FNGs: n/a Warm Up:Mosey The Workout: 5-6 miles from Womble Park to Bass Lake, full 2 miles around the lake, return through Sugg Farm. Mumble chatter was encouraged and headlamps shown the way
Mary: n/a Announcements: Two 3rd F opportunities on March 8th, Food Cupboard project (Wiggly) and road clean up (Breach) T-Claps (Recognition): Prayer: Community members that have lost loved ones and health issues we are aware of.
FNGs: Nada
Warm Up: Nope
The Workout: Q organized a route through town that resembled a giraffe and promised a zoo experience for all those who attended in the pre-blast.Ā
@yogurt, @bnb and Q were all operating on a just-in-time schedule for AGS. At 5:59:20, only @wild turkey was in Womble parking lot. By 5:59:45, there was a crew of 4 ready to hit the mean streets of Holly Springs.Ā
We departed womble for quick loop through Remington to complete the leg gap of our giraffe. At the first turn we encountered the first zoo animal, a native odocoileus virginianus doe mere feet from the street.Ā
We then traveled down stinson, across bass lake rd and onto hillspring where we completed the hind leg of the giraffe. As we turned to begin running up the back, we spied the second zoo attraction that Q had organized, a second odocoileus virginianus, attempting to hide in the brush.Ā
As we traveled the remainder of the route, discussing vacations, weddings, upcoming races and home improvement projects we spied assorted felis catus, sciurus carolinensis, and canis lupus familiaris. All added to the zoo experience that Q had promised.Ā
We arrived back at womble around 6:45 for some great mumblechatter and COT.
Prayer: @BNB has a friend in Atlanta going through some health challenges, trying to determine the long term impacts on his fitness. Prayers for doctors wisdom.Ā
Sometimes everything just comes togetherāthis was one of those times. Knowing I was bringing and FNG, I grabbed the empty AGS Q spot. Really wasnāt sure who was gonna show except Pikachu, who was a quick HC upon seeing the route. Todayās route: Headed toward my favorite hilly neighborhood, Sunset Bluffs, which is past Bass Lake. It was not until I got on the run mapper did I realize a critical connection from Sunset Bluffs to Bass Lake Road. Now to execute.
FNG and I left the neighborhood at 0550. I was pleased to see @Gillette, @Jellybeans, and @Sunshine ready to go. @Woody had already grabbed a now-routine EC! Pikachu rolled in on two wheels.
I prepared a 4-mile and 6-mile loop, expecting the group to split up. But, at the split point, Woody had already āencouragedā Jellybeans to āgo the distance.ā And next thing you know, weāre all climbing the hills in the Bluffs. Jellybeans had just started F3 only a few weeks ago, with zero running. Iām not even sure how many ECs he had completed. Woody hung with him the whole time, encouraging and talking up running. At the end of the 6-mile run, Jellybeans was stoked and exclaimed, āThatās the most fun I’ve ever had running!ā How about that?!
Pikachu, my FNG Dylan, and I bonded with running events and speed. These two carried a 7:30 pace most of the time. Appreciate Pikachu embracing him on behalf of the F3 community.
We made the connection at Goosehaven, over to Bass Lake Road. This makes a nice alternative loop around Bass Lake. Canāt believe I had not run or ridden this considering multiple trips to Sunset Bluffs both on foot and on wheels.
When I wasnāt running with the speedsters, I had the chance to catch up with Gillette and Sunshine. Great stuff. Gillette and I learned that Sunshine is a powerhouse on the hills! I said something about climbing up the Bass Lake Road hill and next thing I knew, Sunshine took off, climbing! He did not stop til we got to the top! BAM! He pulled me up the whole way.
Welcome FNG @Tigger! After he said, āRoll Tide,ā it was clear he needed an opposite-mascot name (Alabama vs. LSU). Plus, he runs like Tigger!
Notable achievements: Jellybeans distance PR! Woody 1,000 miles in 2022!
Finally, at COT, Woody shared that he observed certain behavior from one of his sisters over Thanksgiving. He requested prayers and guidance in approaching her and the issue.
