Shovel Tree 3: The AccountabiliTREE

Two years ago the F3 Bluffton Shovel Tree was born on Thanksgiving weekend. Read about its origin here.

Last year it made a weak return for the 12 days of Christmas.

Time to give it a refresh and a twist. The AccountabiliTREE.

At each workout, the PAX will select someone we haven’t seen in a while. The person will get an ornament on the tree so that we can remember to encourage them and remind them that we miss them and want them back in the gloom.

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I want to include a note to any of the PAX that have been away from the gloom for a while:

2019 has been my hardest year ever. I have faced decisions, events, and challenges that I never imagined. I went months with only an occasional post. But things are better when you are in the gloom. I created this because a few HIM did this for me when I really needed it. Whatever demons you are fighting, you will fight better with your brothers at your side. We miss you. We love you. We want you back. No matter what you need I may not be able to help, but collectively, I bet we can.

I know how much I didn’t want to get out of bed in the morning. I don’t presume to know what you are feeling. Give it a shot. Pick a day, tell someone you are coming. Show up. We really miss you!

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If any of the selected men posts, his ornament is removed. The goal is to start and end the season with an empty tree.

A few important guidelines:

• Keep it positive. This is about encouraging. We have all been out for a while here and there and it is tough to come back. If you see any of these PAX remind them we miss them and we would love to have them back. (Unless you’re Gambit, then you do you.)

• Pick someone that is fartsacking. We don’t need to hassle guys on the IR or someone who has moved or changed jobs. There are plenty of guys that we can start with who just need to get out of bed. Start with the P200 runners that haven’t been posting, they have some training to do!

• Use your resources. Let’s blow up Twitter, Facebook, and all of our other tools. Make workouts known; be excited and prepared. No one wants to come back after a long absence and have a poorly planned and executed workout.

On a personal level, this is also a commitment by me to show up and bring the tree to every F3 Bluffton workout this December.

Let’s see where this thing can go. I hope we get many old and new faces in the gloom this holiday season.

Urkel Out!

Reflections on 3 years . . .

9-9-2019

Disclaimer:

This page, site, blog, and any associated content are not affiliated with or endorsed by F3 Nation or any Region or AO within that group. As I have great respect for that group, I will draw upon its wisdom and lexicon, giving full credit where appropriate.

Warm-Up:

• After Joker EHed my I dove into F3.

• I was inspired to take on many new challenges.

• I found myself slipping into a rut.

• I have a plan to get back on track, accelerating.

The Thang:

The Beginning:

Throughout the summer of 2016 I was skillfully Ehed by Joker in a minimalist but effective style. On several occasions, as it was relevant to the discussion, he mentioned to me that I should really try F3. He always followed this with, “But I know you won’t do it.” He was never pushy, but he brought it up anytime that is was applicable. Even when I told him that I was going to post the first time, he gave me a basic run down of what I should do to prepare, but also said he didn’t expect to see me.

Finally, on the Tuesday after Labor Day, 9/6/2016 I posted to #theBuck. Michael Bolton had the Q and I thought I was going to die. I had never in my life done a Burpee, I had not run a mile since college, and I had no idea what a Merkin was. Several PAX stayed with me, and I specifically remember Gambit doing Burpees with me, but also making sure that I got them all done. At the end I got the name Urkel, mainly due to my proclivity to wear a pocket protector. I posted again Wednesday, then Thursday, and again Saturday.

Getting Going:

I made it my goal to post to at least half of the available workouts from the start. In my region, that meant at least 3 time each week. Three months after starting, I went 6 for 6 for the first time , working out every one of the 6 opportunities in a week. That lead to a new hobby, putting streaks together. Like:

• Posting to 6 different AO’s in 6 days

• Posting to every Lowcountry AO in a week

• Completing 6 consecutive 6 for 6’s

• Posting to 3 different regions in 1 week

• Posting at 20 different AO’s

These were great and I had a great time meeting new PAX. I learned new exercises, new ideas for workouts, and I was introduced to Rucking. These led to:

• Competing in my first 5K

• Competing in a Sprint Triathlon

• Completing a GORUCK Tough Event

• Rucking a 5K

• Completing the Forward and Endure Pathfinder Ruck Training

I am proud of all of these accomplishments, but they don’t mean as much upon reflection as I expected them to while I was preparing.

The Past Year:

As I approached my 2nd F3versary things started to change. Fartsacking started to get easier, stress started getting more prevalent, my family was experiencing struggles, and I felt like things were falling apart. I didn’t stop posting, but I moved towards the Happy Clown. I was glad to have the community, but I just didn’t want to work that hard. There was no acceleration. Something else happened during this time, the 43 Feet Podcast. I started to be exposed to a steady stream of ideas. As Dredd and Dark Helmet work through the Q Source, I started to see the areas that needed work.

My Next Year:

• Notice that in all of this I never mentioned weight loss. A lot of guys talk about how much weight they have lost. As of this morning I am about 1.5 pounds down from the first day. So part one of the plan is finally getting my Queen under control.

• Everyone has a Jester, I am no different. Mine has been pestering me more than usual of late. Got to work on this too.

• How can do both of those things while still accelerating the King? Well there is no reason to believe that I am going to be able to do it alone.

  • I need a proper Shield Lock, and I will be working on this hard in the immediate future.

  • I need a Stone. I know several men who have the wisdom and experience to help me in my acceleration, but I need to seek a mentoring relationship.

• I also need a new blade. My blade is all grown up now and we are no longer proximate. I will no doubt continue to catch up with him, but I have some use to a younger man. Listening and offering guidance to a younger man helps to refine and remind of your own priorities.

• I am not going to set goals of miles, workouts, or events. I need to focus on acceleration and these things will come.

Moleskin:

• These 3 years have been such a blessing to me.

• I am so grateful for the relationships that I have formed with men around the southeast.

• If any man has not posted to an F3 workout, I encourage you to do it.

• If you see me slipping on the King, Queen, or Jester, or if you see me neglecting my concentrica, I implore you to call me on it. I won’t like it, but I will appreciate it.

Urkel Out!