F3 New Orleans

Category: Backblasts

  • Mandeville Zoo

    It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done.

    -Nelson Mandella

    It was this sentiment that was permeating the air like vapors of a scent distinctly from times gone by, whilst I was pondering the unlimited possibilities for Saturday at the Lakefront. It had YHC reminiscing about slightly less than a year ago when a freshly minted Bushwacker spent almost the entirety of the weekend beatdowns feeling pure misery and little faith in his ability to see the thing through to completion. It was only the strength that he absorbed from his F3 brothers, as if by osmosis, that allowed him to finish, realizing that impossible really was possible! The pain and misery faded and was quickly replaced by feelings of exuberance and satisfaction.

    In an attempt to reignite and recapture that feeling, as well as spread it amongst the PAX, it was high time we returned to Animal Planet. In homage to our esteemed brother Butt Splice, who by sheer coincidence happened to grace us with his presence, our tickets were purchased, our bags were packed, and we prepared to go on a safari of sorts.

    WARM-O-RAMA

    21s – SSH in cadence with reps 1-5 out loud and 6-21 in silence. After a failed 1st attempt, we hit 10 burpees. After a 2nd failed attempt, 50 LBCs

    High knees/Air presses –  simultaneously, IC x20

    Annie – in plank, alternate “scrubbing the floor” with right or left hand

    Abe Vigodas – x10 IC

    THANG

    QIC passed the baton to Barely Legal

    After a brief westward mosey PAX circled up for…

    x20 IC:

    Putins, LBCs, Freddy Mercurys, mountain climbers & very slow flutter kicks ( hence for to be known as Sputter Kicks)

    Back to Bushwacker with a mosey to the nearest corner (perhaps LafayetteSt)

    Welcome to ANIMAL PLANET!

    For the 1st block we bear crawled and finished with 10 burpees

    2nd block we crab walked followed by 20 merkins

    (returning to lakefront)

    3rd block was duck walk and 5 burpees

    Last block was bunny hop with 10 merkins

    More from Barely Legal

    The PAX headed back towards the shovel flag, but pulled up to the sea wall slightly short of said destination.

    Aiken Legs was on BL’s agenda:

    R1 20 squats, 20 box jumps, 20 lunges

    R2 5 derkins, 20 squats, 20 box jumps, 5 derkins

    MARY

    To be perfectly honest, YHC was so worn out and oxygen deprived at this point that I can only summon vague recollections of Peter Parkers before the golden dawning of glorious 7:30!

    COT, FNGx2, Ocho closed out our sacramental sacrifice of blood and sweat with a prayer of appreciation for all that we are blessed with.

    Many thanks to Barely Legal for bringing the pain, and to all the PAX for following our lead and embracing the suck!

     

  • Deck of Animal House

    July 28th, 1978.  A big date for all of us of a certain vintage.

    Yes, that’s right.  40 years ago today, Animal House made its debut.  YHC arrived at 6:20 to a moment of confusion.  “Dean Wormer” was there – and it took several minutes for the PAX to realize that this was not the same Dean Wormer named at Wolfpack Mountain yesterday, but was in fact a visitor from Up River in NC.  Welcome, Dean Wormer.  Little did he know that YHC had (quite unknowingly) prepared a personalized and appropriate workout for our visitor.

    As the clock ticked towards 6:30, the PAX continued emerging from the gloom – including one FNG, EH’d by our resident barber and newest F3 advocate – nice work, Calliope!  Then the clock struck the witching hour.  Time for a disclaimer, and then we were off towards the yard by the museum.

    The Thang – Pt 1

    First exercise is…..  Side Straddle Hop.  In Position.  In Cadence.  Begin.  x40.

    YHC then introduced the theme: 40 years since the release of Animal House.  The explanation of The Thang took a few minutes (sometimes the PAX seem “challenged” at following instructions).  Basically, its the Animal House Deck o’ Death:

    • Hearts are Burpees.  Same as always.
    • Diamonds are Neidermeyers.  (“Is that a Puh-ledge Puh-in on your Uniform?  Drop and Give me 20!”).  Yup, Neidermeyer == Merkin
    • Spades are usually squats.  So today, they were Otises (“Shout!  A little bit louder now!” etc…)  Otises == Squat Jumps
    • Clubs are usually Situps.  Follow along…  Situps == WWII Situps == D-Day.  So D-Days == Situps.  But we did Rower Situps

    Numbers represent Rep count.