On this Sunday following the Richmond marathon, I figured the PAX would be skinny, plus I knew @Vasoline had some plantar issues and @Bleeder was out of town. So, when I moseyed up at 5:55 am, I wasn’t completely surprised to see the parking lot empty. And I mean completely empty. Not even the overnight cars of drunk soccer moms who took an Uber home from their kid’s big game. Nonetheless, I planted the flag anticipating that someone might roll in right at 6 am. No one. But I spied a headlamp over at the Ivan lot. Knowing we’ve had a bunch of FNGs lately, I started the run at 0600, heading toward the mysterious light, thinking I might intercept an FNG or at least a new F3 guy looking for the Sunday morning run. They had started their run and we passed each other on the back stretch of the turf fields. Well, that’s not an F3 guy. Or even an FNG. They were clearly on their own run.Ā
So, now realizing this was gonna be a solo run, I headed toward my house to grab the dogs.Ā
I had determined the route the night before and we took off. Down the greenway in the pitch black. Temperature was cool and it was very quiet. No frogs, no nothing. @Bubba wore his headlamp around his neck, so I could see him run ahead doing scout runs. When we got to the lake, I heard a runner approaching and hooked up Bubba. WebEx! Getting in his 5k around the lake with his dog. Nice.Ā
It was now twilight and the dogs went for a swim. By the time we got around to the dam, it was late twilight but the sun had not broken the horizon yet. Wanting to catch the sunrise, we headed up the hills through Sugg Farm. Perfect timing. When we hit the meadow with the lone pine, the sun peeked through the clouds over the horizon. Life if good.Ā
We headed back to Womble and the flag, which was still waving in the parking lot. Count-off, name-o-rama, announcements, were pretty quiet. I gathered my thoughts and posted the following post-blast:
AGS – 1.2 PAX š¾ for 5.3 miles around Bass Lake with scout runs, squats, fire hydrants, and poop eaters along the way. The counts were a little ruff š One way mumble chatter, but boy do I feel a lot better. š Fantastic sunrise at Sugg with some romping in the meadow. The PAX pulled me up the hills when I got tired, and of course, we picked up the six. š© Missed you AGS regulars @Bleeder, @Full House, @Cupid, @Moose, @U.T.I., @Vasoline. Hope everyone has a fantastic Sunday! 
FNGs: none
Warm Up: SSH, Frankensteins, Squats
The Workout: Nice and easy 5 mile run down the Greenway, along Bass Lake and back through downtown. The six was picked up and a really solid effort was made by all present. YHC ended up with an 8:52 pace. Faster than I planned, but the weather was right and I was feeling it.
Mary: Very quick stretching before closing things out.
Announcements: Three Alarm run on Tuesdays, Beer Den on Thursdays, July 5th volunteers, South Wake family picnic on July 30th.
T-Claps (Recognition): Sunshine (and the rest of the 75 Hard crew) for their continued commitment. All that hard work is definitely showing.
Prayer: Stubs.
Bubba (dawg) and I were glad to see Skidmark and Gillette ready to go.
Warm Up: GMs, arm circle (F/B) hammy stretches, 15 merkins OYO
The Workout: Cloudy skies, so no real sunrise to witness this morning. Therefore, we didn’t have to be at any particular place at any particular time. I knew it was only about 5 miles from Womble then around Bass Lake, so we added a little mileage by going up Stinson, then left down Grigsby to the top of the Bass Lake Outfall Greenway. Down the greenway and around the lake counter-clockwise. Good chatter along the way about Run The Quay, school of dance, HSHS graduation, kids activities, etc. Had Bubba on and off leash so he could run. Kept telling him “good boy” when he would stay close or return after chasing a bunny. Gillette appreciated this and did the same :). We returned from Bass Lake via “Soul Crusher.” Was always confused about which hill was Soul Crusher and which was Heartbreak. Now I got it “S” for the S curves on Soul Crusher, “H” for the straight up and down of Heartbreak.
Mary: No Mary
Announcements: Paradise City 5 year anniversary on 6/13/22 with Skidmark in the Q. Also 3-Alarm Run/Walk is alive and well this week after many weeks off. Trust me, you’ll be glad you came out to meet/support/laugh with 3-Alarm.
FNGs: One in the works, look for him at Paradise City 6/13/22. We came across him doing Merkins on one of the bridges around Bass Lake. “Pushups on the bridge, come on!” Skidmark took the opportunity to invite him to Paradise City tomorrow.
Prayer: Fanny pack, Lipstick, Stubbs and other PAX who are struggling with health or family health 
FNGs:
Warm Up:
The Workout: We ran and it was fun
Mary:
Announcements:
T-Claps (Recognition):
Prayer:
I was pleased to see @Coal Ash when I jogged up. HCs @Cupid and @U.T.I and @Bird Flu were there. Nice!
Warm Up: No ECāers today, so at 6 am we took a quick jog around the parking lot and circled up. SSHās x25 to continue jumpstarting the heart rate. Breathed through some GMs. Stretching OYO to hit whatever spots you need to hit before a run. You know where those are. Finally, a shout out to @Vasoline with 25-30 Merkins, OYO.
