Author: Lockjaw

  • Hamilton!

    Fifteen strong showed up for spring time in January.  Fourteen by foot and one on two wheels.

    Commonwealth to Cary and head East.  Take a left on Hamilton and take to Westwood.  4 and 5 milers take a left on Westwood coming back on Malvern to Grove with 5 milers taking a victory lap around the school block when they get back.  6+ milers take a right on Westwood to the Boulevard and back on Grove.

    Marv took us out today offering a special prayer for the treasonous Aaron Burr.

    NMS

    YHC has been reading Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton and wanted to honor the founding father with a route the entire length of his namesake road.  Running with Lab Rat and Upchuck, YHC did not realize he would also get a musical today.  Going under the first underpass we experienced “Under the Bridge” by the Chili Peppers and upon the second underpass “Under the Boardwalk” by the Drifters.  There was also some Dark Side of the Moon (during the impromptu astronomy discussion) , Timberlake, and yes, Hanson.

    On another note, it turns out there is a massive WDog headquarters on the other side of Broad St.  That AO is taking off!  It must be the t-shirts.

    This may be episode one of YHC’s founding fathers running series.

  • Valley Forge

    A hearty five showed up today seemingly impervious to the cold and ready to start the week off right.

    COP – SSH x20, 10 Don Quixotes, 10 Imperial Walkers, 20 Carolina Dry Docks

    On to the picnic area for some 11s – Deep dips on the benches, run to the street and squat jumps.

    Next up was the triple check – BTTW along the school, box cutters, and a runner.

    Mosey to the playground for a medley for pull up/chin up AMRAP followed by 25 PLT.  Repeato three times.

    A nice icy jog around to the front of the school and some Dora 1-2-3 – 100 Donkey Kicks, 200 flutter kicks, 300 LBCs.

    Drop down in the deeper snow and finish up with Mary – American Hammer, APD, Leg Lifts (left and right), Hello Dolly, Rosalitas.  Ring of fire twice through – 10 merkins each round.

    Abacus took us out.

    NMS:

    3 degrees.  Some say it was colder, but at that temp a few degrees doesn’t matter.  Mumble chatter was to a minimum as the Pax was focused on getting the work done.  At one point Offshore laid down when he was supposed to be the standing partner in the PLT.  Perhaps a quick nap was an early sign of hypothermia?

    Saab came in without pants.  Shorts only.  That just isn’t right.

    YHC is going to finish thawing out his digits.

     

     

     

  • An End To A Taper…

    17 strong came out this morning for perfect running weather.

    4 Milers – East on Grove, Left on Boulevard, Left on Monument, Left on Westmoreland

    5 Milers – East on Grove, Left on Meadow, Left on Monument, Left on Westmoreland

    6 Milers – East on Grove, Left on Harrison, Left on Monument, Left on Commonwealth

    YHC took us out.

    NMS

    There was great turn out today with some regulars, a few visitors, and 2 FNGs, all with the purpose of covering some end-of-year miles.  YHC planned routes with the intent of bringing everyone down Monument to take in the holiday lights and decorations, but alas there were few to be seen.  Either everyone is using timers or Monument has moved past the holidays.  Time will tell.

    Beyond the usual discussion regarding tights vs no tights, TYA pioneered the use of very pale skin colored tights opening yet another dimension to the debate.

    Personally, today marks the end of a running taper that extended way too long.  It was good to be back on the road once more, injury free and ready to tackle 2017’s challenges and goals.  The end of a year provides time for reflection of the ground we have covered both as individuals and as a Pax.  Countless personal goals we have all individually realized (100 milers, weight loss, commitment to fitness) and the achievements as a team (expansion, leaps, BRR) are only a part of the F3 experience.  Friendships, both new and old, are the fabric that ties us together through the good times and the challenges.

    As Swirly and J-ville close out the 2016 chapter tomorrow, I look forward to next year’s adventures.

    Lockjaw

     

  • Twelve Squared

    10 of F3’s finest came out to take in an oh so rare Lockjaw Q.  Here is what transpired.

    A counterclockwise jog around the AO complex to warm up and take in all the AO has to offer.

    COP in the North West corner where we are joined by Toga from the shadows.

    -Don Quixote x 20

    -Arm Circles – 10 small, 5 large; 2nd set in reverso

    -Imperial Walkers x 20

    Eight is Enough – partner up and perform 8 BooYah Merkins.  Cycle through all members of the Pax for a total of 72.

    Catch Me If You Can – Partner up with one running backwards and the other performing 5 burpees.  Upon completing the burpees, he chases down his partner and they swap roles.  Repeat until desired distance is covered.  Today we covered half the AO’s perimeter South on Hermitage and East on Laburnum.

    Dora 1,2, 3 – Find a partner with one pax performing 100 scorpions, 200 American Hammers (2x count), 300 flutter kicks (2x count).  The other pax negotiates a route through or around the Christmas tree lot to the wall of the school and back.

    Make our way to an empty fenced off enclave in the tree lot and line up for 11s – Merkins and WWI situps.  Lunge down and run back.

    Back to the SF where YHC took us out.

    Today’s pax witnessed two rare events – a Lockjaw Q and the return of Monkey Wrench who was presumed Kotters for about a year.  I endeavor to Q with greater frequency and we hope to see you back soon Monkey Wrench.

    Darting through the rows of Christmas trees added a little diversion to the usual out and back with Dora and offered a refreshing smell of pine.

    Not too much mumble chatter this morning.  The rain started coming down just after the COT cutting the lollygagging short.  However, of mention:

    -Upchuck needs assistance with math as his 11s were adding up to 12…

    -Ronnie had a deep cut quote from Tom Hank’s in Bachelor Party and the Pax chimed in with quotes for early 80’s Tom Hanks and John Candy films.  Perhaps there is a whole collection of pre-Philadephia/Saving Private Ryan movies worth re-watching.

