Author: THE Yankee Aggressor

  • Mary Mumford Running Club

    Running club started today at 330 today at Mary Mumford 15 or so kids form K – 6 posted for a running workout. A few parents also joined in.

    Bleeder and I led the group of 6 children in 3-6 grade. We were honored to lead Joseph, Patrick, Frank, Ezra, Susan, Bailey (for 1/2 the time) and Sarah (Bailey’s Mom).

    The Thang:

    1/2 mile warmup. COP with some stretching, SSH, Merkins, Don Quixote’s, and a modified lung as suggested by Joseph. Run a mile on the track, second COP. Lunges, crab walks, bear crawls. planks. Mosey back to gazebo. Flutter kicks and a classic rendition of superman led by Bleeder

    Moleskin

    Awesome to bring out the F3 style workout with elementary school students. They picked up on the counting really quickly. TYA had a few epic fails when it came to calling cadence. Note to self. Dont try a brand new exercise in cadence when you have no idea how fast or slow to run it.

    Bleeder and I both passed the background check. Whew!!!! Come on out at Mondays from 330 – 430. Joy to be able to help out with such eager participants.

  • 03 28 19 63

    At least 7 Faithful posted for a monday morning punisher beatdown (since YHC did not post until now, I cannot say for sure how many….if I missed you please let me know). Theme for the day was 03 28 19 63, TYA’S entrance into the world.

    The Thang:

    3 burpees (modified slaughter starter…much easier than 20). Mosey to front corner of the School. 3 more burpees, 28 plank jacks, 19 side straddle hops, and 63 LBC’s. Mosey to next corner of school. Four corners for the rest of the workout. First corner 3 burpees, second corner 28 Lt Dan’s, third corner 19 Merkins, and fourth corner 63 little baby crunches. Repeato until told to stop. Mosey back to shovel flag. 3 more burpees for good luck

    Naked Moleskin

    Great to be able to lead on my 53rd birthday. Truly an honor to be part of this group and quite humbling to be given the opportunity to lead. It is a blessing that after 53 years on this earth that I am alive and able to exercise my mind and body in the gloom when ever I choose with this great group of guys. If I had been born in a different time, I would likely not be able to be out there…I am thankful for every additional day I get to be out there.

    Pretty simple workout today. Only one COP and a four corners. Easy for an old man to remember. Sometimes, however, the simplest workouts are the hardest. Trying to run after 28 LT. Dan’s was a challenge.

    I also picked the workout today because I was behind on my miles for the monthly challenge of 100 miles. We got 3+ miles in today to help with the goal. Sorry to Bleeder for the run heavy workout. Not very accommodating to a great friend.

    See you back out there in the gloom. Hoping to Q on number 54 and forward.

    TYA

  • Back to the hills

    16 faithful runners and 5 gear heads showed up on a beautiful spring morning. Weather was perfect, 70 and sunny.

    The Thang

    All take a right onto Grove and run to The Boulevard, turn around and run to Malvern. Turn around at Malvern, run down the hill to Hamilton and Back. Keep looping the hill until the Q says its time to go back to the shovel flag.

    Naked Moleskin

    Time to start prepping for the Blue Ridge Relay. We have been getting some miles in, but other than Sunday trail runs and Love Hill we have hit very few hills. So time to use what we can on Friday’s and get the legs in shape. So we did hill repeats on the Malvern hill. Several PAX afterwards (and during the next several days) that their legs were a bit sore. Mission accomplished. Just need to bang on the hills for another 5+ months and we may be ready for the BRR. Worst case, the hill repeats will make our normal running a bit faster.

    Directions were very clear on route today. Including the direction that I would let everyone know when to head back to the shovel flag. Despite that, I was asked numerous times if it were time to go back. As legs got tired the question became more frequent. Finally at 6:10, as planned, I let everyone know it was time to head back. Only PAX that I know about who did not follow directions was Saab, who decided to take an extra lap and still almost beat YHC back to the flag. He and Swirly turned the jets on the way back home and we close to a sprint when arriving back.

