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Decisions…Decisions..

For this morning’s edition of AGS, YHC sent a pre-blast full of options, which included a 5mi EC at 5am, a 6mi Main Event (complete with a Rucking Option) starting at 6am. On Sunday’s its usually a rest day for most PAX, but in late September, it becomes a redemption opportunity for those that missed U-Turn or for some, it’s an opportunity to catch up on mileage. I like to think its an opportunity to start the week off right, exchange some quality mumble, and provide some accountability. The best part about this AO is the PAX that show up. You just never know who is gonna roll in that parking lot every week. The lineup has its usual suspects with some becoming regulars, but for the most part, there are always a few surprises.

For the 5am installment, as planned both LED and Fonzie are parked and ready for their 5 (onto 7 miles). Planted the flag and as I walk back to the car for a last swig of Gatorade, headlights hit my backside. Turn around to find Maybelline, who is gonna keep me honest this morning. As I greet him, I ask, “are you getting 10-11mi today?” He replies with, “We’ll see how I feel.”

Confirmed with LED, Fonzie, and Maybelline my planned 5.0 mi route. We’d go down and up Stinson, right on Bass Lake, left on Salem Ridge, left on Linksland, left on Holly Springs Rd. Follow HS Road all the way to Raleigh St. and then back onto Stinson to the Womble tennis lot. Hills- yes, but not as many had we gone in the opposite direction. YHC and PAX proceed on the route until about a mile in. YHC is now finding it more difficult to just get up and run, now finding the importance of the need to stretch to be a necessity. For that reason, YHC held up at mile 1 feeling the back starting to stiffen up and proceeded back to the lot for some much needed stretching. Maybelline has seen the route several times and had taken the lead with LED and Fonzie to ensure they were following the route as it was drawn up.

As I walked back and proceeded to the soccer fields, a faint glow was seen in the distance. A light up vest in the pitch dark, cruising a a steady speed. Maybe Pikachu, maybe not..As 5:45am approached, Maybelline, LED, and Fonzie returned soaked. The humidity was thick this morning and was suffocating at times. LED and Fonzie proceeded forward for there final 2 miles, with Maybelline circling around the lot to get his even 5mi’s.

At that point, the 6am crew was starting to roll in. Dauber- with ruck sack, Boy George- with a breathtaker. For the 3rd week straight, a Master Shake appearance, followed by Forceps. Nemo rolling in early and then another surprise of the morning….Double D? Yep- he was there. H1N1 pulled in and then a sweaty Pikachu looking to get some extra miles with PAX. And then from the shadows emerges Yogurt for a solid 13 PAX.

6am hits and started off with the following warm-up

Warm Up: light mosey around the lot. Circle up for Imperial Walkers X12, Hillbillies X12, Good Mornings X12….”wait, why is he giving us 12 counts?” Yogurt knew why and offered that he may merlot if the Brady 12 count continued.. broke the circle and continued a light jog to the other side of the lot, with Frankensteins on the return, alternating lunge walks and butt kickers, which then morphed into a set of carioca. Circled back up for Fazio Arm Circles 10F\10B, but continued with a final set of Prison Squats X12. Squat hold while explaining the running route. Dauber and Boy George already had their rucking route solidified. Later learned it was 3.25mi filled with 4 dozen frogs and quality mumblechatter.

As YHC explained the route, LED and Fonzie had just finished up their 7 mi run and would proceed with COT following the running route description.
The Workout:

For this morning’s Main Event, we’d peel out of the lot heading left onto Stinson and then a right on Raleigh all the way to Earp St. At Earp, we’d proceed right to Bass Lake and then all the way down to the lake. When we reached the lake, we’d proceed straight up the Bass Lake killer hill and do a semi-circle around the lake and back onto the greenway until we emerge adjacent to the baseball fields. From there, PAX would proceed down Grigsby and then a right on Stinson back to the lot.

Strong paces by the lead PAX, H1N1, Maybelline (who apparently was feeling good 10mi run today!), Yogurt, Pikachu, Nemo, and Double D. Later discovered that there was a slight misinterpretation of the route and were short changed by missing the Bass Lake Killer hill. No worries though as all PAX got their 5-6mi monies worth this morning. It is also important to note another improved run by Master Shake and Forceps, who decided 5-6 miles wasn’t enough. He wanted 7 and that’s what he got. Also big shout out to Nemo, who reached 100mi mark for the 3rd consecutive month.  Great work by all this morning!

Mary: Stretches OYO
Announcements: F3 Family Cookout.
T-Claps (Recognition): Nemo 100mi mark reached for 3rd consecutive month. Maybelline and Pikachu getting 10 and 15 miles within the stale fart humidity this morning. All PAX making this morning count despite the unfavorable running conditions.
Prayer: Pikachu’s friend Josh, who’s grandmother is challenged with health issues. YHC took us out.

A Tale of Two Runs..

Here it is, Fellas… It’s late September. Temps are starting to drop in the morning. The leaves are starting to change. Holly Springs Half Marathon is 9 weeks away… Over these next 9 weeks, decisions are being made. Maybe you are not signed up yet. Maybe you are signed up, but you haven’t yet fully committed to the training, or maybe you are thinking about it, but the longest you have ever run is a 5k or 10k.  Maybe you have signed up and you are know starting to really focus on the training regiment. Whatever your situation may be, there is always a certainty in SouthWake at this critical juncture in the calendar….Accountability.

If you are on the fence about doing the 1/2 or even starting your training, my advice is to ‘just show up.’ Put your stamp on it. Sign up\Show up. Make it official. Lock it in. Put the date on the calendar. You want to know why? Here it is…. There are guys in your F3 brotherhood that want to see you complete this thing you didn’t think possible. They want to see you succeed. They want to see you hit that goal time, and in the end, they want you to experience this Holly Springs signature event together with them.

For that reason, this is the one event that is on YHC’s calendar every year since starting F3. Its on the calendar. It’s on there the day the following year’s race goes on sale, and stays there for the entire year as a constant reminder of an agreement you make with yourself. This is the time of year where mileage continues to increase, a seamless transition for those fresh off of BRR, but for those that didn’t participate in BRR, a time to focus.

Last week’s AGS run focused on the escape route out of Womble. This week’s would focus on the Bass Lake entry route from the new greenway. YHC’s pre-blast provided 3 options for this morning’s run. A 5:05am 5mi EC, a 6am 6mi Main Event Lake Run, and a Rucking option, for those with a ‘Breathtaker’ to soak in this morning’s sunrise.

YHC rolled in at 5am and was quickly greeted by LED, Fonzie, and UTI, who were ready to roll. Planted flag and gave out 2 options. The ‘escape route’ through Jones Park and Veterans or the Rhamkatte\Holly Springs\Linksland\Salem Ridge\Bass Lake Hill route. LED and Fonzie leaned toward the less hilly option. 5:05am hit and we were off.

Proceeded out of Stinson and then onto Raleigh St. as we made our way onto Jones and Veterans. YHC was the six during these 5mi as LED, Fonzie, and UTI were taking full advantage of the weather change, running at a brisk pace. Great work by all PAX picking up the six several times during the run. As we made the final push back to Womble, YHC started to see some cars cycling in to Womble.

As we made it back to the parking lot, YHC sees Master Shake rolling in.This guy is on fire this week, selecting mostly run-centric AO’s- AGS, PC, and R4TJ. Not too shabby for a guy who’s longest distance was a 5k before joining F3 a week ago.

In the near distance, the Cupid mobile sat unoccupied. Forceps next comes rolling in, followed by Nemo, who has effectively EH’d cotter, Bullwinkle, who had just pulled in. Bobby Dall, then Full House. Yep… even an Oboe appearance.

A dozen PAX, not a 1/2 dozen… A Full Dozen, who were all treated to a great run, amazing sunrise, and quality fellowship. 6am hit and we were off with the following warm up.

Warm Up: Light jog around the lot. Circle up for SSH X12, Imperial Walkers X12, Hillbillies X12, Prison Squats X12, Good Mornings X12 IC, Fazio Arms 10F\10B, Standing Frankensteins X12 IC. Squat Hold while YHC explained the route.
The Workout: Standard Half Marathon Greenway, Bass Lake (counterclockwise), Sugg Farm exit to Womble.
Mary: COT conducted before Main Event run to include LED and Fonzie, who had just finished up their 5mi earlier with YHC and UTI.
Announcements: F3 Family Cookout. UTI has BreathTaker. Encourage PAX to bid to ‘Bring the Pain to Crain’ and determine where he posts with Breathtaker this week.
T-Claps (Recognition): Cowboy and Forceps for donating and getting UTI to post as AGS. UTI for a strong 5mi EC run and follow up Ruck this morning. All PAX getting it down this morning and holding each other accountable throughout the run.
Prayer: Prayers for Shredder and his family. Continued prayers for Bernie and his family. All PAX on IR and those returning back to the gloom for continued health. YHC took us out\’in’ before the run.

