F3 New Orleans

Tag: FracSac

  • 1 Yr Westbank AO Anniversary

    1 Yr Westbank AO Anniversary

    On 29 Aug 19, the pax of AO F3 Westbank called Master Melvin celebrated its 1 year anniversary.

    What started with a core group of men drinking beer and seeing visions, resulted in a year’s worth of great memories, hard workouts, and good friendships.

    To celebrate the 1 year anniversary, 4 of the core men that were part of Master Melvin in the beginning led 10 minutes each of the total workout.

    9 total PAX braved the 0500 calling including one FNG.

    Opening

    Fracsac opened the 0500 workout with some warm-up exercises.

    Then the group moseyed over to the large parking lot where we remained the rest of the workout.

    First Workout

    Thighs led the first workout with a unique challenge. With a 1 year anniversary in NOLA, we had to celebrate with some Mardi Gras magic. So, with the help of an ‘ancient Zulu King’, Thighs brought Mardi Gras cups each engraved with a unique workout and reps. As the PAX pushed out in a very wide circle, the Mardi Gras cups were laid randomly in the middle. On your mark, get set, Go, the PAX raced to the middle grabbed a cup, returned to their place and performed the reps/exercise indicated. The goal was to collect as many Mardi Gras cups as possible until time or cups ran out. At the end, TripleShift and T-Square had accumulated the most at a whopping 6 Mardi Gras cups.

    35 Cups; w/ equal amounts of cups having the following:

    • 10 – Burpees
    • 20 – Merkins
    • 30 – Squats
    • 10 – Jumping Lunges
    • 20 – Bobby Hurleys

    Second Workout

    Then T-Square led the next set of exercise. With a speed ladder and a cone placed about 10 m away, T-Square led us in a series of exercises that pushed the heart rate up with the muscles burning.

    As PAX waited to go through the speed ladder they would SSH. The first set, PAX would step each foot into the ladder and out rapidly to the end of the ladder and then bear crawl to the cone and then jump-lunge back to the beginning. We did this 2 times.

    Next, the PAX would jump both feet into and out rapidly of the ladder to the end. Then we Burpee-Broad Jumped to the cone. Then we Bobby Hurleyed to the beginning. We did this 2 times.

    Next, the PAX would high knees both feet into and out of the ladder to the end. Then we plank-walked to the cone. Then we high kneed to the beginning. We did this 2 times.

    Third Workout

    FroZone took over at this point. He led us in some suicides that kept our heart rates very high.

    First set was suicides from beginning of the parking lot to the first light pole, then to the second, and finally to the end of the parking lot about 100m away. At the end of each set of suicides, we did 10 squats.

    Next set, required 10 jumping-lunges at the end of each suicide.

    The final set, required 10 Bobby Hurleys at the end of each suicide.

    With only 2 minutes left of his workout time, we continued doing jumping lunges until Frasac, official time keeper, announced for a change over.

    Fourth Workout

    Medulla Oblongata took over as the final Q. Given all the heart racing exercises we did up to this point, he had mercy on us and required us to partner up to a Lazy Dora, which I think may be harder than an actual Dora…

    • 100 – Merkins; each partner doing 10 at a time while the other planks
    • 200 – Squats; each partner doing 20 at a time while the other Al Gores
    • 300 – LBCs; each partner doing 30 at a time while the other does 6 inches

    When Fracsac, announced the end of our time, we collected all the gear and moseyed back to the flag.

    At the flag, a cold Gatorade was waiting for us to refresh us and to celebrate the conclusion of our 1 year anniversary workout.

    Speeches were made. Pictures were taken. And FNGs were named. Welcome SpeedTrap!!

    It was definitely a hard workout that challenged everyone in different ways. But our brothers were there to encourage us and to see us to the end. It was a great workout to celebrate the many, many creative ways the Qs of Master Melvin has kept our workouts interesting, challenging, and positively memorable.

    Congrats, F3 Westbank on 1 year anniversary! Here’s to many more!! #MasterMelvin

  • Nothing Gold Can Stay…

    So the time had finally come. The great scepter of Q had been passed to YHC, for the first time ever – with wise words from the Q’s before, and much great advice, pomp and circumstance; I had been called to lead and could not refuse. Humbly, I accepted.

