Yosemite Kringle

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YHC got in from the airport a little after 0100 and, according to Garmin, got 3 hours and 55 minutes of sleep before getting up and heading to Holly Springs to lead this below-freezing ramble.  Knowing that there were three planning 5-mile EC I was curious how many would actually show up.

Much like the DPG that ran last week we were having staggered starts with 5-milers leaving around 0600 and the 3-milers heading out around 0625.  Let’s see how it went.

EC: Yosemite, Warbucks, Martini

FNGs: This is a joke today, right? I didn’t even want to go out in this, let alone someone new.

Warm Up:

The same warm up was done for both groups.

SSH x10 IC

Frankenstein x10 IC

Hip openers x10 IC

The Workout:

At 0600 and after being told to watch the ice, each PAX began Forward Foot Flops (FFF’s) OYO.  Some started by putting their left foot first, followed by the right, and then back to the left.  Others went right, then left, and then back to the right.  Rinse and repeat x6000+ times (individual results varied based on milage).

Once the first group was gone YHC climbed back in to his warm vehicle to pass the time.  The devil on my shoulder started suggesting that, if no one else show up, maybe I should just say in there until closer to 0700 and then just run in a circle until the runners get back.  Luckily Sprinker showed up to run 3 iles with me and after we warmed up we also started with FFFs.

Also, apparently when you have a long beard and you run in temps like this you end up looking like something out of a Christmas special.

Mary:

Some stretching and yoga were done once everyone was in.  We successfully had all PAX in (including ECers) around 0700.  I think this staggered start thing might actually work.

Announcements:

ShamWow!’s baptism at Hope tomorrow morning, following the 0930 service

T-Claps (Recognition):

To all SW PAX.  You know why.  You are real HIM.

Prayer:

Forceps and his family.  Today is going to be a difficult day.  Take a little extra time today to talk to God and offer to lend some of your strength to help Tim and his family.

 

Always an honor, even with no sleep and frozen hands.

 

010000

You Say It’s Your Birthday…It’s My Birthday Too…and Mine Too!

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Funny the coincidences you find in SouthWake. I had known there to be a very high population of PAX sharing the first name “Todd” (ie: Wiggly, Norm, Pablo, Maybelline, Coal Ash, and YHC), but what are the chances of 3 PAX posting on the same morning, sharing the same birthday. That’s just crazy talk. Arrived to Disney this morning not feeling any older, but definitely forgetful as YHC forgot his flag. Did remember the chalk to mark the ground with, but did forget the flag. As I was starting to make my way down the lot, Dawgpound came rolling in for some EC. Exchanged some pleasantries and headed toward the Community Center to the back side in front of the football stadium entrance.

This area is a nice one for circuit training as I did see Pablo introduce this once before. There is a lower level and upper level with staircases on opposite sides. Lots of room for running up and down and in between. At the bottom of the staircase, I labeled ‘Get Ups’. As you travel ahead and bend toward the right there is another stair case (mini abyss). At the foot of this staircase, I labeled “Wide Grip Merkins.” Travel up the stairs of mini abyss and straight ahead to the walkway that joins the original staircase in the distance, I labeled this spot “Diamond”. To the left there is a brick shelter, that has a perfect wall for B2W’s. Labeled that ‘B2W’ of course.

Made my way down the staircase back to the beginning and ventured back out to the large lot of Disney by the high school entrance. Noticed a yellow gate that was closed to the right, which would connect school traffic from either side.

Checked the watch, which left plenty of time to make it back without a mosey. A bit chilly this morning, but not too cold and would produce some comfortable workout conditions. Back to the starting point, saw a few more cars and more rolling in. 187 and I exchanged some ‘Happy Birthday’s,’ knowing from last year we shared the same day. Additionally, I learned on Monday at Paradise City that Doc also shared the same birthday, but would he be here this morning? Turn around and there he was to complete the birthday trio.

Who else was coming out to celebrate? I left an open invite on preblast the night before, but who would show? After all was said and done, we had 12 total PAX- The birthday boys- 187, Doc, and YHC, along with Emeril, Dawgpound, Java, M4L, Nemo, Bobby Dall, Potts, Quiver, and Pikachu. A great crowd. Unfortunately, most of 12 Oaks missed it, including Slide Rule who HC’d at Panera the week before (Pikachu was there and can vouch).

Quick check of the watch and it was 30 secs to lift off. PAX were greeted and thanked for attending this planned birthday bash. We had 3 birthday’s so YHC fortunately had 3 workouts planned. 5:30 hit and we were off with a skinny lap around the lot.

Warm Up: SSH X43, Imperial Walkers X20, Hillbillies X20, Morocan Night Clubs X10, Fazio Arms X10 F\10B, 2 Burpees… Quickly instructed PAX to form 2 lines. This was met with a Dawgpound groan. I think he knew what YHC meant when he said we’d keep things moving this morning- no 10 counts.

The Workout:

Birthday Party#1

Indian Run out of the main lot all the way to the community center, take a left down past the make-shift classroom buildings, all the way to the main entrance of the football stadium. Broke the Indian Run and quick had PAX squat hold for instruction. Informed PAX to find an accountability partner and that I labeled the ground with a specific exercise, starting with 2 Turkish get ups where we were standing, run around the corner to the base of the (small abyss) to perform 20 wide grip merkins, proceed up the stairs and straight to the walkway for 20 diamond merkins, and then Balls to the Wall on that shelter in cadence X20, before heading back down the stair case to do a rinse repeat of the circuit. If anyone ended early, they’d need to come back for the six until all were finished.

PAX did a great job staying together and in many instances all shared the same cadence counts. Squat hold at the bottom while waiting for the few remaining PAX to mosey down the steps after their second round.

Birthday Party #2

Formed back into same 2 lines and executed an Indian run to the yellow closed gate YHC saw earlier in the morning while setting up. Got to the front and instructed PAX to bear crawl underneath about 10 yards to the street, look both ways and mosey to the large Disney lot. Mosey’d to the far corner, where we would do a progressive circuit with their accountability partner..

Corner 1- 2 Burpees

Corner 2- 2 Burpees, 20 Prisoner Squats

Corner 3- 2 Burpees, 20 Prisoner Squats, 20 Mountain Climbers

Corner 4- 2 Burpees, 20 Prisoner Squats, 20 Mountain Climbers, 20 Shoulder Taps

Formed 2 Indian Run lines again and took PAX to the abyss

Birthday Party #3

At the Abyss, Partner 1 stayed for LBC’s, while Partner 2 proceeded down the Abyss and at the bottom performed Pickle Pounders X20 in cadence before coming back up. At the top, Partners Switched out

YHC remembers Nemo mentioning that it seemed kind of odd PAX were performing Pickle Pounders in silence at the bottom. Usually during this exercise, its a time of ‘Yo Momma’ jokes and ‘That’s what She Said’ humor.  Mumblechatter was really low this morning and appeared to be all business.

Once PAX finished up, YHC instructed a single file Indian Run back to the flag (fortunately Pikachu brought one). As we made it back to the beginning of the lot I’m not sure what 187 said to Bobby Dall, but there was a jailbreak that ensued…one for the books with both in an all out neck in neck foot race.

Circled up for Mary, but not before YHC called for a plank hold. Yep- YHC wanted to check his clock to make sure it was working. Clockwork merkins all the way around from 1-12 to finish up the morning. Nemo likes these, I could really tell.

Mary: Low Slow Flutter X20, American Hammers X20. Asked Doc for an exercise and did some dying cockroaches X10, 187 gave PAX some Peter Parkers X10. YHC also instructed on a series of stretches, Pigeons, Downward Dog, and one last Good Morning in cadence. What a morning it was!

Announcements: Emeril did have an announcement and lead PAX the singing of Happy Birthday to celebrate the birthday trio. Check 3rd F for community opportunities. Forceps’ son Jon’s service will be held next Saturday, Feb 29th at Hope Community Church from 12-2pm
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting out there this morning and pushing each other. Potts is putting in work these past few weeks. I see a half marathon in November for that guy.

Prayer: Forceps and his family. Additional prayers for Lipstick’s sister, Wallaby, and those battling substance issues. All those unspoken and continued health for PAX and their families.  YHC took us out.

Murph-Adjacent

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PAX:

FNGs: none
Warm Up: SSH x25, Good mornings x10, windmills x10
The Workout: YHC has been doing murph training with some co-workers lately, so I figured I’d do a “murph-adjacent” workout today. It went like this:

  • Jogged from the parking lot to Holly Springs road and back.
  • Grabbed a rock. Curls for the girls x50
  • Muricans x20
  • Squats x30
  • Went as long as time allowed. Ended up being about 7 rounds.
  • Jogged down the greenway, around Veteran’s Park, and back to the parking lot for Mary.

Mary: plank hold for 10 count, side plank for 10 count each, LBCs x10, WWIIs x10
Announcements: Forceps’ son’s memorial is 2/29. Check slack for more.
T-Claps (Recognition): All the HIM who rallied for Forceps this week.
Prayer: Forceps and his family for continued strength, Wallaby for strength and healing, Crab Legs, military and first responders.

