F3 New Orleans

Tag: Kuch

  • New AO — F3 Fairhope

    Kuch and I bumped into each other at lunch at The Grand Hotel in Fairhope, AL, during a little family R&R during the 4th of July weekend. Naturally, we decided to post. And Kuch even EH’ed an attorney colleague also at The Grand for the weekend. We were hoping for a guest appearance by Da Parrish, but his locale was too far away to join us. So the 3 of us met in the morning glory (not gloomy at all) for a holiday heat beat down. The usual disclaimer and off we go.

    A short mosey to the warm-up COP at a gazebo over-looking Mobile Bay. SSH x 20 IC, IW x 15 IC, Arm Circles IC 10 forward and 10 backwards, Grass grabbers x 10 IC, Mountain Climbers x 10 IC.

    We started with a Route 66 along the Mobile Bay boardwalk, with Merkins at each light post, starting with 5 Merkins and ending with 13. We continued the Route 66 on the boardwalk along the bay, marveling at the huge beautiful lake homes. We did WWII sit-ups at each dock, starting at 5 and ending at 15, then continued with 10 squats at each dock for another 10 docks.

    We turned around and moseyed back to the green lawn at The Grand. Then Kuch delivered the real beat down: 11’s with burpees and jump lunges. After the 3rd pass, YHC was out of breath and made the executive decision to switch out jump lunges for LBC’s. It was still brutal enough, and after 55 burpees we were all gassed.

    We moseyed back to our starting point for count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, and a prayer. We named our FNG @Hobbs, so welcome him when he shows up back in NOLA. I forgot to take a pic at the beatdown, but we got one at the pool after. I highly recommend this new AO. Very scenic. Just plan a trip to The Grand.

    Walleye

  • An Extra 5 seconds of Fun

    • Temperature: bad
    • Humidity: bad

    21 men gathered this morning for a Foundry workout. Like the Stomp, this workout – led by Amnesty since the olden days – has continued to grow, and the new faces are welcome additions. In fact, we had a late addition today from Butter, bringing the total to 22. He joined us for the COT, and plans to make some workouts soon.

    Quick Warmup (we’ve got work to do)

    • Mosey to the track
    • ISWx10
    • SSHx20 (some complaints from Amnesty and Bogey about YHC’s failure to instruct the already standing PAX to get in “position” before this one. Leaving this here for their next Q’s, where I’m sure their instructions and cadence will be perfect)
    • Peter Parker Peter x20 each
    • Arm Circles x10 each way
    • Line up in 2 lines and Indian Run to the Foundry

    The Thang: 8 Stations, 4 rounds on a Tabata timer of

    • Derkins
    • Jumping Rope
    • seated dips
    • Burpees
    • Pull-ups
    • Jump Squats
    • Bird Dogs
    • Side to side jumps over the snake

    We’ve done something like this workout a few times, so YHC decided to up the difficulty a bit by changing the timer from 20 seconds on, 10 off, to 25 seconds on, 10 off. That extra 5 seconds took a toll, but everyone persevered thanks to the rocking tunes.

    Quick mosey back to the track for some static stretching led by High Rise because why would I lead stretching when there is an actual physical therapist there who went to school for this sort of thing? T-claps to High Rise for always being up to the task.

    Mosey to the flag, little planking for the ISI challenge this month, and COT and a prayer. Thanks for having me.

  • Celebrating the Real Independence Day

    Celebrating the Real Independence Day

    On July 2, 1776, 13 hardheaded colonies stomped all over their British lords by approving a resolution of independence from Great Britain. YHC’s ancestor John Adams predicted that on July 2nd every year, America would forever celebrate the anniversary of that day with great festivals of pomp and parade, shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illumination from one end of the continent to the other.

    Alas, Americans now celebrate July 4th when the declaration was signed not voted on. As a descendant of the Adams, YHC led the 610 Stomp in a festive July 2nd celebration this morning.

    The 21 men of the Stomp took place in the first ever July 2nd Independence Day Race. A 13 lap race on the City Park Practice Track in honor of the 13 original colonies. The race of 3.25 miles was won by Smooth with a second place finish by Screw Top. May their names be forever remembered in F3NOLA lore. Once 13 men finished the 13 laps, the race was called so the Pax could play one more game in celebration of the Nation’s independence.

    The Pax ran over to the football field for a good old fashioned game of American football. Smooth and Screw Top served as our captains for a school yard pick. Following sloppy play by the QBs, two interceptions and a turnover on downs, team Smooth scored the only touchdown of the game to seal the victory 6-0 in celebration of America!

    The Pax ran back to the flag for the Count Off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, and Intentions. Welcome to F3NOLA to our FNG, Uncle Si!

    Happy Birthday America! May you have 243 more!

