F3 New Orleans

Tag: Catfish

  • Brick-a-palooza

    Brick /brik/

    Dictionary.com defines it as a small rectangular block typically made of fired or sun-dried clay, used in building.

    YHC defines it as a small rectangular block to be used in workouts to accentuate the PAX experience

    YHC loaded up the trunk of the car with 40 bricks. Thinking “Well, what if we have more PAX?”, he ran back to the shed and grabbed just a few more. At 06:15, 5 PAX were enjoying some light banter (welcome Lemon, from Birmingham!). No problem, plenty of bricks. 06:20 – a few more stragglers (an El Guapo sighting!). 06:25 – the Lakeview clown car arrives. Now we’re up to 16 PAX. YHC starting to get a bit nervous, but we should be ok.

    But then the sight that is actually quite entertaining to behold… The long stream of headlights of the late-arriving PAX. ROAR (that must be Heisenberg in his tricked-out coupe). Whoosh (there is Triple Shift arriving hot in his tricked-out cycling gear). 06:30 and we have 25 PAX ready to go. Oh well, we will have to modify…

    PAX instructed to go grab a pair bricks from the trunk. Some will be left empty handed, as YHC only had enough for 22. We will make do.

    The Warmup

    Circle up on the Great Lawn. Drop your bricks. Mahatma kindly brings his two bricks to YHC, and joins Hawgcycle brickless in the circle.

    • Windmills – Slllloooooowwwww cadence x10
    • SSH x25.
    • YHC delivers his 2 bricks to the otherwise brickless Organ Grinder. You’re welcome.
    • Brick Arm Circles 10x each direction
    • Peter Parker x20

    The Thang – Part 1

    Partner Up for Dora 1-2-3 (to be modified to Dora 1-1.5-2 to be modified to Dora 1-1.5-as-many-as-you-can-in-the-interest-of-time).

    PAX 1 sprint back and forth across the lawn (with bricks). PAX 2 exercises (with bricks). Flapjack. Continue. Groups with only 1 set of Bricks – make do. Modify.

    • 100 Brick X-Fit Merkins.
    • 200 (became 150) Brick Dying Cockroaches
    • 300 (became 200 became whatever, just keep doing them) Brick Goblet Squats.

    To much chirping from PAX named Gabriel*e, YHC kept adjusting the goal with an eye on the clock. At 06:50 – need to move on to the next workout station. But hydrate first!

    The Thang – Part 2

    Mosey to the baseball field by the refinery for Burpee Brick Shuttle Run (BBSR, and yes – it’s in the Exicon.) Medulla didn’t like being in the sun, so we modified and moved to the shade. YHC is always thinking about the well being of the PAX.

    Partner up again, then split up: PAX 1 on the 1st-base-line-extended. PAX 2 on the imaginary line about 25 yards away. All the bricks stay on the PAX 1 side.

    • PAX 1 planks and waits. And waits. Just keep planking and waiting.
    • PAX 2 does the work: sprint to the other side, get a brick, return and deposit said brick, sprint to get another brick, return and deposit said brick. Then 10x burpees.

    Then PAX 2 hollers to PAX 1, and assumes the Plank and Wait position. PAX 1 then begins the same drill.

    Repeat 3 or 4 times (YHC keeping an eye on the clock. We gots more things to do….)

    The Thang – Part 3

    Refinery. YHC had a carefully organized 6 station set that balanced core/arm/leg. But with now 26 PAX (picking up another disciple of Jesus Juice along the way), groups of 3 made 9 PAX. Deposit all the bricks by the tree. Angie needed to be reminded forcefully, then pointed to the large tree just to his left.

    Oh, but first lets run that nice family with their cute baby and dog out of the refinery. Sure, we could share. If you want to be surrounded by chirping, sweaty, smelly guys. Like Catfish.

    So the 9 stations were far less organized, and not nearly as well staggered. Shrug. Please contact YHC for a refund of your workout fee if you are less than pleased with the workout.

    Burpees x10 (timer), Merkins, Snake Jump/Box Jump, Pull Ups, Big Boy Sit Ups, Dips, Hanging Knee Lifts, 8 Count Body Builder, Floyd Mayweather (with bricks) and Merkins.

    Made it through 1 cycle before the clock beckoned. Mosey back to the Great Lawn.

