Author: Splinter

  • Over the River

    and through the woods; eight regulars, including 1 Spider Run n00b, convened for an oldie but goodie route.  No one had the Q so democracy prevailed.

    The Route
    BT was voted class president and guided us across the river and up the hill to Cherokee.  The Bat Cave was avoided due to recent rains, adding on a little distance to the typical 5 mile route.  6 milers added a quick excursion up Rustic Road.  Everyone turned around and headed back to the start.

    Moleskin
    Welcome Flatline to Spider Run.  This route is our typical recovery run as it is about as flat as it gets.  YHC is sure that Singer will have some hills in store for next week’s VQ week.

    TYA is on a quest to replace a pair of shoes every month with the amount of miles he is putting in on a regular basis.  Today, he opted for a dive in the river (or at least it appeared as if he did).

    Great route today gentlemen.

    Announcements
    7/1 – Launch of f3rva.com
    7/11 – No Toll @ Huguenot Baseball Fields
    Plenty of Q spots open this week and next.

  • F3RVA.org

    F3RVA.org

    Welcome F3 RVA, F3 Hampton Roads, F3 Charlottesville! You have found the new location for all news and information related to F3 RVA.

    This is very much a work in progress but most of the existing features should be there. Login, create your backblast as you used to and select your region from the Category list.

    If you have never authored a post on f3nation then it is likely that your account did not migrate over to the new site.  If you are unable to reset your password as indicated below, sent me your name, email and F3 name and I will create a new account for you.

    The first time you login you will need to reset your password. Please use your existing credentials and click on “Lost your password?” link.

    Forgot Password
    Forgot Password

    Contact Splinter if you have any questions.

  • Beat Your Partner to the Spot

    Nine fearless runners plus El Duderino himself convened at the commons for what felt like a run through peanut butter.  Singer confused himself and no one else had the Q so YHC grabbed it.  Swirly and YHC were on the same page which made today’s route an easy call.

    The Route
    Mosey to the intersection of Westhampton and UR Drive.  Partner up for tag team.  Partners run in opposite directions toward the alumni center.  When they met they turned and came back to Westhampton / UR Drive.  Repeat, this time trying to “beat your partner to the spot”.

    Mosey to the base of Gateway & Richmond Way.  Pick a new partner and repeat.  Run in opposing directions up Gateway and Richmond.  Meet somewhere near the football stadium, switch directions and return.  Repeat, trying to beat your partner to the spot.

    Mosey back to the start and finish with a quick clockwise loop around the lake.

    Numberrama, namearama and Marv took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHC thinks Singer had it right by announcing after the run, “what a beautiful day for a swim in the lake”.  Surely the humidity added 20% distance today.

    YHC enjoyed watching Marv take on Grunt in the 100YD dash at the end of the run.  Unfortunately, given YHC was dragging ass, YHC was unable to accurately report on the winner of the sprint.  Grunt was smiling and certainly looked proud.  Marv likely has a different accounting.

    For big data purposes, YHC would like to report we made it 0.39 miles before TYA took us to the gutter, earning the title of this backblast.

    Announcements
    – Taxi Cab is proud to say he can now run to a workout
    – Still looking for someone to lead Saturday @ CVille

    Best wishes to The Dude and his continued recovery.  Kick back, recover and have a white russian.  You’ll be better than ever before you know it.

    Splinter out

  • Is this the Real Life, Is this Just Fantasy?

    Twenty-two regulars + 1 FNG were caught in the landslide that is Dogpile for a brief 60 minute escape from reality.  The PAX gathered around the flag for much mumblechatter before embarking on our journey.  Saturday seemed like a great day for a slaughter starter, so we mosey’d to the field for the start.  Here’s how it went, more or less…

    COP
    SSH – 20
    Burpee – 1
    Merkin – 10
    Burpee – 2
    Copperhead Squat – 10
    Burpee – 3
    LBCs – 20
    Burpee – 4
    Werkins – 10
    Burpee – 5
    Ball Dippers – 10
    Burpee – 6
    Flutter Kicks – 20
    Burpee – 7
    Hand Release Merkins – 10
    Burpee – 8
    Imperial Walkers – 10
    Burpee – 9
    American Hammers – 10?
    Burpee – 10

    The Thang
    Mosey to the VITA trail for some station fun.  One lap around the VITA trail, stopping at each station for a set of exercises.  Exercises rotated through merkins, jump squats, WWII situps.  10x at each station.  Reverse plank call by Flatline after a lap while the PAX convened.

    Quick stroll towards the rusty cage with a stop a the poles for a pole smoker indian run.  Hold 6 inches while one PAX member completes 2 pole smokers.

    Work our way over to the rusty cage for pull-ups and jerkins.  Partner up for 5,4,3,2,1 pull ups and 10,8,6,4,2 jerkins.

    Saunter towards the amphitheatre for a quick round of 11s.  Merkins & WWII situps.  Finish up with a round of mary including Freddy Mercuries (with singing) and LBCs.

    Race back to the flag for high fives and a greeting by two pseudo-pax members itching for a little breakfast.

    Moleskin
    Today was a great day to open our eyes, look up to the sky and see what a brilliant day that was created for us.  Welcome to FNG Hitchhicker and thanks to the PAX for being so welcome to a Saturday morning Splinter Q.

    Given the extra time Dogpile allows us, YHC decided to try to bring the pain back to COP.  One PAX member figured out the pattern after the first set of burpees.  Well done, a pattern indeed.

    Flashdance, not being a poor boy but still desiring sympathy, on numerous occasions requested arm circles to no avail.  Glad you still retained the gift of gab throughout the workout.

    There was a breakout group during Mary, I believe lead by Swirly, broke out in a tribute to Freddy Mercury.  YHC attempted to retain cadence amongst the rising chorus but it was a challenge.  Kudos to the harmonics of that group.

    We all know that things in life are easy come, easy go.  Sometimes we are high, sometimes we are low.  That’s the great thing about F3.  Every day is a different challenge, with a different leader.  Hey, any way the wind blows, doesn’t really matter to YHC.  Let’s go out into the day and tackle whatever is put in front of us.

    Poetry in motion.  Splinter out.

    Announcements
    Fudd soiree next week.  Respond to his BB.  Duet being prepared with McRib.
    Reese Strong next weekend.  Cornhole, bands, tons of fun.  See Phonics.
    Clown car host needed for CVill on 6/17.  Confirm with Lab Rat.

  • Fist Full of Dollars

    Eleven gathered in the grey pre-dawn darkness for this week’s iteration of Spider Run.  The PAX gathered near the commons, asked who had Q, heard the plan and then contemplated quickly driving over to Heartbreak for an alternative choice.  Nonetheless, here’s what transpired.

    Warm Up
    – 1 mile.  Wander down to the golf course, head up Ridgeway, left on Roselawn and meet at the bottom of Towana

    The Route
    – Hill repeats up Towana.  Run up for 1 minute then recover back to the bottom of Towana in 1:45.  Repeat 8x.
    – Final loop up Gateway and around by the football stadium.  A few took an extra loop around the lake.

    Moleskin
    YHCs watch had it at 5 miles.  Your miles may vary.  Hill repeats continue to be a crowd favorite amongst the Spider Run regulars.  Two Can questioned his return to Spider Run this week, Fudd contemplated leaving and going to Heartbreak, Bleeder’s smile turned upside down when YHC announced we would be staying together today.  Singer wanted to get a head start today but YHC wouldn’t let him.  Head starts would do no good today.

    Lug Nut continues to unfortunately just miss the PAX upon departure from the Commons.  Perhaps this is a well timed excuse for the Nut to pursue his own route.  YHC is very thankful that Lug Nut announced the football stadium was open today.  We will have to keep an eye out to see if this is a trend.  If so, perhaps we will discover a Spider Run workout hated even more than hill repeats.

    The entire PAX cruised through 8 repeats this morning.  That is except Fudd.  Upon descending #5 YHC noticed Fudd was carrying a fist full of leaves.  When we got to the bottom Fudd disappeared into the woods, resulting in a miss of leg #6.  Fudd reappeared for #7, sans fist full of leaves.

    Bleeder and Two Can stole the show on #7 and #8.  Bleeder led the pack on #7, leaning into the hill and crushing it.  Two Can attempted the same on #8 but flamed out near the top.  Way to push it guys!

    Swirly was very astute to recognize that our recovery time used to be 2 minutes.  YHC dropped it to assess the impact.  By all accounts it was successful.  Keep pushing it guys.

