Author: Splinter

  • Halloween Havoc

    Eight of the area’s finest gathered in the light mist for today’s Spider Run. With no one reviewing routes prior to launch, one round of instructions didn’t suffice. YHC had enough and off we went, offering traveling instructions for the sixes. Today was the middle section of the turkey trot route, everything up through going south on Westham. Here are the instructions, typed out as complicated as possible.

    The Route

    Left out of parking lot and left in front of the Commons. Veer right around the lake and take your first left up the hill. Right at the top of the hill, behind the Greek Theatre, then right at the tennis courts, down the hill, dumping you out at the lake bridge. Left through the path, right on College, left on Lakewood then left on Westham. That’s mile 1 folks, and the end of this week’s turkey trot preview.

    Everyone turn right on Sunset (aka the fake university according to Wedding Singer). Left on Ridge, right on Holmes to Ziontown. 6s go right on Ziontown to Ridge then turn around and head back, following these directions. Ziontown to University, right on Ralston. 6s continue on Ralston and do a loop around Windsor on the James before heading back on Ralston. Turn onto Rose Hill, right on Kingston, left on Gaymont, right on University. Back University, through the path, left across the bridge and BTTVSF.

    https://onthegomap.com/s/d2ep2a1j

    4s did 4. 6s did 6. YHC was the only 5 so mother goose it was.

    Apologies for the number of turns this morning. There was good intent.

    Announcements

    • Turkey Trot 11/21 @ Spider Run. Launch whenever needed to finish a 10k by 6:15. Full route will be posted soon

    Be safe out there today everyone.

    Splinter out.

  • Just a Taste of the Turkey

    Seventeen or so young lads gathered to discuss what a non Lockjaw Q may look like. We waited for Lockjaw to appear but he never did. The only directions this morning were that we were tackling the first third of the turkey trot route. Off we went, ready for some intervals.

    The Route

    Warm up run by the lake, veering right up the first hill. Pause for brief instructions. Two intervals up the first hill with the first treated as a warm up and the second continuing up the hill and out Campus.

    Continue up Campus then u-turn down Towana. 1 mile marker is right at the u-turn. Collect ourselves at the intersection of Towana & Roselawn. Two intervals up Towana and two up Roselawn. Recover uphill after the second interval on Roselawn to a right on Ridgeway.

    Continue down Roselawn, briefly disturbing the peace, earmuffs for “shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit”, then collect ourselves at the corner of Ridgeway and Fairway. Two intervals back up Ridgeway plus a bonus interval for Bodos to try to prove himself.

    Recover back to the VSF for numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Great turnout for the first non-Lockjaw run in these parts since August. The thirteen or so runners today shouldn’t have any difficulty remembering the first 2.25 miles of the Turkey Trot on 11/21.

    Prayers out to our PAX members that are dealing with difficult times, whether work, personal, or physical.

    Good luck to Bone Thugs as he tackles his first half marathon this weekend. You will crush it!

    Peace out fellas.

    Splinter

  • Lock Blocked by the Tennis Team

    Eight early risers convened in the RRCB parking lot for this week’s iteration of First Watch. After questioning Wojo’s mode of transportation and celebrating the news, off we went, some with one headlight.

    The Thang

    Traveling COP as we worked toward campus. Various dynamic exercises at various stops until we reached the tennis courts by the greek theatre. Apparently those courts are for the exclusive use of private school attendees, possibly singularly for the elite tennis team. For the record, JMU has the all-time series record against the mens team and won 8 in a row against the ladies team. Nevertheless, after being blocked by the lock, we shifted over to the greek theatre for an altered tribute to the US Open.

    Commence 5-set match. 3 separate exercises in 15/30/40 rep sequence, with a run to the top of the theatre and back between sets. Sets were something like:

    • Merkins, mountain climbers, LBCs
    • Shoulder tap merkins, jump squats, WWIIs
    • CDDs, lunges, don’t know
    • Werkins, donkey kicks, flutter kicks
    • Burpees, reverse lunges, american hammers

    Run back to the top and work our way BTTVSF with traveling lindsay, starting with squats/lbcs and switching to monkey humpers/heels to heaven.

    One final stop at the park for 2 burpee ring of fire with Señor Frog attempting a mutiny.

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Mumblechatter was intermittent today, due to all the counting, but it was still strong. It was a great day for Ronnie yesterday, let’s celebrate the wins… even if models sometimes get swapped out for librarians.

    Best of luck to all our pax that are on the mend, especially prayer requests for Mr Frog as he hopefully gets a diagnosis that helps.

    Celebrate the wins everyone! Getting up and working out is a great start! Have a great day all.

