F3 New Orleans

Tag: High Rise

  • These are a few of my favorite things

    14 Pax including 1 FNG posted in the gloom at City Park next to the imaginary flag.

    The QIC (YHC) was commemorating a belated birthday Q (first Q in over a year), and thought it would be fun to do a few of his favorite things. But first, a quick mosey to the grassy neutral ground for a little warm-up COP.

    • SSH – in cadence x 20
    • Hillbillies – in cadence x 15
    • Self Love – ic x 10
    • Merkins – ic x 10
    • Slow Windmills – ic x 10 (or was it 15?)
    • 10 Burpees on your own

    Then the Pax followed a slightly lost Q to “the Refinery” – a bit farther away than YHC remembered for some simple exercises in groups.

    • Burpess x 10 for the count
    • jump the snake
    • pull ups
    • dips
    • knee ups

    And with all that out of the way, the fun was about to begin. Mosey over to the big grassy area next to the water – it was nicely lit by the construction lights at the Children’s Museum. Pax put on a show for the construction fellas.

    First: Tabata!! (20 seconds on, 10 seconds off x 8)
    Exercises: mountain climbers, burpees, squat jumps, lunges, and repeat.

    Now that the PAX was nicely lathered up, some more fun was to come: Animal movements! Out about 10 yards and back, 5 burpees then the next movement.
    Movements: bear crawl, frog jumps, crab walk, shoulder rolls (followed by dizzy burpees)

    There was some mumble chatter about this time, especially about prickers and dizziness. YHC was having a blast.

    On to the climax of the morning – mosey to the track for … 1000 meters of Hades!!
    Run/sprint 400m, walk 100m
    Run/sprint 200m, walk 100m
    Spring 100m, walk 100m

    By now, we had run out of time for anything besides the short mosey back to the imaginary flag and the COT where we named SlowJo.

    Happy birthday to me.

  • “F3 Has Changed My Life”

    In a feat only New Orleans can accomplish, the PAX arrived to a cool yet muggy morning at 5:30 today. The sun might even have been peeking through the clouds as we set off into the humid air for a run. With the H8 last week, the new sprint workout, and the general level of intensity at the workouts lately, YHC thought a simple run this morning – no burpees, no sprints, no Mary – would be a nice change of pace. And so, that is what we did.

    One of the nice things about a run is that it gives you time to talk. I personally got to run with several different PAX and catch up on all the latest. Among those I was able to run with was Steinbrenner from F3 Memphis, who is in town for a convention. We traded some war stories, learned we were both former high school wrestlers with a tendency to eat an entire large bag of chips in one sitting, and talked about the myriad ways F3 had affected our lives. Somewhere along the way, he looked me in the face and said “F3 has changed my life”.

    Later I went to lunch with a friend, and we were joined by another PAX member from this morning, Briefs. Briefs is new within the last month or so, but you wouldn’t know it from the workouts. As we were walking out of the restaurant and chatting about the run this morning, he looked me in the eye and said “F3 has changed my life.”

    They say good things come in threes, and it is F THREE, so I will say this much: F3 has changed my life. I think the myriad ways in which this statement is accurate are well known to all of us, and to suggest it’s only a physical change would be silly.

    So thanks to all of you for that, as well as the opportunity to lead this morning.

  • 21 – Blackjack Baby!

    So I googled “blackjack quotes” and the following was the first one that appeared.

    “I like to play Blackjack. I am not addicted to gambling. I am addicted to sitting in a semi circle. ” Modify as needed – “I like the count-off and name-o-rama and intentions. I am not addicted to F3. I am addicted to the COT and standing in a circle.”

    The Lakeview clown car pulled up to the front of the museum with just a few minutes to spare this morning. After a quick disclaimer, the PAX moseyed for a warm-up run around the Museum and settled back on the grass in front of the lake for warm-ups as follows:

    SSH x 21, Windmills x 21, Peter Parkers x 21, Nolan Ryan x 21 (R & L), Merkins x 21 (this was input from youngest son last night when planning Q) and finish warm-up with some self love for one minute.

