F3 New Orleans

Category: New Orleans

  • DJ DOD volume 3: Fat Tuesday Tuff – from Paradox

    A good beatdown can originate from many sources. Some days we sharpen iron, others we honor feasts. Sometimes a theme may be in order or maybe just a hodgepodge of track induced pain (yea Goose , we still salty).
    A few days ago after YHCc’s 3rd lifetime Mardi Gras parade, so many F3 worthy songs were heard that there remained only one course of action. A text to my DJ DOD counter part that it was time for volume 3. The supply of Mardi Gras jamz was high and the pax demand for fun on Fat Tuesday even higher. If only we had a professor of marketing (who is also a self proclaimed traditional NOLA Mardi Gras expert ) to guide us. Well maybe one day, I guess it’s next man up. So we dusted off the deck of death and two north La rednecks shouldered the burden of what became Fat Tuesday Tuff.
    Pit Boss Ronnie set the tone early with a pair of seizure shades and several parade props to distribute amongst the Pax. 4 more pax saddled up and we let the good times roll! ( it’s a traditional Nola greeting , look it up )

    Duke ! Get the bean footage!

    Warmup
    Ronnie led standard warmup
    While YHCc was adding increasing burpees between each warmup. Goose saw the tactic immediately and looked like he smelled a dead animal carcass in the bayou while Cuz begged for more than 1 each round because he wore his scuba shorts for extra sweat.

    The Twerkin Mile
    A twist on a TT classic to get the core fully activated.
    Standard Merkin mile course with four stops for :
    20 leg raises
    40 big boys
    60 gas pumps
    80 flutter kicks (2:1)

    This is where the chatter picked up and we were introduced to an entire new segment called the Tana Tumbler. Here’s how it works . During a group run you introduce a topic to Tana and he will run with it while introducing new topics on top of it until we are all in stitches. In this very manner we covered Scientology , The great hot sauce debate, what the Superman move actually means and even post BD he couldn’t be stopped and gave us a history of pre-ATT devices. We have our beatdown fact checkers working overtime and will give a full report on percent accuracy of the Tana Tumbler claims.

    Back to the flag for some DJ DOD

    Song #1
    Mardi Gras Day
    Boat hold into Superman on all “mardi gras days”
    YHCc kept feeling like a beached whale and in retrospect we might need to do this in the grass or maybe never again.

    DOD
    Special Mardi gras edition
    Ronnie will throw the cards up in the air and if you catch multiple you get to pick which exercise .

    Goose started with a great strategy to “breadbasket “ the cards and gifted us 100 calf raises
    Wet Tap gave us 14 Carolina dry docks and several excuses as to why he wasn’t a wide receiver.

    Song 2
    YHCc stressed again that we would stick to Traditional NOLA Mardi Gras music so we went for an old timer classic…
    Silentos “Whip and Nae Nae “ -hold plank
    Whip -merkins
    Nae Nae -side reach
    Stanky leg -lift leg
    Break yo leg – MC

    Still not sure I wanna know what a Superman is.

    DOD
    Tana brought us 9 ranger merkins and Cuz caught some high flutter kicks that were particularly nasty .

    Song 3
    Saints go marching in
    Bearcrawl /crawlBear to first picnic table
    Dolphin hop on Saints
    Silence followed by grumbling, ahhhh sweet music to my ears.

    DOD
    YHCc caught zero cards , blamed the wind and we did 60 2 is 1 Freddy mercuries. Lil Cuz has not fully learned to translate YHCc’s slurred speech and began to dutifully pound out 60 Freddy Merkins. Love that attitude cuz. Bonus Merkins with a smile will always get T claps at F3 thib.

    Ronnie was last, caught two cards with his hands and one on with his chest sweat (like a real man) and we rounded out with 20 low and slow squats.

    Song 4
    Carnival Time Finisher
    Burpees on carnival , SSH on rest

    COT and Wet Tap prayed us out .

    Had an absolute blast out there in the gloom today fellas. Special thanks to Ronnie for all the props and for willingly looking like a crazy person with me.

