Author: Upchuck

  • Have You Seen a Korean Guy with a Blue Hat?

    Ten speed demons lined up for the shotgun start of the latest edition of Sunday Funday. Conditions remained constant at 70 and sunny. According to the startled, headphone wearing solo female runner, the following might happened:

    Boulevard Bridge / Nickel Bridge / 50 Cent Bridge / Fiddy Cent Bridge to Buttermilk Trail, eastbound. Some took the “lariat” before most turned at Reedy Creek. Forest Hill loop, some went clockwise, some counter-clockwise (and do not expect YHC to know which way is clockwise). It’s Sunday; no thinking is recommended or required.

    Some then headed BTTVSF for 7 miles.

    Some headed to the T. Pottersfield Bridge and BTTVSF for 10.

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    NMS: Solid crew today for the First Inaugural, 7th or 8th Annual Tuckahoe / Westhoe Takeover. Hard to know how many of these we have done. Today was workout #1. More to follow this week.

    Great to see Sippy Cup burning around Forest Hill. Whoosh. YHC estimates the Sippy/UpChuck closing speed to be in excess of 40MPH. Considering that YHC did 7 miles in 90 minutes, you do the math for Sippy’s speed. Also nice to have Phonics and his daughter, Better Half, out for the morning. They too lit the trails on fire.

    Johnsonville and Chum Bucket, both of whom YHC believes to have almost 10 years with F3RVA, are prepping for another Richmond Marathon. Bib numbers, as always, are predicted to be in the low-mid teens for both of them. Let’s see if they can break the Top 10 this year.

    The fabulous four-some of Hitch, Bootleg, Shakedown, and YHC filled out the field. At one point, Hitch was no longer present with us, and while Helix offered to search for him, YHC asked a passing runner whether she had seen him. Memo to self – random questions asked of single females can elicit startled responses. But, we knew that. Next time, YHC will have to put his shirt back on before asking.

    Announcements: Solid work yesterday all around by the PAX. YHC had 5 true men join him for The Bridge, and Oyster led us with Breaking Bread last evening. Solid weekend of 3rd F gentlemen. Well darn done.

    Tuckahoe / Westhoe Takeover this week.

    Homegrown Half of 10 or 20 or 26.2 this coming Saturday. Starting point is either Betty Weaver or Robious Landing. YHC isn’t sure. So, the options are the either YHC does your homework for you, or you look it up. Finally, let’s be real – the two locations are so close, if you can’t find it, you weren’t that committed. Get out there and support these guys, their Ms, neighbors, and 2.0s. LG!

    Summer Tour continues. Let’s go!

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • Watch for Speed Bumps at The Bridge

    Eleven men turned the Struggle into Success at the latest edition of The Bridge. Conditions remained 70 and sunny. According to the abundant wildlife at Horsepen Lake State Park, the following might have happened:

    Introductions among men. Shaking of hands. Providing of names. Verbal indications of Brotherhood. Setting the state for the Beat Down to follow.

    Mosey around The Bridge Ministry campus before circling up at the basketball court. Disjointed disclaimer and other substandard recitations of purpose. IYAKYAK.

    COP:

    50 SSHs, 4 count
    Dead Man Hang
    Downward dog (it’s The Bridge, open only to men, so Ms and their exercises did not attend today)
    But, just between us, the Pax did Fudd’s wife. Then, the Pax did Wilson’s wife. (YHC just reports the news. Don’t shoot the messenger).
    Hand release merkins – 15x
    WWIIs – x10
    LBCs – x20
    Rosalitas – x20
    Hillbillies – with flair, x10
    Imperial Walkers – x10

    By popular acclaimation, the PAX called for, and received, F3’s finest exercise, Touch-a-Tree (or Pole). Rounds of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. PAX were encouraged to plan strategically. Bro-code. Always wait for the Six.

    Exercises were merkins, monkey humpers, something else, something else, and burpees.

    Mosey to the back road for a Beast. Telephone poles mark the 25%, 50%, and 75% distances with the turn around at the line in the asphalt. Again, always return for The Six.

    Exercises were merkins, SSHs, squats, (break for some stretching), squats, something else, and “Colorado” Dry Docks (know your audience). Red Rocks crushed it.

