F3 New Orleans

Tag: #DJ Diver

  • Renaissance Rock Fest

    Eight Pax, plus our mascot DJ, showed for some work on the NOMA “porch” to the tunes of 1980’s arena rock, courtesy of Def Leppard, Rolling Stones, Ozzy, etc. (idea inspired by Scantron). After the disclaimer, warmup, the group performed 3 cycles of 7 maneuver sets (rotating push-ups, caterpillar + shoulder taps, crouching side-steps with lunges, J-Los, wife-pleaser + sit ups, bear crawls up/down steps, box-cutters), with mosey and burpees in between… once ‘round NOMA and the other to the park entrance. Finished off with a double dose of Sunday Mornings behind NOMA, then circled up at the flag for COT. We were excited to see FracSac posting! One late-comer joined the workout after the start but did not join us for coffeeteria, I believe F3 named “Kruckie” or similar…if someone has his contact info, I’ll reach out to get him connected (musician from Australia). As for Vagabond, his third Q on the books and looks forward to helping more.

  • Gaze into my Cristobal (Renaissance 2020-07-06)

    Gaze into my Cristobal (Renaissance 2020-07-06)

    A lovely (albeit moist) morning out at the Renaissance with 7 human PAX and 1 canine PAX- Hokie Pokie, Belloq, Vagabond, Chips, Gideon, DJ Diver, Tool, and Catfish (Q).

    Started in front of the Museum with windmills, grass grabbers, and side-straddle hop. Moved to faces for Peter Parker Peters. Back to feet for Imperial Squat Walkers, then back down for Plank Jacks and Mountain Climbers to round out the warmup.

    Moved to the sidewalk for Route 66 with burpees, then to the fountain for step-up, derkins, step-ups again, then dips.

    Moseyed to the field to the tree line. Bear Crawled two tree lengths, did 5 burpees, then bear crawled back. Circled up for dying cockroaches, flutter kicks, and little baby twists. Did another bear crawl length (one tree this time), 5 burpees, and bear crawl back.

    Back of museum for 7 Sunday mornings. Back to flag zone for Jack Webbs to 7, then burpees to finish. COT, then coffeeteria @ PJs.

  • The New Foundry

    Please read Jadaveon’s backblast from 6/1/20. Follow with Shocker’s backblast from 6/1/20 (posted on 6/3/20). They will move you and motivate you to act.

    The New Foundry is temporarily the track at City Park on Roosevelt Mall. Come by and check it out. The water’s great. You’ll love it. Pull-ups will be returning soon (hopefully).

    7 Men and Man’s Best Friend arrived this morning in the rising humidity. For those that have never met him, DJ Diver is Gideon’s dog. He is one great dog. Loyal, obedient, always has Gideon’s back. He completed the entire workout and didn’t complain once. The usual disclaimer, recommending physical distancing, and off we go. Mosey to the track.

    Warm-up COP: SSH x 20 IC, IW x 20 IC, Peter Parkers x 20 IC, Windmills x 10 IC, Grass Grabbers x 10 IC, Arm circles 10 forward 10 backward, Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    The Thang: 4 laps around the track. At the 200m mark: 25 merkins, 25 squats, 25 LBC’s. At the 400m mark: 25 Floyd Mayweathers, 25 lunges, 25 LBT’s. In total, 1 mile run with 100 of each exercise (merkins, squats, LBC’s, FM’s, lunges, LBT’s).

    Animals on Parade: 30 yard square: bear crawl, forward crab, bear crawl, backward crab for one loop.

    Rear Deltoid circuit, on your face: I’s, Y’s, T’s x 10 IC.

    Mary: Flutter kicks x 20 IC, Hello Dolly x 20 IC, Penguins x 20 IC, American Hammer x 10 IC, Crunchy Frog x 10 IC, J-Lo x 20 IC.

    Mosey back to flag for COT. Count off, name-o-rama, intentions, prayer. We reflected on Jadaveon’s plea to act. Living in silence in not good enough. Hopefully we can all have the strength and courage to do our part for equality. Thanks for letting me Q.

    Walleye

  • Last Mothership Before COVID-19 Changes Everything

    Back in January, I have already heard about the Coronavirus because of my family living in Hong Kong. My father, who is still currently stuck in Hong Kong due to the travel restriction, had informed me how bad this thing is and how many people had already died in China. I knew it was somewhat serious, but I never expect it to be THIS bad where it will affect everyone of us for a very long time. Particularly, I remember my parents were in Hong Kong when SARs broke out in 2003. Because Hong Kong did a great job containing SARs, I never thought a similar highly contagious respiratory infection would hit us all the way to NOLA.

