Author: Big Tennessee

  • 6, 17 and a VQ Redo

    14 pillars of manliness showed up expecting a Swirly-Q and were instead treated to an old-fashioned BT experience. As the remnants of Zeta approached, we got down to business. Here’s how it went:

    COP:

    Mosey around the tennis courts to grass. Merkins x 10, Copperhead Squats x 10, Imperial Walkers x 11, LBC x 20, SSH x 25, maybe something else

    Thang:

    Mosey onto tennis courts for Tracers: backpedal sideline, slide step baseline, sprint up far sideline. Down and back.

    Stay on courts: traverse the 4 tennis courts and alternate exercises: lunge/bear crawl down, crabwalk/crawl bear back.

    Split into 2 groups on the track to tackle a 4-exercise circuit. Exercises were Flutter Kicks x 17, Pull-ups x 6, LBCs x 17, Dips x 6. 3 rounds.

    Mosey to soccer fields for Super 6’s. Exercises were Merkins x 6, Carolina Dry Docks x6 and Squats x 6. Sprint across field to other side and the exercises. Sprint back and do them again. Repeato x 6.

    On way back to the flag, stop on courts to do 6 Burpees in cadence and 6 OYO.

    COT: Saab took us out the way only Saab can.

    NMM:

    It’s been a minute since ol’ BT Q’d, but with a little nudge, and offer from Swirly and some gear-grinding that box is now checked. Just like riding a bike and looking forward to more.

    While getting in a decent amount of runs, YHC has been largely absent from bootcamps in the past year due to a variety of issues/injuries. But, a 6-yr anniversary with this incredible bunch of dudes needed to be honored, hence the incessant number of 6-counts. 17 was thrown in there as an homage to the passing of my 17 year old dog which caused YHC to miss the actual anniversary in the first place. She was a special pup for sure.

    While there was rust for the Q, it was knocked off quickly. Leave it to the PAX to provide a “gentle” and guiding hand when forgetting certain protocols and trying to turn a burpee into a 4-count. Thankfully, mumble-chatter was minimal during the Super 6’s else it could have been a long morning.

    Grateful for the opportunity to lead and especially appreciative of the bonds YHC has formed with this group. Here’s to another 6. SYITG!

  • Garden Tour

    20 seasoned running vets and Gearheads showed up to support BT’s RAMM VQ with a new route. Here’s how it went:

    THANG:

    West on Grove to Tuckahoe, over Cary and down Paxton. Loop back up Ampthill over Cary and down Roslyn. Continue over Grove to Patterson and hang a right. 4’s take Woodlawn to Grove and back to home base. 5’s take Hamilton to Grove and back, and 6’s detour through Stonewall Ct on the way to Lafayette, then right on Grove back home.

    NMS:

    YHC was happy to find a route we hadn’t done yet and felt like we needed a little hill work. Also, it gave us a chance to run through the heart of the annual city Garden Tour. Thankfully, Ampthill was early in the run because it’s a doozy. Mileage was almost spot on, but the 5’s needed a another tenth to reach the mark. All in all YHC thinks it was a success and hopes it makes the rotation. Lug and Swirly headed out early and got an extra 3 miles; nice work boys. Great to see J’ville back after his 50k and drag Picabo away from the grips of competitive tennis. Hitchhiker left it all on the field; way to push my man! YHC tried to talk a little baseball with Marv and Sippy early on, but couldn’t keep up so enjoyed some hardball banter with Flatty on the tail end.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:

    Field day next week, get your unis buttoned up and make sure you get Mother’s Day squared away. Positive vibes to the AT crew who are crushing over 100 miles this weekend (TYA, Circle K, Ollivander, The Whittler, someone else?). There was some other stuff but really can’t remember.

    Be awesome and have a great weekend!

