Author: Jim Huddle

  • It’s getting Deep here

    The Goochland contingent showed up along with some of the usual suspects. We’re dedicating ourselves to maintaining good habits during Thanksgiving week. We also listened to music.

    Lyrics from “Okie from Muskogee” performed by Merle Haggard and the Strangers

    “We don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee.

    We don’t take our trips on LSD.”

    Atilla really liked this song.

    Mosey around parking lot. Stopped at flag and give standard disclaimer

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

    Mosey halfway around parking lot

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

    Mosey back to flag in parking lot

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

    Mosey halfway around parking lot

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

    Used part of parking lot parallel to school for Grinders: Partner 1 goes to the ‘far end’ of the ‘track’ while Partners 2 and 3 stay put. Partner 3 is the first runner. Partner 3 runs to Partner 1. Partner 1 runs to Partner 2 at the ‘start’ of the ‘track’, Partner 2 runs to Partner 3, etc. If you’re not running, you’re doing the called Exercise.

    • Plank position Toe Taps (new exercise)
    • Copperhead Squats
    • Dollies
    • Flutter kicks

    Used part of parking lot perpendicular to school for 11s.

    • Mike Tyson & Deep Mountain Climbers

    Mosey to the wall at the entrance to the school for

    • 15 People’s chair airpress
    • 10 BTTW hip slaps in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix
    • 15 People’s chair Milkers
    • 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers
    • 15 Donkey Kix
    • 15 People’s chair Muhammad Ali
    • 10 BTTW Toe Taps
    • 15 People’s chair Muhammad Ali
    • 10 Dirty Hookups
    • 15 Donkey kicks

    Back to the flag for

    • 20 Heels to Heaven in cadence
    • 60 count 6-inch leg lift

    Announcements

    Congratulations to Handshake for his Chili Cookoff Victory!

    Convergence on Thanksgiving 7:00 AM (NOT PM) at Mary Mumford

    Friends of Barnabas request for donations: Gomer (in January) and I (in July) will be going to Honduras. If you are so inclined, please contribute. For more information, see Slack, 3rd F Channel.

    Circle of Trust

    Sermon comment: Mixing Politics and Religion is like mixing Horse Manure and Ice Cream. It doesn’t improve the Horse Manure and it ruins the Ice Cream.

    One of the strengths of this country is that we do not have an established church like many other countries. Or as Jesus said, “my kingdom is not of this world.” If you want to gain adherents in this country, you have to persuade others by your actions and your words.

    Dear Lord, Guide us so that we glorify you in this world by our words and deeds.

  • Who’s the Q?

    No one signed up and so we did a ‘Hot Tater’. Everything described below is more or less correct.

    Lighthouse with the warmup: all in cadence

    • 20 SSHs
    • 10 IWs
    • 10 Hillbillies
    • 10 Man-maker Merkins (8 count)

    Next, Burpee-Parking spots; 2X

    • 1 Burpee per Parking place
    • 20 WWIIs at the end

    Roger-Roger took over and we moseyed to the ‘bus loop’ in front of the school for a triple check

    • Partner 1 does a burpee w/o the merkin but with a curb hop
    • Partner 2 does Merkins
    • Partner 3 runs the Bus Loop

    Atilla took over and we went to the soccer field in front of the school for

    • Jack Webb to 10: 1-4, Merkin-air-press

    Johnsonville took over and we did 11s the width of the Soccer Field

    • Copperhead Squats
    • Jump Squats

    Pigskin took over:

    • Stretches

    we went to the wall in front of the school for

    • 15 People’s chair air press in cadence
    • 10 BTTW Hip slaps in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Milkers in cadence
    • 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Lalannes in cadence
    • 10 BTTW Toe Taps in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO

    Mosey to the parking lot for a few stretches

    Announcements

    Chili Cookoff

    Convergence Thursday at 7:00 PM at Mary Mumford

    Prayers for Mollie (Roger Roger’s wife), Mary (Fudd’s sister), Fireman Ed, Gypsy, Sherry (Piglet’s aunt), Piglet and Johanna (baby due in April!)

    Pigskin with the COT

    When I used to work for a living, one of the things I did was work at a nuclear station. Nuclear stations are very complicated and there is always a concern about Human Performance. (I was the Business Manager so fortunately, I was not responsible for running or maintaining the plant.) One of the programs that was implemented was STAR, which stands for

    • Stop; Before you begin a task.
    • Think; About what the steps to your task is. Typically, you have a set of procedures you need to follow.
    • Act; Do the task.
    • Review; what you just did to make sure you did it right. You might want to think about what improvements you might do next time.

