Author: Dr Tryhard

  • Chapped Knees & Frozen Beards

    The frozen tundra of SOJ’s Rockwood Park challenged 6 HIM’s to survive 60 minutes of seven degrees and gloomy, with a windchill, in shorts. With the festive cheer of their Q’s jungle bells and nonstop movement, here’s how these ice-hardened men of valor conquered the morning:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA: 

    • Slaughter start with a stretch of Bearpees down the parking lot to the Basketball Court

    COP #1:

    • Circle up on the BBall Court 
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Usual Warm-up exercises IC, with a low side shuffle around circle between sets
    • MUDSLIDE joined us double-dipping from a Dogpile that ended early

    COP #2: 

    • Mosey half the outer loop of the fields, periodically stopping to complete one of the following:
    • Opus Broad Jumps on a straightaway
    • Mosey
    • Partner up for x3 rounds of PLT’s x25 each (x75 total each) 
    • Mosey
    • Circle up for Body Builders x10 IC

    COP #3: 

    • For the length of the baseball fields to the twin stairs (about 100yd), partner up for Catch Me If You Can:
    • P1 begins bear crawls while P2 completes x3 WWII’s, after which P2 mosey’s to switch with P1, until they reach the stairs

    COP #4:

    • At the steps, line up for a LINDSEY:
    • Heels to Heaven at the Bottom – 10/15/20/25/30
    • Merkins at the Top – 30/25/20/15/10
    • Box Jump steps going up & down between sets
    • SSH’s to get blood back to fingers

    COP #5:

    • Complete rest of circuit loop
    • Stop for Buddy Big Boys x25
    • Mosey
    • Stop at the side Parking Lot
    • Partner up for a classic Dora
    • x100 Merkins
    • x200 Squats
    • x300 LBC’s
    • Runner completes ~100yard loop down the lot and back
    • Mosey around to the basketball court

    COP #6:

    • Line up on the bball court for GROINER SUICIDES:
    • x5 Rounds of Groiners at each suicide stopping point, touching baseline between, descending from x5 at each, then x4, x3, x2, x1. 

    Mosey BTTF:

    • Run down the clock with Boat/Canoe’s, and some stretching

    COT:

    • Counterama # 6
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Comments)
    • YHC took the PAX out with a word of encouragement to share the reason for the season with someone feeling left out or lonely

    NMS:  It’s gonna be daaaaays before YHC warms back up. Fingers still not working properly trying to type this BB. Awesome to have a solid PAX for the frozen madness this AM and extra props to young Touchdown and double-dipping Mudslide. Proud of SOJ and especially the Rock&Roll PAX for amazing growth in numbers and camaraderie this year. Hope ya’ll have a wonderful Christmas with your families. SYITG, DTH 

    Announcements:

    • Next Sat 12/31 Convergence at Dogpile for Doozy’s 100th Q
    • 1/6 SOJ Planning/Leadership Mtg (location TBD)
    • Frozen Triangle 1/21
    BAAAHHH HUMBUG !!!

  • Jingle All the Way

    The frosty gloom of SOT was embraced by 9 bootcamp-lovin mad men and 4 acolytes of the Frozen Triangle. Keeping in step with Mr Jingle Bells himself, here’s how the bootcampers stayed warm:

    The THANG:

    SLAUGHTER START:

    • Body Builders x12 IC
    • Donkey Kick-Off’s – up to 20
    • Hoedowns x10 IC

    COP #1:

    • Mosey to the lit area above the stadium
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Don Q’s x10 IC
    • Nancy Kerrigans x10 IC ea side
    • Hairy Rockettes x10 IC
    • Clock Dans – x2 rounds
    • Crowd Pleasers x10 IC
    • Starfish Crunches x10 IC
    • Oblique LBC’s x10 IC ea side

    COP #2:

    • Mosey over to the practice field
    • LINDSEY: (Bro Code)
    • WWII – 30 down to 10
    • Merkins I’m- 10 up to 30
    • Variable Movements between sides (Karaoke, Bear crawl, Broad Jump, Bernie, Duck Walk, Sprints, etc)

    COP #3:

    • Mosey over to Mount Midlo
    • Partner Up
    • Complete x3 rounds of:
    • x10 Booyah Merkins at the top
    • Run down
    • x20 PLT’s each at the bottom
    • Run back up

    Mosey BTTF:

    • Run down the clock with Boat/Canoe’s

    RUNNERS completed 5.25 …or maybe a little more if you didn’t cut corners…

    COT:

