F3 New Orleans

Tag: Bieber

  • Get on yer belly – from Bieber

    There is usually one moment of every beatdown that leads to a memorable moment for “naming purposes”. In this case I was ridiculed for asking the PAX to get on “their belly” so we could do some Superman exercises. Ridicule can be a great teacher…never again will I make that mistake.

    For the beatdown…10 PAX showed up for a chilly gloom in Uptown New Orleans. With Run Cajun Run miles still a priority for most of us, this beatdown consisted of miles with some exercises sprinkled in.

    Warmup: SSH X 20, Windmill X 10, GG X 10, Imp Squat Walkers X 15, 10 Burpees.

    The Thang: To the track for a lap with five stops along the way…
    Stop 1: 10 Merkins IC, 20 Squats IC
    Stop 2: 10 Burpees
    Stop 3: 20 RL Step Ups, 10 Incline Merkins, 10 LL Step Ups, 10 Dips
    Stop 4: 10 Burpees
    Stop 5: 10 Merkins IC, 20 Squats IC

    Back to Oak Alley for some 7’s…Merkins on both sides of a longish run/jog/sprint (ambiguous F3 style)

    Under the Pavilion for some Mary: LBCs, Hello Dolly, Freddie Mercury, On Yer Belly for Some Supermans

    Back to the Flag

    Thank you as always for the chance to lead. For all of the PAX traveling…be safe. To all of us…embrace what today gives you, be a light to those around you…even if it’s just your family (especially if its just your family).

    SYITG

  • Running in Circles – from Tinkles

    Selfishly, I wanted the miles and running workouts are pretty easy to Q. In past iterations of the February running challenge I found myself skipping the beatdowns and just running. With an all-time interest (t-claps to the HIM men who got us motivated) maybe the Q’s will find a way to blend the two. Today was an attempt at that.

    Warm up: SSH X 20, Grass grabbers X 20, couple of hamstring stretches

    The Thang: OYO laps starting at the bandstand and heading downtown on the dirt path to the main track where we headed toward the river and back uptown cutting back to the parking lot and main shelter (classic El Wire route). When back to the shelter do 10 merkins. Repeat and when back to shelter, dips X 10. Repeat and when back to shelter, decline merkins X 10. Keep that rotation going through as many laps as possible. Each lap was about .4 miles and several guys knocked out 11 laps with most hitting ten. Well done!

    Count off, namorama, and intentions. Prayer to help us be mindful of lifting up others. SYITG!

  • Tsunami Mile Trial #3 – from Bieber

    Today marked our third mile trial at the Uptown Tsunami AO since we decided to copycat (sort of) the Wally Sprint. Perhaps in a time when COVID isn’t as rampant we can do a joint time trial with our cross-town brothers. On this Tuesday, however, the uptown usual suspects gathered at the starting line for 45 minutes that would see their heart rates peak early, and from there it was a task just to hang on.

    The Thang: .5 mile warm up followed by some light stretching, high knees, butt kicks, shuffles, and a sprint.

    1 mile at your best. Times ranged between 5:50 and 7:30 for the 7 runners.

    Next, we used the “Running Man” markers on the track at the park to fuel the rest of the workout, progressively speed up for 5 running men, jog for 5. That got us another lap around, followed by a .5 mile cool down.

    4.something miles total (depending on your watch)

    Excellent effort by all. Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

  • Some Things to Consider – from Tinkles

    I do not think I have ever actually taken the time to honor MLK day. Maybe in elementary school before it was holiday. Though back then it could have been mentioned in the context of replacing Robert E. Lee day. Embarrassing to admit, but of course change only comes when you are willing to take an honest look at things. I have never been against the holiday, though I certainly looked at it as a day off or an opportunity for a long weekend. But this is what we all love about F3. Of course, the challenges are physical en face, but those of us that stick with F3 realize that its being challenged in ways much beyond the physical are what keeps us coming back. I couldn’t be prouder of my 45+ minutes spent today with my brothers.

    I enjoy history and geography and was vaguely familiar with the story behind the Black Pearl neighborhood. I did not know that before it was the Black Pearl it was N-town. Before it was N-town it was N-town sans abbreviation. It was home to many of the domestic employees and laborers that powered to Uptown economy. It is now 67% white. Despite this changing demographic, it is still home to highest density of churches (not verified) that you will find in a neighborhood. One of those churches is Mount Moriah Baptist Church. Mahalia Jackson, the famous New Orleans gospel singer, got her start at this very church. The most pleasant surprise of my reading was that Mahalia Jackson sang the opening hymn before Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘dream’ speech at the National Mall! I amazed at the blessings to be found should you be willing to look for them. Thanks to those who joined me this morning.

