Tag: Spider Run

Take the bat cave entrance, cross the shopping center, and down Westham Station Road (WSR).

Take a right and ascend Panorama, then down.

Continue down WSR to Old Bridge Road – go up and ascend Highland at the fork.

Back down to the fork and ascend Old Bridge.

Return to WSR.  4 milers head back to the SF.  5 milers climb Panorama and back.  6 milers continue out WSR and climb South Ridge Road to the top; then return to the SF.

Sippy Cup did a fine job taking us out.

NMS:

YHC was contemplating a Mardi Gras themed run on this fine Fat Tuesday but the thoughts of how this Pax may elect to earn their beads caused some concern.  I decided to stick with a straight hill run beatdown.  Trace the run on a map and you can see why it has earned such a respectable name.

Not much mumble chatter on the run as we were all business hitting those hills.  Post run discussion included:

-How TYA passes his time.  Best of luck to you and your recovery.

-Reminiscing about the first Splinter HHDH.  An event that led to the very brief, yet memorable, epoch of RVAF3 history – the kinder, gentler Toga.  I wonder what life changing events will come of this upcoming event?

-Talk of the upcoming races.  Spots open for each include non-runner support positions.  See Toga for Ragnar and Swirly for Smokey Mountains.

-Local news was filming in our vicinity perhaps background filler video.  Maybe we will make a cameo.

8 Strong posted this morning @ Spider Run and this was the route…

Run out of  campus – through TYA’s bat cave – up and over the bridge down the ramp to rock falls road – back up the ramp over the bridge through the shopping center – through campus and back to the flag! The 6 milers added a nice new hill to this route which I’m sure the 5 milers will get the opportunity to experience soon:)

Mumble Chatter : The Corporate truck was full of laughter this morning. YHC and TYA noticed Saab running in the gloom towards the truck and he joined us as well as Splinter. Once Splinter arrived we had a quorum and the corporate meeting could begin.. The topic was Saab and his 1% body fat – TYA said Saabski’s member is what made up the 1% and as you can imagine things escalated from there !!! YHC was thrilled to see EF Hutton post @ Spider run and he did a fantastic job for his first time out – well done dude – come on back.. TYA is in the best running shape I have ever seen him in – dude looked like he could have run another 20 miles this morning – keep it up TYA – awesome work man!  Bleeder left the pax instantly as he sped away on his bike saying to YHC – don;t wait for me bro I gotta get some miles in – atta baby Bleeder! Not sure where my buddy BT was this morning but never fear corporate will find out 🙂 The 6 milers crushed it this morning even finding a new hill to run thanks to Splinters GPS…

Great job this morning guys – what a beautiful morning and a great way to start the day… Big thanks to Saab for taking us out…

Announcements : Splinter has the March HDHH – stay tuned on details for that ( Splinter usually sends out a spread sheet – and you know he loves to explain the instructions 🙂  it’s sure to be a good time- big thanks to Splinter for hosting! There are some runs coming up and you can still participate if you have not signed up for an event yet please do so – we have Bel Monte – Smokey Mountain Relay – and Ragnar…

See y’all in the gloom – Swirly out…

8 motivated and fleet posted for a morning spider run.  Weather was 70 and sunny, no humidity.

The Thang:

Warm up lap around the lake, mosey to bottom of hill from lake.  Pair up (with someone of differing skills).  We did a circle loop (approximately .85 miles).  One pax runs the hill one way, other pax the other way.  Meet in the middle and turn around. Repeat 2x then switch directions and repeat two more times.  Keep going until 6:15.

NMM

Today was essentially hill repeats with a partner.  For the slower partner (me, since I was with Marv), distance was a little bit less, but since the top of each run was relatively flat, you got the benefit of just as much of the hills.  I was having a “wilson” moment before the run as I was really stressed out about having an odd number or runners because I would have had to adjust the plan.  Thankfully, 8 showed and all was right with the universe.

