Author: Splinter

  • Essex is Sneaky

    Fifteen able bodied athletes gathered in the grey moonlight for a great spider run experience. After blazing through instructions, as almost everyone saw the route posted last night, of we went. Routes were heavy so almost everyone was late. Some more than others.

    The Route

    • By the lake, around the baseball field, left on College
    • Right on Lakewood, right on Wood, left on Baldwin, right on Westham, left on Baldwin, left on Rock Creek, left on Forest, right on University
    • 4s, 5s, 6s all do Essex
    • 5s, 6s do Dinwiddie and Nelson
    • 6s do Nalla and Glendale
    • Return on University via the instructions above

    https://onthegomap.com/s/0hlq4ijj

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Sign up for Breaking Bread in your birth month

    Moleskin

    We haven’t gone northwest in a while, saving Henrico’s summit for warmer days. Today’s route used Patterson as the iron curtain, knocking a few times but never crossing.

    6s discussion centered around vacations, offshore/nearshore engineering, and how parents are living the retired life. We almost got picked up by someone on College on the way but, but he was just turning into a driveway. Then we almost got picked up by a gaggle of other runners, but they were just being kind and informing us of ice on the bridge. Maybe one day someone will try to pick up Faceplant.

    Enjoy the day fellas.

    Splinter

  • It Sounded Like a Good Idea

    Thirteen on foot gathered for multiple purposes at today’s Spider Run. Most runners were fully aware of what was in store, and they still showed up. Some runners opted for rucking. Then there were walkers. If you chose the run portion, here’s what we did.

    The Route

    Slowsy as a group on the main road, crossing 1 bridge (sorry Upchuck), before convening on the far side of the intramural field. After a few trips across the turf at 60% and then 80%, instructions were given.

    Line drill intervals. Sprint across the turf to a predetermined position depending on your usual pace. Touch the turf then turn around and sprint back. 4 milers went across to the far side of the midfield soccer circle. 5 milers to the snow man. 6 milers the full length. We rested about 1:15 between intervals.

    Oh yeah, we did 12 of these.

    Slowsy back to the VSF a few minutes early so we could throw snowballs at the ruckers/walkers.

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    YHC truly appreciates those who knew what was in store and still posted. It was a wild hair idea that I figured I’d try on a day where the roads may be a bit slippery. Turns out the field was likely more slippy.

    Kudos to Bodos who made it maybe one interval before he started making snowballs. YHC is honestly shocked it took that long.

    For the record, he’s also a sandbagger of a sprinter.

    Enjoy the day fellas. My quads and hamstrings are toast!

    Splinter out.

  • SZN of GVN: Coffee Codewords

    Six of the area’s finest departed their vehicles as late as possible for the final week of First Watch in 2023. According to the the man with the broken down Subaru, this may or may not have happened. Quick mosey around the triangle park then back in front of the church for COP.

    COP

    • 20x SSHs
    • 10x HCs
    • 10x DQs
    • 10x IWs
    • 10x HRMs
    • 20x LBCs
    • 15x MCs

    The Thang

    Short mosey to the back porch to pick up the first round of gifts. Turn on the lights then listen to instructions. 4 stations. 20 SSH, 10 WWIIs, 20 Jump Squats, 10 burpees. Between each station run back to the porch for 10 merkins. We did this for ~23 minutes.

    Oh yeah, since we started the year with Leeroy Jenkins we ended with it as well. Everyone except Kubota and Handshake (again) participated.

    Grab the box of Macho Man glasses then head back around the church. Curb crawls to 3 and back. Upchuck offered glasses to the man on the bike but was politely declined.

    Mosey back to they parking lot for 2 rounds of triple check. LBCs, flutter kicks, and run to the light and back. One more opportunity for Leeroy but no one took the bait.

    Numbers (1.5 times through), names, YHC took us out.

    Distribute gifts, there were plenty for each to grab two, then off to coffeeteria.

    Moleskin

    At some point between laps 2 and 3 of the circuit YHC retorted an inappropriate response to Upchuck. Sincerest of apologies.

    YHC caught a little bit of grief for regifting Ukrop’s butterstar cookies. Given it’s after christmas, regifting seemed appropriate.

    Thanks for a great year at First Watch everyone!

    Splinter out.

  • Just the Tip

    Five post xmas spider run stallwarts stared at each other for a bit before instructions were shared and off we went. One did his own thing whereas the others did the prescribed 5 mile route.

