Tag: Angies List

  • The Skinny 10/21

    23 brave men including one FNG gathered in the gloom on this Monday morning.

    Warmup: Run around golf course parking lot then to bandstand for:

    SS Hop x 20

    Arm Circles x 10 forwards and backwards (With traditional Seaman backward count)

    Hillbillies x 20

    Mountain Climbers x 20

    Peter Parkers x 20

    Next we ran a BLIMPS workout with each exercise at the bandstand followed by a run down Oak Alley and then up the golf course parking lot.

    Burpees x 10, Lunges x 20, Imperial Walkers x 30, Murkins x 40, Plank Jacks x 50, Squats x 60.

    Those that finished early restarted the BLIMPS without the run.

    Next was a flat-out sprint down Oak Alley in 3 groups followed by a mosey back to the bandstand.

    Murkin Ring of Fire followed by Low Plank during which there was much mumble chattering.

    Finally a Round of Mary:

    V-Ups x 10, Dying Cockroach x 20, LBCs x 20, Flutter Kicks x 20, Penguins x 20, WW2 Sit Ups x 10.

    Final Sprint down Oak Alley for a COT and Prayer.

    Snooki was named.

  • The other anniversary

    A disclaimer and we were off. I intentionally signed up for this Q so that I could mark my 5th year.

    Mosey’d to the field by the WW1 Memorial. SSHx 20, Imp Walker x 10, Imp Walker Squats x 10, Squats x 15, Mtn Climbers x 15, Dying Roaches x 20

    Mosey’d to the ROW STATION. 20 Rows was the count. Plank Jacks, Shoulder Taps, Squats.

    Then we long mosey’d to the FOUNTAIN. We did an INDIAN RUN to the FOUNTAIN.

    At the FOUNTAIN we tried a few new ones…SIDE CRUNCHES On the benches, walking toe taps, then L/R Step Ups, and we finished with some 10 declined merks.

    Prisoner run to patch of grass by the golf course. At the golf course – we did dying bugs, low country crabs, american hammers, lbts,.

    Ran to the PIMP station. At each running man do 2,4,6,8, 10 merks then decrease back to 2. Than back up to 10. At the PIMP Station we set up with 10 pull ups , while you wait — plank jacks, shoulder taps, and squats.

    FInished with HORSES TO THE STABLE.

    COT – Being appreciative for F3 NOLA.

  • 5 year CONVERGENCE!

    Well – 5 years later we are still going STRONG! I remember when we started thinking I don’t have time in my life for this group. After a week of beatdowns I knew that we had to commit to growing this group – it had already begun to change my life and they way I interact with people everyday. I know after a nasty 530am beatdown – that I can handle anything the day throws at me. Thanks to all the guys here in NOLA that keep things running so that we can continue to be a group. Thanks to OBT for taking time out of his life to get us going in the GLOOM! Looking forward to 5 more years of F3 in NOLA.

    Today the pre-run started with about 20 PAX for a run down BAYOU ST JOHN. Beautiful weather, cool air and a crisp breeze. We ran 12 min out and 12 min back so that we could arrive in time for the fun.

    KUCH – has a been a great EH’er and a nice addition to F3 NOLA. Kuch started the party off with a WARM UP circle. SSH, Imp Walkers, Arm Circles, Peter Parkers, Merks.

    Then we divided up by 5 count into teams. We did 5 burpees, 5 Lunges, 5 Merkins, 5 Squats, 5 Plank Jacks. Bear Crawl across the lawn. Run back. KUCH did an excellent job getting the teams set quickly

    5 reps. We ran out of time and had to call it after 3 reps. No team won due to the shortened KUCH set. Kuch represented NOLA well – with a pretty gnarly start to a celebratory event.

