F3 New Orleans

Category: Backblasts

  • We are the Messengers – from Lil Cuz

    YHC realized very late on a Friday afternoon that most of the big hitters and even some bench warmers (I’ll let you guys sort out who is who) were out of pocket or out of town for the weekend. This led to YHC, “the Replacement” , to be called up to the big show. With that said all previous plans needed to be chucked out and the drawing board needed some dusting at a very late hour.

    Now, we are all aware that June has started and we are all very aware of what is celebrated in June. Correct! It is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We celebrate this the whole month and I for one am thankful for it! This was started a very long time ago but was re-ignited by Pope St. John Paul II as part of the “New Evangelization”.

    Usual warmup with French Horn showing much earlier than ever before, he made it to 78% of the warm up which honestly is so impressive! We made sure to hit the leg stretch hard because of the death caused by Goose on Thursday. I heard it was a real tear jerker!

    Because Dox is on a very well timed vacation we are gonna throw up the deuces and ask the Lord, “Roll that footage!”

    In Honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we are reminded of the mission given to us by our Creator; Jesus sent out his Apostles 2×2 and they had to work together to figure out the best way to accomplish the goal given to them. We are called to a very similar vocation and a slow mosey around the blacktop of the Peltch was in order to reach the far off land called, The Chimney, to spread the Word of God.

    Thang 1:
    Split into teams of 2 and the usual Dora had commenced.
    100 Merkins, 200 Squats, 300 LBC’s with Mosey to sidewalk behind Chimney.

    The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus dates back to 1673, when a French nun who belonged to the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, in eastern France began to receive visions about the Sacred Heart. Jesus appeared to Sister Margaret Mary Alocoque and revealed ways to venerate His Sacred Heart and explained his immense love He has for humanity, appearing with his heart visible outside his chest, on fire and surrounded by a crown of thorns. We honored the year of the divine revelation of His Sacred Heart with:

    Thang 2:
    16 – Carolina Dry Docks
    Bear Crawl – 10 yds
    73 – Freddie Mercs (2:1)
    Bear Crawl Back – 10yds

    This was done in 3 sets and a larger amount of groaning as each set was started. With our Hearts (read: Abs) on Fire we had to continue our travels and spread our message of Salvation.

    Thang 3:
    Indian Run through Park with last guy dropping off for 5 Bonnie Blairs (2:1).

    As late laid out plans usually go we had 20 minutes left to spare and all Pax decided to run another mile around the Peltch (I guess they really wanted to Evangelize some more).

    10 MOM Potluck Style and an end of BBSU to the final buzzer.

    Sometimes on this road of following the Lord we may lose one of our brothers along the way as he stumbles but by keeping on the path ourselves we can bring them back and hope to make leaders out of each other. This is what we are called to do. We are messengers and as we learn we become leaders in our communities. I know I have said it before but I am so thankful for this group of men and so very happy to call you all brothers. You help me when I fall and I hope to someday be the same for you. Someone to count on and help when called.

    SYITG,
    Lil’ Cuz

  • The Walking Wounded – from Russo

    Shooter kindly left out from the Scramble backblast that YHC took a dive right at the outset of the run.

    We’re talking “Had a nice trip? See you next fall.” Stop, Drop, and Roll territory. I imagine from a viewer standpoint, one might think I had some experience with movie stunts with the way my body gracefully tucked into a ball and successfully executed a half side / half forward roll, elegantly regained my footing, and stylishly picked my stride back up. These things happen when a Rucker is forced to become a runner.

    Because he’s a standup guy, Shooter asked later in the run if I was ok, and I was. Not even my ego was bruised, because that would require me to take myself seriously. It was more important to give our DR visitor Dingey a memorable post to take back to NC. I didn’t feel any after effects until later in the day, when both my big toe and wrist felt some pain from the morning mishap. Popping a couple Advil, I thought “ooooh, tomorrow is going to be interesting if I can’t use my hands or feet.”

