Author: THE Yankee Aggressor

  • And he posts

    Four brave posted for a Wednesday evening hill run.

    The Thang:

    Q declares root, and all PAX, except Shakedown, decide to do something else.  Shakedown and TYA do 2 big loops followed by 2 small loops.

    NMM:

    A complete mutiny when YHC tried to prescribe the root today.  Swirly and Circle K immediately either 1) began complaining or 2) stated they were not following the same route.  No problems.  Wednesday hill run is very mellow and the objective is clear.  Hit the hills for at least 45 minutes getting a good beatdown and some preparation for the BRR.

    Earlier in the week, Rosie sent me a note saying that Shakedown might be interested in running the BRR this year.  He tasked me with talking to Shakedown and getting him to commit.  My initial thoughts to Rosie’s request was “tell him I am available to talk every Wednesday between 530 and 615 PM to discuss the BRR  That way, I could make sure he was really committed to this and would train to get ready.  To my surprise, Shakedown posted.  He came to run the hill to get ready for the BRR as soon as he could.  He is still not committed to the run, but he has already begun to train.  Great job Shakedown!!!

    TYA Out

  • If I See Another F’ing runner!!!!

    12 Redwoods posted for a morning workout.

    The Thang:

    St. Chris’s loop for the runners.  6 milers take a right on Grove, Left on Roseneath, Left on Patterson, Left on St. Christophers, Left on Three Chopt, Lett on Grove and back to the shovel flag.  Five milers Left on Malvern, Left on Patterson …..   Raam Gears guys were led by Clavin on a morning jaunt.

    NMM:

    Ok, first things first.  Take a look at the PAX list and the QIC part of the backlist.  What is wrong with this picture?  Two things to start.  One, YHC was the Q today, not Lockjaw.  After a four month string of Q’s,  Lockjaw was not signed up (I think I might be able to remedy that) so I took the lead. Second and most importantly, No Lockjaw in the PAX list.  For those of you who have wondered (or even asked) why I took it upon myself to sigh Lockjaw up to Q for so long, now you know why.  NO Q, NO POST for Lockjaw.  Was he out of town?  I don’t thing so.  Was he injured or ill.  Not that I know of.  there seems to be only one way to make sure Mr. LJ posts and that is for him to be the Q.

    It was a little sticky out there this morning.  Although in reality it was 70 and sunny, it felt more like 95, 100% humidity and sunny.  The PAX was drenched post run.  Poor Saab (and the gears folks) during the COT.  The PAX was soaked and Saab was relatively dry …. until the COT.  He mentioned as he was leaving that although he didn’t sweat that much, his shirt still stunk from the hugs from the other PAX members.

    Marv had to take a little detour pre run.  Seems his alarm did not go off on time and he did not have time to take care of business.  Luckily he lived close enough to the AO to head back home and meet the folks along the way for the rest of the run.

    There was one angry lady this morning out on the route.  As we approached Patterson and Grove, the five milers heard quite a commotion.  An elderly lady was yelling at someone (not sure who), with and expletive laced diatribe.  Seeing a group of runners pass, she quickly redirected her ire towards us.  She is apparently not too enamored with runners, and she made that very clear.   I was a bit worried that when Swirly came upon her an altercation might ensue.   Swirly seemed fine, not sure if the lady is still ambulatory…

    TYA OUT

  • Is it Raining?

    Four soldiers posted for a Wednesday afternoon run on Hillcrest, including one Wednesday run FNG (EF Hutton).

    The Thang:

    Mayhem ensued.  Circle K ran three small circles then a loop to Mary Mumford and back, Swirly did 9 small loops, and EF and TYA did 3 large and 1 small loop.

    NMM

    The story of the day was the weather.  An hour prior to the workout, a storm rolled in and the temperature dropped from the mid 90’s to the high 70’s.  Rain held off for a majority of Circle K’s jaunt, but the rain was in full force for the run for all others.  The PAX really enjoyed the weather as it kept things cool for the whole run.  A short reprieve in the rain threatened the PAX, but it came back and keep all happy.  Post workout, we hung out at the top of Hillcrest in the pouring rain and got a bunch of strange looks from the passersby.  Honestly, it was as pleasure to hang out in the rain afterwards.  I felt like a little kid again, standing in the rain and splashing in the puddles.  Just one other benefit from working out in all weather…

    Circle K took the back roads for the trip to Mary Mumford.  On the way back he opted for Cary Street.   Cary Street Road (WTF RVA) is fine until most of the way until you hit a section which is street or deep woods…Circle K survived, but learned his lesson and will never again try the Cary option back to the flag.

