F3 Knoxville

Tag: Rocket

The Monsters Men Fear

THE SCENE:  65 and clear.  Perfect for an IPC beatdown.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER:  Skipped. 
WARM-O-RAMA: 

Warmup OYO while we talk through the workout.

THA THANG:

IPC Week 3

MARY:

None

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

Me and 6 of the best men I know

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

I have a routine that I follow when I leave the house in the morning.  I make a cup of coffee, pack my lunch, grab my stuff, and I’m out the door.  In one hand, I have my duffel bag with a change of clothes and my lunch – in the other hand I have my morning coffee.  I leave through the back door, walk across the deck and down the steps, turn the corner around the house, and get into my car which is sitting in the driveway. That’s my routine…and it almost never changes.

A few weeks ago – on a Tuesday before F3 – my routine did change just a bit.  For a reason now long forgotten, I didn’t make coffee that morning.  That meant that I had something I almost never have when I leave the house – a free hand.  And I used that hand to do what I almost never do – shine my phone’s flashlight to light the dark path through the backyard and around to my car.  I remember having a sense that morning – a sense that I wanted to see within the darkness – like something was there that I needed to be on a high-state of readiness for.  A skunk? A raccoon?

I used my flashlight to shine across the deck, down the steps, across the yard, to my car.  Nothing…my instinct was clearly misfiring.  I turned off the flashlight, put my bag in the backseat, got into the front seat, and turned the key in the ignition.  Then, in the bright glow of the headlights, I saw…A PERSON STANDING IN FRONT OF MY CAR AND STARING AT ME.  For a moment, my blood froze, and I was stiff with the shock.  It quickly thawed when I realized that the wild-eyed pajamaed person was my 7-year old son.  He’d heard me leaving the house and ran out to say “goodbye” and “have a good day”.  Sweet kid – but he startled me half to death at five in the morning.

Driving to meet you guys for the workout that morning, I was reminded of a couple of things.  The first was a bit of scripture that I am working with that 7-year old to help him memorize; “2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”  The second thought came from a book that I read him each night for a few weeks earlier this year, Sails of Capri.  In the book, the characters fear sailing their small ship into a cove which is said to be cursed.  Local myth was that man-eating sea monsters lived in a cave within that cove.  The reluctant adventurers finally sail into the cove and into the mouth of the cave, where they discover a breathtaking blue grotto (the real Grotto Azzura in Capri).  One of the main characters reflects about their adventure with these words, “Most of the monsters men fear are in their minds.  They would vanish like smoke if we would only let them”. 

Let’s talk about monsters that we fear.  No – not bats, or snakes, or spiders…  Here are the five most common fears that men have.  

  1. Failing.
  2. Being Incompetent.
  3. Being Weak (or Being Perceived as Weak).
  4. Being Irrelevant.
  5. Looking Foolish.

I can relate to each of those.  When I’m being honest with myself, I’ll admit that those fears manifest in a facade of coolness or disinterest.  Ultimately, what those fears cost me is deep intimacy in relationships.  Why wouldn’t I be silly with my kids or dance with my wife?  Fear of looking foolish.  Why wouldn’t I lean in and be a better mentor of that younger man at work?  Fear of being irrelevant.  Why the heck do I find it so hard to consistently lead my wife spiritually?  Fear of being incompetent.  If you are like me, the irrational fears that you harbor are keeping you from enjoying your relationships to their fullest potential. 

Yet… “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” – Joseph Campbell.  When I do allow myself to be unguarded with close relationships, I find that the fear was all in my mind and that my loved ones delight in the most unguarded version of me (bad dance moves and all).  The closeness that I crave was there all along – masked by insecurities which ended up being paper monsters.

When I saw that apparition in the dark a few weeks ago, I was afraid.  Then it turned out to be my son, and I realized that there is nothing more precious to me than that figure standing in front of me (which I first feared).  Likewise – when you courageously step through your fears and experience healthy relational intimacy (which you thought was a monster) – it may, in fact, lead to something that you cherish deeply.

