F3 New Orleans

Tag: The Birdcage

  • Efficiency – from Akbar

    YHC has been working with Whacker helping cut yards for the past month. One thing that I’ve learned is the efficiency in which he works. Active, productive, profitable, skillful, decisive, effective, valuable, proficient, organized. It’s not like when we cut our own yard: chilling to tunes, stopping to talk with the neighbors, maybe looking forward to a cold beer afterward. This is an operation to get finished as soon as possible.

    For example, tight and wide. You cut the smaller spaces first toward the street, then the larger ones working back toward the house – this makes clean up more efficient. Don’t cut other people’s grass, even it’s a patch of grass the size of a shoe box. If you do, you’ll get yelled at by a screaming man running toward you with a weed eater. Snake mow only when the grass is shorter, box cut when it’s growing to make clean up more efficient. Mow the edges of the yard first, watch out for protruding or non-protruding items in the yard (stumps, toys, power lines). Don’t wear dark sunglasses.

    Drive fast in between jobs – rolling stops are permissible at stop signs. Blow grass with the wind. Eat something, drink lots of water, and don’t use the bathroom until the jobs are finished.

    In pondering these recent adventures, efficiency was on the mind. What kind of beatdown covers all the bases without being too complicated? 7’s and 11’s

    PAX: Akbar, Wicket, Jose 10k, Hogsbreath, Zoolander, Russo, Minnow, Maverick, Bird, Grover, Hammer, JV, Trucoat, Waterpik, Sogo, Brexit

    Warm up x10-20 IC:
    SSH, Mountain Climbers, Mummy Kicks, Grass Grabbers, Windmills, other stuff

    Thang:
    Mosey up and down the Lakefront, stopping for 7’s, then 11’s, rinse and repeat. All exercises started on the wall, with a 60 foot mosey to the sidewalk to perform exercise #2, then a mosey back.

    7’s Dirkin, Army Crawl, Mountain Climber
    11’s Freak Nasty, flying nun (lunge walk with arm circles), Twinkle Toes (Al Gore calf raise)
    7’s Wall Jumps, Bear Crawl, Hand Release Merkins
    11’s Stone Mountain, High Knees, Renegade Row

    7:19 am, Lightning round
    7’s Bouncy Squats, run, Superman’s
    11’s Al Gore Shoulder Clap, run, Scuba Steve’s

    Indian run back to the flag for Mary

    Mary
    Mountain Climbers x20 IC, LBC’s x20 IC
    30 Merkins OYO courtesy of Wicket

    Name, count, and YHC prayed us out.

    Announcements
    Memorial Day Murph at the Marsh Monday, Jose has Q with Coffeeteria after
    Hogsbreath retirement party at Faubourg Brewing June 10, 5-7

    NMM
    • Great to have Brexit join us again
    • One thing YHC loves about 7’s and 11’s is the Mumblechatter. There was a whole group on the far side that quoted movie lines pretty much the whole workout. Gives you a chance to catch up with everybody, like switching conversations on a speed date, but you aren’t trying to date the other dude.

    Thanks for following my lead. SYITG – Akbar

  • Flicker Ball 2023 Installment – from Zoolander

    15 proved fit for the 2nd flicker ball installment in 3 years on the North Shore. The game warm-up included two rounds of a lung-busting core medley (mountain climbers, V-ups, supermans, squats with jumps, and side-touches) and some soccer ball Merkins. Teams were arranged based on age with Wicket and Barely Legal captaining a Juniors versus Seniors match-up. The game went back-and-forth, needed instant replay at one point to dispel a goal debate as heated as Crystal or Tobasco, and even a flawless Scissors Move was sighted within the Junior’s ranks (Zoolander). Fancy moves were no match for Akbar and the Senior’s stiff defense. In the end, Dangerfield’s Zioned shoe was all it took to unleash his barefoot speed with Senior ace’s Bird and Waterpik on his flanks. The Senior’s long-range shooting, including Jose 10k’s Steph Curry range peppering, bested Cowbell’s golden cleats and the Junior’s fancy playmaking, leaving the Juniors bent over gasping for air and petitioning for a re-match. The work-out ended with the introduction and naming of the newest member of F3 North Shore, “Brexit.”

