Author: Splinter

  • Block Party at Trinity

    Seventeen elite gentlemen gathered in the moon-lit parking lot for today’s iteration of Hoedown. Men gathered from afar, likely due to today’s pseudo-holiday. Hitchhiker attempted to steal the Q but no one listened. YHC called let’s mosey and the PAX followed down Forest to Trinity.

    COP

    • 20 SSH
    • 10 Helicopters
    • 10 Imperial Walkers
    • 10 Don Quixotes
    • 10 Merkins
    • 10 Freddie Mercuries

    The Thang

    While thinking through Q options this weekend, YHC felt like a higher intensity, cardio workout was due. Therefore, a 1K 5K was called. Partner up for 1000 exercises while your partner runs the horseshoe, to Stuart Hall, and back. Exercises were 100 hand release merkins, 200 Lt Dans, 300 WWIIs, 400 SSH. Collect the six as some teams began to finish then mosey back to the VSF.

    Digits and alphabetic assignments before YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Who knew Trinity UMC was such a mecca for early bird walkers? The PAX came across at least 3 individuals doing laps through the parking lot. Since we were 17, they had to modify. Apologies to the neighborhood for crashing the party.

    Not much mumblechatter today due to the requirement to count. Most teams were close to finishing the 1k exercises so YHC will call mission accomplished on that one. With about 7 laps and the mosey to and fro, we should have been close on the 5k also. Great push everyone.

    Kudos for Florence for calling out coffeeteria after the workout. Seems like there was a strong following converging on the local Starbucks. YHC would have joined you except Henrico decided that a day of recognition for our 46 presidents only deserved half a celebration, so off YHC went to shuttle the youngest to the bus.

    Here is link to a brief reflection on the history of this day.

    Announcements

    • Arrive at Source of Truth by 5:50am Saturday to clown car to the Bridge. See Flatline for more details.

    Spring mornings are on the horizon. Looking forward to more mornings like today.

    Splinter

  • The Rehearsal Dinner

    Fifteen eager spiderlings huddled in the bowl behind the commons, wondering what the high pitched steam release was coming from the smoke stacks. Some stared as if they were looking at a shooting star, YHC declared enough and routes were shared. Across the bridge!!!

    The Route

    • Through the bat cave and across the parking lot
    • Across the bridge and take the u-turn on the right on the other side of the bridge
    • Once you turn around and are facing Riverside once again, turn left… upriver… west…
    • 4s take a left on Southhampton and make your way up the hill until you get to 2 miles and turn around
    • 5s and 6s take a right on Southhampton and left on Riverside
    • 5s continue on Riverside to Cherokee and return
    • 6s continue on Riverside across Cherokee, up Rustic, left on Oakleaf, left on Elm, left on Hickory, cross Cherokee and continue back to the VSF

    Numbers, names, slight delay to pray for Wilson before Bone Thugs joined us and YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Lovely morning for a run today. There still seems to be confusion as to east and west once we get to the river. How long have we been doing this, 5 years? Some people just won’t ever get it. At least those people are always prompt.

    Title of the backblast comes from the discussion in YHCs group about rehearsal dinners and the appropriate level of roasting that is done by family and friends. Apparently YHCs family may take it a little too far. All in good fun.

    Announcements

    • Hitch is joining Corned Beef and DTH for a ramp build on 2/10. Still need 3 more to join.

    Enjoy the day!

  • A Hot Meal on a Cold Night

    Three in the Splinter household noodled on a meal for Breaking Bread before settling on something that had no noodles. Enchiladas were called and delivered to our friends down on Belt Boulevard.

    For those that haven’t signed up, sign up. Upchuck couldn’t make it any simpler. It’s a great organization and they are ever so grateful for the support we provide them on a regular basis.

