F3 New Orleans

Tag: Bongo

  • Get in gear for the new year with 400 reps

    On Tuesday evening, December 31st, YHC put out a brief message: Get some rest tomorrow, because Thursday will feature the 400 at Okwata. This was done for several reasons:

    • First and foremost, the 400 is hard. It’s a great aerobic/anaerobic mix, and I at least tend to get winded pretty quickly.
    • Second, if YHC knew that was coming, the thought, at least, was that YHC would be more responsible on New Year’s Eve knowing that he would be sweating out every drop of vodka. And publicly committing to it was the best way to assure it would actually go down.
    • Finally though, the 400 is a good test of where we all are. When you finish it, there is a sense of accomplishment. It’s a benchmark you can revisit and track progress, and progress is something we should never stop striving for, in whatever form it may come.

    What is the 400? I had last done it courtesy of a Triple Shift Q, and struggled mightily through it, but I believe it goes back to the early days of Okwata. The 400 is

    • 10 trips over the levee and back
    • stopping at the top of the levee, then the neighborhood side of the levee, then back to the top of the levee, then back to where you started for….
    • 10 reps of a particular exercise

    So a typical round is:

    • run up the levee for 10 merkins (for example)
    • run down to the other side for 10 merkins
    • run back up the levee for 10 merkins
    • run back down to where you started for 10 merkins

    Today we did

    1. SSH 50% effort for a warm-up. (YHC had done an abbreviated warmup because last time, we’d used almost the entire 45 minutes to complete it, so we used this as part of the warmup)
    2. Merkins
    3. Burpees
    4. Squats
    5. Carolina dry docks
    6. Bonnie Blairs (3 count, 1,2,3 1; 1,2,3 2)
    7. J-Lo’s (3 count)
    8. LBC’s (3 count)
    9. Monkey Humpers (3 count)
    10. At this point, we still had some time, so YHC decided we would redo the SSH at 100% so as not to short ourselves. So SSH (3 count)
    11. Final exercise, only one choice (and a very popular one judging by the groans and mumblechatter). More burpees!

    Some stretching led by High Rise, prayers for one our pax who has a child going through some challenges, and something I wanted to share with the group from a friend who recently died from brain cancer. Several months before his death, having lived with the cancer for a few years, he remarked:

    “While I’ve lost nearly everything, physically, financially, emotionally, materially, Never, not once, have I lost hope, belief, faith.”

    I know of no better way to live.

    I also know of no better group of men than this one, and for that, I thank all of you. Here’s to a great 2020. – Kuch

  • “The 12 Days of Christmas” or maybe “The 12 Exercises of Christmas”

    YHC was relaxing at home after a calm and quiet Christmas day with the family, when he received a reminder text for his Q at Okwata tomorrow morning.   So, after a few minutes of thought I had a basic workout prepared and was ready for the next morning.    As I dozed off to sleep, I was inspired by the Christmas spirit, hopped out of bed, and scribbled some notes on a random piece of paper.    YHC had to incorporate a Christmas theme to the workout

    11 PAX (JV coming in hot) met at the flag at Okwata the morning after Christmas and moseyed to the intersection of Canal Blvd and Lakeshore Drive for warmup.   Warmups consisted of SSH x 26, Imperial Walkers x 15, Grass grabbers x 10, Shoulder taps x 30, Arm circles x 10, and self-love.  

    The PAX remained in our circle and counted off.  We did one round of the following exercises at the count / number of reps next to the exercise.  

    1. 8 Count body builders
    2. Jack Webbs
    3. American Hammers
    4. Squats
    5. BURPEES
    6. Penguins
    7. Merkins
    8. Monkey Humpers
    9. Hillbillies
    10. Bonnie Blairs / Lunges
    11. Big Boy Sit Ups
    12. Flutter Kicks

    After the first round – PAX were ready to go again.    This time to the theme of the Christmas classic – The 12 Days of Christmas”. Shuffles started us out with “On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me – 1 8 ct. body builder. After the first 2-3 rounds of the song, the PAX got the hang of it.  Each PAX enthusiastically called out their exercise and we were able to complete the entire song with a few minutes to spare.

