Category: New Orleans

  • 3 PAX, 1 Homeless, 1 Turtle, & 1 Rooster

    Hurricane Barry was hovering over the coast of Louisiana on Saturday. Not knowing if we were going to have Sweaty Bells on Sunday morning, YHC and Willie were having some whiskeys at their friend’s, Paw Patrol’s, house on the previous night.

    Our whiskey lineup on Saturday night!!!

    After many rounds of scotch and bourbon, YHC looked over to Willie and asked if we should have Sweaty Bells next morning. Willie’s response was – “Sure.” YHC posted on Mumblechatter about Sweaty Bells would be still on. Thanks to Tinkles informing YHC about the gates at the Fly were closed. YHC made a change on the AO to where the PAX normally meet at the Skinny and Birdcage. At 6:30 a.m., only one brave soul weathered through Hurricane Barry and met YHC at the shelter for a 45 minutes beatdown. It was an interesting morning. JV and YHC showed up at the shelter. First, we saw a turtle. Then a homeless guy was sleeping on one of the benches the entire time. Finally, a rooster was wandering around the shelter with the PAX for the entire 45 minutes.

    Warm-ups

    SSHs x 20 IC

    Forward Arm Circles x 10 IC

    Backward Arm Circles x 10 IC

    Toe – Touches x 10 IC

    MCs x 20 IC

    Peter Parker x 20 IC

    Parker Peter x 20 IC

    After warm-ups, PAX did the following: 10 right-leg and 10 left leg step ups with the bell, Curls x 10 IC, decline plank from the bench and pull the bell from left to right and right to left 15 times, Low Slow Squats with the bell x 10 IC (Willie showed up at this point and joined the PAX), 15 right leg and 15 left leg power ups with the bell, BLIMPS with the bell around the shelter. Because of the ISI Challenge, YHC modify the “M” as merkins to pulling the bell from left to right and right to left 20 times in plank position.

    After the Blimps, each Pax started with 11 thrusters on one end of the shelter. Then bear crawled to the other end. Then moseyed back to the beginning and did 10 thrusters. Rinse and repeat with 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 thrusters. In total, each PAX toughed out at least 2 minutes of bear crawling and 66 thrusters. Then each PAX did 15 dips in cadence followed by 10 clockwise halos with a curl in between and 10 more halos and curls in the opposite direction.

    At the end of the workout – PAX completed more than 7:00 minutes in plank position for Day 14 ISI challenge.

    Round of Mary

    LBCs with the bell x 15 IC

    Flutterkicks with the bell x 15 IC

    Dying Cockroach x 20 IC

    Penguins x 20 IC

    Hello Dolly with the bell x 15 IC

    American Hammer with the bell x 12 IC

    Finished with workout with some legs and arms stretches.

    COT

    Count-o-Rama 3 PAX, Name-o-Rama, announcements, and intentions. JV, Willie and YHC all made it to coffeeteria at PJs. Once again, thanks for the opportunity to lead.

    SYITG

    King Kong

    3 Strong PAX looking forward to coffeeteria!!!
  • Rooster wants in

    I was about to go to bed on Tuesday night but I decided to check the Q in the AM and man was I disappointed to see that no one had signed up yet. So I took the Q and planned a run free beatdown in prep for the Gnarly Nutria later that night.

    The Humidity was ridiculous today.

    Jogged us over to the bandstand. Here we did a warmup SSH x 20, Lunges forward and backward x 20, Peters x 20, Merks x 15, Mtn CLimbers x 20, and Imp Walker Squats x 21

    Then we jogged over to the row bars.

    At the row bars we did Row x 20 as the count: other stations Burpees, Dying Roaches

    Then we hustled back to the bandstand. Here the rooster made his presence known. Lots of good mornings from that guy. We definitely wanted in on the circle. I wanted to save my legs for the Gnarly Nutria so we focused on core.

    PLANK O RAMA: 40 secs on the clock – 12 sec break I used a clock timer instead of counting cadence…Regular, Shoulder Taps, ABC Plank Jacks, Toe Touch, Parker Peters, Bear Crawl Jump, Plank Walk Reg, Glute Bridge with Leg Raises, Elbow Plank Punch, JLOS

    MARY: Again I used the clock to keep time on the activities. Hip Dips Left and Right, Fire Hydrant, Donkey Kick, Y T W, LBT, Bow to Superman, Russian Twist, Knees up with rotation, Full Dead Bug, Slow Bicycle O Mary, Low Country Crab

    We had just a few min left so we went to the benches: Dips, Delcine Toe Taps, and Bulgarian Slpit lunge L/R.

    Then we moseyed back to the flag – still getting heckled by Rooster.

