F3 New Orleans

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  • What Some Men Will Do for Alfajores

    I’ve heard an alfajor described as an Argentine moon pie.  Which sort of seems insulting to something as tasty as an alfajor.  It’s like saying Messi is an Argentine Landon Donovan.  Sure there may be some basic similarities, but the analogy is lacking.  It’s like saying Jadaveon is an Uptown Rudy.  Anyway, the point is alfajores are delicious and I used them to get Yankee to post at Fight Club.

    Conditions:  40 degrees and blustery

    Warmup: SSH (IC) x 40*; IW (IC) x 20; Merkins x 15; Calf Raises (IC) x 15; Burpees x 15; But Kicks (IC) x 15; Low Country Crab (IC) x 15; Freddie Mercuries (IC) x 15; X Jumps x 15; Jump Lunges (10 each leg); Bobby Hurley x 10

    *Yankee showed up about half way through the warm-up so it was just me and Rev for the SSH.  I must say these were the most perfectly in sync and crisp SSH’s I’ve ever been a part of.  I only went to 40 because I didn’t want them to end.  It was magical.

    The Thang 

    Hit the ledge for an all leg chili pepper:

    • Round 1:  16 Channing Tatums; 8 box jumps aka Bongos; 16 Tatum Channings; 8 Low Slow Squats
    • Round 2:  12 Channing Tatums; 6 Bongos; 12 Tatum Channings; 6 Low Slow Squats
    • Round 3:  8 Channing Tatums; 4 Bongos; 8 Tatum Channings; 4 Low Slow Squats
    • Round 1:  5 Channing Tatums; 20 Bongos; 5 Tatum Channings; 20 Low Slow Squats

    Break out the Destrahan Dodecahedron (a 12 sided die with various exercises, many inlcuded in the warm-up, that I obtained at a Destrahan workout…those were the good ‘ol days.)  We cast the D&D Die to chose the exercises for the Fight Club Special

    Fight Club Special – run to the top of the levee and perform exercise #1 then run back down to the bottom to perform exercise #2.  Do this 5 times and that is 1 round.

    • Round 1:  Calf Raises x 30 and Peter Parkers x 30
    • Round 2:  Freddie Mercs x 50 and Peter Parker x 30
    • Round 3:  Jump Lunges x 10 each leg and Calf Raises x 30

    That was it.  We prayed and then I gave Yankee a box of alfajores for his troubles.  To my surprise he shared with Rev Sox.

    Thoughts

    • Fight Club needs your support.  Think about making the trip out there.  Rev Sox is working hard to EH locals, but the struggle is real.  Gremlin is a regular and we should work to keep this thing alive, if just for him and Rev.
    •  FYI – this AO is treacherous in flip-flops.  I recommend shoes.

     

  • Shuttle runs in the park

    Shuttle runs in the park


    After breaking the seal of their warm car, 4 brave men set out to conquer today’s set of exercises.  The weather man said it was 36 degrees, but that didn’t stop FroZone, T-Square, ShortBus, and Thighs from adding a few layers of clothing and getting after it.

    Cold Weather WarmUp

    To warm up, we did a quick lap around the track and then 20 jumpin jacks and 20 mountain climbers.

    Dynamic WarmUp

    The blood started pumping, so we did some dynamic warm ups from one telephone pole to the next and back.

    Karaokes

    Butt Kickers

    Zombie Walking

    Backwards Run

    High Knees

    Karaokes

    First Exercise

    Then we started the workout.  We split into teams of 2.  As one did the exercise, the other partner did shoulder taps until the partner returned from their shuttle run.

    We did Shuttle Runs from telephone pole to telephone pole.

    Lunges to the first pole.

    5 – Bobby Hurleys

    Sprint to the next pole.

    10 – Diamond Merkins

    Sprint back to the first pole.

    5 – Bobby Hurleys

    Lunges back to the beginning.

    We accomplished 8 runs, or 4 rounds per man.

    Then we did a 20 count rest.

    Second Exercise

    We did shuttle runs to the same telephone poles but in the format of BLIMPS.

