Category: Richmond, VA

  • ♫ We’ll Ride Down, Baby, In-to This (Redneck) Tun-nel of Love! ♫

    COP — Don Quixotes and other stuff
    Exercises — Some other namby pamby stuff that doesn’t matter
    Viral finally arrives!
    Dora 1-2-3 — Partner up. 100 Merkins, 200 LBCs, 300 Copperhead Squats – pace set running from 20 yards out to up to the top of the terrace of the top field and back.
    (Redneck) Tunnel of Love
    Myrtle Beach Tabata — Partner up. People’s Chair <-> Crabcakes 3x repeato
    SOJerkin Gym (Attila with the Q) — 10 Jerkins, 20 PLTs 2x repeato
    Quick Ring of Fire, then 1MOM (20 American Hammers OYO, Flutter Kicks, Homer-to-Marge)

    Mosey back to Goose’s flag. Numberama. Name-a-rama. EF Hutton took us out.

    NMS

    This morning, of one of the worst fears of life as an F3 Q actually happened to YHC. There is nothing SO BLINDLY TERRIFYING as knowing one has a Q and then missing one’s alarm, waking up and doing the math & realizing that outside of bending the time-space continuum, there is no chance one will make it on time.

    And one needs to get dressed.
    And one needs a water bottle, filled with water preferably.
    And one notices it is pouring so “don’t forget to bring a towel!”
    And WHERE THE F ARE MY KEYS?!?!?!?!

    As YHC drove at a breakneck pace up Chippenham/Parham (contrary to popular myth, Henrico County doesn’t wall off the West End Fancyboys from SOJers after dark) he felt like Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar — trapped in a fourth dimension just beyond the communication of anyone . Text after text with no response.

    Right now they are wondering who’s Q.
    Right now they are moseying away from the flag.
    Right now they are proclaiming a pox on all of SOJ!

    Once YHC finally arrived on the scene. The PAX was gracious to yield the Q back to YHC. For as terrible as YHC felt about his late arrival, the PAX jumped right in behind. Gotta love this group!

    In a move that might have strained YHC’s already tenuous endearment to the PAX, after repeatedly jumping over a looong deeeep puddle right at the base of the terrace of the soccer field during Dora, the PAX lined up along the soccer field sloptrough for a quick trip or two through the Tunnel of Love.

    While YHC is prone to tall tales, YHC is not exaggerating in that the water was: 1) at least six inches deep, 2) probably full of goose crap and fertilizer run off, and 3) COLD.  YHC normally comes home with a goodly sum of grass clippings carried in his trousers, but today was a whole other level of muddy grossness.  Hope everyone enjoyed it as much as YHC. 😉

    Thanks to the PAX for letting us SOJers take over this week!

    Thanks to Flipper for humbly suggesting that 300 Lt. Dans wasn’t such a good idea.

    Thanks to Pucker for pinch hitting. YHC has dubbed thee an honorary SOJ Redneck of the Roundtable. Find your nearest Walmart or Cabelas to pick out your first Realtree camo shirt free of charge. Tell store security Viral sent you!

    Let’s get viral!

  • Loading the Ark at DaVille

    8 waterproof souls assembled at Atlee HS for a beatdown during SOJ takeover week. YHC traveled all night to arrive on time. Things went something like this:

    THANG

    SOJ Slaughter Start – 10 Burpees OYO

    Mosey to some wet grass next to Atlee HS for COP: SSH, DQs, Bob & Weaves, Merkins, LBCs, Crab Cakes, Imperial Walkers

    Mosey towards fields. Audible to head towards the side of the school to make use of the table benches.
    Partner Chiabattas: Dips + Monkey Humpers

    Mosey to field behind Atlee HS for Ark Loader (animal-like exercise across 25-40 yds, then run to the other end)

    • Bear Crawl
    • Duck Walk
    • Backward Crab Walk
    • Bunny Hop
    • Crawl Bear
    • Forward Crab Walk
    • Imperial Monkey Humpers (that’s right, 5 monkey humpers then imperial walk 2 steps)
    • Polar Bear
    • Sloth Walk (lunges through the sprinklers)

    Mosey to corner, partner up for Love Field: both partners need to get to diagonal corner of field, 1 runs back and forth to/from target corner, 1 alternates Russian Soldiers + Imperial Squat Walkers

    Mosey to VSF for 90s of Mary: American Hammers and X’s & O’s

    COT: Opus took us out

    NM:

    YHC had an interesting trip to DaVille this morning after clearing a downed tree out of the road leading out of his neighborhood.  No other neighbors in site before 5am…weird.

