Category: Richmond, VA

  • Friday Run, Characters Welcome

    YOung TYA
    7 faithful and 1 FRNG appeared in the Gloom for a great run

    THE THANG

    Starting at Mary Mumford run to Woodlawn, Thompson, and the Boulevard and back to Three Chopt back around school for 4M,5M,10K loops and back to the Shovel Flag.

    Moleskin

    BT arrived in style, dressed as a much younger TYA. TYA went with the Older TYA costume. The PAX enjoyed the overall display of Patriots loyalty and celebration of their Thursday night victory over the Dolphins.

    Swirly and YHC enjoyed a conversational pace run. We both wondered if Conspiracy should sign Loose Goose up for Gridiron for the next 20 Saturdays.

    Welcome Termite! He and the Older TYA had a strong steady pace going today. Termite invited PAX members to play water polo Wednesdays and Sundays, He advised it’s helpful if you know how to swim. YHC commented that if you don’t, it’s more like Hydro Burpees.

    Off Shore went the full 10K plus, way to go! Saab Leading the long distance group in his usual laid back power strides! Sippy is continuing to work on his calf, He said give it a month before he’s back to normal.

    Announcements
    Great Pumpkin Run Tomorrow, Just show up and Participate, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Bring the Family
    Punisher Shirts are available for Pre-Order
    OBT and Dredd will be in Town on 11/21 for a Workout and Q-school Following the Workout.

  • Flying Horseshoe of Death

    13 conspirators gathered in the gloom at MM Elementary and waited for @Conspiracy to show up for his first Q in quite awhile. It was not to be – not because he was late, but because HE NEVER SIGNED UP TO Q TODAY. Instead, YHC was accommodating a request from several PAX that they not know when The Lucky Horseshoe was to happen, only to quickly realize that you can’t make everyone happy.

     

    THE THANG

    Mosey to the corner on Grove Ave.

    Warmup COP:
    Jumping Jacks x 20
    IW x 20
    Lunges x 10 each leg
    LBCs x 20

    Mosey back to the Commonwealth Ave side of the track to begin the Lucky Horseshoe. The PAX has 33 minutes to complete the following around the track:

    Lap 1 around the track: merkins x 20
    Lap 2: merkins x 20, storm squats x 20
    Lap 3: Merkins x20, Storm Squats x 20, Scorpion Drydocks x 20
    Lap 4: Merkins x 20, Storm Squats x 20, Scorpion Drydocks x 20, WWII situps x 20
    Lap 5: Merkins x 20, Storm Squats x 20, Scorpion Drydocks x 20, WWII situps x 20, Lunges x 20
    Lap 6: Storm 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

     

    MOLESKIN

    Good job pushing yourselves this morning. As I mentioned today, I hope you’ve also seen yourself improve in this workout since we started doing it in June. I’m so close to that Victory Lap and can’t wait to do it one of these times.

    Much appreciation to those who shared prayer requests & things for which you are thankful. It’s good to have other men along for your ride, we’re all here to do that for each other.

    Yes, The Lucky Horseshoe is usually the first Thursday of the month. However, since YHC will be out of town next Thursday and didn’t want to miss another one, you are all welcome for your almost-Halloween surprise. It was abundantly clear which PAX liked the surprise and which didn’t.

    @Bleeder sniffed out the ruse on Wednesday evening when he emailed @Conspiracy to kindly remind that the PAX meets now in the parking lot on Commonwealth. @Conspiracy was able to use his IT auditing skills and identify exactly who added his name to the Q schedule and when. @Bleeder also called this “The Flying Horseshoe of Death” as an ode to the staged flying Q and his love for TLH.

     

    For those who want to benchmark their accomplishments today against past or future iterations of TLH, here you go:
    Brain Tumor: completed all but 1/2 of Victory Lap
    Splinter: completed all but 1/2 of Victory Lap
    Bleeder: almost last lap
    Sippy Cup: Victory Lap completed with a couple of minutes to spare
    Ricky Bobby: 9 laps completed
    Loose Goose: 9 laps completed

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    10/31 – Pumpkin Run. Contact @Swirly for details

    11/1-11/30 – Join YHC for a daily 166 merkins (total of 5K for the month). The days you go to F3 will be easy. Like today, many times that will get you well over halfway there.

