October 22nd, 2019 By Oboe

How many times have you woken up in the middle of the night knowing that you need to be up at 5:10 to make your workout?  Your tired because you stayed up too late due to work, kids, stress or any combination of things.  You are seriously reconsidering waking up in another 2 hours.  To make matters worse since you are the Q the next day you have reviewed the weather and mentally prepared for an interesting and challenging workout.  From your bed you hear the unmistakeable sound of rain on the window and roof and this only intensifies your desire to turn off the alarm and get that extra sleep you really need to recharge.  In the back of your mind you also know that your brothers will be there and you don’t want to disappoint them or, disappoint yourself, especially on a Tuesday after a weekend of being sluggish.

After what seems like 5 minutes you awake to the shrill rasping of the alarm clock.  If your like me – you get out of bed immediately because you know if you hit snooze you won’t be there in the gloom.  Your thoughts from the middle of the night are still there but you are the Q and your brothers are depending upon you to be there and you will not disappoint.

That was me this morning so when I arrived at the AO 5 minutes early with no cars in the parking lot I’m thinking that maybe I wasn’t he only one with these thoughts.  Luckily about 3 mins later Forgotten Jelly rolls up and we commence some light stretching while bantering about Jelly’s progress on his new book.  Neither one of us seem excited to be there but fortunately the rain has stopped and we are ready to get started when we see Hammer squealing in at 5:31 (which Jelly predicted and is actually early for him) so we wait a minute for him to join us.  As Hammer walks up he voices what Jelly and I were thinking in the backs of our minds – “Krispy Kreme?”  We all look at each other and Jelly says “I’m up for it — I was here for the Fellowship!”  After a short debate we all decide — why not?  A few of us have never been to the new Krispy Kreme and while this is in stark contrast to why we were up in a light drizzle at 5:30 Jelly’s words resonate – We are there for the Fellowship — the workouts are and added benefit what what good is a fit body if you don’t have a fit mind and spirit??

We hopped into our respective vehicles and head over for some warm glazed donuts and arrive at 5:40 and to our chagrin it doesn’t open until 6:00!!  What do you do when life doesn’t give you donut’s?  You head off for quick workout in the empty parking lot for some exercise since you know that fellowship awaits at 6:00.  Mosey from Krispy Kreme parking lot to the back corner of the new TJ Maxx.  Hammer exclaims, “Ah – so this is where my M is spending all our Money”.  Since hammer has 2 kids in college and I have 3 I know EXACTLY what he is talking about!!

Warm-o-Rama

• SSH x20 IC
• IST x20 IC
• Windmills x20 IC

Mosey behind the TJ Max and stop in front of the Floor and Decor.  (Sorry to the worker who was there early in the back  who almost jumped out of his socks when three guys all dressed in black run up on him from behind!)

• LBC x20 IC
• Leg lifts x20 IC

Mosey to the corner between DSW and Pier 1

• Calf Raises x20 IC
• Bench step ups x20 IC

Mosey to the front of the empty Babies R Us store

• Pretzel Crunch x20 IC
• Low Dolly x20 IC

In the distance the Krispy Kreme light flickers on and we realize why we are there and mosey back to the parking lot and head inside for some donuts – I mean fellowship!

To me, this is what F3 is all about.  It’s about NOT wanting to disappoint the Pax and being there when you don’t want to be there.  It’s about investing time to develop friendships and being there for your brothers when they need you.  It’s about them being there for you when you don’t ask for help. Oh yeah, I almost forgot — it’s also about working out!

 

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