Tag: RAMM

65 and “misty” 24 hours ago gave way to winter, as the PAX was greeted with snow flurries and wind this morning.  14 RUNNERS plus two from another AO rolled out of the fartsack despite to get in a few miles in the gloom.

THANG:

Straight out on Grove.  4 milers, hang a left on Boulevard. 5 milers, left on Meadow.  6 milers leg it out to Harrison.  Everybody back on Monument to Commonwealth.  No victory laps required.

NMM:

YHC is always amazed at the ability of the PAX to creatively complain about the workouts.  This week was no exception.  The complaint du jour was that we ran counterclockwise, but the wind was blowing clockwise.  My bad…

Stand out gold star of the 5 miler goes to Brain Tumor.  Honey Do and YHC tried to keep up, but he was legging it out.  Well done, brother!

For the bicycling  portion of the workout, complete with pictures and more creativity, please visit the RAMM gears BB.

That is all,

AYE!

18 runners and 2 bikers came together this morning and here is how it went down:

4 Milers:

East on Grove, Left on Boulevard, Left on Monument, Left on Westmoreland, back to shovel flag

5 Milers:

East on Grove, Left on Boulevard, Left on Monument, Left on Chantilly, cross Patterson and veer right (the dog leg the bewildered many) onto Bunting, to Grove, victory lap around the school’s block to shovel flag

6 Milers:

East on Grove to Belvidere, turn around and take Floyd back to end, get on Grove to shovel flag

Moleskin

Compared to the last run full of historical way points, YHC opted for the basics.  The pax negotiated snow and ice without difficulty.  It was also good to see our biker pax on the roads.

Way to go Aisle 5 – hanging in there to the end the and upping your distance.

Interested to spending time in a van?  TYA is ready to take your name for the BRR.  It’s a great time and we have a few seats available.

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!!!

15 faithful and one FNG came out for a run in perfect running weather.

Today’s routes were encoded in clues provided to the groups covering the respective distances.  This kept folks together for the most part to solve various riddles or just pay attention to street signs.  Overall, the route went down Malvern to TJ, then heading east and weaving to Floyd.  Heading west on Floyd, the 4 and 5 mile options separate with the 4s going back to the shovel flag and the 5s taking a detour through Windsor Farms.

Marv took us out in the COT.

NMM

YHC will print in larger font next time for those reading on the fly and maybe throw in additional challenges.  No one took the 6.2 route, so we have that waiting.

I was also pleased that everyone made it back to the shovel flag.  Welcome FNG Udder!  We hope to see you post again soon.

Announcements:

-Good Luck to Offshore in the weekend’s Disney Marathon!

-HDHH is coming up on the 20th.  DK had mentioned Post Bellum, so perhaps he will Q that event.

-TYA is looking to form this year’s Blue Ridge Relay team.  See him for information.

-Lab Rat has an 8 miler trail race in mind next month.  See him for details.

Five fleet footed faithful fought off the fartsack to start off 2016 right.  Temperature was 45 degrees and clear, perfect running weather.

4 Mile loop – no takers, Aye!

5 Mile Loop – north on Westmoreland , right on Monument, right on Boulevard, right on Cary, right onto Exeter through Windsor farms, back to MM

6 Mile Loop – north on Westmoreland , right on Monument, right on Meadow, right on Cary, right onto Exeter through Windsor farms, back to MM

NM:

YHC was pleased to see 4 join in the run early after NYE. The PAX had the roads to themselves this AM as the rest of the Richmond was sleeping in after ringing in the New Year.  Offshore and Saab did the 6 mile loop while Swirly, Lockjaw, and YHC did the 5 miler.  Running on monument with all the Christmas lights still on was a good vibe while the only merriment the PAX saw was a guy in a Civic with music on keeping the party going on Monument and a 6 AM walk of shamer on Cary.  The 6 milers reeled us in crossing over 195 on Cary.  Offshore looks ready for the marathon next week!

Back at MM there was discussion of the movie Trainwreck (2 pax watched in on NYE) and confessions that all but one of the PAX turned in NYE before midnight.  Aye the call of the gloom this AM was far stronger than watching the ball drop on TV!

Announcements:  Regular workouts this weekend – With Wilson and Earthworm Q’ing Saturday will they serve up some New Years burpees after completing the December Burpee challenge or take a much needed break? Post to find out…

Happy 2016 and here’s to F3 RVA getting stronger in the New Year: in number and in brotherhood!

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.

Yes, I know it’s still just a run, but here goes….

15 faithful and 2 FNG’s gathered on this beautiful morning to suck air in their lungs and pump blood thru their veins.  Everybody headed west on Grace, then North on Libbie, then East on Monument.  The 4 milers returned to Mary Munford on Commonwealth, the 5 milers came back on Lafeyette, and the 6 milers went to Roseneath, returning on Grace.  Although this route looked great on paper, it turns out that Monument Avenue around Libbie is a little dicey to be running against morning traffic.  The smarter bet is to keep things heading towards the city, and the more runner friendly roads.

Welcome to the Pax to both BooBoo (Grizzly’s son, sorry I forgot your hospital name) and Party Favor (David Gillesipie).  We hope that you will come join us again soon!

