Author: Bootleg

  • Weed control

    Ten young men extricated themselves from their cozy fart sacks see how the weed control is going in and around the amphitheater. Rumor has it the weeds are taking over…

    Mosey to the parking lot at the end of the field for COP: SSH, Helicopters, Don Quixote, Deadman hang, Imperial Walkers, Copperhead Squats, Merkins, LBCs, APDs, all in cadence

    Down the boulevard do two merkins at each lightpost, return doing one burpee at each lightpost.

    Mosey half-way down the field for 11’s across the field: WWII’s and American Hammers

    Saunter to the amphitheater: Starting at 1 rep and increase each step, dips to the bottom

    Slink over to the rusty cage for a triple check: One partner does pullups, one does squats, one runs to the hydrant and back

    Climb the hill to the Ha’ Penny Stage to touch some trees: Partner up, runner touches 5 different trees, other partner alternates LBC’s and monkey humpers.

    Travel back to the amphitheater: Do 5 incline merkins on each step back to the top.

    Hustle back to the flag for Mary: LBC’s, APD’s, Freddie Mercury’s, 2 minute savasana to listen for the weeds.

    Verdict – at least at the amphitheater, the weeds are winning.

    Numbers and names. Announcements: Get your balls and pickles ready for the summer… Pickleball at Batteau on Mondays at 5:30am starting May 20th! Get in shape for the tournament in August. Book a trip to Bermuda for State Farm’s one year Q and CSAUP on Tuesday 5/21 – 4:30am 5K, 5:00am – 5:30 Death by pullup, 5:30 – 6:15 get beat down, 6:15-6:30 Coffeeteria

    Thanks for letting me lead. Saturdays are always better when they start at the Carillon.

  • We don’t giggle

    Eight men emerged from the gloom converging at the appointed place and time to have their limits pushed and see what the QIC had in store for them on this beautiful spring morning. According to the runners surprised to find the creatures moving on Love Hill were not deer, this is how it what took place.

    Mosey to the Nickel Bridge toll booth parking lot for COP: SSH, Helicopters, DQ, IW, DMH, Copperhead Squats, Merkins, LBC’s, APD’s

    From the toll both, cross the Nickel Bridge alternating 5 merkins and 5 WWII’s at each lamp post. Return doing 2 burpees at each light post. Convene at the toll booth and proceed as a group to the base of Love Hill.

    On Love Hill, pair up and cycle through bear crawls, lunges, and broad jump burpees while the timer runs to the curve at the garden and back. Runner turns when they meet the runner ahead of them. At this point in the workout the ninth member of the PAX joined us claiming to have found us by identifying giggling in the dark. The PAX doesn’t giggle. We chuckle. We guffaw. We have been known to split a side, but we don’t giggle. He must of have been mistaken.

    Slow mosey to the amphitheater – 5 incline merkins on each step to the top, 5 dips on each back to the bottom to pickup Hitchhiker’s top layer which he discarded on the lower step.

    Return to the flag for Mary: AH’s, Freddie’s, APD’s, 4 minutes of savasana.

    Numbers and Names.

    Announcements: Training for grow ruck continues and a reminder to look for opportunities to support Breaking Bread.

    YHC took us out and we convened for 2nd F at Libbie Market. It was great to see Swirly at Dogpile and in some backblasts this week. Congrats on 1 Year, Senor Frog. Thanks for letting me lead.

  • Two for Wdog

    Two men who weren’t traveling for work arrived at a spot near the Carillon for camaraderie and exercise.

    Start with a long warm up run down past the toll booth, pump house, pipe and back around to the amphitheater for COP: SSH, DQ, Helicopters, Imperial Walkers, Merkins, LBC, APD all IC

    Mosey over to the rusty cage. Partner jerkins – sets of 10, 8, 6, 4

    Return to the amphitheater – 5 incline merkins on each step to the top

    Longish cool down run back to the start.

    Good conversation with all of the world’s problems solved! You’re welcome.

  • Perpetual Self Improvement

    Seven men made their way from various locations across the greater metro Richmond area to gain some inspiration and motivation from the Monument to Perpetual Self Improvement – aka The Carillon. Basking in its glow, this is what went down:

    COP – SSH, IW, Helicopters, DQ’s, Copperhead Squats, Merkins, LBC’s, APDs – all IC

    Wander to the rusty cage for a triple check: Pull-ups, squats, the timer checks to make sure the hydrant hasn’t moved.