    BRR is less than three months away…time to hit the hills gents.

    TYA OUT

  • Man down 3 times

    5 faithful posted on a perfect Sunday morning for a trail run

    The Thang:

    Northbank to T. Potterfield, to buttermilk and back to the Pump House parking lot.

    NMM

    Bleeder got an early start this am, starting out somewhere around 630.  The rest of the PAX convened at 7pm for the start.  Our goal was to catch up to Bleeder before his finish.  Mission failed (I think).  By the time I got back to the parking lot, he was gone.  Upchuck may have seen him, but I heard no reports, so I am assuming not.

    Great morning for the trails. Pretty quiet out there and the weather was acceptable.  Mid Sixties with just a little bit of humidity.

    When we finished the run, Gomer Pyle was a mess.  He had mud on the front, back and all the sides of his shirt.  When I asked if he fell, he said he indeed did, 3 times.  That has to be a record for Sunday trail run falls.  I have gone done twice in a day, but never three times.  One observation.  He must be an experience faller, because despite hitting the deck three times, I did not see any bumps, bruises, or blood  on his body…

    Lab Rat was putting the full court press on Gomer Pyle of the BRR today.  Anytime I was near the two of them (which was rare), tales and descriptions of the event were being shared.  Thanks to Upchuck for the ride home for YHC.  Asking for a ride when you are soaking wet and then realizing that the car seat are cloth was a little uncomfortable for me.  Fortunately Upchuck had a spare towel that I could site on…thanks brother. Bleeder reported that he ran into Hardwood during the run.  Hardwood, I hope you are alright and did not sustain too much damage during the collision….

    Saab was missed on the trails this am.  I cannot wait to talk to Saab, because his current ailment occurred during a run in (literally) with a few dogs.  Still cannot figure out what happened, but it must be a helluva story….

    TYA OUT

  • The river runneth over

    6 stalwarts posted on a Sunday morning for a holiday weekend run.

    The Thang:

    7 or 10 mile options this am.

    NMM

    Out of respect for Lab Rat (and the trails), we decided to stay off the trails because of the recent excess of rain in the RVA area.  Given that, YHC decided that we would hit the access road next to the river and then do a few laps around Belle Isle and then take Canal street back to the pump house.  Good plan?  Except, the access road next to the river was a few feet under water and in not such good shape for a morning jog.  Plan C.  Take Riverside drive to Belle and go from there.

    Plan C worked.  Although the streets are a poor substitute for the trails, Riverside drive is a pretty good road to run on.  The road was clear the whole way and we then took the bridge down and across to Belle Isle.  The first group led by Honeydo with Bleeder, Pucker, and Helix then ascended the stupidly steep hill near tredegar, headed to canal street and made their way back to the pump house parking lot.  Reported mileage was in the 7 mile range.

    Saab and I headed back over the T. Pottersfield bridge, to the flood wall (yes Circle K, TYA found the flood wall successfully) back over the bridge, along the canal, up the stupidly steep hill, and then up to canal street to head back to Pump House.

    YHC had a hard time crossing T. Pottersfield this morning.  The river was raging and while I was running forward, the river was crossing under me at 90 degree angle pretty rapidly.  I got dizzy really quickly.  I tried to concentrate on the bridge just in front of me, but could not help but see the raging river.  For those who have been on a cruise and tried to run on a treadmill while aboard, It was a very similar experience.  Your body is going in one direction and your mind sees the world moving in an incongruent way.  Very disorienting.  Thankfully, the bridge is pretty short and  recovered really quickly.

    Kotters to Bleeder for the Sunday run.  It has been a while, but Bleeder looked strong out there.  Pucker was also out after a brief hiatus.  Pucker and I discussed our mutual desire that Nashville wins the Stanley Cup.  In Boston sports, it seems to come down to who you hate less.  Nashville only has one or two players that we are required to hate being from Boston, so our routing interest lies there this time around.  Go PREDS, or more accurately, please don’t let the Pittsburg Penguins and Crosby win another cup.

    TYA OUT

  • An extended Wednesday run

    4 runner arrived at the run at four different times.  All PAX saw each other, but only two ran together.

    The Thang

    3 loops on the longer hillcrest loop.

    NMM:

    Last Wednesday was a busy day of the PAX.  I had a 630 appointment, Bleeder and Lug had to leave early, Swirly was the only one that had the appointed time free for the run.  Despite our scheduling difficulties, we all decided a run was in order on the hills.  Lug and Bleeder were the first two to arrive and the first two to start.  YHC arrived about 5 minutes into their run and staredt after them.  Swirly caught us at the start of his run and the end or ours.