    House Party picked up a slight tweak of his knee which limited his running. Self-imposed burpees for the duration. Stud. (If burpees are the alternative exercise, YHC hopes to never, ever have even a minor injury).

    Mosey back to the shovel flag (thank you, Hardywood!) for 60 seconds of snow angels.

    Numbers, names, and, despite his allergies, Hardywood took us out.

    Announcements: Tank has 5 1/2 months to go in the program. He’s trying to change his life and his relationship with his son.

    NMS: First, thank you to Mr. Davis and The Bridge Ministry for hosting us today. Coffee hit the spot, as always.

    Second, the actual speed bumps at The Bridge are no joke.

    Third, YHC continues to be massively impressed by the men of F3RVA and F3 Amelia and their willingness to give of their time and efforts. Thank you, gentlemen, for making today special. The enthusiasm from The Bridge pax is contagious. The students at The Bridge love the chance to spend time with men who believe in them and their efforts. And, YHC suspects that we each learned from them as well.

    Fourth, Clown Cars are the only way to travel. Great fun with your mates, regardless of where they live or what nanoregion label is applied. Today, we had 5 guys from all over (Lakeshead, West End, Westham, RounTrey, City Proper) in a van for an hour each way…good times, fellas. YHC got a chance to catch up with good pals and make some new ones. That’s the F3 way. We are stronger together. Let’s put more Brotherhood (and less nonsensical division) on the menu. LG!

    Coming up…F3RVAs efforts with The Bridge continue to rise. 6 guys turned out today, and we already have 3 guys who have picked up the torch for August 24. Thank you in advance to State Farm, Yeehaw, and Swoop for their efforts. Way to go!

    F3RVA has more in store for The Bridge. Additional information coming soon, so continue to look for more opportunities to join throughout the fall.

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • Football Season Must Be Right Around the Corner

    5 appeared at the COP for the latest version of The Clinic. Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to the four Miami Dolphins wanna-be’s waiting for their ride to training camp, the following might have happened.

    Usual route. North, parking lots, across Peters, parking lots, Fudd, parking lot, La Quinta (no police), north to Broward, and return by the same route, minus the Fudd.

    Number, name, and YHC took himself out.

    NMS: Turns out, the other four dudes who posted were not FNGs. Go figure. They were waiting for their ride to Training Camp. YHC guesstimates 2 cornerbacks/WRs, one linebacker, and definitely one OL (a truly massive human). Two were taller, but none were stronger, than Omar.

    Announcements:

    F3RVA has The Bridge this Saturday. 2 HCs, so far, and 3 more guys are HCs for next month. We have a simmering-commit for September. Let’s go!

    Homegrown Half is coming up quickly. Note: the branding is weird on this one because the PAX can run (or walk) 5k, 10k, or 13.1 miles. Is the “half” because 5 is half of 10, or is “half” referring to the 13.1 being half a marathon, or is the whole thing a big play on words? YHC thinks the whole thing is suggesting that the 5k is half as hard as an UpChuck takeover Q. Or, maybe the takeover Q is half as hard as the half marathon? YHC digresses – Show up at 6:00 a.m. on August 3rd at Robious Landing. Bring your Ms and 2.0s (1.0 is half of 2.0?), and ask the organizers.

    August 21: 05:00 First Watch at River Road Church, Baptist (really, that’s the name). 100th anniversary Q. Come celebrate YHC’s dad turning 100. Coffeeteria to follow.

    F3RVA 10th Anniversary Extravapalooza is September 20/21. If your Fall Equinox plans are not yet set, here’s a great way to celebrate the most balanced day of the year.

    There’s other stuff going on…Tryhard has a whole calendar of events in his BBs. Look there for more information.

  • You Get a Big Data Point, Even if You Run Away

    Four started, but six finished, the latest edition of F3 RVA’s oldest continuously operating Sunday workout. Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to the super outgoing young lady who runs her dog each Sunday and rarely says hello, the following might have happened (but we have no way to know what she really thinks).

    07:00 Shakedown says it’s 7.

    07:00:10 UpChuck starts running. Follow if you wish.

    Bridge, Buttermilk, Belle Isle, Undulating Bridge (don’t step in the condom pile!), North Bank, and BTTVSF. 6 plus, or as Big Rig might say, it’s just the warm up to his warm up. Along the way, the PAX picked up and dropped off Chippendale and later Sippy Cup.

