Tag: Sunday Funday

4 fast F3 PAX posted for a Sunday Morning trail run. Weather to start was 35 degrees and sunny….warming up the whole way.

The Thang:

Northbank trail to Belle Isle, Belle Isle outside loop to Buttermilk. Buttermilk back to the shovel flag.

Naked Moleskin:

At yesterday’s coffeetaria at Ellwood’s Wilson asked “who’s posting for the Sunday trail run”. It was understood by the PAX that he was asking because he was planning on being there. Saab responded to Wilson immediately “You asked me the same question a couple weeks ago”. That week, Saab posted because he knew Wilson was going to be there and did not want to not live up to his word that he would be there. Saab posted, no Wilson. Wilson asked again yesterday, no Wilson today…I see a trend here.

Uneventful trip around the trails this morning. We kept moving the whole way and finished the loop in 75 minutes. Come on out next week. First week of Lockjaw’s 100 mile challenge.

See you in the gloom.

4 PAX embarked on the trail run today logging in various distances, trails, and start times. This is how it went down…

Course A: Travel across bridge to buttermilk trail, cross at Brown’s Island, then return on North-side.
Course B: Arrive and depart early, traverse the above route in reverse (Oyster)
Course C: Take a 2 or 3 mile course with man’s best friend (Flipper)

Offshore and Saab took off at the prescribed start time. Discussion immediately went to thoughts of TYA and hopes THE Yankee Aggressor will be back in the gloom as early as possible. YHC enjoyed the chat with Offshore on such topics as Dogpile, busy Saturdays, and growlers (always my favorite). Learned Corks and Kegs has very aggressive pricing in this space so I will have to re-visit them.

We eventually happened upon Oyster who was traveling in the opposite direction. It then became our goal to keep pace and get to the parking lot to meet Oyster in the end. No abandoned vehicles on the trail this weekend, but tire-tracks were still visible. Timing was just right to meet up with Flipper and Oyster in the end. Briefly discussed future runs where we will work to offer alternative distances/trails for this who want to get started but find the standard distances too daunting.

Saab out.

Alternative title:  To go far, run together….only not that together

Alternative title #2:  Shorts?  You serious?

5 Pax rolled out to greet the day on the trails of RVA.  Conditions were as cold as it gets in Richmond (round it up to 10F), but sunny and no wind.  Notable showings were Chumbucket and Flipper, plus Flipper’s pooch, but they were bound for a shorter route this morning and quickly broke rank.  The rest went down like this:

Route of choice this morning went old school, taking North Bank out to Belle Isle, returning on Buttermilk.  Individual mileages may vary, but the Garmin rolled 7.7 miles at the end of the parking lot for YHC.  North Bank was definitely the warmer trail with the sun.

NMM:

The pax showed up in some interesting garb to say the least this morning.  While YHC, Chumbucket, and Flipper wore standard gloom workout attire, Saab rolled out of his British Jeep in cutoff jeans and a Metallica tank top.  Offshore must have come straight from his night job, where he seems to be taking an apprentiship as a brick mason.  (YHC would like to make note here that Saab’s outfit is exaggerated for entertainment purposes, but Offshore’s outfit is not.)

There is strong evidence that jorts were not the best choice though, as Saab informed the PAX at the first loop back that he had best let the ponies stretch their legs.  Jack Frost was sure to be nipping at the bare knees.  YHC sent Offshore out to run him down, but Saab had motivation to blaze this morning and it was not to be.  YHC and Chumbucket leap frogged back and forth, but this morning’s run was pretty much a solo affair for everybody concerned.

Absences of note:

TYA had to call in sick.  The Pax was hoping that it was due to a failure to properly stretch before Valentine’s Day festivities, or possibly an erection lasting longer than 4 hours but there would surely have been a tweet about that, and was not to be the case.  Seems as though TYA is battling with a kidney stone, and the stone has the upper hand at the moment.  Here is to wishing a speedy recovery to him (TYA, not the kidney stone).  Corporate, please log this as an EXCUSED absence.

Lockjaw continues to miss runs after throwing down the 100 mile gauntlet for March.  YHC hopes that he is just resting up the legs before March 1.

Conclusion:

Finished up this morning with F3’s shortest prayer ever, piled into our respective vehicles, and blasted the heat all the way home.  Well done gentlemen!

AYE!

Lab Rat

7 regular trail runners showed up for a Sunday morning trail extravaganza.

The Thang:

Buttermilk trail to Forest Hill park, loop around Forest Hill Park. Faster runners take a loop around the lake to add a half mile to their run. Back to buttermilk and back to shovel flag.

Naked Moleskin:

One of the regulars, Circle K, showed up with his mountain bike this morning. Circle K had run yesterday afternoon with his M, but did not want to miss a Sunday morning on the trails. He took a loop on the Northbank and then around Forest Hill and met us on our trip around Forest Hill. Trails were in good shape, so no problem for Circle K or the runners.

Aisle 5 is an animal. That dude has heart. He is non-stop on the trail run, pumping out mile after mile. Impressive for a “Respect” guy. Wilson, Aisle 5 and I stayed together for most of the run. Good to run with the south side folks. Saab, Fudd and Lab Rat led the group around the loop. Aisle 5, Wilson and YHC covered 7.5 miles, Saab and Lab Rat 8.25. Fudd and Circle K….not sure.

Great 2nd F at Ellwoods after the run. Lab Rat was a little fired up about the lack of customer service given on ordering his breakfast, but was very happy after receiving his meal. Lots of chatting about the BRR. It is still quite a bit away, but I am already excited.

