F3 New Orleans

Tag: Gabrielle

  • Maiden Voyage

    Eager to mark our territory with a trail of sweat, 14 PAX, aka privateers, gathered this Monday for a maiden voyage in the uncharted waters of northern 70122, and area deep with nautical history.  This would be a test run to check out the area and also see what interests there may be in establishing a new AO.  As the clock neared 5:30, it was encouraging to see a mix of guys, coming from near and far, that all wanted to be in that number.  Before we set sail, YHC mentioned that this workout would be somewhat of an exploratory mission and perhaps a work-in-progress as we bounced around.  The disclaimer came next followed by the annual recitation of a crude yet useful nugget from the F3 Lexicon that is something we should strive to avoid:  Whiskey Dicking (verb) – “Half stepping through a workout or other event.  More generally, execution of anything without sufficient zeal”…recently updated to read “Tentative execution of a task”.  Basically, try to give it your all and make the most out of the next 45 minutes.  Here’s what we did:

    Quick “capri lap” around the parking lot with a COP in the nearby field for a warmup of IW, Phelps, WM, AC, Toy Soilders, LSS.  

    Then we kept it close for any lost latecomers with a continuation of the warmup, getting in a diamond formation for Burpees x20, Bench/Bleacher Dips x15, Jump Squats x10, Tire Flips x5.  This circuit would hopefully be repeated later on but no dice.  

    From there, we moseyed into the heart of UNO’s campus, with a stop to plank for the six followed by 10 Merkins.  T-claps to Kuch and Gideon who YHC overheard discuss trying to nudge a guy back out in the gloom…#HIM!  We ended the mosey near an area officially named “the lazy river” by Gabrielle which is adjacent to a few tall sets of stairs leading up to the amphitheater hill.  Here we dropped anchor for the first round of Dora, partnering up for 100 crossfit/hand-release Merkins while PAX#2 ran a lap up and down the stairs and hill.  Pull anchor up…

    Northerly mosey to the concrete planters in front of the Alumni Building for the second round of Dora.  T-claps to Holy Grove and others for pushing hard then sweeping the six. Partner up with someone different (swinger style) for Inclined Hip Slappers x200 while PAX#2 run to the top of the levee and back.  Some groans and panting were heard on this one.    

    From here we changed course back towards harbor, stopping in front of The UC for the third round of Dora.  Original plans called for a stair running loop but time was ticking and we had to wing it with LBC x300 (in sets of 50) which PAX#2 held a low squat #ISI.  We had to cut this a tad short and hightail it across the field to the flag.  Shout out to HG and JJ for kicking it in high gear on the final run.  Total distance covered was approx 2.17 miles.  YHC’s goal of scoping out the area was accomplished but the run/plank time squeezed out some of the circuit work.   

    Finished things off with a COT.  Next two workouts in that location (NW corner of Leon C. Simon and Elysian Fields) will be 8/26 and 9/9.  Input and Qs are welcome so please chime in and/or step up.  Hopefully this AO takes off, in turn further growing the footprint of F3 and having a positive impact on more men.  T-claps to Gideon for the nudge and pledge to help get this going.  

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead. 

    Tool 

  • 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.

  • No Fancy names today….

    No fancy name but hopefully a little pain; that was the mantra going into my VQ. 12 Pax braved the heat and humidity of an August morning to get better physically and mentally.  

    Throughout the week leading up to the big event, I went back and forth thinking, “Would the beatdown be tough enough?  Do we need more to fill the time?”   About 20 minutes in after YHC was sucking wind, and judging by the groans coming from the other Pax, those questions were answered.  

    Gave the disclaimer and we did a quick mosey around NOMA before circling up for some warmups in cadence.  

    • SSH x 20
    • Kettle Bell Squats x 20
    • Peter Parkers x 20
    • Shoulder taps x 20 each shoulder
    • Arm circles – 20 forward and 20 backwards 

    From here we lined up in 2 groups and did an Indian Run from NOMA down to the entrance of the park (Carrollton) and back up heading to the Foundry.  

    Once we reached the Foundry the Pax split into groups at 5 stations for a Tabata workout of 45 seconds on, with a 10 second break in between stations.  We completed AMRAP and did 3 rounds of the following:

    • Jump squats
    • Carolina dry docks
    • Single leg jump lunges
    • Pull-ups
    • Dips

    After completing the 3 rounds we moseyed back to the field in front of NOMA, where there were 4 cones spread about 20 yards apart in a square formation.  The Pax formed 4 groups with 3 at each cone.  Moving clockwise, each Pax had to bear crawl to the first cone and wait for all Pax to reach their cone.  While waiting for the 6, Pax were to assume a squat position.  

