Category: Richmond, VA

  • Just Because

    Eighteen early birds gathered at various times to tackle the first challenge of this week of giving thanks. After some confusion as to whether the 5 milers or 6 milers did their math correctly, everyone departed and paid respect to the old UR turkey trot. Two left sometime prior to 0500, a gaggle left at 0500, then two more gaggles at 0515, followed by another duo at 0525. All in all, no one got lost. Even Anthrax guided a group successfully.

    The Route

    10k for everyone. Unlike the perennial discussion on which one was the first Thanksgiving, no arguing that this is one of the most difficult 10ks around.

    Turkey Routes

    Moleskin

    This route has been reused for 4 years in a row. This year, YHC didn’t even have to walk through the directions for anyone as each group navigated the course with minimal difficulty.

    As mentioned during COT, credit to Bleeder for first introducing the official turkey trot route to the spider runners, way back on October 17, 2017. You’ll have to ask Bleeder what inspired him to prescribe that route that day. Perhaps it was good marketing? Did he learn his race marketing skills from Singer? Only Bleeder knows…

    Dog gone Turkey Trot

    Turns out, YHC tried this back in 2016 but we never finished it. Apparently it rained that day.

    The Turkey Drowned

    Apparently, Saab really didn’t appreciate it being canceled the first year of COVID, as was evident with his backblast title Thanksgiving week of 2020.

    A Middle Finger with a Secular Close

    I digress. What I do know is this is the fourth consecutive year we have brought this route back on the week of Thanksgiving. COVID may have killed the UR turkey trot, but our spirit keeps it alive.

    Backblast title is a reminder of why we have Thanksgiving. It doesn’t matter where the first Thanksgiving was held (we all know the answer to that). The purpose of Thanksgiving is to give thanks to those around us. Why? No real reason. We shouldn’t even have to wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks. We should always be seeking ways to thank those around us, do a good deed, and to help our collective humanity lick our self-inflicted wounds.

    As I was driving away from Spider Run today, this song was just finishing up on Lithium. Tom Morello came on and described how this song was about doing a good deed. For no real reason other than to do it. Just because…

    Splinter out.

  • Raider Run – The Hard Way

    5 Davillians came out to run this morning but the hard way.

    Route – Out into Honey Meadows and back but stopping every 5 minutes to complete 25 merkins. Ran for just over 40 minutes getting in 200 Merkins

    No Ruckers today

    Great morning for a run finishing up just before the rain

    SPIT ON THAT!!

  • Heartbreak Maximus

    8 hombres gathered for this weeks Heartbreak Ridge. With guys on the IR we modified to meet the need.

    We got in groups of two and stayed with our partner the entire time. Each group had a Microblock and the run was the block couldn’t be set on the ground the entire workout. Various exercises were completed.

    Announcements – Heist/Hermes are going to The Bridge on November 30th, leaving from Wawa at Westchester at 0615. Upchuck is going to The Bridge on December 14th. Thanksgiving workout at Mary Mumford this Thursday at 0700 hours.

    Prayer Requests – Gypsy, Roger Rogers M, Fudd’s sister, Fireman Ed.

    NMS – Glad to take the lead today and mix things up. No running for crew today. Extra prayer requests for Atilla injured toe.

  • Richmond is a small town

    YHC rolled into Richmond’s finest Country Club (okay, it’s a private school track, but it’s our version of luxury) rocking the classic polo uniform, joined by three other well-dressed gloom warriors. It was a pleasant morning, full of sweat, banter, and lots of laps.

    The beatdown? A familiar six rounds of Tabata, each followed by a lap around the track—with a bonus two laps on the last round for those overachievers among us. The first round was a delightful stretch session, which YHC would like to formally thank for being a gentle warm-up disguised as actual effort.

    Midway through the workout, YHC and Hitchhiker’s extremely subtle conversational volume attracted the attention of runners doing speed work. Turns out, they recognized our dulcet tones (or maybe just our loud mouths) and stopped by to say hello. These friends of ours were knocking out 8×400 at a blistering pace. Impressive? Sure. But let’s not overlook the fact that we were doing calisthenics and running laps. Clearly, the harder workout.

