F3 New Orleans

Tag: Hawgcycle

  • WHO NEEDS SPOTIFY WHEN YOU HAVE BOGEY

    With a rare June cool front upon us, ten men (including an FNG) appeared from the gloom for a Rock City-style beat down.  It was a blustery 72 degrees with 30% humidity.  In most areas of the country that’s no big deal, but in south LA, it’s a huge blessing!  With passport in hand, Gabrielle traveled from burrows of uptown to Pontiff for a no running, Uptowner-style beat down, in an effort to nurse an injury.  Unfortunately, he did not get the memo that during the phased resurrection of F3 NOLA, Rock City lives three days per week at Pontiff, and the Uptowner is on suspension. 

    After the standard disclaimer, the PAX moseyed to the rock pile for a moderate to heavy rock.  We then mosey to what was a nice, open baseball field, only to find it had been fenced off for little league baseball.  YHC made the call to complete a warmup in the sliver of grass available.

    Warmup

    All in cadence: SSH x31, IW x20, MC x20, and Arm Circles (10 forward/10 backwards)

    Thang

    After the warmup, the PAX slowseyed to the adjacent parking lot for the Thang.  Shortly thereafter, Hawg complained, for the first time in my memory, of foot pain because of the asphalt and pebbles in said parking lot.  Poor leadership on my part for not looking out for my men; however, Hawg took it like a champ! My apologies once again brother!

    Ten Rounds of Tyson

    The PAX lined up on one end of the parking lot with their rocks to compete 10 reps of the following exercises, in cadence.  Then run to the other end of the parking lot, leaving the rock, for 10 of the following exercises (this is where Hawg rightfully complained), in cadence:

    Round 1- Overhead presses 2:1

    Round 2-Jump Squats- 1:1

    Round 3- Curls 2:1

    Round 4- Dying Cockroaches 2:1

    Round 5- Squat Presses 1:1

    Round 6- Diamond Merkins 1:1

    Round 7- Chest Presses 2:1

    Round 8- Lunges 2:1

    Round 9- Rows 2:1

    Round 10- 8-count Body Builders

    Tabata

    This is where it really got going.  Bogey was drunk with adrenaline and endorphins and began singing love songs from the 80’s.  He even took requests. The Tabata app was set for one minute on and 20 seconds rest for each of the following exercises:

    Incline Merkins, American Hammers, Monkey Humpers

    Rest

    Flutter Kicks, Freddie Mercury, Elevated Wife Pleasers

    Return rock and mosey to the flag.

    With a minute to spare, we completed penguins so we could feel like we were doing something, but really weren’t (except the FNG who did the penguins with his legs in the air- Tclaps).

    COT: Announcements, intentions, prayer, and named the FNG (Double Fudge- I’m thankful Bogey was not present when I was an FNG). Welcome back everyone, and thank you for the opportunity to lead.

  • What Day Is It?

    What Day Is It?

    Four men arrived to own the gloom at 5:30am for the Hump Day Edition of Rock City at Pontiff Park. YHC gave the standard disclaimer and led the small Pax of men for a short mosey to the rock to get things started.

    The Warm-Up

    SSH – 20

    Imperial Walkers – 20

    Shoulder Taps – 20

    Grass Grabbers – 20

    Smurf-jacks – 15

    The Thang

    Everyone was encouraged to select a rock and carry their burden to the open field located just past the baseball field.

    Making Bricks

    Since YHC missed his annual Passover workout due to the quarantine, he brought out his favorite Passover day workout – Making bricks. Like the Israelites who mixed straw and mud together to max bricks for Pharoah, we slowly carried our bricks across field one lunge step at a time while dropping to our knees between each set of lunge steps to make it all the more taxing in our slow movement across the field.

    Route 66

    The Pax did a standard Route 66 with the rocks. Stop at each tree along the edge of the field for bicep curls. 1 rep at tree one and 11 reps at tree eleven for a total of 66 reps.

    Slow Motion Suicides

    The Pax now moseyed to end of the football field where the Q had kindly placed cones marking the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and end of the football field.

    Run with your rock to cone one – 20 Low Slow Squats

    Run back to the start and pick up your rock on the way to mid field – 20 shoulder presses

    Run back to the start and pick up your rock on the way to cone three – 20 bench presses

    Run back to the start and pick up your rock on the way to the end zone – 20 curls for the girls.

    Run down to the start and then back to the end, hold Al Gore while awaiting the six.

