F3 New Orleans

Author: High Rise

  • Taking out some frustration after a Saints loss

    After yesterday’s terrible Saints game, I had to work out some frustration with the coaches’ gameplan as well as the execution in an awful loss to the Eagles. With that said, and the sharp change in weather overnight, it would make for a challenging morning. 9 PAX gathered outside LCM, including Jingle Vader from the far away land of Uptown.

    Warm up:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grassgrabbers x 15 IC
    • Arm circles x 10 fwd/rev each IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Hillbillies x 20 IC

    Tha Thang #1:

    What better way to start a block inspired, no run beatdown than with some Flora 1,2,3. PAX partners up and all reps are divided evenly

    • 100 Merkins with feet on block total. PAX #1 performs 10 Merkins while PAX #2 holds plank. Alternate every 10 reps
    • 200 LBCs with block. PAX #1 performs 20 LBCs with block while PAX #2 holds block overhead and legs in air. Alternate every 20 reps.
    • 300 Goblet squats. PAX #1 performs 30 squats while PAX #2 holds Al Gore position with block. Alternate every 30 reps.

    Tha Thang #2:

    At this point it was time to move on to The Gross. 12 exercises of 12 reps (mostly done in 4-count cadence) each. I divided up the exercises into 4 upper body, 4 lower body, and 4 core exercises.

    • Chest press with block while holding bridge position
    • Goblet squats
    • Standing oblique crunches with block
    • Walleyes (front raises with block)
    • Single leg bridges with foot on block
    • Flutter kicks while holding block overhead
    • Curls
    • Lunges with twist while holding block
    • LBCs with block
    • Overhead triceps extension with block
    • Calf raises while standing on block
    • Box cutters while holding block overhead

    Tha Thang #3:

    Walk over with your block to the nearby parking lot for a modified Quarter Pounder. PAX will walk across parking lot while rifle carrying block overhead and perform stated reps at each end of the parking lot.

    • Round 1: 25 Merkins
    • Round 2: 50 Goblet squats
    • Round 3: 75 Mountain climbers (1 is 1)
    • Round 4: 100 reps of core exercise of your choosing

    Walk back to our normal exercise area with block and circle up. Countoff, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and socially distanced COT. Hopefully everyone was as fatigued by the end of the beatdown as I was.

  • Playing the hits

    After some back and forth as to who would Q The Foundry today, I was summoned by the unwritten F3 by-law that if a Q is unable to attend then I will Q. I think I may need a lawyer for this but Kuch is the one who wrote said by-law so it’s probably pretty air tight. Anyway 8 PAX joined me in the damp cold morning. Since this was a last minute Q I opted to do some research and select some routines from previous beatdowns that I had Q’ed.

    Warm up:

    Mosey around the traffic circle at the end of Roosevelt Mall and stop in the middle of the intersection outside the entrance to the practice track. Circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grassgrabbers x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 IC each
    • Hillbillies x 15 IC

    Tha Thang #1:

    I opted for a socially distanced Route 66. While in our circle from warm up 1 PAX would run to a bench on either side of the mall. After performing 1 derkin they would yell go to the next PAX and move on to the next bench for 2 derkins, and so on increasing reps with each bench until they have reached the end of the mall. While waiting their turn PAX would hold Al Gore. Once completed derkins at all benches PAX would hold Al Gore until the 6 had completed all rounds.

    Tha Thang #2:

    Mosey to the back of NOMA where we would split into 3 groups of 3 PAX for Triple Check. In each group PAX #1 held the People’s Chair and PAX #2 held a plank while PAX #3 ran around NOMA. Once PAX #3 completed the loop rotate positions until each PAX had performed all 3 stations. 3 rounds of this was performed by all 3 groups.

