Author: Lockjaw

  • Spies Like Us

    One canine with her thirteen bipeds launched promptly at 530 for a jaunt over the river and through the woods.

    All runners departed using the secret Batcave exit, crossing the shopping center and over the bridge.  Continue up Huguenot Road to the appropriate right turns:

    4s – Old Spring to Southhampton to Riverside

    5s – Cherokee to Hickory to Riverside

    6s – Chippenham to Hickory to Riverside

    Back across the bridge and enter the Batcave to return to the VSF.

    Bleeder took us out.

    Great numbers today. With more growth, we are going to need to leverage an ancillary parking lot.  After a very brief (and question free) overview of the route, we were off.

    It was great running with BT and EF complete with a strong finish.  Once again, Kenya makes herself known as you hear the dog tag jingle informing you that you are about to be overtaken.  Saab, Sippy, and Dutch were lightning on the return Batcave.  It was good to see Taxi Cab come out for a second week in a row.  Way to keep it up!  Likewise, its good to see Bleeder, the one armed bandit, back with the Pax.  There was some resemblance to Chevy Chase in Spies Like Us with the jacket….

    Announcements:

    •  6 milers who felt cheated with a 5.85 mile route will receive compensation on Friday’s run.
    • CSAUP approaches! – Join a team or start your own.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • The Black Widow

    Yep, It’s Ground Hog’s Day.  A day to celebrate the signal of a spring to come, or know the winter still has us in it’s grasp for a little while longer.  I chose to go with the Bill Murray theme and celebrate an infinite loop.

    The route posted above is two miles in length.  4 milers do it twice, 6 milers do it three times, 5 milers do it twice with a one mile bonus loop (Grove to Malvern to Cary to Commonwealth to Grove).  Black Widow is the name of the route considering the resemblance to it’s namesake.

    NMS:

    Pre-run, YHC was sitting with Swirly in Big Blue chatting about life.  Saab walks out in front of the beams of our headlights and begins to do burbees.  The time to run approaches.  Saab is still doing burbees.  The Pax talks some more.  Saab is still doing burpees.  Finally, he concludes at 42.

    Even though Big Data was updated weeks ago for the renegades who supported #trackworksucks, Saab felt obligated to continue through with the challenge.  Well done Sir!

    Windsor Farms was quiet and tranquil affording a great running route.  It seems the only newspapers that are delivered in Richmond are in this neighborhood.  Has the internet not made it south of Cary?

    Runners were strong today with the eye on the prize:  whether a CSAUP victory or an upcoming ultra.  YHC will note that the bikers may have been apparitions.  No cars in the parking lot nor bikers in the COT at the end.  However, there was a sighting of bikers.  It’s easier to include Labrat in the backblast then to receive a backblast comments prodding throughout the day.  If No Tool’s companion was someone else, let me know and I will update for Big Data.

    Announcements:

    • Honey Do and Upchuck’s volunteer initiative begins tomorrow.  Please sign up.  If you can’t start tomorrow, there are plenty of opportunities between now and the 10k race.
    • CSAUP – Join a team and let’s get rolling!

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

     

     

     

     

  • When he runs fast, it smells like bacon.

    9 Descended to the Bottom of All Hills:  The start of Spider Run

    The Routes:

    4s, 5s, 6, all start and finish the same way.

    Exit UR using the River Rd entrance near the intramural fields and go across the shopping center to pick  up Westham Station.  Climb the hill as it turns into Ridge and take the Country Squire jug handle to Westham Parkway.

    At the University Dr intersection, 4s take a right and do a lap and a half around the lake.  5s and 6s, turn left and head west.  Dogleg right at Ralston to pick up University again and take until it turns into Ziontown.  Take Ziontown to Ridge and cut behind the church to Forest.

    5s continue across Forest on Lakewood, dogleg at Westham Parkway and down University Dr to the lake and SF.

    6s head north on Forest, right on Rock Creek, right on Baldwin, right on Westham Parkway and left down University Drive.

    Clear?  Its really just the same roads that keep changing names.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    It was good to see Taxi Cab who has been Kotters.  YHC e-mailed him regarding the CSAUP and said if he didn’t come back out, we would run to his house and do APDs in the front yard.  Needless to say, he came to us and then crushed 5 miles like its nothing.

    The snow was a nice touch today.  Unlike the slip and slide several weeks ago, this is the winter weather YHC does not mind running in.

    While on Country Squire, we intersected another running group coming from the other direction.  One looked like Keymaster, but he didn’t respond to his F3 name.  Keymaster, was that you?

    Announcements:

    • CSAUP – F3RVA Century Classic – Teams are forming.  Join one or start your own.
    • Thoughts go to Bleeder today as he gets his bicep repaired.  Buddy, you gotta hold back putting up eight plates on bench!  In all seriousness, it wasn’t the bench and we hope you have a speedy recovery.
    • Thoughts go to Toga and his knee surgery which will hopefully bring him back to top running form and back to F3 soon.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Left Turn at Albuquerque

    Nine runners and one K9 showed up for a (relatively) warm run.

