Category: Richmond, VA

  • Merkins and walkers and crunches, oh my!

    Two dudes, dig this, two dudes dressed like nuns …. no, wait. Two dudes, dressed like Gloom Warriors posted at Batteau today for a little boat ride. Here’s how it went.

    COP – mosey around the circular drive , then SSH x 20, Don Quixote x 10, cherry pickers x 10, Hello Dollies x 20, APDs x 15, APD (4 count) x 10, APD (single leg) x 10 x each side.

    Mosey down the walking path to the lake, burpees at the lamposts, for:

    Tha THANG –

    (M.erkins x 10, I.mperial Walkers x 20, L.ittle Baby Crunches x 30, F.reddie Mercuries x 40, up the stairs and back) x 9

    BBTF – to bust out the 10th set of MILFs.

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    NMMS – Prayers go out to all the pax struggling with injury recovery, or just struggling to make it through this pandemic and lockdown. Stay strong, and SYITG!

    Doublemint

  • WoPlate

    10 strong showed up at Hoedown, most expecting a Wojo Q & YHC a week early mistakenly expecting a Plate Q. All worked out for an astoundingly smooth “spontaneous” Garbage Plate hot potato takeover.

    COP: 15x SSH, 10x HC, 10x IW, 15x LBC, 10x HRMK, 10x Scorpion kicks in perfect form

    Mosey to West Drive Circle for a Dora: 100 Merkins, 200 Squats, 300 LBC

    Head back to Hoedown central for a cinderblock coupon quickie:
    Round 1: run across parking lot and Bernie up asphalt hill while partners alternate with cinder swings, curls, overhead presses & dips.
    Round 2: bear crawl/crawl bear to arrows while partners coupon press & coupon WWII. 2x. Ditch the coupons and mosey to the back field

    Memorial Murph prep: Partner one DK/MH/DK by school while timer partner runs across field for pull up sets of 10/8/10

    Mosey back to the flag, stopping for a quick 2x round of 8 jerkins/reverse crunches. At the flag circle up for 20x each of round robin Mary including American Hammers, 6 inches, LBC, APD, & side to side toe touches.

    Namerama, Numberama, Announcements (Memorial Murph) and YHC took us out. A suggestion was made for consideration by corporate of splitting the Memorial Murph into several AO locations due to space.

    Enjoy the day gents!

  • Currahee!

    Three Warriors gathered today for the grand opening of the newest AO. The AO features rolling hills that give just the right amount of challenge up and form practice down.

    Route – 5 milers – Maremont, Willowick , Windbluff, Falconbridge, keep to the right around the lake and up the hill, down the hill around the parking lot to the right find the cut through the woods to turtle run apts, Turtlecreek, Cox, Brookmont, right on Crowncrest, left on Pump to Godwin

    NMS – Quiet cool morning, but we did find one interesting tidbit – Lighthouse has not run 5 miles in 15 years. He stayed right with us, you would never know. Nice work!

    .

    Currahee Mountain | Official Georgia Tourism & Travel ...

    Currahee is a Cherokee word translated “stand alone”. It is the name of a mountain outside of Camp Tocooa, Georgia where E company 101 was established and became their motto. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_Company,506th_Infantry_Regiment(United_States)

    Distinctive unit insignia of the 506th Infantry Regiment (United States).svg

    The lore of the mountain run is “three miles up and three miles back” – much like F3 endeavor. The formation of this unit is pretty well documented in the Band of Brothers episode 1 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245384/ .

    For YHC, Band of Brothers Episode 1 is especially poignant because it illustrates a few things about what it takes to take a bunch of guys, in this case volunteers, and train them to be a cohesive fighting unit. In the show near the end, they give some credit to how CPT Sobel pushed them to come together. During my tenure on active duty, YHC had a commander like this and his replacement was able to take advantage of the dislike of the past commander and redirect it toward creating a solid fighting force.

