Category: Richmond, VA

  • We Ran

    Three out-of-shape ninjas took on the mean streets of upper Midlothian. We made our way down Old Otterdale, through Charter Colony, picked up an associates degree at the local community college and then climbed out of the manders bunghole. yay.

  • DR at Halo – Marietta, GA

    https://www.f3alpha.com/backblast/2024/07/10/six-is-in

  • Would You Buy Trail Mix at a Yard Sale?

    Yard Sale and Trail Mix met on a humid Wednesday morning for a kettle bell tabata. Yard Sale warmed us up with the regulars: SSH’s, arm circles, cherry pickers, lbc’s, hand release merkins and heels to heaven. The warm up was followed by a tabata. We did 9 exercises (upper body, core and lower body – 3 times each). We did each exercise 8 times 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off. As usual, this perfectly filled the time. Numberama, Namarama, and Trail Mix took us out with a prayer.

  • Feels almost like Houston

    Five dedicated PAX showed up bright and early at 5:30 AM, finding nothing better to do than to tackle a run. Among us were four regulars and a special guest from Houston. Our visitor shared that 80 degrees with high humidity is typical Houston weather from April to October. Despite his assurance that we had nothing to complain about, we did anyway.

    We kicked off our run towards Duck Lake. After a warm-up, we looped around the lake, stopping for 20 Dips, 15 Derkins, and 20 two-count Flutters at each loop. We managed to complete four loops before time ran out. On our way back to the flag, we spent the remaining minutes in a plank position, pushing through to the end.

    We wrapped up the session with a prayer, focusing on the people of Houston as they deal with the aftermath of Beryl. Our thoughts and support go out to them.

    SYITG.

  • Exercising New Muscles

    Seven sets of washboard abs showed up for the latest edition of W-Dog. Conditions were sunny and 70. According to the road runner lashed to the hood of the old Suburban, the following might have happened:

    Mosey to the 4 big rocks, then to the port-o-potties, then to the circle, then to the rarely used grassy area near the first traffic circle for…the COP.

    SSHs x50
    Dead Man Hang
    Downward Dog/Fudd’s Wife
    Wilson’s Wife
    Downward Dog
    Imperial Walkers x10
    Hillbillies x10
    Hand Release Merkins x10, except Bodo’s, who did, shall we say, fewer than 10, but not more than zero. (If anyone knows how YHC can put an eyeball roll in the Backblast, please DM me.)
    WWIIs x20
    Flutter kicks (4 count) x20

    Mosey to the hill on Pump House Drive…for…not the Triangle. Nope. For a Beast.

    There are 6 trees on the right. The PAX individually picks 3 trees (push yourself, don’t hurt yourself). Do 6 rounds of exercises with 6 reps per tree per round. Pick the trees based on your willingness or ability to run up and down the hill. But, up the hill, the run is Bernie Sanders-style. Bro-code for the six after each round.

    Exercises were squats, flutter kicks, monkey humpers, LBCs, merkins, and snow angels.

    Mosey to the near traffic circle. There is a Latin jazz and salsa festival this weekend, so the city has put out plenty of trash cans in groups. Each PAX member was instructed to pick 3 exercises OYO. One ab, one leg, and one arm exercise. Round 1, do 20 of each exercise at each of the 3 sets of trash cans, then run the rest of the loop. Round 2, same number of exercises, but pick 3 new exercises. Round 3, pick 3 new exercises.

    Question from the PAX: are Alabama prom dates an ab or a leg exercise? DM EF Hutton with your thoughts, or start a new Slack channel “AborLeg.” Invite Wilson to join.

    Mosey BTTVSF, jigging left to the four painted rocks for 10 derkins, or not.

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    Announcements (Kudos to Tryhard for the list):

