Completely Stupid and Udderly Pointless
These are the participants I have:
Wedding Singer
Oyster
EF Hutton
Lab Rat
Shakedown
Anybody else?
Anybody looking to carpool? I am coming from Mechanicsville. If you can convince me it’s on the way, I’ll pick you up. Anybody bringing food? Since it looks like a smaller group, I doubt a full blown camp site is in order, but if folks will hang out we can do something.
Our very own (kinda) Sassy hosts this event, so if you want to run a turkey trot but dont want to pay for one, you are in luck!
This is the unofficial race invite – PLEASE forward to your runner friends
(I know a lot of my emails are out-of-date – so help me to spread the word)
When: Thursday November 23rd (that’s Thanksgiving right?)
Where: Carter Park
(Ashland Pool) – just past the YMCA on Ashcake – right on Maple – Carter
Park is on your left.
Race Number: Bring one from a past event (so people
will think you’re running an “Official” race) or bib will be provided.
Race
Fee: Donation.
Last year, Joseph Boyle became the 1st 3-time winner of the
10K. Rob Monolo was the winner of the super secret 11K race ;>).
History of 10K winners: 2007 – Jeff Sears, 2008 – Charles (Chuck) Smith,
2009 – Mrs Sirirca’s Son, 2010 – ?? (it might have been you) 2011 – Jeff
Jewell, 2012 – Joseph Boyle ,2013 – Jeff Jewell, 2014 – 2016
Joseph Boyle
Schedule of events:
10K -8:00 a.m. (Ashland Harvest Route)
<http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=554392>
http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=554392
5K -8:00 a.m. (Ashland
Harvest Route) <http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=554395>
http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=554395
We will be collecting canned goods & monetary donations for ACES, as well
as gently used coats.
Please email me at tom.grant@comcast.net if
you have questions.
You must agree to the following waiver: I agree NOT to hold the Organizer,
Ashland Track Club, Joseph Boyle, or Russian Meddling
responsible for any misfortunes I may encounter before, during, or after the
race. I agree to yield the right-of-way to motorists (who are just trying to
get to Food Lion because they forgot the canned cranberry sauce). I further
agree NOT to complain about anything to do with the race or the organizer. I
agree to accurately time myself & record my time (after finishing). As
always, NO wagering allowed. Cowbells encouraged but not required.
One PAX posted for this morning’s rendition of Heaven’s Gate. For what? Heaven’s Gate. YHC had never heard of it either…here’s how it went down.
06:59:59 DST (DaVille Standard Time) and there are only empty, scattered cars in the Chicahominy Middle School parking lot. Looking like a solo…
07:00 YHC decides to Q.
07:01 Mosey to track. (YHC did not wear a watch, so this is the last time YHC was able to verify).
Full circle of the track and then hold up at the bleachers for COP.
COP
SSHs x 100 (4 count)
Calf stretches, torso stretches
IW’s x 20
Arm Circles…wait for it…5 big, then 10 small (see what YHC did there?), then 10 helicopters…then reverso, but also reverse the order. Sunday’s are no gimmee at Heaven’s Gate. Anything can happen.
LBC’s x 40
T – Mercans x 20 (see NMS)
Track Laps
Full circle of track, followed by 40 (or more) of an exercise
Squats
Reverse crunches (50x)
LBC’s (first round 40, second round 50)
Traditional Mercans
Repeato x2
Run
Lap around the Hanover Public Schools Metroplex.
COT
(Prior to talking to oneself, make sure no one’s watching and make the COT fast)
Number-rama, Name-a-rama, Announcements, YHC took himself out.
NMS
Before YHC launches into today’s diatribe, a note on the T-Mercans. The US Army is testing a new Physical Fitness Test. The Army is changing the definition of a push-up. Going forward, they will measure T-Mercans…essentially, a Hand Release Mercan in which the arms are extended fully right/left from the torso while the torso is flat on the ground. YHC found these to be The Real Deal. #20wasPlenty
On to the Main Event…As many of the Nation are aware, YHC is on a quest to visit every AO this year (27 on the Website Plus Puppy Pile makes 28 in total). YHC had visited 23 as of 06:59 a.m. DST today…24 as of now.
