F3 New Orleans

Tag: The Gipper

  • Blame Zoo – from Steve

    That was the refrain of the day after YHC called out, “Let’s get started,” and was met with a collective groan. Look, YHC isn’t even in the top 3 of the toughest Northshore Q’s (think Grundy, Hammer, hell, even Pickaxe/Chainsaw could give me a run for my money). Also, just personal philosophy here, but YHC believes we don’t need to be gutting it out every day during the week. Sometimes a simple four corners with some merkins and squats will suffice. Especially in this heat.

    However…

    There were burpees and Sister Mary’s to contend with if you happen to be a Spartaner participating in Zoo’s ISI challenge. And these gems (which otherwise would never have found their way into today’s beatdown, obviously) would unfortunately have to be passed along to the pax.

    The usual warmorama saw a little excitement when BBQ dared to poke the bear during torso twists, saying, “Now THAT is how you count torso twists. Some guys – not naming names (ahem, Jose 10k), just rush through it.”

    That was all it took – you could see the fire light in Jose’s eyes: “Oh, wait – hold up – you wanna talk cadence counting with me, BBQ?!?” The mocking began and eventually devolved into another gesture of self-love (not the warmorama kind) directed at BBQ. BBQ took his licks before YHC moved it along – nothing to see here.

    20x burpees, OYO. (“Zoo’s fault, not mine.”)

    Mosey over to the back of the Justice Center for some leg work:

    Round 1:
    20x squats
    20x lunge pulse left leg (SMK’s if needed)
    20x lunge pulse right leg (SMK’s if needed)
    20x mountain climbers (2:1)

    High knees run to the stairs, 5x calf raises up each step, mosey perimeter back to start.

    10x burpees to reset round (Again, blame Zoo.)

    Round 2:
    20x alt leg lunges
    20x monkey humpers IC (timed perfectly for a courthouse employee who made a very wide berth around us, though YHC had a hard time reading her side-eye of Moby, which seemed to be a mixture of lewd desire and also revulsion.)
    20x Apollo Ohno’s
    20x plank jacks

    High knees, calf raises, back to start. 10x burpees

    Round 3:
    20x Bobby Hurley’s
    20x star jumps
    20x smurf jacks
    20x Peter Parker’s

    And more high knees, calf raises, burpees.

    Amidst all the leg work we got to hear about Legal’s son’s pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, all 700+ km of it over the course of 39 days. Apparently, it was “life changing.” But then again, Legal says that to his son, everything falls into one of three categories: awesome, incredible, life-changing. Ahh the sunny optimism of youth. There was none of that to be found here at the Gipper – sunny optimism or youth – as we listened to Moby grunting and muttering f-bombs (presumably directed at YHC).

    Over to the benches for a quick set of 11’s: Freak Nasties, up to the top of the stairs, to merkins. Halfway thru we modified to Moby-style (no running), which was more brutal but helped with timing.

    Back to the flag in time for a quick one minute plank (again, Zoo’s fault), and then COT where Einstein prayed us out, with thanks and healthy wishes for the Pax’s new grandchildren (congrats BBQ and Einstein!). As always, it was a pleasure to be amongst the fine (and refined) gentlemen of Covington – seriously, you guys are a great crew. Every time I make it out there, it motivates me to come more often.

  • 7 & 7 on the Rocks – from Akbar

    YHC took the late Q last night, arriving to 8 HIM at the Gipper.

    Warm up: SSH, Smurf Jacks, Arm Circles, Self Love, Hillbillies, Imperial Walkers, High Knees, Butt Kicks, Windmills, Toe Touches

    Quick mosey to the Rockpile, 10 reps OYO of: Curls, Rows, Shoulder Press, Goblet Squat, Triceps Press, Grave Diggers

    Mosey to the Justice Center for 7’s of Merkins and Jump Squats, run up the stairs, 10 Calf Raises, repeat.

    7’s of Dirkins and SSH, up the stairs again.

    Mosey back to the Rockpile for 15 reps of Curls, Rows, Shoulder Presses, and Goblet Squats

    Return to the flag for a 2 minute Mary of Crunchy Frogs, LBC’s, with some Hand Release Merkins thrown in.

    Count, Name, and Shooter prayed us out.

    Announcement: Sign up to Q, 4 on the 4th tomorrow in Covington. Spartan Race in Dallas – October.

