Q School and evolving BLIMPS

Preamble:

I woke up! Already a good start. Especially considering I had approx 4 hours of sleep. Weather a little bit more gloomy than yesterday, but also less chilly. Count your blessings.

Warm-O-Rama:

Disclaimer given. I planned to do a Q School, so wanted to know how many relatively new PAX we have. Probably should have done that before what felt like 3 months of VQs in a row. Anyway, 3 of 18 PAX identified as “under 1 year in F3”.

Moseyed around the parking lot and circled up for some warm up exercises. In regular cadence of 4 we did SSH, Weed Pickers and Hillbillies. In cadence of 6 we did a few Burpees, holding position at the low end of the Merkin. Also did Burpees ‘on my call’ (I call down). Followed by Freak Control Merkins (I call down, I call up).

The Thang:

Part 1, Q School: Mosey to the road under the parking lot and assume Derkin position (took longer than necessary for some PAX). The 3 “newer” PAX on one side of the road and the rest on the other. YHC asked the expected questions regarding F3 Rules (trick question, none), 5 Core Principles and the F3 Mission Statement. The newer PAX knew some of the answers, but far from all or well. It’s not on them. It’s on us, the more senior PAX. We are supposed to teach them. We did various exercises between questions (bear crawl, mike tyson, monkey humpers, mountain climbers).

Part 2, Evolving BLIMPS: Run to the parking lot under the tennis courts, right under the hill. It’s still a Q School so reminded that the Q needs to provide a challenge that will take into consideration both the gazelles and the guys at the 6.

Partner up for a Dora-ish. One PAX runs halfway up the hill, to the crossing on the speed bump and back. The other PAX starts 10 BLIMPS (10 each: Burpees, Walking lunges single count, Imperial Walkers alpha count, Merkins, Plank Jacks and Squats). When done with the 10 BLIMPS – do them again. and again.

Due to the walking lunges the partners will advance across the parking lot (toward the flag). 4 Cones have been set along the way, with a 5th to mark the end. Each of the 4 four cones provides a modification to the BLIMPS once the partners passed that cone. The changes accumulate. First cone – Squats became Jump Squats. Second cone – Burpees became Hand Release Burpees. Third cone – Instead of Plank Jacks do Peter Parkers, alpha. Last cone – Merkins become Diamond Merkins.

There was a bit of a Mary for the gazelles. We moseyed a short distance and gathered under the road leading back to the flag. The Credo of F3 was discussed. With same partners, we did 11th of Patty Cake Merkins and Seal Situps. We did not have time to finish it all and went back to the flag.

COT:

Prayers for healing for Chanel and Dreamer’s friend. Santa Ruck. YHC Reminded about backblasts and why they are important, and shared some struggles of mine.

Naked-Man Moleskin:

I cannot put into words how much F3, which really means the PAX, mean to me. how much good it has brought to my life. Men who are ready to listen and may have an advise to offer, from their own experience. It’s a huge blessing in my life.