Category: Richmond, VA

  • Free Gym at First Watch

    YHC was able to arrive early to set up a make shift Gym in the Parking lot of First watch, here is what went down for 9 F3RVA brothers:

    COP

    Mosey lap around parking lot and circle up for: 20 SSH, 10 DQ, 10 Hill Billys, 10 Russian Soldiers, 10 imperial Walkers, 20 4ct American Hammers, 11 LBC’s, 10 Alabama Prom Dates, 11 dying cockroaches, 10 Scorpions, 20 merkins.

    THANG

    8 stations were set up for the Pax:

    Station 1- Jump Rope, Station 2 – curls with Band, Station 3 – LBC’s, Station 4 – Shoulder extensions with Band, Station 5 – Side Twist with Band, Station 6 – Plank, Station 7 – Donkey Kicks, Station 8 – stretching, Station 9(Runner) runs from Station 8 around parking lot to Station 1 as the timer. Runner starts station 1, S1 to S2, S2 to S3, …Everyone rotates through all stations, we rinse and repeat until we did 4 rotations and moseyed to flag.

    COT

    Numberama, Namerama, YHC took us out in Prayer.

    Moleskin

    Upchuck had a prayer request for one of his employees going through some tough times, and YHC learned of the F2 gathering after the workout this morning. Starting at 5am wrapping up at 5:45 allowed some more time for this activity when we could visit for 30 minutes over coffee. A pleasant surprise and plan to visit again in the gloom.

    Happy hump day workout gents, it was an honor lead this morning, SYITG and Cheers…CB

  • It’s MURPH Day!

    It’s MURPH Day!

    Once a month YHC made it a point to continuously improve upon several core exercises… Merkins, Pull-ups, Squats, and running… and when all four powers are combined, you get a MURPH! YHC warned via slack all unsuspecting folks and two studs showed up to prove what they got for the MURPH. Even though the numbers were thin the intensity was not lacking. YHC is happy to report that these studs finished everything in under 40 minutes. Nice work guys!

    YHC having just toured AO’s the past week all over the beaches of North Carolina came back with all sorts of new F3 knowledge. So YHC started it out with the proper disclaimer, which YHC had inadvertently been skimping on lately. Once the disclaimer was out of the way, it was off to the races.

    The Thang: MURPH

    Headed down the usual route via the pump house park road, then on up and around to the rusty cage for 1 mile in under 9 minutes for the team. Then 20 rounds of 5 pull-ups, 10 merkins, and 15 air squats, with modifications as necessary. Rounded everything out with an uphill 1 mile run. YHC was smoked.

    Back at the flag with time to spare, YHC led the PAX in some much needed stretching. In YHC’s travels there was one popular execercise that kept popping up at AOs in North Carolina and that was something called ‘girl fight’ and ‘reverse girl fight’. YHC enjoyed this new stretch and shared it with others.

    Time clock ended us on the dot, then it was numbers and names. YHC took us out with a message about gratitude and being thankful for what we all have. YHC’s message of gratitude was inspired by YHC’s childhood Ferrari driving crush, Christie Brinkley. See link for words of wisdom from said Ferrari driving crush.

  • 6 Hills

    6 dudes showed up. Temps were 70 and sunny. Here’s what happened:

    Hutton, Anthrax, TYA, and YHC set out on the Extra Long Loop. About 2/3rds through, Hutton and YHC picked up Swiper. Saab was around as well. Most did 5, some did about 5.5.

    Numbers, names, keeping Anthrax’s family in our prayers.

    Thugs arrived late; YHC knows Thugs pushed hard.

    NMS: Sweat flowed today. Way to work hard, fellas. Good to run with Hutton. Also, poison ivy is real.

  • Common Ground in Faith

    The purpose of this AO is to push the PAX along their journey in developing the 3rd F – Faith.  We recognize that PAX are at their own place on the journey and proceed at their own pace.  PAX are encouraged to share.  It is not required to share (wise men learn by listening), but there is a requirement to allow others to share.  What is shared in this 3rd F stays with the 3rd F; it is a COT.  None of the PAX has a monopoly on the truth, though we are all truth seekers.  It is fine to disagree.  If there are not disagreements, then we are probably doing it wrong.

    This 3rd F event:

    1.       Is free of charge.
    2.       Is a discussion based on faith and open to all men.
    3.       Is peer led by volunteer Qs who may or may not be certified/ordained.

    The topic: Finding common ground in faith: Focus on Biblical and Buddhist ideology.

    Baseline for the discussion:
    Counts..
    535 Million Buddhist followers (believed to be a suppressed number by Chinese government)
    2.5 Billion Biblical followers.

    How the life stories of Buddha and Jesus are similar.

