Miracles abound this AM

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.

Murderhorn and the Mark of the Beast

I guess there’s no room in Spackler’s truck for the #F3RebelYell shovel flag…so the VSF was planted and, after the disclaimer and a motivational speech reminiscent of Knute Rockne, 12 men launched in the gloom.

The Thang

Short jog to an open area in the parking lot for COP:

  • IWs x 20 IC
  • Merkins x 25 IC (that’s 50 for those doing the #10K merkin challenge)

Run from the parking lot across Elm to the Rosebriar Circle. Find a partner.

  • Run in opposite directions around the circle. Meet in the back for 20 jump squats. Keep running your direction back to the beginning.
  • Plank. 10 merkins on the Q’s count (total count = 60)
  • Flapjack directions. Meet in the back for 20 jump squats. Keep running your direction back to the beginning.
  • Plank. RAH, RLH, LAH, LLH. Mission Impossible…hold for 10 count.

Run to the top of the Murderhorn for the Beast. 3 light poles. Stop at each one for 6 reps of called exercise. Run to the bottom. Then start back up the hill, stop at the 3 light poles for 6 reps of the exercise. Wait at the top. Do this 6 times. Called exercises:

  • Merkins (total count = 96)
  • Squats
  • Flutter kicks
  • CDDs
  • LBCs
  • Burpees

We did LBCs, Dollies, etc while waiting at the top for the Pax to gather.

Mosey back to base. COT.

Moleskine

Solid group of men that post each week at #F3RebelYell. It’s always a pleasure to work out with them and an honor to lead them. Thanks for the opportunity men.

Not a lot of chatter out there this morning, as everyone beared down on the running. Even the Rosebriar Circle has some hill work and it sucks more one way than it does the other, which is why we flapjacked with our partners…give everyone a chance to feel the pain.

Boomer Sooner called me out, saying I tweeted no 10 counts. That’s true…but I don’t think a 10 count while holding a Mission Impossible quite counts as a 10 count.

Murderhorn is a nasty hill that conveniently has 3 light posts between the top and the bottom…perfect for The Beast. It took a great effort by all for us to finish it in the time allotted. O2 deprivation all around after the burpees on the uphill climb at the end. A nice way to finish.

So, the non-BRR pax got some running and some bootcamp. And the BRR guys got some hill work. But unlike the guys at DevilsTurn, we also got ripped this morning…so we’ll be garnering all the attention of the ladies’ teams this year. Sorry Tiger Rag.

Announcements

MudRun – sign up. If you can run Murderhorn and do the Beast for 45 minutes, you can do the MudRun. Plus, the 2ndF is off the charts.

Bear With Me

10 men ventured out into the cool, fall-like, gloom to endure a Bear Crawlorama for .97 miles…followed by lots of fun.

The Thang
Take a lap around the small track

COP
SSH X20
Arm Circles x10ea
Low Slow Squat x15
Imperial Walkers x 15
10 Burpees OYO

Indian Run to Football Field

Partner up on Goal line
P1 does 20 Freddie Mercuries (Bicycles)
P2 Bear Crawls.
P1 Sprints to catch P2
Flapjack
Repeato for 5 min
Plank

Partner up on Goal line
P1 does 10 Burpees
P2 REVERSE Bear Crawls.
P1 Sprints to catch P2
Flapjack
Repeato for 5 min
Plank

Partner up on Goal line
P1 does 20 Merkins
P2 SIDEWAYS Bear Crawls with hand cross-overs.
P1 Sprints to catch P2
Flapjack
Repeato for 5min

Mosey to Pavillion
P1 does railroad ties or bleacher alternating foot taps
P2 does 20 DERKINS (Decline Merkins)
Flapjack
Repeato for 5min

Indian Run to Playground
P1 does supines or pull ups while P2 does 5 wall jumps (over & back)
Flapjack
Repeato 5 min
Mosey to Soccer Field
LBC’s x 30
Cumberland County Viaducts x10 ea
Plank alternating arms and legs high 2min

Jack Webb to 4 & 16 Ascending then Descending

COT
Announcements: F3 Greensboro Oct 11th. Already have 55 signed up. Email Greensboro@F3nation.com if interested in  supporting this new launch by Posting on Thursday, October 11th.