    • Jacks = Pinto (“I lied a little bit; I’ve never done this before.  That’s ok, I lied too – I’m only 13.”)  11 reps
    • Queens = Mrs. Wormer (“What a coincidence.  I have a husband Dean Wormer also at Faber.  Do you still want to show me your cucumber?”)  12 reps
    • Kings = Otter (“Can we sit with you Mary?  I see you already have your lunch.  Can I just massage your thighs while you eat?”)  13 reps
    • Aces = Bluto (“Do you know what I am?  A zit!”)  15 reps
    • Joker = Flounder.  Double the previous exercise.
    • Deuce: YHC always finds the 2 cards to be a bit disappointing.  So to vary the workout, Deuce became another doubling card.  2 Hearts == Double the previous reps, in Burpees…

    Lots of mumble-chatter as instructions were given.  But YHC persevered through the mockery.  Then we were off to the races with the first card flip.  Mumble-chatter quickly halted.  Stopped for a 20 count after the Bluto of Hearts.  Stopped for a water break right around half-way.  Stopped for another 20 count somewhere around the Otter of Hearts.  Then powered through to completion.  Only one Q-dible: when the Deuce of Hearts appeared, we went with 2 Burpees (instead of 14 burpees, having followed the 7 of Clubs).

    Hydrate again, then recovery mosey to the Baby Foundry.

    The Thang, Pt 2

    Animal House.  Split into 6 groups of 4 for Animal stations

    • Pull Ups: The timer, each PAX in the group hits 10 Pull ups.  Spot if necessary.
    • Crunchy Frogs till timer.
    • Bear Crawl 10-20 yds, Crawl Bear back.  Repeat till timer.
    • Duck Walk 10-20 yds, Walk Duck back.  Repeat till timer.
    • Frog Jump 10-20 yds, Jump Frog back.  Repeat till timer.
    • Crab Walk 10-20 yds, Walk Crab back.  Repeat till timer.

    Stop by the Tool Wall for

    • Calf Raise x40
    • Monkey Humpers x40

    Mosey back to the flag.

    Back at the flag, we circled up for count-off and name-o-rama.  Some confusion by an unnamed-pax about which number followed 6.  Fortunately, other PAX jumped in to help.  I hope that Pax is able to bring better numerical skills to his day job at a hardware store.

    Naming of our FNG – a little too easy, given the theme of the day.  “Your Delta Tau name is Flounder.  Why?  Why not.”  Alas, we already have a Flounder, so we modifed – and he became Pinto.  Welcome aboard.  Then Frac corrected his train-wreck naming last week.  Welcome to the renamed Sac-a-lait (google it, if you need to.  Its totally SFW.)

    Close out with our prayers.  Intentions for recent passings and recovering friends and family.  Lord, be with your children who are suffering, and bless those who care for them.

    Thanks for letting me lead.

  • Dirty MacDulla Mountain

    Full of nerves for my VQ, I woke up before my alarm even went off and decided to head out for the park.  I was the first one there beside one unfamiliar face in a F3 shirt wandering around the park entrance.  I quickly learned he was Snowflake from F3 Greensboro, NC and was looking for the AO.  FYI they have 30 workouts per week in Greensboro.  The PAX started to role in and we quickly determined we had 3 FNG’s today, one EH’d by Triple-Shift and the other by YHC, and a third had a shady story that he had been to F3 on the Northsore one time before, a long time ago, but did not remember his F3 name…Sure!  Disclaimer was given and we were off.

    Mosey towards Walnut St. Circle up at corner of park for quick warm up.

    SSH x20, Arm Circ. Fwd/Bwd x20 each, Hillbillies x20

    Short Mosey to the Neutral Ground, as we call it Uptown.

