It was a dark and stormy morning… Considering those conditions, and it being mid-week, YHC glad to see such a strong turn out of 11. To our good fortune, the rain broke (for a bit). A few PAX did their usual Pre-Thang mile run, then we circled up.
Warm Ups: Good Mornings, Toe Touches, Imperial Walkers, Hill Billies, Arm Circles.
The Thang:
Pax mosied over to the court house parking lot and did “Ascending Curb Crawls.” OYO, PAX Bear crawled to other side, turned & placed feet on curb and completed 1 derkin, crawled back and completed 2 derkins, and continued to 13. Moans and groans were heard almost immediately, and YHC took mental note as one of the PAX mentioned that on another occasion, the routine was done as “Descending” Curb Crawls, where merkins would decrease instead of increase.
Next PAX mosied over to the parking garage where we partnered up and completed a modified “Burp Back Mountain.” Partner 1 proceeded to run backwards 1/2 way up the garage ramp and sprint forward back down, while partner 2 performed burpees. Partners continue to flapjack until 50 (modified from 100) total burpees were completed.
Next PAX mosied to the front steps of the courthouse. OYO, PAX did merkins up the courthouse steps, did 5 Rocky Balboa’s at the top, and ran down the ramp around to the beginning. Pax Repeated 4 times changing the exercise up the steps each time. (1. Merkins, 2. Bunny Hops, 3. Squats, 4. Freak Nasties).
(Began to rain)
Next PAX did the “Burpee 1/2 Mile” (Modified from “Burpee Mile”). Total of 24 Burpees, 1/2 Mile. Pax did 6 Burpees, ran 1/4 mile x 2.
At this point, one of the PAX feeling a bit sluggish confessed his Oreo habit, and soon others admitted some of their own indulgences.
Finally, PAX mosied back to the flag to do some MARY under the pavillion out of the rain.
Count O Name O.
Shooter prayed us out.
Later in the day, YHC was glad to get a text from an F3 Brother giving some kudos on the beatdown, saying the combination of burpees and bear crawls made the work out brutal, but that he liked it. Glad to hear someone got their money’s worth and was challenged, as YHC is usually behind in the game.
THE SCENE: Spooky Times at Okwata (Tropical Storm Conditions/Flooding).
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMERYes!
WARM-O-RAMA: From the flag, the PAX moseyed around the Mardi Gras fountain and ended up at the grassy area between the Mardi Gras Fountain and Lakeshore Drive where the PAX completed:
13 PUMPKIN PICKERS,
13 SCARECROW ARM CIRCLES (forward and backward),
13 GOBLIN HUMPERS,
13 BAT WING FLAPS, and
13 FRANKENSTEIN WALKERS.
JUMPING JACK-O-LATERNS didn’t make the cut.
THA-THANG:
The PAX partnered up for “40 MINUTES OF HELL!”
The PAX Pairs completed:
50 Burpees
300 Squats
300 Little Baby Arm Circles
150 Merkins
300 Imperial Walkers
200 Shoulder Presses
COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA 8 PAX in Total: Dirty Dell, Breadsticks, Shuffles, Sogo, Jingle Vader, Sheetrock, Pop Tart , Briefs (Q)
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM: COT convened. The PAX kept each other in our prayers as the conditions were turning ugly all around us. We also prayed for all of the trick-or-treaters and their families tonight.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mothership/Muscleship battle/convergence on Saturday.
THOUGHTS/SHOUT-OUTS
A lot of the great things about F3 were on display this morning. The beatdown was certainly a physical challenge, but it was equally (or even more of) a test of mental strength.
The wind was relentless. The rain didn’t let up. We were getting drenched by a fountain during parts of the exercise. The puddles we ran through were more like lakes. The streets were flooding all around us. But, we pushed through, carrying and supporting each other along the way. The brotherhood component to F3 was on full display.
