Ten genetically-modified hyper-intelligent HIMs posted this cold morning to exercise minds and bodies.
And the categories are:
The 4 P’s of Marketing
Programming Languages
Irish Musicians
The Four Pillars of Catholicism/Christian Life
Antibiotic Classes
Versions of Halo
Things on my Desk
Minor Bluey Characters
Harry Potter
One thing I love about this PAX is that each member brings specific acumen to the table. Everyone is an expert in something. But first, YHC had to ascertain exactly what that was for each dude.
Jackknife immediately impressed, not only showing up as a 2.0 on a Tuesday Tuff, but also by conveying one of his areas of expertise during YHC’s intro/example. Seriously. This kid is awesome. And he knows some Bluey.
As for the rest, we went on an Indian run of discovery. As each man at the back sprinted to the lead, he declared his area of expertise for all to hear.
Upon our return to the flag, we began this thang:
Circle up, and each expert first chooses an exercise, then we all get to embarrass ourselves with our lack of knowledge in his area of expertise.
YJ was first, and tried to suggest simply “merkins.” Of course, YHC predicted this, and so the box of destiny (formerly the box of Ballard Designs) was consulted.
The options were: Absolutions, 4x4s, Manmakers, Thrusters, Goosies, No-cheat merkins, Burpees, WW3 sit-ups, or M.H.G.S. Amazingly it was the same number as number of categories/PAX (minus the moderator). Thus is the magic of the Box of Destiny.
We went around the circle attempting to name the 4 P’s of Marketing, and for each answer that remained after each guess, we did that many of the named exercise. Of course, only YJ could answer most of these (although the judges gave credit to Dox, for “placement”); so we did a fair amount.
Maneater was next, and I’m sure shook his head as we struggled to identify programming languages, although YHC was impressed with the knowledge of many in this area (Cardinal schooling YHC with HTML –mind blown).
Irish Musicians was a surprise addition, and YHC’s favorite category. YJ used this opportunity to showcase his deep-rooted hatred of Oasis, refusing to identify either of the Gallagher brothers as musicians, instead opting for the pain of more beatdown.
YHC’s poor phrasing of the next category left everyone except Cardinal confused as to what the question was actually asking for. This worked out, because only Cardinal could decipher YHC’s intent, and so we got to do more Absolutions. What didn’t work out as well was that Cardinal’s way of explaining was basically just murmuring all the answers! YHC will soon begin a journey that will hopefully help with improved trivia in this category.
Other than Goose’s surprise guess of “penicillin” right out of the gate, only Dox was able to name 3 other antibiotic classes. Best wrong answer award of the day went to young Jackknife for his guess “Cocaine”. Dox enjoyed doing extra Thrusters with each wrong answer from the PAX.
Although other guesses were counted as correct, only Pope truly knows which versions of Halo exist.
And then we came to Lil’ Cuz. What do you do about a man like this? His acumen in so specialized YHC could not begin to pierce the veil of his true knowledge. He is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma… covered and smothered in perplexity. Even trying to guess what might be on his desk proved a challenge. Especially since most guesses would lead one to believe that Lil’ Cuz works in the 1950’s. Have you people only ever seen a desk in “Mad Men”? I’m pretty sure the next few guesses would have included “an ashtray” or “an empty whiskey glass.”
We ran out of time, but allowed ourselves just a few more burpees while Jackknife rattled off at least 5 or 6 minor characters in Bluey. And Goldilox’s category will have to wait until Double-Jeopardy.
Yankee Jeaux allocated the AlPAXa inVESTment to Goldilox
COT and Cardinal prayed us out.
America’s Got ToVent:
The seed for this beatdown came from YHC’s exclusive double-secret trivia league, which YHC introduced today to those present. While YHC only gets 2 referrals into this league per season, I am happy to offer them to anyone in this PAX (even Dox). Although as I write this, I actually already have added my 2 referrals to the waiting list! So instead, let me just say I am glad to add another inner-circle for YJ to strive towards– Maybe next season, my friend.
Thank you all for what you have done to challenge and change YHC in ways you might not even know.
Well-done showing up and showing off your brains and brawn. You guys always impress me.
It was a chilly morning, and YHC was still filled with the Christmas spirit on this sixth day of Christmas. There may have only been one Goose-a-laying, but there were 16 PAX who gathered late in the gloom, including a brave FNG and his 2.0.
After the disclaimer, warmups were quiet as they typically are without Dox, though Enron bared the InVESTment early, giving hope to the thicker PAX that the zipper might be zippable after all. There was no short-changing on reps or exercises as YHC needed some serious motion-lotion after this PAST week’s Dox/YJ leg destruction combo.
All grabbed coupons and Duke grabbed YJ’s Goose-Grinch head-on-a-stick and we headed to The Chimney, which is always much farther than it should be. The head was planted in the permafrost with much effort and YHC revealed the theme: the 12 Days of Christmas/Fitmas, to be performed in traditional F3 style. YHC tried to focus on the great gift of getting to really dig into Christmas for an entire two weeks, but most of the PAX just heard “ascending ladder of ridiculousness”.
The routine went like this: YHC would reveal the exercise of each ascending day and write it on the back of the Goose-Grinch head (couldn’t find the marker board or anything that would stand up in an open field). Each new day’s exercise would then be added to the previous in ascending ladder style. This meant we started with Day 1, then did Day 2 and Day 1, all the way until Day 12 through Day 1 (or almost). Here’s the list of exercises:
1 Bear crawl to the chimney (about 20 yards, sung by all the PAX in unison with gusto, or maybe just Duke and Jack-knife)
2 Diamond Merkins
3 Jump Squats
4 WW3 Situps
5 8-count Manmakers
6 Freddys Mercurying (4-count)
7 Triceps extending
8 coupons curling
9 Bonnies Blairing
10 Peter Parkers Merkining
11 J-Lo’s hipping
12’s (a set of 12’s with burpees at the head and genuflections at the chimney; run there, nur back)
Even before the 12’s were introduced, one of the PAX, who shall remain nameless, suggested that the 9th day should be changed to “9 legs kicking Goose’s crotch”, and though Duke tried to comply, the Bonnies continued Blairing and order was restored.
There was one incident wherein YJ, the ever-vigilant form policeman/expert, concerned for the health and joint strain potential of the clydesdales on the far side of the group, came over and joined them to watch to see if there speed was a result of poor form. Turns out, it wasn’t, and he finished that set faster than he had originally thought possible because he was keeping up with the guys around him. Another proof of the strange psycho-physical dymamics at work in the mind of man and further confirmation of the massive value of F3. YJ quickly took up his former position after that set.
