Tag: Sunday Funday

4 intrepid runners participated in 1 of 2 runs today…
1) Richmond PAX: southside to northside loop with run around Brown’s Island – 8 miles
2) Arkansas PAX (TYA): 10 miles which included an extreme 4 mile climb.

Before the start we first had to resolve who would Q. Since the honorable TYA was running at a remote location in our nation’s heartland, it fell to Saab. YHC did appreciate Aisle 5 taking the quick initiative to call out the above route which served as a nice change from prior weeks. Upon completion we chatted it up with Udder who was about to venture out with a friend (he admittedly opted for the added sleep at the expense of running under higher temperatures).

After the run we had an enjoyable post-run hangout at ET. Discussions about BRR training do’s and don’ts ensued. YHC was surprised and pleased to hear that Wilson was signed-on for the BRR (although I am reminded this is a cyclic and it may just be his “on-week”).

Enjoyed it guys. Thanks for the great start to the day.

Saab abides

Four PAX opened the trails this morning with a group trail run.

The Thang: Southside to Forest Hill loop and back.  7.75+ miles.

NMM: YHC was assuring Aisle 5 that he was happy to take a slower pace when Hardywood jumped out of his car ready to rock the trail in his Jesus Gladiators.  Saab arrived soon after, announcing that he was nearly spent and was approaching 40 miles of running for the three day weekend.  As it turned out, the PAX had little trouble staying together – nice work, gentlemen.

TYA skidded into the parking lot on his way to the RiverRock half marathon on the trail.  Were it not for high-performance tread on the Civic, YHC’s legs would have been pinned between two cars.  TYA broke out his nice shorts for running behind “pace cars” in the race.  The PAX hoped TYA and LabRat had good races, and also hope that TSB heals soon from an ankle injury.  Also, best of luck to LabRat’s dog in becoming the Ultimate Air Dog.

The PAX passed a water station for the race.  The volunteers seemed confused, gave some disapproving looks, and were not about to practice their water distribution skills on the PAX.  They couldn’t fathom that the PAX were leading the race?

Because of the rain, YHC had thoughts of trying to get into Maymont and Hollywood Cemetery somehow and staying on pavement.  The PAX persuaded him that the trails would be fine and they were.  During the Forest Hill loop, the PAX crossed a creek that was higher than usual.  Hardywood had no problems in his sandals, so he busied himself rearranging the boulders in the creek while the rest carefully climbed from rock to rock across.  It sounded like trucks were tipping over on Riverside Drive.  If LabRat were there, he would have been half a mile down the trail in wet shoes.

YHC announced that his M will have an opportunity to meet Bret Michaels tonight after his show.  The PAX cautioned that it would probably be best for her not to go alone.  YHC remembered his show “Rock of Love,” or rather the Saturday Night Live parodies of it.  Unfortunately, the web seems to have been (almost) scrubbed of clips.

Excitement is mounting for the BRR.  Saab stated that it is part of his training regimen for the race-that-shall-not-be-named.

YHC is organizing a cycling team for the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure on September 24th.  Here is our team page: http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourdeCureContentHybrid?pg=team&fr_id=11465&team_id=727926.  If there is enough interest, perhaps we can form a separate F3 team.  YHC pledges to satisfy any F3 registrant’s fundraising requirements.

8 posted for today’s trail run and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Most took southside to Forest Hill (loop) and then back again…about 7 miles. Lab Rat arrived early and ran what was largely a road-based run that covered about 10 miles. YHC enjoyed conversation with the PAX along the way. Glad Udder brought Tramp Stamp for his first trail run…great to have you there guys.

During COT, YHC was a bit surprised when a partially clothed man attempted to insert his bare torso into the circle, but soon realized it was Lab Rat coming in from his extended run.

Best of luck on the half marathon (next weekend) Lab Rat and TYA.

Still need 1-2 men for the BRR (you know who you are…)

Saabinator out

The Thang

Five seasoned trail runners departed and headed east on the North Bank Trail to the Texas Beach bridge. Heading west and running along the river – we passed the Nickel Bridge, the train bridge, and just after Powhite we turned and came back to the VSF.

