Tag: Gideon

  • Backblast – Mothership 2019-07-27

    Another lovely (if slightly rainy) day onboard the Mothership at City Park.  Attendance stood at 15 total, with 13 existing members and 2 FNGs.

    The following members were in attendance: Catfish (Q), Two Yutes, Heisenberg, Fracsac, Thumb, Beloch, Reluctant Yankee, Gideon, Angie’s List, Medulla Oblongata, Angel Dust, Gumby, Pop Tart

    Our FNGs were Uncut and Tabloid. Welcome Dudes

    Today’s activites started with a mosey out to the Peristyle for a little Side Straddle Hop, Hillbillies, Overhead Claps and Imperial Squat Walkers. PAX then moved to their faces for Peter Parkers, Catalina Wine Mixers, and Plank Jacks. On to our sixes for LBCs, Flutter Kicks, and Tin Snips.

    PAX then took a quick run to Marconi, then back to the benches in front of the Peristyle for 50 Box Jumps OYO, Smurf Jacks, and Jump Lunges. With legs burning, PAX lined up for an Indian Run to the Foundry.

    Since Muscleship occupied the Foudry, PAX moved to the grass beside the Foundry for Jack Webb (counted up the FIFTEEN, way to push guys!). PAX then did five minutes of ten burpees per minute (i.e. 50 burpees total).

    PAX then moseyed to the mini-foundry (a.k.a. The Refinery). Pax split into groups of 2-3 for pull ups, Merkins, Squats, Snake Jump, Dips, and Burpees.

    PAX then moseyed back to the Great Lawn, and then to the flag for count-off, naming, and COT.

    Thanks to all who participated, it turned out to be a great workout!

  • 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

  • The Eagle Has Landed

    In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the first man on the moon, YHC tipped his hat in a couple of ways.

    Warm-Up:

    • Side Straddle Hops 50xIC (welcome)
    • Low Slow Squats 20xIC
    • Grass Grabbers 20xIC (after a false start from a bunch of bad forms)
    • Mountain Climbers 20xIC
    • Parker Peters 20xIC
    • Shoulder Taps 20xIC
    • Merkins 20xIC
    • Peter Parkers 20xIC

    Walking on the moon looks easy, but…  The PAX first lunge-walked across the great lawn, and then hopped feet together back.  Not so easy.

    After a mosey to the corner of the Sculpture Garden, the PAX did an ARMSTRONG:

    • Abe Vagodas 11xIC
    • Russian Dips (one leg out) 11xIC
    • Merkins 11xIC
    • Step Ups 11xIC
    • Tempo Merkins 11xIC
    • Rocky Balboas 111xIC
    • O (YHC is too old to remember)
    • N (ditto)
    • G (ditto)

    Next the PAX did an APOLLO 11:

    • A (YNC is still too old remember)
    • P (ditto)
    • O (ditto)
    • LL Cool BJ (lunge, lunge, burpee, broad jump): 11 OYO
    • Low Country Crab Boil (like LCC, except you do a dip with one arm while grabbing a foot with the other arm): 11 OYO
    • OYO Burpees.  It’s about 238,000 miles to the moon: if a Burpee is about 10,000 miles, that’s 24 burpees OYO
    • 11 – Elevens with LBCs from 1 to 10 and Dying Cockroaches from 10 to 1 and a mosey in between

    Mosey back to the Great Lawn.  So what would prompt a guy to put himself in a tiny tin can hurdling into space to crash into a rock?  In an homage to CSAUP, the PAX did suicides.  Run a quarter of the way down the field, then 5 burpees, run back and then half way down the field, then 10 burpees, then run back and then three-quarters way down the field, then 15 burpees, then run back and then all the way down the field for a soft landing of just 5 burpees.

    Circle of Mary:

    • LBCs: 20xIC
    • Flutter Kicks 20xIC
    • Russian Twists 20xIC
    • Penguins 20xIC
    • Bib Boy Sit-ups 20xIC
    • Dying Cockroach 20xIC
    • Hello Dolly 20xIC

    Circle of Mary:

  • Gnarly Nutria IV The Uptown Funk

    Gnarly Nutria IV The Uptown Funk

    YHC began Wednesday morning like any other Wednesday morning with a quality 45 minute beatdown at Popeyes (this Wednesday led by the always dangerous Darkwing Duck). YHC’s thoughts quickly turned to the Gnarly Nutria as a nutria was spotted by Hokie Pokey running in the grass near the Pax. YHC took this as a strong omen for an upcoming victory for the World. The native nutria had come out from its hole to bless the World on the morning of the Gnarly Nutria.

