Author: Gumbo

  • HR Derby Part Deux

    11 sluggers posted to Huguenot Little League for another chance to drop bombs or hit dingers. It was dark so all had to endure 30 minutes of traditional bootcamp before stepping into the box for swings, but we made it work.

    Mosey foul pole to foul pole and back again and circle up for COP in the plush, memory-foam outfield grass. Do some traditional warm-ups and stretching, then a Triple Check with the runner running pole to pole, 1 PAX doing a wall sit or pole smokers on the fence and the other doing a combo exercise of 4 merkins and 10 2-ct mountain climbers on repeat until the runner returns. 3 times through.

    Traveling COPs through the outfield and then the main event.

    We were able to go through the lineup twice. Many bombs were dropped. Some burpees were done. In the end, OC and Gumbo led the way with 3 HRs overall – 2 each in the first round and 1 in the second. I think almost everyone hit at least 1 bomb as well. More impressively, we had more than 1 hit the top of the fence and then go over, including one that bounced on the top of the fence twice.

    Great time had by all. See you next year!

    COT, Numbers, Names, Prayer

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • A City Lounge?

    9 hungry souls posted to 45MOM this morning for some pre-dawn Gumbo. A 10th had no appetite, so he took is bike and disappeared until COT. For the 9 hungry folks who bellied up to the bar, the menu was as follows:

    Mosey to the blacktop that has been partially taken over by building supplies and circle up for some Saab-approved, Lounge-style COP, including dead man hang, abe vigoda DQs and more. Once our bodies (and minds thanks to the banter) were property awaken and warm, the fun began.

    THE THANG
    Mosey toward the field and stop for Circuit 1 – 10 Imperial Squat Walkers, 20 SSHs, 20 Merkins and 20 2-ct Freddies. Al Gore for the Six.

    Mosey toward Cary Street/Westmoreland corner – Circuit 2, same as Circuit 1, unless you are Saab.

    Mosey to Cary/Commonwealth corner – Circuit 3, same as 1 and 2.

    Mosey to the pull-up bars for Circuit 4, same as 1-3.

    Triple Check – on the tennis courts, in groups of 3, 1 doing pole smokers on the fence, 1 doing Mike Tyson push ups, last man running to the monkey bars and doing 5 pull-ups (or 30-second hang).

    Line up on the fence for 3 rounds of:

    • Round 1 – 10 Donkey Kicks, bear crawl to the net, lunge back
    • Round 2 – 20 DKs, sprint to net, Bernie back
    • Round 3 – 30 DKs, mosey to net, 2 burpees, mosey back

    Mosey back to the flag/parking lot

    Circuit 5 – same as 1-4

    5 Minutes of Mary, including our ladies – Dolly, Rosalita and Susan Somers and finishing with 1 minute of American Hammers

    Numbers, Names, Announcements, Prayers, COT

    Great morning for a somewhat Loungey workout. Plenty of mumblechatter and not too much deep breathing, but still a solid workout (I think). Coffeeteria with Applesauce, Vandelay, Nacho Libre and Rosie afterwards at Libbie was excellent as well. Thanks for coming out. Finish the week strong!

    Announcements:

    • HR Derby Part Deux – Tuesday, April 5 at Huguenot Little League.
    • Home Grown Half – August 16, James River Landing (behind James River High School) – Draper is scheming up the worst course imaginable, but you can also come and run, walk, ruck whatever you want – half, 10K, or choose your own adventure. Just come on out.
    • Others – check Slack

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • No Rain Out Today

    10 glory days seekers disregarded the forecast, crossed their fingers and showed up praying the field conditions would permit a HR Derby….and they did. We had to improvise a bit, but we were able to get it done and the lower numbers allowed for 2 full rounds and 2 lightning rounds for 8 swings each. And, finally, after about 8 years (or however many we have been doing this), YHC finally overcame his performance anxiety (must have been the smaller crowd) and connected for 6 HRs in 8 swings. Glory Days!

    Several others connected for HRs, including Rosie, NTB, OC, Dry Rub and Singer I believe. If I missed anyone, apologies – sound off in the comments. And a good time was had by all. Rosie even did some sliding practice that was surely on purpose no matter what the replay shows.

    Given the weather and low turnout, YHC is going to host a HR Derby Part Deux on Tuesday, August 5. I have grabbed the NoToll Q for that day. Let’s do it again. But – to be clear – YHC will not relinquish the 2025 crown regardless of what happens on 8/5!

    Thanks for coming out. Let’s hope for dryer weather on 8/5.

    COT, Numbers, Names and Prayers for Wildcat (clean scans!) and for NTB (contemplating a promotion).

    Great morning gents. It may not have increased our muscles much, but it sure as hell brought some joy and fun!

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Gumbo and Pools do Mix

    Gumbo put out the late call for anyone interested in a pre-Convergence ruck. Poolboy answered the call and we got in 2.5 (Poolboy got 3+). Thanks for showing up Poolboy.

  • Kicking off July with an OG

    10 patriotic gloom warriors posted to NoToll to test themselves with the Old Glory.

    YHC grabbed the SF at 0530 and it was game time. Mosey around the fields 2x for a mile. Plant the flag and set the clock to 20 minutes for AMRAP 4 corners: 20 merkins, 20 jump squats, 10 burpees and 20 WWIIs, then back to the SF for another mile Native American style.

    It was steamy. The sprinklers were on. YHC had a flat tire (old shoe creating a blister) so I opted for no shoes after the 1st four corners. Felt great on the grass!