    2nd set with DURACELL – FROM BATON ROUGE

    Duracell brought out 2 coupons. 40lb cinderblocks. 2 PAX ran to the center and did 3 thrusters. We went two different directions. A slow starter but once the PAX got the hang out this one – this was a solid beatdown. Duracell had to do about 15 exercises in cadence to 20. Exercises ranged from a regular plank, to shoulder taps, to merk variations to squat/lunge variations. The highlight of this section was Mathlete’s 2.0-Bear getting that cinderblock in the right position and up. Duracell represented the RED STICK well.

    THIGHS FROM THE WANK- 3rd quarter. We started with a solid mosey over the to the lawn in by the museum. Upon arrival we see that Thighs has organized with some printed out signs a 15 min beatdown that is going to suck. At each sign there was an exercise- PAX had to complete 20 reps the first time through, 15 reps the 2nd time through. (Possible 3rd time for the fastest pax members). Exercises were:

    1. Bonnie Blaires
    2. Diamond Merks
    3. Reverse Crunches aka Gaspumps
    4. Bobby Hurleys
    5. Merkin Toe Touches (need to incorporate this more in my Qs)
    6. Freddie Mercs

    RUN back to the start line and do this again. Thighs had the teams organized in a way by street names. Due to 75 PAX that didn’t quite workout but Thighs quickly modified and let the teams fall where they were. A good quick call. Thighs demonstrated that there is nothing easy about the WANK. Those guys are tough! Great turnout by the WB.

    STEVE FROM THE NORTHSHORE- FINISHED OFF The PAX back on the great lawn. Each pax got a partner.

    You had to do your partners age in burpees, your partners weight in LBCS, and your partners months in F3 in Freddies.

    Steve had a few minutes left so he finished with some Peter parkers, and some American Hammer.

    After a 75 PAX NAME O RAMA, NUMBERRAMA – Hokey POkey finished us off with an awesome prayer!

    After the whole beatdown we gathered at Cafe Du Monde for a 5 year celebration party. Tclaps to Rudy, Tool and Gabrielle for making that happen. There were eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits, beignets and plenty of coffee!

    Thanks to our awesome Qs! IT is NOT easy to Q 75 PAX!

    So blessed to be a part of this group- cheers to 5 more years of F3 NOLA!

  • Mother of a Mothership

    Warm-up (24s) – Arm circles, Windmills, Imperial walkers, Grass Grabbers

    Thang 1 – PAX paired up, PAX A – Does Inch Worm to third tree and sprints back while PAX B does any static hold he chooses till partner returns. Pax flips roles, then starts new rounds – Lunges, NEar Crawls, Broad jumps.

    RECOVER

    After that, PAX serpentine runs in and out of the trees on the Great lawn jumping up on the memorial and then to the peristyle.

    Thang 2 – Divide the PAx again into A/B. A’s Run out and back behind peristyle jumping up and downstairs for 5 rounds while B’s do dips. Once 5 rounds done, PAX flips roles.

    If that wasn’t fun enough all PAX circle up under the roof of peristyle and perform static hold squats for 30 s and 10 more while reaching ahead. Do that 3x with 30 sec recovery.
    We then side shuffle clockwise and on my command slap the ground and reverse direction. Do that till we can’t stand it anymore. Recover.
    Q’s challenge – HandStand Holds if you can if you can’t, then anything sort of upside-down like a Pike Plank, or push your feet up the columns and hold.

    Final bonus – MINI Q session – each member is called to the center and does their favorite exercise for 30 seconds or 30 reps. We didn’t finish everyone before the bell rang.

    Mosey back to flag for announcements, intentions and BOM. Sad news about Bellhop and FNG’s situation. Encouraged each other had hearty prayer and we’re done.

  • Who Dat!

    Many PAX were hurting after celebrating a Saints Victory, and yet 19 men gathered in the gloom for a Monday Morning Beatdown.

    Warmup:

    Run around golf loop to bandstand

    SS Hop x 20

    Arm Circles x 10 each Forward and Backwards (with Seaman voice from the Pax)

    Grass Grabber x 10

    Peter Parker x 20

    Parker Peter x 20

    Since Seaman was not present to protest 10 Monday burpees were then called at the first light on Oak Alley. Next we Bear Crawled/Crab Walked/Lunge Walked to the Track where the Pax waited in a Low Plank for the 6. Much mumblechatter was heard regarding the long distance Bear Crawl.