    Undaunted, I arrived at the Pad ready to give it a go. I thought about fartsacking and resting up. The combination of Murph Monday, Steve destroying my soul while smiling on Tuesday, an eventful Scramble, and an impending Lakefront Saturday with Coupons (Zoopons?) made me question whether I should submit my hobbled body through another beatdown. Alas, a confirmation from Bushwhacker that he would post meant YHC had to as well.

    Right under 70 degrees to start. ‘Whacker didn’t want me to feel alone in posting at less than 100%, so he braved a cold / bronchitis / pneumonia / COVID to offer me some company. My plan was to go back to basics at the Pad, highlighting the various areas that make it (and by extension Granny’s) so unique.

    Warmup (10x IC)
    – self love
    – Toe touches
    – Grass grabbers
    – Cherry pickers
    – High knees
    – Sealjacks

    Thang

    Pilot house
    – Calf raises (3 each step)
    – Mexican jumping beans
    – Ladder (2 forward, one back)

    Columns
    – Suicides (5 merkins at each stop)

    Benches
    – 10 IC Freak Nastys
    – 10 IC step ups

    Bus Stop
    – 10 BSSs (2 is 1)
    – 20 jump overs
    – 20 urkins

    Stage
    – Tabata (45 seconds, then 20 rest)
    – Monkey Humpers
    – Squats
    – Mummy kicks
    – Gas pumps

    Grassy Knoll
    – Jack Webbs (up to 7)

    Trailhead grass
    – Lt. Dans

    Mary (all 10x)
    – Penguins
    – Flutter kicks
    – Crunchy frogs
    – LMCs

    COT, Name-o-Rama, Announcements, Prayer, in that order, wrapped up our morning.

    SYITG

  • A Trio of Tabata – from Jose10k

    Cool morning, perfect temperature for a tabata. The usual crowd showed up, so YHC opened up the trunk of his car for some props. Some coupon work up on top of the A1C. 45 sec on, 15 sec break round robin tabata. The music was blaring, and the workout began. Exercises from squats, shoulder presses, wife pleasers, a ton of core, a lap around top, calf raises, shoulder presses, triceps, etc… Dark Wing prayed us out. Remember, bring your gloves and a coupon to Zoolanders beat down tomorrow, probably won’t be any music though. Later gents.

  • Afternoon Delight German “Cawfee” Edition – from Willie

    The Afternoon Delight relocated from its typical AO location to the City Park Mothership for ann Afternoon Delight German edition. We started the workout with a disclaimer and we set off to warm up in the field adjacent to NOMA. I did put together a German Delight playlist littered with the “Chicken Dance” throughout. If the Chicken Dance came up, that was 5 Burpees for the PAX. It hit us on the first SONG! The warm up consisted of the following all in cadence:

    SSHx20, Arm Circles F/Bx10, Imperial Walkersx20, Mountain Climbersx20, Downward Dog stretch for 15 seconds.

    Next we partnered up at the foot of NOMA for a DORA 123 German style. Exercises were 100 LBTs (2/1), 200 Shoulder Taps (1/1), 300 Rocky Balboas (2/1). During thee transition from running to exercising each pair had to doe si doe reminiscent of Clark Griswald German dancing during Oktoberfest in the movie “European Vacation.”

    Next the PAX gathered in a Ring of Fire for a Burpee Palooza, name that Artist. The PAX did 3 Burpees while the new song started to play, the PAX to the left had to name the artist of the song. Miss and that was 5 more burpees, get it right, 10 air squats. Here are the results to the best of my recollection:

    Mr. Brightside – the Killers – SOGO – Burpees
    Shout at the Devil – Motley Crue – Walker – Squats
    Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond – Couch -Burpees
    Block Rockin Beats – Chemical Bros – Blowout- Burpees
    Sexy Back – Justine Timberlake – Pipeline – Squats
    Elvira – Oak Ridge Boys – Douille – Squats
    What A Fool Believes – Doobie Bros – Subprime – Burpees
    Chicken Dance – 5 Burpees
    FUN – Pitbull – Almonaster – Burpees
    For Those About To Rock – ACDC – Strings – Burpees (Can’t believe he missed it!)
    Africa – Toto – Manchovy – Burpees
    Aint no Mountain High Enough – Michael McDonald – Whopper – Burpees
    All I Do Is Win – DJ Kahled – Big Willie – Burpees
    Any Way You Want it – Journey – ??? Squats
    Black Dog – Led Zeppelin – Wille – Squats

    It’s quite clear that the PAX does not pay attention to who sings the song….

