Tag: #CSAUP

Completely Stupid and Udderly Pointless

  • Frozen Triangle Part Duex

    A total of 46 guys, including an FNG (big respect) showed up today for the first RVA CSAUP event in quite a while.

    An eager 45 (including 3 ruckers) gathered before 0600 in the dark gloom of Dogpile ready to roll. The temperature lived up the CSAUP name, it was chilly, but the adrenaline was flowing. 0600 on YHC’s watch, so the ruckers hit the road and the rest of us grabbed the shovel flags and moseyed to the COP circle for disclaimer (you v you and pay attention to your body) and COP, including:

    • SSHs
    • DQs
    • Helicopters
    • Deadman Hangs
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Alternating Shoulder Taps
    • Tempo Merkins
    • Freddie Mercuries

    Head to the Amphitheatre and pass the baton to Rosie for the THANG:

    Ladder – 5 incline merkins on each step going up; 5 dips on each step going down; bunny-hop/box-jump back up to the top.

    Circle up for numbers and names and then grab the shovel flags and runners take off for Punisher. Flags were flying. We were getting some honks, and the air was brisk. Many guys circled back to pick up the SIX. I think Gypsy did it 5 times and ran an extra 3 miles.

    PUNISHER

    33 of the 43 bootcampers made the run to Punisher for bootcamp #2. OC and CB got the provisions set up and guys fueled up. Then CB set up the audio and lead a Tabata ground and pound for that included merkins (OUCH), DQs, Arm Circles, Squats, LBCs and other

    Circle up for numbers and names and then grab the shovel flags and runners headed for Mary. Again, bro-code was in effect.

    45MOM

    31 of the 33 made it from Punisher to Mary, and we picked up Handshake for the last bootcamp and last leg of the Triangle. There was no catching your breathe or fueling up because UpChuck was ready to roll. Thankfully, UpChuck started us off with SSHs and then added some Broga (which really pleased Last Call). Then he dropped the hammer:

    The THANG: Twisted Dora – Line up across the blacktop and partner up. Exercises were 100 Carolina Dry Docks, 200 Squats (either jump or touch 5 fingers to the ground), and 300 SSHs. Runner – bernies across the blacktop to the fence and runs back. Oh, and the TWIST – every time the runner returns, partners do 5 Boo-yah Merkins…KILLER.

    Mosey back to the starting point for numbers and names before taking off to for Dogpile and to close the Triangle.

    The run back to Dogpile was blinding and painful. We gutted it out and everyone made it back to Dogpile where the ruckers were waiting for us and Circle K had the grill going with dogs and sausages.

    One last number-rama and namarama, announcements and COT.

    We prayed for our F3 brothers – Fudd, Gomer Pyle and Pigskin – heading to Honduras in service.

    Other announcements –

    • Great job F3RVA for donating around 400 shoes for various groups. Well done!
    • Shank has his VQ on Tuesday at Bermuda Triangle
    • Add any others I missed in Slack

    Huge shout out to all those who helped bring this CSAUP back. Rosie and I put it out there and the PAX stepped up to Q, drive, get provisions, chip in, and just generally to do whatever is needed and check on the SIX and make sure everyone was accounted for and good to go. LOVE this group for all those reasons.

    We can sometimes get lost in our daily/weekly routines or often times we don’t have time to hang out and chat before or after weekly workouts. CSAUPs give us the chance the see new guys, and to deepen our fellowship with other guys. In addition, they give us the opportunity to push through our normal boundaries and test ourselves. We all aced the test today. Well done men!

    Get some rest this weekend, enjoy some family and football, rest those legs, and I’ll see you all back out in the gloom soon!

    Who’s planning the next CSAUP?

    No more Gumbo for you and It’s all coming up Rosie!

