F3 New Orleans

Category: Northshore

  • Pre-Crazy Ivan Quick-Step

    Has it gotten to the point yet (can it really ever) to where it’s passe, redundant, or simply monotonous to mention anything about the frigid temperatures we’ve been facing this winter? I didn’t think so either….It was DAMN COLD this morning! All the better reason to abbreviate this morning’s edition of The Captain’s Cove in anticipation of the juice we’ll need for our legs when the northshore’s honor is on the line tomorrow night at the inaugural Crazy Ivan. Despite halving the regularly scheduled 10k to a 5k, YHC  knew I would be pushed to the brink with the rest of the PAX consisting of members of F3 Northshore’s “8 minute mile club.” After all guys, I’m not really a runner…

    We quite quickly rolled off countorama/namorama, and with expedited efficiency we prayed a plainly direct prayer of appreciation and were off. Instead of the regular route, we just went the length of lakeshore dr. and back. T claps to Ei who eventually hung back for the slow mosier among us (I won’t mention any names), and tried his hardest to run slowly enough to stay with him.  Great run this morning guys, and an even better run tomorrow night! (hopefully with Butt Splice and Backdraft among us)

  • 3 Musketeers at the Scramble

    It was cold in the gloom this morning at the Scramble.  After some mumble chatter, we got right to it.

     

    Warmup (all IC):  10 SSHs, butt kicks, high knees, Wind Mills, plank-jacks, shoulder taps.

    Pre thang:  3 minutes of pull-ups, freak nasties, shoulder shrugs, in rotation

    Thang:  3.2mi run.

    Post Thang Mary (all IC): 20 IBCs, Flutter Kicks, Hello Dollys, Wife Pleasers

    I was glad to have two of my F3 brothers post for my first Q, especially on such a cold gloom.  Looking forward to many more with this band of men.

  • Global Warming at the Gipper

    Could not ask for a better morning with 9 bad ..ss F3 Warriors. Cold stopped no one this morning. Simply made for a great experience with the friendship thanks to F3.

     

    Warmup–we shot through 13 exercises with highlighted Side Straddle Hops where as 1 man at a time bounced to the center and back like a one man show during a wedding reception party. I think Bushwacker took that one as the best SSH dancer!  Other exercises included high knees, butt kicks, lunges, Merkins, side lunges, sumo squats-that was fun too, especially with the added arm gestures. Some of the exercises were repeated for a total of 13.

    The Thang–mosey to the courthouse (and a cyclist) for a little fun with merkins and Derkins… 5/20 rotation till it was 20/5 for a total of 100 merk/derks!

    Mosey to the parking lot for 3 more activities. 1- Four laps of a combination of lunges, bear hops, and bunny hops 2- circle around the imaginary flag pole. To the center and back with 12/3/6/9 rotation followed by crab crawl… Oh, when we got to the center it required a hand slap or twinkle toe touches.. Have to have been there to get the picture.3–Fifteen merkins with 2 runs blended in. Great for the cardio.

    Mosey back to the Gipper for some warm down exercises. Some discussion about the race this Saturday at 9 pm.. Be there, we are ready! And don’t forget Tough Mudder on the horizon.

    Hero of the day–Shooter–why you ask– no gloves!

    Closeout prayer by Bushwacker..reminded us how blessed we are.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Grandmas house has a new norm when it comes to attire!!