    The Thang:
    • Warm-up: SSH X 28 (mind fart, no meaning), Grass grabber X 20, IW X 20, Hillbilly X 20
    • Black Pearl neighborhood run and tour:

    o Broadway Mission Baptist Church: standard plank for 2 minutes
    o Mount Moriah Baptist Church: elbow plank for 2 minutes
    o Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church: panther plank for 2 minutes
    o Plymouth Rock Baptist Church: side plank/arm raise 1 minute each side
    o Zion Travelers Baptist Church: contralateral arm and leg up and hold, 1 minute each side
    o Williams United Methodist Church: elbow plan/arm raise 1 minute each side
    o St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church: merkin ring of fire x 3

    • Drew Brees memorial, 9 burpees in front of Drew Brees’s house (it is F3 afterall)

    Back to the flag and few minutes late and with Landing Strip walking slow to avoid a mid workout poop (moop). Great talk lead by Sandbar about how MLK often spoke of the importance of communities coming together in times of crisis. Words that definitely apply today. Thanks for the opportunity to lead!

  • Burpee Challenge, One and Done!? – from Tinkles

    A solid pax showed up for the first Skinny of 2021. I for one am fat and out of shape and was glad to have the motivation to get the week started well. A quick show of hands demonstrated that Bieber was the only pax present who is participating in this month’s ISI. I figured we could join him for a day. The rest of the pax enthusiastically agreed.

    • Warm Up:
    o Forward arm circles X 20
    o Revers arm circles X 20
    o Grass Grabbers X 20
    o SSH X 20

    • Socially distance run for a bit. Regroup and hit 5 burpees at each of the next 5 running man markers.

    • Pull over for a Merkin ring of fire:
    o Standard X 10
    o Left arm staggered X 10
    o Right arm staggered X 10

    • Socially distance run for a bit. Regroup and hit 5 burpees at each of the next 5 running man markers.

    • Slow mosey to corner of Walnut and St. Charles
    o BLIMPs down St. Charles
    o Turn around and BLIMPS backs

    • Socially distance run for a bit. Regroup and hit 5 burpees at each of the next 5 running man markers.

    • Socially distance run for a bit. Regroup and hit 5 burpees at each of the next 3 running man markers. Made it back in time for almost timely departure.

    Count off to 16, namorama, and intentions for a great 2021. Thanks for the chance to lead. I don’t think we started a group movement but Bieber keep representing us!

  • No crossing the tracks – from Mariah

    six pax this morning for 5 miles at Tsunami.
    We set out to run the usual levee route, but when we exited Audubon Park and hit the levee the 5:30 Kansas City Southern was chugging its way out of town. So a no-go on the Levee but we detoured along River road and then cut back and took St Charles up to Carrollton and then Oak St back through Tulane, taking Freret over to Nashville, then back down to St Charles, and back to the flag. 5 miles on the dot, with 6 mins to spare.

  • 12 Days of Fitmas – from Bolt

    The mosquitoes turned out along with 20 PAX total for my VQ. Feeding on energy from the group we started with a short mosey around the clubhouse parking lot to circle up at the pavilion for an attempt to warm up enough for lactic acid to be released. I think I’m the only one who experienced that after SSH, Lounge Singers on each side (Angie’s List’s new favorite), Grass Grabbers in the middle, Peter Parkers, Parker Peters, Hillbilly Squats, Arm Circles froward/back, Moroccan Nightclubs, Seal Claps, finishing with Self Love.

    The workout began with really bad singing of the 12 Days of Fitmas, taking us through 12 different exercises with guest singing appearances from Kermit the Frog and/or Cookie Monster depending on who you ask.
    Day 1: Mosey
    Day 2: Merkins
    Day3: Shoulder Taps
    Day 4: Lunges
    Day 5: Burpees
    Day 6: Squats
    Day 7: Diamond merkins
    Day 8: Big Boy sit-ups
    Day 9: Plank Jacks
    Day 10: Superman
    Day 11: SSH
    Day 12: Mtn. Climbers

    With 11 minutes left, we put our fate in the “deca-die” of pain, rolling for random exercises (OYO) including 15 tuck jacks (twice), 15 jump lunges, 20 tricep dips, 20 burpees, 30 mountain climbers, 15 Vladimir Douillies, 20 merkins. Mosey to flag for 20 dying cockroaches, CoT, name-o-rama: welcoming in FNG, Escrow, and finishing with announcements/intentions and prayer. F2 coffeeteria followed, immediately preceded by hosing the dog crap off my shoe which I apparently carried the entire workout.