    Before City and Statewide stay-at-home mandate, we get a chance for one last Saturday beatdown. 20 PAX showed up on a beautiful morning. I gave my standard disclaimer and off we went!

    We started off with a lap around the great lawn and back to the Peristyle for our warmups in cadence:

    SSHs x 20

    Forward & Backward Arm Circles x 10 each

    Windmills x 10

    Grassgrabber x 10

    Hill Billies x 20

    Peter Parker x 15

    Mountain Climbers x 15

    Parker Peter x 15

    Part 1

    Picked a column at the Peristyle. In plank position, each Pax did hands on the wall x 20. Then did 20 right leg step ups. Then back to a column and did another 20 hands on the wall in plank position. Then back to the bench to finish with 20 left leg step ups.

    Part 2

    Walked across the street to the Great Lawn. We were using palm trees on the right as our markers. At the first tree, we started off with 1 lunge (Two is One). At the second tree, we did 2 lunges (Two is One), at the third tree, ….. all the way to the eighth tree. Then sprinted back to the very first tree and planked / waited for the Six. Then we added another layer of exercise. At the first tree, we started off with 1 lunge (Two is One) and 1 big boy sit-up. At the second tree, we did 2 lunges (Two is one) and 2 big boy sit-ups. At the third tree…. all the way to the eighth tree then sprinted back to the beginning and waited for the Six again. Final layer of exercise we added on was everyone’s favorite: burpees. At the first tree, we did 1 lunge, 1 big boy sit-up, and 1 burpee….. all the way to the eighth tree again. So in total, each PAX ponied up 108 lunges (2 is 1), 72 big boy sit-ups, and 36 burpees.

    Part 3

    We moseyed to the fountain in front of NOMA. We picked a partner and did DORA 1, 2, 3. The exercises were 100 leg raises, 200 inclined merkins, and 300 LBCs. While one pax was doing the exercise, the other partner was burpee broad-jumping towards NOMA on the flat surface and bunny hopped on the steps. Then ran back to flapjack with the partner.

    We ran back to the flag for COT. We went overtime by a minute or so. At every COT, I always mention how grateful I am able to do this with the PAX on a regular basis. F3 is a big part of my life. I do this 4 to 5 times a week. I enjoy the F2 part the most. We had our last Cafe Navarre breakfast together. Now, I still workout with few PAX in a smaller group and keeping our social distance. I’ve been running into other smaller F3 groups here and there in the gloom. I cannot wait till we can all get back together with 30 plus PAX at the WPM, Mothership, Rock City, The Skinny, Chamber of Horrors, 610 Stomps, Tsunami, The Birdcage, Foundry, Popeyes, Okwata, Stiffler’s Mom, Master Melvin, Wally Run, Uptowner, Sweaty Bells, and Renaissance. Until then, stay safe!

    King Kong

  • RRR at the Renaissance

    This Sunday was a simple one, catch up on Run Ranger Run miles. A brief disclaimer, and a quick warm up:

    SSH x 20, Grass Grabbers x 10

    Mosey to the practice track and do some miles…..

    Stretch for a few minutes before heading back…

    Stop behind NOMA for 3 Sunday Mornings! It’s just not the Renaissance without them!

    COT followed by 100% attendance at coffeteria. Good Times!

    SYITG

  • High Rise’s and Kuch’s F3 NOLA Chamber of Horrors War Eagle Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Beatdown Throwdown For The Cure

    Late last week Kuch and I were contacted by Gideon asking for us to step in as Q’s for the initial beatdown throwdown at the newest AO The Chamber of Horrors. Our AO originators Gideon and Tool would be unavailable to Q so, as usual, Kuch and I stepped up. Gideon agreed to attend and offered to monitor the time so we would stay on track.

    The agreement was that a brief 5 minute warm-up would commence. Then each Q would alternate 10 minute rounds of exercise for the remaining 40 minutes. The challenge was for each Q to come up with a challenging and creative beatdown and then the PAX would vote on a winner at the end. In order to avoid wasting time running all over UNO’s campus we agreed to centralize the location of our rounds. 16 PAX joined the 2 Q’s, disclaimer was given, sort of (sorry about that; my energy and desire to stay on time got the better of me), and off we went.

    Warm up:

    Mosey a lap around the parking lot and circle up.

