Tag: Spider Run

Fourteen fleet a foot plus one on two wheels and birkenstocks huddled and waiting for rain that never happened. After some finger pointing as to who had the Q, YHC proclaimed he grabbed it last night. Routes were as follows and then a prompt 0530 departure courtesy of TYA.

Routes
Meander through campus towards the River Road exit, crossing through the shopping center and across the bridge. 4 milers complete the cloverleaf and then return. 5 and 6 milers go downriver (east). 5s take the first right onto Oxford and then another RIGHT onto Arrowhead. Continue up to Cherokee and return via the same path. 6s continue on Riverside then right onto Rockfalls followed by a slight left onto Hill Rd. Continue to the top near Lewis and return the same way.

Numbers, names, 2 announcements from TYA + 1 proxy announcement from TYA before YHC took us out.

Moleskin
Wonderful morning for a run, with fall temperatures sticking with us long enough to get a run in. Energy level was high and the 6 milers shot out like a gaggle of geese during hunting season. Great work to all.

Sippy disclosed post run that he was planning a route across the bridge and through Oxford but YHC beat him to it. Apologies but there are plenty of opportunities coming up to do a little exploration.

Announcements

• It’s Saab’s birthday and he’s celebrating in his favorite place on earth (Vegas)
• Black Friday loops in Forest Hill Park. 7am start. See TYA for deets.
• Lug is going to crush the half marathon this weekend. Give him some kudos when you see him

Always fun guys. See you soon.

Splinter out.

15 Redwoods posted on a beautiful fall morning. Weather was optimal for a run. Perfect conditions. Hill repeats was the call. Go up the hill to the main entrance of UR, take a right and make your way to intersection of 3chopt. Turn around and go back to the start. Each loop is just under 2 miles.

NMM

Lug is a beast. His running capability is only surpassed by his ability to drop weight. He is flying out there these days. Along the route today he passed YHC, Pucker, Shakedown and Lab Rat. He was chasing down EF Hutton at the end, but didn’t quite make it.

Bleeder was pounding the pavement on the way back on the first lap. YHC knew he was just behind him (but of course I never glanced back), so I boogied down the hill. Bleeder caught me just as we were hitting the parking lot. A fantastic effort on the downhill and a 8:30ish mile. YHC was perplexed when bleeder stopped at the bottom of the hill. Found out later that the bathroom was calling. Not sure if the speed down the hill was a rush to get to the bathroom or his competitive spirit trying to catch me?

TYA Out

Fifteen intrepid nincompoops met at the commons today for another set of seventeen turns to complete a Spider Run. Someone stole the last parking spot by the lake which resulted in YHC driving in circles today. PSA – you must arrive early to Spider Run to get a prime spot.

Regardless, we did a big loop today. 6 mile loop is above with 5 miles coming back on Lakewood and right on Westham. 4 milers stayed on Westham the entire jaunt south.

No one was lost. Bleeder actually knew which direction he was heading and the 6 milers were “late” by 15 seconds back to the VSF.

Lots of random runners out there but no Keymaster sighting.

Prayers go out to Marv and his family. The PAX is all thinking about you.

Nineteen eager pavement pounders gathered at the commons and watched Circle K drive around looking for a parking spot. Lug Nut apparently came in hot and missed the festivities so he threw his own party. As expected, directions were withheld until T-minus 30 seconds. Run as a group through fraternity row and gather at the base of Horsepen and Waveny.

The Thang
Intervals up Waveny. 1 minute up at about 75% intensity and recover back to the bottom in 1:45. Repeat x4.

Mosey up to Shrewsbury. Long intervals up Horsepen. 2 minutes up at whatever intensity you feel appropriate and recover back to the bottom in 3:00. Repeat x3.

Saunter up Shrewsbury, paying homage to Toga. Left on Ridge Top and stop at Chandler. Time for 1 more 1 minute interval for those that want it.

Head back via Gardiner and back by the stadium.

Numbers, names, and YHC took us out.

Moleskin
Fantastic numbers for Spider Run this morning and enthusiasm was high for the route which never came. Some were surprised, some were not. Either way we all had fun (no report from Lug Nut on his fun factor).

Someone may have coined the term Splintervals today. Not sure if that was a new term or something that people talk about in back channels when Splinter isn’t present. I’ll take it as a compliment until someone tells me otherwise.

Intervals up Horsepen were difficult, especially after Waveny. All in all, I enjoyed this variation on intervals and the selective polling I did seemed to indicate the enjoyment was 100%.

Enjoy the day fellas.

Splinter

YHC, in an effort to free Saab from the cortisone-high heavy load of writing BB for yet another City of Richmond run, signed up for the Q, somewhat last-minute, and began preparation late Monday night. Then, only seconds later, fell asleep.