    And while some historians may have differing stories… about how the burden of Q leadership was thrust hastily upon the first available, unsuspecting, member of that weeks coffeteria; or how there were no wise words, or any advice, or how the pomp mostly came from the circumstance of bad jokes and poor planning… YHC chose to see the bigger picture, to take away the more important lesson: Historians are dumb, and only believe what they read in books, or on Backblasts. So there is really no way way of knowing exactly what happened on that day except that the result was, I was an HC to Q the #Renaissance for my VQ.

    In the darkness of a sultry morning, while the rest of the city slept, like so many sheep, YHC went to the AO early to scope out a few areas for our challenge – only to find a wiley Catfish who apparently had run to the site to warm up for the beatdown. Tclaps! (and consequently ran to coffeteria and then home…)

    As a small digression, YHC had just spent the week in Austin on a work trip and was able to commune with the NATX AOs to stay sharp. It is a powerful and reassuring feeling to stumble in to another F3 group (in another city, in another state) and see them keeping the same commitment, the same standard, to the F3 code. Our brothers are out there just as we are here, every day.

    So as we waited for the remainder of the Renaissance crew to materialize in the gloom, YHC had the eerie feeling of waiting on all the other good men, materializing in the gloom of cities all across the nation. All, ready for a new day and a new beat down.

    THE THANG

    The rabble gathered and YHC gave a short disclaimer sure to let all know he was not the professional he appeared to be, and a circle was made.

    All IC:
    x10 Grass Grabbers
    x10 Toe touches
    x15 Windmill
    x20 Peter-Parker
    x20 Parker-Peter

    A quick turn around in the grass, facing up Lelong Dr, with Trees to our left, noting them as markers for first exercise (as measured on gmaps, Trees are 50ft apart):
    OYO, in succession no break-
    5 Burpees
    Bear Crawl to next tree
    5 Burpees
    Crawl-Bear to next tree
    5 Burpees
    Crab Walk to next tree
    5 Burpees
    Walk-Crab to next tree
    5 Burpees
    Sprint distance back to start
    Plank for 6

    Next a mosey up Roosevelt Mall to Track, plank for 6
    Partner up

    Next Ex:
    Catch Me if You Can – One man starts with 3 Burpees while partner runs/sprints backwards around track. When Burpees complete, sprint normal to catch partner; alternate. Tagged man goes down for Burpees while other switches to backwards run… Until tagged… Continue all around track. – 1 lap. Plank for 6

    Next Ex: Move to open area of track
    Keep your partner
    100 Merkins/Plank combined. Alternate in intervals of 10. While partner completes merkin set, you hold plank, back and forth… hold plank for 6

    Next:
    200 Squats/Al Gore combined. Alternate intervals of 20 squats. While partner completes set, you hold (a tree) Al Gore, back and forth…

    Next:
    300 LBCs/Leg Raise combined. Alternate intervals of 30 LBCs. While partner completes set, you hold 6in leg left (or modify with legs kept in LBC position…. either way, no touching the ground till complete), back and forth.

    Might have had a 20 count in here for recovery, but I’m no historian…

    Mosey back to flag, stop at rear of NOMA to post up against the wall for a rest… sort of.

    Next Ex:
    x3 sets of following, OYO
    1 set =
    Peoples chair timed by completing x10 Jack Reachers
    x5 Donkey Kicks (half plank type position, kicking both feet up and back against wall)
    Straight in to Balls to the Wall, or Reverse Wall Stand (Kick feet all the way up, walk back if need be, doing hand stand). Do 1 hand stand press, or hold count 10. (YHC open to better name for this maneuver, or maybe one already exists).

    Complete mosey back to Flag
    Approx 4-5m easy stretches

    All above written upon memory of YHC, the quality of which cannot be accounted for or verified. As a reminder, YHC is NOT a historian. So while no one really knows what happened on this day, or others before it, the sound of trumpets were heard in the distance at one point, and it has been said that a bevy of doves was seen above, as this VQ came to a close (whether or not those trumpets were the screeching brakes of local dump trucks and the doves were pigeons is not for us to debate).  But one thing is for sure, no more Gold of showing up to another man’s Q, just to make it through. It’all Iron now.

