Tag: El Wire

  • Tropical Storm??? Who’s Gordon???

    Pre-Thang

    Couple days before the Q, YHC was anticipating a windy, rainy, stormy workout at the Birdcage, if any workout at all.  YHC wasn’t even sure if he would make it out alive from TS Gordon.  Schools and businesses were closed for days.  Gas station line at Costco was extended to Carollton Ave.  Media was all over the storm.  With all the hype around Gordon, 19 PAX managed to meet up on a dry Wednesday morning.  At 5:30, YHC gave his standard disclaimer and off the PAX.

     

    Warm-ups

    Moseyed to the band stand  and did the following in cadence:

    SSH x 20

    Forward Arm Circles x 10

    Backward Arm Circles x 10

    Hill Billies x 20

    MC x 20

     

    Highway 90

    After the warm-ups, walked over to Oak Alley, picked a partner and off the PAX on a modified Route 66 partner merkins workout.  The PAX took an alternative road to Highway 90 instead because of possible road blockage due to damages / debris from TS Gordon.  Since there are only 9 light posts as the marker, the PAX ended up doing 2 partner merkins (patty cake, merkin, patty cake) at the first light post, 4 partner merkins at the second light post, 6 partner merkins at the third light post……… 18 partner merkins at the last and ninth post.  Totaling to 90 partner merkins.

     

    Tropical Storm Gordon

    After getting off of Hwy 90, the PAX ended up by the Fountain.  TS Gordon has arrived (One of the calmest storms ever.)  Each grabbed a coupon and executed a GORDON Workout OYO

    Goblet Squats x 15

    Overhead Presses x 15

    Rocky Balboa x 15 on each foot

    Depth Jump from the coupon x 15

    Overhead Presses x 15

    Nolan Ryan (feet on the coupon) – x 15 each arm

     

    11’s

    Trying to dodge Gordon and waiting for the storm to pass, the PAX hunkered down at Oak Alley by the fountain.  The PAX lined up each of his coupon in the middle of the Alley.  Started off on one side with 10 leg raises, crossed the alley where the coupon was located, 11 curls, then went to the other side for coverage with 1 burpee.  On the way back, stopped at the coupon and did 11 chest presses, then back to the original side with 9 leg raises.  Finished the workout with 1 leg raise and 10 burpees.  So in total, the PAX toughed out 55 leg raises, 55 burpees, 110 curls and 99 chest presses in between.

     

    Round of Mary

    Flutter Kicks with Coupon in arms extended chest press position x 20 IC

    Scissor Kicks with Coupon in arms extended chest press position x 20 IC

    American Hammers x 15 IC

    The PAX hid the blocks by the fountain and moseyed back to the flag for the COT at 6:17 a.m.  YHC blames Gordon for those extra 2 minutes.  Running against the wind was extremely difficult, but we made it through.

     

    COT

    Count-O-Rama 19PAX, Name-O-Rama, announcements, intentions.  Thankful TS Gordon didn’t hit NOLA directly, but pray for the victims of the storm by the Mississippi and Alabama coast.  Thank You all again for the opportunity to lead.  SYITG

    King Kong

  • An Ode to the Flatulence of the PAX

    There is nothing like an early morning fart to get the PAX in a good mood! The laughter that ensues always brings back fond memories of what life was like as a young boy with school work being my biggest concern in life. To that end, the WPM work out this morning was dedicated to Flatulence of the PAX.

    Warm UP

    Imperial Walkers – 20

    Hill Billies – 20

    SSH – 20

    Fire Hydrants (R)- 20

    Fire Hydrants (L)- 20

    Peter Parkers – 20

    Parker Peters – 20

    Windmills – 15

     

    Mosey to the Neutral Ground…

    To keep with the theme we did TURDS stopping at each crossover..

    Travoltas (Right/Left) – 10 each

    Up Straddle Hop (Right/Left) – 15 each

    Ranger Merkins – 20

    Diamond David Lee Roths – 25

    Squats – 30

    Plank and wait for the 6

    Mosey to the Mountain…

    It is thought that the first gas passed in North America was done so by the Native Americans (no documentation available, but it fits the theme). Therefore, an Indian Run to the top of the Mountain ensued.

