The Ditch is a Bi#%*

1. 8/17/17…that’s the last time I Q’d The Good Fight.  We have have some epic beatdowns in the interim, especially with the run of Allstar Qs and VQs.  Nonetheless, I was “itching” to lead again so I inserted myself in the calendar.

7 PAX showed for some EC Rucking.  Some of our stalwarts are recovering from the Marathon Ruck – Get back soon.

5:29 – One minute warning was proclaimed as several came in on 2 wheels.  Someone even missed the turn and had to do a U-ey.

5:30 – YHC issued a hearty welcome to 2 FNGs.  Disclaimer was given and challenge was put forth – Move with a purpose.

WARM-UP (kind of sort of)

Werkins, Jump Squats, and Chilly Jacks – 5,4,3,2,1

KB Calf Raises for the six.  Walk towards Firetower in Press position.

THE THANG

PAX were assembled in 2 lines (not columns). Partner up with the random Pax beside you.  The next 30 minutes would provide an excellent opportunity to work with someone different.  The following instructions were given:

Partner A KB exercise for 30 seconds. Partner B prescribed Mary exercise (all with KB). Switch quickly.  After 1 cycle move with a purpose to the DITCH.  There we were to perform 1 Incline Burpee, 8 Decline Burpees.  The Ditch sucks and Burpees suck so this really sucked. Low Squat Hold for the six.

Rounds

1. American KB Swings / Flutter Kicks      Ditch 1/8

2. Sumo Squat Hi Pulls / KB Inch Outs     Ditch 2/7

3. KB Clean / American Hammers     Ditch 3/6

4. Goblet Squat Rotate Press / Toe Touches    Ditch 4/5

5. Static Lunge Press / Side Plank Raise    Ditch 5/4

6. KB Snatch / Kiss My KB     Ditch 6/3

7. Front Lat Raise / Plank Pull Thru     Ditch 7/2

8. Single Arm Alternating Swings / KB Torso Twists     Ditch 8/1

March to flag in Press position (right up, both up, left up)  crossing picnic tables, careful not to pull a Battleship.

At the flag, PAX would get on their six, line up foot to foot with partners and pass KB while completing a Big Boy Sit-up.  The KB should be kept at shoulders.  Max reps were 20.  Rinse and repeat except KB was to stay overhead.  12 was the max reps achieved.

PAX would circle up and perform 20 Low Squat Bicep Isolation Curls and 12 Tricep Extensions.  Silverback and Can of Corn practiced their cadence and did a fantastic job. VQ soon???

We finished up with Merkin Mania IC consisting of Diamonds, Rangers, Staggered, and Clerkins

Ding Ding – 6:15 HARD STOP

BOM – Numerous prayers and praises including but not limited to: Abi’s co-worker’s family, Spinal Tap’s family, friends of Hot Spot, Joker’s M with broken arm, families of victims in school shooting, Linley Martin, praise for Cable’s family, Crankshaft as he awaits the arrival of Baby Crank, Pong, students and staff at DHC, Rafiki’s grad student who is battling cancer.

• Announcements – Good luck to Stabler with his VQ tomorrow. Bench continues the beatdowns at Farmville launch this Saturday. Whetstone Project kicks off. Read all 3 BBs. Lots of ruck opportunities. Give signed up for the Greenville TL March 9,10. Double Respect Slim Jim has Q at 116. New AO at Elm St. starting Wednesday 2/7,

Moleskin – At precisely 5:28 a white Jeep peeled into the parking lot and 3 young lads baled out. Can of Corn had 2 friends join him this morning. They would later be dubbed White Lightning and Rockfish. These 3 young bucks got me thinking. They got me doing some reflecting. We, as F3, have a special opportunity in this community. F3ENC has the distinct privilege of being geographically centered in a hotbed of young impressionable men. With ECU and Pitt CC being a 3 wood from most AOs, we are lucky as a region. We have over 15,000 young men right here in our backyard. Many of these students are searching, perhaps unknowingly, for guidance. Now, don’t misunderstand. Many are also staggering home from 5th St. on Saturday nights. But do some self evaluation for just a moment. How long ago were you in that same position? Could you have used some guidance? Could you have used a mentor? Could you have used a calming presence as you navigated the sometimes Rocky road to manhood? Could you have used F3? My guess is at that age we all could have used a stable guiding and calming manfriend in our lives. I know I could have. My mama would have rested so much better knowing her baby boy was being “looked after” while 7 hours away.

When those 3 young men drove up this morning they couldn’t have known the impact they would have on me today. They have challenged me. They have challenged me to reach out. They have challenged me to be cognizant. They have challenged me to HL. They have challenged me to help “look after” someone’s baby boy. Perhaps they challenged you too.

Until we meet again – Piper out