    Thang 1 – searched the F3 lexicon last night and stumbled across the “Blackjack” – we moseyed back to the area by the Muscleship flag, look up and see the Mothership PAX approaching/crossing the railroad tracks – like a scene from West Side Story, Romeo & Juliet, or possibly Revenge of the Nerds, a battle seemed imminent. Some mumblechatter ensued between the PAX and the Mothership PAX proceed to greet us with monkey humpers, but the Muscleship PAX cannot be distracted and remained focused on the beatdown and the F3 task at hand. Blackjacks – similar to 11’s, but better – ie. 21’s. Start with one Merkin, run three trees, then 20 LBC’s. Continue 21’s until 20 merkins and 1 LBC. The PAX powered through the end for the last 20 merkins. Apologies to Chips for not providing clearer instructions to the PAX. You may have done a few more LBC’s but your abs will be thanking you tomorrow.

    Thang 2 – continuing with the “21” theme we moseyed to the neutral ground in front of NOMA and lined up in single file line facing the museum for some 21’s. SSH x 5 in cadence. SSH 6-21 done in silence and PAX to stop at 21. Abacus, the Q, lost count and did one too many. No penalty burpees.

    Thang 3 – son Joel suggested toe-taps, aka Rocky Balboa’s. So the PAX did 100 Rocky Balboa’s on neutral ground by NOMA. 20 second rest then another 100 Rocky Balboa’s.

    Thang 4 – sensing the PAX shoulders were still steaming from the 21’s, we altered the Q’s plan and moseyed to the deck in front of the lake by NOMA. Time for some leg work. “Aiken legs” done in succession with no rest – Squats x 21, Lunges x 21, Box jumps/step-ups x 21, and Monkey Humpers x 21. 20 count recovery. Rinse and repeat a second time. The Q did not want the legs to miss out on the work-out.

    Thang 5 – short mosey back to the flag for the “Bear Crawl Ring of Fire” – circle up near flag and bear crawl in counter-clockwise motion. Upon direction from Q, stop and do 10 merkins. Resume bear crawl again. 10 additional merkins. Close out the last few minutes with some flutter kicks x 21 and warrior one stretch poses.

    Circle-up for count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, and intentions. Thanks to Kenner-Brah for reminding the 10 PAX of the importance of thankfulness and gratitude. Well said. Weather was perfect this morning, with sunrise over the lake by NOMA, slight breeze. Soon enough we will be working out in the “dog days” of summer. Thankful for the support and opportunity to lead the PAX this morning.

  • Coupon H8

    YHC is nothing if not not creative. After employing the pax at Popeyes a couple weeks back to transport coupons back to the flag, and noticing how little fun we all had doing it, the idea of a coupon run was born. Luckily, I overbought pavers a while back for a backyard project, and not wanting to do the walk of shame to return some pavers that each cost about 50 cents, we now have some “square running coupons”. They shall be referred to as the SRC’s henceforth, and they will always have been bought for the good of the F3 Nola pax, not my much smaller than expected backyard project.

    Warmup

    • Mosey to the center of the intersection with some high knees and butt kicks
    • SSHx20
    • Arm circlesx20
    • Parker Peterx20
    • Hold for planking on each hand
    • Open the gate, close the gate
    • LSSx10

    Station 1

    An abbreviated H8 with the SRC’s. Grab 1 in each hand, run to the top of the levee, deposit them, bear crawl across, run down to the bottom, straight back up, bear crawl across, retrieve SRC’s, down to the bottom at Lakeshore Drive for 5 Manmakers w/ the coupons. X 4.

    A few Pax completed 5 and even got in some Bernie Sanders while they waited for the slow guys, i.e., YHC to complete their 4th.

    Station 2

    Indian Run to the end of the levee on the concrete, where we got in a bit of Mary.

    • Crab Cakes x20
    • Absolution x10 (pretty sure I messed this one up again – going to need another demonstration the count, Triple Shift)

    Mosey down the levee and back to the flag, led by our FNG, Chips. Chips was EH’d by Hokie Pokey, and he put in a hell of an effort for his first workout. I saw he posted the next day at The Uptowner as well, so if you have not met him yet, you’ll probably see him soon. He’s a great addition to F3 Nola.

