F3 New Orleans

Category: Backblasts

  • The Bridge Run

    YHC signed up for the Ocean Springs Bridge Run on September 12th in Mississippi, so he wanted to practice running some bridges. The best place to practice bridge running is the Wisner Bridge. Therefore, this morning’s 610 Stomp was off to the bridge!

    New Route

    Down past the Museum of Art and take a hard left right before the park exit to run alongside the Big Lake and toward the festival grounds trail. Once the Pax arrives at De Saix Blvd, sweep the six, so we can all arrive at the base of the Wisner Bridge together. (At least this is a new route for me)

    The Thang

    Run over the bridge and back, repeat

    Run one lap around the Festival Grounds Trail

    Back to the bridge for two more trips over

    Run back to the flag for the COT

    YHC greatly underestimated the distance to go over the Wisner Bridge and back. Most of the Pax completed the two trips over the bridge and the lap around the old festival grounds, but only Shuffles and Bongo made it back up to the bridge following the mile lap. We will try it again this fall and hope to find a higher percentage of runners make it back up the bridge.

    Closing

    Count-off, Name-O-Rama, Intentions, and Prayer

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead

    Rev Sox

  • Full Moon Lunacy

    As YHC stood alone pacing our Tuesday AO, a bright full moon briefly escaped the dense clouds. It was that gloomy view that made sense of the haphazardly written weinke in my pocket. I thought the arduous exercises came out of frustration with a lack of names on the sign up sheet, while all along it was simple lunacy!

    WARM O RAMA

    IC x10: Toe touches, Cherry pickers, torso twists, Imperial walkers, fire hydrants, scorpion kicks

    THANG

    lining up at the end of the columns opposite of the stairs, the four packs partnered up for:

    Bear Crawl 1-2-3 – team combines for 100 Merkins, 200 LBC ‘s, and 300 squats. Meanwhile, the other partner is bear crawling to the sixth column and back.

    Burpee Mile – The PAX lined up at the Lafitte and of the trace where OYO 12 Burpee‘s before running to the Girod end of the trace and back. R\R 4X.

    If Time had not been dwindling, there would’ve been other greats such as the Clowny and the Dirty MacDeuce!

    As it was, the remained enough time for:

    MARY

    Down dog, R lizard, down dog, L lizard, down dog warrior 1.

    COT

    And sign up on that sheet before names start being added by site Q’s like the southshore does;)

    Chewy prayed us out with rapidity after, of course, Jose filled his sweat jug to the halfway point.

    Thanks for following where it sometimes seems we should not go, gentlemen.

  • Broken Metronome @Mothership

    Mosey down Dreyfous, around the Great Lawn, back on Dreyfous and over the bridge to the Anseman Oak for warmup:

    • SSH
    • Pagodas
    • Grass Grabbers
    • Batwing
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Hill Billys

    Mosey to Solomon Place Path then, bear crawl to Allard Blvd path. LBCs to wait for six.

    Crab Walk to Sherwood Forest Drive path. LBCs to wait for six.

    Lunge walk to corner of Carrollton Ave and City Park Ave.

    Mosey to Dreyfous Meadow for:

    • Dying Cockroaches
    • Real Freddy Mercs
    • Merkins
    • Imperial Walkers
    • LBCs
    • Flutter Kicks

    Mosey to Great for:

    • Dying Cockroaches
    • Real Freddy Mercs
    • Merkins
    • Imperial Walkers
    • LBCs
    • Flutter Kicks
    • Supermans

    One round of Mary Fire

    Mosey back to circle of trust

    Count-off, Name-O-Rama, Intentions, and quick reflection on words attributed to Michelangelo: “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” For me, F3 is a tool for this, and for sculpting ourselves physically and mentally. Chipping away at what doesn’t fit. Supporting each other and building our guardrails. Also reflection about my two kids, 6 and 4, and their intense sincerity. We are born sincere, though it can get lost as we age and get a bit more defensive. We can and should re-find it and nurture it.

  • Walking on Sunshine

    To commerorate the 15th anniversary of Katrina, as well as the recent tragedy of Hurricane Laura, YHC crafted a beatdown that was not designed to be finished within the allotted time. The indomitable human spirit, however, persevered, and several beasts completed the task.

