Author: Dr Tryhard

  • I GET KNOCKED DOWN…

    Eight gloom veterans and 3 WEAG FNG’s posted in balmy temps for our second FORGE experience. Here’s how DTH kept the PAX moving as a team:

    The THANG:

    Mosey to COP #1: (Remain in 1st Lot)

    • Chumbaburpee – musical warmerama with a Burpee for every “I Get Knocked Down”, and other to-the-beat exercises in during verses – Imperial Walkers, Russian Soldiers, Ball Dippers
    • Total of 24 Burpees

    Mosey to COP #2: (2nd Lot)

    • DQ’s x10
    • Cherry Pickers x10
    • Dancing Bears x20
    • Angle Grinders x20

    Mosey to COP #3: (Rails)

    • Circuit: Complete x3 sets of x10 Dips & x10 Incline Merkins at the top end of the rails, with x10 WWII’s 50 yards away back at the bottom of the ramp
    • Captain Thors & Pankercises while awaiting the Six

    Mosey to COP #4: (Hills)

    • Burp Back Mountain – Partner 1 starts 100 count Burpees at bottom while Partner 2 bear crawls up the hill, completes x10 Heels to Heaven, then runs back down to switch with Partner 1 …early finishers teamed up to complete the Six’s Burpees.

    Circle up for COP #5:

    • Flutter Kicks OYO x1min awaiting the Six
    • Freddie M’s x20
    • APD’s x20
    • Dying Cockroaches x20
    • Protractor variations
    • Scissors/Flutters variations
    • Wilson’s ab stretch
    • No Cheat Merkins x10
    • The DTH Circle Merk x3

    COT at the ShovelFlag:

    • Counterama #11
    • Namerama (x3 FNG’s)
    • Announcerama (see Comments)
    • YHC took us out in Prayer

    NMS: 

    • Beautiful morning to celebrate our freedoms among F3 brothers. Very happy to introduce a few more WEAG brothers to F3. Thomas Lord’s favorite hobby is making sweet love to his wife – welcome TROJAN! Tim Hughes (age 59) plays keys for his band – welcome PIANO MAN! And Vik Karunakar sings for the same band and enjoys watching Cricket – welcome JIMINY CRICKET! YHC thought the Chumbaburpee warmerama was a fun way to get things started, and will be considering some other songs for future Q’s. Keep posting fellas!

  • Work Weekend Workout

    DTH met up with brother FLINT, brother’s friend Tom (FNG), and YHC’s father for a work weekend at our old Eastern Shore family farm. Da boyz being game for a challenge, YHC broke out the ShovelFlag, donned F3 apparel, and called these hungry warriors into battle. Here’s how it all went down:

    The THANG:

    Circle Up – review F3 Credo, Principals, and Safety Protocol

    COP #1:

    • SSH x20
    • DQ’s x10
    • Ball Dippers x10
    • Cherry Pickers x10
    • No Cheat Merkins x10
    • Elbow Plankercizes
    • DR.W x10

    Mosey to COP #2:

    • Lt Dan’s x25 yards
    • Bearpees = 5 BC paces + 3 Burpees, repeato x25 yards

    Mosey to COP #3:

    • Triple Check: P1 sets pace with 100 yard AYG run, while P2 does WWII’s and P3 does Dips

    Grab the ShovelFlag & run 1/2 mile to River Front for COP #4:

    • DORA 1-2-3: While 1 man completes exercises, the other two take turns with Wheelbarrows, 50 yard runs, Mountain Climbers, and SSH’s. Rotate to complete total of 100 Merkins, 200 LBC’s, and 300 Monkey Humpers. 