    Tha Thang #3:

    PAX was lined up and spaced out along the curb in the back of NOMA for Dominoes. Hold L side plank and PAX on the far end would perform 10 merkins. Once he has completed 5 merkins he would call it out and the next PAX would start his merkins. Once 10 merkins were completed by each PAX they would rotate to holding a R side plank until all PAX have completed merkins. After a 20 sec rest break a second round was performed in reverse order beginning with R side plank.

    Tha Thang #4:

    Mosey back to the end of Roosevelt Mall where we would perform another socially distanced Route 66 back to the flag. This time step ups (2 is 1) were the exercise of choice and each PAX would hold a plank until it was their turn to begin. Reps were performed in a descending count. Unfortunately I overshot it and was unable to complete all rounds in time. Thankfully PAX was able to begin some Mary while waiting on me to return to the flag at 6:17.

    Count off, Name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and COT. Thanks again for the chance to lead.

  • Armistice 2020

    I looked for a good Veteran’s Day themed WOD and found 2 that I liked. I wasn’t sure how long it was going to take to complete (particularly Catfish) so the plan was to have everyone complete WOD #1 and then transition to WOD #2 with the left over time for AMRAP. Turns out WOD #1 was all that was needed.

    Warm up:

    Mosey around the traffic circle and end at the second intersection. Circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each IC
    • Hillbillies x 15 IC
    • Peter Parkers x 15 IC

    Tha Thang:

    Everyone would need to grab a bench throughout Roosevelt Mall. The plan was to complete the WOD and record your time.

    11 rounds for time

    11 Mountain Climbers

    11 Squats

    11 Hand release Merkins

    11 Box jump burpees

    200 meter run (this consisted of running around the neutral ground to the bench opposite where you started)

    Kudos to Catfish as he was the only PAX to complete all 11 rounds. As the time approached 6:15 PAX were instructed to head back to the flag once they had finished their respective round for some Mary.

    Count-off, Name-o-rama, Announcements, Intentions, COT.

  • Who is the Q? Kuch says I am. Ok I’m the Q.

    As PAX arrived at Okwata it was revealed by Kuch that there had not been a Q on the sign up sheet for today. As he is prone to do, Kuch offered up me as the fill in Q. I have done this numerous times in the past and as I am prone to do I accepted. I have not Q’ed much at Okwata as I do find it challenging as the Q but I figured what the hell. Let’s do it.

    Warm-up

    Disclaimer was given and we took off towards the Mardi Gras fountain. While making the circle we did high knees, butt kicks, karaoke facing the levee, and karaoke facing the fountain. Circle up in the grass.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Hillbillies x 15 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Mountain climbers x 20 IC

    Tha Thang #1:

    Mosey over to the House of Pain. Split into 4 groups for 4 stations of exercises (I went solo).

    Station 1: Bernie Sanders up the hill, 5 burpees at the top, and run down (timer)

    Station 2: squats

    Station 3: dips

    Station 4: pull ups

    Rinse and repeat for 2 total rounds.

    Tha Thang #2:

    Stay in our groups for a change in the exercises but the set up is the same.

    Station 1: bear crawl up the hill, 5 burpees at the top, and run down to the bottom (timer)

    Station 2: Reverse lunges

    Station 3: derkins

    Station 4: leg raises while hanging on the pull up bar (thanks to Mahatma for the assist on this exercise as I drew a blank on what to do)

    Tha Thang #3:

    After a 20 sec rest break everyone grabbed some space on the posts for some People’s Chair. 3 rounds for 30 sec with 15 sec rest break in between. The silence during this portion of the beatdown was defeaning.

    Tha Thang #4:

    Time for some 11s. Burpees on one side on the levee, run up and over, and LBCs on the other. 10/1, 9/2, and so on.

    Mosey back to the mythical flag where Mahatma led us in a round of 100s to cap off the day.

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcement, intentions, and COT. Once again it was a pleasure to lead a beatdown even when pushed to do it on the fly at what can be a very challenging AO.

