Author: Splinter

  • eSports Olympiad 2031

    Eleven’ish gentlemen braved the somewhat posted route for today’s variation of Spider Run intervals. After a brief, yet contested, disclaimer, off we went.

    The Route

    Through the path, up Roselawn, right on Towana, right on access road, left on St. Christophers. Upchuck was in the lead after the first turn, for those who are counting.

    Right just past the baseball field to the track. 200m intervals. 200m at faster than race pace followed by 200m recovery. 4 milers do 4, 5 milers do 8, 6 milers do 12. Or whatever count you want in between there.

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • GroRuck weekend, lots of announcements there
    • Señor Chuck has the Dogpile Q for the early birds

    Moleskin

    Well, well, it seems that the number 7 has quite a fetish in history. Multiple 7 Years’ Wars (some taking longer than 7 years, but who’s counting?). 7 years of famine. 7 years of drought. Even the Dalai Lama himself spent (at least) 7 years in Tibet. And of course, it has been a whopping 7 years since Upchuck last graced a track with his presence, or so he claims through his perpetually track-deprived tears. The Q sheet is conveniently filled for 4/30/2031 for more track shenanigans.

    YHC always appreciates y’all’s presence, even when running frustrates me to the point of questioning my life choices. There are good runs, there are bad runs, and sometimes YHC gets stuck in a rut deeper than Westham creek. For me, intervals are the magical cure to break out of that rut, and it was desperately needed today.

    It was also quite delightful to give the queen’s wave to Gypsy and Homer as they plodded along on the track. YHC can’t help but wonder if they actually tested out those hurdles, or if they were just admiring them from a safe distance, afraid to unleash their inner Olympians.

    Adiós amigos, until the next round!

    Splinter

  • Marv Dropped the Mic

    Marv no postey backey blastey. Digit splint master b for credz.

  • No Backblast, Phone Was Erased

    A meandering route through ziontown and south ridge.

    Lockjaw needs data backup. Ping Splinter if you were here and want credit.

  • Hemmingway’s Challenger

    An assortment of 13 individuals + 2 pulling out early gathered for a mixed bag of RAMM today. Lots of gears, walkers, and runners afoot. According to the tomato with a massively flat tire, here’s the route the runners took.

    The Route

    • 4s & 5s north on Commonwealth to east on Monument
    • 6s west on Grove, Bunting to Chantilly to east on Monument
    • 4s turn right on Boulevard, back to Grove and home
    • 5s turn right on Meadow, back to Grove and home
    • 6s turn right at Allen, back to Grove and home

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Last minute route means simplicity. When YHC left the house no one was on the Q sheet, so this is what you get. Monument was especially busy today. At least 5 busses by my count going westward. Sorry, kind of.

    Cool morning and thick pollen made for ample post ride/run/walk chatter. Good luck to all the runners this weekend taking on the “Hills of Monument”.

    Splinter out

  • Underwear Twins

    Eleven pollen pushers embarked on a well known route. Directions were unenthusiastically announced and then off we went.

    The Route

    • Summit the mound
    • Around the baseball field, left on college, right on Lakewood, right on Wood, left on Baldwin
    • Right on Westham, left on Baldwin, wave to Marv sleeping, left on Rock Creek
    • Left on Forest, right on University
    • 4s: Arlington circle then return
    • 5s: Continue up University to Glenwood then left on Julian to the top
    • 6s: add Arlington on the way out and back

    Numbers, names, prayer requests before YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Two PAX members, one wearing jeans and the other bitter from a loss in the March Madness pool, somehow shared they were wearing the same underwear. I’m glad I missed the setup for that one.

    Prayers for those in our PAX dealing with a variety of concerns, Frankie, Lockjaw, Faceplant, and others unspoken.

  • The Least Popular of Spider Run

    Fifteen humans and one dog collected in the commons basin to this fabulous Tuesday edition of Spider Run. No complaints from anyone so off we went.

    The Route

    • Loop in front of the commons then up the stairs and beside the chapel
    • Make another left then back to the bat cave direction before heading up Ridgeway
    • Collect ourselves at the bottom of Ridgeway while letting the other gaggle of runners go by
    • 2 intervals up Ridgeway, continuing on the second to a left on Roselawn
    • Stop halfway down Roselawn for 2 more intervals, continuing on the second to a left on Campus
    • Collect at the bottom of Old Mill for 2 more intervals, then continue down Campus
    • Collect at the bottom of Bostwick for 2 more intervals. Actually, we had time for 3.
    • Easy mosey back to the VSF via the most direct path

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Even though the hype almost skipped Spider Run, the energy level was high. Pretty much everyone knew what was going on, Anthrax being the least surprised of the bunch. We may not have confused the dog, but we certainly confused all those runners we passed on Ridgeway.