  • Just like Old Times

    20 hardened ironheads landed at No Toll looking to get muddy.  Luckily for the pristine fields, it was an Old Glory day and the majority of the activity was confined to the perimeter.  Here’s what went down:

    THANG:

    YHC grabbed the Flag and away we went.  No FNG’s, so a quick disclaimer was given on the fly.

    Start with a 1 mile run around the entire soccer field complex (2 laps).  Then, loops of 4 stations at the corners of the AO:
    Station 1:  20 x Merkins
    Station 2:  20 x Jump Squats
    Station 3:  10 x Burpees
    Station 4:  20 x WWII Situps
    Complete as many loops as possible before 6 am, then gather together for another 1 mile run around the complex.  PAX planks until the 6 reaches the Shovel Flag.  Merkin ROF, then AMRAP merkins until the final four finished the round.  Head back to the parking lot for COT.  YHC took us out.
    ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    – Marmaduke is still collecting coats for the holidays.  Get them to him soon.
    – Courtney Sievers, the lovely wife of Vinny, will have a book signing and release party at Ruth & Ollie’s in Carytown from 4-7 this Thursday.  Come by to pick up some art, the book and some FREE beer.
    – Movember is in full effect.  Rumor has it Gumbo is not going to cut his hair or shave his neck.  Cap’n Caveman, baby!
    –  Something else, but I must have paused the recording by accident.  Labrat apologizes for that.
    NMS:
    Nothing like Q’ing an Old Glory at No Toll after a long hiatus.  Felt like putting on my favorite old pair of jeans, if they were soaked through and covered and mud.  Really, the weather was nice and the rain gave us a nice window to get some work done.  It has been almost 3 and a half years since YHC borrowed Old Glory from Charlotte and brought it to No Toll, and that first edition only had 6 PAX.  Good to have Wilson as one of the originals there for the reunion (although he probably doesn’t remember it).  Rosie in typical fashion killed it, and Labrat was especially spry rocking the Bedrocks in unfavorably cold and wet conditions.  Aye!  Good to meet those of you that I had not met before, and thanks for letting me back SOJ to lead you fine men.  Also, an extra thanks to Honeymoon for hanging back with me while I nursed a bad wheel.  Make sure to log your loops on the Google Doc so you can benchmark your progress.  See you all in the Gloom!
    -BT

  • Derby Pre-Party

    16 thoroughbreds arrived full of spirit and ready to get the day started off on the right foot (hoof).  BT planted the shovel flag and we were off to the races.  Here’s how it went down.

    The Thang

    Mosey to the circle at the top of the amphitheater for COP:

    Helicopters x 10, Abe Vigodas x 10 (nice and slow, baby), Merkin x 10, Leg lifts x 15, SSH x 20

    Mosey to the Paddock (Rusty Cage on any other day) to showcase some strength.  Partner up and perform 5 pull-ups, 5 chin-ups, 10 partner dips each, run together to Carillon and back.  Repeato x 3.  Al Gore until all PAX is finished, then 2 quick burpees for fun.

    Mosey to Amphitheater for a Mint Julep.  5 box jump burpees on the bottom step.  Run/walk/climb up 15 steps.  Complete 10 merkins on 15th step, then run down to the bottom of the amphitheater.  Repeato x 7 to complete one Mint Julep.

    Mosey to the Winner’s Circle at the top of the Amphitheater.  Complete ascending lateral curb crawl to 3 and back down to one.  Retire to the grassy circle for a mini-Mary of Freddie Mercury x 20, cross-legged leg lifts x 16 (each leg).

    Native American run on the Yellow Brick Road back to the flag to complete mini-Mary of LBC x 30, finished with a Ring of Fire.  Circle K took us out.

    Announcements:

    HDHH:  May 16 at Independence Golf club for range balls and cocktails.  Gumbo has a key to the range ball machine and knows the secret handshake.  Not sure if it will be a hostile takeover or a gentlemanly occupation of the range, but it will most certainly be fun.  Come out and get some practice in before Wilson’s annual golf tourney on May 19.  Get on a team and come out: it’s ALWAYS a good time and for a great cause.