    Grandmas house has been changed by the appearance of leggings, beanies, gloves, sweatshirts, jogging pants, etc. in recent weeks.. The harsh winter weather on the Northshore has also hampered the turnouts to many locations, which in the past has seen upwards of 10 plus men on a weekday Gloom…. In past experience of being locked into a contract of the cosmetic facilities, I would always notice the high turnout for the New Years. However, with F3 I have seen a decline at most AOs with the exception of the Gipper. So I pose a question or two for my past and future F3 brothers.. Is it the weather? If so, then purchase some beanies, gloves, leggings, etc. and show up. Is it the price we pay? Doubtful, because as we all know it’s FREE and only requires 45 min of our day (much cheaper and less time consuming than the cosmetic facilities). So if your still reading this and haven’t posted in awhile let’s start packing the AOs once again and keep the commitment into the New year.. Statistics show 12% of all memberships for any given facility come in Jan. but it actually represents a 35-50% increase in volume and by the second week in Feb. only 20% of that increase remain committed. Also the cosmetics sell memberships with the intention of only 18% actually using them. Meaning there is a 1 in 5 chance you will actually use it consistently for longer than a month… Let’s not be a statistic my F3 brothers… Get out there beanies and all. No matter what the conditions, know that your body and mind will thank you.. And the F2 and chatter will be lagniappe as we like to say..

    warmarama

    25 IC SSH, IW, WM, BK

    15 IC GM, Arm Circles

    the thang

    Walkway for a set of 11s with Burpees on the bottom and squats at the top of the flag pole. Moseyed to the stage for some core work. Hit the 6 for some FK IC 30 followed by leg raises IC 15. Then LBCs IC 30 including left/right IC 15 side crunch’s rounding out with Superman’s IC 15. Moseyed to the bench’s by the trace for 15 Box jumps oyo then 25 Merkins, 15 oyo left to right side jump overs then 25 Merkins R/R. Moseyed back to the walkway for 1 min front, left and right plank and then to the benches under the flag pole for 15 IC Freak nasties and then 10IC Derkins. To the steps for completion, 5 calf raises 2 steps R/R up to the top. Descended the steps with 5 squats and 2 steps R/R back to the bottom.

    Count off, Announcements, COT

    Appreciate the Gloom with you two F3 brothers…

    Thanks to Bubba for praying us out!!

  • On Holiday At The Marsh

    Dashing out the door this morning in an effort not to be late to my own Q, I neglected to bring my gloves or even a sweatshirt.  As soon as the wipers hit a massive sheet of unyielding ice on my windshield, I realized I was woefully underdressed for the 29° weather.  Too late, no time.  And so, pulling up to the Marsh right at 0500, I sat in the car and began that inner monologue that has become too familiar over the past few cold weeks: Maybe no one will show today…  Maybe I can turn this car back around… Maybe I can get right back in bed… This mantra never really works, and post-beatdown, I’ve always been happy for that.  Which is why it was so shocking that today, for the first time in a long, long time, no one posted.

    I suspect that was partly due to the cold, and mostly due to the fact that it was MLK Day, and many were off work and could sleep in for a change (ahem…especially those returning from a big hunting trip).  Well, I’m not gonna lie and say I wasn’t a little bit excited by the prospect of a no-show.  But, in honor of King and his famous speech (which will have it’s 55th anniversary this year), YHC knocked out 55 pull-ups, followed by 55 merkins as quickly as humanly possible.  Then I drove back home (I’m not a total idiot), got my sweatshirt and gloves, and went for a short mosey.  And then… I got back into bed.

    It certainly wasn’t the caliber of a true F3 beatdown, but it was just enough to get out of bed for.  And it was a good reminder of why I need the F3 brothers in my life.  King’s notion that we are all brothers and sisters, despite our many differences, is a powerful one, and one that I see at work in the F3 nation every week.  So thanks to my brothers, enjoy your holiday, and YHC expects to see you men back out there tomorrow at Grandmother’s House.

  • Winter Soldiers

    Knowing that it was going to be cold on the Mandeville Lakefront this morning, YHC cast about late Friday for an appropriate pearl of wisdom to drop on the PAX.  Almost instantly, Thomas Paine’s immortal words from the American Revolution came mind:

    These are the times that try men’s souls.  The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.  Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.  What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

    The parallels to a beat down in the Gloom on a cold, windy and kind of wet morning in South Louisiana are too obvious to require explanation.  Let’s just say that eight winter soldiers and stout patriots assembled in a brotherly manner to make themselves better this morning.