    SYITG
    DJ Texaco Cat

  • We Did This to Ourselves – from Yankee Joe

    This past Saturday during Goose’s ‘Ha-quartermile-matata’ beatdown, YHC expected football games and shenanigans in five-yard increments. Instead, he experienced a darkness, nay a hopelessness that hadn’t been seen since Paradox’s “Teamwork Gumbo- Add Burpees to Taste” beatdown back in August.

    Cardinal described the experience perfectly, moving through the range of emotions from hope to confusion to darkness to disgust with Goose to owning the pain. During a similar past experience, Enron had simply asked Goose, “Who hurt you?” Wet Tap provided the pivotal insight we all needed by describing Goose’s rebirth and remaking each spring. The explanation stirs images crossing between that scene in Alien and a large bald bird in the process of molting. In fact, molting simply means shedding old feathers, hair, skin, etc. to make room for growth. I suppose in this case, the hair never grew back.

    It is in this mindset that YHC considered Monday’s beatdown. He was very fortunate to have his cousin, Mullet, DR’ing from The Branch AO in Houston, so of course, the pressure was on. With 60 degrees and nine PAX, we delved into some over-active recovery mixed with some festive tunes to celebrate Mardi Gras and the onset of the Lenten season.

    ————————————–
    Waramarama was normal in both exercises and YHC’s odd struggle with remembering the order of cadence. This only opened a huge, massive, enormous door for Paradox and Enron mumblechatter. Like sharks to blood in the water. No mercy.

    We covered a lot of ground, the most important of which included deep wisdom from Homer. No, not that Homer. Homer HIgh School…Alma Mater of our very own Paradox…home of the mighty Pelicans and the recipients of an impressive Google review of 3.4 out of 5.0 on their website. It’s nice Clark. Real niiice. (I’m not even sure he went there, but who cares, right?)

    We finished with throw me somethin’ mistas and after watching Montana’s shimmying, YHC was forced to accept that the beatdown was already off the rails. The rest of the mernin’ would run in similar fashion. Like a middle school boy, who during the first hour of an 8-hour field trip, tried to be funny and rip ass on one of his friends. However, he got far more than he bargained for. There are no bathrooms to be found on a bluebird school bus. There are no bathrooms to be found at Lake Kissimmee State Park visiting the pioneer cabins. So all a fourth grade Joe can do is walk bowlegged and hope for the best. YHC has never been caught without doo doo pills for any trip longer than 30 minutes since.

    ———————————-
    Warm-up song – Mardi Gras Mambo
    – Shoulder taps for duration of the song
    – Merkin on “Mardi Gras” and “mambo”
    – 49 merkins

    Mumblechatter decreased significantly, but the PAX’ confidence was still a bit too high. Based on some observations from this past Saturday, YHC saw things that he couldn’t unsee. What was so repulsive? GABF or Generally Accepted Burpee Form. We needed to get back to basics, so we deconstructed the burpee mechanics. YHC felt something sting on the back of his neck…was it Cardinal staring daggers?

    Thang 1: Breaking The Pax Down
    Deconstructed burpees (55 squats; 55 groiners; 55 merks, 100 yds bearcrawl)

    – 10 squats
    – 10 groiners
    – 10 merkins
    – Bear crawl to next marker
    (Decrease by 1 each rep until 1 each)
    – Finish with 10 burpees

    ———————————–
    The problem according to Goose – as he told YHC this past Saturday – is that “you’re weak.” Maybe even lazy. The only way to fix this affliction is through our good friend, Dora. To be honest, she’s a bit of a hack. Map and Backpack do all the heavy lifting. And now that I think about it, Swiper reminds me of Paradox. Paradox, stop doctoring. Paradox, stop doctoring. YHC asked if there were any questions. Enron responded with something, it was not fully audible. I don’t think it was a shout out.

    Thang 2: Lazy Doras

    Partner up. Partners perform 200 Merkins, 400 squats, & 600 LBCs as a team. Here’s the catch…no running.

    – P1 starts with 20 Merkins while P2 elbow planks, then switch. Continue switching between Merkins and plank until 100 total Merkins reached.

    – P1 does 40 squats, P2 performs Al Gore until P1 is finished, then switch. Continue switching until all 400 squats are completed.

    – P1 does 60 LBCs while P2 does 6″ leg hold, then switch. Continue switching until 600 total LBCs are completed.