    YHC’s confidence continued to grow as he arrived at the Gnarly Nutria to see members of the World surrounding him as the World came out in force. Surely the World would continue their winning streak and extend their dominance over the Uptowners on their home turf. Reluctant Yankee shouted out the rules and scoring system and led the racers to the starting line.

    A record 91 men lined up for the 4th running of the Gnarly Nutria. 51 for the World. 28 for the Uptowners. 12 for the Northshore. After an odd 2 minute countdown, the runners were off in the humidity and the heat for 5.4 miles of sweaty, stupid joy.

    As YHC rounded the first turn of the Gnarly Nutria with Tua and Heisenberg by his side, he his extreme confidence in a victory began to fade and he knew the world might be in trouble in spite of their superior numbers. A mass of Uptowners burst forward past him with a speed the World would be unable to match.

    Then the funk hit. YHC doesn’t want to know what the Uptowners are doing in their fabled Audubon park but the stink of the park was strong last night and surely slowed down the time of the World and the NorthShore who aren’t accustomed to the Uptown Funk.

    Flatline can hold his head high and claim the title “Fastest Man in F3NOLA” for the next 12 months. Flatline finished the Gnarly Nutria IV in a blistering fast 33 minutes. ESPN8 came in second with 35 minutes. In-Time came in third with a time of 38 minutes. Mulligan finished fourth with 39 minutes and Isobar rounded out the top 5 with 39 minutes and 40 seconds.

    4 of the top 5 were Uptowners with In-Time the top finisher for the NorthShore and Shuffles coming in 7th with the top place for the World. Thanks to their domination in speed, the Uptowners overcame the World’s superior numbers.

    The Uptowners won Gnarly Nutria IV with 326 points.

    The World came in second with 260 points

    Northshore came in third with a respectable 127 points coming from only 12 runners.

    Tripleshift wins the award for most significant run of the night as he rucksaked the race in honor of Terabyte who went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ earlier this year.

    Bogey wins the award for most beautiful face of the night. Thanks for keeping score and being the pretty face waiting for us at the finish line.

    The After Party

    The Pax of 91 – 5 gathered together for post-race Name-O-Rama and the announcements of the winner and top finishers. The Pax began with a moment of silence and prayer thanking God for Terabyte and the role he played in F3NOLA.

    Followed by a far too long Counterama, followed by a far too long Name-O-Rama, the Pax named 9 FNGs. I am guessing that is a new F3NOLA FNG record. Welcome to Mallrats, Bangs, Johnny Football, Polaroid, Mumbles, Body Shots, Incandescent, Apollo, and Hot Pants.

    The Pax gathered together for the infamous sweaty ball-o-man as YHC closed the Pax out in prayer thanking God for the evening and asking Him to use F3 to impact the lives of more men in NOLA. F3 means so much to all of us and may we not hog and hide the friendship, accountability, and growth we have received in F3. Continue to find those men at your work, neighborhood, and in your families who are isolated and struggling. The average American man has less than one friend. YHC has 91. You have 91. Pass this friendship on to others.

    Your Humble Correspondent,

    Rev Sox

    The Results

    1. Flatline
    2. ESPN8
    3. In Time
    4. Mulligan
    5. Isobar
    6. Waterpik
    7. Shuffles
    8. Turbo Tax
    9. Cavalier
    10. Mahatma-Ice
    11. Screw Top
    12. Cowbell
    13. Tinkles
    14. Saban
    15. Fetch
    16. Baby Bjorn
    17. FNG Alex
    18. El Guapo
    19. Sea Biscuit
    20. Sandbar
    21. Rudy
    22. Ya Mom’n Dem
    23. 86
    24. Shorty
    25. SOGO
    26. Jadaveon
    27. Two Yutes
    28. FNG Deano?
    29. Backdraft
    30. Jesus Juice
    31. Nip Tuck
    32. FNG
    33. Heisenberg
    34. Speedy Gonzalez
    35. Quarter Pipe
    36. Bartman
    37. Rev Sox
    38. Tua
    39. FNG
    40. Shooter
    41. FNG
    42. Pai Gow
    43. Amnesia
    44. Bongo
    45. FracSac
    46. Ocho
    47. FNG
    48. Einstein
    49. Nine Lives
    50. Kuch
    51. Kiss
    52. Tool
    53. Baywatch
    54. Gideon
    55. Chewy
    56. Reluctant Yankee
    57. Gumby
    58. FNG
    59. PoBoy
    60. Woz
    61. FNG
    62. FNG
    63. War Eagle
    64. Tanner
    65. FNG
    66. Hawg
    67. Surge
    68. Chowda
    69. Chips
    70. Darkwing Duck
    71. Hokey Pokey
    72. Triple Shift
    73. Jose 10k
    74. Bushwacker
    75. Brown Bag
    76. Earmuffs
    77. Squeal
    78. Moist
    79. DaParish
    80. Uncle Si
    81. Colonial
    82. Mambi
    83. Short Bus
    84. Left Eye
    85. King Kong
    86. Amnesty
    87. Seaman
    88. Cash Bar
    89. Gold Bar
    90. FNG
    91. FNG
  • Celebrating the Real Independence Day

