ABSolutely Intimate Pickles

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YHC arrived to an empty parking lot. Flag planted, Tracer vest buckled, and a quick warm-up before heading out on what looked like a solo EC run. But 187 emerges from the darkness with a few minutes to spare. We return to find POTS and Slaughter in the parking lot chatting about the safe side of the train tracks in Greenville. Bobby Dall rolls in and with a little over a minute to go, Banana Seat makes a surprise appearance. 0530 hits and we were off for a core focused beatdown.

EC: 187 (+commute), Warbucks
FNGs: Too scared
Warm Up:
Warm up lap around parking lot.
Circle up for:
Goofball x20 IC
SSH x20 IC
Imperial Walkers x10 IC
Hillbilly x10 IC
Good mornings x10 IC
Sir Fazio arm circles x10 fw/x10 bw IC
Overhead claps x10 IC
Morrocan night clubs x20
Randy’s x20 (YHC called these Ralphies, but corrected it. Their brothers, close enough..)

Mosey over to urgent care parking lot, taking great care to be safe.

The Workout:
YHC advised PAX to partner up, but it turns out we didn’t need partners.

Thing 1: 4 Corners of Abs
PAX ran to corner 1, do exercise, corner 2, do exercise…, until all corners were covered. 3 rounds were performed with reps 20, 25, and 30. Some interesting mumblechatter broke out about eye contact during pickle pounders.

Corner 1: LSF
Corner 2: Pickle Pounders
Corner 3: (American) Hammer Time
Corner 4: LBCs

Carefully cross the street and head down the trail to nowhere.

Thing 2: Muddy BTTW Tunnel
YHC found some wall and instructed PAX to hold BTTW while person at the end of line bear crawls under PAX to front of line, indian run style. This was done by a few PAX, but the mud made bear crawling too slippery for 187 so we modified to bear crawl in front of PAX. After 1 round, we moved to people’s chair. Several rounds were performed. This is where YHC has a partner exercise planned, but audibled for time sake.

Mosey back toward flag and line up on long stretch of parking lot.

Thing 3: Stack-em up Hundreds
PAX found a spot on their 6 in a parking spot, out of the way of any traffic. 1 set of Hundreds was performed, then run to the other end of the parking lot for 15 merkins. Run back to other end of lot for another set of Hundreds, then back across for 15 merkins + 15 squats. Back across for 50 homer to marge + 50 LBCs (100 total) and run back across for 15 merkins + 15 squats + 15 burpees.

Time was up, so a quick mosey back to the flag for an out of breath COT.

Mary: Not today. We got plenty of core work in during workout.

Announcements:
Q-sheet is empty, let’s fill it up for the rest of the year. Only 9 more weeks!
Purple Cobra will need some Q’s while YHC is out after baby is born.
Frosty Dec 7th, Christmas party Dec 14th.

T-Claps (Recognition): Banana Seat for making the trek out to Purple Cobra, the premium Tuesday AO.

Prayer:
Praise for Slots new baby!
Banana Seat’s 2.0 battling sickness.
YHC’s M for remainder of pregnancy.
YHC brother in-law’s father passed unexpectedly.

YHC took us out.

Do you like to run? Not really. Hmmmm

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YHC rolled into the parking lot to see Third Cousin waiting.   As we got out of our cars to stretch I asked him if he liked to run.  He said not really.   I told him we were running so get ready.
Rest of the crew showed up including Alpine who ran from his house to the workout.  As he typically also runs home I guess that counts for EC.  The only EC of the morning.  Might have been a good thing as a couple of us got 6 miles in at Paradise City yesterday and my goal was another 3 this morning.

FNGs: N/A

Warm Up: x10 SSH, x10 Good Mornings in the parking lot.  On the jog stop for x10 each way Fozzy Arm Circles.

