Author: Lockjaw

  • Another One Down, One To Go

    The Finest Fourteen came out for a pre-holiday run.

    The Routes:

    Everyone headed west on Grove.  4s turned onto Libbie to Patterson.  5s and 6s continued to the end of Grove and took the access road to St Christopher’s Rd; St Chris to Patterson.  All routes headed east bound on Patterson.  4s and 5s turned on Malvern to Grove and home.  6s turned on Rosneath to Grove to home.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    Grove had a road closure due to what appeared to be a line down, taking out power to some of the houses and street lights along the route.  This detour also caused BT to bring the Landcruiser in hot to the AO.  It was an odd juxtaposition to see total darkness surrounded by Christmas lights, but we managed.

    After a year of Qing Friday, one more post to go.  It’s been a fun year setting routes and we will finish strong next week.

    Announcements:

    • Christmas Day at Hoedown @5:30 am.  Same time, same place – Mr Holland is leading the only AO in town.
    • New Year’s Day at Hoedown @ 7:00 am.  Different time, same place and an allegedly family friendly workout by Honey Do.  Interested in seeing what an onslaught of burpees and doneky kicks does to little kids?  Then come out January 1!

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Monument Light Tour

    Another record week for RAMM with 18 on foot or bike.  Today’s route was aptly named by Honey Do as “The Big Dipper”.

    Northbound on Westmoreland to Monument and head east.  4s turn at Sheppard, 5s at Strawberry, and 6s at the Lee Monument.  Head west on Monument and South on Lafayette to Grove to the VSF.

    Swiper took us out.

    NMS

    I was anticipating an illuminated Monument Avenue full of wonder and holiday spirit.  While there were some lights, today’s route did answer an important question:  “How does one come to own a large classic home on Monument Avenue?”  The answer is by turning off your holiday lights in the evening and not leaving them for packs of runners to enjoy at 5:30 am.

    It’s good to see the return of Swiper.  He is back with full speed.  Taking us out was concise and eloquent.  Welcome back!

    Announcements:

    • Labrat had what seemed to be a personal announcement for Sippy Cup.  Something about meeting for the early bird lunch in a cafeteria somewhere.
    • HDHH next Wednesday at the Answer.  Honey Do’s birthday and the end of hate.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Riders on the Storm

    19 Riders and Runners embraced fine weather on the edge of Snowstorm Benji.  Today may be a record count for this AO.

    Today we did the forward Carillon route with all distances spoken for.  Everyone ran with a group with some packs as large as five wide.  Lot’s of car traffic today for some reason, including a mailman out for deliveries before 6:30.  ‘Tis the season.

    Lugnut took us out.

    Announcements:

    • Slurpee’s VQ Monday at Hoedown.
    • EF Hutton’s is one AO shy of completing the Grand Tour.
    • Labrat was going on about something else too
    • Honey Do has December’s HDHH on the 20th.  More information to come.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

     

  • Pearl Harbor Day

    22 Warriors embraced the early morning with a solid workout.

    Surprise Attack! – Parking lot mumble chatter promptly halted with the call of 10 burpees.

    Mosey around to the side of the school for COP.

    -Invisible jump rope (imaginary jumps ropes for those with their eyes closed)

    -Arm Circles to summon the cat burglar to no avail

    -Russian Soldiers

    -Slow Don Quixotes

    Mosey to the grass next to the blacktop for lazy 11s – WWII situps and dive bombers.

    On to the blacktop for Session One of 4 Corners – For the four battleships damaged in the attack.

    • Lt Dan’s (audible called for 30s/40s to go to copperhead squats)
    • Box Cutters
    • Merkins
    • LBC

    Round 1 = 10 rep, 2 = 20, 3 = 30, 4 = 40.

    Mosey to the track for Session Two of 4 Corners – For the four battleships sunk in the attack.

    • Dips on the bars
    • Derkins
    • Leg lifts
    • Pull Ups

    10 reps, 2 rounds

    Mosey back to the flag for boo-yah merkins – 16 rep.

    YHC took us out with a moment of silence.

    NMS:

    Perfect weather today:  Cool and dry is about as good a it gets.

    Invisible jump rope was a hit through some of the Pax were clearly showing their advanced skills from their days of recess in their youth.  Dive bombers made a rare, if not virgin, appearance and result in sustained grunts by the Pax thorughout.  Hardywood knows them as the Angry Porpoise and I am pretty sure Saab’s technique was accompanied with a “tongue out maneuver” ala Gene Simmons.

    YHC called an audible on the Lt Dan’s otherwise we would still be doing them with the sun rising.  There truly is too much of a good thing.

    A shout out to the boys of the 100k and a 1/6 of a shout out to the Bear Creek team.  Kidding aside, both represented well achieving their personal goal and having a great time.

