1 PAX for 3 miles, Leg Work, and Inspired Reflection at AGS

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Rolled into AGS 10 minutes before start time, planted flag, and waited for PAX looking to close out a very productive week with some pre-Championship Sunday miles. 6:30 hit and it became clear that YHC was on a solo mission at AGS. Having endured the fritter, a double-dose of Carpex Phoenix and Dad-2.0 workout the day before, the legs were still a little tight and required some much needed stretching. Instead of running the 6 mi hill route I had planned for this morning, YHC called an audible and decided to do a 3mi-figure 8 leg workout around the Womble-fields, with a mix of music and inspiration speeches playing in the headphones throughout the workout.

Warm Up: 12- Good Mornings, 12-High Knees (stationary), 12-Imperial Walkers, 12-Hillbillies, 12-Squats, Michael Phelps, Right Leg over Left, Left Leg over Right for a 12-count

The Workout: 3 mi- figure 8 walk with leg exercises at each of the 4 corners (counts representing the jersey number of the 4 starting QB’s for today’s Championship games). Corner 1 (Drew Brees-9 Squats), Corner 2 (Jared Goff-16 Lunges), Corner 3 (Patrick Mahomes-15 Hacky Sacks), Corner 4 (The GOAT-12 Calf Raises). Rinse-repeat 3 times.

During the walk, I had the unique opportunity to listen to some memorable speeches I hadn’t heard in a while. Started with the classic Valvano ESPY speech, where he reminded that there are three things we all should do every day. No.1 is laugh. No. 2 is think. No. 3 is you should have your emotions moved to tears-happiness or joy…you do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special. Another notable speech was one delivered by Admiral William H. McRaven. If PAX reading this have not heard this 2014 University of Texas Commencement that went viral, I’ve included a link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70

One of the best commencement speeches I have ever heard and offers great life and business lessons.

Mary: 8-(consecutive) Merkins

Prayer: Prayers for injured PAX, DoubleD and his Dad, CrabLegs.

Turning Water Into Coffee

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PAX: Straight Cash, UTI

Warm Up:  This was more mental than physical.  Despite the sound of consistently louder and louder drops of water hitting the roof as my alarm went off at 5:30 AM, I got out of bed with my correctly set alarm (No mis-fire today Skidmark).  I proceeded through my pre-workout ritual which gave me a little time to sit and read a few articles on the best attire for a run in the rain.  Following said ritual, I pulled together the best of what my closet had to offer and went down stairs.  Checking-in with Straight Cash, who had DM’d me the night before, I re-confirmed his HC for a clowncar to AGS.  He got in the car and we both agreed this wasn’t smart but we committed.  If other PAX showed and committed as well, we were in it for the long haul.

The Workout:  We did expect to meet some hard core PAX at Womble.  Upon arrival at approx 6:29 the lot was empty.  We gave it the old 5 min. rule and in at 6:34 and about 30 secs we watched as a lonely car made its way over the speed bumps on Stinson.  The car passed Womble and we started talking game plan.  The rain was a solid “yellow” for the next hour on AccuWeather’s MinuteCast…  So the next debate was Starbucks or Duncan.

Mary:  We were reassured by Draper with our decision to go for coffee, he had also called off his Harris Lake run this morning due to the heavy rain.  At least we weren’t alone.  Straight Cash and I sat at Duncan and covered a broad spectrum of topics both F3 and personal.  The shop itself was pretty dead with the occasional customer strolling through.  There were some questionable cleaning practices in play on the AC intake as the manager or other employee sprayed some sort of aerosol upward onto/into the vent.  I hope it was on the up-and-up and they weren’t simply spray painting the vent cover white for appearances.  There was a definite spray paint smell…

Announcements:  Based on our own mumblechatter I’ll call out the following announcements…

  • BRR hangout Jan 22 – Black Dog Bottle Shop, info on the Facebook and the Slack
  • Breathtaker up for grabs weekly at Cletus – Benefits charity, many ways to contribute either through auction, donation, and even getting others to sponsor you to carry the vest.
  • Convergence Lunch in RTP – Look for updates on the next one on the typical channels.
  • QSwap continues next week SW goes to Carpex.

