As the saying goes, “If you can’t Q it, don’t do it.” Truth be told, YHC was not a 100% Sunday morning. Had taken the whole week off from the gloom after experiencing some hip discomfort from the 5mi run the Sunday before. Did all the PT exercises throughout the week…constant rolling and stretching, hydrating, and rest. Woke up early Sunday morning to do some more stretching and rolling at the Fern before heading into Womble. Everything felt fine for the time being.

Arrive to Womble and what do I see? A ghost pirate, Deadbolt backing his white phantom truck into a space abutting the bathrooms. He’s back and ready to burn off the week long beach vacation just in time for the final crucial weeks before BRR. Plant the flag and another white vehicle pulls in carrying Full House. Pablo now saunters in, but without Over Easy, who was expected to show this morning. Then the surprise of the morning comes in the form of one of the best named PAX in recent SouthWake memory…none other than Oboe.

As promised, Nemo pulls in after some exchange on Slack the night before. 6 o’clock hits and we started out of Womble parking lot onto the back lot behind the baseball fields, where Da’Business likes to do partner carries at Cletus. As we made our way to that back lot, PAX saw another car pull in and figured we’d circle back for the six so everyone knew where we were headed. For the second week in a row, it’s Yogurt coming in hot sans unicycle. Pick up Yogurt and then make it to the back lot for a warm up that went a little like this….

Warm Up: Circled up for Hillbillies X10, Imperial Walkers X10, Good Mornings IC X10. By that time H1N1 and Messi joined the mix. Mosey to the far end of the lot with butt kickers. Once to the far end, performed lunge walks across the back end of the lot. Continued back to the other side with a light mosey and high knees, and then Frankensteins to the point of origin. At the point of origin circled up for a final set of prison squats X10. Squat hold while YHC explained this morning’s workout.

The Workout: PAX would perform standard Bass Lake loop, but would be breaking the route up into 1 mi segments. For Segment 1, we would run our own pace, picking up the six when you reach the Sugg Farm gates on the way into the neighborhood to the right. We would then proceed with the same format onto the greenway, where PAX would proceed in single file formation into a scout run. The lead PAX in the scout run would venture ahead at a distance they feel comfortable with before circling back to the end of the line, then followed by the next, and so forth. We would then switch to an Indian Run before entering the entrance to Bass Lake. Once at the opening, PAX would proceed clockwise around the lake picking up the six and back to the greenway where we would alternate again between scout run and Indian Run format. Once out from the greenway, PAX would then continue back to Womble while picking up the six along the way.

Now about that “Everything feeling fine” statement. YHC was just kidding himself. By the time warm ups ended, I was far from feeling fine and as I progressed 500 yards further, my hip was on fire and it was time to shut it down. Informed trailing PAX to go on ahead and would meet them for COT. A lot of veteran HIM in attendance and was comforted in knowing that they not only knew the way, they would also know how to push each other. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be there to see it or experience it. Continued to walk it off in a what I can only describe as a pathetic looking limp. As I made my way onto Sugg, a blaze of neon emerged and moved toward YHC. It was Yogurt to check to see if I was ok. We walked and exchanged some quality mumblechatter, which was mostly centered on knowing ones limits and not being stupid. All good lessons to follow.

Continued back to Womble and as I made it back to the lot, PAX arrived shortly after. Witnessed an incredible jailbreak at the end from the baseball fields in the distance among Pablo, Yogurt, and Oboe.  Heard H1N1 was the unfortunate winner of the last to complete the scout run and first to start the Indian Run lottery along the trail. Also, kudos exchanged to Messi for picking up the six along the trail.

Mary: Stretches OYO

Announcements: Shout out to those that ran the BRR Training Runs on Saturday. F3 Dad’s Workout next Saturday-Still need a Q.

T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX showing up this morning and leading in the absence of leadership.

Prayer: Prayers for those with injuries, Crablegs and the great work he is doing in sharing his journey with those with ALS and bringing awareness. YHC took us out.