F3 New Orleans

Author: High Rise

  • I’m a Q. You’re a Q. We’re all Q.

    Wednesday arrived and we were without a Q. I offered to lead the warm-up and gets things started. Tool offered to lead the next part of the workout which ended up being a group effort. All in all it ended up being a group effort and a very solid beatdown.

    Warm Up:

    Mosey over to the warm-up area of the practice track and circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Hillbillies x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Arm circles Fwd and Rev x 10 IC each
    • Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    Next up was 4 corners. Head over to the starting line. Run not quite a full sprint for 100 meters and then perform 25 Merkins. Run 100 meters and perform 25 squats. Run 100 meters and perform 25 Carolina Dry Docks. Run 100 meters and perform 25 jump squats.

    At this point Tool took over and we moseyed back over to the area where we warmed up. We circled back up and Tool set his timer for 1 minute. Each of the 5 PAX would call out an exercise and perform it for the full minute. Exercises varied between upper body, lower body, and abs. After all 5 rounds were completed we ran a lap around the track. This routine was performed for a total of 4 rounds. The last round was a round of Mary only. At that time it was 6:15.

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a physically distanced COT. Thanks to all the men who stepped up to lead a group effort.

  • Swole Fest Week 3

    Mondays have recently been turned into an all cinder block beatdown with no running, which is exciting news for a few of our banged up PAX. I took it upon myself to Q a block workout for the first time to challenge myself. Disclaimer/warning was given and off we stayed put for some warm up.

    Warm Up:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 IC each
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    Tha Thang Part 1:

    Flora 1-2-3: Dora’s lazy, mean stepsister. All pax partner up, and grab a coupon, preferably of the 35 lbs CMU size (concrete masonry unit). 100 Merkins – P1 does 10 with feet on coupon. P2 holds plank with feet on his coupon. Flapjack.200 LBCs – P1 does 20 LBC holding coupon high on chest. P2 holds legs 6″ off ground, and extends arms w/ coupon over chest. Flapjack. 300 Goblet Squats – P1 does 25 goblet squats. P2 lowers to bottom of goblet squat w/ coupon, and holds. Flapjack.

    This took a lot shorter time than I anticipated but thankfully I had more fun in store.

    Tha Thang Part 2:

    Block Webbs: A Jack Webb using a concrete block incline merkin & a block press instead of an air press.

    As I’m typing this I failed to catch the instruction to do an inclined merkin so we did regular merkins instead. After 5 rounds YHC needed a rest. I had the full intention of making it to 10 rounds so we started up again. However YHC’s arms were shot and I stopped the misery at 8 rounds.

    Tha Thang Part 3:

    Butkus: 1 minute step ups on cement planters for each leg with 30 sec rest between rounds. 2 round performed with each leg.

    Tha Thang Part 4:

    Lagniappe: Biceps curls and overhead triceps extensions 2 sets x 20 reps each using cinderblock.

    Supine chest press with cinderblock 2 sets x 20 reps. Sandwiched in between was a set of 15 reps of supine arm raises with cinderblock.

    5 minutes of round robin mary were performed.

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, physically distanced COT.

  • Memorial Day Murph 2020 on the lake

    Due to all the recent changes that have taken place as a result of Covid-19, I figured what’s one more change, right? F3 has proven, if nothing else, to be very flexible with modifications to AOs and exercises. So instead of meeting at our newly baptized Monday AO in front of the Children’s Museum, I opted to meet at the House of Pain steps away from our usual Okwata AO. Tool (and some others) had previously installed 3 pull up bars so I figured with all the playgrounds still roped off this would be a good place to perform our Murph.

    6 PAX met at the HoP, instructions were given for The Murph, timer was started, and off we went. For our 1 mile loop we simply ran along the lakefront/sidewalk towards Canal, U-turned to head back towards the pumping station, and then U-turned back towards the HoP. 100 pull-ups, 200 Merkins, and 300 squats were done. Then run another mile. In the midst of our exercises Gideon decided to join us for a few rounds during his morning run. And there was even a drive-by appearance by Hawgcycle and Rev Sox during their morning run.

    Final times:

    • Saban 41:00
    • Sogo 41:20
    • Walleye 44:45
    • Catfish 45:30
    • Belloq 48:52
    • High Rise 50:00

    After resting for a few minutes and drinking some water to hydrate (thanks Sogo), COT was done where we took time to remember those lost in the line of duty. Never forget!