    11 PAX in prep for the Gnarly Nutria!

  • Gnarly Nutria IV The Uptown Funk

    Gnarly Nutria IV The Uptown Funk

    YHC began Wednesday morning like any other Wednesday morning with a quality 45 minute beatdown at Popeyes (this Wednesday led by the always dangerous Darkwing Duck). YHC’s thoughts quickly turned to the Gnarly Nutria as a nutria was spotted by Hokie Pokey running in the grass near the Pax. YHC took this as a strong omen for an upcoming victory for the World. The native nutria had come out from its hole to bless the World on the morning of the Gnarly Nutria.

    YHC’s confidence continued to grow as he arrived at the Gnarly Nutria to see members of the World surrounding him as the World came out in force. Surely the World would continue their winning streak and extend their dominance over the Uptowners on their home turf. Reluctant Yankee shouted out the rules and scoring system and led the racers to the starting line.

    A record 91 men lined up for the 4th running of the Gnarly Nutria. 51 for the World. 28 for the Uptowners. 12 for the Northshore. After an odd 2 minute countdown, the runners were off in the humidity and the heat for 5.4 miles of sweaty, stupid joy.

    As YHC rounded the first turn of the Gnarly Nutria with Tua and Heisenberg by his side, he his extreme confidence in a victory began to fade and he knew the world might be in trouble in spite of their superior numbers. A mass of Uptowners burst forward past him with a speed the World would be unable to match.

    Then the funk hit. YHC doesn’t want to know what the Uptowners are doing in their fabled Audubon park but the stink of the park was strong last night and surely slowed down the time of the World and the NorthShore who aren’t accustomed to the Uptown Funk.

    Flatline can hold his head high and claim the title “Fastest Man in F3NOLA” for the next 12 months. Flatline finished the Gnarly Nutria IV in a blistering fast 33 minutes. ESPN8 came in second with 35 minutes. In-Time came in third with a time of 38 minutes. Mulligan finished fourth with 39 minutes and Isobar rounded out the top 5 with 39 minutes and 40 seconds.

    4 of the top 5 were Uptowners with In-Time the top finisher for the NorthShore and Shuffles coming in 7th with the top place for the World. Thanks to their domination in speed, the Uptowners overcame the World’s superior numbers.

    The Uptowners won Gnarly Nutria IV with 326 points.

    The World came in second with 260 points

    Northshore came in third with a respectable 127 points coming from only 12 runners.

    Tripleshift wins the award for most significant run of the night as he rucksaked the race in honor of Terabyte who went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ earlier this year.

    Bogey wins the award for most beautiful face of the night. Thanks for keeping score and being the pretty face waiting for us at the finish line.

    The After Party

    The Pax of 91 – 5 gathered together for post-race Name-O-Rama and the announcements of the winner and top finishers. The Pax began with a moment of silence and prayer thanking God for Terabyte and the role he played in F3NOLA.

    Followed by a far too long Counterama, followed by a far too long Name-O-Rama, the Pax named 9 FNGs. I am guessing that is a new F3NOLA FNG record. Welcome to Mallrats, Bangs, Johnny Football, Polaroid, Mumbles, Body Shots, Incandescent, Apollo, and Hot Pants.

    The Pax gathered together for the infamous sweaty ball-o-man as YHC closed the Pax out in prayer thanking God for the evening and asking Him to use F3 to impact the lives of more men in NOLA. F3 means so much to all of us and may we not hog and hide the friendship, accountability, and growth we have received in F3. Continue to find those men at your work, neighborhood, and in your families who are isolated and struggling. The average American man has less than one friend. YHC has 91. You have 91. Pass this friendship on to others.