The Workout: Knowing that AGS was founded on sunrises around Bass Lake, I try to honor that tradition when Iām Qāing (@Deadbolt @Mookie). Today was no exception. I explained the route: Across Womble, down Bass Lake Outfall Greenway, along this edge of lake, over to Salem Ridge, around the driving range, connect back to Stinson, on to Womble.
We took the fast route down the greenway. I knew we had no chance of a spectacular sunrise, only gloom, but weāre used to that, right? Maybe a little unexpected the first week of May though. Going down the greenway is super fast. Iāve always said, run fast where you can, and this is one of those places.
Along the way, we made connections. Cupid the flu vaccine plant employee caught with Bird Flu, the bird flu expert who is working to contain the bird flu itself. Coal Ash, UTI, and myself caught up with work and employment.
We dialed back the pace after reaching Bass Lake, because that early fast pace wasnāt paying off for all of us. We headed up Salem Ridge towards Linksland. Someone suggested that we do something in @Pikachuās yard, but we declined. I would love to work in some of the loops in SSL, but from Womble that would put us over 6 miles and thereās just not time. On the back half of the run, we caught up on mothers and Motherās Day plans.
We took Gable Ridge back towards Bass Lake Road. Over to Norwalk. āI have no idea where we are,ā declared @Coal Ash. Bam, we arrived at Bass Lake Road and the lights came on! From there, it was an easy jog on Stinson back to Womble. Perfect, 5.45 miles and 7 am. COT, photo op with YHC and @Coal Ash stylinā the same colors. I even turned my hat backwards.
Mary: None
Announcements andĀ T-Claps (Recognition): Appreciation to everyone who contributed the very successful 3-Alarm Root Beer Float Mile. @Bird Flu really led the way, buying root beer and ice cream early on. Then, posting the pre-blast. @Wild Turkey was solid too, as usual. He set up the root beer and awards table and mapped up and set up the root beer course as well. Thanks to all who posted. Plus, we had enough money from our collection to make a significant contribution to the iPad 3-Alarm received for his birthday.
UTI previewed the June challenge. Largely modeled off the 2021 May challenge, but with improvements. Not to be confused with previous āRuneā run challenges in June.
Prayer:Ā Remember your mother and be grateful. Strength to those who may not be having children. Keep all PAX healthy and strong.
FNGs: none
Warm Up: SSH, Imperial Walkers, Merkins
The Workout:
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1884470
Good mumble chatter along the route today. Bobby Dall had inquired about some trail running. I was already looking at a Bass Lake trip, so I was happy to oblige.
Started out with a quick sweep through Main Street Square (behind Dunkin / Tapline) before connecting in with the greenway. Followed the greenway out to Bass Lake and took a right. Not too many people on the trail. Good effort on the climb up the back side of the park to Bass Lake Rd (YHC had to slow it down towards the top, everyone else was kind enough to wait). PAX recovered on the down hill, especially Bobby Dall who zoomed out of site. At the parking lot, it was back up hill on the long stretch on Bass Lake Rd. Finally, left on Stinson for a quick down and up hill before meeting back in the parking lot.
Everyone was moving pretty quick today. YHC had a 9:29 pace and I was bringing up the six. Much sweat was poured and just over 5 miles were completed. I think we’re officially done with winter now.
AGS forecast called for clear and cold. Abe with the early HC, followed by some headlocking, followed by Woody HC, Moose HC, and finally Full House on the EC/HC. All five of us showed up at 0558, right on time. Granted Full House a bathroom pass and we started our warmup. At 18 degrees, this was probably one of the coldest workouts of the year. We kept moving and everybody stayed warm.
Warm Up: 25 SSH, 10 GMs, 20 high knees, 1 minute stretching OYO for whatever YOU need before running
The Workout: With it freezing cold, I knew that the Bass Lake trails would not be muddy, but would be hard packed frozen instead. I was right. Wanted to take advantage of the connection to Sunset Bluffs. Instead of the purely traditional route of running down the Bass Lake Outfall Greenway from Womble, I decided to do a “reverse” route. From Womble, we took Stinson to Bass Lake Road and headed down to Bass Lake. Abe arrived at the parking lot first and led us down the mulch and over the bridge. Then to picnic shelter and DOWN the hill. We connected to Sunset Bluffs and ran about a mile total up the hill and back down. Finally, we took the Bass Lake Outfall Greenway all the way back to Womble.
Mumble chatter. Wolfpack stunk on Saturday. Football NFC and AFC championship games later today. Woody heading to the opera for some culture.
Mary: None
Announcements: F3 continues to run with 3-Alarm on Tuesdays. Many of you have seen the joy. I know it’s a challenging time of day, but it’s totally worth it.
Prayer: Full House’s M in pain from old root canal, surgery coming up. Prayers for all those brothers and families with Covid.
