The Main Event(s)

With The Rabbit Chase being postponed it appeared that the Pax would be in for a regular Starbucks run day this week. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

But lucky for us a 2nd F session at Starbucks the previous day hatched the challenge of a spirited race between Mr. Bean and Pusher. Not to leave anyone out, the Nantan Tweeted out that anyone else wanting a piece of the action should call someone out for a race. A few hours later another Main Event was announced as Pacer and Puddin agreed to race in the Greyhound division and Juggernaut was added to the Mr. Bean/Pusher match up in the English Bulldog Division.

So the Co-Main Events were set. Would we get any under-card matches before go time?

YHC, who was the Sub Q for Sugar because he had a scheduling conflict with work (Who knew he even had a job?), arrived around 5:10. I see Puddin. There’s Mr. Bean and Juggernaut. Pusher’s in the house. Where’s Pacer? Must be planning a grand entrance. 5:14, no Pacer. Oh well… The show must go on.

No one present was prepared to take on the Yorkshire Rocket (although Posh did make a solid showing by hanging with him for a couple of miles), so he was left with no official opponent.

Conditions: Needed a knife to cut the tension

Disclaimer: Given

It’s 5:15 so off you go!

And the race is on.

Pusher and Mr. Bean stormed out of the gates, as only a couple English Bulldog studs could, to take an early lead. Juggernaut was not far behind.

Puddin was waiting another minute or two to see if Pacer was just hung up in traffic. Yes there’s traffic at 5:15 AM. Also he was getting the tunes loaded up for his race. That doesn’t take long because as fast as he runs he only has time for 3 songs to play.

Pusher establishes an early lead around the half mile mark, with Mr. Bean in a close 2nd and Juggs hangs back in 3rd.

As I’m enjoying a little GnR I hear the faint sounds of a different song coming up from behind. Yep, it was Puddin. Only heard 2 words of his tunes and he was gone. Like a Greyhound Bus (thankfully without the exhaust).

As we work our way into the 2nd mile of the Race we hit a downhill section where Mr. Bean makes his move (this move does not involve pounding an ass in the pavement) on Pusher and takes the lead. Pusher keeps it close and Jugger still hangs back in 3rd.

No further report on Puddin at this time. I can only assume he’s back at Starbucks enjoying his beverage of choice.

As we approach the 2 1/2 mile marker I hear it. The heavy panting of the Vegas favorite in the English Bulldog Division… The Juggernaut. The time had come and he made his move. He had apparently been using a little rope a dope strategy.

This race has seen the lead flip flop more times than Judge Judy has flip flopped on his opinion of the appropriate caloric intake while on vacation. #YOLO

Sports Break Hill. The hill that separates the men from the boys. (Also known as the 3rd 500, but there’s no time to fully explain that) Juggernaut charges on. Pusher gives it his all. But during a brief moment of deliriousness (and fear of Merlot sets in), Mr. Bean hollers out “I’m out” and pulls up. Flossy’s rebuttal… “Oh Hell No! Come on Mr. Bean!” As clarity takes over and Mr. Bean realizes he is a man, he kicks it back in to high gear and closes the gap.

With the Sport’s Break Hill behind them, the turn to the finish line has been made. (The beginning of the 4th 500) The prize is in sight. Juggernaut refuses to be passed. He goes into full sprint mode and crosses the finish line in 1st place. Pusher finishes right behind him in what some will call a photo finish, but it really wasn’t. Mr. Bean comes in 3rd a mere seconds away from setting a new PR.

As Jugger prepares for his victory splash of Merlot the request was made for him to keep that private. We’re all thankful he obliged the request.

In the end we had a great race by all competitors where the difference between 1st and 3rd was seconds.

Now getting back to the under-card matches. At first glance it appeared there were no under-card matches to be seen. But as with many great fight nights, those matches are missed because of early start times, which is sad, because they usually Trump the Main Event. Turns out there was an epic under-card match up. Uncle Jesse, Alpo, and Bueller were involved in a 5 mile, as fast as you can, death match that started way too early. UJ came out victorious at a 7:10 pace (I believe), but not without a scare by the crazy red headed mofo known as Alpo, who faded a bit at the end coming in with at 7:18 pace (again, I believe). Bueller finished up close behind (not sure of his time).

But alas, here at F3 we don’t do participation awards so to the victors go the spoils. Congratulations Puddin, Juggernaut, and Uncle Jesse!

Competition tends to bring the best out of us or sometimes the worst out of us. Today we saw the best.

We counted, we announced our presence, we made announcements, we made prayer requests, we, we enjoyed a little 2nd F.

Until the next Q
The Meter is paid up