    Ronnie’s early departure was noted by Swirly.  Seems that immaculate file now has a blemish.

    Announcements:

    • Wong Gonzalez today for lunch.
    • Slurpee’s VQ is Monday at Hoedown.  Come on out to support him and see what this AO has to offer.  VQs are fun for all.

    ABT,

    Lockjaw

     

  • Free Will

    With so many great routes this year, something new would be the absence of a route.  Besides, with so many running races, this was indeed a time time for taper.

    The instructions were simple.  Find a partner based on speed, distance, or interests and be back in 45 minutes.  Everyone happened to set out eastbound on Grove and diffused from there.  Some chose traditional routes while mine was based on running until I felt like making a turn and then running until I felt the need for another turn and so on.

    We did a BOM ring of fire with each Pax stating one thing they are thankful for.  We are blessed.

    Good luck to the racers this weekend.  Regardless of distance, go forward and conquer.  You trained for it, now enjoy the reward.

    Time To Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Black Friday Shopping

    Cold weather, holiday travels, post Thanksgiving festivity fallout, and Turkey Trot recovery kept many away….except for six intrepid runners.

    The Routes

    • 4s/5s – Route going to Carytown and Grove/Libbie to check out the shopping deals.
    • 6s – Tour de Grove/Libbie, the Shops at Patterson, and a loop around Willow Lawn to find all the great deals.

    NMS:

    A lot of running as a pack today with great conversation.  YHC decided it was a day for Pax coffee and fellowship, so I drove down to Starbucks with the intent of making it back before the 6s got back.  Hardywood was standing with coffee mug in hand despite not knowing about the coffee run.

    Good conversation with the Pax as we drank a box of coffee and talked about everything and nothing.  With this crew, the conversation easily covers all basis with breadth and depth. Beyond a good workout, the fellowship with this fine group is what keeps me coming back; pushing myself beyond the physical pursuits.  Something to be thankful for year round, but particularly around these introspective holidays.

    I hope the entire Pax have a safe and fun holiday weekend with friends and family.

    Always Be Tapering,

    Lockjaw

  • Milk Run

    9 peered out on this rainy school holiday morning for a special edition of Hoedown.  One Hoedown a week just isn’t enough.

    Ronnie took lead of the mosey to the front of the school for the COP:

    • SSH
    • Imperial Walkers
    • Merkins
    • Arm Circles
    • Russian Soldiers (or is it Rushing Shoulders?)

    Hand off Q to Splinter for mosey to the sea of blacktop.  Partner up – parent and 2.0 – for the following:

    • Round 1 – Partner 1 runs the length of the blacktop and back while partner 2 does Merkins; flip and repeat
    • Round 2 – Partner 1 backward runs the length of the blacktop and back while partner 2 does WWII; flip and repeat
    • Round 3 – Partner 1 karaokes the length of the blacktop and back while partner 2 does squats; flip and repeat

    Hand off Q to Lockjaw  for PLT: 25 count three times through for everyone.  Mosey to the back playground field for Triple Check.

    • BTTW
    • Lt Dans
    • Run a lap of the track

    Bear crawl across the field and hand off Q to Honey Do.  Mosey back to the school for some People’s Chair.

    Circle up for Mary – Flutter Kicks, American Hammers.

    Finish with the Burpee Shuffle.

    Da Vinci and Lockjaw took us out.

    NMS:

    The rain cleared for a perfect workout this morning.  I am proud of these 2.0s for rising early and ready to go full of excitement and giving it all.  They had tremendous speed, but the form police would have written a few violations today.  In the end, the 2.0s enjoyed themselves as much as their Pax dads.

    The title is from a strange half gallon of milk nested in the branches of a tree.  Very odd and the 2.0s confirmed it as smelly.  Science experiment?

    Coffee at Shore Dog was awesome; as much for the camaraderie as it is the coffee.  2.0s enjoyed the hot chocolate.

    Announcements:

    • Special Mary tomorrow – 6:00 am start.  Come hear about Virginia’s Thanksgiving history or TYA’s revisionist history of the event.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Name the Route Contest

    An even dozen came out to burn some pre-holiday calories.  Routes were created for all distances, but only takers for 5 and 6s.

    Route:

    • Up to the road to the main entrance and turn right to make the ascent to Three Chopt.
    • Take the access road to Grove.  Left on Grove.
    • 5s turn left on Wilton, Left on Dillwyn, Right on Seneca to Patterson
    • 6s turn left on Wisteria to Patterson
    • All routes go west bound on Patterson to Honaker.  Left on Honaker to Three Chopt.
    • Cross Three Chopt to the right and down Boatwright past the stadium, the Robins Center and around the parking lot to drop down to the lake.
    • 5s do a counter clockwise loop of the lake to conclude at the VSF.
    • 6s just head back to the VSF.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:

    Not too much mumble chatter this morning.  The Pax liked the route and sounds like it is a new classic.  I pose a challenge to the Pax to name this route.  The best idea will be taken from the post.

