Category: Richmond, VA

  • Not 10K

    Wet as it was, it was a good morning not to be running 6.2 miles in a Strawberry Shortcake costume. Instead, we gathered eight in western Henrico County – a good bit removed from Monument Avenue – for another installment of GridIron.

    As the final few in our group were locking car doors and heading over to our established circle, we knocked out some Invisible Jump Ropes. Following these, we moseyed to the extensive Pillars of Pain (bus shelter) adjacent to Short Pump Middle School for the rest of the startup COP, including IWs, DQs, Hillbillies, Cherry Pickers, and Arm Circles.

    We stayed in place at the northwestern end of the Pillars and began a Super 21 involving Merkins and WWII Sit Ups – begin with 1 rep of each exercise, then complete 2 of each, and so on, adding another rep, until 21 of each are completed. We broke up the Super 21 action with a mixed bag of other exercises. YHC started with the idea that we complete 21 of some other exercise at break points during the 21 (5, 10, and so on) but transitioning into completing round after round of LBCs with the idea of the PAX collectively completing 10K together (1,250 each) in honor of that little run going on across town. We got to 600 LBCs before having to finish the final round of Super 21 and to head back to the parking lot.

    Assembled in the lot once again, we gathered in a COT and Attila took us out. Coffee at Einstein Bros. afterwards as usual.

  • Celestial Navigation

    Image result for celestial navigation

    Fourteen noble steeds emerged from their chariots eagerly awaiting a Splinter Q. Everyone huddled around before YHC asked, “who has the Q”. Upon realization of YHCs negligence, we settled upon Mount Henrico. Off we went with little instructions and only the simple question, “do you know where you are going?”

    4s, 5s, and 6s were bountiful. Huddle up for numbers, names and TYA insisted on taking us out with his recommendation not to rely on GPS. Good thing it wasn’t designed for military use where precision is important. Saab appropriately interjected with his support for high priced athletic tracking gear.

    Moleskin
    Apologies to the group for not having something more elaborate planned. YHC takes pride in proper preparation and for some reason did not look at the Q sheet yesterday. Had there been even a few minutes more, something else could have been called. I wonder what that could have been? Be forewarned, next time there will be ample planning.

    I am just glad that everyone loves my running routes. They may not be in Lockjaw territory, but the grin on Saab’s face when he hopped out of the car in anticipation of directions (which never came) gave me solace that I must be doing something right.

    Announcements

    • Awesome news but prayers continue for Toto’s family
    • PuppyPile will make is re-emergence Saturday 4/27 at 7:05AM. Marv has the Q. If you see him, be sure to remind him of this fact.
    • Congrats to TYA on his recent accomplishments and PR with the 50k.

    Big Data wasn’t watching very well today.

  • Looks like Winter filed an extension

    With the tax filing date past us 6 PAX were made aware that apparently winter filed the necessary paperwork for an extension. We were met with 40 degrees but clear skies to:

    COP: Invisible Jumprope, 10 Burpees, Don Qs, Imperial Walkers, Merkins, Flutterkicks, Helicopters. Back to main lot:

    Merkin Arrows: Run entire lot – 10 Merkins each set of arrows. Audible on 2nd half to alternate WWIIs for merkins. Head to school wall:

    Triple Check: Run lot, Dips, Balls2Wall. Then head on down to track for Lindsays: Benchkicks & Squats. Jerkin Gym: 3 Sets of 8 Jerkins. Over to Heartbreak Hill – Up & down 3 times. Back to Jerkin Gym: 3 Sets of 6 Jerkins. Back to Flag – 3 MoM: Freddy Mercurys, Heels2Heaven, American Hammers. Seymour took us out.

    NMS – Just when you thought it was short sleeve weather in the Gloom we get another 40 degree morning. Actually felt good once we got moving. YHC wanted to get some Merkins in early so the 10 per Arrows set seemed like a good idea until we were 150 merkins in halfway. Only Handshake seemed disappointed for the audible to alternating WWIIs.

    The PAX needed 10 Burpees in the COP to wake up. P-Trap joined us mid burpees. YHC joked we were doing 100 Burpees to start, not sure he believed it or not. Not much mumblechatter this morning, just solid work by all 6. We lamented Mr Holland’s move to Glen Ashland meaning we’ll lose him to DaVille on Tuesday mornings. And since it was below 50 degrees Loose Goose continues is cold weather boycott.

