Sixteen PAX went back to work after a long weekend at the Vortex. After the customary warm-ups, we moseyed to the playground. Working in pairs, PAX then began grinding through three-minute cycles of merkins (max, one minute); dips (max, one minute); and air squats (max, one minute). Two pairs at a time rotated out to do max dead-hang pull-ups PLUS five assisted pull-ups. We did five complete cycles (though only two sets of pull-ups apiece), at the end of which we were all bizarrely incapable of doing real dips. Muscle failure is a curious and a beautiful thing.
We moseyed back to the field for a “sorting” exercise: wheelbarrow races from the 18 to the midfield line, and back. The first and eighth pairs then teamed up to become a team of four; second and seventh pairs; etc. All four teams then prepared for a classic “Vortex relay,” in which one PAX ran around the field, doing fifteen merkins in the far corner; another held a cinder block over his head, doing fifteen presses when his teammate reached the far corner; and the other two did the ab exercise in which a PAX keeps throwing his partner’s legs towards the ground. The race continued until each PAX had circled the field. The losing team then did max burpees while we immediately cycled into another race. Then another, though the clock caught us halfway through the third heat and left us with only enough time for a round of flutter kicks.
Pure and simple today, with great PAX putting it on the line. I love F3 and the intensity and goodwill everyone brings to the workout and to life. Thanks for making every Tuesday morning feel like a viewing of Dead Poets’ Society, with different PAX playing the Keating role each time.