    SYITG – Akbar

  • It’s the Final Countdown!!!! – from Jose10k

    7 HIM took the red pill this morning to push themselves in this awful humidity. Einstein and YHC took off early for the prethang. A quick mile before the start of the beatdown. We returned to the flag to see 5 men eager to go, but something was missing. I left my gloves on the bench, but “someone” decided to walk off with them.
    Quick warm-up where Brexit (his first post at the Gipper) learned some new warm-up exercises. He also learned that when he posts with these gentlemen with wordly wisdom, being 38 brings the hate.
    The Thang: Simple countdown from 10. 10 reps of 3 exercises, run a loop, 9 reps of each exercise, run a loop, etc… The exercises: burpees, jump squats, big boy sit-ups. Finished up with 5 minutes of Mary including a Covington favorite: wife pleasers!
    COT with intentions for Moby’s friend Joseph, Einstein’s Daughter is expected a daughter!
    DarkWing Prayed us out. Thanks for joining me today/reading this backblast!. Come out and join us tomorrow at 5 am at the Scramble for some BEAST exercises! Zoolander is bringing the pain for his anniversary this weekend. SYITG

  • If My Calculations Are Correct, When This Baby Hits 88 mph, You Are Going to See Some Serious… – from Steve

    My favorite part of Q’ing a Gipper beatdown? The disgusted look on Moby’s face when he finds out I have the Q and starts muttering obscenities under his breath. It warms my heart and makes me realize that some tiny part of me actually looks forward to being Moby’s age.

    Light chatter among the gathering crowd before a group of us took off on the 1 mile pre-thang, which saw a little excitement today: a silver sedan barreling down Theard and blaring Fortunate Son, thought it’d be a wise idea to take a left turn (and, mind you, not an intersection empty of… say, 5 running pedestrians) at 65 mph and accelerating, nearly taking out Einstein. Of course, you can’t take Einstein down that easily – he deftly outmaneuvered both the vehicle and a large puddle without much effort. I guess all those ice skater hops and star jumps have paid off. The whole episode became slightly awkward when we then caught up with Fogerty only a block later, to find him gently reversing into his apartment parking spot (still full volume with the Creedence, though; I’m sure his neighbors love him).

    Having survived a brush with death and safely back at the Gip, we found a nice crowd of 10 for the Juneteenth holiday. Knocked out the usual warmorama before taking off for the back of the Justice Center for a routine of 3 exercises, 15 reps of each, followed by a lap around the courtyard and another 3 exercises:

    – Merkins, Squats, Dollies (IC)
    – Hand-release Merkins, Bobby Hurleys, Gas Pumps (IC)
    – T-Merkins, Lunges, Dying Cockroaches (IC)
    – Staggered Merkins, Star Jumps, Box Cutters (IC)
    – Wide Merkins, Sister Mary’s, Wife Pleasers (IC)

    Chatter of Shooter’s burpeepalooza from the day before – a routine named “Hightower” (but apparently NOT after the character in Police Academy?!?) – sent our Pax down the 80’s rabbit hole, with characters and quotes from One Crazy Summer, Better Off Dead, and others being bandied about.

    Next up, over to the front of the Justice Center for the usual leg routine:

    x12 IC Step ups, Freak Nasties, Step Ups (other leg), Derkins -> 5x calf raises up each step
    x12 IC Bulgarians, Freak Nasties, Bulgarians (other leg), Derkins -> 5x calf raises up each step
    x12 IC Step downs, Freak Nasties, Step downs (other leg), Derkins (we caught you doing extra derkins, Moby – so don’t be acting like this was a hard beatdown!)

    After solving the mystery of whether it was a Yorkshire terrier or Amber Heard that crapped the bed, it was finally time to call it and return to the flag. COT, announcements (more brutal Spartan training at the Scramble and an Akbar 5-year anny on Saturday), and then Einstein prayed us out with intentions for the Perrin family, the Tillery family, and Grundy’s new baby. It was really great to be back at the Gipper, made me realize just how much I miss this AO and the Covington Pax. Thank you gents for having us and for the opportunity to lead!

  • Tabata timer please!! – from Shooter

    Big thanks to Moby for having the Tabata timer available this gloom as the YHC came less prepared.. 6 PAX converged on the corner by the gravel pit after warmups of 20IC/10IC Imperial walkers, Hillbillies, SSH, Cherry pickers, Arm circles, Good mornings and Mummy kicks..

    30 secs work, 20 secs rest, 4 rounds of each and loops around the rail.. Rope, one arm kettle swings, curls, chest press, squat thrusters and Shoulder press..

    Thanks to Hammer for COT and the headlock for 5 AM Spartan at the Scramble…

    Appreciate the post gentlemen and until the next Gloom 👊🏼👍🏼✌🏼!!!

  • Coupons & Sweat at The Gipper – from Einstein

    Good group of seven today at The Gipper
    Warmup: toe touch, side straddle hops, arm circles, imperial walkers, scissors, hillbillies, hi jack hi jills, smurf jacks, etc.
    Thang: 3 sets of coupon work interspersed with downtown trapezoid runs.
    Fletch prayed us out.

