F3 New Orleans

Tag: Shooter

  • This is what happens when you don’t sign up to Q – from Amnesia

    Pre-Thang: Some of the PAX ran the 2 mile Pre-Thang to get those miles in for RCR.

    Warm-O-Rama: 25 SSH, 25 Imperial Walkers, 20 mountain climbers – we needed some warming as the temps were still below freezing.

    The Thang: YHC had signed up planning to run the whole time, as Run Cajun Run was still ongoing. After warning from some PAX as to the running abilities of other PAX, YHC had to adapt. So adapt we did! We ran to the beach, with random stops for 5 burpees OYO.

    Then we came back and completed Dora at Marigny Avenue. You know the drill: 100 merkins, 200 big boi sit-ups, and 300 squats cumulative – one partner runs while the other completes the exercises.

    I don’t blame Jose 10k…at this point he said “screw it” and left the workout to get pure running in. Which was my intent anyway.

    Next was BLIMPS…5 burpees at the shovel flag, then run a block and complete 10 lunges…continue with 15 Imperial Walkers, 20 merkins, 25 plank jacks, and 30 squats. I had the leaders complete SPMILB on their way back to the shovel flag.

    Mary: After running back to the flag, we had barely enough time for 20 each of leg lifts and hello dolly’s.

    Name-O-Rama and COT concluded the beatdown and then YHC had to skip coffeeteria as a drive to Dallas was planned for that afternoon!!

  • Boom-Shaka-Laka! And Then There Was Chainsaw! – from The Hammer

    As YHC has/am learning, a large part of being a parent is nothing more than a glorified chauffeur/ATM. If you are Pickaxe’s dad, you can add scribe into the mix. An excuse to get in my cave and crack some AC/DC while I write. So all good!

    Pickaxe has been itching to Q again since his initial Q the day after Christmas. With a dearth of Northshore PAX donating their talent to the Lakefront beatdown, no better time than the present. So off we go…

    Warm-o-Rama

    Windmills
    Waybacks (Toe Touches w/ extra stretch at end)
    IW
    SSH

    This 9 year old drill sergeant made us bear crawl towards Noah’s Ark. Along the way, he planted several Easter Eggs with exercises or candy in them. As we approached them, he had members of the PAX open and read them. On our journey to the Ark, we did:

    Jump Squats x 15
    8 count Bodybuilders x 10
    Luigis x 10 (This is a PIckaxe original spawned from a Mario video game wherein a short, fat Italian plumber falls down, does some movement only possible through coding, and arrives in an erect posture. In practice, it must be modified from its video precision, and basically looks like a burpee where you turn over on your back before you jump up.)

    For the second half of our journey to Noah’s, we karaoked. Once at the Ark, our leader had us partner up for the following:

    Burpees x 120
    Freak Nasties x 240
    Crunchy Frogs x 360 (We missed you, Cowbell!)

    Cumulative, done by one while the other partner ran around the Ark.
    As an aside, the human body is not designed to do 360 Crunchy Frogs. Just an aside.

    On the mosey back, Pickaxe saved the most brutal Easter Egg for last. Another Pickaxe original that he made up one night as his father begged him not to! Boom-Shaka-Lakas! What is that you ask? It is a “different” kind of cadence exercise. While Pickaxe said “Boom-Shaka-Laka, Shaka-Laka, Shaka-Laka, Shaka-Laka, Boom…”

    Now, we started doing Merkins, then when he said Boom, we turned over into a crab-walk like position to do what can only be described as elevated Wife Pleasers (Hip Thrusters according to Pickaxe ;). Nonstop. 20 of them. There was almost Mutiny on the Bounty. Had our Q been old enough to see a PG-13 movie, there almost certainly would have been! However, his leadership and willingess to push all us old dudes is actually inspiring (if YHC does say so himself.)

    Back at the flag, we did some Mary, ran to the Gazebo and back, Name-o-Rama, COT. We had one FNG, Pickaxe’s younger brother, who happened to turn 7 on this day. He wanted to come out to F3 to support Pickaxe. His older brother gave him a ridiculously awesome name that he made his dad call him the rest of the day.

    As Pickaxe shared, his brother once cut his foot on a chainsaw…so welcome, Chainsaw! It was a special day for both Pickaxe and Chainsaw. Shooter bequeathed the Freedom Hammer to Pickaxe’s care for the time being, and the PAX sang Chainsaw Happy Birthday. Be it known that later that day, Chainsaw and his friends “played F3”, with Chainsaw as Q.

