Why CSAUP???

Completely Stupid And Utterly Pointless??? One of F3 Nation’s select events of the year is the USMC Mud Rud, better known as the F3 Superbowl. ENC had 3 teams the first four times we were a part. Last year we stepped it up and had 2 full teams, plus a PAX was on a two man team (also had a 2.0 do the kids course). This year was the 25th Anniversary of the event and Summerville took over hosting duties. They stepped it up and were raised the bar even higher this year. The Challenge was out to ENC to be a part! We went with 3 full teams this year, plus 3 2.0’s completed the kids course.

Thanks to Slack, we were able to get some planning done! Spalding found a great hotel and booked it for the three teams. Rafiki went down Friday night with his family and stayed at another hotel. Spin Cycle came down the morning of the event. Underdog graciously agreed to drive his sled since it would seat the 6 PAX. We met Friday around 12:30 and decided to hit Zaxby’s on the way out of town. Team Young and the Breathless (String Bean, Snap Bean, Wimpie & Cobra Kai) decided they would meet us there as well. We arrived in the parking lot to see an Escalade with an F3 Sticker, but no one knew who’s it was. We walked inside and were immediately greeted by our brother, Chicken Wang! Service was great, much meal #Mumblechatter was spoken and good times began.

We headed out of town with the promise that Wimpie was going to try to make it to Wilson. Well, we got a little farther, made it to Kenly. YHC has always noticed this huge Truckerish stop, but has never stopped there. We found this place to be the Trucking Mall of America, several semi’s and other vehicles inside and everything a trucker could wish for. And of course, it would be a CSAUP event if String Bean didn’t find something… He found a Coonskin cap and it went great with his temporary #SmurfStache look. He wanted to stay and keep shopping, but we needed to hit the road. He really found his stride driving with the new cap and soon we found out they were stopping again at the Redneck Mall of America, South of the Border! Underdog’s sled drove on with #JokesWithStrokes, till Mr. Belding needed a #Respect break. We stopped at the Markette and the town’s most popular (and maybe only) stop.

We finally made it to the hotel! Wimpie needed the luggage cart for all the items he brought for this lengthy one night stay. String Bean wanted to show off what he bought at South of the Border. Be on the lookout, it will make it’s debut soon. You don’t attend an event like this, details are in the waiting…

Strokes had found several options for supper, but we hadn’t settled on one. The last few years we have gone to a South Carolina Gamecocks Baseball game, but they didn’t have one scheduled for that night. String Bean found a place called the British Bulldog Pub and the PAX agreed to give it a go! We showed up and right away knew this was going to be a good time. Wimpie asked the waitress a question, only to be given the response “this is my first day and I only have been here a few hours.” She did come back with an answer, only to be asked another question from the Wimpster. Some think that String Beans new look and Coonskin cap may have been throwing her and others off in the restaurant. Orders were put consisting of: Cottage Pie, Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, and other such Pub Food. Wimpie’s food arrived with about 10 fries and was working the new waitress. She finally snapped and brought him one fry on a plate. The service, fellowship and food were great! A must stop if you are in the area!

When we arrived to the restaurant we noticed an Ice Cream Shop called Marble Slab Creamery. Sort of a takeoff on Cold Stone Creamery. Most PAX indulged, but only a few were somewhat wise to not partake. The bowls and cones were loaded up with some of the best ice cream ever. We sat outside the place telling stories, watching peoples reaction to String Bean till we remembered we should probably head back to the hotel.

We agreed that we would leave around 0715ish due to breakfast not being open till 0700. Some of the PAX really got used to using Slack, but reading what was posted may not have always set in. It was closer to 0730 due to Cobra Kai really wanting to watch the Royal Wedding.

We arrived at the site to be greated by many F3 brothers including Spin Cycle and Rafiki. Soon, we huddled up for the Ball of Men. Major Dad, Summerville Nantan, started the BOM and soon gave Dredd the stage/coolers. Dredd talked about how awesome this event is and the Muck and Mire we will go through on the Course and in Life. He is a true #HIM and always has the right things to say. Kevin, from Hidden Wounds echoed Dredd’s comments and gave testimony of how money donated has allowed their organization to help military personal. Another message to get us fired up. Major Dad closed the BOM with a prayer to the SkyQ!

We made our way down to the finish line. Brudders from Otha Mudders (Spin Cycle, Underdog, Strokes, and YHC) were scheduled to start around 0858 with Respect Sandwich (Mr. Belding, Silverback, Spalding, and Rafiki), and Young and the Breathless to start shortly after. We were off and making great time, the course doesn’t get any easier as you get older, but due to the team concept all things are possible. Some were used as step stools, others were reminded to breathe, one was dropped on his back, and others may have skipped some obstacles to compete. Brudders finished just before Breathless and immediately the #Mumblechatter started. Snap Bean’s goal was to catch YHC the whole time and they nearly did. It was a surprise to see them do as good as they did, 3 first timers and a 4 timer on the team. Team Respect also came cruising in all teams finished in the top 25%.

Summerville stepped it up with the new beverage boat last year. They decided not to be complacent and stepped up to serve burgers, chips, and dessert also! Wow, this was fantastic and some of the PAX really partook of the burgers. One PAX (won’t mention any names, but his name may give it away) really enjoyed the burgers downing at least 3! Showers were taken and new little personal changing rooms (for most) were added to event this year.

Last year Summerville added F3 Games like Sandbag Relay, Tire Flip, and maybe Tug of War. Some of them were going to make an appearance this year, but not sure how long we would wait due to the journey back to the Emerald City. We decided to head out shortly after the games were supposed to start!

What an awesome time with an awesome group! This was Mr. Belding and YHC’s 5th time! He has been pushing to have another respect guy join us and Silverback was that man! He’s been having some lower back issues lately, but didn’t let that slow him down on the Leatherneck. Mr. B was dropped around the course, but you have to do more than that to keep him down! Rafiki and Spalding took on the course for the first time, but it did not show! It’s really awesome to see Silverback and Rafiki go to this event, considering they just started in November of last year! Can’t thank Spalding enough for reserving the hotel for all of us. Tried to pay him back with a few Slack and Paypal tips, but it just didn’t equal out.

This was Wimpie’s 4th time and he didn’t think he was ready for it. Thought he would hold the team back, but his experience helped blend his team and push toward the front. String Bean is a walking party, hard to be around him and not be having a good time. If you don’t have a smile on your face when he’s around, somethings wrong with you. Snap Bean and Cobra Kai were awesome to hang with. They remind YHC of Muggsy, good boys who like to be with their dad.

This year was Strokes, Underdog, Spin Cycle’s 2nd year at the event and the 2nd time we teamed together to take on the course! Spin Cycle said he hadn’t been doing much training, but it sure didn’t show! Can’t thank Underdog enough for driving and taking time out from his birthday to be with his brothers! Strokes may have more jokes memorized than more comedians.

Spur went through the kids course 10 times or more, Timon went through at least 5, and Nick went through at least once. Spur will soon be on the big course and tearing it up! Timon and Nick have the energy to keep pushing Rafiki for many years to come!

So many thoughts and memories happened on this event to make it the best Superbowl YHC has ever been apart of. String Bean put out the call this morning that we should have 6 teams next year. We can do it, you need to do it, why not???

Checkout out the CSAUP schedule on the directory! Several events that you can look forward to our the Pub Ruck this Friday, #TheSasquatch on July 28th, and the Blue Ridge Relay in early September! Sign up, don’t get left behind! Don’t be Completely Stupid and Utterly Pointless!!!