Author: Splinter

  • Celebrating Seabiscuit

    Ten dependable runners + one two wheeler that needed to zip up his biking shirt gathered in the waning darkness for today’s new? Spider Run route. It appears as if a good time was had by all.

    The Route

    https://onthegomap.com/s/qhrhj6lb

    4s: Only do Essex

    5s: Essex, Dinwiddie, Old Nelson

    6s: Nalla + the traffic circle / Glendale

    All routes were a little heavy, when accompanied by heavy legs made for a tough route.

    Moleskine

    After some initial discussion in our favorite parking lot, YHC offered instructions that were plentiful in nature. Only a few questions arose. Alas, some didn’t wait for instructions to finish and of he went.

    Apparently each of us isn’t as young as we once were. Certainly not in comparison to 3 year old stallions from a century ago. Ever the linguist, Marv made a comparison of his calfs to those of Seabiscuit. YHC guesses Seabiscuit was better off.

    From Seabiscuits to mahogony garage doors to a quick game show of: What is it? Sauna or Port-o-jon, discussion was lively this morning. Let’s reach out to some of the old Spider Run regulars and get them back out again.

    Splinter out.

  • Not a Race

    Ten pavement pounders plus one wind pusher gathered on a somewhat chilly morning for today’s Spider Run. After ample discussion on game 5 of the Pens/Flyers game, routes were called.

    Routes

    The general route was, get to Westham, get to Patterson, get to Boatwright. Detailed directions were:

    4s:  https://onthegomap.com/s/r5lh250k
    5s:  https://onthegomap.com/s/dfmjctmj
    6s:  https://onthegomap.com/s/50s7gjns

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Prayers for those in Marv’s circle dealing with various forms of cancer
    • Thoughts are with all those PAX members traveling this week

    Moleskin

    Lots of turns in this route but most are well known. 6s decided to evaluate which route was shorter at the base of Boatwright, continue down college or turn down campus. It wasn’t a race, but Marv got back first.

    Splinter out

  • Variated Pitchfork

    Eight plus one gathered for this week’s Spider Run. An oldie was thrown out, with a new prong added for some.

    The Route

    4s: panarama and highland and old bridge
    5s: 4s plus overlook
    6s: 5s plus add the top of south ridge.

    https://onthegomap.com/s/cv84fc57

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • 10k this weekend. Make sure you avoid hills the rest of the week

    Moleskin

    It’s been a few weeks since YHC made an appearance at Spider Run. After reviewing routes from previous weeks, YHC came up with something we hadn’t seen in a while. Slack disagreement was overblown, everyone enjoyed it.

    YHC especially enjoyed seeing the fine mist in the air that was reflected by the headlamp. Quickly realizing it wasn’t mist, but pollen, coughing ensued for the remainder of the run.

    Embrace the day fellas.

    Splinter out

  • 90 Second Episodes

    Eight steam generators gathered in the gloom for today’s not-frozen edition of Spider Run. After a little bit of convincing, everyone followed:

    The Route

    • West around the lake and across the path to University
    • University to a left on Ralston
    • Ralston to a right on River
    • Right on Glenbrooke Circle then left on W Glenbrooke Circle
    • 4s go to Summit and return
    • 5s go up Summit and back down, turning right to continue the Glenbooke loop
    • Everyone return via Ralston and University

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Prayers for Pucker as his son recovers and OBT as his brother recovers
    • Spider Run is back baby!

    Moleskine

    Perfect weather for a run around the lake and to head west today. While some flirted with long sleeves, none were needed today. Glad OBT was able to get a tour of some new streets to challenge his preference for a grid.

    Good post COT chatter as no one was in a hurry to warm up.

    Next few weeks Qs are open. Sign up!

    Splinter out

  • North, West, East

    Eleven, including 2 on two wheels, gathered in our usual spot for this week’s Q-less edition of RAMM. Never fail, 5:24 route creation from the warmth of YHCs heated seats resulted in a plan.

    Even with one of the gear heads (but not the actual gear head) annoyingly circling and distracting the relaying of the instructions, instructions were provided and understood. Marv, questioning what time it was, prodded the group to get started for:

    The Route

    North on Commonwealth then back to grove.

    West on Grove then back to Commonwealth.

    East on Grove then back to Commonwealth.

    4s turn around at Cutshaw, Lexington, Thompson.

    5s turn around at Augusta, Oak, Nansemond.

    6s turn around at Broad, Seneca, Roseneath.

    Moleskin

    Seems like many of the PAX have emerged from hibernation, YHC included. Great to see some kotters Kebab and Garbage Plate.

    The gears guys actually came back for COT this week. This offered a chance for a someone crude but nevertheless funny joke to be told with reference to Lewinsky and a cigar. Had to be there to hear it.

    Great fellowship post run, even without free coffee. Which, by the way, sounds like a great idea for RAMM…

    Announcements

    • Hitch is a royal celebrity, read his article posted on slack
    • Hitch and family also helped out with the Valentine museum on their latest exhibit Dissent! I clicked through, and wow! Some pretty amazing work there. Nice work M Hitch!

