Category: Richmond, VA

  • Super Soakers

    Four of Richmond’s finest abandoned the Fart Sack to soak up a hawt potato with brotherly exercise. Temperatures remained 70 and sunny. According to the Amazon driver conducting a drop off at 6:03 a.m., the following might have happened.

    Senor Frog Q:

    Mosey to the dentist’s parking lot. Disclaimer. Senor Frog is not a personal trainer. (And, soaking is not sex. Really. You believe that, don’t you?) All of these things have been decreed from on high.

    SSHs, dead man hang, pigeon (Right, then left), Wilson’s wife, inverted scorpion kicks, jazzercise (with enthusiasm).

    Faceplant Q:

    Traveling COP. Onto Groooove. Left on the next road (Woodlawn), left on Kingcrest…, nope, still too icy, so keep going, then left on…North Ashlawn…nope, still too icy, can we get to the church parking lot on South Ashlawn (?), yep, let’s do that.

    At various types of vehicles, conduct 5 exercises, which were squats, SSHs, squats, and SSHs. Act childish along the

    Continue moseying to the church parking lot for a triple check, so partner up with one guy. Ok, that’s not right. It’s a Dora, so…three rounds…merkins, dips, and half the group did SSHs while the other guys were apparently solving world hunger or developing a cure for the common cold, or debating whether young Morons really believe that “soaking” is not sex. (If anyone in the PAX believes that soaking is not sex, feel free to share that here. It’s a safe space. No judgment. You believe that, right?).

    UpChuck Q (with only 25 minutes to prepare, YHC seems surprised to have the Q):

    Reverse traveling COP…5 of things at various cars, adeptly picking the least iciest, most driest spots on the road to stop (Handshake was not there to make a crack about “driest”). For real. YHC kept the PAX dry. In fact, YHC showed genuine concern for the PAX. At the third stop, Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, and BlackBerry all awoke from the half-slumber of WWII’s in the middle of South Ashlawn at 5:58 a.m., and yelled,”Hrududu, hrududu, hrududu!!!” In YHCs almost 10 years of F3, this was a first…an actual Amazon delivery being made amidst the PAX right at 06:00. Incredible. Pleasantries were exchanged with the driver.

    The PAX moved aside, and then did our WWIIs to completion. (To be clear, this is not like soaking, which is not done to completion. It’s just done to, YHC supposes, nothing. If it were something, it would be…well, sex, which, to be clear, it’s not sex. So, just to nothing.) Ok, let’s move on. YHC said today was childish.

    Circle up at the mini-circle, or the “thing that we run around” or whatever Saab called it.

    10-20-30-40, each followed by a loop around the “thing that we run around right there.” WWIIs, merkins, something else, and reverse crunches.

    Saab Q:

    The Traveling COP continued to travel. 5 burpees at roughly each lamppost.

    Circle up under the picnic area for 5 MOM, and then conclude with Ring of Fire doing 10 merkins of each man’s choosing.

    Mosey back to the virtual shovel flag for numbers, names, and YHC took us out with a reminder that, since none of us expected such an incredible opportunity to have a group in their lives, let’s make the most of it for ourselves and for other men. Let’s do two things – participate in all three F’s, and give away the gift we have been given.

    NMS: Good stuff today, fellas. Always good to see Faceplant and Froggy, and super cool to catch up with Saab, who YHC had not seen in some time. If you had 6:07 a.m. in the “When Will Esther Williams Name First Be Spoken Contest,” then you are a winner.

    Announcements:

    Frozen Triangle will live up to its name. 3 boot camps, run nine miles. (There’s also a rucking option, which is less frozen, but still a triangle).

    Prayers for YHC’s friend Becca. Glioblastoma. 53. She’s a good human.

  • In Search of Dunkin

    One rucker who has been posting and two runners who were breaking their hibernation journeyed into Rutland and surrounding neighborhoods hoping to find Dunkin.

    The Routes

    The runners when along mostly snow and ice free roads in Rutland, Cool Spring Forest, Cool Spring North, and the Bojangles loop for a very careful 4.5 miles. The rucker was spotted going back and forth along Combs Drive and later claimed that he did find Dunkin.

    COP – Numberarama, Name-O-Rama,Yard Sale took us out.

    NMS

    The runners of DaVille have returned after a hiatus due to the snow/ice kept them away. BAM! and YHC convinced each other that it would be safe for a jog. As it turns out, the conditions were great with only a few icy spots. With the upcoming forecast, it looks like we will be able to try this again in the near future.

    No announcements for today.

    Gotta Run!