    Announcements

    MM running club starting monday 4/4 330 pm to 430 PM. Let me know if you are available. Should be a fun time.

    BRR coming up in September. Sign up with TYA. It is a blast. All plans are made and we just need to get into shape now.

    American Society for Suicide Prevention golf tournament is coming up in April (or May) Ask Fudd for details. Two F3 foursomes already signed up.

    Many new Ao’s coming on line soon. Great job all. Keep EHing folks to fill up our new venues.

    TYA Out

  • Are you going to post Saab?

    4 fast F3 PAX posted for a Sunday Morning trail run. Weather to start was 35 degrees and sunny….warming up the whole way.

    The Thang:

    Northbank trail to Belle Isle, Belle Isle outside loop to Buttermilk. Buttermilk back to the shovel flag.

    Naked Moleskin:

    At yesterday’s coffeetaria at Ellwood’s Wilson asked “who’s posting for the Sunday trail run”. It was understood by the PAX that he was asking because he was planning on being there. Saab responded to Wilson immediately “You asked me the same question a couple weeks ago”. That week, Saab posted because he knew Wilson was going to be there and did not want to not live up to his word that he would be there. Saab posted, no Wilson. Wilson asked again yesterday, no Wilson today…I see a trend here.

    Uneventful trip around the trails this morning. We kept moving the whole way and finished the loop in 75 minutes. Come on out next week. First week of Lockjaw’s 100 mile challenge.

    See you in the gloom.

  • Gears team posts for a trail run

    7 regular trail runners showed up for a Sunday morning trail extravaganza.

    The Thang:

    Buttermilk trail to Forest Hill park, loop around Forest Hill Park. Faster runners take a loop around the lake to add a half mile to their run. Back to buttermilk and back to shovel flag.

    Naked Moleskin:

    One of the regulars, Circle K, showed up with his mountain bike this morning. Circle K had run yesterday afternoon with his M, but did not want to miss a Sunday morning on the trails. He took a loop on the Northbank and then around Forest Hill and met us on our trip around Forest Hill. Trails were in good shape, so no problem for Circle K or the runners.

    Aisle 5 is an animal. That dude has heart. He is non-stop on the trail run, pumping out mile after mile. Impressive for a “Respect” guy. Wilson, Aisle 5 and I stayed together for most of the run. Good to run with the south side folks. Saab, Fudd and Lab Rat led the group around the loop. Aisle 5, Wilson and YHC covered 7.5 miles, Saab and Lab Rat 8.25. Fudd and Circle K….not sure.

    Great 2nd F at Ellwoods after the run. Lab Rat was a little fired up about the lack of customer service given on ordering his breakfast, but was very happy after receiving his meal. Lots of chatting about the BRR. It is still quite a bit away, but I am already excited.

  • She’s done stretching, let’s go.

    3 regulars posted on a sunny Sunday morning to attack the trails.

    The Thang:

    Cross the bridge and head up the hill, left onto Riverside Drive. Cross river at Manchester Bridge. Left onto Spring, amble through Oregon Hill and head west on Idlewood, Cumberland, Lakeview. Take Love Hill back to parking lot to finish out the run.

    Naked Moleskin:

    YHC checked the trails and the access road yesterday to see if running were possible (and wise). Although there were a few runners on the trails, the footing was still pretty bad and there was a lot of snow, water, mud, and ice. So…we decided to do a “near trail” run. We essentially did the same route as we usually do, a little off the trails and on the road. Total distance traveled 7.2 miles in a little over 65 minutes.

    Southside of the river on Riverside drive was awesome. We saw zero cars and one walker on the entire 3+ miles down riverside drive. Great views and it was awesome being able to run in the middle of the road, avoiding the little bit of ice and snow on the side of the road Last time I ran Manchester bridge was with Offshore and Honeydo when the remnants of the hurricane were passing Richmond. The wind on the bridge that day was brutal. No wind today, but I always forget how long that bridge is. It seemed as though we were running that bridge for 1/2 the time today. On the way back we were very close to Sippy’s house. YHC suggested a quick pop in for coffee, but Saab and Offshore did not think Sippy would appreciate it (plus they could not remember exactly which house his was).

