University of Richmond
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
~20 runners partook in the latest iteration of The Fist. Options ranged from 4 to 6 ascents depending upon mileage.
Today’s run served as a prep for the BRR. For those not signed up, consider it an early training run for next year’s BRR.
Well done everyone.
Saab abides
4s, 5s, and 6s took off on different routes only to converge on a common point at Westham Parkway and Baldwin, taking the same route down by the canal and home.
Kudos to Bleeder and Lugnut in their bonus runs into and away from the AO.
Announcements:
17 stallions arrived extra early this morning in anticipation of the route. A quick overview was provided and off we went.
Down Lakeview/Westhampton Way towards the batcave, taking Ridgeway. Take a right on Fairway View and keep on going as the name changes to Robin and then Iris.
Cross Three Chopt and stay on York taking a left on Maple. At Patterson, take a left and pound out the long gradual uphill to Three Chopt. Keep going.
4s/5s take a left on Horsepen to cut through the fraternity gate, across the parking lot by the baseball field and to the lake back to the VSF. 5s take an additional lap of the lake.
6s continue on Patterson taking a left on Westham Parkway. Take a left on University Drive, pick up the trail at College and back to the VSF with a finishing loop of the lake.
Marv took us out.
This route seemed to be a crowd favorite. So much so that Bleeder didn’t want to leave the route and extended his run. This will have to come back soon as a part of the rotation, perhaps even with a name (that’s when a route truly becomes a classic).
On the Iris climb, the Pax ran right into a pack of 25 or so fast runners coming down, all with headlights. It was like running into a flock of birds. Everyone had different approaches. Move to the side, standing one’s ground like a rock, or weaving through the pack.
Announcements:
-VQ for Hitchhiker coming up in September
Time to Taper,
Lockjaw
The Devil’s Pitchfork made a long overdue appearance for 20 stalwarts…
Route: Take UR exit to shopping center then veer right at Westham Station
4 Milers: Take Highland up to River then return
5 Milers: Take Highland, Old Bridge Lane, then Panorama…return
6 Milers: Highland, Old Bridge, Ridge Road…return
x Milers: (Some took a mix of the above…)
Saab abides
Twenty arachnids emerged from the dusk for some fun around UR. A few of the regulars expected intervals and were disappointed. Others were not expecting intervals and were not disappointed. Alas, off we went to follow the prescribed out and back route with some loops:
Count all fingers and toes, disclaim given names and YHC took us out.
Moleskin
YHC has wanted to introduce Glenbrooke Circle for quite a while but never got around to it. Today was the day. Given the recent trend of bringing laptops to describe routes, printouts seemed in order. While the route was fairly straightforward for the regulars, visual cues via a map without street names was the perfect accompaniment to some perfectly clear verbal directions.
4s didn’t complain as they got lost and likely did 5. 4.5s appreciated the extra excursion up Summit. 5s were spot on at just over 5 miles. 6 milers were probably a little short. YHC owes you next time.
Great to explore a new route. Will add this to the annals for a future repeat. Rumor has it Keymaster (a.k.a. “Hi Derek”) may Q a future Spider Run for those interested in laps around the lake.
Big Data counted to 20 today. Nice work gents.
11 warriors posted on a perfect summer day for a run. Route was Mount Henrico.
NMM
It was high 60’s and raining at the start of the run. It was supposed to be raining all night, but didn’t start til 515 or so. A little chilly waiting in the rain with no shirt on, but perfect once the running commenced Having battled through the heat and humidity of late, it felt great to be able to push and not lose steam.
Sippy was in the lead by himself this morning. Although he has done this route a dozen or so times, he managed to get a little bit lost. He did make his way to the top of mount henrico, but by a more difficult route, going straight up the patterson hill.
Vinny posted a few second late, and didn’t make it too far before contributing last nights dinner to the ducks. Kudos to him to continue on and do some laps around the lake.
Don Draper appeared from nowhere at the end of the run. He was looking for us at the start, but couldn’t figure out where we launched from. Now he knows.
TYA OUT
17 arrived for YHC’s favorite run that forces repeated climbs out of the U of R lake basin via designated roads (aka fingers). Some stuck with a few fingers, some went for the whole fist, and some took a finger that was in the entirely wrong place. Either way, it was a tough run and everyone performed their best.
Saab Abides