F3 New Orleans

Tag: Mothership

  • Better Late than Never – from Fast Tax

    Absolution and the Mad Mad Race

    Forgetting that Saturday beat downs started an hour later, YHC showed up bright and early at 5:30. After a short nap in the car, 6:30 rolled around.

    9 Pax, including 3 that made the Beer-run the night before, ventured forth to Mothership to see if Fast Tax had yet run out of creative ways to Embrace the Suck. With the shovel flag flapping in the breeze, we welcomed War Eagle from F3-Tallahassee, disclaimer was given, and Pax moseyed to the parking lot for some warm-up.

    Warmups consisted of:
    o Abe Vigodas 13 IC
    o Mountain Man Poopers 10 IC
    o Bat Wings 20 IC
    o Happy Jacks 4 cycles IC

    To the rock pile (aka Fountain) we go…yes, Bogie, there is a rock pile at Mothership.

    As we lined up amidst the chatter, YHC thought maybe we needed a little absolution first before we got started…make that 12 Absolutions (an 8 count exercise starting in the plank position: feet forward, feet back, left elbow down, right elbow down, legs out, legs in, left elbow straight, right elbow straight).

    To the delight of the Pax, Mini Hairburners were next. Starting in plank position, on a line, in cadence, Pax pushed their rocks forward and pulled them back until YHC thought we scarred the grass up enough.

    Rocks down, we raced to Humpty-Dumpty, sat on a wall (People’s Chair for 45 secs), and, of course, ended with a fall (to Merkins) and a run back to the rock pile.

    Next bit of fun was the Mad Mad Race.
    We formed teams of 3, with each Pax in the team choosing one of the following exercises: soldier crawl, broad jump, or crab walk – no duplicates. From the line, the teams had to traverse 40ish yards, switch positions, and come back. Losing two teams had to do 15 burpees [Bogie and the winning team graciously took five].

    Rock-a-bye Baby was the next event.
    In a chair position with our rocks at chest height, sequence is IC: rocks overhead, back to chest, arms straight out, arms to the left, back to middle, arms to the right, back to middle, back to chest. 10 reps.

    Finally, it was time to Get our Rocks Off.
    Holding wife pleaser position with rocks on the ground past their head, sequence is IC:
    As YHC called “up”, tricep lift to overhead and back down. 15 reps or until it hurts.

    With plenty of time remaining, YHC introduced the Bear Crawl Snake as the final event. Pax line up in a plank, head to toe, three feet apart with last man bear crawling to the front, weaving between each Pax until last man passes the finish line (40 to 50 yards).

    To close out the morning’s entertainment, we circled up and did a round of choose your own Mary, in reverse direction so as to not hurt Snooze’s feelings.

    At 7:23, as the picnic-goers began to arrive (and stare at us), we headed back to the flag with Catfish lamenting the extra 45 seconds we could have exercised.
    To ease Catfish’s angst that we would finish early, we counted off 3 times before name-a-rama, announcements, intentions, and prayers.

    Coffeteria at Café Navarre with Hokie, Gabbie, and Fracsac joining.

    Thanks for the fellowship!
    SYITG

  • First Weekend of Jazzfest F3 Nola Style – from Fracsac

    12 Pax made a choice to take the DRP on their journey to get right and posted to the Mothership wondering what awesomeness YHC had in store. With a shovel flag planted, disclaimer was given, then:

    Mosey to the Great Lawn

    IW x 15
    Abe Vigodas x 10
    GG x 10
    Bat wings (dancing during Moroccan NC)

    The next exercise was a 10 count, consisting of Plank walk, merkin, shoulder tap, plank jack – IC x 10

    With some Dr John playing, the Pax are feeling a little motivated!

    The Motivator! Deconstructed SSH descending from 10 to 1. Want to know more, ask a Pax that was there.

    Next up was the Bear Crawl at the Acura Stage!

    3 cones 25 yards apart placed in shape of a triangle. Pax performs one burpee at first marker and bear crawls to 2nd marker, 2 burpees and bear crawl to 3rd marker, 3 burpees and bear crawl back to 1st marker. Rinse and Repeat x 3.

    YHC likened the next COP to what we experience at Jazz Fest when it’s hot and muddy. You embrace the moment, hence you embrace the suck!

    3 minutes of:
    Bobby Hurleys x 7
    Merkins x 7
    LBC x 7
    Rinse and repeat counting rounds out loud

    1 minute rest

    Repeat 3 minutes of:
    Bobby Hurleys x 7
    Merkins x 7
    LBC x 7
    Rinse and repeat counting rounds out loud, trying to beat first round!