    Next we ran to the Audubon Statue for some Dora 1-2-3.

    Durkins x 100

    Jump Lunge x 200

    Floyd Mayweathers x 300

    Those that finished were lead by King Kong in LBCs and then 50 Rocky Balboas.

    Finally we ran Fartleks down to Magazine alternating between a sprint and slow mosey at the Stop Sign for a total of 3 laps.

    Finally the beatdown finished with Dips, 20 LBCs and a mosey back to the flag.

    The workout concluded with a COT, a special prayer was said to lift up Bellhop and thoughts and prayers to Da Parish and his family.

  • Failing Upwards

    These warm, thick, moist ( I said it) Southern mornings seem to stretch in front of and behind us without variation. It’s unmistakable. That feeling, the transition, of stepping from your front door (that sweet clean cool conditioned air) into the physical force of warm jell-o that is the south. A low level of perma-sweat is the accepted norm. Under these conditions 20 men (one FNG) met, with great enthusiasm, in the gloom of City Park.

    YHC was looking forward to his Second Q. He even planned out a few maneuvers he thought might be fun and thought of how to map out the days work. However, today’s BB is not a story of great triumph, it is one of progress.

    To start YHC forgot about the disclaimer momentarily, so some men did think I was a professional and did not know that they could modify. Second, YHC bumbled through the lead-in to each warm-up exercise, giving a variation for each, which opened the door to chatter amidst the ranks. As Q, variation can lead to chatter, chatter, can lead to dissent, dissent can lead to mutiny. A fair warning for any who might take the mantle as future Q. But not to worry, YHC was open to input, heard the people and adjusted accordingly.

    The THANG

    Warm Up in Peristyle (…to the best of recollection)
    x10 Arm circle fwd/bck
    x10 Hill Bill
    x20 Peter Parker
    x20 Parker Peter
    x15 jump jack
    Then everyone pick a column x3sets of Sunday Mornings:
    People’s chair w/ x10 jack web
    Donkey kicks x5
    Balls to wall, count to 10
    (three movements = 1 set)

    Line up – Mosey/Indian run to practice track
    Partner up
    1. Catch me if you can – Partner runs ahead backwards while other partner drops for 5 burpees, sprint to catch, alternate, 400m
    Cont. w/ Partner – following cumulative
    2. 100 Merkins – Sets of 10, partner holds plank while other partner completes set, alternate to total
    3. 200 LBCs – Sets of 20, partner holds legs raised while other completes set, alternate to total
    4. 300 Squats – Sets of 30, partner holds squat while other completes set, alternate to total

    At this juncture YHC had two ideas of what he wanted to do, but was a little uncertain of time. Opting to start a mosey back to the Great Lawn, he lost a little control of the group, who, like cats when not given explicit direction, had a mind of their own. This led to a different route back, which altered timeline. YHC takes full responsibility for this fork in the road, which was a result of indecision. Once outside my comfort zone, I turned to a wisened veteran, Screwtop for a tip on a next workout, he advised 4 corners. Since YHC wanted to keep momentum and control, he jumped on idea, announced to group, and tasked 4 individuals with deciding on a movement for each corner. However, in haste, I was not clear about time spent at each corner, or much of anything, so it turned in to everyone being responsible for their own time in 4 corners.

    While this was not the smoothest F3 beatdown that many know and love, I feel like there was plenty of sweat and ready-to-be-done’ness’ by the end of our hour to say it was a successful day nonetheless.

    My lesson – don’t go in to a Q with too many ideas of what to accomplish. Pick your workouts. Keep it simple. And stick to your plan. Any time allowed to think about what to do next, gives rise to chaos. Anarchy. (Don’t look into applying this reminder to life… it might lead to improvement). Also, the older I get I find myself abiding the principle, “If you haven’t failed at doing something, and gone back to it to keep doing it, are you even invested in it?”