    The Thang – Closing Time

    YHC said “Mosey to the Peristyle”. Hawgcycle said “But Zoomba is there”. So YHC had to try and audible, and was as unclear and confused as he usually is. The PAX (led by Screw Top, who appears to have left some bricks behind in the interest of promoting his own speed) reached the Great Lawn to discover that the Peristyle was, in fact, available. So YHC re-audibled (un-audibled?) and off to the Peristyle. King Kong seemed to think (incorrectly) that this entitled him to free coffee. Whatever.

    Plank for the 6. Then 2 rounds of Wonder Bra: Assume People Chair against a pillar. Then in cadence (with bricks): Up/Down/Out/In. x20, shake the legs out. Then x15.

    Close up with some Mary (LBC and Penguins). Mosey back to the flag and return the bricks to the trunk.

    (And much to YHC’s surprise, PAX did a fantastic job of carefully arranging said bricks in their containers. Thank you!)

    Closing

    Count-off (26!), Name-o-rama. Naming of the FNG (“Tinker” due to his interesting in tinkering with cars. YHC was not at his best for naming, so will not object if said FNG is subjected to a re-naming at his next appearance).

    Lots of announcements, pay attention to your mail.

    Several intentions, ask all of us to keep the intentions of your fellow PAX present in your own prayer time. Thank you Medulla for specifically calling out blessings for all fathers in our midst. Close with our prayer. Then off to Cafe Navarre for some great F2.

    Thank you all for tolerating, and allowing me to be your Q.

  • Rumble with the MotherShip Marauders

    What a blessing to be standing in the early morning Summertime bright gloom for a Saturday MuscleShip adventure through the park. 7 Pax gathered a short disclaimer of self awareness of safety and effort was given and the fun began.

    Mosey to the baby foundry – along our route we picked up Grimace so QIC was happy with an even number for partner workouts planned. We circle up for a quick warm up:

    Slow toe touches with a hold at the bottom x 10

    Slow right leg lunch with a hold x 5 – repeat left leg x 5

    SSH x 20

    Michael Phelps x 10

    Peter Parkers x 15

    Partner up – Pax moved over to the pull up bars – idea was every Pax was to complete 10 dead hang pull ups with a spot from their partner. QIC noticed at the recent Murph, most (including the QIC) would resort to short-arming pullups especially as we got tired.  Using a spot helps work on form, confidence and strength.  After the 1st set each, PAX would do 20 LBCs or WWII sit ups, then repeat.

    Mosey over to the block pile (QIC came prepared, dropping off cones prior to meeting at AO), we only had 8 and there was a plan to use the tires (that have surprisingly be left untouched by City Park staff). As the MuscleShip Pax was focused on getting our gear in place and the “workout” task ahead, who should arrive but a group of unruly marauders of the Mothership, asserting claim to all the blocks and open space for themselves.  They attempted to intimidate the smaller Pax of 8 yet, QIC felt confident in our ability to out perform even the loudest chirping Cotter from their group.  Most had a hard time staying focused on their workout as they watched in awe of the sweat generating effort the MuscleShip Pax of 8.

    The Thang on Display –

    Two groups of partners (4 Pax) – 2 large tires.

    One Pax on his back leg pressing the tire while the partner stood in the tire adding extra weight. This did take some balance and coordination – lagniappe to the work.

    Each Pax did 50 leg presses and 25 chest press – flip flop.

    The other group of 4 –

    Pax 1 farmer carry blocks from one end of cones to the next, while Pax 2 does Squat Press – as Pax 1 is on his way back switch to prisoner overhead squat press.

    Flip Flop

    Now All 4 Pax lined up at cones did one push up on the block – 2 Over Head Lunge – 2 push ups with 4 Over Head Lunge – 3 push ups with 6 Over Head Lunge until reaching the other end of cones, RUN back with block over head. Rinse and Repeat.

    Finally – block around the trunk – PAX partners standing back to back pass the block x 10 each direction.

    FLIP FLOP with the PAX on the Tires.

    NOTE: MotherShip Marauders midway through seeing this beatdown effort couldn’t “stand” around any longer so they quietly returned their blocks and moseyed off to “Merryland”……to be seen again later at coffeteria!   Great stories of workout beatdowns were shared along with “catfishing” tales.