    On the Mountain Top…

    Once we reached the top of the Mountain, a deck of cards emerged from my pocket. We performed the exercises listed below. Reps were based on the number on the card. All face cards were 10, Aces 11, and 2/3 multiplied the next card pulled. All exercises were OYO.

    Floyd Mayweathers – Spades

    American Hammers – Clubs

    Reverse Crunch – Diamonds

    Turkish Get Up – Hearts

    Mosey to the benches…

    With only 5 minutes left on the clock the PAX grabbed some bench and did the following:

    Incline Merkins – 20

    Dips – 15

    Mosey back to the flag…

    Count off, Name O-Rama and intentions were completed.  There were no FNGs, but we had two guest, Brony and Peak Week, from F3 Southwake, and Nemo from F3 Raleigh.  I will cherish my VQ, and look forward to more Qs in the future! Thank you F3 NOLA!

  • What a year!

    As this appears to be the week of anniversaries, YHC decided to add his 1 yr. anniversary into the mix by Qing the Birdcage.  So with a short disclaimer we were off!

    Mosey to Kick-Ball Field for Warm Up

    • Imperial Walkers IC X20
    • Windmills IC X15
    • Parker Peters IC X20
    • Hillbillies IC X20

    Mosey to the Levee for:

    Burp Back Mountain  –  Partner Up, 1st partner goes up backward and then down 3X while other partner does burpees then switch.  Rinse and repeat until PAX complete 100 burpees combined.

    Got to call Burp Back Mountain so we can beat the oncoming train.  Most groups were done.  Nice job PAX!  Thanks Mariah for reminding us that some people have to make carpool.  Good news, all the PAX beat the train.  That could have been ugly.  Wait is that rain?  Yes it is. On to the next Thang.

    Run to Track by Running Man at Monkey Bar station for Route 66 – Start with Inch Worm to 1 merkin, 1 Plank Jack to Pop Jack and Inch Worm up then run to next running man.  Add 1 merkin and 1 plank jack to the inch worm-merkin-plank jack-pop jack-inch worm sequence at each running man up to 11 merkins and 11 plank jacks.

    Now the rain is coming down HARD.  Much mumblechatter about how it never rains this early in the morning and whether the rain is good (cools PAX down) or bad (shoes feel like 5lb. weights).  For what it’s worth, in 150+ workouts this past year, YHC can only remember one other beatdown where it rained and YHC was definitely cooled down.

    Rain has stopped!  So no need for YHC to modify by moving to the coziness of the shelter.  Off to the Fountain.

    Cross Over to Fountain – Grab a Cinder Block for:

    • Curls IC X 20
    • Tri-cep Extensions IC X15
    • Rows IC X20
    • Military Presses IC X20
    • Chest Presses IC X 20
    • Elf on the Shelf OYO X20
    • Nolan Ryans on Block OYO 10 each side

    Time is almost up.

    Mosey to Flag for Count-Off, Name0rama, Announcements, Intentions and Prayer.  T-Claps to Pony Boy for consistently posting with us old guys.  Good luck to you in Atlanta.  We hope to see you back in NOLA often.  Congrats to Quarterpipe who announced his M would be induced the next day.  Sure enough Quarterpipe’s 2.0 is here (Eighthpipe).  Well done sir!

    And thanks to all the PAX for making this a very life-changing year for YHC.  Never could have imagined how YHC would be changed both physically and spiritually by joining a “workout group”.  As the PAX knows, F3 is so much more.  It’s a group of #HIM.  Here’s to continuing to grow F3 in Greater New Orleans!

  • Wolf-Brick Mountain

    It had been 365 days since YHC’s last Q at WPM.  I rang in my 50th with a Q at WPM, and today I would end my 50th with a bookend Q at WPM.  In between, I’ve been a stranger to the Friday morning beatdowns.  So YHC was greeted by lots of puzzled looks from the gathering PAX in the morning Gloom.  Who is this stranger?  He’s from The World? And he’s Q’ing?  What’s going on here???