    Your Humble Correspondent,

    Rev Sox

    The Results

    1. Flatline
    2. ESPN8
    3. In Time
    4. Mulligan
    5. Isobar
    6. Waterpik
    7. Shuffles
    8. Turbo Tax
    9. Cavalier
    10. Mahatma-Ice
    11. Screw Top
    12. Cowbell
    13. Tinkles
    14. Saban
    15. Fetch
    16. Baby Bjorn
    17. FNG Alex
    18. El Guapo
    19. Sea Biscuit
    20. Sandbar
    21. Rudy
    22. Ya Mom’n Dem
    23. 86
    24. Shorty
    25. SOGO
    26. Jadaveon
    27. Two Yutes
    28. FNG Deano?
    29. Backdraft
    30. Jesus Juice
    31. Nip Tuck
    32. FNG
    33. Heisenberg
    34. Speedy Gonzalez
    35. Quarter Pipe
    36. Bartman
    37. Rev Sox
    38. Tua
    39. FNG
    40. Shooter
    41. FNG
    42. Pai Gow
    43. Amnesia
    44. Bongo
    45. FracSac
    46. Ocho
    47. FNG
    48. Einstein
    49. Nine Lives
    50. Kuch
    51. Kiss
    52. Tool
    53. Baywatch
    54. Gideon
    55. Chewy
    56. Reluctant Yankee
    57. Gumby
    58. FNG
    59. PoBoy
    60. Woz
    61. FNG
    62. FNG
    63. War Eagle
    64. Tanner
    65. FNG
    66. Hawg
    67. Surge
    68. Chowda
    69. Chips
    70. Darkwing Duck
    71. Hokey Pokey
    72. Triple Shift
    73. Jose 10k
    74. Bushwacker
    75. Brown Bag
    76. Earmuffs
    77. Squeal
    78. Moist
    79. DaParish
    80. Uncle Si
    81. Colonial
    82. Mambi
    83. Short Bus
    84. Left Eye
    85. King Kong
    86. Amnesty
    87. Seaman
    88. Cash Bar
    89. Gold Bar
    90. FNG
    91. FNG
  • It Burns, Burns, Burns

    I suppose the morning began like any other summer day in NOLA. Which is to say 80+ degrees before the sun rises and the air felt like eating a hot cup of gumbo. In the sun. After a half marathon. But today being a high holy day on the F3 NOLA calendar, we were keenly alert. And sure enough, one of the four PAX who braved the punishing morning conditions at Popeyes spotted a Nutria emerging from the brush. Fortunately, since there was no sun, there was also no shadow to see, and as (nouveau) legend has it, we can all rest assured that we will NOT have six additional laps at the Gnarly Nutria this evening.

    Warm Up

    Long mosey, including a double parking lot weave, continuing to the grassy knoll (and by knoll, I actually mean a complete flat piece of ground) just west of the Giant Gazebo in the center of the park.

    Exercise x Reps
    SSH x 20
    Mountain Climbers x 20
    Imperial Walkers x 20
    Grass Grabbers x 20
    Arm Circles x 10/10
    Abe Vigotas x 20

    Short mosey to what the Popeyes faithful refer to as the “Clock of Death”.

    Hands of Time

    PAX on their 6, heads toward the center of the Clock of Death, legs up at 90 degrees, hands under your rear. Drop straightened legs to 10 degrees and hold as PAX counts off aloud in a circle pattern:

    Time x Rest (in Seconds)
    60 x 10
    60 x 10
    60 x 10
    40 x 10
    40 x 10
    40 x 10
    20 x 10
    20 x 10

    Ring of Fire

    PAX remains in the center of the Clock of Death. One set of exercises, followed by a run around the interior circle, continuing on to the next exercise. All exercises completed = one Ring of Fire.

    Exercise x Reps
    Merkins x 15
    Jump Squats x 15
    Big Boy Sit-ups x 15
    Monkey Humpers x 15
    Russian Twist x 15

    Unfortunately, time only allowed for 1.5 completions of the Ring of Fire, but no PAX was lacking for sweat, and every PAX appeared to be lacking for breath.  All in all, we clocked 2.42 miles…

    Mosey back to the flag
    COT
    Numberama
    Namearama
    Announcements
    Prayer

  • Jumpin’ Jack Flash

    (Belated Post from 7.12.2019)

    We worked out in a crossfire (almost) hurricane. The PAX howled in the drivin’ rain (sprinkle). But it’s all right now…

    Warm Up

    Micro mosey over to Grass Sticker Field.

    SSH x 20
    Mountain Climbers x 20
    Imperial Walkers x 20
    Grass Grabbers x 20
    LBCs x 20
    Self Love x 10

    Bear Crawlathon ‘19

    Mosey to the power station along the Uptowner track. The mission was to complete a Bear Crawl Indian Run back to the rock pile (wash, rinse, repeat for approx. 1/8 mile) including the following exercises:

    Merkins x 10
    Russian Twist x 10
    Shoulder Taps x 10
    Hello Dolly x 10
    Plank Jacks x 10

    Micro mosey back to the flag
    COT
    Numberama
    Namearama
    Announcements
    Prayer

    This being YHC’s very first Q, there was a desire not to disappoint. And judging by all of the grumbling, the beatdown at the Uptowner was an unqualified success.

  • Braving the Mountain through the Harsh Mist and Drizzle

    Although lightning and thunder was forecast for Friday morning, the city of New Orleans was lucky to avoid the worst, especially after Wednesday. So 31 PAX gathered on a gloomy, humid, damp Friday morning intent on running some ramps in a parking lot for no reason other than the fact it’s hard.