YHC’s singing of the entire list after announcing each new day’s “gift” gave the PAX a solid break between sets, and so it wasn’t until the 12th Day was revealed that mutiny again threatened to prevail. A rousing speech about squeezing every last drop of Christmas wonder out the season up to the very last minute of the 12th day was heard by the PAX as, “Here’s something really stupid since you’re already worn out and hoping it was almost over.” Anger and scheming were brewing as YHC explained that the 12th day would be a set of 12’s including burpees and genuflections. Thankfully, concern for the health of the fading FNG diverted their attention long enough for YHC to shout “On your own, begin!” And, they did. Incredibly, they did. And they didn’t stop until YHC had to call it for time.
Encouraging words were given by many to the FNG as we gathered our coupons and layers of winter clothing for the long mosey back to the flag. The last minute was filled with a high plank before count-off, name-off and FNG naming ceremony. Dean Roy (10) was named jack-knife due to his cache of pocket knives and other weapons, and Daryl Roy (38) was named Maneater despite the many interesting facts and unique traits that he shared. His first name, Daryl, is shared with Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates, the duo who sing “Maneater”, and, most importantly, he winced at the suggestion, which solidified his new identity.
Enron inVESTed YJ with The InVESTment for his foray into more challenging waters, even if for one set, and even if it was in an effort to try to blow the whistle on someone sacrificing form for speed. Motivation is motivation, I guess.
Announcements: New Year’s Day is Monday, and a beatdown at The Stage is the perfect way to start 2024 (at the regular time!). It’s also a great day to start Exodus 90 with a solid number of this awesome PAX. For those still on the fence, the first meeting is Friday, 5:30am at St. Thomas if you want to check it out.
Lil’ Cuz prayed us out, and the PAX basked for a while in the glory of shared suffering well earned. Grateful for such an awesome, hard-working, strong-hearted crew!
Following the PAXville beatdown this morning, Goose and Popeye were discussing mental toughness. That point where you are up against the wall, begging for the pain to end…for someone to save you. Popeye commented, “Well, it’s got to end at some point.” Through the endorphins kicking and my legs destroyed by humping monkeys, I was reminded of a similar sentiment.
In 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven, a Navy Seal, delivered a commencement speech at The University of Texas. No doubt, many of you are familiar with it. Adm. McRaven shared 10 lessons he learned from BUDS training, considered the most grueling trials the military has to offer. He shared these as advice to help the young graduates “change the world.” If you haven’t watched it, you should. The link is below.
All of the lessons are relatable to civilian life, but it was #10 that most stood out to me. The lesson discussed a brass bell that hung in the center of the BUDS training facility, visible to all of the candidates.
McRaven said, “All you have to do to quit is ring the bell.
Ring the bell, and you no longer have to wake up at five o’clock.
Ring the bell and you no longer have to be in the freezing cold swims.
Ring the bell and you no longer have to do the runs, the obstacle course, the PT, and you no longer have to endure the hardships of training.
All you have to do is ring the bell to get out.
If you want to change the world, DON’T EVER, EVER RING THE BELL.”
——————–
Without hesitation, each of you, the Men of F3 Thibodaux, personify this idea. And perhaps none more than our stalwart Goose. F3 has a term, “IM3,” which is a Man’s statement to the PAX that “I AM THIRD.” The idea of ‘living third’ means that as men, we deliberately place ourselves third behind God and our Community (including our families).
When I started F3, it was about ME. I needed to get in shape. I needed an outlet. I needed to fit into my pants. I needed to make friends…like real adult, male friends.
I needed…something.
I believe Goose’s vision of F3 teaches us that those needs, while they may be important, only matter when they are pursued by virtue of servant leadership. As men, there can be no greater call than to love God through serving our families and our community.
In this light, ‘never ringing the bell’ is not about working through our own pain, nor is it about serving our own needs. Rather, it is a decision to put our oxygen mask on first before assisting others.
Our strength comes not from ‘Man Makers’, Goblet Squats, or Thrusters (well maybe for Wet Tap). By ringing the bell, we would give up on far more than just ourselves. The stakes are too high. It’s an awesome and terrifying charge.
Of course, no man can do it alone, and that is where God and each of you come in. Every beatdown, every exercise, every rep, every prayer…I am surrounded by humble warriors who REFUSE to quit. Not for your own sakes, but for the call you CHOSE to answer.
Goose, you are the definition of a servant leader. It would be impossible to describe the impact you have had on so many of us (cardboard cutouts of your likeness not excluded). Besides…your humility wouldn’t tolerate the praise anyway.
Instead, I’ll just say, thank you. Thank you from all of us…for never, EVER ringing the bell.
——————–
Last Stanzas from Today’s Story:
“Maybe F3 doesn’t only come from beatdowns – or a backblast word.
Maybe F3, just perhaps – means humility, servant leadership, striving to live third!
And what happened then? Well, in Paxville they say
The side vents on Goose’s short shorts grew three sizes that day!
From that day forth, Goose built out his legacy;
Teaching men where they should stand, behind God and their family
Though – from the HEART of the BayoU, he soon will move on
In PAXville – the HEART of the Goose Q, we’ll still carry on.
Merry Christmas!
SYITG,
Yankee Jeaux
——————–
The Ridiculous Beatdown
Warmarama
SSHs
Abe Vigodas (slow windmills) – Prancer is a terrible movie, btw.
Arm circles
Squats
Imperial Squat Walkers
Self Love
Shark hops
Partners
Mosey to baseball field, bring coupons
——————–
Tribute to Anker (For Unto Us a Child Is Born – Handel)
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Burpees on: Son, Child, Wonderful, Counselor, God, Father, Prince of Peace (approx. 43 burpees)
Thang 1: Goose Training Camp
– Narration #1 (this was far toooo long)
Dora’s
– P1 runs
– P2 J’Lo’s, Plank Jacks, Mountain Climbers, chilcutt peter parkers
– Flapjack
– Four sets
Mosey to playground
Roof Crawling Practice
– P1 bear crawl to other side of hill; at bottom, 20 derkins; traverse the apparatus, go down the slide, mosey back to partner
– P2 does Genuflects
– Flapjack
Mosey to PAXville
——————–
Thang 2: The Looting of Paxville
– Narration #2
House 1 – “Smooth Like Honey(suckle)” Home of the Smoothie Sting
– AMRAP
– P1 Nur to cone, sprint back
– P2 monkey humpers
– MOT – Bear Crawl or Crab Walk
House 2 – “Dr. and Mr. Owens”
– AMRAP
– Man Makers
– MOT – Bear Crawl or Crab Walk
House 3 – “St. Cardinal Co-Cathedral and Coffee Co.”
