Tag: Shooter

  • Twas an Epic Battle – from Fast Tax

    ‘Twas an Epic Battle
    The morning dawned bright and clear at El Diablo as 10 PAX made their way to the flag, having made the wise choice to avoid the pot-hole ridden millennial Frisbee game Uptown. You could feel the wonder and anticipation permeating in the crisp November air as questions swirled in the minds of the PAX present; what did Fast Tax have in store for us? Would there be chocolate as promised? Did I leave the iron on?

    After a quick disclaimer, we moseyed to our usual warm-up area by the rocks accompanied by Fracsac’s and Bogie’s moaning about it being a sprint instead of a mosey.
    Just for Hokie, YHC modified his regimented game plan to begin with Hillbillies, for a reason that I can no longer remember…something to do with some team winning something…

    Remaining warmups consisted of:
    o Arm Circles (fwd and bwd)
    o Seal Claps
    o Skydiving Australian Snow Angels

    Right as warmups completed, we were joined by Stripes, (Fast Tax 2.0) having returned from deployment.

    Unwilling to jump right into the main event, YHC selected the Ascending Testicles to kick things off: 10 Merkins OYO at 15 degrees (hold for PAX), 10 Merkins at 45 degrees, and hold at 90 degrees (aka balls to the wall).

    The next exercise, the Bruce Lee, would test the bounds of the concentration or understanding of many of the PAX (apparently), since the difficulty evident in following directions was paramount.

    The Bruce Lee was supposed to consist of 3 sets of 15 reps of each the following: Hammer, Leg Lifts, Dying Cockroach, LBCs, Heel Touch, and Crunchy Frog, with a 30 sec rest b/t sets.

    However, with time and comprehension both limited, YHC wisely decided to push on to the next event, the Flip-Flop.

    The Flip-Flop is a 2-PAX team exercise that begins on a starting line with PAX 1 flipping a pallet end over end to a designated finish line while PAX 2 lunges to the same line holding a 35-40lb rock. PAX switch at the line and race back. Admittedly, YHC could have engineered more creative uses for the pallets (thanks to Hokie for the pallet loaner) but, I didn’t want to take too much time away from the main event.

    After returning rocks and pallets, we moseyed to the field for the big reveal…BATTLE FRISBURPEE.

    To the wonder and delight of those in attendance, YHC explained the concept and the rules.

    Battle Frisburpee – The Concept:
    A blend of ultimate Frisbee and dodgeball, with an emphasis on individual burpee punishment, played running the width of a football field as the length and the 5 and 20 yard lines as the left and right boundaries. Each sides goal began 5 yards in from the corresponding end. This equates to a field 160 yds from end to end, including a 5 yd end zone on each side, and a width of 15 yards (or more if more than 10 players).

    Battle Frisburpee – The Rules:
    To score, a PAX must catch the Frisbee in the opposing team’s end zone (duh).
    When a team scores, the entire opposing team must do 4 burpees.
    If the Frisbee is dropped, i.e. thrown but not caught, the last person it touches (usually the one throwing it or the one who muffed the catch) must immediately drop and do 4 burpees. The Frisbee is still “live” and is treated as a fumble, any nearby PAX from either team can pick it up and resume play.

    If the Frisbee goes out of bounds, the last person it touches (usually the one throwing it or whoever it hits on the way out) must immediately drop and do 4 burpees. The Frisbee is “dead” and is treated like a soccer ball that went out of bounds, i.e. the opposing team now stands at the spot it went out and immediately resumes play (without waiting for burpees to be completed).

    If either of the player’s feet or any part of the Frisbee itself crosses the boundary, it is deemed out of bounds (clarification provided for Frac’s sake).
    Each team must appoint a “Baller” to act as a goalie of sorts. The Baller stays in the end zone and can throw the dodgeball at any approaching opposing team member, whether they are holding a Frisbee or not. A player hit with the ball, must immediately drop the Frisbee, if carrying one, and do 4 burpees. The Frisbee is still “live” and can be picked up by anyone else.

    The Baller is the only one who can throw the ball at an opposing player and the Baller must throw only from the end zone.
    The player is only “hit” if the ball doesn’t touch the ground first.

