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10 PAX for AGS

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EC: Fonzie, LED, H1N1, Redenbacher

FNGs: None

Warm Up: Standard Mookie Warm up…light mosey around the lot and  alternating butt kickers and high knees, which then morphed into a set of carioca. Squat Hold while YHC explained the route.

The Workout:

Standard Half Marathon route from Womble to the Greenway, around Bass Lake (counterclockwise),  up through Sugg Farm, and back to Womble for YHC, Nemo, and Master Shake. Yogurt ran essentially the same route after CoT.

Bernie and Pilgrim completed their power testing at the Womble loop.

H1N1, LED, and Fonzie continued on toward Ting and back after EC to get in 9 miles total.

Oboe rucked with breathtaker +20…solid work Oboe.

Mary: Not today, we were short on time when we arrived for CoT.

Announcements: Check Slack and Facebook.

T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX for showing up to get some miles. Oboe for a solid Ruck.

Prayer: Continued prayers for Bernie and his family and all unspoken requests.

YHC took us out.

Everything else was spot on…

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After circling up and discussing the routes, I see a few PAX make a quick stop at the shovel flag to tear off a few squares from the standard issue R4TJ tp roll. There was a lot of mumblechatter at CoT about the number of “pitstops” that were made along the various routes. Nothing like a good run to get the body flowing..

EC: Lipstick, Pikachu, Redenbacher, UTI

FNGs: None, probably went to TBD for an easy workout.

Warm Up: YHC totally butchered the first exercise and started counting off SSH without letting PAX know what the exercise was….everything else was spot on.

All exercises in cadence, 15 X SSH, 15 X Daisy Pickers and off we go.

The Workout:

A few weeks ago, UTI suggested we add a 3 mile option at R4TJ. We have had a good turnout and it is great to see some new faces coming out to get some miles in. Keep up the good work men!

3 Mile Route:

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Mile Route:

 

 

 

 

 

Mary: I hear they do that at TBD if you are interested…

Announcements: Picnic this weekend, sign up to bring something. Fill up the Q sheet – it was mentioned that the F3 standard is that the number of times you post a week is the number of times you should be the site Q each month. Peer led workouts is one of the core principles of F3.

T-Claps (Recognition): Great to see some more new faces to take advantage of the 3 mile option! Good work and excellent choice raising your standard and challenging yourself with a tough run (and not taking the easy route at Womble this morning).

Prayer:  Bernie and his family, UTI’s co-worker battling cancer, Cape Fear PAX that recently passed, unspoken

YHC took us out.

You Show Up and So Do I…

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Remember those episodes of Mr. Rodgers we used to watch as kids? They had a magic word with every episode. Later through mainstream TV in the 80’s and 90’s, shows like Saturday Night Live and Nike commercials featured Eddie Murphy and the “Admiral” David Robinson, providing parodies like Mr. Robinson’s neighborhood, where each provided comedic satire mimicking Fred Rodger’s word of the day. Well, Southwake….Today’s word of the day on this Sunday was…Ready?….ACCOUNTABILITY.

Full disclosure in this backblast in an effort to be completely transparent with PAX who continue to inspire me on a daily basis. YHC put up the pre-blast yesterday afternoon advertising a 5mi EC with a 6mi Main Event. The alarm was set for a 4:20am rise. Hit snooze twice.. Something about those 18 minutes, made YHC feel a false sense of security, knowing that I had enough time to make it to Womble in time to plant the flag and get PAX started for this morning’s run(s). As YHC finally woke, the back wasn’t feeling right. Same feeling from the week before. Surely PAX would understand if I ‘mailed it in’ this morning and decided to stretch instead of running EC. Last week I got a mile in and had Maybelline lead PAX on the designed route. In retrospect, stretching was the logical option, but after reading Aquaman’s FB post on discomfort this week, I should have planned better and ultimately would have been fine continuing on the route.

Arrived late to EC- about 4minutes. As I drove down Stinson across that set of speed bumps I know all too well from Cletus and Ivan EC, I had convinced myself that I’d plant the flag and tell LED and H1N1 that I just didn’t have it this morning.  They were the only PAX with an HC and a planned route that started at 5am heading into this morning. I had convinced myself that I would save it for the main event and even had a line…”You guys go ahead on your route. I’ll stay back and stretch and prepare for the PAX at 6am.” As I made the right into the Womble lot, I see the light up vests and headlamps. “Damn it, Mookie…If you can’t Q it, don’t do it.” And with that gentle reminder, YHC mumbled, “If you are showing up, so am I..suck it up” and pulled into the parking space next to LED’s truck. No more excuses… These guys were now waiting on YHC. It wasn’t just H1N1 and LED. We had Pikachu, Bernie, and Cupid, making a 6 pack for this morning’s EC run.

Asked LED if he had a route. He and H1N1 were doing the escape route to Ting for around 7-8 miles. Perfect. The remaining 4 would follow and circle back when we got to the Paradise City EC neighborhood. I think the last time I saw LED and H1N1 all morning was in that parking lot. Those dudes exited Stinson with a purpose and as we reached Jones onto Veteran’s Park, those light up vests faded to black. Cupid, Bernie, and Pikachu kept YHC honest. As I sat back in a comfortable 9:10 pace, I could still see them and knew if I kept them in sight, I’d be holding my own on the run. As we made our way out of Veteran’s, YHC lost them them on the ‘Boardwalk’ into the PC neighborhood. Light up vests then proceeded back toward YHC and at that point knew they reached the turn.

Made it back on the ‘Boardwalk’ and on to Veterans. Pikachu called an audible and indicated that we could bypass Veteran’s and venture toward Holly Springs Road by way of Rhamkatte Village. Also determined at that juncture to ride on the left side of Pikachu instead of behind, while also picking up the pace to be in front. Something was brewing inside of Pikachu and had enough wits to be above the fray instead of below…At that point, YHC’s back issues from earlier subsided. Guess its a part of getting older and just takes longer to warm up. Made our way through Rhamkatte and onto Holly Springs Road. Asked for a route confirmation… Do we go straight down Bass Lake to Stinson or do we get back to Womble via Holly Springs Road-Raleigh, Grigsby-Stinson?….

Neither. We ended up going Bass Lake to Earp, Left on Raleigh and then Grigsby and onto Stinson. All EC PAX arrived back to the lot and were greeted by an AGS regular- Master Shake. While YHC switched out Hokas, Pikachu made a pit stop, Cupid did some stretching, Bernie adjusted his earbuds.

And….then here it is.. just what in the hell is going on here at AGS?  In rolls DoubleD, followed by 187, Lipstick, SkidMark, Pablo, and an FNG UTI headlocked at Dunkin Donuts after the Saturday Dad’s Workout. Second FNG in 4 weeks at AGS.. Honestly, only in F3-Southwake do we see FNG’s showing up to first workouts getting 6 miles, having only run 3mi ever as their longest run prior. What’s even more impressive is that they keep showing up after and in impressive fashion.. Look at Master Shake- think he is on 4 straight weeks of AGS.

Walked over to greet Skidmark and mistakenly asked if he was ‘Getting 10mi this morning.’ His standard was vastly different than YHC’s standard this morning as he replied with a, “No Mook, I’m getting 18.” Yeah- note to self, next time YHC asks how many miles Skidmark, 187, Bernie, Pikachu, Lipstick, and Cupid are getting on a weekend day, just take the number YHC has in mind and multiple by 2….or in Pikachu’s case..muliple by 3. Good Lord, Pikachu…31 miles at 8:40 pace? Seriously? #Respect

6:00am hit and we were off with the following workout.

FNGs: Welcome, Juul!

Warm Up: Light jog around the tennis court lot. Circled up for Imperial Walkers X12, Hillbillies X12, Good Morning’s X12, Fazio Arms 12F\12B, Prison Squats X12, One extra Prison Squat with a hold for Morocan Night Clubs. One final squat hold to explain the route.

The Workout: Bernie and the additional gazelles (Skidmark, Cupid, 187, Lipstick, and Pikachu) had a planned 18 mi run, which would take them down and up Stinson, with a right onto Bass Lake, Left on Salem Ridge, Left on Linksland, and down Holly Springs onto Starbucks and the U-Turn route. YHC decided to change this morning’s planned route to mirror the first 3-4 miles of Bernie’s route so that PAX could run together for part of the way. The only exception to this morning’s 6 mi route was a slight detour within Rhamkatte for a lap and then back onto Holly Springs Road to Raleigh, Grigsby, and Stinson to the lot. Kudos to Pablo and DoubleD for picking up the six throughout the 6mi route.

Mary: Stretches OYO after the run.
Announcements: F3- Family Cookout next weekend. Sign up sheet on FB and Slack.
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting quality miles this morning 6-18-31 mile distances. Also to Redenbacher, Full House, and UTI for completing a preview 1/2 marathon this morning. Also T-claps to FNG-Juul on his first workout and Master Shake for making AGS a ‘thang’ this past month.

Prayer: COT was conducted before the Main Event. Continued prayers for Pikachu’s friend, Josh whose grandmother passed last week. Continued prayers for Bernie and his family. YHC took us out.

Men- Listen up. I want you all to know that every one of you, those I’ve come to know well these past 2 years and those I’ve met a few times in the gloom..Whether you know it or not, you all continue to inspire YHC. Truth be told, I had no desire to run and workout this morning and is sometimes true from week to week. In fact, as stated earlier in this backblast, I am sometimes totally reserved to ‘mail it in.’ The power of ‘showing up’ is a real thing. It’s one thing to ‘show up,’ but it’s not just a matter of ‘showing up,’ its a matter of ‘showing up’ with intent. Every one of you showed up with the intent to make each other better this morning and every morning I make my way out of the fartsack and into the gloom. It’s what I enjoy most about morning’s in the gloom. You are the first faces I see, and the one’s YHC knows will be there in those times of discomfort (including rounds of DoubleD inspired Coyote Ugly’s) whether its in the gloom or in life. The Richmond Marathon and Holly Springs Half are just around the corner…. After what YHC witnessed this morning, there is no question…F3 Southwake is ‘Showing Up.’ Always an honor to lead on Sundays and looking forward to many more in the upcoming months.