The Workout:   Indian Run to Rovisys.  OTW stops for warmup exercises and Russian Dips.  At Rovisys partner up.   Partner A run up the hill around to the top of the ramp. Merkins waiting on your Partner B as they bear crawl up the ramp.  Once together x20 Jump Squats.   Partner A typewriter down the ramp on the railings.  Partner B run around to the bottom of the ramp. Merkins while you wait.
Partner A does bear crawl while Partner B does the run up the hill.   x20 Jump Squats when you meet.   Partner B does the typewriters while Partner A runs around to the bottom of the ramp.  x20 Jump Squats before Indian Run back to the school.  Stops on the way for x5 Yurpees, Derkins.

At the school partners run opposite direction at the circle in the front of the school.  When you meet x5 War Hammers.  Keep running, meet again x5 War Hammers.  Repeat x4, x4, x3, x3, x2, x2, x1, x1.

To the small wall in front of the school.  Step ups, Russian Dips, Derkins, Steps Ups, Urkins, T-Merkins

My watch showed 3.2 miles overall.

Mary:  LBC’s, Low Slow Flutter, War Hammers

Announcements:  Shield Lock Challenge 2020.  Dec 7 Frosty workout.  Dec 14 Christmas Party.  Ruck Nov 15th or 17th to collect food for Durham Homeless. Breach will post details on Slack.

T-Claps (Recognition): N/A

Prayer: None.  YHC took us out

Clear Sky

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Wide range of ages for a Murph tonight, Pax ages 10, 29 and 53.  No EC, Standard Murph, no modifications.  Great weather under the starts and a clear sky.

Warm Up:  Run 1 mile

The Workout:  100 pull-ups, 200 merkins, 300 squats

Mary: Run 1 mile

Announcements:  CSAUP Dec-7, Christmas party Dec-14

Prayer:  Gratitude and Guidance

Slow on the Rocks

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I was back on Q after a couple months of a strong rotation of others stepping up to lead the Downtown Train. Always a small but strong group showing up and ready to work.

EC was The Natural, Full House and Nemo for a 2+ mile loop down and around Womble and back.

FNGs: None
Warm Up: We warmed up, usual lap, usual exercises.
The Workout: We worked out.  Got rocks, lifted them, did exercises and runs between sets. Hit the biceps pretty hard with some decent mumble chatter along the way.  Broke things up with a “recover” on the sets of SSH and LBC.  Nemo always like to work in some good SSH sets. We did most of the rock work IC so the rep count was high and slow with a focus on form.
Mary: We did some ab exercises. A couple quick sets Homer to Marge, Six Hold, Low Slow Flutters, Six Hold again and finish with LBC.
Announcements: see slack
T-Claps (Recognition): Was great to have Full House take par in his first Downtown Train and to run with him for EC, and Flanigan for showing up and working hard despite a stub toe incident in the early hours of the morning. Also, to Sprinkler for stepping up at Mutiny this morning – his first ever F3 post was at Downtown Train a couple months ago and great to hear he has been such a positive force.
Prayer: All unspoken so we took a silent 10 count then YHC took us out.

Successful Launch of Red October – New AO in FV

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Red October made her maiden voyage on a gorgeous, crisp, autumn morning with pleasant temperatures in the 60s!  Dauber was giddy with excitement about bringing all of his kettlebell knowledge he had learned while under the tutelage of Sir Dawgpound and Nemo during many early morning study sessions at Crazy Ivan.  Unfortunately, Dauber arrived to the launch site at 5:29 and dawdled getting over to the circle of 16 PAX eager to start their Monday off right.  Double D penalized the lads with 5 burpees OYO for his “tardiness” and handed off the warm-up duties to Sprinkler.

FNGs: None.

Warm Up:  As announced through social media, Red October would join the Mutiny PAX for both warm-up and COT.  Sprinkler was “volun-told” to lead us and did an amazing job.  We warmed up with the following exercises:  quick jog around path, SSH, merkins, Fozio Arm Circles, Daisy pickers, IW and HB.

The Workout:  PAX of 7 moseyed with kettle bell in hand to the tennis courts.  A brief discussion about technique and modifications ensued with nods from all PAX eager to begin their KB work out.

