Category: Richmond, VA

  • South on Southampton on the Southside

    South on Southampton on the Southside

    A not so lively 14 able bodied runners skipped manly stretching for this morning’s iteration of Spider Run. Those that arrived by 5:27 received instructions and made some left turns, others were destined to follow.

    The Route
    – South through the batcave and continue South on Huguenot
    – Loop around the exit ramp and turn left on Riverside
    – Turn left on Southhampton (also south)
    – 4s turn around at the first intersection which should have been Old Spring Road and return the way you came
    – 5s & 6s continue South on Southampton until Cherokee and turn around
    – Head north on Southampton until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left fork which is Butte.
    – 1st left on Rivercrest which eventually intersects Riverside
    – 5s take a right on Riverside and head back home
    – 6s take a left on Riverside then a left (also south) on Waumsetta
    – Continue south until intersection of Cherokee and then return back to Riverside and return home

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out over the not-so-quiet LP powered GRTC vessel.

    Announcements
    None. Quiet bunch today. Dry January is challenging some of the PAX. Clear the fridge party at Saab’s sometime in the future.

    Moleskin
    Once again, Splinter beat Saab to the Q sheet signup. YHC wonders if this is simply Saab’s way of goading others to sign up. Regardless, we ran across the river today and will have to wait a week for Saab’s well planned route.

    Faceplant disclosed he never looks at the Q spreadsheet. He treats 530am like Christmas morning every morning. Always a surprise. Kind of like when my kids open their presents on Xmas morning, it’s always a surprise to me as well.

    Lockjaw has a resolution to keep his Q ratio even at 50% this year. For the record, he posted to Spider Run and he wasn’t even the Q. On track so far this year.

    Mileage estimates seemed a little off today. Some short, some long. Screw it, we ran.

    Splinter

  • Manly Stretching

    5 early risers and YHC hit the tennis courts of No Toll for some manly stretching, aka BroGa, aka whatever you’d like to call it. We targeted the hips, hip flexors and hamstrings. Lots of groaning but some good stretching and no one got hurt. We’ll call it a win! Join us next week.

  • Hoedown starting 2021 strong

    14 resolute resolution-holders came out to celebrate the WFT playoff berth with some fun. We did:

    COP in front of school: Don Qs, Russian Soldiers, Imperial Walkers, Flutterkicks, Merkins. Mosey across street to the dark 3rd lot. 4 corners of 10 HRMs, 20 WWIIS, 30 Jump Squats, 40 SSHs. Then repeato but increase reps by 5 each station.

    Over to office area. Bear crawl spaces with 2 HRMs at each space. Back to the horseshoe for Triple check fun: Donkey Kicks, Reverse Crunches, & run the loop. Stop to commemorate the Former-Skins victory with 20 Burpees.

    Then onto skating-blacktop for 3 sets of PLTs. Over to parking lot arrows. Alternate Lunges & Broad Jumps with 3 HRMs at each arrow.

    Announcements then YHC took us out.

    NMS: Hoedown blowing it out starting 2021 with 14 PAX. Been a while since F3RVA’s darkest AO cracked a bakers dozen. Maybe the promise of 30 degrees and foggy was too much to pass up for this first Monday of 2021. PAX blew threw the beatdown, and YHC saved the 20 Burpees for midway instead of in the COP. Kubota would be proud. Strong work by all the PAX this morning. Good to have some non-regular Hoedowners attend like Oyster and Ronnie.

    Announcements: 3rd F tomorrow night at 8:00. Gomer Pile has the Q.

  • Hot P in the new year

    No Q no problem in the new year. 5 men came out on a foggy morning for the morning hot patato. Bulkhead lead the group in the COP and then went over to the blacktop and formed a line, started with one burpee then sprinted to the left then right side of the basketball court, increased to 5 burpee. Then mr Holland stayed on the blacktop and did 11’s of jump squats and WW2 situps. Then it was handed over to mudface where he did merkin squats (dont know what they are really called) against the wall then balls to the wall, bearcrawl, then crawl bear to edge of blacktop and back, started at 1 went up to 5. No idea then moseyed over to the playground and we did 5 meekins, ran a lap, 5 meekins, 10 toe things, ran a lap, 5 meekins, 10 toes 15 dips, ran a lap, 5, 10, 15 then added 20 calf raises. Then handed over to trout, went over to the swings, feet on the swings and did 20 reverse crunches, 20 jumping Jack’s, did that 3 times, then feet in the swing and did 20 meekins and jumping Jack’s and did those 3 times, ran back to the flag when we did windshield wipers and stretched.

    Numbered around and Trout took us out.