    We barely finished the second round of squats. It is probably for the best. Had the Form Police been at the scene one set of PAX would have been hauled off to jail. In retrospect, based on their Juvenile interpretive dancing, Cardinal, Tana, and Lil’ Cuz almost backed their thangs up into purgatory.

    As you can imagine, YHC had to say something. As you can imagine Lil’ Cuz and Cardinal tore YHC to shreds. It got ugly, but not as ugly as watching Tana’s Al Gore pose from the backside.

    On a brighter note, Paradiddle is a straight up beast. He barely broke a sweat during Goose’s PMS beatdown and this morning, hung out in Al Gore, but the hard way with legs splayed wide and toes pointed out. In some circles, this is called the goddess squat and it makes Al Gore feel like a comfy heated toilet seat.

    YHC called time with five minutes remaining and shifted to our close out song.

    Mary Song – Hey Pocky A-Way (The Meters)

    – Hold elbow plank for duration of song
    – Pickle pounder on every “way” or “hey”
    – 66 pickle pounders

    The chatter subsided and the badassery resumed.

    COT and Lil’ Cuz prayed us out.

    Don’t let the snark fool you. We all love and are exceedingly grateful for the molting process.

  • Ha-quartermile-matata – from Goose

    It was a frigid morning as YHC pulled in much earlier than normal due to a lack of 2.0’s and the need to place a marker board by the track without being seen. I didn’t want the PAX to see it before it was time–no need to ruin a beautiful morning sooner than necessary. YHC expected to sit in a warm truck for at least a few minutes before Paradox would inevitably break the solitude with the beginnings of a solid hour of chatter. But, not this morning–Smooth Operator pulled in just a few seconds behind YHC with two young 2.0’s in a blanketed wagon. Jack Be Nimble and Tractor jumped out into the frigid morning ready to rock, showing the same joyful readiness as big Smooth. As more PAX rolled in (including Major Brat!), there was still no sign of Paradox, and YHC began to wonder if he had slipped in an announcement of being out of town at the end of Thursday’s beatdown (brain function tends to leak out with the steam coming off YHC’s head). But, he pulled in with two minutes to spare and Enron right behind him looking like he wanted to fight–Enron was smiling, but road rage was in his eyes as it seemed the usual competitive jostling had started on the way to the beatdown.

    The much needed warmup began with the usuals plus some Willie Mays Hayes for the cold, tight lower backs. Then, we moseyed to the track/field to reveal contents of the board. The Quarter Mile Ladder was the title under which was written a list of exercises. At first, the PAX thought we’d have an enjoyable opportunity to log some miles and some quality time, assuming that we were going to be doing one exercise at a time with a leisurely lap between each. Wouldn’t that be nice. For our wives.

    No, that’s not how a ladder works. We’d start with the first exercise, 5 burpees, followed by a lap (quarter mile), then add the next, so 5 burpees and 10 merkins, followed by a lap. Then, 5 burpees, 10 merkins, and 15 lunges (2:1) followed by a lap, ultimately working our way up to 10 total exercises followed by a tenth lap. Here’s the list:
    5 burpees
    10 merkins
    15 lunges (2:1)
    20 mountain climbers (2:1)
    25 Freddy Mercs
    30 squats
    35 Peter Parkers (1:1)
    40 Big Boy Situps
    45 Side Straddle Hops
    50 Shoulder Taps (1:1)

    When YHC saw Paradiddle pull in (on Bourg time), I knew this one would be right up his alley, so I was happy to sidle up next to him on the first lap and stay in pace for the duration. Running seems as easy as breathing for him, so YHC knew I’d be pushed but also be distracted from the drudgery by some solid conversation. It was clear that many of the PAX had entered a dark place after the first lap or so, so YHC suggested pacing with a partner, which seemed to give a few guys a shot in the arm. But, nothing could’ve boosted the morale more effectively than a spontaneous serenade from Tractor. Smooth had been hauling the two boys around the track in the luxury wagon for about 30 minutes to a constant stream of encouraging/shaming shouts of “Come on, Dad! You can do it! Push harder! COME ON! You’re taking forever! What’s wrong with you?” And, while waiting for super-dad to finish his Peter Parkers, Tractor started belting out “Hakuna Matata” (or something close enough to that), and the cute innocence combined with the irony of hearing a bunch of grown men singing along, “it means no worries…” as they fought for breath and poured their sweat (and blood–Paradox) into the track, deeply dreading the next lap, couldn’t have been more perfectly timed. It was incredible, and it likely kept a number of the guys from spiraling into a deep, dark solitude.
    YHC was initially worried about finishing too early, but instead found that I was yearning for 7:30 to provide sweet relief. It seemed, however, that the ladder was crafted a little too perfectly, and YHC rolled into the last turn with nothing left in the tank and seconds left on the clock. The rest of the PAX came flying in and collapsed, breathless but grateful to have finished what looked at first to be an extremely unattractive exercise routine.

