Category: Richmond, VA

  • Is it a Doughnut if it has no holes??

    10 RVA Runners got in there miles before and after Dogpile. YHC changes things up a bit by giving the PAX a pervious of what was come that day.

    We traveled our normal route down carytown to the boulevard. When we arrived at boat lake dr we turned onto westover dr and kept going till we reach Maymont and shirley lane

    The mumble chatter on the way back center around what make a doughnut a doughnut. Some argued that a doughnut requires a whole in the center meaning “doughnuts” like Long John’s and Boston Cream are just simply cakes

    YHC will leave it up to the comments to decide.

    TClaps to Vinny for completing all three workouts!

    SPIT ON THAT!!

  • Three Lakes

    37 Warriors of the Gloom arrived at Dogwood Dell on a gorgeous sunny and 70 Saturday morning to help YHC start off his week of celebration. So had already run 9 miles, some 7, some 2, and other just waiting to get their run on.

    This how it went down

    Take the long mosey to the never used grassy area near John Cary ES

    COP (ALL IC) – SSH, DQ, Hillbillies, Tempo LBC’s, Merkins, Arm Circles

    THANG (Three Lakes Beatdown)

    Mosey to Boat Lake (Lake #1)

    Partner Carriers – Partner Up, Each partner carriers for 25 steps then stop, complete 3 Booyah Merkins, then switch. Rinse and Repeat the full straight of the lake

    Polar Bears – Rinse and Repeat Polar Bear up lakeview ave to Westover Rd

    Mosey to The Round House

    Mary Medley – While using the railings and wall complete the following (ALL IC): 20 Dips, 5 Derkins (lower rail). 5 Derkins (upper rail), Balls to the Wall for a 10 ct IC

    Mosey to Sawn Lake (Lake #2)

    11’s – Start with 10 Merkins at the top of the hill then run to the bottom for 1 WWII Sit-up, Berine Sanders back up the hill. Rinse and Repeat to the lead PAX completes 1 Merkins/10 WWII Sit-ups

    Mosey to Shield Lake (Lake #3)

    Hill Work – PAX formed two lines with two arms length between each other. While PAX holds Carolina Dry Dock plank then PAX at the end of the line start leap frogging over to the front. Rinse and Repeat till every has gone through.

    Mosey back to while Bernie Sanders up Shield Lake Dr

    Pole Smokers – Each PAX completes 5 Heels to Heaven while the rest hold plank.

    Shortest Mosey of the day back to the SF for Numberrama, Namerama, Announcements and YHC took us out.

    MOLESKIN

    Yes there was running today. Since last Q YHC had Dogpile was ground and pound, this needed to be different to keep Wilson on his toes. Speaking of Wilson, he had a over/under prediction of 3 miles. Well we hit 3 miles exactly per Gomer’s Garmin. No pay out a Vegas on this workout.

    So per YHC we had a 38th member join us today. After finishing the Mary Medley, YHC called for a 10 ct from ABBA but there was no ABBA. YHC is glad he could provide some laughter in the middle of the workout

    YHC is sure there are numerous other highlights from the morning but 24 hours later hard to remember them all.

    YHC does want to thank the whole PAX for a great 3 years! This brotherhood has been there for YHC through the ups and downs over these years. Thanks again and as YHC shared at the end, always remember to reach out to your follow F3 brothers. Don’t let anyone fall into that sad clown syndrome again.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    • Crossover minstry is hosting it’s annual Moo & Brew 5k – Check their website for more info:
      https://www.crossoverministry.org/mb5k/
    • Summer tour begins next Saturday the 25th. Pre blast coming shortly
    • Puppy Pile Saturday June 1st at 7:05 am
    • Keep praying for Swirly and his M

    SPIT ON THAT!!

  • Testing the trails for RiverRock

    A PAX of 5 (twelve legs total) came out to Early Risers to make sure the trails were safe for the Riverrock races during the day. With all the rain last night the trails were still relatively good.

    No reason to stay off the trails since there will be hundreds on them in a few hours. Off we went – Northbank to BI then Buttermilk. Vinny bailed on us at Tredegar to meet his BFFs at Breakfast Club while the rest of us stayed on the trails. Sallie was off leash most of the run, pretty cool looking back to see green eyes coming for you. Also Sippy and YHC had not run the new Texas Beach trail, why not in the dark and wet.

