Author: Dr Tryhard

  • Logarithmic Gloomventures

    A handsome SIX-PAX of SOJ ruck studs joined forces to conquer the latest stretch of track on the DTH pain train, this time accompanied by the F3-emblazoned 8’ 100# spruce log that we haven’t formally named yet, but PAX seem to mutter all kids of name suggestions when holding her…

    The THANG: 

    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Two HIM’s shoulder the log and the PAX set off around the lot past Trader Joes
    • Log changes hands every ~150 yards
    • Drop log at the Larus trailhead and continue rucking down Stony Point Rd to the bottom of Love Hill
    • Run with rucks back to the top
    • Ground rucks and stretch/breath
    • Mosey back to bottom
    • x5 Burpees and 50% run to top
    • Flutters for the SIX
    • Mosey to bottom 
    • x10 Squat Jumps
    • Sprint to the top
    • Stretch/Breath
    • Rucks back on and ruck through Laris for about 20min, off trail for a bit and YHC magnificently wiping out in a muddy ditch
    • Back to the road and re-shoulder the log
    • BTTF sharing the log around 

    COT:

    • Counterama # 6
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer
    • Pull-up Challenge! (Currently at 21 💪)
    • Einstein Coffeerama

    NMS:  What an awesome way to start the day. YHC was super pumped to welcome BRONCO to the RVA GrowRuck platoon and introduce him to log carries, and during the course of the workout SCRAM decided he loved log carries so much he also HC’d to register – which he did today! He’s also quietly stated he’s just gonna be happy to have the DTH monkey off his back. 😝 Solid work by all the PAX and great coffeerama conversation after. Yours AYE! ~DTH

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 6/6 0600 OTB D-Day Ruck:  8.2 miles for the 82nd Airborne, meet at 3500 Ashwell Dr (Rodeo Clown on Q)
    • 6/13 10am-1pm Latina Food Distribution (contact L.Woods) 
    • 6/14 3p OTB Ruck (FAMILY FRIENDLY) at Sunday Park (L Woods on Q)
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:
    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)

  • *TRYHARDER TRAIL* …or as some say “The Tryhard Trail of Tears”

    Quad Squad at The Crossing for an off the beaten path beastmode sweatfest. Some almost died, but none were left behind…

    The THANG: 

    WARMERAMA: 

    • Hard Look Straight Talk Disclaimer implemented to ensure all PAX could only blame themselves for participating in the following madness
    • Mosey over to the wooden rail fence for JUMPOVERS – really more like carefully climbing then hopping over the fence, on repeat, one for each section all the way down
    • Mosey around the field to the stack of hefty telephone pole cabers for CABER FLIPS – deep squat to loft one end of pole then hefted forward to flip over – repeated many time to progress across field and back
    • Plenty warm, let’s GO

    TRYHARDER TRAIL:

    • Swing by the truck to grab an F3 seat cover and run down to the bottom lot, through some gnarly bushes to a low wire fence. Seat cover over the fence, and PAX traverse without injury. Run a bit through no-mans woods and out into a suuuuper fancy neighborhood. Smile and wave at the nice lady looking at us with great suspicion then drop for loud IC reps.
    • PAX then followed a 1.5 mile neighborhood loop, stopping at every intersection for reps, and ensuring no man was left behind
    • In the middle of this grand parade of pain, one intersecting road was named “APRIL Lane,” and in old BLIMPS fashion the PAX completed IC reps for: APD’s, Plank Jacks, Rosalitas, Imperial Squat Walkers, and LBC’s. 
    • With the hoity toity feel of the neighborhood YHC blessed the PAX with a charming and exuberant posh accent in calling cadence, encouragement, and greeting to the dog walkers. Neither the PAX nor the neighbors seemed overly thrilled by the DTH show. 
    • The PAX completed the 1.5mi circuit on the pain train with 15 minutes still left on the clock

    YOU VS YOU:

    • After getting BTTF, the PAX were directed to choose their own movement or exercise when either was called, and this the PAX slowly circuited the upper parking lot

    PLANKORAMA REVIEW:

    • The PAX held plank while each took turns reciting the F3 Mission, then the 5CP’s, then the Credo. 
    • There were a fair number of repeats until it was repeatedly correctly, but no man, or recited component, was left behind.

