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  • Hip old granny, who can hip-hop, bebop, dance til you drop…

    Alright, aside from some bunny hops up the stairs, this was a fairly laid back beatdown at Granny’s House.  Almost enjoyable one might say.  In retrospect, it was as if YHC knew that Bean would bring the pain the next morning and that Cowbell’s 1 mile time trial would bring back memories of last year’s Nutria.  So we pushed, but also had enough running breaks that we could chat between sets.

    Warmup: windmills, toe touches, IW’s, SSH’s, arm circles, etc.  All IC, at or around 20x.

    First up, a set of 11’s on the Stairs:

    Merks at bottom, the aforementioned bunny hops up to the top of the stairs, then squats up top.

    Next up, the Dirty McDeuce over at the Stage: Three exercises at x12 reps each, 4 rounds total.

    Round 1:

    • Diamonds
    • Jump Squats
    • LBC’s

    Round 2:

    • Wide armed
    • Lunges
    • Leg Raises

    Round 3:

    • T-merks
    • Groiners
    • Crunchy Frogs

    Round 4:

    • Burpees
    • Monkey Humpers
    • Hammers

    And the finale, a few races down the corridor where the winner chooses both the next exercise as well as the method of racing back.

    A sprint first, which Goose won easily and chose LBC’s x12 IC.  Then he picked broad jumps for the race back.  

    YHC was close, but Cowbell pulled off the win on this one.  We did some (?) crunchy frogs and then he chose a backwards shuffle as the next race. 

    Obviously his strength because he won that one as well (even though Goose put up a good fight) and called of penguins x12 IC as the final exercise.  Time up, COT with Akbar praying us out.

    Thank you men for the push and for the chance to lead!

  • Light June Jaunt

    We’re gonna keep this short and sweet, as YHC is behind the eight ball on these backblasts.  The usual crew posted this morning (minus Shooter, who may still be hauling trees Commando-style out at his camp, and minus Bushwacker, who is attempting to heal a wide assortment of ailments).  Cowbell doesn’t really count, because he is usually “stuck” at the beach anyway on Mondays.  Jose 10k rolled in mid-warm up after a disoriented drive around Old Mandeville finally reminded him of the Marsh location.  

    Warmorama – Good mornings, toe touches, SSH, arm circles, air presses, seal jacks, IW’s, all IC somewhere between 10-20x.

    YHC missed Cowbell’s reopening of the Marsh last week (it’s been barricaded for months), and though it was nice to be able to warmup under on the court again (which could’ve used a Captain Sparkles sweep, btw), we decided to take it on the road this morning.

    Mosey towards the lake, with a stop at each intersection for 15 merkins, 20 squats, and 25 IC flutter kicks.  5 blocks later, we headed over to Rips for a backwards bear crawl up the stairs, followed by calf raises (5x each step) going back down.  Calf raises for the guys either waiting in queue or finished and waiting.

    Already time to head back the way we came, with the same 15 merkins, 20 squats, and 25 flutters at each intersection until we returned to the court just in time.  (Well, ok, maybe a minute late.)

    Pik prayed us out, wishing his brother a happy 40th on this day, and we went on our way.  Thanks gents, posting with you guys is the best way to start the week!

  • Walk The Walk – Swole Fest week#2

    “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” ~ Nelson Mandela

    Eight PAX made their way to City Park on Monday morning start the week off right.  Good to see some transfer students from other AO’s. It was week #2 for Swole Fest which has been heavy on the upper body block exercises in an effort to give the guns some much needed loving.  The plan included trying a few different things and giving a nod to many things recently brought to light regarding injustices and inequalities.

    We strive to not infuse politics or certain hot button topics in F3, and YHC aimed to make sure he didn’t bend these guidelines on Monday.  On the heels of some powerful backblasts, messages, and workouts shared by PAX regarding recent happenings in the community, YHC felt we should try to keep the ball rolling in the right direction. Seemed as though it would be fitting to have a theme for the workout…“Walk The Walk”….striving to be a H.I.M. (High Impact Man)….doing, not just saying…being proactive vs reactive…less talk, more walk….and pushing for what we believe is right.   Here’s what we did:

    “This is F3.  I’m not a professional trainer, nor a professional motivation speaker…bear with me on this, I’ll try to give us some food for though to stew on this week.  Grab your block and let’s get started.”

    Warmup:  The usual stuff including IP, SSH, AC, WM, and a few more.  Then a demonstration with group collaboration on the form for some of the planned block exercises, to include block swings x5, thrusters x5, and bent over rows.  

    The Thang: A Northshore inspired circuit that included 5 timed rounds, adding in some “marching” to different locations between rounds. 10-20 reps first min, 10-20 reps second min, 1 min AYG AMRAP…aka High Impact Minute, quick breather, then a 2-3 min march holding the block overhead or out, similar to a protest sign, and keeping to yourself what you are marching for…someone or something that you feel should change and/or could use your help.  