  • Tennis Anyone?

    5 posted for a lovely/Scottish morning at Source of Truth.  Here’s the basic shedule (yes, I spelled it that way on purpose because it sounds better).

    Head to the friendly neighborhood rock rental pile and grab a “good size rock.”  With your new favorite pet rock overhead, mosey to tennis courts.

    COP: Split jumps, merkins, flutter kicks, Don Quixote

    Round 1: bunny hop alternating sides of the back line across two courts, alternating shoulder presses with rock, some ab thing?, repeato x3

    Round 2: Quick step over line and back while moving horizontally (like the kids are all doing the shoe commercials), tricep press, American Hammers, repeato x3

    Round 3:  Broad jump across court and back, 10 merkins w rt hand on rock, 10 merkins w left hand on rock, situps w rock on chest, repeato x3

    Round 4: Arc loader across all 4 courts, curls, repeato x3

    Round 5: 10x full extensions, 10x toe touches w rock, 2 min plank

    NMM:  Is it weird when you start thinking a rainy workout might be fun?  YHC headlocked two guys at a work dinner about coming to GridIron, and they immediately checked the weather.  Thankfully it looked OK as we need the first outing to not be a total shock.

    We reached consensus that this was decidedly not a JVille “sprint… and sprint some more.” workout.  The PAX actually put YHC on their shoulders and carried me back to the shovel flag (which was absent) in celebration.  YHC felt like a triumphant Roman general after defeat of the Gauls (see how I did that?  Roman.. Romans… that’s writin’).

    Stay Classy,

    Toga

  • #NoToll crushes the Inverse Dirty MacDeuce

    Nineteen of the Faithful posted in the #NoToll darkness to run the fields and engage in several other activities. Johnsonville planted the shovel flag by the basketball court and took the Q. This is how it went down, more or less:

    Mosey to front entrance and COP:
    ssh x 25
    lbc x 24
    shoulder shrug merkins x 15 (“sherkins?”)

    mosey back toward gate and COP:
    don quiote x25
    merkins x15
    imperial walkers -> hillbillies x25

    mosey to rear parking lot:
    1. 200m repeat circling parking lot
    2. 200m repeat “”
    3. 200m repeat “”

    mosey to grassy area between 3 soccer fields and COP:
    chiabatta – circular leg lifts (cw then ccw)

    line up on baseline of right soccer field.
    4. 200m+ repeat to other end line and back
    5. 200m+ repeat “”
    6. 200m+ repeat “”

    mosey to shelter
    chiabatta — dips and derkins

    line up on baseline of left rear soccer field.
    7. 200m+ repeat to other end line and back
    8. 200m+ repeat “”
    9. 200m+ repeat “”

    mosey to left front soccer field
    chiabatta — bear crawls and crawlbears

    line up on baseline of left front soccer field.
    10. 200m+ repeat to other end line and back
    11. 200m+ repeat “”
    12. 200m+ repeat “” (back to back with prior set due to time limitations).

    mosey to SF. Announcements. COT

    This was a tough workout even for the hard-baked runners. You know things are pretty messed up when you view bear crawls as a welcome break. Many really dug deep to finish the last few sets of repeats with poise, and YHC was impressed and grateful to be among the strong.

    Sippy Cup and Swirley seemed to consistently finish at the top. If I failed to mention other top performers, then please give them a shout-out below. They deserve it. YHC could not hang with those men.

    Congratulations to HoneyDo and CHum Bucket for completing a Goruck this past weekend and showing F3Richmond the way.

    Loose Goose threw down the gauntlet, challenging men to complete the 10,000 or 5,000 merkin challenge with him in November. YHC accepts the challenge.

    Please make every effort to attend the F3 Great Pumpkin Run 5K and Kids’ Fun Run this Saturday, whether you are running or just hanging out. F3 is the chief named sponsor (thanks Bleeder!), and this is a great opportunity to grow our numbers. The race starts at 8:30AM at Lewis Ginter.

