Category: Richmond, VA

  • Undersized lineman or skilled position players?

    Five of the Faithful posted with Johnsonville raising the splendid new GridIron ShovelFlag. Three DoubleDippers emerged from a TrailRun and joined us at Halftime.  The morning was glorious – 65 degrees and negligible humidity at KickOff.  The Pax elected to receive and the offense went like this:

    The Thang:

    x25 SSH, x25 Don Quixotes, x25 Imperial Walkers, x25 Mountain Climbers, x25 Alabama Prom Dates, x25 Left Side Plank Dips, and x25 Right Side Plank Dips

    Mosey to WildCat football field stands for x25 Weezey Jeffersons

    Mosey to lower football field for x25 Partner Leg Toss (odd man squats), sideline to sideline 11s – Burpees (10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1) and Squats (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10), BlockingSled – drive blocking

    Mosey to Pillars for 2 sets of x25 PLT, Al Gores or Seated Chairs, Pillar Cross Beam Hangs, 2 sets of x25 PLT, and Al Gores or Seated Chairs

    Mosey through Pillars to Center Courtyard for 40s – Merkins (30, 25, 20, 15, and 10) and LBCs (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30), Ring of Fire ISOs – holds at bottom of Merkins, and 2 sets of x25 PLT

    Mosey back through Pillars for Pillar Cross Beam Hangs

    Mosey to lower football field for BlockingSled – drive blocking and x25 PLT

    Mosey back to ShovelFlag

    COT:

    Announcements – (1) TYA (#MVP) has got the Q for GridIron on August 1!  (2) F3 RVA celebrates its 1 year anniversary on September 20, 2015 – GridIron calling for convergence on September 19 at Pouncey Tract – all Pax posting challenge and FNG emphasis.

    Prayer concerns – spoken concerns for parents, children, and employment; unspoken concerns acknowledged.

    BOM – strong prayer of thanksgiving and supplication offered by Groh – gratitude expressed for blessings and request made for strength and courage to be better men, husbands, fathers, neighbors, and citizens.

    Moleskin:

    After an OpeningDrive that was punctuated with some yawns (Three and Out).  But things got better, quickly.

    Cousteau put up an impressive ground game through the 11s with FlipPhone being the second leading ground gainer.

    And though he may be a soccer coach, Cousteau demonstrated a strong drive blocking technique on the BlockingSled – former JMU kicker “Being Sebastian Janikowski.”

    Note to GridIron Pax: like game film, the 2-man BlockingSled doesn’t lie – if the sled is turning left the guy on the right is doing the work.

    Nice dose of core work at the Pillars with the PLT sets – the OpeningDrive’s yawns were displaced by low-throated vocal expressions that were tame compared to the grunts expelled by certain of the Pax (“Being Monica Seles”) during the Merkin portion of the 40s.  ChumBucket and Swirly endured long planks waiting on the rest of the Pax to complete the 40s – they were rewarded with a highly dysfunctional ISO set of Merkin bottom holds during which YHC botched his count every time.

    Apparently anticipating MonkeyRolls/GrassDrills, Swirly and Bleeder seemed pleased with the introduction of the BlockingSled to the AO.  Several of the Pax, though, seemed to prefer riding the sled and barking the snap count – “donning the RedPinny.”

    There was advance notice of a Wilson DoubleDip – NoShow.  Rumor had it that high altitude spirits on Friday don’t mix well with the DogPile.  Feba!

    Six of the PAX enjoined the 2ndF at the Daily Grind – lots of discussion about BRR planning – glad to have TYA and Bleeder as Logistics Corps leaders – Sustinendum Victoriam.

    This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24

  • Where’s Swirly?

    11 fast and strong runners posted on a glorious Friday morning.  70 and sunny at the outset and at the finish

    The Thang:

    Monument Avenue Loops: 4, 5, and 6 mile options.  Commonwealth road to Monument, turn right on Monument.  4 mile turn is at Sheppard, 5 mile turn is at Strawberry, and 6 mile turn is at Allen Street.

    Moleskin:

    Since YHC is a son of a history teacher I probably should know more about the monuments on Monument Ave.  When I declared the 6 mile turnaround as around a monument at Allen street it was pointed out that the monument was the Robert E. Lee statue.  My dad, as a historian and a civil war buff, would have been sorely disappointed that I have not recognized and honored each of the statues along our route.  This weekend, I shall take a bike ride down this road and drink in which glorious men we are recognizing.

    After the run and appointed time came and went and everyone but Swirly arrived back at the shovel flag, YHC was starting to get more and more worried about Swirly.  Five or so minutes after Toga finished and reported that Swirly was right behind him, Swirly came running down the street (with Sippy as a companion).  Come to find out that Swirly got lost coming back to the shovel flag.  Given the complex set of directions and ONE turn on the entire route, I can see where one might get lost.  Next week Swirly will have a GPS and a homing beacon just in case the route directions are too challenging.

