Category: Richmond, VA

  • Foiled by the Janitor

    7 regulars and 1 FNG (welcome Pipeline!) posted this morning in the glorious June dawn.

    Mosey to the faculty lot, COP: 25 SSH, arm circles, 10 Helicopters, 10 DQs, 15 merkins, 15 LBCs, 15 Crabcakes.

    Mosey to back parking lot of Third Church.

    OLD 100

    • 100 Squats. Run a lap around the church.
    • 90 2x Flutter Kick. Run a lap
    • 80 2x Mountain Climbers. Run a lap
    • 70 WW2s. Run a lap
    • 60 Dips. Run a lap
    • 50 Lt. Dans. Run a lap
    • 40 LBCs. Run a lap
    • 30 Merkins. Run a lap
    • 20 Donkey Kicks. Run a lap
    • 10 Burpees.

    Wait for the Pax. Work back through the exercises from Burpees to Squats, without the runs, half the number.

    Back for the COT. Numberama, Namearama (FNG Pipeline), Announcements. YHC prayed us out.

    NMS:

    My buddy Agony in Charlotte told me about the Old 100, but I’ve not been sure how to help the PAX remember the whole ladder of exercises. So I took the liberty of writing down a weinke with chalk on the parking lot asphalt. My plan after the Old 100 was to play an elaborate game that I set up at 5am with supplies from the church basement. But alas, during the COP the church janitor cleaned the whole thing up. No matter, we wouldn’t have had time for it anyway given how long the Old 100 took. Next time!

    Have a great day gents. Live to serve.

  • All for One, and One for ALL!

    A band of muscle bound Musketeers formed ranks at Batteau to reign fire upon the false idol of comfort and inject raw F3 values into the veins of a new week. No man was either left behind, nor left where he was once found. 

    The THANG:

    Mosey to the grassy area adjacent Stone House for COP #1, all IC:

    • SSH, Imp.Squat Walkers, DQ’s, Cheery Pickers, Dive Bomber M’s, Heels to Heaven, No Cheat M’s, DR.W’s

    Mosey to Grassy Hills for COP #2:

    • 100’s – The Q calls an exercise, 1st man to complete x100 calls out next exercise, all PAX stop & run to other side, repeat 10x
    • Exercises included – SSH’s, Merkins, 2-ct Mountain Climbers, Alternate 10 Burpees with 20 WWII’s, Flutter Kicks, Hold Elbow Plank 100s, LBC’s, APD’s, 50 Burps + 50 WWII’s, Monkey Humpers
    • T claps to Swirly & Flange for the most “wins”

    Mosey around trail loop to lakeside, performing the following en route:

    • Wall Dips x30 IC
    • Derkins x20 IC
    • Incline M’s x20 IC
    • LBC’s x20 IC 

    COP #4: Ascend the steps to the top:

    • Bearcrawl first flight of steps and as far as possible along incline stretch, then lunge to the top flight of steps
    • Al Gore for the SIX
    • Ascend the top flight performing a merkin on each step
    • Plankorama for the SIX

    Mosey Back to Flag for COT:

    • Counterama #9
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Comments)
    • YHC took us out in Prayer

    NMS: 

    • “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of Faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬)
  • Same River, Different Trails…On A Monday

    8 men posted to River Run, including to summer tourists (one returning to his homeland). The tourists may have been looking for hills, but YHC had something different in store.

    Given the abundance of light and the long-debated trail route, YHC decided it was time to make it a reality. The route was down to the Riverfront, then left onto the trailhead – follow the WHITE blazes as much as possible for a 1.5 mile loop. The goal was 2 loops and back to the flag for about 5 miles.

    All returned to the Flag. Some did 2 loops, some did 2+, some took a few detours and jumped on an off some other trails. Maybe some were lost, but all were found and returned safely.

    COT, Number-Rama, Name-A-Rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • NO NoToll Tomorrow — HR Derby instead at Huguenot Little League (google Robious Elementary School or Robious Athletic Complex for directions)…Coffeeteria at Starbucks afterwards
    • Puppy Pile Saturday – Marv has the Q
    • Happy Hour with music at Tavern 19 (Independence Golf Course) this Thursday 6:00 pm

    Great morning gents – thanks for giving it a try. It will be a summertime special.

    No More Gumbo For You…until tomorrow!

  • Burpees give me bad heartburn…

    Ten redwoods fought the fartsack to witness ByProduct’s consecutive Q, while many of the Gridiron regulars were on sabbatical until next week.  

    COP:

    After the PAX made a perfect circle, YHC called an audible and we all moseyed to the lower football field were we were once again greeted by props.

