Author: Bushwacker

  • Mean while…Machines at the Marsh

    A new day dawns and another gloom is met by the cantankerous crew of the F3 Northshore! The shovel flag is planted, the pre-thang crew comes rolling up, and away we go!

    To respect the time as best as possible, YHC took all Iron Pax Challengers on a mosey to the Marsh, while the rest hung back for the regularly scheduled beat down lead by Steve.

    Having deposited a supply of coupons ahead of time with the welcomed assistance of Jose and Speedy, the men of the Marsh were prepared to tackle this week’s IPC:

    10 Pull Ups

    15Hop over (coupon) Burpees

    20 (coupon) 2 Arm Bicep Curls

    25 (coupon) Squat Thrusters

    30 Gas Pumps

    AMRAP for 43 minutes

    The scene was grippingly intense – each man was handling the long ride in their own style in order to make it through. 1 round in to YHC’s 2nd attempt for the week, the heavenly songs of ceramic-throne seraphim began to call, thus assuring no PR would be set this day. Toto and Pickles were having a fraternistic chat relying on Russo math to set their pace. Speedy, dripping with double hate, was giving it his stoic all. Meanwhile, uncle Jose was across the playground in “leave me the hell alone” land staying in his head with his earphones blasting. Jose had to drag Speedy away kicking and screaming early in order to make soccer practice… go Coach Dad!

    Mick put every damn thing he had into the challenge (with a smile) and enjoyed a brisk run back to the flag upon completion. Also on the dark side of the moon it was Hammer time! He looked as though he should’ve had a grey hoodie on with giant beatz headphone on listening to the rocky 4 soundtrack – Eye of the tiger!

    But there was one area no more than 8 feet away from the monkey bars where the devil himself dare not tread. With the piston-striking intensity of the fabled John Henry, Frankie C – the Italian Stallion – worthy of double respect and more – Tanked Up attacked with every fiber of his being. SMASH! One cinder block couldn’t hang, so YHC scurried to bring him another. With the fully-vested totals brought forth this week by the likes of Turbo, Grundy, and Bean, there was clearly not an ounce left to give when Frank Caragliano completed 904 reps on the hallowed grounds of the Milestone Marsh….

    After moseying back to the flag and just missing COT, the PAX proceeded to do a 2nd COT, with Hammer praying us out, as we honored the loss of Captain Vincent Liberto, who was killed in the line of duty yesterday, and lifted up our prayers for the wife and 7 children he left behind.

  • A Love Letter to the Gipper

    Hey Gipper! It’s been a while. Did you miss me? I sure missed you. In fact, I missed you so much that slow-ass drivers and blinding rain couldn’t keep me away this morning. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder! And, of course, my most sincere apologies for my lateness, but I made sure you were in the excellent hands of Barely Legal until I arrived. He made sure you were nice and warm with Windmills and other exercises by the time I got there. Though I had to be absolutely certain you were ready to break a sweat by adding Torso Twists and Scorpion Kicks to the list.

    I didn’t want to waste any time in getting reacquainted so I lead you to the top of the justice center parking garage, which seemed like the perfect setting for some…fun n games;)

    I was planning to honor Coconuts, and crown a new champion in Turbo Tax’s conspicuous absence, but, alas, I forgot my phone with the freshly downloaded Beep Test app. Instead, I – wouldn’t quite say settled – on Doracides to really get you all hot and bothered. Moby Dick was playing with himself, as we all teamed up to do cumulative 100 SSH, 200 Merkins, 300 Squats and 400 100s, while the odd partner did suicides with 1 or 2 burpees at each point.

    By this time our pulses were racing, but things were really about to get Jacked Up. In cadence, we did a set of x50SSH, then 40Seal Jacks, 30 Plank Jacks and 20 Smurf Jacks. I don’t know about you, but that really took my breath away!

    After revving our engines so hard, I wanted to finish things off a little more gently. So we mosied back to the flag for some Little Manny Crunches and Freddy Mercurys.

    Still flying high on the buzz of our electrifying encounter, the COT was immediately followed by some direct O MY HALLELUJAH from Einstein.

    I’m sorry I had to run out so abruptly when we finished, but, ya know, I had a… thing… I had to get to. You were incredible Gipper! My body aches in places I didn’t know I had, for cryin’ out loud! You’ll always be my favorite…be seeing ya.

