Tag: Walleye

  • A CSAUP Convergence in the Mud

    Well, the day was finally upon us. With a 50% chance of rain it was anybody’s guess what the weather would do. But when it’s called Tough Mudder, either way is good. The clown cars converged at NOLA Motor Park and the clowns met up just inside the official Tough Mudder grounds. The southshore boys called a last minute audible.With Fracsac having to pull out, Cowbell, was and easy EH to grab his spot. Speaking of last minute, YHC pulled up to the meeting spot to see that none other than the elusively nomadic Butt Splice had joined the party, having bought his ticket yesterday.

    Due to the race being 12 mud-filled miles long, not to mention this guy’s exhausted brain, I won’t list all the obstacles, but give a greatest hits and honorable mentions overview.

    Like ripping off a band aid, the 1st obstacle thrown at us was Kiss of Mud 2.o, involving an army crawl under barbed wire through the soupy mud. Butt Splice was fully submerged and in heaven!

    The Hero Carry obstacle (which was much easier the 1st time around) found us carrying our partner about 50 or so yards, then switching for the next 50. Strategically speaking we tried to match up size-wise with Steve/Tanked Up, Butt Splice/Gabrielle, Shooter/Walleye, Bushwacker/Ocho (had I only known this deceptively sized man was actually heavier than the solid Shooter, I might have chosen more wisely), and Reluctant Yankee/Cowbell. Jingle Vader paired up with a random to complete the obstacle.

    Much better acquainted, the fun continued.

    Somewhere along the way, we chanced on a solo mudder who by some stoke of good fortune joined our  regal ranks on this muddy mission. This bald bruiser (sorry the alliteration is addictive) was visiting Nawlins with his lovely wife (who was a loyal spectator) from Chattanooga, TN. An easy Eh and a great F3 fit to round the crew out at 12.

    There were more muddy water-filled pits, walls, hay bales, nets and unpredictable terrain in store for our daring band of F3 brothers. The course lent itself to some quality mumble chatter that added to the intrinsic appreciation of the experience. Speaking of mumble chatter, between Gabrielle and Ocho’s slew of  salacious interactions with random members of the fairer sex, I’m surprised we didn’t walk away from the course with our own fan club. Or better yet, a new cadre of FIA recruits!

    Not that we didn’t all have an appreciation for the females we ran into. A bunch of us made a new friend in a medical assistant at the Trench Warfare obstacle when we gave her a big F3 group hug, sharing all the muddy goodness we had to offer…especially Ocho.

    There were back busting back flips and reverse swan dives at the Shawshank obstacle. This one was quite refreshing!

    At Everest 2.0 we joined the waiting crowd in an attempt to scale the slick quarter pipe and, with the assistance of the previous victors, to mount the 15′ summit. In an attempt to get up quickly and help some folks, F3 and otherwise, YHC skirted the waiting onlookers and made a few unsuccessful shots at the top. In between tries, many, especially the tall gents, were making it look like child’s play. I returned to the fold to find Ocho back on the ground after having already made the ascent. Butt Splice had inadvertently pulled him back down as he tried, in vain, to make it up. With the brilliant Walleye extending his lengthy arms towards the next contestants, the guys one by one made it up. After an embarrassingly  high number of failed tries, this now bruised and battered Q joined his comrades in victory.

    Anyone who knows anything about the tough mudder knows that that one of the most anticipated , and feared, obstacles is the Electroshock! While most of us caught a shock or 2, poor Shooter, who had almost made it through with only 1 zap, took a shot that rung his bell. Being St.Patty’s day, the luck of the Irish must have been shining on Steve, Reluctant Yankee and Jingle Vader (hope I got that right), because they got through scott free. We were all entertained as we prepared to move on by a bald, hardcore ranter who got tagged in the face and many other places as he worked his way through – SON OF A BITCH!

    At the last obstacle, Happy Ending, we ran into fellow F3 Saxon who, along with Jesse from Chattanooga, Ocho, and Butt Splice, formed the base and extension of our human ladder that helped a lot of recently rinsed fools get to the top. Eventually we retrieved our magnanimous brothers and slid down the other side to cross the finish line, arms locked.