    Prayer request from Bulkhead who just found out last night his boss passed away yesterday suddenly from a stroke.

  • 18 Nevermore

    Seven studs showed up to take on the New Year and start the first week of the new year in good fashion. YHC was coming off a stellar weekend starting with a Buckeye win in the Sugar Bowl and ending with my beloved Browns ending 18 years of misery and making the playoffs. According to the white Tesla here is what went down.

    COP- 80 SSH’s (yes 80 because Wilson was being a smart ass and 1980 was the year the 8 year old version of YHC fell in love with those Kardiak Kids). 18 each: DQ, Dead man hang, helicopters, imperial walkers. Mosey to top of SH.

    The thang: 4 BIG corners/build a corner 18 WWII’s at first, 2nd corner 18 WWII’s and 18 merkins, 3rd: WWII’s, Merkins, jump squats. 4th PRevious 3 and LBC’s. Repeato 1 more time. Mosey to rock pile. Triple check: Runner, curls, overhead press. Lunge BTF. Time was called.

    Announcements: YHC tried to get 200 posts in 2020 but came about 25 short. YHC is determined to hit that mark in 2021 and encourages others to join.

    Prayers: To Boberry and his families new addition! To all PAX and PAX family suffering with Covid. And to all those that continue to be impacted with Covid.

  • Little L

    Weather was predicted to be 40 degrees and wet. Thankfully for the PAX it was 70 degrees and sunny. 17 men took the Daily Red Pill and descended upon the AO in search of a beat down. This is the known unknown of what transpired that morning.

    Mosey to the bright light beside Dogwood Dell for

    COP #1 (Winter Olympics Edition)

    • Nancy Kerrigans
    • Apollo Onos
    • Bonnie Blairs

    Mosey to circle near Ha’Penny Stage for

    COP #2 (More Sports)

    • Michael Phelps
    • Nolan Ryan
    • Bobby Hurley

    Stay there for Merkin Jacks (merkin/plank jack), and Captain Thors (WW2/American Hammer). 1/4 up to 5/20 and back down for each.

    Mosey to Ha’Penny Stage and grab a coupon. Deliver coupon as ticket for the music from the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater.

    The THANG #1 (Tabata)

    Music and Tabata set up with 1 minute on, 20 second rest, and 10 rounds:

    • Curls
    • Weighted Squats
    • Derkins
    • Weighted WW2s
    • Squat Thrusters

    Went through above exercises twice to get to 10 rounds.

    The THANG #2 (Triple Check #1)

    • Partner 1 mosey up stairs, around traffic circle and back down
    • Partner 2 Weighted Sqauts
    • Partner 3 hold coupon in Cusak position

    Mosey back to return coupons. Recovery planking ensued. Recover and head back to amphitheater for:

    The THANG #3 (Triple Check part Deaux)

    • Partner 1 mosey up stairs, around traffic circle and back down
    • Partner 2 Donkey Kicks
    • Partner 3 Incline Merkins

    Time called before all 3 rounds could be completed. BTTF.

    Numbers, Names, Announcements (below), YHC took us out with a poem (also below).

    NMM

    This Q was to mark YHC’s 38th journey around the sun. A couple days ago YHC learned of the untimely passing of MF DOOM at the age of 49. This hit home as a reminder that there are no guarantees in life. Tomorrow is not promised and YHC must take advantage of his time left. Every day above ground is a blessing, and a good day. This poem really speaks to YHC about making the best possible use of the time we are given on this earth:

    The Mower

    BY PHILIP LARKIN

    The mower stalled, twice; kneeling, I found   
    A hedgehog jammed up against the blades,   
    Killed. It had been in the long grass.

    I had seen it before, and even fed it, once.   
    Now I had mauled its unobtrusive world   
    Unmendably. Burial was no help:

    Next morning I got up and it did not.
    The first day after a death, the new absence   
    Is always the same; we should be careful

    Of each other, we should be kind   
    While there is still time.

  • The Adventures of Beer – Man

    Three regulars took a stroll through the Salisbury neighborhood on a chilly Sunday morning. Wilson and Aisle 5 were missed (the walk just isn’t the same without a 45 minute discussion about the history of Walmart cold storage facilities and their connection to VFD’s) but we managed to solve a few of life’s problems anyway.

    Snitch entertained with stories of Beer Man and Guitar man. Life is good.

  • In Search of A Biscuit

    5 brave souls adapted the time honored tradition of the start and stop location for Breakfast Club. This was done in order to obtain a most delicious biscuit sandwich. According to the aloof cyclist, this is how it went down.

    Led by Fauxberry (AKA Handshake), we moseyed down Robinson, around the lakes, and through and uncleared field for the long way around to get to Dogpile. Got in about 2.5 miles! On the way back the biscuits were calling our name so we took a more direct route.

