Category: Richmond, VA

  • And Then There Were Two

    Two sturdy timbers sprouted early for a pre-dawn nature expedition, Punisher-style.  Here’s how The Thang went down:

    COP: Mosey the “long way” around the school to Hermitage side of school.
    SSHs x50
    Calf stretches (’cause YHC was feelin’ tight)
    Hill Billies x15
    Arm Circles x15
    Don Quixotes x15
    Torso stretch
    LBCs x20
    Mercans x10

    Mosey 27 feet to the southeast and reassemble at the Picnic Area for Elevens:
    Dips and Donkey Kicks

    Mosey to Laburnum Side of School for Mercan Ladder (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2)

    Four-Part Trail of Pain around parking circle and out to Hermitage:
    Mercans x10
    LBCs x15
    Reverse crunches x15
    Squats x15

    Mosey to parking circle for COT

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

    Announcements:
    In-AO Coffeteria Saturday at Convergence (at Gridiron) – NO DOGPILE

    Mumblechatter:
    Great to catch up with Chernobyl this morning.  He’s new-ish to F3, so it’s great to introduce him to some of the abbreviations and traditions that YHC learned from others.  Today the following came up:
    FEBA
    Goldberg
    Causing a random woman to pause upon seeing us in The Gloom.

    Today’s suspicions were supplied by a pony-tailed blonde and her German Sheppard (F3 name Think Twice) who stopped a solid 20 yards from the PAX, while we were just popping off some LBC’s along the sidewalk.  The young lady offered a look that simultaneously conveyed (in a Foghorn – Leghorn fashion), “What, I say what, are you boys doin’?” and yet also, “If you approach me, I drop the leash.”

    Graciously, the PAX conceded the sidewalk.  And, YHC signed Think Twice up for the BRR.

  • Convergence Breakfast Info – If you wanna eat sign up here

    Convergence Breakfast Info – If you wanna eat sign up here

    New for the 2017 version 3.0 for the F3 RVA Convergence the coffeeteria is coming to us. This meal will be a simple catering affair from Egghead RVA. They specialize in the best breakfast sandwhiches in town, fruit and coffee from GroundUP RVA.

    If you would like to be fed it’s $7 for a breakfast sandwhich, fruit and coffee. Please enter your name and sandwhich request below. Payments will be collected by Hardywood (aka Patton Gleason) during the week of 9/25 – 9/29 and on the morning of The Convergence.

    If you don’t fill out this form and request to be fed, then you will not be. And if you get a pissy attitude because you did 2 workouts and there’s nothing for you to eat, then it’s on you. Go ahead and Be Super, take 10 seconds to fill out this form.

    If you have any questions give Hardywood a call/text at (469)223-8535

    Link To Convergence Breakfast Form

  • With Batteaus on Their Belts

    A strong 11, including 1 FNG, emerged for Day 3 of Tuckahoe Takeover.  Here’s YHC’s recollection of what transpired:

    The THANG:

    COP: Hammer Dance x22, DQ x11, Windmills x11, Hello Dollies x22, Stick in the Mud (back lifts) x11 IC

    Mosey to playground.  3 sets of 6 Pull-Ups, 15 Monkey Humpers, and 15 HTH.  Add a fourth set as a tribute to home additions in Tuckahoe.

    From Green Acres to Beverly Hills: Two groups of railroad tracks across the bottom of Forest Hill bowl.

    The Last Shall Be First: Crawl Bear competition up the steep side of the bowl.  If a PAX taps out, he runs backward up the hill, and forward down the hill to the furthest remaining Crawl Bearer and repeat until all PAX are done.

    HoneyDo Tribute: Derkin Wheelbarrows down the bowl and up the other side, with ab exercises mixed in.  Ab exercises included Flutterkicks, Freddie Mercurys, WW II Situps, MC Hammer American Hammers, American Hammers.

    Tennis Court Triple Check: Plank, LBCs, run around tennis court.

    Merkin ROF

    COT

    NMM: YHC’s Q skills were clearly rusty, and he appreciates the PAX for sticking with him.  Counting to 11,  dividing 11 PAX into two and three groups, leading new exercises, and Fudd’s clarifying questions contributed to a complex undertaking.

    As YHC was securing the AO, a clown car emerged.   It was Ronnie, Love Seat, Keymaster, Slurpee, and FNG Rip from River Road Hills.  Soon after Fudd appeared, not looking a day over 40.  YHC sincerely appreciated the solidarity shown by the Tuckahoe region.