    Quick quote before we start….“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jackie Robinson

    Round 1: Block Swings, Block Swings, Burpees AMRAP, breather, “Walk The Walk” w/block overhead/out. T-claps to SOGO (and others?) for 20+ Burpees in a min.  On the march, several of us noted that it was good to see the protest that was 2 days prior right there in City Park went off without a hitch and remained peaceful…no ruckus as some anticipated…T-claps to those whose kept it cool.   

    Round 2: Thrusters, Thrusters, Curls AMRAP, breather, “Walk The Walk” w/block overhead/out, with some good mumblechatter along the way….and some grunts and grumbling aimed towards the blocks. 

    Round 3: This stop was in front of NOMA where we discussed the museum’s namesake, who was a HIM of his time.  YHC pulled out a cheat sheet with some notes on Isaac Delgado’s legacy: “Immigrating from Jamaica in the 1850s, Isaac Delgado would make a fortune in the sugar and molasses business. He would repay the city with a surgical center at Charity Hospital and an art museum in City Park that began as the Delgado Museum of Art, but which is now NOMA. His will established his most enduring legacy, a trade school for boys that opened in 1921 that later evolved in Delgado Comm college. The quote: “The problem of city life is not its streets, its tenements or its gain, but what is to become of its boys. Give them a chance and a fair chance, and if the boys turn out right, the city will be right and so will all connected with it.” — Isaac Delgado, on the importance of early education.  We then knocked out Block Swings, Block Swings, Bent Over Rows AMRAP, breather, “Walk The Walk” w/block overhead/out

    Round 4: Thrusters, Thrusters, Merkins AMRAP, breather, “Walk The Walk” w/block out and pump out some Curls as we headed back to base camp located in the LCM parking lot.  

    Round 5: Before our last set, we took in another thought nugget from a former Saints favorite…”I’m hopeful, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents.  I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors.  And it’s a beautiful thing.”  -Benjamin Watson.  Then on to Block Swings, Block Swings, Flutter Kicks AMRAP while holding block over chest….time’s up! 

    COT included one last quote: 

    “Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

    T-claps to the PAX for pushing hard, and to those battling injuries that still posted.  Thanks for the opportunity to lead and for allowing me to throw in some unorthodox stuff to the workout.

    Let’s continue to listen to those impacted by inequalities and see what we can do (or continue to do) to make things better….and be high impact men.  

    Tool

  • Flannel Friday @ NOMA

    High Rise coined the term Flannel Friday during Covid for Friday City Park workouts with 90’s grunge tunes. We kept the theme going today at NOMA. Today was a simple Tabata theme with no running. We have many F3 brothers recovering from leg injuries at City Park. The disclaimer was given reminding of physical distancing and off we go.

    A slow mosey around NOMA and the warm-up COP: SSH x 20 IC, IW x 20 IC, Grass grabbers x 10 IC, Windmills x 10 IC, Arm circles 10 forwards 10 backwards, Michael Phelps x 10 IC.

    The Thang: Tabata at the NOMA fountain. 10 stations, 10 exercises, 45 seconds of exercise, 15 seconds rest. 3 rounds. 2 minutes of rest in-between with Mary.

    The exercises: Broad jump up steps, Dips, Mountain-climbers, Shoulder press with cinder block, Parker-peters, Power-ups, Shoulder taps, Burpees, Curls with 20# dumbbells, Merkins.

    The tunes: 90’s grunge and rap.

    3 minute cool-down with stretching. COT: name-o-rama, intentions, and a prayer. The work-out was reminiscent of a JV leap-year beat down on leap-day where JV led 29 exercises in one spot without ever leaving the circle. Beautiful. Thanks for letting me lead.

    Walleye

  • 1 Mile Time Trial

    Writing this in a hurry, so i’ll keep it short and sweet.

    9 pax gathered this beautiful gloom for the first 1 mile time trail. YHC has had this on his mind for a long time to set a baseline for himself as well as the rest of the pax.

    We started with some running stretches, including Jose’s favorite high jump skips. The PAX then did an easy 1ish mile run to the starting line on Carondelet and Jefferson. Bushwacker immediately took off on his mile like a bat out of hell, he sorta looked like Eliud Kipchoge, right Akbar!?! While the rest of the pax took a breather and listened to the Q for the countdown..

    We took off and ran 1 mile down Jefferson St and finished at the corner of Lamarque.

    Finishing times were as follows:

    Steve 5:53

    Cowbell 5:53

    Waterpik 6:00

    Bushwacker 6:36

    Goose 6:55

    Speedy 7:30

    Akbar 7:50

    PixieStix 9:00

    Jose 10k 9:30

    We finished with an easy 2ish mile run back to the AO.