“Most of the monsters men fear are in their minds.  They would vanish like smoke if we would only let them”.

Here’s 2 Timothy 1:7 again, this time from The Living Bible translation, “For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.”

Be willing to let down your guard with those closest to you and experience relational intimacy.

MOLESKIN:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Do it again this Friday at JUCO – Wanderer is hosting IPC Week 3, his VQ!

Hardship Hill

IPC Week 1 at The Project

THE SCENE: Clear and a little cooler than it has been lately.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
OYO. Some arriving early to get started on the challenge.
THA-THANG:
Iron PAX challenge week 1

  • 3 burpees EMOM
  • 50 hand release release merkins
  • 100 leg lifts
  • 150 jungle boi squat jumps
  • 200 big boy sit-ups
  • 250 stationary lunges (125 each leg)

MARY:
Stargazers! We were done!
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
8 worked on the IPC week 1 challenge this morning.
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
I have been thinking a lot lately about being lukewarm: being half a man, half a husband, half a father, etc. Basically, being lukewarm means you are not putting in enough effort.  Jesus tells us something very important regarding being a lukewarm Christian. He states that “I will spew you out of my mouth”, Revelation 3:16. I am sure most of you can recall a time in your life, or witnessing it in someone else’s life, being on fire for God. Perhaps a youth group trip. Try to remember how that felt. We are called to be hot, on fire for God. I encourage you to consider this and evaluate how you may return to that zeal and also apply in all that you do.
MOLESKIN:
The return of Rocket! What an awesome workout for your first one in a while! IPC week 1 was intense. That was a lot of leg and core work. Definitely feel good for doing that workout, but man is YHC going to be sore!

Bipolar Dora Bears Oh My!

THE SCENE: It’s Tuesday, It’s The Project, It’s Raining (Backblast forgotten in the draft status….whoops)
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER:  Administered: Welcome, F3, Fitness, Fellowship, Faith, not a professional, free, here on your own volition, don’t know your injuries, modify as necessary, have cell phone in case of emergency (remembered the last part as the fire truck passed by)

WARM-O-RAMA:

5 Cherry Pickers IC
20 Gradycorn IC
15 Imperial Squat Walkers – IC
High Knees with Burpee Breaks
10 – Projectovators – Nicely done gentlemen

THA-THANG:
Mosey to the Ring around Rosey that looked like nested Russian dolls on Google map.   Had no idea where we were or what area is called but looked nice on Google Maps so figured I would try it.   There were 8 monument markers around the 1/10 mi loop.   PAX spread out around the loop at each marker and started by doing 2 – 4x4s then lunge walking to next monument, 2 – 4x4s then bear crawling, 2 – 4x4s / lunge walk, rotating back and forth between lunges/bear crawls until we made it all the way around and completed getting wet for the morning.

Battle buddy up and started what I called a bipolar lazy dora by the creek head waters.  PAX1 did 25 (1 or 2ct) Shoulder Taps, while PAX2 held plank, alternating every 25 reps until 100 reps were completed together.   At 100 reps battle buddy together completed ~1/4mi lap around the creek.  Next did 200 LBC in 25 increments while partner held 6″ leg hold and again stopped at 100/200 reps for more lap.  Then up Squats/Al Gore up to 300 in increments of 25 with laps at 100/200/300 reps.

Mosey over to the square planter benches by the fountains between the buildings.   Each PAX took a square and completed 10 dips on one side, 10 incline merkins on next, 10 decline merkins on 3rd side and finally 10 step-ups on 4th side.   Then completed one bear crawl loop around the square and rinse and repeat until time was up.  Majority completing 3 or 4 circuits.

