F3 New Orleans

Tag: Cowbell

  • Sunrise over the lake. And some Jack Webb.

    At last, time changes are bringing back the morning sunrise at Okwata.  Best AO in NOLA, if you ask YHC (which no one does.  Their loss.)  The Levee and The Sunrise.  A great way to start the day.  Its unfortunate that the time change also means summer is coming, and with it the morning humidity.  But that’s a small price to pay.  5:30 am, 5 PAX are off to the races after a brief disclaimer.  And after a request from Cowbell not to run too far.  Don’t worry, we won’t be moseying very far today.

    Warm Up:

    Over by the fountain for a typical warmup.

    • SSH x25
    • ISW x25
    • Arm Circles x10 each way

    Plank-up, looking east towards the glorious sunrise.

    • Peter Parker x25
    • Mountain Climber x25

    Jingle Vader points out that perhaps we should have faced west, making it easier to see the sunrise in the east.  Think about that next time you are planking….

    Mosey across the street to find a planter.

    Planter Times

    • Right Leg Step Up x20
    • 10 Box Jumps
    • Left Leg Step Up x20
    • Irkins x10
    • Incline Mountain Climber x20 (YHC DID NOT SAY “get up” AFTER IRKINS)
    • Dirkins x10
    • Decline Parker Peter x20 (again, YHC DID NOT SAY “get up” AFTER DIRKINS.  Thank you Abacus for listening!)

    Pause.  Then Repeat.  Mosey back to the Levee.

    The Levee:

    The Lexicon includes “Everest”, and YHC was curious how that would feel.  So we tried it…

    Lunge Walk Up and Down the Levee with Squats at each step.  “Lunge, Squat.  Lunge, Squat.  Lunge, Squat”.  YHC thought going up would be hard.  He was wrong.  Going Down really sucked.  Go Back Up – but stop at the top.  Surge serenaded us with the Oompa Loompa song.  Thank you.

    2 round of faux-Jack Webbs:

    • 1st Round: everyone in plank, and STAY IN Plank the whole time.  1:4 ratio of Merkin:Shoulder Tap, up to 10:40
    • 2nd Round: everyone on your 6.  1:4 ratio of BoxCutter:LBC, up to 8:32 (time is running short!)

    YHC still has some other JW variants in his back pocket for future Qs.

    House of Pain

    Down the levee to the HOP for 5 stations:

    • Burpees x15 (timer)
    • Pull Ups
    • Dips
    • WWII Situps
    • Wall Sit

    Repeat a 2nd round with 10 Burpee timer.  Then back to the VSF.  Time for a quick round of Slow Cadence Flutter Kick and Dolly.  Need to remember to mix-in the Slow Cadence ab work sometimes.  Good stuff….

    Announcements – several upcoming CSAUP.  Hope to see everyone out at some of these.  Bible Study this weekend.  Barathon.  Summer Series.  Weekender in July.  Close out with a prayer – YHC in particular asks for blessings on his son as he graduates from Jesuit and prepares for his next step in life.  May God be with him, to guide and protect him.

  • Happy Birthday to the City of New Orleans

    The City of New Orleans has been celebrating its 300th birthday throughout the 2018 year. You may not have known that May 7, 1718 is the date most commonly recognized as when the Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne De Bienville, founded Nouvelle – Orleans. So in honor of NOLA’s 300th birthday the following beat down occurred.

    Warm Up

    B   Big Boy Sit-ups – 30x – plus a few more as Q off to rough start with cadence.
    D   Dying Cockroach – 30x
    A   Abe Vigoda – 30x
    Y   Why Side Straddle Hops 30x – because we always do side straddle hops during warm-ups.

    N   Nolan Ryan – 15x Left and 15x Right
    O   Outlaw – 15x Left and 15x Right
    L   LBC’s – 30x
    A   Arm Circles – 15 forward and 15 backward

    The Thang

    Grab a rock and mosey to the track/field. Partner up with each team doing the following:

    Stand on sideline of the field with each pair of PAX completing cumulative 300 rock curls, 300 shoulder-taps, and 300 rock shoulder presses. While one PAX was doing curls, or shoulder-taps, or shoulder presses, the other PAX was running to the opposite sideline and doing bear crawl, then run back to opposite sideline.

    Bring rocks pack to pile and finish with a few minutes of Mary.

    Back to Flag for Count off, Namorama (named FNG Pai Gow), and Announcements (CSAUP this week and UNO Crawfish Mambo this Saturday). Welcome to Pai Gow – thanks for joining the group.