  • Final Pre-Blast for the Frozen Triangle

    All of the morning announcements, slack comments, and mumble chatter about the latest RVA homegrown CSAUP will finally come to an end after Friday. The only thing you’ll hear about the Frozen Triangle Part Deux after that is mumble chatter about how much fun you missed out on if you weren’t there. We’ve gotten some hard commits, soft commits, offers to help and we appreciate all of the offers and updates on participation. A few final notes for everyone:

    • We start at 6:00 am at Dogpile – that’s the only thing about the day that will be typical
    • Bring a flag if you’ve got one – we’ll carry them between AO’s
    • See Gumbo’s preblast for the full estimated schedule Schedule
    • We have a few volunteers that will transport provisions between AOs, if you want to tag along and drive between AOs there will be options.
    • We will have water, Gatorade, and refueling food at each AO.
    • We plan to finish around 9:00 am and will hang out as long as anyone wants to be there
    • Chairs and dry clothes are recommended for the 2nd F
    • We will have a few adult beverages for the finish but if you want more or something specific – BYOB
    • Running Routes between AOs are below

    This is not an all or nothing thing – there are plenty of people around if you want to drop a car at a location to leave early or meet us later, feel free to coordinate something.

    Dogpile to Punisher

    Punisher to Mary

    Mary to Dogpile

  • PRE-BLAST: Frozen Triangle January 21

    If you have been posting or reading Slack you have been hearing about an upcoming CSAUP – The Frozen Triangle. It is 2 weeks away, so below are some more details, and we are looking for HCs (and soft commits – if you must) to help us plan provisions. Please add to the HC count on Slack if you are in. Give a thumbs up or something else if you are a soft commit.

    Many folks have reached out to Rosie and me to let us know they want to help. Thank you. We will be touching base with you over the next week to divvy up responsibilities. If anyone else wants to help, let us know. Help can include chipping in for provisions, bringing provisions, bringing coolers, setting up/cleaning up at one of the AOs, etc. Many hands makes light work – and more fun for the hands doing the work.

    GOAL: As always, push ourselves, but don’t hurt ourselves and have a damn good time doing it and enjoying some fellowship.

    Rough Details:

    • Starting time and location: 6:00 a.m. at Dogpile parking lot
    • 6:00 – 6:20’ish: Bootcamp at Dogpile
    • 6:20’ish: depart Dogpile for Punisher (3.3 mile trek) – travel on foot, by bike or however you want.
    • 7:00’ish – 7:20’ish: Bootcampt at Punisher
    • 7:20’ish: depart Punisher for 45MOM (2.9 mile trek)
    • 8:00’ish – 8:20’ish: Bootcamp at 45MOM
    • 8:20’ish: depart 45MOM for Dogile (2.5 miles) to complete the triangle
    • 9:00’ish: arrive Dogpile and let the fellowship ensue. Bring lawn chairs and dry clothes and hang out for a while. Hot dogs will be on the grill and beers will be in the cooler.

    Remember – this is not an All or None – participate in it all or participate in whatever piece or pieces that you can. See you on January 21.

    No More Gumbo For you AND Everything is Coming up Roses….OUT

  • Chapped Knees & Frozen Beards

    The frozen tundra of SOJ’s Rockwood Park challenged 6 HIM’s to survive 60 minutes of seven degrees and gloomy, with a windchill, in shorts. With the festive cheer of their Q’s jungle bells and nonstop movement, here’s how these ice-hardened men of valor conquered the morning:

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA: 

    • Slaughter start with a stretch of Bearpees down the parking lot to the Basketball Court

    COP #1:

    • Circle up on the BBall Court 
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Usual Warm-up exercises IC, with a low side shuffle around circle between sets
    • MUDSLIDE joined us double-dipping from a Dogpile that ended early

    COP #2: 

    • Mosey half the outer loop of the fields, periodically stopping to complete one of the following:
    • Opus Broad Jumps on a straightaway
    • Mosey
    • Partner up for x3 rounds of PLT’s x25 each (x75 total each) 
    • Mosey
    • Circle up for Body Builders x10 IC

    COP #3: 

    • For the length of the baseball fields to the twin stairs (about 100yd), partner up for Catch Me If You Can:
    • P1 begins bear crawls while P2 completes x3 WWII’s, after which P2 mosey’s to switch with P1, until they reach the stairs

    COP #4:

    • At the steps, line up for a LINDSEY:
    • Heels to Heaven at the Bottom – 10/15/20/25/30
    • Merkins at the Top – 30/25/20/15/10
    • Box Jump steps going up & down between sets
    • SSH’s to get blood back to fingers

    COP #5:

    • Complete rest of circuit loop
    • Stop for Buddy Big Boys x25
    • Mosey
    • Stop at the side Parking Lot
    • Partner up for a classic Dora
    • x100 Merkins
    • x200 Squats
    • x300 LBC’s
    • Runner completes ~100yard loop down the lot and back
    • Mosey around to the basketball court

    COP #6:

    • Line up on the bball court for GROINER SUICIDES:
    • x5 Rounds of Groiners at each suicide stopping point, touching baseline between, descending from x5 at each, then x4, x3, x2, x1. 