  • The Old Guy Leads a Little Burn – from Mobydick

    YHC ie the Old guy’s first Marsh was a round out of the Leg and Arms of the Gipper and A1c
    Think Core and more core.

  • Angry Whopper – from King Kong

    Today is my 45th birthday! I woke up earlier than normal so that I could drop off 5 coupons in front of Audubon Zoo. I wanted to mix in some weights for our workout.

    Warm-up exercises on the great lawn in front of Audubon Zoo:
    10 x Windmills
    10 x Grass Grabbers
    10 x Self Love
    10 x Forward Arm Circles
    10 x Hill Billies
    20 x SSHs
    15 x Imperial Walkers
    25 x SSHs

    After warm-up exercises, we moseyed to the statue in front of the Zoo. Divided into five groups of 5.

    Five stations – Station 1 (Curls x 20 is the count), Station 2 (Alternate Step-ups), Station 3 (LBCs), Station 4 (Leg Raises), Station 5 (wall sit with overhead claps). Rotate in clockwise. Once each group finished all 5 stations, rinse and repeat for Round 2. Somehow during the rotation, Whopper pulled a Hulk and broke one of coupons. After we finished the 2nd round, we formed 2 lines. People Ran to Magazine Street and back with the coupons.

    Back to the five stations except this time with different exercises.
    Station 1 (Overhead presses x 20), Station 2 (Declined shoulder taps), Station 3 (LBTs), Station 4 (V – ups), Station 5 (wall sit with seal claps). Rotate in clockwise. Once each group finished all 5 stations, rinse and repeat for Round 2.

    Quick mosey to the lawn in front of the zoo.
    1) 15 hand released merkins then sprinted to the other end of the field. 15 more merkins and sprinted back to where we started to finish with 15 more. Total = 45 reps.
    2.) same as 1) except we did squats instead of hand-released merkins.
    3). same as 1) except we did burpees instead of hand-released merkins.

    Arrived back at the flag at 6:16 a.m.

    I gave a shout out to Angie’s List for Eh’ing me 5.5 years ago because F3 has become a big part of my life and routine. I look forward waking up at 5 a.m. to meet up with the Pax. I am thankful and grateful for my health. I hope I have many more birthdays to celebrate with my family, friends and Pax. Never take my health for granted.

    SYITG

    Kong

  • Angry Whopper – from King Kong

    Today is my 45th birthday! I woke up earlier than normal so that I could drop off 5 coupons in front of Audubon Zoo. I wanted to mix in some weights for our workout.

    Warm-up exercises on the great lawn in front of Audubon Zoo:
    10 x Windmills
    10 x Grass Grabbers
    10 x Self Love
    10 x Forward Arm Circles
    10 x Hill Billies
    20 x SSHs
    15 x Imperial Walkers
    25 x SSHs

    After warm-up exercises, we moseyed to the statue in front of the Zoo. Divided into five groups of 5.

    Five stations – Station 1 (Curls x 20 is the count), Station 2 (Alternate Step-ups), Station 3 (LBCs), Station 4 (Leg Raises), Station 5 (wall sit with overhead claps). Rotate in clockwise. Once each group finished all 5 stations, rinse and repeat for Round 2. Somehow during the rotation, Whopper pulled a Hulk and broke one of coupons. After we finished the 2nd round, we formed 2 lines. People Ran to Magazine Street and back with the coupons.

    Back to the five stations except this time with different exercises.
    Station 1 (Overhead presses x 20), Station 2 (Declined shoulder taps), Station 3 (LBTs), Station 4 (V – ups), Station 5 (wall sit with seal claps). Rotate in clockwise. Once each group finished all 5 stations, rinse and repeat for Round 2.

    Quick mosey to the lawn in front of the zoo.
    1) 15 hand released merkins then sprinted to the other end of the field. 15 more merkins and sprinted back to where we started to finish with 15 more. Total = 45 reps.
    2.) same as 1) except we did squats instead of hand-released merkins.
    3). same as 1) except we did burpees instead of hand-released merkins.