    As we gathered post-race with out victory beers (and recovery drinks) in hand to close out with a COT, we were in a unique and enviable position to name an out-of-state FNG. Welcome Big Easy to the F3 Nation! We hope he returns to Chattanooga and hits up one of the 5 area posts up that way. Thanks to Butt Splice for his emotionally aroused prayer to take us out.

    Gentlemen, despite some bumps and bruises this was an extraordinary adventure, and I am blessed to have taken the journey with each of you. Many thanks for following my lead to the starting line today.

  • Sudden Change!

    8 F3 regulars circled the virtual site flag on a cool 50 degree gloom ready to get better!

    DISCLAIMER

    Mosey to the track and around it once doing butt kicks, high knees, karaoke each way, repeat X2.

    COP #1: WARM UP
    SSH X 20
    Hillbillies X 20
    J Lo’s X 10
    Squat Pulses X 20
    Good Mornings X 10
    Burpees X 5 OYO

    Mosey to the Foundry stopping twice for sudden change: 5 Burpees OYO
    The mumblechatter was music to my ears!!

    Foundry Circuit: Partner up, 4 groups
    – Run to water fountain, 5 Burpees, run back (timer)
    – Hanging leg lift oblique twists
    – WWII Sit Ups
    – Pull Ups

    Rinse and Repeat

    Mosey to NOMA stopping on the bridge for sudden change: 5 Burpees OYO
    YHC noticed a well lit area with a nice sized curb, perfect for D14 ISI!
    Single leg curb hops X 45 seconds each leg.
    If you’d like a demonstration on perfect form, just ask Bogey.

    Line up at the fountain for:
    Dips X 20
    Ierkins X 15
    Derkins X 10

    COP #2: MARY
    LBC X 30
    Russian Twist X 20
    Crunchy Frog X 20 (RIP Shorty/Snooze)
    Hello Dolly X 10

    Mosey back to the VSF.
    Hold up, sudden change: 5 Burpees OYO

    Made it back with 30 seconds to spare, my bad…
    5 Burpees OYO

    Sealed the deal with COT: Count-off, Name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and Prayer.
    Good luck to those Tough Muddin’.

    Thanks for letting me lead.
    Cowbell

  • The Q needs a flashlight and directions

    The only thing worse than posting at 5:30am to workout is posting at 5:30am on the Monday after Daylight Savings Time. I should have checked on that before asking Hawg to let me Q for the first time. Hawg did make my morning by arriving with the flag just before we started to get going. I think this was the 3rd or 4th time I’ve seen the elusive F3 flag.

    Disclaimer and then mosey to the rocks.

    The cadence was shaky but we did:

    – SSH x 20

    – Peter Parkers x 30

    – Imperial Walkers x 20

    – Propellers x 22 (11 each direction)

    -Hillbillies x 20

    We grabbed our rocks for some classic rock city exercises with more of my shaky cadence:

    Shoulder Press x 15

    Curls for the Girls x 15

    Rows x 20

    Low, Slow Squats x 30

    We moseyed over to the playground equipment for a 4 part rotation exercise. I needed a little help along the way to locate both the swings and later to the hill. It turns out that working out in the dark doesn’t help me know how Pontiff Park is laid out.

    Our rotation workout:

    Elf on the Shelf with a rock for a 10 count while we rotated between elf, underdogs, dips, and mercins.

    After playing around under the swings, we took our rocks to the hill for elevens. It was 10 bench presses with the rock on one side of the hill and 1 burpee on the other to start.

    We ended with Mary:

    American Hammer x 15

    Penguin x 20

    Dying Cockroach x 15

    LBC x 15

    We dropped off our rocks and moseyed back to the flag. I got us there one minute early and was threatened to put shame upon my family name for finishing at 6:14, so we did Freddie Mercury for one minute.

    Count off, namerama, announcements, and a prayer.

    I led. I survived. I am now a man.

  • The leadership principle of Humility

    HUMILITY
    hu·mil·i·ty
    /(h)yo͞oˈmilədē/

    Definition –  Not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less

     

    When I saw the slot still open for the Q at the foundry on Tuesday, I had to sign up.  Especially since I told Walleye that I would bring the flag.  It might surprise you that this was my VQ at the Foundry so I had to make it good.  I was looking for inspiration while causing some perspiration and Mathlete suggested that I check out www.pushjerk.com.  A quick perusal of the website brought the pain this midday morning.