    We also bid farewell to Cowbell, who is going to the Northshore. Our loss, their gain. Cowbell is a quiet leader who pushes hard and helps those around him. Hopefully we’ll SYITG from time to time.

    Thanks for having me. I see the next month is covered, but we have been having some difficulty filling Q’s for Okwata. This is the best time to sign up for Okwata, as the days get longer, and we get absolutely beautiful sunrises over the lake. Show up for an Okwata or two when you can, and then sign up to lead one. With so many options for exercises, it’s truly one of the great AO’s we have. – Kuch

  • I Feel the Need

    The newest F3 Nola workout exploded on to the scene today with a Pax of 6. This was my first workout with Rudy since he has been back. It was nice to have him keep me accountable on the time as I started one minute late with the disclaimer.

    Warm-Up

    I believe this AO will prove to be high risk / high reward so the warm-up will prove to be the most important part of the workout. Today was cooler than normal so it became extra important.

    Jog to the track and continue for one lap (About 1/3 of a mile).

    • Lunge walk x 10 each leg
    • Elephant walk (Reach down with your right hand grabbing the toes on your right foot and pull up on them for 2-3 seconds. Take three steps and repeat with left foot, yadda, yadda, yadda.
    • High knees
    • Butt kicks
    • Carioca right then carioca left
    • Exaggerated Skip aka Super Mario
    • Short sprints with recovery (10 yards, 20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards, 50 yards)
    The Thang

    We ran a mile for time to set our baseline. The plan is to check our progress in 3 months or so. Here are the times:

    • El Guapo: 7:01
    • High Rise: 7:54
    • Kuch: 7:29
    • Rudy: 7:09
    • Screwtop: 6:48
    • Hawgcycle: 6:37

    After finishing the mile we did some more stretching: Butterfly and Hamstring.

    A few more sprints: 220m at 75%, 110m at 50%, finished with 3 100m sprints at full speed

    Cool Down

    Easy Jog for 330m followed by lunges x 10 each leg and a mosey back to the flag for COT.

    The Skinny
    • Cool morning so the long warm-up was necessary. I stuck with my plan in spite of Rudy’s mumble chatter. To tell you the truth, I enjoyed it. It’s been a while. It’s possible that I started a minute late and extended the warm-up just to hear his sarcasm.
    • Kuch and Screwtop set the standard for the 100m sprints.
    • Screwtop and YHC both left the track a little gimpy. Based on early returns there is only a 33% chance of getting injured at this AO. This is better than I envisioned. The risk is high, but I think the reward will be greater.
    • Screwtop stepped up to take the next Q. Don’t miss out.
    • Still looking for a name. I’m good with “Need for Speed” if nothing else emerges over the next week or so. After he set the bar for the first two 100m sprints, we could go with “The Kuch is Loose.”

  • 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!

  • 4-getta-bout-it


    It was a beautiful Thursday morning on the lakefront last week. After a little chatter amongst the PAX, I issued the disclaimer and we mosey’d to the corner of lakefront drive / canal blvd. Once there we commenced with the warmup:

    • side straddle hops – 20
    • imperial squat walkers – 15
    • grass grabbers – 15
    • peter parkers – 15
    • arm circles – 10 forward, 10 backward

    Seeing as how the H8 was coming up in 2 weeks, I thought it might be good to do a little H8 pre-work. After Kuch’s Q at Popeyes on Wednesday, the LV clown car was talking about some different TV shows, and one of the shows that came up was the Sopranos. Anytime i think of that show, the word “for-getta-bout-it” comes to mind. Well since i was thinking of that show at the same time i was trying to think about what exercises to use during my Q, a nice exercise creation was born. It would aptly be called, the “4-getta-bout-it” and it would entail 4 figure 8 laps up & down the paved part of the levee with bear crawls across the center (just like the H8). We would also do a burpee / merkin ladder like the H8 as well. The difference with the 4-getta-bout-it would be that the PAX would have to run up each of the levees backwards (Bernie Sanders style backwards). So the good news is that it would be only 1/2 of the laps as the H8; the bad news is that running up the levee backwards is not what most people consider fun. Ultimately, all of the PAX completed the 4 laps (Smooth actually completed 5 laps, which has come to be known as the “High Five”), and then after a brief 20 count from Cowbell, we mosey’d to the benches. Once to the benches, we did the following:

    • dirkins – 15
    • squat jump clockwise to next bench
    • left / right leg step ups (10/10)
    • squat jump clockwise to next bench
    • dips – 15
    • squat jump clockwise to the next bench
    • irkins – 10
    • squat jump clockwise to the next bench
    • windmills – 15
    • squat jump clockwise to the next bench
    • LBC’s – 15
    • squat jump clockwise to the next bench
    • dying cockroaches – 15
    • squat jump clockwise to the next bench
    • flutter kicks – 15
    • squat jump clockwise to the next bench

    Once completed, we mosey’d back to the flag for the announcements, intentions and the prayer. As always, thanks for the opportunity to lead, fellas. It’s a pleasure grinding through the beatdowns with y’all!

  • A Track so Soft you can run in Mandals

    While this title refers to everywhere if you happen to be Hawg, most of us resort to our carefully fitted and selected-for-foot-type running shoes. However, we could all borrow a page from Hawg’s book (maybe minus all the straps) and run barefoot on the track at Lafreniere. It’s some kind of composite rubber wizardry that feels both springy and cushioned at the same time, never leaving my knees hurting the next day.

    The other great thing about Popeyes is the dedication of Rev Sox. Most of us post, Q from time to time, and make a comment on the mumblechatter every once in a while. Rev has done everything in his power to get a great AO going out in the depths of Metairie, first manning a workout that regularly averaged only a few attendees, and ultimately moving it a bit closer in to an even better location, never giving up on it. This has already paid dividends in forcing some newer guys to step up, and drawing some new blood from that area. So T-claps to Rev Sox for a job well done. Repay his service by making your way out to this AO every once in a while, and I doubt you will be disappointed.

    The Workout

    Speaking of disappointment, I’m sure the PAX was less than thrilled when 5:30 struck, and YHC was nowhere to be found. The LV clown car was moving a little slower than usual this morning, and we had a few coupons to place, so we pulled up at 5:31 sharp, and the PAX, to its credit, had already moseyed and was doing some SSH, where we joined in for:

    • SSHx25
    • Arm Circles forward and back
    • Hill Billies
    • Peter Parker / Parker Peter

    Next, YHC asked for directions for the easiest path to the workout area where the coupons awaited. Helpful locals Boo Boo and Pai Gow showed us the way and off we set on a brisk mosey to the workout area for the thang:

    6 Stations, Rotating

    • Absolution x10 (timer – I messed these up a bit and excluded the plank jack when down on elbows. My mistake). Everything else, AMRAP
    • Arnold Press with pavers, drop set
    • Turkish Get-ups w/ 5 lb dumbells
    • Straight legged deadlift w/ 10 lb kettlebells (bought a couple of these – if anyone ever wants to use them, I can bring them)
    • Kettlebell swings with cinder blocks
    • Hang from pull-up bar as long as possible.

    PAX was encouraged not to cheat yourself. Get every rep. Don’t do 9.5. Don’t lose form. Don’t cut corners. Don’t be afraid to take as long as necessary to complete an exercise. Inspiration: I read this post yesterday, and it made me rethink some of my recent workouts – did I do all 60 burpees yesterday, or did I accept 57 or 58? Do I always do every merkin, or am I afraid of everyone finishing before me? Great read:
    https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=683278642142599&id=100013814083617

    After that, we sprinted across the field and bear crawled back, where High Rise took over:

    • Wife pleasers w/ legs on bench x15
    • Single leg wife pleasers w/ legs on bench x10 each leg
    • W’s x20

    I’d promised High Rise more time, but had also underestimated the time it would take to get back to the flag. Plus, this time we had coupons. So we finished up with a 5-minute coupon run to the flag, where we all learned that it actually kinda sucks to run with a cinder block. Good to know for future reference. We also left some pavers behind with Rev Sox, so Popeyes now has some coupons.