    We dont have anything like 3 miles up in Richmond, but the hills in the far west end can be inspiring. This is the first reason for the AO name.

    The second reason is that Godwin’s mascot is Eagles. The “Screaming Eagles”, is featured in the logo of the 101 Airborne.

    Happy 70th Anniversary to the 101st Airborne Division ...

    Finally, the grand opening of the AO on May 8, 2020 is on the 75th anniversary of VE day – the end of WW2 in Europe. While the corona virus has damped our ability to remember and celebrate, we have a lot to be thankful for on this side of that most important day in our history.

    https://consortiumnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/37225-728x560.jpg
  • Yo mama so…

    ugly when she sees her psychiatrist they ask her to lie face down. Not appropriate for today, treat yo mama well. One runner hit the trails, unless someone was early or late and YHC didn’t see you. If so, let me know.

  • Extreme Makeover: Breakfast Club Edition

    Six dudes just looking for some extra credit set sail on a fantastic journey from ET’s to Dogpile, to and fro, or fro and to if chosen. One is looking noticeably thinner these days. Hardywood called the to route, YHC called the fro.

  • UpChuck Does Not Hate the Pax…

    Ten PAX joined up in four groups of four or two groups of eight or sixteen groups of one to break the monotony of the Quarantine, experience some human interaction, and find someone to talk to. The PAX chose this week’s number-challenged Dogpile. With YHC having the Q, accurate counting, per usual, was not only optional, but discouraged…temperatures and weather were a seasonally perfect sunny and 70. Here is, with some editorial license and a solid dose of suspension of disbelief, more or less what happened.

    Mosey to the intersection of Park and Blanton, then down Rugby to Wilbon to the “far circle.” Couple of loops around the circle to bring in The Six.

    COP included the following exercises, all with different numbers of reps.

    SSH
    Dead Man Hang
    Its
    Helicopters
    LBCs
    Reverse Crunches
    Scorpion Kicks
    HRMs

    Mosey to the Amphitheater Stage

    Dora 1-2-3 (or 100-200-300)

    100 WWIIs (1 count)
    200 Reverse crunches (1 count)
    300 Flutter Kicks (2 count…right leg up and down = 1, or 2, depending upon how each PAX counts them).

    “Runner” bear crawls up the ramp to the Stone Wall, then runs back to their partner on the stage by a route of their choice. Those worried about interception on the return trip by a modern-day King Herod were advised to return to the stage by another route.

    PAX did flutter kicks x50 (4-count) for The Six.

    Probation gave us an abbreviated 100 count.

    Mosey to the Ha’ Penny Stage

    Touch-a-Tree

    Like a baseball game without the National Anthem, a YHC Q would not be complete without Touch-a-Tree.

    Round 1: Touch 3 different trees. Return to Stage. 5 burpees, 20 What-cha-ma-call-its.

    Round 2: Touch 6 different trees. Return to Stage. 10 burpees, 40 What-cha-ma-call-its.

    Round 1: Touch 9 different trees. Return to Stage. 15 burpees, 60 What-cha-ma-call-its.

    Mosey to the Great Lawn

    Four Corners (PAX Choice)

    10 HRMs
    20 LBCs
    30 Monkey Humpers
    40 SSHs
    SSHs for The Six. 4-Count x 40

    Mosey to the Forgotten Lane on Love Hill

    Partner up. Partner 1 runs to the gate and back. Partner 2 performs the following exercise until Partner 1 returns.
    Round 1: Bear crawl
    Round 2: Broad jump burpee
    Round 3: Lunges

    Mosey to the Near Circle

    Ring of Fire

    PAX Choice of 5 merkins…

    Chuck Norris
    Diamond
    HRMs + Shoulder taps
    Stop, Drop, and Roll (Fire Drill, or whatever those are called)
    Burpees
    Cockroach Merkins (crowd pleaser)
    Just Do a Normal Merkin
    YHC probably missed a type or two.

