Author: Reluctant Yankee

  • Welcome Blue Suede from Omaha

    Woke up with time to spare on this very humid 75 degree pre-Thanksgiving day. I posted full of gratitude for this group that gets me up and moving in the GLOOM. Blue Suede who is from Omaha but eats turkey in Mississippi drove an hour to post with us so that crazy dude woke up at 4am! Tclaps.

    Ran to the big field across from the zoo for COP 1:

    9 lives has a jacked up back so I took his Q last night. Started with SSH, Imp Squats, Plank Walk, Mtn Climbers, and Monkey Humpers x 20

    Ran to the FLY. At the curbs we did Merks around the CLOCK – counterclockwise. x 10 Had to stop before the hill – the soupy gloom made me worried that I would lose the 6.

    Ran to the Hill

    At the hill we did 20 shoulder taps, over hill 18 plank jacks, 16 taps, 14 jacks until the first PAX (BLUE SUEDE) finished. That dude can hustle.

    Ran to the FLY beach and did a quick Q school.

    Popalock did SSH, Tender did IMP walkers, Bacchus did Hillbillies, and False Start did arm circles. We let Seaman finish us off with backwards arm circles.

    Ran to the Audubon statue. Did a loop, flutter kicks for the six, ran a second loop did plank jacks for the 6.

    Moseyed to the field for some MARY. We did LOW COUNTRY CRAB, NOLAN RYANS, Plank Toe Taps and YTWs. Moseyed back to the FLAG. At the FLAG we did Monkey Humpers for a minute to finish off the beatdown!

    COT: Prayed for something for which we are grateful. Each pax named something.

  • Darkness bells

    A dark and cool AM. 56 degrees.

    Willie arrived after I started to worry about being alone for the Sweaty Bells.

    Willie and I moseyed over to the soccer field for a 2 man deal.

    Then Jingle and Kong arrived so we were 4.

    Started with warmups: Halos, Figure 8, Bus Driver, Round the waist, Hot Potato

    The THANG: I envisioned a 10-15-20-15-10 cycle for the following exercises. However time kept us to a 10-15-10 cycle.

    Exercises in order: 1/2 burpee to row, KB overhead press, Tricep press, Kb Swings, Rows L/R, Curls, Reverse Lunge, Lateral Pulls/Drag.

    After that cycle we ran a lap around the soccer field. Then repeat for 15 reps then finished with 10 reps.

    That took all of our time – I had some Mary planned but we had to skip it.

    Some chill time with the boys and bells. Who are all these sketchy people at the FLY in the gloom? Strange folks.

    Thanks for letting me Q. It is always a blast.

  • The other anniversary

    A disclaimer and we were off. I intentionally signed up for this Q so that I could mark my 5th year.

    Mosey’d to the field by the WW1 Memorial. SSHx 20, Imp Walker x 10, Imp Walker Squats x 10, Squats x 15, Mtn Climbers x 15, Dying Roaches x 20

    Mosey’d to the ROW STATION. 20 Rows was the count. Plank Jacks, Shoulder Taps, Squats.

    Then we long mosey’d to the FOUNTAIN. We did an INDIAN RUN to the FOUNTAIN.

    At the FOUNTAIN we tried a few new ones…SIDE CRUNCHES On the benches, walking toe taps, then L/R Step Ups, and we finished with some 10 declined merks.

    Prisoner run to patch of grass by the golf course. At the golf course – we did dying bugs, low country crabs, american hammers, lbts,.

    Ran to the PIMP station. At each running man do 2,4,6,8, 10 merks then decrease back to 2. Than back up to 10. At the PIMP Station we set up with 10 pull ups , while you wait — plank jacks, shoulder taps, and squats.

    FInished with HORSES TO THE STABLE.

    COT – Being appreciative for F3 NOLA.

  • 5 year CONVERGENCE!

