Author: Vinny

  • What’s Your Password?

    Six Batteau regulars met for their weekly ritual of a Hot Potato beatdown.

    Swirly Q: COP (IC) – SSHs x 20 / Helicopters x 10 / DQs x 10 / LBCs x 20. Mosey to top of the stairs or the bottom of boulder hill, whichever you prefer. Partner up. Partner 1 curls boulder while partner 2 runs to second light and back x 3 each. Partner 1 overhead presses while partner 2 lunges to first light and runs back x 3 each. Partner 1 boulder WWII with an airpress while partner 2 karaokes to the second light and runs back x 3 each.

    Bleeder Q: Mosey over the hill and through the woods to the top of the pit we went. BLIMPS – 5 polar bears. 10 inch worms. 20 lunges. Repeato to the top of Love Hill.

    Sippy Cup Q: Back into the pit. Partner up. Partner 1 runs up to the stairs to the pavillon and assumes balls to the wall. Partner 2 completes 15 box jumps and runs up to the pavillion to switch with partner 2 who runs down to the pit and repeats. Same partners. Partner 1 completes 10 Bulgarian (1 leg on a bench, 1 leg on the ground) squats while partner 2 completes chicken peckers. Repeat each leg twice for a total of 4 rounds (some people don’t like math).

    Crossroads Q: Mosey back over the hill and back through the woods to the playground, you know. Iesha. Triple check. Partner 1 completes 10 burpees while partner 2 performs pull-ups and partner 3 completes flutter kicks. Not a 101, but more than enough. Back to the flag.

    YHC took us out.

    Announcements: 4 year anniversary convergence at Dogpile. Followed by a cross country scoring event or a FNG friendly bootcamp, both at 7:05. Cookout to follow. CSAUP on 10/20 at Forest Hill Park – 7:00 a.m. start. Puppypile on 9/29.

    NMS: YHC has a friend whose kid is going through a really difficult time in their life. By extension, so is the entire family. As men, and as leaders, we tend to look for ways to inspire and support those around us. As we should. We should be rocks and pillars. But we too need inspiration and support. We should look to each other in times of need, but I challenge you to also look to kids – your own and others. They can do amazing things, and often do it during that time in their lives when nothing seems settled. When the future has no real meaning to them, and the pressure of the present is outstanding. So as we go out this week, let’s continue to lead, inspire and support those who need it. But let’s also renew our search for inspiration and support, remind ourselves that we too need it, and look to find it in the hearts and minds of kids.

    Res Ipsa Loquitur – The Beatdown Speaks For Itself

  • Herding Cats at Dogpile

    May it please the court (Wilson told me to talk like I’m addressing the Supreme Court), 40 posted to show the greater Richmond area school systems how its done. Rain or shine. Dogpile was not cancelled on Tuesday. The show must go on. Here is how it went, and/or was supposed to go.

    COP: Helicopters x 10 / LBCs x 10 /Scorpion Kicks x 10  – ALL IC

    THANG: 20 two count merkin burpees at the flag. Mosey to Police Memorial. 20 Apollo Creed burpees (10 each arm). Mosey to the tennis courts. 20 Flying Squirrel burpees. Crab walk 11s with WWIIs and LBCs – doubles line to doubles line. Triple Check 1: tennis court line tracers – all lines out and back … finish where you started. Paired with squats and SSHs. Triple Check 2: PLTs and suicides – end lines only – two courts across. Partner up: Wheelbarrow from doubles line to doubles line; one court. Switch and repeat. Backwards wheelbarrow from doubles line to doubles line. Switch and repeat. Mosey to the VITA course. 5 heels to heaven at each exercise station until we reached the road. 20 (F3RVA) regulation burpees. Back to the Flag.

    Mary: 101 flutter kicks IC

    Wilson took us out.

    Announcements: 4 year anniversary at Dogpile on Saturday to be followed by a 7:00 VITA course relay. Also at 7:00, Johnsonville will be leading a separate/second Dogpile bootcamp for FNGs or whoever else would like to join. 8:00 starts the cookout. See Phonics.  9/29 – Puppy Pile. 10/20 – CSAUP at Batteau. 7:00 a.m. start, I believe.