    Announcements
    – Respond to Fudd if you can make his party.  He promises to have plenty of sausage.  Two Can will be swiping to even the numbers.
    – Mechanicsville takeover next week.  They may take over the Q but don’t let them show you up!
    – VQ week end of June.  Take the opportunity to Q somewhere you have never Q’d before.

    Splinter out.

  • Progressive Day

    Four strong Batteau regulars allowed for a guest Q on a cool but humid Monday morning.  The PAX convened, dodged a few raindrops then went along our merry way.  Mosey to the bottom of the bowl for a beatdown that went something like this:

    COP
    Arm circles (10 small, 5 large).  Forward and backward.
    Merkins
    Copperhead Squats
    LBCs
    Hug and Loves

    The Thang
    Mosey back up the north side of the bowl to the lone tree on the west end of the string of 6 trees.  Start a progressive tree line.  Run to the first tree and complete merkins.  Run back to the lone tree, then run to the second tree for squats, stopping at the first tree for more merkins.  Run back to the lone tree then run to the third tree for dry docks, stopping at the first tree for merkins and the second tree for squats.  See how this works?  Exercises were merkins, squats, dry docks, lunges, burpees, monkey humpers.  Progress through all 6 trees.

    Slow saunter down to the bottom of the bowl and face towards Forest Hill for a progressive variation of touch a tree.  From the bottom of the hill, run up and touch a tree.  Run back to the bottom for 20 dips.  Second iteration, run up and touch the same tree, this time complete 10 merkins at the first tree then run back down to the bottom.  Run up and touch a second tree then run to the bottom for 20 more dips.  Third iteration, run up to the first tree for 10 merkins, back down then up to the second tree for 10 WWII, back down then up to a third tree and back down for 20 dips.  See how this works?  We completed 4 rounds/trees with merkins, WWII, monkey humpers, burpees.

    One foot in front of the other up the hill to the miniature playground with an obscene amount of mulch.  Quick station work with 5 pull ups, WWII and derkins with feet up on the swing.

    Jog to the last tennis court for mary.  25x LBCs, American Hammer, Flutter Kicks, Freddy Mercuries.

    Back to the shovel flag for COT.

    Moleskin
    YHC was thankful for the opportunity to lead at Batteau today.  Being not extremely familiar with the AO, YHC stayed relatively close to home.  The progressive tree line was awesome, except that the run back to the lone tree was slightly uphill.  BT loves to hump the monkey.

    The progressive theme for the day was unplanned until we reached the touch a tree section.  Everyone pursued the tree the furthest up the hill, expecting the rule that you can’t touch the same tree twice.  Why not touch that tree every damn time?  EF Hutton thought he was getting off easy.

    Who would have thought that the playground could be so diabolical?  Swirly called it correctly stating “you know derkins suck when you look forward to pull-ups”.  Way to power through it boys.

    Mary was a refreshing end to the workout where everyone loves to do the hammer, especially Bleeder.  I bet he has some parachute pants he could pull out for an upcoming workout.  The imprint of the punisher on the tennis court after mary was a reminder of how far we pushed ourselves today.

    The progressiveness of the workout was keenly demonstrated when YHC invited the PAX to go out in the world and be better wives.  Apologies, not that there is anything wrong with that.

    Announcements
    Charlottesville is on and it was great.  See Saab to help out this weekend.
    Convergence Memorial Day.  No regular Monday workouts.

    Thankful as always to lead.  Everyone go out in the world and be the best wife you can be.

    M Splinter out.

     

  • The One Legged Goose

    Two traveling PAX gathered on the magnificent mile for a deep-dish beatdown of sorts.  Gather in front of Fudd’s hotel, quick pleasantries and off we went.  Here’s how it went down, more or less:

    The Thang

    Run south on Michigan to Randolph and take a left on Randolph to the north end of Grant Park.  Mosey to Prizker Pavilion for some modified bench work.  20x Derkins & Dips & Stepups.

    Mosey around the bend to attempt the climbing wall.  Attempts were made to climb.  Bear crawl instead around the climbing wall.

    Meander across the million dollar pedestrian bridge (sculpted steel and composite decking) and cross a 6 lane highway to say hello to a small lake.  Run along Lake Michigan for a little burpee lightpost.  Started with two, then dropped to 1, then lunged between lightposts.

    Work our way around the lake to the mighty Abegweit.  PAX admired the long lines and discussion was about where to pull a fudd on ships and lighthouses.  No clear answer on this one.

