Tag: Pai Gow

  • Twas the Murph before Christmas…


    Written by: The Alabama Poet

    Twas the Murph before Christmas and all through the park not a creature was stirring except four PAX in the dark. 

    The question was asked “What will we do? Should we modify or would a real Murph do?” 

    A debate ensued and the majority ruled, four PAX ran out into the gloom. 

    A few steps in the oldest PAX bailed. He went to the track to forge his own trail.

    The three PAX continued then up on the track there stood such a puddle they ran through the grass.

    Then on to the playground where our oldest PAX stood. We decided twenty rounds of 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, and 15 squats would be good. 

    Then on to a discussion about a super seafood salad it carried on like a longwinded ballad

    The time kept ticking as the rounds kept going we completed the twenty then back to the one-mile and closing.  

    A modified mile to avoid the big blue then a sprint to the finish War Eagle he flew. 

    On Bogey, on Eagle, on Pai Gow, and old Amnesty too…

    Merry Christmas to all and to all a fit night…

    On a serious note, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone. Continue to remember those who are celebrating Christmas alone and those who are celebrating their first and last Christmas with a dear loved one. Finally, remember that Jesus is the true reason for the season.

  • Can we get a WHO DAT!

    Cool and crisp conditions this morning at Rock City, perfect “football weather” for a black and gold themed beatdown on the heels of the Monday night Saints vs. Panthers game.  A few die-hards were sporting team gear and after the disclaimer along with a brief explanation of what lied ahead, we brought it in for a “Who Dat on 3″…not quite the same coolness as Brees in the Dome but it helped get the juices flowing.  Then a mosey to the usual field for a quick warmup of SSH, Arm Circles, Imperial Walkers, Windmills, and LS Squats.

    Made our way to the rock pile to select a companion for the morning and over to the large field for some drills.  First up would be a round of exercises paying homage to the Saints 11-2 record so far this season.  What better way to celebrate the 11 wins than with 11’s!  Here’s how it went:-Curl Press with rock (10-1)-Backpedal to parking bumpers (approx 15-20yds)-Hand Release Derkins w/feet on parking bumpers (1-10) -Lunge Walk back 

    Now we couldn’t forget about the 2 losses so in an effort to push ourselves to get stronger, we circled up for 2 minutes of Up-Downs.  Might have been a bit ugly at the end but the PAX hung in there for a long two minutes.  

    Next up would be a “Heisman Run” giving a shout out to Mark Ingram and Cam Newton that would be taking the field later that night.  In order to be considered for the Heisman Trophy, one must show superb running skills with the ball, maintain possession of the ball, and be fast.  Using our rocks as footballs and making sure not to fumble, we warmed up with Squat Press x20 before tucking in the rock(ball) for a run weaving around the trees(defenders) and finishing with an endzone celebration of Squat Press x10.  Then waited for the six with a wall con roca sit on the fence. 

    Still time for another circuit so this time we partnered up in a line for some “Boom and Zoom” to give props to our elite running backs, Ingram and Kamara.  YHC assumed it was common knowledge that the talented duo is nicknamed “Boom and Zoom” but apparently he was wrong.  After some heckling and discussion, we noted that to be a star running back you must be strong enough to keep from coughing up the ball and fast enough to gain yardage.  Therefore PAX #1 stayed put for “Boom” curls AMRAP to work on the guns while PAX #2 “Zoom” ran around the tree and back (50yds total?) as the timer.  We did this for approx 4-5 minutes with some grumbling from the peanut gallery after a few minutes in.

    Two minute warning was approaching so we called an audible to keep rocks overhead as we made our way back to the rock pile.  From there a mosey back to the flag, a few minutes of planking, concluded by a “Who Dat” plank/merkin circle. 

    COT included some lewd yet fitting nickname suggestions for our FNG but we landed on Piper…welcome!  Also an announcement for Crazy Ivan race coming up in Jan.  Prayer intentions for Brad Brechtel and for a good, safe, injury free football game tonight. 

    Thanks for letting me lead.  Hopefully we’ll be 12-2 by the time anyone reads this.  Who Dat! 

    Tool  

  • Spartacus II….again…

    DISCLAIMER, let’s mosey…

    COP: -SSH x 20 IC

    -IW x 20 IC

    -Mt Climbers x 20 IC

    -Arm Circles x 20 IC (10 ea. dir.)

    Grab a rock, medium, one you won’t drop on your head…Let’s mosey to the shelter (cuz it has benches).  With a timer: 1 min exercise and 15 secs rest.

