Get your Fran cough ready!

February 3rd, 2010, by Jennie

The strength work yesterday started with push jerks 1-1-1+. The only people who wrote "PR" after their last attempts were Jelli, Audra and McKenzie, but I have a feeling we had a few more PR's than that yesterday. Make sure you write it on the white board if you PR so I can give you props!

After jerking, we moved on to the dreaded Fran.

21-15-9
thrusters (40/30kg)
pull-ups

There are few workouts that inspire as much fear as CrossFit's Fran. It's a short blasty workout, and it will leave you breathless! There's a weird phenomenon that happens with this workout, and it's called the "Fran Cough". For some reason, after you finish this workout, you'll have a temporary cough. Weird, I know....but it's just part of the coolness!

Great job for everyone who set Fran PR's yesterday! I know Garth and Matty Lo set PR's, but so did Beth! She beat her old time by 4 or 5 minutes AND she used a smaller pull-up band! Great job girlfriend!

Our "Pants Progress Bin" has grown substantially! Thanks to Steph L for bringing in all her progress pants. If I had to guess, I'd say she donated close to 40 pairs of pants! Your shopping addiction is going to make some ladies VERY happy Steph!! Ladies, if you need new pants, shorts or capris, make sure you check out BOTH progress bins and take home some new pants!

Matty Lo and Bethy lock out their thrusters

Matty Lo and Bethy lock out their thrusters

Category: CrossFit

16 Responses to "Get your Fran cough ready!"

  • Garth
    February 3, 2010, 2:06 pm

    No PR for me - 4:39 vs previous time of 4:36. I was so hoping to knock Clark off the board! Kudos to Matt for his 3:22 time - that's crazy fast.
    Had the Fran cough all damn day :)

  • Troy from TX
    February 3, 2010, 2:42 pm

    From what I understand :Fran cough = interstitial pulmonary edema.

    Very basically fluid/plasma crosses into the "air" side of the lungs, due to the hydrostatic pressure changes from high intensity exercises like Fran, and this fluid irritates enough to cause a cough.

  • Garth
    February 3, 2010, 2:51 pm

    Thanks Troy! That is great info - looking into details online now. What's your background or where did you learn about this?

  • Jennie
    February 3, 2010, 2:54 pm

    Smart guys are SO HOT!! :-)

    So Troy, do you have an explanation for why my ears fill up with fluid and it sounds like you're under water??

  • MattyLo
    February 3, 2010, 3:06 pm

    What about the fran blurred vision?? I had to consult with my lawyer (Brian) before I drove home last night to ensure I could avoid a DUI...

  • Stacy
    February 3, 2010, 6:08 pm

    This Fran was terrible! My entire body was throbbing afterward and I didn't even come close to beating my PR?!?! Matt I feel your pain. I had to wait a half hour till I could drive. Nice job BTW-3:22 ATTA BOY!!

  • Ryan
    February 3, 2010, 7:16 pm

    Matt I think you succeeded in your sub 4 minute goal! Way to go. I like how Troy starts it of with "very basically" I mean who doesn't understand interstitial fluid? By the way, is this how smokers feel in the morning after smoking all day?

  • Mike
    February 3, 2010, 7:33 pm

    My previous Fran was 14:20, this one I did in 7:49!! When I did it at the firehouse the day before I got 6:11, I was a little sore the second time around.

  • Mark R.
    February 4, 2010, 8:56 am

    Personally I think the 'Fran' cough is more of an allergen than smart/hot Troy's explanation. Being that I hate 'Fran' with every fiber of my being I start coughing when I hear the name...no offense to anyone out there who shares their name with this horrible WOD. I liken it more to the body's aversion to torture.

  • Troy from TX
    February 4, 2010, 3:51 pm

    @Jennie, does "popping you ears" while holding your nose like you would being on an airplane help?

  • Troy (not from TX)
    February 5, 2010, 3:05 pm

    I understand pressure in the ear is from elevated blood pressure. Here's an article I found that sums it up. I also have this happen, most of the time during summer/warmer months. Usually gone in a few minutes after I've cooled down. That same water in the ear sensation...I don't try anything except drink some water and cool down.

    PS Smoking can also lead to this sensation....you can pick next time: Marlboro Light or Fran. Might be a close call....

    You may have Exercise-Induced Eustachian Tube Dysfunction…

    Exercise increases blood supply to all parts of the body. Along with this increased proliferation of blood, comes tissue engorgement...this is why your skin becomes red or flushed. When the tissue engorgement is around your eustachian tubes -- those tiny ventilation tubes that run from your middle ear space (the area on the other side of your eardrum) to the back of your throat -- it may cause the tubes to malfunction. Cigarette smoking can also cause eustachian tube dysfunction.

    If the eustachian tubes clog, your ears may feel full / stuffy, and your hearing could be a bit muffled, like they need to "pop". If the e-tubes lock in the "open" position (they are normally closed and only open briefly when we swallow), you may hear your own voice or an echo.

    As long as this exercise-induced eustachian tube dysfunction resolves after you cool down, there is no need to be concerned. Unfortunately, there may be little that you can do to prevent this from occurring, other than reducing the intensity of your exercise. Some ENTs will try nasal corticosteroid sprays or recommend ibuprofen, so these approaches may be worth a try.

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