F3 New Orleans

Tag: Briefs

  • Wisner Bridge, with a side of Burpees

    Good morning, rise and shine! YHC usually opens the Stomp with a Disclaimer and “The Usual”. But with lots of creativity at 610 Stomp of late (#TClaps to Kuch, FracSac and others who find new ways to liven up our early morning run!), YHC needed to try and think of something at least a wee bit different…

    Right, right. The Wisner Bridge. Our city’s version of “Hill Workout”. Yup, lets do it.

    So – after the disclaimer, and a reminder to everyone of directions to the bridge (go Left, not Right) – we were off. Run to the bridge (about a mile), then back and forth over it (each pass is just under half mile) until its time to come home (another mile). And just for fun – lets throw in 5 burpees after each pass.

    Shuffles (missing his running pal Smooth already) tried to stay back with the pack, but couldn’t help himself. Jumping to the front with Swiss Miss, they proceeded to go right (not left), disappearing in the gloom – only to reappear much later at the bridge.

    At the bridge, Dirty Dell and Briefs set the pace. Back and forth they went. Several “Good Mornings” – to dog walkers, other runners, other PAX. This would be a dangerous way for the Frac GM run. YHC was blinded on each pass by the approaching glow of the Surge Special outfit. That’s a lot of day-glo yellow.

    Nearing 6am, time to get the PAX together again at the foot of the bridge. YHC makes it to the bottom to find Ya Mom’n’dem and Pop Tart sitting around, apparently looking for some donuts and a cigarette or something to pass the time. More Burpees for them, YHC calls out. So PAX start burpeeing. And burpeeing. And burpeeing. While Hawg and Rev-Sox (closely watching their heart rate, apparently) saunter down the final hill.

    Mosey back to the flag for a round of Mary, before closing with our count-off, Name-o-rama, and send everyone off to start the day with St. Ignatius Prayer for Generosity.

  • Kicking Some Grass with The King

    It was a somber day on August 16, 1977.  Elvis Aaron Presley was just finishing up his morning glory when the King collapsed due to heart failure.  Today we honor that great American in the best way we know how; by empowering our bodies through exercise and our souls through listening to his music.  Elvis was a HIM before we know what a HIM was.  

    W/U

    • Side Straddle Hop x 42
    • Imperial Walkers x 20
    • Hill Billies x 20
    • Arm Circles x 20
    • Mountain Climbers x 2o
    • J Lo’s x 10

    The Thang – Complete each exercise for the duration of the song playing. 

    • Hound Dog – Doggie Paddle 2:15
    • Teddy Bear – Bear crawl & Crawl Bear suicide – 1:48
    • American Trilogy – Merkins x10, Staggeredx 10, Staggered x10, Diamond x 10, Wide x 10, Chuck Norris x10,  Crossfit x 10, – 4:28
    • Burning Love – Pure Burn (1. Face the fence 2. Get in the squat position 3/4 up while holding the fence; 3. On the balls of your feet (tiptoes);  Pulse 3/4 down to 1/2 (90 degrees) X 10;  Pulse 1/2 all the way down X10; Repeat) – 2:50
    • Blue Suede Shoes – 1 merk, 2 LBC, 3 Squats,  25 Rocky Balboa’s – 2:00
    • Can’t Help Falling – Tunnel of Love 3:02
    • Don’t be cruel – Burp & Merk  (add a merkin to each burpee) – 2:03
    • Marie’s The Name x 3 – We brought those who had not Qed to the middle to lead.  T-Claps to Breadsticks, Tug Boat, and Fast Tax

    Announcements –  IRON PAX!  Sign up at https://f3greenwood.com/ironpax-form/  We are currently in 2nd place by 11 Pax. 

    Intentions – Those with cancer, our new students starting another school year especially Brady Lefleur, those intentions unspoken and kept in our hearts.

    Thank you for the opportunity to lead, thank you very much!

    Da Parish

  • Stomp #207 – Good Morning Burpees

    The Tuesday crowd at the Stomp has exploded recently. YHC saw an opportunity to take the Q and bring a little something extra to the AO. Since everyone loves Burpees, YHC knew that incorporating them in a way not done before would be received with joy! YHC was not disappointed!