    Shakedown is shaving his head and raising money for children’s cancer.  See his backblast and follow him on Twitter.

    Offshore is donating (not accepting!) fluids to VCU today.  If you’d like to join him, have at it.

    NMS:

    Lots of witty heckling welcomed YHC before we got started today, with encouragement and excitement over my “VQ.”  Yes, it has been a minute since I led these seasoned steeds, and I had to get that 0% off of the column.  #bigdata.  Lab Rat then commented that he’d never done an Old Glory at Dogpile.  Touche, #onetrickpony.  It is the week of the Kentucky Derby, so the theme was a no-brainer.  The Mint Julep was a hit the last time and proved to be so again.  As with the beverage (and nipples), the exercise holds true that one may not be enough, but 3 is too many.  We kept it at one and will get to 2 next time.  EF Hutton left some shin skin in the amphitheater, but it was really to let the “other crew” know that the AO is ours, and cones, clipboards and yoga mats are better used elsewhere.  Loved having them camp off to the side, watching us while we got to work. On the run back, I half thought Swirly was going to circle the yoga mat crew a couple of times just for good measure.  Deep thoughts with Lab Rat: how much does it cost to get to sleep in? The Offshore/fluids banter has impressive staying power and never gets old.  Good to hit the cage with Shakedown, and as always the brotherhood in this group is a powerful force.  Nothing better than starting the day with that kind of energy.  It was a pleasure to lead, men, and I am grateful for every second.  Aye!  -BT

     

  • Good things come in 3’s, or 7’s

    6 old salts and one really old, vehicularly challenged beefcake shook off the chill of an early fall morning to help ol’ BT celebrate his 3rd anniversary with F3.  After pleasantries were exchanged, we all got down to business.

    THE THANG:

    Mosey to side of the school for COP:

    Abe Vigodas x 10, SSH x 20, Russian Soldier x 20, Merkin (YHC prefers this spelling) x 10, LBC x 20

    Mosey to soccer field behind school for Super 7’s: 7 burpees, sprint across field, 7 merkins/7squats, sprint back.  Repeat x 7.

    Mosey to parking lot circle and partner up for 1k/5k:  exercises were 100 merkins, 200 Freddie Mercs, 300 flutter kicks, 400 LBC.  PAX holds Al Gore until everyone is finished.

    Gather around parking circle for Burp Dans (Lt. Dan followed by a burpee).  AMRAP but stop when first PAX reaches 10 reps.

    Mosey back to flag for COT.  BT took us out.

    Announcements:  1yr Hampton Roads anniversary coming up, keep an eye out.  C’ville 4-miler also on the horizon.  Fall is busy, so make sure to get out and post before the dreary winter gloom descends upon us.

     

    MOLESKIN:

    Between work travel and the dreaded man cold, YHC has been MIA for the better part of 2 weeks, so needless to say there was some concern that he would even be able to make it through a workout, much less a Q.  But alas, BT’s name was on the Q sheet and this being his 3rd anniversary with this distinguished group of men it had to be done.  Additionally, an oh-so-subtle drag race between YHC and a certain lead-footed PAX member on the way to Punisher got the blood pumping, and all was right with the world.

    The other concern was if anyone would show up.  The PAX has grown impressively, and AO’s have followed suit. So many options, would anyone travel to north side to engage the anniversary celebration?  Luckily, YHC ran into Pucker and Saab Friday evening and planted the seed.  Add a late text to ol’ Swirly Sunday who convinced Bleeder to ignore the pain of a long Indian Princess weekend and we had a PAX!  Goldberg was a nice addition along with Chum as the AO’s resident caretaker.

    Speaking of Saab, he met up with us after a COP at the onset of the Super 7’s. Apparently, the LR failed him again, but this time he was able to make it back to the house to shuffle to another mode of transportation from the Crabtree fleet.  Bleeder has said he can fix anything with a “brick and a string,” so we have started a collection for bricks, string and any pocket change you can muster to get the LR in tiptop shape.  Give much, give often.

