F3 New Orleans

Tag: TurboTax

  • Memorial Day Murph at the Marsh

    Fourteen men posted this morning to pay their respects to Lt. Michael Murphy and the millions of others who have sacrificed everything for our country.    To honor that sacrifice, we did The Murph.

    YHC gave a quick recap of Lt. Michael Murphy’s story – he was part of a four-man Navy Seal team that was overwhelmed by Taliban forces in Asadabad, Afghanistan.  All four men had already been wounded and, unable to radio for help from their sheltered mountainside position, it was Lt. Murphy who opened himself to more gunfire in order to successfully make the call.  In fact, after being shot in the back and dropping the radio, he picked it back up and finished the call before returning to the fight. He saved one man’s life that day.

    The crazy thing is just how many similar stories there are.  There’s PFC Ross McGinnis, 19, who deliberately threw himself onto a grenade in Iraq to save all four people in his vehicle.  Or Sergeant Henry Johnson, part of the Harlem Hellfighters, who suffered 21 wounds while rescuing a soldier and repelling a German raid in WWI. Or 1st Lt Jack Lummus who continued to give orders at Iwo Jima after losing both legs to a landmine.  The list goes on and on.  And today, we should take a minute while we are at our family BBQ’s or poolside and reconnect with that history and remember the legacy of these heroes.

    With that in mind, we began the simple benchmark workout:

    • 1 mile run
    • 100 pull-ups
    • 200 merkins
    • 300 squats
    • 1 mile run

    The PAX broke up the middle section into 20 rounds of 5 pull-ups / 10 merkins / 15 squats, then hit the final run hard, finishing right around 50 minutes.  COT and Grundy prayed us out.

    It was an impressive sight to see so many men post to the Milestone Marsh at 0500 on their Monday off.  For me, the legacy of our fallen heroes is folded into the DNA of F3.  I see the qualities of leadership and selflessness spreading across F3 nation as if they’re contagious.   And it’s not simply as a group, but the individual men of F3 all seem to embody that spirit personally.  And isn’t that the best way to remember our heroes, to try and embody their greatest qualities?  Thank you men for the remarkable effort, and enjoy your Memorial Day!

  • Luck O’ the Irish

    In YHC’s limited experience at the 10K Au Lait, today’s PAX of 9 men was, if not new, matching an AO record. That feat was thanks, in part, to 1st time attendee, Mick, who brought a little Irish luck this gloom in the form of “cooler” temps. Unfortunately, all of the Irishmen present did not have enough collective luck to ward of the misery of the soul-sucking humidity that’s only just getting started.

    So it was in jovial spirits that we began our “99%” traditional route through the quiet streets of downtown Covington…

    99% chicanery

    COT

    Mick took us out with some deeply shared sentiments of gratitude and appreciation. The invigorating run was followed up by some always enjoyable F2 coffeteria at Abita Roasting Co. Until next time, remember, all paces welcomed at the 10k Au Lait!

  • Back-to-Back Blasts

    Anyone who has posted with me knows that YHC is not much of a talker.  Hell, I can hardly find enough to say for one backblast each week.  And yet here we are.  YHC supposes it is a small price to pay for all the benefits of F3.  And hey, if a bear craps in the woods and no one is around to write a backblast about it, did it really happen?

    Pre-beatdown, with mumble chatter about our aches and pains from the last few days, Einstein noted that as the PAX gets stronger, the ceiling on beatdowns is pushed higher and higher.  It’s both great (hey, we get our money’s worth) and at the same time pretty awful (might not be able to walk like a normal human being the next day).  That got me thinking about Chewy’s request for a more restorative beatdown on the Northshore, which is a great idea.  Today’s beatdown, though, wasn’t going to be so restorative. And with that in mind, YHC gave a disclaimer for the first time in… well, too long.

    Warmorama: Air presses, overhead arm circles, arm circles forward and backward, SSHs, hillbillies, high knees.  All x 20 IC.

    The Thang: First stop, the quarry for some rock work.  Part of YHC’s mission this week was to introduce Cowbell to the various offerings at each AO, and this seemed to be one we hadn’t seen much of lately. 

