F3 New Orleans

Category: New Orleans

  • 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

  • F3 – Frozen Foundry Fools

    What do you do when you sign up in advance to Q a workout then wake up to 22 degree temp, stiff north wind, and ground covered in ice?  Do you back out…do you call it off…blame it on the frozen car doors or icy windshield…maybe claim one of your kids is sick???  Well, those thoughts may have crossed YHC’s mind on Wednesday but knew the backlash and guilt that would result.  So, after adding a few extra layers and spending 10 minutes getting the vehicle drive-able, YHC rolled up to the meeting spot for the Foundry in City Park to find a few other manly men looking to get their F3 fix.  Needless to say, we were the only souls around which had me questioning our sanity and this whole “rain or shine” policy from headquarters.  After exchanging the usual pleasantries to offset the unpleasant conditions, we quickly got things going and blood pumping.  The goal was to be safe, avoid slipping on ice, keep feet and hands dry, and dodge hypothermia.  Here’s what we did:

    Mosey down Roosevelt Mall with pit stop for the pre-thang:

    SSH x30, Arm Circle x20, IPW x20, Windmill x15, Lunge Hold/Stretch 45sec R&L

    Then proceed to the front of the museum (near front door) in hopes of getting out of the wind and having enough light to avoid any black ice.  Once there, we partnered up for Dora 1-2-3 with the timer being PAX#2 running down to the sculpture pond, knocking out 5 side steps, then run back up while other PAX kept a cumulative count of:

    Dips x100

    Inclined Shoulder Taps x200

    People’s Chair with Air Press x300

    At this point, it was time to man up and face the brunt of the wind again so what better way to do that than a mosey over to the banks of the Big Lake and gaze upon the newly installed, illuminated 300 Year sign that is part of the New Orleans Tricentennial celebration.  The original plan called for a few things but since time was ticking we instead cranked out 30 Burpees, one for each decade.  YHC got a funny look from an unnamed PAX but we made it happen.

    Mosey back towards the flag and regroup on Roosevelt Mall to knock out Dips x10 and Inclined Merkins x10 on three separate benches of your choosing in route to base.  One minute left for post-workout stretching, led by Walleye, our muscle and bone guru.

    COT to seal the deal.  T-claps to those who came out in the elements and also, t-claps to those who wanted to come out but made the right call by not driving further distances on the icy roads.  Rumor is the Birdcage had a handful of guys that were able to post as well.

    Side Note:  Several of us have recently talked about the importance of stretching after or at the end of our timed F3 workouts.  It’s something many of us forget about or think may not be macho enough to do during a workout they lead.  YHC has recently been dealing with Achilles tendinitis which is alleviated by lots of stretching.  We should plan on doing it more in order to avoid injury and/or turning into old dudes.

    Thanks for letting me lead.

    Tool

     

     

  • Sub Zero Pete

    They call me Subzero Pete
    I’m the king of the Burpee beat
    When I call the pax I go
    Chic-chic-ky-boom
    Chic-chic-ky-boom

    Yes sir, I’m Subzero Pete
    I’m the craze of my Uptown street
    When I start to Q everything goes
    Chic-chic-ky-boom
    Chic-chic-ky-boom
    The Pax they sing

    Up Wolfpack hill our backs lead the way
    No more burpees the pax they pray
    So Burpees it is and we go
    Chic-chic-ky-boom
    Chic-chic-ky-boom

    In search of Dora we go
    Mericans we dug not one shmoe
    LBC to strengthen our dough
    Squat Jumps to end the show
    And we go
    Chic-chic-ky-boom
    Chic-chic-ky-boom

    Down the stairs and to the benches for more
    The Pax they cry “why o why”
    They let out a ugly sigh, “Boo Whore!”
    It’s very nice! To be So full of ice!
    They will be singing my song
    All the day long

    So if you like the beat
    Take a lesson from Subzero Pete
    And I’ll teach you to Q in the subzero heat!
    And we will all go!
    Chic-chic-ky-boom
    Chic-chic-ky-boom
    Chic-chic-ky-boom

    Oh…and we had Q cake from Maple St Patisserie…Cavalier ate a lot!