    Rinse and Repeat

    Mary

    YHC celebrated his 13 anniversary yesterday and Vagabond celebrates his tomorrow, so time for a round of Mary that celebrates the joys of marriage.

    Wife-pleasers – 26

    Hello Dolly – 20

    Monkey humpers – 13

    The End

    Count-Off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, Intentions, and Prayer

    Thank you men for celebrating my wedding anniversary and giving me a great beginning to my 14th year of marriage.

    Happy Hump Day!

    -Rev Sox

  • The Inaugural Running of the War Eagle Half-Marathon

    The Inaugural Running of the War Eagle Half-Marathon

    On Saturday, May 16th, six men arrived at the parking lot of Metairie Baptist Church to run 13.1 miles around New Orleans and Metairie. Two weeks earlier War Eagle made the mistake of telling YHC that he was considering running his first half, but he didn’t know when it would be possible. Well, when Hawgcycle is involved anything is possible. A few days later: a date was picked, a time was set, a route was created, and the War Eagle Half was on!

    4 other F3 brothers responded to the announcement of the race as Two Yutes, Shurly, and Yoda (FNG) with Tool promising to join the race once we have crossed the border into the land of Orleans. Two Yutes was also running his first half with an impressive jump of going from an 8 mile run as his PR to 13.1.

    At 6am, the six of us took off at a steady pace of 9:45. Tool, as promised, joined the group in Orleans and ran with the Pax for about 6 miles but became the hero of the day for providing us with much needed water at the 10 mile point.

    Most of the group remained together for the first half of the run but as one to stand out from the Pax, War Eagle took off for the back half of the race to finish with a respectable time of 2:08. Two Yutes finished his first at 2:15 while Shurly and Yoda both came in shortly thereafter. Tclaps to Yoda for finishing the half as his first F3 workout at the age of 61 – double respect!

    But it was one non-runner who arrived at the start and showed us all up before the day was over. Hawg’s M and 2.0 arrived on bikes to ride beside our swift running. Sadly, we were not fast enough for Hawg’s 2.0 as she biked a marathon on Saturday while leaving us all in the dust.

    Those who have never ran a half-marathon, look to Saturday, May 15, 2021 and do something you have never done before.

    -Rev Sox

  • Last Mothership Before COVID-19 Changes Everything

    Back in January, I have already heard about the Coronavirus because of my family living in Hong Kong. My father, who is still currently stuck in Hong Kong due to the travel restriction, had informed me how bad this thing is and how many people had already died in China. I knew it was somewhat serious, but I never expect it to be THIS bad where it will affect everyone of us for a very long time. Particularly, I remember my parents were in Hong Kong when SARs broke out in 2003. Because Hong Kong did a great job containing SARs, I never thought a similar highly contagious respiratory infection would hit us all the way to NOLA.

    Before City and Statewide stay-at-home mandate, we get a chance for one last Saturday beatdown. 20 PAX showed up on a beautiful morning. I gave my standard disclaimer and off we went!

    We started off with a lap around the great lawn and back to the Peristyle for our warmups in cadence:

    SSHs x 20

    Forward & Backward Arm Circles x 10 each

    Windmills x 10

    Grassgrabber x 10

    Hill Billies x 20

    Peter Parker x 15

    Mountain Climbers x 15

    Parker Peter x 15

    Part 1

    Picked a column at the Peristyle. In plank position, each Pax did hands on the wall x 20. Then did 20 right leg step ups. Then back to a column and did another 20 hands on the wall in plank position. Then back to the bench to finish with 20 left leg step ups.

    Part 2

    Walked across the street to the Great Lawn. We were using palm trees on the right as our markers. At the first tree, we started off with 1 lunge (Two is One). At the second tree, we did 2 lunges (Two is One), at the third tree, ….. all the way to the eighth tree. Then sprinted back to the very first tree and planked / waited for the Six. Then we added another layer of exercise. At the first tree, we started off with 1 lunge (Two is One) and 1 big boy sit-up. At the second tree, we did 2 lunges (Two is one) and 2 big boy sit-ups. At the third tree…. all the way to the eighth tree then sprinted back to the beginning and waited for the Six again. Final layer of exercise we added on was everyone’s favorite: burpees. At the first tree, we did 1 lunge, 1 big boy sit-up, and 1 burpee….. all the way to the eighth tree again. So in total, each PAX ponied up 108 lunges (2 is 1), 72 big boy sit-ups, and 36 burpees.