    Jokes aside – I am thankful for the opportunity to Q, had a lot of fun doing it, and I hope I presented a challenge to those who showed. Tclaps to FracSac for nudging me in and putting me on rotation. I am appreciative of the F3 brotherhood and have seen huge strides in health, fitness, and energy in just the few months I’ve been committed. Thanks to all who continue to show up daily so that we can all hold each other accountable, to be just a little better, every day. Thank you, F3 NOLA.

  • Holy Grove….on three!!

    Wolfpack Mountan…First Wolfpack Q in a while. YHC intended to make it memorable with the goal of 5 “mountains” (in NOLA-below-sea-level parlance). If the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain.

    WARMUP

    Standard disclaimer this morning plus a reminder to sweep the six for this running workout. The Pax then moseyed onto Tulane campus, through Gibson Quad to Johnson quad for a warmup. 20 SSH IC, followed by 20 Grass grabbers IC, followed by stretching on each leg. After we finish the warmup, we mosey to the base of the 1st mountain.

    THE THANG

    The first mountain may have been an F3 virgin ascent. The PAX circled the Mary and Sam Isreal Science building to an imposing exterior staircase of 4 levels and 8 flights. PAX counted off into 4 groups for spacing and start with 5 burpees OYO. Then the first group begins the ascent while the other 3 groups start 10 merks, 15 Low-Slow Squats and 20 Carolina Drydocks. Each group ascends in turn while the early groups complete the other exercises.

    Reassemble for the mosey to the 2nd mountain, dubbed “Sugar Loaf” in the 4/20/18 beatdown. Some of the PAX were on a double-plus mosey up Mcalister, and while sucking wind, YHC noted Holy Grove pacing Catfish and Gspot at the front. Filed for further reference. Sweep the six and reassemble for an Indian Run up Sugar Loaf. Back down the stairs and YHC held the first 10 arrivers for some lagniappe, while the rest of the PAX headed down Calhoun to Mountain #3 – the Loyola Rec Garage [Little Wolfpack?]. The 10 did 10 burpees OYO, then set off again on a hot pace to catch the PAX. Holy Grove breezing by -noted. Two Lines and Indian Run up Little Wolfpack, then down the stairs and off to Big Wolfpack – Mountain #4. T-claps to the PAX that led some Mary while we swept the Six. Reassemble for our third Indian Run. As we gained altitude and lost oxygen, the lines of the PAX thinned out, until we reached the top, gulping air. A twenty count, then down the stairs.

    4 minutes left.

    YHC decided to go for the 5th mountain, which we’ll call “Edelweiss” for now. At the stairs on the back of the Loyola music building, YHC offered a modification if any PAX wanted to head back to the flag. It did not appear any PAX followed that option and instead charged up the last mountain, and a quick descent.

    YHC again noted some of the PAX (looking at you, Holy Grove!) headed to the flag as if the devil himself were behind them. 4 miles in 45 minutes 17 seconds, plus warm-up, some lagniappe and Elevation!

    COUNTOFF, NAMERAMA, COT

    Back at the flag, PAX circled for a breathless countoff and name-0-rama. After the announcements and before the prayer, the PAX noted Holy Grove, weaving about in a daze of football glory, with one fist in the air, mumble-shouting something that sounded like “F3/ClevelandRocks/I have no Pants?!! [not sure] ON THREE!!!” Apparently Holy Grove doesn’t speak “modify.” TClaps and thanks to quick thinking by Triple Shift and Drs Walleye and Tinkles to help our brother to the ground before injury could be added to injury. Much splashed merlot followed, and then a visit by EMS and a trip to the ER. Tclaps again to Walleye, Tinkles, Sea Man, Jadaveon, Catfish, Frac Sac and several others who got water and ice and stayed with Holy Grove. Thoughts and prayers – gents.

    Which brings YHC to this point. It is good we push ourselves and each other, embracing the challenge. But we also must be mindful of one another and pay attention. Sweeping the Six is important. Making sure all the PAX are hacking is important. We are blessed with many medical professionals in our PAX. Maybe an F2 with some CPR training would be a good thing. We can’t make each other stronger if we are not here.

