F3 New Orleans

Category: Northshore

  • The Cards were Aces

    A PAX of 24, including visiting Duracell from BR and Trojan from Houston (awkward thumbs up!), helped celebrate YHC’s two year anniversary with some extended card play.

    Warmups (All in Cadence)

    Seal jacks

    Air presses

    Toe touches

    Imperial Walkers

    High Knees

    Windmills

    Cherry Pickers

    The Main Event

    Pax moseyed over to Noah’s Ark for a celebratory Deck of Death/Decadence, breaking up into 4 groups who (mostly) managed to avoid well-placed landmines. Each group completed reps based on the card value (Aces up to 15) and suit, with two wild cards (a rock around Noah’s Ark) thrown in for good measure.

    Merkins

    Burpees

    Plank Jacks

    Shoulder Taps

    Deep Squats

    Jump Squats

    Lunges

    Box Jumps

    Crunchy Frogs

    Big Boy Situps

    Flutter Kicks

    Gas Pumps

    Donkey Kicks

    Freak Nastys

    Durkins

    Makhtar N’Diaye’s

    After completing 420 total reps, the card were not done with the Pax. There was just enough time for one more party game: Card Sharks!

    PickAx started us off by drawing an ACE to start, sending the Pax into a flurry of 15 8 count bodybuilders. A game of “higher or lower” followed, with a correct guess yielding the next card value multiplied by 2, an incorrect guess yielding the next card value multiplied by 3. Not one to selfishly keep all the cards, YHC offered a choice to multiple Pax on what torture was in store. After the final round of 24 T merkins, the cards were put away until the next time we were feeling lucky.

    A mosey back to the flag, a COT, and Name-O-Rama wrapped us up. Welcome to the newest FNGs, Sex Panther, who correctly noted that 50% of the time, it works every time, and Lollipop, a big Kojack fan, but an even bigger fan of sucking on sweet, sticky, candy treats.

    A prayer closed us out until next time.

    A final word from YHC: I huge thank you to Toto for throwing an EH my way two years ago. That small gesture has made a positive impact in not only my life, but I hope the lives of all those I come in contact with. It’s not often you get the full satisfaction of knowing you absolutely made the right decision. Saying “Yes, I’m in next week” was one of those decisions for me.

    Even after showing up late to my first post (sorry Splice!), and absolutely taking the “6” position and having to be picked up by Tanked Up, I worked up the courage to keep posting, in no small part because of Manny’s sage advice to “just keep coming, it may not every be easy, but it gets easier.”

    Thank you to all of you that keep pushing me, putting up with me, and driving me to be a better human being, whether you know it or not. The fitness is important, but the fellowship with a faith community is probably the most valuable to me.

    SYITG

  • Raccoon before the Rumble

    YHC arrived early in the gloom this morning to a cool 62 degrees and a quick walk around while Grover got some additional shuteye in the car. I was greeted by a Racoon perched on a tree, and wondered if he had cleaned up the Marsh for us. He disappeared but made a couple more appearances before the Rumble scared him off.  The sorely missed Bushwhacker arrived next.  After a brief catch-up, Bush wakes up Grover like a scene from a horror movie as more dark bodies arrive to the gloom and we circle up. 

    Warm Up x10 IC

    SSH, Cherry pickers, Torso Twist, Self-love, Plank Jacks, .2 mile run

    Thang 1: Ascending Ladder, OYO/IC

    5 Pull Ups, 10 Stone Mountain, 15 Supermans, 20 Hand Release Merkins, 25 Twinkle Toes (Al Gore with calf raises), 30 Bulgarian Split Squats, 35 Freak Nasties, 40 Plank Jacks, 45 LBC, 50 SSH, .2m run

    About the time we got to the Supermans, Cowbell told Grover “We need to set a date – with a pregnant pause before adding – for the flag party.  We all got a chuckle, and were happy Cowbell finished the sentence. 

    Thang 2: Broken Ascending Ladder, OYO/IC

    1. 5 Pull ups
    2. 5 Pull ups, 10 Stone Mountain
    3. 5 Pull ups, 10 Stone Mountain, 15 Superman
    4. 5 Pull ups, 10 Stone Mountain, 15 Superman, 20 Hand Release Merkins
    5. 25 Twinkle Toes
    6. 25 Twinkle Toes, 30 Lunges
    7. 25 Twinkle Toes, 30 Lunges, 35 Freak Nasties
    8. 40 Plank Jacks, 45 LBC’s, 50 SSH

    Mary

    Crunchy Frogs IC x20; Leg Raises, Hello Dolly, Heals to Heaven, Hands to heals x 10 IC

    Count/Name-o-rama

    Announcements

    1. Halloween dress up beat down Saturday at the Mothership
    2. Cowbell and Grover’s F2 flag making party,  possibly November 12th, at Cowbells house with pizza and beer. More to come later. 

    COT  – YHC prayed us out. 