Come join Dredd on Q at Centurion ( Charlotte Catholic) Friday, August 15th (TOMORROW)!

BOM Hopper. Thank you for taking us out in great prayer!

MOLESKINE

In honor of YHC’s new puppy, Bear, the Pax Bear Crawled roughly 1 mile today. Strong performances were noted by ALL…especially Puddin’ Pop who must have been bored with a basic Indian Run and decided to throw-in a few plyometric jumps while the Pax wandered thru the bleacher Lane in the dark. Nonetheless, YHC was glad he was ok as he ended up partnering with him throughout. Crawling for roughly 15 minutes was…awesome.  Thank you, Kirk, for taking the distance. Following crawls, and numerous other unsavory activities, the entire Pax executed fence hops flawlessly even toward the end of the beatdown.   Maybe next time the Pax would have more time to go higher, in count, during Jack W., a Pax favorite by the expressions on a few faces. Keep pushing yourselves and TELL ONE SAD CLOWN A DAY about what your experience has been since participating in F3.

Thank you you for the chance to lead this morning. Thank you, all, for posting at HYDRA!! Please come back and EH an FNG or two as “fair weather warriors” are easy pickin’ when the gloom temps drop.

 

Pre-Blast: Devil’s Turn – Hill Week

Two words: Piper Glen.  For some, this may cause rejoicing and for others, trepidation.  Regardless of your persuasion, it is hill week again and we are headed there for Devil’s Turn.

Meet at the greenway parking lot at the corner of Rea Rd. and Bevington Place to leave for the 4 and 6 mile routes at 5:15 am.  We will head out together for a 0.75 mi “apartment loop” and then proceed for the main event through Piper Glen.  YHC will have chalk to mark the way for both the 4 mile and 6 mile options.

For those that return to the greenway parking lot earlier than 6:10, feel free to add a little extra distance by turning right down Bevington place for an out and back.  Time it properly to return for COT at 6:15 am.

If you would like a little extra running, show up at 5:00 am.  We can launch simultaneously with the RFYL folks for a little warmup run down Bevington Place.

If you are into knowing where you are going, see the following post for some pertinent info.

http://f3nation.com/2014/06/18/devils-turn-preblast-time-to-hit-the-hills/

See you in the AM!

Seeing Double Q’s

The shovel flag was planted and 27 pax started their mid-week workout. Jog around the parking lot to warm-up. Be sure to circle Floor Slapper’s car as he came in late. Mix in some high knees, butt kickers and backwards run for good measure.

COP:

  • 1 legged burpees (RL)
  • SSH x 25
  • IW x 26
  • Slerkins x 15
  • Slow Squats x 15
  • 1 legged burpees (LL)
  • Firkins x 10

Mosey over to the adjacent parking lot.

Triple Nickel:

  • 5 HR Merkins
  • Run to other side of parking lot
  • 5 Jump Squats
  • Run back to starting point
  • Repeat 5 times

Head down to the bleachers near baseball fields.

Group 1 performs supine pull-ups until group 2 completes upper body circuit. Flapjacks and continue through 4 rounds. Circuit exercises:

  • Round 1: Derkins/Dips/Incline Merkins x 20 each
  • Round 2: Derkins/Dips/Incline Merkins x 15 each
  • Round 3: Derkins/Dips/Incline Merkins x 10 each
  • Round 4: Derkins/Dips/Incline Merkins x 5 each

Jog down to the track. Partner up in groups of 3.

Partner 1 completes home exercise, partner 2 completes away exercise, partner 2 runs from home to away. Switch each time your partner gets to you.

Home:

  • Wide Arm Merkins
  • Alternating lunges

Away:

  • Diamond Merkins
  • Bear squats

Jog back up to the parking lot for a few minutes of Mary.