    Mosey with ShovelFlag to the end of the Dock for ~8min of Mary:

    • Merkin rotation, each man completing x10 Incline Merkins, x10 Diamond Merkins, & x10 Carolina Drydocks
    • On your 6 for variable Protractor, Flutters (Low & High), APD’s, Freddie M’s, then stretch it out with WILSON’s and FUDD’s wives.
    • Merkin Crawl: x10 Werkins, crawl 3 paces, x10 Merkins, crawl 3 paces, x10 Ranger Merkins, crawl to the end
    • X60 SSH’s IC to close

    COT:

    • Counterama, #3 PAX
    • Namerama (named the FNG)
    • No Announcements, but general sentiment of thankfulness 
    • FLINT took us out in Prayer

    NMS: 

    • As we all know, only those who post will understand, and YHC wasn’t about to let a perfect opportunity pass for brother FLINT to get a second taste of a good F3 beatdown, nor miss out on the opportunity to welcome the very studly REBAR into our brotherhood. Both of these young men are in peak physical shape so YHC had to pull out all the stops to produce a worthy 45min workout. As exhausted as YHC finds himself, it was surely a sufficient example of our affinity for F1 pain. I am as always humbled and grateful to God for the opportunity to lead, the strength to overcome, and the joy to unite with F3 brothers. 

  • Inaugural FORGE Beatdown

    F3 RVA rung in a new AO this morning at Huguenot High School near Bon Air, with a dirty dozen fartsac escapees ready to tackle a DTH beatdown on new ground. Flange arrived on foot as he lives right around the corner, and one Friendly New Guy answered the call to be born again in the F3 Fiery Forge. Here’s how DTH hammered these iron warriors into glory:

    The THANG:

    Mosey to COP #1: (next parking lot down)

    • SSH x20
    • DQ’s x10
    • Ball Dippers x10
    • No Cheat Merkins x10 (Hand Release + Shoulder Tap = 8ct)
    • Freddie M’s x20
    • DR. W – Dolly / Rosalita / W – 8ct x10

    Mosey to COP #2:

    • Partner up at Parallel rails of stadium’s wheelchair ramp
    • 3 rounds of x10 Jerkins & x10 CliffHanger Merkins

    Mosey to COP #3:

    • Indigenous Peoples Run to the cul-de-sac at the end of South Coleman Ln (behind stadium)
    • Circle up and review the F3 CREDO
    • Sweat Angels x15 IC
    • Crab Cakes x15 IC
    • Find a new Partner to complete x3 sets of: x20 PLT each, x10 Squerkins each

    Mosey to COP #3:

    • Run the ~ 0.5mile run back up South Coleman to a grassy hillside
    • New partners for DORA (x100 Merkins, x200 LBC’s, x300 Squats) – While P1 completes stationary exercises, P2 Bear Crawls up and down the three hills, then runs back to trade off …most PAX nearly completed the Squats before YHC called an audible back to the ShovelFlag

    At the ShovelFlag:

    • 2 minutes of High & Low Flutters and Scissors
    • The DTH CircleMerk x3

    COT:

    • Counterama #12
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Comments)
    • YHC took us out in Prayer

    NMS: 

    • YHC feels REBORN and honored to facilitate and Q a new F3RVA AO. Thank you all SO much for your encouragement to make this happen. Multiple times this morning a very enthusiastic Q was reminded to dial back the Qadrenaline. Our new FORGE has so much great potential, and we’ve only skimmed the surface! YHC heard from many F3 veterans and wannabe FNG friends that this week didn’t work for them due to Spring Break travels – so while 12 PAX felt perfect this morning, we will likely see this group grow quickly. Rumor has it the Ghost Flag will make its appearance sometime this month at the Forge, and YHC aims to make SOJ the GhostFlag’s permanent home, so you other areas best represent! 

  • “Even done WRONG, they hurt!”

    A total of 15 optimistic daffodils escaped the warmth of their bulbs to bloom this beautiful Spring morning. Here’s how YHC watered the flowers:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA on the BBall Court:

    • 4×4-icides – Suicides with x3 4×4’s each time you hit the baseline (each Burpee has x4 Merkins & x4 Mountain Climbers)
    • LUMBERGH & HARDYWOOD arrived late, but just in time to join the fun and say – “wait, what’s a 4×4?”