    Relocate to the Triangle – Round 1 – Bear crawl, 10 x Carolina Dry Docks, down the hill, 20 x WWII’s, Up the hill, 10 x Merkins. Round 2 – Bear crawl, 10 x jump squats, down the hill, 10 x 2 count American Hammers, up the hill, 10 x merkins. Round 3 – Lunge, 10 x an exercise, down the hill, 20 x Heels to Heaven, up the hill, 10 x merkins

    Follow the leader to the other end of the reflecting pool – 1 burpee at each light post down the block, coagulate with the six, and return down the other side of the block.

    Mosey as a group to the circle at the top of the ampitheater for some Mary and stretching and then back to the flag….psych!… for 11’s between utility poles – LBC’s and 2 count American Hammers, calling it at the designated time.

    Count around and identify ourselves. Announcements: Training is in progress for the Grow Ruck in May – watch the Q sheet and Slack for times and places. Frozen Triangle CSAUP is scheduled for February 10th starting at DogPile. It’s more fun than it sounds! Check the Q sheet for opportunities to participate in Breaking Bread during 2024!

    Thoughts – Most Saturdays I look forward to getting up in the gloom and joining a group of friends at the Carillon to bump some fists, exchange some humorous anecdotes, hear what’s going on in people’s lives, and get some endorphins and dopamine and seratonin circulating through physical exertion. And also the cheesy eggs at Libbie Market. Some weeks life presents challenges and I find myself drawn into my inner world trying to sort everything out. Left to my own devices it can be very difficult to come out of that. Having the external commitment and sense of responsibility to be at Dogpile on time with a plan requires putting the other stuff aside and thinking outside myself. This is a week I needed that and might not have been there if I didn’t “have to” be. Thank you for the opportunity to lead.

  • EZ Pass tags make noise?

    Four young men assembled at the Pump House for a stroll through the woods – Anthrax, Helix, Shakedown, and YHC. On the way in this morning Anthrax got yelled at by his EZ Pass. The car in front of him made a last minute decision to move from an EZ Pass only lane to one where he could pay with change. This maneuver irked the EZ Pass in Anthrax’s vehicle so it made an audible alarm. I did not know they did that.

    Today’s route was Northbank to Buttermilk via Potterfield bridge for 6.8 trail miles. Shakedown started feeling under the weather and had to head back early. Anthrax is nursing an injury and took a conservative approach to his first foray. He successfully completed about 4 miles cutting across at Belle Isle.

    Conversation on the run and a few minutes catching up at Ellwood Thompson’s after, was the excellent week ending/beginning I always count on it to be.

  • Be the bear

    Seven men materialized from the gloom looking for a personal challenge and hoping it would involve lots of bear crawls. According to the bears at Maymont evaluating the techniques on display this is how it went down.

    COP – SSH, Helicopters, DQ, IW, Copperhead Squats, Merkins, LBC, APD all IC

    Matriculate from the circle around to the far corner of the “temporary” construction fence and divide up for a triple check: LBC’s, plank, touch 5 different trees

    Shuffle to the rusty cage: Another triple check! Pull ups, American Hammers, timer does 30 jump squats

    Ease into a light job and head to the bottom of Death Valley behind the Amphiteather: 11’s with WWII’s at the bottom and Merkins at the top. Traverse between the points channeling your inner bear, rotating a quarter turn for each trip. Bears frequently move sideways and backwards up hills according to Mutual of Omaha. QIC called a couple audibles on this one – moved the whole thing to the bottom of the valley traveling the length of the brick building, then switch from merkins to lunges, then end a bit short. That’s a lot of time spent in bear position.

    Slide over to the Amphiteather: Take a few minutes to do some stretching…. then climb the rows, doing two step-ups on each bench, turn around and do two dips on each bench coming back down.

    Hustle back up the steps over to the field for a single round of Four corners: 10 merkins, 20 arm circles, 30 single count lunges, 40 SSH.

    BTTF

    Announcements: Thanksgiving Day convergence at 45MOM lead by Mudslide – 6am sharp!

