F3 New Orleans

Tag: Heisenberg

  • Inverted BLIMP Pyramids. Or something like that.

    Man, what a beautiful Saturday morning in April. It’s really one of the best months of the year in NOLA. 20 men gathered on this beautiful day for some F3. The usual disclaimer and off we go.

    We moseyed to the great lawn, unusually soggy and muddy on this day, for the warm-up COP:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Peter Parkers x 20 IC
    • Abe Vigodas x 10 IC
    • Arm Circles 10 Forward, 10 Backward IC
    • Hill Billies x 20 IC
    • Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    Next a short jog to the front of NOMA where we crossed paths with the MuscleShip, on their turf. Here YHC distastefully lead the Mothership pax in 10 Monkey Humpers in the general direction of the MuscleShip pax. Sorry @Abacus, not very tasteful of this Q. I do apologize.

    Then we lined up for an inverted BLIMP pyramid along the tree line, or something like that. Exercise, then run to the next tree.

    • 5 Burpees
    • 10 Lunges each leg
    • 15 Imperial Walkers each leg
    • 20 Merkins
    • 25 Plank Jacks
    • 30 Squats
    • 30 Squats
    • 25 Plank Jacks
    • 20 Merkins
    • 15 Imperial Walkers each leg
    • 10 Lunger each leg
    • 5 Burpees

    We moseyed to the end of Lelong Drive for the next COP:

    • Side lunges x 10 IC
    • Low slow squats x 20 IC
    • Tree Huggers x 10 IC

    Then travelled back down the opposite side of Lelong Drive, heading back toward NOMA, with animals on parade. Parade for 6 trees, doing a different animal at each tree. Then a Route 66 back to NOMA, stopping at each street light for 5 jump lunges with each leg.

    Back at NOMA, pair up for 2 rounds of Merkin ladders. One pax does a Merkin ladder up the steps of NOMA, 8 Merkins at the bottom to 1 at the top, while the other pax does alternating step-ups at the fountain. 2 rounds.

    Mosey to the baby foundry. Each pax does 10 pull-ups, 10 dips. 2 rounds.

    Mosey to the fence at Tad Gormley stadium for calf raises. Regular calf raises x 20 IC, toe-in calf raises x 20 IC, toe-out calf raises x 20 IC.

    Finally mosey back to the flag for some hamstring stretches before the finish. Count-off, name-o-rama, intentions, and a prayer. Welcome to our FNG, Donatello. Thank you for letting me lead.

  • Northshore Convergence – 3 Year Anniversary

    We all come to F3 as individuals, men with our own past and our own unique stories.  But we all share one very similar story, which is the story of our first post to an F3 beatdown.  This story usually involves a little fear, a lot of pain, and in some cases, a splash of merlot.  My story took place at Grandmother’s House (before it had a name), and I can be honest and say it was filled with trepidation: Will I be able to make it through this?  What if I don’t like some of these guys?  Are they going to ask me to lead part of it?  And why the heck am I up so damn early???

    Everyone knows how the story goes – YHC was accepted but quickly pushed to be a better man in all aspects. That impact – an effect felt on all F3 brothers – is what we came together to celebrate on the Lakefront today. F3 has now been thriving and changing men on the Northshore for three years now.

    A few lucky Southshore men arrived early, unaware they’d get roped into a 2 mile pre-thang. Back at the flags (four flags this morning), YHC gave a quick welcome and disclaimer, and we got this thing started:

    Warmorama:

    Three years, three sets of 8-count bodybuilders.  Founding year 2016, so 16 reps of each.  Sprinkled some standard warm-ups in between:

    • 8-count bodybuilders x16 IC
    • SSH, IW’s x20 IC
    • 8-count bodybuilders x16 IC
    • Toe Touches, Windmills x20 IC
    • 8-count bodybuilders x16 IC

    The Thang:

    3 Stations for 3 Years: Every Man Leads

    Leadership is one of the skills F3 hones that YHC is most thankful for. It’s also the thing YHC was most uncomfortable with those first few weeks. These stations were meant to honor the leadership impact that F3 spreads.

