Heading into this morning, it was really a toss up. The heavy rain from the night before was likely to alter our plans for a run this morning, but the Sky Q had our best interest in mind by holding the rain off and sending down some extra humidity to dry the roads prior to 6am. Clown car in Knight Rider was full this morning, complete with a shovel flag, a sack carrying Midget, and a Deadbolt. Arrived to Womble with a fleet of cars already parked. Wait a minute…. “Abe?” A newcomer to AGS, looking for some honest miles. This guy is showing up and making a statement, first breathtaker and now posting on Sundays. Then followed by Draper, the big Red Truck toting Skidmark and Bullseye, then followed by Full House, and Wood Creek’s finest- UTI and Lipstick. Oh and don’t forget Redenbacher, picking up a 1/2 mile EC before the Main Event.

A solid 11 at 6 o’clock start- 3 Ruckers (Skidmark, M4L, and Bulls Eye with 8 Runners). Started Warm Ups that went a little like this.

Warm Up: Light jog to the back lot with carioca L\R, R\L to the start. Continued to the other side of the lot with Butt Kickers and circled up for Hillbillies X10, CP’s X10, Fazio Arms 10 F\10 Back. Frankensteins back to the start with alternating toe walks\heel walks and circled up for air squats X10. Ruckers proceeded to their route and headed to Main St, while the running PAX proceeded to mosey with YHC. Stopped at the first picnic shelter and circled up for some GM’s X10. Quickly lined up in tight formation for a solid Indian run to the Ivan Lot. Circled up in the back lot while YHC explained this morning’s route. At this point it was starting to mist a bit, which provided a good cut in the humidity. Fortunately for us, the Sky Q waited until after our run was over to let the rain fall and provided some gentle breezes throughout the run.

The Workout: The menu today called for Hills. With BRR just a few short weeks away, we put some elevation in the plan for this morning. PAX would proceed down and up Stinson where they would be taking a left onto Bass Lake Road. Follow this to the stop light at Holly Springs Rd. and proceed to Rhamkatte Village merging left into the development and onto Jones Hill Road with a slight shift down Old Ride Road to the end of the development with a U-Turn around back onto Holly Springs Road, proceeding left to Homegrown, right on Linksland, right on Salem Ridge, Right onto Bass Lake (up the BDH-Big Damn Hill), and back onto Stinson for the final push back up to Womble.

Strong pushes from start to finish by all PAX. A big shout out to Lipstick and UTI for picking up the six throughout the run and for pushing YHC up Bass Lake and the final Stinson push. By the 5th and 6th mile of this route, YHC is usually pacing at 10min, but this morning, lots of inspiration drawn by all PAX to help me find a new gear and a steady climb up Bass Lake with an 8:36 in the final 1 mile. #ironsharpensiron.

Rejoined the Rucking PAX at the Womble lot for stretches and COT just as the rain started to open up.

Mary: Stretches OYO
Announcements: Fitness Test tomorrow at PC, Moving help at Midget’s this afternoon. Skidmark carrying Breathtaker this week and will be calling on PAX to wear an eye patch during workouts this week in support of A Cure in Sight (this months charity).

T-Claps (Recognition): Abe for his AGS debut and putting in some solid work this morning. All PAX for conquering the hills and those rucking with weight strapped to their backs. Speaking of backs, I’m not sure if anyone saw the light banter from the pre-blast last evening, but I am suddenly intrigued by this BRR “see my back ” exchange between M4L and Pikachu last night. Looking forward to seeing how the training unfolds in the week to come….

Prayer: YHC reminded PAX about goals. Shared that part of attaining your goals and achieving what you set out to do is knowing what you have to give up in order to achieve them. That can sometimes mean doing the things that you don’t like to do (ie: hills, burpees, getting up on Sunday) in order to ensure optimal performance on race day or any goal you set in front of you. Challenged PAX to find 3 things (fitness-wise or personal\work related) that they like least and do these first each day this week.

Deadbolt took us out.