    THANG 1:  F3 NOLA Uptown Shameless Self Promotion – Medulla Style

    On St. Charles Neutral Ground – Run down neutral ground with B.L.I.M.P.S. workout at each intersection – Medulla Style – Being that YHC is usually the SIX of this speedy, run loving PAX, this would come to be the theme of this workout.  Count was modified: 6-Burpees, 12-Lunges, 18-Imperial Walkers 24-Merkins, 30-Plank Jacks, 36-Squats

    20 Count by Da Parish

    Mosey to the Wolf Pack Mountain

    THANG 2: Dirty MacDulla Mountain – SIX Levels of Beat Down

    Had PAX line up in 2 lines – NOT a chance in hell we Indian Run Up!

    Bear Crawl Indian Run – last guy does 6 Merkins before running to front,  Up to level 2

    2nd level – 12 Merkins IC, 12 Squats, 12 Rower Situps –  Basketball slide up to level 3

    3rd level –  12 King Kongs, 12  Bobby Hurleys, 12 Rower Situps  – Karaoka(sp??) up to level 4

    4th level – 12 R Hand Staggered Merkins, 12 Low-Slow squats, 12 Rower Situps – Backwards run to level 5

    5th level – 12 LHand Staggered Merkins, 12 Low-Slow Jump Squats, 12 Rower Situps – Prisoner run to level 6

    6th level – 12 Floyd Mayweathers, 12 Lunges, 12 Rower Situps  – Run to top

    Top Of the Mountain – 12 Merkins, 12 Squats, 12 Rower Situps

    Willie  – 20 count  —  Enjoy the View Boys!

    THANG 3: A Little Mary at the Top of the Mountain & Bench Work

    Dying Roach, x 15 Real Freddie Mercury x 15

    Mosey down stairs to benches.

    Dips x 15 , incline Merkin x 15, Dips x 15

    Mosey to flag

    Count-O-rama  23 PAX, Name-O-Rama- 3FNG’s

    Announcements, a few Special Intentions and Closed with a still out of breath Prayer.

    NMM

    Almost 6 months to the day was my first F3 workout.  I was pretty close to the heaviest I had ever been in my life, had just been to a shitty “healthy patient” doctor visit where I was told I was fat, and my BP was really high.   I knew I had to do something to change this downward trend.   My first workout was a WPM, that followed a HNJ Men’s Club Board meeting the night before, where Angies List put on the hard EH.   Earily similar for my VQ, another WPM following a HNJ Men’s Club Board meeting.  Huge difference, about 30 lbs lighter, much healthier, BP is back to normal, and I wasn’t already winded after the 20 SSH in warm-up.  I can’t thank all you guys enough for motivating me everyday to get out there and grind it out in the gloom.   I know I could not have done this on my own.  I still modify but I’m not ALWAYS the SIX anymore!

    Welcome back Three-Way (Kotter)  Glad to have you back after a month away this summer.  Hope to see you out there more often.

    Glad to have have Snowflake from F3 Greensboro, NC join us today.  Come back anytime!

    Angies List – Posted his F3 workout from the beach in Cozumel…I hope you didn’t re-injure your Labia!

    Welcome to our 3 FNG’s

    Dean Wormer – He is the Dean of Students at Holy Name – Dean’s name from Animal House

    Amnesia – PAX who couldn’t remember his Northshore name – Northshore – help us figure out who this guy is.  All I can remember is he was like 28 and had big sideburns.

    Flying J – He was wearing a Bucky’s Truck Stop shirt.

    Some munblechatter that these were probably not the greatest names, but when pressed to make final decisions YHC’s brain was still a bit oxygen deprived and just wanted to finish this up.

    Thank you all again for the opportunity to lead, it was awesome!

    SYITG!

  • Fartlekkers Rejoice

    The Pax have been bringing their A game to the Stomp recently.  Multiple weeks of double digit counts and some all out effort have revitalized this legendary AO.  YHC had the good fortune to follow up a Rudy Q.  Surely I could make it over the low bar he had generously set for me.  It has been a minute since we have done farleks around here so I brought out my proven technique of yelling random percentage numbers at the Pax and letting them figure out what they mean.

    Disclaimer

    Fail.  I start off worse than Rudy.  Embarrassing.  In my zeal to give the Fartlek instructions I forget the disclaimer.  I hastily yell it as we run, after Recall brings the omission to my attention.

    The Thang

    Da Parish, who claims his super tight and bright cycling jersey must have shrunk recently, takes off on a solo trek around Lakeview.  I don’t know where he went, but where ever it was the women were blessed.

