F3 New Orleans

Tag: Okwata

  • The Great 8

    YHC was going to fall short by a tenth of a point in the ISI challenge for the month of May.  But yesterday YHC saw an opportunity to take the lead, but was careful not to taunt Shooter from the Northshore and chance getting crushed!  Those NS Pax are relentless!  YHC saw that Shooter was also Q’ing this morning, which meant a fartsack by yours truly was not acceptable.  Thanks for pushing me hard this month Shooter!

    YHC was happy to see 7 others post at Okwata, 7 men committed to improve.  There were three shovel flags planted and the clock showed 0530, which could only mean one thing…..brief disclaimer….and mosey…

    Mosey around the fountain, carioca left, then right, followed by butt kicks.  Circle up on the grassy area in front for:

    Warmup

    SSH IC x 31 – Hawgcycle gave an explanation of why he uses 31 at Pontiff, which is a tribute to the number 31 worn by the great Wally Pontiff who sadly died too young.  YHC has a different reason for the 31, and that is a reference to the ship I served on in the US Navy.  It was the USS Strerett CG-31.

    The Sterett was 547 feet long, with a compliment of 418 men.  I proudly served as part of her crew from December 1988 until April 1992.

    IW IC x 20
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Michael Phelps (Hug Yourself) IC x 10
    Sun Gods IC x 20 (10 fwd, 10 back)

    Mosey to the barre for double shots with Jack Webb

    1 merkin followed by 2 air presses (double shots) in the people chair against the barre.
    2 merkin……..4 air presses
    3 merkin……..6 air presses
    you get the idea
    10 merkins……20 air presses

    Mosey to the House of Pain for Circuits
    Pair up, four stations
    Station 1 – Bear Crawl up levee and complete 5 merkins, run back down (timer)
    Station 2 – Squats (AMRAP)
    Station 3 – Step Ups (AMRAP)
    Station 4 – Pull Ups (AMRAP)
    Rinse and Repeat

    Mosey to a steep part of the levee for 11’s

    1 Squat Okwata side, run up and over, 10 Burpees opposite side
    2 Squat Okwata side, run up and over, 9 Burpees opposite side
    You get the idea – always adds up to 11
    10 Squats Okwata side, run up and over, 1 Burpees opposite side

    The Pax seemed let down that YHC did not invoke the DirtyMacDeuce this day, and especially because this caused them to miss out on the wonderful Catalina Wine Mixers. YHC can’t leave the Pax wanting, so…
    Catalina Wine Mixers IC x 10

    Mosey to the Flag for Mary

    Flutter Kicks IC x 20
    Hello Dolly IC x 20
    Dying Cock Roach IC x 20
    Penguins IC x 20
    LBC’s IC x 20

    COT
    Count off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, Intentions, and Closed with a Prayer.

    Thanks for posting with me today.

    NMM
    Join us for the summer series next Wednesday night. Check your email and Group Me to find how to contribute as F3 is sponsoring. It’s going to be Epic!

     

    SYITG

     

  • Okwata Route 66 and then the Train Ran out of Time

    We had a beautiful Okwata morning with a thundercloud to the south providing special effects.    But, the rain held off.  Disclaimer and then the THANG:

    The PAX moseyed around the fountain and then circled up for the warm-up: SSH 25xIC, Abe Vigoda 15xIC, Sun Gods 10xIC each direction, Imperial Walkers 25xIC, and Peter Parkers 205xIC, and Parker Peters 20xIC.

    Then, the PAX moseyed to the seawall for Route 66 ( 11 stops) staring at the lightpost approaching Canal Blvd. Merkins out ascending.  LBCs back descending.  Low slow squats out ascending. Dying cockroach back descending.  Hello Dolly out descending.  The PAX enjoyed lots of up and down with their moseys.

    To get back for COT, the PAX moseyed to the top of the levee and commenced to Railroad Track back.  The PAX couldn’t take the train all the way because of time, but YHC is going to work Railroad Track into a Q in the future.

    When the PAX reached the flag, Count-o-rama, Name-O-Rama, announcements, intentions, and COT.

