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Is there a Big Dipper?

EC: Redenbacher, Lipstick, Nemo, YHC

FNGs: Not today…

Warm Up:

The original plan was to endure the heat and do a simple out and back from R4TJ headquarters to TBD headquarters, see if we could do a fly-by and see some of those PAX out to be DETERMINED.  Slap some hands, some asses, and bring it back to R4TJ HQ for COT.  Then, even before we could start warm-up, I locked eyes with DawgPound and he was giving me those big puppy dawg eyes.  He wanted to run The Little Dipper…  How can I say no!?  There was some backlash in the ranks “Who’s the Q?”  I answered “Well, I am!” and justified that it’s running and I want to make sure that R4TJ is catering to the needs of it’s VIPs (which is anyone that shows up and has a voice – extra VIP status for ‘The DawgPound’ because is has a THE in his name).  Had he requested that we all start doing Merkins for the duration of the workout, I would have said “Dawwwgggg, Please!” but he only suggested a slight detour on our return route and we probably netted a bit more mileage which MADE US STRONGER!!!  But, I digress…

Frankensteins, Daisy Pickers, High Knees, Butt Kickers were our warm-up moves.  The last two were in motion towards the stop sign off the main drag into Ting near the construction.  We began the run from the sign.

The Workout:

A RUN!  It really shouldn’t surprise anyone, R4TJ is listed as a RUNNING AO on our website.  Not listed on our website is that we typically run for something closer to an hour end-to-end at R4TJ.  Lipstick and I will need to call on our resident web heads to fix that.  We’ve been living a lie…

We ran The Little Dipper for THE DawgPound as previously discussed.  It’s named for it’s shape, see this backblast for reference.  187 was fast to ask about the Big Dipper…  We simply don’t have one here in South Wake.  Maybe it’s because Holly Springs isn’t very big? Or perhaps we discovered the Big Dipper but called it the Little Dipper because we were hoping for more from a Dipper?…  Not sure…  Curious… Fascinating… Intriguing….  Dodo Birds?  OH, YEAH!  So we were running and it was really hot and steamy out this morning.  I don’t know about the rest of the PAX but it was a struggle today for YHC.  I managed to get back to HQ clocking in just over 5 miles (even with the slight short-cut down the stairs instead of going all the way to the light at Ting).

It is important to note that we had 2 visitors this morning

– Peeping Tom of Carpex was out.  Still a little bloody and bruised in places but getting out in the gloom from some walking and light running where his injuries would allow.

– Borland from Raleigh was present and accounted for as well.  Glad to have him out and in my corner to maintain order at the AO this morning.  Be glad some of you were counted, nuf said.

Mary:  Big Mary or little Mary?  Do not tell Big Mary, I called her Big…  It never goes well…

Announcements:

-Sasquatch CSAUP 7/27 – Hit up Owais for details, check your Social Media accounts

-Still needs for this weekend to support Meg’s Smile – check with Sliderule

T-Claps (Recognition):

-Midget for helping bring everyone together this morning (through the power of his High School self) but also every other day of the week.  He is always our spirited mascot/ambassador, EHing guys on the runs through town at many of our AOs and keeping the rest of the nation aware of what we are doing here in South Wake.

-Sliderule is killing the target for Meg’s Smile charity this month with everyone’s help of course 🙂

Prayer:

-Crablegs – Great work out there on behalf of ALS, hope you are enjoying your travels and stay safe.

-Double D – Your family is in our prayers following your father’s passing.

-Our BRR 6-man, stay well men and God speed.  Take care of yourselves and each other as you continue your training.

-Emeril’s Dad – recovering from surgery

-Friend of YHCs son Corbin, still in a coma after a dry drowning event.  He did come off of the ventilator and is breathing on his own.

UTI’s Paradise City Dress Rehearsal – ***Eeeaarkkk*** Is this thing on?

