Is there a Big Dipper?

EC: Redenbacher, Lipstick, Nemo, YHC

FNGs: Not today…

Warm Up:

The original plan was to endure the heat and do a simple out and back from R4TJ headquarters to TBD headquarters, see if we could do a fly-by and see some of those PAX out to be DETERMINED.  Slap some hands, some asses, and bring it back to R4TJ HQ for COT.  Then, even before we could start warm-up, I locked eyes with DawgPound and he was giving me those big puppy dawg eyes.  He wanted to run The Little Dipper…  How can I say no!?  There was some backlash in the ranks “Who’s the Q?”  I answered “Well, I am!” and justified that it’s running and I want to make sure that R4TJ is catering to the needs of it’s VIPs (which is anyone that shows up and has a voice – extra VIP status for ‘The DawgPound’ because is has a THE in his name).  Had he requested that we all start doing Merkins for the duration of the workout, I would have said “Dawwwgggg, Please!” but he only suggested a slight detour on our return route and we probably netted a bit more mileage which MADE US STRONGER!!!  But, I digress…

Frankensteins, Daisy Pickers, High Knees, Butt Kickers were our warm-up moves.  The last two were in motion towards the stop sign off the main drag into Ting near the construction.  We began the run from the sign.

The Workout:

A RUN!  It really shouldn’t surprise anyone, R4TJ is listed as a RUNNING AO on our website.  Not listed on our website is that we typically run for something closer to an hour end-to-end at R4TJ.  Lipstick and I will need to call on our resident web heads to fix that.  We’ve been living a lie…

We ran The Little Dipper for THE DawgPound as previously discussed.  It’s named for it’s shape, see this backblast for reference.  187 was fast to ask about the Big Dipper…  We simply don’t have one here in South Wake.  Maybe it’s because Holly Springs isn’t very big? Or perhaps we discovered the Big Dipper but called it the Little Dipper because we were hoping for more from a Dipper?…  Not sure…  Curious… Fascinating… Intriguing….  Dodo Birds?  OH, YEAH!  So we were running and it was really hot and steamy out this morning.  I don’t know about the rest of the PAX but it was a struggle today for YHC.  I managed to get back to HQ clocking in just over 5 miles (even with the slight short-cut down the stairs instead of going all the way to the light at Ting).

It is important to note that we had 2 visitors this morning

– Peeping Tom of Carpex was out.  Still a little bloody and bruised in places but getting out in the gloom from some walking and light running where his injuries would allow.

– Borland from Raleigh was present and accounted for as well.  Glad to have him out and in my corner to maintain order at the AO this morning.  Be glad some of you were counted, nuf said.

Mary:  Big Mary or little Mary?  Do not tell Big Mary, I called her Big…  It never goes well…

Announcements:

-Sasquatch CSAUP 7/27 – Hit up Owais for details, check your Social Media accounts

-Still needs for this weekend to support Meg’s Smile – check with Sliderule

T-Claps (Recognition):

-Midget for helping bring everyone together this morning (through the power of his High School self) but also every other day of the week.  He is always our spirited mascot/ambassador, EHing guys on the runs through town at many of our AOs and keeping the rest of the nation aware of what we are doing here in South Wake.

-Sliderule is killing the target for Meg’s Smile charity this month with everyone’s help of course 🙂

Prayer:

-Crablegs – Great work out there on behalf of ALS, hope you are enjoying your travels and stay safe.

-Double D – Your family is in our prayers following your father’s passing.

-Our BRR 6-man, stay well men and God speed.  Take care of yourselves and each other as you continue your training.

-Emeril’s Dad – recovering from surgery

-Friend of YHCs son Corbin, still in a coma after a dry drowning event.  He did come off of the ventilator and is breathing on his own.

Wish It Was Just a Little Hotter…Not

It was an honor to lead 23 PAX in my 4Y4Q Anniversary week.

FNGs: None
Warm Up: Simple stretches before taking a tour of Downtown Varina
The Workout:

  • Mosey to Ample Storage parking and did a Bear Crawl Ring of Fire with 10 Merkins in between
  • Jog to flags for Global Warming, Step-ups, Dips, Irkins
  • Jog across the street to furniture store wall for Dwight Howards, Wall Side Push Ups, Wall Forward Push Ups, Wall Tricep Pushups
  • Jog to Aviator Bottle Shop for BTTW Inch Worms, Wall Mountain Climbers, Wall Homer to Marge (with each leg up), Wall LBCs and People’s Chair
  • Jog across street and Duck and Weave Indian to the breezeway
  • Derkins, Crucible Merkins, Wall Lunge and Wall Plank

Mary: Around the Horn Mary by the PAX
Announcements: DeadBolts 5Yr Workout at Disney, Gumps 4Y/4Q Week, SUP Workout Aug 3 at Jordan Lake
Prayer: Noah’s Ark and wife, DoubleD with father passing away, health struggles, unspoken.

We had great 2nd F afterwards at Stick Boy.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day and lives. F3 is truly a lifesaver. #DontDoLifeAlone.

Particle Board’s VQ

20 PAX (12 for EC) posted at Purple Cobra to experience a VQ from Particle Board.

EC: Banana Seat, Redenbacher, 187, Pikachu, WebEx, Warbucks, UTI, Skidmark, Dahmer, Pablo, Full House, Lucky Charms

FNGs: None
Warm Up: Started with standard warm-up lap, warm up exercises in cadence: SSH x 30, Good Mornings x 10, Imperial Walkers x15, Hillbillies x 15, Sir Fazio arm circles 10F & 10B, 10 burpees OYO
The Workout: PAX moseyed to the Wells Fargo parking lot and found an accountability partner.  PAX were instructed to complete a Dora 1-2-3 (100 Merkins, 200 Freddie Mercury in cadence, and 300 prisoner squats) splitting the exercises between partners.  Partner 1 started the exercises while partner 2 ran out of the lower entrance to the lot and ran up the sidewalk along Holly Springs Rd to the intersection of Sunset Lake Rd and completed 5 star jumps (adding 2 star jumps for each return visit to the intersection) and then back to the lot to rotate with partner 2.  Once all reps were completed, Q had partners complete a “reverse partner’s chair”?  (pax faced their partner and performed a wall-less peoples chair, but held partners hand for balance).  Pax then moseyed to the  other side of the lot behind the building to perform a few BTW exercises.  Exercise 1: Partner 1 was in BTW while Partner 2 did diamond merkins x20, then switch and repeat.  Exercise2:  Partner 1 was in BTW while partner 2 did mickey mouse merkins x 10, then switch and repeat.  Pax then moseyed back to the circle for Mary.
Mary: Homer-to-Marge IC x 2o, pickle pounder IC x 20, side plank crunches (5 IC on each side), 5 burpees OYO.
Announcements: Check slack and FB, Meg Smile charity auction, Amazon Prime Deal on Garmin Watch for those PAX looking
Prayer: Crab legs, Double D’s family, Dumbo’s Aunt

Field Trip Bring your Permission Slips

I signed up to Q last week, but the Week of Chaos went through Nutcracker. I then took this week. I have been itching to go to Rovisys and hit up the ramp for some time. So I planned to hit up Rovisys and the ramp. The EC run to Oakview was tough this morning. I was wavering on if I really did want to go on a field trip. The excitement I got from thinking about the ramp was just too much. Sorta like the abyss at Disney. How do you turn something like that down?

EC: Dawgpound, Buford, Pigpen, Moby, Flanigan, Blue Hen

FNGs: Brownie
Warm Up:

Formed an Indian Run with 16 folks.  Made our way to Rovisys for a field trip.
Indian Run to Green Oaks Road.
Bat Wing:
Fazio Arm Circles Forward
Fazio Arm Circles Backward
Overhead Claps
Seal Claps
Indian Run to Thomas Mills Road
Good Mornings
Pickers
Indian Run to Rovisys
Good From Merkins

The Workout:

We gathered at the railing.  What a beautiful railing.  The turns the straight away.  So nice.

Plank Hold until your turn.  Bear Crawl up the ramp.  The whole ramp.  Nothing but the ramp.  Plank hold up top for the final Pax
Once all the Pax made it to the top we did 10 Good Form Merkins, 20 Squats and 30 LBCs.

Next we had to get back down the ramp.  What goes up you must come down.  This time we plank hold until your turn and Crawl Bear down the ramp.  Plank hold until the last Pax made it.  Then once again 10 Good Form Merkins, 20 Squats and 30 LBCs.

Next was lunge walk up the ramp.  Squat hold for all Pax to finish.
Next was Russian Typewriter down the ramp.  10 to the left 10 to the right.

There was still time so we did a bit of runs up the entrance to Rovisys.  Run to the third street lamp on the left.  10 Merkins.  Run back down the hill.  Run to the second street lamp on the left.  10 Squats.  Run back down the hill.  Run up to the first street lamp.  10 LBCs

It was then decided to head back to Oakview.  I gave the choice of A and B on the method to get back.  A was Indian Run, B was Fellowship Run.  They Pax selected C… There was no C option so Scout Run.