    The PAX was split into three groups, with three leaders picked for an impromptu lead at each station. The leader got two minutes to come up with a routine while the rest of the PAX circled up for Peter Parkers x15 IC, Shoulder Taps x15 IC, and Merkins x15 OYO.

    If memory serves, here’s what each leader had us performing:

    Station 1: The Gazebo, led by Sparky Time

    Freak Nasties x10 IC, Step Ups x10 IC (each leg), Squats x10 IC, repeat.

    Station 2: East Swingset Pad, led by Jose 10k

    Squats x10 IC, Jane Fondas x10 IC (each leg), Lunges x10 IC, Monkey Humpers x10 IC.

    Station 3: West Swingset Pad, led by Russo

    Little Manny Crunches x10 IC, Six-Inch Exercise x10 IC, Crunchy Frogs x10 IC. (Pretty sure there was something else in there….)

    Mental and Physical Toughness with Fracsac

    Next up, the baton was passed to Fracsac for a little taste of the Southshore. He told us of his recent Spartan Race with Triple Shift, how challenging it was, and how F3 had prepared him both mentally and physically.  So this next pearl would exemplify both. 

    The physical part was an Indian Run (PAX split into 2 groups), where the man sprinting to the front would yell out an exercise, the PAX would quickly disperse and perform 5 of said exercise (burpees, jump squats, derkins, one-armed merkins, to name a few) before getting back in line and continuing the run.  Halfway through we were stopped for the mental exercise: perform 21 SSH’s, with only the first 10 called out in cadence.  If one man fails to halt at exactly 21, there was a penalty of 30 burpees.  After some mumble chatter about who’s cadence was the correct cadence, we all performed the penalty burpees. The Indian run then headed in the opposite direction, with the same mental exercise waiting at the end of the line – this time 17 SSH and only 6 called in cadence.  Another failure and another 20 burpees were in order.

    Team Races: Pushing Each Other Forward

    YHC took the final pearl with some competitive team exercises. This section was cut short due to time, so we did one quick hopscotch race: the original three teams lined up in plank position, with the last man rising to bunny hop over the rest of his team, and then drop back into plank position. Teams finished once their last man crossed the finish line – the infamous lakefront shaft.

    The two losing teams would need to do a penalty exercise, but the true winning team would never be known because there were some last-second shenanigans on all three teams as they neared the finish line. So we all performed the penalty together: the 8-count exercise known as Absolution.

    Mosey back to the flag, where Shooter led a very abbreviated Mary of planking before we called it.

    COT: Count-o-rama, name-o-rama, naming of an FNG (welcome Stockboy!) and Triple Shift led us in a prayer of thanks.

    Coffetería brought out a few of our injured brothers, with Butt Splice, The Manny, and Tanked Up joining us. T-claps to our Southshore brothers for making it across the pond to make this a true convergence, it wouldn’t be the same without you guys. And t-claps to all the guys who led today, it’s an honor to work beside you men. SYITG.

  • Hamilton v Burr

    As many New Orleanians might be aware, Hamilton has been playing at The Saenger for a 3 week run. As many F3ians might be aware, Da Parish and Rudy have a thing for musicals. So of course, the Hamilton workout was an obvious combination. And a plot was hatched – only publicized to those PAX that were In The Room Where It Happened….. So Hamilton and Burr signed up to Q the Mothership and Muscleship.

    6:29am, PAX loitering around both flags wondering who was stepping forward to claim the Q. Especially loud grumbling at the Mothership flag from Jingle Vader, who repeatedly expressed his dislike for all things in Pop Culture.

    6:30am, Rudy at Mothership and Parish at Muscleship give the disclaimers to PAX (most of whom seemed to be saying “Yeah, I figured.”). And both PAX took off to meet at the flag standing by a large box in the field in front of the museum.

    And what was in the box? No – this isn’t a Brad Pitt “What’s in the Box?” scene. Instead, it was the exercise gear for the Qs…

    And all the PAX grumbled and groaned, but still circled up in one large combined workout circle.

