Category: New Orleans

  • Rock n Roll

    Another beautiful Monday morning for beat down. Ten men showed up to grow and get stronger, including 1 FNG.
    The Warmup COP:
    -SSH x 30 IC
    -IW x 30 IC
    -PP x 20 IC
    -Arm Circles x 30 IC (15 ea. dir.)
    -J-Lo’s x 20 IC
    …grab your rock….oh wait, now we have 11.

    First Round (con Rocca):
    -Shoulder Press x 20 IC
    -Curls x 20 IC
    -Rows x 20 IC
    -Squats x 20 IC

    Second Round (con Rocca):
    -Shoulder Press x 20 IC
    -Curls x 15 IC
    -Rows x 15 IC
    -Squats x 15 IC

    Boss Keene wants his rock pile moved…let’s move the rock pile…the pack moved the rock pile four times. They worked hard and deserved a break. Have a seat, in the people’s chair with your rock. After a minute, take a break and shake it out. Let’s do it again, this time with 10 shoulder presses IC and 10 curls IC. Break time’s over…

    Third Round (con Rocca):
    -Shoulder Press x 20 IC
    -Curls x 15 IC
    -Rows x 15 IC
    -Squats x 15 IC

    Send your little friend home, back to the rock pile. Now let’s find some grass for a lil Mary.
    -LBC x 40 IC
    -Hello Dolly x 30 IC
    -Flutter Kicks x 30 IC
    -Putin Twists x 20 IC

    Mosey to the SF. Countoff, namerama, a lot of detailed announcements, prayer and we’re out…

  • 610 Stomp And Ruck

    Cool morning.  Front yesterday cooled the air in addition to dropping copious amounts of rain.  Thanks to the rain, the ground was finally soft enough to enable planting of a shovel flag (2 of them, in fact!).  Could have been a clean trifecta, but the owner of the 3rd flag continues to be #MIA.

    5 Ruckers and 3 Runners took off for the traditional 610 Stomp route.  Ruckers target 3 mile out and back, Runners target the 4.5 mile loop to Banks Street.  And they are off….

    FracSac, Tool and Rudy enjoyed the crisp air, and good conversations around the perils of buckling hardwood floors.  Who knew that humidity could wreak such trouble!  Finished back at the shovel flags to wrap up with Putins to Seal the Deal.  Quick Count-off, Name-o-Rama and Triangle of Man for closing prayer.  Thanks, guys!

    Ruckers finished shortly after the runners had went on their way.  Count-off, Name-o-Rama and a Pentagon of Man to close.

    Good luck to the Ruckers this week!!!

    All: It has been a long and contentious campaign season.  YHC has dug through his memory banks and finds very few that have matched this in rancor and tone.  YHC has been saddened at the number of conversations among friends and family that have devolved into bitterness and acrimony over the last many months.  I hope and pray earnestly for unity and forgiveness – for the people I have hurt when I have let passions get the better of me.  Disagree on proposals and plans of the party you consider the opposition.  But stop and look at the human being you are speaking (or arguing) with and realize that they yearn as desperately as you for leadership, for a better economy and the benefits that it brings, for peace and harmony, for the improvement in conditions for all.  Stop and consider the point of view and opinion of those you disagree with.  Try to understand them, and in that understanding try to learn something that you hadn’t previously known.  If you fail to understand today, try again tomorrow.  And try again the next day.  Let us live a life where we never stop seeking to understand those around us.

    Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

  • Monday Ring of Fire with PIMPS

    Lots of VQs lately and this was supposed to be someone’s vq but they audibled last minute to postpone until a later date -so I took the Q. Douille’s Friday beatdown was still a source of anxiety and pain among the PAX. Unfortunately I stayed out too late and had to smart sack last week. 12 PAX for a stroll in the park.

    Started with the disclaimer. Then off to honor the Skinny with a Monday AM lap.
    First stop was the PIMP station.
    There was a lone guy working there so we circled up for a quick COP.
    SSH x 25, Mtn Climbers x 25, Imperial Walkers x 25, and Monkey Humps x 25

    Then we hit the PIMPS station.
    5 Pullups, 10 Imp Walks, 15 Merks, 20 Plank jacks, 25 Squats

    Then back to the track for an indian run.