    The Warmup

    Steve has the Bulgarian squat, Butt Splice owns the longest block, EiEi is best friends with Jane Fonda, Einstein likes to lunge backwards, and Shooter frequently employs the front plank to adjust the PAX’s attitude.  For YHC, it’s the stairs at Rips Restaurant and so that’s where we headed for this morning’s warmup:

    Partner up, one partner does SSHs while the other heads up and over the Rips’ stairs, switch up, rinse and repeat for 10 minutes alternating SSHs with IWs and the straight runs up and over the stairs with crossover runs.

    The Thang

    Short 10 count then short mosey to the East for the first COP:

    Round 1:  Merkin Wave to 80; then on our Sixes holding feet at 6 inches for an Up and Out Circle Leg Raise Wave to 80; back on our feet holding the People’s Chair while executing a Vertical Jump Wave to 80.

    Round 2:  Another Merkin Wave to 80; then on our Sixes holding feet at 6 inches for a Out and Up Circle Leg Raise Wave to 80; back on our feel holding People’s Chair while executing a Knees to Chest Vertical Jump Wave to 80.

    Recovery walk morphing into a mosey to the Harbor Playground, spicing up the mosey with random short accelerations, Merkins, and soccer style headers.  Formed up for the next COP on arrival:

    Isometric lunge hold left leg forward to a count of 30 followed immediately by 30 lunges pulses; switch legs and repeat; then Mission Impossible hold for 30 seconds followed by 30 Merkin pulses.

    Mosey to the Harbor Pavilion where we spread out among the benches for a few rounds of box jumps. Every 30 seconds, the PAX was asked to perform a set of three jumps, a straight jump, a lateral jump to the right and a lateral jump to the left.  We then picked up the pace for the second round, executing four box jumps every 30 seconds.  Round 3 called for six jumps and then the 4th and final round called for eight jumps.

    Mosey to the baseball field where we partnered up once again for two rounds of pull ups, Northshore Merkins (OK we officially claim the name of Northshore Merkins for plyo pushups), Tonya Hardings, and lateral squat jumps.

    Indian Run back to the Shovel Flag for a round of Mary:  back plank bicycles IC 20x, side plank dips IC 20x each side, and J Lo’s IC 20x.

    Countorama, nameorama, and Tanked Up prayed us out on the way to THE Manny funded Coffeeteria.

    Moleskin

    CRAZY IVAN.  It’s on next Saturday, January 20th at 2100.  Mandeville Lakefront AO.  EiEi scientifically has designed this CSAUP event to be .001% better than the Southshore’s Gnarly Nutria.  We’ll see if the Southshore PAX forgo their regularly scheduled Saturday evening bubble baths in order to cross the Causeway for some Cold War games.  Bragging rights for the next six months are on the line.  The Northshore Cold Warriors are ready.

    Chewy is off IR and how appropriate to have one of our Founding Father’s Kotter on a Thomas Paine themed beatdown.

    YHC learned at the Coffeeteria that Carpool’s employer has traded him to the Houston AO.  We’ll miss him here on the Northshore but of course are proud of him for his promotion and know that he’ll represent us well at the Houston AO.

    Captain Sparkles and Turtle are hunting with Shooter this weekend.  Will Shooter make it home alive?

     

  • Return at the Gipper

    Returning to the Gipper on this Gloom without the beanies and mittens also produced the return of Grundy and Moby from IR. Welcome back F3 brothers. While the PAX on the the Northshore have many AOs to choose, if your QIC had a choice of only (1) F3 beatdown  by far the Gipper would be the selection.., As hard as the QIC try’s to tax these men when he leads, it never fails that his mission seems incomplete as the men always impress and crave more of what they came for..