    Alternative route: Sippy, the PAX believes, ran up a hill, up a hill, up a hill, and then up a hill. How he never goes down a hill is another matter. He’s an unassuming scientist, so perhaps gravity is optional.

    Prayer by Shakedown, then an interruption, then another part of the prayer, then numbers, then a prayer, then names, and eventually Shakedown took us out. Well done.

    NMS:

    Sunday Funday is full of unexpected learning. Suggestion from Helix: Read “Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport. Alternatively, continue to believe you operate effectively and efficiently. I mean, if you are already perfect, by all means, ignore the advice of others and don’t change.

    Announcements:

    Saturday, July 27, The Bridge.

    Launch from RVA around 6 or 6:15. Clown Car to Buckingham. 7:30-8:15 Beat Down with a few men trying to improve themselves and turn around their lives. Coffeeteria to follow (Note: it’s truly terrible coffee, yet we smile and say, “Thank you.”) Home by 10 / 10:30.

    For those who benefit from a Christian religious motivation, you’ll look to Matthew 25, 36. “For I was in prison, and you came to visit me.”

    And, for the less religiously motivated, there’s always the motivation of knowing that your M will love a man who is kind and confident. What better way to show your kindness and confidence than helping another man get his life in order? Or, if you are single, start pulling together your response to that cute girl you meet who asks, “What did you do this weekend?”

    Lastly, for those newer to the group, remember that F3RVA has a close link to prison – we have multiple Brothers who are serving or have served time. Two Can (187 posts!) is serving 12-80 years in prison. Or, had you not heard? #knowyourF3RVA

    We have a handful of guys arranging their schedules to join already. DM YHC. LG!

  • Bowl of Soup, for One

    One intrepid traveler ordered and consumed a bowl of delicious south of the James, the Pee Dee, the New, the Saint John’s, the Kissimmee, and so on aerial soup in the latest edition of The Clinic. Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to night watchman at The Baptist Clinic, the following route might have happened:

    North through parking lots and across Peters, east through parking lots, north to construction site, mall, and Broward. Unlike the fearful Three Wise Men, return home by the same route (with absolutely no negative consequences). 5 miles.

    Number, name, and YHC took himself out.

    NMS: No one out today, not even the dog walkers. Perhaps the pre-5:00 a.m. start time, but more likely the heavy soup. YHC estimates upper 70s/low 80s at game time, humidity off the charts. Delicious.

    7 weeks to BRR. LG!

    Omar says hello, and he reports all safe during Hurricane Beryl.

  • My Quarterback Would Sometimes Twinkle His Fingers

    4 ‘Merican Water Dogs jumped in with both feet to the latest edition of The Creek. Water temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to the water moccasins swimming in the Pearson’s Corner Elementary parking lot, the following strokes might have happened:

    Mosey from the shallow end to the deep end of the kiddie pool, pick up Corned Beef, and make a flip turn back to the main pool for the COT.

    SSHs x40 (4 count). This is DaVille, so many references to our friend The Carpenter and his penchant for SSHs.
    Dead Man Hang
    Fudd’s Wife
    Wilson’s Wife
    Fudd’s Wife
    Imperial Walkers x10 (8, Corned Beef’s count was slightly different, but Yard Sale tracked the CB count)
    Hillbillies x10 (“This is DaVille; this is our kind of exercise!”) (12, CB count)
    LBCs x20 (18)
    Flutter kicks x20 (23)
    Rosalita’s x10 (11)
    Inverted Scorpion Kicks x10 (21)

    Mosey to the Parking Lot Driveway for a Beast. Markers were pole, tree, tree. Flip turn at the Stop sign.

    Medley events were ‘merkins, squats, LBCs, monkey humpers, hello dolly, and something else. Free style on the outbound, back stroke (I.e., Bernie Sanders) on the return leg.

    10 count to wiggle the water off like a dog coming out of a pool. Whaapaawhaaapaawhaappaawhaaapaa!!! (Add that to the F3 Exicon!).

    Mosey to the kiddie pool for Four Corners. (No Running on the Deck!)