  • Roosevelt Mall Challenge

    So when I graciously handed off my Q a few weeks ago for the trail run antics of Saban, I was glad to take the Q back from Kuch who opted to take a day off in preparation for the H8! I assume. I had been contemplating a beatdown that was more run focused to avoid some strain on my aching neck. So that’s what I did. 3 men joined me at the flag and 1 opted to join in later on (more to come on this).

    Warm up:

    Mosey around the traffic circle on the side of Roosevelt Mall nearest Marconi, then circle up

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Hillbillies x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Arm circles x 10 fwd/rev each IC

    Tha Thang:

    There are 5 intersections spaced throughout Roosevelt Mall. The goal was to perform an escalator of exercises while making back and forth throughout the Mall.

    Round 1: Run around the traffic circle and then perform 10 8-count Absolutions.

    Round 2: Run around the traffic circle then continue on to the next intersection where we perform 20 Merkins and back to the first intersection and perform 10 8-count Absolutions.

    Round 3: Run around the traffic circle then continue to intersection 3 where we performed 40 squats, back to intersection 2 for 20 Merkins, and then back to the start for 10 8-count Absolutions.

    Round 4: Run around the traffic circle then continue to intersection 4 where we peformed 80 LBCs, back to intersection 3 for 40 squats, intersection 2 for 20 Merkins, and then back to the start for 10 8-count Absolutions.

    Round 5: Run around the traffic circle then continue to the opposite end of the Mall for 160 Rocky Balboas, back to intersection 4 for 80 LBCs, intersection 3 for 40 squats, intersection 2 for 20 Merkins, and then back to the start for 10 8-count Absolutions.

    Unfortunately we were a little pinched on time so Round 5 was modified. We did not make it the full length of the mall for 160 Rocky Balboas but they were performed at intersection 4 along with the 80 LBCs. Once we had completed the 40 squats at intersection 3 it was obvious we would run out of time. So PAX was instructed to head back to the flag. This will be attempted at some point again in the future (exercise selection is subject to change) and we will complete it within the 45 min limit.

    Upon our arrival at the flag this very muscular, veiny, sweaty gentleman was standing there with a second flag. It was Belloq! He had the AO location incorrect so he took it upon himself to go for a run and once he noticed the shovel flag he opted to wait for the PAX so he could join in the COT.

    Count off, Name-o-rama, Announcements, COT. God Bless.

  • Eddie Van Halen Tribute

    I had previously signed up to Q Swolefest not realizing that this would the convergence week. I assumed the PAX number would be low but the energy and effort would not. In order to help with the energy I opted to pay tribute to one of the great guitarists of our time and we rocked out to a Van Halen playlist this morning. Once 5:30 rolled around and I saw 6 PAX but only 2 cinder blocks and a BOSU provided by yours truly modifications would have to be made.

    Warm up:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grass grabbers x 15 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Mountain climbers x 20 IC

    Tha Thang #1:

    My plan was to have everyone partner up for some Flora 1-2-3 with our cinder blocks. Well with only 2 cinder blocks present modifications were made. PAX was split into 2 groups of 3 and the block would be rotated. Also instead of combined 100-200-300 reps we did a combined 100-240-325 to ensure everyone got equal number of reps.

    • 100 combined reps merkins on block. While PAX #1 performs 10 merkins on the block Pax #2 and #3 plank until it is their turn. Rotate through until 100 reps performed
    • 240 LBCs with block on chest. While Pax #1 performs 20 LBCs with block on chest Pax #2 and #3 perform static leg hold until it is their turn. Rotate through until 240 reps performed.
    • 325 Goblet squats. While PAX #1 performs 25 goblet squats Pax #2 and #3 hold Al Gore position until it is their turn. Rotate through until 325 reps performed.

    Tha Thang #2:

    Splint into 3 groups of 2.