    NMS: It was great having 40 guys (and gal) out to Dogpile today. Supposedly the most well attended Dogpile of 2018. 39 would’ve been a better number. Love you Wilson! The “hurricane” cancelled all of the weekend activities, leaving the PAX with nothing else better to do than join YHC for a beatdown. The plan went mostly as intended, but some silent audibles were definitely called.The 101 flutter kicks at the end were your parting gifts for being such a good audience.

    At ETs TYA asked me if I kept everyone under control, to which I replied, maybe, somewhat, not really. To which he replied, “that’s what I heard” followed by the classic TYA laugh. Also, Wilson offered to take me to Q school. Do they teach kickers how to miss wide right there? YHC hopes everyone had a great time today, despite the – at times – herding of cats. I know I did. Oh, and Swirly bought oats for his balls.

    Res Ipsa Loquitur – the beatdown speaks for itself.

    P.S. Glad to have One Call with us today from Myrtle Beach. I hope you and your folks down there make it through unscathed. Let us know if we can help a brother out.

  • 14 Remember 17

    Today is a tragically special day in our country’s history. A yearly reminder of our strengths and vulnerabilities.  A yearly reminder of just how lucky we are, and just how quickly that can all change. In attempt to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice seventeen years ago on 9/11/01, we gathered in unity to begin our day grateful for the opportunity.

    05:30 – In a sign of solidarity, all F3RVA PAX members carried shovel flags at their respective AOs. No Toll (14 PAX strong) ran a 1/2 mile lap around the grass fields.

    COP: Helicopters – 9 / Burpees – 11 / LBCs – 13 / SSHs – 50

    Shorly before 9:00 a.m. on 9/11/01, two planes at the hands of terrorists flew into the Twin Towers. In rememberance of those who sacrified as a result of those senseless acts, we performed (Twin) Tower 11s. YHC didn’t do a great job explaining this, so here it is, hopefully better explained. Each PAX member secures two parking spaces, side by side. Starting at the base of the first parking space, perform exercise A (10 Merkins). Bear crawl to the top of the that space, bear crawl sideways to adjoining space, crawl bear back down to base of second space and perform exercise B (1 Carolina Dry Dock). Repeato until 11s are completed.

    At roughly 9:30 a.m. hijackers flew a third plane into the Pentagon. We took time to reflect on those members of the Pentagon community who sacrified it all for our freedoms. Pentagon. Partner up. Partner A runs backwards from one end of the parking lot to the other. 1 burpee at the far end. Regular run back to Partner B who was performing WWIIs. Switch and repeato 5 times. YHC forgot to call ascending burpees with each lap, but we got in 5 burpees on lap 5.

    Shortly after 10:00 a.m. a fourth plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, PA. We later learned that plane was headed for Washington, D.C., but for a brave, ultimate and unified sacrifice given by civilian passengers aboard that plane. The PAX circled up in the grass field, and in honor of those lives selflessly given, performed Whatchamacallits. 1 merkin / 4 air presses all the way to 10 merkins / 40 air presses.  Respect paid the best way we could here, with a bonus set of 13 merkins and 50 air presses – representing our American Flag and all that it stands for.

    Unison lap (bro code just doesn’t sound right on this day) with the flag around the grass field, then back to the flag. Dying cockroaches x 11 / 9 Burpees OYO.

    PAX took us out.

    Announcements:  4 year anniversary – 9/22    Puppy Pile 9/29

    YHC decided to change things up a bit today. As kids we recited the Pledge of Allegiance every day at school. I’m not sure we really paid attention to its words and meaning, but we said it. Today, in unison, with our hands over our heavy hearts, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance on our way out. Reminding ourselves of all the sacrifices made, freedoms given, and the ability to get up each morning and gather as we do because of those sacrifices. Nealry 3,000 people died on 9/11, without warning. YHC for one trys to remind myself of this daily, but it’s hard, and often forgotten how fragile it all really it is.

    As we go forward today, I leave the words of the Pledge of Allegiance for you to read, recite and truly ponder. YHC humbly believes we owe it to all those who sacrificed for our right to do so. So the next time you want to hit the snooze button or stay in bed, think instead about getting out of bed and posting in honor of those who no longer can.

