Tag: Sunday Funday

It was a Saab Q, but as he is penning the Epic Poem of the F3 Richmond CSAUP from yesterday, Up Chuck is ghost writing this one.

3 Pax sallied forth for a drizzled Sunday, Muddy Sunday run.  Conditions were, one might say, muddy.  After the obligatory discussion in the parking lot of options…out-and-back vs. loop, more gear vs. less gear, muddy trail vs. hard asphalt, here’s how it went down:

The Thang:

Saab led us on a warm-up run southbound on Nichol Bridge followed thereafter by a retracing of our steps (more to follow on this).  The PAX chose to continue on the North Side Trail towards downtown.  The PAX split at the parking lot above Texas Beach into Short Run and Long Run.  Short Run was an out and back to that point with the Long Run continuing on the NST (or, given the conditions, perhaps IN the NST is a better description) to Belvedere.  YHC and Saab continued on terra firma through Oregon Hill on Pine, Holly, China, Cherry, etc. until reaching Idlewood, which the PAX then generally followed back to Fountain Lake, Trafford Rd. (abutting the VITA Trail), Boulevard, and down Love Hill to the parking lot.  In total, YHC estimates Long (ish?) Run in the neighborhood of 6-7 miles.

Moleskin:

Hats off to Two Can and Saab for joining YHC today.  After bailing out early yesterday in order to fulfill coaching duties, YHC went to bed Saturday feeling that he left too much energy on the table at the CSAUP.  All F3 Richmond PAX can relate to the spiritual crash the day after a Swirly Q (“I NEED more upper body!  How can I get more upper body?”), but rather than try to get even more jacked, YHC decided to hit the trails. Muddy Sunday ensued.  Skies were grey and cloudy and dark and grey, so absent Two Can and Saab, YHC could easily have listened to a few more Podcasts in the car and bagged it.  But, the sight of a couple PAX was all the push YHC needed.  Thanks, fellas.

Saab led us on the Nichol Bridge in strong fashion.  Starting up the south side incline, Saab experienced the bane of all distance runners: the uncertainty that comes with the nagging question,”Did I lock my car?”  While Saab was reluctant to delay the PAX, F3 is about team work.  YHC explained that Saab had two options: 1) return his car, with all PAX accompanying him, in order to verify the security of his car, wallet, and phone, or 2) continue on the run knowing that Saab would be dogged throughout the run by two things: a) the nagging thought that he had not locked his car, and all his important physical possessions would be stolen, and b) YHC continuously mentioning the nagging thought that Saab had not locked his car, likely resulting in all his important physical possessions being stolen. YHC believes that Saab silently considered, “If ‘defenestra’ is the Latin root for throwing someone out a window, what is the Latin verb that means “to vomit (or,’to Up Chuck,’) off the Nichol Bridge?”

The Saab Mobile secured, the PAX hit the NST, which proved a little more Slip Slidin’ Away than Simon and Garfunkel could have imagined. Mumblechatter ensued.  Thus, after the one-way trip down NST, the PAX thought better of Buttermilk and the Loop, opting for the hard roads home.

Today was a spur of the moment run for Two Can.  Props for pounding through on a sloppy Sunday.  Quite a mudder.  YHC is looking forward to hitting the trails with Two Can on a drier day…dry trails = happy trails.

Thanks to Saab for pushing me.  Even though our total was only 6 or 7 miles, it’s nice to be at a spot where 6-7 miles feels like a short run.

As someone has to abide at the end of every Saab Q, Up Chuck abides.

Announcements:

BRR sign up underway.  September 7-9.  Get out there.

2 appeared in the dark today for the weekly trail run along the banks of the James River.  Other regulars who were absent today were TYA and Lab Rat, who were running the Willis Creek 35k.

Given Offshore’s time constraints, his plan started with a straight out and back run (30 minutes each way).  Plans were thwarted, however, when he chose to stick with YHC through the south side run to Forest Hill loop – thus adding about 20 minutes extra to his run.  Upon exiting the loop, Offshore and YHC parted company, with Offshore heading back on the South side, and YHC heading East to the ‘new bridge’ with a return on North side.

Respect to TYA and Lab Rat (and any others?) running the Willis River 35k today…a distance YHC could only cover these days if either chased by a ferocious animal, or if chasing a pair of well positioned tights (NOT TYA’s).

On this day in history, Sully Sullenberger flew his plane into a flock of unsuspecting birds…there were no survivors.

Saab abides

2 stubborn knuckleheads decided to run in single digit temperatures the day after a snowstorm.  Given the condition of both the trails and roads, location was moved to MM.  With an agreement to run 30 minutes out and back along Grove, the PAX covered about 6 miles.

To say it was cold is an understatement.  Although YHC had no regrets wearing his shorts, he grew jealous of TYA who donned far superior face and hand gear.  By the second half of the run, YHC’s nose, fingers, and other appendages – for which nature did not allow the ability to recess themselves within one’s body cavity – were past numb and approaching frostbite.  “Coldest F3 run ever” as TYA noted.

F3 RVA baby…where it’s always sunny and 70, and we never close.

Saab abides

4 stalwarts posted for a new years morning run.  Weather was 40 and sunny to start.

The Thang:

Long run was northbank to buttermilk and back, using the new bridge crossing.  Short run was northbankt to parking lot and back.

NMM

Despite all the prediction, TYA was not flying solo this morning.  I pulled into the parking lot to one car (not and F3 PAX).  Shortly thereafter, Offshore pulled into the parking lot, followed by Saab and Flipper.  Great to see everyone out there this morning on the first day of the year.  TYA and Saab opted for the long run and Offshore and Flipper headed back after the northbankt so they could make church (at least for Offshore).  Great to hear Flipper tell the story of his first posting at the trail run, thinking it was going to be a 2-3 mile jaunt and finding out it was a 7+ mile run…ooops.

Since I got my new watch and have all kinds of advanced metrics, I have been getting more and more into the running metrics – as a lot of runners seem to be.  So, in that spirit, when Saab and I finished our 7.25 mile run at 8:20 this am, I decided to see what kind of yearly pace we were on.  So, if we continue the pace and put in 7.25 every 8 hours and 20 minutes of the year, we will cover over 7,500 miles (almost 2.5 times back and forth across the country).  Should be a piece cake.

Great to run with Saab this AM and have some time to chat along the way.

See you guys out there later in the year

With school in session for the kids and a day off from work for some there will be a trail run heading off from Pump House at 9:00 AM on Monday 1/2. Tell your M this is a required run for Belmonte if need be.

All are welcome to join.

4 Richmond regulars gathered in the breaking gloom for ….but wait, who’s that?!  Obama coming in hot makes 5!  Now it’s a party:

The route du jour had us running Buttermilk to the new T. Potter bridge, figuring out how to get down to it, then continuing downstream to the pipeline trail.  Climb the ladder to the canal walk back to Brown’s Island, then North Bank back home.  Splitting the uprights on the  two GPS watches in tow put us covering 8.5 miles.

Lab Rat was very excited to try out this route today, since he finally discovered where to pick up pipeline trail off Brown’s Island.  For the reading population unfamiliar with said trail, it is actually a pipe with a cat walk on it that extends over the rapids of the James…pretty freaky honestly.  Lab Rat asked TYA if he was claustrophobic before getting on the pipe, and he said no.  He immediately changed his answer afterwards.

Although bummed that Saab and Offshore made an early day of it, Lab Rat was happy to chat up Obama and get to know him better.  Obama is a solid dude, and YHC would have zero problems sharing a run with him any time.  Luckily for Lab Rat, Obama is recovering from a vasectomy, so he could actually keep up with the usually much faster Obama.  Other fun facts were learned that have no business being in print (ever), so inquiring minds will have to get their butts out to the trail some time if they want all the gory details.

Afterwards, TYA and Lab Rat solved a couple major world issues over muffins and all you can eat bacon, so you’re welcome.

Lab Rat out.

Six gentlemen rose from the fartsack to 30 degree weather and attacked the day Trail Run style.  The route planned for this morning is as follows:

YHC wanted to change it up a little and add a couple of miles so the planned route involved Buttermilk to the Highrise.  Instead of the normal route to Belle Isle continue on Buttermilk East to the Floodwall.  Follow the Floodwall to 14th street.  Cross the river and work your way up the Canal Walk to Browns Island to Northbank Trail back to Pump House.

TYA and YHC covered the aforementioned route for a total of 9 miles.  Saab and LOLA wanted exceed expectations and circled Forest Hill for 12 miles.  Offshore has morning commitments and He and Aisle 5 covered the normal route to include Bell Isle for 7 miles.

Great 2nd F at ETs followed with conversations ranging from the perfect woman, Aisle 5 chasing a runner of the opposite sex during the BRR, Saab following YHCs direction regarding the change in the normal route, and TYA’s clearance rack shorts which he wore over the tights (Thank Goodness).

Thanks for letting me lead this morning and indulging YHC with a different route.

Circle K

Four PAX emerged to open the trails for the few from RVA not at the Bear Creek.

The THANG: Texas Beach, then loop around pipeline trail for about 4 miles total.  COT

NMM: The PAX posted to the parking lot, each expecting to be the only runners this morning, but were rewarded with the company of three others with the same goals for the morning.  F3 delivers again.

The parking lot was 100% F3 at the start of the run, and there were very few others on the trails.

Cliffhanger (Rosie 2.0) is preparing for the track team in the spring.  Way to run today!  The PAX hopes F3 becomes a regular part of your preseason routine, and will be anxious to follow your season.

It was great to have Aisle 5 back on the trails.  He claims to be haunted by YHC whispering in his ear whenever running uphill, even when YHC is right in front of him or 200 miles away.

Best wishes to the Bear Creek crew.  PAX will be anxious for stories about the adventures there.

Last Sunday, YHC’s car almost broke down on the way to the AO.  YHC was able to limp into the dealer and the M picked him up.  Lesson learned, though: regardless of how you want to dress for a workout, be prepared for a breakdown just in case!

Rosie’s crew is getting geared up for the next trip to Mount Trashmore next Saturday.  Final details coming early this week.