    In the remaining time, PAX did two laps of Bernie Sanders (run backwards up the hill and forward back down the hill).   Mosey back to the flag for finish at 6:15. 

    COT, announcements, intentions, and gratefulness for the Christmas holiday.  YHC is thankful for the opportunity to lead and for the participation of the PAX in the post-Christmas workout.  

  • I’m not modifying, you’re modifying

    My boy Screw Top was still nursing an injury following his marathon so for what felt like the 20th time I chose to step in for him as Q. I had not been a Q for a few weeks and wasn’t scheduled to Q for several more (not sure how I let that happen) so I took the opportunity to lead. 11 PAX joined myself on what has to be the greatest collection blacktops in the city at UNO. Disclaimer was given and off we went.

    Warm up:

    Took a lap around said parking lot and circled up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Concrete grabbers x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Arm circles Fwd/rev x 10 each IC
    • Mountain climbers x 15 IC

    Thang 1:

    Moseyed over to the sidewalk along Elysian Fields. PAX gathered for what felt like the traditional Indian Run. However I found something on the exicon to change it up and we did a Prisoner Indian Run down to the traffic circle at Elysian Fields and Lakeshore Dr.

    Thang 2:

    Here is where the modification begins. I wanted to do 11s. But in honor of Michael Thomas being a bad man and breaking the single season catch record we did 13s. The modification didn’t stop there. I was inspired by Tua’s VQ a few weeks ago and stole from his playbook. So for the Double Modified 11s (AKA 13s) the PAX would run in the bike lane of the traffic circle. Once they ran half the circle they would stop and perform 12 Carolina dry docks and 1 squat jump. Run the other half the circle and do 11 CDD and 2 squat jumps, etc. until the last round was complete with 1 CDD and 12 squat jumps. The Q was stunned to find that much traffic at 5:40 AM 2 days prior to Christmas but thankfully we were able to avoid any incidents.

    Thang 3:

    Mosey over to the nearest parking. With Christmas coming up I was inspired when I found Santa’s Ladder on the exicon. PAX would start at one end of the parking lot and run to a randomly selected spot (that huge light post looks good) where we would perform 10 burpees, run back to start and perform 9 burpees, and so on until we got to round 5. Rounds 5-1 would be merkins. Plank and wait for the 6. As everyone was catching their breath I explained to the PAX that completing the ladder consisted of also performing the runs with rounds 10-6 being merkins and 5-1 being burpees. However due to time constraints I opted to modify and perform only 6 rounds.

    Mosey back to the flag in time for some Mary. Flutter kicks, Freddy Mercury’s and some other exercise that I can’t remember x 20 each IC. Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and sweaty ball of man. As always it was a great time leading the men of F3. Hopefully trying the new location at the traffic circle didn’t scare anyone but there was WAY more traffic than I anticipated so I will store that in memory for future beatdowns.

  • Where’s my Bible? (Thanks, Gideon) 2019-12-21

    Where’s my Bible? (Thanks, Gideon) 2019-12-21

    Another lovely day out at the Mothership with 5 PAX in attendance: Bongo War Eagle, Rudy, Angie’s List, and Catfish (Q).

    Started at the peristyle with Abe Vigoda, Grass Grabbers, and Side-Straddle Hop, then down to faces with Peter Parkers, Merkins, and Parker Peters.

    Indian Run to Marconi, then on to our sixes in the grass for LBCs, Dying Cockroaches, V-Ups, and Plank Jacks. A few 8-counts rounded out this station.

    Indian Run to the Tool Wall for calf raises (toes parallel, toes in, toes out). Moseyed over to the mini-foundry for stations with Burpees (15 as the timer), snake jump, pull-ups, dips, and hanging knee-ups.

