An intrepid eleven emerged from the fog for the last RAMM of the year.
Heading west on Grove to Lexington to Patterson west. Pick up Willow Lawn Dr and Monument east. 4s take Lafayette, 5s Tilden, and 6s Mulberry – all to Grove and home.
Upchuck took us out.
Coffee at Starbucks hit a nice range of topics – ranging from the practical to the impractical.
Four pax came out in to the literal Gloom of 40 degrees at dense fog. We did:
COP: SSH, Don Qs, Imperial Walkers, Ukrainian Soldiers, Merkins, Flutterkicks. Mosey to back of BWES blacktop for Triple Check (before Honeymoon found us) for: HRMs, Reverse Crunch, Run length of blacktop. Now with 4 mosey over to JRHS lot, across soggiest baseball field. Dora 123: 100 Squats, 200 Carolina Dry Docks, 300 LBCs.
Mosey over to Donkey kicks area & benches. Few rounds of: Dips, Derkins, Donkey Kicks then run up parking lot & back. Long mosey back to flag & 3 min of Mary.
Announcements: Hardest Mile foolishness at 6:00 am at Rock & Roll tomorrow. NoToll has Convergence on New Years day, 7:00.
NMS: Fog this morning was about as Thicc as YHC could remember in the Gloom. Super soupy, made it feel warmer than the 39 degrees it supposedly was. We stared with 3 but Honeymoon found us (luckily in the fog somehow) during the Triple Check. YHC chose to be kind to the PAX and kept us on the hardtop as the fields were an absolute mess.
Seven world travelers emerged from the gloom for a rare Faceplant Q at a soggy and warm 45MOM. Two walkers departed and the remaining four plus a late comer Fudd started with some stretches. It went down like this, stretching as this is always important. Then 10 SSHs since we were all warmed up. Then the travel began:
Race to the world map painted on the black top, goal was to be the first one to get to Egypt. Once at Egypt YHC announced that Egypt was where YHC lived and grew up in his youth. The first one there gave a number between 1-10, and the last person to arrive gave another number between 1-10. Florence gave a 1 and the last person said 9 (YHC will refrain from calling them out, but the name was also forgotten). That gives us 19, so it was 19 burpees around the world map.
Next up timed 15 minute exercise:
Next up YHC dug deep into the Exicon for the Blueberry Biscuit, we moseyed over to the tennis courts. It goes like this, 4 laps around all the tennis courts, each lap stop and do 10 burpees together and wait for the 6, then sprint the straight aways and jog the short parts. Rinse and repeat 4 times.
Next up race to South Africa, all the PAX race from the tennis courts to stand on South Africa. Before YHC moved to Richmond YHC lived in South Africa for two years. Rounding out two stints of living in Africa. There was much discussion about how big Africa is which led us to have a discussion about the Hardest Geezer, a brit who is running the length of Africa. Look him up on YouTube, he’s incredible. https://youtube.com/@hardestgeezer?si=BQf_0zp0SeIuZuxq
From the world map we did a double triple check. Break up into pairs, first person runs across the blacktop and does two carolina dry docks, then waiting person is holding a deep squat. After that it was stretching and mosey back to the flag for names and announcements.
YHC took us out. Thank you for the opportunity to lead this morning.
A foggy morning came, yet 9 of us came out to see what I would have in store today. A warm up(2 laps around the lot, SSHs, Imperial Walkers, Helicopters, Don Quixotes, Nancersizes, Copperhead Squats, Merkins, LBCs, and Alabama Prom Dates to get the blood flowing.
Round 1: first of 2 triple checks: Clean and press with the Kettlebell, WW2 run down to the curb and back
Round 2: second triple check(swings, sumo squats, run to the curb, then bernie back up)
Round 3: Circle of choice(person chooses exercise, they run to the curb and back while we performed their choice. I was amazed by the ones who chose burpees a little unexpected.
Round 4: reason why it’s called Satan’s Hill. A run up the hill to a point, followed by the parts that will make up the hardest mile(lunges, bear crawls, broad jump burpees)
Some broga to finish it off, numbers, names announcement and prayer led by YHC to close things out
Tomorrow 6am the hardest mile at Rock and Roll (challenge yourself) followed by DTH at 7. NYD convergence will be at NOTOLL 7am I believe will be the start time. GROWRUCK registration is open and ongoing so sign up the event is 5/3-5/5(see Slack). There’s ruck training starting 12/31 at 7 see 1st fitness Slack page
For those who think they can’t do a workout, then get some sleep cause you work nights. I do that this morning grabbed about 2 1/2 hours, came out lead once I am finished, will go back to sleep for a while. It can be done. One final thing…..I had a little Pantera going this morning, next time I will have to play some 5FDP then you will really feel like.. You’re in hell. Have a good one, see everyone this weekend at different spots
Once upon a time, in the heart of the enchanted woods, there lived a majestic White Deer named Ivory. Ivory was no ordinary deer; he possessed a magical aura that attracted creatures from all corners of the forest. One day, as Ivory gracefully roamed through the emerald foliage, he stumbled upon a peculiar clearing where six unique animals awaited him. These newfound friends were Whitesnake, a wise and elegant snake; Lighthouse, a luminescent firefly with a beacon-like glow; Pigskin, a playful and skinny boar; Johnsonville, a swift and spirited squirrel; Atilla, an adventurous rabbit, and Mr. Rogers, a gentle and wise owl.