    Arrived back at the flag at 6:16 a.m.

    I gave a shout out to Angie’s List for Eh’ing me 5.5 years ago because F3 has become a big part of my life and routine. I look forward waking up at 5 a.m. to meet up with the Pax. I am thankful and grateful for my health. I hope I have many more birthdays to celebrate with my family, friends and Pax. Never take my health for granted.

    SYITG

    Kong

  • My cadence is PURE. Angie is Rotten inside. – from Reluctant Yankee

    Much afternoon debate on the cadence. After I made the PAX repeat their SSH until they followed my cadence this gloom – this afternoon the handheld devil box has been full of chatter about the call of cadence. Fun times.

    Humid gloom.
    24 pax including 1 FNG gathered for a TubeSteak led beatdown but TubeSteak is in Hawaii with the Navy this week so I volunteered to cover for him.
    disclaimer.
    Ran to the FIELD by AUDUBON ZOO.
    COP 1: SSH x until everyone got in cadence. Imp Scott Walkers Merks Mtn Climbers Roaches
    Ran to the Birdwatcher Statue
    Explained the Dirty MacDeuce
    Then we ran a long lap to Magazine St and back.
    COP 2: Slow Squats, Merks, Dying Bugs. Flutters x 12
    Long lap.
    COP 3: Lunges, Shoulder Taps, Hip Dips both sides x 12
    Long lap.
    COP 4: Bobby Hurleys, Staggered Merks, Lil Baby Obliques both sides x 12
    ***Angie’s list full of hot air – let it fly today – so bad I almost barfed. Thats AL.
    Long lap.
    COP 5: Monkey Humpers, Plank Jacks, Freddie Merks, and Low Country Crab
    Ran to soccer field for more CORE.
    Russian Twist, LBC, Scissor Kicks, Plank Walk and JLOS. x 20

    Ran back to FLAG. Southern Gentleman, Yankee Agressor, Nolan Ryans both sides

    CLOSED WITH A CIRCLE OF TRUST.

    We named FNG – THIRST-ON

    Peace-RY

  • Did someone ask for sprints? – from Shooter

    The Scramble had a great showing today of regulars.. There was also hopes of an FNG on this Gloom, however we will need to wait and see if he decides to eventually take the Redpill..With remembrance of Chewy from long ago post bringing out the HIT type of runs YHC incorporated some sprint action at the corner of Monroe/Massena.. PAX started with some 10IC Windmills, Toe Touches, Imperial walkers, Grass grabbers, High knees, Butt kicks and 10 OYO slow squats. Then 6 PAX ran out the standard route making 1 loop and then met up with our 2 Ruckers.. We split into 2 groups about 100yds apart group 1 held mission impossible while group 2 sprinted then yelled to release and assumed Al Gores R/R 4 rounds.. PAX then added some distance where we back pedaled then turned and sprinted added some more distance R/R. Added more distance for 2 rounds of 25, 50, 75 and 100%.. Ruckers returned to Rucking and runners completed another loop and returned.. Graciously Waterpik hung back with the ole sluggers as we headed back. Arrived right on time to close with count, announce and COT..

    Appreciate the great show of support for my Q and until the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!!

  • Another RARE Uptown Backblast – from Reluctant Yankee

    Man…I did NOT want to post when I opened my eyes at 5AM. I rolled over and laid there thinking about it…at 5:18 I was still awake somehow thinking about posting or sleeping. Its funny how even after 8 plus years of this – every gloom – I reluctantly drag my tired body out of bed. I knew there wasn’t a Q signed up. I knew I would need to step up. Pulled in to Birdcage – wheels on fire bc I sped to the workout due to my sleepy hesitation.
    Quick disclaimer while I yelled follow me – no stopping and we were off to the field in front of the ZOO. I noticed Peppa was here. I was happy to see Pep bc he has been out of town a bunch. I saw Quincy who hasn’t been posting regularly and I was happy to see him. I saw Angie’s List who is always talking with El Wire during the first circle of pain and I was happy to see him. As I looked at each PAX I was happy to see all of them. I started making a mental list of who wasn’t there – no Brown Bag, no Seaman, no Sphinxter, no Moana. I made a mental note that if I am happy to see these PAX and disappointed not to see some PAX – there must be others who feel the same way right. I was thinking I need to post more on Monday. 4 posts a week is usually my goal. Lately it has been only 2 a week.
    I never want to post – I never REGRET posting.