– AMRAP
– T – BOMBs (start in crab position, legs out together, legs apart, legs out together, back to crab position
– MOT – Bear Crawl or Crab Walk
House 4 – “La Casa Drogas de Tana”
– AMRAP
– Pickleball volley
– 2 burpees on every dropped ball
House 5 – “EnRon We (Don’t) Trust”
– AMRAP
– Thrusters
– MOT – Bear Crawl or Crab Walk
House 6 – “Eye Candy Captains, LLC” Safety First, America’s Worst
– AMRAP
– The Jurp (by 10’s) – bet you can’t do more than three
– Speed squats, Merkins, Mtn Climbers, Jump squats, LBCs
——————–
Thang 3: Back to the Goose cave
– P2 rides P1, flapjack at halfway point
– Return to start, P2 rides P1 like a donkey, flapjack at halfway point
– Sprint to Goose cave (Peltch Treehouse)
——————–
Thang 4: Paxmas came anyway
– Narration #3
– Sprint back to PAXville and Goose returns PAX gifts
Goose returns presents to the Pax
– F3 Thib – 4th Wave (Class of 2023) – Black paint coupons
– F3 Thib – 3rd Wave – Black and Maroon coupons
– F3 Thib 2nd Wave – Black, Gold, and/or Maroon Coupons
OG’s – Black and White with Gold trim Coupons
Goose – White, Black and Gold Coupon
COT and Cardinal prayed us out
——————–
How The Goose Stole PAXmas
Narration #1 How the Goose Stole Paxmas!
Every Pax down in Paxville liked PAXmas a lot
But the Goose who lived just up the bayou, did not!
The Goose hated PAXmas! The whole PAXmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. Pope’s athletic prowess prolly the reason.
It could be because Goose hated the cold.
It could be because, like his truck, he was too old.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
Was that his heart, like Dox’s Mudgear shorts, was three sizes too small.
But, whatever the reason, his heart or his arthritis ,
He stood there on PAXmas Eve ISI’ing just to spite us
He stared down from the Stage with an indignant, head tilting view
At the warm lighted windows along Lafourche Bayou
For he knew every Pax down in Paxville below
Was busy posting stupid GIF’s and jammin’ to Bieber’s Mistletoe.
He thought of Paradox and his wife who’s a doctor
Dox claims to be one too which shamefully mocks her.
He thought of the drugs Montana be slingin’
And he shuddered at the bad cadence that he always be bringin’
The Goose remembered the Goats and some random machine
That dude showed up for a month, never again to be seen
Then there was Cardinal, whoop sales-man of the cloth
But watch him fake burpees, his sins point to sloth
But he’s a priest with no equal, becoming a Bishop is next
But God help you, oh good Lawd help you if you send a green text.
Wet Tap jump squatting with coupons, that’s what real men did
He never got the memo – that Jurptober had ended.
He thought of Lil’ Cuz, bald head shiny like the sea
That neck like a tree trunk, like Treebeard with Gris Gris
A patriot among patriots, you’ll oft hear him decree
“This is ‘Merica, Jack…Yee Yee!”
He reflected on Superfun(d) and his posts that were laggin’
But Fun(d) redeemed himself fully, naming Jeaux’s Prius the Douche Wagon.
In a similar way, Fence Post showed up in stints,
But without any postin’, we’ll just call him ‘Fence’
He hated the youngsters who thought they were wicked SMAAHHT
But Shart-’eh got more than he bargained for…
that time he tried to FAAHHT
Goldilox with calves as big as your head
He’s a really nice guy — all the PAX said
But when the three bears tried to scare him out of the bed
Lox made a rug out of Papa Bear instead.
The Goose said good riddance to ‘Ol Paradiddle;
He’s a drummer, remember…F3 was fourth fiddle.
But woe to those who judge, you’ll make The Saturdiddle List
Beware three inch running shorts with a mustache emerging from the mist.
He tolerated Kilo and his twelve different ve-HICLES
He loathed Picadilly’s balls and Tana’s subsequent pickles
With falafels in the kitchen and the cross court dinkin’
Piccadilly’s doing Pickle Pounders for his bio on LinkedIn
Then there’s Safety Valve and Honeysuckle whose beatdowns we dread
They both claim to love you then play Christopher Cross instead.
With the nurring, burping, and merking, they leave us for dead
Imagine a Suckle – Valve twofer —
hey, that’s what she said.
But what about Smooth, always working the night shift
After pickle pounders with Kilmer, we thought he might drift
Instead he’s founding AO’s, he’s def here to stay
The tougher the challenge, the more you’ll hear….OhhhKAYYYY!
Goose considered Popeye, an OG of OG’s
Juicy like the chicken, played out like Drew Brees
Post hernia operation, F3’s ‘Welcome Back Cotter’
I’m sure whining about his scar, just like Harry Potter.
Enron, he mused, seemed to always face the worst
With his lack of rhythm and tendonitis that he constantly nursed
But those are just the reasons, second and first
For two SV500’s, he picked Pukee Jeaux –
he HAS to be cursed.
Speaking of Yankee Jeaux and his phonetics so fine,
Did you know LILLICK is actually pronounced LIL-ITCH
Then Ronnie – SCHREIT NEIN!
STOP—————————————————————————–
Narration #2 Before Lazy Dora in Paxville
“And they’re hanging their stockings,” he snarled with a sneer.
“Tomorrow is PAXmas! It’s practically here!”
Then he growled, with his Goose fingers nervously drumming,
As he sat on the toilet nervously humming
Then he said, “I must find a way to keep PAXmas from coming!”
“For, tomorrow, I know that ALL the PAX men
Will wake bright and early and rush to the Den.”
“And then the GroupMe posts! Oh, the posts! posts! posts! posts!
There’s one thing I hate! It’s all the posts! But That I hate the most.”
It wasn’t just the abysmal GIF game that rankled his chest
But also the old fart snark from America’s Best.
This dude rolled up to a PAX of F3
WIth Dad jokes, an electric truck and, an alleged hurt knee
Then he said, “Wait, wait there’s more –
I LOVE an extraneous JurPEE.
Not to be outdone, the reigning king of the “No Show”
French Horn, apparently hornless, has no horn to blow.
True, his 80’s knowledge is well beyond measure
His ability to use ‘Bruhhhh’ in every sentence?
Well that’s the real treasure.