    B-urpees – 5

    L-unges – 10 per leg

    I-mperial Walkers – 15 per leg

    M-erkins – 20

    P-lank Jumps – 25

    S-quats – 30

    Sprint from the far telephone pole back to the start.

    We did 3 rounds with a 20 second count down in between.

    Final Exercise

    45 elbow plank

    We circled up, counted off, name-a-rama, and a prayer for the week.

    By the end, the cold weather didn’t have an affect on our motivation or spirits.  The 4 brave men that took a deep sigh when they had to open their warm car doors, had found that after a few minutes of F3 exercising they can accomplish even the coldest day in NOLA!

    Great job, guys!  Can’t wait for our next time at the Master Melvin.

  • Doracidal Tendencies

    The day to tackle the one remaining AO I had never Q’d was upon me. QIC felt the strong  need to conquer The Gipper in a most unforgettable manner, though only the astoundingly hardcore Wednesday PAX could tell you whether or not my mission was indeed accomplished. I consider it a show of respect to my fellow F3 warriors to come with an overstuffed beatdown itinerary. Such was the case on this gloom, and I was so excited about my bag O tricks that, upon Grundy’s traditional 11th hour arrival, we began in earnest.

    WARM UP (Not Warm at All)

    Toes Touches 10x IC

    Arm Circles -> x10

    <- x10

    Cherry Pickers x10

    Hi Knees x10

    Scorpion Kicks x10

    THIS HERE THANG

    Towels were kindly distributed to the PAX in consideration of posterior comfort, as we mosied to the parking garage. Up the 1st ramp we ran backwards for the 1st half and forwards for the 2nd half. On the 2nd level we partnered up for Doracides! (the next level of Dora 1,2,3) P1 runs a 3 point suicide, doing 1, 2, and 3 burpees at each respective point. Meanwhile, P2 is working on a cumulative 100 LBCs, 200 Putins, 300 Freddy Flutters, and 400 Crunchy Frogs. Ok, QIC will be the first to admit that there was a risk of catching several murder charges, assuming I myself survived such shenanigans. In truth, though, the selection of core exercises was a great mix, but would be most appropriately be performed in the opposite order than was precribed on this day.

    After a double (or was it triple) 10 count, the PAX overtook the next ramp by skipping up the 1st half, running up the 2nd half, and, without stopping, mosying down the stairs and to the steps in BACK of the court house. Running woefully short on time, we did some mercifully abbreviated Irky Drks (a Bushwacker exercise still in the test phase), which consisted of a incline merkin on the bottom step, then next step, then next, before heading back down with decline merkins on each step.

    The mosey continues back to the trailhead for a quick round of 1 minute yoga, which consisted of table top, right balanced table top, left balanced table top, cat/cow, and child’s pose.

    COT

    Einstein (aka Cuz) prayed us out as we each embarked upon a new day and a new adventure!

    Thanks, brothers, for following my lead without giving in to the overwhelming urge to mutiny, and for being a source of inspiration in my universe.

  • The 4 Frozen Horsemen

    Winter is here.  But that didn’t stop 4 hardy PAX from appearing on the angry shores of Okwata, where the winds were howling.  YHC’s car said 37 degrees.  Alas, YHC’s car does not have a wind-chill measurement; perhaps that is for the best.  Somethings are best left unknown.  5:30 arrives, so the 4 frozen horsemen from setting off.

    The Thang

    YHC abandoned the planned Q in order to seek shelter behind the levee.  Lets mosey!  10 seconds later, time for a quick return to the sidewalk to find an alternate path.  Thank you, trailblazing Abacus, for alerting us to the puddles of mud and water!  Sorry you had to step in it to discover for us…

    Instead: Mosey down to Canal St, up and over the levee, seek shelter and dry ground on the City side of the levee.

    Warmup with SSH, IW, then plank-o-rama.  Cold seems to mess with Frac’s counting abilities.  But we persevere…

    Dora 1-2-3

    Burpees x100, Merkins x200, Squats x300.

