Here’s what I like about Sunday’s… PAX show up, put in the effort, fellowship all around, and everyone closes the page on the previous week and puts themselves ahead of the curve heading into Monday. On Saturday, Dauber reaches out to YHC and asks for the Q. It’s his birthday week, and what better way to celebrate than with a Ruck at AGS. As we know there will be some PAX looking for running miles, we agree to split the Q, he’ll lead the warm-ups, ruck, and COT, and I’ll put together the run… Done.

Pre-Blast advertises the Ruck along with 3-2mi running routes, complete with a water station. Here’s the other thing I like about Sunday’s, the PAX that show and want to raise the standard. The ones that rise from the fartsack on a weekend, especially the ones bookend’ing their weekend fresh off of U-Turn and finishing with AGS. I am humbled by the efforts today of the 10 HIM who showed and helped celebrate the start of an exciting week long Dauber celebration.

Dauber was first to arrive this morning. Giddiness?  Anxious?  Excitement?   Not sure.  YHC shortly rolled in after, exchanged fist bumps while both making note of the unbelievably difficult time planting the shovel flags in what seems to be concrete covered in mulch.  Usual suspects this morning in the form of DawgPound and Cowboy. Followed by Redenbacher. Anybody see this guy lately? He looks like Redenbacher’s younger brother. Red truck rolled up carrying Skidmark. YHC noted this last week when sharing the impact of DoubleD’s presence in AO’s, but it should be also noted that Skidmark’s posts at AO’s have a similar feel. Not sure what it is, but maybe its that whole Master and Apprentice thing Yoda talks about in those Star Wars flicks. Now the surprise of the morning comes in the form of an SUV carrying Yogurt.  WTH?  He usually runs or unicycle’s into Womble?  Apparently, running late this morning and opted for 4-wheels. Great seeing him. Six o’clock hits and Dauber presses play to start our morning.

Warm Up:

Warm up around the track with karaoke, Frankensteins, Bitt kicks.  Circle up with only one warmup exercise:  51 SSH.  Not sure what the connection was but PAX were griping for sure.  At one point, YHC modified with M4L-styled dirty bird hops and PAX stopped counting, but Dauber was certain he landed on 51.

The Workout:

Ruck:  Dauber borrowed a kettle bell from Sir Dawgpound and added it to his ruck pack.  Two brave PAX (Sir Dawgpound and Forceps).  Great mumble chatter while getting in over 7000 steps in one hour.  We had two sightings of Coal Ash along our trek around Sugg.  Soul crusher was in decent shape and challenged PAX with its precarious footing and arduous climb.  We survived without any misfortunes and helped hydrate a PAX on his run.  Stepped up the pace and cruised into Womble parking lot at 7:05 am.

While the Ruck was in progress, YHC had a run planned that would include 3-2 mi loops beginning and ending from the Womble lot. The first of which would focus on the entire Stinson stretch.

Stinson Segment (2.0mi)

YHC lead PAX to the top of Stinson by taking a left out of the lot to the stop sign at the top of the hill. From the stop sign, PAX let it fly down the hill and then back up to the stop sign at the intersection of Bass Lake Rd., while periodically picking up the six throughout the segment. As we made our way back to the Womble lot, YHC noted that we were about 0.25 short of 2mi, so extended the run to the playground and then back. PAX hydrated at the water station and then proceeded to segment 2- Main and Raleigh

Main and Raleigh Segment (2.0 mi)

YHC lead PAX back up Stinson and onto Raleigh. Took a left on E. Ballentine to Main and carried the remainder of Main to Holly Springs Road. Right on Holly Springs Rd. and then back onto Raleigh on our way back to the lot. Strong pushes from all PAX on this segment and T-Claps to Yogurt, Skidmark, and Nemo for picking up the six. As we approached the Womble lot, YHC took a quick look at the Garmin as PAX rehydrated and confirmed we had 10min to complete the last segment.

Fields (1.0)

With only 10 min to 7am, YHC called for a 1 mi scout run, with the PAX at the front setting the standard by running his 5K\10K pace ahead of the remaining PAX. The route took us the long way around the ball fields as we veered to the right, around the fields. As we came to the intersection toward the lot, we went right and then headed to the Ivan lot and then back around the soccer fields still holding strong in scout run formation.As we reached the last 0.15, Skidmark called for a jailbreak back to the lot. This was the strongest segment of the run, with pace hovering at 9:04-9:10. Solid work by all PAX. Later check of Strava had Cowboy pacing 42 secs faster than U-Turm the day before #Strong.

For the 4 time in a row, YHC had PAX back by 7:00am on the dot as planned. Were later joined by rucking PAX and Bernie, fresh off of 9 miles and change. Great work!

Mary: Stretches OYO
Announcements: BRR planned training runs next Saturday led by Skidmark. 2nd F at Dunkin Donuts
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX. Strong efforts by all in attendance.
Prayer: PAX with injuries and life challenges. Bernie’s stepmom who is battling a health issue.

Great message from Dauber drawing an analogy between his ruck sack and life. Drop the bag of stuff (grudges, people who have been hurtful to you or harmed you in your past, misfortunes, etc.). Get the weight you are carrying off your back.  Go forward on your journey with a clean slate.

Dauber took us out.