Tag: Spider Run

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

10 posted on  what should have been a fall morning for a Spider run.

The Thang

Out the back entrance of UR to River, right on Huguenot right on Westham Station, follow to the end (at River Road, 4 milers turn around and head back, five milers hit one more hill off Westham Station and back, 6 milers hit two more hills.

NMM

All started out fast this morning including Bleeder and Swirly who did one or two laps across the lake.  Swirly warned all that the sweat would start 3 steps into the run and he wasn’t far off.  It was downright sticky out there today.  By the end of the run, we all looked as if we had taken a dip in the lake.  In fact, if we had taken a dip, we would have been dryer.  Folks were a lot slower on the way back and a few or us, including YHC, opted for a shorter run than planned.

Quite a stink out there on the road.  Roadkill smell was prominent from end turn at the end of Westham Station all the way to the top.  It didn’t help that it was an out and back since we had to repeat the road and the smell.

Toucan is losing the weight and gaining speed these days.  He had a really fast start then faded a little due to a hamstring strain.  Saab was back out on the run this morning and kept pace with YHC (quite an accomplishment for anyone).  He put in 5 miles and seemed no worse of the wear.  The stairs today/tonight will tell the real story. (keeping my fingers crossed).  Lockjaw not spotted on the course, but is scheduled to Q RAMM for the next several weeks.

Announcements.

Marv to host post Dogpile workout on the 21st.  All 2.0s are welcome to come out.

Upchuck running a second workout on the 21st as well.  Double dip if you can.

TYA OUT

 

9 stars emerged from the fartsack to post at Spider Run.

The Thang:

Six Milers: Out back side of lake, up the hill, up Boatright, right on 3 Chopt, left on Grove, right on Oak, to the end of oak across Cary to Hillcrest, one loop around hillcrest and then back.  Five Milers: turn around at end of Oak, Four Milers: Turn around at Tuckahoe.  Lug nut: as always, do whatever the F you want.

NMM:

Swirly is on a mission.  He pumped in two laps around the lake to begin with and then another one at the end.  He was recovering from the first two loops, turned around and we were gone.  Fortunately, YHC had told Swirly what the route was the night before, so he was able to find us out on the road.  The turn on the Oak is always confusing.  The road sign is just hard to see.  Most, except maybe Swirly, caught the turn the first time around.

On the way back to the lake, YHC saw Bleeder and Lugnut at the end of Grove. I was closing fast and caught them both at the turn.  I passed Lugnut at the turn and pulled even with Bleeder.  Upon seeing YHC, Bleeder turned on the after burners.  He put about 20 yards on me on the flats. but I started to catch him on the downhills.  I was never quite able to catch him, despite my best efforts.  As I have said in the past, Bleeder is easy to catch, but impossible to pass.  Man that boy is competitive.

Sippy seems back to his usual form, almost.  He starts slow, then passes all the four and five milers within the first mile.  Then he reels in the six milers at some point. By the finish, he is even with the fastest of the runners.  Just to cool down he runs a mile or two backwards, at a pace faster than my forward run.

A fine 9 came out today for a run and left with so much more: Tour deTuckahoe!

We kept the group together with the leads doubling back to the 6.  Along the lake, up to the baseball field/Robins Center and climb the hill to the wooded trail cut through.  We then made our way to our Pax’s residences and performed the following in front.

Stop 1 – Taxi Cab’s house – LBCs

Stop 2 – Toga’s house – Merkins with perfect form

Stop 3 – Two Can’s – WWII

Stop 4 – Upchuck – Don Quixote

Stop 5 – Ronnie – APDs

Stop 6 – Marv – Spell Lally Construction

Stop 7 – Pelosi 5-0 – Freddy Mercuries

Stop 8 – Bunny Slope – Imperial Walkers

Stop 9 – Lockjaw – SSH

Stop 10 – Pucker – American Hammers

Stop 11 – Fudd – Monkey Humpers

Mosey through the woods and around the lake to the SF.

Two Can took us out.

NMS:

There was a stop 12 in mind with Saab’s house, but time and the safety on that part of River could jeopardize the well being of the Pax.  We will save it for next time.

Speaking of time, just as we arrived at Upchuck’s, he emerged from the backdoor and came out to say hi.  He was not dressed to workout, rather for a trip to Miami.

Speaking of Miami, TYA arrived looking like he just came back from the dog races in Miami.  Khaki pants, button up shirt, and a bow tie.  If he had run like that he wold have won the Tuckahoe Challenge of the day.  Instead, that honor went to Bleeder for wearing a collared polo shirt. Having the foresight (or experience?) to apply bag balm to his face to avoid “collar flap chafe” shows why he is the Spider Run Tuckahoe Challenge Champ.

Announcements:

• Convergence this weekend.  See Hardywood’s post regarding breakfast options.  Sign up if you want food.
• Keep EF Hutton and his family in your thoughts.

ABT,

Lockjaw

Nine gentlemen conquered the fartsack and were greeted by a thought provoking message at this morning’s Spider Run. The route was a variation of a goodie to share the love for what S Ridge Road has to offer. Basically the reverse devil’s pitchfork.  Routes were:

– Alternate exit path from UR by cutting up by the chapel and along the brick path to the River Road exit
– Work our way over to Westham Station
– Everyone runs along Westham Station to the end then up S Ridge Road to River
– 4 milers turn around and come back
– 5 milers turn left on Old Bridge then right on Highland. Up to River and back
– 6 milers left on Old Bridge to the top, back down then left on Highland to River, back and then up Panorama and back

Moleskin
For those that are wondering about the title of the backblast, there is a story.  As we convened at the commons YHC noticed an appropriate advertising campaign on the back of one of GRTCs finest.  You see, YHC has always been a proponent of drinking a glass of milk after a long run, almost always chocolate milk.  It is as refreshing and re-energizing as the day is long.  For those interested, today was no exception.  I had my fill of milk as soon as I walked in the door.