    Mosey BTTF:

    • Run down the clock with Boat/Canoe’s, and some stretching

    COT:

    • Counterama # 6
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Comments)
    • YHC took the PAX out with a word of encouragement to share the reason for the season with someone feeling left out or lonely

    NMS:  It’s gonna be daaaaays before YHC warms back up. Fingers still not working properly trying to type this BB. Awesome to have a solid PAX for the frozen madness this AM and extra props to young Touchdown and double-dipping Mudslide. Proud of SOJ and especially the Rock&Roll PAX for amazing growth in numbers and camaraderie this year. Hope ya’ll have a wonderful Christmas with your families. SYITG, DTH 

    Announcements:

    • Next Sat 12/31 Convergence at Dogpile for Doozy’s 100th Q
    • 1/6 SOJ Planning/Leadership Mtg (location TBD)
    • Frozen Triangle 1/21
    BAAAHHH HUMBUG !!!

  • Birthday Boating in a Gloomy Monsoon

    17 SOJ faithful HIM’s were feeling froggy to embrace the suck at this morning’s SOT Birthday beatdown.  Here’s how we may or may not be welcome back to their soccer field…

    The THANG:

    WARMERAMA:

    • Mosey to the top of the stadium and circle up in the flood lights
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Variable IC Reps to get the muscles warm

    COP #1:

    • Mosey to the football field and collect the coupons (canoe, kayak, kettle bells) and assemble in the middle of the field 
    • QUADRUPLE TRIPLE CHECK:
    • Station #1 – Two PAX pulling one PAX in canoe to side of field and back
    • Station #2 – P1 Sumo squats 50lb KB, P2 Mower Pulls 35lb KB, P3 carries 15lb KB overhead to side of field and back
    • Station #3 – Two PAX pulling/pushing one PAX in Kayak to side of field and back
    • Station #4 – Run the track
    • Each team of 3-4 PAX completed each Station as a Triple Check before switching to the next Station

    COP #2:

    • CANOE LINDSEY (always adds up to 40!)
    • Line up on the side of the football field
    • Merkins:  30-25-20-15-10
    • Drag Canoe laden with PAX between sides (alternate PAX riding VS dragging)
    • Scrunchy Frogs:  10-15-20-25-30

    Mosey BTTF for COT:

    • Counterama # 17
    • Namerama
    • Announcerama (see Below)
    • YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  Brothers, what fun to muck around in the gloom carrying each other a bit! I’m very thankful for you guys carrying me in different ways over the last 4 years, and I’m really excited to see SOJ grow in the season to come. SYITG, DTH

    Announcements:

    • Open invitation by DTH to any SOJ PAX interested in joining an SOJ Shared Leadership Team – just send a PM to Tryhard via Slack! 
    • 12/2 – Rosie’s M will be selling nudes of Rosie at the Gallery of the Black Irish Social Club from 5-8pm (321 W Broad St)
    • 12/3 – Dogpile Magnum PI Day (mustache, Hawaiian shirt, donations for the Bridge)
    • 12/10 – 3-6pm HDHH Hardywood West Creek with the Capitol PAX
    • 12/20 – NoToll “12 Days of Christmas”

    Prayer Requests:

    • Prayers for Honeymoon and his family with his Dad’s passing yesterday 

  • Pre-Blast – Return of the Frozen Triangle

    Nothing on the calendar in January? Looking for an excuse to hit some new AOs? Never participated in a homegrown F3RVA CSAUP? Want a morning of 1st and 2nd F wrapped into one? We’ve got the answer to all of these questions and more, the Frozen Triangle.

    The cold weather is now upon us and with it brings the return of RVA’s own CSAUP, the Frozen Triangle. January 21, 2023, 6am at Dogpile, we all know there is nothing else going on at that time of day on a Saturday in mid-January. Go ahead and put it on your family shared calendar, set aside your bag balm and chafe free shorts (SOP), tell your M you’ll be back late, your kids they’re on their own for breakfast, plan to let your dog out before you go because you are not going to want to miss this one.