    We ran to the CIRCLE field past the green where we normally do MARY.
    He we did a ring of fire. We incorporated a bear crawl and a merkin wave– up to 5 merks but a long plank.

    Back to the track for a sprint to the Fountain. Gspot, Wire, Saban reverend and Revit hit this with some serious speed
    At the fountain we did inclined merks x 20, declined shoulder taps x 20, 20 right leg power step ups, 20 left leg power step ups, and 20 dips.

    Then back to the track for another indian run.

    Pulled over to get a quick round of Mary in. Not quite 6 min.
    Peter Parker x 20, Parker Peter x 20, LBC x 20, LBT x 20 , Dying Cockroach x 20

    Back to the track. Jog 2 of the running men icons and then sprint one to the row bars.

    At the row bars. 20 rows was the count. Burpees and Side lunges for the PAX to make 3 stations.

    After the rows… we continued the running man sprint/ jog back to the virtual flag.

    We got back to flag at 612 so we did a quick plank o rama.
    Yankee agressor 30 secs, Southern gent 30 secs, regular 60 secs , 20 secs mission impossible

    Thanks for letting me lead. Prayers for wisdom – that our leaders make wise choices.

  • Operation Sweet Tooth- Time to make an IMPACT

    So today marks the 6 month anniversary of Sweet Tooth’s passing.  Let alone a difficult day but a difficult past week with Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls Day and a special Mass for those lost with St. Marks Church.  But, as difficult as this road has been and will continue to be until the last breath I breath, there is a reason to keep on fighting…to live in all that is great with Christina; Operation Sweet Tooth.

    To us, only a short 6 months has felt like an eternity without having our precious baby by our side.  The countless moments we miss can never be replaced.  All we can do at this point is honor her by helping kids, who need our help.  I am calling on you, the Pax of F3 Nation and FiA Nation to aid in that support.  The purpose of Operation Sweet Tooth is to provide smiles, comfort, and peace to those kids who need it most and to let them know…that strangers care.  This I is something that is bigger than me…bigger than you…this is real life.  As awful my family feels, there are children, and their parents, (if they have any) that may feel worse and more sorrowful than we are.  And together, we can make a difference.  The decisions we make today can have a ripple effect that can last a life time. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, empty our pocket books and humble ourselves for the betterment of those less fortunate.

    My family and I are eternally grateful for all the support we have seen already.  You know who you are.  All the plans, establishments in consideration and willingness to support her, has made this family truly humbled.

    Now, as the first “official event” it is time to make a huge impact on children.  What started out as a concept has transformed into an entity.  Operation Sweet Tooth is officially a 501C3, a non for profit business.  The mission is to provide children hope, peace and comfort though toys, money or companionship and to let them know a stranger cares.  That was what Christina was all about.  Currently, DDP of Isotope and his business partner is working on our official website.  We intend to fulfill our lives for the benefit of children who need our help.  But I will be honest, we are using this platform to help with our mourning, and healing, and to give us hope and reason to survive, live and maybe one day, not anytime soon, thrive.

    Entities to benefit from our efforts are Levine’s Children Hospital, homeless shelters, orphanages, special needs establishments and anything else that caters to children.  Truthfully, any organization that supports children has our support.  I have been asked by the Pax about Jeff Gordon’s Children Hospital…this is where Christina passed away…and many mistakes were made.  Although maybe their intentions are good, for the purpose of this first drive, my wish is that this organization is not honored.  You want to know? Ask me and you will have no problem with my decision!  Other than that, you have our support if it supports children in need.

    That said, I want to make sure this is a complete success and gets the notoriety it deserves…not for me…but for the cause.  Please let me know how many toys or items you have collected so I can send the prayer cards that should accompany them.  I have two thousand! Wondering if we can beat that?  I also want pictures for our future website, OperationSweetTooth.org.  We will have current events/fundraisers to who the impact we are having on our communities.