    Keep Heist’s friends in your thoughts as they are navigating a pregnancy with twins which is keeping everybody on their toes as they monitor the developing human beings. Also keep in mind F3 brothers who are reopening chapters of their lives they imagined they were past.

    As a wise man once said: Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.

    On occasion of entry into my second half-century of life I pause to be thankful for my family and friends who are part of my journey and continue to provide the motivation, support, and kicks in the butt to keep achieving more than I would on my own.

    Thanks for letting me lead and joining me in the gloom.

  • Solanum tuberosum

    Four young men bounded out of the gloom at Dogwood Dell on a beautiful Saturday morning eager to toss around a heated tuber. This is what the eyes saw:

    Senor Frog lead the PAX to a secluded spot right out side the restrooms to lead a circle of pain that included: dead man hangs, imperial walkers, don quixotes, side straddle hops, merkins, dry docks, LBC’s

    The spud was thrown in the direction of Mr Rogers who moseyed the PAX down to the Nickel Bridge toll booth. The directions were to alternate 4 merkins and 1 burpee at each light post across the bridge. The return featured 5 side straddle hops and 3 jump squats.

    The tater was handed to Fergie who dragged the PAX up the hill to the Amphitheater. Orders were to do incrementing dips starting at 1 on each step down and return incrementing incline merkins back up.

    And finally the spud found its way to YHC. The PAX moseyed to the triangle and did a couple of laps. First lap: lunges, 10 WWII’s, down the hill, 20 LBC’s, up the hill, 10 american hammers. Second lap: lieutenant dans, 10 double count flutter kicks, down the hill, 10 heels to heaven, up the hill, 10 box cutters. Back to the flag for some Mary.

    Numberama, Namerama, YHC took us out.

    Mr Rogers leads a 3rd F group on Tuesdays at 7pm at Dunkin Donuts (3125 Lauderdale Dr). All are welcome!

    Great teamwork men!

  • Daylight Savings Double Dip

    6 men emerged from the gloom and executed the workout below and as they were finishingtheye were joined by a late comer (who shall remain nameless) who did not realize it was Daylight Savings Spring forward day and forgot to set his alarm appropriately. Because we never leave a man behind or leave him where we found him the PAX unanimously agreed to Double Dip and repeat the workout for the benefit of our tardy comrade. Imagine if you will, dear reader, if the below could have and would have been performed twice. According to the pigs we brought to the Veg Fest to fatten up on some healthy, non-gmo, organic slop before turning them into delicious bacon and ham, this is how it went (both times).

    COP: SSH, Helicopters, DQ, Imperial Walkers, Copperhead Squats, Merkins, LBC’s, APDs all IC

    Saunter down to the Nickel Bridge toll booth: Cross the bridge alternating 10 WWII’s and 10 merkins at each light post. Return and knock out two burpees at each light post.

    Shuffle over to the old Pump House: Triple check – Planks and lunges while the timer runs down the hill and crosses the bridge to the other side of the canal and back

    Meander on up the pump house road to the other side of the park and reconvene at the rusty cage: Pull ups AMRAP then we headed back to the flag.

    We’ve passed announcement season it seems as nothing came up. Although nobody had any specific prayer requests it is always worth remembering that everybody deals with challenges in their lives at times and may not ever share the suffering they are experiencing. Reach out for help if you need it and strive to be kind and patient with those you encounter each day. You never know what they might be dealing with. A kind word or a warm smile may be just the thing they need to keep going that day.

    Thanks for letting me lead and my apologies for the delay in getting this shared.

  • What’s different?

    As YHC pulled into the parking lot at Dogwood Dell this fine September morning it was obvious something had changed but it was hard to put a finger on. As the other 8 men emerged from the gloom for an hour of merkins, burpees, and whatnot several experienced the same feeling as if something was missing. Hmmmmm. According to the lumberjack lurking in the nearby woods this is what went down.

