F3 New Orleans

Category: New Orleans

  • Run Cajun Run Closing Thoughts – from Bieber

    A month full of extra effort and meaningful miles, Run Cajun Run helped make a sans Mardi Gras February just as epic as a year with one. What started as a conversation in the gloom, inspired by recent fundraising efforts and CSAUPs by other HIMs turned into something that I, for one, will never forget.

    Run Cajun Run ‘21 combined elements of F3 that make it such a critical element to so many of our lives. The accountability and comradeship through physical challenge, the opportunity for philanthropy to a great cause, and the ever present “mirror” that permits both public and private self reflection.

    There are a number of shout-outs and thank yous that could be sprinkled throughout this backblast, but I don’t think anyone did any of what he did for himself. So in lieu of those call outs, I will say a sincere thank you to everyone who partook in any way shape or form. The success of this month was what it was because of you.

    As we ran this month we were faced with a number of challenges. Some of those challenges were physical, some of those challenges were environmental, some of the challenges were familial obligations. Whatever the case was, these are challenges that we faced. There are probably unsaid challenges as well, but whatever the case…we faced them. In hindsight, were they really challenges?

    I mention these challenges because the recipient of our donations this year, Son of a Saint, does a tremendous job of helping fatherless young men face challenges head on. Through mentorship, opportunities, connections, and training, Son of a Saint helps these young men grow through meaningful mentorship. The parallels in spirit to Son of a Saint and F3 are so close…it made the partnership this year a no-brainer. The difference is, the challenges of the young men in Son of a Saint are the likes of which I can’t even fathom. Surmounting their challenges isn’t just a decision to “take the red or blue pill”. Rather the challenges they face are much deeper with origins beyond their control. I know our donation will do some good in helping them advance their young men to and beyond those challenges.

    My last word as Co-Q of this year’s Run Cajun Run…as the miles fade away in your memory, as your legs get back to normal, don’t ever lose sight of opportunities to be impactful to those around you (and even beyond if the opportunity presents). Don’t be afraid to leverage yourself to help others, and certainly don’t be afraid to push yourself beyond your limits.

    Just because it started in the gloom, doesn’t mean it ends in the gloom. Keep the light shining.

    If you are interested in results…RunCajunRun.com

  • Honoring RunCajunRun plus bonus burpees – from Hokie

    I was honored to get my passport stamped and to journey down to visit with team Sweaty Bells.

    King Kong, Almonaster, Douille, SubPrime, PopALock, Blow Out, Moana and I were all excited to have a guest appearance by Man of The Year Gabrielle 😉

    9 HIM honored RunCajunRun with some running between kettle bell sets and still honored January with 100 Burpees lagniappe while also adding 150 reps with Kettle Bells as follows:

    50 Lunges with Kettle Bells
    .47 mile loop of parking lot
    Baseball toss in plank position (in lieu of boring shoulder taps) while waiting on the SIX aka Hokie

    40 shoulder presses with Kettle Bells
    .47 mile loop of parking lot
    Baseball toss in plank position while waiting on Hokie

    30 chest presses with Kettle Bells
    .47 mile loop of parking lot
    Baseball toss in plank position while waiting on Hokie

    20 rows with Kettle Bells
    .47 mile loop of parking lot with the extra of 10 burpees at each corner plus mid point on long stretch along Magazine
    Baseball toss in plank position while waiting on Hokie

    10 Tricep extensions with Kettle bells
    then 10 burpees before running across parking lot for 10 burpees
    back to the start for 10 more burpees, back across for 10 more and then back to circle for final 10.

    Thanks for endulging me. I enjoyed my trip to the far off land known as SweatyBells and hope I get another return visit to Q in the the 2nd quarter. I also welcome any of you to come visit Monday’s at The Joy at The View and to lead me in a coupon beatdown.

    We closed and journeyed to the other side of the park to cheer on some of our running brothers as they finished their RunCajunRun with 7-13 miles.

  • Mobility is required for Momentum – from Triple Shift

    Noun – Mobility – the ability to move freely and easily

    With the passage of time, things always tend to fall into a rut or ravine…depending on how bad it gets. Because we focus so much of our time on getting physically stronger to accelerate our health, we forget that regular maintenance should always be included in that formula for peak performance. As I have been battling a nagging achilles injury for over six (6) months, it’s time, to be honest with myself and be intentional about working on my mobility. Now I know you might be thinking out loud, “but we do a stretch at Broga or when we do the Abe Vigodas or grass grabbers in our warm-up.” Well, mobility and flexibility are somewhat related but put simply, flexibility is the ability of a muscle to lengthen and mobility is the ability to control movement through a range of motion.

