01/16/2021 - Dark Tower - 100th Post . . . 20th Q . . . lets go ruck
AO: Dark Tower
When: 01/16/2021
PAX:
Number of Pax: 21
Pax Names: Aladdin, Augustus Gloop, Cousin Eddie, Dingo, Disclaimer, Fender, Fredo, Glass Joe, Goldberg, hot box, Mom's Group, Patchouli, Pizza the Hut, Putz, Radio Flyer, Riunite, Sun Devil, Sweet Gherkins, The Wedding Planner, Townie,
DR Names:
Number of FNGS:
FNG Names:
QIC: Wine in A Box
Introduction
Man . . . my 100th post and 20th Q. When I started looking at how the numbers would going to fall and that my 100th would be on a Saturday at DT I was pumped. Unlike my usual crazy Qs, this would be basic . . a ruck through downtown Naperville and enjoying all three Fs. A solid 3 mile ish ruck in the snow with sandbags for fitness . . . tons of mumblechatter for Fellowship . . . and CoT prayers for faith.
Only worry was the footing with the snow, so I adjusted the path to hit up four parking garages and add some elevation difficulty to the ruck.
I love rucking because it is a great equalizer. If its too easy for you, add more weight. I threw out a challenge for anyone to match me with close to 50 pounds in their ruck . . . Riunite and Goldberg stepped up to the challenge.
Warm-O-Rama
Hamstring stretch to the left leg
Hamstring stretch to the right leg
Straight leg “good mornings” with Ruck
Leg swings front and back. 5 per leg.
The Thang
Tour of Naperville.
Because footing was iffy and I wanted to avoid injury, we did a path that went over most of the bridges at DT, and we went through/up four parking garages.
Because Im incapable of not adding extra stuff for difficulty, I had 4 – 25 pound sandbags that the PAX rotated carrying every 1000 steps.
Except Dingo had to carry one the entire time, since he did not have a ruck.
End result . . . . just over 3 miles (depending on who you asked) and 17 stories of elevation traversed.
Got back to the flags at 7:29 . . . great timing by the site Q Aladdin
Circle of Trust
Wow. 100 posts . . . my 20th Q.
I cant adequately put into words how much F-3 has meant to me this year. I havent been shy about opening up to the shitstorm that my life has been this year, and F-3 has been the point of focus that keeps me strong. Every organization is only as strong as its members, and I would be in a very different place if it wasnt for the men of F-3.
My first day I thought I was going to have a heart attack with my heart rate somewhere around 200 after 100 yards of walking coupon lunges with Buttermaker and Cousin Eddie chirping in my ear and rubbing my back saying “its ok . . . it happens to everyone at their first workout . . itll be Ok”. Then the second day where there was some kind of crazy ass 100 yard bear crawl with a partner, stopping every 10 yards for 5 merkins, squats and big boys when I was SURE I was going to die and quit after I ingested about 62 gnats . . . but then Babyhands and Goldberg finished first (of course) and came back to finish my reps with me. Then the third day when I wrenched my back trying to catch a slippery tractor tire doing tire flips with an insane TBD gunday beatdown.
I saw goldberg and babyhands do something called “EC” which is running BEFORE posting, and thought “WTF is wrong with these guys?!?!?!?”. But now I do EC rucks/runs on a fairly regular basis too.
Yet just like appletini at a Taylor Swift concert . . . I kept coming back for more.
I kept pushing and pushing . . . often having to stop because I was so out of shape my heart rate was making me dizzy, or because I couldnt quite dial in food intake so I was nauseous. Flush’s Saturday birthday Q at Dark Tower where Bjorn was 90% sure he was going to have to call an ambulance for me . . . Appletinis Dark Tower Q where we got kicked out of NCC . . . House Arrests Black Diamond where I was dry heaving during the end sprints next to babyhands. . . . its been a fun seven months.
Beasts like Ronda Rousey, Aladdin, Flush, Nacho Libre, Hootie, babyhands and House Arrest continue to push me and help me get better. To not settle for just finishing an exercise, but CRUSHING it.
Divorce discussions with Blues Clues, Choo Choo, Ken Doll and especially Giggles helped me with talking to peers that are going through the same trauma. (and it is definitely trauma.)
