Author: THE Yankee Aggressor

  • HDHH Wednesday November 16

    This months rendition of the Hump Day Happy Hour will be Wednesday November 16th from 5pm – ?? at 1701 Buford Road.  This is a house that YHC built and has just put on the market for sale.  All M’s and 2.0s are welcome to join.  I will have barbecue and drinks (adult and otherwise) for your dining and drinking enjoyment.   You can park in the Bon Air United Methodist Church across the street where there is ample parking (Note: I am a member of the church and have gotten permission – I know half of you are now completely befuddled thinking that I am actually a member of a church, but it is true).  Look forward to seeing you there.

    TYA

  • Queen of the pigs!

    6 stalwarts posted with an extra hour of sleep under their belts.  Weather was 47 and sunny to begin with, a little hot, but tolerable.

    The Thang:

    3 options today.

    All start out on the northbank trail.  First option is turnaround after 2.8 near the Belle Isle parking area, Offshore and Chum opted for this route.  Second options is the full loop of 7 miles Northbank and buttermilk, Jville, TSB and TYA opted for that path.  Lab Rat added Forrest Hill park for an additional 3+.

    NMM:

    Weather was awesome.  Some discussion pre workout regarding long or short sleeves.  Only two, TSB and TYA, opted for short sleeves.  20 minutes into the run, a little chatter complaining about the long sleeves was heard.  By the end, all were wishing for the short sleeve option.  Remember the recommended outfit is now above freezing, short sleeve T and shorts.  YHC is sticking with that garb until further notice (unless there is a specific request for the tights to make an appearance).

    At at the start of the buttermilk trail, YHC spied a young tomatoe running the trails and commented to the PAX that she was much better looking than Jville and Lab Rat.  Lab Rat pointed out that it would be quite a beauty contest between Jville, Mr. Rat, and TYA.  It was noted that whoever won that epic battle would be the “queen of the pigs”.

    Less than a month away from the December 4th Bear Creek run.  I know we have a bunch of folks running the race.  Sunday on the trails is the perfect place to tune yourself up for that.

  • The hills are alive

    The Wednesday afternoon hill run continues.  YHC has been qing the last three weeks and has been  lax in getting the backblast out.

    The Thang:

    Wednesday October 19th  and Wednesday October 26th.  4 loops on hillcrest.

    Wednesday November 3rd.  2 regular loops and 2 extended loops on hillcrest.

    NMM:

    Flew solo on the first Wednesday.  Swirly was a little tense and irritated that day as he was trying to get out of work after finishing his budget process, but did not make it.  YHC took to the hills alone and had an acceptable run.  Even though I don’t usually run alongside swirly, his presence and the presence of others helps keep me motivated and my speed up.  I wasn’t slow, but i was not on par with the pace I had been keeping.

    October 26th Swirly made it early and YHC was coming in hot.  I was at a x country track meet watching TSB and headed to the AO right after the meet.  I was pumped up for the run..  Swirly was energetic as well and we cut our laps times down each time around the loop, last loop was in 6:50, a record for me.  Swirly was a bit faster.

    Yesterday we decided to extend the loop on two or our rounds.  We went straight past east hillcrest around chairman and back to east hillcrest.  I took the extended loop on laps 2 and 3 and swirly hit it on laps 2 and 4.  Weather yesterday was a little warmer than normal, but a good run was had by all.

    Being a numbers guy, I was hopeful that at least one additional pax would show up yesterday so that we would keep our progression of numbers going: 1 the first week, two the second, and 3 (or 4) for the third….Oh well..

  • The Mother Teresa of F3RVA

    8 stalwarts emerged from the gloom this morning for Sunday morning run. 40 degrees and clear from a weather perspective.

    NMM:

    3 routes, 4+ reedy creek and back, 7+ add forest hill loop, 10+ add northbank trail.

    2 PAX, offshore and the FNG, opted for the 4+.  All the others went all in with option 3.

    Lots of talk about what to wear pre workout.  YHC changed from tights to shorts before he left the house.  Once on site in the parking lot, I shed my second shirt and went with a  long sleeve shirt only.  Shorts all around for everyone else, most opted for more than one shirt.  Once on the trail, no one was complaining about the cold.  My new recommendation is shorts and t shirt as long as it is above freezing.  Below freezing – add on layer.

    Mumble chatter was abundant today on the trails.  The talk was led by Lab Rat and Upchuck.  Lots of discussion on who was the most talkative.  Only one of the PAX was voting for someone other than Lab Rat as the most talkative.  I will let you guess who that was (hint.  It rhymes with cab bat).  The group kept a good pace going the whole trip.

    TYA Out

     

  • Concert Traffic?

    14 Faithful posted for a Wednesday morning beatdown at WDog.  Unseasonably warm weather, but mid sixties and no clouds is not bad weather for a workout.