    • SSH x 20 IC
    • Windmills x 10 IC
    • Arm circles fwd/rev x 10 each IC
    • Self love x 10 IC
    • Mountain climbers x 10 IC

    Round 1 (High Rise):

    T-claps to Gideon for helping me set up the baseball diamond prior to 5:30 and to Kuch for the cones and tape measure which allowed us to play some F3 Baseball. PAX divided into 4 teams (1 at each base) and would perform said exercise then perform another exercise in transition to the next base. Due to the numbers we split into 2 groups of 5 and 2 groups of 4. The goal was for each group to complete 150 reps of said exercise as a team and then rotate to the next base. It dawned on me quickly that the groups of 4 would be passed up and possibly create a log jam, not to mention each group member perform a good bit more reps than members of the 5-PAX groups, so it was announced that 4-PAX groups would complete 120 reps total instead.

    • Home plate: merkins then broad jump/bunny hop to first base
    • First base: squats then bear crawl to second base
    • Second base: shoulder taps (1 is 1) then crab walk to third base
    • Third base: lunges (1 is 1) then crawl bear to home plate

    Round 2 (Kuch):

    Prior to 5:30 several PAX assisted Kuch in moving our monster truck tire into position so T-claps to those men. Kuch then announced we would split into 3 groups of 6 and complete a rotating circuit for the allotted 10 minutes.

    • Group 1: Each PAX would flip the tire, jump through, and return to the back of the line until the tire had reached group 2. Then plank.
    • Group 2: Plank while group 1 flips tire. Then group 2 flips tire back to the start line where they would hand it off to group 3.
    • Group 3: While groups 1 and 2 do their thing, group 3 sprints to where group 2 is planking and back, then holds an Al Gore until the tire returns to the start line.

    Each group would rotate through all 3 stations until Gideon called time. Once again T-claps to Gideon for setting up the cones for the next round while Kuch’s round was going on.

    Round 3 (High Rise):

    With cones set out 10 yards apart in a line, the same 3 groups of 6 PAX would perform Plank Hurdles. PAX #1 sprints 10 yards and then holds a plank. PAX #2 sprints to the 20 yard marker while hurdling PAX #1 in the process. PAX #3 hurdles PAX #1 and #2, etc. until all 6 PAX have hurdled and planked. Then PAX #1 hurdles all the way to the end, followed by PAX #2, etc. until all 6 PAX are at the last cone. Rinse and repeat back until Gideon calls time.

    Round 4 (Kuch):

    Shirts vs Skins soccer. Thanks again to Kuch for providing a light up soccer ball (or brick depending on where you kicked the ball). The soccer goals that are always at the field were moved into position, PAX was randomly split into 2 teams, and a very competitive match on the ant hill covered pitch commenced. A tightly fought match ended in a 1-1 draw until Gideon called time so as is the case in most soccer games, there were no winners.

    Mosey back to the flag where the PAX voted YHC as the winner with the final tally being 11-7. It was then decided by Gideon that since I received 11 votes, Kuch then performed 11 burpees as today’s losing Q. Numerous other PAX joined in because that’s what we do at F3 (but not me since I won).

    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, sweaty ball of man. Once again it was a pleasure to lead the PAX. This was the second showdown between Kuch and I. The score is now tied at 1. We shall meet again.

  • HEY, IT’S CALLED A CO-OP!

    Last minute switch on Q for Screw Top as he ran a marathon a few days before! YHC was happy to help out.  T-claps Screw Top! Meanwhile, (“unbeknowanstince” to us) a prepared and excited Catfish noticed an empty slot on the list and couldn’t wait to jump in.  A short conversation on site and we decided to split the difference for a progressive Co-Op Q; to which there was much applause and general excitement from the Pax. As we know, everybody loves change. Here at the Mothership, we call it growth.  Off to the Peristyle… DJ Diver had the tunes for the beatdown.

    WARM UP

    Arm Circles (front/back)
    Grass Grabbers
    Hill Billies
    Peter Parkers
    Parker Peters
    Run to Marconi and back, plank for 6

    PART ONE 

    10 Pax (and one K9) – Break into 2 lines of 5 pax, plank position with hands at feet of pax in front of you, straight line all facing forward, at bottom of the Great Lawn.
    Last Pax bear crawls to front of the line, shouts, next pax bear crawls to the front… etc
    At every second tree all pax recover to feet, ring of fire with your group, 20 squats while others hold Al Gore, back to crawlin’ maggot! We’re doing the whole lawn! The length, not across..

