Author: Splinter

  • Sports Frenzy Reigns Over Heartbreak

    Sports Frenzy Reigns Over Heartbreak

    Twelve tantalizing tacticians gathered in the thick mist for a rarely seen Splinter Q at Heartbreak. The PAX randomly scattered for pre-launch banter then off we went for a short mosey through the light dew before gathering up between the baseball fields for:

    COP
    – Helicopters x10
    – Arm Circles x15
    – Don Qioxotes x10
    – Knee (not that knee) Pulls x10
    – Merkins x10

    Short saunter over to the volleyball? courts for our first set of exercises. Using the space between the volleyball courts as our demarcation line, we performed an exercise to get to the line, did another exercise, then completed another exercise to get to the next line. Continue across all 4 courts. Exercises were Polar Bears, Merkins x10, Lunges, Merkins x10, Polar Bears, Merkins x10, Lunges, Merkins x10. Al Gore for the six.

    Work back across the volleyball courts with different exercises. Bear-pees, WWII x10, Broad Jumps, WWII x10, Bear-pees, WWII x10, Broad Jumps, WWII x10. Plank rotation for the six.

    Bee-line through the basketball courts towards the far tennis court for 3 sets of, well, tennis. Line up on the side line for a line drill to start. Then three sets of three different exercises with a variation of a line drill in between each set. Rep numbers were clearly arbitrary.

    15 merkins / 30 jump squats / 40 2x flutter kicks / line drill
    15 hand release merkins / 30 ball dippers / 40 2x hammers / line drill
    15 shoulder tap merkins / 30 leg somethings / 40 LBCs / line drill

    Aimlessly follow the Q back to the middle of the basketball courts for traveling triple check. Exercises were flutter kicks and jump squats with the traveler running the width of 4 courts to tag the partner.

    Slide on over to the baseball/softball field for some light baseball fun.

    Single – run to 1st, 10x WWIIs, run to 2nd, 10xWWIIs, etc.
    Double – run to 2nd (via 1st), 20 merkins, run home (via 3rd), 20 merkins
    Triple – run to 3rd, 30 jump squats, run home
    Home Run – inside the parker followed by a Honeydo requested 40x pickle pounders

    Meander back to the flag for 10x dealer’s choice ring of fire where we counted digits and disclaimed our twice given names before YHC took us out.

    Announcements
    – Still collecting shoes through the end of the month. Need at least 10 more pairs
    – F3RVA has doubled our commitment to Breaking Bread. Sign up on the Q sheet and talk to Upchuck for details
    – Ronnie is missing his miata and is looking for a replacement man card

    Moleskin
    Thanks for the great turnout and mumblechatter this morning. For future reference, left field of the big field needs a California sized drought to dry out the outfield. At least Handshake’s shoes didn’t have a chance to dry out from yesterday.

    For those that care to know, YHC likes running. YHC hasn’t had a chance to run much recently and today was a test to see how my body will respond. Thanks for sticking with it! Not a lot of breaks out there.

    Splinter

  • Repeato with Respect

    Repeato with Respect

    An unknown number of underlings did their thing this morning, either on their own or with a group. The main thang was a big loop while running with old glory to show respect for the tragedies of 19 years ago.

    North on Westmorland. East on Monument.

    4s turn right at Boulevard.

    5s turn right at Allison.

    6s turn right somewhere around Stuart.

    All work our way back on Grove.

    Moleskin
    Great work to a great crew this AM. Thanks to Faceplant and Marv for sharing carrying duties today. As was noted, YHC took the first and last leg and claimed all the glory.

    Ping me if I missed someone in the PAX.

    Announcements
    – Beer mile coming up one unknown weekend at the Carrilon
    – Cornhole signup for the 10/2 retreat is still open

    ¡Adiós Muchachos!

  • Spiders Do As They Are Told

    Spiders Do As They Are Told

    Twelve spiderlings +1 gathered in the gloom and waited for instructions for today’s run. After some brief awkwardness where no one spoke for about 90 seconds, instructions were given. Sweating commenced during instructions and may still be exuding from our pores. Absorbed all instructions then took off where we waved to one LIFO who did his own thing.

    The Route

    • Head out Richmond Way towards River
    • Right on Westhampton Way to add a loop
    • Westhampton turned into Crenshaw and then intersected UR Drive after passing by the Alumni Center and Athletic Fields
    • Right on UR Drive
    • Left on River
    • Left into Batcave
    • Right on Ridgeway
    • Right on Fairway which turns into Robin & Iris
    • Briefly cross Three Chopt and left on Henri (aka the access road)
    • Take access road and then left across Three Chopt onto Campus
    • 4s take Campus then left on Gateway and back to the VSF
    • 5s continue on Campus to a left on College. Then left at the baseball field and finish with a 3/4 loop around the lake.
    • 6s continue down College then right through Fraternity row. Left on Hampshire, Baldwin to Westham, Left on Westham, Left on Beachwood, Right on Wood then meander back to the VSF via the baseball field

    Numbers, names, Oyster showed up then YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Today is the day many of us found our limit. The soup was as thick as a bisque and the hills were plentiful. This route may be worth retrying in September.