    24 Pax posted to improve their running ability, and their endurance. But first a brief disclaimer, and a very quick warmup:

    Grass Grabbers IC x 10 followed by Arm Circles IC x 20

    Instructions were simple. Run as a group down the traditional Bayou St John route. Every time the Pax came across a person or group of people, we would call out “Good Morning!” If we received a “Good Morning” back, all did 5 Burpees. If no “Good Morning” was received, then 10 Burpees was coming our way. If the Pax attempted to prod for them to say it, the penalty was 15 Burpees.

    How many Burpees completed? There were approximately 10 stops for 5 Burpees and only 1 stop for 10 Burpees. The Pax covered around 4 miles, and many folks on the streets of NOLA were greeted with a kind gesture.

    Good Times had by all.

    COT for Count off, name-o-rama, announcements and intentions.

    Thanks for posting with me today, and for allowing me to be a part of such a great organization!

    SYITG!

  • My first Okwata Q

    21 PAX gathered for my first Okwata Q on a gloriously humid morning, although a slight breeze was present so it made for a much more tolerable beatdown. Since the grass on the levee is still well over a foot high and plenty saturated from all the rain we have been having I opted have the PAX stay mostly on cement today, much to the dismay of couple members of the PAX. Disclaimer was given at our usual location and we moseyed over to the intersection for some warm up.

    Warm Up (all done IC):

    • SSH x 20
    • Windmills x 10
    • Cement grabbers x 15
    • Self love x 15
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each
    • Imperial Squat Walkers x 15

    The Thang #1: PAX was split into 2 groups (1 group had 3 members due to the odd number). 1 member of the PAX would run up the hill in stated direction while partner stayed at the bottom and performed an exercise. When partner 1 completes the lap swap with partner 2.

    • Lap 1: partner 1 run uphill facing forward, partner 2 high plank
    • Lap 2: partner 1 side shuffle facing neutral ground, partner 2 L side plank
    • Lap 3: partner 1 Bernie Sanders, partner 2 R side plank
    • Lap 4: partner 1 side shuffle facing sidewalk, partner 2 plank clocks (right arm move hand back and forth from 1:00, 3:00, and 5:00 positions; left arm move hand back and forth from 11:00, 9:00, and 7:00)

    While planking Hokie Pokie asked if I had plans on performing the 20 sec worth of squats for ISI today. I told him I was unaware but would work that in for later in the beatdown.

    The Thang #2:

    Mosey over to the benches for some alternating upper and lower body exercises. Burpees are the counter.

    • Burpees x 15 reps
    • L step ups
    • Derkins
    • Calf raises
    • Dips
    • R step ups
    • Shoulder taps
    • Squats jumps

    Thankfully PAX is intelligent enough to avoid some standing water with exercises so not all exercises were performed on or in front of the bench in order to stay as dry as possible. After this it was time to mosey back to the flag for some Freddy Mercury x 25 reps and the ISI challenge for 20 seconds, with proper form demonstrated by Mahatma. Count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and sweaty ball of man.

    Thanks to all the men who got out in the gloom for my first Okwata Q. Hopefully it was worthwhile. Can’t wait to do it again.

  • This ain’t no democracy

    Just sit there and shut up. This ain't no democracy.

    A very very damp morning greeted the PAX, after yesterday’s squall lines rolled through. YHC had done a quick drive by one of the intended workout areas to see whether it was usable, and alas – discovered that it was quite soupy. So perhaps an audible was going to be necessary. More on that later.

    5:30 – Issue a disclaimer, and 21 PAX moseyed off to the track. YHC is not a regular at the Foundry. His recollections of the Foundry from way-back-when was of an intimate gathering of just a few close friends. Now we are at 21 PAX (and apparently that’s the new normal at The Foundry!) Fantastic to see such growth – more HIMs, more impact, more motivations. Thank you all.

    The Warmup

    Circle up on the track for a typical warmup, consisting of Windmills (oops – bad move on the part of the YHC, needed to restart , SSH, Arm Circles, Overhead Claps, more Arm Circles (alas, Amnesty kept chit chatting and missing the instructions to KEEP YOUR ARMS UP). Then some planks, just because.