So the Goose sat there honking…
“And they’ll mumble! And mumble! And they’ll chatter! Chatter! Chatter!”
And the more the Goose thought of the Pax PAXmas Chatter,
The more the Goose thought,
“Is it me or am I getting fatter?”
“Why for forty-one years I’ve put up with it now!
I must stop PAXmas from coming! But how?”
Then he got an idea! An awful idea!
The Goose got a wonderful, condescending, self righteous idea!
“I know just what to do!” The Goose laughed with a frown.
“I’ll destroy all their dreams with a TuesdayTuff beatdown.”
“I’ll steal F3 PAXmas, there’s no limit to how far I’ll stoop
I’ll even find a way to kill that stupid [bleep] Whoop.”
“What a great Goosey TRICK!” he mumbled with snarls
I’ll do a Bleep Test…you know, like a…DICK-ENS – comma – Charles!”
STOP ——————————————————–
Narration #3 Redemption Arc
It was quarter of dawn. And the Pax still a-slumber,
Hangovers en route from Enron and Wet Tap’s Jucifer tumbler.
He took their presents, their headbands, and even their rucksacks,
He scoffed at their cadence, lame excuses and fartsacks!
Ten thousand feet up – up the side of Mount Tana
He ran like an addict on AstraZeneca manna.
“Pooh-pooh to the Pax!” he was goosily humming.
“They’re finding out now that no PAXmas is coming!”
“They’re just waking up! I know just how it will go.
Shamefully hitting snooze one time, maybe mo’
And They’ll kick and they’ll yell from ceiling to the flo’
Then they’ll see there’s no PAXmas, not even an AO.”
“That’s a noise,” grinned the Goose, “that I simply must hear!”
He paused, and the Goose put a hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the swamp.
It started out slow, then it started to stomp.
But this sound was NOT, no it was not getting madder!
Why, this sound sounded joyful – it sounded like chatter!
What was this incredible sound, sounding deep from the gut,
Well Lil’ John asked Paradox the same question,
“Turn down for What?”
Every Pax down in Paxville, the tall and the small,
Was posting for a PAXmas beatdown – super tight shorts and all!
He hadn’t stopped PAXmas from coming! It came!
After having ten kids, it came just the same!
And the Goose, with his Goose feet paced to and fro,
Stood puzzling and puzzling. “How could it be so?
“It came without coupons! It came without rucksacks!
It came without backblasts, Kool Jobs, or pinched nutsacks!”
He honked and honked till his honker was sore.
Then the Goose thought of something he hadn’t before.
Maybe F3 doesn’t only come from beatdowns – or a backblast word.
Maybe F3, just perhaps – means humility, servant leadership, striving to live third!
And what happened then? Well, in Paxville they say
The side vents on Goose’s short shorts grew three sizes that day!
From that day forth, Goose built out his legacy;
Teaching men where they should stand, behind God and their family
Though – from the HEART of the BayoU, he – soon – will – move – on
In PAXville – the HEART of the Goose Q, we’ll – still – carry – on.
YHC started planning this beatdown pretty much the same way I normally do. I read through the list of Saint’s feast day, I look at what happen throughout history on this day, and I read the daily mass reading for that particular day. Well, this time the 1st reading for 12/19 really stuck out to me. Judges Chapter 13 the origin story of Samson, is what YHC read. Samson happens to be the name of one of the babies YHC and his M lost a couple months ago. So, this story hit me like a ton of bricks, and I quickly read the rest of the story. You see originally, I thought about taking it easy on the PAX since I had been out of pocket for a couple of weeks, but as soon as I read this, YHC relinquished control for what was going to happen.
YHC was allowed to switch over from day shift to night shift, on the morning of this Tuesday Tough. I even slept in a little and got to the Stage around 0430 to unload a couple tires and mauls. As YHC sat anxiously awaiting the PAX. 0505 came around and YHC was nervous, but the PAX came through for me. We were 14 strong for a brisk 40-degree Tuesday Tough.
Warmarama
SSH
Imperial Walkers
Windmills
Arm Circles
Cherry Pickers
Butt Kicks
High Knees
A few things from the story I found inspiration from were:
– He was consecrated a Nazirite from birth by an angel. A Nazirite is someone who will not eat or drink from the vines or strong drink, will not cut his hair, and will not touch a dead body.
– Samson killed a lion with his bare hands.
– He killed 30 Philistines over a riddle he gambled on.
– He killed 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey.
– After he was captured and had his eyes gouged out by the Philistines he pulled down a Philistine temple and killed himself and a whole lot of Philistines that were there mocking him.
– Samson had superhuman strength when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and brought him to victory over the Philistines.
With those things in mind lets jump back to the workout.
Thang 1
The Samson
After picking up the speaker, our coupons, and a pair of rims from Wet Tap, the Pax moseyed down to the old coupon corner for this morning’s insanity. Due to Samson killing 1030 Philistines I figured this would be a good round number of reps for the PAX as a collective to shoot for. All the PAX lined up on the first crack and awaited instruction. 1030 was divided by the total number of PAX in attendance and 77 total reps was the amount each PAX would be required to do to move to the next exercise. The PAX whom finished first could either help the slower PAX get to their number or wait for the PAX to finish and do pickle pounders since this was the sin that lead to Samson’s demise. 2 lucky PAX would be allowed to beat on a tire with a maul with all their reps counting to our total 1030. This seemed to be lost in translation from YHC and PAX and the tires became additional coupons for the likes of Wet Tap and Pope who performed admirably this morning. The PAX seemed to be mildly annoyed by the number of reps but were willing to get after it, until YHC mentioned that the first exercise was Lion Killers (Thruster) due to Samson killing a lion with his bare hands. You could have sworn that I kicked Yankee Jeaux’s cup of coffee over and took Tana’s pickle ball paddle. This response quickly caused YHC to say go and that worked pretty well to calm the storm. YHC put on some slower than I remembered music to get us through the beatdown. YHC crossed 40 when the American Beast hit 77 and begged me to let him do some of my reps. YHC let the exercise go for a couple minutes longer and allowed a couple other guys to cross the 77 rep threshold before I pulled the plug to get to part 2 of the exercise.
Part 2 of the exercise is or mode of transport to the next street crack. Our mode of transport was moving like and inch worm with a J Lo in the middle of it. YHC calls these Delilah’s. Basically you extend your brick out as far as you can, drop your elbows on your block, perform a J Lo, and then get your feet to the edge of your block and repeat until you go past the second asphalted line in the concrete. This seemed to be less troublesome to the PAX than part one. After this came Part 3.
