Category: Richmond, VA

  • NO TOLL on a Thursday

    17 strong made their way to the Forge with no prior knowledge of what YHC had in store. Actually, YHC was a little skeptical as well…let’s Mosey!

    COP: SSH’s, DQ’s, Helicopters, Hillbillies, Copper Head Squats, American Hammers, Hand Release Merkins, Monkey Humpers.

    Extra Warm up-OYO-10 Yurpees- perform a burpee with a clap after the push up and 2 SSH’s when back to your feet.

    Thang: Mosey to parking lot facing the uphill grade, using light posts as markers. Partner up for partner carries to each pole till at the top of the parking lot. At each pole, partners perform 5 Booyah Merkins, then switch who’s being carried. When at top, Mosey back down to bottom. That’s first round. On the second round, partners face each other in Bear Crawl position. One partner will Bear Crawl while other is performing Crawl Bear. At each post, perform 5 Booyah Merkins, then switch positions on to the top of parking lot. Mosey back to start. Third round, partners still facing each other, one performs lunge, while other is doing reverse lunge. At each pole, perform 5 jump squats and switch positions.

    Mosey to large bus loop in front of school. Line up along the curb for a curb crawl. PAX member at front of line performs 3 Incline Merkins, then runs down the line and falls in place at the end. This continues around entire loop, back to starting point.

    Mosey to Amphitheater for 11’s. Incline Merkin at the bottom, 2 count Ball Dippers at the top.

    Mosey back to flag with 30 seconds to spare. 10 count Merkins in Cadence.

    Numberama, Namerama, PAX took us out with the Lord’s Prayer.

    Awesome job this morning, men! Big numbers for the Forge…the Winter tour is working! YHC welcomed everyone to No Toll this morning, which deservedly drew some chuckles! My apologies to the Forge faithful and to DTH, who dug his heels in to secure the naming rights! So sorry to Boberry on the partner carries. Remember gents, don’t push something if you’re already hurting. Thanks for going with the Bear Crawls/Crawl Bears…that was difficult! Welcome to our FNG’s, Fat Man Squeeze and Sandy. For the record, Rosie “channeled his inner Hardywood” to come up with Sandy. “Sandy” is married to a Physical Therapist, so Rosie made the connection to Olivia Newton John’s “Let’s get Physical” and her character in Grease. It’s a seamless connection!

  • A Nostalgic Crew

    The 1/21 SpiderRun had a very old school feel to it. A hearty crew of 19 veterans set out in the low 20s weather to jaunt around the Greater Tuckahoe Area. Here’s the thang…

    Lap around the lake (Heading towards the baseball field). Back at the flag hang a right on Richmond Way and then a right up the hill. At the top of the hill, jump on College Ave towards Boatright. Head down Boatright past the football stadium (on the left) and all the way to Lakewood. We then go to a modified Fudd Run.

    Lakewood to Wood…hang a right on Wood.

    The 4s—Wood to a right on Baldwin. Baldwin kind of winds around, it turns into Hampshire, then a quick minute on Horsepen then Ridge Top. (The QIC now looking on googlemaps how this could be easily messed up. He apologizes) Anyway, RidgeTop to Chandler. Right on Chandler…all the way to the top of Chandler. Back down to Gardiner. Left on Gardiner, then through the bridge/natural area. Back on Boatright to College Ave. College Ave to the parking lot by Pitt Field. Then back to the flag. (Sorry Singer, my problem was that I was looking at Bleeder when giving directions and he seemed to know exactly what I was talking about).

    The 5s….The 5s take the right on Wood. Then left on Baldwin. Then right on Westham and take that all the way to Woodberry. Woodberry hits Horsepen. Horsepen to Devon. Right on Devon, right on Ridgetop. Left on Chandler. Back down to Gardiner. Left on Gardiner, then through the bridge/natural area. Back on Boatright to College Ave. College Ave to the parking lot by Pitt Field. Then back to the flag.

