F3 New Orleans

Category: New Orleans

  • One Scramble Every Six Years

    We all love F3, and here on the north shore we have respect for those who have gone before paving the way for us to do what we love to do here in Mandeville and Covington. That is why we were more than happy to host one of two available beatdowns for day 5 of the week-long celebration of F3 NOLA’s 6 year convergnce.

    25 men showed up to scramble (or at least make an appearance) on this 67 degree Fall morning. After a warm-up consisting of Cherry Pickers, Imperial Walkers, T Stretches, Torso Twists, High Knees, Fire Hydrants, and Scorpion Kicks, the PAX hit the streets of Mandville running the traditional route with a few hiccups thrown in to keep the heart rates elevated and things so much more interesting. There were 4 sets of cones along the route and, on the way out, runners sprinted from the 1st cone 150 feet to the 2nd cone of each set. On the way in 10 burpees a piece were on tap at each cone.

    Back at the flags, QIC lead the gazelles as well as the clydesdales in some amateur-hour yoga, before the more experienced (vicariously?) Zoolander took the reigns to close us out.

    There was lots of great mumble-chatter as the endorphins flowed and we, once again, owned the gloom!

    COT

    Some guys had to split and some were just showing up as we circled up to count off and roll call. Hokie Pokie prayed us out as we ventured out to start another day.

    Thank you guys for allowing me to lead today, and thank you Fracsac for not showing up with the Freedom Hammer.

  • 6 Year Anniversary (10-14-2020) – The Birdcage

    Woke up early to this beautiful, cool, dry morning to setup the field in front of Audubon Zoo with our F3 flags. Then I moseyed to our usual Birdcage COT spot to meet up with 45 other PAX to celebrate F3Nola’s 6 year anniversary. Before the disclaimer, I told the PAX that this is our actual anniversary date, and The Birdcage was our very first weekday AO. We then headed over to the field in front of Audubon Zoo with our warmup exercises in cadence. To honor our 6 year anniversary, we started the day with 6 burpees OYO.

    1.) SSHs x 20

    2.) Windmills x 10

    3.) Self Love x 10

    4.) Imperial Walkers x 20

    5.) Peter Parker, Parker Peter, MCs x 15

    We divided the PAX in 2 groups in the middle of the field. One group was facing the Zoo while the other was facing Magazine Street. Each group had their own marker to reach to (which was about 50 feet away).

    Round 1 – moseyed to the marker and did 10 hand release merkins. Then moseyed back to the middle of the field and went back out to marker to do 15 hand release merkins. Then moseyed back to the middle of the field and went back to the marker to finish off with 20 hand release merkins. Then converged back to the middle of the field to wait for the Six (SSHs until the Six was done).

    Round 2 – similar routine as round 1 except we did 10, 15, and 20 big boy situps.

    Round 3 – similar to round 1 except we did 10, 15, and 20 jump lunges. Also, instead of running, we were side hopping.

    Round 4 – similar to round 1 except we did 10, 15, and 20 leg raises.

    Round 5 – similar to round 3 except we did 10, 15, and 20 squats.

    Round 6 – similar to round 1 except we bear crawled to the marker and moseyed back to the middle of the field with 20, 40, and 60 overhead air presses in between.

    Round 7 – similar to round 6 except we bunny hopped to the marker and moseyed back to the middle of the field with 5, 10, and 15 burpees in between.

    At some point during the workout, we saw a shooting star with a crescent moon in the backgound.

    Round of Mary

    We did the following in cadence:

    1.) American Hammers x 20

    2.) LBCs x 20

    3.) Hello Dolly x 20

    4.) Low Country Crabs x 10 (Yankee’s lead)

    5.) Dying Cockroach x 20 (Hawgcycle’s lead)

    COT

    We finished the beatdown with COT. Announcements and prayers. Someone mentioned Bogey is buying for everyone who shows up at the Deutsches Haus tonight. We thank Sky Q for giving us the strength everyday so that we can do this on a regular basis. Always grateful to be out in the AM with the PAX and hopeful for many years of this.

