Author: Jim Huddle

  • Perimeter secured

    Tres Amigos met in the parking lot at Godwin. Gypsy and I drove our vehicles while Mr. Rogers, sans Wally, jogged over wearing his Sippy Cup inspired Hokas with screws in the soles for better traction in the treacherous conditions. We had heard that roving packs of cabin-fever crazed zombies were out searching for bread and milk. These rumors needed to be verified or debunked.
    We decided to divide and conquer. Mr. Rogers would circle the school looking for signs of mischief while Gypsy and I would investigate the situation in the surrounding neighborhood.
    Gypsy wore his bullet proof vest with 20 pounds plates front and back and carried a mug of coffee with some kind of foul-smelling flavoring added. (I drink my coffee black.) I wore a bullet proof kettlebell in my backpack and mostly walked behind Gypsy figuring that in case of trouble, he would be targeted first.
    Once we got across the ice-covered parking lot parallel to Pump, we went thru the neighborhood to get to Falconbridge. The road was like a minefield and we had to pick our way carefully, but we made it to Falconbridge with no injuries. We turned left intending to circumnavigate the neighborhood via Raintree, Ridgefield and Pump back to the AO. Falconbridge and Raintree were immaculately clear of snow and ice. Minimal activity was encountered; only 1 jogger on Raintree and he appeared to be normal.
    However, Ridgefield was a danger zone. We encountered numerous enemy cars requiring us to leave the road and hide behind the blocks of ice piled up in the sidewalk on about 4 occasions before we got to Pump. Fortunately, they didn’t see us despite our headlamps and we escaped unharmed.
    Having secured the area, Mr. Rogers headed home and Gypsy and I went to Dunkin.

  • That’s what parking decks are for

    It was sunny and 70, so I was told, but the frozen snow everywhere must have been a figment of my imagination.
    Borat and I met at Pocahontas. At 5:30, we drove over to the Parking Deck at Buster and Dave’s. We did five ‘cycles’ of the following: run up the ramps to the level where the ice starts, over to the 1st stairwell, down to the bottom and back all the way to the top, down one level and across the deck to the other stairwell, up to the top and then down to the bottom, 20 merkins and 20 crunchy frogs.
    Finished with a few stretches.

  • This and that

    The Magnificent Seven showed up for a workout.
    We began with a perfunctory disclaimer.
    Mosey to the approximate middle of the covered sidewalk on the right side of the school. Picked up Joey Chestnut and Offshore on the way.
    Warm up with the following exercises in cadence
    • 20 SSHs
    • 20 IWs
    • 20 Copperhead squats
    • 10 Don Quixotes
    • 20 Suzannne Sommers (change sides halfway)
    11s starting with 10 Burpees and 1 double-count Hammer
    • Burpees
    • Hammers
    Triple check
    • Timer runs to end of walkway and back
    • Partner 2: Pole-smokers
    • Partner 3: Lunges
    Dora
    • 100 Merkins
    • 200 Ukrainian Soldiers (each foot counts as 1)
    • 300 SSHs
    BTTW (aka Testículos a la pared)
    • 15 People’s chair airpress
    • 10 BTTW Shoulder Slaps in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Milkers
    • 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Lalannes
    • 10 BTTW toe taps
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    Mosey back to the flag
    Announcements
    February 7: Frozen Triangle
    COT
    Be safe out there!
    2nd F
    We often go to Starbucks afterwards but we ended up at Sheetz at Regency. Offshore and Joey Chestnut got to try out the set of Crampons for their jog over to Quioccasin Middle School. Honeydo is motivated by negative feedback as Handshake said there was a 0% chance of Honeydo’s appearance at Heartbreak. Hutton wore a foreskin. (I didn’t ask any questions.) Gomer wanted to know why the Spanish word for Balls (as in Balls to the Wall) wasn’t pelotas. Answer: Pelotas are the type of balls that get kicked.
    I cannot get the preview to show the attendees even though they are entered.
    Gomer Pyle, Joey Chestnut, Offshore, Honeydo, Handshake, E.F. Hutton, Pigskin

  • El Puente, Die Brücke, The Bridge

    It was 17 and windy at The Bridge. Despite that, it was a great day to be there. But then, it’s always a great day to be at the Bridge.

    We had a total of 15 for the workout.