    The 6s….The 6s go across Westham and stay on Baldwin. Marv picks up Onions. Right on Rock Creek. Rock Creek merges into Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar to Woodberry. Woodberry hits Horsepen. Horsepen to Devon. Right on Devon, right on Ridgetop. Left on Chandler. Back down to Gardiner. Left on Gardiner, then through the bridge/natural area. Then right on Boatright all the way to the top to Three Chopt. Back down Boatright. College Ave to the parking lot by Pitt Field. Then back to the flag.

    The QIC didn’t tell the quicker 6s about the Boatright detour…again, on him.

    Hope everyone pulls for those VCU Rams this weekend.

  • Hitting The Rim Around Mary

    A magnificent 10 took a tour of the neatly trimmed landscapes outside the perimeter of Mary Munford. This is what transpired, more or less:

    Run to Windsor Farms with intermittent stops for Merkins and WWII’s

    Red Barshetta: Run out and back 4 times with stop for each of the following: 100 M-Climbers, 75 LBC’s, 50 Hello Dollies (Esther Williams Style), 25 Merkins

    Field near Baptist church: Lindsays….30/10. Flutter Kicks and Hello Dollies

    Run to next church…Box Cutters and Merkins along the way

    Crawl across and back parking lot: Alternating Bear Crawls, Crawl Bears, Crab Walks along the way.

    Catch me if you can: Partner runs backwards while other partner does 5 merkins…catch and swap.

    Run Bank to flag, with several stops for Merkins and WWII’s along the way.

    Moleskin:

    YHC was informed that this was a keep-checking-the-time workout. Either because the PAX was bored or wishing it would just end early.

    Esther Williams on the back of the TV guide…nostalgia.

    Best wishes to Upchuck’s mother in law who is dealing with a serious heal issue and prognosis.

    Saab abides (when able)

  • Non Convertible Gloom in DaVille

    6 Davillians embraced the wind chill in the teens for another day in the gloom.

    This is how it went down

    Mosey to side of the school

    COP (ALL IC) – 4 Burpees OYO, SSH, Helicopters, Hillbillies, Merkins, Scorpion Kicks, LBC’s, Arm Circles

    Mosey to the Teacher’s parking lot

    THANG

    Pole Smokers – PAX on their 6 hows’ either 6 inches or raise to 45 degrees. First guys does 10 Gas Pumps and runs to the end. Switch, Rinse, and Repeat 3 rounds

    Light Pole Set – Running backwards down the service road stopping at 5 light poles completing 5 Burpees

    Keep Moseying to the Hill

    11’s – High Knees up the hill, 1 Donkey Kick on the fence, run down and complete 10 WWII Sit Ups, Rinse and repeat; YHC called audible at the halfway point

    Mosey to the football field parking lot

    Partner work – 10 PLT then touch a school bus, switch and repeat. 20 PLT then touch a school bus, switch and repeat.

    Native American Run back to the VSF

    1 MOM – Superman

    Numberama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out

    MOLESKIN

    Great to come back to the orginal AO for YHC. Life has been tough with two kids lately so always good to get out in the gloom

    YHC enjoyed how the PAX waited for the 6 during the run down the service run. Good example of Iron sharpens Iron

    SPIT ON THAT!!

  • Halfway There

    11 came out in the cold for what some thought might be a run heavy POG Q. Here’s what actually happened…

    COP

    -SSH, Merkins, DQs, Helicopters, Cherry Pickers

    Thang

    Started with mosey to wall for 10 merkins (in cadence) followed immediately by holding balls to the wall while each PAX did 5 donkey kicks down the line. Rinse and Repeat.

    Next up-7 of Diamonds

    At each corner of the diamond do the following exercises

    • 7 burpees (28 total)
    • 14 (4 count) flutter kicks (56 total)
    • 21 merkins (84 total)
    • 28 squats (112 total)
    • 21 WWIIs (84 total)
    • 14 ball dippers (56 total)
    • last round bear crawl to each corner for 7 merkins (28 total)

    Next up hold plank while each person individually does 5 no surrenders.