    What better to celebrate a massive, soaking rain than an Ark Loader?!?  There was some initial mumblechatter regarding the COP in the wet grass…YHC could only respond by saying “we’re going to get wet today”.  And we did.  It actively rained on us, but it felt great. When the sprinklers kicked on, it was definitely time to slow things down and get even more soaked.

    Phonics pointed out that the Atlee field felt like NoToll this morning…and YHC cannot disagree…it was like a blanket.

    Thanks for the opportunity to lead this morning.  Everyone did really well…there was more crawling on wet ground than most anticipated, probably, but solid effort made by all.  TClaps to FNG Toto for posting on a soppy, wet morning.

    Announcements:

    Reese Strong 5K on Sept. 16 – See Phonics for running details, and see Circle K’s Pre-Blast for shellfish consumption details.

    F3RVA Convergence on Sept. 30 – @ GridIron – 6am & 7am workouts – come for one or stay for both!

     

  • River Run Run Run Run Run Run Run Run Run………

    Five strong mosey into the gloom for what was intended to be a rather simple loop.

    The Thang

    The traditional route through Tarrington with the 5 milers making the loop and 4 milers proceeding immediately up “pain in the Ashwell hill”.  Turn left on Robious and right on Ellesmere.  Follow to Brigstock and turn RIGHT.  Left onto Twin Team and back to Bettie Weaver.

    Moleskin

    With the SOJ crew spread across the AO’s YHC was not expecting a large turnout today on the home turf. YHC was pleasantly surprised however to see Phonics and Lab Rat at the AO.   After learning the mighty warriors from the east made the journey SOJ in one day YHC knew they were ready for a River Run beatdown.  Honeymoon opted to take the lead for the 5 mile crew and off they went at 5:31.  Now YHC ran/jogged/generally moseyed along the 4 mile route with the goal of returning to the AO before my F3 brothers could arrive.  This was truly a race no one knew they were in other than YHC.  Feeling elated after returning to Bettie Weaver without being caught by the PAX I mosey back up Twin Team to meet the crew.  But they are not there?  I wait, and wait, and wait……  feeling concerned about the guys YHC text Wilson to get Honeymoon’s number.  I call …. no response.  YHC hops in the car and goes on the hunt, but to no avail.  At 7 a.m. Honeymoon and I catch up and he is driving to pick up the remaining PAX and return all to the AO.   #1 Happy to report everyone was ok.  #2 In 90 minutes the 5 mile crew covered between 8 and 9 miles.  #3 Was it an accident, or was it an epic SOJ RiverRun BEATDOWN!?!?!?

    Peace

     

  • F3 RVA Crab Fest-PreBlast (Post Reesestrong 5K)

    F3 RVA Crab Fest-PreBlast (Post Reesestrong 5K)

    F3 RVA is planning on fielding the largest team at this years ReeseStrong 5K (organized by our very own Phonics). (See Phonics for more info about the ReeseStrong 5K) Immediately following the ReeseStrong festivities, all F3 participants and their families are invited to make the short trip to Circle K’s for some crabs, oysters, hotdogs and whatever else Circle K ends up fixing.  Rumor has it that Lab Rat may bring some of his BBQ, as well.  Circle K will have the grills fired up and TVs will be set up to watch some College Football.  The morning’s activities are as follows:

    Attend your favorite F3 Saturday workout (Dogpile or Gridiron)

    Refuel and Run the Reesestrong 5K (9am start time).  You can run this in the normal fashion or 5K The Hard Way.  (25 merkins and 25 Squats every five minutes) (Don’t Forget about the Kids Runs (another way to be involved.)