    Announcements:

    • Wednesday – Special kid friendly Hoedown for the 2.0s @ 6:30 am for 45 minutes.
    • Thursday – Thanksgiving workout at Mary.  Holiday time at 6:00 am with coffee afterwards.
    • Sunday – Breaking Bread – See Hardywood for details and to offer a hand.
    • Next Wednesday the 29th – “Red Wine and Crayons” HDHH at TYAs newly completed project that coincidentally is Marv’s future home.  Ms and 2.0s welcome.  See backblast.

    Time to Taper,

    Lockjaw

  • Back to Basics

    A record tying 17 Pax showed for a brisk Hoedown workout.

    Mosey to the front of the school for COP.

    Hill Billies, Don Quixote, Copperhead Squats, Russian Soldiers.  Note: 5 adhoc burpees were called to get Pax back to order.

    Number off for 4 Corners:

    • Corner 1 – Merkins off of the bike rack bars
    • Corner 2 – ABCs
    • Corner 3 – Boxcutters
    • Corner 4 – Box Jumps on the front steps

    Three rounds with reps of 10, 20, and 30.  ABCs spelled Wahoos, Cavaliers, and University of Virginia in the respective rounds.

    Mosey across the street to the lit church parking lot and commence Red Barchetta.

    • Across the lot and 100 SSHs, run back
    • 75% across and 75 Mountain Climbser, run back
    • 50% across and 50 LBCs, run back
    • 25% and 25 Merkins, run back
    • 10% and 10 Burpees, run back

    Partner up for Doras.

    • 100 Hand Release Merkins, 200 LBCs, 300 Flutter Kicks
    • The other partner runs the perimeter of the parking lot
    • Repeato until all exercises performed

    Mosey back to the SF and circle up for Merkin Ring of Fire followed by American Hammers and Freddy Mercuries.

    Swiper took us out.

    NMS:

    17 strong is an awesome turnout with Pax showing up from across the river and Richmond proper.  Hottest AO in town!

    Despite the record turn out, danger awaited the Pax this morning.  A slight rise in the road marked the divider for the bus route.  Slight, but just enough to take Gomer Pyle down on his chest.  With great aplomb, he performed a Merkin, got up and ran like he meant to do it.  Well Done!

    Finishing the Red Barchetta with burpees, a trash truck turned into the lot and the Pax was perfectly lined up with the trash dumpster.  A quick shift in location and all is well.  As one of the darkest AOs, Hoedown is also proving to be one with the most tripping hazards as well.

    It was great seeing such solid numbers today and on a Monday without rain no less!

    Announcements:

    • Wednesday – Special kid friendly Hoedown for the 2.0s @ 6:30 am for 45 minutes.
    • Thursday – Thanksgiving workout at Mary.  Holiday time at 6:00 am with coffee afterwards.
    • Sunday – Breaking Bread – See Hardywood for details and to offer a hand.
    • Hoedown Pax – Plenty of time to get a VQ in at Hoedown before year end.  Sign up now!

    Time to Taper,

  • Citizen’s Arrest from the Noise Police

    The Routes

    • East on Grove and turn right on Thompson, left on Floyd.
    • 4 milers – left on Shields to Hanover, left on Hanover, left on Blvd, right on Grove to VSF
    • 5 milers – left on Lombardy to Hanover, left on Hanover, left on Blvd, right on Grove to VSF
    • 6 milers – down to Monroe Park and back on Grove to VSF

    Labrat took us out.

    NMS

    What to start with today?  Three strides into the run Sippy misjudged the lane of the approaching car and was almost taken out.  Most of the mumble chatter erupted post run during announcements when Labrat brought forward a new family venture they are kicking off: a non-profit coffee house.  The G rated version is hilarity ensued when special provisions of tea would be available for Saab since he doesn’t drink coffee – something about his special tea bags.  One of the local walkers reprimanded us for carrying on at such an hour.  Laughing and mild talking be banned.  We were respectful and perhaps we will see TYA channel his inner Toga and make amends with flowers at some point.

    Maybe it’s time to buy an F3 clubhouse on Commonwealth for post workout festivities?

    Its great having Kenya with us.  Her distinctive dog tag rattle let’s YHC know when she is about to overtake him on the return trip.  Besides, she almost took Labrat out with her leash during the COT.  Well done!

    Announcements:

    • Labrat’s new coffee shop venture.  Post the video if you like.
    • Thanksgiving workout at Mary – 6AM time to celebrate the tradition that started in Virginia.

    Time to Taper