Tag: Abacus

  • Wally Warm-Up

    Sorry, really late backblast.  Better late than never, but not much as the memory had faded.

    I do remember the warm-up, or at least the theme.  It is common for a Pontiff workout to start with 31 Side Straddle Hops.  Wally Pontiff, the namesake of the park, wore 31 playing baseball at LSU.  He died of a heart attack in his sleep when he was 21.  Had that not happened, he’d probably be working out with us in the gloom.  Starting the workout with 31 SSHs has always been my way of thanking a family that’s given to our community and honoring a guy that died way to young.

    So today I wanted to stretch the warm-up out a little and make it a little more challenging than normal.  We did 31 of each exercise.  It went something like this:  SSH, IW, Squats, Moroccan Night Club, Peter Parkers, Windmills, Parker Peters, Dying Cockroach, Calf Raises

    Then we grabbed some rocks and did a couple of rounds of 3-6-3 exercises.  This involves 3 super slow reps, a hold, 6 normal, in-cadence reps, a hold, and then finish with 3 super-slow reps.  I made it up almost a year ago, because I’m a punk.  The World had beaten Uptown by a score of 363 to 360 in the Gnarly Nutria.  I Qd a month later at Audubon and developed this exercise pattern to remind them of the winning score.  However, it’s actually a pretty good workout.  So we did 2 rounds of shoulder presses, Squats, Curls, Toe Raises, and Rows.

    Then we carried one large and one small rock to the playground.  3 stations:  Bench Press with large rock AMRAP, 90 degree hang, and Plank.  30 second plank was the timer.  2 Rounds of that.  Then we moved to 3 more stations:  Swing Merkin, Swing Row, Tricep curl with small rock.  7 Swing Merkins was the timer.  We completed 1 round and returned our rocks.

    Good workout with a couple of great guys.  r

  • Curls For The Girls

    Seven men got some loving with rocks on Friday at Pontiff…gotta get those guns and upper body honed for the summer.  No running involved so lot’s of time to hopefully build some muscle.  Here’s what we did:

    • IPW x25
    • Goofballs x20
    • AC x20
    • WM x20
    • Crab Cakes x20
    • LS Squat x20
    • 1 round of Crowd Pleasers (Merkin:Groiner, 1:1, 2:2, 3:3, 4:4, 5:5, 4:4, 3:3, 2:2, 1:1)

    Headed to the rock pile and grab something large for curling then circled up for Curls x12 IC

    Deposited large rock over outfield fence, grabbed a regular/medium rock, lifted overhead, and lined up for an Indian Lunge Walk to the field entrance.  From there we deposited med rock on baseline, then bear crawled to get large rock.

    Next up, everyone’s favorite, 11’s:

    • Side #1 – Curls w/large rock
    • Bear Crawl approx 10yds to…
    • Side #2 – Squat Press w/med rock
    • Backwards Bear Crawl Back

    Then time to break for some Mary:

    • Rosalita x25
    • Penguins x20
    • WWII Sit Ups x20
    • Chest Press w/large rock x20
    • Flutter Kick holding rock above chest x20
    • Russian Twist x20
    • Row ? x20?

    Just enough time left for one last upper body COP, this time rotating clockwise and using next rock in line.  YHC mentioned it never hurts to try some “strange”.  Seven rocks so seven quick rounds, all IC:

    • Curls x5
    • Curls x5
    • Curls x5
    • Shoulder Press x5
    • Shoulder Press x5
    • Curls x5
    • Curls x5

    Walked back to base, keeping rocks moving the whole time with more presses and curls.

    COT to cap things off.  Fine job men!

    Tool

     

     

     

  • Teamwork

    Mosey over for a quick warm up in the great lawn.

    • 15x Plank Jacks IC
    • 20x Elevator Merkins IC
    • 20x Peter Parkers IC
    • 20x SSHs IC

    Partner up for some Dora 1-2-3.

    1. 100 Burpees (at the Great Lawn)
    2. 200 Mayweathers (at NOMA)
    3. 300 Squats (NOMA neutral ground)

    Mosey over to the refinery and split into 2 groups.

    1. Calf Raise Circuit (timer)
    2. 3x Pull ups, 5x Merkins/Squats AMRAP

    Back to the flag, where we held the COT. Coffeteria and 3rd F (Q’d by Woz) was held after…great time!

    Moleskin

    MURPH at the Foundry…get some!

  • Okwata Route 66 and then the Train Ran out of Time

    We had a beautiful Okwata morning with a thundercloud to the south providing special effects.    But, the rain held off.  Disclaimer and then the THANG:

    The PAX moseyed around the fountain and then circled up for the warm-up: SSH 25xIC, Abe Vigoda 15xIC, Sun Gods 10xIC each direction, Imperial Walkers 25xIC, and Peter Parkers 205xIC, and Parker Peters 20xIC.

    Then, the PAX moseyed to the seawall for Route 66 ( 11 stops) staring at the lightpost approaching Canal Blvd. Merkins out ascending.  LBCs back descending.  Low slow squats out ascending. Dying cockroach back descending.  Hello Dolly out descending.  The PAX enjoyed lots of up and down with their moseys.

    To get back for COT, the PAX moseyed to the top of the levee and commenced to Railroad Track back.  The PAX couldn’t take the train all the way because of time, but YHC is going to work Railroad Track into a Q in the future.

    When the PAX reached the flag, Count-o-rama, Name-O-Rama, announcements, intentions, and COT.

    To toil and not to seek for rest,
    Surge

  • Whiskey-free Wednesday

    City Park was graced this am with the presence of 11 F3 gurus ready to get stronger.  Summer is almost here so time to get the guns in shape and the dad-bods ready for the beach/poolside.  What better way to do that than some upper body circuits with a little something for the core as well.  YHC also reminded the PAX that we should strive to push ourselves the entire workout, and modify if you need to and not just because you want to.  This lead to a motivational gem from the F3 Lexicon that we’ve touched on in the past:  WHISKEY-DICKING (verb)-“Half stepping through a Workout or other Event. More generally, execution of anything without sufficient Zeal.”  After the disclaimer, here’s what we did:

    Mosey down RM with a pit stop for a warmup COP:

    • IPW x25
    • WM x20
    • Peter Parker x20
    • Lunge X20
    • Bat Wings x1 round (AC FWDx20, AC BWDx20, Seal Clapsx20, Overhead Claps x20)

    Next stop, The Foundry, where men become manly men.  YHC used the F3 website to get a few new ideas and opted to see what a 1/2 CINDY would be like.  This was a timed circuit (10 min instead of the usual 20), OYO rounds of 5 Pull Ups, 10 Merkins, 15 Squats, rinse and repeat AMRAP.  This was a tad long but some good mumblechatter helped pass the time.  We did approx 8-12 rounds ea.  It was also good practice for the upcoming MURPHs on the radar.

    Time to give the arms and shoulders a break so a little Mary it was:

    • LBT x25
    • Box Cutter x25
    • Non-whiskey-dick Penguins x15

    Partner up for a circuit of Plank Slaps (or some other name???):

    • Plank Slaps x50,  8-ct Body Builders x5
    • Plank Slaps x40,  8-ct Body Builders x4
    • Plank Slaps x30,  8-ct Body Builders x3
    • Plank Slaps x20,  8-ct Body Builders x2
    • Plank Slaps x10,  8-ct Body Builders x1

    From there, we headed back toward the flag with a stop at 6 different benches for Dips OYO x30, x25, x20, x15, x10, x5.  T-claps to Mahatma for pushing hard and knocking out some lagniappe Merkins.

    COT to cap off the morning.

    Good job men!

    Tool

     

     

     

     

  • Hold’m

    1st off – sorry for the delayed BB Post –

    Warm-Up:

    All in Cadence

    Michael Phelps x 16

    SSH x 25

    Peter Parker x 16

    Parker Peters x 16

    Shoulder Taps x 16

    Hill Billy x 20

     

    Grab your rock – Q recommended something in the “medium” range – NO Triple Shift boulders as goal was to never put your rock down!

    Head to the big field – line up on sideline for instructions – 11 was our 1st mission – Curls to squat press – running with your rock the entire time, keeping core engaged with rock held out front or overhead.  Solid work and the earlier finishers were tempted but held on the rocks!

    Q- did provide a 30 second reprieve while instructions for the 2nd mission was given – PAX broke up into teams of 2 –  Pax 1 (challenging rock to be shared) would run with rock across the mid field meeting Pax 2 who ran half the track on the other side, rock would then be passed for Pax 2 to run across mid field while Pax 1 now ran the other half of the track.  Initial enthusiasm and energy allowed for the mid field group to perform push ups waiting for partner to complete the track run but effort quickly caught up and there was just enouogh time to complete the transfer.  This was done 4 times until 1 mile had been accomplished.  No doubt there was some competition and challenging motivation across all levels of the Pax….. I want to give a shout-out to Circus Yo-Yo for taking a bit of ball busting…..no doubt not an easy task but some of the best lessons are learned under physical stress.  Keep pushing yourself!

    Now on to some Mary – Hold’m high with core engage Pax moseyed over to a clearing near the rock pile but held on to their rocks to accompany Mary.

    Tipping bird 4 count x 10 each leg.

    Rock swing – core engaged from waist to overhead position x 20

    Sitting leg press outward while overhead press x 16

     

    Return rocks to the pile – head back to flag.

    Count off – Name O Rama – Announcements – Special Intentions – Circle of Prayer and Thanksgiving!

     

     

     

     

  • Train Kept A Rollin’…..

    I arrived this morning for my first Q at Rock City to find 3 others plus Hawg for the PAX,  seemed a bit low for a spring morning….  However we did notice the Train rolling for what seems to be an eternity that even Tiny Bradshaw, Led Zeppelin, Yardbirds or even Aerosmith could sing about, while we are in a “rock” mode.  Finally,  another (6) for the PAX came in after train passed,  but they weren’t pretty, nor from NYC….

    The Train Kept A-Rollin' single cover.jpg

    On to the work out:

    Warm Up:

    SSH X 25

    Peter Parkers X 25

    J Lo’s X 20

    IW X 25

    Arm Circles – 15 each direction

    Grab not 1 but 2 rocks… and set them a distance apart

    Time for an Eleven:

    Squats with Rock — one side

    Chest press — other side

    About three quarters of way the remaining PAX came in,  started their warm up in parallel with us finishing the eleven.

    The entire group now joins together for timed stations in four groups:

    1. Timer — run from the pumping station via track to power station or junction
    2. Rock curls as many as possible
    3. Step ups with rock
    4. Shoulder press with rock

    Yet another train in the opposite direction….

    Counter clockwise motion (as corrected by circus) to avoid doubling up on legs or upper body (for Mahatma).

    Repeat until 6:10

    Mary:

    • 2:00Plank with leg pumps
    • LBCs – 35
    • Flutter Kicks X 25

    Back to imaginary flag, COT, countdown, names, announcements, intentions, prayer.

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 21 Strong

    After participating in the Tchoupitoulas Bar-A-Thon the night before with approximately a dozen other F3 Beer Champions, YHC did not want to get up and post, much less Q, at the Mothership.  However, the being held accountable part of the F3 creed sat front and center of my brain, right next to the hangover part.  YHC could not let my F3 brothers down.

    YHC was eager to see how many other Bar-A-Thon patrons would post, but that thought quickly went away upon seeing Cruiser in attendance from Houston, aka New Orleans West according to Hawg.

    With 4 shovel flags planted, YHC quietly set out some cones in the parking lot and returned to the group of 20 other men that had assembled.  The clock struck 0630, time for a disclaimer, which YHC did give contrary to what Triple Shift says……and mosey toward the Peristyle.  Some of the sprinklers were jetting out water on the already rain soaked Great lawn, so YHC was attempting to avoid it, but Rudy talked the Q into testing it.  So, circle up on the Great Lawn, but we wouldn’t be here long…..