    The Warmup – Qs alternating exercise callouts

    • 16 SSH (Hamilton was 16 on arrival to US)
    • 7 Burpees OYO as we begin spelling out Burr
    • 21 Imperial Walkers (Hamilton was 21 when he became aide to Washington
    • Up/Downs to Burr’s cadence
    • 30 Peter Parkers (Hamilton was 30 at the Constitutional Convention
    • Rocky Balboas to more of Burr cadence

    Then (thanks to Mahatma’s good advice), PAX numbered off. 1s go with Hamilton (Rudy), 2s go with Burr (Parish). The Q vs Q Showdown begins…

    Burr – Round 1

    Dora 1-2-3 to Aaron Burr, Sir & My Shot. Pax 1 will perform the exercise while Pax 2 Burr Crawls to the 2nd tree & back.

    • Floyd Mayweather x 100 (2=1) – Hamilton upon meeting Burr advised he had recently punched the bursar of Princton
    • Squats x 200 – Burr advises Hamilton, Laurens, Mulligan & Lafayette that he’d rather sit than stand for the revolution
    • American Hammer x 300 – Hamilton does not throw away his shot and drops his American Hammer on Burr, Lafayette, Laurens & Mulligan

    MerKING Wave/Burr Crawl to You’ll be Back

    • While PlanKING during the song sung by King George, pax will do a MerKING wave (1 merkin performed in a wave around the circle). When the last pax merks, the entire circle will Burr Crawl clockwise 1 rotation. Repeat the MerKING wave with 2 merks, Burr Crawl, etc until song is complete.

    Mary to the song Guns & Ships.

    • Hold out your gun at Yorktown by holding a James Bond for :30 center/left/righ
    • Yorktown would not have been a victory w/out the French ships in the harbor. Hold your Boat/Canoe for :30 and finish out the song.

    Hamilton – Round 1

    Hamiltabata. 8 exercises, 45 seconds high intensity, 15 seconds of rest. To the songs Alexander Hamilton and My Shot

    • Happy Jacks (5 SSH, 2 Squat Jumps)
    • Absolution (8 count plank-position exercise)
    • Merkins
    • Imperial Squat Walkers
    • Lunges
    • T-Merkins
    • Outlaw
    • No Surrender (aka “The Genuflect”, in F3 Nola lexicon)

    20 Count

    To the 2:30 song Aaron Burr: Burpees. OYO. Go. Until the song ends. Yes, grumbly PAX – I mean it. Till the song ends.

    20 Count

    Mosey to the fountain for a version of the Cabinet Battle.

    • PAX 1 planks
    • PAX 2 dips x30 – with feet on PAX 1 back.
    • Flapjack.
    • Flapjack for x20
    • Flapjack for x10

    Interlude

    Both groups met at the lawn, and switched. Now the 2s go with Hamilton and the 1s go with Burr.

    Burr – Round 2

    Take a Break while we mosey to the Foundry

    Time for an amRAP Battle while we hear Cabinet Battle #1

    • 5 Pull ups, 10 Merkins, 15 Squats, Repeat until song is complete (3:35)

    How are you going to Say No To This first American Political Sex Scandal. Hamilton was being extorted by James Reynolds while Hamilton had sex with his wife Maria. The first time it happened Hamilton gave Maria $30. Perform 30 reps (IC) of these 3 Big Sexy Exercises

    • Pickle Pounders
    • Wife Pleasers
    • Monkey Humpers

    Mosey back to the flag…Mr Burr has business to settle with Hamilton. Your Obedient Servant

    Hamilton – Round 2

    Same as Round 1. Equal amounts of grumbling about the burpees. Some members of this group seemed to have an entirely different perspective on the Plank/Dip combo. Rudy suggests the Uptowners pull their minds out of the gutter.

    Rudy does note that this routine was significantly harder the 2nd time around….

    The Duel

    All PAX meet back at the flag for the final 10-Count Duel. Qs alternate calling an exercise, making a ladder.

    • 1 Burpee
    • 2 Squat Jumps (then 1 Burpee)
    • 3 Merkins (then 2 Squat Jumps, then 1 Burpee. You get the idea…)
    • 4 Lunges
    • 5 Country Crabs
    • 6 Dr W
    • 7 X Fit Merkins
    • 8 Box Cutters
    • 9 Turkish Getups
    • 10 Rise Ups – Hold a Squat while Q counts down from 5, squat Jump, immediately return to Squat.

