Author: Splinter

  • Democracy Prevails

    Eight Spider Run regulars huddled around #bigblue prior to embarking on our journey today.  Nothing new today.  A suggestion from Pucker to take down the first class streets did not make it out of committee.  The PAX voted and River Run it was.

    Through the bat cave, across the river, turn left (not right TYA) and head along the river up to Cherokee.  Turn around where you see fit to hit 5 or 6 miles.  Six milers challenged Rustic road and nearly lost.  Turn around and head home the same way you came.

    BOM and Marv took us out.

    Moleskin
    No one signed up so the vote went to the PAX for the route of the day.  We’ve been at this long enough to have plenty of choices for everyone.  River Run is a crowd pleaser given the long weekend behind us and the upcoming races this weekend.

    Potpourri for the day includes:

    • Lab Rat can speak dog, almost causing Kenya to jump off the bridge
    • Marv’s prays for us all to go out in the world and be better GCs (edit: general contractors)
    • Pucker’s identified the fountain of youth, perpetually maintaining his lack of respect
    • TYA over paid for a headlamp.  If you need a light this is the corporate approved version.  Order today.  https://www.rei.com/product/890322/black-diamond-spot-headlamp-2016

    Hopefully Sippy’s brief encounter in the bat cave on the return route was indeed brief.  Recover fast my man.

    Party tomorrow night @ Baldwin.  Big race Saturday.  Bear Creek Sunday.  If you see a friend wish him luck.

    Splinter out

  • Various Ways to Use a Leaf Blower

    Twelve Tuckahoegans fought off the frost for a hot potato between Splinter and Fudd.  No one signed up for the Q so YHC took it first and Fudd took us home.  Mosey to the sea of tranquility for COP.  The rest of it went something like this:

    COP – All IC
    27x SSH
    11x Burpees
    27x MCs
    11x DQs
    11x Knee Jumps

    The Thang
    Stay on the blacktop ocean for 11s.  Start at one end of the blacktop and perform 10 merkins.  Run to the other end and complete 1 jump squat.  Back to the other end for 9 merkins, etc until 1-10.  Plank-o-rama when complete.

    Mosey to the main parking lot for clockwork merkins.  27 merkins on the bernie sanders hill in each of 4 clock directions.  Start at 12, then 3, 6 and 9.  Mix in 11 reps of various leg exercises between merkin sets.  Lt Dans, Squats, Ball Jumpers, Squats.  Various Al Gore positions after leg exercises.

    Toss the ball to Fudd for the remainder.  Mosey to the front of the school for tunnel of love.  Partner up and face each other Al Gore style while the pax bear crawls through the tunnel.  Start at the sidewalk and work our way to the school sign.  Audible nixed the repeat back to the sidewalk.  Listen to Honey Do count while Fudd collects his sippy cup.

    Slide down the hill to the LED lit parking lot for three rounds of polar bears and bus loop tracers.  Polar bear from one oend of hte parking lot to the stop sign followed by a loop around the drop off loop.  More Al Gores to finish.

    Slip on over to the flag for a little mary.  Fudd kept the 27 theme going with 27x flutter kicks, LBCs and box cutters.  YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    Everyone was lively with post turkey day chatter today.  Two Can only gained 1 pound over the weekend and is down to his fighting weight.  Some of the PAX was eager to learn of Fudd’s famous Bridge of Hate.  Two Can is now ready.

    Love Seat procured a new backpack leaf blower before Thanksgiving and didn’t take it off the entire weekend.  Various uses include cooling off an over cooked turkey and revving it up to clean off plates post feast.  A man and his power toys are hard to split.

    The tunnel of love was the longest single span YHC has endured staring deep into Fudd’s eyes.  Holding hands while in Al Gore position only lasted a split second.

    No one figured out the significance of 27 and 11 until the very end.  Fudd was confused but still stuck with the theme.  11/27 is YHCs daughter’s b-day so a tribute felt appropriate.

    Announcements
    – Ample opportunities to lead Hoedown.  Ping me if you want to lead and I’ll get you setup.  It’s free to lead just as it’s free to participate.  Sounds like Slurpee and Kubota may be coming soon
    – Party at TYAs house on Baldwin on Wednesday.  See TYAs post

    Always fun gentlemen.

    Splinter out

  • Patriotic Pants

    Thirteen fine gentlemen circled up to discuss the various applications of WD40 and Formula 401/409 before embarking on today’s Spider Run.  Since Saab was so excited with last week’s rendition, YHC took the opportunity to throw out a Saab tribute run.  Goal was 5 fingers but we only accomplished 4.  It went something like below:

    Route
    We ran up and down hills.  Those that made it to the top first went back to gather the six.  Back and forth 4 times for a total of 400 ft of elevation gain.  Well done gentlemen.