    The rest of us ran in relatively baggy outfits.  A picture is worth a thousand words:

    You thought I was going to post a picture of Da Parish’s outfit?  Sorry, I didn’t take one.  In case I ever decide to run for political office, I want to make sure no one finds anything like that on my phone.

    We started with your normal pace to the festival grounds.  As we reached the festival grounds we circled back around for the six.  For each of the following segments the early finishers circled around for the six so that we all stayed together.  Recovery pace between each segment

    • 70% effort to the big pavillion
    • 100% effort to the last tree before the path to the Wisner overpass
    • 60% effort up and over the Wisner overpass
    • Run backwards up the overpass, turn and run 75% effort down
    •  50% effort up and over the overpass
    • 80% effort to the turn that goes under the overpass
    • 75% effort to the turn that goes under 610
    • 100% effort to the top of the hill past 610
    • Normal pace to the backside of the track
    • 100% effort – 440
    • 100% effort -220
    • Recovery run back to flag

    We sealed the deal with 15 burpees.

    NMM

    If MapMyRun is accurate, and I have little reason to believe that it is, the entire Pax ran over 4.5 miles at a 9:00 min/mile pace.  That’s an impressive showing.  And they had plenty of breath to make several Junior High comments about entering the track from the backside.

    T-claps to El Guapo for EHing Swamp Cock to post at his first Stomp.  Hope you become a regular, brother.

    Looks like 33% of the LARC is taking their training seriously.

    I wore shoes.  I think that was a mistake.  I know Rudy was disappointed in me and for once I agree with him.

  • partial Backblast for July 15, 2018

    F3 July 15, 2018, LBCs, IMG_0008

    I’ve been out of town and didn’t get the BB from Dagwood before I left so the above is all I have at the moment.

  • Fore!

    As my fancy fitness tracking watch, I mean 15 year old Casio G-Shock, ticked near 5:30 the anticipation became palatable. The First Annual Officially Unofficial F3Nola Blimp Golf Tournament (sponsored by John Daly’s Grip It & Sip It) was almost underway.

    First we moseyed a bit to that Greek pavilion looking thing for some warm-up:

    Side Straddle Hops X 34
    Arm Circles X 15
    Reverse Arm Circles X 15
    Peter Parkers X 15
    Mountain Climbers X 15
    Parker Peters X 15

    Next we moseyed to the links for the main event. They say Blimp Golf predates its Scottish counterpart, but it fell out of popularity due to it being completely pointless. The rules are stupid and convoluted, you start at the first hole and do one set of BLIMPS with the par of the hole as the reps. Then you do 34 Merkins (because it’s my birthday and I like them). The first person to finish wins that hole and then you mosey to the next hole and repeat with hole number as the sets and the par as the reps.

    The first hole started out a little rough, mostly due to my poor explanation. After that we started cruising. Unfortunately I forgot to keep track of who won each hole, so I can’t give out the grand prize. I promise to do better next year. Our sponsor was kind enough to provide a delicious Grip It & Sip It Hard Tea for each hole winner though. Let me know in the comments if you won a hole and I will make sure you get one.

    After 5 holes we decided that the we were golfed out for the day and we moseyed to the benches:

    Dips X 15
    Right Leg Step-ups X 15
    Dips X 15
    Left Leg Step-ups X 15
    Derkins X 20

    According the Casio we had way more time left than I thought. The PAX recommended that we do some AB workouts. We headed back to the pavilion for some Ring of Fire:

    Nolan Ryans
    Real Freddy Mercurys
    Lots of other AB stuff

    Back to the flag for Count-Off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, Intentions and Prayer.

    Big thanks to everyone for coming to my VQ and helping me out with my mistiming.

  • Fall weather at the Scramble

    With predictions of massive heat waves by meteorologists in the forecast, one would not expect to arrive to mild temps and little humidity at the end of July. Then again nothing stops the men of F3 from posting, whether it be 100% humidity with 105 heat index or 16 degrees with iced over roads. Taking a quote from the movie Field of dreams, “if you build it, they will come!” Well we don’t build structures at F3, but when we post we build great relationships with strong men who care and share daily life as we F2 through a beatdown.. For this YHC, the fellowship is always welcomed and appreciated!!