    Phonics

  • Super Block Shuffle

    After sliding down Mt. Chaplain twice in the past two weeks and narrowly avoiding becoming an orthopedic case study, YHC decided to keep everyone safely grounded—by strapping PAX to cinder blocks instead. Thus was born a Super Bowl themed beatdown, powered by past halftime show artists and fueled by irresponsible amounts of concrete. Inspiration was pulled from the conveyor belt / gauntlet suffering perfected by Crabgrass and the brothers of SOS.

    The Thang:

    Warmerama: Mosey around bus loop,

    Side Straddle Hops

    Don Quixotes

    Imperial Squat Walkers

    Ukrainian Soldiers

    Alabama Prom Dates

    LBCs

    COP 1: Indigenous people’s conveyor belt – Pax seated on six, 3 cinder blocks circulating down line passing it to the next man. when not holding a block- american hammers.

    COP 2: Cinder Block Gauntlet Relay

    4 cinder blocks lined up in two rows. twenty total flags were used.

    Pax divided into two teams. One pax enters gauntlet at a time, with 5 burpee entry fee. at each block, 10 curls, 10 rows, 10 merkins and 10 skull crushers, run to parking lot and back. when they return, place flag in the bucket and tag next man. First team to place all flags in the bucket wins. Winning team calls 30 count of exercise to losing team.

    COP 3: 11s

    11s using block squat thrusters and block presses

    Announcements: Frozen Triangle Saturday February 7, 6 am at Dogpile. Growruck September 25-27

  • Prelude to GHS Reopening

    17 Strong christened the bus loop in anticipation of GHS reopening today.  Here is how it went down:

    • COP
      • SSH
      • IW
      • Ukrainian soldiers
      • Helicopters
      • Arm circles
      • DMH
      • Merkins
      • LBC
      • Penguins
    • KB 1 man Dora – break up into 5 sets with a run down the bus loop after each set
      • 100 overhead pulls
      • 150 KB FK
      • 200 lawnmower pulls (each arm)
    • Mary
      • WWII sit-ups
      • Side crunches, each side
      • LBC
    • COT with YHC taking us out

    Great to see so many from the PAX out this morning.  Solid work from the robust crowd that was definitely there for the coffee. 

    Frozen Triangle this weekend.  Lunch next Tuesday at Firehouse Subs.

    Continued prayers for those looking for work.  God is good all of the time!

    Attila

  • implements of woe

    Q planted the shovel into handy ice mound on the South side of the AO. PAX rolled in, some on time, others LIFO. Variable movements. No reps called in cadence. Eventually a disclaimer and stretching. Implements of Woe conveniently planted adjacent to the Q’s truck – 50# ruck (thx Snip), 40# ruck, 30# ruck, 30#KB, and the mobile pull-up station. PAX moved between completing OYO reps (modify to whatever, however, just keep moving) with various other movement breaks and a DORA to eat time and break from the Woe. Temps dropping. Steaming HIM’s forged in pain and endurance. Deeply good to have Figo back in the mix. Gratitude shared and a perspective that sometimes a closed door is God’s loving way to show us the path He wants us to go. He is good all the time. Yours AYE! ~DTH

    COT:

    • Counterama # 6
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • BOM Prayer

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Weekly Forge Coffee + QSource
    • 2/7 Frozen Triangle
    • 3/7 NOS OTB RUCK 
    • Monthly: Breaking Bread, Bridge
    • SEPT 26 GROW RUCK!

  • No Trespassing?

    6 men met to traverse some of the less explored terrain of Bon-Airs streets. No trespassing, and no bundu bashing (look it up) occurred. Sometimes its good to just stick to the roads well traveled, though that was questionable too. Great to connect over a soggy trek on what seemed like an unusually warm morning. We did add in a quicker section to give everyone a sense of what dealer has in store for the Frozen Triangle this Saturday. Get ready!

    See everyone at Dogpile on Saturday at 0600.

  • Endless Winter

    Another 70 and sunny day in Richmond, complete with snow piled deep on the sidewalk. We decided that the Dave and Buster’s parking deck needed some company.
    After disclaimer and warm up, we did the following cycle together. Run to the last covered level of the deck, over to the stairwell, down to the bottom, all the way back to the top of the stairwell. To avoid the ice and snow on the top level, we went down one flight and across to the other level, up to the top of the stairwell and then to the bottom. 20 Merkins, 20 Crunch Frogs and 20 Carolina Dry Docks.
    After this, everyone was on their own. I completed almost 6 cycles before time was up.
    Honorable mention goes to Wally, Mr. Rogers’ faithful dog who showed up once again for another workout. He’s got to be close to qualifying for one of the 1,000+ post workout shirts.
    Announcements:
    This Saturday Frozen Triangle. Gridiron is available if you would like a lighter workout.
    Tuesday, February 10. 2nd Tuesday, 2nd F at Firehouse Subs in Innsbrook at noon.
    COT
    FYI: Title for this Backblast is inspired by “Endless Summer” an album of the Beach Boys ‘Greatest Hits’ released in 1974.
    Banjo, Borat, Fortran, Lighthouse, Mr. Rogers, Pinto, Pigskin

