Category: Richmond, VA

  • Shakedown goes down

    A strong 15 plus one canine partook in this Halloween edition of Spider Run.  YHC arrived to a group of fine men gathering at the commons.  When TYA announced that Splinter had the Q a noticeable groan was observed from Wedding Singer.  I’ll remember that groan next time.  This time the route was an oldie but goodie.  Mount Henrico.

    The Route
    – Meander towards College and left on College
    – Right on Lakewood
    – Right on Wood
    – Left on Baldwin
    – Cross Westham, staying on Baldwin, left on Rock Creek
    – Quick left on Forest then right on University
    – 4 and 6 milers do the Arlington circle loop.  4 milers return the way you came.
    – 5 and 6 milers continue on University to Glendale and take a right
    – Immediate left on to Julian
    – To the top of the mountain, returning the way you came, admiring the esteemed Castle of Robinson on the way

    Numbers, Names, BT took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHCs Spider Run reputation must be strong.  May have been record numbers for the hills around UR.  Singer apparently loves hill repeats and was disappointed when YHC announced Mount Henrico.  Saab on the other hand was smiling like a school boy.

    We have done this route at least 5-6 times so YHC was surprised that with 15 people + a canine that there were few that actually knew the route. Bleeder said he had it but luckily a Tuckahoe native in Taxi Cab helped him along the way.  At least he was able to provide a detailed inspection of the outbuildings @ Marv’s future house.  Swirly still can’t find Glendale and worked his way up to the moontower instead.  BT is getting a few kegs there this weekend since his party got busted.

    Dutch running with Kenya is a sight.  That bitch can flat out run.

    Glad to see Lab Rat effectively found his way to the AO.  TClaps for assisting Shakedown on the way back after he stumbled on the well lit streets of Westham.  Hopefully the ankle recovers soon.

    Pair running was the theme of the day.  Lots of 2 by 2 traversing the streets.  Except TYA who was so excited YHC could’t event get out “Henrico” before he was off to the races.  Must still be burning off some aggression from attending two Boston sporting events this weekend.  The picture above is how YHC imagines TYA in a triathlon.

    The weather is absolutely perfect for running these days.  Reflective gear is still necessary for another week.  Glad to see that Singer and Pucker have joined the miniature size reflective vest crew with YHC and Sippy.  May be a takeover in the works.

    Always fun gentlemen.  Love running those hills.

    Announcements
    – November Challenges galore.  Breathe if you must.

    Splinter out.

     

  • How to survive in a horror movie

    A frightful five came out to Heartbreak Ridge to train up for this evening’s festivities lest they take a turn for the worse.

    COP- SSH, Imperial Walkers, Don Qs, Flutterkicks, Merkins, Scorpion Kicks. Mosey to school wall facing parking lot for Sprints. 2 Rounds of Sprint lot and back like someone was chasing you.

    Head to baseball field, audible since field was waterlogged. Head to blacktop. 20 Coffin Openers (aka WWI Situps).  Then gather in middle of blacktop for Scatter drill. 1 PAX does 2 Burpees and then chases down PAX who are bear crawling to safety of grass. Each pax takes turn as chaser. 20 more Coffin Openers. Then grab piece of wall and try new Goodbye Dollys, an upside down Hello Dolly while in Balls2Wall.

    Head to track. Each pax does 10 Captain Crunches while rest do Jerkins. Head to Heartbreak Hill for injured partner carry up hill. So much fun repeato. Mosey to benches for reverse crunches, Flutterkicks. Then 2 more rounds of Sprints. Finish with Pickle Pounders and LBCs.

    Mr Holland took us out.

    NMS – The PAX took to the survival theme with gusto. EF Hutton led the sprints but that may be because Garbage Plate isn’t 100%. The zombie scatter chase on the blacktop was a blast. YHC was the only one to make it to the grass although EF Hutton proved hardest to catch.

    We now now how to make Heartbreak Hill worse, just do partner carry up it. If you get injured don’t expect Atilla to carry you away from danger as he’ll drop you for dead.

    Pickle Pounders were added as no good horror movie is without sexual activity.

    Happy Halloween from the Silent Assassin!

     

  • Pre-Blast: Richmond Community Toolbank Hammers & Ales 10/7!

    Pre-Blast: Richmond Community Toolbank Hammers & Ales 10/7!

