Tag: Spider Run

A strong pack of 9 showed four our post-holiday Spider Run. This is what transpired:

Ran through a modified version of the “Fudd run”. Intent was to stay together with faster runners periodically circling back. Challenge was, given the course has a lot of ins-and-outs and what have you’s, the PAX became a bit scattered at times. Periodically, YHC wasn’t certain if members were choosing alternate routes or just buying mileage until those in the rear came along. As was aptly pointed out, YHC was like Mother Goose at times trying to keep the front in line with the rear, and vice versa. YHC will post a map of this run in a future post.

Near the end, instead of taking the added hill, those leading in front chose a route back into the university, so a last minute audible to take a run around the lake worked out just fine.

Kudos to Swirly, Marv, and BT for running to the AO. Offshore get’s credit as well for biking-in.

(Rosie, Thanks for the shout-out.)

Announcements:
Spider Run and Da’Ville shirts are on pre-order (with only 2 days left). Don’t walk, but RUN to the F3 site and get your order in now.

W-Dog tomorrow, with Swirly as Q (per memory, unless someone else is signed up.)

Saab out

10 posted for some perfect running weather at Spider Run.  Here’s how it went down.., or close to it.

Route:  Run out of UR Commons on Richmond Way towards Westhampton Way.  Right on Westhampton to the bottom of the hill then back up Westhampton, right on Gateway, left on Campus Dr, cross Boatwright to go through path to Wheeler.  Make a left on Wheeler and run to the bottom of the hill at Shrewsbury and Horsepen.  Repeat running up the baby hill from Horsepen to Ridge Top for 10 minutes.  Gather PAX and make a left on Ridge Top.  Run to the bottom of the hill at the corner of Chandler, and run up and down Chandler hill till 6:05.  Take a right on Gardiner back to Wheeler, run back through the wooded path on Wheeler, back down Campus Dr and return to the Commons.  Get convinced by Sippy to run a lap around the lake.

NMM:  Where to begin on this episode?  Not being a native or former student of UR, YHC looked at a map to see how we would get up the hill to Boatwright.  Following one hand gesture towards the South end of the Commons half the PAX began a mutiny about the directions.  This resulted in us taking the more direct route to Westhampton on the North end of the Commons.  As TYA put it so eloquently at the end of the run when the grumbling continued, “did anyone really get lost?”  Of course not, but we all know the burden of Q at 0530.  Do people get lost when there are cryptic historical references or twelve turn routes on note cards.., usually.

The PAX also managed some comments as we did the warmup hill repeats on Shrewsbury, but there seemed to be very few concerns about a lack of difficulty when we started doing repeats on Chandler.  YHC unintentionally “punked” TYA and Swirly by telling them they only needed to run the hill one more time.  YHC just didn’t appreciate their speed.

We finished our little gathering by watching one of the paid workout groups do some PT on the hill beside The Commons.  Corporate went into audit mode and could be barely be contained from taking out the clipboard manager.

Announcements:

Thanks to DK for leading a great 3rd event at Doorways last night!  I’m sure he will post a BB.

Offshore claims to be putting together a cycling team for the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure.  As there was no pre blast for this, it’s authenticity was in question, but here it is http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourdeCureContentHybrid?fr_id=11465&pg=entry  You’re welcome!  PS: Offshore wants it noted that Toga will not be in attendance.

Hill run tomorrow is likely at Hillcrest, but check back for TYA’s announcement

Fudd may be planning some kind of 2nd F event where he wants his F3 brothers to build a shed for him.  This should not be mistaken for a 3rd F event like DK organized.  Seriously, he really is planning this for the weekend of 6/4.  Surely there will be a BB??

Spartan Race 9/24 for those who don’t own a road bike, are recovered from the BRR, or just think it will be fun.  See pre blast or contact Toga.

The Hampton Roads expansion is delayed until further notice.  More to follow on this or another expansion location soon.

