Tag: Roller Coaster

Four brave posted for a Wednesday evening hill run.

The Thang:

Q declares root, and all PAX, except Shakedown, decide to do something else.  Shakedown and TYA do 2 big loops followed by 2 small loops.

NMM:

A complete mutiny when YHC tried to prescribe the root today.  Swirly and Circle K immediately either 1) began complaining or 2) stated they were not following the same route.  No problems.  Wednesday hill run is very mellow and the objective is clear.  Hit the hills for at least 45 minutes getting a good beatdown and some preparation for the BRR.

Earlier in the week, Rosie sent me a note saying that Shakedown might be interested in running the BRR this year.  He tasked me with talking to Shakedown and getting him to commit.  My initial thoughts to Rosie’s request was “tell him I am available to talk every Wednesday between 530 and 615 PM to discuss the BRR  That way, I could make sure he was really committed to this and would train to get ready.  To my surprise, Shakedown posted.  He came to run the hill to get ready for the BRR as soon as he could.  He is still not committed to the run, but he has already begun to train.  Great job Shakedown!!!

TYA Out

Four soldiers posted for a Wednesday afternoon run on Hillcrest, including one Wednesday run FNG (EF Hutton).

The Thang:

Mayhem ensued.  Circle K ran three small circles then a loop to Mary Mumford and back, Swirly did 9 small loops, and EF and TYA did 3 large and 1 small loop.

NMM

The story of the day was the weather.  An hour prior to the workout, a storm rolled in and the temperature dropped from the mid 90’s to the high 70’s.  Rain held off for a majority of Circle K’s jaunt, but the rain was in full force for the run for all others.  The PAX really enjoyed the weather as it kept things cool for the whole run.  A short reprieve in the rain threatened the PAX, but it came back and keep all happy.  Post workout, we hung out at the top of Hillcrest in the pouring rain and got a bunch of strange looks from the passersby.  Honestly, it was as pleasure to hang out in the rain afterwards.  I felt like a little kid again, standing in the rain and splashing in the puddles.  Just one other benefit from working out in all weather…

Circle K took the back roads for the trip to Mary Mumford.  On the way back he opted for Cary Street.   Cary Street Road (WTF RVA) is fine until most of the way until you hit a section which is street or deep woods…Circle K survived, but learned his lesson and will never again try the Cary option back to the flag.

BRR is less than three months away…time to hit the hills gents.

TYA OUT

Six gentlemen posted for a nomad run this evening, including 1 gear head FNG near and dear to Lab Rat’s heart.  Something transpired, here is a screen shot:

Route:  Choose your own adventure of long loops and short loops, both of which held no reprieve from the hills of the Near West End.  3 big loops or 6 little ones bought you a 5 mile patch.

NMS:  YHC and FNG Toro pulled up at 4:45 to find two familiar cars already parked and empty.  Lug and Bleeder got a super early start after their respective M’s put time constraints on them.  Not to be deterred, they got it in early.  TYA and Swirly joined in shortly after, so we started with a “warm up” loop.  Back the parking area at the given start time with no takers, so off we go again, all in different directions.  Continue until expired.  It was a beautiful evening for a run, if you didnt get one in on “International Running Day”, you missed out.

Lab Rat was SUPER proud of his oldest boy coming out and pushing hard on the pedals today, and could not be happier that he is now part of F3.  He hopes to be able to make it at least a semi-regular thing, because although Toro was a little shy to start with, YHC thinks he is secretly enjoying his new nickname.

Announcements are the same as what they were this morning.  Carry on.

Lab Rat apologizes….

5 runners posted at varied times and paces for some Wednesday Hill running action.

THE THANG

Standard Hillcrest Loops 1.67 each with a 3rd loop going to Virgina Ave to make 5 miles and a bonus round for those that had the time.

Moleskin

Wednesday hill running is coming back in vogue as the term BRR gets passed around the PAX( Please see the Back Blast below this one for more information)

Honeydo, Swirly and TYA were all crushing it this afternoon. Lug Nut started early and was finishing off the Hills to head to the Shop Night to work on the race team latest creation and to fine tune the old reliable one(hmmm didn’t you blow the engine during the last race somewhere in the middle of Ohio -Keep forgetting the name of that track)

YHC is happy to report that the month of May reintroduced miles to YHC’s legs, 47+ miles for the month. That’s the most distance YHC has had since the 2015 BRR. The knee seems to be cooperating this time.

No bears were sighted during the run, but YHC did think that the hiking pole idea might be the most effect method of distracting a bear. The Doberman’s that YHC passed during one of the up hill segments appeared to be taken with the nearest fire hydrant. Avoiding two doberman’s has become a normal challenge of the Wednesday night activity on Hillcrest. The term F3 could stand for Flight,Fight or Finish, if the doberman’s suddenly become interested in the runner’s du jour.

Bleeder out. Does someone have a band-aid?

4 runner arrived at the run at four different times.  All PAX saw each other, but only two ran together.

The Thang

3 loops on the longer hillcrest loop.

NMM:

Last Wednesday was a busy day of the PAX.  I had a 630 appointment, Bleeder and Lug had to leave early, Swirly was the only one that had the appointed time free for the run.  Despite our scheduling difficulties, we all decided a run was in order on the hills.  Lug and Bleeder were the first two to arrive and the first two to start.  YHC arrived about 5 minutes into their run and staredt after them.  Swirly caught us at the start of his run and the end or ours.