    This same process can be used outside of work. For example, if you find yourself in a debate, Stop. Don’t feel like you have to respond immediately. Think. About what you’re going to say. Act. Say your piece. Review. Reflect upon how your words were received.

  • Mike Tyson

    In honor of Mike Tyson, we did his eponymous exercise today. I’m sure he appreciates it.

    We also avoided an opportunity to do BTTW exercises, despite requests from both the Pax and the Wall. Next time.

    Mosey

    • forward,
    • Karioke left,
    • Mosey backwards,
    • Karioke right back to start

    Disclaimer

    Warmup: in cadence

    • 20 SSHs
    • 20 Imperial Walkers
    • 10 Susan Sommers Right
    • 10 Susan Sommers Left
    • Stretch

    Mosey to Heartbreak Hill

    Jacob’s ladder with

    • 5 dollies at bottom each time: up the Heartbreak hill 7 times
    • With 1, 2, 3, etc. to 7 Mike Tysons at the top
    • Stretch

    Mosey to football field goal line.

    • 11s with Mike Tyson at goal line
    • Modified double count V-Ups at the 20-yard line. Somebody had a clever name for these but I forgot. You do a V-up except you clap both hands beneath the left knee. Repeat except clap below the right knee.
    • Stretch

    Mosey to outdoor basketball Court in back of school for 4 Corner Blimps with alternating Bear Crawl or Crab Walk on both short sides and mosey on the long 2 sides:

    • 5 Burpees
    • 10 Lunges each leg
    • 15 IWs
    • 20 Mike Tyson
    • 25 Plank Jacks
    • 30 Squats
    • Michael Phelps

    Mosey to benches in front of Quioccasin; 2x in cadence

    • 10 Dips
    • 10 Bulgarian Split Squats right leg
    • 10 Incline Merkins
    • 10 Bulgarian Split Squats left leg

    Mosey to shovel flag and times up!

    Announcements:

    Whitesnake is sporting a new haircut.

    Chili Cookoff: Handshake is the designated North of the River contestant.

    Thought for the day:

    Jeremiah 31: “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

    Prayers for Fireman Ed, Roger Roger’s M, Fudd’s sister, Gypsy

  • Four Horsemen

    Four Horsemen

    Pestilence, War, Famine and Death are the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Today, Pinto, Whitesnake, Lighthouse and Pigskin, the 4 Horsemen of WaThoHuk, invaded Whitesnake’s neighborhood. Unfortunately, the neighborhood’s sprinklers were on and there were scary Halloween decorations including a 12-foot tall Skeleton. So instead of bringing the Apocalypse, we brought 15 Merkins and 15 Freddy Mercurys to each Cul de Sac. That kept the sprinklers in their place, although they did threaten us by spitting streams of water to keep us off the lawns. Having laid waste to the Cul de Sacs, we left the neighborhood and returned to Pocahontas Middle School for some stretching exercises. In my mind’s eye, I can still see the trembling of the Halloween decorations.

    Pinto, Whitesnake, Lighthouse, Pigskin

  • Milton

    We caught Fireman Ed on 45-minute lunchbreak from making sandwiches. The tables were filled with sandwiches for Florida in anticipation of Milton. Topics of discussion included rotary dial and pay telephones, house refurbishments and Spider football.

  • Two out of three ain’t bad

    This was supposed to be a pig family affair but Chicharon got Covid earlier this week, so it ended up with just Piglet and me. Piglet started out. The following is more or less correct.

    For the record, shocking display of good grooming by Johnsonville noted; haircut, beard trimmed. Almost didn’t recognize him.

    Disclaimer and Warm up

    • 20 SSHs in cadence
    • 10 Don Quixote in cadence
    • 15 Imperial Walkers in cadence
    • 10 Merkins in cadence
    • 15 Copperhead squats in cadence

    Mosey to the goal line of the Gridiron (there’s no game here today)

    • Bear crawl to the 5-yard line, 5 Carolina Drydocks, crab walk back to the goal line and do 5 Crabcakes
    • Bear crawl to the 10-yard line, 10 Carolina Drydocks, crab walk back to the goal line and do 10 Crabcakes
    • Bear crawl to the 15-yard line, 15 Carolina Drydocks, crab walk back to the goal line and do 15 Crabcakes
    • Bear crawl to the 20-yard line, 20 Carolina Drydocks, crab walk back to the goal line and do 20 Crabcakes

    Mosey to the track.

