A luck 13 showed for a favorite route of YHC’s…taking (up to) 5 stretches through the neighborhood (Iris, Tapoan, Ridgeway, Tawano, Old Mill).  Each stretch offering ample elevation toward its peak at Three Chopt. NMS:  In preparation for the BRR, YHC wanted to re-visit his preferred hill workout around the UR campus.  Great work by everyone today….hills in this kind of heat is no joke.  Apologies for my poor instructions (per usual). Announcements: TYA Classic Ultra (Oct 20) and HoneyDo 6 Pack (Oct 20) Last day to start the Summer Tour (Hah!) Saab Abides

Fifteen able bodied gentlemen challenged Sir Isaac Newton’s theories today as they climbed Mount Henrico.  Circle up just down the way from the commons for instructions: 5 ‘ish mile route: – out campus by the baseball field to left on College – Right on Lakewood – Right on Wood – Left on Baldwin – Quick right on Westham then continue left on Baldwin – Left on Rock Creek – Quick left on Forest then right on University – Right on Glendale then left on Julian to the top – Return the same way 4 milers follow the 5 mile route…

With sustained rain upon us, Pax converged by the Commons under the enclosure.  YHC gave the route and off we went. Out the Bat Cave exit and across the Huguenot Bridge.  Take the Riverside exit and then a left to head west on Riverside.  4s turn around at the park entrance and 5s turn around at Hickory for out and back routes. 6s continue up Hickory to Cherokee and hang a left.  Cross Huguenot Rd and take a left on Arrowhead which will turn into Oxford Pkwy.  Take Riverside back to the bridge and return home. NMS When the bat…

Twelve fleet-a-foot gathered near the commons for a birthday iteration of Spider Run.  Parking logistics were altered from the norm, causing a scattering of PAX members.  Eventually we all met up for: The Thang Warm up lap around the lake before convening at the base of gateway and richmond way.  Partner up for beat your partner to the spot.  One partner runs clockwise back up the hill towards the stadium while the other runs counter.  When you meet, tag hands and return to the start.  Repeat, attempting to beat your partner to where you tagged the first time. Quick shuffle along…

A cool dozen runners, including one FNG, took off for a cruise down Westham Parkway.  4, 5, and 6 mile options were invoked and all returned safely. Big Tennessee took us out. NMS The rolling hills of Westham Parkway never disappoint, nor does the Westham Station extension.  Today’s backblast title comes from a story Saab shared pre-run.  Imagine Homer Simpson running out of the front door in his underwear to dispatch with a screech owl that disrupts his sleep invoking memories of Poe’s “The Raven”. Welcome Brita!  Hopefully we will see you out soon.  It’s always great to have a…

11 congregated around the U of R lake, showing varying degrees of interest regarding which route they would take; As YHC spouted instructions with a map in tow, many expressed uncertainty on which direction to go; Lab Rat took off on his own direction, with Fudd as a companion upon later inspection; Sippy, Splinter, and Hardywood in front as one could plainly see, yet Hardywood dropped off near the end – supposedly having to pee; In hitting the steepest hills Pucker showed just what to do, while Two Can was not far behind sporting his new Scorpion tattoo; Bootleg was…

9 Pax arrived and YHC called the infinity loop.  Off we went with Opus catching us a little later. Some did 4 loops, some dig 3 and some time around the lake, and others did 2 plus a cross campus excursion. Shakedown took us out in observance of his race this weekend. NMS Though we had done this route one time before, the speedy Pax was a little unaware of the course.  YHC said that they would all stick together for the first lap, but none the less a trio took off.  Let’s just say they missed the turn and…

13 Heat Seeking Missiles targeted Spider Run this morning to try to find the heat.  It didn’t take long!  PAX studies laminated route maps.  5:30am and BOOM!  Off we go! Route: 4’s, 5’s and 6’s all head around the top side of the lake and escape campus via University Dr.  Take University up to Ralston.  Left on Ralston to River.  River to E. Glenbrooke Circle.  Turn on W. Glenbrooke Circle and wind around to Twin Lake.  4’s hang a right on Roslyn Hills and then a hard right into the playground.  5’s take Melwood from Twin Lake up to September…

13 strong converged on the U of R lake to attack the “Butt(e) Route” or the “Up to the Butt(e) Route.” 4’s, 5’s and 6’s all exited campus via the River Road entrance and skirted through the shopping center parking lot and headed across the river.  Exit right at the end of the bridge and head up river.  All routes turn around at Butte Road.  4’s return as you came for a 4.3 mile run (yes, YHC miscalculated, but YHC feels good about it!)  5’s return across bridge and hop onto Westham Station and go down and take Old Bridge…

14 on the finest arrived for unseasonably low humidity and a chance to tackle some miles.  YHC called the Cardinal Run and off we went. Around the Robins Center and up Boatwright.  Take Honaker to Patterson and take a right followed by an immediate left on Roxbury.  Roxbury to West Franklin and head west. At the intersection of Charles, 5s/6s take a right and take an out and back detour to Crestview Elementary (home of the Cardinals).  All routes then continue west on W. Franklin to Donald. Take a left and Donald turns into Register Pkwy. At Patterson and Three…