Author: Speakeasy

2 ruckers and a lone runner traversed the friendly environs around AHS. The night before, YHC boldly trumpeted the prediction from his phone’s weather app that any precipitation would hold off until all participants were back home and dry. Potential runners were wise to the folly of this trust and instead chose the certain warmth of the fart sack.

YHC covered just under 4.5 miles on a new (to him) route. Apparently, part of YHC’s pre-published route cut through a gated community which YHC probably had previously learned about and then forgotten. Without any PAX members around, only drivers flying around that corner on Atlee Station Road and whatever animal was rustling in the nearby trees can attest to how YHC completed his route. Yardsale and No Idea probably covered under 4 miles together with a slightly delayed rucking start. Numbers, names, and No Idea took us out, remembering particularly Corned Beef and Hash.

Even in the gloom there is a joy to taking new paths like the one this morning. It can be difficult to keep that sense of joy and wonder in the world during hard times or just during the day-to-day grind. I look forward to seeing the rest of the runners back out soon.

This is the start of the backblast. Opus, Mr. Holland, and YHC ran a bit more than 4 miles. This is the middle of the backblast. Names, numbers, Opus took us out. This is the end of the backblast.

With the ruckers scared away by the unseasonable warmth, 3 runners looped the Atlee school complex three times, taking a shortcut the last time, to log 4.31 miles. The pace was thankfully fairly moderate. Numbers, names, and Opus took us out.

As a reminder, there is a HDHH tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. at the Hanover PBR. Corned Beef is collecting slightly used shoes for donations.

The Pax saw many other runners and walkers enjoying the weather. YHC enjoyed discussing the tv and movies he had been watching during his recent down time. There was also thoughtful discussion on Davar Hamlin and other reminders of tragedy and mortality. Good to spend the time running and enjoying the freedom movement brings. It is always a pleasure running with Opus and Mr. Holland.

3 runners and 4 ruckers launched from AHS to explore various routes. Corned Beef led the ruckers through Giles for about 3.5 miles. A lot of good conversation was reported. YHC and Mr. Holland did a classic out-and-back-oops-we-forgot-to-turn-better-hurry route into Kings Charter for about 4.8 miles. We clearly were too engrossed in a conversation about video games, surgical procedures, or conducting a choir to remember to navigate. Marco Polo ran something similar, with an added hill, for a bit more than 5 miles. Numbers, names, Yardsale took us out.

It was good to see such a strong group after being away for a week or two. Welcome to Otis for what I believe was his first run/ruck post. After a hopefully brief trip to the IR, YHC looks forward to getting back out to lead this fine group.

YHC hoped to lead 10 (er 11) little Davillians for a Tuesday morning run or ruck workout. YHC planned intervals on a hilly stretch of road in Honey Meadows to keep the PAX generally together regardless of speed differences. YHC was vague about his intentions for hilly intervals to avoid suppressing turnout.

The fartsack’s irresistible gravitational pull captured No Idea, Yardsale, Spit, Hash, and Tonka, assisted in at least some cases by illness or family obligations. And then there were 6.

Bulkhead battled through the fartsack and was eventually victorious, but he arrived late to see a PAX already moving swiftly away. A modern-day Tantalus, he chased yet drew no closer to the PAX as the PAX faded into the gloom of Honey Meadows. Left to wander alone through Honey Meadows, he finally joined other fallen Davillians to complete his journey. And then there were 5.

The rucksack’s siren song of increased strength and less joint pounding has a firm grip on Boo Boo, and he had declared his surrender to this siren song prior to arrival. And then there were 4.

As the fleet of PAX sailed close to Boo Boo and the rucksack’s siren song after departure, the siren song overcame Corned Beef as well and pulled him away from the running PAX. The other PAX, perhaps with too much wax in their ears to succumb, seemed immune to the song. And then there were 3.

Keeping up with Marco Polo, who was still recovering from a marathon, YHC warned his fellow runner of the upcoming hilly intervals with concerns for Marco Polo’s potentially tired legs. When YHC turned around to check on the remainder of the PAX, Marco Polo, mindful of such perils, escaped Honey Meadows to Kings Charter for a solo effort. And then there were 2.

YHC, Opus, and Mr. Holland descended the hills of Honey Meadows together to begin the dreaded interval workout. Upon reaching the bottom, the PAX turned to begin their first of several expected intervals. Mr. Holland and Opus composed a different, improvisational plan and instead ran back and met Bulkhead for an easy run. When YHC ran his second interval, he did not see Mr. Holland or Opus. And then there were none.

YHC got in 4.5 miles, including a few hill interval reps and sprint reps on the way back. Marco Polo got in 5. Bulkhead, Mr. Holland, and Opus, presumably got in 4 or so miles. Numbers, names, Corned Beef took us out.

In all seriousness, YHC was clear with the PAX that they should attack the hill intervals only if they felt up for it or wanted the workout. Given the lack of notice and various recovery needs, many PAX members were understandably on an easy run plan today. It was great to circle back up with all of the Davillians who conquered the fartsack this morning. It was fun to see Marco Polo again after his extended marathon-training-induced absence.

Four runners and one rucker braved the cold to tackle the not-so-mean streets of Mechanicsville. The four runners followed a standard loop around the Kings Charter Clubhouse and back through Taylor Farms, though Spit went and did his own thing at times. My watch claims we covered 4.27 miles. Boo Boo rucked an unknown distance for an unknown period of time. The runners appreciated the beautiful, just-risen moon over the eastern horizon as we returned to Atlee. Numbers, names, Spit took us out.

There was good company for the run this morning. Good luck to Bulkhead, Opus, and anyone else who is doing a turkey trot on Thursday. YHC could not get his permission slip signed to do a turkey trot, but signed up for the RRRC Toy Run 5k on December 11 to add some training motivation.

3 runners and one late rucker, Yardsale, took off just after 5:30 from Atlee High School. The three runners ran an easy 10 minutes or so to the back of Giles. The runners then ran 3 minutes back to the start at tempo pace (comfortably hard), and then turned away from the start for 2 minutes of easy jogging or walking as needed back. It was 3 steps forward, two steps back all the way to just past the start. The PAX appreciated getting to run up same hill at tempo pace twice. Yardsale then joined for a warm down jog around Atlee High School. The runners were disappointed that Yardsale did not solve all of the problems of the world while rucking because instead he watched animal videos.

It was good to get back out there on a good morning for a run. The workout was generally well received, so it may be inflicted again. We circled up for some good camaraderie, and Mr. Holland took us out.

Six runners and two ruckers recovered from their Halloweens the F3 way. The assigned challenge was a controlled out and back, going out for 22 minutes to and along Kings Charter Drive, ensuring that the returning run took less than 22 minutes. Spit, Opus, Mr. Holland, and Corned Beek did it the hard way, stopping for 25 pushups each mile. YHC and Hash covered just over 5 miles. Emoji and No Idea rucked for 4.2 miles in some locations and presumably engaged in intellectual discourse at a level only reachable in the gloom.

The details are light in the above because the COT was so focused on catching up with Emoji that there was no time for discussions of distances or routes. It was nice to meet Emoji and see an unusually strong turnout for the Anvil Run. It’s always nice to push myself to keep up with Hash.

The rescheduled happy hour at PBR has been rescheduled again, I think, for Wednesday (tomorrow), a bit later in the evening. Check messenger for details. Opus took us out.