F3 New Orleans

Tag: Rudy

  • Rocks, History and 11

    Lovely Monday morning at Rock City: cool crisp 80 degree air, with 90% humidity.  Great way to start the week.  Pulling up to the park, I see the train on the tracks – is this going to be a repeat of last week?  Momentary panic sets in – but moments later, the gates are going up, and the line of traffic (4 F3 cars, and 2 who wish they could do F3, but instead peeled off towards Airline Hwy) crossed the tracks.

    Circling up, we welcomed back Rev Sox from his mission trip.  I want to hear more about the Rabbi with the gun….  Then the disclaimer, and we were off.

    The Warmup

    • SSH x25
    • Windmill x10
    • IW x25

    Plank-o-rama:

    • PP x25
    • PJ x25
    • PP x25
    • MC x25

    Grab a rock.  Times have changed at Rock City.  Used to be “Grab a rock” was the sole command.  Now the PAX respond with all sorts of questions – “How big of a rock?  Where are we going?  WHAT SHOULD I DO?” YHC responded to the plaintive wailings with the answer “Grab a rock”.

    Mosey to the tree line.

    The Thang

    YHC wanted to mix in a history lesson.  And June 4th had lots to choose from.  But, no good themed exercises jumped to mind.  So YHC was left with merely calling out a few historical tidbits as we went.  June 4th, 1940: The British and French complete the Dunkirk withdrawal.

    11s.  With Rocks.  And Pit Stops.

    Burpees on the starting side.  Low Slow Squats on the other side of the field.  There were some bases in the middle of the field – convenient markers.  Each time we pass the base, rock exercise!  11 Press each time in one direction, 11 Curls each time in the other direction.  Hawg kicked off his flip-flop sandals, and the PAX were off.

    55 Burpees, 55 LSS (con rocca), 110 Presses, 110 Curls. #Tclaps to Mahatma who finished far enough ahead that he went out for one more back-and-forth.  Then plank and hold.  Mambi gives us a 10 count (no, just *count* to 10.  You don’t have to do Merkins)

    As Bogey said afterwards “Well, that was a time killer”.

    The Thang, Part 2

    Partner Up.  Its Merkin Challenge in the ISI, so YHC thought he’d help the PAX along.

    • PAX #1: Merkins
    • PAX #2: Grab a rock, run across the field and back.
    • Flapjack.  And again.  Until time is called.

    June 4th 1989: Solidarity is declared the winner of the first “free” elections in Poland post-Cold War.

    Mosey back to deposit your rock (carry it overhead!)  Then mosey back to the flag

    Mary

    June 4th, 1919: Congress passes the 19th Amendment – sending Women’s Suffrage to the states for voting.

    • Flutter Kick x25

    Then YHC decided to try something new: the Dolly Ladder (I dunno, but I guess this name works).  DONT PUT YOUR FEET ON THE GROUND.

    • Hello Dolly – feet just off the ground, x10
    • 45 degree Dolly – feet at 45 degrees, x10
    • Rosality x10
    • 45 degree Dolly x10
    • Hello Dolly x10

    Circle up for Countoff, Name-o-Rama, Announcements, and close with our prayers.  Today’s Gospel – from Mark: the story of the tenants who tend the land for the vineyard owner, who kill his son when he is sent to collect fees.  While it is easy to see them as evil and cruel when reading, can we see ourselves in them?  Each of us sins against our neighbors.  Help us to see ourselves in those evil tenants, see ourselves when we are less than we can be.  Help us to see where we fail, so we can continue to strive to be better people, better followers of Your Word.

  • Bridge Over Stagnant Waters

    Leading 20+ men on Saturday beat-down is a tall order, so Your Humble Correspondent (YHC) needed to prepare. On the afternoon before the workout, my 9-year-old son and I took I bike ride to City Park to survey any hidden corners typically overlooked during Mothership workouts. Whenever the Pax moseys from the flag to the museum of art, the little hill of a bridge just after Morning Call is a nice little challenge, especially because we don’t have hills in New Orleans. But there’s too much traffic along that road to do a workout on. On my bike, YHC spied those foot bridges over the lagoon behind Morning Call and thought it might be a good spot to try something new. (At least, YHC hasn’t worked out there before.)