  • Wait, you’re not Flatline

    13 SOJ redwoods escaped the draw of the warm fartsack. On what was hopefully the last cold morning of the spring they came to see what Flatline had in store but got YHC instead. With Flatline unavailable after the recent death of his M’s grandmother he reached out to me last week to take over but I decided to leave the Q sheet alone. Most of the PAX stayed in the warm cars until the last minute, or at least until Tobit got out and started stretching, we saw you checking him out Gumbo. Apparently a few of the PAX had checked the Q sheet and were looking around for Flatline until the mosey began. I tried a to mimic Flatline along the way but was told there was not enough energy or volume to do it justice.

    THANG

    Parking lot COP – SSH, DQ, Plank for Annie, Merkins, Alt. Shoulder Taps, Mtn. Climbers, Merkins, LBC.

    Mosey to the field for a Flatline special – sprint the field, 15 merkins. Only once this time. Next up was the Quarter Pounder – run to 25 yd line do 25 merkins backwards to the start, repeat to the 50, 75 and 100 with 50 squats, 75 Mtn Climbers, 100 SSH. Repeato for a Double QP with apologies to Bullseye – 25 WWI, 50 2ct Freddies, 75 2ct Flutter kicks, 100 LBC.

    Back to the parking lot for a triple check – Run the loop, BTTW (fence), Pole smokers. Carousel plank walk around the island for the 6. Mosey back to the basketball courts for donkey kicks and monkey humpers, rounds of 10, 15 and 20. 6 inch hold for the six.

    Close out with a ring of fire with lots of flair including Dive bombers, Hitchhikers, Stagger merkins, Werkins and others… Wilson and Posh stole the show. Wilson with his dog pointer merkins lifting opposite hand/leg on each and Posh with the full body explosion getting hands and feet off the ground for 10 merkins. That man has gotten strong!

    Numbers/Names/Wilson took us out

    Announcements

    VQ Thursday at the FORGE – Don Draper has the Q

    Gomer Pyle Q week, find him if you can

    NMM – Thanks for following along today men. It was no Flatline Q but it had it’s own flavor, most of which the PAX could predict. I think I heard a few people call out what was next before I gave the instruction. Next time I’ll have more variety for you. Gotta give it to Posh again, those merkins were impressive, not sure if there is an F3 name for those but there should be. DK was missing Flatline and I tried to get the cadence right but it just wasn’t the same. DTH was already thinking of ways to do a Full Pounder or more. Good push today men, another great start to the day. Go do something good for someone. That’s basically what Wilson said right.

  • Brah yah gonna crush it

    10 Hardened Warriors met in the gloom for bikini season prep on arms and abs. Brah yah gonna crush it.

    Here is how it went down.

    Mosey to COP all IC: 22 SSH; 10 Abe Vigoda; 22 Grass Angels; (LR mumble chatter stops); 22 Australian Grass Angels; 22 4 count HRM; 22 slow Frederick Mercury; Arm Circles

    Mosey to She Shed. Triple Check. Iron Chair with Overhead Claps + Plank Jack (O.P.P. yah you know me) + run to light

    short Mosey to Derkin bars. Buddy up. 10+10+10 one leg Derkin.

    Mosey to Pole Smoker at trees – 10 heels to heaven, modified to 5. Pax flutter kick or Freddie Mercury while waiting

    Bottom Feeder – 5 x spider merk (8 points) followed by 5x Curb Crawl (Bear Crawl, incline merk, Crawl Bear, decline merk)

    YHC took us out.

    NMS – Day 3. Learning from yesterday, YHC arrived early enough to recon the route: DaVille is big, bigger than Heartbreak with lots to do and with as much running as you like. Red Pill decisions on Tuesday morning are tough for YHC going forward. The COP and OPP finished faster than planned – thanks to LR for on the run suggestions.

  • Ninja ruck

    2 men with noble purpose set forth for the first ever stealth ruck. YHC and Mudface, clad in non-reflective black clothing, tromped quietly through the pre-dawn stillness, talking loudly of feats past and imagined, logging a little over 3 miles in the gloom.