  • Phonics Intervals, Reprise

    Seventeen Oyster-50th-beatdown dodgers gathered in the sludge to see what sort of shadows could be cast. Even though warning shots were fired, no one took the bait. A different kind of intervals were called this morning.

    The Route

    Slow mosey in front of the commons, up by the chapel, across the slick bridge to the multi-purpose field. one quick lap so everyone knew what we were doing then instructions were called.

    Partner up with someone of equal ability. One partner runs around the field hard (80-90%) while the other recovers. Tag team for about 28 minutes before slow moseying back to the flag.

    3 minutes of light stretching as the street lamps cast light that glistened off the pooling sweat.

    Numbers, names, Bone Thugs tooks us out.

    Moleskin

    YHC remembers this being a good change of pace from typical routes and intervals. Good thing UR replaced that barely worn activity field with fresh turf. It was lush.

    The recovery period offers time for mumblechatter. Discussion of gas chambers, nascar drivers, pouring milk before cereal, and friday night UR parties dominated the discussions YHC heard.

    Somehow EF Hutton had a dime sized spot in the middle of his shirt that was still dry. I’ll give him the opportunity to explain how that could be possible.

    Happy 50th Oyster!

    Announcements

    • Labor day convergence 7am Dogpile

    Enjoy the Tuesday everyone!

  • The Devil went down to the Taint

    Fourteen able bodied gentlemen huddled to hear early instructions. Barely a question was asked, although perhaps there should have been a few more.

    The Route

    Through the bay cave, across the perfectly designed new Starbucks parking lot then west on Westham Station. Veer right past the lost CSX truck then head up South Ridge to the light.

    • 4s turn around and come home
    • 5s and 6s take a right on Ross and go into the darkness. Returning back up the same hill.
      6s were supposed to take Highland but they got lost on Ross.

    We all made it back before YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Someone mentioned to me a few weeks ago that we hadn’t run up ridge in a while, thus the inspiration. Modified pitchfork to include the taint. Everyone was thrilled.

    Glad to see we still have a strong group of walkers. Personally, I was thankful for Fudd and his willingness to pull me along today. Thanks!

    Have a great day everyone!

  • Are we ‘At’ or ‘Around’ Mary?

    Eleven of the best the commonwealth has to offer gathered on the pavement this time for some running at/around (but not in) Mary. Route was posted last night but there were still ample questions, primarily questioning whether this was a variation of the reverse or regular Carillon route. I called reverse, but on second thought maybe it was forward. Only the cowgirl truly knows.

    The Route

    https://onthegomap.com/s/ok664otj

    5s don’t do the loop at the beginning, just head down grove

    4s head down grove and right on Auburn and ditch the falcon at the end (no takers)

    Walkers did this in reverse and got in 2.75.

    Moleskin

    Say what you want about our lack of ability sometimes to consistently post at Mary (either 45 or running) but when this group gets together, comedy ensues. YHC never knew there was such disagreement on the preposition in the middle of this AOs moniker. TYA birthed it, so he gets to make the final call.

    Discussion included whether we should revert back and do another year of Grove or if Marv will mutiny again. Perhaps we should sign up Lockjaw to Q for the rest of the year again. All great memories that will likely not be repeated.

    Welcome FNG Frankie! Aptly named as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons was his first concert. Frankie is 28 so he probably saw the real Frankie when he was 75 years old.

    Have a great weekend y’all.

    Splinter

  • Temple of the Dog

    Seventeen dog lovers plus six unexpected human lovers huddled in the waning darkness for this week’s Spider Run/Walk. Directions were repeated a few times before launching promptly on time.

    The Route

    Numbers, names, announcements, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • According to Shakedown (via southern Seattle), we do things differently in RVA
    • Prayers for Kubota’s family

    Moleskin

    YHC posted he was going to be walking yesterday but didn’t realize there was going to be so much company. 6 walkers (if my count is correct), 11 runners, 6 perros. Conversation amongst the walkers consisted of vacation recaps, the proliferation of 2 week vacationers, hr sensitive topics, and of course baseball. We made it back a little late, only because we were having so much fun.

    Kudos to the runners today, some of whom were almost thwarted by an apparent theft of the Pepper Ave sign. Probably those crazy St. Chris kids who think a missing sign is going to prevent them from going back to school. Glad (most) everyone enjoyed the route and made it back on time.

    Enjoy the day fellas. It promises to be a great one.

    Splinter out.

  • Well Manicured Bushes

    Well Manicured Bushes

    A surprising 13 appeared at various times, either for early morning star gazing or for the main event, for today’s edition of First Watch. Mosey via the backdoor drive to the back parking lot for COP. Word count was high this morning.

