Tag: RAMM Gears

13 runners and 2 bikers posted on a clear but humid morning for a run or ride.

Head east on Grove, right on Thompson, east on Ellwood to Main, return on Cary to Thompson back to Grove.  Four milers turn on Robinson, five milers turn on Meadow, six milers turn on Morris.

This was one of YHC’s old training routes because of the long stretches of streets with sidewalks, and was happy to be running it with the PAX.  YHC would struggle to resist the urge to throw in the towel and grab a burger and beer at one of the many eating establishments along the way.  Carytown cleans itself up nicely in the morning, and tempting smells did not seem to be an issue.

Every street sign on Ellwood/Main was turned, twisted, or otherwise vandalized, making the turnaround difficult.  Props to LugNut for adding some extra mileage because of the jacked up signs, and making his way back right at 6:15.  Sippy and Marv were the only six milers this morning.

There was more traffic than expected on Main and Cary.  UpChuck, one of few PAX properly dressed for a run in the dark, was ready with driving tips for the cars we passed.

Genny Light almost earned his first LIFO trophy, showing up late but then finishing first among the five milers.  Aisle 5 snatched the honors away, arriving after the PAX had left and running an alternate route.  So Genny Light gets the STLIFO (second-to-LIFO) award.  It turns out that he initially posted to the location on our map – there are different locations for RAMM and RAMM gears.  Can tech services look into that?

Announcements

• Fudd needs to go to the bathroom.
• LugNut announced a second RiverRun on Monday evening at 7:30pm.
• No Tools is mountain biking at Pocohontas tomorrow at 0700 or 0800 and looking for additional riders.
• YHC has an anniversary Q at The Punisher on Monday.
• YHC is organizing an F3 team for a Family Fun bike ride (10 or 20 mi) benefitting the American Diabetes Association: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?team_id=728706&fr_id=11465&pg=team on September 24th.  Registration is $20.  YHC pledges to satisfy the fundraising requirements for all F3 Richmond members, Ms, and 2.0s, though additional fundraising is most welcome.  With the release of the Panama papers, its time to empty some Offshore accounts.
• Toga is recruiting participants for the Spartan Run at Wintergreen, also on September 24th.  YHC’s feelings will only be hurt if you don’t participate in either of our events.
• YHC just registered for ReeseStrong 5k, and is pumped about it.

16 Runners and 2 Bikers showed up to cover some miles.  Relatively cool and slightly misty weather was a welcome relief to the heat and humidity of recent days.

The Thang:
East on Grove to Malvern.  North on Malvern to Broad.  West on Broad and take a left on Willow Lawn Drive.

4 milers come back on Monument to Commonwealth.  5 and 6 milers continue on to Patterson west bound and 5s take Granite to Grove and 6s take Maple to Grove to come home.  6s finish up with a victory lap around the school for precise mileage.

YHC took us out.

NMS:
YHC wanted to go into new uncharted territory this morning and Broad Street did not disappoint.  Bright lights and early morning bus commuters in contrast to the somewhat desolate roads we normally traverse offered some degree of liveliness.

It was a pleasure running some with TYA and Wilson.  After passing many shop windows on Broad St, I believe YHC uncovered another of Wilson’s phobias perhaps originating from the not-so-classic movie Mannequin.

Lifoing Fudd and Circle K swear they had an Oyster citing as they were catching up to the Pax.  Perhaps they startled an unaware neighbor out for a morning run.  Oyster, were you out there?

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!

14 Sleek showed up for BRR training this morning….or Friday runs…you can pick which sounds better.

Route today is the instant classic Carillon route:  5-6 milers head down Grove to Boulevard, hang a right and make their way up the steps, around the back of the carillon, then head back out.  Hang a left on Douglasdale across 195, then right on Portland.  5 milers, dealer’s choice back to the shovelflag, 6 milers, head up to Patterson before making it back to Mary.  4 milers head down Grove, left on Blvd to Monument, back to the shovelflag on Commonwealth.

NMS

So, YHC has been wanting to do this route since Lockjaw first introduced it but was absent the two times it was done.  Not one to shy away from grabbing a Q, YHC decided to take matters into his own hands and call the route himself.  Problem was, he didnt quite prepare well enough to pass along said route to the rest of the pax.  Disgusted, TYA bolts mid direction, and the pax in a moment of pure brilliance stopped listening to babbling Lab Rat and took off after TYA.  There were enough veterans of the route to get everybody out and back again with no issues.

