Tag: Gabrielle

  • Adapt, Improvise, Overcome!

    YHC had a different title in mind for the beatdown today, but God had other plans. YHC arrived at the Muscleship AO ten minutes early in real gloom, rain and lightening. Catfish was already in place and doing somersaults in the rain. Then Bogey appeared out of the gloom. At this point, there was no turning back. The Muscleship flag was planted as a total of ten PAX arrived, including Pace Car from Houston, ready to conquer the day. YHC is not creative, but made a feeble attempt to be creative with an animal themed workout to satisfy Kuch’s recent fascination with animal exercises; however, Abacus quickly pointed out a obvious missed opportunity for a Star Wars theme being May 4th (May the Fourth be With You)! Again, creativity is not YHC’s area of strength.

    Warm-up

    As leaders we have the responsibility of the safety of those we lead. With lightening in the area, an open field, and a shovel flag built out of metal pipe, YHC made the decision to adapt the planned beatdown to avoid the lightening. A short mosey was made to the overhang at the entrance of NOMA for a warmup IC, as follows x 25: SSH, Hill Billies, Arm circles (x 10 each direction), Grass Grabbers, Plank Jacks, Abe Vigodas (x15).

    The Thang

    We moseyed to a nearby pavilion for the amended beatdown and were greeted with music and booths for the Daiquiri Run, where the pre-race prep involved libations and cigarettes. There was mumble chatter about registering for the race to exude dominance over the smoker division, but the PAX chose a wet, semi-animal themed beatdown. We opted for the neighboring play area, which provided little shelter from the rain or the lightening, but it’s what we had. As an added bonus, we were treated to an unexpected test of mental toughness by having to dodge garbage strewn throughout the play area. An immune builder technique for the PAX and the children of NOLA.

    In lieu of an animal theme suicide routine, the PAX performed alligator merkins, dragon walks, frog hops, and bear crawls at the distance of two support poles per exercise.

    Next, the PAX paired off for DORA 1-2-3 consisting of 100 crunchy frogs, 200 incline merkins, and 300 LSS. A 363 routine of merkins and LSS was completed, with some confusion over the Q’s cadence. Tclaps to the PAX for staying with it.

    Then some Mary consisting of the following x 20: side lunges, tin snips, LBCs, penguins, and Freddy Mercury.

    Next, the PAX formed a circle and executed a Ring of Fire using burpees and LSS, x5 each.

    The PAX moseyed back to the flag just in time for the lightening and rain to stop. With two minutes left, the PAX completed monkey humpers x 20 and smurf jacks x 15.

    COT: Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions and a prayer. Tclaps to the PAX for showing up on a truly gloomy Saturday; staying with it through less than ideal conditions; and helping me adapt, improvise, and overcome. It’s truly an honor to be part of such a great group of men and even more of an honor to be given an opportunity to lead them.

  • Murph Prep

    Murph Prep

    Fifteen men gathered around 3 shovel flags, disclaimer, and let’s mosey to the track.  Two laps and hit the outdoor gym.  As we grow and build up to a full  Murph, we modified.  After the two laps, begin the pull-ups, merkins and squats.  Four sets of 5 pull-ups, 10 merkins and 15 squats is 1 round.  Run one lap after each round.  After the fifth round, run two laps to get the 2 miles.

    TClaps to the few who completed it.  TClaps to the pax who worked hard to grow and improve.

    Back at the Shovel Flags, countoff , namerama, announcements, shoutouts and a prayer.

  • Call to the Post

    Growing up in the Bluegrass state, the first Saturday in May was always a holy day of obligation for YHC. Now in New Orleans with Jazzfest, my faith has evolved. But today the PAX indulged YHC in some Kentucky Derby minutiae.

    WARM UP – Slow mosey to WWI Memorial and Oval (the paddock) – and circle up.

    • Windmills IC x 20  
    • SSH IC x 25 (There are 25 3 year olds in the Derby this year)
    • Imperial Walkers IC x 25
    • Turfgrabbers IC x 10
    • More stretching

    Then slow mosey on the track to the fork in the path to Prytania St. From there around the track down to Magazine is 10 furlongs, or 1.25 miles – the length of the Derby. Thoroughbreds run that distance in the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. PAX self-divided into 3 groups based on speed.  The steady group left first, while two speedier groups did freddy mercury for one minute. Second group left after one minute while the last group did LBCs for one minute.  Then last group took off. Despite a solid AYG showing from the PAX, the event was decidedly less exciting then the Derby.
    Reconvened at Magazine St.  LBCs and Planks until all the PAX arrived.

