Author: THE Yankee Aggressor

  • Seven Eleven

    9 stalwarts and one FNG posted on a beautiful Sunday morning. Weather was awesome except the 85% humidity. In August in Richmond, you take what you get.

    The Thang:

    Southside to Forest Hill, Forest Hill counterclockwise, back to the Southside and back to the shovel Flag for 7+ miles. Aisle 5 did the loop then did the Northbank trail for 11+ Saab got an early start, did 2 loops, but somehow did not run into any of the PAX on his way around.

    NMM

    Great to have Lab Rat and Offshore back out there with the PAX. Offshore has been on several trips this summer and has missed a few runs in a row. Lab Rat was on vacation last week at Holden beach and missed the Sunday run. Despite gaining 5 pounds on vacation and advice to wear a shirt he went shirtless. The extra weight and time off did not seem to affect his speed. He had a good run.

    Great to have Genny Light (FNG John) out there this week. He ran by us last week and someone invited him to join us this week. He took us up on our offer and ran with BB and Lab Rat today. Somehow the three of them got lost on the buttermilk trail before Reedy Creek, not sure how that is possible, but leave the directions to Lab Rat and see what happens. Lots of controversy on his name. He was renamed at Ellwoods and YHC is now happy with his name. I was a little bit nervous that Lab Rat and Wilson were going to one to blows over his naming, but cooler heads prevailed.

    Aisle 5 opted of the longer route today. He is going to be our of town the next couple of weeks and took the opportunity today to get a long run in.

    Fudd and Hardwood were out front the whole run today. The were moving right along.

    32 days to the BRR. Cant wait.

  • Weather Does Matter

    3 men gathered for a Wednesday evening hill run.

    The Thang: Hillcrest loop x6.

    NMM:

    The weather was amazing. The past few weeks have been a scorcher. Mid 90’s and 75%+ humidity. It has seemed more like swimming by the time we finished versus running. Today was a completely different story, it was 81 and breezy, with about 50% humidity. This made for a much easier and quicker run than the past several. Additionally, rather than being totally exhausted after the run, we were feeling good with extra energy to give if needed.

    Honeydo slayed the hills today, he did 6 laps plus a run up Charmian on laps 1 and 4. He was moving along at a great clip. Aisle 5 continues to get stronger every week. He came up the hill for the final time with a ton of energy and a great pace going. Inspirational to see the type of improvement in his running over the past six months.

    TYA OUT

  • Grandmother Run

    9 fleet footed warriors posted for a Tuesday Spider run. Weather was 70 and sunny.

    The Thang:

    Down the hill to the path that follows CCV. Follow the path until the end and head across the Huguenot bridge. Take Riverside drive west until it hits Cherokee. Turn back around and head back to the shovel flag following the same route.

    NMM:

    This was the second time YHC did this route. The first time I got terribly lost coming back. Today, I carefully watched the first several turns to make sure I knew the route, fortunately, I got it right this time. Pucker was the only one that had a little difficulty with the assigned route. When he hit Cherokee, he thought we were supposed to run down Cherokee and back along Huguenot road. Fortunately, Seymour rescued Pucker and they came back following the right route. Upon reflection of Pucker’s misinterpretation of the route, I got more confused. He must have been really baffled when he saw the faster PAX doubling back after hitting the top of the hill at Cherokee?

    All the PAX had a interesting interaction with one of the bikers out for an early morning ride. The biker felt compelled to tell each and every one of us that a black outfit in the AM was not appropriate. From what I heard, we all let him know that we appreciated the advice and feedback and moved on to our days.

    Great to see Sippy back out at the run this morning. He tweaked this knee two fridays ago on RAMM. He was nursing it a little today, but looked strong as usual. YHC and several other PAX learned that Sippy nursing an injury is better than us at our full strength.

    Welcome to Zima. He posted today for the first time to F3 on advice from his brother in Raleigh. I’m not sure he knew today was a run, but he easily went along with the group. Zima is a cofounder of Hardywood brewery, so Marv quickly chimed in with three suggested names: Schlitz, Zima, and Bartles and James. He asked for his advice/preference and Zima was born. After the workout, I asked Zima for his email address/etc. He gave me one of his business cards. As a result, I learned a new word. Lima is a certified Cicerone. I honestly had no idea there was such a thing as a Cicerone, never mind that one could be certified in it. The good news is that F3 RVA now has a certified Cicerone in its ranks. Lab Rat, you will have to bring some of your home brew for the Cicerone to sample.

    Announcements

    Convergence on Saturday at 7am at Dogpile, Coffeetaria at Ellwoods post workout.

  • Afternoon swim

    The Thang and NMM:

    7 Redwoods posted for an afternoon run around Hillcrest. Weather was 70 and sunny, 0% humidity. Perfect weather for a run in the early afternoon.