The following exercises were executed using a kettle bell:

10 count Goblet Squat, 10 cadence count merkin-tap, 10 count swing (Rinse and Repeat)

10 count Bent-Over row, 10 cadence count chill cut plank-tap, 10 count halo (R & R)

10 count Lawn mower pull (L&R), 10 cadence count OH press, 10 count Midget love handles (R & R)

10 count figure 8 (5L, 5R), 10 cadence count twists back to center, 10 Arm thrusters (L,R) (R & R)

10 count pulls, 10 count straight leg/tricep pull, 10 rear lunges (L,R) (R & R)

PAX divided into pairs (Forceps had to depart for a flight); PAX without KB executed LBCs, PAX executed farmer’s walk back and forth with two kettle bells at their sides.  Crab walk to center and back from opposite sides of tennis courts.

BTTFence for a 30 cadence count

Mary:  Red October PAX were joined by Mutiny PAX after Mutiny PAX played with some cement blocks and drank lattes watching Red October PAX get sweaty.  40 count Jack Webb’s in the grass with some AB exercises too.  Double D rocks!

Announcements:  HSHM, F3 Christmas party, CSAUP

T-Claps (Recognition):  LED and his SHOCK ABSORBERS handling all of the kettle bell weight PAX ordered!

Prayer:  Double D took us out with words of wisdom.  Unspoken, spoken.  16 Bit leg issue, Quiver job/home sale.

A sincere thank you to those PAX who came out today for a different workout in FV and those PAX who sent kind words my way in preparation for this AO.  A true privilege to lead you men. – Dauber

Rockin’ n Blockin’ a Mutiny

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FNGs: None

Warm Up: As the half past the hour drew near 16 Pax stood wondering in the gloom with mumble chatter of where oh’ where might the Q for the inaugural Red October Kettlebell workout be. Low & behold Dauber comes in near sideways at 29 past the hour. As today was “The Day” to christen the new AO alongside Mutiny we were to warm up and embrace Mary all together in good fashion. YHC called out to said Q across the way and then instructed the Pax to a 5 Burpee OYO in keeping with SouthWake’s tardy policy.

Sprinkler was on edge chomping at the bit for the signal to take warm up from there. Off to a quick lap around the field then back to parking lot for a sprinkling of SSH, Hillbillies, Imperial Walkers, Good Mornings, Daisy Pickers, & Fozio AC forwards and reverses. Here is where the group splits and Dauber drags his prey off to the tennis courts for an inaugural can of kettle bell whoop arss!

The Workout: Sprinkler & YHC co-Q’d the block work laid today. A few rounds of around the waist, curls for the girls, high knee step ups, overhead presses, rut rows, quick feet, elbow planks w/opposite leg lifts, uneven merkins, reclined chest presses, tricep extensions, wonder bra’s, parking lot block bear crawlin’ Indian run, single parking space block pushin’ burpees increasing by 1 at each line by 5 spaces, a final round the horn 10 count of  block exercises called by the remaining 8 Pax.

Mary: Merged back with the weary kettle beller’s for a date with Mary. Led by YHC started with a round of 1:4 Jack Webbs up 10/40, box cutters x 20, low slow flutters x 50.

Announcements: Christmas party coming up likely at Pablo’s place.

T-Claps (Recognition): To Sprinkler for being volunteered by YHC to co-Q his first workout last week and stepping up and doing a magnificent job in the gloom this morning.

Prayer: 16-bit dealing with some possible blood clots in one of legs, Quiver’s job situation, unspoken. YHC took us out in prayer.

Return of the Little Dipper

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EC: Nemo, Redenbacher

FNGs: None

Warm Up: 10 x SSH, 10 x Daisy Pickers, 7 x Frankensteins (cut short due to some mumblechatter about “isn’t this a running AO??”) All exercises in cadence.

The Workout: PAX split off into two groups for the 3 mile and 5 mile route. Rut lead the 3 mile group on an out and back to to Town Hall.  YHC was the 6 on the 5 mile route with the old school Little Dipper route.  Great job men!