    Well – 5 years later we are still going STRONG! I remember when we started thinking I don’t have time in my life for this group. After a week of beatdowns I knew that we had to commit to growing this group – it had already begun to change my life and they way I interact with people everyday. I know after a nasty 530am beatdown – that I can handle anything the day throws at me. Thanks to all the guys here in NOLA that keep things running so that we can continue to be a group. Thanks to OBT for taking time out of his life to get us going in the GLOOM! Looking forward to 5 more years of F3 in NOLA.

    Today the pre-run started with about 20 PAX for a run down BAYOU ST JOHN. Beautiful weather, cool air and a crisp breeze. We ran 12 min out and 12 min back so that we could arrive in time for the fun.

    KUCH – has a been a great EH’er and a nice addition to F3 NOLA. Kuch started the party off with a WARM UP circle. SSH, Imp Walkers, Arm Circles, Peter Parkers, Merks.

    Then we divided up by 5 count into teams. We did 5 burpees, 5 Lunges, 5 Merkins, 5 Squats, 5 Plank Jacks. Bear Crawl across the lawn. Run back. KUCH did an excellent job getting the teams set quickly

    5 reps. We ran out of time and had to call it after 3 reps. No team won due to the shortened KUCH set. Kuch represented NOLA well – with a pretty gnarly start to a celebratory event.

    2nd set with DURACELL – FROM BATON ROUGE

    Duracell brought out 2 coupons. 40lb cinderblocks. 2 PAX ran to the center and did 3 thrusters. We went two different directions. A slow starter but once the PAX got the hang out this one – this was a solid beatdown. Duracell had to do about 15 exercises in cadence to 20. Exercises ranged from a regular plank, to shoulder taps, to merk variations to squat/lunge variations. The highlight of this section was Mathlete’s 2.0-Bear getting that cinderblock in the right position and up. Duracell represented the RED STICK well.

    THIGHS FROM THE WANK- 3rd quarter. We started with a solid mosey over the to the lawn in by the museum. Upon arrival we see that Thighs has organized with some printed out signs a 15 min beatdown that is going to suck. At each sign there was an exercise- PAX had to complete 20 reps the first time through, 15 reps the 2nd time through. (Possible 3rd time for the fastest pax members). Exercises were:

    1. Bonnie Blaires
    2. Diamond Merks
    3. Reverse Crunches aka Gaspumps
    4. Bobby Hurleys
    5. Merkin Toe Touches (need to incorporate this more in my Qs)
    6. Freddie Mercs

    RUN back to the start line and do this again. Thighs had the teams organized in a way by street names. Due to 75 PAX that didn’t quite workout but Thighs quickly modified and let the teams fall where they were. A good quick call. Thighs demonstrated that there is nothing easy about the WANK. Those guys are tough! Great turnout by the WB.

    STEVE FROM THE NORTHSHORE- FINISHED OFF The PAX back on the great lawn. Each pax got a partner.

    You had to do your partners age in burpees, your partners weight in LBCS, and your partners months in F3 in Freddies.

    Steve had a few minutes left so he finished with some Peter parkers, and some American Hammer.

    After a 75 PAX NAME O RAMA, NUMBERRAMA – Hokey POkey finished us off with an awesome prayer!

    After the whole beatdown we gathered at Cafe Du Monde for a 5 year celebration party. Tclaps to Rudy, Tool and Gabrielle for making that happen. There were eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, biscuits, beignets and plenty of coffee!

    Thanks to our awesome Qs! IT is NOT easy to Q 75 PAX!

    So blessed to be a part of this group- cheers to 5 more years of F3 NOLA!

  • Vincent Price in a trash can?

    Still high from the UGA victory over Notre Dame – I took the MONDAY am SKINNY Q at Audubon Park. Organ Grinder was signed up by Douille but was blocked by a previous engagement. So I took the Q.

    A cool 75 degrees and the first day of Fall to start this Skinny.

    Ran to the soccer field. El Wire spotted some great GLOOM. Like really great gloom. There were thriller references, and some concern that Vincent Price was chilling in the trash. Had to teach the PAX who is Vincent Price.