NMS
Other the the overcast skies, today felt like the Allman Brothers song “Blue Sky” as we were consistently in proximity to the rambling river and streams. The birds were aplenty and we caught five deer off guard as they bolted across our path through the woods with one diving into the stream.

As we went west of the pump house, we had to blaze our own trail for the most part. I am sure it will be overgrown and impassable in a month’s time. We kept going and made it pretty far west just beyond Willow Oaks on the other side of the river. We turned around at this point. I could see a path continue further, but we would most likely keep taking it until we hit the Huguenot Bridge. Sometimes it is best to know when to turn around versus peering around another bend.

YHC took us out. 2nd F at ET.

5 Faithful posted on a Sunday morning to take on the trails or Richmond.

The Thang: Several routes were run this morning. TYA, TSB and Offshore opted for a 7+ mile route that started at the pumphouse, traversed to the other side of the river, took the buttermilk to forrest hill park, back on the butter milk and back to the shovel flag. Lab Rat wanted a little more mileage so he opted to return via belle isle and the northbank trail for a total of 10+. Saab headed out early, did the extended loop including forest hill and then repeated the buttermilk northbank loop for 17+ miles.

Moleskin

Saab took off early. No idea what time, as he was on the move by the time I showed up at 655. He ran into Lab Rat on the final part of Lab Rat’s route, but never made contact with the rest of us. I cannot wait to hear what race/event Saab is training for. Is he a candidate for Barkley’s? Another run at the JFK 50? Or maybe, just maybe he will run the entire BRR by himself. Whatever he decides to do, I know he will slay it. That man has an engine that wont stop.

For a few minutes, I thought it was going to be just TSB and myself on the run this morning. It was good to see Lab rat pull and followed by Offshore (who was in just under the starting gun). Today we kept pretty close to each other the whole way. Offshore not having Saab to chase after slowed his pace a bit. Good to run with everyone today.

Weather is improving, so there are a lot more people on the trails. For the first time in a long time, we saw mountain bikers on the trail. Since it is the beginning of the year, everyone was super patient and respectful of each other. Let keep that vibe going as long as we can. BRR is less than 175 days away now. Looking forward to seeing more of the PAX out there on Sundays to start hitting the hills.

Four faithful and one FNG posted for a Sunday morning on the trails. Weather was perfect, 40 degrees, no wind and sun rising.

The Thang:

Start at pump house parking lot, Head across bridge to souths side, Buttermilk to Belle Isle, Belle Isle outside loop to Northbank trail. Northbank back to pump house parking lot.

NMM:

Great to have Honeydo and Rosie back out on the trails with the PAX. Blue ridge relay is now less than five months away and it is time to start putting in the miles. Honeydo and Rosie had a good pace going the whole time. Total round trip for the PAX took about 80 minutes, a good pace for the trail run.

Saab is on a quest. A quest for what, we do not yet know. All I know is that if he watches the Barkley Marathons video again, he likely will quit our blue ridge relay team and try to do the whole race on his own. He asked YHC what the route was today and it was clear from the start that he had another route on his agenda. Do not know what he had in mind or what he ended up doing, but I am sure it was in the 15- 20 mile range. Run Forest Run!

IT was a blessing to share the trails with my daughter this morning. She was also inspired by the Barkley’s video and declared that she wanted to do the trails as much as possible from now on. She posted this morning and put in an awesome run (first time or not). As mentioned, we completed the loop in 80 minutes, which is a pretty good pace for the PAX. She was second only to SAAB for the first couple miles, the settled in behind Honeydo and Rosie for the rest of the route. Today was the longest run of her life, but I am sure that will not be the case for long.

Along the route, I had been contemplating names for my 2.0. Although I had a half dozen names locked and loaded to suggest, I did not have to suggest one. When I asked for suggestions. Rosie said “Well we have the Yankee Aggressor, how about the Southern Belle”. It was one of my suggestions and fits all the F3 naming criteria, so THE Southern Belle it is. I am sure she will post for the run again in the not so distant future.

