Nine Lives

Nine Lives

The VSF was planted as The Rock shovel flag is resting in the currently DR MallCop’s garage.

7 hearty souls launched into the humid gloom for another assault on The Rock; but we finished with 9 pax — Flipper joined us about 5 minutes in, and Dolphin posted a while later as part of a doubledown after Q’ing Stonehenge.

So anyway, here’s more or less what the pax accomplished:

The Thang:

Jog to lot near church gym for COP.

SSH x 25 IC

MC x 25 IC

IW x 25 IC

Groiners x 15 IC

Jog towards kitty litter (aka sand volleyball court), karaoke right, flapjack, karaoke left

At picnic tables – 3 sets of the following

20 jump-ups & 20 derkins

Plankorama

Mosey to pavilion

People’s Chair for a couple minutes

BTW x 3

People’s Chair w/25 overhead presses

Jog to baseball field with high knees & buttkickers on the way

Grab a rock

Mosey to shallow left field

She-Hate-Me (10 minutes) consisting of the following:

H-R Merkin x 13, Knee Up x 13, Overhead Press w/Rock x 13

Redeposit rocks to their resting place

Jog to Entrance 4 hill

Lunge walk down the hill

Backwards lunge walk up the hill

Jog to lot closest to North Face

SSH x 25

CDD x 15

Jog to bottom of North Face

Run up/down NF 3x

Plankorama at top

Bearcrawl the length of the sidewalk

Indian Run back to lot where we did initial COP

6MoM:

Dolly x 20

High Slow Flutter x 13

SSH x 25

Russian Twist x 13

CCV x 13R, Flapjack, CCV x 13L

Jog to starting lot

10 Burpees OYO

COT

Ye Olde Moleskine:

Strong group this morning.  Flipper joined us a little late but was getting after it out there this morning. Showed his hate status age after referencing an episode of “Saved by the Bell” during She-Hate-Me.

Not too much mumblechatter, but there were some notable moments.  Not the least of which was Dolphin purposely sliding down on his bum both times on North Face.  Using his college baseball sliding skills apparently.

Cadence count was drowned out by an overhead gaggle a couple times.  We also had to dodge aforementioned gaggle’s droppings during the bear crawls. #glovesjustmakesense

As IH duly noted – we made like security guards at Calvary – circling pretty much the entire campus. #securetheperimeter

Great group of men.  Love my F3 brothers and love Q’ing a workout.

Announcements:

Need pax to step up for tutoring at Matthews Elementary – Wednesday afternoons starting this fall – connect w/Champagne for details.

Flipper’s Mud Run team, among others, looking for a teammate.

The Mouth is also looking to get on a BRR team.

 

 

 

 

 

Run Before You Crawl

7 men showed up for #F3DayZero. 7 men got what they came for.

The Thang

Purple Haze Q

Run to the Yellow Rose parking lot for COP:

  • IWs x 20 IC
  • Mtn Climbers x 20 IC
  • High Knees – 30 seconds
  • Butt Kicks – 30 seconds
  • SSHs x 20 IC

Partner up and run streets around shopping center in opposite directions. Meet at the back for called exercise. Keep running in same direction. Meet back at the beginning. Flapjack & run opposite direction from first time. Called exercises:

  • Merkins x 20
  • Deep Squats x 20

Mosey to hill on Carswell for Mermaid’s Triple Nickel. 5 reps of exercise at bottom, 5 reps of exercise at top, 5 times up. Exercises:

  • Deep Squats at the top
  • Merkins at the bottom

Mighty Mite Q

Mosey back to the school and grab two rocks to use in exercises. Line up in a zoo line and perform animal crawls (~ 25 yards) and called exercises (at each end). Rotate through until you’ve completed all of them.

  • Bear crawl, 10 merkins, 10 sit-ups, 10 squats, Backwards bear crawl, repeat exercises
  • Gorilla walk, 12 diamonds, 12 sit-ups, 12 squats, Backwards gorilla walk, repeat exercises
  • Scorpion walk, 14 HR merkins, 14 Russian twists, 14 squats, Backwards scorpion walk, repeat exercises
  • Crab walk, 16 wide-arm merkins, 16 V-ups, 16 squats, Backwards crab walk, repeat exercises

Mosey to the toughest parking lot in A51 for some aquarium work, Jack Webb style:

  • 1 whale kick, 4 crunches; 2 whale kicks, 8 crunches…all they way up to 5 whale kicks, 20 crunches…then back down.

Done. COT.

