F3 New Orleans

Tag: Barely Legal

  • A very thankful 4 years of F3

    YHC was greeted this beautiful anniversary gloom by 11 PAX waiting to celebrate an F3 anniversary the right way, with a beatdown of course.

    While planning this beatdown, YHC started thinking how grateful he is of F3, Shorty EH’ing him hard to “just come out and see.” I’ll be forever thankful for the men (and Rudy) of F3 NOLA, and for the Northshore guys for taking a rival brother in like their own. You all are one of a kind!!

    The workout went something like this:

    COP: Warm Up: All IC X 20

    Grass Grabbers, Hillbillies, SSH, Windmills

    Mosey to the Justice center doing butt kicks and high knees en route. Arrive at Justice Center parking lot for some ‘Bone the Fish.’

    Left shuffle to one side, run forward, right shuffle back, back pedal to start

    Left Karaoke to one side, run forward, right karaoke back, back pedal

    Mosey to the top of the parking garage for 11’s (in honor of my favorite AO, Wolfpack Mountain)

    Burpees at the top of the mountain starting at 10, run down the ramp and do 1 merkin, descend burps and ascend merks until 1 burpee and 10 merkins.

    Because the breeze felt so nice, YHC decided to stay at the top of the garage for: Quarter Pounder: Each set of light posts represented 25 yds.

    Sprint 25 yds, 25 merkins, run backwards to start

    Sprint 50 yds, 50 squats, run backwards to start

    Sprint 75 yds, 75 LBC’s, run backwards to start

    Sprint 100 yds, 100 SSH’s, run backwards to start

    YHC REALLY wanted to make it a double quarter pounder but time would not allow, maybe next time.

    COP/ 6MOM: Hurricane Hoedown:

    4 variations of flutter kicks, meant to start at 7 reps each and work down to 1, but again, time messed us up so we started at 5 reps each.

    Hands up flutter kicks X 5, hands behind back flutter kicks X 5, lean back flutter kicks X 5, regular flutter kicks X 5

    Repeat X 4, repeat X 3, repeat X 2, repeat X 1

    Mosey back to the flag one minute late (sorry not sorry), where Grundy was waiting on us, apparently he went running with someone else? rude.

    F3 NOLA 5 Year Convergence this Saturday in City Park, 0630, Coffee, Beignets, breakfast to follow. 3 mile pre thang 0600.

    Northshore F2, Thursday October 17 at Barley Oak, 0600, 30 minute beatdown led by YHC with drinks to follow.

    Bean prayed us out.

    Thanks for letting me lead, and thanks for everything, F3.

    Heres to many, many more!

    -Cowbell

  • A Tale of Two Beatdowns

    It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, and…. yes, it was certainly the age of foolishness.

    The Pax were presented with two choices this morning, follow the Wacker of Bushes off to the Marsh where 35 lbs. cinderblocks awaited them or, for a potentially less-painful option, follow YHC into the unknown. So the Pax split, the Iron Pax-ers heading off to fulfill the week 3 challenge, and those who had already completed it stayed behind.

    Warmorama: 10x merkins OYO, arm circles, air presses, IWs, SSHs, high knees, all at various reps IC.

    Thang:

    Bear crawl approximately 400 yards to the lakefront gazebo. Caveat: if you need to pause for rest, perform 10x merkins then jog to catch up with the man in the lead. YHC declines to say whether or not this was intended to make the PAX rethink their choice of beatdowns but, impressively, there was relatively little grumbling. That is how difficult the IP challenges are – the minds of the PAX have been recalibrated and this – bear crawling 400 yards – is actually better than the alternative. T-claps to Grundy who (YHC believes) was the only one to make it the full distance without stopping.

    Next, circle up inside the gazebo for a quick round of squats, 20x IC, before assuming an Al Gore hold while each man takes his turn doing 10x Bobby Hurleys. Turbo explained to the young ‘uns who BH was, and that he did indeed slap the floor as a Duke player. Everyone seemed to sink their shots – with Chewy mixing in a few granny-throws – and we wrapped things up in the gazebo with a round of the ever-popular monkey humpers, x22 IC. A short recovery stumble down the path before moseying to the canal bridge for a partner routine.