    YHC is not sure who “won” the Crawl Bear competition.  Multiple criteria could apply: furthest distance, longest time Crawl Bearing, quickest to the top.  YHC believes Swirly and Sippy Cup (and maybe others?) crushed the entire hill.  YHC had to reign Sippy in from trying to immediately Bear Crawl back down.

    Derkin Wheelbarrows + hills are no joke.  YHC nearly steered Bleeder into another downhill wheelbarrow, after which Fudd took over as wheelbarrow driver.

    Flipper wants everyone to know that his invention of MC Hammer American Hammers occurred in the context of a previous silly workout led by YHC that appeared to be a tribute to 80s and 90s dance music.

    Announcements:

    Congrats to TYA, LabRat, and Hardywood for completing their race this weekend.

    Convergence this Saturday at GridIron 6am and 7am.

    HDHH Wednesday.  In lieu of the hill run, meet at Kuba  Kuba Dos for a run around Tuckahoe at 5:30 followed by HDHH.   Kids on bikes are welcome.

    Prayers for EF Hutton and M’s family

     

  • Skoob eht Ffo

    Two posted at Urban Farmhouse and decided to do the normal loop in reverse.  Somehow there was more uphill to this run that the original way.  Maybe that’s not the case but the hill towards the end was unexpected.  YHC does not remember going down that one on the way out.  Great to run with Honeymoon on the first real run since BRR, felt good to get some miles in.   What’s the next race?

    Quick coffeeteria after the run before heading out to enjoy a beautiful Sunday.  Off the books is still on for anyone that wants to join us early on a Sunday.

  • Fart(lek)ing Tomatos

    Four regulars and one visitor greeted each other in the Atlee parking lot just prior to today’s Tomato Run.  Mudface and No Idea went along their merry way leaving Spit and Grabber to have to deal with Splinter’s Q.  The route was pretty straightforward:

    • Atlee service road to the neighborhood
    • Wander around until we hit the fire road
    • Wander some more until we got to Kings Charter
    • Out a good ways and then return the same way we came

    YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHC was trying to conceive a unique workout for his first Q during TT week but was unable to come up with new with the unfamiliar roads around Tomato Run.  Therefore, YHC decided to Fartlek.  I mean, who doesn’t love a good Fartlek.  Fartleks are good when you wake up, before you go to bed, after a good meal… there is never a bad time for a strong Fartlek.

    Once the PAX made it about a mile we started Fartleking.  Some were short, only lasting about 50 yards, some were much longer, up to a couple blocks.  YHC even shared the Fartlek honors with Spit and Grabber at the end.  Each of them respectfully Fartlek’ed for the first time and didn’t disappoint.

    In the end, at least 8-10 Fartleks were had, each one better than the previous.  One mile cool down sans Fartleks prepared us for the rest of the day.

    YHC learned something new about the Mechanicsville PAX this morning.  Some of them choose to wear gloves while running due to fear of spiders.

    The only announcement was a prayer for EF Hutton’s family.  Let us all keep his family in our prayers.

    Splinter out.

  • Celestial Navigation

    A magnificent 7 showed up for a surprise Lockjaw Q as part of Tuckahoe Takeover.  The route took us across the road to Twin Team, on Brigstock, a few minor turns, and back to Brigstock for the home approach down Twin Team.  No one got lost for very far.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    YHC plotted this route without consulting a topographical map nor realizing how truly dark it is out here.  When Lugnut arrived, YHC went over the intended route and it was conveyed that this was the unintended 9 mile route earlier in the summer.  As the rest of the Pax arrived, there was alarm from Honeymoon that I was confirming with Lugnut and making gestures in the southern direction.  I guess he hasn’t forgotten the extra miles?

    Gumbo and Rosie said that Twin Team would be a treat.  Hills in darkness can be beneficial when you just embrace the road and go.  However, it can also play into thoughts of a never ending ascent, as Twin Team readily provided.  Sustained hill repeats here would rival the toughest hills across all AOs in RVA.

    With minimal light pollution, the fall night sky was remarkable.  Orion was very crisp and radiant as well as many other constellations.  I am pretty sure I navigated back to Twin Team using the North Star at one point.

    It was great getting to know Lugnut a little better over the course of several miles today.

