Author: Faceplant

  • Playground Games

    As everyone knows, I’m always one for games. So today’s beatdown leaned heavy into fun, confusion, and mumble chatter.

    We kicked things off the right way with a solid stretch, because stretching is important. Six PAX circled up for a waterfall of burpees, each man adding one at a time until we hit 100 total. There was notableresistance from the peanut gallery (👀 Upchuck), but once we found our rhythm, things moved fast. By the time we hit around 50, we were cruising and wrapped up strong at 100.

    Then it was on to the main event with a twist. I brought along two 15-lb weights (my wife’s… don’t tell her), and the rule was simple: the weights go everywhere. We alternated carries, and while I’m pretty sure not everyone touched them equally… that’s okay. That’s what the PAX is for pick up the slack when needed.

    Weights in hand, we moseyed over to Stewart Ave for one of my favorite chaos workouts:
    Run down the street, and every vehicle that passes dictates the exercise.

    I didn’t do a great job explaining—or remembering—the exercises, but it went something like this:

    • SUV → 5 Merkins
    • Pickup truck → 10 Merkins
    • Crossover → Partner up for Boo-Yah Merkins
    • Silly / odd vehicle (including a boat) → 15 Monkey Humpers

    There were a lot of crossovers, plenty of confusion, and even more complaining—but the PAX rolled with it. We ran Stewart one way, then back the other, adjusting rules on the fly as the chaos unfolded.

    From there, we headed back to the playground blacktop for a Triple Check:

    • Round 1: Weighted lunges / Flutter Kicks / WWII sit-ups
    • Round 2: Run / Flutter Kicks / WWII sit-ups
    • Round 3: Weighted lunges again / Flutter Kicks / WWII sit-ups

    While grinding through the Triple Check, we mixed in the Question of the Day—fittingly car-related: What was your first car?
    Highlights included Senior Frog’s Pontiac LeMans and Upchuck’s absolute unit of a Chevy Caprice battleship.

    We finished by heading back to the flag for a full round of Mary—mostly so Upchuck could make sure he really got his work in.

    Closed out with prayer, lifting up those less fortunate—especially with cold weather coming—and a reminder to keep them in mind. I also shared that my father was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, and I truly appreciate the prayers and support from the PAX.

    Strong mumble chatter, strong work, and a great way to start the day. Appreciate every one of you—this is exactly what sets the tone right.

    Last announcement, pigskin is heading to the bridge this weekend and he could always use extra folks for Saturday it’s a great opportunity and a moving experience if you’ve never been.

  • 6 Lap Tabata (details lost to time)

    After only a 19-day review period, YHC is proud to finally submit this backblast. Accountability works… eventually.

    Conditions: Cold. December cold. The kind where you remember it was cold, but not how cold.

    Warm-Up:
    Standard F3 warm-up. We stretched. Arms went up. Arms came down.

    The Thang:
    A very typical Tabata.

    • 6 rounds
    • Running laps in between
    • Exercises occurred
    • Muscles were involved

    Specific movements have unfortunately been released from memory in accordance with long-term archival policy. What is known is that everyone did the work, no one cheated (probably), and time passed at a predictable rate.

    Between rounds, the PAX ran. They returned. This happened multiple times.

    Mumblechatter:
    Minimal. Focused. Professional.
    Any jokes made were immediately forgotten, much like the workout.

    Attendance Notes:

    • Bodos was present and has since ensured that no one forgets it
    • OBT did OBT things
    • Offshore was offshore in name only

    COT:
    Short. Efficient. Completed.

    Backblast Notes:
    This post is late.
    Everyone knows it’s late.
    This post acknowledges that it’s late.
    We can all move forward now.

    TClaps:
    To the PAX for showing up on 12/22
    To Bodos for ensuring accountability through public ridicule
    To YHC for finally closing the loop

  • Hot Potato Backblast

    YHC grabbed the potato when the clock struck 5:30 with no Q in site. PAX showed up ready to work, not knowing when (or where) the potato would get passed next.