Several PAX have asked YHC, “Which one has been the favorite?” YHC has no clear favorite, mostly because each Workout is a combination of the Q, the PAX, the weather, and the AO (and whether Wilson has had salmon and merlot for dinner the night before). This has, however, raised the age-old philosophical question…when is an AO actually an AO? Or, when is a Workout a Workout?
Simple Examples:
45MOM…happens every week, outdoors, rain or shine, free, open to all men, peer led, ends with a COT. Boom! It’s an AO. It’s a Workout. Bonus…there’s a backblast, mumblechatter, announcements, it’s on the Q-sheet, and the regulars start to learn what’s in store while the PAX moseys from one area to the next. There also gradually develops an aura…”Remember that time when (fill-in-the-blank) Q’d? My (fill-in-the-blank) hurt for (fill-in-the-blank number of) days afterwards.”
Dogpile, W-Dog, NoToll, SOT, DaVille, and lots others all fall into this definition. The PAX know It when they see It.
Permutations:
Sunday Funday…all of the above. Curveball: While rarely is there an actual name signed-up on the Q sheet, someone has, in their heart, prepared to Q. So what if there’s the occasional Sheila who posts and busts the all-men thing. Good for the PAX, good for The Sheilas, and it’s Sunday. Family Day. Bring a friend, bring the 2.0s, bring an M, and YHC has even witnessed bringing a Friend’s M. Unwritten F3 Rule…There’s no place outside for a list of dumb rules, no just don’t have dumb rules at all. Boom! It’s an AO. It’s a Workout.
Off the Books…now, THIS is how to do the Occasional, Fair Weather AO. The Locals Know about It. The Locals Talk about It. It’s like the local’s favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant. The Locals Don’t Advertise It, because they don’t want Outsiders to ruin It. Yet, It happens. It’s outside, it’s rain or shine, it’s open to all men, it’s free, it’s peer led, and it (usually) has a COT(Note: It is Saturday night, beer consumption dependent). And, if it were on the Q-sheet, the Locals would Be Expected to keep it going each week. But, the Locals know Themselves, and They Know that It might not happen, so it’s Off the Books. Boom! It’s an AO. (And, after a few months of being a Run, It has graduated to being on the Website and the Map…from Baby AO to Adolescent AO).
RAMM Gears…this is the ultimate AO…if the PAX can ride on two wheels from the Starting Point to Some Farthest Point and return within 45 minutes, it’s part of the AO. Downtown? Check. U of R? Check. Northside? Check. Petersburg? If the PAX can ride It within 45 minutes, it’s part of the AO. Does this have a Q? Usually, no. But, it does have No Tools, Default Q Extraordinaire, with a weekly EH of the PAX that turns into HC’s for the next morning. Boom! It’s an AO. Bonus…it’s on the Q-sheet, it might appear in a backblast (more of a Cameo, usually), and there is mumblechatter (“Doh!” – Anyone hurt? Nope, that’s just Clavin hitting a bump and re-breaking his already-broken ribs).
This brings YHC to Heaven’s Gate, and YHC’s effort to visit every AO. 27 AO’s are on the Website and the Map. 28 workouts have a name, counting Puppy Pile. But, how many Workouts happen each week? Heaven’s Gate is not on the Q-sheet. Prior to today, there were precisely zero back blasts tagged “Heaven’s Gate,” perhaps because It’s not on the Tag List. It does appear on the Website, and It does appear on the Map. Yet, where It matters most, Heaven’s Gate finishes last on YHC’s list of Favorites…no PAX.
(Side Note: YHC showed up at ET’s today. Not less than 9 PAX came and went…YHC guesses 3 had heard of this AO, but 2 believed It was an Inside Joke. One noted YHC’s workout attire, including F3 logo apparel, and declared YHC the “Ultimate Starsky” before learning of Heaven’s Gate.)
(Side Note #2: YHC, in his full, Super Type A, competitive state, wishes to thank the PAX for this moniker…YHC is thrilled to be The Ultimate at Something / Anything. But, YHC must decline as it was, for today, anyway, an Actual AO, and YHC did an Actual Workout.)