    Batting Practice:

    In preparation for this week’s home run derby, we all took turns swinging the bat.  The leadoff batter hit one of the two balls as far as they could down the field.  The PAX ran in full sprint and a bandaid was ripped from the ball revealing the “The Next Exercise Is…”. I won’t say which of the PAX you don’t want early in your line up, but for POG “I have not picked up a bat in 10 years” won this HR derby! 

    All exercises were OYO as they were revealed.

    • 25 – SSH
    • 10 –  Arm Circles – Large – Forward and Backwards
    • 15 – Flutter Kicks
    • 10 – Dry-docks
    • Bear Crawl – 25 paces
    • 20 – Invisible Jump Rope
    • 10 – Burpees
    • 10 – PLT’s
    • 20 – LBC’s
    • Crab Crawl – 25 paces
    • 10 – Diamond Merkins
    • 10 –  Arm Circles – Small – Forward and Backwards
    • 10 – Jump Squats
    • 25 – More SSH
    • 10 – DQ’s
    • 10 – More Burpees

    Run the Bases: 

    The PAX divided into 4 groups for some to cumulative 4 corner fun!

    Round 1 – Run to each corner and complete 10 WWII’s, ending where you started. 

    Round 2 – Run to each corner and complete 10 WWII’s, 10 Merkins, ending where you started. Not bad so far.

    Round 3 – Run to each corner and complete 10 WWII’s, 10 Merkins, 10 Copperhead Squats, ending where you started. Mumble-chatter starting to slow down really quick. 

    Round 4 – Run to each corner and complete 10 WWII’s, 10 Merkins, 10 Copperhead Squats, 10 Burpees, ending where you started.  Heartburn starting to suck big time.

    Throwing and Fielding:

    Everyone partnered up and selects a water balloon.  Started about 15 feet apart for the toss.  When your water breaks, team completes 5 reps of called exercise and repeats each time another team is eliminated.  

    • APDs (regular – Not Adderal Style)
    • Monkey Humpers
    • LBC’s (I think)

    POG strategically selected the smallest balloon, which was was impenetrable until Marmaduke changed that.

    Extra Innings:

    We then moseyed to the playground, where the visitors were enamored by the hippo, the giraffe and the turtle.  After we were able to pull them away, we completed a jerkin ladder (declining from 7 to 1).  

    YHC then had the PAX begin a curb crawl from the park to the invisible shovel flag.  It did not take long to realize that this may be a bad idea and admitted “I’m just trying to fill up the hour…”.  

    Over to the bleachers for a quick Lindsey of Dips & Bleacher kicks.

    Wilson could tell that I was considering more burpees to run out the clock and offered to lead 5 minutes of Mary.  I gladly took him up on it!

    Numberama

    Namerama

    Cecil took us out and many continued to Einstein’s.

    I had a blast leading this week and everyone got their monies worth!

  • Sunday and 70

    On a perfect morning, ten strong broke loose from the fart sack and made it to the trails.

    Northbank to buttermilk and back for most. Lab Rat and BT had an early departure time so did the northbank and back. Lug got lost (not sure how) and hit a little bit of the forest hill loop.

    NMM

    Flipper is on a roll. I didn’t witness this myself, but Flipper claims he was leading the group through the run this morning. I honestly wouldn’t doubt it, he, Lug, and Vinny have been putting the work in lately and crushing some miles.

    Good time at ET’s afterwards.

  • Perfect weather for OTB

    8 Warriors posted for Off the Books on this beautiful Sunday morning!

    Some ran 6 miles plus, Some got 4, Some got 3…you get the picture, fellowship and brotherhood was enjoyed by all! Love your family and friends fellas, they are the meaning of life! Love ya all!

    Marmaduke

  • Flashing Blue Lights for Early Risers

    4 Early riser veterans and 1 newbie hit the trails at the reasonable hour of 0400. Conditions were perfect – 60 degrees and low humidity. Double Mint and Vinny took off for Breakfast Club at Tredegar while Offshore, Sally, and YHC did the Belle Isle loop and back on Buttermilk.

    Belle Isle and Buttermilk were lit up with blue trail lights from the RIC-WMBUG race on Friday night making for a nice touch. No flashing blue lights of the other variety, trails were all ours.

    Offshore is close to finishing his Summer Tour this week and maybe setting a record for posts in one month, respect! Double Mint was crushing the trails on his first early risers. Looks like EF Hutton has the July Early Risers Q.

  • No Excuses…

    26 fighters rolled into the Milestone community clubhouse parking lot this morning for a second-longest day of the year workout that went something like this…

    YHC and Spit gave an introduction about F3 in terms of the purpose and history (both the start in Charlotte and the beginnings in the RVA). YHC then gave an overview of the flow of the workout for the FNGs.

    Mosey to the far side of the field.

    COP All IC – 20 SSHs, arm circles, 10 don quixotes, 10 helicopters, 10 imperial walkers, 10 merkins, 20 LBCs, 10 mountain climbers, 10 copperhead squats.