  • Tracing the Lines

    Seventeen able bodied Kindergarten graduates including one FNG gathered in the light of the moon (well, spotlight) for today’s on-time launch of 45 MoM. Quick mosey around the track before gathering on the tennis court, from which we never left, for:

    COP

    • 20x SSH
    • 10x Helicopters
    • 10x Don Quixotes
    • 10x Merkins
    • 10x Scorpion Kicks
    • 20x LBCs
    • 10x Mountain Climbers

    The Thang

    Tennis court tracers. 1 court, normal tracer then line up on the sidelines for a line drill with the gaps between the courts as the ‘lines’. Here was the sequence:

    • Trace court 1 normal
    • Line drill: 15 merkins, 30 squats, 40 LBCs, run to the end and back
    • Trace court 1, court 2 touching the ground at the net and baseline
    • Line drill: 15 werkins, 30 monkey humpers, 40 american hammers, run to the end and back
    • Trace court 1, court 2 touching the ground, court three staying eyes even with net
    • Line drill: 15 hand release merkins, 30 lunges, 40 flutter kicks, run to the end and back
    • Trace court 1, court 2 touching the ground, court three low, court 4 with burpees at the net and baseline
    • Line drill: 15 diamond merkins, 30 side lunges, 40 freddie mercuries, run to the end and back

    Team up for triple check, with Faceplant wandering from team to team. Reverse Plank, Crab Cakes, run the length of the court. We made it through 2 rounds before time was called and it was time to run BTTF.

    Announcements

    • After some confusion we confirmed Vinny’s dogpile q Saturday and Gomer’s NEXT Saturday departure. Prayers to Gomer, Pigskin, and the rest of the team as they mission in Honduras.
    • DaVille has shuffled their lineup, so take a look at the website or Corned Beef’s post before making a trip to DaVille.
    • We don’t do Yoga when it rains, but there is Broga regularly. Talk to Last Call or Doublemint for more info.

    Moleskin

    Late yesterday afternoon, the Q sheet was still wide open for today. Given that, there was little expectation on the numbers that actually showed up today. Like clockwork, 5:25 and the moths converged near the flame. You can thank Saab for today’s sequence as he hesitated to put his name on the Q sheet and YHC capitalized.

    In that vein, last night YHC was searching for inspiration when an article appeared describing Djokovic’s situation down under and YHC thought to his self… SELF!!! What should the theme be for tomorrow? Tennis was top of mind so tennis is what we got today.

    It was a pleasure to lead this morning gentlemen and YHC appreciated all the words of encouragement. They truly are what gets me through the day. At one point YHC did hear Gomer justifying the inclusion of Scorpion Kicks, and for that YHC thanks you.

    YHC also appreciates Wedding Singer for taking the lead on the tracers on the other side of the court. Forget the idiots behind you and their suggestions, you did a fine job leading, and for that YHC thanks you.

    Ample mumblechatter today for a bunch of geriatrics. I guess it’s true what they say. A fine wine gets better with age while grown men get saltier.

    Enjoy the day. Splinter out.

  • Leeroy Jenkins with a Side of Varsity Blues

    Eight of eastern western Henrico’s finest dads gathered in the almost dry parking lot for the first 2022 iteration of First Watch. After some discussion about where Andy Jenks is and the various waldo sightings of him around town, we did a few laps in the parking lot before settling in the northeast corner for…

    COP

    • 20x SSH
    • Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy Jeeeeeeeeenkinnnnnnnns
    • 20x IW
    • Stoplight burpees
    • Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy Jeeeeeeeeenkinnnnnnnns
    • 20x Merkins
    • 20x LBCs

    The Thang

    Super duper 21s were called today to try to stay off the “slick” roads and go with a ground and pound. Increasing number of 3 exercises until we reached 21. Exercises were merkins, squats, WWIIs.

    • Reps 1-5
    • Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy Jeeeeeeeeenkinnnnnnnns
    • Stoplight burpees
    • Reps 6-10
    • 21x Monkey Humpers
    • Reps 11-13
    • Stoplight burpees
    • 21x Mountain Climbers
    • Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy Jeeeeeeeeenkinnnnnnnns
    • Reps 14-17
    • Stoplight burpees
    • 21x Scorpion Kicks
    • Stoplight burpees
    • Reps 18-19
    • 21x Box cutters
    • Rep 20
    • Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy Jeeeeeeeeenkinnnnnnnns
    • Rep 21
    • Mary including Freddie Mercuries and American Hammers
    • One final Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy Jeeeeeeeeenkinnnnnnnns

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Plan for the day was a ground and pound so no one would slip and turn an ankle. The plan generally worked except for 1 turned ankle. Heal fast Pucker!

