Tag: Spider Run

8 studs emerged from the fartsack on this fine December morning.

The Thang:

Up the hills to Three Chopt, right on 3 Chopt, left off Grove, right on Oak, six milers take a loop in Hillcrest, return to the lake.

NMM:

No Big Blue in the parking lot this morning.  Weird to see, but good job laying off the knee for a day (I do know that you were at a bootcamp, but that is better than a full out run).  No Saab today either.  I kept looking across the lake to see when he would emerge, but alas, another regular not in the gloom this morning.

Sippy and Splinter ran together for the most part today.  The caught me coming down the hill back to the lack.  They got ahead and I was trying to keep them in striking distance, which I was semi successful at, when they took a right hand turn up a steep hill.  Since they were now in the lead, they decided to tackle on last hill to finish up their run.  Awesome job guys….just another benefit of running with others,

Bleeder is now completely in my head.  For the past month or so, he has been tracking me down on these Spider runs on a regular basis.  Going up the first hill, I was almost certain he was going to catch me, but he didn’t.  I saw him after the turnaround, and had a good lead, but still did not feel safe.  The whole way back, especially going down the last hill, I was completely paranoid that he was going to suddenly sneak up and pass me at the last minute.  I survived today, but appreciated the motivation that his months worth of work has given me.

Announcements

HDHH and birthday bash tomorrow, I think. I know that HDHH is at The Answer brew pub.  Come one, come all, we can no longer Hate honeyed.

Nine spider runners shed their reflective vests and headlamps for a long awaited Splinter interval Q. This iteration lined up with the theme of the day, proliferating Rosie’s 12 days across all AOs. We only celebrated 10 days. Here’s how it went down:

Run by the lake, up the steps, across the bridge to the plush intramural field. Line up on the endline for:

Day 1: Run to the goal box line and back, 12 LBCs
Day 2: Run to the 20 yard line then repeat day 1, 12 mountain climbers
Day 3: Run to the midfield line then repeat day 2, 12 diamond merkins
Day 4: Run to the far 20 yard line then repeat day 3, 12 imperial squat walkers
Day 5: Run to the far goal box line then repeat day 4, 12 burpees
Day 6: Run to the full field then repeat day 5, 12 dips
Day 7: Run to the goal box line and run backwards back to the line then repeat day 6, 12 lunges
Day 8: Run to the 20 yard line and run backwards back to the line then repeat day 7, 12 merkins
Day 9: Run to the midfield line and run backwards back to the line then repeat day 8, 12 american hammers
Day 10: Run to the far 20 yard line and run backwards back to the line then repeat day 8, 12 flutter kicks

Mosey back to the VSF where Fudd took us out.

The Spider Run regulars have been anticipating interval training every time YHC shows up to Q the run. When YHC announced neither reflective gear nor illumination was necessary, the PAX acknowledged with a collective sneer. Here were the highlights:

– Sippy Cup was finally able to work in backwards running during regulation time. Normally, he brings this out in OT and makes the rest of us feel inadquate.
– Marv is slowly trying to figure out how to run to the AO from his new domicile. Mumblechatter denoted a possible flip of his current house.
– Singer is excited for HDHH next Wednesday, providing time for him to reflect on his first training run of the year. The man has come a long way from his 1.5 mile training run before the last HDHH at The Answer. You’ve come a long way in 9 months.
– TYA was noticably quite this AM. Perhaps it was the crescent moon.
– BT has a coworker’s spouse going under the knife today for a significant surgery. Thoughts and prayers.
– Saab had his fill of intervals and ditched the PAX on the way back to the flag for a quick jaunt home. He was thankful for “a whole lotta suck”
– Swirly continues to battle back with ailing feet. The consensus was the intramural field was quite posh. Perhaps a Spider boot camp is in the works?
– Fudd is pounding sexy again. #SEXY
– Splinter appreciates the PAX entertaining today’s variation of the 12 days.

Till next time.

Splinter

A lucky 7 arrived for a run among familiar places.

Absent were those who recently ran rather grueling and difficult races.

With an out and back options of differing miles

And a slightly non-pc joke leading to a few groans and smiles

The PAX was content in having put one another through their paces

<fin>

Thoughts and prayers to Splinters wife’s, sister’s father who was in a severe car accident recently and is having a challenging and painful recovery.

Saab out

Eight Spider Run regulars huddled around #bigblue prior to embarking on our journey today.  Nothing new today.  A suggestion from Pucker to take down the first class streets did not make it out of committee.  The PAX voted and River Run it was.

Through the bat cave, across the river, turn left (not right TYA) and head along the river up to Cherokee.  Turn around where you see fit to hit 5 or 6 miles.  Six milers challenged Rustic road and nearly lost.  Turn around and head home the same way you came.

BOM and Marv took us out.

Moleskin
No one signed up so the vote went to the PAX for the route of the day.  We’ve been at this long enough to have plenty of choices for everyone.  River Run is a crowd pleaser given the long weekend behind us and the upcoming races this weekend.