    Mosey to the front corner of the field.

    Partner Four Corners

    Partner up. One partner heads in one direction around the field. The other partner heads in the other direction. Stop at each corner for an exercise. Corner 1 = merkins, Corner 2 = WWII sit-ups, Corner 3 = burpees, Corner 4 = jump squats. Stop to do BOOYAH merkins when you meet up with your partner.

    First round – 5 exercises each. Second round – 10 exercises each. Third round – 5 exercises each.

    Mosey to the tennis courts.

    11s (part-way)

    Bear crawl back and forth across the width of the tennis court. Start with 10 hand-release merkins (HRMs) and 1 two-count flutter kick. Decrease/increase the reps of each. YHC called an audible halfway through.

    Mosey back to the field.

    Plank Leaps

    The PAX counted off by three. The three groups formed lines, went into plank position and the last guy leaped over each person in the group. Continued this until all the way across the field.

    Tunnel of Love

    Turn around and army crawl under each planking PAX member with the last guy going through the tunnel. Continued this until partway across the field.

    Mosey to the front corner.

    Minutes of Mary all IC – 10 LBCs, 10 american hammers, 10 heels to heaven, 10 freddie mercuries, 10 ALABAMA PROM DATES, superman…

    Numberama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • More updates on the purpose and benefits of F3
    • 5 AOs in the DaVille region – Tomato Run on Monday at Atlee HS, DaVille boot camp on Tuesday at Atlee HS, MANNDate kettlebell workout on Wednesday at Washington-Henry Elementary, The Anvil boot camp on Thursday at Mechanicsville Elementary, The Creek boot camp on Friday at New Highland Baptist Church – ALL ARE INVITED!

    Naked Moleskin (NMS):

    This morning brought to fruition a vision that YHC has had for many months. YHC has heard all of the excuses for not coming to a F3 workout. He also has seen how many of the PAX are growing in strength and how we can easily lose track of a someone new in terms of his strength and endurance. The “No Excuses Workout” was born out of these streams of thought.

    The Facebook event along with personal invites from the PAX to potential FNGs and those who haven’t participated in awhile (re)opened the doors for many to consider trying out a F3 workout.

    Most of the PAX was arrived by 7:30 am and was greeted by an introduction and overview from YHC. Spit received a download of the history of F3 RVA this morning and he shared that background. As he was sharing, YHC noticed someone looking out her door across the street at the strange sight of 20+ men gathering in the parking lot. Joggers, dog-walkers and others driving out of the neighbor took notice as well!

    The PAX went to work in the COP with a reasonable amount of SSHs (sorry to those who wanted 100 SSHs for our FNGs) and a buffet of COP exercises. Emoji brought his high energy and laughter permeated the circle.

    The partner four corners provided ample opportunities to encourage and support the FNGs and those who came back. Spit, Phonics and Helix took the lead on making sure to pick up the six and keep everyone feeling included. That was an important goal of this morning’s introductory workout.

    The 11s in the tennis court started out well but YHC realized that it would drain the rest of the time so he called an audible. This allowed for more FUN in the field. YHC wanted to include at least one exercise that would bring the thought, “I would never do this on my own. Never…” Leaping over 8-9 others and then army crawling through a “tunnel of love” qualifies for that line of thinking! The PAX crushed it with the necessary modifications when required.

    Welcome to Green Top (Spit invite), Clinger (Mudface invite) and Dixon (Wild Thing invite). Welcome back to the college guys on summer break (Jif, Flea, Bucketmouth) and to others who returned for some F3 fun/pain (Bam Bam, THUMPER, Pick 2, MayTag).

    This event brought around 10 FNGs or return guys to the PAX this morning while allowing for some of the newer PAX to clock in another workout in order to gain confidence.

    We are not sure where this will lead in terms of future Saturday morning workouts like this in the DaVille region. YHC sees the potential for engaging new guys and re-engaging guys who have dropped back into the fart sack through a Saturday option like this. How often? Quartertly? Monthly? All the time with specific “road trips” to Dogpile? That will be determined as we let the experiences and memories of this great morning sink in.

    YHC shared during the COT about how much F3 means to him personally and shared what he has seen in the lives of other men. F3 is more than a workout. F3 is a way to go on OFFENSE against the problems of loneliness and lack of purpose that many men (including YHC!) experience. We can easily fall into the trap of trying to take on life’s challenge alone or feel like we have lost our way/purpose. The PAX, the workouts, coffeeteria, ways to serve and all of the different parts of F3 attack this problem.

    Let’s keep it rolling. Let’s stay on offense! See you in the gloom!!

    The Carpenter

  • DTH DogWood Caberama

    Another beautiful day resurrected 34 warriors from wasting life & breath in bed. With the sun emerging on the horizon, cool temperatures climbing to an even 70 degrees, Dr TryHard called the PAX forward to partner up and grab a caber from YHC’s truck. 