    We began by saying the Pledge of Allegiance, which will always begin any beatdown Q’d by YHC, and I would encourage all of us to, when Q’ing, take the 30 seconds to unite our hearts as Americans. Regardless of our views, when we can unite as Americans, we can overcome anything.

    Warm-o-rama:

    SSH x 20

    IW x 20

    Windmills x 10

    Way Backs x 10 (Intensified versions of toe touches, with a fully extended reach back upon returning to an upright position — suggested by none other than our newest PAX, my beloved son Pickaxe.

    We then moseyed to Noah’s Ark (a fitting venue for the date). Upon arrival, we paired up, with one partner running approximately halfway down Noah’s Ark while the other did burpees. Each partner took a turn, and once Partner 2 returned, they each completed 50 burpees, starting from the lowest number completed by a partner (i.e. Partner 1 does 15, and Partner 2 does 13, then they each do 37 more to get to 50 apiece. Thus Partner 1 does a little bit more). This initial exercise was designed not to be fair, but to emphasize we give our best even when things are not, and we always pick up our brothers.

    We then broke into a series of high repetition exercises with our partners:

    Cumulative:

    250 Bulgarian Split Squats

    Partner 1: BSS on the seawall

    Partner 2: Run Noah’s Ark

    500 Shoulder Taps

    Partner 1: STs

    Partner 2: Lunge Walk to/from street

    750 LBCs

    Partner 1: LBC

    Partner 2: Crab Walk to street ( I meant Bear Walk, but was told I said Crab Walk –subconciously wanting to intensify), run backwards from street

    1000 SSHs

    Partner 1: SSH

    Partner 2: Run around Noah’s Ark

    A couple of things: ANY exercise, no matter how simple, is HARD after 400 reps. Two, I’m so proud of our young PAX, ranging in age from 9-16 for hanging w/ the old folks. They manifest far greater maturity and composure than I did at that age (or now). One of the great things about F3 is that, when you show up, you are treated as an equal, regardless of age or ability. No one is above, and no one is beneath. We require not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. Keep up the great work, gentleman, you inspire YHC!

    As stated earlier, a couple of teams finished the beatdown as Rx’d. Amazing.

    We moseyed back to the flag for COT, and welcomed 9 year old Pickaxe to the group. I have on good sourcing that as soon as he got home, he jumped into his parents’ bed and started telling his mother all about the “beatdown”. When Mrs. Hammer asked if he liked it, he responded, “Mom, nobody likes a beatdown, but you push through it.” Pickaxe also wants to make every beatdown every day of the week, even before school, and he is ready for next Saturday. I am so proud of him for coming, and I am humbled by the way each of you inspired him.

    Lastly, as I was running on the lakefront Friday evening, after the rain (intentional nod to the Nelson song), I saw a beautiful rainbow in its full arch. Such ugly weather produced something so profoundly beautiful. I was reminded that is also true in our own lives. In Katrina, we saw the worst of nature, but after, we also saw and experienced some of the best of humanity. People serving other people. We will see that with Laura as well. I am seeing that in my own life, and I hope, when the storms come, you all see it in yours as well. You just have to look.

    Except Jose’s Gallon Sweat Jug. There’s nothing beautiful about that.

  • Non-Stop

    Conditions – Humid and Partly Cloudy, 79 degrees, Feels like 82.  Humidity 91%, Wind 3mph from SW

    The Thang – Every Minute On the Minute for the entire workout.  Do the number of exercises on your own and rest for the rest of the minute.  60 sets. 

    Warm-Up

    1. Mosey to the warm-up Cone (80 yards)
    2. SSH x 60
    3. Imperial Walker (2 is 1) x 25
    4. Windmills (2 is 1) x 15
    5. Peter Parker (2 is 1) x 25 – stay in plank when finished
    6. Mountain Climbers (2 is 1) x 25 – stay in plank when finished
    7. Parker Peter (2 is 1) x 25 – recover to your feet
    8. Merkins x 30
    9. Squats x 60
    10. Wide Merkins x 40
    11. Monkey Humpers x 40
    12. Mosey back to the flag (80 yards)

    Levee Work – Quadraphilia = running down and back up always facing south; Crawl Bear = Jog down the levee and crawl bear to the top