    Celebrating the Real Independence Day

    On July 2, 1776, 13 hardheaded colonies stomped all over their British lords by approving a resolution of independence from Great Britain. YHC’s ancestor John Adams predicted that on July 2nd every year, America would forever celebrate the anniversary of that day with great festivals of pomp and parade, shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illumination from one end of the continent to the other.

    Alas, Americans now celebrate July 4th when the declaration was signed not voted on. As a descendant of the Adams, YHC led the 610 Stomp in a festive July 2nd celebration this morning.

    The 21 men of the Stomp took place in the first ever July 2nd Independence Day Race. A 13 lap race on the City Park Practice Track in honor of the 13 original colonies. The race of 3.25 miles was won by Smooth with a second place finish by Screw Top. May their names be forever remembered in F3NOLA lore. Once 13 men finished the 13 laps, the race was called so the Pax could play one more game in celebration of the Nation’s independence.

    The Pax ran over to the football field for a good old fashioned game of American football. Smooth and Screw Top served as our captains for a school yard pick. Following sloppy play by the QBs, two interceptions and a turnover on downs, team Smooth scored the only touchdown of the game to seal the victory 6-0 in celebration of America!

    The Pax ran back to the flag for the Count Off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, and Intentions. Welcome to F3NOLA to our FNG, Uncle Si!

    Happy Birthday America! May you have 243 more!

    – Rev Sox

  • Competing in the only race that matters

    “Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens.” – Frank Herbert

    Saturday the Mothership and the Muscleship competed. A workout was drawn up, and the groups pushed themselves and their teammates to finish. It was like any other day. All paid the same price, and all got the same result: sleep, sweat, comfort were offered in return for change, improvement, fulfillment. This workout was different, but exactly the same; all competed, and all reaped the rewards.

    In this era of participation trophies and certificates of completion, it may sound trite to say there were no losers. You might even shake your head reading that sentence. In any competition, someone must win, and someone must lose.

    Everyday we compete against the forces that would detract from who and what we are: complacency, laziness, disengagement. Everyday, we take a step toward winning that battle when we rise early and trade in our warm comfortable bed for a chance to change, be better, seek fulfillment. Everyday is another step in winning the only race that matters. Everyday we take that step, we’ve taken a step toward victory.

    For one year now, minus some time on the shelf here and there, I’ve been taking that step. It starts off small enough – show up for some kind of workout out on a Saturday morning and be absolutely destroyed by Disclaimer. That’s how it started for me at least. It felt like the only thing I did right that day, one year ago, was show up. It definitely did not feel like a victory. But urged on by others, I showed up for a few more. And then a few more. And all of a sudden, I was showing up all the time. And things got a little clearer. And the fight became a bit easier. And I began to feel like I was winning it.

    And I’m not the only one. I watch you all improve daily. You inspire me. I watched Angie’s List crank out 25 pull-ups without stopping Saturday. While an accomplishment on its own, that’s not the crazy part. By his own admission, he could not do 1 when he started F3. How’s that for change?

    On Saturday I watched guys do extra to help those around them, not to win a competition. I watched slower guys move faster and faster guys push harder to help the slower guys. At any given workout, I’m the slow guy, the fast guy, or sometimes both at the same workout. But I’m not racing Douille (who I believe was first to finish in our group) or Catfish or Screwtop or any of the other guys who probably ran a faster mile than I could have while fresh. I’m racing against complacency, laziness, and comfort. We all are, and it’s the only race that matters. On Saturday, that battle was won by all.

    Thanks for a great year of helping me fight that battle daily. – Kuch

  • Focus and Embrace the Suck on the Mountain

    YHC saw an opening to take the Q at WPM and jumped on it. Arriving early enough to welcome the Pax, the disclaimer was given, then mosey away from the Mountain so a U-turn could be made to the open grass in front of Tulane for the warmup.

    First count off, which always throws the men of WPM for a loop, especially when they have to remember the number. 34 men were ready to get sweaty.

