University of Richmond
Nine of us ran on Tuesday. The statute of limitations has run out so here we are.
The Route
Moleskin
Numbers were lighter because of the celebration just west of us. Congrats Pigskin!
Twenty-two on the 22nd launched at different times but all convened generally at once for today’s Turkey Trot themed Spider Run. After watching three groups launch at different times, the final group launched for:
The Route
Announcements
Numbers, names, YHC took us out.
Moleskin
The title of the backblast is courtesy Bone Thugs. Apparently making sure he didn’t get lost was more important that paying attention to his kid last night. Now you know the route for next year!
Clearly everyone loved the route and my newfound obsession with making sure it reoccurs every year (regardless of what the local running club decides to do). TYA expressed his gratitude for a route that passes the start three times.
A few PAX members took the blue lights instead of the first path by the lake. Either way you should have gotten the same result. Up the hill followed by down the hill.
Six peaks by my count. Kind of makes you feel good. Kudos to Florence for completing his longest run to date?! Great work.
Today I give thanks to each and every one of you. To those that traveled extreme distances at 430am just to partake in this event today. To those that have been a part of this group for a long time and offer memories of the fun times throughout the years. To new newer PAX for offering an opportunity to get to know you. To those that I have not met yet but are a part of our greater RVA PAX and that I can’t wait to meet at an AO soon. This very organic group we have is quite special, let’s keep it that way.
Splinter
18(?) elites arrived for a run through the Westham….YHC limited it to no more than two fingers….
Announcements: Lots going on… which is a wonderful thing:
Saab Abides…
The Route (Singer T-Shirt Special):
Run past ball stadium to College, then to University.
4’s take University to Westham and head south to River Rd
5’s and 6’s take right on Wood. 5’s take left on Lakewood to Westham then head south to River Rd
6’s stay on Wood to Waveny, then get on Westham and head south (see above)
All cross River to Country Squire to South Ridge then on down to Westham Station.
4’s climb Old Bridge to Highland – turnaround when it crests back to Westham Station.
5’s and 6’s take Highland all the way to River then turn around back to Westham Station
All return toward shopping center then through Bat Cave.
Saab Abides
15 amateur astronomers set up shop to spectate the celestial happenings. Rewarded with a red moon, we set off on the following routes:
Up ridgeway to fairway to iris and cross over to york. Take a left on Libbie and a left on Patterson. 4s turned on Honaker and dropped down Boatwright, around the Robins Center and back to the VSF. 5s turned on Ridgetop and a left on Wheeler to cut through the woods, down around the Robins Center and approach the VSF from the far side of the lake. 6s took Westham Pkwy to University and up College to…you guessed it – the Robins Center and approached the VSF from the far side of the lake.
YHC took us out.
There are several Pax doing some great distance running this weekend. May you stay true to your purpose and reap the rewards of hard training.
Tuesday 11/22 at Spider Run we will be running a 10k. The link to the route is below and I’ll also describe it for individuals that have not run this route previously. The trails are slightly modified from the official route but everything else is the same. Headlamps strongly recommended.
It’s 6.2 miles with plenty of elevation. Ideally, we will all be finishing at the same time, right around 615. If you think you need an hour and 15 to finish a 10k, play your departure for around 5am. I’ll be there just before 5am to assist with any questions.
Feel free to ping me for any questions.
https://onthegomap.com/s/fmrolial
Section 1 – Looping Around Towana
This section starts by heading back towards the lake, taking a right, and then up behind the football stadium before exiting campus by taking a right on Campus. Continue up Campus until you hit Roselawn and then make a U-Turn to head back down Towana. When you get to the bottom, take a left and head up Roselawn. First right onto Ridgeway then back to the Commons.
Section 2 – Trails Through Campus
Once you pass the start, take a left at the commons and head across the lake, veering right onto the path around the lake. After you pass the cafeteria, take your first left up the path. At the top, take an immediate right on the path and head behind the Greek Theatre. Once you pass behind the Greek Theatre you will see tennis courts ahead of you. Take a hard right down the well lit path back to the lake. Don’t cross the bridge. Take a left, watching your step on the gravel and take the path over to College. Right on College.
Section 3 – Westham
This part is pretty easy (directions wise). Once on College take a left on Lakewood. Lakewood all the way to Westham. Left on Westham. Left on Club Vista (last road before River). Left on College and an immediate right on Westhampton Way.