    Moleskin
    Patriotism was strong today.  Two can demonstrating he can work both sides of the aisle by swiping right and swiping left.  If only our elected officials demonstrated such flexibility.

    Saab didn’t get enough running and decided to run to his polling place instead of circling up for BOM.  What he didn’t realize is that he missed a significant expression of enthusiasm for the American political system.  American flag yoga pants.  Enough said.

    The real question of the day is whether WD40 can actually cure joint pain.  There are members of the PAX that legitimately believe so.

    Enjoy the rest of the day fellas.

    Splinter out.

  • Shakedown goes down

    A strong 15 plus one canine partook in this Halloween edition of Spider Run.  YHC arrived to a group of fine men gathering at the commons.  When TYA announced that Splinter had the Q a noticeable groan was observed from Wedding Singer.  I’ll remember that groan next time.  This time the route was an oldie but goodie.  Mount Henrico.

    The Route
    – Meander towards College and left on College
    – Right on Lakewood
    – Right on Wood
    – Left on Baldwin
    – Cross Westham, staying on Baldwin, left on Rock Creek
    – Quick left on Forest then right on University
    – 4 and 6 milers do the Arlington circle loop.  4 milers return the way you came.
    – 5 and 6 milers continue on University to Glendale and take a right
    – Immediate left on to Julian
    – To the top of the mountain, returning the way you came, admiring the esteemed Castle of Robinson on the way

    Numbers, Names, BT took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHCs Spider Run reputation must be strong.  May have been record numbers for the hills around UR.  Singer apparently loves hill repeats and was disappointed when YHC announced Mount Henrico.  Saab on the other hand was smiling like a school boy.

    We have done this route at least 5-6 times so YHC was surprised that with 15 people + a canine that there were few that actually knew the route. Bleeder said he had it but luckily a Tuckahoe native in Taxi Cab helped him along the way.  At least he was able to provide a detailed inspection of the outbuildings @ Marv’s future house.  Swirly still can’t find Glendale and worked his way up to the moontower instead.  BT is getting a few kegs there this weekend since his party got busted.

    Dutch running with Kenya is a sight.  That bitch can flat out run.

    Glad to see Lab Rat effectively found his way to the AO.  TClaps for assisting Shakedown on the way back after he stumbled on the well lit streets of Westham.  Hopefully the ankle recovers soon.

    Pair running was the theme of the day.  Lots of 2 by 2 traversing the streets.  Except TYA who was so excited YHC could’t event get out “Henrico” before he was off to the races.  Must still be burning off some aggression from attending two Boston sporting events this weekend.  The picture above is how YHC imagines TYA in a triathlon.

    The weather is absolutely perfect for running these days.  Reflective gear is still necessary for another week.  Glad to see that Singer and Pucker have joined the miniature size reflective vest crew with YHC and Sippy.  May be a takeover in the works.

    Always fun gentlemen.  Love running those hills.

    Announcements
    – November Challenges galore.  Breathe if you must.

    Splinter out.

     

  • Room Numbers

    Eight PAX were not scared of a little light rain and showed up at Tuckahoe for the latest iteration of a Hoedown.  Mosey to the front of the school for COP that went something like this:

    COP
    20x SSH
    15x Russian Soldiers
    10x Don Quixotes (because Keymaster needed some more stretching)
    15x Copperhead Squats
    15x Arm Circles

    The Thang
    Quick mosey to the western most corner of the school for the start of today’s exercise.  Room Numbers.  Every time we get to a room number in the window we stop and do that many of a certain exercise.  Exercises were merkins, squats, and WWIIs.  Alternate between bear crawling and lunging between numbers in the window.  Work our way all the way around the school increasing to number 35 before a slight descent.  Burpees were added for the basement room numbers.

    Mosey back to the lighted pathway and partner up for jerkins.  Two sets of 10 jerkins for each partner.

    Quick jaunt back to our favorite lit concrete pad for some ring of fire.  10x each starting with Two Can and passing around the circle.

    Numberama, Namearama, BOM & YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    A few Tuckahoe regulars were missing this morning.  Must have been due to conflict or watching the World Series.  Other excuses will not be accepted.

    Kubota was the only brave sole that went short sleeve and no gloves.  That’s a lot of bear crawling sans gloves.  Well done sir.  Mr. Holland came in a close second for the superlative for best outfit choice with his pearly white half marathon shirt from a few years ago.  Said shirt is still pearly white on the front but now contains a perfectly rectangular brown patch covering the entire back.

    All in all, form was magical today.  Toga would have been proud.  Even as the reps increased throughout the workout the PAX kept strong form.  Finishing with Lockjaw’s nose to the ground merkins was a testament to Tuckahoe’s readiness for November.

    Ronnie may need to go visit Richmond’s #1 Chiropractor service as he performed about 5 WWIIs on a boulder protruding from the mud.  I hear their granite abstraction service is top notch.

    Announcements
    – November merkin challenge is up.  See the news for more info:  https://backblasts.f3rva.org/2017/10/27/november-merkin-challenge-2017/
    – There is also a breathing challenge
    – Contact YHC if any new Tuckahoegans want to step up to lead a Hoedown.  Any and all can lead.
    – Lockjaw appeared out of the mist with his trademark Turkey Trot shirt.  Sign up if you want to obtain a legendary shirt yourself.

    Splinter out.

     

  • November Merkin Challenge

    November Merkin Challenge

    It’s almost November.  That means mustaches will begin to proliferate.  I can’t think of a better pairing for a mustache than swolled up shoulders and arms.

    The baseline is 5k for the month.  That translates to 167 merkins every day for an entire month.  You can guarantee there will be a few merkin ladders sprinkled in throughout the month to help you reach your goal.  Modify your baseline as you see fit and pass this along to others that may be interested.

    http://bit.ly/2zbZDwv

    Push yourself.  Don’t hurt yourself.

  • The Piccolo and a Hoedown

    Seventeen Tuckahoeians (Tuckahoegans?) gathered around the bus loop for their first ever Hoedown.  5 arrived on foot, only one brave sole one 2 wheels, the others by traditional means.  The excitement was high this morning.  Mosey to the giant paved ocean for COP:

    COP
    SSH x20
    MC x20
    Arm Circles forward / backwards x15
    Copperhead Squats x15

    The Thang
    Mosey to the front of the school for some Dora.  Partner up for a combined 100/200/300 of 3 different exercises.  Exercises were incline merkins, box jumps, LBCs.  One partner runs down the sidewalk & stairs to the parking lot & returns while the other performs exercises.  Plankorama when done.

    Slide around to the back of the school by the gym for the first iteration of triple check.  Jerkins, Al Gore while third partner bear crawls down the hill and back up.  More Al Gore while the PAX completes.

    Pass to Lockjaw for indigenous people pole smoker run.  Everyone grab a pole (virtual or otherwise) and complete flutter kicks.  Person at the end of the line does 5 HTH then runs to the front.  Complete 2 times through.

    Quick skip over to the concrete pad by the bus loop.  Second round of triple check including BTTW, elbow plank and lap around the bus loop.

    Potporri of exercises to close us out including 25 donkey kicks, ring of fire, box cutters and APDs.

    BOM & Honeydo took us out.

    Moleskin
    Heck of a great first morning for a Hoedown.  YHC would have been happy with 5 or 6 but in the end we had 17.  Two Can was happy that he could wake up and drive 90 seconds to the AO.  He was still LIFO.

    They AO may be small, but there are plenty of areas to explore.  No lack of jungle gyms to use for various exercises.  The back field may be best used during a full moon as it is quite dark back there.

    Fudd announced to the PAX the exact location where he learned to play the piccolo.  He may have been by himself while he was learning.  Not exactly sure.

    Great to see faces YHC normally sees scattered across the various AOs.  Hoedown is on the Q signup sheet so sign up for weeks to come.

    Announcements
    – RRRC Turkey Trot registration opened.  Registration here.  Great turkey day run.
    – Bear creek registration open also.  First Sunday in December.

    Splinter out

  • Form Friday meets Friday Murph

    Five Twin Team regulars, one visitor from NOJ and one FNG gathered at Twin Team for a last Friday of the month ritual.  Huddle up to exchange pleasantries and quickly greet the FNG who ran to the workout.  Focus today was on form, which I can attest made this workout awesome.  This is basically what we did.

    1 mile warm up.  Work our way to James River Rd and head toward the school.  Dodge the various cars traveling on this road (strange for 530 in the morning at a school) and work our way all the way around JRHS, behind the gym, past the football and baseball fields before meeting up at the Weaver playground.

    The Murph
    Since this was Form Friday, the focus was on… you got it, form.  Rather than the traditional breakdown of The Murph into 10 sets, the PAX was instructed to break down into 20 sets.  Therefore, it looked something like this:

    5 full extension pullups
    10 nose to the ground merkins
    15 90 degree or less squats

    Repeat 20 times for a total of 100/200/300.

