Author: Lockjaw

  • True North

    Twelve stallions of the new year started their running resolutions on the right foot. After Fudd recalibrated his internal compass based on the local beer shop as a reference point, off we went.

    Along the lake, across the parking lot and up Boatwright. Take Edgehill to Three Chopt and continue North. A left on Horsepen and a right on Normandy put us in new territory to be boldly explored.

    Upon Normandy’s intersection with Patterson, cross and veer right onto Sweetbriar. 4s take a left on Woodberry to Horsepen and through the fraternity gate to return to the lake.

    5s and 6s continue down Sweetbriar to Rock Creek, a left on Baldwin and a right on Westham Pkwy. 5s turn on Lakewood and 6s on club Vista both leveraging College to return to the baseball field entrance. A quick route around the lake and the course was covered.

    Announcements:

    • Sign up for GrowRuck. Do it. It’s going to be transformational!
    • If you want to borrow rucking gear, see Rosie by COB Tuesday before he places the order.
    • Happy Hour on Thursday – See Slack.
    • HDHH on 1/17 – More info to come.

    Fudd took us out.

  • And So It Begins

    Nine with weights closed out 2023 with the first official training ruck for the GrowRuck Challenge. We picked up the trail near the landing and connected with Riverside Dr heading down stream. 30 minutes out and 30 minutes back.

    The river views were spectacular in the early morning. Mist over the river as the sun began to rise and various ducks, geese, and heron started their day. A tree had been freshly trimmed by a beaver with another day or so and the beaver’s work will be done with a felled tree.

    An 8-point deer followed us from the higher ground, keeping a watchful eye over his domain.

    YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    • Convergence New Year’s Day ay 0700 at No Toll
    • Sign up for the GrowRuck Training Event – Its going to be transformational. See Slack for details on signing up.
    • Rosie will be placing the first request for loaner rucks in a couple of days. Let him know if you need equipment to train with.

  • Runners in the Mist

    An intrepid eleven emerged from the fog for the last RAMM of the year.

    Heading west on Grove to Lexington to Patterson west. Pick up Willow Lawn Dr and Monument east. 4s take Lafayette, 5s Tilden, and 6s Mulberry – all to Grove and home.

    Upchuck took us out.

    Coffee at Starbucks hit a nice range of topics – ranging from the practical to the impractical.

  • Tidy Whities Tucked In and Putting on Shoes Before Pants

    A Merry Eight, or 7.5 with Fudd’s early departure, kept the Dogpile flame going. A convoy of Pax came in with minutes to spare and we promptly departed on time.

    Taking a back ways to the first circle, we formed a smaller intimate arrangement for COP to stay dry a little longer. COP was a bit of the usual plus some light yoga.

    Off we went to the Rusty Cage for some Dora. Partner 1 – Run to the fire hydrant and perform 15 V-Ups. Partner 2 – 100 pull-ups/assisted pull-ups on the low bars, 200 box cutters, 300 shoulder taps.

    Off to the Haf Penny Stage for an extensive touch a tree session. Started off with 9 tree and BTTW. 7 trees and wall sit. 5 trees and American Hammers. 3 trees and broad jump burpees. 1 tree and arm circles (somewhere Flashdance smiled with approval).

    With all of the trees properly cared for, off we went to the big field for Red Barchetta. 10 yards, 10 HRM. 25 = 25 mountain climbers, 50 = 50 monkey bumpers, 75 = flutter kicks, and 100 = 100 LBCs.

    Over to the poles for a round of pole smokers 20 in count. Circle up for a ring of fire, but a ring in which we all did the exercises. After 70-80 merkins, we emerged and made our way back to the flag.

    Time for a few minutes of Mary and Shavasana.

    Honey Do took us out.

    The title of the backblast is derived from a sampling of the strong mumble chatter this am. Coffee was excellent and most issues were discussed, and even some solved.

    Enjoy the holidays with family and friends!

  • Mind the Sack

    15 runners and two canines launched promptly, on time, and without any questions except one existential query.

    Up the hill to campus and take a left to the main entrance and a right up Boatwright knocking out many of the hills up front. Take the sassafras cut through and pick up Three Chopt taking a left on Patterson.

    Begin the tour de Westham meandering through the rolling hills. 4s turn left on University to return around the lake. 5s pick up Ridge to Country Squire and back to University to return around the lake. 6s pick up Westham Station (plus Overlook) and return via bat cave.

    Prayers to Fudd’s friend and Pucker.

    Hitchhiker took us out.

  • The Talon

    Early morning dark

    Saab stayin’ warm in Swirl’s truck

    Singer’s watch marks the time

    




    Heading west on Grove
    




    Three Chopt splits routes by distance
    




    Returning on Grove
    




    




    




    Country club for some
    




    Gravity’s pull on the hills
    




    The owl strikes with stealth
    




    




    




    Happy hour next week
    




    Final Gravity it is
    




    Lockjaw took us out
    




    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    A meandering route
    
			
    

    16 of this region’s finest embarked on route through the darkness of Windsor Farms before picking up the remainder of the miles in the grid system of the Mary Mumford area.
    




    The 6 route was a little lite and appreciated.
    




    YHC took us out.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Island Hopping
    
			
    

    A magnificent nine early risers – including an out of towner descended on the region’s earlier AO.
    




    Over to Kubota’s truck to pick up coupons and mosey to the small triangle park after exchanging the usual insults.
    




    A COP including a special First Watch disclaimer.
    




    Off to Westham Parkway where we stopped in the median and circled up.  But what is that in the shadows?  An 80# sandbag!
    




    One member of the Pax picks up the sandbag and runs the median island.  The others did flutter kicks and bench with their blocks.  The bag was passed around as we took turns.
    




    Off to the next median island.  Same concept with the sandbag, but this time with curls and squats with the blocks.  Off to the next intersection for some ab workout as our intermission.
    




    Back to the islands to make our way home.  Block merkins and overhead squat press.
    




    Over to the final island for block swings and triceps. 
    




    Back to the AO and a little more Mary.
    




    Kubota took us out today.
    




    It turns out that our out of town guest was in town for work and in fact works with Kubota’s brother.  This was not discovered until the end.  Coffee was fine as always!  “Low T”
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    A little extra weight
    
			
    

    7 with 2 feet and 2 with 4 feet embarked on a journey of sorts.  Whether running, walking, or running, trails were covered with great conversation!
    




    YHC took us out in an expedited manner and off to ETs we went where life was pondered.
    

    
			
    
		
    
		
	
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    Not your regular scheduled programming
    
			
    

    Two stallions explored the streets of Westham by foot; surveying the aftermath of Halloween.  It was in fact pretty calm and quiet with no signs of the previous night’s events.
    




    Pucker came up with a nice running tour of Westham, UR, and the surrounding neighborhoods.  Crisp morning for a run!