    Make it to end. Took longer than YHC anticipated. Partner up. Move to side of lawn.
    DORA 123
     -Merkins 100
     – LBCs 200
     – Squats 300
    Partner runs across lawn. 2 burpees on the other side. Back to trade off.

    PART TWO

    Complete and hand Q to Catfish who started us off with his favorite crowd pleaser:

    Jack Webs.. in perpetuity… (to 15 merks, 30 air presses)

    Back by popular demand, his world famous 8 count body builders – Couldn’t count that high.

    Run to Marconi and back

    20 Box Jumps

    20 Monkey Humpers

    Infinite Donkey Kicks…


    Back to the flag for COT, announcements etc. Lots of health and life and death concerns today. As a general announcement to all – the holiday seasons are of course a special time and there is a lot to get caught up in and fun to be had. As leaders in our community, don’t forget that little voice at the back of your head reminding you that folks around us are still going through real challenges. Think of those struggling with addiction, depression, and isolation as well.  Don’t forget to reach out to that person struggling, without any pressure. Let them know there is a door open for them somewhere, with warm food, good spirits, no judgement. At this high pressure time of the year, these small gestures can have huge impacts for those walking through a tough cycle of their life. Just another way for us to strive to be good HIMs in our community. Always sweep the 6.

    Thanks to all for showing up in the gloom yet again, to hold each other accountable to another victory in the morning. Accelerating in to the new year.

  • It’s All About the Benjamins

    “Well done is better than well said.” ― Benjamin Franklin

    Another Monday in the books at The Chamber.  Today we had 9 men and 1 K-9 looking to sweat out the frustration of a Saints loss, and also sweat out any celebratory weekend libations of LSU’s win and/or holiday festivities.  Since we haven’t ventured much to the westward region of the AO, YHC figured we’d explore a bit and check out the area near Ben Franklin High School, and use the namesake as our theme for the day. Here’s what we did: 

    Warmup – quick lap around the lot, IW, WM, PP, Plank Roll

    Moseyed to the front of BFHS, kicked around the F3 mantra of “male leadership”, followed by an intro about Ben Franklin’s impact as a leader of his time.  Since he’s on the $100 bill, 100 would be our number of the day….cause “it’s all about the Benjamins“, according to Puff Daddy.    

    Wall Sit for 100 sec to start things off while YHC shared a refresher of BF’s accomplishments, contributions, and accolades….

    “Benjamin Franklin played an important role as one of the eight Founding Fathers, helping draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. He never served as president but was a respected writer, printer, political philosopher, politician, Freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.”  Then a few quotes to stew on….“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”……….“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.” ― Benjamin Franklin

    BF stop #2 at the front steps, partnered up for a Dora-ish circuit…..PAX #1 works on 100 Step Jumps (2nd step) followed by 100 Declined Hip Slappers  while PAX#2 runs the parking lot loop, where some good F2 was had along the way.  T-claps to Pop Tart for the brisk runs!  

    BF stop #3 near the rear of the building for another Dora-ish circuit…PAX#2 works on 100 Hand Release Merkins followed by 100 Low Slow “Real Man” Squats, cause Ben Franklin didn’t shortcut anything, while PAX#2 runs a similar parking lot loop….more good F2.   

    Since ole Ben was a smart fella, most would assume he was no stranger to the library, so that’s where we headed next.  As the centerpiece of UNO’s campus, the Earl K Long Library boasts some of the finest concrete ledges and sprawling grass around, ideal for some staple F3 exercises.  The plan called for 100 total reps on each of the 4 sides of the building…

    #1 – Dips x25, Calf Raises x25, rinse and repeat  

    #2 – Wall Sit for 100 sec while we brushed up on the history of Earl Long, a former Louisiana governor, leader, and lover of the ladies.    

    #3 – 25 merkins, 25 step lunge walk, rinse and repeat

    #4 – no time left sooo….

    Indian Run back to the flag, getting back just in time.  Capped off with a COT, announcements, and prayer intentions for several families battling serious medial issues, along with those fighting addiction, and for guidance to continue to be strong men, husbands, fathers, and leaders.  

    YHC then remembered to share yet another Franklin quote on the wanke, this one with a bit more substance and relative to what we strive for through F3, and Holy Grove was really digging it, so it was requested that it be read again…      

     “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” ― Benjamin Franklin

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead.  

    Tool 

  • Born in the Shadows

    9/16/19 – Mothership

    Another Saturday morning, another Friday Night decision to choose the gloom over old habits.  