    Mosey BTTF – the PAX turned this into a Jail Break, so 1 Minute Remained for…

    …Finishing the Ring of Fire

    Shoulder taps
    Some other type of merkin
    Werkins
    YHC missed at least one type.

    Number-a-ma, Name-a-ram-a, YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    The PAX takes intense interest in YHC’s counting, in both style and substance. YHC enjoys this very much. YHC has decided to publish the Show Schedule for various counting styles. Touch-a-Tree will be available at all events, subject to change.

    March: Lawrence Welk Day (Uh-one, two, three…)
    April: Dark
    May: Apparently, Militant Counting Day
    June: Only Those Who Post Know (Perhaps Flatline’s Swedish Chef will make a cameo)

    YHC also enjoys addressing questions from the PAX during his Q’s. In today’s version, some of the PAX expressed a desire to understand the difference between a 1 and 2-count flutter kick. YHC confesses that he has No Idea (Different Guy). This is a distinction that was not covered during YHC’s formal education nor during YHC’s stint at Q-School, which YHC did not in fact attend. TYA has graciously dedicated the entirety of this week’s Office Hours to comments from the PAX on this subject (every other Thursday, 9:00-9:01 a.m.).

    YHC congratulates everyone who ran from their home on the south side to ET’s, then back to Dogpile, and then back home. Solid.

    YHC also wants to congratulate anyone who ran for 26 minutes without stopping. YHC is impressed. Hat’s off also to the PAX who keep each other going. Well done.

    Last note: each morning, the PAX gets together in a closed park (“Park closes at dark”), on the grounds of a closed school (“Fields Closed”), or runs on public streets. Other than a mythical unicorn-creature called “Sarah,” YHC is not aware of anyone messing with the PAX. Not a police officer, nor a citizen has done so in YHCs 4 years. A fitness instructor tried once to inhibit the PAX with a line of query regarding government licensing, but was repulsed by TYA’s swift employment of the phrase,”We’re done here.”

    Perhaps this is because the PAX are many in number. Or, perhaps because The Gloom is super early. Or, perhaps because the PAX are super-buff, or graciously out-going, or frequently sporting matching bad-ass black, logo-ed F3 uniforms (or, in TYA’s case, a logo-ed “unitard”). If our purpose is to push our fellow man toward greater Accountability and Leadership in our community, YHC asks each man to think about how each of us can help build a society where a man going for a jog can be, for him (or for a her), a harassment-free way to enjoy one’s life, rather than have it taken away.

    Announcements:

    Deuce is organizing a Memorial Day Murph. YHC thinks Deuce said 6 a.m. at Dogpile. Please correct YHC if that is inaccurate. 1 mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats, 1 mile run.

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • Manholes

    6 PAX showed up in New Market to have some fun in this sub freezing day!

    Run to new section of Hood.

    Suicides in between manholes.

    Merkins, Lunges, WWIIS and Dry Docks

    Love Hill – Lunge, Crab Walk, Bear Crawl, Broad Jump Burpees, Monkey Humpers

    Back to Flag!

    Numberama, Namerama, YHC took us out!

    NMS:

    Lots going on this morning, so the BB is confusing, but we pushed for 3 plus miles this morning! Way to work fellas!

    Duke

  • Moveable Dora

    7 lucky guys came out to meet moveable Dora today.

    Short Mosey

    COP — merkins, cherry pickers, ball dippers, diamond merkins, crabcakes, copperhead squats, DQ’s, smurf jacks, tempo merkins

    Moveable Dora
    normal dora rules 100 merkins, 200 SSH, 300 squats
    except Person #1 runs to the next light post while person #2 does the exercise. When #2 sees #1 hit the next light post and start exercising, #2 runs to #1 and so on and so forth.

    to the Poles
    Everyone holds a post — one person does ten leg lifts then runs to the end. We did one round of these.