NEVER, AND I MEAN NEVER, try to catch up and pass Bleeder.  The dude is one stubborn SOB.  After the first loop I was a minute or two behind Bleeder and Lug.  In the first downhill, I caught and passed Lug.  I knew Bleeder was aware I was coming and that he would speed up.  Hence, I sped up as well.  After the second uphill he was in my sights and I was slowly gaining on him.  Once he realized I was close, his pace increased again.  He had a goal to make it to the top of the third hill until I caught him.  Mission accomplished Bleeder.  I laid down a 9:20 mile in the hills of hillcrest (most of it uphill) trying to unsuccessfully catch him. As I said, he is a stubborn and competitive SOB. Nice job Bleeder.

Lug got lost on his second or third lap and got the opportunity to hit a few of the hills twice on that go round.  Swirly had a good run and knocked out his three laps alone.  As YHC is well aware, doing the hills alone sucks.  Just having someone else out there makes it much easier.  Hopefully our schedules will mesh better in the future.

BRR is now only 103 days out.  Time to start hitting the hills gents. Time put in now makes the hills that much easier during the event.

Shout out to EF Hutton who hit the hillcrest roads by himself later in the week.  Good to pop the hillcrest cherry of another PAX member.

TYA OUT

3 runners posted to attack the hills on a sweltering Wednesday afternoon.

THE Thang

3 large loops on hillcrest, dealers choice on directions

NMM

We all got started at different times.  Bleeder hit the road early and had already completed a lap when YHC arrive.  I started rolling at 530 with Bleeder.  After my first lap, Swirly joined in.  We each completed a full three laps logging in just over five miles for the afternoon.

It was a bit hot out there today.  I was the first to dive in and lose the shirt, starting out with my lilly white belly shining for all to see.  Swirly started that way as well.  Bleeder joined us after he did two laps.  Honestly, the only thing a shirt accomplishes in that weather is to weigh you down and get your shirt soaking wet.  Oh the humanity, the folks in Hillcrest association are trying to amend the bylaws to keep us out of there.  1/2 way through our lap Bleeder asked me when the last time I saw a dermatologist.   Apparently I have a few freckles, moles, etc on my back…Ill be fine.

Warning to all PAX.  Do not leave your car keys in obvious places with Bleeder around…

Four strong @ Wed Hill Run….

Wed Hill run has been alive all year. Through the winter months TYA and Swirly posted. Now it’s time to train for the BRR so those of you running need to come on out and join us for some hills…

Hillcrest Long and short loops – yep they hurt !

TYA had to get an early jump so he could get to his daughters track meet – love the dedication (both ways) TYA ! Bleeder started early as well and knocked out a cool 5 miles – well done Bleeder – great to see you attacking those hills again brother..

YHC started on time and not to long after – Honeydo joined in the mix. YHC and Honeydo finished up at the same time … It was a the first hot afternoon run which made us thankful for this cooler  weather we have been having  – that humid hot weather is coming and man if you think those hills are tough now – just wait ..

Great work guys way to push it – 2 workouts in a day is no joke!

3 Steely old veterans and 3 Wednesday hill run virgins converged on hillcrest on a nice Wednesday afternoon.  1 veteran rider posted at 2 minutes after, but found the group.  70 and sunny was the weather (75 if you looked at the Hampton Roads weather app)

The Thang:

3 long loops around Hillcrest, Old Orchard, Hillwood, Chairman, Poplar, Pocahontas and Hillcrest again.  The first counterclockwise, the second clockwise and the 3rd counterclockwise.

NMM

Bleeder and Priorities kicked things off by leaving about 10 minutes early to hit the hills.  They stayed together for the whole loop.  Along the way they saw some ficticious tomatoes.  Maybe it was a return of the track teams from UR and VCU.  If so ladies, I’m a little bummed you didn’t come say hello to TYA.

The rest of us took off at 530 sharp.  Dreamliner and Swirly led the first two laps,  Upchuck hung with YHC for the first loop and then took off halfway around the second loop to catch the faster guys.  As always, I seem to get faster as the run progresses versus slowing down.  Don’t know what that is all about, but I won’t complain.  The third leg I was able to keep us most of the way around.  Circle K posted midstream on his bright orange bike.  He reported that the hills are no easier on a bike!!!

We hit 5 miles on the odometer for the day with 440 feet of elevation gained over that distance.  I good hilly run, bus still nothing closed to the BRR.

After the beatdown on the hills we headed to F3RVA studios for second F and the taping of two podcasts.  Look for the podcasts to drop on Soundcloud Friday around noon.

TYA OUT

3 sturdy redwoods posted on a Wednesday afternoon for a jaunt on Hillcrest.

The Thang:

3 large loops on hillcrest two counterclockwise and one clockwise.  Each loop is 1.67 miles.

NMM

Circle K joined in on the festivities for the first time this year for the hill run.  Weathers was 85 and sunny, but the trees kept us mostly in the shade.  It is starting to get hot out there and the humidity in VA is starting to rise.  As such, we were all soaked by the end of the run.  Circle K was leading the group today, pushing the pace, especially on the second lap.  Swirly was having some back issues and was really frustrated post run.  As such, he stretched out and headed out on one more lap after we had finished.  The lap went well, and it was mood enhancing experience for Swirly (and probably for the rest of his family).

Good luck to all on races this weekend.

TYA OUT

3 idiots showed up for a Wednesday afternoon hill run.

The Thang:

2 or 3 extended loops on Hillcrest, reversing directions each time.  Each loop is 1.66 miles and has a few hills

NMM

Great to have Bleeder and Swirly back out to the Wednesday Hill runs.  Been a long time since both of them have been out there running together on a Wednesday.  Bleeder did great for his first time back out logging two extended laps with relative ease.  Swirly is working his way back in to shape, extending to 3 full loops this week.  His speed is a little down, but that will come back with time and when his ankle fully heals.

Now is the time to start hitting the hills in preparation for the fall races. Come on out and join the crew, we will start the post run happy hours soon.

TYA OUT