Part 3 was about remembering where we came from. This means we would be running suicides all the way back to our starting spot. The thoroughbreds really shined on this part. After part 3 we would be ready for exercise 2 part 1. Note part 2 and 3 are repeated for each exercise.
On the start of exercise 2 everyone seemed to accept the fact that we would be trying to take on the impossible… Or so I thought. YHC announced the next exercise being 77 WW3 sit ups and the ever quiet always chill Safety Valve looked at me like I had pink eye. After hearing his concern and doing a couple reps I quickly realized by golly he was right. After checking on the leader’s rep count YHC dropped the number of reps down to 25 and 25 WW2 sit-ups because he is a gracious Q. After this we performed Part 2 and Part 3 in the same manner as before.
Exercise 3 happened to be YHC’s favorite exercise and would tie nicely into the theme of this beatdown. Man makers with a donkey kick was on the agenda, but due to time restrictions YHC cut out the donkey kicks. The donkey kicks were in there because Samson, filled with the Spirit of the Lord, killed 1000 Philistines with a jawbone of a donkey. Once YHC announced the exercise Boss Man Goose had a safety briefing on how to do a correct man maker, which gave YHC a chance to catch some wind since it seemed to not want to stay in the lunges. After this, YHC experienced some tremendous feats, such as Pope and Wet Tap knocking out the reps with tires instead of coupons and Cardinal and Dilly pushing their bodies to the limit and giving 100% effort. All in all, a couple people reached 77 and we quickly moved into Part 2. Part 3 was cut out due to time, so we wasted no time in jumping into exercise 4.
Exercise 4 was a spur of the moment decision, and it was a good one. Coupon swings were called out and we did coupon swings till 0600. After this we hustled back to the Stage to count off.
Once at the Stage we counted off. Lil Cuz announced he was feeling very Samsonish which tells YHC that a Part 2 will be needed for this saga. During COT we talked about RunCajunRun coming up and Saturday, Yankee Joe and Tana are having rival Christmas Q’s. For more information contact Tana, and Yankee. After this Pope prayed us out. This beatdown for me was all about putting your trust in God to give you the strength to get through what seems to be impossible. Just like Samson, we need to turn to God and trust his plan. Either good or bad outcome, God will get us through.
As we near Christmas, you’ll find lost hooligan souls across the world celebrating the gift-giving game of White Elephant, sometimes referred to as Dirty Santa. The men of F3 Thibodaux are no less hooligans, and as such, seven PAX posted at the Den for our first Dirty Pax Exicon Gift Exchange.
Cardinal, Goose, Pope, Lil’ Cuz, Goldilox, and Honeysuckle all deserved much worse than coal in their stockings. They needed the humility that can only be forged by cringe worthy Christmas songs.
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Warmarama
The usual suspects with two Christmassy baubles tossed in…
The Randy – from “A Christmas Story” when lilttle Randy’s coat was so big, he couldn’t move his arms – thus arms straight out to side, palms down, flapping 6 to 12 inches repeatedly.
Tempo Jump Squats doing our best to mimic Santa jumping down and then up out of a chimney
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Dirty PAX Setup
– Pax in a circle with a pile of “gifts” in the middle. Each gift is an exercise.
– Pax 1 chooses gift, reveals to PAX; PAX then completes exercise
– Pax 2 chooses to steal Pax 1’s exercise or choose from the gift pile an so on
– If a Pax gets his gift stolen, he needs to pick a new one, which the PAX then completes
Rules:
– Gifts can be stolen only twice before it is locked in
– For each exercise, the PAX completes the chosen gift AMRAP for two minutes to a carefully curated musical stink bomb of YHC’s choice.
Objective:
– The gift/exercise you end up with is the exercise you will do AMRAP for the last five minutes of the beatdown. So, being strategic about which exercise you hold at the end is essential.
NOTE: This did not happen. YHC was having too much fun with the (awful) playlist along with the ridiculousness of two-minute HIITs.
Potential Gifts:
burpees
mtn climbers
SSH
gas pumpers
J-Lo’s
jump squats
apollo ono’s
high knee imperial walkers (for speed)
shark hops – plank jack on each hop (3 per rep)
25 yrd suicide ascending and descending
hand release merkins
25 yard bear crawl/crab walk back
T-Bomb
sweat angels
The Bruce and the Cait
Goosey’s
hydraulic humpers
sandstorm
Jiminy Crickets
star crunches
=================================
How It Went Down (in no particular order)
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Gift: The Bruce and The Cait (Merkin with one leg crossed over the other; switch legs at bottom of merkin)
Song: “Mistletoe” by Justin Bieber (nothing like serenading “shawty” on Christmas)
*You will find further commentary at the end of the blast
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Gift: Hand Release Merkins
Song: “Christmas In Hollis” by Run D.M.C.
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Gift: Shark Hops (like a dolphin hop, but on each “hop” do a plank jack; the dolphin hop is dead)
Song: “Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer” by Elmo and Patsy
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GIft: Goosey’s (bonnie blair into a jump squat; after the shark hops, these were especially miserable)
Song: “What You Want for Christmas” by Quad City D.J.s (this is a real banger and should be on everyone’s Christmas playlist)
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Gift: Sandstorm (full vertical, jump repeatedly with arms straight up)
Song: As Lil’ Cuz and others pointed out, the song should have been Sandstorm by Darude, but alas, ‘tain’t the season. So, “Drummer Boy” by Justin Bieber and (wait for it) Busta Rhymes
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Gift: J-Lo’s
Song: “Last Christmas” by Wham (a guilty pleasure of many, most notably, Montana)
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Gift: T-Bomb (crab position, shoot legs straight, feet together; then legs straight and spread, then feet back together and legs straight, then back to crab)
Song: “¿Dónde Está Santa Claus?” By Augie Rios
*This gift was intended to be the exercise of Cardinal’s dreams. It ended up being a nightmare for all of us.
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Gift: Hydraulic Humpers (monkey humper, at the NADIR of the humper, double genuflect, then finish the humper)
Song: “Holiday Road” by Lindsey Buckingham
*There was initial debate between El Ganzo and YHC over the definition of ‘nadir’, however, Honeysuckle spoke his truth and the matter was settled. Then there was debate about the mechanics of the humper -again – from the head honko, which then opened the gates for the rest of the PAX to start honking.
Once we started and achieved some sort of rhythm, the mechanics fell into place. These were brilliant…with the genuflects at the NADIR of the humper, your glutes and quads are engaged the entire time. The hydraulic humper brought us to the NADIR of the beatdown. I wasn’t sure we would recover. The nadir line is that we need to see these again.
