44 glorious PAX rolled in on a glorious morning to West Point on the Eno in Durham, NC for the third annual “The Bull.” F3 Durham’s premiere annual 4 hour event. In the past, the Bull has taken place in and around downtown Durham. This year, we decided to change things up a bit and have an event that allowed us to incorporate all 3 aspects of F3. This event would have a 1st F, 2nd F, and 3rd F component (although not in that order). In addition to the exercise inherent in the Bull, we also did a service project in the park as well as picked up trash along the way. After the Bull, we headed over to Bull McAbes in downtown Durham for some liquid refreshments and food. This year’s event would feature for the first time a coupon trail hike and a river walk to go along with more traditional F3 exercise fare. In the end we accomplished something. We had a great time, injuries were kept to a minimum, and we finished on time (incredibly).

Warm-Up: Knope

Knope got the party started off right with an introduction to the Bull and leading us in a warm-up.
Side Straddle Hop (just for Riggs) x 20
Good Mornings x 12
Willie Mays Hayes x 12

3rd F: Rock stairwell removal
With the dump truck in place we made columns on either side of the rock stairwell. Like a well-oiled machine, we quickly conveyor belted all the rocks onto the back of the dump truck. A few snakes were found snuggling under some of the rocks and were avoided. We had initially budgeted 30 minutes for this task. In fact, we finished in about 15 minutes.

With the 3rd F component in the books, we gathered back on the field adjacent to the parking lot. Squad leaders had already been assigned their color and given their bandanas. Shake It went around with a bag of bandanas to have the PAX draw themselves into four random squads.

Blue Squad Leaders: Juco/Beano
Red Squad Leaders: Rambler/Tater Tot
Black Squad Leaders: Mr. Brady/Elf
Green Squad Leaders: Grunge/Shake It

(Important note: Medic Q’s: Riggs and Choo Choo provided support for the PAX throughout the entire event. Probably the most overlooked, but most important role. Thanks guys)

Each PAX was told to go grab a coupon from the pile. Since we were ahead of schedule, the squad leaders got about 20 minutes to put a beatdown on their individual squads. Their only instructions were to give their squad “the business.” This was a pretty awesome part of the event to witness the squad leaders come up with this stuff on the fly. There were all sorts of bear crawling, suicides, coupon PT, lunge walking, dips and derkins. It was like a mini-bonus workout.

Eventually all four squads assembled and set off down the white trail which was the first loop of West Point at the Eno. This loop was a pretty treacherous trail with plenty of rocks and roots. The squads were tasked to move along the trail with coupons in tow, and of course their shovel flag at the front. This was a great opportunity for the PAX in each squad to get to know one another.

River Walk
We eventually left the blazed trail and trudged through the river. This was approximately a quarter mile of ankle to knee deep water. There were plenty of slippery areas and a couple spots got knee deep, but all PAX navigated the water safely. Some hydro burpees were performed. Squads deposited their coupons on the far bank, and it was time for the first official beatdown of the afternoon.

Site 1: Beano/Juco: Bucket race
This was a v-shaped green space which ran along a sewer line. There were two objectives. One squad member would fill up a bucket of water and run it approximately 200 yards down field, pour out the water, do 10 burpees and then run back. Meanwhile, the other members of the squad were getting the second bucket filled and when they weren’t doing that, bear crawling and bunny hopping. It was chaotic and exciting. In the end, I don’t know who really “won” but everyone agreed that 200 yard water bucket run was pretty brutal.

All PAX gathered their coupons, squad up and head down the yellow trail to site two. This trail was steeper but a little less technical than the first white trail. All PAX quickly assembled at the “Earthen Hut” at the top of the park.

Site 2: Rambler/Tater Tot: Coupon PT
Grab your coupon and the Q’s called out reps of things like: Squats, overhead presses, bicep curls, etc.

Each squad lined up down a different trail and got in a high plank line.
Tunnel of Love Sandbag Pull: Each PAX took a turn pushing/pulling a 40-60 pound sandbag through the tunnel. Run the bag back to the front and then get in position at the end. Repeato until everyone makes it through.

I’m a jeep: The PAX formed two circles, one inner, one outer. With their coupons, the duck walked in a counter-clockwise motion. You would hold the coupon close to your chest and yell out “Beep Beep! I’m a Jeep!” Then hold the coupon away from your chest and yell “Clank Clank! I’m a tank!”