What’s the Deal with Cusack and Rocks? 9 PAX Fly Some Kites at Possum Trot

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Q Tour continues, and YHC saw a place on the Q sheet Sunday after Banana Seat called out the need to fill in all those pink spaces for this week. Yeah, I’d be fresh off a business trip the day before, but I’ve got many more to go before completing the SouthWake cycle. May as well cross another off the list if its available. YHC has a love hate relationship with Possum Trot. It’s dark as $hIt out there in the winter and in the summer, its riddled with fire ants and other nasty things Dauber makes us run through when he Q’s. That hill to the guard rail is always sketchy too, but it does have several amenities that can provide a perfect formula for beatdowns, especially long running lanes by the baseball fields and a wide open set of tennis courts.

One of YHC’s personal favorites of all time was when DoubleD brought a whole firehouse kit, complete with hoses, water jugs, and barbells. He had us running up and down the lane to put out a fictitious fire. This was on a muggy morning and remember thinking, WTF. No way I could have duplicated that this morning with limited supplies and imagination, but knew I had to do something with overhead work to simulate kite flying, keeping in line with the spirit of this Q and AO.

Pre-Blast showed YHC flying a kite. The picture was taken about 3.5 years ago on a beach, where YHC was flying a kite, not because I like flying kites, but because that was the activity I chose rather than wanting to jump in 30 degree waves with my son in Maine. Also, partly because YHC was 225lbs and didn’t have the energy or the want to run around. At the time, YHC thought he was operating at 100%. Great job, great kids, supportive wife, but no energy or desire to do anything extra. Was definitely missing something, but health and connections outside of work took a backseat, gradually leading to sad clown syndrome and deep denial. YHC was comfortable and have learned that when you are comfortable, you don’t grow so to battle that, YHC is trying new things like trying to Q all the SouthWake AO’s and beyond that Q 1-2 times a week (all with the aim of each workout being unique).

Arrived to the parking lot and got concerned as the only person YHC had seen was H1N1. It was early though and while H1N1 was out getting his early EC, I took the time to get the lay of the land and place some cones out by the baseball fields. Got back to the car and it was 5:23, still early, but no cars. Guess these guys in Fuquay do it differently, maybe more fartsacks than I thought. Then the headlights started to flow in. Banana Seat, Noah’s Ark, Sprinkler, Breach, 8-Bit, Midget, FedEx. H1N1 arrived back somewhere in between Banana Seat and Breach.

5:30 hit and asked PAX if they brought their lawn chairs and kites. If they didn’t, M4L had a lawn chair in his trunk. All those who wanted to be comfortable could sit in the lawn chair and fly a kite, all others could follow me for some quality work in the gloom.

Warm Up: Skinny loop around the tennis courts and into the courts for some alternating side shuffles are around the baseline, weaving in and out of each court. Led PAX back out of the courts to circle up for Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Morocan Night Clubs X20, Fazios 10F/10 Back, Seal Claps X20. SSH X20. Fellowship run back around the tennis courts to retrieve a rock.

The Workout:

PAX retrieved rocks (some extremely larger than others- Breach) and cusacked them down with tricep extensions in cadence to the concession stand. Circled up for some squats on YHC’s down and up. Placed rocks down and did some modified clock work merkins, where PAX placed both feet on the rock and did 10 merkins on YHC’s down, held plank and walked it over 4 spaces, performed 10 more merkins, held plank and walked it over 4 spaces, performed 10 more merkins, held plank and walked it over 4 spaces, performed 10 more merkins.

Mosey’d over to the concession wall and did some B2W’s in cadence to 20 and then back upright for People’s Chair in cadence to 20.

Rinse\Repeat one more time (2 Rounds Total)

Cusacked the rocks outside the fence and gathered around the first cone that was layed out for some Rut Rows X20 on YHC’s up, Cusacked to the next cone 15 yard further down and performed rock curls starting position at the bottom to the middle X 20. Cusacked the rocks to the next cone 15yards futher and performed rock curls from the top to the middle X20, and then cusacked 15 more yards further and performed rock curls from the bottom all the way to the top X20. Cusacked back to the start

Partner Up: Partner 1- Squat Hold with the Rock; Partner 2- Suicides to each of the cones and switch

Rinse\Repeat (2 Rounds Total)

Cusacked the rocks all the way back to inside the tennis courts and had PAX line up along the baseline for some deconstructed Jack Webbs. On the baseline PAX performed uneven merkins on the rock with left hand on rock\right hand on baseline. Performed 5 on each side for a total of 10. Moved the rock out of the way and performed lunge walks to the other side of the same court. Knelt down for some Jack Webbs X20 in cadence. Mosey’d back to the start.