MARY:
No Time
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
9 PAX including 1 FNG – Trough – WELCOME!
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.’” Isaiah 43:1-2
Especially in this current moment in time with the never ending talk of the coronavirus, it seems like it is easy to quickly get consumed by fear.   The more time we spend with the TV on or surfing the internet those fears can only grow in intensity.   But there are so many verses like above in God’s word that tells us to not be afraid and that God will never leave us in the roughest of waters.  In God’s word is where we will always find our truth and our hope in the unknown.   Today, fear can be present in all areas of our life, from health and well being, to finanicial worries, relationships, work, family, stress, etc.  There is no doubt that coronavirus is serious and it is good to take precautions but when we allow fear to cripple us we are really selling God short.  We are telling God that we don’t fully trust him with this part of our lives.  Fear can cause us to try to reserve control of certain areas of our lives and keep them away from God’s influence.  When we fully allow ourselves to not be in control, to give him all things, it is such a beautiful and relaxing feeling.      But we can take faith that for those who Christ blood has redeemed have been set free from bondage and fear.  We can always take our worries and leave them at his feet, knowing that we will never be successful trying to overcoming them alone.  We are created in his image called by name like sons of God. We are His.  We are protected like any father would do to his Children. Despite the roaring waters and burning flames around us we will not be overcome. He is with us in all things.

MOLESKIN:
Prayers for Rocket’s mom who was back in the ER, Trolley’s wife’s ankle, wisdom for travel decisions for Snaggletooth’s wife.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Nothing new.

Hill and pond work!

THE SCENE: Great day, no rain low 70s
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER

Welcome, I’m Rocket & I’m on the Q today; I am not a professional, you are here on your own accord, F3 is free, I don’t know your injuries so work hard but modify if you need to, and make sure to social distance
WARM-O-RAMA:

  • Side straddle hops (IC) 4ct
  • Plank, lower and raise distance to ground
  • downward dog
  • Moroccan night club (IC) 4ct
  • Cherry pickers (IC) 4ct

THA-THANG:

  • Form one line mosey to the bell:
  • 7s at bell, booby hurly and derkins
  • Mosey to K-25 hill. 
  • 2x – modified Blimps: 5 burpees, 10 lunge each leg, 15 imperial walker stop and run the hill and back. Then 20 merkins, 25 plank jacks, 30 squats, stop and run the hill again. Repeat that sequence twice. 
  • Mosey to pond and partner up. One runs the pond while the other does: flutters, dolly, LBC.
  • Mosey back to bell, and do partner merkins. Hold plant while partner does 10 then switch. Do this until each person does 50 merkins. 

MARY:
No time for mary
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
For the word, we challenged the group to work with pride even on menial tasks. Have pride in everything you do, from sweeping the floor to the most important parts of your day.
MOLESKIN:
none
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
none

Leadership

THE SCENE: Insert info about the weather, etc.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:
15 SSH, 15 Imperial walker, 10 tempo Merkins, 15 Moroccan night club, 10 tempo squats, 15 harry Rockettes
THA-THANG:
Mosey to the K2/5 hill. Perform the Cooper with a slight modification-hills for laps (thanks for the suggestion Rocket). Start with 10 burpees, 10 merkins, and 10 squats at the bottom. Then, run up the hill and back down. Then do the same with 9 reps for each exercise, then 8, and so on down to 1.

Mosey to the high school main entrance. Use the wall to perform 10 muscle-ups and then start a clockwise lap around the loop. Perform 5 burpees at each light.

Mosey to the Peace Bell.

MARY:
No time
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
14 today to celebrate the AO turnover!
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
Matthew 20:25-28 – A great leader is a servant first. Jesus left Heaven to be a servant. If we aspire to be a leader, we must first be willing to serve.
MOLESKIN:
YHC is very thankful to have been able to help get this great AO started. I am happy about where we are and excited about the future. F3 has been a big part of my life for over 3 years and I was more than willing to help expand F3 to Oak Ridge. Now it is time pass on the AO Q to a local HIM. Welcome Snaggletooth! I know you will do well.