    Jose prayed us out.

    Looking forward to seeing the progress the pax makes at the next time trial.

    As always, thanks for letting me lead!!

    Cowbell

  • Bringing the Thunder

    13 PAX braved the feels like temp of 93 degrees and the threat of storms this morning at the Birdcage. We were lucky to avoid the torrential downpours that immediately followed our COT, and I thoroughly kicked my own ass during this beatdown. Hats off to my fellow F3 brothers who pushed me to the brink today.

    The Warmup…Short Mosey to an Open Field (not the best idea surrounded by lightning, but what the heck), SSH X 20, Windmill X 10, Imperial Walkers X 20, Grassgrabbers X 10, Imperial Walkers X 20, Mountain Climbers X 20, Peter Parkers X 20.

    Short socially distanced mosey to the Zoo parking lot where we began a routine of Some Merkins, Core, Legs, Run around the parking lot…Repeat

    1. Merkins X 11 IC, LBC X 20 IC, Squats X 20 OYO, Run a lap
    2. Merkins X 12 IC, Dying Cockroach X 20 IC, Bonnie Blair X 20 OYO, Run a lap
    3. Merkins X 13 IC, Real Freddie Mercury X 20 IC, Imp Walker Squat X 20 OYO, Run
    4. Merkins X 14 IC, Flutterkicks X 20 IC, Side Lunge (10 each side) X 20 OYO, Run.

    The original plan was to repeat this with some variation on rep count, but the ominous skies provoked a Mosey back near the shelter. It was there, in honor of the conditions that we summoned Captain Thor.

    • The Captain Thor: Exercise OYO, but start as a group at the beginning of each round.
    • 1 Big Boy Sit Up, 4 American Hammer (2 is 1), 5 Merkins,
    • 2 BBSU, 8 AH, 5 Merkins
    • 3 BBSU, 12 AH, 5 Merks
    • 4, 16, 5
    • 5, 20, 5
    • 6, 24, 5
    • 7, 28, 5
    • 8, 32, 5

    With a little over 5 minutes left I called on some old fashioned burpees.

    • As many Burpees as you can in 30 seconds, followed by 1 minute of rest X 2
    • As many Burpees as you can in 20 seconds, followed by 1 minute of rest X 2

    Back to the flag, 30 seconds of plank until time. Count o Rama, Name o Rama, Soc Dist BOM and COT.

    Thanks again for providing me the opportunity to lead. I swear every Q I’ve had I end up doing more than I bargained for, and more than I thought myself capable of. I guess that’s the thing about Leading…you dig into yourself in a way that you didn’t think possible. So, it should stand to reason that stepping up to lead in our community (no matter how small) will afford us the same opportunity…finding out just how much you have inside of you, and realizing there’s a lot more than meets the eye. As we all reflect, discuss, and reflect some more about the current circumstances I just urge us to keep prepping ourselves by becoming the best version of ourselves everyday. The chance to rise to the occasion will present itself, and when it does…How will it find you?

    Thanks and see you in the gloom.

  • The Quick Killer

    After missing 2 Q’s last week (1 was excused), YHC was up to Q again and HAD to make it, tropical storm or not…

    Surprisingly, the rain had stopped after a full 24 hour downpour. There was no excuse now! YHC showed up 2 minutes late due to a downed tree covering Lamarque St. The Pax of 3 had already started a warm up.

    YHC jumped in and it went a little something like this…

    COP #1 – Warm up

    Hillbillies X 20, Good Mornings X 10, Mtn Climbers X 20, J-Lo’s X 10, Arm Circles X 12 (6F/6B)

    COP #2- The Thang -YHC had expected rain so planned a stationary workout under the covering on the basketball court.

    5 Rounds – 33 reps, 27 reps, 21 reps, 15 reps, 9 reps

    5 exercises – Merkins, Squats, Sister Mary Catherines, Burpees, Big Boi Sit ups

    Complete all 5 exercises, 33 reps each, move to round 2, 27 reps each, etc.

    The Pax was unusually quiet, @Bird tried to get a little small talk going but it was short-lived.

    COP #3 – Pull Up Circle

    Pax 1 completes 5 pull ups while rest of pax did an exercise

    3 rounds (plank, LBC, American Hammer)

    COP #4 – 6MOM (round robin) all x 20 IC

    Bird- Crunch Frog, Pixie Stix- Merkins, WaterPik- Freddie Mercury, YHC- Penguins

    COT – Announcements (July 15 – Gnarly Nutria!!)

    Thank you for letting me lead!