  • Off on the wrong foot

    Over a month ago I opted to sign some of the usual suspects on the Q sheet for The Chamber of Horrors and The Foundry, mostly consisting of members of the highly exclusive Lakeview Clown Car. I tried to be a good citizen and alert Holygrove Tuesday evening on Mumblechatter that he had the Q for The Foundry, in case he didn’t check the spreadsheet. In the event that he wasn’t able to/didn’t make it I would come up with a beatdown and fill in since I was the one who signed him up in the first place. However late last night Dirty Dell informed me that he was actually the Q, as I had inadvertently looked at the wrong week. Dell wasn’t able to make today despite his best intentions of having a 311-inspired beatdown. So I agreed to fill in as Q.

    All this was a precursor to the odd scene that took place outside my house at 5:15. Screw Top is the usual chauffeur for me and Shuffles for the north-side crew of the LVCC. No sign of either of them. At 5:17 I sent a text asking what was up. 5:19 I opted to just get in my car and go because I didn’t want to be late. I was glad to be joined by 9 men (Shuffles drove himself as well) at the virtual flag for what was sure to be a little bit of a different beatdown.

    Warm up:

    Mosey over to the track. Along the way to the back side of the track I called out carioca to the right, carioca to the left, butt kicks, and high knees. Circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Arm circle x 10 fwd/rev IC each
    • Track grabbers x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC

    At this point Sheetrock who had also overslept decided to join us. Instructions were given to mosey to the pavilion by the festival grounds, sweep the 6 if needed once we get to the Children’s Museum. It was not needed as the PAX stayed tightly bunched.

    Tha Thang:

    1) Splint into 2 groups for some walk through exercises:

    • Lunge walk with a twist there and back
    • Toe Walk there
    • Heel walk back
    • Lateral monster walks there and back

    2) Crazy Indian – All 11 PAX got into balls to the wall position. First man ran around the outer edge of the pavilion until he reached the first available post and resumed balls to the wall. All remaining PAX hold balls to the wall position. Proceed like an Indian Run and once runner reached his post the next guy took off. Everyone took 1 lap around the pavilion. Much harder than I anticipated.

    3) Modified ring of fire – Everyone circle up and maintain a side plank position. One PAX performs 5 side leg raises and proceed until each member has done 5 reps and the circle was completed. 20 sec rest. Rinse and repeat to opposite side.

    4) People’s Chair and more – I feel like we hadn’t done this in a while so we did 5 versions of the People’s Chair for 30 sec each.

    • Feet flat (standard position)
    • Shift weight to ball of foot
    • Shift weight to heel
    • L Single leg
    • R Single leg

    5) Chicken Peckers – I found this on the exicon and the name alone made me want to try it. Basically it’s shoulder taps in a balls to the wall position. 15 reps IC.

    Mosey back to the virtual flag. Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, sweaty ball of man. Look forward to the next time and sorry for all the confusion on who was actually going to Q.

  • And it all started with a big bang, BANG!

    On a cool and windy morning 8 men gathered on Ash Wednesday. What a better way to kick off Lent than to get a good beatdown in while still adding on miles for the Run Ranger Run tally. Disclaimer was given (sorta, got to work on that) and off we went.

    Warm up:

    Mosey over to the warm up area of the practice track and circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grass grabbers x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each IC

    Tha Thang:

    Well today’s instructions were brief. A few months ago I was the Q for a Foundry beatdown where we did The Cooper. Well I wanted to do it again but this time I opted to up the intensity and the PAX was given the instructions on the Sheldon Cooper. Audible groans could be heard. I presume out of excitement.

    Start off with a lap around the track. Then when back at the warm-up area do 10 burpees, 10 squats, 10 merkins, and 10 big boy sit ups. Another lap around and all exercises done with 9 reps. And so on, and so on until all 10 laps were completed. Instructions were also given that if all 10 laps were completed to continue with the routine but starting back at 10 reps for the exercises until time was called. A minimum of 2.5 miles were run by all PAX.

    Gather back at the warm-up area for some stretching that was well received (this time for real).

    Mosey back to the invisible flag, count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and COT. Looking forward to the next time.

  • 1 Year Anniversary

    My how time flies. I have been getting up to workout at 5:30 3-4 times a week for 1 whole year. It was a major lifestyle change and I could not be more appreciative for my boy YaMomAnEm getting me out here and off my lazy butt. 16 men joined me at The Foundry for what I hoped would be a fun filled and full body beatdown. Disclaimer was given and off we moseyed to the track.

    Warm Up:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Track grabbers x 15 IC
    • Arm circles x 10 each fwd/rev IC

    Thang #1:

    The previous night I, along with multiple members of F3, attended the Lakeview Civic Improvement Association meeting regarding all the crime that has been going on in the city. In honor of this we split into 2 lines and did a Prisoner Indian Run over to the cement cylinders outside of the Children’s Museum. Here is where we spread out to perform Butkus. 1 minute of step ups then a 30 second rest break. 2 rounds for each leg for a total of 4 rounds.