  • Gelid Air at Okwata

    YHC had so much fun with the Pax at the Foundry in the below freezing temperatures the day before that he just had to sign up and take the Q for the gelid wind conditions expected to be at the angry Okwata. Upon arrival to the Okwata AO with one minute to spare, YHC found two Pax he had never seen before. Two Pax from F3 Birmingham were in New Orleans on business, but nobody told them the city was pretty much shut down. But these F3 men scoff at wintry weather conditions, and YHC was pleased to see them. This would not have been a good day to be a Pax of one! Wait, where are the NOLA men of F3? No time to think about that. Good thing Hawgcycle showed up and found us with his crochet visor and gloveless! I nearly lost hope for F3 NOLA!
    With no shovel flag to plant, YHC gave a brief disclaimer, and then…

    Mosey across the levee to the south side, where Hawgcycle found us. The thermometer read 25 degrees, and the wind chill brought that down to a “feels like” 12 degrees or so. Any hospitable host would do what he could to keep guests somewhat shielded from the gelid wind of the north!
    Circle up at the base of the levee for warmup:

    SSH IC x 20
    IW IC x 20

    Taking a sheet from the Shorty Q book, mosey to Lakeshore Pkwy for some Circuits, as the Pax needs to get warmed up more:

    Circuit one: Starting at the middle lamp post, call it #2, sprint to #1 lamp post and do 10 merkins. Run back to lamp post #2 and do 10 merkins, then run to lamp post #3 and complete 10 burpees all OYO

    Circuit two: Starting back at lamp post #2, sprint to #1 lamp post, complete 10 Catalina Wine Mixers IC, run back to lamp post #2 and complete 10 merkins IC, then run to lamp post #3 and complete 10 burpees OYO.

    Now the Pax is nice and toasty, but can’t slow down now! Mosey to Canal Street for some BLIMPS:

    Corner of Amethyst and Canal: 5 double merkin Burpees OYO
    Run over the levee to the north side, enduring the gelid wind, to Lakeshore Drive: 10 Lunges IC
    Bear crawl across the median (oops, called it the wrong thing – thanks Hawg) err…Neutral Ground….to the other corner: 15 Imperial walkers IC
    Run across the levee to the other corner of Amethyst and Canal for: 20 Merkins IC (4 count of course)
    Bear crawl across the neutral ground to the first corner: 25 Plank jacks IC
    Run across the levee against the gelid winds again to finish it off: 30 squats IC

    Mosey back to the south side of the levee for an Okwata favorite: Burp Back Mountain! Modified due to time.
    Partner up, Pax 1 begins burpees at the base of levee. Pax 2 runs backwards up the levee (quadraphilia) and down three times, then rotate. Goal is 50 burpees cumulative.
    With 6 minutes to go, only one thing will do:

    6 Minutes of Mary! All IC
    Flutter Kicks x 20
    Hello Dolly x 20
    Tin Snips x 20
    Freddie Mercury x 20
    Russian twist aka Putins x 15
    WW2 situps x 10

    Times up, mosey back to the VSF.

    COT

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions and close with a prayer.

    NMM
    The announcements were pretty short, not only because it was frigid, but also because it was really just YHC and Hawg from NOLA. With the roads shut down, YHC was impressed with Hawg’s determination to make it to Okwata. T-Claps to Mullen and Zacchaeus from F3 Birmingham for posting on this cold morning. It’s always great to see men from other regions post, and F3 NOLA always welcomes them with a good beat down.
    The Q signup sheet has a lot of blanks on it. See what you can do to remedy that…..

  • What keeps you warm you ask! BURPEES DO!!!