    There were various comments from the PAX that they figured something was up when I put out the poll a few weeks ago. Turns out there were no clear and decisive victors. So what does a strong leader do when there are no clear winners? Dictate of course. So we chose 4 hills that received no votes and did intervals on them. While we may have reached the top of two of them, it was still a great combination of hill repeats.

    Anytime someone wants to surprise me one day and plan some intervals, feel free. Seems unfortunate I am the only one able to give out this much joy on a regular basis.

    Two highlights of the day for me, both on Bostwick. While running beside Chippendale, we made the first turn and his expression said it all. No words, simply a grunt and a groan. Yes, Bostwick sucks.

    Second highlight was on the second interval on Bostwick. Faceplant didn’t break story for the entire 1 minute interval. YHC made sure to indirectly call him out by reminding the PAX that if you can tell stories on Bostwick, you aren’t doing it right.

    Enjoy the day fellas.

  • Pineapples, Gluten Free Cookies, and Below Average Baking

    Eleven to fifteen (or more) and maybe an FNG on wheels that never returned to get his name, gathered to share embraces for those we haven’t seen in a while. Eventually the gears dudes quieted down so I could explain instructions. After some strange and inquisitive looks, Singer asked if I was giving the PAX the dong. Well, I guess so. If no one signs up to Q, you get the dong.

    The Route

    • North on Commonwealth to a right on Fitzhugh
    • Right on Malvern
    • 5s left on Patterson, right on Nansemond, right on Grove, left on Malvern
    • Straight into Windsor farms, doing the full horseshoe before coming back north on Commonwealth to the flag

    Counterclockwise numbers, leapfrogging back and forth a few times before we got to our number.

    Moleskin

    Great to see a few faces that hadn’t been to RAMM in a while. You may disappear for a while, but when you show up, the badgering picks up right were we left off.

    Enjoy your Friday fellas. Go Rams.

  • No Scaredy Cats Here

    Nine dudes, including the dude himself, posted for today’s Spider Run. Route was posted yesterday in an alternate channel but everyone still got it. Devil’s pitchfork for all that braved the rain.

    Route

    • Everyone stay on the road and head to River
    • River to Westham Station up South Ridge to the light
    • 4s return
    • 5s hit Highland on the way back
    • 6s hit Highland, Old Bridge, and Panorama

    Numbers (clockwise), names (also clockwise), and YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Thanks for all that posted today. Gloomy day for a run. Everyone enjoyed it. EF Hutton even thanked me and told me how much he loved me when we passed on Highland.

    Hitch’s streak was broken today. Bodo’s is the new streaker at Spider Run.

    Announcements

    Heal up everyone!

    Splinter out.

  • Have you Seen Henrico’s Libraries?

    Thirteen survivors of leap day gathered to discuss various rituals that occur on leap day. Since that was such an enthralling conversation, YHC almost forgot instructions. Almost.

    The Route

    • South on Commonwealth into Windsor Farms
    • Berkshire to Sulgrave for 3/4 of the loop then right on Dover
    • Right on Portland then left on Douglasdale
    • Douglasdale changes to McCloy which dumps you into Carytown
    • Work north with 4s turning left on Grove, 5s turning left on Patterson, 6s turning left on Monument
    • Everyone worked their way back to Mary

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out after Hitch’s story of comparing city libraries to county libraries.

    Moleskin

    YHC needed a flat route today. Despite the calls for intervals, we stuck to the route. Nice work all.

    Have a great weekend everyone.

    Splinter

  • Watch Out for that VooDoo Magic

    Twelve misty eyed pavement pounders y un perro gathered in the gloom to hear what was in store today. Luckily, everyone either saw the routes posted or payed attention as no one go lost. Even Hitch made his way back (eventually).

    The Route

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Thanks to Saab for entertaining us with yet another slightly off-color joke.

    Unrelated Announcements

    • Ash Wednesday service at the mall tomorrow

    Have a great Tuesday gentlemen.