    I am enjoying the F3 experience. Thank you all for the opportunity to lead.

  • Your Kids Are How Old?!?!

    YHC’s commute was from Kenner this morning.  Rather than the usual 20 min drive, it was more like 12 with very little stop lights.   With the extra time, YHC reviewed his Weinke in preparation for todays Beatdown.  A Pax can always prep for his Q, but the only true way to perfect is through experience.   YHC is grateful for F3 and it’s $0 cost mantra.  The best way to show your gratitude and “pay” back what you receive is by signing up to Q.

    W/U

    • SSH x 26
    • Ave Vigoda x 20
    • IW x 20
    • MC x 20
    • Butt Kicks x 10

    The Thang

    Indian Run to NOMA

    • Wall Sits – In COT fashion, name your Occupation, M’s Name, # of Children

    Indian Run to the Foundry for equipment free Beatdown Stations

    • 8 Ct Body Builder x 10 is the count
    • Jack Webbs 1:2, 2:4, 3:6
    • Squat + Plank
    • Plank Combo
    • Jump Squats

    Circle Up for Merkins – In Cot fashion, do a Merkin for each year of the age of your children.  This was either a really good or really bad idea.  Depends on the Pax interpretation.

    • Mambi – 7, 5
    • Pai Gow – 7, 5
    • Walleye – 8, 5
    • Da Parish – 3, 1
    • Cowbell – (K9) 3
    • Bogey – 20, 19, 14
    • Tool – 14, 12

    Mosey to the Track – Pax assigns Mary to be performed and then takes off for a lap.  To save time, a new Pax took off every half lap.

    • Mambi – Flutter Kicks
    • Tool – LBCs
    • Da Parish – Wife Pleasers
    • Walleye(?) – Hello Dolly
    • Cowbell – Crunchy Frog
    • Bogey – American Hammer
    • Pai Gow – Wheezy Jeffersons

    Back to the Flag for Count Off, Namorama, & Announcement (CSAUP/F2 tonight at the Lafitte Greenway & Bayou Beer Garden, Lakeview Running Club every Thursday, Free BabyCakes tickets on May 17).

    Thank you for the opportunity to lead.

    Da Parish

  • What’s better then a Merkin ladder? 2 of course!

    I guess its better late than never to post a back-blast. Eight men arrived in the dark gloom on Wednesday 5/2/18. Still no lights on Roosevelt Mall. The usual disclaimer and off we go.

    We moseyed down Roosevelt Mall to a warm-up COP.
    SSH x 20 IC
    Imperial Walkers x 20 IC
    Lunges x 20 IC
    Windmills x 10 IC
    Arm Circles 10 forward, 10 backward IC
    Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    Next an Indian Run to the front of NOMA.
    Merkin ladder up the steps, 1 Merkin at the bottom, 11 at the top
    10 box jumps on the fountain at the bottom
    Repeat
    Merkin ladder up the steps, 1 merkin at the bottom, 11 at the top
    10 box jumps on the fountain at the bottom

    Mumble chatter ensues. As it turns out, 2 Merkin ladders not as much fun as it sounds. The Pax suggested a Reverse Merkin ladder for round 2 may be better. Perhaps they are right…

    Then exercises up and down the NOMA steps
    10 squat jumps at the top, 20 dips on the fountain at the bottom
    Repeat 3 times

    Next we moseyed to the Foundry for some circuits. 8 men, 4 stations:
    Pull-ups
    Body rows
    Step-ups
    10 WWII had the count
    2 rounds total

    Finally, to the track for some sprints, Hawgcycle-Style.
    We split into pairs. 1 man sprints 200 meters, the partner jogs across the infield to meet on the other side, sprint 200 meters, jog across the infield. 2 times around the track.

    A short mosey back to the flag. Count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer. I am grateful to theses men for keeping me strong. Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

    Walleye

  • Sweating on a Saturday wit “EMOM” and Dem!

    EMOM and DEM (you might have to be a “yat” to get it)

    What an awesome day to luck out as a fill in Q!  26 men decided to show up at the mothership for a Sat sweat which I wasn’t sure I had prepared to deliver.  But non the less the disclaimer was given and the Pax headed out, with one FNG in our group.

    We moseyed passed the grant lawn, with a few expected mumbles, for a longer run than most might have anticipated to then circle up next to the baby foundry and warm up.

