Category: Richmond, VA

  • Chewbacca’s Mom, Coltrane, and Two Cars

    The heavy stuff was not supposed to come down until 515, so a 500 start let us warm up in just ample rain. Here is what happened, more or less, according to the three train conductors.

    Mosey to the small triangle park for COP. Don Quixote, Hillbillies, Helicopters, DMH.

    Now for a mobile Lindsay working out way down to Westham Station – Box Cutters and Carolina Dry Docks. Nothing was dry about the dry docks as we caught up with the run off water as we went down hill.

    Various exercise along Westham Station to include lunge walk, bear crawl, and a nice dip/derkin medley on the stone wall.

    Ah, Highland. Partner up for triple check. Partner 1 runs the steep hill and back. Partner 2 performs Monkey Hummers and Partner 3 performs LBCs.

    Trot up the hill to the next turn for some catch me if you can. Partner 1 Saunders while partner 2 performs 7 HRMs and runs to catch the partner. Reverso and Repeato until you reach the top.

    Return down River Road with a stop for squats and a stop in Saab’s driveway for APDs. Back to the AO and partner up for a round of Murder Bunnies while the other partner performs American Hammers. Reverso.

    Close out with flutter kicks.

    YHC took us out.

  • BrickSLayer

    The NoToll PAX cheered with excitement (or maybe it was nervous laughter) to each collect two bricks from YHC’s truck. With the consensus of watches suggesting 0530, the newest members of the Olympic SOJ bricklaying team moseyed to the basketball court for a hot date with Sally…

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Welcome & F3 Disclaimer
    • Music: SALLY UP, SALLY DOWN – the PAX holds bricks overhead beginning in a squat position (that’s the default), then stands UP and squats DOWN in accordance to the lyrics (Ouch!!!)
    • A few other IC sets to stretch things out

    COP #1:

    • Mosey to the Tennis Court
    • EMOM TIMER: with rockin’ beats playing in the background, PAX followed the EMOM timer to perform x3 exercises, switching every 20 seconds, for a total of 10 minutes
    • With bricks in each hand, PAX rotates between Plank Punches, American Hammers, & Sweat Angels ?

    Brief intermission sans-bricks to mosey back and close the back of YHC’s truck

    COP #2:

    • Mosey to Field #1 
    • Triple Check: with music blasting & bricks in hand, PAX rotate between Bleacher Step-ups, Burpees, and Running across field & back

    Mosey BTTF:

    • EMOM TIMER, Round 2: 
    • Lunges, Dancing Bears, Hallelujah Flutters
    • Got about 7min done before time ran out

    COT:

    • Counterama # 10
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Comments)
    • CHAPLAIN took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  In reviewing the madness we had endured, the consensus is thus: PAX will always modify, but they are more likely to modify a really hard workout to be more manageable, than they would ever modify a easy workout to be harder. For YHC, digging deep to lead by example without modification and in best possible form, this was a REALLY challenging workout. But MAN it felt good! YHC’s bricks ended up in an old laundry basket for transport today, but still not optimal – gonna have track down some sturdy milk crates and make the Bricks&Beats routine a regular showcase. SYITG! ~DTH

  • Bear Crawl and Tires

    Nine men came to Satan’s Hill on an unseasonable warm Monday morning for a smorgasbord of unusual fitness activity. The New Market turnout was light, presumably because of the 5k the day before (though interestingly the PAX that ran the 5k showed up while the PAX that walked the 5k stayed home….hmmm).

    SSH – an unspecified number, just enough to be annoying

    ‘Muricans, stretches, LBCs etc.

    Bear crawl Indian run to the top of SH

    ‘Muricans and LBCs at the top partner assisted stretches

    Regular Indian run back up the hill

    ‘Muricans and LBCs at the top partner assisted stretches

    Mosey to the rockpile for a round of: Curls, military press, ‘muricans, flutter kicks, squats, rock copters, and hitting a tire with a sledge hammer while one member acts as a timer running to the mailbox

    Cross the parking lot by having a PAX member toss the tire discus style and everyone bear crawls to the tire for 10 LBCs

    One round robin of Indian arm wrestling where we all found out Kelly has extremely good balance

    Back across the parking lot with the tire and bear crawl where we found out Parker should have joined the Olympics as a discus thrower, seriously his throw was at least 50% further than the next furthest throw

    Sprints to finish up.

