Tag: Cavalier

  • 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. 

  • #42

    Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives”. Today, 42 men showed up in the soggy gloom to face the Mountain. Today, we caught a glimpse of the incredible impact F3 has had on a growing number of lives as we set yet another AO record for attendance.

    “Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.”

    No spectators here – we jumped right into the thing after the disclaimer and an awe-inspiring cartwheel demonstration by Crop Duster.

    • Brief mosey to Tulane’s front yard for an oval warmup
      • Side Straddle Hop x 25
      • Imperial Walker Squats x 20
      • Arm Circles Forward/Back x 15
    • Mosey to top of the Mountain via the stairs
      • 11’s comprised of Leg Raises and Burpees
      • LBC’s OYO to wait for the 6
      • Merkins x 10
    • Mosey down the Mountain to Touchdown Jesus via stairs
      • Pax formed groups of 3
      • Pax 1 executed Squats AMRAP style at one end while Pax 2 held a Plank at the opposite end of the lawn. Pax 3 ran to tap out Pax 2 and take his spot so that he could then take Pax 1’s position doing Squats. Continued this rotation allowing each Pax to complete Squats, then Jumping Lunges, followed by Monkey Humpers. This is tough to explain in writing, but much tapping occurred and all were jolly.
      • DIZZY BEAR! – Traditional Bear Crawl that leads into a Reverse Bear Crawl upon Q yelling, “DIZZY BEAR!”
      • Merkins x 10
      • Dying Cockroach x 20

    “This ain’t fun. But you watch me, I’ll get it done.”

    It sure ain’t always fun, but it’s worth it.

    I’ll leave y’all with one last Jackie Robinson quote as I think it ties even more directly into what we’re doing than the previous ones, “F3 is great.”

    Lobsta (FNG), Grimace (FNG), Pops (F3 Cleveland), Monty (F3 Cleveland), Sesame Street (F3 Naperville), Crop Duster (F3 Naperville and visiting cartwheel extraordinaire), Gabrielle, Willie, King Kong, Medulla, Peppa, Douille, Saban, Sandbar, Brown Bag, Chiquita, Two Yutes, Fracsac, Bad Moon, Chowda, Jingle Vader, G-Spot, Bartman, Piranha, Landing Strip, Mariah, Reluctant Yankee, Flaming Lips, Giligan, Wash n’ Fold, Cavalier, Bones, Quincy, False Start, Cowbell, Angie’s List, Quarter Pipe, Tinkles, 86, Nine Lives

  • Choppa Style or just 60-45-30

    I took the time last night to plan a beautiful beatdown for the PAX this am. Unfortunately I over planned and I did NOT get to the special CHOPPA part of the beatdown.

    28 PAX posted – It was a chilly 44 degrees but decent weather.

    Not modeling good F3 form – we started at 531. We moseyed around the golf course lot to the bandstand in Oak Alley.

    We started with a warm up: SSH x 20, Imp Walker Squats x 20, Peter Parkers x 10, and Parker Peters x 20. We sealed the warm up with 5 burpees in honor of Terabyte.

    Then we ran a lap in Oak Alley and back.

    Once we were back we did the 60-45-30 workout. AMRAP we did MERKS, PLank Walk, and Jump Squats

    60 secs Merks, 60 sec Plank Walk, 60 sec Jump Squats , 20 sec rest

    Then we did 45 sec Merks, 45 sec Plank Walk, and 45 sec Jump Squats, 20 sec rest

    Then we did 30 sec Merks, 30 sec Plank Walk, and 30 sec Jump Squats, 20 sec rest

    That was one full – exercise group.

    After that we did a long mosey up Oak Alley around the golf course and back to the bandstand

    We did 60-45-30 again with Burpees, Low Country Crab and Mtn Climbers.

    Pushed it up Oak Alley for another lap.

    Back to the shelter for one last 60-45-30.

    We did dips, step ups left leg (sorry! no right leg – that left leg is going to be huge), and wall sits lifting legs

    After that session was planning on a big finish with the right leg step ups sorry. better do those on your own and then my finale was going to be CHOPPA STYLE

    Play the song CHOPPA STYLE

    When he says CHOPPA style do a feet to hands jump, when he says choppa choppa plank jack and when he says who dey’ – do a merk.

    Hopefully I get someone to let me do this in the next week!

    Always a pleasure to lead in the GLOOM!