    “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

    Res Ipsa Loquitur – The Beatdown Speaks For Itself

  • BRR 2019 Training Started Today

    26 BRR starters and backups posted for today’s ode to all things sports. Here’s how we rolled.

    Several BRR starters tapered around the field, mixing in some called exercises here and there. The rest of the PAX – including 2 BRR starters – began 2019 training the only way we know how.

    COP: Invisbile Jump Ropes / SSHs / Helicopters / Knuckle Merkins / LBCs / Knuckle Merkins

    The Thang: Partner up. 12 trees at the edge of the field along Cary Street. Run to farthest tree and back. 20 PLTs each. Run to farthest tree and back to 2nd tree. 20 2 count Mountain Climbers each. Repeato, alternating exercise at every tree.

    Triple Check on the Black Top. Jackass Merkins / Elbow Plank / Karaoke

    Pull-ups Ring of Fire. 5 pull-ups/chin-ups, whatever you can handle. PAX started in elbow plank. Various exercises were called throughout. Newly introduced Fire Hydrants made their second appearance in as many days.

    Tennis Tryouts. One PAX member crushed a ball into orbit from the tennis courts out into the grass field. PAX runs to ball and performs 5 Burpees. Repeato until the whistle blew after 5 rounds.

    Back to the Flag – Hardywood took us out.

    Announcements: BRR crew heads out today. Y’all have put in the work and then some. Now go crush it. Safe travels along the way.

    4-year anniversary convergence on 9/22

    Puppy Pile on 9/29

    CSAUP on 10/20

    NMS: YHC signed up for this date to Q when I first joined F3RVA. Figured it would motivate me to stay in the game. Turns out I didn’t need the motivation, but kept the date anyway. The plan was a tennis workout. YHC hasn’t fully grasped the darkness schedule yet, and light really wasn’t an option this morning. We did get in a little tennis at the end. My apologies to Bleeder who shared with me that he would have slept in this morning but for the supposed tennis workout. Sorry brother. I’ll make amends. For those in wonder, at the end of each match at the U.S. Open, the winner launches 3 signed balls into the stands. Hence our final program of the day. I did forget to have y’all sign them. Oh well. Next time.

    Great workout today men. I’m impressed and inspired on several fronts. To begin, the BRR crew has been leading by example for many months. Putting in the time and work to be ready for this weekend. Y’all are going to crush it. I can’t wait for next year. TYA did offer me an XXL shirt for this year’s BRR. First off, dude! I can’t wear that. Secondly, the only way one of those gets on YHC’s back is when I earn it next year. How do you like them apples?!

    To the new guys, in particular Chet and Elliot. Way to push today. YHC is still a new guy in the grand scheme of things, but I can tell you that if you keep posting, you’ll get where you want to be quickly, and then excel well beyond that. Keep setting ’em up and knocking ’em down. Love seeing it all come together. Love having y’all on board.

    Lastly, great numbers lately men. 26 at 45MOM is fantastic! But let’s keep pushing to get new guys out here.

    Have a great rest of the week.

    Res Ipsa Loquitur – the beatdown speaks for itself.

  • Gumbo Hits Dingers

     

    Nine stalwarts and Lab Rat posted for one final summer activity. Darkness be damned. Here we go:

    COP: Willie Mays Hayes x 10 / Helicopters 10 / 5 burpees OYO/ Dead (Dying) Cockroaches 15 / LBCs 20

    THANG: Cleveland Indians Run around bus circle and over to baseball field.

    Baseball Workout – Part I: 1st Base: 10 burpees 2nd Base: 20 merkins 3rd Base: 30 American Hammers (2-count – is there any other kind) Home Plate: 40 WWIIs

    Start at HP – 1 burpee. Run to 1st. 10 burpees. Back to Home Plate. 1 burpee. Run back to 1st. 10 burpees. Run to 2nd. 20 merkins. Repeato until all bases are touched.

