Tag: Hokie Pokey

  • I Get by With a Little Help from My 2nd F

    T-Claps to Heisenberg and his EH of YHC 3 years ago on this day. The Gloom was a hot one when YHC arrived at the Peristyle with a yeti and absolutely no idea what he was getting in to.  Bubba was the Q and brought the Pax up the loop for a hot, no shade, warm up.   When then traveled to the bridge outside Cabrini for a merkin/plank jack ladder.   YHC was the six all morning and the words of encouragement (although they fell on deaf ears b/c I didn’t know what FNG was but nonetheless) were reassuring.   A silver-haired man in a UGA shirt moseyed back w/ YHC to a large COT; without him being there, YHC would’ve gotten back in the truck and went home.   In the COT, Heisenberg tried to push the Rolling Elvi correlation in the FNG naming ceremony; but the Bogey only heard “Chalmette” thus Da Parish was brought into the F3 Nation.  YHC wants to thank all the PAX that were there that day; b/c I found my new gym, and later did I learn how much more F3 truly is.

    YHC loves the new gym.  There are no dues; but the only payment is the downpainment and the opportunity to Q.  The best way to pay back what you are given is to be a leader.   That is why every year, YHC marks the calendar for August 27 as the QIC.  Without Yankee, Bubba, Heisenberg; that first day would’ve been a terrible experience with no return.   A F3 Beatdown is not complete without all 3 F’s; Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith.

    The Thang

    Run the traditional 610 Stomp Route up the Bayou.   Every 6 minutes turn around and run back to the 6 and complete 10 Burpees together, LNMB. 

    Thank you Belloq, Jesus Juice, and Uncle Si for the F2 during the run; and thank you F3 for the opportunity to lead.

    Your Humble Correspondent,

    Da Parish

    Molesking – On 8/27/16 YHC weighed 258.5 lbs, 29% Body Fat and 34.1 BMI

                               8/27/17 – 234.2, 24.8%, 30.9 BMI

                               8/27/18 – 246.3, 29.8%, 325

                               9/27/19 – 246ish

  • 1 Yr Westbank AO Anniversary

    1 Yr Westbank AO Anniversary

    On 29 Aug 19, the pax of AO F3 Westbank called Master Melvin celebrated its 1 year anniversary.

    What started with a core group of men drinking beer and seeing visions, resulted in a year’s worth of great memories, hard workouts, and good friendships.

    To celebrate the 1 year anniversary, 4 of the core men that were part of Master Melvin in the beginning led 10 minutes each of the total workout.

    9 total PAX braved the 0500 calling including one FNG.

    Opening

    Fracsac opened the 0500 workout with some warm-up exercises.

    Then the group moseyed over to the large parking lot where we remained the rest of the workout.

    First Workout

    Thighs led the first workout with a unique challenge. With a 1 year anniversary in NOLA, we had to celebrate with some Mardi Gras magic. So, with the help of an ‘ancient Zulu King’, Thighs brought Mardi Gras cups each engraved with a unique workout and reps. As the PAX pushed out in a very wide circle, the Mardi Gras cups were laid randomly in the middle. On your mark, get set, Go, the PAX raced to the middle grabbed a cup, returned to their place and performed the reps/exercise indicated. The goal was to collect as many Mardi Gras cups as possible until time or cups ran out. At the end, TripleShift and T-Square had accumulated the most at a whopping 6 Mardi Gras cups.

    35 Cups; w/ equal amounts of cups having the following:

    • 10 – Burpees
    • 20 – Merkins
    • 30 – Squats
    • 10 – Jumping Lunges
    • 20 – Bobby Hurleys

    Second Workout

    Then T-Square led the next set of exercise. With a speed ladder and a cone placed about 10 m away, T-Square led us in a series of exercises that pushed the heart rate up with the muscles burning.

    As PAX waited to go through the speed ladder they would SSH. The first set, PAX would step each foot into the ladder and out rapidly to the end of the ladder and then bear crawl to the cone and then jump-lunge back to the beginning. We did this 2 times.

    Next, the PAX would jump both feet into and out rapidly of the ladder to the end. Then we Burpee-Broad Jumped to the cone. Then we Bobby Hurleyed to the beginning. We did this 2 times.