    Made the walk through the park to the illumination of Sprockets headlights gleaming through the trees to plant the flag.. Shortly after Chewy arrives with great energy engaging in chatter of his recent 20 year high school reunion in recent past. As Sprocket and I engage in the chatter with Chewy we reflect upon how the ones we remember from back then and the paths in which they have taken may not always add up to what we thought may have been.. However, given the opportunity to take yet another breath and join these men on this beautiful Gloom only reassures this YHC to be mindful and count each moment as the blessing in which it truly is, in this journey called LIFE… Not sure where I was going with this but there it is..

    Began with IC to 15 Good mornings, Windmills, Butt kicks and SSH..

    Off and moseying through the streets of our peaceful and most serine city of Mandeville.. Journeyed our standard route with a brisk pace and mumble chatter along the way. Returning to the AO with a few to spare for some Yoga stretching to close. Q looking forward to Chewys upcoming ISI challenge in August!!

    count, announcements, COT

    Thanks to Sprocket for closing us in prayer!!

    Always grateful to Post with you men, thanks for keeping me accountable!!

    ✌🏻👊🏻💪🏻

  • And we are done….just kidding, not really.

    So after a last minute exit from Chowdah for his VQ, YHC decided to step up and take the Q.  After planting the shovel flag in what was unusually hard dirt and the usual disclaimer, we were off.

    Mosey to the Kick-Ball Field in front of Audubon Zoo for Warm-Up:

    • Imperial Walkers X 20
    • Arm Circles Forward X15
    • Arm Circles Reverse X15
    • Hillibillies X20

    Next, short mosey to Soccer Field for:

    • 4 Corners – B.O.M.B.S – Modified (You’ll figure out why shortly)
      • First Corner – 5 Burpees
        • Defensive Drills R/L to
      • Second Corner – 10 OH Presses
        • Crab Walk to
      • Third Corner – for Modification #1 – 15 Monkey Humpers
        • Backward Run to
      • Fourth Corner – 20 Big Boy Sit Ups/Rower Sit Ups (PAX choice)
        • Bear Crawl
      • Back to First Corner for Modification #2 – 25 Side-Plank Leg Raises split between right and left sides

    This was so fun, Rinse and Repeat!

    Mosey to Shelter for:

    • The Cooper
      • 10 Burpees
      • 10 Merkins
      • 10 Squats
      • Run 1 lap from shelter to track and back (approx. 400M)
      • Decrease by 1 until done

    Now you know why YHC decided to modify the merkins and squats out of the B.O.M.B.S.  You’re welcome PAX!

    Now the above routine seems pretty straightforward and not that difficult.  Apparently not with 90 degree heat and what seemed like 110% humidity.  The Cooper should be renamed the Mumblechatter-Killer because it was pretty quiet amongst the PAX once we really got going.

    As we continued in our endeavor to get to the end of this never-ending routine, YHC realized not all the PAX would have time to complete.  So, modify!  YHC decided to announce that we would call it when the PAX leaders (I’m looking at you Douille, El Wire, Mariah and a few others) finished all their rounds.  Apparently, those same leaders misheard me and thought YHC said we would finish when they completed their CURRENT round.  You can imagine my amazement when I pulled into the shelter with a group of PAX waiting for YHC for the next THANG.  Of course, I quickly explained that we still had several minutes to go and let’s get to it.  Que collective groan.  Off we went for more rounds!  Lucky for the PAX we did run out of time so YHC called it.  That Cooper was something else.

    Mosey back to the Flag for Count-Off, Name-o-rama, Announcements, Intentions and Prayer.  Special thanks to all who attended and helped put on the F2 Picnic on Saturday.  A great F2 event.

    Thanks PAX for letting me lead!  What a great group of #HIM.

  • Caution!! Disclaimer needed!!

    Arrived at the Gipper with Moby wearing his 4 ounce gloves looking as though he were ready to step into the Octagon  for 5 rounds of a championship fight. The YHC would need to bring the heat to TKO this opponent.. Joining the PAX would include the Barely legal Brawler and the Relentless Einstein who would surly take any of us to a hard fought decision of sorts ultimately going the distance to claim the title… With borrowed Dice of Doom from the Wacker we begin round 1.

    warmup

    PAX take turns rolling out the die with just the number as the Q selects the exercise after the number is determined.

