Author: Offshore

  • Back to the Basics?

    Seven warriors who care a little bit less about what the neighbors think posted to their backyards for a virtual beatdown, and another hopped in the shower to prepare for the COT.

    The Thang: Mosey around the house/property and circle up for COP IC: 20 SSHs, 1 OUAPD (online upright APD), 10 DQs, 20 IWs, 10 Merkins, 20 LBCs.

    Four corners. From the most public corner of your yard to the most private, 10 Merkins, 20 WWIs, 30 Squats, 40 MHs.

    Partner up for a Dora. Each PAX does exactly 1/2 of the reps. Alternate with partner to run a lap around the house. 100 Merkins, 200 LBCs, 300 Squats.

    Traveling Lindsay around the back yard. Freddie Mercuries and Broad Jumps.

    Triple Check. One PAX does Step Ups, one PAX does WWIIs, one PAX runs a lap.

    Upchuck joined us for COT.

    Announcements

    Zoom happy hour at 6pm. Password is on Slack, or message Shakedown or YHC: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/995173694?pwd=YndqVUNwWnU0a0EycXhzODVuRFJIZz09

    Prayers for Doublemint, Honeymoon, Marmaduke, Shakedown, Upchuck’s friend.

    NMS: YHC wanted to keep things real simple, and did some research. First, posted with BoBerry with South Wake, where YHC kept getting disconnected during AMRAPs (this seems like a long set!). Some preparation is needed – see the pre blast.

    Then YHC looked in the archives back to seemingly simpler times for inspiration. According to this BB, https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2015/04/28/merkinfest-2015-2/, there were 25 Don Quixotes performed – YHC believes Wilson could fill 45 minutes with 25! In this BB, https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2015/01/01/f3richmond-brings-in-2015-at-45mom/ TYA and Jville Q’d a Triple Check with a “repeat x4” – WTF3?! According to the same BB, there were 24 Wilson’s Wifes performed, defined as a “partner inverted military press”. So YHC went back to his fuzzy recollection of beatdowns past to conjure things we could do without thinking or seeing (as if in the gloom) – a classic COP, 4 Corners, Dora, Triple Check.

    YHC asked PAX to check in after completing each exercise which seemed to work well. The Dora and Triple Check went pretty smoothly, though with more PAX may have been challenging to coordinate.

    What caught YHC off guard were the disclaimer and COP. Cadence is very awkward due to a delay in the audio. YHC would hear the PAX when it was time to start the next rep, so would delay. PAX advised carrying on instead of waiting, so YHC would call “1” while hearing the PAX give the count. Perhaps we can consult with Lockjaw for best practices here.

    Still hoping this is temporary, PAX worked on a name for this new AO. Candidate names were, “Wish I Had Picked Up the Dog’s Poop Last Night”, “Smell Like Your Own Dog’s Pee”, and “Splinter’s Shoe”. Sticking with the dog theme, and for memories of WDog, the PAX settled on “VR, Dawg”.

    Upchuck joined us for the COT.

    See you next Wednesday in the gloom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82270057337?pwd=dzhnV0RMalpVSXFzck1ZVzFFTVJOdz09 Password is on Slack, or message YHC.

  • Virtually F3RVA’s Newest AO

    Virtually F3RVA’s Newest AO

    On Wednesdays beginning April 15th, F3RVA will have an online AO and virtual beatdown via Zoom.

    Location? Your yard. We do this outdoors.

    The name? Smell Like Your Own Dog’s Piss for a Change. YHC will accept suggestions for revisions. Perhaps Davillians can provide a one-syllable revision.

    More logistics:

    The Zoom meeting number is 822-7005-7337. The password will be posted to Slack (or message YHC).

    Identify a chair or some other surface in your yard for Dips, Decline Merkins, etc.

    An ideal setup is probably wireless earbuds with a tablet or phone on a stand. Next best (YHC’s boat) is a phone in your pocket with wired earbuds. Otherwise, you can call the number from a home phone. Consider a ziplock bag for the phone if moisture is a concern.

    Install the Zoom app on your device. On a phone, swipe right to switch to gallery view to view more PAX at once. Do not put yourself on mute – the point of this is to let the other PAX know you’re there.