  • Flutters x 25
  • Dying Cockroach x 15 (Led by @F3Columbia’s Stagecoach)
  • Protractor

COT

Moleskin:

  • Great crowd this morning. We had wily veterans, relatively new guys, thoroughbreds, meatheads.
  • Also, welcome @F3Columbia’s Stagecoach to Death Valley. It was great to have you join us today. For those that missed his post-workout tweet, he said “A51’s Death Valley is definitely tougher than the one in Clemson! (6peat?)” I am neutral in that rivalry, but BOOM, that ought to get the comments flowing!
  • Bulldog, Header and I met for some pre-KB work. Header led that and put a serious beat down on us for 25 minutes. Semi-Gloss showed up half way thru, so I told him he would not get full credit for pre-KB. I will hand it to SG though…he grabbed the 50 lb. KB.
  • Ok, that was a lot of supine pull-ups while waiting for the other group to complete their circuit. I guess that looked better on paper.
  • The bear squats were comical. If you’ve done them before, you know they hurt…and you can imagine all the colorful commentary. #Spacklerswheelhouse
  • For those participating in the #10Kmerkins challenge, I counted 197 toward my daily count. For the record, that does not count the 1 legged burpees. For those not doing the challenge, hope you enjoyed anyway.
  • Thanks Lazyboy for the send-off.
  • Sound off in the comments if you have any other amusing things to share.

Announcements:

  • Threshold will not meet today, but will resume next Wednesday
  • HDHH tonight at The Lodge 6:00-7:30.

#F3Swift – Back on the Bull Ring

F3-Swift launched at 0515 with several*** PAX in tow.  The Q was en-route. Despite lacking the “assigned” Q, the PAX followed pre-blast instructions and headed to the Bull Ring.

The THANG:

  • Warm-up – Follow stand-in Q Honey Bee with a Warm-up 1 mile to the Bull Ring.  Do two dynamic warm-up exercises from the RunCoach.com set .  “Scheduled” Q arrives by parking at the warm-up site.  Follow “sheduled” (Haggis accent) Q through 4 more of the RunCoach.com set.  Finish with 2 Strides – for a “Stride” explanation of the benefit – watch video here
  • 8×400 at I-pace (see Preblast for I-pace guide) with a 200m jog recovery.  Run through some puddles and over some speed humps along the way, turn around a few times, but generally try to finish strong and together in a group.
  • Cool-down 1mile back to AO
  • Planking – HoneyBee leads the PAX through 1minute Elbow planks, 1 minute Left Side plank (check benefit video here), and 1 minute Right Side plank.
  • COT with Bagpipe

The Moleskin:

  • #qfail – waking up on time via your Smartphone alarm clock, but then waking up 30minutes later with your smartphone still grasped in your hand.  Remind yourself that your preblast gave enough info to set the PAX off in the right direction.
  • The workout today combined with the strength of Frehly’s Foxhole workout yesterday left many of us just a tad sore.  400s at this speed are actually a tad shorter than most ran last week with the 2/1/30 workout, but the short rest and consistently long interval left many PAX out of breath and getting the full benefit.  Great BRR training, for most PAX will feel soreness on every BRR leg after their 1st.  Can’t let the soreness slow you down.
  • Kotters to Soft Pretzel and Boomer Sooner.  Welcome to you guys making the “crossover” from Bagpipe every once in a while.
  • “Runner up”, “clear the way for Rock Thrill” – he was doing his own thing out there today, but as a PAX who may do that often at workouts, YHC has no problem with anyone joining Swift or DevilsTurn for the group accountability to get up and get in the 1st F and get the 2nd F on the warm-up and cool-down.  Most of us would have wanted no part of his 800s today.  Looked strong.
  • Cool to find out that Boomer Sooner and YHC share Nebraska as a past home.  With places like Omaha and Bellevue, we all no why Charlotte is so much more pleasant.  Boomer Sooner could probably lead the charge for that Wagon that barrells into every OU game, but since he’s actually from Nebraska, that’s like a UGA bulldog leading the Rambling Wreck out before a GT game.
  • Pretty flat today, but we’ll get back to the hills next week.  After all, it’s not like the entire #BRR is a roller coaster.  Sometimes you just gotta roll.
  • The Planking that YHC encouraged to lead at COT was a bad move.  It hurt too bad…we’ll have to do it again if we ever get back to COT with more time. #neveragain
  • ***the Q failed to capture the total list of the PAX.  Memory and dim light only served him so well, so sound off in Comments if you “only” get credit for Bagpipe, which someone from Swift would never want.