Mary:

Scout Run back to Oakview.  It turned into a Fellowship run at the end.  We made it back in time with a couple minutes to spare.

Circled up for the following
Downward Dog into Pigeon Pose (Both Legs)
Downward Dog into Runner’s Pose (Both Legs)
Have a nice day

Announcements:

Meg’s Smile.  Still need volunteers for Saturday

T-Claps (Recognition):

Prayer:
Double D and his family
John Deere
Crablegs

Workout in the Alley – Watch out for Cockroaches

FNGs: None

5 Pax showed up and flew the coop for an old school Alley beatdown brought to you by H1N1 – 3 Pax for EC (Cupid, Overachiever, and H1N1) – 1 Pax for ECEC (Cupid).

Warm Up: The Q decided it best to warm-up along the way in route to the Alley workout.  Began in the parking lot with 10 cadence count of BTW followed by feet shuffle on the parking lot bumpers on our way out of the Nest.  Along the way to the alley, the Pax stopped periodically and performed the following warm-up exercises – SSH x 10 IC; Good mornings x 10 IC; IW and HB x 10 IC; and Daisy Pickers x 10 IC.
The Workout: Upon arriving into the Alley, the Q pointed out today’s workout will involve the use of 3 cement filled cinder blocks.  The workout went down like this —

  • Round 1 – 3 Pax performed goblet squats with cement cinders while 2 Pax sprinted to the end of the alley and performed 10 merkins and then sprinted back.  Stations were rotated until each Pax completed 2 sprints through the Alley.
  • Round 2 – 3 Pax performed feet shuffle using the cement cinders while 2 Pax sprinted to the end of the alley and performed 10 LBCs and then sprinted back. Stations were rotated until each Pax completed 2 sprints through the Alley.
  • Round 3 – 3 Pax held the plank position with the cement cinders while 2 Pax sprinted to the end of the alley and performed 5 burpees and then sprinted back.  Stations were rotated until each Pax completed 2 sprints through the Alley.

The Pax then began the return to the nest but not without some more exercises along the way.  Step ups – 10 L and 10 R.  Erkins and derkins 10 count each, then rinse and repeat.

Mary: Upon the return to the nest, finished up with feet shuffle using the parking lot bumpers and concluded with a final 10 cadence count of BTW.
Announcements: Deadbolt 5 year anniversary Q at Disney; see facebook and slack
T-Claps (Recognition): Cupid for ECEC
Prayer: Double D and family (father passed away); travels for Crablegs as he continues his tour across the country bringing awareness to ALS

UTI’s Paradise City Dress Rehearsal – ***Eeeaarkkk*** Is this thing on?

EC:  Buford (2mi), Aquaman (2mi), Yogurt (3mi+Ramps after), Lipstick(3mi), YHC (2mi)

FNGs: Uh Uh… not a one

Warm Up: The nose told the PAX that the garbage was already pretty warmed over from the day before and we were reaping the benefits.  Minus the HIM that had made it out for EC, the rest of the group needed a warming so we got started.  Burpees 3x per car (3 cars) that pulled into the lot right on time but delayed the workout start just enough, Windmills x10, Merkins x20, Side Straddle Hops x20, Fozio Arm Circles (10 forward/ 10 back).

The Workout: 12 PAX counted, broken into 2 lines of 6 for an Indian Run.  The PAX moved quickly without much need for coaching to “keep it tight”, we had some elites on-hand this morning and they were influencing the tempo.  The route was set by YHC to go around the Ting loop moving from the BBall Court, up the ramp, around and past the tennis courts, and back around to the base of the ramp.  Lots of mumblechatter this morning and some dissent in the ranks about the long Indian Run.  YHC extended the Indian run my continuing past the BBall courts and added that little loop onto the main drag and back to the base of the ramp.  A Jail Break broke out after the final turn towards the ramp.

YHC handed out the instructions for what came next.  PAX were asked to use the blue foul ball signs as markers for a modified B.O.M.B.S.  (Burpees, Overhead Claps, Merkins, Big Boy Sit-ups, SSH).  Breaking out into partners for support and accountability, PAX were told to bear crawl up the ramp to each blue sign.  At each sign, do the assigned workout to spell out B.O.M.B.S. staying with your partner along the way.  Once at the top, repeat in reverse down the hill.  Swap out the bear crawl with a crab walk down to the bottom.  Plank at the end for the 6.