EC:  Buford (2mi), Aquaman (2mi), Yogurt (3mi+Ramps after), Lipstick(3mi), YHC (2mi)

FNGs: Uh Uh… not a one

Warm Up: The nose told the PAX that the garbage was already pretty warmed over from the day before and we were reaping the benefits.  Minus the HIM that had made it out for EC, the rest of the group needed a warming so we got started.  Burpees 3x per car (3 cars) that pulled into the lot right on time but delayed the workout start just enough, Windmills x10, Merkins x20, Side Straddle Hops x20, Fozio Arm Circles (10 forward/ 10 back).

The Workout: 12 PAX counted, broken into 2 lines of 6 for an Indian Run.  The PAX moved quickly without much need for coaching to “keep it tight”, we had some elites on-hand this morning and they were influencing the tempo.  The route was set by YHC to go around the Ting loop moving from the BBall Court, up the ramp, around and past the tennis courts, and back around to the base of the ramp.  Lots of mumblechatter this morning and some dissent in the ranks about the long Indian Run.  YHC extended the Indian run my continuing past the BBall courts and added that little loop onto the main drag and back to the base of the ramp.  A Jail Break broke out after the final turn towards the ramp.

YHC handed out the instructions for what came next.  PAX were asked to use the blue foul ball signs as markers for a modified B.O.M.B.S.  (Burpees, Overhead Claps, Merkins, Big Boy Sit-ups, SSH).  Breaking out into partners for support and accountability, PAX were told to bear crawl up the ramp to each blue sign.  At each sign, do the assigned workout to spell out B.O.M.B.S. staying with your partner along the way.  Once at the top, repeat in reverse down the hill.  Swap out the bear crawl with a crab walk down to the bottom.  Plank at the end for the 6.

A very quick count-off from Aquaman and we were headed up the ramp again.  This time it was a mozy to the back lot near the dumpsters.  Quickfeet down the curb until we reached a natural stop as the curb curved.  Mozy to the next corner.  On the Mozy, more dissent from a troublesome Lipstick.  Handed him 5 Merkins for the trouble.  (I hate to discipline him but otherwise, he’ll never learn…) He answered back with Diamond Merkins.  30x Squats at the corner followed by a mozy down to the tunnel.

Now that we were tired and hot, YHC gave everyone the opportunity to pop-a-squat.  We engaged in a little contest to see who could sit in the People’s Chair the longest.  It became a bit of a spectator sport as we wound down to Aquaman and Yogurt in their respective chairs.  Ultimately, Yogurt won!  Another competition followed.  Balls-to-the-Wall FTW.  Down to two, we had Pablo and Lipstick trying their hardest not to pass out.  Lipstick took the win!

Mozy to COT for Mary.  She never shows up to Run 4 The John but Paradise City is her thang.

Mary:  EC runners were put on the spot to help round out our morning.  Aquaman delivered with Boat Canoe’s (something he picked up in the mountains over the weekend I guess).  Lipstick brought the Pickle Pounders (So predictable :-P).  Buford brought us some Homer 2 Marge (there was some happiness in the mumblechatter for that one).  Yogurt finished it off with some American Hammers.

One last competition… YHC took the win on the biggest sweat puddle.  Aquaman thought he might be a contender but admittedly he might have been a little dehydrated after the weekend.

Announcements:

  • Meg’s Smile Auction.  Check-in on the volunteer opportunities but otherwise make an effort to show up.  It’s a good time with a good cause.
  • Margarita 5k event was mentioned – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raleigh-margarita-madness-5k-run-tickets-54114664418/amp
  • Chat about form over reps.  It should be cool to have someone point out an issue with form to you, you cant always see these things yourself and its better if you can work to correct it rather than risk injury.  Plus, if you do it right – the workout should be better and better for you too.
  • Some folks are thinking of heading to Atlanta following BRR to meet-up with Crablegs at his final game on the tour.  Hit Slack to dig up more details and to confirm who is going.
  • PAX in attendance – if there was something more that I missed please let me know and I will update the post.

T-Claps (Recognition):  Nothing was put out there today per se…  I’ll send T-Claps to Abe who was getting it done out on the road today.  Great work Abe!