    Round 1: 5, 10, 15, 20 reps…
    Round 2: 10, 15, 20, 25
    Round 3: 15, 20, 25, 30

    Merkins, WWIIs, Mountain Climbers, SSHs. If it can be a four-count, make it a four count. Do anything you want, but make it a challenge.

    Mosey to the water polo court for free-style suicides. 3 burpees at the end.

    Mosey to the VSF for one round of Water Mary…inverted scorpion paddles.

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    NMS: The Pax decided to get a head (false start/DQ) start on the Pool Boy water exercises by utilizing the deep end of the Pearson’s Corner (YHC feels “Pearson’s Landing” is more appropriate) Elementary parking facility. Visiting for the first time and in the dark, YHC successfully discovered the deepest part of the lot. Jump right in; the water’s warm.

    Special thanks to Phelps, Thorpe, and Spitz for joining me this morning. What a soaker. And, if you have not heard about Yard Sale’s football career, many a good line comes out of hearing stories about playing center.

    Announcements (Continued dudos to Tryhard for the original list – always cite your sources!):

    • Summer Tour. Oyster / Tryhard posting a ton. Get out there and meet some new men or catch up with old pals. Also, on-going contest to invent the most micro of micro events just to get a ST point. 
    • Dry July. Good to hear at from those making solid progress toward their goals. 
    • Wet July. Sorry, Hutton, Dry July has nothing to do with not sweating. And, YHC has been on vacation. Not conducive to Dry Anything. 
    • 7/11 Thursday (TONIGHT!) 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details. Bring your kids, if Lockjaw says that’s ok. Or, bring your neighbor who works out in front of your house. Yeah, she does.
    • Thur AM – 0430 Launch to Clown Car down to Amelia Courthouse (Tryhard Q). Clown Car starting location is a closely guarded secret. Credible sources have uncovered the password… “#SOJ.”  Nope, this happened already. You missed it. The correct answer was “Meet at The Forge.”
    • Fri – RAMM Amateur Bike Ride. 05:30. This is a contest. Bring your most ridiculous ride. YHC’s money is on the “1988 Volvo.” Bring your brelly.
    • 7/13 – Poolboy VQ at The Iron Bridge. Get after it.
    • 7/14 – OTB Swimming Pool Bootcamp. It’s free, it’s open to all men.
    • 7/17 – Woodsman VQ at The Crossing. Get after it.
    • 7/18 Thursday 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details.
    • 7/25 Thursday 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details.
    • 7/27 – YHC is leading The Bridge. Achieve F3 “Luminary” Status by attending. “Visit the Imprisoned.” Help YHC share the F3 spirit with a group of men transitioning their lives from prison to the free world. Clown Car from RVA around 06:00. Workout in Buckingham 07:30-08:15. Coffeeteria. Home by 10:30. Note: YHC has heard every excuse possible to skip out, so make your’s a good one. Or, try this: “Honey, can you take the kids until 10:30 Saturday? I would appreciate it. I’d like to help some men who could use a role model.” Even you can score with a line like that. 
    • 8/3 – Homegrown Half. This means run either 10k or 13.1 miles. Most confusing F3 event of the year. Is F3 using Metric or Imperial? No one knows who to ask, so YHC has appointed Boberry to take any questions. 
    • 8/6 – Ultimate Crab Frisbee Tournament at the Second AO (Learn some F3 history. Figure it out). Bring your NVGs for the first 15 minutes. 
    • 8/11 – F3 Family Float on the James. Starts somewhere between Lynchburg and Newport News. Starts sometime between BMNT and ends sometime before EENT. Someone will provide details sometime. (If you have ever done the BRR, when TYA wants you to know, he’ll tell you.) 
    • 8/17 – Pickleball Tourney. This is table stakes for winning the Summer Tour. Skip this, and it’s minus 200 points. FWIW, if Splinter and LJ’s kids show up, this thing’s over before it begins.
    • 8/21 – 100th Birthday Celebration at First Watch 05:00. Come celebrate YHC’s father’s 100th birthday. Roaring 20’s, Great Depression, WWII, Cold War, etc. 
    • 8/28 – New AO at Moseley Elementary. Note the spelling has been corrected from previous posts. Google Maps will thank you. 
    • 9/20 and 9/21 – 10 Year Anniversary (multiple events). It’s like F3 invited you to its wedding. Friday night there is a dinner / drinks (you’ll need an outfit; no plus 1), Saturday morning is the main event (you’ll need a different outfit and you can bring a friend, albeit not likely “that kind” of friend, yet, F3 is open to all men), and then there is a reception Saturday afternoon (with, you guessed it, a different outfit; feel free to bring a plus 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.). 