  • America’s Pastime?

    I love baseball. I love everything about it. Because I love it so much, I have been wanting to Q a baseball inspired beatdown for a while. While 50 degrees in a sweet December gloom doesn’t necessarily lend itself to thoughts of afternoons under the blue skies, maybe the following 9 Innings of Suck will…

    Warmup:

    Short Mosey, SSH X 20 IC, Grassgrabbers X 10 IC, Windmill X 10 IC, Imperial Squat Walker X 20 IC, Forward Arm Circles X 10 IC, Reverse Arm Circles X 10 IC.

    The Thang: I had longed to trespass on the nicely turfed ballfield nearby to complete this beatdown, and in so doing each position on the field would be the location for each Inning of Suck. Since the field was locked, we settled for a nice damp, dark, unmarked field.

    Each inning started with a 50 yard jog, included the inning/position exercise, and concluded with a 50 yard sprint back to the starting spot (dugout).

    1st Inning/Pitcher: 10 Burpees OYO
    2nd Inning/Catcher: 25 Low Squats IC
    3rd Inning/1st Base: 20 Bonnie Blair OYO (2 is 1)
    4th Inning/2nd Base: 20 Side to Side Shuffles IC (groundball pickups)
    5th Inning/3rd Base: 20 Hand Release Merkins OYO
    6th Inning/Shortstop: 20 Side to Side Shuffles IC (groundball pickups)
    7th Inning/Left Field: Jack Webbs Rep Count 1-7 on the Merkins
    8th Inning/Center Field: Jack Webbs Rep Count 8-15 on the Merkins
    9th Inning/Right Field: 10 Burpees OYO…Finish Strong!

    The jogs/sprints in between innings represent getting on and off the field…never walk on a ball field…green means go!

    Since we still had time, we moseyed back towards the flag for some Extra Innings:

    Partner up for some DORA 100, 200, 300 with a “to the fourth light and back” run:
    100 Squats
    200 Floyd Mayweathers (1 is 1)
    300 LBC’s

    Back to the Flag for Count-o-rama, Name-o-rama, and COT.

    This was an amazing way for me to start my day. Merging my love of baseball (however twisted) with the opportunity to Q a PAX that shows trust, works hard, makes you laugh, encourages, and shows appreciation throughout is something I don’t take for granted. Thank you all!

  • Lest we forget

    It was my honor to lead a great group of men this morning as we recognize, remember, and celebrate our Veterans. Whether in times of war or peace, those who have stepped up to serve our country deserve the recognition and praise of all those who call this wonderful country our home. My sincere gratitude and lots of prayers go to all the Veterans of the past, present, and future.

    Disclaimer and Mosey to Warmup:

    In Cadence: SSH X 20, Windmill X 10, Grassgrabbers X 10
    Peter Parkers X 15, Mountain Climbers X 15
    Forward Arm Circles X 10, Reverse Arm Circles X 10
    *Sufficiently lathered in the humid air…we moseyed to the train tracks and levee.

    The Thang:

    11’s consisting of 8 Count Body Builders at the bottom of the levee with Jump Squats at the top.
    Start with 10 X 8 Count BBs then to the top for 1 X Jump Squat, then
    9 and 2, 8 and 3, etc. All the way down to 1 and 10.
    *On your own: Little Baby Crunch and Little Baby Twist til the 6 finished up.

    Another mosey led us to the statue in front of the zoo for some partner work. Each group was responsible for 300 total reps completed via 5 rounds of: 20 WWII Sit Ups, 20 Merkins, 20 Bonnie Blairs. While one partner repped it out, the other partner ran a short loop in front of the Zoo. Partners switch out and pick up the count.

    To close we circled up on the field in front of the zoo for some Mary:

    In Cadence: 20 X American Hammer, 10 X Penguin, 10 X Box Cutter, 20 X Dying Cockroach, and On your own X 20 WWII Sit Ups.

    Back to the flag for some light plank work, then Count-o-rama, Name-o-rama, announcements and intentions.

    Seaman will be Qing a Sunnyside on Thanksgiving Day @ 8:00am, Drew Brees Playground.

    Prayers were offered up for spoken intentions, silent intentions, and all of our Veterans.