    THANG#2 Mosey toward the parking area near the flag for The Triple Crown. PAX pair up, while one exercises, the other makes a loop around the parking lot.

    • 75 (1875 first year of the Derby)  Burpees
    • 91 lunges (2 is 1) (91-1 are the the longest odds of a Derby Winner – Donerail in 1913)
    • 150 Muhammad Ali s, the Louisville Legend (aka, floyd mayweathers) (150,000 of your closest friends attend the Derby every year)

    YHC modified the Muhammad Alis as time was running out. Quick mosey to the Flag, Counterama, Name-o-rama, Announcements and Intentions.


  • Inverted BLIMP Pyramids. Or something like that.

    Man, what a beautiful Saturday morning in April. It’s really one of the best months of the year in NOLA. 20 men gathered on this beautiful day for some F3. The usual disclaimer and off we go.

    We moseyed to the great lawn, unusually soggy and muddy on this day, for the warm-up COP:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Peter Parkers x 20 IC
    • Abe Vigodas x 10 IC
    • Arm Circles 10 Forward, 10 Backward IC
    • Hill Billies x 20 IC
    • Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    Next a short jog to the front of NOMA where we crossed paths with the MuscleShip, on their turf. Here YHC distastefully lead the Mothership pax in 10 Monkey Humpers in the general direction of the MuscleShip pax. Sorry @Abacus, not very tasteful of this Q. I do apologize.

    Then we lined up for an inverted BLIMP pyramid along the tree line, or something like that. Exercise, then run to the next tree.

    • 5 Burpees
    • 10 Lunges each leg
    • 15 Imperial Walkers each leg
    • 20 Merkins
    • 25 Plank Jacks
    • 30 Squats
    • 30 Squats
    • 25 Plank Jacks
    • 20 Merkins
    • 15 Imperial Walkers each leg
    • 10 Lunger each leg
    • 5 Burpees

    We moseyed to the end of Lelong Drive for the next COP:

    • Side lunges x 10 IC
    • Low slow squats x 20 IC
    • Tree Huggers x 10 IC

    Then travelled back down the opposite side of Lelong Drive, heading back toward NOMA, with animals on parade. Parade for 6 trees, doing a different animal at each tree. Then a Route 66 back to NOMA, stopping at each street light for 5 jump lunges with each leg.

    Back at NOMA, pair up for 2 rounds of Merkin ladders. One pax does a Merkin ladder up the steps of NOMA, 8 Merkins at the bottom to 1 at the top, while the other pax does alternating step-ups at the fountain. 2 rounds.

    Mosey to the baby foundry. Each pax does 10 pull-ups, 10 dips. 2 rounds.

    Mosey to the fence at Tad Gormley stadium for calf raises. Regular calf raises x 20 IC, toe-in calf raises x 20 IC, toe-out calf raises x 20 IC.

    Finally mosey back to the flag for some hamstring stretches before the finish. Count-off, name-o-rama, intentions, and a prayer. Welcome to our FNG, Donatello. Thank you for letting me lead.

  • Birthday Q – “FORTY” – “one”

    YHC always gets excited on the days he Q. YHC is very thankful to lead his very first Birthday workout on a beautiful morning. 25 PAX were there to spend this special day with YHC. Usually, YHC sees familiar faces on a WPM Friday, but YHC noticed a few Non-Uptowners traveling to this AO. YHC is very appreciative of the support, including Hokie Pokey’s WPM debut, Mahatma, Bogey, and Jesus Juice. Sandbar made YHC aware of a FNG, later named BugBites. YHC gave his standard disclaimer and off we went!!!

    Warm-ups

    Short mosey to the base of the WPM and did the following in cadence:

    Grass Grabbers x 10

    Windmills x 10

    SSHs x 20

    Self Love x 10

    Mountain Climbers x 20

    The WPM

    Starting at the base (first ramp) of the WPM:

    1.) Partner up. Dora with 300 SSHs. While one PAX was performing the SSHs, the other PAX was running up and down the ramp. Flap Jack until the team finished 300 SSHs.

    2.) Now at the base of the 2nd ramp. Picked a different partner. Dora with 250 King Kong Shoulder Taps. While one PAX was in the plank position doing the shoulder taps, the other PAX was running backwards up the ramp and down. Flap Jack until the team finished 250 shoulder taps.

    3.) Ran through the flat level. However, stopped at each beam (10 per level), and did a burpee with a jump touching the above beam. All the way until the PAX got to the base of the 3rd ramp. Picked another different partner. Dora with 200 LBCs.

