Tag: Sunday Funday

  • The Night We Saw Them All

    A PAX eclipsing 40 ditched all common sense for about 18 hours to receive a plentiful helping of each of the three Fs.  This was the F3RVA Century Classic.

    YHC has conversed with a number of individual PAX members about their experience, taking notes during the event and thinking about how to transcribe all of these memories into a backblast.  There is no way YHC could do the stories justice by attempting to capture them for the collective PAX.  Then, after chatting with Lockjaw and the (sober) Ronnie, it became clear.  Treat the backblast as a living backblast.  YHC will make no attempt to capture the essence of this workout, only setting the stage for each and every PAX member to capture it for himself.

    My memories are collected below.  I encourage everyone to add to this list by commenting with your favorite memory.

    Leg 1:  Trying to contain my energy for the CSAUP while stuck in traffic for opening night of the squirrels game
    Leg 2:  Praying for Saab on Meadowbridge and Atlee Rd.  Kudos to all that ran that leg, a true game of frogger
    Leg 3:  All the Mechanicsville PAX member who were not running, companion running with the actual runners.  Kudos!
    Leg 4:  The Creek parking lot is great for fellowship.  This truly felt like a tailgate parking lot.  The energy, games and conversation were all electric.
    Leg 5:  The headlamp on my run reflecting all the pollen flying through the air with me initially thinking it was raining.  30 minutes later realizing all that pollen was being sucked into my lungs at an incredible rate.
    Leg 6:  Hearing of TYA and Swirly questioning if YHC actually marked his legs of the course and me telling them where they can shove it.
    Leg 7:  Realizing how peaceful and quiet the city can be when when you are in it and surrounded by trees.  The new moon highlighted the stars and all their brilliance.
    Leg 8:  Showing up to Hoedown and having Ronnie greet us after his enjoyable evening.
    Leg 9:  Marv almost taking out another animal with his running shoes.
    Leg 10:  Thinking about how comfortable it is to try to sleep on the top of a picnic table.
    Leg 11:  Watching the back and forth between Saab complaining about not being able to sleep and Upchuck for waking him up.
    Leg 12:  Waving to the UR security guard while sitting in a white van with 4 men laying on the ground.  He waved and continued by.
    Leg 13:  Marv learning that Fudd was going to show up only for leg 18 and would still get a tshirt.
    Leg 14:  Seeing Lockjaw drive 20 in a 45 on Charter Colony so he could stay between the lines.
    Leg 15:  Reminding Marv that Fudd was still sleeping.
    Leg 16:  Hearing of a certain individual’s multiple escapades to the bathroom at a singular Wawa.
    Leg 17:  Making the van take a 3 mile detour to Wawa so YHC could get a breakfast hoagie, thus missing the final hand-off.
    Leg 18:  Pulling into Dogpile, realizing it was almost over and thinking the whole experience was too fast.

    This humble correspondent would like to thank everyone involved with making this event successful, especially those listed in the QIC list.  Without it, this would have been a completely stupid and utterly failure of an event.

    Splinter out.

  • Post CSAUP Sunday Fun

    A PAX of one assembled for some post CSAUP merriment bright and early this Sunday morning.

    PAX decided to head down the North Bank towards Tpot. Beautiful weather and not many other runners out today. Between the Monument 10k yesterday and our own CSAUP turnout was light.

    I must say especially when in close proximity to the tracks the fresh spring breeze carried with it some dank odors. I don’t mean dank as in “The Rudeboy Pita from the Dank Eats food truck is diggedy-dank!” I mean dank as in “Are these bushes competely full of dog poop?” Once clearing the sewage smell it proved to be a pleasant day for the trails if not a bit warm and humid. Warm weather is here and so is perspiration. Keep hydrated.

    PAX decided to complete the 7 mile loop returning on Buttermilk, content to progress at Bootleg speed.

    NMS: YHC had a great CSAUP experience. Many thanks to Splinter for pulling it together and TYA for organizing the Richmond Proper team and everybody who helped make it happen. Thanks to my teammates and hats off to everybody who participated, came out to support in between other activities, or thought about us as we were out in the dark leaving a trail of samples across Richmond for Offshore to come back and collect.