    Continue along the lakefront trail to to the shut down ice cream stand for walk out BTTWx5.  Merlot, sushi and Italian almost splashed.

    Work our way to the Chicago river where we saw… a one legged goose.  A likely kin to the Spider Run duck as he just stared as the PAX ran by.  Continued to wander along the river walk with varying exercises including broad jumps and bear crawls through glass.

    Climb back up to Michigan Ave taking the stairs twice, once single step and the second time double step.  Mosey back to the VSF for a little mary on the street in front of Fudd’s hotel that included flutter kicks, freddy mercuries, WWI situps.

    Finish up with two rounds of Line of Fire x10.  Hard to do a ring with 2 PAX.

    Moleskin

    Always great to catch up with Fudd.  By coincidence his hotel and my hotel were across the street from each other.  Why not meet up for an RVA beat down Chicago style?

    Discussion primarily centered around the first class parks that Chicago maintains.  It’s amazing they can keep such fine facilities while maintaining a modest (sic) tax rate.

    We also discussed the greenish luminance of both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.  Our conclusion was it is due to glaciers.  No one disagreed so it must be true.

    Some of the locals really enjoyed our display of Mary in front of Fudd’s hotel.  APDs probably would not have been appreciated.

    Have a great day all.

    Splinter out.

  • Choose Your Own Adventure

    Eight swimmers convened at the Commons for an unstructured and rainy Q at Spider Run.  The PAX gathered under cover and waited patiently for Lab Rat to park before initiating today’s run.  Instructions were light but generally included the following route.

    Route

    • Cross the parking lot and up through fraternity row
    • Right on Hampshire and right again on Hampshire
    • Up Ridge Top to Patterson
    • Left on Patterson and left on Horsepen
    • Right on Waveny
    • 4 milers left on Westham and back to the commons
    • 5 milers right on Westham
    • Left on Woodberry
    • Left on Hollins
    • Left on Baldwin
    • Back to VSF

    Lab Rat sort of took the PAX out while softly promoting his M’s birthday.  Lightning almost struck.

    Moleskin

    No one signed up so YHC took the opportunity at 5:10 to quickly glance at mapmyrun to come up with a quick route… just in case.  It was needed as no one else was prepared.  Or at least no one else claimed to be prepared.  With little general instructions folks went on their way and ended up with differing results.

    Lab Rat had trouble finding parking.  Some of us waited and some of us didn’t.  YHC didn’t.

    Bleeder pulled a Swirly and will never look the same way at another magnolia acorn, nut, cone (whatever it is called).  Cheers to a speedy recovery.

    YHC didn’t realize Marv had a car.  He wasn’t holding anyone’s hand today while arriving at the AO.  Well, he may have been holding a hand but no one could see it.

    TYA rolled up sans glasses and tried to hug a duck (or a bleeder).  He couldn’t see so who knows.

    Saab wanted to be alone today and blew ahead from the start.  He got bored with my 5 mile route and ran circles around the lake, like a dog chasing his tail.

    BT was all matchy-matchy today, sporting lime green top and shoes.  Only his M knows how far the color coordination proliferated.

    Singer posted a PR this past weekend.  Congrats to him and all his earth day goodness.  We have a genuine, i-care-about-the-environment, Al Gore in our PAX.  Make sure you shake his hand next time you see him.

    Splinter was his usual stellar self.  No complaints.  No sarcasm.  His dress was phenomenal.  The PAX would have been lost without him.

    Enjoy your week all.  See you in the waning gloom.

    Splinter

  • Everyday People

    Seventeen gathered in small pods @ Mary this AM for a highly anticipated anniversary beatdown.  Here’s the way it went down:

    COP
    SSH – 20
    Jump Rope – 20
    Don (The Donald) Quixote – 13
    Mountain Climber – 20
    Copperhead Squats – 20

    The Thang
    Mosey to the tennis courts for a variation of Polar Bears called Bearpees.  A bearpee is a 4 count bear crawl followed by a burpee.  Start at one side of the tennis courts and proceed across all 4 courts, crawling 4 count followed by a burpee.  Plank-o-rama until everyone completes.

    Staying on the tennis court we modified Dora 1-2-3 to include line drills.  Aptly named Doricide 1-2-3.  Partner up and perform exercises while the other does line drills on the tennis courts.  Exercises were: 100 merkins, 200 squats, 300 LBCs.  Flutter kicks then plank-o-rama until everyone completes.