    The Thang:

    Mosey across the street towards the lake.  Stop at the median in the road for a COP.  Intro and disclaimer followed by 10x Merkins, 20x Imperial walkers, 15x arm circles, 20xLBC, 10x Abe Vigoda.  Mosey across the street to the old abandoned road.  Roller coaster 11’s, run down the hill and up the other side to the gate posts, 10 freddy mercury and 1, squat jump.  back to the other gate posts and 9 and 2… and so on.  Mosey on sidewalk to top of stairs around the lake.  Ark loader mini beast.  Run from one staircase to the other 6x appointed exercise, run down the steps, perform animal movement to the bottom of the other set of steps 6x exercise, run to top of steps, 6x exercise.  Repeato 3x, exercises were merkins with bear crawls, WWII setups with inch work merkins, and burpees with crab walks. Mosey back to shovel flag.  15x Rosalie and 40x LBC.  Announcements prayer and out into the day.

    NMM

    Lots of moving vehicles this morning.  30 seconds before the workout started, Circle K turned the corner into the parking lot and was coming in hot.  Did not watch the whole thing, but I think he opened the door did a full body roll and jumped to his feet for the initial Mosey.  From the start of the workout to its completion, Circle K spent a total one 45:01 at the AO.  Crossing the street to the lake side of the street should be a simple task.  Unfortunately, the folks that feel better about paying $100 a month to workout had a workout at the lake.  As such, there were several cars passing by as we tried to cross the street and navigate our way to the lake.   Fortunately, we/they were careful and no issues ensued. Also when we were planking up after one of the exercises, a car came down the road and Swirly had to quickly move to the safety of the grass.

    Several partial or not so partial posts to todays workout.  Nancy posted for the workout a few moments late and could not find us despite running around the whole AO (even if we stayed on campus, Wdog is one of the hardest workouts to find the PAX mid workout on).  He finally found us fort he last two Mary exercises and enjoyed that part of the workout with the PAX.  Mini-me tweeted me for directions/clarifications about the location of the AO.  Kept thinking he would post, but alas he got lost (lesson here may be not to get directions from me).  Finally, Toga texted me asking me if the workout would be “Fancy Lad” friendly.  Not sure why, but that means that it would be an easy workout.  After several punches and counterpunches, Toga indicated that I would see him in the morning. Alas, Toga didn’t post.  I will say his reason for not posting was completely legit and I have no issues with him not posting.  But I also think i have “hand” on him now that he gave me crap about one of my workouts and then didn’t end up posting.  As an aside, I had a separate workout planned for Toga to make sure he was appropriately challenged…will have to catch him with it next time.

  • Quiet morning on the trails (for some)

    3 stalwarts posted on a foggy Sunday morning.

    The Thang:

    Nickel Bridge to Buttermilk to Belle Isle to Northbank and back to pump house.

    NMM:

    Lots of mumble chatter about the Belmonte and Bear Creek today.  Both Lab Rat and Upchuck were lamenting on how they were duped into upgrading/signing up for the respective races.  YHC was trying to hammer the point home that they indeed have choice and neither of them are required to run either race or a specific distance.  I am not sure that they got the point?   Alternatively, maybe i missed the point and the point was that they just wanted to complain about it.  Time will tell.

    Upchuck and Lab Rat had a good chat going for most of the run today.  YHC hung back a few yards to get a little alone time.  Every once in a while they would attempt to pull me into the conversation, but I held out and missed most of the mumble chatter.  Discussion continued at Ellwoods post run where we had some good second F.  For a detailed discussion of the benefits and weaknesses of having the best or worst equipment for a row or a bike, see any of the PAX.

    A bunch of  regulars missing today.  Saab is taking a well deserved break from the gloom to recover from the 100 miler.  100 miles in a 30 hours will take a toll on your body.  Saab does not want to take time off, but his body is making its wishes known.  Better to listen to the body now and preserve it for later rather than hurt yourself more.  We miss you out here Saab, but know that it is best to mend the body first.   Second regular missing today was TSB.  If you want to avoid my shameless bragging about my daughter, please skip this paragraph.   TSB had her second cross country meet yesterday.  In her first race, she posted a 27:05 for the 5k In a short week, she shaved off over 3 minutes from her time finishing in 24:03 shattering her previous PR.  Could not have been prouder as she sprinted the last 100 yards to make sure she did not lose any positions at the end.  .

  • Bear Creek 10 Miler – 12/4

    I have heard some rumors that the race was closed because it was full.  I checked today and it is still open.  Use the link below to register.

    https://www.raceit.com/Register/?event=38433

    TYA

  • Is running banned in RVA when it rains?

    5 regulars and two sunday run new G’s (guys and gals) posted on a blustery Sunday morning in RVA.

    The Thang:

    Cross the nickel bridge, take the alternate path to underneath the bridge and to the access road along the river.  Follow the road to Belle isle, take two loops around Belle Isle and head back to the south side.  Follow the access road back to the VSF. Route was just shy of 7.5 miles.