    — Johnsonville

  • Splinter Held for Questioning


    7 Faithful posted in the Gloom this am. Here’s how it went down.

    Mosey to COP
    25X SSH
    10X Merkins
    25X Imperial Walkers
    25X LBCs
    15X Arm Circles

    Mosey to Black Top
    Bleeder Sprints

    4 corner of ABS
    30x,40x,50x,60x LBC’s, Flutter Kick’s, Box Cutter’s, Freddie Mercury’s

    PACMAN
    One person Bear Crawl(PACMAN) on one side, Others Crab(GHOSTS) from opposite side. 3 rounds

    Mosey back for Triple Check

    Ring of Fire
    merkins, WWII sit ups.

    COT Fudd took us out.

    Moleskin

    A very pleasant morning for a workout; No one fell or injured themselves. However, Splinter was detained momentarily by the Richmond Police Department for questioning during his role as PACMAN. Come to find out that the Patrol car was in search of 3 individuals scaring people with their faces painted or wearing Mask. As a side note; Toga, TYA and Chum Bucket were no where to be seen this morning.

    PACMAN turned out to be an interesting Saga, Splinter was the only PACMAN that made it across the BLACKTOP; other were captured by Ghosts. Well Done, Splinter!

    Announcements:
    Great Pumpkin Run Oct 31st
    Punisher T-shirts are available for Pre-Order– A Perfect Christmas gift.

  • Man Down

    3 + 1 posted for an early morning trail run.  Although we are starting at 7 am, it is still dark outside for the first half hour or so.  Cannot wait for the time change.

    The Thang:

    Cross river, take buttermilk trail to Belle Isle.  Run the middle of Belle Isle, Rock hop back to the buttermilk at the set of stairs and head back to the shovel flag.

    Moleskin

    Oyster posted early this morning to get a headstart.  When he arrived at the AO, he read the previous nights Twitter activity and noticed that TYA had announced that a new route was in store for the PAX.  Oyster headed out on the usual route about 20 minutes early starting out on the northbank.  We ran into Oyster at the crossover to Belle Isle.  He kept going on the Buttermilk, determined not to be caught.  After we finished the Belle Isle loop, we were in hot pursuit.  Oyster did beat us back to the parking lot, but Saab spied him taking a short cut up the set of steps towards the end of the trail.

    YHC took a good spill today.  I have been running the trails for over six months now and have yet to fall.  After surviving the first 1/2 hour in the dark, I was fine on the run until 3/4 of the way back.  Shortly after the Reedy Creek parking area, I tripped going up the hill.  Went down on my left side, getting a good case of road rash on my knee and thighs.  No other damage, so brushed myself off and finished the run.  No worse for the wear.

    Saab posted after a long day and a late night. He was trying to recruit pucker for the run, but Pucker was burning the midnight oil (with a few cocktails to help him along his way)

    Four seems to the be the magic number for the run these days.  More company is always appreciated.

  • Back to Monument

    8 faithful posted for a Friday morning jog.  Weather was perfect for a run.

    The Thang.

    Commonwealth north to Monument, right on Monument.  4 mile turn is The Boulevard, 5 mile turn is Allison and six mile turn is Stuart Circle.  Back to commonwealth and to the shovel flag.

    Moleskin

    Bleeder was an early runner this morning.  He left 10-15 minutes prior to the workout so he could get an extra mile or two in.  He is training for the 1/2 marathon and needed to get a few miles under his belt.  Probably didnt hurt to add a mile more than Lug Nut as well.

    Saab, Marv, Sippy and Toga were in the early lead.  Saab, breezed by me with more than a mile to go.  I tried to match his pace for a 1/4 mile or so, but to no avail.  Marv and Sippy were running together when they passed me.  They too had a good pace going.  Seems that Sippy is regaining some of his old speed back.

