F3 New Orleans

Tag: Cowbell

  • We’re up all night to get War Eagle a little culture

    [5:25 AM, City Park, on a wet gray morning]

    War Eagle: What is that thingamabob in your hand, Kuch?

    Kuch: That’s a bluetooth speaker. It plays music.

    War Eagle: Where I’m from, dancing is outlawed and the only music allowed is people singing Sweet Home Alabama.

    Thus, it became clear to YHC that some music would be important to War Eagle’s continuing New Orleans education. So after a quick disclaimer, off we set to find a dry spot to warm up and moseyed up Roosevelt Mall to an intersection. Only the day before, I’d been humiliated around this very spot as I attempted to sprint to the finish ahead of Cowbell and Hawg at the Stomp, only to have them “jog” right by me. Cowbell was a little late today and did not reach the mosey spot until after we had already warmed up, so I will call it even.

    Warm-up – all x20 or so

    • Arm Circles
    • Hill Billies
    • Windwills
    • Parker Peter
    • Some hip stretches
    • Mosey back down Roosevelt Mall to the far side of the track for the workout

    First Tune of the Day – Tubthumping by Chumbawamba

    • “I get knocked down, but I get up again” = burpee
    • Everything else = SSH

    We started getting a little sloppy on the SSH, so we did some in cadence. When we finished, one lap around the outside of the track to maximize those RRR miles.

    Second Tune of the Day – Get Lucky by Daft Punk

    • “We’re up all night to get Lucky” = airsquat
    • Everything else = Al Gore

    Again we got a little sloppy, and there was a bit of mumblechatter about whether YHC had thought this one through all the way. Instead of acknowledging that this might actually have been a pretty terrible idea, penalty burpees were handed out. When War Eagle critiqued YHC’s form on the penalty burpees, more penalty burpees were issued. Mumblechatter died down a bit after that. Another lap around the track, and T-claps to Cowbell, Smooth, War Eagle, & YaMom & Dem who took it upon themselves to sweep the six each time. I have been the six, and I know what it feels like to have people push you. Knowing you are not out there by yourself while everyone else moves on is a big deal, so kudos guys.

    Third Tune of the Day – Flower (the Sally song) by Moby

    Only one thing to do here, and that’s up and down merkins holding it at the top and bottom. Another lap around the outside with some more sweeping from the fast crew.

    Fourth Tune of the Day – Proud Mary

    What else would you do to Proud Mary other than some Mary? So we got down on the wet ground and alternated 10 lbc’s and 10 flutter kicks IC, one after the next, till the song ended.

    Out of tunes to play, we Indian ran back down the track to the exit, where we moseyed to the flag for a minute or two of planking. Next time, we will get to Thunderstruck…

    As always, thanks for letting me lead. It’s a privilege. F3 has stripped me of my excuses, and forced me to accept being uncomfortable. When we started RRR 4 weeks ago, I didn’t think I could run more than 2 days in a row, I thought I needed more sleep, thought my knee needed more rest and my shin splints and my back would keep me from ever running any real distance again and so on. As we close in on the end of this challenge, I know that I have vastly exceeded what I thought I was capable of just a month ago. For that, I can only thank all of you who set a constant example of hard work, dedication and consistency. SYITG – Kuch

  • The Power of Negativity or the Commitment to Accelerate

    In the last US Olympic Marathon Trials (2016) there were 108 finishers.  Only 3 men ran negative splits.  All three finished on the podium.

    The Thing:  Run along Bayou St. John for 20 minutes, turn around and return in less than 20 minutes.  AKA a Negative Split. Then plank and wait.

    IC Flutter Kicks 25 and Tin Snips 10

    Count, Names, Announcements, Intentions, Prayer

    There is debate whether running negative splits leads to faster race times.  I think we can all find joy in having the strength to increase our pace of movement and to ACCELERATE.   We must choose to accelerate every day.  Thanks Triple Shift for helping me make the connection.

    DAILY RED PILL: The Q’s daily Commitment to Accelerate his Fitness, Fellowship and Faith. Abbr: DRP

  • Hokie Pokey does ABC’s

    With Run Ranger Run in full effect, and with the split of the Mother Ship Saturday workout into two Pax’s, Hokie Pokey thought it would be good to get some running in between exercises.

