Tag: Sunday Funday

Three trails regulars were in town and undeterred by the weather forecasts this morning.  Although the pax was ready for the trails, the trails were most assuredly not ready for the pax.  The easy decision was made to stay on the pavement, so we threw together a quick route, talked Helix into running further than he had planned, and away we went.

Route:

Riverside Drive to T. Potter Bridge.  Up 5th Street to Monument.  Right on Boulevard to Love Hill, then over to Boulevard Bridge flag poles.  Stop at 9.000 miles.

The Deets:

Saab was thinking he was in for a wet solo run this morning, but he got neither.  Little did he know that YHC was back from Roanoke and Helix is more dedicated than he gets credit for.  Very interesting running with these two speedsters this morning, as it has been some time since Lab Rat has been the meat anchor.  YHC did his best to keep pace, but eventually the quick pace got the best of Lab Rat and he caught a crack in the side walk and went down hard.  Luckily, he had just enough wherewithall to dive for the grass…saving him from some serious road rash.

Saab and Lab Rat finished up the morning hashing over some serious topics over selected hot bevereges at ET’s this morning.  Absense of some notable regulars was felt, but Saab and Helix are as good company as YHC could hope to keep.  Great run and extra curriculers this morning, gentlemen!  Thanks for pulling back the reigns for me a bit this morning.

Four faithful posted on an Easter Sunday.  Trails were quiet, yet beautiful.

The Thang:

Buttermilk to Forrest Hill back to Buttermilk and finish up at the Pump House.  7+ miles for some, 5+ for others.

NMM:

LabRat got an early start by posting at Reedy Creek and running back to the Pump House.  He turned around with us and did the return to Reedy and around Forrest Hill.  TSB had a good first half of the run, but was feeling ill half way through Forres Hill.  She stumbled her way back to the Reedy Creek parking lot and Lab Rat was nice enough to give us a lift back to the pump house parking lot.

Missed Saab out there today.  (Bad Mental Image Alert) He was out tanning himself on the beach.  I assume that most of the other PAX were at church praying for the rest of us heathens.  We appreciate it greatly.

Happy Easter to all. This is YHC’s favorite holiday.

6 studs emerged from the fartsack and tackled the trails around Richmond

The Thang:

Northbank to Potterfield bridge to buttermilk to forrest hill to pump house parking lot

NMM:

All PAX opted for the 10+ mile route this morning.  It was a glorious morning to be running the trails.  45 degrees to start out, nice and brisk for a run.  Hat Trick was burning up the trails this morning.  He was in the lead the whole way and was circling back often trying to get his 1/2 marathon in today.  He did an extra loop or two at the end to finish the 1/2 and came in under two hours for the distance.  Taxi Cab continues to extend his “longest run” streak.  He put in ten miles this morning for the first time in his life and seemed to have not trouble at all.  He has a half marathon in two weeks.  I think he will slay it.  Congratulations Taxi Cab on continuing to push your limits…Awesome work my friend.

Saab started 5 minutes late but caught up to us on the Potterfield bridge.  He was a little spent (for a few minutes) from there, then started to ramp it up again in Forrest Hill.  Hardywood, after a few minutes feeding his obsession of women dressed in civil war era garb, joined us for the trail run this morning.  He was rocking his Jerusalem cruisers for the run.  Just one reminder from the higher power to pick his feet up on the run…otherwise no harm from the choice of footwear (I did mention to him that I knew someone who sold athletic footwear, and that I be happy to make an introduction).  As always, when Lab Rat is missing, Helix fills in on his role and is talking the whole run.  The man has a prolific ability to talk and run.

At one point during the run, I referred to Hat Trick as a hockey player.  He told me that he no longer played and therefore was no longer a hockey player.  I, respectfully, disagree with that assessment.  There are a few things in life, that if you have done more than recreationally in your life, that you are always entitled to take ownership and credit for.  One is a serviceman (Marine, Army, maybe even Navy, and all others) whether they are currently enlisted or not.  You have served your country putting your life on the line, you are forever a serviceman (or women).  I know hockey does not come close to that kind of dedication and commitment, but there is a special group of folks in the world who know what a hockey team is about and what the real rules are on the hockey rink.  If you have learned those and lived them, we are always honored to call you a hockey brother. Hat Trick, you will always be a hockey player to me.   I am beginning to understand as I write this that the same thing is true for our F3 brotherhood.  When you commit yourself to F3 and dedicate yourself to it and its principals, you become and always will be the member of a special group of people in the world.   I am honored to be learning what being a true F3 brothers is all about.