    YHC started the disclaimer a minute early in order to get the party started.  He had a surprise waiting for the PAX, and needed to get everyone organized.  So stroll over to the car, pop open the trunk to reveal….  Bricks. Everyone grab 2.  What a stroke of luck: Trunk had 40 bricks, and there were 20 PAX.

    Mosey across the Avenue and circle up on the Tulane Lawn.

    But wait – 2 more PAX!!  YHC had spare bricks in the backseat – so he yelled across the Avenue “THE KEY IS ON THE BACK LEFT WHEEL.”  Yankee managed to find the key and the bricks for the latecomers – while the rest of the PAX politely reminded the YHC that we aren’t in Metry no more, and maybe yelling the location of the car key isn’t the best idea….

    But I digress.

    Warm Up

    Brickpees OYO x10.  Sigh.  YHC needed to explain to the Uptowners that a “Brickpee” was a Burpee with Bricks.

    Arm Circles, Both ways X10:  Not normally a fan of the Sun Gods, YHC definitely included them with the Bricks.

    SSH x40: Meant to go to x50 but accidentally ended at 40.  Oh well.

    Plank Position:

    • Peter Parker x20
    • Floyd Mayweather x20
    • Parker Peter x20
    • Newtons Cradle x10

    Mosey to the Mountain

    Indian Run to the top.  With your bricks.  Go.

    The Thang

    At the top of WPM, partner up for Dora 1-2-3

    • 100 Brick X-Fit Merkins.  Thanks Mariah for showing us that it was, in fact, plausible
    • 200 Dying Cockroaches (tough your toe with your bricks)
    • 300 Goblet Squats (with your bricks)

    PAX 1 exercises, PAX 2 runs down the ramp then back up.  Flapjack.

    In the interest of time, YHC modified the counts to 100-150-200

    Rest Time

    Find some wall space to take a seat for People’s Chair

    • Wonderbra (with bricks) x20 (Up/Down/Out/In)

    Shake out the legs.  Rinse and Repeat.  Throw in some Brick Curls just because.

    Mosey down the stairwell to the Loyola Lawn (nicest turf in town, according to El Wire)

    PAX Choice

    Running short of time, YHC decided to let the PAX choose the finishing exercise.  By a slight majority, Option A won: Jack Webbs.  (Option B was Bear Crawl/Tunnel of Love, with Bricks).

    • 1:2 Merkin/Brick Press
    • 2:4 …
    • 3:6 …
    • ….

    Go as far as you can.  YHC called it at 6:13, leaving PAX time to return bricks to the trunk and circle up at the Flag

    COT

    Count-off (22 PAX), Name-o-Rama.

    Announcements: “Read Your Email” says Yankee.  God Bless to Pony Boy as he’s off to Atlanta.  Thanks for working out with us, take your enthusiasm to the Atlanta PAX!  Come back and join us again soon!

    Prayers: YHC grateful for the ongoing treatment for his sister.  All early signs are positive.  Prayers for Flaming Lips nephew, having finished rounds of Chemo prepping for Radiation next.  May caregivers be blessed with wisdom and compassion.  Finishe with prayer to use the gift of today wisely, and close with St. Ignatius Loyola Prayer for Generosity.

    Thank you all for letting a foreigner Q your beloved AO!

  • Iron PAX Challenge #3 – Uptown

    After much Mumblechatter as to what we would do at the Birdcage and who would Q it.  It was decided that we would do the Iron Pax Challenge and YHC would Q it.  What more could a Q ask for, than to have the entire beatdown laid out already for him.  I arrived early and met up with King Kong and we layed out the cones in Oak Alley 10 yards apart and moseyed back to meet the PAX at the flag.  A huge PAX of 30 had gathered and was ready to work.  Roots had volunteered to lead a more regular Birdcage routine should anyone opt out of taking the Iron Pax Challenge.  With that announcemnet and Disclaimer given we took off for a quick Mosey to the Fountain at the end of Oak Alley, the new home and hiding spot for the Uptown’s cinder block stash.  3 Pax opted to join Roots and they moseyed off to do their Thang.