    Alas, our journey was in vain, as when we arrived. They biscuit joint was closed. However, great conversation was had by all, and it was nice to change up the route!

  • Getting Your Hands Dirty

    Two Davillians converged on the Atlee parking lot to slosh through a workout, hot-potato style. Here is what happened.

    Thang

    (Helix Q)

    Mosey to bus loop for COP:

    • SSH x 20 IC + burpees x 2
    • Lunge Squats x 10 each leg IC + burpees x 4
    • Arm Circles (10 small, 5 big, reverso) IC + burpees x 6
    • Helicopters x 10 IC + burpees x 8
    • Copperhead Squats x 10 IC + burpees x 6
    • Don Quixotes x 10 + IC burpees x 4
    • Flutter kicks x 20 + IC burpees x 2

    A few steps to crosswalk for a partner exercise:

    One partner runs to gas pump and back while the other partner progresses forward with an exercise. Switch partners until both arrive at gas pump. Exercises were Russian Soldiers, Bear Crawl, Burpee Broad Jumps.

    Mosey to basketball court.

    • A. pull-ups x 3
    • B. Run to 1st basketball goal and do 10 Squats; return to A.
    • C. Run to 2nd basketball goal and do 20 Merkins; return to A.
    • D. Run to 3rd basketball goal and do 10 Squats; return to A.
    • E. Run to 4th basketball goal and do 20 Merkins; return to A.
    • (Total 15 pull-ups, 40 Squats, 60 Merkins)

    (Phonics Q)

    Mosey to soccer field. 11s, traversing from bleachers to bench on either side of field. Exercises were Dips with full extension (think APDs) and Mountain Climbers.

    Mosey to Senior parking lot by football practice field for multiple rounds of Touch-5-Trees. When returning to base, do 20 Merkins. Exercises at each tree were:

    • Round 1 – Burpees x 2
    • Round 2 – Freddy Mercurys x 10
    • Round 3 – Monkey Humpers x 10
    • Round 4 – LBCs x 20

    Mosey to benches by Atlee entrance near bus loop for one leg squats (back leg on bench) Tabata style, one round (eight sets of 20 sec with 10 sec rest, alternating legs)

    Back to virtual flag for Plank-O-Rama and Minutes of Mary. Exercises were:

    • Alternating Carolina Dry Docks and Merkins x 10 IC
    • Side plank hip lifts x 10 IC, each side
    • Reverse plank hip lifts x 10 IC
    • American Hammers x 20 IC
    • Heels to Heaven x 20 IC

    Numberama, Name-o-rama, Helix took us out.

    NMS

    Looking out the window now, seeing blue sky and yellow sun, it is hard to imagine that just a couple of hours ago the atmosphere was quite different – wet, muddy, dark, and just cold enough to be uncomfortable. The worst, though, was pulling into an empty parking lot two minutes before go-time. In short order, though, Phonics came on the scene, and suddenly the outlook changed.

    Phonics and Helix quickly confirmed that neither had called the Q, so Phonics granted Helix the first half. Helix kept things dry. Phonics, however, grabbed the reigns and, in no time, the Pax was immersed in sloshing sounds, mud sprays, and a need to high-step to minimize slipping. Now it felt like an F3 workout.

    In post-workout discussion, Phonics reflected on the sterile environment we have lived in for the past year with hand sanitizers, masks, other PPE, and avoiding human touch. Much hopeful talk about 2021 seems to focus on returning to normal. But pre-COVID “normal” was not perfect. From YHC’s perspective, 2020 was a time of tremendous progress and lessons learned. Many of our practices from 2020 should change. Some, however, should not. We should slosh through mud puddles. Washing hands is critical for public health; but it may be important, too, to find times to get our hands dirty – palms bracing the earth in a communal cadence of Merkins.

    Many thanks to Phonics for letting YHC share in the workout this morning.

  • Moist January

    A solid 10 started the new year with a run around town. Weather was perfect and spirits were high.

    East on Grove, left on Lafayette, right on Monument. 4s turn on the Blvd, 5s on Meadow, and 6s on Harrison all picking up Grove to return to the SF.

    YHC took us out.

    Moleskin:

    Unlike the last time we did a New Year’s run, the town was very quiet this morning. YHC only saw a few empty liquor bottles and a giant red hawk on the route. Post anything interesting that you may have seen in the comments.

    The backblast title comes from a Pax member’s view of a more subtle and less extreme response to dry January. It’s you against you.

    Though the coffee selection was limited, coffee time was a lot of fun and a great introduction to the new year.

    Lockjaw