Tag: Sunday Funday

A questionable number of runners descended upon the trails today at differing times, with the main brunt leaving at the designated 0700.  It was hot and sticky, which will be the name of the game for the next couple of months, so we may as well embrace it.  Here is the shakedown:

Route: North bank to Canal walk and loop around the Pipeline trail (swim break).  Cross the river on T. Potter bridge and return on Buttermilk.  Official GPS (mine) clocked in at 8.5 miles.  YMMV

NMS:

-Always a pleasure to have Obama join us for trail run!  He acted as group photographer today and kept Helix and Hat Trick from taking it easy.  Speaking of Helix and Hat Trick, they were the only other takers on swim call.  What doesnt kill you makes you stronger!  We’ll have to continue it when the water gets colder.

-Aisle 5 is feeling the calling of the mountains and has upped his running game in preparation for BRR.  Hell of a job today, buddy!

-Special thanks today to Upchuck for minding the six.  Appreciate it, man!

-Great to run with EF Hutton today, even though I broke his heart.  He informed me he was finishing up Corporate Challenge today.  I asked him how was the double dip yesterday and he said “what do you mean?”  Whoops.  Good job on the streak though.  He lamented on that the rest of the run….

-We caught up to Saab limping his way back along Texas Ave. with yet another injury.  Tough break, buddy.  Get well quick.

-RUMOR has it that Bleeder ran this morning.  Soooooo……what does Big Data count, cars or faces?  YHC is being generous with the pax list today, but he thinks that some rulings need to be made on this subject.  The pax was joined by TYA and Wedding Singer who either took a shower right before we showed or actually ran today.

A group of 8 posted for a Sunday morning trail run.  Weather was sunny and 70, 0% humidity.  Perfect for a run.

The Thang;

Over the bridge to Forrest Hill, Forrest Hill loop counter clockwise, then back to the buttermilk and back on the bridge.

NMM:

Good to have Lockjaw back out there today.  He had been absent from the trail run for some time and he had a good showing on his first time back out.  Welcome to Longhorn (FNG Anna).  She is a Houston native and a non UT fan, hence the name.  She is a strong runner and had great showing for her first run.  She is a neighbor of Honeymoon, who also posted for the first time in a while.  He is starting to get ready of the BRR.  Oh, did I mention, that he is not running the BRR with the RVA PAX.  He is running with his NC PAX. I guess deep down, I cannot blame him, but the inner TYA has a little bit of resentment……maybe next year Honeymoon?

Helix is a machine.  He just keeps pumping in the miles.  I think we might need to rename him cyborg or something similar.  He is so consistent running its a pleasure to view.  Thanks to Saab and Lab Rat for running with me for a while.  YHC had a foot cramp/some plantar issues this morning.  After the first 2.5 miles the running was slow and painful.  Very frustrating.  Maybe the body needs to rest a few days.  Will play it by air.

Looking forward to the run next week.  Should be more and more BRR folks getting out there in future weeks.  74 days to game time.

Great 2nd F at Ellwoods afterwards.  Upchuck spoke about a potential new AO and outreach effort in Manchester.  YHC is fully on board and we are exploring ways to integrate this into the F3 RVA schedule.  Upchuck also loved TYA’s personal hygiene actions while at Ellwoods.  Inappropriate, maybe, did it make me more comfortable, absolutely.

TYA OUT

A Magnificent 7 posted for a gorgeous morning on the trails.  Here’s how it went down:

Run clockwise on Northbank, cross Potterfield Bridge, continue on Buttermilk and then back to the cars.

NMM:  This was truly a morning of firsts.  YHC has never been required to pull a Fudd #AAF during a workout.  Fortunately, YHC arrived with time to spare.  Unfortunately, Helix drove in during the half hearted attempt to sneak into the woods, and TYA rolled in during the exit.  What could you do but smile and wave?  TYA believed this to be creepy, but hey, everybody does it.

YHC then started down the hill with Hat-Trick right on the heals and Helix coming up fast.  It was during this time that YHC learned that Hat-Trick was Helix’s progeny, and it can safely be assumed that Helix grew up in WV with YHC #GeneBackwater and started his family while in his teens.., or he is a vampire who doesn’t age?

After teaming up with UpChuck for some time, YHC realized the M was teaching Sunday School, and there was no time to delay.  This brought about the next First as this was the first time during a Q that people were left behind.  TYA may still be running or is feeding crows.  Someone let me know!

Lastly, this was Fathers Day, and it was YHC’s first without his.  The well thought out prayer planned for the COT never happened, but YHC’s dad liked long speeches even less than YHC.  With that in mind, we’ll leave it to this quote:

“And I think about him, now and then
Every time I try and every time I win” – Johnny Cash

Thanks to all the fathers out there who teach through the examples of hard work and never quitting.