    All in cadence:

    SSH x 25

    Slow toe touches x 25

    Windmills x 15

    Mnt Climbers x 25

    Shoulder Taps x 25

    Then we broke up into 7 groups (6×4 and 1×2) in order to utilize the foundry tools (some felt it was “too” close for comfort and modified):

    2 rounds of:

    Pull ups

    Incline push ups

    Step ups

    Dips

    Jump overs

    Hangs (some added leg crunches)

    Timer was 10 burpees (Hawg continued to encourage the ensure the over head clap was “heard” for good measure of performance).

    The PAX was ready for a 3rd round but there was a plan in place and we had a lot of work to complete, so mosey back to the great lawn.

    4 groups (2×7 and 2×6) Attack the corners with added burpees in the center x 2

    Each group started on a corner and completed exercise and reps prescribed by the QIC – then rotate (running) to the next corner while leaving corner #1 would run to center of lawn complete 5 burpees before going to corner #2, from #2 run long side to #3, from #3 run to center of lawn complete 5 burpees before heading to #4 then run long side to #1……repeat!

    #1 20 sqt jumps

    #2 10 each arm alternating push ups for total of 20

    #3 20 V Ups

    #4 20 Shoulder taps

    NOW, Pax was well oiled and lubricated, ready to finish strong!

    EMOM – EVERY MINUTE ON THE MINUTE

    QIC was nervous as there was just 20 minutes on the clock and there was no time to waste……had the PAX assemble in groups along the benches then barked out the instructions.

    15 Box Jumps…..cross the street and wait.

    Full Sprint to third tree (designated with big branch) and back!

    Bear Crawl out…..same tree

    Kong Back…..cross the street

    10 Burpees

    Every minute on the minute – So the faster you complete each THANG the more rest you get BUT the clock never stops for an expected 20 minutes of continuous effort!

    Pax (including the QIC) may have underestimated our fitness level as the 1st round was easier than expected BUT we all figured out quickly that rounds 2 and 3 kicked out butts!  Unfortunately we were not going to have enough time to complete the 4th round so instead of cheating the PAX out of the total 60 minutes we all showed up for, the QIC quickly transition to a bit of MARY –

    20 4 count flutter kicks

    1 minute of plank

    Then we headed back to the flag with pride that we all left a lot of sweat behind for Your Emom n dem!

    Circle Up – count off

    Today we had an FNG – now known as “Wetsuit”, big shout out of respect (54 as I recall), he came and hung with the group completing our stroll through the park.  No doubt I may have missed the opportunity of a more rounded “waterpick” name but maybe Wetsuit will bring an FNG that is a water skiing dentist!

    NameOrama – Intentions and closing prayer of thanksgiving!  God Bless!

    Planting a seed – Please check your family calendars for the month of July – looking to coordinate a F2 event where we can expand our camaraderie in a NON workout atmosphere, notice I didn’t say sweat as this would be Summer in NOLA  .  I’d like to suggest a Saturday afternoon, somewhere central for a BBQ with family friendly games.  July 14, 21 or 28.  More details to come!

     

     

  • Three Years of Respect

    A PAX can sometimes be a deaf lot, such as when a Q makes a disclaimer and then starts to mosey: huh, huh, what’d he say?  Where’s he going?  Hey, wait, we’re supposed to be following him?

    After a clearly articulated, strong-voiced disclaimer at precisely 5:30:00a, YHC started the usual mosey to Walnut, as the PAX slowly caught up with lots of mumblechatter.  We continued a mosey to the front of Tulane, but past the wall and into the area with more room.  After all, some of the PAX were, shall we say, gaseous.  Warm-up:

    • SSHs 31xIC
    • Hillbillies 28xIC
    • Monkey Humpers 31xIC (always a crowd pleaser)
    • Peter Parkers 30xIC

    Mosey to old stomping grounds with a new twist suggested by Reluctant Yankee: at the corner of Calhoun and St. Charles in front of the oh-so-lovely tiers landscaping featuring an elegant cement carving that just happens to spell LOYOLA, the Pax broke up into four groups (some difficulty encountered, apparently dividing sixteen by four can sometimes be challenging in the Gloom).  Group One: mosey over to the three-floor outdoor staircase to go up and down twice (that’s 24 up each time for those who climbed steps by twos and 48 down for those not crazy enough to do same on the way down, for a total of 144 steps–or so); meanwhile, Group Two did merkins AMRAP at the corner, Group Three did squats AMRAM on the first tier and Group Four did Nolan Ryans AMRAP on the second tier.  The merks were definitely the most challenging.  Cycle through until each group has done all four stations.