    Fellas, as many have said many times before me, I am extremely thankful for this group.  Three years have flown by and I can’t imagine not being part of this brotherhood.  Many of you I would not have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know without F3, and that would be a great misfortune to me.  You inspire, encourage, and support without pause or concern, and thankfully you dish out an equal amount of grief and ball-busting ridicule.   And on occasion, the banter is both intelligent and mildly enjoyable.  It is all MUCH appreciated and substantially needed.  See you all in the gloom.

    Aye!!

    -BT

     

     

     

  • 5 Potato

    5 steely knuckleheads got the week started off on the right foot and tackled the challenge that is Batteau.  Here’s how it went down.

    The Thang:

    Swirly on the Q:  COP:  SSH, Helicopters , Windmills, Imperial Walkers, LBC’s, APD’s, Flutter Kicks

    Start at playground for 3 sets of:  5 x pullups, 10 x incline merkins, 10 x decline merkins,  run to tree.

    Mosey to benches for 3 sets of: 20 dips and 20 step ups

    Q pitched to BT, mosey to field for Super 7’s (7 burpees, run across field to perform 7 merkins and 7 squats, run back to start.  Complete 7x).

    Soft handoff to Phonics for last Q.  Adjourn to the near field for some ab and chest work.  LBCs, Freddie Mercuries, and a whole bunch of tortuous merkin exercises to include (5 ) 2-ct merkins, 2″ plank hold, (5) 2-ct half merkins.  2, maybe 3 rounds.  Some other stuff? Quick tempo for sure.

    Run to 6 trees, perform 5 burpees at each.  Mosey back to flag and finish out with 20 merkins apiece.

    COT:  Phonics took us out.

    Moleskin:  YHC was Lifo for the first time that he can remember, having had to turn around to get his gloves and being 99% certain curb crawls were on the menu.  Thankfully, none of that nonsense happened, but plenty of other pain was there to greet us.  Great to meet Mindfreak for the first time, and since YHC has been on the road waaaay more than needed it was good to get back to a solid beatdown and sweat with Swirly, Hardywood and Phonics.  If my count is correct, we completed 195 merkins for those doing the challenge this month.  Things I learned today:

    • Mindfreak is a super talent and can beat China’s best 7 yr old at Rubik’s cube completion while juggling on a unicycle.
    • Hot potato Q’s always, always bring the pain.
    • If your choices for the last Q are Phonics, Hardywood and Mindfreak, chances are it’s gonna hurt.

    Announcements:

    • ReeseStrong 5k is in September, get ready.
    • BRR training is in full swing.
    • Lockjaw has the HDHH reins, not sure when it is but it’s coming!
    • Bleeder is doing well across the pond and intends to beat Will and Harry down in the gloom in front of Buckingham Palace.

    Great to be part of the Q Crew today, and always great to be back.  See you in the gloom!

     

  • Rock Stars

    5 strong Oaks ignored the call of the Monday morning fartsack and met a blustery rainy morning to start the week off right.  Here’s what went down.

    Thang:

    COP: Abe Vigoda x 10; Forward arm circles, palms up, 10 small/5 big then reverse, palms down, 10 small/5 big; Copperhead squat x10; SSH x 21

    Mosey to top of Stairs of Pain to pick up one large stone for Native American Rock Run back to park’s sled hill.

    Slide and the Family Stones:  Each PAX takes a stone and proceeds to slide step to the top of the sledding hill.  At the top, perform 5 burpees.  Slide step back down the hill carrying stone facing the same direction and perform 10 merkins.  Repeat 2x facing each side for a total of 4 reps.

    Mosey to playground for some Pull and Squat.  Each PAX performs 5 pull ups, 5 chin ups and 10 squats, then runs to touch the Stone House and back.  Repeat x 3.

