https://f3churham.com/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/3-718807c413fd6d8958c991df0b59121a/2023/05/IMG_2670.jpg
After a few years hiatus thanks to COVID, life, silly excuses, etc., the good men of Chatham were ready to reincarnate their homegrown CSAUP – The Gambler.

Resident sadists Bump Draft, Banana Skin, and Uzi hit The Battering Ram and then rolled into Chatham County ready. Bright Idea emerged from his truck and shattered fashion trends. 16 total men circled up, and Chum prepared to deliver the Operations and Safety Briefing. Duplo then arrived, so Chum restarted the briefing.

The concept was six workouts spread across the Briar Chapel compound. To add flair, the event is a Poker Run – complete a workout, and then draw a card. After the sixth workout, the men could turn in a card and redraw if they so opted. The best five card hand at the end wins (more on that later in this backblast).

Chum went over the concept, added a few safety considerations, and then led a basic warm-up. Afterwards, the men got their shit together and off we went. We entered the trail head by Breakaway Café, and followed the trail down to where BC Parkway and Catullo Rd intersect and massed in the “Art Park” (aka Space Rock Park) for the first workout. Rebar graced us with his presence here as well.

WO 1 (Art Park) – Bump Draft
Bump had everyone pair off for some various gambling with house money. Various two-minute contests during which each man bet he could (or could not) beat his partner. Contests included merkins, burpees, and sit-ups. Then, Bump introduced the legendary Kenny Rodgers WOD – 19 hand-release merkins, 8 double-merkin burpees, and 7 plank jacks. Complete the exercises, sprint across the field and back, and repeat until Bump called time. Half of the group complete the WOD while the other half planked, then flapjack. Concluded with some various people’s chair on the trees.

Quick water break, then the men reentered the trail and followed it as it paralleled the parkway. Exited the trail into the grassy field by the bridge, and Zook took charge.

WO 2 (Bennett Mountain Bridge) – Zook
Zook instructed each man to secure two “dumbbell” rocks. We then circled up, and Zook lead us through a variety of exercise circuits:
-Different types of curls
-Shoulder Blasts (raises, OH Press, rows)
-Tricep Crushes (variety of extensions)
Around halfway through, Zook dared Banana Skin to switch rocks with someone. He chose Bump. The men rejoiced.
Repeated the circuits. Bump got to switch with Uzi. More pain. Zook even added some Bus Drivers and Tune in Tokyo’s. The volume of the grumbling was glorious. Retuned the rocks, and headed to the next AO.

Reentered the trail and followed it west. Went behind RG3’s house (but there was no mimosa stand in his back yard). Crossed over Great Ridge Parkway and followed the trail to the left. Emerged by the playground, regrouped, and headed up to the Commons Park.

WO 3 (Commons Park) – RG3
Although he started with Bear Crawl Merkins, RG3 (eventually) led a lower body focused beat down. Deep Squat ladder with sprints across the lawn. He may or may not have called some of the men for lollygagging (insert Bull Durham quote here). Concluded with some ab exercises under the pavilion, during which Uzi proclaimed he was looking for warriors.

Water & licky chewy break, and then we headed to next AO (which thankfully was only a few blocks away). We hit the sidewalk and headed over to Boulder Park.

WO 4 (Boulder Park) – Chum
This workout was going to be led by Bada Bing. Unfortunately, a last minute stomach bug put him on the sidelines, so Chum served as substitute Q.
Beastly Blimps. 6 rounds of 6 exercises, 6 reps each. Burpees, LBCs, Iron Mikes (jump lunges), Mountain Climbers, Plank Jacks, and SSH. About halfway through, tried to recruit a passer-by. Hopefully we’ll see him in The Gloom sometime soon. Another water break, and then we embarked to the next AO.

Entered the paved trail and took it to the power lines. There, we left the pavement and followed the power lines all the way down to the dog park. Quick regroup, and then took the trail from the dog park to the Pokeberry Bridge.

WO 5 (Pokeberry Bridge) – Nighthawk
Nighthawk stepped forward and warned everyone to watch out for splinters. He then led us in a variety of exercises: derkins, show-der taps, some planks. A near mutiny almost occurred. Started lunge walking across the bridge while Banana Skin made everyone do a lot of burpees while he looked for beavers. Some more derkins, show-der taps, and planks. Some more mumblechatter on dialects and pronunciations. Did some ab work as well.

By this point, the sun was fully out. The men were maybe tired. But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish (TWSS). Plus the allure of hot chow and cold beverages awaiting us at THBB helped us keep our shit together.

Took the trail from the bridge. Paralleled the creek and then turned right up the hill. Regroup and water break at the top where the trail hits BC Parkway. Then a strong push to the final AO – the MTB Skills Park.

WO 6 (MTB Skills Park) – Yanni
Yanni had the men split into three teams and then rotate through three stations. One with squats and step-ups, one with pull-ups and dry docks, and one with the Highland Games (various logs and rocks). The log toss seemed to be a hit, so Yanni quickly devised the inaugural BC Highland Games and conducted a log toss contest. I think Dueling Banjos was the eventual winner. The dude even broke the log, as his toss was that manly.

We then took the trail back to the start point and prepared for the closing festivities.

While we stretched and cooled down, Duplo ran to his truck and returned with the trophy – a bedazzled wrestling belt. The men then compared cards as Chum distributed the highly coveted, never for-sale Gambler Koozies. It was looking like Uzi was going to take the crown with two pair, but then suddenly the one and only Bright Idea (styling in his Kenny Rodgers shirt) produced a flush. He donned his earned trophy belt, we gathered for some pics, and then strutted over to THBB for some well-deserved chow and 2nd F.

Can’t say thank you enough to everyone for making this event a success. The Qs prepared and led some great and creative workouts. The men supported each other throughout the entire event. The mumblechatter, as to be expected, was top notch. A complete F3 experience. Looking forward to ideas for next year’s Gambler!