    We an back to the flag, closed with a traditional COT and adjourned to the Deutsches Haus for some German “Cawfee,” and were met by several cawfee only PAX. It was a beautiful night! Always a pleasure to lead such a great group of men, even if they don’t know their music.

  • Death is Temporary – from Goose

    YHC thought it appropriate to capitalize on the cardio boost most of the PAX have experienced as a result of participating in the May Challenge as well as the increase in tenacity and mental toughness. And, stepping down the intensity could be a slippery slope. Only one way to go! DEATH!!
    It is YHC’s understanding that in the earliest days of Christianity, when they would baptize someone, they would bring them to a river, put them all the way under water, and then hold them there until they started to panic and fight before bringing them up. This was to give the baptizee a real, felt experience of the reality of death in the process of receiving the gift of new life. Any taste of the reality of your own mortality changes you, grounds you, and shines new, clearer light on all the other aspects of your life.
    So, what better day than a day in which we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, what we’ve built over the month of May, to feel our own mortality.

    We started with a warmup of the usuals along with some Willie Mays Hayes before Indian running (regular type) up the levee, around half the lake, and onto the tennis courts. In a nod to Dox, YHC brought along Oontz and a sea shanty about the death of an honored general (“General Taylor” by Great Big Sea). This was where YHC realized that Oontz hadn’t somehow gained strength by resting him for a few months. This didn’t bode well for what was to come.

    On the tennis courts, the PAX waited patiently while YHC and Pope set up yet another Bleep Test, once again measuring wrongly, too short this time (that first lap felt way too easy), though after the beatdown looking back, I’m sure many were grateful for the rest.
    Once we finally got it right, Oontz was fired up–he already seemed nervous during the Indian Run, and without JBL or BAPS available, I could tell he also felt like the benchwarmer who had been called up after everyone else caught the stomach bug or something. His bleeps were barely audible despite multiple threats and ridicule, but the game went on, and the PAX performed exceedingly well.
    The first few times we did this, most PAX didn’t make it out of the 30’s (number of lengths run, not official Bleep Test scoring, which is weird). Last time, at The Stage, most didn’t start falling away until the 40’s and some into the 50’s. Today, though, there was not one PAX who dropped off until around 60. No joke. Once out, the rules were you had to plank up or complete 25 merkins (or Big Boys) to buy your way back in, which they did. We ultimately finished at 70, blowing our numbers from two weeks ago (or so) out of the water. I think it was because of the hype speech YHC was giving while measuring (and remeasuring): men who fought in battles, who sprinted across fields toward enemies who were sprinting at them, who rode into hand to hand combat with no fear of death or knowledge of the outcome, who still bust down doors with no certainty of what’s behind them, at some point stopped trying to calculate their odds of survival. They didn’t self-evaluate to see how tired they were or wonder how much longer they could endure; they just moved. And, today, we grew in our ability to let go of wondering how much more we can do, in our ability to push off the temptation to say, “Ok, but only 3 or 2 or 1 more of these.” We still, of course, have a long way to go, which is why the 2nd thang was what it was.

    After multiple 10-counts, we moseyed back to the Lion, picked up our blocks, and moved to the sidewalk. We lined up and YHC explained that we would be doing 11’s: bicep curls on this end and tricep curls at the next (20-25 yards). Transportation would be lunge walks (with coupon) there and rifle carry back. YHC heard a couple of groans, saw some mouths drop open, and in a couple of faces, just blank surrender–the decision to just enter into the pain without trying to measure it, cuz, hey, who of us actually deserves ease and comfort?
    The first few laps were hard, which YHC expected–muscles gotta wake up and get with the program. After 5 or 6, YHC could feel the temptation to modify it to 7’s instead of 11’s, but then I remembered the many times I just kept pushing, grinding one more lap, then another, without wondering how many more I could take, not giving myself the choice to stop, and it’s amazing how much further you can go when you stop giving yourself a way out. We had the time, so we just kept going. And the rest of the PAX did, too. It was a beautiful thing to see.