    Mosey to circular drive in front of stone house.  Run to picnic tables on opposite side of house  for step ups and dips.  First round x 5, second round x 10, third round x 15.

    Mosey a few steps to the grassy island to the north.  Perform one (1) sprint at full speed around island.  Retire to the island for 6 MOM.  APD x 10, one-legged APD x 10, Freddy Mercuries x 20, Dying Cockroach x 10, LBC’s x 50.  One round of 10 x merking ROF.

    COT

    Moleskin:

    Having never Q’d Batteau, YHC spent some time on Sunday scouting the AO, not wanting to disappoint an anxious PAX filled with anticipation and still on a high from a most excellent CSAUP event.  As if on cue (or Q?), who should show up behind YHC but Hardywood,along with his M and 2.0.  It is quite possible that Hardywood is a mythical park Sprite charged with protecting and nurturing the city’s natural treasures, or maybe he just works out all the time.  Either way, it was great to spend a few minutes with him reflecting on the awesomeness of the previous day.  Having damn near killed myself on the slippery brick walkways on Sunday, YHC made the decision that the workout would take place on high ground in the grass, and hopefully the PAX was able to shake out the soreness while at the same time feeling sufficiently worked.  The Native American Rock Run was improvised and more difficult than expected, and the slide hill was a throwback to an old basketball workout.  Everyone crushed it.  During the sprint, YHC completely gassed himself while Hardywood and Sippy Cup showed their wheels and blew by me as if i was a statue.  As always, Swirly owned the pull up station, and it was really good to get to sweat it out with Wheelbarrow, whom I’ve not gotten to spend enough time with.

    It was a pleasure to lead, gents, and it felt really good to get back in the Q.

    Announcements:

    Normal workouts this week.

    Throw some $$ at Circle K, but make sure he keeps his clothes on.

    Read the directions before using One Wipe Charlies.

    Squeeze your loved ones and let them know how much they mean to you.

    Go forward with PURPOSE!

    Aye!

  • The Ladies Man wasn’t expecting that…

    2 of the F3RVA faithful, a potential FNG and several soon-to-be PAX from Roanoake descended upon Wintergreen Mountain to tackle the 2016 Spartan Super.  The weather was perfect to get acquainted with an unfamiliar altitude and some unforgiving obstacles.  Here is how it went down.

    The Thang:

    After a brief introduction and jovial ribbing by the Master of Ceremonies, begin course at 0930.  Continue over a distance of 9.91 miles and 4100 feet of elevation with 25 obstacles along the way.  Obstacles included various walls to climb, cargo nets, some mud pits, rope climbs, log carries, sandbag carries, barbed wire crawls, Hercules Hoist, monkey bars, a wicked bucket carry, a multi-rig and some other fun things sprinkled in.  Course was performed on the Wintergreen ski slopes.

    Moleskin:

    Several had asked, so I figured I would post a brief recap of last week’s race.  And, given that my window is closing with the forthcoming synopsis of Saab’s legendary accomplishment (you’re the MAN!), I needed to get it done quick. The title is the first thing that Toga said to YHC upon completing the course.  As we left RVA at 0545, we had discussed that since last year’s winner had completed the course in 80 minutes, certainly we could expect to do it in about twice that, so we set our sights on 2h 20min.  Plenty of time to recover, have a few beverages and settle in to watch the Vols dismantle Florida.  At the 4 hour mark, YHC realized that it was indeed him that was being dismantled and finishing became the goal.  5 and a half hours later the goal was achieved, with Toga finishing somewhere around 4:20. Some things that YHC learned on the mountain:

    • Elevation is real.  T-claps to all our BRR brothers who have battled those mountains the last 2 years.  It was by far the biggest obstacle.
    • Leg cramps are also very real and debilitating.  First time in YHC’s life that every muscle in YHC’s legs cramped at the same time.  Made the last 2.5 miles much more challenging.
    • When helping a fellow Spartan over an obstacle as an F3 man should, make sure to pick one that does not weigh 220 lbs else you may blackout.
    • Salt tabs are a miracle drug.
    • Physical contact is accepted and expected given the close quarters on the course and over the obstacles, but when assisting a female Spartan “bowling balling” is frowned upon (her words, not mine).
    • Thinking about all of our workouts really helped keep YHC’s head in the game.