    Thank you to all for allowing yourselves to be led by a 9 year old, and for making a 7 year old’s birthday so special. Their dad just might be proud of them.

  • Minute Mania – from Shooter

    Great showing at the Marsh following the month of RunCajunRun. Q planned a beatdown with minimum running this Gloom as I know many are wanting to rest the tread on their sneakers coming off an incredible month as mentioned by RY in his email.. YHC brought a companion (30 lbs Ruck plate) to the beatdown to inspire the PAX..

    Warmup
    10IC Windmills, 15IC SSH, 20 IC Grass grabbers and 25IC Butt kicks.

    Thang
    Wanting to bring back the premise of how the Marsh was formed YHC with phone in hand for the timer kept the PAX busy with multiple timed reps of exercises.

    All exercises would be max reps for a minute. Split into 2 groups of 4 with pull-ups and swing tucks. F/J
    Upon finishing PAX met on the sidewalk by the playground for Carolina dry docks and Sister Mary K/Catherine’s..
    We then ran down to school and back.
    Assembled at the court for the company of the ruck plate. Each PAX alternated running suicides with the plate for a min until each member completed a round. The rest of the men completed called exercise. Exercises included Mountain climbers, Peter Parker’s, Parker Peters, Shoulder taps, jump squats, Bobby Hurleys, Lunges and squats. Next up we took to our six for 3 rounds of chest press 5, 8 and 10 looking for the right number to complete in a min as the PAX completed LBCs passing along the plate.. Next up curls for the girls which proved inefficient in form with 10 and only getting through half of the PAX before the timer sang so we completed regardless. Then we were able to complete 10 shoulder presses while the PAX did overhead claps. We did SSH on a 2nd round of shoulder presses. With 8 mins remaining we completed a lap around the block returning for time for 20IC Crunchy frogs 🐸, because 360 on Saturday wasn’t enough. And ended with 20IC Flutter kicks…

    Appreciate the great showing on a Monday, especially Backdraft making the decision to join instead of hitting that snooze 😴…

    Let’s make sure we give Russo a similar showing at Grannies on Tuesday!!

    Until the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!!

  • Which way did he go? – from Shooter

    7 PAX posted on this spring feeling gloom to get in some more mileage as we close in on the RunCajunRun. At least 2 of the Qs teammates from team “Crawldaddies” have posted each Thursday for the month of February and have even had days where 4 and 5 posted.. Unfortunately though team “Unitards” have represented respectively in just about every AO for the month and the most important of them the 10k AU lait on Sunday mornings logging some freakish mileage. YHC decided today we would take another path, so after a brief warmup of 10IC SSH, Mummy kicks, Butt kicks, GM and Toe Touches the PAX ran through the park into Lakewood heights subdivision to the red light crossing on Florida into Greenleaves for a route that Pelican has been spotted on a couple times this month. Instructions were simple, journey out 20 mins and return.. The path along the way proved to have some obstacles such as leaning sidewalks (Ragnar preparation Akbar) and blinding lights that threw sir Wacker into an arms waving panic that caused a morning commuter to pause as if there was trouble ahead. The seen reminded YHC of recent memories at the Crazy Ivan where plenty PAX illuminated the path with headlamps blinding some along the way, but providing illumination for others. I guess the lights on this Gloom affected more PAX than originally thought as we had some detours taken on our return to the flag with Cowbell and Waterpik turning early and Bushwacker leading Akbar a stray in attempting the same detour.. All PAX eventually returned safely for our count and Cowbell graciously prayed out the PAX. If your M is on the fence of what it is we enjoy so much and so early in the Gloom get her out tonight at the Gipper for a 30 min beatdown at 6 with F3 and FIA hosted by Cowbell followed by some F2 at the taproom..

    Appreciate you men following my lead and until the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!

    #akbar,#bushwacker, #cowbell, #pelican, #waterpik, #zoolander

  • Bring back da blocks – from Waterpik

    It was very discouraging to discover that the stash of cinder block coupons had again disappeared from their hiding spot at the milestone marsh. After all , YHC had planned to use them at today’s gloomy beatdown. Undeterred, YHC loaded coupons from the backyard into the car for today’s beatdown. After all, in the Q source, Dredd says an effective leader must be prepared to improvise.

    Warmup consisting of SSH, slow squats, IW, HB, GM.

