Tag: Spider Run

• 11 congregated around the U of R lake, showing varying degrees of interest regarding which route they would take;
• As YHC spouted instructions with a map in tow, many expressed uncertainty on which direction to go;
• Lab Rat took off on his own direction, with Fudd as a companion upon later inspection;
• Sippy, Splinter, and Hardywood in front as one could plainly see, yet Hardywood dropped off near the end – supposedly having to pee;
• In hitting the steepest hills Pucker showed just what to do, while Two Can was not far behind sporting his new Scorpion tattoo;
• Bootleg was strong as ever as he ran toward others to join, while Circle K peddled off somewhere pondering his next pork-loin;
• And lastly TYA wearing nothing but his Nike-Pro tights, left little to the imagination for awakening residents just turning-on their lights;

Saab Abides

9 Pax arrived and YHC called the infinity loop.  Off we went with Opus catching us a little later.

Some did 4 loops, some dig 3 and some time around the lake, and others did 2 plus a cross campus excursion.

Shakedown took us out in observance of his race this weekend.

NMS

Though we had done this route one time before, the speedy Pax was a little unaware of the course.  YHC said that they would all stick together for the first lap, but none the less a trio took off.  Let’s just say they missed the turn and got some extra miles in.

Three Qs in 24 hours.  YHC is starting to feel like F3RVA’s Ryan Adams with prolific backblast publications across a diverse backdrop of AOs.  It’s been fun.

Speaking of fun.  There was a Keymaster sighting as we wrapped up the COT.  Keymaster was leading his local running group.  (But wait! F3 has a Tuesday run location in this very location.)  Not satisfied with making just one pass, they circled the lake a second time provoking Swirly to provide commentary on his ass kicking prowess.  That is reason #38 why it is better to be a part of this Pax then against it.

Announcements:

• Paddling Thursday after work.  Looks like there are two or three of us going.  This will not be the only time we go this summer, so plenty of future opportunities.
• July 4 convergence downtown – Kubota is on point

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

13 Heat Seeking Missiles targeted Spider Run this morning to try to find the heat.  It didn’t take long!  PAX studies laminated route maps.  5:30am and BOOM!  Off we go!

Route:

4’s, 5’s and 6’s all head around the top side of the lake and escape campus via University Dr.  Take University up to Ralston.  Left on Ralston to River.  River to E. Glenbrooke Circle.  Turn on W. Glenbrooke Circle and wind around to Twin Lake.  4’s hang a right on Roslyn Hills and then a hard right into the playground.  5’s take Melwood from Twin Lake up to September and then a right on Roslyn Hills.  Hard left into playground.  6’s take a left on Roslyn Hills from Twin Lake and then a right on Ruggles.  Right on Charnwood up to Melwood up to September over to and down Roslyn Hills and a hard left into the playground.  All routes then run through the playground, up the trail, by the old house, down the driveway and hop onto University to Ralston to University back down to the lake.  4’s take the bridge route back to VSF.  5’s and 6’s take the top side of the lake to the VSF with 6’s running a third of the way to the bridge and back to VSF.

Numberama, Namearama and YHC took us out

NMS:

Great run this morning.  Lots of hills and heat.  We couldn’t have gotten any wetter if we had jumped in the lake.  Several PAX’s abodes were passed this morning including YHC’s, Keymaster’s, Slurpee’s and Honeydo’s on the 6 mile route.  YHC drove the route yesterday and didn’t realized the amount of hills that were included on the route until YHC actually ran the route.  Of course when one drives the route, the legs do not feel the inclines!  YHC was shooting for 5 this morning, but the heat and hills brought him back to reality and he settled for the 4 mile route which ended up being 4.25!(BOOM!)  The title of this Backblast and the name of the route is due to YHC telling everyone that instead of selling tractors at work yesterday, YHC was printing out and laminating maps for the different routes.  Bleeder then suggested that YHC should have been making laminated maps for tractor demonstration routes instead while at work.

Announcements:

It looks as though Breaking Bread does not have a Q for this Sunday!!!!  Someone sign up, please!  It is something you will never forget especially if you take your 2.0’s!  YHC is surprised Lab Rat is not jumping up and down about this.  (Your welcome for the Backblast mention, Lab Rat!)

Puppypile is this Saturday at 7:05am immediately following Dogpile.  Sippy Cup had the lead.

4th of July convergence at Tredegar at 7am on July 4!  YHC will start us off and then pass the hot potato.  Hardywood/Kubota sponsored Coffeteria/Breakfast immediately following.  There may be a swim involved after, as well.

Lockjaw and Kubota are planning on a kayak/canoe trip soon while the water level looks good.  Huguenot Flatwater is the possible AO.  This would count as an Off the Books post for those trying to complete the Summer challenge.  We will let everyone know when.  (note: canoes/kayaks are not supplied)

Have a great Tuesday all!