    A warm and inviting morning of about 40deg met the pax and everyone loved it. Greetings and disclaimer, mosey to the peristyle for warmups.

    WARMUP

    Mix of arm circles, grass grabbers, squats, round robin merkins (all pax holds plank while each pumps out 10 merkins in succession, complete the circle). 

    THE THANG

    Mosey to the base of Roosevelt Mall. Using the concrete benches – 10 box jumps, run to next, 10 incline merkins, all the way up mall. Plank for 6 at the practice track. 

    Practice Track – Partner up. Catch me if you can, one lap. 
    Keep your partner – double up with another set of pax partners. (we had 10 total pax, evenly split to two lines of 5, do not recommend going over 5) The exercise is Bear Crawl Inch worm. Make two lines in plank position, hands lining up behind feet of pax in front of you.  Pax at rear bear crawls to front of line, holds plank, next pax at rear bear crawls to front, holds plank… keep going. Half the football field. Cause why not. 

    Count to 20 for a breather (quickly). Back to your original partner. 200 squats. Set of 20 while partner holds a tree (Al Gore). 

    Mosey, listen to the mumblechatter, recalibrate, make a democratic decision to take the long way. All will celebrate. Back to the great lawn.  Tclaps to Triple shift who led some mary while six was swept. 

    Great lawn for 11s.  LBCs and Bonnie blairs across the lawn. Finished exactly on time. Mosey to flag, circle up. 

    Thanks to whoever tracked, we ran 3.6 miles with the workout. Tclaps to all. I didn’t exactly intend on it being quite so long… oops. We did some serious work. So for those who completed all the above… Respect. 

    THE NOTE

    A special huge shout out to F3 Kansas City!

    YHC was out in Kansas City for work this week and it’s worth mentioning how re-energizing it is to visit another outfit.  When I reached out, their lead, Blistex, went out of his way to organize with other pax.  Someone went out of their way to give me a ride from the hotel to beatdown, and some one else covered me for the ride back – every morning!  Just awesome that the beatdown means so much and the spirit of F3 would connect people to go so out of their way, for a stranger, to workout on a freezing cold morning, in the gloom. I mean how totally weird, and awesome is that?? I hope we NOLA Pax are representing ourselves and treating our visiting brothers even half as well. 

    Our F3 brothers founded their pax just in April of this year and they are already big enough to be holding steady AO’s 6 days a week.  Their push and their attitude was great to see and a solid reminder of just how needed, beneficial, and empowering F3 nation is. You’re not just showing up for yourself, even though that’s how it starts.  Once your life vest is on and you’re hooked, you’re showing up for the next man. For your neighbor. For some one who needs this just as much as you, but hasn’t started yet. 

    Speaking with one of the KC founders – Tapps (a great example of the F3 spirit) – he talked about how just like when you’re born in the hospital, you don’t get to chose your name, when you’re born in F3 you don’t get to chose your name.  You earn it by showing up and going through the pain of birth (or beatdown) and getting named by your new F3 family. So we are all born in the shadows, in the gloom. That’s the start of the new us, committed to being a little bit better, every day. 

    Thanks for the F3 community. Thanks for letting me lead. Thanks to the gloom. 

  • Renaissance 1…2…3…

    YHC felt the need to Lead, so sign up to Q he did! Four men and a canine posted for a classic Renaissance beat down courtesy of YHC. But first, a brief disclaimer and a reminder to show the shovel flag some respect……

    Mosey to the steps of NOMA for the warmup

    SSH IC x 31
    IW IC x 15
    Grass Grabbers IC x 10
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    PP IC x 20
    MC IC x 20

    During the Abe Vigodas, YHC was nearly bludgeoned during a drive by from the Super Size Sunday Paper being delivered….Totally worth the risk!

    Dora 1…2…3….
    Partner up for cumulative exercises

    100 Burpees
    200 Merkins
    300 Squats
    Partner 1 starts exercise partner 2 runs a lap around NOMA then flap jack.

    Mosey to the Big Lagoon for Bataan Death March. Indian run with last man dropping for 3 Burpees then sprint to front. Continue for 1 full lap.
    Finish up with some Sunday Mornings at the back of NOMA.
    10 air presses in peoples chair
    5 mule kicks against wall finishing last one with a Balls to the Wall and 1 shoulder press. Repeat x 5.

    Times up! Mosey to flag for COT where we did Count off, Namorama, Announcements, Intentions, and ended with a prayer to the Sky Q.
    Notice SOGO has the weighted vest going. #HIM
    Thanks for posting with me today!

    SYITG