Prayer:  Crablegs on his Baseball tour for ALS, DoubleD – think of him today as he delivers his father’s eulogy

Rinse and Repeat

EC: Axe, Nemo, 187, Lipstick, Bernie (+PC back home!)
Warm Up: Mosey over to Elementary parking lot and circle up. SSH x51, Daisy Pickers x15, Monkey Humpers x15, Fazio Arm Cirlces x8 fwd and x8 rev, overhead claps x15, seal claps x15, Dropped to plank for Merkins x10, Wide Plank Merkins x10, Diamond Merkins x10.  Paired up based on speed but it took to long to pair up and YHC called for 5 Burpees OYO.
The Workout: Mosey over to playground around back. In our pairs, partner 1 did Turkish Get Up Star Jumps, while Partner 2 did 10 pullups. Rinse and repeated this x3. Next we Mosied over to the track where the gates were open like the red sea, for us to take action.  In our pairs, partner 1 held plank, while partner 2 did 400M loop in < 1:45/lap (roughly 7:30/mile pace or less) We rinsed and repeated this………6 times  🙂
Mary: LBC x20, Low Slow Flutter x15, Downward Dog and Runners Pose Yoga moves.
Announcements: UTI has a 2yr workout on July 22nd – Can we get at least 1 HC so he doesn’t workout alone?
T-Claps (Recognition): Abe was at R4TJ yesterday and then put up with me again at Tiger Blood.  Based on my reputation, he had a good feeling it would be running intensive.  T-Claps to Abe for the work he is putting in to get stronger at running! Tetanus for posting for the 3rd time in 4 days of his first week at F3!
Prayer: Bernie’s Father’s Sister and Wife are both battling cancer.  187 neighbor Tom who passed away. UTI Co-Workers son who is experiencing dry drowning and is in a coma.

 

Thanks for opportunity to lead this morning

Lipstick

Double Dose

EC: Aquaman, Lipstick, Redenbacher, UTI
Warm Up: SSH x25, Good Mornings x10, Frenkensteins x10, Butt Kickers x10, Arm Stretches
The Workout: 10x800m Tempo Run.  The course was Ting Block. Each time you made the block, do the next section at 30 seconds slower than the pace you did the block at.  Target pace for the block was 1/2 Marathon.

Tempo runs are tough. It really isn’t easy to scale back and maintain paces.  Great Job by all. It’s a great training run and helps build the endurance for the longer runs.

Mary: Stretching as we waited on the 6
Announcements: Lots of choices this Saturday, choose wisely! Umstead, U-Turn and F3-Raleigh Mock Tri.
T-Claps (Recognition): Great job by all this morning. Pace was strong and great to see Abe continuing to build on his run game!
Prayer: UTI’s old neighbors son who is in a coma from swimming. (Post Swim Drowning effect), Bullseye/Aquaman to make better choices around peer pressure. Crablegs and his journey

BTW- The Shitter was used twice this morning

Peeling the layers of the onion

Skidmark was scared so he did the right thing by not posting in the gloom- Midget has been at this f-3 thing for almost 4 yrs now and 1st time been consistent with exercise. Thanks for this great group of guys that keep me motivated, engaged and accountable.

Pax of 20 showed up and Flanagan was looking for an easy Q by Dumbo but was told by UTI that Midget had the Q.
Disclaimer was read.

FNGs: Welcome Tetanus!

EC: M4L, Yellow Card, Emeril, Pikachu, Dawgpound, Cowboy, Pablo and Dumbo (rolled in hot at 0517 due to too much bourbon)

Warm Up: There was none.

The Workout: We took off right on time and carried on where we left on Saturday(Whiplash). Stopped at the first turn off at Ting and divided into groups of 4 for Indian Runs. 9 burpees were performed while PAX got in the 4 man Indian group. The goal today was to get to know the small group and what kind of impact f-3 was making in their everyday life. Each time we stopped, until we came to main event ‘Arctic cooler’, we did 10/10/5 (squats/hand release merkins/ burpees). There were 5 stops along the way.

We lost Dumbo and t-claps to Lipstick for staying with dumbo (too much vacation bourbon).