I was grumpy coming into the run today due to a not so stellar day yesterday.   Posting to the run definitely helped in a couple of ways.  First, just exercising is always good.  Running puts some good endorphins in your body and sets your mind straight.  Second F always helps at the end too, just hanging out for few minutes just BSing makes the small issues fall away.  Finally, hearing someone else’s struggles and issues tends to make your’s minor.  One of the new PAX members talked about a challenge he and is family is currently facing.  They were clearly attacking the issue with some vigor and a positive attitude.  Inspirational and a reset to what a real problem looks like.

Happy Valentines day everyone.  Someone suggested that Sippy and Marv should hold hands skipping up the hill on their way back to St. Stephens (I did not pass them, so no confirmation whether they heeded the advice).  For advice on marital bliss on or around Valentines day, see Saab.

Announcements

Happy hour Wednesday at Ardent 530pm.

Lot of running events happening in April.  Two, Ragnar and Smokey mountain Relay, are team events.  Toga and Swirly have set these events up in anticipation of folks participating (and with expressed interest by a lot of PAX).  Now that it is time for the events, they are having trouble getting enough participation.  Let’s not leave our brothers holding the bag…..

It was a cool yet comfortable 50 degrees as 10 PAX arrived for the day’s run around UR.  Some arrived by car while others arrived on foot.  YHC arrived with a route that was accompanied by little instruction nor variability to accommodate alternate distances.  Not to worry, TYA jumped in and took the lead on a route for those in the PAX who were looking for slightly shorter mileage.

Since YHC was offering little in terms of useful directions today, initial conversation pointed toward everyone’s ability to wear lighter clothes in such balmy weather.  Corporate, pulling a page from Wilson’s playbook, was hearing none of it.  Outfitted in double layers and a wool hat, Swirly promptly reminded the PAX they were a bunch of morons and it was February for cripe-sakes…duly noted…

Other Considerations:

• If you ever show up late to a Q you best hope to have TYA there who will either back you up or wrestle it from your hands.
• Bleeder’s biking outfits are beginning to resemble the discount table at Peter Blair
• Exercise caution when dealing with a PAX who carries a concealed weapon…just sayin’

Announcements and Contacts:  Suicide Prevention Fundraiser (Fudd).  Smoke Mountain Relay (TYA).  Ragnar (Toga), Tapering-to-Win (Lockjaw)

Saab abides

Four regulars returned for this week’s iteration of Spider Run.  Quick exchange of pleasantries then off we went.

Route

Head south and exit UR via the River Road entrance.  Cross the shopping center and head across the bridge.  Exit via ramp, route under the bridge and head downriver.  4 milers looped back up and over the bridge back to the start.  6 milers proceeded past the ‘Z’ dam until our watches dinged then turned around and headed back.

Moleskin

This route is one of the rare Spider Run routes that do not require a weinke.  While it may have few turns, it is still challenging crossing the bridge with a stiff breeze coming at you.

Not much mumblechatter opportunity for TwoCan today as there was only 1 taker on the shorter distance.  Glad to hear that his focus in now on speed, not distance.  Regular Spider Run hills run attendance will definitely help with speed.  Keep it up TwoCan.

Much baseball talk today as the 6 milers live vicariously through their son’s sports.  It’s almost February which means hardball is right around the corner.

Thoughts are with those in the PAX that are recovering from various illnesses or injuries.  Time heals all wounds.

Splinter out.

Nine men arrived generally on time for today’s iteration of Spider run.  One more joined after securing moderately appropriate parking.  Q was hoping for, and received, even numbers for a new type of running workout.  Here is what transpired:

Route:

• There was no route.  Much confusion arose.

The Thang:

• Mosey to the intersection of Westhampton and UR Drive
• Instructions were to partner up with someone of different ability than your own.  Partners run in opposing directions around the loop of Crenshaw, Keller, Westhampton, UR Drive.
• When the partners meet turn around and return to the rendezvous point
• Repeat a second time, attempting to beat your partner to the spot where you turned around the first time.
• Mosey to the intersection of Richmond and Gateway.
• Choose new partner and repeat same strategy.  Loop included Gateway and Richmond Way.