    Few of us had some F2 coffee at PJ’s on Magazine. Always entertaining conversations with the PAX. SYITG

  • Celebrating the Six

    Conditions:  Humid and Partly Cloudy.  73 degrees, 100% humidity.  Wind 4 mph from the NW

    The Thang

    We divided up into nine teams to play some Rarájipari.  Teams of 4 or 5 kick a baseball as they run.  No real rules other than you have to kick it everywhere you go.  Today each team had to visit four landmarks to collect a playing card.  They could collect the cards in any order. First team to make it back with all four cards and the ball was the winner.  The landmarks were the Peristyle, The Dueling Oak, The Singing Oak, and the Rugby Pitch.  Overall mileage was roughly 3 miles for the efficient teams, over 3.5 for some of the more directionally challenged teams. 

    Cool Down

    As teams arrived back to the start High-Rise led as he took stretch requests and YHC closed us out with a little Mary before we sealed the deal.

    NMM

    • Chaos ensued at the start.  A couple of Pax went down with turned ankles and balls were lost.
    • We started with nine balls.  We ended with five.  Not sure of the specifics, but one team was rumored to have lost two balls somehow.
    • One team lost a ball off the Wisner Bridge.  That leads to a number of questions.
    • The teams that went to the Peristyle first had to weave their way through a Zumba class to get to the flag. 
    • This workout was much more compliant with Corona restrictions than what Papa Smurf did on Monday.  Although our pods were sharing the same ball, YHC was the only one without shoes.  CDC guidelines limit shoeless Rarájipari players to one per team.  In an abundance of caution, other teams shod all of their players.    
    • Some teams were looking for Dueling Oaks.  Just to clarify, the Oaks themselves have no beef with one another.  The Dueling Oak, singular, was the location of many a human duel back in the day. 
    • T-claps to Rudy, Boo-Boo, and Kuch for helping YHC put the flags out this morning. 
    • T-claps to Bushwhacker and Cowbell for making the trek from the frigid North.  Cowbell was showing off a strong sock game today.
    • Every Rarájipari team has a 6.  And depending on what group we are in, that could, for the most part, be any one of us.  The fast guys are usually controlling the ball up front and the 6 is keeping a consistent pace trying to keep up.  You may be falling farther and farther behind, but you keep running.  You keep plugging away.  Inevitably someone kicks the ball into the shrubs, or into a giant mud hole, or off the Wisner Bridge and you catch up.  It’s hard to overstate the importance of consistency in every aspect of our lives.  Keep plugging away – you’ll get there.      

  • Eddie Van Halen Tribute

    I had previously signed up to Q Swolefest not realizing that this would the convergence week. I assumed the PAX number would be low but the energy and effort would not. In order to help with the energy I opted to pay tribute to one of the great guitarists of our time and we rocked out to a Van Halen playlist this morning. Once 5:30 rolled around and I saw 6 PAX but only 2 cinder blocks and a BOSU provided by yours truly modifications would have to be made.

    Warm up:

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

    Tha Thang #1:

    My plan was to have everyone partner up for some Flora 1-2-3 with our cinder blocks. Well with only 2 cinder blocks present modifications were made. PAX was split into 2 groups of 3 and the block would be rotated. Also instead of combined 100-200-300 reps we did a combined 100-240-325 to ensure everyone got equal number of reps.

    • 100 combined reps merkins on block. While PAX #1 performs 10 merkins on the block Pax #2 and #3 plank until it is their turn. Rotate through until 100 reps performed
    • 240 LBCs with block on chest. While Pax #1 performs 20 LBCs with block on chest Pax #2 and #3 perform static leg hold until it is their turn. Rotate through until 240 reps performed.
    • 325 Goblet squats. While PAX #1 performs 25 goblet squats Pax #2 and #3 hold Al Gore position until it is their turn. Rotate through until 325 reps performed.

    Tha Thang #2:

    Splint into 3 groups of 2.