Following the COT @ the warm-o-rama location we sprinted to our vehicles due to the deteriorating conditions. The flooding at the lake was severe. Water was literally less than an inch from entering my car. Everyone got in their cars and began to navigate the roadways to get to the the other side of the levee. The best part of the entire morning, in my opinion, happened at this moment. From my car, I see Sogo in the middle of Lakeshore Drive out of his truck with his emergency lights flashing. I stopped to ask him if he needed me to call someone to help. I thought for sure he was the one in need of help. I was mistaken. He was the one helping others! After going through 40 MINUTES OF HELL!; being pelted by wind and rain for the entire morning and presumably still being cold and definitely still wet and it was still raining and windy, Sogo was thinking of others in need.
Seeing this was the most inspiring part of the morning (and that is saying a lot because everyone was inspiring this morning).
We were between a levee and a lake with water coming from all angles, but we were together making ourselves better. Thanks to those that came out. I now prefer the rainy mornings.
I was happy to take the fill-in Q though during my pre-workout moment of silence in the bathroom I checked my calendar for the day and saw I had a 6:30 meeting. Oops. Too late now- will just have to modify. Plus the pax always likes a quick run around the park.
Warm up:
Mosey around the parking lot to the bandstand for a warm up: SSH IC x 30, Forward arm circles IC x 20, Reverse arm circles IC x 20, Grass Grabbers IC x 30.
The Thang:
To the track for two columns of catch me if you can with 3 burpees for the tailing pax. Continue until all pax have rotated through.
Pull off into a really dark and wet circle of trees for an honorary ring of fire in the style of South Caroline Dry Docks in honor of visiting Pax, CDC, from S.C. Form from the pax was spotty at best.
Indian Run to the fountain benches. RLSU IC x 20, Dips IC x 20, LLSU IC x 20, Derkins/Should Taps/Derkins IC x 30.
Back to the track for POW run to the grassy knoll. Circle of mary. Sensitive pax not loving the wet turf. Comrade Douilles IC x 20, LBC IC x 19, Dying Cock Roach IC x 20
Two column Indian Run back to the flag. This was a good 3/4 mile run that the pax handled well. Shout out to two guys that have busted their butts and are step for step with the long runs: Squeal and Quincy. Nice work fellas!!
And I’m done, had to split out. I heard there was some additional Mary and something about nominating Tinkles for a F3 organizational award. You guys are so thoughtful. See you in the Gloom!
“It’s time for a showdown: you and me. I’m right here, come and get me!”
-Lieutenant Dan
The forecast called for the front line to roll through about 5am, but upon waking, it appeared that we had just missed the rain and tumult. Still the flashes of lightening and the threat of hazardously unpleasant weather seemed enough to keep attendance low. Arriving to a Steve-less Scramble, YHC knew it took less than hail and sleet to foster the fartsack for some. But Ackbar, Shooter, and the reliably tardy Cowbell had other plans.
WARMORAMA
x10 IC:
Imperial Walkers
Windmills
High Knees
Grass Grabbers
Slow Squats
Butt Kicks
THANG
The pre-ordained progression unfolded with the scramblers skipping over puddles. Cowbell specifically mentioned how getting his shoes wet would ruin his run….Oh would it now?
About 1.5 miles in (just long enough for Q to actually get warmmed up), lightening streaked across the sky and the heavens once more opened over Mandeville. The wind-whipped sheets of torrential rain, rather than ruining, actually invigorated the rambling foursome, who had by this point split into the engine and the caboose. A respectable sub-9 was had by all as the train pulled into the water-logged station.
MARY
A rapid-fire abbreviated Mary involved x20 IC (moving directly from one exercise into the next) LBCs, Freddy Mercurys and Flutter Kicks.
COT
Remaining comfortably on our soaking sixes, COUNT/NAME/ANNOUNCE/PRAY with Q taking the lead out.
F1/F2 coming next month at the Gipper Thursday Nov 21@6pm/6:30pm
Today was one for adventurers. Thanks for coming on this adventure with me, guys! And HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
On Tuesday, I received a call from Dark Wing Duck with a request to switch Q’s and I readily agreed.
With the forecast of rain, only 4 Pax set their alarms to come out and join us at Popeyes.