    NEVER, AND I MEAN NEVER, try to catch up and pass Bleeder.  The dude is one stubborn SOB.  After the first loop I was a minute or two behind Bleeder and Lug.  In the first downhill, I caught and passed Lug.  I knew Bleeder was aware I was coming and that he would speed up.  Hence, I sped up as well.  After the second uphill he was in my sights and I was slowly gaining on him.  Once he realized I was close, his pace increased again.  He had a goal to make it to the top of the third hill until I caught him.  Mission accomplished Bleeder.  I laid down a 9:20 mile in the hills of hillcrest (most of it uphill) trying to unsuccessfully catch him. As I said, he is a stubborn and competitive SOB. Nice job Bleeder.

    Lug got lost on his second or third lap and got the opportunity to hit a few of the hills twice on that go round.  Swirly had a good run and knocked out his three laps alone.  As YHC is well aware, doing the hills alone sucks.  Just having someone else out there makes it much easier.  Hopefully our schedules will mesh better in the future.

    BRR is now only 103 days out.  Time to start hitting the hills gents. Time put in now makes the hills that much easier during the event.

    Shout out to EF Hutton who hit the hillcrest roads by himself later in the week.  Good to pop the hillcrest cherry of another PAX member.

    TYA OUT

  • Houston we have liftoff in Charlottesville

    9 PAX (F3 participants) emerged from the gloom and posted to Booker T. Washington park in Charlottesville.  This was the first workout in Cville and the weather, as expected, was sunny and 70!

    The Thang:

    Mosey to side of field.  COP SSH x 20, Don Quixote x 10, LBC x 20, and merkins x 25.  Mosey toward Preston Avenue and take the steps up to the upper basketball court for King of Hearts.  Regular suicide, backwards suicide, karaoke suicide and bear crawl suicide.

    Q passed to Swirly.  Mosey to Picnic area for triple check.  Dips and LBC’s and sprints.  Repeato x3.  Mosey to playground.  Pull ups x 7 and incline merkins x 20.  Repeato x3.  Q passed to Upchuck.  Mosey to top of wooden steps.  Triple check again with WWII situps, box cutters and run up (or down the steps).  Repeato x3.  Q passed over to Bleeder.  Mosey to main field for 11’s.  Squats and Rosalita’s with lunges between the trees.  Mosey to basketball courts for four corner escalator.  First corner 5x merkins, second corner 10x burpees, third 15x merkings and last corner 20x burpees.  Mosey back to the shovel flat for Superman and a take out by Swirly.

    NMM (Naked Man Moleskin)

    The Richmond crew arrived early to scout out the AO (area of operations).  Booker T is a fine place to hold an F3 workout.  The location is compact, but it is packed with Yummy treats to work out with.  The field near the parking lot has 11 trees lining it (perfect for 11’s).  There ample picnic benches and seats to use, a double basketball court, a single basketball court, a baseball field, a killer set of wooden steps, and a hill that will inflict pain on the PAX for years to come.  The possibilities in this AO are limitless and most importantly, this location is located about 3 minutes from the Bodo’s on Preston Avenue (Bleeder, you can check the address if you need to).

    Charlottesville PAX started rolling in about quarter til 7 and we had a full 9 PAX by the 7am start.  A few observations about our new Charlottesville PAX: 1) they are a fit crew.  All the PAX acquitted themselves well today.  A one hour beatdown for the first workout is no joke and everyone kept moving.  2) no worries if a doctor is needed during the workout.  Half the PAX are docs or or work at a hospital 3) Education level of the PAX is high.  YHC (your humble correspondent) felt under educated having only completed a masters degree and 4) they are an enthusiastic bunch – 4/5 of the PAX joined us for a post workout coffeetaria at Bodo’s.

    OK, so Bleeder is a mean SOB.  the FNG’s having survived 53 minutes of the workout were looking pretty spent.  All the experienced PAX were expecting 6 minutes of mary followed by the COT to finish out the hour.  No, Bleeder brings us to the tennis courts and pulls out a merkin/burpee four corners escalator.  The RVA PAX were all looking at Bleeder with disbelief, and YHC asked Bleeder if he were really serious about this exercise.  Without hesitation Bleeder said “exercise” and we were off.  Brutal.