    MuscleShip Pax returned out gear (blocks and tires) yet still had something left in the tank…..so behind the pace of GreenScreen we headed back to the Museum fountain.

    20 incline merkins followed by 7 in unison inchworm burpees.

    Mosey over to the tree field for some core:

    1 minute low plank

    1 minute of scoops

    1 minute of flutter kicks

    1 minute of high plank

    1 minute of stretching

    The mission was accomplished!

    COT – After namorama and prayer of thanks giving – the PAX broke for the day!

    I’m grateful to have the opportunity to lead as well as the camaraderie that comes with being an F3 brother. We hold a bond of accountability – even when meeting up with (or at times being) Marauders!

  • Tee-Tee Returns

    Thanks to Douille for giving up his birthday Q so I could lead a 3-year anniversary beat down. I meant to give him a shout out during the work out and totally forgot so please tell him happy birthday next time you see him. I racked my brain to come up with a good workout involving the number 3 but none seemed to want to stick. I figured I’d catch my groove with something and moved on to the idea that I would provide a little F3 Nola 5/11/16 trivia.

    Warm UP:

    Disclaimer and quick mosey to the peristyle. It’s always refreshing to see America’s future lounging around the lagoon with a good vape in hand at 6:30. I must say I was a little jealous of the one guy with three girls but recalled that set up usually meant no deal was going to be sealed and buddy you might just need to pack it in the for night. Nonetheless I think they were curious of the pax and when one young lady started doing side straddle hops I lost the pax momentarily. We re-centered though and knocked out those SSH IC x 30, IW IC x 30, Grass Grabbers IC x 30, Peter Parker IC x 20, Mountain Climbers IC x 20, Parker Peter IC x 20, and something else.

    The Thing:

    Mosey around the way OYO to the little foundry. Plank and wait. Divvy into groups of 3: Al Gores, Pull-ups (count, 10), Dips. Rotate and repeat x 1.

    Mosey further around the way OYO to the track.

    Trivia fact one: 5/11/16 was a banner day at The Skinny. FNG’s included YHC plus Quick Draw (anyone spotted our favorite boy in blue lately?) and G-spot. Not sure who in the pax that day knew that ‘G-spot’ is a nickname for Greensboro, NC but the name caught on. I assume G-spot omits that nugget when detailing how he really got his name.

    Anyway the pax has caught their breath by now and is ready to run a mile. Easy enough but catch 10 burpees at the start of each lap. On the last lap instead of crossing the finish line the leader stops 20 yards short of the finish line and the next guy stops 20 yards short of him etc, etc. Plank and wait and the 6 with sweep you up to the finish. This went ok.

    Trivia fact two: I left my first beatdown with the name Tee-Tee. There was some trepidation in the name but urinary names can do that. My kids were stoked when I came home from the gloom and explained my new name. Well it didn’t last. Sometime between the post and the publication of the backblast (Shorty was Q so it may have been a bit) I was renamed Tinkles. Some backroom maneuvering but I think the right call was made.

    Indian run to the NOMA fountain. Spirits were running high so no need for more trivia. Need was for: RLSU IC x 20, LLSU x 20, Classic Tinkles (someone else said it not me) IC x 20.

    Partner up. Partner one stay and do modified LBC with feet on the bench. Partner two run around the now-open circular drive around NOMA. A pleasant mix of AC and paint fumes hung in the air around the museum. I almost vomited but survived. Switch.

    Just enough time to catch a view of Muscleship doing classic Muscleship aka Indian Walk or something like that.

    Mosey back to the flag with just enough time for some plank work on the side walk. We welcomed back Rudy from his butt cyst recovery run. Didn’t see any bloody discharge on the back of his shorts so I assume that it went ok.

    Circle up. Trivia fact three: I was EH’d by Walleye with an assist from Roots. This gave me the idea of having the pax say who EH’d them during the namorama:

    • JV- Yankee
    • Rudy- Heisenburg
    • Catfish- F3nola.com
    • 86- Tinkles
    • Angie’s List- Willie
    • Douille- Bagasse/Yankee
    • King Kong- Angie’s List
    • War Eagle- Baby Face
    • Two Utes- Hawg
    • Colonel Mustard- Seaman
    • Bongo- Maverick
    • Gabrielle- Seaman
    • Triple Shift- Triple Shift
    • Organ Grinder- Google
    • Fracsac- Maverick/Bubba
    • Heisenbery- Bogey

    T-claps to Seaman, Yankee, and Maverick for topping list of EH’ers

    Close with a prayer with special dedications to Fracsac’s mom, Triple Shift’s friend, and Moms. Thanks for the chance to lead and looking forward to another 3 years!

