Tag: The Foundry

  • F3 Quantum Physics

    Eighteen PAX posted this Wednesday to get their F3 fix at The Foundry. Lots of usual pleasantries exchanged as well as some chirping from the peanut gallery as the troops assembled. Nothing fancy in store, just some old and new variations of the tried and true stuff that would hopefully have everyone leaving high as a kite.

    Warmup – mosey down RM with some backpedaling and high knees to get the juices flowing. Peeled off into a field that according to Rudy was mowed, it was not, so we shifted over to some good grass for a COP including IW x20, WM x10, AC x20, LS Squat x20, Goofballs x25, Burpees x5 x5 x5. Then a mosey to….

    Thang #1 – Foundry circuit that was sure to include the original theme of The Foundry workout, improving on pullups. So we broke up into six stations, alternating upper body and lower body, with the following exercises: Pullups, Squats, Body Rows, Burpees x8 (timer), Bench Dips, Big Boy Situps. Two rounds then…

    Thang #2 – After a mosey to the backside of the track, we made our way to the open rubberized area that has seen many a F3 sweatdrops. We lined up by age and split in half, old vs young to see if millineal-ish PAX have what it takes to overtake the more experienced and seasoned PAX. This was a competitive circuit but note the scoring system was far from perfect, due to YHC’s quick and possibly vague instructions.
    Round One – Bear Crawls in one min (line to line):  Old Bucks 89, Young Bucks 60 (numbers may be skewed due to YHC’s quick explanation). Crossfit Merkins in one min: Young Bucks 261, Old Bucks 240. Backpedal/Sprint Relay: Youngs Bucks edged out the Old Bucks.

    Next we did a little test to see if time spent in F3 has a direct correlation to superior speed and strength so we split into two groups, those who have been in F3 more than a year and those less than a year.
    Round Two – Bear Crawls in one min (line to line):  F3 Veterans 94, F3 Rookies 60 (numbers skewed?…each way was one).  Crossfit Merkins in one min:  F3 Veterans 207 (w/one man down), F3 Rookies 192. Backpedal/Sprint Relay:  F3 Veterans edged out the F3 Rookies in a photo finish. 


    Was hoping to do a third round based on height to answer the age old question, does size really matter?   

    It was hard to base an outcome on this and it was mentioned we may have to do this again in the future with more time and a tweaked scoring system.

    Back to the flag for a COT to cap off a another fine morning in the gloom.

    Moleskin/Observations:

    1. Working in pullups in large groups is taking more creativity as the PAX grows….which seems like a good problem to have.
    2. When we lined up by age, it was good to see a healthy mix.
    3. When we lined up by time spent in F3, it was cool to see lots of newer guys, all of which seem to have a gung-ho level that meets or exceeds that of the veterans.

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead and try a few new things.

    Tool

  • 17 – A Shoutout to War Eagle

    Why is 17 a shoutout to War Eagle? Because that’s as high as most people from Alabama can count… Okay, had to get one Bama joke out there. It’s actually the amount of National Championships their football team claims (infinite asterisks by that number of course). But still, on a day when our boy was dealing with some issues far more serious than anything even related to football rooting interests, it seemed appropriate to let him know we were thinking of him.

    Of course, this plan would have been better executed had Ya Mom’n Dem and I shown up on time. Employing perhaps the most tortured logistics one could imagine, YHC and YMnD first made a wrong turn, then after retrieving 2 cinder blocks from the pile by the field, made a lap around the park instead of just backing up to the baby foundry. So a 2-minute job took 10 and we pulled up as the PAX were running toward the track. Luckily Frac got the warmup started and we were able to jump right in.

    • SSHx31
    • IWx17
    • Peter Parkerx17
    • Parker Peterx17
    • Arm Circlesx17 (10 forward, 7 backward)

    Workout

    When YHC volunteered the clown car to take this one, he made it clear that either one of them should take it, or it was going to be a tabata and jump ropes day. And so it was. 8 stations

    • jumping rope
    • curl and press cinder blocks
    • sweat angels
    • pull-ups
    • dips
    • Angle grinders
    • burpees
    • Jump Squats ( real ones, 180 degree turn, drop down as you land and back up)

    Tunes:

    • Round 1: Calm Like a Bomb (Rage Against the Machine)
    • Round 2: Stronger (Kanye)
    • Round 3: Welcome to the Jungle
    • Round 4: This is how we do it (where I’m From) (Big Tymers)
    • Round 5: Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen)

    Little help from Tool on selecting tracks, and I tried to offer options for the #respects and the #hates.

