Category: Richmond, VA

  • Wet and Wild

    Started posting on local Facebook pages to sit up the activity. This reeled in 2 fngs with one already on the way.

    4 were ready to go at 7 so we mosied around lumberyard. Shortly after before WARMARAMA 2 more pulled in, so we circled back and talked the troops. Changed plans and warms up with merkins, ssh, helicopters, Ukrainian soliders, and copperhead squats. Ran 4 corners on the football field to the 50yd marker. Merkins, then add lbcs, Bernie for MOT, squats, and add ssh.

    Next we meandered over to the hill for 11s squats, crawlbear to merkins to Bernie the hill. Took a long 30 count and make a to the Pavillion area for a break from the rain. Walls of Jericho, one calls a workout and runs the perimeter while the pack performs called workout. Step ups, merkins, and whatever else i forgot.

    We did a 30 second shuffle rotating through workouts under the Pavillion and wrapped up what time we had left. 3 fngs to name. We finished out adding BamBam, Bandit, and Swifty.

  • Difference Weather For 41

    4 Davillians and one traveler for the south came out on a rainy Saturday morning to help YHC celebrate another trip around the sun

    This how it went down

    Mosey to the HS basketball court

    COP (ALL IC) – 41 SSH’s, DQ, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, Cooperhead Squats, Helicopters, LBC’s, HRM’s, Scorpion Kicks, ALT’s, Arm Circles

    THANG

    Mosey to the bus loop

    Catch us of you can – The PAX runs backward around both the outer and inner bus loop while one person does 3 Burpees and runs to catch. Switch, Rinse, and Repeat

    Mosey to the MS basketball court

    Triple Check – Pull Ups, Toe Tappers, and Suicide across the courts

    Mosey to the Tennis Court

    Escalating Four Corners – Start with reps of 10 then lunge to the next court and do 10 reps + 20 reps. Rinse and Repeat up to 10, 20, 30, & 40. Exercises were 10 Merkins, 20 WWII’s, 30 Squats, 41 SSH’s

    Mosey back to the SF with some stops of Burpees along the way

    GRAMS including Michael Phelps’

    Numberrama, Namerama, Announcements, YHC took us out

    MOLESKIN

    Very different weather celebrating turning 41 this year. Last year YHC got to Q in the snow which I would take over this anytime.

    Thanks Rosie for making the trip and help YHC celebrate with a birthday Q. Rosie and I enjoy catching up a little while the rest of the PAX arrived on “DaVille Time”

    The bus loop was a challenge today while we saw up to 10 cars come through dropping off MS boys for some sport. We notice the dad’s in the car didn’t seem very interested in what we were doing

    All fun enjoying the 2nd F at the Local where Yard Sale joined us as well

    SPIT ON THAT!!

  • Rockwood Takeover

    At 6am, Rockwood Park is typically packed with walkers and runners. This morning, Big Rig and I were the only ones dumb enough to venture out. YHC rucked for hour on the main road (forgot my headlamp). Big Rig was slacking and only ran 10 miles. We wrapped things up just as the ‘Rock N Roll crew began to assemble.

  • The Trail of Misery

    Alright, conditions weren’t that bad. A little bit of rain never hurt anyone…………..Here is a brief summary of today’s workout for your viewing pleasure.

    Mosey to the picnic shelter for Warm-Up: Side Straddle Hops, Ski Jumps, Arm Circles, Incline Merkins, Mountain Climbers, Pickle Pounders, LBC’s, Alabama Prom Dates, Freddy Mercuries, all done in perfect cadence. I may have missed a couple.

    The Exercise: Run the paved trail and stop at various points for exercises. As best I can remember:
    10 Burpees
    20 Hand Release Merkins
    30 WWII Sit ups
    40 Plank Jacks
    50 Merkins
    60 Squats
    70 Side Straddle Hops
    80 Dips
    90 LBC’s
    100 Moroccan Night Clubs
    110 Meters of hill sprints
    120 Flutter Kicks
    130 Meters of Suicides with burpees at the baseline

    Back to the Flag for a minute of leg stretching

    Final thoughts: Excellent effort by the PAX this morning, and I appreciate everyone who came out in less than ideal conditions. It was great to see Yoda return for his second workout – hoping he becomes a regular. Broadway was looking strong! As always, it was an honor to lead.

    SYITG.

  • Groundhog Day

    For the last several Gridirons, it felt like déjà vu all over again: Tater, Atilla, Tater, Atilla. So, to break the pattern, I signed up for the Q. Salt Lick missed an opportunity to get 100 Burpees. His loss.