    Number-ama – Name-o-rama prayers for the family of Lance Corporal Dennis Veater (USMC) who was killed in Iraq 15 years ago (YHC’s nephew).

  • Most Simplest

    Sixteen gathered on time to receive YHC’s most simplest directions ever.  Here’s where they went:

    The Route

    4s

    • Through campus around the baseball field left on College, right on Lakewood, right on Westham Pkwy

    5s

    • Head out UR Drive, right on Crenshaw, left on Westhampton Way, across College to Glen Pkwy, right on Westham Pkwy

    6s

    • Head out UR Drive, left on River, through the shopping center, right on Westham Station, continue up S Ridge, bear right onto Westham Pkwy

    All Runners:

    • Continue up Westham Pkwy
    • Right on Patterson
    • Right on Ridge Top
    • Left on Wheeler through the path to College
    • Right on College
    • Return via Robins Center parking lot
    • 5s add a trip around the lake

    Numberama, Nameorama, COT

    MOLESKIN

    For a dude with a reputation for not talking, YHC’s directions tend to be long, drawn out, and complicated.  Today’s route was YHC’s best attempt at a simple route not called Grooooove or Over the Bridge.  Seems the mission was accomplished.  Next time we’ll see if we can break the record for most turns.  If Shake tries to make out with you today, don’t let him.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Bone Thugs is planning a Tax Day Trot on April 15th – route from Mary to the Huguenot Bridge with various methods of return, approximately 8 miles.  More details to follow.  Sadly, for those of us in the Biz, tax day lingers on until Monday the 18th.

  • Improved Barf Bags and Thigh Gaps

    Six noble warriors assembled in the gloom of HBR for another Tuesday throw-down.  Here is how it went down:

    • COP
      • SSH
      • IW
      • DQ
      • Arm circles
      • Helicopters
      • Suzanne Somers
      • Merkins
      • LBC
    • Mosey to the football field for a beast with:
      • Burpees
      • Reverse crunches
      • HRM
      • Crab cakes
      • Squats
      • American hammers
    • Mosey to the pull-up bars – each man does 10 reps while the other do the following (3 cycles)
      • WWII sit-ups
      • Storm squats
      • Heels to heaven
    • Mosey to the parking lot for a 3x check
      • Run across the parking lot
      • Australian mountain climbers
      • Freddie Mercuries
    • COT with YHC taking us out

    Great work by the PAX today.  Welcome to Brick. YHC was a horrific host and did not welcome you originally, so please forgive me.  Great to have Pigskin there after a bout with a stomach virus.  Thankfully the doctors at Snowshoe tested him for a heart attack, Omicron, several STDs, malaria, and possibly ovarian cancer before concluding on the stomach virus.  We did learn that barf bags have evolved since the 90s.  In addition, Handshake added his normal color commentary. His tight shirts and references to thigh gaps assured us that HBR is lost without him. 

    Prayers up for Lighthouse’s family in Ukraine.  God is good all of the time!

    Attila

  • No Last Call……….No Problem

    With our stretching guru on vacation, two PAX members had to grab the reins at Broga. We completed an 18 minute full body routine that YHC found on YouTube. Had some nice mumble rap in the background, courtesy of our fellow early morning park enthusiasts. It was a great warmup for DTH’s savage brick beatdown.

  • All made a difference

    A group of men came out today to make a difference. Some walked some ran but all impacted Galactosemia! 2.28 is rare disease day and thus is why GLOW started years prior on the first weekend in March. I appreciate this group so much for support. If you were not able to post I will get you your runner bag this week.

    Glow 5K!!

  • The Birds Poop Here

    Fifteen rogue warriors creeped into The Gloom for the latest edition of The Punisher. Temperatures were disturbingly close to 70 and sunny. According to the unexpected Zing Fitter walking through our AO, the following quite possibly happened:

    Mosey through the TES walkways to the Third Church outdoor calisthenics lot for the COP:

    With 2 FNGs present, a complete, unabridged, autographed disclaimer was provided.