    For my brothers is Isotope/NoCo, if you cannot make the Christmas party, please let me know.  I will be encouraging the Pax to bring items at their local Friday workouts.  MQ’s, please touch base to make arrangements for pickups etc.

    I will let everyone know when the website is fully operational.  As well as FB, Instagram etc.  As of now, only @OpSweetTooth on Twitter is functional. Of course any questions you have you can send there or @F3_Olive, operationsweettooth@yahoo.com or operationsweettooth@gmail.com

    I want to personally thank each and every one of you for supporting OST.  I will be honest, I hate that I am doing this.  I should not have to be.   But I will do anything to honor her, HIM and ensure that I get the opportunity to see her again.  This is our calling, whether welcomed or not to have an impact on lives that far reach above and beyond ours….and I believe, rather I know…this is what we are supposed to do, under our circumstances…and I am humbled by your support!

    Lastly, this is a movement to bring awareness to to myocarditis.  The heart condition that killed my daughter that was undiagnosed…and unrecognized.  The medical community failed her.  I don’t want that happen to anyone again, even if it does not bring my baby back!

    myocarditisfoundation.org

    -Olive, Jager and Happy Meal

  • Out for Justice

    Cool crisp and dark morning in NOLA.  PAX gathered in front of the shovel flags to await the Out for Justice VQ.  Nervous pacing.  What would Detective Gino Felino have in store for us?

    After his disclaimer, we were off.

    The Thang: Off to the great lawn for opening exercises.  SSH xWhoWasCounting? followed by Peter Parker, Imperial Walkers, Parker Peter, Hillbillies.  Then line up on the side of the lawn for an animal parade: Bear Crawl across the lawn, Duck Walk back.  JV lets loose with critique about everyone else’s form; apparently JV is now the resident expert on Duck Walking.

    Scupture Garden: Justice leads us to our favorite ledge near the sculpture garden.  Box Jumps, Incline Merkins, Left Leg Step Ups, Incline Merkins, Right Leg Step Ups, Decline Merkins.  Feeling the burn…

    The Museum: Over to the fountain in front of the museum and partner up.  PAX 1 dips to their hearts content.  PAX 2 Frog Jumps across the street and up the stairs.  FlapJack.  Repeat x3.  Head to the lawn for a round of Mary with Putins and Cockroaches.

    Tag Team: Rudy takes over the Q.

    Start with the ‘Murican Indian run.  Every 4th (or 6th) pax to make it to the front – group stops and does ‘murican in cadence.  12x, 12x, 10x, 10x.  Finish with Mosey to the baby foundry.

    Baby Foundry: Pair up on 4 stations: Burpees, BoxJumps, Pull Ups, Hanging Knee Raises.  3 cycles through, with burpees being the timer.  Mosey back to the Great Lawn to finish up.

    BUT WAIT: Q sees Tool’s calf raise wall – quick audible.  Everyone up on the wall.  Calf Raise x25.  Shake them out, repeat x30.  Then continue the mosey back to the Great Lawn.  Finish with Monkey Humpers x25 and LBC x49.

    Justice wraps up with Count Off, Name-o-rama and Prayer, including especially prayers for togetherness and unity during a contentious election cycle.

  • Can’t Escape Golden Moutain

    The pungent urine smell did not stop the PAX from tackling wolfpack mountain. Our friends at Loyola helped out with an orange cone placed by the large piss puddle in the stairwell. (T-claps for the head’s up, I guess)

    Disclaimer then mosey up the stairs (over the puddle) to the top of mountain.