    WARMUP – I went through a series of slow, methodical movements of squats, butt kicks, hacky sacks, high knees, merkins, etc.

    THANG – I focused mainly on mobility exercises for the Wrists/Hands, Shoulders, and Hips. I led the PAX through the instructional videos and mobility diagrams found at GMB Fitness.

    9 Wrist Mobility & Strength Exercises for Pain-Free Hands & Wrists

    Shoulder Pain: Shoulder Exercises & Movements for Pain Relief

    Hip Exercises for Power and Mobility

    COT – I closed with a prayer of gratitude and that God would provide peace for those who are suffering and encouragement for those who are leading (that’s all of us if you didn’t know by now). In the COT, I shared a wonderful poem from Red Turtle titled ‘The Last Stop’ from F3 St. Louis. Enjoy!

    THE LAST STOP
    Bent and Broken. Wounded and Torn
    Life ripped apart by the ceaseless storm
    Crashing waves blinding the eyes
    Drowning and consuming him with pain and lies
    The clown wakes
    With Shoulders slumped and knees creaking
    It’s 6 am and he is unsure of what he was thinking
    Into the gloom, he decided to stumble and stand
    Surrounded by strangers in a foreign land
    Now he stands, the world still and silent
    Focusing the clown on a cold most violent
    “Back to comfort” whispers the clown
    Back to the warmth to lay it back down.
    The whispered words crawl around inside his head
    Telling the man to go back to playing dead
    Abandon all hope. The man is not enough.
    But as the Man thinks to turn and flee
    To abandon all of the hope he had started to feed
    His friend, like a warrior, appears out of the dark
    Hefting a brick upon his shoulder with an F3 Mark
    The warrior is filled with love, hope, and fire
    Rescuing the sad clown his singular desire
    It was an Emotional Headlock gently and routinely applied
    That had finally brought his broken brother, now OUR Man, to the Pride
    As the warrior hands the brick to OUR Man
    He grins in delight at the outcome of his Plan
    With love in his heart and hope in his eyes, he gives to OUR man a final instruction
    “This is your Coupon which you must not Drop!
    Welcome FNG, you’ve arrived at The Last Stop.”
    – Red Turtle F3STL

  • Forgot I signed up to Q by Dry Socket – from Cyrous Ardalan

    A surprising Q as I initially thought I was signed up for Wednesday! Without a watch I figured I would step up to humbly lead these men into confusion.
    We started with some SSH, Grassgrabbers, Peter parker, Parker Peters, Arm circles, Rev Arm circles and overhead Claps.
    We then ran through the park and at each light post did B L I M P S. 4 laps so a total of 40 Burpees, 40 Lunges, 40 Imperial walkers, 40 Merks, 40 Squats

    Then we came around and half the group did 2 laps around the parking lot while the other group did 15x LL and RL step ups and 15x LL and RL power ups.

    Some of the PAX were unaware I had no concept of time this morning and luckily Chowda and Douille were giving me the correct time when I asked for it.

    So then we began a nice game of ring of fire with 20 merkins total 2 times around.

    After that were some core exercises consisting of LBCs, Dying cockroach, Freddie merks, Low Country Crab, Wife Pleasers.

    Realizing there was still time left, we ran 2 more laps around the parking lot and then ended with 20 Merks at the flag.

    All in all I think we got in a great workout…sorry for the confusion. Be it mine or the PAX. DS.

  • More than just a run – from Fracsac

    10 Pax made a choice to take the DRP on their journey to get right and posted to the Renaissance for a Sunday fun day. With a shovel flag planted, disclaimer was given, then:

    Warmup on the steps of NOMA facing the bacon:

    Abe Vigodas x 10
    GG x 10
    IW x 15
    AC x 15 both ways

    Mosey to the singing tree via the path around big lake.

    10 Burpees OYO
    Wife Pleasers x 15

    Continue mosey around lake, stopping on back side.

    10 Burpees OYO
    Freddie Mercury x 15

    Continue mosey to secluded benches near swan boats.

    Right leg step ups x 15
    Left leg step ups x 15

    Mosey to dock with swan boats

    As a tribute to Maverick who moved to the north shore, Mucho Chesto:

    Merkins
    Diamond Merkins
    Staggered Merkins left and right
    Streamline flutter kicks

    Continue mosey toward foundry. Stop at Christian Brothers grass, felt like we were doing something sneaky….

