Author: Upchuck

  • The Clinic Hosts Two for Two at the 10th

    Two posted just after 5 for the YHC’s 10th Anniversary. Temperatures remained 70 and sunny. According to @therealMr.WaterBottle, the following might have happened.

    40 pound pack, 2.3 miles, The Real Mr. Water Bottle, and YHC…not a terrible way to bring in YHC’s (roughly) 10th anniversary with F3. There will be a Beat Down Q to celebrate, but YHC has been feeling under the weather even while traveling a ton this week and weekend. Good to have a companion who knows friendship and loyalty like MWB.

    “Leave no man (err, Water Bottle) behind. Leave no man (err, Water Bottle) where you find him.”

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    NMS: 10 years ago, Honey Do brought YHC to F3. Thank you, Honey Do. YHC was a reluctant recruit…5:30 a.m. was a challenge. Just getting into Honey Do’s car was a challenge (the man carries at least 3,000 pounds of pocket change, eyeglasses, etc. in that car.) But, YHC is forever grateful for the invite.

    Unlike Faceplant with Mr. Water Bottle, a special thank you to Honey Do for picking YHC up. It’s made all the difference.

  • Squishy Back Noises

    Seven men of questionable judgment posted forth in The Gloom to experience the pre-dawn mist that is First Watch. Temperatures remained 70 and sunny. According to Handshake’s high school sex crush, the following might have happened:

    COP: mosey to the corner of Westam, South Ridge, and Cameron…50 SSHs, Dead Man Hang, downward dog, left leg high, right leg high, 10 hand-release merkins…

    …mosey to the corner of South Ridge and Country Squire (coincidentally, Country Squire was Handshake’s nickname at VMI, and it’s inscribed on his travel sized Confederate Flag, handy for trips to foreign destinations, such as West Point, NY, USA). Semper paratus. YHC digresses… exercises included monkey humpers, squats, WWIIs.

    …Mosey to South Ridge and Ross. Exercises included more hand release merkins, American Civil Wars (heels to Heaven plus a sit-up), and LBCs.

    …Mosey to South Ridge and Overlook…more exercises, including merkins, Hello Dolly’s, and some other stuff.

    …Mosey to the yellow sign most of the way down South Ridge for some other exercises…

    …Mosey to the first of 6 signs at The Bottom of South Ridge (and emerge from the fog)…

    Partner up for Partner Suicides.

    Round 1: merkins and run to the first sign.

    Round 1: WWIIs and run to the second sign.

    Round 1: LBCs and run to the third sign.

    Round 1: Monkey Humpers and run to the fourth sign.

    Round 5: SSHs and run to the fifth sign.

    Back up the hill…

    …stopping at the sign (10 HRMs), the first street (10 HRMs and 20 WWIIs), the second street (10 HRMs, 20 SSHs, and 30 LBCs), and the fourth street (10 HRMs, 20 SSHs, 30 American Civil Wars, 40 LBCs).

    BTTVSF.

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    Prayers for Charlotte, Fudd’s sister, and about 3 groups YHC didn’t catch.

    Announcements: need a Q for Breaking Bread this weekend. If you have not done this, you should. This is F3RVA’s volunteer event…it has been for 9 years…YHC encourages you to sign up.

    Update your emergency contact information on Slack.

    NMS: Coffeeteria a good time as always. Some VMI stories from the 1980s sometimes sound like they could have been VMI stories from the 1880s.

  • 4+2=75 minutes

    1 man ran 4 and hiked 2 in the latest edition of The Clinic. Temperatures were actually 70 and (early enough that it was not yet) sunny. According to the ducks watching their young, the following might have happened:

    4 mile run.

    Upstairs, change shirt, grab coffee.

    2.15 mile ruck with 40 pounds.

    Quick hello to Omar, who was dealing with a water leak.

    Number, name, and YHC took himself out.

    NMS: stuff happens. This week, YHC’s house had a busted toilet, a helpful set of air conditioning guys, and an uninvited bat (oh, and a power outage). All solid interruptions to life…yet, none of them anywhere near the challenges friends are facing. Important to keep things in perspective.

  • Run or Ruck?

    One indecisive PAX member faced indecision head on and opted for The Hard Way at the latest edition of The Clinic. Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to the people loading buses at 4:40 a.m., the following might have happened.

    Run or ruck? That was the question.

    Why not do both?

    4:40 a.m. Ran 4 miles.

    5:20 a.m. Quick change of shirt, grab some coffee.

    5:30 a.m. Ruck 2 miles.

    Number, name, and YHC took himself out.

    NMS: Choose to carry more.

    Announcements: YHC is wrapping up running The Bridge. If YHC can swing one more this month, he will do so. Otherwise, the leadership mantle is there for the Right Person to pick up. The Right Person is a dedicated human willing to organize this once a month to support men pulling their lives together.

    There are a lot of folks who carelessly banter about the title of “High Impact Male.” This is your opportunity to make an actual impact on other men. Commit yourself to making an impact, commit yourself to leadership for a couple of years, and then take on the opportunity to learn, to bring in others, and to lead.

  • Pre-Field Day, On the Blacktop

    Two studs, no duds, sprang to life and into the latest edition of The Hoedown. Temperatures remained 70 and sunny. According to the Espresso-to-Go-Go team setting up for Field Day, the following might have happened:

    COP: Mosey around the larger parking lot, run the circle, and end up on the blacktop.

