of us did a “dry” run a couple weeks ago and I am not good with distances but the whole thing is probably only about 3/4 of a mile, give or take 3 miles.  When we finish, the refreshmentrama/nightcluborama/dancing/birthing with goats follows on site.  Plan to stay as long as your M will allow, but probably 1100 or 1200 allows you all three F’s. There will be no bible study that morning and no workout at the Schiele but rather 3rd F Q’s throughout the workout, imparting leadership lessons or faith themes.  The 3^rd F leadership lessons and faith Q’s will be Stroganoff, Bandit, T-Square, and Monk.  Our Pain Station Q’s will be Whoopee, Bandit, Stroganoff, Roscoe, and although Dolph can’t make it, we will have some of his toys to play with.  Sharing really is caring.  We will mosey together at a “fellowship pace”.  This is not a race but rather a celebration of all three F’s in one event. No man left behind.

What to bring:  Before you enter the Clown Car, you will want to have a bag packed with a towel or two, a change of shoes/socks, a change of clothes and perhaps some baby ointment for chafing.  There is a slight chance (100%) that you may get wet and sandy.  (Disclaimer forms to be signed at AO).  Refreshments provided but feel free to either donate in the collection jar at coffeerama or bring bananas, granola bars, apples, bottled water, or oat sodas.  Boss Hogg and I have your coffee covered.

There will be a “trail car” packed with a first aid kit, AED, and other safety items and we have doctors and dentists for all your cosmetic touch ups along the way.  Also, Boss Hogg has free firewood available if you need some.

On March 21, 2015, the F3 flag was planted at the Schiele Museum of Natural History.  A Saturday workout at the Schiele has been held every Saturday since with the exception of the F3 5 year anniversary convergence in Charlotte on January 1, 2016.  Additional workouts have been added throughout the course of the year and now there are ten workouts per week over six days and F3 Gastonia is a nomad no more.  The Founders have blessed the Gashouse as a region.

To commemorate the first year, an extended special beat down is in order featuring all the favorite exercises and memorable workouts from the first year.  Boss Hogg, who of course is near and dear to Roscoe’s heart, has generously offered up his farm for this epic celebration on the condition that Roscoe doesn’t call him my “little chubby buddy” like the characters in the tv show.  Imagine warming up with your brothers while in the midst of dogs, chickens, horses and of course goats!

The memories of the first year are many.  It was during Whoopee’s “300” workout, that Whoopee told the PAX that “in the movie “300”, the men in that movie were ripped, and now you will get ripped too!”  (Mumblechatter overheard, “FINALLY!”)

Perhaps it was the Saturday morning forecast of 100% chance of rain and very cold temperatures.  Bandit brought a huge sheet of vapor barrier to the middle school field and Whoopee and Dr. Feelgood stole their M’s dishwasher soap and coated the slip and slide.  After the beat down the PAX took turns sliding away across the field in a wet, soapy mess.  After the workout all the PAX helped Bandit fold up the tarp and attached it to the top of Bandit’s clown car to go to Panera for Coffeerama to combat the certain hypothermia that was setting in.

Maybe it was Bandit having an inquiry about the Goat Island AO on the F3 site.  Hoping it was a potential FNG, he responded with a welcoming introduction of what F3 means and information about the “Goat”.  Little did he know that it was actually a banker from BB&T in Cramerton inquiring as to the muddy footprints on the side of the bank and if they came from our F3 PAX.  This began the first Gashouse fundraiser to pay for the paint job at the bank.  Being a region of high integrity, we passed the hat and made it right.  We missed the opportunity to take photographs of the formal “check presentation” however, and I don’t believe Donkey Kicks have been performed at that AO since.

Speaking of the Goat, remember that time we welcomed an FNG where the Godfather was the Q and made some potentially embarrassing comments about himself.  When he welcomed the young looking FNG in the COT, he was worried he shared too much since he is a teacher at a local school.  He asked the young buck, “tell me you’re not a student at SCHS, to which the young buck declared, “Yes I am”.  You had to be there and there is more to the story but I won’t share it here.

I have heard of the Dr. Feelgood beat down at Martha’s house complete with pre-planted candles all across the gloom, Outhouse’s football game with a glowball, and Marthapalooza.   Some memorable workouts were Romper Room, Stroganoff’s Wolfpack Grinder, Dolph’s World, Bandit’s Crab/Bear Soccer, BA’s Cinder block beat down’s, and of course the Bojangle’s Biscuit compliments of Whoopee.

There was the recent C-Span/Chaser Guest Q-School and workout where they stressed the importance of the disclaimer. Anthrax knows the rest but the disclaimer became real after that one. #nobackwardsrunning

One memory that stands out is the FNG who posted only once before accepting an invitation to a second F event at the Hickory Tavern.  When the conversation came to the Q calendar, our new guy stepped up to lead a future Saturday morning workout.  His decision may have been influenced by the strong men he was surrounded by or perhaps the “curls” he had been performing at Hickory Tavern to work out his guns.  On the day of his VQ there were some strong leadership lessons followed by military formation with our Q calling the cadence.  As most new folks find out their cardio isn’t quite where it should be.  Less than half a lap in on the first lap around the track and maybe the second verse of “Two old ladies lying in bed, etc.” our Q began either grumbling unrecognizable sounds or complete “dead air”, leaving the PAX to start imitating the noises, mocking mercilessly, or leading other cadences, some which may have been inappropriate.  “Bobby” Jenkins became legend that day.

I encourage you to read “Freed to Lead” before the event as it will make the day all the more meaningful as we transform into modern day warriors.  It won’t make as much sense otherwise.

So for those F3Gashouse faithful and the select men that helped plant us and encourage us to grow, I say thank you.  This event will be challenging, fun, rewarding, and hopefully a great tribute to the first year of F3 in Gastonia.