Tag: Spider Run

16 warriors heard the call today to further their personal development goals and improve their innate night vision on a temperate humid and foggy morning.

 

THANG

This is how it went, more or less.  The Cardinal route has something for everyone.

All, head up snake road: 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.

Splinter took us out.

 

NMS

Q intent is to stay together and leave no one behind and the team excelled.  The 4s ACTUALLY ran Westham to Three Chopt.  The 5’s went up College to St Christopher’s and back.  We will just have to run Cardinal again soon – it is a really nice route once you get past snake road.

Minimal mumble chatter as we got right to it.  Will let PAX highlight their running conversations.

There was a little combat arms elbow rubbing at the start when someone said something about range day and someone else said “now that the leaves are falling its time to blow {things} up”, followed by a typically too lengthy description of a National Guard training schedule, followed by another saying oh I am a 18C ( SF Engineer Expert – That means Green Beret, Fudd ), and then sounds of respect all around.

October does have a certain feel that gets the hunter spirit simmering.  YHC feels for his brothers still wearing the funny colored clothing.  While its tough as an individual when you have 2 personal assigned weapons and 3 in your vehicle to qualify on everything when then are only 12 training opportunities a year.  Its even tougher as a battalion of 350 – 800 swinging Richards to run through it all TWICE a year in 12 training opportunities.  Thats a lot of ammo. And a lot of time inspecting range safety books when we would all rather be waist deep in mud.  And that is why we need to to get as much done as possible with weapons in October / November to make room for the good stuff.  Hoo-AHH.

 

Announcements:

CSAUP 20 October.  See Pre Blast.

Nov 3.   F3 Hampton Roads convergence.  See Pre Blast.

 

Gomer Pyle,  out

Git some!

With no official Q identified, YHC begrudgingly took the reigns and called “Mount Henrico” to the 16 runners and bikers (Spider Gears anyone?).  Those desiring directions were told to ask a friend.

Announcements:

• CSAUP on 10/20.  Run, bike, walk to TYA for additional details.
• Double-dip opportunity on Saturday.  See Swiper to join the running team supporting those recovering from addiction.

Saab abides

 

A lucky 13 rose and shone for some morning miles.

The Routes

Head west along the lake and cut up to the Robin’s Center parking lot along the baseball field.  Across the parking lot and up the hill past the stadium.  Continue up Boatwright and hang a left on Edgehill just prior to Three Chopt.

Pop out at Three Chopt and take a left, running until you hit Patterson.  Hang a right and head east.

4s turns at St. Christophers to the access road to Towana to Campus and down the main entrance to the shovel flag.

5s turn at Granite taking it to Grove.  Head west on Grove to the access road and take Towana to Campus and down the main entrance to the shovel flag.

6s turn at Harlan and take Roslyn to Grove.  Head west on Grove to the access road and take Towana to Campus and down the main entrance to the shovel flag.

YHC took us out.

The Moleskin

Runners covered all distances with everyone looking strong.  Faceplant cruised with Saab and even maintained a conversation.  Looks like the sixers have a new rabbit in their midst.

YHC held off the COT for as long as possible awaiting Lugnut’s arrival.  Still no Lugnut and some concern kicked in.  Namearama and the Pax began to disperse and still no Lugnut.  A few minutes later, a silhouette of a runner with Lugnut’s gait wearing a black shirt was seen at a distance.

It turns out he made a detour and ended up on Kensington.  Unbeknownst to Lugnut, he was now on an oval loop doing laps.  It reminded YHC of the scene from European Vacation in the roundabout (Looks Kids!  Big Ben, Parliament!).  Finally, a walker offered him advice and he was able to make his way to Three Chopt and back to the shovel flag.

No man left behind.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

12 galloping gazelles, one rover on two wheels, one owl whisperer, and one lanky giraffe gathered in the swamp that was Spider Run this morning.  No one signed up for the Q so YHC enthusiastically called River Run to avoid all the downed trees and power lines.  A few lower body tweaks here and there but no electrocutions.  All in all a successful morning.

The Route
Across the bridge.  4 milers do the half clover leaf and return.  5 milers to Rockfalls and return.  6 milers a few hundred yards past the Williams dam and return.  A few spartans braved Custis and reached the summit at Cherokee.  Kudos to Swirly, Sippy and Swiper? who made that decision.

Moleskin
The air was thick that day my friend.  Like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.  The PAX got about 50 feet out before the great humidity beast appeared before us.  I tell you it was 100% if it was 10%.  As if sensing our presence, he let out a great bellow.  The PAX said… “easy big fella”.  Then as we all struggled, we realized something was obstructing our breathing.  From the path we were running we could see right into the eye of the great beast.

From out of nowhere, a huge trough of stale air sat on us like an oppressive regime, it opened our pores and we found ourselves face to face with the great humidity beast  We had tears streaming down our faces.  We could barely see it was so thick, but we knew something was there.  So we slogged forward, step by step until we pulled out the obstruction.

Titleist?

Well, it was not a Titleist out there today but it certainly felt like I was running with an obstruction in my blow hole.  What a ridiculous morning to try and run.  Great job to everyone out there.  Go out and be the best that we can be, this weather has to be past us soon.

Announcements

Convergence this weekend, PuppyPile the following weekend, CSAUP 10/20.  Plenty of opportunities for brotherhood and fatherhood.

#bigdata is watching

 

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