Vision, Articulation and Cake

Preamble:

I did not plan to post a pre-blast, but when a fortune cookie told me there would be a fun party in the near future I had to let everyone at the Gladiator know. I also said there would be cake, but it seems skepticism run high.

In the QSource, as the 3rd quadrant of Lead Right begins, it talks about the Effective Leadership Skills – Vision, Articulation, Persuasion and Exhortation. Or VAPE for short. I did not anticipate that, but it seemed I needed to practice my leadership skills. You see, I had a vision of bringing a cake to the beatdown for the PAX to enjoy. I had to work on my articulation to get the men to believe me.

Posted for a pre-ruck (it’s my party and I’ll ruck if i want to). Macbeth was there by himself and graciously agreed to join me. I handed him my rucksack and picked up a sandbag. Even when Scratch off appeared for a pre-run Macbeth stayed true and we rucked together.

Came back for a parking lot with many PAX and more and more cars were coming. LOVED IT. And hoped there would be enough cake.

Warm-O-Rama:

Mosey around the parking lot and into a nearby smaller one. Started with SSH IC. We counted all the way to 44, increasing the speed along the way. Next was burpees. PAX were concerned we’ll do 44 of them as well, but YHC is merciful and we stopped at 10. Proceeded to do Weed Pickers and OYO Arm Circles.

The Thang:

We moseyed to the soccer field where YHC tried to articulate another vision, that of the beatdown. Again, work in progress. The vision was 11s, times 4. Cause that’s 44. There’s a theme here. You get it.

One side of the field, starting with 10 Bobbie Hurley, 10 Hand Release Merkins, 10 alpha count Shoulder Taps and 10 Gas Pumpers. Run to the other side of the field and bear crawl the last part (Penalty Box). On the other side start with 1 of each – side to side jump, Wide merkin, Diamond merkin and The Dolly. Run back and bear crawl the last portion again. Then 9/2, 8/3…

It seems 5am-ish and pre-coffee aren’t the best conditions to articulate a multi step plan. Some PAX got it faster and passed it on. YHC seem to recall explanations needed even on the 4th round.

The gazelles circled up for a Mary. YHC has no idea what was done there since I was much closer to the 6. At 5 minutes to 6 called recover and we run back to the flag.

Well, some of us did. Others chose to help the 6 finish his last round of the 11s. A few exercises were done. Don’t think I recall them all. Dying cockroaches, Peter Parkers, Box cutters, A couple more Box cutters just to show form and 5 OYO Burpees cause we had another 30 seconds to go so why not?

COT:

Blood Drive on the 12th; Darth Visor CSAUP on the 27th. I thanked the group for the support over the last few years. Love you all.

Naked-Man Moleskin:

My leadership skills still require work as I was not able to persuade all the men to share a piece of cake, but that’s quite ok.

The last 5 years were simply amazing and filled with joy and blessings. Not always easy, not all was great, but the overall was. With F3 men around me I can look forward to another awesome year!