  • Adapt, Improvise, Overcome!

    YHC had a different title in mind for the beatdown today, but God had other plans. YHC arrived at the Muscleship AO ten minutes early in real gloom, rain and lightening. Catfish was already in place and doing somersaults in the rain. Then Bogey appeared out of the gloom. At this point, there was no turning back. The Muscleship flag was planted as a total of ten PAX arrived, including Pace Car from Houston, ready to conquer the day. YHC is not creative, but made a feeble attempt to be creative with an animal themed workout to satisfy Kuch’s recent fascination with animal exercises; however, Abacus quickly pointed out a obvious missed opportunity for a Star Wars theme being May 4th (May the Fourth be With You)! Again, creativity is not YHC’s area of strength.

    Warm-up

    As leaders we have the responsibility of the safety of those we lead. With lightening in the area, an open field, and a shovel flag built out of metal pipe, YHC made the decision to adapt the planned beatdown to avoid the lightening. A short mosey was made to the overhang at the entrance of NOMA for a warmup IC, as follows x 25: SSH, Hill Billies, Arm circles (x 10 each direction), Grass Grabbers, Plank Jacks, Abe Vigodas (x15).

    The Thang

    We moseyed to a nearby pavilion for the amended beatdown and were greeted with music and booths for the Daiquiri Run, where the pre-race prep involved libations and cigarettes. There was mumble chatter about registering for the race to exude dominance over the smoker division, but the PAX chose a wet, semi-animal themed beatdown. We opted for the neighboring play area, which provided little shelter from the rain or the lightening, but it’s what we had. As an added bonus, we were treated to an unexpected test of mental toughness by having to dodge garbage strewn throughout the play area. An immune builder technique for the PAX and the children of NOLA.

    In lieu of an animal theme suicide routine, the PAX performed alligator merkins, dragon walks, frog hops, and bear crawls at the distance of two support poles per exercise.

    Next, the PAX paired off for DORA 1-2-3 consisting of 100 crunchy frogs, 200 incline merkins, and 300 LSS. A 363 routine of merkins and LSS was completed, with some confusion over the Q’s cadence. Tclaps to the PAX for staying with it.

    Then some Mary consisting of the following x 20: side lunges, tin snips, LBCs, penguins, and Freddy Mercury.

    Next, the PAX formed a circle and executed a Ring of Fire using burpees and LSS, x5 each.

    The PAX moseyed back to the flag just in time for the lightening and rain to stop. With two minutes left, the PAX completed monkey humpers x 20 and smurf jacks x 15.

    COT: Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions and a prayer. Tclaps to the PAX for showing up on a truly gloomy Saturday; staying with it through less than ideal conditions; and helping me adapt, improvise, and overcome. It’s truly an honor to be part of such a great group of men and even more of an honor to be given an opportunity to lead them.

  • Inverted BLIMP Pyramids. Or something like that.

    Man, what a beautiful Saturday morning in April. It’s really one of the best months of the year in NOLA. 20 men gathered on this beautiful day for some F3. The usual disclaimer and off we go.

    We moseyed to the great lawn, unusually soggy and muddy on this day, for the warm-up COP:

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Peter Parkers x 20 IC
    • Abe Vigodas x 10 IC
    • Arm Circles 10 Forward, 10 Backward IC
    • Hill Billies x 20 IC
    • Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    Next a short jog to the front of NOMA where we crossed paths with the MuscleShip, on their turf. Here YHC distastefully lead the Mothership pax in 10 Monkey Humpers in the general direction of the MuscleShip pax. Sorry @Abacus, not very tasteful of this Q. I do apologize.

    Then we lined up for an inverted BLIMP pyramid along the tree line, or something like that. Exercise, then run to the next tree.