    Warmup
    SSH IC x 31
    Hillbilly’s IC x 20
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Peter Parker IC x 20
    Mountain Climber IC x 20
    Parker Peter IC x 20

    Mosey to the strategically placed cones in the parking lot. Set up to mirror a basketball court, it was time for some suicides. Start at baseline, sprint to first line, sprint back and do exercise. Sprint to Half Court, sprint back and do exercise. Sprint to third line, sprint back and do exercise. Sprint full court, sprint back and do exercise. That’s one evolution.
    First Evolution – 5 Burpees OYO upon returning to baseline each time.
    Second Evolution – 5 Eight Count Body Builders IC upon returning to baseline each time.
    Third Evolution – 5 Copperhead Squats IC upon returning to baseline each time.
    Fourth Evolution – No exercises, just sprint to each line and back retrieving the cones.

    Mosey to trees near NOMA
    Line up at the first tree, and bear crawl to third tree. Lunges IC x 10
    Bear crawl from third tree to fifth tree. At this point, Rudy indicated a large pool of standing water near tree six that the Pax should engage. Looking back, YHC may have lost a great opportunity. Maybe next time…..
    Circle Up for Jack Webb
    1 merkin, 2 air presses
    2 merkin, 4 air presses
    You get the idea
    10 merkins, 20 air presses
    Kong walk from fifth tree back to third tree, Squats IC x 10
    Duck walk from third tree back to first tree, Monkey Humpers IC x 20

    Mosey to the fountain by NOMA. The regular Cross Fitters were on the steps doing Burpees, which the Pax began to critique. YHC decided to stay off the steps this day, we don’t need a West Side Story BB……
    RL Step Ups IC x 20
    Freak nasties IC x 20
    LL Step Ups IC x 20

    Mosey to the narrow strip of grass in front of NOMA and elbow plank up in two columns.
    Pax Bridge Jumps. Last man jumps over each Pax and assumes plank position in the front. Each Pax does 3. Although there were two teams, there was no competition here, YHC just wanted to equally spread the suck around. Speaking of Suck…
    Mosey back near the standing water that continued to call to Rudy for “The Suck”

    Three minutes of the following exercise over and over again
    7 SSH
    7 Merkins
    7 Squat Jumps
    The Pax said something about it being 6, but YHC stood his ground. This day would suck that much more…..
    YHC lost count, so not sure how many rounds were completed.

    Mosey back to the road in front of NOMA and line up in the two columns again for a two column Indian Run back to the Flags. Upon arriving at the flags with one minute to spare, YHC called a sudden change and directed all back to the Great Lawn for 10 Burpees OYO to seal the deal!

    COT

    Count Off, Nam-O-Rama, Announcements, Intentions and Closed with a prayer.

    NMM

    T-Claps to our IT guy for making the F3 website easy to find and the workouts well defined. Our newest FNG found F3 by searching the web and posted at the Mothership! Welcome Catfish! I think it has something to do with the Notre Dame scam, but who knows. Ask Rudy about it.
    It was a pleasure having Cruiser from Houston post. Cruiser is an inspiration to us all, a true HIM! Cruiser, know that you and your family are always in our thoughts and prayers.
    T-Claps to Woz for leading the bible study at 8:15 post coffeeteria.

    YHC intended to create a beatdown to recognize Armed Forces Day.  The 5 of each exercise in the suicides represented the 5 branches of our great military.  Thanks to all who serve and to our veterans.

    Thanks for posting with me today, for holding me accountable, and for making me a better husband, father, and man.

    SYITG

  • Sunrise over the lake. And some Jack Webb.

    At last, time changes are bringing back the morning sunrise at Okwata.  Best AO in NOLA, if you ask YHC (which no one does.  Their loss.)  The Levee and The Sunrise.  A great way to start the day.  Its unfortunate that the time change also means summer is coming, and with it the morning humidity.  But that’s a small price to pay.  5:30 am, 5 PAX are off to the races after a brief disclaimer.  And after a request from Cowbell not to run too far.  Don’t worry, we won’t be moseying very far today.