    1. Bulgarian Split Lunge (30 sec/ea leg)

    2. Shoulder Press

    3. Goblet Squat

    4. T-pushup

    5. Alternating Step-up w/rock

    6. Squat Press

    7. Side Lunge with Touch (Elf on the Shelf)

    8. Merkins

    9. Lunge and Rotation

    10. Elevated Wife Pleasers Rinse and Repeat for a total of two rounds.

    Time to send your rock home and time for some Mary:

    -LBC x 20 IC

    -Flutter Kicks x 20 IC

    -Hello Dolly’s x 20 IC

    -Penguins x 20 IC

    -Dying Cockroach x 20 IC

    -J-Lo’s x 20 IC

    Let’s mosey to the SF. Countoff, namerama, announcements, and a prayer. It was an honor to lead. SYITG…

  • Paying Homage to #41

    “The American Dream means giving it your all, trying your hardest, accomplishing something.  And then I’d add to that, giving something back.  No definition of a successful life can do anything but include serving others.”  -George H.W. Bush
     
    The air was crisp and chilly on Wednesday at The Foundry, just the way we like it.  Perfect conditions for paying homage to the 41st President of the United States on this national day of mourning.  Regardless of one’s political beliefs, it was hard to not have respect for the guy and the days he spent as a leader of our country.  With that being said, we read a few of #41’s quotes before takeoff.  YHC also mentioned that he sifted through some of the Northshore’s backblasts to get some inspiration for the day.  With The Crazy Ivan race coming up in January, us Southshore guys need to make sure we can meet or exceed the physical and mental fortitude of our brothers across the lake.  Without further ado, the disclaimer was recited and off we moseyed down Roosevelt Mall.
    Warmup (with a Northshore twist):
    Good Mornings x10
    Finkle Kicks x10R x10L (these were ugly, as expected)
    Arm Circle x10F x10R
    Lateral Lunge x10
    Scorpion Kicks x10L x10R (a tad lackluster)
    Forward Lunge w/forearm to ground x5L x5R (good stretching here!)
    SSH x41 to cap it off for pres #41
    Foundry:
    This would be a circuit found in a Northshore backblast called 3-6-9 which consisted of:
    3 Pullups, 6 Merkins, 9 Squats every minute on the minute (EMOM) for 10 rounds.  At first, this seemed a tad too easy but it got the juices flowing a few rounds in.  After round 5, we circled up for a tribute to G.H.W.B. with a plank/merkins circle counting up to 41, then holding a low plank for 41 seconds in silence, then another plank/merkin circle up to 41, topped off with Flutter Kicks x41IC and LBC x41IC.  Finished with rounds 6-10 with some good mumble chatter to boot.  Looking back, YHC feels certain the Southshore PAX can handle that circuit with 4-8-12 or even 5-10-15…we’ll see.
    The Track:
    After a mosey for the foundry to the practice track, we circled up for some burpees in honor of George H. W. Bush, stressing good form that would make him proud.  We knocked them out in chunks, x10 x10 x10 x11 for 41 total.  YHC was hoping for a lap around the track but it was time to mosey back to base.    
    COT:
    The usual announcements of upcoming events and Christmas party/workout next week.  A few more words about #41 before ending with a prayer. 
    Good way to start the day.  Thanks for the opportunity to lead. 
    Tool     
  • 12-0 at #Rockne City

    What a beautiful, cool, crisp day for football. Or at least to celebrate football. So 18 men gathered in the gloom at Pontiff Park in a celebration of Notre Dame’s undefeated season, Rockne style. OK, so maybe 1 man was celebrating Notre Dame’s perfect season, but that man was the Q (YHC) so he forced his opinions on everybody else. I know Rudy was with me in spirit. A quick disclaimer and off we go.

    The Warm-Up:

    SSH x 20 IC
    Peter Parkers x 20 IC
    Hill Billies x 20 IC
    Plank Jacks x 20 IC
    Arm Circles IC, 10 Forward, 10 Backwards
    Windmills x 10 IC
    Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    Grad a rock and head to the track.

    The 12:
    Notre Dame finished the 2018 season undefeated at 12-0. Our last undefeated season was 2012. Notre Dame was the only college football team to beat 12 FBS schools this season. And if we win 2 more games, we will win our 12th national championship. The Pax could hardly contain their excitement. Da Parrish and Bogey marveled at Notre Dame’s gauntlet of a schedule. Rev Sox and Hand-Granada were speechless. War Eagle knew it was coming, and did not show because he could not bear it. Hawg removed his shoes in homage. Mahatma was so inspired, he almost removed his Clemson orange t-shirt (but he didn’t…)

    12 reps of each rock exercise to celebrate the 12 victories this year. 3 rounds to celebrate the #3 ranking.
    Rock shoulder press x 12 IC
    Rock curls x 12 IC
    Rock rows x 12 IC
    Rock squats x 12 IC
    Rock chest press x 12 IC
    One lap around the track, sprint the straight aways, jog the curves.