    Warm up SSX x20, Imperial Walker Squats x 20, Mtn Climbers x 20, and Dying Bugs x 20 – looking at the sky – pointed out some stars for the PAX.

    Flamingo Shit Smell on the way in. Lots of smells today.

    We mosey’d to the river view at the FLY. Here we did 50 Monkey Humpers OYO, then we lunge walked to the road. Another great GLOOM session. HORSESHIT SMELL.

    Mosey’d to the HILL. At the Hill – we did 20 Plank Jacks, then 18 Shoulder Taps, 16 plank jacks, 14 shoulder taps, 12 plank jacks .etc crossing the hill back and forth. The HILL had a nice gloom too. RHINO SHIT SMELL

    In the middle of the soccer field we circled up for single legs hip thrusts, and low country crab x 20 GIRAFFE SHIT SMELL

    Then we indian ran to the other side of the FLY. Only 3 dudes got through the indian run – not sure what the hell happened there. DOGSHIT SMELL

    We ran fast to the Labrynth. There we did 20 dips IC, 15 bulgarian split lunges left, 20 inclined merks, and 20 bulgarian splits right.

    Then on our 6 for 20 russian twists, 15 roaches, 15 LBTs and 15 Vups. (Led by Peach, Angie, Qpipe and ElWire

    HORSESHIT SMELL

    Then we ran back to the flag and closed out with a COT.

  • 9/11 Stair Climb #2

    The first known 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb event occurred on September 11, 2003 during “Operation Enduring Freedom” in Parwan Province, Afghanistan. Albuquerque Fire Department Lieutenant Charles Cogburn scaled a two story building 55 times wearing body armor, a helmet and an M-4.  Lt Cogburn returned home and on the following September 11th (2004) the climb was brought back to Albuquerque and given the title Albuquerque Firefighters Memorial Stair Climb. Firefighters from Engine 5 and Engine 2 were dispatched at 8:46am (the time the initial dispatch of FDNY units occured) to the Bank of Albuquerque Building in downtown Albuquerque. The building is 22 stories tall and it was climbed 5 times. 

    We like many others gathered to recognize the first responders of 9/11/2001 – we were 9 days late but it was the closest date open for a Q.

    In order to complete the task at hand – one had to climb 7 flights of stairs 16 times. (112 flights) The original firefighters had to climb 110 flights. Imagine they had their gear on and they never got rest as they climbed down the 7 flights of stairs. Last year I couldn’t finish I was at 11.3. This year I finished with time to spare.

    Gabrielle, King Kong, WIllie Catfish and Hokey Pokey inspired with their rucks. Special tclaps to Hokey for adding a 40 lb weight vest. Very impressive. Tclaps to Gabrielle for thinking to bring the door stops – the improved airflow was a huge game changer. I had nightmares about the smell and humidity from the climb last year as I went to bed.

    Most of the PAX finished the climb this year. Tclaps to all of the finishers.

    As we climbed I asked the PAX to reflect on being men who would rush to danger to help, instead of seeking their own comfort in a tough situation.

    Thanks for allowing me to lead.

  • Levees in the Moonlight

    EL Wire always starts with the JACK OFF. SSH x 20, SMurfs x 20, Seals x 20 and Plank Jacks x 20 – El Wire is the MASTER at this.

    Then we mosey’d to the levee.
    Partner up.

    We did Merkins at the TOP x10, x 15, x 20, x 25, x 30 = 100 while partner LBCs and waits and then Jump Squats at the top with bicicletas at the bottom (2 Rounds)

    Then we mosey’d over to Audubon Statue and did a modified DORA. Partner 1: Run the first half of the loop then 5 burpees at the turn and then run backwards.

    Partner 2 Exercises: V-UPs to 100, didn’t finish then we bolted for the FLAG.

    There was a breeze. First one in awhile.

    Thanks for stepping up for the Q-El Wire! Now please learn to write a bb.