    I needed more miles for the week even tho I was exhausted. After getting a nap and a full 8 hours last night it felt good to get out. ET’s with one of my 2.0’s was great.

    Get some rest folks. See you soon

     

  • Last cold Sunday

    Six studly stations posted this morning for the last cold Sunday Funday of the season. 7 miles North to South across Belle Isle right side loop. Saab added FHP for 10, Bootleg turned back at the river for 6. The trails were in good condition, our pace was steady, and the conversation was top notch. Second F at ETs was sublime.

    Prayers for Lab Rats family, prayers for everyone who could use some direction with big decisions

    Life is grand

     

  • April Fools

    Three April Fools, a pup, and a Saab were on the trail this Easter Morning, the first day of the month.

    No jokes. Small group today I presume due to vacations and Easter, etc. It was really nice weather to get out and we nearly had the trail to ourselves.

    Offshore, EF Hutton, Sally (K9), and YHC decided to cross the bridge and take Buttermilk down to Belle Isle and return on the North Bank.

    Some good conversation and a Saab sighting. YHC appreciates the team accommodating his slowness and Sally for always keeping an eye on me to make sure I’m not lagging too far behind.

    Short and sweet. Thanks for the run today guys. Have a good rest of your weekend and start your week off well.

  • Pincer Movement

    Seven hounds and one she-hound sallied forth (get it?) in a “you go that way, we’ll go this way” pincer movement for today’s edition of Sunday Funday.  The Historical Marker on the T. T. Pottersfield Bridge tells the story thusly:

    First hound (TYA) set off early, headed clockwise on the North Bank trail, trying to smoke out the foxes.  Hound Two (Saab) headed out at 7 a.m. following the same path, again trying to flush the foxes into the open.  Hounds 3-8 (Shakedown, Lab Rat, Bootleg, Offshore, Sally, and YHC) took the reverse loop with the expectation of meeting in the middle to bag the lot.

    Frankly, YHC was surprised by the number of foxy runners on the trails today.  The parking lot was about half full at 7, a sign of at least the promise of clear skies and (maybe?) better temps.  Little do so many people know that it’s always sunny and 70.

    One hour plus later, Hounds 3-8 had put in 7 miles, with TYA’s tally unknown (10?) and Saab at a full 10.  Well done by 2 and 4 legged hounds alike.

    Number-a-ma, Name-a-rama, YHC took us out.

    Announcements:

    Keep Lab Rat’s dad front-and-center in your thoughts this week…going through a rough patch.

    NMS:

    Modest chatter on the trails today.  Some discussion of roadside tools for assessing THC levels and a few other topics.  Frankly, YHC lost the group just after crossing from Belle Isle.  Others will have to fill in the blanks.

    Good time at ET’s today.  As usual, TYA shared his forward thinking about women’s exercise attire.  F3RVA continues to develop only the finest of suggestions for female outerwear.

  • A quintet

    A strong five posted on the day after St Patty’s day for a morning run.

    The Thang:

    Run across bridge to buttermilk.  Buttermilk to clockwise around Forrest Hill park and the back to the pump house.  7 miles in all.

    NMM

    You can just never tell how a run is going to go.  I was feeling pretty good this morning and I felt like I was pushing myself and moving pretty good.  The rest of the PAX also looked strong today and steadily pulled away from me.  Not an unusual occurrence, but like I said, I thought I was doing well.  Bad news, is the clock doesn’t lie.  Despite my best efforts, all I could muster was a mediocre pace.  it felt strong and I felt pretty good, but the clock said differently.  Oh well, the running gods will pay me back with a run that feels crappy and when I look down the watch will say I rocked through the miles.

    Great 2nd F at ET’s after the run.  The entire group posted to Ellwoods and had breakfast this am.  Varied conversation ranging from Upchuck’s previous nights’ conversation about the mating rituals of teens to the proper way to make a muffin so it has the perfect top, yet is easily removed from the paper lining.

     

    TYA OUT

  • Post DST jog

    7 stalwarts posted on a Sunday morning after the time change

    The Thang;

    Buttermilk to T. Pottersfield to N. Bank and Back.  Swiper and Lab Rat opted to turn back somewhere near Reedy creek to pump in 5 miles.