Awoke to sunny and 70 weather, picked up the also-last-minute FNG (who insisted on a run as his first workout), made our way to the gloom, and we were on our way.

The Run / Thang

Your Q was excited to plan a route cutting from campus to Roselawn to Grove, but the mob PAX insisted it was closed, flooded, too dark, under construction, infested by angry CCV bears, I dunno. So anyways, the route I had labored over for hours was abandoned for something similar / simpler / safer.

Depart on Richmond Way east, stay left on Gateway.

Right at stop onto Campus to Three Chopt, cross Three Chopt and continue on Towana Path / Henri to Grove.

Left on Grove, 4 milers turn around at Oak (actually ~4.4 miles), 5 milers turn somewhere just past that (Wisteria / Bunting?), 6 mile man/machine hybrids turn at Mary Munford.

On the way back, reverse, with the additional challenge of dodging Seal Team runners not paying attention on Towana Path.

Numbera, Namearama, welcome to FNG Double Fault.

No announcements (or at least none that I allowed) and YHC took us out.

NMS:

Well, they can’t all be this perfect, fellas.

For my 3rd Q, attempted to fill a spot that had been empty a few weeks in a row, but the PAX, surprised to see someone actually volunteering to Q Spider Run, successfully performed a coup.

In my post-run, 4-miler PR fog (and attempting to get DF home on time), YHC tested the PAX by completely skipping announcements, and tried to skip taking us out, but alas the PAX stepped up and roped me back in to close us out.

By far, this was the most well-prepared Spider Run Q I’ve experienced in my few visits there.

17 runners. Out across the Huguenot bridge then head East. 23m out and 22 back…(give or take).

Fourteen Spider Run regulars met with prepared enthusiasm for intervals. No intervals today, instead the Pitchfork Splinter-style was called. TYA briefly attempted to repeat instructions but failed, so YHC jumped back in and reiterated for the late arrivals. It’s a regular route so not many questions.

The Route
Proceed towards the bridge via the River Road entrance and continue down Westham Station. Everyone runs along the tracks then heads right up South Ridge to the light. 4 milers turn around at the light and head back. 5 milers turn around and make a left at Old Bridge on the way back and hit Highland to River. Return and back to the flag. 6 milers do the 5 mile + go all the way up Old Bridge then also hit Panorama on the way back.

Digits, salutations and YHC took us out.

Moleskin
It was good to be back. Let’s hope this sticks and YHC can make this a regular occurrence again. Great group of guys to run with and an almost great morning.

YHC enjoys this route as everyone gets to experience South Ridge. Plus there are plenty of crossover points where pleasantries and general words of encouragement can be exchanged along the way.

Marv was hoping for a route by his abode so he could pick up his FND. TYA still hasn’t named her from her FND appearance three weeks ago. She can’t come back until TYA names her appropriately. FWIW, there are many suggestions out there.

Great job to all. Mileage was closer to 4.3, 5.4, 6.4 for those keeping track.

Announcements
Puppy pile at 7:05 Saturday morning at Dogwood Dell

Bear creek registration is open

The McShin Foundation is a great recovery organization here in our own backyard. We all know someone that has dealt with addiction, past or present. Everyone needs a support network. Luckily our region has a great program like McShin to provide the support needed.

Splinter out.

TYA arrived walking down the road with shoes in hand. YHC advised that they work better on his feet.

TYA was chatty in the am asking “what if” ultra-running questions to the Pax. Everyone needs a hobby.

YHC called the new Route and off we went. This route was a pleaser and Marv mentioned the 6-mile route looked like the state of Virginia. We shall call this route The Old Dominion, or OD for those into brevity.

Face Plant took us out.

ABT,

Lockjaw

A dirty dozen descended upon UR to take in a nice out-and-back with as little elevation as possible…

Route: Out the River Road entrance, through the shopping center, and across the bridge…then head West. 23 minutes out, 22 back.

NMS: Some were questioning whether Saab would offer a “fist” and preemptively requested only one (middle) finger. YHC had far different plans and looked forward to a nice out and back along the river. Negative splits were had by many, while YHC was happy with a net-zero.

It was humorous when Saab called out “23 out and 22 back” and Bootleg stated “we would need more time”…apparently thinking it was referring to miles. Only an true ultra-runner would think that.

Saab abides

9 studs posted for a Tuesday Spider ran.

Nobody had the Q, so TYA called Mount Henrico. Most runners headed that way, Swirly, Saab and TYA took a slow jaunt around UR to taper for BRR (Lockjaw would have been proud). Marv came back with his dog, Brave, in tow. Brave is a good runner, she was putting in some 630 pace miles. Master Marv was having a hard time keeping up. Brave never got named, so I am looking for a creative name for the pooch. Suggestions?

TYA OUT