    The Route

    • By the lake, over the pavilion, right through the path
    • University to Ralston to River
    • River to Glenbrooke
    • Up Summit
    • Right on Glenbrooke to finish the loop
    • Back the way we came

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out

    Moleskin

    Not a lot of takers for runners this AM. YHC thought there may be a few more that wanted to burn off some xmas calories. Extra dose of hills this AM. Job well done to those who posted.

    Five milers had christmas storytime of yesteryear. Storytime was going great until YHCs story of shutting the door on a new puppy’s tail when YHC was 10 or 11. Luckily for the dog, just the tip was caught, requiring a half dozen stitches. Apparently Saab didn’t appreciate the story as his dinner almost resurfaced.

    Great to catch up with Boberry and to hear of the number of hams he basted and baked this year. Livin’ high on the hog!

    Have a great day gentlemen.

    Splinter out.

  • Q*bert Makes a Comeback

    Thirteen runners and two riders took advantage of a fantastic morning to get some exercise. No haiku run today as YHC beat Lockjaw to the signup sheet. Instead, a retry of the Q*bert run. Strange sounds were emitted from Sippy then off we went.

    The Route

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Trumpet nose appears
    Q*bert provides a great run
    Marv limps back to flag

    Great camaraderie at coffeeteria post run. Enjoy the holiday’s everyone.

    Splinter out.

  • Kotters Don’t Like Owls Either

    Sixteen spiderlings gathered on campus, wondering if there was still time to sign up for F3 secret Santa. The route was tried and true… Spider Run’s version of Grooooooooove.

    The Route

    • Through the bat cave, across the bridge, and head upriver
    • 4s turn around at Rivercrest (a little heavy)
    • 5s turn around at Cherokee (a little heavy)
    • 6s go up Rustic, left on Oakleaf, left on Elm, left on Hickory, back down to the river

    Numbers, names, announcements, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Apparently every time Shakedown comes back from an extended Spider Run break, he walks into intervals. Sorry to disappoint today! As Pucker said it, it’s about as flat as you can get at Spider Run.

    Welcome back to Moon Pie after a one year hiatus. Turns out he came back out because he found running by himself near St. Chris to be too scary for him. An owl dive bombed him a few weeks back and he just knew he needed to find a group to run with. Never fear Moon Pie, the owls clearly are scared of us!

    Everyone loves running across the river. The traffic was loud and plentiful today, otherwise it was an enjoyable run. Thanks to all you guys for showing up every week, even if it’s becoming arctic-like.

    Announcements

    • Last day to sign up for F3 secret santa is today
    • 12 days of xmas at No Toll next Tuesday. Let’s try to do something special at Spider Run next Tuesday to honor the tradition. Sign up!
    • Watch out for those potholes on Hickory!

  • You Breathe Too Much

    Fourteen Beaver Moon gazers gathered to share Thanksgiving driving stories as a means to delay launch this AM. Launch was not delayed. Instructions were shared and off we went for:

    The Route

    Everyone did the following loop, depicted in the attached map: https://onthegomap.com/s/mrjrduro

    • Batcave
    • Right on Westham Station
    • 6s only: Up Highland to River and back
    • Right up South Ridge
    • 5s & 6s: Left on Ross to the bottom and back
    • Continue on to Westham
    • Right on University
    • Left on College
    • Right on Campus
    • Right into the college
    • Take the right loop by the football stadium BTTVSF

    Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

    Announcements

    • Great year for Breaking Bread. Thanks to Oyster for coordinating and all the people who volunteered. 2024 slots are open.
    • HDHH on 12/6 @ the wonderfully smelling Final Gravity @ 6PM. Lockjaw will be there.

    Moleskin

    Mumblechatter was at a minimum until everyone warmed up this AM. As the 5s emerged from the cave, stories started about the power of breathing. Bodos may not be our resident pulmonary specialist; however, he has studied a lot about breathing. Singular takeaway from this AM, don’t breathe too much.

    Many a comment about the November Full Moon, a.k.a. The Full Beaver Moon. No beaver sightings this morning but we were all looking!

    For all y’all holiday travelers. Make sure you double strap your roof torpedo before heading out on the road!

    See ya!

    Splinter

  • Pre-Turkey Trot

    Twenty tryptophan trekking titans turned loose at various times to attempt to all finish a 10k by 0615. The route was well rehearsed and published in advance. Most everyone got it. One group left at 0510. After Saab recognized the stranger standing beside him, Hutton called 0515 and a large group took off. Four more of the fast gobblers took off at 0525.