    I think Lug, Toga and Swirly all took the 4 mile option today.  Toga had to leave early so his M he could support his M in the am.  Swirly was having some leg discomfort, that guy tries to work his way through all his aches and pains.  Respect.  Lug continues to get faster and faster.  YHC and other normal 5 milers see the writing on the wall….

    Annoucements

    October 31 – F3 pumpkin run at Lewis Ginter

    Bear Creek 10 miler on December 10.

  • Zombie Walk Down Hill

    9 Faithful appeared in the gloom at Dogpile

    Bleeder Q
    Mosey to COP

    25x SSH
    10X Merkins
    25X DonQuixote
    30X LBC
    15X Brazilian Dance Party

    Mosey to VITA Trail
    Alternating between stations, 5x Burpees, 10X Merkins for one lap of VITA Tral

    Handoff for Sippy Cup Q
    Mosey over to the pullup bars. Max pullups + 5 jump up and lower down followed by Max steep incline merkins with feet on parallel bars. Alternate until Q says stop (~3 sets).

    Mosey to the top of Love Hill. Zombie walk down Love hill to the area near the stone steps, with two plank “breaks.”

    Pac-Man on the amphitheater steps 4x.

    Bunny hop up 3 steps, then 5 x Merkins, to top of amphitheater. Do same on the way down.

    LBC’s until everyone finished, and then 10x more.

    Mosey to flag.

    Moleskin.

    When will daylight savings time come? It was cloudy this morning, and most of the mumblechatter related to not being able to see clearly. This AO is so great, it’s just a shame that we can’t make full use without headlamps. The pullup bars were especially challenging as seeing a dark bar against a dark sky was tough.

    The weather made it quite pleasant in the dark. Sippy’s light came in quite handy as we headed toward the pull-up bars, YHC was wonder if Sippy was headed for the drain Pipe trail toward the pump house. YHC’s ankle was never so happy to see the pull-up bars!

    YHC did announcement that the GORUCK Challenge was starting in a couple of hours. No takers.

    Coffeeteria post workout at Ellewoods, LG, Viral, Goldberg and YHC enjoyed some coffee, conversation and a COKE Zero( not sure where Goldberg picked up the COKE Zero)

    Announcements:

    Great Pumpkin Run next Weekend
    Punisher Shirts are now available to Order— Just in Time for Chirstmas!

  • Prelude to Game Day, Reunion, Soccer Games …

    Another beautiful morning at the GridIron greeted five of the faithful and one FNG. Here’s how we kicked off a day full of activities:

    Parking Lot COP with disclaimer and welcome:

    x20 SSH IC
    X20 Seal Jacks IC
    x20 Mountain Climbers IC
    x20 Alabama Prom Dates IC

    Mosey to the upper GridIron:

    Four Corners Forties: Merkins and Squats
    x25 Partner Leg Tosses X4
    120 Yard Lunge Walk
    x10 Burpees with Tuck Jumps OYO
    x20 APDs IC
    Four Corners: x25 PLT X5
    x20 Dead Bug IC

    Mosey to the Pillars:

    Peoples Chair
    Slalom Run to end of Pillars
    Forties/Lindseys: Carolina Dry Docks and Imperial Walkers

    Mosey around school to upper GridIron to Parking Lot

    COT:

    Announcements: Pumpkin Run next Saturday; shout out to Honey Do and Chum Bucket at the GoRuck today.
    Prayer concerns – Mark and Brian; unspoken.
    Groh take out prayer concluded the BOM huddle.

    Moleskin:

    Great to have Lab Rat join us for his first posting – a strong showing for a guy who “took a year off.” Glad you decided to put back on the ChinStrap.

    Also great to have one of the Charlotte RedWoods join us again – Sir Topham Hat helped launch F3 RVA back in September 2014; back in town for his 20th HS reunion – older but not so much to shed the Hate.

    PLT were heavy this morning so lots of team work – YHC paired with Groh who had a strong kick even on his 225th PLT. DK and Lab Rat partnered up and made a strong team. The third pair, STH and J’Ville, set the pace today – good work. STH’s gadgetry indicated 1.5 miles of ambulation under YHC’s Q – shocking.