    Mosey to COP #1: (parking lot)

    • Crab Cakes – 4ct x10
    • Breakdancer Merkin – 4ct x10
    • DR. W – Dolly / Rosalita / W – 8ct x10
    • Angle Grinder – Merkin, Rt hand to Lt knee, Merkin, Lt hand touch Rt knee – 8ct x10

    Mosey to COP #3: (run loop around to main field)

    • Four Corners (+Escalator):  x10 Dive-bomber Merkins, run, add x20 Ball-dippers (2ct), run, add x30 American Hammers, run, add x40 Mountain Climbers …escalator back to start
    • ABC’s for the SIX

    Mosey Back toward Flag:

    • Capture the Flag – Two planking lines facing one another – Caterpillar 50 yards to the ShovelFlag (last man box jumps over planking teammates to the front, repeato until flag reached). Winning team performed Flutter Kicks while the Runners-Up enjoyed 10 more Burpees.

    10 Minutes remaining – Repeat the fun:

    • 4×4-icides – Suicides with two 4×4’s each time you hit the baseline
    • DR. W – Dolly / Rosalita / W – 8ct x10
    • Angle Grinder – Merkin, Rt hand to Lt knee, Merkin, Lt hand touch Rt knee – 8ct x10
    • x20 Freddie M’s IC … “just for funsies”
    • Finish up with the DTH CircleMerk (x3 one-armed Merkins completed in tight plank circle, right arm over back of next man) 

    COT:

    • Counterama #15
    • Namerama …mostly DTH’s present today
    • Announcements (included below in Comments)
    • YHC closed in Prayer

    NMS: 

    Wow, where to even begin?! The contagious good humor, corrupting our every intent to perform quality exercises – granted they may have been new – and YHC may have messed up the cadence once or twice… then the brutal four corners escalator with DRAPER modifying the depth of his Ball Dippers to account for his testicular enormity… then an impressively competitive Capture the Flag. Getting back to the new exercises at the end, the general form looked much better…will have to use Dr W & Angle Grinder on the regular. And finally, what a way to end! There are now 4 Dr TryHards and one “Big Balls” Draper in our PAX…good luck Big Data. You guys crack me up – thanks for allowing me to lead and join you today.

    SYITG, The REAL Dr TryHard

  • Life-giving

    Eight steel pistons – cold, quiet, and inert – YHC turned the key, and the F3 engine roared to life. Here’s how those steel pistons created F3 inertia: 

    The THANG:

    COP #1: (at the Flag)

    • SSH x20 IC
    • DQ’s x10 IC
    • Ball Dippers x10 IC
    • No Cheat Merkins x10 (Hand Release + Shoulder Tap = 8 count IC)
    • Freddie M’s x20 IC

    Mosey to COP #2: (Elem school front circle)

    • Indigenous Peoples Curb Crawl: PAX Carousel Plank around island curb, last man completes 5 Burpees then bear crawls around loop to the front …continued until all PAX have completed Burpees

    Mosey to COP #3: (Track)

    • PLT’s – x3 Sets of 20 each
    • Run around track
    • Lunge for the Six to catch up
    • Partner up for Wheelbarrows down long stretch of the track
    • Big O’s x15 clockwise, then x15 ccw (sitting on bench with legs straight, trace big circle with legs together) 

    Mosey to COP #4: (Parking Lot near Track)

    • Menage a Trois (AKA – Triple Check): P1 Carousel Planks around island curb (sets pace), P2 “Wheel of Merkin” on opposing Curb (3,6,9,12oclock), P3 Burpees

    Mosey Back to Flag:

    • Plankorama waiting for the Six
    • 100 Flutter Kicks in honor of VINNY’s anniversary week (4-count IC, completing 5 sets of 20, alternating x20 high flutters with hands up/back, then x20 lower flutter with hands under six, repeato until 100 reached)
    • No Cheat Merkins x10 IC
    • CIRCLE MERK !!! x3 

    COT:

    • Counterama #
    • Namerama
    • Announcements (included below in Comments)
    • YHC Prayer

    NMS: 

    • Slightly colder and damper than expected, but a glorious Q nonetheless. It seems 8 men makes a near perfect PAX for maximizing the 3 F’s – healthy mumble chatter, equal pairings, and minimal waiting for the 6. While running between COP’s today, a light rain and breeze refreshing my awareness of Life, YHC worshipped God and gave thanks for the leg and heart strength to find joy in this fitness. This Spiritual perspective was further heightened to hear of the sudden passing of Big John, just in his mid 40’s. Life is precious. Keep EH’ing to get the guys you know out to join our fellowship. Let’s make the most of today, and every day, by the grace of God, and to His glory! 

  • When in doubt, SQUERKIN

    Intro: Despite a foreboding forecast, 16 frost-hardened gloom warriors posted to 45MOM, only to find YHC’s shovel flag standing proud, Old Glory snapping her welcome in a balmy 70 degree breeze. 

    The THANG:

    Mosey to COP #1: (Black Top)

    • Sweat Party: Hands up with continuous high knees, drop for a 5-count merkin set on hearing “Drop”, jump back up to continue high knees, repeato – Merkins included Chuck Norris, Werkin, FingerTip, Diamond, & Dive Bombers
    • Dancing Bears x15 IC (Bear crawl position, Raise Rt Arm + Lt Leg, then opposite, 4 count)
    • Copperhead Squats x15 IC
    • High-speed Freddie M’s x15 IC …to redirect the abundant Mumble Chatter
    • 21’s:  SSH #1-5 IC, then silent for #6-21, x5 Burpees were awarded for multiple PAX losing count and going over…especially SAAB

    Mosey around track to COP #2: (Pull-Up Bars)

    • Morning Call:  First man completes 5 pull-ups calling cadence to the pushing PAX who complete 5 matching Merkins or Carolina DryDocks – after 5 pull-ups completed, brother-on-bar calls out his F3Name – echoed by the pushing PAX. Repeato for each member = x80 Drydocks or Merkins total.

    Mosey to COP #3: (Tennis Court – short side)

    • BlackJack: x20 WWII, BC or CW across court then x1 Ball Dippers (Iron Mikes), then BC or CW back…descending WWII’s, ascending BD’s, always add’s up to 21 (but because this routine turned out to be super boring, YHC called AUDIBLE having only attained 14WWII and 7 BD’s)

    On the Fly COP #4: (Tennis Court – long ways)

    • Triple Check: P1 & P2 complete Squerkins while P3 carioca’s across full length of courts …LBC’s for the Six

    Mosey Back to Flag for Mary & COT:

    • Hold 6” for the SIX
    • LBC’s
    • Protractor (varying degrees of pain)
    • Heels to Heaven x10 OYO
    • Flutter Kicks x50 IC (ouch)
    • Plankercizes until times up
    • Counterama
    • Namerama
    • Announcements (included below in Comments)
    • GREENBOW took us out with some high quality prayer

    NMS: 

    YHC is again honored and blessed to stand among real men, beating the ever cozy fartsack despite risks of low crawls in brown water. YHC ended up adjusting the workout lineup quite a bit in order to reduce mumble chatter and/or keep things interesting…so please forgive any errors detailed above.  Today, YHC remembers proposing to the M 15 years ago – thank GOD she said yes! YHC is who he is today because of her. #TryHardorDieHard

  • Higher Level Math

    My Dear PAX, 

    Greetings to you on another glorious Monday morning! YHC arrived at BATTEAU’s Stone House to find GREENBOW’s truck circling the loop in search of a familiar face. We were shortly joined by the vehicles of VINNY and BLEEDER, and by the time YHC was planting the ShovelFlag, SWIRLY arrived on foot. Expecting the F3RVA Spirit Animal to arrive at any moment, YHC led the gathering men for a few moseycize laps around the loop, and sure enough HARDYWOOD came skidding in on 2 wheels, followed closely by SIPPY CUP on foot – both joining us just in time for our Warmerama COP. 

