A Tale of Two Runs..
Here it is, Fellas… It’s late September. Temps are starting to drop in the morning. The leaves are starting to change. Holly Springs Half Marathon is 9 weeks away… Over these next 9 weeks, decisions are being made. Maybe you are not signed up yet. Maybe you are signed up, but you haven’t yet fully committed to the training, or maybe you are thinking about it, but the longest you have ever run is a 5k or 10k. Maybe you have signed up and you are know starting to really focus on the training regiment. Whatever your situation may be, there is always a certainty in SouthWake at this critical juncture in the calendar….Accountability.
If you are on the fence about doing the 1/2 or even starting your training, my advice is to ‘just show up.’ Put your stamp on it. Sign up\Show up. Make it official. Lock it in. Put the date on the calendar. You want to know why? Here it is…. There are guys in your F3 brotherhood that want to see you complete this thing you didn’t think possible. They want to see you succeed. They want to see you hit that goal time, and in the end, they want you to experience this Holly Springs signature event together with them.
For that reason, this is the one event that is on YHC’s calendar every year since starting F3. Its on the calendar. It’s on there the day the following year’s race goes on sale, and stays there for the entire year as a constant reminder of an agreement you make with yourself. This is the time of year where mileage continues to increase, a seamless transition for those fresh off of BRR, but for those that didn’t participate in BRR, a time to focus.
Last week’s AGS run focused on the escape route out of Womble. This week’s would focus on the Bass Lake entry route from the new greenway. YHC’s pre-blast provided 3 options for this morning’s run. A 5:05am 5mi EC, a 6am 6mi Main Event Lake Run, and a Rucking option, for those with a ‘Breathtaker’ to soak in this morning’s sunrise.
YHC rolled in at 5am and was quickly greeted by LED, Fonzie, and UTI, who were ready to roll. Planted flag and gave out 2 options. The ‘escape route’ through Jones Park and Veterans or the Rhamkatte\Holly Springs\Linksland\Salem Ridge\Bass Lake Hill route. LED and Fonzie leaned toward the less hilly option. 5:05am hit and we were off.
Proceeded out of Stinson and then onto Raleigh St. as we made our way onto Jones and Veterans. YHC was the six during these 5mi as LED, Fonzie, and UTI were taking full advantage of the weather change, running at a brisk pace. Great work by all PAX picking up the six several times during the run. As we made the final push back to Womble, YHC started to see some cars cycling in to Womble.
As we made it back to the parking lot, YHC sees Master Shake rolling in.This guy is on fire this week, selecting mostly run-centric AO’s- AGS, PC, and R4TJ. Not too shabby for a guy who’s longest distance was a 5k before joining F3 a week ago.
In the near distance, the Cupid mobile sat unoccupied. Forceps next comes rolling in, followed by Nemo, who has effectively EH’d cotter, Bullwinkle, who had just pulled in. Bobby Dall, then Full House. Yep… even an Oboe appearance.
A dozen PAX, not a 1/2 dozen… A Full Dozen, who were all treated to a great run, amazing sunrise, and quality fellowship. 6am hit and we were off with the following warm up.
Warm Up: Light jog around the lot. Circle up for SSH X12, Imperial Walkers X12, Hillbillies X12, Prison Squats X12, Good Mornings X12 IC, Fazio Arms 10F\10B, Standing Frankensteins X12 IC. Squat Hold while YHC explained the route.
The Workout: Standard Half Marathon Greenway, Bass Lake (counterclockwise), Sugg Farm exit to Womble.
Mary: COT conducted before Main Event run to include LED and Fonzie, who had just finished up their 5mi earlier with YHC and UTI.
Announcements: F3 Family Cookout. UTI has BreathTaker. Encourage PAX to bid to ‘Bring the Pain to Crain’ and determine where he posts with Breathtaker this week.
T-Claps (Recognition): Cowboy and Forceps for donating and getting UTI to post as AGS. UTI for a strong 5mi EC run and follow up Ruck this morning. All PAX getting it down this morning and holding each other accountable throughout the run.
Prayer: Prayers for Shredder and his family. Continued prayers for Bernie and his family. All PAX on IR and those returning back to the gloom for continued health. YHC took us out\’in’ before the run.