    Partner 1 heads up the path, over the bridge and down a short distance – to where a young couple was necking in the grass – and then circles back to relieve partner 1, who will begin the cumulative reps of:

    • 50 Burpees
    • 100 Sister Mary’s
    • 150 T-Merkins
    • 200 Squats
    • 150 Freak Nasties
    • 100 Monkey Humpers
    • 50 Burpees

    T-claps to the young couple, who YHC figured would relocate to a more private spot within the first 5 minutes. These two, though, persevered the parade of sweaty men and continued to put on a show for nearly the entire duration of our routine. And this routine took some time – especially the t-merkins, which seemed to bring nearly everyone to their knees. Hey, maybe they’re exhibitionists and this is what they came for?

    Quick Indian run back to the flag and, with minutes to spare, we knocked out some Jane Fonda’s, quick pulses, and heel-to-knees, 10x IC each leg. Having reached the end, we looked around for our Iron Pax brethren, but to no avail. So, back on our six, we knocked out a bit more: flutters, LBCs, and Freddie Merc’s, all 20x IC. A quick look around again but, alas, still no one in sight.

    Time to call it – so we circled for countdown, nameorama, and COT. Shooter prayed us out with intentions for recently slain Captain Vincent Liberto and his family. Liberto, a father of seven, had served the Mandeville police department for over 25 years and was known to be a good man, who served his country and community with pride. His sacrifice comes as a shock, and is a reminder of just how lucky we are to have such great men and women protect and serve our community.

    Soon after, the Iron Pax-ers appeared and we circled up for COT, part deux, this time with Hammer praying us out. Double intentions for Capt. Liberto and his family.

    Then it was off to coffetería, where Tank regaled us with warm stories of Italian family gatherings. A near perfect morning. Thanks for the opportunity to lead and get stronger alongside you men.

  • Float like a butterfly, sting like a…

    The Killer B’s ended with a bang Saturday morning, with Grundy taking the Northshore lead by mere seconds.  Sure, we could debate the fairness of doing it on the lakefront’s luxurious grass vs. the Marsh’s unyielding concrete, or the legality of the proctor himself taking home first place, but when it comes down to it, we must (begrudgingly) give Grundy due credit (and hate!) – it was a pretty inspirational effort.  In fact, Tank was nipping at his heels the entire time and it seems the two were feeding off one another’s energy to push each other to their record times.

    So t-claps to those two men for giving it their all and, while we’re t-clapping, we might as well toss another one out to Zoo and his miraculous self-healing leg, for taking the opportunity to hit the challenge for a second time and improve upon his score.  Alright, the rundown:

    Usual pre-thang 2 miler featured guest appearances by both Bushwacker and Garfield, and then we went right into the warmorama: Arm circles (forward/back), IW’s, copperhead squats, toe touches, hillbillies, SSHs, mountain climbers, all x20 IC.

    Thang:  Half the PAX followed Grundy to complete the IP challenge, while those that had already had their fill followed YHC.

    First stop on our tour of the lakefront was an old favorite that can be difficult to use with a large pax: Rips.  Instead of the traditional stair run/Rocky Balboa’s, though, we simply grabbed a handrail and did one legged negative calf raises, at a slow cadence: x15 per leg.

    Then, eastward towards the baseball field, stopping for a quick COP of high knees and a burpee wave.  About 6 rounds, and then onward…

    To the pull-up bars behind the baseball field.  Circled up on our six for flutter kicks, while 2 men got up to do 5x pull-ups.  Around the circle again and again and again, until each man had 25 pull-ups.  We maxed out on flutters and at some point switched to Freddie Mercs, which did not really help all that much.

    Next up, flip over to a plank for plank jacks, while 2 men got up to do hanging knee tucks x10.  Round the circle a few times, switching about halfway to shoulder taps, until each man had 30 tucks.