    Next, the PAX would high knees both feet into and out of the ladder to the end. Then we plank-walked to the cone. Then we high kneed to the beginning. We did this 2 times.

    Third Workout

    FroZone took over at this point. He led us in some suicides that kept our heart rates very high.

    First set was suicides from beginning of the parking lot to the first light pole, then to the second, and finally to the end of the parking lot about 100m away. At the end of each set of suicides, we did 10 squats.

    Next set, required 10 jumping-lunges at the end of each suicide.

    The final set, required 10 Bobby Hurleys at the end of each suicide.

    With only 2 minutes left of his workout time, we continued doing jumping lunges until Frasac, official time keeper, announced for a change over.

    Fourth Workout

    Medulla Oblongata took over as the final Q. Given all the heart racing exercises we did up to this point, he had mercy on us and required us to partner up to a Lazy Dora, which I think may be harder than an actual Dora…

    • 100 – Merkins; each partner doing 10 at a time while the other planks
    • 200 – Squats; each partner doing 20 at a time while the other Al Gores
    • 300 – LBCs; each partner doing 30 at a time while the other does 6 inches

    When Fracsac, announced the end of our time, we collected all the gear and moseyed back to the flag.

    At the flag, a cold Gatorade was waiting for us to refresh us and to celebrate the conclusion of our 1 year anniversary workout.

    Speeches were made. Pictures were taken. And FNGs were named. Welcome SpeedTrap!!

    It was definitely a hard workout that challenged everyone in different ways. But our brothers were there to encourage us and to see us to the end. It was a great workout to celebrate the many, many creative ways the Qs of Master Melvin has kept our workouts interesting, challenging, and positively memorable.

    Congrats, F3 Westbank on 1 year anniversary! Here’s to many more!! #MasterMelvin

  • Iron PAX Prelude

    YHC had plans for his 52nd birthday Q at Rock City (hint: what other workout option includes the number 52?). But Sunday night, Hawg posted the Iron PAX Prelude. And Tanner jumped in immediately – “Hey Rudy, lets do this!” So what option did I have? The belated 52-birthday-Q will have to wait…

    19 PAX were greeted by a typical humid August morning. Disclaimer issued, then mosey to the water fountain on the north end of the track. Circle up for a quick warmup (some Windmills, Grass Grabbers and Open/Close The Gate). Then explain the drill.

    6 times. 24 Squats, 24 Merkins, 24 (2 count) Lunges, then run 1 lap (a full lap, not a “Rudy” lap where you start late and end early). For Time – so push yourself (but make darn sure to hydrate!). Go.

    Billy Goat knocked it out of the park, coming in somewhere around 25 minutes. Hawg (barefeet and all) came in 2nd, followed by Mahatma. Nice work, gentlemen!

    As PAX finished, they gathered at the end line to cheer on the other finishers. Special #TClaps to Cheese Fries and Boo Boo who powered through to completion while we were moseying back to the flag. Way to persevere and keep after it!

    COT: count-off, name-o-rama, intentions and prayers for guidance. Then Hawg persisted in getting a few more people registered, and get our times logged.

    IronPAX Q makes for a pretty easy preparation. Thanks, F3 Greensboro!

  • Popeyes Preseason

    Popeyes Preseason

    8 men came out in the gloom and suffocating humidity to Popeyes on Wednesday, August 28th at 5:30am to try their hand at the IronPax Preseason challenge.

    YHC started with the basic disclaimer at 5:29am and led the pax in a 400 meter warmup mosey to establish the lap for the run of this morning’s challenge.

    The Thang

    24 squats, 24 merkins, 24 lunge steps (2 count as 1), and a 400 meter run is one lap. The goal is to complete six in the fastest time possible. Simple but not easy, especially in the humid conditions.

    The Times

    Two Yutes – 23:57

    Tua – 27:25

    RevSox – 30:09

    Hokie – 32:47

    BooBoo – 34:01

    Darkwing Duck – 37:36

    KennerBrah – 39:21

    Chips – 42:02

    Tclaps to Two Yutes for coming in first with a dominate time under 24 minutes!