     

    WARMUP

    30 SSH x IC, 20 Hillbilly x IC, 15 Windmills and 10 arm circles (front and back).

     

    THE THANG

    A) 3 rounds / 3 minutes each round / 45 second rest

    7 SSH, 7 Mountain Climbers and 7 Jump Squats – AMRAP in the 3 minutes

    The goal was to at least get 6 rounds in the 3-minute time limit.  Mahatma Ice and Cowbell left the Q and the PAX in the dust!  Well done!

    Cool down with a quick 400 mosey to catch our breath.

    B) Next up was the Genuflect / Lt. Dan.  Instead of a 1 squat to 2 lunge ratio, we got down on our knees and got back up and coupled it with the lunge sequence.  Genuflect up to 7 and bear crawl back.

    C) Jack Webb

     

    MARY

    30 x IC Flutter Kick, 20 x IC LBC and 15 x IC Dying Cockroach.

    3 minutes of ‘Get on Up’ and 2 minutes of the Dying Worm (my core is still sore).

     

    CIRCLE OF TRUST

    For my inspiration, I told the story of Booker T. Washington and his character of humility.  Being leaders we are called to leave any pretense at the door and look to serve others.  Check out the story below.

    http://www.midnightangel308.com/real_lesson_in_humility_a.htm

    Countoff, Namerama and Prayers for Fracsac’s aunt dealing with cancer, Tool’s son Brady and all the special needs families and my employee who was diagnosed with moderate to severe Emphysema and can no longer work.  Thank you for the honor of leading!

     

     

  • Spartacus II – Wet n Wild

    The rain stopped just in time for 7 men to work, grow and sharpen the iron.

    DISCLAIMER, let’s mosey…Grab a rock, medium, one you won’t drop on your head…Let’s mosey to the shelter (cuz it has benches).

    COP:

    -SSH x 30 IC

    -Mt Climbers x 30 IC

    -Arm Circles x 30 IC (15 ea. dir.)

    -IW x 30 IC

    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 (Rudy, stop looking…)

    Rinse and Repeat for a total of two rounds.

    times up…send your rock home and mosey to the SF.

    Countoff, namerama, announcements, and a prayer.  It was an honor to lead.  SYITG…

  • Rock around the track

    I arrived unusually early today (5 minutes) to get in a good stretch, and I was greeted with Bogey on his way out. Bogey, the QIC, got an email at 5:20am that his 9:30am flight got bumped up to 8:00am! So Bogey passed the Q, and his beat down plan, on to me. Not because I was qualified or talented, surely not, but because I was the first one there. Hawg arrived next, fresh off his 50K mountain run. That’s right folks, a 31-mile run up and down the hills of Arkansas. It only took him 7 hours 10 minutes to complete. (GASP!) The only thing I can do for 7 hours in a row is sleep. Congrats and Kudos, Hawg. A few more sauntered in, the usually disclaimer, and off we go.

    Throughout our gloomy beat down in the fog, Rudy ran laps around Pontiff in marathon preparation.

    We moseyed to the usual starting spot. Hawg took the lead for the warm-up COP.
    SSH x 30 IC
    Merkins x 15 IC
    IW x 20 IC
    J-Lo’s x 20 IC
    Low slow squats x 15 IC
    Arm circles x 10 forward, 10 backward IC
    Windmills x 10 IC

    Next, grab a rock and mosey to the track. Begin the Bogey beat-down.
    Run with rock 100 yards, leave the rock, and run 100 yards back to the starting point.
    8-count-body-builers x 20
    Run to rock, carry next 100 yards, leave the rock, and run 200 yards back to the starting point.
    8-count-body-builders x 15
    Run to rock, carry next 100 yards, leave the rock, and run 300 yards back to the starting point.
    8-count-body-builers x 10
    Run to rock, carry next 100 yards, leave the rock, and run 400 yards back to the starting point.
    8-count-body-builers x 5

    Circle up for more rock.
    Rock shoulder press x 10 IC
    Rock biceps curls x 10 IC
    Rock rows x 10 IC
    Rock squats x 10 IC
    Rock chest press x 10 IC
    Rock flutter kicks x 20 IC
    Rock shoulder press x 10 IC
    Rock biceps curls x 10 IC
    Rock rows x 10 IC

    Mosey back to the flag. Rudy joined us after his run. Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, special intections, and a prayer. We tried to do your proud Bogey!

