It was a clear, beautiful and decidedly non-gloomy morning when at the crack of dawn, 46 PAX from Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary and Raleigh descended upon the unsuspecting denizens of 9th street with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. What would this year”s Bull event demand of them? Would they be able to endure 4 hours of running, reps, and an assault on their fatigued, quivering muscles? What creativity and insanity would our site Q”s come up with this year? And most importantly, what was the design of this year”s secret Bull shirt?
All of this and more were revealed as our PAX conquered the 2017 Bull.
WARNING: This is a lengthy backblast. Proceed with caution. I recommend opening a beer or two.
0600: Warm-up- Site Q Floyd
Side Shuffle Hop x 25
Burpees x 5
Windmills x 10
Willie Mayes Hayes x 10
Burpees x 5
Mountain Climbers x 20
Burpees x 5
Little Baby Arm Circles x 10
Standard Merkins x 20
Burpees x 5
0610: Split into squads. One of the most important aspects of the Bull which differentiates it from other events is the squad concept. All of the PAX count off by 4 and are split into smaller groups who stay together throughout the event. Each squad has 2 leaders who are responsible for providing a unique experience for their group. Ultimately, each squad gets an individual experience different from the others. The smaller groups also promotes better fellowship.
Squad Leaders
Squad 1: Riggs/Tater
Squad 2: Marta/Shake It
Squad 3: Beano/Subprime
Squad 4: Tecumseh/Banjo
I would also like to note at this time that we had a support vehicle driven by Mr. Brady and manned by DOI and Crocket. This vehicle had all of our drinks and snacks and served as a critical transport for PAX who became tired, cramped or injured during the Bull. Thank you guys so much. This was the most important job of the entire event and we couldn”t ethically have held the Bull without you.
0615: Travel– Everyone snagged our our shovel flags and four glorious squadrons ran off in different directions with the goal of reaching the Duke Cancer Center in 15 minutes. Some groups took a route through Duke Gardens while other groups took their time and arrived in 20 minutes (no idea what those guys were up to).
0630: SITE 1: Duke Cancer Center- Site Q”s Sweater Vest and Juco
One of our requests of the site Q”s was to make each site competitive between the different squadrons. SV and Tuco delivered with two 10 minute battles.
1st Battle: Cackalacky Choo Choo race. Approximately 50 yards out and back. Each team lined up in plank position while the rearmost PAX jumped over each planker. First team back wins. As an aside, I didn”t keep up with which squads won and lost. It doesn”t matter as we are all winners. Participation medals to everyone. Just kidding, there were no participation medals and it paid to be a winner. Penalty burpees to all. 1st place 5 burpees, 2nd: 10, 3rd: 15, 4th: 20.
2nd Battle: A good old fashioned relay race. Each squad lined up and did an unlimited amount of reps of merkins while one PAX from each squad raced around the field. It was a pretty close race and we were able to see several of the PAX exhibit their speed (Domo!) I don”t think that there were any penalty burpees for this one as everyone was pretty gassed and time was up. Site 1 completed, time to move on.
0650: Travel – A quick 5 minute jaunt from the Cancer Center to Duke”s picturesque main quad and chapel. I know many of the Squad Leaders led the PAX in Heels to the Heavens in honor of the upcoming UNC/Oregon game. I guess some felt vindication in yelling out pro-UNC chants after losing to Duke in the ACC tourney. Good for them. Whatever makes you feel good.
0655: SITE 2: Duke West Quad- Site Q”s Coco and Sweats
This was another two part site with some competitive spirit.
Line up in individual squads. Across the field were 4 plastic bags filled with index cards. Each index card had an exercise with a number of reps on it. Spoiler alert: The exercises were difficult and the number of reps were unreasonable! There was also a joker card which doubled the number of reps.
