Author: Rudy

  • Hybrids, Donkeys, and Facial Nuts: My Life in Vegan Tights – from Yankee Joe

    YHC enjoys a good prank. As such, April Fool’s Day is like Christmas. Last year, YHC revealed to the PAX that he and his family were moving to the Seattle area. The M would be taking a job with Amazon, while YHC would follow his new found passion of farming to work for a local, kumquat farm. It specialized in organic kumquat-based mineral oils and lotions – all available through an affordable monthly subscription.

    The name of the farm? “Kumquat May.”

    ——————-

    This year, the “prank” part was too wonky and to be honest, after a grueling Saturday beatdown, a little recovery was needed. YHC still got in his jokes about switching over to CrossFit and trying to recruit F3 PAX to the good side of the force. However, instead of additional pranks, YHC set out to create a unique beatdown experience. A few fellers were asked for two true statements and one ‘not so true’ statement about themselves. The PAX could then guess which was which. One’s guess about what was fact or quasi fiction would dictate the type of exercise completed.

    However, before those shenanigans, YHC had other good stuff up his singlet. In the vein of CrossFit, YHC has always wanted to include a truck tire or heavy object rope pull. Wet Tap, who may or may not have been joking, suggested the Prius on GroupMe the night before. That’s all it took.

    “Duke, stop chewing on your ass.”

    ———————

    10 PAX and one FNG pulled up to the Stage on a comfortable 70 degree mernin’. The FNG, who was recruited by Popeye, was a good ‘ol Texas boy from his hometown of Austin. In his FNG naming, we would find out that he had once been pepper sprayed by the cops outside of the Cotton Bowl, WHILE on horseback because he was mother f-ing Justin Timberlake about being a shitty mouseketeer.

    His eventual name selection of Face Nutz was based on a story not appropriate for this backblast, but suffice it to say, Nutz has a special place in Toby Keith’s heart…rest in peace.

    Anyway, YHC had gotten to the Stage about 45 minutes early to test out how the Prius would respond to being pushed in neutral. Even solo, YHC was able to get some traction for about 10 yards. There was a Plan B, but this thang was just crazy enough to work.

    After a wonky Warmarama, in which the PAX did side straddle hops…that’s it. We only did side straddle hops. 410 side straddle hops…you get it…4/1. A few pranks had to be thrown in there, after all.

    Ok, so after that, we did the first ever F3 Prius indigenous peoples push.

    ———————

    The Thang:

    PAX in two teams

    – One team pushing the Prius – one PAX in the driver seat, the other teammates pushing.

    – Second team drops off and completes 10 triple merkin burpees (burpee with three merkins at bottom before jumping up).

    – Second team then runs to relieve the Prius team

    – Continue in that way around Rich Man’s Loop (approx. ½ mile)

    ——————–

    A few observations:

    It is possible that the Live Oak HOA will finally come together and ban F3. There was no shortage of neighbors peering out their windows. Pushing a car is one thing. White Meat yelling at anyone who would listen that it gets “85 miles to the freakin’ gallon” is something entirely different. However, YHC does appreciate the solidarity. Good lookin’ out, Bro.

    Paradox could not count the triple merkins at the bottom of the burpee. This is especially interesting since he perfected the triple merkin in order to cheat during Jurptober. His entire team’s points should have been thrown out.

    Wet Tap and Smooth could have simply carried the Prius around RML by themselves. Seriously, I’m not sure they broke a sweat. Smooth simply said, “ain’t this cute.”

    YHC still can’t believe how well this worked. Pushing the Prius, even with 4 to 5 people, got REAL hard, REAL quick. Steering without power was also a great arm workout. Except for the almost collision with the port-o-potty…because Face Nutz can’t drive (or maybe he couldn’t see because you know…the nutz…in the face), the PAX successfully pushed the Prius around RML and headed back to the Stage.

    ———————-

    Upon return to the Stage, the PAX completed

    – 41 burpees
    – 41 leg lifts
    – 41 J-Lo’s
    – 41 jump squats
    – 41 thrusters.

    It was during the jump squats that we heard the familiar retching of an FNG. We all looked over to see Face Nutz bent over and yakking his nutz off. However, he hadn’t moved his coupon before doing so and thus coated it with a creamy yellow bile…a color and consistency only found in Safety Valve’s Kenyan cool brew froth.