    Next up was a little Burpee fun!

    Deconstructed Burpees! Do the following IC:
    Squat x 10
    Thrust x 10
    Merkin x 10
    Thrust x 10

    Squat x 9
    Thrust x 9
    Merkin x 9
    Thrust x 9

    Continue down to 1 of each! Then put them all together and do 10 Burpees OYO!

    Next up – Four Corners BLIMPS style!

    5 x Burpees run to next corner
    10 x Lunges run to next corner
    15 x Imperial Walkers….
    20 x Merkins…..
    25 x Plank Jacks….
    30 x Squats…..

    Return to center of cones for a 2 minutes of planking followed by a few minutes of Mary.

    Return to the Flag

    COT

    NMM

    -It was great to be back at the Mothership! Sign up and bring some heat! YHC proved the Pax could enjoy a serious beat down without ever leaving the Great Lawn!
    -YHC wasn’t sure about the play list, but Tool complimented the Dr John choice, which is major coming from the guru of Nola playlists!
    -City Park cleanup and Coffeteria at Cafe Navarre with great F2

    Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this awesome brotherhood!

  • The Final Freeze – from Fracsac

    6 Pax made a choice to take the DRP on their journey to get right and posted in what is supposed to be the last freezing gloom for a while. With a shovel flag planted, disclaimer was given, then:

    Warmup by starting a mosey around and back to the peristyle for warmup all IC:

    IW x 15
    GG x 10
    AV x 10
    Bat wings x 15 each ending with Moroccan night club x 31
    Peter Parkers x 15
    Shoulder taps x 15
    Mountain climber x 15

    DirtyMacDeuce: 4 sets of 3 x 12 rep exercises (legs arms and core)

    Round 1: Merkins, Step ups, Flutter kicks
    Run to the tracks at Marconi and back

    Round 2: Derkins, Box jumps, Dying cockroach
    Run

    Round 3: 8 count body builders ,Hillbillies, Freddie Mercury
    Run

    Round 4: Diamond Merkins, SSH, Big boi sit-ups
    Run

    Mosey toward tool wall, stopping along the way with

    10 burpees OYO
    10 Catalina wine mixers IC
    10 burpees IC

    At the tool wall:
    Calf raises IC x 20
    Pigeon toed calf raises IC x 20

    Monkey humpers IC x 20

    Run back to flag

    Mary

    Tins snips
    Crunchy frog
    LBC’s

    COT

    NMM

    • YHC was almost late, pulling up at 6:28 to find Snooze. Though it was just us until 4 other Pax showed up later than this guy
    • We managed to get over 3 miles for RCR and Patriot Challenge.
    • The weather people say this is our last frigid morning, but there is a definite trust issue with those guys. We’ll have to wait and see.
    • Coffeteria attended by pax from both mothership and the View. Great as always.

    SYITG

  • Leg Day? Arm Day? WHY NOT BOTH? – from Rudy

    Delightful and crisp Saturday morning, 40 degrees on YHC car thermometer. War Eagle pleasantly referred to it as “bone chilling” cold. Catfish referred to it as “perfect burpee weather” while he continued burpeeing as we waited for 630. Professor Smiley was in his typical marlin-esque winter gear, prepared for snowfall.

    6:30: 11 PAX (well, actually 10 pax. The 11th was JV who arrived around 635. But I digress) were off.

    Old Man Warm Up: Trying to get old man bones and joints working. Start with a slowsey around the great lawn. Circle up for some stretching (Windmills, Grass Grabbers, Self Love, Open and Close the Gate). SSH x30.

    The Thang #1 – Dont Forget Leg Day

    12 Squats. 12 Lunge walk steps. 12 Squat Jumps. 12 Lunge walk steps. 12 monkey humpers. Mosey back to where you started.

    (I hope Triple Shift appreciated YHC’s attempt to remind everyone to use good form on squats…)

    Repeat with 11. Then 10. Then 9. 78 Squats, Squat Jumps, Monkey Humpers. And 156 lunge walk steps. No burpees, though. SOGO was miffed that we only started at 12. I think he decided to start at 18. Rev It used his long legs to lunge walk roughly 1 mile…

    The Thang #2 – Guns a-blazing

    12 Hand Release Merkins. 12 Bearcrawl steps. 12 Carolina Dry Docks. 12 Bearcrawl steps. 12 Plank walks. Mosey back to where you started.

