Tag: Spider Run

Thirteen gentlemen gathered flags and converged by the lake for a 9/11 themed version of Spider Run.  A few regulars expressed their frustration on the bathroom doors being locked.  Alas, instructions were given and off we went.  Those that had flags carried them for the run.

The Route
Everyone proceed up by the golf course, right on fairway and proceed up Iris to Three Chopt.  Right on Three Chopt and then left on Grove.

4s – Left on Granite, left on Patterson, left on St Christophers, right on the access road, left onto Campus then back to the start.

5s – Left on Roslyn which turns into Harlan, left on Patterson, left on St Christophers, right on the access road, left onto Campus then back to the start.

6s – Left on Bunting, left on Patterson, left on Honaker, right jog to Boatwright, left on campus, back to the start.

Numberama, namerama, wait for TYA then YHC took us out.

Moleskin
What a great morning for a run to reflect on what happened 17 years ago.  The run was mostly quiet this morning which provided ample time for personal reflection on the sacrifices people have made to provide for the freedoms that we take for granted.  Kudos to all that carried the flag today, either part way or for the entire route if your name is Swirly.

Bleeder got the message last night and opted out of flag carrying and wore his c. 1997 Britches American flag rugby shirt.  Today was not a cool morning to wear a vintage rugby shirt.  Love the energy though.

Announcements
With the impending weather the latter half of the week, Shakedown suggested that we all use this group to support each other if someone is in need.  Shakedown graciously offered up a place to store your meat.  He indicated it was right beside his ammo store so don’t get any wild ideas.

If anyone needs a generator see Kubota.

Lots of CSAUP opportunities in the future.  9/22 Convergence, 9/29 Puppy Pile, 10/20 CSAUP, 12/2 Bear Creek 10 miler.

Congrats to Lockjaw who posted his 200th time since #bigdata started collecting.

#bigdata is watching

A hot and humid fourteen broke away from post-holiday slumbers and kids getting ready for school to get a few miles in.  YHC called the Devil’s Pitchfork and off we went with 4, 5, and 6 mile variants.

Marv took us out.

NMS

YHC knew Honey Do would be posting to conclude the Summer Tour.  What better way to defend yourself against the Silent Assassin than with a Devil’s Pitchfork?  Way to go completing the Summer Tour!

Labrat’s apologies of the day has to go to the runner we ran into along our route who he felt compelled to criticize.  The dude was running in the dark and probably didn’t see you.  If he is who HD and I think he is, it was no offense.  Also, you owe me 42 burpees.

Welcome Shotgun!  Cool name and we hope you will rejoin us sometime soon.

BRR runners looked ready to roll this morning.  Glad I could send them off nice and easy with a few hills.  You are welcome.  Remember, there is a…..

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

A naughty 19 descended upon UR commons to tackle copious hills.  4, 5 and 6 milers covered similar routes extending up to Three Chopt and back.  The route was a familiar one but no less forgiving.  Great work by all.

Announcements:

• TClaps to Bootleg and Pipeline for their recent completion of a half-marathon.  Way to go fellas!
• Labor Day convergence at 3-Lakes park.  See Lab Rat for directions.  Best start preparing for the long drive to North East Henrico county.
• Wednesday Hill Run (at Hillcrest) followed by get together at TYAs for some pre-BRR banter.  All are welcome.

Saab abides

The Routes:

4 Milers

5 Milers

6 Milers

NMS

The lake has mysterious floating flashing markers not unlike maritime navigational aides.  Perhaps UR now has a water skiing team on the lake?

The heat wasn’t a factor today as much as the humidity.  This team is BRR strong.  Speaking of which, they need one additional driver.  See TYA if you want to submit an application.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

14 eager runners posted on a fall like August morning.

Out of parking lot and left towards main entrance, right on Campus, right on 3 Chopt, left on Grove.  4 miler turn around at Oak and back, 5 milers take a loop around Lexington/Albermarle and back and 6 milers do Lex/Abermarle loop and take a right onto grove and turnaround in the Mary Mumford bus loop.

Bonus miles for all today… the 4 milers did 4.15, the five milers had 5.1 and the 6 milers did 6.11.  That extra mileage comes free of charge from YHC to you.  No need for thanks…thats just the type of guy I am.

Everyone was flying today…Saab and Dutch led the pack.  The 52 year old did a good job of making the 30 year old work to catch him.  Marv and Sippy were next and the last two of the 6 milers.  Gomer Pyle and Swirly led the five mile charge.  They were not too far  behind the 6 milers and finished the loop in under 40 minutes for  a 7:55 pace.  Next were BT, EF Hutton and Jack Sparrow.  YHC was making a late charge to catch up to them, but couldn’t quite make it.  Singer, Handshake, Vinny and Bleeder all hit the four mile mark (I think).

Weather was perfect today…the first fall feeling morning for a run in a long time.  Still got sweaty and wet by the end, but the coolness and relatively low humidity made for optimal conditions.

Two things I learned or relearned this morning: 1.  Watch out for firetrucks.  Hell, if I hadn’t jumped to the side of the road, the firetruck would have slammed right into me….same for Bleeder and Saab.  Second, as I have learned before, it is possible to catch up to Bleeder, but impossible to pass him.  Thanks for letting me chase you back to the flag thought.  Good practice for a fast BRR downhill run.

TYA OUT

A luck 13 showed for a favorite route of YHC’s…taking (up to) 5 stretches through the neighborhood (Iris, Tapoan, Ridgeway, Tawano, Old Mill).  Each stretch offering ample elevation toward its peak at Three Chopt.

