Tag: Spider Run

One shy of 12 huddled around big blue waiting for instructions but they never came. BT proclaimed, “It’s 5:30!” and YHC said, “Follow Me!”  Groaning ensued.

Mosey by group to the base of Roselawn and Towana and collect the PAX. After the recollection of the good spirited cheer YHC received while trying to help propagate the 12 days of Christmas last year, YHC pronounced his intentions for this year’s 12 days. What better way than intervals.

We’ve never done 12 intervals before so YHC figured today seemed like a great day to try. There was a warning blast on twitter indicating there was the possibility of mischievousness. Spider Run was the opposite of Christmas today. 12 intervals up Roselawn and Towana is a Grinch’s blessing indeed.

Lots of recollection during today’s run.  The last time we did intervals at Spider Run was 7/17 in sweltering heat and humidity.  There was also discussion of the newly minted “No Dumping” sign in the vicinity of Fudd’s infamous tron squats.  Glad to see we are welcome in the neighborhood.  I was glad to see that Sippy has overcome the memories of reverse intervals down Towana.  That is a feat likely not to be repeated.

YHC totaled about 4.5 miles and 552 ft. of elevation gain.  Bleeder managed to mix in a latte between intervals.  The Grinch would be proud.

Announcements
– Saab will cover Spider Run next week at the normal time.  Marv is coordinating a possible late morning or late afternoon 2.0 friendly run on Christmas.  Details to follow.
– HDHH mañana

Big data is watching…

10 Spider regulars opted for a flat start at Grove and Libbie, although ice was still prevalent, the running ensued.

3 Routes Down Grove to 195,4 Mile, to Cleveland, 5 Miles, or Davis, 6 miles, with the added option of running for 23 minutes and just turn around.

TYA took us out.

Moleskin

When YHC arrived at the alternate AO, Big Blue, had three occupants, TYA, Kubota, and of Course, Swirly. As YHC entered the vehicle, TYA had already belted himself in – Safety First. No worries, YHC easily climbed around.

TYA began to explain the route down Grove, across Three Chopt to Iris Down by the Golf Course, etc. . YHC thought perhaps that TYA had stuck another car in a ditch & just wanted to get push from some kind hearted F3 Men. Oh, the fun of TYA’s jokes…

As the group headed down Grove in the correct direction, all feet we being put down as to not loose any grip. Handshake, however, found a slick spot and decided to engage in a reverse involuntary Burpee. MAN DOWN, MAN DOWN. One fellow F3 stopped to aid assistance, others didn’t want to break stride for fear of ending up in the Ice Vortex Whirlpool that Handshake found himself sucked into ( Hand Shake, YHC hopes the bruises don’t last too long, it looked like it hurt)

As the Kubota, Handshake, Vinny and YHC were almost back at the AO, an Acura was traveling at HROSFC(High Rate of Speed for Conditions) made Kubota and Handshake dive out of the Street to avoid a possible collision with the car, YHC and Vinny, witnessing this death defying feat, made some evasive maneuvers, and displayed appropriate traffic communication signals with our hands; to which the driver of the car rolled down his window and wished us a very pleasant rest of our day and thanked us for acknowledging his driving ability or lack thereof.

Vinny and YHC commented that 6 more runners would be right behind us should the driver decide to stop and engage in more pleasantries face to face. That would have been exciting.

Cofferteria was added at Starbucks, Kubota and Handshake ordering inline, YHC lazily ordered from the starbucks app to avoid the wait.

No Announcements

Bleeder out

7 stalwarts posted for a Tuesday morning jaunt.  Route was out of UR to three chops, to grove, to oak.  Five milers turn back at oak, six milers take a loop on hillcrest and then head back.

NMM

Great weather for a run.  36 degrees and no humidity.  Perfect.