    COT:

    • Counterama #4
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer

    NMS:  YHC enjoys breaking new ground maybe more than any other thing in all of F3. It was a fantastic tour of the lovely neighborhood behind WEAG church, and I’m suuuuuure all the PAX would tell you just how much fun they had this evening. Until next time…in a few hours at the Forge, I am humbly yours. AYE! ~DTH

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 5/16 0600 Dogpile Convergence for Flatline’s Deployment Q
    • 5/16 4pm NTB Farewell Family Potluck
    • 5/25 0700 Dogpile Memorial Day Convergence
    • 6/13 10-1 Latina Food Distribution (contact LWoods) 
    • 6/14 3p OTB Ruck at Sunday Park
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:

    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)

  • BOSSWOOL

    Five Bon Iron warriors put on their big boy pants to tackle a high rep whoopin, and half way through we realized Trojan’s pants were just his heroically wooly natural leg warmers, immediately earning him the title “BOSSWOOL.” (His hospital name is Luke Boswell.) Here’s how we shared the Q with a frisbee and the beatdown deck:

    WARMERAMA: 

    • Moseyrama loop around the field and circle up
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Warm-up Reps IC

    THE THANG: 

    • Alternated between a few rounds of frisbee sprint/reps and three beatdown deck cards, maybe 4 rounds of each
    • The Frisbee Fetch was a jailbreak sprint to see who can get to the thrown frisbee first, then that HIM gets to call 20 reps of whatever exercise they want AND throw the next time
    • The Beatdown Deck has a variety of exercises/reps on the card face, so it’s completely random and plenty painful
    • We broke a sweat and enjoyed PLENTY of quality mumble chatter!

    BYTF for COT:

    • Counterama # 5
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 5/16 0600 Dogpile Convergence for Flatline’s Deployment Q
    • 5/16 4pm NTB Farewell Family Potluck
    • 5/25 0700 Dogpile Memorial Day Convergence
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:

    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)

  • *** 500 Q’s ***

    20 gloom studs converged at The Forge to ring in YHC’s 500th Q. The rain was light, the mumble chatter was strong, the reps were many, the coffee delicious, and as always, no man was left behind. Going down in the annals of F3RVA’s most memorable Q’s, here’s how we all left with a little less forearm skin, but full hearts.  

    The THANG: 

    WARMERAMA: 

    • 0530: Welcome & Disclaimer
    • SLAUGHTER START with x10 Burpee Broad Jumps and then circle up
    • A few Warm-up Reps IC, 8-counts of course included with great enthusiasm
    • PLAY: “I Wanna Be” by The Proclaimers (3:50) with PAX Squatting to the beat, adding Squat Jump for the lyrics “I’m gonna be” (x18) and Burpee for every “500” (x8)

    DTH ODE TO PAX

    When I POST UP up, well, I know I’m gonna be

    I’m gonna be the man who POSTS UP next to you

    When I SWEATFEST, yeah, I know I’m gonna be

    I’m gonna be the man who SWEATFESTS with you

    But I have Q’d five hundred times

    And I will Q five hundred more

    Just to be the man who Q’s a thousand times

    To make the PAX hard core! 

    COP #1 – FLUTTERS x100

    • F is for FREE!
    • Run to the bottom of MT CHAPLAIN, then back to the top stopping 5x to complete x20 Flutters (2-count) at each stop on the way back to the top

    COP #2 – OBLIQUE LBC’s x100

    • O is for OPEN TO ALL MEN!
    • Mosey out to DEATH ROW (line of young trees along Forrest Hill Ave)
    • x10 Oblique LBC’s at each tree (x10) with bear crawl between trees

    COP #3 – ROSALITAS x100

    • R is for RAIN OR SHINE!
    • Mosey to the middle school soccer field and find a collection of BOATS
    • PAX Line up on their backs for BRIDGE OF HATE, passing the boats overhead from one end to the other, followed by x50 Rosalitas
    • Repeato passing the boats back down the line and complete the other x50 Rosalitas

    COP #4 – GROINERS x100 

    • G is for GUYS ROTATE THE Q
    • Mosey BTTF stopping for x25 Groiners OYO at x4 stops