Moleskine

Some fast, young guys out at DayZero this morning…with Teddy, Boomer Sooner and Mighty Mite Larry Birdin’ on the runs and the Triple Nickel. The trip around the shopping center seems uphill both ways. And the Carswell hill will sneak up on you if you run it enough times.

MM’s zoo day was pure misery. Everything hurts during all the crawls…shoulders, legs, core. Add in the exercises on each end of it and that leads to absolute smokedom. What the Pax lacked in coordination for some of the backwards crawls, we made up for in determination…and the backwards scorpion walk has been added to the list of my least favorite things to do.

Not a lot of mumblechatter this morning…just hard work. And Runstopper only attempted to Q-Jack once.

Announcements

MudRun

BRR

Contact @Champagne for tuturing.

All things in moderation

4 men gathered at OP to start their weekend out with a workout. Properly disclaimed, we proceeded thusly….

Warmup:
Mosey to tball field and circle up (more like a square, but still)
SSH, 10 merkins (civilian count)
IW, 8 merkins
Slow Squat, 6 merkins
Mountain climber, 4 merkins
LBC, 2 merkins

The Thang:
Out to the parking lot for something like Grinders, but modified for 4 people.
Station 1: Merkins
Station 2: Squats
Station 3: CDDs
One guy at each station, one guy starts as the runner.
Run from station 1 to 2, tag the guy at that station who runs to the next station. Do that exercise.
Repeat for 3 full rotations.

Mosey over to the benches around the tree
10 dips, 10 step ups, 10 incline merkins. Repeat 3 times.

Mosey across the street to the church rockpile. Choose a rock that others won’t mock.
2 guys do the exercise. Other 2 guys run to the basketball goal and back. Flapjack.
Repeat with curls, overhead press, tricep extensions, squats.

Indian run to the hill in the neighborhood behind the football practice field, pause for a little Mary halfway (LBCs, Flutter, Dolly)
Triple Nickels – 5 jump squats at the top, 5 merkins at the bottom, repeat 5 times

Mosey through the trail to the football field.
Line up on the 50 for suicides. 40, 30, 20, 10, Goal line.
Mary (Rosalita, Protractor, Something else)

Mosey to the front field
Russian twist, hold plank for one minute, sprint to the fence

COT

Moleskin:
We had a good, small group this morning. Plenty of chatter and getting to know each other. Welcome FNG Banjo (Brad B). He was headlocked by Champagne and another guy (unnamed by Banjo) who texted him early this morning to say he wasn’t coming. Banjo still posted – strong.

Lumbergh and Goon were clearly holding back all day. When it came time for the final sprint, they were out front. Goon pulled the group through with his cadence counts all morning. It was nice to see Hopper do a fly-by during his 11 mile run this morning. Thanks for coming out guys.

 

 

2 + 2 equals…. mass confusion!

22 of South Charlottes sharpest minds gathered at Kevlar today for a mind blowing workout that tested both brains and brawn.

THE THANG

SSH x 20
IW x 20
Merkins x 15
Up and downs x 15
Mosey to lower lot
Partner up. One exercise and one runs. Repeat twice.
Ten different exercises.
Mosey back to lot with gear.
Mary
COT

YE OLDE MOLESKINE

The plan was a smorgasbord of exercises to appeal to both runners and meatheads in trying to bridge the gap between the warring factions. What YHC realized quickly was that neither group could follow instructions which were clearly explained in many different ways.
The instructions were “partner up, perform said exercise while partner runs, relieve partner and repeat.” Pretty simple right? Not for many of the pax – especially Spackler. We had groups running two laps and then relieving partner. We had others skipping the plates as they would have tired legs for the run, we even had pairs thinking they had to run with their partner while holding hands! None of the above was correct but hopefully the pax got something out of the workout!
Notable mentions this morning were:
1) Susudio and his lighting pace around the laps relieving Bananas in record time.
2) Muffin Man impressing Bessie who is not his own Dad but actually the father of his girlfriend. Kevlar is the perfect training ground to test the future son in law.
3) Brown looking (and sounding) like he was at a rodeo on the ropes.
4) Sanka and his immaculate side straddle hop technique.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saturday workouts as scheduled.
New book starting Wednesdays at Threshold. 12 noon at Bojangles South Park. Sanka has details.