Prayer:  Selfishly – please pray that Straight Cash and I don’t have some sort of lung-related issues from the DD fumes.

vvv  – Super creepy confirmation of whereabouts and timelines sponsored by Google – vvv

A hunt for Pizza

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A group of 8 gathered for an on road AGS.  And then low and behold Lipstick showed up in what we can only hope was muddy shoes to make it 9.

Warm Up:

Circled up for:
Good Mornings
Hillbillies
Imperial Walkers
Frankenstien Kicks

The Workout:

Run down Stinson to Base Lake. From Base Lake we ran to the Lowe’s where the facilities where checked by M4L.  After Lowe’s we ran to Homegrown to see if we could get a Pie in the early morning hours.  They where closed 🙁 .  Next up was running down Crossways to Domino’s to see if they could fix my Pizza itch.  They too where closed at 7 o’clock in the morning.  It was then decided to run back to the car and go to Dunkin instead.

Mary:

Ummm…

Announcements:

Q swap

Prayer:

Buford Surgery
Yogurt (Government Shutdown)
H1N1 and Messi travels to Disney for Half Marathon.  No Dopey or Goofy challenge this year.

The Last Sunday

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EC: Peeping Tom misunderstood the start time and got there a little early so he made lemonade, putting 2.5 miles on the board before we got started.  Nice work!

Warm Up: 5x Burpees (We had some folks show up a little late) and 20x Side Straddle Hops

The Workout:  We had two distance groups, one went for a 3 mile loop and the other a 6 mile loop.  We stuck together for the first 1.5 miles when Oyster and Lift Kit peeled off down Bass Lake Rd.  Peeping Tom and Nemo got out ahead of the 6 milers and inadvertently created a third group when they made a wrong turn.  Much like the Disney movie we found Nemo (and Peeping Tom) in then end.  (There is some sort of plot twist in here about Peeping Tom running off with Nemo… I’ll leave it alone… moving on!).  The planned 6 mile route was made to avoid the mud at Sugg and Bass Lake but YHC couldn’t resist the opportunity to catch that sunrise that Mookie hyped-up when passing over the reigns.  Fortunately, the mud was pretty tame and not much of an ordeal.  Unfortunately the weather this morning was cloudy and overcast so there was no sunrise to be seen.  Oh well, we went around the back entrance at Bass Lake, going down the hill and circling back to the greenway.  Through the Somerset Stream neighborhood and on through Womble.

There were modifications and circling back for the 6 all along the route so we all ended up with variations between 3 and 9 miles.  We had great support from Messi as he biked the 6 mile route with us.  Circling back and checking in on everyone.

https://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer/#2044219786?c=dnrfwpgy&z=E&t=1SAAvA&a=ilHYeShf2HkMvNd5xUjYeehg13ntmdd5

Mary:  Is she in FiA?

Announcements:  Welcome FNG Lift Kit.  Oyster brought his father-in-law out for his first F3 experience.  He came to us from Colorado, we let him know that F3 is a nation-wide organization and told him to checkout the website.

Prayer: Prayers out for Doug Stein who got injured at the Heartbreak/Soul Crusher challenge the other day.  There is a sign-up genius out on the HSRC and “Try” club sites to support his family with meals.  He underwent surgery on both legs and his wife is nearly ready to give birth to their second child.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c084dada923a13-meals1

7 PAX Finding their ‘Why’ at Any Given Sunday

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Cold and clear was the forecast this morning for 7 PAX, who went looking for some miles and the elusive sunrise that has been absent the past 3 weeks at Any Given Sunday. Rolled into the parking lot at 6:20am and was quickly greeted by Full House and then Forceps. A clown car carrying H1N1 and Messi rolled in and then was followed by Deadbolt. The surprise of the morning was a rare Kid Cracker Sunday post.  Six-thirty hit and we were off with the following warm up.