Welcome DOA

5 HIMs at GP this morning including an FNG!

FNGs:  DOA (See COT below)

Warm Up:  20 SSH, 10 Good Mornings, 10 Windmills, 10 Daisy Pickers, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Hillbillies, 10 Willy Mays Hays, 20 ct Fozzie Arm Circles

The Workout: Mosey to the wall

3 sets of 30 ct Ascending Testicles

3 sets of 50 ct Wall Sits (at least that was the intent but of course with Pikachu and Doc on the scene the count went rouge)

Mosey to the rock pile

3 sets 20ct Curls, Triceps Press, Rutrows and Ground Pounders

Swap out rocks with boulders and mosey to parking lot.

4 sets of Bench press and Windshield Wipers

Return the rocks and mosey to the playground

Aik’n Arms & Abs using face cards (10s)

  • 40 Merkins
  • 20 3 ct American Hammers
  • 30 Dips
  • 20 Rocky’s
  • 30 ct Mountain Climbers
  • 20 3 ct Lunges
  • 30 Plank Jacks
  • 30 ct Chilcutt Planks

Mary w/ Dice:

PAX take turns roll two dice to get rep count and pick an exercise:

  • Mountain Climbers
  • Plank Jacks
  • SSH
  • 11 grueling Absolutions (thanks Doc)

COT:  FNG Andrew AKA DOA came across the F3Southwake website during an internet search for workout groups. DOA did a great job keeping up with us but it took a toll as he was unable to stand or even sit during COT.  While on his back (Happy Days pose), he shared he was in the Airforce and currently works as an electrician and has a wife and young child.   Maverick and Goose where thrown out as well as an obscure reference to an electrician with the same name as the company he works for but YHC felt that was too obvious and blessed him with DOA. 

Announcements: F3 Picnic on Oct 12th. Sign up using the sheet so we don’t all bring mac n ‘cheese. UTI raising money for

Prayer Requests: Prayers for  DOA’s wife who lost a parent recently, Noahs arc’s wife for healing.

YHC took us out.

Time is Relative

YHC had not done his homework and in excitement/haste had pre-blasted a start time of 5:05 EC / 5:30 ME.  Which would be fine at many of our South Wake AOs but Sheepdog has a publicized start time of 5:15 EC / 5:45 ME.  Eventually there was some mumblechatter on Slack indicating that I was a trendsetter at Sheepdog and with some indication that an early start was somewhat desired.  But…  YHC started to think about the possibility of an FNG dropping in like our newly minted Master Shake did based on the website schedule.  I didn’t want to leave a friendly new guy all alone in the gloom.  So… I walked back the messed up start time the best I could on the Facebooks and Slack.  I also committed to show up at 5:05 anyway.  Peeping Tom wanted some extra miles anyway so if someone showed up for early EC, they would find us.

ECEC:  Peeping Tom and YHC – We covered the Sheepdog EC route the best we knew it ~ 1.5 miles crossing into the neighborhood, hitting both cul-de-sacs and circling the school.  We made sure to pass the shovel flag at 5:15 (normal EC), 5:30 (messed up ME time where we caught up with Forceps), and again before 5:45 (the real deal ME time where we saw a strange shadow appear in the gloom)

         

SHREDDER!!!!

EC: Forceps joined for the last mile.

FNGs: None

Warm Up:

  • Windmill (15x)
  • Daisy Pickers (15x)
  • SSH (30x)
  • Mozy around the lot and into the soccer field.

The Workout:

YHC was inspired this week by the workouts he hadn’t made.  Specifically Purple Cobras Q’d by Warbucks where he debuted the Flat Tire (Exicon pending) and TBD where Double D broke out the Coyote Ugly.  YHC let the PAX know there was inspiration from the week but didnt specifically call out the workouts by name.  Gotta keep em guessing.  Gump did inform me that Sheepdog was known as the low-key Friday workout, no need to go too crazy…  (too bad, plan already made – tv executives… am I right?)