Maul

Posted on behalf on Frasier.
13 of the best that SOB had to offer came for a little pain.  All that was required was a strong will and determination.  As luck would have it this group had both.
The disclaimer was given and then we got to it.
YHC is not big on a long warm up so we ran twenty feet and did 10 burpees OYO.  Mosey across the street to the top of the Mudderhorn.  10 more burpess OYO.
Mosey down to the bottom of the Mudderhorn and partner up.  Size and speed do not matter.
Three pain stations.  40 jump squats, 40 flutters and 40 bicep curls with a rock.  Partner one runs to the first station and while partner two does merkins.  Flap jack.
Plank until everyone returns.
Rinse and repeat.  40 knee ups, 40 dollies and 40 tricep extensions with a rock.  Partner one does the pain station while partner two does merkins.
Plank till everyone has completed the set.
Rinse and repeat almost.  40 squats, 40 Russian twist with a rock.  Partner one does the pain station while partner two alternates between LBCs and Freddie Mercury.
Plank till everyone has returned.
Two lines for a slow Indian run up the Mudderhorn.  Watch out for the cars!
Plank till the Pax regroups in the parking lot.
Jack Web until time is up.  I believe we made to seven merkins/28 press ups.
COT
Moleskin:
Great job out of everyone today.  Not too much complaining by the Pax.  The merkins were hard by the end but for those of you doing the challenge hopefully you got close to the number this morning.
Gummy and Run Stopper were leading the charge today followed close by Mic Check’s group.  It was great seeing Gummy out for the first time.  Sorry if we did too many merkins.
Mr. Freeze pushed hard the whole time.  Good job brother.
Everyone ran the Mudderhorn like they belonged on a BRR team so next year sign up.  We should have least six teams the way I see SOBs run each week!
I always appreciate the chances to lead and it was an honor.
Announcements:
Contact Champagne if you are interested in helping with the new Area 51 tutoring/mentoring #makeadifference
Third F opportunity every Wednesday starting next Wednesday at 12:00 in the Bojangles food complex at Southpark.  The book is called Don’t Waste Your Life.

Miracles abound this AM

Post by Chelms on behalf of Dredd

The shovel flag was planted (Escargot is a great site leader) and 33 men were ready to get after it with Dredd on Q (several started at 5am with some KB work to get warmed up).

The thang:

Jog up to parking lot for quick warmup of SSH in cadence.

Jog up to entrace of school for a burpee ladder from 10 down 2 and finish with 10 for good measure (short rest in between each set via 10 count, 9 count, 8 count etc,)

Jog over to bus parking lot for 6 minutes of mary (flutters, dolly, high, low. etc – you get the idea).

Jog back to regular parking lot for COP – Merkins, Plank, Wide Arms, etc.

Jog around football field and back to school entrance.  Dips X10 and Decline merkins X10 – Rinse and repeat

Jog around football field again (i think) and back to parking lot for a jacobs ladder – run down to shovel flag and back up to starting point – 7 burpees down to 1 (obvioiusly).

FInish with some plank, LBC’s, etc.

COP

Naked Moleskin:

First miracle was Dredd finding his way to CCHS given its south of Fairview.   Luckily Siri talks to him (one of the few “voices” that can keep up and get a word in) and guided him in for an on time start.  Great to have the original Nan Tan out.   Not sure about others but I noticed a few Q techniques I need to use more often.

Second miracle was, well, “Miracle”, an FNG.  He got EH’d by two F3’ers from Columbia while in San Francisco.  Go figure.  Dredd is busting his chops about keeping in synch with his cadence (perfect per Dredd) and FNG doesn’t even know how cadence works.  Kirk is contributing to the chaos by telling Dredd that the FNG is Koi Pond.

Great work by all.  As Dredd noted, if you were out this am then you are a better man – Iron Sharpens Iron

Favorite line of the day by our Q “I alone do not judge your grooming habits, just your form”.  Pretty sure that one has been used before.

Great take out by Dredd to send us off ready to take on the day

Annoucnements
Tutoring programs back in action next month, including new Area 51 program in Mathews.  Contact Champagne or contact Chelms if you are interested in helping out at Billingsville or AG Middle School

 

 

 

Meathead Cardio…Proving the Concept

9 Men seeking to find their Extra Gear came to Meatheads today and crushed it Kettle Bell and Gear Style in an effort to prove the concept…that Meatheads belong in F3, that we kill HIIT Cardio and love moving heavy gear.