    To toil and not to seek for rest,
    Surge

  • Six Pack at Okwata

    YHC arrived at Okwata one year wiser and three flags heavy.  The mugginess seems to be coming back, but Okwata delivered us a nice breeze this morning to keep it at bay.  With the shovel flags planted, the clock turned 0530, which means it’s time for the disclaimer.  Once that’s out of the way, mosey around the mardi gras fountain, carioca left, carioca right, then circle up on the grassy area in front for:

     

    Warm up

    SSH x 31 IC (Because that’s just what we do)
    IW IC x 15
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10

    Mosey to the levee.   No Surge, so it’s ok to bypass the Jack Webb at the Barre……

    Levee Routine

    This is an OYO routine.  8 Burpees on one side of levee, run up and over, 8 squats on the opposite side.  Complete 6 sets.  That’s the best YHC could come up with to get to 48, which Rudy caught onto immediately.

    Mosey to Canal for:

    DirtyMacDeuce

    This is a routine of 4 sets of 3 x 12 four count exercises all IC (One chest, one leg and one core) with a lap between each set. Our lap was an Indian Run up and over and back on Canal between Lakeshore Drive and Amethyst Street.

    Set One
    Merkins x 12
    Copperhead Squats x 12
    WW2 Situps x 12

    Indian Run

    Set Two
    Catalina Wine Mixers x 12 (Ok, so this is a 6 count, but always have to work it in)
    Lunges x 12
    Tin Snips x 12

    Indian Run

    Set Three
    Shoulder Taps x 12
    Monkey Humpers x 12
    Flutter Kicks x 12

    Indian Run

    Set Four
    Copperhead Merkins x 12
    Squats x 12
    LBC’s x 12

    Indian Run

    Mosey back to the flag for

    Mary

    Hello Dolly IC x 20
    Putin’s IC x 20
    Dying Cockroach IC x 20

    COT

    Count off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, Intentions, and closed with a prayer to the Sky Q.  Thanks for posting with me today!

    NMM

    I received many great birthday wishes from the Pax yesterday, which meant a lot.  Thanks for the support, the accountability, and the friendship!

    Happy Birthday DaParish!

    SYITG!!!

     

  • Sunrise over the lake. And some Jack Webb.

    At last, time changes are bringing back the morning sunrise at Okwata.  Best AO in NOLA, if you ask YHC (which no one does.  Their loss.)  The Levee and The Sunrise.  A great way to start the day.  Its unfortunate that the time change also means summer is coming, and with it the morning humidity.  But that’s a small price to pay.  5:30 am, 5 PAX are off to the races after a brief disclaimer.  And after a request from Cowbell not to run too far.  Don’t worry, we won’t be moseying very far today.

    Warm Up:

    Over by the fountain for a typical warmup.

    • SSH x25
    • ISW x25
    • Arm Circles x10 each way

    Plank-up, looking east towards the glorious sunrise.

    • Peter Parker x25
    • Mountain Climber x25

    Jingle Vader points out that perhaps we should have faced west, making it easier to see the sunrise in the east.  Think about that next time you are planking….

    Mosey across the street to find a planter.

    Planter Times

    • Right Leg Step Up x20
    • 10 Box Jumps
    • Left Leg Step Up x20
    • Irkins x10
    • Incline Mountain Climber x20 (YHC DID NOT SAY “get up” AFTER IRKINS)
    • Dirkins x10
    • Decline Parker Peter x20 (again, YHC DID NOT SAY “get up” AFTER DIRKINS.  Thank you Abacus for listening!)

    Pause.  Then Repeat.  Mosey back to the Levee.

    The Levee:

    The Lexicon includes “Everest”, and YHC was curious how that would feel.  So we tried it…

    Lunge Walk Up and Down the Levee with Squats at each step.  “Lunge, Squat.  Lunge, Squat.  Lunge, Squat”.  YHC thought going up would be hard.  He was wrong.  Going Down really sucked.  Go Back Up – but stop at the top.  Surge serenaded us with the Oompa Loompa song.  Thank you.