    While Pax 1 reps, Pax 2 Lunge Walks up and down the levee – feel that howing, freezing wind hit your face at the top!  The walk down added the extra “don’t slip and slide” risk.  Frac and JV got the benefit of extra reps waiting on YHC and Abacus.

    Head to the top for a 20 count (and grumbling about why we didn’t do the 20 count in the shelter at the bottom.  Because we’re tough, that’s why)

    HOP

    Mosey to HOP for 4 stations: Bear crawl Up/Down the levee (the timer), Dips, Pull-Ups, LBCs.  2 rounds.  I’m not exactly sure what JV does on the bear crawl down, but I think it involved frequent stops to smell the flowers.  We don’t have all day, here….

    Mosey back through the mud and puddles to the flag.  Dang, that water is C.O.L.D. on the feets.

    Time for Flutter Kicks x25.

    Then close up with the faster countoff, name-o-rama, intentions and prayers that I’ve ever been a part of.  “Nice seeing you gents, gotta run….” says everyone as they hustle back to their cars to try and restore feeling to extremeties.

  • Saturday night social pays off at the Scramble!!

    4 PAX decided to post at the Scramble with moderate temperatures in the 30s and wind chill factor making it feel like the high 20s.. 👏🏻 Welcome to FNG “OD” for posting his first AO. With multiple EHs coming from all directions, Water Pik put the close on our new brotha at a Saturday night social that sealed the deal.. Knowing the crowd would be a little lighter as hibernation season approaches YHC started right in not expecting any late arrivals..

    Warmup

    10 IC Good mornings

    10IC Windmills

    20 IC Butt kicks

    20 IC Imperial Walkers

    20 IC High knees

    thang

    Moseyed the course splitting into pairs and striking conversation along the way.. Learning more about your brethren as you go through a beatdown is one of the things this YHC enjoys the most about F3.. Remembering where we came from and the joys of life we have experienced as we continue the journey of life.. Appreciate the conversation Garfield..

    Upon return, we hop over to the new fitness section of the park to get some use out of  the new equipment our tax dollars recently purchased. First up we did 20 IC Freak nasties, 3 pax then took to their 6 for LBCs as each man cycled through 5 pull-ups returning and then a round of Flutter kicks with another 5 pull-ups. As promised to a few at the Marsh on Monday the PAX closed out with some Yoga stretch. Down dog alternating calf stretch, inner lizard 🦎 stretch and outer 🦎 stretch closing with 🦂 kicks IC 20 and reach backs for the Hammies..

    COT, naming of “OD”, announcements

    Q prayed us out into the day!!

    Appreciate the lead men, until the next Gloom!!

    👍🏻👊🏻💪🏻✌🏻

  • 90% Chance of Rain?

    As the title implies,  the area’s first major cold front was scheduled for Tuesday and 90% chance of rain predicted at 6:00 am…..  Needless to say, the night before I questioned showing up in the gloom and perhaps no one would notice if I took my name off Q listing?

    But what’s a bit of cold rain going to hurt?  Pax all showed up on time with just a minor drizzle to start.  After Rudy finished taking a leak,  the disclaimer and simple instructions given potential rain:

    Run 17:00 Minutes out and back,  then do ~ 3 laps on the track for speed workout,  run straights, jog curves.

    Upon running down Roosevelt Mall then came in a long hair person wearing flop flops to run a steady pace,  Hawg.

    Apparently Smooth misunderstood the instructions and thought the speed work was for entire initial run and not on the track.  All the rest kept a good steady pace and still saved room for speed work.

    We were dry the entire run with barely no rain,  glad I didn’t miss.

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

    Bongo

  • EHing in the Gloom at Grandmas House!!

    Theee PAX embarked on the Chilly and Wet Grandmas House with no Q on the board. After brief discussions we decided on a round robin of sorts with the YHC typing up the blast and contributing to the warmup.  A fellow man  appeared from under the staircase at the Trailhead looking like someone wanting to get in on a beatdown as an FNG as I yelled out “join us.” Briefing with the disclaimer we jumped into it as our visitor called  “Driftwood” accompanied us with the warmup. Then as we began to Mosey to the tunnel he reverted back to the stairwell.. One doesn’t always know of another’s situation, however it’s always worth extending the gesture even when unsure..

