Mary Munford Elementary
A formidable 14 descended upon Mary to run, bike, or walk…
Saab abides
Route:
All heading in direction of Patterson then heading west with 4 & 5 milers starting on Westmoreland and 6 milers starting on Commonwealth
Note the 4M does not go all the way to the bottom of Paxton
Let it be known that on this day, the first RAMM following the Monument Avenue 10K, a new tradition was born.
Henceforth, this sacred date will forever be known as:
The Hillcrest Challenge.
Major awards were distributed to the group winners. This is how it went down.
A mighty 10 showed up this morning, including veteran Circle K – great to have you out, plus one RAMM Gears participant.
This is how it went down, run as a group down Grove, take a left at the Lexington/Albemarle hood, then quick jog right down River Road to the Hillcrest entrance. The way it works is you do as many loops or get the furthest distance as possible.
For this installment award groups were assigned by your ‘birth distance’ at RAMM, that being what distance did you start doing RAMM, not your current distance. That rule may change in the future but this is how it was done today.
The winners for each group were:
Major awards were distributed to the winners, but these are not your awards they belong to the race, you are merely the protector of them until next year’s race where you may have to give it up if you are not the best in your category.
Notable performances include, Marv’s restroom break – he was in the lead but then had the need to go, Sippy pulled out ahead and dominated the 6’s. Splinter had a strong pace for the 5’s and won handedly, OBT won what apparently was the most coveted major award, a cheeseboard kit that you can decorate with markers (YHC lost the markers). Back story is that it was a COVID era gift from CapitalOne to YHC’s aunt who works there because I think CapitolOne felt their staff were bored at home so they needed a Cheeseboard to decorate and have a cheese party. YHC hopes that over the course of the year many a cheeses will grace the board for the next person or maybe it will be OBT, to enjoy.
Last notable performance was Sippy Cup’s run home with a rather large beer stein which he ran all the way home with. The beer stein was balanced by his water bottle so weight distribution for the run was appropriate.
Stay tuned for the 2nd annual Hillcrest Challenge in 2027!
YHC took us out.
Prayers/praises for Splinters Mom who has been recovering well!
OBT shared some parting thoughts from a Freed to Lead reading challenge he participated in with F3 down in Houston. He emphasized how important Q-ing is—not just for the workout, but for what it builds in guys. One of the most transformational aspects of F3 is giving men the chance to lead. For some, it may be the first time they’ve ever stepped into that role in their adult life, and it’s pretty incredible to watch guys grow—and even blossom—through that opportunity.
~13 or more arrived at Mary to run and bike and ask questions about a route that largely stuck to one road: Monument.
Nevertheless, all runners stuck together and covered the 5M option which was quite enjoyable.
Best of luck to those running the Monument Ave 10K tomorrow – which today’s running route was a homage to. Also best wishes to Hitchhiker on his latest business venture…an appearance on Shark Tank may be around the corner.
Saab abides
ALL: Commonwealth to Monument then head West toward Chantilly; Turn at Chantilly then heading East on Monument …
4s turn back at Cleveland…
5s turn back at N. Robinson
6s turn back at N. Meadow
Return on Monument to Westmoreland
RAMM – Monument Ave “10k”
6 mile route
5.1 mile route
4.1 mile route
A naughty nine showed up to RAMM, with one biker making an early presence. YHC received and earful regarding the amount of elevation on this week’s run…all extremely positive and well intentioned.
Pro tip: Magnolia leaves apparently serve as an ample substitute for toilet tissue…who knew?
Saab abides
Gil Scott-Heron – Whitey On the Moon (Official Audio)
Routes:
All start by heading West on Grove. Highlights include a pass by of Bodos’ house…
https://onthegomap.com/s/ot9rdj5e
A determined dozen showed up to run/walk among Mary’s outer regions. Good to see some old friends.
Saab Abides
Routes:
NOTE: All start by heading north toward Patterson, heading west from there. Notable differences…
Unlike 4’s & 5’s which start on Westmoreland, 6’s start on Commonwealth
4’s take left on Granite from Patterson. Will take small shortcut on the Paxton/Ampthill loop (SEE MAP)
5’s take left on Maple from Patterson.
6’s take left on St Christopher’s from Patterson.
No need to look at the temperature gauge, just look at the high turnout to know it’s warm outside.
An elite 18 showed up at Mary to run, bike and walk. Despite the inclusion of the beloved Ampthill/Paxton loop, the route was well received with nary a complaint and zero lost runners.
Saab abides
Routes:
A lucky 7 arrived for a route and individual means of locomotion.
Saab abides
RAMM-CARILLON
https://onthegomap.com/s/huaedhb7
Why 11 pax you ask…because it’s one more.
Biggest takeaway was TYA’s apparent hobby of identifying obscure patterns in society…such as identifying a relationship between degrees of prejudice and penis size.
YHC is still not clear which comes first….
Saab abides
RAMM Routes
6.1 mile route
5 mile route
4 mile route
Among the 6, both 4 and 5 mile distances were chosen.
Saab abides
RAMM 1800
We will head out to Lafayette then W Franklin and loop back toward Grove at varying locations depending on distance.
4s: https://onthegomap.com/s/5eha4kmp
5s: https://onthegomap.com/s/3tsk0njm
6s: https://onthegomap.com/s/0g6mfb69
Eleven, including 2 on two wheels, gathered in our usual spot for this week’s Q-less edition of RAMM. Never fail, 5:24 route creation from the warmth of YHCs heated seats resulted in a plan.
Even with one of the gear heads (but not the actual gear head) annoyingly circling and distracting the relaying of the instructions, instructions were provided and understood. Marv, questioning what time it was, prodded the group to get started for:
The Route
North on Commonwealth then back to grove.
West on Grove then back to Commonwealth.
East on Grove then back to Commonwealth.
4s turn around at Cutshaw, Lexington, Thompson.
5s turn around at Augusta, Oak, Nansemond.
6s turn around at Broad, Seneca, Roseneath.
Moleskin
Seems like many of the PAX have emerged from hibernation, YHC included. Great to see some kotters Kebab and Garbage Plate.
The gears guys actually came back for COT this week. This offered a chance for a someone crude but nevertheless funny joke to be told with reference to Lewinsky and a cigar. Had to be there to hear it.
Great fellowship post run, even without free coffee. Which, by the way, sounds like a great idea for RAMM…
Announcements
Splinter out.