Author: Applesauce

  • A Summer Tour

    According to gentleman passed out in a blue pickup truck that was parked at the flag, who DEFINITELY wasn’t Handshake, the following may have happened.

    YHC moseyed from the flag over to the big circle for the traditional Warm-a-rama, pondering life decisions, like signing up to Q weeks before Summer Tour dates were announced, the morning after a soccer game I’d definitely stay up late watching.

    Then, out of the gloom, emerged Hitchhiker Blank Space. Thus encouraged, we embarked on a scenic tour of the most outstanding AO in they city.

    1. Exercises on the steps up and down the amphitheater.
    2. Pair up at the cages for pull-ups and a timer.
    3. Blank Space shares he didn’t do DTH Ultimate because he hates running.
    4. Run down the hill, past the pump house, ducked through the f****, climbed over the t****, and then down to the river.
    5. Various exercises at the river.
    6. Some 2nd/3rd F at one of my favorite spots in the city, at the bench overlooking the river and Atlantic Coastal Bridge, reflecting on
    7. Mosey back to the flag, so Blank Space can properly finish his Murph from last weekend.
    8. American Hammers in honor of the soccer team blow-out last night.

    Names, Numbers, Announcements, and COT. Prayers that we would have the wisdom to know how best to work on our relationships with our Ms.

    Announcements:

    1. Pickleball Series continues – Monday at 5:30 AM at Bryan Park. Be there!
    2. Summer Tour continues – Keep your eyes on Slack

    NMS: I’m grateful for Blank Space! It’s been a lot of fun getting to know you over the last year, as we’ve both been on the FNG journey at an AO that’s seen a lot of FNGs over the years. What a different a partner makes!

  • Summer Series – Week 0

    Two Pickleball Pounders arrived in the gloom to shake off lingering Murph pain and slap some balls around.

    The bootcampers caught in the soccer field sprinklers observed the following lessons being learned.

    1. Bryan Park is in fact open before 7:00 AM, despite what Google Maps says.
    2. The sun rises at a perfect time for some pickleball.
    3. Hitch has upped his game, and will be a fierce competitor on his return.
    4. YHC is going to be a problem. Not sure if it’s for myself, my teammates, or the birds, but definitely a problem.

    Prayers that we would be wise, kind, and strong fathers, husbands, sons and men as we go.

    NMS: This marks a little over a year since Hitch brought every ounce of his ample enthusiasm to bear to convince me to come out for my first F3 pickleball game. He wasn’t the first to try, but his missionary zeal made the difference. After my first beatdown, Upchuck told me to to give it six months, and it would change my life. He wasn’t wrong.

    Looking back over the year, it’s been one of incredible fruit personally, physically, and professionally. (I’ve even had to buy bigger shirts!) I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to join this fine company of HIMs!

  • 45 Minutos de Mundial

    15 fine footballers emerged from the gloom to try their hand at the beautiful game. Hitch led us in a brief mosey to an extended COP, then YHC took the reins.

    We started the footy fun with a soccer triple check, which faced the timer with a challenge…can you dribble down the field and score on an open goal? It may not surprise you to learn the answer was often hilariously “no”.

    We kept our troikas together for a couple rounds of the old soccer stand-by, “World Cup”, where the four teams fight to score with one ball in a free for all. Each team was supposed to pick different countries; so of course we had 2 USAs and an Antarctica! Rounds were quick, and winners did squats and Mary until the losing team finished 3 burpees.

    Last came the main event. We split into two teams, one wearing green pinnies/neck gaitors, one not, and YHC playing all-time offence fairly ineffectually. It wouldn’t be F3 soccer without some pain, and the pax owed Merkins for kicking out of bounds, Burpees for giving up a goal, and American Hammers for scoring. As a “reward” for scoring a goal, that Pax was given the honor of bearing the red white and blue until the next goal.

    Son 2.0, Beta, Last Call, and company dazzled with some slick moves, but ultimately couldn’t hold off Panenka (our FNG), Handshake, Hitch, and Bodo’s. Somehow Bodo’s ended with his shin covered in blood which is…on brand.

    The pax didn’t want the fun to end and were late back to the “flag” where Saab patiently abided and Swirly was long gone. We wrapped with Numbers, Names, the naming of our FNG, announcements and COT.

    1. The Summer Tour is coming to Dogpile on Saturday, and Hitch is throwing down a Murph. Let’s make it a mini-convergence.
    2. Pickleball is starting another summer on Monday at 5:30, with a new location, the Bryan Park Pickleball courts. The maps say this is just as close a Batteau for SOJ, and WAAAY closer for WestHoe.
    3. There’s an SOJ ruck on Sunday June 14th in Brandermill. I don’t know what any of those words mean, but bring your 2.0s for some fun!

    A huge welcome to Panenka (birth name Chad) for coming out today! He’s an avid adult league soccer player, Manchester United fan (Boberry was pretty happy about this), USMNT fan (American Outlaws represent!) and had heard about F3 from a friend. So good to have you here!

    NMS: It was a fun morning at Mary Munford, with some surprise 45MOM appearances, including Hitch’s 2.0, Son, Last Call, Last Time and Boberry…we’ll have to do this again next year.