    Once the PAX finished up and the exercise circle moved upwind from Nutz’ vomit, facts were revealed. As mentioned, PAX would choose what they believed to be true versus a lie. Their choice dictated the exercises to come.

    Fact or (Quasi) Fiction

    *The first set of “facts” came from Paradox.

    1) At a birthday in middle school, a donkey kicked out his front teeth. For the next several years, through undergrad, his nickname was “Donkey Teef.”

    2) As the center for the Homer High School football team, he once sharted during a game and the quarterback, at first under center, took every subsequent snap in shotgun formation even though the head coach was threatening to bench him.

    3) He graduated from medical school

    I’ll let you, dear reader decide which of the three is false (and yes…almost everyone chose #3).

    —————————

    In the interest of time, YHC will only include the others’ most obscure, but true fact that blew the PAX’ collective mind.

    *Wet Tap “Fact”

    One of Wet Tap’s favorite songs is, “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. He said he loves singing this under his breath every time he gives epidurals to women in labor. One time, as he was preparing to administer the epidural, the woman heard him and burst out singing the song at the top of her lungs. Together, they sang so enthusiastically, that she prematurely went into labor and ended up having a natural birth.

    Moral of the story? Don’t ever let Wet Tap sing to your wives, boys.

    ————————-

    *Popeye “Fact”

    Popeye loves soup. His favorite soup, we found out this morning, is Cream of Asparagus. He said he literally buys the 24-can case from Costco every few weeks. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as Cream of Asparagus. What’s more, is that he likes to chill it in the fridge overnight and then sip on it like a vichyssoise on a hot summer afternoon.

    I tell you what…Popeye sure does keep you on your toes.

    ———————-

    *America’s Best “Fact”

    One time, while still living in Virginia, AB went to a fundraiser in Washington D.C. While there, he got – in his own words – tore up from the floor up, and went to the men’s room to relieve himself. While at the urinal, Peyton Manning came in and started using the next urinal over. AB was so excited that he turned to him and said, “What’s up?”

    Unfortunately, AB hadn’t finished relieving himself and pissed all over Manning’s shoes. Apparently Manning looked down in disbelief, then looked back up to AB. In his drunken stupor, AB simply paused, zipped up, and yelled, “Omaha, Omaha!” and ran out of the bathroom.

    ———————

    *Goose “Fact”

    In high school, Goose joined a choreographed choir group that toured around and performed show tunes. He joined because he had a crush on a girl who was in the troupe. However, after about six months, the girl quit the group, but Goose, by this point, loved every bit of it.

    In fact, he was apparently, really good. He started branching out with other groups. Due to his height as well as athletic coordination, he was offered a full ride scholarship to the Academie d’ Chaussettes Sales in Paris…wait for it…Kentucky. Paris, Kentucky.

    However, as we all know, at that point, he had turned it down to follow God’s call to join the seminary.

    ———————-

    After all songs were played and penalty exercises were completed, YHC had one more treat in store for the PAX! In fact, YHC had been working on this thang for months. The logistics to carry it out were a bit over the top and may or may not have impacted YHC’s marriage.

    Looking back over the morning, however, it may have been YHC’s finest hour.

    COT and Pope prayed us out.

    SYITG,

    Yankee Jeaux

  • Our Consolation Is Abundant – from Yankee Joe

    First and foremost, welcome to @ZZ Leggs and @Elton. The joy of watching Goose and Reluctant Yankee (DRing from NOLA) go Beautiful Mind on us during FNG naming was a gift in itself. Both names are classic. Elton may be YHC’s favorite since the naming of Honeysuckle.

    YHC has several grumpy old man pet peeves. One of them is the abundant and obnoxious misuse of the word, “awesome.” That said, YHC should admit he uses the work WAY too much himself. It’s harder to stop saying it than, for example, crossing through the eye of a needle…or perhaps catching the eye of a German optometrist.

    To be awesome invokes the fullness of awe. Awe is typically invoked by events such as universe creation, miracles, defeating death, etc. So, when I hear certain PAX who are in their early 20’s and hail from LaRose say, “Bruhhh, those hot wings were AWESOME,” it makes one stop and ponder life in some confusion (and maybe sadness).