No Tools and Bleeder took a route of their own devices, and looped around at about the 2/3 mark to offer morale support.  YHC was happy to see that Bleeder was able to keep the rubber side down on the route after the shaky showing pulling in to the AO.  Centrifugal force is awesome!

YHC was happy to be able to catch up with DK, being that he was his first F3 “buddy”, but we have been posting to different AO’s lately.  Great running with you!

YHC is also proud of TYA, as he got his plaque for coming in third in his her age group during our half marathon trail run last month.  Yes, that is correct:  Only 2 women aged 50-59 ran the half marathon faster than our very own TYA!  He was so excited he brought his plaque to show off!  Unfortunately, YHC lost the only photo evidence of the feat when his phone ended up M.I.A. that morning on the way back to Ratskeller.  Sorry about that.

While Lab Rat is busy apologizing, let him also say sorry this BB is so late.  Between the missing phone and traveling out of town for the weekend, he just couldnt get it done.  Se la vie.

Great work all, YHC hopes everyone had a steller weekend.

Lab Rat out.

9 Pax came out in the calm after the storm to cover some miles.

We took a new route into Scott’s Addition.  4 milers turned around at Ardent, 5 milers came back on the Boulevard to Elwood to Grove, and 6 milers came home on Hermitage to Grove.

NMC
Power loss and vacation provided delay in the getting the back blast out.  However, YHC believes its better late than never to chronicle our post.

It was a nice change of scenery to venture north into Scott’s Addition which was vacant at that hour.  Perhaps we should do it 12 hours later in the day and do a tour de brewery.

Several trees were down on Grove including one on a car.  The Boulevard showed signs up high winds with some signs in disarray.

Hardywood provided a tourism PSA for Austin, TX.

13 Faithful showed up on a delightful Friday morning run/ride.

YHC gave the simple instructions. Out and back run Grove–>Henri–>Towana–>Richmond Way. The course is the most direct route down to the start of the Spider Run at the U of R lake. Instead of defined points, the PAX was instructed to turn around at 23 minutes, with the goal of getting back to the flag in 22 minutes.

COT–YHC took everyone out.

Moleskin.

What seemed simple in concept (to everyone except Wilson) was quite hard in practice, as YHC had specifically designed the course to be predominantly downhill on the out (, and uphill on the way back to add to the challenge. I think that Lab Rat was the only one who made it back in 22, several others were close. Rosie left YHC in the dust in the last mile and was only 15 seconds shy of the goal.

Also challenging was the driving thunderstorm that came through about 30 minutes in and soaked the Pax on the return trip, also slowing things down a bit, but cooling everything off too.

It was a good way to start the holiday weekend, and I can sense that we are getting stronger in preparation for the BRR.

As we spend more time with our families the next few days consider the following:

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

(Yep, that’s where I got the idea for the COT prayer)

15 faithful posted for a morning workout. 2 headed out on the bikes and 13 on the run.

The Thang:

4 miles: Grove to Left on Malvern, Left on Patterson, Left on Libbie, back to the shovel flag
5 miles: Grove to Left on Malvern, Left on Patterson, Left on St. Christopher’s, Left on access road, Left on Libbie, back to the shovel flag
6 miles: Grove to Left on Nansemond, Left on Patterson, Left on St. Christopher’s, Left on access road, Left on Libbie, back to the shovel flag
Bikes: Over nickel bridge, to Belle Isle, cross over to north side on pedestrian bridge, back to Libbie

NMM:

The run is certainly in transition these days. A third of the PAX opted for the 6 mile loop (Saab, Marv, Copernicus and Offshore). They were cranking this morning. Easily making the 6 mile loop in the 45 minutes. The rest headed out on the 5 mile loop. Swirly was on fire this morning leading the PAX. Abacus, BT and Fudd were right behind him tracking him down (not sure if anyone caught him). A little further back were Lab Rat and Tramp Stamp. Both TYA and Wilson were trying to hang on with Lab Rat and Tramp Stamp. The scream, on his first day back opted for the four mile loop and performed well. We are certainly a much faster and fitter group of runners from where we started. Having said all that, any level of runner is welcomed and encouraged to join. Our first run was a 3.6 mile loop that we could barely make in 45 minutes. Great work and growth folks.

