Category: Richmond, VA

  • Fudd Friday at RAMM

    15 middle aged wannabe rock stars fought off the grip of the fartsack to run (or bike) into the darkness at Mary Munford this morning.  Upchuck took the Q for RAMM Gears and YHC was in charge of RAMM.  Here’s what happened, more or less:

    Everyone mosey west on Grove and take a left on Roslyn, then a right on Stratford Crescent, cross Cary St, and continue south on Ampthill.  Take a right at the bottom of the hill (at the Manoli Loupassi sign) and continue on Paxton back up the hill, cross Cary St. heading north where Paxton turns into Tuckahoe Blvd, then take a left and head west on Grove.  4 milers turn right on Granite, then right on Patterson and right on Westmoreland to return to the SF.  5 milers take a right on Maple, and then right on Patterson to follow the 4 milers back to the flag.  There were no six milers today, but if there had been, they would have continued running to Three Chopt, gone right up to St. Cristophers, take another right and go north to Patterson, take a right and follow the 4 and 5 miler routes back to the SF.

    NM:  As most F3 regulars know, YHC does not make it to many workouts during the week anymore, given my Baltimore work location.  Having said that, this is the first time I have ever been to a RAMM workout where the riders outnumbered the runners. The official count was 6 runners and 9 riders.   The route for the runners took us down towards the James and back up a pretty good hill, before heading down Grove and back on Patterson on more famiiar turf.

    The runners seemed to be sweatier post workout than the riders, so not sure what route the riders took, but the rumor was that Upchuck took them on a tour of Westham before stopping at Starbucks for a latte.

    Announcements:

    Convergence tomorrow at Gridiron with workouts at 6 and 7.  See Hardywood’s pre-blast if you want breakfast on site after the second workout.  NO DOGPILE WORKOUT TOMORROW.

    There will be some type of get together at Lab Rat’s hacienda following the convergence.  Start time around 10am.  Beer will be provided, in some fashion.  There will also be cornhole boards there.

    Prayers for EF Hutton’s family as his father in law passed this week following a stroke.

    It’s always a pleasure to lead you men into the gloom.  Well done out there today!

    Fudd

  • Which is worse?

    Six strong posted to Circus Maximus to answer the proverbial question:  Which is worse- Posting to a Kettlebell workout with a 10 lb Purple Kettlebell or no Kettlebell at all?

    Pre- 5:30 loaners were provided (thanks White Deer) and we got started:

    COP – Slaughter starter- 10 Burpees, Don Qs, Flutterkicks, Helicopters, Scorpion Kicks. Grab bells for laps around median stopping for:

    KB Swings, Around the world Squats, Halos, Pullovers, Burpees, and Boat-Canoe. 3 Laps through and then Mary to finish – American Hammers and Alabama Softball Players.

    COT and Atilla took us out.

    NMS – Atilla shared with us the bad news about EF Hutton F-I-L. The Minors are definitely in our prayers this morning.

    Good to have Forceps out from Raleigh/South Wake. He was unaware of CM being a Kettlebell workout and had never done one before. Looks like he enjoyed it. I’ll leave it unspoken who the other PAX was who posted with the 10 Lb Purple Kettlebell.

    To YHC Alabama Softball Players will always be funny, no other Qs break those out. Also apparently someone in the Construction business has it out for Upchuck, wonder if we know of anyone who fits that description…

    Announcements – Convergence Saturday, see link for Food sign up:

    https://goo.gl/forms/OvEni3Lsd8XMxOaF3

     

  • Between Two Ferns

    A whopping 2 PAX presented themselves at Pole Green Elementary to knock out 110 burpees and a little bit o mary…this is what transpired…

    COP:  DQ’s, Arm Circles (both directions), WWII’s, Imperial Walkers…each preceded by 5 burpees

    Two-Fer (was going to be a Triple-Check):  Perform x Donkey Kicks, bear crawl 10 yards, perform x Merkins, then run 100 yards, perform 5 burpees…return and repeato.  x = 10, 15, 20, 25, 30.

    Jacob’s Ladder (Double-shot):  Run across two b-ball courts.  Perform burpee half way, then at end of other court, return and continue cycle.  Burpees start at 1 and end at 7 (1+1, 2+2, 3+3, etc). 56 burpees total.

    “Circle” up:  Perform 4 more burpees to make it an even 110

    “Ring” of Fire:  10 Merkins each x 4

    Mary:  Flutter kicks, Hello Dolly, Rosalitas, Box Cutters (out and in).

