After last week’s Thanksgiving beatdown at the hands of Bench, Cold Cut asked who was Q’ing The Clydesdales next week. I was lucky enough to be the closest PAX to Bench at the time, thus the torch was passed. As this was my VQ, I personally didn’t think I was ready for it, but as Bench said, “you’re never ready for it,” but more about that in the moleskin. 0530 rolled around and the beatdown commenced:

Warmup

• 15 Good Mornings
• 15 Side Staddle Hops
• Arm Circles Forward & Reverse OYO
• 15 Don Quixotes
• 15 WWII
• 5 Burpees OYO

Mosey to the Meadow

The Thang

Partner up for Dora 123

• 100 Side Straddle Hops
• 200 LBCs
• 300 Hallelujahs
• Partner lunges across meadow

2 Rounds of Four Corners

-Round 1

• Karaoke long sides, high knees short sides
• 10 Merkins at each corner
• Plank for the 6

–Round 2

• Jailbreak longs, lunge shorts
• 5 Burpees at each corner
• Plank for the 6

Mosey to circle benches at Gate 5

Partners for Dora 123

• 100 Step Ups
• 200 American Hammers
• 300 Side Staddle Hops
• Partner moseys to the stairs and up the stairs and back

Mosey back to the shovel flag

Mary til 6:15

BOM/Prayer Requests

• San Fran’s Wife
• Buttersworth’s Wife
• Skully’s Mom for recovery from knee surgery

Annoucements

• San Fran’s Jolly Trolly 12/9
• Pub Ruck 12/9
• Holiday Heros Donations

Moleskin

I’ve always been nervous about Q’ing for many reasons, from my fitness level to my fear of praying in front of people. But I can confidently say that the brothers I have in F3 push me to be the best man I can possibly be. The encouragement Bench and the others gave me before, during, and after my VQ are exactly the reason that I am able to overcome those fears; because of my brothers.

My VQ is also bittersweet for me. Papa Smurf was the reason I found F3, he pushed me to post at workouts and bible studies, and he is part of who I am today. I always imagined that he would be the one encouraging me to Q, he would be there to place his hand on my shoulder during BOM. It is bitter knowing that he wasn’t able to experience my growth as a man last Thursday; but it is sweet knowing he was absolutely with me, pushing me to go beyond comfort and I like to think that he was watching over us that freezing morning. I find solace in the memories I have, and the legacy he has left in F3, ENC, and ECU. I rarely go a day without something that reminds me of Papa and those moments help me know that his legacy hasn’t ended and it never will.

I am so thankful for the time and influence of Papa and how much both he and F3 have changed my life. So my brothers, for that, I thank you.

Rocks & Rec signing off