    We came from the land of the ice and snow
    From the midnight sun, where our hot beds stow
    BURPEES were The hammer of the gods
    We dropped and moved the earth with our hands
    To fight the cold, we ran and yelled
    Valhalla, we are a coming!

    From the shelter we sortied onto the Tundra Ice
    Around the park we soared
    From station to station moving faster than the wind to our bones
    We whispered tales of dips and power ups.

    Victory through BURPEES our only warmth
    Hungry we yelled for more
    All we heard were Gabrille’s snore
    Lunge, Burpee, Run, Burpee, Lunge

    Back to the shelter in search of our ROOTS
    We circled for Mary
    Of how we calmed the tides of war
    We are your overlords

  • Grandmas house has a new norm when it comes to attire!!

    Grandmas house has been changed by the appearance of leggings, beanies, gloves, sweatshirts, jogging pants, etc. in recent weeks.. The harsh winter weather on the Northshore has also hampered the turnouts to many locations, which in the past has seen upwards of 10 plus men on a weekday Gloom…. In past experience of being locked into a contract of the cosmetic facilities, I would always notice the high turnout for the New Years. However, with F3 I have seen a decline at most AOs with the exception of the Gipper. So I pose a question or two for my past and future F3 brothers.. Is it the weather? If so, then purchase some beanies, gloves, leggings, etc. and show up. Is it the price we pay? Doubtful, because as we all know it’s FREE and only requires 45 min of our day (much cheaper and less time consuming than the cosmetic facilities). So if your still reading this and haven’t posted in awhile let’s start packing the AOs once again and keep the commitment into the New year.. Statistics show 12% of all memberships for any given facility come in Jan. but it actually represents a 35-50% increase in volume and by the second week in Feb. only 20% of that increase remain committed. Also the cosmetics sell memberships with the intention of only 18% actually using them. Meaning there is a 1 in 5 chance you will actually use it consistently for longer than a month… Let’s not be a statistic my F3 brothers… Get out there beanies and all. No matter what the conditions, know that your body and mind will thank you.. And the F2 and chatter will be lagniappe as we like to say..

    warmarama

    25 IC SSH, IW, WM, BK

    15 IC GM, Arm Circles

    the thang

    Walkway for a set of 11s with Burpees on the bottom and squats at the top of the flag pole. Moseyed to the stage for some core work. Hit the 6 for some FK IC 30 followed by leg raises IC 15. Then LBCs IC 30 including left/right IC 15 side crunch’s rounding out with Superman’s IC 15. Moseyed to the bench’s by the trace for 15 Box jumps oyo then 25 Merkins, 15 oyo left to right side jump overs then 25 Merkins R/R. Moseyed back to the walkway for 1 min front, left and right plank and then to the benches under the flag pole for 15 IC Freak nasties and then 10IC Derkins. To the steps for completion, 5 calf raises 2 steps R/R up to the top. Descended the steps with 5 squats and 2 steps R/R back to the bottom.

    Count off, Announcements, COT

    Appreciate the Gloom with you two F3 brothers…

    Thanks to Bubba for praying us out!!

  • Crochet Visor, Sans Gloves

    There are many reasons Hawgcycle is one of my heroes. He leads by example, he pushes himself and everyone around him to be better, Iron Sharpens Iron, he provides words of inspiration, he is a literary genius (just read the Tough Mudder backblast), and so on. Today, it is because he showed up in the gloom with a Crochet Visor and no gloves in 33 degree coldness to hoist some rocks. Gotta love the guy.

     

    View image on Twitter

    6 men braved the cold temperatures today to get stronger. As we discussed the heart-breaking ending to the Saints season, the men trickled in. The usual disclaimer and off we go.