  • 2019 Wolfpack Mountain

    Seeing that I never Q’ed Wolfpack Mountan…ever! I decided to start 2019 a little differently. In fact, I have never Q’ed any uptown AO since the 2014 beginning of F3 or my second beginning in Sept. 2016. That’s an entirely different story for another time. Anyway, T-Claps to Yankee’s text reminding me of my date with destiny.

    WARMUP

    With 32 Pax strong, “we don’t need no stinking warmup.” I give a protracted disclaimer and we start with 10 burpees with much groaning and mumbling. After ignoring the uptown mumblechatter, I follow up with 9 burpees for a total of 19 for 2019. After we finish the warmup, we run to the base of the mountain.

    THE THANG

    We partner up and PAX 1 proceeds to run up the mountain backwards while PAX 2 does 5 burpees and sprints to catch up with PAX 1 and tags to switch until we get to Floor 4. From there, we take the steps to the top (skip 1-2 steps to make it harder)

    We circle up for a little modified ‘Suck’. 2 minutes of SSH, Merkins and Jump Squats with a 1 minute cool down x 2. I had a little hiccup with my timer and only did a follow up 1 minute suck.

    PAX 1 bear crawls about 40 yds while PAX 2 does Red Sun Supermans. After that cycle, PAX 1 does walking lunges while PAX 2 does wife pleasers.

    6 MOM – 30 LBC, 20 Dying Cockroaches, 20 Hello Dolly and 20 Flutter Kicks x IC

    With time running out, we proceed to do 25 Red Bull Smurf Jacks and 10 Merkins all IC. I’m hoping to get to 50 Red Bull Smurf Jacks one day but I digress. With 5 minutes left, we had back to the Virtual Flag

    COUNTOFF, NAMERAMA, COT

    With 32 strong, I was very honored by the showing and greatly appreciated the Uptown Pax accepting the leadership of a Lakeview foreigner. We welcomed two (2) doctors that Nip Tuck EHed and I hope that Quincy M.D. and Bonez make it back. Grateful for my brotherhood of F3 and prayers for God’s peace for those dealing with illnesses and the supernatural grace to lead well. May God bless your influence in 2019!

  • CBGB Block Party

    CBGB Block Party

    YHC has appreciated the staged “coupons” at the Skinny and Birdcage, and after some creative festivities by Medulla Oblongata (see Halloween and Christmas) thought it appropriate to greet the new year with 36lb CMUs. Disclaimer, block party announcement and we’re off.

    1. WARM UP
      Mosey the parking lot, back behind the bandstand. Up and over. Then 20 SSH IC, 20 Mountain climbers IC, 20 Peter Parkers IC, followed by 50 LBCs OYO.
    2. THANG 1 – A BLIMPS at the lightpost intervals, followed by….another BLIMPS across magazine to the CMU honeyhole.
    3. WARM UP 2 – Circle up for a Block warm up. (10) 4-count IC clean and press left shoulder, then (10) 4-count IC clean and press right shoulder, followed by (20) Chest Press OYO
    4. THANG 2 – One block exercises – PAX paired up for CBGB (Curls, Blockbys, Goblet Squats, B-rows ), one PAX lifts while the other carries the block up to one light and back and flapjack , two cycles on each.
    5. THANG 3 – Two block exercises. YHC demo’d some lego configurations of the CMUs to do Merks and Dips. Pax stayed in pairs. One PAX appreciates the gravity of the block while the other runs agassi suicides (1 then 2 lights), flapjack, two cycles
    6. THANG 4 – Three block exercises – The PAX reorg’ed into 3 PAX groups (surprisingly quickly!) while YHC demo’d Bulgariann split leg lunges (one leg on a 2 CMU stack, while holding a 3rd) and kettle bell swings (feet a bit wider than shoulder width on 2 CMUs, while kettle swinging a 3rd). Two PAX run two light agassis, while 3rd appreciates the block. Flapjack till all PAX had their go.

    There was mumble chatter about the time so YHC through in some impromptu coupon cool-down. 10 4count curls IC, 10 4count overhead press IC, 10 4count kettle swings IC. At about count 3, YHC realized there is no good rhythm for 4 count kettle swings and settled for sloppy syncopation instead.

    Then we returned the block to their resting places, moseyed back to the flag for count-off, name-0-rama, announcements and prayer. Thankful in the New Year. Not much running today but enough fun to get the heart pumping.

