F3 New Orleans

Tag: Rev Sox

  • A Fill in Fartlekker

    Rudy’s not allowed to Fartlek right now, so he needed a fill in for the 610 Stomp. YHC is an old Fartlekker so it was not a probably for me. I showed up at roughly 0529:40 and gave the disclaimer. It was a beautiful day for a run. Here’s how it went

    • Normal Pace to the NOMA Fountain. I call it the fountain, but there is no fountain, just a lily pond with a huge statue of tri-colored bacon. Upon arrival I gave the instructions. I would call out an effort number from 1-100 (100 being a full out sprint) and a landmark to run to. After reaching said landmark, the pax was to circle back and pick up the 6.
    • 75 to the end of Lelong Drive
    • Easy jog to across Esplanade and down the sidewalk to Moss Street
    • 100 to the first big tree on Moss
    • 70 to the curve
    • Easy jog to Dumain
    • 50 to Orleans
    • 65 to the Lafitte Greenway
    • Easy jog to Bienville
    • 58 to Canal
    • Easy Jog back to Bienville
    • 70 to Conti
    • Avoid the car and truck at the Lafitte Greenway
    • 55 to Orleans
    • 70 to the curve (the real curve) near Cabrini
    • Easy jog to the bridge
    • 60 to Esplanade then an easy jog to City Park until the 6 arrives.
    • Easy Jog to Roosevelt Mall
    • 88 to the Flag
    • Seal the Deal with 20 Burpees
    The Skinny

    If you question the accuracy of the above – you should……my nine year old and Rev Sox both have this in common: they giggled when I announced our exercise this morning. I’ll have everyone know that fartlek is a bonafide Swedish running term used with a straight face by Kinesiology majors around the world no matter how funny it sounds in English……we covered approximately 4.5 miles give or take, depending on how many times you swept the 6. I feel like we got our money’s worth……I was glad to see that so many guys survived Tool’s Big Rock Challenge on Monday. Cowbell reminded me of my own foolishness. Is it better to not be able to perform any of the exercises or admit defeat and take the walk of shame? I contend that the walk of shame is never acceptable…….we had a Recall sighting. He ran with us for a bit on the bayou then peeled off to run the Wisner bridge. Not sure why he is choosing to run alone instead of with the pack. Perhaps it is the shame associated with being a Razorback fan. It does make life difficult, but you have to be tough and overcome it…….sealing the deal is a Stomp Tradition and it brings joy to Fracsac’s heart. Our next site Q needs to make sure it regularly happens ……. speaking of which, thanks to Cowbell for his reign as Stomp Commander. Under his tutelage the Stomp has grown at least two-fold in average attendance. If U.S. Presidents can take credit for economic growth, then Cowbell should be given credit for this ……. next man up. Who will take the reigns at the Stomp and fill the teeny-tiny shoes of Cowbell? From what I can tell, it mostly involves having someone else type your name into the spreadsheet, occasionally telling people to sign up to Q, then ignoring messages on GroupMe from people that need to reschedule their Q until someone else answers them and says that they will take it. You can’t really mess it up, well actually you can, but that takes a very special person.

  • 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

  • RED Friday: The Wittman Hero WOD

    Our prayers go out to our brother Hawg as his mother went home to Jesus Christ after a battle with cancer. Pray for Hawg’s family and especially his father during this time.

    Since Hawg is returning from Arkansas today, YHC picked up the Q for our monthly RED Friday Hero WOD at the Uptowner. YHC searched through Crossfit and F3 workouts for the ideal Hero WOD this morning. After some searching, the perfect workout was discovered.

    On Feb. 4, 2018, Hawg led the first RED Friday workout at the Uptowner with a grand total of 4 participants: Hawg, Big Rock, Little Rock, and the Wall. Hawg muscled through the workout as the Lone Ranger and finished the goal of 7 rounds. Since Hawg was out of town, YHC thought it was appropriate to give the Wittman WOD a second go.

    The Warmup

    28 SSH

    20 Hillbillies (YHC’s form was better than ever after spending two days in Paragould, AR with Hawg’s clan)

    15 Side Lunges

    The Thang

    15 Kettlebell swings with a little rock

    15 Power Cleans with a big rock

    15 box jumps on the Uptowner Wall

    Goal: 7 rounds

    The Results

    Today’s results are a testament to the importance of pushing one another to improve and iron sharpening iron. None of today’s Pax is in the same league as Hawg. Most workouts Hawg stands out as a man among boys as he leads in his flip-flops. YHC was certain all would fail to finish since Hawg only completed 7 rounds last Feb. Everyone hit 8. Hand Grenada finished 9. YHC finished 9 minus the box jumps on the last round. Fast Tax and Riggs finished 8 rounds. My assumption is the accountability of the Pax adds 2 rounds (maybe 3).