    The THANG:

    IC Warmerama – COP #1:

    • DQ’s
    • Russian Soldiers
    • Copperhead Squats
    • Cherry Pickers
    • Crowd Pleasers (Merkin/Groiner)
    • Freddie M’s
    • Reverse Crunch
    • Starfish Crunch

    Mosey to Tennis Court for COP #2:

    • Partner up for 3 rounds of the following:
    • PLT’s x20 each
    • BC across Court
    • Squerkins x10 each (P1 Derkins with legs held by P2, then P2 Squats)
    • CB back & repeato x3 rounds

    Mosey to COP #3: (Grassy Hills)

    • ExerClocks:  Start at Hillside #1 to complete x8 WWII at 1 o’clock, run down to bottom and up to Hillside #2 to complete x8 Mountain Merkins (x1 M + x2 two-count MC’s) at 1 o’clock, run back to other hillside to complete x8 WWII at 2 o’clock position…  complete x8 reps of each exercise at each hour of each clock face.

    Mosey Back to Flag for the official F3 6MOM:

    • 0:00 Little Baby Crunch
    • 0:24 High Slow Flutter
    • 0:48 Rest
    • 1:12 Low Flutter
    • 1:36 Low Scissors
    • 2:00 Rest
    • 2:24 High Scissors
    • 2:48 Canoe / V-up / XO’s
    • 3:12 Rest
    • 3:36 Heels to Heaven
    • 4:00 Forearm Plank Jack
    • 4:24  Forearm Plank
    • 4:48 Rest
    • 5:12 World War II Situp
    • 5:36 Oblique Crunch (Lt & Rt)
    • 6:00 End

    COT:

    • Counterama #
    • Namerama
    • Announcements (included below in Comments)
    • Prayer

    NMS: 

    • As always, enjoyed bringing a couple new things into the routine – specifically the Squerkin was a solid shoulder burner – definitely gonna bring that out again. And the “Exerclocks” (as I call them) filled a good portion of our workout with full body variety. VINNY thought they should be called the TI-80 (like the calculator) since “they require higher level math to figure out”. GREENBOW, as a descendent of clock-makers, had about 15 different ideas for what they could be called. At any rate, it’s a good enough routine I’m sure we’ll land a good name for them at some point. Final thought – the official F3 6MOM was a solid finale on the morning, though the rest periods, while appreciated, seemed odd in comparison to the usual non-stop burner Mary typically delivered by our Q’s. All in all, an excellent way to start the week!

  • The Exodus of Demons

    The beloved beacon of beatdowns to come, SWIRLY’s headlights cast a welcoming beam upon our COT arena. YHC planted the ShovelFlag, and a strong PAX of 17 gloom warriors quickly converged to bask in the warmth of the 2nd F. There was some amusement in contrasting HANDSHAKE’s XXXXL shorts with the cheek-huggers worn by SHAKEDOWN, and then it was time to mosey…

    The THANG:

    Mosey to COP #1: (The usual Circle)

    • Don Quixotes – IC x10 slowly
    • Imperial Squat Walkers – IC x10
    • Around the World Lunges – IC x5 rounds
    • Mountain Climber Merkins – YHC attempted IC, but after two fails, instructed PAX to complete x10 OYO (should be x3 MC’s followed by x1 M…)
    • Crab Cakes – IC x15
    • LBC’s – IC x20
    • Guantanamo – PAX remains on their Six, Legs Up at 45 degrees, Each man runs circle, forcefully throwing legs down (goal for PAX is to keep feet from hitting the deck, then hold at 6”), then the next man in line is following with hitting legs back up for PAX to hold at 45 degrees. Completed 2 rounds of ab-burner fun.

