F3 New Orleans

Author: Boo-Boo

  • ARMAPALOOZA

    The Uptowner Q list was running low, so YHC jumped at a chance to give Hawg a break and tryout an unused Uptowner resource YHC has had his eye on for a while. Turns out, a no running beatdown is more of a challenge than this F3 neophyte imagined. YHC was honored to lead 13 men through the gloom for this experiment.

    Warmup x 20

    SSH, IW, Arm Circles (10 forward/10 back), Grass Grabbers, Plank Jacks, and Abe Vigodas. There was quite a bit of mumblechatter towards the end of the warmup by a PAX who will remain nameless to protect the guilty so YHC imposed a five-burpee penalty to maintain order. The offending PAX refused to clap during the burpees, which almost lead to another round of penalty burpees, but there was more work to be done so the group was spared.

    The Thang

    The PAX was instructed to grab a medium-sized rock and slowsey to the parking lot in front of the gym. YHC is a fan of Dora 1-2-3 and merkin ladders. The PAX partnered up for 100 curls, 200 overhead presses, and 300 air squats (modified from squat presses with rock after a round or two of an excruciating arm and shoulder workout). While PAX 1 completed the above exercises, PAX 2 bear crawled from the parking lot to the steps of the gym for a merkin ladder (one merkin at the base of the steps and adding a merkin for each step up, for a total of 35), then lunge walk back and switch with PAX 1. Tclaps to mmmBop and Amnesty for bear crawling through a rather large puddle without complaining (guess Amnesty learned his lesson after the penalty burpees). After completing the ARMAPOLOOZA workout, the PAX circled up for a three-minute ISI compliant squat.

    COT- Nam-a-rama, announcements, and prayers.

    Thank you F3 for another opportunity to lead. It’s never taken lightly and always an honor. Thanks to the PAX for participating in my experiment. Parts of this beatdown will be repeated at a future beatdown, but YHC will look to modify to strive for a full body workout with compound exercises.

  • Honoring Sgt. Joseph Bovia

    Sgt. Joseph “Joey” Bovia, USMC, was a native of Metairie, Louisiana.  He served in the Marine Corps for six years.  Sgt. Bovia volunteered for two deployments to Iraq and his last deployment to Afghanistan.  He was the leader of a combat engineering platoon and was building an outpost to protect an elementary school in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked by insurgents.  Sgt.  Bovia was killed in action on August 31, 2010, in the name of freedom and protection.  

    On June 7, 2019, 19 men of F3 (including FNG Dropout) converged at the Rock City AO to pay tribute to this hometown hero through a workout, with minor modifications, created by Sgt. Bovia’s fellow Marines. Sgt. Bovia’s parents were notified of the F3 tribute the night before and sent their deepest gratitude to the men of F3.  Sgt. Bovia’s parents were assured that his and their sacrifice would not be forgotten. 

    WARMUP x31: SSH, Grass Grabbers, Arm Circles, and Hillbillies

    The Thang x 31

    Push-ups, WWII Sit-ups, Burpees, Squats, Kettle Bell, Push Presses with rock (modified from 20 lb. wall balls), Mountain Climbers (4-count), and Pull-ups.

    During the workout, a train passed transporting military vehicles.  A sure sign Sgt. Bovia was with us and was touched by the tribute (see pics below). Thanks to all who supported this beatdown.  Expect to see it again.

    Thanks to Hawgcycle who enthusiastically modified the workout to fit the AO and organized the logistics so there were no log jams.

  • Adapt, Improvise, Overcome!

    YHC had a different title in mind for the beatdown today, but God had other plans. YHC arrived at the Muscleship AO ten minutes early in real gloom, rain and lightening. Catfish was already in place and doing somersaults in the rain. Then Bogey appeared out of the gloom. At this point, there was no turning back. The Muscleship flag was planted as a total of ten PAX arrived, including Pace Car from Houston, ready to conquer the day. YHC is not creative, but made a feeble attempt to be creative with an animal themed workout to satisfy Kuch’s recent fascination with animal exercises; however, Abacus quickly pointed out a obvious missed opportunity for a Star Wars theme being May 4th (May the Fourth be With You)! Again, creativity is not YHC’s area of strength.

    Warm-up

    As leaders we have the responsibility of the safety of those we lead. With lightening in the area, an open field, and a shovel flag built out of metal pipe, YHC made the decision to adapt the planned beatdown to avoid the lightening. A short mosey was made to the overhang at the entrance of NOMA for a warmup IC, as follows x 25: SSH, Hill Billies, Arm circles (x 10 each direction), Grass Grabbers, Plank Jacks, Abe Vigodas (x15).