  • Dark & Slushy

    Sub-optimal conditions greeted the First Watch PAX this morning.  Here is how it went down:

    • COP
      • SSH
      • IW
      • Ukrainian soldiers
      • Helicopters
      • Arm circles
      • DMH
      • Merkins
      • LBC
      • Penguins
    • Traveling Dora – 5 covered stops with 20/40/60 reps
      • 100 HRM
      • 200 squats
      • 300 LBC
    • Group 3x check under the overhang – 3 rounds of the following
      • Wall sit with 15 air presses, 15 milkers, 15 Muhamed Ali’s
      • 20 PLT (60 total)
      • 10 Mike Tysons (30 total)
    • Mosey back to the parking lot to stretch and COT with YHC taking us out

    Rain left the surrounding area slushy and slick.  The PAX was also void bright/reflective clothing so let’s stay dry and safe.   Good to be back at First Watch after a bit of a hiatus for ice and sickness.  The PAX is ready for the kids to resume school.

    Frozen Triangle this weekend.  Lunch next Tuesday at Firehouse Subs.

    God is good all of the time!

    Attila

  • Southern Snowmen

    2 statesmen emerged from the gloom to a lovely 70 and sunny Mammoth beatdown! Here’s what the CAT truck witnessed:

    Warmarama – Mosey down the lot

    • SSHs IC
    • Don Quixotes IC
    • Imperial Walkers IC
    • Cherry Pickers IC
    • Helicopters OYO
    • Arm Circles OYO
    • 1 minute free stretch OYO

    CoP1 – Snowman Complex

    P1 – w/KB performs snowman complex – 5 SA Swings, 4 Cleans, 3 Snatches, 2 OH Press, 1 SA Thruster while P2 performs merkins. Rotate until both arms are worked. Begin another round of rotation, only change is P2 performs squats.

    Mosey

    CoP2 – Tabata – 4 exercises:

    • KB Swings
    • Alternating Side Squats w/KB
    • Bus Driver w/ 30 lb plate
    • Curls w/ plate

    Mosey

    CoP3 – Traveling Men!

    • Walk halfway down the lot while performing Tricep Exts
    • Perform 10 Merkins
    • walk the 2nd half of the lot performing Oh Press
    • Perform 10 Merkins
    • Around the belts halfway down the lot
    • perform 15 WWIIs
    • Rest of the lot is tricep exts.
    • perform 20 flutters IC

    Finish up with a brief round of Mary

    CoT – Commando closed us out in prayer.

    Moleskin: just a quick but heavy quote. “Show me the people you spend your time with, and I’ll show you your future.”

    SYITG

  • Squiggy It Is!!

    Rudy had the Q, apparently he was only aware of this for about 12 hours. He showed up early. He scouted the land. He made plans. Then YHC showed up just in time with the ghost flag. 530 hot and away we went. 

    Top songs of 2025 on the playlist, hit play and mosey to the large parking lot for:

    SSH

    Hill Billie’s 

    Ukrainian Soldiers

    Copperhead squats

    American hammers

    Flutter kicks 

    Shoulder taps

    Merkins

    Four corners

    Mode of transportation and exercise different each round 

    Bear crawl between stations 

     20 squats each corner

    Lunge walk

    20 merkins 

    Crab walk

    20 WW2

    Broad jump

    5 burpee

    11s

    Donkey kicks

    Ww2s

    Pause to listen to The Cure, look at the moon, and stretch with Snuff. 

    Hold plank

    Name pax to your left, all do 5 merkins for every miss

    Hold Al Gore

    Core principles 

    All do 5 squats for every miss.  No misses so we did 10 to celebrate. 

    Triple check 

    Around the perimeter of the dry land

    Merkins

    Monkey humpers

    Hold plank for 30 seconds 

    Numbers, names including FNG Squiggy! Frozen triangle on Saturday, 6am at Dogpile, you can run, ruck or meet at 5:30 for extra credit with Don Draper. Prayers for Wildcat and his family as they enter a new phase of treatment. 

    NMM

    Thanks to Rudy for being a good sport. Go get someone’s Q!! Welcome to Squiggy, who shares his name with a dog that was walking its owner this morning during COT. He hails from NC, works with Belay, and is a Wolfpack fan. Thanks for letting me lead fellas. Have a great day and be good to those around you!