    My timing was a bit off. We got there at 6:55. Mr. Rogers got out of the car for a pre-workout workout. He was soon joined by the rest of us. Salt Lick got his 100 Burpees in and we kept warm before the start of the workout.

    I brought a bunch of footballs which we passed around. Trying to catch and throw a football with mittens or thick gloves adds a new challenge. But I think everyone enjoyed playing with the footballs.

    Disclaimer

    • I am not a professional.
    • You against you.
    • Push yourself but don’t hurt yourself.
    • Modify.
    • Don’t leave here with more injuries than you came with.

    Warm-up

    • Mosey around parking lot back to the flag
    • 10 SSHs in cadence
    • 10 IWs in cadence
    • 10 Copperhead Squats in cadence
    • 10 Don Quixote in cadence
    • 10 each side Suzanne Sommers in cadence
    • 10 Flutters in cadence
    • 5 Burpees OYO
    • Stretch

    Mosey on the driveway to the north end of the parking lot for a Grinder

    Grinder: Divide up into groups of 3 with 2 on one side of the parking lot and 1 on the other side.

    • On the side with 2 partners, 1 runs to the other side, the other partner throws the football to him on the way to the other side. If you’re not running or throwing a football, then SSHs.
    • Stretch

    Mosey around parking lot back to the flag for 11s, Bro Code.

    • Shoulder taps; 2-count
    • Hammers; 2-count
    • Stretch

    Mosey some more and partner up for a Triple Check with football:

    • Partner 1: Mosey with the football to other side of Parking lot, do 5 Burpees OYO, and mosey back. Hand off the football to Partner 2.
    • Partner 2: Squats
    • Partner 3: SSHs

    Mosey around parking lot back to the flag: Partner up for a Squat ladder to 10 and back down

    • Partner 1 does 1 Squat. Then Partner 2 does 1 Squat
    • Partner 1 does 2 Squats. Then Partner 2 does 2 Squats
    • Partner 1 does 3 Squats. Then Partner 2 does 3 Squats
    • Etc.

    Ring of Fire: I started off picking an exercise and doing 10 in cadence, then tossed the football to someone else in the circle. Someone made the mistake of passing the football to Salt Lick. 10 more Burpees.

    With about 5 minutes left, we paired up and tossed the football back and forth, each time taking a step back. The idea being that the team with the farthest distance before someone dropped the football wins.

    Back in the circle and a couple other exercises before the

    COT

    We gave everyone the opportunity to offer any thoughts.

    I wrapped up with the following.

    You’ve probably heard the expression: Forgive and Forget. I’ll offer a few (not original) thoughts on this. Forgiveness is another word for ‘grace’. Your sins have been forgiven by Jesus. Embrace that. If Jesus will forgive you, you should forgive yourself. God also forgives the other guy who wronged you. Do likewise.

    Forgetting is another matter. It is good to remember when things don’t turn out the way you want. What is good is learning from those experiences. To learn from experience, whether your own experience or another’s experience, you have to remember them.

    Skip the pain of regret but remember the lessons you learn as you journey thru this life.

    COFFEE

    Afterwards, we drank some coffee and talked with the residents and each other. I never cease to be amazed at the ability of my F3 brothers to engage with others in the best of ways. Lot of good discussions and interaction between everyone.

    LOGISTICS

    We met at the Food Lion at Patterson and left at 5:40. That got us there by 6:55, including a stop in the woods to look for a frozen turd left on a previous venture.

    We left The Bridge around, roughly, 8:45 and drove to the Cumberland Restaurant. The food was fantastic and so was the camaraderie. But frankly, it took a while to get served. By the time we got back to the Food Lion, it was about 11:45.

    Blue Moon, Piglet, Pigskin, Mr. Rogers, Rosie, Borat, Salt Lick, Seymore, Banjo, Bootleg, 28, Moonwalker, Cheese Steak, Green Thumb, Go-Go

  • Game Theory

    By the time we finished, Salt Lick was able to bank all 40 of his pre-workout Burpees. We started off with the usual disclaimer.

    • I am your Q for the day.
    • I am not a professional
    • This workout is ‘you vs you’
    • Push yourself but don’t hurt yourself
    • Feel free to modify any exercise.