    Ring of Fire 10 merkins, followed by 1 minute plank. Watching the clock I let the PAX know we were halfway done with the plank, which was followed by the PAX singing Bon Jovi (Livin’ On a Prayer) for the remaining 30 seconds.

    5 burpees on the way back to the flag.

    Numberama, Namerama, Gumbo took us out.

    Prayer request for Rosie’s Dad getting his knee replaced today.

    Thanks for letting me lead you guys this morning. Strong work!

  • Up Before the Army

    Two men arrived at Early Bird Off The Books with big bells in tow, one left his bells at home.  Here’s what went down.

    Kubota

    Mosey to the field

    COP (IC)

    • SSHs
    • IWs
    • Helicopters
    • Hillbillies
    • WWIIs

    Mosey to the bottom of S Ridge for a Lindsay

    • Merkins/ LBCs (30/10, 25/15….)
    • Mosey uphill between sets with High Knees, Butt Kickers, Bernie Sanders, Bear Crawl

    Honeydo

    Mosey to parking lot for Triple Check

    • KB Sit and Press, KB Swings, Run a Lap

    EF Hutton

    Mosey to the “Closest” Curb

    • Curb Crawl up to 5 Merkins and Back Down
    • Pause for Freddie Mercurys

    Mosey to Retaining Rails

    • Dips IC 3×10
    • Decline Merkins IC x 10
    • Incline Merkins IC x 10
    • Regular Merkins IC x 10
    • Flutter Kicks IC x 30
    • APDs IC x 30
    • Burpees x 5

    Mosey back to SF

    Numberama, Nameorama, COT

    MOLESKIN

    Nothing better than starting your day at 0530, except maybe starting your day at 0500, am I right?  With each passing week the small but loyal faithful find new tricks and ways to expand and challenge this little-known AO.  Saabski’s driveway was left untainted this week, but the PAX did demonstrate Monkey Humpers for the paper carrier.  YHC has a question, does an AO require a name to make it onto the Winter Tour?  Asking for a friend.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Prayers for Offshore’s ILs

  • Agape in the Gloom

    9 of us gathered as the thermometer read 22 degrees, but it felt like 70 and sunny. A massive Sprinter van pulled up which we assumed would double our pax, but it was only Hardywood. Here’s how it went down:

    COP in Amphitheater: SSH // Cherry Pickers // DQs (not SSH as YHC called which created much chaos) // Lt.Dans // Imperial Walkers // LBCs // Plank // Elbow Plank // Side Plank Leg Lifts, alternating sides // Merkins

    Dora: 100 Box Jumps // 200 Merkins (alternating Decline/Incline Merkins) // 300 2-count Flutter Kicks.

    On the Wall: Wall Sits // Chicken Peckers // Donkey Kicks. Mosey to Stage.

    Triple Check with Coupons: Parter 1: WW2 with coupon // Parter 2: Squat with coupon // Partner 3: Run with coupon down into the bowl and up to the other side, Hallelujah Run back with Coupon above head

    Mosey back to the flag. Numberama, Namerama

    NMS: Love being out there in the cold with you guys. Seal Team folks everywhere, had some fun mocking, but mostly just intensified our appreciation for one another. Reflected on the need more than ever for the “beloved community” that MLK spoke of. We have a taste of it in the pax, YHC challenged us to invite at least one guy into the pax in the next year that is of a different race, culture, political view, etc. There was some talk of having a Newbie workout – maybe someone (Swirly?) could organize that.

    “The end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the beloved community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends. The type of love that I stress here is not eros, a sort of esthetic or romantic love; not philia, a sort of reciprocal love between personal friends; but it is agape which is understanding goodwill for all men. It is an overflowing love which seeks nothing in return. It is the love of God working in the lives of men. This is the love that may well be the salvation of our civilization.” MLK

  • Elevens to exhaustion

    Four posted on a cool, clear evening for the Punisher. Mosey to the front school yard for the warmup, including 15 x Side Straddle Hops, 15 x Helicopters, 15 x Don Quixotes, 15 x Imperial Walkers, 15 x Russian Soldiers, and 10 x large Arm Circles (forward and reverse).