Stay Classy,

Toga

6 strong runners showed up for what I’ve dubbed the “Fudd Run”.
Route: A modified start and finish but otherwise a completion of the route Fudd introduced us to last week. Involves a nice meander throughout Westham and the University with no shortage of steady elevation.

YHC has enjoyed this route so much, today marked my 4th time covering the route in the past week. We stayed together as a pack with varying members often leading and then circling back to pick up the rest.

During our COT, a UR employee and ordained minister by the name of Reverend Williams could not help but overhear us. Upon brief introductions we were fortunate enough to have the Reverend circle up with us again and lead us in an inspirational prayer. Another fine example of how fortunate we are to be part of F3 and how it can touch our lives and the lives of others in unexpected ways.

Announcements: Marv will have a VQ on Thursday at RAMM. (TYA said he would get with Flashdance and ask if he would give up the Q this week for Marv’s “special day”)

Saab abides

5 veterans showed up to U of R for this week’s iteration of the Spider Run and were joined by 2 other veterans late in the run.  Here’s how it went down:

The plan was for the fast runners to run ahead of the rest and turn around at different points of the run to rejoin the slower runners.  Unfortunately YHC was the only PAX that was not in the fast group, which encouraged me to run a little faster this morning.

Mosey down Lakeview Lane along the lake, cross the lake at the bridges over the island, take a right on the trail through the woods, take a right onto College and then a left on Baldwin to start the tour of Westham.  Right on Wood, left on Baldwin, right on Hollins, right on Woodberry, right on Horsepen, left on Devon, right on Ridge Top, left on Chandler, right on Gardner down the hill to a left on Wheeler and then a right on the path through the woods over to the intersection of Boatwright and Campus Drive.  Take Campus Drive over to a right on Gateway Rd. to re-enter U of R campus.  Left at the bottom of the hill to the path that leads to Roselawn.  Up Roselawn to a right on Ridgeway, back down the hill to campus.  Take Westhampton Way up the hill to Keller and then up and through the old “Westhampton” campus.  Take a right onto the path through the woods and disc golf course to return to the lake.  Run around the south end of the lake where we ran into Sippy Cup and Copernicus.  Back to the Virtual Shovel Flag for COT.

Moleskin:

We missed seeing some of the Spider Run regulars today, but understand that there was an effort to represent properly for Gumbo’s VQ at NoToll.  I’m sure Gumbo delivered a proper beatdown worthy of a Keydet.

When asked at the beginning of the run what we were doing today, YHC replied that we were going to run some hills.  Saab commented at the end of the run that he did not remember running anything flat……we were either going up or down hills for almost all of the run.

Early in the run it was noted that Lockjaw was not present.  This was a bit disconcerting as he had pontificated in the past that he was the “glue keeping the Spider run together”.  Thankfully we didn’t fall to pieces without the presence of “Captain Hook”, although I did miss having someone to run a “moderate” pace with me.

Toga mentioned at one point that Offshore’s wife was upset about the fact that Offshore’s rear end was not as big as it used to be.  And she blames F3 for this.  She seems to be the female version of Sir Mix-A-Lot and likes Big Butts.  What is most troubling is the fact that this conversation took place at church with Toga this past Sunday…..YHC cannot imagine how you got on that subject.

The PAX was met by Sippy Cup and Copernicus while finishing the run with a lap around the lake.  Sippy informed us that he reached the AO a bit late and even though Sippy glimpsed us running across the lake to start the run, he was not able to find the PAX after we took a right to run through the woods.

Just after COT one of the groups that pays to work out ran past and I unfortunately did not get any “Hey Roger’s” like I was hoping for.

YHC took us out.

Good run.  Enjoyed it fellas.

Announcements:

Toga is trying to EH guys to run a Spartan race at Wintergreen on 9/24.  See him for details.

There are still one or two slots open for the BRR……see TYA for details.

Fudd out

6 showed for a moderately damp run around UR. This is what transpired:

5 mile run not counting runs to and/or from the AO. Covered many hills around the university – too many to count or name.