    Tua for finishing 2nd after starting F3 only a couple of months ago. He’s going to be gunning for Mahatma soon.

    BooBoo for picking up the Uptowner AO Q (if you ask me the Uptowner Q has been slacking off on his Q duties lately, it’ll be great to see fresh blood restore life to the Uptowner)

    Hokie for improving on his previous time for the IronPax preason by an insane 8 minutes. Hokie basically lapped his Monday time.

    Darkwing Duck for improving in leaps and bounds since his F3 start and making me feel guilty for being more consistent to the Metairie workouts than I am.

    KennerBrah for putting all of us young guys to shame with his work ethic.

    Chips for pushing through to the end and ensuring that every Pax member left this morning stronger and faster than when he arrived.

    The Conclusion

    Count-Off, Name-O-Rama, Chips continued with last lunge walks as we counted off and the Pax ran Chips last lap with him. Announcements and Prayer in the extra sweaty ball of man.

    -Rev Sox

  • Nothing Gold Can Stay…

    So the time had finally come. The great scepter of Q had been passed to YHC, for the first time ever – with wise words from the Q’s before, and much great advice, pomp and circumstance; I had been called to lead and could not refuse. Humbly, I accepted.

    And while some historians may have differing stories… about how the burden of Q leadership was thrust hastily upon the first available, unsuspecting, member of that weeks coffeteria; or how there were no wise words, or any advice, or how the pomp mostly came from the circumstance of bad jokes and poor planning… YHC chose to see the bigger picture, to take away the more important lesson: Historians are dumb, and only believe what they read in books, or on Backblasts. So there is really no way way of knowing exactly what happened on that day except that the result was, I was an HC to Q the #Renaissance for my VQ.

    In the darkness of a sultry morning, while the rest of the city slept, like so many sheep, YHC went to the AO early to scope out a few areas for our challenge – only to find a wiley Catfish who apparently had run to the site to warm up for the beatdown. Tclaps! (and consequently ran to coffeteria and then home…)

    As a small digression, YHC had just spent the week in Austin on a work trip and was able to commune with the NATX AOs to stay sharp. It is a powerful and reassuring feeling to stumble in to another F3 group (in another city, in another state) and see them keeping the same commitment, the same standard, to the F3 code. Our brothers are out there just as we are here, every day.

    So as we waited for the remainder of the Renaissance crew to materialize in the gloom, YHC had the eerie feeling of waiting on all the other good men, materializing in the gloom of cities all across the nation. All, ready for a new day and a new beat down.

    THE THANG

    The rabble gathered and YHC gave a short disclaimer sure to let all know he was not the professional he appeared to be, and a circle was made.

    All IC:
    x10 Grass Grabbers
    x10 Toe touches
    x15 Windmill
    x20 Peter-Parker
    x20 Parker-Peter

    A quick turn around in the grass, facing up Lelong Dr, with Trees to our left, noting them as markers for first exercise (as measured on gmaps, Trees are 50ft apart):
    OYO, in succession no break-
    5 Burpees
    Bear Crawl to next tree
    5 Burpees
    Crawl-Bear to next tree
    5 Burpees
    Crab Walk to next tree
    5 Burpees
    Walk-Crab to next tree
    5 Burpees
    Sprint distance back to start
    Plank for 6

    Next a mosey up Roosevelt Mall to Track, plank for 6
    Partner up

    Next Ex:
    Catch Me if You Can – One man starts with 3 Burpees while partner runs/sprints backwards around track. When Burpees complete, sprint normal to catch partner; alternate. Tagged man goes down for Burpees while other switches to backwards run… Until tagged… Continue all around track. – 1 lap. Plank for 6

    Next Ex: Move to open area of track
    Keep your partner
    100 Merkins/Plank combined. Alternate in intervals of 10. While partner completes merkin set, you hold plank, back and forth… hold plank for 6

    Next:
    200 Squats/Al Gore combined. Alternate intervals of 20 squats. While partner completes set, you hold (a tree) Al Gore, back and forth…

    Next:
    300 LBCs/Leg Raise combined. Alternate intervals of 30 LBCs. While partner completes set, you hold 6in leg left (or modify with legs kept in LBC position…. either way, no touching the ground till complete), back and forth.

