Tag: Spider Run

Yeah, today was interesting.  YHC had new routes in mind ready to try them out with today’s warmer weather.  Upon arrival at the AO, all pavement was glazed with a thin layer of ice. Plans went out the door and we did a penguin run as a group.  Slow, steady, and trying to find traction wherever it may be found.  Side of road.  Down the middle.  Different theories were tested with ineffective results.

Finally, we yielded after a few miles and headed to the intramural field for a few laps.  The seals showed up with the same idea and we amicably shared the space.  Despite my prodding, Swirly exercised restraint and did not jump into their ranks and begin leading them through exercises.

Swirly took us out.

Post run conversation centered around the CSAUP.  Pax should be warned about TYA’s promising potential as a campaign manager.  This glimmer game through as he discussed harboring Pax runners from other nano regions in his basement for region residency and allegations that Marv will be impressed into service for Richmond Proper as he has not paid taxes in the county yet.  Swiper became informed of the CSAUP and quickly reaffirmed RP’s domination over the suburban sprawl.

Let the games begin….

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw

Seriously. 9 degrees? It was 9 degrees this morning? However, in what has to be an unprecedented F3 Event, I am proud to say that there were more PAX at a workout than the actual temperature. 11 men showed up to trundle around the beautiful Tuckahoe Elementary, Tuckahoe Middle, Freeman District.

QIC-MARV

PAX-Bleeder, Totahnka (FNG), The YA, Wedding Singer, Swirly, BT, Fudd, Splinter, Saab, Sippy Cup, Marv

Name of the Run– First Class Run

The Thang:

4 Milers– Lake to Boatright via the northside of the Robins Center (including somewhat of a killer hill that is very rarely used). Boatright to Lakewood. Lakewood to Wood. Wood to Baldwin. Baldwin to Stuart Hall (pausing to genuflect on Lally Construction’s latest masterpiece). Stuart Hall to Forest. Forest to Rock Creek to Baldwin to Westham. South on Westham to University, north on College and then through the parking lot of the Robins Center back to the lake.

5 Milers– 4 Mile Course beginning but straight on College to University. Right on University to Ralston. Left on Ralston. Cross River to Windsor on the James. Take the WOTJ loop back to River to Ralston to University back to the lake through the Robins Parking Lot.

6 Milers– Same beginning as four mile but go south on Westham as opposed to crossing and going to the Lally Project. Westham to University where they would pick up the 5 miler trail and go from there.

It had been awhile since we had run the “First Class Run” of the Windsor on the James. There’s nothing quite like running in the wide streets of the WOTJ with no cars parked on the streets to get in your way. A tip of the hat to the folks that occupy the houses in WOTJ, as they spent their entire weekend taking down their Christmas lights. QIC took his family around that loop (in a vehicle) late last week and it was lit up like the Griswolds. Those folks definitely move on.

We really can’t emphasize enough how cold it was. QIC isn’t sure his legs ever got warm, and he was wearing TheYA approved NIKE tights. Shout out to the Head ski gloves sold by Costco this fall…they did the trick and then some. BT debuted a cool ensemble that included a neck guard and a hood…and something for his ears.

The first hill up by the Robins Center was a pleasant little gassing surprise. Nothing like asking your body to try to regulate it’s temperature while climbing up a steep hill. I’m not one to use foul language, but my body was pretty much ripping me a new one at that point.

It does beg the question that may or may not be debated in the comment section below… Would you rather run at 9 degrees or at 77 and unbelievable humidity? Think before you react as the latter is pretty brutal too. I’d actually throw my vote in for the 9 degrees over the sweltering heat run…at the very least, my car doesn’t smell like a wet rhino after the 9 degree run. I’m interested to see what everyone else thinks.

Other notes–welcome to Totahnka, son of Snowden. So, in Iceland, his name would be “Totahnka Snowdenson”. He’s a freshman at Bucknell, studying economics. QIC isn’t really all that concerned about Totahnka Snowdenson taking his radio gig based on his first impression…but it was super having the 18 (or 19) year old out there.

All time shortest post huddle conversation time. Ever. QIC literally had to chase The YA into his car. Speaking of The YA, good to have him back healthy…wasn’t the same without him.

Overall, it was a terrific way to break in the first work day of the New Year. God Speed, gents, and make sure you bundle up the rest of the week.

7 fleet footed veterans embraced the gloom to post at Spider Run and burn off some of the Christmas calories.  No one had signed up to Q as of 5:25 so YHC offered to lead the PAX on the “Fudd Run”.  No one had any better suggestions, so off we went at 5:30.

Mosey around the lake to the south side, up the steep path to the amphitheater, then run around in the woods for a while pretending we were lost, then run down to College, and take a left on Lakewood for the Westham tour portion of the Fudd run that took us past Marv’s house, then past Upchuck’s house (we circled back to pick up the six several times), and on to Horsepen where Lugnut and Bleeder peeled off to head back to the lake at U of R.  The rest of the PAX continued on to Ridgetop to experience the suck of the hill on Chandler, then the hill on Gardner, then back to UR before tackling the hill on Roselawn before looping around by the Westhampton course at CCV on our way back to the VSF.

Numberama, Namerama, and YHC took us out.

NMS

Saab has always been a fan of the Fudd run, and has professed to having the feeling on the route of  “always running up hill”.  YHC agrees and as I rarely get to attend, much less Q, Spider Run these days, YHC was looking forward to hopefully bringing this route back for its second debut (the first was well over a year ago………#BigData can you tell us exactly when?)  There’s nothing like running hills to get the blood pumping and the calories burning, and it’s never too early to start training for next year’s BRR, right #Lockjaw?

Bleeder remarked several times that he would like to know what the actual route is for the “Fudd run”.  The answer is somewhat ethereal as it is based on each PAX’s memory and/or perception.  YHC admits to giving initial directions somewhat “on the fly” as we traversed the dark paths and woods of U of R.  Once we got to College I was good to go.  Total mileage from YHC’s Garmin was 6.6, which makes sense as we arrived back to the SF about 5 min late.

Saab admitted to not loving Star Wars but also to being a fan of Dave Chappelle.  Like minded individuals can join Saab in watching an upcoming Chappelle special on Netflix.  See Saab for details.

Bleeder admitted to the PAX that he almost had to take a detour into the woods during the downhill portion of his return to the lake.  Moments before his cramps dictated this course of action, he magically found an open door to the Robins Center and was able to navigate the dark hallways to find a bathroom in the nick of time.  YHC could not help but wonder……why does he never experience this kind of luck??  Whenever similar pains strike the midsection of Fudd, he is mathematically at the farthest possible distance from an available toilet.  Maybe it’s a Murphy’s Law, like dropping a tool and it rolls under a car to the exact center.

Regardless of the possibility of forces beyond our perception possibly influencing our paths today, YHC thoroughly enjoyed his return to Spider Run.  Thanks fellas for allowing me to lead and for pushing me…..not only up those hills, but also to be a better man today than I was yesterday.

To all of the PAX that I won’t see prior to next Monday, I wish you all a Happy New Year!!

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.