    YHC showed up a few minutes before the workout was to begin, and there was already a healthy crowd there. A few stragglers joined in as the PAX moseyed to the Great Lawn. Let’s get started:

    • Arm circles – 10 forward, 10 back
    • Cross-legged windmills – 10
    • Then some stretching – Runners stretch, crouching and holding it for 10, knee circles, legs open with stretch forward, soles touching and stretch forward

     

    Warm ups

    • Hillbillies x20
    • Merkins x20 (maybe too fast a cadence)
    • Jump squats x20
    • Floyd Mayweather x20
    • Peter Parkers x20
    • SSH x20
    • 10 burpees on your own

    To the bridges

    We did a Dora 123 where one partner runs over one bridge and returns over the second with some nice steps to climb up. Taps out and the other partner does the circuit. A combined exercise of:

    • 100 plank jacks
    • 200 toe-touches (from crab-walk position)
    • 300 mountain climbers

    To NOMA

    After a moment of hydration at the museum, we partnered up again at the main fountain.

    One partner bunny-hopped up the stairs, while the other partner did:

    • derkins
    • irkins
    • dips

    …partners switching each time between bunny-hops and the exercises at the fountain. When we were done, rinse and repeat.

    At the trees

    Short mosey to the field with the line of trees in front of NOMA.

    • Lunge walk (length of two trees)
    • 10 burpees on your own
    • Duck walk (length of two trees)
    • 10 burpees on your own

    Mosey back to the Great Lawn

    Time for some Mary

    • Flutter kicks x20
    • American hammer x20
    • Hello Dolly x20
    • Crunchy rolls and crunchy roll step-ups (something from my martial arts practice) – on your own
    • Freddy Mercuries (I think) x 20

    Times up! Back to the flag for name-a-rama where we named two FNGs: Calliope and Mary Lou. (Mary Lou’s leaving town anyway, so a silly name won’t haunt him for long.) Announcements, a prayer, and then some camaraderie at Morning Call.

  • The Great 8

    YHC was going to fall short by a tenth of a point in the ISI challenge for the month of May.  But yesterday YHC saw an opportunity to take the lead, but was careful not to taunt Shooter from the Northshore and chance getting crushed!  Those NS Pax are relentless!  YHC saw that Shooter was also Q’ing this morning, which meant a fartsack by yours truly was not acceptable.  Thanks for pushing me hard this month Shooter!

    YHC was happy to see 7 others post at Okwata, 7 men committed to improve.  There were three shovel flags planted and the clock showed 0530, which could only mean one thing…..brief disclaimer….and mosey…

    Mosey around the fountain, carioca left, then right, followed by butt kicks.  Circle up on the grassy area in front for:

    Warmup

    SSH IC x 31 – Hawgcycle gave an explanation of why he uses 31 at Pontiff, which is a tribute to the number 31 worn by the great Wally Pontiff who sadly died too young.  YHC has a different reason for the 31, and that is a reference to the ship I served on in the US Navy.  It was the USS Strerett CG-31.

    The Sterett was 547 feet long, with a compliment of 418 men.  I proudly served as part of her crew from December 1988 until April 1992.

    IW IC x 20
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Michael Phelps (Hug Yourself) IC x 10
    Sun Gods IC x 20 (10 fwd, 10 back)

    Mosey to the barre for double shots with Jack Webb

    1 merkin followed by 2 air presses (double shots) in the people chair against the barre.
    2 merkin……..4 air presses
    3 merkin……..6 air presses
    you get the idea
    10 merkins……20 air presses

    Mosey to the House of Pain for Circuits
    Pair up, four stations
    Station 1 – Bear Crawl up levee and complete 5 merkins, run back down (timer)
    Station 2 – Squats (AMRAP)
    Station 3 – Step Ups (AMRAP)
    Station 4 – Pull Ups (AMRAP)
    Rinse and Repeat

    Mosey to a steep part of the levee for 11’s

    1 Squat Okwata side, run up and over, 10 Burpees opposite side
    2 Squat Okwata side, run up and over, 9 Burpees opposite side
    You get the idea – always adds up to 11
    10 Squats Okwata side, run up and over, 1 Burpees opposite side

    The Pax seemed let down that YHC did not invoke the DirtyMacDeuce this day, and especially because this caused them to miss out on the wonderful Catalina Wine Mixers. YHC can’t leave the Pax wanting, so…
    Catalina Wine Mixers IC x 10

    Mosey to the Flag for Mary

    Flutter Kicks IC x 20
    Hello Dolly IC x 20
    Dying Cock Roach IC x 20
    Penguins IC x 20
    LBC’s IC x 20

    COT
    Count off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, Intentions, and Closed with a Prayer.

    Thanks for posting with me today.

    NMM
    Join us for the summer series next Wednesday night. Check your email and Group Me to find how to contribute as F3 is sponsoring. It’s going to be Epic!