    And with that, the F3 NOLA Tribute to Hamilton comes to a merciful close. Just a few minutes overtime.

    Countoff and Name-o-rama, welcoming our new FNG Water Boy (named quickly before the uptowners could start suggesting based on Water Boy’s pronounced profession of selling Industrial Hoses).

    Upcoming F1 / F2 this Thursday night at Greenway (6:30) and Wrong Iron (7:00).

    Intentions called out, ask all of us to offer our own prayers for the intentions (spoken and otherwise) for all of our brother PAX. Finally, circle up for our closing prayer. Offer of thanksgiving for the glorious day God has given us, and for the grace of His wisdom to use this gift wisely.

    Rudy and DaParish both thank the PAX for their merciful tolerance of this workout.

    We have the honor to be your obedient servants….A dot Ham….A dot Burr.

  • Strength in Repetition

    My first attempt at a MuscleShip beatdown was today and a bit out my comfort zone. This is given the effort of not incorporating running (which I love so much). But we did, and needless to say this eventually adds up to a number of repetitions and exercises and counting…. But it was a great challenge and so were a select number of PAX to focus on strength on a mild March morning in City Park.

    Off we got to the museum lawn for warm ups:

    25 — IW

    20 – Peter Parkers

    30 – Arm circles

    25- Grass Touches

    Off to the field across the street for additional warm up via a modified “Red Barchetta”

    Run to 10 trees out — 50 SSH

    Run to 8 trees out — 40 Mountain Climbers

    Run to 6 trees out — 30 LBCs

    Run to 4 trees out — 20 Merkins

    2 trees out — 10 Burpees

    Stay put in same field and now a Bear crawl and Merkin circle

    All pax in a circle, rotate counter clock wise via bear crawl, when Q says stop, 10 merkin waterfall amoung PAX, (4) stops, 360 degrees….

    Next to the fountain to “Roll the Bones” with my infamous exercise dice:

    Did this for ~ 20 minutes, highlights:

    Rolled (4) 1 minute planks…

    30 Squats was also popular as the entire PAX took turns rolling…

    We also saw some burpees, jump squats. SSHs, etc.

    No one rolled the (3) min rest…..

    Continue on to a Jack Moses X 10 sets. each set was a plank jack increasing in quantity followed by 2 squat presses for each plank jacks. Left eye did make note of the pain of squat press as numbers got higher despite nothing in our hands.

    Finally some time filling Mary:

    Hello Dolly X 25

    Freddie Mercury — (30)

    LBC — (25)

    Burps — (10) on our own

    Ended off with count, name a rama, announcements, intentions, COT

    Lots of repetion and work for all, entire PAX did great!!! That is all.

    Se y’all on the radio.

  • The 4th F is for “Fun”

    The 4th F is for “Fun”

    The early moring parade goers in Mid-City were treated to some sweet F3 eye candy on Saturday for the 4th annual Mardi Gras Mambo aka Endymion Run.  Our krewe consited of 22 PAX eager to start the day off right and get in the carnival spirit.  YHC had stewed on some new ideas for the past month and decided to incorporate a “float” consisting of a jogging stroller and boom box to be pushed along the route blarring some good ole Mardi Gras music to get the juices flowing.  Some festive chatter started as the Dr. John and Professor Longhair tunes came on.  Here’s a recap of our parade: 

    Warmup near The Peristyle:  IW, Lunges, WM, SSH with “bead wave” capped off with the tradional Mardi Gras Mambo song providing the guidance for 2+ minutes of syncronized planking, merkins, and plankjacks….always a crowd pleaser!  We followed with a mosey to City Park Ave and N. Olympia and stopped to go over the gameplan for the run topped off with burpees x10, just because.   

    Route Run – Leg #1:  Run at your own pace down Orleans trying to stay in clusters.  The float/stroller acted as the kaboose and stayed in the rear, similar to the speaker trucks following the Dance Connection, minus the purple fishnets.  Once at Carrollton, turn around and sweep the six.  T-claps to the PAX for taking turns pushing the float and also to the guys carrying two F3 shovel flags….Merica!!!  Lots of intrigued and possibly jealous onlookers wishing they were running with us. 