    Thang #2:

    Mosey over to The Foundry where we split up into 6 groups of 3 (there was 1 group of 2). 6 stations consisted of:

    • Burpees (the counter)
    • Jump the snake
    • Lunges
    • Mountain climbers
    • Dips
    • Monkey bars

    First round completed with 15 burpees. 1 minute rest break. Second round completed with 10 burpees. I opted to use the monkey bars as they were originally intended and each member of their group would swing across the bars back and forth until time was called. My apologies to everyone 6 ft and taller.

    Thang #3:

    Mosey back to the warm up spot at the track and sweep the 6. Just enough time to squeeze in The Gross. 12 reps of 12 exercises. Some IC. Some not. Follow the Q’s instructions (looking at you Rudy).

    • Low slow Squats
    • Jumps (don’t let heels touch ground)
    • R side lunges
    • L side lunges
    • Floyd Mayweathers
    • Carolina Dry Docks
    • Diamond merkins
    • Nolia Clap (overhead hand claps)
    • Flutter kicks
    • Hello Dollies
    • Box Cutters
    • Freddy Mercury’s

    Mosey back to the flag. May have been 1 minute over but we’ll survive. Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and sweaty ball of man.

    My thanks again to all the men of F3 for continuing to push me both physically with each beatdown and mentally when trying to construct the beatdowns as Q. It’s been an honor and a pleasure and I can’t wait for the next year.

  • High Rise’s and Kuch’s F3 NOLA Chamber of Horrors War Eagle Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Beatdown Throwdown For The Cure

    Late last week Kuch and I were contacted by Gideon asking for us to step in as Q’s for the initial beatdown throwdown at the newest AO The Chamber of Horrors. Our AO originators Gideon and Tool would be unavailable to Q so, as usual, Kuch and I stepped up. Gideon agreed to attend and offered to monitor the time so we would stay on track.

    The agreement was that a brief 5 minute warm-up would commence. Then each Q would alternate 10 minute rounds of exercise for the remaining 40 minutes. The challenge was for each Q to come up with a challenging and creative beatdown and then the PAX would vote on a winner at the end. In order to avoid wasting time running all over UNO’s campus we agreed to centralize the location of our rounds. 16 PAX joined the 2 Q’s, disclaimer was given, sort of (sorry about that; my energy and desire to stay on time got the better of me), and off we went.

    Warm up:

    Mosey a lap around the parking lot and circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each IC
    • Self love x 10 IC
    • Mountain climbers x 10 IC

    Round 1 (High Rise):

    T-claps to Gideon for helping me set up the baseball diamond prior to 5:30 and to Kuch for the cones and tape measure which allowed us to play some F3 Baseball. PAX divided into 4 teams (1 at each base) and would perform said exercise then perform another exercise in transition to the next base. Due to the numbers we split into 2 groups of 5 and 2 groups of 4. The goal was for each group to complete 150 reps of said exercise as a team and then rotate to the next base. It dawned on me quickly that the groups of 4 would be passed up and possibly create a log jam, not to mention each group member perform a good bit more reps than members of the 5-PAX groups, so it was announced that 4-PAX groups would complete 120 reps total instead.

    • Home plate: merkins then broad jump/bunny hop to first base
    • First base: squats then bear crawl to second base
    • Second base: shoulder taps (1 is 1) then crab walk to third base
    • Third base: lunges (1 is 1) then crawl bear to home plate

    Round 2 (Kuch):

    Prior to 5:30 several PAX assisted Kuch in moving our monster truck tire into position so T-claps to those men. Kuch then announced we would split into 3 groups of 6 and complete a rotating circuit for the allotted 10 minutes.

    • Group 1: Each PAX would flip the tire, jump through, and return to the back of the line until the tire had reached group 2. Then plank.
    • Group 2: Plank while group 1 flips tire. Then group 2 flips tire back to the start line where they would hand it off to group 3.
    • Group 3: While groups 1 and 2 do their thing, group 3 sprints to where group 2 is planking and back, then holds an Al Gore until the tire returns to the start line.

    Each group would rotate through all 3 stations until Gideon called time. Once again T-claps to Gideon for setting up the cones for the next round while Kuch’s round was going on.

    Round 3 (High Rise):

    With cones set out 10 yards apart in a line, the same 3 groups of 6 PAX would perform Plank Hurdles. PAX #1 sprints 10 yards and then holds a plank. PAX #2 sprints to the 20 yard marker while hurdling PAX #1 in the process. PAX #3 hurdles PAX #1 and #2, etc. until all 6 PAX have hurdled and planked. Then PAX #1 hurdles all the way to the end, followed by PAX #2, etc. until all 6 PAX are at the last cone. Rinse and repeat back until Gideon calls time.

