Author: Gumbo

  • Wet WWII Catch-up Day at SOT

    6 strong posted at SOT and got wet right from the beginning, this is what transpired:

    Mosey to the tennis courts and find a good wet spot for 30 WWII situps OYO (yep, somebody was behind on the monthly challenge).  Continue COP with the following:

    • SSHs
    • DQs
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Copperhead Squats
    • Merkins

    Hit the end-line for a little Black-jack with jump-squats and, you guessed it, WWII situps. Start with 20 jump-squats and 1 WWII situp, then run across all 4 tennis courts and do 19 and 2 … so on down to 1 and 20.

    240 WWII situps down, time to Mosey

    Mosey to the school (watch your step – goose poop everywhere) for a classic Triple Check with BTTW, Flutter Kicks and a run. Pause 1/2 way through for 30 more WWII situps OYO (up to 270)

    Mosey to the curb for a curb crawl – Bear Crawl forward for incline merkins and Crawl Bear back for derkins, up to 5 and back down.

    Mosey back to parking lot for 30 more WWII situps (for an even 300) and some Mary (Hammers and Box Cutters).

    Then 12 Burpees OYO – one for each year the Roger Moore portrayed James Bond — RIP Roger.

    COT, number-rama, name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    No new announcements – find Fudd’s pre-blast for his soiree and RSVP if you are going.

    PS – YHC has signed up to Q workouts on 5/30 and 5/31, so lookout for very similar plans of action if YHC is behind on the monthly challenge.

    No more Gumbo for you!

  • Traditional River Run…Backwards

    4 River Run veterans eschewed the forecast and broke free from the comfort of the fartsack to start the work week with some hills and some miles.

    The suggestion was made during last week’s run and YHC decided to give it a try – the traditional River Run route backwards — left out of Bettie Weaver for a loop around by the high school across Robious and up the trail to Twin Team.  Up up up up…..up Twin Team, then down Powderham Lane and cross through the BUSH from the back side, across Robious Road and into Tarrington.  Down the long Ashwell hill and around the circle and back up to the swimming pool.  Hang a right and book it back to the Bettie Weaver past the high school.

    Twin Team was a brutal as ever, but Rosie made it look easy.  He just pulls away with ease on the hills.  A mountain goat has nothing on him.  While the Ashwell downhill was a nice change, the hill coming back up toward the poolhouse was another kick in the shorts (at least for YHC) at the 3.5 mile mark.  Honemoon and Rosie were unphased.  We caught up to LugNut at about 4.25 miles and he was picking them up and putting them down steady as she goes.  4.82 on my watch, but I’m sure Rosie and Honeymoon got closer to 5 with a doubling back a couple times to pick me and LugNut up.

    Well done fellas.  Always a great start to the work week.  Have a great Monday men!

    No more Gumbo for you

  • Clown cars, visitors, and a WHOLE LOT OF SUCK…just another Dogpile – Best day of the Week

    31 STRONG graced Dogpile, including 1 veteran visitor from Charlotte and 3 FNGs related to Wilson yet willing to let the guns out on this beautiful RVA morning.  Even though Corporate was away, the PAX did not play – we took care of business and this is how it went down (more or less)…

    Mosey to circle in front of amphitheater for COP — we filled that circle up today.

    • SSH x20 IC
    • DQ x10 IC
    • Imperial Walkers x20 IC
    • Merkins x10 IC
    • Flutter Kicks x20 IC
    • LBCs x20 IC

    Mosey to Rusty Cage for the Chris Cornell Memorial portion of the beatdown…pair up and complete 52 pull-ups as a pair.  Plank for the six.

    Mosey to the top step of the Amphitheater for a dip ladder – 18 on the top step down to 1 at the bottom.  Al Gore for the six.

    1-minute of WWII situps

    Box-jump ladder back up to the top of the Amphitheater – 1 to 18.  This was way harder than it looks on paper!

    Plank-o-rama around the circle for the six.