    Warmup mosey a few times back and forth between the rows of parking spaces

    • Karioke
    • Bernie
    • Mosey

    Mosey to the parking lot in front of the school for COP. Following exercises in cadence

    • 20 SSHs
    • 20 IWs
    • 20 Copperhead squats
    • 10 Don Quixotes
    • 20 Suzannne Sommers (change sides halfway)
    • 20 APDs
    • Stretching

    11s starting with 10 Burpees and 1 double-count Crunch Frog

    • Burpees
    • Crunchy Frogs

    Mosey to the wall under the covered walkway

    • 15 People’s chair airpress
    • 10 BTTW Shoulder Slaps in cadence
    • 5 Burpees OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Milkers
    • 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers
    • 5 Burpees OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Lalannes
    • 10 BTTW toe taps
    • 5 Burpees OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Muhammed Ali’s
    • 10 Dirty Hook-ups
    • 5 Burpees OYO
    • Stretch

    Mosey to Pemberton Parking Lot for a triple check

    • Timer runs across parking lot and does 5 burpees
    • Squats
    • Merkins
    • Stretch

    Mosey back to the flag with some bear crawls and crab walks mixed in along the way

    • 20 Heels to Heaven in cadence
    • 20 Dollies in cadence
    • 20 APDs in cadence
    • 20 Rosalitas in cadence
    • 20 Burpees OYO

    Announcements

    • This Saturday, January 24: The Bridge. Let me know if you want to go.
    • Saturday, February 7: Frozen Triangle. Check Slack for details.

    COP

    I saw this article recently about MLK and the Civil Rights movement. MLK was very successful because in addition to the righteousness of his cause, he employed Game Theory. He figured that there were a lot of people on the fence. If he used violence, these people would swing over to a Law-and-Order perspective and the movement would fail. But if he used non-violence in places where the local authorities would react badly, the people in the middle would swing over to his point of view. He was obviously successful.

    Moral: If you want to persuade people to see things your way, don’t be a jerk.

  • Joey’s Hot Dogs

    8 of met for lunch at Joey’s Hot Dogs in Innsbrook. Discussions on various assorted topics including ‘why is it that if I run a route one way, the elevation change is different when I run the same route in reverse?’

  • Groundhog Day

    For the last several Gridirons, it felt like déjà vu all over again: Tater, Atilla, Tater, Atilla. So, to break the pattern, I signed up for the Q. Salt Lick missed an opportunity to get 100 Burpees. His loss.

    As always, it’s 70 and Sunny in RVA, although the internet claimed it was 55 and rainy and Chum showed up in a Gloucester Halloween disguise.

    Mosey to the new Pickle Ball Courts because:

    • We don’t want to get sunburned
    • We want to be visible to any latecomers

    Disclaimer

    • I’m not a professional
    • Push yourself but don’t hurt yourself
    • Don’t leave here with more injuries than you came with
    • Feel free to modify any exercise

    11s from one baseline of the court to the other baseline with V-ups & Burpees

    • 10 & 1
    • 9 & 2 etc.
    • Stretching exercises

    Divided up for Triple Check

    • Partner 1: Timer runs around the court twice and does 5 Burpees
    • Partner 2: Squats
    • Partner 3: Crunchy Frogs
    • Stretching exercises

    Mosey to the bathroom wall near the “flag” (parking lot)

    • People’s Chair 15 Air Press, 10 BTTW Shoulder taps, 5 Burpees OYO
    • People’s Chair 15, Milkers, 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers, 5 Burpees OYO
    • People’s Chair 15 Muhammad Ali, 10 BTTW Toe Taps, 5 Burpees OYO
    • People’s Chair 15 Lalannes, 10 Dirty Hookup, 5 Burpees OYO

    Mosey back to the shelter beside the parking lot.

    • 10 Bulgarian Split Squats right leg in cadence
    • 10 Bulgarian Split Squats left leg in cadence
    • 10 Dips in cadence
    • 9 Bulgarian Split Squats right leg in cadence
    • 9 Bulgarian Split Squats left leg in cadence
    • 9 Dips in cadence
    • Etc down to 1

    Mosey to the covered walkway at the school

    • 15 pole smokers in cadence
    • 15 paper dolls in cadence
    • 10 Burpees, OYO

    Line of Fire (same as of a Ring of Fire but we were all in a line): everyone called an exercise.

    Mosey back to the bathroom

    • 30 count elbow plank

    Times up!

    Announcements

    January 13: Tuesday: 2nd Tuesday 2nd F: Joey’s Hot Dogs in Innsbrook, Noon.