    Mosey back towards the boat launch to split into two teams for a 100-yard sprint relay race.  Losing team gets hit with 25 burpees, winning team gets 25 merkins.  (YHC has learned that, in the realm of F3, the winning team never takes the easy way and sits out on the work so why even bother pretending there’s a reward.)  With Bean pulling double duty for Team 2 to secure the win, they performed their merkins and then jumped in to help Team 1 finish up with their burpees.  And then everyone took a page from Pik, who’s been keeping Old Mandeville clean for the better part of two years, and did a quick sweep of beer bottles before heading over to the playground for a quick partner routine.

    P1 holds people’s chair while doing air presses, P2 bear crawls up the small hill to the swingset pad for 10 merkins and then bunny hops back down to flapjack with P1.

    Just enough time to Indian Run back to Rips, get in one more set of calf raises (x10 each leg this time), and back at the flag for a round of boxcutters, x20 IC.  The rest of the gang joined us at this point, looking thoroughly destroyed, and we circled up for COT.  Zoo encouraged all to share the gift of F3 and bring out some new brothers, and Maverick took us out with a prayer, encouraging us to be men of strength. Then off to coffeeteria.  Thank you men for the opportunity not only to lead, but to get stronger and sharper alongside you.

  • Diamonds In The Rough

    Warmarama:

    10 reps IC for each exercise:

    Toe Touches, Wind Mills, Imperial Walkers, Slow Squats, Side Straddle Hops, Seal Jacks,  High Knees, Butt Kicks, Forward Arm Circles, Reverse Arm Circles, Overhead Claps

    Mosey

    Circle Burp……

    All pacs formed the best circle that 22 guys could make. Everyone starts doing High Knees. Starting and ending with yours truly, when Pac shouts “DOWN,” all pacs do one burpee. High Knees commence until the next pac says down. Rinse and repeat until all pacs have done one burpee.

    Mosey to the Park

    7 of Diamonds

    Not sure if anyone found any diamonds, but I am pretty sure everyone found the bottom of their gas tanks with this one.

    Starting at one corner of the park, all Pacs will perform an exercise layed out by THE Manny for 7 reps.  Once that exercise is complete, all pacs mosey to the second “corner” of the park. The same exercise is completed for the same amount of reps.  Pacs mosey to the third corner,   rinse and repeat the same exercise and reps performed at the first two corners. Once everyone gets back to the first corner, plank it up until 6 gets there and then wait for the next exercise and reps to be distributed to the troops.  Here’s how this went down this morning.

    Round 1 – 7 Burpees

    Round 2 – 14 Merkins

    Round 3 – 21 Squats

    Round 4 – 28 Plank Jacks

    Round 5 – 21 Mountain Climbers

    Round 6 – 14 Squat Jumps

    Round 7 – 7 Burpees

    Mosey to the spot of the Circle Burp and get on your 6 for some Mary.

    Little Manny Crunches – 15 IC

    Freddie Mercuries – 20 IC

    Flutter Kicks – 10 IC

    Leg Lifts – 10 IC

    Puttins – 10 IC

    100s – 10 IC

    Absolutions – 10 IC

    Pacs break into two groups and Mosey back to flag.

    Special appearance by Capt Sparkles for the Circle of Trust. Thanks for treating the 22 Pac Turn Out to coffee Capt.

    The Hammer prayed us out.

  • A Love Letter to the Gipper

    Hey Gipper! It’s been a while. Did you miss me? I sure missed you. In fact, I missed you so much that slow-ass drivers and blinding rain couldn’t keep me away this morning. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder! And, of course, my most sincere apologies for my lateness, but I made sure you were in the excellent hands of Barely Legal until I arrived. He made sure you were nice and warm with Windmills and other exercises by the time I got there. Though I had to be absolutely certain you were ready to break a sweat by adding Torso Twists and Scorpion Kicks to the list.

    I didn’t want to waste any time in getting reacquainted so I lead you to the top of the justice center parking garage, which seemed like the perfect setting for some…fun n games;)

    I was planning to honor Coconuts, and crown a new champion in Turbo Tax’s conspicuous absence, but, alas, I forgot my phone with the freshly downloaded Beep Test app. Instead, I – wouldn’t quite say settled – on Doracides to really get you all hot and bothered. Moby Dick was playing with himself, as we all teamed up to do cumulative 100 SSH, 200 Merkins, 300 Squats and 400 100s, while the odd partner did suicides with 1 or 2 burpees at each point.