    FNG Bob (Hakan) is a true competitor to Bleeder when it comes to bear crawls.  When we did the bear crawl suicides, Bob quickly took the lead, not sure who won the battle, but it was neck and neck.  FNG Speed Limit looks like the prototypical runner.  If you had to draw a picture of a front runner in a 10k (Kenyans excluded), you might draw his picture.  When YHC asked him if he was a runner at the start. he said he used to be.  I guess “used to be” means busting out a 5:30 pace for 10 miles in the hills at Charlottesville a couple of weeks ago.  We might have to start recruiting Speed Limit for the BRR.   FNG True North is a spitting image of Kevin Bull from American Ninja Warriors (minus a couple of the ridiculous guns that Bull has).  He is a former crossfit guy and an systems engineer.  FNG Bolton had a good workout but struggled a little bit with the suicides at the beginning.  We all have our kryptonite brothers.  Keep working  and posting and the fitness for that kryptonite will come.  FNG Margaritaville had to bolt post workout.  Had to head to the soccer games of the day.  Sound familiar gents?

    I look forward to seeing how the Charlottesville F3 crew progresses.  We have a good starting seed and I cant wait to see what emerges from this group.  I’m game for the 1 hour ride anytime given that a beatdown, some good 2nd F and a trip to Bodo’s is at the other end.

    TYA OUT

  • Where did I park?

    3 runners posted to attack the hills on a sweltering Wednesday afternoon.

    THE Thang

    3 large loops on hillcrest, dealers choice on directions

    NMM

    We all got started at different times.  Bleeder hit the road early and had already completed a lap when YHC arrive.  I started rolling at 530 with Bleeder.  After my first lap, Swirly joined in.  We each completed a full three laps logging in just over five miles for the afternoon.

    It was a bit hot out there today.  I was the first to dive in and lose the shirt, starting out with my lilly white belly shining for all to see.  Swirly started that way as well.  Bleeder joined us after he did two laps.  Honestly, the only thing a shirt accomplishes in that weather is to weigh you down and get your shirt soaking wet.  Oh the humanity, the folks in Hillcrest association are trying to amend the bylaws to keep us out of there.  1/2 way through our lap Bleeder asked me when the last time I saw a dermatologist.   Apparently I have a few freckles, moles, etc on my back…Ill be fine.

    Warning to all PAX.  Do not leave your car keys in obvious places with Bleeder around…

  • Mothers day run

    2 terrible husbands posted for a Sunday morning mothers day trail run

    The Thang

    Pump house over the nickle bridge to fire road next to the southside of the river.  Follow the fire road to flood wall and take that to 14th street.  Head back on north side along canal walk and make our way to canal street and follow it and Cary back to THE Boulevard.  THE Boulevard back to pump house parking lot.

    NMM

    Trails were wet this morning so we avoided them as much as possible.  3/4 of the run was on streets, the other part on fire roads/etc.  I have been wanting to get back to the flood wall, but had no idea how to get there.  Despite many attempts by Circle K to explain the simple direction to the flood wall, YHC needed Lab Rat to lead the way.  Despite Lab Rat’s assurances that he knew the way, I was convinced we were lost getting to the flood wall…I was wrong.

    Parking lot was empty when we left. Since it was mothers day, YHC was assuming that most of the husbands out there we home taking care of M.  When we returned after the run, the parking lot was full. Not sure what that means, but we were definitely not alone.

    With only two guys (but two stellar guys) in the PAX, not a ton of stories for the morning.  Thanks to LR for running with YHC.

    TYA Out

  • Hats and gloves in May?

    7 studs emerged from the fartsack for a morning run on the hills.  Weather was 44 degrees and sunny (70 and sunny in my mind)

    The Thang:

    Mount Henrico for everyone but Saab.  Saab, do whatever the hell you want to do because your not going listen to my directions anyways…

    NMM

    The route was 5.3 miles this morning with 250+ feet of elevation gain.  This is one of YHC favorite runs for Spider run.  Good steady incline on the way out and then a quick return trip to the lake.

    Weather was a little chilly this am, prompting full winter gear from some PAX.  Most had long sleeved shirts on, about 1/2 wore gloves, and at least one went all in with the double layer up top, gloves, and a winter hat.  Swirly sure was warm on his way around Henrico county this morning.  In a couple days, we will all be shirtless and sweating out there.

    Kotters to Saab.  Saab was on business then off to SC last week for the graduation of his 2.0.  First, congratulations that is quite an accomplishment.  All the PAX are happy for you and your daughter.  Also, congratulations to her securing a post college job in the RVA area.  Quite impressive.  Saab’s talk this morning did not center around the graduation itself, but on having to chaperone his mother and mother in law around all weekend.  Of particular joy to Saab was being able to buy everyone (seemingly) in SC meals all weekend with little gratitude or appreciation coming back his way…Good news is no more checks to SC, bad new is one more to go, so 4 more years of checks to some other school.

    Where in the world is Sippy?  We miss you brothers!!!

    TYA OUT