    Main thang:
    Instructions to PAX : Do 50 reps with coupon, then run around the block, increasing rate of speed back at each corner, then back to starting line. Rinse and repeat until the closing bell. YHC let the PAX choose their own exercises, but suggested 5 sets of 10 for each round. Examples of exercises used by the pax were squat thrusters, military presses, goblet squats, kettle bell swings, jack webbs, curls, big boy sit ups, leg raises, rows, triceps extensions, bench presses.

    After about 4 or 5 rounds, the closing bell sounded and Grover prayed us out.

    Have a good week men!

  • Logging miles for RCR – from Waterpik

    5 Pax set out in the early morning gloom to log some miles for the RCR CSAUP at the Mandeville City Hall Scramble. Two laps around the circle, hit the pier and head back to the starting line for COT, count off and prayer.

  • Blimp 11’s – from Cowbell

    COP #1: warm
    20xSSH, high knees, butt kicks, mtn climbers, Peter Parker’s

    Warm up lap around the trailhead

    The Thang:
    3 rounds of 11’s using BLIMPS exercises (one exercise at top of stairs and the other at the end of the breezeway)
    Round 1: Burpees and Lunges
    Round 2: Imperial Walkers and Merkins
    Round 3: Plank Jacks and Squats

    COP #2: 6MOM
    20x crunchy frogs

    Shooter prayed us out.
    FYI- doing this on Rudy’s new backblast experiment format and it’s super easy.

    Thanks for letting me lead!

    Cowbell

  • Relay Thursday – from Shooter

    Arriving early at the Scramble with no one in sight, YHC wondered what the mild less humid gloom would bring in terms of attendance.. I admittedly had taken the wrong pill a few times this week but the accountability of leading a beatdown would not win on this day.. After a few minutes Zoolander rolls in then Pelican and Waterpik emerge from the darkness. With Cowbell turning the corner at 0513 Q then knew his planned beatdown would hopefully be welcomed by at least 1 PAX. As the warmup began phat Johnson joined in taking a lesson from Waterpik running to the AO..
    Warmup 10IC Grass grabbers, Scorpion kicks, wife pleasers, windmills, mummy kicks, Butt kicks and self love… Journeyed our normal course corralling at Messina and Monroe. Partnered up for relay sprints P1 50-75% roughly a hundred yards then returning at 100% while P2 held plank. F/F 5 rounds then journeyed back through the Hermitage at back to the shovel flag. ISI was on tap with 7 mins remaining. 50 squats, 50 wife pleasers, 50 leg lunges, 50 calf raises, 10 pistol squats and 10 Modified Bulgarians using our beautiful pine trees by the park..

    PAX wrapped up with announcements, intentions for Cowbells friend and Q closed the COT..

    Appreciate you men posting and till the next Gloom 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!!

  • Finding Brees’ Replacement

    Was he out there? I don’t think so!!!!! Feeling somber that the NFC and AFC Championships are this weekend and the Saints will again be watching from their couches, YHC felt it was time for a fun beatdown. So a competitive game of two hand touch football (technically it was just keep away with a football) was in the cards on the Lakefront Saturday.

    YHC divided the PAX into 4 teams of 5 players each with 2 fields next to one another. Each team earned a point by stringing together 5 consecutive passes. If a turnover occured, the offending team had to do a penalty exercise. The penalties were merkins, burpees, Sister Mary Katherine’s, Jump Squats, Bobby Hurley’s. Set the timer for 5 minutes and let the games begin. When the buzzer sounded, the winning teams faced off and the losing teams squared off. Rinse and repeat a couple of times and it was time to head back to the flag.

    Welcome to Preppie from Boulder, Colorado.

    Have a good week men!

  • It really did happen.

    You guys will do whatever it takes to keep a guy on the straight and narrow.  Looking back at my one and only backblast (VQ on 11/14), it was late just like this one.  A little headlocking and friendly ribbing may just be the encouragement some of us need. I know I do.  So without further ado, see below for Bird’s yoga inspired Q – it actually did happen Wacker! 

    0510 – Q posts with computer, yoga mats, speaker and phone in tow in preparation for said event.  Borrowed yoga mats courtesy of Bayou Yoga studio, which if I’m not doing some craziness with you guys ITG is where I might be otherwise on an early morning.  Oh who am I kidding, if I don’t show I’m probably still in bed at 5:15!  Actually, I do enjoy the yoga, although I’m not sure if my illicit affair is with the yoga studio or F3 – depends on who you ask I guess. 

