Tag: RAMM Gears

Exhibit A:

A number of PAX show up for workout at the appropriate time, but some of said PAX decide to do an alternate workout (e.g. play ultimate rather than run, or do a regular run rather than a speed workout). Said PAX rejoin the group at the end of the workout for the COT.

Consequence: Said rebellious PAX (YHC included) do not get included in the PAX list or get Big Data credit (or perhaps receive an asterisk that could be removed with burpees).

Exhibit B:

A number of PAX “show up” at the workout location, but not at the appropriate time. Said PAX do their own thing and make no effort to return for the COT. In fact the only evidence that they worked out is the presence of their vehicles at the AO.

Logical Consequence: Said rebellious PAX do not get included in the PAX list or get Big Data credit.

The real, carefully planned, well-thought out, and clearly described running workout: Runners do 3 loops bordered on three sides by Westmoreland, Commonwealth and Grove. The northernmost cross street was chosen so that the three laps together equaled either 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 miles. The goal was to run the first lap in 16 min, the second in 15 min, and the third in 14 min.

Moleskin. It was hot. It was lonely. YHC ran by himself. Most other PAX did too, due to the small numbers today. Northerners don’t know how to pronounce “Wythe.” It was good to see some huffing and puffing on the third lap. Welcome back to Upchuck, too.

Commentary. Before Big Data, YHC would just show up to workouts, not caring if attendance was taken or not. He was there for the fitness and the fellowship. But for competitive people like myself, Big Data has turned things into a bit of an attendance competition, and I think it actually takes away from the primary aims of the group. I’ve tried to just ignore it this year, but, uh, apparently I still do care. Big Data also creates some perverse incentives. For example: Really need a rest day to rest your injured calf–Sorry, Big Data is watching. Muscles sore from doing too many Merkins the day before? Sorry, you need to show up for the next workout (A Swirly Q!), to get the credit. Personally, I think it is time to take down big data–it would help us relax and enjoy the more important 3Fs. We’re already competitive enough–why add an extra layer?

26 STRONG posted for a run or a ride this morning in the gloom. An amateur runner Q’d up the run and an amateur biker Q’d up the ride. After EF Hutton got in his early morning RAMM run, he gathered the bikers together to hit the streets for the second Amateur RAMM Gears for the summer. Several summer tourists checked this off of their list. Gumbo was dressed to impress which made Vinny proud. No Tools had an ugly blow-out. For it to happen during amateur hour was ironic.

Swirly, Saab, TYA and Vinny got in the early long run this morning. Well done and Happy Birthday to Vinny!

The main RAMM routes were:

All take Grove east to a left on Hamilton. Cross Broad, run past Woodfin and 4 milers turn around at Westwood and backtrack to the VSF. 5 and 6 milers hang a right on Westwood, then veer left on Saunders to go over rail yard bridge. 5 milers turn around at Laburnum and backtrack. 6 milers hang a right on Laburnum and run to A.P. Hill monument then double back.

Glad to have Water Wings out with us again running with Sippy, Faceplant and Rosie on the 6 mile route.

Please remember and pray for TYA’s brother this week as he has surgery upcoming.

Please remember and pray for Helix’s daughter.

Announcements:

PuppyPile on 8/24/19 at 7:05am

Retreat on 9/21 – 9/22

Have a great day, all and SYITG!

Kubota

keep posting!

16 Road Runners and 1 Gearhead posted this morning to finish our work week in a glorious way. 5 supercharged runner started early for a little extra credit. Arriving to see BT all by his lonesome, we quickly asked “Who has the Q?” Remembering several old routes, just 4 and 5 mile routes till Marv posted. So at 0529, quick decision to take a stroll down Monument:

Routes: Down Commonwealth to Monument. 4 milers down Monument to Arthur Ashe Boulevard and back. 5 milers down Monument to Strawberry St and back. Marv down to Stuart Circle and back. Extra credit PAX members ran more but no idea where.

Number-ama, Name-r-ama, Announcements: BRR teams need drivers and forward logistics team (See Corporate). Kryptonite has VQ tomorrow.

YHC took us out.

NMS: As we turned on Monument, Shakedown asks “Was that lightening?” Boom Bam…the Pax was cooled by the rains from the heavens. Shakedown and Handshake, good pace and thanks for the fellowship. Marv, solo but nice work. With the rain, YHC thought to himself-what a privilege to be able to run this morning and with added benefit, the rain. Continue to count your blessing and take this day that the Lord has made.

Only Those Who Post Understand.

Loud and Proud,

Flatline

18 strong posted at RAMM for either a normal run, an early run, or a ride on two wheels.

Routes:

4 milers: Commonwealth to Monument to Arthur Ashe Blvd and back

5 milers: Commonwealth to Monument to Allison St. and back

6 milers: Commonwealth to Monument to J.E.B Stuart monument and back

A simple route from a simple Q!

Numberama, Namearama, Announcements and Wedding Singer took us out.