    The Warm-Up: No Need (If you want a warm-up, go to Metairie)

    The Thang:

    1. Down stairs to 1st floor then back up: Squats x10, PlankJacks x10, LBT x10, Merkins x10
    2. Down to 2nd floor then back up: Squats x10, PlankJacks x10, LBT x10, Merkins x10 – repeat once
    3. Down to 3rd floor then back up: Squats x10, PlankJacks x10, LBT x10, Merkins x10 – repeat twice
    4. Down to 4th floor then up the ramp: Hello Dollys x10, Flutters x10, Putin x10, Merkins x10
    5. Down to 5th floor then up the ramp: Hello Dollys x10, Flutters x10, Putin x10, Merkins x10 – repeat once
    6. Down to 6th floor then up the ramp: Hello Dollys x10, Flutters x10, Putin x10, Merkins x10 – repeat twice

    Down the stairs to the benches: RLSU x10, Dips X20, LLSU x15, Derkins x10

    Over to the Loyola lawn: Elbow Peter Parkers x20, Plank Walks x20, Dying Cockroach x20, Elbow Pickle Pounders x20, MI hold 20 sec

    Back to flag for count off, name-o-rama & prayer

    Good times…Thanks

     

  • Rub a Dub Dub (only three PAX in a …)

    Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Woody Allen
    Where was Bellocq? Bubba? Cowbell? Frac Sac? Serge? Shorty? Tool? Triple Shift? Oh the list could go on and on. [We actually know where Shorty was, he was obviously fartsacking: has he been in a cushy bed all week?] The end of the Cubs’ 108-year curse is not a good excuse. I hate to remind you, but apparently I must: it’s no one’s job to hand out Daily Red Pills to anyone else; while your PAX can cheer you on, you gotta decide yourself to take ’em. But an intrepid PAX of three were not to be deterred by such sloth and excuselessness. So after a disclaimer, THE THANG.

    Mosey around the Mardi Gras fountain for a first COP of SSHs (25xIC), Low Slow Squats (25xIC), Hillbillies (25xIC), Mountain Climbers (25xIC), and an exercise or two more QHC can’t recall.

    Mosey to the levee for some animal parades. Bear crawl up the levee, five burpees on top, run down the back side and up again, five more burpees, and then run to the beginning. Repeat with Frog Hops, etc.; Duck Walks, etc.; and then Crab Walks, etc. So that was a total of just 40 burpees. Waz lost his phone during the Crab Walks, so cries of Hey Siri were heard throughout the land (but sadly with no echo in reply).

    Mosey on the levee to Canal Boulevard, then down and back to the pull-up shelter for a rotation of 25 dips, 25 merkins and 25 big boi (Hawg spelling) situps. Rinse and repeat.

    John Doe had to split early (to get his Shorty, not be be confused with fartsacking Shorty, to school by 6:30). But he announced he had a task first. Taking a flashlight from his car, he led the PAX back to the levee site of COP1 to scour for Waz’s errant phone. Et voila, there it was. T-Claps to John Doe, and thanks again to St. Anthony.

    Mosey back to virtual flag to release John Doe to his patrial duties, while the remaining PAX of two end with a Circle of Mary: LBCs (25xIC), Flutter Kicks (25xIC), Rosalitas (25xIC), Russian Twists (25xIC), Hello Dollys (25xIC), Ys (25xIC), Ts (25xIC), Ws (25xIC), Walking Plank (25xIC) and end with a minute of elbow plank.

    With an 80% failure rate per Woody’s scale, the COT was smaller than YHC would prefer. Let’s just say the Namorama didn’t talk long. Prayers for showing up, finding things and giving thanks. YHC expects to see more PAX in the Gloom next week.

  • Tinkles Twofer

    After the sub-Q on Monday I was back to my regularly scheduled birdcage Q today.  Word must have gotten out about the fun that was missed or perhaps some were thinking one post under my Q was enough for one week, but the result was 9 fresh faces today to add to 6 repeats from Monday.  Lucky for all the birdcage is not known for much running but the aim was to push ourselves none the less.

    The Thang:

    Disclaimer and mosey around the track to open golf course space for warmups:

    • SSH IC X 30
    • Imperial walker IC X 30
    • Monkey humpers IC X 30
    • Peter Parkers IC X 30
    • Arm Circles IC X 20 and then revers X 20

    Walk over to the pull up station.  We will get good at these one way or the other.  We split into three groups:

    • First group: 30 pull ups as a team. Can be divided up anyway the team chooses though the count should be consecutive and not simultaneous.  Somethings are hard to explain in the gloom but we eventually got it right. This is the count
    • Second group: plank walk
    • Third group: plank jack
    • Rinse and repeat.