    At the start, person 1 will start doing merkins. Person 2 runs about 1/3 way down the left side straightaway and starts WWIIs. Person 3 runs to apex of the opposite curve and starts merkins. Person 4 runs to 1/3 way down the right side straightaway and starts jump squats.

    After person 1 finishes their 20 merkins they start running to person 2 and that starts the “chase”. Three times around track.

    Handoff to Pigskin

    Mosey to the benches on the Gidiron for Lindsay: Bench kicks and Dips

    • 30-10
    • 25-15
    • 20-20
    • 15-25
    • 10-30

    Bulgarian Split Squats and Derkins in cadence

    • 10-10-10 Stretch
    • 10-10-10 Stretch
    • 10-10-10 Stretch

    Finish up in on sidewalk beside Parking lot with Mary

    • 15 Hammers
    • 20 APDs
    • 60 count 6-inch leg lift

    Announcements

    None

    Circle of Trust

    God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971)

    “His philosophy combines elements of Christianity with realism, emphasizing the tension between human aspirations for justice and the inherent flaws in human nature. He also developed the concept of “Christian Realism,” which advocates for a pragmatic approach to ethics and politics, acknowledging both the potential for good and the inevitability of sin.” Source: ChatGPT

    The one thing that is truly within our power to change is ourselves. We need to have the desire, determination, persistence and the wisdom to realize how to go about making change.

    Prayers for Fudd’s sister, Mary, who is battling a very serious case of cancer. We ask for the best in medical care and for Mary and her family, the strength to handle the enormous weight they are under.

    Finish up with Bacon snack before the trip to Starbucks.

     

  • First Samuel

    We repeated, almost completely, a workout from a few months ago. You’re welcome!

    Mosey to corner Parking lot and give standard disclaimer

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

    Mosey to Asphalt playground

    • 20 IWs
    • 10 Diamond Merkins
    • 10 each side Suzanne Sommers
    • Stretch

    Mosey to corner parking lot

    • 20 Squats
    • 10 Stagger Arm Merkins
    • 15 Knee Ups
    • Stretch

    Mosey to asphalt playground

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

    Line up on sidewalk to the asphalt playground for 11s

    • Mike Tyson & V-Ups

    To the grass playground in back; Count off by 3s. Rotate Clockwise.

    • 10 Get-ups at the swings, (lay on your back and then stand up without using your hands)
    • 20 Hanging Knee-ups at pull-up bars,
    • 30 Dips at benches,

    To the wall for

    • 15 People’s chair airpress
    • 10 BTTW hip slaps in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix
    • 15 People’s chair Milkers
    • 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers
    • 15 Donkey Kix
    • 15 People’s chair Muhammad Ali
    • 10 BTTW Toe Taps

    Time’s up!

    Announcements:

    Friday: 10-year anniversary convergence: Snuff’s house happy hour. They need some HCs.

    Saturday: 10-year anniversary convergence: Dogpile: 6AM Ruck, 7AM Workout, 1:30 – 6:00 Huguenot Park for dinner and afternoon of fellowship (Shelter #1)

    Circle of Trust: from 1 Samuel Chapter 8:

    10 Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. 11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

    In short, the Lord told Samuel to tell the people “I’ll give you a king but you will be disappointed.”

    Keep in mind that whichever party you support or whichever politician you support, they are humans which means they are just like those of us around the Circle of Trust. They are flawed people and may even have a couple additional flaws. If you want salvation, don’t look to a politician, look to the Lord.

  • Thomas Hobbes

    Offshore brought us coffee (Arabica) for after the workout. Thanx! ¡Gracias! Danke! Merci!

    Warmup

    • SSHs, Ukrainian Soldiers, Don Quixote, plank stretch, arms stretch.

    Walk over to the covered walkway for a Burpee countdown

    • 20 Swings/5 Burpees;
    • 20 Curls/5 Burpees,
    • 20 Upright Rows/5 Burpees,
    • 20 Triceps/5 Burpees,
    • 20 Sit & Press/5 Burpees,
    • 20 Press/5 Burpees,
    • 20 Goblet Squats,
    • Run around island:

    11s. We walked back and forth across the covered walkway area between two cones.

    • Renegade Rows, Rifle carry both directions, American Hammers
    • Run around island

    11s. We walked back and forth across the covered walkway area between the school and the curb.

    • Thrusters (goblet Squat followed by an overhead press), Waiter’s carry both directions. Overhead pulls. We didn’t quite finish this.

    Numberama, namearama

    Announcements:

    September 10, Tuesday noon: 2nd F at Firehouse Subs on Tuesday (in 5 days) (However, I will not be there.)

