Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
…
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
– Ecclesiastes
The 23 PAX who showed up at the Vortex were there for the chance to work out until just before splashing merlot with a band of brothers–not to affirm profound truths about the universe. We tried to do both.
After the customary warm ups, we moseyed to the covered picnic area for a meditation on Ecclesiastes, pairing up as we went. Immediately upon arrival, PAX buckled down for one-minute max merkins; one-minute max dips; and one-minute max tuck jumps (no rest). We then went immediately into a second round of individual max merkins, dips, and tuck jumps–noting the hugely diminishing returns even among the most hearty of PAX. Without a pause, we then tested the maxim from Ecclesiastes, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.
We put the maxim to the test through a series of lazy Doras. In pairs, PAX went hard for two minutes, switching between planking and doing merkins as they were able; then two minutes of dips, alternating between dipping and a dead rest (PAX were too smoked to hold the pike during their rest); and finally tuck jumps, with the resting partner in a low-squat hold. Since the math was too hard for some PAX to evaluate whether their average per-minute totals were higher than they had been, we then did a final set of three minutes–merkins, dips, and tuck jumps. YHC noted that not only was his group able to do more per minute when paired up, but that he also had more in the tank at the end. The more disciplined PAX, who actually counted each set, estimated that they did 20% more with a partner. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
As a quick interlude between very dissimilar parts of the workout, PAX hit the playground for 50 merkins, 50 pull-ups, and 50 WW IIs per team before moseying back to the field.
 
On the field, we paid subtle homage to Kitten and Big Katt in a game called “contagion.” We split into three teams (8, 8, 7) and sent half of each team across the field. Every PAX started with mountain climbers until it was their turn to sprint across the field with a cinder block. After carrying the cinder block across the field, PAX handed it off and switched to burpees. The contagion spread from PAX to PAX until all were doing burpees–and then the cinderblock kept moving until all went back to mountain climbers (and so on and so on).
Rounded it out with 50 flutter kicks (cadence-count) and COT. Reflected in COT about the mysterious last line from Ecclesiastes, A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. The third strand might be another friend, the divine, a shared purpose, etc. Regardless, I think all of the above are available to find in F3 and am grateful to be a part of it.
MOLESKIN:
Two nutheads did a “spreadsheet” EC, with 2.5 miles, 120 pull ups, and 120 KB swings.
Homage to the felines was genuine in “contagion;” we have some heroes in the group.
Welcome FNG Poser!
Love how hard everyone went after it. As always.