    Route Run – Leg #2:  Right on Carrollton all the way to Canal, at you own pace, sweep the six.  The motivational cheers from the spot watchers kept coming. 

    Route Run – Leg #3:  Back down Carrollton to Orleans veering off to the neutral ground for a COP.  Some grumbling was heard when YHC started with LSS x20, PP x25, ISW x20, and Plankorama w/Merkins.  Everyone survived and the moseying resumed.    

    Route Run – Leg #4:  Run back on Orleans to our starting point on N. Olympia, sweep the six.  Good to see lots of other running groups out there…”Happy Mardi Gras” and high fives were being dolled out right and left.  Might even try to work in some beads for next year. 

    Lagniappe Leg #5:  Once back along City Park Ave, we had enough time to take the long way back along Marconi for a peek at the floats, before heading back to the Great Lawn.  A few guys were able to modify the run with a shortcut.

    Great Lawn:  YHC wanted to make sure all PAX were ready for the rest of MG season and in stellar bead catching/throwing shape, so out came a bag of beads stashed in the bushes.  All PAX grabbed a good bead to throw and parterned up for “Bead Burpees” consisting of throwing beads 15 yards away to your partner, alternating with burpees.  This was not well received by the PAX, I’m guessing due to the sloppy terrain and the presumption that we were only going to run that moring.  After a minute of some hideousness with Bead Burpees, YHC felt the need to cut it short and move on to something more challenging.  Next up we did a bead throw and bear crawl circuit across the lawn, followed by a lunge walk and bead throw back.

    Mary:  After getting rid of the beads, we had enought time left to knock out LBC x20, Flutter Kicks x30, and Plankorama. 

    COT:  YHC was a tad woozy and run-drunk at this point so not sure of all the announcements and intentions.  We did pray for, among other things, a safe Mardi Gras weekened.  We also called out Amnesty for yet again missing the annual event he co-fathered. YHC forgot to mention that we consider striving to avoid over indulging this Mardi Gras season and instead focus on making the most of our time with family, friends, or perhaps ourselves, whether that be at a parade or elsewhere.  While pigging out and/or getting hammered may be something many of us have been guilty of during the carnival season, we should consider throttling that back on the guilty pleasures and possibly replace them with something more meaningful and healthy….just a thought.

    Thanks to the PAX for going along with my antics and helping to bring in the 4th “F”….FUN!     

    Tool          

  • The Power of Negativity or the Commitment to Accelerate

    In the last US Olympic Marathon Trials (2016) there were 108 finishers.  Only 3 men ran negative splits.  All three finished on the podium.

    The Thing:  Run along Bayou St. John for 20 minutes, turn around and return in less than 20 minutes.  AKA a Negative Split. Then plank and wait.

    IC Flutter Kicks 25 and Tin Snips 10

    Count, Names, Announcements, Intentions, Prayer

    There is debate whether running negative splits leads to faster race times.  I think we can all find joy in having the strength to increase our pace of movement and to ACCELERATE.   We must choose to accelerate every day.  Thanks Triple Shift for helping me make the connection.

    DAILY RED PILL: The Q’s daily Commitment to Accelerate his Fitness, Fellowship and Faith. Abbr: DRP

  • The Running Ship

    Today’s the day for the inaugural Muscle Ship at City Park, so YHC decided to emphasize the difference between the workouts – for one day, the Mothership became the Running Ship. As the 15 PAX gathered in the gloom (after a brisk 3 mile pre-thang run) YHC gave notice that we would be running. We would to a quick fly-by and give any PAX the opportunity to join the loafers, if they wanted. With that warning, and a disclaimer, off to the races.

    First run to the lawn in front of NOMA for the warm-up:

    • SSH x25
    • Peter Parker x25
    • Parker Peter x25
    • Shoulder Touches x25
    • Mountain Climber x25

    Then run some more (looky by the lake, there’s a group of 16 men who appear to be laying down. I think I see yoga mats too), heading towards Roosevelt Mall.

    At the foot of Roosevelt Mall, Heisenberg chooses Merkins for the Route 66 exercise. Go. 11 benches to visit, 66 merkins. Plank up by the entry to the track.