  • Wisner Bridge, with a side of Burpees

    Good morning, rise and shine! YHC usually opens the Stomp with a Disclaimer and “The Usual”. But with lots of creativity at 610 Stomp of late (#TClaps to Kuch, FracSac and others who find new ways to liven up our early morning run!), YHC needed to try and think of something at least a wee bit different…

    Right, right. The Wisner Bridge. Our city’s version of “Hill Workout”. Yup, lets do it.

    So – after the disclaimer, and a reminder to everyone of directions to the bridge (go Left, not Right) – we were off. Run to the bridge (about a mile), then back and forth over it (each pass is just under half mile) until its time to come home (another mile). And just for fun – lets throw in 5 burpees after each pass.

    Shuffles (missing his running pal Smooth already) tried to stay back with the pack, but couldn’t help himself. Jumping to the front with Swiss Miss, they proceeded to go right (not left), disappearing in the gloom – only to reappear much later at the bridge.

    At the bridge, Dirty Dell and Briefs set the pace. Back and forth they went. Several “Good Mornings” – to dog walkers, other runners, other PAX. This would be a dangerous way for the Frac GM run. YHC was blinded on each pass by the approaching glow of the Surge Special outfit. That’s a lot of day-glo yellow.

    Nearing 6am, time to get the PAX together again at the foot of the bridge. YHC makes it to the bottom to find Ya Mom’n’dem and Pop Tart sitting around, apparently looking for some donuts and a cigarette or something to pass the time. More Burpees for them, YHC calls out. So PAX start burpeeing. And burpeeing. And burpeeing. While Hawg and Rev-Sox (closely watching their heart rate, apparently) saunter down the final hill.

    Mosey back to the flag for a round of Mary, before closing with our count-off, Name-o-rama, and send everyone off to start the day with St. Ignatius Prayer for Generosity.

  • Adios para ahora

    It was a typical summer Sunday morning in front of NOMA. We had our biggest showing yet at the Renaissance and it was the first time I q’d that wasn’t the stomp. All in all it went really well…even a little tougher than I originally thought. Started off with the disclaimer in Spanish and translated to English for those that took Latin in school.

    Warmup with a lap around noma and circled up for TARRAGONA (where I’ll be living)

    Tin snips, air squats, Russian twists, ranger merkins, Abe vigoda, gas pumps, intended to do one armed pickle pounders but turned into the normal ones, Nolan Ryan’s, and finished with angle grinders

    Then we partnered up and did bear crawl 1,2,3 (cumulative 100 merkins, 200 lbc, and 300 air squats while other person bear crawls to second tree and back). My neck is still a little sore.

    Lastly, everyone completed two rounds of what I call 3 x 5’s. Kept your same partner…one is running up and back lelong drive while the other goes through 5 smurf jacks, 5 merkins, and 5 crunchy frogs). Continue with that pattern until partner gets back.

    I’m very grateful to belong to such an awesome group. Best wishes to everyone! I look forward to seeing you all in the gloom 🇺🇸🇪🇸💪🏻👊🏻🏃‍♂️

  • It’s about that time for….

    A disclaimer? No, that’s just what we have to do at the beginning of these beatdowns.  So, with a disclaimer, we are off!

    Mosey to lawn in front of Loyola for warm up with a little help from my friends!

    • Alternating Open Gates IC X20
    • Imperial Walkers with help from Gideon IC X20
    • Kim Jong Uns aka Supreme Leaders IC X20’s
    • Low Slow Squats with help from Thumb Wars IC X20
    • Olivia Newton John’s IC X20 (brought these PAX-pleasers from the Fly Q)

    Nice job Triple Shift for suggesting Co-Q’s to newish PAX to help them get acclimated to leading.  I think it will pay off. 

    Mosey to bottom of Mountain for:

    Here it is…It’s been awhile…Yes it’s time for…Indian Run to top of Mountain!  PAX form 3 lines and up we go!  Can’t remember last time we did this at WPM.  6 floors, Incline run with sprints, 80 plus degrees with Heat Index in the 90’s.  We got this PAX!  Let’s GO!

    Ok.  That was tough. 

    At top, partner up for B.O.M.B.S. All below counts are cumulative.  PAX one runs down top ramp and back to top running backwards while PAX two completes exercises.  Flapjack till reps are complete.