    • Curls x12 IC
    • Squat-to-Overhead-Press x10 IC
    • Bent over Rows x 12 IC

    Rinse and repeat, swapping the counts. Then we gingerly placed the rocks back just as we had found them (so as not to offend the beautifying efforts of the Covington Garden Club), and we were off to the front of the Justice Center, where the bulk of today’s efforts would take place.

    First, a quick stop at the benches for lateral jump overs x20 OYO, and Bulgarians x10 IC each leg. Then partner up…

    P1 runs the length of the courtyard, up the stairs, does 15x jump squats, and returns to relieve P2, who is planking in front of a bench, walking his hands up onto the bench and then back down again, repeatedly. There’s probably a name for this or, at the very least better wording to explain it, but YHC can’t take the time to look it up in our exicon.

    After two rounds of that, we did a variation, P1 runs same route, does star jacks x10, while P2 is now walking his feet up to the bench and back down, adding a derkin in each time both feet are up on the bench. R&R.

    A quick 10 count then grab a bench for step ups x15 IC each leg, and freaks x15 IC.

    Next up, suicides across the courtyard for P1, Mahktar N’diayes for P2. Swaparoo. Again the beautifying efforts of Covington were appreciated, as some men opted to save the skin on their forearms and avoided the concrete, using instead the small gardens near each bench.

    And then the finale, P1 up at the top of the stairs holding a people’s chair and doing air presses, P2 bear crawling backwards up the stairs.  (We missed you Maverick.)

    Back to the flag for a quick Mary of 100’s, Crunchy Frogs, and LBC’s x20 IC.

    COT and Einstein Cowbell prayed us out.  Thank you for following my lead today guys, I sincerely appreciate it!

  • Fuzzy Balls

    22 PAX strong on the Mandeville Lakefront. 23 if you count Brat who joined us for a little foreplay as he works his way off injured reserve. Brat, an officer with the NOPD, injured himself successfully tackling and arresting a bad guy. The PAX’s consensus is that he should use a Tazer next time Indiana Jones style or perhaps transfer to a Northshore police agency where a polite request to stop, issued with an English accent, is all that is required to apprehend a criminal.

    Kicked things off with warmup of seal jacks, toe touches, SSHs, imperial walkers, merkins, and Jane Fondas. We then divided into three teams, and YHC retrieved his bag and revealed his fuzzy balls.

    Each team received a fuzzy tennis ball (yes, YHC had three) and instructions to race with it about a half mile west along the Lakefront to the Shaft. To begin, there were only three rules: first, you cannot run if you are holding the ball; second, no pass backs-you cannot receive a pass back from the man you just passed to; and third, the entire team had to stop dead and perform five burpees every time the ball touched the ground before proceeding. Then Cowbell whipped a legal pad out of his briefcase and starting asking questions and for clarification on a few items so we ended up with a few more rules. No wonder you guys don’t get anything done on the Southshore.

    Circled up upon arrival at the Shaft for T merkins and alternating Supermans..

    Back to the races with another tennis ball sprint further westward along the Lakefront to the playground where we circled up for prisoner squats, hand release merkins and crab cakes.

    Raced back eastward with our fuzzy balls to the Shaft for a third COP consisting of a merkin wave, lunges, Supermans, arm circles, overhead hand claps, and air presses.

    One final race back to the shovel flag, wrapping things up with some Mary…single leg raises, scuba Steves and a 60 second plank.

    Countorama, nameorama and Phoenix prayed us out on the way to the coffeeteria.

    Thanks for letting me lead, guys, and thanks for competing so earnestly in the silly tennis ball game.

  • Sandy Returns

    A Grundy beatdown in 2019 wouldn’t be complete unless Sandy showed up. And showed up she did. But let’s warm up first.

    Warmup included, Seal Jacks, Butt Kicks, High Knees, and Nolan Ryans. All of them were in cadence.

    We then moseyed to the parking garage to meet up with the aforementioned Sandy who was conveniently waiting in the Grundymobile.

    We showed her the usual respect and did a planking tunnel of love and pulled her through with our right arms up the first ramp. We then pulled her through our legs down the straightaway to the other ramp. We rinsed and repeated up the second ramp pulling through with our left arms.