  • When You Gotta Go…

    Mid 70s never felt so humid! How foolish to suppose that a respite from the summertime blues would result from an unseasonably cool beginning to the eighth month of 2019. And speaking of beginnings…

    WARMORAMA

    x10 IC:

    Toe Touches

    Torso Twists

    Imperial Walkers

    SSH

    Windmills

    THANG

    The prescribed scramble route was taken in earnest by the cavalier band of brothers, which included the long lost Pelican! After a near miss early on by a Charger which obviously couldn’t conceive of pre-dawn runners on the streets of it’s neighborhood, the trio of Steve, Cowbell, and the road warrior Waterpik were off to a respectable 8:25 pace. Meanwhile, Pelican and YHC were tangled in conversation over the merits and/or faults of letting females into traditionally all male organizations such as scouts and military.

    Upon exiting Sunset Point, Q’s bowels suddenly reached critical mass! Instructions were quickly proffered for Pelican to lead ISI for the day, as a super-scramble was made to the providentially placed port-o-potties.

    While back at the flag, Waterpik was making Shooter-inspired sweat angles, Steve was making Grundy-inspired form corrections, and Cowbell was having Bushwacker-inspired diarrhea of the mouth…or so YHC could only imagine!

    MARY

    At the exercise area, PAX did LBCs while each man bear crawled across the space and back. Similarly, was Freddy Mercurys/Bunny Hops, and Leg Raises/Duck Walks.

    COUNT/NAME

    Pelican prayed us out and the PAX dispersed to greet the day.

    Thanks for your patience with the Q today guys!

    *Alternate title: I Really Hate to Poop n Run, Guys

  • I See ISI

    YHC’s brain could not get past fitting in today’s installment of this month’s ISI challenge of planks increasing by 0:30 a day, with today being 14:30. Fortunately, with the structure for accomplishing that in mind, winging it would not require too much creativity.

    WARMORAMA

    All IC with reps between 10-20:

    Imperial Walkers

    Torso Twists,

    SSH

    Fire Hydrants

    Scorpion Kicks

    Windmills

    High Knees

    Butt Kicks

    THANG

    1 minute plank

    Mosey towards the lakefront, stopping at each corner for 1 minute plank, finishing with on minute plank on the wall.

    10 Box Jumps OYO

    10 Derkins IC

    10 Freak Nasties IC

    One minute plank on the wall, and return to the Marsh in similar fashion.

    Upon PAX’s return, 1 minute plank

    MARY

    25 LMCs

    1 minute plank

    25 100s

    1:30 plank for a grand total of 14:30 of planking and ISI day 29 in da books for our ALL-ISI PAX.

    COUNT/NAME

    Cowbell prayed for our bodies and minds, as well as the kids and the elderly! I appreciate you guys helping your humble Q grow in his leadership. Thanks for posting.

  • The PAX that ISIs Together Scrambles Together

    YHC noticed 69degrees on the dash in the truck while en route, and had to check the date to make sure this wasn’t a dream. It was a great treat indeed to start off a Thursday morning in July with a scramble in such weather! Cowbell arrived an uncharacteristically 3 minutes early in order to get a jump on his planking for the day. And planking was, in fact, to rule the day.

    WARM

    10 Toe Touches

    10SSH

    1 minute plank

    THANG

    While the PAX ran the regular route, we stopped at 4 designated spots for 1 minute planks, which kept speedsters Steve and Waterpik in their place. Thus, the scramblers scrambled as one! That was, until Waterpik had to peal off to get home, having to be on the southshore by 7. T claps for showing his dedication by showing up even in a time crunch.

    MARY

    You guessed it…another minute of plank. This time followed by 10 burpees just because. We finished up with 3 more minutes for plank.

    COT

    count-off and nameorama, with Q praying out in appreciation.

    Well done gents! Another gloom in the books here on the north shore.

  • Running Games? I Thought You Said Fun ‘n’ Games!

    The mumble chatter started the previous night at the successful meet n greet campaign party for our very own Hammer about the fact that if Turbo had the Q for Saturday, then it was either fun n games or, more likely, plenty of running, much to the consternation of more than one PAX both present and away. While, in a sense, fun n games were in fact afoot, today was a run day!

    WARMORAMA

    x20 IC:

    Seal Jacks

    Imperial Walkers

    Toe Touches

    THANG

    Mosied westward down the lakefront for a stretch before we stopped for some merkins. Continued up Marigny and stopped for some Mountain Climbers. Finished up at the Marsh where we partnered up for a little competiton.