    We did the Hillcrest loop, Q asked for 6 repetitions. Saab completed 8, Splinter 6 with an excursion onto some new territory, Swirly 6 with run up the Charmian Hill, 6 for DK, Circle K, and TYA and 4 for a Lifoing Lockjaw. Upon finishing the run we had some post run water and watermelon at the top of the hill. 2nd F ensued at TYA’s crib post run. A few observations:

    1. Despite the low humidity, we all looked like we had taken a dip in the river mid run. We were all soaking wet.

    2. DK packs heavy at all times. He had a dinner with a pal afterward. He brought a backpack with a change of clothes that would have crippled most Sherpas!

    3. TYA jettisoned his shirt on the third loop because it weighed about 20 pounds. I got lighter and whiter instantly. Apologies to the PAX and neighbors were given

    4. Circle K was deer hunting on his way around the loop. Wildlife as always was in abundance on the run. YHC does not have a keen hunting eye, so circle K helps me avoid the wildlife, but I did come face to face with one of our friends

    5. Splinter was out of commission for a couple weeks because of an old man problem (back problem from tying his shoes) Despite layoff, he was out in front with Saab for the first three laps

    6. I never saw Lockjaw on the loop, he just appeared at the top of hillcrest when I finished. Post workout I confirmed with others that LJ had indeed run some laps

    7. Saab is still trying to figure out when the BRR is. He has it on his calendar along with the Cloudsplitter but I think his calendar may be a bit different from the traditional one we all use.

    TYA OUT

  • Back Home

    Wednesday afternoon run is back at hillcrest at 530p on Wednesday. Look forward to seeing you there. Should be a nice temperate afternoon.

  • Follow the Pink Arrows

    13 runners and three bikers posted for a morning workout on this lovely Friday morning in RVA. Weather was 70 and sunny with the full moon to the light the way this morning.

    The Thang:

    Grove to left on oak, slight left onto cary and right onto hillcrest. Right onto west hillcrest, left on east hillcrest. Repeat the hillcrest loop as many times as possible. TYA will announce when it is time to head back to the shovel flag. Follow the same route back to the shovel flag.

    Bikers headed across the river to riverside drive for a loop around the city and back to the shovel flag.

    NMM:

    This was the second attempt at the Hillcrest loop for a Friday run. Much more successful the second time around. The first time only a few runners actually did the assigned loop. This time around, YHC marked the course with painted pink arrows on the road. To my knowledge, only one runner got lost today. Oyster missed the right onto Hillcrest, but YHC and Opus were just behind him and redirected him to the route. I am not sure that the pink arrows helped, I suspect that the fact that half the PAX had run Hillcrest before made a big difference in everyone staying on route.

    Swirly was having issues this morning. Unlike Dogwood Dell, Mary Mumford and todays route do not have big blue convenience boxes at the AO. As a result, Swirly contributed to the compost pile near the garden at MM. Unfortunately that did not completely solve his problem, so the extra weight and discomfort slowed him down considerably this am. I wonder if they will have these blue boxes at the BRR? I hope so, because doing like a bear does is strictly against BRR rules!!

    Lots of talks about animals post run. Sippy conveyed a story about a run he had early morning on the trails near Belle Isle. As he was running along, he saw a deer coming across his path. As it approached, Sippy crouched down to brace himself for the impact. Fortunately, the dear leapt over him right before impact. Sippy and Saab both have owl stories. I have not heard either of them, but just wonder if the owl attack on Saab’s head impacted his receding hair line?

    Lug nut got an early start this morning. As YHC was marking the route, Lug was on his way to the hillcrest loop. He had a “glow stick” on that Saab speculated wasn’t a glow stick at all. The theory was that in his quest to leave early in the morning, he merely picked up a cylindrical item from his bedside table that he thought was a glow stick. When he turned the light on, he was pleasantly surprised that it not only provided light, but game him a back massage during the run. Wonder what Saab though it might be?

    Fingers crossed for Sippy. On one of his loops he, phonics and a few others attacked the Chairman Hill. On the hill he tweaked his knee a bit and walked back to the shovel flag. Thanks to Circle K for picking him and getting him back safely and to Swirly for giving him a ride home.

    Welcome to Opus, a Friday run new guy (FRNG). He did a great job today. We always have a variety of run distances on Friday to accommodate any pace or mileage requirements. Thanks for coming Opus.

    Bikers were flying this morning. The PAX had a great pace going coming back into the AO. YHC heard that Fudd did a great job leading the pace line and that Ricky Bobby was a beast on the hills. No tools reported that he left it all out on the road the morning. Great job guys!

    Announcements

    Reese strong 5k coming up in September. See Phonics or Lab Rat for information. There is also a kids training team for the run. Phonics has the details.

    BRR is 7 weeks away (8 weeks if your are Saab).

    TYA Out!