    Recently, YHC just reached his two-year Manniversary with F3. As many can relate, the F3 experience has been nothing short of a miracle. Sound melodramatic? Well, you be the judge. When YHC moved his family to Thibodaux, he had a few good acquaintances and some old “friends” from previous life chapters. His physical health was right in line with an early 40’s bro who often thought about the glory days. From time to time, he would run for a week or two after seeing a picture in which he saw the gut sticking out. YHC had no faith practice to speak of. Prayers happened when the S#&@ was hitting the fan or he was getting his teeth kicked in by life, in general.

    Blessed as he was to have a beautiful and growing family, along with a solid-ish career track, there was always something missing. “Something missing” is a dangerous place for a man to hang out…in between his ears…looking at deceivingly greener pastures elsewhere.

    So…with F3 came:

    1) meaningful friendships;

    2) the best physical/emotional shape in his life…since 1997;

    3) an awakening toward a faith life, leading ultimately to a full conversion to Catholicism;

    4) everything rich fruit that bountifully follows as a result of the previous three points.

    Still sound melodramatic? Deal with it, Pop.

    Coming up on his first year since confirmation in the Catholic Church, YHC is certainly not on the ballot for any ‘rookie of the year’ awards. That said, his faith has deepened in ways he never knew possible. Having never walked the Stations of the Cross before, it is these types of faith engagement of which YHC is just starting to now scratch the surface. And dang, bro…it’s some powerful stuff.

    After some thought and clumsy prayer, YHC settled on a ‘Stations of the Cross’ beatdown for Holy Saturday. The night before, YHC had a vision for how this could play out: 14 cones (or cawhns in North Louisiana). At 11 pm that night, the cones were no longer dramatic enough. YHC needed more.

    12 cinders and 12 cedar fence boards later, seven (7) crosses were hastily built. The PAX would go seven stations out (20 yards in between) and seven stations back. We would treat it as closely as time would permit to actually walking the Stations.

    However, in our version, we would lunge-walk with coupons in between stations (aka…walking genuflections) to symbolize bearing our own crosses. For each station, YHC read the leader’s prayer, the PAX responded, selected scripture was read aloud, followed by three (for the Triduum) exercises for the station. The third exercise was designed to consistently be six (6) man makers. Why? God made man on the sixth day.

    We would not have time to complete all exercises for all stations, but the PAX arrived at the 14th Station with two minutes to spare, picked up their coupons and sprinted back to the flag. The lunge-walks were brutal, the man makers were nauseating, and the side by side partner squats were disturbing…but not as awkward as the Suzanne Somers goblet squats.

    YHC will refrain from further narration. It’s not about him or the PAX…or the external validation derived from a quality backblast. On Saturday, seventeen men and soon to be men entered into Christ’s Passion.

    It was actually…

    Awesome.

    ————————————–

    Stations

    I. Jesus Is Condemned to Death
    20 Prisoner squats
    20 Nolan Ryans – both sides
    6 man makers

    II. Jesus Carries His Cross
    20 Goblet squats
    20 WWI sit-ups (no block)
    6 man makers

    III. Jesus Falls the First Time
    20 Burpees
    20 Mountain climbers (2:1)
    6 man makers

    IV. Jesus Meets His Mother
    20 flutter kicks w block
    20 WW2 Sit-ups with block/ or modify without
    6 man makers

    V. Jesus Is Helped by Simon of Cyrene
    20 partner air squats (side by side)
    20 Alternating partner shoulder tap merkins
    6 man makers

    VI. Jesus Is Comforted by Veronica, Who Wipes His Face
    20 apolo ohno’s (1:1)
    20 chilcutt jacks
    6 man makers

    VII. Jesus Falls Again Beneath the Weight of the Cross
    20 burpees, hand release merkins at bottom
    20 LBCs w/ block
    6 man makers

    VIII. Jesus Comforts the Women of Jerusalem
    20 Suzanne Somers (squats, toes pointed out)
    20 J-Lo’s (2:1)
    6 man makers

    IX. Jesus Falls for 3rd Time
    20 Bonnie Blair’s (2:1)
    6 man makers

    X. Jesus Stripped of His Clothes
    20 Thrusters
    6 man makers

    XI. Jesus Nailed to the Cross
    20 Star jumps
    6 man makers

    XII. Jesus Dies, Commending Himself to the Father
    20 genuflections
    20 V-ups
    6 man makers

    XIII. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross and Placed in the Arms of Mary
    20 WW3 sit ups w/ block or modify to WW2 sit ups
    20 Leg lifts holding block straight up
    6 man makers

    XIV. Jesus is Placed in the Tomb of Joseph of Arimathea

    Coupon run back to flag
    6 man makers

  • Gangster of Love – from Charmin

    Some people call YHC Maurice, but that has nothing to do with the beatdown. Typical Thursday morning beatdown of leaders leading and doing their own thing.