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

  • NWS Wakefield Knows

    YHC rounded the corner of the school a couple of minutes before the 6 PM start time to find Krü warming up. The NWS had issued an alert concerning afternoon thunderstorms and the sky began to show signs just as the workout began. We warmed up adjacent to the parking lot a lineup of the usual. We moved to the school wall for a couple a Double Check – one guy runs towards the street and back while the other performs an exercise – we started with the People’s Chair. Following the first Double Check, we wrapped in 50 (Ralph Sampson’s jersey # ahead of the NCAAM Final including UVA that night) LBCs. Another Double Check with Straight Arm Plank followed by another 50 LBCs.

    Move off into the school yard to alternate chest and leg exercises – 24 of one (Olden Polynice’s #) and 34 of another (Rick Carlisle’s #). More LBCs.

    Head around to the bus loop and alternate 11 Curb Toe Taps (or whatever we call them – Othel Wilson’s #) and 11 Dips. Began this as an AMRAP. Although we weren’t bothered by the darkening skies and the increasing rain, the presence of lightning led to us calling a somewhat early end to the workout.

  • PAX Singular

    YHC posted solo for the 4/1/2019 Punisher – was aware of injuries and anticipated being impacted by scholastic Spring Break. Stayed around the outdoor classroom area for a little of this and a little of that, plus some talking and singing to myself. All gathered had fun.

  • New OTB runner

    YHC and Honeymoon hit the roads for a planned 6 at 6 but he brought a newbie to Sunday OTB. His pup Annie got up with him and came with us. After a little positioning issue with Annie used to running on Honeymoon’s left and on wider roads we settled in to a groove. New route through Charter Colony, JTCC and the Grove finishing with the Woolridge hill that is tougher than it seems. The roads were quiet but the humidity is coming.

    Next Sunday is doubtful since it’s Easter and YHC has plans for early family breakfast.

  • The Unusual Suspects

    Two usual and two unusual suspects ventured out to Batteau after an evening of storms, some with, some without power.

    THANG (as best YHC remembers)

    SWIRLY Q

    Mosey to the Tennis Court

    COP – IWs, Helicopters, DQs, SSHs, Merkins, Flutter Kicks, LBCs

    Mosey to Playground

    • 5 x Chin-ups, 7 x CMMs, 10 x Dips, 15 x Incline Merkins – 3 rounds

    Mosey back to Tree Line along Path

    • 5 x Exercise at Each Tree – Merkins, Jump Squats, Diamond Merks, Lt. Dans, Wide Merks, V-Ups, Burpees, Others

    SIPPY Q

    Mosey Past Service Shed Down the Stairs to the Pond – Grab a Rock for the Trip

    • Exercises at each Lamp Post with Rock – Merkins, Staggered Merkins, Bench press, Rock Slams, Plankorama, American Hammers, Lunges, Bearway to Hell
    • Partner Up – P1 Runs up Stairs and Back, P2 Plank with Rock on Back

    Mosey back up Stairs to Return Rocks

    EF HUTTON Q

    Mosey back to Tree Line along Path

    • 10 x Monkey Humpers Each Tree

    Mosey back to VSF

    • 20 x Boxing Cockroaches – 2 Rounds

    Numberama, Nameorama, COT (Swirly)

    MOLESKIN

    YHC commented to Swirly last Wednesday that he was overdue for a trip down to Batteau.  Rolled out of the sack and chose the red pill expecting to meet up with the usual Batteau players, but only Swirly and Sippy were in attendance.  No problem, great to see Posh and enjoy what this fine AO has to offer.  Thanks to Sippy for keeping it all business during the Chad Michael Michaels, some of the usual, less mature, suspects could make that one pretty awkward.  If LabRat was on hand he’d apologize for the 4 big holes the PAX created by the pond with the Rock Slams.  YHC personally finds those very gratifying, though today made for a muddy morning after.  YHC had a flashback to the inaugural Batteau July 4th sweatfest as the PAX carried the rocks back up the stairs to return.  That workout still gives YHC F3PTSD.  What a great start to tax day!  SYITG.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS Puppy Pile anytime soon?