    Planned a workout consisting of multiple Elevens at different spots in the grassy area under the trees with low impact movements in between such as Mobile Imperial Walkers, Mobile Russian Soldiers, Zombie Walks, and the like. Intermission exercises – between elevens rounds – included other SSH rounds and spelling participating PAX members’ F3 names in the air with our feet. The stack – Eleven #1 – Merkins and Hello Dollys, Eleven #2 – Squats and Rosalitas, Eleven #3 – Carolina Dry Docks and Reverse Crunches, Eleven #4 – Single Count Side Lunges and some other core exercise I’ve forgotten, Eleven #5 – Close Grip Merkins and Double Count Alabama Prom Dates, Eleven #6 – Forward Lunges and Two Count Flutter Kicks, Eleven #7 – Wide Grip Merkins and Xs/Os, and Eleven #8 – Single Count Back Lunges and American Hammers.

    With a few minutes left, we completed some stretching. COT in place and YHC took us out. Nice work guys.

  • First Old Glory of the new Decade

    20 warriors posted in the 23 degree weather, that felt more like sunny & 70.

    YHC asked OC to grab the shovel flag and off we went.

    Plant the flag at the first soccer field.

    Old Glory was called.

    1 mile as a PAX of 20

    20 min of 4 corners using the large perimeter around the NoToll fields: 20 merkins, 20 squat jumps, 10 burpees, 20 WWIIs

    1 mile as a PAX of 20 with Old Glory in tow

    3 minutes of Mary: Hello Dollies, Freddies, LBCs

    Mosey back to cars with the shovel flag.

    COT: Rosie took us out

    Naked Moleskin:

    YHC wanted to keep the PAX moving on this cold, cold 70 degree day….so Old Glory it is! YHC had never led an Old Glory workout….and it was a pleasure.

    Big apologies to Tobit for yelling TIME right next to him from a far corner. I guess that’s what he gets for lapping most of us!

    Fresh Prince & Tobit made things look easy. Way to push yourselves, guys.

    2 weeks, 2 DK Q’s, SOJ appearances by Upchuck at both….respect!

    Announcements

    Orange Crush is offering to host February Poker. More info to follow.

  • Frozen No Mercy

    A half dozen icicles of great length and girth formed up in the last minutes before 0530, freezing temps and gloom abounding. The DTH timepiece struck 0530, and amid bright sunshine and temps climbing to 70, six limber warriors shook off the ice and set to work. Here’s how Cooper led the way:

    The THANG:

    Moseyrama a latecomers loop around the parking lot, returning for COP #1 at the Flag:

    • DQ’s x10 IC
    • R.Soldiers x10 IC
    • Werkins x10 IC
    • WWII x10 IC

    Mosey to the Ridge for COP #2:

    • Bear Crawl up hill, run down, Al Gore for the Six
    • Imperial Squat Walkers x20 IC
    • Bernie up, run down, Flutters for the Six
    • Flutter Kicks x20 IC
    • Crabwalk Up, run down, Elbow Plank for the Six
    • NoCheat Merkins x20 IC

    Mosey to Bleachers for COP #3:

    • Big-O’s x10 each direction

    Step onto the Track for COP #4:

    • No Mercy Mile (DTH-Modified) – PAX completes 4 laps around track, each time stopping at the first 50 yard line to complete 25 Monkey Humpers & 25 Merkins at opposite 50 yard line. Straightaways run, while curve exercises varied for each lap:
    • Lap 1 Curves: Bear Crawl & Lunges
    • Lap 2 Curves: Alternate Partner Carries
    • Lap 3 Curves: Carioca both ends
    • Lap 4 Curves: Partner Wheelbarrows

    Mosey to Jerkin Gym for COP #5:

    • Same partners
    • Jerkins x10ea
    • Dips x10ea
    • Repeato 2nd Set

    Mosey Back to Flag for COT:

    • Counterama # 6
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Comments)
    • YHC took us out in Prayer

    NMS:

    “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James‬ ‭1:2-6‬ )