    Time for an old favorite of YHC: The Dirty McDeuce. 3 exercises, 12 reps. Upper Body, Core, Legs. Then a lap. Repeat x4.

    • Merkins, Penguins, Squats (YHC struggled mightily with cadence counting). 1 lap.
    • Stagger Merkins, Dying Cockroaches, Low Slow Squats. 1 lap.
    • Stagger Merkins, LBT, Monkey Humpers. 1 lap.
    • Floyd Mayweather, Flutter Kicks, Jump Squats. 1 lap.

    Slowsey towards the pole-vault mat, half-way along the straight away. Partner up for the game of “Catch Me If You Can”. PAX 1 sprints half way round the track. PAX 2 moseys across the field to meet the sprinter. Tag up and reverse (PAX2 sprints, PAX1 moseys back). Repeat repeat repeat for 8 mins.

    Slowsey to the Refinery for 5 stations: Burpees, Jump the Green Snake, Pull Ups, Derkins and Hanging Knee Raises. 12 Burpees is the timer.

    Getting late, so lets mosey back to the flag. Stop half-way to get the group back together – doing Monkey Humpers while waiting for the 6. Then again at the flag, Monkey Humpers for the 6.

    All told, 4.1 miles earned towards RRR this am.

    Close out by remembering our PAX struggling with illness and deaths among family and close friends. Finish out with St. Ignatius Prayer for Generosity.

  • Tribute to Terabyte at the Mothership

    F3 lost one of its own earlier in the week. Terabyte was a caring leader that pushed himself, and inspired other pax to become better. He will be missed.

    YHC stated that we will carry a flag for our fallen pax as we trudged through the AO. We will sweat, push ourselves, and feel pain. In this way, we will honor him, ’cause that’s what we do. 40 men, including 3 FNG’s, were ready to go.

    Brief disclaimer, then pick up the flag and mosey to the Great lawn for the warmup

    SSH IC x 52 (Terabyte was only 52)
    IW IC x 15
    Grass Grabbers IC x 10
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Arm Circles IC x 10 Fwd x 10 Bwd
    Peter Parker IC x 20
    Shoulder Taps IC x 20
    Parker Peter IC x 20
    Mountain Climber IC x 20
    Recover, pick up the flag, and mosey….

    Stop just short of the Bridge at Lagoon Number 11 on our way toward City park Avenue
    10 Burpees OYO
    Mosey across the bridge and find an open space near City park Avenue
    Monkey Humpers IC x 20
    10 Burpees OYO
    Mosey along to the next open green space
    LBC’s IC x 20
    10 Burpees OYO
    Mosey to the entrance to NOMA at Lelong Drive
    Dying Cockroach IC x 20
    10 Burpees OYO (there was much mumblechatter by this time)
    Mosey to the Tree line near NOMA
    YHC asked how may burpees left? We have smart Pax! 12 it is!
    12 Burpees OYO which brings us to 52. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have more Burpees!

    Mosey to the Fountain at NOMA
    Dips IC x 20
    RL Step Up IC x 15
    Incline Merkin IC x 10
    LL Step Up IC x 15

    Dips IC x 10
    RL Step Up IC x 15
    Decline Merkin IC x 10
    LL Step Up IC x 10

    Mosey to the tree line
    Sprint to first tree and back – 5 burpees
    Sprint to second tree and back – 5 burpees – plank and wait for the six

    Starting at first tree, Burpee Broad Jump to third tree.

    YHC requested Triple Shift to help explain the next exercise. Triple Shift had previously introduced the Genuflect and YHC wanted to incorporate it in. Genuflect from third tree back to first tree.
    Left knee down, right knee down, left knee up, right knee up, then lunge walk one step. Now do two genuflects followed by two lunge steps, then three……etc.

    Mosey back to the Great Lawn for Mary:
    LBC’s IC x 30
    Tin Snips IC x 20
    Hello Dolly IC x 20
    Flutter Kicks IC x 20
    American Hammer IC x 10

    Plank for one minute
    Recover, pick up the flag, and return to the other flags for the COT

    Count off, Name-O-Rama, Announcement, and ended with a prayer.

