As the PAX trickled in at the Peltch on Saturday, the discussion centered on how dark it was and would be for the next few weeks until the time changed. Six was the number at 6:30, and as warmups prepping for the likelihood of many burpees were coming to a close, one of the newer guys said, “Who’s that dude?” YHC turned to see a hairy man emerging from the gloom dressed all in black. The newer PAX were confused to see a strange quinquagenarian sidle up to the circle already wearing a Thibodaux F3 shirt and Mudgear shorts, but the rest of us were trying to process the fact that our regional leader, Fracsac, had just shown up out of the darkness to post at our humble, bayou AO!
After some additional grass-grabbers (with the clap–thanks, Frac!), we grabbed a few footballs and moseyed to the ED White football field. The theme of the day would be the NFL Combine, but in our situation, since none of us would be breaking any records or impressing any NFL coaches (except for maybe Wet Tap), YHC decided to focus on mental toughness–the guy you really want is the guy who can perform in the fourth quarter, exhausted from busting it all game, with the same intensity as in the opening drive. And, since this month is “Burptober” for the Thibodaux PAX (ISI: 100 burpees a day), burpees would play a significant role in getting us there.
For each round, partners would measure each other’s performance in an event, then all would do 10 burpees and immediately do the event again. Whoever didn’t match or beat their initial performance after the 10 burpees had to plank or Al Gore until the start of the next event.
Events:
1. 40 yard dash (partner timed)
2. Broad jump–from the goal line
3. “Bench press” = hand release Merkins to failure–once rhythm breaks due to fatigue (utter failure for all)
4. Shuttle run–start at goal line, run and touch 10 yard line and back 2x
5. Vertical leap–against the adjacent building, marking height on brick lines
6. Pass accuracy–partner at the 20 yard line, can’t move his feet
7. Catch on the run–post/slant right after running to the 10 yard line
8. Pass distance–from the goal line, as far as you can
9. Fumble chase–bear crawl to the 30 yard line for time
10. Touchdown dance–AMRAP Apollo Onos for 1 minute
Some of these events may or may not be included in the actual NFL combine, but being on such a nice field with bright lines on spongy, fake turf made us feel like it didn’t matter (because clearly none of us belonged out there–except maybe Wet Tap).
Leg exhaustion and lack of oxygen can make it easy to forget that burpees are a serious core exercise. But, after asking Fracsac to lead Mary back at the flag, we were reminded very quickly. YHC doesn’t remember 15 IC reps of the following ever being so hard: American Hammers, tin snips with arms high, flutter kicks with arms high, windshield wipers, LBC’s, Lazy Boyz, and Big Boi Situps.
COT and Paradox prayed us out. We got some news and some insights from Fracsac’s veteran leadership, and we solidified plans to clown-car up to Audubon Park for the convergence on the 22nd.
Thanks, gents, for pushing so hard this morning, and thanks, Fracsac, for making the effort to find us! It was an awesome morning!
SYITG,
Goose