    • Counterama # 13
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  Florence was expecting Buffalo Bill to saunter into the gloom circle, but alas it was just YHC once again bejeweled with holiday cheer, AKA jingle bells on the shoe laces. But the PAX hardly had a moment to revel as the slaughter start stole away the mumble chatter and got our blood pumping. Can’t have the PAX getting cold! YHC was amused to introduce some of the newer PAX to a few old favorites, and it was awesome to have Big Rig join us at a “normal” hour! Keeping posting fellas!!! SYITG, DTH

    Announcements:

    • 12/31 Dogpile Convergence for Doozy’s 100th Q
    • 1/6 SOJ Planning Meeting
    • 1/21 Frozen Triangle

    Prayer Requests:

    • Prayers for Big Rig’s M (Courtney) going to the doctor today
    • Prayers for our gloom brothers who are silently struggling – that we’d find ways to connect/encourage and that they’d find strength in our fellowship to right their boat

  • Longest Africa Ever

    An intrepid 6 pack of gloom explorers assailed the Forge to test their metal against the elements. To ensure none of his mighty flock caught a cold, the Pediatrician kept the PAX (mostly) dry under the school’s awning. 90’s rock blasting, these HIM’s conquered the following:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Mosey over to the high school’s main entrance awning (mostly dry) and circled up
    • Upon arrival, the rock station simultaneously began playing Thunderstruck by ACDC, so the Q called a warm-up where the PAX complete SSH, then do a ball-dipper for every time the lyric “Thunder” or Thunderstruck” os heard …LIFO Snuff arrived to enjoy the last 20 seconds of this 4:53 warm-up
    • Variable IC Reps, including setting the all time record on Crab Cakes IC… “do it for your momma!”

    COP #1:

    • With Snuff making it a perfect 6-pack, the Q then called a DORA
    • x100 Box Jumps
    • x200 Merkins
    • x300 American Hammers (2-ct)
    • Moving partners moseys around the short end of the bus loop

    COP #2:

    • Tight circle for x2 Burpee Ring of Fire, PAX holding deeep squat while waiting
    • Big-O’s x10 IC, CW then CCW
    • Derkins, slow and painful, x10 IC
    • Dips x10 IC
    • Maybe some other IC exercise?

    COP #3:

    • TRIPLE CHECK
    • P1 – Hoedowns 
    • P2 – Groiners
    • P3 – Crab or Bear down to end, mosey back

    Mosey BTTF for COT:

    • Counterama # 6
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • DEALER took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  Always heartwarming to have company for the ugly gloom, and the mostly dry space to workout accompanied by the 90’s rock brought some cheer. Toto’s 12:36 live performance of “Africa” was an interesting distraction during the Dora, and there’s a consensus that Big-O’s done on a surface without something to hold onto at least doubles the difficulty. Many thanks to these guys for helping YHC kick off an otherwise cold gloomy rainy day with a victorious Spirit! SYITG, DTH

    Announcements:

    • See Slack

    Prayer Requests:

    • Dealer’s Mom Kathy and her partner Micky going through a rough patch

  • Warm-up for Rosie’s TDOC

    Nine SOJ HIM’s embraced the chilly gloom of NoToll to see what the good Doctor might pull from the annals of beatdown glory. For your reading pleasure, the PAX conquered the following:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Mosey down to the parking lot and circle up
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Variable Rapid Fire Sets to get the muscles warm top to bottom

    COP #1:

    • Mosey over to Field #1
    • 4 CORNERS (Escalator+DeEscalator)
    • Corner 1 – x10 Merkins
    • Corner 2 – Add x20 Am.Ham’s (2-ct)
    • Corner 3 – Add x30 Squats
    • Corner 4 – Add x40 Groiners
    • Reverso going back around removing an exercise each corner
    • PLANKORAMA with review of the F3 Core Principles and Credo

    COP #2:

    • Mosey across to Field #2
    • Partner up for Catch Me If You Can
    • P1 begins bear crawling down length of Field while P2 completes x20 2-ct Hallelujah Flutters, after which P2 mosey’s to switch with P1
    • Complete x3 rounds of flutters each then mosey to the Pavilion

    COP #3:

    • TRICEP TRIPLE CHECK:
    • P1 – Dips
    • P2 – Merkins
    • P3 – Crab walk out 20 yards & back

    COP #4:

    • Mosey back to Field #1
    • Partner up for PLT’s
    • x20 each, x3 Rounds

    COP #5:

    • Line up on end of Field #1
    • 50% Run length of field
    • 100% Sprint
    • 25% Mosey and settle breathing
    • 75% Run

    Mosey BTTF:

    • Bernie Sanders En route
    • x90 seconds of burnout LBC’s

    COT:

    • Counterama # 9
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  Really enjoyed the rapid fire COP’s today to get around the AO a bit, and the PAX absolutely crushed it! Highlight of the morning was Last Call’s unnerving enjoyment of taking on two men at once for PLT’s. What can we say, he’s got a big heart! YHC believes the PAX and AO are now properly prepared for Rosie’s Twelve Days of Christmas next week! SYITG, DTH

    Announcements:

    • 12/20 NoToll 12 Days of Christmas
    • 12/21 Final Gravity HDHH
    • 12/31 Doozy’s 100th Q for 2022 at R&R
    • TBD – SOJ Leadership/Planning Mtg
    • 1/21 Frozen Triangle

  • Birthday Boating in a Gloomy Monsoon

    17 SOJ faithful HIM’s were feeling froggy to embrace the suck at this morning’s SOT Birthday beatdown.  Here’s how we may or may not be welcome back to their soccer field…

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Mosey to the top of the stadium and circle up in the flood lights
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Variable IC Reps to get the muscles warm

    COP #1:

    • Mosey to the football field and collect the coupons (canoe, kayak, kettle bells) and assemble in the middle of the field 
    • QUADRUPLE TRIPLE CHECK:
    • Station #1 – Two PAX pulling one PAX in canoe to side of field and back
    • Station #2 – P1 Sumo squats 50lb KB, P2 Mower Pulls 35lb KB, P3 carries 15lb KB overhead to side of field and back
    • Station #3 – Two PAX pulling/pushing one PAX in Kayak to side of field and back
    • Station #4 – Run the track
    • Each team of 3-4 PAX completed each Station as a Triple Check before switching to the next Station

    COP #2:

    • CANOE LINDSEY (always adds up to 40!)
    • Line up on the side of the football field
    • Merkins:  30-25-20-15-10
    • Drag Canoe laden with PAX between sides (alternate PAX riding VS dragging)
    • Scrunchy Frogs:  10-15-20-25-30

    Mosey BTTF for COT:

    • Counterama # 17
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  Brothers, what fun to muck around in the gloom carrying each other a bit! I’m very thankful for you guys carrying me in different ways over the last 4 years, and I’m really excited to see SOJ grow in the season to come. SYITG, DTH

    Announcements:

    • Open invitation by DTH to any SOJ PAX interested in joining an SOJ Shared Leadership Team – just send a PM to Tryhard via Slack! 
    • 12/2 – Rosie’s M will be selling nudes of Rosie at the Gallery of the Black Irish Social Club from 5-8pm (321 W Broad St)
    • 12/3 – Dogpile Magnum PI Day (mustache, Hawaiian shirt, donations for the Bridge)
    • 12/10 – 3-6pm HDHH Hardywood West Creek with the Capitol PAX
    • 12/20 – NoToll “12 Days of Christmas”

    Prayer Requests:

    • Prayers for Honeymoon and his family with his Dad’s passing yesterday 

  • Stacking the Deck for a Hate Party

    A dozen SOJ warriors braved the cold gloom, warmed by the idea of a Tryhard sweat fest. While a couple gloom-brothers sauntered off for an intimate walkabout, here’s how the other x10 PAX celebrated YHC’s last day of hate:

    The THANG:

    DECK CHALLENGE: 

    • Mosey to Field #1 and circle up
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Explain the challenge is to complete x39 cards from the F3 deck, to honor the Q’s last day of hate
    • Classic rock playlist ON, let’s go!
    1. SPRINT across field and back
    2. x100 2-ct Flutters OYO
    3. x20 Copperhead Squats IC
    4. x10 4-ct Merkins IC
    5. High-knee across field and back
    6. x10 WWII IC
    7. Butt-kickers across field and back
    8. x20 Smurf Jacks IC
    9. x10 Chuck Norris Merkins OYO
    10. x10 Rosalita Dips IC
    11. Bernie across field and back
    12. x100 Calf-raises OYO
    13. x10 Werkins IC
    14. x20 Freddie M’s IC
    15. Sprint across field and back
    16. x20 Monkey Humpers IC
    17. x20 Diamond Merkins OYO
    18. x10 High/Slow Flutters IC
    19. Bear crawl across field, mosey back
    20. x10 4-ct Jump Squats IC
    21. x10 HRM’s IC
    22. x20 Heels to Heaven IC
    23. x20 Burpees OYO
    24. Lunge backwards down field, mosey back
    25. x20 Merkins OYO
    26. x20 LBC’s IC
    27. x100 SSH OYO
    28. x10 Gorilla Humpers IC
    29. x100 Arms Circles OYO
    30. x20 Am.Hammers IC
    31. Sprint across field and back
    32. Lunge walk down field, mosey back
    33. x10 Carolina Drydocks IC
    34. x15 Oblique LBC IC (ea side)
    35. x20 Mtn.Climbers IC
    36. x10 Lunges IC
    37. x20 Shoulder Taps IC
    38. x20 Plank Jacks IC
    39. Karaoke across field and back

    EXRA CREDIT!