    Mosey to COP #2: (The Pit of Despair)

    • Lindsey – Complete x30 WWII bottom, Bear crawl to top, x10 MH, Crawl Bear back to bottom, x25 WWII, BC up to x15 MH, CB back down, …total of five times up and down to end with x10 WWII & x30 MH.
    • While awaiting the Six, HANDSHAKE provided plankercizes, then with everyone present YHC instructed PAX to complete four 4×4’s for good measure (x4 Burpees, each w x4 Merkins & x4 Mountain C’s)

    Mosey to COP #3: (Beatdown Bars, AKA, Rusty Cage)

    • Within about an 8 minute period of time, PAX completed the following routine OYO in repeat: x5 Pull Ups, x10 Groiners, x5 Dips, x10 Iron Mikes (Ball Dippers).  YHC completed x5 rounds then called the PAX to return to the ShovelFlag.

    The Shovel Flag Finisher:

    • Freddie Mercury 4 counts x20

    COT:

    • Counterama #
    • Namerama
    • Announcements (included below in Comments)
    • Prayer

    NMS:

    • First time Q’ing at Dogwood, and loved every painful minute of it. YHC was very pleased with the gusto with which the PAX attacked the Guantanamo drill, particularly impressed with the malevolent energy that BODOS & VINNY put into slamming legs down.
    • Crawling up & down the theater added a new challenge, and YHC was amused to note the PAX crawling out up out of the dark depths was akin to some demonic uprising out of Hell.
    • What an honor to lead, and a joy to crush the failing flesh, alongside so many awesome men!

  • The Heart-warming Ridge

    First to the Ridge was LOOSE GOOSE who had very kindly planted his very own little ShovelFlag, which YHC thought appeared lonely, so The FORGE flag was also planted …with the usual MumbleChatter regarding it’s grand size and magnificence. Twas a mild 30-ish morning, and the PAX warmly greeted one another as they counted the incoming to find out if numbers would even up…which they did…so we decided to get going!

    The THANG:

    Follow-the-Leader “moseycizes” around the parking lot, returning to ShovelFlags for COP#1:

    • Don Quixotes
    • Hydraulic Squats (8ct, to knees)
    • XY’s (4ct, Flutter-Dolly)
    • PAX-called Pusherama – State F3 Name & type of Merkin, PAX repeats name & exercise, PAX completes x5 IC, then passed to next man (total of 70 reps completed)

    Mosey to COP #2: (Jerkin Gym + the Ridge)

    • JerkMerk Buddy Ladder – Partner Up, x10 Jerkins each (legs held), Bernie Sanders up the Hill, x9 Buddy Merkins (Hand-Release at bottom, Shoulder Taps top …this ensures fully down and fully up for each Merkin), run back to Jerkin Gym for x9 J’s, back to top for x8 BM’s, etc.
    • We can all thank HANDSHAKE for requesting a routine including the Jerkin Gym
    • Return to track when complete, each performing 20ct PLT’s while waiting on the Six

    Mosey to COP #3: (Parking Lot)

    • Parking Space Tracer – facing the end point, sprint and shuffle all the lines
    • PAX awaiting their turn complete WWII’s prior to Tracer run, then complete Monkey Humpers while awaiting the Six (…there was some noted variety in exercises as it appears MH’s were not preferred following the Spacer Sprints)

    Mosey to COP #4: (Curb)

    • Around the World Merkins – x10 rounds OYO (Incline Merkin, then turn Right to Merkin with Left hand on Curb, then turn to Derkin, then turn to Merkin with Right hand on curb)

    Mosey Back to ShovelFlag for Mary:

    • Sweat Angels IC x20 (arms/legs held at 6”)
    • Back Plank (raise legs/arms) …not particularly interesting
    • The DTH Circle Merk x3 (more smoothly completed than last time…BOOYAH!)
    • x60 SSH OYO for the last minute …Well done fellas!

