Tag: The FORGE

A dandy group of eight studs of SOJ ventured to Huguenot High School to see what YHC was cooking up. This is what was rumored to have occurred according to the parking lot enthusiast with protective gear.

5.30 struck and slow mosey around the parking lots to pick up any stragglers. Seeing none, 7 continued down to the cul-de-sac for an appetizer of warm ups that included invisible jump rope, DQ’s, Imperial Walkers, Arm Circles, Reverso, Cherry Pickers and possibly others. Bone Thugs joined midway to make this a snowman group. Everyone warm with the F3 boiler plate release provided, lets mosey.

COP 1: Bust out the juice boxes for Lightpole 11’s. 2 count Mountain Climbers and Merkins followed by lunges up the ramp. Upon arriving to the top, lets throw on 25 jerkins at the rails.

COP 2: Salisbury Steak and Potatoes: Partner Up at the base of Mt. Chaplain. 20 PLT’s followed by 20 boxing cockroaches. Switch so both get into the mix. To ascend the hill, lets wheelbarrow. Arrive at the next parking area, repeat the PLT’s and cockroaches. Run in between parking lots. Upon arriving at final ascent, switch the wheelbarrow and complete.

COP 3: Ice cream with a wooden spoon: Mosey over to small circle at the bus loop for Indigenous People Curb Crawl. Leader runs a lap and upon coming to the end, releases the next. To even out, we reversed as asymmetrical shoulders do not impress the ladies.

Still time on the clock, grab a spot on the wall for some wall sits and various exercises. Slow mosey back to the flag. 2 minutes of Broga to complete the day.

Names, Numbers, Announcements – Prayers for DTH’s sister and family.

Doozy took us out.

NMS: Good work on the upper body this morning gents. Dealer really enjoyed the lunges. Wheelbarrows were absolutely brutal and one that I had planned on repeating but not enough time. You boys crushed today and I am honored to work with such distinguished and fun loving group. This AO is always a highlight of my week and something I look forward to. Thanks

6 of the worlds finest HIM made their way out of the fartsack to see that YHC had brought the medicine ball

After explaining that the ball was made because the dog had put a hole in a kick ball, Last Call made a comment about the dog only to find out she is no longer alive and in true PAX form everyone started to pile on. The ball was handed to Last Call and away we went single file last person hands the ball to the next to last person in line and then runs to the front, repeto all the way to the bottom.

COP: DQ’s, Helicopters, Imperial Squat Walkers, Dead Man Hangs, American Hammers, Merkins

Mosey to the first light pole: PAX runs to the next light pole for a called exercise while one man Bear Crawls and pushes the ball to the pole to join PAX repeto until all 6 HIM have had a chance to push the ball. Next round timer picks the ball up and Lunges to join the PAX at each light pole (X6). Next round no exercises for the PAX just run light to light while each man takes the ball and runs with it over head. Finish at the top of Mount Chaplain.

Running down hill and stop at each paved area do 20 of called exercise (ab exercises) to the bottom of the hill. On the way back up Bernie and stop at each paved area for called exercise (legs exercises). At the top do 20 Burpees OYO.

BTTF

At the flag the PAX holds Lazy Boy position while each HIM does an ab exercise of their choice 20 times. This is where we got to learn the real reason they named him Snuff.

Merkin ring of fire, PAX holds plank while each HIM does 10 Merkins of their choice

Numbers / Names Greenbow took us out

NMS: Today was one of those days where it felt like (at least to YHC) a bunch of buddies getting together and catching up while getting a workout in. YHC is guilty of more first F than 2nd F at the beatdowns and only minimal third F lately. Life is hard, it’s even harder when you don’t share it with others. Get out of your head, out of your space, out of your comfort zone and live life together.

Darkest just before dawn. My memory, that is. 5:30am and everyone is looking at YHC. “My q? Are you sure?” Spontaneity, be my muse. Lord show us the way.

The slow mosey is the way. Warmups with 23 SSHs, 10 DQs, stretching and mirkins, 18 LBCs and arm circles. Expect the unexpected.

On the 3rd lap of a very vanilla triple check around the loop, with jump squats and WW2s, YHC said “let’s do something we haven’t done before.” DTH rattled off some options including the baseball field – no ones been there in a year.

A slow mosey around the corner and lo and behold, the abandoned baseball field was unexpectedly bathed in the glow of hot lights. A beacon in the dark. If you light it, they will come. At a slow mosey.

Ballpark triple check with home dugout dips, donkey kicks, and an in-the-park home run.

Feeling bold, we pressed on, pressed our luck, and did some things that may or may not have run the risk of pressed charges. What happened next is completely hypothetical.