    Repeat with 11. Then 10. Then 9. 78 of all of these as well. But still no burpees. By the end, though, YHC’s Merkins were looking quite similar to his carolina dry docks. Just sayin’.

    The Thang #3 – Heart Pumping

    Line up on the sidewalk. 20 Mountain Climbers. Sprint halfway across the lawn for…. Yup, BURPEES. Start with 10. Mosey back to where you started.

    Repeat with 9 burpees. Then 8 burpees. Then 7. Da Parish groused the entire time that it was unfair punishment for those NOT doing MABA. YHC ignored him.

    The Thank #4 – Mary

    Circle up for some dealer’s choice Mary. Colonel Mustard showed off his ability to endure most anything, by asking whether we could go to the dry cement rather than sit in the wet grass. YHC obliged, by telling him to get on his 6 in the grass.

    Mustard, Sogo, Snooze, and Catfish took the PAX through some ab work before YHC called it off at 730. Back to the flag!

    PAX: Thanks for letting me Q. Its been a while, and I’ve honestly been a bit scared of doing it. Thank you Fracsac for pushing me to sign up for it, and making me get past whatever has been blocking me from stepping up. There’s a hidden life lesson in there as well – sometimes we all will need a push to get past whatever it is that is blocking us from moving forward. May all of us be willing to reach out for help, may all of us be willing to accept help, and may all of us always be looking for fellow people who need us to reach out and help them.

  • Burpees Are Our Friend – from Jingle Vader

    Mosey to MOMA, with a sudden change with 10 burpees; arrive with 10 more burpees. Warm up: 29 ssh, 20 grass grabbers, 20 hillbillies, arm circles: 20 forward, 20 back, 20 overhead, 20 seal, 20 moroccan nightclub. End the warm-up with 10 more burpees.
    Thing 1: Burpee-looza Route 66 to the front of the park with a mosey between each lamppost; Merkin Route 66 on the way back with lunges (sorry, dudes) between each lamppost. More burpees while waiting for the six.
    Thing 2: Around the fountain, 10 box jumps OYO, 20 dips, 20 power ups right leg, 20 derkins, 20 power ups left leg.
    Mosey to the Peristyle for a warm-down: 20 dying cockroaches, 20 hello dollys and 10 Dr Ws. Close with 10 final burpees.
    So that was at least 106 burpees. MABA: Make America Burpee Again!

  • Return of KimChi

    Mothership is the AO where I met other PAX outside of Uptown. I miss those days where we were averaging 20 plus PAX. But because of COVID, as leaders in our community, we added new AOs to thin out the numbers of PAX at each beatdown. Well, 10 strong PAX (one FNG – Two Dollar) showed up this morning, and Bogey made sure I knew that none of my Uptown PAX showed up for my Anniversary Q. When Jingle Vader was coming in hot, I told Bogey “See, there is an Uptowner!” Bogey responded “He’s here every Saturday.”

    I can write about the exercises… we did Dora, partner workout at the Great Lawn, round of Mary…. but the highlight of the day was to see KimChi back. Even better was that I was able to catch up with him during the cleanup. BTW, our area of City Park is beautiful. Well done PAX. I am extremely thankful that I am part of the F3 community. I don’t know where my mental state will be during COVID if I don’t have this. KimChi – none of us can understand what you are going through, but I hope to see you back out regularly. There is no cure for your wounds, but I hope spending an hour with your F3 brothers on a Saturday morning will bring a little joy because it certainly does for me.

    SYITG

    King Kong

  • Glorious Return to the Mothership

    Glorious Return to the Mothership

    YHC was out of town, far from town actually. While working 200 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico on a boat that was running from hurricanes, Catfish stepped up and took YHC’s scheduled Q. Upon reading his backblast, YHC felt motivated to bring something different and challenging. Spoiler alert, it included burpees.

    5 shovel flags marked the spot where 19 Pax posted for a solid beat down. Disclaimer was given amidst mumble chatter emitting from the Pax.

