and through the woods; eight regulars, including 1 Spider Run n00b, convened for an oldie but goodie route.  No one had the Q so democracy prevailed. The Route BT was voted class president and guided us across the river and up the hill to Cherokee.  The Bat Cave was avoided due to recent rains, adding on a little distance to the typical 5 mile route.  6 milers added a quick excursion up Rustic Road.  Everyone turned around and headed back to the start. Moleskin Welcome Flatline to Spider Run.  This route is our typical recovery run as it is about…

Nine fearless runners plus El Duderino himself convened at the commons for what felt like a run through peanut butter.  Singer confused himself and no one else had the Q so YHC grabbed it.  Swirly and YHC were on the same page which made today’s route an easy call. The Route Mosey to the intersection of Westhampton and UR Drive.  Partner up for tag team.  Partners run in opposite directions toward the alumni center.  When they met they turned and came back to Westhampton / UR Drive.  Repeat, this time trying to “beat your partner to the spot”. Mosey to the…

Thirteen Spider Run veterans and one Davillian showed up for perfect June running weather at the lake.  After doing interval the previous day, YHC was ready for something different.  This is what occurred. The Route All do the 3 mile loop – Roselawn, left on Towana, left onto Campus Drive, left onto Boatwright, left onto Keller, Right onto Crenshaw Way, left onto UR Drive 6 milers – Repeat the 3 mile loop twice 5 milers – After completing the 3 mile loop, take Roselawn to Towana to Campus to Richmond Way.  Then take a lap around the lake. 4 milers -…

Eleven gathered in the grey pre-dawn darkness for this week’s iteration of Spider Run.  The PAX gathered near the commons, asked who had Q, heard the plan and then contemplated quickly driving over to Heartbreak for an alternative choice.  Nonetheless, here’s what transpired. Warm Up – 1 mile.  Wander down to the golf course, head up Ridgeway, left on Roselawn and meet at the bottom of Towana The Route – Hill repeats up Towana.  Run up for 1 minute then recover back to the bottom of Towana in 1:45.  Repeat 8x. – Final loop up Gateway and around by the…

Although it was raining in some areas of RVA, the weather at UR was perfect as 12 men presented themselves for a run around our fair city. Route: Head out toward UR entrance on River Road, cross bridge, head East toward Stratford 4 milers: Return somewhere between Stratford and the bridge, depending upon one’s mood and interest in adding more distance.5 milers: Take Stratford to Matoken until it “crests”.  6 milers: Take aforementioned route all the way to Shirley then head back down toward river and return. Add one loop around lake at the end. NMS: YHC had selfish reasons for…

11 tackled some tough hills as everyone successfully negotiated the Devil’s Pitchfork (5 and 6 mile variants).  This was the first workout that YHC noticed an abundance of early morning light.  No need for those lights anymore. Devil’s Pitchfork never disappoints the crowd.  Each segment has its own character and personality: Panorama’s gradual incline with a steep ascent, Old Bridge’s sustained slope, or Highland’s vertical beat down.  Ridge also offers a nice climb as well. Today’s speed demon awards go out to Pucker and Phonics.  Pucker set an early lead for the 5s and Phonics was off to the races.…

7 studs emerged from the fartsack for a morning run on the hills.  Weather was 44 degrees and sunny (70 and sunny in my mind) The Thang: Mount Henrico for everyone but Saab.  Saab, do whatever the hell you want to do because your not going listen to my directions anyways… NMM The route was 5.3 miles this morning with 250+ feet of elevation gain.  This is one of YHC favorite runs for Spider run.  Good steady incline on the way out and then a quick return trip to the lake. Weather was a little chilly this am, prompting full…

The outlook was rather breezy, for the Spider Run 9 that day As they gathered at 5:30 at the locale of 5 Richmond Way. At first Bleeder showed up in day glo, then Taxi Cab did the same Then TYA and Swirly, BT, Pucker and Toucan came Finally trickling in was Swiper, with those glasses in which wood could carve, The 8 of them huddling near the lake, waiting on the Q from MARV. And with that, ends the attempt at putting a whole backblast to the rhythms of “Casey at the Bat” (if you didn’t read it in that…

Eight swimmers convened at the Commons for an unstructured and rainy Q at Spider Run.  The PAX gathered under cover and waited patiently for Lab Rat to park before initiating today’s run.  Instructions were light but generally included the following route. Route Cross the parking lot and up through fraternity row Right on Hampshire and right again on Hampshire Up Ridge Top to Patterson Left on Patterson and left on Horsepen Right on Waveny 4 milers left on Westham and back to the commons 5 milers right on Westham Left on Woodberry Left on Hollins Left on Baldwin Back to VSF…

13 Strong and able posted today to get some miles in before the upcoming races (half marathon and Ragnar). Depart UR, and up the Ridgeway/Fairway/Robin/Iris hill to Three Chopt.  Cross Three Chopt and stay on York.  York to Maple and Maple to Grove (eastbound). Turn left on Greenway.  4 milers will take Harlan to Roslyn and back to Grove and retrace their routes back to SF.  5s and 6ers continue on Greenway to Oak paying homage to the DS Freeman house and take Oak back to Grove. 5s take Grove to Henri to Towana to the main entrance of UR…