    Quick Mosey to the Neutral Ground for Choose your Own Adventure Mary. Everyone led an exercise. The point, possibly corny, was that when we work together, we can all take a little of the load off someone’s shoulders and offer a bit of help to those who need it. War Eagle has much bigger concerns than worrying about who is taking his Q, so we’ll all share the load a little. That’s kinda what we do here at F3.

    COT, Prayers for Jonathan Serigne, War Eaglet, War Eagle’s family, and everyone else dealing with health issues. Reminder to appreciate our health and reach out to those who are less lucky. I’m lucky to be a part of this group. – Kuch

  • Creating Some Steam

    After traveling for 2 weeks hitting AOs in Houston and Phoenix, I was looking forward to being back with my local brothers. After Saturday’s beat down, QIC was reviewing the sign up sheet and saw a need…..so on this balmy morning of gloom it’s time to create some steam!

    After disclaimer given – mosey off to warm up! Pax ran to the block pile each Pax grabbed two then headed to field and circled up:

    • Toe Touch and Hold 3 count x 10
    • Side lung left and right x 10
    • Peter Parkers x 10
    • Scorpion Kicks Right and Left x 10
    • With Block Overhead Press x 20
    • With Block Low Slow Toe Hoover hold 10 count x 10

    Pax separated into 4 groups then each group headed to starting point form a line; one arm bear crawl block drag across the field Left Arm Out then Right Arm Back – Aprox 4 yards each way.

    Next Same Groups lined up for relay – Pax 1 farmer carry 2 blocks across the field while Pax 2 bear crawled behind, Pax 3 farmer carry while Pax 4 bear crawled – swap rolls on the way back.

    Next relay same groups (now with penalty incurred by last place team) Pax 1&2 on one side Pax 3&4 on the other.  Pax 1 ran with block overhead to other end of field while all other Pax overhead pressed blocks, Pax 3 ran the opposite direction while others in group continued to press, then Pax 2 ran, then pax 4.  All ran with block overhead and others in group pressing.

    Next relay same run across the field – this time all in group curling

    Next relay same run across the field – this time all chest pressing

    Now groups 1&2 combined (group of 8) with 3&4 combined (group of 9) – one block each group with passed via Indian Plank across the field approx. 80 yards – team 1&2 losing team 5 burpees.

    Same teams switch sides – this time it was a photo finish – but team 1&2 redeemed themselves with 3&4 doing 7 burpees and 3 to 1&2 for the oh so close win!

    Return our blocks – Mosey back to the flag – 1 minute stretch!

    COT – F3 is a true brotherhood in that our spirit is carried over to all states and cities and I’m grateful to the ability to workout on the road.  It was nice to have Redeye from The Woodlands TX join us for the beatdown as I’ve gotten many with their group while on the road. 

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead!    

  • Blue Angel Dropped B.O.M.B.S

    YHC has been out of the Qing game for a while trying to finish off another semester of PhD work. So when the opportunity came to Q The Foundry it was a no brainer. YHC has a habit of showing up extra early the mornings of Q to scout out the AO and make sure everything is in place for the beatdown ahead. Around 5:25, Screw Top and his band of misfits emerged from the gloom followed by a gentleman wearing a Jesuit blue shirt introducing himself with a “normal” name like John or something like that. Clearly, we had an FNG joining us this morning without the PAX member who EH’d him. (No worries, Walleye, we took care of him).

    5:30 – Disclaimer and we were off heading towards the City Park office.

    Warm-Up:

    SSH, Mountain Climbers, Hillbillies, Windmills, Arm Circles.