    The brotherhood, as we slow moseyed back to the flag carrying layers of clothing, was deeply felt, wrought by a unique experience of mutual suffering on a cold but beautiful morning. Providentially, this was also the morning Yankee Joe thought to bring the fixings of a solid coffeeteria, so we were gratefully able to remain in it for a while after COT. Even YHC partook of the enslaving brew, raising an insulated cup to this awesome fraternity forged in the fires of pain, humility, gratitude, and accomplishment.

    Announcements included some ideas for an amazing Northshore convergence in April–stay tuned for more details, but we’re definitely gonna clown car up there for it if the date works.

    Thanks, again, for the push and the camaraderie this morning, fellas!

    SYITG,
    Goose

  • Heavy Lifting @ el Diablo after Valentine’s Day – from Charmin

    Realizing that many of the beatdowns recently have been lifting heavy when it comes to F1 and that it would be the day after Valentine’s day, YHC wanted to have a beatdown that pushed the Pax physically while also encouraging them to grow closer with some F2.
    Disclaimer given by YHC and did a quick countoff. YHC did advise the Pax that they would have to remember this number for later.

    We all took off towards the rock pile.

    Abe Slow-godas x 10
    SSH (with a pause) x 20 This required a bit of an explanation and a couple of the Pax seemed to struggle with this and remembering their number from before.
    IW x 20
    Hillbillies x 20
    Grass Grabbers x 10

    The Thang:

    Everyone grab a medium-ish rock and partner up based on the numbers from before.
    Do a partner exercise. Then while moseying around the park and carrying the rock, answer the question with your partner. Be okay with silence for a period.

    Exercise: Overhead press x 100 (groups of 10 alternating)
    Question: Why do you come to F3?

    E: Squat x 100 (with rock, groups of 10 alternating)
    Q: How has F3 changed you for the better?

    E: Bench Press x 100 (groups of 10 alternating)
    Q: How have you changed F3 for the better?

    E: Indian Merkins on the levee (just one for those keeping track at home)
    No question, just silence while walking back to the mound; not sure if Mambi or Hokie understood this, but most seemed to get it.

    E:200 Triceps extensions (groups of however many it took to get it done)
    Q: How has losing someone close to you affected you?
    Dropped off the rocks, and saw Mahatma and Hand Grenada doing Mary so figured I would help them out

    E: 100 flutter kicks (2 is 1, groups of 10)
    Q: What’s your least favorite Mary exercise?
    Back to the flag.

    Ended with 10 Penguins since we had a minute, and since those are YHC’s favorite Mary exercise and since we needed to get to 6:15.

    Prayed for those who need it and for those we have lost.

  • Half and Half plus Mambi hits a streak – from Bolt

    6 pax faced the gloom on this pleasant morning of the Mardi Gras season, 3 to run and 3 to ruck. Coincidentally, this makes 3 posts in a row for our most recent Kotter: Mambi which qualifies as a streak; well done and keep the streak alive! We are here for progress, not perfection and we are never “done!”

  • 90s Kid – from Paradox

    The years 1990 to 2000 saw YHC grow from age 2 to 12. These were the meat and potatoes of my childhood , which places me for better or worse, solidly in the realm of a 90s kid. You would be correct in thinking that going from diapers to scamming knockoff Surge cans on the verge of Y2K is quite a formative leap. Yet just as Yankee Joe describes his LSD years in the 80s, I still find the vibe of the 90s hard to describe. Grunge rock, beany babies , JNCO jeans, TGIF, asking your parents why Bill Clinton always looks nervous on TV…A weird time to be sure. Just a certain feel you get when looking back with those nostalgia glasses on ya know? But is there a better way to distill the essence of a time period than a 45 minute peer led outdoor men’s workout ???

