FNGs: Cole (F3 Snooze)
Warm Up: Count off and pre-run announcements
The Workout: 4 miles in Hilly Glen

Back in June, 3-Alarm (Davis) wanted to share a few words before each workout, so he texted me those words for my delivery at the next run. What I didn’t expect was to video myself speaking those words on Davis’ behalf and then sending the video to him for review. Since then, I’ve delivered Davis’ speech every time we have new runners at SouthWake’s best AO (certainly the most joyful). And I’ve embellished it each time with Davis’ approval. Davis also asked us to define F3 terms, so he can participate in the conversation and not be confused by Purple Cobra, Merkin, AO, COT, and of course, Fartsack. Today, @Dumbo entertained all—especially @3-Alarm, with his firsthand account of Fartsacking.

After these standard announcements and a count-off of 12, then 13 with Cupid’s late arrival, we took off. Very impressive seeing 13 PAX run up the street with Davis rolling and the flag waving.

For the second time this month, Davis brought an FNG. This week, we picked up Cole, a senior at HSHS and avid rugby player and sleeper. It took us a minute to find his house, but Davis came through. Cole joined us on a run wearing sweat pants—the big, heavy cotton type that would be great if you were camping in 20 degree weather. But it was 95 degrees out. I asked if he wanted to change and he said no. Cole hammered through the run in spite of bruises and old injuries (broken femur five years ago). At COT, he earned the name @Snooze because it takes several alarms to wake him up in the morning. When asked what he likes to do for fun, he said he likes to chill and doze off, hence the name @Snooze, penned by @Pikachu. Davis had met Cole and recruited him while on a walk the week before.

We also swung by Charlie’s house. Earlier in August, we picked up FNG Charlie—an avid BMX’er and MTB’er, who earned the name @Cash Roll after a BMX trick invented by Daniel Dhers (2021 Olympic Silver medalist, BMX freestyle; and owner/operator of Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex, right here in little ol’ Holly Springs). Finally, we got going on rhythm with the run. Down Avent Meadows, up Holly Moor. Here, Cole pushed Davis straight up the hill with an assist from Pikachu. This is not an easy hill!

Several runners rotated in to push Davis—Emeril, Dumbo. We stopped at intersections to let cars go by and to keep our PAX together. Pikachu showed us how to climb Holly Thorn Trace, nearly a mile straight uphill, going faster pushing Davis than most of us can run solo. The stop sign at the top is a good spot to rest, catch your breath, and pick up the six. But today, there was the distinct odor of a dead animal. This thing made the landfill smell like roses. After picking up the six, we gladly moved on.

Cupid had the privilege to push Davis back down the hill. On the way back, Cancun found us as he drove his search vehicle through the neighborhood. He and both 2.0s rolled back to the house and set up the splash zone. Maybelline and I bolted back to the house—Maybelline to hop in the car to pick up his son and me to help splash.

Pikachu ran Davis back and forth through the sprinkler. Cancun’s 2.0 Oliver freely squirted just about everyone with a squirt gun and exclaimed the my SUV was not a “truck.” Wild Turkey soaked Davis’ hat and placed it on Davis’ head. Dumbo and others stuck their head in the sprinkler. COT and one burpee by Pikachu and we were done. Finally, after most had left, Wild Turkey and Snooze were enjoying some Gatorade, when Snooze realized it was expired by 2 years! Uh oh. Davis got a real kick out of that. If Wild Turkey and Snooze return next time, we’ll know they are OK. Another successful 3-Alarm run!

Mary: None
Announcements: Done
T-Claps (Recognition): All who posted for the first time today: @Bobby Dall, @Cupid, @Dumbo, @Emeril, @U.T.I., @Yoshi