A very quick count-off from Aquaman and we were headed up the ramp again.  This time it was a mozy to the back lot near the dumpsters.  Quickfeet down the curb until we reached a natural stop as the curb curved.  Mozy to the next corner.  On the Mozy, more dissent from a troublesome Lipstick.  Handed him 5 Merkins for the trouble.  (I hate to discipline him but otherwise, he’ll never learn…) He answered back with Diamond Merkins.  30x Squats at the corner followed by a mozy down to the tunnel.

Now that we were tired and hot, YHC gave everyone the opportunity to pop-a-squat.  We engaged in a little contest to see who could sit in the People’s Chair the longest.  It became a bit of a spectator sport as we wound down to Aquaman and Yogurt in their respective chairs.  Ultimately, Yogurt won!  Another competition followed.  Balls-to-the-Wall FTW.  Down to two, we had Pablo and Lipstick trying their hardest not to pass out.  Lipstick took the win!

Mozy to COT for Mary.  She never shows up to Run 4 The John but Paradise City is her thang.

Mary:  EC runners were put on the spot to help round out our morning.  Aquaman delivered with Boat Canoe’s (something he picked up in the mountains over the weekend I guess).  Lipstick brought the Pickle Pounders (So predictable :-P).  Buford brought us some Homer 2 Marge (there was some happiness in the mumblechatter for that one).  Yogurt finished it off with some American Hammers.

One last competition… YHC took the win on the biggest sweat puddle.  Aquaman thought he might be a contender but admittedly he might have been a little dehydrated after the weekend.

Announcements:

  • Meg’s Smile Auction.  Check-in on the volunteer opportunities but otherwise make an effort to show up.  It’s a good time with a good cause.
  • Margarita 5k event was mentioned – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raleigh-margarita-madness-5k-run-tickets-54114664418/amp
  • Chat about form over reps.  It should be cool to have someone point out an issue with form to you, you cant always see these things yourself and its better if you can work to correct it rather than risk injury.  Plus, if you do it right – the workout should be better and better for you too.
  • Some folks are thinking of heading to Atlanta following BRR to meet-up with Crablegs at his final game on the tour.  Hit Slack to dig up more details and to confirm who is going.
  • PAX in attendance – if there was something more that I missed please let me know and I will update the post.

T-Claps (Recognition):  Nothing was put out there today per se…  I’ll send T-Claps to Abe who was getting it done out on the road today.  Great work Abe!

Prayer:  Crablegs on his Baseball tour for ALS, DoubleD – think of him today as he delivers his father’s eulogy

Sometimes Randomness Works

FNGs: None
Warm Up: Downtown Train warm-up lap, 5 burpees oyo, Fazio arm circles (forward/backward), overhead claps, seal claps, Michael Phelps

The Workout: YHC had a plan in mind for the workout, but at some point during Dora decided to scrap the plan and go off the cuff. It was somewhat random, but worked this time.

Pax moseyed to rockpile. Each grabbed rock and proceeded to sidewalk adjacent parking lot. Got in pairs for Dora. Exercises for Dora were overhead press (100), tricep extensions (200), curls for the girls (300). While Pax#1 was doing exercise, Pax #2 ran to bottom of hill (forward), then back-up backwards, rock in hand. After everyone finished, held plank for group 10 count.

Moseyed over to parking garage. Pax stayed in groups which split to opposite ends. Did leap frog burpees to meet partner somewhere in the middle for paddy cake merkins and leap from burpee back to starting location. Pax then grabbed some wall space for various exercises….peoples chair x 3 (group 10 count each round), irkins x 2 (25 reps each), step-ups x 1 (25 each leg), balls to the wall x 1 (group 10 count).

Mary: Pax circled for Mary and each called their favorite Mary exercise which included LBCs, plank (group 10 count), Homer-to-Marge, American hammers, dying cockroach, Freddy Mercury, and…

Announcements: Still need some volunteers for Meg’s Smile Charity Auction event next Saturday and golf tournament on Monday. See Wiggly and Slide Rule for details.

T-Claps (Recognition): Slide Rule and Sub (and coming down from Carpex this morning) for ECEC; Slide Rule wearing breathtaker.

Prayer: Crablegs, 30 seconds of silence for anyone needing prayer.

Thanks for the hardwork this morning men!

 

That was the Warm-up?

Answering a call on FB, this HIM stepped up and led 15 PAX at Mutiny on this glorious humid morning.  Thank you FedEx/LipSync for the opportunity; always an honor to lead you men.  Arrived with 2 mins to start, planted shovel flag, showed the PAX my kid’s old Dora the Explorer towel for some motivation and promptly began beat down at 0530.