    Warm-Up COP:

    SSH x 30 IC
    Imperial Walkers x 20 IC
    Mountain Climbers x 20 IC
    Arm Circles x 10 Forward, 10 Backward IC
    Windmills x 10 IC
    Plank Jacks x 20 IC

    Grab a Rock! We each grabbed a rock of our own choosing. And once again, Triple Shift grabbed the ol’ 51 pounder. #Respect #WayToLead

    We moseyed over to the field between the 2 tree lines for our entire workout. As the temperature was 33 degrees, YHC did not feel like running too far.

    Exercise 1: quick fire rock circuits, run-to-rest in between. Let it be noted, Hawg hoisted a frozen rock for all of these exercises without gloves, and never once dropped the rock early. Respect.

    Rock Shoulder Press x 10 IC
    Rock Biceps Curls x 10 IC
    Rock Rows x 10 IC
    Rock Squats x 10 IC
    Rock Chest Press x 10 IC

    Run to the parking lot (50 yards) and back

    Rock Shoulder Press x 10 IC
    Rock Biceps Curls x 10 IC
    Rock Rows x 10 IC
    Rock Squats x 10 IC
    Rock Chest Press x 10 IC

    Run to the parking lot (50 yards) and back

    Rock Shoulder Press x 10 IC
    Rock Biceps Curls x 10 IC
    Rock Rows x 10 IC
    Rock Squats x 10 IC
    Rock Chest Press x 10 IC

    Run to the parking lot (50 yards) and back

    Rock Shoulder Press x 10 IC
    Rock Biceps Curls x 10 IC
    Rock Rows x 10 IC
    Rock Squats x 10 IC
    Rock Chest Press x 10 IC

    Run to the parking lot (50 yards) and back

    Exercise 2:
    Rock lunges across the field, 50 yards, to the groans and huffs of the PAX.

    Exercise 3:
    8-count body builders x 10 IC
    8-count rock press x 10 IC
    Left side lunge with rock chest press x 10 IC
    Right side lunge with rock chest press x 10 IC

    Exercise 4:
    Rock lunges across the field, 50 yards, to the music of more groans.

    Mary COP:
    Flutter Kicks x 20 IC
    LBC’s x 20 IC
    Hello Dolly x 20 IC
    American Hammer x 20 IC

    We returned our beloved rocks to the rock pile, and ran back to the flag to finish just in the nick of time. Count off, Name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer. Special shout out to Abacus for killing it since he joined F3. Thank you for allowing me to lead. Stay warm out there this week!

    Walleye

  • Superfecta at The Uptowner

    YHC committed to Q four days in a row this week, and the fourth day, or the Superfecta as we’ll call it, had me up earlier than usual. 45 minutes before the alarm sounded kind of earlier. One would think that would indicate an early arrival at the AO, but nay! Pulling into the dead end parking lot at Pontiff Playground with three minutes to spare, following JV’s ride is what happened. Maybe it was too much time thinking about what the weather was going to do. 70 degree weather yesterday, but promises of weather in the 40’s today with the passing of the front had YHC a bit confused. YHC planted the shovel flag, and Tool walked up. YHC had some cones to set out, but the grounds were wet enough to be confused with a lake. Tool suggested the tennis courts, which was an outstanding idea! Setting the cones up for a circuit station beatdown, YHC noticed the wind moving the cones all over the court. Time to improvise. Return to the flag, give the disclaimer as the train passes….and then

    Warmup

    SSH IC x 31
    Imperial Squat Walkers IC x 15

    Grab a rock, one that can be used for OH press and Curls, and slow mosey to the tennis courts. YHC had planned on doing Uptowner Stink BOMBS, but it would require cones. With the wind not cooperating, YHC opted for circuits:

    Circuit One

    Double Merkin Burpees x 10 OYO
    OH Rock Press x 10 IC (4 count)
    Merkins x 10 IC (4 count)
    WW 2 Situps IC x 10 (4 count)
    Rock Curls x 10 IC (4 count)
    Rinse and Repeat x 5 (#Crowd Pleaser)

    Circuit Two (all 4 count)

    Rock Rows x 10 IC
    Rock Bench Presses x 10 IC
    Rock Squats x 10 IC
    Rinse and Repeat x 3

    Partner up for abs

    Leg throws x 15, flap jack
    Regular situps with parter holding feet. Do as many as possible in one minute, flap jack

    Mary with a rock (all 4 count)

    Flutter Kicks x 15 IC
    Hello Dolly x 15 IC
    Tin Snips x 15 IC
    LBC’s (no rock) x 15 IC
    Freddy Mercury (no rock) x 15 IC

    Times up, DownPainment made!