  • No Surrenders – Hands on your head, knee down, knee down, stand up and repeat (20x)
  • Mozy to the truck gate behind the school
  • Flat Tires (by Warbucks) – We partnered up.  One partner pushed the wheelbarrow, the other was the wheelbarrow.  The Wheelbarrow moved forward 4 “steps” before completing 1x Merkins.  The Wheelbarrow continued until they just couldnt take it any more and swapped out.  The course continued the length of the rear of the school with parnters swapping as necessary.
  • Tom had the early finishers do some Turkish Getups… Oops… That’s what I get for asking him to cover while we finish up….
  • Box Jumps  on the wall (20x with minimal no pause)
  • Coyote Uglys (thank you Double D) – Partners, 3 each.  We used the picnic tables and again assumed the Wheelbarrow.  The Wheelbarrow ascended the table on their hands completing a merkin at the seat, the table top, then again on the seat and back on the ground.  Swap until each partner gets 3 each.
  • Mozy to the front of the school.
  • Leave No Man Behind (Partnees) -1 runs the inner parking lot out front, the other holds the position,swap on the return
    • Balls to the Wall
    • People’s Chair
    • Hold Plank
  • Mozy back to the flag and the soccer field
  • Rapid Fire (No Recover)-repeat until exhausted
    • Merkins 5x
    • LBCs 5x
    • Squats 5x

Combatives: OSU – Japanese word with 1000 meanings.  Means “I will do it”, “keep pushing”, does not mean any version of quit.

Dovetail led us in some blocking moves.  Not forceful, steady flow, effortless even.  Also showed us how to pair it with an offensive punch.  Now we are ready for some bar fights.  You missed out LipSync!!!

Mary:

  • Peeping Tom led us through Fozio Arm Circles (I managed to fill the workout so he couldnt do too many Turkish Getups)

Announcements:  South Wake Picnic – Oct 12th.  Sign-up sheet on Slack for food, etc.

T-Claps (Recognition):  Crablegs and Shredder are back!!!  Thanks to 16-bit for calling out this Tclap, positive things happening in South Wake.  Nice to have our brothers back.

Prayer:  Prayers for Shredder going through the loss of his Dad.  Was nice to pray with him this morning.

Welcome back Rico Suave

 

3 HIMs at GP this morning including Kotter Rico Suave!

FNGs: None  

Warm Up:  10 Willy Mays Haze, 20 SSH, 10 Good Mornings, 10 Windmills, 10 Daisy Pickers, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Hillbillies, 10ct Pigeon Pose

The Workout:

Mosey to the wall

3 sets of 30 ct Ascending Testicles

3 sets of 60 ct Wall Sits

Mosey to the rock pile

3 sets 20ct Curls, Triceps Press, Rutrows and Ground Pounders

Return the rocks and mosey to the playground

Aik’n Abs

  • 20 LBCs
  • 10 WWIIs
  • 20  Pickle Pounders
  • 20 x 3 ct Homer to Marge (10 standard, 5 single leg)

Aik’n Arms using face cards (10s)

  • 50 Merkins (diamonds)
  • 50 Dips (clubs)
  • 50 Mountain Climbers (spades)
  • 50 Plank Jacks (hearts)

Announcements: None

Prayer Requests: Prayers for Dauber’s daughter taking the ACT today.  Prayers for all our brothers dealing with financial, marriage or family issues.

Pumpkin Spice B-Day Co-Q

5 HIMs at GP this morning.

FNGs: None  

Warm Up:  20 SSH, 10 Good Mornings, 10 Windmills, 10 Daisy Pickers, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Hillbillies

The Workout:

Mosey to the wall

3 sets of 30 ct Ascending Testicles

3 sets of 50 ct Wall Sits (run beetle run)

 

Mosey to the rock pile where Pumpkin Spice took over the Q:

3 sets 24 Curls, Triceps Press, Dead lifts, and Ground Pounders 

On your 6 – 3 sets of 24 x 3 ct Chest Presses and Low Slow Flutters

 Return the rocks and mosey to the playground

Aik’n Abs

  • 20 LBCs 
  • 10 WWIIs 
  • 20  Pickle Pounders
  • 20 x 3 ct Homer to Marge (10 standard, 5 single leg)

Aik’n Arms

  • 15 Merkins
  • 15 Derkins
  • 20 x 3 ct Dips
  • 10 x 3 ct Shoulder tap planks

Aik’n Legs:

  • 20 Step ups
  • 20 Squats
  • 10 Star Jumps
  • 10 x 3ct Mountain Climbers  

Aik’n Abs:

  • 15 American Hammer
  • 20 ct 6 inches
  • 20 Freddy Mercurys
  • 30 ct Chilcutt plank
  • 30 ct Supermans

Ring around the Playground:

  • Bear Crawl half circle & Karaoke back
  • Lunge Walk to half circle & Bunny Hop back
  • – Rinse and repeat

Announcements

F3 Teams running BRR Relay to finish this afternoon. TBD September Qs: get out and support Double D and The Natural this month. 