Section 4 – The Westhampton Campus
Continue on Westhampton, straight across the first intersection onto Keller. Right on Westhampton Way then right on UR drive. First right onto Crenshaw. This next part is in my mind arbitrary but nevertheless part of the route. Go up Crenshaw until you get to the Modlin Center parking lot. It’s essentially at the top of the hill. Then turn around and come back to a left on UR drive.
Section 5 – The Big Finish
Continue on UR drive like you are heading back to the starting point. Except, you have to finish with the big loop. Up Gateway to the top, left to head back behind the football field and back down to the lake. Long downhill finish back to the parking lot.
The END
I’ll come up with some turn by turn directions that can be printed for those that may be completely confused at this point.
UPDATE: Turn by Turn Directions available here!
If 6.2 is too much there are two options for you. One is to eliminated the Roselawn/Ridgeway loop and just return back to the start via the path at the bottom of Towana. The second is to eliminate the Crenshaw out and back and just head back to the finish. The final is to cut off the hill loop at the end but I wouldn’t recommend that as it is a fantastic finish.
This should be fun. See everyone on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving!
Fifteen engaged citizens, most of them concerned about the safety of our headgear, came out to sweat off all the simple sugars consumed last night. Two words were spoken and off we went.
The Route
Announcements
Moleskin
Everyone was concerned for the health and safety of our fellow PAX members. The wilderness is scary.
So, 20 RVA runners posted today for Spider Run this cool morning and YHC had a plan to satisfy all ages and abilities. Pucker was the F3RVA brother that introduced me to this great route as you make your bed with how fast you get out of the gate. This is a simple route in that you run out of the bat cave, down Huguenot Road and across the river to the first exit onto Riverside drive and run East, You stay on this road running until 22 minutes have passed from the start and then head back on the same route. For some that wanted a little extra (some salt and pepper to the omelet of a morning run) on the return go to the UR entrance (instead of the Bat Cave) on River Road and return from there.
With only 74 feet in elevation gain, this is likely the flattest route you can take at this AO. For me, it was extra special to run with my 2.0 who slowed down after the first mile to hang with dad.
Numberama, Namerama – Formed a man ball and YHC took us out in prayer.
Sending out prayers to my friend who lost his dad yesterday and Splinter’s extended family who lost a 20-year-old son. It was an honor to lead this morning gents, make it a great day…. Cheers…CB!
Fourteen able-bodied athletes, plus one four-legged friend with boundless energy, gathered in the cool bowl for this week’s Spider Run. Only one noticeable ‘sigh’ from the PAX when instructions began at 0529. They were…
Route
BTTVSF where YHC took us out.
Announcements
Moleskin
In YHCs mind, there were far fewer sighs and far greater enthusiasm for intervals than there have ever been. Considering we only do them 3-4 times a year, everyone should love them. Sippy’s proclamation that Roselawn was ‘shallower’ only offered modest reprieve.
Fourteen dudes and un perro must have been enough to keep the hat thief at bay this AM. No sign of the flighted kleptomaniac but there was one very considerate 545am Uber driver.
Enjoy the day fellas.
Splinter.
Twelve men were exited to start their day with some hills around Westham. Here’s where they went:
The Route
All
4s
5s/6s
5s
6s
Numberama, Nameorama, COT
MOLESKIN
As YHC awaited launch he looked around and noted that everyone was a 4 miler, that was until a few 6s came in hot, but nary another 5 miler. Alas, YHC set off into the darkness alone. In a sleepy saunter YHC jumped when Bone Thugs came out from nowhere on Forest to scare the Q and ask for directions home. Consensus was the route was a thumbs up and will be filed away for future use. Today’s apparel choices were almost completely appropriate.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thirteen thrill seekers huddled near Flatline’s shovel flag (thanks Flatline!) for this week’s incarnation of Spider Run. With only a few minutes to spare, YHC described the experience the PAX would endure while offering the opportunity for someone to identify the route. Singer dreams of Spider Run routes so was quick to chime in with Westham Station aka Devil’s Pitchfork (or perineal if you are Hutton). A slight variation of the standard route was called:
Route
Numbers, names, YHC took us out.
Announcements
Moleskin
The PAX was lively today. Farmer Fran didn’t appear although for a moment the PAX thought Daisy Duke was emerging from the dusk. Spoiler alert, it was not Daisy Duke.
Great running with Marv and Saab today. Topics du jour were getting ghosted by the po-po, getting stood up at UVA, having lots of friends at VCU, and living in a world with lots of data. Certainly made the 45 minutes go by very quickly.
Seize the day fellas!
Splinter