Also YHC would be remiss if he didnt mention the posting of Bleeder this morning on a non-impact two wheeled contraption (bicycle).  YHC has not had the pleasure of getting to know Bleeder very well, but can see that he (Bleeder) is a pillar of f3 Richmond.  Heal fast, Bleeder!

Overall a great run this morning.  YHC is continuously humbled by the stellar men he gets the pleasure of associating himself with in the mornings lately.  For that, he is Thankful.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-#RAMM is officially cancelled next week for Christmas.

-45MOM on 12/24 will be VQ’d by no other than SAAB, make sure you clear your schedule for that!

-Swirly has the Q at Dogpile in the morning.  You have been warned…

AYE!

16 motivated runners posted on a beautiful Friday morning.

The Thang: Right onto Grove to The Boulevard and turn around. 4 mile loop turn at Wisteria, 5 mile loop turn at Tuckahoe, 6 mile turn at Three Chopt. Back to the shovel flag.

Moleskin

YHC declared early just before the run that it was a perfect day morning for a run. One of the PAX pointed out that I say that every week. That is true…but we have had a string of exceptional running weather.

The PAX was on fire today. Most were back at the shovel flag prior to 6:15 running their normal distances. We might have to expand out distances soon to occupy the time.

The run has been taking place for over a year now. When the run started, I would often ask Bleeder the night before the run, how many did he think we would have for the run. His response, every time was “at least two”. The run has come a long way. We routinely have double digit numbers at the run. If today was not a record number of PAX, it was darn close. Pleasure to run with you guys on Friday’s.

10 fast faithful and 1 FRNG posted for a run Friday morning. Weather was perfect for a run, mid 30’s and clear.

The thang:

All run from school on Commonwealth to Monument, right on Monument. 4 mile turn at THE Boulevard, 5 mile turn at Allison, and 6 mile turn at Stuart Circle. Circle back on monument and then left onto commonwealth and back to shovel flag.

Naked Moleskin:

I pulled into the parking lot at 5:26, one car (Toga) in my rear view mirror and Sippy Cup parking his bike. No Swirly, no Bleeder, very strange. Thought we were going to have a small group this week, but the folks started to stream in to the parking lot. By the time was all said and done there were 11 of us on the run, including two clown cars (Toga and Lockjaw in one Circle K and Lab Rat in the other).

YHC gave directions to all and warned everyone that although it was a very simple route, the last time we did this route, Swirly got lost. Circle K and Lab Rat being the last two to arrive missed the warning. As Lab Rat was running with a group of four he was easily able to navigate the route. Circle K on the other hand managed to get off route. He claims he was not lost because he always knew how to get back to the school. You make the call.

Welcome to Tramp Stamp. Friend of Marv’s who showed up for his first posting. He had a good run finishing with the 4/5 mile group. Tramp Stamp is an Ex-UVA baseball player who currently runs SkyZone. Marv being a good host suggested Tramp Stamp and having no other more humiliating name, it stuck.

Kotters to LockJaw who posted for a run for the first time in a long time. He was trying to prepare for Saturday’s Bear Creek 10 miler. I think one four mile friday run should be ample preparation for a ten mile trail run!

Good luck to all who are running Bear Creek on Saturday.

7 faithful gathered on a crisp morning to burn some post-Thanksgiving calories.  They were introduced to a new type of running “game.”

The rules:

1. Split into 3 groups: slow, medium, and fast based on typical running pace.
2. The boundaries of the game are Commonwealth Ave, Grove Ave., Monument Ave, and Malvern Ave.
3. The goal of the game is to catch the slow group.
4. All groups can run on any of the streets within the grid in any direction.
5. No turns mid-block are allowed.
6. No groups are allowed to make a U-turn at an intersection.
7. Groups must stick together.
8. If the med or fast groups catch the slow group they join them to form a larger pack.

Game Start:

1. The slow group heads right into the game grid.
2. The medium group runs around Mary Mumford School and then heads into the game grid in pursuit.
3. The fast group runs all of the way around the block of Mary Mumford and then into the grid in pursuit of the slow group.

Game End:

1. All running groups will meet back at the school in 45 minutes, whether or not the slow group is caught.

COT.

Moleskin:

Game recap:

In order to make the slow group more visible, Honeydo was given the honor of wearing a hot pink runners belt with a flashing red, dangling orb.

The fast group (Sippy Cup, Saab, and Marv) got a bead on the slow group (TYA and HoneyDo) after about 15 minutes, and after a several blocks of cat and mouse caught them on the north side of the grid.  Marv’s knowledge of the neighborhood and outstanding eyesight proved to be quite helpful in spotting the slow group from several blocks away.  On the other hand, Saab, who runs without his glasses, is nearly blind to distant objects.  Fortunately, his speed came in handy in tracking down the slow guys in the half-block sprint.

The medium group (Toga and Offshore) was unsuccessful in finding the merged slow/ fast group until the very end when we all converged on the school.

We all agreed that this was a fun way to make the 45 minutes of running go by and was a good change of pace.  The grid seemed to be about the right size too, and the consensus was that the fast group was fairly lucky in catching the slow group in just 15 minutes.  It was a good change of pace.