    Part 3

    We moseyed to the fountain in front of NOMA. We picked a partner and did DORA 1, 2, 3. The exercises were 100 leg raises, 200 inclined merkins, and 300 LBCs. While one pax was doing the exercise, the other partner was burpee broad-jumping towards NOMA on the flat surface and bunny hopped on the steps. Then ran back to flapjack with the partner.

    We ran back to the flag for COT. We went overtime by a minute or so. At every COT, I always mention how grateful I am able to do this with the PAX on a regular basis. F3 is a big part of my life. I do this 4 to 5 times a week. I enjoy the F2 part the most. We had our last Cafe Navarre breakfast together. Now, I still workout with few PAX in a smaller group and keeping our social distance. I’ve been running into other smaller F3 groups here and there in the gloom. I cannot wait till we can all get back together with 30 plus PAX at the WPM, Mothership, Rock City, The Skinny, Chamber of Horrors, 610 Stomps, Tsunami, The Birdcage, Foundry, Popeyes, Okwata, Stiffler’s Mom, Master Melvin, Wally Run, Uptowner, Sweaty Bells, and Renaissance. Until then, stay safe!

    King Kong

  • Immune Boost

    Four F3 Nola pax checked in at 0530 this morning for a virtual Q. Hopefully others will find the time to do it later.

    The Thang

    • Imperial Walkers x 19 (IC)
    • Merkins x 19 (1 is 1)
    • Mahktar N’Diaye x 19 (IC)
    • Up-Downs x 19 (1 is 1)
    • Nolan Ryans x 19 (IC)
    • EMOM (10 burpees EMOM for 9 minutes)

    Do the above set 3 times.

    NMM

    • Total of 270 burpees and 57 Up-Downs, which are pretty much burpees without the tiny little hop most of us do at the end.
    • It was rough, but I felt better knowing a few other guys were doing it with me at the same time, albeit from different locations.
    • I tried to post a Video Backblast on GroupMe, but I froze the app.  I thought a Video BB would be appropriate for a Virtual workout, but GroupMe sucks for posting large files, or at least it does on my phone.
    • I got caught before my 50th burpee in the 3rd set, so death by burpees does happen.  I took an extra minute break and then got caught before my 70th burpee.  Twice dead.
    • This took me 50 minutes.
    • This was very reminiscent of losing a bet to Da Parish, except I didn’t have to wear those horrible colors while I was doing it. 
    • The ISI is up for March and Beyond.  Find the link I posted in Mumblechatter if you want to join.
    • Some guys are kicking around a Meal Support Plan to help our local medical community and some our F3 brothers in the restaurant industry.  There is a link to join the discussion posted yesterday in Mumblechatter.

  • Sloppy Seconds Ain’t My Style

    Today is March 2nd, which means we’re nearing the end of the (sometimes) cold season here in New Orleans. For those of you keeping track, and I’m sure you all are, my attendance has been spotty over the past several months in what can only be described as F3 hibernation. I loathe below-50 degree weather and do my best to avoid it, especially if its also been raining. I know many people hate the humidity here, but I’ll take the heat any day.

    Now, given the Calvinist nature of the Q assignment, we (usually) don’t select our own Q-ings, but are predestined according to the (presumed) foreknowledge of the AO site coordinator. And as such, I’ve only “reported for duty” on days when the temperature was 50+, unless I was predestined for Q-ing in the cold (see 11/13/2019). But it seems that Rock City AO coordinator Mahatma, in his grace and mercy, saw fit to elect me to Q on March second, a day that had no cold and no sloppy ground – really a perfect weather day.

    So it began with warm-up exercises in the traditional Rock City warm-up area. It was the usual bag of tricks:

    SSH

    Abe Vigodas

    Imperial Walkers

    Grass Grabbers

    Peter Parkers

    Arm Circles

    All @ 26 each. There appeared to be some great letdown among the PAX that 26 had no significance other than having an equal number of forward and backward arm circles. Sorry for those that thought that I might be honoring P.J. Williams or celebrating my 26th birthday…

    Next up we gathered our rocks and headed to the football field, where we paced 10 yards for every exercise, from the goal line, in reps of 15, in cadence:

    Curls

    Tricep Extension

    Merkins

    Chest Press

    Shoulder Press

    We then partnered up for a dash from the 50 yard line to the goal line and back, while the alternating partner worked to complete the following:

    Burpees x 50

    World War II Sit-Ups x 100

    Squats x 150

    Flutter Kicks x 200

    Rows x 300

    Finally, we reversed our 10 yards/reps of 15/in cadence to the original goal line, finishing with just enough time to return our rocks and circle up. I have to say, given my F3 hibernation as of late, I’m definitely not in the same shape I was in November. So much so, that I was fading badly on the last set of tricep extensions and apparently lost the ability to count. Fortunately, Mahatma stepped in and picked up my slack continuing the cadence. It reminded me of that scene in Casino when Joe Pesci is all coked out near the end of the film, and he starts to beat a guy to death, but then doesn’t have the stamina to finish, so one of his henchmen takes over to finish the beatdown. Only without the coke. Or murder.