    Warm-Up / Disclaimer:
    Quick stretch and arm hang to remind ourselves that yes, gravity still works and to welcome the out of towner Gold Watch. He got is name based on the longevity with his company, 38 years. Just enough to earn that gold watch.

    Four Corners of Fun:
    We hit the corners with escalating pain:

    • Corner 1: 10 Burpees
    • Corner 2: 20 Freddie Mercurys
    • Corner 3: 30 Side Triple Hops
    • Corner 4: 40 Squats
    • Final Corner (because why not): 10 more Burpees 💀

    Triple Check Time:
    Partner up. One PAX runs the timer to the end of the tennis court and back while the other two grind through the work.
    Three rounds. Everyone pays. No coupons accepted.

    Hot Potato gets passed to Hitchhiker, who promptly sent us on our way for some running. YHC heard a comment from the back (Wojo) that he didn’t realize that he came to RAMM and not 45 Minutes of Mary based on all the running.

    Travel Pain:

    • Mosey to the church parking lot → partner up → two rounds of triple check
    • Mosey to the next church parking lot → another triple check around the circle
    • Then the long road home,

    Mumblechatter:
    Strong chatter throughout, highlighted by a downrange visitor from Florida, Gold Watch.

    COT – Questions of the Day:

    1. True or False: A cat living in your house is a wild animal or a domesticated animal? 🐈
    2. True or False: Baldness is a disease?

    Sound off below with your answers.

    YHC took us out.

    d

  • Upchuck missed his Tee Time.

    Format: :20 on / :10 off, alternating movements

    Between rounds: 1 lap

    After Round 6: 2 laps

    Round 1

    • Stretching only

    Round 2

    • Curls & Overhead Press
    • Burpees

    Round 3

    • Weighted Squats
    • Kettlebell Swings

    Round 4

    • Triceps Extensions
    • Lunges w/ Weights

    Round 5

    • Weighted Calf Raises
    • Oops I forgot the other one we did

    Round 6

    • Mary for Abs

    Finish: Two laps around the loop.

    Moleskine

    Where’s Upchuck?

    Quality mumble chatter today, plenty of talk about PhDs, AI and higher education, and the PAX confirmed that even combined we don’t have as many master’s degrees as Hitchhiker does.

    COT

    • Praises for Hitchhiker’s son making it into the robotics contest
    • YHC closed with a reminder that even though Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s worth carrying a spirit of gratitude forward.
    • Also a word about words: they can be like bees sometimes they make honey, sweet and encouraging… and other times they sting. Be mindful of how you use them.

  • Roll the dice – see what hill you get

    When Splinter put out the bat signal that he wouldn’t be able to Q Spider Run, YHC knew it was time to shake things up (pun intended). Typical routes? Not today. YHC is always up for a little game of chance, and what better way to start the day than with some Dice Roll Hills?

    Pre blast went out on Slack, but no routes were posted, just a promise of surprises. We gathered in the gloom, divided into two groups, walkers and runners, and the runners each grabbed a die from the bin before heading off toward the Hills.

    Here’s how it works:
    At the base of the hill, six chalk lines are marked at different distances. Each pair rolls their die, runs to the line matching their roll, then heads back down to roll again. Repeat for 45 minutes.

    Pairs:

    • Anthrax & Shakedown
    • Sippy Cup, Marv & YHC

    Next time you see Marv, ask him what his favorite number is, he’ll give you a great story!

    Announcements:
    See EF Hutton for the Bridge this coming Saturday.

    Keep our veterans in your thoughts on this special day.

  • Rainy with a chance of country club

    The forecast called for rain, and for once it didn’t lie. Expectations for attendance were low, and YHC was fully prepared to enjoy a solo workout under the luxurious St. Christopher’s Sports pavilion — one of the finer outdoor fitness facilities in the greater West End.

    To YHC’s pleasant surprise, Applesauce arrived, immediately elevating the gloom factor and the quality of conversation. The pavilion provided a dry, echoing backdrop for six rounds of Tabata, punctuated by laps around the pristine SCCC track.