    The Thang

    We moseyed to a nearby pavilion for the amended beatdown and were greeted with music and booths for the Daiquiri Run, where the pre-race prep involved libations and cigarettes. There was mumble chatter about registering for the race to exude dominance over the smoker division, but the PAX chose a wet, semi-animal themed beatdown. We opted for the neighboring play area, which provided little shelter from the rain or the lightening, but it’s what we had. As an added bonus, we were treated to an unexpected test of mental toughness by having to dodge garbage strewn throughout the play area. An immune builder technique for the PAX and the children of NOLA.

    In lieu of an animal theme suicide routine, the PAX performed alligator merkins, dragon walks, frog hops, and bear crawls at the distance of two support poles per exercise.

    Next, the PAX paired off for DORA 1-2-3 consisting of 100 crunchy frogs, 200 incline merkins, and 300 LSS. A 363 routine of merkins and LSS was completed, with some confusion over the Q’s cadence. Tclaps to the PAX for staying with it.

    Then some Mary consisting of the following x 20: side lunges, tin snips, LBCs, penguins, and Freddy Mercury.

    Next, the PAX formed a circle and executed a Ring of Fire using burpees and LSS, x5 each.

    The PAX moseyed back to the flag just in time for the lightening and rain to stop. With two minutes left, the PAX completed monkey humpers x 20 and smurf jacks x 15.

    COT: Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions and a prayer. Tclaps to the PAX for showing up on a truly gloomy Saturday; staying with it through less than ideal conditions; and helping me adapt, improvise, and overcome. It’s truly an honor to be part of such a great group of men and even more of an honor to be given an opportunity to lead them.

  • Metry Boys Prepping for H8

    Revsox was on deck for the Q, but had a conflict and requested a sub two days out. YHC and Mahatma volunteered to cover, but YHC got the nod with a courtesy deferral by Mahatma. Walleye crossed the border and made the trek to unfamiliar territory. He got a starlight tour of the AO after getting turned around within the park, but he made it to the flag on time.

    Warm-up

    The PAX moseyed over a small hill to the nearby field for the following warm-up, IC: SSH x 25; Hillbillies x 25; Arm Circles x 10 (each way); Grass Grabbers x 25 (double time); Mountain Climbers x 25; Abe Vigodas x 15

    Thang

    Mahatma expressed an interest in some hill work. YHC was on the same page to help the Metry PAX prepare for H8. After a short mosey across the field, the PAX stood at the base of the tallest hill on the AO for a little Dora 1-2-3. The PAX was separated into a two and three-man group. The PAX groups took turns sprinting up the hill, completing three burpees, and jogging down the hill to the second group, while they collectively completed 100 Catalina wine mixers, 200 American hammers, and 300 LSS. There was a bit of pause at the beginning over the number of Catalina Wine Mixers, but T-claps to the PAX for pushing through and not accepting the offer to modify to less mixers.

    After completing the Dora workout, the PAX sprinted up the hill as a group, bear crawled to the other side, and jogged down the other side. Plank and wait for the six. The PAX moseyed to the outdoor gym for some circuit training as follows: 10 knee-ups (timer), dips, rows, WWII sit ups, and merkins. With time running out, the PAX did the following Mary, IC x 25 each: flutter kicks, LBC, and penguins.

    A quick mosey back to the big hill for a sprint up, bear crawl across, and jog down. Plank and wait for the six. Mosey across the field, over a small hill, and back to the flag. For the last six minutes, Walleye and Triple Shift lead the PAX in several Yoga-based stretches.

    COT

    Namerama, announcements, intentions, and closing prayer.

    Life doesn’t always give us advanced notice. As effective leaders we need to be prepared to step up and lead under any circumstances. This was my third Q and I agreed to sub Q to challenge myself with piecing together a beat down on shorter notice than a scheduled Q. I’m still learning to manage time within a beat down, but practice makes perfect! Thanks for another opportunity to lead and for being good followers. It’s truly an honor.

  • Time Flies When You’re Having Fun, But I’ll Be Back To Finish What I Started!

    YHC hasn’t been to the NOLA Foundry since the start of the Popeyes AO.  Smartly, Amnesty volunteered me to Q so I can give back to one of the AOs that helped me get started in F3.  It was nice to see PAX YHC hasn’t seen in a while and a good reminder of all the NOLA Foundry has to offer.  Consider hitting an AO you haven’t been to in a while or ever!

