Author: Lockjaw

  • Illuminated Minions

    YHC wanted to run the bridge this morning hoping to catch a sunrise over the bridge before the time change next weekend reverts us back to morning darkness.

    The Routes – Over the river and downstream to appropriate turn arounds at Shirley (Shirley you must be kidding!) for the 5s, and beyond the quarry for the 6s.  It seems this RVA Pax is geographically challenged as most of the route overview was spent conveying which way the river flows.  A couple of the Pax, not naming names, need a compass.

    Shakedown and I came across a group of about 30 or so runners with nearly identical running headlamps and reflective running jackets.  Who they were we may never know, but they were a sight indeed, and in fact the name of this backblast.  Upon our return trip over the bridge we could see them coming upstream next to the river with their reflection in the water.  Running with a photographer (Shakedown) with a good eye granted YHC awareness of the awe of what is visible, but not necessarily apparent.

    Announcements:

    • Congrats TYA on the 100 miler.  Quite an accomplishment indeed.  I hope your crew has a speedy recovery as well.
    • CSAUP is upon us.  We need Tuckahoe nano-region non-CSAUP-runners (Pucker, Ronnie, TwoCan, Plush, Keymaster, and so on) to man our party zone for a few hours late night on the 13th.  See Lockjaw if a couple of you can do that.
    • Good Luck for those doing Bel Monte (Upchuck, Honey Do, Flashdance, and Shakedown) this weekend.  Its going to be a great run.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Oil Cans and Tube Socks

    13 stallions came by foot to see what all the noise was outside with the wind.  It seems that the wind woke many of us up in the early morning hours providing some lethargy pre-run.

    Off we go on the Reverse Carillon routes of 4, 5, and 6 mile varieties.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    It’s great to see some new runners coming out.  CSAUP training is in full bloom with Kubota, KeyMaster, Bootleg to name a few.  Spit lit up the 5 mile route today and it’s always good to have a rare Fudd sighting.

    Speaking of sightings, Labrat resumed running today.  Today’s backblast title comes from a post-run Labrat conversation that Lockjaw overhead.  Seems the Rat was doing some contrasting with Saab.  Never a dull moment with this crowd.

    Announcements:

    • TYA starts his 100 miler tomorrow.  Keep him in your thoughts through the weekend.  Not because of the run, but rather for his safety in riding in a RV across three states in high winds with Saab, Circle K, and Swirly at the wheel.  Might as well keep him in your thoughts for the run as well.
    • Post-CSAUP festivities – We are looking for non-running PAX who are able to set up the finish line festivities.  Inquiries can be made with Lockjaw, TYA, Rosie, or Honey Do.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Just a Walk in the Dog Park

    12 redwoods and a FNG showed up for perfect beat down weather.  As typical for Hoedown, it was dark and a little rainy, but 70 and sunny when we started.

    Commence with 6/10ths of a mile run around to Dogwood Park.  Chase the owl away, scan for dogpiles, and a quick disclaimer as well as welcome FNG Jim.

    COP

    • Don Quixote
    • Helicopters
    • Arm Circles
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Invisible Jumprope

    Dora

    • Partner 1 – 100 Monkey Humpers, 200 LBC, 300 Flutter Kicks
    • Partner 2 – Bear Crawl up the hill and come down the hill anyway you want as long as not on two legs.

    Lindsays in the playground – Derkins off of the benches/toys and American Hammers.

    Those with headlights illuminated safe passage across the creek as none of the Pax fell in the water nor fell on the rocks.  This puts us out at the bottom of Lindsay Court.  Partner up.

    • Partner 1 run 4-5 driveways up and back.
    • Partner 2 does standing broad jump up the hill.  Reverso
    • Repeat with Lunges and Russian Soldiers to the top of the hill.

    Mosey over to VSF for Mary:

    • Hello Dollies
    • One Legged APDs (sounds redundant, right?) – left leg and then right leg
    • Rosalitas

    Quick ring of fire.

    Honey Do took us out.