    Mosey to the field and break into teams of 5 teams 6 for THE SUCK relays.  5 cones for exercises.  One team member at each cone and 1 runner (rabbit).  Rabbit runs from 5th cone to end of the field and back.  Perform AMRAP of each exercise until the rabbit returns, then bear crawl to the next station.  Continue until all team members have been the rabbit.  Exercises were:

    1. Merkins
    2. Box Cutters
    3. Monkey Humpers
    4. WWII Situps
    5. Burpees

    Plank and WWII situps for the six.

    Second Round of the THE SUCK – the transition between cones was lunges.

    YHC passed the Q-baton to Wilson for 7 minutes of Mary including every variety of cross-leg exercise you can think of, some Superman, some APDs (one-leg and regular) and some pickle-pounders…AKA- Wilson’s Special Mix

    YHC reclaimed the Q after a near mutiny and we formed 3 lines for a run of the Indigenous People back to the Shovel Flag…3/4 of the way there the buzzer sounded and YHC called a JAIL BREAK and it was a full-out sprint to the flag.  FNGs Foreclosure and Bueller took off like they were shot out of a cannon…and Rosie did his normal thing.  Not sure how those guys had so much left in the tank.  Oh to be in your 20s again…or to be Rosie!

    COT, number-rama, name-a-rama and Wilson took us out with inspiring words.

    Announcements:

    • C-ville expansion is happening.  Hope it went well today and can’t wait for the report.  Clown cars and Qs needed for next 5 weekends.  HoneyDo has first weekend in June and is looking for riders.
    • HoneyDo has Breaking Bread Q this Sunday and is looking for some helpers — 5:30.  See HoneyDo for details.
    • Memorial Day convergence – meet in the Tredegar Parking Lot and be ready for a Hot Potato Q.  I believe the start time is 0630 (but it may be 0600).  HoneyDo – confirm in the comments please.
    • ReeseStrong corn hole and rock n roll coming up — June 10??  See Phonics for details.
    • Wilson’s golf tourney was a blast. 365 days until the next one — get your 4-some ready now.  Swirly is going to get F3 golf shirts for us!!

    NMS

    What a great morning and what a great turnout at Dogpile.  It was Sunny and 70 in the RVA today (and about 90% humidity).  The sweat was rolling, the mumblechatter was vibrant and some hard work was done.  No better way to start the weekend.  Thanks for letting me lead.  It is a pleasure and always humbling to see so many guys show up, give it their all (and then some) and then find extra inside to encourage others.

    Greatest moment for me had to be seeing FNGs Foreclosure and Bueller take off to the end of the field following Wilson to go bring FNG Al Bundy home for the last leg of THE SUCK.  That is F3, men.  You guys personified it right there and that is why I love being part of this group.

    You all are beasts.  Be SUPER today.

    No more Gumbo for you!

  • LIFO is the new Black SOJ…

    Image result for always late meme

    7 regulars determined (sort of) to end the work week with a beatdown at TwinTeam…6 of the them were LIFO.  As the clock struck 0530, YHC thought this was going to be just me and Rosie down by the schoolyard and we began to mosey toward cover to begin…wait, there are two cars pulling – circle the loop and head back to pick up the LIFOs – Hardywood and the New Market Crew (Marmaduke with Wilson and Honeymoon in tow — damn if that doesn’t sound like the next coming of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.  I can totally see Hardywood working the big bag while the other three do their best running man moves in the background — shirts optional; baggy pants mandatory).  Once HATNMC settles in, COP begins with obligatory watch and clock comments and SSHs…

    Its a plane, its a bird, its an Explorer coming in hot…Its McRib, rolling in on Eastern McRib Time – clearly its an official time zone HAAAALSLEY.

    McRib rounds out the PAX for lucky #7 and we actually get to work.  Complete COP, which included DQs, Helicopters and Imperial Walkers.

    Mosey down the road to the covered walkway by the high school (nearly get run over by the school bus in the process…).

    2 minutes of WWII situps – yes YHC is behind on the monthly challenge.  PS, Sweet N Sour (Rosie’s 2.0 is killing it!! Props to SNS).