    Moleskin:

    As the “Green Acres” song danced in his head… “Dahling I love you but give me Park Avenue…”, YHC was actually anticipating no participants at this morning’s AO, and thereby dreading having to do 100 burpees on his own.  How great it was to see Phonics arrive.  What was interesting is that Phonics brought a flashlight on the assumption that the Q (Saab) would incorporate a lot of running.  Sadly, that was not an option for the Q but he hopes he otherwise did not disappoint

    Phonics was great during the burpee ladder and he easily smoked YHC…in fact that could be applied to everything else he did.

    For the second day in a row, YHC got to see a terrific sky full of stars…nice to get out of the big city once in a while.

    Announcements:   I’m sure there are some in another backblast somewhere…you should read it.

    Saab abides (when able)

     

  • Tuckahoe takes on Mary

    A hearty 18 showed for Tuckahoe Takeover and YHC’s VQ at 45 MoM.  It was another relatively quiet Pax today.  Though quiet, YHC could tell spirits were high.

    The Thang:

    COP

    22 SSH

    Helicopters

    Don Quixote

    Invisible jump rope

    Merkins

    4 burpees on your own.

    Mosey to the track for a round of 4 corners.

    4 laps consisting of 15 of each exercise at the corners: Merkins; APDs; burpees; 2 count flutter kicks.

    In Tuckahoe tradition, we added an addition onto the 4 corners with an extra lap of burpees – 3 at each corner.

    Then take a few steps over and partner up for 3 sets of 20 partner leg tosses and 20 dips.

    Afterward, we tried a little ascending testicles at the wall.  At a plank position with your feet on the wall, start with 5 derkins, move your legs up to a 45 degree angle, 5 more derkins, then up to balls to the wall for 5 more derkins and hold.  Two rounds of this.

    We made it through 2 rounds of a triple check of donkey kicks, LBCs and running to the fence before heading back to the flag.

    As we circled up, TYA emerged from the shadows.

    Numberama, nameorama and Marv took us out.

    NMS:

    It was a pleasure leading this group for my first time.  YHC was told that 75 burpees was the winning amount on the Twitter poll.  We did 76 for bragging rights.  See you in the gloom.

  • Timberwolf Beast

    A lucky 13 warriors came to deliver today.

    COP – Arm Circles, SSH, Imperial Walkers, Helicopters

    Mosey through the darkness to the football field.  Tatu went down somewhere in the shadows in perhaps a hole or a ditch.

    Line up for the Beast!

    • Burpees
    • WW II
    • Copperhead Squats
    • Freddie Mercuries
    • Burpees
    • Carolina Drydocks

    Three burpees on your own taking us to 75.

    In honor of Hugh Hefner, circle up for the Honeymoon Suite – Diamond Merkins, APDs, Monkey Humpers, Pickle Pounders.

    Pax preferred a return mosey across the tennis courts rather than in the shadows.  Fear of falling or Wilson’s phobia?  Head to the back corner of the school for Triple Check: BTTW, flutter kicks, run to the far end of the basketball court and back.

    Back to the shovel flag for hot potato Mary – Dealer’s Choice.  We did about seven exercises (some requiring official F3 names) and closed with superman.

    Oyster took us out.

    NMS:

    Timberwolf has so much to offer, but one cannot help but begin with that football field.  Perfect for a beast.  No lighting required either.  Early mumble chatter was promptly extinguished with the burpees kicking off the beast.

    During the honeymoon suite, Wilson’s unresolved stomach issues cleared everyone around him, casting the circle into a crescent.  Perhaps this is how he rolls in his personal honeymoon suite and he felt at home (#GodHelpWilson’sWife).  As we moved on to the triple check it became clear that this was not a one time occurrence.   The running portion was welcome relief from the stench.  Wilson needs help.

    Announcements:

    • Order your breakfast for Saturday in advance or face the wrath of Hardywood.
    • New AO launch on Monday – Hoedown @ Tuckahoe Elementary School.  It’s going to be super!

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

  • VQ, Toll Violation, and Pop-a-Lock

    11 were present for Saab’s VQ at SOT as part of Tuckahoe Takeover.  This is what transpired – more or less…

    COP:  DQ’s, 5 Burpees, Imperial Walkers, 5 Burpees, Arm Circles, 5 Burpees, LBC’s , 5 Burpees)

    Doras:  Merkins, Squats, LBC’s (119, 219, 319).  Partner runs around bus loop

    AMREPS:  Go to Courts:  5 Burpees (started with 10), run to other side perform 20 of exercise then return…repeat.  Alternating exercises were Merkins, J-Squats, WWII’s, and Monkey Humpers (by demand).