    The Thang

    Mosey to the Foundry. Along the way, the FNG became quite interested in each of our names. “I bet you aren’t an Auburn fan.” YHC knew then we had a genius on our hands

    B.O.M.B.S

    Partner up. As a pair complete the following as one PAX member runs to the track and back:

    Burpees X 50

    Overhand Claps X 100

    Merkins X150

    Big Boy Sit-Ups X 200

    Squats X 250

    Post-Thang

    Mosey to the beginning of the Roosevelt Mall. At the first bench complete 5 dips, 2nd bench 10 dips…carry on till you get to 40. Mosey back to the flag.

    Our FNG competed like a champion. Turns out he served in the Air Force, flys for FedEx and had a royal blue shirt. He throughly enjoyed supporting the Navy and proudly accepted the name Blue Angel.

    COT

    *Sorry for the delay in writing the backblast. As always it was a pleasure to lead this great group of men.

  • Foundry McDeuce

    13 men arrived at the Foundry on a really beautiful May morning. Clear skies, cool, sun rising. Days like this really make you appreciate the beauty in the world, and make getting out of bed worth it. Enjoy it while it lasts fellas, because the heat is coming. A disclaimer and off we go.

    We mosey to the track for the warm-up COP: SSH x 20 IC, IW x 20 IC, Windmills x 10 IC, Arm Circles 10 forward 10 backward IC, J-Lo’s x 10 IC, Mountain Climbers x 10 IC.

    We stayed at the track for a Dirty McDeuce. 3 exercises with a 12 count (1 arm, 1 leg, 1 core), then a 400m lap around the track.

    • Round 1: Merkins, Squats, LBC’s
    • Round 2: Right leg cross-over Merkins, Side Lunges, Flutter Kicks
    • Round 3: Left leg cross-over Merkins, Jump Lunges, Hello Dolly
    • Round 4: Teepee Merkins, Monkey Humpers, American Hammer

    Next we moseyed to the Foundry, stopping at each Light post for 5 Merkins. At the Foundry, 4 stations for circuit work.

    • Round 1: Body Rows, Step-ups, Pull-ups, 15 WWII sit ups (the count)
    • Round 2: Body Rows, Dips, Hanging knee ups, 20 Squats (the count)

    We mosey back to the track for a 200m sprint, then mosey on to the flag for count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer. Days like this are really what it’s all about. A beautiful crisp day spect with friends trying to make ourselves better. Thank you guys.

    Walleye

  • Murph Prep

    Murph Prep

    Fifteen men gathered around 3 shovel flags, disclaimer, and let’s mosey to the track.  Two laps and hit the outdoor gym.  As we grow and build up to a full  Murph, we modified.  After the two laps, begin the pull-ups, merkins and squats.  Four sets of 5 pull-ups, 10 merkins and 15 squats is 1 round.  Run one lap after each round.  After the fifth round, run two laps to get the 2 miles.

    TClaps to the few who completed it.  TClaps to the pax who worked hard to grow and improve.

    Back at the Shovel Flags, countoff , namerama, announcements, shoutouts and a prayer.

  • Walk it like a duck

    12 PAX posted up this morning at the Foundry.  At 5:30am I gave the disclaimer and we were on our way to the track for a little warm-up.  At the track we did:

    High Knees
    Butt Kicks
    Karaoke Left side
    Karaoke Right side

    We then proceeded for a warm up run around the track. We stopped at the back part of the track for some more warm-ups:
    SSH X 25 – IC
    Self Love – X 15 IC
    Low Slow Squats – X 15 IC
    Jump Lunges – X 15 OYO

    We then moseyed on over to the Foundry where we split to 4 groups.  

    Group 1Timer – Duck walk to the water fountain and then sprint back- thanks Triple Shift for sending the animal exercise video yesterday to the group; the PAX really enjoyed doing this.
    Group 2 – leg lifts with a partner (not sure what this is called- it burns the hell out of your core though)
    Group 3 – Jump overs on the squiggly line
    Group 4 – Pull-ups
    Rinse and repeat for 2 circuits. 

    Quick mosey to the NOMA wall. Where we partnered up. One partner sat on the wall while the other partner is the timer doing shoulder taps- 1 is 2 —- Da Parish quickly corrected my count to 2 is 1 (newbie screw-up on my part). My initial plan was to do this for about 4 mins, however Da Parish enjoyed this so much we decided to go for 8 mins. Followed up by 10 decline merkins on the curb.