    – Rev Sox

  • Not Spartacus

    For those who expected Spartacus, they were disappointed……at first.  After the DISCLAIMER, let’s mosey and take a left out the gage.  In life you have to expect the unexpected.  We circled up in a parking lot by the backside outdoor gym.

    -SSH X 30 IC

    -IW X 30 IC

    -Mt Climbers X 30 IC

    -Arm Circles X 30 IC (15 ea dir)

    -LSS X 20 IC (hold at the bottom)

    Count off “1”, “2”, “1”, “2”…etc…  Form up in two columns, “1”s on left and “2”s on the  right.  Let’s Indian Run to the Rock Pile.  Grab your friend and head to the ball field.  Make two piles, “1”s and “2”s, then line up.  It’s time to move Boss Kean’s Rock Pile.  The pile was moved across the field.  When last rock left the pile, the pax moved to the end to keep going.  Time to move them back.  T-Claps to Mahatma challenging group “1” to see who would finish first….Group “2” did their 10 burpees.  YHC correspondent had the winners, Group “1” do 5 Manmakers…..they’re still trying to figure it out….

    Let’s head to the Spartacus Arena (the shelter). 

    -Shoulder Press X 20 IC

    -Squats X 20 IC

    -Curls X 20 IC

    -Step-Ups Right Leg X 20 IC

    -Step-Ups Left Leg X 20 IC

    -Chest Press X 20 IC

    -Shoulder Press X15 IC

    -Squats X 10 IC

    -Curls X 15 IC

    -Step-Ups Alternating Legs X 15 IC

    -Chest Press X 20 IC

    Times Up!  Take your friends home and mosey to the SF.  Plank and wait.  Countoff, namerama, announcements, shoutouts and a prayer. 

    WELCOME FNG-Coin Star

    Q: Amnesty

    PAX:  Boo-Boo, FNG-Coin Star, War Eagle, Hokie Pokie, Tanner, Dark Wing Duck, High Rise, Billy Goat, Left Eye, Marlin, Kuch, Bogey, Mahatma, Jingle Vader, Reluctant Yankee, Jesus Juice, Rugaroux, Smooth, Scantron, Madulaoblongata, M-Bop, Screw Top, Handgrenada, Amnesty-YHC

  • Competing in the only race that matters

    “Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens.” – Frank Herbert

    Saturday the Mothership and the Muscleship competed. A workout was drawn up, and the groups pushed themselves and their teammates to finish. It was like any other day. All paid the same price, and all got the same result: sleep, sweat, comfort were offered in return for change, improvement, fulfillment. This workout was different, but exactly the same; all competed, and all reaped the rewards.

    In this era of participation trophies and certificates of completion, it may sound trite to say there were no losers. You might even shake your head reading that sentence. In any competition, someone must win, and someone must lose.

    Everyday we compete against the forces that would detract from who and what we are: complacency, laziness, disengagement. Everyday, we take a step toward winning that battle when we rise early and trade in our warm comfortable bed for a chance to change, be better, seek fulfillment. Everyday is another step in winning the only race that matters. Everyday we take that step, we’ve taken a step toward victory.

    For one year now, minus some time on the shelf here and there, I’ve been taking that step. It starts off small enough – show up for some kind of workout out on a Saturday morning and be absolutely destroyed by Disclaimer. That’s how it started for me at least. It felt like the only thing I did right that day, one year ago, was show up. It definitely did not feel like a victory. But urged on by others, I showed up for a few more. And then a few more. And all of a sudden, I was showing up all the time. And things got a little clearer. And the fight became a bit easier. And I began to feel like I was winning it.

    And I’m not the only one. I watch you all improve daily. You inspire me. I watched Angie’s List crank out 25 pull-ups without stopping Saturday. While an accomplishment on its own, that’s not the crazy part. By his own admission, he could not do 1 when he started F3. How’s that for change?

    On Saturday I watched guys do extra to help those around them, not to win a competition. I watched slower guys move faster and faster guys push harder to help the slower guys. At any given workout, I’m the slow guy, the fast guy, or sometimes both at the same workout. But I’m not racing Douille (who I believe was first to finish in our group) or Catfish or Screwtop or any of the other guys who probably ran a faster mile than I could have while fresh. I’m racing against complacency, laziness, and comfort. We all are, and it’s the only race that matters. On Saturday, that battle was won by all.