    Groh, being from Alabama and sensitive to Brain Tumor’s renaming last year of the Upward Hip Thrusts, failed to convince the PAX that we should call that exercise the Louisville or Pitino Date Nights.

    Coffeteria – the usual banter but, sadly, no show and tell (aka spousal gift giving instruction) by DK.

    John 1:1-5

  • Virginia is for Sports Lovers

    In celebration of ESPN’s College Game Day visiting Harrisonburg for the JMU vs UR game, 15 Strong + Jville gathered in RVA to make themselves fitter and remember other famous Virginia sporting accolades.

    Q running late, so Loose Goose took the Q and mosey to tennis courts.
    Disclaimer.
    COP
    SSH x 20
    DK takes Q.
    UVA Time Machine – UVA Football #1 ranking – Oct. 15, 1990
    10 Scorpion Drydocks – OYO (10 each side)
    15 Monkey Humpers – OYO
    90 LBCs – OYO
    Sam Snead Burpees (Hot Springs) – 7 Major Titles
    7 Burpees
    JMU favored by 13 points in the game
    13 Slow Bending Squats

    Mosey to end line of tennis courts.
    Arthur Ashe Dash – Wimbledon Champ in 1975 (Richmond)
    Dueling Pusher – runners on each side of court
    Repeato x2 w/ Plank-o-rama inbetween.

    Mosey back past shovel flag to bus lanes
    The Spider Web – 1991 University of Richmond became the first #15 seed to ever beat a #2 Seed in the NCAA men’s bball tournament (beat Syracuse)
    Curb Crawl to 15
    Alternate b/t 1) Bear Crawl + Merkins & 2) Crab Walk + Dips

    Mosey back to soccer field along Cary Street Rd
    Ricky Rudd’s Racing Beast- besides being the greatest alliteration in NASCAR – 788 consecutive starts in NASCAR from 1981-2005 (Chesapeake)
    7 Lt Dan’s
    8 Dead Cockroaches
    8 Merkins

    Stay on soccer field for
    Moses Malone Coast-to-Coast- NBA MVP in 1983 (Petersburg)
    Blimp-style
    19 Bear Crawl Strides
    8 Lunges each side
    3 Broad Jump Burpees

    Circle up for RVA Pax Confessional
    UVA 18 point underdogs to UNC this weekend
    18 Burpees OYO

    Mosey back to shovel flag for COT
    Marv, the voice of VCU – only VA school to be undefeated in football in history of the program, took us out.

    Moleskin:

    YHC was running late. YHC drove to Johnsonville’s house to collect JVille, but JVille was not standing at the end of the driveway per normal. 2 min wait. Johnsonville ditched.

    Cheers to Goose for starting without YHC.

    Johnsonville shows up during the Arthur Ashe Dash. YHC is sure YHC asked him for a 10 count at some point…maybe after The Spider Web? But just like Keyser Soze, he was gone.

    The Spider Web was painful. Goldberg said so, anyway.

    Sets of Lt. Dan’s are not fun.

    I appreciate the effort everyone gave today…the workout was full on.

    2 shooting starts spotted during workout: 1) spotted by several as soon as YHC arrived; 2) spotted by Splinter during Cockroaches

    Additional VA Sports Accolades not recognized but communicated to YHC:
    1) VMI beat Kentucky in basketball about 7 years ago (Fudd)
    2) VCU’s run to the Final Four (Marv)
    3) Bleeder’s 4 consecutive winning seasons on the VMI Tennis Team – a VMI team first (Bleeder)
    4) VMI’s Sweet 16 appearance in 1977 (Fudd & Bleeder)

    Announcements:
    Brain Tumor, Loose Goose & Viral attended “Boys to Men” speaker series at St. Christopher’s last night and Viral said it was very moving. There was enough demand that the Westhampton Theater is showing the film for free on Nov 1 @ 1pm.

    Great Pumpkin Run – Halloween Morning – 5k & Kids Run – See Swirly
    Bear Creek 10 Miler in Dec – See Lockjaw