Stay Classy,

Toga

5 pax showed for trail run today, with a guest appearance by TYA.  Rumor was Bleeder was also there somewhere, but the pax never caught up to him.  Here is a brief synopsis of the day:

Route:  North Bank, Belle Isle, Buttermilk  About 7 miles.

NMS:

Great to have Honeymoon and Wilson back out. Solid work.

Helix killed it as usual.  Upchuck got in some extra hill work.  Wow…anything extra today is impressive.

We rolled in a man and his two kids into the group today that just moved from DC.  I expect them to make an appearance at an SOJ AO sometime soon.  They sounded excited about it.

It was super hot today.  One of those runs that you are just glad that it’s over.  70 and sunny my ass.

TYA ran early and came back in as we were about to leave in the most ridiculous outfit….Upchuck was heard to say:  “what I am thinking is offensive to the gay community”.  Imagine a black romper with black lederhosen….then TYA inside of it.  Let your imagination do the rest.

Lab Rat apologizes.

5 faithful posted on a perfect Sunday morning for a trail run

The Thang:

Northbank to T. Potterfield, to buttermilk and back to the Pump House parking lot.

NMM

Bleeder got an early start this am, starting out somewhere around 630.  The rest of the PAX convened at 7pm for the start.  Our goal was to catch up to Bleeder before his finish.  Mission failed (I think).  By the time I got back to the parking lot, he was gone.  Upchuck may have seen him, but I heard no reports, so I am assuming not.

Great morning for the trails. Pretty quiet out there and the weather was acceptable.  Mid Sixties with just a little bit of humidity.

When we finished the run, Gomer Pyle was a mess.  He had mud on the front, back and all the sides of his shirt.  When I asked if he fell, he said he indeed did, 3 times.  That has to be a record for Sunday trail run falls.  I have gone done twice in a day, but never three times.  One observation.  He must be an experience faller, because despite hitting the deck three times, I did not see any bumps, bruises, or blood  on his body…

Lab Rat was putting the full court press on Gomer Pyle of the BRR today.  Anytime I was near the two of them (which was rare), tales and descriptions of the event were being shared.  Thanks to Upchuck for the ride home for YHC.  Asking for a ride when you are soaking wet and then realizing that the car seat are cloth was a little uncomfortable for me.  Fortunately Upchuck had a spare towel that I could site on…thanks brother. Bleeder reported that he ran into Hardwood during the run.  Hardwood, I hope you are alright and did not sustain too much damage during the collision….

Saab was missed on the trails this am.  I cannot wait to talk to Saab, because his current ailment occurred during a run in (literally) with a few dogs.  Still cannot figure out what happened, but it must be a helluva story….

TYA OUT

6 stalwarts posted on a Sunday morning for a holiday weekend run.

The Thang:

7 or 10 mile options this am.

NMM

Out of respect for Lab Rat (and the trails), we decided to stay off the trails because of the recent excess of rain in the RVA area.  Given that, YHC decided that we would hit the access road next to the river and then do a few laps around Belle Isle and then take Canal street back to the pump house.  Good plan?  Except, the access road next to the river was a few feet under water and in not such good shape for a morning jog.  Plan C.  Take Riverside drive to Belle and go from there.

Plan C worked.  Although the streets are a poor substitute for the trails, Riverside drive is a pretty good road to run on.  The road was clear the whole way and we then took the bridge down and across to Belle Isle.  The first group led by Honeydo with Bleeder, Pucker, and Helix then ascended the stupidly steep hill near tredegar, headed to canal street and made their way back to the pump house parking lot.  Reported mileage was in the 7 mile range.

Saab and I headed back over the T. Pottersfield bridge, to the flood wall (yes Circle K, TYA found the flood wall successfully) back over the bridge, along the canal, up the stupidly steep hill, and then up to canal street to head back to Pump House.

YHC had a hard time crossing T. Pottersfield this morning.  The river was raging and while I was running forward, the river was crossing under me at 90 degree angle pretty rapidly.  I got dizzy really quickly.  I tried to concentrate on the bridge just in front of me, but could not help but see the raging river.  For those who have been on a cruise and tried to run on a treadmill while aboard, It was a very similar experience.  Your body is going in one direction and your mind sees the world moving in an incongruent way.  Very disorienting.  Thankfully, the bridge is pretty short and  recovered really quickly.

Kotters to Bleeder for the Sunday run.  It has been a while, but Bleeder looked strong out there.  Pucker was also out after a brief hiatus.  Pucker and I discussed our mutual desire that Nashville wins the Stanley Cup.  In Boston sports, it seems to come down to who you hate less.  Nashville only has one or two players that we are required to hate being from Boston, so our routing interest lies there this time around.  Go PREDS, or more accurately, please don’t let the Pittsburg Penguins and Crosby win another cup.