  • Raining again – from Thighs

    This was my 2d Q for the month and again it was raining, so we decided to meet at the Farmer’s Market and workout under the awning.

    We started the beat down with a warmup:
    15x Jumping Jacks
    7x Man Huggers
    7x Cherry Pickers
    7x Merkins
    15x Mountain Climbers
    7x Squats

    Stanchion run warm-up:
    Lunge to first stanchion
    Run to 2d stanchion
    Then Broad Jumps
    Then Backwards Run
    Then Bear Crawl
    Then High Knees Running
    Repeat 3x.

    Then we started the workout.
    Gauntlet:
    Starting at the beginning stanchion and running two stanchions each station.
    We run to the 2nd station and run back to the first station. Then we conduct all exercises at each station getting to the 3d station and running back to the first station. Then we conduct all exercises at each station getting to the 4th station and running back to the first station.

    We did this exercise 2 times.

    Station 1: 5x Burpees
    Station 2: 15x Merkins
    Station 3: 30x Peter Parkers
    Station 4: 45x Squats

    Then we turned to F3 cards:

    Reps:
    Hearts 10
    Spades 15
    Diamonds 20
    Clubs 25

    Exercises:
    2 Merkins
    3 Squat Pulsesx2
    4 Mtn Climbers x2
    5 Squats
    6 Flutter Kicks x2
    7 Bobby Hurleys
    8 Smurf Jacks x2
    9 Box Cutters
    10 Plank Toe Touches x2
    J Diamond Merkins
    Q Bonny Blairs
    K Burpees
    A Diamond Merkins
    Joker 60 sec plank

    Then we turned to a modified DORA 123:
    100x Box Cutters
    200x Merkins
    300x Lunges

    Due to time, we cut it off after we finished the 200.

    We ended the workout with an Ab workout.

    10x Climbing Rope Abs
    10x Penguin Abs
    10x Hello Dollies
    10x Freddy Mercuries
    10x LBCs
    1 min plank
    10x Ab X-tensions

    We ended with the usual close out, sending us off with a prayer as the rain continued to come down.

    Looking forward to next time!

  • After the Gorge – from Akbar

    YHC arrived groggy this gloom after a relaxing Easter and overindulgence of sweets. Moby Dick and Turbo Dog were waiting and we got started after some chit chat about travel, broken down cars, Elon Musk, and the upcoming Eclipse. Each of us glad that we both showed up and didn’t have to workout solo, we commenced with the warm up.

    SSH, Arm Circles, Self Love, Grass Grabbers, Toe Touches, Windmills

    Mosey to the playground for 3 sets of 5 pull ups and 10 squats.

    Head to the corner for a walking 4 corners. Just two men strolling around with a dog, catching up. At each corner: 10 Merkins, 15 Squats, 20 Abs of choice.

    Picnic tables for Freak Nasty and Dirkins x 10 IC

    Back at the court, another 4 corners, graduation to a slight jog. Stone Mountains, Crab Cakes, Scuba Steve’s, and Jump Squats.

    2 minutes left for a little Mary, and we are out.

    Marsh Madness this Saturday at the Milestone Marsh.

    SYITG,

    Akbar

  • Growing Up with Throwing Stars & Brass Knuckles – from Steve

    YHC was so sure that no one would be posting at the Splashpad this Friday that I had a contingency plan for a solo beatdown, but no actual plan if someone were to show up.

    With Akbar waiting in the parking lot and Pelican coming in soon after, plans to head to the Marsh for a murph were scrapped and it was time to wing it.

    Usual warmorama proceeded by four corners: 5x kraken burpees, 10x lunges, and 15x big boys at each corner.

