Tag: The FORGE

The misty gloom of the Forge embraced six strong HIM’s. In stark contrast to fartsack idealism, today’s beatdown delivered the PAX to new heights of strength and perseverance. 

The THANG:

COP #1:

• Welcome & F3 Disclaimer
• Knollercoaster WakeUp:
• x10 Squats at the bottoms
• x10 Groiners at the tops
• Upon Groiner completion, run to bottom of hill then back to top before moving to  the next knoll

COP #2:

• Mosey down to the Culdesac stopping at each light pole en route, alternating x6 Merkins with x6 Lunge steps
• Circle up for a DTH Warmerama IC

COP #3:

• Bernie Sanders all the way back up to Forrest Ave, stopping at each light pole en route, alternating x6 WWII with x6 Broad Jumps

COP #4:

• Mosey across Forrest Ave and down to the DTH estate
• Retrieve a 200lb Railroad Tie and bring out to the road for FIFTIES:
• x50 reps of a called exercise
• PAX take turns team-carrying railroad ties between sets

Swing by Stratford’s Love Hill en route BTTF, then circle up for COT:

• Counterama # 6
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Comments)
• YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:

• Smaller group today made for great conversation, and the PAX pushed hard to sweat through the routines. Yes, YHC said sweat… Richmond 90 degree summers will be here before we know it.  Best to get out there and enjoy the  seriously perfect weather while we’ve got it! YHC also enjoyed bringing the PAX over to the house for a little railroad tie work. They’re heavier than expected, but the PAX did a great job making sure lifting/carrying/dropping was done safely. GREAT to spend time w you guys this AM. SYITG, DTH

7 SOJ Diaper Dandies along with 1 four legged companion descended on the sunny and 70 courts of The Forge for a March Madness NCAA Tournament style beatdown of the ages. Many entered but only 1 team prevailed. According to the legendary Dicky V, the excitement on the hardcourt was unbelievable Baby!!!

Mosey to the covered entrance of the High School for Warmarama including SSH’s, Cherry Pickers, Dead Man Hang, Imperial Walkers, Freddie Mecuries, LBC’s and possibly other exercises.

THE THANG: Mosey to Middle School for a revised 4 corners. 4 rounds of exercises performed in the nestled bosom of Mary’s Boudoir. After the 1st round quick lap around the bus loop, returning to perform 2nd round. Following the 2nd round perform exercise to the far end of the covering to perform the 3rd round. Perform same exercise back to the near end of the covering and perform the final round. Front Running Bastards (FRB) hold for the 6. Exercises included:

64 Monkey Humpers, Mosey around the circle, Mosey under the covers.

32 Merkins, Bernie Sanders around the circle, Crabwalks under the covers.

16 WWII’s, Caroke around the circle, Bear Crawl under the covers

8 Hydrolic Elbow Planks, High Knees around the circle, Broad Jumps under the covers

4 Lt. Dans, Buttkickers around the circle, Lunge under the covers

2 Burpees, Sprint around the circle, Broad Jumps under the covers

100 SSH, Mosey to the light pole, Murder Gorillas under the covers. Modify to 50 SSH due to time.

BTTF for Numbers, Names, Announcements, YHC took us out.

HDHH – Wednesday March 24th Hardywood West Creek 6-whenever; Boberry is running a blood drive May 1, details to follow; Chaplain has the Q tomorrow at Twin Team – come out and see what he has in store.

NMS: Thankful for the brotherhood and the comradery this morning. Tremendous respect for this group of men to brave the weather conditions to make themselves and each other better men. Looking back on the past year, I am grateful to have the PAX to bring normalcy and constant encouragement to make the most of everyday, being the positive influence in life and make each other better with support. Each one of us has our reasons for waking up everyday in the gloom, fighting every excuse not to show up. Instead of giving into the easy temptation, we rise up, not knowing what will occur and we all leave 45 minutes later, feeling accomplished and ready to overcome the next hurdle. Thank you for being the inspiration to start everyday. We are all better because of the support we give to each other.

Nine HIM’s welcomed a blood red sunrise at the Forge with the following beatdown to end all beatdowns:

WARMERAMA:

• Variable Mosey around to the wall
• Welcome & F3 Disclaimer
• Donkey Kick-offs (got up to 20)
• Circle up for the usual DTH reps IC

THE THANG:

• Old 100 on Mt Chaplain
• 100 reps at the bottom, 90 top, 80 bottom, 70 top, ….down to a 10 burpees finale
• First man to complete reps calls out and entire PAX stops to mosey
• Plank or Hollow-Body Hold for the SIX
• Variable reps of different exercises completed at each of SIX landings en route from top to bottom & bottom to top
• There were lots of different reps
• It was very difficult

Mosey BTTF for COT:

• Counterama # 9
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Comments)
• YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:

• Last week the PAX was surprised when Chaplain didn’t use his namesake routine. Then the man no-shows for the hardest version of Mt Chaplain to date. We’re sensing Chap may not like his Mount very much after all. Great to have Flange back out after his winter hibernation, and T claps to Roger Roger for making the long trek down. As the PAX was completing their gruesome Old Hundo, trucks and vans started assembling in the lower parking lot, which Snuff expertly recognized as a film crew setting something up. Apparently Michael Keeton is in town and filming a series about the opioid crisis… YHC looked it up and it’s called “Dopesick”, and will show as a limited series on Hulu. Anyway, the PAX was totally ready for Batman to join us on Mt Chaplain. Maybe next time. 

At 5:30 am, we fired up The Forge once again. 9 strong emerged from the gloom to challenge themselves and continue on a journey of self-improvement. A summary for your viewing pleasure:

No warm up needed – started out on the grassy knolls: bear crawl up, lunge walk across, crab walk down.

COP: No counting needed! – walking Russian Soldiers, walking helicopters, walking arm circles, walking Hillbillies, walking Lt. Dans. 20 count Alabama Prom Date oyo.

Mosey down to the ampitheatre for the Balls to the Wall Challenge. One man runs to the bleachers while the PAX assumes the position. 25 ct. LBC’s between each set. Keep going until everyone has run.

Mosey to west side for a triple check: Heals to Heaven, Elbow Plank, Weaving under the handrail to the tree – sorry for those who went further on the first set!

Back towards the flag completing 2 burpees at each light pole.

Got in some much needed stretching to close out the final 2 minutes.

Counterama, Namearama. YHC lead us out.

Prayers for Doublemint who was facing a challenging day. He provided some great perspective on how the group has assisted with mental strength and pushing oneself out of you comfort zone. A welcomed discussion to balance out our normal juvenile banter.

Great work to all the PAX today – you guys killed it!

Gather around my friends and I will tell you a tale:  a tale of one man’s quest to lead a group of warriors without his winky. What could possibly go wrong?  Yikes.  So according to the guy that opened up the hottest fake restaurant in New York City, it went a little something like this:

SO IT BEGINS:

COP:

SSH, DQ’s, Helicopters, Arm Circles, Scorpion Kicks

THE Battle:

ThunderCats: 

1. Cat crawl on the parking lot line
2. At end of line, 3 Super Burpees
3. Lunge to the next line
4. Repeato
5. Reverseo

Lazy DORA: (Group of 2, 1 partner does wall sits/alternates every 25 reps)

x100 American Hammers

x200 WWII’s

x300 Flutter Kicks

We ran around bus loop.

Ran to the Second loop: Bear crawl, lunge, Bear crawl.

Sprints:

25%  High Knees

50%  High Knees

75%  High Knees

100% Bernie Back, bonus 100% because it was so much fun.

Back to the flag:

2 burpees at each lightpole

Core Ring of Fire

Counterama 

Namerama

Announcerama (see Comments)

Prayer Requests

Closing quote:

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”  Lao Tzu

YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

“I do not think I’ll ever forget this Q!  While it started off well, I totally butchered the Dora!  I thank everyone for being patient with me and helping me laugh my way through it!  The laughs were a plenty! Thankfully, we pressed on and finished strong!

 Lord, sometimes we go off the rails and make mistakes in life, but with your grace and the encouragement of the people who love us, we are given the opportunity to rise up, learn from it, and finish strong.  We just have to take it.  

Greet the day with a grateful heart, and I will see you at the crossroads!”

A dynamic duo didn’t succumb to the weatherman’s lies, and posted to the Forge to snuff out the flame of sloth and embrace the suck of self-discipline. Here’s what spontaneity produced:

The THANG:

THE DESCENT:

• x10 Lunges ea light pole down to the culdesac

CULDESAC MINI COP:

• SSH, DQ’s, SquatWalkers

THE ASCENT:

• x3 Burpees ea light pole going back up, alternating Run, Bernie, Caraoke, or Bear crawl between poles

ELEVENS:

• Between bus loop curbs
• 2-Count Am Hams 
• Lt Dans
• Lunge or Bearcrawl between sides

MARY’s BOUDOIR:

• Under the dry awning of the Middle School
• DORA:
• x100 WWII
• x200 Pole Smokers
• x300 Mtn Climbers
• Moving partner uses the picnic table to complete x10 Dips and x10 Derkins (later switched to incline merkins)

COT:

• Counterama #2 + Cooper
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Comments)
• YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:

• With the big ice storm predictions, YHC was anticipating a solo workout with Cooper, but Doublemint saved the day. YHC had completed a similar routine on Sunday AM having missed Dogpile, but Doublemint was handy with some painful augmentations. Mary’s Boudoir has proven useful once again as a dry spot during inclement weather, and today’s blustery freezing rain was certainly worthwhile escaping from. SYITG, YHC, DTH

Five evaded the fart sack to bring sunny and seventy to the Forge. It was awesome, as follows:

The THANG:

COP #1:

• Mosey down the lot and circle up
• Welcome & F3 Disclaimer
• The usual DTH Warmerama while awaiting Fresh Prince

COP #2:

• Mosey back past the DTH mobile and retrieve the bricks, F3 deck, and speaker
• Circle up at the 3rd lot, school side (near benches, steps, and rails)
• With bricks in hand and beats thumping, the PAX completed x6 Rounds
• Each Round:  x5 cards IC or OYO separated by either a run around the lot, Tooth Fairies on the steps, Bernie around the lot, or Jerkins in the bars.

Mosey BTTF for COT:

• Counterama # 5
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Comments)
• YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:

• Today’s routine proved both simple and challenging – credit to the beatdown deck for delivering, as usual. Special thanks to Roger Roger making the trek down to SOJ. Cooper gave him a whole lotta love. And thanks to Bone Thugs providing some humorous mumble chatter in the absence of Hardywood’s usual effervescence. Thank you for letting me lead. YHC, DTH

6 Studly Warriors, 1 Dog and 3/4 of the stud that resembled Doublemint fought back the temptations of sleeping the morning away and arrived to fine the crisp embrace of the Forge. Temps in the teens but Huguenot High School was sunny and mid 70’s. 5.30 hit with Snuff and Chaplin coming in hot and off the PAX traveled.

Short Mosey to the 2nd parking lot for warmarama including SSH’s, DQ’s, Russian Soldiers, Collard Pickers, Dead Man Hang. Snuff was given the choice of the easy or hard way. Speaking for the PAX, Snuff decided the infamous red pill. Off we go…

Short Mosey to the Bus Loop for the Pill Workout (future name TBD). 10 exercises with 20 reps each, ladder style with a lap around the bus loop after each round. Ex: 20 Merkins, run lap; 20 Merkins, 20 Imperial Squat Walkers, run lap; 20 Merkins, 20 Imperial Squat Walkers, 20 WWII’s, run lap……..you get the idea. Total count of exercises completed: 200 Merkins, 180 Imperial Squat Walkers, 160 WWII’s, 140 Carolina Dry Docks, 120 Dips, 100 2 count American Hammers, 80 Curls for the Girls, 60 Block Squat Thrusters, 40 V Ups, 20 Burpees. Time called at completion.

BTTF for Names, Numbers, Announcements, YHC took us out

NMS: Good turnout the morning at the Forge. Good to see Doublemint, or what is left of him, back out in the cold. Nothing eases your way back into things like this EF Hutton inspired workout. T-claps to Hardywood and Doozy for pushing each other for a record finish. Both started the climb back down the ladder before time was called. PAX completed the workout right as time was called, great job fellas. Plenty of mumble chatter this morning as it is always good to have the regulars out. DTH threatened to fartsack, blaming his recent vaccine treatment but it seems his M would have none of that. Chap and Snuff continue to grind it out with good chatter along the way.

Always great to start the day with you boys. SYITG

Richmond’s hottest gloom club, known to the city’s all nighters as El Forjé put on a special show this morning, with cocaine dusting every mirrored surface. Five regular rave junkies flocked to the scene wearing nothing but banana hammocks and powder snorkels. The music thumped, the alter in memory of Hardywood, gloriously sequenced with neon ecstasy was duly thronged, and RPD showed up to shut things down but joined the party after just a few hits of aerosolized cocaine. Here’s how the police reported it:

The THANG:

COP #1:

• Mosey over to the Bus Loop & Circle Up
• Welcome & F3 Disclaimer
• EYE OF THE TIGER WARMERAMA:
• SSH’s
• Imperial Walkers
• Russian Soldiers
• Squats
• Crab Cakes
• Merkans
• Groiners
• SSH’s

COP #2:

• Mosey to the Amphitheater, Classic Rock keepin the beat
• TABATA TIME:
• 30s Exercise, 30s Box Jump Steps & Return
• x9 Rounds rotating through:
• Merkins
• Donkey Kicks
• Dips

COP #3:

• Mosey over to Mary’s Boudoir (covered space of Middle School)
• Classic Rock Playlist continues
• Partner up for a CONE DORA:
• x100 WWII’s
• x200 Heels-to-Heaven
• x300 Flutters (2-ct)
• Moving partner runs around the loop, stopping at each of the x10 cones to complete a Broad Jump Burpee

Time filler Moseycizes a couple laps around the bus loop – Bernie, Shuffle Rt, Shuffle Lt, High Knees, Butt Kickers, etc

Mosey BTTF for COT:

• Counterama # 5
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Comments)
• DOOZY took us out in Prayer

NMS:

• Beautiful first snowfall of the year welcomed a faithful few to the Forge, and YHC pulled out a fun routine from last year at NoToll. The quads and core really felt it today but the classic rock was a motivating accompaniment to the pain. All in all, no better way to start the day! LOVE spending time with my F3 brothers. See ya’ll at Dogpile, YHC, DTH

Three typical suspects arrived, close enough to the start time and commenced.

Mosey to school – warm up: SSH, Don Q, Squats, Russian Soldier, Hand release merkins, Freddie mercury

Mosey to far parking lot loop – infinity loops (figure 8 between two parking lot loops) with increasing merkins beginning with 1 per loop, increasing by 1 up to 21.

Blimp – 5 burpee broad jumps, 10 lunges, 15 imperial squat walker, 20 polar bear -across another bus loop.

triple check – peoples chair,reverse crunch, run around bus loop

Blimp – repeat above across to other bus loop.

triple check – backwards run bus loop, SSH, WWII situps

Sprint to flag – 2 minutes of Mary.

Numbers greatly reduced from previous weeks, perhaps it’s the cold, perhaps it’s the raging pandemic. YHC had another workout in mind, but kept it on the shelf due to the low numbers and just winged it. Still, maintaining social distancing was to be observed and preserved.

Fresh Prince relayed his morning routine per YHC’s request, he’s nothing short of consistent with his arrival time 2 minutes beyond 5:30.

Doozy is selling squares for the Superbowl to help raise money for hid kid’s Cooperstown baseball trip this summer. Let’s support the man.

-Singer