Main event was a 0.41 loop where 2 guys go in opposite directions and perform patty cake merkins when they meet. We did this until 6:17. Chips / Yellow card/ Banaseat/ Poponski called a few Ab exercises while we waited on the 6th.
Indian run with your group back to the flag-

Mary: 45 low slow flutter/ 10 absolution

Announcements:
Sprint next Saturday –
Sasquatch- clown car- Emeril is doing it 7/28
Meg smiles- need more dudes for 22nd and wear f-3 gear
Bourbon raffle till 20th- why not- so far $200

T-Claps (Recognition): Lipstick for waiting with Dumbo.

Prayer: Pickachu’s wife, Crab Legs, Liquid Force doing better after being stung on Friday

It has been fun ride and thanks for all the help/ ear/ accountability and many laughs over the last few years. This truly is more than A workout.
M4L

World Cup Cardio For Dads and 2.0’s- 34 PAX Strong for Little Squirts workout

With the Women’s World Cup tomorrow, YHC and his co-Q 2.0- Sprinkles mapped out a soccer inspired cardio workout complete with a 2.0 vs. F3 Dads finisher. Arrived a few minutes early to chalk off the back parking lot of Ivan, for some later exercises, but as we started walking back, we realized that the soccer fields which were usually filled with tournament play were actually empty. This would provide the perfect opportunity for on-field drills after warm-up, which ended up working out better. Dads and 2.0’s started filing in and gathering at the flag. Lots of new 2.0 faces and soccer balls filled the grassy area next to the tennis courts.

YHC looked down at his watch and then checked with 187 on the time, who indicated my watch was off by about 1:10. With that, YHC and Sprinkles had PAX circle up for instruction. No FNG dads this morning, but 8 new 2.0’s. Did a quick check on exercises with the 2.0’s- demonstrating bunny hops, Side Strattle Hops, Bear Crawls as these would be integral to some of the exercises we would be performing this morning. With everyone on point, YHC and Sprinkles made their most aggressive move of the morning with a light stroll around the soccer fields. As we made our way toward the back lot of Ivan, YHC realized this may not have been a smart move considering the little legs out there this morning, but the dads were veterans and knew how to modify by picking up 2.0’s on shoulders to complete the run back to the flag.  T-Claps to those with multiples today to inspire the older ones back to the flag. Squat hold at the flag for the six and circled up for the following:

FNGs: Pastel, Boots, Warhol, Tumbles, Dory, Tea Time, Posada, Vanellope

Warm Up: Alex Morgan Inspired exercises for a 13 count for each of the following: SSH, Fazio Arms F\B, Goof Balls, Squats, Mountain Climbers, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies, Mountain Climbers. Not used to a 13 count, YHC struggled with cadence on half of the exercises and felt the need to stop at 10 and sometimes exceed 13 on a few occasions.

The Workout: With the soccer fields wide open, YHC and Sprinkles instructed PAX to grab all of the soccer balls and led them to the fields for a series of drills.

1st Drill- Up and Unders

With Pikachu and 187 holding a long wooden dowel horizontally, dads planked along the dowel line behind it. 2.0’s lined up about 20 yards in single file in the distance. As they were in line, they’d perform SSH’s and the person at the front of the line would sprint to the dowel, hop over it and then bear crawl through the tunnel of planked dads. Height of the dowel was adjusted per 2.0. Completed 1 round and switched up to the next exercise.

2nd Drill- Soccer Ball Toe Taps (New Mexico inspired)

Formed 5 lines of dads and 2.0’s 20 yards behind two soccer balls placed 10 ft apart. PAX in the lines planked, while leader in each line sprinted to the 1st ball and performed 13 toe taps before moving to the 2nd ball 10 feet ahead and performed 13 more toe taps, before filing back into the plank line. While in plank position, YHC, Pikachu, and Lipstick called out alternating plank exercises- Right Arm-Left Arm- Regular, Shoulder Taps, Merkins, and a questionable call for Pickle Pounders (Thanks, Lipstick- would not be an F3 workout without these). Completed 2 rounds before moving to the next exercise.