BT made a guest appearance after a 3 week hiatus from F3.  Despite the absence he had a good run with Swirly.  McFly started out with the six milers and was no where to be found at the end of the run.  Seems he had an unexpected date with a BM and had to (mc)fly early.  I have to check with corporate to see if he leaves the event less than halfway through if he gets full credit for posting.  My opinion is that he gets half a post.  We will see what corporate has to say.

Light turnout for a Spider run. It is the first time in a long time that I can remember less than double digit numbers posting.  It must have been fear of the TYA Q.

TYA OUT

Fourteen of RVA’s finest came out for some post holiday miles.

The Route

Around the lake and take the access road beside the baseball field to the parking lot.  Cross the parking lot and cut through the fraternities taking the door in the fence to Baldwin.

Left on Baldwin to Rock Creek.  Left on RC, left on Forest, right on University Blvd.  Take a right on Nalla.

4s – turn around at Patterson and return on the same route.

5s – cross Patterson and take Santa Ana to Camden.  Left on Camden, left on Rolando, and right on Santa Ana.  Cross Patterson and retrace you steps back to the VSF.

6s – cross Patterson and take a left on Rolando to Parham.  Right on Parham and a right on Holy Hill.  Left on Maywood and and right on Santa Ana.  Cross Patterson and retrace your steps back to the VSF.

Shakedown took us out.

The Moleskin

YHC ran a route similar to this one for high school cross country training.  Except that route originated at the high school and wrapped through UR and looped back to Freeman.  Running with Shakedown, Hutton, and Swirly was like the group I ran with in high school too, except we are slower and possibly more mature.  Emphasis on possibly.

Needless to say, good mumble chatter with this group ranging from ruck designs to Friday’s game.

It sounds like there were detours and alternate routes executed by the other Pax, but all returned safely and on time.

Question for the Pax:  What goes on in the 6-mile and 4-mile groups?  Is the 6 mile all business at maximum speed?  YHC is curious.

ABT,

Lockjaw

Eight men gathered for the last pre-Thanksgiving Spider Run.  Temps were sunny and 70, or 50 and calm winds, both perfect for a morning saunter.

The Thang:
Exit UofR to take a right on Campus, left on Three Chopt, quick right onto Pepper.  Right on Patterson.

4 milers…right on Libbie and right on Grove.
5 milers…right on Harlan, slight left onto Oak, and right on Grove
6 milers…right on Westhampton and right on Grove.

All runners, right just prior to Three Chopt, left on Iris. Follow Robin, Fairway, and Ridgeway back to UofR, then right and left back to the Student Center.

Number-am-a, Name-a-ram-a, announcements, YHC took us out.

Announcements:
TYA will host a Thanksgiving morning beat down at 45MOM.  Start time is 06:00.
Breaking Bread this Sunday:  YHC will take the lead, but what was The Lone Ranger without Tonto?  Or, Batman without Robin.  Or, Starsky without Hutch?  YHC could use a second.  Who’s in town and able to contribute a little time?  Respond in the BB.

NMS:
Today’s BB title comes not from any reference to Va. Tech. (that’s coming), but rather from YHC passing TYA on Grove…apparently, YHC’s breathing was heavy enough that TYA may have believed YHC was multiple men.  “A Thundering Herd of One”

Speaking of TYA, he and Saab have built a strong friendship through F3.  Today, they looked like a Doublemint commercial. Way to coordinate clothes, fellas.

As for Tech…if YHC had been asked in at the beginning of this year, “Which is more likely, UVA will lose as a #1 seed to UMBC or VT will need to beat UVA in football in order to play any football in December?” YHC would surely have selected UVA choking.  The Commonwealth’s teams are having a tough year.  Here’s hoping Friday’s game is a good one – perhaps the first competitive game in some time.

Take the time to give thanks this week, fellas.

An industrious nine checked the weather and realized the heavy stuff wouldn’t be down for a while.  On for a run.

The Route

Up the other hilly road to the main entrance.

4s – Take a left and then a right up Boatwright.  At Three Chopt, jog to the right and take Honaker to Patterson.