    Warm Up:

    Over by the fountain for a typical warmup.

    • SSH x25
    • ISW x25
    • Arm Circles x10 each way

    Plank-up, looking east towards the glorious sunrise.

    • Peter Parker x25
    • Mountain Climber x25

    Jingle Vader points out that perhaps we should have faced west, making it easier to see the sunrise in the east.  Think about that next time you are planking….

    Mosey across the street to find a planter.

    Planter Times

    • Right Leg Step Up x20
    • 10 Box Jumps
    • Left Leg Step Up x20
    • Irkins x10
    • Incline Mountain Climber x20 (YHC DID NOT SAY “get up” AFTER IRKINS)
    • Dirkins x10
    • Decline Parker Peter x20 (again, YHC DID NOT SAY “get up” AFTER DIRKINS.  Thank you Abacus for listening!)

    Pause.  Then Repeat.  Mosey back to the Levee.

    The Levee:

    The Lexicon includes “Everest”, and YHC was curious how that would feel.  So we tried it…

    Lunge Walk Up and Down the Levee with Squats at each step.  “Lunge, Squat.  Lunge, Squat.  Lunge, Squat”.  YHC thought going up would be hard.  He was wrong.  Going Down really sucked.  Go Back Up – but stop at the top.  Surge serenaded us with the Oompa Loompa song.  Thank you.

    2 round of faux-Jack Webbs:

    • 1st Round: everyone in plank, and STAY IN Plank the whole time.  1:4 ratio of Merkin:Shoulder Tap, up to 10:40
    • 2nd Round: everyone on your 6.  1:4 ratio of BoxCutter:LBC, up to 8:32 (time is running short!)

    YHC still has some other JW variants in his back pocket for future Qs.

    House of Pain

    Down the levee to the HOP for 5 stations:

    • Burpees x15 (timer)
    • Pull Ups
    • Dips
    • WWII Situps
    • Wall Sit

    Repeat a 2nd round with 10 Burpee timer.  Then back to the VSF.  Time for a quick round of Slow Cadence Flutter Kick and Dolly.  Need to remember to mix-in the Slow Cadence ab work sometimes.  Good stuff….

    Announcements – several upcoming CSAUP.  Hope to see everyone out at some of these.  Bible Study this weekend.  Barathon.  Summer Series.  Weekender in July.  Close out with a prayer – YHC in particular asks for blessings on his son as he graduates from Jesuit and prepares for his next step in life.  May God be with him, to guide and protect him.

  • Happy Birthday to the City of New Orleans

    The City of New Orleans has been celebrating its 300th birthday throughout the 2018 year. You may not have known that May 7, 1718 is the date most commonly recognized as when the Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne De Bienville, founded Nouvelle – Orleans. So in honor of NOLA’s 300th birthday the following beat down occurred.

    Warm Up

    B   Big Boy Sit-ups – 30x – plus a few more as Q off to rough start with cadence.
    D   Dying Cockroach – 30x
    A   Abe Vigoda – 30x
    Y   Why Side Straddle Hops 30x – because we always do side straddle hops during warm-ups.

    N   Nolan Ryan – 15x Left and 15x Right
    O   Outlaw – 15x Left and 15x Right
    L   LBC’s – 30x
    A   Arm Circles – 15 forward and 15 backward

    The Thang

    Grab a rock and mosey to the track/field. Partner up with each team doing the following:

    Stand on sideline of the field with each pair of PAX completing cumulative 300 rock curls, 300 shoulder-taps, and 300 rock shoulder presses. While one PAX was doing curls, or shoulder-taps, or shoulder presses, the other PAX was running to the opposite sideline and doing bear crawl, then run back to opposite sideline.

    Bring rocks pack to pile and finish with a few minutes of Mary.

    Back to Flag for Count off, Namorama (named FNG Pai Gow), and Announcements (CSAUP this week and UNO Crawfish Mambo this Saturday). Welcome to Pai Gow – thanks for joining the group.

    I am enjoying the F3 experience. Thank you all for the opportunity to lead.