Author: Splinter

  • Just Because

    Eighteen early birds gathered at various times to tackle the first challenge of this week of giving thanks. After some confusion as to whether the 5 milers or 6 milers did their math correctly, everyone departed and paid respect to the old UR turkey trot. Two left sometime prior to 0500, a gaggle left at 0500, then two more gaggles at 0515, followed by another duo at 0525. All in all, no one got lost. Even Anthrax guided a group successfully.

    The Route

    10k for everyone. Unlike the perennial discussion on which one was the first Thanksgiving, no arguing that this is one of the most difficult 10ks around.

    Turkey Routes

    Moleskin

    This route has been reused for 4 years in a row. This year, YHC didn’t even have to walk through the directions for anyone as each group navigated the course with minimal difficulty.

    As mentioned during COT, credit to Bleeder for first introducing the official turkey trot route to the spider runners, way back on October 17, 2017. You’ll have to ask Bleeder what inspired him to prescribe that route that day. Perhaps it was good marketing? Did he learn his race marketing skills from Singer? Only Bleeder knows…

    Dog gone Turkey Trot

    Turns out, YHC tried this back in 2016 but we never finished it. Apparently it rained that day.

    The Turkey Drowned

    Apparently, Saab really didn’t appreciate it being canceled the first year of COVID, as was evident with his backblast title Thanksgiving week of 2020.

    A Middle Finger with a Secular Close

    I digress. What I do know is this is the fourth consecutive year we have brought this route back on the week of Thanksgiving. COVID may have killed the UR turkey trot, but our spirit keeps it alive.

    Backblast title is a reminder of why we have Thanksgiving. It doesn’t matter where the first Thanksgiving was held (we all know the answer to that). The purpose of Thanksgiving is to give thanks to those around us. Why? No real reason. We shouldn’t even have to wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks. We should always be seeking ways to thank those around us, do a good deed, and to help our collective humanity lick our self-inflicted wounds.

    As I was driving away from Spider Run today, this song was just finishing up on Lithium. Tom Morello came on and described how this song was about doing a good deed. For no real reason other than to do it. Just because…

    Splinter out.

  • Football Fans Galore

    The Splinter abode planned and prepared a meal for Breaking Bread this past Sunday. After much discussion, chicken parmesan, green beans, biscuits, and cookie brownies were offered. After the aroma wafted through the car for the 17 minute drive to belt boulevard, we unloaded and served for this week’s guests.

    Moleskin

    Who knew there would be such passion towards football this Sunday? Prime Time appeared in his Eagles sweatshirt, prompting much discussion about the close games of the afternoon. Especially pleased was the gentleman wearing the Chiefs jacket, happy his team squeaked out yet another win.

    Oyster and Upchuck say this plenty, this is an easy #3rd F opportunity for you and the rest of the family.

    Splinter out.

  • A Haunted Precursor

    Fourteen able bodied thrill seekers gathered for today’s launch of Spider Run. After routes were posted at a reasonable time yesterday afternoon and no one saw them, YHC quickly breezed through the following:

    The Route

    • West around the lake and through the path to University
    • Up University, cross Ridge, right on Ralston then quick left back on University
    • Resist the urge to veer right on Ziontown and instead head down the driveway past the not-so-haunted house and down through the park
    • Right on Roslyn Hills then left on September
    • 4s: left on Melwood, left on Roslyn Hills
    • 5s: September to Countryside to left on Ruggles, left on Roslyn Hills
    • 6s: September to Countryside, right on Higginbotham, left on Running Cedar, left on Ruggles, right on Charnwood, left on Standish, left on Roslyn Hills
    • Everyone right back through the park and back whence they came

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • The Next 43 webinar next Tuesday 10/22 5-6 EDT with special guest Richard Reeves. See post on Slack that OBT shared.
    • Breaking Bread spot open for October. See the Q sheet.

    Moleskin

    YHC missed the daylight opportunity to throw this route in the mix. Most of the time the PAX prefers to pass the haunted house in the daylight hours. Not so haunted today although the trail continues to provide tripping hazards. Good route in not-oft-used roads west of the park.

    6s mumblechatter centered around college essays and how to piss of administrators at the Richmond International Airport. If you see one of our PAX being detained by security for unknown reasons, just walk the other way.

    Splinter out.

  • Legit OTB

    Two of the earliest watchers gathered in the light mist. One hoping for broga, the other planning on intervals. Intervals won the day.