    There were two rules today. First, we had to do burpees any time the east/west River Road stoplight was anything other than green. The second, which was an improv, was we had to run to the end of the parking lot and do 5 burpees anytime someone yelled Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy Jeeeeeeeeenkinnnnnnnns. Each PAX had one callout max and almost everyone participated. This was triggered due to the Andy Jenks mumblechatter pre-launch. Much to YHCs surprise NO ONE picked up the Leeroy Jenkins reference, so it is posted here for everyone’s enjoyment.

    Thanks to Honeydo, I may casually watch Varsity Blues one night and see what happens.

    See everyone in the gloom.

    Splinter

  • Two Spin Cycles for the Price of One

    Ten local middle-aged men gathered in the gloom to compare their numbers of appliances. Odd mumblechatter pre-launch but it sufficed.

    COP

    – SSH
    – Hillbillies
    – Don Quixotes
    – Arm Circles
    – Merkins
    – LBCs

    The Thang

    Very short mosey to the sideline for progressive line drill. Run to the first basketball hoop, perform an exercise, then return back to the start and wait for the 6. 1st and second basketball hoop, etc until you got to all 4 lines, repeating all 4 exercises. Exercises were 10x merkins, 20x Mountain Climbers, 30x Jump Squats, 40x American Hammers. Repeat in descending order.

    Wander over to the arrows for, arrows. Bear crawl between arrows and 3 burpees at each arrow. As Last Call put it, Merry Xmas.

    Shift over to the end of the lot for triple check as the lights came on. Reverse plank, walk-out/back merkins, run and bernie up the hill.

    Follow the leader over to the other lot for curb crawls. Up to 5 and back down, audible to not do the way down.

    6 minutes of mary which included WWII, H2H, Freddie Mercuries, followed by a 10 count ring of fire with Fudd going nostalgic and singing for us.

    Numbers, names, announcements before YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    Convergence Saturday 7am at Rock N Roll.

    HDHH at some point this week.

    Enjoy the day fellas.

  • My XMas Gift to You All… Fudd

    11 Hills Elevation Chart

    Twelve more than able bodies, most of whom knew what was in store but still showed, gathered to accept YHCs XMas present to you all. Huddle up to admire TYAs gloves AND PANTS before departing towards the golf course.

    The Route

    • Bro-code along Ridgeway to a right on Fairway, stopping at Tapoan to collect the 6
    • 3 intervals up Tapoan, 1 minute up and 1:45 recovery down
    • Short mosey back to Ridgeway, stopping at the road sign
    • 3 intervals up Ridgeway continuing up Ridgeway to a left on Roselawn on the final interval
    • Mosey down Roselawn to the bottom
    • 3 intervals up Ridgeway
    • 2 intervals up Towana
    • Short mosey back to the VSF

    Numbers, names, and announcements before YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Going away happy hour for Fudd tomorrow, 5:45 @ Final Gravity
    • Corned Beef is organizing ramp builds for the new year. Check out his post.

    Moleskin

    YHC intentionally gave a strong hint as to what was in store for today. Normally, intervals are a surprise for the PAX, accompanied by groans and expletives. Today was a test to see who would show up even thought they knew what was in store. Thanks to the 11 friends that tackled the day with YHC.

    Congrats to the large turnout at NoToll today as well. Coffeeteria afterwards was a convergence of sorts of two AOs. Good to catch up with everyone.

    Splinter out.

  • Glen and Ross, No Garry

    Quince celebratory dudes plus one early departing Flatline gathered at our standard Tuesday launch point to witness a surprise in the sky. Was it a shooting star, or was it Big Blue securing the AO? Both were there this AM, going to be a great day! Route was seemingly uncomplicated, a loop with offshoots, but looks can be deceiving!

    The Route

    • Right out of our hole to a right on UR drive
    • Right on Westhampton, passing by the Greek Theatre, alumni center and back to a right on UR drive
    • Left on River then right through the parking lot and right towards the bridge
    • Right on Westham station
    • 6s take a right on Old Bridge and right on Highland up to River and back
    • Continue on Westham Station to a right up South Ridge
    • 5s and 6s take a left (YES LEFT) on Ross. Down to the bottom and back
    • 6s do a loop around Cameron before rejoining on South Ridge
    • Cross River to Westham
    • Second right onto Glen Pkwy
    • Straight across into Westhampton campus
    • Straight on Keller, under Modlin arch
    • Right on Westhampton back to the VSF

    Moleskin

    Lots of right turns. In my head this was simple, as it was a big loop, but I realize some of the PAX has difficulty with navigating non-straight roads in the dark. But hey, no one was lost. AGAIN YHC WINS!!!