    Rock shoulder press x 12 IC
    Rock curls x 12 IC
    Rock rows x 12 IC
    Rock squats x 12 IC
    Rock chest press x 12 IC
    One lap around the track, sprint the straight aways, jog the curves.

    Rock shoulder press x 12 IC
    Rock curls x 12 IC
    Rock rows x 12 IC
    Rock squats x 12 IC
    Rock chest press x 12 IC
    One lap around the track, sprint the straight aways, jog the curves.

    Circle up for some Mary
    LBC x 20 IC
    Penguins x 20 IC
    Flutter kicks x 20 IC
    Dying cockroach x 20 IC
    Hello Dolly x 20 IC
    American Hammer x 20 IC

    Finally, rock lunges with a twist x 10 IC.

    The we returned our beloved rocks, and moseyed back to the flag.
    High plank for 30 sec, left arm plank for 30 sec, right arm plank for 30 sec.
    Left leg cross-over Merkins x 10, Right leg cross-over Merkins x 10.
    Hamstring stretches for a cool down, and a strong finish.
    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer. Hawg thoughtfully offered a prayer for Notre Dame to beat Clemson (at least I think that’s what he meant…)

    Thanks for letting me lead. Here’s to a great season. Go Irish!
    Walleye

  • Rain or Shine at the Mothership!!!

    Pre-Thang

    23 PAX with 2 FNGs managed to meet up on a beautiful, wet, humid, warm Saturday morning on the first day of December.  At 6:30, YHC gave his standard disclaimer and off went the PAX.

    (missing PAX in the photo: Bogey, King Kong, Smooth, SwampCock)

    Warm-ups

    Short mosey to the Peristyle and did the following in cadence:

    SSHs x 20

    Windmills x 10

    Forward Arm Circles x 10

    Backward Arm Circles x 10

    Hill Billies x 20 (with Fracsac’s witty comments as YHC was trying to explain what the heck are the Hill Billies to the FNGs)

    Peter Parkers x 15

    MC x 15

     

    Partner Workout

    Picked a partner and jogged across the street to the Great Lawn. Magically, bunch of cones (dividing the field in halves) were set up in the middle of the field.

    Part 1 – Starting in the middle of the field, each PAX ran toward his sidewalk and back to the middle and performed 15 patty cake merkins with his partner, rinse and repeat with 10 reps, rinse and repeat with 5 reps.

    Part 2 – Starting in the middle of the field, each PAX ran toward his sidewalk and back to the middle and performed 20 synchronize big boy sit ups. Rinse and repeat with 15, 10, and 5 reps.

    Part 3 – Starting in the middle of the field, each PAX ran toward his sidewalk and back to the middle and performed 20 synchronize squats. Rinse and repeat with 15, 10, and 5 reps.

    Part 4 – Starting in the middle of the field, each PAX ran toward his sidewalk and back to the middle and each PAX performed 5 burpees jump over. One PAX was doing the burpee jump over the other PAX, who was in the low plank position. Flap Jack. Each PAX did 4 rounds (total 20 burpees jump over each)

    When finished, Mahatma-Ice gave a 20 second count, then moseyed to the fountain in front of NOMA and waited for the six.

     

    The Thang

    Starting off at the fountain in front of NOMA, each Pax had to do the following OYO:

    Round 1

    • 20 box jumps
    • 20 incline merkins
    • 15 box jumps
    • 15 merkins
    • 10 box jumps
    • 10 derkins
    • 5 box jumps
    • 5 diamond merkins
    • then moseyed to the last light post and back to the fountain (about 0.5 mile)

    Round 2 – rinse and repeat but shaved off the first set of 20 box jumps and 20 incline merkins, then moseyed to the 7th light post and back.

    Round 3 – rinse and repeat but shaved off another set of 15 box jumps and 15 merkins, then moseyed to the 5th light post and back.

    Round 4 – rinse and repeat but shaved off another set of 10 box jumps and 10 derkins (leaving with only 5 box jumps and 5 diamond merkins), then moseyed to the 3rd light post and back.

    In addition to the mileage, the PAX toughed out 100 box jumps and 100 different forms of merkins.