Rinse\Repeat but this time up’d the uneven Merkin count to 20 total and 40 Jack Webbs in Cadence. Cusacked the rocks back to the pile. Instructed PAX to get into an Indian run from the tennis courts and encircle the entire lot in front of the tennis courts. Mosey’d back inside the tennis courts

Mary: Plank hold for the six. Shoulder Taps X15 in cadence, Right Arm up\Right foot up, Left Arm Up\Left Foot Up. It was damp and rainy, so had to flip em all over on their six for American Hammers X20 and a quick transition to Pickle Pounders X20. Downward Dog and a gradual roll up into a Shawshank. (Have a Nice Day upright).

Announcements: 3rd F opportunities on Slack. Forceps’ son, Jon’s service is next Saturday, Feb 29th from 12-2 at Hope Community Church.
T-Claps (Recognition): Those getting out and after it in the rain
Prayer: Prayers for Forceps and his family. Lipstick’s family and his sister. Wallaby and those battling substance abuse issues. All those unspoken. YHC took us out.

Spinnin’ Round

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Three HIM braved the black ice and sub-freezing temps. Although there’s been colder workouts this winter, this one had snow! Warmups featured a little Q-source-esque knowledge sharing.

Warm Up:

SSH, trunk twists, arm circles

2×2s
Circle up. Start with 2 reps of each, and increase by 2 up to a set of 10.
1. Front kicks (left+right is one)
2. Squats
3. Imperial walkers (2 in cadence)
4. Hillbillies (2 in cadence)
5. Frankenstein
6. Others call for further

The Workout:

Around the clock: Pax in a circle, do an exercise then shuffle or plank-walk a step or two
1. Shrimp on the Bar-B: merkin, then “shrimp up” on the up (try to touch L elbow to R knee)
2. Sumo squat
3. Break dancers
4. Tuck jumps
5. Hindu pushups

At the front, around the knee walls, we then started with derkin walks around the wall, then fancy feet to the other wall, around which we did erkin walks, then goofballs the other way. Rinse & repeat, at which point Pax was smoked.

Combatives

More practice with arm trap-and-wrap, trying to get quicker. Shredder then had us wrap the other way to show there are options no matter which way you go automatically.

Mary:
Pulse-ups followed by low slow flutter. Mr. Terrific then called for some box cutters. Shredder’s turn next; he went with classic LBCs, then Have a Nice Day.

Announcements:
Forcep’s sons memorial service postponed to the 28th.

T-Claps (Recognition):
Mr. Terrific to Q Sheepdog in 2 weeks!

Prayer:
Shredder’s co-worker dealing with cancer, Shredder’s crap-ton workload.
Dovetail’s wife – get to a better place mentally and reconnect with friends.

First Appearance of the Steel Mace

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Snow came the day before. Still 10 men braved the chilly weather to come see the steel mace!!

FNGs: Nope
Warm Up:
Quick lap to warmup
Circled up for the following
Good Mornings
Fazio Arm Circles
Leg Swings both directions both legs
BackStroke
The Workout:
Counted off by three. We had four stations, but I wanted groups of three since there were three Pax present that had already did a steel mace workout. They should be the Shepard for the steel mace. The goal was to keep the legs fresh for tomorrow’s long ass run.

3 complete circuits. Each Station was 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Each pax did 5 to 10 reps each exercise. After completion keep on going till the timer sounds.

Station 1:
Stairs — Run them or carry a bell. Just get up and down them.

Station 2:
Kettlebell
LawnMowers
Push up On the Bell
Push Press
Chest to Chest in bridge

Station 3:
Battle Rope and Core
Battle Rope
Midget Love Handles
Midget Getups
Midget Cookie Pouches

Station 4:
Steel Mace
Upper Cut
Bent Over Rows
Side Paddle Overhead (No lunge)
Kayak
Ballistic Curl

Mary:

Circled up for some stretching:

Leg across and open up the hips. Like getting in a pigeon pose but keep the leg straight
Runners pose and open up the hip
Runners pose concentration on going deeper
Fire Hydrant Circles
Fire Hydrant Kicks

Announcements:

ATT run tomorrow

T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:

Wallaby as he comes home from Rehab
Forceps and his family
John, Deadbolt’s friend that is battling cancer

I thought you were lying.

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Had 6 come out for some fun at Cletus. YHC had a few workouts in mind heading into Friday but the weather threw any plans out the window. The only thing I knew for sure was that we were going to do 100 burpees. Not sure if anyone was actually going to show, YHC, was somewhat surprised, given his love of burpees, to see Da Business ready to roll. When I got out of the car it was at that point he informed me that he hadn’t read the slack announcement of 100 burpees until about 1 minute before I arrived. I briefly thought about changing my mind….nah. Hardee, Flojo, and Nemo rolled in and off we went. Early in the workout Flowjo hurt his knee so he and Hardy left. Hope the knee is ok!