    Warm up started with a run to the railroad tracks and back with folks circling back to the six until we were ready to gather.

    • 10 baby are circles forward
    • 10 baby arm circles backwards
    • 10 big arm circles forward
    • 10 big arm circles backward
    • Right leg lunge forward with clockwise and counter clockwise trunk stretch.
    • Left leg lunge forward with clockwise and counter clockwise trunk stretch.

    Another run to the tracks and back with leaders getting extra running in by circling back to the six.

    1st exercise ~ “A” ~ Ascending testicles with balls to the columns and hold for 1 minute, down for 30 seconds, back up for a 2nd minute, back down for 30 seconds and back up for a 3rd minute… followed by …
    Another run to the tracks and back with leaders getting extra running in by circling back to the six.

    2nd exercise ~ “B” ~ Burpee’s on the law suicide style… 1st tree and back for one burpee; 2nd tree and back for 2 burpee’s; 3rd tree and back for 3 burpee’s… the last, 10th, tree and back for 10 burpee’s. For our fitter men, they could box jump while the rest of the Pax wrapped up. This was followed by …
    Another run to the tracks and back with leaders getting extra running in by circling back to the six.

    3rd exercise ~ “C” ~ Chillcuts (Dancing Style) ~ Elbow planks with right leg up for one minute, then back to rest in the elbow plank position for 30 seconds and left leg up for one minute. This was followed by …
    Another run to the tracks and back with leaders getting extra running in by circling back to the six.

    4th exercise ~ “D” ~ Diamonds ~ Diamond Merkins ~ AMRAP style ~ as many as possible in 60 seconds followed by 30 seconds rest… 5 times … followed by
    Another run to the tracks and back with leaders getting extra running in by circling back to the six.

    5th, and last “exercise” ~ “E” ~ Elevator ~ with 10 squats, 20 jump squats, 30 second Al Gore, 40 Front Lunges and 50 back lunges.

    We mosey’d back to the flag and heard we logged 3.6 miles as we counted off to 25. No FNG’s.

    Thank you for the opportunity to workout with such a great group of guys! I admire you all and appreciate you pushing me!

  • The Dawn of the Single Reverse Indian Run

    With Run Ranger Run in full swing, I thought it would be good to get a few miles in during the beatdown on Thursday morning at Okwata. So without further ado, at 5:30am I issued the disclaimer & we mosey’d to the intersection of Canal Blvd / Lakeshore Drive for the Warmup

    Warmup

    • 20 side straddle hops
    • 15 concrete grabbers
    • 20 plankjacks
    • 15 imperial walkers

    The Thang

    After the warmup, we did a count-off in which each of the 12 PAX was assigned a number; 1-12. The number was relevant because we did a variation of an Indian run called the ‘Single Reverse Indian Run’ (which is a completely made up name) which entailed the PAX running in a circle up & down the paved part of the levee at the intersection of Canal Blvd / Lakeshore Drive. While the group of PAX was doing a traditional Indian Run, each individual member of the PAX would then peel off to take a turn sprosey’ing (running at a speed that falls in between a sprint & a mosey) the same route until they re-connected with the PAX. So PAX 1 would peel off first, and when he got back to the group, PAX 2 would go; and so on until all 12 PAX had a turn. Seeing as how I hadn’t done this before, there were a few hiccups along the way. When it was time for PAX 1 (High Rise) to peel off to do his individual run, he just ran down the levee & then back up to the group; he didn’t run the whole route before returning to the group. So when PAX 2 (Cowbell) began to run, I explained he had to run the whole route before returning to the group. What we soon discovered, though, was that this was a pretty tall order & that we would probably be there all day if we continued in this fashion. So, to his credit, Rudy, suggested that we keep the exercise the same, but have the individual members of the PAX do the individual runs in reverse, so that they would run into the group of PAX doing the traditional Indian Run instead of having to essentially catch up to the group of PAX doing the traditional Indian Run. Rudy then ran to get Cowbell to communicate the change, and after this tweak, most PAX were able to complete their individual lap using the reverse technique. To Smooth’s credit, he did not go in reverse; he completed his individual lap running the same direction as the group (using what some may refer to as the elusive reverse reverse technique).