5s/6s – Take a right up the hill to Three Chopt and hang a right.  5s take a left on St Christopher’s.  6s go to Grove to Granite and hang a left to Patterson.

4s, 5s, and 6s are now on Patterson.  Head west to Westham Pkwy and hang a left.  Take the Pkwy to University Dr.  Drop down until it hits UR and cut through the wooded trail picking up the lake coming in via the gazebo.

YHC took us out.

The Moleskin

It turned out to be great running weather today.  A little cool at points and I think we all agreed that the long windy climb up Patterson to Three Chopt was universally everyone’s low point.  Running down Westham was great.  Total darkness and just the sound of the brook making its way down hill, and ultimately back to the UR lake as were we.

TYA demonstrated this season’s fashion forward view: all black long sleeve/pant running suit.  Literally, nothing was visible except his head; floating body-less in the darkness.  Fashion over safety on a dark, rainy, morning.

It was fun as always chatting with EF Hutton.  Good pace.  Good conversation.  Good times.

Happy Birthday to Saab and Bootleg who both celebrated a birthday yesterday.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

Terrific trot today for a hearty group of Spider Runners. It is the opening of college basketball season, and prior to F3, my ritual would be to try to run around the arena where the Rams were playing. F3 punted that ritual, but I wanted to give it a go this morning, somewhat modified, as we essentially circled El Center de Robins.

Busy day for me, so here’s the quick MOLESKIN.

Richmond Way to Claiborne Stadium. Left there to Boatright. Boatright to Lakewood to Wood to Baldwin (modified Fudd Runn here). Baldwin all the way up to Hollins. Right on Hollins, Right on Woodberry.

4 Milers take a right on Westham and head back to the Commons from there (Baldwin, Wood, Lakewood, south of Robins Center).

5 & 6 Milers Head to the dead end at Horsepen. Right on Horsepen, hairpin turn on Patterson to Ridge Top.

Then we all get to do Chandler.

5 Milers do it twice and 6 Milers do it three times. It came a bit out of the vault, did Chandler, and it hasn’t gotten a lot easier since we did it probably a year (or more!) together. Chandler to Gardiner, through the woods and home.

6 Milers went back to Ridgetop, then to Hempstead, to Wood, to Lakeside then home.

Pretty hilly run.

Now to more important stuff. I’ve got a suite open tonight for the VCU game, one of the few times all year it has been unsold. If you would like to go, shoot me an email rrobinson@vcusportsproperties.com and I can leave you tickets. Pretty much could be an F3 night at the suite if enough of you want to go. Either way, if you want to go to the game tonight…tip off at 7pm, let me know.

16 strong posted and ran the Halloween Eve Morning Edition of Spider Run.  YHC grabbed and revived an old Splinter route which went (or was supposed to go) something like this:

4’s – Around the lake and up University to Ralston.  Right on Ralston and then an immediate left back onto University.  Go to end and venture up the driveway of death.  Continue past the old house and down the trail through the playground.  Right on Roslyn Hills up to top of the hill and reverse route back to the VSF.

5’s – 4 mile course but continue left onto September at the top of Roslyn Hills.  September becomes Countryside and follow down to a left on Ruggles.  Ruggles to a left on Roslyn Hills.  Right into playground and back to the VSF.

6’s – 5 mile course and add the mile loop around the UR School of Business.

Numberama, Namearama and YHC took us out.