 

Prayer Requests: Pray for all our brothers dealing with challenges; Dutch Oven’s Father diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer. 

T-Claps for Pumpkin Spice 1 year F3 anniversary and for stepping up to Co-Q .

Ultimate at….Sugg!

FNGs: None
Warm Up: OYO
The Workout: Ultimate!
Mary: More Ultimate for anyone interested.
Announcements: 9/11 Stair Climb

I forgot everything else…sorry. Work/school was a bit hectic this week so the backblast is tardy.

Better late than Never

3 HIMs at GP this morning 2 out of 3 made it on time, YHC did not rolling in 2 minutes late.

FNGs: None  

Warm Up:  20 SSH, 10 Good Mornings, 10 Windmills, 10 Daisy Pickers, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Hillbillies

The Workout:

Mosey to the wall

3 sets of 21ct BTW + 21 3 count Wall Sits 

2 sets of 21 Merkins 

 

Mosey to the rock pile 

4 sets 20 Curls, Triceps Press, Bus Drivers, Rutrows, Ground Pounders 

 

Cusack to playground 

Aik’n Abs

  • 20 WWIIs w/ rocks
  • 20 LBCs w/rocks
  • 20 ct Plank Hold 
  • 30ct Superman’s 

Aik’n legs

2 sets of 20s:

  • Step ups,
  • Squats
  • Lunges 

Mosey to picnic area

All in 3 ct cadence to 10:

  • Windshield Wipers
  • Plank Jacks
  • Mountain Climbers
  • Chulcutt Plank
  • Pickle Pounders 
  • 6 inches
  • Freddy Mercurys
  • Catalina Wine Mixers 
  • Diamond Merkins 

 Mosey to flag

2 sets of each

  • Bear Crawl to end of lot and lunge back 
  • Karaoke down and back
  • Side straddle down and back

Announcements

Convergence 6AM Sugg Farm on Monday; TBD September Qs: Dead Bolt, Double D and The Natural 

 

Prayer Requests: 3rd cousins parents and sisters in St Lucie, FL – potential hurricane

Forceps son’s oldest turns 21 – pray for safety this weekend. Youngest impacted by separation.

 

Fast Dealer……recover on the plank jack.

6 PAX for Ground Pounder…

13plus Miles EC for Pikachu and Cupid… much respect

FNGs:none

Warm Up: 10fwd/rev arm circles, 10 Cotton Pickers / 3 long good mornings.

Mosey to back wall of toilet block.
The Workout:

DECK OF CARDS – face cards 10, total 94 reps per suit

hearts = Plank Jacks cadence

diamond = what else, ‘the diamond merkin’

clubs = balls cadence

spades = box cutters

the deck was delt in record time (sub 25min!), mosey to rocks, size was described as ‘one you would want to take home’ then back to the wall.

PAX in line, each called a 10 count rock move… then right shuffle, 1 PAX bear crawls to the end for their rock. Rinse and repeated 4 times…. totaling 240 rock reps, many new ones were learnt…. good times. Return rocks

Mary:

20 American Hammers, Dauber made side comment…. I did not hear but figured it required more Diamond Merkins until he failed…. 33- RESPECT.
Announcements: to early in the morning for me to remember, check out Slack, FB other workouts.
T-Claps (Recognition) 13plus Mile EC’s
Prayer: Noah’s Arc wife, General…..

Cool Breeze

Pax of 2 doing standard Murph tonight.  Workout felt much better with a cool breeze in the air, but would have been nicer if it wasn’t so humid.

FNGs:  None

Warm Up: Run 1 mile

The Workout:  100 Pull-ups, 200 Merkins, 300 squats

Mary:  Run 1 mile

Announcements:  see Facebook

Prayer:  Noah’s Ark wife and family