    2 round of faux-Jack Webbs:

    • 1st Round: everyone in plank, and STAY IN Plank the whole time.  1:4 ratio of Merkin:Shoulder Tap, up to 10:40
    • 2nd Round: everyone on your 6.  1:4 ratio of BoxCutter:LBC, up to 8:32 (time is running short!)

    YHC still has some other JW variants in his back pocket for future Qs.

    House of Pain

    Down the levee to the HOP for 5 stations:

    • Burpees x15 (timer)
    • Pull Ups
    • Dips
    • WWII Situps
    • Wall Sit

    Repeat a 2nd round with 10 Burpee timer.  Then back to the VSF.  Time for a quick round of Slow Cadence Flutter Kick and Dolly.  Need to remember to mix-in the Slow Cadence ab work sometimes.  Good stuff….

    Announcements – several upcoming CSAUP.  Hope to see everyone out at some of these.  Bible Study this weekend.  Barathon.  Summer Series.  Weekender in July.  Close out with a prayer – YHC in particular asks for blessings on his son as he graduates from Jesuit and prepares for his next step in life.  May God be with him, to guide and protect him.

  • Okwata Draft Day

    We had a beautiful Okwata windy morning for the PAX of 10.    The rain held off.  Today is NFL draft day, and the only number YHC can think about is 11.

    Now for the thang:

    The PAX moseyed around the fountain and then circled up for the warm-up: SSH 25xIC, Abe Vigoda 15xIC, Arm Circles 10xIC each direction, Peter Parkers 15xIC, Parker Peters 15xIC, and Imperial Walkers 25xIC.

    Then, the PAX moseyed west to the levee for 11. The PAX started at the bottom of the levee with burpees on one side of the levee and low slow squats on the other.  T-Claps for the entire PAX for sticking with it.  It gets easier every time.

    Next, the PAX moseyed to the House of Pain. Five stations, 2 rounds: Bear crawl up the levee, your choice down (timer); merkins; dips; WWII sit-ups; and pull-ups.

    Finally, the PAX moseyed to the virtual flag for a quick Mary (10xIC each): Real Freddie Mecury, Flutter Kick, Hello Dolly, and Box Cutters.

    Name-O-Rama, announcements, intentions, and COT.

    To toil and not to seek for rest,
    Surge

  • Conquering H8! One Small Act at a Time

    It’s standard convention to end with the Naked-Man Moleskin, but I’m going to stick the important stuff up front.

    NMM

    I’ve learned a couple of things this week from our F3 brothers about how to have impact.  You don’t have to make big waves to have impact, it can result from small acts, but consistency is paramount.

    Triple Shift – If you recently joined F3, you may 1) be surprised to hear that Triple Shift is #Respected among our group and 2) think he is a genetic freak of nature (#AsianAging).  Those of us that were there with Triple in the beginning (and also there when he disappeared for a year and a half) know that he is an average Joe Schmo like the rest of us.  He conqured H8! because he became committed to changing his fitness level a year and a half ago.  When he first tried the H8! he completed 4 and 3/4 laps.  That would have made him the six today, lapped by just about everyone.  So, in a year and a half, he has increased his fitness level by approximately 70% in regards to this test.  Think about that.  That’s impressive results in that amount of time.  How did he do it?  Well, he eats right and he posted over two hundred times last year.  He made changes and he stuck to them.  Consistency works and the results can be dramatic.  So if you aren’t where you want to be, and few of us are, make some small changes to your diet and start posting more.  If you can’t post more then start working harder when you post.  Results will come if you are consistent.  Triple Shift is proof.

    Jingle Vader – I must also say, I was thoroughly impressed with what JV accomplished today.  Another example of the progress consistency creates.  He may have not #ConqueredH8!, but 7 and a half laps is no joke.  That puts him right there with Bubba on that very first H8!  I think he will soon join Rudy and Triple as the President of that uber-exclusive club of respected H8!ers.