NMS:

YHC thinks he gave Saab-like directions this morning.  YHC thought everyone would remember this route from Splinter back in the Spring, but YHC didn’t realize that there would be a mix up from another route that he did this Summer involving the same trail.  Also, many PAX members wanted to take the “Gumbo trail Route” from last week’s Spider Run that offshoots the lake trail, but YHC corrected them.  After his first half of the 4 mile route, YHC decided to wait back at the playground entrance so everyone would know where to turn on the way back.  He forgot about Vinny and TYA, but they made it back.  YHC had a last mile PR back to the VSF due the fact that he likes to catch up to and get beside Bleeder with about 150 yards to go and have a sprint-off with him.  This can be deadly!  YHC challenges anyone to sprint against Bleeder at the end of a run.  YHC’s Garmin had his heart rate at 195 at the end of that sprint.  Well done, Bleeder!  A couple PAX moved up in the distance ranks.  Vinny got in 5 miles while running with TYA.  Great job!  Gomer Pyle joined the 6 milers (YHC thinks he used to be a 5 miler, he may be wrong???)  Rib Cage (the skeleton) didn’t make it far and sat down by a shrub on the trail near the playground.  Lug Nut did “Lug Nut” things and had us worried about him being lost again, but he eventually showed up.

Overall, it was a great morning for a run!  Gumbo and Gomer Pyle are really putting in the miles and are getting themselves ready for the half-marathon along with YHC.  Paces are picking up, but soon it will be time to taper.

Have a great day all and Happy Halloween tomorrow to all!

Kubota

keep posting!

14 runners descended upon Tyler Haynes Commons before 0530 looking for a few miles and here is what they got:

4-milers – exit campus via Richmond Way, Westhampton Way and UR Drive (i.e., not the Bat Cave), cross River Road through the shopping center and across the bridge.  run the cloverleaf and retrace back to the Flag.

5-milers – cross the lake to the trail, exit onto College Road and across to University.  Up to Westham and take a left.  Cross River onto Country Squire Lane down to S. Ridge to Westham Station Rd up to the bridge.  Cross the bridge, run the cloverleaf and head back via UR Drive, Westhampton and Richmond Way.

6-milers: run a loop up Richmond Way and down Gateway back to the starting point, then follow the 5-mile route.

COT, Number-rama, Name-a-rama and YHC took us out.

Announcements:

• Marmaduke is still collecting coats/jackets.  Let’s fill him up – (I got a few for you this morning from Kubota)
• I think there is puppy pile this Saturday – maybe someone can confirm in the comments.
• Splinter is throwing out an optional (really?) extra credit start at Spider Run – 0510 – next Tuesday for an extra mile or two, finishing back at the Flag at 0530 to pick up the PAX (i.e., Slackers) and run the normal 4,5,6 mile routes.  If there is interest it might stick as a monthly occurrence.

NMS:

So, I had all along planed for the 5-mile route to be a little long (about 5.3), but add in a pre-mature exit (I SAID EXIT) off the trail by YHC – done with such confidence that Swirly, BT and Shakedown unfortunately followed – and a winding trail through the woods, including finding some  hidden frisbee golf holes and the need to double back down College Rd to University and the 5-mile route turned into just over 5.5 miles for us.  No worries, Swirly picked up the pace and found the zone trucking down Country Squire and S. Ridge.

Unfortunately, Swirly was in such zone that he ran right passed the bridge and had to double back again.  He might have gotten 5.7 in today.

Crossing the bridge, a blur of a Tron passed Shakedown and me heading back to the Flag….man, Bleeder was pushing it today.  Well done sir.

The Sixers caught us all on the bridge and Splinter and Faceplant left a vapor trail (not literally, like Wilson) as they passed us.

Great running with Swirly, BT and Shakedown for a while.  And, thanks to Swirly setting the pace to get us back on track, YHC logged two miles under 8 minutes, with a 7:47 mile — by far the fastest YHC has run in a LONG time…maybe fastest since leaving the Institute.  Still, no match for Marv as he overtook me in the Shopping Center.

Great morning guys.  A hearty Lab Rat’esque apology to Swirly, BT and Shakedown for the detour.

Have a great day men.

No More Gumbo For You!

A naughty 19 descended upon Spider Run for a route snapped from TYA’s vast portfolio….(an adjustment was made on account of the entrance blocked by a tree.)

Out of parking lot towards Ridgeway to Iris.  Cross 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.

Announcements:  CSAUP, Coat Collection, and Bear Creek Trail Run

Saab Abides