    • 5 Burpees
    • 10 Lunges each leg
    • 15 Imperial Walkers each leg
    • 20 Merkins
    • 25 Plank Jacks
    • 30 Squats
    • 30 Squats
    • 25 Plank Jacks
    • 20 Merkins
    • 15 Imperial Walkers each leg
    • 10 Lunger each leg
    • 5 Burpees

    We moseyed to the end of Lelong Drive for the next COP:

    • Side lunges x 10 IC
    • Low slow squats x 20 IC
    • Tree Huggers x 10 IC

    Then travelled back down the opposite side of Lelong Drive, heading back toward NOMA, with animals on parade. Parade for 6 trees, doing a different animal at each tree. Then a Route 66 back to NOMA, stopping at each street light for 5 jump lunges with each leg.

    Back at NOMA, pair up for 2 rounds of Merkin ladders. One pax does a Merkin ladder up the steps of NOMA, 8 Merkins at the bottom to 1 at the top, while the other pax does alternating step-ups at the fountain. 2 rounds.

    Mosey to the baby foundry. Each pax does 10 pull-ups, 10 dips. 2 rounds.

    Mosey to the fence at Tad Gormley stadium for calf raises. Regular calf raises x 20 IC, toe-in calf raises x 20 IC, toe-out calf raises x 20 IC.

    Finally mosey back to the flag for some hamstring stretches before the finish. Count-off, name-o-rama, intentions, and a prayer. Welcome to our FNG, Donatello. Thank you for letting me lead.

  • Becoming a cone-oisseur

    Becoming a cone-oisseur

    YHC hasn’t been posting nearly as much as he should, and there may have been a chance for a fartsack this day as well, except that Mambi was on IR, and unable to Q his long awaited One Year Maniversary Epic Beatdown! When YHC was asked if he would take the Q, seeing as YHC was the Q for Mambi’s first post, it sealed the deal. What did the Mothership beat down comprise of this day you ask? Read on…..

    YHC arrived a few minutes early and prepared the parking lot for a fine tasting beat down with a few cones.

    12 veteran men of F3 were prepared to make a downPAINment on improving this day, so YHC provided a brief disclaimer at 0630, stating that he hoped to make Mambi proud, followed by lots of mumblechatter, which would have been far worse with Rudy present, followed by a short mosey to the Great Lawn……..

    Warmup

    SSH IC x 31
    IW IC x 20
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Grass Grabbers IC x 10
    Arm Circles IC x 20 (10 fwd, 10 back)
    Peter Parkers IC x 20
    Mountain Climbers IC x 20
    Parker Peters IC x 20
    'Merkins IC x 20

    Short mosey to the parking lot with the cones for Suicides! Set up like a Basket Ball court:

    Sprint to quarter line and back, 5 Burpees
    Sprint to half line and back, 5 Burpees
    Sprint to 3/4 line and back, 5 Burpees
    Sprint full court and back, 5 Burpees
    Repeato with Squats for round two, followed by Bobby Hurley's
     for Round three.

    YHC had the men count off. Instead of choosing partners, YHC had 1 partner with 3, 2 with 4, 5 with 7, etc, for a little Dora 123….

    50 Burpees
    150 'Merkins
    300 LBC's
    Partner 1 starts the exercise, while partner 2 runs suicides 
    (just like above with no exercise).  
    Flapjack and keep cumulative.
    Once your team finishes, partner 1 continues with suicides 
    while partner 2 does Burpees, waiting for the six.
    No easy plank and wait today.....

    Mosey to the fountain at NOMA, Freak Nasties IC x 20.

    Mosey to the Trail around the Big Lagoon for Bataan Death March! It’s an Indian Run where the last man drops for 5 Burpees and sprints to the front. It was during this time The Mothership crew spotted the men of the Muscleship! But our crew was busy with a beat down, no time to stand around in a circle and chat as they were……

    Upon completion of the Bataan Death March, mosey back to the tree line near NOMA, near the Muscleship flags for some Burpees and Bear Crawls….

    Starting at the first tree, bear crawl to second tree, 5 Burpees, 
    bear crawl back to first tree, 5 Burpees.  Rinse and Repeat.

    About the time The Mothership crew were finishing up this latest evolution, sweating profusely from the solid beat down, the Muscleship crew arrived. It was no Burr vs Hamilton, or the likes of Westside Story. But YHC took the opportunity to face away from their circle, and in a line with sixes toward the Muscleship crew, completed Monkey Humpers IC x 15. It was pretty Epic…….