    • If you missed the Tuesday evening discussion on Rule 8, it’s your loss. “Tell the Truth, or at least, don’t lie.” Integrity matters. It’s even a Commandment. Follow this rule: It’s a rule to live by. Ignore it: path to ruin. Which are you on? Thank you to the 6 studs who made this event powerful for YHC. Also, prayers for those who shared their challenges. YKWYA.
    • Summer Tour. Oyster / Tryhard posting a ton. Get out there and meet some new men or catch up with old pals. Also, on-going contest to invent the most micro of micro events just to get a ST point.
    • Dry July. Good to hear at from those making solid progress toward their goals.
    • Wet July. Sorry, Hutton, Dry July has nothing to do with not sweating. And, YHC has been on vacation. Not conducive to Dry Anything.
    • 7/11 Thursday (tomorrow) 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details. Bring your kids, if Lockjaw says that’s ok.
    • Thur AM – 0430 Launch to Clown Car down to Amelia Courthouse (Tryhard Q). Clown Car starting location is a closely guarded secret. Credible sources have uncovered the password… “#SOJ.”
    • Fri – RAMM Amateur Bike Ride. 05:30. This is a contest. Bring your most ridiculous ride. YHC’s money is on the “1988 Volvo.”
    • 7/13 – Poolboy VQ at The Iron Bridge. Get after it.
    • 7/14 – OTB Swimming Pool Bootcamp. It’s free, it’s open to all men.
    • 7/17 – Woodsman VQ at The Crossing. Get after it.
    • 7/18 Thursday 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details.
    • 7/25 Thursday 18:30 (or 6:30 “p.m.”). Adults paddle on the James. Huguenot Landing. See Lockjaw for details.
    • 7/27 – YHC is leading The Bridge. Achieve F3 “Luminary” Status by attending. “Visit the Imprisoned.” Help YHC share the F3 spirit with a group of men transitioning their lives from prison to the free world. Clown Car from RVA around 06:00. Workout in Buckingham 07:30-08:15. Coffeeteria. Home by 10:30. Note: YHC has heard every excuse possible to skip out, so make your’s a good one. Or, try this: “Honey, can you take the kids until 10:30 Saturday? I would appreciate it. I’d like to help some men who could use a role model.” Even you can score with a line like that.
    • 8/3 – Homegrown Half. This means run either 10k or 13.1 miles. Most confusing F3 event of the year. Is F3 using Metric or Imperial? No one knows who to ask, so YHC has appointed Boberry to take any questions.
    • 8/6 – Ultimate Crab Frisbee Tournament at the Second AO (Learn some F3 history. Figure it out). Bring your NVGs for the first 15 minutes.
    • 8/11 – F3 Family Float on the James. Starts somewhere between Lynchburg and Newport News. Starts sometime between BMNT and ends sometime before EENT. Someone will provide details sometime. (Yes, Gomer, this one for you.)
    • 8/17 – Pickleball Tourney. This is table stakes for winning the Summer Tour. Skip this, and it’s minus 200 points. FWIW, if Splinter and LJ’s kids show up, this thing’s over before it begins.
    • 8/21 – 100th Birthday Celebration at First Watch 05:00. Come celebrate YHC’s father’s 100th birthday. Roaring 20’s, Great Depression, WWII, Cold War, etc.
    • 8/28 – New AO at Moseley Elementary. Note the spelling has been corrected from previous posts. Google Maps will thank you.
    • 9/28 – 10 Year Anniversary (multiple events).

    Breaking Bread….every month for the rest of the year. Be a stud – make dinner for a group of 8-12 folks who are in town for medical treatment or recovery and need a hand. See Oyster for details. (Spoiler Alert: this is about you growing as a human and a Brother). YHC thanks you in advance.

    NMS: Awesome group of dudes at WDog today. Great to see some guys who YHC has not seen in a while. Big Tennessee, Slippin’ Jimmy, and Doublemint. Always good to catch up with Bodo’s, Hutton, and the new papa, Hitchhiker. Sweatfest.

    Learning Note: do you apologize for your failings? One PAX member reports “exercising new muscles” by taking the time to appreciate his own failings, especially with his M. Nice lesson for all of us.

    Last point, great to catch up with Hutton at the WDog Coffeeteria today.

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • Ruckin SOJ

    Three men, three letters, at least 3 miles, and as always amazing conversation. #SOJ

    THE ROUTE

    • Roll up at 0500 on the dot, closely behind Dealer
    • Sable dutifully waiting beside his beautiful new Ruckhenge Shovel Flag
    • Rucks ON
    • No Disclaimer, just get MOVIN!
    • Leave Einstein behind and turn West on Huguenot
    • Left on Westgate Dr
    • Left on Williamswood Rd, then after 50 yards turn back to remain on W.Rd loop
    • Left on Farr Ln
    • Right on Williamswood Rd
    • Left on Fillmore Rd
    • Left on Beckham Dr
    • Left on Cedar Crest Rd
    • Right in Cherrytree Ln
    • Right in Brockwood Rd until Cedar Crest
    • Reverso back down Brockwood Rd
    • Left on Rattlesnake Rd
    • Left on Jimmy Winters Rd
    • Right on Huguenot BTTF