FNGs: Nope

Warm Up: Moseyed to picnic shelter. To get our 100 burpees in we had to start strong. Slaughter Starter 30 burpees OYO; SSH x 50 in cadence, windmills, fazio arm circles (forward/backwards), overhead claps, seal claps, jack webs; 10 burpees OYO.

The Workout: Partnered up for…

Round 1: Peoples chair (partner 1), bear crawl to end of pavillion crawl bear back (partner 2), 3 set each exercise

10 burpees OYO

Round 2: Balls to wall (partner 1), lunge walk to end of pavillion and back (partner 2), 3 sets each exercise

10 burpees OYO

Round 3: Peoples chair (partner 1), log jumps/bunny hops to end of pavilion and back (partner 2), 3 sets each

75 LBCs

10 burpees OYO

Round 4: Balls to wall (partner 1), sprint forwards to end of pavilion backwards back (partner 2), 3 sets each

10 burpees OYO

Round 5: Peoples chair (partner 1), bear crawl to end of pavillion crawl bear back (partner 2), 3 set each exercise

10 burpees OYO

Mary: Each Pax called out an exercise…6 inch leg lift/low slow flutters, homer to marge, Freddie Mercuries, American hammers, 10 burpees OYO (100 total)

Announcements: Big run tomorrow, Forceps son’s service moved to next Saturday.

T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX for coming out in less than ideal conditions and putting in the hard work.

Prayer: 1 minute of silence for Forceps son.

Pavilion Work

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PAX: Snap, Fanny Pack, Potts, Abe, Doc, Java, Hardy, Florence
FNGs: None

Warm Up:
SSH, Good morning, Windmill, Daisy Picker, Fazio arm circle, karaoke, high knees, butt kickers

The Workout:
It was supposed to rain but didn’t so we ended up getting a little running in but mostly were under pavilions

300 rep challenge: Alternated 25 reps of two exercises until we got to 50 reps per exercise, then on to two other exercises

  • Merkins and jump squats
  • Shoulder taps and jump lunges
  • Dips and step ups

Indian run to the pavilion by the pond

Descending Ladder: Did all 4 exercises to a 20 count cadence, then 15 count, then 10

  • Chillcut plank front
  • Chillcut plank sides
  • Freddy Mercury
  • WW2s

Indian run back to the front pavilion

Tabata style: 20 secs on, 10 secs rest ran through all 4 exercises 3 times

  • Balls to the wall
  • High knees
  • Push up walk out
  • alternating side lunges

Mary:
Pickle pounder, Homer to Marge, LBC, Have a nice day!

Announcements:
Memorial service for Forcep’s son at Hope Thursday at 7, Long Ass this Saturday

Prayer:
Forceps family, Crab Legs race this weekend, first responders.

Go fast, turn Left

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5 men braved the “wintry weather” (if 60 degrees and a misty rain qualifies as wintry weather) to get faster at R4tJ.  YHC took the Q Sheet after Banana Seats bulletin to fill it up and figured “Go run a route” wasn’t as much fun as doing something different.

FNGs: No sir
Warm Up: Red needed to lighten the load after EC, so we did some SSH / Good Morning / etc
The Workout:
Cones set up at 40 / 100 / 200 / 300/ 800 (ish) .  Run hard, then recover across the parking lot, then run to next cone.  Go up, then down the ladder as time allows.

Seemed like everyone pushed themselves pretty hard, nice job men.
Mary: Wasn’t invited
Announcements: Long Ass Run
T-Claps (Recognition): Gotta love Red getting the rocket boost and supporting the namesake
Prayer: Forceps, Lipstick, Crab Legs

3 Peat

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Warm Up:
Frankenstein walks, skip jumps, high knees

The Workout:
Today’s workout is geared toward finishing strong on tired legs. That last mile of a race should be all you got. The PAX pushed hard today on that last mile.
400M Warm up
1 mile at 10K pace
2 min recover
1 mile 30 sec faster than last mile
2 min recover
1 mile 30 sec faster than last
800M Cool down

Mary:
Grab some fence
Leg swings
Squats with pulsing at the bottom
Quad stretch
Ham stretch

Announcements:
nothing new

T-Claps (Recognition):
Few PR’s set today. Great push

Prayer:
Forceps family, those battling additions, safety with weather coming

Great job to all that came out today. Thanks for letting me lead again.

BS Out!