    Might have had a 20 count in here for recovery, but I’m no historian…

    Mosey back to flag, stop at rear of NOMA to post up against the wall for a rest… sort of.

    Next Ex:
    x3 sets of following, OYO
    1 set =
    Peoples chair timed by completing x10 Jack Reachers
    x5 Donkey Kicks (half plank type position, kicking both feet up and back against wall)
    Straight in to Balls to the Wall, or Reverse Wall Stand (Kick feet all the way up, walk back if need be, doing hand stand). Do 1 hand stand press, or hold count 10. (YHC open to better name for this maneuver, or maybe one already exists).

    Complete mosey back to Flag
    Approx 4-5m easy stretches

    All above written upon memory of YHC, the quality of which cannot be accounted for or verified. As a reminder, YHC is NOT a historian. So while no one really knows what happened on this day, or others before it, the sound of trumpets were heard in the distance at one point, and it has been said that a bevy of doves was seen above, as this VQ came to a close (whether or not those trumpets were the screeching brakes of local dump trucks and the doves were pigeons is not for us to debate).  But one thing is for sure, no more Gold of showing up to another man’s Q, just to make it through. It’all Iron now.

    Jokes aside – I am thankful for the opportunity to Q, had a lot of fun doing it, and I hope I presented a challenge to those who showed. Tclaps to FracSac for nudging me in and putting me on rotation. I am appreciative of the F3 brotherhood and have seen huge strides in health, fitness, and energy in just the few months I’ve been committed. Thanks to all who continue to show up daily so that we can all hold each other accountable, to be just a little better, every day. Thank you, F3 NOLA.

  • A bit of Notre Dame, and a bit of YIPPEE!

    19 PAX (incluing Rewatch, downriver from Houston) in the morning gloom to help YHC celebrate the end of his 51st year. Yippee!

    Started out with a disclaimer, trying to be more thoughtful than normal with thoughts of Holy Grove in mind. Everyone: be mindful of your health. Hydrate. Modify. Its Hot and Humid. Most important – remain healthy. All this, while continuing to push yourselves. So with thoughts and prayers for Holy Grove in mind, lets get started.

    YHC brought along a YIPPEE! bag full of birthday gifts. The idea: all PAX feel free – at any point in the workout – come pick a gift from the YIPPEE! bag. What’s in the bag? A collection of goodies – exercises for the Q, exercises for the PAX, a few special gotchas. Each piece of paper is something new and different.

    Mosey over to the Great Lawn.

    Warmup with some stretching and SSH (x51). First dip into the YIPPEE bag produces 20 Dips for everyone at the benches! Its going to be a fun hour.

    7 Heisman Trophy Winners

    7 of Diamonds, in honor of the ND 7 heisman trophy winners (Bertelli, Hart, Lattner, Lujack, Hornung, Huarte and Brown). Yes, Douille is correct in noting that Hornung is the only Heisman winner from a losing team. Douile was incorrect in thinking Hornung lost to Tulane.

    PAX split into 4 groups. 4 cones set up in a diamond shape.

    Round 1: 7 Bobby Hurleys at a cone, Bear Crawl to the next. Repeat all the way around

    Round 2: 14 Merkins, Lunge Walks

    Round 3: 21 Squats, Crab Walks

    Round 4: 28 Flutter Kicks, Lunge Walks

    War Eagle and Catfish seem to be greatly enjoying the YIPPEE bag – produce burpees, merkins, squat jumps for the PAX, for themselves, for the Q. “10 Burpees for Me”. “20 Merkins for PAX of choice” (tough break, Angie’s List). “15 Squat Jumps for the Q”. “10 Genuflects for the PAX”. The cards are flying faster.

    YHC also especially enjoyed War Eagle’s “Sing Happy Birthday to the Q”. Thank you.

    11 National Championships

    Yes, YHC is aware that our glory days are old. No, YHC does not care. Yes, YHC always believes that next year represents our return to glory.

    11s with Burpees and Catalina Wine Mixers. Go. PAX now are running past the YIPPEE bag with more frequency, resulting in more draws.