    Warmarama

    15IC GM, WM, IW

    30 IC SSH, BK

    10 IC Arm circles (forward/reverse), Overhead claps

    The thang

    Moseyed  to the Taj Mahal for our first bit of action. Circled the flag pole with the PAX holding blank while each man journeyed up the steps dropped for 2 Burpees and returned. Covered regular plank as well as left and right plank until complete. Next each PAX bear crawled to the flag pole and after the ringing of the qong was sounded each PAX would complete 2 Merkins. The QIC doubled the Merkins halfway through.. Wrapped up and then moseyed to the garage top. Partnered up for the first round of suicides half and full distance while the other did LBCs. Next was Caricoas half left and half right and the same back while the other man did Bicycles, and finally we did back pedal half and turn and sprint while the others did flutter kicks..  Mixed in a few 10 counts as the QIC noticed he may have winded a few men, which on this day is a proud moment for anyone Qing this group… Next on to Tabata (American style) as one stated standard Tabata as 20 sec of work and 10 sec rest. The Q implemented 30 sec work and 10 sec rest for 2 rounds. Round 1 Merikins/Plankjacks and Round 2 Squats/Imperial walkers.. If one ever thinks 30 sec of Work can’t get you pumped or have the sweat flowing, I challenge you to a series of Tabata and promise there will be no disappointment.. With 3 mins to spare moseyed back to AO for countarama, annoucarama, COT.

    Much respect for the men working through injuries and pain on this Gloom. Shows the dedication and determination, which inspires me to work harder at each beatdown.. 👊👊

    Special thanks to Grundy for praying us out..

  • Getting Dirty at Grandmother’s House

    A little late-night rain and some warmer temperatures (in the 50’s!) made things a little sloppy over at Grandma’s house this morning.  Sloppy enough that Pelican requested a move onto the concrete for our warm-up.  Sure, why not.  We were gonna get dirty in other ways… (namely, by kicking the thang off with a Dirty McDeuce).  But first:

    Warm Up: Seal Jacks, Windmills, SSH’s, IW’s, Good Mornings, High Knees, Butt Kicks, all 20x IC.  Mosey over to the stage for…

    The Thang:

    Dirty McDeuce:

    Merkins, Lunges, Flutter Kicks, x12 IC.  Run a lap around the small amphitheater.

    Catalina Wine Mixers, Squats, Freddie Mercs, 12x IC.  Run a lap.

    Werkins, Squat Jumps, LBC’s, 12x IC.  Run a lap.

    Burpees (12 OYO), Sister Mary Katherine’s, Sit-Ups, 12x IC.  Then mosey to the corridor for:

    Partner Sprints: P1 performs shoulder taps while P2 sprints there and back.  Flapjack.  Next up, P1 does plank jacks while P2 sprints, flapjack, and finally, merkins/sprints.

    A couple of 10 counts later, and the PAX is ready to lunge walk the length of that same corridor.  Upon completion, everyone attempts to pick the most stable of the rotting benches for a set of Freak Nasties, 20x IC.  Then back to the corridor for Lt. Dans across, with an ascending squat count.

    Lastly, Animals on Parade: Duck Walk, Bear Crawl, and Bunny Hops down the corridor.

    Circle up for an extended (8 minutes of) Mary: Flutter Kicks, Freddie Mercs, LBC’s, Putins (Hammers), Leg Raises, all 20x IC, with Big Boy Sit-Ups (20 OYO) to bring it home.

    Countdown, nameorama, naming of FNG Penguin, welcome… oh wait, that’s just Pelican, he forgot his name… and Shooter prayed us out.

    Thank you gentlemen, had fun this morning.

  • Crackerjack surprise

    Well committed to the Monday beat down and curious to whom would kick my but this gloom, I checked the Q sign up to see who it would be at 4:00am as I was very surprised no one had signed up to Q in this beautiful weather. Well I thought easy Q right if everyone checks the Q for the day and see’s no one signed up hey probably no one will show and I could hit it light and easy. So I signed up for the Q at 4am. Well not to my surprise there is always someone looking for a workout on the Northshore and had two hardcore F3 brothers ready to round robin it if need be. But just like in a crackerjack box they got a surprise Captain Sparkles signed up to Q at 4am. And since it was last min. This Q had no pre plans for a beat down. So it makes for a very hard backblast remembering everything that was done. But I’ll give it a shot with exercises probably not in order but most certainly done.