    Round 4 (Kuch):

    Shirts vs Skins soccer. Thanks again to Kuch for providing a light up soccer ball (or brick depending on where you kicked the ball). The soccer goals that are always at the field were moved into position, PAX was randomly split into 2 teams, and a very competitive match on the ant hill covered pitch commenced. A tightly fought match ended in a 1-1 draw until Gideon called time so as is the case in most soccer games, there were no winners.

    Mosey back to the flag where the PAX voted YHC as the winner with the final tally being 11-7. It was then decided by Gideon that since I received 11 votes, Kuch then performed 11 burpees as today’s losing Q. Numerous other PAX joined in because that’s what we do at F3 (but not me since I won).

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, sweaty ball of man. Once again it was a pleasure to lead the PAX. This was the second showdown between Kuch and I. The score is now tied at 1. We shall meet again.

  • I’m not modifying, you’re modifying

    My boy Screw Top was still nursing an injury following his marathon so for what felt like the 20th time I chose to step in for him as Q. I had not been a Q for a few weeks and wasn’t scheduled to Q for several more (not sure how I let that happen) so I took the opportunity to lead. 11 PAX joined myself on what has to be the greatest collection blacktops in the city at UNO. Disclaimer was given and off we went.

    Warm up:

    Took a lap around said parking lot and circled up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Concrete grabbers x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Arm circles Fwd/rev x 10 each IC
    • Mountain climbers x 15 IC

    Thang 1:

    Moseyed over to the sidewalk along Elysian Fields. PAX gathered for what felt like the traditional Indian Run. However I found something on the exicon to change it up and we did a Prisoner Indian Run down to the traffic circle at Elysian Fields and Lakeshore Dr.

    Thang 2:

    Here is where the modification begins. I wanted to do 11s. But in honor of Michael Thomas being a bad man and breaking the single season catch record we did 13s. The modification didn’t stop there. I was inspired by Tua’s VQ a few weeks ago and stole from his playbook. So for the Double Modified 11s (AKA 13s) the PAX would run in the bike lane of the traffic circle. Once they ran half the circle they would stop and perform 12 Carolina dry docks and 1 squat jump. Run the other half the circle and do 11 CDD and 2 squat jumps, etc. until the last round was complete with 1 CDD and 12 squat jumps. The Q was stunned to find that much traffic at 5:40 AM 2 days prior to Christmas but thankfully we were able to avoid any incidents.

    Thang 3:

    Mosey over to the nearest parking. With Christmas coming up I was inspired when I found Santa’s Ladder on the exicon. PAX would start at one end of the parking lot and run to a randomly selected spot (that huge light post looks good) where we would perform 10 burpees, run back to start and perform 9 burpees, and so on until we got to round 5. Rounds 5-1 would be merkins. Plank and wait for the 6. As everyone was catching their breath I explained to the PAX that completing the ladder consisted of also performing the runs with rounds 10-6 being merkins and 5-1 being burpees. However due to time constraints I opted to modify and perform only 6 rounds.

    Mosey back to the flag in time for some Mary. Flutter kicks, Freddy Mercury’s and some other exercise that I can’t remember x 20 each IC. Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and sweaty ball of man. As always it was a great time leading the men of F3. Hopefully trying the new location at the traffic circle didn’t scare anyone but there was WAY more traffic than I anticipated so I will store that in memory for future beatdowns.

  • Is this Heaven? No, it’s Lafreniere Park.

    While perusing the Q list to see who would be leading the beatdowns this week of the AOs I most often attend, I happened to see my name listed. I thought this was odd because I had just Q’ed 2 last week and didn’t remember signing up. I then gazed up to see that I was Q for Popeye’s which is not my regular Wednesday AO. I’ve been out there a few times and enjoy the challenge of a virtual blank slate of opportunities to lead a PAX. I accepted the challenge of Q’ing an unfamiliar locale and brought 2 Lakeview guys with me. 8 PAX joined me at the shovelflag, brought to you courtesy of Fracsac, disclaimer was given, directions were asked by me to the exercise area near W. Napoleon, and off we went.

    Warm up:

    Mosey over to the parking lot directly next to exercise area where we circled up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Concrete grabbers x 15 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each direction IC
    • Self love x 10 IC

    Thang #1:

    Tabata is always a tough routine to choose as the Q because you never know how many PAX will be there, odd numbers always make it interesting, and the AO site can make it interesting to select exercises. So naturally we had 9 men total. I was going to initially go solo but I was appropriately convinced to go with 3 groups of 3. I opted to have the groups perform 2 sets of 3 different exercises. (for a total of 6 sets per round). Rinse and repeat x 3 additional rounds with all different exercise combinations.