    Then 25 Donkey Kicks OYO

    Mosey short way to the parking lot for 4-Corners Honeymoon Style

    • Begin in corner 1 with 25 WWII situps and 10 monkey humpers
    • Run to corner 2 and perform 20 2-count mountain climbers, then backwards run back to corner 1 for 25 WWII situps and 10 MHs
    • Run corner 2 and perform 20 2-count mountain climbers, then run to corner 3 and perform 30 jump squats, then backwards run to corner 2 for 20 2-count mountain climbers, then backwards run back to corner 1 for 25 WWII situps and 10 MHs
    • Run corner 2 and perform 20 2-count mountain climbers, then run to corner 3 and perform 30 jump squats, then run to corner 4 and perform 20 2-count mountain climbers, then backwards run back to corners 3, 2 and 1 performing each exercise at the corresponding corner
    • Run all the way around the parking lot – corner 2, 3 and 4 and to 1 performing each exercise at the applicable corner
    • Plank for the six

    Mosey back to covered walkway for 25 donkey kicks OYO and 2-minutes of WWII situps.

    Mosey back to elementary school for a quick round of Burpees and Laps around short loop by the front door.  1 Burpee, run a lap, 2 Burpees, run a lap, 3 Burpees, run a lap.

    3 MOM, including APDs, Hello Dolly and American Hammers and 10 WWII situps OYO

    Back to the flag for COT, number-rama, name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • New AOs abound – Heartbreak Ridge (West End on Tuesdays), Pole Green (Mechanicsville on Thursdays)
    • Charlottesville startup – May 20.  See TYA if you can go.  Be on the lookout for future clown cars heading to C-ville
    • Wilson’s golf tournament, May 19.  May be full now, but support the cause anyway — www.forethecause.org.
    • Thursday Tennis Socials – see HoneyDo.  The PAX today was curious to hear a report from last night, especially whether anyone when full McEnroe and broke a racket.

    Unfortunately, no varmints were released today, so that was disappointing (especially to Honeymoon), but the PAX got in some good work nonetheless.  Some great fellowship and mumblechatter as always.  Thanks for letting me lead this morning men – always a pleasure.

    No more Gumbo for you!

  • A Flatline Meets the Tarrington Hills

    A fearless 5 broke the strangle hold of the fartsack this Monday morning to enjoy the cool breeze and to slay some hills SOJ to kickstart their week.  We welcomed Flatline to his virgin River Run experience and that called for the old faithful –

    Left our of Bettie Weaver down James River Road past the high school.  Right onto Riverton Ridge to get into Tarrington.  Left at the round-a-bout onto Welby Drive.  Right only Sherfield Drive past the pool.  Left onto Ashwell and then downhill around the loop (the calm before the storm?) and uphill all the way to Robious Road.  Cross Robious through the BUSH and right onto Powderham Lane to Twin Team and down (thankfully) the Twin Team hill.  Finish with a loop by the baseball field, football field and  high school, were we caught up to LugNut who opted out of the Ashwell Loop but slayed the Ashwell Hill.

    YHC had 4.8 miles total and a great start to the week under our belts.  Well done men.

    No real new announcements – Wilson’s golf tourney is fast approaching – May 19.  New West End AO is up and cranking on Tuesdays (Heartbreak Ridge) and a new AO in Mechanicsville kicks off this Thursday at Pole Green Park.

    Have a great Monday everyone.

    No more Gumbo for you!

  • Catching up on WWII

    15 strong and able bodies (including 1 FNG) posted at NoToll this morning looking for brown water and wet field but hoping for no worms.  This is what  transpired…

    Mosey to the back parking lot with an even 12 as YHC was excited that his plan for several partner exercises was well intact only to see some headlights shining on the PAX’s six as we moseyed…damn!

    Circle up for COP, including SSHs, Don Quixotes, Helicopters, Arm Circles (as requested by Flashdance), Merkins, LBCs and box cutters.

    To YHC’s delight, there were 2 LIFOs as Toga and McRib joined the circle…partner exercises still on track.

    Having missed day one of the May challenge (WWII situps), YHC called for 2 minutes of WWII situps.  All but Tog roughed it on the hard pavement. Apparently Ragnar and heat exhaustion resulted in some common sense as Toga relocated to softer ground for the WWIIs.  Oh, and not only does Wilson jump the gun to start runs early, he also finds any way to cutoff a timed exercise short.