    Welcome Bingo Knight, Offsides, and CareBear! Great job on the EH’ing guys! We have had big numbers at the AO’s lately, let’s keep it going!

    The Celebration of Life for Terabyte, aka Sidney Modica, will be held on Monday January 14th where visitation begins at 0900 with service to follow at 1030 at:
    Victory Fellowship
    5708 Airline Hwy
    Metairie, LA 70003

    If you have a flag or a ruck sack, please bring. Terabyte loved being part of F3, and we loved having him.

    SYITG





  • 610 Stomp VQ

    Abacus, Heisenburg, Woz, Hokie Pokie We met inspire of the rain for a 610 Stomp – out for 20 and back for 20 stopping every 6 minutes for 10 Burpees. Heisenburg & Woz went for a much longer run than Abacus & Hokie Pokie but we all pushed through the rain and the alarm clock to start 2019 right

  • ND and the Ladder of Despair

    The PAX are all painfully aware of YHC’s deep love affair with the Irish, and all things related to Notre Dame. The PAX are also fond of pointing out the flaws in my beloved Irish – “What a cupcake schedule”, and “You should join a conference”. This year’s CFB Playoff offered the Irish another chance to silence the doubting PAX.

    Returning from Dallas angry and a wee bit humbled, YHC asked the scheduled Rock City Q if he would be willing to give up his Q so the PAX could share in my pain. “Manbun” Hawg willingly agreed. So the PAX got to ring out 2018 with the Notre Dame Ladder of Despair.

    Warm Up

    Perhaps you are not already aware, but Clemson drummed the Irish in the Cotton Bowl by the score of 30-3. (YHC will happily discuss how the game was closer than that – but you’d have a hard time hearing him over the howls of outraged PAX).

    Burpees, of course. 10x OYO. Repeat. Repeat. That’s 30 (for Clemson). 3 more (poor lonely 3 for ND).

    SSH x30. 3 more burpees.

    IW x30. 3 more burpees.

    PP x30. 3 more burpees.

    The Thang – The Ladder of Despair

    Most PAX know that this was not ND’s first time getting blown out on the big New Year’s Day stage. But they may not understand the full depths of my despair. This morning, they will learn just how many consecutive times ND has gotten embarrassed this way. With a ladder. A ladder that calls out each of these games. How long will it take? How far back in time? Only YHC knows.

    • Game 1: 2018 Cotton Bowl. Clemson romps. 5 Burpees
    • Game 2: 2015 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State destroys. add 10 Shoulder Presses
    • Game 3: 2012 National Championship. Alabama cruises. add 15 Curls
    • Game 4: 2006 Sugar Bowl. LSU crushes. add 20 Merkins
    • Game 5: 2002 Fiesta Bowl. Ohio State pancakes. add 25 Squats
    • Game 6: 2000 Fiesta Bowl. Oregon State thwacks. add 30 Rows
    • Game 7: 1995 Orange Bowl. Florida State trucks. add 35 Chest Presses
    • Game 8: 1994 Fiesta Bowl. Colorado routs. add 40 LBT 

    Fortunately for the PAX – the clock ran out, coinciding with the end of the streak. 1993 Cotton Bowl, ND romped over the Texas A&M Aggies. But now it was time to return the rocks. Final Tallies: 40 Burpees, 70 Presses, 90 Curls, 100 Merkins, 100 Squats, 90 Rows, 70 Chest Presses, 40 LBT. And worst of all – the cumulative scores of those 8 games? Foes: 304, Irish: 138. Average defeat of 38 – 17. Yikes.

    Return to the flag for our COT. Count-off for 20 PAX. Nice showing, gang! (Even if the uptown members were too scared to show). Lots of upcoming stuff (Krazy Ivan, BR convergence, Mobile Spartan, Jackson Day race). Always exciting to hear all of the opportunities that PAX are pursuing. Remember – if you hear something you want to do, DO IT. Q IT. Talk it up with the PAX, you will almost certainly find someone to do it with you!

    Thank you Rev, for taking us home with a thoughtful prayer, challenging us to be better men, better leaders, better followers into the New Year.

    Thank you, as always, for the chance to lead you all.