    Baseball Workout – Part II: Home Plate: Hold Plank (3 minutes) Crabwalk to 1st base. 1st Base: Dollies (3 minutes). Lunges to 2nd base. 2nd Base: Arm Claps (3 minutes). Bear crawl to 3rd base. 3rd Base: High knees (3 minutes).

    Baseball Workout – Part III: Wiffle Ball: Each person sees six pitches (in theory. More on that in a minute). After six swings, batter calls out an exercises x 6. Mostly burpees ensued. Lab Rat was happy.

    Back to the Flag / Mary: Merkins Ring of Fire (5). Werkins. HR Merkins. Merkins. Wider Werkins. One arm Merkins. Knuckle Merkins. Diamond Merkins. Diamond Knuckle Merkins.

    YHC took us out.

    Announcements: Puppy Pile tomorrow 7:05. Breaking Bread Sunday – see Gumbo to assist. Convergence Labor Day 3 Lakes Park. 7:00. Four year F3RVA Dogpile – 9/22

    NMS: YHC decided to try the baseball workout one more time before it got dark. Fail – sorta. When I pulled into BW at 5:10, it was flat out dark. Stars were everywhere. Cones were planted in what YHC hoped was close to a regular field configuration. 5:29 all but one were ready to get beat. 5:30.30 – a DK sighting. Don’t mind the handicapped space, it’s early. No problem. Some thought they were there to play wiffle ball – apologies to Lab Rat. Not at all. Others knew what was happening. They’d done it before yet still came back.

    Lots of mumble chatter to start the day. Zippy during the main course. WARNING: core muscle exercises invite extra barking spiders. Stay low. Hope it wafts over you.

    Once the bases emptied, it was time for some modified wiffle ball. YHC had Buttermaker go first. What a gracious host. The man was an FNG yesterday, posted again today, and had to hit in absolute dark. Way to be a team player, and way to post back to back to start off your F3 career.

    As always, Lab Rat has comments, and Gumbo hits dingers. Oh, and DK left early to make up for arriving late. The rarely seen double LIFO. Think grainy Big Foot photos. Supposedly we did 105 burpees. Solid.

    -Res Ipsa Loquitur, The Beatdown Speaks for Itself

     

     

  • Sauna Season Is Here

    Four spa goers (one of whom is on tour) came for a steam bath, and Batteau delivered. Hot Potato is the custom.

    Swirly Q: Mosey to the pit for COP – SSHs / DQs / Helicopters / LBCs / Flutter kicks. Mosey down Love Hill to the pond bridge. 12 posts crossing the bridge – ascending merkins (78 in total) with bear crawl to the end. Descending burpees (78 in total) with lunges back to the start. Russian Soldiers across the bridge. High knees back to the start.

    Vinny Q: Indian Run to the second stair case. Mosey to the top. 30 second walking count towards the six trees in the field by Forest Hill. Mosey the rest of the way. Partner up. PLTs x 20 at each tree. Start at tree – 1, complete PLTs, run to tree – 6, then back to tree – 2, etc. until completion of 120 PLTs and all trees are stamped. Mosey back to the flag.

    Phonics Q: 6MOM – Plank-O-Rama: Form plank. Carolina Dry Docks / Merkins x 10. Rotate to side plank.   Drop hip and raise x 10. Rotate to back plank. Inverted APD x 10. Other side. Drop hip and raise x 10. Front plank for rotating elbows x 10. Mountain climbers x 10. Freddie Mercuries x 20. Rosalitas x 15. American Hammers x 20. 6 inches 30 count. … dig your own grave … crawl in … lie down … die from heat exhaustion.

    Crossroads took us out.

    Announcements: Fireman Ed VQ at Hoedown next Monday. Roller Coaster HDHH this Wed. at Kuba Kuba Dos. Puppy Pile 8/25. Marv has the Q

    NMS: Just a brutal morning. Hot Potatoes are tough enough, add in a Swedish Sauna, and you had Batteau today. All I can say is, way to work men. There was no hiding today. Swirly worked us over, then we had to climb out of the bottom and work in some abs. By the time YHC handed it off to Phonics, I was done. Lack of oxygen to the brain made me forget how ruthless and demanding a Phonics lead 6MOM can be. Not only did he bang out all of those exercises, but he did so in cadence with authority! Well done Phonics. YHC is known to sweat. Today I gave back about five pounds in water weight. Add that to the five I gave on the trails yesterday, and it’s not a bad start to the week. Drink lots of water today men, and we’ll see you back out tomorrow.