    After one of the most complicated Indian Runs ever attempted in 21st century America was completed, we mosey’d down the lakefront to where the potted plants (or what many in the lower 48 refer to as planters) are located near the water. What I learned from my last Q at Okwata is that there are indeed only 10 planters on this part of the lakefront. With this knowledge fresh in mind, our next exercise was to run from the 1st planter to the 10th planter. Once at the 10th planter, the PAX would do 5 derkins, and then we’d run back to the first planter and do 5 irkins. We did this 5 times so that we did a total of 50 combined derkins & irkins.

    Once completed, I took a quick glance at my watch and noticed we had about 10 minutes left, which was plenty enough time for us to mosey back to the paved intersection of Canal Blvd / Lakeshore Drive so that we could do 2 laps of Bernie Sanders up the levee. For this exercise, the PAX would do a Bernie Sanders up the levee (run backwards), and then do a forward run down the levee. Once at the other side, the PAX would then do a Bernie Sanders back up the levee and then a forward run back down the levee. We did this twice, and truth be told, most of the PAX seemed like they were #FeelingTheBurn in a physical sense by the time we were done. Some of the PAX may have also been #FeelingTheBern in a political sense as well, but it wasn’t relevant to the exercise & I am not a mind reader, so who knows.

    After this exercise, time was up. So we mosey’d back to the flag & did the count-off, name-o-rama, announcements & prayer. Turns out we had cranked out a little over 4 miles during the beatdown, which was nice for all the guys tracking for Run Ranger Run. High Rise had also brought out an FNG with him to the Beatdown. It turned out the FNG had wrestled back in high school with Kuch, so he was aptly named “Half Nelson.” Thanks for letting me lead, fellas. I appreciate it & I enjoy it.

  • We’ll Never Finish in 45 Min….Yep it took 47

    I’ve been talking about it for some time now and had it loaded in my truck; the tractor tire was armor-alled and ready to roll……yet the levee was calling.

    Quick disclaimer and a challenge to push yourself to the limit before giving in. Mosey around the fountain to circle up for the warm up.

    All in cadence:

    Low Slow Squats x 10

    Leg swing left x 12 then right x 12

    SSH x 20

    Scorpion kicks x 10

    Shoulder taps x 15

    Pax moseyed up the levee – Q gave instructions – Indian run, disperse – Repeater 

    – once Pax gets to the front of the line he yells out his choice of an exercise movement then yells disperse – ALL pax runs to either side of levee and performs the  movement x 3.  Each time the next Pax runs to the front and gives the next exercise movement the Pax runs down to either side of the levee and performs the movement x 3 THEN runs up and over to repeat the 1st.  Each time a Pax gives a new movement all other movements are then repeated after running up and over the levee.   Regardless on how you count it…..we ran a lot of levees! 2.8 miles up and over

    This was on the boarder line of insane….and there was a lot of “chirping” by the those normally expected yet every pax pushed through and completed the task.  

    No time to spare mosey to the flags!

     COT

    Count off – Name O Roma – FGN made his presence known with a LOT more details so fittingly we came up with TMI!  He’s a welcome addition to our PAX and will be pushed by Hokie Pokey to make the Uptowner. 

    QIC was no doubt disappointed NOT having time to roll out the tire but none the less proud of the brothers on hand that pushed through!

    It’s a blessing and honor to lead!

  • Mile-O-Merkins and Mile-O-Mary at Okwata

    We had a great morning at Okwata to get some miles for the AO in RRR VII, but we couldn’t forget our tradition of full-body workouts. So, disclaimer and then mosey to the Center of the Universe (COTU) for the warm up: 25 x SSH and Imperial Walkers, 15 x Abe Vigoda, 10 F/R Sun Gods, 15 x Peter Parker, 15 x Parker Peter, 15 x Concrete Grabbers and then off to Da Thang.

    From a secret starting point on the levee, YHC explained the Mile-O-Merkins. The course was a half-mile out and half-mile back with 12 stations. At each station, the PAX did a set of merkins with descending reps starting at 12. This went so well that the PAX then did a Mile-O-Mary with LBCs at each station. By the end of the workout, with moseying plus the
    Mile-O-Merkins and Mile-O-Mary, the PAX covered 3 miles.

    Lord, teach me to be generous!

    Surge

  • 610 Stomp #180 – Stretch You Big Dummy!

    Some of us are born flexible and some of us are born…well, not. Either way, good running requires good stretching before and after the actual running. I’d first like to thank the good people at Runner’s World as well as the folks at Google for helping me create this Q.