    Mosey to the sideline near the pavilion and partner up for a Boo-Yah Merkin & Partner Burpee Ladder.  There were varied and liberal interpretations of YHC’s instructions for this exercise, but here is how they were supposed to be done:

    • Beginning on the sideline – drop and perform 1 Boo-Yah merkin (down, up, clap right hands, down, up, clap left hands = 1), then 1 partner get in elbow plank while the other partner perfoms a burpee with a side jump over planking partner, flap-jack, then run to the other sideline.
    • At other sideline, perform two Boo-Yah Merkins and 2 partner burpees each, run.
    • Repeato, up to 7
    • Al Gore for the six
    • No matter how you did then, this got the sweat going.

    Where in the World is Carmen San Diego…he just showed up LIFO at NoToll and he, DK and Mr Roper? are doing Three-way Boo-Yah Merkins.  That is illegal in 49 States.

    PAX at 15 now, end of partner exercises…

    Back on the sideline for classic 11s – start with 10 WWII Situps and 1 jump-squat, run across, 9-2….down to 1-10, you know the drill.  Another 55 WWII situps in the books.

    Plank-o-rama for the six, then mosey back towards the flag and past it to the Restrooms for a little sprint version of the Triple-Check — whose says the Q can’t be flexible?

    • Partner 1 – BTTW on the bathroom building
    • Partner 2 – Merkins or Derkins if you desire and can use the one bench
    • Partner 3 – short sprint toward the park exit to the first lamp-post and back

    The OYSTER Sprint was in full effect… I see you working.

    Mosey to the basketball courts for another 2 minutes of WWII situps.  All the blood flowing to the Qs head in the BTTW deleted any ideas other than repeating the WWII catch up exercise.

    3 MOM – APDs, Hello Dolly and Rosalita

    Back to the Flag for COT, Number-rama, Name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    Spirits and mumblechatter were both high this morning and everybody put in solid work.  The fields were “MOIST” but welcome after 2 minutes of WWII Situps on the hard parking lot.  The number of WWII situps for each PAX member varied, but everyone should have made a dent in the challenge today.  Signup and knock them out — https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-L8e9W24ygnU0suaGyKxzi1PgPqY1CBd57hLrKTZI-g/edit#gid=1244727470

    The Boo-Yah Merkin and Partner Burpee Ladder took its toll.  I love that exercise – you can’t cheat when you are staring your partner in the face or jumping over him.  Thanks Hardywood!

    The Wilson-Honeymoon clown car continues to grow…welcome to FNG Jason (Marmaduke).  New in town (another SOJ PAX member) from Charlotte.  Hope to see you back out soon.

    Announcements:

    • Galactosemia golf outing – May 19.  4-somes are filling, so if you want in, get in now.
    • New AO (Heartbreak Ridge) at Quioccasin Middle School (I think?) in the West End on Tuesdays.  Hope it went well today.
    • New AO coming soon on Thursdays in DaVille
    • Keep sending C-ville names to LabRat (F3charlottesville@gmail.com) and let him know if you can clown car out on May 20 to help out.

    Have a great day men.  Thanks for letting me lead.  Always a pleasure!

    No more Gumbo for you!

  • Some Bad Gumbo on the Post-Easter River Run

    4 SOJ stalwarts posted to River Run on this beautiful, maybe a little hot, post-Easter morning to start the week off with a little run to lighten our load after the Easter feast…some of us took that literally.  Wilson greeted YHC with “Dogs and Kids” as he was already in a hurry, so quick instructions and we took off.  YHC decided to forgo the mountainous hills around River Run for a new route, it went a little something like this:

    From BWES head towards Robious Road and across to the sidewalk near Twin Team.  Take a right on the sidewalk and follow the sidewalk West on Route 711 down past Keswick Farm to Winterfield Road.  Turn left on Winterfield Road (or cut through the shopping center) and head South up Winterfield Drive to the entrance of Founders’ Bridge.  Turn right into Founders’ Bridge.  I think LugNut and Wilson turned around after the first median and headed back to BWES.  Honeymoon and YHC ran into Founders’ Bridge further before we turned around and headed back.  The goal was to get to the Independence Golf Course parking lot, but the aliens inside YHC’s stomach had other ideas.  Pretty run on the way back as Keswick Farm was a lit up a little and the animals were making some noise.  It is a steady uphill climb back to the flag though. YHC clocked in right at 4.5 miles.