    NMM

    Great 2nd F at ET post run.  Great weekend when you can get a Saturday and a Sunday posting at Ellwoods.  Great conversation. Pretty good showing given that the 3 of the regulars were running the Bel Monte yesterday.  Congratulations to those guys on a good showing yesterday.

    Thanks to Rosie for circling back for me today.  First time running for a week and I was still a little bit leg weary.  It did, however, feel great to be back on the trails, especially some familiar trails.

    TYA OUT

  • Partner assisted James crossing

    Four Sunday regulars – three men and a doggo – braved some of the most beautiful RVA weather in weeks hoping for dry trails and calm winds. No disappointment.

    Shakedown, Offshore, Sally (K9) and YHC set out with a general idea to proceed down the North Bank toward the bridges and figure out the rest later with a target of 7 miles. Basically this is what Shakedown thinks of as tapering for a 25K next weekend…

    Decision was made to cross over to Belle Isle and return to the North Bank via Potterfield Bridge.

    Sally started over Potterfield strong but trepidation grew as the sound of rushing water increased. Eventually no amount of encouragement from the team could get her to budge another inch. To be fair, the rushing water also sent Shakedown looking for some relief of his own.

    Activate the partner assisted bridge crossing and Sally made it to the safety of dry land and we headed back. In the end we completed a leisurely 8.7 (8.9 for Shakedown as he ran ahead to find a john) miles. Just a tad over 7.

    Lots of other runners on the trails today taking advantage of the gorgeous running weather.

    Guys, thanks for the excellent conversations about power tools, yard fowl, photography and music. I hope Reba, Emmylou, and Dolly appreciate their new abode.

    Good luck Shakedown, Upchuck, Honey Do, Flashdance (any others?) running the Bel Monte 25K in Wintergreen next week. Hats off!

    Great work TYA finishing 100 miles! Amazing

  • A humid February morning

    7 studs posted on a gloomy Sunday morning for a trail run.  Route was buttermilk to forrest hill and back.  Upchuck and Shakedown opted for to go back on the north bank, logging 10 miles. Saab started around 545 and battled the fog and heat…

     

  • Saab on the MTA

    Six, maybe seven (Saab, Sight-un-Seen), hombres herded onto the trails together for this week’s version of Sunday Funday.  The RTD ran the following story:

    Route:

    South Bank to Reedy Creek.  Pick up Bootleg, who was on the service road.  Continue on Forest Hill Loop.

    7 milers re-trace steps on South Bank.

    10 milers head east to New Bridge, then back on North Bank.

    NMS:

    Good mumble chatter all around today.  YHC signed a non-disclosure agreement, so see the PAX for details.

    Sugar Sock continues to make strong progress.  Dropping 25 lbs. in 7 months or so is no joke.  Well done.

    Always good to catch up with the regulars…Hardywood, TYA, Shakedown (thanks for your advice while running 10 today).

    Nice to pick-up Bootleg along the way.

    YHC does wonder about Saab.  Two weeks in a row that the Saab-Mobile has been parked in roughly the same spot at the Pump House lot…no Saab in sight.  YHC wonders whether anyone has seen Saab since last Sunday.

    Did he ever return?  No, he never returned?  Is his fate still unlearned?  What a pity.  He may run forever on the trails of Richmond…he’s the man who never returned.

    And, someone may have stolen his car between 7 and 9 a.m. today.

    Or, maybe he returned.

    YHC apologizes to The Kingston Trio.

    YHC also apologizes to Lab Rat for taking his thing of apologizing.

    Announcements:

    Lots of good stuff coming up.  Each Saturday until the Monument Avenue 10k there will continue to be a need for volunteers to help with The Healing Place’s Training Team.  4 miles this Saturday.  The PAX have shown up strong so far…come out and run with the group.   Kudos to Lab Rat for Q-ing the Healing Place warm-up yesterday.

    Make sure to pat TYA on the back this week…he’s trying to cram in the last few long training runs prior to Saturday’s 100 miler.  Swirly, Saab, and Circle K round out the support team.

    Bel Monte March 10.

    CSAUP in April.  Anyone looking for a team?  Lockjaw, Honeydo, Swirly, and some PAX from the Southside all bringing folks together.  Miss anyone?