    As always, it’s 70 and Sunny in RVA, although the internet claimed it was 55 and rainy and Chum showed up in a Gloucester Halloween disguise.

    Mosey to the new Pickle Ball Courts because:

    • We don’t want to get sunburned
    • We want to be visible to any latecomers

    Disclaimer

    • I’m not a professional
    • Push yourself but don’t hurt yourself
    • Don’t leave here with more injuries than you came with
    • Feel free to modify any exercise

    11s from one baseline of the court to the other baseline with V-ups & Burpees

    • 10 & 1
    • 9 & 2 etc.
    • Stretching exercises

    Divided up for Triple Check

    • Partner 1: Timer runs around the court twice and does 5 Burpees
    • Partner 2: Squats
    • Partner 3: Crunchy Frogs
    • Stretching exercises

    Mosey to the bathroom wall near the “flag” (parking lot)

    • People’s Chair 15 Air Press, 10 BTTW Shoulder taps, 5 Burpees OYO
    • People’s Chair 15, Milkers, 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers, 5 Burpees OYO
    • People’s Chair 15 Muhammad Ali, 10 BTTW Toe Taps, 5 Burpees OYO
    • People’s Chair 15 Lalannes, 10 Dirty Hookup, 5 Burpees OYO

    Mosey back to the shelter beside the parking lot.

    • 10 Bulgarian Split Squats right leg in cadence
    • 10 Bulgarian Split Squats left leg in cadence
    • 10 Dips in cadence
    • 9 Bulgarian Split Squats right leg in cadence
    • 9 Bulgarian Split Squats left leg in cadence
    • 9 Dips in cadence
    • Etc down to 1

    Mosey to the covered walkway at the school

    • 15 pole smokers in cadence
    • 15 paper dolls in cadence
    • 10 Burpees, OYO

    Line of Fire (same as of a Ring of Fire but we were all in a line): everyone called an exercise.

    Mosey back to the bathroom

    • 30 count elbow plank

    Times up!

    Announcements

    January 13: Tuesday: 2nd Tuesday 2nd F: Joey’s Hot Dogs in Innsbrook, Noon.

    January 24: Saturday: The Bridge. DM me in Slack (1st-F-fitness, 3rd-F-faith, Westhoe channels)

    COT

    Epiphany is January 6, the first day after the 12 Days of Christmas (December 25 to January 5.)

    It is also the beginning of the season of Epiphany (in Christianity). Epiphany ends on Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. The next day is Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent.

    “Epiphany” means “a sudden revelation or insight.” It describes a breakthrough in your outlook that is wholly overwhelming. It commemorates the visit by the Magi.

    In Latin America, Epiphany is often celebrated as the main gift giving day (vs Christmas). “Día de los Reyes Magos”.

    The Venerable Bede (c. 673–735 AD), an influential English monk and scholar, significantly shaped Christian tradition, especially concerning the Epiphany, by popularizing the names and characteristics of the Three Magi (Melchior, Caspar, Balthasar) and linking their gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) to Jesus’s kingship, divinity, and mortality, solidifying Epiphany’s focus on Christ’s manifestation to all peoples, not just Jews.

    Prayers for Flo’s father-in-law who recently broke his hip.

  • Pain Train Stations & Highland Games

    Light Rain, Cool Mud, Streetlight Gloom, 50# Kettlebell, 10’ Caber, Classic Rock, 60# Sandbags, balmy 60 degrees, DTH Mobile Pull-up Station, and 8 heroic badass HIMs embracing the suck and conquering the day before it even began.  Here’s what the fartsackers missed:

    The THANG: 

    WARMERAMA: 

    • Mosey lap and circle up
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Warm-up Reps IC

    PAIN TRAIN STATIONS:

    • #50 Kettle Bell Sumo Squats
    • Caber Flips (lift heavy end to flip over repeatedly)
    • DTH Mobile Pullup Station – alternate pullups with chin-ups with Negatives
    • #60 Sandbag Chest Press
    • Abbs – Crunchy Frogs or Hammers
    • #60 Sandbag Clean
    • Burpees
    • TIMER: Runs the field loop, then all PAX rotate stations
    • x2 Rounds completed

    HIGHLAND GAMES:

    • Switch the Music to Scottish Pipes&Drums
    • DTH demonstrate the Caber Toss and sets the distance to beat at 11 paces
    • While each man takes a turn flipping the caber, the rest of the PAX complete OYO reps – squats, imperial walkers, humpers, WWII’s, single leg shoulder taps, etc
    • Ran out of time to try the Hammer Throw & 50# KB Throw …next time

    Circle up for COT:

    • Counterama # 8
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer – lifting up the health and safety of THREE 2.0’s coming int the world in 2026, as well as Figo’s M who admitted with a psych scare
    • Coffeerama at the Polk House!