    STRETCH & REPS

    • 10min left on the clock
    • Variable stretching
    • Overhead ruck hold remembering the good old GTE days, stopped after maybe 1min
    • x15 Half Moon Snaches (1 rep = ruck on ground outside Rt leg, lift overhead, lower down to outside Lt leg)

    COT

    • Numberama # 3
    • Namerama
    • Coffeerama at Einsteins

    NMS:  Yes, there was a message hidden within today’s route, and that message is one of loyalty,  purpose, and impact. #SOJ  Yours AYE!  ~DTH

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • ONGOING – Summer Tour, Dry July
    • Thur AM – 0430 Launch to Clown Car down to Amelia Courthouse (DTH Q)
    • Fri – RAMM Amateur Bike Ride
    • 7/13 – Poolboy VQ at The Iron Bridge
    • 7/14 – OTB Swimming Pool Bootcamp
    • 7/17 – Woodsman VQ at The Crossing
    • 8/3 – Homegrown Half
    • 8/6 – Ultimate Tournament at NoToll
    • 8/11 – F3 Family Float on the James
    • 8/17 – Pickleball Tourney
    • 8/28 – New AO at Mosely Elem
    • 9/28 – 10 Year Anniv (multiple events)
    • 10/25-27 – F3 Family Camping
    • 11/2 – F3 Daddy Daughter Dance

  • Purple Flowers

    Discussions today included creeping purple flowers in France, farming equipment, trips to Napa Valley, why housing is expensive, Gypsy’s truck and injuries at 2nd Tuesday, 2nd F at Firehouse Subs. The purple flowers are (I think) Aubrieta/Rock Cress aka Cascade Purple Flowers.

  • Yeah… I’m not doing that

    3 HIMs made it out for the latest edition of the Bermuda Triangle. It was slightly less uncomfortable than it’s been the last few days but still 70 and sunny. Started out with a long mosey around the parking lot then back for a standard warmarama.

    Next for another long mosey to the field that for today will be known as the Coupon Cowpasture. We ran the perimeter of the field and it measured out to .22 miles.

    Next we went out behind the shed for the coupons.

    Let’s just say there were lots of triple checks including the following

    Murder Bunnies, Rifle carries, Farmer’s carries with 2 cindies, Thrusters, Leg raises w Cindy in Press, WW3s, Goblet Squats, skull crushers.

    We made it around the perimeter of the cowpasture to the pavilion. One exercise left to do, but there was a guy walking and Pool Boy decided to try and EH him(I think it was his first time) State Farm and I started doing Bear Crawl Pull thrus with the Cindies as Pool Boy made his move. It looked like Pool Boy was pointing at us to show the guy what we do and it looked like he said “Thats gonna be a hard No!” Needless to say, I don’t think he’ll be at Pool Boy’s VQ on Saturday.

    Anyway, proud of both of these guys. Both leaders, and both push me every time out. I was truly blessed to lead these guys today.

    Don’t forget about Pool Boy’s VQ on Saturday at The Iron Bridge (Goyne Park) at 7am. Come early for Goyne Hard 6am.

  • Knocking off the Q rust

    A sweaty seven HBR stalwarts came out to see how much sweat we could leave on the pavement. We did:

    COP: Helicopters, Imperial Walkers, Ukrainian Soldiers, Squats, Merkins, LBCs, Scorpion Kicks.

    Over to covered area: grab a pole and boxing cockroach while end PAX does 2 burpees then leapfrog down the line. Head to benches next 2 tennis courts: 3 rounds of 30 Benchkicks & 15 Derkins. Then over to basketball hoops. 10 HRMs at each hoop with bear crawl & lunge between. 2nd round was Jump Squats.

    Mosey down to track. Take advantage of cones on field. Mix of sprints, jog with some merkins and burpees thrown in. Finish up with 3 rounds of 8 Jerkins. Back to flag for 2 min of Mary.

    Announcements: Come rock out with Whitesnake’s band at Hardywood this weekend.

    NMS: Just a plain hot July morning beatdown. Too hot for mumblechatter even.

  • Women Last Longer

    On this fine 70s* and sunny morning, five runners earned their walk breaks with hill repeats while one rucker conversed with himself. Numbers, names, and then Yardsale took us out. Phonics reminded everyone that RAMM Gears was happening this Friday for those interested.

    The hill repeats were painful as they always are, but the walk breaks–an opportunity to cool off and converse–were welcome. YHC, as politically appropriate relative to Hanover County and the vocal Pax members, ensured each runner was only required to run each hill repeat according to his ability and was allowed to take each walk break only according to his need. Runners of the world, unite!

    *70s referring to the dew point.