    September 20-21: Ten-year anniversary of F3 in Richmond. Convergence at Dogpile on Saturday. For more details, go the F3RVA website. https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2024/08/20/f3rva-10-year-anniversary/

    COT:

    “In such condition, there is no place for Industry; because the fruit thereof is uncertain: and consequently no Culture of the Earth; no Navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by Sea; no commodious Building; no Instruments of moving, and removing such things as require much force; no Knowledge of the face of the Earth; no account of Time; no Arts; no Letters; no Society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; And the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

    From Thomas Hobbes’s Leviathan, specifically in Chapter 13, titled “Of the Natural Condition of Mankind as Concerning Their Felicity and Misery.” In this chapter, Hobbes discusses what life would be like in a state of nature, a hypothetical condition where there is no government or social contract to enforce order and laws. He argues that in such a state, there would be constant fear and danger of violent death due to the lack of authority to prevent conflict. (Chat GPT)

    The point I want to dwell on is the part you may have heard before;” the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” This was written at the end of the English Civil War (1642-1651), a horrific period in English history; a large loss of life, destruction of property and the execution of King Charles I.

    When we see the murder of hostages in Gaza, we are not far from Hobbes’ “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” observation.

    And we are a long way from Matthew 5:43-44: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

    We should be grateful that we live in the USA where, even though people don’t like each other over their politics, we’re not killing each other.

  • Bridge of Spies

    The temperature was great! But the dew was heavy.

    Oyster failed to bring his Pickleball Tournament Trophy. We all wanted to see it. A suggestion for improvement at next year’s tournament; medals should be awarded so that the medal can be worn to workouts. It’s not too early to start practicing for next year!

    We had a visitor from Lubbock Texas. Welcome Salt Lick! And come back!

    Mosey around parking lot

    • Run forward
    • Karioke left
    • Run backwards
    • Karioke right

    Disclaimer

    Warm-up

    • 20 SSHs in cadence
    • 10 Don Quixote in cadence
    • 10 Susan Sommers in cadence (each side)
    • 20 Imperial Walkers in cadence
    • Plank: Right hand/right foot stretch & vice-versa

    Mosey to Heartbreak Ridge for 11s

    • Hammers at the top
    • Pole smokers at the bottom

    Mosey to benches for Lindsays: 30/10, 25/15, 20/20, 15/25, 10/30

    • Dips
    • Bench kicks

    Mosey to far side of the Quioccasin Wall for BBTW routine

    • 15 People’s chair airpress in cadence
    • 10 BTTW hip slaps in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Milkers in cadence
    • 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    • 15 People’s chair Muhammad Ali in cadence
    • 10 BTTW toe taps in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO

    Mosey to gym equip area behind Pemberton: 2X

    • 10 Pullups
    • 20 Merkins
    • 30 Squats

    Mosey back to Quioccasin Wall

    • 15 People’s chair Lalannes in cadence
    • 10 Dirty Hookups in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix OYO

    Mosey to benches in front of Quioccasin 2X

    • 10 Bulgarian Split Squats and Dips in cadence

    Mosey to the flag for

    • Stretching

    Announcements:

    Aug 27: Señor Frog’s 50 BD Q at Heartbreak! I’m not sure anyone has worked harder this past year. He comes early and gets in a run beforehand. Very Impressive!

    Sept 7: Labor Day Convergence at Nuckols Farm Elementary; 7:00 AM

    Sept 20-21: 10-year anniversary. Check Slack for all the activities being planned.

    Take-out by YHC:

    The movie Bridge of Spies is about the exchange of a Soviet spy for an American pilot in 1962. Early in the movie, the soviet spy is arrested and then meets with his attorney. The attorney gets exasperated because the spy doesn’t seem to realize the peril he is in. “Don’t you realize that you could be executed? Aren’t you worried?” The spy replies, “If I were worried, would it make any difference?”

    Dear Lord:

    Like the Soviet spy, we know that worry is futile. And unlike the Soviet Spy, we know this because you are always there when we need you.

  • Things I learned today

    NAPA Valley in California is NOT an acronym for National Automotive Parts Association. In fact, it is an area in California where wine is grown.

    A $100 bottle of Bourbon goes a lot farther than a $100 bottle of wine.

    A wedding register doesn’t have to list things like fine China. Headlamps, running shoes, etc. are perfectly acceptable and in fact, are more useful.

    If you do it correctly, you can punch out the car logo on the front of a Lexus with your trailer hitch.

    Congratulations to Gypsy on his engagement!