    7s – unannounced. 6 SSHs, 1 burpee (groan). 5-2 (louder groans), 4-3, 3-4, 2-5, 1-6.
    Ukrainian Soldiers
    DQ’s
    IWs
    Hillbillies
    Reverse crunches
    Flutter kicks

    Mosey to the Third Church front steps for Touch-a-Pole. Partner up. First partner performs a movement and touches 1 pole. Second partner performs an exercise. Next round, 2 poles. Then, 3 poles. Yes, different poles.

    Exercises were bear crawl and WWIIs. 2nd evolution, crab walk and flutter kicks.

    Mosey to the Third Church offices. Triple check.

    1st Partner: Loop around office. Stop at picnic table. Perform an exercise.
    2nd Partner: SSHs
    3rd Partner: box cutters

    Exercises at the table:
    Round 1: 10 derkins
    Round 2: 20 dips
    Round 3: 30 step ups or squats (note the bird poop)

    Scorpion kicks, both verted and inverted, to stretch at the end.

    Mosey to the TES parking lot for Hop-Skip-and-a-Jump:

    3 Hand release mercans at each arrow in the lot. Dealer’s choice of hop, skip, or jump between arrows.

    Mosey to the island for 1 minute of Mary. Flutter kicks and Rosalita’s.

    Numbers, names, Splinter took us out with a message.

    Announcements:

    The Punisher meets this evening at 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot at Bingo Beer for the 1st F. 2nd of is at 6:15. YHC guesses this will be on the patio.

    NMS:

    We welcomed to two new FNGs.

    Steve Moore lives on Westham (aka – the heart of F3RVA, castle house, 3 kids, son plays ball with Splinter). Clemson grad. We bounced around on a few names…and even after YHC told him we might go with Lancelot. That said, his neighbor and friend, Pucker, came in at the wire with the winning entry. Let’s all welcome, Farquaad (note the double-A). Note: if Farquaad wants to use “Lord” as a title, that’s approved.
    Ben Cox – neighbor of Offshore, 3 kids, volleyball player, realtor / architect. Lots of options, but let’s welcome Treanor (or “hyphen” Treanor), pronounced “Trainer.”

    FNGs did great today. YHC bets (and hopes) they will both be back.

    YHC also notes that someone has exceptional aim throwing wood chips.

  • Mysterious Moisture

    The skateboarder who wiped out on the Virginia War Memorial hill could not remember the following when he came to:

    Northbank to Buttermilk, with various crossing point options, was the call. Some PAX called an audible after calling 911 for the fallen skateboarder.

    Temperatures were above the Sally Line for the first time this year, so no K9s. The trails were damp, and rocks were extra slippery. PAX conjectured that the moisture emerged from the ground with the warmer temps.

    Most PAX went for coffee at ETs afterward.

  • You know you can put it down.

    Having missed my chance to attend Dogpile, I decided to try that rucking that all the kids have been talking about. I grabbed my work backpack, filled it full of stuff, and off to Byrd Park.

    I threw the backpack on, and rucked it for an hour on the Buttermilk. I can see why people really like rucking, next to running, it really clears the head. I probably could’ve gone a little heavier, but I would like to try it again to be sure.

    When I got back to my vehicle, I found myself wanting to go further but had to get back. I even tried to sit down in the driver seat with my backpack still on. I said jokingly as I took it off, “You know you can put it down, dummy.” I drove home thinking about this poem:

    Equipment

    Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
    You’ve all that the greatest of men have had,
    Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
    And a brain to use if you would be wise.
    With this equipment they all began,
    So start for the top and say “I can.”

    Look them over, the wise and great,
    They take their food from a common plate
    And similar knives and forks they use,
    With similar laces they tie their shoes,
    The world considers them brave and smart.
    But you’ve all they had when they made their start.

    You can triumph and come to skill,
    You can be great if only you will,
    You’re well equipped for what fight you choose,
    You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
    And the man who has risen, great deeds to do
    Began his life with no more than you.

    You are the handicap you must face,
    You are the one who must choose your place,
    You must say where you want to go.
    How much you will study the truth to know,
    God has equipped you for life, But He
    Lets you decide what you want to be.

    Courage must come from the soul within,
    The man must furnish the will to win,
    So figure it out for yourself, my lad,
    You were born with all that the great have had,
    With your equipment they all began.
    Get hold of yourself, and say: “I can.”

    by: Edgar Guest