    -Someone mentioned that Saab drew a resemblance to Flavor Flav this morning in his appearance.  So if you have Saab for Secret Santa, a large clock on a chain or perhaps a classic Public Enemy album is in order.

    I will leave you thinking about that last one….

  • Rattlesnake Creek (No Rattlesnakes)

    A lucky 13 showed up for a November 1 run.  Yes, It’s November already.

    Take the batcave exit to River Rd and cross the bridge.  Hop on Riverside Dr and head downstream.  4 milers turn around at Rattlesnake Creek, 5 milers a little further down the river, and 6 milers closer to Pony Pasture after the z dam.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS

    YHC came in hot to the AO on foot today with two minutes to spare.  Quite a few Pax out today and perhaps a new Spider Run record.  The Pax looked strong today en route.

    Riverside Drive was pitch dark with very little light, which could make it difficult to find landmarks such as turnaround spots.  Alas, the Pax all made it back.  Perhaps my favorite aspect of the run is the subtext associated with the Rattlesnake Creek sign providing assurance of (no rattlesnakes).  Good to know for sure.  Copperheads, yes.  Rattlesnakes, no.

    It was great getting to know Taxi Cab today on the run.  Swirly led the charge on crushing some merkins to kick the month of merks off right.

     

  • Windy City

    A Pax of 2 ventured forth from their hotel to the park across the street.

    COP

    20 SSH

    15 Don Quixote

    20 Imperial Walkers

    Arm Circles- 10 small, 5 large – reverso

    Line up at the 12 on the giant sundial in the park. Bear crawl around the outer circumference stopping at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 markers to do that many repetitions on the following:

    lap 1 – merkins

    lap 2 – burpees

    Mosey down to the park adjacent to navy pier for some Dora.  Partnered up, one of the pax would run the loop around the fountain while the other did the following: 100 merkins, 200 flutter kicks, 300 LBCs.

    Next on to 11s with dips on the park bench and derkins on the fountain mound.

    Mosey back to the hotel and perform a round of pole smokers.

    Finish the workout with a ring of fire, twice around!

    McRib took us out post announcements.

    NMS

    Perfect weather today for an urban nomad beatdown in the Windy City the morning after a Cubs victory!  We  attempted to get others to join us, but the prospect of working out at 530 deterred many.  Another day to go to EH more volunteers.

    it was awesome laying in the park during Dora and watch the city come alive as lights came on in a fragmented pattern across the neighboring apartment skyline.

    Go Cubs!

     

  • No Games, Just Running

    13 Pax showed up to cover miles either by foot or wheels.  For the runners, it was the Carillon routes of the 4, 5, and 6 variety.  Perfect weather, though with some higher humidity leaving us drenched.

    An eager Wilson took us out.

    NMS

    When YHC arrived on the AO, there was speculation amongst the Pax that there would be some sort of game today.  Perhaps a travel sized version of Sharks and Minnows in the parking lot.  YHC notified the group that he had hidden 200 glow sticks in Windsor Farms and we were having a scavenger hunt.  Total silence fell upon the group.

    Kidding of course, today was about going to a favorite: the Carillon route sans glow sticks.  Flat out running some familiar roads.

    It was great running with Upchuck, WIlson, and Honey Do where discuss gravitated around renaming guidelines as well as the usual mumble chatter.

    Way to go TewKan who seems to be everywhere these days!  Consistency pays off with results.

     

  • Sharks and Minnows

    YHC thought the proper way to say goodbye to summer was with a festive game of sharks and minnows.

    4 Rules to the Game:
    -Partner up – run with your partner
    -Movement can only be forward, no U-turns.
    -Turns at intersections.
    -Stay between Malvern and Westmoreland, and Grove and Patterson.

    Rosie and Sippy were volunteered as the sharks giving the Pax a head start as the sharks circle the school block.

    The shark attack commenced with speed and agility with all Pax converted to sharks by the end.

    YHC enjoyed conversation with BT while covering the game area.

    BRR – less than a week away!

  • Fall is in the Air

    Fall was in the air this morning as cooler weather prevailed.  The kids are back at UR signaling the end of summer and the return to collegiate life.  We tackled the Westham 4 miler loop leading us along the parkway, down by the canal, and home along the overgrown road by CCV.  The Pax added on distance, either by hill or lake, ‘til 6:15.

    It was good to see almost all of the Pax travel to and from the AO for extra mileage.  Getting BRR tough.

    Marv took us out, in an excellent fashion as always.

  • Slightly South of Broad

    16 Runners and 2 Bikers showed up to cover some miles.  Relatively cool and slightly misty weather was a welcome relief to the heat and humidity of recent days.

    The Thang:
    East on Grove to Malvern.  North on Malvern to Broad.  West on Broad and take a left on Willow Lawn Drive.

    4 milers come back on Monument to Commonwealth.  5 and 6 milers continue on to Patterson west bound and 5s take Granite to Grove and 6s take Maple to Grove to come home.  6s finish up with a victory lap around the school for precise mileage.

    YHC took us out.

    NMS:
    YHC wanted to go into new uncharted territory this morning and Broad Street did not disappoint.  Bright lights and early morning bus commuters in contrast to the somewhat desolate roads we normally traverse offered some degree of liveliness.

    It was a pleasure running some with TYA and Wilson.  After passing many shop windows on Broad St, I believe YHC uncovered another of Wilson’s phobias perhaps originating from the not-so-classic movie Mannequin.

    Lifoing Fudd and Circle K swear they had an Oyster citing as they were catching up to the Pax.  Perhaps they startled an unaware neighbor out for a morning run.  Oyster, were you out there?