    4 4 minute rounds with a running total per team:

    Round 1- P1 SSH while P2 runs to opposite side of the court and performs 2 Burpees

    Round 2- P1Butt Kicks, P2 2 180 degree hops

    Round 3- P1 Lateral Hops, P2 2 Tuck (Squat) Jumps

    Round 4- P1 imaginary Jump Rope, P2 2 Bobby Hurleys

    In between each round was 30 seconds rest, 1 minute of Plank, and 30 more seconds of rest. Teams that scored under 82 total points (all?) dropped for 10 penalty burpees.

    Next, the Pax split evenly and competed head-to-head in a relay race from one end of the court to the other. The Odd numbered team performed another set of 10 penalty burpees. YHC must note that never has he seen such an intense show of drive and performance from every man at the same time as was displyed during this race!

    Same teams did a double-line Indian Run back to the Lakefront, where the PAX planked for the 6, followed by a slow mosy before an all out sprint to the flag.

    COUNTORAMA

    NAMEORAMA

    Naming of FNG Black Cat. Welcome brother, better late than never!

    Phoenix prayed us out.

    T Claps to Turbo Tax for a well put together, high intensity beat down. It’s always a privilege to follow a great leader. Who says running can’t be fun!

  • Not More Rain, Just More Sweat

    Driving back yesterday from a beucolic camping trip in the mountains of Arkansas, YHC was reintroduced to reality by way of constant rain from AR to LA. And sure enough, not willing to remain under the haven of the covering over the basketball court at the Mash, the PAX were quite thoroughly soaked by the COT. But nary a drop of rain had hit us – the relief of cool droplets would have been too much to hope for. Rather, the men of the Milestone Marsh were freely seeping salty swill from every pore not clogged by dust or dirt. This was how it went down…

    WARM O RAMA

    appx x15 IC:

    Toe Touches

    SSH

    Fire Hydrants

    Scorpion Kicks

    THANG

    ISI part 1 – 2:30

    In honor of our brother Coconuts, whom we miss and eagerly anticipate his eventual, fully-healed return, PAX dropped for 10 Burpees every minute on the minute for 5 minutes, followed by a mosey around the block.

    After the second round came ISI part 2 – 2:30

    MARY

    appx x25 IC:

    LMCs (Lil Manny Crunches)

    Putins

    100s

    Leg Raises

    ISI part 3 – 2:30

    COT

    With the will of responsible adults overcoming the ubiquitous mumble chatter, COUNTORAMA, NAMEORAMA, YHC prayed us out.

    Thank you Sirs Cooley and Cowley for posting this gloom and following the lead of this impulsively overbooked sweat angel-apprentice!

  • Fast Cars and Freedom

    YHC was 1st to arrive to Mandeville City Hall, and eagerly awaited the subsequent arrival of Lord only knew – all part of the fun! As the 1st set of head lights shone indicating Waterpik’s presence, a voice softly poked through the gloomy dawn of the park, notating that the Scramble flag was soon to be planted by Shooter. YHC assured the guys that Cowbell would be an eventual show, and as start time drew nigh, the next set of headlights were identified as belonging to Chewy. As the warm up got under way, Pik expounded on the familiarity, particularly with each others’ cars and arrival style, regular F3 posting can breed.

    WARM O RAMA

    all x10 IC:

    Toe Touches

    Windmills

    Torso (in speeds the inevitable Cowbell) Twists

    Imperial Walkers

    High Knees

    THANG

    The PAX took off on the prescribed route, which today included a return trip to the Hermitage loop after Sunset Point, bringing the route to just about 4 miles. Upon reaching 190, Q almost darted out in attempt to beat the oncoming onslaught of autos, but thought better. However, at the 1st decent gap he was off, playing a successful game of frogger (nod to Chewy). As though possessed, Q lead the pack, with the road runners, Waterpik and Cowbell not far behind, while the clydesdales, Chewy and Shooter upped their game as they were bringing up the six.

    extra loop route

    MARY

    With stretching sorely needed on such a humid day…

    Downward Dog

    Right Lizard

    Downward Dog

    Left Lizard

    Downward Dog

    x10 IC Scorpion Kicks

    Q lead us out urging individual missions of kindness throughout the day.

    Thanks for following my lead guys. The effort put forth today was enough to humble and inspire any man!