    NMS:

    It was great to have a FNG out today.  The Tuckahoe nano-region was pretty nice with the names today.  Plush lives directly across the street from the AO, which is a good way to continue to join us or have to listen to us in the early morning hours outside his house.  We hope to see him out again soon.

    So it turns out it wasn’t just one owl in the park.  It sounded like several.  While YHC was doing LBCs, I thought about how easy a target we would be for an owl attack.  They were certainly vocal and wanted their park back.  Perhaps Saab can tell us about his owl encounter sometime.

    Nothing much to report on Lindsay other than an overwhelming smell of fruit loops in front of one drive way.  Either we stumbled across a hidden stash of the fine cereal or something else.  After consulting google, Sassafras produces a strong smell similar to fruit loops.  Now we know.

    We returned to the AO and came across a refreshed Keymaster.  It was as if he was impervious to the effects of the workout and it showed in the ring of fire and mary.  #showupontimeorbeleftbehind

    CSAUP is upon us.  Still not to late to join a team.

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

     

     

  • This Route Sponsored By…

    18 of RVA’s finest runners showed up for perfect running weather to get some miles in for an array of upcoming events.  Cool and rainy, but not too cold, means optimal running.

    Today we did the Hamilton route.  All parties east on Grove and North on Hamilton.  At Westwood, 6s take a right while 4s and 5s take a left.  6s loop around to the Blvd and then Grove back the VSF.  4s/5s take Westwood/Malvern to Patterson and head west.  4s turn on Westmoreland back to Grove.  5s continue further to Lexington/Albemarle to Grove.

    TYA took us out.

    NMS:

    It was good to see the great turn out today, especially from 2Kanne and the D-ville contingent.  The 5s ran today as a pack of wolves, pushing the pace along the way.  Spit set the tone for the last half mile as he found a higher gear and took off.

    For those unfamiliar with this route, it passes by a large Woodfin complex illuminated like an advertisement for WDog.  This route is officially sponsored.

    Post run discussion centered around CSAUP teams, Breaking Bread (see Kubota), and TYA’s favorite New England hotel.

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

  • Name That Route

    9 runners of the two legged variety and 1 four legged canine runner embraced spring like weather for a run.

    We did the nameless route that we did a couple of weeks ago when it snowed.  Today we did it in reverse.

    Here is the 5 mile variation of the route.  Six milers swing out to Marv’s house for a more true figure 8.

    Marv took us out.

    NMS:

    Spring was in the air today not only in temperature, but with a chorus of frogs singing along the canal.  Speaking of creatures with habits, there was another Keymaster sighting about a tenth of a mile from where we saw him the other time we did this route.  Tuesday at this time, you can set your watch to Keymaster.  When we called out this time, he did reply quickly and clearly.  Now he just needs to explain to his other workout group what a Keymaster and Lockjaw are and what F3 is.

    Post race conversation centered around CSAUP planning and motivational aides for running.  Among other things, part of RP’s strategy is to let Kenya run most of the CSAUP.  The trick is to lay dog biscuits along the route and at all turns, because you know dogs can’t read maps.  At least, not very well.

    Finally, this route needs a name.  Ziontown, Old Westham, and Kanawha jump out to YHC as route names.  Or perhaps we focus on where Keymaster is from in Ghostbusters since we always seem him here: Gozer.  Pax, go ahead and name it in the comments.

    Always Be Tapering,

    Lockjaw

     

     

     

  • Nutz to Nutz

    25 warriors came out for Lockjaw’s 2nd Carillon beat down of the week.  This is what transpired more or less.

    Mosey to the far circle for COP:

    • Russian Soldiers
    • Helicopters
    • Don Quixote
    • Imperial Walkers
    • SSH
    • LBC

    Mosey back to the Rusty Cage for 7-11s:

    • 7 wide grip pull ups and then 11 dips – three times through
    • 7 dive bombers and then 11 partner assisted bicep curls – three times through
    • 7 regular pull ups and then 11 Captain Thors – three times through

    Mosey to the large field in front of the Carillon and establish a large circle.  Bear crawl counterclockwise and perform merkins of the appropriate amount on the clock face – 3, 6, 9, and 12 while bear crawling in between.