    No says I!

    Roll the footage Duke !!

    7 PAX strolled into the Lions Den unknowingly about to be blindsided by a dump truck of 90s nostalgia.

    WarmUp
    The usuals plus some “throw me something misters “ to help us with his PTSD from Sundays Shaka parade. I know those weren’t “little chocolates” on that necklace Tana but we’ll get through this together. YHC thought the chatter was …dare I say ..absent. Leading to self reflection that I must be the chatter problem . Fortunately I stood corrected shortly after I Added some experimental Tae Baos to prep the pax for the 90s theme and well …let’s check the chatter comment section:

    Goose : Dumbest thing you have ever done
    Enron: please never again
    Cuz: why did he say vhs/dvd ?
    Cardinal : I’m just going to pray Billy Blanks doesn’t see this blast
    YJ : this is a disgrace to the 90s
    Smooth: I’m silently thinking this is less than optimal. Should have Rucked 17 miles instead.

    Ahhh that’s better, now I feel at home

    5 star reviews across the board !

    Long Run Cajun Mosey to Bball court where we discussed the definition of a 90s kid and learned about financial advisor blood feuds.

    We started our 90s tribute with the eras Greatest dance craze mixed with the inventor of the internet.

    “Macarena” by Los del Rios
    Al gore while doing the Macarena.
    Squat on Macarena
    Bobby Hurley 360 jump on Hey Macarena.

    Goose gave us the official dance and Enron has clearly been using those Valentine’s Day dance lessons and was displaying some unusual coordination. lil cuz on the other hand looked like he had a high dose muscle relaxer on an empty stomach but the effort was there.

    Thang 1

    Blockbuster Trivia
    Always be kind and rewind

    Was there anything more 90s than walking into a blockbuster and having the entertainment world at your fingertips. The very foundations of my negotiating skills were laid down when my parents said we get 1 rental …between 4 kids. To honor this forgotten institution and the treasure trove of 90s entertainment YHC mixed some backwards exercises with high risk trivia . Really felt the chatter love crank up here as questions were scrutinized and unruly pax were simply asked to get stronger or leave. We depended heavily on our elder statesmen team of YJ and goose to go 7/10 on trivia . Well done , questions below for the fartsackers.

    If correct sprint/nur full court
    If incorrect bear crawl/crawl bear half court. Followed by exercise.

    1. What year did Forest gump come out? 1994
    20/40 merkins

    2 . What was the highest grossing film of the 90s?
    Titanic
    30/60 Flutter Kicks (2 is 1)

    3. 1997 film with with John malcovich , Nicolas cage, John cusak – Con Air – 10/20 7/14 Airplanes

    4. Which popular 90s child star voiced Simba in the Lion King- Jonathan Taylor Thomas . 40/80 Mountain climbers
    5. How old was Notorious BIG, aka biggie smalls when he was murdered? 24 – 12/24 merkins
    6. Mcauley Caulkin became the first child start to make $1million in this 90s classic ?
    My Girl
    10/20 Carolina dry docks

    7. The tamagotchi angel was one of the highest selling toys of the 90s. Tamagotchi is a japanese combination of what two words?
    Egg and Friend

    10/20 Aussie Sweat Angles

    8. How many champions chips did the bulls win in the 90s?
    10 burpees if correct , 20 if wrong

    9. The USA men’s basketball team known as the dream team won the Olympics in what year ?
    1992

    10. Minimum wage for 7 of the 10 years of the 90s was?
    $4.25
    4 corners 10/ wide, Reg, ranger , diamond Merkin . (20 if wrong )

    The Buddy System

    If anything was drilled into my 90s childhood brain more than quicksand rescue it was the use of the buddy system. From scouting trips to summer camp , the buddy system was the fool proof method to survive life’s harrowing adventures. Well if it ain’t broke, YHC won’t fix it !

    The Buddy System
    Rules :
    Partner Up
    Sprint length of the court together and in flora format complete 90 of exercise (up to you as a team to divide according to your strength) , sprint back and plank up in order and present your buddy alive and well.

    I think this can be a regular occurrence but ran low on time for extra rounds.
    YJ and Goose took first place and continue to rep our north 40 club with grace and advanced cardio.

