Author: Splinter

  • Unproductive

    Unproductive

    A dominant duo plus the Q convened for today’s Currahee. Not knowing many of the back road cut throughs, the Q called for:

    West on Old Prescott to Ridgefield
    Left on Ridgefield
    Left on Cambridge
    Left on Stonequarter to do the loop back to Cambridge
    Right on Cambridge
    Right on LL Drive
    Meander through Tuckahoe LL and emerge at the back of the shopping center
    Left on John Rolfe
    Right on Pump back to VSF

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    Good fellowship with a small crew today. Ample time to be with our thoughts which for YHC today ranged from schooling to vaccines to other various challenges in life. I gave up running with music years ago so I could just let my thoughts take me where they would. Now running is one of YHCs most serene moments of the day.

    BB title is a reference to Gomer’s motivational tool. Always reminding him of his unproductive workouts.

    Come on out to Currahee.

    Splinter out.

  • South on Southampton on the Southside

    South on Southampton on the Southside

    A not so lively 14 able bodied runners skipped manly stretching for this morning’s iteration of Spider Run. Those that arrived by 5:27 received instructions and made some left turns, others were destined to follow.

    The Route
    – South through the batcave and continue South on Huguenot
    – Loop around the exit ramp and turn left on Riverside
    – Turn left on Southhampton (also south)
    – 4s turn around at the first intersection which should have been Old Spring Road and return the way you came
    – 5s & 6s continue South on Southampton until Cherokee and turn around
    – Head north on Southampton until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left fork which is Butte.
    – 1st left on Rivercrest which eventually intersects Riverside
    – 5s take a right on Riverside and head back home
    – 6s take a left on Riverside then a left (also south) on Waumsetta
    – Continue south until intersection of Cherokee and then return back to Riverside and return home

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out over the not-so-quiet LP powered GRTC vessel.

    Announcements
    None. Quiet bunch today. Dry January is challenging some of the PAX. Clear the fridge party at Saab’s sometime in the future.

    Moleskin
    Once again, Splinter beat Saab to the Q sheet signup. YHC wonders if this is simply Saab’s way of goading others to sign up. Regardless, we ran across the river today and will have to wait a week for Saab’s well planned route.

    Faceplant disclosed he never looks at the Q spreadsheet. He treats 530am like Christmas morning every morning. Always a surprise. Kind of like when my kids open their presents on Xmas morning, it’s always a surprise to me as well.

    Lockjaw has a resolution to keep his Q ratio even at 50% this year. For the record, he posted to Spider Run and he wasn’t even the Q. On track so far this year.

    Mileage estimates seemed a little off today. Some short, some long. Screw it, we ran.

    Splinter

  • Take a Left Turn at Albuquerque

    Take a Left Turn at Albuquerque

    Twelve frosty followers gave the fart sack the stiff arm and posted for this week’s Spider Run. The soon-to-be PAX waited for TYA’s shirt to emerge before hearing these instructions.

    The Route
    Around the lake, over the hill, and down the gravel path. Slight diversion for those at the front before crossing College and heading up University. University across Ridge then left on Ralston. Wave to the Grinch then take a right on River and a Right on E Glenbrooke Circle. Left on W Glenbooke Circle and Right on Summit.

    4s go to the top of Summit and return via the same route.

    5s come down Summit and take a right on Glenbrooke Circle, complete the circle and then return via the River and Ralston.

    6s follow the 5s route but add a jug handle via Hillare and Twin Lake then add Windsor on the James loop before returning via Ralston.

    We waited for Gomer and Bodos to arrive before numbers, names, and announcements.

    Moleskin
    YHC arrived and parked beside Hitchhiker’s car. Come to find out Hitchhiker is getting extra miles this AM by running back and forth in front of the cars. He was eager to launch this morning!

    Everyone followed the route today with the exception of Gomer and Bodos. To Bodo’s credit, he was simply following Gomer. So this one is on Gomer. Regardless, the 6s took an unannounced (but planned) jughandle off of Glenbrooke to add a small bit of mileage to get to 6. Gomer followed suit but then lost sight of those in front of him. The map above is what Gomer sent me post run. He thought he went wrong at the blue arrow, he actually went wrong at the pink arrow, and he realized he went wrong at the red arrow. Ever the wayfinder, Gomer led Bodo’s and found his way back!

    Announcements
    – HDHH Wednesday @ Hardywood West Creek. Come get it while you can.
    – TYA is leading a reprise of his Mary Q this coming Thursday.

    Nice run this AM gentlemen. Enjoy the day.

    Splinter

  • Mount Three Fingers

    Mount Three Fingers

    Fourteen able bodied adventurers plus one bunny chaser gathered for instructions for this week’s Spider Run. Instructions were provided and everyone was thrilled. Variation of Mount Henrico with a few fingers and maybe a thumb thrown in there for good measure.

    Route
    West around baseball field, left on College, right on Lakewood, right on Wood, left on Baldwin, quick jog across Westham, left on Baldwin, left on Rock Creek, cross Forest to University.

    First right to ascend and descend Essex. 4s return home.

    Fives and Sixes take right on University and ascend and descent Dinwiddie and Nalla. Fives return home while sixes repeat Dinwiddie and Essex on the way back.

    Numbers, names, no announcements. Silence for prayer this morning.

    Moleskin
    The blood was cold but flowing this am. By all accounts it seemed to be a vibrant group. YHC enjoys these routes as you get to see everyone multiple times regardless of your pace.

    Instructions were perfectly clear; however, Singer decided to chase the bunnies down an alternate path for a while. Others commented on the preciseness of the 5 mile route (or inprecision of BTs watch). Either way a good time was had by most.

    Splinter

  • Prime Deal of the Day

    Prime Deal of the Day

    Six of River Road’s finest gathered for First Watch to see who would be oversharer of the week. The PAX would only have to wait until after COP for the story to begin. Mosey to our favorite triangle for COP:

    COP
    25x SSH
    15x Imperial Walkers
    10x Malfunctioning Helicopters
    10x Mountain Climbers
    10x Merkins
    10x Fire Hydrants

    The Thang
    Traveling AO today. Start by strolling over to Country Squire for mailbox bingo. Left mailboxes were WWIIs, right mailboxes were merkins. Do the number on the mailbox and continue all the way up to ridge.

    Brief saunter over to Ross, stopping at one cross street for burpees until the PAX catches up. Work our way down Ross with mailboxes on the left as markers for merkins (10x) and right mailboxes jump squats (10x). Continue to the bottom of Ross.

    Partner up for catch me if you can back up Ross. One partner does WWIIs while the other backwards runs. Flip when partner one catches up. Switch to burpees half way up the hill and then half the PAX got lost.

    After corralling the PAX, we worked our way back to the flag with more mailbox bingo. 5x burpees turned into 5x WWIIs. Then back to the flag for Freddie Mercuries, APDs, and American Hammers.

    Announcements and YHC took us out.

    Announcements
    – Prayers for the health care workers as they begin to navigate the next phase of this pandemic and hopefully peaceful dispersement of vaccines.
    – Prayers for our PAX that have or may have the ‘rona. You know who you are and know that we are praying for you.

    Moleskin
    Ample oversharer opportunities today. Some took the opportunity for a multi-mailbox story, others simply stated “I almost siht my pants”. Either way, Amazon can be a great place to buy new underwear.

    First Watch continues to deliver. See y’all soon.

    Splinter

  • The Beardless Swiper

    The Beardless Swiper

    To shave, or not to shave, that is the question. For one of our PAX it was an age old question, beard or…

    Intervals was the call of the day and YHC could sense the excitement of the PAX. One PAX member started pacing around 528, grumbling something about still waiting for instructions. Huggy Bear emerged from his chariot asking how this run thing worked. Perfect timing for YHC to declare, “Let’s Mosey!”

    The Thang
    Warm up run up out Richmond, Right on UR, left on Ridgeway. Convene at the intersection of Fairway and Ridgeway for intervals. 1 minute up hill at 75%+ effort. Recovery mosey back down in 1:45.

    3x – Fairway to Tapoan
    3x – Ridgeway
    Mosey to the bottom intersection of Roselawn & Towana
    3x – Roselawn
    3x – Towana

    Recovery mosey back to the VSF for our post workout routine and YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHC hasn’t been to Spider Run since August and has sorely missed the hills around UR. As YHC was reviewing previous Spider Run routes and contemplating possibilities for the day, a realization was made that intervals have been non-existent since Saab’s variation in August. Election day seemed like a perfect opportunity to reintroduce them to the PAX.

    Great catching up with everyone during and post run. Especially fun to discuss how Tuckahoe’s future leaders decided to break into Bodo’s church, repeatedly.

    Announcements
    TYA Turkey Fest on thanksgiving at Mary. Also planning on a Black Friday party in Forest Hill Park. See TYA for details.

    Kanye West is apparently still on the ballet in Caroline County.

    Until next time fellas.

    Splinter

  • Amazon Deal of the Day

    Amazon Deal of the Day

    Seven thrill-seekers descended upon First Watch today for a Q postponement from last week. Some early risers were there upwards of 10 minutes early, hoping to capture today’s over-sharer story first hand. The PAX would have to wait until the chosen one spoke for storytime. Traveling disclaimer this AM, no COP, and here’s what happened:

    The Thang
    The Malfunctioning Escalator
    – Run 5 minutes: west on River, north on Gaymont, left on Kingston, left on Rose Hill
    – 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 20 squats
    – Run 4 minutes: left on Ralston, right on River, left into Windsor, left on Bevlynn
    – 6 burpees, 12 merkins, 23 squats
    – Run 3 minutes: right on Brookchase
    – 7 burpees, 14 merkins, 26 squats
    – Run 2 minutes: continue on Brookchase, right on Bevlynn
    – 8 burpees, 16 merkins, 29 squats
    – Run 1 minute: up Bevlynn, left on Windsor
    – 9 burpees, 18 merkins, 32 squats
    – Run 2 minutes: east on River, left on Ralston
    – 8 burpees, 16 merkins, 29 squats
    – Run 3 minutes: right on Kingston
    – 7 burpees, 14 merkins, 26 squats
    – Run 4 minutes: right on Gaymont
    – 6 burpees, 12 merkins, 23 squats
    – Run 5 minutes: left on River, right on Ridge, turn around at Country Squire and return to flag
    – 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 20 squats
    – APDs x25

    Numbers, names, announcements and YHC took us out in silence.

    Moleskin
    Upchuck arrived thinking it was YHCs F3 anniversary. Clearly, he gets confused on social media as it was YHCs wedding anniversary yesterday. Whatever it takes to encourage someone to post.

    Props to Kubota and Last Call who both proclaimed that they are part of Wilson’s I Hate Running Crew. T-shirt opportunity may be in play here? Perhaps clowns on the back? This workout is arguably a running workout so nice job pushing through ALL OF IT. I clocked it at 3.1 miles. Boom.

    YHC expected more mumblechatter during this workout since we would have time in between sets to pass the time. Mumblechatter significantly waned after the first few sets while most of us captured our breath.

    There was continual prodding by one of our PAX members for someone to overshare. No takers for a few sets but then he spoke. So today, the over-sharer of the week award goes to EF Hutton. Congrats brother. He will be hosting a zoom call later today for his acceptance speech.

    Announcements
    – Don’t forget to bring shoes
    – Don’t forget to sign up for breaking bread

    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