    COP #5 – ELBOW REPS x100

    • E is for ENDS IN COT
    • Circle up in Elbow Plank to complete:
    • x25 Hydraulic Elbow Planks IC …welp, there went my skin…
    • x25 Alt Leg Raises in Elbow Plank IC
    • x25 Elbow Slides OYO (single count)
    • x25 Pickle Pounders in Elbow Plank IC (pace increased toward the end complete with orgasmic finish)

    COT:

    • Counterama # 20
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer

    NMS:  Gentlemen, thank you for your enthusiasm and warm encouragement coming out to support YHC’s 500th Q officially documented by Big Data. There have been countless undocumented Q’s while serving abroad, but the ones here among you men count the most. YHC is deeply grateful for the stalwart loyalty and camaraderie of all the NOS/Forge men, but a few shouts include:  T Claps to Bronco making his first bootcamp post today and big hugs to dear old friends Katniss and Draper who YHC hasn’t worked out with in a while. Always appreciate Handshake and Senior Frog making the trip across the river for our celebratory Q’s, and special thanks to Machismo for the hilarious 500th Q pendant. Apparently I look a lot like an old Apollo Creed in laser engraved format. Haha. Last but not least, special thanks to Snuff for the delicious coffee and to my dear M Rachel (21 years married this month) for the new patches. Here’s to the next 500 Q’s! Yours AYE! ~DTH

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 5/16 0600 Dogpile Convergence for Flatline’s Deployment Q
    • 5/16 NTB Farewell Family Potluck
    • 5/25 0700 Dogpile Memorial Day Convergence
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 25-27 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:

    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)

  • #498 for Bronco

    Eleven ruck studs showed up to welcome our FNG Drew, now “BRONCO,” and to celebrate YHC’s 498th Q. We enjoyed light conversation through Larus Park, stopping every 5 minutes for 40 reps of variable intensity, and finishing off with 58 reps at the Flag (total of 498 reps). The PAX are duly appreciative of YHC’s M who suggested reps instead of YHC’s original plan for the PAX to ruck carry a total of 498 extra pounds (logs, sandbags, rock bags, kettlebells, etc.). Rachel says “you’re welcome.” FNG Bronco and last week’s FNG Backdraft both got the DTH EH a couple weeks ago when they met the OTB ruck PAX en route to Machismo’s ranch. Turns out day-rucking might be a good idea for EH’ing locals. Bronco is a great addition to our diverse PAX, bringing a background in ex-Army logistics and current career as a ferrier (shoes horses). Keep posting gents! Yours, DTH

    COT:

    • Counterama # 11
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly: Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 5/16 NTB Farewell Family Potluck
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:

    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)

  • Ruckers get a Brazilian from The Flying Chad

    An elite squad of heavily-laden ruckers converged at Ruckhenge for the first leg of our OTB adventure. Before we could even leave the lot, an FNG-to-be chased us down to get the download on F3 and assured us he’ll be joining us soon. En route to the railroad track a second FNG-to-be stopped the march to also get our info. Seems daytime rucks might just be a great recruiting tool! We traveled a total of about 2.2 miles, and YHC felt very much like a sorry pack mule carrying a cooler of beverages in addition to the usual 50 pound ruck. But we arrived exactly on time at Machismo’s 12 acre paradise, and promptly dropped rucks and crushed a beer. 

    For the second part of our adventure, Machismo marched the PAX back into the woods and toward the railroad track where a number of old, mostly rotten, railroad ties were piled up. Dookie briefly danced with a copperhead, but no harm to either dangerous creature transpired. So two mostly whole railroad ties were shouldered, 3 men to a caber, and carried back to the ranch. We deposited the cabers next to Machismo’s log splitting arena, and took turns competing with splitting speed and maul VS axe. The clock face splitting for speed was particularly fun, and Machismo leaving the ground to split a gnarly bit was epic (see picture) – no wood can resist the power of The Flying Chad. We concluded our pre-dinner activities by being entertained with DTH and Machismo’s efforts to walk a giant wooden spool (see picture). 