The slogan today could be taken from multiple perspectives.  Luckily for us, Sippy strolled in just as the bus was leaving and was able to take a picture beside said advertisement.  If you see Marv around campus make sure you hit him up so you can witness the pun.

Speaking of Marv, great to see him out there working the kinks out.  If you didn’t know, milk is full of natural animal proteins and as Sippy will tell us, proteins are vital to the rebuilding of muscle fibers.  Make sure you get your daily supply of milk as you work your way back through recovery.

Apparently, drivers early in the morning are not too excited about seeing Bleeder.  He was greeted with a pleasant exchange of words while crossing River Rd.  To his credit, he was well illuminated and reflected.  Perhaps the disgruntled driver forgot his splash of milk in his coffee this morning and was lamenting his mistake.  Lesson of the day, if you don’t start your day off with the right amount of milk then the day will only go downhill from where you started.

Great to see Gomer Pyle out there this morning.  He admittedly had not run some of these hills in 20+ years.  You slayed them and will be ready for the challenge come November.  When you start working in those longer runs, make sure you consider bag balm.  History tells us it is great for cracked cow udders.  Milking a cow with cracked udders will not yield much milk.  Modern applications are used to prevent all sorts of chafing.  Very important as you embark on your challenge.

All in all a great day.  As you embark upon your day, remember today’s PSA:

“Breastmilk, Every Sip Counts”

Splinter out

Ten of the usual suspects rolled into UR for a beautiful 60 degree morning run.

The thang:

4 milers – take UR drive our to River Road, cross bridge, cloverleaf the exits and back the same way.

5 milers – same as four milers, at bottom of exit ramp head west to stop sign, go left (south) up Southampton to Cherokee, return to beginning after hitting Cherokee.

6 milers – cross bridge, head west upriver to Hickory until Cherokee, return to Southampton, head up Southampton to Cherokee again, return to beginning.

Moleskin: Saab is back! Well, kind of, he seemed in good spirits from the take off. Apparently Flipper has magic hands. Good paces out there today. Glad to hear the 6 milers at least tried the intended route which as Splinter points out might is nearer to 6.25 or so for the 6 mile route. YHC was aiming to keep this a light hill day after the BRR last week, just get the legs moving again, thus the bridge route was chosen. YHC almost took out a Seal Team member running across the bridge, the PAX didn’t seem to mind if this happened.

As noted above, YHC has seen a peacock living in the area near Southampton and Cherokee on his travels to work. The peacock was not seen or heard from this morning, but YHC is hoping he makes an introduction on one of the south of the James runs.

A faithful eight assembled lakeside, several for the last long run before the BRR.

Today’s run offered a plethora of ground pounding options…4 miles, 5 miles, 6 miles and LugNut even authored a “Choose Your Own Adventure” version around he lake.  Run ’til your heart’s content.

The basic routes meandered up Richmond Way to College Drive to Boatright, then through New Fraternity Row, and cut through the fence line.  6 milers took a RIGHT onto Horsepen to Woodberry to Sweat Briar to Baldwin, then down Westham Parkway through the Westham neighborhood, then across River Road and down the the railroad onto Huguenot and then through the Bat Cave to the flag.  5 milers took a LEFT at the fence onto Baldwin, right onto Wood, the looped around to Westham Parkway (left) and followed the remainder of the run.  If there were any takers on the 4 miler, YHC apologizes…missed them.

COT, number-rama, name-a-rama, YHC took us out.

Announcements:
BRR…if you don’t know by now…sign up for 2018 starts Monday.
Reese-Strong 5k…sign up now.  Prep for 5k the Hard Way Friday at RAMM
Convergence September 30 from 6-8 at Gridiron.  Come for an hour, come for two hours, bring a friend.
Bear Creek…December 3 (or so).  Only 160 spots.  Sign up now.  Bring kneepads.

Moleskin:
YHC followed his Scout training and prepared for today’s run by putting new batteries in his headlamp. (YHC confesses…he was never a Scout, but understands preparedness is important).  As TYA noted, be careful about buying batteries at a discount store.  YHC thanks TYA and Swiper for running nearby…once the full moon set, it was a dark morning.  That said, few mornings have been as nice this summer…

 

Twelve of F3 RVA’s finest ventured out for some quality running in the rain.

3/4 loop of the lake as a warm up stopping at the base of the long narrow path with the steep incline.  Run up with 70% effort and jog down for recovery.  Repeat until Q calls it (about 15 minutes).

Mosey over the the amphitheater and form three columns behind BT, Bleeder, and TYA.  Run up the theater’s steps and jog down.  Repeat until Q calls it (6 minutes or so).

For two columns behind Two Can and Lugnut for a long indigenous people run around campus to the intramural fields.

Sprints across the  soccer fields; 40% effort over, 90% effort back.  Mosey back to the shovel flag.

NMS

YHC didn’t want this BRR team tapering prematurely, so a nice medley of hill repeats and sprint work was required to keep their training sustained for another week.  As expected, they crushed it and are ready for next week.  Even the cool down mosey back to the SF was at a fast clip led by Bleeder and Swirly.

Speaking of Bleeder, he came out today looking like a silent Labrat.  Tron vest, no shirt, but no talking.  Not sure which version of Labrat I prefer most….

Not much chatter after the workout, as it was the first day of school for several and they were promptly off.

Announcements:

TYA is having folks back to his place after tomorrow’s hill run to watch the Barkley Marathon documentary.  You will know when it starts by when TYA lights a cigarette and blows the conch.  Have no idea what I am talking about?  Then come watch the documentary.

Time to Taper,

Lockjaw