    I appreciate the patience of all while I had a growth Q and want to thank the spirit of F3 for keeping it fun for all. Veterans stepped up, tclaps to those who did, and ultimately this group is about camaraderie, practicing leadership, and pushing each other to be better all around. I am excited to step up to another Q in the near future, and tighten up the execution then.

  • Who Dat Say They Gonna Beat Dem Saints….Not the Cowgirls!


    The morning after an unbelievable Teddy Bridgewater led, Saints victory over the Dallas Cowgirls, 14 PAX gathered in the gloom to sweat out the excess alcohol from all of the pre and post gameday celebrations. After the disclaimer, the PAX moseyed to the field in front of the zoo for the following warm up exercises all in cadence:

    SSHx20, Imperial Walkersx20, Grass Grabbersx15, Self Lovex15, Arm Circles (Seaman Style) Forward and Backwardx10

    The PAX then slow moseyed to the parking lot, lined up and did 3 rounds of suicide sprints touching the lines at 15, 30 and 45 yards (approximately). 

    Now the Pax’s heart rates were up, Chiquita gave us a 20 count, then the PAX mosyed to the front of the zoo and partnered up for a DORA 123. Exercises performed were as follows:

    Merkinsx100, Dipsx200, LBCsx300

    Once complete the PAX then moseyed to the pull up bars in the park and split into 4 groups. The four groups were pull ups, herpes, plank jacks and squats. 10 herpes was the count as the PAX rotated through each group. 

    To wrap things up the PAX circled up on the most unfamiliar part of the golf course for me, the fairway, for a round of MARY. The following exercises were performed in cadence:

    LBCsx20, American Hammersx20, Penguinsx20, Flutter Kicksx20, Freddy Mercurysx20, Box Cuttersx20 (SeaMan), Monkey Humpersx20 (NineLives), Low Country Crabx20 (Douille) 

    Mission Impossible 30 seconds

    The PAX then slow moseyed to the flag for count off, nameorama, announcements, intentions and a losing prayer. Its always a pleasure to lead this group of men!

  • Vincent Price in a trash can?

    Still high from the UGA victory over Notre Dame – I took the MONDAY am SKINNY Q at Audubon Park. Organ Grinder was signed up by Douille but was blocked by a previous engagement. So I took the Q.

    A cool 75 degrees and the first day of Fall to start this Skinny.

    Ran to the soccer field. El Wire spotted some great GLOOM. Like really great gloom. There were thriller references, and some concern that Vincent Price was chilling in the trash. Had to teach the PAX who is Vincent Price.

    Warm up SSX x20, Imperial Walker Squats x 20, Mtn Climbers x 20, and Dying Bugs x 20 – looking at the sky – pointed out some stars for the PAX.

    Flamingo Shit Smell on the way in. Lots of smells today.

    We mosey’d to the river view at the FLY. Here we did 50 Monkey Humpers OYO, then we lunge walked to the road. Another great GLOOM session. HORSESHIT SMELL.

    Mosey’d to the HILL. At the Hill – we did 20 Plank Jacks, then 18 Shoulder Taps, 16 plank jacks, 14 shoulder taps, 12 plank jacks .etc crossing the hill back and forth. The HILL had a nice gloom too. RHINO SHIT SMELL

    In the middle of the soccer field we circled up for single legs hip thrusts, and low country crab x 20 GIRAFFE SHIT SMELL

    Then we indian ran to the other side of the FLY. Only 3 dudes got through the indian run – not sure what the hell happened there. DOGSHIT SMELL

    We ran fast to the Labrynth. There we did 20 dips IC, 15 bulgarian split lunges left, 20 inclined merks, and 20 bulgarian splits right.

    Then on our 6 for 20 russian twists, 15 roaches, 15 LBTs and 15 Vups. (Led by Peach, Angie, Qpipe and ElWire

    HORSESHIT SMELL

    Then we ran back to the flag and closed out with a COT.

  • Can I get some more legs…..?