    The Thing #1

    BLIMPS. Partner up for the BLIMPS-a-go-go. Partners run opposite directions on the track, and wherever they meet – do the next letter exercise. Then run opposite directions again. Start with Burpees x10. You all know the drill from there (except, apparently, YHC who attempted to spell out BIMPS). Ya Mom’n’Dem did a great job carrying an additional heavy weight on his back (“Jesus Juice”). Meanwhile, Holy Grove and Smooth finished about 15 minutes ahead of the next closes finisher.

    As PAX finish, start LBC’ing and Dollying awaiting the 6. YHC then offered the PAX a choice:

    • Elevens: PAX who want to do 11s, line up on YHC’s left
    • Get your shoes wet: PAX who want to get their shoes wet, line up on YHC’s right

    YHC was astounded to see a vote of 20-1 in favor of “Keep your shoes dry” (and the humble reader can guess who was the “1”). Apparently, a lesson in the Art of Manliness was in order. As this is NOT a democracy – the PAX moseyed off to collect a cinderblock from the swamp.

    The Thing #2

    Grab your cinder block and line up along the left field line in the puddles (you know, the area that looks like a baseball field when not covered by muck and grass clippings). Pop Tart scoffed at the rest of us, as the mud and water just oozed right out of his mandals…

    Round 1: 15 each Overhead Press, Curls, Rows, Bench Press. Then a Bear Crawl out about 30 yards, and Lunge Walk back. Briefs grumbling “my shoes won’t be dry for days”. Screw Top whining “Can’t we go do pullups instead? Its dry over there”.

    Round 2: 12 each. Crawl Bear out, Walk Lunge back. Words fail to express my disappointment at hearing Tool suggest that Walk Lunge would be easier if his footsies weren’t so wet.

    Round 3: 10 each. Not enough time for more out-and-back, so return our Cinderblock friends and slosh back to the flag.

    Finished about 5 mins late. Sorry PAX (but not really)

    Count-off and name-o-rama (lots of young guns at the Foundry – thanks for pushing me harder everyone!) Announcements and Intentions, especially praying for Holy Grove’s dad in his recovery from health challenges.

    As today is the feast day of St. Ignatius, YHC closed with his Prayer for Generosity. Thanks for letting me lead. And thanks for following where I go! Into the Muck and Mire!

  • Okwata in the Fall

    Or at least it felt that way. The 22 PAX present were treated to 71 degrees and a beautiful sunrise this morning. They were also treated to: LEG DAY. (After Screw Top’s beatdown the previous day, YHC was in no mood for Merkins or Burpees)

    Mosey to the center of the intersection no one ever uses (possibly because we are in it) for

    • Mountain climbers
    • Scorpion kicks
    • SSH
    • Arm Circles
    • Hill Billies
    • All x20

    Split into 2 groups for the second running of the Single Reverse Indian Run. Like an Indian Run, but all the PAX run the loop and up and down the levee, while the last in line peels off and runs the opposite way around the loop.

    20 second count, enough time to stretch out the hips with a little open the gate and close the gate.

    Next pair up for 5 Bernies and 5 Planks. PAX 1 runs backward up the levee while PAX 2 holds one of 5 different planks, starting with high, low, left, right, and ending with bows and toes. Alternate with partner after each plank and Bernie.

    Finally, a bit of DORA 1-2-3 OYO

    • 50 Money Humpers
    • 100 Jump Lunges
    • 150 Squats

    *After each exercise is completed, one sprint up the levee and back. We made it to, but not through the squats, when it came time to head back to the flag.

    Vigorous run back led by Smooth, just in time for 6:15, where we circled up and admired the sunrise. Hokie prayed us out. Thanks for pushing me today. – Kuch

    Total Mileage: 2.86 miles

  • Sweep the 2

    22 Men gathered on a wet, dark morning to catch a quick run. The usual disclaimer was given, and to the best of my recollection, it was eloquent and concise this time. A first perhaps. Aside: Are you supposed to say “my name is so and so” in the disclaimer? Maybe I’ve just never gotten comfortable announcing “My name is Kuch”. I didn’t say it.

    I’ve spent many paragraphs already on why the Stomp is great: great F2, generally a bit lower intensity than Monday and Wednesday, and great for runners of all speeds. So on the one hand, you don’t want to fix something that aint broken. On the other hand, we’ve had some great variations at the Stomp lately, including Rev Sox’s 13 colonies workout/football game, El Guapo’s light post runs, Smooth’s Jazzfest themed beatdown, and VQ’s for Shuffles and Briefs, who both added their own touches.