    SSH IC x 31
    Imperial Walkers IC x 15
    Grass Grabbers IC x 10
    Arm Circles IC x 20
    Peter Parker IC x 20
    Mountain Climber IC x 20
    Parker Peter IC x 20

    Mosey toward the Mountain. Stop for a 20 yard Bear Crawl and Catalina Wine Mixers IC x 10.

    Mosey to the Mountain and partner up for a little “Catch Me if You Can” up the Mountain. Pax 1 runs backwards up the Mountain while Pax 2 completes 3 Burpees and runs to catch Pax 1. Flapjack all the way to the top. Once on top, do shoulder taps waiting for the six.

    Time to test the Focus of the Pax. Circle up for Fracsac Focus Fun! Asked a Pax for their number, which was maybe 19? The rules are simple, the Pax completes a total of 19 SSH’s IC. However, only 10 are counted out loud. For the final 9, all Pax must stop on time counting internally only. Counting out loud beyond 10 incurs a penalty. Not stopping at 19 incurs a penalty. The Q is the perfect count, aka “my cadence is pure.”

    Round 1 – The Pax incurred a 10 Burpee penalty

    Embrace the Suck
    7 – SSH
    7- Merkins
    7 – jumpsquats
    Continue over and over for 3 minutes, yelling out rounds completed.
    1 minute rest
    Rinse and Repeat for 3 minutes, trying to improve upon total rounds completed.

    Try the Fracsac Focus Fun again. Ask for a number, maybe 23? SSH IC x 15 followed by the other 8 in silence. While calling out instructions, YHC looks over at some commotion and finds Mahatma penalizing 2 Pax for not knowing what the number of SSH’s to do would be! With the Pax on high alert, this one was for sure going to be a success!

    Spoiler Alert – Fail! YHC announces the penalty will be at the base of the Mountain. Take the stairs down and complete Shoulder Taps while waiting for the six. Mosey to the grassy area by the benches for redemption!

    10 SSH’s IC x 10 followed by 3 in silence. Oh Pax of WPM…how you must love burpees! With another failure in hand, time was running out. Mosey to the Touchdown Jesus grass for the 10 penalty Burpees OYO. Mosey back to the flag.

    COT
    Count off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, closed with a prayer.

    NMM

    We had 2 FNG’s today, welcome Bubble Wrap and Butter! Keep posting! YHC enjoys WPM and always has a good time as Q. There was mumblechatter about how the Burpees were coming regardless of how well the Focus went. With multiple failures, one will never know….

    Coffeteria at PJ’s was excellent as always. F3 has made me a better person, and I thank all my F3 brothers for continuing to guide and support me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this and for posting with me!

    SYITG

  • [City] Park it like it’s hot

    [City] Park it like it’s hot

    When I woke up on Saturday morning, I was feeling a little sore from Okwata & Wolfpack Mountain on Thursday & Friday. But once I got out to City Park & stretched a bit, my watch hit 6:30am, and it was time to roll. We mosey’d over to the peristyle for the warmup.

    Warm Up:

    • Self Love – 15 in cadence
    • Freddy Mercury’s – 20 in cadence
    • Side Straddle Hops – 25 in cadence
    • Plank Jacks – 25 in cadence
    • Arm circles – 10 forward, 10 backward

    The Thang:

    After the warmup, we ran to Marconi & back to the peristyle. Once back at the peristyle we did:

    • 20 partner push ups
    • 25 partner leg throws (ab exercise)

    Then we ran to Marconi & back again, and when we got back to the peristyle we did:

    • 10 inchworm burpees
    • 25 box cutters

    After the box cutters were done, we ran to the fountain. At the fountain, we did:

    • Fountain box jumps: each PAX got the choice of doing either 10 box jumps onto the top ledge of the fountain or 20 box jumps onto the bottom ledge of the fountain

    After the Box jumps, we partnered up and did:

    • Partner 1 – 100 Rocky Balboas on the museum steps
    • Partner 2 – dips on the fountain
    • Then we switched

    After this we mosey’d to the side of NOMA and did:

    • Partner 1 – 60 mountain climbers (2 is 1; where each leg pump counted as 1)
    • Partner 2 – People’s chair against the wall
    • Then we switched

    After this, we mosey’d to the track & did some mary:

    • LBC’s – 20
    • Flutter kicks – 20 cadence count
    • Dying cockroaches – 20 cadence count
    • Levels (6 inches, 12 inches, 18 inches) – 20 seconds each level

    After the mary, we hit a lap around the track & then mosey’d back to the flag for the count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions & prayer. Thanks for posting, fellas; I enjoyed grinding through the beatdown with y’all!