    COT – Number-rama, name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    So, we were all feeling our over-indulgence from Easter a little bit, but apparently YHC ordered “The Special” and was screaming for a Pepto Bismol at the 2 mile mark.  YHC was forced to exit stage left and donate a Fudd to the woods of Midlothian.  I tell you, the 2nd half of the run felt much better a pound lighter.

    Great to get in a run with good company this morning.  Thanks for posting guys.

    Have a great day!  No more Gumbo for you!

  • Half River Downs Roller Coaster

    3 stalwarts broke the hold of the fartsack on this glorious Monday morning and posted at River Run to log some miles and climb some hills.  The route today started with a nice mosey down to the high school and around by the baseball fields, then we headed West on 711 and turned left into River Downs to tackle the Queens Grant hill.  When we descended the back side on Royal Crest Drive, rather than turn around and repeat the hills in reverse to complete the River Downs Roller Coaster, we took a right on Riverdowns South and made our way back to BWES for a mostly flat to downhill return and a total of just over 4 miles for the day.  The full roller coaster will reopen again soon.

    Number-rama, name-a-rama and YHC took us out with a quick prayer of thanks and wishes for safe travels for any PAX members and families traveling for Spring break this week.

    Announcements:

    • C-ville F3 – see Lab Rat and send contacts to F3charlottesville@gmail.com
    • Galactosemia golf tourney – May 19 – see Wilson
    • HDHH – details to come from Flashdance

    NMS:

    Great to have LugNut back out.  Way to push through a tough 4 today LugNut.  Always fun to run with McRib, especially when we can discuss a weekend series win for the Keydet baseball team.

    Have a great week men!

    No more Gumbo for you!

  • Celebrating Opening Day (and a nice sunrise) at Dogpile

    19 strong men posted to Dogpile to welcome in April 2017 with our version of an F3 opening day and, despite the wet baseball fields that YHC initially wanted to utilize, we made the most of our greatest AO.  It went like this:

    COP (all IC and all x27), including SSHs,Imperial Walkers, LBCs and Flutter Kicks.

    1 minute plank

    Mosey to the Amphitheater for 6 innings of some baseball.  Defense = exercises at the base of the amphitheater; Offense = sprint the steps to the top and back down.  1 minute of plank in between each inning (6 minutes of plank total), as follows:

    • Exercises in Innings 1 -3 – 30 merkins, 30 jump squats, 30 WWII situps
    • Innings 4 and 5 (bottom part of the order) – same exercises but 10 reps of each
    • Inning 6 (the big hitters again) – 20 reps of each exercise

    Mosey (swiftly) past the parking lot and to the bridge to take in the first sunrise of April with a burpee run across the bridge.  On the way out, 2 burpees at each lamppost.  Rabbits run all the way to Riverside Drive and turn around (no burpees on the way back).  When the non-rabbits are passed by the rabbits, do 3 burpees and turn around (no burpees on the way back).  Al Gore (or perfect invisible chair if your name is Helix) until the six gets back.

    Line up for an Indigenous People Run back to the SF.  Al Gore and LBCs for the six and finish up with 1 minute in elbow plank (for a total of 8 minutes today).

    COT, Number-rama, name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    1. Charlottesville expansion – get reach out to your contacts in C-ville, get them plugged in and send all contacts to LabRat at F3charlottesville@gmail.com.  See Lab Rat for more details.
    2. Breaking Bread has been added to the Q sheet – sign up for a Q and grab some volunteers for a great cause.  Good for 2.0s and family members.
    3. Monday, April 3 – River Run reverts to a run, as its names demands.  Join us on the southside for some serious hills.
    4. Friday, April 7 — new AO #TwinTeam begins at the same location as RiverRun (Bettie Weave ES) and this will be a bootcamp.
    5. Galactosemia golf tournament – May 19.  There are spots left – see Wilson

    NMS:
    A great group this morning.  Thanks for indulging YHC and his opening day theme.  The original plan was to run to the nearby baseball fields for some true F3 Baseball, but YHC didn’t think Richmond Little League would look kindly on us destroying their fields after the rain.  Nonetheless, we pushed through and got in a good beatdown and I expected no less.