    Gentlemen! YHC is proud to serve on the Richmond Community Toolbank‘s board along with Lightning Rod and we need your support for a little Second and Third F this Saturday evening for our annual fundraiser called Hammers & Ales.

    This Saturday at 6PM the Toolbank will have beer from Stone Brewing, barbecue from Buz & Neds (with plenty of other food) along with the MoDeBree Band for a celebration of the good work the Toolbank has done over the last year providing tools to enhance the charitable sector’s capacity to serve, facilitating hands-on volunteerism in the greater Richmond area. What’s better? $35 of the ticket cost can be counted as a charitable donation! It’s a win-win-win!

    So far, YHC knows Lightning Rod, Loose Goose, Lab Rat & YHC will be there (with our Ms) so please come and make a date of it!

    Buy tickets HERE.

    Or call/text Viral at 914 886 8109 for more details. Thank you and see you there!

  • Night Crawlers make good bait

    This morning was reminiscent of going to church growing up. You had the faithful never late, the fast walker, the five minute runner and the one who never showed up. Can you remember the excuses for the one who never showed up?   Stayed up to late, went to bed to late, the client wouldn’t go home, it was an unusual Friday night and even tried to blame it on a fellow F3 member… We love you Night Crawler. We even thought about face timing you for the pregame on top of Mount Trashmore.  It just would’t be the same without you. I guess your on deck for the pregame  again this week. You better get your game together… Earthworm  and Cecil are back in town.

    COP-

    25 -SSH

    20- DQ

    20- Helicopters

    10 – Arm Circles in the typical way

    10- Standing Box cutters 10 each leg

    10- Merkins (Two Count)

    20 – LBC

    Some basic stretching  with Boat Canoe  and the bird dog  pose.

    No mosey just a stay on  the parking lot tarmac.

    Dora #1

    Partner up, first partner runs length of the parking lot while second partner does exercises, total as a team

    Exercise 1 – 100 Swings with Kettlebell

    Exercise 2 – 200 Lawnmowers with Kettlebell switching arms when needed

    Exercise 3 – 300  Squats with Kettlebell,  Modified to 200

    Mosey over to the Football Field

    4 Corners

    10 -20-30-40 Merkins

    10-20-30-40  WWI/II

    10-20-30-40 APD’s

    10-20-30-40 Flutter Kicks (Two Count)

    Back to the Tarmac

    Dora #2

    Exercise 1 -100 Snatches with Kettlebell

    Exercise 2 – 200 Sit & Presses with Kettlebell

    Exercise 3 – 200 Heels to Heaven with Kettlebell as Anchor

    Most of the mumble chatter was focused around the precision of WWI or WWII’s  Johnsonville wanted to make it him against the PAX’s  so he was first to critique our form. During the bird dog pose Attila was quick to notice that YHC couldn’t get his bionic left knee of the tarmac. I hope  the PAX  got enough running in this morning, it always a pleasure to work your core and upper torso.

  • Short sleeves?

    4 gentlemen showed up to Batteau this morning, dressed for a cool fall morning-long sleeves, one poofy vest, and Swirly sporting a toboggan hat. YHC was wearing short sleeves and typical visor. 0530 arrived and a question arose, “Who has the Q?” Swirly took the initiative and stated hot potato.

    Mosey down brick path to COP: SSH x 20, Helicopters x 15, Don Quixote x 15, Imperial Walkers x 15, Arm Circles-forward x 10 small, x 5 big and reverse x 10 small, x 5 big. On our 6- Scissor Kicks x 15, LBC x 30.

    Swirly called first exercise. You vs you; x 10 derkins, x 20 dips, x 30 step ups (15 each leg) 3 rounds total!

    Sippy Cup took the Q with his light and we headed down to the pond. During our mosey, Swirly spoke of his little run over the weekend. Hey Swirly, way to crush that “little” run!   Sippy called Exercise 2- x 10 merkins at every light pole with a penalty for every light out-crab touches. How many lights were out you might ask? 3 lights were out PAX performed X 10, X 20, x 30 crab touches, so with each light out-we increased the penalty.  Sippy was happy to know that one of his notification to the city about broken lights had been acknowledged and one light was fixed! Upon completion of merkin lake, we partnered up. Jumped up on stone bridge with our partners holding our legs and performed 3 rounds of x 10 dips. Upon completion, Flatline took the Q.

    Exercise 3-Quicksand. Run 30 steps up the hill, than turn around and x 5 lunges down the hill. Continue till PAX had returned to the steps. Plank at the end.And……Mosey to the tennis courts.