    SSHs, Dead Man Hang, and various stretches. Work in some mercans, arm circles, helicopters, squats, and ab exercises, including all the wars (WWI, WWII, and American Civil War). Reminder: ACWs are a heels-to-Heaven rolling into a WWI.

    Mosey to the – oh, YHC’s weird knee issue flared, so mosey more slowly – wall for people’s chair.

    After a slight recovery, line up. Then, sprint to the first basketball hoop, do 5 mercans, and back to the start. 2nd hoop, 10 mercans. 3rd hoop, 15. 4th, 20.

    Second round, LBCs, but do 10, 20, 30, and 40.

    Third round, monkey humpers. 10, 20, 30, 40.

    Fourth round, side straddle hops, single count. 10, 20, 30, 40.

    Walk it off…then mosey to the school wall for a self-administered triple check, including touch-a-tree.

    People’s chair, run the loop, 25 LBCs, and touch three trees. Do this 3 times, OYO.

    Slow-sy to the smaller parking lot. Grab a parking space. 3 mercans, 3 WWIIs, and 3 squats per space. Go halfway around.

    Then, mosey to the bus circle, 4 loops, and BTTVSF.

    Finish with 3 burpees…and then add 2 burpees, and then add 1 burpee to wrap it up.

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    NMS: 2 person workouts are great for mumble chatter and a good excuse to avoid counting in cadence. All numbers are unaudited.

    Prayers for Charlotte and YHC’s grad school classmates (11 deceased in 25 years).

  • At Least We Showed Up for Breaking Bread

    Two chefs loaded up and delivered a delicious meal in the latest edition of Breaking Bread, F3 RVA’s oldest continuously operating 3rd F (ok, we only have two 3rd F events…). Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to the jealous police officers watching the food zip past the 2nd Precinct, the following might have happened:

    Tacos

    Beef, lettuce, tomatoes, chips, beans, cheese, onions, and hard and/or soft shelled tacos were on the menu.

    But, with the weather seasonally warm and comfortable, several of the guests were late arriving back to the facility. 2 were served, one we hope had a safe trip to the hospital, and several were late.

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

  • Artemis

    One interstellar traveler shook off the dark side of the Fart Sack to take on the latest edition of The Clinic. Sea temperatures exceeded air temperatures, yet overall conditions remained 70 and sunny. According to the dog walker surprised by a head-lamp wearing sugar cookie, the following might have happened.

    Descend the cliff. COP at bottom. Stretch, 50 SSHs x 4 count, DQs, IWs, ‘mercans, etc.

    Southbound about a mile, north around the point about 2 miles, and one mile BTT yard arm. Up the cliff.

    Number, name, and YHC took himself out.

    NMS: YHC talks to himself. It’s an excellent form of stress relief.

    Today’s topics included college admissions and Trump portraying himself blasphemously as Jesus (then lying about it). Hegseth claiming to fight for Jesus in war. And, we are fighting Iran, a nation run by people who invoke the same God in the same ways for their cause.

  • Walter Had a Funday on Sunday

    5 men of purpose stepped forth to enjoy a romp around the river. Conditions remained 70 and sunny. According to the woman who runs with her dog and rarely says hello, the following might have happened.

    YHC and Walter did a North Bank out and back. 2 miles. 30 pound ruck for the beast man and no extra weight for the four-legged beast.

    Four others did about 7.

    One guy biked about 40, maybe 50. But, he did so really fast.

    YHC returned solo, so number, name, quick drink of water for Walter, and Walter said it was time to go.

    ETs followed. YHC thanks those who posted. F3RVA has some exceptional men, and ETs is always a good time.

  • I’m Not the Site Q, But I Have a Route

    A nine line of men built mutual strength through an unbreakable bond at the latest edition of Currahee. Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to the guys walking super slowly three abreast along the road, the following might have happened.

    Figure Eight Route (if I say it’s a figure eight, it’s a figure eight).

    Old Prescott, do the very tiny loop at the cul-de-sac, and back to Godwin. Then, Maremont out past Raintree, do the Maremont Loop, right on Raintree (watch the walkers blocking the passing lane), and left onto Maremont.

    Do that 2 or 3 times, in whatever order each man chooses. From what YHC could tell, no creativity was requested or demonstrated. Lemmings all followed to their own slaughter.

    Numbers, names, and Lighthouse took us out.

    Announcements:

    F3RVA needs a few good men to volunteer to lead 3rd F activities. YHC is going to move on from The Bridge after 2 years. We are looking for a guy to step up to take this on. The role requires a small amount of organization to get a group to organize trips once a month to lead a workout at The Bridge (and usually stop at The Cumberland Diner on the way back). Give YHC a shout if you are interested.

    Prayers for Handshake’s family member, Charlotte (13 years old, YHC thinks…too young, in any case). She’s a strong kid, and no kid should have to suffer. Prayers for her parents and family as they are forced to endure the unimaginable impacts of cancer.

    Prayers for YHC’s friends Becca (glioblastoma) and Mike (health trainwreck).

    Keep our men and women in the uniformed services safe, and watch over our men and women who put their lives on the line in the intel community.

  • Not A Soul

    One man ran solo in the latest edition of The Clinic. Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to the able-bodied hotel employee parking in the handicap space, the following might have happened.

    Ran the 4.5 mile loop. No stops. BTTVSF. Number, name, and YHC took himself out.

    Announcements: Drop YHC a line if you are interested in leading a 3rd F. F3RVA has precisely 2 regular 3rd F’s that YHC is aware of…would love to have an energetic person take on The Bridge. It’s always a crowd pleaser.