Tag: The FORGE

A toasty dozen were piping hot out of the oven to see what YHC had planned the latest rendition of The Forge. No Snuff timer to see us off so technology was utilized. DTH provided the tunes, lets get this baby going.

Mosey around the bus loop including various movements such as but kickers, high knees, shuffle right and shuffle left. Circle up for introductions, disclaimers and warmarama that included the following: Invisible Jump Rope, Dead Man Hang, Jazzercise (with toe taps), Imperial Walkers, Hand Release Merkins, LBCs, Suzanne Summers on the left, Freddie Mercuries, ending with Suzanne Summers on the right.

Mosey down to the lower circle for triple check. Timer runs the loop, Australian mountain climbers, Hand Release Merkins. Continue on towards the amphitheater. Stopping on the hill along the way for some Clockwork Merkins & Clockwork WWII’s (revised to LBC’s if needed). Those sucked.

Onto the amphitheater for a 123 Dora. 100 Carolina Drydocks, 200 Squats, 300 LBC’s. Timer runs up the stairs around and back down.

Mosey out to the culdesac and partner with Catch Me if You Can. Bernie Sanders to the road, while partner performs 2 burpees and sprints to catch and replace. Stop at Forest Hill Avenue.

BTTVF along Forest Hill stopping at every pole along the way and perform either 2 burpees or 2 Lt. Dans.

5 seconds of Mary where we performed 5 arm circles to make Senor Frog smile.

Numbers, Names, Prayers and Announcements. Grow Ruck on Saturday. Come eat some Chef Dry Rub smoked meats on Friday night at Bon Air Community Center beginning at 6. See Slack for Deets. Monthly Challenge for May includes F3 Weight Watchers to get into bikini shape. Muscle tans quicker than fat I suppose. Prayers to L Woods father and DTH father in law as they work thru some recent health issues.

YHC took us out.

Naked Moleskin: Great turnout for a steamy morning at the Forge. Tremendous energy and ample mumble chatter throughout the beatdown. Good to see Handshake and Senor Frog becoming Forge regulars. Singer’s house is going on the market if they want to make the jump to the cooler side of the river, Jorts could be negotiated as an incentive. DTH provided the sound track for this morning. Good mix of tunes and tales along the way. Enjoy the weekend fellas. Appreciate the opportunity to lead.

Happy Birthday Wedding Singer.

16 men gathered for this weeks episode of The Forge. After a brief disclaimer and description of YHC’s SOJ-ness we began with a COP. Last Call was a bit cheeky so he was given the Upchuck treatment and off campus we went. With so many options with the MASSIVE AO YHC decided to give The Forge men a taste of First Watch. A hilly neighborhood street can be its own AO.

Mosey across Forest Hill Avenue and down Lansbury to the intersection of Lansbury and Stratford Road. Partner up for a Dora. P1 starts working on 100 HRM’s while P2 runs to the Boulder and back, switch. Next up 200 Squats, lastly 300 Single Count Flutter Kicks. Roughly after the HRM’s were completed we started our route back up the hill using the Boulder as a starting point and a mailbox as the new marker. Lastly as we started our last exercise we moved a little further back up the hill.

Stop and do some stretching while waiting for the 6 to get in. Next up, Bear Crawl to the next mailbox then switch to a Crab Walk.

Get back with your partner and P1 does 10 Boxing Dying Cockroaches then switch to P2. Followed by 10 Boo yeah Merkins and then 10 Boo yeah WWII’s. Do these in the same location for 2 rounds and then wait for the 6. Bernie Sanders up the hill almost to the top and complete the 3rd round.

Get in a line roughly arms length apart and lay flat on the ground (perpendicular to the road) arms over stretched out for a Pencil Roll Train. 3 Count exercise to a total of 5. A disclaimer was given to not get up afterwards, or to not move. The Pax quickly realized how disorienting the Pencil Roll can be.

Mosey back to the Flag for 45 seconds off WWII’s to finish.

NMS – It was a great morning for a workout. P-Trap was out after a multi-year hiatus, lots of faces YHC is not familiar with. YHC arrived about 15 minutes early to scout the AO but decided to see what the area offsite could offer. Thanks to the Pax for the opportunity to lead and for humbling YHC with the Pencil Roll Train.

Announcements – Grow Ruck, Grow School at Hardywoods house, Kingbuilder that Saturday morning at Dogpile. Tons of VQ’s coming up. Blacktop on Monday 4/22 at The Alamo, L Woods Tuesday 4/23 at No Toll, Broadway on Wednesday 4/24 at The Crossing, Sable on Thursday 4/25 at The Forge and lastly Rudy on Thursday 4/25 at Timberwolf. Great job to Pax for pumping out the VQ’s. Monday’s VQ’s at The Alamo is fundraiser. For every Pax in attendance there will be $10 donated to Pediatric Cancer research.

Prayer Requests – my M’s cousin Charlotte who is battling Bone Cancer, it was her birthday yesterday. Machismos neighbor(s). One who is battling cancer and another who recently passed of cancer.

Way to start the day, guys!

At 04:59 a distress signal from Chaplain suffering a Migraine got the DTH gears churning for how to bring the Forge PAX a decent beatdown. But YHC needed help having woken up feeling bone weary after a 72hr whirlwind of other beatdowns. Inspired by the presence of Handshake, YHC looked back in the Q-annals and chose the first Forge beatdown of 2024 to replicate. So, YHC handed off the Q to a very energetic January 2024 virtual DTH, put on some slammin beatdown beats, and we got to work!

The THANG: 

LOVE HILL WARMERAMA: 

• Mosey to the bottom of Love Hill and circle up
• Welcome & Disclaimer
• Variable IC Reps with a run half way up and down the hill between sets

COP #1: 

• BATTAN DEATH MARCH 
• Line up at bottom of handicap ramp, Lunge walk length of ramp with last man doing x3 Burpees then running to front

COP #2:

• BAR BUDDY
• Partner up and complete x3 Rounds of:
• x10 Jerkins each
• x10 Cliffhanger Mericans

COP #3:

• Mosey up to the school awning
• Circle up in elbow plank to review the F3 Mission, Credo, and 5 Core Principles 
• MUSICAL MARY – Complete a wide variety of core exercises to the beat of the music, including all 5 minutes of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

COP #4:

• Mosey around to the Amphitheater
• BOX JUMP LINDSEY
• Incline Mericans on the bottom step 30-25-20-15-10
• Groiners at the top 10-15-20-25-30
• Box Jump steps between
• ABC’s for the SIX

COP #5:

• Begin to mosey BTTF
• Stop for the ECHO CHAMBER
• People’s Chair
• Hoedowns IC
• BTTW, Hip Slappers IC if you’ve got it
• Milkers IC
• Donkey Kick-Off’s (up to 20)

Mosey BTTF for COT:

• Counterama # 12
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Below)
• DTH took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:

• Many thanks to January DTH for leading today. That level of beatdown would certainly not have happened without him taking the reins. YHC really needed the accountability after NTB’s smokefest ruck bootcamp at NoToll, yesterday mornings heavy-duty OTB ruck, and Meatball’s COP-fest at the Crossing last night. Also appreciate Handshake crossing the river, and TClaps to Snip posting twice in his first week! And now, YHC is going to go hibernate until Rockwood. Love you guys, DTH

Prayer Requests

• Chaplain – Migraine today
• Handshake – niece Charlotte bone cancer 
• Last Call – tough life at present, deep thx to PAX for the camaraderie and laughs
• Bone Thugs – knee meniscus issues

Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

• Don’t forget to add your emergency contact on Slack and the Excel Spreadsheet!
• REGISTER for GROWRUCK! https://growruck.com/event/gte-47/

10 men in the rain and the gloom with the tunes. Flagpole warmarama with the usual SSHs, DQs, Imperial Squat Walkers, etc.

Mosey to the wall for the Pigskin special: wall sits (Muhammad Alis, milkers, Hoedowns), balls to the wall (hip slaps, Australian mtn climbers, toe taps) and donkey kicks, repeato x3 and finish with a dirty hookup.

Down the stairs for a triple check: jump squats, dips and run the loop. Some minor grumbling about the rain so we moseyed to the club: Snuff Underground.

Triple check in the dry: WW2s, plank jacks with the timer on the small loop. Then 11s across the short space: ball dipper and hand-release mirkins. The music was pumping.

Mosey back to the flag to finish on time.

COT: Prayers for Scram’s mom as she enters hospice. She does so in high spirits with characteristic personality. She takes those last few steps down her path and we are the ones who are left behind. Take today to honor the mothers in your life: they brought us in to this world, and our children into this world, they are truly blessed.

A welcoming mixture 10 P T P’rs and diaper dandees stormed the courts of Huguenot High to discuss busted brackets and cutting the cheese. Here is the hilarity that ensued according to those that care.

Slow mosey to the cul-de-sac for introductions, disclaimers and warmups that included SSH, DQ, Dead Man Hang, Jazzercise (with toe taps), Reverse Crunch, Suzanne Summers on the left, APD’s, Suzanne Summers on the right. No complaints were heard so let us continue.

THE THANG: Lightpole 11’s back up the hill. 2 Count Mountain Climbers and Jump Squats.

Upon completion at the lower parking lot let us begin the bracket 4 corners.

1st Round: 64 Monkey Humpers at each corner. Mosey the long stretches, Bear Crawl/Lunge the shorts.

2nd Round: 32 2 count American Hammers at each corner. Mosey the longs, Bear Crawl/Lunge the shorts.

Mosey to the middle lot for a venue change:

Sweet 16: 16 HRMerkins at each corner. Mosey the longs, Bear Crawl/Lunge the shorts.

Elite 8: 8 WWII’s at each corner. Mosey the longs, Bear Crawl/Lunge the shorts.

Mosey to top lot for a venue change:

Final 4: 4 Lt. Dans/2 Burpees at each corner. Mosey between each corner.

BTTVF. Numbers, Names, Announcements, Prayers. YHC took us out.

Announcements/Prayers: See slack for Splinter bracket challenge ($10/entry). Prayers to Bone Thugs and his knee. Prayers to Machismo’s neighbor who recently entered hospice.

NMS: In honor of the upcoming basketball weekend, YHC wanted to incorporate this theme. Good to see Bromance back out after his initiation at No Toll. Great work this morning fellas. Hoping for springier conditions soon.

11 country boys rolled up to the Forge Truck Stop to show off their lift kits and knobby mud tires treads. A few showed up in cars but expressed they’d be trading them in for pickups this weekend. 

WARMERAMA: Mosey to bus loop and circle up. YHC led PAX through SSHs, Dead Man Hangs, Cherry pickers, ‘Mericans, planks, LBCs…

COP #1: The BEAST – 6 exercises, performing 6 reps at 6 stops on the football field). Start at goal line, sprint to 25yd line and do 6 reps, then to 50yd line and do 6 reps, then to 25yd line in other side of field and do 6 reps, then turn around and come back making each stop. Hold Plank until six is in. Exercises: Rd. 1 – Merkins; Rd. 2 – WWIs; Rd. 3 – Walking lunges; ; Rd. 4 – Burpees; Rd. 5 – American Hammers; Rd. 6 – Jump squats

Mosey to wall for a minute of People’s Chair. 

COP #2: Build a Beast – Find a hill then: 5 Burpees, run up and back; 5 Burpees, 5 Scrunchy Frogs, run up and back; 5 Burpees, 5 Scrunchy Frogs, 10 Ball Dippers

COP #3: Sprint for the Stars and Stripes – 75% sprint across parking lot to flag. Drop for 10 Americans at flag. Jog back to start line; 100% sprint across parking lot to flag. Drop for 10 Shoulder Tap Pushups

Circle up for plank and 10-count of Mountain Climbers in cadence. MOSEY BTTF

COT: Counterama #11; Namerama; Announcerama; YHC took PAX out in prayer

NMS: Good crowd today. Inspiring to see so many men pushing themselves to be better. Glad to welcome FNG TIN MAN into our fold. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Register for GrowRuck. Practice on Saturday at 06:00 before Rock n Roll. Or on Sunday at 06:00 at Forest Hill Park Stone House (ends 08:00). DTH will have a treat for those who show up on Sunday. 

PRAYERS: Prayers for Marie (Machismo’s friend) and anyone/anything else we were thinking about this morning but did verbalize.

Nine PAX, including the latest FNG from the DTH Practice pipeline, posted to the Forge for something challenging – they were presented with the NEW GLORY, a more than sufficient challenge for all comers. This periodic routine, similar to the Old Glory enjoyed by NoTollers earlier this week, provides a measure of physical fitness. The goal would be to outdo prior scores/times. Since almost all of our PAX today completed this for the first time – they have established a baseline. Here follows what these SOJ heroes accomplished this morning:

The THANG: 

WARMERAMA:

• Brief running tour around the NG circuit highlighting each of the 14 COP’s
• Circle up for Disclaimer and a few Warmerama reps IC
• Stretch awaiting the 05:40 kickoff time

NEW GLORY

• Complete as many rounds as possible within the 30 minute timeframe, ideally maintaining good form
• 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 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 

NEW GLORY completion points have been posted on the F3RVA Challenge Spreadsheet, where PAX can review progress over the years!

Mosey BTTF for COT:

• Counterama # 9
• Namerama
• Announcerama (see Below)
• HP took the PAX out in Prayer

NMS:  A big welcome to Alex, renamed SABLE today after his home-country of Zimbabwe’s Rugby Team – he joined us yesterday for the H.Flatwater ruck, and also did very well with the NG course today. Also GREAT work from many others who tackled the New Glory for the first time today. YHC will look to Q this again in the Summer so you all can make an attempt to improve your time, though that may be challenging for NTB and State Farm who absolutely crushed three full rounds today! 🙌💪 Keep posting fellas! YHC, DTH

Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

• Come out for a Ruck 6-7am on Saturday before the 7am DTH beatdown at Rock&Roll – come out to support another FNG posting that morning! 
• Sign up for Growruck! https://growruck.com/event/gte-47/
• Order a Growruck shirt! https://f3gear.com/collections/active-preorders/products/f3-gte47-f3rva-pre-order-january-2024?variant=43276169576636

Prayer Requests:

• Family illnesses and challenges

Four frozen FORGE faithfuls came out on their bonus day of the year hoping YHC would find a dry patch of ground somewhere on semi-hallowed grounds of Huguenot High. Following the sage advice of Van Halen, YHC thought we might as well jump, and jump a lot, on this special leap day. We set off on a long mosey to the turf football field where a hobbled Don Draper caught up to the PAX for the following:

WARMARAMA

• Circle up in the end zone for IC movements such as SSH, Hill Billy’s, Helicopters, Merkins, etc.

COP #1: Longest Yard

Line up along the goal line for a sustained drive of broad-LEAP burpees that even Christian McCaffrey would have difficulty completing. Stop every 10 yds to perform the movement corresponding to the yardage marker:

• 10 Bobby Hurley’s / 20 Pickle Pounders / 30 Apolo Ohno’s (double count) / 40 Australian Snowmen / 50 SSH / 40 Australian Snowmen / 30 Apolo Ohno’s (double count) / 20 Pickle Pounders / 10 Bobby Hurley’s… touchdown!

Last Call displayed incredible athletic prowess with 7-9yd leaps with each burpee, and Don Draper learned of Bobby Hurley. All in all we hit the endzone winded and educated!

COP #2: Chillcut Leap Frog

We have to get back to the gate somehow, why don’t we leap frog!? Each of the PAX lines up chillcut style along the hash line while the PAX leap frog one another down the field. All in all a nice duration for an ab-burner.

COP #3: Super Mario Triple Check

Mosey to the amphitheater for a triple check. Sticking with the leaping theme, the timer jumps the stairs/retaining wall while the PAX performs flutter kicks, hand-release merkins, and LBCs.

COP #4: The People’s Tooth Fairy

Mosey up and down the hill over near the courtyard of the damned that Chaplain introduced to us on Tuesday. Line up for people’s chair. The first PAX leaves the wall to tooth fairy merkin up two flights of stairs and resumes people’s chair at the top while the rest of the PAX follow one at a time. Last Call brought in the six and gave us a quick 30-count from the chair position to release us to mosey back to the flag.

COT: Numbers/Names/Announcements/Prayer

• Continue to pray for Don Draper’s flirtatious relationship with IR.
• Reminder to grab a buddy and sign-up for Breaking Bread on the Q-sheet.
• YHC took us out.