    With that out of the way YHC will finish the tale…
    Team 1: Fast Tax, Stripes, Bolt, Shooter, and Triple Shift
    Team 2: Boo-Boo, Hokie, Bogie, Frac Sac, Hawg, and Rudy

    The battle was close and hard fought…not really. It was close for the first 2 points, then admittedly, Team 2 pulled ahead, clearly due to their height advantage over Team 1. After several close calls and numerous burpees, Team 2 walked away with bragging rights, with a final score of 4-1.

    With game over we headed to COT for name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and prayer.
    Followed by Coffeteria at PJs.

    Thanks for the fellowship!
    SYITG

  • Another Cakewalk – from Russo

    Hurricane Ida wrecked a lot of plans this year. She did a lot of damage, broke a lot of hearts, made life a ton more difficult. But one thing I’ve learned is that even in the darkest of hours, God can find a way to turn something terrible into something good.

    I don’t want to belittle the struggle our region is still dealing with, and I can tell you firsthand there is a lot of work left. But I can also tell you firsthand that God has given us an opportunity to grow together, help each other, and all in all, be better people.

    My original plan for the first week in September was to do a birthday Q, and following the lead of Grundy and/or Zoolander (depending on how good an idea it was), complete another “Cake walk” and hope it catches on as a thing.

    Well, those plans changed due to Mother Nature, but God’s timing is perfect, so a pax of 17 said “Take Two” under beautiful weather with low humidity and temps topping out at around 71.

    Warmup (between 10x and 20x, all IC)
    Seal jacks
    Toe touches
    Arm circles
    Torso twists
    Goofballs

    Thang: A cakewalk, your basic descending ladder of exercises and reps, starting at YHC’s age (in this case, 43), and work your way to 1, with some moseying in between around Old Mandeville/Lakefront.

    The order:

    43 High knees
    42 SSHs
    41 Plank Jacks
    40 merkins (where Bird started to wonder where the burpees were)
    39 squats
    38 Hello Dollies
    37 Calf raises
    36 Apollo ohnos
    35 Freak Nastys
    34 step ups
    33 flutter kicks
    32 butt kicks (2 is 1) (lead IC by the entire pax rotating, very nice job, gents!)
    31 Peter Parker’s (2 is 1)
    30 imperial walkers
    29 Shoulder taps (2 is 1)
    28 American hammers
    27 George thoroughgood
    26 Smurf jacks
    25 leg raises
    24 Rosalitas
    23 crab jacks (crab position – opposite plank jacks)
    22 groiners
    21 Bear crawls
    20 murder bunnies
    19 Hand release merkins
    18 Bobby Hurley’s
    17 crab cakes (2 is 1)
    16 circle ups
    15 Bulgarian split squats
    14 durkins
    13 big boy sit-ups
    12 LMCs
    11 diamond merkins
    10 star jumps
    9 donkey kicks
    8 8 count body builders
    7 makhtar n’jais
    6 6 inch drills (where Zoolander was wise to my plan)
    5 Carolina dry docks
    4 Bonnie Blair’s
    3 jump squats
    2 burpees (here they are Bird!)
    1 minute plank

    COT, name-o-rama, announcements, and prayer closed us out.

    This Q doubled as my 3 year anniversary Q, so it’s time for me to again thank Toto for EH’ing me. Like I suspect has happened to many of us, I had no idea what I was in for. I showed up late to my first beatdown (Splice was Q) and quickly wondered what I got myself into. Manny’s words to me were “just stick with it” and he was right.

    More than once, I was the 6. I’m still the 6 on occasion. But each and every time, someone is there to pick me (or you) up. Tanked up was the first I remember. Shooter seems to do it the most (especially on moseys).

    And that’s what makes this group of men so darn solid. What started out as “I could use the exercise” or “I want to get back in shape” quickly turns to something more.

    The F for Fitness is lowercase. The other two are uppercase. I’ve enjoyed laughing with you all, especially when Hammer gets a pax going with his 80’s references, or Zoolander makes an off color joke about doing a Freddy Mercury. You each have enriched me, made me a better person, lended guidance, and just in general have been a blast to be around.

    Before I started, I didn’t have a lower back that constantly aches or stiffens up, nor did I have a left shoulder that tells me “That’s enough merkins for today.” I didn’t even know I had an Achilles’ tendon.

    But it has all been worth it. Ever nagging pain and shortness of breath: worth it knowing I’m making a decision to better myself as a leader, a Christian, a productive member of society. And that’s due to each of you, whether I called you by name above or not. Because finally, after 3 years, I think I’ve learned your real names, which is maybe a bigger compliment.