    Indian run to the museum wall for some people’s chair overhead claps, then over to the fountain for right leg step ups, dips, left leg step ups, irkins, then some bobby hurleys. Two laps of indian run up and down the museum drive, then up and under the museum porch for box cutters, Freddy Mercurys, and flutter kicks.

    Out to museum field for monkey humpers, then back to the peristyle for 5 burpees, a bear crawl lap, and some more 8-counts.

    Back to flag for COT.

    Thanks to the badass MEN who showed up this morning and pushed through the rain and discomfort!

    Catfish

  • HEY, IT’S CALLED A CO-OP!

    Last minute switch on Q for Screw Top as he ran a marathon a few days before! YHC was happy to help out.  T-claps Screw Top! Meanwhile, (“unbeknowanstince” to us) a prepared and excited Catfish noticed an empty slot on the list and couldn’t wait to jump in.  A short conversation on site and we decided to split the difference for a progressive Co-Op Q; to which there was much applause and general excitement from the Pax. As we know, everybody loves change. Here at the Mothership, we call it growth.  Off to the Peristyle… DJ Diver had the tunes for the beatdown.

    WARM UP

    Arm Circles (front/back)
    Grass Grabbers
    Hill Billies
    Peter Parkers
    Parker Peters
    Run to Marconi and back, plank for 6

    PART ONE 

    10 Pax (and one K9) – Break into 2 lines of 5 pax, plank position with hands at feet of pax in front of you, straight line all facing forward, at bottom of the Great Lawn.
    Last Pax bear crawls to front of the line, shouts, next pax bear crawls to the front… etc
    At every second tree all pax recover to feet, ring of fire with your group, 20 squats while others hold Al Gore, back to crawlin’ maggot! We’re doing the whole lawn! The length, not across..

    Make it to end. Took longer than YHC anticipated. Partner up. Move to side of lawn.
    DORA 123
     -Merkins 100
     – LBCs 200
     – Squats 300
    Partner runs across lawn. 2 burpees on the other side. Back to trade off.

    PART TWO

    Complete and hand Q to Catfish who started us off with his favorite crowd pleaser:

    Jack Webs.. in perpetuity… (to 15 merks, 30 air presses)

    Back by popular demand, his world famous 8 count body builders – Couldn’t count that high.

    Run to Marconi and back

    20 Box Jumps

    20 Monkey Humpers

    Infinite Donkey Kicks…


    Back to the flag for COT, announcements etc. Lots of health and life and death concerns today. As a general announcement to all – the holiday seasons are of course a special time and there is a lot to get caught up in and fun to be had. As leaders in our community, don’t forget that little voice at the back of your head reminding you that folks around us are still going through real challenges. Think of those struggling with addiction, depression, and isolation as well.  Don’t forget to reach out to that person struggling, without any pressure. Let them know there is a door open for them somewhere, with warm food, good spirits, no judgement. At this high pressure time of the year, these small gestures can have huge impacts for those walking through a tough cycle of their life. Just another way for us to strive to be good HIMs in our community. Always sweep the 6.

    Thanks to all for showing up in the gloom yet again, to hold each other accountable to another victory in the morning. Accelerating in to the new year.

  • J

    praise the Lord it wasn’t raining!!!

    Was gonna skip this one due to the cold front but then briefs reminded me the night before that I was q ing. Yikes

    warm up: ssh, self love, windmills, mosey to the track with high knees, butt kicks, karaoke.

    we used half the track as an out and back. This way everyone could run at their own pace yet still do the exercises “together”. When the first member made 100m, they did ten Merkins, everyone else would stop where they were and also do ten Merkins, this happened at 200m also, at which point we turned around and ran back. I scepter whenever the first person gets back to the 100m mark, we all do 10 Merkins together. Run back to starting point, plank and wait for the 6. The fast runners would catch the slow runners on the way back. Once the 6 arrives, Merkins in cadence.
    the next round followed the same format except with squats. Round three was burpees.
    next we took a jog around the track to catch our breath and did it in reverse order. This time only doing 5 of each exercise at each stop. Finished off with some rock climbers, hillbilly’s, imperial walkers, stretches and a mosey back to the flag.