    Each PAX collected their Cinder Block and circled up for a quick demo of the 4 exercise included in the challenge, and a quick explanation of how we would do the challenge by YHC.

    The Challenge:

    30 Minutes straight, No Rest, AMRAP

    15 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Handrelease Merkins, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    14 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Goblet Squats, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    13 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Leg raises, holding block in Press postion, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    12 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Handrelease Merkins, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    11 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Goblet Squats, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    10 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Leg raises, holding block in Press postion, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    9 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Handrelease Merkins, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    8 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Goblet Squats, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    7 Burpee Block jump overs, 50 Leg raises, holding block in Press postion, 20 yds Broad jump(10 yards, out and back)

    …. you get the idea…

    Count up total reps of all exercises for total to be submitted.

    By the time we were done, recovered, put back the blocks and moseyed back we had reached 6:15 and called the workout.  Roots and his  crew moseyed up soon after.

    COT, Count0ff, Nameorama  1 FNG – From Philladelphia, worked on submarines –  Cheese Steak + Submarines = Tube Steak …Welcome!!

    IronHorse asked if we could add something to the COT that they do in Florida.  He brought his Flag from Florida and planted it next to ours, and as they do in his home PAX, we Pledged the Flag.  A great gesture that I loved and hope we incorporate into our COT’s.  Thanks for sharing that Ironhorse!!

    Prayers for Rudy’s Sister, Rev-Sox’s Dad and other intentions.  Thanks again for the opportunity to lead!  It was another great beatdown with great turn out, by great men.

    SYITG!!

    RESULTS

    Average Rep count for the 21 PAX that reported rep counts was 419!  With 8801 reps total!!  NICE WORK BOYS!!

    Ironhorse, FL 621
    Jingle Vader 526
    Seaman 492
    Gabrielle 468
    Hawgcycle 464
    El Wire 457
    Peppa 443
    King Kong 413
    Quarterpipe 409
    Rev Sox 404
    Peptoe 384
    Saban 384
    Sinner Bloq 384
    ILoveYouMan 382
    Candyland 380
    Coast Rat 375
    Angies List 375
    Medulla Oblongata 375
    Bartman 375
    Tubesteak 365
    Reluctant Yankee 325
    G-Spot ?
    Col. Mustard ?
    Pony Boy ?

     

     

  • Friday FunDay

    Warm up: 5 Minutes

    Wolfpack Mountain: 12 sets

    Run the straight aways and completed the following sets at the flats.

    • 5 Burpees
    • 10 Mercants
    • 15 Jump Squats
    • 20 LBC’s

    Total: 60 Burpees, 120 Mercants, 180 Jump Squats, 240 LBC’s

    Benches:

    • 28 Dips
    • 28 Decline Mercants

    Football Up Downs:

    Finished off with 5 football style up downs

     

    Great effort from all who attended. Tough workout but a great way to lead us into the weekend!

     

     

  • Birdcage – Week 2 – The Iron 34PAX Challenge

    Pre-Thang

    After YHC’s first visit at Okwata’s H4 Challenge, YHC discussed with Tool and Mahatma-Ice about the possibility of bringing a Rock City type of workout to Birdcage with cinder blocks.  Of course… with their support, YHC was able to get the goods (28 blocks at 28 lbs and 4 blocks at 19 lbs) from Tool and loaded them up onto Mahatma’s truck.

    Meanwhile, on Sunday, Reluctant Yankee sent out Week 2 IronPax Challenge, which incorporates exercises with cinder blocks.  What are the chances??? With many personal texts and mumblechatter convincing the Q to facilitate the challenge (a lot of passive aggressiveness), YHC finally decided to forgo his planned Q with the blocks and went with the challenge.

     

    The Challenge

    Thanks for many PAX help at 5 a.m. to mark the 25 yard distance and unloading all 32 blocks onto the field, YHC was able to start the disclaimer on time at 5:30 a.m. and off we go…. Unfortunately, YHC didn’t get enough blocks for the challenge.  YHC underestimated his popularity… didn’t expect to see 34 PAX and thought 32 blocks were more than enough.