    Pop Tart pulls a “Sprint vs the Q”, and pays dearly for his arrogance – slipping and falling as he turns to mock the slower Q. The Tortoise revels in his glorious victory. Rewatch and Catfish both draw Laps around the park.

    Triple Shift adamantly refuses to approach the Yippee bag. He must not like birthdays. Or presents.

    5 Pillars

    YHC has to call off the 11s somewhere around half-way point due to time constraints. 5 Pillars of Holy Cross Education: Mind, Heart, Zeal, Family, Hope. For each one, PAX will do 5 Rise Ups (squat for a 5 count, then jump up, return to squat position). Even while explaining the exercise, Hokie is standing at the bag waiting to draw. And of course, he pulls “10 Burpees for the Q”. Everyone else gets a 10 count while YHC gets 10 burpees in.

    At Zeal, Rev Sox pulls “20 Merkins for the Q”. Thanks. Rev Sox leads PAX in 5 Rise Ups while YHC knocks out 20 Merkins.

    Mary

    Circle up for last 5 minutes of Mary. But we never get to Mary. More cards are drawn – “10 Burpees for everyone”. Seems there were more Burpee cards than YHC remembers putting in the bag.

    Alas, we never got to the Duck Duck Goose game that YHC was really hoping for. Next time… But for now, return to the flag.

    COT

    Count-off: 19 PAX (including 2 FNGs). Thank you all for celebrating my birthday with me! First, from Atlanta, still a dirty bird fan, so the PAX were unanimous in welcoming “28-3” to the tribe. Then – deep voice, handsome beard, claims he might kinda sing a bit: Pavarotti, glad to have you with us!

    Close up with announcements, intentions and prayers to remember each day granted to us is a gift. May we treasure it, and use it wisely.

    Thank you all for the opportunity to lead. I welcome your patience with me as I try new and potentially stupid things at workouts.

  • Holy Grove….on three!!

    Wolfpack Mountan…First Wolfpack Q in a while. YHC intended to make it memorable with the goal of 5 “mountains” (in NOLA-below-sea-level parlance). If the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain.

    WARMUP

    Standard disclaimer this morning plus a reminder to sweep the six for this running workout. The Pax then moseyed onto Tulane campus, through Gibson Quad to Johnson quad for a warmup. 20 SSH IC, followed by 20 Grass grabbers IC, followed by stretching on each leg. After we finish the warmup, we mosey to the base of the 1st mountain.

    THE THANG

    The first mountain may have been an F3 virgin ascent. The PAX circled the Mary and Sam Isreal Science building to an imposing exterior staircase of 4 levels and 8 flights. PAX counted off into 4 groups for spacing and start with 5 burpees OYO. Then the first group begins the ascent while the other 3 groups start 10 merks, 15 Low-Slow Squats and 20 Carolina Drydocks. Each group ascends in turn while the early groups complete the other exercises.

    Reassemble for the mosey to the 2nd mountain, dubbed “Sugar Loaf” in the 4/20/18 beatdown. Some of the PAX were on a double-plus mosey up Mcalister, and while sucking wind, YHC noted Holy Grove pacing Catfish and Gspot at the front. Filed for further reference. Sweep the six and reassemble for an Indian Run up Sugar Loaf. Back down the stairs and YHC held the first 10 arrivers for some lagniappe, while the rest of the PAX headed down Calhoun to Mountain #3 – the Loyola Rec Garage [Little Wolfpack?]. The 10 did 10 burpees OYO, then set off again on a hot pace to catch the PAX. Holy Grove breezing by -noted. Two Lines and Indian Run up Little Wolfpack, then down the stairs and off to Big Wolfpack – Mountain #4. T-claps to the PAX that led some Mary while we swept the Six. Reassemble for our third Indian Run. As we gained altitude and lost oxygen, the lines of the PAX thinned out, until we reached the top, gulping air. A twenty count, then down the stairs.

    4 minutes left.

    YHC decided to go for the 5th mountain, which we’ll call “Edelweiss” for now. At the stairs on the back of the Loyola music building, YHC offered a modification if any PAX wanted to head back to the flag. It did not appear any PAX followed that option and instead charged up the last mountain, and a quick descent.