Warm Up: Light jog to the back of the parking lot, butt kickers back to the start, followed all the way to the other side with carioca R\L, L\R. Frankensteins to the start. Circled up for Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Stationary High Knees X10, Hacky Sacks X10

The Workout: YHC explained today’s route for those new to Any Given Sunday as well as those that had previously run it solo in the dark…. Standard Bass Lake loop, including the greenway, counter clockwise around the lake, and return through the back side of Sugg Farm onto Womble. Before we took off, Deadbolt explained to the PAX that we he had an announcement to make. Reflecting on an earlier post from Kid Cracker this week which read, “Motivation is the drug of choice for the UNCOMMITTED,” Deadbolt explained the difference between motivation and commitment. Motivation will get you out there for a day, but commitment will keep you out there for years. He further challenged PAX to find their ‘Why,’ which will create the commitment. A very fitting dialogue for 7 guys committed to ‘getting after it’ this morning in sub-freezing temps at 6:30 on a Sunday.

With that, PAX were off, including Messi who was setting the pace by bike. He was quickly out paced by Kid Cracker, who appeared as if he was shot out of a cannon and there was no sign of him as we made our way onto Grigsby headed to Sugg. Great mumblechatter along the greenways and around the lake. As PAX made their way up the back hill of Sugg Farm, they were greeted to one of those trademark AGS sunrises. PAX slowed long enough to take a quick snap in front of the sunrise to capture the moment and then proceed to the final leg to Womble to do a few trips around the fields to close out the 6-mile loop.

Mary: Light stretches post run

Announcements: YHC called a 2nd F at DD for coffee and donuts for those interested. Messi and H1N1 have a Christmas New Years Q at Mutiny

Prayer: Crab Legs, DoubleD’s dad, prayers for Shredder’s mom. Additional prayers for families going through difficult times during the holiday season. Deadbolt took us out.

Dauber “The Magician”

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After a week hiatus due to the weather last week, Any Given Sunday re-opened for business to 8 PAX looking to get stronger. Some fresh off a great evening and aggressive headlock at the F3 holiday party and others looking to post at AGS for the first time. This morning also yielded Any Given Sunday’s first FNG. Welcome to F3, Redenbacher.

Arrived at 6:20 and was immediately greeted by Forceps and Beater. In the distance beyond the parking lot was the faint glow of a light-up vest, which YHC thought was Skidmark getting his HC’d EC before the run, but quickly found that it was Wiggly. Planted flag and greeted both Double D, Roger Roger, and Dauber. FNG-Redenbacher rolled in with just enough time to provide the F3 disclaimer. 6:30 hit and we were off with the warm up which went as follows. 

Warm Up: Light jog to the back end of the parking lot, butt kickers back. Switched to Carioca L\R, R\L back to other end of the lot. Frankensteins with a set of Lunge Walks and circled up for Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, Fazio Arm Circles IC all with a 12 count (just because….). Michael Phelps to close out the warm up.

The Workout: A few PAX expressed an interest in 3 mi versus a full 6mi route. Here at AGS, we aim to please. Knowing that it would be soggy and muddy from the recent rain, the trails around Bass Lake were out of bounds this morning, so had to change course to the streets of Holly Springs, offering 2-5K loops for those wanting 3 and 6 miles. PAX took off from Womble heading up Stinson toward Grigsby, then proceeded to Raleigh St and then onto Main St. PAX crossed Main St. so that the traffic was coming toward and not from behind. As we headed down Main St. and then right onto Holly Springs Rd., we noticed that a few PAX were unaccounted for as we circled back to pick up the six. Quickly determined that Dauber and Beater were missing from the course. Double D circled back all the way to the light pole at the 4-way intersection at Main St\Holly Springs Rd., with YHC shortly behind. We later discovered that Dauber pulled a ‘Houdini’ to exercise some digestion issues from the night before. This is not the first time this has happened at Any Given Sunday as Dauber had a similar episode on the way to Bass Lake several months back. After this morning’s run, YHC will now refer to him as the Dauber ‘The Magician’ on Sunday. Proceeded back to Womble where PAX ran the figure 8 around the fields starting on the Stinson side of the soccer fields and proceeded to the right around the base ball fields, back to the parking lot. Reunited with Dauber and Beater on the return loop as they proceeded in the opposite direction to complete their 3mi, while the rest progressed forward to the parking lot and then picked up the 6 on their return run, with all PAX finishing together. Circled up for a ‘halftime’ COT, where we also had the unique opportunity to name a new FNG on a Sunday morning.