We started at the clock
0.0 miles – Stretch 0.2 miles – burpees at 1st exercise area 0.4 miles – dips at the dog park 0.7 miles – lunges at playground 0.9 miles – imperial at workout area by Napoleon 1.0 miles – bear crawled
back to workout area for step ups and inverted rows/pull ups
1.2 miles – merkins at shelter 8 1.4 miles – plank jacks at parking lot
ran around the pond
1.5 miles – squats at clock
finished with a little Mary of wife pleasers, flutter kicks, penguins & reverse crunches
We closed letting everyone know about the exciting Mothership/Muscleship joint competition beat down for this Saturday 11/02 & F2 event coming up the following Fri 11/08.
10 men braved the Olga aftermath to see what was on the No Power Menu this past Saturday. YHC may not be able to remember much of what was actually on the menu, but I can tell you what was not on the menu: a fun game of mud football wasn’t (or, really, any “fun” in general); a beatdown with a clear vision wasn’t; and a fast cup of strong coffee at coffeeteria wasn’t either. But more on that later.
First, there was much mumblechatter and confusion as to what exactly happened to Wacker. He had posted on the GroupMe that Olga had “slipped in last night and screwed things up.” But many men hadn’t heard that the tropical storm had been named and so, naturally, thought a Russian woman had slipped into Bush’s bed. Obviously, there was a lot of concern and alarm until it was revealed Olga was “not the Russian lady he did that run with a few weeks ago.”
Now, the beatdown. Nevermind that YHC can’t remember the specifics of the warmorama (it’s pretty much the same 15 or so exercises anyway, right?), more of note was that it had to be the darkest warmorama on record. With the power out in the entire neighborhood, it really couldn’t be any darker (unless, of course, we lost the light coming from Hammer and Pik’s phones). YHC kept thinking, how can we do anything in this darkness? No bear crawls, no suicides – what are we gonna just sit in a circle and do side straddle hops all morning??
So… after some SSH’s, we carefully tread over to the playground equipment for a round of 7’s: pull-ups to merkins. Then over to the benches for a second set of 7’s: Freak Nasties to Bulgarians (admittedly, Bulgarians were a bit ill-conceived due to the awkwardness of having to do each leg).
Then carefully back to center court for a set of 1 minute AMRAPs, dealer’s choice: we went around the circle and each man picked an exercise. I can’t remember the exercises: there were merkins, there were jump squats, there were burpees, oh, and then Maverick showed up about this time and made us do Merkins again.
After that, Tank mercifully took the Q for a moment, just as light was starting to peek through. He had us do runs across the court, with a merkin at each end. About 5 laps here to get the heart rate going.
YHC took the Q back for what I thought could be an interesting one: partner up for the slowest Catch Me If You Can ever. P1 will inchworm down the block, P2 will perform 10 merkins, 10 squats, and 10 LBCs, before bear crawling to catch and replace P1. YHC thought it would be fun to go sightseeing down the block (now that there was light) where there were downed power lines, fallen trees, frantic cars, and all sorts of other fun stuff to dodge. But the wise Hammer pulled us back to the safety of the court. This exercise turned out to be not so fun in the end anyway.
Then we split into two teams of 5 and did a relay race across the court. Jose ran so fast that I think he ran straight outta the court and into the home across the street, but he did seal the tie for his team. So, 20 burpees for all.
And… what else? Ah, we finished with a round of Mary: again, a 1 minute AMRAP, dealer’s choice, around the circle. And again, YHC cannot recall the exact exercises, but does remember that Pik had us do calf raises, because I remember thinking, “this isn’t core,” but hey, fair game nonetheless. And Turbo had us do Scuba Steves. And Jose pulled out his fave – Jane Fondas, 1 minute each leg to close it all out.
COT where Tank took center stage to announce the Hundo, which is gaining some traction despite its utter insanity. You gotta love these guys. Akbar prayed us out and then we were on our way in search of coffee. Despite the citywide outage, this group of stragglers wouldn’t take no for an answer and found the local Waffle House to be incredibly accommodating despite the lack of power. T-claps to our cheery waitress, who put up with Hammer’s constant tea refills and a bunch of sweaty guys that had no intention of eating. In the company of these men, that weak, slow-drip coffee was some of the best I’ve ever had.