    Discussion topics ranged from family dynamics to the delicate art of managing in-laws — all tackled with the same intensity as burpees, though slightly more grace.

    In the end, we were reminded that sometimes the best workouts aren’t about numbers, but about showing up, staying dry, and sharing a few honest words.

    Announcements:

    • Thanksgiving workout at Mary Munford, 7 AM. Bring gratitude and coffee.

    YHC took us out in thanks for simple mornings, and covered pavilions.

  • Groveeeeeee but make it fast

    Fourteen harriers of varying speeds descended upon the hallowed grounds of Mary Munford for what was advertised as a run but quickly turned into an exercise in personal honesty. With a few minutes to spare, YHC took the Q and unveiled the plan: run down Grove for 23 minutes, turn around, and make it back in 22. Negative splits.

    It was a familiar route with an unfamiliar sense of accountability. Go out easy, come back hard. Some followed that guidance. Others just went out hard and came back less hard.

    The sixes (Sippy and Phonics) held strong. Phonics remains the only man capable of maintaining both conversation and forward momentum better than YHC. A true cardio philosopher.

    Mumble chatter highlights included:

    • Shakedown’s luscious locks, which may or may not qualify as a mullet depending on lighting and wind speed.
    • Yard khakis: the official uniform of men pretending they’re not just wearing old work pants.

    Announcements:

    • EF Hutton is headed to the bridge on the 15th. Looking for a few more to join him.
    • Thanksgiving Day beatdown tentatively set for Mary Munford at 7 AM. Nothing says gratitude like burpees before pie.

    Praises:

    • Shakedown’s flow—business in the front.
    • All men brave enough to rock yard khakis in public.

    Prayers:

    • For Saab’s M, caring for her 99-year-old mother.

    YHC took us out with a reminder to be grateful for what we have—and to share it with others.



  • Swift Moves at the Country Club

    The Thang

    A familiar Tabata format — six rounds, 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off, with a lap around the track between each round.

    Round 1:

    Stretching to get things moving.

    Round 2:

    Curls & Overhead Press

    Round 3:

    Burpees & Weighted Squats

    Round 4:

    Kettlebell Swings & Triceps

    Round 5:

    Lunges with Weights & Curls (again)

    Round 6:

    Mary – Flutter Kicks, LBCs, Box Cutters

    Extra Credit:

    We were so fast and efficient this morning we even had time for a cool down stretch. Very important to keep ok stretching!

    Consistent work from the group. The running between rounds kept everyone honest. Great to have Bone Thugs out with us running again!

    Mumble Chatter

    Plenty of conversation this morning, covering everything from Taylor Swift’s new album, and scary AI. Birthday party themes also got some airtime, along with important advice on getting gifts for your spouse. Good energy and steady chatter throughout.

    Announcements

    YHC is involved with a local charity called Little Hands, it is the only organization in Central Virginia solely dedicated to providing essentials to economically disadvantaged young children in the first years of their lives. This October I’m supporting them by collecting diapers (not used diapers) for their annual diaper drive. Over October I’ll be posting on Slack what workouts I’ll be attending and if you are up for supporting I’ll collect the diapers and deliver them to Little Hands. Here’s a link to the diaper drive if you don’t know what kind of diapers to buy and just want to give monetarily: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/thebigdiaperdrive/account/2127565/

    YHC took us out.

  • St. Christopher’s Country Club – Monday Tabata Edition

    YHC showed up with a half-baked plan and a timer app, which is really all you need for a Tabata morning. Six rounds, 40 seconds on, 20 seconds off, rinse and repeat with one lap between each round and two laps for the finale:

    The Thang (40 on / 20 off x 6 rounds):

    1. Stretching (because we’re old).
    2. Curls & Overhead Press.
    3. Burpees & Weighted Squats.
    4. Kettlebell Swings & Triceps.
    5. Lunges with Weights & (yes) More Curls.
    6. Mary to finish (allegedly core work).

    Meanwhile, the St. Chris Track Club was circling the oval in the opposite direction. Way to go guys and girls.