    Mosey to the parking lot toward Marconi, past the putt putt place for a warmup. All IC:

    • SSH x 31
    • Hillbilly’s x 20
    • Abe Vigodas x 10
    • GG x 10
    • Bat wings
      • FWD AC x 20, Seal Claps x 20, BWD AC x 20, OVH Claps x 20, Moroccan Night Club x 31

    10 Burpees OYO

    Mosey to the tool wall

    • Calf Raises IC x 30
    • Monkey Humpers IC x 30

    10 Burpees OYO

    Mosey to the nearby baseball diamond for the next evolution known as Sugar Cookies:

    The goal here was to get the Pax wet, then dirty. Mission accomplished…

    • Superman while kicking feet (AKA Aquaman) IC x 10 completed on the wet grass,
    • Run to the red dirt baseball diamond, complete 10 hand release merkins OYO, followed by 10 Big Boi Situps
    • Run back to the grass and plank and wait for the six.
    • Rinse and Repeat x 3

    10 Burpees OYO

    Mosey to the football field next to the practice track. Here was where YHC ran into the first obstacle of the day. The field was closed and locked. Jumping the fence would not have been a good idea, so change of plans. Mosey to the inner field of the practice field. Quickly set up 10 yard increments using trash, branches, and hurdles. It worked…

    From the Exicon: 1st and 10

    • Start at 10 yard line. Complete 10 merkins and 1 Burpee. Sprint 90 yards, and mosey back to the 20 yard line. Complete 9 merkins and 2 Burpees (always 11). Sprint 80 yards and mosey back to the 30 yard line. Continue until reaching 1 merkin and 10 burpees.

    Line up at approximately the 10 yard line in the tall wet grass for Never Surrender (AKA Genuflect):

    • Hands behind head, elbows out. Down on right knee, then both knees, then stand up. Complete IC x 10
    • Rinse and Repeat with Left leg first IC x 10

    Mosey to the open area of the practice track for some Mary:

    • Dying Cockroach IC x 30
    • Freddie Mercury IC x 10

    Mosey back to the Shovel Flags

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

    NMM

    • YHC was gone for 26 days, and was blessed to have the Pax for support while gone.
    • The warmup was interesting, we had a ball (wiffle ball size) being kicked among the Pax during the evolution. Some kicked better than others…..
    • Jumping over the fence was never really an option. It was a thought, but not an option. Just another example of being prepared to expect the unexpected.
    • The Sugar Cookies were a huge hit…….the grass was prime with morning dew.
    • Thanks to Belloq for taking the second Never Surrender, and for Triple Shift and Thumb War for helping with Mary. YHC started losing his voice…
    • Gabrielle hosted a mini work party to clean up the area around Cafe Du Monde. The Pax performed exceptionally well, but what else would one expect?
    • Coffeteria was enjoyed by many at Cafe Navarre.

    Thanks for allowing me to be part of such a great organization.

    SYITG

  • Burp or Merk – ND Trivia Day

    As most of the PAX may be aware, YHC is a wee bit of an ND fan. And today’s a big day – #1 Clemson coming to town. As most of the PAX are also aware, and happy to remind YHC, Notre Dame does not exactly have a stellar record in these kinds of games. But perhaps the PAX don’t know just how abysmal the record is. They will soon learn.

    Good crowd of 16 at the Mothership. Weather is delightful – summer heat is definitely gone. Just a few orange shirts in the group (looking at you Sogo and Pop Tart). Not sure if they did that just to spite me, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. No other green to be seen among the PAX. I will not forget that.

    The Thang

    Mosey to the lawn in front of NOMA. Start with SSH x27. Why x27? Because 27 years ago was the last Irish victory against a #1 ranked team (ND 31 – FSU 24 in 1993).

    A few other warm ups, then lets introduce the game of “Burps or Merks”. YHC will call on a PAX to answer a question. Answer it correctly? 5 Merks for the PAX. Answer it wrong? 5 Burpees for the PAX.

    And the theme? Notre Dame’s record in the last 20 games against Top 5 competition.

    • How many wins does ND have? Lots of burpees (including doubling up b/c Side Effects repeated a previous incorrect answer) before YHC had to provide the answer: 1 win. Yes, we are 1-19 in our last 20 games. Sigh.
    • Who beat us the most in that span? More burpees until Catfish saved the day – USC has beat us 5 times.
    • Who is the 1 win against? More burpees – until Snooze tossses out the correct answer of Michigan.
    • YHC now tries to end the game to move on, but PAX keep throwing out more teams that beat us. More Merks for right answers, and more Burpees for wrong answers (no, Oklahoma has not had their way against us in this particular streak)

    Finally – enough of those burpees.

    So lets do some more burpees.