    Context was the theme of the prayer at the end of the workout.  YHC shared a personal story about my health condition and pointed out that we are indeed the “lucky ones”  I am blessed with many things in life and live a relatively comfortable existence.  Too often, I focus on the negatives and the things I don’t have/need or the minor suffering I have to endure.  Given the country I live in, the friends and family I am blessed with and the relatively good health that I have….I need to look out at the context of the entire world and realize that things are pretty good for me.  Enjoy the day, seize this opportunity and enjoy the comforts that you have.

    Announcements:

    Dogpile and GridIron tomorrow morning: 6 and 7 am respectively

    Run from the Pump House on Sunday at 7 am.  Several of us have discussed this and we will add this as a regular workout on our schedule (may tweak the time a bit).

    TYA OUT!

  • What kind of bucket? Be sure to annunciate the “H”…

    15 Faithful RVA PAX & 1 FNG gathered in the high rent district between Cary & Grove to better themselves on a glorious summer morning.  Sunny & 70…low humidity. Here’s how it went down.

    The Thang:

    Mosey around track to Soccer field for COP: 25 SSH, 25 LBC, 15 Merkins, 20 Crab Cakes, 25 Slow Bending Squats

    Mosey to Bus Loop for Ascending/Descending Curb Crawls: up to 6, repeat 6 and back down…always facing Grove Ave…Bear Crawls and Crawl Bears

    Mosey back to Soccer field for Ring of Fire: Clerkins as a group to 150, then 10 Burpees OYO

    Mosey to baseline for Deconstructive Burpees 11’s-style (squat + thrust + squat jump = burpee):

    11’s: Squat + Russian Twists (run between trees)

    11’s: Thrusts + Freddy Mercuries (alternate forward lunge and bear crawl between trees)

    11’s: Squat Jumps + LBCs (run between trees)

    Mosey to Flag for 75 seconds of LBCs

    COT

    Moleskin:

    Cheers to YHC’s 13-year-old nephew for being dragged out of bed on his summer vacation to experience F3 as an FNG.  Rohawk (Red Mohawk) is always welcome back any time.  You did your uncle proud!

    YHC would explain the title of this post in greater detail, but Rohawk and/or Rohawk’s parents might be reading it. Questions?…ask Pommel Horse.

    Regular workouts this week + Sunday run on Buttermilk and North Bank trails: meet at Byrd Park pump house at 7am…bring water.

  • New exercises @ SOT! Introducing Hand Circles!

    The 9 who posted today enjoyed exactly what the forecast predicted. A chilly 75 degree breeze at #SOT!

    The Thang:

    Mosey to front of school:

    25 SSH

    20 Alternating Shoulder Taps (NEW!)

    15 Don Quiote

    10 DIve Bomber

    Mosey aroud school to the main field

    Four Corners Escalator (NEW!)

    10 Merkans, 20 LBC, 30 SSH & 40 Travolta’s (NEW!)

    Reverse and go down escalator. (NOT NEW that Conspiracy debated this was not going down…..)

    Circle up for Ring of Fire (Dealers choice edition) 10 reps of each

    Assorted exercises – PAX to you left decides the exercise and no exercise can be repeated. With a bonus round (all PAX does exercise)

    6 Minutes of Mary

    Dr. W (NEW!)

    60 Second Plank

    Russian Twist

    Cross Leg Lift

    The Moleskin

    YHC was excited to try some new exercises today. We received a bonus during the Ring of Fire when Ricky Bobby introduced Hand Circles! Next up are ankle cirles!

    Ankle Circles

    Lug Nut convieniently positioned himself away from Conspiracy. Odd ’cause I thought Conspiracy went easy on YHC.

    Chum & Bleeder had a burst of energy and were trading the lead during 4 corners. Wedding Singer & Splinter have taken the spirit of Conspiracy and are holding us all accoutable on our form. Some discussion on Splinter being twice the man…….literally.

    Ok, if you don’t have the F3 App yet, GET IT! TYA is leading a run tonight at 5:30. He will hydrate you.

    App

    Have a great day!

  • Hill run Wednesday after Work

    I am going to head out for a torture fest on the hills in my neighborhood tomorrow afternoon at 530pm.  For those interested, meet at the top of Hillcrest Avenue — parking is available on either side of the street.  Hillcrest is a half mile west on Cary from Mary Munford on the left side of the road if you are heading west.

    The neighborhood offers several very steep hills and a long almost half mile with a slow incline.  Plenty of pain to choose from.