    After a somewhat quiet 20-count by Cowbell, the PAX moseyed to and up the central stairwell for Wolfpack Mountain.  At the top, the PAX divided into two groups (again, apparently, some difficulty in dividing sixteen in half).  Group One moseyed down the stairway to the third floor and back up, while Group Two did some prayer chairs; then both groups flipped.  Rinse and repeat once, and then a Circle of Mary:

    • Russian Twists 20xIC
    • Flutter Kicks 20xIC
    • Penguins 20xIC
    • Hello Dollys 20xIC
    • Crunchy Frogs 20xIC
    • Dying Cockroaches 20xIC
    • LBCs 20xIC
    • Dr. Ws 10xIC (apparently, YHC was going too fast?  He thought it was easier that way.  Beware, next time he might do it oh so slow to keep the burn burning hot.  We miss you, Side Effects.)

    Mosey back down the ramp and back to the would-be flag to finish at, RY will be happy to hear, precisely at 6:15a.  A black dog and his man Sea Man were dutifully waiting, with a bemused smile as he watched 16 (or really 15, since Pony Boy had to peel off) PAX drip sweat into the sweet, dewy grass.  Count off, Name-O-Rama, and a closing COT.

    #Moleskin: YHC was, um, a bit more exhausted (Douille thought YHC might need to go to a hospital) when he finished his first BeatDown, led by Splash on the first Friday of Jazzfest in 2015.  #TClaps to all the PAX for giving YHC three years and one week of great BeatDowns.

    Jingle Vader

  • Spartacus II…again

    DISCLAIMER, let’s mosey…Grab a rock, medium, one you won’t drop on your head…Let’s mosey to the shelter (cuz it has benches and a lovely aroma).

    COP:

    -SSH x 30 IC

    -Mt Climbers x 30 IC

    -Arm Circles x 30 IC (15 ea. dir.)

    -J-Lo’s x 30 IC

    1. Bulgarian Split Lunge (30 sec/ea leg)
    2. Shoulder Press
    3. Goblet Squat
    4. T-pushup
    5. Alternating Step-up w/rock
    6. Squat Press
    7. Side Lunge with Touch (Elf on the Shelf)
    8. Merkins
    9. Lunge and Rotation
    10. Elevated Wife Pleasers (Rudy, stop looking…)

    Rinse and Repeat for a total of two rounds.

    times is almost up…send your rock home and grab some grass (with stickers) for some Mary:

    -LBC x 30 IC

    -Flutter Kicks x 30 IC

    -Penguins x 20 IC

    -Dying Cockroach x 20 IC

    Times up, mosey to the SF…

    Countoff, namerama, announcements, and a prayer.  It was an honor to lead.  SYITG…

  • Rock – Kong

    Couldn’t ask for better weather to start a Monday so “Let’s Rock-Kong”!  10 men showed up to push their physical boundary.  Disclaimer given then off for a quick mosey to circle up for a warm up:

    SSH x 20 IC

    Peter Parker x 20 IC

    Mtn Climbers x 20 IC

    Shoulder Taps x 20 IC

    Wind Mills x 10 IC

    Now it was time to work – grab a rock and head to the field where we found a box made of bases.   Pax lined up with rocks in hand for 7 to 1 around the rectangle of bases: run to the mid point of the 1st long side then perform 7 squat press then complete the run. 1st short side Kong with rock from one end to the other.  2nd long side run to mid point perform 1 “rainbow” core left to right then back right to left continue running 2nd short side Kong with rock and continue 6 to 2, 5 to 3 ……until the count is flipped.  No doubt there is something to be said about pushing your boundaries that comes with sweat and fatigue but regardless….integrity in your effort must be maintained.

    Thank you Marlin!

    Now the Pax lined up on the track for a march “Indian Style” with our rocks held over head or out in front – last man did 2 Burpees with the rock then ran to take the lead.  One lap wasn’t good enough so on to a 2nd lap and add a 3rd Burpee and do it again.  After Marlin completed the 2nd round we slipped out the gate on to the path back to the start.

    Line the fence (2 rounds of 10 IC) each curls then off the fence for overhead triceps.  The final rock routine – rock core front raises (1 round of 10 IC).

    Return the rocks and head back to the pen…..Tool took off and set the pace.  QIC felt the need to keep up where out of no where Marlin pushed a heated run to the finish!

    As we counted off….Rudy called to question (a 2nd time) the integrity of a complete work out with 2 minutes remaining – so 10 men – 10 burpees then to ensure no time would be left to wonder – 10 Catalina Wine Press (the count was off but the sweat was just the same).  Before the QIC could add another round Bogey kicked in the name o rama and the work was complete.  “Rock solid” work to kick the week off!

