After a very exhausting week, YHC was looking forward to some miles this weekend. Earlier in the week, PAX received word of race cancellations, as well as a series of domino effects that will soon impact the current day to day in the weeks to come related to COVID-19. For YHC, Sundays are that time of reset and reflection. Certainly a lot to think about and how different the last few weeks have been from what we knew several weeks before that.  Toilet paper has somehow become the staple of choice across the country, while social distancing is now a ‘thing.’ All sporting events have been cancelled, schools are cancelled, business travel is becoming suspended, and now working from home has become the new norm in our daily lives.

The one thing YHC knows that does not change is Sunday’s at AGS. Today was one of the more memorable for YHC as it reminded me how important ‘showing up’ can be, not only from an accountability standpoint, but also the impact you can have on each other and not even know it. You probably have heard this a dozen or so times, but “Who is pushing who?” Today, whether they knew it or not, each PAX had a significant impact on one another in that light 52 degree drizzle.

The day before, Redenbacher had asked YHC if I was still running a half tomorrow even though the Tobacco Rd 1/2 was cancelled. We were both signed up several months back. When the race turned ‘virtual,’ my attitude turned from doing it to eventually getting to it.  Having done 8 mi with Deadbolt at U-Turn yesterday, it did not seem like a good idea considering I was at PT getting dry needled that previous Monday.

My response was maybe. I’ll pre-blast it as an option for an insomniac 7.1mi EC and see who shows. Farva also mentioned a 6mi Ruck starting at 5:30am and Dauber also wanted to Ruck, but didn’t want to start that early, so offered a 3mi at 6:00am. This would be the start time for those running the 6mi Main Event as well. With the crazy EC option on the table, now ‘my eventually getting to it,’ turned into a ‘will have to do it,’ if someone shows. Goes back to the “if you can’t Q it don’t do it” mentality. If someone showed, we’d have to run it. It’s that simple. That’s how YHC rolls and when its out there and someone shows, you do it because someone else is just as crazy as you are and you don’t let them down.

Out of some type of miracle, YHC rose from the fartsack ahead of his 4:05am alarm as if the Sky Q planned it that way. Exactly at 4am woke out of a dead sleep. Scrambling for my iPhone 3, I noticed the time and elected not to hit snooze, but rather put on my gear and head to the garage to lace up my Hokas. Flag packed in the backseat, I muttered something that rhymed with “Truck Me.” Rolled into Womble at exactly 4:30am, planted the flag and no cars to be found….4:35am hit which was the meeting time for the Insomnia EC. At that point, no cars and YHC was reserved to sleeping in Knight Rider until Farva arrived at 5:30 to tap on the driver’s side window to wake me up. As I went to look down at my phone one last time, lights started to appear in my rear view mirror from Stinson. He showed up…

“Sorry, I’m late Mookie,” says Redenbacher

“Yeah- so am I”…”I was hoping you wouldn’t show. This might be a terrible idea, but let’s do it.” I strapped on the headlamp and the light up vest. After a series of forgetful moments…did I lock the car, I don’t need my earbuds, it was starting to drizzle a bit.

Redenbacher says, “Hang on one second…sorry,” from his trunk. He’s ripping off some much sought after 2-ply, knowing that there could be some emergency gross weight adjustment later in the run. Honestly, have never experienced the need to drop a few sharks in the woods during a run…until this morning. We’ll get to that later. With that, Redenbacher and I went straight down Stinson and across the street to the neighborhood that abuts Holly Grove. As we were not running Tobacco, we figured we’d pay tribute to the flat route of ATT and the track was a perfect mix of flat concrete surrounded by trees. After about the 3rd lap, Redenbacher had to investigate a space behind the white shed, while putting his 2-ply to use. YHC continued around the track and was later rejoined with Redenbacher until we were at about 4 miles. Exited the track and then back out to Holly Springs Road and that is when I felt it.

Informed Redenbacher that we may need to stop at Lowe’s, but unfortunately was still too early and was not open. Picked up the pace and proceeded down Earp and then a left on Raleigh, back to Womble. Never knew how the extreme need to R4TJ could be until I reached Raleigh St. and had to tighten my gait for fear of letting a kit kat loose. Stopped the watch, took a quick pit stop and noticed we were about a little less than a mile short of the 7.1mi needed. At that point, it was 5:50am and PAX started rolling in. Bufford and Dauber, followed by Oboe, Vasoline, Nemo, and Slide Rule. Java’s car was already parked along with Farva’s so must have been on their Ruck.

Welcomed everybody and got going with the following workout.. As we were doing a quick lap around the lot, we see UTI coming in hot and made it just in time for the following exercises..

Warm Up: Lunge walks, Frankensteins, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Daisy Pickers X10, Good Mornings X10, Prisoner Squats X10, with a squat hold as I explained the route.

The Workout: Dauber was the solo 3-mi rucker this morning and had a route picked out that would get him back to the lot in time for Mary. For the runners, we’d stick to pavement as YHC didn’t trust the footing at the lake with the early morning rain. We’d do a modified NH (the graphic on strava kinda looks like NH). Took PAX the long way left around the baseball fields of Womble and onto Grigsby. From Grigsby we would head up Raleigh Street to Jones Park and then on to Veterans, heading to the back side of Ting EC, around Artic Ridge and then back onto the greenway, proceeding straight up Skymont. As we ventured up Skymont through Rhamkhatte Village we’d make a right back onto Holly Springs Rd, then onto Raleigh back to the flag.

At the start of the run, YHC was just starting to settle in with Redenbacher not far behind. Really good group of PAX this morning, each with varying speeds which made some good pairings throughout the run. Big shout outs to all PAX, especially Nemo, Oboe, and Vasoline for continued pick ups of the six. Honestly, that was the only way I think Redenbacher and I finished the last few miles this morning. Also shout out to Buford who provided a nice even pace through Jones and Veterans. Legs were getting fatigued as we approached Skymont and keeping the light up vests within eye shot made all the difference.

Mary: Arrived about 13min late to Mary, but were greeted by PAX upon return. Dauber I think wanted to hand me a bottle of geritol, noting that i’m slowing down in my old age.

Announcements: Banana Seat and Pikachu ALS challenge. Check out slack
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting out there today for ruck and running miles. Redenbacher for holding me accountable to get that 13.1 in this morning. PAX picking up the six as well as Dauber, UTI, and Slide Rule for making sure I did not miss out in conducting Name-O-Rama.

Prayer: All those affected by COVID-19. Continued health to PAX and families. Continued prayers for Crab Legs. Prayers for Forceps and his family. YHC took us out.

2nd F held at Sir Walter, where Redenbacher and YHC had to run to as we were about 1 mi short of the 13.1. After a series of loops in front of the library, DownTown Train, and Main Street we wrapped up what we set out to do this morning and were greeted by PAX and some quality mumblechatter. Skidmark even came out to join us.

A solid morning, Men! Thanks for the opportunity to lead.