    A brief, yet still somewhat rambling disclaimer was given, and at 5:30 we set off to get after it.

    Warm-up

    Mosey up St. Charles and back down to grassy area in front of Tulane for a quick warm-up of

    • SSHx20
    • ISWx20
    • Peter Parker Peter x20 each
    • Arm Circles 10/10
    • 10 burpees OYO to clear our heads of the backwards counting that always throws YHC off.

    Mosey to the base of the Mountain for

    • 10 Merkins I/C, sprint one ramp, mosey one ramp
    • 10 Burpees OYO, sprint one ramp, mosey one ramp
    • 10 8-count bodybuilders OYO, sprint one ramp, mosey one ramp
    • 10 angle grinders I/C, sprint one ramp, mosey one ramp
    • Bernie Sanders one ramp, mosey one ramp

    When we arrived at the top, it was a bit damp for the work we needed to do, so we headed down a level for some Catch Me if You Can in 3 rounds and 3 lines to keep it moving:

    • Rd 1: Squats while everyone else holds Al Gore; (when the person in front of you hits 5, you start, at 10, you run down a ramp and back up the stairs and back in line)
    • Rd 2: jump squats
    • Rd 3: jump lunges

    Next, a little tabata for fun. Nothing quite gets the heart rate up like some high intensity tabata. 25 on/10 off. 8 exercises, crowd choice. We ended up doing:

    • flutter kicks
    • Box cutters
    • Burpees
    • 8 count bodybuilders
    • merkins
    • LBC’s
    • 2 other exercises I cannot remember

    The rule was, if you don’t remember the exercise you suggested when it’s up, then we do burpees. Incidentally and unrelated, everyone remembered his exercise.

    Finally, some Mary to seal the deal. 5 exercises

    • American Hammers (FracSac)
    • Leg raises (King Kong)
    • 3 exercises by YHC I cannot remember

    Mosey back to the Flag and arrive exactly at 6:15… or you know, right around that time. COT, name-o-rama, and a prayer of thanks. Thanks for letting this lakeview pax lead the uptown workout.

  • No Problemata Tabata

    24 person tabata? No problem! We’ll head to they gym today and use the stairs.

    WARM UP
    Side straddle hop
    Wind mills
    Grass grabbers
    Low slow squats
    Mountain climbers
    Peter Parkers 
    JLo’s
    Box cutters
    Flutter kicks

    Tabata (40 second workout, 20 second rest, 8 times)

    Divide into 3 groups, each group takes a workout (decline pushups on the Gym stairs) and then rotate through the workouts. ie – group1 on the stairs, group 2 lined up behind them, group 3 behind them. Group 1 starts at Decline pushups, 2 at squats, 3 at bench press. After the set, each group moves to the next station.

    1st Round

    Decline pushups
    Squats
    Bench Press

    2nd Round

    Stair Jumps
    Rows
    Curls

  • Sunday Funday

    YHC arrived at the Renaissance AO about the same time as Hokie Pokey, and the assumption was we would be the only Pax to post. With time approaching 6:00 we thought about a run down the Bayou, until another vehicle came along, and with Gumby it made us three. With the threat of rain, we considered a mosey to the Peristyle, but then Abacus arrived, bringing us to four. YHC needed to bring a solid beat down to make the Sunday Funday worthwhile, so it began with a disclaimer and a mosey around Delong Drive. Circle up in front of NOMA.

    Warmup all IC
    SSH x 30
    IW x 15
    Grassgrabbers x 10
    Arm circles x 20

    First up – Dora 123
    Partner up for the following
    100 Burpees
    200 Squats
    300 LBC’s
    Cumulative count, while other pax runs a lap around NOMA

    Next up – Plank and Step ups
    Stay partnered up. Pax 1 holds plank at top of NOMA steps, Pax 2 completes 20 step ups at NOMA fountain/pond. Flapjack for 5 rounds.

    Total planking was 6 minutes each. Finish the beat down with 1:30 of planking, just to be sure the full 7 minutes was achieved.

    COT
    Count off, Name-o-Rama, announcements, intentions, closed with a prayer to the Sky Q.

    NMM
    YHC did not really want to do much of anything this day, but the other pax posting got this guy motivated and we made our downPainment for the day.
    Coffeteria was attended by all Pax. Good times!
    Thanks for posting with me and for keeping F3 alive!

    SYITG


  • The Wrath of Barry

    Jim Cantore scared all of New Orleans when he unexpectedly showed up at the New Orleans Lakefront this week. The F3 Nola Pax were confused, as his appearance at Okwata was on Friday, which was a day late, Okwata workout is Thursday. So several Pax reached out to him on Da Twitter to see if he would join us in City Park for the Mothership, but it wasn’t meant to be.