  • Chiabattas and a Near Renaming of Consipiracy

    Fourteen of the faithful posted in the midsummer humidity to improve themselves.  Johnsonville took Q, and this is how it went down:

    The THANG:

    ssh x 25
    merk x 15
    don quiote x 25
    standing moutain climbers (2 count) x 15

    Mosey to basketball courts
    ciabatta (mountain climbers / thrusts)
    ciabatta (1/2 court suicides)
    ciabatta (bear crawl, merks x 2, crab walk back)

    Mosey to near soccer field
    ciabatta (lt. dans)
    ciabatta (sprints laterally across field with burpees at ends)
    ciabatta (lbcs / freddie mercs)

    Mosey to pavilion
    ciabatta (dips / merks)
    ciabatta (scissors / dolly)
    10 burpees OYO

    Mosey back to SF

    COT

    Moleskin:

    The Q managed to thoroughly smoke himself this morning (and maybe a few others).  Bleeder was kind enough to deliver the closing COT devotional, apparently recognizing that the Q was too mired in #gloom to string together a coherent sentence.  Thanks Bleeder!

    Conspiracy was particularly vigilant this morning in helping most members of the PAX size up their shortcomings with respect to form.  Right out of the gate, he commented that the thrusts looked more like little baby bunny hops.  Later, he repeatedly asserted that legs were supposed to be STRAIGHT on scissor kicks, prompting a number of suggestions on what to rename Conspiracy. Most suggestions were along the lines of “self-absorbed” and “egomaniacal,” as I recall.

    Facing overwhelming pressure to rename Conspiracy, the undersigned was prepared to decree it as such.  Conspiracy asserted, perhaps rightly, that since OBT had originally named him, OBT has exclusive renaming rights regardless of the nearly-unanimous desire of F3Richmond.  Bleeder, please consult with OBT to “start the ball rolling” on the renaming process.  I am sure OBT’s terms will be reasonable and, in any case, achievable.

    The PAX was still reminiscing about wallowing in the foul smelling sludge at #Notoll two weeks before.  Ahh that smell… the price of lush green grass.

    Welcome back Grizzly!  It was great to see you again.

    Johnsonville

    PS:  The upcoming schedule looks like this —

    Wed — #SourceOfTruth Wilson on Q (evening TYA may organize a run)
    Thurs — #45MOM DK on Q
    Fri — #RAMM TYA on Q
    Sat — #DogPile Toga on Q  /  #GridIron Earthworm on Q

    Reminder — We need someone to Q for #GridIron on Aug. 1 since Earthworm and I will both be out of town.

     

     

     

     

  • Feel the heat

    10 of the faithful attended The Punisher RVA on a muggy Monday morning.

    The thang:

    mosey to the field, COP-

    20 Imperial Walkers, 20 Don Quixotes, 20 mountain climbers, 25 LBCs

    50 yard warmups – 50%, 75%, 90%, 100%, 50%, 100%

    mosey to corner of school lot – 4 corners around entire school. 5 burps/10 WWII situps increasing by increments of 5 burps and 10 situps each corner. plank.

    mosey to field – Ring of Fire Straddled Merk.

    mosey to parking lot – triple check – chair, plank, run around parking lot.

    mosey back to field – 5 minutes of mary-  15 flutters, 15 hello dollys, 20 ankle taps, 20 LBCs, 15 rosalitas, 2 rounds of superman

    10 burpees.

    COT

    moleskin:

    Many more mornings like this and YHC will be reupholstering his car. T claps for those of you who also did the trail run yesterday of 7 or so miles. Good to see Grisly made his second showing after his FNG outing Saturday. Fudd welcomed back after an absence due to illness.

    The Ring of Fire Straddled Merk was a play on one of the workouts in Carolina. Circle up, YHC led side straddle hop in cadence. At the first ‘1’ count from the PAX, the person to the right of YHC drops to do merkins until exhaustion. At the PAX ‘2’ count, the person to the right of person #1 drops to do merkins to exhaustion. Continue around until YHC drops to do merkins. First person exhausted from their merkins jumps up to start SSHs in cadence until the entire PAX is back on their feet. Maybe it didn’t go as smoothly as YHC would have preferred, open to suggestions. Seems like the bigger the group, the better for this particular workout.

    Thanks to Conspiracy for reminding YHC there was time remaining at the end, just enough for a few more burpees.

    Today is the deadline to order Dogpile shirts, or fuddpile if the NC staff gets paid off.

  • Austrian Twist and then Downhill from there

    8 Faithful appeared in the not so gloomy morning and 1 more arrived in the middle of the workout.

    COP

    25x SSH
    20x merkins
    20x Imperial Walkers
    30x LBC
    20x Don Quicote
    15x arm circle forward and back

    Go to field in front of Carillon

    High knees
    Butt kicker
    Lunges

    Back to Circle

    10 minutes of Austrian Twist
    Burpees jump 180 on curb Burpee

    Run to Hill beyond the VITA Course

    5 runs/ish hill climbs

    Back to Amptiitheather

    Lindsay’s

    Dips and LBC’s

    Head to bottom of love hill

    Bear crawl and run partnering up

    Then back to the shovel flag.