(Side Note #3: One big upside of this AO…Heaven’s Gate does sport the “Fields Closed” sign, so The Campos would be proud.)
(Side Note #4: YHC saw Swirly and his M leaving ET’s today. YHC mentioned “Heaven’s Gate,” and The Look on Swirly’s face said, “Never heard of it.” If It happens, or It doesn’t happen, in F3RVA, and Swirly does not appear, at first glance, to know about It, YHC posits that It hasn’t actually happened.)
(Side Note #5: YHC has visited 24 AO’s this year plus Charlottesville. 4 to go…Chain Ring, The Creek, Timberwolf and Green Acres. Several PAX warned YHC this morning about Green Acres…darkness, skunks, and loneliness (no PAX)…Yeah, Green Acres. YHC is calling you out. YHC is coming for you. Many PAX is a Workout / AO. One PAX? That’s just Trespassing after Dark. Fields Closed. Don’t leave a Brother out there by himself.)
As a result of the aforementioned conditions, F3RVA has now implemented the “Flag of Qing in Perpetuity.” Official Rules:
1. First time a PAX member posts to an AO.
2. That PAX member signs up to Q.
3. No other PAX member’s post.
4. The PAX member Q’s the full workout, solo.
When the above occurs, that PAX member has earned the “right of return” to take the Q at that AO in perpetuity or close the AO. In this case, YHC closes the AO. Let’s hope there is no next time at another AO.
UpChuck spits the bit.
It’s almost November. That means mustaches will begin to proliferate. I can’t think of a better pairing for a mustache than swolled up shoulders and arms.
The baseline is 5k for the month. That translates to 167 merkins every day for an entire month. You can guarantee there will be a few merkin ladders sprinkled in throughout the month to help you reach your goal. Modify your baseline as you see fit and pass this along to others that may be interested.
http://bit.ly/2zbZDwv
Push yourself. Don’t hurt yourself.
YHC has heard lots of mumble-chatter recently (Gomer Pyle, Shake Down, Hardywood, among others) about starting a 2nd hour workout on Saturdays about once a month. No time like the present.
Launch date will be October 21, 2017, for Double Dog (permanent name TBD). YHC has the Q for Hour 1. Anyone interested in the 2nd Hour of Power should plan to stick around after Dog Pile. Basic plan will be to finish up Dog Pile (COT, etc.), take 5 or so to re-fuel, and start the 2nd hour about 7:10 a.m. YHC will take the Q to start followed by a Hot Potato. Anyone interested in Q-ing part of the workout, drop me a line. Finish up about 8. ET’s to follow.
This is – coincidentally – a 3rd Saturday (2.0 friendly workout day). For those interested, let’s plan to hold the workouts at the same time, but separately, for now. Final decision on holding Double Dog on a Saturday other than the 3rd weekend of the month will be forthcoming.
Anyone with an up-coming Q this week or next, please share during Announcements.
This Saturday, 9.16.2017, is the Reesestrong 5K organized by our very own Phonics. This is a great race and benefits a great cause, Childhood Cancers. F3RVA set a goal of fielding the largest team in the 2017 event. When a challenge is thrown down, F3RVA responds. As of this morning, F3RVA is the largest team with 59 members. It is still not too late to register. Online registration ends at 1159pm tonight, but I am sure Phonics will still take your money the morning of race day. This is a race for every level of participant. You can run or walk or you can participate in the 5K The Hard Way (25 merkins and 25 squats every 5 minutes.) As this is a very family friendly event, there are 2 kids runs as well. As you can see, there is something for everybody to do at this race. Kids races start around 830am and the 5K starts at 855am.
After the race, the plan is for everybody to Mosey to YHCs house for some good eats and coldbeer. The menu will include: Crabs, Oysters, Shrimp, Hotdogs, Lab Rats BBQ, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Water, Gatorade and COLDBEER. If you make a side dish that you think everybody would enjoy, feel free to bring to share.
The only thing I would definitely bring is a folding camp chairs, as I will not have enough for everybody.
YHC will also have cornhole (for TYA), Badminton (for the kids), and footballs to toss around (Swirly). YHC will also have a couple of TVs setup to watch college football. This is a great way to experience 2ndF with our F3 brothers families. Even you are not available to run the race, plan on stopping by sometime (in between kids athletic events) during the afternoon. YHC will have the food ready sometime around noon and then we can hang out the rest of the afternoon.
Circle Ks address
8146 Ashby Ridge Place
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
804-787-3720 cell
Reesestrong 5K website-to sign up for race (do not forget to sign up as a member of the F3RVA team)
www.reesestrong.org/reesestrong-5k
22 runners and a pit crew of 5 took a giant step forward to tackle this year’s 208 mile trek from Grayson Highlands VA to Asheville NC. With an abundance of accomplishments and stories too extensive to capture here, enclosed is a “brief” summary of what transpired over the event. YHC will leave it up to the PAX to weigh-in on any omissions, distortions of truth, or dispel any unfounded rumors regarding one’s ability to keep a van upright on a dark country road…
Acknowledgements and Accomplishments:
Results:
Moleskin
It would be impossible to capture every that occurred over a 3-day event that involved travel to a quiet country inn in Southwestern VA, a relay consisting of 22 PAX spread across 4 vans, and a stay-over at a terrific mountain house to recover and celebrate. As such, enclosed in no particular order is just a brief list of observations, experiences, and (humorous) incidents…participating PAX are at license to supplement as needed.
That concludes all the items YHC can recall or speak to first hand**. The remaining abbreviated list is for the PAX to comment and elaborate on as they so choose…
**Alas, let’s not forget Saab running the van off the road and nearly rolling it down an embankment in the pre-dawn hours between legs one and two. Passengers did not realize how steep the embankment was until EF Hutton jumped out the side door and practically disappeared. Once all runners were loaded into a van full of ladies who had stopped to help (you’re welcome guys), Saab and TYA awaited assistance. When an F3 van from another region approached they inquired which city we were from, without hesitation Saab proudly stated “Charlotte!”. It was after that time our savior Charles Young appeared out of the mist. After instructing Saab to get in the van and be sure to buckle up (in case the van were to roll down the embankment), the van was pulled out of its precarious position…all the while TYA was smiling and filming the entire event. As Saab put the van in drive he turned to TYA and said “you were right…it was worth it”.
And so Saab has solidified his place in F3RVA lore and established a virtual guarantee he will never be asked to drive in a relay again (or let’s hope so).
Saab abides
9.16.2017 is the date for the Reesestrong 5K. F3RVA was the third largest team last year, with a goal of being the largest team this year. As of the writing of the Preblast, F3RVA is the largest team but there will be a late push by the Chickahominy Chargers team. So get on the website and make sure you sign up for the F3RVA team. F3RVAs own Phonics, and M Phonics organize the event that supports a great cause, Childhood Cancers. If you need additional details, see Phonics There is something for the entire family to do:
Two Kids runs, Walk 5K, Run 5K, or 5K The Hard Way (25 merkins and 25 squats every 5 minutes, or until you splash merlot).
Many of us are going to post to Dogpile and Clown Car to the Reesestrong 5K. Run the race and heads to Circle Ks for some Crabs, Oysters, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, BBQ and coldbeer. YHC will have TVs setup for College Football (TN VS FLA at 330pm, that is all you BT), cornhole (someone has to teach TYA) and badminiton for those you do not want to sit around and eat crabs.
Even if you do not participate in the Reesetrong 5K, plan to stop by YHCs for some great fellowship with the F3RVAs families. (Ms and 2.0s are welcome) This might be a good way to EH and FNG. It is not early int he morning and you do not have to be in good shape to eat crabs. (Unless you eat them like Swirly, shell included.) The guys and families from F3 Hampton Roads are making the trip for the 5K and Crabs as well. Great way to catch up with that crew.
Rosie has a guy (his cousin), that can hook us up with the crabs and oysters. We need to give him about a weeks notice. (BRR weekend) For food and drink planning purposes, please RSVP to this Preblast with a HC for the members of your family. (If you have already responded to the previous Preblast a couple of weeks ago, you do not need to respond to this one. I have already accounted for you. So far, we have about 50 people RSVP).
While you do not have to bring anything, if you make a dish that you think is awesome and you want to show off your cooking skills, feel free to bring it with you. YHC will have tables for the food and some chairs, so it might be a good idea to bring a folding camp chair.
What better way to close out the summer, than with a great bunch of F3 men (and families), good food, coldbeer and college football.
Circle K
8146 Ashby Ridge Place
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
804-787-3720
The idea of the Ghost Flag is to encourage PAX to travel outside their normal circle of AOs to meet, interact and generally get some 2nd F with PAX from other areas. This is not a challenge to see who can keep the flag the longest, the goal is to have it passed around to all areas and AOs. Areas outside of Richmond are welcome to join, Hampton Roads has already expressed interest in stealing the flag and I expect Charlottesville might have a run at it too. Below are a few ideas on the general rules of the Ghost Flag, these are general and should be enforced in accordance with advancement of the 2nd F.
Thanks to Lab Rat and Honeymoon for the idea, Lab Rat, Circle K and Hardywood for the creation of the flag, and various Emissaries for input on the above rules.
If you have any questions/comments/complaints about the rules, my office hours are the same as TYAs but at various locations throughout the area. I’ll be happy to help at that time.
Any and all Ghost Flag disputes will be arbitrated by the Ghost Flag’s attorney, Gumbo.
Let’s have some fun with this! One more suggestion, bring your mumblechatter ‘A’ game.
Rosie
Six F3 RVA PAX assembled at YHC’s house at 1145pm for the short trip to Courthouse Park at the Hanover Courthouse to tackle the backroads of Hanover, New Kent and Charles City counties before taming the Capital Trial. YHC informed TYA earlier in the day to come to YHCs external office to wake him from his 2 hour nap before leaving. In pure TYA form, he came flying in the door at 1140pm and we almost lost a team member as YHC damn near had a heart attack. After Helix and Hat Trick arrived, we completed the packing of the EMC Mechanical van (Thanks for the Corporate Sponsorship Bleeder) and the adventure began. Upon arriving at the start line, which had not been set up yet, the PAX assisted the race director in establishing the official start line and got out team packet. (You cannot start a race without a start line). Now that we are all official, let the race begin. This is how it went, I think because with the lack of sleep, YHCs memory was a little fuzzy.
Leg 1-7.96 miles-Helix got the team headed in the right direction at 1:02am. As a Relay Race virgin, team captain, TYA, thought it would be a good idea to throw Helix in the deep end and give him the first leg. TYA was right (Yes TYA, YHC just typed that) Helix crushed the first leg by completing it in a little over an hour. Helix enjoyed his run and said it was eerily quiet on the Country Dark roads.
Leg 2-5.30 miles-Circle K received the wristband from Helix and set off on a straight run through very familiar roads. YHC concentrated on keeping up the great pace set by Helix and finished in just under 50 minutes. YHC had some chores to complete the prior evening (cutting the grass) and it took about fifteen minutes to sweat out the three coldbeers for hydration post grass cutting. Other than that, rather uneventful run except for the deer on the side of the road near the exchange zone. YHC concurred with Helix that it was rather humid for 200am in April. YHC also appreciated the escort from Hanover police across four lane Route 360 at about mile 4.
Leg 3- 7.66 miles-As the last Geriatric member of the team to run, TYA set off in the correct direction for a run in high humidity. As the F3 RVA PAX knows, TYA sweats like polar bear in Florida, and given the humidity, we knew he would be drenched when he arrived at the next exchange zone. True to form, TYA appeared as though he stopped at one of the houses along the route for an early morning swim. TYA indicated this was the best run for him, but he gutted it out in true F3 RVA form.
Leg 4-10.46 miles-For the longest leg of the race, team captain (TYA) nominated the 15 year old track athlete. TYA was right again (Damn, two time in the same backblast) as Hat Trick was flying. The Geriatric team members realized they still had to be parents while on the adventure and we stopped on the side of the road to wait for Hat Trick at about mile 5. It is a good thing we drove fast, as Hat Trick was running about 7 minute mile and we did not have to wait long. The EMC van rolled ahead and as we cam to a right turn in the course, TYA exclaimed “Hat Trick won’t miss this right turn” and the PAX proceeded to the next exchange zone. As we waited for Hat Trick’s arrival, we remembered a pretty steep and long hill along the route and the PAX thought that may have slowed Hat Trick’s blistering pace. So we waited a little longer. (Helix starting to get a little worried). So we waited a little longer (Helix getting a little more worried). With the anticipated arrival time now completely blown, we sent TSB off to begin her leg and the PAX went on a search mission for Hat Trick. Fortunately, the EMC van found Hat Trick about a mile from the exchange zone. (Helix can breathe again) He missed the turn that TYA said he couldn’t miss (TYA was wrong, now that bitter taste is gone) and added about two mile to his run. Don’t worry Hat Trick, it was TYA’s fault.
Leg 5-7.37 miles-With Hat Trick safely collected, TSB was continuing the steady pace. She crushed this leg, as the sun came over the trees she arrived at the exchange zone with the Tron still lit. It was until about fifteen minutes later that the PAX realized she was still wearing the Tron and it was still turned on. It’s all about safety. Speaking of safety, in true TSB form, she told a story about stopping at mile 7 of her leg to safely relocated a frog to the side of the road, returning it to its more familiar surroundings and frog family. TSB “It’s all about Frog Karma” This is also where F3 RVA ran into F3 Hampton Roads. It was good to catch up with fellow F3 brethren. During our conversation, it was brought to our attention, the F3 Hampton Roads motto is “We do whatever F3 RVA does, we just do it better” Instead of 70 and sunny, apparently it is always 75 and sunny in F3 Hampton Roads. Imitation is the best form of flattery.
Leg 6-2.21 miles-K-Swiss awoke from her nap and stepped to the batters box for the first leg that did not require a head lamp or Tron. She leg whipped her way to the next exchange zone in a rather expeditious fashion as she barely broke a sweat on the short distance.
Leg 7-8.92 miles-Helix takes the wristband from K-Swiss and slogs through his second leg, as the humidity is starting to go up, instead of down. (Which is what Helix heard on the news). His stopping point was at the Harrison Lake Fish Hatchery. When the EMC found a parking spot, we were greeted by two puppies that just wanted to hang out with F3 RVA. As we climbed out of the van, the puppies were all over TSB and K-Swiss. That might have had something to do with the fact they were feeding Sports Fan and Junior (YHC took the honor of giving them F3 names) peanut butter pretzels. K-Swiss was so enamored with Sports Fan, she tried to hide him in the van when YHC walked away. Could you imagine what YHCs M would have said if we arrived home with a dog from a 70 miles relay race. K-Swiss would have blamed it on TYA. (She is a quick learner) The story ends well for a K9 f3 members, a local EMS crew took the dogs and was going to find their homes, which had to be somewhere along the course, as they arrived with an earlier team running the relay. (In true F3 form, they just wanted to get a good workout in, before starting the day.)
Leg 8-8.27 miles-Circle K left the fish hatchery to run the first leg on the Capital Trail, which is a great place to run or bike, as you do not have to worry about traffic at all. As YHC started this leg, the skies were still overcast, but TYA was going to the next exchange zone to begin his run in order to beat the sun and heat for the Pediatric portion of the team. TYA darn near drowned his first leg, so his plan was to run Leg 9 without his shirt. As we have all witnessed, TYA without a shirt requires sunglasses. And it worked because about half way through this leg, the sun came out and the humidity increased even more. In order to keep consistent, YHC is blaming this increased heat on the shirtless TYA. Anyway back to this leg, YHC had a steady pace until about the 4 mile mark. Just picture the wheels literally falling off a car. That is what YHCs leg felt like. The heat finally caught up to YHC, but he hobbled through the last 4 miles with the assistance of fellow teams giving YHC H2O refills. I started with two and finished by drinking four.
Leg 9-7.27 miles-Helix collected YHC and somehow got YHC into the EMC van (Bleeder, I am trying to mention the company name as many times as possible, as stated in the Corporate Sponsorship contract) and we were off to pick TYA up who was running at the same time in order to beat the heat. TYA was waiting for us when we arrived, still shirtless and still as bright and white as usual. TYA absolutely crushed this leg and was already recovered when we arrived. Thanks to the prolonged prior leg by YHC.
Leg 10-2.21 miles-Hat Trick was determined to redeem himself from his previous, self induced longer run. He completed the leg in 14 minutes, followed by a 5 minute cool down run. Enough said!!!!! (Oh to be 15 years old again)
Leg 11-Before TSB began this leg, YHC and TYA told her that the end of her run would be pretty cool as she had the privilege of crossing the bridge at the mouth of the Chickahominy River, where it joins the James River. She would have a beautiful view at the finish of her last leg. What we did not know, is that there is a pretty steep incline on the bridge (to account for the taller boats that traverse these waters) and there was not a bit of shade for about a mile before the half mile bridge. Did I mention (thanks to TYA taking his shirt off) the sun had burned off the overcast skies and it was hot. (Just ask the PAX that was running the Ragnar). As TSB arrived at the exchange zone, she immediately told her father (TYA), that Bridge was awful because the heat was not only reflecting off the pavement, but now it was reflecting off the water. (And the view was not that great) Take notice that this was directed only towards TYA, and not YHC, who was building up the view as much as TYA. Hence, the Bridge was TYAs fault.
Leg 12-6.88 miles-K-Swiss was the appointee by the team captain, TYA, to bring us home. This proved to be the right choice (I had to close the BB with TYA being right about something), as he understood this leg would require complete determination to complete in the heat. As TYA is fully aware, gymnasts are pretty bada@# athletes and full of determination. The EMC van (There’s another one Bleeder) ran about two miles up the course and found a shady spot in a parking lot to wait for K-Swiss and replenish her H2O, as the heat was really in full gear now. She met us just as she was warming up, grabbed another H2O and off she went. The EMC van again went another 2.5 miles up the course and waited for K-Swiss to repeat the same process. By this point, K-Swiss was bouncing along like the Easter Bunny at and Egg Hunt. (Did I mention this was the longest distance K-Swiss had ever run in her enitre life. The longest she ran while training was 4.5 miles). After getting lost twice (this was YHCs fault, as he was the navigator), we corrected our route and found another spot to meet up with K-Swiss. Upon arriving at said spot, YHC asked TYA why he did not find a tree to park under. Answer, there wasn’t a tree to be found, we were next to a field that was a mile long. And here comes K-Swiss. The bounce that was there was replaced with the expression of “I think I am in an oven” when she reached YHC for yet another H2O bottle. The EMC van moved along to the finish line which was closer than the PAX initially thought. K-Swiss rounded the corner for the last 1/4 mile and she had turned into a Red Solo Cup. The entire Pax ran back to help her reach the finish line and cross together. Immediately upon arriving, YHC took K-Swiss into the shade and poured 4 bottles of H2O over her head and down the back of her neck. She never complained, as she was cooking. At the finish line, the race party was in full swing and F3 RVA gathered with F3 Hampton Roads to break bread and drink multiple coldbeers.
Leg 13-Circle Ks house-After everyone had returned to their houses, we reconvened at Circle Ks for some well earned homemade BBQ, hotdogs, and all the fixins. The entire PAX showed up with their families to watch some hockey and just chill out.
NMS : It was an honor and privilege to participate in this event with two great adult PAX and their respective 2.0s. YHC learned a couple of things from this event:
Doing something challenging with your 2.0s is very rewarding. Not a single complaint was uttered, just going out and crushing each leg. Hat Trick (Helix 2.0), TSB (TYA 2.0) and K-Swiss (Circle K 2.0) showed what F3 RVA is really all about.
TYA cannot drive and look at a map at the same time.
Determination, Willpower, and Discipline is what gets you through these events. All three were on full display from the entire PAX.
TSB loves frogs.
K-Swiss loves dogs (YHC already knew this, but we really do not need a third dog.)
Hat Trick is very competitive
Helix may not say alot, but his example is an example the entire F3 RVA PAX can learn from. His determination adn resolve are second to none.
TYA loves these events. As evidenced by the complete organization and coordination of all activities. The entire PAX say “THANK YOU”
Circle K