If, hypothetically, the gate to the football field was magically wide open. And if, hypothetically, some men who had never been on the field decided to feel the soft turf under their feet. Hypothetically, would they have run the track before walking on to the field? Would they have done bear crawls 10 yards, 5 burpees, more bear crawls, more burpees, crab walks, hand release mirkins, lunges, etc etc all the way to the 50 yard line? And if that were to have happened, would they, running short on time, perform a 100-yd kickoff return at full sprint before exiting the field to the great and silent fanfare of sunrise? If it sounds implausible, it’s because it is. At least, that’s what Doublemint would counsel us to say.

A slow mosey back to the flag. Sometimes the best plan is no plan. And sometimes, just sometimes, touchdown.

Prayers for the family of Dr Tryhard. Prayers for others. For the fitness, fellowship and faith bestowed on this group. And for Dealer’s daughter on the road to potty training. May she find relief, but not in a diaper. Peace.

The 10 best PAX brothers a guy could ask for posted to the Forge for a 3 year anniversary Q. With no rain and warm breezy temps, these HIM’s set new records in the Forge-specific NEW GLORY challenge. Here’s how Hardywood led the way! 

The THANG:

WARMERAMA:

• Short mosey and circle up
• Welcome & Disclaimer
• A couple IC Reps to loosen up
• Mosey BTTF & introduce the PAX to the “New Glory” challenge including a mosey around the circuit highlighting each of the 14 COP’s.

!!! NEW GLORY !!!

• The “New Glory” is the The Forge AO’s fitness measuring stick, to be repeated 2-4x per year, and so permit PAX the opportunity to monitor physical progress
• Timeframe: 30 minutes
• Style: BEST form possible, You vs YOU!
• THE CIRCUIT:
• Starting point at the Shovel Flag
• #1:  Complete x10 Burpees at the flag
• #2-5:  Run down S.Coleman Rd to the Handicap Ramp, stopping at each light pole (x4 poles total on the right side) to complete x5 Hand-release Merkins
• #6:  Bear Crawl halfway up the Ramp
• #7:  Lunge walk the upper half to the end gate
• #8:  Complete x20 Jerkins on the Rails
• Run up Mount Chaplain, stopping at each new paved landing to complete assigned exercise…
• #9 (Level 1):  x5 Burpees
• #10 (Level 2): x10 Ball Dippers (2-ct)
• #11 (Level 3): x15 Heels-2-Heaven
• #12 (Level 4): x20 Squats
• #13 (Level 5:) x25 Mtn Climbers (2-ct)
• #14:  At the top of Mt Chaplain, complete x30 WWII’s, then run BTTF to begin next Circuit 
• THE GOAL: Complete as many circuit rounds as physically possible with good form until time is called. If you cheat or cut corners you are only hurting yourself and your baseline. If you take all 30 minutes to complete a single circuit, that will be the baseline you will work towards crushing next time.

NEW GLORY completion points have been posted on the F3RVA Challenge Spreadsheet, where PAX can review progress over the years! Link HERE:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-L8e9W24ygnU0suaGyKxzi1PgPqY1CBd57hLrKTZI-g/edit#gid=116147269

TIME CALLED! Mosey BTTF to Cool Down & COT:

• Counterama # 10
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Comments)
• YHC took the PAX out in Prayer
• COFFEERAMA on the Tailgate!

NMS:  Brothers, you know how much YHC loves the spirit of F3 – what it stands for and why it works to save men’s lives. What YHC loves even more is the brotherhood we have, and it has been an incredible honor to be a part of so many amazing relationships with you all. YHC absorbs wisdom and character from each of you, and it has absolutely improved YHC’s quality of life and impact on those YHC loves and serves. Thank you SO MUCH for your faithfulness to The Forge and following YHC through some ridiculous physical challenges over the years – the New Glory today perhaps being one of the hardest! We have only begun to scratch the surface of what we are capable of as a tight community of faithful brothers – and my prayer is that God gives us the time and wisdom to take hard steps in serving our community and bringing in FNG’s – and so fulfill the purpose He has created us for. Yours Truly, DTH

For we are God’s workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Ephesians 2:10

4 HIM gathered at the Forge this morning waiting on a 5th that was supposed lead. 5:30 and Snuff is no where in sight, YHC was faster then Last Call on picking up the Q. So lets mosey out and see what YHC can come up with.

First parking lot down circle up

DQ’s, 5 Burpees, Helicopters, 4 Burpees, Imperial Squat Walkers, 3 Burpees. Russian Soldiers, 2 Burpees, SSH’s, 1 Burpee

Mosey to the bottom lot

Each PAX pick an exercise run up or down Mt Chaplain doing 10 of that exercise at each lot finish at the end with 5 burpees.

Mosey to the side of the school – partner 1 starts with dips while partner 2 runs to steps and does toothfairies up the steps and then back. set 2 and 3 wall sits and ?

mosey up and over to the ES different partner, partner 1 exercise while partner 2 runs around circle X3

Move to circle for curb crawls while last person does burpees and then takes the lead. One minute of toe taps

BTTF

Numbers / Names Last call took us out

NMS:

Texted with Snuff just to make sure he was okay and all is well with some life happens things that made him fart sack this morning. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as he goes through a work transition and other things that make life difficult. Sorry,

The hottest 7 man boy band in Metro RVA took the Forge stage for some good vibrations. With temps a balmy 68, and not a raindrop in sight, here’s what aired this morning on MTV:

The THANG:

WARMERAMA:

• Mosey loops to circle up in the lot
• Welcome & Disclaimer
• Variable Tryhard IC reps for a full body warm up

COP #1:

• Mosey down to the handicap rails
• Bear crawl first half of ramp
• Second half complete an Indigenous Peoples Jerkin Fest, with last man completing x5 Jerkins while the rest hold jerkin positing on the rail
• Finish off at the top with x20 Derkins and x20 Dips

COP #2:

• Mosey to the bottom on the lot and line up for “SheHateMe” – x20 lunges, x10 Groiners, and x10 Merkins – from one end of the parking lot to the other (took most x3 sets to traverse)

COP #3:

• Line up at the bottom of the grassy hill for a Dirty McDeuce
• Complete x4 sets of the following: x12 Merkins, x12 Am.Ham’s (2-ct), x12 Squats
• Between sets, Bear crawl up the hill or mosey down

COP #4:

• Run (not mosey or sprint) about 200 yards
• Partner up in the grass for x3 rounds of Dying Boxing Cockroaches 

Mosey BTTF:

• x4 Minutes of Mary

COT:

• Counterama # 7
• Namerama (welcome Marky Mark!)
• Announcerama (see Comments)
• YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:  Beautiful spring morning to welcome another FNG to the SOJ fold. Pat is a good friend from YHC’s church and he and his wife attend our Bible Study. Pat loves the Eagles, and he earned the nickname Marky Mark when nickname banter took us to remembering Mark Wahlberg’s role playing Vince Papale in the movie “Invincible”. Welcome bro!!! Appreciate you guys permitting me to lead. Yours, DTH

The PAX asked for shelter, but none was given. Here is a brief summary for your viewing pleasure.

Warm-up run around the 2 schools with 5 stops for “ab” exercises. Everyone got to pick one: Imperial Walkers, Pickle Pounders, Mountain Climbers, Squats/People’s Chair, one other that is slipping my mind. 25 count or so on each.

Exercise One: 7’s (same as 11’s, but shorter). Run up the hill, box jump up the amphitheater stairs. Exercises were burpees and WWII sit ups.

Exercise Two: Ring around the Toadie. Frog jumps around the perimeter of the big concrete square. Made it around 3 or 4 times. 50 count Monkey Humpers to wrap things up.

Exercise Three: Thrilla Gorillas – across the grass soccer field. Alternate between Bear Crawl and Murder Gorillas. Snuff appeared to crack the code on this one.

Exercise Four: Triple Check with Hand Release Merkins and Flutter Kicks. Runner does Bernie Sanders to the second light pole, runs back.

Mosey back towards the flag with 4 additional ab stops selected by the PAX: LBC’s, WW II sit ups, Rosalita Dips, Freddy Mercuries – 25 count.

Numbers/Names/Announcements

YHC took us out.

Final Thoughts:

Great effort by all on this rainy St. Patrick’s Day! Lots of male exotic dancer mumble chatter – what happens at the FORGE, stays at the FORGE. DTH, Bone Thugs, and Snuff will all be in our thoughts as they navigate work/life issues this week.

As always, it was honor to lead this fine group of gentleman.

An intimate foursome gathered in the forge gloom and each was asked “what do you need this morning?” Without a specific plan in mind, YHC gathered the PAX was interested in stretching, running DTH’s neighborhood hills, getting warm, and exercising the core. Service with a smile, here’s what we did:

The THANG:

WARMERAMA:

• Mosey loop
• Circle up for IC reps

COP #1:

• Cross Forrest Hill Ave for a  Neighborhood mosey, stopping periodically for variable IC reps, heavy focus on Core exercises, and some stretching as well

COP #2:

• Form up at the bottom of the Stratford Road “Love Hill” for a DORA
• x100 Merkins
• x200 Lunges (single-count)
• x300 Flutters (2-count)
• Moving partner runs to top of hill and back down to switch

Mosey BTTF:

• SNUFF led a few minutes of breathing exercises 

YHC apologizes – there was no formalized COT… but we had four Forge Vets who share life and love, and we ended our time with Namaste and Tailgate Coffeerama. 

NMS:  After leading some painful routines at Dogpile and NoToll, YHC was ready for something a little lighter today. The week has been extremely busy, and no plan was made, except to serve the PAX whatever they needed. We left no man behind, and we found each other stronger together at the end. God is good all the time, and giving Him  our burdens, relinquishing control of our lives to His perfect Love, is where we can find a peace that surpasses understanding. Love and Grace, DTH

Seven men rose from the fart sack this morn. Six dressed in their summer attire and one ready for the extended winter. A fun time was had by all until the clock struck 5.30 and off we jaunted to see what paraphernalia could be found lurking around Huguenot High School.

Mosey around the bus loop with some butt kickers, high knees, karaoke (both ways) and Bernie Sanders. Circle up for warmarama that included SSH’s, Helis, Dead Man Hang, Cherry Pickers, Merkins, Carolina X’s, Freddy Mecuries and LBC’s. Abs looking fit for bikini season, short mosey to the bottom of the hill for a…..

Triple Check: Timer runs the loop, Balls to the Wall and Heals to Heaven for the stragglers. Plank for the 6. Quick mosey to the amphitheater. Along the way stop on the hill for Clockwork Merkins: 1 merkin at 1:00, 2 merkins at 2:00, 3 merkins at 3:00, looking at you Chap. Burning in the shoulders, lets continue on to the amphitheater for…….

11’s: Box Jumps to the top, 1 derkin, mosey back to the bottom, 10 dips. Continue on until numbers are flipped. Bad idea. Still burns. Collect the 6 and lets mosey the rear drive for……

Lindsay: 30 Carolina Dry Docks (lot of shoulder work today)/10 World War II’s (rock hard abs boys). At every intersection reduce dry docks by 5, increase WWII by 5. Find that grass as soon as possible. Collect everyone at Forest Hill Avenue for….

Light Poles along the Avenue: Flip between 2 burpee and 2 Lt. Dans at every pole along Forest Hill all the way back to the flag.

Perfect Timing as time was called upon YHC’s arrival.

Numbers/Names/Prayers/Announcements

YHC took us out

Thoughts and Prayers for DTH and his M as family friends are battling recent health scares. Good luck and a reminder to all to get checked. Chaplain is leading clockwork merkins at Twin Team on Friday. Monthly Convergence at Dogpile on Saturday.

NMS: YHC was not sure what to do as the Q snuck up on him this morning. Great to have some warm temps to get the Forge regulars out of the fart sack. Doozy showed up in his winter attire expecting a blizzard or to protect his delicate skin from the rising sun. 3/4 through the workout he was shedding layers. Clockwork Merkins should not be followed by Derkins. Plenty of shoulder work today. Thank you boys for joining me. This is a great group and one I enjoy seeing on the regular.

Five high impact swingers left their morning wood in the fartsack and posted to the Forge to handle the good Doctor’s bells. Here’s how a good time was had by all:

The THANG:

WARMERAMA CIRCUIT:

• Warm up loop run to collect Dealer rolling in late
• Collect x3 KB’s (15lb, 30lb, 50lb) & YHC’s speaker rocking the tunes, and mosey long way around school to soccer field, stopping en route every 30-50yards for IC Reps, PAX switching KB carries between

COP #1:

• CIRCUIT #1 at the Soccer Field:
• PAX each take a Station and complete exercises while timer runs loop around soccer field
• Station 1 – 50lb KB Sumo Squats
• Station 2 – Timer Runs Field Perimeter
• Station 3 – 30lb KB Single Arm Rows (Alternated every 15 reps)
• Station 4 – Lt Dan’s
• Station 5 – 15lb KB American Hammers

COP #2:

• Mosey up to the Amphitheater 
• CIRCUIT #2: While the timer Tooth Fairies up the little steps and Crabwalks down the big steps, rest of PAX complete the following:
• Station 1 – 50lb Around the Body (Alternate directions)
• Station 2 – 30lb Bob & Weave
• Station 3 – Donkey Kicks
• Station 4 – 15lb KB Single Arm Lift and Overhead Press (Alternate Sides)
• Station 5 – Timer Tooth Fairies up, Crabwalk Down

Mosey BTTF for COT:

• Counterama #5
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Comments)
• BONE THUGS took the PAX out in Prayer
• Coffeerama on the Tailgate

NMS:  YHC loves the Forge and loves the men willing to bond together doing the hard thing. YHC recently added the 50lb KB to the home gym, and today was the perfect opportunity to introduce Big Bertha to the boys. She may have been too much to handle easily, but they all appreciated the way she made them groan and sweat. Try hard or die tryin! Special thanks to Bone Thugs for his meaningful encouragement & prayer. SYITG, DTH