    Before departing the Muscleship Crew, a couple minutes of Mary:

    Dying Cockroach IC x 20
    Crunchy Frog IC x 10

    Mosey back to the Great Lawn

    Just enough time for:
    10 Burpees OYO
    Catalina Wine Mixers IC x 10

    Mosey back to the flag for the COT

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and closed with a prayer to the Sky Q.

    Thanks for posting with me today, and for allowing me to be one of you. Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery, Mambi!

    Enjoyed coffeteria, where Hawgcycle made an appearance with Mike from Morning Call! Good times!!!

  • Backblast – 2019-02-16

    Another day aboard the Mothership. 23 PAX total.

    Attendees: Catfish, Highrise, Gabrielle, King Kong, Jesus Juice, Screw Top, Fracsac, Care Bear, Brown Eye, Organ Grinder, Tubbs, Angie’s List, Flipper, Rudy, Two Yutes, Dewey, Bongo, Mudbug. We had three FNGs. Welcome Scrapple, Da Crane, and Sunny D!

    Started the workout with a mosey to the lawn on the side of the museum. Ran some side straddle hop, arm circles, abe vigodas, and overhead claps to warm things up. Moved to plank position for Catalina wine mixers, plank jacks, peter parkers, and parker peters.

    From here we moseyed to the museum fountain for a Dora. Dora included 100 box jumps (on the fountain), 200 dips, 300 LBC’s, while partner hopped up the steps, did 5 merkins at the top, and hopped down.

    From here we moseyed back to the field for burpee suicides. These involved suicides with length of 2, 4, then 6 trees, with 5, 10, then 15 burpees at each end.

    From here we moseyed to the paddleboat dock for monkey humpers, squat jumps, and lunges. Followed these up with a lovely long round of Jack Webb.

    Moved to the grass to round things out with some Mary – Crunchy Frog, Penguins, Leg Lifts, American Hammer.

    Thanks to everyone who pushed through, this was a good one! Can’t wait till next time!

  • The Running Ship

    Today’s the day for the inaugural Muscle Ship at City Park, so YHC decided to emphasize the difference between the workouts – for one day, the Mothership became the Running Ship. As the 15 PAX gathered in the gloom (after a brisk 3 mile pre-thang run) YHC gave notice that we would be running. We would to a quick fly-by and give any PAX the opportunity to join the loafers, if they wanted. With that warning, and a disclaimer, off to the races.

    First run to the lawn in front of NOMA for the warm-up:

    • SSH x25
    • Peter Parker x25
    • Parker Peter x25
    • Shoulder Touches x25
    • Mountain Climber x25

    Then run some more (looky by the lake, there’s a group of 16 men who appear to be laying down. I think I see yoga mats too), heading towards Roosevelt Mall.

    At the foot of Roosevelt Mall, Heisenberg chooses Merkins for the Route 66 exercise. Go. 11 benches to visit, 66 merkins. Plank up by the entry to the track.

    Time for an old favorite of YHC: The Dirty McDeuce. 3 exercises, 12 reps. Upper Body, Core, Legs. Then a lap. Repeat x4.

    • Merkins, Penguins, Squats (YHC struggled mightily with cadence counting). 1 lap.
    • Stagger Merkins, Dying Cockroaches, Low Slow Squats. 1 lap.
    • Stagger Merkins, LBT, Monkey Humpers. 1 lap.
    • Floyd Mayweather, Flutter Kicks, Jump Squats. 1 lap.

    Slowsey towards the pole-vault mat, half-way along the straight away. Partner up for the game of “Catch Me If You Can”. PAX 1 sprints half way round the track. PAX 2 moseys across the field to meet the sprinter. Tag up and reverse (PAX2 sprints, PAX1 moseys back). Repeat repeat repeat for 8 mins.

    Slowsey to the Refinery for 5 stations: Burpees, Jump the Green Snake, Pull Ups, Derkins and Hanging Knee Raises. 12 Burpees is the timer.

    Getting late, so lets mosey back to the flag. Stop half-way to get the group back together – doing Monkey Humpers while waiting for the 6. Then again at the flag, Monkey Humpers for the 6.

    All told, 4.1 miles earned towards RRR this am.

    Close out by remembering our PAX struggling with illness and deaths among family and close friends. Finish out with St. Ignatius Prayer for Generosity.

  • What we learned from BlackHawk Down…

    A beautiful, crisp Saturday morning for the Mothership, with a quick disclaimer we ….circled up.