    Once everyone reached the cone, the Pax did 10 burpees.  Next cone was a crab walk with the same instructions (hold squat waiting for the six and then 10 burpees).  We repeated the same pattern for the remaining 2 cones for a quick 40 burpees after both bear crawls and crab walks. 

    After a short 20 count break, we regrouped lining up with the first tree and did an all- out sprint (40-50 yds).  We repeated this for a total of 4 sprints.  

    With a solid 6 minutes or so remaining, we circled up for some core exercises called out by different Pax.  From memory we did:

    Wife pleasers

    Hey mary? (Probably butchered the actual name)

    Side leg lifts

    Dying Cockroach

    Reverse cork screw? (See above)

    LBC

    Crunchy frogs

    1-2 other core 

    Finally we finished in the CoT for the conclusion with the NOR, announcements, intentions and prayer.  

    With the exception of YHC losing his car key, it was a great first Q, and I appreciate everyone coming out and posting.  Also,  big thanks to everyone for helping me look afterwards for the missing key, albeit without any success.  And lastly, thank you to Thumb War for the ride home.  

    Enjoyed the opportunity to lead and SYITG!


  • Levee Lovin’

    We circled up along the Mighty Mississippi. Two minutes after getting ready with our first COP – a barely clothed couple frantically scampered up the levee and ran to their car. Young love. We were perplexed as to why they chose the rocky side of the levee instead of the very comfortable looking car they arrived in.

    Warm up: Hot potato, Halo, Figure 8, Around the back 30-45 secs

    Got in plank and passed the bells to the left using on the left arm. Then did it to the right. Did it each direction twice.

    Sealed the deal with 20 Kettle Bell swings

    Then we did rows L and R, curls, and merks L to R x 12

    Got back in plank and passed the bells L and R.

    Then we got on our six and did Russian Twist, L and R press and tricep lifts. x12

    Sealed the deal with 15 Kettle Bell swings

    Lined Up and then did 10 hammer swings and then ran 30 yards and then did 5 burpees (4 rotations)

    Back to our circle and did the plank pull with the kettle bells L and R – full circle

    Then we did chest press, suitcase pick up and put down, side dips and wife pleasers with kettle bell on pelvis (we did this for the people in the park)

    At this moment Angie’s List’s TUGBOAT came by for a closer look

    Then we did 5 Hammer swings

    Then we had a few minutes left for low country crab, and dead bugs!

    I am enjoying this workout – I hope we keep it going.

  • Halfway to 70

    Can’t think of a better way to spend the day after my birthday than getting sweaty with a bunch of dudes.

    I never thought I would feel better at 35 than I did at 25. I owe it all to F3 and all of you guys for giving me a reason to wake up at 5AM and sweat my ass off. Big thanks to everyone that made it out to celebrate my birthday beatdown with me.

    Short jog to the Tulane sign and circled up.

    • 35 SSH
    • 15 Grass grabbers
    • 35 Mountain climbers
    • 15 Peter Parkers

    Mosey’d to the benches:

    • 35 Right leg step-ups
    • 20 Diamond derkins
    • 35 Left leg step-ups
    • 35 Dips
    • 20 Incline Merkins

    Mosey’d to the garage for the crowd favorite Indian Run all the way up.

    Once at the top of the mountain we split into pairs for some Dora. One person ran all the way to the bottom of the stairs and back up the other stairs while the partner did the following:

    • 50 Burpees
    • 100 Jump squats
    • 200 Shoulder taps

    Sang Kumbaya while we watched the sunrise and then mosey’d back to the flag for COT.

  • Slogging with the Best

    PAX think that YHC doesn’t like to mosey.  Well, they’re mostly right, because it sux.  Anyway, you gotta keep the PAX on their game.  So JV-style (not too extreme, nothing Mariah- or Bieber-like), today’s wet and soggy Birdcage includes moseying.  I mean it’s wet out there; might as well enjoy running through it.

    Warm-Up in the slosh in front of the zoo:

    • SSHs 57xIC
    • Kim Jong Uns 20xIC
    • Imperial Walkers(?) 20xIC
    • Low Slow Squats 20xIC
    • Merkins 20xIC

    Mosey up to the levee on the fly for some Elevens.  Start with one merk at the bottom of the hill and ten squat jumps at the top; continue until 10 merks at the top and one squat jump at the top.

    Mosey farther down (up?) the levee to pair up for patty-cake merkins.: 20 each hand.  Apparently, the PAX was incapable of counting and finished before YHC and his partner, Douille.  So rinse and repeat–correctly this time.