    There was a record prayer request/answered prayer session. So many praises and still so many needs. Guidance for our children/youth, Fathers/in laws with cardiac issues and upcoming cath, basketball head injury, the coach recovering from major surgery, prostate cancer recovery, The spine tumor that ended up benign benign, challenges in business, Bongo’s dad, special intentions. We better get to praying!

    glad y’all all came out and let me be a part of your morning! Please let screwtop know I signed him up for New Years morning (2020, 2021, and 2022)

  • 12 Days of Christmas – Sunnyside

    More 2.0s than Dads gathered at UrbanSouth Brewery for the annual Christmas beatdown and fest. Quick disclaimer and we were off up Market St. Some ambitious 2.0s had to be full-stopped before racing across Religious St. in the dark. A few motorists were surprised by the pack the of seemingly feral children that were leading a group of wheezing middle aged men, winding through the dark streets between the warehouses.

    We arrived at Annunciation Square and circled up. Quick 20 SSH in cadence to warm us up. Then the began the days, using the 2.0s as coupons where possible. YHC lucked out with a 2.0 under 25lbs. For PAX without a 2.0, they borrowed from others with several to spare. Modifications were offered if 2.0s were uncooperative.

    1. Partridge in a Pear Tree – squat thrust 2.0 up to the shoulder; or a burpee
    2. V-Ups
    3. Lords/ladies leaping (2.0s hop over dads in plank)  or Russian Twists
    4. Flutter Kicks 
    5. Dizzy Bears
    6. Dying roaches
    7. Plank Jacks
    8. Freddy Mercurys
    9. Measly Merkins
    10. Baby crunches
    11. Crabs a crawling
    12. Burpees or a (12) Partridge in a Pear Tree. 

    The PAX then went to COT and the naming(!) Lots of creativity and individual expression from the 2.0s. Then a mosey back to Urban South to a feast, a bounce house, sweaty & dirty children, and excellent fellowship. Much good food, but shout out to #bones for the smoked boudin he served up.

  • Poker Run

    Its the game all the new cool kids are playing.

    “A poker run is an organized event in which participants, usually using motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, horses, on foot or other means of transportation, must visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one. “

    YHC has previously over-estimated the PAX’s ability to listen to and understand directions. And YHC was afraid that this particular set of instructions was going to be beyond the attention span of the PAX. The PAX were warned that this was going to require attention. And all but Angie’s List seemed willing to give it a shot.

    Quick warmup with some SSH (x31 – to celebrate 31 years since ND’s last National Championship. YHC promised this would be the only ND reference during the workout) and Windmills.

    Then – PAX assume plank position while YHC explains the game. The more backtalk and sass, the longer we stay in plank position. Except Jingle Vader. JV apparently has some objection to Plank, so he stood in the Vertical Plank with arms crossed.

    The Rules: there are 5 stations around the park. See the map. At each station there are some cards (playing cards) and a card (workout card). Each group picks a playing card, and the workout card tells you what to do (which exercise, how many reps).

    Each team visits each of the stations, getting 5 cards. OK, there were other rules too. But I don’t need to go through them all here. The 3 teams (Hawg, King Kong and Bongo; Douille, Angie’s List, Jingle Vader; Catfish, Rudy, iHeart, Da Parish) each took off.

    5 Stations with Legs, Planks, Merks, Abs, Burpees. Side note: drawing the Ace of Hearts and its 30 8 Count Body Builder reward kind of sucked. Thanks Catfish.

    OK, its about 7:20 and everyone is back in the Great Lawn with 5 cards. Circle up for opportunities to replace cards.

    Monkey Humpers: Do Monkey Humbers for longer than YHC, and your team can exchange a card. Rudy got to x40. Hawg, King Kong and Bongo tapped out after 2, and assumed the Al Gore position of shame.

    Plank: Plank longer than Rudy and your team can exchange a card. Rudy got to about 90 seconds. Hawg, King Kong and Bongo tapped out after about 10 seconds.