    January 24: Saturday: The Bridge. DM me in Slack (1st-F-fitness, 3rd-F-faith, Westhoe channels)

    COT

    Epiphany is January 6, the first day after the 12 Days of Christmas (December 25 to January 5.)

    It is also the beginning of the season of Epiphany (in Christianity). Epiphany ends on Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. The next day is Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent.

    “Epiphany” means “a sudden revelation or insight.” It describes a breakthrough in your outlook that is wholly overwhelming. It commemorates the visit by the Magi.

    In Latin America, Epiphany is often celebrated as the main gift giving day (vs Christmas). “Día de los Reyes Magos”.

    The Venerable Bede (c. 673–735 AD), an influential English monk and scholar, significantly shaped Christian tradition, especially concerning the Epiphany, by popularizing the names and characteristics of the Three Magi (Melchior, Caspar, Balthasar) and linking their gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) to Jesus’s kingship, divinity, and mortality, solidifying Epiphany’s focus on Christ’s manifestation to all peoples, not just Jews.

    Prayers for Flo’s father-in-law who recently broke his hip.

  • Only 10 mercans

    We only did 10 mercans today.

    Salt Lick is promoting MABA; Make America Burpee again. The idea is that you average 100 Burpees per day for the month of January, or 3,100 Burpees. This will be his 4th year. I thought maybe we can do that today!

    We began with a short mosey to the upper asphalt lot by the school with the usual disclaimer, but in German!

    • ich heiße Schweinehaut.
    • Ich bin kein Profi.
    • Ihr könnt die Übungen anpassen.
    • Fordert euch, aber übertreibt es nicht.
    • Du gegen dich selbst

    Warm up

    • 20 SSH
    • 20 IW
    • 20 Copperhead squats
    • 20 Crunchy Frogs
    • 10 Don Quixote
    • Stretch

    Knock out 70 Burpees

    • 7 minutes of burpees
    • Stretch

    Mosey to the wall for

    • 15 People’s chair airpress
    • 10 BTTW hip slaps in cadence
    • 5 Burpees OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Milkers
    • 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers
    • 5 Burpees OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Muhammad Ali
    • 10 BTTW Toe Taps
    • 5 Burpees OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Lalannes
    • 10 Dirty Hookups
    • 5 Burpees OYO

    Now we’re up to 90 Burpees! Mosey to the railings for

    • 10 single count Bulgarian split squats: right leg back
    • 10 single count Bulgarian split squats: left leg back
    • 10 single count Derkins
    • Repeat above except 9 single count
    • Then 8 and so on down to 1

    Mosey to the playground for two rounds of

    • Partner 1 is the timer: goes to the pullup bars for 10 Pullups
    • Partner 2 does Dips and/or Step ups

    Mosey to the flag

    • 5 Burpees
    • 20 Dollies
    • 15 Crunchy Frogs
    • 15 APDs
    • 20 Boxcutters
    • 10 Mercans
    • 5 Burpees
    • 60 second 6-inch leg raise

    100 Burpees!

    Numberrama, Namearama

    Announcements

    January 1: Convergence 7:00 AM at Dogpile (Dogwood Dell)

    January 1: MABA: Sign up on Slack

    January: Sign up for Breaking Bread

    COT

    The gospel lesson for this past Sunday was about the King Herod’s murder of the babies in Bethlehem. Such an awful story seems out of place in this season of Christmas. I’m more positive than some people. I believe we’ve made progress in the last 2,000 years. Yes, there are plenty of examples anyone can give of terrible things that are taking place in the world today. And yet, Christmas is still about Peace and Goodwill to all. Lord, guide to do our small part.

  • Pre-Festivus

    Twas the week before Festivus, and you know what?

    There were 21 hombres, in the parking lot.

    Soon we would be, the coffee a drinking,

    And in anticipation, I had been thinking.

    We were short on grievances, so to Google I went.

    To find more Kettlebell exercises, was my intent.

    We began with the Issuance of the standard disclaimer:

    • I am not a professional.
    • Feel free to modify.
    • Push yourself but don’t hurt yourself.
    • You vs You
    • Don’t leave here with more injuries than you came with. 

    Warmup:

    • 20 SSHs
    • 20 IWs
    • 20 Ukrainian Soldiers
    • 10 Don Quixote
    • Stretch: Right foot, Right Hand
    • Stretch: Left foot, Left hand

    Mosey to the closest end of covered walkway: Divide up into 8 groups beside each of 7 printed out exercises laid down in a line parallel to the road plus one place in front of the first printed out exercise. Everyone advances to the next station when the timer returns to the beginning of the line.