  • What The Hell Are They Doing?

    Six at the start, with 2 LIFOs, started their day with more water and darkness. As always, we eventually came into the light.

    COP: Helicopters (10), Russian Soldiers (10), Invisible Jump Ropes (20), LBCs (10), Dying Cockroaches (10). Partner up for Windsor Farms Do Si Dos (4 sets. 10 Merkins / flutter kicks)

    THANG: Rusty Case 11s. Jerkins and Booyah Merkins – 2 count. Mosey to Amphitheater stage. 1 box jump, 2 SSHs to the top. Proper Doras. 100 Donkey Kicks. 200 Chicken Peckers. 300 WWIIs. Partner runs the traffic circle. YHC audibled during WWIIs. Somewhere between 150 and 200 were completed. Needed time for the grand finale. Whatchamacallits. 1 to 4 ratio. Merkins to Air Presses. Finish at 10 Merkins and 40 Air Presses.

    Back to the Flag. YHC took us out.

    Announcements: Amateur RAMM Gears on Friday. HDHH and Hill Run next Wednesday at Kuba Kuba II. Puppy Pile Aug. 25th.

    NMS

    During Whatchamacallits, we had some on lookers. What the hell are they doing, was supposed their thought. That looks easy, must’ve been another. Trust me, it ain’t. Just ask Bodos and Oyster. Even Sippy Cup said he figured out a way to cheat. What? He didn’t, but he thought about it. 🙂 Total compliment to the exercise.

    YHC woke up early Tuesday morning sick as a dog. Immediately wondered if I’d make my Q today. Luckily it was a quick hitting bug. Just a soft reminder to not take anything for granted. We are blessed to be a part of this brotherhood, and each day in it is truly awesome!

     

  • Lightning Rod Reg

    Seven storm chasers appeared from the gloom into the gloom for an electric beatdown that went like this:

    Swirly Q: COP – SSHs / DQs / Helicopters / IWs / 5 burpees OYO. Mosey to trees lining driveway. Lunge to tree. 10 HR merkins. Repeato to top of driveway. Run long circle loop and back to circle curb for dips while waiting on the PAX.

    Bleeder Q: Mosey down to trail around lake. Progressive laps. Round 1: 10 burpees – take a lap. Round 2: 10 burpees / 20 American Hammers (single count, Lab Rat). Round 3: 10 burpees / 20 American Hammers / 30 spacers – YHC has completely forgotten the third exercise. Audible. Run back up love hill to second light pole. Back to the PAX. Run up love hill and back to the pit for reverse planks.

    Vinny Q: Mosey to tree beside tennis courts. Pele 20 count. Mosey to circle for ascending curb crawls AMRAP style for 5 minutes. Incline / Decline merkins. Circle up. Captain Thors OYO – 1 min. Ring of fire. 1-5.

    Lab Rat took us out.

    Announcements: Aug. Puppy Pile in the works. We need a Q. BRR (you must know the secret knock to get in).

    NMS:

    YHC loves workouts in the pouring rain. Not so much when lightning is everywhere. Nevertheless, the 5:30 bell rang, and it was time to go to work. Glad I wasn’t the only crazy person who posted. Turns out there were at least six other crazies.

    Always a solid way to start the week, and always a solid group to start the week with.

  • Sharks and Minnows and Kudzu Diving

    Thirty Puppy Pilers posted today with the great surprise of no rain. Off we went. Kubota and Husky started the festivities:

    Helicopters / DQs / SSHs / WWIIs / Merkins – mosey to Carillon Field. Tunnel of love relay. Dads v kids (somewhat of a theme today). Dads dominated!!! Mosey further down the field for an F3 favorite – tug ‘o war. Kids v kids. Kids won!!! Repeato. Kids won again. Great effort. Dads got in on the action. Not sure which team won, but it wasn’t the team YHC was on. We got owned.