    The Final Boss

    YHC spent large portions of the 90s conquering Nintendo villains and preparing for life’s final bosses. YHC took a moment to prepare the PAX that we were going to a dark place called 90s one hit wonders. We would need to draw on a deep well of courage to slay this particular one hit wonder dragon. The pax gladiators stood ready …Then YHC opened the gate and JBL unleashed …

    1997’s ultra one hit wonder Hansons “Mmmm Bop
    Burpees on all versions of “bop, dop, pop” , IW on rest.

    Mosey/Sprint back to Aslan(d)
    COT and Goose prayed us out

    In the summer of 1997 I was tasked to complete a summer writing project with the assignment of “ an adventure story”. As you would guess I wasn’t in love with the idea of being pulled away from the OJ trial to do busy work. Buttt against my will I discovered I didn’t mind writing and YHC cranked out the manuscript for “Danger Island “ (killer title right? Well, I was 9 so check yourself)

    It was a classic thrill ride adventure of a boy and his friends in a dark cave battling a mysterious large reptile that picked them off one by one. In the end , it was only defeated by combining their brains and brawn!

    Were agents blowing up the house phone with book deals? Strangely, no.
    Did it look eerily similar to the plot of the 1997 hit Anaconda ? Yes. Yes it did. But let’s focus on what’s important here.

    While reminiscing about my childhood in the 90s and the novella that was Danger Island I could see parallels in life then and now.

    I’ll tell you truth men, most days I’m still standing in that gloom filled cave.

    Knowing the darkness is ever present .

    Knowing that reptile is still prowling and seeking our ruin.

    Knowing it’s Impossible to defeat alone.

    But also knowing the only way out is together, by following our one true source of Light.

    We are tasked to be the Light of the world and F3 helps remind me that we can always shine a little brighter when we know there are others ready to stand beside us in the darkness.

    It was privilege to lead.

    SYITG
    PDox

  • I Wanna Know What Love Is, and I Want Goose to Show Me! – from Goose

    8 PAX arrived by ones and twos for the first ever “Valentine’s Day Tuff” beatdown, and it was clear that these lugs were in need of some educatin’ on the true meaning of love. Thankfully, though YHC may not be a smart man, I know what love is.
    The warmup started with Seal Jacks, which blew everyone’s mind, causing the schismatic tendencies of Yankee Joe, Paradox, and Enron to flare up for the first of the typical ten or so times this beatdown. But, we made it through via synced clapping, which is always a morale booster. Warmup continued with the usuals plus some mountain climbers, high knees, and butt kicks without much of a break between each exercise–YHC knew we needed time for all the lecturing that was to be peppered (heavily) throughout the beatdown.

    We started with a song to get the juices flowing and the cardio system blowing in preparation for another Merkin Mile for time. YHC chose “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys to illustrate that the earliest, shallowest stages of love pretty much consists of idealism and brain chemicals. Though important to the process, this stage should be endured without making any major decisions or doing anything that can’t be undone. So, we let the “good vibrations” and “excitations” be our trigger words for burpees while SSH’s carried us through the rest of the song. Most idealism driven chemicals come and go pretty quick, especially when real life kicks in, like endless burpees.

    The stage after the initial buzz of being struck by the arrow of love is typically a sort of tunnel vision–it takes over all your thoughts and all your time, and you can’t focus on anything else. What better way to navigate this stage than a manly Tunnel of Love. YHC hearkened back to my VQ exactly three years ago where this routine was one of the highlights. You can’t beat crawling through a sweaty man tunnel fraught with stalactites, stank breath, and butt slaps. Once again, being hit with the reality of life is the only way to safely navigate to this stage.

    The third stage of love is usually defined by a sense that we can conquer the world together, there has never been a love as strong as ours, and we’ll “stay right here forever, until the sky falls down on us”. Again, this is chemicals talking, so still not rooted in reality, but an important part of the process, nonetheless.
    This stage would be experienced by the PAX through completing the weekly Merkin Mile (1 mile run w/25 merkins at each quarter mile), which has been given special attention due to the superhuman efforts of Pommel Horse from Lake Charles setting the bar at 7:47. The PAX started with watches synced and a belief that our determination, desire, and confidence (brain chemicals) would see us through to at least a sub 8:00 time. Alas, reality broke through again–nothing kills determination and confidence chemicals like survival instinct chemicals kicking in somewhere between that second and third set of merkins. Self-preservation is ultimately the enemy of love, and every man felt it this morning. The fastest time was 8:25, which was slower than the previous week’s posting, most likely because of that added block that was mistakenly left out last week. But, the push was, again, impressive, and it set us up well for the next stage.