    Mumblechatter was high this morning and YHC loved it.  There was great energy, encouragement and intensity.  We were all enjoying ourselves and pushing each other at the same time.  That is what I love the most about this group.

    We hope the Woodfin crew is killing it down in Daytona!

    Thank you for letting me lead.   I am always humbled to step out in front such an impressive group.

    No more Gumbo for you.

    P.s. – YHC took his kids out for a walk around Belle Island and then hit Pops Market for lunch – damn, those are some good sandwiches.  YHC will be posting at the next Thursday lunch for that Cuban!

  • Rebound Day (Splinter Approved?) at SOT

    6 Southside regulars posted shook off the soreness from Murph Monday and J-ville’s Jamboree yesterday to post at SOT for some hump-day camaraderie and deep gloom.  YHC, being especially sore, had a little something different in mind for Rebound Day at SOT.  I hope Splinter would approve.  It went something like this:

    Mosey to the deep gloom of the track and one lap around to wake all body parts.

    Circle up in asphalt area at the end of the track for COP (all IC):

    • SSHs x20
    • DQ x15 (I think – lots of mumblechatter given the painfully slow cadence)
    • Imperial Walkers x15
    • Arm Circles 10 small, 5 large; forward and reverse
    • LBCs x20
    • Flutter Kicks x20

    Mosey around the school to the main entrance (waiving to the lovely bus driving applying her make-up while filling the gloom with noxious fumes) and congregate on the steps for a Triple-check, including box jumps, Freddie Mercuries and a short run.

    Mosey around the back of the school to the basketball courts where YHC had stashed a basketball for the REBOUND portion of the workout:

    • Classic tip drill with a penalty for a break in the chain.  If the ball hits the ground or we otherwise lose rhythm = 5 Burpees.  After an immediate break (caused by YHC) and 5 burpees, the PAX got it going pretty well.  All told, in about 5 minutes of the tip-drill, we did 20 burpees.
    • Line up on the sideline of the first court for the Weave – 3 PAX perform the weave down and back across all 4 courts.  Remaining 3 PAX plank-o-rama until it was their turn to run the Weave.  Our weave needs work!
    • Lineup on the baseline for the Wilt Chamberlain (straight from the Exicon – look it up) – sprint to other baseline and perform 100 LBCs, sprint back and perform 100 Squats, Sprint and 100 1-ct Flutter Kicks, spring and 100 Lunges (counting each leg).

    Mosey back to the VSF for 3 minutes of Mary — Hello Dolly; Rosalita and American Hammers

    Number-rama; name-a-rama and COT with YHC taking us out.

    Announcements:

    • Wilson’s golf tourney for Galactosemia – May 19th – sign up, donate, show up
    • River Run reverts back to a run Monday, April 3 and the new bootcamp (#TwinTeam) kicks off Friday April 7
    • Several new AOs in the works for DaVille area folks
    • Off the books running opportunity – 0600 Sunday morning at Urban Farmhouse near Midlothian Coal Mines & Library — see Honeymoon or Rosie

    NMS:

    Well done today gents.  YHC was sore as hell when he woke up this morning, so a kinder-gentler beatdown was in order.  However, it certainly got my blood flowing and a sweat going, so I hope you got what you paid for!

    Wilson and YHC are participating in a parents basketball game tonight for a St. Edwards school fundraiser – thus the theme.  Hopefully we will not need to employ the Weave.  If you want a good laugh (or the help us limp to our cars at the end of the evening), we will be at Trinity from 6-8.  Come bye – $5 to get in.

    Thanks for letting me lead this morning fellas.  Our SOT group may be small, but it is strong!  A pleasure to lead such a fine group.

    No more Gumbo for you!