    The route was North Bank to Pottersfield Bridge to Buttermilk and home.  That said, Labrat led a group on roads vs YHC’s North Bank and then he took the Buttermilk Trail to YHC’s fire road (preserve those muddy trails that were thawing!)  Ours paths crisscrossed as we ran parallel to each other the whole way giving us about 7.5 miles total.

    It was a beautiful morning to be on the trails.  I think we saw a handful of other runners, otherwise the city was dormant.  The bridges offered sunrise over the river and the promise of a new day.

    Its been about nine months since YHC has been on these trails.  Way too long to be away by any count and a hiatus I do not want to repeat.  ET’s was great as usual.  TYA joined us, or perhaps he is always a resident at ET’s, which means we joined him.  Kind of a chicken and egg situation.

    Announcements:

    • F3RVA Century Classic – It’s coming.  Be ready.
    • Honey Do and Up Chuck are in need of Pax to help with a volunteering activity:  10k training for those recovering from or working through addiction.  The time and mileage is not too much, but your impact will be great.  Contact them for additional details.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

     

  • Mutiny on the Bounty

    Sixteen Runners and Ruckers came to cover ground by foot today.  This is the first no bikes RAMM in a while.

    YHC announced speed work at the track and four Rogue Runners disembarked on their own adventure.  The rest went to the TJ track for an epic workout, partially due to the fact that everyone wanted to be there and whining was nonexistent.  I am sure the other group was assailed by a group of rabid raccoons in the darkness.

    We did laps in the snow, wind sprints on pavement, and the longest indigenous people run YHC can remember.  Good times.

    Fudd took us out.

    Announcements:

    • The F3RVA Century Classic is coming!  Form your teams and start to train.  This visionary run will connect all of our AOs, so start cleaning them up.  Corporate is watching.
    • OBT discussed a rucking leadership initiative which embodies the principles of F3.  Sounds like leadership training, a good workout, and fellowship which is the recipe for a great time.  If you want to get down with OBT, additional information will be forthcoming.
    • Not confirmed, but Swirly spent his time this morning constructing a gallows at Mary today.  Mutineers be warned!

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

     

  • What would Freud say?

    Three squared showed up to square dance at Hoedown.

    COP – SSH, Don Quixote, Russian Soldiers, Imperial Walkers, LBC

    Mosey to the sea of blacktop and using the fence post perform an indigenous people pole smoker.  One Pax does heels to heaven while the others hold six inches with some 90 degrees thrown in.

    Triple Check 1 (three times)

    • Karaoke the length of blacktop and back
    • Box cutters
    • Scorpions

    Mosey closer to the school and find new partners for Triple Check 2 (three times)

    • Bear crawl across the grass and back
    • Jerkins

    Mosey the bus loop for Triple Check 3 (three times) with new partners

    • Run the bus loop – backwards outbound, forwards inbound
    • BTTW
    • Flutter kicks

    PLT – 25 reps, 3 times through

    Mary – APDs, Hello Dolly

    A flu free Up Chuck took us out.

    NMS:

    It was nice and chilly to start the week off.  No fear, YHC and Honey Do kept the knees bare.  The pole smokers and box cutters gave us at least two opportunities to observe shooting stars.  Always a sight of wonder no matter how old you are or how many times you see one.

    Mumble chatter through the COP centered around Marv’s dream about Fudd.  Yes, Fudd.  In this dream Fudd is the Q and as the Pax completes an exercise, Fudd would evangelically shout “Glory to God!”.  Eventually, the Pax turn on Fudd and beat him down mercilessly.  Marv takes Fudd to the hospital.  (Marv, did I get this right?)

    There is certainly some dream analysis to be explored…..

    Starbucks provided great 2nd F for about half of the Pax.  Coffee and great conversation post workout makes the day!

    I will leave you to comment on that dream sequence.  Someone in the Pax clearly has some insight here.

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

  • I don’t think the heavy stuff will come down for sometime….

    It was raining hard

    Will it clear for us to run?

    No fear, off we go!

     

    Deep pools of water

    Labrat requests job advice

    Pax provide insight

     

    Down campus we go

    Singer’s beacon flashing on

    But where did he go?

     

    Onward through darkness

    Iris never disappoints

    Grove to shovel flag

     

    Yes, we did the forward Haiku route today.  YHC took us out.

    The CSAUP is building momentum and many are excited.  More information will be available soon, but in the interim get your miles in and start forming your teams. (DK – you can camp after the run, by the way.)