    Splinter out.

  • Smallest Van Ever

    Two visitors to South Florida, one a more regular visitor than the other, met outside the lobby of the local hotel for this week’s edition of The Clinic. Brief discussion of how far to go before we just went.

    The Route

    Out around the dangerous curve, waiting for honking that never happened. Wandered through various parking lots, office complexes, and shopping malls, even spotting the remnants of a traveling circus, before doubling back to the hotel.

    Moleskin

    Mumble chatter and conversation was strong this fine Wednesday morning. Discussion started with a conversation at the DHL office complex about how small a cart van could actually be while still being comfortable. All indications were that fun could still be had while driving a tiny little van.

    There was also discussion about why a law firm needs to have a 24 x 7 Call Center until it was explained that it’s one of the largest law firms in Florida and they have lots of billboards. Enough said.

    We also saw the remnants of what could’ve been a fantastic circus. I guess the next trip to the clinic will have to have our fingers crossed.

    Thanks for the hospitality shown by the host. Will visit again.

  • Strong Sunday Crowd

    Eighteen, that’s right, 18 residents of our deferred to Breaking Bread location were blessed with a second serving of chicken, a day after Gumbo’s meal delivery.

    Meal for the day included three whole smoked chickens, potatoes, salad, and a bag of small french rolls (with butter of course). The leader of the house was pleased that he didn’t have to come up with a meal to feed the group that evening.

    As has been said many a time prior, Breaking Bread is an easy and fulfilling 3rd-F opportunity not only for yourself, but for the whole familiy.

    See the Q sheet to sign up.

  • On a Scale of 1-10

    Seven of Westmoreland’s finest gathered for what may be the last running meetup for a while. Consensus was no one wants to run on crunchy black ice. Regardless, YHC called a route that was only partially stolen from Marv. That’s what you get when you sit in a car and plan a route before stepping out.

    The Route

    • Meander over to Malvern and right into Windsor Farms
    • Do the back loop around to left on Dover
    • Cut through to Lock Lane
    • Inspect to see if we can sneak past the guard gate
    • Right on Charmian
    • Left on Charmian
    • Right on West Hillcrest
    • Left to Cary then cross to Oak.
    • 4s Oak to Grove then back home.
    • 5s/6s Oak past Grove, past Patterson to a right on Park
    • 5s right on Commonwealth (a little short)
    • 6s right before 195 then back on Grove

    Numbers, self-rating, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Pigskin still going to the Bridge tomorrow, see Slack
    • Blank Space VQ at Dogpile tomorrow
    • Frozen Triangle coming up Super Bowl weekend
    • F3 is open to everyone once, then men

    Moleskine

    There were some crazy bikers heading east on Cary when the 5s crossed Cary into Windsor Farms. I mean, who bikes when it’s that cold, doesn’t stop at stop lights, and has music playing on a bluetooth speaker while riding? Must have been some of those millennials. We put them in their place.

    Conversation in COT centered around rating scale of rabbits and how accurate it can be when it’s 0530 and dark.

    Stay warm my friends.

    Splinter Out

  • Strong Hedges

    Nine Spider Run stalwarts gathered for today’s not-so-cold-but-still-frigid edition of riding/rucking/running the streets of Westham. After a brief appearance by TYA who sounded like his tongue had frozen, off we went for:

    The Route

    Numbers, names, Marv took us out.

    Announcements

    • Snowpocalypse is coming. Stay tuned to slack for workout adjustments

    Moleskin

    Bundle up everyone. Depending on if you are a US model or a EURO model fan, we could get a little or a lot! Time to hit the stores!

  • Whiskey Aides Circulation

    Twelve pavement pounders, including one from DR, found the hidden entrance to the Spider Run AO and gathered for instructions. Two launched early, with one more hoping for a ruck partner. Luckily he showed right at 0530 so off we went for:

    The Route

    Out and backs today. Reverse direction from how we normally hit these hills.

    Out around the lake and through the path to University, most avoiding the temptation to turn left over the bridge. Up University to south on Westham. Westham cross River to Country Squire. Country Squire to left on South Ridge. Right on Ross to the bottom then back up to South Ridge.

    4s return via Country Squire.

    5s / 6s take a right on South Ridge and continue to Old Bridge.

    5s return back up South Ridge & Country Squire.

    6s up Highland before returning back up South Ridge & Country Squire.

    Numbers, names, announcements, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Prayers for our DR from Arkansas friend whose dad is receiving end-of-life care 🙏
    • Frozen Triangle on super bowl Saturday
    • Pigskin is looking to fill a car on 1/24 for The Bridge

    Moleskine

    Great to see the crew back out at Spider Run this morning. Even with some grumblings about the out-and-back route and the fact that 5s and 6s were almost back home on Westham Station but were told to reverse course, the PAX had a marvelous time. YHC personally enjoyed hitting those hills from a different approach, which is all that really matters.

    Make it a great day!

    Splinter out.