    Nothing too unusual on the trails, besides a bra left on the ground at the Riverside water stop. YHC stuck to a ratio of one fall per mile but no scrapes. Running Buttermilk with the sunlight poking through and then across the Nickel Bridge with the sunrise was the highlight.

  • It’s in the cards

    9 men arrived at The Creek on a beautiful Friday morning to play some cards. The game is detailed below.

    Mosey to field past shelter, COP: 20 SSH, 20 buttkickers, 15 Imperial walkers, 10/5 arm circles, 25 diamond merkins, 44 heels to heaven.

    Mosey to picnic shelter for triple check: first partner runs to road and back, other 2 do WW2 situps and LBC’s. Move to parking lot by bell tower for suicides, keeping same partners: first partner does suicides and 5 burpees when done, other two do ranger merkins and hold plank.

    Move over to curb for 25 calf raises, 25 dips, come back for high flutter kicks x 25, HRM x 25, monkey humpers x 25.

    Mosey back to flag, numberama, namerama, YHC took us out.

    NMS

    This was YHC’s first attempt using the F3 card deck, and it turned out pretty well. The cards favored a lot of ab work this morning, and the PAX (especially Rounders) were eager participants in picking a card. Chewy twice tried to trick the Q into a different exercise–YHC thinks he needs to Q again to scratch that itch of telling the PAX what to do–same for Rounders, sign up and lead again! It was great for YHC to meet Corned Beef, who attacked the workout with vigor, and Gigawatt left the PAX in his dust on the runs. We did 44 heels to heaven during COP because Rounders heard 45 the first time, the PAX did 25 and he was still going, so we caught up.

    Announcements: new AO, The Anvil, debuts 5/30 at Mechanicsville Elementary, the pre-Blast is already up. Spit is Q’ing at Dogpile tomorrow, YHC can’t make it but show up if you can. Also, Lab Rat and his M are still seeking donations for their non-profit, see the MANNdate backblast for details.

    As usual, I have No Idea what I’m doing.

  • Thanks for Nothing, Robert Frost!

    Fifteen men from Richmond and the surrounding areas converged at Mary Munford to end the week the right way.  

    The Routes

    6 Milers – MM down Grove to Henri to Campus Drive to UR Drive around the lake, up Ridgeway to Fairway to Robins to Iris to Stonehurst Green to St. Andrews Lane back to Grove to Mary Mumford.

    5 Milers – The same except instead of running around the lake, they ran to Ridgeway.  It is also likely that they did not turn onto Stonehurst.

    4 Milers – The same except possibly did not go all the way along Campus Drive.

     

    The joke of my nickname is that English is one subject I do not feel qualified to teach.  But, since this is known as the Haiku Route, here we go.

     

    What Perfect weather

    Let’s go for a ride or run

    Down Grove Here we go!

     

    It’s that time of year

    Marv and Sippy Cup discuss

    Little League Baseball

     

    Up Ridgeway is tough

    Not easy to run and talk

    But the views are great!

     

    The Road less traveled

    Let’s take St. Andrews to Grove

    Is the way we went

     

    Back on Grove we go

    Still laughing at that poem.

    Googled it at home.

    COT – Numberama, Name-o-rama, Announcements YHC took us out.

    NMS


    After attempting to create a new route, YHC decided to select one of his favorite routes from Lockjaw’s many.  As YHC was giving the directions, Sippy said that it was the Haiku route?  Well, I gave it a try.  I preparing myself mentally for the critiques.

    As YHC was running with Marv and Sippy, he suggested that we run down St. Andrew’s.  After doing this, Sippy and YHC had a discussion about Robert Frost and The Road Less Traveled.  Sippy then told YHC about the following poem from a children’s book.

    “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I

    I took the one less traveled by. . .

    Since then I’ve been completely lost.

    Thanks for nothing, Robert Frost!”

     

    He then told YHC about a poem that ended with Infinity minus one which was also hilarious.  These got me to the end of the route.  Thanks for Sharing Sippy!

    Announcements

    • Early Risers –  4 AM trail run – tomorrow (Saturday, 5/18/19)
    • New Thursday AO coming to Daville -https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2019/05/16/new-ao-the-anvil-coming-to-daville/
    • Puppy Pile – June 1 at 7:05 AM.  (The last Saturday in May)
    • Need Q for Breaking Bread – Sunday before Memorial Day.
    • Summer Tour starts Saturday, May 25.  We are doing patches this year.  A Preblast is coming shortly.  F3RVA Monthly Challenge
    • Prayers for Swirly and his M.  We are all think about you.  