NMS:  In preparation for the BRR, YHC wanted to re-visit his preferred hill workout around the UR campus.  Great work by everyone today….hills in this kind of heat is no joke.  Apologies for my poor instructions (per usual).

Announcements:

• TYA Classic Ultra (Oct 20) and HoneyDo 6 Pack (Oct 20)
• Last day to start the Summer Tour (Hah!)

Saab Abides

Fifteen able bodied gentlemen challenged Sir Isaac Newton’s theories today as they climbed Mount Henrico.  Circle up just down the way from the commons for instructions:

5 ‘ish mile route:
– out campus by the baseball field to left on College
– Right on Lakewood
– Right on Wood
– Left on Baldwin
– Quick right on Westham then continue left on Baldwin
– Left on Rock Creek
– Quick left on Forest then right on University
– Right on Glendale then left on Julian to the top
– Return the same way

4 milers follow the 5 mile route to University.  Then around Arlington circle before reversing course and returning.

6 milers did Arlington circle on the up and back.

COT with one quick exit then YHC took us out, thanking Newton’s discoveries.

Moleskin
Crowd pleaser this morning.  No complaints at all from the PAX for an oldie but goodie route.  The 5 mile route is a little heavy but wouldn’t want to short change those 5 milers from seeing the peak.  6 milers should be pretty spot on, although YHC had to double back for the six.

Soup was thick this morning.  Great work by all!

Splinter out

With sustained rain upon us, Pax converged by the Commons under the enclosure.  YHC gave the route and off we went.

Out the Bat Cave exit and across the Huguenot Bridge.  Take the Riverside exit and then a left to head west on Riverside.  4s turn around at the park entrance and 5s turn around at Hickory for out and back routes.

6s continue up Hickory to Cherokee and hang a left.  Cross Huguenot Rd and take a left on Arrowhead which will turn into Oxford Pkwy.  Take Riverside back to the bridge and return home.

NMS

When the bat cave was called, the Pax groaned in anticipation of deep water.  The bat cave did not disappoint as we navigated the trail via sparse lights and how the person in front of you fared on the terrain.

Many opted for the shirtless option since the humidity was 100% and soaking.  The view over the river was serene as the waters were calm despite recent rain.  Riverside never disappoints and is certainly one of the top running roads in Richmond (when you can see the river).

As we returned to the AO, one of the Spider Buses had a destination titled “Special Run” displayed.  Most days with this Pax are indeed special and always better than going it solo.  Add some rain, snow, or challenging terrain, and it gets very special.

I am glad the bus driver agrees as well.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

Twelve fleet-a-foot gathered near the commons for a birthday iteration of Spider Run.  Parking logistics were altered from the norm, causing a scattering of PAX members.  Eventually we all met up for:

The Thang
Warm up lap around the lake before convening at the base of gateway and richmond way.  Partner up for beat your partner to the spot.  One partner runs clockwise back up the hill towards the stadium while the other runs counter.  When you meet, tag hands and return to the start.  Repeat, attempting to beat your partner to where you tagged the first time.

Quick shuffle along the path, through the woods to the base of towana and roselawn for hill repeats.  1 minute up roselawn at ~80%.  Recover back to the bottom of the hill in 1:45.  Repeat for a total of 6 iterations, attempting to meet or beat your previous apex on the hill.

Mosey back to the flag for COT where YHC took us out.

Moleskin
This morning was a wonderfully warm and humid day.  YHC picked this day on the calendar back in January and have been thinking about how to challenge the PAX ever since.  We could have done typical 4, 5, and 6 mile routes but that wouldn’t have been very exciting.  Since we haven’t pulled out intervals or hill repeats in a while, YHC figured we could do both.

Lug was likely disappointed he found us after our jaunt around the lake as he was probably about to embark on his own journey for the day.  Luckily Bleeder found him and he joined in with the rest of us.

Singer was eager for instructions this morning, and as 530 approached all YHC said was 1 minute gentlemen.  I think everyone knew what was in store after that point.

Great to see Rosie and Swiper punching their tickets today.  Both of them were crushing the hills today.  Speaking of crushing the hills, there was a little father / son battle one of the final repeats of the morning.  Swirly took off like a cannon only to have Grunt blaze his own trail to the top.  I’ll let either one of them disclose the results.

Title of the BB today is fair warning to the PAX.  If you attempt to wear heart-shaped sequin tassel pasties (I’ll let you google that on your own) on your birthday while running, you may want to consider some localized prep in the area.  Saab suggested perhaps some more powerful adhesive or proper shaving of the area.  YHC did neither.

Announcements
CSAUP
Puppy Pile

Enjoy the day gentlemen.  I know I will.

Splinter out.

A cool dozen runners, including one FNG, took off for a cruise down Westham Parkway.  4, 5, and 6 mile options were invoked and all returned safely.

Big Tennessee took us out.

NMS

The rolling hills of Westham Parkway never disappoint, nor does the Westham Station extension.  Today’s backblast title comes from a story Saab shared pre-run.  Imagine Homer Simpson running out of the front door in his underwear to dispatch with a screech owl that disrupts his sleep invoking memories of Poe’s “The Raven”.

Welcome Brita!  Hopefully we will see you out soon.  It’s always great to have a Trophy siting as well.

Announcement:

• July 21 – Puppy Pile – 7:05 @ the Carillon
• October 20 – A CSAUP shrouded in secrecy.  TYA is doing research in South America as we speak.

Always Be Tapering,

Lockjaw