F3 New Orleans

Tag: Breadsticks

  • H8 Prep

    A typical summer (in October?) morning with an atypical lack of a breeze coming off the lake led to a lovely humid morning in the gloom. 13 PAX joined me for a little prep workout for the upcoming H8 in 2 weeks. Disclaimer was given and off we went around the fountain.

    Warm up:

    Mosey around the fountain including high knees, butt kicks, karaoke facing the fountain, and karaoke facing the levee. Circle up

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grassgrabbers x 10 IC
    • Arm circles fwd and rev x 10 each IC
    • Peter Parker x 15 IC
    • Parker Peter x 15 IC
    • Self love x 10 IC

    Tha Thang #1:

    Mosey over to the House of Pain. Here we would partner up. PAX #1 would bear crawl up the levee, run down the opposite side, bear crawl back up the levee, and run down back to the start. PAX #2 stays behind to perform 5 pull-up, 10 hand-release merkins, and 15 squats. Plank and wait for your partner to finish their respective round. Flapjack. Perform 4 rounds.

    My apologies to anyone that was eaten alive by ants. I heard people saying there were ants while we were exercising. It wasn’t until after the beatdown that I learned that Tugboat (possibly others) who were bitten at least a dozen times. I fully understand why Screw Top doesn’t like the grass.

    Tha Thang #2:

    Mosey over to the large open area by the lake where we would circle up for some randomness.

    • 8 count Absolution x 10 IC
    • Merkin into a side plank x 8 IC (Q couldn’t make it to 10 reps)
    • Al Gore x 30 seconds x 3 trials
    • R single leg wife pleaser x 15 (1 is 1)
    • L single leg wife pleaser x 15 (1 is 1)

    Now it was time for some Mary. T-claps to all those who led the individual exercises

    • Penguins
    • Flutter kicks
    • Dying Cockroaches
    • LBCs
    • Freddy Mercury’s
    • American Hammers
    • Box cutters

    Mosey back to the flag where we wrapped it all up with 10 burpees OYO. Countoff, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and sweaty ball of man. Once again it was a pleasure to lead. And once again I sincerely apologize to anyone who was bitten by ants.

  • IP Greatest Hits

    “I just can’t get enough” – Black Eyed Peas

    Another notch on the belt for The Chamber, F3 NOLA’s newest AO.  This was only the second regular, non-IP beatdown which opened up some options for venturing out of the parking lot area that’s been home to the past few workouts there.  As the PAX trickled in, it was good to see a FNG show up after seeing the F3 info on Nextdoor.  With several regulars using a post-Saints game fartsacking pass, it became apparent our crew would be lighter than usual…rumor had it one of the young bucks was “trashed” and others left all they had in the dome.  With a dozen concrete blocks still in YHC’s truck, it was only fitting we gave them some love one more time.  Here’s what we did:

    Warmup lap around the parking lot, then AC, WM, IW, PP.  

    The Thang:  Iron Pax Greatest Hits

    Round 1 – Thruster x20, Block Swingsx20, R&R x15ea,x10ea,x5ea

    Mosey

    Round 2 – Broad Jump x20, Big Boy Situps x20, R&R x15ea,x10ea,x5ea

    Mosey 

    Round 3 – Merkins x20, Bonnie Blairs x20, R&R x15ea,x10ea,x5ea

    Short Mosey

    Round 4 – Bear Crawl approx 50-60yds, Lunge Walk 40yds 

    Mosey

    Round 5 – Block Curls x40, Gas Pumps x40, R&R x30,x20…time expired

    Approx 1.1 miles covered. All got stronger, and sweated out any weekend impurities. 

    COT where we welcomed FNG Kool Aid Man, who gave us lots to works with but landed on a name fitting for a guy who just weeks ago ran into a brick wall playing basketball and split his head open.  Announcements included upcoming convergence, H8, and spreading the word about the Chamber being a weekly thing from here on out. 

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead.       
    Tool

  • End of IronPax Mondays… Start of Fall

    My quasi virgin Q came in the form of a Week 4 IronPax Challenge Beatdown called “Sugar’s Pick Your Poison” at UNO’s Chamber of Horrors. Tclaps to Kuch and Belloq for getting our AO ready.

    At approximately 5:20 AM, YHC kicked things off to the sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire “September”. My highlight of the workout was Kuch’s beatdown of 2 Coupons that weren’t regulation. The Pax of 7 completed this leg intense 3 rounds workout in an average time of 52 mins. and 45 secs.

    We wrapped things up with CoT and a Prayer of Generosity.

    Enjoyed the opportunity to lead my first Q and participate in my first IPC.

    Looking forward to my first traditional Q!

  • 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!

  • Lending a Helping Hand

    A couple weeks ago I helped out my fellow LVCC member Screw Top and we swapped Q’s. Unfortunately Screw Top went and had a minor setback and was not ready to return for his Q so I once again helped him out and took over my original Q slot. On a typical muggy morning 14 PAX, including 2 FNG’s, joined me in the gloom. Disclaimer was given and off we moseyed to the practice track.

    Warm up:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Arm circles fwx and rev x 10 each IC
    • Grass grabbers x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC

    Tha Thang #1:

    For the first portion of the beatdown we stayed in the circle for a routine I created a couple weeks ago. It was time for the second attempt of Red Light/Green Light. All red light exercises would be static and all green light exercises would be dynamic. Exercises were called out by the Q and we would immediately change exercises once the randomized timer called out red light or green light.

    Red light exercises:

    • Al Gore
    • High plank
    • L side plank
    • R side plank
    • Low plank
    • R leg lunge hold
    • L leg lunge hold
    • Supine leg hold
    • Reverse plank
    • Calf raise hold

    Green light exercises:

    • Mountain climbers
    • LBCs
    • Merkins
    • Lateral/cross-over lunges
    • High knees
    • R single leg wife pleasers
    • L single leg wife pleasers
    • Penguins
    • Crunchy frog
    • Freddy Mercury’s

    After this we moseyed to Roosevelt Mall where PAX splint into 2 groups for an Indian Run to the steps in front of NOMA.

    Tha Thang #2:

    At that time we partnered up for some Dora 1,2,3. Combined total of 100 merkins, 200 squats, and 300 LBCs. While PAX #1 performed the exercise, PAX #2 bunny hopped the steps and performed 3 burpees at the top of the steps. I may have overshot this one as I know my group only got halfway through the LBCs before it was time to mosey back to the flag. Although I know multiple groups were able to complete all reps so T-claps to you guys.

    Circle up for countoff, name-o-rama, annoucement, named our 2 FNG’s, intentions, and COT. Welcome Blazing Saddles (had a tough time coming up with that name but props to Amnesty for nailing it) and Choppa. Can’t wait to lead again.

  • Stompkwata

    Despite fair warning, 14 men set off into a pleasant September gloom this morning at Okwata. The warning: bring your running shoes, we’re trying something new. And so we did.

    Since we started doing Okwata, YHC has been wanting to run to the large Lakeshore Drive bridge for a change of pace. Today, we did it.

    It’s around 1.1 miles just to get there, so we had to be quick. We wrapped our warm-up into our mosey with some high knees, butt kicks, Super Marios, carioca, and Zombie walks.

    When we got to the bridge, the instructions were simple: 11’s with burpees at the bottom and merkins at the top. YHC had measured it out, and from base to center of the bridge is about 1/10 of a mile, so each “lap” would be 2/10 of a mile. No one quite completed the 11’s, but Breadsticks was close. Breadsticks seems to have found another gear lately. T-claps for that.

    T-claps to Two Yutes, who went back and swept the runners on the way there, giving them the instruction so everyone could get started. We called an end to the 11’s leaving around 12 minutes to return to the flag, and according to my calculations***, we arrived exactly on time. All in all, we ran about 4 miles, with about 1 mile of that being uphill, broken up with some burpees and merkins. We may try this one again during Run Ranger Run.

    Surge closed us out with a prayer. Thanks for trying something new with me today. – Kuch

  • Sweatin’….

    I have been to many F3 workouts over the past 21 months, all of which have been great in their own way. But this time I was hoping to do something a little different. At a sales meeting earlier this year, my company had an 80’s themed party that my division elected to dress in 80’s workout era clothing. After a short parooze on Amazon, I came across a Richard Simmons costume, complete with a balding headpiece. I just could not pass it up, especially for under $15! The costume was a hit at the work party, even though Richard dropped a rather husky girl while attempting a dip on the dancefloor. In all fairness to Richard, the dip was unexpected, the healthy young lady was caught up in the moment, and who could blame her.  Still glassy eyed, my immediate thought the next morning was, “I need to Q a workout as Richard Simmons!” so I looked at the Q schedule, and saw I was up at WPM for September 6th. I strategically planned the walk up to the PAX right as the clock struck 5:30AM, announced my disclaimer as impersonating a professional trainer, but really not one, and we moseyed in front of Tulane University for a warm up to the classic sound of the Macarena. All exercises were done in cadence, which fell right into the beat of the music.

    SSHx20

    Imperial Walkers x 20

    Arm Circles x 10

    Backwards AC x 10

    After a jaunt to the little mountain Richard determined there was too much traffic there, so an audible was called, and the PAX proceeded to the big mountain where we formed 3 lines for an Indian Run, but not just any old Indian Run. This time we ran prisoner style while flashing our best jazz hands. We stopped on the 5th floor to partner up for some DORA 123.  Exercises were done with various Queen songs in the background (Bicycle Race of course). While partner one was exercising, partner 2 was running up the stairs to the 7th floor, then back down the ramp, and tagging into the exercise picking up where partner one left off this continued until all exercises were complete. 

    Merkins x 100

    Bobby Hurley’s x 200

    Freddie Mercury’s x 300,  1=1

    Once complete the PAX made its way down to the benches for a quick round of the following all in cadence:

    Dips x 20

    Incline Merkins x 20

    The PAX then gathered in front of touchdown Jesus for a round of Mary all while listening to one of Richard’s favorite songs, ”Believe” by Cher. All exercises were done in cadence:

    Penguins x 20

    LBCs x 20

    American Hammer (Douille style) x 20

    Angie’s List pointed out that there was still a little time left on the clock, so the PAX knocked out 10 Herpes on their own. 

    We then circled up around the flag, counted off, had nameorama, intentions, announcements and a closing prayer.  It is always an honor to lead this group of men! I hope everyone who attended the workout enjoyed the little change of pace, as you never know when Richard will pop up again! 

  • Post Iron Pax Beatdown

    With my LVCC brother Screw Top still nursing an injury I was asked again to do a relief Q which I gladly accepted. I spent Tuesday night scrolling through the Exicon for some suggestions and found something new (for me) and remembered something that I had not done in a while.

    14 PAX gathered at the our usual spot in Roosevelt Mall. I can’t speak for everyone but I was still feeling the effects of the Iron Pax beatdown from Monday so burpees, jump lunges, and sit ups were not to be on the menu for today. Disclaimer was given and off we moseyed to the track for warm up.

    Warm Up:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grassgrabbers x 10 IC
    • Self Love x 15 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each IC
    • Figure 4 piriformis stretch x 15 sec hold each leg

    Tha Thang #1:

    Following warm-up we moseyed back to Roosevelt Mall where the 14 members were split into 2 groups for a little Route 66. I hadn’t done this exercise routine in months so I figured it was just as good a time as any to break it back out. On 1 side of the mall PAX would do derkins increasing reps with each bench. On the other side PAX would perform step ups (1 is 1 for each leg) with increasing reps each bench. Plank and wait for the 6 at the end of the mall.