NMS:
YTC wondered where all the regulars were until he recalled that today was FlashDance’s VQ – congratulations man. Kudos to Marv and Sippy for making the 3 mile run to the AO. Found out later that our FNG had missed them at their starting point so he just drove on over. (Could have turned around and gone home, but this guy had the persistence and fortitude to track us down…thus named Copernicus). A hearty welcome to F3 Copernicus…look forward to seeing you again!

One PAX had a seeeerious restroom need. All I’ll say is that we are all fortunate he found a port-o-john a short distance into the run. The (almost) inevitable alternative would have been frowned-up by the U of R grounds-keeping staff.

Anyway, we had a quick circle-up and YHC caught a run back to Westham with Pucker.

See you in the gloom everyone.

Saab out

8 Spider Run faithfuls and 1 new to the Spider Run gathered on a perfect spring morning. The “three posted route” from last week was revisited with a twist. To keep the Pax together, the lead group would run to the first waypoint and double back to the Pax’s six. The next waypoint would be given and repeat the run and return.

The Thang:
West to the baseball field and up to the Robin’s Center. Up the hill by the stadium and climb Snake Hill to Three Chopt. Take Honaker to Patterson. Right on Patterson and head east to Maple at the Pizza Hut.

Right on Maple to Grove. Right on Grove to the road in front of the churches. Take this to St Christopher’s Road. Take the trail through St Christopher’s School and come out on Wesley.

Wesley to Hanover westbound to Three Chopt. Cross Three Chopt and take Bandy Road back to the trail down the hill. Come out on the road and then take a left on the trail through the woods to emerge at the UR entrance.

Take Campus Drive to the UR main entrance and hang a right to finish on a fast downhill.

Mileage: 5.21

Marv took us out.

NMS
Despite attempts to keep the Pax together, Marv and Sippy Cup in the lead pack disappeared less than a quarter mile into the run. Thankfully the rest of the Pax stuck together and no one got lost.

Lot’s of runner activity out this morning, including a “Hey Roger” from Fudd’s Fan Club. That man is an institution in these parts it seems.

Today’s route was a lot of fun. Some hills, some trail, lit city streets, and a great opportunity to run on some roads I have never run on before.

It was great to see Pucker out today. I hope to see him come out often….or we will be ringing his doorbell en route.

Well Done!

10 dedicated runners set out to complete Richmond F3’s newest Tuesday AO: Spider Run.

The Thang:

Head out down the abandoned road next to CCV and come out at the shopping center. Cross the Huguenot Bridge and take the Riverside Drive exit. Head west upstream to Cherokee Rd and come about to return to the VSF.

Total Miles: 5.3*

*Additional mileage for Lockjaw, Saab, Fudd who ran to and from the AO, Swirly and Saab for their search and rescue mission.

NMS:
Wow, where do we start with today’s backblast.

Fudd shows up with a swollen hand from a wasp sting reminiscent of the Woody Harrelson’s prosthetic in the Farrelly brother’s classic “Kingpin”. Wasp sting or bowling accident; one cannot determine.

YHC had two routes in mind and left it up to Pax to determine their fate. The first route was very detailed on three posted notes worth of direction with a copy to be left with the lead pack. With Saab wondering how to read on the run and Fudd approaching a stroke from that many directions, we went with the other route. We will visit the primary route with advance marking at a future date.

The run was awesome today. When crossing the bridge, we could see the lights of No Toll off in the distance as we pondered what our F3 brothers were up to in the gloom. The path along the river was serene and peaceful with the sounds of the river and birds welcoming the new day. Sunrise accompanied us on our return crossing of the bridge.

The Pax all made it back to the AO, except for TYA. His whereabouts unknown, Saab and Swirly doubled back with certainty that ill fortune awaited since TYA never gets lost. TYA later emerges from the second story of the commons building and rejoins the Pax. How he not only got misdirected on an out and back course but also entered a building and came out of the second story is still unknown.

YHC took us out.