    The Route

    • Down South Ridge to Westham Station
    • Run to Starbucks and turn around
    • On the way back hit a few intervals up Highland
    • Continue up Highland to River
    • BTTVSF where we greeted the birthday boy

    Moleskin

    Didn’t take much convincing to have EF Hutton join the run. The only request was no intervals up South Ridge. So we did them up Highland instead.

    Great fellowship along the way. Glad to officially write a BB for road hoe since someone joined me.

    Splinter out.

  • Strength in Numbers

    The elite of the elite gathered in the church parking lot at 0430 for pre-game exercises. One chose one path, the other chose another. Those same two gathered again at 0500 for today’s First Watch edition.

    Traveling COP

    • Mosey to the bottom of south ridge, stopping at various points for
    • SSH
    • DQ
    • IW
    • Copperhead Squats
    • Helicopters

    The Thang

    Partner up for Dora 1,2,3,4. 100 burpees, 200 squats, 300 mountain climbers, 400 LBCs. Travel back up south ridge after each increment of 100 by playing catch me if you can with 5 HRMs and bernie sanders.

    We made it most of the way through before shuttling back for 3 minutes of mary.

    Numbers, names, Handshake took us out.

    Announcements

    • Don’t miss 10 year this weekend. The only one that matters is 7am at Dogpile.
    • Prayers for those around us for various reasons.

    Moleskin

    A workout of two offers an opportunity to slightly modify planned approach while engaging in coffeeteria throughout the entire workout. Great to catch up with Handshake as we navigated down and back up south Ridge.

    YHC will assume the weather scared people away and it wasn’t that my workouts are too soft.

    Splinter out

  • Impeccable

    Fourteen Tuesday regulars woke up to zero excuses, rolled out of bed, and made it to the Commons in time for impeccable instructions and a double serving of horse’s pens. After a more methodical instruction set, a 15 second recap was offered before launch mode was triggered. There were a few, “you know where you are going?” comments leaving the parking lot with subsequent “I got this” comments. Marv ran off course early with his noble steed at his side, but they eventually found the main part of the route. Route was prescribed as follows:

    The Route

    • East side of the lake, up around the baseball field and through fraternity row. New fraternity row, not old fraternity row.
    • Right on Hampshire to Horsepen
    • Horsepen to right on Patterson, right on Ridge Top
    • Ridge Top to the bottom then right on Horsepen back up
    • 4s right on Devon to Ridge Top
    • 5s all the way to the top then add Chandler up and down
    • 6s add Waveny to Westham & back, Durwood Crescent to Westham & back, and Chandler up and down
    • Everyone take a left on Wheeler, right through the path, straight across on Campus
    • Right on UR drive and take the right loop by the football field BTTVSF

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out followed by more names.

    Announcements

    • Kind of a big deal this Saturday. Someone in the PAX was as giddy as a school girl. Can’t wait to see what’s in store. 7am @ Dogpile.
    • Training for the 10 year anniversary of the inaugural F3RVA BRR team has started.

    Moleskin

    Always a pleasure to lead this group of stallions, especially as we tackled Horsepen not once, but twice. Turns out the 4s felt shafted by short circuiting the second loop. 5s felt like 4s, and 6s got lost early. Sounds like a normal Tuesday morning.

    Maybe this route should be named the Double Stallion, if we are still naming routes. A few tweaks and this one could be a regular addition.

    Challenge yourself today fellas.

    Splinter out.

  • Flying EH Almost Secured

    Three star gazers arrived for pre-launch activities but none were shared. One ran, one walked, one broga’d. All came back together to wait for the cavalry to arrive. Once the clock struck five, away we went for an audible Q. Mosey to the back parking lot for:

    COP

    • 10x Helicopters
    • 10x DQs (Last Call approved)
    • 10x IWs
    • 15x Arm Circles
    • 10x Copperheads
    • 10x walk backwards over the fence each leg

    The Thang

    Three is a perfect number so triple-check was the theme of the day. A few strides over to the corner of the parking lot. Burpees, mountain climbers, run a loop.

    Slowsey to the eastern corner of the triangle for merkins, squats, skip to the mailbox and run back.

    Attempted flying headlock. We will see this guy soon.

    Zig-zag back to the launch parking lot for WWIIs, lunges, karaoke to Kubota’s truck and back.

    BTTF for something, something else, and 5 burpees for the pace car.

    A few minutes of mary with APDs, Freddie Mercuries, American Hammers.