    COT

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, closing prayer

    NMM

    Thanks for posting with me today. With 4 back to back Q’s this week, YHC hopes this will challenge others to step up and Q where you can. If you don’t feel ready, ask someone that has Q’d to help, and share the Q. I had butterflies the night before my first Q, afraid it would be a disaster! Trust me, it never is, even though some of mine have had moments! Please refrain from taking this this opportunity to point out those moments…..

    T-Claps to Tool for bringing in Smooth and Abacus into the F3 fold. You’re nowhere near Triple Shift, but it still deserves recognition! Always be EH’ing!

    Crazy Ivan coming up next weekend. Looking at the weather forecast, it looks like the weather will be great! Good thing it wasn’t this weekend!

    Don’t forget tomorrow is Mahatma’s VQ at the Mothership! I have no doubt it’s going to be epic. Following the beat down, we get to witness him take a pie in the face from Rudy! This you can’t miss! Bring some cash for coffeteria…….

    SYITG!

  • Rolling Fog at Okwata

    YHC received the bad news from Surge that he was ill, and would not be posting. This was surely a sign of that dreaded day, the day where YHC would be a Pax of one. SPOILER ALERT: He wasn’t! YHC woke up to an annoying rain, one that would obviously keep others away from posting to one of the greatest AO’s of the region, so no need to even head out the door. But wait, what is that? Ah, it’s the DRP, the same one that JV chose last week when he headed to the Uptowner. YHC arrived at the AO with 3 minutes to spare, and who was waiting? None other than JV, or so it seemed. We’ll get to that in a bit. YHC planted the Shovel Flag and it was on! Walleye pulls up just before the clock struck 0530, just in time to hear the Disclaimer. Lucky for us, the rain stopped, but the heavy fog rolled in. As we moseyed toward the mardi gras fountain, we could see an image in the gloom. Abacus! His first post to Okwata, and he was waiting at the mardi gras fountain, as he could not see the other Pax through the fog. That makes three men joining YHC to celebrate this day with a solid beat down. Three men of F3 joined YHC to celebrate his Trifecta Q! It was going to be a good day!

    Mosey around the fountain, carioca left, then right. Circle up in front of the fountain.

    Warmup

    SSH IC x 31
    Imperial Squat Walkers IC x 15
    Sun Gods IC x 20 (10 FWD, 10 BWD)

    Double Shots with Jack Webb at the Barre (an Okwata favorite)

    1 merkin followed by 2 air presses in the peoples chair against the barre
    2 merkins…..4 air presses…..
    3 merkins…..6 air presses….
    so forth and so on….
    10 merkins…..20 air presses in the peoples chair against the barre

    Mosey to the intersection of Canal and Lakeshore Drive for:

    Four Corners

    Corner #1 – 10 Burpees OYO
    Mosey south on Canal across the levee to the corner of Canal and Amethyst St
    Amethyst is a variety of quartz, is a semiprecious stone, and is the birthstone for February. Now you know…..
    Corner #2 – Catalina Wine Mixers IC x 10
    A short mosey west to the other corner of Amethyst and Canal.
    Corner #3 – To emphasize the merkin during the burpee, YHC decided to add the double merkin burpee. 5 Double merkin burpees OYO! That went so well that YHC added 5 more! For those of you that struggle with arithmetic, that would be 10 total double merkin burpees!
    Mosey north to Canal and Lakeshore Drive
    Corner #4 – 8 Count Body Builders IC x 10
    Since we need to complete the box, return to start point.
    Back at Corner #1 – merkins IC x 10 (4 count)

    Mosey to Stonehenge, aka the circle of benches.