    Jog to the circle for COP: SSH, Helicopters, DQ, IW, Copperhead Squats, Merkins, LBC’s, APDs all IC

    Mosey to the Rusty Cage for a Triple Check: Pull-ups, WWII’s, timer runs to the hydrant and back

    Migrate to the Triangle: Round 1 – Bear crawl, 10 Carolina Dry Docks, Run, 20 LBC, Bernie up the hill, 20 Merkins; Round 2 – Bear crawl, 10 squats, Run, 20 American Hammers, Run or Bernie, 20 Merkins; Round 3 – Lunge, 10 jump squats, Run, 20 Heals to Heaven, Run or Bernie, 20 Merkins

    Leisurely stroll down to the Pipeline for another Triple Check: Plank, WWII, timer runs the pipe

    Return to the flag via Pump House Rd for numberama, namearama.

    Announcements: Labor Day convergence Monday 9/4 at Dogpile 7:00am, Coffeeteria at Ellwood Thompson’s.

    Sept 16 at the Alamo – 7am – A workout (Swoop’s VQ) is dedicated to showing support for 9-month old Liv Schroepfer who is battling brain cancer (Yeehaw’s 2.0). M’s and 2.0’s welcome and encouraged. Buy a yellow “Love for Liv” shirt or wear a yellow shirt if you have one (https://www.bonfire.com/love-for-liv/)

    Sept 16 – Laura Teague Memorial 5k Run – Third Church is sponsoring this race with Trinity UMC, River Road church and Freeman HS to raise money for students in honor of Laura Teague, Freeman HS teacher who died tragically last year. (https://henricoeducationfoundation-bloom.kindful.com/e/lara-teague-curry-memorial-5k)

    Sept 23 – F3RVA 9th Anniversary Convergence at The Crucible – 7:30am – Come out and celebrate 9 years of F3 in Richmond and show support and encouragement for the folks at The Healing Place.

    Thanks to Rosie and Gomer for the valuable reminder – All are encouraged to look past the 1st F to 2nd F, Fellowship, and take advantage of opportunities to spend time with fellow F3 brothers in a more relaxed setting. Watch for Lunch and after work get togethers and other events or take the lead and set one up. As we age our bodies will start to let us down but relationships can be there long after – if the investments are made now.

    Slippin Jimmy experienced a tragic loss this week. A partner in his firm took his life, catching him and many others by surprise. Keep this gentleman’s family and colleagues in your prayers and keep an ear and eye out for signs that folks around you may be struggling.

    Keep Faceplant’s family in your prayers as they grieve his uncle losing a battle with cancer this week.

    SYITG

  • I feel good!

    11 men emerged from the gloom on this morning at Dogpile to be greeted by glorious weather wondering if Doozy and Gypsy might have Stayed on the Scene after the James Brown experience the night before at the Amphitheater. No sign of them. They made it to the CSAUP presumably. According to the person who left their lawn chair in YHC’s usual parking spot, this is what occurred:

    COP – All IC – SSH, Helicopters, DQ, IW, Merkins, LBCs, APDs

    Mosey past the field to the end of Blanton Ave. At each lightpost alternate sets of 10 Merkins and 10 LBCs. At Condie St. cross and come back – Burpees at each lightpost starting at 1 adding one at each

    Back to the Field for 11’s – American Hammers and HR Merkins, cycle through lunges to cross the field the short way – forward, backward, Left side, Right side

    Journey to the Rusty Cage for a Triple Check – Pull ups, WWIIs and timer runs to the hydrant and back

    Roll down the hill to the Pipeline for another Triple Check – Plank, Squat, runner circles the loop. Ended at two rounds due to time

    Return to the flag. The PAX got a couple extra minutes on the clock today at no extra charge!

    Numberama, name-a-rama. Announcements:

    Pickleball at Batteau next week, 8/26 at 6am. No DogPile next week! Come to Batteau. Find a partner and sign up or come and see who needs a partner. Preblast has link to a google doc to sign up.

    Breaking Bread continues – September has an open slot. Sign up and help some folks out. See Oyster for questions.

    Thoughts and prayers – Gekko’s friend Jay lost his wife recently and is finding his path forward for himself and his family. Fergie’s brother Michael recently finished his chemo treatment for cancer and will be finding out soon the results. Hoping for the best!

    After the stifling heat and humidity recently I was shocked to step outside into mid-60’s this morning. Absolutely gorgeous. It felt good to lead today and it was great to see a good turnout. Thanks for coming along with me today. I love seeing Gekko dive into F3RVA posting all over town the past couple weeks and was really excited to see newcomer Frankie come out to his first bootcamp!