    But here is the real lesson I have learned from JV.  On Tuesday I posted in San Antonio. The Q was Madonna, who planted the first flag in San Antonio five years ago  Some of you may remember Madonna from when he posted with us at the Stomp.  When he found out that I was from NOLA he got excited and said that he always tells people this story about new Orleans:  When he posted at the Stomp, he got a ride to and from the AO.  The person that brought him back to his hotel had a clean towel and bottle of water waiting for him when he got in the car.  He was blown away by the hospitality and continues to tell that story anytime anyone talks about New Orleans.  He didn’t provide any names, but I am certain JV is the man that gave Madonna a ride back to his hotel (I think Yankee gave him a ride to the Stomp).  A fairly small gesture in the grand scheme of things, and knowing JV, he probably hasn’t given much thought to it since.  He consistently does that type of thing.  It’s just who he is.  Regardless, it has obviously made a huge impression on Madonna.  Madonna is the leader of F3 San Antonio and, from all accounts, really well respected in that community.  Who knows how much impact this one gesture has made on others as he continues to use it as a lesson in generosity.

    We are all fortunate to be a part of this.  I’m constantly learning from the men around me and being pushed to accelerate and impact the world around me.  Just a couple of lessons I learned this week from a couple of High Impact Men.

    Event:  4th Running of the H8!

    Conditions: 67 degrees and calm

    Field: 10 F3 Nola Pax

    Post your results in the comments below to have a record of your progress.

    The Thang

    Each lap consists of running south to the top of the levee, crossing canal (bear crawling the neutral ground), running south to the bottom of the levee, cross canal and run north to the top of the levee, cross canal (bear crawling the neutral ground), running north down the levee and back across canal to the starting point.  At the starting point you do a descending burp and merk pyramid starting at 8 (bupee with 8 merkins, burpee with 7 merkins, …..burpee with 1 merkin)

    At the end of the 2nd lap the burp and merk pyramid starts at 7, etc.

    The goal is to complete 8 laps in 40 minutes.  According to MapMyRun, each loop is approximately 0.4 miles.  Therefore, to conquer the H8! you will have to do the following in 40 minutes:

    • Run over 3 Miles of Hills
    • 550 Yards of Bear Crawls
    • 36 Burpees
    • 120 Merkins

    We did AMRAP and then moseyed back to the flag.

    Lagniappe Moleskin

    • 50% success rate is our best so far.  Remember we were at 0% just a year and a half ago.
    • T-claps to our new H8!ers Walleye, Mahatma, and Triple Shift.
    • T-claps to Rudy on the 3-peat.
    • T-claps to Mahatma for crushing the H8!  Really glad to have you as a part of this thing.  You are pushing us all to get better, and get better we will.

     

  • No arms… kinda

    From the Tough Mudder almost a month ago, YHC banged up his right arm good and sore.  Although it’s no longer lovely shades of green, brown and yellow, it’s still nowhere near 100%.  So today YHC attempted an armless BeatDown.  He was successful…mostly.

    After a disclaimed, the PAX was off to a new field past the Mardi Gras fountain–with Rudy’s mumblechatter in high pitch.

    • SSHs 30xIC
    • Hill Billies 30xIC
    • Low Slow Squats 20xIC
    • Squatting Pulses 20xIC

    Mosey to the waterfront from box jump reverse-suicides: mosey to the first planter for 10 box jumps, mosey back and then to the second for 9 box jumps, etc., to the tenth planter for 1 box jump.  A nice gasser to finish up the warm up.  Then mosey to the tenth planter for some static pain:

    • Dips 20xIC (here’s where the kinda came in; these don’t hurt YHC’s arm, so there it was)
    • Right Leg Power Ups 20xIC
    • Irkins (same kind of kinda)
    • Left Leg Power Ups 20xIC
    • Dips 20xIC (last of the kinda)

    Then circle up for a Cowbell special: the Hurricane Ho Down.  Seven flutter kicks in a V position with arms in the arm, then seven more with arms extended on the ground, then seven more while leaning on elbows, and then more with a flat back.  Rinse and repeat with six of each, then five, four, three, two and finally one of each.

    Mosey on over to the levee for some Elevens.  At the toe of the levee, ten Big Boy Sit Ups, then mosey up the levee for one squat, then mosey down for nine Big Boy Sit Ups, then up for two squats, etc., until one Big Boy Sit Up at the bottom and ten squats at the top.