    The Honor

    Today’s workout was in honor of U.S. Army Sergeant Jeremiah Wittman, 26, of Darby, MT, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson, CO, was killed on February 13, 2010 , when insurgents attacked his unit with a roadside bomb in Zhari province, Afghanistan.

    He is survived by his daughters Miah and Ariauna, wife Karyn, siblings Robert H., Charity, Jenell, and Natasha, father Robert, and mother Cynthia Church.

    Thank you for the opportunity to lead. Be in prayer for Hawg’s family and Fast Tax as his father struggles with Parkinson and Dementia.

    SYITG

    Rev Sox

  • Old School

    It’s been awhile since YHC was at The Uptowner.  Inertia–and the ability to fartsack for another ten minutes–had been drawing him to Wolf Pack Mountain for many weeks, as it’s just a stone’s throw (well, if Mahatma is throwing stones, not YHC) from YHC’s home.  So back to roots for an old school Beatdown with a PAX of eleven.

    The Thang

    • SSHs 40xIC
    • Low Slow Squats 20xIC
    • Pulses 10xIC
    • Imperial Walkers 20xIC
    • Mountain Climbers 20xIC
    • Peter Parkers 20xIC
    • Merkins 20xIC
    • Parker Peters 20xIC
    • Arm Circles 15xIC forward, 15xIC backwards

    The Main COP:

    • overhead press 15xIC
    • curls 15xIC
    • rows 15xIC
    • squats 15xIC
    • triceps curls 15xIC
    • Peoples Chair for a minute with overhead press 15xIC
    • Peoples Chair for a minute with curls 15xIC

    Rinse and repeat for 10xIC, then again for 8xIC, and then again for 5xIC.

    Mary

    • LBCs with rock 20xIC
    • Flutter kicks with rock 20xIC
    • Hello Dolly with rock 20xIC
    • Dying Cockroach 20xIC
    • WWII situps 20xIC
    • Real Freddie Mercury 20xIC
    • Superman with Y 20xIC, then T 20xIC, then W 20xIC

    Finish with 10 burpees OYO.  Close out with COT.  YHC trusts that the old school beatdown was a good DownPainMent.  Thanks, JV

  • Spartan Redux Adieu

    After finishing the Spartan Super in Alabama last Saturday, I had a great deal to be thankful for. Although I didn’t train enough for the mileage and obstacles, the base of fitness that I gained through F3 was exceptional. Given that most of the beatdowns are 45 – 60 minutes, I was surprised at how well Hokie Pokey, Fracsac and I did for this grueling race. 8.5 miles and 25 obstacles. We all missed at least 6 obstacles and which comes with a pleasant 30 burpee penalty. That’s right, 180 burpees for me and I believe 240 burpees for Fracsac and Hokie Pokey. Although, on paper, it seems impossible, we were all thankful for the F3 NOLA Pax that kept us accountable in our training.

    THE THANG

    No warmup, just grab a rock and three (3) water buckets (35 lbs) and proceed around the park on the path. We walk briskly around the park and do a series of exercises at random intervals.

    30 SSH IC, 30 Mountain Climbers IC, Lunge Walk x 2 on the ramp by the baseball stadium, 30 Burpees, a flow exercise to stretch our hip flexors in a lunge position and the bottom, mid and top floor elevator. As we get back to the rock pile, you guesed it….30 burpees and 15 Red Sun / Yellow Sun Supermans IC.

    Countoff, Namerama and COT. Encouraged to see all the new Qs leading and I encouraged the four PAX members (Fast Tax, Scantron, Vanilla and Grimace) who haven’t Qed a workout to plan on it in the near future.

  • One Last Winter Morn

    8 Pax. Upper 40s. Dry. Still winter at the time of the workout.

    Mahatma was kind enough to allow YHC to take the Q this morning, since I missed my recent Q at Popeye’s. After a disclaimer warning the pax (especially those from Uptown) about the diverse wildlife roaming the park, we headed toward the jogging track on the north end. We gave hurried instructions to Mahatma as he rolled in hot and eventually circled up in the NE corner

    Warm-up
    • SSH x 20 – Rev Sox noticed a tempo change at the end
    • Peter Parker x 33
    • Imperial Walkers x 25
    • Merkins x 10 – tried to keep it nice and slow.
    The Thang

    1st Soccer Field (burpees for the six) – Bear Crawl length (120 yards) Sprint back (100 yards)

    SE corner (planks for the six) – 10! (10 merkins, 10 Squats, 10 WWII Sit-ups, 9 merkins, 9 squats…)