    Cowbell

  • All Aboard! Hahahaha – 1 Yr Anniversary

    At this time last year, I showed up to my first lakefront beatdown (thanks Russo), and almost didn’t come back. I was a gym rat, couldn’t run a mile, ate like crap, and hovered around 190. But I was intrigued by the companionship of the PAX that day, the leadership focus, how no man was left behind, and pressed on. I attended Saturdays through September, then cancelled my gym membership, and went all in averaging 4 days a week, including the scramble (thanks Shooter). Since then, I’ve lost 25 pounds, done CSAUPS and F2 events, and ran 80 miles last Feb during Run Ranger Run. My only regret is that I didn’t find this earlier.

    PAIN TRAIN

    26 posted (6 under 17) at the mothership Saturday to help celebrate YHC’s 1 year anniversary, and take a ride on the Pain Train. We traveled from the flag to the shaft, stopping at 8 pain stations along the way, accompanied by motivational tunes. *I understand that most songs could not be heard, songs are listed after each station

    Pre-Thang: 2 miler

    Warmorama:  Arm Circles, SSH, Torso Twist, Self-Love, Hillbillies x10 IC

    THANG:  All About the Benjamins – Everything equals 100 reps.

    • Exercise 1: 25 reps at the wall
    • Travel in various ways 55 feet to the flags
    • Exercise 2: 25 reps, run back to the wall Rinse and repeat
    • Total of 50 reps of each exercise
    • All exercises done OYO, plank for the six

    Pain Station’s 1 and 2

    1. Freak Nasty, Bear Crawl, Mountain Climbers
    2. Run, repeat
    3. Dirkins, Flying Nun (Lunge with arm circles), Twinkle Toes (Al Gore calf raises)
    4. Run, Repeat
    • It’s All About the Benjamin’s,  P.Diddy et all
    • C’Mon ‘N’ Ride it (The Train), Quad City DJ’s
    • Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne
    • Breathe, The Prodigy
    • Song 2, Blur

    Pain Station 3: Let the Good Times Roll

    Burpees on Good Times Roll, air presses in between.

    • Let the Good Times Roll, The Cars

    Pain Station’s 4 and 5:

    1. Bulgarian Split Squats, Army Crawl, Superman’s
    2. Run, repeat
    3. Stone Mountain, Crawl Bear, Renegade Row (1 arm plank, 1 arm row)
    4. Run, repeat
    • The Kill, Thirty Seconds to Mars
    • Firestarter, The Prodigy
    • Fly from the Inside, Shinedown

    Pain Station 6: The SSH Motivator

    IC 10 full SSH, Shoulder level, down and out, then hands at sides, then 9 each, then 8, etc. non-stop

    • ‘Till I Collapse, Eminem & Nate Dogg
    • Gonna Fly Now, Bill Conti (Rocky Theme Song)

    Seemed easy enough, but what ensued was a painful comedy of errors. YHC had a tough time conveying and keeping the order of positions, which kept us out of synch just a tad. To curious onlookers it must have looked like a bunch of birds trying to take flight.

    After a while it seemed it would never end, why was it taking so long, why do I feel like I’m about to collapse? I kept my gaze at Bushwacker (who brought us The Motivator), seeking some rescue by mental telepathy – but all I got was a big smile.

    Legend has it the Arnold Schwarzenegger and his buddies would go camping and do squats until they couldn’t stand any more. This was not to be our fate, we would persevere!

    Later in the day I sought advice from the engineering mind of Grover and he did not hold back. “You did it wrong dad: the positions were wrong and you did a double count instead of single.”

    Ah, all makes sense now. So we did 440 SSH instead of 220. Way to hang in there guys.

    Pain Station 7

    Merkins on New Day Rising, plank in between

    Pain Station 8: Mary IC

    1. 8 ct Peter Parker Merkins (Perkins) x10
    2. Crunchy Frogs x20
    3. LBC x50
    4. LMC x25

    Count, Name-o-rama, Welcome FNG Laces!

    COT: Prayers for the crazy world we are in, safety, and thanks for blessings.

    Coffeteria: Book and the Bean

    All said and done, including WU and Mary – 1096 reps, 100 yards of crawls, 100 yards of runs

    Thanks for a great year, friendships, pushing me beyond what I ever thought I could do, and the opportunity to lead.

    SYITG – Akbar

  • Dodging Cristobal

    Weather was holding off so six Pax departed after a quick disclaimer promptly at 0530.

    Found a dry patch at the edge of the park for warmup SSH; Imperial Walkers; Grass Grabbers and Arm Circles (For & Aft).

    Mosey to the zoo around flooded parking lot for a modified “short loop” DORA 1-2-3: Merks, Plank Jacks, Squats. Over to the fence for a few rounds of dips, step ups (L&R), decline merks. To another dry square in the parking lot for merkin ring-o-fire, a little MARY, and Al Gore ring-o-fire.

    Back to the circle with a few minutes to spare, closing out in the mud with some pickle pounding, and planking. Thanks for pushing as always.