    Thanks for a great year of helping me fight that battle daily. – Kuch

  • Stomp #200 – Legends of the Stomp

    “What makes you successful? The number one thing is consistency and performance at whatever you choose to do” – Nick Saban

    “Habits matter more than goals. There is a compounding effect of habits in the long run.” – Shane Parrish

    The Stomp was started 4 years ago as a means of training for the Spartan Race. The original 610 Stomp route was down Marconi to either Harrison or Filmore, all the way to Wisner, and then back to the park, stopping every 6 minutes for 10 burpees. It was not necessarily intended to be a consistent weekly workout, but people kept showing up for it and Q’ing it. The same people, in fact. If you look at the BB from Stomp #100, you’ll see a whole lot of familiar faces. https://www.f3nola.com/2017/07/18/610-stomp-99-let-the-celebration-begin/

    It seems crazy on a day like today, 25 strong, that this workout might once have been abandoned, so it seemed only fitting to thank those that shepherded it through the leaner times. Plus, they emailed me. Several times. You got this, right Kuch? You do know it’s the 200th Stomp? Yes, Yes, I know, this is the third email I have received. Right right, just checking. Evidently there was a bit of concern that YHC would neglect his duties as one of the site Q’s.

    So a plan was hatched to honor those that carried The Stomp when no one else was showing up for it and to keep the pax together in groups so that we could push each other and also enjoy a bit of F2.

    Fast Group Legend: Smooth: Smooth is the fastest guy at the Stomp each week, and if we did not let him lead the fast group, he would just run away from it anyway. Every week, while we all run in small groups, Smooth pushes himself to go hard, solo, and rack up more miles than anyone else. In fact, we’re never quite sure where he actually goes, but I’ve heard rumors about him making it to the river and having a cup of coffee before getting back to the flag at the same time as everyone else. T-claps to everyone who ran with him today, and especially Screw Top, who even appeared to keep up.

    Medium Group Legend: Tool: Tool is the reason we run the route we do today. Having run both routes, this one is far superior and involves far fewer speeding vehicles in the pitch black of the tree canopy of Marconi. So thanks to Tool for that, and for his consistency in posting for and leading The Stomp over the past 4 years.

    More Casual Pace Legends: Hawg and Rudy: Again, look back at the list of PAX posting, and you will see both of these guys at the top. Neither ever shies away from leading a workout, whether it’s because Shorty signed up for it, or because they volunteered. Both guys could eat a tub of ice cream and then outrun me, but since they are doing their sub 130bpm runs right now, they were perfect for leading the 10-minute milers. Two of the most consistent posters and leaders F3 Nola has.

    Each group did its own workout led by its Legend. I know Tool had our group doing burpees at every bridge, and Smooth had his group doing merkins at the turn (and still maintaining right around an 8-minute/mile pace). I need a report from the Hawg/Rudy group.

    COT, Name-o-rama, and War Eagle did the honors on the prayer. Hope everyone enjoyed the celebration. – Kuch

  • F3 Quantum Physics

    Eighteen PAX posted this Wednesday to get their F3 fix at The Foundry. Lots of usual pleasantries exchanged as well as some chirping from the peanut gallery as the troops assembled. Nothing fancy in store, just some old and new variations of the tried and true stuff that would hopefully have everyone leaving high as a kite.

    Warmup – mosey down RM with some backpedaling and high knees to get the juices flowing. Peeled off into a field that according to Rudy was mowed, it was not, so we shifted over to some good grass for a COP including IW x20, WM x10, AC x20, LS Squat x20, Goofballs x25, Burpees x5 x5 x5. Then a mosey to….

    Thang #1 – Foundry circuit that was sure to include the original theme of The Foundry workout, improving on pullups. So we broke up into six stations, alternating upper body and lower body, with the following exercises: Pullups, Squats, Body Rows, Burpees x8 (timer), Bench Dips, Big Boy Situps. Two rounds then…

    Thang #2 – After a mosey to the backside of the track, we made our way to the open rubberized area that has seen many a F3 sweatdrops. We lined up by age and split in half, old vs young to see if millineal-ish PAX have what it takes to overtake the more experienced and seasoned PAX. This was a competitive circuit but note the scoring system was far from perfect, due to YHC’s quick and possibly vague instructions.
    Round One – Bear Crawls in one min (line to line):  Old Bucks 89, Young Bucks 60 (numbers may be skewed due to YHC’s quick explanation). Crossfit Merkins in one min: Young Bucks 261, Old Bucks 240. Backpedal/Sprint Relay: Youngs Bucks edged out the Old Bucks.

    Next we did a little test to see if time spent in F3 has a direct correlation to superior speed and strength so we split into two groups, those who have been in F3 more than a year and those less than a year.
    Round Two – Bear Crawls in one min (line to line):  F3 Veterans 94, F3 Rookies 60 (numbers skewed?…each way was one).  Crossfit Merkins in one min:  F3 Veterans 207 (w/one man down), F3 Rookies 192. Backpedal/Sprint Relay:  F3 Veterans edged out the F3 Rookies in a photo finish. 


    Was hoping to do a third round based on height to answer the age old question, does size really matter?   

    It was hard to base an outcome on this and it was mentioned we may have to do this again in the future with more time and a tweaked scoring system.