    Breaking Bread….for those new to F3, we have been doing this every month for about 8 or 9 years (for the last 4 years, 2 times per month. Thank you, Rosie, for the suggestion.). We will do this each month going forward. Be a stud – make dinner for a group of 8-12 folks who are in town for medical treatment or recovery and need a hand. Invite your M and/or 2.0s or F3 pals to help. See Oyster for details. LFG!

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • Just Turn Left. If You Turn Right, You are Lost

    6 men of honor pushed aside the lure of The Fartsack to suck the marrow out Da Ville. Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to the kid who left his bike directly under the sprinkler at Rutland Clubhouse, the following might have been the route (bro-code):

    South on Combs.

    Left on Bradcroft Terrace. Take that to Bradcroftshire, then left on Bradcroft Landing, and finally left onto Bradcroft Lane. Left on Combs.

    Then, run the Atlee Road to Barnfield Lane to Rutlandshire Drive loop. (Left, Left, Left).

    RIGHT on Combs.

    Then, RIGHT onto Oakhamshire. Then, all lefts…Fox Hill Farmshire to Colvincrestshire to Hugheslandfarmsshire and left on Combs.  

    Then, left on Bradcroftlandingshire until time called and circle back to the VSF.

    Ruckers took a slightly different route. As far as YHC saw, north on Combs, then south on Combs, then north on Combs, the south on Combs and so forth.

    Numbers, names, and Yard Sale took us out.

    NMS: YHC loves hitting DaVille. Good dudes, not too many hills (this is A-Cup Terrain), and lots of friendly folks out in the morning. Mumblechatter was strong with Phonics and YHC on site. YHC thanks Trout for his tolerance. Trail Mix put on a strong show – for a guy working up his stamina, today’s sweatfest was no joke.

    Great to catch up briefly with everyone afterwards. We should do coffee soon. How about tomorrow at The Creek?

    Announcements (Continued dudos to Tryhard for the original list – always cite your sources!):

    • Summer Tour. Oyster / Tryhard posting a ton. Get out there and meet some new men or catch up with old pals. Also, on-going contest to invent the most micro of micro events just to get a ST point. 
    • Dry July. Good to hear at from those making solid progress toward their goals. 
    • Wet July. Sorry, Hutton, Dry July has nothing to do with not sweating. And, YHC has been on vacation. Not conducive to Dry Anything. 
    • 7/11 Thursday (TONIGHT!) 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details. Bring your kids, if Lockjaw says that’s ok. Or, bring your neighbor who works out in front of your house. Yeah, she does.
    • Thur AM – 0430 Launch to Clown Car down to Amelia Courthouse (Tryhard Q). Clown Car starting location is a closely guarded secret. Credible sources have uncovered the password… “#SOJ.”  Nope, this happened already. You missed it. The correct answer was “Meet at The Forge.”
    • Fri – RAMM Amateur Bike Ride. 05:30. This is a contest. Bring your most ridiculous ride. YHC’s money is on the “1988 Volvo.” 
    • But, who wants to bike ride on your kid’s tricycle when you can hit The Creek? 05:30 Friday. Meet at Pearson’s Corner Elementary, or, as they call it in DaVille “Rutlandshire Elementarycommonslanding.”
    • 7/13 – Poolboy VQ at The Iron Bridge. Get after it.
    • 7/14 – OTB Swimming Pool Bootcamp. It’s free, it’s open to all men.
    • 7/17 – Woodsman VQ at The Crossing. Get after it.
    • 7/18 Thursday 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details.
    • 7/25 Thursday 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details.
    • 7/27 – YHC is leading The Bridge. Achieve F3 “Luminary” Status by attending. “Visit the Imprisoned.” Help YHC share the F3 spirit with a group of men transitioning their lives from prison to the free world. Clown Car from RVA around 06:00. Workout in Buckingham 07:30-08:15. Coffeeteria. Home by 10:30. Note: YHC has heard every excuse possible to skip out, so make your’s a good one. Or, try this: “Honey, can you take the kids until 10:30 Saturday? I would appreciate it. I’d like to help some men who could use a role model.” Even you can score with a line like that. 
    • 8/3 – Homegrown Half. This means run either 10k or 13.1 miles. Most confusing F3 event of the year. Is F3 using Metric or Imperial? No one knows who to ask, so YHC has appointed Boberry to take any questions. 
    • 8/6 – Ultimate Crab Frisbee Tournament at the Second AO (Learn some F3 history. Figure it out). Bring your NVGs for the first 15 minutes. 
    • 8/11 – F3 Family Float on the James. Starts somewhere between Lynchburg and Newport News. Starts sometime between BMNT and ends sometime before EENT. Someone will provide details sometime. (If you have ever done the BRR, when TYA wants you to know, he’ll tell you.) 
    • 8/17 – Pickleball Tourney. This is table stakes for winning the Summer Tour. Skip this, and it’s minus 200 points. FWIW, if Splinter and LJ’s kids show up, this thing’s over before it begins.
    • 8/21 – 100th Birthday Celebration at First Watch 05:00. Come celebrate YHC’s father’s 100th birthday. Roaring 20’s, Great Depression, WWII, Cold War, etc. 
    • 8/28 – New AO at Moseley Elementary. Note the spelling has been corrected from previous posts. Google Maps will thank you. 
    • 9/20 and 9/21 – 10 Year Anniversary (multiple events). It’s like F3 invited you to a wedding. Friday night there is a dinner / drinks (you’ll need an outfit), Saturday morning is the main event (you’ll need a different outfit), and then there is a reception Saturday afternoon (with, you guessed it, a different outfit).