    Walleye

  • Endymion Mambo #3

    Despite a likely chance of rain in the forecast, 14 PAX made their way to The Mothership for the annual Endymion Mambo workout.  Skies were clear which allowed YHC to stick to the weinke and not resort to plan B.  The usual pleasantries exchanged, including a shout out to Fracsac for procuring a new shovel flag w/the official F3 flag…now we’re legit!  Here’s what we did:

    Carpi lap around The Great Lawn then mosey to The Peristyle for some Mardi Gras music and festive warmup with a theme to be figured out as we go:

    • Copperhead Squats x20
    • Arm Circle x20
    • Rosalitas x20
    • Nolan Ryans x10R x10L
    • Imperial Walkers x20
    • V-ups x20
    • Abe Vigodas x10
    • Low Country Crab x20
    • Tempo Merkins x15
    • Imperial Squat Walkers x15 (at this point JV and Yankee had the “Carnival Time” theme figured out)
    • Mountain Climbers x20
    • Elbow Plank x1min while jamming to Carnival Time

    Mosey towards City Park Ave. with a pit stop for a 40yd bear crawl.  From there, we embarked on a 1/2 mile run along the Orleans Ave parade route past Carrollton Ave, then plank on the neutral ground and wait for the six.  Here we circled up for a COP with some Mardi Gras favorites playing the whole time.

    • Tempo Merkin x20
    • American Hammer x20
    • Peter Parker x20
    • LBT x20
    • Tempo Merkin x15

    Time to head back down Orleans Ave and reconvene near City Park Ave where we started the run.  This stretch is always festive and typically involves a bunch on onlookers wondering why the hell we are out doing what we do.  T-claps to those who pushed hard at the front of the PAX.  Double T-claps to Garbrielle for sweeping the six.  From there, a short mosey over to the float staging area near Marconi Ave.  Here’s what went down there:

    Crowd Pleaser Ladder – starting with (1) Groiner and (1) Merkin at the first float, then run to second for 2:2, then third float 3:3, ….up to seventh float for 7:7.  Here we crossed paths with a another run group (Move Ya Brass?) out there starting the day off right too.

    Mosey over to the light pole for:  Lunge Walk to first pole, 5 Burpees, Lunge to second, 5 Burpees, Lunge to third, 5 Burpees, plank and wait.

    The home stretch included a mosey OYO to the Peristyle benches where we enjoyed the following:

    • Dips x15
    • RL Step Ups x20
    • LL Step Ups x20
    • Dips x20

    Then circling up under the Peristyle to bring it home:

    • Penguins x20
    • Wife Pleasers x20
    • Mardi Gras Mambo Plank-jack-a-thon (hold high plank for entire Mardi Gras Mambo song, with plank jack for every “Mambo” and merkin for every “down in New Orleans”).  This lasted 2:12 and was a doosey…in the past we did this early in the workout and it was a bit more palatable.
    • Hip Flexers x30sec ea side to help stretch it out.

    Capped off the morning with a COT.  The running, cadence counts, and planks had YHC was a bit woosey by this point so don’t recall much of the details other than praying for a safe Mardi Gras season and some special intentions.  A few PAX stuck around for more F2 at the usual coffee depot.

    Thanks to those who posted despite the threat of rainy weather.  Also, t-claps to those who still posted after late night parade festivities hours earlier.  Also, for those tracking RRR mileage, one report was that we covered 2.6 miles and another had it at 3.5.  I’m leaning more to the 2.6.

    Always great to lead.  Happy Mardi Gras to all!

    Tool

     

     

     

     

  • Solid!

    It was a beautiful morning for a SOLID workout.  DISCLAIMER, let’s mosey.  On the way to the Foundry we found some grass next to a pond to warmup:

    -SSH x 30 IC

    -IW x 30 IC

    -Mt Climbers x 30 IC

    -Arm Circles x 30 IC (15 ea dir)

    -J-Lo’s x 20 IC

    Let’s head to the Foundry for three rounds:

    -WWII Sit-ups x 15 (the Timer)

    -Pull-ups

    -Dips

    -Rows

    Let’s mosey to the track for 1000m of Hades:

    -sprint 400m, walk 100m

    -sprint 200m, walk 100m

    -sprint 100m, walk 100m

    Back to the SF for some Mary:

    -LBC x 20 IC

    -Flutter-kicks x 20 IC

    -Hello Dolly’s x 20 IC

    -Penguins x 20 IC

    -Real Freddie Mercury’s x 20 IC

    -Wife Pleasers x 20 IC (I could swear I felt Rudy looking…)

    Countoff, Namerama, Announcements, Shoutouts, and a Prayer!