    WARMUP

    After giving the disclaimer, YHC led the PAX in what was considered an unorthodox direction.  Some of the PAX were confused with the change, but the concerns were quickly quelled as we moseyed a short distance for the following warm up IC: SSH x 21, IW x 20, Arm Circles x 20 (10 each direction), Grass Grabbers x 20, Plank Jacks x 20, and Abe Vigodas x 10.

    The Thang

    The PAX were divided by 1s and 2s on either side of the Roosevelt Mall for a Route 66 (War Eagle would be proud!). PAX 1 to the left for incline merkins adding one at each bench and PAX 2 to the right for dips using the same counting scheme, for a total of 12. Plank and wait at the end, then switch sides. Once each PAX had their turn on either side with both exercise, rinse and repeat using LSS and step-ups, but the step-ups were cut back to ten so the opposing PAX didn’t have wait too long.

    Being my second Q ever, I did not estimate time correctly and had what would amount to another beat down that was going to go unused. Not a problem, I will return to finish what I started! With approximately seven minutes to kill, we did the following Mary IC: Tin Snips x 20, LBCs x 25, Dying Cockroaches x 20, Peguins x 20 (as a reprieve to silence some of the mumbling), and J-Lo’s x 20 (in honor of Amnesty who has been down and out with a nasty lung infection). Returned the PAX to the flag exactly at 0615. I noted Smooth wasn’t winded nor sweating, so the mumbling about the Mary was unfounded and attempts were made to make Cowbell take the fall for the mumbling, but we know better!

    After a quick reminder from the PAX on the proper order to end a beat down (another attempt to be unorthodox), COUNTOFF, NAMERAMA, and COT. Prayers for the sick, injured, struggling, and private intentions, as well as gratitude for this group of men who work hard and motivate each other.

    Once again, it was an honor to lead and I’m thankful for your willingness to follow. I’ll be back soon as a PAX and to finish the beat down.

    12 strong at the NOLA Foundry
  • The Jerk- Boo Boo’s VQ

    The Jerk- Boo Boo’s VQ


    “I’m somebody now!” –
    Steve Martin, The Jerk

    February 7 will be my two month anniversary in F3 and what better way to celebrate than with a VQ. Although F3 NOLA has readily accepted me and keeps me motivated, YHC felt that leading a workout was the last piece of the puzzle to fully become a member of F3 NOLA. After all, the essence of F3 is peer lead workouts, and there’s no better way to repay the free workouts and fellowship than to lead a workout! A PAX of five met in the true gloom of fog for a beat down at the new Popeyes AO. A quick disclaimer and off we went.

    • Warm-up: Mosey to a grassy area near the lake and circled up for the following IC exercises
    • 20 SSH
    • 20 Arm Circles (10 forward and 10 backwards, with one nameless PAX counting down instead of up; however, as an untested Q, YHC was determined to keep the count and persevered, LOL! Nice try @revsox!
    • 21 IW
    • 20 Plank Jacks
    • The Thang: We moseyed from the warm-up area to a public sitting area. The PAX split into two groups on either side of the waterway. PAX 1 started at the first bench with five step-ups, increasing one step-up each bench thereafter (10 total benches). PAX 2 started at the first bench with five dips, increasing one each bench thereafter (10 benches total). The PAX assumed the high plank position to wait for the six. PAXs 1&2 switched sides and excercises.
    • After meeting back at the starting point, high plank to wait for the six, the PAX moseyed to the steps of the snack bar and circled up, approximately 50 yards away, for Dora (100 American Hammers-200 Squats-300 LBCs), while the other PAX ran to the steps to complete a Merkins ladder up the steps, six at the bottom one at the top.
    • With less than 15 minutes left, a highly motivated PAX ran approximately 250 meters to the workout equipment area for a quick round of step-ups, pull-ups, dips, and hanging knee-ups, with five knee-ups as the timer.
    • After one round the PAX made a brisk run back to the flag for some Mary, 21 penguins and 15 flutter kicks.

    Count-off, Name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer

    Thanks to the PAX for following my lead and staying motivated to get our money’s worth. Also thanks for the encouragement and support of those who weren’t able to make it to my VQ. Thanks to F3 NOLA for health, happiness, fellowship, and faith. It is truly an honor to lead, especially this fine group of men!