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Gift: Apollo Ono’s
Song: “All I Really Want for Christmas” by Lil’ John feat. Kool Aid Man
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There was a last gift, but I can’t remember what it was. What’s important is that it was accompanied by the musical stylings of “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” by NYSNC.
YHC called off the torture (the exercises were kinda tough too) with three minutes remaining. To finish, the PAX did 25 yard suicides in increments of five, then once at the 25-yard mark, crab walk back to start.
COT and Pope prayed us out.
Though my timing was off a bit on this one, I couldn’t catch my breath from laughing so hard…well, that and the Goosey’s.
===========================
A Quick Cup of Jeaux:
I just assume the conversation between Bieber and his producers went like this:
Producers: Hey Lil’ J, we were thinking…well…in consideration of the fact that you sing like a girl, and that you have blond streaks in your hair, and that you wear low hip, tapered, skinny jeans, and that you’re like 12 years old…
Bieber: Guiltyyyyy!
Producers: Yeahhh…Well, we’d like you to change some of your lyrics to stay more on brand.
Bieber: Ummm…ok. Should I start lifting weights? Wear straight fit jeans?
Producers: Soo yeah…actualy, we’d like you to replace the word “girl” in your songs with “shawty.”
Bieber: Aww yeahhh…Hizzy to the yizzy!
Producers: Also, any chance you’d be willing to drive a Prius?
Here at F3 on da Bayou traditions abound new and old
And you’ll need more than Frozen grass and dank gloves to scare the bold
We’ve got Journeys to Bethlehem with starry coupon skies while Santa Valve and his McLevens ignore your cries
Frozen war stories on Tap at the Peltch with a sweet smell of Air biscuits no freshener can squelch
Smooths at the stage so the cheetahs can roam as We wait on the porch for #Tanacomehome
The ageless wonders of Rienzi plan beatdowns where shoes are nice and you know Diddles making his list and checking it twice.
Thus yHC found his old beatdown with all four candles and added some new flames to prevent love handles.
Duke! Too early for eggnog !
roll the bean footage!!
9 pax rolled in ready for ADVENTure with Pope and Goose helping YHC put the finishing touches on the lazer light cawnz.
Even an illusion of warmth was appreciated at a brisk 36 degrees!
F3 Thibodaux lore dictates an ADVENTure wreath (TM) to have 4 components :
1: Heavy Coupon work
2: Matt Mahers Advent of Christmas Album( highly recommended)
3: Pyrotechnics
4 : 1 pax complaining about cold grass
We had 1-3 all ready to go but YHC was concerned about #4 until our local clergymen arrived a tad late. There…now we have all 4!!
let’s get after it
Standard Warmup where we actually have to raise our core temperature and maybe the first beatdown of the year without bug spray. We couldn’t give Wet Tap the sweet victory of groans from Saturdays Iron Tap Challenge so we suffered in cold silence during the regular fare plus heavy MCs.
Bumper Mosey where I complimented Valves neck gaiter and he silently asked me to never speak again. It’s ok we are in a “rough patch “ but nothing a Panera gift card can’t fix.
Field update *
Continued Coupon Vandalism was discovered at the bumper!!
Two more coupon soldiers lost in senseless violence RIP
As Q during this discovery I’ve compiled a list of ppl most likely to harm an F3 coupon ..
Top Suspect list :
-CrossFit CrabTrap
-Cardinal
-CrossFit HomeBrew
-Cardinal
-Thib Regional Wellness Center
-Cardinal
-some misguided youths
Investigation pending …
Back at the stage before launching into the wreath we had to
1. Clear our heart
2 make straight the path
Cawns were lined up on the far side of the stage and Pax were split into teams. Goal was to run to cawns, 3 burpees , Nur back and put your cawns in a skrait line
It was during this explanation that YHCs vernacular hit 9.8 Homers on the redneck meter and only Gooses deep beatdown knowledge could translate what was about to happen. (Cone=Comb=Cawn)
Ended up 14-14 tie and our path was nice and strait. Sorry they didn’t have your fancy “speech therapy” at the Homer dollar general.
Da main Thang
Setup: 4 cones spread out on picnic tables and one larger in center lit by an assortment of family flashlights and headlamps. This works best if your 2.0s ask why you are taking their headlamp and you explain to them it’s to keep your friends out of the fartsack. Shortly followed by an invite from your M to consider p90x again.
Rifle Carry to first corner
1st week – Hope/Prophecy candle
“Hope for Everyone “ Matt Maher (Advent of Christmas )
Hold coupon chest level w high knees
Goblet sqat on “Hope “
YHC hoped the goblet squats will cure genetic no acetol but maybe next year.
Partner up for 100 thrusters
P1 Heels to Heaven
10 Thrusters each round then flip flop
Rifle carry to next cone
2nd week – Peace
Bethlehem candle
1st corner , 2 donkey kicks 4 merkins
rifle carry to next cone and increase by 2:4 until complete with 8 DK/16 merkins
This explanation was met with so much silence and eye contact avoidance YHC felt like the Salvation Army bell ringer at Walmart.
A few 10 counts later
Rifle carry to next corner
Week 3
Joy/Shepard Candle
Leave the 99 , save the 1 .
Start in circle
Send 1 pax to the stage for 10 step ups and he selects an ab exercise while he is gone. AMRAP till he returns.
several ab exercises while taking turns rescuing the 1
Highlighted by JLos and WW3 sit-ups (Yote has started an unstoppable trend…smh)
Rifle carry to next corner
Week 4 Love/ Angel candle
“He Shall reign Forevermore” Matt Maher
Coupon hops And Burpees on Reign
Great prep for skiiing season.
Finished up at the Purity Candle
With Mary
Leg raises, LBCs, AHs
COT and Lox prayed us out
Grateful for you guys and the stability that God provides with our brotherhood.
Wrapped up with a solemn sweeping of the remnants of our inanimate coupon brethren.
Good night sweet coupon princes.
You calloused our hands but softened our hearts.
It was a chilly morning at The Den. Seven of the PAX decided they were up for a little cold weather. Looking at the forecast, YHC knew we had to continue moving to stay warm. This, coupled with a Smooth request for an entire ab workout on the previous beatdown day, YHC came up with the following:
Warmaramma
SSH
Imperial Walkers
High knees
Butt kicks
Mountain climbers
Arms circles forward and backward
Thang 1
6 rounds of Dora – partner 1 does exercise, partner 2 runs around civic center, then switch, before changing places each time partners have to do a buy in of 3 burpees.