Potpourri for the day includes:

• Lab Rat can speak dog, almost causing Kenya to jump off the bridge
• Marv’s prays for us all to go out in the world and be better GCs (edit: general contractors)
• Pucker’s identified the fountain of youth, perpetually maintaining his lack of respect
• TYA over paid for a headlamp.  If you need a light this is the corporate approved version.  Order today.  https://www.rei.com/product/890322/black-diamond-spot-headlamp-2016

Hopefully Sippy’s brief encounter in the bat cave on the return route was indeed brief.  Recover fast my man.

Party tomorrow night @ Baldwin.  Big race Saturday.  Bear Creek Sunday.  If you see a friend wish him luck.

Splinter out

An even dozen came out to burn some pre-holiday calories.  Routes were created for all distances, but only takers for 5 and 6s.

Route:

• Up to the road to the main entrance and turn right to make the ascent to Three Chopt.
• Take the access road to Grove.  Left on Grove.
• 5s turn left on Wilton, Left on Dillwyn, Right on Seneca to Patterson
• 6s turn left on Wisteria to Patterson
• All routes go west bound on Patterson to Honaker.  Left on Honaker to Three Chopt.
• Cross Three Chopt to the right and down Boatwright past the stadium, the Robins Center and around the parking lot to drop down to the lake.
• 5s do a counter clockwise loop of the lake to conclude at the VSF.
• 6s just head back to the VSF.

YHC took us out.

NMS:

Not too much mumble chatter this morning.  The Pax liked the route and sounds like it is a new classic.  I pose a challenge to the Pax to name this route.  The best idea will be taken from the post.

Announcements:

• Wednesday – Special kid friendly Hoedown for the 2.0s @ 6:30 am for 45 minutes.
• Thursday – Thanksgiving workout at Mary.  Holiday time at 6:00 am with coffee afterwards.
• Sunday – Breaking Bread – See Hardywood for details and to offer a hand.
• Next Wednesday the 29th – “Red Wine and Crayons” HDHH at TYAs newly completed project that coincidentally is Marv’s future home.  Ms and 2.0s welcome.  See backblast.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

14 was the lucky number for cool  Spider Run today and here is what we did.

Those doing the merkin challenge – crush some merkins before the run. The route – OAK !

Pax ran out of campus up Boatwright across Three Chopt – down side road – pass the church down Grove to Oak – right on Oak till the end – 6 Milers keep going and do the Hillcrest loop. Back to campus – loop around the lake should you choose.

Dutch/Saab Splinter took off as usual – Marv and Sippy were discussing last nights VCU win over North Florida – way to go Rams ! Hey North Florida can shoot – Freaken Pedro Escobar  is a drug smuggling 80 year old but that dude hit like 20 3’s  – hey Rams D – you guys might want to step out on him ….. make him put it on the floor and take to it the rack cause that dude was making them from the parking lot … Tillman freaken crushed it last night – strong performance – all in all rams looked good and Marv seemed happy ! Shakedown, Labrat, BT, EF Hutton were all moving along at a nice clip. Pucker, TYA,  Taxi Cab powered up and down those hills. Freaken Bleeder was on fire he absolutely smoked that run with some of his best mile times in a good while  – well done dude !

Labrat says there is a new radio station in Ashland – Saabski said it was cold – not really but his nips said that 🙂  Hutton is gonna join TYA and YHC on the Wed evening  trail run this week – atta baby Hutton .

Big shout out to – Gomer Pyle, Wedding Singer, Shakedown, and Spit – for crushing the half  marathon – great job guys.

BT took us out – and those in the merkin challenge started up again = boom !

Way to work fella’s – great morning for a run !

See y’all in the gloom

Thirteen fine gentlemen circled up to discuss the various applications of WD40 and Formula 401/409 before embarking on today’s Spider Run.  Since Saab was so excited with last week’s rendition, YHC took the opportunity to throw out a Saab tribute run.  Goal was 5 fingers but we only accomplished 4.  It went something like below:

Route
We ran up and down hills.  Those that made it to the top first went back to gather the six.  Back and forth 4 times for a total of 400 ft of elevation gain.  Well done gentlemen.

Moleskin
Patriotism was strong today.  Two can demonstrating he can work both sides of the aisle by swiping right and swiping left.  If only our elected officials demonstrated such flexibility.

Saab didn’t get enough running and decided to run to his polling place instead of circling up for BOM.  What he didn’t realize is that he missed a significant expression of enthusiasm for the American political system.  American flag yoga pants.  Enough said.

The real question of the day is whether WD40 can actually cure joint pain.  There are members of the PAX that legitimately believe so.

Enjoy the rest of the day fellas.

Splinter out.

A strong 15 plus one canine partook in this Halloween edition of Spider Run.  YHC arrived to a group of fine men gathering at the commons.  When TYA announced that Splinter had the Q a noticeable groan was observed from Wedding Singer.  I’ll remember that groan next time.  This time the route was an oldie but goodie.  Mount Henrico.