    Quick mosey to the Fountain for:
    Incline Merkins X 10 OYO then run to the stairs to Bunny Hop up the stairs with 5 burpees at the top. Bunny hop down.

    At this point we had about 4mins to get to the flag; I didn’t realize how far out we were……we came in 2 mins over schedule. Sorry about that PAX.

    We welcomed a new FNG – Breadsticks.  We finished off with COT and prayed for Patience. It was an Honor to lead this group.

  • Take Me Out To The Ballgame

    YHC was honored to perform my VQ at The Foundry today. Thankfully rain has held off for several days as I was concerned about possibly ruining the grass for the exercises I had planned. I had been bouncing some ideas around in my head and reviewed the entire Exicon to get some good ideas. Despite their absence from the Lakeview Clown Car today, Tclaps to Kuch (sickness) and YaMomAnEm (out of town) for providing suggestions, guidance, and allowing me to bounce ideas off of them. The remaining members of the LCC, Half Nelson and Abacus, happily joined along for what was hopefully going to be an entertaining workout.

    15 PAX gathered in the gloom today at the usual spot in Roosevelt Mall and after what could’ve been the shortest disclaimer I recall we mosey’d over to the track.

    THE WARM UP – all in cadence

    • SSH x 27
    • Windmills x 9
    • Peter Parkers x 9
    • Parker Peters x 9
    • Wife pleasers x 9
    • Left single leg wife pleasers x 9
    • Right single leg wife pleasers x 9

    Next we performed a “Cleveland Indians” run. Due to the size of the PAX (thankfully it was an even number) I opted to split into 2 groups as we ran towards NOMA then promptly continued the loop and headed back towards Falcon Field. Along the way the running group I was a part of realized the other group had dwindled from the initial 8 members down to 5. Some comments were made as we realized we were not following the motto of “No Man Left Behind.” Those PAX members who had already reached Falcon Field promptly decided to sweep the 6 and complete the run.

    Thanks to the Exicon I was able to determine what would be meat of our workout today. Since I am a baseball lover I thought “Field of Dreams” would be a great way to include a little bit of everything. After splitting inot 4 teams of 4 men instructions were spelled out.

    • Home plate group perform 18 burpees and would be our counter.
    • While group at home plate performed burpees, first base group performed squats, second base group performed merkins, and third base group performed LBCs. All of these groups would perform AMRAP.
    • Once home plate group completed 18 burpees they would “Chicago Cub” crawl to first base. At that time first base group would “Chicago Cub” crawl to second base, etc. until all 4 groups had completed all 4 stations.

    After a small amount of confusion on when to crawl, the PAX quickly understood the rules of the exercise upon my second attempt and completed without incident and most importantly without injury.

    After a 20 count from War Eagle we moved on to a timed team competition. PAX was again split into 2 groups. Group 1 lined up at home plate to run the bases. The first participant would take off and upon reaching second base would yell for the next runner to go until all members had hit all 4 bases. While Group 1 ran, Group 2 headed to left field for some walking lunges until Group 1 had finished. We then swapped and while Group 2 ran the bases Group 1 performed an exercise which looked like more LBCs. I realized afterwards I did not actually instruct this group on what to do while Group 2 ran the bases so they thankfully took it upon themselves to lead each other.

    Finish times:

    • Group 1: 1 min, 32 sec
    • Group 2: 1 min, 23 sec

    Since Group 1 had lost in admirable fashion they performed a penalty run along the warning track with a stop in center field for 9 burpees. Group 2 headed to the left field line for some celebratory Nolan Ryan’s. 9 reps on each side were performed in cadence followed by a plank and wait until Group 1 returned. Cowbell requested group to plank on elbows so his request was granted.

    With the PAX whole again we completed the workout at Falcon Field with 27 “Los Angeles” Sweat Angels. Mosey back to flag (or at least where flag typically is located.)

    COT – countarama, namearama, intentions both spoken and unspoken, and prayers of thanks.

    Thanks to everyone for allowing me to Q today and try something out at the baseball field I had been wanting to mix in. Now that I have my VQ under my belt I look forward to future Q’s.

  • Time Flies When You’re Having Fun, But I’ll Be Back To Finish What I Started!