    On the top we partnered up and did catch me if you can with three laps for each team. Turbo decided to make YHC’s first backpedal extra long. Thanks man…

    We then got in some of my PT and did some core work while one PAX took a band and in a squat shuffled left and right up the straightaway. We did that for every PAX while switching the exercise in between.

    After a Indian run on the roof we left Sandy behind and went to the Justice center benches. We did a Steve classic with some step ups and freak nasties in cadence.

    We moseyed back to the flag and concluding with a count off and COT with prayer.

    Thanks for letting me lead!

  • Mother’s Day Au Lait

    Three PAX need to work on their priorities. Or perhaps they have superior time management and family diplomatic skills. Either way, Bean, In Time and YHC met for the weekly 10k Au Lait on Mother’s Day morning, ran for 10k at a leisurely pace while discussing the advantages of running at a leisurely pace, and then high tailed it back home for Mother’s Day festivities.

  • Global warming impacts at the Gipper!

    Q began his journey to the Gipper after picking up Bushwacker at the old WD parking lot.. Upon arrival we noticed multiple cars and trucks converging on the gravel parking area for this mild Gloom.. As each PAX emerges and meets by the flag, the ole faithful pre thang runners club enters sight and soon joins the rest of us waiting to begin our beatdown.. No new comers on this day just the same old vets of past Post. Gave short disclaimer and encouragement of modification when needed as the beatdown would include plenty of reps..

    Warmarama

    10 IC Windmills

    15 IC Toe Touches

    25 IC SSH

    20 IC Butt kicks

    30 IC Seal Jacks

    YHC wants to be precise as the ever close eyes 👀 of Grundy will surly be auditing this beatdown!!

    Thang

    Moseyed to The Taj Mahal to the front circling around the flag pole.. Q will claim the name of “Circle of Choice” however I remember another PAX introducing a similar workout in past post.. The way it worked was each PAX had the opportunity to call an exercise as we went around the circle.. Must mention that the PAX was given instruction to keep the counts at no more then 10 IC count.. As would have it however, some elected to alter the speed of the count (Bushwacker) staying within the parameters set, while others would just proceed to modify to their own liking and double up the IC at the end (Cowbell)..

    Q 10 IC 8 count body builders

    Einstein 10 IC Merkins

    Turbo 10 IC Imperial Squat Walkers

    Barely Legal 10 IC Putin’s

    Bushwacker 10 I ……………………..C Freddie Mercuries

    Grundy 10 IC Carolina dry docks

    Maverick 10 IC Air Jacks/Star Jacks

    Cowbell 20 IC Crunchy 🐸

    Moseyed over to the parking garage. At this point Maverick made the PAX aware of a 10 degree change in temperature. We partnered up on the bottom floor. P1 did donkey kickoffs while P2 back pedaled the flat halfway turning into Carioca returning the same way.. FJ After a much needed slow 10 count by Wacker and YHC still gasping for O2, Q requested a 2nd by Legal… Round 2 placed P1 back at the wall for the donkey kickoffs while P2 back pedaled halfway and then turned sprinted returning again the same.. FJ

    Recovery walked to the stairs and assembled at the top of the garage for Four corners Escalators.. Count consisted of 10, 10-20, 10-20-30 closing with 10-20-30-40.. Burpees, Merkins, Plank Jacks and Sumo Squats… With 👁 closely watching as to make sure no PAX skipped a sequence, but even if so don’t think this crew will hesitate to make you aware that’s for sure Nothing wrong with a little competitive spirit in the end we all benefit from accountability 👊🏻.. Taxed and nearing the end we recovery walk to exit and Mosey over to the benches by the court house for 20 OyO box jumps. Mosey to the flag for completion. Took to our 6 for 20 IC Little Manny Crunches, 10 IC left arm Nolan Ryan’s, 10 right arm Nolan Ryan’s, 20 IC Flutter kicks and closed with 20 IC Hello Dollies..

    Count, announce, COT

    Einstein graciously 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 us out!!

    Thanks for following my lead 👊🏻💪🏻✌🏻 Till the next Gloom!!!