    • 50 Burpees
    • 100 OH Press in People’s Chair
    • 150 Merkins
    • 200 Big Boy Sit-Ups  (had to modify these to 150 because they were taking some time)
    • 250 Squats (modified these to 200)

    Got some comments on mumblechatter about butt-burn from the Big Boy Sit-Ups.  I call that Character Building!  My job is done.

    Down stairs and mosey to Bench’s for:

    • Bulgarian Split Squats L IC X15
    • Dips IC X20
    • Bulgarian Split Squats R IC X15

    Time is running short.  Mosey back to flag for count-off, name-o-rama, intentions and prayer.

  • The Dirty DMD – Embrace it!

    YHC was expecting a small group at the Master Melvin, but word obviously spread far and wide about the Q, and 7 eager Pax were in attendance, in desire of a solid beat down. Plant the flag, give a brief disclaimer, and off to the Warm up:

    SSH IC x 31
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Grass Grabbers IC x 10
    Arm Circles IC x 20

    YHC decided to introduce a couple great work out routines to my West Bank Friends. First, the DirtMacDuece. But YHC is calling it the Dirty DMD, as each round is kicked off with 10 Burpees OYO. That’s just Dirty…..
    All exercises are completed in cadence to 12

    Round 1
    10 Burpees OYO
    Merkins
    LBC’s
    Squats
    Run a lap around the park

    Round 2
    10 Burpees OYO
    Shoulder Taps
    Flutter Kicks
    Lunges
    Run a lap

    Round 3
    10 Burpees OYO
    Floyd Mayweathers
    Hello Dolly’s
    Jump Lunges
    Run a lap

    Round 4
    10 Burpees OYO
    Catalina Wine Mixers (6 count, but still 12)
    Big Boi Situps (WW2)
    Low Slow Squats
    Run a lap

    Next up was the Suck. F3 Nola has learned to Embrace it! Not sure who started this, but YHC will credit it to Tool, as that’s where I got it from. Time to introduce our West Bank crew to this horrible routine.

    3 Rounds of 3 minutes doing the following exercises over and over
    7 SSH
    7 Merkins
    7 Jump Squats
    1 minute rest between each round (actually only 30 seconds, but YHC made the Pax feel like they were getting more, YHC is cruel like that….)
    The Westbankers killed it!

    Finish off with some Mary
    Freddie Mercury IC x 15
    Tin Snips IC x 10
    American Hammer IC x 10
    Crunchy Frog IC x 10
    YHC remembered about the Q school thing with only a couple minutes left.
    Called out to T-Square to call an exercise and correctly call to start:
    Spiderman Merkins (aka Angle Grinders I think) IC x 10
    Called out to Pauly D – Dying Cockroach IC x 20

    Times Up, mosey back to flag for

    COT
    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, closed with a prayer to the Sky Q

    NMM

    YHC attended his first Master Melvin last week, and discovered a solid group of Pax that had a lot of drive and no quit. This is pretty much the opposite of YHC. These guys are definitely going to make me better, so I figured I needed to step it up and see if I could challenge these HIM’s. I hope all enjoyed the beat down, and thanks for posting with me!

    SYITG

  • Stomp #207 – Good Morning Burpees

    The Tuesday crowd at the Stomp has exploded recently. YHC saw an opportunity to take the Q and bring a little something extra to the AO. Since everyone loves Burpees, YHC knew that incorporating them in a way not done before would be received with joy! YHC was not disappointed!

    24 Pax posted to improve their running ability, and their endurance. But first a brief disclaimer, and a very quick warmup:

    Grass Grabbers IC x 10 followed by Arm Circles IC x 20

    Instructions were simple. Run as a group down the traditional Bayou St John route. Every time the Pax came across a person or group of people, we would call out “Good Morning!” If we received a “Good Morning” back, all did 5 Burpees. If no “Good Morning” was received, then 10 Burpees was coming our way. If the Pax attempted to prod for them to say it, the penalty was 15 Burpees.

    How many Burpees completed? There were approximately 10 stops for 5 Burpees and only 1 stop for 10 Burpees. The Pax covered around 4 miles, and many folks on the streets of NOLA were greeted with a kind gesture.