  • Grand Schemes

    It was a fine morning for a fine foursome to do fine work on the finest track in the entire country.

    Hitch arrived just in time to join the Warm-a-rama and we took off for a lap, wondering if Bodo’s would arrive “on-time” after lap one. He did not. Much good mumble-chatter ensued as we continued the work…lifting, running, lifting, and running.

    Wrapped with Numbers, Names, Announcements, and a COT.

    1. There will be SOCCER at 45MOM Thursday (see Hitch’s 1F post)
    2. The French Open reminds us that it’s Pickleball tournament SZN – with Hitch going to Korea, YHC will take on organizing.
    3. Apparently you’re supposed to go “Birth Name, Age, and THEN F3 Name” at the end. But who cares, RVA ALL DAY!

  • Look good -> play good

    4 extremely good looking gentlemen came out for some bespoke kettlebell exercises and hot laps around a track so appealing it should be in Augusta Georgia. Garbage Plate enjoyed it so much he did a third lap in the time the rest of us did two.

    Lots of good chat about the absurdities of American kids birthday parties, and simple joys of a well made birthday dinner.

    As you prep for the day, remember: If you look good, you feel good. You feel good you play good. Play good and they pay good.

  • A “timely” SCCC backblast

    Two fine gentlemen woke up for a 4:30 5:30 AM workout. The traditions were kept, with 6 rounds of Tabata weight slinging, the required number of laps, deep conversation, and a belated backblast.

    We started slooow, but picked up the pace as our bodies woke up and settled into the work.

    Numbers/Names/Prayer, then Hitch did a few more laps after for good measure.

    Keep in mind those at CarMax…both those affected by recent layoffs, and then 5-day a week RTO causing major disruption in the family lives of those that remain.

  • A Proper Country Club Experience

    70 and Sunny as Three terrific Tabata troubadours slung iron and dodged black ice at the world’s finest outdoor track.

    The MumbleChatter was strong, and the following critically important things happened:

    • Faceplant discovered that tights do, in fact, keep you warmer.
    • Applesauce shared tips for Olympian-approved tips for improved ski jump (and bedroom) performance
    • Dunkin Donuts Super Bowl commercial was voted the favorite of the Pax, followed by the Pepsi/Coldplay Polar bears.
    • Virtues of various ski camps were evaluated (as one does at a country club)
    • The Pax did good work, getting in the full run distance, lawnmower pulls, squats , curls, swings, deadlifts, and a round of Mary.

    Numbers/names to finish…thanks to the Hitch and Faceplant for getting out of the fartsack and bundling up for the last frigid morning for a while.

  • Are you sure this isn’t Kansas?

    YHC was locking in for a solo beat down at the nation’s finest high school running track, when out of the gloom strode Offshore, with a 45 pound instrument of woe.

    We did normal Tabata timed lifting things, with laps against the wind both ways.

    1. Warmarama
    2. Lawnmower pulls
    3. Weighted squats/lunges
    4. Clean and press
    5. Swings and curls
    6. Mary

    Wrapped up with numbers and names. I hadn’t gotten to work out with Offshore before; it was good to meet a fellow 20-year RVA resident/out of towner.

    Prayers for peace and patience through the Joy and Grind of Holiday Hosting.

  • the game before The Game

    YHC and a closely related FNG joined the pax at The Dam, in Columbus, for a gloomy game of ultimate football. A light up football was the MVP, with huge plays from FNG Cracker & YHC and of plenty of penalty burpees for all.

    I’m grateful for:

    1. The warm welcome from Castaway, Jar Jar, and the other pax
    2. The chance to school them on the proper name for a Pickle Pointer, i.e. Alabama Prom Date
    3. The opportunity to demonstrate proper form of said APDs in full view of many cars passing by.

    It was great to hang out with a group of fine HIMs who already understand what real college football is. Kudos to Nancy for the tireless work educating the Richmond pax. Go Bucks!

  • 45 Minutes of Mosey

    13 warriors (including 3 walkers) appeared for a trip through the rough streets of…WestHoe?

    The mumblechatter was strong as we moseyed over to Reveille for Warmarama, where YHC suffered from temporary age-induced brain fog before leading PAX through a 40 count of SSHs and other assorted exercise. Mosey to the Reveille Parking lot for a Triple Check, featuring American Hammers and Squats. Mosey to some other random parking lot for a scrambled 4 corners, with Burpees, LBCs, Flutter Kicks, and Merkins. Wander back to Mary for a shortened version of 11s, with Squats and enough Pull-ups to make a Marine angry. Back to the flag for Numbers and Names.

    Announcements: Hutton is leading many fine HIMs to the Bridge on November 15th, and you should join them.

    Moleskin: As I start my 41st trip around the sun, I find myself filled with gratitude. Gratitude for my M and 2.0s, for the chance to do useful work, and for this F3 community. The last 5 months have been a blessing; and I’m consistently seeing growth in strength and fitness, both physically and more importantly in how I lead in my family, work, and community. Thank you for the challenge and the fellowship.