    Head over to Circle Ks for good food and coldbeer after the race. (Food will probably be ready about 12 noon)

    If you are unable to attend the Reesestrong 5K, feel free to stop by Circle Ks anytime during the afternoon to enjoy some 2nd F.

    What to bring-Bring yourself, your Ms and 2.0s.  Circle K will have some activites (CornHole, Badminton, etc) set up for everyone to enjoy.  If you fix a dish that you think is delicious and think others would like, feel free to bring as well.  Circle K will have all the Crabs, Oysters, Hotdogs and Hamburgers.  (Feel free to contribute to the Crab Fund if you feel led in that direction)  Circle K will have some chairs, but it would be a good idea to bring some camping chairs.

    Hard Commit (with a head count) to this PreBlast for food planning purposes.

  • A Bad Day to Forget Gloves at Punisher

    Six of the faithful posted to Punisher this morning on the first of seven days of the southside takeover special event. Johnsonville took Q, and this is what went down, more or less:

    THANG:

    COP
    slaughter starter (20 burpees)
    50x ssh
    50x LBCs
    Merican countdown (10x wide mericans , 9x regular, 8x diamond, 7x wide, etc. to 1x)
    arm circles 20x front, 20x back

    mosey onto grass out front for COP
    25x pickle pounders
    25x imperial walkers
    25x partner leg tosses
    25x crabcakes

    native American run clockwise around school to bus loop
    classic curb crawl up to 5 and back to 1
    plank sequence

    mosey to basketball court.
    from end line, crab walk to far end line
    feet-first crab back.
    plank sequence

    mosey to soccer field
    elevens along length with mericans and LBCs

    native American run clockwise around school to big brick wall out front
    20x donkey kicks against wall
    bunny hop about 40 yards to other side of lawn
    karaoke back and forth

    Mosey to SF.
    Ring of Fire

    COT with Saab taking us out.

    MOLESKIN:

    We started off with a slaughter starter and ended with a ring of fire. The stuff in the middle was not any easier, but it was 100% tried-and-true F3. We were on our hands much of the morning. Offshore forgot his gloves (or maybe his wife finally threw them out). It was a bad day to go gloveless, and I could feel some hate coming my way…

    Welcome back Saab, who has been nursing a knee injury. Saab was not 100%, and he modified some, but I glad he made it out. It was good to meet Dexter for the first time. It was good to catch up with men I have not seen in a while.

    CHum Bucket did not appear on his home turf this morning. Perhaps he is traveling. I considered moseying the pax over to Chum’s house to give him an 0535 wake up call. A fear of Mrs. Chum led me to shy away from that course.

    Great way to kick of the Southside takeover week! Good work, Men.

    Jville

  • Didn’t Cross the River and No Tolls Paid!

    Lugnut, Jville & Wilson started SOJ takeover week with Rosie at the helm……..think of Rosie as William Wallace.

    It was a beautiful morning and the New Market Clown car actually saw Swirly running (actually stopped at a light) to the AO. Eight men and one lady showed up to make themselves faster & stronger.

    Here is how it went down:

    COP: Short mosey around island and circle up with disclaimer. SSH, Homer to Marge, Arm Circles & Sword Fight.

    Mosey to the large field for Jacob’s Ladder – 11’s. 10 LBC’s & 1 Merkin………….

    Mosey to tennis courts for the Whore!

    Four corners with circle back repeats. 10 Merkins, 20 Jump Squats, 30 Box Jumps & 40 Burpees

    Staying on courts circle up for Ring of Fire with Flair. YHC requested no regular merkins, but done with something extra. I think we can all agree Bleeder’s was cool, but Sippy took the cake with the amount of balance and agility it took to knock those out!

    Finish with a dealers choice of Mary. that took us right tot he end. Flipper took us out and we discussed a lot of stuff going on in September. Which if I try to recreate, I will get dates wrong etc……..