    Round 1 upper body, group on BOSU is the timer. Rotate through each station:

    • Group 1: PAX #1 performs 20 merkins on BOSU while PAX #2 planks. Swap.
    • Group 2: PAX #1 performs curls with block AMRAP while PAX #2 planks. Swap.
    • Group 3: PAX #1 performs overhead triceps extension AMRAP with block while PAX #2 planks. Swap.

    Round 2 lower body, group on BOSU is timer. Rotate through each station:

    • Group 1: PAX #1 performs 20 squats while standing on BOSU and PAX #2 holds Al Gore.
    • Group 2: PAX #1 performs forward lunge with twist while holding block AMRAP. PAX #2 holds Al Gore.
    • Group 3: PAX #1 performs reverse lunge with twist while holding block AMRAP. PAX #2 holds Al Gore.

    Mosey over to the Foundry for a pull up ring of fire. PAX performs 10 pull ups while everyone else holds plank. Rotate through until all PAX have performed 10 pull ups. Mosey back to the flag.

    Countoff, Name-o-rama, Annoucements, Intentions, and socially distances COT. It was great to lead again and for all PAX interested in Swolefest please invest in a block or 2.

  • Pull ups? Oh yeah, pull ups!

    It had been a while since I had done a beatdown involving pull ups. The more I thought about it I had not done a pull up since the Murph Memorial Day Beatdown. And prior to that it had been since the Covid shutdowns began. So I really felt like doing some pull ups. Well it just so happened I was the Q. So guess what exercise I included today?

    Warm up

    Mosey over to the parking lot adjacent to the track and circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grass grabbers x 15 IC
    • Arm circle x 10 Fwd/rev each IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Hillbillies x 15 IC
    • Mountain climbers x 20 IC

    Next up we performed an Indian Run down the street to the foundry. Sweep the 6. Leave no man behind.

    Tha Thang:

    It’s Tabata time! I wanted to incorporate a beatdown that addressed all major muscle groups. With a little help from some Youtube workouts I found 10 exercises I wanted to complete. 25/10 Tabata timer was set for 5 stations.

    Round 1:

    • Pull ups
    • Dips
    • Rotational merkins
    • Bulgarian split squat
    • Hamstring RDL

    Rinse and repeat

    Round 2:

    • Human pullovers
    • Inverted chin curl
    • Long leg bridge
    • Derkins
    • W’s

    Rinse and repeat

    Mosey back to the virtual flag. Sweep the 6. Plank for over 1 minute until 6:15.

    Countoff, name-o-rama, annoucements, intentions, physically distanced COT.

  • Sprinting on Wisner Mountain

    A hot but not so muggy morning presented me with another opportunity to Q. Over the last several weeks we have done some interesting beatdowns involving the Wisner overpass. I thought I’d try something different today. Kuch and Snooze joined me by the festival grounds for a change of pace.

    Warm up:

    Mosey around the parking lot and circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmill x 10 IC
    • Grassgrabbers x 15 IC
    • Standing quad stretch each leg x ~30 seconds
    • Mountain climbers x 20 IC
    • Walking Frankenstein kicks through the parking lot

    After the warm up we moseyed over a portion of the trail surrounding the festival grounds on the way to the base of Wisner Mountain. From here, for research purposes, we moseyed up and over the mountain at a steady pace which took ~3 min (I’ll bank that knowledge and use it at a later date).

    From here we would work on some sprint intervals.

    • Sprint to the first expansion joint, recovery walk back to the start
    • Sprint to the second expansion joint, recovery walk back to the start
    • Sprint to the apex of the mountain, continue recovery walking to the other side

    Following a brief rest the running resumed

    • Mosey up the mountain and sprint the decline to the bottom of the other side
    • Sprint to the apex of the mountain, recovery walk to the bottom on the other side
    • Mosey back to the playground

    A round of round robin Mary commenced. Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and physically distances COT. Thanks for the change to once again lead. God bless.