    YHC hasn’t been to the NOLA Foundry since the start of the Popeyes AO.  Smartly, Amnesty volunteered me to Q so I can give back to one of the AOs that helped me get started in F3.  It was nice to see PAX YHC hasn’t seen in a while and a good reminder of all the NOLA Foundry has to offer.  Consider hitting an AO you haven’t been to in a while or ever!

    WARMUP

    After giving the disclaimer, YHC led the PAX in what was considered an unorthodox direction.  Some of the PAX were confused with the change, but the concerns were quickly quelled as we moseyed a short distance for the following warm up IC: SSH x 21, IW x 20, Arm Circles x 20 (10 each direction), Grass Grabbers x 20, Plank Jacks x 20, and Abe Vigodas x 10.

    The Thang

    The PAX were divided by 1s and 2s on either side of the Roosevelt Mall for a Route 66 (War Eagle would be proud!). PAX 1 to the left for incline merkins adding one at each bench and PAX 2 to the right for dips using the same counting scheme, for a total of 12. Plank and wait at the end, then switch sides. Once each PAX had their turn on either side with both exercise, rinse and repeat using LSS and step-ups, but the step-ups were cut back to ten so the opposing PAX didn’t have wait too long.

    Being my second Q ever, I did not estimate time correctly and had what would amount to another beat down that was going to go unused. Not a problem, I will return to finish what I started! With approximately seven minutes to kill, we did the following Mary IC: Tin Snips x 20, LBCs x 25, Dying Cockroaches x 20, Peguins x 20 (as a reprieve to silence some of the mumbling), and J-Lo’s x 20 (in honor of Amnesty who has been down and out with a nasty lung infection). Returned the PAX to the flag exactly at 0615. I noted Smooth wasn’t winded nor sweating, so the mumbling about the Mary was unfounded and attempts were made to make Cowbell take the fall for the mumbling, but we know better!

    After a quick reminder from the PAX on the proper order to end a beat down (another attempt to be unorthodox), COUNTOFF, NAMERAMA, and COT. Prayers for the sick, injured, struggling, and private intentions, as well as gratitude for this group of men who work hard and motivate each other.

    Once again, it was an honor to lead and I’m thankful for your willingness to follow. I’ll be back soon as a PAX and to finish the beat down.

    12 strong at the NOLA Foundry
  • Lost Left Eye

    8 men arrived at the Foundry in the dark. Sadly, we lost one along the way, but were reunited in the end. The usual disclaimer and off we go.

    We moseyed down Roosevelt Mall, and stopped half way for the warm-up COP. SSH x 20 IC, IW x 20 IC, Peter Parkers x 20 IC, Windmills x 10 IC, Arm Circles 10 forward 10 backwards IC, Mountain Climbers x 20 IC

    We continued our mosey to the end of Roosevelt Mall for the 2nd COP: Legs. Low slow squats x 10 IC, Side lunges x 10 IC, Al Gore x 10 IC, Jump lunges x 10 IC

    Next off to the Foundry for some circuits. 4 stations with 2 men each. 2 circuits of Pull-ups, Squats, Dips, WWII sit-ups (15 count), followed by 2 circuits of Body Rows, Lunges, Hanging Knee-Ups, Crunchy Frogs (10 count).

    This is where things got dicey in the dark. We moseyed down the back drive, stopping at each light post for 10 Merkins. Then we lost Left Eye. We turned left, he turned right, things got fouled up, and YHC did a terrible job of keeping the Pax together. Tool circled back for our lost man, but alas, Left Eye could not be found.

    At the track, we paired up and completed 2 laps with one Pax sprinting 200 yards while the other Pax cut across the field. Then we circled at the end of the track for some Mary. Flutter kicks x 20 IC, LBC’s x 20 IC, Hello Dolly x 20 IC, Penguins x 20 IC.

    We moseyed back to the flag, ready to jump in the car to go find our Lost Left Eye. When out of the gloom, Left Eye appeared. He made an extra mosey to NOMA, then found his way back to the flag. Count-off, Name-o-rama, announcements, intentions, and a prayer. Luckily we were reunited in the end. A good reminder to always circle back for the 6, and leave no man behind. Thanks for letting me lead. I’ll do better next time!