    No time left for Mary.  So everyone’s favorite close out: 12 burpees.

    Then Countoff, Name-O-Rama, Intentions and a COT.  Thanks  for letting me Q twice this week.  Birthdays are great.  Everyone should have one at least once a year.  Jingle Vader

  • A Dirty Dozen at Okwata

    The Pax enjoyed another cool, albeit windy, morning at the Okwata AO.  Before long, the gloom will be filled with thick and humid air, so 12 Pax posted to take advantage of it.  YHC pulled up to the AO and was surprised to see our F3 Flag, which could only mean one thing:  Reluctant Yankee was in attendance.  Tagging along with our regional Nantan was none other than OBT, credited as co-founder of F3, which makes him awesome.  Bogey had indicated he may show up this morning, but YHC told him he had to.  That worked?  Cool!

    Several other Pax slowly assembled as the clock approached 0530.  At 0530, YHC took a headcount and found we had an odd number, which was somewhat disappointing, but all would be good.  Brief Disclaimer, and we were off….

    Mosey around the mardi gras fountain, carioca left, then right, then continue our mosey to the grassy area in front of the fountain.

    Warmup
    Just as we started the warmup, the 12th Pax arrived, making us a dirty dozen! YHC could hardly contain the excitement!
    SSH IC x 31
    Imperial Sq Walkers IC x 10
    Hillbilly’s IC x 15
    Mountain Climbers IC x 10
    Peter Parker IC x 10

    With our dirty dozen, it was time to mosey to the levee. YHC was so excited, he forgot about double shots at the Barre with Jack Webb…but that’s ok, the Pax made up for that with the following:

    Burp Back Mountain (There was much rejoicing)
    Partner Up
    Pax 1 does Burpees at the base of the levee
    Pax 2 does quadraphilia up the levee and run back down (always facing Okwata) 3 times, then swap with Pax 1
    Continue until 100 burpees cumulative are completed. Once complete, both Pax continue with quadraphilia until all Pax complete the burpees

    Mosey to the House of Pain (HOP) for stations:
    Partner up
    Station 1 – Merkins AMRAP
    Station 2 – Squats AMRAP
    Station 3 – Step Ups AMRAP
    Station 4 – Dips AMRAP
    Station 5 – Pull ups AMRAP
    Station 6 – Bear Crawl up the levee, 5 burpees, run back down (timer)

    The Pax was killing it, leaving plenty more time for more pain! Mosey to corner of Lakeshore and Canal for, you guessed it, 4 Corners!
    Corner 1 – 10 Burpees OYO – Why? Why not!
    Run up and over levee to Amethyst St and Canal
    Corner 2 – Monkey Humpers IC x 20
    Run across Canal
    Corner 3 – Mekins IC x 30 (up down count)
    Run back across the levee to Lakeshore
    Corner 4 – Squats IC x 20 (4 count, so that’s like 40)
    Run back to corner 1 for….wait for it…..Catalina Wine Mixers IC x 10 (and there was much rejoicing)

    Mosey back to the flag for..

    Mary
    Flutter Kicks IC x 20
    Tin Snips IC x 20 (OBT pointed out that these were egg beaters, but YHC likes to still use Tin Snips as a credit to HVAC)
    LBC’s IC x 30
    Penguins IC x 20

    That took us to 0615, which means…

    COT
    Countoff, Name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and closed with a prayer.

    NMM
    YHC indicated OBT was awesome as a co-founder of F3 because F3 is a gift that YHC wishes more men could experience. I know I’m preaching to the choir, but continue to EH like Triple Shift. T-Claps to Triple Shift for getting F3 NOLA aired by Ed Daniels on WGNO last night!  The Monkey Humpers at Corner 2 brought up some conversation about the camera crew again and the disappointment of not being captured on film…..

    Thanks for posting with me today!  Until next time…

    SYITG

  • The House of Pain

    4 of us gathered around an invisible site flag awaiting that 0530 start time when out of nowhere we hear screeching tires and a revved up engine coming in hot to the parking lot, blinker included.
    Who could it be? none other than our very own (or uptown’s own, we’ll never know) Jingle Vader!