    Swirly took us out with the COT.

    Moleskin

    Arriving at the AO the morning, Wilson and Swirly were present. Swirly had volunteered to Q when Loose Goose had to head out of town on to help with some family issue, (prayers go with you LG). I asked if I could takeover this AM, on my travels, I picked up a new exercise that I wanted to try out this morning, after a proper demo, Moaning from an unnamed PAX member ensued.( Fudd just because you were sick I made the decision to keep you unnamed-Oops) The Austrian Twist was part of a US ski team morning workout that YHC found useful and properly exhausting.

    As we covered some territory this morning in the AO, YHC continued to pass the port-o-John’s, no one in the PAX apparently needed to use the facilities; but that did not stop the discussion of Fudd’s use during a previous dogpile workout. If the Discussion had continued, YHC would have suggested that the PAX vote to rename the AO to Fuddpile. Although, YHC is certain that the name change would have met with some constipative resistance from Lead AO Q Toga.

    Good to see Obama(Lifoing big time) Although he and Pommel Horse headed out for a 6 mile loop after the Workout, Pommel Horse is from Richmond;however, he received his name at a Durham workout. Welcome to F3 RVA!

    Strategically, YHC partnered with Sippy and Honey Dew, Thanks for some fast pace hill climbing! Wilson and Fudd partnered under Q’s orders, both had been ill this week, and YHC do not want to infect the rest of the PAX.

    Announcements

    Run tomorrow meeting at the Pump House behind Dogwood dell at 7 am.

    Order your Dogpile Shirt now before the name Change!

  • Yes, Ground Work; But No Earthworm

    Five of the faithful and two FNGs posted at Pouncy Tract Park at 7AM on a fine, midsummer Saturday morning to make a #DownPainMent.  Johnsonville took the Q, and this is how it went down:

    COP warmup:
    ssh x 25
    don quixote x 25
    partner leg toss x 25 (2 sets)
    merkins x 15

    Mosey to Grassy Knoll
    10 minutes of burpees

    Mosey to Old Schoolhouse
    triple play wall sit / plank / run (2 sets)

    Mosey to Hill by Entrance
    pair up — one person does Lt. Dans while the other crab walks up hill, does 5 merkins at top, bear crawls back down, swap positions.  Rinse and repeat for a total of 3 sets each.

    Mosey to bleachers by front football field
    chiabatta dips
    mixed merkin chiabatta, including merkins, derkins, isometric merkens, and incline merkins.
    partner leg toss x 25

    COP:
    rosalitas x 15
    dolly x 15
    LBC x 25
    Russian twist x 50

    COT

    Welcome Grizzley and ShortShank!  We are excited to have you join our ranks, and we look forward to getting to know you better.

    Toward the end of the 10 minutes of burpees, Jolly Rancher was giving Conspiracy and other “old dudes” tips on proper form.  That was fun to see.

    After chiabattas, lots of folks were sprawled around on the turf moaning in gloom. Obviously, we have been neglecting those and need to bring them back to #GridIron.

    Have a great week, guys!

    — Johnsonville

  • Return to Normal?

    Please return your seats and tray tables to the full upright position, 13 of the faithful ran down back down the normal Grove Ave routes.

    The Thang

    Run down Commonwealth to Grove(unless you are Sippy, Marv or Saab, they all ran to the start) Turn Right on Grove, Run to the 4, 5, or 6 mile loops, and run to Three Chopt, then back to the Shovel Flag.

    Moleskin

    Lug Nut and YHC were quite happy to have the normal route in front of us in the Gloom this AM. We managed to break the barrier that has been eluding us for several weeks. Perhaps Conspiracy passing us early on helped us maintain proper form. Conspiracy was asking for directions, which Lug Nut replied with a cross street that was in the opposite direction of our run.

    TYA arrived early to get in a full 10K this AM. Nice job!

    Honey Dew hit the Five mile loop trailing slightly behind BT and Swirly, Strong showing Honey Dew!

    The Rogue group was in the AO this morning, One of them cam over to inquire if we could share the AO this morning, YHC responding that we were “just running” today.

    Another run group was sprinting down Grove as the first few F3 men were reaching Three Chopt, Lug Nut and YHC yelled at one of them that we recognized. Maybe Next week!

    Annoucements:

    Dogpile 6 am and Gridiron 7 am tomorrow.

    BRR run Sunday 7am, Meeting at the Pump House near Dogwood Dell.

    Shirts are still available for DogPile until Monday, Please order them now!