It was a soccer themed workout for PK at the Bridge this morning. With the US media going crazy with Messi playing in the states recently, the Women’s World Cup going on, and regular Louisville summer soccer kicking but, PK has been in full soccer mode recently. At least watching, playing has fallen by the wayside, and this morning was a way to reconnect with his roots. For anyone who doesn’t know, PK is derived from penalty kick, due to my passion for soccer and the PAX not understanding that a penalty kick is a thing and not a soccer move for diving or embellishment.
Anyway, here is what we did. The morning weather was 74 degrees. Cool enough to feel great, and a little sticky to make sure you got a good sweat. I arrived early to make sure that things would be set up so as not to impede everyone’s workout when we got started. I parked my car halfway from our main thang and the startex. As I came to where the flag would be set up, I sat down and waited for the PAX to arrive. Lady Bird and Emma were already there getting hyped for a soccer workout. I could hear him singing the “Goal, Goal, Goal” song in his car, while Emma howled to the beat. Then Methane rolled in with Bob Ross and they were rocking to Shakira’s World Cup Anthem “Waka Waka”. Last to arrive, and carrying on with the rest of the PAX was Double Down belting out “You’ll never walk alone”. I could feel the Q juice flowing, as I popped up from my hiding spot with my USA jersey, soccer boots, and socks, startling Methane in the process while he placed the flag. The clock hit 5:30, the squad was all there, and I gave the disclaimer and an outline of what we were going to do.
We moseyed toward the soccer fields keeping a warm-up pace so everyone’s legs could warm-up and the group could stay together. As we passed the stop sign and turned toward the bridge, I called out Mario’s. As we got to the bridge we returned to a mosey pace, and kept moving towards the Fountain. At the bottom of the bridge I called out Butt-Kickers, and we proceeded to do those for 30 seconds, till it was time to return to mosey. As we neared the Fountain, Methane mentioned how we have not christened the Fountain with an appropriate F3 name. I think he already had one in mind, and convinced us to pick what he had in mind. Lady Bird mentioned that the Fountain was a big rock, and with that the PAX, with 2 Posh site Q’s named the Fountain officially, “Alcatraz”. If you do not like that name, come out to a workout and contribute, or see the complaints page on the F3 Louisville site. At Alcatraz we circled up and continued to stretch and warm-up: Grass Grabbers, Downward Dog, Cross Legged Downward Dog, Runners Stretch, Hands to the Sky, Standing Quad Stretch, Straight Legged Toe Touch, and finally Toy Soldiers. I think Lady Bird is wanting to start another national debate about Toy Soldiers reminiscent of the great “no clap/clap” burpee debate of 2017. For those that were not around at the time, it was a time of turmoil where the infamous Captain Insane-O challenged F3 leadership through something that used to be called Twitter (I don’t think it exits anymore). The Toy Soldier debate is about whether the kick is in the middle or across the body (like a Rockette). True Q’s know the truth of what is what, but we can have that debate in the gloom if you want.
Anyway, after warm-up we went to my car and everyone got a soccer ball to carry/dribble/transport to the soccer field (just don’t drop it in the pond). The main thang was to be the beep test. So I had the PAX circle up and we did toe touches on their respective ball while I explained about the Beep test. It is a fitness measurement tool that is popular among soccer teams to gauge an individuals fitness level. It is a timed shuttle exercise that individuals must cover 20 years within timed intervals that start and stop with a Beep, hence the Beep test. The Beeps progressively get closer as the levels increase. The levels start at 1 and to up to 21. Professional teams, generally require that their players achieve a level of 14 to be on a team. Few people have ever achieved a level of 21. With that the Beep test began. Scores were not maintained, everyone was encouraged, and base line scores were established. I will likely run the beep test again in two months to gauge my own progress. If individuals finished while others were still participating, they were to do 50 Merkins, 100 Shoulder Taps, and 150 Air Presses. After the Beep test, the next thang was the Throw-in challenge. Similar to a water balloon toss, guys partnered up and had to perform throw ins. As they completed a toss in the air to their partner, they were allowed to move back two steps and continue. Again, I say if you want to know the winner, you need to be in the gloom. So I look forward to seeing you there next time.
After the Throw-in challenge, it was time to head back to the flag and do the last thang, some Mary. Mary this time was the routine listed on the F3 Nation exicon as Bruce Lee. We only had enough time to do one set before time was called.
We circled up around the flag, did count-o-rama, name-o-rama, announcements and then brought the circle into a ball of man for intentions. As we wished for the health of the nation, our world, Little Jerry, and all those who did not, or could not make it out of the fartsack, I shared a story that I heard while prepping for the Q. The short version is about not being complacent, and finding purpose. There are things that we contribute to in the world that make us feel good. Hey, I gave to this charity, I contributed to make the world better. And for that I thank you for your contribution. The challenge is not only contribute but to commit to something. It is something that I struggle with. I contribute to something, I give a minimum here, a little there to help. I have not found that thing, other than my family, that I am willing to commit fully towards. So if you settle down to breakfast and have an egg and sausage, or egg and bacon, think about this. The chicken contributed to your breakfast, but the Pig was committed to it. I hope that everyone is lucky enough to find something that they are willing to commit fully and be that nourishment that makes the world a better place. Thank you for reading this far, and I hope to see you in the gloom. Oh Yeah, and Go USA Women’s Soccer! good luck on trying for the first country to go for a three world-cup championships in a row!
F3 Louisville 