Early Morning texts started flying amongst Wescott #HIM at 4:33am this morning. Midget started the thread with a simple “Let’s do this.” In true M4L fashion, he not only managed to wrangle  Wescott clowns, but also several F3 Southwake PAX to participate in Raleigh workouts throughout the week, and also inspired the “Sir DawgPound” to join the kettlebell workout today,  allowing YHC the opportunity to make a guest appearance at Crazy Ivan this morning. With the leg feeling good, HC’d on EC with Deadbolt the night before. By 4:55am, we were ‘rolling’ and off to what would be the start of a great morning.

Arrived at the back Womble parking lot by 5:05am, started the Garmin and off we went. Took off to the right side of the soccer fields up Stinson en route to Main Street for the standard route. It had been awhile since experiencing an EC run and enjoyed the cool air and the relief of being able to run for the first time in a while. I had also forgotten how much I missed the comical exchanges that take place on these runs. You don’t exactly get quality Deadbolt commentary while running on a ‘dreadmill’ at the Fern. First mile was a solid 10:15 pace, but quickly picked up in mile 2 as we went sub 10, with a sub 9 in the last quarter mile to end the run.

As we ended the run in the back parking lot of Womble, we were quickly greeted by Pikachu and Pipe Dream, who were ready to see what the guest Q had planned for Crazy Ivan this morning. Armed with only 1-25lb kettlebell among the 4, YHC had to adapt and rely on gloom instincts to devise a beat down. Fortunately, Womble offers many amenities that create a ‘beat down friendly’ environment. Curbs and parking spaces would be the perfect backdrop for some strong work and great mumblechatter among the PAX.

At the start of the workout, YHC announced that since he hadn’t run in a while, we’d do a quick circle around the soccer fields to start the warm up, and was quickly corrected by DB, who reminded me that we just did a 2mi EC. Yep- short term memory is rusty, but it was go time. 4 PAX took off around the soccer fields and returned back to the lot for the following warm up.

Warm Up: Imperial Walkers x10, Hillbillies x10, Moroccan Nightclub x10, Goofballs x10 (shout out to Nemo), Michael Phelps, Clockwork Merkins x10, 5, 10, 5, 10. Lunge Walks from the end of the parking lot to the Speed Bump  w\Franksteins back to the middle of the lot.

The Workout: PAX occupied the curb with backs facing the soccer fields. With both hands on the curb, PAX held plank and curb walked it over  to the left, making periodic stops for Erkins x10 as they continued along the curb to the end (Total 50 Erkins (5) stops).  As we reached the speed bump, gave a quick 10 count and then proceeded to do some air squats 1 set x10. From the speed bump, PAX proceeded to occupy the parking spaces to the right. YHC called for some build-a-bears for the way back to the starting point. First PAX started to bear crawl the parking spaces (skipping one in between) while remaining PAX SSH’d waiting for their turn. Front PAX held plank while waiting for the remaining PAX to finish. Total of 13 Parking Spaces back to the starting point.

Quick 10 count, then PAX proceeded to the opposite curb for another set of curb walks, only this time inserting sets of Dips at period stops (5 stops x10 dips per stop). At the speed bump, a quick 10 count and lunge walked back , stopping at the midway point for a plank hold and alternating calf stretches, then followed to the end with Frankensteins.

With only 1-Kettlebell, did several rounds of kettlebell\core exercises alternating in a 1 to 3 ratio.  Rotating so everyone gets a turn.

First Round: Kettlebell Swings x 10 in cadence, while 3 PAX did LBC’s x10 (all in cadence)

Second Round: Kettlebell Tricep Extensions x10 in cadence, while 3 PAX did WWII’s

Third Round: Kettlebell Bicep Curls (5 each arm) in cadence, while 3 PAX did American Hammers

Fourth Round: Kettlebell Goblet Squats x10 in cadence, while 3 PAX did Homer to Marge

Fifth Round: Kettlebell Shoulder Presses x10 in cadence, while 3 PAX did Freddy Mercury’s

Quick 10 Count, then PAX did a lunge walk back to the midway point of the parking lot and occupied a parking space. Bear Crawled across to the opposite curb and then quickly turned into Derkin position with feet on curb and hands on pavement. Wall walked with period stops for Derkins x10 (5 stops 50 Derkins). Reached the speed bump, did a quick 10 count and then alternated lunge walks with Frankensteins back to the starting point.

Mary: Since we started with Clockwork Merkins, it only seemed fitting to end with some Clockwork Shoulder Taps. Starting at 12, proceeding to 3, then 6, and finishing with 9.

Announcements: HSHM next week. U-Turn tomorrow- standard loop, Any Given Sunday open for business 6am Sunday.

Prayer: M4L’s friends who were recently injured in a car accident as well as a Wescott Neighbor, who is recently undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer.  Deadbolt took us out in final prayer. Thank you to all veterans for their service.