Announcements:

Get your Dogpile and Mosey On T-shirts on order while you can!

Next Roller Coaster/HDHH is July 24 at Palani Drive at 6pm.

Continue to pray for Helix’s daughter and several PAX members who have injuries/ailments.

Happy Birthday to Wheelie!

Happy Anniversary to YHC and M!

NMS:

YHC saw that the Q sheet was open at 5:05am this morning. YHC doesn’t like seeing blanks on the Q Sheet, so there you have it. There wasn’t much planning in the route today. Just a simple out and back with lots of humidity.

Saab, Swirly and Lockjaw hit the early run and got in 7.5+

No Tools, Mongoose and Pullout hit the streets on two wheels.

The rest of the PAX took on the normal run.

Enjoy your day, fellas and SYITG!

Kubota

The fog was thick for this group of fourteen. Tropical levels of humidity and the relative silence of the day after a holiday was not a deterrent either.

YHC called Reverse Carillon and off we went maintaining a bro code. About a mile and a half in, we came across the the 5am group who had a similar Carillon route in mind.

YHC took us out.

As I was driving down Cary on the way in, a robin deflected off of my windshield. My immediate thought was Handshake and the Saab extraction method. Fortunately, it was not needed.

Announcements

• Shakedown’s M has an art show tonight at Saadia’s Juicebox.
• Patriotic 5K tomorrow in Midlothian/Bob Air – See Kryptonite for details.
• Prayers and thoughts for Helix’s daughter and a swift recovery.
• Hitchhiker’s daughter turns 1 tomorrow.

ABT,

Lockjaw

A massive crowd of beach cruisers, dirt bikes, and steel framed roadies “older than me” descended upon Mary Munford this morning (38 in total). A couple ran, most rode. Directions were given to Wedding Singer, who was the most seasoned F3 vet at the time that there was in fact no runner Q and that they would be on their own for routes this morning. I laid out the route to the hoards of cyclists that we would be heading down to the Carillon in the safest way I could think of for a lap or two around the lake and return the same way. Of course, it wouldnt be an amateur day if we didnt get lost in Windsor farms…so we did that twice! All in all, it was huge fun (unless you were the Q, then it was a panic attack) and everybody presumably made it back to the starting point. No cars were left in the parking lot, anyways.

BB title comes from a conversation I had with Wheelie when he showed up to run with his 2.0 on amateur bike day, and that was his response. Touche’, my man.

A huge shout out to our two FNG’s, LoLo and C-Note….a father daughter duo friends of the Mudd family. I hope they had fun and will come back out soon….maybe we can convince C-Note to keep that hundo a month he pays to fuel the Seal Team Hummers, and buy us lunch with it instead! Here’s to hoping, anyways! Glad you came out, I hope to see you again soon.

I’ll go ahead and throw Wedding Singer the apology of the week for dumping the runner Q on him at 0527. I assume it went well.

Lab Rat apologizes…

A combination of RAMMers, Gear-heads, and early risers tackled today’s iteration of RAMM. Only the RAMMers got to experience today’s long overdue interval plan. Here’s how it went:

Group into 4 milers, 5 milers, and 6 milers. Everyone goes north on Commonwealth and right on Monument and returns the same way.

15 minute warm up at a relatively easy pace
15 minute pickups which includes 1 minute of fast pace followed by 30 seconds of recovery. 10 of these, reversing course after the 5th interval.
15 minute cool down

Numbers, names, YHC took us out.

Moleskin
It’s been over a year since we did this variation of the fartlek at RAMM. Based on the discussion post run, everyone (including Marv) seemed to enjoy the faster pace. Speed work is always good to mix in to break up the monotony of always running for distance.

The idea is to stick together in your pace group. Phonics and Faceplant did a good job of doubling back on the recovery part of the intervals to make sure YHC’s group stayed together. Next time YHC will be a little more explicit about that desire to stick together. Thanks to Upgrade and Bleeder for captaining their groups respectively.

Bootleg forgot to turn around and may still be running had he not seen the six mile group on the reverse course.

Is TYA reading this BB? We know Marv won’t.

Happy Birthday No Tools.

Announcements
– Puppy Pile 6/29. Marv has the Q.
– Amateaur RAMM Gears next week with Lab Rat on the Q. Bring something that rolls for a fun day peddling on the streets. 2.0s welcome?

Splinter out

This was the second route YHC constructed in response to Kubota’s “there are no new routes out of Mary” challenge. It goes something like this:

4 Milers
West on Grove
Left on E Lock Ln
Cross Cary on a diagonal to the left and take Old Locke Ln
Take Old Locke Ln as it veers to the right, take to the end and turn around and head back the way you came taking a
Left on Lockgreen Circle, at the intersection of Lockgreen Court, keep on the Circle
Run the Lockgreen Circle
Upon completing the circle, continue on Lockgreen Circle back to Old Locke Lane; take a left
Cross Cary on a left diagonal onto E Lock Ln, continue on to Grove
Right on Grove and back to the VSF

5 Milers
West on Grove
Left on E Lock Ln
Cross Cary on a diagonal to the left and take Old Locke Ln
Take Old Locke Ln as it veers to the right, take to the end and turn around and head back the way you came taking a
Left on Lockgreen Circle, at the intersection of Lockgreen Court, keep on the Circle
Run the Lockgreen Circle
Upon completing the circle, continue on Lockgreen Circle back to Old Locke Lane; take a left on Old Locke Lane
After crossing Dover on your right, break left through the tree line onto Pocahontas Ave
Take Pocahontas until it dead ends on E Hillcrest and take a right
At the top of the hill, take a right on Hillcrest
Turn left on Cary and immediate right on Stratford Crescent
Take a right on Oak Lane and take it to Grove
Right on Grove and back to the VSF

6 Milers
West on Grove
Left on E Lock Ln
Cross Cary on a diagonal to the left and take Old Locke Ln
Take Old Locke Ln as it veers to the right, take to the end and turn around and head back the way you came taking a
Left on Lockgreen Circle, at the intersection of Lockgreen Court, keep on the Circle
Run the Lockgreen Circle
Upon completing the circle, continue on Lockgreen Circle back to Old Locke Lane; take a left on Old Locke Lane
After crossing Dover on your right, break left through the tree line onto Pocahontas Ave
Take Pocahontas until it dead ends on E Hillcrest and take a right
At the top of the hill, continue left on W Hillcrest and go down the hill
At the bottom of the hill take a left on Hillwood and continue on Charmian
Charmian will veer to the right, continue to take it and follow its loop (when it hits Poplar, continue on the loop to the left NOT right)
It will dead end at E Hillcrest and take a right
At the top of the hill, take a right on Hillcrest
Turn left on Cary and immediate right on Stratford Crescent
Take a right on Oak Lane and take it to Grove
Right on Grove and back to the VSF

BT informed YHC that Lockgreen Court was a gated community, so we had to improvise at the end to make up the distance. The intrepid 6 milers decided to challenge the perimeter and alarms were triggered at the gate house. 6 milers were deterred. Compound secure.

A humid morning for a run. Though it could be a lot worse. For example, Handshake had a leg hanging out of the grill of his car. A giant Robin got crushed through the small grill opening. YHC speculates that the bird was going to fly over the car, and then noticed the giant dog on the hood in his path. Opting for the low approach, he met a fatal ending.

Feeling the need to reciprocate the great HVAC service Handshake provide Saab recently, Saab enthusiastically and quickly volunteered to remove the chicken sized bird. Handshake produced nitrile gloves and Saab began tugging on a leg as the extraction process commenced. With a swift pull and the bird was free.

Despite attempts to resuscitate the bird, he was pronounced dead and buried under some leaves. If only someone had a shovel for a proper burial…..

No Tools took us out.

Always Be Tapering,

Lockjaw

Westbound and Down….22 Road Scholars are going to to do what Kubota said can’t be done. Kubota commented to YHC that Mary was tapped out of new routes. YHC found not one, but two new routes. One will be unveiled in a coming week, but here is the other.

The Routes

North on Westmoreland to Broad and head West.

4s turn left on Willow Lawn Drive, a left on Patterson, a right on Woodlawn, and a right on Grove back to the SF.

5s turn left on Libbie and left on Grove back to the SF.

6s turn left on Morningside Dr to Libbie (with a brief jaunt on Fitzhugh for a block). Right on Libbie and a left on Grove back to the SF.

Marv took us out.

We did have one FNG. Welcome Banana Pancakes, or BP for those into brevity.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

20 warriors of The Gloom came to ride or run their way through the soup that was the latest edition of the Run/Ride at Mary Munford. Temps were sunny and 70 with stickiness.

Routes: With the Stanley Cup Finals starting on Monday, YHC pulled the Hockey Stick Route out of the archives…east on Grove to Malvern (left) until each of the following…top of railroad bridge (4 milers), Saunders and Laburnum (5 milers), or right on Laburnum to AP Hill Statue (6 milers).

Sippy and Phonics tore off to complete the 6 miles. A gaggle of runners, including Splinter, Saab, Offshore, Handshake, YHC, and Abba (aka, “I don’t care about that.”) hit the 5 mile route. Bleeder, Honey Do, Lug Nut, and others hit the four. Something happened to a bunch of other runners.

Riders rode.

Number-am-a, Name-a-ram-a, YHC took us out.

Announcements:

Summer Tour starts tomorrow…26 officials AOs and 9 extra credit options.

Memorial Day Convergence is Monday at 7 a.m. Meet at the parking lot next to the Tredegar Iron Works.

AO starts Thursday in Mechanicsville…The Anvil. Boot camp. Watch for additional AOs this summer, including The Bellows, The Tongs, and The Chisel.

Splinter is looking for PAX to staff the 24 hour F3RVA Technology Service Center.