Moleskin:

Your mileage may vary as there was likely no 2 people with the same mileage.  YHC was desiring something different considering the majority of us hit longer distance mileage this past weekend.  This workout was intended to introduce speed work and hill work in the same concept.

Observations:

• Respect to TwoCan and his service to our country.  You witnessed something that has only happened 58 times in history.  Regardless of politics, #respect to you.  Tomatoes in gowns is always a good thing.
• Tinder leaves many in the PAX at a loss for words
• BT mentioned shotgunning and YHC’s first thought was a slightly chilled can of Natural Light…
• Make sure you sign up to Q before Saab’s bedtime or he will show up thinking he is Q

Announcements:

• HDHH is in the works.  TYA may bring lasagna.
• Circle K likes hugs but he would certainly appreciate PAX members make it rain.  Thanks for the support for CSAUP Saturday.

Satire is alive!  Splinter out.

Seven spider run alums appeared from the ether to take on this iteration of our weekly gathering.  To everyone’s surprise a +1 got a head start with a few laps around the lake before getting started.  Here’s how it went down:

Route:

• Meander east from the commons and head toward the river road entrance
• Turn right and head up Crenshaw
• Exit UR and cross College drive to Westham.
• Right on Westham to Baldwin
• Right on Baldwin which turns to Hampshire which turns to Horsepen
• Climb Horsepen to Patterson
• Right on Patterson for a brief jog then right on Ridge Top
• Descend Ridge top to… oh no!  Chandler
• Up Chandler to the top back down then left on Gardiner
• Meander back to the VSF

Moleskin:
The route was basically 5 miles.  Those in front got a little extra by mother goosing where appropriate to assist with directions as well as keep the PAX together.

Marv and/or Sippy were lost until they saw Chandler.  Then they were lost no more.

Pucker persevered even though he was noncommittal at the start.  You show up, you do what the Q says.  Lucky for you there was nothing less than 5 planned.

Great to see Bleeder get a head start today.  Had YHC known he could have planned for a rendezvous point somewhere on Westham.  Bleeder’s navigation ability allowed him to meet us up anyhow.  Way to push it Bleeder.

Annoucements:
CSAUP – you know it
Podcast – coming soon

Splinter out

5 intrepid runners presented themselves for a jaunt around UR.  Although the temperature was about 15 degrees, it seemed pleasant given the single digit temperatures we had experienced in prior days.

Given the conditions in surrounding neighborhoods due to the recent snowfall, YHC chose to keep the run within UR grounds.  The route was essentially a “figure-eight” covering the two main loops among the campus.  Some ran two iterations while others in added one more loop at the end.

YHC enjoyed his run and conversation with Sippy and Marv.  Not too much else to report, but YHC did take pride in being called-out for wearing shorts by some local moms walking their dogs (oh yeah)

Announcements:  Warmer weather is on the way!

Saab abides

7 intrepid men showed in various types and layers in the hope of shielding themselves from a very cold and rainy run.  This is what transpired.

As a extension to the “four finger” route introduced a few weeks ago, YHC wanted to add another digit.  Thus we added Boatright Drive to the mix making it a full-fisted route of hill-work (effectively 5 out and back routes – all of which extended to Three Chopt).  In the interest of squeezing in the fifth finger, YHC had those in the front who first reached the top of each hill (Three Chopt), run back and scoop up all remaining runners who would then all turn around.  This kept the PAX reasonably together while ensuring everyone had time to traverse most or all of each leg.

Regarding the weather, one can guess how nasty it was to run in cold, saturating rain.  YHC personally felt miserable and did not have a dry piece of clothing or skin by the conclusion of the run. (There is a significant difference between a “wind” and “rain” jacket as Saab and Swirly quickly learned.)  Marv appeared to have the all-weather gear from head to toe, while BT opted-out for the ninja look and instead chose to express himself in rainbow colors (not quite LTBT however).

Although it may be fleeting, YHC felt better physically than he has in a long time.  I really appreciate everyone of you gents for coming out in such miserable weather.  Once through it, it made for a great start to my day.

Note:  On my run home, not a sign of Seal Team in the parking lot nor anywhere on the grounds….just sayin’

Saab abides