    Ring of Fire, then 5 minutes of Mary (Rosalitas, Box cutters, Heels to Heaven, Flutter Kicks).

    Moleskin:

    Well it has been 19 years since Saab packed his bags and migrated north to the big city.  Although the roads have a changed a bit, all was well on south side and PAX were welcoming as ever.  However, YHC learned the hard way there are no toll operators available at 5:00am.

    This was a typical Virgin-Q: YHC had studied the topography from pictures and had a “fair” idea where everything should be located, but it was dark so he needed the occasional guidance so as to not land in the wrong place….took me back to 8th grade.

    PAX were great and quite helpful.  Speaking of helpful, so was Scott from “Pop-a-Lock” who had to come and retrieved Saab’s keys.  (Serves him right for taking his son’s car and not studying the auto-lock system.)

    Announcements:  Convergence is Saturday (7:00am) at Grid Iron.  Bonus workout is at 6:00am – same location as Convergence.

    Please respond to Hardywood’s post if you would like to partake in breakfast and coffee.

    Saab abides (when able)

     

  • Lucky Horseshoe + Kettlebells = Suck

    Nine strong came out to Manndate to find out how could a Kettlebell workout handle the Lucky Horseshoe. After a quick COP and description of the KB alterations we got going:

    Lap was from front of school to back by the bus and return. Start with 20 Merkins, then add 20 of following exercises: KB Copperhead Quats, KB Swings, American Hammers w/KB, Lawnmower Rows. After 5 laps drop merkins and down to last exercise, then victory lap.

    Finish with Boat-Canoe, Figure 8s, and Halos.

    NMS- YHC first trip out to Manndate and the Pax brought it. Most knew what was in store although it was everyone’s first time experiencing the glory of the Lucky Horseshoe. The PAX took right to the LH.

    Alterations were made to the traditional 5 LH exercises. The KB squats, Swings, and especially American Hammers were tough.

    Spit set the pace and finished with several minutes to spare. Rounders and Helix were not far behind. Wheelie and YHC finished up right at the called time. Some PAX were slowed down with their larger bell sizes while others tossed around their sub-30 lb bells.

    COT and Spit took is out.

    Announcements – Convergence this Saturday, and sign up for food afterwards on PreBlast. No sign up, no food for you. Prayers for EF Hutton and his family. HR HDHH tonight at 5:30, see preblast.

     

  • Quietly crushing the horseshoe

    A hearty group of 15 showed on a beautiful 73 degree morning for the next installment of Tuckahoe Takeover.  The City had rolled out the red carpet by mowing the fields.  With my collar dutifully popped on my pink polo shirt, we ran into the gloom.  Here’s what went down:

    COP

    22 SSH

    10 Don Quixote

    10/5 arm circles, reverso

    11 imperial walkers

    35 lbcs on your own.

     

    Mosey to the field in front of the Carillon for a Lucky Horseshoe

    Lap 1: merkins x 20

    Lap 2: merkins x 20, squats x 20

    Lap 3: merkins x20, Squats x 20, Scorpion Drydocks x 20

    Lap 4: Merkins x 20, Squats x 20, Scorpion Drydocks x 20, WWII situps x 20

    Lap 5: Merkins x 20, Squats x 20, Scorpion Drydocks x 20, WWII situps x 20, Lunges x 20

    Lap 6: Squats x 20, Scorpion Drydocks x 20, WWII situps x 20, Lunges x 20

    Lap 7: Scorpion Drydocks x 20, WWII situps x 20, Lunges x 20

    Lap 8: WWII x 20, Lunges x 20

    Lap 9: Lunges x 20

    Lap 10: Victory Lap

    To YHC’s great pleasure and surprise, the PAX crushed the Horseshoe with time to spare, so we ran to the rusty cage (not the birdcage – thanks Splinter) for two laps around the pull up bars.

    Back to the flag for numberama, nameorama and TYA took us out.

    NMS:

    This was YHC’s VQ at WDog and the adrenaline was pumping.  The PAX twitter vote meant a morning with the Lucky Horseshoe.  This was also YHC’s first Horseshoe, so much time was spent reviewing the Library of Backblasts and asking Honeydo for advice.  This was the quietest WDog YHC has experienced, likely due in honor of the Horseshoe.

    Announcements:

    Today – Tuckahoe running tour at 5:30 starting at Kuba Kuba Dos, followed by a HDHH.

    Convergence Saturday at Gridiron.