The PAX then packed up and headed down the hill to the idyllic field near the mill.

PAX took a 10 minute break for drinks and snacks. Fortunately, we didn’t have to travel anywhere to get the the next site. It was the same place as the snack break!

Site 3: Floyd/Mr. Brady
Floyd lead the PAX in the Log Dora. Each squad was tasked with completing 100 burpees, 200 pull-ups, and 300 abyss merkins. Only one per team was allowed to do reps at a time. The rest of the squad would hold plank. Each squad also had a log, courtesy of the Northern Province, that 3-4 team members would carry to a stump on the hill, perform 5 overhead presses, and then switch with teammates.

Good news PAX! Time to drop your coupons. The remainder of the Bull is coupon-free. Which gives everyone the opportunity to stretch their legs and run a bit. Each squad set out around the paths and across the bridge to the 2nd loop of The Bull, eventually reaching a large inclined field.

Site 4: Grunge/Elf
This was a good-old Animal movement suicide. Everyone moved together in a line from the start to 5 different cones (C1-C5) In this case, the cones were accidentally locked in Choo-Choo’s truck, so we used buckets. The Qs would call out a movement and an exercise. Once everyone did that exercise, another movement was called.

Start is C1. 10 incline burpees.
Sprint to C2. 10 derkins
Bear Crawl to C1. 5 burpees.
Sprint to C3. 10 mt climb.
Crab walk to C2. 10 derkins
Bear crawl to C1. 5 burpees.
Sprint to C4. 10 jump squat
Lunge walk to C3. 10 mt climb
Crab walk to C2. 10 derkins
Bear crawl to C1. 5 burpees.
Sprint to C5. 10 dry docks
Bunny hop to C4. 10 jump squat
Lunge walk to C3. 10 mt climb
Crab to C2. 10 derkins
Bear to C1. 5burpees.

Site 5 was only 50 yards away from Site 4. Back to Back sites is a first. Honestly, at this point it was a bit of a shamble rather than a run as the PAX were starting to feel the full effect of the brutality of the Bull. But we all made it to the final site with time to spare.

Site 5: Shake It/Happy Gilmore
Site 5 was a grassy picnic area with a rickety amphitheatre. Squads got organized and Shake It explained the final competition of the morning. Squads were paired off against each other in a series of picnic table races. Squads would go head to head carrying two picnic tables to the top of the hill and back down. The first squad to get back to the start with both tables was the winner. While the races were going on Shake It or Happy Gilmore lead some BTTW PT over on the stage.
Heat 1: Blue beat Red
Heat 2: Black triumphed over Green
Championship Race: Blue conquered Black
Consolation Race: Green prevailed over Red
After the heats there were concerns that the Australian Mountain Climbers may complete destroy the back wall. We switched to derkins and box jumps to compensate.

Squads reassembled and made their way back to the start with a greater emphasis on staying together and finishing together.

Mary: Floyd
Willie Mayes Hayes x 10
Good Mornings x 10
LBCs x 30
Flutter kicks x 30
WWII situps x 20

2nd F: Most of the PAX, along with their Ms and 2.0s congregated at Bull McAbes in downtown Durham for some much needed sustenance. I know I sat like a zombie in the corner for a while, I was so smoked. But the beers were cold and the food was good. I enjoyed hanging with you guys. Lots of fun.

COT:
Prayers were sent out to Screech’s Grandmother, Alf’s and Lo Pair’s recoveries, and the family of a small child who perished this week.

Moleskin:
What an amazing event. Thank you PAX for coming out and supporting F3 Durham (and F3 Churham in a larger sense). I really enjoyed getting to know as many of the PAX as I could. I appreciated Beano’s effort to get each squad to learn everyone’s name.

Thank you to our squad leaders and Site Qs: Juco, Beano, Grunge, Shake It, Mr. Brady, Tater Tot, Rambler, Happy Gilmore and Elf. You guys put together a very brutal and efficient workout. And no one got lost in the woods! Kudos.

Thanks to Happy Gilmore for helping arrange the 2nd F after party. Those were some tasty brews.

Riggs and Choo Choo, your efforts at keeping us safe and hydrated were much appreciated. I’m glad you guys could participate even though injured.

Finally, this event could not have occurred without the hard work of Knope who put in so much time, both personally and professionally. Thanks brother.

Is it too soon to start planning the next Bull? 2019 shirt orders will be out soon.