    Round 1 upper body, group on BOSU is the timer. Rotate through each station:

    • Group 1: PAX #1 performs 20 merkins on BOSU while PAX #2 planks. Swap.
    • Group 2: PAX #1 performs curls with block AMRAP while PAX #2 planks. Swap.
    • Group 3: PAX #1 performs overhead triceps extension AMRAP with block while PAX #2 planks. Swap.

    Round 2 lower body, group on BOSU is timer. Rotate through each station:

    • Group 1: PAX #1 performs 20 squats while standing on BOSU and PAX #2 holds Al Gore.
    • Group 2: PAX #1 performs forward lunge with twist while holding block AMRAP. PAX #2 holds Al Gore.
    • Group 3: PAX #1 performs reverse lunge with twist while holding block AMRAP. PAX #2 holds Al Gore.

    Mosey over to the Foundry for a pull up ring of fire. PAX performs 10 pull ups while everyone else holds plank. Rotate through until all PAX have performed 10 pull ups. Mosey back to the flag.

    Countoff, Name-o-rama, Annoucements, Intentions, and socially distances COT. It was great to lead again and for all PAX interested in Swolefest please invest in a block or 2.

  • On the fly by the fly

    Tick, tock, tick, tock.  Who’s the Q?  With no reply, YHC stepped up.  Off to the soccer field.

    Warm-up: SSHs 20xIC, Imperial Squat Walkers 19xIC, pulses 20xIC, Bat Shit Crazies 20 each xIC.

    Mosey to the levee for some 11s: V-ups at the bottom from 10 to 1 and jump squats on the levee from 1 to 10.

    Mosey to the Audubon statue for some Dora: 50 burpees, 100 V-Ups (???) and 150 Dying Cockroaches, while the other PAX ran a short loop.

    Mosey back to the flag to finish off with a minute or so or plank.

    Count-off, name-o-rama and intentions.  Although there were 16 PAXs, YHC could remember only 14.  #Tclaps to the two other brothers, who it turns out posted not for praise or recognition.  JV

  • Short Romp

    YHC asked whether a Misty Mountain beatdown lasts 60 minutes or just 45.  The answer was swift and certain: 45, you $#%^*&!.  Oh well, it was worth a try.  Mosey to the Palm circle for a warm-up: some side straddle hops, imperial walkers, grass grabbers, arm circles, etc.  And then a mosey to the mountain.

    Pyramid blimps: run up first level to 5 burpees, then up a level for 5 burpees and 10 lunges, then to the other end for 5 Bs, 10 Ls and 15 imperial walkers, then up a level for 5 Bs, 10 Ls, 15 IWs and 20 merkins, then to the other end for 5 Bs, 10 Ls, 15 IWs, 20 Ms and 25 plank jacks, then up a level for 5 Bs, 10 Ls, 15 IWs , 20 Ms, 25 PJs and 30 squats.  Continue up the ramp with 10 V-ups (???, not certain, but something that QHC would consider reasonable) at each end till the PAX reaches the top.

    Some Mary: BBCs (big boy crunches: up for 10 count) ICx10, penguins 20xIC, Russian twists 20xIC and maybe another exercise or two.

    Then mosey down the stairs to the benches by the fountain for right leg step ups 15xIC, dips 15xIC,, left leg stup ups 15xIC, incline merks 15xIC and close out with 5 box jumps.

    Count off, name-o-rama, and intentions for those in the wake of Hurricane Delta.  Thanks, JV

  • My Return to Okwata

    My return to my home base, Okwata, was exciting since I haven’t been here since the Murph in May. I know this AO always offers the potential for the toughest workouts between the elements and structures/obstacles offered. I was excited to know that there was no Q on the sheet because I wanted the challenge to lead this morning.

    When I arrived, I was greeted by the beautiful sight of 4 newly-minted shovel flags that we were hard at work last night finishing. It truly is amazing to see this when you arrive to workout.