    T-claps to Mahatma-Ice for setting the tone early. Not an easy task to do 100 box jumps, all those merkins, and all those miles. Once again, everyone got stronger for coming out to a F3 workout. Respect!!!

     

    Round of Mary

    Moseyed to the grass field next to NOMA and did the following in cadence:
    Hello Dolly x 20
    Dying Cockroach x 20
    Flutter kicks x 20
    American Hammer x 15
    Moseyed back to the flag with 30 seconds left. Why not 3 more burpees???  PAX finished the workout at 7:30 a.m.
    COT

    Count-O-Rama 23PAX, Name-O-Rama, announcements, intentions. 2 FNGs (Hank and Hatchling).  Hank is a reference from King of the Hill. Hatchling because he is only 18. Our thoughts and prayers for I Love You Man’s niece with her recovery from brain surgery and King Kong’s 2.0 with her girls’ scout camping over the weekend. Thank You all again for the opportunity to lead. Always a pleasure and honor to workout with the PAX. SYITG

    King Kong

  • Okwata – Physical Fury

    Okwata – there is no AO more unpredictable!  This time of year is a crapshoot as to weather but when you sign up to Q you get rolling either way!

    11 men showed up to the lakefront to work.  After a short disclaimer Triple Shift and his buddy (one day to join the pax, Adam) decided to skip the work out and take a walk along the lake.

     

    The rest of us took a short mosey to warm up:

    Short run with high knees and carioca around the fountain then circle up

    SSH x 25

    Side lunges x 25

    Head to the levee – line up for India Run – Pax the takes the lead and instructs the group what exercise shouts disperse – all PAX runs down the levee performs a 3 count then runs back to the top and the run continues until all have had a chance to lead.     JV decided that the PAX had not embraced the suck of the wet ground and had us perform superman roll to back cross – this got the group fired up.

    Now time to work:

    1-5 levee work

    Start with

    1 Burpee – run up levee perform 5 Merkin Jacks on top run down perform a Burpee run back up 5 Merkin Jacks run down

    Now 2, then 3, then 4, then 5 – Performing the 5 Merkin Jacks each time you hit the top of the levee

    1 minute plank recovery

    Partner Up – Wheel Barrel to the top (NOTE we did move down to a lower section)

    Pax 1 and 2 perform plank high fives – up to 10 by 2’s (right hand then left hand = 1)

    Then Pax 1 holds Pax 2’s feet as he upper body bear crawls up the levee

    Rinse and repeat 4 times so each PAX got 2 shots at climbing the levee!

    1 minute plank recovery

    Mosey back to the flag – apology to Abacus – he was tying his shoes and we took off not realizing he was pulling a hard 6!  He caught up and we started some Mary!

    Combo x 20 2 count – Dying Cockroach into Penguins

    Combo x 20 2 count – In and Out to flutter kicks

    High Plank J – Lo’s x 15 2 count

    COT

    Give thanks and take nothing for granted – carry forgiveness in our hearts!

    Let’s do this again some time!

     

  • Backblast – Catfish, 2018-11-10

    Another beautiful (albeit slightly chilly) day on board the Mothership at City Park.  Attendance stood at 16 total, with 13 existing members and 3 FNGs.

    The following members were in attendance: Two Yutes, Triple Shift, Pie Gow, Rudy, Gabrielle, Mahatma Ice, Willie, King Kong, Jingle Vader, Abacus, Tool, Justice, Catfish, Front Line (FNG), Ya Mama ‘nem (FNG), Centerfold (FNG)

    Today’s activites started with a mosey out to the grass next to the Museum for…

    Side Straddle Hop

    Arm Circles (Forward)

    Arm Circles (Backward)

    Peter Parkers

    Catalina Wine Mixers

    Parker Peters

    Windmills

    From here we moseyed to the fountain for a Dora featuring…

    100 box jumps, 200 dips, and 300 mountain climbers, while partners did the bunny hop up the museum steps.

    This was followed by two laps of Indian run around the main drag in front of the museum.

    From here we moved to the trees in the adjacent grassy area.  Here we did two series of bear crawls, duck walk, lunges, and burpee broad jumps, each for a distance of two trees and followed by 5 burpees between exercises.

    From here we moseyed back to the great lawn for Jack Webb up to 13, and then finished the workout with some Dying Cockraoches, Box Cutters, and Penguin Toe Touches.

    Thanks to everyone for coming out and participating!  Should be a great start to a gorgeous weekend!