The Route
– Meander towards College and left on College
– Right on Lakewood
– Right on Wood
– Left on Baldwin
– Cross Westham, staying on Baldwin, left on Rock Creek
– Quick left on Forest then right on University
– 4 and 6 milers do the Arlington circle loop.  4 milers return the way you came.
– 5 and 6 milers continue on University to Glendale and take a right
– Immediate left on to Julian
– To the top of the mountain, returning the way you came, admiring the esteemed Castle of Robinson on the way

Numbers, Names, BT took us out.

Moleskin
YHCs Spider Run reputation must be strong.  May have been record numbers for the hills around UR.  Singer apparently loves hill repeats and was disappointed when YHC announced Mount Henrico.  Saab on the other hand was smiling like a school boy.

We have done this route at least 5-6 times so YHC was surprised that with 15 people + a canine that there were few that actually knew the route. Bleeder said he had it but luckily a Tuckahoe native in Taxi Cab helped him along the way.  At least he was able to provide a detailed inspection of the outbuildings @ Marv’s future house.  Swirly still can’t find Glendale and worked his way up to the moontower instead.  BT is getting a few kegs there this weekend since his party got busted.

Dutch running with Kenya is a sight.  That bitch can flat out run.

Glad to see Lab Rat effectively found his way to the AO.  TClaps for assisting Shakedown on the way back after he stumbled on the well lit streets of Westham.  Hopefully the ankle recovers soon.

Pair running was the theme of the day.  Lots of 2 by 2 traversing the streets.  Except TYA who was so excited YHC could’t event get out “Henrico” before he was off to the races.  Must still be burning off some aggression from attending two Boston sporting events this weekend.  The picture above is how YHC imagines TYA in a triathlon.

The weather is absolutely perfect for running these days.  Reflective gear is still necessary for another week.  Glad to see that Singer and Pucker have joined the miniature size reflective vest crew with YHC and Sippy.  May be a takeover in the works.

Always fun gentlemen.  Love running those hills.

Announcements
– November Challenges galore.  Breathe if you must.

Splinter out.

A cool ten rose to claim victory over the Devil’s Pitchfork.  4,5, and 6 mile options were taken with modification.

Dutch took us out.

NMS:

YHC wasn’t as prepared today as hoped.  New prototype route still on the drawing board, woke before 4am thinking I had slept through the run, and left my watch at home.  All small challenges considering the big picture.  Today we did modified routes of the Devil’s Pitchfork which is a great set of hill workouts.  It was extremely dark out there even with the headlights.  TYA even began running up someone’s driveway taking it for his turn.

Pax continue to impress.  Saab had his speed today and Lugnut finished strong.

The cafeteria team at the Commons was cranking out the early morning bacon.  A fragrance so strong and powerful, it represented goodness and all the possibilities of the coming day.

Also of note, Saab’s watch is accurate but a day ahead.  Is this some training strategy of the elite runners?  Perhaps a means to never show up a day late?  Wishful thinking for the upcoming weekend?  Or perhaps just neglect of one’s timepiece?

Sippy Cup demonstrates another elite runner secret by jogging backwards after his run.  It reminds me of Cameron from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  Sippy, I don’t think it will take those miles off your legs like they attempted on the Ferarri in the movie.

Announcements:

• Wednesday hill run is not in its usual place or time this week.  5pm departure from Pump House Park for trail runs.
• Hampton Roads Convergence 11/11
• C-ville 4-miler on 11/12
• Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving at UR
• Bear Creek the first Sunday of December.  Sign up now as it is a small race.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

10 able runners and 1 FND arrived at Spider run for some servings of parts of the Turkey Trot

THE THANG

See the route above, Everyone did some variation of the route.

COT Swirly took us out

Moleskin

Dutch arrived with a four legged runner, Kenya ( the Friending New Dog’s F3 Name), YHC is pretty sure Kenya could have kept on going without issue.

Saab preferring to avoid any hills, he did a googolplex of loops around the lake. Recovery seems to be moving along nicely; however, For this year’s Turkey Trot, Saab is going to unexplainably be “out of town” and unable to participate in the race.

Wedding Singer trying Splinter’s junior size reflective vest for the first time, made it back safely to the AO without incidence. Swirly did get in a few extra miles by pre-running, YHC Pre-Run was backwards running (side note – the Nike App somehow reduced my mileage total – Lug Nut you may be able to catch up)

Welcome Pusher! Coming from the F3 Carolina’s region. YHC did not know the Spider Gift Store was open before 0530. Pusher was in full Spider gear, Shirt, Shorts & Shoes; he was giving MARV a run for his money “VCU vs UR”; although, UR with home court advantage, MARV Cranked out a healthy lead!

Post Run Activity

TYA calls YHC with “Hey, where are you?” YHC responds,”What’ up?”, TYA “Clavin’s car is dead at Ellewoods.” YHC, “Oh My way,” A few moments later, Clavin’s car started, and on it’s way to Advance Auto.

Announcements

Turkey Trot – November 23 – Sign up here = Sign up

Hampton Roads – November 11 – Convergence at Stink
Charlottesville – November 12 – Mens Four Miler – Sign up here —Sign up

What’s left of Bleeder out