     

    SYITG

     

  • Stomp #144

    A half dozen of NOLA’s most elite, middle-aged athletic phenoms showed up on Tuesday to prove we can still run like, or even better than, a bunch of youngsters.  After exchanging the usual pleasantries and kicking around some ideas on which route we’d run, it was concluded that we would embark on a variation the original route, which is now safe and enjoyable since we have some daylight to work with.  This week’s Stomp entailed the following:

    Mosey OYO down Marconi to Harrison (or Filmore for the non-conformists), down Harrison to Wisner, Wisner to the road in front of Pan Am, then make your way to the practice track which was 3.15 mile, or 4.5ish for the show-offs that went to Filmore.  Once back at the track, use remaining time for some speedwork, running the straightaways and jogging/walking the turns.  We headed back to the flag with a few minutes left for Plankorama and hip flexors to make sure we stay young and agile.  All PAX were able to run between 4-5 miles ea in 40+ minutes….well done men!

    Always a good way to start the day.  Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

    Tool

     

     

  • Teamwork

    Mosey over for a quick warm up in the great lawn.

    • 15x Plank Jacks IC
    • 20x Elevator Merkins IC
    • 20x Peter Parkers IC
    • 20x SSHs IC

    Partner up for some Dora 1-2-3.

    1. 100 Burpees (at the Great Lawn)
    2. 200 Mayweathers (at NOMA)
    3. 300 Squats (NOMA neutral ground)

    Mosey over to the refinery and split into 2 groups.

    1. Calf Raise Circuit (timer)
    2. 3x Pull ups, 5x Merkins/Squats AMRAP

    Back to the flag, where we held the COT. Coffeteria and 3rd F (Q’d by Woz) was held after…great time!

    Moleskin

    MURPH at the Foundry…get some!

  • Whiskey-free Wednesday

    City Park was graced this am with the presence of 11 F3 gurus ready to get stronger.  Summer is almost here so time to get the guns in shape and the dad-bods ready for the beach/poolside.  What better way to do that than some upper body circuits with a little something for the core as well.  YHC also reminded the PAX that we should strive to push ourselves the entire workout, and modify if you need to and not just because you want to.  This lead to a motivational gem from the F3 Lexicon that we’ve touched on in the past:  WHISKEY-DICKING (verb)-“Half stepping through a Workout or other Event. More generally, execution of anything without sufficient Zeal.”  After the disclaimer, here’s what we did:

    Mosey down RM with a pit stop for a warmup COP:

    • IPW x25
    • WM x20
    • Peter Parker x20
    • Lunge X20
    • Bat Wings x1 round (AC FWDx20, AC BWDx20, Seal Clapsx20, Overhead Claps x20)

    Next stop, The Foundry, where men become manly men.  YHC used the F3 website to get a few new ideas and opted to see what a 1/2 CINDY would be like.  This was a timed circuit (10 min instead of the usual 20), OYO rounds of 5 Pull Ups, 10 Merkins, 15 Squats, rinse and repeat AMRAP.  This was a tad long but some good mumblechatter helped pass the time.  We did approx 8-12 rounds ea.  It was also good practice for the upcoming MURPHs on the radar.

    Time to give the arms and shoulders a break so a little Mary it was:

    • LBT x25
    • Box Cutter x25
    • Non-whiskey-dick Penguins x15

    Partner up for a circuit of Plank Slaps (or some other name???):

    • Plank Slaps x50,  8-ct Body Builders x5
    • Plank Slaps x40,  8-ct Body Builders x4
    • Plank Slaps x30,  8-ct Body Builders x3
    • Plank Slaps x20,  8-ct Body Builders x2
    • Plank Slaps x10,  8-ct Body Builders x1

    From there, we headed back toward the flag with a stop at 6 different benches for Dips OYO x30, x25, x20, x15, x10, x5.  T-claps to Mahatma for pushing hard and knocking out some lagniappe Merkins.

    COT to cap off the morning.

    Good job men!

    Tool

     

     

     

     

  • Hold’m

    1st off – sorry for the delayed BB Post –

    Warm-Up:

    All in Cadence

    Michael Phelps x 16

    SSH x 25

    Peter Parker x 16

    Parker Peters x 16

    Shoulder Taps x 16

    Hill Billy x 20

     

    Grab your rock – Q recommended something in the “medium” range – NO Triple Shift boulders as goal was to never put your rock down!

    Head to the big field – line up on sideline for instructions – 11 was our 1st mission – Curls to squat press – running with your rock the entire time, keeping core engaged with rock held out front or overhead.  Solid work and the earlier finishers were tempted but held on the rocks!