    So, YHC was happy to finish the 9/11 memorial on Friday at Wolfpack Mountain.  100+ Flights of stairs, 30# in rucksack.  For the PAX doing this with backpacks and weights it took us approximately 50 minutes to complete.  It was the least we could do to honor the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice that day.

    Later at Coffeetaria my legs were already feeling the effects of all the stairs and weights.  YHC joked at his Q at Mothership the following day YCH was going to do an upperbody only beatdown.  The PAX can decide how that turned out.

    On to the beatdown!

    Mosey to Peristyle for Warm Up

    • IW IC X20
    • Alternating Open Gates IC X20
    • Toy soldiers IC X20
    • Self Love IC X15

    Mosey to street in front of Storyland for Indian Run to Fountain

    At Fountain circle up for Red Hot Chili Pepper:

    • Right Leg Step Ups x 16; Decline Merkins x 8; Left Leg Step Ups x 16; Incline Merkins x 8
    • Right Leg Step Ups x 12; Decline Merkins x 6; Left Leg Step Ups x 12; Incline Merkins x 6
    • Right Leg Step Ups x 8; Decline Merkins x 4; Left Leg Step Ups x 8; Incline Merkins x 4
    • Right Leg Step Ups x 4; Decline Merkins x 2; Left Leg Step Ups x 4; Incline Merkins x2

    Let’s grab some water to stay hydrated.

    Next, mosey around NOMA to first bench at start of Roosevelt Mall for a little Route 66:

    • Body Bag Builders which is a 8-count body builder with a mountain climber thrown in start at 1 rep at 1st bench upping 1 rep at each succeeding bench up to 11 Benches for a total of 66 reps.

    Mosey to Practice Track for Dirty McDeuce:

    • Wide Merks X12 I/C
    • Total Lunges X12 I/C
    • Gas Pumps X12 I/C

    1 lap around Practice Track

    • Right Leg Up X12 I/C
    • Speed Skaters X12 I/C
    • Hundreds X12 I/C

    1 lap around Practice Track

    • Left Leg Up X12 I/C
    • Monkey Humpers X12 I/C
    • Toe Taps X12 I/C

    1 lap around Practice Track

    Running out of time so going to have to cut the Dirty McDeuce short.  Mosey back to flag.

    Count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, and prayer. 

    Thanks for letting me lead!

  • 9/11 Stair Climb #2

    The first known 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb event occurred on September 11, 2003 during “Operation Enduring Freedom” in Parwan Province, Afghanistan. Albuquerque Fire Department Lieutenant Charles Cogburn scaled a two story building 55 times wearing body armor, a helmet and an M-4.  Lt Cogburn returned home and on the following September 11th (2004) the climb was brought back to Albuquerque and given the title Albuquerque Firefighters Memorial Stair Climb. Firefighters from Engine 5 and Engine 2 were dispatched at 8:46am (the time the initial dispatch of FDNY units occured) to the Bank of Albuquerque Building in downtown Albuquerque. The building is 22 stories tall and it was climbed 5 times. 

    We like many others gathered to recognize the first responders of 9/11/2001 – we were 9 days late but it was the closest date open for a Q.

    In order to complete the task at hand – one had to climb 7 flights of stairs 16 times. (112 flights) The original firefighters had to climb 110 flights. Imagine they had their gear on and they never got rest as they climbed down the 7 flights of stairs. Last year I couldn’t finish I was at 11.3. This year I finished with time to spare.

    Gabrielle, King Kong, WIllie Catfish and Hokey Pokey inspired with their rucks. Special tclaps to Hokey for adding a 40 lb weight vest. Very impressive. Tclaps to Gabrielle for thinking to bring the door stops – the improved airflow was a huge game changer. I had nightmares about the smell and humidity from the climb last year as I went to bed.

    Most of the PAX finished the climb this year. Tclaps to all of the finishers.

    As we climbed I asked the PAX to reflect on being men who would rush to danger to help, instead of seeking their own comfort in a tough situation.

    Thanks for allowing me to lead.