    Gotta Run!

    Phonics

     

  • River Sunrise

    Sunny and 70 everyday in F3RVA but today felt especially nice. 7 SOJers took the daily red pill and started their day at TwinTeam. YHC had advertised to a few at the Forge that there would be a field trip to see the sunrise. Some did not realize the park was there or what it was but all got to enjoy a beautiful morning on the river.

    THANG

    Mosey down the road, stopping in the grass as a car went by for a quick COP of SSH, Helicopters and IW. Mosey the rest of the way all the way to the river. Dial up a perfect sunrise and find a spot on a bench, preferably facing the water for Lindsays. Dips and Step Ups.

    Find the boat/dock rack that was once used for the Murph. 5 pull ups, run to the volleyball court 10 merkins. Repeato x3

    Down to the dock for a mountain climber leap frog. All plank, man on the end does 10 Mtn climbers, jump the pax, repeato until we get to the other end of the dock.

    Indigenous People run to get out of the park, normal round 1, add burpee round 3, 3 merkins for round 3. Around behind the school to find the tires. Unfortunately they have been chained up so no tire flipping for us today. Instead all do a 6 inch hold while one man does 5 pull ups and then does the monkey bars, rotate through. Ollivander added the optional rope walk at the end.

    Mosey back to the flag for some randorama – Freddies, Flutters, HRM, Plank Jacks, Hillbillies, AH and 1-leg APD.

    Numbers/Names and Tobit took us out

    NMS

    Not even close to calling this morning the gloom. What a great day to be outside, when YHC signed up to Q a few weeks back the hope was to get a reasonably clear day to see the sunrise on the river. It couldn’t have worked out any better. Yet another jewel on the James. Hard to believe we tried the Murph on that iron rack, 3 rounds of 5 was tough enough. Lots of time for chatter on the mosey to and from the river. Any more than 7 PAX planking on that dock would have put us fully in the water. We’ll be back for a trail run later in the summer when it gets a little lighter and warmer. Tight quarters for the shotput and discus at James River but plenty of room for an F3 Olympics.

    Announcements –

    Summer Tour – sign up sheet is out there, see a recent backblast

    Shakedown is shaving his head for St. Baldricks – He’ll let you know where to find the link if you want it

    Some summer series races at Sportsbackers Stadium this summer, Phonics or I have more info. F3 should get a team or two together

    Hawkeye is having a Hoe Down at his house this weekend. Show up if you can find it. Track him down for more info.

    Have a great day today men. Thanks for the opportunity to lead, I enjoyed sharing a great morning with everyone. Take that energy and make someone else’s day better.

  • Congrats to the 1-9!

    18 men with their college years in the rear view mirror (some farther than others) posted to THE FORGE on this beautiful Thursday morning for a serving of Gumbo. The menu was as follows:

    Mosey down the large hill to the cul-de-sac for COP, including some Variety Mosey between various lightpoles (including high knees (I SAID HIGH KNEES OLLIE!), butt-kickers, backwards running and side-shuffles).

    COP in the Circle all IC x19 (except 1 brain fart but the PAX got a Burpee to subtract that one — yes, Rosie, that works), including:

    • SSHs
    • DQs (19 slow DQs is a lot)
    • Imperial Walkers
    • LBCs
    • Flutter Kicks
    • Merkins (just a “Down” 1-count)

    THE THANG:

    Love Hill – Mosey back to the bottom of the straight away of the hill for FORGE’s Love Hill. Partner up and make our way back up to the Flag. Partner 1 runs up and back while Partner 2 starts climbing by exercise. Flapjack and repeat until reaching the Flag. Exercises were Lunges, then polar bears, then broad-jump burpees…repeat and recycle until getting to the top.

    Mosey around the front of the school over to the courtyard and steps. Plank-o-rama for the Six.

    Triple Check on the Steps – Groups of 3. 1 man does merkins, 1 man does flutter kicks, 3rd man box-jumps up the steps and does 2 burpees at the top. Repeato x 3.

    Wall Work – Line up on the large retaining wall, perform 20 Donkey Kicks. Run across courtyard to brick wall for 10 Chicken Peckers. Repeato x2. Plank in the middle for the Six.