3 regulars posted on a sunny Sunday morning to attack the trails.

The Thang:

Cross the bridge and head up the hill, left onto Riverside Drive. Cross river at Manchester Bridge. Left onto Spring, amble through Oregon Hill and head west on Idlewood, Cumberland, Lakeview. Take Love Hill back to parking lot to finish out the run.

Naked Moleskin:

YHC checked the trails and the access road yesterday to see if running were possible (and wise). Although there were a few runners on the trails, the footing was still pretty bad and there was a lot of snow, water, mud, and ice. So…we decided to do a “near trail” run. We essentially did the same route as we usually do, a little off the trails and on the road. Total distance traveled 7.2 miles in a little over 65 minutes.

Southside of the river on Riverside drive was awesome. We saw zero cars and one walker on the entire 3+ miles down riverside drive. Great views and it was awesome being able to run in the middle of the road, avoiding the little bit of ice and snow on the side of the road Last time I ran Manchester bridge was with Offshore and Honeydo when the remnants of the hurricane were passing Richmond. The wind on the bridge that day was brutal. No wind today, but I always forget how long that bridge is. It seemed as though we were running that bridge for 1/2 the time today. On the way back we were very close to Sippy’s house. YHC suggested a quick pop in for coffee, but Saab and Offshore did not think Sippy would appreciate it (plus they could not remember exactly which house his was).

After the workout, Saab was taking his usual trip to the store for coldcuts. Offshore was heading to teach Sunday School.

See you in the Gloom

4 Pax showed up for this morning’s edition of the RVA trail run.  Still dark at 7:00, but we followed a couple non-Pax (including Toga’s BIL) out into the gloom, testing our concentration skills.  Although Offshore rolled an ankle, that wasnt until later, so we cant blame the darkness on that (hope it’s good, Offshore).

We ran out North Bank, across to Belle Isle, and back on Buttermilk.  Snow flurries started as we picked up Buttermilk, and were really coming down as we finished.  Quite the morning to run, one of those mornings that YHC is happy that he has the ability to be out on the trails.  Final tally:  6.85 miles according to Garmin.

Nothing to really report other than the snow.  Everybody was in good spirits and ran strong.  YHC believes he didnt say anything too blue or outlandish that would require noting.

Finished up with a quick COT that could have gone a little faster, but we started the count with Saab, whose struggles with numbers continues.

Great run, gentlemen.  Always fun!

AYE

2 faithful posted for a morning trail run. Weather was rainy, dark and wet to begin and clear, sunny and wet to end.

The Thang:

Cross bridge to South Side of river. Take trail to service road along the trail. Run to and around Belle Isle. Back to the south side service road and across the river to the Pump house parking lot.

Moleskin:

Lab Rat and YHC embraced the wetness this morning. Every puddle and patch of mud that we crossed was attacked with vigor. 5 minutes in, our shoes were soaked and legs were muddy. Lots of thoughts going out towards Offshore as he tackles his marathon today. Cannot wait to hear how it went.

Unseasonably warm weather this morning. I wore shorts and a tshirt and was plenty comfortable the whole way. Lab Rat had a heavy long sleeve shirt on for the first half of the run. As we were approaching Belle Isle, Lab Rat peeled off his shirt and went bare chested the rest of the run. Thankfully he tied the shirt around his waste covering the worst of his 40+ “six pack”. “Oh, the humanity”.

Met up with Toga’s brother in law at the end of the run. For some reason, I cannot for the life of me remember his first name. I have called him so many things at this point that I really don’t know.

Announcements

BRR just around the corner…maybe not, but people are starting to commit. As I mentioned, I am shooting for two teams this year, a 12 and a 9 person team. Let me know if you are interested and I will pencil you in for a spot.

Two regular Sunday trail runners and a FNG showed up for a frosty trail run.

Thang:

Head east on the Northbank Trail until it ends under the Lee Bridge and turn back.  Take the Texas Beach exit along the river and return to the parking lot via the Pump House.

NMM:

The run started off dark and cold with a dusting of frost.  So much for the days getting longer….must be in the evenings.  It was great watching the sun come up over the city from our single track along the cemetery.  Texas Beach was perfect running along the river with a few hikers out on the trail.  We emerged at Pump House Park, paid our respects to Love Hill, and finished up in the parking lot.

At the beginning of the run we saw Cousin Eddie, but he had the full Northbank and Buttermilk loop in mind.  Maybe next time.

Welcome FNG Flipper who endured a fine run and counts today as the longest run of his life.  We hope to see him out for another workout soon.

Three men showed up for this morning’s scheduled trail run, but it is still too wet to be on the trails without damaging them.  Plan for this morning was to run across the bridge, slide down the hill to the river and catch the maintenance access road.  Take that to Bell Isle for a loop, then back the way we came.  Offshore called an audible on the way home, took us up the steps to Riverside Drive in an attempt to keep the shoes dry.  Riverside is a BEAST of a road…totally wiped out YHC.

In the end, we logged about 6.7 miles on a very humid and warm morning.  Fudd can pick  ’em up and put ’em down, easily keeping up with Offshore (who YHC already knew could run).  YHC struggled a bit with the humidity, but made up for it with a beefy fall that took a chunk of skin out of his palm.  Got to have something to talk about, right?  And Offshore….well that man is READY for Disney Marathon!

See Ya’ll in the Gloom,

Lab Rat