Thanks to Rosie for taking us out in the COT. He did a great job adjusting the usual “Let try to be better fathers…. by adding daughters and student to the usual list of roles we play in the world.

2 slots left for BRR. Join soon or you might miss out on this awesome event.

HDHH this week sponsored by Dr Flashdance. RSVP so he can have the right amount of refreshments available.

See you in the Gloom.

Four trail run regulars showed up on what turned out to be a stunning morning for a long run:

Out North Bank, cross over Belle Isle around the downstream side, over to Buttermilk then up Forest Hill (clockwise, of course).  Home on Nickle Bridge by way of second half of Buttermilk.  Offshore and Saab got in some extra mileage on the lake loop.  GPS clicked 10.0 miles upon passing the flags at the toll booth.

Quick prayer and off to church/rehydrate.

NMS:

Not much to report, but a solid run was logged.  TYA and YHC are doing the half marathon trail run on 5/22, so we decided to up the mileage a bit.  Shorter routes were at the ready, but no takers this morning.

Saab sent us off with homework:  Watch “The Barkley Marathons” on Netflix, come ready to discuss.  Lab Rat and M completed task.  Good call…Lab Rat loved it, M called it “a train wreck she couldnt stop watching”.

Catch you on the flippity flop,

Lab Rat

Three PAX showed up for a trail run on the second Sunday of Easter and Spring Break.

The Thang:  Northbank to Texas Beach trail, Texas Beach trail along the beach past the pump house to the end, circle back using the trail along the railroad tracks.  Cross the railroad tracks at the pump house, using the man-sized whole in the fence instead of crawling around barbed wire.  Turn left to head west, cross additional obstacles, cross back over the railroad tracks to pick up another trail along the shore.  Pass under the old RR bridge, continue to almost the Powhite Parkway Bridge until thorns, tall grass, and the threat of lyme disease made turning around inevitable.  Cross back to the north side of the tracks, take another trail back to the pump house, cross Pump House Road.  Take the trail to the left of the pipeline trail (Dogwood Dell Hiking Trail?)  for about a 1.5 mile loop, pick up pipeline trail to the amphitheater, and back down Love Hill to the parking lot for COT.

NMS: YHC was in an exploring mood, and the PAX obliged.  YHC wanted to learn the new trails before the critters and growth accompanying spring arrived.  Texas Beach and the trails next to the river were in great shape and flat – they would be good for beginners, though crossing the tracks required careful maneuvering.  Crossing the dam near the end of Texas Beach required climbing up to the railroad tracks and carefully crossing the bridge on the tracks.  Toga noted that we probably would not be able to hear a train over the rushing water.  TYA commented, and PAX agreed, that the trail loop around the pipeline trail would be excellent for mountain biking.

Announcements: Prayers for the Bucket family.  Support the new AOs: DaVille, UofR Run, Circus Maximus, W Dog.

With it being Easter, get in and get out was word of the day so that family commitments could be honored.  Aisle 5 had 4 miles in mind, and Saab called out doing the loop counter clockwise for the rest of us.  Lab Rat and Aisle 5 stuck together out to the two mile point, where we parted ways.  Offshore and Saab took off down the trail to get in a quick loop.  YHC never caught sight of them after a quick exchange on the switchback at Buttermilk.

GPS logged 7.0 miles this morning, putting YHC over the 100 mile mark for the month.  WOOT!

Noteworthy mention goes to Aisle 5 for pushing thru an ongoing issue to log some miles this morning.  Great to run with you this morning, brother!  Hope you feel better quick.

Happy Easter, all.  The Tomb is Empty!

Lab Rat

The usual suspects came out to what looked to be a very gloomy day.  The weather might have sucked for a picnic, but it was perfect for a run…so we did…

THANG

North Bank to Belle Isle. Around the outside of the Isle then up to the top.  Return home to the VSF via Buttermilk for 8.00 miles.  Great run with great dudes.  If you fart sacked, you missed out.

NMS

Just another great morning outside with great company.  I love Sundays.

Lab Rat