3rd Drill- Kick and Retrieve

3 Lines of PAX planked behind a soccer ball. Lead PAX would kick the soccer ball ahead about 10-15 years, while the PAX at the back of the line would get up and sprint forward to retrieve the ball and dribble it back to the lead PAX next in line and resume place at the front of the line to move their way back. This looked good on paper and on the field, until 187 pointed out that there was an error in the exercise design, which was causing him to continually kick and retrieve. In any event, we made it through somewhat of a cycle before calling a scrimmage of 2.0’s vs. Dads.

Let’s just say the dad’s were a bit competitive this morning. Some early scores and a dribbling masterpiece and goal put on by Pac-Man forced us to change the rules where adult PAX who were carrying a 2.0 would be considered a 2.0. It most be told that Pac-Man has serious soccer skills and if we were to give him a soccer ball at Paradise City, I guarantee he is 1-2 minutes faster than his normal pace time. An additional rule was also put in effect where adult PAX could only get 2 touches on the ball before having to pass or shoot. A big shout out to the Popinski and Boots tandem, who served as enforcers for the 2.o Team and also Tea Time showing off some sideline skills to a cross that should have been converted by Messi, but got a late jump.

9:45 hit and YHC notified PAX of time. PAX called for additional play and why not? We were having too much fun. Called game at 9:55. With soccer balls and water bottles retrieved, headed back to the flag for Mary.

Mary: Stretches OYO. Quick Count of PAX-34, Name-O-Rama, named 8 new 2.0’s

Announcements: F3 Dads camp coming up. Look on Slack and FB for updates or see M4L for further details.

T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX for coming out this morning to the workout. All of the 2.0’s for getting out there and having fun.

Prayer: Prayers for Pikachu’s wife who is experiencing back pain. Prayers for those healing from illness and injury. YHC took us out. On behalf of Sprinkles and YHC,  it was a pleasure and honor meeting with everyone and leading the workout.

2nd F- Freeze Pop Fellowship followed.

Two Big Bowls of Quinoa – aka 1776 workout

First, WTF is quinoa. Second, I had to ask Alexa how to spell it.

Happy Independence Day!

5 for 7.4 mile EC: Pikachu, Cobbler, Warbucks, H1N1, Skidmark

Several others for 2 mile EC

39 Pax posted this morning.

FNGs: Welcome Oboe and Snowden
The Workout:

T-Claps (Recognition): American Eagles: Popinski, H1N1, Yogurt, Banana Seat, 187, Pikachu, Lipstick was on his way.
Prayer: Warbucks and family, Thank you for the freedoms and our first responders, 243 years ago men sacrificed their lives to fight for the freedom we have today, good to Noah’s Arc back out, safe travels this weekend

Little Game of Frogger

EC: Peeping Tom, Lite Brite, Pikachu, Lipstick
Warm Up: Parking in the park was not an option and PAX parked across the road on the shoulder.  We warmed up with a quick game of Frogger to make our way in the park.  Circled up for SSH, Imperial Walkers, Good Mornings and Mountain Climbers.
The Workout: Peeping Tom led the front half and took us deeper into the park to find one of Cary’s finest slides.  Pax really wanted to go down the slide but Q had other plans.  Two groups, 1 doing 10 pull-ups while other group did 10 crab cakes. (Rotate) Pax then made there way to the Crowder Pond and found a wooden bridge to do Erkins and Derkins (2 sets of 10 each)  Pax then ventured over to a picnic shelter and did 2 sets of 20 step ups and dips.  Pax found a pickle parking lot and did 5’s.  Diamond Merkins on one end and Q called for Turkish get ups and YHC called a modify for Turkish Star Jumps on the other.