    Gentlemen, thank you. As always, stepping up to the Flag at 5:30 finds me one way and stepping away from it at 6:15 finds me a little better.

  • Us Against H8!

    Conditions: Humid, 74 degrees, Humidity 95%, Wind 8mph from ENE

    Warm-up:  Mosey from the flag to the start.  Warm-up on your own.  No time for SSH or Grass Grabbers or J-Los, we’ve got work to do.

    The Thang:  The H8!  F3 NOLA’s overly complicated, semi-annual, feat of strength.  The stick by which our fitness is measured.    

    Each lap consists of running south to the top of the levee, crossing canal (bear crawling the neutral ground), running south to the bottom of the levee, cross canal and run north to the top of the levee, cross canal (bear crawling the neutral ground), running north down the levee and back across canal to the starting point.  At the starting point you do a descending burp and merk pyramid starting at 8 (burpee with 8 hand release merkins, burpee with 7 hand release merkins, …, burpee with 1 hand release merkin)

    At the end of the 2nd lap the burp and merk pyramid starts at 7, etc.

    The goal is to complete 8 laps in 40 minutes.  According to MapMyRun, each loop is approximately 0.4 miles.  Therefore, to conquer the H8! you will have to do the following in 40 minutes:

    • Run over 3 Miles of Hills
    • 550 Yards of Bear Crawls
    • 36 Burpees
    • 120 Merkins

    NMM

    • The construction at the south base of the levee caused for a slight re-route.  The H8! Committee did a good job of ensuring that the change was slight and the overall distance was not affected so that this fall’s running of the H8! Is considered official. 
    • T-claps to all of the guys coming out for the first time.  I think Heart-A-Quake, Mama’s Pride, Undertaker, Disclaimer, Bieber, Bartman, Catfish, Big Easy, Snooze were all first timers. 
    • I didn’t keep a record of who made it and who didn’t.  I am pretty sure the success rate was just north of 50%.  That’s really good, especially for having so many new guys.  Our fitness continues to accelerate.

    One of the core principles of F3 is that it is open to all men.  But just proclaiming that you are open to all men doesn’t cut it.  We have to be intentional about making sure that we are welcoming to all men and that we are not unintentionally excluding anyone.  There are lots of things that can make men different from one another, but most of them have nothing to do with what F3 is about.  I just mean to say that participating in an F3 workout has nothing to do with what race you are, or what your financial situation is, or what religion you are, etc.  (Side note:  I do think it’s important to think about those things and make sure that we are not being unintentionally exclusive because of the make-up of our Pax.  My point is just that the core principles of F3 workouts could apply to anyone, anywhere).  One thing that does have a lot to do with F3 is fitness level.  That’s why diverse fitness levels have to be considered when planning every workout.  It is important that the guys that have a high level of fitness are getting smoked and it is important the that guys on the lower end of the fitness spectrum are staying with the group and are not being left behind on their own.  I would like to think that we are pretty good across F3 NOLA at making sure that each work out feels like a team event, that we all have a goal of getting better and that we are supporting each other to reach that goal, no matter what our current fitness level is. 

    One of the complaints that I have heard about the Iron Pax Challenge is that it is not consistent with F3 in that way; that it puts the focus on the individual and even worse, ranks the individuals.  Some men  that aren’t at the top feel a sense of embarrassment or shame that they aren’t comparable to the guys at the top. You could make the same argument about the H8!  There’s certainly a sense of completing it and not completing it. 

    Personally I think competition like this is really important.  If you want to run faster, you have to run with faster guys.  In order to accelerate our fitness, we need to be in the back of the pack striving to get to the front.  I enjoy competition and I think it plays an important role in growth.  But I also think that it is important that we work hard to keep the sense of comradery and teamwork that all F3 workouts have.  The H8! Is something we all want to conquer and that we want to help each man conquer. 

    There are a couple of quotes that have stuck with me from the book “Run the Mile You are In:  Finding God in Every Step” by Ryan Hall, the American Record Holder in the half-marathon and the fastest American to ever run the Boston Marathon (2:04).  He said “Competition can be a beautiful thing if we are focused on making ourselves and others better and are not concerned about how we stack up with everyone else…..this is why comparisons in athletics and in life are so fruitless.  When we compare, we miss the joy of the journey as well as the joy of the achievement.”     

    Let’s make sure we keep pushing ourselves and each other, without compromising the joy of the journey.  A common motto at an F3 work out is that it’s “You against You”, and that is very true.  But it is also true that it is “Us against H8!”