  • SHOULDERING the RUNNING Responsibilties of F3 Membership

    Foregoing the 2 mile pre-thang this gloom, YHC arrived in time to plant the Marsh flag next to the Scramble flag at the blustery AO and greet the menagerie of men gathered for a proper Saturday beat down

    WARM O RAMA

    With a focus on the shoulder demands of what QIC had in store…

    All x25 IC:

    Seal Claps

    Overhead Claps

    Air Presses

    Cherry Pickers

    Torso Twists

    Imperial Walkers

    Windmills

    High Knees

    THANG

    Mosied to Grundy’s Noah’s Ark for…

    Burpee Mile – 4 laps, each followed by 12 burpees

    Mosied to between Lamarque and Foy for…

    T Bombs x25 IC – Starting in crab position, 1 legs straight out, 2 feet wide, 3 feet back together, 4 legs back in

    Mosied to the splash pad area for…

    Blackjack – 1 merkin, run a little ways, 20 LBCs. 2 merkins, 19 LBCs, etc. until 20 merkins, 1 LBC

    Q had SO much more fun in store for the PAX, however with time running short, a 2 line indian run back to the flags capped off the somewhat HIIT-like beat down that kept heart rates elevated. By Q’s count, the ISI total was 378 . Also, 3.5 miles (5.5 for the pre-thangers).

    COT

    Count o rama (17 present), name o rama, and Suckles, who was back from Georgia for a quick visit, prayed us out.

    Guys, a valorous and highly impressive effort was put forth by each and every one of you. I am humbly appreciative of your willingness to show up and follow my wackie lead.

    Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads, and to those without kids, a happy Father’s Day to your own dear old man!

    SYITG

  • The Owl and the Dragonflies: Core Life Lessons

    Another glorious gloom at the Milestone Marsh shows us that valuable lessons in life can be garnered from even the most unexpected places….

    QIC decided that today would be a great time to test out some (in his limited experience) never before tried- by-F3Northshore exercises (save for 1 or 2). The Marsh regulars are always down for a challenge, and as they gathered at center court, the formerly ubiquitous Weinke emerged to once again shine a magnificent light of recall upon the Q in his quest to drop the beat…doooooooown!

    WARMORAMA

    Nancy Kerrigans – on 1 foot, with the other extended behind, bent at the waist, and arms extended outward…arm circles x10f, x10b

    Hairy Rockettes – x20 straight leg kick, touch right hand to left foot and vice versa

    Sprinkler – x20 with arms out in front, torso twist to the right with right knee up to the left and vice versa

    Failure to Launch – x6 hold Al Gore while Q counts down from 10 the tuck jump

    THANG

    With a robust selection from the Core category of the Exicon, the PAX proceeded thusly…

    XYs – x25 Rosalita and Flutter Kick done together in a 4 count. Trickier than it sounds

    Cross-Elbow LBCs – x25 self-explanatory nod to the obliques

    Inch Worm – x25 plank position with feet on a swing, bring knees to chest

    Swerkins – (count MAY have been abbreviated???) again in plank position with feet on a swing, merkin followed by knees to chest

    *while at the swings, a barn owl swooped down near by to see what we were up to*

    Weezy Jefferson – x25 (done in reverse from stated direction) from 10 degrees to 90, legs up on 3 count, down on 1

    Van Goghda – x25 on your 6 with legs spread, sit up r hand to left foot, and flip flop (YHC’s poor brush-burned coccyx is still regretting doing this on concrete)

    Protractor – on your 6 with legs extended straight, raise or lower to Q’s called-out angle from10 degress to 90

    J Lo’s – x25 in chill cut plank, pivot hips to the ground side to side

    Panseys – x5 pull up and hold, then raise straightened legs to 90 degrees (or at least attempt to) then lower legs and back down

    Never Cross Dolleys – x25 Hello Dolleys with arms out in Iron Cross position

    T-Bombs – x25 (look for these very soon at a Saturday beat down near you!) start in crab position, 1 kick legs straight out, 2spread legs aprt, 3 bring them back together, 4 back to crab position

    And Finally…

    Steinls – 2 sets, 30 second plank, 30 second chill cut plank, 10 merkins, 5 IC r leg peter parker, mountain climber, parker peter, followed by l leg, 10 more merkins, then return to plank, rinse and repeat.

    COT

    Waterpik did us the honor of leading us out in prayer

    As we were spending so much time facing up, the PAX observed our visitor the barn owl stealthily perched on a rafter, hunting dragonflies that had trapped themselves under the ceiling thinking they’re freedom awaited them at the source of the daylight now streaming through the translucent skylights. She would swoop up and abscond with a crunchy morsel to devour in a near by tree. Repeatedly, she kept coming back to the buffet.

    2 lessons dawned on YHC watching this play out:

    1, Don’t necessarily follow the light, it can sometimes be an illusion (all that glitters is not gold)

    2, If you want to catch fish, go where the fish are.