    For the last couple of weeks, YHC has been thinking about events that have occurred in our F3 family. These include Terrabyte’s passing, illness with our F3 brother’s loved ones and the impending closure of Morning Call and loss of employment, at least temporarily, for our faithful waiter, Mike. As YHC was preparing for his Q at the Mothership during the week, YHC noticed an old favorite movie had been added to Netflix, Black Hawk Down. This film is about the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in the early nineties which resulted in the death of 19 American Soldiers, YHC noted some explicit themes in the movie such as “No Man Left Behind” and “We fight for the man next to you”. There was also some implicit themes including no man is on his own. Clearly, all of these themes are echoed in the F3 credo “Leave no man behind, but leave no man where you found him”. So in honor of the 19 American Soldiers who died in Mogadishu and all of our F3 Brothers going through tough and uncertain times, this Mothership beatdown will have no OYO exercises. One other note on Blackhawk Down, in the movie there was multiple references to “chalks”. After some quick research with the source of all sources, Wikipedia, a “chalk” in military terminology is a group of troops (think platoon) in an airborne assault. PAX, count off 1, 2, 3, 4 and form up into Chalks 1, 2, 3 and 4. This will be your group throughout the workout. Each Chalk designate a Chalk Q and grab a Flag.

    Mosey to Great Lawn for Warm Up

    Form rows of by chalk starting with Chalk 1 then Chalk 2 followed by Chalk 3 and 4.  Chalks try to stay in formation  Let’s begin:

    All exercises until Q yells Halt

    • Walking Soldiers
    • High Knees
    • Butt Kicks
    • Carioca

    Circle up for additional warm-up:

    • Self Love I/C X20
    • Imperial Walkers I/C X20
    • Hillbillies I/C X20

    Form your Chalks into circles on the Great Lawn for the next thang… Bear Crawl Ring of Fire:

    • Bearcrawl Counter-Clockwise till Q yells halt
      • 10 merkins in ring of fire fashion starting with the PAX to the left of the Chalk Q
    • Bearcrawl Clockwise
      • 10 wide merks Bearcrawl Counter-Clockwise till Q yells halt

    Let’s increase the difficulty!

    • Boo Boo Bearcrawl Counterclockwise Right Leg Up
      • 10 staggered right merkins in ring of fire fashion starting with the PAX to the left of the Chalk Q
    • Boo Boo Bearcrawl Clockwise Left Leg Up
      • 10 staggered left merkins in ring of fire fashion starting with the PAX to the left of the Chalk Q

    Chalks grab flag, form columns and march to road in front of Storyland.  Line up chalks in four columns facing towards museum for Indian Runs to Fountain. 

    At Fountain circle up staying with your Chalk for Red Hot Chili Pepper:

    • Right Leg Step Ups x 16; Decline Merkins x 8; Left Leg Step Ups x 16; Incline Merkins x 8
    • Right Leg Step Ups x 12; Decline Merkins x 6; Left Leg Step Ups x 12; Incline Merkins x 6
    • Right Leg Step Ups x 8; Decline Merkins x 4; Left Leg Step Ups x 8; Incline Merkins x 4
    • Right Leg Step Ups x 4; Decline Merkins x 2; Left Leg Step Ups x 4; Incline Merkins x2

    Next, down Lelong Drive for more Indian Runs in Chalks.  T-claps to Chalk 3 for hanging back to keep their chalk together.  Now you’re getting the idea!

    Mosey in Chalk to side of NOMA and partner up in Chalk for O.P.P.

    One PAX does OH Claps (O) in People’s Chair (P) while the other PAX does 20 Plank Jacks (P) Flapjack till Q yells halt.  These were done in 2 count cadence.  Let’s try to stay together on cadence Chalks!

    Time is running out so grab Flags and mosey in Chalk columns to great lawn for:

    Quick Mary:

    • Flutter Kicks I/C X20
    • Hello Dolly I/C X20

    Times up so circle around Flags in Great Lawn for CoT

    Count-Off, Name-o-rama (1 FNG who was named Twin Span as he’s from Slidell), Intentions and Prayer.

    T-claps to all the PAX who did the daily double, the Mothership and Krazy Ivan.  Southshore brought the Freedom Hammer home!

