The Gladiator 3 Year Anniversary

Preamble:

It had been quite a while since YHC had Qd a beatdown, so I had some nervous energy going on that got me up at 3:30 AM.  For some reason, I was also worried if our cinders would still be there in the morning when I arrived.  Speedo and I had just stashed the cinders the day before in preparation for the beatdown.  A passer-by had seen us in the act and assumed that we were up to no good.  He examined what we had stashed and I had my fingers crossed that the cinders would still be there in the morning.  Thankfully, they were there and we could move forward with the plans.

Warm-O-Rama:

After the disclaimer to our FNG and the rest of the PAX we moseyed to the gazebo parking lot, circled up, and began the warm-up.

The warmup consisted of:

• SSH
• Weed pickers
• Windmills

The Thang:

After the warm-up, we partnered up for the first exercise.

Exercise 1:  100 Step-ups.  Partner 1 did step-ups on the picnic table while the other ran a lap around the parking lot.  Partners flapjacked until 100 step-ups were reached.  Alternate 5 burpees and 5 SSH until the 6 was in.

We then moseyed to the front entrance of the park to locate the cinder stash.  There we found 20 newly branded F3 cinders ready to cause some pain.

The PAX gathered at the large parking lot at the park entrance with one cinder in tow per couple in preparation for more partner exercises.

Exercise 2:  100 cinder curls.  Partner 1 did cinder curls while the other ran to the end of the parking lot and back.  Partners flapjacked until 100 curls were reached.  Alternate 5 burpees and 5 SSH until the 6 was in.

Exercise 3:  Bears and Blocks.  I think this is where the pain began.  Partner 1 dragged the cinder in a bear crawl position for 5 pulls.  Then he would stand and perform 5 thrusters, drop back down to bear crawl, and continue for 5 more pulls and then 5 more thrusters.  This continued until partner 1 made it to the middle of the parking lot where he would “park” the cinder.  Meanwhile, partner 2 lunge walked to the middle of the parking lot and then continued running back and forth across the parking lot until partner 1 “parked” his cinder.  Partner 2 would then take over with bears and blocks.  This continued until both partners had pulled the cinder up and back the entire parking lot.  Alternate 10 big boy sit-ups and 10 mercans until the 6 was in.

Some serious grunting and mumble chatter had started at this point.  There were two or three cinder casualties during this exercise and the dreaded murder bunnies, which were to come.

Exercise 4:  100 kettlebell (or should I say cinder?) swings.  Partner 1 did cinder swings while the other ran to the end of the parking lot and back.  Partners flapjacked until 100 cinder swings were reached. Alternate 10 big boy sit-ups and 10 mercans until the 6 was in.

Exercise 5:  Murder Bunnies.  We were getting low on time so we had to add one additional dose of pain.  Partner 1 did murder bunnies to the middle of the parking lot while partner 2 was running.  Once partner 1 made it to the center, partner 2 took over completing the entire length of the lot.

It was time to stash the cinders and head back to the flag for some Mary.  But wait!  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw what seemed to be someone looking for something in the bushes.  No, that wasn’t it at all.  It was Bunyan SPLASHING MERLOT!!!  It was a good thing he had his shirt off so he wouldn’t get any stains on it.  Anyway, that just goes to show you that the dudes at the Gladiator work hard during our beatdowns.  Great job, Bunyan!!!

Mary:  Kegger brought on the Dolly, Stroller brought on the Buzsaws, and DC2 tried to squeak in American Hammers, but dangit, we were out of time.  RECOVER!

COT:

1. I had the pleasure to introduce El Hombre to those who had not met him yet.  El Hombre EHd me over 3 1/2 years ago to F3 by meeting me at The Rubicon.  The Gladiator would not exist today if El Hombre (Dale) had not introduced me and Scar to the PAX at The Rubicon.  Thank you, Dale!!!  Also, he’s a total stud posting at workouts as he recovers from his accident in December.
2. Tebow has passed the flags to our new Site Q!  Tebow has done a fantastic job keeping things on track with The Gladiator.  The Site Q helps keep things rolling and that was a bit of a tall order during the pandemic.  Thank you for your leadership and dedication to the men of The Gladiator!
3. And the new Site Q is………….Scratch-off!!!  Yes, with the dash.  I can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for the PAX this coming year.  You’re a blast to be around and we all enjoy your laugh, sense of humor, and of course your sarcasm.  Bring it!!!!

Naked-Man Moleskin:

It has been amazing what the men of The Gladiator have accomplished over the last three years.  The camaraderie, accountability, support, fitness, faith, fun…The list just goes on and on.  I do not take this group of men for granted and I enjoy serving alongside them.  I look forward to posting with you when I’m pushing a walker, and that might not be too far off.