    Bearpee round 2.  4 count bear crawl followed by 2 burpees.  Proceed across all 4 tennis courts.  Everyone loved it.

    Triple up for Triple Check.  Exercises were hold 6 inches, plank, and run to the end of the tennis courts and back.  Starting with round 2 we replaced plank with merkins for some more fun.  Al Gore until everyone finishes.

    Bearpee round 3.  4 count bear crawl followed by 3 burpees.  Introduced broad jump burpees this time.  Proceed across all 4 tennis courts.  This was the PAXs favorite part.

    Circle up for 5 MOM.  20x – American Hammers, Flutter Kicks, Reverse Crunches, Freddy Mercuries.  Finish off with Superman + 20 count by Lockjaw.

    Mosey back to the VSF where YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    As YHC has a tendency to do, YHC signed up for this date back in January.  While 4/20 has a certain meaning to unemployed millennials in Colorado, 4/20 means something completely different to me.  Exactly 2 years ago today YHC finally succumbed to Fudd’s (and Lockjaw’s and Toga’s) EH attempts.  The music being played as we all arrived is a tribute to that day.  I joke about that day plenty and love to tell the story; however, there is a certain verse from one of those songs that sticks with me.  Whether it’s during a tough beatdown, tough day at work, or tough day in life I often reflect back on that one line:

    Everyday people do everyday things but I can’t be one of them

    We are not everyday people.  It starts with showing up at 5:30 every morning in the dark.  That is not everyday people.  Punishing ourselves for 45 minutes before most of society is even awake is not everyday people.  Supporting our community with 3rd F Breaking Bread opportunities is not everyday people.  We are not everyday people so let us go out in the world and be extraordinary men.

    My first workout was a classic Chum Bucket beatdown.  I’ll never forget the pain I felt in the days after that workout.  Little did I know that it doesn’t get easier.  As Bleeder always says, you just get to do more.  Today was my attempt at pushing our bodies to the brink the same way I did two years ago.  I hope everyone enjoyed it.

    Announcements
    CVille – send names to Lab Rat.  Surry county may be starting up soon as well.
    Breaking Bread – This Sunday evening.  Talk to TYA if interested.
    Earth Day 5k this Saturday.  T-shirts are legendary.

    Splinter out

  • Grover’s Nose is Normal

    16 feet and 8 wheels gathered in the pre-dawn at RAMM for a Good Friday tribute route. After Johnny McEnroe emerged from the podcast vehicle, Hardywood and Two Ferns had a bromance hug and No Tools’ quick diversion we gathered for some fairly clear instructions. Here they were, whether they were followed or not is a different story.

    Route:
    Stay on 2 roads today, Commonwealth and Monument. Travel north on Commonwealth to Monument and turn left. Go west on Monument until Staples Mill and turn around. Travel back to Commonwealth and turn left. Continue to Broad Street and turn around. Travel back to Monument and turn left. 4 Milers run to Hamilton and turn around, traveling back to Commonwealth and back to VSF. 5 Milers to Cleveland. 6 Milers to Roseneath.

    Moleskin:
    YHC thought of this route last year but Sippy beat me to the Good Friday Q signup. Thus, this route has been in my back pocket for a while. The directions were moderately understood until it was disclaimed we were traveling in a cross as a tribute on Good Friday. YHC believes that helped get everyone where they needed to be today.

    Almost everyone missed the Cleveland turnaround. One group due to Lab Rat chatter, another purportedly due to EF Hutton chatter. Lab Rat chatter was an exhiliarating discussion of whether he can adequately do a Cleveland impression or a Grover impression. After quick debate on whether or not Grover was the muppet with the phallic nose, we realized we missed the turn and turned around. Luckily it was a great morning for everyone to do 6. Two Ferns proclaimed proudly that he found Cleveland and immediately returned. TYA relied on technology to tell him so. Either way it was a great day for a run.

    Strong gears crew today with Mr Rogers completing the foresome. At least he didn’t have to convince a bunch of strangers to go out and ride today.

    Announcements:
    – Cville is happening. Send names to Lab Rat.
    – Breaking Bread is happening on 4/24. Volunteer and let Lab Rat know.
    – Exhibition wheelchair basketball game tonight against VCU at the Seigel Center. Two Ferns may have the VIP hookups. Great date night opportunity. 7:00 PM start.

    Splinter out