TYA OUT

In just about perfect running weather, 4 awesome dudes descended upon the RVA trails at different times and for differing distances.  This is what transpired…

Helix and Saab run from the South Bank to North Bank.  Arrived in time to see TYA and Circle K off at the (Tredegar) starting line of the RiverRock half marathon.  Knowing we had to stay ahead of the runners, we continued on North Bank before the starting gun went off.

Upon arriving at the pumphouse, Helix and YHC got to volunteering at the waterstop…specifically picking up the cups and organizing collection of trash.  This was our second opportunity to see TYA and CK during their race.  After a brief chat they were off again.

The third opportunity to see TYA and CK was at the finish line.  Both finished strong and looked as they could have kept on running.  After Circle K shared stories of the various dogs he stopped and played with throughout the Forrest Hill leg, he then turned in the direction of a beer truck for a well deserved “colbeer”.

What a great day and terrific work done by all.

Saab abides

2 terrible husbands posted for a Sunday morning mothers day trail run

The Thang

Pump house over the nickle bridge to fire road next to the southside of the river.  Follow the fire road to flood wall and take that to 14th street.  Head back on north side along canal walk and make our way to canal street and follow it and Cary back to THE Boulevard.  THE Boulevard back to pump house parking lot.

NMM

Trails were wet this morning so we avoided them as much as possible.  3/4 of the run was on streets, the other part on fire roads/etc.  I have been wanting to get back to the flood wall, but had no idea how to get there.  Despite many attempts by Circle K to explain the simple direction to the flood wall, YHC needed Lab Rat to lead the way.  Despite Lab Rat’s assurances that he knew the way, I was convinced we were lost getting to the flood wall…I was wrong.

Parking lot was empty when we left. Since it was mothers day, YHC was assuming that most of the husbands out there we home taking care of M.  When we returned after the run, the parking lot was full. Not sure what that means, but we were definitely not alone.

With only two guys (but two stellar guys) in the PAX, not a ton of stories for the morning.  Thanks to LR for running with YHC.

TYA Out

“The river was angry that day.  Like an old man sending back a bowl of soup in a deli.”

Fearsome 5 showed up for this morning’s hopeful running of the trails.  The Q was pretty concerned about the shape of the trails with all the rain that fell earlier this weekend, so he had a road backup plan just in case.  Turns out the trails were in great shape, so we took advantage.

Route:  Over Nickle Bridge to Buttermilk and down to Reedy Creek.  Head over to Forest Hill and back.  Return on Buttermilk for the 7 milers, Head over to T. Potter and back on North Bank Trail for an even 10 miles.

NMS:

Good to have Upchuck back out this morning to carry some of the mumblechatter weight.  He also took two for the team and twisted both ankles!  Hope it was nothing serious, dude.

Helix was there to show us how effortless running can be.  Good to hear about Hat Trick’s aspirations in his future running endeavors.  When the kid starts a new sport, he goes all-in!  YHC will not be betting against him.

Taxi Cab had to endure some abuse for not letting the pax know about Angus’ past endeavors.  He claims ignorance, so we only gave him so much.  YHC got Taxi to cuss this morning, so things are falling right into place!  Awesome to have another regular on the trail run crew.

TYA was trying really hard to have a nice and quiet solo run this morning.  Sorry, not gonna happen.  The extra miles gave the Q some time to catch up on the going’s ons with Casa de TYA.  Good stuff today.

Other than that, just another georgous day on the trail.  A couple mountain biker issues, but another couple of great interactions with other MTB’ers to make up for their two wheeled brothers. The beautiful weather brought out the crowds though, as it was tough to find our cars when we got back to the lot.

Good run today, ya’ll take care until next time.

Lab Rat apologizes.

ONE undaunted Pax answered the Sunday morning call to arms (and legs) on the semi-annual “race weekend” in Richmond.  By race, YHC refers not to NASCAR, but to Ragnar and the Colonial 70.   YHC hopes all went well on the roads and trails.

But, YHC digresses.

YHC was late leaving the Fartsack this morning, and true to form, intended to run every light from Three Chopt to Cary to the Great Wall.  To YHC’s intense disappointment, there must have been a Richmond police officer at each intersection (apparently assisting in setting up for a road race!).  Luckily, the traffic light genies had also jumped from their Fartsacks, so YHC made it to the Pump House in record time…just in time, in fact, to find NO ONE.  Ok, there were three non-descript Caucasian males age 30-50 in running garb, FNsU, LNsU, F3NsU.  YHC thought to himself,”I have not posted often on Sundays the past few weeks, but is it possible everyone is new since March?”  Negative.  These guys started running at 6:58.  No F3 Q would foot-fault by starting early – F3 trains run on-time.  So, YHC waited 2 minutes, and headed East.  One step.  YHC then turned 180 degrees, paused, considered bailing, then turned 180 degrees again.  What the heck?  Just do it.

The Thang:

YHC ran downtown and back on the North Bank trail.

UpChuck out.