One at a time, a member of each squad ran to the plastic baggie and grabbed a card. He ran back to his squad and led the round of exercises, calling out the cadence. (YHC note: I loved this. I thought this promoted F3”s leadership initiative and gave every PAX an opportunity to lead). In the end, the squad with the most index cards was the winner. If memory serves me squads completed 7, 8, 9, and 9 cards.
Exercises on the cards (in no particular order)
1. 30 Tuck Jumps
2. 40 Jump Lunges (20 each leg)
3. 30 Squat Jumps
4. 30 WWII Situps
5. 20 Single Leg Burpees (10 each leg)
6. 30 Burpees
7. 50 Merkins
8. 40 Diamond Merkins
9. 50 Flutter Kicks
10. 30-50 of something YHC can”t recall
Next up, Coco Madness at the steps in front of Duke Chapel. Everyone gets in Derkin position for some Peter Parker Peters. Then we crawl bear up the stairs. This was seriously harder than it seemed it should be. At the top, we did flutter kicks and a bunch of hooligans yelled out “Tar”, and others for some reason, would yell out “Heels!” Weird. Also we got a photo op of the group in front of the Chapel.
0715: Travel and Water break– 10 minutes to run to the Nasher Museum parking lot and get some gatorade/water/snacks.
0725: Coupon Walk– This was a new event this year. It is a 2 mile walk carrying something heavy. Last year we had the telephone pole carry. However, due to nature and water and other factors, the poles were left behind. YHC and the other Bull Q”s put a call out to the PAX to bring all of their coupons. And boy did they deliver! There were slosh pipes, kettle bells, rucks, water jugs, railroad steel, sandbags. So many coupon choices and so much weight that Choo Choo”s truck was almost bottomed out (thanks for the truck Choo!).
The PAX all grabbed a coupon. This was a little chaotic. How many coupons should each squad have? Should the flag bearer also have a coupon. Should a person wear a ruck and have a coupon? So many questions, answered succinctly by Doogie “EVERYBODY JUST PICK UP A DAMN COUPON AND STOP BITCHING.” That pretty much settled it and we were on our way.
The coupon walk was a fellowship 2 mile walk from Nasher Museum to the Durham Bulls athletic park. This was actually nicely paced event, allowing the PAX some time to catch their breath after two brutal sites and giving everyone time to talk and bond. This event was tiring, but ultimately, the fellowship aspect made it all worthwhile.
0805: The PAX arrived at the Durham Bulls Parking Deck and put their coupons back into the ever sagging bed of Choo Choo”s truck (which had been secretly driven there by Doogie). We had a quick snack and drink break.
We also had our annual talk with Tobacco Campus Security. For the second year in a row, someone saw a bunch of buff men running around with American flags and reported us. Apparently we were suspicious. The security guard was cool, and after we explained who we were and reassured him that we were leaving, we went on our way. Also at this point, someone took a picture of us and Tweeted us out into the internet.
0810: Travel to Old N Durham Park with Objectives:
The 4 squad left the Bulls parking deck with the goal of getting to Old N. Durham Park in 20 minutes. This seems like an easy task, except that the Bull Qs decided to throw a wrench into this leg. The Squads were required to complete the following tasks before reaching their destination:
100 merkins
100 airsquats
60 dips at the bull statue in the center of downtown Durham
The PAX completed this, much to the astonishment of onlookers at the Farmer”s Market. Also, I saw some squad leaders adding to the PAIN by having their groups complete partner carries, lunge walks and wheelbarrows up the big hill near the skater”s park.
0830: SITE 3: Old N. Durham Park- Site Q”s Te”o and Chachi
We all lined up at the start of this beautiful bermuda grass field which was approximately 150 yards long. For the first time of the day, we were told to line up and that squads did not matter! Next we noted Chachi standing way off in the distance. He was so far away, we couldn”t make out his baby face. Te”o then instructed us to bear crawl to Chachi. Of note, it was heartening to see so many men going back and picking up the 6, and encouraging our slower bears.