YHC, DoubleD, and Redenbacher continued on for 3 more miles. Kudos to DoubleD for picking up the six throughout the workout

Mary: Halftime and post-game stretches OYO

Announcements: Wrightsville Half, A big shout out to those participating in the cold and rainy Frosty-CSAUP. Thank you to M4L for hosting another great F3 Holiday party with #HIM and their M’s. 

Prayer: DoubleD’s wife who is recovering from surgery, CrabLegs, Roger Roger’s grandfather, and additional prayers for continued health throughout the upcoming holiday season.

Back to Basics- 4 PAX for 5K and 10K routes at AGS.

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A very mild 61 degree foggy morning in the gloom at Any Given Sunday. No magnificent sunrise this morning, but will take these temps as long as we can as we head into some frigid December\January temps in the upcoming weeks. 4 PAX got stronger this morning. One fresh off of string of Raleigh beat downs (Kudos DoubleD), and 3 additional PAX looking to get some training miles in as eyes are set to March with Wrightsville and Tobacco Rd just around the corner. With the rain coming in from the night before, we decided to stay clear of the soggy trails around Bass Lake and Sugg and hit the pavement, with the streets and hills of Holly Springs providing an effective run for this morning’s edition of AGS.

Warm Up: Light jog from mid-parking lot to the back end, butt kickers back to the start, Carioca back down to the far end with a switch in between, Frankensteins back, and circled up for Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies x10, Stationary high knees x10, Michael Phelps, Shoulder stretches left arm across body for a 10 count hold, right arm across for 10 count hold.

The Workout: YHC had 2 routes planned- a 5K and a 10K option, with the Womble parking lot as the center point. PAX proceeded on the normal EC Cletus route, with a left on E.Elm to Main Street, right onto Holly Springs Road, then back down Raleigh to Grigsby en route to Womble for a figure 8 around the soccer and baseball fields, with periodic circle backs to pick up the 6. Shout out to Pac-Man for completing his first 5K in 6 years. With a 5K in the books, PAX took a quick photo op,  and YHC and DoubleD continued for additional 3+ miles to complete the 10K.  Remaining route led us down and up the rolling hill of Stinson, then left up Bass Lake. We then took the left onto Earp and continued all the way down to the street behind My Way Tavern. Followed the route to the Barber Shop and proceeded left to come back on to Main Street and then back to Womble.

Mary: Light stretching and mumblechatter

Announcements: CSAUP Dec 15th, great work amongst the SouthWake PAX who participated in the “Ocho” in Raleigh this week- M4L, Pablo, Emeril, DoubleD, and DawgPound.

Prayer: Continued prayers for DoubleD’s family and his dad.  Additional prayers for Pablo’s mom and the families of all PAX.

Any Given (foggy) Sunday

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Warm Up:  Warm up consisted of: SSHx20, High knees, Butt Kickers, Left over Right toe touches + reverse, Downward Dog.  We were ready and Pax of 5 set off for the standard AGS loop.

The Workout:  Standard loop around Bass Lake.  2 Pax went Counterclockwise 3 Pax went clockwise.  Doggpound and YHC met Farva about midway around the lake.  He was solo Rucking 6 miles (respect).  Great conversations as we all shook off the Thanksgiving turkey and officially got back to the grind.
Mary:  Just some stretching at the finish
Announcements:  We did COT at the beginning – no announcements
Prayer:  YHC led us in a pre-run prayer for for health, a safe run and thankful for the ability to be out here

A Half Dozen for Post Half Recovery @ Any Given Sunday

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The day after an incredible Holly Springs Half Marathon showing for F3 Southwake, 6 PAX decided to get up and begin the recovery process with a modified version of Any Given Sunday, while getting 2-3 miles with a side order of quality mumble chatter and much needed stretching. Arrived 7 minutes early and was quickly met by Double D, Skidmark, and Forceps. With a few minutes left before 6, Slide Rule and Cowboy rolled into Womble to make it an even 6 PAX for this morning.