     

    Warmup

    15 IC Windmills

    15 IC Good mornings

    30 IC Imperial walkers

    30 IC Butt kicks

    15 IC Arm circles front/back

     

    Passed the baton to Bushwacker as we Moseyed to the tunnel. Upon arrival Bushwacker instructed the PAX of reps 25,100,150,200. Not sure of the counting formula here but effective it proved to be..

    With only 3 men one would jog to the bottom and sprint to the top on the other side while each man completed OYO to the counts representing Burpees, LBCs, Merkins and Squats as each man completed the journey down and back up returning where one had left off of their own count.  Taking us to 3 mins remaining upon completion by all Moseyed back to the AO..

    COT, countarama, announcements

    Thanks to Bushwacker for praying us out and most importantly offering thoughts to our recently brief meeting of  “Driftwood”

    Appreciate the beatdown this morning men and see you at the next Gloom..

    👍🏻👊🏻💪🏻✌🏻

  • Ivan is coming

    South Louisiana storms woke YHC at 3:00 a.m. and he worried that the Northshore F3-bros would have to scrub another mission due to the elements, but when I arrived at the AO storms had cleared and we were go for launch.

    CONDITIONS

    I don’t have the stats for the weather conditions, but the court conditions at the Milestone Marsh were exquisite.  Some good samaritan took a leaf blower and cleaned the b-ball court that is the centerpiece of the Milestone Marsh AO.  Was that you @Bushwhacker?  @Mandeville Parks and Rec, maybe?  IAE, thanks for the solid.

    DISCLAIMER

    Q offered a half-hearted disclaimer, but the Q’s limitations were old news to the expert, assembled PAX.

    THE WARM UP Proper

    The assembled PAX warmed up with the following sequence, all exercises done IC.

    -SSH
    -Good Mornings
    -Imperial Walkers
    -High Knees
    -Lizard/Geico stretches (Because who wants to strain the groin?)

    THE WARM UP Lagniappe

    Basketball season is underway.  (It’s that round shaped ball, #TranslatingForMyFootballFanaticBros) YHC commemorated b-ball season by adding free throws to the warm-up.  F3 wrinkle was that a miss got you 5 burpees.

    Unfortunately YHC did his Shaq impersonation and took some garbage free throws leading to my penalty burpees.  Next time I’ll imitate Wilt and shoot granny style.  T-Claps to Waterpik for draining them.  Our friend has skillz.

    THE THANG Preview

    YHC wanted to put the newly cleaned court to good use so we started with a “Brenton” drill.

    Bear Crawl (100 ft)
    Standing Broad-Jumps (100 ft)
    Perform 3 Burpees after every 5 Broad-Jumps

    The official Brenton calls for 5 rounds, but we had other work to do and called it after two sets.

    THE THANG Part 1: Better run, Ivan is coming

    Northshore QIC’s have been great at hyping the upcoming Krazy Ivan.  (January 19th #MarkYourCalendarsNow)  So if Ivan is coming we better get our run on.  To improve our speed YHC called one of his favorites:
    100 yard sprint + 10 merkins at the finish.
    Repeat 10X.

    Before running, PAX were issued the newly invented “double disclaimer.”  We were diligent to avoid slipping on the wet asphalt and avoiding the F3-Faceplant. (F4?)

     

    THE THANG Finale:  If it’s the Marsh, it’s gotta be pull-ups

    We moseyed back to the Marsh and hopped on the playground equipment.  (gym equipment?)  The Marsh is the only AO that has convenient pull-up (monkey) bars.

    YHC called ten rounds of pull-ups, merkins and squats with the Pax belting them out every-minute-on-the-minute.  PAX finished out the 45 minute beatdown and declared victory.