    • Round 1: Pull ups, 8-count absolution, box jumps/step ups
    • Round 2: Burpess, Al Gore, Jump the snake
    • Round 3: Merkins, Low plank, Rocky Balboas
    • Round 4: Box cutters, Freddy Mercurys, levels

    Thang #2:

    I figured most, if not all, of the PAX had not experienced my son’s previous suggestion for a “game.” So we proceeded to play the F3 version of Red Light/Green Light. As explained in previous backblasts all red light exercises will be static and all green light exercises will be dynamic. Exercises alternate between red light and green light. Timer for each exercise is controlled by randomity timer.

    Red Light exercises:

    • Al Gore
    • High plank
    • L side plank
    • R side plank
    • Low plank
    • Static lunge with L leg in front
    • Static lunge with R leg in front
    • Reverse plank
    • Static calf raise (heretofore renamed Tippy Toes)
    • Static leg hold (level)

    Green Light exercises:

    • Mountain climbers
    • LBCs
    • Merkins
    • Lateral lunges
    • High knees
    • L single leg wife pleasers
    • R single leg wife pleasers
    • Penguins
    • Crunchy frog
    • Freddy Mercury

    20 exercises total, randomity timer set between 15-45 sec. Average time of 30 sec per exercise should take about 10 minutes total for the routine. While toggling between apps on my phone while leading the Q it was only until I was on my way home that I accidentally skipped over one of the side planks and lateral lunges. Sorry guys.

    But it all worked out in the end because at 6:10 we moseyed back to the shovelflag and got back at exactly 6:15. See I knew what I was doing all along. Countoff, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, sweaty ball of man. Can’t wait to come back to Popeye’s for future beatdowns and whoever put me on the list can do so in the future if you are looking for Q’s.

  • Al Gore is an idiot

    YHC was up for his second consecutive Q in City Park. Following the fill-in Q at The Stomp and seeing that the forecast for this morning was for a chilly 34 degrees, I opted to include more running than I typically would include in a Foundry beatdown in order to keep our bodies moving and stay warm. Thankfully there was negligible wind so today actually felt warmer than yesterday. With that said, Al Gore doesn’t know anything about “global warming” when New Orleans is in a near freeze in the middle of November. 11 PAX gathered at the mythical shovelflag, disclaimer was given, and off we went.

    Warm up:

    With the weather being what it was I opted for a slightly longer warm up so we moseyed from the flag and made a full lap around the practice track. After that circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grass grabbers x 15 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each
    • Self love x 15 IC

    Thang #1:

    I chose for a more run based routine and found the Merkin Mile on the exicon. Run a lap (1/4 mile) then perform 25 merkins. Rinse and repeat 4 times. Total = 1 mile and 100 merkins. I also wanted to keep everyone together as much as possible so I added that once everyone’s lap and merkins were complete we would hold the aforementioned Al Gore until the 6 had completed the round.

    Thang #2:

    After that we recover walked over to the starting line on the back side of the track. Here we would do 40s. This consisted of performing 2 exercises in which you perform 30 reps of exercise 1, run the 100m, perform 10 reps of exercise 2, and run back to the start for round 1. With each round the reps would change by 5 reps. 25/15, 20/20, 15/25, and 10/30. Since we went heavy with arms/chest previously I thought a good leg burn would go over well. Exercise 1 was squat jumps and exercise 2 was single leg wife pleasers (bridges). Plank and wait for 6 when complete.

    Thang #3:

    Recover walk back over to the warm up area of the track for The Gross. I found this one on the exicon a few weeks ago and since I had some time left over (and the list of exercises still saved on my phone) I went back to the well with a slight adjustment from my previous go round. 12 reps of 12 exercises. I once again tried to even it out with 4 leg, 4 arm, and 4 core exercises.

    • Low slow squats IC
    • Jumping/Bouncing IC (don’t let heels hit the ground)
    • R side lunges
    • L side lunges
    • Floyd Mayweathers
    • Carolina dry docks
    • Diamond merkins
    • Air shoulder press
    • Flutter kicks
    • Hello dollies
    • Box cutters
    • Freddy Mercury’s

    Mosey back to the flag and plank for ~1 minute until the clock struck 6:15. Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and sweaty ball of man. I once again challenged the PAX to think of something to be thankful for every day as Thanksgiving is approaching. As always it was a pleasure to lead.