Category: Richmond, VA

  • Breaking Bread

    A successful venture! They are very appreciative of the hot meal! I got there at 5:30 PM.

    I brought 2 Stouffer’s lasagna (each feeds 7), a carton of mixed spring greens, a bottle of Ranch and a bottle of balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing, cut up some carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes so that they could be added to the salad, 24 mini cupcakes, and 1 1/2 gallons of lemonade. Unfortunately, I left the rolls at home.

    I had to drop off because we went out of town that evening.

    I had some trouble finding the place. It’s a 2-story red brick building with the entrance on the right (as you face the building). On the opposite side of the street, there is the white and yellow sign for the Richmond Police Station, 2nd precinct and an orange and white Sign for Orange Beauty Supplies. I found this more useful in identifying the location than the Wendy’s which has been shut down.

  • Pickleball Singles Championship

    Pickleball Singles Championship

    2 fleet-of-foot denizens of the Pickle Ball kingdom met on the courts of battle for the Inaugural F3RVA Singles Pickle Ball Championship. Conditions were sunny and 70. According to the lady of the night and her escort, the following back-and-forth action might have happened.

    COP:

    Lap around the courts. Various stretches and exercises. Pre-game workout was intense with Applesauce setting the F3RVA record with 1,110 merkins (before 5:45 a.m.). He also Invented 2 new AI models and cured one strain of the common cold (but, only one). Vaccines were banned from this tournament, as was flouride and several books that few have read anyway. But, in this world of manufactured fear mongering, the players remained steadfast in their focus on sports science – only HGH, creatine, and good ole Ben-Gay were allowed. Shoes were required – sorry, Bodos.

    Indeed, this was pickleball at its most raw.

    Main Event – The Championship (Singles).

    Some time later this summer there is a double’s tournament (which is on the Summer Tour). Today, the two survivors of the fortnight-long round robin singles tournament fought it out. Back-and-forth, back-and-forth, back (ok, out!)…

    Highlights:

    Applesauce twice pulled off the unintentional double-tap (permitted in PB),
    Several balls that were “out” were called “in,” as a courtesy (thank you, Oyster),
    The stupid rule requiring that every ball which is out be actually called “out” was suspended for being dumb, stupid, and a poopy-face rule, and,
    Lobs to the Moon and Back were used extensively (and, candidly, quite effectively).

    In a three set nail biter, UpChuck narrowly defeated F3 newcomer and veteran Pickle Ball player Applesauce in a  mega cage match for the ages. This is Pickle Ball scoring, so it’s odd. 11-5-2, 11-7-1, 11-4-2 (17-12). The math works, and if it doesn’t, check Truth Social and ask yourself whether anything on the Inter-webs is really a lie if you want it to be true. Say it enough, and it becomes true.

    Also, Applesauce signed his first NIL deal to promote paddles for New England Asset Management company (NEAM). Incredible. Don’t believe me? Check out his paddle next week.

    There were already too many numbers for today, so all of the rest we did silently and shared good will and brotherhood on the way out.

    Next year, Applesauce. But, for now, age won out over youth.

  • Prepare for Glory!

    19 Spartans converged on the Alamo this humid morning to start their week off right. 6 gents were bamboozled into schlepping sandbags from Crabbs house to the flag, extra credit boys!! Thank you to Rudy for giving up the Q so YHC could lead his 300th post. Lets go!!

    5:30, not a second late, the PAX went for a mosey down through the tunnel and back to the flag. Mission statement, 5 core principles. SSH, Don Quixotes, Cherry pickers, LBCs, scorpion kicks.

    First battle: 6 exercises, 2 rounds 25 reps = 300. Merkins, jump squats, WW2s, heals to heaven, Crab cakes, Plank jacks.

    Second battle: Partner up at the end of the parking lot. Partner 1 picked up a sand bag or 2 cindys and walked roughly 300 yards while the partner performed 300 high knees. Instructions were to walk, but a handful of Spartans decided to run. Men among men!!! Switch and continue.

    Third battle: Partner up at the parking lot entrance. Partner 1 ran up to the top of the hill and back while other partner did SSHs. 300 count.

    Fourth battle: Circle up for a combined, you guessed it 300 Navy Seal burpees. Ended with 2 min of stretching and 2 min of plank.

    Numbers, names, announcements, PR, COT.

    Please keep Mr. Bradys daughter and Fandangos son in your prayers.

    Thank you each and every one of you who has ever pushed me to not take a lazy day, to come out and post, to push, to challenge. This group is more than just a workout group, its a brotherhood of positive momentum! Love you gents!! Thanks Crabby for assisting with the set up.

    Always an honor to lead you men.

  • Open Invitation to OTB

    Honeymoon and YHC decided were were going to do a light 4-4.5 miles. Nice and easy. So, YHC put out the call to any PAX members who had not tried OTB or who just wanted to get in a few easy miles before the unbearable heat kicked in. The Duke answered the call and the three of us knocked out 4.5 miles with some great conversation and low and behold our pace was faster than expected. Great start to the morning.