     

    CountORama, NameORama, and COT

    Thanks to our amigo Waterpik for praying us out

    MOLESKIN

    After smelling some skunk funk during the workout, Garfield shared some stories about Mandeville wildlife.  Ask him the one about the deer, the schoolkids and the Mandeville public works dept.

    Thanks F3-bros, for the fellowship, the beatdowns and for being willing to follow my lead.

  • An A-Mazing Morning

    The Skinny was looking pretty skinny this morning.  Did Medula hypnotize everyone to post at Rock City?  Oh well, it’s always an amazing morning.  So after a Q&A disclaimer, the PAX was off for a mosey to the Labyrinth.

    COP1

    • SSHs 25xIC
    • Imperial Walkers 25xIC
    • I Don’t Knows (arms to the ground in front, to the toes and to the ground behind heals) 25xIC
    • Hillbillies 25xIC
    • Low Slow Squats 25xIC
    • Squat Pulses 20xIC (sorry, the Q died out)
    • Peter Parkers 25xIC
    • Mountain Climbers 25xIC
    • Parker Peters 25xIC
    • Merkins 25xIC
    • Squat Pulses 5xIC (to finish off)

    Mosey to Tchoupiloulas and back

    COP2:

    • Right Leg Step Ups 20xIC
    • Dips 20xIC
    • Left Leg Step Ups 20xIC
    • Derkins 20xIC
    • Box Jumps 10 OYO

    Bearcrawl counterclockwise around the labyrinth.  Then Jack Webb to 10 (how did the PAX, including YHC, get to 13 with Catfish on Saturday?).

    Circle of Mary:

    • LBCs 25xIC
    • Flutter Kicks 25xIC
    • Rosalitas 25xIC
    • Penguins 25xIC
    • Russian Twists 25xIC
    • Box Cutters 25xIC
    • Big Boy WWII Situps 25xIC
    • J Los 25xIC

    Slowish Mosey back to the flat to finish off with ten burpees OYO and a plank hold for the last 45 seconds, #TClaps to Peppa for the precision timing.

    Countoff, Namorama, and COT for the PAX to be kind, generous and thankful.  As always, it was a honor to lead.  Jingle Vader

  • Perfect Conditions

    Cold wet and windy morning on the Mandeville Lakefront.  Perfect conditions to sharpen some iron.

    Warmup of Imperial Walkers, Seal Jacks, Toe Touches, Lunges, SSHs and Windmills, all IC and 20x except for the Windmills at 10x.

    Mosey Westward to the first COP, a rotisserie of sorts with three rounds on the wet ground.  Round one:  T hand release merkins, right side hip ups, left side hip ups, scuba Steves.  Round two:  shoulder taps, right side straight leg jackknives, left side straight leg jackknives, alternating Supermans.  Round three:  slow count merkins, right side Jane Fondas, left side Jane Fondas, and vintage Supermans. All IC and 10x each exercise.

    Mosey further Westward to partner up and pick up some coupons.  10 minutes of every minute on the minute, rotating between coupon 10 thrusters and 20 donkey kicks with your partner.  50x thrusters and 100x donkey kicks total.

    Then each team completed 50 coupon manmakers and 100 coupon swings, one partner putting in reps while the other ran 50 yards out and back to relieve his partner.

    Last dance with your partner:  back to back Al Gore for a minute, then twisting coupon exchanges 1 minute each direction.  Waterpik, what were you doing over there by yourself?

    Mosey Eastward towards the shovel flag for some sprint training.  Four cones spaced about 10 yards apart.  Accelerate from cone 1 to cone 2, float (maintain speed) from cone 2 to cone 3, and then accelerate from cone 3 to cone 4.  Recovery walk back to cone 1 to repeat; five total rounds.

    Final mosey back to the shovel flag.  100 shoulder taps IC to wrap up the beat down.

    Countorama, nameorama, Pledge of Allegiance in honor of Veterans Day, and Butt Splice prayed us out.

    Thanks for letting me lead guys.  Always a privilege and an honor.  And great seeing so many of you post for the pre-thang foreplay run.  Let’s keep working towards Krazy Ivan dominance.  Recover quickly, Jose.