F3 New Orleans

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  • Are you a 5% man?

    Just another day at the Cove: 4 men, 10k, 0445.

    Pre-thang, Bushwacker was on a fact-finding mission about tomorrow’s clown car up to BR for the launch:

    “You going?” YHC asked.

    “Ah, maybe.  Just gathering intel right now.”

    Uh-huh.  YHC knows what ‘maybe’ means.  Bushwacker himself said it not too long ago: “If someone says ‘maybe,’ there’s probably a 5% chance they’re actually going to do it.”  I parrot that back to him, then we do a quick countdown, nameorama, and we’re off to the races.

    Though with no Southshore to impress, our pace was considerably less aggressive than our Ivan pace from last weekend.  Still, we managed around a 9:20 average.  The Cove remains the only Northshore beatdown where you can get in some good F2 during the thang, and Shooter never lets me down as a running partner – making the long run pass quickly.   Bushwacker and Pelican were right behind keeping each other company.

    When Bushwacker rolled in to the finish line clutching his stomach and running for his car keys (something that happens every so often after a 10k), I realized I had forgotten the prayer and said so, but also mentioned that we’d understand his need to run for the nearest bathroom.

    Well, Bushwacker is no 5% man.  He found a comfortable position while Shooter prayed us out, and was almost immediately touched by the grace of God and regained his composure.  (He also committed to tomorrow’s BR beatdown.)  It’s as Captain always says, ‘Only above average men out here at the cove.’ Always a pleasure guys, thanks!

  • The Foundry

    5 men braved the cold on this morning to better themselves.  The usual disclaimer and off we go.

    A short mosey to the first COP:
    SSH x 20 IC
    Imperial Walkers x 20 IC
    Low Slow Squats x 20 IC
    Windmills x 10 IC
    Arm Circles IC, 10 Forward, 10 Backward

    Route 66 down Roosevelt Mall, stopping at each park bench.
    Start with 5 dips, increase 1 dip per bench, ending at 16.

    Mosey to the Baby Foundry. 5 stations for 5 men. 2 rounds.
    1. 10 burpees has the count
    2. Pull-ups
    3. Body rows
    4. Hanging knee ups
    5. WWII sit ups

    Next we Indian Run to the fountain in front of NOMA.
    Box jumps x 10
    Incline Merkins x 10
    Box jumps x 10
    Dips x 10
    Run down Esplanade and back
    Left leg step ups x 10
    Decline Merkins x 10
    Right leg step ups x 10
    Dips x 10

    Indian run back to Roosevelt Mall for some Mary:
    LBC’s x 20 IC
    Flutter kicks x 20 IC
    Hello Dolly x 20 IC
    American Hammer x 20 IC
    Then we mosey back to the flag, stopping at each light post for 5 squats.

    Back at the flag, count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer.
    Thank you for letting me lead!
    Walleye

  • A change of scenery at the Scramble!!!-

    As I strolled through the park to the courthouse the QIC noticed (2) F3 Brothers waiting for his arrival. Carpool and Watepic have become a staple at the Thursday AO and are two men this QIC count on for keeping him accountable to Post..  I planted the shovel flag and joined in the conversation, but as I scanned the parking area looking for a fellow named Turtle, I quickly realized he had made his star studded return Tuesday at Grandmas House and this Gloom we would NOT be welcomed again with his presence.. 0515 and gotta respect the time so let’s begin gentleman. 25 SSH IC and upon completion here comes someone rolling in hot, could it be the one who committed the night before to posting? Nah… But it was Choppa who had stated Tuesday he would be returning to the Scramble, so welcome back Choppa glad to have you back.  25 Merkins OYO followed by 25 IW IC. Set out for the run considering wether or not to bring the burst back, but decided to stick with routine on the Mosey. The PAX did however Journey a different path on this chilly Gloom passing up Waterpics dark, warm and comfortable looking home along the way.. I am sure the temptation was there for him to stop and cuddle backup for a quick snooze, but he did of course mention that, had he known we would pass this way he could have snoozed a little longer and jumped in along the way.. As we Moseyed Choppa educated us men on the PT guidelines for The Few, The Proud, The Marines.  Which consists of 23 dead hang pull-ups, obstacle course high and low crawl carrying 30 pound ammo cans across a field, fireman’s carry a fellow Marine with in 10 lbs of ones weight, 120 crunches in under 2 mins and I thought I heard a half mile run at what would be a 5:30 mile pace and I am sure I am missing something… Gentleman, and that of course is why they call them The Few and The Proud.. Completion 3.5 miles total finishing with an avg. 8.57 pace back at the AO. With 10 to spare  the PAX headed to the Monkey bars for descending pull-ups 8,6,4,2. Between each set doing 10 Merkins and 10 Elevated Swing crunches.. For completion hit our six for a little Mary. 25 IC LBCs followed by 25 IC FK and wrapped up with a 1 min low plank…