TYA OUT

Five towering Redwoods overcame the seductive draw of their respective fartsacks, posted just before 0700 at Pumphouse, and took a spin around our city’s glorious downtown river trails with Johnsonville (YHFA = Your Humble Flesh Anchor) self-designating as Q. The PAX took the normal route in clockwise fashion, running down past Maymont, Hollywood Cemetary, and the old Tredegar Iron Works. We crossed to the southside via the T. Potterfield Memorial Bridge. On the southside, part of the route was blocked for construction. We redirected ourselves up the steep wooden stairs to the top of the climbing wall and then down to SunTrust Mortgage complex. We took the normal path over to the Buttermilk trail complex.

Saab ran well ahead in order to add the challenging 3 mi Forest Hill Park trails. The PAX made its way back to the Boulevard Bridge, crossed, and did a COT with YHFA taking us out. Soon thereafter, Saab came flying in from his extended route.

Thank you all for permitting me to lead each morning for 7 days in a row. Thank you for lifting my spirits as physical limitations threatened to block my way. It has been a humbling experience, but it has helped me to better understand and appreciate F3RVA’s character and cohesiveness.

See ya in the gloom! Jville

4 determined souls posted for a Sunday morning trail run.  Weather is looking up in the RVA, so short sleeves and shorts was all that was needed.

The Thang

Northbank to potter bridge to buttermilk and back to the parking lot.  Approximately 7.25 miles covered.

NMM

It was a wildlife experience to behold this morning.  We started out on the northbank and when we went to make the turn onto the path just behind maymont, a pack of deer (somewhere between 3 – 100) go spooked by our approach and were scrambling out of there to get away.  One (or maybe 40) was stuck between Lab Rat and the path and was totally freaked out until Mr. Rat moved away.  We continued further down the path to see an otter in the water and 2 more deer on the railroad tracks (that were again spooked by our presences).  Along the way we encountered additional wildlife including a woodpecker and a few squirrels.  Reminded me of the scene in Ace Ventura when his landlord leaves the apartment and all of the animals come out of the woodworks to greet Ace.

Trails were quiet today with only four of our PAX members (Saab was away on a camping trip) and not many others seen on the trail.  When we got back to the parking lot, it was packed, so they must have just gotten a later start than us today.  It was a great departure from last week when we were the only cars in the lot before and after our run.

The trail running contingent continues to get stronger everyday.  Lab Rat is now working on his technical skills (rock hopping, etc) to get faster.  Offshore was also pushing the pace today making sure the PAX were moving along.  Taxi Cab, despite have only posted a few times to the trail run put in a great pace.  YHC had a good first half of the run, but is still not fully recovered from his race a couple of weeks ago and had a slow second half.

5 hearty souls failed to look out the window before deciding to run this morning.  Trails were deemed too nice to ruin, so the Q took the pax on an alternate journey, saving the trails for fairer weather:

Route:  Boulevard to Buttermilk trailhead, down to the river and along the access road.  Take the bridge to Belle Isle, loop around the island and head back to the truck via Riverside Drive.  Right at 7 miles.

NMS:  Saab and TYA had visions of another double digit trail day, but finally gave in to the idea that maybe…..just maybe a shorter run might be the better call in order to let their bodies heal from the grueling mileage they did last week.  Saab however looked no worse for the wear, ready to tackle (with gusto) any hill we came upon.

Great to see Offshore back out, deciding that pain while running is better than pain while not running.  When YHC told him how happy he was to see him back out on Sunday, he replied “I was here last week.  Remember, you said you were going to come then didnt?”  Touche.  Still, YHC has missed him.

Also, welcome to the Sunday group to Taxi Cab….who may have also posted before without YHC’s knowledge.  Lab Rat has made many claims in his day…..all knowing has never been one of them.  Taxi is upping his weekly mileage to get ready for Smoky Mtn relay.  Hopefully, we can get him hooked on the beauty that is trail running in that time and have another regular on our hands.

TYA’s heart grew 3 sizes when we returned to the trailhead and the same 5 vehicles were in the parking lot….all belonging to F3 runners.

All hands on deck for ET’s this morning.  Conversations revolved around many topics as usual, most notable topic to other pax members would be our possible future workings with the Sportables team.

Lab Rat apologizes.

A two PAX beat the fartsack, daylight savings time, and alarm clock incompetence to hit the trails this morning.

The THANG:  Northside to the new bridge to the southside. ~7 miles.