    After the workout, Saab was taking his usual trip to the store for coldcuts. Offshore was heading to teach Sunday School.

    See you in the Gloom

  • Pre Storm Jog

    15 faithful and one FRNG (Friday Run New Guy) posted on a crisp January morning to exercise their body and minds. Weather was perfect for a run 24 degrees, 5mph wind and clear. Could certainly feel the upcoming snow in the air. Snowmeggedon we are ready for you.

    The Thang:

    Right onto Grove, follow Grove to the Boulevard and turn around. 4 mile loop, turn around at Wisteria, 5 mile loop turn around at Tuckahoe, 6 mile loop all the way to Three Chopt Road. All meet back at the shovel flag.

    Naked Moleskin:

    Several of the five milers took a loop around the quarter mile lap complaining that the five mile loop was not quite 5 miles. YHC was pretty confident that his route was accurate having scouted it several times and relying on his previous experience. I was so convinced that on my way to the office this morning I drove the route in the #hybrid so that I could gloat on the back blast that I was indeed correct and the the loop was a true 5 miles. Well……. Let’s just say that the route was a bit shy of the 5 mile advertised distance. Apologies to the group, I will remeasure for accurate distance next time.

    Rosie made it out the the Friday run for the first time. He is thinking about committing to the BRR and wanted to see where his running legs where given a previous injury. All went well today and I am hoping that he can do the BRR with the team. He would be a great addition. Splinter posted for the first time in my memory for a Friday run. He claimed he was there to train for the BRR, might be a bit early, but better early than late. Weird not to see Sippy and Bleeder out there on a Friday morning.

    Couple of late comers this morning. Loose Goose called me at 515 for a preview of the route this morning because he was running a few minutes behind. He got to the start right as we were leaving. Cirlce K appeared on the route about 10 minutes or so into the run. He made a lucky guess and hit grove toward boulevard and found the crew.

    Workout tomorrow at GridIron and Dogpile. Playing in the snow in as a middle aged man is as fun as when you were a kid. Post, have some fun out there in the snow. Sippy says to bring snow shovels for the workout at DogPile.

    Announcements:

    Splinter to tweet out the instructions for F3 cancellation/announcements regarding snow closings etc. Look for that in the next few hours.

    BRR team is filling up. Grab a spot now. It is a blast and attainable for anyone who does F3 on a regular basis. Prior to last year Swirly had never done a 10k and slayed his three legs at the BRR last year. Remember, F3 Corporate is counting on you!!!

  • Two, Exactly

    2 faithful posted for a morning trail run. Weather was rainy, dark and wet to begin and clear, sunny and wet to end.

    The Thang:

    Cross bridge to South Side of river. Take trail to service road along the trail. Run to and around Belle Isle. Back to the south side service road and across the river to the Pump house parking lot.

    Moleskin:

    Lab Rat and YHC embraced the wetness this morning. Every puddle and patch of mud that we crossed was attacked with vigor. 5 minutes in, our shoes were soaked and legs were muddy. Lots of thoughts going out towards Offshore as he tackles his marathon today. Cannot wait to hear how it went.

    Unseasonably warm weather this morning. I wore shorts and a tshirt and was plenty comfortable the whole way. Lab Rat had a heavy long sleeve shirt on for the first half of the run. As we were approaching Belle Isle, Lab Rat peeled off his shirt and went bare chested the rest of the run. Thankfully he tied the shirt around his waste covering the worst of his 40+ “six pack”. “Oh, the humanity”.

    Met up with Toga’s brother in law at the end of the run. For some reason, I cannot for the life of me remember his first name. I have called him so many things at this point that I really don’t know.

    Announcements

    BRR just around the corner…maybe not, but people are starting to commit. As I mentioned, I am shooting for two teams this year, a 12 and a 9 person team. Let me know if you are interested and I will pencil you in for a spot.