    Triple Check
    Mountain Donkeys
    V-ups
    30 merkins is the timer

    Lunging Lindseys
    10 and 30, 15 and 25, … you know the drill
    start with 10 monkey humpers and 30 merkins.
    lunge in between each exercise

    2/3 of a lazy dora
    100 merkins with plank
    200 lbc’s with holding 6 inches

    Fartlek
    One person picks a spot to run to. First person to the spot starts doing an exercise. All else join in.

    Back to the flag

    Numbers, Names, Announcements

    Good to see this group of guys this crisp fall morning. or is it winter? who knows? Why do we do this? To get stronger, yes but also to encourage others to dig deep. We have to decide whether we want to do things the easy way or the right way. If we stick to easy all the time, there is no challenge in life — everything seems to be going our way and there is little push back against our way of thinking or doing things. If we choose the other route and try to challenge ourselves to do the right thing, yes things get harder but life is so much more rewarding. Challenge yourself this week to go above and beyond for your wife, your kids, etc. Know that you have chosen the better path.

    Peace,
    Opus

  • ‘n Pound

    Four men started their morning early to finish their week strong.

    COP

    • SSH x 20
    • Don Quixotes x 10
    • Helicopters x 10
    • Arm circles small x 10, big x 10, Reverse
    • Hand release ‘merkins x 15
    • Cooperhead squats x 10

    7 of Diamonds

    • Mosey to the baseball field for some 7 of diamonds
    • Round 1 do 7 burpees at each plate
    • Round 2 do 14 diamond merkins at each plate
    • Round 3 – 21 LBCs at each plate
    • Round 4 – 28 merkins
    • Round 5 – 35 squats
    • Round 6 – 42 Wide grip merkins
    • Round 7 – 49 Flutter kicks
    • Total merkin count = 364

    11s – Mosey to main parking lot between the islands

    • Big boy sits, lunge, monkey humpers
    • Enough time to do 3 rounds

    Numberama, namerama, Wild Thing took us out.

    Notes:

    • It was great to see Wild Thing again, welcome back brother
    • YHC noticed the mumble chatter was minimal thanks to the less talkative members of PAX showing up today
    • Great work gents!
  • 75th anniversary of V-E Day

    5 faithful came out to perfect spring weather for a beatdown. The Q asked if anyone knew what day it was in history, no PAX answered so we got after it:

    COP: SSH, Don Qs, Russian Soldiers, Merkins, Flutterkicks, 5 burpees.

    Head to endline of field: run width of field, 5 burpees, run back, 5 burpees. Repeato x3, running total 35 burpees. Head down to stadium entrance, 5 more burpees.

    Unveiling of DonkeyHumpers: 15 Donkey Kicks & 10 Pickle Pounders. 3 rounds. 5 more burpees. 15 more high & slow donkey kicks. 5 more burpees. Up to BWES field, 10 more burpees.

    Over to playground: 3 sets of 8 pullups. 5 burpees. Alternate Bear crawl & lunge across field. back across side lunge & bear crawl. 5 more burpees.

    Over to bus loop of BWES for Dora 123: 100 merkins, 200 jump squats, 300 LBCs. Mosey back to flag for 1 min of mary and 5 last burpees giving us 75 total. YHC took us out.

    NMS: What better way to remember V-E day than 75 burpees during the beatdown. We had 3 PAX at 5:29 but then Mr Holland and PeeDee arrive to give us a solid 5 pax.

    Starting off with runs & 30 burpees after the COP got the juices flowing. Doozy and Probation made it look easy. The PAX can thank Doublemint for the DonkeyHumpers, although after his suggestion on slack chose the fartstack this morning.

    Probation shared with YHC his absence in the gloom was from his visiting a monastery recently. Apparently PeeDee’s super power is bear crawl – he was almost done with the whole field before we could switch to lunges.

    YHC has been taking advantage of the stay-at-home time to watch documentaries with the 2.0s. After finishing a 10 hour series on WWII it is always inspiring what our grandparents went through and good lesson for us today on what courage looks like. And for anyone looking for a Q idea (boberry) V-J day is not too far off.