  • War Eagle VQ

    Pre-Thang:

    Over the last three months, YHC has quietly sat back an observed all that is F3. Trying to explain F3 to family and friends makes YHC sound like he joined a cult. “Yea, so me and a bunch of random guys I  don’t know show up early in the morning for a workout. We have code names and end each workout by getting in a big circle and praying.” Regardless, YHC has discovered that F3 is the real deal. Physically, I am in the best shape of my life, and mentally you have all stretched me further than I could on my own. For that, I say thank you to all.

    YHC was volunteered for this workout (thanks, Rev Sox), but I have discovered the best workouts are planned, and the PAX ends sweaty…

    Welcome, Disclaimer, Mosey.

    Warm-Up:

    SSH X 29 (Random number stuck n my head from this past weekend :))

    Mountain Climbers X 25

    Imperial Walkers X 20

    Windmills X 10

    Arm Circles X 10

    Peter Parkers X 20

    Hillbillies X 20

    The Thang:

    Mosey to the Hill for 11’s…

    First side – burpees

    Bear crawl uphill

    Crab walk downhill

    Second side – jump squats

    Mosey to the field and partner up…

    200 LBCs as a pair. The first partner does LBCs while the second partner lays down and holds legs 6 inches off the ground. Rotate every 20.

    200 squats as a pair. The first partner squats while the second partner does a sitting squat, Rotate every 20.

    Back to the flag.

    COT:

    Counterama, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, Prayer

     

    Thank you F3, thank you PAX, thank you Rev Sox!

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Team Work – In Honor of Veterans Day 11/11

    Pre-Thang

    Since Veterans Day is this Sunday, 11/11/18, YHC came up with a work out to honor of all the soldiers and personnel in the military.  Therefore, the theme was teamwork and leave no man behind mentality.  The night before, YHC purchased 6 more blocks (about 30 lbs each) from Lowes. YHC got to the AO early around 5:00 am. and placed those blocks at the great lawn in front of Audubon Zoo.  At 5:30, YHC gave his standard disclaimer and off the 22 PAX.

    Warm-ups

    Moseyed to the parking lot in front of Audubon Zoo and did the following in cadence:

    SSH x 20

    Windmills x 10

    Hill Billies x 20

    The Pax then ran a warm-up lap around Audubon Zoo parking lot.  One lap is approximately 0.25 mile.  We ended the lap where the blocks were placed earlier that morning.

    The Thang

    YHC emphasized teamwork and communication during the workout.  Divided the Pax into 5 groups of four.  However, 2 groups had 5 Pax because there were 22 total Pax.

    Mission 1- As a team – performed 200 Scissor Kicks (or Dollies) with the blocks.  But only one Pax can do the rep count while the remaining Pax were doing burpees.  Once 200 dollies were completed as a team, ran the same lap as earlier toward to the proximity of the Zoo entrance and performed 200 Derkins.  Once again, only one Pax can do the derkins while the remaining Pax were doing air squats.  Upon completion, LBCs for one minute, then planked for another minute until last Team was finished.

    Mission 2 – As a team – prisoner ran back toward the blocks location and performed 200 curls.  Only one Pax can do the rep count while the remaining Pax were doing leg raises.  Once completed, the team prisoner ran to the Zoo entrance proximity and performed 200 dips.  Once again, only one Pax was dipping while the rest were doing the step-ups.  Once completed, LBCs for one minute, then planked for another minute until last Team was finished.

    Mission 3 – As a team, Indian Ran back toward the blocks location and performed 100 manmakers.  Only one Pax can do the rep count while the others were doing flutter kicks.  Unfortunately, about 5 minutes into the mission, YHC had to cut it short because time was running out.

    Last mission – each team had to carry a block back to the fountain (Block Home Base).  While one Pax had to run with it like a zombie, the remaining Pax had to do the prisoner run.  Pass the block to your teammate if necessary.  Once the blocks were back home, the Pax moseyed back to the flag for the COT at 6:15 a.m.

    COT

    The purpose of today’s workout was team work and communication among team members.  YHC was very impressed how the Pax communicated to each other clearly during each mission.  How many reps should each do… what count were they at…..

    Count-O-Rama 22PAX, Name-O-Rama, announcements, intentions.  We prayed for I Love You Man’s niece, Two Yutes’ brother, and a Felipe’s employee.  Prayed and be thankful for all the soldiers overseas.  Never take our freedom and rights for granted.

    Finally, T-claps to I Love You Man for bringing out smoothie samples for all the Pax after the workout.  Thank You all again for the opportunity to lead.  SYITG

    King Kong