Merry Mileage

7 a.m. hit the clock and the 7 EC Ruckers picked up Salt Lick and headed out for some scenery. YHC decided upon a mileage only Q due to YHC not faking the funk on a nasty dunk that resulted in a banged up wrist when the middle 2.0 requested for Daddy to “shoot hoops” with her. Additionally, Haavaad and the Cutlass boyz was hungry for them miles.

YHC lead the PAX to Town Commons, through the scenic bridge, and down the greenway for an out and back. We turned right at the Dog Park and headed back towards Third Street, weaving through the grid like so much bacon on smoked meatloaf.

With it being YHC’s 2 year Maniversary, the intention was to ask some questions to help the PAX remember life pre-F3 compared to now. YHC didn’t have to ask a thing as I told Stabler (who helped lead the PAX on pace) because we could hear the ruckers doing it on their own. One of the reasons YHC has an affinity towards rucking is the way PAX share with each other while suffering under weight. It was great to hear tales of fat Patch and fat Tonka. Both of those dudes are true studs and HIMs. Their determination to leave the bad behind and seek the good are living testimonies we all should strive to replicate and practice.

As the PAX returned to Third Street School T-Bone called YHC and expressed worry over Tonka because his M called T-Bone frantic that Tonka hadn’t come home on time at 7:30. Tonka’s M had the FIA Q and Tonka screwed up. Tonka immediately jumped in his car and sped out of the parking lot to head home while the men yelled and laughed at him during COT.

Prayers: Tonka that his M doesn’t murder him, Show Boat’s friend Kenny’s family and friends and his buddy Tray who needs F3 in the Belhaven area, 4Leaf, Praise and prayers for the COVID vaccine.

Announcements: Cold Cut has the Q Monday at M.A.S.H. and Candy Cane has the Q at Ruck Ready on Tuesday

Moleskin: YHC shared with the PAX in attendance but feel like it needs to be in the Backblast, too. YHC was headlocked by 30+ PAX from the very first F3ENC workout until the first post on Dec. 26th, 2018. The night before YHC’s first post YHC had too much to drink and fought with my M. The next morning YHC woke up with a hangover and maybe out of spite drove to BLP. Turns out it was a 2.0 workout and YHC didn’t know it. Looking back, it was very appropriate for me. YHC entered F3 in a complete mess and the mis-fitting nature of the 2.0 post without any 2.0’s was a microcosm. YHC was made fun of my Bearded Jester and Stabler for showing up without kids and truth be told, YHC may have even struggled with some of the physical parts of the workout. It ended with YHC being told to sit on the sand-loaded PVC pipe that was wrapped in red duct tape to look like a candy cane to receive my F3 name: Candy Cane. How freggin stupid was this name? Why didn’t Rafiki step up with something cool and Pirateish? Why didn’t Stabler have something witty to add? Candy Cane? Jiminy Christmas!

YHC had all the ammunition to never ever step back into the F3 realm. The devil wanted nothing more than for me to feel embarrassed, humiliated, emasculated, not wanted, ashamed of my name, all of that. But God knew how much YHC needed F3. Two years into YHC’s F3 journey YHC controlled my alcohol Christmas Eve, didn’t drink on Christmas night, had a great time with the M and 2.0’s, and woke up with a clear mind to Q #116 for my brother Haavaad. The two years have happened fast and YHC is working daily to be better. YHC has a very long way to go, but my brothers are there to hold me accountable, push me, and remind me where my arrows need to be aimed.

So many men impact me daily through F3. I love each and every one of them, but without doubt the biggest pickup of my F3 journey was the Phalanx shieldlock. YHC’s brothers Noonan, Ma Bell, and Grisham daily stand with YHC to battle, thrive, and aim true. Amazing love to them boys.

Candy Cane is a reminder of where YHC was and a reminder to never go back. Took a while, but Candy Cane is a man’s name. It is a powerful name. It is YHC’s daily tether to the ground and to the YHC’s brothers. Blessed to have F3.