The Thang:

SSH x 30 (in cadence 60 reps)

     – During set, THC called out “Burpees” and Pax had to drop and perform Burpees x 7, then continue SSH

     – RInse and repeat 3 Cycles

Non-Stop KB Movements with Stations of Pain

 – Partner Up; P1 Selects Any KB movement and performs it non-stop until P2 finished Implement

 – YHC demonstrated Figure 8’s, Snatch, Rack, Rack w. Press, Single and Double Arm KB Swing, Goblet Squats, Press, Bicep and Tricep Curls, Around the World, etc.  Basically Pax had to pick any of these

– 10 Gear/Cardio/Power Strength Stations

Stations:

1) 200 Meter Sprint

2) Farmer Carry (2) 45lbs Kettle Bells x 70 yards

3) Jump Rope

4) Sled Pull 60 yards 115lbs (metal on metal on the ground so drag resistance was extremely tough)

5) Parachute Sprint 140 yards

6) Hair Burners 50 yards with 35lb

7) 88Lbs Kettle Bell Dead Lifts

8) 35lbs Medicine Call Squat Throws – Single Bounce Catch-to-Squat-to-Throw x 40 yards

9) Dumbell Bicep Curls

10) Rope Pull Ups

Sled Circle: Pax calls exercises

– Form up into circle with Kettle Bells

– P1 calls out exercise for Pax to perform

– P1 runs with weight sled around perimeter of Pax Circle

– When P1 gets back passes off to P2 and P2 calls exercise while running sled around circle

– Rinse and Repeat until all 9 have gone

Exercises included: Goblet Squats, Alternating Snatch (nice one Banannas), Kettle Bell Press , High Pulls, Upright Row, KB Swing, Single Arm Swings, KB Press, Russian Twists

Mary

Daisy Dukes x 20 in cadence

Flutter Kicks x 40 in cadence

COT

Moleskin:

Kettle Bells and Gear was in full effect today.  I am not sure which of the stations was the hardest because just when we thought we’d get a break, we move to the next station and tackle something even harder.  OUTSTANDING EFFORT out there this morning.  The men out here today were completely owned it as we are trying to prove the concept that HIIT train ing is better for your cardio vascular health, fat buring and strength gains than just strapping on shoes and jogging.

Long Running…”Drawbacks Galore

“When you perform conventional cardio for long periods of time, it’s been found to deteriorate muscle tissue and decrease testosterone levels. That’s bad, obviously, but things get even worse. A recent study in The American Journal of Physiology found that steady-state cardio decreases the ability of muscles to absorb glucose after training.”

Sorry for the late post, just been really busy with work today.  Please comment in the section below if you saw something worth opening a discussion about.

Again, Thank you for the honor of leading such a strong group of men.

Respectfully,The Hoff

 

 

The BRR’s a comin’

Based on the 22 PAX at Devil’s Turn this AM, BRR must be on the horizon.  Whatever the reason, it was great to see the men of Area 51 assembled in such a big group at a running workout.

It is hill week at DT so we headed for Piper Glen for the 4 mile or 6 mile option.  It was pointed out that these loops end up being ~3.5 mi and 5.5 mi but this discrepancy is easily overcome with an extension down Bevington Place or on the greenway if desired.

Because of the high numbers, good running groups formed and it seemed that there was a good 2nd F component during the run.  While Bratwurst chastens for excessive jibba jabba (means you are not pushing hard enough), YHC finds that talking helps to take the mind off the pain of hill running.  Hopefully, the PAX found that to be the case too.

Due to groups forming, YHC only has a recollection of the events of running with Haggis and Splinter (and a little with Hops).  The discussion was good and YHC found that discussing things that piss off Haggis makes him run really fast.  So note to self, speak calming words if you are ever being run into the ground by the hoss that is Haggis.  Also, Splinter was pushing (should say pulling) the pace all morning.  It was a struggle to keep up.  It is hard to believe that BRR will be his first organized running race.  If there was money involved, someone could accuse him of hustling due to his skill at running quickly for extended distances.  #hustle&flow

Bratwurst was doing something this morning.  Not sure if it was with DT or not.  He was spotted going this way and that multiple times during the morning.  One thing is for sure, he was running faster than anyone else out there so he can do what he wants.  #masteroftheflyby

As said, YHC did not get around to all the groups so please add any interesting events in the comments.  With the characters in attendance this morning, I am sure there are some good stories.