    The THANG:

    Mosey to COP#1:

    • Partners shoulder-carry cabers, stopping every 20 yards for x3 overhead press, alternating shoulders
    • Circle up in the roadside grass clearing
    • F3 Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Circle up for SSH x20 IC
    • Standing Caber Squat Press with Partner x20 OYO
    • DQ’s x10 IC
    • Caber Curls w Partner x10 IC
    • Little Baby Caber Crunches w Partner x20 IC
    • Caber Bench Press w Partner x10 IC
    • Rapid Alternating Feet on Cabers x20 IC
    • FIND A NEW PARTNER/CABER

    Mosey the long way around to the end of the Lawn for COP #2: 

    • Round 1:  Caber Toss Suicides – spread out & cross the field and back by tossing caber as far as possible (either as a team or individual tosses) running back together to touch baseline between throws 
    • ABC’s for the SIX
    • Round 2:  CaBEAR Crawls – bear crawl across lawn and back pushing caber in front
    • Flutter Kicks for the SIX
    • Round 3: CRABer Walks – crab walk across lawn and back kicking caber along in front
    • SSH for the SIX
    • FIND A NEW PARTNER/CABER

    Mosey to the Amphitheater for COP #3:

    • Spread out along top steps
    • x2 Unbroken Squats each step descending (Caber held overhead the entire time)
    • x2 Caber Curls each step ascending
    • Plankorama for the SIX

    Leaving cabers behind, circle up in the Putting Green for COP #4:

    • Dancing Bears x20 IC
    • Crab Cakes x20 IC
    • Heels to Heaven x20 IC
    • Freddie M’s x20 IC
    • FIND A NEW PARTNER/CABER

    Mosey back around to end of the Lawn for COP #5:

    • Triple Check
    • Partner 1 (Timer) performs WMD Crawl: BearCrawl x10 steps w hands spaced wide, perform x10 Werkins, then x10 normal BC steps followed by x10 standard Merkins, then x10 narrow BC steps followed by x10 Diamond Merkins
    • Partner 2 – Post Hole Diggers (squat to lift standing caber high overhead then slam it down into the ground)
    • Partner 3 – WWII’s

    COP #6:

    • Line up cabers in the direction of the Carillon, PAX alternate plank each side
    • Last caber moved up to front while PAX perform variable exercises (merkins, legs up, hold plank, dips …and pickle pounders attempted but lost momentum due to general hilarity)
    • All cabers moved in back-to-front fashion until PAX reached Carillon-end of the Lawn
    • FIND A NEW PARTNER/CABER

    Mosey Back to the ShovelFlags for COT:

    • Counterama #34
    • Namerama (FNG Kryptonite)
    • Announcerama (see Comments)
    • YHC took us out in Prayer

    NMS:

    • Don’t know about you boys, but my shoulders and arms are FEELIN it today! YHC had conducted an inaugural caberama at The FORGE a few weeks ago, which went quite well, and when a couple large trees recently fell at YHC’s house, it seemed the good Lord was providing more cabers just in time for YHC’s first Dogpile Q. Three cheers for heavy green wood! Go hard or go home, right?! Despite the facade of groans once folks discovered YHC’s truck bed was chock block full of coupon goodness, the PAX embraced the challenge with as much revelry as a bunch of boys given BB guns. As you might expect, there was also a fair amount of wood-related innuendo making mumble chatter merry and bright. Our only FNG for the day was an absolute stud, notably curling a massive beam on his own during the initial COP while Shakedown held LIFO Hardywood’s hand to go back for an extra caber. Welcome Kryptonite! It should be noted that Hardwood made up for his tardiness later by performing caber pickle-pounders with phenomenal zeal. We expect he will be a father of 10 before we know it! As always, it is my absolute pleasure to be a part of this brotherhood, and I am thankful to each of you for your support and good humor in following me today. 
  • Sunrise and Rainbow

    11 strong hit the streets of Carytown for the latest edition of Breakfast Club.

    ET’s to Boulevard to a lap around Burpee Lake to Dogpile parking lot.

    Usual route on the way back for breakfast.

    We caught beautiful sunrise over the lake and then a rainbow positioned beside the Carillon on the way in.

    Vinny and Double Mint met up with us after the Early Riser’s run hoping to complete a quad dip this morning. Well done!

    Spit and Patty Mayo ran from Dogpile to ET’s and then met up with the main group for the flag run to Dogpile. Spit was hitting the road after Dogpile to go to No Excuses workout.

    On the run back to ET’s, Hitchhiker was delighted to inform us that he received his green card on Friday! Well done! You earned it, brother! Way to go!

    Splinter made his Breakfast Club debut. Glad you could join us!

    Have a great day, all and SYITG!

    Kubota