So while we may never know if those eighteen year olds were able to pull their truck out with bungee cords, like much in life, some things are just better left to the imagination. Gents, thanks for the opportunity to co-lead with Tank, I believe I can speak for both of us when I say that it’s a privilege and honor that we don’t take for granted.
Like the men of F3, Waffle House plans for the expected, but is prepared for the unexpected.
The Q sheet for The Stomp was mysteriously blank for this beautiful Tuesday morning. On Monday, YHC wondered why would such a popular beatdown did not have a Q — rain in the forecast (we all know Lakeview people can’t handle a little rain). So at 5:01 am, YHC took the Q, his first at the beloved 610 Stomp.
This Saturday morning is the Cresent City Fall Classic. YHC has always dreamed of running the Cresent City 10k from a timed coral. The fall classic and the St. Patty’s two-miler are the qualifiers for the 10k but YHC cannot attend either this year. So, why not make the entire Stomp crowd attempt to run qualify for the race at an F3 workout.
We mosey from the flag to the starting line. Along the way, we warmed up with high knees, butt kicks, carioca right, and carioca left.
At the starting line, the course was roughly explained. Runners were reminded that a CCC10k qualifying time was 22:00. With that disclaimer, we were off.
After passing Christian Brother’s the kind security guard told us that our route would need to be modified (darn VooDoo Fest). No worries we modify and move on.
At the conclusion of the run, a few things were determined.
The Pax determined that Shuffles probably qualified and no one else.
YHC discovered how his M feels when I don’t follow directions.
F3 is full of leaders and followers, both were on display today.
Amnesty plays by his own rules.
The park is safer than running down the bayou (except for that one part when I lead the Pax into the middle of Wisner).
Finished with Mary, stretching, and burpees.
COT
It is always a pleasure to lead. Thank you, gentlemen.
Sorry about this backblast being tardy. The piece of paper that I had my login password on, fell behind the refrigerator.
So with a cool morning at the Gipper, in the 40s, a long warm-up was in order; 20xIC: windmills, side straddle hops, arm circles, seal jacks, good mornings, high knees, imperial walkers, butt kicks, toe touches, and hillbillys.
Mosey over to the Taj-Mahal, split into two groups with one group running around the campus building while the other group squats in human chair position. Repeat a few times.
Stroll over and circle up around the substantial flag pole. One pax walks to the flag pole and shimmys up the pole a little. The counter clockwise pax person calls out an exercise to be completed while the pole-climber hangs on. Repeat around until everyone gets a turn. Shooter, no doubt, could have a second career as a circus sway-pole climber.
Mosey over to the Justice Center parking garage. A quick stop at the short wall to do a series of step-ups. Then to the ramps for backwards lunge walking and sprints. On the top deck we did a series of 100 yard side shuffles while touching the ground at each parking space.
Mosey back to the flag for one minute of Freddies.
Circle up, count off, and BushWacker leads us out with his Epistle to the Gipperians II.
3 Pax gathered on the morning after several Pax ran the Half Marathon and 3 Pax did the GoRuck Light.
Catfish did both the Half Marathon & the GoRuck Light and wisely chose to hand off this morning’s Q.
After welcoming Dax to his 1st Renaissance and congratulations were extolled upon Fracsac for his half marathon we moseyed to start our 1st loop of the City Park NOMA entrance and BLIMPS after each loop.
Ran a loop and did one minute of Burpees
Ran a loop and did one minute of Lunges
Ran a loop and did one minute of Imperial Walkers
Ran a loop and did one minute of Merkins
Ran a loop and did one minute of alternating Peter Parker’s and Parker Peters
Ran our final loop and did one minute of low slow squats
We then moseyed to the back of NOMA and introduced Dax to a deconstructed Sunday Morning (Chair position with 10 air presses, 5 mile kicks, balls to the wall and one hand press) in honor of Gideon and finished with one minute of Sunday Mornings.
We closed with count, name-o-Rama and COT mentioning F2 event on 11.08.19 thanks to El Wire and lifting up prayers of gratitude for F3, half marathon success and GoRuck completion.
This humbled member was grateful for the day to focus on form and Saunder 3.0 miles as your Q.