    YHC again noted some of the PAX (looking at you, Holy Grove!) headed to the flag as if the devil himself were behind them. 4 miles in 45 minutes 17 seconds, plus warm-up, some lagniappe and Elevation!

    COUNTOFF, NAMERAMA, COT

    Back at the flag, PAX circled for a breathless countoff and name-0-rama. After the announcements and before the prayer, the PAX noted Holy Grove, weaving about in a daze of football glory, with one fist in the air, mumble-shouting something that sounded like “F3/ClevelandRocks/I have no Pants?!! [not sure] ON THREE!!!” Apparently Holy Grove doesn’t speak “modify.” TClaps and thanks to quick thinking by Triple Shift and Drs Walleye and Tinkles to help our brother to the ground before injury could be added to injury. Much splashed merlot followed, and then a visit by EMS and a trip to the ER. Tclaps again to Walleye, Tinkles, Sea Man, Jadaveon, Catfish, Frac Sac and several others who got water and ice and stayed with Holy Grove. Thoughts and prayers – gents.

    Which brings YHC to this point. It is good we push ourselves and each other, embracing the challenge. But we also must be mindful of one another and pay attention. Sweeping the Six is important. Making sure all the PAX are hacking is important. We are blessed with many medical professionals in our PAX. Maybe an F2 with some CPR training would be a good thing. We can’t make each other stronger if we are not here.

  • You Better Have Glaucoma

    Conditions: 79 Degrees, 90% Humidity, Heat Index of 83

    Lots of good grass at Okwata and a fair amount of smoking this morning.

    Warmup

    Mandatory mosey through Louisiana’s smallest registered body of water, the sidewalk puddle just east of the shovel flag. It was good to get the shoes wet from the start so that there would be no worries about anything that might come later. We circled the Mardis Gras Fountain (where are the lights Latoya?) with high knees, carioca two ways, but kicks, and bear crawls.

    We then headed up the levee and proceeded west on the top of the levee. I almost ran over a local Shaman in Sukhasana. It would be helpful if all local Shaman wore blinking bicycle lights for safety.

    After destroying that dude’s Chi we pointlessly gathered on the leeward side of the levee. I was hoping to find some well manicured grass, but there was none to be found. So we planked for the six and headed back over the levee.

    The Thang

    11s on the levee. Burpees at the top Squat Jumps at the bottom. After you finish, run back up with anyone more than a lap behind you.

    10! – 10 merkins, 10 squats, 10 Sit-ups, 9 merkins, 9 squats,….1 merkin, 1 squat, 1 Sit-up

    House of Pain – Three lines at the pull-up bars. Each man does Bernie Sanders (L-hang on pull up bar for as long as you can), 30 dips, then go to the back of the line and do BLIMPS until you get back to the pull up bar. We did 2 rounds.

    Quadraphilia – 4 minutes up and down the levee always facing the lake #CrowdPleaser

    Mary – LBCs x 20, Flutter Kicks x 15

    COT

    Announcements: Extra Summer Series at Lafreniere. Anyone want to lead? 5-year Convergence 10/12 – Start working on your buddies that have been AWOL. New Monday Workout at UNO – Post this coming Monday.

    Prayers: Spouse facing surgery, Friends and Relatives with cancer, Praise for new grandchildren, prayers for those that have recently lost loved ones.

    NMM

    • Great to be back at Okwata. My odd race preparations have derailed my Okwata attendance over the past year, but it is still one of my favorite AOs. Glad Mahatma asked me to fill in for him.
    • Speaking of odd running habits, the Half-Fast running club sauntered by while we were at the House of Pain and gave me a serious case of #FOMO. They were running way too fast. I’m not going to be able to keep up when I return. It’s like a couple of new kids showed up to school when you were absent and the next day you no longer have a seat at the lunch table.
    • I still believe you haven’t really done 11s until you’ve done them on the levee at Okwata with burpees. Are you diggin’ me Uptown? River < Lake.
    • Usually time flies when you are having fun, but this seemed like an extra long 45 minutes. May have been the trip to the flag at the 15 minute mark that did a number on my cognitive functioning.
    • According to MapMyRun this workout was 3.8% more intense than my Popeye’s Q last week. #Acceleration
    • Mumblechatter award of the day goes to……JV the all-time champ. During Quadraphilia:
      • Me (in my Rah-Rah voice): C’mon men, you can do anything for four minutes!
      • JV: My wife would disagree.
    • T-claps to Room Service for leading us out with Flutter Kicks.
    • Happy Birthday Dad!
  • Wisner Bridge, with a side of Burpees