    Tha Thang #2:

    PAX moseyed to the back of NOMA where were again splint into groups. Since we had 14 men we were splint into 2 groups of 3 and 2 groups of 4 for Triple Check. PAX #1 perform The People’s Chair and PAX #2 planks while PAX #3 runs around NOMA. Upon PAX #3’s return to the start everyone rotate until each member of the group has performed a round in all 3 positions. Rinse and repeat 2 more times so each PAX will have performed 3 rounds in all 3 positions total.

    Tha Thang #3:

    Mosey back to the mall where we reversed our Route 66. All PAX that had performed derkins now did step ups and vice versa. Suggestion was thrown out that we do the reps in descending order which I obliged. The PAX performing step up seemed to take a bit longer so t-claps for the PAX performing derkins to get some Mary in while waiting.

    Mosey back to the flag for some Mary for all:

    • Freddy Mercury’s x 15 IC
    • Dying Cockroaches x 15 IC
    • Penguins x 15 IC

    Count-off, name-o-rama, annoucements, intentions, sweaty ball of man. Once again it was a pleasure to lead the men in a beatdown that was hopefully enjoyable but challenging.

  • The Killer Burpees

    We had a nice breeze Monday morning when we arrived at the UNO Human Performance Center for the newly dubbed Chamber of Horrors. The instructions were simple – do the Iron Pax week 1 challenge, consisting of an aggregate 150 yards of broad jumping, 150 yards of bear crawling, 150 burpees, 150 big boy situps, and 150 Bonnie Blairs. The challenge itself was anything but simple. Everyone rose to the occasion anyway, and we all completed it in under 40 minutes. Breadsticks paced us at right around 31 minutes.

    When I first began F3, I could not do a burpee. Rather, worse, I did not even know how to do a burpee. First, I did something of a squat thrust, completely omitting the merkin and the jump. In fact, I thought the guys jumping and clapping after each rep were taking a victory lap on me or something. Look at me, this is so easy I’m gonna let you know each time I complete one by jumping and clapping for myself. I thought my squat thrusts were pretty damn good, even if I could only do about 5 of them before exhaustion.

    Then, I found out the jump portion was not optional. This makes a lot of sense in hindsight, and my only defense is that I function at something less than optimal mental processing at 5:30 in the morning, especially before I got used to it. Squat thrust + jump. Okay fine, I can do this, but I don’t have to like it.

    Then I noticed the merkin part. Ohhhhhhh. When guys around me are generally saying to no one in particular “watch your form on those burpees”, they’re totally talking to me, right? Damn.

    Since then, I have made burpee form something of a personal crusade. It’s funny how you can take something you’re bad at, and really focus on it, and all of a sudden, it’s not so bad anymore. You crack the code. By paying careful attention to each step AND committing to yourself to never do 9 when 10 is called, to never cheat on form, and to never accept less than your best, you can improve.

    And so if I’m a bit of a burpee nazi with others sometimes, please accept my apologies. I wish someone had more directly told me that I was not doing burpees correctly early on in my F3 career. This is the form I at least attempt to emulate at all times:

    Chest all the way to the ground; everything hits at once. Back straight.

    If you ever see me doing them wrong or dogging them or you think I’m cutting a corner, please return the favor. Don’t let me get away with cheating myself, and I won’t let you get away with cheating yourself. Deal?

    Afterwards, we gave prayers of thanks for all we have, and enjoyed a coffeeteria at Starbucks on Harrison.

  • A bit of Notre Dame, and a bit of YIPPEE!

    19 PAX (incluing Rewatch, downriver from Houston) in the morning gloom to help YHC celebrate the end of his 51st year. Yippee!

    Started out with a disclaimer, trying to be more thoughtful than normal with thoughts of Holy Grove in mind. Everyone: be mindful of your health. Hydrate. Modify. Its Hot and Humid. Most important – remain healthy. All this, while continuing to push yourselves. So with thoughts and prayers for Holy Grove in mind, lets get started.