Chachi took over at this point. Once again we were split back into our squadrons for two sets of relays.
Relay #1: Pair up and partner carry 100 yards and back. While partners were running, the remaining PAX did various exercises like planking, squats, SSH, etc.
It pays to be a winner: 1st place: 5 tuck jumps, 2nd: 10 jumps, 3rd: 15 jumps, 4th: 20 jumps
Relay #2: 100 yard sprint relay. Since the largest squad had 12 PAX, each group had to send out 12 runners out and back. Again, various exercises for remaining PAX.
It pays to be a winner: 1st place: 5 tuck jumps, 2nd: 10 jumps, 3rd: 15 jumps, 4th: 20 jumps
0850: Water Break
0855: Travel to East Campus Wall The truth of the matter is that despite all of the times that you have read above, we were actually a little behind schedule. This leg of travel was supposed to be 20 minutes, but somehow, everyone made it to the wall in 10 and just like that, we were back on schedule. Well done!
0915: SITE 4: Campus Wall: Site Q Cardiac
Just when you thought things couldn”t get any worse, YHC and the other Bull Qs decided to hit you where it hurts, with 10 minutes of aerobic exercise led by the inexhaustible Cardiac. To make this site more interesting, there was a 5k race going on and we were able to demonstrate our athletic prowess to many of the coeds and 40-something moms as they ran/walked by.
Cardiac brought the pain with different sets of low-wall toe taps, high toe taps, Irkins, dips, and Makhtar Ndiaye and some other things that were a bit of a blur. I heard anecdotally through overheard mumble chatter that this section basically finished them off.
0925: Travel to East Quad
This was a short run around a couple of buildings with at least one casualty carry. I saw some wall sits and PAX weaving in and out and under a railing. People were cramping. Some were taking salt tablets provided by the ever prepared, Choo Choo. We met up in the center of Duke”s East Quad for the last final site of the 2017 Bull.
0930: SITE 5: East Campus Quad- Site Q Doogie
In the center of Duke”s East Quad, the site of the original F3 Durham”s Saturday workout, Doogie brought us home. Certainly, he would understand that we were exhausted and take it easy on us? Nope. Time for Plank City.
Circle up with shovel flags in the center. He then mixed in the following:
High plank
Peter Parker
Parker Peter
Low Plank
Peter Parker
Parker Peter
High Plank
Once all PAX were finally there
5 Merkins
10 Freddie Mercuries,
5 Merkins
9 Freddie Mercuries
5 Merkins
8 Freddie Mercuries
Etc, Etc down to 1
The final group exercise of the 2017 Bull:
Plank with 5 count around the circle
0940: Travel back
With not much left to prove, the 4 squads gathered their rucks and flags and moseyed back to the start, which is now technically the Finish. YHC missed this part of the Bull because he was retrieving Choo Choo”s coupon laden vehicle.
0950: FINISH: COT (10 mins) With 46 PAX, this took every bit of the final 10 minutes. Name-o-rama was completed and we named our one and only FNG. Welcome Ole”. In YHC”s humble opinion, it is pretty damn strong to make your FNG debut at a 4 hour event. Finally, our closing prayer was skillfully performed by the ever-willing Crocket. Very well done, young man.
1000: Beers! There were some beers to be had, stories told and everyone slowly left in small groups, similar to the final scene in Ocean”s 11 outside the Bellagio hotel. Some went to Monuts, others Panera, some sat outside of Elmo”s waiting for a table that would never materialize. In the end, I could tell all had a great time and all the effort was worth it.
Moleskin:
I received many notes from squad leaders. Here are some of the narratives received:
Marta:
“While Sweats was leading Squad 4 along the most efficient route for coupon carries, the mysteriously undermanned Squad 2 chose a markedly less efficient path. Domo urged us to take a cut through he knew, but we instead broke off along a different “trail” through the woods, knowing not where it would take us. Then, in the yellow wood, the roads diverged, and with some mild indecision of whether a makeshift bamboo bridge (expressly noted at the time that it looked to have been made by and for 80lb 10-year-old boys) would survive full grown coupon-weighed-down PAX, Coco braved the bendy bamboo and made it across safely. YHC (MARTA) instead chose to simply walk around the bamboo and step over the trickling stream that had caused such consternation.