Warm Up: Began with some lunge walks for 20 steps, then YHC wanted to get a head check to see if PAX were awake and called for high knees, which lasted for 1 high knee, and then transitioned back to lunge walks. Circled up for Imperial Walkers x12, Hillbillies x12, Air Squats x10 (IC), Fazio Arm Circles 10F/10B, Hacky Sacks x10, Plank Calve Stretches w\10 sec holds on each heel.

The Workout: Light jog on standard Cletus EC route for 2-3 miles, followed by Stretching and coffee\donut curls at Dunkin Donuts (2nd F)-where there was also a Blue Hen sighting.

Mary: Stretch-O-Rama: CP’s x10, Good Mornings x10, Windmills x10, Stationary High Knees x10, Frankensteins x10, Right Leg over Left\Left over Right for 10 counts

Announcements: CSAUP planning is underway for December (15th), Wrightsville Half Marathon Training starts this week- many PAX planning to participate-some doing Half, some doing Full Marathon, and some currently coordinating Relay Teams.

Prayer: Prayers for our brother Bufford. Continued prayers for Double D and his family. YHC took us out in prayer.

3 PAX, some Packs, and Pac-Man @Any Given Sunday

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Knowing that most of F3 SouthWake is in taper mode for HSHM and that yesterday’s U-Turn produced a high number of PAX completing the last of their long run training, YHC decided to switch things up this Sunday and offer a ‘Ruck’ at AGS. For those who wanted or needed extra running miles and were not able to join in the fun yesterday, a running option was also offered. Start time was set for 6am.

A solo clown car left Wescott with PacMan in tow at 5:45am. Arrived to Womble with a single parked car occupied by Farva, who was ready to try out his new Ruck Sack. Early HC posts on Social Media had R-22, Forceps, and Psi. Psi and Forceps informed the Q via FB and also Messenger that they would not be able to join this morning, but no sign of R-22 (later determined R-22 slept through the alarm).

6am hit and was go time. Started with the following warm up equipped with Ruck Sacks

Warm Up: Walk to the far end of the parking lot with toe and heel walks on the return. Also coupled in hip\leg extensions. Circled up for sets of Hillbilly’s and Imperial Walkers X10, Fazio Arm Circles-10F/10B.

The Workout: 6 mi Ruck on the standard AGS loop. A first time for PacMan, who recently moved to the area from California. Set out from Womble headed toward the Sugg Farm entry. As we approached the neighborhood to access the greenway, a quick look at the Garmin had us at 6:19 am and thought by the time we make it to the lake, we should start to see the sun just peeking out. Great fellowship and mumble chatter along the way. Also commented about how just a few weeks ago, H1N1 ran and navigated this course solo, while setting some personal records as a result of darkness and odd sounds in the woods. Have to admit it was much different today doing this course in slow motion with a ruck sack. You are more sensitive to the sounds and see things you normally don’t have the time to see now that you are on a Ruck vs. running. You also have the added benefit of circling the lake with more daylight. Stopped a few times for some pretty amazing snaps of lake and made our way to up Heart Break Hill into Sugg Farm. YHC was pleased to find the row of picnic tables from the prior week still sitting in the open field and called on the PAX to perform 13 step ups, erkins, and dips with a 6 count hold with an additional 1 rep in honor of the 13.1 mi for next week’s HSHM and a 6 count to remember to pick up the six.

Final mosey to Womble from Sugg had us at about 5.50mi. Did a quick circle of the soccer fields, which featured a lacrosse tournament, and the rock pile lot.  PAX noted some very intense lacrosse coaching from behind the fence. Note to self, “you ain’t playing in the final minutes of the game, if you ain’t paying attention in practice.” Owen- if you are listening..stop looking at the playground. DawgPound ain’t there swinging kettlebells and your coach needs you to pay attention. Lesson learned…we think..

Completed the 6mi Ruck and ended with COT

Announcements: HSHM, CSAUP in December, Paradise City tomorrow

Prayer: Prayers for Crab Legs and DoubleD. Additional prayers for PacMan’s sister who is recovering from a C-Section. Congratulations on a new baby boy in the family. Prayers for our active duty soldiers, those who have returned from service, and all Veterans, who have served our country. They have made great sacrifices and we appreciate their service. YHC took us out in final prayer.