    Thought for the day:

    Bad things happen everyday, the difference is how we deal with it. Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you respond to it. 

    Always a great way to start the week at the Marsh, thanks for letting me lead.

    ‘Til next Gloom,

    Akbar

  • 21

    Nothing special at the A1C this morning. Just myself for a 2 mile pre-thang, then BBQ showed up and we went straight to work. I decided to do 21 today. Started with mericans and squats, then run the length of the parking lot. When we got to round 7, we added plank jacks, when we got to 14, we added lbcs. The alarm went off and that was it. Thanks to BBQ for the company and conversation. SYITG

  • Wrangler Ringo returns!!

    6 PAX converged on the Scramble welcoming back Ringo on this Gloom. We journeyed our standard path with 4 stops along the way with sets of 10 Prison Burpees, 15 Merkins, 20 Jump squats. 3 of the stops took place at the corner of Messina and Monroe with the other at the wharf.

    Welcome back Ringo it was great to see you back out with the PAX.

    Appreciate Waterpic praying is out and until the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!

  • A Tale of Two Beatdowns

    My M recently brought home another cat. That’s right, we have two. And a dog. And a rabbit. (And two frogs, but those don’t count, as I expect one or both to die any moment now, just as all our fish have.) The new cat was supposed to be an outside cat, which was what supposedly made her addition to the family “okay.”

    Anyway, this cat was excessively loud yesterday morning – mewling and meowing and just going on and on. I eventually realized she was in heat, but, seeing as I had to get somewhere quickly, I decided to leave her outside and deal with it later. Well, yeah… you guessed it – I returned home to find her in the empty lot next door with some street rat, mid-coitus. I chased off the offending male, but the question is – was I too late?

    The scene prompted looks of rebuke from my Old Mandeville neighbors, an awkward conversation with my 2.0’s about the reproductive system, and worst of all, the possibility of a future animal kingdom that rivals that of Bushwacker’s. (Haven ‘t been to his farm? Try it around 5am and, if you make it past the goats, you’ll get attacked by a rooster with a large hole gnawed out of his backside.). Okay, the point of this overly long tale? Don’t put it off, gentlemen. Wake up when the alarm goes off. Write that email that you’ve been avoiding. And for heaven’s sake, as Bob Barker reminds us, get your pet spayed or neutered asap. Alright, apologies for the delay … the beatdown:

    Warmorama: Toe touches, windmills, IW’s, SSH’s, all IC x10, plus 10 merkins OYO.

    Thang: Mosey to the Taj Mahal for a quick partner routine. P1 runs the perimeter while P2 does an exercise. Flapjack. The exercises were:

    • People’s Chair w/ Air Presses
    • BTTW w/ Shoulder Taps
    • Donkey Kick-offs (on the wall)

    After doing two rounds of the above, we moseyed to the back of the Justice Center for some quick 1 minute AMRAPs:

    • Freak Nasties
    • Jump Squats
    • T-Merkins
    • Bulgarian Split Squats (30 secs ea. leg)

    Needing to leave a bit early, YHC arranged for Cowbell to take over with about 10-15 mins left. After hearing him explain the “Quick Killer,” the pax had to be happy he wasn’t provided any more time than that. (I myself was glad to quietly slink off right before the 27 burpees…)

    The Quick Killer

    • Merkins x28
    • Squats x28
    • Sister Mary Katherine’s x28
    • Burpees x28
    • Sit-ups x28

    The QK starts at 28, then descends with each round by 7. (Or something like that.) I know Cowbell had intended for 4 rounds, but I could hear the scoffs trailing off in the distance as I quickly exited.

    Thanks men, for both choosing to get out the bed today and for allowing me (and Cowbell) the opportunity to lead.

  • Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Tunnel

    At least that’s what Zoolander says. Or, perhaps it was first said by Jose 10k. Who knows? But, after a brief warmup consisting of SSHs, GMs, HKs, BKs, ACs, and Self Love, YHC led the Pax on a Mosey to the tunnel for:

    THE THANG

    Partner up. P1 jogs through the tunnel and back, sprinting up the inclines on the both sides. P2 does 10 merkins, 10 smurf jacks, and 10 rower situps. Switch. Set the timer for 10 minutes and off we go.

    SLOW Mosey back to bus stop for 2 sets of 10: Derkins, box jumps.

    Mosey back to flag for bunny hops (2 columns), bear crawls (2 more columns), and back pedals (the rest of the covered area), then jog back, R and R (5 minutes).

    Mary: Cowbell’s crunchy frogs, flutter kicks, hello dollies, Freddy merc’s.

    COT and YHC prayed us out.

    It’s always an honor, men, to be a part of such an inspirational group. And, I am definitely a better man because of your positive vibes over the past 3 years. The positive habits that F3 engenders are definitely life changing.