    •            Conceived in a miraculous manner
    •            Similar names of mother (Maya for Buddha, Mary for Jesus)
    •            Was a bit of a child prodigy
    •            Underwent a long period of fasting while traveling alone
    •            Tempted by, but overcame, the devil
    •            Began an itinerant ministry around the age of 30
    •            Had disciples who traveled with him.
    •            Performed miracles, such as curing blindness and walking on water
    •            Renounced worldly riches and required his disciples to do so also
    •            Rebelled against the religious elite (Brahmans for Buddha and Pharisees for Jesus)
    •            Dispatched disciples, shortly before his death, to spread his message

    While Buddhism is based primarily on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (a spiritual teacher from India who lived from approximately 563BC to 483BC and is known as the Buddha or enlightend one), Buddhism incorporates a variety of religious traditions, beliefs and practices. Like Hinduism, Buddhism provides no singular unified view about Jesus, although a number of Jesus’ characteristics are described by many Buddhists.

    Jesus Was An Enlightened Man
    Most Buddhists acknowledge and respect the fact Jesus lived a self-sacrificial life and had compassion on those who were in spiritual need. This kind of compassion is seen by Buddhists to be the key to happiness and enlightenment. For this reason, many Buddhists, including the 14th century Zen master, Gasan Jōseki, refer to Jesus as an “enlightened man”.

    Jesus Was A Wise Teacher
    Most Buddhists also respect the teaching of Jesus to a high degree, especially Jesus’ teaching related to loving one’s neighbor and the need to demonstrate kindness and forgiveness. His teaching related to compassion, for example, impressed the Dalai Lama greatly. Jesus is seen as someone who possessed the correct perspective on life and his teaching helped others to embrace the truth. Some Buddhists including the 14th Dali Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, have even recognized Jesus as a ” bodhisattva” (one who dedicates his life sacrificially to the service and betterment of others). While Jesus is seen as a wise teacher, He is not seen as divine.

    Jesus Was a Holy Man
    The current Dalai Lama often describes Jesus as a “holy man” and includes Jesus in his list of such people. In fact, the Dalai Lama does not typically elevate Buddha to a greater status than Jesus when discussing the two figures. The Dalai Lama met frequently with the Pope in the early part of the 21st century and showed great respect for the teaching and person of Jesus Christ.

    The Questions:
    Are the man Jacob wrestled with, Siddhartha Gautama, and Jesus all incarnations of the same Spirit brought forth at the exact time and place when needed?

    God did not create Religion.. Man did.  Why does man paint themself in a tiny box and label it when they all have the same desire to get to an Afterlife that is peaceful and whole?

    Is the afterlife segmented like our physical life?  Is there multiple heavens or does the division of man’s faiths disappear when we leave this current life?

    The Answers are COT… and what is said in COT stays in COT.  If you want to know more, join in on the next 3rd F on 8/3 when we continue our Faith journey.

    Thank you for letting Homer and YHC lead today.

    v/r
    John (Gypsy) Boles

  • 3 to the Third

    DTH and YHC clown-carred all the way up north on the summer tour and in true clown fashion didn’t bring kettle bells. That’s what I get for Q’ing a place I’ve never been without reading old backblasts. The Manndate veterans thankfully kept their mockery to the F3 baseline (savage but in good faith) and the workout began.

    Warmups: SSHs, DQs, helicopters, dead man hang stretches, merkins, plank stretches and some other stuff.

    To work around the missing bells, a triple check: run the loop, kettle bell swings and kettle bell squat thrusters.

    A second triple check: run the loop with a kettle bell, kettle bell WW2s, and jump squats.

    To many eye rolls, a third and final triple check: wall sits with a kettle bell, kettle bell lunges, and bear crawl to the tree and back.

    Some light stretching and then we circled up. Special thank you and shoutout to The Carpenter who took us out with a deep and graceful prayer. We wish him all the best on his new adventure in Jersey. Luckily his new next door neighbors went to Virginia Tech so he can keep the rivalry forefront in his mind.

    Finally – I remember how hard it was when I started F3 because there was some fear about looking like an out of shape idiot. I also remember how welcoming everyone was during those first few humbling beatdowns. This morning was much the same – like an idiot I didn’t see the kettlebell part on the Schedules page. But everyone was kind and instead I was humbled by the kettebells themselves. Yardsale feel free to drop that 35-pounder in the river. Everyone else – if you haven’t done one of these I highly recommend it, especially with the crew out there. Thanks for having the Southsiders out.

  • Someone Murder that Bunny!!!

    6 Ground and pounders and 3 fleet footed runners made it out to a Doozy Q on a sunny and 70 degree morning with about 1,000% Humidity.

    COP at the bus loop

    DQ’s, Helicopters, Hillbillies, Russian Soldiers, Merkins, LBC’s

    Mosey to the side walk by the school split up into an A team and a B team (3 per side) 2 partners hold plank while partner 1 runs to touch a tree on the other side. Switch until there is a winner. Team B won the race so doors it is.