    Check the wifi around your house. If it doesn’t reach, consider switching to cellular data only.

    SYITG!

  • M-Approved Roller Coaster

    … because YHC was solo and because she wasn’t there. The M hates hills.

    Belle wondered where the regular hill runners were and sends her regards.

    Announcements

    Checkout F3RVA’s second-newest AO The Last Resort in Glen Allen, and the newest AO First Watch in Tuckahoe. Prayers for various PAX facing known and unknown challenges.

  • The Day Our Clothes Are Supposed to Stay Clean

    8 SOJers and Annie welcomed YHC and Sally for a run on the trails.

    With the Q sheet open last night, and Gumbo’s solo run last week, YHC thought Sally might be the only company this morning. A strong showing by the PAX was a welcome surprise. Tclaps for Marmaduke, Honeymoon, and Annie who also posted to OTB yesterday.

    We ran down toward the river and took some loops on the trails. Rosie was a capable tour guide. The entire PAX was in sight throughout most of the run thanks to headlamps and no leaves on the trees.

    Nancy Lopez took a spill on a tree root, and his comment inspired the BB title. YHC hopes he is okay.

    Check out http://forethecause.org and mark your calendars for May 15th. See Nancy Lopez and Wilson for more details.

  • Wanna Fight, or Do You Want a Beatdown?

    Those were the options given to YHC by Mudface and Rounders. YHC opted for beatdown, and accepted the guest Q.

    The THANG: Mosey to the playground for COP: SSH, Helicopters, IWs, DQs, Carolina Dry Docks, Freddie Mercuries, Scorpion Kicks IC.

    Mosey to the short track for some Jack Webbs: x Merkins and 4x Overhead Air Presses for x = 1,2,3,…,10. After x=3, 6, and 10, run a lap.

    More Jack Webbs: x WWIIs and 4x Reverse Crunches. After x=3 and x=9, Lunge through a turn. After x=6 and x=10, Bear Crawl the straightaway.

    Mosey to the other side of the playground for 4-man Partner Jerkins. Sets of 6, 8, and 10. After the each of the first two sets, Crawl Bear up the grassy knoll, 10 Donkey Kicks and jog back.

    Mosey to the parking lot for COT.

    Announcements: Prayers for Wild Thing and family. See the preblast for funeral arrangements for his M.

    NMS: It was YHC’s first visit to the new Creek location. YHC parked so that the bus loop and entrance were visible, while Mudface and Rounders pulled into the rear entrance. At 5:29:30, as YHC was preparing for a solo beatdown, they approached and offered the BB title.

    Mudface, a true Davillian, was thrown off by the large numbers involved with Jack Webbs, but kept pace with the PAX. Rounders remarked about all the different positions required by exercises: on the knees for Overhead Air Presses, on the back for Reverse Crunches, bending over for Bear Crawl, topped off with Partner Jerkins. Corned Beef was celebrated by the F3 PAX in his hometown of Roanoke for being named after a well-loved restaurant there. He returned with many ideas for a parking deck beatdown. PAX should consider themselves lucky that no AOs are near parking decks, at least for now.

  • What Good Is a Watch that Can’t Talk or Listen?

    Five strong posted to the Circus for rings of pain, AMRAP, and trust.

    The THANG:

    COP IC: Hammer Dance, Storm Squats, Hardwood-inspired Macho Man Merkins, Helicopters, Don Quixotes, Freddie Mercuries, Scorpion Kicks, Back Lifts

    1-Minute AMRAP sets, cycling through arms, abs, and legs including (not necessarily in order): Curls, Curls Curls, American Hammers, American Hammers, American Hammers, Rows, Upright Rows, Lawnmower Pulls Left, Lawnmowers Pull Right, Sit and Presses, Squat and Presses, KB Squats, KB Swings, KB Swings, Boat/Canoe, Overhead Pulls, Lunges. One exercise at each pillar along the bus loop. Break it up a bit with some Helicopters, Arm Circles, Mosey/Backwards Run.

    COT: What is Slack? Spoken and unspoken prayers.