    Today started the SOJ takeover week. I was excited to lead today and yet nervous as I had only been to Batteau one other time. That is a cool AO with a ton to do and YHC barely scratched the surface. Many thanks to Swirly for the guidance in the dark. As YHC was deciding how far to take Jacobs ladder, Bleeder blurts out “just go tree to tree”. Yup, that was tough. It’s a good distance across that dip. And I believe it was not even the steepest part of the field. YHC is really impressed with Dr. Jim Holland’s program that Bleeder is on. YHC asked him for an exercise and the answer came out of Bleeder. Just AMAZING. Well done Dr. Jim!

    Today was fun and the SOJ PAX is looking forward to a solid week!

  • A Beginning and an End

    5 manly men woke up and came down to the gloom to treat on some companionship and conditioning. They left a hour late better off while the YHC rang THE cow bell as he left the parking lot.

    Mosey through the parking lot and did a dash of “Parking Lot Tracers” as we progressed to the COP location:

    COP

    •  X20 SSHs
    •  X15 Imperial Walkers
    •  X20 LBCs
    •  X15 Smurf Jacks
    •  X10/X5/X10/X5 Arm Circles

    THANG
    Mosey to the “Poles”

    Off to the Light Pole we go!
    Each PAX member on their 6s grabs a pole and holds their ankles six inches off the ground with legs straight – And hold. First PAX member does 5 Heals to Heaven then runs to end of line and grabs a pole. 2nd PAX member then does 5 Heals to Heaven… Progress till a PAX member reaches large light pole half way down the field.

    Light Pole Catch up.
    Mosey to street. PAX runs to the next light pole. 1st PAX member to the light pole picks exercise. Everyone does said exercise till the 6 reaches the light pole. Then PAX does 5 more of said exercise.

    1. Abacus – – Merkins
    2. Phonics – – Burmpies
    3. Abacus – – Windshield wipers
    4. ByProduct – – Alabama Prom Dates
    5. Phonics – – Freddie Mercuries
    6. Abacus – – Hand release Merkins
    7. Phonics – – WWII situps
    8. Abacus – – Smurf Jacks

    Meg’s Hills of 11s
    Proceed down the path to Meg’s Hill
    11s – – Mountain Climbers / Werkins

    Mosey back go the flag

    COT/Namorama

    NMS
    Today was truly a day it was 70 and sunny with not an ounce of humidity in the air. Oh how glorious is our Creator! With no idea (not the F3er No Idea – but literally having not a clue) of how many will show up, YHC was happy to see 3 gathered as he pulled into the parking lot and an additional PAX member join in time for some fun.

    Parking lot tracers were consumed as it is great memory of Lab Rat for the YHC. The COP location was picked as YHC hopes that one day a strength and conditioning room will rest there. But those are dreams someone else will need to make happen. As the COP was concluding there was a great rumble as Spike ran by at a blistering pace and encouraged the PAX to a great day.

    Conditioning was gained as each PAX member pushed it and worked hard throughout the hour. Given the extra time, and the late start, it was decided by the YHC that 11s were possible on Meg’s hill. It is good to use that hill as it is a good one. MudFace did let the PAX know there is another hill down a dark trail that we should venture to at a future time. Oh the options Atlee offers us to torture ourselves…

    The name of the A/O was discussed and it was agreed that Heaven’s Gate will be the name of this A/O. I trust that many of you will take advantage of this A/O over the years to come. Au Revoir!

    Abacus

  • Hill Repeats on the Trails

    Four solid hit the trails this morning at the new time.  Three were ready to roll and one was lollygagging about at the designated go-time, until lollygagger told us to leave.  OK, here we go. Designated route was Buttermilk to Forest Hill loop and back, but Offshore was ready to go and wanted to get in some hill repeats as well, so we ran a little extra.  All said and done, we got in 8.5 miles by Lab Rat’s watch.  ShakeDown must have a Wilson watch, because he had considerably farther.

    the quick moleskin is this:

    -Bleeder is lean, mean, and off vacation.  He continues to put in miles at Bleeder’s pace.  Respect.

    -Offshore seems to be back and putting his plantar pains to bed.  He may still be dealing with it, but it showed no signs this morning.  He was man on fire and definitely the motivator in the trio that ran together.