    We finished right at 6:00, but the pride and gratitude of what we had just accomplished together (and over the past month) didn’t hit until after about 4 or 5 minutes (after the heart rate dropped back down to normal). There was no Animal shirt (or GiGi), but the each man’s performances could’ve easily earned it. (YHC was waiting for French to crush another coupon, and was a little disappointed that he didn’t. Three in a row would’ve been epic.)

    COT and French Horn prayed us out–safe travels for the many out this weekend and gratitude for what we’ve been given. YHC is certainly grateful for the men who posted this morning and shared a healthy little taste of death. Nothing binds you together as brothers better than that!

    SYITG,
    Goose

  • Downrange PAX brings energy! – from Shooter

    Awoke to another exceptionally mild morning on this 1st of June. YHC can only hope these days continue, however the truth is that one of these mornings will come and the temperature will still be in the 90s from the previous day. When this occurs it will be interesting to see how much more of Russo’s perspiration can be captured in his already soaked attire. It did however allow for conversation with downrange PAX Dinghy about the challenge Jose10k and Zoolander completed awhile back.. Not sure after explanation what was thought, but soon after he returned to his vehicle with a little more urgency as Russo rung out his shirt..

    Warmup
    10IC Grass grabbers, Toe touches, Peter Parkers, Parker Peters, Mountain climbers, SSH, Selflove, and 3 second hold squats.

    Thang
    Off to the same route as last week, yet instead of turning left off of Antibes we turned right and moseyed to east causeway approach returning back to the AO with 10 mins to spare.
    PAX used pull-ups for a 1 min timer as the rest completed core. Different core exercises consisted of LBCs, flutter kicks, alternating right over left knee F/J, 100s, and chill-cut plank.

    Appreciate Dinghy for closing us in prayer and safe travels to him on the return to Durham..

    Until the next gloom 👊🏼👍🏼✌🏼!!

  • Kotter Thursday – from Bolt

    Knowing another man was counting on me to keep him accountable kept me accountable and kept me from fart sacking. This is what’s valuable about F3. Two ran, three walked, four rucked, and all were accountable.

  • Fubar – from Goose

    FUBAR.
    It’s a term you may have heard if you, like me, have spent part of your Memorial Day weekend watching Spielberg’s great film where Captain Miller leads his men behind enemy lines to rescue Private James Ryan. The entire mission is classified as Fubar from the very beginning from the men, but they learn that only with the strength of one another and trusting the lead of their Captain will they successfully complete their mission. Today Being Memorial Day, it was only right that we should suffer a little bit more than usual to pay our respects for the men and women that have served our country so bravely by giving their life. This was the very reason Private Ryan needed to be rescued – because his brothers had given their very lives for the sake of their country.

    _____

    YHC barely arrived on time to find 9 PAX already at the Stage with coupons arranged in the most organized fashion. Warmups consisted of SSH, windmills, and high knees. Before YHC could complete warmups, Cardinal arrived carrying some speed in his Vandebilt blue speed wagon. Warmpus finished with butt kicks, and mountain climbers.

    Thang 1
    – Partner Bropee Mile Indian Run w/ Bonnie Blair’s –
    YHC’s list of strengths might be running and cardio, but giving clear directions definitely did not make the list. The PAX partnered up and completed 5 Bonnie Blair’s before racing to the front of the partner Indian line, stopping every 1/4 mile and completing some Bropees (a burpee completed alongside your parter ending in a high ten at the top of the squat jump). YHC had the Pax breathing hard, and by the time the group reached the half mile mark, the sounds of some old animal filled the quiet of the early morning. The only thing to distract from the animalistic breathing sounds were the welcome butt slaps from those running to the front of the line. In total, 28 bropees were completed.