Like anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Ive poured myself into F-3, and my reward isnt just my personal physical growth (down 50 pounds) , its the support system and brotherhood that can only exist with high quality men such as yourselves. I was very lost this year when my neighbor Backdraft talked me into coming out to Iron Lion June 15th. But thanks to the men of F-3 Naperville I am in a much better place.
Thank you all for the last seven months, and all the months to come. Im thankful for your friendship and brotherhood, and cant overstate how much F-3 means to me.
Now get on the goal sheet, write down some goals that we can achieve together, and make 2021 our bitch.
LFG
(There are many many more men that arent mentioned here by name that are the backbone of F-3 and that keep me fired up and engaged. Shout out to each and everyone of you)
Naked Man Moleskin
Augustus Gloop- Great to see you my friend. You started a few weeks after me, and its been great posting with you at DT. Now I just need to get you out to the Lion more . .
Cousin Eddie- From that first uncomfortable day to now, you have been a constant. Your neverending battle with handy manny means I get to post with you a lot. I know I give you crap about your coupon size . . . buts it OK. You work with with what you got 😉 But seriously . . . Ive thrown a lot of heavy lifting at you and you have been a beast to rise to the occassion.
Sun Devil- From your first post you have been killing it. Taking a leadership role in Q sourse and 75 hard, you have taken to F3 really quickly. Cant wait to plan some football Qs with you in the summer my friend.
Goldberg- Honestly you are one of the reasons I didnt quit early on. You and babyhands both took time out to check up on me via DM on slack to see how I was doing (and maybe to see if I wasnt dead). Your pushing when I needed it and neverending effort was seriously a model for me to emulate. Thank you.
Wedding Planner- Great talking with you on the ruck today! Havent posted with you much, and loking forward to more in the future!
Glass Joe- There is a reason I keep calling you out and calling you as a partner (especially in my “catch me if you can” DORA when i thought you would die. Its because I see where I was early on where you are now. Well . . not now. You are a beast now. But you know what I am sayin . . . amazing progress and push my friend.
Fredo- I really didny appreciate how much I missed you when you were out hurt! Especially considering our mutual country club professional history, its been great finding a kindred spirit with a similar background. Thank you coming out ITG.
Dingo- Your dedication out of nowhere has been beyond impressive. Next time we will get you a proper ruck!
Townie- I dont think I got to talk with you at all . . . were you by the 6 all day? 😉 Boring ruck for you since you know Naperville like the back of your hand and all . . . .
FENDER- I think this is the 3rd or 4th time we have posted together . . thank for coming out in the snow!
Moms Group- Great meeting you today! Anytime you want to discuss Q plans let me know!
Putz- You and pizza hung out the whole time . . . I dont think we talked at all this morning. WTH . . .lol
Pizza the Hut- Same thing as putz!!! Thanks for coming out in the snow!
Hot Box- Will you freakin heal up so you can post more?? Miss seeing you ITG brother . .
Patchouli- You started a month or two ahead of me, and I greatly appreciate your friendship brother. I appreciate our conversations while rucking/ECing, and your perspective on a lot of things have helped me be more “zen” in my outlook. Thank you for being YOU brother. You have helped me more than you know.
Radio Flyer- Damn man! When I say respect during name-o-rama for you its not just for your age, its for your drive and passion. You commitment and consistent attendance is truly inspirational. and now adding on 75 hard on top of it???
Disclaimer- I did a double take when I saw you were coming out . . 😉 Its been awhile since ive posted with you, and hope that I see you ITG more often!
Sweet Gherkins- Awesome talking with you today! Ive posted a few times with you at complex, but never really had the opportunity to talk much. Thank you for the info on the vests, as I am definitely going to invest in one!
Riunite- My man! Same industry . . . same body build . . . similar journey for fitness. Its crazy how much weight you have lost. I feel like you and I are both “born again F-3ers” where we have found something we didnt know we had lost. Love posting with you on the regular brother. LFG. (But you can F off with those “elf on a shelf”s. For real)
Aladdin- MY BROTHER! Posting with you all year has truly been a pleasure. Your enthusiasm and positive attitude is infectious. The first time I really got to talk with you was at DT during Dilly Dillys hills DORA from hell when we were partners. You really embody every ideal that F-3 stands for, and Im surprised you arent a TRUEbador yet. Truly appreciate you brother . . .