    As always, the mumble chatter was on point. OBT regaled us with tales from his recent Italian escapades, if you need travel tips or a trip planner, see OBT’s M for a schedule. Hitchhiker, meanwhile, announced his early return to work from paternity leave, officially cementing his assimilation into American culture by deciding that less time with his newborn was the way to go. There was also a spirited preview of the Thanksgiving family dinner drama we’re all pretending not to dread but secretly can’t wait for. And as always Bodos offered sage advice to YHC for all of life’s challenges – thank you Bodos!

    YHC took us out. It was an honor to lead this esteemed crowd this morning.

  • SCCC Better Late Than Never

    Two of us showed up to a quite morning at the St. Christophers Track. The dogs with tron vests reported seeing the following…

    It was a familiar routine, six rounds of Tabata with one lap between, with the last round having two laps. The first round consisted of stretching. The next few rounds consisted of a mix of curls, abs, merkins, triceps work.

    YHC took us out.

  • Crisp, Clear Morning in Tuckahoe

    6 RVA Pax and 1 downrange from Valdosta, GA gathered in the gloom for this week’s edition of Hoedown. With no one on the Q sheet, YHC said he had a plan so off we went.

    Mosey to the closest Third Church parking lot for warm up that included Dead Man Hang, Don Quixote, Arm Circles, Merkins, Freddie Mercuries.

    Mosey to the far Third Church parking lot for a Triple Check. P1 runs around the lot. P2 does squats. P3 does WWIIs.

    Next, Four Corners. Corner 1 – 10 Merkins. Corner 2 – 20 jump squats. Corner 3 – 30 monkey humpers. Corner 4 – 40 side straddle hops.

    Mosey back to Silverspring for parked car bingo. 2 burpees for pick up trucks.  5 merkins for each SUV.  5 squats for a car/crossover/wagon.  After completing the loop down Silverspring and connecting back to Forest, the PAX agreed that the neighborhood has entirely too many SUVs.  YHC believes the merkin count hit 80 merkins by the end of the loop.

    Mosey back across Forest to Tuckahoe for 11s.  The pax picked Carolina dry docks and American hammers.

    With a few minutes left, mosey to the flag for some mary.  Exercises included APBs, Heels to heaven, WWIs, leg lifts, spelling HOEDOWN with your legs.

    Numbers / Names

    Announcements

    • Handshake won the chili cook off!
    • Turkey Trot at Spider Run tomorrow – see slack for details
    • Thanksgiving Day Convergence 7 am at Mary Munford

    Prayers offered for the Pax and their families who continue to be in need of prayers.

    YHC took us out.

  • It’s getting Deep here

    The Goochland contingent showed up along with some of the usual suspects. We’re dedicating ourselves to maintaining good habits during Thanksgiving week. We also listened to music.

    Lyrics from “Okie from Muskogee” performed by Merle Haggard and the Strangers

    “We don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee.

    We don’t take our trips on LSD.”

    Atilla really liked this song.

    Mosey around parking lot. Stopped at flag and give standard disclaimer

    • 20 SSHs
    • 10 Man-Maker Merkins
    • 15 Crunchy Frogs
    • Stretch

    Mosey halfway around parking lot

    • 20 IWs
    • 10 Diamond Merkins
    • 10 Crotch Grabbers (new exercise. Sort of like a V-up but clap hands underneath first one knee and then the other
    • Stretch

    Mosey back to flag in parking lot

    • 20 Squats
    • 10 Stagger Arm Merkins
    • 10 Suzanne Sommers (each side)
    • Stretch

    Mosey halfway around parking lot

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

    Used part of parking lot parallel to school for Grinders: Partner 1 goes to the ‘far end’ of the ‘track’ while Partners 2 and 3 stay put. Partner 3 is the first runner. Partner 3 runs to Partner 1. Partner 1 runs to Partner 2 at the ‘start’ of the ‘track’, Partner 2 runs to Partner 3, etc. If you’re not running, you’re doing the called Exercise.

    • Plank position Toe Taps (new exercise)
    • Copperhead Squats
    • Dollies
    • Flutter kicks

    Used part of parking lot perpendicular to school for 11s.