  • Au Lait de Mayo

    What a glorious gloom for a gathering of galloping gentlemen outside of Abita Roasting. Always a myriad of mesmerizing mumble chatter can be heard amongst the meandering marauders. And today was no exception, as the tribe of tread heads ran the traditional trial through the tranquil trails (streets) of old Covington.

    As if this wasn’t fantastic enough, the PAX followed it up with some fabulous, free-ranging F2 over fine fine beverages and freakishly funny looking cookies.

    YHC enjoyed running and chatting with cousin Steiny, and may have stretched a little for his alliteration, but stretched a lot to try and catch up to the Sunday speedsters Turbo, In Time and Garfield.

    We even got a sample of The Hammer’s campaigning skills!

    We look forward to seeing the rest of you guys out there next time!

  • Run For the Roses It Was Not

    With the rain clouds threatening, and the forecast looking just as ominous, YHC did not know how many PAX would brave the elements for today’s beatdown. Of course, YHC should have known better as 17 men posted on the Mandeville Lakefront despite the rainy, wet conditions. Actually, the rain combined with a nice breeze to cool things off, providing a break from the recent humidity. But of course, mornings like this one are reminders of what it means and feels like to be “alive”, as Maverick alluded to in our closing prayer.

    WARMARAMA

    SSHs, Good Mornings, Torso Twists, High Knees, Butt Kicks, all to about 15 IC

    THANG

    Hat’s off to ZooRich for his imaginative, golf-themed beatdown last Saturday on the Lakefront. From what I hear, it was legendary! With no ideas of Grandeur Dancing around in YHCs very small brain, YHC decided it was time for a downpainment (more on that later) of sorts. After a quick mosey to the east towards RIPS, it was time to circle up for some Al Gore’s (3 sets, about 30 sec hold). Sprinkle in a set of Peter Parker’s and Parker Peter’s and it was time to mosey eastward again. Before turning up Lamarque St. to head to the Milestone Marsh, the PAX hit the seawall for some: Freak Nasties, Derkins, and Step-Ups.

    Sweat pouring, the PAX headed up Lamarque St. circling up at each intersection for some exercises: Flutter Kicks, Hello Dollies, Mission Impossible, Crunchy Frogs. The neighbors must have wondered, “who are these idiots, laying in the street while its raining?”

    MILESTONE MARSH

    Circle up at midcourt for a quick Merkin Wave, then down to Chill Cut with nearly each man giving a 10 count before recovering. Before heading back to the Lakefront, YHC must have been having a flashback to a recent Bushwacker-led beatdown at the Marsh: 10 Burpees.

    Indian Run back to the Lakefront with the last man dropping for 2 merkins before sprinting to the front of the line.

    Back at the Lakefront, YHC realized he had forgotten to recognize the master 10 Burpees. After all, Bushwacker borrowed it from somebody, don’t we all do that? Yes we do; so hat’s off to Coconuts, the master of 10 Burpees at the Milestone Marsh. Here’s hoping to a return to health, my friend!

    Circle Up on Lakeshore Dr. one last time for a rapid fire series of Bear Crawls, Bunny Hops, Shuffles, Back Pedals, and Sprints back and forth to the seawall. For good measure, sprinkle in some merkins, box jumps and freak nasties.

    With no time to spare, it was time to head back to the flag for Count off, Name o rama and COT. Welcome FNG Hansel, one of Zoolander’s neighbors (how many neighbors does he have?) to F3 Northshore. I hope your experience will be as powerful as mine.

    Thanks to Maverick for praying us out.

    Thanks men for braving the elements this morning. Thanks for following my lead, despite the lack of creativity for the beatdown. I heard that no one paid the green fee at the Zoorich Classic last Saturday, so good citizens as we are, I felt F3 Northshore had to make a little downpainment with interest.

  • Join the Movement

    Nice turnout at last week’s 10k Au Lait. Interesting conversation on the run and a great way to start a Sunday.

    A quick reminder; 10k Au Lait is gaining traction, but we need more folks to participate. We meet every Sunday morning at 7:00 at Abita Roasting in Downtown Covington. Go at your own pace and no man is left behind. Over and out.