    The Current 11 Game Losing Streak

    Yes, ND is currently on an 11 game losing streak against top 5 teams. What else goes with 11? That’s right – the Route 66. 11 Lightposts with burpees. 1 at the first, 2 at the second, etc… (SOGO seemed unclear on the concept so YHC took the time to help by explaining all the way up to 11).

    The Overall Deficit in those 11 Games

    Partner up, for some modified Dora. The total score in that 11 game losing streak? YHC now forgets the actual number but its roughly Bad Guys 380, ND 160. Yes, we are more than doubled up over those 11 games. So lets Dora. 160 Monkey Humpers, 380 LBCs. The other PAX bear crawl 3 trees and run back.

    Then back to the Great Lawn.

    Something Else

    Change of Pace. This week, Sean Connery – the original 007 – passed away. A quick round of Burp or Merk to guess how many James Bond films he was in. 5 Burpees for a wrong guess, then the right answer of “7”.

    • Home Base – Dr. No, the first flick. After each other exercise, return home for 7 Dr. Ws. Thanks Side Effects for the demonstration.
    • The Exercises – around the great lawn, 6 stations for his other six JB flicks. Multiples of 7 for Diamond Merks (Diamonds are Forever), Russian Twists (From Russia with Love) and others.
    • Another quick Burp or Merk for guessing who was 2nd and 3rd in most JB appearances.

    Finally – one of YHC’s favorite time-wasting flicks: The Rock. Sean Connery crawling around under Alcatraz with Nicholas Cage. Lets bear crawl across the lawn.

    Mosey back to the flag. Its 7:30.

    NMM

    Thanks, everyone, for putting up with my never-ending ND drivel. Just hope that ND doesn’t actually win one of these games, as I may become insufferable if that were to happen.

    Its quite humbling, and inspiring to watch this group. You guys are STRONG. Thank you for pushing. SOGO: I heard the “Way To Go Rudy” as you ran back to the center after the Diamond Merks. Those little encouraging words and pushes are what keep me going. I’d encourage all of the PAX to remember that – push, and ENCOURAGE. Remember – leave no man behind, but LEAVE NO MAN WHERE YOU FOUND HIM.

    Prayers especially for Hokie’s Mom. May God be with her, with the whole family, as they start this next journey.

  • Mothership Party at the Pumpkin Patch

    For the Q I sported a fancy, shiny gold uniform with a big nasty black wig, red headband / wristbands, plus converse tennie’s, and frankenstein tube socks.  I apologized to the pax for having to look at my sweaty ridiculousness for an hour.  Also wanna give credit to Medulla Oblongata for ideas in his Halloween backblast from 2018. I would note that many of us did not have power because Category 2 Zeta had just rolled through.

    After the disclaimer and rallying by the flags, the pax warmed up by the peristyle to 13 reps of SSH, peter parker, grass grabbers, windmill, arm circles, and some ol’ fashioned self-love.

    Moseyed to field aside NOMA to circle up for 8 PUMPKIN exercises, 31 reps apiece:

    P – plank jacks (1 is 1 in cadence)

    U – up/downs on your own (burpee without push-up)

    M – mountain climbers (in cadence, 2 count)

    P – power jacks (in cadence, 1 is 1, legs straight spread with both hands touching ground between legs, than jump up bringing legs together and spreading arms straight out to each side)

    K – kick squats (in cadence, squat then kick right, and vice versa, 2 is 1)

    I – imperial walkers (in cadence)

    N – Nolan Ryans (in cadence, 1 is 1)

    S – sit ups (on your own)

    Moseyed to pumpkin patch where pax picked their real pumpkin or cinder block coupon. Most of these pumpkins were big enough for a legit workout.

    Paired up for modified Dora:

    100x – pumpkin puller (flat on back, knees in air, place pumpkin overhead with arms outstretched on ground, and rotate outstretched arms to touch coupon to knees, then lower again to flat position); partner rifle carry coupon 35 yards to flag and broad jump over coupon 4x

    150x – pumpkin thruster; partner carry pumpkin to flag and then bear crawl around it 1x

    200x – pumpkin flutters (flat on back with pumpkin held straight out in bench press position, with flutter kick 2 is 1); partner carry pumpkin to flag and then do 4 kettle bell swings

    Moseyed back to great lawn for 2 rounds of sprint suicides with four cones, including 5 bobby hurley’s at each cone on 1st round, backpedaling on the return in all reps.

    Circled up at peristyle for Mary

    COT, share and prayer and naming of our lil’ FNG “Super Duper” Cooper Brunet. Triple Shift joined us after biking workout.