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Labor Day convergence at the Knuckle

    Moleskin

    Small numbers makes for great mumblechatter. Triple check is a tried & true F3 exercise. It wasn’t what YHC had planned for today but it seemed appropriate given the numbers. You know you are a true F3er when you can carry on two different conversations depending on who you are mixed with while the pace car does his thing. Today was perfect evidence of this.

    Thanks y’all. Will save the actual workout for another day.

    Splinter out.

  • Too Confusing, Go with the Standby

    Ump-teen runners/walkers/ruckers gathered in our favorite Tuesday morning spot for today’s route. To alleviate any anxiety amongst the PAX, YHC stated our intended route at 525. There was a shit-eating grin on Saab’s face for some reason. I can never tell if he is happy or sad when intervals aren’t called. Regardless, we launched at 530 with a reminder of today’s route. Mount Henrico. Some didn’t hear the first time it was called and thus were relieved that we weren’t doing intervals. Welcome Sippy Cup back and then off we went.

    The Route

    It’s been well documented throughout the years so I’ll summarize here.

    Right, left, left, right, right, left, right/left, left, left, (ruckers return here), right, left (4s & 6s), left (6s), right, left. Return and come home at your appropriate points following these directions.

    Right, left, right/right (6s), left, right, right, right/left, right, left, left, right, right, left.

    Numbers, names, more numbers, more names, departures, announcements, more departures, more arrivals, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Pickleball tourney this Saturday. See Hitch to register. There will be prizes.
    • Ruckhenge with Q source on Wednesday’s at 0500 at Stony Point Einsteins.

    Moleskin

    We may start on time at F3 but Spider Run tends to end at various times depending on your pace/desires. No worries, any time you are slugging the miles with your buds, it’s all good.

    Ample discussion this morning in my group consisted of slacking (not the good kind) college students, office space (lower case, not upper case), upcoming babies (not mine), random half marathon training (possibly mine), olympic highs and lows, followed by Garbage Plate finally remembering the name of his daughter’s y-princess tribe. How-how!!!

    Great to have Sippy Cup back out in the gloom. Glad to hear he is on the up-and-up. We almost lost Faceplant when Sippy started describing his procedure. He’s used to parking lot paint, not blood.

    Great to see all the faces out there today. Perfect running weather is on the horizon.

    Splinter out.

  • Upchuck the Omniscient

    Seven RAMMers debunked Debby by huddling in the non-lit parking lot waiting for instructions. Once they were given, and Upchuck proclaimed his prediction was accurate, off we went through the knee high fescue for an oldie but goodie route.

    The Route

    • West on Groooove
    • Right on Three Chopt, right on St Christophers
    • Right on Patterson
    • Spot the golden arches
    • 4s right on Westmoreland
    • 5s right on Malvern then back on Grove

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Kudos to The Bridge patriots for signing up a couple times a year. If you haven’t been (YHC included), prioritize it one weekend.
    • 8/21 birthday celebration at First Watch
    • Pickleball tourney on 8/17
    • Prayers for Sippy as he recovers. See you out here soon!

    Moleskin

    YHC finished #bigdata last night and was surprised while reading through some of the early RAMM backblasts how simple they were (Inaugural RAMM). TYA always jokes about that but for some reason YHC didn’t realize how consistently simple they were. Always on Grove, generally with time at the end for a little Mary before the clock ran out. Today was a tribute to some of those OG routes, simple but effective.

    The east wind made for a quick jaunt down grove, followed by stale air on St Chris before turning right into the belly of the beast on Patterson. Wind and a little rain was welcome as the tropics were in the air.

    Enjoyed the fellowship as always gang. SYITG.

    Splinter out

  • Spin the Bottle

    Eight ruckers assembled in the moonlight (no that was parking lot lights) for a prompt 0500 launch of Ruckhenge. Walking disclaimer and welcome as we went off for a 3 mile ruck.

    The Route

    Lights on and head towards Huguenot. West on Huguenot to Jimmy Winters, left on Rattlesnake past the library, right on Pulliam, loop around Bon Air Elementary via the newly paved trail. Quick side step around the not-yet-complete bridge before heading north on McRae. Left on Bullington, through the trail to the church, then back towards the launch site. Add a loop behind the AO through the office park then back to the flag for an even 3.

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    The general theme for the route was an opportunity for YHC to reminisce on early childhood locations. Libraries, ball fields, and quite possibly a spin the bottle location. Ample stories about firsts started the ruck, followed by a random assortment of topics.

    Thanks for letting me join the fun this am. Always good to connect with different folks.

    Splinter out.