  • 2 , 4 , 6, 8 hey our Q is late!

    OK an embarassing AM posting for this Q. Not sure how many Qs I’ve had over the last 5 years but I have NEVER missed a Q or I have never been late!

    Woke up at 629 for my 630 Q. Damn it!

    Got to the Field at 641. Boys were just finishing up their warmup of halos and under the legs etc.

    We lined up at the Soccer Field. Did diminishing Kettle Bells swings.

    30 KBs run across the field and back, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5. Until finished.

    Then mosey’d to the HILL.

    Here we did 12, 8, 4 of an exercise with KB and then a core exercise x 10 on the other side.

    Rows x 12, 8 , 4 then we did Russian Twists x 10 **this was too few rows so we up’d the ante.

    Triceps lifts x 20, x 15, x 10 and Dying Roaches on the other side.

    Bench press x 20, x 15 x 10 and NOLAN RYANs on the other side.

    Then we did 40 Goblet Squats , suit case over, 30 Swings, suit case back, 20 Presses. Then we finished with 50 Merks – finish how every you want. (A mini – Iron Pax)

    I’m annoyed I was late but I appreciate you guys letting me step up and finish my plan. Great coffeeteria post beatdown!

  • Killer B’s at Birdcage Iron Pax Week #1

    Posted in a million degree weather with 1000% humidity to start this IPC.

    Meet at the lawn by the ZOO! Line up.

    Broad jump 10 yards, 10 burpees, 10 bonnieblairs, and 10 big bois, broad jump 10 yards do it again, and broad jump 10 yards and do it again.

    Bear Crawl back to start line and do it again – 5 times

    Easy if you write it – hard if you do it.

    Tclaps to Happy Little Trees and G-Spot for the sub-20 finish. I think if you did it again you could shave another 30 secs or so off your time.

    The early finishers ran laps around the course while the rest of the PAX finished.

    While this contest is you vs everyone – it is also you vs you. I’d love to pull out the KILLER Bs in January and have you compare your times – I am sure you would see some great results.

    Great work and here are the results by time. We need to keep participating every week!

    1938 Happly Little Trees

    1947 GSpot

    2120 DOuille

    2230 Sandbar

    2435 Seaman

    2451 ILOVEYOUMAN
    2451 CHIQUITA
    2445 86

    2530 Saban

    2540 Jingle Vader

    2629 Gabrielle

    2647 King Kong

    2800 Tinkles

    2842 Quarterpipe

    2941 Brown Bag

    2957 Bones

    3000 Tube Steak

    3002 Bartman

    3030 Angies List

    3055 R. Yankee

    3055 Quincy

    3223 Squeal

    3254 Chowda

  • Levee Lovin’

    We circled up along the Mighty Mississippi. Two minutes after getting ready with our first COP – a barely clothed couple frantically scampered up the levee and ran to their car. Young love. We were perplexed as to why they chose the rocky side of the levee instead of the very comfortable looking car they arrived in.

    Warm up: Hot potato, Halo, Figure 8, Around the back 30-45 secs

    Got in plank and passed the bells to the left using on the left arm. Then did it to the right. Did it each direction twice.

    Sealed the deal with 20 Kettle Bell swings

    Then we did rows L and R, curls, and merks L to R x 12

    Got back in plank and passed the bells L and R.

    Then we got on our six and did Russian Twist, L and R press and tricep lifts. x12

    Sealed the deal with 15 Kettle Bell swings

    Lined Up and then did 10 hammer swings and then ran 30 yards and then did 5 burpees (4 rotations)

    Back to our circle and did the plank pull with the kettle bells L and R – full circle

    Then we did chest press, suitcase pick up and put down, side dips and wife pleasers with kettle bell on pelvis (we did this for the people in the park)

    At this moment Angie’s List’s TUGBOAT came by for a closer look

    Then we did 5 Hammer swings

    Then we had a few minutes left for low country crab, and dead bugs!

    I am enjoying this workout – I hope we keep it going.