    Exercise 4-Modified Dora, Triple Check Suicide. Partner up. Suicides on the court while partners performs following exercises to completion-x 100 squats, x 150 SSH, x 200 Mountain Climbers. And……Mosey to playground.

    Exercise 5- you vs you. 3 rounds of 5 pullups. Mosey back to circle with one minute left. On your 6, scissor kicks till 0615.

    Number-ama, Name-r-ama, and Swirly took us out!

    Announcements: Convergence in Va Beach, Nov. Monthly challenge x 2-Breathing and Merkins. See preblast.

    Great morning gents. Way to the get the week started! Winkle Voss-nice to meet you and keep up the motivation and hard work. It pays off!! Another F3 member once told me, being present can accomplish many things!

    Loud and Proud,

    Flatline

  • I’m for real!

    3 slightly crazy souls showed up in the gloom on a cold, rainy day to run through the suburbs and disturb the neighbors.  Here’s how it went down.

    Mudface and YHC left at 5:20, early as usual, and proceeded on a modified route, as the cross country trail was initially deemed too slippery to run on after all the rain last night.  Upchuck ran us down somewhere in Honey Meadows, as he had arrived early at 5:25, waited for others to arrive and then took off in search of us after spotting our cars in the parking lot.  While Upchuck is clearly in a higher class as a runner, he decided to hang with YHC and Mudface while we did our run/walk thing.  It was good to catch up with him, as YHC’s M has known Upchuck and his M since college.

    We all ran/walked along the service road behind the high school, through Honey Meadows, and then decided to test the cross country trail again, which was not too bad after all, before heading back to the parking lot.

    Numberama, namerama, YHC took us out.

    Good run this morning, despite the cooler weather and rain, and we apologize to residents of Honey Meadows if we woke you up, as a couple of Mudface’s comments had YHC and Upchuck laughing perhaps a bit too loudly.  YHC also had the pleasure of introducing Upchuck to the video referenced above, as there were 2 Ti-moth-ees this morning.

    Thanks again gents!

  • Breaking Bread – Skins vs Cowboys

    Two F3RVA regulars and YHCs M spent a Sunday evening in fellowship with some football fans.  YHC prepared enough lasagna, salad, and garlic bread to feed many.  LabRat provided some tea and we were ready to have a Sunday Dinner (my favorite meal of the week) with some new friends.  Unfortunately, LabRat has some issues at the house and could not attend but the tea was still delivered to YHC residence.  (Thanks LR).  As we arrived, we were informed there were not many guests at Breaking Bread this week, but the ones that were their were very appreciative of the food and fellowship.  As YHC walked in carrying food and drink, one of the guests was watching the Skins v Cowboys.  YHC was pleased to see this, as he would have somebody to converse with about football.  This particular guest was a joy to sit in front of the TV with, as he had a comment (mostly good) on every player for each team.  YHC asked him who is favorite team was and he proudly said the 49ers and immediately retreated to the 80s and 90s with Montana and Young at QB.  While a proud 49ers fan, he freely admitted the 2017 version of the 49ers has a lot to be desired, but hopeful for a successful rebuilding.  Winklevoss is a Rubiks Cube savant as he demonstrated to the guests multiple strategies for solving the puzzle.  The only way YHC could ever solve the challenge was to remove the stickers and place them were needed.  Great job Winklevoss.  YHC learned something very important during this dinner, YHCs M was in the kitchen with the Breaking Bread staff member helping to serve the food onto plates.  The entire time YHCs M and staff member were constantly talking.  On the ride home, YHC asked M what their conversation was about.  Turns out the staff member has lived an incredible life on both sides of the law.  Currently she holds three jobs (all involving social work) in which she helps many people including opiod addicts, prostitutes, and children.  The stories that were relayed to me were amazing.  What was more amazing was the amount of information YHCs M gathered in a short period of time.  What was even more amazing is the realization the impact that can be made on other peoples lives, when you have discovered your Purpose and you act accordingly.