  • BASIL the Skinny Elf

    BASIL the Skinny Elf

    YHC is rarely able to make a Monday beatdown due to work. As a matter of fact, YHC has only made three Rock City beatdowns, with one of those as the Q. With YHC taking today off, it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of attending the Skinny. Upon looking at the Q list and seeing Douille lined up to lead, YHC asked if he would allow this Pax to take the helm. The Mighty Douille obliged and YHC was all set up to Q. This request took place at the Mothership. A few minutes later, YHC realized he had never even posted at the Skinny. YHC arrived a few minutes early to find the Audubon Zoo grassy areas muddy and nearly unusable. YHC asked Douille where we normally warmed up at, and he pointed in exactly the opposite direction of YHC’s plan. So much for a standard Skinny…..

    With 3 minutes to go, there were only about 5 Pax on site. With 2 minutes to go, a parade of cars flooded the parking lot, suddenly making us 18 strong. It was time to get down to business. YHC thanked Douille for allowing me the opportunity to lead, then introduced the Pax to Santa’s Chief Elf, Basil. Basil wasn’t with us, but the Pax would soon get to know each letter of his name.

    Brief Disclaimer, and a mosey across Magazine to the driest grassy area we could find at the zoo.

    Warmup
    SSH IC x 31
    IW IC x 15
    Arm Circles IC x 10 Fwd and 10 Bwd
    Peter Parker IC x 20
    Mountain Climber IC x 20
    Parker Peter IC x 20
    Grass Grabbers IC x 10

    First COP
    The first letter of Basil is B!  We can’t forget about Santa though.  SSH for Santa and Burpees for Basil!

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 10 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 9 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 8 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 7 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 6 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 5 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 4 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 3 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 2 Burpees OYO

    SSH IC x 5 followed by 10 Burpees OYO

    This was a real Crowdpleaser! Lots of Mumblechatter about No Burpee Mondays….

    Now for the A in Basil…..Agassis…aka Suicides! YHC had some cones set up in the parking lot.

    Sprint to first line and back – 5 merkins, Sprint to Half way and back – 5 merkins, Sprint to 3rd line and back – 5 merkins, sprint full length and back – 5 merkins. The Pax was thrown off by only one set, but YHC had more to get to!

    Time for the S in Basil…..The Suck! Circle up on the somewhat dry grassy area. SSH x 6, Jump Squats x 6, Merkins x 6. Repeat as many times as possible in 3 minutes, calling out each round as it gets completed. Completed two rounds with one minute rest between them.

    The I in Basil is for Indian Run. Two column Indian Run back to the gathering area.

    The L in Basil stands for Ladder Merkins…..it’s the best I could do. Start at first light post, run to second and do 20 merkins, return to first light post and do 19 merkins, then back to second for 18 and so on back and forth. We made it to 17 when YHC realized this would take way too long to complete. Quick audible, as well as Drew Brees calls ’em, and we finished with 5 Burpees at light post one, and 5 Burpees at Light post two.

    6 Minutes for Mary

    Tin Snips IC x 20
    Flutter Kicks IC x 20
    Hello Dolly IC x 20
    LBC's IC x 20
    penguins IC x 20
    Dying Cockroach IC x 20
    American Hammer IC x 10

    COT for Count off, Name-o-Rama, Announcements, Intentions, and closed with a prayer to the Sky Q.

    Special thanks to Douille for allowing me to take the Q, and a big thank you to the awesome Uptown Crew for posting with me today.

    In a new turn of events, 9 Lives was dubbed Meow Meow, which he announced as his new F3 name during Name-O-Rama…..Who is YHC to object?

    Coffeeteria at PJ’s was a great experience as always, with some great F2!

    SYITG!

  • Krazy Ivan Training at the Stomp

    It has been said that the only reason the World wins the GN is due to the Northshore presence.  Is that true?   Well then how would that explain a World victory at the 2019 Krazy Ivan?!   A GroupMe was sent to the Stomp runners to show up sleeveless and handsome.  Thank you all for getting that at least half right.

    The route would be similar to that of the Turkey Day Race.  North on Marconi, South at the roundabout, East to NOMA and up Lelong dr, back down through Roosevelt mall and sweep the 6s. Seal the deal with 10 burpees, 25 LBCs, 10 R Alabama Prom Dates, 9 L APDs.