    Appreciate you men posting on this chilly Gloom and allowing me to lead!!

    Count off, announcements, COT

    Thanks to Carpool for praying us out!!

  • The 4 Horseman at Okwata

    Okwata just doesn’t get enough respect. Let me clarify that statement; Jingle Vader posts to Okwata quite often, so it gets lots of Respect, so it’s the other kind of respect it lacks. YHC read the informative email from our NOLA Nantan at the beginning of the week where, once again, Okwata lacked a Q. Has Okwata not shown enough love? Do we need to bring the H8 back early? YHC was reviewing his own schedule last night and saw an opportunity to post to Okwata. Upon checking the Q sheet and seeing a vacancy, YHC dropped his name in the slot.
    YHC arrived at the AO with 3 minutes to spare, and none other than JV was awaiting. As YHC informed JV that the Q slot was now taken, Mahatma joined us. YHC gave the disclaimer in the 44 degrees weather with a wind chill that brought it down a few more degrees. Time to get warm……

    The Thang

    Mosey to the fountain, which is where Abacus joined us. Our mosey around the fountain included a carioca to the left, then to the right. Circle up on the green space in front of the fountain.
    SSH IC x 31
    Imperial Squat Walkers IC x 10
    Arm Circles IC x 20 (10 FWD, 10 BWD)
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10

    Double Shots with Jack Webb at the Barre
    1 merkin, then 2 air presses in peoples chair against the fence around the fountain
    2 merkins,then 4 air presses in peoples chair
    3 merkins,then 6 air presses in peoples chair
    Continue the pattern…..
    10 merkins, then 20 air presses in peoples chair

    Mosey to the House of Pain (HOP), taking the levee route to get there for some stations

    Station 1 – Bear crawl from HOP up the levee and complete 5 burpees, run back down (timer)
    Station 2 – Dips AMRAP
    Station 3 – Step ups AMRAP
    Station 4 – Pull ups AMRAP
    Rinse and Repeat

    Mosey to Canal and Lakeshore Drive for Four Corners, where the Pax does an exercise IC then runs to next corner.

    Corner 1 – Catalina Wine Mixers IC x 10
    Corner 2 – Monket Humpers IC x 20
    Corner 3 – Merkins IC x 30
    Corner 4 – Squats IC x 40
    Return to Corner 1 – 10 double merkin Burpees OYO

    Mosey back to VSF for Mary
    Flutter Kicks IC x 20
    Hello Dolly IC x 20
    Sudden Change – 10 Burpees OYO
    LBC’s IC x 20
    Tin Snips IC x 20
    Sudden Change – Mosey back to levee for:

    Quadraphilia!
    Always facing Okwata, run backwards up the levee, and run back down, and that equates to 1.
    Repeat 5 times OYO.

    Mosey back to VSF

    COT
    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and ended with a prayer to the Sky Q.

    NMM
    Abacus is becoming a regular at Okwata, which is outstanding. This was the first time Mahatma joined us at Okwata, and of course JV is one of our staples.
    Thanks for joining me today. There are plenty of opportunities to sign up for Q, so take a look and see what you can do.
    Baton Rouge Launch is this Saturday. It’s going to be a good one, so go if you can. Mothership is on as usual, so post there if you can’t make it to BR.
    Thanks for posting with me today!

    SYITG!