    Some brief announcements, notably, the 5K run at the Belle Chasse base this weekend, and Rev prayed us out. Come be a part of the great thing we’ve got going at this AO. – Kuch

  • Let’s Grow This Thing!

    So, when YHC arrived at the Mothership he was wondering how many PAX would show up as the Northshore was hosting their Convergence and 3 yr. anniversary.  Congrats Northshore PAX!  Happy to hear there was a strong contingent of Southshore PAX to help you celebrate.  With that, I was quite surprised to see 10+ PAX upon my arrival at the Flag.  This quickly grew to 20+ PAX.  Many new faces amongst the group.  As I said the disclaimer, I asked if there were any new guys to F3.  Four men yelled out. Nice job PAX on the EHing.  And we are off!

    Mosey to Great Lawn for Warm Up:

    Line up in single line.  All exercises into Q yells Halt

    • Walking Soldiers
    • High Knees
    • Butt Kicks
    • Carioca
    • Defensive Slides

    Circle up for additional warm-up:

    • Forward Arm Circles I/C X20
    • Reverse Arm Circles I/C X20
    • Imperial Walkers I/C X20

    Mosey to Blocks for:

    Block Work-Out

    • Curls I/C X20
    • Military Presses I/C X20
    • Rows I/C X20
    • Alternating Merkins with one hand on Block I/C X20
    • Chest Press on Six I/C X20
    • Flutter Kicks Holding Block Up I/C X20

    Indian Run to Practice Track for Dirty McDeuce

    1st Set

    • Merkins
    • Monkey Humpers
    • Crunchy Frogs  

    1 Lap around the track

    2nd Set

    • Diamond Merkins
    • Jump Squats
    • Hello Dollys

    1 Lap around the track

    3rd Set

    • Staggered Right Merkins (Right Foot over Left Foot, Thanks Peppah!)
    • Lunges
    • Real Freddie Mercurys

    1 Lap around the track

    4th Set

    • Staggered Left Merkins (Left Foot over Right Foot)
    • Copperhead Squats
    • LBC’s

    1 Lap around the track

    All of the above exercises done in I/C X12

    Mosey Back to Peristyle for short series of stretches

    Count-off, Name-o-rama (4 FNG’s Baloo for Jungle Book Character, Dancing Queen because he tried to name himself and he’s a swing dancer, swinger?, UnBelizeable because he is from Belize and is 60+ and killed the workout, Gideon because birth name is Ben Bible, need I say more), Announcements and Prayer

    Thanks for the honor of letting me lead.  As I looked around the CoT, YHC saw many new faces not just FNG’s.  This is a testament to all the PAX who are sharing this gift called F3. 

    LET’S GROW THIS THING!

  • My 45 minute birthday party

    Party of 16 was ready to celebrate my birthday one day late.

    Gave the necessary disclaimer and off we went.

    Mosey around the fountain and circle up in the grassy area for:

    COP #1: Warm Up

    31 X SSH

    31 X IW

    31 X PP

    15 X JLO

    15 X LSS

    15 X Windmill

    Mosey down to the lakefront to get a little mid post Mary in:

    5 X LBC at Lightpost 1 increasing reps by 5

    continue until reps = 40

    Mosey further down the lakefront to a parking lot between the shelter and levee for:

    7 of Diamonds- pax split up into 4 groups, 2 on top of the levee, 2 in the parking lot- to make a diamond, or rectangle, or square….

    Perform each exercise, rotate, and increase next exercise by 7 reps.

    7 X Burpees

    14 X Flutter Kicks

    21 X Merkins

    28 X Can’t Remembers

    35 X Squats

    28 X Can’t Remembers

    21 X Merkins

    14 X Flutter Kicks

    7 X Burpees

    Mosey to a grassy area for:

    COP #2: Jack Webb

    1-10 Merks with 2-20 Air presses

    Time to head back to the flag, we moseyed along the lakefront with 2 sudden change stops of 5 X Burpees OYO.

    COP #3: Mary & Light Stretching

    31 X American Hammer

    31 X Crunchy Frog (crowd pleaser)

    Mosey across the street to the flag

    Countoff, Name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and prayer

    Welcome El Capitan!

    Thanks for letting me lead again,

    Cowbell