Fitness, Fellowship, Faith
Fitness, Fellowship, Faith
**The Murph 2025!!**
I’ve assisted or led the Murph for the past 5-7 years, and while each one has been a success, I truly feel like this year was the best yet.
In classic Deadwood fashion, I was nearly late picking up a hobbled Nontan and completely forgot the bananas. Thankfully, my main man Sugar Daddy came through with the save.
We arrived around 5:50, and—no surprise—Kid Rock, the ultimate event maestro, already had his tent and table set up, with coffee brewing. The guy is a true selfless PAX! I feel like he doesn’t get the help or recognition he deserves when it comes to events like Trail Fest or pretty much any F3 Waxhaw gathering. Next time we have an event, make it a point to ask him if there’s something you can do. Odds are, he’ll say no—but that’s exactly when you show up early and contribute in your own way. Stop just *using* F3 and start *giving back*!
It’s always the same guys spending money, pitching in, and making things happen. This is something special we have, and it’s time PAX stepped up and led like the true HIMs they are. Or… I’ll bite my tongue—I’m trying to be nice.
Typically, we get about 10-12 guys who “do the Murph,” while the rest head to bootcamp. This year, as the PAX rolled in, I assumed bootcamp would have a massive group. As I was about to start the Star-Spangled Banner (Jordan Sparks edition), Mad Dog rallied the boot campers and took them off—but surprisingly, only about a third of the PAX left! Good thing our new Murph site (now in its second year) has enough bars for 20 guys at a time to knock out pull-ups.
**Countdown… and we were off!**
I tried *really* hard this year not to watch form—but, man, what I saw was rough. Sure, sometimes my form is a little sloppy (merkins are brutal), but every pull-up had my chin above the bar—even with the vest on.
Some wore the vest, some didn’t. My take? If you’re wearing the vest, that tells me you can handle yourself. Not always the case. Some guys should *not* have had those vests on. Pull-ups were barely half reps, push-ups were glorified pulses or premature pumpers at best, and squats… well, let’s just say if they had been on their knees, they would’ve been bows. **LOCK IT UP!**
Yes, showing up, doing what you can, building relationships during COT, and simply getting out of bed to move *matters*. But for the love of all things F3, stop lying to yourself about “crushing” the Murph in a vest when your form is a train wreck. Truth is, most guys wearing vests would struggle even *without* the vest. Stepping off my soapbox now… but you *all* know who you are.
Three to five years ago, I’d be name-dropping and shaming. But I’m older (maybe wiser), and I recognize that everyone is out here for different reasons. Still, **know this**—we all see the BS. We just aren’t saying anything.
**I called time at the 1-hour mark, and we rolled into COT.**
Mad Dog, as always, came through with solid wisdom and a good word. We also welcomed two FNGs—Thing 1 and Thing 2. My buddy Eddie and a big, jacked dude (who still owes some reps). Both bald, both rocking the same red shirt—I think we set a speed record with those names. Nice job, Chastain.
Coffee flowed, bananas disappeared, conversations were had, and bonds were strengthened. It was *pure* F3 Waxhaw at its finest.
And if you missed it? Well… you suck. 🤣
And no, AI did not write that. :reversed_hand_with_middle_finger_extended: