F3 New Orleans

Tag: Hawgcycle

  • Splish Splash And Over The Hills We Go

    YHC was excited for his second trip and first Q at the newly established AO Popeyes (Lafreniere Park) and had a decided on a nice plan to use the hills that are nicely spread out to get some miles in for RRR.  Quick disclaimer was given and we moseyed a bit for the warm up.

    Warm-Up

    SSHs x 20

    Grass Grabbers x 20

    Arm Circles x 10 forward and x 10 backwards

    Low Slow Squats x 20

    The Thang

    11’s were going to be the theme of the day but with the heavy rain over night the ground was to say the least damp and the standing water/puddles quickly became the theme of the day.  7 Pax strong trudge up and over hills and through the occasional puddle.  Utilizing four hills that are spread out on the parks grounds we set out for 2 rounds of 11’s.

    Round 1

    10 Burpess at the base of hill one, up and over the hill and 1 LBC at the base of the hill.  Run to the base of hill 2; 9 Burpees at the base up and over the hill and 2 LBCS at the base of the hill.  Move onto hills 3 and 4 using then circle back through the hills until the 11’s were complete.  This was not as confusing at it seems and thankfully Rudy was not there to ask questions or confuse the Pax.  The Pax took my simple and clear directions “You will not run up and over any hill two times in a row” and the 11’s were completed at the base of the 4 hill.

    Round 2

    10 Jack Webs at the base of hill one, up and over the hill and 1 Squat Jump at the base of the hill.  Follow the same hill patter as in round 1.

    Quick check of the time and still time for one circuit of exercises on the gym equipment.

    Time is running low so back to the flag for a 20 Russian Twists to close things out.

    COT

    Count O Rama, Name O Rama, announcements and intentions.  This is a great new AO that has a lot of potential so if you have the opportunity come out and join us at Popeyes.  As always it is an honor to lead and workout with the F3 brotherhood.  SYITG.

    Two Yutes

  • The Power of Negativity or the Commitment to Accelerate

    In the last US Olympic Marathon Trials (2016) there were 108 finishers.  Only 3 men ran negative splits.  All three finished on the podium.

    The Thing:  Run along Bayou St. John for 20 minutes, turn around and return in less than 20 minutes.  AKA a Negative Split. Then plank and wait.

    IC Flutter Kicks 25 and Tin Snips 10

    Count, Names, Announcements, Intentions, Prayer

    There is debate whether running negative splits leads to faster race times.  I think we can all find joy in having the strength to increase our pace of movement and to ACCELERATE.   We must choose to accelerate every day.  Thanks Triple Shift for helping me make the connection.

    DAILY RED PILL: The Q’s daily Commitment to Accelerate his Fitness, Fellowship and Faith. Abbr: DRP

  • CYCLOPS brings the FORT to the Mountain

    34 #HIM gathered on a muggy February morning to accelerate and get better.  The turnout brought the feel of a mini-convergence and great fellowship.  After the disclaimers were outlined, and a handful of the PAX moseyed off for a 4-5ish mile run, the remaining 20 something PAX moseyed to the parking deck and straight to the 7th (top) level for a foggy view of NoLa and a little COP:

    COP – all IC:

    Moroccan Night Clubs x 20, Arm circles forward and backward x 10

    Mumble chatter and one of the PAX counting backwards, distracted YHC and the count.  As a result, 5 penalty burpees were promptly called.  The backward counting of the PAX ceased.

    Side straddle hops x 30 – varying speeds

    Double count Merkins X 15 with a hold to plank – salutations to the left and right then to down dog, a few repeats of planks at normal height and 6 inch holds.

    Low slow squats x 20

    COP complete – Mosey to the 6th level

    YHC and the PAX of the Fort have spent much of 2019 talking about getting comfortable with discomfort.  Given that the NoLa Nantan (aka Reluctant Yankee) talked of doing 11’s on the morning ride to the AO, it seemed only appropriate for YHC to call, of course, 12’s.  Therefore:

    Partner wheelbarrow carries – 2 rounds (just to warm up), then:

    Jacobs Ladder – Burpees, lunge walks roughly 25 yards (YHC’s rough math), LBC’s and mosey 25 yards (roughly) back to the start.  11 burpees, lunge walk 25 yards, 1 LBC, mosey back.  10 burpees, lunge walk 25 yards 2 LBC’s, mosey back.  You get the idea.  Al Gores or LBC’s done by early finishing PAX until the 6 was in. 

    Mosey down 6 flights, out the deck, through the courtyard to the front circle for a partner Dora

    Dora 100 – YHC had to shorten Dora (normally a 1-2-3) due to time and, of course, saving the last 5 minutes for (what else?) Mary (more to follow).  So a partner dora of 100 merkins and circular shuttle runs got the PAX their fill of shoulder work for the morning before moving on to a little ab work…….but just a little.

    Mary:

    Protractor – 1 minute, varying angles and stopping short to allow unanticipated cars to park and pass.

    Hello Dollys IC x 15

    Box Cutters IC x 15

    Mosey back to COT YHC chose intentional as his word for 2019.  In trying to become a #HIM, being a part of F3 teaches us all  that the real benefits and gains we realize in our lives are from intentionally living 3rd, getting out of our comfort zone and pushing our limits to break through thresholds we may have felt were not possible before.  Whether it is the opportunity to Q at a new AO or step up in any other way, getting outside your own comfort zone, serving and leading are reminders of why it is important for each of us to fully and intentionally engage in every role to which we are called to serve and why we seek to accelerate in our development – physically, emotionally and spiritually.  It is always a special occasion for YHC to post away from home.  I have been lucky to be made better by PAX from all over F3 nation and considered this past Friday morning both a privilege and an honor to get uncomfortable and better with a great group of #HIMs.  Thanks to Reluctant Yankee and the PAX of NoLa for the opportunity and a great 2nd F as well.

    Cyclops       

  • That Was Super

    Run Ranger Run crunch time ensured that we had a healthy number of Stompers on Tuesday. In order to maximize our time, we ran the traditional route down the bayou, 22:30 out, then turned around and came back. The only rule was that you must have a negative split. We didn’t all achieve the negative split, but we were close. We circled up for COT a minute or two late and gave thanks for the day.

    NMM
    • T-claps to Smooth. He was able to make it just past Earhart. That is the farthest I’ve ever known anyone to make it. 6.5 miles for a just over a 7 minute/mile pace. That’s poster material.
    • T-claps to War Eagle. He has become a runner in the past couple of months. The young buck must have been feeling his oats as we rounded NOMA on the back stretch. Like a horse to the barn he took off as Rudy and El Guapo approached. He was a good 10-15 feet ahead of me and I was not able to close the gap. I was seriously wondering if he was going to beat me to the flag.
    • He didn’t.
    • There was a supermoon in the sky. Problem was that we couldn’t see it. If you haven’t noticed, it will be raining in New Orleans for the next two months.
    • T-claps to Amnesty and Tool who, each nursing their injuries, were willing to get out on their bikes and get some work in. The ride-by heckling was a nice touch.
    • Running in shoes is the worst. How do you all do it? It’s awful. If anyone is headed to Hawaii soon, let me know. I’ll give you $5 to pick me up a pair of Locals slippers from the nearest CVS.
    • Run Ranger Run 10 Member Team Standings as of 1512 hours on 2/20. It’s tight:
      • #5 Okwata (507 miles)
      • #6 Rock City (494 miles)
      • #7 The Birdcage-1 (476 miles)
      • #8 Mothership (470 miles)
      • #10 Northshore (461 miles)
      • #18 HNJ (362 miles)

  • Get Your Kicks On Route 66

    The notice came in late Tuesday evening on Mummblechatter that a Q was needed for the newest AO — Popeye’s. YHC graciously volunteered for the opportunity to lead the PAX. The forcast late Tuesday said there was a 70% chance of rain. What do they know? Fear of the flu had some Sad Clowns bailing out on the fun before it even began. YHC thought what a solo workout would look like–not expecting 7 PAX to post this fine morning.

    Lafreniere Park is an endless opportunity for fun. Thoughts of the hills, the running track, and the workout equipment all raced through YHC head on the ride over. “Maybe 11s over the hills” “Maybe a run around the track” “Maybe some fun on the monkey bars” and if it rains “Maybe a full workout under the gazebo.” The conclusion…who am I kidding…let’s make this up as we go.

    DISCLAIMER

    I’m War Eagle. It’s dark. Be carful. Push yourself, don’t hurt yourself.

    Then Cruiser (from F3Houston) noted that I was not a professional trainer.

    WARM-UP

    Mosey around the gazebo and over the bridge.

    Hillbillies X 20

    SSH X 25

    Peter Parkers X 20

    Arm Circles 10 forward, 10 backwards

    THANG 1

    Mosey from the warm up area to the nearest walking path. Route 66 squats at each light poll until we arrived at the east side of the park. It became Route 55 (only ten light polls).

    THANG 2

    We finished squats on the east side of the park walking track. We moseyed north on the walking track until we arrived at the first light poll.

    Route 66 – Merkins

    Completed the 11th light poll right in front of the dog park where they had conveniently placed a brick wall.

    THANG 3

    Channing Tatums X 20

    Dips X 15

    Tatum Channings X 20

    Irkins X 20

    Derkins X 10

    THANG 4

    Indian Run to the workout area on the north side of the park for shoulder work.

    Shoulder taps X 10

    Rocky Balboa X 10

    Right Side Plank X 10 seconds

    Left Side Plank X 10 Seconds

    Mosey to the next light poll

    THANG 5

    Rout 66 – Jump Squats

    THANG 6

    At this point, the PAX asked, “Where are we going?” YHC couldn’t handle the lie any longer. “Guys, I am completely making this up as I go.”

    Mambi suggests heading back to the workout area for some Mary.

    Right after that my official Team Mothership RunRangerRun Apple Watch informed me we had hit the two-mile mark on our excursion. Team Rock City members were adamant that we were only at 1.5 miles. Suggestions for cheating and asterisks were suggested, but we all know the truth.


    7 stations of Mary, in cadence X 15

    Leg raises

    LBCs

    Flutter kicks

    Dying Cockroaches

    Penguins

    Bridge Hold

    Freddy Mercurys

    Mosey Back to the Flag

    COUNT OFF, NAME-O-RAMA, ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRAYER

    Heavy hearts for many friends and family members facing health problems.

    Thanks for letting me lead, men. SYITG

  • The Back Nine

    After some last minute scouting, YHC pulled up without a minute to spare. The disclaimer was given, including a word of caution about possible broken ankles, and we moseyed to the Great Lawn for the warm-up

    Warm-Up

    This month is Run Ranger Run and every yard counts, so YHC forwent the customary circle warm-up and chose to go old school Jr. High football style:

    High Knees, Butt Kicks, Karaoke left, Karaoke right

    The Thang

    We divided up into 5 teams of 4. Each team received a baseball and were provided the simple rules of Rarájipari – You must kick the baseball to the Foundry. One team member can kick it the whole way or you can pass between team members. First team to the Foundry wins.

    At the Foundry we all found some pull-up space for the Bern ‘n Burp – keep your chin above the bar as long as you can. When you drop out, do 10 burpees and take a 10 second rest. Repeato until time is called. Most of us got in 3 or 4 rounds.

    Rarájipari under the 610 overpass to Zachary Taylor Drive.

    From there we moseyed to the football field between Grow Dat and the Dog Park. 100 yard Bear Crawl

    Next we moseyed to the 9th hole of the frisbee golf course for The Jack Nicklaus. Starting at the 9th hole tee box, sprint to the 9th hole (or whatever you call the contraption that you throw the frisbee into). At the 9th hole, do 9 merkins followed by 9 air presses. Then walk to the 10th hole tee box and sprint to the 10th hole where you do 10 merkins and 10 air presses. Continue this through the 16th hole. We repeated the 15th and 16th holes.

    Rarájipari to the port-a-potties on the backside of the track.

    On the track – 600m run as hard as you can.

    Mosey back to the flag

    NMM
    • Mistake #1 – We arrived at the flag late. How late? More than 3 minutes, less than 35. I don’t really know. I wasn’t using a watch. I was wearing one, but I wasn’t using it.
    • Mistake #2 – Quiche wasn’t with us.
    • Mistake #3 – It took me a minute to realize Quiche wasn’t with us anymore. Fracsac went out to find him. Somehow in the 30 seconds we had been standing at the flag, Frac forgot where we had come from and ran off in the wrong direction. Meanwhile, rumor has it that Quiche had accidentally locked himself in one of the Rock ‘n Roll Port-a-lets. Fortunately all City Park Roads lead to the Port-a-lets on the backside of the track. Frac finally made it there and through brute strength was able to free Quiche. Both returned to the circle, smelling of excrement and unwilling to speak about what had happened.
    • Mistake #4 – While playing Rarájipari on the way to the track, I mentioned to my teammates that we shouldn’t tell the groups ahead of us that they should take the street to the right up ahead. As the Q, I am apparently supposed to be taking care of the pax and so I received some instant F3 karma when the sidewalk rose up and tripped me. It felt like a pretty spectacular fall.
    • We had one FNG – Scrub. He came out on his own. I wasn’t paying close attention, but I believe a medical resident at Tulane mentioned F3 to Scrub while he was there being treated for a virus he contracted in South Central Jersey.
    • We ran a lot. It was at least 4 and half miles, no more than eight.
    • Rudy met us for the circle of trust. He’s just in it for the fellowship.

  • Keep It Simple Stupid

    The Uptowner was greeted with 14 fiends this week itching to get their Friday fix. Although YHC had been voluntold to Q weeks ago, he slacked on working up a fancy workout with a cool theme, laminated weinkie, or pre-arranged cones. Therefore, back to basics for the PAX with 45 action packed minutes of good old-fashioned exercises and circuits, with hopes of leaving stronger than when we came. As the PAX rolled in, YHC gave the usual discalimer along with second disclaimer and warning that his sharpness as a playcaller may be hindered by the aftereffects of the evening beatdown and IPA fuelled F2 hours earlier. Here’s what went down:

    Warmup: IPW, AC, WM, LS Squats, PP, Plank Roll, LC Crab, all various reps IC, followed by a Bear Crawl approx 40 yds to the rock pile.

    The Thang: Countdown circuit with 4 exercises, all IC and same rep count, to be varied up along the way. These tend to be tough but the descending count provides some light at the end of the tunnel.

    • First round consisted of: Curls x15IC, Low Slow Squat w/rock x15IC, Shoulder Press x15IC, Mary/Rosalitas x15IC. Rinse and repeat x14, x13, x12, x11 all with varying Mary exercises at the end. YHC enlisted the help of the PAX to share the cadence duties.
    • Break for a bear crawl around our circle of rocks followed by a Alabama-cousin-marriage joke complemets of War Eagle.
    • Next round: Curls x10, Lateral Lunge x10, Shoulder Press x10, Dealer’s Choice Mary x10, rinse and repeat x9, x8, x7, x6.
    • Final round: Curls x5, Front Lunge w/rock overhead x5, Shoulder Press x5, Mary x5. Not much time left to keep working our way down so we had to cut it short and deposit the rocks.

    Last 90 seconds included Hip Flexors and Plankorama.

    COT to seal the deal. Welcome to our FNG who gace us lots of info on himeself but not much nickname material…hence the name Vanilla.

    T-claps to the PAX for pitching in on the never ending cadence.

    Tool

  • I Don’t Mind Running, But Don’t Lie to Me

    The title is a quote from Left Eye, and you can understand where he is coming from. Uptowners stay in one place. That’s what you expect. So what’s happened the last three weeks at The Uptowner?

    • Three weeks ago – A Murph, by definition it includes 2 miles of running
    • Last week – Mambi was Q and he led us all over God’s green earth. Who knew Pontiff was so big?
    • This week – Run Ranger Run started so we did a The Laredo, which ended up being about 3 miles of running
    Warm-Up

    Boo- Boo volunteered to lead the warm-up. It seemed like he had no idea what he was doing when he started with Imperial Walkers, but it turns out he was in full control. Best Warm-up all year: IW x 20; Arm Circles x 10 Forward, x 10 backards; SSH x 30 (Finally); Grass Grabbers x 20

    The Thang

    The Loredo

    • 24 Air Squats
    • 24 Merkins
    • 24 Walking Lunges
    • 400 meter Run

    AMRAP – 11 was the most anyone completed.

    Naked Man Moleskin
    • Two Yutes crushed it. I was pacing him, hoping to humiliate him in the last 40 yards, but I’m old and he’s in good shape, so things didn’t go my way. It’s been impressive to see the gains he has made since joining F3.
    • T-Claps to Boo-Boo for stepping up to lead the Warm-up. He handled it like a pro.
    • Our Workout today was done in memory of Edwardo Loredo.
  • The Jerk- Boo Boo’s VQ

    The Jerk- Boo Boo’s VQ


    “I’m somebody now!” –
    Steve Martin, The Jerk

    February 7 will be my two month anniversary in F3 and what better way to celebrate than with a VQ. Although F3 NOLA has readily accepted me and keeps me motivated, YHC felt that leading a workout was the last piece of the puzzle to fully become a member of F3 NOLA. After all, the essence of F3 is peer lead workouts, and there’s no better way to repay the free workouts and fellowship than to lead a workout! A PAX of five met in the true gloom of fog for a beat down at the new Popeyes AO. A quick disclaimer and off we went.

    • Warm-up: Mosey to a grassy area near the lake and circled up for the following IC exercises
    • 20 SSH
    • 20 Arm Circles (10 forward and 10 backwards, with one nameless PAX counting down instead of up; however, as an untested Q, YHC was determined to keep the count and persevered, LOL! Nice try @revsox!
    • 21 IW
    • 20 Plank Jacks
    • The Thang: We moseyed from the warm-up area to a public sitting area. The PAX split into two groups on either side of the waterway. PAX 1 started at the first bench with five step-ups, increasing one step-up each bench thereafter (10 total benches). PAX 2 started at the first bench with five dips, increasing one each bench thereafter (10 benches total). The PAX assumed the high plank position to wait for the six. PAXs 1&2 switched sides and excercises.
    • After meeting back at the starting point, high plank to wait for the six, the PAX moseyed to the steps of the snack bar and circled up, approximately 50 yards away, for Dora (100 American Hammers-200 Squats-300 LBCs), while the other PAX ran to the steps to complete a Merkins ladder up the steps, six at the bottom one at the top.
    • With less than 15 minutes left, a highly motivated PAX ran approximately 250 meters to the workout equipment area for a quick round of step-ups, pull-ups, dips, and hanging knee-ups, with five knee-ups as the timer.
    • After one round the PAX made a brisk run back to the flag for some Mary, 21 penguins and 15 flutter kicks.

    Count-off, Name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer

    Thanks to the PAX for following my lead and staying motivated to get our money’s worth. Also thanks for the encouragement and support of those who weren’t able to make it to my VQ. Thanks to F3 NOLA for health, happiness, fellowship, and faith. It is truly an honor to lead, especially this fine group of men!

  • Sometimes You Gotta Call an Audible

    I was looking forward to Q’ing Rock City for the first time, so I took some time over the weekend to plan out a beatdown for the PAX. The beatdown was to take place on the track & field inside Pontiff Park; however, due to the rain that came down over the weekend & Monday morning, the track/field were both too #moist for us to use that day. As a result, I had to call an audible & come up with something else for us to do on the fly. Fortunately, on the car ride to Rock City that morning Kuch had mentioned to me that the track/field were too wet to use on Friday as well when he went to the Uptowner, and he told me that they had used the jogging path instead since it was a good bit dryer. So with that fresh in my mind, I issued the disclaimer to the PAX & then the workout commenced.

    • Warm Up: Mosey on the jogging path to the shelter about 250 meters away. Then we lined up around the perimeter of the shelter and did:
    • 25x Side Straddle Hops
    • 20x imperial squat walkers
    • 20x grass grabbers
    • 21x arm circles (11 forward, 10 backward)  
    • The Thang: We mosey’d from the shelter back to the rock pile, and then each PAX grabbed a rock. The Pax was then split up into 2 groups:
    • Group 1: ran 200 meters out & then 200 meters back to the rock pile
    • Group 2: while Group 1 was running, Group 2 was doing the following circuit:
    • 5 standing bench press with the rock
    • 10 curls with the rock
    • 15 shoulder press with the rock
    • 20 squats with the rock
    • _
    • When Group 1 was done with the 400 meter run, we switched, and then Group 2 ran the 400 meters while Group 1 did the circuit. Each group did the 400 meter run & the circuit 3 times. After that, we changed it up a bit and had:
    • Group 1: run 200 meters out & 200 meters back, but this time it was an Indian Run with each PAX carrying their rock during the run
    • Group 2: while Group 1 was doing the Indian Run with their rocks, Group 2 did merkins using their rocks. 10 merkins with the left hand on the rock, and then 10 merkins with the right hand on the rock, and then rinse & repeat as many times as possible before Group 1 got back. Then we switched & had Group 2 do the Indian Run with the rock & Group 1 do the rock merkins
    • After that, we circled up on the grass & did the following exercises in cadence:
    • 15x bench press with the rock
    • 20x bent over rows with the rock
    • 15x American Hammer (with or without the rock)
    • 20x Rocky Balboa’s using the rock
    • 10x burpees (no rock)

    After these exercises were done, Bogey pointed out that time was winding down, so we returned our rocks and Mosey’d back to the flag. Fortunately for the PAX, we still had 2 minutes left when the six reached the flag, so we each did 10 inchworm burpees on our own & then according to the $5.99 watch I ordered off of Amazon last week, we had reached 6:15am (however; according to Rudy’s watch, it was only 6:14am, so he was grumbling that the beatdown had ended prematurely. Classic Rudy, am I right).

    COT: Next we did the count-off, the name-o-rama, & announcements. Hand Grenada had a birthday last week, but the PAX decided a good old fashioned pat on the back would suffice in lieu of having the PAX sing happy birthday to him in unison. Next we did intentions & then closed with a prayer. Thanks for letting me lead, fellas. Enjoyed it!