    W/U – Complete each exercise from tree to tree

    • Quad + Piriformis Walk
    • Hip Opener
    • Arm Circles
    • Frankenstein Walk
    • Karaoke Run right over left
    • Karaoke Run left over right
    • Hold a Downward Dog for the 6

    Routine was a modification of Runner’s World “The 5-Minute Warm-UP Routine You Should Be Doing Before Every Run”

    The Thang

    • Run the Traditional Route and be back for 6:10.  YHC got in 3.6 miles with some great mumble chatter & F2 from War Eagle. Thanks for the push!

    C/D

    • Hip-Flexor Stretch
    • Hamstring Stretch
    • Piriformis Stretch
    • Lower Back Stretch #1

    https://www.runnersworld.com/training/g20862016/cool-down-routine/

    Announcements

    • F1/F2 event this Thursday at Wrong Iron.  DownPAINment will begin at 18:30  sharp. 
    • This Thursday & Every Thursday is the Lakeview Running Club.  Meets up for 18:30 for a 5K or more run followed by complementary Jambalaya Girl & Cash bar.    

    Intentions

    • A family friend & fellow Holy Cross grad, Jacob Stetchmann, fell 34 floors to his death in Honolulu.   Please keep his soul and his family in your prayers through this difficult time. 

    Thank you for the opportunity to lead – Da Parish

  • The Running Ship

    Today’s the day for the inaugural Muscle Ship at City Park, so YHC decided to emphasize the difference between the workouts – for one day, the Mothership became the Running Ship. As the 15 PAX gathered in the gloom (after a brisk 3 mile pre-thang run) YHC gave notice that we would be running. We would to a quick fly-by and give any PAX the opportunity to join the loafers, if they wanted. With that warning, and a disclaimer, off to the races.

    First run to the lawn in front of NOMA for the warm-up:

    • SSH x25
    • Peter Parker x25
    • Parker Peter x25
    • Shoulder Touches x25
    • Mountain Climber x25

    Then run some more (looky by the lake, there’s a group of 16 men who appear to be laying down. I think I see yoga mats too), heading towards Roosevelt Mall.

    At the foot of Roosevelt Mall, Heisenberg chooses Merkins for the Route 66 exercise. Go. 11 benches to visit, 66 merkins. Plank up by the entry to the track.

    Time for an old favorite of YHC: The Dirty McDeuce. 3 exercises, 12 reps. Upper Body, Core, Legs. Then a lap. Repeat x4.

    • Merkins, Penguins, Squats (YHC struggled mightily with cadence counting). 1 lap.
    • Stagger Merkins, Dying Cockroaches, Low Slow Squats. 1 lap.
    • Stagger Merkins, LBT, Monkey Humpers. 1 lap.
    • Floyd Mayweather, Flutter Kicks, Jump Squats. 1 lap.

    Slowsey towards the pole-vault mat, half-way along the straight away. Partner up for the game of “Catch Me If You Can”. PAX 1 sprints half way round the track. PAX 2 moseys across the field to meet the sprinter. Tag up and reverse (PAX2 sprints, PAX1 moseys back). Repeat repeat repeat for 8 mins.

    Slowsey to the Refinery for 5 stations: Burpees, Jump the Green Snake, Pull Ups, Derkins and Hanging Knee Raises. 12 Burpees is the timer.

    Getting late, so lets mosey back to the flag. Stop half-way to get the group back together – doing Monkey Humpers while waiting for the 6. Then again at the flag, Monkey Humpers for the 6.

    All told, 4.1 miles earned towards RRR this am.

    Close out by remembering our PAX struggling with illness and deaths among family and close friends. Finish out with St. Ignatius Prayer for Generosity.

  • 40 Days ’til Mardi Gras

    January 24th, 2019. Only 40 days until March 5th – Mardi Gras! And what better way to celebrate than a traditional Okwata 40?!? Even better, its a blustery sub-forty degree day at the Lakefront (YHC’s car said 37 degrees – but that didn’t account for the gales). Good Times!

    8 hearty PAX braved the chill. Some, like YHC, were bundled in full winter (aka “Marlin”) gear. Smooth managed to have his entire face covered, while DaParish seemed to be sporting some fancy earmuffs. Then, of course, there was JV wearing his tank top and calling the rest of us a bunch of cowards. Disclaimer issued – including warnings to try and keep warm – and we were off.