    Preliminary feedback on the route was positive (YHC thinks) and everyone followed directions (YHC assumes). As YHC was pulling into his (two) spots this morning he could hear the grumblings of one PAX member.

    Here comes the instructions…

    Crabtree, c. 2020

    There was much commentary about last Friday’s RAMM and the effectiveness of the Q in capturing the spirit of the workout in the backblast. YHC can only assume the above sarcastic grumblings were due to ill-perceived expectation of some sort of retaliatory Q this AM. While it may have crossed the Q’s mind, it will have to wait for another day.

    Great work today fellas. Until next week…

    Splinter

  • Mary Does What She Wants

    Mary Does What She Wants

    19 prompt individuals + 1 late arrival showed up for a little running/gearing around Mary. Instructions were given to those that cared, everyone else did what they wanted to do.

    Fartleks were the call of the day. 15 minute warm up, 10 1-minute pickups with a 30 minute recovery, 15 minute cool down. Route was east on Grove, north on Malvern, east on Laburnum. Turn around after the 5th interval and reverse course.

    Difficulty counting numbers, Difficulty remembering ages, then YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHC knows this has been stated before, but those that show up to RAMM seem to do whatever they want to do. Some show up early, some do their own route, some just ignore instructions. Hey, you against you I guess.

    Perhaps we don’t need a Q anymore for RAMM? Just show up and figure it all out when you get there? YHC is not trying to stir the pot, but RAMM has to be the loosest AO we currently have on the books.

    Nice work to Shiplap, Spit, and Garbage Plate. Thanks for enduring the Fartleks with me. Way to crush it.

    Splinter out

  • I Feel Like I Ran Last Friday

    I Feel Like I Ran Last Friday

    Oh Yeah… I did.

    YHC joined Gomer for a jaunt around Currahee. We did what YHC will call was “The Standard Route”. It can be standard as it was my first venture out to Currahee and can only assume it is similar to the Grove Ave route at RAMM, only better.

    Currahee is a good variation on the running routine. YHC suggests any of the running regulars try it out.

    Great running with Gomer. We discussed all sorts of current events.

  • Goose Roughage

    Twelve Tuesday regulars socially distanced themselves using goose droppings as markings. Instructions were given to head up by the football stadium, left on Campus, cross College and through the woods via the immaculate path, then huddle up for today’s festivities.

    Interval time. Gardiner was the first challenge. 1 minute up at about 80% and 1:45 recovery back down. After the first interval we collected the 4 milers that got lost and continued with 2 additional reps up Gardiner. One opted to bypass intervals and just run near us.

    Continue up Gardiner then left on Chandler and collect at the base. 3 more intervals up Chandler with the final at about 90% effort.

    Mosey back down Ridge Top paying homage to Toga then settle at the bottom of Waveny for 3 more intervals. Final interval at max effort, whatever was left.

    Take the most direct route back to the VSF via fraternity row and the baseball field. Circle up for numbers, names, and YHC took us out with the maintenance crew offering respect.

    Moleskin
    Classic late June morning with 98% humidity and foggy. Apologies to the 4 milers as my instructions to the rallying point were not as clear as necessary. Thanks to Garbage Plate who performed his scout duties today and collected the lost goslings.

    Highlights of the morning included the individual at the bottom at Gardiner who must have known intervals were on the docket as he joined us in walking up and down Gardiner while we stormed the path.

    The second set of intervals saw Garbage Plate make it all the way to the end and Hitchhiker find his second, third, fourth, and fifth gears to motor all the way to the top. Kudos to those guys for pushing it hard on a not so easy day.

    The final set of intervals commenced with what can best described as “Bodo’s Rallying Cry”. Make sure you ask him to reproduce that experience next time you see him.

    Glad to hear that Hitchhiker’s family survived the storm yesterday evening. Hopefully your car can be salvaged.

    There was a Saab sighting by many this AM. Perhaps he got lost on the way to the commons or just decided to do his own intervals elsewhere.

    Great job today fellas.

  • Featured Images

    Featured Images

    PAX –

    In my ultimate authority and without consultation, I have made a change to the website such that all posts will now have a default featured image. Continuing the theme of autocracy, the default image for all posts will be an original B&W photo of old glory.

    Having an image for every post helps with the overall fit and finish on the website but additionally, I just like having one.

    Adding a featured image to a post is straightforward. In the right gutter of every post there is a Featured image section. This is the same sidebar where you choose the category of the post (Richmond, Hampton Roads, News, Events). Choose an image, uploading a new image if necessary, and publish your post as usual.