100 crunchy frogs
200 Freddy mercs
300 LBCs
400 Penguins
200 crunchy frogs
300 Freddy mercs
To be honest, YHC thought this would take longer than what it did. The PAC breezed through core work. So YHC just added more and more exercises until 10 minutes remained.
Thang 2
Burp Mlcleven = 11s with burpees and merkins. Brought us to the end of time perfectly, even though AB continued to want more and tried to convince the PAX there was still 14 minutes remaining.
COT, announcements, prayer request, and pope prayed us out.
YHC never misses a chance to grant a workout request from another member of the PAX. Thank you Smooth for the idea. Appreciate everyone for getting up and showing up. Always great to lead this group of men.
Lil cuz
Goose
Hand Granade
Wet tap
Cardinal
Pope
Safety valve
Yankee jeaux
YHC Arrived running later than normal from a night shift with only 15 minutes of prep time due to a busy night at work. Prep time equaled 5 minutes of googling a theme for today, 5 minutes exicon searching for any work out that had to do with animals, 5 minutes of thinking about old beatdown exercises. After this I roughly wrote down some stuff between busting pipe flanges loose and steaming out equipment.
Warmarama
We did normal warm up exercises.
After warmarama, we partnered up and chose a ball (baseball, tennis ball, football) then headed to the financial planner parking lot.
Thang 1
Wheel of Animal Walk
This one was taken off from of exicon and was the only thing that had any kind of connection to international cheetah day.the only thing YHC did was substitute Crab walks for lunge walks. It went like this
Frog Hop across, do 10 Merkins. Bear Crawl across, do 10 Merkins. Duck Walk across, do 10 Merkins. Lunge walk across, do 10 Merkins
Thang 2
Relay race
After that we played the relay race game chiding between a baseball, football, and tennis ball. The rules are you can only advance the ball by throwing it to your partner. The race took place around rich man’s loop and back to financial office parking lot. The penalty for a dropped pass was 5 burpees. After game wet tap and hand grenade the winners of the race did 20 star jumps while the rest of us losers did 30 monkey humpers.
Thang 3
Bear crawl suicides
Upon completion of that we went to financial parking lot and did bear crawl suicides to each yellow line in parking lot. The kicker is partner 2 will doing a-rods while partner 1 is bear crawling to the next line and back.
Thang 4
After this YHC made a game time decision and we headed to the hwy 308 side walk to do a game called You Honk We Burpee as per Lil Cuz. Basically the game is every time a car passes do a burpee. Due to slow than normal traffic, YHC decided with the last 6 minutes we would do 6 minutes of Mary. The order went like this. Goose called out Dr. W, Yankee called out dolphin hops in honor of Dr. Dox. Lil Cuz called out penguins. Wet Tap called out tempo leg raises. Around this time Lil Cuz had voiced a great idea which involved temp squats. YHC stopped Mary 2 minutes short and we did tempo squats on Wet Tap’s count until 0600.
After the 2 minutes of tempo squats we did Cot where Safety Valve passed the animal shirt to Hand Grenade (our local down ranger who kicked butt today) and prayed out. Special intention for Lil Cuz’s M and new 2.0. Thanks for dealing with my 15 minutes of planning.
SYITG
Smooth Operator
While pondering what to put together for today’s beatdown, YHC went through the rolodex of previous Qs and decided to pull one out from this time last year and add a few tweaks to it. Since the PAX has grown significantly in the last year, the belief was there would not be too many people that attended last year and this year. Fortunately, according to records, this assumption was correct and only Goose and Paradox had to run through this one twice.
After arriving to the Stage to an awaiting Paradox, 6 more pax trickled in. Some chatter ensued around Run Cajun Run’s arrival early next year and the potential modifications to the platform. It looks like there may be some exciting changes in the works. Looking forward to seeing what that may be.
Warmarama:
SSH, Windmills, AC, Cherry Pickers, MNCs, Willie Mays Hayes, IW, high Knees, butt kicks, bumper mosey to pick up coupons.
The Thang: Journey to Bethlehem (Remix)
We tend to read in the Bible the journey to Bethlehem every year but how often is it discussed just how dangerous and difficult that journey had to be. The trip was approximately 90 miles between Nazareth and Bethlehem that would have taken place most likely over 10 days. A pregnant Mary, and husband Joseph traveled this distance, outside, while moving through the Jordan river, through the hills of Jerusalem, and battling animals, potential sickness, and weather the entire time. This is how the following was developed.
We picked up coupons and moseyed to the beginning of rich man’s loop, where 15ish light poles are spaced about 40 yards apart.
YHC instructed the PAX that there would be 3 alternating methods of carrying the coupon between the poles as follows:
Mary- carry at stomach height, as if pregnant
Joseph- On the shoulder, as if carrying wineskins filled with water
Donkey – Rifle carry as if you were the donkey and carrying Mary
Each light post would have a “hazard” of which Mary and Joseph could have encountered that included an exercise. Most exercises were performed OYO except for a couple. The following were performed at each light pole with the alternating carry methods (Mary, Joseph, Donkey) in between.
Light Pole “obstacles/hazards”:
Climb the hills outside Jerusalem – 30 Mountain climbers
Walk through the Jordan River – Lunge walk with coupon to the next pole
Tame your donkey – 10 Jack ass Webbs- This ended up being only a donkey kick
Be strong enough to fight off animals #1 – 40 Coupon Curls (this triggered all of Paradox’s bear knowledge to be revealed)
Sleep on your back on the ground – 25 coupon presses
Lift Mary on the donkey – 20 Goblet Squats
Carry the water overhead – 15 OHP
Outrun the animals – Sprint with coupon
Move through the jungle/heavily forested Jordan Valley – 15 Jungle Boy Squats
Wear your big boy pants – 20 Big Boys
Battle Sickness – 5 Burpees
Hold the weight of the world on your shoulders – 10 Squats with Coupon on Shoulder
Turned away at the Inn – Bear crawl halfway to light poll and crab walk back
Have baby Jesus! – 50 LBCs
Thang 2: the Abvent Calendar
YHC put a bag full of 25 Ab exercises in a bag and we went around the circle pulling one and performing that exercise.
Thanks again to Goose for the amusing “camping” story during our 2 minute 6” hold to distract us. This story needs to be revisited. We ended up making it around the circle of 8 PAX one time before calling time.