    5:30 hit and after the disclaimer, we moseyed to the fountain for some high knees, butt kicks and carioca left and then right. We circled up in front of the fountain for warm-up.
    SSH x 20

    Imperial Walker x 20

    Peter Parker Peters x 20

    Arm Circles 10 front and 10 reverse

    20 Seal Claps

    20 Overhead Claps

    Self Love

    Moseyed to the House of Pain for a circuit workout which was divided into:

    Low Slow Squats

    Merkins

    Lunges

    Pull-Ups

    Timer was a run to the first oak tree on the sidewalk toward Canal and back to the HOP. We completed one round, and I decided to poll the PAX for the next challenge. We had one vote for a run and the rest chose levee work. They chose wisely…

    We hit the levee for 11’s starting with 8-count body at 10 reps, 5 plank jacks at the top of the levee (both ways) and low slow squats 1 rep. I called it when our six got to 6 eight counts and 5 low slow squats. We moseyed back to the grass in front of the fountain where we completed the 11’s as a group with 15 eight count body builders and 21 low slow squats.

    We concluded with 5 minutes of Mary.


    30 seconds of Halos clockwise then 30 seconds counter-clockwise

    1 minute reverse crunch twists

    1 minute dynamic planks

    1 minute chainsaws

    1 minute controlled, slow big boy sit-ups

    We closed with count off, name-o-rama and prayers of gratitude/safety from the storm. Always an honor to lead.

  • Coupons and Benjamins

    14 Pax got up to welcome the weekend at the Mothership on this beautiful fall day.

    The Warm up

    After a disclaimer by the Flag, we moseyed to the great lawn area and went through 10 minutes of stretching without any cadence. 30-45 seconds of Cross Body Arm Stretches for each arm; 30-45 seconds of Shoulder stretches for each shoulder; 30-45 seconds of Adductor Stretch w/ Tspine Rotation in each direction; 30-45 seconds of Lunges; 10 -15 yards out of Bear Crawl and then back with Crawl Bear focusing on flat backs and shims parallel to the grounds; 30-45 seconds of One legged bend overs with coupon for each leg.

    The Thang

    Dora style workout (except every thing was 100) with 7 teams of two. Whenever the team finished they were rewarded with shoulder taps until all 7 teams were completed.

    Round 1 100 Triceps with coupons and Rifle carries

    Round 2 100 Overhead Presses and Duck Walks

    Round 3 100 Sumo Squats and Carrying coupon

    Round 4 100 Staggered Merkins and Overhead carries

    Round 5 100 Curls and Lunges

    Round 6 100 KB swings and Crawl Bears and Bear Crawls

    We then closed under the peristyle with Ascending testicles for one minute (twice) and a rinse and repeat of the pre-thang stretching

  • Swolefest 10-5-2020

    The Swolefest AO is a great place to start off the week. Throwing around the cinderblock is a good way to get the blood pumping and the body moving. Today was no different. When 5:30am hit, I issued the disclaimer and then we proceeded with the warmup:

    WarmUp:

    • Side straddle hops – 20 in cadence
    • Mountain climbers – 20 in cadence
    • Windmills – 10 in cadence
    • Arm circles – 10 forward, 10 backward in cadence

    After the warmup, it was time to get it on. So we proceeded with the thang.

    Tha Thang:

    DORA 1-2-3:

    • 100 curls with the block
    • 200 bench press with the block
    • 300 plank jacks with the block

    Highrise gave us a 30 count, then we went ahead & did another DORA 1-2-3

    DORA 1-2-3:

    • 100 leg raises over the block
    • 200 step ups with the block
    • 300 bend over rows with the block

    Once we finished with the second DORA, it was right at 6:15am, so we did the count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions & prayer. We also had an FNG out there with us in the Gloom this morning. He was a friend of Belloq & Tool, and he did well out there during his first beatdown. After the name-o-rama, he went into the middle of the circle and told us a little about himself. After some deliberation, the consensus on his F3 name was “Heart-o-Quack.” Welcome Heart-o-quack. Hoping to see you in the Gloom for more beatdowns in the future. As always, thanks for the chance to lead, fellas. It’s always enjoyable.