    I’m sure other AOs will report on this as well, but the meteor this morning was a pure spectacle. I would say breathtaking but that was likely the fact that I was on South Ridge. A slow, large burn, with bright colors that seemed to disintegrate as it headed east.

    Keep looking upward gentlemen!

    Announcements

    • 12 days of Christmas 12/21 at that other AO on the southside that doesn’t run as much as we do
    • Gypsy is collecting gently used shoes of all sizes and purposes

    Out goes Splinter.

  • We Trotted

    Sixteen mostly suspecting gentlemen launched at various times for today’s special edition of Spider Run. A few unsuspecting individuals arrived expecting instructions but only received the brief version. In all, 16 people launched and 16 people came back. SUCCESS!!!

    The Route:

    Turkey Routes

    Moleskin

    Today was different. Different is good. We all launched at various times to attempt to finish at the same time. I’ll declare success.

    Congrats to TYA who crushed the JFK this past weekend. Dude continues to be an inspiration (on the pavement).

    Will this be an annual tradition? We have plenty of happenings over Thanksgiving week but this one just might make a repeat appearance next year.

    Announcements

    TYA owns the rest of the week. Thursday 6am @ Mary. Friday 7am @ Forest Hill Park Shelter 1

    Happy Thanksgiving fellas!

  • Turkey Routes

    This Tuesday at Spider Run we will be running a 10k. The link to the route is below and I’ll also describe it for individuals that have not run this route previously. The trails are slightly modified from the official route but everything else is the same. Headlamps strongly recommended.

    It’s 6.2 miles with plenty of elevation. Ideally, we will all be finishing at the same time, right around 615. If you think you need an hour and 15 to finish a 10k, play your departure for around 5am. I’ll be there just before 5am to assist with any questions.

    Feel free to ping me for any questions.

    https://onthegomap.com/s/fmrolial

    spider run route

    Section 1 – Looping Around Towana

    This section starts by heading back towards the lake, taking a right, and then up behind the football stadium before exiting campus by taking a right on Campus. Continue up Campus until you hit Roselawn and then make a U-Turn to head back down Towana. When you get to the bottom, take a left and head up Roselawn. First right onto Ridgeway then back to the Commons.

    Section 2 – Trails Through Campus

    Once you pass the start, take a left at the commons and head across the lake, veering right onto the path around the lake. After you pass the cafeteria, take your first left up the path. At the top, take an immediate right on the path and head behind the Greek Theatre. Once you pass behind the Greek Theatre you will see tennis courts ahead of you. Take a hard right down the well lit path back to the lake. Don’t cross the bridge. Take a left, watching your step on the gravel and take the path over to College. Right on College.

    Section 3 – Westham

    This part is pretty easy (directions wise). Once on College take a left on Lakewood. Lakewood all the way to Westham. Left on Westham. Left on Club Vista (last road before River). Left on College and an immediate right on Westhampton Way.

    Section 4 – The Westhampton Campus

    Continue on Westhampton, straight across the first intersection onto Keller. Right on Westhampton Way then right on UR drive. First right onto Crenshaw. This next part is in my mind arbitrary but nevertheless part of the route. Go up Crenshaw until you get to the Modlin Center parking lot. It’s essentially at the top of the hill. Then turn around and come back to a left on UR drive.

    Section 5 – The Big Finish

    Continue on UR drive like you are heading back to the starting point. Except, you have to finish with the big loop. Up Gateway to the top, left to head back behind the football field and back down to the lake. Long downhill finish back to the parking lot.

    The END

    I’ll come up with some turn by turn directions that can be printed for those that may be completely confused at this point.

    UPDATE: Turn by Turn Directions available here!

    Turkey-Trot-Turn-by-Turn DirectionsDownload

    If 6.2 is too much there are two options for you. One is to eliminated the Roselawn/Ridgeway loop and just return back to the start via the path at the bottom of Towana. The second is to eliminate the Crenshaw out and back and just head back to the finish. The final is to cut off the hill loop at the end but I wouldn’t recommend that as it is a fantastic finish.

    Complaints will be taken from 9:00 – 9:01am on Tuesday. Yes, this is after the run.

    This should be fun. See everyone on Tuesday!