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

  • Feels like the BRR again

    Three pax took to the trails on another beautiful morning. 65 degrees and sunny. We did:

    Northbank to Belle Isle to Buttermilk. Gomer Pyle added the Potterfield bridge.

    NMS- Strong pace this morning, did the loop in 75 min give or take, no surprise as all 3 pax are West Enders. YHC had BRR flashbacks of chasing Gomer Pyle as he set the pace, hence the BB title. YHC got to chat with Best Shot as well. Sounds like he is in for the Bel Monte.

    Unusual to be at trail run with no Lab Rat or TYA as they were finishing up their last hour of the Powhatan race. Sounds like all 3 of them crushed it, as if there was any doubt.

  • A Pirate looks at 40

    28 veterans and one unsuspecting FNG fought off the lure of the fartsack to help YHC celebrate a milestone birthday at Dogpile today.  Here’s how it went down:

    Mosey in front of the Carillon to the more distant grassy circle for disclaimer and COP:

    SSHx40

    Mexican x 15

    Don Quixote x 10

    LBC x 40

    Side Lunge x 15

    Mosey down the hill, down Pump House Drive to the Pipe where YHC inspected the Pipe Loop to find it pitch black dark.  Mosey to the hill next to the toll booth on the Nickel Bridge for the first installation of today’s theme……a Pirate (Fudd) looks at 40.   Partner carries.

    Triple Check Partner Carries up the hill to the indicated trees.  Each PAX takes a turn carrying his partner up the designated hill, then the team splits 40 Mericans and 40 copperhead squats between them.  3 rounds.

    Mosey to the bridge for the second theme.  Fudd loves the beauty that can be found in nature.  Mosey south across the bridge, lunging for 10 steps at each lightpost and then moseying the rest of the way to the next lighpost.  Rinse and repeat until the lead PAX gets to Riverside Drive.  Turn around and pick up the rest of the PAX as you return.  10 LBC’s per light post all the way back to the toll gate.

    Mosey to the Carillon for theme #3, honoring those who have come before and those who have given their lives to defend our freedom.  9 Mericans at the flower pots, run up the Carillon steps and do 18 2 count mountain climbers, run down the opposite steps.  Rinse and repeat 3 times.

    Jailbreak back to the Shovel Flag for Numberama, Namerama, BOM and prayer.

    Naked Moleskin:

    YHC spent a fair amount of time considering the theme for today’s workout.  It was the first beatdown of many for the designated TT “Tuckahoe Takeover” week which surprisingly enough, has its own Twitter feed (@TuckahoeTakove).  After doing exhaustive research on Wikipedia, YHC unearthed that the origin of the word Tuckahoe is American Indian.  The relative translation is, a “bulbous root that can be cut up and eaten”.  YHC didn’t like that for a theme, so he went with Plan B, which is a themed workout styled after his 40th birthday, which is tomorrow.  YHC was confused when he arrived at the parking lot to find several PAX members dressed in Polo or Vineyard Vines shirts (blue) and matching salmon colored, or khaki, shorts with either boat shoes (Splinter), sandals (Offshore), or running shoes (smart man EF Hutton).  YHC did not get the memo to wear preppy clothes, thankfully, and appeared sporting standard F3 athletic fair.

    The first evolution was partner carries up a hill.  Each of us has been forced to face adversity and climb mountains that we might have otherwise walked around.  Fudd’s life has been no different.  But there have sometimes been brothers there to help me along the way, and the partner carries were meant to symbolize that.  Swirly and Gomer Pyle led the way on that one…..way to crush it fellas.

    The second evolution took us to Fudd’s favorite place in Dogpile.  The bridge.  Fudd longs for and dreams about the beautiful places of this world.  When I behold the majesty of our country’s natural beauty, I cannot help but feel compelled to talk with God and tell Him how thankful I am for such places.  The Phonics, Helix, and Shakedown lead the way on this evolution.  Way to push yourselves boys.  YHC noticed that Splinter shed the boat shoes on this evolution.  He commented that he had counted on not doing too much running when choosing said footwear for today’s beatdown.  Alas, YHC likes to run, and this was my birthday beatdown, so we ran. It was also on this evolution that Wilson did a flying EH on FNG Milton while he was on a job across the bridge.  Good job Wilson……way to use the railings to corner him into accepting your invitation!