NMM:  PAX will recall Helix’s Shoe Goo Shoes.  YHC is sad to report that they were laid to rest as they had become more goo than shoe.  Applications are being accepted for replacements.

YHC properly adjusted the time on his alarm clock but screwed up the alarm time and awoke at 6:41am.  Google Maps says it should take 17 minutes to reach the AO.  YHC arrived at 7:01 AM.  YHC thinks as a general rule it’s probably best not to know the shortest amount of time required to reach the AO.

YHC was glad to see Helix, and grateful for his patience with a late arrival.  It was a beautiful morning for a trail run: clear, calm, and a little cold.  Lights were needed only on the initial descent – the days are getting longer.  For YHC, the bigger challenge was seeing through the sleep in his eyes.

YHC is anxious to hear stories about the Belmont and hope the PAX are recovering well.

4 running studs and YHC posted for a Sunday morning walk in the woods.  Weather was high twenties and a bit windy, but 70 and sunny in our minds….

The Thang:

Northbank to pipeline, cross the potterfield bridge to buttermilk and back to the pump house parking lot.  8.3 miles, 1.5 hours total…

NMM

The group stayed pretty close together today.  Not sure if the running studs slowed down or I sped up because of the cold.  Either way, it was good to stay in contact the whole way.  I enjoyed spending some time chatting to Phonics today.  We touched on Big Data, zip codes (if you ever need to know and RVA zip code, just ask Phonics, I think he knows them all), neighborhood strip clubs and a variety of other topics.  Helix and Lab Rat were at the lead of the group for most of the morning.  Not sure how the two of them got along…my guess, lots of talking from Lab Rat and an EF Hutton like performance from Helix.

Two or three PAX members declared they would participate this morning, but were no where to be found.  No names.

One shy of 11 PAX arrived for a trail run along the scenic James.  Here is the rundown:

Route A:  North Bank, cross at the new bridge, then take Buttermilk trail on back.

Route B:  Above, but add-in Forest Hill loop

Route C:  Above…repeato

YHC can’t begin without making mention of TYA who is on the DL today, and thus the inspiration for today’s BB title.  Get well Brother.

Most of the PAX opted for option A, while Lab Rat, Hat Trick, and Saab ventured off through Forest Hill.  TClaps to HT for both pushing through the miles and expressing his plans to attend future trail runs as often as he can…Helix’s 2.0 is clearly a committed runner.   Hat Trick also brought his friend Jacob who will be named the next time he posts.

A few other observations:

• Phonics demonstrated his appreciation for the trail on numerous occasions by getting down and as close to it as possible.  The man recovered well after each spill and maintained his usual positive demeanor.
• On the topic of Phonics, the guy is quick…whether it involves catching up to the PAX due to a late arrival, or taking a speedy pit-stop that would make a NASCAR crew blush with envy
• Enjoyed the company and conversation as usual.  No shortage of entertaining topics when LR is in the house
• Happened to meet up with Taxi Cab and Mile High near the end of my run.  It was nice to chat with them and YHC hopes they can advance their alarm clocks a bit earlier next time and join the rest of the PAX.

Saab abides

8 veterans and two FNG posted for a Sunday in the woods.  Weather was 70 and sunny.  Really, it was 70 and sunny at the end of the workout.  Certainly unseasonably warm for February in Richmond.

The Thang:

South side to Forrest hill park loop and back to the parking lot.  4 of the PAX took a second loop, Northside to new bridge and back on the south side.  Saab added and extra loop thru Forrest hill park.

NMM:

Phonics posted with 50% of his children this morning.  His 15 year old boy, Andrew (F3 name Monarch), and 13 year old girl, Rachel (F3 name Betsy Ross) joined us for their first sunday trail run.  The crew was coming in hot as they were a few minutes past 7am, but the benevolant Q decided to hold the PAX since some FNG’s were on the way.  TSB certainly enjoyed having some other “hate, hate, hate, respect” folks in the ranks.  For the first time in a long time, she wasn’t the war baby on the run.   Phonics reports that at least one of his other children was chomping at the bit to post this morning.

Monarch and Betsy Ross acquitted themselves well this morning.  They both had strong runs and seemed to enjoy the trails.  The one place that Betsy was not comfortable was when she found out she was going to get a nickname.  She clearly did not want to go through that process.  I think the group alleviated her fears and gave her a user friendly name.

4 folks oped for an extra loop in preparation for the Belmont in three weeks.  Saab, Upchuck, Labrat and TYA were the takers.  As can be guessed from the participants, there were two very talkative and two relatively non talkative PAX members.  You guess which is which.