  • Fireworks before First Light

    Great idea for the next title in the Magic Treehouse book series, although the content may be a little different. The fireworks began in an instant. A finely tuned, unstoppable andante tempo flatulence in cadence on the 2 and 4 counts of the SSH.  A few giggles and at-a-boys, the gas attack would continue with others throughout the workout.  No names mentioned, but YHC may or may not have been involved.

    7 men showed up  in the misty gloom this morning at the Milestone Marsh, great to see Hogsbreath again. Coming off an exciting weekend and the 6 year anniversary celebration, we were ready to get to work and start our week off right. 

    Warm up

    X10-12 IC   SSH, Arm Circles f/b, Self-Love, High Knees

    Thang: 4 Corners

    On the court x40 at each corner: Merkin, Squat, Shoulder Taps, Freak Nasties

    Bear Crawl the sidelines, Lunge Walk Baseline/Endline

    Mosey to playground for 10 pull ups and 10 supine pull ups

    Rinse and Repeat

    I always enjoy the mumblechatter on Mondays, and today was no exception. Who says you can’t Bear Crawl and talk at the same time? 

    T-Claps to Hammer who posted after completing the pop up Murph yesterday morning. Duly noting this beatdown was close to a modified Murph without a run. He moved out in front like a long legged hare and never looked back.

    Mary 

    Tabata, 30s with 10s rest x5. Plank Jacks (because we haven’t worked shoulders enough already), Leg Raises, Heels to Heaven, Hand to Heals, Hello Dolly, Flutter kicks (Sound familiar @shooter?)

    Count/Manorama

    Announcements

    F2 Thursday at the Gipper/Tap Room; Russo’s 2y anny Q Saturday; F2 Shovel Flag making party is in the works (Cowbell/Grover); Hammers 1000 Burpees moved to Nov 21st 

    COT: YHC prayed us out 

    Thanks for letting me lead, always a great way to start out the week!

    till next Gloom, 

    Akbar

  • The Leftovers

    Those of us unable to celebrate the Nola anniversary on the south shore (the Leftovers) met up on a brisk morning to celebrate in our own way.

    Warmup

    Side straddle hops, air presses, toe touches, imperial walkers, high knees, windmills, cherry pickers

    Main Event

    Russo Q’s have to include either a deck or cards or Rip’s steps, and this one was no different. 8 minutes of alternating calf raises, Rocky Balboas, and trips up Rip’s.

    Pax then moseyed west to complete 50 step ups and then a factor 11 of freak nastys and gas pumps, with back peddling in between.

    After 10 Dr. Ws, Pax rocked around the Nick with a mosey interspersed with a “viewer’s choice” including jump squats, burpees, spider mans, and monkey humpers (facing the street of course) among others.

    Arriving back at the flag in our head, we circled up for name-o-Rama and YHC prayed us out.

  • One Scramble Every Six Years

    We all love F3, and here on the north shore we have respect for those who have gone before paving the way for us to do what we love to do here in Mandeville and Covington. That is why we were more than happy to host one of two available beatdowns for day 5 of the week-long celebration of F3 NOLA’s 6 year convergnce.

    25 men showed up to scramble (or at least make an appearance) on this 67 degree Fall morning. After a warm-up consisting of Cherry Pickers, Imperial Walkers, T Stretches, Torso Twists, High Knees, Fire Hydrants, and Scorpion Kicks, the PAX hit the streets of Mandville running the traditional route with a few hiccups thrown in to keep the heart rates elevated and things so much more interesting. There were 4 sets of cones along the route and, on the way out, runners sprinted from the 1st cone 150 feet to the 2nd cone of each set. On the way in 10 burpees a piece were on tap at each cone.

    Back at the flags, QIC lead the gazelles as well as the clydesdales in some amateur-hour yoga, before the more experienced (vicariously?) Zoolander took the reigns to close us out.

    There was lots of great mumble-chatter as the endorphins flowed and we, once again, owned the gloom!

    COT

    Some guys had to split and some were just showing up as we circled up to count off and roll call. Hokie Pokie prayed us out as we ventured out to start another day.

    Thank you guys for allowing me to lead today, and thank you Fracsac for not showing up with the Freedom Hammer.

  • Agility at The Gipper

    14 strong at The Gipper this morning for some agility and Tabata work after a quick warmup of SSHs, Merkins, IWs, Mountain Climbers and Seal Jacks, 20x IC. A quick mosey brought us to the Justice Center where YHC set down four cones, and the PAX got down to business with various variations of shuffles, back pedals, carioca, skips, and sprints. The PAX also mixed in a few Tabata sets of pistol squats and lateral single leg step ups on the Justice Center benches.

    It was great to have Big Cat return to The Gipper and also to have an FNG, BBQ’s son, visit us from St. Louis. A 6’9″ former college basketball player who now works for FedEx, the freshly dubbed Mailman put in a solid performance, raising the average athleticism of our Wednesday morning group considerably.

    Thanks for letting me lead this morning guys. See you in the Gloom.