  • Respect the Mountain

    I’m out of practice. Secondary to other commitments I haven’t posted at Wolfpack proper in several months. I underestimated the stairwells, especially the stairwells in June. More on that later. The red Friday workout in honor of Sgt. Joey Bovia from Metairie was planned for the Uptowner. In a clear move of imitation/flattery I wanted to incorporate the 8 exercise for 31 reps scheme into today’s beat down at Wolfpack.

    Disclaimer and brief introduction of the Angry Wave duo of Bad Moon and Roots and we are off.

    Short mosey to the bench area in front of Loyola for our 8/31 warm up:

    • SSH
    • Imperial Walker
    • Mountain Climbers
    • Peter Parker
    • RLSU
    • LLSU
    • RL Bulgarian Split Lunges
    • LL Bulgarian Split Lunges

    Mosey to the Mountain for a quick regroup and two-column Indian run to the top.

    Assemble on the peak for Dora 1-2-3. Burpees, Merkins, Russian Twists (one is one) while the partner goes down the stairs to the ground level and back up the other stairs. The stairwell loop took longer than expected and once I got started I don’t think I ever caught my breath or got my heart rate back below 130. After me and G-spot each did two laps we still in the middle of Merkins and time was getting short. Audible to staying up top and finishing your reps together. Kudos to the Pax for busting ass on this. The time passed quickly but the intensity didn’t allow for much banter which I missed.

    Mosey back to the flag. 35 pax! Had to grab my phone as my hypoxic brain wasn’t going to remember beyond the guy to my right. Two FNGs who, based on the namorama video footage, didn’t look too beat down. Welcome Creeper (a legit actor whose credits include some NCIS (he played a rapist) and Jeepers Creepers 3) who gave a nice reminder that every moment is a gift from God (paraphrase). Welcome Uncle Rico (almost ‘Precursor to the Heisman’ or similar) who has a career in football (coaching) who during his HS QB days was backed up by Baker Mayfield. I look forward to learning more about these two gents.

    COT with special intentions for BellHop and his battle with cancer and for a friend of Roots whose son was in a serious ATV accident. A prayer of thanks for great men like Joey Bovia and all the veterans who died on D-day or elsewhere to secure our freedom. A prayer of thanks for the strength we get from each other. Amen.

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead!

  • Ran Back Mountain

    39 PAX met up on the last day of May, which was hot and humid. It was also the last day of the ISI challenge, and maybe that’s why we have close to 40 PAX. YHC couldn’t believe there were no FNGs with that many people. At 5:30, YHC gave his standard disclaimer and off went the PAX.

    Warm-ups

    Short mosey to the palm trees on Loyola campus and did the following in cadence:

    Windmills x 10

    Forward Arm Circles x 10

    Backward Arm Cirlces x 10

    SSHs x 20

    Hill Billies x 20

    MC x 20

    Burpees x 10 OYO (few mumblechatter to start off the day)

    PAX then moseyed to the bottom of the WPM. All PAX ran up the entire mountain backwards, but stopped at each flat level and did the following exercises:

    1. 20 x slow merkins IC
    2. 25 x LBCs IC
    3. 20 x Burpees OYO (a lot of mumblechatter here)
    4. 20 x Leg Raises IC
    5. 25 x King Kong Shoulder Taps IC (2 = 1)
    6. Fans’ favorite 20 x Burpees OYO (even more mumblechatter)
    7. 20 x Imperial Walkers IC (2 = 1)
    8. 20 x Plank Jacks IC
    9. 20 x Hello Dolly IC
    10. 10 x Burpees OYO (heard some sarcastic comments about only 10 burpees)

    At the top of the WPM, PAX enjoyed the view of the sunrise over the Superdome and Downtown NOLA for few seconds…. then a Round of Mary with the help of the PAX

    King Kong – Dying Cockroach x 20 IC

    Screw Top – Protractor for few minutes (seems forever)

    Kuch – Low Country Crabs x 20 IC

    Jesus Juice – American Hammers x 20 IC

    Yo Mama’N’Dem – WWII Sit Ups x 20

    Jesus Juice yelled out “why are you picking on the Lakeview folks?” YHC was just showing appreciation that these guys are consistently driving from LV to Uptown for a beatdown.

    Moseyed back to the flag at 6:15 a.m. A lot of mumblechatter about the burpees this morning, but we ended up with 60 burpees. We all got stronger today.

    COT

    Count-O-Rama 39 PAX, Name-O-Rama, announcements, intentions. We prayed for safe travels during the summer. We also prayed for Da Parish’s Cousin for a successful treatment at MD Anderson. We are thankful for our health and our ability to workout with each other on a regular basis. Thank You all again for the opportunity to lead. SYITG

    King Kong