    If you do not want a custom featured image then you do not need to do anything different than you are currently doing and the default image will be used.

    Ping me with any questions. Complaints can be redirected to the hotline.

    Splinter

  • Drafters Beware

    Drafters Beware

    Fifteen spiderlings gathered in the mist to wait for instructions on today’s route. Much to the pleasure of a few of our PAX, instructions indeed came. The original Devil’s Pitchfork was called. We waiting until PRECISELY 5:30 before departing for:

    The Route

    • Head through the Eco Corridor and head west on Westham Station
    • Right on Panorama and return at River
    • Right on Westham Station and right on Old Bridge
    • Head right at the fork up Highland and follow up to River
    • 4s return and head home
    • 5s take a right at the bottom of the hill and take Old Bridge to the end
    • 5s return back, doubling up on Panorama on the way back
    • 6s take a right on Westham Station and follow South Ridge to the light at River
    • 6s return via Westam Station taking no diversions

    Numbers, names, very few announcements and YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    Great morning for a run. Personally, YHC finally felt halfway descent about a run. Thanks to Saab for not turning on the afterburners and keeping YHC company for most of the route.

    Faceplant’s drafting strategy almost backfired at the start of the eco corridor. When you draft behind YHC and YHC suddenly steps right to avoid a 6×6 post, you may catch an obstruction directly in the jewels. Drafters Beware!

    Some of the PAX were a little testy this AM. Some expected intervals and were disappointed, some didn’t participate in the circle of instructions and then complained about not being greeted this morning, and some griped about YHCs call of Devil’s Pitchfork not being creative enough.

    Guess what!? There is a Q signup sheet where anyone can sign up to lead. YHC signed up yesterday as it was still open. Well good news! Someone already signed up for next week so you will have to wait another week to express your creativity on Spider Run.

    SYITG – Splinter

  • Mary Found the Glory

    American Flag

    Nine of greater RVAs finest gathered at Mary today, including one who seemed to be lost and arrived very early. After strategically locating a hole for the flag, we gathered to chat and then off we went, picking up said flag for a quick mosey down Commonwealth to Cary.

    The Thang
    Old Glory. One mile route was west on Cary, north on Westmoreland, east on Hanover, south on Woodlawn, back to Cary.

    Use the entire field area up to the school for 20 minutes of 4 corners. 20 merkins, 20 jump squats, 10 burpees, 20 WWIIs.

    After completing between 3 and 4 loops for those with varying abilities, gather up and reverse course for the final mile.

    Back to the parking lot for COT where announcements were made and YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    It’s been a long time since YHC has completed an Old Glory and this may be the first appearance at Mary. The soup was thick and the breeze didn’t help much until we stopped.

    Fellowship was grand this AM as we all battled the elements. No hiding from the pain this morning and it was everywhere.

    SJ – hope that ankle isn’t too bad and your ice maker starts making ice soon.

    Announcements
    Prayers out to Profit and Doublemint as they recover from their respective accidents.

    See everyone soon.

    Splinter

  • Schwetting

    Amazon.com: That's Not Sweat That's My Fat Melting 15 oz Coffee ...

    Six early birds gathered in the random parking lot on River for today’s iteration of First Watch. Pleasantries were exchanged then off we went to begin the melting process. Quick mosey to the triangle for COP that included:

    COP
    20x SSH
    10x Don Quixote’s (complete with spine adjustments on #1)
    20x LBCs
    10x Merkins
    15x Imperial Walkers

    The Thang
    Mosey to Cameron Road for mailbox bingo. Run down Cameron and do 3 burpees for every mailbox we pass on the left and 5 jump squats for those we pass on the right. Stop at the bottom of the hill.

    Triple up for triple check. Shoulder tap merkins (audibled to just shoulder taps after round 1), freddie mercuries, third person runs up the hill to the 4th driveway.

    Continue up Cameron until the end repeating the burpee/jump squat combo from earlier.

    Turn down Ross and do 10 flutter kicks for mailboxes on the left and 5 merkins for mailboxes on the right. Audible to alternating mailboxes half way down.

    Work our way back up Ross by partnering up. Partner 1 does lunges while partner two runs partway up the hill and back. Switch and repeat.

    Second round with bear crawls and running. Joyous.

    Mosey back to the flag where we complete a round of ring of fire.

    Numbers, names, lots of fellowship then YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHC won’t lie. There were times today where that sucked. Humidity and heat was kind of brutal. Sometimes YHC thought that running was better and other times exercises. In the end, they both sucked. Plenty of sweat prints left on the road this morning.

    Conversation revolved around events of last evening and the comical rules of local pools opening.

    Nice day for a cotton shirt Handshake. Enjoy the day gentlemen.

    Splinter