     

  • Back to the Farm

    This morning’s beat down was never going to compete with yesterday’s star studded event.  Reading Steve’s BB on his way out the door to the Gipper, YHC grudgingly conceded to himself that the likes of Choppa, Ocho, and Nacho Libre could not be expected to rise out of their fartsacks for two consecutive mornings.  It could have happened, YHC guesses, if Turtle had committed to back to back Qs.  Lacking the draw of a rock star Q like Turtle, however, YHC could only hope that he wouldn’t be posting alone. Fortunately there were a few PAX out there unaware of yesterday’s celebrity meetup, but YHC wasn’t too off in his prediction as Gipper regular Tanked Up regrettably decided he would not post with the rank and file this morning.  Et tu, Tanked Up?

    So it was to be a working man’s beat down this morning, strictly meat and potatoes.

    15 minutes or so of dynamic stretches on the train platform then a short mosey to pick up a couple of half filled sand bags for the main event:

    AMRAP for 20 minutes:  35 yards farmer’s walk with both sand bags, 35 yards run, and then 35 yards backpedal making up one round.  Shooter carried his sand bags like bean bags, and the rest of us struggled.  Good thing we all have office jobs…except for Bushwacker I guess but he is in lawn care management.

    Back to the Trailhead for Mary:  scorpions, swan preps, jackknives, and flutter Freddy Mercury’s, all IC.

    Countorama, nameorama, and Moby prayed us out.

    Thanks for letting me lead men.  I always look forward to Wednesday morning at the Gipper with you.

     

  • Celebrity Q

    Much like POTUS’ final season of Celebrity Apprentice which starred the likes of Geraldo Rivera and Ian Ziering, this morning’s Celebrity Q brought the biggest names of the Northshore PAX out of retirement.  Along with the return of Turtle came the long-awaited return of founding-father Nacho, as well as Ocho and Choppa.  It was also Tanked Up’s first foray into Grandmother’s House.  Had this beatdown been broadcast, it surely would’ve been a ratings bonanza. Like, totally huge.

    In keeping with Turtle’s dislike of rules and regulations (see Krazy Ivan disqualification for reference), the Q had us skip the warm-up portion of the beatdown and head straight into some shoulder work.  (Spoiler: there would be a lot of shoulder work.  In fact, that was the only thing Turtle had planned for us this morning.)

    The Thang: 40 merkins OYO, followed by shoulder taps 25x IC, arm circles forward 20x IC, reverse 20xIC, and air presses 40x IC.  Not sure at all about those numbers, even though YHC was the one doing the counting.  (Another Turtle thing, he has yet to conquer counting in cadence…)

    Round 2: After YHC deliberately disregarded the Q’s request for only 15x IC Shoulder Taps, the Q wrested back control of the beatdown and finally tried counting in cadence for himself.  Air presses 20x IC, arm circles forward and reverse 15x IC, and finally, 15x merkins OYO.

    Then a mosey through the woods to the tunnel, where the PAX circled up for… merkins, shoulder taps, air presses, and arm circles!  Then Turtle turned the Q over to YHC, who attempted to show the PAX a new 8-count exercise that consisted of a groiner (1-2), down into an elbow plank (3-4), plank jack (5-6), and back up to normal plank (or “F3 Plank,” as the Q today would call it).  This was semi-successful, as Tanked Up seemed to have it down.  So it’d be a partner routine, with P1 doing the 8-count exercise described above, and P2 sprinting have the tunnel, back-pedaling the rest, and doing 10 jump squats before returning in the same manner he came.  YHC had planned a few rounds with various exercises, but again, Turtle did not like the way things were proceeding and decided it was time to head to the bus stop for some leg work.

    Knee Ups, each leg 15x IC, Freak Nasties 15x IC, Bulgarian Splits, each leg 15x IC, Freaks, 15x IC.

    And the grand finale – turning the Q over to Choppa for 5 minutes of Mary: Crunchy Frogs, Flutter Kicks, Hello Dollies, Jane Fondas (L&R), and some merkins to bring it back full circle.  All to some intense music that I’m pretty sure is used for action movie trailers.

    Nameorama, countdown, and Turtle closed it down with a thoughtful prayer.  T-claps to all the men who made it back after such a long hiatus, it really was a lot of fun seeing you guys again.

  • Krazy Ivan 2018

    The events depicted in this Backblast are completely stupid and utterly pointless.  Any similarity to events which are neither stupid nor pointless is purely coincidental.  

    No animals were harmed in the running of the Krazy Ivan.

