Pace Yourself..
With another Derek Davis Memorial 5K in the books, it had me thinking this morning about our community. As I drove by the stop light at Linksland and Holly Springs, I glanced at the shoe tree. Amazing the outpouring of community support for this event. Although I didn’t know Derek personally, only knowing what I know from second hand accounts of the great man he was and the Strava records, many of which he still holds, I do know this.. His legacy is strong in this community and will regret never getting an opportunity to meet him in person. As I drove by the memorial, I made the first of many decisions…this morning’s route would be altered ensuring that PAX would run by in respect and for inspiration.
Arrived to the parking lot seeing 1 flag planted and Dauber sitting in his car waiting for signs of life to show. Exchanged pleasantries while I planted my flag. Bobby Dall comes rolling in as expected, followed by….wait a minute…Is that a ghost? No-It’s Maybelline! Great to see him back in the gloom and ready to test the legs with some mileage. Next we get a soon to be named “AGS Regular”…Oboe. Then followed by Redenbacher, who was coming in hot with 2min before start time.
6 o’clock hits and we were off with the following warm up.
Warm Up: A light hot lap around the parking lot circling up for some SSH X10, Imperial Squat Walkers X10, Good Mornings X10, Fazio Arm Circles 10F/10B, Mosey’d back to the far end of the lot w\butt kickers and high knees. At that point Boy George joined the mix. He had put in a few EC miles and was going to join Dauber for this morning’s Ruck. Carioca with alternating Frankensteins on the way back. Squat hold while Dauber explained his route which would include scenic tours of Sugg Farm, complete with Soul Crusher..YHC’s route would go as follows:
The Workout: PAX would venture up Stinson and exit to Holly Springs Road via Raleigh Street. From there we would head down Holly Springs Road picking up the six before stopping at Linksland at the memorial and then continue to Salem Ridge. From Salem Ridge we would make the push down and up hill before taking a right up Bass Lake Road and then back on to Stinson. During the route, YHC inquired with PAX on upcoming races. Oboe noted that he wasn’t signed up for any, but by the end of the conversation, we had another F3 HSHM entry. He’s signing up so let’s make sure we hold him accountable to that HC, Men! This guy has been showing up consistently on Sunday’s, pacing in front and picking up the six. He’ll be one to watch in November. Great push by him and Bobby Dall this morning.
During the run, it was also great to catch up with Maybelline. Looks like he’s on the recovery path as he was solid and consistent throughout the run. Now this Redenbacher guy is the reason why I titled this backblast.. “Pace Yourself.” He shared that yesterday after some coaching about pace with his 2.0-Swish before they ran the DD 5K, young Swish did not heed this advice. He got out way too fast and by the driving range was sucking wind and wanting a water break. By miles 2 and then eventually 3, the wheels came off… As I heard the re-telling of this story, I smiled. Been there, done that and had a similar experience trying to outpace Lipstick at the Torch Run. You live and learn.
Now heeding his own advice, Redenbacher comes into mile 3.5-4 with what appears to be fresh legs running down YHC as we head down Salem Ridge. Garmin starts to vibrate and I look down to see that he is pushing YHC to 8:25 pace. Ok- It’s on with about 0.25 to the stop sign before the Bass Lake climb. We approach the stop sign with all PAX, each one looking as if this climb is gonna suck….and well, it will, and it does. Great consistent pace is carried by all PAX to Stinson with a few rounds of picking up the six. We get to Stinson and inform Bobby Dall, Oboe, and Redenbacher that YHC is gonna head to the lot with about 5.1 mi. If they want at least 6.0, they should take the long way into Womble with the route around the baseball fields. They continued and all PAX regrouped in the lot and were rejoined by Dauber and Boy George.
Mary: Stretches OYO
Announcements: YHC 2-year Anniversary Q at PC tomorrow
T-Claps (Recognition): Maybelline’s return to the gloom. All PAX putting in solid efforts on the run and on the ruck.
Prayer: Prayers for Noah’s Ark and his wife Michelle. Dauber took us out.