    The open invitation remains. Come get some easy miles and stay for the coffee and fellowship.

    Wilson, Herme and Aisle 5 solved all the World’s problems on their walk, but apparently Herme didn’t get the khaki shorts uniform memo.

    • Old Glory at NoToll on Tuesday
    • Convergence at DaVille on Friday

    No More Gumbo For You

  • Breaking Chick Fil A

    10 patients awaited a hot meal. A busy day made cooking not an option. No worries, fire up the CFA app order a bunch of chicken strips, some fruit, some Mac N Cheese, a gallon of tea and a gallon of lemonade and boom – dinner is served. Throw in some cookies made by YHC’s 2.0, and her and I delivered and served up a hot meal to the fine folks at The Daily Planet. It can be that simple gents. If you haven’t done it yet, do it. They need it, and they appreciate it.

    No More Gumbo For You!

  • Who Said

    Since we’re getting very close to Independence Day, I prepared a group of questions that I asked when we were doing stretching exercises. See the end of the writeup. Lighthouse had a really great idea. I should have picked my questions from the citizenship exam! Next time!

    Mosey to the parking lot for

    Disclaimer

    • I’m not a professional
    • Push yourself but don’t hurt yourself
    • Don’t leave here with more injuries than you came with
    • Feel free to modify any exercise

    Warm-up

    • 20 SSHs
    • 10 Man-Maker Merkins
    • 15 Crunchy Frogs
    • Stretch: on the ground, right hand to right foot with left foot on right thigh and then flapjack

    Mosey to Pull-up bars

    • 20 IWs
    • 10 Diamond Merkins
    • 10 each side Suzanne Sommers
    • Stretch:

    Sevens

    • Pullups
    • Step ups

    Mosey to New Pickleball area

    • 20 Squats
    • 10 Stagger Arm Merkins
    • 15 Dollies
    • Stretch:

    Mosey to Far End Zone of Gridiron

    • 10 Don Quixotes
    • 10 Stagger Arm Merkins
    • 15 Ukrainian Hammers
    • Stretch:

    Mosey to Soccer field for Sevens

    • Getups
    • Hammers

    Mosey to wall in front of the school for:

    • People’s Chair 15 Air Press, 10 BTTW Hip Slaps, 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    • People’s Chair 15 Muhammad Ali, 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers, 15 Donkey Kix OYO
    • People’s Chair 15 Milkers, 10 BTTW Toe Taps, 15 Donkey Kix OYO

    Mosey to Soccer Field for Four Corners (using 20-yard line and goal line)

    • 20 Shoulder taps
    • 20 APDs
    • 20 Crunchy Frogs
    • 20 Squats
    • Come back to the center each time for 5 Burpees

    Mosey to benches for Countdown (10, 9, 8, etc)

    • Bulgarians
    • Dips

    Back to the parking lot for

    • 20 Heels to Heaven
    • 20 Flutter kicks

    Announcements

    July 4th: convergence at Atlee High School: 7:00 AM. Roger Roger 6:30 departure from Godwin: Let him know if you want to carpool.

    July 19: The Bridge; see Whitesnake.

    Coming on a future Saturday, we’ll move the workout to Lake Anna

    COT

    I read the following from the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

    “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

    “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

    ********************************

    There’s also a great deal more which I didn’t read and haven’t reproduced here. But below are a few of the “Injuries and Usurpations” listed in the Declaration:

    “He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners;”

    “He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.”

    “For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:”

    “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:”

    “For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:”

    “For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:”

    *************************************

    AND BELOW ARE THE QUESTIONS I ASKED PLUS A FEW I DIDN’T GET TO:

    • Who said: “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is force! Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.” Answer: George Washington
    • Who said “Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law.” Justice John Marshall Harlan; This is from his dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson (Separate but Equal ruling legalizing segregation in 1896.)
    • Name a significant fact about John Marshall Harlan: He was a slaveholder prior to the Civil War. (He also fought with the Union Army in the Civil War and was from Virginia.)
    • What document was Lincoln referring to in the Gettysburg Address when he wrote “four score and seven years ago,”: Answer: Declaration of Independence
    • Who said: “These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” Answer:  Thomas Paine, The American Crisis
    • Who from Virginia, signed the Declaration of Independence: Answer: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
    • How many times does the Constitution use the word ‘slave’, ‘slavery’ or other derivation, prior to the 13th amendment? Answer: zero! The Constitution was very artfully worded!
    • What English philosopher greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence: Answer John Locke. Locke’s “Second Treatise of Government” provided the foundation for the Declaration’s concept of natural rights and the social contract theory, which posits that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed. Written in 1683, between the time of the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution.
    • Where did Habeas Corpus come from and what is it: Answer: Habeas corpus, often called “the Great Writ,” originated in England’s common law system, evolving over centuries from the 12th century onwards. It gained prominence with the Magna Carta (1215) and was later formalized in the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679, which guaranteed the right to challenge unlawful imprisonment.
    • Who said: “A man’s rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.” Answer: Frederick Douglas
    • Who said: “We are descended from a people whose government was founded on liberty; our glorious forefathers of Great Britain made liberty the foundation of everything. That country is become a great, mighty, and splendid nation; not because their government is strong and energetic, but, sir, because liberty is its direct end and foundation.” Answer: Patrick Henry
    • Who said: “Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.” Answer: Benjamin Franklin
    • Who said: “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” Answer: Benjamin Franklin
    • Who said: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Answer: Benjamin Franklin
    • Who said: “A republic, if you can keep it” Answer: Benjamin Franklin
    • Who said: “nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.” Answer: Thomas Jefferson