    Warm up all in cadence
    40 side straddle hops
    20 windmills
    20 High knees

    Moving Straight into the thing
    IN CADENCE
    25 LBC
    25 leg flutter
    2 min. Plank
    50 Putin’s
    50 Merkins
    25 LBC
    25 leg flutter
    25 Putin’s
    15 Hanging leg lifts
    5 pull-ups
    15 hanging leg lifts
    5 pull-ups
    20 LBC
    20 leg flutter
    6” off ground held legs for 60 mississippi
    25 Merkins
    20 Toe touches
    50 right leg step ups
    50 left leg step ups
    20 LBC
    20 leg flutter
    2 min. Plank
    1 min. Right plank
    1 min. Left plank
    50 air squats
    25 right side Jane Fonda’s
    25 left side Jane Fonda’s
    15 combination of bicycle/ Imperial walkers / on Butt very tuff balancing while in motion makes for a great core workout.
    Basically it was a CORE day with some or a lot of extra thrown in.
    Thanks Shooter and Pelican for being there and holding me accountable to a half way hard beat down.

  • Field of Dreams

    “Shoeless” Joe Jackson:  “Is this Heaven?”

    Ray Kinsella:  “No, it’s Iowa.”

    YHC has never been to Iowa.  He has, however, been to Baton Rouge….Saturday morning as a matter of fact…and has to admit that Highland Park is beatdown heaven.  If we build it in Baton Rouge, they will come…just like Charlotte, just like NOLA, and yes just like the Northshore…that is a certainty.

    So seven Northshore PAX arrived in the Highland Park Gloom, appearing seemingly out of the mist like Shoeless Joe Jackson and his teammates, ready to play ball.  It went like this after a thorough and legally binding Disclaimer:

    The Warmup

    Determined to deliver knowledge, each Northshore PAX led one of our standard warmup exercises then picked out one of the Baton Rouge PAX to repeat it.  YHC kicked things off with Seal Jacks 10x IC, kicked it to Worms for a repeat, EiEi picked it up for Hillbillies 10x IC,  kicked it to Rocket for a repeat, and so on working through High Knees, Butt Kicks, Side Saddle Hops, Copperhead Squats, Good Mornings, and Imperial Walkers.  False starts, mental lapses, and counting errors a plenty but, hey, the School of Q was in session and the Northshore PAX could have stayed in their fartsacks instead of piling in the Clown Car for the road trip  if the BR PAX already knew the drill.

    The Thang

    Shooter took over for a Tabata set with Merkins and Plank Jacks as the featured exercises.  30 seconds on, 10 seconds rest, repeat 3 rounds.  Professor Shooter then explained to our Baton Rouge brothers the versatility of the Tabata format for delivering pain through a variety of featured exercises, dropping a big pearl of wisdom on the BR men.

    Mosey to the Sundial where Steve unleashed his trademarked Bulgarian Squats on the PAX.  Sprinkling in Freak Nasties, Step Ups and Derkins had the BR PAX thinking that they were no longer in the minor league.

    And if that didn’t do it, the Mosey over to the top of Mount Highland Park for Burpback Mountain definitely signaled the arrival to the Big League.   Partnering up, teams of PAX performed 100 burpees…one partner running down the mountain to the stream and then back up while his partners performed as many burpees as possible on the way to 100.  Is it worth crawling out of the fartsack for an easy beatdown?  Negative.

    Mosey back towards the Shovel Flags where THE Manny set the PAX up for a plank slalom.  16 PAX planked up while the last man sprinted/backpedaled through the others, planking up himself when he reached the end and signaling the next man to get busy.  Once the last PAX completed his sprint/backpedal slalom, it was time for a 10 count refresher course before the PAX moved on to Mary.

    Carpool educated the Baton Rouge PAX on LBCs and then EiEi delivered the final pitch of the morning with his legendary Jane Fonda sequence.

    Countorama, nameorama, and THE Manny prayed us out on our way to the coffeeteria.

    The Northshore PAX was honored to lead.  Thanks for having us.