    Circle K

  • Room Numbers

    Eight PAX were not scared of a little light rain and showed up at Tuckahoe for the latest iteration of a Hoedown.  Mosey to the front of the school for COP that went something like this:

    COP
    20x SSH
    15x Russian Soldiers
    10x Don Quixotes (because Keymaster needed some more stretching)
    15x Copperhead Squats
    15x Arm Circles

    The Thang
    Quick mosey to the western most corner of the school for the start of today’s exercise.  Room Numbers.  Every time we get to a room number in the window we stop and do that many of a certain exercise.  Exercises were merkins, squats, and WWIIs.  Alternate between bear crawling and lunging between numbers in the window.  Work our way all the way around the school increasing to number 35 before a slight descent.  Burpees were added for the basement room numbers.

    Mosey back to the lighted pathway and partner up for jerkins.  Two sets of 10 jerkins for each partner.

    Quick jaunt back to our favorite lit concrete pad for some ring of fire.  10x each starting with Two Can and passing around the circle.

    Numberama, Namearama, BOM & YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    A few Tuckahoe regulars were missing this morning.  Must have been due to conflict or watching the World Series.  Other excuses will not be accepted.

    Kubota was the only brave sole that went short sleeve and no gloves.  That’s a lot of bear crawling sans gloves.  Well done sir.  Mr. Holland came in a close second for the superlative for best outfit choice with his pearly white half marathon shirt from a few years ago.  Said shirt is still pearly white on the front but now contains a perfectly rectangular brown patch covering the entire back.

    All in all, form was magical today.  Toga would have been proud.  Even as the reps increased throughout the workout the PAX kept strong form.  Finishing with Lockjaw’s nose to the ground merkins was a testament to Tuckahoe’s readiness for November.

    Ronnie may need to go visit Richmond’s #1 Chiropractor service as he performed about 5 WWIIs on a boulder protruding from the mud.  I hear their granite abstraction service is top notch.

    Announcements
    – November merkin challenge is up.  See the news for more info:  https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2017/10/27/november-merkin-challenge-2017/
    – There is also a breathing challenge
    – Contact YHC if any new Tuckahoegans want to step up to lead a Hoedown.  Any and all can lead.
    – Lockjaw appeared out of the mist with his trademark Turkey Trot shirt.  Sign up if you want to obtain a legendary shirt yourself.

    Splinter out.

     

  • Out and back

    4 RiverRun regulars returned to run a route that reversed itself.  Not sure who signed up to Q,(hint, no one) the 4 PAX discussed options for the run and decided on a simple out and back.  Up Twin Team and right on Brigstock, turn around and come back after 22:30.  4 started the run but 3 finished with Lugnut making an Irish exit.

    Honeymoon seemed happy to be back on the east coast, although there were apparently some tough hills on the west coast beaches.  Wedding Singer is in the home stretch of half marathon training and seems ready to pound out 13.1 miles without too much trouble.  Way to go.

    Good run, great way to start the week.

    Rosie

  • Rain or no rain, we run

    5 runners could have used a better weather app and showed up for Sunday trails run.  The most surprising face was Rosie, who would have normally been at Off the Books….however it looks as though Honeymoon heard the pitter patter of the rain drops on the bedroom window and decided the old stink bag was better than getting nature’s shower.  No matter, the more the merrier!

    Rainy Day route:  Over the bridge and down the hill to the access road.  Head over to Belle Isle, 6 milers do a loop and return the same way we came.  10 miler press on across to Tredegar, Down Canal walk to Mayo Bridge.  Take the Floodwall back to T Potterfield bridge, then back the way we came.

    NMS:  Although I got an HC from Shakedown and Upchuck, and a soft commit from Saab yesterday, you never know what will happen when it rains….everybody knows my stance on wet trails, so I thought that might leave me solo.  My worries of a lonely run were dashed before even getting to the AO when I pulled up behind that beautiful green Land Rover….going slow, but luckily running under it’s own power.  Saab wanted to show off a little bit this morning, so he demonstrated his car alarm for the world to hear….Classy.  After setting off the car alarm, he couldnt get the interior lights to turn off.  That seems about par for the course.  We waited for a minute, then had to leave him to troubleshoot alone knowing that he had the ability to catch up.  Turns out he left the back door open.  Oh Saab!

    The rain for the most part held off and let us have a for the most part an enjoyable run.  Everybody was a bit banged up from the week’s workouts and the end of the monthly running challenge I think.  Upchuck and Rosie opted for the 10K route, and were waiting for the rest of us in the parking lot.  Unfortunately, I had a commitment to family church time, so had to bolt against Upchuck’s siren song of bailing on the family to hang out over coffee and muffins.  Maybe next week…

    Lab Rat apologizes…