    -Lab Rat’s first time running with ShakeDown.  Very interesting cat with a great life story.  YHC truly enjoyed the conversation.

    -2nd F with TYA, who is under the weather, and Saab who is days away from running.  Bleeder and YHC came after the run and Lab Rat got to hear Saab and Bleeder swap knee related war stories.  Also, a good rundown on what’s good (and unwatchable) on Netflix.  Apparently, Saab’s mom is NOT named Siskel or Ebert.

     

    Lab Rat apologizes…

  • Werewolves, clowns and Corvettes!

    Good morning F3 RVA! Wilson has returned from a very lazy and relaxing vacation and is ready to put down the Col Beer and start the BRR training. While the New Market Crew was discussing the plans for the South Side expansion – exploration has begun to find the perfect AO! Honeymoon wanted to know who was joining him for the Off the Books run. Ocho had planned a ride with another buddy and Sparky, Tatu & Marmaduke clearly said they were out. Then he looked at me………..Yeah I’m in (Skinny Pirates were talking) and we had a plan. Wilson was to drive and we would run on Sunday.

    Here is how it went down. As YHC was getting in the car I heard coyotes or wild dogs (I called them Werewolves) and I started to wonder if the BRR had packs of wild dogs or maybe even werewolves……..Honeymoon assured me we would only likely run into the South Side fox and nothing else.

    As the clock struck 6, nobody else showed up. Honeymoon stated the Singer was’t showing up because running sucks and doing it alone REALLY sucks. Sorry you had that happen last week man! I am sure the pre-tweet stating the trail run starting at 6:30 was a huge draw and they had a great showing!

    We ran and got in between 5.3 & 5.5 miles. Honeymoon circled back for YHC twice. It was a beautiful morning to wear long sleeves and we were fortunate no clowns or werewolves attacked us. You may be wondering why this video? I often think of Corvette’s! Go figure, but today I coupled it with the roads of the BRR and thought how EPIC that would be to drive. I bumped into this video and well….at 4:40 turn it UP!

    Enjoy and have a great day!

  • I Do Not Hate You; I Hate Myself

    9 Gridiron faithfuls and 2 new redwoods showed up for beatdown this morning.  I do not hate them; I just hate myself.  Here is how it went down:

    • COP
      • 25 SSH
      • 20 Russian Soldiers
      • 20 Freddy Mercuries
      • 15 Crab Cakes
      • 20 Hello Dollys
      • 30 APD
      • 10 merkins
      • 20 Copperhead Squats
      • 10 8 count body builders
      • 20 Helicopters
    • Mosey to the playground and partner-up
      • 4x – 20 PLT/10 jerkins
    • Mosey to the SPMC field for an abbreviated beast with burpees, monkey humpers, LBCs and merkins
    • Mosey to the short hill by for 10 Bernies
    • Mosey to the football field for a triple check
      • Dips
      • KB high pulls
      • Run across the field and back
    • COT with YHC taking us out

    Today was an awesome example of why Gridiron is great.  Nightcrawler was flying solo as a single parent this weekend with 3 young girls…God bless you Nightcrawler!  You are a brave man.  He brought his girls, and MEarthworm came and played with them while Daddy got a beatdown.  Not going to see that every day or at every AO.   These girls now know that Daddy is one of the boys.  Thankfully, he did not hurl in their presence.  Sounds like he was on the hairy edge today.

    Welcome to EF Hutton; hard to believe that you have been to Gridiron before.  It has been a while since we had a double dipper at Gridiron.  Major t-claps for him.  He did mention that it was good to miss the jerkins after Swirly’s traditional arm beatdown.

    Welcome also to Screwball!  Good to have another connection to the Gloucester corridor.  Hoops’ cousin got a taste of his growing strength.  Hoops was strong today, leading the pack during the beast.  Where did that come from?  White Deer might need to check that boy for chest hair.

    Announcements:

    • Convergence on September 30th – 6 am and 7 am workouts; bring the numbers
    • Cecil will be bringing back the pre-game devotional back to Gridiron in September – more details to come

    It was a privilege to lead these men this morning.  Nothing better than the fellowship that comes from a good beatdown.

    Attila