    • 8-ct Opus, x8 IC
    • 8-ct DR.W’s, x8 IC
    • 8-ct Body Builders, x8 IC

    Mosey BTTF for COT:

    • Counterama # 12
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  As always it was an amazing honor to bring the heat for some beloved SOJ brothers. Between the labored breathing and rock music YHC made out some decent mumblechatter, and some kind of joke was enjoyed by the far-side PAX during our Gorilla Humpers, and of course there was some welcome hate-talk with the 8-count extra credit. Whadya expect?!? Haha, Look forward to seeing ya’ll for the 40th birthday Q tomorrow. Who KNOWS what crazy is comin! Yours, DTH

    Announcements:

    • 11/30 – DTH 40th bday Q at SOT
    • 12/2 – Rosie’s M will be selling nudes of Rosie at the Gallery of the Black Irish Social Club from 5-8pm (321 W Broad St)
    • 12/3 – Dogpile Magnum PI Day (mustache, Hawaiian shirt, donations for the Bridge)
    • 12/10 – 3-6pm HDHH Hardywood West Creek with the Capitol PAX
    • 12/20 – NoToll “12 Days of Christmas”

    Prayer Requests:

    • PAX on IR – Doublemint, Doozy, Prince, and many others – connect with them and pray for them!

  • The PAX Voted for a Blood Moon

    An 8-PAX of SOJ HIM’s prepared their hearts and minds for midterm elections in the best way possible, doing things the hard way, together. Here’s what went on the Gloom Ballot:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Collect bricks at YHC’s truck
    • Mosey onto the BBall court and circle up
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • THUNDERSTRUCK – Musical warm-up entailing the PAX perform repeated squats with bricks held overhead, then pumps bricks out to sides with each “Thunder” or “Thunderstruck” lyric 
    • Other Variable IC Reps to get the muscles warm top to bottom

    COP #1:

    • Mosey out to Field #1
    • QUARTER-POUNDER WITH CHEESE
    • Brinks in hand, the PAX gave a shout out to Bernie to reach each quarter of the field, stopping for reps, sprinting back to start between
    • x25 Brick Merkins
    • x50 Squats, bricks held overhead 
    • x75 Freddie Mercury’s, bricks overhead
    • x100 SSH (bricks optional)

    COP #2:

    • Brief Plankorama with Bricks in Hand
    • Low Plank held on bricks during MidTerms Trivia – PAX knowledge effectively demonstrated to the tune of prolonged low plank

    COP #3:

    • Mosey back to the BathHouse for a TRIPLE CHECK
    • Partner 1 – Brick Hoedowns
    • Partner 2 – Core Brick Exercise (Dealers Choice)
    • Partner 3 – Runs down to the playground and back carrying their bricks

    COP #4:

    • Drop off the bricks en route back to the Basketball Court
    • ELEVENS (to honor 11 Virginia Representatives being voted on today)
    • 10–>1 Ball Dippers (2-ct)
    • 1–>10 Merkins

    Circle up for COT:

    • Counterama # 8
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  YHC didn’t feel particularly froggy this morning, but nothing like being the Q for an awesome band of brothers to kickstart the morning. The usual groaning was endured with bricks appearing, and more so with the musical beatdown to start the workout, but everyone did their best all the same! The appearance of the Blood Moon was spectacular, and the Elections Trivia was enthusiastically voted “Best Homeschool Curricula.”  Appreciate ya’ll humoring and pushing me this morning. Love, DTH

    Announcements:

    • Merkin Challenge ongoing
    • HDHH on 11/22 (2 weeks from today) at Hardywood West Creek
    • Forrest Hill Loops on 11/25 (see Slack)

    Prayer Requests:

    • Last Call knows a young guy our age going on Hospice for Prostate Cancer – prayers for Buddy and his family, and for all of us to keep our eyes & hearts open to find JOY each day regardless of the trials of life

  • Flipping off the PAX

    17 studs posted to SOT – 10 for bootcamp, 5 for run, and 2 for ruck. Here’s what the bootcampers did:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Mosey down to the lower lot and circle up
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Variable IC Reps to get the muscles warm top to bottom

    COP #1:

    • Mosey over to the grassy hill
    • KILO-DORA:
    • Moving partner bear crawls the hill, then runs around side back to partner
    • x100 WWII’s
    • x200 Merkins
    • x300 Squats
    • x400 Flutter Kicks (2-ct)