  • Tabata, Tabata, and more Tabata

    Monday morning came and after discovering a treasure trove of exercises and routines on a Youtube page recently I wanted to try out a leg dominant beatdown. But don’t worry the upper body was addressed at the end. 5 PAX joined me, including 2 PAX that have not been able to attend in a while, in the muggy gloom.

    Warm up:

    After a brief jog around the fork in the road we circled up in front of LCM.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Grass grabbers x 15 IC
    • Hillbillies x 15 IC
    • Mountain climbers x 20 IC

    Today we performed an APEX routine. Anterior muscle exercises, followed by Posterior muscle exercises, and completed with Explosive exercises. Once this series is completed follow that with 2 “corrective” exercises consisting of hip abductor strengthening exercises.

    Round 1:

    Goblet squat, bridge march with cinderblock on waist, and kettle bell swing with cinderblock. Rest 30 seconds.

    Perform 30 seconds each leg: sidelying leg raises and 1 1/2 standing hip abductor slides.

    Round 2:

    Reverse lunge, sprinter lunge, and jump squats. Rest 30 seconds.

    Perform 30 seconds each leg: 1 1/2 sidelying leg raises and standing hip abductor slides.

    Round 3:

    Neverending squat, hamstring RDL, and Glut RDL. Rest 30 seconds.

    Perform 30 seconds each leg: sidelying leg raises and 1 1/2 standing hip abductor slides.

    Round 4:

    Reverse creeping lunge, long legged bridge with block on waist, and Bonnie Blair’s. Rest 30 seconds.

    Perform 30 seconds each leg: 1 1/2 sidelying leg raises and standing hip abductor slides.

    Now that the leg portion had been completed I kept with the APEX theme for a few rounds of upper body Tabata.

    Round 1:

    Block biceps curls, Overhead triceps extension with block, and T merkins

    Round 2:

    Front raises with block (heretofore known as Walleye’s), prone T’s, and Burpees

    Round 3:

    Repeat round 1.

    Round 4:

    Repeat round 2.

    Cooldown with various leg stretches. Countoff, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, physically distanced COT. As always it’s a pleasure to lead the fine men of F3. Can’t wait to do it again.

  • Wisner Mountain 2.0

    After Kuch led a heck of a beatdown last week at the Wisner Mountain we discussed moving our AO a little closer to the overpass so we wouldn’t spend quite as much time running to and from the bottom of the overpass. We all agreed to set our AO over by the pavilion by the festival grounds. 5 men gathered in what was a very dark parking lot and then while we were warming up Kuch and Snooze joined in as they had set up in front of NOMA in case any PAX had not gotten the message of the new AO.

    Warm Up:

    Mosey for a couple laps around the parking lot then circle up

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Hillbillies x 15 IC
    • Self love x 15 IC
    • Arm circles Fwd and Rev x 10 IC each
    • Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    At this time we moseyed over to the base of Wisner Mountain. Instructions would be given for each trek up and down the mountain. First we moseyed up and over the mountain and then we circled up for a quick round of Mary. Freddy Mercury’s x 20 IC, Sweat Angels x 15 IC, and LBCs x 25 IC. Mosey back up and over to the start.

    Next we would vary which direction and which method we would run up the mountain.

    • Round 1: High knees to the top, mosey back to the bottom, and perform 20 Incline Merkins
    • Round 2: Side shuffle facing Wisner Blvd half way up, mosey back to the bottom, and perform 20 shoulder taps IC
    • Round 3: Bernie Sanders to the top, mosey back to the bottom, and perform 20 Carolina dry docks
    • Round 4: Side shuffle facing Bayou St John half way up then due to time constraints mosey all the way back to the pavilion.

    After a little confusion on where to circle up for some more Mary due to the presence of a high school girls cross country team, we finally landed on the playground area which had some lovely cushion for the coccyx.

    Countoff, name-o-rama, annoucements, intentions, and a physically distanced COT. As always I appreciate the opportunity to lead.