FNGs: None

Warm Up:  Jog around track.  Circle up for SSH, Cotton-Pickers, Hillbillies, Imperial Walkers, Sir Fazio Arm Circles, Static stretches.  Q, coming off a 2 week hiatus from the gloom, mixed up a few exercises (names) but stayed on course.  Dropped down into a 10 count merkin, throwing in some R/L arm raises, R/L leg lifts and proceeded to rinse and repeat 4X after moving 90 degrees after each set.  And THEN the workout began.  Shoulders burning.

 

The Workout:  Mosey to snack shack for Australian MC, People’s Chair Both 10CC, Rinse and Repeat.  (Very slippery). Mosey to parking lot, quick feet on curb switching from R-L foot lead foot halfway down parking lot.  Squat hold for 6.  Frankensteins to the round-about.  PAX grabbed a piece of curb in plank position and began an Indian run in the plank position moving to the right initially (side to side), back to the left, right, left until shoulders were shredded.  Mosey to the rock pile for medium or smaller rock.  Lined up in one line on soccer field.  Executed the following rock exercises (10 count/10 count cadence):  curls, triceps extensions, rut-rows, bus drivers, goblet Squats, O/H presses, O/H Squats, side to side.  Took 5 steps in between each set making our way to the other side of the pitch.  Dropped rocks.  Jog to the center pitch, come back; jog to the end of the pitch, come back.  Rinse and repeat rock exercises however, Q had PAX move to the right 2 or 3 spaces in between sets changing their rocks.  John Cusack to the center point in field.  On your six.  Executed the following rock exercises:  chest press, skull crushers, H2M, WWII, LBCs, 6 inches, 45 deg, 90 deg, (leg lifts while holding rock above chest or extended over head).  John Cusack to rock pile.  Squat hold for 6.  Run sideways L/R back to the tennis courts for Mary.

Mary:  Yoga poses and have a nice day.

Announcements:  Sasquatch- See FB/Slack.  Deadbolt 5 yr anniversary this week; Gump’s 4 year celebration this week Q ing multiple sites.  Funeral/wake for Double D’s Dad today in Garner at 11:00 am.  PAX – please use q-sheet sign-up

T-Claps (Recognition):  all the PAX who gave 100% today

Prayer:  Double-D’s dad passing; Noah’s Ark’s M (illness/rest for family); PAX injured; PAX family.  Q took us out in prayer.

Dawgpound at AGS

FNGs: None
Warm Up:

Frankenstein Kicks
High knee pulls
High Hip Pulls
Merkin Form
  • Hands Under Shoulders not up by your ears
  • Full Range of Motion
  • Elbows Stay close to your side
  • Flat back including lower back.  This is where I struggle when I’m tired.  Your butt should be tight and you core should be engaged
  • Head up, Don’t bend your head down
10 Merkins
Squat form
  • Shoulders stay over Hips
  • Do not role lower back forward
  • Keep a straight back
  • Squat down

10 Squats

The Workout:

One Indian run team
Start at parking lot run to Y at baseball field
10 Merkins
10 Squats
Indian Run left of baseball field to entrance of Wimbledon Park
10 Merkins
10 Squats
Indian Run to Bass Lake Neighborhood Entrance
10 Merkins
10 Squats
Indian Run to Bass Lake hill loop
10 Merkins
10 Squats
Hill loop repeat until 6:45
10 Merkins
10 Squats
Fellowship Run to Bass Lake Neighborhood Entrance
10 Merkins
10 Squats
Fellowship Run to entrance of Wimbledon Park
10 Merkins
10 Squats
Fellowship run to Y at baseball field
10 Merkins
10 Squats
Fellowship run to parking lot taking a detour around the soccer fields
10 Merkins
10 Squats

Mary:

Sorry no time

Announcements:

Check Slack

T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:

Double D and his family
Crablegs

Where is Everyone? Single Again

Warm Up: Jog around the carpool line followed by imperial walkers, daisy pickers, arm circles, and Michael Phelps
The Workout: Super 21 with Merkins and WW1, after set 7, 14, and 21 completed a 100 foot jog with 21 squats, 21 monkey humpers, and 21 lungs each leg than 100 foot jog back for the next round of 7.
Mary: Wasn’t needed after 231 WW1.
Announcements:  JOCO t-shirt pre-order has six days left.  Get your order in!  Community 5k coming August 17 for Globulin’s nephews eagle scout.  Will be taking the week off from The Station and Santa’s Workshop to let some soreness in the bottom of my right foot hopefully go away.
Prayer: Family and Friends battling sickness and injuries.  F3 brothers traveling for work or vacation.