    Actual Week 2 Iron Pax Challenge – accumulated Rep scoring

    4 sets x 8 minutes – perform as many reps as possible in 8 minutes.  After 25 reps, must run 25 yards out and back.  Rinse and repeat until 8 minutes is up.  Rest 2 minutes between sets.

    Set 1 – Thrusters with cinder block

    Set 2 – Curls with cinder block

    Set 3 – KB Swings with cinder block

    Set 4 – ManMaker with cinder block

    Total Score = Set 1 Reps + Set 2 Reps + Set 3 Reps + Set 4 Reps

     

    COT

    Count-O-Rama 34 PAX, Name-O-Rama with one FNG & one PAX from Tallahassee, announcements, intentions.  A record day at Birdcage with 34 PAX participating a heck of the challenge.  Welcome Iron Horse (Tallahassee) and Sinner Bloq$ (FNG) because he’s a pastor working out with cinder blocks.  How fitting???

     

    NMM

    T-Claps to everyone making the challenge possible at Birdcage.  Tool – supplying the blocks.  Mahatma-Ice – picking up the blocks with his truck.  Yankee – measuring the 25 yard distance at 5 a.m.  Hawgcycle, Candy Land, Gabrielle, Medulla, Angie’s List, Willie – help unloading off the truck to the field in the Gloom.

    Thank You all again for the opportunity to facilitate the challenge.  SYITG

    King Kong

     

    Standings – YHC didn’t get everyone’s reps because some modified the challenge, 4 PAX were using the 19 lbs blocks instead of the 28 lbs, or YHC just didn’t do a good job collecting everyone’s score.  Whatever the reason, this is the list:

    Rev-It – 325

    Seaman -625

    I Love You Man – 425

    Douille – 375 (left early)

    Iron Horse – 609

    Angie’s List – 502

    Bartman – 500

    Gabrielle – 583

    Willie – 558

    Rev Sox – 468

    Tinkles – 489

    Medulla – 455

    Quarter Pipe – 456

    Mahatma-Ice – 805

    Saban – 655

    Sinner Bloq$ (FNG) – 655

    Peaches – 475

    Hawgcycle – 592

    Reluctant Yankee – 445

    El Wire – 505

    Mariah – 495

    Chiquita – 415

    Candy Land – 325

  • Give me a ‘B’

    I seem to get stuck on repeating the same exercises between Q’s so in preparation for Monday’s Skinny I figured I’d consult the F3 website for some new ideas.  There are plenty. I didn’t have to go past the ‘B’s until I found a couple and after hearing of the eminent meteor shower I knew the Pax may be distracted and I didn’t want to put too much excitement into one beatdown.

    Warm up:

    • SSH X 20
    • Smurf Jack X 20
    • Plank Jack X 20
    • Star Gazers (Penguins) X 30 (No meteors seen ☹️)

    Mosey to row bars for 4 stations:

    • Burpees X 10 as the count
    • Rows
    • Squats
    • Lunges

    Black Snake from the row bars to the fountain.  White Snake may be trademarked or perhaps it’s a shorter version of the Black Snake?  We went full size.  It’s a Indian Run though the runner weaves through the line.  It took some coordination and a slower speed to maintain the proper spacing.  Perhaps a nice addition to the line running options.

    Benches at the fountain:

    • RLSU X 20
    • Dips X 20
    • LLSU X 20
    • Derkins X 10, Shoulder Taps X 10, Derkins X 10

    Progressive Burpee Run 1-5 increasing at each jogging man icon.  Thinking of social activism would it be a bad idea if those jogging men were to be adorned with an F3 sticker?  Hmm.

    Mary on the golf course.  Was to be our next star gazing opportunity but it was too dark, El Wire sharted, and there was a bird loudly dying in a tree so the mood just wasn’t right.

    • LBC X 20
    • Dying cockroach X 20
    • Breakdance Merkin X 5: In summary on the up motion you bring the right arm off the ground and rotate to lateral plank position and kick the left leg forward.  In the down motion rotate back to neutral position and go chest to ground.  Repeat this time with left arm and right leg. This is a slow 4 count (down, up, down, up).  This one may not stick but should be tried again before shelving.