Mary: Not today, short on time.

Announcements: Slide Rule will be rolling out a Shield Lock Challenge in the next few weeks. Check Slack for more information.

T-Claps (Recognition): Rut for stepping in to lead with UTI downrange, Slide Rule for the Shield Lock Challenge

Prayer: Banana Seat’s daughter, Bernie and his family, Rut and his family with their upcoming travels, young girl from HS Springs involved in accident

YHC took us out. Always an honor to lead.

High Intensity Boot Camp

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YHC signed up to Q Paradise City with every intention of helping it earn its High Intensity Boot Camp badge and possible setting a distance record for the AO in the process.

Ran over to arrive at 0515 to see some ECers out there – Yogurt, Pablo, Emeril, Dawgpound, Buford, and YHC rolled out a minute late (something about waiting for Dawgpound) and got some bonus miles in.

Come show time it was clear we were going to be an intimate 8 today. 0545 came around and we were off.

FNGs: None
Warm Up:

Mosey to the ticket booth, circle up in squat hold for x10 IC Smuf Jacks

Mosey to opposite corner of park for x10 windmill IC

Mosey back to basketball court for x10 reverse merkins
The Workout:

Mosey to the bottom of the ramp. Pax were promised getting to visualize finishing HS Half in a few weeks so we spent some quality time on the ramp.

First stop – run from the concrete/asphalt change to the 1st foul ball market, do 5 star jumps, then back. Next trip up go to the 2nd market. Repeat all the way through the 5 markers.

Pax then picked up the 6 and assembled for an indian run counterclockwise around the park. We stopped at the corner opposite the bottom of the ramp for 10x Frankenstein’s and then continued our indian run back to the bottom of the ramp. During this portion pax were instructed to come up with a workout for our next set of  ramp repeats, but they were warned that if they were easy we would be doing ramp runs based on lightpoles (13 of them) instead of foul ball markers.

Dawgpound request t-merkins (hand release with shoulder blades pinched at the top) and YHC decided those were challenging enough to do at foul ball markers, so we repeated the last ramp repeats but with t-merkins instead.

Pax then assembled for an indian run clockwise around the park. We stopped at the opposite corner for imperial walkers x10 IC. We then stopped again at the guard rail for russian dips x10 IC at the request of Emeril (YHC aims to please when reasonable). We finished the indian run to the bottom of the ramp and YHC asked Yogurt if he wanted foul ball marker or light pole repeats – Yogurt selected light poles (of course – there’s a reason YHC picked him to choose!) and YHC selected squats to go with that. So we did ramp repeats to each light pole with 3x squats at each stop.

This was great, but it took quite a while. YHC got so focused trying to keep up with Snap that I noticed rather suddenly that we had only 4 minutes left. YHC called for pax to come down on their next ramp repeat and head to the basketball courts for mary – apparently this was not well received as most pax finished out the last set and took their time to the basketball court. Blaming that one on not enough blood left in the brain to understand what “stay at the bottom” means.

Mary:

Freddier Mercury x10 IC

Homer to Marge – x5 IC per leg

Pidgeon pose – x10 per leg (at the request of Emeril)
Announcements:

Frosty CSAUP December 7th – sign up:

Christmas party December 14th – location is being confirmed

After this workout the web team decided Paradise City had earned its High Intensity (Running) Boot Camp designation and that is now reflected on the website. Should help us not kill an FNG.
T-Claps (Recognition):

Snap for properly dusting YHC on the last ramp repeat. Dude is for real fast.
Prayer:

Pablo’s mom going to doctor today

Emeril’s wife is picking up his parents this weekend for them to move down/in with them

Shaken..Not Stirred, but Strong despite the added Water

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Pre-Blast called for a 5-mi ‘shake out’ run this morning at AGS. Arrived to Womble this morning and fittingly see Master Shake parked and ready to go. The weather humid this morning, almost a complete 180 from yesterday’s perfect 51 degree dry forecast. Parked toward the tennis courts was a truck I hadn’t seen before and out emerges Martini, fresh off a distance PR at U-Turn yesterday. I know Halloween is a few short days away, and a ghost in the form of Pilgrim now comes into focus. He’s got a half planned and is meeting Bernie this morning for some miles, who is just a few strides away.  Nemo pulls in and we have 4 PAX for this morning’s run at AGS and conducted the following warm-up.