    Q- did provide a 30 second reprieve while instructions for the 2nd mission was given – PAX broke up into teams of 2 –  Pax 1 (challenging rock to be shared) would run with rock across the mid field meeting Pax 2 who ran half the track on the other side, rock would then be passed for Pax 2 to run across mid field while Pax 1 now ran the other half of the track.  Initial enthusiasm and energy allowed for the mid field group to perform push ups waiting for partner to complete the track run but effort quickly caught up and there was just enouogh time to complete the transfer.  This was done 4 times until 1 mile had been accomplished.  No doubt there was some competition and challenging motivation across all levels of the Pax….. I want to give a shout-out to Circus Yo-Yo for taking a bit of ball busting…..no doubt not an easy task but some of the best lessons are learned under physical stress.  Keep pushing yourself!

    Now on to some Mary – Hold’m high with core engage Pax moseyed over to a clearing near the rock pile but held on to their rocks to accompany Mary.

    Tipping bird 4 count x 10 each leg.

    Rock swing – core engaged from waist to overhead position x 20

    Sitting leg press outward while overhead press x 16

     

    Return rocks to the pile – head back to flag.

    Count off – Name O Rama – Announcements – Special Intentions – Circle of Prayer and Thanksgiving!

     

     

     

     

  • Train Kept A Rollin’…..

    I arrived this morning for my first Q at Rock City to find 3 others plus Hawg for the PAX,  seemed a bit low for a spring morning….  However we did notice the Train rolling for what seems to be an eternity that even Tiny Bradshaw, Led Zeppelin, Yardbirds or even Aerosmith could sing about, while we are in a “rock” mode.  Finally,  another (6) for the PAX came in after train passed,  but they weren’t pretty, nor from NYC….

    The Train Kept A-Rollin' single cover.jpg

    On to the work out:

    Warm Up:

    SSH X 25

    Peter Parkers X 25

    J Lo’s X 20

    IW X 25

    Arm Circles – 15 each direction

    Grab not 1 but 2 rocks… and set them a distance apart

    Time for an Eleven:

    Squats with Rock — one side

    Chest press — other side

    About three quarters of way the remaining PAX came in,  started their warm up in parallel with us finishing the eleven.

    The entire group now joins together for timed stations in four groups:

    1. Timer — run from the pumping station via track to power station or junction
    2. Rock curls as many as possible
    3. Step ups with rock
    4. Shoulder press with rock

    Yet another train in the opposite direction….

    Counter clockwise motion (as corrected by circus) to avoid doubling up on legs or upper body (for Mahatma).

    Repeat until 6:10

    Mary:

    • 2:00Plank with leg pumps
    • LBCs – 35
    • Flutter Kicks X 25

    Back to imaginary flag, COT, countdown, names, announcements, intentions, prayer.

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 21 Strong

    After participating in the Tchoupitoulas Bar-A-Thon the night before with approximately a dozen other F3 Beer Champions, YHC did not want to get up and post, much less Q, at the Mothership.  However, the being held accountable part of the F3 creed sat front and center of my brain, right next to the hangover part.  YHC could not let my F3 brothers down.

    YHC was eager to see how many other Bar-A-Thon patrons would post, but that thought quickly went away upon seeing Cruiser in attendance from Houston, aka New Orleans West according to Hawg.

    With 4 shovel flags planted, YHC quietly set out some cones in the parking lot and returned to the group of 20 other men that had assembled.  The clock struck 0630, time for a disclaimer, which YHC did give contrary to what Triple Shift says……and mosey toward the Peristyle.  Some of the sprinklers were jetting out water on the already rain soaked Great lawn, so YHC was attempting to avoid it, but Rudy talked the Q into testing it.  So, circle up on the Great Lawn, but we wouldn’t be here long…..

    Warmup
    SSH IC x 31
    Hillbilly’s IC x 20
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10
    Peter Parker IC x 20
    Mountain Climber IC x 20
    Parker Peter IC x 20

    Mosey to the strategically placed cones in the parking lot. Set up to mirror a basketball court, it was time for some suicides. Start at baseline, sprint to first line, sprint back and do exercise. Sprint to Half Court, sprint back and do exercise. Sprint to third line, sprint back and do exercise. Sprint full court, sprint back and do exercise. That’s one evolution.
    First Evolution – 5 Burpees OYO upon returning to baseline each time.
    Second Evolution – 5 Eight Count Body Builders IC upon returning to baseline each time.
    Third Evolution – 5 Copperhead Squats IC upon returning to baseline each time.
    Fourth Evolution – No exercises, just sprint to each line and back retrieving the cones.