8 steadfast runners showed up at UR to run in a dark, reasonably warm, and not so rainy morning. Here’s what transpired:

See route below. There were slight derivations from this but otherwise YHC attempted to distill the maximum amount of elevation from the past 2 postings.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com?r=6838912

Moleskin:
We essentially split into two groups as we progressed into the route, with Saab “leading” one group and Lockjaw leading the other. YHC uses the term “leading” mildly since he was continually working to keep up with Sippy and Marv while calling out directions from behind. That said, you would find it hard to believe the 3 blokes I was running with ran the Monument Ave 10k this past weekend (Marv and Sip’), or ran 11 miles on Sunday (Offshore). Shout-out to Marv for posting a great time on the 10k. (I didn’t get yours Sippy but I’m sure it was top notch.) As the first contingent neared the end we did one more loop up Gateway road. Sippy was on a tear and we are sure he would have ended-up in Short Pump had Marv and YHC not called him back for just one more go around on the lake.

Word from second contingent was that they had to divert TYA from the sorority houses (the man has his priorities straight). In the end, we enjoyed poking fun at the sounds seal team were making and speculating how much money they are spending. TYA offered to throw hundred dollar bills at them as a reminder of the money they were wasting. (YHC considered offering-up his “toll money” for this gesture, but decided that his spare change is far too precious.) YHC also enjoyed his run back to Westham with Lockjaw.

YHC apologizes for mixing the close and briefly forgetting the name-o-rama. Thanks for setting me straight.

Saab abides

Eight runners posted for a chilly morning run in spring time.

Here’s the route:

Head west from the UR Commons and cut up to the parking lot between the Robins Center and the baseball field.  Go by the fraternities and take the break in the fence.  A left on Baldwin to Westham Pkwy.  A left on Westham and cross River Rd.  Down the hill to Westham Station (the lead pack ran back up the hill for bonus miles).  Take Westham Station out to the shopping center and pick up the abandoned road back to UR.  BT call an audible for more miles and we began the ascent up Ridgeway and down Roselawn to the finish.

Total miles: 4.8 (about 0.5 extra for those who did a complete uphill segment at Westham Station)

Fudd took us out.

NMC

Seven Pax were awaiting departure on the run and Fudd pedaled up on commandeered UR bike to shorten the commute to the AO from the house.  We almost had a Spider Run gears team of one.

Eight is a great turnout for the new Spider Run.  Let’s keep it up.

In what could be a record setting day in the history of the Richmond F3, five guys met up in the new gloom of The University of Richmond campus for what, rumor has it, was the area’s third F3 AO of the morning to go for a 5:30 campus job.

A plucky couple of homebodies who had no internal desire to cross any rivers or even Broad Street brainstormed about 2 1/2 miles in to the Munford run on Friday that another run on Tuesday might be in order.  Biblically speaking, where there is more than one, God is there too…and the same more or less holds true for an AO, where there is more than one F3 guy, there is a workout.

Five runners showed up and it was a home meet for Saab as he pulled a Sippy and ran from his house to the starting location.  Off everyone went into the quiet brick laden streets of the school who’s basketball team hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2011 (sorry, I couldn’t resist).  Maybe, just maybe, Chris Mooney should have his guys do more campus jogs as the hills tested the intestinal fortitude of all five us us.  You give Trey Davis or Terry Allen a 5:30 wake up call and then 45 minutes with Richmond’s best 50 year old runner (Saab) and maybe things end differently in his senior year.

Either way, 45 minutes and 5.2 miles later the group met back by the lake, only to find a gaggle of SEAL Team folks trying to crab walk up a steep embankment.  It took all four guys to restrain Swirly from showing them how to crab walk and to this moment we’re still not sure if Swirly didn’t just take over their workout as the four of us left him there on his own as he stared at both men and Tomatoes alike trying to use all fours to go up the grassy knoll.

After all is said and done, the group agreed that the Tuesday run at the UofR (pronounced The YOU of R as opposed to “the u of ARE” …again, still needling here) will continue for the forseeable future.

God Speed Guys and we’ll see you either tomorrow at the all new W Dog or Thursday at Munford.

Take care,

MARV