    NMS:  This was a FANTASTIC group of brothers for some CSAUP fun in the rain. Definitely challenged with the circuit reps and the mobile pull-up station worked out just fine! Nobody beat the DTH caber flip distance but a couple guys got close. To be fair this is YHC’s 12th year competing in the Henderson family Highland Games (coming up in 2 weeks) so experience pays off. The Coffeerama was amazing!!! What an awesome venue Machismo has created for this AO. And we had the very pleasant surprise visit from Snuff to join the hearty conversation. God is good ALL the time brothers. Yours AYE! ~DTH

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Dry January Ongoing
    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 2/7 Frozen Triangle
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge (1/24)

  • Santa’s Sled

    11 strong came out to end the week right at SH. After some brief mumble chatter about Taziki’s early arrival the PAX was ready to let it fly (or drag?).

    Quick mosey down the hill and back to the lot.  COP- 20 each SSH, LBC; Willy Mays Hayes, 10 Each, Jim Duggan’s,  Jazzercise, Helicopters, Imperials Walkers, , Copper head squat, Cherry pickers, Merkins, Dollies, Flutters. 

    5 groups. Each group take turns dragging sled down lot, Switch partners, then back. Started with 1 Coupon on board and progressed to 4, so 4 rounds. Remaining groups were left to perform called exercises: Merkins, Drydocks, Coupon curls, LBC, WWII, flutters, Box cutters, etc.

    There was some crying(Futon) about YHC not building the sled to fit 4 coupons. Sled worked fine for me.

    Had time for some LOVE HILL. If you know, you know.

    BTTF just in time.

    Prayers to those with long travels and to those needing healing hands. YHC took us out in prayer.

  • Yeehaw! Flipping Tires!

    This AO has it all! The biggest pile of coupons you’ve ever seen! A couple of bus tires to toss around! Some football dummies to tackle! Some bleacher stairs to climb! Baseball diamonds to routine! A platform to box jump! Walls to Donkey Kick! Well lit areas! I could keep going! Hopefully the tires will be enough to get Yukon Cornelius excited!

    Warmarama was light and OYO with MC being the main thang.

    The Thang!

    Light Posts – 5 Squats or Jump Squats if one is feeling mighty at every one of the 10 lights.

    Mosey

    Apple Turnovers – using all of the No Parking signs – Bear Crawl to the next sign, perform 3 CDDs and crab walk to the next sign, repeat until you’ve made it to the last sign.

    Mosey

    Pillar Quads – Wall sit for 10 secs, bunny hop to the next post and repeat.

    Mosey – Choo Choo runs way faster on a n active road!

    Tire Toss – flip a tire from one light post to the other, perform 10 Derkins, run back to light post, perform 10 Derkins and return tire in the same fashion.

    Must Have Quads – Perform 6 Bulgarian SS on a single leg, run up the stairs and back down to perform 6 more BSS with opposite leg. P2 performs WWIIs until P1 has completed. Do 3 sets.

    Mosey back to the invisible flag!

    Incredibly fun workout this gloom with you Choo Choo!!!

  • Early Gloom OTB Ruck on a Friday

    A couple of early risers emerged from the darkness for the earliest of rucks (04:20 start time) at our Loco Motion AO!

    we had plenty of discussion and discovery going on as we traveled the outermost parts of the schools landscape before getting into the tree line. Great idea to get a ruck in pre gloom Commando! Always a pleasure! Way to get those miles in!

  • Friday in Westhoe that’s not Currahee

    As YHC writes this backblast he ponders on the fact that we now have a Trifecta of AO’s in WestHoe that were founded by men that no longer attend these AO’s. Two of which happened almost immediately and one that did attend for years.

    Anyways, back to the Backblast. A “merry” bunch of men for the Members Only Tunnel Vision. YHC has always been once and did a poor job using Google Earth to scout the AO. YHC tried something new that immediately got grumbles for the “respect” Pax, to be fair, even if they liked it they would have grumbled.

    We did stuff, it lasted 45 minutes, and then there was Coffee at Starbucks afterwards and YHC learned all about there Software world.

    Announcements – Pigskin is leading the Bridge Jan 24th. 2nd F at Joeys Hot Dogs next Wednesday at noon. Frozen Triangle Feb 7th starting at Dogpile at 0600.

    Prayer Requests – None

    NMS – thanks for letting me Q.