    The Inagural Northshore Krazy Ivan CSAUP went off as planned, sort of.  The Northshore won, the Southshore whined, and it was….warm??!!??  The lack of frigid conditions made for a slightly less stupid but still rather pointless event.  Next year, we will aim higher.  Without further ado…

    Twenty men gathered at the gazebo on the Mandeville lakefront on a beautiful, starry, breezy Saturday evening: 15 Northshore PAX, 1 Northshore Scorekeeper, and 4 Southshore PAX.  Lots of mumble chatter, a bit of trash talk, and some ogling at the Freedom Hammer ensued.  Somewhere around 2100, as the PAX waited for Triple Shift to open the needle valve to bleed some pressure (a little oilfield lingo, there), THE Manny rung the bovine bell.  Some quick instructions from YHC, including a warning of low visibility, potentially questionable footing, an offer of flashlights (offer summarily rejected), and the PAX gathered at the starting line.  Hawg mumbled something about the Gnarly Nutria always beginning on time.  Uh huh.

     

    With another ringing of the bovine bell, THE Manny released the hounds.  Turbo, Backdraft, Steve and all the other skinny dudes went out guns blazing.  Out and back to the west end seawall x 3 was the course.  The easterly breeze made for a nice tailwind on the way out that was as appreciated as was the equal and opposite headwind was loathed on the way back.  That is, unless you were Triple Shift.  You see, Triple Shift had a strategy, folks: get right on the heals of a really good looking, husky PAX and run in his ample slipstream the entire race, save for the last 50 yards when you turn on the reserves and blast past him.  So if you think about it, Triple owes YHC one of his points.  But more on the (contested) scoring later.

     

    The course was dark, sometimes nearly pitch black.  Although Orian’s belt and the waxing crescent were quite visible, the running path was at times not.  As 19 PAX trekked and traversed back and forth, forth and back, we passed those both ahead and behind us, those who lapped and those who got lapped.  This afforded the PAX opportunity to root for, hiss at, tease, encourage, or mock those we were passing.  I can speak for Triple, as he was behind me the entire time benefitting from all my hard work I mean seriously did I mention that already I mean it’s not a big deal that he got one more point than I did but really when you think about it I should at least be added to his Christmas card list but whatever I’m not bitter or anything.  Particular attentiveness and night vision skills were needed to navigate the last two tenths of the west end.  YHC had specifically warned the PAX about this risky, questionable section of the course.  So it’s a good thing that YHC himself did not take a tumble and nearly bust his ass on the exact part of the course on which the warning was issued.  That would be ironic.  Dontcha think.

    At the finish line, the PAX again gathered and coalesced.  Fracsac volunteered for Safety Caboose, finishing up the race and also ensuring that no man was left behind, injured, abducted, or absconded with.  Thanks Frac.  THE Manny tallied up the score and announced a 176-31 Northshore victory; looks of mistrust appeared on a few faces.  Perhaps that was because they were expecting a 177-31 loss.  But, abiding by the only rule of the Krazy Ivan – run the race in a tank top – THE Manny exercised legislative, judicial, and executive powers and stripped Turtle of his single point for finishing the race in a hooded sweatshirt.  Coutoramma, Nameorama, BOM, and off to The Barley Oak for some F2.

    At the BO, drinks were had an all was merry.  Tomatoes tested the neck twisting and head turning capabilities of Captain Sparkles (ok, his were not the only capabilities tested…hellLLOOO black dress).  An impromptu yet formal meeting of the F3 Rules Committee adjudicated on the ability to move an AO once it is established.  Verdict: negative ghost rider, pattern’s full brah.  At this point, Hawg petitioned the Rules Committee for a formal, third party review and calculation of the night’s score.  THE Manny’s honour in question, YHC immediately began the process.  Third party results are in, proving that you should sometimes watch what you ask for.  The final, certified, verified, bonafied count is 190-35.

     

    Excellent CSAUP, PAX.  T-Claps to the Southshore guys who posted.  We will see you at the 2018 Gnarley Nutria.  A pleasure to be amongst you.

     

    EiEi

  • Invasion of exchange students

    Well we guess that Cavalier didn’t get the memo for this AM – Douille?  Did you let him know he had the Q?