    In closing, we had no announcements, only prayers for those in our F3 community and those connected to it, giving thanks and glory to God.

    *The title of this post was a line uttered by Danny Zuko (John Travolta) in the movie Grease referring to…well, not muddy fields or March 2nd.

  • I once was lost, but now am Found(ry)

    I once was lost, but now am Found(ry). This statement technically makes no sense, but I liked the way it sounded so I decided to use it as the name for the Backblast. With that being said, here’s how things went down:

    WarmUp:

    • Jog to Noma, then we did:
    • Side straddle hops – 15 in cadence
    • Mountain climbers – 15 in cadence
    • Concrete Grabbers – 15 in cadence
    • Windmills – 15 in cadence
    • Self love

    The Thang:

    • Jog to Peristyle, then we did:
    • Merkins – 30 in cadence
    • LBC’s – 30 in cadence
    • Low slow squats – 30 in cadence
    • Calf raises – 30 in cadence
    • Dips – 30 in cadence
    • Jog back to flag, then we did:
    • Rocky Balboas – 30 in cadence
    • Plankjacks – 30 in cadence
    • Floyd Mayweathers – 30 in cadence
    • Burpees – 10 on your own

    After that, we did some static stretching, count-off, name-o-rama, announcements & intentions. Thanks for the opportunity to lead, fellas. I always enjoy it!

  • Me and Jim

    Conditions

    Heavy Rain, 58 F, Feels like 58 F, Humidity 96%, Wind 15 mph from NW

    The Thang

    0515

    Me:  Good morning Jim.

    Cantore:  What are those? I thought we were running.

    Me:  Kuch calls them my Mandals.  They are a pair of overpriced flip flops with a fatal design flaw.  I duct taped them, so we should be good this morning.  What is that you are wearing?

    Cantore: Gortex…HERE WE ARE ON THE FRONT PORCH OF CRAIG PARTEN, KNOWN TO HIS F3 BROTHERS AS HAWGCYCLE.

    Me:  Why are you yelling?  You’re going to wake my kid.

    Cantore: CAN’T HELP IT.  I’M EXCITED.  EVERY THURSDAY THE HEARTIEST SOULS IN THE NEW ORLEANS REGION MEET AT PONTIFF PARK, RAIN OR SHINE, FOR WHAT THEY CALL THE WALLY RUN.  IT’S A 4+ MILE JOG THROUGH THE AFFLUENT SUBURBAN STREETS OF THE OM.

    Me: Let’s go before you wake the neighborhood.

    0525

    Cantore:  THE RAIN IS REALLY COMING DOWN.  THIS IS CERTAINLY A MULTI CELL CLUSTER AND WE ARE BEING POUNDED BY ONE OF THE STRONGER CELLS AT THE MOMENT. 

    Me:  We are a little early and I’d rather not stand around by ourselves in the rain.  Let’s jog round the parking lot then run by the pumps to see if they are on.

    Cantore:  THE PUMPS WILL PROVIDE AN AMAZING CAMERA SHOT.

    Me:  …

    0530

    Cantore:  ARE YOU SURE THIS IS WHERE EVERYONE MEETS?

    Me:  This is it.  I expected to see everyone running out of their cars to meet us, but I don’t see any cars. 

    Cantore:  ARE THEY SKIPPING THE RUN BECAUSE OF THIS MODERATE MULTI CELL CLUSTER THAT IS MOVING THROUGH THE AREA?

    Me:  No.  No way.  Not these guys.  These guys can handle a little rain.  It’s got to be something else.  Boo Boo has to go in early to work sometimes.  Hobbs has a trial going on, so he probably had to head to work early.  It’s possible the rapture happened, that would explain Rev Sox and War Eagle not being here.  Pai Gow obviously has an addiction to Asian games of chance, so he might be at the Treasure Chest. Last time I saw Triple Shift he was Tuesday at City Park. He was talking to SFx about home schooling, vaccinations, and proper squat form…there is a chance he still there.  Tua’s wife just had twins, so I he’ll be out for the next 18 years. Fracsac randomly moves to the Westbank every now and then.  I fully expect Jingle Vader is sporting a tank top at Okwata as we speak. Two Yutes has some issues when it comes to dirt, so I’m guessing the debris in the rainwater might keep him away.