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

  • Slow and Sloppy Wins the Race

    Yeah, today was interesting.  YHC had new routes in mind ready to try them out with today’s warmer weather.  Upon arrival at the AO, all pavement was glazed with a thin layer of ice. Plans went out the door and we did a penguin run as a group.  Slow, steady, and trying to find traction wherever it may be found.  Side of road.  Down the middle.  Different theories were tested with ineffective results.

    Finally, we yielded after a few miles and headed to the intramural field for a few laps.  The seals showed up with the same idea and we amicably shared the space.  Despite my prodding, Swirly exercised restraint and did not jump into their ranks and begin leading them through exercises.

    Swirly took us out.

    Post run conversation centered around the CSAUP.  Pax should be warned about TYA’s promising potential as a campaign manager.  This glimmer game through as he discussed harboring Pax runners from other nano regions in his basement for region residency and allegations that Marv will be impressed into service for Richmond Proper as he has not paid taxes in the county yet.  Swiper became informed of the CSAUP and quickly reaffirmed RP’s domination over the suburban sprawl.

    Let the games begin….

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

     

  • Snow Day

    A dirty dozen came out to play in the pristine Winter Wonderland of Mary today.

    Here is how the fun began….

    Mosey to side of school for COP.  A couple of late arrivals showed after taking necessary precautions on the drive in.

    • Don Quixote – Slow Saab Style with a Reach
    • Helicopters
    • Hill Billies
    • Drop on your six for a couple of snow angels and roll into LBC
    • APDs

    Quick mosey to the track for partner 4 Corners.

    • Corner 1 – Jerkins x 7
    • Corner 2 – Plerkins x 15
    • Corner 3 – Chin Ups x 10
    • Corner 4 – PLT x 25

    Three times through.

    Mosey back to the soccer field for the debut of the Anhinga!

    This is an exercise YHC created after seeing the namesake bird in action.  This South American bird swims underwater to catch fish, pops up periodically for air, and resubmerges to continue fishing.  As this bird is a submariner, it’s feathers do not have oil.  After a swim, it must stand on the shore with it’s wings raised to dry in the sun.

    Putting that in action, we commando crawled 10 paces, popped up and did a burpee, and resumed the crawl/burpee combo the width of the soccer fields.  At the end, break into SSH to dry those wings.

    We ended up going halfway across the field and transitioning into lunges.

    Next exercise:  We traversed back across the soccer fields with a bear crawl.  A true polar bear.

    Shifting around to face the long length of the field, we traversed the soccer field for some boulders and cave.  Alternating pax ball up or plank up allowing other Pax to go over or under.  We did one length of the field.

    Finishing up with a return down the soccer field with 11s.  Monkey Humpers and Captain Thors.

    YHC took us out with Saab reminding us of the fragility of life and to seize the day.

    Announcements:

    • CSAUP 2018 – BRR style relay run across all RVA AOs.  April 13-14.  Start your training and the forming of your 6 or 9 man teams.  This sounds like a nano region challenge.  Who will prevail?

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Paper Run

    A Great 8 came out for an arctic run in the neighborhood.

    The Route

    • East on Grove and left on Hamilton to Broad
    • East on Broad to Roseneath, hang a left and take to Norfolk – 4s turn around here and retrace their steps back to the SF
    • 5s/6s turn right on Norfolk and take to the Boulevard
    • Hang a right on the Boulevard – 5s take to Kensington, 6s take a left on Leigh
      • 5s take Kensington west to Westmoreland, back to Grove and the SF
      • 6s take Leigh to Hermitage and west on Broad to Davis
        • left on Davis to Kensington west to Westmoreland, back to Grove and the SF

    YHC took us out.

    NMS

    It was a cold start to the run, but once we acclimated, it was fine.  There was talk of football, bowl games, and UVA’s domination of the first minute of the Military Bowl.  Scott’s Addition was desolate as expected with the exception of a motorist who shouted out to F3.  We presume this to be Shakedown en route somewhere.

    The pace quickened down the Blvd with Swirly leading point.  Upchuck announced our presence to an upcoming pedestrian who leaped out of our way effortlessly.  Upchuck gets points for his follow up EH on the fly.

    Talk was brief after the run as we elected to continue discussions for some third F at the Starbuck’s down the road.  Good discussion all around including 80’s hair bands, Saab’s dislikes, and a sundry of topics.

    Announcements:

    • Upchuck and Honey Do are assisting with an effort that is training those recovering from addiction for the Monument 10K.  They need a revolving cast of Pax support to run a few miles Saturday mornings this spring post Dogpile.  Inquire with them for details on how to help out.

    This concludes a year of Friday Qs.  Its been a pleasure to lead the way and pilot routes out of the infinitesimal options that area of town offers.  A special thanks to TYA who signed me up for three months to recharge my running commitment and the Pax should look forward to 52 new routes next year!

    ABT,

    Lockjaw