    The Route

    https://onthegomap.com/s/fmrolial

    Authentic Turkey Trot Routes

    My watch had exactly 6.2.

    Moleskin

    Great to see a wide variety of the region’s best join us at Spider Run today. Always good to catch up with the broader PAX. Best to all with their Thanksgiving Day festivities and celebrations.

    Announcements

    • Faceplant has the Q at Dogpile on Saturday. Turns out it is his Dogpile VQ he’s been planning for 6 years. Seems suspicious but he did offer to buy breakfast for anyone that brings an FNG. So bring an FNG, get a free breakfast. No questions asked. Saab already claimed the person at the corner of Parham & Patterson.
    • Know a great man that needs some assistance? See Fudd’s post on Slack.
    • 6am @ Mary Munford this Thursday for an authentic Virginia lesson on thanks and giving.
    • HDHH 12/6 @ 6PM @ Final Gravity. Humidity is guaranteed to be high.

    Have a great week everyone

  • Confused by Cold Cellars

    Eight First Watch regulars, including one who declared it may never get cold enough to wear his Patriots beanie, gathered in the parking lot waiting for some natural light. Since no natural light existed, we made our own fireworks. Off we went to the front of the school for:

    COP

    • 20x SSH
    • 1x Merkin
    • 10x Copperhead squats
    • 2x Merkins
    • 10x Mountain Climbers
    • 3x Merkins
    • 20x LBCs
    • 4x Merkins
    • 10x Hellicopters
    • 5x Merkins
    • 10x Monkey Humpers
    • 6x Merkins
    • 15x Arm Circles
    • 7x Merkins
    • 10x Lunges
    • 8x Merkins
    • 10x Something or others
    • 9x Merkins
    • 10x Heels to Heaven
    • 10x Merkins

    The Thang

    After a few PAX members dried off after COP, we moseyed back the other direction toward Lindsay. Despite a PAX suggestion for 31 minutes of Don Quixote’s, we did a downhill version of Love Hill. Partner up, one runs to the bottom then back up while partner is doing exercises. Exercises were crab walks, lunges, broad jumps. YHC drew the lucky straw and had Garbage Plate who apparently does crab walks on wheels.

    10 count then 11 Merkins.

    Different partner then back up the hill. Exercises were polar bears, duck walks, broad-jump burpees up to the top.

    10 count then 12 merkins

    Scurry back over to the parking lot, waiting for teachers to arrive, but no teachers today. We did 11s instead. Bernie sanders across the lot, then backwards up the hill for WWIIs. Forward run down the hill and across the lot for jump squats. Either Mr Rogers & YHC miscounted or everyone else cheated.

    13 merkins.

    Quick circle for 20x Freddie Mercuries before numbers, names, and Garbage Plate took us out.

    Announcements

    • Shoe drive has begun. Mr Rogers will collect at Dogpile. Ask around for other POCs for other regions.
    • Thanksgiving convergence @ Mary. More details to follow.
    • Tuck-a-ruck Friday @ Hoedown @ 18:45. See Lockjaw for deets.

    Have a great day fellas!

  • Back Third of the Spider

    Fourteen astute listeners gathered for a pre-published but somewhat complicated Spider Run today. The route included the last half of the turkey trot route in 2 weeks. Something like this (read in micro-machines format)

    The Route

    • Up around the baseball field then left on College
    • Right on Lakewood
    • 4s left on Westham
    • 5/6 right on Wood to Waveny
    • 5s left on Westham
    • 6s right on Westham, left on Woodberry, left on Sweet Briar, left on Baldwin, right on Westham
    • Everyone south on Westham to left on Club Vista
    • Left on College
    • Right on Westhampton which turns into Keller if you go straight
    • Right on Westhampton
    • Right on UR
    • Right on Crenshaw
    • Uturn at Modlin parking lot
    • Left on UR
    • Counterclockwise loop on the big hill for a downhill finish

    Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

    Moleskin

    Everyone has been thrilled with the ample turns the past few weeks. YHC is sure you have them all memorized for 2 weeks from now.

    Announcements

    • Dogpile needs a Q this weekend for those not running Richmond
    • Richmond marathon this weekend for some
    • Tuckaruck Friday 11/17. See Lockjaw/slack for details
    • 11/21 10k @ Spider Run. Arrive as early as necessary to finish a 10k by 615. Route is here.

    See ya’ll.