    Mosey to the first door, Exercises are alternate between squats and 2 count lunges. To get to the next door alternate between bear crawls and murder bunnies. Between door 10 and 11 switch to a Bernie Sanders and run between the doors, exercises stay the same. Between door 20 and 21 switch back to bear crawls and murder bunnies. Between door 30 and 31 switch again.

    Work on some elevens with the curbs on either side

    10 Incline merkins and 1 decline merkins with a bear crawl and crawl bear in between time called because Wilsons watch runs fast

    BTTF

    Numbers / Names Don Draper took us out

    NMS:

    YHC had a plan and the workout was going to be the same regardless, the race at the beginning was just to determine the location. If team A would have won we would have basically done the same exercises but it would have been on the track instead of at the doors. While enjoying the murder bunnies along the back side of the school Wilson spotted a bunny and the suggestion was made to kill it and maybe that would somehow end the pain that was being inflicted. At that point apparently nobody had the energy to chase the bunny and see if it would work.

  • Ultimate Heartbreak

    11 hippy looking dudes showed up for some Ultimate frisbee this morning…some knowing what was coming, others didnt have a clue. After convincing almost everybody to give it a shot, we got going to the dewy field of Heartbreak for some fun.

    The light was not optimal and the frisbee was always wet, but no excuses were made for the multitude of bad throws and many drops. Fun was still had by all, and the dark jerseys won out with their extra man. MVP standout was definitely Snuff…he has skills. Bodos quickly found out that Snuff was his man and they made for a tough duo to beat. Lights tried our best to mount a comeback, but we just couldnt find the connection to hang in there.

    Well played by all, look forward to next June when we can run it all back again. In the mean time, if you want to play pickup, let me know! Many games around the RVA for pickup, and I am always willing to play.

    Apology of the week goes out to Oyster and anybody that was guarded by Bodos for the violation of the 1 meter rule. It is a disc space rule….see below (marker is the person guarding the thrower):

    Disc space:

    1. It is a disc space violation if:
      1. any part of the marker is less than one disc diameter away from the torso of the thrower; or
      2. a line between any two points on the marker
        1. touches the thrower; or
        2. is less than one disc diameter away from the torso or pivot of the thrower.

    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

    Lab Rat apologizes…

  • No Toll Wagon Wheel

    6 Veteran No Toll Regulars and 1 FNG fought off the fart sack this morning to tackle the dewey fields of No Toll. This is what was rumored to have occured according to the dog walkers that witnessed with curiousity.

    Short mosey to the lush fields of No Toll for F3 disclaimer for the new attendee and a quick Warm up with exercises that included helicopters, dead man hang, cherry pickers, plank jacks, elbow plank, plank curls (new exercise with a working title) & LBC’s.

    Short Mosey to the pavilion for the Thang:

    Starting at the pavilion each PAX member ventures out to one of 10 flags laid out on the corners of the field to perform 25 reps of prescribed exercise. After each round, return to pavilion to perform 25 dips or 25 derkins (personal choice), rinse and repeat until all 10 stations have been completed. Exercises included American Hammers (2 count), Squats, Heels to Heaven, SSH, WWII’s, Flutter Kicks (2 count), Curls for the Girls, Squat Thrusts, Arm Circles (with coupons) & Lt. Dans. Doozy led the 6 while YHC and Bullseye cleaned up.

    Still time on the clock, short mosey back to Field 1 for Dora. 100 Hand Release Merkins, 200 Box Jumps, 300 Jump Squats. Timer runs across field and back. Audible called for time during Box Jumps. BTTF for Merkin Ring of Fire and quick Ab Mary of APD, Dollies & Rosalitas. Numbers, Names – Welcome Burnout, Announcements. YHC took us out.

    NMS: Numbers were a bit lower at No Toll with the Summer Tour and the Ultimate Frisbee happening at Heartbreak. Still strong showing from some SOJ regulars. YHC wanted to get on the Q sheet to avoid a 3rd week straight of a brutal Doozy/Posey Q. PAX seemed very happy the audible was called before 300 jump squats. Wagon Wheel workout takes its toll on the shoulders (arm circles with coupons are brutal).

    YHC received a text late last night from an FNG he has been recruiting for months that he wanted to come out to boost his cardio. YHC does not do cardio workouts but added a bit more to oblige. Welcome Burnout, another VMI graduate to add to the PAX. Look forward to seeing you back out shortly. Alwasy in honor to lead you fellas. Enjoy your day.

  • Early Morning Stretches

    A pair of Brogee veterans arrived to No Toll Early for Broga. Today we worked the hamstrings and lower body to ease our veteran bodies into the day. Temps were mild 70 degrees. Perfect for flexing the lower limbs. Good chatter with Chaplain. Always feel better after these sessions.

  • 10 dudes posted last Tuesday for a Spider run. Weather was hot and sticky. Route was past robins center out boatwright and to three chopt. Over to patterson, east on patterson and run until you hit 23 minutes. Turn right on the next road to Grove, Grove back to main entrance and back to shovel flag.

    TYA OUT