    Beautiful 60 degress today!

    It was all good.  I had a plan in my back pocket.    We were join by Buffett from Myrtle Beach, NattyDatty from Ashville NC, and King of Beers from Ashville.  All in town for a conference.  Tclaps to NattyDaddy and King of Beers for the 6 mile pre-game run.  Another tclaps to NattyDaddy for running six miles back!

    We did the traditional Audubon Park loop for our Monday AM beatdown at the Skinny.

    SSH x 20, Imp Walker Squats x 20, Mtn Climbers x 20, Low Slow Squats x 20

    Run to the rows

    At the rows – I broke the rules.  20 rows is the count.

    Burpees, Hand release Merks, and Lunges

    Indian run for one cycle through the group – to a lighted spot.

    Here we did donkey kicks x 20, nolan ryans, low country crab x 20 and fire hyrants x 20

    Hallelujah run to the benchs.  20 oyo dirkens, 20 step ups left ic 20 oyo dips 20 step ups right ic 20 oyo irkens

    Back to the track – indian run one cycle through the group to the water fountain.

    then 6MOM  –  dying roach x 20,  russian twist x 20, flutters x 20 , v-ups x 20, lbt x 20

    Back to the track – 80% run to the monkey bars

    PIMP.  Groups of 5 – Pullups x 10, Imperial walkers x 20, Merks x 20, and Plank Jacks x 20

    Horses to the barn 90% sprint to the flag.

    2 min early at the flag.  20 hip dips, each side.  That was time!

    Thanks for the opportunity to step up.

    Tclaps to Gabrielle for posting on the Northshore.

    Prayers to the Burton Family.

     

     

  • Defrosting the pipes

    In case you didn’t notice, it was a bit nippy last week.  The PAX count was correspondingly a bit low.  The plumbers will now be gainfully employed in overdrive for a few weeks.  So it’s time to get back to work.  The THANG.

    Warm up with mumblechatter:

    • SSHs ICx25
    • Frankensteins ICx25
    • Low Slow Squats ICx25
    • Mountain Climbers ICx25

    A rock for each man and mosey to the track for a steady plan:

    • Overhead press ICx20
    • Curls ICx20
    • Rows ICx20
    • Squats ICx20

    Mosey around the track, stopping each quarter, first to do 20 merks, then 15, then 10 and closing out with 5.  Rinse and repeat the rock circle with ICx15.  Mosey around the track in the other direction, again with 20, then 15, then 10 and finally 5 merks at each quarter.

    Time for a break on our sixes for 10 Russian Twists with the rock and then back to a rinse and repeat the rock circle with ICx10.  Mosey around the track in the original direction: same drill: 20, 15, 10, 5.  Close out the track work with a final rinse and repeat of the rock circle with ICx5.

    Mosey back towards the rock pile for a few minutes of Mary:

    • Russian Twists with rock ICx20
    • Flutter kicks with rock ICx20
    • Hello Dollys with rock ICx20
    • Rosalita with rock ICx20
    • LBCs with rock ICx20
    • Low plank sans rock 1 minute

    Return rocks and mosey back to the virtual flag for countoff, Namorama, announcements, intentions and thanks to Sky Q.  T-Claps to Mahatma for leaving us in the dust.  Keep the heat going, Jingle Vader

  • The Marsh as an Endangered Habitat or Blue Mondays?

    “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King Jr

    As I laid in bed last night I decided I wasn’t going to make it to the Marsh because between the comfort of my best friend in college (my bed not my wife;) and the long weekend I had had, I knew the 4 o’clock hour would look as hideous a dog’s petoot! But a sudden thought urged me to see who had Q before I drifted off, and low and behold, “Bushwacker” was filled in for the 1/22 slot. Apparently, many of my F3 brethren had similar machinations because I experienced my 1st no-show (unless someone came REALLY late, in which case, my apologies).

    Though it is no longer MLK day, and I’m certainly no Steve, I included the quote to inspire you guys to intentionally find a way to help another today, plus I did 50 merkins before I returned home make the kids’ lunches and put on some coffee for my wife. Often our closing prayer mentions appreciation for the men who come out to improve themselves and push us to do the same. Today’s beatdown is all about working the heart muscle, go out of your way to do for others today!