    Good Times had by all.

    COT for Count off, name-o-rama, announcements and intentions.

    Thanks for posting with me today, and for allowing me to be a part of such a great organization!

    SYITG!

  • Blimping up Wolfpack Mountain

    It was a sticky morning at Wolfpack, there was a bit of milling around and a sense of restlessness amongst the PAX so we started with: 10 burpees, Then mosey to Loyola entrance for: SSH x 25 Windmill x 20 Red bull smurfjacks x 20 Mosey to the base of Wolfpack mountain BLIMPS to the (2 is 1) top, stopping at each end of the garage, repeating when complete with squats, in total: Burpees x10 Lunges x 20×2 Imperial walkers x30x2 Muricans x 20 Plank Jacks x 25 Squats x 30 Mary while we waited for the 6 Then plank to chatarunga runx30x2 Protractor for 2 minutes. Mosey to the benches at bottom of Wolfpack Real Fredy Mercury x 20 Crunchy Frog x 20 Mosey to holy name Stacked foot stagger hand muricans x15x2 American Hammer x 20, then doubletime to 40 Mountain Climbers x 20, the doubletime to 40 and good times were had by all.

  • Emergency Free Renaissance

    YHC arrived at the Renaissance AO a solid 2 minutes before kickoff with 4 other Pax eagerly awaiting my arrival. Each Pax was a HIM looking to kick off their Sunday right. As War Eagle pointed out at the Mothership on Saturday, the Q should always carry a phone in case of an emergency. So, YHC zipped the phone in his FlipBelt, gave a brief disclaimer and got right to the warmup:
    SSH IC x 31
    Hillbilly’s IC x 15
    Abe Vigodas IC x around 8 or 9 – Remember that reference to the phone in the FlipBelt? Somehow, Siri thought we had an emergency, and she called 911. YHC heard her speak around #4, but what she said didn’t sink in until around #8. Upon pulling out the phone, YHC saw the 911 call had gone through and hung up. YHC was apparently no match for NO emergency services, as a call came right back. A sincere apology followed, and the call was disregarded. Let’s move on….
    Grass Grabbers IC x 10
    Peter Parkers IC x 20
    Mountain Climbers IC x 20
    Arm Circles IC x 20

    First up, help a brother out. Tanner that is. Line up on tree #1 and do the following, all while looking for the infamous lost Fob lost at the Muscleship:
    Tree #1 to Tree #2 – Bearcrawl followed by 5 Burpees
    Tree #2 to Tree #3 – Lungewalk followed by 5 Burpees
    Tree #3 to Tree #4 – Bearcrawl followed by 5 Burpees
    Tree #4 to Tree #5 – Lungewalk followed by 5 Burpees
    Sprint back to Tree #1
    Spoiler Alert – No luck on the Fob……

    Mosey to the Foundry for Station Set #1
    Split up in two groups, a group of 3 and a group of 2.
    Group 1 – Merkins IC x 20 (timer)
    Group 2 – 90 degrees flexed arm hang
    Flapjack for 3 full sets.

    Mosey to the bike trail for Bataan Death March. An Indian Run where the last man drops for 3 Burpees and then sprints to the front of the column. As the sprinter is passing the new last runner, the new last man drops for 3 Burpees. Continue for a full lap, or about a mile.

    Return to the Foundry for Station Set #2
    Station 1 – Run to Bike Trail, complete 5 Burpees and run back (Timer)
    Station 2 – Dips – AMRAP
    Station 3 – Squats – AMRAP
    Station 4 – 90 Degrees Flex Hang
    Station 5 – Big Boi Situps – AMRAP

    Mosey back to the Flag. With 1:30 remaining, fill it with ISI challenge. Each Pax completed 1:30 of the mobility challenge, the other 2:10 are on you!

    COT
    Count off, Name-o-rama, Announcements, Intentions, closed with a prayer to the Sky Q.

    NMM

    If ever there was an emergency, YHC proved today that he stands at the ready. The summer heat and humidity is really on us, even at 0600 to 0645!

    Coffeteria was great as always. Glad to see the Renaissance AO is getting some love! Thanks for posting with me today, and thanks for allowing me to be a part of F3!

    SYITG