    NMS: YHC got a fancy new Casio for Christmas and was anxious to try out the timer feature with AMRAPs. Since no counting is involved, mumble chatter flows a bit more freely. White Deer provided YHC with tips on how to bring more enthusiasm to a Q. The PAX marveled at Lighthouse’s ability to complete every minute without appearing tired. Jville mused about beatdowns for those with ambulatory challenges including him and Fireman Ed. YHC was glad to be able to give Attila a day off from Qing.

  • Additional Accolades for Joey Chestnut

    A strong PAX of 4 posted for the Punisher. Joey Chestnut was hesitant, perhaps because of a dearth of hot dogs, but warmed up to the beatdown and put in a solid effort with the other PAX.

    The THANG:

    Dribble soccer balls from the VSF to the soccer field for COP: SSH, IW, Hillbillies, Scorpion Kicks, Back Lifts, Tempo Nosewipe Merkins, JLos/Not-Pickle-Pounders-Because-They-Were-Side-To-Side, Helicopters IC

    Triple Check. One PAX dribbles the soccer ball down the field to try to score on Jville. If not, 1 burpee. Another PAX does American Hammers and another does Carolina Dry Docks. Joey Chestnut was 3-for-3, Offshore was 0-for-2, Chum was 1-for-2(?).

    Mosey to the basketball court for a game of Knockout. Joey Chestnut edged out Jville for the win after eliminating his dear ol’ dad.

    Mosey to the end of the court for a triple check. One PAX dribbles to the end of the court and shoots until making a layup, another does Reverse Crunches, and another does Storm Squats. Joey Chestnut led the field in shooting percentage; YHC shot like a Tarheel (or was it a Hokie?).

    Mosey to the playground for a Mini-Modified-Murph: 5 Swing Jerkins, 10 Merkins, 15 Jump Ups on the springboard thing. Then traverse the playground, including the slide, and plank for the six. Repeato 4 times.

    Mosey back to the VSF for some WWIIs.

    Winter tour continues. Prayers for Joey Chestnut’s grandparents. This was perhaps one of the worst beatdowns for someone with a torn calf, but Jville was a good sport and improvised as needed. SYITG!

  • Another Puddle, Please

    Three two-leggers and one four-legger broke free from the pull of the fartsack for a jaunt on the access road and around Belle Isle.

    Sorry to report that Shakedown hurt his shoulder rock climbing – YHC hopes that he found relief from the pain.

    Sally set PRs for: 1) shortest time across the bridge and 2) muddiest after a trail run. She ruined a beach towel when YHC dried her off. Perhaps we needed one more puddle to clean off with.

    All the best to the PAX and 2.0s as they get back into the work/life/school groove.

  • Big Dog Party at Reedy Creek

    The PAX crossed the bridge, took the access road to Belle Isle, looped around, and returned. The parking lot was empty at the start, but pretty full upon return. The PAX encountered about a half dozen dogs off leash on the return trip past Reedy Creek – they all greeted each other good morning using their best K9 manners.

    Topics of discussion included Christmas gift shopping, tales of adventures from past lives, and home improvement projects.

    Shakedown is suffering from shin splints after impressive performances at the CSAUP and Bear Creek. YHC hopes he can rebound to resume Bel Monte training soon.

  • The Long Cut

    By 0700, a PAX of 3 including 1 K9 had emerged from the gloom, ready to take full advantage of an extra hour. The North Bank Trail was closed between the pump house and Maymont – the word is that the stairs are under repair, likely through this week.

    So, the PAX took the long cut to Texas Beach, picked up North Bank to Belle Isle, and took Buttermilk back. The mosey clocked in at 7.75 miles on Marco Polo’s app. The PAX knocked out 100 merkins on the Merkin Challenge along the way.

    There is still time to sign up for the Merkin Challenge! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-L8e9W24ygnU0suaGyKxzi1PgPqY1CBd57hLrKTZI-g/edit#gid=2105645288

    The Merkin Challenge was a big turning point physically for YHC when YHC first participated. YHC encourages newer F3 members to give it a shot. Some advice: 1. Try knocking out sets of 20 merkins during TV commercials (or during breaks at work, or whatever else you are doing), 2. As you start to get more reps in, avoid injury by not dropping down too fast, especially on hard ground.