    Southside – lunges for the six

    Outdoor Gym (planks for the six) – 8 Stations. 45 seconds with 15 second rest

    • Burpees
    • Dips
    • Squats (T-claps to War Eagle for pointing out the deficiencies in my form) #TShiftEffect
    • Flexed Arm to Dead Hang
    • Box Jumps
    • Flexed Arm to Dead Hang
    • Dying Cockroaches
    • Flexed Arm to Dead Hang

    Mosey back toward the flag and circle up for Mary (LBCs for the six)

    • Flutter Kicks x 20
    • Keep the feet off the ground
    • Hello Dolly x 15
    • Keep the feet off the ground
    • Flutter Kicks x 10
    • Keep the feet off the ground
    NMM
    • T-claps to Darkwing Duck on his second post.
    • T-claps to JV for finding Lafreniere Park. We were shocked to learn that this was not only his first trip to this AO, but his first trip to the park. #ClassicUptowner
    • T-claps to Triple for completing the Spartan this weekend and continuing to post
    • I didn’t notice nearly as many feral cats this time, but did see a nutria, one roster, and 3 geese. Minimal amount of wildlife today.
    • There seemed to be some mumblechatter concerning the length of the bear crawl, but the pax pushed through and performed admirably.
    • When I visited San Antonio they kept they did not let their feet touch the ground during Mary. I thought implementing this idea was good, but it seemed to meet some resistance, as in most everyone’s feet hit the ground. Maybe I didn’t explain the idea well enough. We were on concrete so maybe concrete was considered ok? Not sure. There were also a few pax complaining about the weight of their shoes. That has a simple solution.
    • Much prayer for those facing cancer.

  • Sticking to the Classics

    YHC and Ya Mom n’dem learned Monday morning as they rode in the Lakeview clown car home from Rock City that Abacus would not be able to Q the Stomp today. Instead of throwing it out to the Mumblechatter in search of a Q, an idea was born: why not do everyone a solid and bring the burpees back? Who wouldn’t appreciate our generosity?

    And so, after a brief yet rambling disclaimer, 16 men set out to do the 610 Stomp our forefathers had envisioned when they created this workout many years ago: 6 minute run, 10 burpees; 3x on the way out, then turn and do it 3 times on the way back. Ya Mom n’Dem kept the time while YHC jsut tried to keep up. The Pax managed anywhere from about 4-5 miles (and however far Smooth ran) in 40+ minutes with 60 burpees thrown in for fun. Definitely a solid Tuesday.

    We closed it out with IC LBC’sx20 and IC crab cakes x15, and then 5 Turkish getups OYO. Everyone made it back to the flag in time, and we welcomed back Woz, who had a strong showing back from several months laid up with an injury. We prayed for those dealing with cancer in our F3 family and extended F3 family.

    This month I’ve tried to focus on appreciating each moment of each day, and making a concerted effort not to waste it. The basic concept is that if you do only what you have to do and what you really want to do, you will have more time to focus on those things, as opposed to procrastinating, playing on social media, or engaging in other non-productive/non-enjoyable habits we form. And so, we reminded ourselves to take advantage of today, but to also be thankful that we are able to – and to never take that for granted, because none of us is guaranteed anymore than this moment.

    Meanwhile, I’m thankful for the privilege to lead this group. – Kuch

  • Don’t Say B.O.M.B.S in an airplane…

    But saying B.O.M.B.S at Popeyes means a great beatdown.

    Warm-Up

    Hillbillies X 20

    Mountain Climbers X 20

    SSH X 20

    Peter Parker X 20

    Arm Circles X  20 (10 forward, 10 backwards)

    Abe Vigodas X 10

    The Thang

    Today, YHC decided to consult the F3 Exicon for an optimal beatdown. The best beatdowns are those where you are intentionally pushed by the man beside you so partner up for B.O.M.B.S.

    As a group/pair complete the following:

    Burpees X 50

    Overhand Claps X 100

    Merkins X 150

    Big Boy Sit-Ups X 200

    Squats X 250

    1st PAX runs to the corner of the walking path while the 2nd PAX works on the exercises.

    Two observations from Popeyes this morning. First, at some point during a week Rev Sox must complain about a workout–today was that day. Second, Popeyes is the only AO where a real chicken may join the workout. They are friendly, resilient, and completely harmess so just keep working.

    Post-Thang

    Mosey to the wall at the entrance of the dog park.

    Dips X 25 in cadence

    Irkins X 20 OYO

    Dips X 15 in cadence

    Irkins X 10 OYO

    Mosey Back to the Flag

    Counterama

    Namerama – Welcome FNG – Darkwing Duck (He is a private investigator by trade.)

    COT

    -prayers for those fighting cancer

    As always, it was a pleasure to lead. SYITG.