    Due to yesterday’s rain, and with Surge’s strong urging, YHC modified the 40 in an effort to keep our shoes dry. PAX moseyed down to Canal Street and over the levee, seeking shelter from the wind. Instead of over-and-back, we would instead just do up-and-down, always staying on the sheltered side of the levee. Other than that, its a traditional 40: 10 exercises, each done in 4 sets (40 sets!). In between each set, up-and-down the levee (40 trips up the levee!). Each set is 10 reps (40 reps!). When PAX finishes his set for one exercise, keep repping or plank until the 6. No rest until everyone’s done. The exercises (and some 40-themed Mardi Gras trivia that helped keep the PAX entertained…..):

    • Burpees first, of course.
    • Penguins. 2nd Modification: lets do the reps at the top of the levee rather than the bottom. Sure its windy up there. But its a heck of a lot dryer.
      • Did you know there are 40 parades in February (from Chewbacca through Muses)
    • Low Slow Squats.
      • Per NOLA.com in February 2018, there are 40 marching groups too. YHC doesn’t fact-check, just reports.
    • Cross-fit Merkins
      • Who remembers Mardi Gras 40 years ago? That’s right – the 1979 Police Strike!
    • Peter Parkers
      • Bacchus 40 years ago? Ron Howard.
      • Bacchus XL? The one, the only Hulk Hogan
      • Bacchus this year? 40 year old Jensen Ackles.
    • Box Cutters
      • Who’s playing Endymion? 40 year old Flo Rida.
      • Lionel Ritchie – hit the charts with Sail On 40 years ago
    • Lunges
      • One Krewe turns 40 this year. No one could guess it. And YHC was not surprised: Krewe of Bilge from Eden Isles.
    • Plank Walks
      • Did you know…. (apparently JV did, as he tried to correct YHC): King of Comus and King of Carnival (not King of Rex…) meet at 40 minutes past 9:00 on Mardi Gras night.
    • Mountain Climbers
    • LBC

    Mosey back to the flag – which was leaning with the wind, but still standing. Thanks to Cowbell for his constant encouragement for all the PAX to keep after it; keep pushing up the levee. Nice work M-Bop! Remember, the workouts get easier, because you get stronger! Great to have you out with us.

    Fast trip through announcements (RRR), intentions and prayers. Then fast mosey back to cars to start the long process of thawing toes. Thanks everyone for letting me lead.

  • Stomps and Sprints

    Thanks to Gabrielle, YHC had a different take on his usual Stomp-and-Sprint workout. So Tuesday am, time was right to give it a test run. I think it has some potential, but needs some help. We will definitely try again soon.

    12 PAX gathered in the gloom. Nice to see a good sized crowd on a Tuesday am – thanks, brothers! Warmer than expected, causing YHC to regret the choice to bundle up. Oh, the fun of winter weather cycles in NOLA. After a disclaimer, the PAX set off for 30 minute run: meet back at the track at 6am.

    Not surprisingly, Smooth, El Guapo and Mahatma took off to the front. Even less surprisingly, Mr. Freedom-Hammer himself decided he didn’t want to hang back with El-G or M-Ice, and bolted. Smooth sure can fly. YHC enjoyed the chance to catch up with Sesame Street – I wish I had his dedication when travelling. 5 days in NOLA and 4 workouts. Nice work!

    Back at the track at 6am (Hawg straggling in late at his 11:45 pace), we gathered to try Gabrielle-themed workout. Split into groups of 4. 3 of the 4 take their position on the track roughly 1/3 apart from each other for a sprint relay. The 4th toes the line to get ready….

    • Position 1: 25 LBC
    • Position 2: 25 PJ
    • Position 3: 25 Merkins

    Go… PAX sprints to the Position 1. Tag, you’re it! PAX from Position sprints to the next spot, while the arriving PAX does the exercise and waits for the relay to come back around. That’s the cycle. Sprint when its your turn, do your exercise on arrival, and wait. As YHC says – needs a bit of work, but everyone got 3 or 4 sprints in before we headed back to the flag.

    COT ends with our count-off, name-o-rama, and close with a prayer to use the gift of Tuesday, January 22nd wisely.