Intrigued by the diversity of his newfound companions, Ivory, sporting super tight shorts that showcased his athleticism, decided to add a touch of humor to their workout routine. With a twinkle in his eye, Ivory rolled a special weighted die to determine not only the exercises but also the comedic sound effects that would accompany them.
As the workout commenced, Atilla couldn’t help but unleash a series of endearing bunny farts that resonated through the clearing, adding an unexpected element of amusement. Whitesnake, despite his lack of limbs, gracefully slithered through the air, mimicking the kettlebell swings, while Lighthouse’s glow intensified with each repetition, casting a radiant light that highlighted Ivory’s super tight shorts.
While the forest echoed with laughter, Johnsonville, the spirited squirrel, couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy. The tight shorts that accentuated Ivory’s every move had become a center of attention, drawing eyes away from Johnsonville’s acrobatic prowess. Determined to reclaim the spotlight, Johnsonville leaped and flipped through the branches with even more gusto, unleashing a symphony of playful squirrel squeaks that demanded notice.
Pigskin, reveling in the boisterous atmosphere, joined the fun by rolling and tumbling with infectious laughter. Mr. Rogers, the wise owl, hooted with amusement, and Ivory, with his tight shorts, led the group with a combination of grace and humor.
As the morning passed, Ivory and his magical friends navigated through the humor, occasional jealousy, and camaraderie. The clearing became a haven of laughter, positive energy, and newfound wildness, and the magical exercises, complete with their charming sound effects, brought out the best in each creature.
As the animals departed for coffee, the enchanted woods fell silent, and a ghostly figure materialized. It was the spectral presence of Mills E. Godwin, a former governor from another time and place. With a mysterious smile, he gazed upon the woodland scene, and in a whisper, he wondered aloud, “Did any of this truly happen, or was it all just a dream?”
As the ghostly figure of Mills E. Godwin pondered the reality of the magical adventures, the enchanted woods shimmered, leaving the answer to this whimsical tale hanging in the balance. The dreamlike quality of the story lingered, leaving the characters and their laughter suspended in the mystical realm between reality and the imagination. And with that, the story of Ivory and his magical friends, the tight shorts, the bunny farts, and the playful squirrel squeaks faded away, leaving the ghost of Mills E. Godwin to contemplate the mysteries of the enchanted woods.
Two of F3 RVAs finest leaders and a small band of Pax from the Alamo and Satan’s Hill joined up for a Heist Q at Timberwolf.
Under the cloudy yet moonlit sky, the PAX moseyed to the track, setting the stage for the 2024 Resolution Revolution. We started things off with 20 side straddle hops (don’t we always?), followed by:
• Arm Circles
• Michael Phelps
• LBCs (Little Baby Crunches)
• Alabama Prom Dates
• World’s Best Stretch1
Resolution Circuit: 4 laps around the track. Each lap I asked the guys to think about how you can improve yourself as an individual, a husband*, as a father and as friend to the Pax and your community over 2024.
* Originally, I said, “think how you can make your wife better.” Quickly realized this might be a disaster if we inform an M how we can make them better. Much mumble chatter ensued.
The PAX embraced the challenge. Each quarter mile we knocked out various exercises, including bleacher dips, incline merkins, incline diamond merkins, and incline werkins. We knocked out a minute plank and topped things off with five burpees.
Pyramid sets: Moseyed behind the school under a street lamp for a pyramid circuit: 10 squats/15 double count mountain climbers/20 LBCs/15 mountain climbers and 10 squats. Repeated 4 more times, dropping each circuit by 1/5 of the first number. Ask a friend if you are confused.
Teamwork: The camaraderie among the PAX reached new heights during the team challenge. Partnering up, we tackled a combined total of 50 air squats, 150 LBCs and 300 SSH. Each partner had to run 75 yards up hill and back between exercises. Nancy and Rosie finished first.
Mosey back to the flag for about five minutes of stretching. Time.
Announcements:
Closing thoughts: As I took us out in prayer and thought about how I can improve myself as an individual, husband, father, etc., I couldn’t help but think about the two guys (Rosie and Nancy) standing amongst us in the ball of man. To me, these are two real deal HIMs who have been in the gloom well over a decade combined.