    10 Burpees OYO
    Streamline tin snips

    Mosey to foundry for stations:
    Partner up

    Pull-ups AMRAP
    Big boi sit-ups AMRAP
    90 degree flex arm hang
    Jump the snake
    Run to track 5 burpees run back – timer

    Mosey to back of NOMA for:
    Sunday Mornings x 5

    Mosey to flag for:

    10 Burpees OYO
    LBC x 15

    Think you’re done…not!

    8 count body builders IC x 10

    Now we’re done…

    COT

    • T-Claps to Baywatch for Rucking to the Renaissance
    •. 100% participants at coffeteria

    SYITG

  • A Well Thought Out & Executed Fountain Beatdown – from Da Parish

    YHC is well known for his well-planned and thoughtful beatdowns. This would be nondifferent.
    W/U – Lap around Mardi Gras Fountain and circle up in the lawn.
    • SSH
    • IW
    • HB
    • AC
    • MC
    The Thang
    • Mosey around Mardi Gras Fountain. Pick out a plaque and remember it. Circle back up on the lawn where the Q will ask you which Krewe you have chosen. The Q will then conduct an exercise that begins with the same letter as that Krewe. Since YHC has a vast knowledge of the Exicon, this would prove to be so simple that even the freshest of PAX could do it. Right?
    • Line up on the light post on the Lake for BLIMPS. Suicide to each blue light post and back performing the exercise and increasing in increments of 10 for each light post (Big Boy Sit Up, Lunge, Imperial Walker, Merkin, Plank Jacks, Squats)
    • Circle on the Lake for Mary
    Counterama, Namerama, COT
    NMS – Welcomed an FNG, Yezzy and congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy.
    Thank you for the opportunity to lead,
    Da Parish

  • Delightfully Painful at Lake Town – from Fracsac

    4 Pax made a choice to take the DRP on their journey to get right and posted in the far west reaches of the region, aka Kennah. With a shovel flag planted, disclaimer was given, then:

    Warmup by starting a 1/2 mile mosey around the boat launch area and circle up near the stairs at the levee for:

    Motivator – It’s a descending gruesome broken down form of SSH’s that’ll make your calves scream but really gets the blood flowing! Follow up with:

    Bat wings x 15 each ending with Moroccan night club x 31

    Triple Nickel:

    5 SSH on one side of levee, run up and over for 5 burpees. Always facing south, so Bernie Sanders back up x 5 evolutions.

    Mosey back to main parking lot near flag for some exercises and sprints:

    Round 1: Incline Merkins x 10, sprint across lot, Bobby Hurley x 10, sprint back

    Round 2: Derkins x 10, sprint across lot, Monkey Humpers x 10, sprint back

    Mosey to the point to make use of the pier:

    BOMBS

    At each covered area of the pier, do the following IC

    Burpees x 5, then mosey to next covered area

    flutter kicks with arms Overhead (still an O) x 10, then mosey

    Merkins x 15, then mosey

    Big boi sit-ups x 20, then mosey

    SSH x 25, then mosey

    Lagniappe:

    8 count body builders IC x 10

    Mosey back to flag after 2 miles completed for a little Mary

    Tin Snips
    Crunchy frog
    LBC’s

    COT

    • Glad to see Belloq make the trek all the way out and take some great photos. He’s the best photographer in all of F3 Nation!
    •. Help us to grow the Kennah AO at Lake Town, spread the word!

    SYITG

  • Best Bank Batture – 2-23-2021 – from Almonaster

    Went west of the river looking for some miles and a great view!

    PAX:

    – TSquare
    – Shortbus
    – King Kong
    – Blowout
    – Willie
    – Almonaster

    Warmup:

    Lap around and then into the Shelter
    SSH – 15 IC
    Arm Circles -10 IC
    Reverse Arm Circles – 10 IC
    Imperial Walkers – 10 IC
    Balance on 1 foot for 9 seconds.
    Grass Grabbers – 10 IC
    Windmills – 10 IC
    Mountain Climbers – 10 IC

    The Thang:

    Mosey to the Parking Lot

    Merkins – 20 OYO
    LBC’s – 40 OYO
    Take a lap
    Wait and plank for the 6
    X’s 3

    Mosey around the Court Buildings across the ramp to the levee

    11’s

    Start with 10 Burpees at the bottom.
    Cross the street and run up the levee for the first Wife Pleaser.
    Until 11’s are accomplished.

    Mosey to the Cubbies up the street and through the Arch.

    Incline Merkins – 20 OYO
    Steps – alternate legs – 10 each OYO
    Flutter kicks – 10, 2 is 1 OYO
    Russian Twists (Douilles) – 10, 2 is 1
    X2

    2.11 miles accomplished.

    Back to Flag

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    Thanks for the the opportunity to lead!