    1. Quadraphilia x 3
    2. Quadraphilia x 2 (3 if you can)
    3. Quadraphilia x 2 (3 if you can)
    4. Quadraphilia x 2 (3 if you can)
    5. LBCs x 50
    6. Crawl Bear x 1
    7. Crawl Bear x 1
    8. Crawl Bear x 1
    9. Crawl Bear x 1
    10. LBCs x 50
    11. Mosey to the Cardio Cone (50 yards)

    Death By Burpees – If you get caught switch to merkins and do twice the number

    1. 8 Burpees
    2. 9 Burpees
    3. 10 Burpees
    4. 11 Burpees
    5. 12 Burpees
    6. 13 Burpees
    7. 14 Burpees
    8. 30 Merkins (we all got caught at 14)
    9. Mosey to the Rocks and plank the rest of the minute (40 yards)
    10. Plank

    Rock Work

    1. Pick out a rock and carry it back to the circle
    2. Presses x 25
    3. Curls x 30
    4. Squats x 25
    5. Curls x 30
    6. Squat Presses x 20
    7. Carry your rock back and throw it on the pile
    8. Mosey back to the cardio cone (40 yards)

    Nickels and Dimes

    1. 10 Bonnie Blairs (2 is 1) + 5 squats
    2. 10 Bonnie Blairs (2 is 1) + 5 squats
    3. 10 Bonnie Blairs (2 is 1) + 5 squats
    4. 10 Bonnie Blairs (2 is 1) + 5 squats
    5. 10 Bonnie Blairs (2 is 1) + 5 squats
    6. Mosey to the flag (40 yards)

    Quadraphilia

    1. LBCs x 50
    2. Quadraphilia x 1
    3. Quadraphilia x 2
    4. Quadraphilia x 2
    5. Quadraphilia x 2
    6. LBCs x 50
    7. Mosey to the Wall (40 yards)

    Wall Work

    1. Plank
    2. Feet half way up wall – Shoulder Taps (2 is 1) x 15
    3. Feet all the way up wall – Hip Slappers (2 is 1) x 10
    4. Feet half way up wall – Shoulder Taps (2 is 1) x 15

    The End

    1. Mosey back to the Flag (40 yards)
    2. Dying Cockroach x 30

  • Stars of the View

    4 pax started their day off living right by posting at The View where a round robin Q took place. YHC led the warmup with SSH, Hillbillies and Bat Wings.

    Papa Smurf took the Pax to the benches for Stations.

    • Station 1- step ups AMRAP
    • Station 2 – Incline merkins AMRAP
    • Station 3 – Crunchy Frog on bench AMRAP
    • Station 4 – Burpees x 20 – Timer
    • Rinse and Repeat

    Door Dash brought the Ring of Fire.

    • Hold Al Gore with each pax doing jump squats x 10 going around twice
    • Hold plank position with each pax doing dive bombers x 10 going around twice.

    YHC closed it out with Mental Fortitude:

    • SSH IC x 7 followed by 6 in silence – all pax must stop together or face penalty. Repeat x 3 with different numbers.
    • Penalty 1 – Burpees x 10
    • Penalty 2 – Merkins x 20
    • Penalty 3 – Burpees x 10

    End with COT

    NMM

    During the ring of fire Papa Smurf asked about the SSH penalty thing, so YHC introduced it. Door Dash seemed to enjoy the penalties!

    Papa Smurf threw the 20 burpees out there for stations, then said only do 10 in the second round. However, he still did 20, which pushed each pax to follow suit!

    Papa Smurf mentioned he knew a couple that rode out Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles in a closet, but they were old, like 35 or 40…..😂

    T- Claps to the Pax for pushing through together! Well done!

    SYITG

  • New Blood @ da View

    Our PAX honored with 4 new HIMs, some new to f3, one is an alum (Woodstock). Thanks to our raving fans Door Dash and Papa Smurf for reaching out to this crew. They are already a PAX to themselves lead by WingNut. We hope to see more of these guys.

    Warmup – Bat wings @ 10 a piece on a 4 count, Hill Billies @ 15, Abe Vigodas @ 20 , Grass Grabbers @ 20

    Start with some fun – @revsox showed us this game last week, you setup a target unknown to the PAX, then divied into two teams and kick baseballs one at a time around till you find the target and get your team’s ball into that target. We took this over the levee and back and down the bike path. It was fun and a good team game.

    Now the beatdown – 11’s across the Bay of Pigs. Squats-Merkins, on last leg , 20 Rocky Balboas, every 2 squares.

    End with COT, prayer.