    NMM:

    TSB and I showed up a few minutes early today to an empty parking lot.  Rain was tapering off, but the wind was picking up.  52 degrees, so a little bit chilly.   Parking lot was still empty until 7:55 when Offshore pulled in.  3 more car with 4 more people arrived, leaving us with 7 folks for the run.  Since we had heavy rain for 24+ hours, we decided go stay off the trails and the roads.

    The access path along the river was a perfect venue for this mornings run.  Several different approaches to the copious amounts of puddles along the path.  YHC and JVille decided the best way to attack the puddles was a straight on, straight through approach.  No trying to avoid the puddles, just jump right in.  Others tried to navigate around the water hazards.  Not sure what the best method was, but I am pretty certain that all of our shoes were soaking wet post run.

    Post workout, the parking lot was devoid of cars except ours.  Must be some kind of unwritten rule that you cannot park there in the rain (or run for that matter).  Red Baron and his M joined us for the run.  They are taking on a trail marathon next week in NC (4th or 5th time for each of them).  Best of luck on the race.  Saab was out there for his first run post Cloudsplitter.  In case you were worried, the race did not slow him down at all.  Offshore and Red Baron were barely indistinguishable from afar.  Only hint was that Offshore had a hat on while Red Baron did not.  Saab and the Richmond Rabbit (FNGAL Christine (a)) were at the lead of the pack most of the day holding a conversation that was undeterred by there pace on the road.

    Just because we are post BRR does not mean you cannot run the trails on Sunday…Join us folks, it is perfect weather for the trails once the rain passes.

  • Freaky Fast

    10 runners and 3 gear heads emerged from the fartsack this morning for a morning of exercise. Drizzling and cool to start out, perfect weather for outdoor frolicking.

    The Thang

    4 milers, right on Grove, left on Malvern, left on Patterson, left on Libbie, left on Grove, back to the flag.  5 milers, right on Grove, left on Malvern, left on Patterson, left on St. Christophers, left on 3 chopt, left on grove, back to the shovel flag.   6 milers, right on Grove, left on Nansemond, left on Patterson, left on St. Christophers, left on 3 chopt, left on grove, back to the shovel flag.  Gear heads went for  ride of many turns and varied terrain.

    No confusion on who was supposed to Q today.  TYA was the man.  Marv had to take a rain check until next week (so next week we will be on Monument with Marv) because his M was out of town, so YHC stepped to the plate.  I did throw a little hitch into the game by selecting a route that had us leave Grove avenue. We went on my favorite loop, navigating around St;. Chris’s.  That made Lab Rat happy as he was hoping for that route.

    Scanning the crowd pre-run, I was not sure I was going to have to give the 6 mile directions.  At the last minute Rosie and Sippy Cup posted, so the 6 mile route was in play.  Those guys were flying as they passed me on the way back to the flag along Grove avenue.  Just as they were passing me, they got passed by a faster runner.  He was flying down Grove, hitting a pace that I could not hit in the 1/4 mile (or 100 yard dash for that matter).  That dude must have worked at Jimmy John’s.

    Swirly also opted too the 6 mile loop.  When he was not back at 622, we had to send Bleeder out to find him.  The PAX all agreed that it was way more likely that Swirly was lost versus any other reason for his absence.  Bleeder found him on track a few minutes down the road.

    Five milers were led by Lab Rat and Back Bay.  Not sure that Back Bay had planned on listening to the radio this morning – WRAT – but given the pairing, I am sure that station was playing loudly.  Lockjaw and Upchuck were trotting right along.  YHC was in their slipstream for the first half of the run, listening to the mumble chatter until i fell back a little on the way back in.  Tu-can and Lug made the 4 mile loop look like a 1/4 mile track.  Those two look nearly ready to move up to the longer distances.

    Announcements.

    Convergence coming up sometime soon…not sure when.  Invite as many people as possible.  It will be an epic beatdown.  Two years and rolling for F3 RVA.  Making the community and the men of RVA better everyday.

    If you want to run some trails, Bear Creek and Belmonte are coming up

  • DaVinci (and Swirly) try to turn their days around

    4 stalwarts posted to a Wednesday evening hillrun.  Weather was perfect, high sixties and sunny.

    Loops on hillcrest.  Pax choice on how many.

    NMM:

    DaVinci had a tough day at school and was a little wound up when he got home.  Dad had the perfect medicine for a 2nd grade boy in need of a way to expend a little energy.  To the wednesday night run it was.  He and his dad were moving right along around the loop.  On one of the downhills, I was watching DaVinci on the downhill and he was taking two steps to my one and easily keeping pace with me.

    Swirly didn’t have a difficult second grade day, but is in the middle of budget season at Woodfin.  Budget season means spreadsheets and lots of meeting and sitting at the desk work.  Not a good thing for Swirly. As such, he was a super excited about coming to hillcrest to expend a little energy.  The hill run is the perfect remedy for a little inactivity at the office.

    We played a little catch football postwar with DaVinci et all.  Fun times.  Come on out for a run next week.  Hills are just as tough, but weather is a whole lot better.