    Mosey to the Maze (or, as YHC was corrected, the Labyrinth) for Circle of Mary:

    • LBCs 20xIC
    • Flutter Kicks 20xIC
    • American Hammerx 20xIC
    • Dying Cockroach 20xIC
    • Penguins 20xIC
    • Big Boy Sit Ups 20xIC
    • Hello Dollys 20xIC
    • some other ones I no longer recall.

    Mosey back to the flag through the puddles for a minute (or two, maybe) of plank to finish at 6:15am at the dot (plus or minus).  Count Off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements and thanks for the soggy morning.  It was more moseying than YHC likes, but it’s good him. 

    I hope I got all the PAX.  Video notwithstanding, YHC thought there were 23 PAX.  But other PAX assured him there were only 22.  If YHC weren’t a ludite, he might actually know how to properly record a video.  So if I missed you, humble apologies.  Thanks, JV

    Nip Tuck, Peppa, Quarter Pipe, Quincy, Reluctant Yankee, Sandbar, Squeal, Three Way, Willie

  • The Summer Packet of Backblasts

    Much like my kids summer work for school some things are just hard to get done and 1/2-assed when they do get done. Apologies to school teachers and thorough backblast authors.

    Warm-up: Not really sure anymore. Combination of jacks and maybe grass grabbers.

    Warm up 2.0: Jog-sprint combo through the lights of the oak grove

    The Thing: Traditional items such as catch me if you can, jack web, legs and arms at the benches, sprint-jog alternates, Mary at the grassy knoll, Indian Run all the way home.

    Back to flag for namorama, and COT.

    …. now back to watching YouTube in my underwear!

  • Jane Fonda would be rolling in her…..

    In light of a new, one-day special AO (thanks Family Picnic!) at the Fly on a bright, muggy Saturday morning, YHC decided to bring some newish warm-up exercises to the table.  What would the PAX think?  We shall soon see…

    Mosey to soccer field for Warm-Up:

    Line up in straight line

    • March with following exercises
      • Alternating Open Gates till Q yells halt
      • Alternating Close Gates till Q yells halt
      • Kim Jong Uns till Q yells halt
      • Butt-Kicks till Q yells halt
      • High Knees till Q yells halt

    Just to keep it interesting, YHC challenged the PAX to all start at the same time and to all stop immediately when YHC yelled halt!  Penalty for non-compliance, 5 burpees!  Nice work PAX for making it through almost all exercises, thanks Rudy, with only one penalty of 5 burpees.  Definitely got the PAX focused for the really fun warm-ups.  Circle up for:

    • Hillibillie’s IC X20
    • Self Love IC X20

    Now to what I’m gonna call Double-Barrel Jane Fonda warmups!

    • Side Leg Raises (the original Jane Fonda’s) Right Leg IC X 20
    • Side Leg Raises Left Leg IC X20

    T-claps to Jingle Vader for literally getting his foot past his head on this one.  Does he even have an IT Band?  Watch those eyes PAX.  Some things can’t be unseen.

    Now for the coup de grace, what I’m officially calling Jane Fonda’s 2.0.  Basically, this is a standing side reach with foot going out while arm goes to other side.  You needed to be there for this one:

    • Jane Fonda’s 2.0 IC X20

    Much mumblechatter on this exercise including comments about leg warmers and leotards among other things.  Needless to say, will be including this for future beatdowns if for nothing else than the witty banter that ensues…

    On to the first Thang:

    Conveyor Belt

    PAX line up on one side of coned, soccer field and count off into 4 teams of 4-5 PAX.  Line up in columns by team at one end of soccer field.  At YHC’s command start bear crawling in column to first cone and perform appointed exercise.  Bear crawl forward to next station, guy at front runs to back of column (thus conveyor belt). Continue to final cone at other end of soccer field.

    • Cone 1 – 20 Monkey Humpers
    • Cone 2 – 20 Alternating Shoulder Taps (2 is 1)
    • Cone 3 – 20 Lunges (2 is 1)
    • Cone 4 – 20 Wide Merkins

    Once all teams got to other end of soccer field, YHC decided to add a return trip back to the other side/beginning.  But to keep it interesting, winning team (first to get to other side), gets to pick exercise to perform at the end for their team.  The other “losing” teams have to perform the other exercise.

    Winner’s choice is 75 LBC’s or 25 Burpees.  I’ll let the reader figure out which exercise the winners chose.

    Mosey to shelter on river for Thang #2:

    Route 66

    At first lamp by shelter on river let’s do Route 66 – Start with Inch Worm to 1 merkin, 1 Plank Jack to Pop Jack and Inch Worm up then run two lamps.  Add 1 merkin and 1 plank jack to the inch worm-merkin-plank jack-pop jack-inch worm sequence at each second lamp up to 11 merkins and 11 plank jacks by end.  As some of the PAX finished sooner, sweep the six going reverse down the ladder.  Plenty of merkins and plank jacks for the PAX on this one.

    Next mosey to Playground by baseball fields for:

    • Stepover Left Leg IC X10
    • Stepover Right Leg IC X 10

    Many comments on the stepover as it was deceivingly difficult.  Again assorted mumblechatter on this one including something about business development for Walleye?  Hmmmm…..

    • Incline Merkins IC X15
    • Dips IC X15
    • Decline Merkins IC X15

    Triceps/Chest were really burned after this.

    Mosey back to hill for:

    Round of Vogue aka “Strike a pose” static positions:

    • Mission Impossible  
    • Static Squat
    • Iron Cross

    Hold all for 1 minute each.  ISI challenge D3 done!

    Finish with Mary

    • Flutter Kicks IC X20
    • Penguins IC X20

    Count-off, name-o-rama (1 FNG who was named Lost and Found due to losing his key and finding it during the beatdown), announcements, intentions and prayer.

    T’claps to Reluctant Yankee for coordinating coffee and Douille for picking up.  T’claps to PAX who stayed and helped load, unload and setup for the Family Picnic.  It ended up a tremendous event with great turnout.  Many thanks to all who helped and gave of their time, talent, treasure.  This is what F3 is about, Faith, Fellowship and FAMILY!

    As always, thanks for letting me lead!

  • Tugboats are looking for Angie

    Lots of mumble chatter for this workout – I blame Douille.

    As you know by now – Sunday is a kettlebell beatdown.

    Circled up – sans flag – it is in the trunk of my totaled car.

    Warm up: Halo, Hot Potato, Figure 8, Around the waist and side to side swing

    Then a quick across to the street to the shade.

    After every circle of exercises we broke it up by doing KB swings,

    Kettle Bell swings x 20

    Rows L and R x 15, Curls x 15, Goblet Squats x 15, and Russian Twists x 15

    KB Swing x 15

    Lunges w/ KB L and R x 15

    Dead Lift x 15

    Military Press to ground and switch hands x 15

    Glute Bridge x 15 (Dr Toso walked about right about now and gave us some dirty looks)

    KB Swing x 10

    Single Leg Vup (Bell to Toe) x 15, Single Arm Press x 15 L and R, Lateral Bend x 15

    KB Swing x 5

    KB merks 5 reps per arm and 3 sets. Leg Raised Baby Crunch x 15.

    Windmills Feet 45 degree angle, touch shin to feet

    Curl with a Halo and a tricep press.

    Suitcase lifts x 5 per arm and 3 sets then 5 more KB Swings to seal the deal

  • It’s All Fun and Games

    Earlier in the week Hokie Pokie asked for a replacement so YHC was happy take over Q for Muscleship. Recently my son suggested we play Red Light/Green Light as part of our workout. I did my best to design a beatdown involving games of some kind and hopefully what we did sufficed.

    Warm-Up:

    Mosey around NOMA and then circle up for exercises done IC:

    • SSH x 20
    • Windmills x 10
    • Self Love x 15
    • Imperial Squats Walkers x 15
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each

    Then it was time to grab my speaker and describe the routine that was to follow which I’m sure lead to some confused faces initially. Based on my son’s suggestion of Red Light/Green Light I found a randomized timer app. Timer was set for random times between 15 and 45 seconds during which it would alternate between red light and green light. During green light we would perform exercises in which we were moving and during red light exercises we would exercises in which we would maintain a static position.

    Green Light exercises:

    • Mountain climbers
    • LBCs
    • Merkins
    • Cross-over lunges
    • High knees
    • Right single leg wife pleasers
    • Left single leg wife pleasers
    • Crunchy planks L elbow/R knee
    • Crunchy planks R elbow/L knee
    • Freddie Mercury’s

    Red Light exercises:

    • Al Gore
    • Plank
    • Left side plank
    • Right side plank
    • Low plank
    • Static lunge left leg in front
    • Static lunge right leg in front
    • Reverse plank
    • Static heel raise
    • Static leg hold

    After this we moseyed to the Foundry for some Deck of Death Battle Edition. PAX was split into 2 teams and cards were flipped. Winner of the battle would select the exercise between the suits of the 2 cards flipped. Reps were determined by the winner’s card. In the event of a battle (same card number/face card is flipped) both exercises were performed.

    • Diamonds – pull ups
    • Spades – jump squats
    • Hearts – merkins
    • Clubs – sidelying leg raises

    After this it was time to mosey back to the flag for some cool down stretching. Count-o-rama, name-o-rama, annoucements, intentions, naming of our FNG, and sweaty ball of man. Welcome Triple Bypass. I hope some fun was had by all as everyone (my son included) continues to challenge me to get creative with my beatdowns.