  • One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

    One is the loneliest number. I knew some of the usual group was off running a completely stupid and utterly pointless race, so I was expecting a smaller than usual showing. But just me, who was I going to grumble to? At 5:15, I was pondering that idea. It was lonely, but then a pair on headlights came up the ramp. BBQ joined me at the A1C for this morning’s beatdown. I didn’t have to do it alone.

    Warm-ups: All IC to 10

    Windmills, Good mornings, Torso Twists, Cherry Pickers, Toe Touches

    The Thang: We moseyed over to Stone Hedge. Each of us picked up a cinder block. 42 Curls for the girls. Followed by Colt 45’s. 24 down and halfway up, followed by 24 halfway to up. Then 15 slow count WaterPick squats, 42 shoulder presses, 15 slow squats, 24 kettlebell swings, 15 slow squats. Moseyed back to the A1C for a mini dora. 100 mericans, 200 squats, 300 lbcs. Partner 1 held plank while partner 2 did 10 pushups. Then partner 1 performed what BBQ coined an Al Gore meets George Thorogood while parter 2 did 20 squats. (An Al Gore while doing alternating calf raises). Did I mention I was blasting classic rock during the beatdown, and one bourbon, one scotch, one beer was blasting during this section? Then lbcs while the other partner held 6 inches. We finished with plank rock paper scissors. Loser did 1 burpee, winner 1 push-up. Round 2, winner 2 push-ups, loser 2 burpees. Due to BBQ being a professional rock, paper, scissor champion, I did alot of burpees this morning.

    Small COT, prayers to those in the path of the hurricane, our foolish f3 brothers running the coast, Goose and his family.

    And then the joke of the day from BBQ

    A guy walks into a bar, bartender askes “What will you have today”

    The guys asks for a corona and two hurricanes. The bartender respondes ” That will be $20.20.

  • D.B.B’s (Decline Bridge Burpees)

    Gentlemen,

    Today ‘twas my first Q since sometime earlier this year. Apparently having a 3rd child during a global pandemic can be a bit cumbersome, but fortunately I’m back in the proverbial saddle and back out in the gloom attending some beatdowns with the boys. To get things kicked off, we did a warmup:

    Warmup:

    • Side straddle hops – 25 in cadence
    • Mountain climbers – 25 in cadence
    • Windmills – 10 in slow cadence
    • Arm circles – 10 forward, 10 backward in cadence
    • Grass grabbers – 15 in cadence

    The Thang:

    Next, we mosey’d over to Wisner Mountain. At the base of the mountain, we partnered up and then we sprinted at 85% to the top of the bridge. Once at the top, we rotated some exercise as follows:

    • Dirkins – 25 count
    • Box cutters – 25 count
    • Low slow squats – 25 count

    Then, we mosey’d down the other side of the bride and did the following:

    • High/Middle/Low push ups – till arms got tired
    • 1 legged squats – 15 per leg
    • Calf raises – 25 cadence count
    • Dying cockroaches – 25 cadence count
    • LBC’s – 25 cadence count
    • Merkins using the bridge to hold up our feet – 25 in cadence

    After that, we hit another sprint at 85% back to the top of the bridge. Once at the top, we did D.B.B.’s (Decline Bridge Burpees) all the way down the back side of the bridge. At each new slab of concrete, we stopped and did a burpee. I obviously didn’t do a great job of counting the concrete slabs on my initial sprint up the bridge because I thought this would equate to around 15 burpees or so. But by the time we got to the bottom, I would estimate that we each did between 30-40 burpees on the way down the bridge. One theory on how my burpee estimate was so off is that on our first trip up the bridge, we were sprinting so fast that it was physically impossible for any human to accurately count the number of concrete slabs on the bridge. Tool was next to me while sprinting, so he may be able to verify if this was indeed the case.

    In any event, after finishing the burpees, we took a brief stretch break and then mosey’d back to the flag. Once there, we did the count-off, name-o-rama, announcements & prayer. We also had an FNG out in the gloom with us this day. Roots brought a pal of his out there named Jake. Jake was wearing a red shirt, and somehow or another someone ended up calling him Jake from State Farm at some point, so after a little banter we decided to name him ‘khakis’ referencing the fella named Jake who is wearing khakis in those State Farm commercials. Thanks for the opportunity to lead, guys. Felt great to get back out there and lead a beatdown again.