    This Friday’s topic of conversation was growing up in the late 80’s, those troublemaking friends you had that for some reason had throwing stars and knives and BB guns lying around their house and no parents in sight, and just how much of a leash you should give your kids nowadays so they can still make their mistakes and learn from them. (Poll revealed that despite the unlimited access to everything these days, our particular kids are all somehow more sheltered than we were at that age.)

    Next up, a stop by the Depot, where Step Downs are finally gaining some traction with the Pax (YHC heard Akbar complaining about them Saturday). Mix of the usual, step ups, Bulgarians, step downs, jump overs, calf raises, slow squats, x10-12 IC, punctuated by some freak nasties between sets.

    Head over to the trailhead steps for a set of 11’s – merkins at bottom, Sister Mary’s up top.

    Wrapped up with a quick Mary, COT, and Pelican prayed us out, reminding us to be thankful for the gift of forgiveness. Happy Easter gents.

  • Easter at the Renni – from Fracsac

    Easter at the Renni went like this:

    5 pax showed up to get the day started right. With the flag planted and a disclaimer given warmup facing the bacon.

    On the steps of NOMA start off with the Easter Bunny’s arch enemy, the Tooth Fairy. Decline ‘mercins starting with 8 at the top step and finished with 1 at the bottom.

    Jack Webb cut in with his routine.

    One quick lap around the museum tossing the frisbee. A drop is 3 burpees.

    Stations:

    Station 1: Rows with 60 lb sandbag
    Station 2: kettle bell swings with 50 lb sandbag
    Station 3: jump rope
    Station 4 and 5: frisbee toss from ends of museum. A drop means 3 burpees for all.

    Timer was 15 rows cumulative in the beginning as the frisbee toss did not go well. Wapner said we could do better if he had a football. Since the Q never disappoints, out comes the football and still plenty of burpees.

    Back of museum for Sunday Mornings.

    1 minute left at the flag so 10 burpees IC

    COT followed by coffeteria.

    Happy Easter!

    SYITG

  • Quattro Rounndso – from Kenna Brah

    Saw some fellas in the gloom and they joined me for some fun.
    Mosey to rocks
    SSH
    MTN MAN pooper Good mornings
    open/close the gate
    Slow vagodas
    Grass grabbers
    Arm circles f/b

    Pick a rock, rifle carry to pavilion
    Set 1)
    3 rounds 5 reps:
    1) merkin with 1 4 ct mtn climber at the top, merkin with 1 Parker Peter, merkin with 1 Peter Parker
    5x
    2) merkin to bird dog 5 x
    3) LBCs

    Set 2)
    3 rounds 10 reps
    ( lost my sheet, can’t remember All details)
    With rock
    10x sumo squats
    10x row
    10x curl

    Set 3)
    3 rounds 15 reps
    Left leg step ups
    Right leg step up
    L/R single leg
    Wife pleasers

    3 rounds 20 reps
    With Rock
    Details lost 🙁

  • Easter Saturday – from Waterpik

    With the Q sheet empty mid week, YHC grabbed the Q for the beatdown on the lakefront. Temperature 54 degrees to start the workout, beautiful westher this time of the year.

    Warmup consisting of seal jacks hill Billies, side straddle hops, wind mills.

    Mosey to the shaft for the main thing. On today’s menu was 11’s. derkins, reverse merkins, stone mountains on one side and Superman’s, sister mary Catherine’s, and rower sit ups on the other.

    Rinse and repeat with some speed work, burpees and rocky balboas on the seawall in between the sets of 11’s.

    Enjoy Easter with your families, men!

  • The non 10K – from Fracsac

    YHC has been nursing a foot injury back to health, so CCC10k was out of the question. Lucky for YHC 4 other pax passed on the run as well.

    A little challenging to get into the park, but it worked out.

    Disclaimer given then mosey to the peristyle for a regular warmup. Lots of confused runners parked trying to figure out how to get to buses.

    Move to great lawn and do some Jack Webbs.

    Did BLIMPS on the corners of the great lawn with bear crawls on the short lengths.

    Handed off to Thumb War and that included a trip to the fountain to grab some rocks. Made our way to Pop Bandstand for some coupon work. We saw curls, OH press, Sumo squats and Thrusters.

    Squints took the helm and brought a round of Mary and some inch worms with ‘mericans that had the pax gasping for air.

    Return the rocks and head to COT. Wait, there’s a minute left so 10 burpees IC.

    CoT followed by coffeteria

    SYITG