    Two Column Indian Run to pull-up bars for 4 stations:

    • Burpees X 5 for the ciunr
    • Pull ups
    • Al Gore
    • Werkins

    Free Run back to the flag.  1 minute of plank work to run out the clock.

    Count off to 16, Name-o-Rama.  Announcement about upcoming Saints Run for those not invited to be on the BRR team but like to run anyway.  There will be a selfie opportunity with the new male Saintsation. Speaking of trying new things and men that dance, Colonel Mustard announced his try out for the 610 stompers and his appreciation of the well wishes from the Pax.  On the serious side I offered thanks to God for the courage to try new things.  Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

     

  • IronPax Challenge Round 1 at Wolfpack Mtn

    20 PAX posted for a introduction to the IronPax Challenge.  I tried to headlock my cousin –Voodoo – who is in town for the challenge and he fartsacked today – slacker.

    I got to the AO early to measure the horse shoe to make sure we could do it.

    We spent 8 minutes reviewing correct form for the challenge.

    The Challenge:

    50 Airsquats, 40 BigBoi Situps, 30 Merkins, 20 Bonnie Clairs or Sister Mary Katherines and finally 10 Burpees

    Seal it with a .25 lap.  2 laps around the Loyola Horseshoe.

    Do that 4 times!  ***Sorry to the PAX for the confusion here.  I blew it and originally thought it was one lap but after the first PAX finished in 5.5 min I knew we were off and I spent about 90 seconds while the PAX were mid-beatdown trying to figure out the exact number.

    Thanks for being good sports and trying to tackle this challenge.

    Standings:

    El Wire 27:23, Peppa 27:45, Pony Boy 28:15, GSpot 28:45, Flaming Lips 30:18, Bad Moon 30:45, Roots 31:36, Colonel Mustard 32:01, Bartman 32:07, REV-It 32:09, Quarterpipe 32:20, Saban 32:33, Chiquita 32:45, Angie’s List 33:54, Reluctant Yankee 34:12, Dean Wormer 34:29, Beiber 34:40, and KingKong 36:50  Mariah and Betty Crocker

    I am absolutely going to bring this back in about a month. So we can A.) do it better bc we know what it is and B.)  see if we can get any improvement

    SEE YOU IN THE GLOOM!

    RY

  • Stepping Up

    Does a back blast need to be timely? Just needs to prove we did something.

    In every circle we talk about getting better, pushing ourselves and each other to get better. To be better husbands, fathers, and leaders. I hear it all the time. It’s great, Leadership is aspirational! But it also requires action towards that end. Without action is is just a platitude.

    I’m a Michigan man and over the last week I’ve been bothered by the OSU situation. The dust has yet to settle and this is probably today’s cherry on our national discourse. But I’m disappointed in the failure of leadership to hold to a principle and make something happen. When I look at the pax of F3 I see great things, and I have renewed hope.

    Yankee was being a little self critical about the long email he sent out the night before. Long or short I love the emails. F3 just doesn’t happen, guys step up and make things happens quietly and in the greatest of ways. Every AO has a guy keeping the schedule going, they just do it and don’t make a big deal about. In the last email Yankee reiterated what I have been hearing around the flag for a few weeks now. If people want a new AO, step up, dedicate yourself to Qing it and it will happen. Step up and take action. Enough of the pontification…

    Started with standard circle, with arm circles reverse and forward, did some peter parkers, burpees and moseyed to the mountain.

    Started on level 2, on that gloomy muggy day. We lunged up the inclines, dashed (faster than a mosey slower than a sprint) to the turn where we did 15 Mericans. Rinse and repeat all the way to the top.

    At the top we did BLIMPS but with a 1 level down lap in between each exercise.

    Down the chute to the benches for some dips, decline Mericans, and some more dips.

    Mosey over to the softest grass for some call out Mary (Russian Twist, Hello Dollys, Pickle Pounders, and something else to round out the time.

    Finished at the flag on time with a sweaty ball of man.