    Mosey to field by amphitheater for Loose Goose, Freestyle and Solo Q: Sharks and Minnows. YHC and several other F3 dads quickly recognized this as a game that will be played during regular workouts. Tons of fun here. Pikachu hurt his wrist, but he’s a warrior, and will be back out next time. 3 rounds then mosey back over to Carillon Field.

    YHC and Sharkbait brought it home. Duck, Duck, Goose F3 Style. American Hammers while we play. Tons of fun here. YHC took on Hardywood and lived to tell about it, barely. Time for crab soccer. Kids v dads. First round, kids 8 and under can stand. Everyone else, on the ground. Second round, kids 11 and under can stand. Final round, all kids can stand. Dads dominate, once again.

    Back to the flag. Circle up. Merkins for your age.

    NMS:

    Tons of fun today guys and gals. Highlights: Kids loved tug ‘o war. Dads were right there cheering them on. Always a great event. Sharks and Minnows was an absolute blast! Hardywood is crazy, unless diving head first into 4 feet deep kudzu and poison ivy in order to avoid a tag is normal. Nancy Drew started us off with Duck, Duck, Goose and even at 5 years young, appreciates irony as she went straight for Loose Goose. Back to Hardywood who is also a crab soccer aficionado. His bicycle kick skills were too good, as he pelted his own 2.0 in the face. We named her Xena, but her nickname nickname is Spalding, in honor of today’s lasting memory. She’s a trooper and a warrior. And if you think Handshake’s cherry picking skills don’t transfer sports, you’re wrong. He cherry picked with the best of them in crab soccer. A few goals resulted.

    (Kickboard wanted to be named Missy Franklin. Beans failed to explain to her the naming rules. That said, YHC wanted to find something that would play nice, so we are going with Kickboard. Life lessons can be tough some times).

    Just another awesome day with friends and family. Thanks for joining us. Hope y’all had fun.

  • The Day We Touched ‘Em All

    Eleven, yes, 11 F3 RVA All-Stars showed up to Batteau Stadium for a beatdown and some baseball. Batter up:

    Mosey to outfield for COP: Helicopters x 10 / Willie Mays Hayes x 9 / LBCs x 10 / Scorpion Kicks x 9.

    First Base: Cleveland Indians Run around the outfield. One of the hilliest outfields in the bigs according to Swirly, and YHC agrees.

    Second Base: Touch ’em all: 1st base – 10 burpees / 2nd base – 20 merkins / 3rd base – 25 American Hammers (2-count) / Home Plate – 30 WWIIs. Run to 1st. Exercise. Back to Home Plate – 1 burpee. Run to 1st base. Exercise. Run to 2nd base. Exercise. Repeat until you touch ’em all. Finish at Home Plate. 5 burpees at each bag back reverso, ’rounding the bases. Finish back at home plate.

    Third Base: 12 minutes of Pain (make that 11): 1st base – hold six inches for 3 minutes. Crabwalk to 2nd base. Hold elbow plank for 3 minutes. Lunges to 3rd base. Due to time constraints, YHC shook off the pitch and went with SSHs for 2 minutes. Backwards Lunges to Home Plate. Arm claps for 3 minutes. Sounds easy. Not so much.

    Home Plate: Time to give the boys a break. Whiffle Ball – F3 Style! 5 pitches for each batter. After 5th pitch, batter calls a 1-5 exercise. WWIIs, Burpees, Dying Cockroaches, Knuckle Merkins, HR Merkins, and others were called.

    Back to the Dugout (Flag).

    Announcements: Puppy Pile this Saturday at 7:05

    NMS:

    YHC is proud to celebrate two milestones today. First and foremost, my son, Shark Bait, turns 8. The greatest gift I’ve ever received is him. He teaches me so much everyday. Happiness, gratitude, understanding, and much, much more. Love you buddy! Also, YHC posted for the 100th time today. Looking back on day one, and thinking about how far I’ve come physically and spiritually in such a short period of time is awesome! Thanks to each and every one of you for playing a role. YHC could not have done it without you.

    I think F3 workouts are best summarized as butt kicking workouts with fun sprinkled in. That was my goal for today. Hope y’all enjoyed the time. I know and I did. Thanks for letting me lead today.