    Line up for indigenous people pole smoker run.  Pax on end does 6 heels to heaven while the rest of the Pax holds 6 inches or at 90 degrees.

    Make the trek down Love Hill and partner up.  Partner 1 runs to the top of the hill while the other partner does lunges.  Swap roles.  Next exercise was broad jump burpees and then polar bears until the Pax reaches the top.

    Partner up with someone of appropriate size.  Partner carry to the top of the embankment, jog down and repeat with different roles.

    Mosey back to the SF and circle up for some Mary.  YHC borrowed a tennis ball from the dog park and threw to Saab who ordered up some Rosalitas.  The ball was passed to Flipper, when Upchuck cut him off and led reverse crunches in such abundance that YHC called it at 7am to do COP.  Upchuck does not like sharing with others.  🙂

    Labrat took us out.

    NMS:

    With a group this size, there is always some mumble chatter.  Rusty cage produced most of it, including this backblast’s title.  Fudd and I were face to face on the dip bars when he shouted “nuts to nuts”.  YHC is glad he didn’t inch his way closer for that set.  Dive Bombers made their repeat appearance and once again required a demo as well as various alternative nomenclature to convey the concept.  “Muffin Diver” seemed to resonate with Saab for some reason.  Must have been the name of the boat where he took SCUBA lessons.

    Fellowship at ETs was great as usual with a wide variety of topics in conversation.  TYA, Bleeder, and Gomer Pyle joined us.  Great to see our Pax on the mend come out for coffee and conversation.

    Announcements:

    • Who has HDHH this month?  That would be this coming Wednesday.  Some talk of doing another brewery run.

    Always Be Tapering,

    Lockjaw

  • Two of US

    Lockjaw’s 11 came forward for a rare Lockjaw Q of WDog.  Here is what transpired.

    Mosey to the far large circle in front of the Carillon for COP.

    • Arm Circles
    • Helicopters
    • Don Quixote
    • Hill Billies (J-ville hop optional)
    • SSH
    • Copperhead Squats

    It’s Valentine’s Day.  Find a date (partner up) and mosey back to the Rusty Cage.

    • 7 pullups, 7 jerkins X 3 times through

    Mosey to the outdoor stage platform.  Keep a partner faithfully or be a swinger and find a new one for Touch a Tree:

    • Find 1 tree, then 2, then 3 while partner does box cutters.  Switch between sets.
    • Find 4 trees, then 5 while partner does scorpions.  Switch between sets.
    • Find 6 trees while the partner does derkins off of the stage.  Switch.
    • New trees for each evolution for a total of 21 unique trees.

    Mosey to the halfway point in the big field in front of the Carillon for “menage a trois” triple check forming groups of three.

    • Flutter Kicks
    • Captain Thor
    • Run to the end of the field and back.

    Ditch the third wheel and perform:

    • 25 PLT x 2 for each partner
    • 20 plerkins x 2 for each partner

    Line up behind Keymaster and indigenous people run back to the VSF.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    A Velentine’s Day special partner workout.  The title of the backblast refers to a Beatles deep cut song off of “Let It Be” that I randomly stumbled across on the radio this morning.  This is my favorite song from “Let It Be” and the song supports the partner theme while the album title supports moving on to new chapters in life, so it really fits.

    My father-in-law passed away last night.  I really appreciate everyone who has reached out with care and support in recent weeks.  In times like these, one really takes account of what they have and these relationships are some of the best.  Thank You.

    Go forward today and be the best version of yourself.  Be patient, thoughtful, and live for the day, leaving nothing for tomorrow.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Bootleg’s Lost Tracks

    Ten Road Scholars showed up for this week’s Spider Run.

    We ran the Honaker routes.  Up the main entrance and take Campus/Towana to the access road by Three Chopt.  Left on Grove.  4s turn left on Maple, 5s on Wilton (then left on Dillwyn, right on Seneca), and 6s on Wisteria.  Everyone takes Patterson west to Honaker.  Honaker across Three Chopt and down Boatwright.  Past the Robin’s Center, cut across the parking lot and down the lake.  4s and 6s take a left to the VSF and 5s take a right to go around the lake to the VSF.

    Wedding Singer took us out.

    NMS:

    Pre-run, TYA went into CSAUP recruitment mode, enlisting Dutch and Bootleg for Team RP.  YHC got a hard commit from Taxi Cab for a West End team.  These week’s of training are paying off and he is getting ready.

    Bootleg was lost in his tracks somewhere on the route.  The Pax sent a search party out for him afterwards.  Little did Bootleg know when he signed up for Team RP, that it came with TYA’s “lost runner insurance”.  He will cover the ends of the earth to keep his team fit for race day.  Hopefully, he will turn up.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • The Bearded Oyster

    The Pax was solely on foot today, whether running, walking, or rucking.  This was the first Friday in sometime without a bike presence.

    YHC explained the Grace’N’Allen (Grayson Allen) route in recognition of UNC’s triumph over Duke last night.  Other parallels include a route that is loaded with cobblestones, potholes, as well as other tripping hazards and seems to go on a little too long.  Go UVA, SJU, and UNC!

    4s/6s – Head West on Grove to Bunting, cross Patterson and take Chantilly to Monument.  East on Monument to Thompson and take a left to Grace and hang a right.

    5s – Head East on Grove to Thompson and hang a left.  Take a right on Grace.

    From here:  4s take Cleveland back to Grove to the VSF.  5s/6s take Allen to Grove to the VSF.

    The routes were a little heavy this morning.  4.24, 5.31, and 6.16 in distance.  The 6s felt short changed from Tuesday’s 5.85 and for the 5s, well, we are developing beasts in the ranks.

    Swirly took us out.

    NMS:

    Today was quite the menagerie of observations.  As I pulled into the AO, Bleeder emerged from a Toyota SUV and Saab from a BMW; both of which seemed out of place.  Great conversation as a six wide Pax ran down Grace, but strolled down memory lane of youthful shenanigans.  Despite it being cold, there were birds singing everywhere along the route this morning.  Is Spring coming soon?  What do these birds know that we do not?

    Finishing the run, we had Pax joining us who either missed us or ran their own thing, including Oyster.  We have not seen him in a while, but he was back today with a full beard, hence the backblast title.

    Labrat chose to tote his backpack and try Rucking.  Is it just me or has he avoided Lockjaw runs  since the mutiny?  Last time it was biking, this week rucking.  Next time is he going to dig out those roller blades from the 90s?

    Thoughts go out to Sippy Cup’s mother-in-law who was recently injured with a fall.  The Pax hopes for a speedy recovery.

    I also want to thank the Pax for the support they have given me from across the RVA region.  A sincere Thank You.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Where did this wall come from?

    An even dozen came out for relatively spring like weather, with sunny and 70 in our hearts.

    At 5:30 sharp by the Qs watch, we headed to the corner of the school for COP.

    • SSH
    • Arm Circles
    • Helicopters
    • Don Quixote
    • Imperial Walkers

    Long mosey as we went on a field trip via back roads to Reveille UMC.  Coming across a new 80 year old wall, YHC found the path to the back parking lot and picnic shelter.  Now the fun begins as we move the picnic tables close together in preparation for abyss merkins.

    11s – abyss merkins and jump squats

    Lindseys aka 40s – dips off the picnic tables and box cutters.

    Dora – Partner 1 – 100 heels to heaven, 200 monkey humpers, 300 american hammers; Partner 2 – karaoke across the parking lot to the tree, run to the next tree and back to the first, karaoke home to the partner.

    Put the picnic tables back in order and indigenous people run back to the VSF.

    Quick ring of fire.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    Plenty of good sidebars today during our excursion and possibly too numerous to capture.  However, there are a few that stand out.  First, TYA’s fashion style resembled a mix of David Lee Roth post Van Halen and an EF style headpiece.  Most of the amusing discussion was regarding Saab’s sore ass as a result of Monday’s Hoedown beatdown.  Besides the already advertised dong release merkins, there was speculation of partner bear crawls and stationary wheelbarrows; whatever that may entail.  Get better soon buddy!

    YHC appreciates all of the support the Pax provides in so many ways.

    Lockjaw