    Thank you PAX for embracing the Beatdown’s theme of no man is “on his own” in F3.  As we all go through life’s ups and downs, it feels good to know that we have our F3’ brothers to watch our six.  We are truly our Brother’s Keeper!

    NM Moleskin

    For 4 years, the PAX have been enjoying F2 and F3 at the Morning Call in City Park after the Mothership.  For most if not all of those coffeetaria’s, we have arrived to ice cold water to refresh us and been served “Hot” au laits, “Cold” iced coffees and for a brave few “Hot Black” coffees by our faithful waiter Mike.  We all know that this past weekend was the last for Morning Call and there is some uncertainty whether Mike will come back with Café du Monde.  Even if he does, he will be out of work for at least a month.  So in true F3 fashion, an operation was drummed up.  In a short week, what became known as Operation Big Tip was put into full effect to thank Mike for all of his service to the PAX.  The PAX raised $349 for Mike and a Framed Picture signed by the PAX was delivered at Coffeetaria.  YHC even noticed a tear in Mike’s eye.   The PAX should be proud of their efforts.  This is the best of F3. 

  • Tribute to Terabyte at the Mothership

    F3 lost one of its own earlier in the week. Terabyte was a caring leader that pushed himself, and inspired other pax to become better. He will be missed.

    YHC stated that we will carry a flag for our fallen pax as we trudged through the AO. We will sweat, push ourselves, and feel pain. In this way, we will honor him, ’cause that’s what we do. 40 men, including 3 FNG’s, were ready to go.

    Brief disclaimer, then pick up the flag and mosey to the Great lawn for the warmup

    SSH IC x 52 (Terabyte was only 52)
    IW IC x 15
    Grass Grabbers IC x 10
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Arm Circles IC x 10 Fwd x 10 Bwd
    Peter Parker IC x 20
    Shoulder Taps IC x 20
    Parker Peter IC x 20
    Mountain Climber IC x 20
    Recover, pick up the flag, and mosey….

    Stop just short of the Bridge at Lagoon Number 11 on our way toward City park Avenue
    10 Burpees OYO
    Mosey across the bridge and find an open space near City park Avenue
    Monkey Humpers IC x 20
    10 Burpees OYO
    Mosey along to the next open green space
    LBC’s IC x 20
    10 Burpees OYO
    Mosey to the entrance to NOMA at Lelong Drive
    Dying Cockroach IC x 20
    10 Burpees OYO (there was much mumblechatter by this time)
    Mosey to the Tree line near NOMA
    YHC asked how may burpees left? We have smart Pax! 12 it is!
    12 Burpees OYO which brings us to 52. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have more Burpees!

    Mosey to the Fountain at NOMA
    Dips IC x 20
    RL Step Up IC x 15
    Incline Merkin IC x 10
    LL Step Up IC x 15

    Dips IC x 10
    RL Step Up IC x 15
    Decline Merkin IC x 10
    LL Step Up IC x 10

    Mosey to the tree line
    Sprint to first tree and back – 5 burpees
    Sprint to second tree and back – 5 burpees – plank and wait for the six

    Starting at first tree, Burpee Broad Jump to third tree.

    YHC requested Triple Shift to help explain the next exercise. Triple Shift had previously introduced the Genuflect and YHC wanted to incorporate it in. Genuflect from third tree back to first tree.
    Left knee down, right knee down, left knee up, right knee up, then lunge walk one step. Now do two genuflects followed by two lunge steps, then three……etc.

    Mosey back to the Great Lawn for Mary:
    LBC’s IC x 30
    Tin Snips IC x 20
    Hello Dolly IC x 20
    Flutter Kicks IC x 20
    American Hammer IC x 10

    Plank for one minute
    Recover, pick up the flag, and return to the other flags for the COT

    Count off, Name-O-Rama, Announcement, and ended with a prayer.

    Welcome Bingo Knight, Offsides, and CareBear! Great job on the EH’ing guys! We have had big numbers at the AO’s lately, let’s keep it going!

    The Celebration of Life for Terabyte, aka Sidney Modica, will be held on Monday January 14th where visitation begins at 0900 with service to follow at 1030 at:
    Victory Fellowship
    5708 Airline Hwy
    Metairie, LA 70003

    If you have a flag or a ruck sack, please bring. Terabyte loved being part of F3, and we loved having him.

    SYITG