    • Timer rifle carries or waiter carries KB to orange cone and returns to the beginning of the line of exercises
    • Thruster
    • Snatch
    • KB Clean, Squat and Press
    • Clean and Press
    • Skull Crushes
    • KB Goblet March
    • Goblet Clean

    Run around Circus Maximus:

    Turn over printed out exercises to reveal exercise on back. Repeat groups.

    • Timer rifle carries KB to end of covered walkway
    • KB Swing Changing Hands
    • KB Push Press
    • Overhead Squat
    • KB Single Arm Deadlift
    • KB Good Morning
    • KB Goblet Thruster
    • Clean

    Run around Circus Maximus:

    Ring of Fire: Your favorite KB exercise: I started with 15 Triceps.

    • Each person calls an exercise for the group.

    We got all the way around the group and went back to the flag for the following in cadence

    • 20 KB Swings
    • 20 KB overhead presses
    • 20 KB pullovers
    • 60 count 4-inch leg lift

    Announcements

    • December 20: Pinto’s Party
    • December 25: Circus Maximus 5:30
    • December 27: Fireman Ed’s end of cancer treatment party
    • December 27:The Bridge: contact Kubota

    Prayer’s Request

    • Gypsy’s Stepfather: Chemo
    • Banjo: check on him, cheer him up
    • Mr. Ed in Denver, death of dad and stepmom, tough holiday season
    • Pax members looking for jobs

    COT

    The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things. Epictetus

    You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Exodus 20:17

  • Dankbar Agradecido Grateful

    Mosey around parking lot back to the flag.

    Disclaimer

    • I am not a professional.
    • You against you.
    • Push yourself but don’t hurt yourself.
    • Modify.
    • Don’t leave here with more injuries than you came with.

    Warm-up

    • 20 SSHs in cadence
    • 10 Man-Maker Merkins in cadence
    • 15 Crunchy Frogs in cadence
    • Stretch

    Mosey around parking lot back to the flag

    • 20 IWs in cadence
    • 10 Diamond Merkins in cadence
    • 10 Crotch Grabbers (new exercise. Sort of like a V-up but clap hands underneath first one knee and then the other) in cadence
    • Stretch

    Mosey around parking lot back to the flag

    • 20 Squats in cadence
    • 10 Stagger Arm Merkins in cadence
    • 10 Suzanne Sommers (each side) in cadence
    • Stretch

    Mosey around parking lot back to the flag

    • 10 Don Quixotes in cadence
    • 10 Stagger Arm Merkins in cadence
    • 15 Ukrainian Hammers in cadence
    • Stretch

    Mosey to benches: 3x

    • 10 Shoulder taps with feet on bench
    • 10 Heels on bench, arms extended to ground, “APD”
    • 10 Dips
    • Run to BB court and back

    Mosey to back of school

    • 10 Prisoner get ups in cadence
    • 10 Elbow plank and touch knee with opposite hand
    • 10 Bird Dogs in slow cadence
    • 5 Side Planks (hold for 5 count)
    • 5 Side Planks, other side (hold for 5 count)

    Mosey to beginning of covered walkway: Partner up for Merkin ladder to 5 and back down

    • Partner 1 does 1 merkin. Then Partner 2 does 1 merkin
    • Partner 1 does 2 merkins. Then Partner 2 does 2 merkins
    • Partner 1 does 3 merkins. Then Partner 2 does 3 merkins
    • Partner 1 does 4 merkins. Then Partner 2 does 4 merkins
    • Partner 1 does 5 merkins. Then Partner 2 does 5 merkins
    • Partner 1 does 4 merkins. Then Partner 2 does 4 merkins
    • Etc.

    Siebens (7s) along the length of the covered walkway

    • Burpees (6,5,4,3,2,1)
    • Jump Squats (1,2,3,4,5,6)

    Announcements

    It’s Bette Midler’s birthday today

    December 9: 2nd Tuesday, 2nd F in 8 days: Tres Machos

    December 27: The Bridge

    COT

    Gratitude is the key to unlocking happiness and contentment in our lives. By focusing on what we have, rather than what we lack, we cultivate a sense of abundance and joy. Zeno of Citium

    Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Ps. 107:1

    Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:18