     

  • The shortest distance to the track is around the school

    1. Fourteen Fiesty men came out to Daville for Theme Tuesday of TT week. The air was humid but the grass strangely free of dew for:

    COP- Invisible Jump Rope, Merkins, DQs, Flutterkicks, Helicopters, 50 SSH (for Carpenter)

    4 Hoops/4 Corners – 5 Merkins at first Hoop, then increase by 5 up to 4th basket. 2nd round do WWII situps.  Mosey back around school and to middle refuel Depot track for Nascar Laps- 2 pax run loop while PAX does: Bear Crawl, Lunges, & Crab Walk. Once 2 men return switch out exercise and another 2 run.

    Head to front of school for Abacus Tribute: Windshield Wipers, American Hammers, Heels 2 Heaven, Freddy Mercurys, LBCS

    Head to flag for Burpee Escalator – EMOM burpees 8 up to 12 per minute. Then finish with Guantanamo.

    Back to Flag, Phonics took us out.

    NMS – Good to see so many PAX dressed up this morning. Working out in khaki shorts and dress socks can be fun. YHC chose a different take on theme by relating to his Daville pax. Hence the Carpenter, Abacus, and Nascar portions. YHC wanted to try that track loop last time. Plus Tuckahoe residents are free from HOAs so each Q can be free to vary their theme.

    Circle K made it clear that the mosey to the Nascar loop was the long way around from our COP in the back. Maybe we could have moseyed straight over, blame the Q for not knowing the AO very  well.

    Emoji managed to throw YHC off his cadence in the COP with his random numbers. The Burpee Escalator and Guantanamo were both hits as they made their debut at Daville. Lab Rat came out for the COT and to take in the sights, hope you are better soon.

    Announcements – Convergence this Saturday. Sign up for food via Hardywood’s Pre-blast. HDHH tomorrow night, see pre-blast as well.

     

     

     

  • Quioccasin Country Club

    A foursome gathered at the clubhouse of Quoccasin Country Club for today’s iteration of Heartbreak Ridge.  Circle up for some tea and crumpets before departing for the workout.  Mosey past the driving range to bypass a typical warmup and start out with something like this:

    COP
    SSH x20
    Helicopters x10
    Knee Hugs x10
    Don Quixote x10
    APDs x15

    The Thang
    Mosey towards the large grassy field to start the day off with a round of golf.  We played 3 holes.

    First hole was a 400yd Par 4.  Run the length of a football field (100yds or so) and complete 20 merkins, run back 100yds and complete 20 squats, 100 yards more for 20 mountain climbers, 100 yards more for 10 burpees.  Plank until the PAX completes.

    Second hole was a long 200yd Par 3, slightly into the wind.  Run 100yds for 20 merkins then 100 more yards for 10 squats.  Plank until the PAX completes.

    Third hole was a challenging 500yd Par 5.  100 yards, 20 merkins, 100 yards, 20 squats, 100 yards, 20 mountain climbers, 100 yards, 10 burpees, 100 yards, 20 LBCs.  LBCs until the PAX completes.

    Saunter towards the tennis courts for an afternoon doubles match. Line up on sideline and complete suicide, touching each doubles alley and stopping at the sideline after each leg for an exercise.  Progressively increase exercise count from 15/30/40 with each leg.  Exercises were:

    Set 1 – 15 shoulder tap merkins, 30 lunges, 40 flutter kicks
    Set 2 – 15 hand release merkins, 30 donkey kicks, 40 LBCs
    Set 3 – 15 wide grip merkins, 30 jump squats, 40 american hammers
    Set 4 – 15 carolina dry docks, 30 calf raises, 40 LBCs
    Set 5 – 15 diamond merkins, 30 line hops, 40 flutter kicks

    Variations of plank, al gore, peoples chair, 6 inches until the PAX completes between sets.

    Quick jaunt back to the flag for 2 rounds of ring of fire.  Ten merkins per round.

    Number-rama, name-a-rama, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHC was expecting a somewhat larger crowd for HBR considering the recent trend.  We ended up with 4 which was a perfect fit for the theme of the day.  Things you do at a country club.  YHC was the only participant that would have been allowed on the course today, sporting a collared shirt and golf shorts.

    Kudos to Atilla and Mr Holland who crushed the 3 hole circuit.  Those 100yd sprints didn’t get any easier as we did more of them and you guys crushed them.

    YHC can only assume the rest of the regular PAX were visiting other venues on Theme Tuesday.

    Announcements
    – Convergence Saturday @ 6&7 @ Gridiron.  No dogpile Saturday.
    – If you want breakfast after convergence see here to order breakfast.  No order, no food.
    – Prayers continue for EF Hutton and his family.

    Splinter out