    By this time our pulses were racing, but things were really about to get Jacked Up. In cadence, we did a set of x50SSH, then 40Seal Jacks, 30 Plank Jacks and 20 Smurf Jacks. I don’t know about you, but that really took my breath away!

    After revving our engines so hard, I wanted to finish things off a little more gently. So we mosied back to the flag for some Little Manny Crunches and Freddy Mercurys.

    Still flying high on the buzz of our electrifying encounter, the COT was immediately followed by some direct O MY HALLELUJAH from Einstein.

    I’m sorry I had to run out so abruptly when we finished, but, ya know, I had a… thing… I had to get to. You were incredible Gipper! My body aches in places I didn’t know I had, for cryin’ out loud! You’ll always be my favorite…be seeing ya.

  • When Life Gives You Cinderblocks…

    Everyone can finish the saying, “When life gives you lemons…”. But not everyone knows how to complete the saying, “When life gives you cinderblocks….” So let YHC help everyone out; “when life gives you cinderblocks, you use them in your workouts!!!”

    The PAX learned the truth of this saying this morning in a more than intellectual level. And even though this workout was very difficult, I would argue that all the blame should be placed on TurboTax. For he’s the one who lent me his cinderblocks. I take no responsibility, Turbo should have known better.

    So after a disclaimer was given, the fun began.

    Warmup

    Side straddle hop In cadence to 52! I wanted the pax to remember Dredd’s saying when he came down for our GrowRuck, “Be prepared for the expected, but be ready for the unexpected.” Doing side straddle hops to 52 definitely drove that idea home.

    Then we did:

    Windmills in cadence, and a shoulder series warmup in cadence.

    The Thang

    Moseyed to the opening before the bridge where the Grundymobile was parked with the aforementioned cinderblocks. But first we did something called the welsh dragons.

    Welsh Dragons: Remain in plank position the whole time. Bear crawl forward 4 steps, do 1 merkin, 1 plank jack, and tap the BACK of each shoulder 1 time. Repeat adding 1 rep to each exercise each time – bear crawl forward 4 steps, do 2 merkins, 2 plank jacks, 2 sets of back of shoulder taps… etc. We went until We reached 10 reps each and covered 30-50 feet.

    Then the Q realized he had left the keys to his car back at the flag… So the Pax got a 5 minute plank/rest while the Q ran back to grab them. I’m sure everyone held a plank the whole time…

    Upon returning, the grundymobile was opened and the cinderblocks were distributed. It was time for the main event. Everyone partnered up (some teams had 3 people), and we did a Dora 1, 2, 3 with cinderblocks. Round 1 (100 step ups on to the sea wall with the cinderblock) partner 2 ran to the walkway and did 3 burpees and returned to take over the rep count. Round 2 (200 kettlebell swings), and round 3 (300 overhead presses).

    There was much pain involved but kudos to all of the pax for pushing through! We returned the cinderblocks and moseyed/walked back to the flag for some Mary.

    Like the beginning of the workout, be ready for anything. Like Little Manny crunches in cadence to 53!!!

    Circled it up and Manny closed us out wonderfully.

    Great job everyone!

    Until next time, Grundy

  • Return of the Green Mile

    19 pax showed up to the Lakefront on Saturday Morning, for a beatdown known as the Green Mile.

    Pre-thang; 2 miles Tanked up, Bushwacker, Barely Legal and a late arriving YHC.

    The thang:

    Warm up: SSH, IW, Mt climbers, Slow skwaats, and dippy birds all IC x 20

    The Green Mile: 1/2 mile from shovel flag to eastern playground with 7 fire hydrants along the way. The pax were instructed to perform 5 merkins and 10 squats at each hydrant on the way down and 10 merkins and 20 squat on the way back. The pax returned to the shovel flag with 30 min to spare, just enough time for a second round. Only this time it was 10 merks/20 squats on the way down and 5 merks/10 squats on the way back.

