Tag: First Watch

River Road & Ridge

  • Detour to First Watch

    Early rise for this on at 4:15 to make sure to post at 5am for this AO…Had a Detour to get there and arrived with some time to plant the flag and get situated for this early morning beatdown and here is what happened:

    COP

    Run 2 laps to survey the parking lot, look for hazards and determine the driest area to circle up for:

    20 SSH, 10 slow DQ’s, 10 4ct Helicopters, 15 arm circles (10 small and 5 big) reverso, 10 imperial walkers, 10 Ukrainian soldiers, 20 4ct American Hammers, 10 4ct LBC’s, 10 4 ct Alabama Prom Dates, 10 windshield washers. Recover.

    THANG

    With 9 total today a good triple check was in order so we divide up and P1 – Runs lap around parking lot as the timer, P2 Donkey Kicks, P3 Squats…we rotate in this order where the Runner goes to DK and DK to Squats and Squats to Run. We complete one set by rotating through each station. 2 more sets for a triple check.

    We then mosey to Kubota’s truck for the coupons and each group takes one. For the second triple check P1 runs the lap, P2 – Dealers choice on Coupon, and P3 Dealers choice(bench press, curls, overhead press…) on Abs(flutter kicks, lbc’s, etc). We rotate as above with each member finishing each station for a set. 2 more sets for a triple check.

    We then Mosey to the Church steps for the last triple check effort.

    P1 – Runs to dumpster enclosure at the rear lot and back as the timer, P2 – Calf raises on the step and P3 – Hand release merkins. Each partner rotates through each station to complete a set and we only had time for 2 sets, then we moseyed back to flag for numberama, namerama.

    YHC took us out in prayer

    Moleskin

    YHC signed up for this one awhile ago knowing this was the 4 year anniversary week from the first post in F3. What a ride it has been so far and appreciate all of the great people that I have met. We have worked out, had a beer/bourbon, coffee, run races, ridden bikes, cooked meals, built ramps, rucked, laughed and prayed together. YHC has had many firsts also, likely not to have even been attempted without this brotherhood of men. I look forward to many more workouts and fun times for years to come and thankful for you showing up and posting for various workouts as it is always a great day when you plant a flag, workout, circle up and pray to start the day.

    Humbled and honored, see you in the gloom soon gents, Cheers…CB

  • Thank You, Big Data.

    10 sleek chargers bounded out of the Fart Sack to the latest edition of First Watch. Conditions held steady at 70 and sunny. According to the sports car driver slinking his car through the Pax, the following might have happened:

    04:28 YHC arrived to secure the AO.

    04:30 Broga start time (Lockjaw had the Q)

    04:55 Broga end time

    05:00 Mosey around the River Road Church, Baptist (RRCB) Auxiliary Parking lot.

    Circle up for the COP.

    100 SSHs (x10 men = 1,000 SSHs)

    Reach for the sky

    Shoulder rolls

    WWIIs

    Plank up, drop to 6 inches, and hoooollllld it.

    Jazzercise

    Imperial walkers

    Scorpion Kicks

    Flutter kicks with hands over head

    Slow mosey, then super, super slow mosey, then “I want to run by myself” slow. Like, so slow, several PAX walked past YHC.

    Stop at Kubota’s truck. Pick a partner. One partner picks up a block.

    05:15 Senor Frog coughs.

    05:16 Senor Frog still coughing.

    Mosey to the end of the parking lot. 5 overhead presses with the block. Partner performs squats. Swap the block. Mosey to the triangle / stop sign. Repeato 5 overhead presses or squats.

    Triangle Loop:

    (Note: YHC called directions for an exercise that made complete sense in YHC’s head. It made less sense to the PAX.)

    Partner 1: Carry the block counter-clockwise around the Triangle. At each corner of the Triangle, do 5 reps with the block.

    Partner 2: Run the Triangle clock-wise. When meeting Partner 1, swap the block, and do 5 reps of the exercise. The block continues going counter-clockwise with 5 reps at each corner of the Triangle.

    Round 1: Overhead presses

    Round 2: bench press

    Modification: During Round 1, it became clear quickly that running on River with the blocks was a poor leadership suggestion. On their own, the PAX modified to run on the grass. Smart PAX. Good suggestion. A smart Q listens to the PAX, discards his ego, learns on his feet, and adapts. (Lesson: learning is critical to leadership.)

    Mosey to Culpeper and Cameron. 

    Hill Work:

    Pax 1: Carry block to top of hill on Culpeper and return to the bottom.

    Pax 2: Bernie Sanders to top of hill on Cameron and return to the bottom.

    Swap and repeato.

    One Fast Guy Runs Alone:

    Split into 3 groups:

    Group 1: one super-fast guy. He runs the neighborhood solo. Thank you, Flo!

    Group 2: people with a block carry it up the hill on Culpeper.

    Group 3: people without a block bear crawl up Culpeper.

    When the runner meets the group, circle up. 

    People with blocks form single-file line. Slow mosey back to Cameron, then up the hill to Ridge. While block group runs single-file, remaining PAX runs in a circle around the PAX, Heartbreak Ridge-style. (Some PAX tried to give up by slowing down, attempting to anticipate the Q calling for a swap. The Q softly whispered, “Don’t give the prick the satisfaction.”)

    At Ridge and Cameron, circle up. YHC joking called for AYG to the traffic light, then backed off. But, the PAX insisted. AYG it is! 

    BTTVSF:

    American hammers
    Hello Dolly
    Rosalitas
    Reverse crunches
    Ball dipper (1, and only 1)

    Announcements: 

    Convergence on Memorial Day at Tredegar. YHC believes 7 a.m., but let’s get the Convergence Q to check on that. 

    Breaking Bread – sign up!

    Summer Tour. Check Slack for the routes / requirements. HoneyDo posted them today. As F3RVA’s resident concert touring expert, Shakedown, once noted, few attend every concert on a tour. “You don’t have to complete the Tour to have been on Tour.” Go out there and hit the road!

    (Suggestion: Before showing up to Q at an AO, take a few minutes to scout the place.)

    NMS:

    And, just like that, Big Data has YHC checked in for 1,000 posts. Boom. Hard to believe YHC has been at this for 7+ years since HoneyDo dragged YHC to WDog, where Bleeder dragged YHC back and forth on the tennis courts. Someone asked today how many total workouts YHC has as Big Data did not start until 2017. YHC guesses somewhere around 1,100. Whatever the number, it’s been fun, and YHC appreciates being a part of this place.

    Many thanks to the men who act as leaders everyday for F3RVA. YHC read the list of names ahead of him on the 1K Club, and it is a Who’s Who of role models. No prima donnas at the top, just men setting a solid example for others to follow, both at workouts and in life. It occurred to YHC that not one of those guys is afraid to listen, take suggestions, explore ideas, and improve. Learning is the essence of being a good leader. Today’s workout had a series of exercises to thank them. Most are a staple of their Q’s or personalities. See if you can figure out who is referenced and where.

    One Big Data Thank You…the 1K Club exists because of one person. Splinter. Without him, there is no 1K Club, and in many ways, there would not be the community that is F3RVA. Thank you, my friend, for putting forward your time and resources to help this group, completely without compensation. Your contribution is very much appreciated. We owe you a debt of gratitude.

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • Bask in the Cool, Moist Glow

    A group of 13 strong dressed in the latest clubbing fashion to hit the early morning rave on the UR practice fields. According to the numerous travelers traveling River Road at ludacris speed, this is what supposedly occurred.

    Upon the timely arrival of Handshake, off we go with a short mosey to Henricos’ smallest park. Introductions, disclaimers, warmups of various activities. Variety of mumble chatter ensued with YHC losing track of cadence for a portion. All good and warm, lets mosey down River.

    Light traffic to the plush green fields of the UR practice fields where glow sticks were laid out in various positions around the perimeter. PAX huddles up in the middle of the field where instructions were given to venture out to each glow stick and perform 20 reps of exercise listed on card. Return to the center after each set to perform 3 burpees and continue to another station. 11 stations total as 1 glow stick was misplaced in preparation. Exercises included: merkins, ball dippers, WWII’s, squats, butterflys with coupons, imperial squat walkers, HRM, dying cockroaches, american hammers, mountain climbers & pole smokers. Some PAX completed extra rounds but good times were enjoyed. Still time on the clock after one round. Collect the glow sticks, coupons & cards and lets MBTTVF with glow sticks in hand. Quick stop for the turtles at Saab’s driveway, Upchuck led the rabbits in quick round of exercises.

    Still time, Triple Check was called with timer running the loop, squats and LBC’s. 2 rounds completed before clock struck time.

    Numbers, Names, Announcements, Prayers. Kubota took us out.

    Announcements: CSAUP/Convergence Saturday at Godwin High School. Ruck at 6, Bootcamp at 7, CSAUP following boot camp.

    NMS: Great to see Heist representing SOJ north of the river. It had been a while since we hit UR fields so YHC felt a Doozy inspired glow party Q was appropriate. Good to have Bacon Bits back in the fold with good oversharing. Reminder to pay and tip your service provider, especially on business trips. Well done fellas.

  • Belated Block Party

    9 studs and 1 Rusty Q kicked off Wednesday right at River Road’s earliest post. With a white pickup full of coupons (Thanks Kubota!) and a Q who refused to abide by the “keep it in the parking lot” rules/suggestions, The PAX concoursed the River Road Baptist campus coupon in hand.

    Following speed bump/burpee buy ins, the PAX set on the line formation for a dynamic workout

    form focused lunges, inchworms, side lunges and butt kicks

    Four Corners

    Coupon around the world or overhead carry in between stations

    10 block merkins, 20 goblet squats, 30 (2 count) flutters, 40 coupon bench presses

    Triple Check

    Pace car runs to and from the church buses (your pick which bus)

    Man Makers and goblet squat holds for the other stations

    Mosey/farmers carry back to the South Ridge Lot

    On the line

    tabata esque

    pace car – bear crawl to the first station, rotate

    random assortment of coupon exercises including, but not limited to:

    goblet squats, curls, triceps extensions, man makers, goblet lunges, overhead press, LBCs, coupon/kettlebell swings, coupon bench presses

    5 mins of Broga

    Numberama, Namerama, YHC took us out.

    CSAUP – See Gomer Pyle

    prayers to chippendale on a speedy recovery

    Apologies for the no show at Hoedown. Appreciate the opportunity to make good and lead this am. Non humid chilly mornings for beat downs feel like a steal following last week’s weather.

    Two days in and I’m still convinced 34 is the new 24.

    Have a great Wednesday!

    SYITG

  • Westhampton Walk of Fame

    10 papered purebreds emerged from the gloom to get a up a bit of a lather to start up the day. We started at a trot, so any LIFOs were doomed to work out on their own. According to the early morning maintenance crew who stopped to watch the PAX, this is what went down, more or less.

    Long Mosey to UR South Court Green. Mission. Disclaimer. All CoP IC. 20x SSH, 10x Don Quixote, 15x Arm Circles, 15x reverso Arm circles, 5x overhead claps, 5x seal claps. 25x LBC, 10x Flutter Kicks, 15x Hello Dolly, 15x Rosalita, 15x HtH, 15x Freddie Mercuries, 10x Grass Angels, 10x Australian Grass Angels. 52+ Merkins: 10x Merkin, 10x Wide Arm, 10x Diamond merkins, 10x HRM, 10x SHAZZAMs, 2x Merkin + 1 Merkin for the Rangers in the sky.

    Mosey to Greek Theatre. 10 dips each step. Ladder Vee Up starting at 1, complete at top with 17.

    Mosey BTTF. 10x Monkey Humpers, 10x Gorilla Humpers, 1x Hogging. Stretching: Deadman hang, trucker’s ballet stretch.

    Hutton took us out. Prayers for Upchucks family (uncle Dudley), James River High School community.

    Coffeeteria at Starbucks afterward.

    NMS- YHC has always wanted to lead a FW from UR since we started. Today, the campus is integrated, but when YHC attended the south side, Westhampton College was the womens side of the campus, so hanging out there had its special charms. Especially the Greek Theatre where on our first “date”, my now M helped me nurse the aftereffects an epic evening pregaming for an Awareness Art Ensemble concert Sept 1990, which makes it 32 1/2 years ago (dang). That nights events included “pain is just a sensation” Nestea plunge into a thorn bush on the Richmond side of campus and enjoying a Reggae soundscape after suddenly discovering pregaming limits and subsequently contemplating a pile of Spaghetti which was better than trying to see a now blurry multicolored AAE stage. I still have the ticket around here somewhere. First Watch Oversharing complete.

    The “walk of fame” back then was an early morning walk back from Westhampton toward Richmond College and catching a few more winks before starting the day.

  • On the Fly

    An unbalenced numerical 11 Pax unloaded 9 blocks from the truck and off we went. COP in the park, some mobile Lindsays (Softball APDs and Carolina Dry Docks) making our way downhill to Overlook. Triple Check with partner 1 running to the tree on the horizon and partner 2 performs 100 curls, 200 squats, 300 flutter kicks.

    Continue down Overlook for a triple check – partner 1 bear craws across the cul-du-sac and back, partner 2 planks with a block on the back, and partner 3 performs an elbow plank.

    Carry the blocks back to the AO with Monkey Bumpers and Overhead Presses along the way.

    YHC took us out.

  • Special Operators, Albeit in Training

    Seven night stalkers moved further, faster, and fought harder in the latest edition of First Watch. Conditions were 70 and sunny. According to their leader hiding in the bushes, the following might possibly have happened:

    Mosey from the parking lot to the back of RRC, Baptist.

    Whoa – on coming car split the PAX. Leader in front on one side of the road, six PAX on the other. Q proceeded to perform one burpee at each speed hump. Meanwhile, being mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight, the PAX determined to catch up, or, failing that, attempt a mutiny: the oft-mentioned, but rarely attempted, “We’ll just stop running and see whether the Q noticed.” Well aware of their shenanigans, YHC moseyed to the next corner in the parking lot, veered left, and took refuge in the bushes. After some time, along came a walking PAX of six, wondering aloud how 215 pounds of Manhood had disappeared into The Gloom. Boom – trap sprung. The predators becoming the prey.

    Mosey back to the front of RRC, Baptist, for the COP

    SSHs, DQs, IWs, reverse crunches, WWIIs, HRMs…and mosey 5 feet west to the steps.

    Dora 100-200-300, with a twist. Grab a partner.

    Partner 1: Run to the bush on River Road.

    Partner 2: Exercises. 100 derkins, 200 four-count flutter kicks, and 300 SSHs.

    Twist: each time the partners switch, perform 5 Boo-Yah mercans. Harder than it sounds, but the PAX showed the world that they are specially selected and well-trained.

    Mosey to the back of RRC, Baptist for Elevens. Much discussion of the best method for achieving the objective. YHC enjoys feedback. Frankly, YHC deserved some after an exceptionally poorly laid out exercise. Adapt. Overcome. But, always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and esprit de corps of the group.

    WWIIs and snow angels. Bernie Sanders up the incline in the parking lot. Run back down. Better training. Fight with all your might. Give it 100 percent and then some. Under no circumstances embarrass yourself.

    Slow mosey back through the parking lot. 5 LBCs at every handicapped space, totaling about 30 LBCs and 5 WWIIs on the last space.

    Burpees at each speed hump on the way BTTVSF. Numbers, names, and Handshake took us out.

    NMS: World’s longest triple check May 6 at Godwin. Boot camp, ruck, and run in circles. Find some teammates and one injured dude. Gomer has the details.

    Good chatter today. YHC needed some good laughs, and the PAX delivered. Coffeeteria hit the spot, albeit at 6 a.m.

    UpChuck spits the bit.

  • RESPECT

    So Fireman Ed is now 50. 14 stallions including the Fireman (who isn’t a Fireman) converged for a coupon disc golf extravaganza this morning at the wee hour of 5. Ed showed up around 4:45 to find a Woodfin truck and thought “Handshake is early” but it was the great Senor Frog. Once all the PAX gathered we did the following:

    COP: DMH, HRMs, FMs (until multiple PAX sounded the gaseous trumpets), ACs.

    Partner up. One partner has the coupon the other has the discs. Mosey to Club Vista.

    Catch me if you can. P1: 5 burpees P2: Mosey with coupon. Switch once P1 catches up to P2. I was amazed with how fast the PAX were going with coupons. A couple looked faster with the coupon than without.

    Mosey switching the coupon, drop off coupon go to hole 1. Hole 1 – Throw bear crawl and throw then bear crawl until you get the disc in the basket. Guessing about half par and half above par. Lunge to hole 2.

    Hole 2 – Same as hole 1 but throw then bunny hop. after hole is complete 3 burpees per shot. Mosey to hole 18.

    From the basket, wheelbarrow with partner to tee box or close to tee box. Throw shots back to basket. A direct hit was made to Handshake as he was going for his shot. It distracted him enough that he had trouble finding his disc. 10 merkins per shot after completing hole.

    Mosey back to Club Vista Lane. Catch me if you can with 5 WWIIs. Then share block and go back to home base. Finished with American Hammers, Mountain Climbers and 50 APDs (getting me ready I think).

    Announcements: Curahee anniversary with workout plus run/walk teams, Whitesnake goes Bluegrass event April 22, Friday is Ramm gears for amateurs with Huffys or other not so fancy bikes, and something I forgot (since I am 50).

    It was great to have a nice turnout to celebrate a milestone. Thanks Kubota for the coupons and balloon. This is the third time in the last year plus that I have done disc golf at First Watch. It may be repetitive, but I enjoy it. Enjoy Spring and hopefully I will see you soon.

  • First for the First

    10 crazy ruffians arose long before the dawn was even contemplating the new day to exercise and tell jokes. Here’s what went down:

    COP on the front church patio after a mosey. Dead man hang / helicopters / DQs / Russian Soldiers / Imperial Walkers / APDs / LBCs / Hand Release Merkins / Planks to Peter Parkers/ Plank Jacks / Elbow Planks/ Pickle pounders not to be confused with Chicken Peckers / Plank. SSHs 21s- 5 Burpees

    Dora in the back lot. 100 Jump Squats / 200 Merkins / 300 2x Flutters. Parter runs to half point, bernie back, full lot, bernie back.

    Wall exercises: Wall sits with body taps / Dirty Hookups/ Donkey Kicks, all IC

    Triple Check back at the starting lot: P1 Squat Thrusters with coupon/ P2 Reverse Crunch / P3: Run the loop

    COP: Up Downs x20, end with some yoga

    NMS: Happy to be received as a First Watch stepchild and lead my first Q at this auspicious AO. Apologies to the Pax for the swearing and hard driving, but better it comes out with the Pax than at the church. Upchuck made an incognito appearance at some point and left a case of Yuengling for Kubota, but disappointingly Kubota did not share with the pax. Thanks for the opportunity to lead!

  • Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell

    Nine Brutus-wannabes avoided Q-regicide and the weather report to post at FW in better than expected temps. Our FNG ran to the AO (avoiding the ride with Kubota or just wanted to warm up, we’ll never know) to borrow a pair of gloves and off we went:

    COP: SSH, Don Qs, Imperial Walkers, Merkins, Flutterkicks, LBCs. Off to covered area of main lot for Triple check: HRMs, Heels2Heaven, and run loop. Then 2 round of 4 corners:

    Rnd 1: 10 Burpees, 20 Flutterkicks, 30 Jumpsquats, 40 SSHs. Rnd 2: 20 Merkins, 30 WWIIs, 40 Mtn Climbers, & 50 Jumpropes. Instead of running between corners there was Bear Crawl, Lunge, Bernie Sanders. Back to FW parking lot: Run the lap stopping at every jut-out to do a Burpee but add 1 burpee more each one.

    Finish with 3 rounds of 20 PLTs and 90 seconds of Mary. YHC took us out.

    NMS: Welcome Finkle! You know someone who runs to a 5:00 am AO his 1st workout is our kinda dude, even if he knows handshake… Solid work by all PAX, Bodos appeared to be upset there were no cinder blocks to destroy. There is still some confusion as to the actual powers of a Site Q as Kubota continues to push the boundaries towards totalitarian authority. Rumor has it he will start to require all Qs to pre-submit a weinkie for his approval. Appropriate that on the Ides of March the Bard once wrote: Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.