    It is also important to note that when Toga was asked which race we signed up for, the Super or the Sprint, he answered “There was a sprint?!”  He also says he will never do another one, but time heals all wounds, right?  Check the link for the detailed route:

    https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1376775772#.V-mSxZXFkfY.email

    Although it was possibly the most challenging thing YHC has done, it was well worth it.  Finally, one of our potential  FNG’s took 10 hours to complete the course, but he never quit and he finished it.  He will make a stellar F3 addition.  BT out.

    Aye!

     

  • Reaching for the Summitt

    15 strong gathered at W Dog for a midweek beatdown.  The weather was perfect because, well, we were alive and able to bang out a workout together!  Here’s how it went down:

    The Thang:

    Mosey to circle in front of Amphitheater for COP:

    SSH x 18

    Abe Vigoda x 16

    Merkins x 16

    Imperial Walkers x 18

    LBC x 36

    Mosey to the pull up station for pull-ups x 5, chin-ups x 5, supinated inverse arm curls x 8.  Repeat x 3.

    Mosey to Amphitheater for an Escalator of ascending squats.  Start on first step at 1 rep, second step x 2 and so on to the top (Summitt) and 18th step.

    Mosey to circle drive for modified Curb Crawl.  PAX performs a lateral bear crawl moving from left to right and performs x 1 staggered merkin at curb, then proceeds from right to left and performs x 2 merkins at far curb, continuing in ascending fashion to 8.  Audible called:  remaining merkins done in descending fashion from 8 to 1 utilizing a crabwalk.

    Mosey back to Amphitheater to finish the escalator, only in desceding order from 18 to 1.  Exercise was incline merkin.

    Mosey back to circle to 6 MOM:

    Freddie Mercuries x 30

    Rosalitas x 20

    LBC’s x 36

    Something else?

    Mosey back to Shovel Flag for COT.  Flashdance took us out.

    Moleskin:

    As a Vol for Life, today YHC tried to pay tribute to the career accomplishments of Pat Summit, who passed yesterday after a battle with early onset dementia.  The winningest coach in D1 basketball history (men’s and women’s) with 1098 wins, she put up some impressive numbers, all the while exhibiting the class of a champion.  Easily the best coach I never had.  The exercise reps represented her accomplishments (when possible):

    8 National Titles, 18 Final Fours (conveniently the same number of steps in the amphitheater), 16 SEC tournament championships, 16 SEC season championships, 1098 wins, 36 20-win seasons, 20 30-win seasons and possibly most impressive 100% graduation rate for 4yr players.

    We are getting stronger on the bars, fellas.  And despite Toga’s pleas for no pullups today, they had to happen.  Hardywood, Sippy, Toga, Swirly and a couple others are banging them out.  Great job!  Goldberg suggested some bicep work, and YHC agrees that we should utilize the bars for just that when possible.  WDog is a great AO for multiple reasons, not the least of which is access to the beautiful blue relief stations that have served several PAX so well over the past few months, although the suggestion of a Ring of Fire around said stations was met with disdain, along with horrid stench.  Apologies to Circle K during pull ups as YHC literally left him hanging.  Apparently, “I’m Third” was replaced with “I’m First” for a brief second.  My bad, brother.

    More apologies for those running Hillcrest this evening; 171 squats = pain.

    The highlight of the morning was definitely the Dealer’s Choice option for the escalator descent.  YHC had wanted to call incline merkins, but honestly was still feeling Rosie’s beatdown from yesterday, so he gave Saab the call.  On cue, he called merkins and dutifully earned the ire of the PAX.  Swallowing the red pill takes courage, men!  (It is possible that Saab thought it was a one-and-done scenario, but YHC likes to think that Saab needed 171 reasons to get up for a BT Q).  Despite the pain, YHC believes that the PAX is feeling good about it right now.