  • 70 and Sunny

    1 PAX and 1 M posted for a friday morning christmas run.

    The Thang:

    Start at 10 St. Georges Square. Run toward Hyde Park, enter Hyde Park at the Marble Arch Gate. Run to Serpentine Lido, short break to watch the Peter Pan Serpentine Cup, turn around and head back to 10 St. Georges Square.

    Moleskin

    Great to run with the M today. We got to know each other years ago (Yes Toga, right around the second World War) running together in DC. So it was nice to run around another capital city together today.

    The real purpose of our run was to catch the Serpentine Swimming Club’s Christmas Day Peter Pan cup. The Peter Pan Cup is a 100 yard swimming race in the Serpentine pond in Hyde Park. Water temperature at race start was 52 degrees, a nice balmy temperature. It was the 152nd annual run.

    A couple of things struck me as I watched the “race”. First, the camaraderie between the people before, during and after the race. The event was more about doing something together than accomplishing something as individuals. The group gave the oldest swimmer, 91, a 50 yard headstart. The cheering for the winning swimmer, Paddy, was enthusiastic as he dog paddled across the finish line. I looked through the list of winners when I got back to the apartment and did not see one repeat winner in the 152 year history. This year must have been Paddy’s turn.

    Second, I was a bit chilly watching the race after having worked up a sweat on the way to the park. It was 45 degrees out this morning. The racers, when finished, stayed in the water for a few minutes after finishing. Several things were going on a) they were congratulating the winning swimmer b) they were chatting, about what, I do not know c) they were connecting with friends and family. This totally reminded me of the post workout 2nd F that happens at F3. I am often amazed at how we stand in the rain, cold, snow, etc to catch a few minutes of conversation with the fellow PAX. No concern for anything else except a friendly conversation. Truly a special thing, one that I have not witnessed in many places.

    TYA out.

  • Thames not James

    1 PAX posted for a Sunday morning run on the Thames. Hoped it would be a trail run, but no trails to be found, so settled for a riverside walkway. It was an F3 workout, so weather was 70 degrees and Sunny. In reality it was mid fifties with a bit of light rain now and then, typical London Weather.

    The Thang:

    Gather outside 10 St Georges Square. Walk to Pimlico tube station for the start. Run across the Vauxhall bridge to the south side of the river. Follow the river side path towards the city center. Run along the path to the Southwark Bridge and back over to the north side of river. Back to Vauxhall bridge road, run past he Pimilico tube and back to 10 St. Georges Square.

    Naked Moleskin

    Run was very reminiscent of typical Sunday morning run in many ways. Crossed the river from the south side to north side and back along the way, just like on the Sunday trail run. Distance covered was about the same…somewhere between 7 and 8.5 miles. Run was all right next to the river. I started at about noon London time, same time as the group leaves for the sunday morning runs back in Richmond on Eastern Standard Time.

    It was also very different. No trails, so very little tripping hazards and plenty of time to focus on the misery of running. Lots of congestion along the way. I ran along a very popular stretch of the river during one segment and spent a good amount of time dodging people. No companionship on the run. Total bummer. It is much easier to start and keep rolling with fellow PAX members running along with you. I truly missed my fellows runners out there today.

    Saw a lot of the local sights along the way. Passed Big Ben twice. The first time it was ringing its Twelve O’clock chime. Ran past the London Eye, London Aquarium, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tate Museum and many other sights.

    A few observations along the way. 1) had to continuously remind myself which way to look when crossing streets (Look right, then Left). I don’t know how tons of tourists are not run over yearly…such a hard habit to change. 2) I love the custom of women who are walking together to walk arm in arm. I know they are not all Lesbians, but the mental image is still awesome. 3) There are a lot of young single/dating people in London. Both on my run, on the tube and out to dinner at night I see couples everywhere. 4) Women seem to out number men in London by a fair amount. Saw lots of Mom/daughter combinations, single women together, etc. At one point on the run I actually counted and I counted 67 women to 32 men.

    TYA out. Next workout Tuesday Morning in Hyde Park. I here it is going to be an epic beatdown. TYA on Q.