  • UPPER DECK – from Einstein

    Short disclaimer…

    Warmup:
    all 20xIC: Toe Touch, Side Straddle Hops, Good Mornings, High Knees, Shoulder Shrugs, Imperial Walkers,
    Swimmers, Butt Kicks

    Thang:
    After a reverse lunge walk and sprint mix on our way up the ramps to the upper deck of the Justice Center Parking Garage,
    The Pax did a set of elevens with burpees up hill and merkins down hill
    Next Thang:
    Using the twenty four parking space striping, the Pax performed a StarJump routine:
    1 jump every other space, jog back, 2 jumps every other space, jog back, 1 jump plus 1 up to 13 for every other stripe

    Mosey back to the flag for times-up.

    Count-o-rama, Akbar leads us out with prayer.

    Thanks guys. Always extremely decent of you letting me lead.

  • Some of this and some of that! – from Shooter

    6 PAX decided to join YHC this Gloom at the Scramble. Still keeping with the primary goal of running on our Thursday route I decided to mix in 5 stops along the way with some varying exercises at each stop. Having the return of Sir Bushwacker promised to fill the Gloom with welcomed chatter all the while Jose10k and Cowbell ran the streets of Mandeville at their own pace..

    Brief warmup
    15IC Monkey humpers, grass grabbers, SSH, Scorpion kicks and then lizard crawl for about 30 feet.

    Off we went cutting off the circle and stopping at Monroe and the gate to the pier twice and once at the end of the pier for reps of 5,10,15. These included Body builders, Merkins, Shoulder taps, squat jumps, squats, leg lunges, freak Nasties, Irwin’s and Carolina dry docks..

    Once back at the AO we wrapped up with some core LBCs, scissor kicks, hello Dollies, Rosalitas, freddie Mercurys and leg ups while each PAX completed reps of 10 pull-ups and 10 chin ups.

    PAX finished with Count, Annouce and COT

    YHC prayed out the PAX with intentions for Waterpiks patient and Cowbells travels this weekend..

    Appreciate the follow men and until the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!

  • Tour De Covington – from Einstein

    Short disclaimer…

    Warmup:
    all 20xIC: Toe Touch, Side Straddle Hops, Good Mornings, Hill Billys, Shoulder Shrugs, Imperial Walkers, Swimmers, Grass Grabbers, Seal Jacks

    Thang:
    We did various and sundry (excuse the tautology) exercises, all over town

    The PAX: Akbar, Barely Legal, BBQ, Bean, Einstein, MobyDick, Shooter, Tanked-Up, The Hammer, Turbo-Dog

    Count-o-rama, Barely Legal leads us out with a motivating prayer.

    Thanks guys. Always extremely decent of you letting me lead.

  • Rising Up, Back On The Street – from Russo

    YHC was taught in 2nd or 3rd grade that if you want to attract eyeballs to your writing, you need a hook: a catchy title or an opening sentence or paragraph that draws attention.

    I may not always be successful, but that’s my goal with these. I had no hook for this morning: that is, until the twin muses of Eagle 98.1 and the band Survivor provided inspiration from the 80’s classic “Eye of the Tiger”.

    Good looking pax of 10 braved the heat and humidity this morning to “rise up” and get “back on the street”…literally. They did their time and took their chances, went the distance, and got back on their feet: just men and their will to survive.

    Warm-up (all IC 15x to 20x)
    – Seal jacks
    – Grass Grabbers
    – Cherry Pickers
    – Self Love
    – Torso Twists
    – Goofballs
    – Imperial Walkers

    Thang

    Tabata today, 45 seconds on, 15 seconds rest, 1 to 3 exercises per stop, mosey a block or two between stops.

    – 8 Count Bodybuilders
    – Squats
    – LBCs (multiple rounds)
    – Shoulder taps
    – Scissor kicks (definitely NOT flutter kicks)
    – Lunges
    – Flutter kicks (definitely NOT scissor kicks)
    – Peter Parker’s
    – Crab cakes
    – Burpees
    – Monkey Humpers (Not at Steve’s front door desire the request)
    – Star Jumps
    – Freak Nastys
    – Step UPS

    A mosey took us back to start, where YHC could sense Shooter itching to stretch out his calves, so we did 3 calf raises at each step of the pilot house.