    Announcements, Intensions and Circle of Prayer!

    Through action we grow.

     

     

     

     

  • In the Dark at City Park

    We arrived at the Foundry in the pitch black, and soon realized the street lights were out. A true morning gloom! Oh well. The show must go on. The usual disclaimer, with an additional message of safety in the dark, of course, and off we go.

    First COP:
    SSH x 25 IC
    IW x 20 IC
    Plank jacks x 20 IC
    Low slow squats x 20 IC
    Arm circles x 10 forward, 10 backward IC
    Windmills x 10 IC
    Mountain climbers x 20 IC

    Next a little run, with route 66 down Roosevelt Mall with Dips.
    5 dips at 1st park bench, increase 1 dip per bench, ending at 17.

    Circle up for COP #2 with legs:
    Squats x 20 IC
    Lunges x 20 IC
    Jump squats x 10 IC

    Then we moseyed to the baby Foundry for some circuits.
    1. 10 burpees had the count
    2. Body rows
    3. WWII sit ups
    4. Pull ups
    (2 rounds total)

    On to the fence at Tad Gormley.
    Calf raises x 20 IC
    Derkins x 10 IC
    Calf raises x 20 IC
    Derkins x 10 IC

    Then BLIMPS at the baseball field, starting at the 1st base line, running to 2nd base and back in between.
    5 Burpees
    10 Lunges
    15 Imperial Walkers
    20 Merkins
    25 Plank Jacks
    30 Squats

    Finally, some Mary in the outfield.
    Flutter kicks x 20 IC
    LBC x 20 IC
    Hello dolly x 20 IC
    Dying cockroach x 20 IC
    American hammer x 20 IC
    Crunchy frog x 10 IC

    Run back to the flag for Count off, Name-o-rama, intentions, and a prayer as the sun came up.
    Thanks for letting me lead!

    Walleye

  • The Three Mountains

    A record large group of PAX (28!) gathered at the AO in the refreshingly cool morning gloom.

    YHC bumbled the disclaimer,  and we set off on a mosey across St. Charles, toward the traditional Wolfpack mountain.

    At the base of Wolfpack, the PAX divided into two groups for parallel Indian runs to the top.  Pax kept a swift pace and YHC noted the 4 FNGs hitting the afterburners on the upslope switchbacks. Who were these guys?

    Quick summit and we headed down the stairs to West Rd (the alley behind and under Wolfpack). On West Rd. the PAX did prisoner run, followed by karoake run left and right up to Freret st. The PAX reassembled for another mosey up McAllister to the Tulane quad.

    Warm up COP

    SSH x20 IC, 5 burpees OYO, Imperial Walkers x20, 10 merks OYO, Peter Parkers x20 IC, 5 burpees OYO

    Mosey on up McAllister past Aron Residences (former address of YHC-much water under that bridge) to the 2nd mountain. The PAX lined up for a parallel Indian run again.  YHC noted the trespassing signs forbid biking, skateboarding and rollerblading, but no mention of running.  We press on with haste. At the top the lead PAX did LBCs until the arrival of the 6. Mid – LBC, El Wire philosophically mused (as he is apt to do), what is the name of this mountain? YHC suggested “sugar mountain” in honor of the former Sugar Bowl that formerly stood on the very spot. However, on the decline mosey through the stairwell some PAX noted that near the gloomy bottom, a trespasser, probably wearing roller blades, had left a pile of human stain in a corner.  In honor of that discovery, YHC posits “Sugar Loaf” as the appropriate name for the mountain.

    At the bottom, PAX assembled for a mosey back down McAlister to pullup bars between ROTC and the law school. Immediately, plans were trashed however, as the good folk who maintain and improve the campus had replaced the grassy berm and retaining wall with a bike parking lot. Nonetheless the PAX divided into 6 groups between the ribbon racks and rotated between pullups, plankjacks, burpees, merkins, low slow squats, and something else YHC can’t remember.  Pullups had the count of 7.

    Mosey to the last mountain.  Also unnamed.  The other garage on the other campus.  Again, 2 parallel Indian runs to the top. Down the stairs and slow mosey to the flag.

    COP, countoff and name-o-rama.  The 4 speedster FNGs were EHd were Walleye’s ortho bros.  Promptly named by the PAX – eh, B, Gooooooooooal, and Windowlicker – it all made sense at the time!

    Thanks for the opportunity.