 

Cane Sets the Merkin Bar High

(posted on behalf of Cane by Young Love who is DR this week. Don’t worry, I’m still doing my merkins #10Kmerkinssucks and running my miles #readyforBRRtobeamemory …)
5 Pax started early with a little KB lead by Mermaid.  Then 13 pax started in the muggy gloom with a quick disclaimer.
The Thang
20 Merkins OYO
Mosey for COP
20 Merkins OYO
SSH x 30
IW x 20
20 Merkins OYO
Squats x 20
LBC x 20
20 Merkins OYO
Mosey
Run up North Face and regroup
Run lap around and up North Face and finish with 20 Merkins OYO
Repeato 3 times (4 total North Face laps)
Plank-o-rama led by Mermaid with 20 merkins thrown in for good measure
Mosey up to front parking lot
The Beast – 6 rounds of 6 sets of 6 reps
-Merkins
-Squats
-Wide Merkins
-LBCs
-Burpees
-Merkins
Mosey – circle up for Mary
Dolly x 20
Flip over and 20 Merkins OYO
Flutter x 20
Flip over and 20 Merkins OYO
Rosalita x 20
Flip over and 20 Merkins OYO
Moleskin
Warning had gone out the night before that this would be a merkin heavy workout and I don’t think it disappointed.  The goal was to set the record for number of merkins completed in a workout (although i am not sure what the previous record was).  We didn’t quite reach my anticipated number but 364 merkins is strong.  We also got a fair amount of running in and summitted North Face 4 times.
Strong work by all!

Check Your Timer

Despite a near-fartsack (alarm clock fail), YHC arrived with 5 minutes to spare, sans watch.  With a loaner watch secured from Header (thank you), 19 pax cast off for a moderate beatdown and minimal running.

The Thang

Mosey to parking lot behind the school

COP

  • 15 Side Straddle Hops – in cadence (IC)
  • 15 Imperial Walkers – IC
  • 10 Merkins – IC
  • 10 Mountain Climbers – IC

Mosey to playground.  Ask Geraldo for directions to nearest pullup-capable equipment.  (can’t see out here)

“Marsha” – “Cindy’s” big sister

  • 5 pullups (or supine)
  • 10 merkins
  • 15 squats
  • 20 Freddie Mercury

Rinse and repeat for 20 minutes.  Periodically check to ensure the timer is working.

Mosey to bleachers

10’s

  • 10 jump ups (or step ups)
  • 10 Carolina Dry Docks
  • 10 lunges (total)
  • 10 burpees
  • Plank when done

Rinse and repeato 3x total, dropping the burpees after the 1st set.  (lunges + burpees made the legs too wobbly for the jump ups.  #safetyfirst)

Mosey to the outfield & find some nice dry grass.  Settle for soaking wet, but cool grass.

Mary

  • 10 Cumberland County Viaducts – IC – Right, then Left  #chatterfodder  (props to Hops)
  • 15 Dolly – IC
  • 10 Situps, touching ground behind head and by feet – IC

Mosey back to starting point, backpeddling across the big lot, circle once to keep the pax together.  Stop briefly for 5 burpees.

Time remaining – 1:00

  • 5 more burpees
  • 10 Flutters – IC

Done

COT

Announcements:

  • F3 Ascent – moderate Saturday workout, Olde Providence Elementary, 0700
  • F3 Outland – 1 yr anniversary this Saturday.  Countertop & Zipadee on Q.  #itsnotasfarasyouthink (per Hair Band) (though, you could probably get some good mileage on the run out there)
  • 9/27 – 3rd Brew Ruck – see Dora for details

Moleskin:

YHC arrived a little rattled this morning, having awoken late, strickly by the grace of God, after an alarm clock fail.  Literally, every Q, YHC dreams of oversleeping and missing his Q, and today was a close one.  Thanks for your support as the game face was applied and the groove was found.

Thanks to Header for the loaner watch.  Rushing out of the house, that was left behind and was critical for the first half of the workout.  Other pax may have wished Header’s had been left at home too, judging by the mumblechatter; however, working for a set time, instead of counting sets, as it allows each pax to push themselves or moderate as needed.

“Cindy” is a favorite CrossFit workout that YHC uses quarterly at F3 Ascent to enable the pax to guage their progress.  While easily modifiable to suit most any fitness level, it is a beast.  And, it lacks ab work.  So, to address both, YHC added some Freddie Mercury into the mix, and called it “Marsha”, Cindy’s big sister.  Not sure whether the FM was the right addition, so stay tuned for future concoctions.

For many of the pax, today was their first experience with the Cumberland County Viaduct.  Lots of mumblechatter on the origin of the movement.  YHC will have to defer to our subject matter expert, Hops, for enlightenment.  Hopefully you left with tighter love handles.

While on the subject of Mary, lying in the cool wet grass did feel nice; a pleasant change from the hot mugginess of earlier this week.  Too bad we didn’t lie around much.

YHC had tweeted out another 0.25 prediction for today’s mileage.  Being new to the AO, I’m not real sure, but I’m betting we were slightly over 0.25 (under promise, over deliver), maybe right at 0.50.  Not too bad considering how we moved around campus.

Thanks for the opportunity to lead today.  Always an honor.