    Back at the bottom, a few more LBCs, a standard plank, and a chill cut wrapped things up.

    COT, Name-o-Rama, Announcements (sign up for Iron Pax, leadership meeting tonight on SS), and Prayer closed us out.

    Thanks, gents, for joining me. It’s always enjoyable, especially when we’re graced with a Bushwhacker sighting. Best of luck to you as you start your new adventures!

    It was encouraging seeing a couple newer faces (Bends and Swoll Patrol). I hope these two stick around! And the same goes for the “regulars”.

    Until next time, SYITG.

  • A very non traditional FNG, Edward – from Waterpik

    It was the last lap around the block that things began to get really strange at the milestone marsh. YHC was just trying to kill off the last 10 minutes of the workout when when A man ran out with a sweat shirt and jeans And joined us as we jogged past his house. His name was Edward. YHC just assumed he would run for a block or so Them head back from whence he came. Boy was That wrong. Edward proceeded to do the exercises with us at each corner and stayed for mary. The problem was that Edward didn’t speak any English. And he seemed off (intoxicated?) as he started to clown around.

    By the time the beatdown was over, there would be no name O Rama for this FNG. I think the pax was just happy to get rid of him.

  • Heavy Metal – from Akbar

    The blocks were brought back to the Marsh today with a beatdown accompanied by Heavy Metal.

    Gloom factor: Hot, Humid, go figure

    WARM UP

    SSH x 15, IW x 10, Butt Kicks x 10, Arm Circles front and back x 10

    THANG – Start with 1 rep each and add a rep each round. Drop a rep if form is bad, go til time is out

    1. Swerkin: Feet in the swing, Merkin then knee tuck
    2. Block row
    3. Vertical Chest Press
    4. Curl
    5. Grave digger (block down on ground then over shoulder)
    6. Block squat

    Count, name. Shooter prayed us out. Prayers for my Uncle Jimmy who doesn’t have much longer, and his wife Sally and family; neighbor lady who is in a coma, Shooter’s friend Celia who is in hospice. Hogsbreath work crew is fighting COVID, a lot of people may be out for a while.

    Announcements: Tarpon Triathlon in Houma. Individual and relay teams available. This Saturday 7:30am at the Bayou Black Rec Center. CONTACT AMNESIA IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

    Thanks for letting me lead – Akbar

    NMM

    YHC found the Swerkin on F3 Nashville’s site, it seems to be a staple over there. Pretty simple beatdown today, but difficult. Most of us got to around 15-20 reps, but still had some great conversations. Shooter told us about his trip to San Diego and the awesome weather, wishing we had the same here at the Marsh this morning. Great work today guys.

  • Gnarly Hangover – from Zoolander

    Four veteran pax converged upon the Scramble this Thursday morning. Admittedly, none of us posted at the Gnarley Nutria, so we at least had an excuse to be well rested. We warmed up with 10 IC SSH, Toe touches, windmills, Apollo Ohnos, and 41 merkins OYO. Ran the normal route with minimal disruption from the deluge remnants that plagued Mandeville earlier in the week. Steve and Bushwacker carried the 12, while Shooter and YHC unabashedly represented the 6. Cooled down with a 4-exercise circuit on the playground equipment: pull ups, leg lifts, chest presses, and hyperextensions. Count, name, pray, out.

    Great to be with you fellas early in the morning. SYITG.

  • 1 year anniversary – from Jose10k

    Warm-up: ssh, grass grabbers, arm circles, windmills all reps of 15 in honor of my daughter turning 15 on Tuesday. The thang: moseyed to the courthouse for some dora. 100 merkins, 200 squats, 300 lbcs partner work. While one partner was performing each exercise, the second partner climbed the walkway rails hand over hand. Once finished, moseyed back to the parking garage entrance, then sprint up the inclines up to the top. Once at the top, Moby busted out the chain. We gathered in a line and each man pulled the chain across the parking garage. Last 5 minutes, busted out some mary. Leg raises, crunchy frogs, etc.. COT and Shooter prayed us out. BBQ busted out some birthday brownies along with some party poppers. Thanks to his wife for the tasty treats.
    Thanks for letting me lead, thanks for celebrating 1 year at the A1C, and thanks for the support for creating the AO. Y’all push me to be better.