  • It’s good to be back with the Gipper’s!! – from Shooter

    With the summer season here and the opportunity to post again at the Gipper.
    YHC figured the best way to do it would be to take the Q. Jose 10k head locked YHC for the pre-miler but you better not be on time or your late is what I gather as he was already moseying when I arrived. Stated a quick GM and hello to Moby while he was planting the flag and off I went to try and catch Mr. Anderson.. Before the turning point joined up with Jose 10k and returned to the AO with the PAX now at 4. Jumped into our warmup of 15IC Imperial walkers, Hillbillies, SSH, Grass grabbers, Toe Touches, Cherry pickers, front claps. 10 OYO arm circles forward and reverse and finish with selflove..
    Plan was to touch all the memorable spots around on Covington with some reps along the way. First stop SB admin building with a series of hop scotch and back pedal, 30-40% sprints and Carioca back 2x, leg lunge 2 parking spots and bunny hop 2 R/R till the end.. Moseyed to the flag pole for AL Gore and some George Thourogoods while we completed a ring to 5 of 8 count bodybuilders. Moseyed to the backside of Justice center.. Partner 1 did stated exercise with the benches while Partner 2 moseyed up the steps and completed a Burpee. 2 rounds each of jump overs, Freak Nasties and bench Mountain climbers. Moseyed to the front of Justice center for step ups P1 and P2 up the steps for choice of 5 count Merkins 2x.. Time of 10 mins remaining had to make sure to get in the Rocks so moseyed over and instructed medium rock or the option of a cylinder block. Overhead press 20x, Curls 20x, Rows 20x and Chest press 2x 40 reps each.. Returned coupons and moseyed back for 3 mins of Core. LBCs, Flutter kicks and 💯s 100 OYO..

    Appreciate the morning with you gentlemen and prayers extended for intentions of BBQs coworker and the loss of his mother, prayers for Jose 10ks coworkers surgery and prayers for Einstein’s son with the closing of his job at the end of the month and the landing of another to come soon…

    Always enjoy the gloom with you gents and until the next 👍🏼👊🏼✌🏼!!!!

  • The Return of Echo India – from Steve

    Man it has been a while. YHC couldn’t remembered exactly when Ei left, partly because even when he still lived here he had stopped posting regularly, was skipping the annual event he started and – maybe most heartbreaking of all – had ceased all GroupMe musings like his infamous “No Horses In The Tunnel” post. Despite that, he is a tough man to forget.

    Or is he?

    Much to Ei’s chagrin, when he pulled in to the Gipper and enthusiastically greeted Moby after a three year absence, Moby couldn’t remember who the hell he was. Though, as Moby offered in consolation (pointing at me): “Hey, I can barely remember that little shit.” Fair enough – us Mandevilleans have not done such a great job posting to the Covington (or Slidell!) AO’s. Hoping that changes now that Summer is here and some of us are no longer beholden to our kids’ school schedules.

    Anyhow, it was good to have Ei’s wit and energy back in the Pax and, once Legal, BBQ, and DarkWing Duck rolled in, we got to it.

    YHC had the day before received the Nation’s email about the tragic passing of Jason Richard, aka “Falcon” (of the St. Louis – Mermemac region), father to four and husband to a wife who has been battling cancer. He was an FNG who collapsed on his first workout just as the pax were naming him.

    So in his honor, we stuck together and performed “The Falcon 026”:

    14 SSH’s (IC)
    26 Flying Squirrels
    26 American Hammers (IC)
    26 Lunges
    26 Curls
    One Lap around the depot (approx. 400 meters)
    26 No cheat merkins.
    14 SSH’s (IC)

    BBQ prayed us out with intentions for the Richards family, and gratitude for the return of old friends like EiEi. Good to have you back, brother, even just for a day.

  • 7s at The A1C – from Einstein

    long warmup:
    toe touch, good mornings, grass grabbers, arm circles, soccer foot stretch, swimmers,
    hi jack hi jills, imperial walkers, hillbillies, side straddle hops, etc

    thang;
    line up at the upper deck end zone for sevens, running to each of the four corners for:
    4×7 burpees
    4X14 flutter kicks
    4×21 merkins
    4×28 squats
    4×21 dips
    4×14 crunches
    4×7 backward lunges
    ran about a total of 12 football fields
    10 star jacks before calling time

    chatter was good
    all worked up a sweat
    DarkWingDuck prayed us out

  • Sweat Fest at The Gipper – from Saban

    Whoa! The humidity returns.

    Warmup:
    toe touch, side straddle hops, arm circles, neck rolls, parker peters, peter parkers, imperial walkers, hillbillies, scissors, side-to-side stretch, etc.

    Thang:
    1.lung walk, squat, burpee our way down the block towards the Taj Mahal
    2.leg swings at the parking post
    3. stop and start ladder (2,4,6,8, parking stripes); forward run, back peddle, side shuffle left, side shuffle right, sprint
    4. ring of fire around the flagpole; push ups with bear crawl – clockwise then counter clockwise.
    5. mosey to the Courthouse for step-ups at the benches
    6. mosey back to the F3 flag

    Wrap:
    all worked up a good sweat
    Legal prays us out