    1st CIRCLE OF PAIN: SSH x 20, Imperial Scott walkers x 20, 20 Hand Release Merks and 20 MTN CLIMBERS
    ran to Audubon Statue
    Partnered up for 3 laps with a partner: Lap 1 – Dips Lap 2 Left leg steps Lap 3 Right leg steps
    ran to the FLY – River view.
    Circled up for some Shoulder Taps, Plank Walks, J-Los, and Toe Tappers
    Ran to the Hill.
    Did 20 LBCs ran to midfield of soccer field 10 Hand Release Merks – decrease by 2
    back to Hill 20 LBCs ran back to midfield for 8 HR merks
    same and stopped after 6 HR merks.
    Long run to Labyrinth with Ping Pongs back to collect the 6.
    2 quick exercises at Labyrinth. Decline Should Taps, then 20 Plank Jacks.
    Back to FLAG
    Had to hustle to get there on time.

    I am taking the list of PAX who posted and filling in the calendar until June! You have been signed up.
    I will do my best to send a friendly reminder.
    I will also harass you to write a backblast.
    Thanks for posting. Without you out there in the gloom – I am certain that I would sleep in comfort

  • Big Marsh – from Akbar

    A late afternoon Slack shout out from Bushwhacker was the last thing YHC saw before the eyelids closed. MARSH MARSH MARSH MARSH MARSH MARSH. Followed by a string of mumblechatter from Marsh Madness, Batman, and Meme’s of Homer and something about Shots. This brought a recent record of 6, a recent Milestone, for a block beatdown.

    Conditions 60ish and pleasant

    Warm Up – SSH, Arm Circles x 20 IC Self Love, Grass Grabbers, Toe Touches, and Windmills x10

    Thang – After a warm up run to Marigny, the Thang began. 100 reps each, 6 exercises, split into rounds of 20. After each round, mosey to the playground for 5 pull ups, and run down to Marigny and back

    OH Press, Goblet Squat, Curls for the Girls, Calf Raise, Chest Press or Merkin, LBC

    Mary – Head to the basketball court baseline, 10 Crunchy Frogs at each line to the other end, jog back. Repeat with Mountain Climbers, head to circle and Bird prayed us out.

    Announcements – April 1 7th Anniversary Convergence 12Q at the Lakefront. 12 beatdowns, 12 Q’s ,12 Hours. Endurathon – March 17-19th. F3 has a team of 4 running, sponsorships and support runner sign ups available.

    Thanks for showing up and following the lead.

    SYITG – Akbar

  • Hit the Bricks! OR When Everyone’s Falling Apart, It’s Time to Push ‘Em Harder – from Bushwacker

    With May weather showing up in February, who knew we would get more 50s in the morning! It was a welcome way to start a challenging beat down on what will prove to be a gorgeous day! For YHC, this morning was about putting my money where my mouth is. There have been some grumbles about the same people signing up to lead the same workouts, and, to be quite honest, the work outs and moral are suffering. How creative, challenging and dynamic can a Q be with his beat down, when he’s lead the same one on the same day 30 out of the last 40 times?! So Bushwacker’s name was added to the sign up sheet and he brought the pain! (maybe a little too much?)

    WARMORAMA

    With Q running a little behind setting up props for the main-ish event, Zoo lander was kind enough to get things started with some Toe Touches and 1 or 2 other exercises. QIC continued with: IC 5 Torso Twists, x10 High Knees, Butt Kicks, Scuba Steves, Mountain Climbers, Shoulder Taps

    THANG

    OYO 100 Lunge Walks towards the west, then mosey to The Shaft.