Lot of mumble chatter on attire today. YHC donned, for the second time, his blue shorts. When The scream arrived, he quickly asked me “Going for a swim today”. BT pointed out that the shorts extended almost past my knees (didnt know that was an issue). Lab Rat’s outfit was, lets just say inappropriate. When I was passing some tomatoes on the run today, I heard them comment on Lab Rat with the backblast title. I could not disagree with them. My whole run I was trying to divert my eyes from Lab Rat’s attire, or lack there of. As Fudd so eloquently stated “you wear clothes in respect of the other runners”.

Lots of second F for the PAX today. Several of the group hung out in the parking lot past 7 am. More than a few of the PAX were planning on a day off or half day off today.

Enjoy your weekends gents. See you in the Gloom.

TYA out

16 strong posted on a beautiful spring morning for a run or bike ride. Weather was perfect for a run, high 60’s, low humidity and the sun was rising.

The thang:

Commonwealth to Momunment, right on Monument, 4 milers turn at The Boulevard, 5 milers at Allison and six milers at Stuart circle. Back to commonwealth and back to the shovel flag.

Bikers headed to the Hugenot bridge, to riverside drive, Riverside to the nickel bridge and back to the shovel flag.

NMM:

Lots of folks hung out after the run/bike this morning. As BT and I left at 7am, BT pointed out that we spend as much time hanging around talking as we did running this morning. Great group of guys out there to catch up with after the workout. Always amazed that no matter what the weather, we will stand there talking after the workout in the cold, rain, etc…

Congratulations to Marv. Found out today that he won the “Best runner in 3rd Grade” award back in the day. I knew his immense running talent had a long history. Just did not know it was so award filled. Also congratulations to No Tools. His son just signed on with VCU to play catcher for them (he was highly recruited to the best of schools and will be a great asset to VCU). Maybe Marv will announce some of his games. Also congrats to No Tools for his daughter. She is currently at the Olympic trials for swimming. Clearly some athleticism in that family. All I can think is that his wife must be quite the athlete!!

The six milers were flying today. With about 3/4 of a mile remaining in my five mile (almost) loop, Rosie came sprinting by, followed by Marv, Sippy, and Saab. Saab ambled along with Mother and I for the last half mile. Lugnut was a Lifo today and did a slightly different route, returning on Grove instead of Monument.

Bikers took a little bit of a longer route today and pulled back into the parking lot around 625. Ricky Bobby was reported to have killed the big hill coming back up from the Nickel Bridge. YHC has taken on that hill many times and it is a tough one, especially since going through the toll booths slows you down a bit.

Announcements

Batteau workout commencing on 6/20 at Forrest Hill park. Hardywood has the lead on that new AO

Phonics is sponsoring a corn hole and rock and roll event tomorrow at Marty’s in Mechanicsville.

Tomorrow is the last day of the “hostile takeover”. Come on out to Dogpile or GridIron for a rare appearance at each from TYA and Bleeder. Should be an easy beatdown?

TYA and Bleeder out

2 Bikers and 18 runners posted on a humid June morning for a beatdown.

The Thang:

Right on Grove, 4 milers turn at Lafayette, 5 milers turn at Roseneath, 6 milers turn at the Boulevard, and 7 milers turn at Robinson. All proceed to Three Chopt, turn around and head back to the shovel flag.

Ramm Gears folks road to Williamsburg and back for a quick morning jaunt of just under 100 miles. Great job guys

NMM:

TYA spent months researching routes in and around the AO. Having done my due diligence, I quickly settled back onto the Grove Avenue loop that we started on and did for the first six months or so of the run. Many groans were heard when I announced the route. In my defense, I did add another option, the seven mile loop, to mix things up a bit. No one took me up on the new route.

Very hot out there this morning. 75 and humid to start things out. Sippy was the first to start shedding clothes. He began and finished the run shirtless. YHC jettisoned his shirt after the first part of the run when we went back by the shovel flag. Toga also opted for the shirtless option and was quite a vision with no shirt and no hair on his head. Toga was out front today. When he looped back around BT yelled over to him something like “Lookout, a bald Gorilla is on the loose”. Luckily no children where up that early in the morning to witness the scene.

Announcements:

TShirts are on sale for Spider Run. Sign up now so we can meet our minimum order quantity.