    COP

    • 25x SSH
    • 10x Hellicopters
    • 10x DQ
    • 10x Copperhead Squats
    • 10x Arm Circles
    • 20x LBCs
    • 10x Merkins

    The Thang

    Mosey north on North Ridge to University. Stop for rules of the day. At any point during our meandering if you pass a well manicured bush on your left, 5 diamond merkins. Well manicured bush on your right, 10 monkey humpers. Started off with 5 & 10 as the homeowners association is keeping up with their manicuring.

    Short jaunt down to the bottom of university for 11s. Merkins & jump squats. 10/1 then run up to Ralston for 9/2. Back down for 8/3, etc. There happened to be a well manicured landing strip of a bush on the right, so we did 10 monkey humpers every time at the bottom. Finish at the top (of course).

    Wander south on Ralston to a well manicured lawn for something similar to a prison workout. There were 13 of us, so we lined up single file in the lawn facing the street. Each person was assigned an exercise they would pass to their right when rotation was due. Exercises were decline merkins on the swings, WWIIs, squats, SSH, burpees, incline merkins, lunges, LBCs, shoulder tap merkins, jump squats, flutter kicks, reverse crunches. The 13th exercise was the pace car, running to the yield sign at Rose Hill. All of this makes sense for everyone who was there.

    Two line native american run back up Kingston to Gaymont, BTTVSF.

    Numbers, names, announcements, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    When the cat’s away, the mice will play. When is the perfect time to do a workout in someone’s yard? When they are on a 2 week vacation of course. Hopefully the neighbors weren’t too disturbed by 20 minutes of 13 men working out in Kubota’s front lawn. Perhaps it’s time for a ring cam.

    You know that feeling when you have been out of town for a few days, come home, and your significant other has a lot to say? Well that was Handshake this morning. He didn’t take a breath the entire COP.

    Coffeeteria was strong this am as usual. Sorry I had to jet early.

    Announcements

    • Sign up for breaking bread. See Oyster.
    • Pickleball tourney 8/26 @ 6. Find a partner. Don’t bother showing up at Forest Hill during the daylight hours. Oyster says the competition is fierce.
    • Paddle 5PM tomorrow at Huguenot Flatwater. HH following at Honeydo’s.
    • Prayers for our PAX that are healing, spoken or unspoken.
    • Wojo is celebrating 6 years in F3RVA by continuing to complain about our lunge form

    Splinter out.

  • Fartleks on Fitz-Hugh

    Five fearless fun-seekers flocked to the faculty field (of asphalt) for our Friday formalities. Unbeknownst to the Q, an alliteration was called. Fartleks on Fitz-Hugh.

    The Route

    • East on Grove to a left on Lafayette
    • Left on Fitz-Hugh
    • Fartleks on Fitz-Hugh. Run 2 blocks at 80%, recover for a block. Some modified to 1 & 1.
    • 4s run all the way to willow lawn then back to Antrim
    • 5s run to willow lawn, back to Lafayette, then back to Blacker
    • 6s run to willow lawn, back to Lafayette, back to Willow Lawn, then back to Sauer
    • Run south back to the VSF wherever you end on Fitz-Hugh

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Bridge crew heading out tomorrow. Probably a full car but check with State Farm/Shakedown
    • Lots of summer travelers

    Moleskin

    YHC woke up today noticing no Q was on the sheet. Realizing intervals at Mary hadn’t been called in a while, YHC took the opportunity. It was hot, sweaty, and fun. Everyone agreed.

    You are welcome Wedding Singer for the audible reminder of how sweaty it was today.

    Splinter out.

  • Dead Poets Society

    Ten British scholars gathered in the bowl behind the commons seeking answers to the questions of the day. With the question of who has the Q out of the way, YHC proclaimed the following routes:

    The Routes

    • Start with the first half of Mount Henrico route to get everyone on University on the west side of Forest
    • 4s take a right on Essex and go up as far as you want before retracing your steps
    • 5s take a left on Arlington Circle, hard left on Sawmill, left on Shelley, right on Keats, right on University and back
    • 6s do the 5s route + take a left on Coleridge while on Sawmill out all the way to Ridge then back

    Announcements

    • See slack for details Bodo’s posted on a memorial fundraiser run on 9/16.

    Moleskin

    The soup was a perfect consistency this AM. The second question of the day was whether or not Faceplant actually sweat a drop today. YHC saw him running, so he was out there. Perhaps he has some newfangled polyester blend? Marv will wait for it to go on special before trying it.

    The third question (and what turned out to be the question that made everyone disperse) was, what does Anthrax do with all that leftover water that Peeta doesn’t drink?

    Man loves dog
    Dog loves man
    Dog drinks water
    Water refreshes man

    Man drinks dog water

    Splinter – 2023

    Who says romantic poetry is dead?

    Splinter out.