    Mosey back around front of the school and circle up in the bus loop for Mary, including:

    • hold six inches
    • Hello Dollies x19
    • Rosalitas x19
    • Freddie Mercuries x19 (variety cadence – SLOOOW to FAST)
    • American Hammers x19
    • Alternating Shoulder Taps x19

    AYG (All You Got) Sprint back to the Flag.

    COT, Number-rama, Name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

    Announcements/Prayers:

    • Early Risers this Saturday – launches from Dogpile parking area at 0400 (yep, that’s right) and will hit the trails and link up with Breakfast Club. See Vinny if you’re crazy enough.
    • Summer Tour sign-up sheet is up.
      https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-L8e9W24ygnU0suaGyKxzi1PgPqY1CBd57hLrKTZI-g/edit#gid=1083932325
    • Scrum VQ next week at the FORGE
    • Continued prayers for Swirly and his M and family
    • Prayers for the Sexton-Ruis family (old neighbors of Handshake). The Wife/Mother recently lost her battle with brain cancer at the WAY-too-young age of 27. We say it often these days, but each day is precious men!
    • Puppy Pile on 6/1 at 0700

    NMS:

    Today was graduation at VMI and YHC’s nephew (F3RVA – Shawshank) graduated. “4 and out the door” baby! Bleeder’s neice (I think?) was also among the graduating cadets. It was great to get back to Mother I and support my sister and my nephew today. In honor of Shawshank and all those in the Class of 2019, our counts today were all 19 (well, except the 1…oops).

    WOW, did the memories and feelings come rushing back. There is something special about the Institute (cue TYA comment…). It was a great day!

    Thanks to everyone who posted in the Gloom this morning at The Forge. It was great effort and great encouragement. No man was left behind this morning and no man was left where he started. We did some hard work and get a sweat going. Well done men.

    A Kotters to McRib. Thanks for posting! Posh – I hope the quad or hammy is ok brother. Don Draper – Way to fly on the AYG sprint – I see you working. Fiona – great to see you back out after your first post on Tuesday — I hope we have hooked you.

    Great job everyone!

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Wednesday Hill run – a couple weeks ago

    3 warriors posted on a wednesday for a jaunt around hillcrest. Kubota and Husky did a couple laps and TYA ran a few long and medium loop.

    NMM

    Big data gods must be appeased.

  • Two churches

    14 strong posted on a Thursday morning for a beatdown at Mary Mumford.

    The Thang

    Mosey about 50 yards to side of school. 5x Don Quixote, 10x merkins, Mosey a little more to corner of Commonwealth and Cary, another COP with random exercises. Run across the street to the sidewalk on cary and Mosey to windsor way. Team up, first person runs to next intersection and back, other person does Lunges, crab dippers, and polar bears until both reach the intersection. Mosey to Grove Baptist Church field. 4 corners. First round mosey to first corner for 10 merkins, second corner, 20 copperhead squats, third corner 40 WWII setups, corners 4 40 side straddle hops. While waiting for the 6 continue to do SSH. Reverse direction and run backwards between the stations, add 5 to each exercise ending at the merkin station. Mosey to Windsor way, make your way to the next intersection doing lunges, crab dips, and polar bears in team. Mosey to intersection of Windsor way and Cary. Cross street and enter Reveille church. Short COP at side of school. Go through back entrance of school and mosey back to shovel flag, stopping several times for more merkins, mary exercises and other COP activities.

    NMM

    I was kicking my own ass this morning. The reason we has so many COP and stops along the way was because I couldn’t get into a running rhythm. Even with the stops, I didn’t want to give the us a break, so I kept the exercises flowing.

    Field at Grove Baptist was awesome today. They had cut the grass so it wasn’t its normal knee high grass. Only negative on the field was that on the south side of the field there were a bunch of divers/holes in the field. Ankle breakers if you were not careful.

    Splinter brought us out and into the day we went.

  • New AO (The Anvil) Coming to DaVille

    New AO (The Anvil) Coming to DaVille

    The nano region of DaVille will now be offering a Thursday bootcamp AO. Here is the info.

    AO Name: The Anvil
    Location: Mechanicsville Elementary School –   7425 Mechanicsville Elementary Dr, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 
    Launch Date: 5/30/19

    SYITG!!