  • Midnight Booty Call

    14 Faithful and 1 FNG posted for a morning beatdown at Atlee High School. Weather was 70 and Sunny.

    The Thang:

    Mosey to COP. Disclaimer and intro. Plank Jacks x 20, 30 x LBC, 15 x arm cirlces each way, 10 x Bay City Scissors, Mosey to side of school for Triple Check. People chair on the wall, LBC’s and sprint to other side of parking lot, repeato x 3. Mosey to soccer field for the Beast. Exercises called by the PAX were Heels to heaven, knerkins, burpees, four count mountain climbers, side straddle hops, flutter kicks. Mosey back to shovel flag for 1 minute of plank and COT. Short thought by YHC and out into the day.

    Moleskin:

    Great work today fellas. I always forget how hard the beast is, especially when burpees are called. That is a morale killer. Just as an aspiration, once at another AO, the beast was called and burpees were every other exercise, I am still sore from that.

    YHC was hopeful when my phone rang at midnight. Who could be calling? it must be one of my old girlfriends calling for a late night booty call (of course back in my day, we did not have telephones). I quickly picked up the phone with anticipation that was quickly dashed when I saw Circle K’s name on the phone. Cirlce K had the Q this morning, but had a late night emergency and needed some backup. I was happy to oblige and make my way to Daville this morning for a workout at one of the best RVA AO’s.

  • Hey TYA, Did you get a Raccoon?

    4 runners posted, followed by 3 Gear Heads with bikes to the wednesday evening hill run that is the Hillcrest torturous loop

    THE THANG

    Run(bike) the Hillcrest loop in various designs of Jug Handles or Sans Jug Handle Loops

    Moleskin

    YHC arrived mid loop with the runners in full motion. YHC had two other cyclist of the younger in age variety(Offspring of YHC) YHC first encountered Saab as was setting a furious pace up the jug handle(Chariman Road) Saab was slightly Shocked to see YHC on a bike. YHC has missed one full week of workouts due to the left knee and YHC’s own stupidity. Today was the first day without limping, so why not try biking up a serious hill, it’s only a circle.

    Lockjaw finished several loops and declared that he is all in for the BRR and has not missed a run since July 1, Wait isn’t today the 6th?

    TSB was cranking up the final hill just ahead of TYA. TYA looked as if he managed to include a lap across the Rivah when he arrived back at the top of the hill.

    Post-Run festivus at TYA’s humble abode included several fine crafted beers, one could only describe as Grapefruit oriented( although pricing was in full debate of said beer) As the group discussed the finer points of Hover-boards, the BRR history, the TYA/Bleeder vs OBT/Dredd BRR mountain Goat battle Royale and TYA family selection of pets or rabid animals.

    Peace out,
    Bleeder on TYA’s Machine. No, Bleeder using TYA’s… No, Bleeder pounding on TYA’s Keys.. Damn it… you get the idea.

  • Hills and a cooler

    Wednesday afternoon hill run on Hillcrest. Bring a cooler with your desired cold beverages and we can have a little second F on my back patio. 5:30 for the run, Second F to follow.

    TYA Out

  • Obama wears a Reagan/Bush hat

    8 strong and determined runners posted for a Sunday morning saunter around the trails of Richmond VA. Weather was 65 degrees and cloudy, a bit of rain towards the end.

    The Thang:

    Nickel Bridge to Buttermilk trail. Buttermilk to Reedy Creek, crossover stream to Forest Hill Park. Do the Forest Hill Park loop in the clockwise direction. Back over to the Buttermilk and back to the shovel flag. Route clocked in at just about 7.5 miles.

    NMM:

    First off, thanks to Obama for joining us for the second consecutive day from Greensville. Pleasure to have you as part of the PAX in RVA. Having been born and raised in Richmond, he had a great familiarity with the trails and was able to make sure Toga (a Forrest Hill Virgin) and others were following the right path through the woods. “Obama” it seems is trying to dis-associate himself with his namesake. He was proudly wearing a Reagan/Bush hat from 1984 to make sure that his political affiliation was clear.

    The list of items that are quirky about Wilson is growing. Lets see, there is the fear of running in the dark, confusion over things that come in odd numbers (especially when it is the PAX count), aversion to the smell of Petrully (whatever the heck that is), and the obsession with wearing long sleeves (with another shirt underneath) all year long. Today brought a new one out: when we finished the run, Wilson was in a panic to do the COT and leave the AO as soon as possible. Did he have a family obligation? Did he need to get to church? No, he hates getting wet and it was beginning to rain. Quirky, Yes. Awesome and a blast to hang out with, Yes again.

    Finally, I am not sure why, but when a visitor, or a new guys comes around, I have noticed that they have a tendency to snicker when I announce my name. Maybe it is just paranoia coming from TYA (you guys know how sensitive I am), something quirky that I do when I say may name (maybe a twinge of my Boston accent coming to the forefront), or an inside joke that I don’t yet know about. I don’t know? If it continues, I just might take BT up on his offer to take over the dreaded name that begins with an H that has been threatened to be thrust upon many an FNG.

    Special 1 hour 4th of July workout tomorrow at Batteau. Should be an epic beatdown from Hardywood and a great way to start your holiday.

    TYA Out.