  • Abcathlon 2025: Overtime Required

    9 of of SOJ’s finest took on the somewhat stupid and moderately pointless summer challenge known as the Abcathlon. It was a hot and humid morning – but luckily, no upper body muscles were required. Here is a brief summary for your viewing pleasure.

    Mosey to the basketball court for a short Warm-up: Ukranian Soldiers, Helicopters, Cherry Pickers, various stretches, butt kicks and high knees.

    Exercise One: Abcathlon: Roughly 1.25 mile course with 10 stops. 50 count exercises at each station
    1. Grow Ruck Sit ups
    2. Pickle Pounders
    3. Incline LBC’s
    4. Hanging Knee Raises
    5. Rosalitas/Hello Dollies
    6. Crunchy Frogs
    7. WW II Sit ups
    8. Heels to Heaven
    9. Boxing Cockroaches
    10. Wallabama Prom Dates

    * Two circuits completed

    Final Thoughts: Excellent effort by all the PAX this morning. We ran out of time, but everyone wanted to complete the second circuit – ended up being about 3 minutes over. Special shout out to Deep Dish returning from the IR and looking strong. I also heard that Big Rig ran 15 miles this morning and did the Abcathlon – ridiculous. He is also a two time finisher! Somewhere in the park there is a cone with “Flutter Kicks” on it…………….until next summer!

  • [EC]300 KB Challenge

    This Cheaver Train didn’t stop and kept on rolling into a 3rd workout of the morning with our 300 Kettlebell Challenge.

    👻300 KBC – 6/28👻

    5 Sets of each exercise

    •Reverse wood chops – 6 L/6 R
    •Goblet Reverse Lunge 6 L / 6 R
    •Renegade Row 6 L/ 6 R
    •1/4 Turkish Getup 6 L / 6 R
    •Halos 12. Change direction in following set

    Heck of a morning Choo Choo! I’m glad we could do it all together man! Love you brother.

  • This Cheaver Train is Off the Rails!

    5 Saturday Sweat machines gathered for Cheaver double Q beatdown! Choo Choo kicked off the AO!

    Warmarama!

    Mosey through the neighborhood to the close cul-de-sac for some good ol Warmarama nearby Cap Gains casa.

    • Leg Stretches: Runners/Butterflies/Etc
    • The Wives
    • Merkins IC
    • Arm Circles Reverse Pal/ Chinooks
    • SSH’s IC

    COP1

    4 Booyah Merkins & 4 Jump Squats at every neighborhood mailbox on the right.

    COP2

    Mosey to the Coupon bank for 5x5s – Do 5 coupon reps – farmer carry 2 coupons 25 yards – Do 5 coupon reps. Decrease by one rep every round.

    Beaver Take over – Choo Choo pleaded with the guys to take the Q before I did. Mosey to the pull-up bars!

    COP 3 – 3/6/9’s – 5 sets – plank for the 6.

    • 3 burpees
    • 6 pull-ups
    • 9 squats

    Mosey to the baseball outfield fence- 25 Poll Dancers IC & 25 Pole Smokers IC.
    Mosey to the small hill for Clockwork Merkins. Mosey to the West Octagon for Ring of Fire.

    • 20 WWII IC
    • 15 Hello Dollys IC
    • 60 second Plank
    • 12 American Hammers IC
    • 15 Flutters IC
    • Finish with Shakira’s until F3’s 5 core principles and mission are recited.

    Numbers(5) & Names

    Announcements – 4th of July Convergence Atlee Highschool in Mechanicsville at 07:00.

    YHC closed us out in prayer.

  • MW Loopers

    A hard-thing-loving duo we’ll call Try Clown took off on the Rockwood perimeter loop and lost themselves in deep conversation while pushing the Repeat Loop button for 53 minutes. With this level of humidity, better the open air than going into suffocating woods trails. Big Rig temporarily joined the romantic duo a couple times but kept taking off for more running miles. Halfway through the hour Chaplain and 2.0 Touchdown joined the ruck having laid out the deadly Abcathalon course. The PAX completed just shy of 3 miles, and quality conversation was enjoyed by all. Yours AYE! ~DTH