    Grab a bench

    LL step ups IC x 10
    Jump Squats IC x 10
    RL step ups IC x 10
    Copperhead Squats IC x 10 (Low slow squat)
    YHC needed one more leg exercise, and had a mental block. Calling out for ideas, Walleye suggested alternating lunge jumps. Yes, that would finish off this evolution nicely!
    Alternating Lunge Jumps IC x 10

    Mosey back to Canal St and to the top of the levee.

    OYO evolution

    5 double merkin burpees, bear crawl across the median, finish with 5 double merkin burpees.

    Mosey back to the flag for:

    Mary
    Flutter Kicks IC x 15
    Hello Dolly IC x 15
    Tin Snips IC x 15
    Russian Twist (Putin) IC x 15

    0615, time called, DownPainment complete!

    COT

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, end with a prayer to the Sky Q. We still kept Shorty’s M in our thoughts.

    Read the emails to see what’s going on. Lots of good stuff. What does this weeks Stomp, Foundry, Okwata, and Uptowner AO’s all have in common? Join me tomorrow for the Superfecta!

    NMM

    Want to see a Q take a pie in the face? Not this guy, but join us for the Mothership when Mahatma makes his VQ and gets a pie in the face from his LSU/Notre Dame bet lost to Rudy!

  • Rock City Trifecta

    Solid showing on Monday at Pontiff, despite the rain.  Eight men braved the iffy forecast to get the usual fix of F3 at Rock City.  The scheduled Q was out with the flu (or maybe Saints game hangover???) so a few of us stepped in to sub.  Here’s what went down:

    Mosey to the rock pile, grab a rock, and head to the pavilion for cover.

    Round 1, courtesy of Tool:

    Warm-up consisting of IPW x25, Peter Parker x25, Arm Circles x20, Windmill x15, Hacky Sack x15, LS Squat x15

    Rock Curl x20, RLSU x20, Rock Curl x20, LLSU x20

    Then, a round of the yet to be named “sucky” circuit previously done a few times, but we altered it a bit.  Three minutes of as many rounds of the following exercises OYO:  SSH x6, Squat Rock Press x6, Bench Dips x6.  Call out your count after each round.  I think a few guys made it to 6 or 7.  Rest with a countdown, then rinse and repeat.  YHC forgot his watch and was fumbling with Marlin space-age apparatus so the timing may have been off.  Either way it was good stuff.  I’m thinking original mix of SSH, Squat Jumps, and Merkins is the way to go on that circuit.

    Round 2, courtesy of Triple Shift:

    Pair up for PAX #1 to knock out Back Extensions x20 hanging off of table while PAX #2 holds #1’s feet and Flutter Kicks.  Flip Flop, then rinse and repeat with Hello Dollies on the second round.  This seemed to use muscles that YHC didn’t know he had.

    Rock Web – ascending reps of Merkin x1 and Rock Press x2, increasing the count by 1/2 each time until x10/x20 is reached.  This was a doozy and proved to be a challenge to all.  T-claps to Rudy and other PAX for finishing strong and doing full reps.

    Round 3, courtesy of JV, who was eager to share some new exercises picked up at during his recent post at a F3 AO in North Carolina.

    Monkey Humper x20?

    “Go at it” with Hindu Planks(??) x20

    Wife Pleaser x20

    Good thing no one else was around to witness 8 grown men in these motions, in particular the second one.

    Time was up so back to the flag.

    COT to seal the deal.  T-claps to Abacus on his second post and his quest to get back in shape after a 10yr hiatus from physical activity.  YHC can’t recall much else other than the fact that he was the youngest PAX there.  Not a bad morning for a bunch of almost old dudes.

    Tool