    Breaking Bread….for those new to F3, we have been doing this every month for about 8 or 9 years (for the last 4 years, 2 times per month). We will do this each month going forward. Be a stud – make dinner for a group of 8-12 folks who are in town for medical treatment or recovery and need a hand. Invite your M and/or 2.0s or F3 pals to help. See Oyster for details. (Spoiler Alert: this is about you growing as a human and a Brother). As with The Bridge, if you think chicks dig the macho stuff, check yourself. Chicks dig men who are kind, men who help others. Lend a hand. Leave no (wo)man where you find him (her). YHC thanks you in advance.

  • Exercising New Muscles

    Seven sets of washboard abs showed up for the latest edition of W-Dog. Conditions were sunny and 70. According to the road runner lashed to the hood of the old Suburban, the following might have happened:

    Mosey to the 4 big rocks, then to the port-o-potties, then to the circle, then to the rarely used grassy area near the first traffic circle for…the COP.

    SSHs x50
    Dead Man Hang
    Downward Dog/Fudd’s Wife
    Wilson’s Wife
    Downward Dog
    Imperial Walkers x10
    Hillbillies x10
    Hand Release Merkins x10, except Bodo’s, who did, shall we say, fewer than 10, but not more than zero. (If anyone knows how YHC can put an eyeball roll in the Backblast, please DM me.)
    WWIIs x20
    Flutter kicks (4 count) x20

    Mosey to the hill on Pump House Drive…for…not the Triangle. Nope. For a Beast.

    There are 6 trees on the right. The PAX individually picks 3 trees (push yourself, don’t hurt yourself). Do 6 rounds of exercises with 6 reps per tree per round. Pick the trees based on your willingness or ability to run up and down the hill. But, up the hill, the run is Bernie Sanders-style. Bro-code for the six after each round.

    Exercises were squats, flutter kicks, monkey humpers, LBCs, merkins, and snow angels.

    Mosey to the near traffic circle. There is a Latin jazz and salsa festival this weekend, so the city has put out plenty of trash cans in groups. Each PAX member was instructed to pick 3 exercises OYO. One ab, one leg, and one arm exercise. Round 1, do 20 of each exercise at each of the 3 sets of trash cans, then run the rest of the loop. Round 2, same number of exercises, but pick 3 new exercises. Round 3, pick 3 new exercises.

    Question from the PAX: are Alabama prom dates an ab or a leg exercise? DM EF Hutton with your thoughts, or start a new Slack channel “AborLeg.” Invite Wilson to join.

