Category: Richmond, VA

  • 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

  • Garden of Eden…Proper Attire Required

    18 strong came out for a beatdown at the plush, well manicured lawns of Hugeonot Park for the Tuesday No Toll edition of the Tuckahoe Takeover.

     

    THANG

     

    SSH X25

    DQ X15

    Imperial Walkers X15

    Merkins X12

    Freddie Mercuries X15

     

    Mosey to the Pavilion between the fields, Pair up then one partner does 10 box jumps on the bench while the other partner does LBCs.  Repeat 5 times so each partner does 50 box jumps.

    Mosey to the adjacent field for a fitting game of croquet.  Three groups of 6 lined up in the tunnel of love and one man crawled through.  Start at the end line and repeat until group has made it across the midfield line.

     

    Mosey to other field for a few versions of the ladder from end line to mid-field.

    Merkins 2-4-6-8-8-6-4-2

    Jump Squats 2-4-6-6-4-2

    WWII situps 2-4-6-6-4-2

     

    Mosey back to basketball court for a triple check.  Balls the wall (or fence), elbow planks and run to the far side of the second court and back.  Repeat 5 times.

     

    The pax then circled up to finish off with a ring of fire with 3 separate members doing 10 Merkins each for two trips around, then 3 burpees each for one trip around before wrapping up.

     

    Moleskin:

     

    This was YHC first trip to No Toll (I had just traveled internationally so my passport was up to date) and was quite surprised at the green freshly cut fields of No Toll – it was like working out in your living room compared to some of the West End AO’s where the grass might be cut once a quarter.  Many of the pax were dressed in appropriate attire and would have been welcome at any cocktail party in Old Westham or anywhere along River Road!  Several worked out in loafers, bermuda shorts were worn and Gumbo even doubled down with the double Izod with the popped color.  Very nice my good man!

     

    Announcements:

     

    Hardywood reminded us of breakfast options for Convergence on Saturday – see his message and links below…

     

    “This year we’ll be doing a post workout breakfast on site after the Convergence at Grid Iron.   We’re keeping it super simple with breakfast sandwhiches, fruit and coffee.  Since this is a catered affair (not quite CCV but I’m sure you’ll survive) ONLY THOSE WHO SIGN UP WILL BE FED.

     

    Convergence Breakfast Pre-Blast

     

    Link To Convergence Breakfast Signup

     

  • Tour deTuckahoe

    A fine 9 came out today for a run and left with so much more: Tour deTuckahoe!

    We kept the group together with the leads doubling back to the 6.  Along the lake, up to the baseball field/Robins Center and climb the hill to the wooded trail cut through.  We then made our way to our Pax’s residences and performed the following in front.

    Stop 1 – Taxi Cab’s house – LBCs

    Stop 2 – Toga’s house – Merkins with perfect form

    Stop 3 – Two Can’s – WWII

    Stop 4 – Upchuck – Don Quixote

    Stop 5 – Ronnie – APDs

    Stop 6 – Marv – Spell Lally Construction

    Stop 7 – Pelosi 5-0 – Freddy Mercuries

    Stop 8 – Bunny Slope – Imperial Walkers

    Stop 9 – Lockjaw – SSH

    Stop 10 – Pucker – American Hammers

    Stop 11 – Fudd – Monkey Humpers

    Mosey through the woods and around the lake to the SF.

    Two Can took us out.

    NMS:

    There was a stop 12 in mind with Saab’s house, but time and the safety on that part of River could jeopardize the well being of the Pax.  We will save it for next time.

    Speaking of time, just as we arrived at Upchuck’s, he emerged from the backdoor and came out to say hi.  He was not dressed to workout, rather for a trip to Miami.

    Speaking of Miami, TYA arrived looking like he just came back from the dog races in Miami.  Khaki pants, button up shirt, and a bow tie.  If he had run like that he wold have won the Tuckahoe Challenge of the day.  Instead, that honor went to Bleeder for wearing a collared polo shirt. Having the foresight (or experience?) to apply bag balm to his face to avoid “collar flap chafe” shows why he is the Spider Run Tuckahoe Challenge Champ.

    Announcements:

    • Convergence this weekend.  See Hardywood’s post regarding breakfast options.  Sign up if you want food.
    • Keep EF Hutton and his family in your thoughts.

    ABT,

    Lockjaw