    We’ll travel between three (Triangle) AOs by your method of choice (run, bike, drive, rent a scooter…), workout, repeat a couple of times with provisions provided along the way. Replenish the tank with some 2nd F food and drink upon returning to Dogpile. This is open for any and all PAX to participate in some or all of this one of a kind event. This is not an annual F3 tradition in the mold of the Forest Hill Loops, F3 yearly anniversaries, or holiday convergences. It’s better because you don’t know whether this will ever be done again so you shouldn’t miss out on this one with hopes that next year will be your year.

    If you have any questions about how much fun you will have or how many FNGs you should bring, ask any one of the 44 previous participants in the original Frozen Triangle or check out the backblast and comments – https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2017/01/22/inaugural-f3-rva-csaup-and-its-not-even-noon-yet/ No really you should check out the backblast, Saab is a Hall of Fame BB author, alongside DK and Marv.

    More info to follow as we get closer to the big day. Anyone looking to help out should get in touch with Gumbo or YHC and we’ll be happy to dole out some tasks. We’re so good at passing things off to others Honeymoon doesn’t even know that he has volunteered to supply water for the event.

    Looking forward to a morning of mumblechatter, fun, with some 1st F mixed in.

    Happy Thanksgiving to All!

    Shameless plug – December 20, No Toll – Annual 12 Days of Christmas workout – don’t miss out.

  • Deliverance 3 – Two Fish in the Water

    Deliverance 3 – Two Fish in the Water

    Eight Kayakers and One Paddle Boarder converged at 5:00am in the brand new parking lot at the new boat ramp at Huguenot Flatwater. According to the lone fisherman on the river bank next to the ramp, this is probably what happened:

    COP on nice new concrete area:

    SSH’s, DQ’s, Ukrainian Soldiers, Merkins, Scorpion Kicks

    RAMP FUN:

    Round 1: Bearcrawl the ramp around to the steps and run up steps.

    Round 2: Lunge the ramp around to steps and run up steps.

    Round 3: Left Side Shuffle the ramp around to steps and run up steps.

    Round 4: Right Side Shuffle the ramp around to steps and run up steps.

    DORA on new boat ramp/dock:

    Partner up with one boat. Timer paddles to the middle of the river and paddles back. Other partner is completing LBC’s on dock. Second round, exercise partner is completing Squats.

    Main Event:

    Everyone grab their boat and head upriver. At the first crop of rocks, practice Life-Saving 101 to a couple of the PAX (not naming names) who, in the slowest of motions, turned their boats over and went completely under the water. Rest of PAX yells “Fish in the Water!!” Recover the Fish and keep heading upriver around the bend to get a great view of the Willey Bridge and Bosher Dam. With 20 minutes to spare, turn around and head downriver into the awesome sunrise. Take a few minutes to enjoy the fellowship, scenery and God’s creation!

    Dock the boats at exactly 6:00am for COT:

    Numbers, Names, Announcements and Upchuck took us out!

    Announcements: See Slack!

    NMS:

    What a wonderful morning for this! YHC thought last year had perfect weather and river conditions for this workout, but this year was even better! We were the first people to use the brand new parking lot that was just finished yesterday evening. The sandbar is no more, so the exercising had to be completed on the newly built ramp/dock complex. What a nice new complex for river enthusiasts to enjoy! There were a few tricky moments during the DORA when partners were switching out of their boats, but no big issues. The PAX that did not wear gloves really enjoyed the bear crawls on the somewhat jagged concrete ramp. On the beginning on the main paddle upriver, two of the PAX flipped over to the left and went completely under. Fortunately, recovery of these two unnamed PAX went well and the paddle eventually continued on. There was a hard, fast paddle upriver until it was time to turn around and ease back down to the VSF (dock). A few of the PAX bottomed out on some rocks along the way but managed to free themselves without any issues. 100% attendance at coffeeteria afterwards. PERFECT MORNING!

    Thanks for posting this morning, men!

    Enjoy your day!

    SYITG!

    Kubota

  • BRR 2022

    BRR 2022 is fast approaching. I now there is interest in the event as there always is. I am going to be captaining a 50+ team this year. I am looking for someone to take the lead on a second team. I am happy to help out with the logistics etc, but need someone to put together the team. Let me know if you are interested in helping put the team together. Also, let me know if you interested in running the BRR this year.

    TYA OUT

  • The Taxman Came

    30 road warriors coverged and ran towards the dark to welcome the Tax Man.  Would they take the Standard Deduction? Or face the threat of Compounding Interest, or suffer the Tax Lien?  We took it all on and then some!  But according to the guy sky-hooking newspapers on Grove avenue, it went a little something like this:

    The routes were:

    The Standard Deduction is a delightful 6.39 mile romp that begins at Mary and takes Groooooooove toward Three Chopt, right on Henri, left onto Towana, left on Roselawn to UR Drive, UR Drive till it ends at River Road, and reverso back to Mary. 

    The Compounding Interest is an intoxicating 8.28 mile jaunt that begins at Mary and takes Groooooooove toward Three Chopt, right on Henri, left onto Towana and stay on it till it becomes Campus, Campus to UR Drive, UR Drive till it gets to the Bat Cave, take the Bat Cave and pass the shops on River Road, take Westham Station Road till it becomes S. Ridge Rd, take S. Ridge Road to Westham Pkwy, Right on Glen Pkwy, take Westhampton to Keller to Westhampton, Left on UR Drive back to the Bat Cave, head up Ridgeway and hug the golf course to Iris, Iris ends at Three Chopt, Right on Three Chopt back to Groooooooove, take Groooooooove back to Mary.

    The Tax Lien (I apologize for releasing this one so late.) is an enchanting 9+ mile balderdash that begins at Mary and takes Groooooooove toward Three Chopt, right on Henri, left on to Towana and stay on it till it becomes Campus, Campus to the woodland trail by the UR entrance near College and Boatwright: the trail brings you to Wheeler Rd., Left on Wheeler, left on Hampshire, Hampshire becomes Baldwin, Stay on Baldwin till you get to Westham Pkwy, Left on Westham Pkwy and take it till it becomes S. Ridge Road, S. Ridge Road becomes Westham Station Road, Take Westham Station Road till you get to the Bat Cave trail, the Bat Cave trail takes you to UR Drive, Right on UR Drive, Right on Campus—it turns into Towana and will cross over Three Chopt and become Henri Road, Straight on Henri to Grooooove, Left on Grooooooove and it’s a straight shot back to Mary. 

    I got to Mary at around 3:45, and I proceeded to get my gear together and stretch out for the run ahead. I was about to get started, when I saw TYA with his dog. I was very happy to see him, because I wanted to go for a personal best today and who better to conquer the Tax Lien route with than the man who cut through all of my excuses and got me into running–so conquer we did! He is always a pleasure to run with!

    There’s running, and then there’s F3 running.  F3 running comes with some therapy sprinkled in, some support, fellowship, safety, all from your brothers who are trying to get better just like you.  There is nothing like it!  The gifts that come from running with your brothers are the gifts that change lives and prevent complacency.  We need each other and one day each of us will be called on to pay those gained gifts forward.  I hope each of you experienced some of the same gifts when you ran with your brothers today!  

    I thank you all for the impressive turnout and for the support over the years and now!  It was a privilege to rise this morning and conquer with all of you!  I’ll end this backblast with one of my favorite poems in its entirety:

    For Every Hill I’ve Had to Climb

    For every stone that bruised my feet,

    For all the blood and sweat and grime,

    For blinding storms and burning heat

    My heart sings but a grateful song—

    These were the things that made me strong!

    For all the heartaches and the tears,

    For all the anguish and the pain,

    For gloomy days and fruitless years,

    And for the hopes that lived in vain,

    I do give thanks, for now I know

    These were the things that helped me grow!

    ‘Tis not the softer things of life

    Which stimulate man’s will to strive;

    But bleak adversity and strife

    Do most to keep man’s will alive.

    O’er rose-strewn paths the weaklings creep,

    But brave hearts dare to climb the steep.

    L. E. Thayer

    I am Bone Thugs, and I will see you at the crossroads.

  • Prarie Doggin

    Today’s edition of Morning Wood featured locked bathrooms much to the dismay of OC. Thankfully we finished the run in time for him to book it to the nearest store’s bathroom before Tobit’s beatdown. Never did find out where he went but glad the prarie dog was released into the wild safely.