The following were the days of the Abvent Calendar:
50 LBCs
25 BBSU
20 WW1 Sit Ups
1 Minute 6” hold
2 Minute 6” Hold
50 Penguins
25 Dolphin Hops
Alphabet
20 Dr. W’s
25 Freddie Mercs
20 Nolan Ryans
20 V-Ups
25 Heals to Heaven
20 Hello Dolly’s
20 Gas Pumps
15 Leg Raises
1 – 10 count
10 6” scissor kicks
10 Superman’s
10 Scuba Steve’s
25 LBCs
10 BBSU
1 – 10 count
10 crunchy frogs
10 Gas Pumps
COT and Goose prayed us out. As always, enjoyed being in the gloom with these guys.
YHC arrived extra early at the Lion’s Den to perform a general site survey and determine the rough distance around the Civic Center, for no particular reason. Goose and Pope were the first to roll in, bearing the flag and bug spray. America’s Best arrived shortly thereafter. After Cardinal was initially mistaken for Enron, YHC knew it was going to be an interesting morning. As the rest of today’s PAX emerged from the gloom, a new figure was in their midst. Some might describe him as a silver surfer, but not today. This FNG would eventually be known as Captain D’s, in a cruelly orchestrated maneuver by AB. More on that later.
Warmarama
Hopefully sufficient disclaimer
Side straddle hops
Windmills
Willie Mays Hayes
Arm circles forward
Arm circles reverse
Cherry pickers
High knees
Butt kickers
Toy soldiers
Mosey around the Warren J Harang Municipal Center; carioca facing the center on the first side, nur on the second side, carioca facing the pond on the third side, run to the lion. The exercise is left to the reader whether or not we properly changed direction for the second carioca or unintentionally did the same direction both times.
Thang 1
Today’s theme is celebrations due to recent get togethers. E.g., Festivals, cook-offs, St Thomas Aquinas Family day this past Sunday, Gander going away party, AB pregame party. While some celebrations deal with more superficial ties we have with each other, many involve values, beliefs, communities, and people that are important down to our cores. As we thought about that, the PAX were to do three sets of 100 core exercises:
–100 LBC’s
–100 flutter kicks (2:1)
–{10 v-ups, 10 Freddy Mercuries (2:1)} x 5 sets
A run around the WJHMC would kick this off, as well as a lap between each set of 100. So 4 laps total. The difficulty of the core exercises took YHC a little by surprise (how soon Jurptober fitness wears off, as a wise PAX mused), and a few other PAX independently reached this conclusion as well.
At the beginning of this Thang, we were 11 PAX strong. As YHC was performing LBCs, a second new figure arrived. Thinking that this was an OG member that YHC had not met yet, or perhaps Tree Root, YHC simply said, “Do 100 LBCs”. During one of the laps, YHC asked the new figure if we had met before. That is when the new figure introduced himself as Squanto from outside of Houston, who was in town for business. What a great day, to have a FNG and a downranger at the beatdown. Squanto did not do the beatdown in shoes, but as he is not on the Group Me, how would he have otherwise known to bring shoes?
Thang 2
The second class of celebrations covered today was birthdays. YHC has gone back and forth in terms of downplaying (YHC’s own) birthdays and celebrating them. YHC’s current opinion is that they should be celebrated, as an expression of gratitude for another year with loved ones.
If this all sounds like a big circle burp, it was not. True, to an outside onlooker it appeared to be a big circle burp. The exercise was in a circle, but instead it was a burpday party. One at a time, a PAX says his birth month and whatever the numerical equivalent was, all the PAX do that many Kraken Burpees. It became quickly evident that Kraken Burpees were not the right exercise on this particular day, so after completing the Kraken Burpees for the first PAX, YHC changed them to be regular Burpees. In case any PAX thought that giving out his birth month was divulging precious personal identifiable information (PII), all that YHC really cared about is that they said a number between 1 and 12, inclusive. To date, YHC is aware of only one PAX faking their number. Some time in the future, this thang will be repeated with Social Security Number digits and will be known as the “Credit Freeze.”
The PAX ultimately made it through this circle, and YHC is breathing a sigh of relief that the number of burpees wasn’t the day of the month as originally planned.
Thang 3
The PAX handled everything thrown at them today so far, perhaps due to the bifecta of having an FNG and a downranger. We had time to discuss one more celebration, the celebration of our suffering as Goose eloquently covered during the last Tough Guy Thursday. Over the past week or so, the PAX has celebrated F3 during its manniversary, with stories, videos natively and effortlessly inserted into the GroupMe chat, and a lone instance of a link to a YouTube video. All these have covered funny events from the past and gratitude for where we all are in our Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith journeys. F3 also pushes us to look forward, to keep pushing for how much farther we could be in those areas. To achieve this, we help each other in two broad ways: push and pull. The push includes words of encouragement or picking up another PAX as he finishes. These are intentional things we do to help each other. The pull is simply how we handle situations, whether others are watching or not. But when they are watching, sometimes we will never know how we may have inspired someone based on our example. Looking to your left or right during a beatdown, knowing everyone is tired, but seeing the other PAX grind it out. Seeing how someone is handling a difficult situation with strength and grace, or someone who is really strong in his faith. These set the examples of where we ourselves could be.
So, instead of a commemorative plate or CMU about all this, the PAX partnered up for a commemorative Dora-like exercise. One partner is the push. He begins doing Bonnie Blairs. The other partner is the pull. He begins by running to the other side of the field and, when he gets there, doing Apollo Ohnos. As soon as the pull arrives to the other side, the push runs to the other side also and does Apollos. Then the pull immediately runs back and does Bonnies. And so on. This proved to be a nice, yet not comfortable, way to spend 8-10 minutes, and as YHC hoped it would add quite a bit of running to the beatdown, disguised as a Dora.
Name-o-rama
The FNG explained several things about himself, but his affiliation with Spahr’s had to be pried out. It was clear that AB had something up his sleeve. You could see it in his eyes. Apparently still raw about being named after a second-rate eye care center, AB was hungry to drag someone else down with him in an analogous way. Unfortunately for this FNG, names such as Long John Silver’s were mentioned. YHC ultimately agreed to Captain D’s. Looking forward to more beatdowns with Captain D’s.
Animal-o-rama
Hypotenuse bestowed the Animal to Safety Valve.
Announcements covered a few additional details regarding Saturday’s and Sunday’s events. AB will keep everyone posted in the chat on Saturday, as to contingencies in case it rains. Bring bug spray Sunday.
Intentions. As we brought the circle in, Squanto had some words of encouragement about the importance of F3.
Enron prayed us out.
Tclaps for everyone posting today, despite rumors of a runmageddon. We will hopefully be joined by Squanto again during his work travels.