Kubota

keep posting

13 strong converged on the U of R lake to attack the “Butt(e) Route” or the “Up to the Butt(e) Route.”

4’s, 5’s and 6’s all exited campus via the River Road entrance and skirted through the shopping center parking lot and headed across the river.  Exit right at the end of the bridge and head up river.  All routes turn around at Butte Road.  4’s return as you came for a 4.3 mile run (yes, YHC miscalculated, but YHC feels good about it!)  5’s return across bridge and hop onto Westham Station and go down and take Old Bridge up to Highland to River Rd.  Left on the grass strip by River to a right on College down to the lake and come around the top side of the lake.  6’s come back across bridge, hop onto Westham Station and take it around to S. Ridge.  Up S. Ridge to River Rd.  Ease left until you get to Gaymont and take Gaymont up to University.  University down to the lake and come around the top side of the lake.

Numberama, Namearama, Announcements and YHC took us out.

NMS:

Nice temperature for a stroll this morning!  YHC was hoping to get a sunrise in over the river, but the clouds dominated.  A few deer were hanging out in the field below the bridge.  YHC tried to EH a couple other runners that passed Slurpee and I on the bridge.  It ended up that one of them knew Splinter.  Splinter told YHC that guy ran the Boston Marathon in 3 hours, so YHC is not sure he wants that guy to post and show us up.  The 4 mile route ended up being 4.3, so “your welcome” to everyone who chose that route.  All came in under 45 minutes!  Swirly and Grunt did a cool 5 and Marv, Splinter and Sippy Cup crushed the 6 mile route which may have been a tenth or so over 6??  7.22 minute miles I heard??  Great job!  Great to see Vinny and Slurpee out to their first Spider Run!  Sugar Sock, Vinny and Wedding Singer checked this AO off on the challenge.

Announcements:

HDHH this Wednesday at 6pm at Hardywood West.  Come out and help us honor and send off Flashdance and Fudd to new lands!

Old School Field Day at Vinny’s Dogpile VQ this Saturday.  Wear a cheap t-shirt from your formative years.

Puppy Pile 6/23 at 7:05am.  Sippy Cup has the Q.

July 4th Convergence at Tredegar 7am.  YHC will start us off.  Only AO in town that day!!  Coffeteria/Breakfast immediately following.

Summer Challenge is in full force!  Who is going to catch Vinny, Shakedown or Sugar Sock??

Shakedown and Rosie are competing in an Ultimate on June 30th on and around the High Bridge Trail near Farmville.  Sugar Sock is helping with logistics.  If anyone else would like to help him(them), contact Sugar Sock.

RAMM Amateur Gears is this Friday.  Lockjaw has the Q for what could be a comedy fan’s dream come true!

Have a great Tuesday all!!

Kubota

keep posting!!

14 on the finest arrived for unseasonably low humidity and a chance to tackle some miles.  YHC called the Cardinal Run and off we went.

Around the Robins Center and up Boatwright.  Take Honaker to Patterson and take a right followed by an immediate left on Roxbury.  Roxbury to West Franklin and head west.

At the intersection of Charles, 5s/6s take a right and take an out and back detour to Crestview Elementary (home of the Cardinals).  All routes then continue west on W. Franklin to Donald. Take a left and Donald turns into Register Pkwy.

At Patterson and Three Chopt, 6s continue west on Patterson to Westham Pkwy and a left on University Dr to come through the trails to the lake.

4s and 5s head south on Three Chopt and take a right on the access road just beyond Bandy Field.  Drop down the hill on the trail and pick up the road.  Take the cut through back to the main UR entrance and come down around the Robins Center to the lake.

Gomer Pyle took us out.

Mumble chatter was light at the end, however a subset of the Pax was singing the accolades of Pitch Perfect.  YHC inquired if that was the one with Jimmy Fallon (Fever Pitch) but was informed Pitch Perfect was not about baseball in any way.

Welcome Gomer Pyle’s 2.0 “Tippecanoe”.  Hopefully that name nicely combines your interest in politics and military strategy.

Announcements:

• Ronnie’s on the mend.  Hopefully we will see him “back” in action soon.
• June 15 – Amateur day at RAMM GEARs.  Bring any bike and be prepared to be underwhelmed.  See Lockjaw for details.
• June 23 – Puppy Pile – 2.0 friendly workout after Dogpile.  Sippy is on point to kick it off.
• July 4 – Convergence downtown.  Patriots welcome.
• Once the river levels drop, YHC is going to get an off the books kayak/canoe group together.  See Lockjaw for details.

Time to Taper,

Lockajaw

15 emerged from post holiday (as well as basketball and hockey) slumbers for this week’s Spider Run.

The Kanawha route was called in 4, 5, and 6 mile variations.  Out the River Rd entrance and hang a left and then immediate right in front of the shopping center.  Hang a right on Westham Station and begin the ascent up a nice hill.  Hang a right at the top onto Country Squire which will put you out on Westham Pkwy.