    Mosey to the Carillon of the third evolution of Fudd’s reflection on history.  Honor those who have come before, on who’s shoulders we stand, and honor and remember those who fought and died so that we may live free.  The Carillon was built as a memorial to WW1, a war in which 9 million combatants died.  Swirly and Sippy Cup smoked this evolution.  Great job fellas.

    The tunnel of love was the fourth evolution that we didn’t have time for, meant to symbolize the importance of family and friends to YHC.  The men of F3RVA have become part of my family.    I can’t imagine a better birthday present than to be able to lead you into the gloom for an epic beatdown that makes us all stronger.   God bless you all.

     

  • The Q almost goes down, 10 seconds in

    A sweaty seven started the weekend out at Gridiron as Day 1 of Tuckahoe Takeover went out west to Short Pump.  65 degrees and sunny with no football, we had the AO to ourselves and took advantage:

    COP – SSH, Merkins, Don Qs, Flutterkicks, Helicopters, Invisible Jump Ropes (switch to imaginary half-way through) then mosey to far lane for Curb Crawls.  Up to 7. Run to field in front of school, Inchworm half way across field, then head to front of school for 3 sets of: Donkey Kicks & run circle.  Back to field for few minutes of Mary.

    Head to covered area down the back: Totem Pole run with PAX holding 6 inches while last man does 3 Heels 2 Heaven.  Head down to basketball court while Cricket players start warming up.  Merkin ladder, 5 merkins at each hook, 5 up to 20.  2 round though.  Then 3 sets of 6 Pull Ups.

    Head up to shaded field for Burpee Escalator- 8 Burpees 1 min, keep going up 4 minutes up to 11 Burpees, head back to flag and Atilla took us out.

    NMS – YHC started the PAX off on the initial mosey and almost pulled a VIral, as YHC was starting to plan out the next few exercises with the dreaded 7 man PAX number, ran straight into the footfall field rope.  White Deer must not have been awake yet as he had little to say, very unusual for him.

    Good to have Nightcrawler show up on time right as we got started and nice to have Alpo make the drive down from Fredericksburg again.  When YHC called for Curb Crawls the PAX looked confused, apparently those do not happen much out at Gridiron.  Jville pushed the pax today, out in front on everything.

    Mumblechatter was very appropriate for Tuckahoe, ranging from topics of mortgage bankers to lawyer referrals, even without Earthworms acerbic banter.

    Announcements – Good luck to TYA, Hardywood, and Lab Rat tonight.  Convergence next week.

     

  • When running at Pole Green Park, remember to bring your flashlight.

    Two brave men journeyed into a dark 200 acre park for a 45 minute beatdown.  It went something like this:

    Mosey into the park for about a 2 mile run along the road and trails.

    COP

    • SSH
    • Helicopters
    • Don Quixotes
    • Ball Dippers
    • Merkins
    • Foot to hand Mountain Climbers
    • Angled Knee Jumps
    • LBCs
    • Freddie Mercuries

    Mosey to benches

    Elevens – Dips and Burpees running about 15 yards in between exercises

    Mosey to playground

    30 pullups on your own

    COT – Numberama, Name-o-rama, Skully took us out.

    NMS

    As Skully and YHC took off for a long mosey into Pole Green Park, both were glad that they brought a flashlight.  Because so many cross country meets are held there, there are trails throughout the park.  The problem is that it is really dark.  After the long mosey, YHC found a small building that had lights around it.  This worked well for the COP and Elevens.  The only other area of the park that had light was around the elementary school.  With flashlights, the park does work out really well for a 1/2 run, 1/2 bootcamp AO.

    After the COT, Skully told YHC that runners designed the layout of the exterior of Pole Green Park.  The bus loop is 1/4 mile.  The loop around the playground is 1/8 mile.  They have had a successful elementary running club there for years.  Those distances might work well for future workouts.

    Announcements:

    YHC would like to thank F3 RVA as well as Hampton Roads and Charlottesville for it’s support of the ReeseStrong 5K.  The F3 RVA team won the largest team award and it wasn’t really close.  Several F3 RVA team members went for PRs while others ran it the hard way.  Others ran with their children.  YHC feels blessed to have such great support from F3 Nation.  Thank you Circle K for hosting Crabfest.  That was an awesome way to end the day.

    Convergence is on Saturday, September 30.  There is a 6 am and 7 am bootcamp.

    Phonics Out!