    What I’m getting at is: come Q the Stomp. Bring a slight (or significant) variation, or just tell everyone to run 20 out and 20 back and do some Mary. It doesn’t matter. It will be great. Your contribution will be appreciated no matter how much or little you deviate from the norm.

    Anyway, back to the actual workout. We moseyed 20 minutes out at about a 10:30 pace as a group, all staying together. When he hit 20 minutes, the instructions were simple. Run back to the flag as fast as you can. Don’t leave anything in the tank.

    When you get to the flag, you mosey to the guy behind you, and run hard back with him. And then the 2 of you sweep the next guy and run back hard with him and so on until 20 or so guys are running down Roosevelt Mall together to sweep the 6. It worked well, and you will see it again.

    To mentally prepare myself for this one, I told myself that I would run as hard as I could back to the flag, and I wouldn’t save anything for the sweep. If I had to walk, I would, but I would not mosey. I surprised myself and ran a lot faster than usual. Didn’t know I had it in me. That will be the instruction to all the PAX next time: save nothing. Go as hard as you can. Walk, if you must, but don’t cruise. (and of course, modify if you need to)

    The usual formalities, and a prayer that we carry the goodwill and decency shown everyday at F3 workouts with us through all our interactions. Thanks for having me. – Kuch

  • Braving the Mountain through the Harsh Mist and Drizzle

    Although lightning and thunder was forecast for Friday morning, the city of New Orleans was lucky to avoid the worst, especially after Wednesday. So 31 PAX gathered on a gloomy, humid, damp Friday morning intent on running some ramps in a parking lot for no reason other than the fact it’s hard.

    A brief, yet still somewhat rambling disclaimer was given, and at 5:30 we set off to get after it.

    Warm-up

    Mosey up St. Charles and back down to grassy area in front of Tulane for a quick warm-up of

    • SSHx20
    • ISWx20
    • Peter Parker Peter x20 each
    • Arm Circles 10/10
    • 10 burpees OYO to clear our heads of the backwards counting that always throws YHC off.

    Mosey to the base of the Mountain for

    • 10 Merkins I/C, sprint one ramp, mosey one ramp
    • 10 Burpees OYO, sprint one ramp, mosey one ramp
    • 10 8-count bodybuilders OYO, sprint one ramp, mosey one ramp
    • 10 angle grinders I/C, sprint one ramp, mosey one ramp
    • Bernie Sanders one ramp, mosey one ramp

    When we arrived at the top, it was a bit damp for the work we needed to do, so we headed down a level for some Catch Me if You Can in 3 rounds and 3 lines to keep it moving:

    • Rd 1: Squats while everyone else holds Al Gore; (when the person in front of you hits 5, you start, at 10, you run down a ramp and back up the stairs and back in line)
    • Rd 2: jump squats
    • Rd 3: jump lunges

    Next, a little tabata for fun. Nothing quite gets the heart rate up like some high intensity tabata. 25 on/10 off. 8 exercises, crowd choice. We ended up doing:

    • flutter kicks
    • Box cutters
    • Burpees
    • 8 count bodybuilders
    • merkins
    • LBC’s
    • 2 other exercises I cannot remember

    The rule was, if you don’t remember the exercise you suggested when it’s up, then we do burpees. Incidentally and unrelated, everyone remembered his exercise.

    Finally, some Mary to seal the deal. 5 exercises

    • American Hammers (FracSac)
    • Leg raises (King Kong)
    • 3 exercises by YHC I cannot remember

    Mosey back to the Flag and arrive exactly at 6:15… or you know, right around that time. COT, name-o-rama, and a prayer of thanks. Thanks for letting this lakeview pax lead the uptown workout.