    For our third quarter of this epic event, the PAX pulled up camp chairs, cracked beers, told stories, and watched the meat wizard (Machsimo) go to work. With a smaller number of PAX than expected, these lucky few HIM’s engorged themselves with triple portions of tomahawk lamb steaks, sandwiches of Brazilian-style steak & chimichurri on toasted baguette, and a couple massive steaks provided by Dookie. After devouring some of the meat Purple Rain asked if Machismo would have him for his wife, but he was quickly declined. The PAX got to meet the lucky M toward the end of our dinner and she agreed Machismo’s meat is the best. 

    For our final leg of the OTB adventure, Machismo (and his sweet dog) led a very jolly and stuffed band of ruckers back through the darkening woods to Rockaway, and then even remained with the PAX for the full return journey back to Ruckhenge. YHC was under quite a bit of weight, and found the return trip, all up hill, to be quite daunting. At the time of this writing, YHC is completely stiff and sore all over. But the PAX was very encouraging and all HIM’s completed the 2.5 miles trek back to Einstein safely. 

    If you’ve read this far, thank you. Even with many weeks to plan/prepare, not many PAX prioritized participating in this epic event, and it’s likely even fewer will choose to read about what we’ve accomplished out there. As with all things in life – you’ll get out what you put in. Be there next time fellas!  Yours AYE, DTH

  • #496 – Hooked a Ranger and Spilled Merlot

    Seven studs posted to Bon Iron for a high rep welcome party for local FNG “Ranger” brought out by his DR brother Hooker. DTH was deeply honored for his 496th Q by Trojan spilling merlot at our COT. Here’s how that happened:

    The THANG: 

    SLAUGHTER START: 

    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Hit PLAY on “Jump” by Van Halen
    • PAX complete x46 Jump Squats
    • Mosey to the end of the parking lot

    NOT WARM YET? 

    • x50 Don Qioxotes OYO
    • Mosey to the other end of the field

    COP #3 of 10:

    • Plank it up and hold it
    • REVIEW F3 MISSION, CREDO, & 5CP’s
    • x50 Groiners OYO
    • Mosey down to the handicap ramp

    COP #4/10

    • x50 Pole Smokers
    • Mosey to the back lot

    COP #5/10

    • x50 Polar Bears (bear crawl x5 paces followed by one merkin, repeated x50)
    • Mosey to the back corner of the school property 

    COP #6/10

    • x50 Nancy Kerrigans IC (x25 ea side)
    • Mosey along the back side of the school to a patch of green

    COP #7/10

    • x50 Flutters IC
    • Bernie around the back to a brick wall

    COP #8/10

    • x50 Donkey Kicks OYO
    • Mosey over to another parking lot

    COP #9/10

    • x50 Lunges – single count…
    • Run down the side lot, FAKE OUT, run back to Lunge the other single count x50
    • Mosey over to another brick wall

    COP #10/10

    • x50 Hoedowns IC (shake-it-break half way)
    • Mosey up to to the large field

    BONUS COP = SPRINTS

    • x50% run across field
    • x100% sprint return
    • Cool down run across and BTTF

    COT:

    • Counterama # 7
    • Namerama (welcome RANGER)
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer (Giovanna’s safe delivery, DTH missions trip, safe travels for Hooker)

    NMS:  What a burner! 🔥 TClaps to Trojan for outpacing YHC in the Sprint – your victory merlot at COT was a great honor – thank you! And welcome to RANGER who did a great job hanging with a high rep beatdown. Thank you HOOKER for bringing him out! Bon Iron continues to grow! Keep posting gentlemen. Yours AYE! ~DTH

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 4/11 OTB Ruck + BBQ (Machismo’s)
    • 4/12 Family Ruck&Pizza led by Beaver 
    • 5/16 NTB Farewell Family Potluck
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:
    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)

  • No Counting, but #495

    Three amigos converged to put in some work at The Crossing. Here’s how we avoided cadence but still counted all the reps:

    The THANG: 

    WARMERAMA: 

    • Mosey laps and circle up
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Warm-up Reps IC

    DORA #495

    • YHC is now at 495 Q’s
    • Partner up for a DORA
    • x95 WWII’s
    • x150 Container Smokers
    • x250 LBC’s (including obliques, ea side)
    • Moving partner runs parking lot loop and returns to switch

    OYO WALL WORK:

    • Dirty Hookups x20 ea side
    • Hoedowns x20
    • Donkey Kickoffs up to 20

    Mosey BTTF for COT:

    • Counterama # 3
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer
    • Pull-up Challenge! (Currently at 12)

    NMS:  Edging closer to 500 Q’s and a true joy to share the beautiful weather and shed some sweat with a couple fav HIM’s. Keep posting men! Yours AYE, DTH

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 4/11 OTB Ruck + BBQ (Machismo’s)
    • 4/12 Family Ruck&Pizza led by Beaver 
    • 5/16 NTB Farewell Family Potluck
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:
    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)

  • 7 Year Forgeversary

    A festive party of 15 HIM’s showed up to celebrate The Forge and get smoked. Here’s how:

    The THANG: 

    WARMERAMA: 

    • Mosey lap around the loop then up to the top of Mt Chaplain
    • Complete x7 Burpees – Happy Anniversary!
    • Plank it up, Welcome & Disclaimer while two latecomers arrive
    • Still planking, Review F3 Mission, Credo, and the 5 Core Principles (conveniently lining up with the letters of F.O.R.G.E. 🔥)
    • Mosey to the bottom of Mt Chaplain, stopping for x7 Burpees at each landing to honor the anniversary (total of 49 burpees for the first 8 minutes of the workout)
    • Circle up for the usual IC warmerama reps
    • Mosey over to the bottom of Love Hill

    DORA 04/04/2019:

    • Including today there have been 366 Forge Thursdays! 💥
    • x66 No Cheat Merkins
    • x100 Scrunchy Frogs
    • x200 Nancy Kerrigans
    • Moving partner Bernie’s up Love Hill then runs back down to switch

    SENIOR LOG:

    • Mosey off-campus to YHC’s house
    • En route Senior Frog reminisced about log carries, so YHC scratched the second planned Dora (which would have represented 494 Q’s), and led the PAX into the woods to collect two massive spruce logs an take them for a brief walk 🪵 
    • Mosey over to introduce the PAX to YHC’s new 1,200sqft concrete pad, the latest love child of DTH & Machismo ❤️

    Mosey BTTF:

    • Run the Stratford Rd hills back to Forest Hill
    • Mosey BTTF
    • Circle up for WWII’s and Flutters IC

    COT:

    • Counterama # 15
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer
    • Pull-up Challenge! (Currently at 12)

    PRAYER: 🙏

    • Big Rig’s mom finishing Chemo
    • Tin Man’s recovery 

    NMS:  Fantastic group this morning to honor the greatest AO in RVA, and all PAX were accordingly smoked, YHC included! We didn’t get to the 2nd Dora so Senior Frog (now Senior Log in SOJ) could get some time under the log, but we can push the Dora to the next Q for 495 reps. T Claps to Dangle posting twice in his first week back after a year hiatus – both DTH smokefests! Well done to all these brothers putting in the hard work today. Keep posting and there’s NOTHING stopping any F3RVA PAX from doing what I did 7 years ago… start your own AO next to your house! Yours AYE! ~DTH 💪

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 4/11 OTB Ruck + BBQ (Machismo’s)
    • 4/12 Family Ruck&Pizza led by Beaver 
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:

    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)

  • #493 on April Fools

    Celebrating the countdown to 500 Q’s, YHC led a motivated 6 HIM’s on a high speed trek through Larus to some new ground on the other side of Chippenham. We braved walking across a large tree trunk to traverse the ranging torrents of a river (tiny creek), and L Woods managed to find a muddy spot with one foot. The topic of discussion for the morning was “Meeting” (Q1.8 of the QSource). In this Easter season, the PAX joined YHC in looking to JESUS as the best-ever HIM, and considered how we might follow His example in self-sacrifice for others. All for Him, ~DTH

    This is the power of Faith and the secret sauce to why F3 is an Effective Organization. The Joy of forgetting oneself in service of another surpasses all understanding. It is the foundation of Hope.

    COT:

    • Counterama # 6
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer
    • Pull-up Challenge! (Currently at 12)

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 4/11 OTB Ruck + BBQ (Machismo’s)
    • 4/12 Family Ruck&Pizza led by Beaver 
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK! (Registration Link:

    https://event.freedom-ops.fit/gte-74)