    Mosey to trees near NOMA
    Line up at the first tree, and bear crawl to third tree. Lunges IC x 10
    Bear crawl from third tree to fifth tree. At this point, Rudy indicated a large pool of standing water near tree six that the Pax should engage. Looking back, YHC may have lost a great opportunity. Maybe next time…..
    Circle Up for Jack Webb
    1 merkin, 2 air presses
    2 merkin, 4 air presses
    You get the idea
    10 merkins, 20 air presses
    Kong walk from fifth tree back to third tree, Squats IC x 10
    Duck walk from third tree back to first tree, Monkey Humpers IC x 20

    Mosey to the fountain by NOMA. The regular Cross Fitters were on the steps doing Burpees, which the Pax began to critique. YHC decided to stay off the steps this day, we don’t need a West Side Story BB……
    RL Step Ups IC x 20
    Freak nasties IC x 20
    LL Step Ups IC x 20

    Mosey to the narrow strip of grass in front of NOMA and elbow plank up in two columns.
    Pax Bridge Jumps. Last man jumps over each Pax and assumes plank position in the front. Each Pax does 3. Although there were two teams, there was no competition here, YHC just wanted to equally spread the suck around. Speaking of Suck…
    Mosey back near the standing water that continued to call to Rudy for “The Suck”

    Three minutes of the following exercise over and over again
    7 SSH
    7 Merkins
    7 Squat Jumps
    The Pax said something about it being 6, but YHC stood his ground. This day would suck that much more…..
    YHC lost count, so not sure how many rounds were completed.

    Mosey back to the road in front of NOMA and line up in the two columns again for a two column Indian Run back to the Flags. Upon arriving at the flags with one minute to spare, YHC called a sudden change and directed all back to the Great Lawn for 10 Burpees OYO to seal the deal!

    COT

    Count Off, Nam-O-Rama, Announcements, Intentions and Closed with a prayer.

    NMM

    T-Claps to our IT guy for making the F3 website easy to find and the workouts well defined. Our newest FNG found F3 by searching the web and posted at the Mothership! Welcome Catfish! I think it has something to do with the Notre Dame scam, but who knows. Ask Rudy about it.
    It was a pleasure having Cruiser from Houston post. Cruiser is an inspiration to us all, a true HIM! Cruiser, know that you and your family are always in our thoughts and prayers.
    T-Claps to Woz for leading the bible study at 8:15 post coffeeteria.

    YHC intended to create a beatdown to recognize Armed Forces Day.  The 5 of each exercise in the suicides represented the 5 branches of our great military.  Thanks to all who serve and to our veterans.

    Thanks for posting with me today, for holding me accountable, and for making me a better husband, father, and man.

    SYITG

  • Six Pack at Okwata

    YHC arrived at Okwata one year wiser and three flags heavy.  The mugginess seems to be coming back, but Okwata delivered us a nice breeze this morning to keep it at bay.  With the shovel flags planted, the clock turned 0530, which means it’s time for the disclaimer.  Once that’s out of the way, mosey around the mardi gras fountain, carioca left, carioca right, then circle up on the grassy area in front for:

     

    Warm up

    SSH x 31 IC (Because that’s just what we do)
    IW IC x 15
    Abe Vigodas IC x 10

    Mosey to the levee.   No Surge, so it’s ok to bypass the Jack Webb at the Barre……

    Levee Routine

    This is an OYO routine.  8 Burpees on one side of levee, run up and over, 8 squats on the opposite side.  Complete 6 sets.  That’s the best YHC could come up with to get to 48, which Rudy caught onto immediately.

    Mosey to Canal for:

    DirtyMacDeuce

    This is a routine of 4 sets of 3 x 12 four count exercises all IC (One chest, one leg and one core) with a lap between each set. Our lap was an Indian Run up and over and back on Canal between Lakeshore Drive and Amethyst Street.

    Set One
    Merkins x 12
    Copperhead Squats x 12
    WW2 Situps x 12

    Indian Run

    Set Two
    Catalina Wine Mixers x 12 (Ok, so this is a 6 count, but always have to work it in)
    Lunges x 12
    Tin Snips x 12

    Indian Run

    Set Three
    Shoulder Taps x 12
    Monkey Humpers x 12
    Flutter Kicks x 12

    Indian Run

    Set Four
    Copperhead Merkins x 12
    Squats x 12
    LBC’s x 12

    Indian Run

    Mosey back to the flag for

    Mary

    Hello Dolly IC x 20
    Putin’s IC x 20
    Dying Cockroach IC x 20

    COT

    Count off, Name-O-Rama, Announcements, Intentions, and closed with a prayer to the Sky Q.  Thanks for posting with me today!

    NMM

    I received many great birthday wishes from the Pax yesterday, which meant a lot.  Thanks for the support, the accountability, and the friendship!

    Happy Birthday DaParish!

    SYITG!!!