Fudd is having a barn raising party tomorrow. Starts at 8am. Come on out. He will have warm beers and nearly empty bags of chips with only crumbs left for refreshment.

Lab Rat mentioned two charity events that Phonics is sponsoring. One was a corn hole tournament on June 11th. The other was a 5K run. See Lab Rat or Phonics for details. (just as an aside, corn hole means something entirely different in the Northeast. I can assure you we do not have that kind of tournament in Massachusetts)

16 Faithful posted this early morning in a not so gloomy gloom. 13 RAMM runners and 3 RAMM GearHeads. The Q’s gave directions and it was supposed to look like this.

THE THANG

Starting at the School Parking lot, Run toward the Boulevard on Grove, 4 mile loop Turn at LaFayette, 5 Mile Loop turn at Roseneath , 6.2 Mile loop turn at Boulevard, Back down Grove to Three Chopt, then back to the Shovel Flag.

GEAR THANG

Intervals, Hills, and Gear changes and back to the Shovel Flag

COT in Silence

Moleskin

Kudos to the six individuals who opted not to Drive to the AO this morning, Ricky Bobby and Abacus were vying for furtherest distance away( Out by Collegiate and Somewhere near Daville), Sippy and Saab were a close 3rd and 4th both running from their neighborhoods that are nowhere near the AO, with NoTools riding in from Worldwide Head Quarters on Hamilton. Followed by MARV, who moseyed his way into a still strong 6th place from his house.

Stifler’s mom discussions were abound this morning, Rumors of late night dinners and other intesinal combatants were to blame for the emergency procedures that apparently were executed or not executed this morning, the details of the incidents were sketchy at best. Thankfully there were no Seal team members with clipboards to document the actual occurrence. ( Today the role of Stifler’s Mom is going to be played by Pucker, a Jville Understudy)

It was an awesome site to see the huge crowd of Runners crossing Libbie at a serious pace to finish their loops under the 45 minute Window. Leading the Pack were Rosie and Dutch, both of whom came flying by Lug Nut and YHC with a glamorous comment “Only a Half mile to go!”

The reports on the GEAR group came in intervals, Ricky Bobby taking the Q, The Group did a series of Intervals and hit the hills around of UR before heading back to the Shovel Flag, Abacus was proving to be a machine in cranking as if he was just using the Throttle in a race car. He was able to give a pointer or two on the cadence and Level pedal strokes. NoTolls reported back in at Worldwide HQ that he rode over 30 miles this morning, rumor has it he saw Saab on the South side of the River just before crossing the Nickel Bridge and then again as he was coming back across the Mayo bridge in Downtown Richmond somewhere near the Federal Reserve building. (THIS JUST IN —- TYA Reported seeing Saab Crossing Lake Charles in Louisiana at 8:15 this morning) ( NOTE to self – New F3 RVA T-Shirt idea design – Where in the world is Saab? — Saab does abide)

With the unofficial start of Summer this weekend, Today was the first time this year YHC was able to run over 4 miles, the last time YHC was able to do that was in November before YHC accident tripped over a Horseshoe(it was NOT Lucky). Thanks to Lug Nut for sticking with YHC today, Not sure who was helping who today, (Pretty sure YHC was not helping Lug Nut.) YHC was happy to say that no pain in the problomatic left knee while running was a major step in the right direction. YHC is looking forward to a Summer of Running, with the occasional Bike throw into the mix; Thanks to the bike, YHC was able to recover and run again this early(Against all medical advice/ common sense) or even a have chance to make the BRR. Thanks to everyone in F3 RVA for the support through some cold frostbitten days on the Bike; YHC could not have done it without you guys!

When we talk about leadership, it comes in many different forms. Celebrating the lives that were given for our country this memorial day, it is just one way people demonstrate the gratitude of a grateful nation. Being a leader, somedays is just about being thankful for what you have, and realizing that many pieces that had to fall into place in order for us to be where we are today. The moment of silence in the COT today was for many reasons; Honoring those who gave their lives, showing that I don’t possess the words or the ability properly and adequately express my gratitude, and ultimately every person has to clear their mind for what they want and/or need; Silence gives everyone that chance of reflection.

Peace out. Bleeder

Announcements:

New F3 RVA Shirts – Get them before they are all gone — http://f3.mudgear.com/collections/va-richmond

Normal Schedule through the Weekend. Check @F3Richmond for any changes the Q’s may have for the Holiday on Monday times.