  • Stomp #200 – Legends of the Stomp

    “What makes you successful? The number one thing is consistency and performance at whatever you choose to do” – Nick Saban

    “Habits matter more than goals. There is a compounding effect of habits in the long run.” – Shane Parrish

    The Stomp was started 4 years ago as a means of training for the Spartan Race. The original 610 Stomp route was down Marconi to either Harrison or Filmore, all the way to Wisner, and then back to the park, stopping every 6 minutes for 10 burpees. It was not necessarily intended to be a consistent weekly workout, but people kept showing up for it and Q’ing it. The same people, in fact. If you look at the BB from Stomp #100, you’ll see a whole lot of familiar faces. https://www.f3nola.com/2017/07/18/610-stomp-99-let-the-celebration-begin/

    It seems crazy on a day like today, 25 strong, that this workout might once have been abandoned, so it seemed only fitting to thank those that shepherded it through the leaner times. Plus, they emailed me. Several times. You got this, right Kuch? You do know it’s the 200th Stomp? Yes, Yes, I know, this is the third email I have received. Right right, just checking. Evidently there was a bit of concern that YHC would neglect his duties as one of the site Q’s.

    So a plan was hatched to honor those that carried The Stomp when no one else was showing up for it and to keep the pax together in groups so that we could push each other and also enjoy a bit of F2.

    Fast Group Legend: Smooth: Smooth is the fastest guy at the Stomp each week, and if we did not let him lead the fast group, he would just run away from it anyway. Every week, while we all run in small groups, Smooth pushes himself to go hard, solo, and rack up more miles than anyone else. In fact, we’re never quite sure where he actually goes, but I’ve heard rumors about him making it to the river and having a cup of coffee before getting back to the flag at the same time as everyone else. T-claps to everyone who ran with him today, and especially Screw Top, who even appeared to keep up.

    Medium Group Legend: Tool: Tool is the reason we run the route we do today. Having run both routes, this one is far superior and involves far fewer speeding vehicles in the pitch black of the tree canopy of Marconi. So thanks to Tool for that, and for his consistency in posting for and leading The Stomp over the past 4 years.

    More Casual Pace Legends: Hawg and Rudy: Again, look back at the list of PAX posting, and you will see both of these guys at the top. Neither ever shies away from leading a workout, whether it’s because Shorty signed up for it, or because they volunteered. Both guys could eat a tub of ice cream and then outrun me, but since they are doing their sub 130bpm runs right now, they were perfect for leading the 10-minute milers. Two of the most consistent posters and leaders F3 Nola has.

    Each group did its own workout led by its Legend. I know Tool had our group doing burpees at every bridge, and Smooth had his group doing merkins at the turn (and still maintaining right around an 8-minute/mile pace). I need a report from the Hawg/Rudy group.

    COT, Name-o-rama, and War Eagle did the honors on the prayer. Hope everyone enjoyed the celebration. – Kuch

  • Blame Abacus

    While determining Clown Car participants for The Foundry on Tuesday night it was realized that Abacus was listed as the Q but he has been unable to attend beatdowns lately. So after some discussion of who would Q, your resident relief Q stepped up again. Given the late timing of this I went to the Exicon for some suggestions. I found what I thought would be a good beatdown but was unsure of how much we would get through in 45 minutes. 8 PAX gathered in the ridiculously humid morning as I planned on keeping our feet dry but knew that everything else would eventually be covered in sweat.

    Warm up:

    Mosey to the track and gather in a circle. All exercises down IC.

    • SSH x 20
    • Windmills x 10
    • Self love x 10
    • Arm circles fwd/backward x 10 each
    • Peter Parker x 10
    • Parker Peter x 10

    Tha Thang:

    Following the warm-up we moseyed over to The Foundry. At that point it was time to introduce everyone to what is called the Deck of Death. I had a deck of playing cards with me and chose 4 exercises to perform. Based on the suit we would perform that exercise and the number would be the reps (jack = 11, queen = 12, king = 13, ace = 14). Here’s the breakdown:

    • Diamonds = pull ups
    • Spades = jump squats
    • Hearts = Absolution (done in 8 count cadence)
    • Clubs = side plank with leg raise; even numbers = left arm down, raise right leg, odd number = right arm down, raise left leg

    It turned out that we chose quite a bit of high numbers and face cards, particularly of diamonds and hearts (or at least it seemed). Screw Top seemed to really enjoy the side plank with leg raises so PAX suggested they heretofore be named “Screw Tops.” As was stated earlier I was unsure of how much of the deck we could complete. Thankfully Amnesty was monitoring the clock for me and we were able to get through roughly half the deck before moseying back to the flag.

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, sweaty ball of man.

    As always it was a pleasure and challenge leading the PAX. And if you didn’t like the beatdown selection today, blame Abacus.