    7 pax defied the media sensationalism of a hurricane doomsday scenario and showed up expecting a Catfish style beat down, which always leaves us nothing short of spent. But Catfish had to head out of town, and passed the Q to YHC. So, as the clock struck 0630, time for a brief disclaimer, in the cool breezy dry conditions, and mosey to the Great Lawn. During the warmup, the 3 pax from the Muscleship joined us for a United City Park beat down, bringing us to 10. Jim Cantore wishes he had shown up!

    Warmup
    SSH IC x 31
    Imperial Walkers IC x 20
    grass grabbers IC x 10
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Arm Circles IC x 20
    Peter Parker IC x 20
    mountain climber IC x 20
    Parker Peter IC x 20

    Mosey to the first tree on the great lawn for a Catfish classic.
    But first, 10 Burpees OYO just to get the attention of the pax.
    Starting at first tree, bear crawl two trees, complete 10 merkins.
    Crabwalk two trees and complete 10 merkins.
    Bear crawl two trees and complete 10 merkins, followed by 10 burpees.
    Mosey back to street in front of the peristyle.

    Indian run to the Foundry.

    Stations at the Foundry
    5 Stations, 2 pax per station.
    Station 1 – Big Boi Sit-ups AMRAP
    Station 2 – Pull-ups AMRAP
    Station 3 – Ski jump the snake AMRAP
    Station 4 – Merkins AMRAP
    Station 5 – Run to the Bike Track, complete 12 Burpees and run back – Timer

    Divide Pax in two squads, 5 in each squad. Squad 1 completes 20 Merkins IC while Squad 2 holds a 90 degrees flexed arm hang. Flap Jack.
    Rinse and Repeat for a total of 2 full rounds.

    Mosey to the bike track and count off 1,2,1,2 etc. Line up in two columns for Bataan Death March. YHC indicated this was a race. Last man in the column drops off for 3 Burpees and sprints to the front. Continue for a full mile around the bike trail.
    YHC isn’t sure which column finished first, as all gave their best. With that said, we’re all winners for being there! #HIMS

    Complete 2 more rounds of 10 merkins and 90 degrees flexed arm hangs.

    Mosey to the fountain/pond in front of NOMA and hand off the Q to Bongo for a Muscleship finale.

    Dips IC x 20
    Low slow squats IC x 20
    Right leg step ups IC x 15
    Left Leg Step ups IC x 15
    Incline merkins IC x 20
    Low plank for 1 minute
    Decline merkins IC x 20
    LBC’s IC x 30
    *Note – YHC May have it a bit out of order, but that’s pretty much what happened, leaving us all spent.

    COT
    Count off, name-o-Rama, announcements, intentions, and closed with a prayer. During the COT is when Barry decided to show, which drenched the Pax.

    Good times followed the beat down with Coffeteria at Cafe Navarre. Jim Cantore would be jealous if he knew…..his loss!

    Thanks for posting with me today and for allowing me to be a part of such a great group.

    SYITG





  • Honoring Sgt. Joseph Bovia

    Sgt. Joseph “Joey” Bovia, USMC, was a native of Metairie, Louisiana.  He served in the Marine Corps for six years.  Sgt. Bovia volunteered for two deployments to Iraq and his last deployment to Afghanistan.  He was the leader of a combat engineering platoon and was building an outpost to protect an elementary school in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked by insurgents.  Sgt.  Bovia was killed in action on August 31, 2010, in the name of freedom and protection.  

    On June 7, 2019, 19 men of F3 (including FNG Dropout) converged at the Rock City AO to pay tribute to this hometown hero through a workout, with minor modifications, created by Sgt. Bovia’s fellow Marines. Sgt. Bovia’s parents were notified of the F3 tribute the night before and sent their deepest gratitude to the men of F3.  Sgt. Bovia’s parents were assured that his and their sacrifice would not be forgotten. 

    WARMUP x31: SSH, Grass Grabbers, Arm Circles, and Hillbillies

    The Thang x 31

    Push-ups, WWII Sit-ups, Burpees, Squats, Kettle Bell, Push Presses with rock (modified from 20 lb. wall balls), Mountain Climbers (4-count), and Pull-ups.

    During the workout, a train passed transporting military vehicles.  A sure sign Sgt. Bovia was with us and was touched by the tribute (see pics below). Thanks to all who supported this beatdown.  Expect to see it again.

    Thanks to Hawgcycle who enthusiastically modified the workout to fit the AO and organized the logistics so there were no log jams.