    Cooldown: SSH, IW, Mt climbers, Slow skwaats, and dippy birds all IC x 20

    It seems that the pax has some superhumans among them: with Zoolander only weeks out of surgery for a lower leg fracture, leading the front of the pax…unreal. And Tanked-up despite finding a 7th gear to end the workout up front, well done guys.

  • F2 With the boys

    Warmup– SSH, Windmills, Toe Touches, Mummy Walk,

    Main Event–10 minute circuit– 10 of each, Squats, Merkins, Scissor Kicks, LBC’s. Include stair run and 50 meter run.

    Move on to arm presses and extended arm rotations.

    Mosey back for some cool down exercises.

    Prayer led by Grundy then on to the Top Room for some refreshments

  • Circuit court in Session

    Recovering from Waterpik’s light rep but high intensity beatdown from the day prior. YHC decided to bring some coupons of his own to the Gipper crew. Arrived at the AO to the sights of Moby, Akbar and Maverick loosening up around the flag. Knowing the PAX would soon swell by 4 as Cowbell rolls in hot and the prethangers of Legal, Turbo and Einstein come strolling in. Brief chatter as the instructions are given to what this beatdown will entail and wanting to make sure no modifications would be needed we jumped to it..

    Brief warmarama all IC 15 SSH, Imperial Walkers, Windmills and Toe Touches followed by our first 1:30 of the daily ISI (15:30 total for our final day) T-👏🏻 to all the participants on this great challenge offered up by the Northshore’s Bushwacker.. I never could have pushed through without the push of the PAX for this one but certainly glad I did.. Cowbell mentioned adding up the total cumulative count to know officially how long of planks we completed.. Look forward to seeing that number Cowbell, not to worry we will confirm with Grundy on your specs just to be certain nothing’s missed..

    Circuit court in Session

    PAX starts the Mosey carrying the coupons over to the Justice center and along the way Q has one of the PAX retrieve a medium boulder from the rock pile to add to our gadgets that will be used on this Gloom.

    Arrived in the middle for a long explanation by your YHC, but thankfully this high IQ PAX was able to put it all together. We created 7 stations with the 8th acting as our timer of sorts.

    S1 Band curls, S2 Jump rope, S3 Mountain climbers, S4 Boulder Shoulder raises, S5 Stretch Ball sit-ups, S6 30lbs plate press, S7 Alternating Step-ups and S8 controlled the timing by running to JC up the ramp down the stairs back up the stairs and backdown the ramp returning to the start creating on round of completion once of course the PAX dropped and completed 1:30 of Plank before the switch and the next round..

    Timing played out perfectly as each PAX completed the 8 circuits by 0640.. We gathered up our coupons and returned to the flag with a min to spare, so Q introduced a sample of next months challenge with a 30 sec hold in the lowered squat position.

    Counted off, announced the F2 plans, COT.

    Thanks to Maverick for leading us out with a prayer!!

    Always enjoy posting the Gipper with the Covington PAX and till the next Gloom 👍🏻👊🏻✌🏻!!

  • Modified Spartan Run (Take Two)

    After the looming destruction of the storm (formally known as Barry) disrupted participation for my last Q on the Lakefront, I felt as if some guys missed out on a nice wholesome exercise, and it was in our best interest to bring that mother back for round two.

    The PAX started with a quick warm-up; arm circles, windmills, imperial walkers, toe touches, and side strattle hops. We mosied to the rock garden, where each man selected a stone/boulder that we carried overhead to the top floor of the courthouse parking garage (feel the burn).

    We proceeded to sprint and jog around the lot, broken up by exercises that I called out: Merkins, Colt 45’s with the rocks (look that one up), burpees, squat to push press, hammer curls, shoulder press…on and on. Doesn’t sound hard? Try it for 35 minutes.

    We mosied back to the rock garden with stones overhead (feel the burn), which, by this time of morning, we had a couple of curious onlookers. No time left for core, no one cared. A good time had by all. More to follow…..

    Bean out!