    So, if love isn’t a feeling, if it isn’t just a natural chemical reaction that runs the risk of fading away when things get tough, then what is it? We’re naturally attracted by the “other-ness” of the other, but it’s exactly that “other-ness” that tends to wear on us over time and cause us to go into self-preservation mode. And, our brains actually can’t handle a non-stop flow of those “in-love” chemicals; they actually have to fade for us to be able to properly function. So, what is love, then?
    IT’S A CHOICE.
    When the body says I need to take care of me, it’s a choice to live for another. When I get tired and want to retreat, it’s a choice to push forward into the mystery, into the pain, into the risk of losing it all because the other is truly worth it, and there is so much beauty yet to be discovered.
    This morning, there was so much concrete, grass, and mud yet to be discovered, and the only way to get better at pushing through the instinct to self-preservation is practice. So, since practice makes perfect, and the number 7 is the symbol of perfection, 7’s it would be.

    We started at the stage with 6 curls (for the girls in our lives) and then block and bear across the field to the sidewalk for 1 thruster before murder bunnying back to the stage for 5 curls, etc. The tenacity of the men was impressive, especially Enron’s, who used his sprint/stop/sprint technique and his long limbs to draft YHC for the duration and then powerfully pass me on the last stretch. Also, Smooth Operator continues to show the same solid determination and drive that’s got him #1 in the rucking category for Run Cajun Run–even once time was called, he refused to stop and finished strong on his last stretch of bunnies. What a beast!
    We didn’t finish the 7’s because we still have a long, long way to go before we’re perfect in our ability to love our wives. So, bring on the blocks, bears, bunnies, merkins, burpees, crying babies, financial unknowns, in-laws, mood swings, and getting older. It’s gonna be a helluva ride.

    COT and Paradox prayed us out. It’s an awesome gift to be able to train not just the body but the mind and heart through F3, and it wouldn’t be possible or nearly as fruitful without you guys. Deeply grateful for the camaraderie this morning, and looking forward to continuing to improve with y’all!

    SYITG,
    Goose

  • Mardi Gras Mambo Misery – from Bolt

    IMHO, Mardi Gras is the greatest holiday of the year so YHC decided to bring a little bit of that “only in New Orleans” flavor to the Gloom this morning where seven pax showed up. Krewe of PAX members assembled at mid field to ready ourselves for the parade which a couple getting held up briefly by the train. Warm up of the usual stuff except with Mardi Gras music. Time for the Krewe of PAX to meander along the route as there would be inevitable stoppages during which we would pass time with exercises.

    Mosey to the stretching and mobility pavilion for:
    20 ea. right/left leg step ups
    5 Burpee‘s
    20 dips
    Mosey to large Diamond’s bleachers for: Merkin mountain up the bleachers starting at 2 reps
    20 Modified prisoner squats, touching palms to ground at bottom
    Mosey to gym for:
    Calf raise mountain start at 5, adding one/step
    Squat down the mountain start at 2
    Balance work: flamingo stance to hold high knee, to hands free with 5 open/close the gate and switch sides
    Mosey to far end of parking lot, grabbing curb for five burpees, bear crawl to midpoint and plank for six
    5 burpees, crab walk back to curb and 10 dips
    Mosey to near rock pile and circle up to plank for six
    15 mountain climbers
    20 LBCs
    Deca die shall dictate the end of our Mardi Gras season: 1 min peoples chair, 15 tuck jumps, 20 dips
    Mosey back to flag for 5 burpees, COT.

  • Cold Hands, Warm Hearts, Can’t Lose! – from Lil Cuz

    The game is over, you’re a Champion! You finally accomplished all that you have been working towards and now what…relief? Excitement? What comes next? The greatest players of all time always answer one thing to this question. “Let’s get back to work.” Most elite level athletes allow themselves the night of the biggest wins of their careers to celebrate, but when the next morning comes, they are back to working just as hard as if they are rookies again walking onto the field for the first time. This is the mindset that needs to be sought after in order to continue growing throughout life. Living in humility and knowing you can take care of business when the call comes.