    Mosey BTTVSF, jigging left to the four painted rocks for 10 derkins, or not.

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    Announcements (Kudos to Tryhard for the list):

    • If you missed the Tuesday evening discussion on Rule 8, it’s your loss. “Tell the Truth, or at least, don’t lie.” Integrity matters. It’s even a Commandment. Follow this rule: It’s a rule to live by. Ignore it: path to ruin. Which are you on? Thank you to the 6 studs who made this event powerful for YHC. Also, prayers for those who shared their challenges. YKWYA.
    • Summer Tour. Oyster / Tryhard posting a ton. Get out there and meet some new men or catch up with old pals. Also, on-going contest to invent the most micro of micro events just to get a ST point.
    • Dry July. Good to hear at from those making solid progress toward their goals.
    • Wet July. Sorry, Hutton, Dry July has nothing to do with not sweating. And, YHC has been on vacation. Not conducive to Dry Anything.
    • 7/11 Thursday (tomorrow) 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details. Bring your kids, if Lockjaw says that’s ok.
    • Thur AM – 0430 Launch to Clown Car down to Amelia Courthouse (Tryhard Q). Clown Car starting location is a closely guarded secret. Credible sources have uncovered the password… “#SOJ.”
    • Fri – RAMM Amateur Bike Ride. 05:30. This is a contest. Bring your most ridiculous ride. YHC’s money is on the “1988 Volvo.”
    • 7/13 – Poolboy VQ at The Iron Bridge. Get after it.
    • 7/14 – OTB Swimming Pool Bootcamp. It’s free, it’s open to all men.
    • 7/17 – Woodsman VQ at The Crossing. Get after it.
    • 7/18 Thursday 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details.
    • 7/25 Thursday 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details.
    • 7/27 – YHC is leading The Bridge. Achieve F3 “Luminary” Status by attending. “Visit the Imprisoned.” Help YHC share the F3 spirit with a group of men transitioning their lives from prison to the free world. Clown Car from RVA around 06:00. Workout in Buckingham 07:30-08:15. Coffeeteria. Home by 10:30. Note: YHC has heard every excuse possible to skip out, so make your’s a good one. Or, try this: “Honey, can you take the kids until 10:30 Saturday? I would appreciate it. I’d like to help some men who could use a role model.” Even you can score with a line like that.
    • 8/3 – Homegrown Half. This means run either 10k or 13.1 miles. Most confusing F3 event of the year. Is F3 using Metric or Imperial? No one knows who to ask, so YHC has appointed Boberry to take any questions.
    • 8/6 – Ultimate Crab Frisbee Tournament at the Second AO (Learn some F3 history. Figure it out). Bring your NVGs for the first 15 minutes.
    • 8/11 – F3 Family Float on the James. Starts somewhere between Lynchburg and Newport News. Starts sometime between BMNT and ends sometime before EENT. Someone will provide details sometime. (Yes, Gomer, this one for you.)
    • 8/17 – Pickleball Tourney. This is table stakes for winning the Summer Tour. Skip this, and it’s minus 200 points. FWIW, if Splinter and LJ’s kids show up, this thing’s over before it begins.
    • 8/21 – 100th Birthday Celebration at First Watch 05:00. Come celebrate YHC’s father’s 100th birthday. Roaring 20’s, Great Depression, WWII, Cold War, etc.
    • 8/28 – New AO at Moseley Elementary. Note the spelling has been corrected from previous posts. Google Maps will thank you.
    • 9/28 – 10 Year Anniversary (multiple events).

    Breaking Bread….every month for the rest of the year. Be a stud – make dinner for a group of 8-12 folks who are in town for medical treatment or recovery and need a hand. See Oyster for details. (Spoiler Alert: this is about you growing as a human and a Brother). YHC thanks you in advance.

    NMS: Awesome group of dudes at WDog today. Great to see some guys who YHC has not seen in a while. Big Tennessee, Slippin’ Jimmy, and Doublemint. Always good to catch up with Bodo’s, Hutton, and the new papa, Hitchhiker. Sweatfest.

    Learning Note: do you apologize for your failings? One PAX member reports “exercising new muscles” by taking the time to appreciate his own failings, especially with his M. Nice lesson for all of us.