    Shortly after distributing yoga mats and various props arrive the following members of PAX: Shooter, The Pelican, Steve, and Zoolander. 

    0515 – Chilly morning, albeit not as bad as the forecasted high 30 temps.  The combination of cold temps, yoga, and those of you who aren’t so flexible could have been a recipe for disaster!  Cold temps abated with a quick warm up consisting of high knees, butt kicks, side straddle hops, seal jacks, torso twists, windmills, mountain climbers, and merkins (10 each IC). 

    0520 – Just to ensure all the sensitive areas were good and warm, PAX took a quick run to the tunnel – gotta remember a headlamp next time for the spooky, dark forest in the turn northward.  Eventually, the light of the tunnel approaches and PAX regroups with a plank a ten count merkins in cadence before the return run. 

    0530 – PAX regroups on stage where yoga mats are spread.  Shooter was the only one who got the memo about bringing a mat, but it was some sort of blanket from south of the border – not your typical yoga attire.  Speaking of which, thankfully there were no yoga pants to be seen either.

    After circling up for the upcoming spiritual experience, Q reminds PAX that yoga should be done with intention, gratitude, and purpose.  One of the nice thing about the practice is that it allows the space for thinking about those things.  Did I mention I’m grateful for the PAX?  I am. 

    First yoga series consisted of:

    • Child’s pose
    • Table, right-arm up, twist under, breath
    • Table, left arm up, twist under, breath
    • Bird dog, right arm out, left leg up, knee to elbow five times
    • Bird dog, left arm out, right leg up, knee to elbow five times
    • Table to bear pose to down dog
    • 10 Down dog pushups (aka Carolina Dry Docks)
    • Repeat 1x

    Second yoga series consisted of:

    • Two rounds of sun salutation A (i.e., forward fold, halfway left, plank to chataranga, up dog, down dog, jump or step to hands)

    Third yoga series consisted of:

    • Sun Salutation A
    • Right leg up to runners lunge
    • Rise to crescent
    • Twisting crescent
    • Hands to hear center and bend forward to hook elbows on knee (twisting lunge)
    • Open arms
    • Twisting crescent
    • Crescent
    • Repeat 1x

    Fourth yoga series consisted of:

    • Sun Salutation A
    • Right leg up to runners lunge
    • Warrior 1
    • Warrior 2
    • Reverse warrior
    • Right angle pose (bind encouraged)
    • There was a bunch of stuff I had planned after that that I forgot that will save for next time
    • Warrior 2
    • Warrior 1
    • Repeat 1X

    Fifth yoga series consisted of:

    Honestly gents, it’s been so long since the Q (it actually did happen Wacker) that I’ve gotten a little fuzzy on what happened next, but there was some yogi squat action, lizard lunging, and flying into configurations inspired by birds of sorted varieties.  Zoolander covered a few of them.  I can’t even remember if we did a little meditating at the end or did a shavasana, but I do recall some focused breathing – cool are in through the nostrils, arm air out through the nostrils – and the obligatory namaste.  For those of you who’ve gotten this far, a little Wikipedia explaining a shavasana – if we didn’t do it last time, we will the next time. 

    Shavasana (Sanskrit: शवासन; IAST: śavāsana), Corpse Pose, or Mrtasana,[1] is an asana in hatha yoga and modern yoga as exercise, often used for relaxation at the end of a session. It is the usual pose for the practice of yoga nidra meditation.  Shavasana is intended to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. In the pose, the breath deepens, and the stress of the day is released. The yogi forgets all other thoughts and surrenders any psychological effort. While in Savasana, yogis slip into blissful neutrality and reflect on the practice.[7] Comfort is essential in the pose; the slightest point of discomfort can be endlessly distracting. Shavasana is a good way to reduce stress and tension.[8]

    Namaste ended the practice and brought the PAX back from oblivion into the present moment.  Following a few quick announcements (last week was a busy one!), Steve led us in prayer. 

    A quick afterthought…yoga isn’t something you do as a one off.  Like anything, to get good at it and realize the benefits, one has to practice.  PAX performed admirably considering yoga isn’t in the regular lineup of F3 beatdowns.  Looking forward to rotating this in on occasion and adding flexibility to the list of qualities that describe such a fine group of men. 

    Glad to be with you all,

    Bird