YHC’s birthday Q was a bliss-filled ball of pain and misery. 7 hearty souls gathered at Murph City to share the fun.

We started with a very quick Mosey, followed by Emperial walkers, Weed pickers and Michael Phelps. My handy laminated winkie, once a thing of derision and curiosity, seems to be morphing into an object of awe and respect. It allowed us all to be reminded of F3’s purpose and 5 core principles.

THE THANG (DORA)

Let me say here that Sooorie did for me today what nobody at my home AO had the decency to do yesterday: he told me a partner workout is a Dora (like the explorer) instead of a Dory (like the forgetful fish). Thank you brother.

Let me also say that YHC took the extra time last night to curate yet another wonderful playlist for the PAX, celebrating prodigious male members, lawyers’ drug of choice and beautiful women. It ended with sprints to the calming sound of Neil Diamond singing “Sweet Caroline.”

Partner one ran to the playset for 5 pulls up while partner 2 did

100 big boys
200 muricans
300 squats
200 muricans
100 big boys (didn’t get to these)

Then, switcheroo (cumulative count).

Everybody seemed perpetually gassed and grumpy so we stopped after 25 minutes or so and ran the mile. The speedsters (everybody but YHC) finished and came back for the 6 (YHC). They were so encouraging that we all finished the mile together in enough time for 4 minutes of 10 second sprints/20 seconds rest. It was at the begining of the sprints that I head Nesquick tell me I suck. I guess that was his way of saying “Happy Birthday.” I smiled.

A quick jog back to the flag and 10 seconds of monkey humpers rounded it all out. I took joy in rewatching the name-o-rama video because everybody still sounded breathy and tired. I smiled again.

Our 6th man/hero today:

Lance Corporal Willie George Thompson, Marines
Charleston, South Carolina
Marine Barracks Bombing, Beirut, 10/23/1983 Thompson was wounded when a suicide bomber drove an explosive laden truck through a fence and crashed in to the lobby of the Marine Barracks before detonating. The subsequent blast killed 241 and wounded more than 100 personnel. For his bravery and sacrifice, Thompson was awarded the purple heart posthumously.

We finished with a praise report about Sooorie’s dad winning teacher of the year and a prayer for Nesquick’s mom and her continued healing from infection.

I’m honored to have suffer in the gloom with these fine gents. It was a great way to kick off my 47th birthday and the beginning of my 48th year.