    It was a pleasure to lead my brothers!

  • Counter clockwise in the gloom

    A surprisingly chilly Monday morning greeted the PAX at Pontiff playground.  YHC had checked the weather and must have mistook the “4” in 40s for a “7” in 70s.  Marlin, of course, was ready for the weather – dressed in full winter gear.  Clock struck 5:30, and 8 PAX took off out of the gate.  YHC was slightly worried – as some Rock City regulars have a tendency to roll in late, and we were GOING THE WRONG WAY.

    But off we went.

    COP #1: Avoid the swamplands and instead find a patch of gloomy damp grass.  Circle up, now 9 PAX strong as Hawg caught us on the way.

    • SSH x30
    • IW x30
    • Plank-o-rama: Peter Parker x25, Floyd Mayweather x25, Parker Peter x25, Mountain Climber x25

    Mosey continues the wrong way around the park.

    COP #2: The Playground.  Now 10 PAX strong, as Tool finds us – he ran the wrong-right way around the park eventually catching us on the opposite side…  So 5 stations

    • 15 Burpees (counter)
    • Pull-ups
    • Derkins
    • Low Slow Squats
    • Low Row Pull-ups (OK, so these were TOO LOW.  But lots of modifications to get a workout out of this.  YHC felt bad watching Walleye attempting to fold his 8+ foot frame underneath that bar)

    Repeat 2 circuits

    Mosey continues the wrong way around the park.

    COP #3: The Spartacus Bandstand.  Quick stop off for

    • Right Leg Step Up x25
    • Dip x20
    • Left Leg Step Up x25

    Mosey continues the wrong way around the park – to finally get to the Rock Pile.

    COP #4: Rock Pile.  YHC encourages PAX to go bigger, as we aren’t moving anywhere.  Focus on Form.  Cadence count will be slower.  Triple Shift and Jingle Vader both chose to show the PAX what “bigger” meant.  Gentlemen, I applaud you and hope one day to be able to lift a rock like that.

    • Shoulder Press x12
    • Curl x12
    • Row x15
    • Down-Up Squat x15 (sorry for the cadence misfire the first time…)

    Repeat 2 circuits.  One extra round of Shoulder Press just because.  Smarmy mumble-chatter heard from Rev Sox.

    Mosey back to the flag.  Doing my best to keep up with Mahatma – I’m not sure he even broke a sweat as he went sailing by on that last run.

    COP #5: Finish up with Mary.

    • Flutter Kick x25
    • Dolly x25
    • Rosalita x25

    Disappointed that we had no Bogey sing-a-long today.

    Finish up with Count-off, Name-o-Rama and Prayers.  Send everyone on their way with St. Ignatius Prayer for Generosity.

    Thanks for letting me lead, gentlemen!

  • The Loop is in play

    Disclaimer….

    Warm up:

    1. SSH X 30
    2. Abe Vigoda X 15
    3. L/S/Squats X 25
    4. AC X 10F/10B
    5. IW X 25

    Now the Loop:

    Break into Pax of 3.  One of the Pax to the Great Lawn; One of the Pax to the Fountain; Third member runs from Fountain to Lawn; Guy at lawn then runs to Fountain….and so on and so forth.

    Great Lawn:

    1. Monkey Humpers X 20
    2. Lunges X 20 each leg
    3. Merkins X 20

    Repeat until teammate arrives

    Fountain:

    1. Rt Leg Step ups X 20
    2. Dips X 20
    3. Lft Leg Step ups X 20

    Repeat until teammate arrives

    Continual loop for 45 minutes.

     

    Great Lawn for a little Mary….

    1. LBC’s X 35
    2. AH/RT X 25
    3. Superman to Boat – 2 min

    COT – Count off/Announcements/Intentions/Prayer/Adjourn/Coffee/Laughter/Tears/Goodbye