    Burpees: Everyone on your team get 10 burpees in less than a minute? Exchange 1 card. Hawg, King Kong and Bogo tapped out at exactly 9 burpees each.

    NOTE: Everyone should have realized something by this point.

    The Wager: Each team automatically antes 10 burpee. Winner does no burpee, losing teams pay the bet. Douille, Angie’s List and Jingle Vader call the lazy triplets at 25 Burpees. While Catfish et. al. ponder their move, Hawg announces the natural full house they pulled. Fortunately, that allowed Catfish et. al. to Fold and only pay a 15 burpee penalty.

    Congrats to the winners who SWEAR they drew 3 7s and 2 10s blind.

    Thanks all for giving this a shot!

  • The Freaking Exception (?)

    After reading the email this morning, it occurred to me that I may have forgotten something important last week. It wasn’t my wife’s birthday, remembered that. Thanksgiving? Who could forget it. Black Friday? My coffee at uptown PJ’s only cost an arm and half a leg in celebration of Black Friday, so it wasn’t that. No, YHC may have (allegedly) forgotten (potentially) to post a BB from the Foundry this week. I may have (according to some sources) been mentioned in the weekly email. For this – if it refers to me – I am deeply sorry (allegedly). Regardless, as I have gotten on others before about failing to post a BB, no excuses. Just like it’s better to send a wedding gift six months late than not at all, please allow the following to serve as YHC’s BB from last week.

    On Wednesday, we were joined by 1 FNG and 3 out of towners – Side Effects, Charmin, and Uptown Girl – for out traditional foundry workout, consisting of offensive music, an appropriate amount of mumblechatter, and Tabata. The mumblechatter is because we always forget the rotation halfway through; Tabata is because it’s a rockin good time; and offensive music is required by law as a tribute to Jesus Juice, whose playlists consist mainly of people screaming obscenities over 300 beats per minute.

    But first, on a muggy morning, we did a quick warmup on the track of

    • SSHx20
    • Arm Circlesx20
    • Mountain Climbersx20
    • IWx20
    • Self love OYO as we walked to the lanes of the track

    From there, the usual: 2 lines, Indian Run to the Foundry.

    When we arrived, 8 stations of Tabata, consisting of

    • Snake Derkins (just a Derkin on the thing we call a snake, not some cool new exercise that involves slithering around while doing merkins. although….)
    • Upright rows 
    • seated dips
    • Squats 
    • Shoulder taps
    • Hanging crunches 
    • Plank + alternating arms up in the air
    • Burpees

    We got 5 rounds in, and Indian ran back to the track for some cyo Mary, including

    • LBC’s
    • Doctor W’s
    • flutter kicks
    • something else

    We moseyed to the flag where we arrived at 6:15 sharp. COT, prayer, and then coffeeteria at PJ’s on Canal. Thanks for coming out. – Kuch

  • Weather Change

    Unfortunately Tool was unable to Q this morning and was a late scratch. And whenever there is a need for a Q somehow I seem to be the guy to do it. I usually welcome it as a challenge and I had never been Q for a Stomp before. So 11 lunatics joined me for a brisk morning run with a lovely breeze.

    Disclaimer was given. I chose to do something radical and gave the instruction to run 20 minutes out and 20 minutes back. The wind was mostly at our backs on the way out which allowed for a lovely run. Unfortunately the wind in face on the way back with some occasionally strong gusts made for an interesting challenge. However as you would expect all PAX powered through. I am typically among the slow runners so upon my return to the flag Belloq took the lead and had the PAX performing some 8 count absolutions which is always a crowd pleaser. Once the 6 returned a quick round of Mary was done. Countoff, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and sweaty ball of man.

    Lately with Thanksgiving nearing my M has been challenging the 2.0s and me to come up with something we are thankful for everyday. I challenged the PAX to do the same since despite whatever trials and tribulations we or any family may be experiencing in life we have so much to be thankful for. Looking forward to the next Q (which will be tomorrow).