    Back to the flag for a COT to cap off a another fine morning in the gloom.

    Moleskin/Observations:

    1. Working in pullups in large groups is taking more creativity as the PAX grows….which seems like a good problem to have.
    2. When we lined up by age, it was good to see a healthy mix.
    3. When we lined up by time spent in F3, it was cool to see lots of newer guys, all of which seem to have a gung-ho level that meets or exceeds that of the veterans.

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead and try a few new things.

    Tool

  • Lake Pontchatrain like a champion

    It’s always nice to start the day off with a beatdown on the lakefront. So i issued the disclaimer & we mosey’d to the corner of canal / lakeshore drive to warm up

    WARM UP

    • Side straddle hop – 15 in cadence
    • Mountain climbers – 15 in cadence
    • Arm circles – 10 forward, 10 backwards
    • Concrete grabbers – 15 in cadence

    Next we mosey’d to the concrete planters along the lakefront and we did 11’s with derkins & dips. We started with one dip and 10 derkins, and then worked our way down to 10 dips and 1 derkin. Screw Top & Mahatma were leading the charge.

    Once the 11’s were completed, we mosey’d back to the corner of canal / lakeshore drive and did 2 laps of the following:

    • Run backwards up the concrete part of the levee
    • sprint across the center
    • run down the other side of the concrete levee
    • then when you reached the starting point, you would then do 25 LBC’s

    Next we mosey’d across the street by the lake. We partnered up and then we did 3 sets of sprints:

    • Sprint 1 – sprint to the first light pole and back (about 20 yards) while the other partner planks and waits. When partner one gets back, partner two then sprints to the first light pole & back while partner one planks and waits
    • Sprint 2 – sprint to the second light pole and back (about 40 yards) using same plank & wait technique as first sprint
    • Sprint 3 – sprint to the third light pole and back (about 60 yards) using the same plank and wait technique as the previous 2 sprints

    After the sprints were done, we mosey’d back to the flag for the count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions & prayer. Thanks, as always, for the opportunity to lead, fellas. I enjoy it more each time!

  • 610 Stomp #198 – Year 3

    YHC signed up for the Q at the stomp a few weeks ago for his 3 year anniversary of F3. However, said Q forgot what day it was, until he was rolling in hot. One would think a 3 year milestone would warrant a unique beat down, but nay, it was the Stomp.

    Brief disclaimer, then instructions to run 20 minutes out and back, meet back at the flag for a little extra.

    Upon returning to the flag, we completed:

    Merkins IC x 10 (20 total)

    Seal the deal with 10 Burpees OYO

    COT

    Count off, name-o-rama, intentions, closed with a prayer

    NMM
    Welcome Oops! and Nexium. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of F3 for the last 3 years, it is truly an awesome thing!

    SYITG

  • The 10 Gassers Challenge

    YHC was happy to return from his week long absence due to a family trip to Disney World. While it may be the happiest place on Earth, I feel that everyone with small kids who takes them there will agree that it’s not a vacation, it’s a trip. I’ll leave it at that.

    With that said 11 men met in the gloom on a warm, humid, yet mildly breezy morning at our usual spot. We were blocked from parking in our normal spots due to some cones and a cop car but otherwise everything seemed like a typical morning. Disclaimer was given and off we went to the track.

    Warm up:

    • Frankenstein kicks
    • Butt kicks
    • Carioca
    • Straight leg shuffle (Kuch thought this had a different name but his argument was weak so it was overruled. I thought he was a lawyer?)
    • Closed the gate
    • Open the gate
    • Super Mario punch
    • 400m jog

    Tha Thang – The 10 Gassers Challenge:

    • Round 1: 50m at half speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 2: 50m at half speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 3: 50m at three-quarters speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 4: 50m at three-quarters speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 5: 50m at full speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 6: 100m at half speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 7: 100m at half speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 8: 100m at three-quarters speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 9: 100m at three-quarters speed, backpedal to return
    • Round 10: 100m at full speed, backpedal to return

    Static stretching (each done for 15 count):

    • Seated Hamstring stretch
    • Figure-4 piriformis stretch
    • Kneeling hip flexer stretch
    • Stand quad stretch (done with partner for balance)

    Lagniappe:

    • Mountain climbers x 10 IC into 100m full speed sprint
    • Merkins x 10 IC into 100m full speed sprint

    Mary/Plankorama:

    • Forearm planks x 30 sec
    • Side planks x 30 sec each arm
    • Single leg planks x 30 each leg
    • Alternate arm/leg forearm planks x 15 sec each

    Mosey back to the shovelflag, countorama, nameorama, announcements, intentions, and sweaty ball of man.

    Glad to be back and thankful for a safe trip. Look forward to leading the PAX for my next Q.