    COT:

    • Counterama (#14)
    • Namerama
    • Announcements (detailed below in Comments)
    • Prayer

    NMS:

    • Solid numbers this AM, but low volume on the Mumble Chatter – probably due to the PAX losing their breath with Moseycizes in the first minute of the day, following by 44 minutes of non-stop fun. 🙂 Was again bummed with failing to bring the elusive FNG out (had a hard commit as of last night), but enjoyed seeing some new faces (PONCH, HANK HILL, and ?PEE TRAP …can anyone verify his name?) Keep posting fellas, and never give up Headlocking FNG’s…they need this more than you think! SYITG

  • DIY – the Original DTH ShovelFlag!

    For a number of different reasons, there has been some entertaining Mumblechatter among the PAX in regard to YHC’s most superb ShovelFlag, created in preparation for our newest AO, The FORGE, starting 4/4/19. The original design seemed flimsy and labor intensive, so YHC developed a better design – stronger, lighter, and capable of lengthy extension.  For those of you interested in making your own version of the DTH Original, below are the necessary steps…

    Historical Note: YHC’s Flag soared above the United States Capitol on the day of YHC’s Graduation from the Virginia Military Institute (May 14th, 2005). Rah Va Mil!!!

    Step 1 – go to Lowes with ~$45 to purchase the following…

    Badass Shovel: ~$18

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/True-Temper-39-in-Fiberglass-Long-handle-Digging-Shovel/50223625

    Extender Rod: ~$10

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/Mr-LongArm-Twist-Lok-Steel-3-342-ft-to-6-075-ft-Telescoping-Threaded-Extension-Pole/1000524555

    Eye Bolt & Nut:  ~$1 (can be any gauge, but long enough to go through extender rod)

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/National-Hardware-5-16-in-x-3-25-in-Zinc-Plated-Steel-Plain-Eye-Bolt/1000367315

    O-Ring: ~$1

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-Nickel-Plated-O-Ring/999971120

    Spray Paint: ~$5

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/Krylon-Professional-Gloss-Black-Spray-Paint-Actual-Net-Contents-15-oz/1000459705

    American Flag: ~$10 (if you don’t already have one…)

    https://m.lowes.com/pd/Independence-Flag-5-ft-W-x-3-ft-H-American-Flag/1197541

    DIRECTIONS:

    • Remove foam grip on Shovel & plastic grip on Extender (insert Extender into Shovel to confirm perfect fit)
    • Remove all labels (use GooGone)
    • Spray paint Shovel above blade
    • Spray paint Extender’s yellow thread-top
    • Let these items dry fully
    • Drill hole through top of Extender ~1” below plastic threaded top (drill bit should be slighter wider than gauge of EyeBolt)
    • Use manly brute strength and whatever tools on hand to slightly widen opening of Eyebolt, then hook Eye onto Flag’s top rivet hole
    • Similarly separate and widen opening of O-Ring to hook onto Flag’s lowest rivet hole, then tighten O-ring back up (if possible
    • Attach EyeBolt to top end of Extender (if desired, can use a bonding agent to lock nut securely on back end)
    • Slip O-Ring over bottom end of Extender, then extend rod & hand-tighten to keep Flag & O-Ring on Extender rod
    • Insert base of Extender into top of Shovel – only about 1” needed, otherwise difficult to remove
    • Decorate as you see fit, though traditionally an F3 sticker on the Shovel head is recommended at minimum
    • NOTE: Amazon sells excellent Vinyl stickers (white, 1-3” variety) if you would like to have words on the handle
    • Now you’re ready for all things F3! …or at the very least, joining the Breakfast Club extra credit on Saturday mornings! AYE!