    Thang 2
    – Ascending Testicles & Coupon Lunges –
    YHC’s thorough reading of the Exicon introduced the PAX to a few new exercises – one of them being Ascending Testicles (a cousin of balls to the wall – declined merkins that progressively have a more extreme angle). The Pax would complete 10 merkins on ground level, 10 declined merkins on the bench part of a picnic table, and 10 declined merkins from the table part of a picnic table, followed by lunging with a coupon to a different picnic bench across the pitch. This would complete one set. Ultimate VQ hype man/DJ extraordinaire POO-X came to the rescue by providing tunes to motivate everyone to push through the rush of blood to their brains. In total three sets were completed, leaving time for the final thang.

    Thang 3
    – Butkus + Lion King + a lil’ jog –
    Heart rates were resting in a steady zone 3, so a ten count was in order (YHC has no recollection of who let two 10 counts, because at this point, his mind was complete fubar). Another jumble of instructions from YHC proved to confuse the Pax. Perhaps it was the terrible instructions, or perhaps it was the mumble chatter coming from the marketing trio of Tana, Horn, and Joe, but YHC had to pipe up, let those furballs descend, and use an “outside” voice to finish explaining butkus (rapid step ups on a curb for at least a minute) and Lion King (low squat into a thruster with a coupon). Much to YHC’s surprise, the pax crushed three sets of 1min Butkus, 1min Lion King, and a lap around the pitch. Smooth was locked in pretending that coupon was one of his rugrats, and Horn couldn’t control his strength and began his streak of crushing coupons with his bare hands.

    The morning ended with two minutes of Mary – Freddie Mercury’s, leg raises, and probably something else – but YHC’s mind was indeed fubar by this point and thus no new memories were able to be made.

    6:00am arrived sooner than YHC anticipated, and it proved to be bittersweet. The nerves from the VQ were gone, and only laughs and sweat were to behold. Hopes of 13.0 strain filled the air, and YHC found himself basking in those good good endorphins that only F3 Thibodaux can produce.

    __________

    So, the Memorial Day beatdown mission turned out not to be fubar, but instead a witness and sacrifice in thanksgiving for the lives of those gone before us by giving their life. I remain humbled, grateful, and surprised but the continual growth of the men that continue to show up, put out, and suffer much to make themselves and those around them better.

    – Paradiddle

  • DAT DAWG – from Paradox

    7 dawgs at the stage today on a relatively cool May morning.

    We had a smooth purebred Pit always ready to roll. A local German shepherd with a huge litter of puppies brought in the coups. A young French bulldog living the summer lyfe and looking for a fight. An aged and scholarly golden retriever who can still retrieve after he gets his paws stretched. A north La bred bull mastiff who showed up purely for raw steak and Merkins. Rounded out by a greyhound who ran all the way from his kennel in Bourg. A variety of breeds from far and wide but today they were all looking to be Dat Dawg ….

    Duke! stop trying to recreate sweat stains and get the footage!!

    YHC recently saw F3 Nola’s Hawgcycle (still a mystery how to pronounce this) post that his daughter would be following in his shoeless footsteps and raising money for the Special Olympics by running 1 mile a day for 2023. If you had asked a 12 year old YHC to run a single mile I would have had a hard time penciling you in my booked schedule of Cheetos and GoldenEye so I was floored by this effort and knew we had to rally our bayou pax to support.

    Thus DAT DAWG was born …

    Warmup

    The usuals with some extra reps after an intense Diddle VQ yesterday.

    Like any veteran Dawg, ole Jeaux could smell the intensity in the air. A prolonged warmup , a call for BAPS, surrounded by Dox cones. I could see him working through his Rolodex of fartsack excuses but it was too late .

    We grabbed coupons and headed to the Junkyard.

    YHC explained todays cause and that we would pledge $ for each lap completed.