  • 43 going on 44

    23 PAX posted in the the dark at Rock City. The effects of the time change were felt as I tried to wake up and get ready to make the trek to Metairie. It was still so dark I could barely see who all had shown up in the dark gloom. At 5:30 The announcement and disclaimer were given and off we moseyed to the grassy area near the rocks for Warm-up.

    Warm-Up

    SSH x 20, Hillbillies x 20, Moroccan Night Clubs x 15, Fwd Arm Circles x 15 Rev. Arm Circles x 15, Mountain Climbers x 20

    THANG1 :

    Grab a Rock – Form 2 lines on the path, walk path around to the hill doing Left, Right, Center with Rock above head (don’t rest it on your shoulder!)

    THANG 2

    Dora 1, 2, 3 First stop at the Hill – Partner up –

    100 Thrusters combined while PAX 2 goes over the hill and back, flapjack. Plank and wait for the 6

    Mosey to the large field with your rock

    200 Curls for the Girls combined while PAX 2 runs to tree line and back. LBC and wait for the 6

    300 Chest Press combined while PAX 2 runs tree line and back. LBT and wait for the 6.

    THANG 3

    Circle up for a Merkin wave. Plank up, Q starts with 10 alternating arm rock push ups, next person starts on second rep and goes around. With 23 PAX there was lots of mumble chatter about the length of time planking.

    6 MINUTES OF MARY

    LBC’s x 43 – (My last beat down at age 43)

    Flutter Kicks x 15, Penguins x 20, Dying Cockroach x 20, American Hammer x 15

    Put up your rock and Mosey back to the flag.

    COT

    Count-o-rama, Name-o-rama, No FNG’s, Very disappointing because I love naming people and then hearing about it the next day. Announcements: Sunnyside for 2.0’s March 17 at Audubon Park – Drew Brees Playground. F2 at Wrong Iron March 21st 6:30 PM. Special Intentions, & Prayed it out with a sweaty ball of man, still in the pitch black darkness.

    Always and honor and pleasure to lead this group of High Impact Men that motivate and drive me everyday to be the best I can be.

    SYITG

  • It’s all about Grip strength

    After the long Mardi Gras season, I think everyone in NOLA is a bit off their game the day after Fat Tuesday….but 5 PAX strong showed up on a cold Ash Wednesday to kick start our morning. Answering the call to fill in for Hawg I showed up with only a minimal plan in mind….we weren’t going to get wet!

    Warm – mosey to the covered pavilion circle up and get the blood flowing.

    • 10 Greg Louganis 
    • 10 low slow squat
    • 10 side lung
    • 20 SSH
    • 10 ea leg scorpion kick 
    • 10 

    Move over to the railing 10 each leg step ups

    Mosey to the center of the park area, circle up for push up ring of fire x 5 then mosey along the running path, stopped at street crossing 5 burpees on your own.  Mosey to the outdoor gym near W. Napoleon.  QIC has been reading the Iron Sharpens Iron chatter and this month Triple Shift has made an emphasis of “grip strength” by performing a Flexed Arm Hang – we started with a 1 minute effort; taking a 1 minute rest then 4 30 sec hangs with 20-30 sec reset in between.  A lot tougher than it may sound, so if you haven’t made an effort to grip the bar yet…..get some!

    Then…While at the gym we broke up into 5 stations – 5 low hang pull ups was the timer, incline merkins, box jumps, dips and elevated leg lifts (again this was harder than it looked).

    Mosey up the running track to the edge of the lake – lined up for some core work: 20 flutter kicks, 10 scoops, 20 more elevated flutter kicks on elbows.

    Mosey back towards the gym, lined up on the side of the track, line of jump squats x 5 x 5.  Rev Sox helped move this along.

    Mosey back towards the start….Oh QIC decided Indian run was best but didn’t communicate completely……It got worked out, last man did 3 push ups then ran to the front and so on.

    Stopped at parking lot, found some measuring points (parking spaces) lunged to one side of parking area performed 10 merkins, bear crawled back did 5 burpees.

    Mosey again – stopped at light poles (3 were in a row before crossing the bridge to the starting point) 10 merkins, 10 jump squats, 10 Catalina Wine Mixers.

    Mosey again – well to the bottom of the bridge – lunged walk up and over.

    Meet at the edge of the lake – another push up ring of fire except this time it was a catch me if you can around the outer parameter of the pavilion.  Kuch put up a good push which got everyone else behind him motivated. 

    Mosey to the starting point – 2 minutes of plank.

    COT – We push our selves to improve both physically and spiritually as solid men that lead.  I’m blessed to have been given the chance to be in a position today to be a part of the Popeyes PAX….Thanks.