Warm Up: Quick jog from end to end of the lot, with alternating lunge walks, butt kickers, and carioca. Circled up for Imperial Walkers X10, Deep Squats IC X10, Hillbillies X10, Fazio X10F\10B. Squat hold while explaining the route.

The Workout: Shake Out Run.. PAX proceeded down Stinson and up to the stop sign at the Bass Lake Road intersection. Moved left on Bass Lake, past the Dauber Cathedral (Lowe’s Foods). At Holly Springs Rd, we took a right and headed down to Linksland, where we took a right and then an eventual right on Salem Ridge. At the end of Salem Ridge, proceeded back up Bass Lake onto Stinson and then took a trip back to the flag via Ivan parking lot and the back side of the baseball fields to complete the 5mi run.

Mary: Stretches OYO
Announcements: HSHM in a few weeks. HSHM channel on Slack.. be on the look out for segment runs during the week via ShamWow and that determined Aquaman.
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX for first battling the humidity and then the steady rain that came down as we reached Salem Ridge. Nemo for picking up the six. Martini for following up his strong U-turn performance with his first AGS appearance.  Acceleration alert on Master Shake. During the last 1/2 mi to the flag he took off in a gear YHC can only describe as blender setting- Liquefy. This guy is showing up every week and every week getting stronger.

Prayer:

YHC shared a few takeaways from yesterday’s long runs. OK- Let’s start with that WTF Half Marathon that started at 3:30am yesterday. Insane- Yes. Completely Pointless- No… The story behind this one is deeply rooted in accountability. About a year ago, Pikachu and Skidmark started an AO called Crazy Time, which had a 4:30am start on Friday’s and ended, leaving enough time for some EC and then eventually patronage to Cletus or Ivan. This AO has since been on hiatus, but in August-September, posts of 8 mi EC’s started to proliferate on Slack, which prompted YHC to ask Pikachu the question…”Why don’t you just do a Half Marathon EC.” To which Pikachu responds, “Is that an HC, Mookie?” I then replied with the following, “Not this month, Pikachu, but sometime in October around HSHM training time. Here’s something you may not know about YHC. I am a man of my word and although it sounded crazy, I did suggest it, and to the point that I wrote down that this would happen in October. So last week when Pikachu was at AGS, I verbally HC’d for yesterday as a promise to him, but more importantly as a promise to myself to commit to this insanely early run. In the process, I even managed to headlock Redenbacher and M4L for the run.

The moral of the story is this, it’s only crazy until you do it. Yesterday was a lesson in accountability and commitment. The fact that we had 4 guys doing a 3:30am half marathon was impressive, but not as impressive as the parking lot at Ting as we arrived back to the lot and onto the ramp in the final 1/4 mi. With all the cars parked, I could have sworn race day came a few weeks early. The PAX in SouthWake have always inspired YHC and in race season, like it is now, its a pretty incredible time to witness all of this positive energy amongst PAX to become not just better runners, but better individuals, who accept challenges together and convert the crazy into a commitment to be better men, better husbands, fathers, and contributors in the community. Amazing, Men! I’m all out of adjectives.

Additional prayers were sent for those PAX battling injuries and those training for races for continued health. Those experiencing marital challenges and all unspoken. YHC took us out.

You-Pick-U-Turn

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FNGs: Dauber’s daughter
Warm Up: high knees / butt kickers, Frankensteins, Fozio arm circles, Daisy pickers
The Workout: YHC let Pax decide on their own route. Most were going for 6-7 miles (YHC went for 3). Weather was great and everyone returned safe and sound.
Announcements: Frosty CSAUP
Prayer: PAX running Tuna