    YHC brought along a YIPPEE! bag full of birthday gifts. The idea: all PAX feel free – at any point in the workout – come pick a gift from the YIPPEE! bag. What’s in the bag? A collection of goodies – exercises for the Q, exercises for the PAX, a few special gotchas. Each piece of paper is something new and different.

    Mosey over to the Great Lawn.

    Warmup with some stretching and SSH (x51). First dip into the YIPPEE bag produces 20 Dips for everyone at the benches! Its going to be a fun hour.

    7 Heisman Trophy Winners

    7 of Diamonds, in honor of the ND 7 heisman trophy winners (Bertelli, Hart, Lattner, Lujack, Hornung, Huarte and Brown). Yes, Douille is correct in noting that Hornung is the only Heisman winner from a losing team. Douile was incorrect in thinking Hornung lost to Tulane.

    PAX split into 4 groups. 4 cones set up in a diamond shape.

    Round 1: 7 Bobby Hurleys at a cone, Bear Crawl to the next. Repeat all the way around

    Round 2: 14 Merkins, Lunge Walks

    Round 3: 21 Squats, Crab Walks

    Round 4: 28 Flutter Kicks, Lunge Walks

    War Eagle and Catfish seem to be greatly enjoying the YIPPEE bag – produce burpees, merkins, squat jumps for the PAX, for themselves, for the Q. “10 Burpees for Me”. “20 Merkins for PAX of choice” (tough break, Angie’s List). “15 Squat Jumps for the Q”. “10 Genuflects for the PAX”. The cards are flying faster.

    YHC also especially enjoyed War Eagle’s “Sing Happy Birthday to the Q”. Thank you.

    11 National Championships

    Yes, YHC is aware that our glory days are old. No, YHC does not care. Yes, YHC always believes that next year represents our return to glory.

    11s with Burpees and Catalina Wine Mixers. Go. PAX now are running past the YIPPEE bag with more frequency, resulting in more draws.

    Pop Tart pulls a “Sprint vs the Q”, and pays dearly for his arrogance – slipping and falling as he turns to mock the slower Q. The Tortoise revels in his glorious victory. Rewatch and Catfish both draw Laps around the park.

    Triple Shift adamantly refuses to approach the Yippee bag. He must not like birthdays. Or presents.

    5 Pillars

    YHC has to call off the 11s somewhere around half-way point due to time constraints. 5 Pillars of Holy Cross Education: Mind, Heart, Zeal, Family, Hope. For each one, PAX will do 5 Rise Ups (squat for a 5 count, then jump up, return to squat position). Even while explaining the exercise, Hokie is standing at the bag waiting to draw. And of course, he pulls “10 Burpees for the Q”. Everyone else gets a 10 count while YHC gets 10 burpees in.

    At Zeal, Rev Sox pulls “20 Merkins for the Q”. Thanks. Rev Sox leads PAX in 5 Rise Ups while YHC knocks out 20 Merkins.

    Mary

    Circle up for last 5 minutes of Mary. But we never get to Mary. More cards are drawn – “10 Burpees for everyone”. Seems there were more Burpee cards than YHC remembers putting in the bag.

    Alas, we never got to the Duck Duck Goose game that YHC was really hoping for. Next time… But for now, return to the flag.

    COT

    Count-off: 19 PAX (including 2 FNGs). Thank you all for celebrating my birthday with me! First, from Atlanta, still a dirty bird fan, so the PAX were unanimous in welcoming “28-3” to the tribe. Then – deep voice, handsome beard, claims he might kinda sing a bit: Pavarotti, glad to have you with us!

    Close up with announcements, intentions and prayers to remember each day granted to us is a gift. May we treasure it, and use it wisely.

    Thank you all for the opportunity to lead. I welcome your patience with me as I try new and potentially stupid things at workouts.