    Last point, great to catch up with Hutton at the WDog Coffeeteria today.

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • La Plage du Exercise

    Three animaux dangereux launched at The Clinic in the wee hours of the mountain morning, lakeside. Conditions were sunny and 70. According to the fisherman ALREADY out at water’s edge, the following might have happened:

    Mosey from 201 Rue Noblemaire to La Plage de Talloires. Circle up. Explain F3 to the FNG.

    COP:

    SSHs x50.
    Dead Man Hang, moving into a little Broga.
    Hand Release Merkins x15.
    WWIIs x10.
    Flutter Kicks x20 (4 count).
    Imperial Walkers x10.
    Hillbillies x10.

    Mosey to the Water’s Edge for Touch a Tree. Said exercise was explained. One time. No questions. Perfectly executed*.

    Round of 4: HRMs, Flutter Kicks.
    Round of 6: WWIIs, Monkey humpers
    Round of 8: Carolina Dry Docks, Jack Webb

    * Jackie touched every 3rd tree. YHC assumes the distances between trees were not sufficient, so touching every 3rd tree extended each round. Push yourself, don’t hurt yourself.

    Mosey to the dock. Line up for curb crawls. 1 merkin after the first round, then 2, and so forth up to 5, then back down to 1.

    Mosey to the small grass field for Elevens. Merkins and WWIIs.

    COT: Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    Close out with a jump in the lake to cool off.

    NMS: Spider Runners will remember Jackie who joined us during an UpChuck Q up and down the UR hills some time ago. She’s a stud, to say the least (Wisconsin state champ and headed to run D3 cross-country at Smith College in the fall). She convinced her twin brother, Bobby, to join us. Bobby played high school football for one of the worst programs in the country (0-40 something?) as a kicker (not much work to be done). He’s a committed political activist with a decidedly left wing lean. The PAX considered “Milton Friedman” before ultimately settling on Super Duper Mansplaining, suggested by Jackie, and hereafter authorized to be abbreviated to Mansplaining. Like a man, he owned it. Good dude.

    Welcome to our FNG, Mansplaining.

    ** Note that the DNQ refers to “Does Not Qualify” as YHC has done his one Down Range post on this vacation.

  • A Titanic Run

    One intrepid traveler launched from the banks of the River Lagan in the latest edition of The Clinic. Temperatures were 70 and sunny. According to crew of the HMS Tyne, the following may have happened:

    Depart Donegal Quay, heading north / east along the River Lagan. Weave among the office buildings and former slips to the trucking terminal. Expressed condolences to Frank Sobotka.

    Reverse direction moving one street west weaving eventually back to the banks of the Lagan to the foot bridge. Cross the Lagan and turn left / east, passing the HMS Tyne. A fine Belfast morning to the skeleton crew on deck. Proceeding north / east until arrival at the Titanic Museum, proceeding through the slip where Titanic was built and launched. Continue along the Lagan to the HMS Caroline until fencing ended the available territory. Reverse and head back to the launch point, continuing an extra .15 miles and back to make the full loop a flat 5.0 miles.

    Number, name, and YHC took himself out.

    Announcements (a mixture of up-coming events of YHC’s choosing):

    Westhoe Meeting. Sometime this week. Already happened. Couldn’t make it.

    Convergence July 4. Can’t make it.

    YHC Qing Hoedown and Spider Run Q’s for July 15/16. Took name off Q sheet. Can’t make it. Sorry, Kubota, YHC is not the man you are.

    July 17 Woodsman VQ, The Crossing. Can’t make it.

    July 18 Meatball, Vinny’s Baseball (aka, Wiffleball). Can’t make it.

    July 27, The Bridge. 07:30 a.m. This is a Beat Down in Buckingham. Join me in helping some men transitioning from detention to a free life. Provide a role model. Leave no man where you found him.

    NMS:

    Belfast is not hot. Belfast is not humid. 50, clouds, and 20 MPH wind. But, sea level here remains flat along the docks. The BRR, this was not. This solid training run on a seasonally modest morning provided a nice tour of the Belfast waterfront.

    It was interesting to run through the dock / slipway (the actual space!) where Titanic was built. Far smaller than YHC expected, or perhaps YHC is faster than YHC expected.