“There is no limit to what we can accomplish. F3 Foundation is the next step in the journey of F3 Nation. We will make a difference in this community. There is no doubt about it. We are Men of Action and the time for action is now.”  - F3 Foundation

The first Saturday of December marked the culmination of the fall 2012 Let Me Run season.  After seven weeks of practices, the season ended with a bang – a huge 5k event for the boys at the Speedway.  It also marked the conclusion of the first season that F3 teamed up with LMR under the guide of the F3 Foundation.  By many measures it was a big success.  The numbers alone are impressive: 7 schools, 11 coaches, 2 board members, over 300 volunteer hours and $1000 contributed.  But it is not the numbers that make the real impression.  The stories that Halfpipe and I collected from each coach show the real impact made on the community.  Fa So La, coaching at Billingsville writes:

One of our boys has it rough.  Over the 7 weeks of practices, I had dropped him off at 3 different locations – the CMC chemical dependency center, a Motel, and the Salvation Army – as that is where his mother was ‘living’ at those times.  He had good days and bad days at practice – so his ‘training’ was marginal, at best.  And the day of the 5K race was not one of his good days.  He had to wear jeans on race day, simply because he doesn’t own a pair of shorts.  Shortly after the start line he slowed to a walk, and I was unsure if he would be finishing that day.  But Graham and I kept at it – hanging with him and encouraging him to pick up the pace when he could.  It wasn’t a fast time, but at day’s end, he did complete the 5K – a smile on his face and proud of his accomplishment.  While I could tell he loathed every step – he was clearly upset when we informed him that there would be no more LMR practice on Monday.  It was tough to tell if we reached him some days – but it was clear at the finish line, that this would be one very great page from a story that clearly has had some tough turns.

Talk-Box coaching at Landsdowne says:

Gavin is a 4th grader and is perhaps the smallest 4th grader I’ve ever imagined. What was simple for most certainly required more effort from Gavin. His body is not built for long runs yet, but he excelled at sprints and the relays. These (along with some of the pain stations I threw in from time to time), developed strength in his whole body. He started out complaining most days that something was always hurting (ankle, shoulder, leg, etc), and ended with him falling at the race in the first 200 yards and still finishing within 30 minutes never stopping to complain.

Through these stories and many others it is clear that F3 men are making a difference in the lives of boys here in Charlotte through Let Me Run. In a tangible way the men of F3 are bringing the values of Fitness, Fellowship and Faith to the next generation.  It is impossible to quantify the impact over time that the investment made into these boy’s lives will bear.

Yet it wasn’t just the impact we made it was also the impact we received.  Groupon writes:

It took many people to raise me. Through Boy Scouts Leaders, Church Youth Group Leaders, Teachers/Professors, Ministers, Coaches. One of my goals last year was to get involved in the community beyond giving money. Time and effort make the biggest impacts and F3 positioned me to be able to take advantage of the partnership between F3 and LMR and I couldn’t be happier for it. I gained the perspective that the best way to thank those that lifted us up is to return to the community and raise up others.

Cracker shares this:

It is a humbling and sobering fact to think that Matt and I (and the other members of the F3 Nation that show up to afterschool) are the only “positive” male role models in these boys’ lives. I put positive in quotations because I know that leading these boys exposed the pride and impatience in my own heart. While I cannot definitively say whether or not practice and running a 5K changed these boys, I know my heart is not the same…still incredibly prideful and selfish, but more aware of my utter need of the grace that only Jesus can offer. Thankfully he offers it infinitely, without hesitation, and asking nothing in return. Which is great, because nothing is all I can afford.

The F3 Foundation has called us to action.  We are to take the common thread that runs among us – our commitment to friendship, fitness and our faith along with the many resources and blessings we have received and move into the world to make a difference.  Let Me Run has proved a beautiful way to do that.

There is no doubt that Let Me Run takes sacrifice.  You will miss some time at work, possibly a F3 workout or even some moments with your family.  We are all busy men and it’s often difficult to know where best to give away your life.  But as you can see from the testimonies above, it is a sacrifice that bears much fruit both in the community and our own personal lives.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Matthew 16:25

The Spring coaching season is here! Training dates are Feb 10 and 21^st.   If you are interested in participating in the Spring Season or just have feedback on the experience, please comment below. We are working hard to make the LMR / F3 partnership stronger to better serve the needs and resources of both organizations. 

See the Pax in action: Fall Season LMR video: http://youtu.be/wUwQxLe8-cY

Apple Biter & Halfpipe