    Counterama, Namerama, T-Claps to the Sky Q for the gift of the Day.

    Thank you for the opportunity to lead, SYITG

    Da Parish

  • Wolf Pack MNT TGIF – Student wake up call!

    After a week of on the rode for work – 2 Texas workouts (The Woodlands and Katy) I was ready to hit the Mountain running!

    26 men showed up ( one out of town guest Pipeline from Charlotte) to what has become a legend in NOLA area AO status – Wolf Pack Mountain!  After a quick disclaimer we moseyed towards the campus.  As we entered the grounds of the area between the buildings and circled up, Triple Shift commented – we’re going to wake up some students!  Oh how their lives would change if they decided to make the commitment to roll out the rack for a regular 5:30 beatdown…..but we’ve all been there – some in the PAX aren’t long from leaving a dorm room!

    Warm Up – all 4 count

    SSH x 26

    Grass Grabbers x 15

    Parker Peters x 15

    Shoulder Taps x 15

    Push Ups x 10

    Count off 1 – 4 repeat – FracSac time warped to COT “5” – but we reeled him –

    Mosey to garage – group 1 & 4 and 2 & 3 squared up on opposite sides of the stairs – PAX from the groups then paired up to complete a DORA

    100 alternating merkins

    200 jump squats

    300 shoulder presses

    PAX 1 from each group climbed the stairs to 3rd floor then ran down the ramp while PAX 2 started the DORA – swapping efforts until completed.

    Then

    Groups 4&2 and 1&3  lined up for a “Working” Indian run up to the top of WPM – Once to the front of the line – PAX would call out an exercise for the line to complete x 3 – all men stopped completed then started the run – both lines kept good pace finishing strong at the top.

    Dilemma  QIC had additional work with only 6 minutes to go – do we turn and had back or push forward?

    We stayed in groups – splitting the upper parking area in 2 – PAX from each of the combined groups paired up.

    Sprint to the wall on opposite ends of the parking lot – perform 5 Merkins then run back to the middle PAX 1 does 3 Burpees PAX 2 8 LBC

    Run back to the opposite end perform 4 Merkins now back to the center where PAX swapped effort above – REPEAT this 3, 2, 1.

    NOW back to the flag – QIC was still convinced that the PAX had more to give so we started to run down but bailed at 4th floor to the stairs – quick pace back to the flag!

    All said we were only about 5 minutes over – SOLID work!

    COT – Name O Rama – Announcements – Intentions

    Holding each other accountable – Giving thanks to God and not taking anything for granted – accepting challenges while leading through character – OPEN our hearts to forgiving!

    God Bless – It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead!

     

  • An A-Mazing Morning

    The Skinny was looking pretty skinny this morning.  Did Medula hypnotize everyone to post at Rock City?  Oh well, it’s always an amazing morning.  So after a Q&A disclaimer, the PAX was off for a mosey to the Labyrinth.

    COP1

    • SSHs 25xIC
    • Imperial Walkers 25xIC
    • I Don’t Knows (arms to the ground in front, to the toes and to the ground behind heals) 25xIC
    • Hillbillies 25xIC
    • Low Slow Squats 25xIC
    • Squat Pulses 20xIC (sorry, the Q died out)
    • Peter Parkers 25xIC
    • Mountain Climbers 25xIC
    • Parker Peters 25xIC
    • Merkins 25xIC
    • Squat Pulses 5xIC (to finish off)

    Mosey to Tchoupiloulas and back

    COP2:

    • Right Leg Step Ups 20xIC
    • Dips 20xIC
    • Left Leg Step Ups 20xIC
    • Derkins 20xIC
    • Box Jumps 10 OYO

    Bearcrawl counterclockwise around the labyrinth.  Then Jack Webb to 10 (how did the PAX, including YHC, get to 13 with Catfish on Saturday?).

    Circle of Mary:

    • LBCs 25xIC
    • Flutter Kicks 25xIC
    • Rosalitas 25xIC
    • Penguins 25xIC
    • Russian Twists 25xIC
    • Box Cutters 25xIC
    • Big Boy WWII Situps 25xIC
    • J Los 25xIC

    Slowish Mosey back to the flat to finish off with ten burpees OYO and a plank hold for the last 45 seconds, #TClaps to Peppa for the precision timing.

    Countoff, Namorama, and COT for the PAX to be kind, generous and thankful.  As always, it was a honor to lead.  Jingle Vader