    No time for a final mile so we just sprinted back to the flag.

    Moleskin
    Many thanks to Rosie for reminding TT of the last Friday of the month ritual at TwinTeam.  YHC had thought The Murph had disappeared as it appears as if Honeymoon has difficulties with data quality.  Never fear, data fixed and all is well in the world.

    This was YHCs first experience with The Murph and man is it complete punishment.  Can’t wait to try it again with the normal # of sets to compare.  Smaller number of reps with a higher number of sets was indeed challenging.

    Not sure if this typically happens in The Murph but conversation went sideways for a bit.  Mr Roper started telling stories about his college roommate only to have Rosie retort Swirly’s famous prison quote.  Hmmmmm…

    Good catching up with everyone in SOJ today.  Welcome Cameron (DeVito) who received his name as he was born in the same hospital on the same day as Rosie.  They aren’t exactly twins and Cameron doesn’t look like the governator so DeVito it is.

    See everyone @ Convergence.

    Splinter out

  • The Smell of College

    Six of us met at the TT location for some hills and HDHH.  Not as many hills as #rollercoaster but fun was still had by all.

    Start at Kuba Kuba Dos.  Run down Sunset to University.  Cross college & take the path around the lake.  2 PAX stopped to water the plants along the way.  Do a loop up Gateway, by the stadium and back down.  Back around the lake and return more or less the same way we started.

    UR campus looks significantly different at 1730 vs 0530.  Swirly coined it perfectly with his “This is the smell of college” comment.

    Few quick cervezas at KKD post run, some staying longer than others.

  • Quioccasin Country Club

    A foursome gathered at the clubhouse of Quoccasin Country Club for today’s iteration of Heartbreak Ridge.  Circle up for some tea and crumpets before departing for the workout.  Mosey past the driving range to bypass a typical warmup and start out with something like this:

    COP
    SSH x20
    Helicopters x10
    Knee Hugs x10
    Don Quixote x10
    APDs x15

    The Thang
    Mosey towards the large grassy field to start the day off with a round of golf.  We played 3 holes.

    First hole was a 400yd Par 4.  Run the length of a football field (100yds or so) and complete 20 merkins, run back 100yds and complete 20 squats, 100 yards more for 20 mountain climbers, 100 yards more for 10 burpees.  Plank until the PAX completes.

    Second hole was a long 200yd Par 3, slightly into the wind.  Run 100yds for 20 merkins then 100 more yards for 10 squats.  Plank until the PAX completes.

    Third hole was a challenging 500yd Par 5.  100 yards, 20 merkins, 100 yards, 20 squats, 100 yards, 20 mountain climbers, 100 yards, 10 burpees, 100 yards, 20 LBCs.  LBCs until the PAX completes.

    Saunter towards the tennis courts for an afternoon doubles match. Line up on sideline and complete suicide, touching each doubles alley and stopping at the sideline after each leg for an exercise.  Progressively increase exercise count from 15/30/40 with each leg.  Exercises were:

    Set 1 – 15 shoulder tap merkins, 30 lunges, 40 flutter kicks
    Set 2 – 15 hand release merkins, 30 donkey kicks, 40 LBCs
    Set 3 – 15 wide grip merkins, 30 jump squats, 40 american hammers
    Set 4 – 15 carolina dry docks, 30 calf raises, 40 LBCs
    Set 5 – 15 diamond merkins, 30 line hops, 40 flutter kicks

    Variations of plank, al gore, peoples chair, 6 inches until the PAX completes between sets.

    Quick jaunt back to the flag for 2 rounds of ring of fire.  Ten merkins per round.

    Number-rama, name-a-rama, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin
    YHC was expecting a somewhat larger crowd for HBR considering the recent trend.  We ended up with 4 which was a perfect fit for the theme of the day.  Things you do at a country club.  YHC was the only participant that would have been allowed on the course today, sporting a collared shirt and golf shorts.

    Kudos to Atilla and Mr Holland who crushed the 3 hole circuit.  Those 100yd sprints didn’t get any easier as we did more of them and you guys crushed them.

    YHC can only assume the rest of the regular PAX were visiting other venues on Theme Tuesday.

    Announcements
    – Convergence Saturday @ 6&7 @ Gridiron.  No dogpile Saturday.
    – If you want breakfast after convergence see here to order breakfast.  No order, no food.
    – Prayers continue for EF Hutton and his family.

    Splinter out