    Finally, another Conspiracy sighting, although he was apparently lost and running with what appeared to be a tourist group.  Come on back, Conspiracy!

    Thanks for Flashdance for inspiring words.  We played hard today, Coach Summit would be proud with the effort.  I was humbled to lead.

    -BT

     

     

     

  • A Post-Derby Mint Julep at the Theater of Pain

    10 towering oaks arrived at W-Dog for a little midweek beatdown.  The weather was cool, misty and perfect to enjoy the AO.  Seeing no yoga mats, YHC planted the shovel flag and the boys got after it.  Here is how it went down:

    The THANG:

    Mosey from the shovel flag to the circle for COP.

    Don Quixote x 15 (at Abe Vigoda  pace), Copperhead Squats x 12, Merkins x 10, Flutter kicks x 15, LBC x 20

    Mosey from Circle to The Bars.  Partner up for Pull ups x 5, Chin ups x 5, Dips x 10.  Run together and touch wall of the Carillon and run back to The Bars.  Repeat x 3.

    Mosey to Amphitheater.  Line up in front of first step for a Mint Julep.   Start with Box Jump Burpees x 5.  Run up the amphitheater to the 15th step and do Merkins x 10, then run back down to the first step.  Repeat x 7 to equal one (1) Mint Julep.

    Mosey to front of Carillon for modified Dora 1-2-3.  Keep same partner as at The Bars and complete American Hammers x 50, Flutter kicks x 100, LBC’s x 150.  One partner does exercise while the other runs the steps of the Carillon.

    Mosey back to Shovel Flag.  YHC had the honor of taking us out.

    MOLESKIN:

    Well done today, gents.  Great to have you back out, Flipper!  Tackling the pull ups/chin ups early was a good idea I think.  Swirly pounded them out, and Sippy’s form is picture perfect.  It looked like the pairings were good for the run too, and Hardywood and Sippy set the pace early, even with Hardywood in flipflops.  (More on that later.)  While getting better, YHC needs to continue to work on the pull up part of his game.

    YHC has been thinking about tapping into the limited amount of creativity he has and concocting the Mint Julep since drinking them at the KY Derby last year.  The idea is that after performing a few of them it would become difficult to walk.  YHC did not expect to be impaired after only one this morning.  As soon as the box jump burpees started, TYA said “Who thinks these things up?!”  BT does, baby.  HoneyDo and Splinter would have been proud, and I think the PAX approved, except Bleeder.  Going up not a problem, coming down on knee is a problem.  My apologies, brother.  Fudd suggested a slide, which is a great idea.

    The Mint Julep took longer than expected (surprise), so one was enough and resulted in a modified ab-based Dora, which provided perfect timing to run past the dumpster fire of a Seal Team workout that had convened on the Circle.  YHC could feel the adrenaline from the PAX delivering a firm psychological beat down to the Seal Teamers flailing on the ground doing crabcake-walk-flounder-flapper-things.

    Which brings us to Hardywood’s flipflops.  After the COT, Hardywood was providing some intel about the AO to Swirly when someone asked about him about his footwear, or lack thereof.  Turns out Hardywood normally doesn’t wear shoes when he works out (like Tarzan, Mowgli or Zola Budd), and would rather not wear shoes at all.  The sandals give him all the protection he needs, and for the record, it seems to work out pretty well for him from what YHC can see.

    A great way to start the day, fellas.  Thanks for letting me lead.

    -BT

    Announcements:

    Regular workouts in full effect.  Come get your fill of MM and Dogpile before the grass gets too high: http://www.richmond.com/news/local/city-of-richmond/article_a26af651-9a1d-524c-a963-7ba8dacccb33.html

    Wilson’s golf tourney May 20.  It’s a good cause and lots of fun.