    Flashback to Monday at work.

    Me:  What’s up Jeff?  Why are you throwing your shoelace in the trash?

    Two Yutes:  It came untied and part of it touched the bathroom floor.  Can’t have that.

    Me: Where’s your belt?

    Two Yutes:  It touched the outside of the urinal. 

    Me: …

    Back to Pontiff

    Me:  There’s Mahatma, but he told me to my face that he hates running with me.  I respect his honesty.  Rudy….hmmmm…I don’t even know where to start.

    Cantore:  SO IT’S JUST US?

    Me:  Yeah, sorry.  We should have gone to Okwata.  They usually have 20-30 guys post there.  I’m sure this morning will be epic.  Do you want to go home?

    Cantore:  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  I LIVE FOR THIS.  LET’S GO.

    0537

    Cantore: WHAT’S THAT HOOLIGAN DOING?        

    Me:  I think he is just a teacher at Country Day going to work.

    Cantore:  GET BEHIND ME.  IF HE TRIES ANY FUNNY BUSINESS I’LL NINJA KICK HIM.

    Me:  I think we’re fine.

    Cantore:  EXCUSE ME SIR.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THIS TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR?

    Country Day Teacher:  I’m heading into work early.  I have to prepare my Chemistry Lab.

    Cantore:  WILL THE SCHOOLS NOT BE CANCELLED TODAY.  THERE IS A MODERATE MULTI CELL CLUSTER THUNDERSTORM IN THE AREA.

    Country Day Teacher:  I certainly hope not.  Today my students are scheduled to turn in their group project.  They will be using tribal African Dance to explain the exothermic reaction produced by mixing Sodium Hydroxide and Sulfuric Acid.

    (Cantore knees him in the groin and we continue on our way.)

    0545

    Cantore:  LOOK AT THE PLYWOOD ON THAT COFFEE SHOP.  EXCELLENT PREPARATION.  YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ONE OF THESE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN MODERATE CELLS FROM THE CLUSTER MIGHT MOVE THROUGH. 

    Me:  A car ran into it.  It’s been like that for weeks.

    CANTORE:  THAT’S NOT PREPARATION FOR THIS STORM?

    Me:  Sorry to disappoint.

    0555

    Cantore:  THESE HOUSES ARE HUGE.  WHAT DO ALL OF THESE PEOPLE DO FOR A LIVING?

    Me:  Amass debt, I assume.

    0600

    Cantore:  WHERE ARE WE GOING? THIS IS NOT ON THE MAP YOU GAVE ME.

    Me:  Some extra distance.  I’m calling it the Lagniappe Loop.

    Cantore:  WHAT’S LAGNIAPPE?

    Me:  I don’t know.  I hear people say it a lot.  I like alliteration.

    0610

    Cantore:  ARE YOUR NIPPLES ON FIRE?!?

    Me:  Yes.

    0620

    Cantore:  I THOUGHT THIS ENDED AT 6:15.

    Me:  Normally, but this is Run Ranger Run and some kid on the Northshore has been running continuously for the last 5 days.  We have to catch him. 

    0630

    Cantore:  IT WAS A PLEASURE RUNNING WITH THE MEN….ER, ONE MAN OF F3 NEW ORLEANS THIS MORNING.  REPORTING FROM GROUND ZERO OF THE MODERATE MULTI CELL CLUSTER STORM WE HAVE UNECCESARILY NAMED WALLY, THIS IS JIM CANTORE SIGNING OFF.

    Me:  Bye Jim.

  • The Wis

    The Wis

    Conditions

    Overcast, 63 F, Feels like 63 F, Humidity 90%, Wind 8 mph from the South

    The Thang

    27 Pax tried a new route today, crossed the Cabrini Bridge and then went over and back on the Wisner overpass.  We ended up on the back side of the track and ran laps for the 6.  Distance ended up being about 3.5 to get to the track.

    NMM

    • T-claps to the Ruckers that got started at 4 am and got in close to 8 miles – Hokie, Gideon, and Thumbwar
    • Good to see SFx this morning.  He also rucked.  Will rucking become a thing in NOLA? 
    • I like that this route involves the Wisner Bridge, but it’s a little short.  Maybe next time we do it we will add another small loop that involves the Bridge a second time.