    Good morning, rise and shine! YHC usually opens the Stomp with a Disclaimer and “The Usual”. But with lots of creativity at 610 Stomp of late (#TClaps to Kuch, FracSac and others who find new ways to liven up our early morning run!), YHC needed to try and think of something at least a wee bit different…

    Right, right. The Wisner Bridge. Our city’s version of “Hill Workout”. Yup, lets do it.

    So – after the disclaimer, and a reminder to everyone of directions to the bridge (go Left, not Right) – we were off. Run to the bridge (about a mile), then back and forth over it (each pass is just under half mile) until its time to come home (another mile). And just for fun – lets throw in 5 burpees after each pass.

    Shuffles (missing his running pal Smooth already) tried to stay back with the pack, but couldn’t help himself. Jumping to the front with Swiss Miss, they proceeded to go right (not left), disappearing in the gloom – only to reappear much later at the bridge.

    At the bridge, Dirty Dell and Briefs set the pace. Back and forth they went. Several “Good Mornings” – to dog walkers, other runners, other PAX. This would be a dangerous way for the Frac GM run. YHC was blinded on each pass by the approaching glow of the Surge Special outfit. That’s a lot of day-glo yellow.

    Nearing 6am, time to get the PAX together again at the foot of the bridge. YHC makes it to the bottom to find Ya Mom’n’dem and Pop Tart sitting around, apparently looking for some donuts and a cigarette or something to pass the time. More Burpees for them, YHC calls out. So PAX start burpeeing. And burpeeing. And burpeeing. While Hawg and Rev-Sox (closely watching their heart rate, apparently) saunter down the final hill.

    Mosey back to the flag for a round of Mary, before closing with our count-off, Name-o-rama, and send everyone off to start the day with St. Ignatius Prayer for Generosity.

  • Sprints and Merkins

    On another glorious hot and muggy August morning, 11 pax arrived for what may possibly have been the last Danger Zone workout, and Smooth’s bon voyage before heading to the life of Tapas and Sangria. 

    After a quick disclaimer, we moseyed to the track for a warmup that consisted of:

    • SSH x 20
    • Squat jacks x 20
    • Windmills x 20
    • Grass grabbers x 15
    • High kicks 
    • Butt kicks
    • High knees

    The thang – 

    Pax were to make 4 laps (1 mile) around the track as fast as possible.   After each lap, pax were required to do 50 merkins each, totaling 200 merkins.  When finished the group did LBC’s and other core exercises waiting for the six.  

    Next on the agenda was a sprint beep test, which was initially planned to be done on the track, but a large group of runners were also on the track, so we shifted to the grass in the middle of the field.  

    YHC forgot to bring cones so we formed 2 points about 20 yards apart.   All pax lined up with the objective to sprint to the opposite “cone” before the sound of the beep.  Once the next beep would sound, the Pax would sprint back to the opposite side awaiting the next beep.  This continued while the time between beeps decreased.  If a pax was unable to make it back to the line before the beep, he would be eliminated and assume a plank position.  T-claps to Holy Grove and Jesus Juice for battling it out to the end with JJ taking the crown.  

    With about 5 minutes remaining, we circled up for some more core called out by the pax.  Exercises included Freddy Mercurys, LBCs, and a few others that I can’t remember.  Last but not least we finished up with a merkin ring of fire before heading back to the flag. 

    Circled up where intentions were offered for those battling cancer, Holy Grove’s father, Smooth’s impending move to Spain and giving thanks for our health and good fortunes.  

    Thank you for posting with me and the opportunity to lead. 

    SYITG!