    Each PAX rolls twice as we put in some SSH, IW, Hill Billies, Good mornings, Toe touches and Windmills with variations of counts. Some done in cadence and others straight count..

    Thang

    Moseyed to the parking garage for the Triple Threat (modification), as you read in the Exercise list on F3 nation this requires groups of 3. Round 2 consists of partner 1 doing plank jacks as partner 2 runs up the first ramp dropping at the top to complete plank jacks as partner 2 runs up to relieve. Upon arrival partner 1 drops for some peter Parker’s and partner 2 releases and run across the next parking level repeating. Partner 1 arrives and drops for Parker Peters and then the PAX recovery walks down the stairs to the starting point for Round 3. This series included Mountain climbers, Flutter kicks and Hello Dollies. Round 4 Merkins, Squats and lunges.. Caution was needed mid way through as a group from the top of the garage began their descent exiting through the turns to the sights of the PAX on their sixes… This was a first at the Gipper as the only activity we usually encounter is the same 2 hour early over achieveing worker who can be seen in her illuminating car scrolling Facebook or making her daily Twitter post.. After we Mosey to the Northside of the justice center for round 5. The WASH is the exercise which consisted of partnering once again completing 50 arm release Merkins, 100 American Hammers, 150 Step ups on the benches and 200 Alternating hip thrust.. One partner would be doing exercise while the other went up the handicap ramp and backdown the stairs picking up the count from the other to continue with the exercises..

    Final bell

    Moseyed back to the flag right on time..

    Count, announcements, COT

    Barely legal closed in prayer with intentions of peace and reverence to others…

    Appreciate the lead Gipper Group!!

    ✌🏻👊🏻💪🏻

  • The Return of the Cusak

    The Q wanted to make sure he was on time this morning so he did not give Rudy any additional reasons to harass the Q.   Was a nice, warm, and muggy morning as the PAX met at the normal spot for Rock City.

    A quick disclaimer and PAX moseyed near the rock pile for some warm-ups as follows:

    Side Straddle Hops – 25x

    Hillbillies – 25x

    Peter Parkers – 25x

    Parker Peters – 25x

    Arm Circles – Forward – 10x, Backward – 10x (or maybe 9, I lost count), Overhead – 10x, and Seal Claps – 10x.

    Grab a rock from the rock pile and mosey to the football field for some fun.   Pax line up on the goal line with back to the goal post and facing the other end zone.   Start with 5 shoulder presses at the goal line, with the first press holding rock long enough to sing “In Your Eyes” – a nod to the Cusak – as defined in the F3 lexicon as follows:  (exercises completed while holding/carrying a CMU or block overhead, usually in conjunction with running or walking. A la John Cusak’s character in the popular 1980s movie “Say Anything.” Also allows for really poor versions of “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel to be introduced as #mumblechatter. )

    After 5 shoulder presses at the goal line, bear crawl to the 10 yard line for 5 merkins.    Lunge walk back to the goal line for more shoulder presses.   Increase number of reps by 5 for each exercise with each 10 yard increase in distance.  Finish the round with 25 shoulder presses, bear crawl to the 50 yard line, 25 merkins, and lunge walk back to the goal line.

    For active recovery – thanks Mahatma – run one lap around the track.

    Back to the goal line for more rocks.   After 5 curls at the goal line (Singing “Sledgehamer” on each curl was optional for second set), bear crawl to the 10 yard line for 5 monkey humpers.  Lunge walk back to the goal line for more curls. Increase number of reps by 5 for each exercise with each 10 yard increase in distance. Finish the round with 25 curls, bear crawl to the 50 yard line, 25 monkey humpers, and lunge walk back to the goal line.

    Mosey back to the rock pile and the flag, but wait we did not have a flag this morning.   We still knew where to circle up.     Count off, Name-o-rama, special intentions, and Ball of Man.   We named FNG “Frenchie” who was EH’d by Disclaimer.   Great Monday with 17 Pax at Rock City!

    Thanks to all for the opportunity to lead.