I joined 10 of F3 RVA’s finest HIMs today on a journey around Dog Pile’s little known treasures….buckle up let’s go.
6 a.m. on the dot, we took off towards the nickel bridge, where UpChuck jokingly warned me the bridge was closed (I guess he didn’t want to do a burpee lightpole session). With that nugget in mind, I knew where would head first after our warmorama…
Warmup: Circle up (Rosie made me in the middle of the circle)…began to give the F3 mission statement amongst chit chat…Hitch joins the crew (a little late). Warmup exercises included SSH, stretches (possibly Heist’s wife stretch? Wasn’t glorious enough for my M, so not this time!), copper head squats, APDs, Rosco’s mom, LBCs, merkins, Wilson and Fudd’s wife.
Part 1 – Yes – the Bridge! But first – an amazing fart from Senor Frog (apparently held in for a week). Run down the nickel bridge and back, alternating between squats and burpees at each light pole. May or may not have waited for the six at the turn around, but instructions were “down and back.” Picked up the six with Mr. Roger and Rosie. Pretty sure Mr. Roger and I got a little out of sync with our burpee/squats despite the easy pattern (Rosie can attest).
Senor Frog was so warn out from all his honeymoon luvin’ he began to lay on the ground. 20 count was the best medicine for that (thanks Hitch).
Part 2 – I decided to slow things down a bit, so did a few rounds of stepups and dips by the Pump House Parking Lot. Said hello to a few short shorts runners who strolled by.
Part 3 – My original plan to do a triple check by the pipeline, but when I saw the amazingly pristine hand bars by the Byrd Park Pump House (some nice landscaping and an ADA compliant switchback style path recently installed), I knew an audible was needed.
Two sets of jerkins performed (20 reps – apparently that was too many)…these guys need to come to Satan’s Hill on Flex Friday where we eat jerkins for breakfast!
Next, I took the guys over to this rock slab for a brief thrill of sliding on your six about 2 seconds. Quickly gave the “you vs you, don’t hurt yourself speech.” No injuries and I think everyone found it amusing.”
Part 4 – Pump House trail exploration: Per request of Senor Frog, we journeyed up the Pump House trail loop. At the halfway point, I led us in a few rounds of Mary. We were about to turn back when Hitch asks, “are we going to the skate park?” Curious to see a new Dog Pile landmark, I said take it away Hitch. Off he ran, Pax followed along to the break in the fence that separates the world from the train tracks and boxcar hobos. Sure enough, there was a “skate park,” which was a pool like structure nestled between the train tracks and el rio Jaime. Hitch was happy, so I asked him to lead us in whatever one does there. A few rounds of bear crawls, crab walks, and sideways “actual” crab walks. Walked along the perimeter of the skate park too, one misstep would certainly be a fall in the rapids.
Part 5 – Worked our way back towards the Pump House….only an about 14 minutes left, but I really wanted to get in that triple check along the pipeline. And so, we did it, merkins and WW2 sit-ups were the exercises of choice. With only minutes left, we made our way back to the flag, late by 2 to 3 minutes. No “buy the Pax” breakfast penalty….this time.
Numbers/Names
- Convergence Monday at Tredegar Iron Works (down from the VA War Memorial). Starts at 7 a.m. with Boberry leading a pre-run at 6:25 a.m.
- 2nd F – Please take shot to serve those fine folks at both Breaking Bread and the Bridge Ministry.
I shared that I had wanted to make this a Memorial Day themed workout, but just didn’t work out that way today. However, going back for the six a few times reminded me of the fact that, many soldiers have likely sacrificed themselves defending our great nation by “going back for the six” in times of war (think about the Marcus Lutrell story). No prayer requests, but Flatline reminded us to call a veteran we know. Check in on them.
Took us out in prayer.
Good times at Libby Market today. Enjoyed a few servings of Major Dickson’s blend.
Honor to lead!
El Heist out!