    COP #2:

    • Moseyrama around the track for a TRYHARD SPECIAL at the guest bleachers to introduce TWO new 8-count exercises:
    • DIP-FLIPS: incline plank on bench – incline merkin, flip over, dip, flip over …did about 10 IC
    • KICK-FLIPS: plank on ground – groiner, flip over, inverse groiner, flip over …did about 10 IC

    COP #4:

    • Head BRTF, stopping en route at the school brick wall for:
    • x30 Howdowns OYO
    • x20 Dirty Hookups OYO
    • x20 Donkey Kicks

    Mosey BTTF for a few mins of MARY

    RUCKERS x2 – Doublemint, Doozy

    RUNNERS x5 – Florence, Tobit, Boberry, Don Draper, and Rosie

    COT:

    • Counterama # 17
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • MUDSLIDE took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  Always a pleasure to be back at SOT, and appreciate the PAX humoring a couple new 8-count burners. They’re hard, so they’ll be back. Your as always, TryingHard

    Announcements:

    • Hogan Beer Mile – see Slack

    Prayer Requests:

    • Safe travels for House Party traveling to pick up the grandkids in Florida

  • Wishing Upon a Shooting Star

    Seven Forge regulars exchanged toasty fartsacks for frosty fun, as follows:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Moseyrama on the smelly hill
    • Variable IC Reps to get warm

    COP #1:

    • Indigenous Curb Crawl

    COP #2:

    • Triple Check at the Amphitheater 

    COP #3:

    • 50’s at the Track

    Mosey BTTF:

    • A few small COP’s and a sprint BTTF
    • A few mins of Mary

    COT:

    • Counterama # 7
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • LAST CALL took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  The PAX enjoyed the Smell on repeat, observing the birth pains of a novel Tryhard exercise, Last Call wishing upon a shooting star, Snuff nearly forcing the Q to audible on 50’s, the naming of the Echo Chamber, and the return of the infamous BoneRubs. Twas fun, thx fellas. SYITG, DTH

    Announcements:

    • 5-8pm TONIGHT we’re meeting up for Happy Hour at The Veil of Forrest Hill with M’s & 2.0’s in tow. 

    Prayer Requests:

    • Keep HOUSE PARTY and his family in prayer as they’re taking in the grandkids this week out of a foster situation. They need our help with some last minute little kid supplies which you can bring to HDHH tonight or to Rock&Roll Sat AM. They need little girl cold-weather clothing (sizes 2T-6T welcome), a little kid table and chairs and/or booster seats, and whatever little girl toys/books/dolls/etc you can part with. Let’s help our brother out! 

  • Getting Down with Sally

    A 10-PAX of SOJ HIM’s looking for a good time found Sally awaiting them at NoToll. No Mudslide? No problem. Let’s do this:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Mosey onto the BBall Court and circle up
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • SALLY UP, SALLY DOWN (~1min of each: Merkins, Squats, Leg Lifts)
    • Variable IC Reps to get the muscles warm top to bottom
    • Round TWO of Sally Up Sally Down

    COP #1:

    • Mosey to the Toll Bridge
    • 7 MINUTE CIRCUIT:
    • Rotate through x15 Incline Merkins, x15 Dips, x15 Donkey Kicks

    COP #2:

    • Mosey to Field #1
    • Line up for a LINDSEY:
    • Chain Smokers 30-25-20-15-10
    • Groiners 10-15-20-25-30
    • Run length of field between sets

    COP #3:

    • STRETCHES & SPRINTS
    • Alternate stretching with variable speed sprints across Field #1

    COP #3:

    • Mosey back to the BBall Court
    • Line up for DMC:
    • Duckwalk out half way
    • Complete x10 Merkins
    • Crawlbear Back
    • Complete x3 Rounds

    GRAND FINALE:

    • Round THREE of Sally Up Sally Down
    • This time just Merkins to exhaustion, then switch to Squats for rest of time

    COT:

    • Counterama # 10
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  Nice to get reacquainted with Sally this morning – Nancy was particularly pleased and asked for thirds. The initial “CrossFit Workout” playlist was total trash, but we landed in the “CrossFit Rock Station” which worked out well. Missed out on the potential Mudslide visit, but maybe next time – this stuff isn’t for the feint of heart! Appreciate ya’ll letting me lead. Recent injuries are improving, praise be to God. SYITG, DTH

    Announcements:

    • 10/20 SOJ HDHH at The Veil Brewing

    Prayer Requests:

    • Healing prayers for Nancy’s daughter with a nasty ankle injury