    Beautiful start to the morning! Thanks for coming out men. Record your laps here if you would like:

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-L8e9W24ygnU0suaGyKxzi1PgPqY1CBd57hLrKTZI-g/edit?gid=1717732871#gid=1717732871

    3 minutes of Mary at the end, including Superman. He Qs – we need to teach all the newbies how to do Superman. Bring it back. I need more people to sing along!

    Announcements:

    • HR Derby at Huguenot Little League 7/15. Don’t go to NoToll that day.
    • Convergence this Friday July 4th in DaVille (at Atlee High School). 0700. Be there and bring your SF.

    Prayers for Doozy’s friend who recently lost his father and for all those out traveling, defending our country or just dealing with shit! Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Say hi. Reconnect.

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Open Invitation to OTB

    Honeymoon and YHC decided were were going to do a light 4-4.5 miles. Nice and easy. So, YHC put out the call to any PAX members who had not tried OTB or who just wanted to get in a few easy miles before the unbearable heat kicked in. The Duke answered the call and the three of us knocked out 4.5 miles with some great conversation and low and behold our pace was faster than expected. Great start to the morning.

    The open invitation remains. Come get some easy miles and stay for the coffee and fellowship.

    Wilson, Herme and Aisle 5 solved all the World’s problems on their walk, but apparently Herme didn’t get the khaki shorts uniform memo.

    • Old Glory at NoToll on Tuesday
    • Convergence at DaVille on Friday

    No More Gumbo For You

  • Breaking Chick Fil A

    10 patients awaited a hot meal. A busy day made cooking not an option. No worries, fire up the CFA app order a bunch of chicken strips, some fruit, some Mac N Cheese, a gallon of tea and a gallon of lemonade and boom – dinner is served. Throw in some cookies made by YHC’s 2.0, and her and I delivered and served up a hot meal to the fine folks at The Daily Planet. It can be that simple gents. If you haven’t done it yet, do it. They need it, and they appreciate it.

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Thick, Soupy Gumbo

    10 early risers looking to sweat off some excess found their way to First Watch and bellied up to the counter for a heaping, steamy, thick bowl of Gumbo. The menu included:

    Warm-up lap around the parking lot and circle up for COP, including your ordinary course warm-ups and some amazing grunting and growling from the PAX.

    Mosey over the the church steps for 3 rounds of exercises:

    • 10 derkins on the steps – lunge across the bricks – Al Gore for the 6 – 1 Burpee
    • 10 fast feet, 10 derkins – lunge – Al Gore – 2 Burpees
    • 10 gas pumps, 10 fast feet, 10 derkins – lunge – Al Gore – 3 Burpees

    Mosey down the way to the wall for 11s – 10 Donkey Kicks – run across – 1 Box Cutter – repeato swapping reps until 1 and 10.

    Mosey around to the back steps and partner up for a Proper Dora. Partner 1 runs around the parking lot while Partner 2 does 1 merkin, 2 squats, 3 SSHs = 1 rep. Flapjack and add up the reps until you reach 100.

    Mosey back to the Flag for 3 minutes of Mary with Hello Dollies, Rosalitas, Freddie Mercuries and 30 seconds of American Hammers.

    Numbers, Names, Prayers and COT

    Announcements –

    • Summer Tour is in full swing. Check Slack for locations.
    • First Watch launch will be moved to Flatwater for time on the River next week, pending water levels.
    • HR Derby at Huguenot Little League, Tuesday July 15 – don’t go to NoToll that day or your will be lonely.
    • Homegrown Half – Aug. 16 – see Slack or Draper for details

    Prayers for health, healing and peace.

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Staying on Campus

    12 men woke up ready to get a sweat going without leaving campus. 2 were walking and 2 were riding – they may have left campus, but the 8 runners remained and did a series of loops shown below. Unfortunately, YHC took the road name from On the Go Maps as “Crenshaw Way” when it is “Westhampton Way” but nonetheless, we all made it.

    4-mile: https://onthegomap.com/s/aa698r6g

    5-mile: https://onthegomap.com/s/kt0e1r33

    6-mile: https://onthegomap.com/s/6bt0n4u4

    Numbers, Names, and COT with YHC taking us out.

    NMS:

    Great running with Bodos and his new Pride shoes courtesy of Relay, and Oyster and Hitch. Perfect morning for some miles. Re-running the hills was not fun, but I may bring these routes back as it would be good to check progress – see if you run it faster next time or run a little extra.

    Rumor has it some secrets were shared in the gloom this morning and minds were blown, but you had to be there to hear it.

    Sorry to conclude COT before Bleeder and OBT got back.

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Tax Man Cometh and he’s bringing Old Glory with him

    12 intrepid gloom warriors (and 1 OG virgin) posted to NoToll to pay their taxes and challenge themselves with Old Glory.

    You know how it goes – 1 mile, 20-minute timer 4-corners AMRAP (20 merkins, 20 jump squats, 10 burpees, 20 WWIIs) and finish with 1 mile native american style.

    The fields were extra wet this morning, which slowed the pace, but it didn’t reduce the pain.

    Well done men. Fill in your details here if you want to keep track

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-L8e9W24ygnU0suaGyKxzi1PgPqY1CBd57hLrKTZI-g/edit?gid=1717732871#gid=1717732871

    COT, Numbers, Names and Prayers

    Prayers for Wildcat getting good scans today. Keep up the fight, brother.

    Prayers for my 2.0 for some strength and energy in her current health flare up.

    Prayers for all for strength, health and safe travels over the upcoming Easter weekend.

    No More Gumbo For You!