Both have made me better. Nancy encouraged me to step up last year and do my first Q and to lead by example. Rosie has pushed me to run more and helped to open my eyes to the real point of a CSAUP, which has very little to do with yourself, but your bond with the Pax.
Guys like this make us better as individuals, which makes us better husbands, fathers and leaders. I know others probably have similar stories and there are certainly many great F3 leaders. All appreciated. Keep it coming.
Fresh off a 7 month hiatus, YHC had The Forge Q today. Here’s how it went down.
Mosey to the bottom of the hill for COP. Start with 5 burpees OYO. Arm circles, Helicopters, Ukrainian soldiers, Don Quixotes, and Copperhead squats all in cadence.
All ab Dora with 100 double count flutter kicks, 200 LBC’s, and 300 mountain climbers.
Mosey to the parking lot for a 4 corners (lady of the night style) with a slight twist. Instead of repeating exercises at each corner, we did 5 burpees. Exercises included 30 hand release merkins, 60 squats, 90 LBC’s and 120 monkey humpers. Finished with a total of 50 burpees.
Finished off with a trip up Mt. Chaplain doing exercise in cadence at each parking lot. Exercises were merkins, SSH’s, WWII’s and 10 merkins OYO at the top – BTTF
YHC took us out. Hardest mile at Rock & Roll at 6am. GTE#47 May 3-5. YHC is registered! Check Slack for all the announcements. Great work today! Thanks for letting me lead fellas!
House Party
2 Davillians enjoy warmer weather on a run this morning.
Route included a loop through Rutland and a cut through the trail to the library and PBR. Took a new loop around the parking lots of Truist, ER, and Bojangles before heading to Kroger parking lot.
After a loop around around the townhouses Opus had to make a pit stop while YHC finished with a loop around the apartments to get in 4+
Miss having the rest of the crew this morning. Looking for to a good start to 2024
Spit On That!!
12 warriors arose to greet the dawn of a new day. Undeterred by the cultural normalization of fragility, the standards of excellence were raised. According to legend, it went a little something like this.
Warm Up: SSH, FC, WWII, HRM, Lunges X 20. Arm circles X 1 (Even that was too many, RIP Flashdance)
Four Courtesan: This four corner action was completed in the nymph du prairie style; Corner #1 five burpees, corner #2 ten squats, corner #3 20 Lillith Fairs (this is a V-up with a scissor), corner #4 thirty hand release merkins.
Hardest Mile Training: 100 meter lunges, run 300 meters, 100 meter bear crawls, run 300 meter, 100 meter broad jump burpee, 300 meter run.
Back to the flag for 5MOM. The fun stuff included squats, American arm circles (the only way arm circles should be done).
Numberama, namerama, COT, YHC led us out.
Moleskin: This was the first Q for YHC in a long, long time. With the deepest of gratitude, I thank the eleven men for the honor of leading today. We got after it. With the holiday week, and challenging weather there were lots of reasons not to bring it. However, personal transformation has never happened when one is comfortable. It only happens at the hard edges. If you are unhappy with your day or life, it’s on you to fix it. You can complain or you can get accountable. Your choice here is more powerful than your circumstance.
We should be very careful in wanting an easier, more comfortable and more equitable world. By wishing away the hard stuff, we are robbing individuals of opportunities to change their perspective of themselves and in many instances their family tree. The world is not fair and it is not equitable. No amount of complaining or victimization will change that. Not now, not ever. This is a good thing.
Something changes in your spirit when you get the experience that validates you have the tools to deal with what life will throw at you. The people who have risen to meet the challenges that life faces them always end up transformed. These are the people who accomplish great things. When you know you can put a boot to the throat of the injustices of the world, you become the arbiter of your own life, not a victim of circumstance.
As we navigate these issues in our families, work and communities let us be courageous enough to have tactical empathy; but wise enough to recognize the value of hard things for other people.
Notes:
Sign up for Grow Ruck 47 with events on May 3-5. YHC is signed up and ready for the challenge. Don’t procrastinate or let your ego get in the way of a good thing.
Hardest Mile this Saturday at Rock N Roll starting at 6am followed by a DTH beat down at 7am. IYKYK
We arrived at Pocahontas at 5:27. It was raining. At 5:30, it was still raining. So we took a vote. Pig, Skin and Pigskin were all in favor of staying dry. We voted to drive to the Dave and Buster Parking Deck. For the third week in a row, we ran up the stairs in the stairwell, across the parking deck to the other stairwell, down to the bottom of the other stairwell, returned to the starting place and did 20 merkins. There was one slight revision. After running to the top of the stairs, we ran back down 1 level so we could avoid the top level and the rain. Total of 9 cycles, I think. After 9 cycles, it was about 6:15 so we did a few stretching exercises. Numberama, Namerama. No announcements. Takeout by Piggy. Pigskin was awarded the coveted War Baby award.