With all PAX across, the trail then turned upslope and the underbrush thickened. Undaunted, the coupon-laden squad trudged onward and upward until we realized the “path” ended in somebody”s backyard. And that particular somebody”s dogs were none too happy with us. Then we met that somebody, who gently advised us to “please remember people live here.” Thankfully, she reminded us with words and not buckshot.
From there, we decided public roads weren”t so bad after all, and made it to the DBAP a bit behind schedule, but with hairier chests from the adventure. YHC”s compression socks were perfect poison ivy prevention. Hope the short-socked Squad 2 PAX are rash-free today as well.”
Tecumseh:
“Prior arrival to site 1 – pain station with air squats *20 and Merkans *20
Squad 4 enroute started calling ourselves various names – Fantastic Four, Super Four. We settled back to squad 4
Site 1 first group exercise we smoked the downhill continuous bunny hops but forgot we were going back up. Needless to say we ended getting smoked.
Recalled seeing Banjo burn serious rubber with the sprint challenge and a ruck sack. Serious respect bro.
Atta boy Ole”! seriously an FNG not only hanging with us regular F3 boys but smoking on the sprint.
Enroute to site 2 near west quad our squad got comingled with another squad. We finally separated out and consolidated back into squad 4.
At Site 2 recall Sweats specifically mentioning a joker card being double beatdown. During my leg I pick up – Well what do you know? The joker option. Yeah 60 jump tucks.
Proud of squad 4 since we endured as a team but that a smoking workout.
Mosey to chapel stairs for some Co-Co love. Derkins and backward crawl-bear-crawl up the stairs WTF lol? Some mumble chatter about UNC but I mostly recall Duke being better :>
Arrival to stage point 3 for pick up of coupons. Lots of grumbling over which squad was gonna pick up which coupons until Doogie settles the groups down with “Just pick up some coupons and stop bitching speech”. That was what the pax needed to hear. Kudos Doogie.
Lots of good team work carrying coupons to the Durham Bull Parking deck. So glad Sweats knew the most efficient way to get there. Lots of bonding among the men of squad 4.
In the parking deck we unloaded our coupons and promptly got asked by security to leave the premises. Not before some random chick wanted to take a photo of our F3 Bull Pax. Who was that lady btw?
Off to the bull and myself and others starting to cramp now but we endure to the bull statue. Squad 4 finishes our 100 merkins, 100 squats and 60 dips with a loud chorus of testosterone and F3 manliness the likes of which downtown Durham has seldom been exposed to.
Off of Site 4 near the food trucks. For a moment, my thoughts digressed to beer and food but the needs of the pax supercede our desires. Up the hill we go with partner carries. Mosey to Site 5 for a field length bear crawl. Serious credit for Nelly completing the bear crawl. What he did was done on pure heart and effort. T-claps bro. We lost Sweats after that due to a calf injury. GOD Speed brother on your recovery.
Squad 6 off of site 6 by the east wall. We are tired but in good spirits. More cramping but the Choo-Choo is there to provide support. Much appreciate the encouragement and salt pills bro!
Site 7 . My recollection lots of merkins and freddy Mercuries but a hell of a lot better than plank city. Also hilarious that most of the students likely still sleeping while we are almost done.
Great job this year on the bull gents!!!”
Riggs:
“Took a detour through gardens on way to site one. Did some derkins and partner carries up the hill to cancer center. Heard a lot of bitching from Te”o about my route to bulls stadium parking deck being the wrong one. Then we were first to arrive. Boom.
We were otherwise consistently the last group. Probably thanks to Doogie.”