    Scenic route back to the shelter by the flag, grab some bench (a high bench at that) :

    • Right leg knee ups IC X 30
    • Incline merkin IC X10
    • Left leg knee ups IC X 30
    • Decline merkin IC X 10

    Slow mosey to bandstand for some Mary:

    • Putins IC X 20
    • Pickle pounders IC X 10
    • Dying cockroach IC X 15
    • Rosalitas IC X 21
    • A brief pause to ask the pax who had shat their pants. The stagnant air of the bandstand seemed to keep it around for a while.  A lot of finger pointing though no one fessed up.
    • LBC IC X 25

    Grab some fresh air in front of the bandstand for our last COP:

    • Jack Webs up to ten merkins and 20 airups. Jack Web must have been sadist, albeit an effective one.

    Clock running low but just enough time for a jog, bear crawl, crab walk, jog at alternating lights back to track.  Finished!

    Count off, nameorama, and announcements.  Not announced but the pax needs to think about some 2nd F one evening soon.  We can decide to invite the World or keep it just uptown ;)! No intentions but a prayer of thanks and a plea for God to make us the best men possible!

     

  • Testing…First Back Blast…10/26 Uptown Recap

    JUST received log-in credentials, this is one week over due and I am using that as my excuse for not remembering everything or all who were there, but listing the grind below for the record:

    It was a crisp, moist morning…

    10 burpees to wake ’em up

    Quick jog around parking lot

    ‘Light’ning Speed required building length of sprints @ the lights near flag: sprint to first light post, jog remainder, catch breath…sprint to second light post, jog remainder, catch breath…wash, rinse & repeat to a full sprint, then wind back down until you end back at spring to first light and jog remainder

    Walked to Benches under the Shelter for Core stations, going through 3 rounds of the following: (1) Toe taps (x30, this was the count), (2) L-Sits from your 6, (3) Inclined Mntn Climbers

    Mosey to levy…despite being October 26th, we were treated with what smelled of prime crawfish season…ideal hill conditions!

    ‘7 Sheets to the Wind’ required sprinting to gravel @ top of levy, walking back down to start line, quick breather, then sprint to top…7x

    Mosey to Zoo entrance to grab bench and ledge for Strength stations, going 3 rounds of the following: inclined Merk push-offs the bench, dips, box jumps onto ledge (x10, this was the count)

    Mosey to flag, ended 3 minutes early. VQ in the books. Actually enjoyed doing it – thanks to RY for volun-telling me to do this.

    Did I do this right?

     

     

  • Foundry Timer

    YHC walked up to the Virtual SF, and was shocked and surprised for it was a huge Welcome Back Kotter for Griswold. Good to see you brother. After the Disclaimer, six men stepped off ready to grow…

    We headed to the “Baby Foundry” (BF) and had a quick warm-up:
    -SSH x 30 IC
    -Mtn Climbers x 30 IC
    -Arm Circles x 30 IC (15 ea. dir.)
    -J-Lo’s x 20 IC

    Glad you could join us JV, and yep, it’s not Thursday and we’re not at Okwata…as always, good to see you.

    COP: at the BF, five stations, a timer on my cell for 10 sets, 1 min workout, 15 sec rest…go…
    -squats
    -pull-ups
    -box jumps
    -dips
    -burpee play
    One Cycle consisted of two rounds through. Time to take a well deserved rest. Circle up and on your six for flutter kicks x 50 IC. Then bridge…keep your hips up for a good stretch; 2 min.

    Rinse and Repeat at the BF, five stations, 2 more rounds for 10 sets, 1 min workout, 15 sec rest each station.

    Let’s mosey to the VSF. Countoff, namerama, announcements, shoutouts, and a prayer.

    REMINDER: After Saturday’s workout, a 10 mile ruck. The Iron will be sharp and glistening…