    1st and 10:

    Markers were set up on the sea wall at 20′ intervals (not enough room for 10 yard intervals). Starting at the 1st marker each man started 11’s with 10 merkins and 1 Burpee in the same place. After, sprint to the last marker and recovery run back to the second marker for 9 Merkins and 2 Burpees, sprint to the end, recovery walk to marker 3, etc. etc. When finished, return to the start and Plank or core exercise to wait for the 6. It was as the process was being explained that Grundy graced us with his presence.

    After all the PAX (and then Jose) had finished, they took advantage of the markers to run Suicides (or Gaskets, Wind Sprints or whichever moniker you prefer).

    Next was a mosey back to the Gazebo, which was when Grundy revealed his inhaler on account of a mild asthma attack! He eventually made it to find Akbar’s Ring of Fire in progress. Whereas the Ring of Fire is a circle of Planks where each man drops for a Merkin as the count reaches him, Akbar’s version consists of a Merkin followed by a leap to to your feet and a hop with hands raised, all in a Burpee-ish fashion. 50 some-odd counts later, the Pax returned to 100 Lunge Walks OYO then mosied the rest of the way to the flag.

    By this point JV was stealing Jose’s grumble thunder regarding all of this darn running, on account of a lingering mystery injury to his foot/ankle. At the flag: 25 Jump Squats OYO, on the wall for: IC Freak Nasties, Irkins, Dirkins, and 25 OYO Box Jumps, where the acutely winded Grundy barked his shin on the cocnrete wall. EMT Todd was on sick leave, and since almost-Eagle Scout Baby Yoda was not present, the always prepared and ever dependable Zoolander leapt into action grabbing a first aid kit from his truck for a little BLS work on the twice-felled Grundy.

    Mosied to Noah Ark and circled up for a variation of Global Warming, where Holding AL Gore, each Pax counted off as they popped up (or squatted lower) individually, counting to 100.
    Mosied back to the flag for…

    MARY

    IC x25 Flutter Kicks, 20 Hello Dollys, 20 Wife Pleasers, 25 Freddy Mercurys, OYO 100 100’s

    COT

    Count, Name, we lost a few of our brethren along the way in Waterpik, Bird, and Grundy, though some came back, in the ineffably resilient Grundy,and some joined late, in Maverick, and later, in Cowbell (Starsky). Speaking of joining us, even though YHC missed his latest actual return last week, welcome back Cotter in Butt Splice! He was kind enough to pray us out on this lovely lovely day.

    The Endurathon benefiting the Nehemiah Project is coming up on March 17-19 at area 3 group camp at Fontainbleau Sate Park. Support the F3 team by sponsoring a loop, or joining in running a loop with Jose, Hammer, Speedy, or Tank. There will be camping Friday and Saturday night so bring the fam!

    The Fury, the Northshore’s 7th anniversary convergence will be on Saturday April 1 starting at 6am on the Lakefront. 12 45 min beat downs, 12 Qs, every hour on the hour! Come for 1, 2, or 12 like Tank. Drinks at the Barley Oak to follow at 6pm. See Slack for the sign up sheet to see who will be Q and to let F3 know which beatdowns you wish to attend. Let’s get a crowd all day long!

    And finally, making this thing – OUR thing – the best it can be, as well as the most attractive to sad clowns and other guys who generally might consider joining us, it takes the effort and dedication of all the PAX. If, excuses aside, your schedule legitimately allows it, consider coming out to a week day beat down and see your brothers more than once a week. As long as Ive been in F3 I can truly say that getting up has been treacherously challenging some mornings, but not once have I EVER regretted getting to a beatdown!
    And while we’re at it, let’s give Russo, Akbar, Shooter, and Waterpik a break and commit to a few Qs. Sign up and let’s get as full as we can a month out each month.

    Big congratulations to Amnesia who, rumor has it, has accepted job offer in Pennsylvania, and to Cowbell and Mrs Cowbell who are expecting TWINS!!!

    Gentlemen, I remain humbled by the opportunity to lead such a fine group of guys, and appreciate your willingness to follow that sometimes fickle, sometimes grueling, sometimes non-sensicle lead

    Bushwacker Sr.