YHC then took over the back half.  PAX went back to the picnic shelter and split into two groups. Group 1 held planks across the picnic tables, while group 2 ran the pickle lot and army crawled under the PAX holding plank hold. We repeated this 3 times.  Pax then moseyed a scenic route around the pond and over to the baseball field.  Pax stuck to the groups and Group 1 held balls to the wall, while group 2 ran the perimiter of the field. Repeat twice
Mary: Pickle Pounders, Homer to Marge and more Pickle Pounders.  Pax then finalized the workout with a return game of Frogger
Announcements: 1776 workouts tomorrow- Womble for South Wake- Bond Park? for CARPEX;  Odyssey October 5th; July 27th CSAUP in Greenvile .  Keep up with Slack and location of next weeks AO.  Good possibility we try and different spot with better parking.
T-Claps (Recognition): Thanks to all for coming out to the Beta Convergence AO!
Prayer: Disco Ducks FIL passed away, Tom Sr. Hernia surgery, Yoga Mat and all families travelling this holiday weekend

Sweat Puddles

12 men woke for the 4th of July week. No vacation for these men. They were rewarded for their commitment to Paradise City with a 3+ mile beatdown.

EC: Bullseye, Aquaman, Full House, Katniss, Skidmark

FNGs: None
Warm Up: 1 lap warm-up with stops to do 20 Side Strattle Hops, 10 Windmills, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Hillbillies, and 10 Sir Fazio Arm Circles forward and reverse.

The Workout: Groups of 3 by speed. 3 man catch me if you can indian runs and do 3 laps. 1st lap the pax does 3 burpees. 2nd lap 4 squats, and 3rd lap 5 merkins.

As groups finished go pick up the 6.

Met at bottom of ramp for 7’s to the top. Burpees at the top and WWII’s at the bottom. Modified mid way to only run half the ramp up.

Mary: Pax stayed in Plank for 8 minutes. During plank pax did right and left arm up, side crunches, Peter Parkers, Pickle Pounders, and merkin clock with stops at 12, 9, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. Held plank and then finished with 5 merkins.

Announcements: 4th of July Convergence. New AO off Ten-Ten combo Q with Carpex.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Prayer: Crablegs. Those traveling for the holidays.

 

Uncle Rico Meets Paul Bunyan

It was YHC’s 3rd Q of the week and what better place to wrap up a 5 pack birthday week than back down at my roots in South Wake!  We had one FNG, Galaxy (soccer fan who’s from LA), and a visitor YHC’s coworker from JOCO, Bunyan.

FNGs: Galaxy (Tina if he ever forgets his name)
Warm Up: Circle up immediately on the spot for the following:
SSH ICx53
Frankenstein Kicks ICx15
Turkish Getups 10 OYO
Daisy Pickers ICx15 (I’ve literally never called these but we needed a breather)
Turkish Getups 10 OYO
The Workout: Mosey over the top of the stairs and partner up.
Partner 1 – LBCs
Partner 2 – Run to the bottom of the stairs and then Bear Crawl up the stairs with merkins on the steps
Flapjack, Repeato

Form 2 lines for Indian Runs Das Loop Style (something I picked up in Wilmington on Monday)
Last man does a double weave to the front.  We did this over to the lower parking lot.

At the lower parking lot keep same partners for half laps around the pickle for patty cake merkins.  First lap was 1 each side, then 2, then 3, on up to 5.

Form the 2 Indian Run Das Loop Style lines again and head back to the big soccer field near the flag.

At the soccer field we did back planks on the end line.  When YHC said GO! PAX sprinted to the midpoint and did 2 Turkish Getups and then Moseyed to the other end.  Repeato back each time increasing by 1 Turkish Getup until we got to 8.  At that point we started from Back Plank and sprinted to the end with no pausing for TGs.
Mary:  PAX called out various exercises ICx15:
Diamond Merkins, Low Slow Flutter, American Hammers, and some others that I can’t remember right now.
Announcements: Sasquatch in ENC (talk to Pikachu for more details)
NEW BETA AO – 7/3 at Crowder Park 0530
Night Train (talk to Lipstick or anyone in Carpex other than YHC for more details)
T-Claps (Recognition): EC: Lipstick, Dumbo, Pablo, Galaxy, Mookie, Pikachu
Mookie on his 6th workout of the week with Breathtaker
YHC on his 5th workout of the week for a 2nd straight 5 pack, and 3rd Q of the week
Lipstick for showing up to a workout that Peeping Tom was at
Prayer: Crab Legs Ballpark Tour, those healing, unspoken

 

Guys – as always it’s a very special pleasure coming back down to visit, let alone Q.  I enjoyed it!