4s – Hang a right on University Dr and back to campus with a lap and half around the lake.

5s/6s – Hang a left on University Drive, right on Ralston, left on University Dr to Ziontown.  Cross Ridge and cut through the parking lot to Forest.

5s take a right on Lakewood and then a right on Westham Parkway and a left on University Drive to return to the lake.

6s take a left on Forest and then a right on Rock Creek, right on Baldwin, and a right on Westham Pkwy.  Take a left on University Drive to return to the lake.

Bleeder took us out.

Announcements:

• Summer Challenge is in full effect.  Sign up!
• Puppy Pile on 6/23 – Sippy will kick things off.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

13 runners managed to conquer the uphill exit from Spider Run, via Fairway, Robin and Iris, and it appears that all managed to also avoid Swirly’s Hole.

This was the first time, since Swirly found said hole on a RAMM run, that YHC has been on Iris.  It may not be Hillcrest or Twin Team, but that exit from Spider Run up to Three Chopt via Iris packs a punch, especially right out of the gate.  Nevertheless, the PAX crushed it and crushed the miles that followed today.  Great job everyone.

Remainder of the route:

• 4-milers: cross Three Chopt, immediate right on Henri (or the Bridgets parking lot) up to Grove, left on Grove to Libbie, Left on Libbie to Patterson, Left on Patterson to St. Christophers, Left on St. Christophers back to Three Chopt, but take a Right on the little access road that crosses Three Chopt and becomes Towana.  Towana to College, left at the campus entrance and immediate right onto Richmond Way, downhill past the Law School and football stadium and back to the Flag.
• 5-milers: same as the 4 milers but stay on Grove until Oak.  Left on Oak to Patterson and back.
• 6-milers: stay on Grove to Westmoreland, Left on Westmoreland to Patterson, Left on Patterson back to St. Christophers.  Instead of returning to the flag via Towana and College, stay straight across Three Chopt and return via Tapoan and Fairway.

COT, COR, NOR and YHC took us out.

Announcements:

• SOT has a new AO – Midlothian Middle School – starting tomorrow.
• Memorial Day Convergence – 0700 at Tredegar/Browns’ Island parking lot.  One hour, Hot Potato so post and bring an idea…in case Swirly actually passes the Q this time.
• Ghost Flag will be up for grabs tomorrow at WDog.  Shakedown has the Q and is celebrating his 1-year F3 Anniversary.  Should be good times.
• By the sounds of it, there is an epic little league battle brewing at Richmond Little League for this afternoon…all situational strategies should be sent to BT and Marv today for use tonight.

NMS:

• Bleeder got a head start, TYA got a late start, all returned unscathed…sweaty as hell, but unscathed.
• Swiper fought with ideas of 6 miles but ultimately compromised by slaying the 5-mile route with a little navigational help from YHC — good thing you stayed vaguely within shouting distance.
• Saab started on fire and finished on fire.
• Grunt returned to F3 from a hiatus for that little inconvenience called college, and crushed five miles with his pops.  Great seeing you guys finish strong together.

A pleasure running with you men this morning.  Have a great day!

No More Gumbo for You!

Honey suckle sweetens the air.  Headlights were barely in use.  Lockjaw had a new route that went like this.

6s added a loop of the lake at the end.  4s turned around at the fork in the road.

Offshore took us out.

Announcements:

• Marv is dancing for money on Friday night as part of a fund raiser.  There is a set donation amount, but bring folded singles as well.  See Marv for details.
• Shakedown hit 84% of his goal.  Let’s see if we can get him to 100%.  Does that include shaving the beard?
• HDHH tomorrow.  See Gumbo’s post.
• Golf tournament this Friday.
• Puppy Pile on Saturday – 7:05.  Bring those 2.0s.  No sleeping in!
• Memorial Day Convergence – 7:00 Brown’s Island

NMS:

Nothing like a spring morning after a storm to really clear things up.  YHC really liked this new route and thinks its a keeper.  Anybody want to post a suggested route name in the comments?

ABT,

Lockjaw

A Lucky 13 came out for full light late Spring run.  We took the batcave entrance and crossed the bridge to pick up Riverside Dr.  Heading east/downstream, we turned around at the appropriate spots and returned to the SF.

Upchuck took us out.

NMS

It was great running with Upchuck on a Tuesday.  Great conversation as always bro.  Upchuck even provided alert as a high speed car came around the corner near the batcave bearing down on TYA and YHC.  Hence the backblast title.

Announcements:

• Puppy Pile (2.0 friendly workout) – 5/19 at Dogwood Dell
• HDHH – Next week – Practice some golf and then a beverage.  See Gumbo for details.
• 5/18 – Wilson’s golf tounament
• Shakedown’s raising funds for childhood cancer.  Sounds like he is around 60% of his goal if I heard him correctly.  Let’s get him the rest of the way.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw