Tag: Sunday Funday

6 strong men emerged from their fartsacks to take on the trails of Richmond.

The Thang

Northbank to Belle Isle to Buttermilk and back to the parking lot.  Saab added a loop around Forrest Hill park.

NMM

Great weather for a run.  32 degrees at the start and 45 at the finish.  Sunny the whole time.  Given the weather and the recent discussions around appropriate attire, today was a good test of how the PAX felt.  The PAX voted and the LBT (Long Black Tight) community ruled the day.  Fudd and FNG The Whittler opted for the most manly option and wore the long black tights sans shorts.  Upchuck donned the tights with shorts on top,  a good choice, but an unnecessary component in the shorts.  The rest of the PAX wore shorts (given the weather, not a bad choice).  Had the weather been a little cooler, YHC would have joined Fudd and The Whittler with the LBT.  Great to see the confidence (and fashion sense) of the group growing and more men standing up for their god given rights. Stay strong men!!

The trails and parking lot were packed today.  Lots of hikers and other runners along the trail.  Good to see the trails of RVA being utilized to their fullest (even better that no bikers were on the trails).

Great second F at Ellwoods afterwards for Saab, Upchuck, The Whittler and YHC.  Conversation centered around the various running events we have and will participate in including the BRR, Bear Creek, and the SMR.

TYA Out

Eight stellar men ignored the wind forecast to make a loop around the trails.  Besides the gusty winds, the weather was beautiful, and those brave enough to roll out of the warm fartsacks were greeted with a stunning sunrise over the river.  Besides the weather, here is what else was on tap:

Route:  Cross the wind-blown Nickle Bridge to pick up the relative calm of the Buttermilk trail.  Head to Reedy Creek with an optional lariat trail thrown in.  Under the rat tunnel to Forest Hill Loop, then back thru the tunnels.  Head back to Pump House the way we came (again, with optional lariat on the way home).  Individual mileages varied around + or – 7 miles.  Only exception was Saab, who decided to try out his new wheels and go for the Full Monty, coming back on North Bank for what YHC would guess was an even 10 miles for the day.

NMS

The talk du jour was definitely the common theme of this fall:  wardrobe.  Upchuck rolled out sporting tights that could only be described as “modest” compared to what some have worn in the past couple weeks.  They were bunched up at the ankle, and he was kind enough to wear running shorts over privacy areas.  You are a good man, Charlie Brown!  TYA pulled top honors in the fashion feaux pas world yet again by debuting his Highlighter colored compression socks.  They were so bright, they spooked a deer on Forest Hill.  Between Upchuck’s baggy tights and TYA’s socks, we were able to give Offshore a reprieve for the week regarding his duct tape pants.  There’s always next week, though.

Upchuck was struggling a bit with the mumblechatter during the run this morning, as YHC was trying to engage him but found his pace waning while trying to talk and run at the same time (he is recovering from a cold).  Never fear though, as he quickly got his word count in for the day afterwards.  Rosie and Lola were

engaged in a lengthy conversation as well, which YHC was not privy to, but seemed to run the majority of the morning. Another recurring topic that Offshore likes to bring up revolving around today’s politics and YHC’s doing his best to learn Spanish:  how would one translate into Spanish “Make America Great Again”?  Read to the end to see what Google has to say about that.

Glad to have a great showing out there this morning!  The return of Helix was a welcome sight, and great to have Lola join us for his first F3 trail run.  Great run this morning, see ya’ll in the Gloom.

Running related announcements:

-Bear Creek 10 Miler December 4th (December 11th for Saab).

-This Tuesday trail run this week on the AT, or biking opportunity on the Blue Ridge Parkway. See Lab Rat if you are not chained to the desk that day and would like to join us.

-Willis River 35K in January.

-Belmonte 25K/50K/50M in March.  Better start running.

Hagamos grande a Estados Unidos de nuevo,

Lab Rat

3 men turned on the defrost this morning to make an early morning jaunt thru the James river trails system.  Weather was hovering at the freezing point and not a breath of wind for a seriously heavy frost, combining with the turning leaves and the steam coming off the river made a fairly tale setting for our run.  Here is what went down:

Leave the parking lot and head down the hill.  1/3 of us run back up the hill to lock the car, then back down.  Head to Belle Isle the long way round, Return on Buttermilk.  All were up for the lariat, then back across the nickle bridge and back to the parking lot.  We headed down to see Bo-Bo to get the GPS watches to click over 7 miles.

NMS

There was talk of incorporating Forest Hill into the run, but comradarie won out over mileage, and the pax stuck together.  Conversation was lively and many taboo topics were hashed out over the course of the run and subsequent tea-a-teria afterwards.  YHC broke up the “tea party” at ET’s by having to be the only one to order coffee.  Leave it to Lab Rat to be odd man out.

Gorgeous run with stellar men this morning.  A great morning to be in the River City and have killer running friends.

Lab Rat out.

6 stalwarts posted with an extra hour of sleep under their belts.  Weather was 47 and sunny to begin with, a little hot, but tolerable.

The Thang:

3 options today.

All start out on the northbank trail.  First option is turnaround after 2.8 near the Belle Isle parking area, Offshore and Chum opted for this route.  Second options is the full loop of 7 miles Northbank and buttermilk, Jville, TSB and TYA opted for that path.  Lab Rat added Forrest Hill park for an additional 3+.

NMM:

Weather was awesome.  Some discussion pre workout regarding long or short sleeves.  Only two, TSB and TYA, opted for short sleeves.  20 minutes into the run, a little chatter complaining about the long sleeves was heard.  By the end, all were wishing for the short sleeve option.  Remember the recommended outfit is now above freezing, short sleeve T and shorts.  YHC is sticking with that garb until further notice (unless there is a specific request for the tights to make an appearance).

At at the start of the buttermilk trail, YHC spied a young tomatoe running the trails and commented to the PAX that she was much better looking than Jville and Lab Rat.  Lab Rat pointed out that it would be quite a beauty contest between Jville, Mr. Rat, and TYA.  It was noted that whoever won that epic battle would be the “queen of the pigs”.

Less than a month away from the December 4th Bear Creek run.  I know we have a bunch of folks running the race.  Sunday on the trails is the perfect place to tune yourself up for that.

2 guys named Paul met YHC at the trailhead this morning for a beautiful, albeit dark start to the day.  Here is what transpired:

–Short Run:  No takers

-Medium run:  1 loop around the main trails, starting on Northbank, downriver side of Belle, back on Buttermilk including the lariat trail for right at 7 miles.

-Long run:  2 loops of above, second one in reverse.  14 miles total.

NMS

YHC was the third pax in the lot this morning, expecting to see more headlights any second, but they never showed.  Oh well, let’s roll….first couple of miles this morning artificial light was required.  TYA and YHC had planned putting some distance on our feet this morning as an early jump start to the 50K training regimen.  YHC is sure that Offshore would have hung with us, but he is battling with some foot issue and 1 lump was enough this morning.

Somehow, Offshore rolled into the parking lot with dripping blood all down his hand.  YHC was never given a straight answer as to what happened, but YHC knows that he definitely broke our safety streak.

Some good conversation was had on both loops today.  Good to run with Offshore for a bit, it feels like it has been a while.

Always awesome to run with TYA, thanks for going long with me today.  Little did TYA know, but that was the longest run ever for YHC.  The company made it a breeze!

Lab Rat out.

8 stalwarts emerged from the gloom this morning for Sunday morning run. 40 degrees and clear from a weather perspective.

NMM:

3 routes, 4+ reedy creek and back, 7+ add forest hill loop, 10+ add northbank trail.

2 PAX, offshore and the FNG, opted for the 4+.  All the others went all in with option 3.

Lots of talk about what to wear pre workout.  YHC changed from tights to shorts before he left the house.  Once on site in the parking lot, I shed my second shirt and went with a  long sleeve shirt only.  Shorts all around for everyone else, most opted for more than one shirt.  Once on the trail, no one was complaining about the cold.  My new recommendation is shorts and t shirt as long as it is above freezing.  Below freezing – add on layer.

Mumble chatter was abundant today on the trails.  The talk was led by Lab Rat and Upchuck.  Lots of discussion on who was the most talkative.  Only one of the PAX was voting for someone other than Lab Rat as the most talkative.  I will let you guess who that was (hint.  It rhymes with cab bat).  The group kept a good pace going the whole trip.

TYA Out

3 stalwarts posted on a foggy Sunday morning.

The Thang:

Nickel Bridge to Buttermilk to Belle Isle to Northbank and back to pump house.

NMM:

Lots of mumble chatter about the Belmonte and Bear Creek today.  Both Lab Rat and Upchuck were lamenting on how they were duped into upgrading/signing up for the respective races.  YHC was trying to hammer the point home that they indeed have choice and neither of them are required to run either race or a specific distance.  I am not sure that they got the point?   Alternatively, maybe i missed the point and the point was that they just wanted to complain about it.  Time will tell.

Upchuck and Lab Rat had a good chat going for most of the run today.  YHC hung back a few yards to get a little alone time.  Every once in a while they would attempt to pull me into the conversation, but I held out and missed most of the mumble chatter.  Discussion continued at Ellwoods post run where we had some good second F.  For a detailed discussion of the benefits and weaknesses of having the best or worst equipment for a row or a bike, see any of the PAX.

A bunch of  regulars missing today.  Saab is taking a well deserved break from the gloom to recover from the 100 miler.  100 miles in a 30 hours will take a toll on your body.  Saab does not want to take time off, but his body is making its wishes known.  Better to listen to the body now and preserve it for later rather than hurt yourself more.  We miss you out here Saab, but know that it is best to mend the body first.   Second regular missing today was TSB.  If you want to avoid my shameless bragging about my daughter, please skip this paragraph.   TSB had her second cross country meet yesterday.  In her first race, she posted a 27:05 for the 5k In a short week, she shaved off over 3 minutes from her time finishing in 24:03 shattering her previous PR.  Could not have been prouder as she sprinted the last 100 yards to make sure she did not lose any positions at the end.  .

5 regulars and two sunday run new G’s (guys and gals) posted on a blustery Sunday morning in RVA.

The Thang:

Cross the nickel bridge, take the alternate path to underneath the bridge and to the access road along the river.  Follow the road to Belle isle, take two loops around Belle Isle and head back to the south side.  Follow the access road back to the VSF. Route was just shy of 7.5 miles.

NMM:

TSB and I showed up a few minutes early today to an empty parking lot.  Rain was tapering off, but the wind was picking up.  52 degrees, so a little bit chilly.   Parking lot was still empty until 7:55 when Offshore pulled in.  3 more car with 4 more people arrived, leaving us with 7 folks for the run.  Since we had heavy rain for 24+ hours, we decided go stay off the trails and the roads.

The access path along the river was a perfect venue for this mornings run.  Several different approaches to the copious amounts of puddles along the path.  YHC and JVille decided the best way to attack the puddles was a straight on, straight through approach.  No trying to avoid the puddles, just jump right in.  Others tried to navigate around the water hazards.  Not sure what the best method was, but I am pretty certain that all of our shoes were soaking wet post run.

Post workout, the parking lot was devoid of cars except ours.  Must be some kind of unwritten rule that you cannot park there in the rain (or run for that matter).  Red Baron and his M joined us for the run.  They are taking on a trail marathon next week in NC (4th or 5th time for each of them).  Best of luck on the race.  Saab was out there for his first run post Cloudsplitter.  In case you were worried, the race did not slow him down at all.  Offshore and Red Baron were barely indistinguishable from afar.  Only hint was that Offshore had a hat on while Red Baron did not.  Saab and the Richmond Rabbit (FNGAL Christine (a)) were at the lead of the pack most of the day holding a conversation that was undeterred by there pace on the road.

Just because we are post BRR does not mean you cannot run the trails on Sunday…Join us folks, it is perfect weather for the trails once the rain passes.

Two of the faithful joined a headlockee and his LOML for spin around the river trails. The weather could not have been more perfect, and the four of us kept a slow but very steady pace taking on the trails in counter-clockwise rotation. We had great conversation.

The headlockee is a 9 year veteran of seal team. I sent him plenty of info on F3 and am trying to pull him to the convergence this weekend. Hopefully the weather will not wreck that.

The headlockee and his LOML are training for a trail marathon in a few weeks, so they continued on for another loop. The LOML was the fastest runner among us by far, and circled back for us a number of times. She seemed very interested in FIA.

It is perplexing to YHC that we can get 14-15 out one week, and then only 2 the next. Oh well — more elbow room for us!

Jville