    4.) Ran through the flat level. However, stopped at each beam again (10 per level) and did a burpee with a jump touching the above beam. All the way until the PAX got to the base of the 4th ramp. Picked a different partner. While one PAX was lunge walking up the ramp, the other PAX was running backwards up the ramp. Once at the top of the ramp, ran back down the ramp and tagged his partner. Flap Jack. Now the other PAX continued to do the lunge walk where the first PAX left off. Complete the task until the team lunge walked all the way to the top of the ramp.

    5.) Ran through the flat level. However, stopped at each beam again (10 per level) and did a burpee with a jump touching the above beam. All the way until the PAX got to the base of the 5th ramp. Picked a different partner.

    HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) Race

    YHC stressed this as a team race. While one PAX was resting and waiting at the base of the ramp, the other PAX was sprinting up the ramp, did 5 Hand-Release Burpees (Hurpees), and sprint back down. Tag your partner and flap jack. YHC stressed to each PAX to give it all on their sprint because each will get a chance to rest in between. Rinse and repeat 4 rounds for each PAX (total of 8 rounds for the team). T-claps to Mahatma & Saban, GSpot & Douille, and Flaming Lips & Quincy for finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively.

    Circled up for a quick Round of Mary:

    Hello Dolly x 20 IC

    Dying Cockroach x 20 IC

    Ran down the stairs back to flag and finished at about 6:17 a.m.

    COT

    Count-O-Rama 25PAX, Name-O-Rama, announcements, intentions. One FNG from Florida. He owns a franchise dealing with mosquito control. Therefore, he was named BugBites. Today we celebrate Peppa’s retirement from the Navy. He has flown F18s for the past 20 years. Thank You for your service and we couldn’t be happier that you and your family moved to NOLA and are a part of this great F3 Nola cult. Thank You all again for the opportunity to lead. Always a pleasure and honor to workout with the PAX. Thank you for all the birthday wishes. SYITG

    “FORTY” – “one”

    King Kong

  • We have 23ish…

    23 PAX posted at WPM for ILoveYouMan’s VQ. After a quick introduction and disclaimer we were off with a quick run down St Charles and back to TD Jesus.

    WARM-O-RAMA

    • 20 x Grass Grabbers, 20 x Self Love, 15 x Windmills, 25 x SSH, 20 x Mt Climbers, 20 x Peter Parker

    THA-THANG 1

    • Head to the ledges in front of Loyola, Group 1 is the count with 20 x merkins w/ peter parker in between, Group 2: Dips, Group 3: Crunchy Frogs

    THA-THANG 2

    Chumbawamba Burpees – Music  = “Chumbawamba” (their only song), SSH and then Burpees done every time the words, “I get knocked down, but I get up again” are said.  Total = a lot of burpees and complaining

    THA-THANG 3

    • After the amazing music routine, the PAX headed to the mountain where we did an Indian run to level 3 followed by 20 x wide arm merkins. We then side shuffled and sprint to the next level followed by 20 x pickle pounders. Backward run the next flat with an attempt to Alligator merkin+ bunny hop the incline followed with 20 x diamond merkins. Finish off the mountain with a run to the top of the mountain and complete 10 x dirty hookups, 8 x partner decline merkins while partner is in plank + 10 x leg throws.

    Head back to TD Jesus for a quick circle of Mary + Stretches

    • 20 x low country crab, 20 x penguins, 20 x LBC, Grass Grabbers with stretching

    Wrap it all up with a quick count off that was botched by Angies List and name-o-rama. Thank you all for enduring my VQ!

  • With a little help from my friends…

    When Tool asked me if I wanted to Q the Muscleship the Thursday before, it brought to mind how far I’ve come since starting and that I could not have done without the support of my F3 friends. From Willie continuing to try to get me out here, from seeing Medulla’s transformation, from Tool literally giving me the shirt of his back, the support from my F3 brothers (including those who made sure to be there for my first Q) has made a profound impact on my life since starting a few months ago. Therefore, I took the opportunity to lead and after the disclaimer, we were on our way.

    Warmup

    • 20 SSHs
    • 20 Imperial Walkers
    • 20 Abe Vigodas
    • 20 Mountain Climbers
    • 30 Arm Circles (15 forward, 15 reverse)

    After warmups, we broke into pairs for a Dora of 100 Plank Jacks, 200 Alternating Lunges, and 300 LBCs. We then moseyed across the road to do Deconstructed Burpees (squats, followed by leg thrusts, then merkins, more leg thrusts, then squats). We did descending rounds of 10-8-6-4-2 with the Q receiving some help from his friend Hawg on cadence and a few extra squats for Q to get his cadence straight. Next, we pulled a page from an earlier Triple Shift workout and did Embrace the Suck – 6 SSHs, 6 Merkins, and 6 jump squats (clapping optional). We did three 3-minutes rounds with 1-minute rest. The PAX them moseyed back to the starting spot for some Mary with the PAX taking turns calling out exercises. We finished with announcements and intentions. Thank you to all for your support since I’ve started this journey and for giving me the opportunity to lead.

  • Hurpees (Hand Release Burpees) – The Gift That Keeps On Giving

    After the PAX moseyed up to our usual WPM meeting spot in front of the Audubon Park fountains at 5:30AM, QIC asked if we had any FNGs, which we did not, and welcomed our out of town guest, Iron Horse, from F3 Tallahassee. Imagine Iron Horse’s surprise when he was informed that he came all the way to New Orleans to receive a Hurpees beat down with his F3 NOLA brothers. The disclaimer was announced, and the PAX performed 5 Hurpees on their own before moseying to the lawn in front of Tulane University for warm up. The warmup consisted of the following, all in cadence:

    Imperial Walkers x 20, Windmills x 15, Arm Circles Front and Back x 10

    Before greeting Touchdown Jesus on the lawn in front of Loyola University, the PAX knocked out 5 Hurpees on their own.

    Once at the Loyola Lawn, the PAX partnered up to perform a 30, 60, 90 DORA consisting of Hurpees, Low Slow Squats, and Real Freddie Mercuries, respectively. While PAX 1 was exercising, PAX 2 had to cross the lawn as his favorite animal. PAX 1 and 2 alternated until all exercises were complete. QIC witnessed several Bear Crawls, Crab Walks, Bunny Hops, one Squirrel Slink, and something that resembled a wounded Duck Walk.

    After a 10 count by King Kong, the PAX moseyed to the base of WPM where we split into 3 lines for an Indian Run up to the 4th floor. Even though QIC directed the left and right lines to sprint on the outside, this direction was not followed. QIC did not realize that Hurpees negatively impacted the PAX’s hearing.

    Once on the 4th floor, Brown Bag was asked to indulge the PAX in a 20 count. Upon conclusion, the PAX circled up for a round of Jack Webbs. After several groans, the PAX progressed through the Jack Webbs to complete 10 merkins and 20 air presses. Before gathering to conquer the remainder of WPM, the PAX performed 5 Hurpees on their own.

    The PAX continued to the top of WPM sprinting on the flats and running backwards up the inclines. Once gathered under the stars, the PAX circled up again, this time for a round robin of MARY. QIC started the festivities with a slow cadence of Penguins x 15. The remaining exercises were as follows:

    War Eagle – Dying Cockroach x 15

    Brown Bag – Real Freddie Mercuries x 20

    Bartman – J Los x 20

    Angie’s List – LBCs x 40 (ridiculous)

    Quarter Pipe – I’m going to call this a low plank, reverse wife pleaser x 15 Imagine the PAX on Airline Highway, in the act of contracting a real case of Hurpees. The PAX would have been happy doing these on a crawfish farm, if you get my drift…

    After five more Hurpees on their own, the PAX moseyed down the stairs and gathered in front of TDJ for a brief round of shoulder, quad, and hamstring stretches, to which Angie’s List exclaimed was the cure for our recurring case of Hurpees.

    The COT commenced with a count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a closing prayer. The PAX was then dismissed for additional treatment.

  • Respect is Hell and then the Clock Stops

    #TClaps to Hokey Pokey, Green Screen and Marlin: with PAX who’ve been at this mortal coil for longer than YHC, whose 57th BDay was yesterday.  Since his M has strongly urged YHC not to post in the gloom on the same day he does his slow weight training and since YHC has long ago figured out #MakingMHappyKeepsYHCHappy, YHC didn’t post on his BDay, so today was his BDay Q.  After his usual, crappy disclaimer, the PAX was off for a loop around the golfing parking lot to the Newman bandstand for

    COP1:

    • SSHs 57xIC (lots of mumblechatter: what’s they expect?)
    • Low Slow Squats 20xIC
    • Hill Billies 20xIC
    • Arm Circles 20xIC (one set forward, the other backwards

    Line up between the trees for an animal exposition: bear crawl to the first light, then 5 burpees, duck walk to the second, then 5 more burpees, inch worm to the third for another 5 burpees, gorilla hop to the fourth for 5 more burpees and crab walk to the fifth and last with yet another 5 burpees.

    Mosey to the soccer field, where with a little hiccup from Angie’s List the PAX was successfully able to split themselves into five groups.  Group One, Jump squats AMRAP; Group Two, merkins AMRAP; Group Three, Observations (like LBCs but holding the crunch for a three count, #TClaps for the Northshore PAX for introducing this to the Southshore) AMRAP; Group Four, pulses AMRAP; and Group Five, ten pullups on the soccer goal, five on each side.  Rinse and repeat.

    Mosey to the Audubon statue for an attempt at Dora.  While half the PAX was moseying around in front of the statue around the grass being waters, the other half was doing Dora’s work; flap-jack, etc..  Round One: 100 burpees; Round Two: 200 shoulder taps; Round Three was supposed to be 300 jump squats.  But YHC wasn’t too good at keeping track of time.  Even though Reluctant Yankee wasn’t around to #BustMyAss, YHC decided to cut Dora short so that the PAX could timely arrive at precisely 6:15 with not a second to spare.

    Thanks for letting this old guy lead.  It’ll be four years for him later this month, and he’s in better shape than he’s ever been in his life.  JV

  • Dog Poop on the Levee

    20 strong PAX showed up on a damp, muggy Monday morning. Two showed up late. One eventually found the group by the levee while the other PAX ended up working out on his own. Audubon Park is one AO that you have a 10 percent chance of finding the group once the clock strikes past 5:30 a.m. Needless to say, at 5:30 a.m., YHC gave his standard disclaimer and off we went!!!

    Moseyed on Magazine Street towards those overpriced condos on Walnut by the levee. YHC found a well lit field and decided to do the warm ups there so the PAX can wake up all those affluent condo owners.

    Warm-ups in cadence

    Toe Touches x 10

    Windmills x 10

    SSHs x 20

    Self Love x 10

    Hill Billies x 20

    The Levee with Dog Poop

    Walked over to the levee. We did the following sets.

    Set 1

    Started at the base of the levee. After each exercise, each PAX ran up the levee and back down to the base. By the end of the first exercise, YHC saw Jingle Vader running towards us. He first ran all the way to the only Hill in New Orleans at the Fly to look for the PAX. Somehow, he ran along the levee from the Fly to where the PAX were. T-claps on finding the group in the middle of darkness. JV is the 10 percent YHC was referring earlier.

    • 10 Burpees OYO
    • 20 Lunges IC
    • 20 Imperial Walkers IC
    • 20 Merkins IC (slow version)
    • 20 Plankjacks IC
    • 20 Slow low Squats IC

    Few PAX recognized YHC was leading a modified BLIMPS workout in the middle of it.

    Set 2

    Started at the base of the levee. After each exercise, each PAX ran BACKWARDS up the levee and back down to the base.

    • 10 Burpees OYO
    • 20 Mountain Climbers IC
    • 20 Peter Parkers IC
    • 20 Parker Peters IC
    • 20 Shoulder Taps IC

    Set 3

    Started at the base of the levee. After each exercise, each PAX bear crawled up the levee and ran back down to the base. However, during the first round of bear crawl, a lot of mumblechatter about dog feces. YHC didn’t feel any while bear crawling but definitely caught a whiff of massive dog poop from Catahoulas, Great Dane, Mastiff, Saint Bernard, Ridgeback, and Chihuahua. YHC quickly called for modification from bear crawling to running up the levee for the remaining rounds of exercises. Many PAX showed signs of gratitude toward the Q for making the change.

    • 10 Burpees OYO
    • 20 Genuflex IC
    • 20 Jump Lunges OYO
    • 20 Jump Squats OYO

    Moseyed to the front of Audubon Zoo and did the following:

    • Curb Jumps x 20 IC
    • Slow Derkins x 20 IC
    • 6-inches Boxcutter x 15 IC
    • Little Holding Crunches x 20 IC
    • Dying Cockroach x 20 IC

    COT

    Moseyed back to the flag at 6:16 a.m with COT. Upon arriving at the flag, YHC realized Iron Horse from Tallahassee was there. He was late. He falls in the 90 percent category where it’s almost impossible to find the PAX after 5:30 a.m. However, he looked like he gave himself a great beatdown. We are happy to have Iron Horse back for the week. Thank You all again for the opportunity to lead. Always a pleasure to workout with my F3 brothers. SYITG.

    King Kong