    YHC then took the pax through a tour of the rough 1/2 mile long obstacle course:

    10 coupon curls , run to next cone
    10 big boys Nur to next cone
    10 merkins bearcrawl the pylon thingys and then roughly 60 yard stretch then more pylons. If a car passes you gotta bark (Merkin) . 10 more merkins on the other side. Run to stage.
    10 box jumps and karaoke to bumper
    1 suicide then sprint to junkyard
    10 burpees then mark your territory (chalk )

    Format: Most Laps complete OR the pax in the lead at the end of 30 minutes would be declared ..

    DAT DAWG.

    Notes:

    -Merkins , bearcrawl , merkins continues to be a recipe for success and YJ had such an accurate bark impression I had to double check it wasn’t an actual wild dog.
    -Horn broke another Coupon and is 1 away from joining TreeRoot in the bayou. RIP
    -Several pax pushing the limit of cardio exertion , it was beautiful.
    -BAPs brought the absolute thunder.
    -Ole hC Tana got caught in a late Pickle fartsack and one hateth to lay eyes on such a thing.

    When the dust settled at 5:59 to no one’s surprise Goose was charging up 4.5 laps with Ronnie close on his heels.
    Both displaying beastly inner DAWG.

    YHC called it and presented Goose with the first DAT DAWG chain. (Must see pics)

    It will serve as our “break in case of charitable event “ trophy. If the chips are down or a worthy cause is in need then you can call on DAT DAWG for fast support.

    In all we completed 26 laps of DAT DAWG as a PAX and raised a nice chunk for an excellent cause.

    COT and dat ole dawg Yankee Jeaux prayed us out.

    An honor to lead this pack of Dawgs today .

    SYITG

    Dox

  • Tenderloin’s VQ – from Tender

    Fellow Pax,

    Well, here I am, a sprightly 73-year-old man, leading this fabulous F3 workout. It’s a real treat to be surrounded by a group of strapping young lads like yourselves while my old bones creak and groan. But hey, age is just a number, right? Let’s dive into this exercise extravaganza.

    We kicked things off with the Abe Vagodas. Oh, how I cherish the opportunity to stretch my ancient limbs and reminisce about the good old days when I could touch my toes without groaning like a wounded walrus. But hey, we gotta keep those joints moving, even if it feels like we’re reenacting a scene from a bad martial arts movie.

    Next up were the Mountain Climbers, a real reminder that gravity is not our friend. As we struggled to keep up the pace, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d be more at home climbing an actual mountain rather than fighting against the ever-increasing pull of the earth on my weary body.

    And let’s not forget the Karaoke, where we gracefully pranced from side to side like a bunch of tipsy wedding dancers. Oh, the coordination! It’s like watching a bunch of penguins trying to tango. But hey, if we can conquer this, there’s no obstacle in life we can’t overcome, right?

    Now, the Left/Right/Drops with burpees. Because who doesn’t love a good burpee, especially when you’re a few decades past your prime? The way we dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes, then hoisted ourselves back up, was a stark reminder that our bodies have a unique way of reminding us that we’re not as spry as we used to be.

    Ah, the Suicides. How fitting that they’re called that because, let’s be honest, we probably felt like death after running back and forth across that field for what seemed like an eternity. But hey, at least we got a good cardio workout while simultaneously questioning our life choices.

    And finally, stretching our calf muscles. A moment of reprieve when we could take a breather and marvel at the fact that we still have calf muscles to stretch. Hallelujah! It’s a good thing we’re taking care of ourselves, otherwise, we’d be walking around like a bunch of wobbly flamingos.

    In our Circle of Trust, we shared our gratitude for F3, because where else can we find a group of like-minded individuals who willingly subject themselves to this torture and still come out smiling? Truly, F3 has turned us into gluttons for punishment and given us a sense of brotherhood that only intense physical suffering can provide.

    So, my dear comrades in sweat, let’s continue to revel in the absurdity of it all. Let’s keep pushing ourselves, laughing in the face of our aging bodies, and reminding the world that we may be old, but we’re still kicking (sometimes quite literally). Together, we’ll conquer the world, one snarky rep at a time.

    Now, who’s ready for round two?

    SYITG (See You In The Gloom),

    Tenderloin (written by Chat GPT)