    With 5 strong, a brief disclaimer was said, and we were off.

    Mosey to the lakefront for:

    COP #1 – WARM UP:
    5 min of SSH (ISI) in cadence X 160 #crowdpleaser
    20 X Imp Walkers
    20 X Hillbillies
    20 X J Lo’s

    Mosey to the top of the levee and Canal blvd.
    Running east on top of the levee: Butt Kicks, High Knees, Karaoke L, Karaoke R.

    House of Pain Circuit:
    Round 1:
    Timer- Bear crawl to top of levee, 5 burpees, run down
    Dips
    Merkins
    WWII Sit Ups
    Pull Ups

    Round 2:
    Timer- Bear Crawl up levee, Bear crawl down levee (face first)
    Step Ups
    Merkins
    Russian Twists
    90 Degree hang

    Round 3:
    Timer- 50 X Squats
    Box Jumps
    Elbow Plank
    Dying Cockroach
    90 Degree hang

    Mosey back to the lakefront.
    COP #2 – MARY- DJ Style:
    Two Yutes – 15 X LBC
    Rudy – 20 X Box Cutters (10 each dir.)
    JV – 20 X Crunchy Frog (RIP Shorty)
    Surge – 20 X Flutter kicks
    Cowbell – 10 X Hello Dolly, 10 X Rosalita, 20 X Tin Snips

    Mosey back to the VSF for COT.
    Looking forward to a strong F3 showing at CCC!

    Thanks for letting me lead.

    -Cowbell

  • The 40, Part 4

    Its Okwata Time. That means its Levee time. 40 times.

    11 PAX gathered around the shovel flag this morning in the dark gloom. Alas, no glorious sunrise over the waters of Okwata. The PAX will have to wait several weeks for the morning light to appear during the workouts again. Until then, just gloomy gloom. The PAX welcomed the visitor – Schottenheimer from Cleveland. Thanks for coming out to join us!

    At 5:30, YHC pronounced the disclaimer and so we began.

    First, Mosey 10 yards to the flag (from all the way across the sidewalk). Circle up for warmup, sprinkled with mumble chatter.

    • SSH x25
    • Abe Vigoda x10
    • IW x25

    Then off to the base of the Levee.

    By now, the PAX know the drill.  10 exercises.  4 Sets of each exercise.  10 reps per set.  Back and forth over the Levee for each set.  That equals (do the math….) 40 trips over the levee.

    1. Cross Fit Merkins: Oh, the grass is cold.  And wet.
    2. Box Cutters: Out-Up-In-Down half the time, Up-Out-Down-In the other half.  Shorty finally realizes there’s a difference.
    3. 4-Count Lunges: Triple Shift appears to have mixed signals and went for the 20 reps of 4 count lunges.
    4. Derkins: a new wrinkle – stop half-way down the levee for the exercise.  Slip and Slide trying to stop
    5. Dying Cockroach: Frac rightly points out that Roaches crawl, forcing a clarification from YHC that we were doing the Dying variety.  On our backs.
    6. Bobby Hurley: OK, YHC certainly felt this when running up the hill.
    7. Irkins: stop half-way up the levee for the exercise.
    8. Monkey Humpers: I thought the Bobby Hurley burned….
    9. Hello Dolly: I think that just maybe I saw Mahatma break a sweat.
    10. Burpees: The crowning glory, as Tool was lamenting the lack of burpees in the workout.

    Finished up at 6:08.  We are getting better at this.  That meant we had time for more!  Quadrophelia!  Up to the top of the levee, so we can run forwards-down and backwards-up (i.e., always look to the lake) for 4 minutes.

    Back to the flag with a minute to spare.  Time for LBC x40.

    Finish up with Count-off and Name-o-rama.  Intentions, then close with prayers.  Psalm 40, a song of praise.

    I waited patiently for the Lord;
        he turned to me and heard my cry.
    He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
        out of the mud and mire;
    he set my feet on a rock
        and gave me a firm place to stand.
    He put a new song in my mouth,
        a hymn of praise to our God.
    Many will see and fear the Lord
        and put their trust in him.

    Thanks for letting me lead!