    • Mike Tyson & Deep Mountain Climbers

    Mosey to the wall at the entrance to the school for

    • 15 People’s chair airpress
    • 10 BTTW hip slaps in cadence
    • 15 Donkey Kix
    • 15 People’s chair Milkers
    • 10 BTTW Australian Mountain Climbers
    • 15 Donkey Kix
    • 15 People’s chair Muhammad Ali
    • 10 BTTW Toe Taps
    • 15 People’s chair Muhammad Ali
    • 10 Dirty Hookups
    • 15 Donkey kicks

    Back to the flag for

    • 20 Heels to Heaven in cadence
    • 60 count 6-inch leg lift

    Announcements

    Congratulations to Handshake for his Chili Cookoff Victory!

    Convergence on Thanksgiving 7:00 AM (NOT PM) at Mary Mumford

    Friends of Barnabas request for donations: Gomer (in January) and I (in July) will be going to Honduras. If you are so inclined, please contribute. For more information, see Slack, 3rd F Channel.

    Circle of Trust

    Sermon comment: Mixing Politics and Religion is like mixing Horse Manure and Ice Cream. It doesn’t improve the Horse Manure and it ruins the Ice Cream.

    One of the strengths of this country is that we do not have an established church like many other countries. Or as Jesus said, “my kingdom is not of this world.” If you want to gain adherents in this country, you have to persuade others by your actions and your words.

    Dear Lord, Guide us so that we glorify you in this world by our words and deeds.

  • Choose Your Own Adventure

    4 usual suspects arrived to the former SOT now known solely as MOT. No Q on the sheet and so the 4s decided their fate as well as the 5/6 milers. Off into Salisbury we went, return at 6:15.

    -Singer

  • Check these gloves out

    Had to break out the insulated gloves out on this frosty morning. YHC made sure to show them off to Beaver. We knocked out a short but sweet work out this morning. This is how it all went down…..

    Warmarama

    • Mosey to pickleball courts
    • Reverse scorpion
    • Knee knockers
    • SSH
    • Copper head squats
    • Wall sits
    • Hoe downs
    • Toe touches

    Thang

    • 11’s with Merkins and Firecrackers with a 100 yard run between. Ended up being almost 2 miles when we were done.
    • Pick your partner workout
    • Merkins, balls on the walls, flutters, outlaws, squats, step ups and BURPEES. I’m sure I’m leaving some out

    Finished up with some stretching and sunrise gazing.


    Convergence on Thanksgiving 0700 at Mary Mumford Elementary. We SHOULD hear about the first Thanksgiving that happened at Berkeley Plantation. We will see how it goes!!!!

    OUT

  • Rippin’ a$$

    15 grown-boys got their week started right at The Alamo! Although only some of the PAX was able to attend the Chili Cookoff yesterday, we all paid for it. It’s safe to say that the old saying “beans, beans the magical fruit…the more you eat, the more you toot” proved true this morning.

    WARMARAMA – Moseyed to the neighborhood entrance and back. Circled up, gave the F3 mission and got into it. SSH’s, DMH, Butterfly stretch, Old school V-Stretch, LBC’s, Rosco’s Mom, Merkins.

    COP #1 – Moseyed down to an intersection for a Triple-Check.

    • Exercise #1 – Run to the the end of the cul-de-sac and back. Throw down on the 7′ basketball hoop at the turn (optional). YHC took advantage of the low rim and paid homage to MJ and Vince Carter.
    • Exercise #2 – Merkins
    • Exercise #3 – Squats

    COP #2 – Slow moseyed to the bottom of a hill for some 11’s.

    • Exercise #1 – Carolina Dry Docks
    • Exercise #2 – LBC’s

    COP #3 – Slow moseyed/moseyed back to the clubhouse parking lot for a Dora.

    • (50) LBC’s
    • (100) Flutter Kicks
    • (150) Alabama Prom Dates (RIP, Alabama)

    COP #4 – Quick Ring of Fire with Merkin variations

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    • The Chili Cookoff was a huge success! Thanks to Heist for planning it and congrats to Handshake for taking the W!
    • Thursday, NOV 28 – Thanksgiving Day Convergence
    • Saturday, NOV 30 – The Bridge. Hit up Hermey for deets.

    PRAYERS/WINS

    • YHC’s sister Jamie. Life is hitting her hard. Prayers that she stays strong!
    • The PAX agreed that we all have a LOT to be thankful for. God is good!