    We may not be Superbowl winning level athletes, but we can apply this same work ethic in our everyday lives. We relax and enjoy our families on Sunday but Monday rolls around and it’s time to get back to work and continue on this path with our cross on our shoulder. We march on, thankful to God for the reprieve of Sunday and thankful to God for the strength to keep moving and working to better ourselves. So this Monday morning, in the cold and in the dark; We got back to work…

    Thang 1:

    Start by Shovel Flag with 50 SSH’s.
    – Sprint to concrete on opposite side of field.
    – Bear Crawl to halfway point of field.
    – Mosey around track back to Shovel Flag.

    Complete 25 Merkins.
    – Repeat sprint, bear crawl and mosey back to Shovel Flag.

    Complete 15 Burpees.
    – Repeat sprint, bear crawl and mosey back to Shovel Flag.

    Complete 50 LBC’s
    – Repeat sprint, bear crawl and mosey back to Shovel Flag.

    Complete 40 Jump Squats.
    – Repeat sprint, bear crawl and mosey back to Shovel Flag.

    Thang 2:
    Relay race with the Pax split into 2 teams and team members spread out to the four corners of the Stage track. All Pax doing SSH’s while waiting their turn to run. Runner gets to next Pax on his team and calls a workout of which the next Pax to run would do a set of 15 before running to his next teammate. Two laps and winning team would get to relish in their “prize”. We had some real shiners that chose today to showcase their true speed, and a bunch of racers whose competitive spirit really showed through. The relay was neck and neck the whole way through, but Team 1 pulled out the win in the very last section of the race.

    Winning team would get to choose an additional 5 reps of each workout if they wanted to get the extra burn this morning or could take 5 reps away if they would like to relax. This was chosen in silence between the individual Pax and God, not as a team.

    Thang 3: Back to Thang 1 and this time seemed to be done much slower than the first, and each round felt so much sweeter as we got closer and closer to the end.

    Admittedly, YHC thought that thang 1 would take up much more time, but these fellas came to workout this morning and they weren’t having any slow counts in the cold. Relay race was supposed to be a finishing round but ended up as a middler to really see how far our muscles could be pushed. Everyone pushed so hard to finish and we did it with 1 minute to spare. There was dispute as YHC was under the impression we exercised for an hour during the week but YHC was quickly downvoted and told to lay off the Q-drenaline as we only had 1 minute left.

    :30 – :45 of Mary to close which consisted of 6-inch hold for duration.

    COT, name-o-rama, and Dox prayed us out.

    Thanks for the backblast name, Wet Tap! Cold Hands, Warm Hearts, Can’t Lose! This really has described the Thibodaux F3 Pax throughout the winter and I can’t wait for the next one.

    SYITG,
    Lil’ Cuz

  • First MG Weekend Buy-Back – from Glitter Balls

    Temp: Cold Enough
    Conditions: Nice Enough

    Pax: Cheesesteak, High Rise, Cracklin, YHC.

    I woke up in the bushes outside the Children’s Museum sometime around 0500, daiquiri still in hand and both an umbrella and sunscreen on my person due to the schizophrenic weather of the weekend. Unsure of how I got there, I secreted my kids’ Mardi Gras ladder underneath the ramp only to find cinder blocks and 3 PAX staring at me.

    I guess I signed up to Q, how serendipitous.

    Quick mosey around the figure 8 into 20 SSH, 10 Forward/Reverse Arm Circles, 10 Moroccan Night Clubs, 10 Windmill, 10 Grass Grabbers.

    Partners, timer up ramp to gate and back.

    First set:
    50 Block Merkins
    75 Heavy Freddie’s (2:1)
    150 Step Ups (2:1)

    Second Set:
    75 Chest Press
    100 Block LBCs
    150 Squats

    Third Set:
    75/75/75
    Curls/Flutter Kicks (2:1)/Walleyes

    Mary:
    Heavy Freddies, Skullcrushers, Flutter Kicks, Chest Press

    COT.