PSA for R4TJ

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EC: Cowboy, Dawgpound, Emeril, Lipstick, Nemo, Redenbacher, Skidmark, UTI, Warbucks

FNGs: None

Warm Up: Some good mumblechatter, discussed the routes and headed out.

The Workout:

UTI was enfuego with his Public Service Announcement for R4TJ this week and as a result, a strong contingent of PAX were fired up and ready for some miles. We aim to please at R4TJ so YHC had a 3 mile and 5 mile option available for PAX to take advantage of this morning.

3 Mile Route:

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Mile Route:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary: MIA

Announcements: F3 Family picnic October 12th.

Sign up sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wdWIZv-meI2jnoS8Kgl0g5fCiBk9lBbIyXsDGdXTyyc/edit?usp=sharing

T-Claps (Recognition): Emeril, Lipstick, Nemo, and Warbucks for picking up the 6.

Prayer: Bernie and his family, unspoken

YHC took us out. It was an honor to lead.

Decisions…Decisions..

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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.

Plenty of Options…

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EC: Lipstick, Nemo, Redenbacher

FNGs: None

Warm Up: 10 x SSH and 10 x Daisy Pickers. Discussed the routes and headed out.

The Workout:  There was a 3 mile and 5 mile option today at R4TJ. The majority of the group ran the 5 mile route and a few PAX got some extra miles in as well. YHC  was glad to see some new faces to take advantage of the 3 mile option and I headed out with them. YHC had taken the necessary precautions prior to departing the house to ensure there was not a repeat of the DNA retention issue. I wore a red shirt though, just in case…

Mary: MIA

Announcements:  Family picnic October 12th. Check Slack and Facebook for details.

T-Claps (Recognition): Rut and Master Shake. Glad you came out for some miles and good work!

Prayer: Continued prayers for Bernie and his wife, Shredder, Crablegs, unspoken

YHC took us out. It was an honor to lead.

A Tale of Two Runs..

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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.

Mystery Route at R4TJ

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EC: Full House, Nemo, Redenbacher, Skidmark, UTI

FNGs: Nope.

Warm Up: Mosey to the top of ramp at Ting. Circle up, 10 x SSH and 10 x Daisy Pickers. We went over the route and headed out.

The Workout: The original plan was to keep the HSHM theme but YHC modified the route and we headed up Main Street and turned left on Holly Springs Road, left into Jones Park and followed the Greenway until we reached Wellspring Drive, took a right on Arctic Ridge Way for a quick out and back, and then proceeded back to Ting (last few miles of HSHM route). The route ended up a little bit short so PAX scattered a little bit at Ting to round off the mileage. Circled back up for CoT.

Mary:  MIA

Announcements:

South Wake annual family picnic is Saturday October 12th from 11am until. Bring your M, bring your 2.0s, and bring some yard games.
Sign up sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wdWIZv-meI2jnoS8Kgl0g5fCiBk9lBbIyXsDGdXTyyc/edit?usp=sharing

T-Claps (Recognition): Master Shake! Great job this week and getting the miles in this morning!

Prayer: Shredder, Crablegs, unspoken

YHC took us out. It was an honor to lead.

Katniss Most Improved

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For the first fitness test we had 25 Pax.  This one 9 Pax.  2 pax for the first time.  Nice job setting the benchmark Yogurt and Master Shake.  Surprisingly most pax took a small step backwards.  The summer test, must have been a nice cool day.

Lipstick was there for EC, which he was out running so was he really there?  Then he showed up at CoT.  The main is training for a Full Marathon.  Great job getting out there and running.  I know I wouldn’t want to be doing all that running.  I wish Lipstick the best of luck training and running his first full.  I imagine there to be many more in his future.

Yoga EC:Dawgpound Dumbo
EC: Lipstick, UTI
RAMP EC: Yogurt, Katniss, Cowboy, Wiggly, Dawgpound
FNGs:  None
Warm Up:
Circled up for the Following:

Fazio Arm Circles off course forwards and backwards
Good Mornings
Frankenstiens
Hillbillies, but I fooled everyone by doing Imperial Walkers.
Imperial Walkers

Boy I should do this thing the day of. I’m having troubling remembering this stuff. 🙂

The Workout:

Paradise City Fitness Test: All must be done in order. Each rep is .01 points. Each lap is also .01 points.

15 Burpees
1 Lap
20 Merkins
1 Lap
20 Squats (as close to parallel as you can get)
1 Lap
20 WW II (Non Cadence)
1 Lap
20 Scorpion Dry Docks
1 Lap

1 Lap will be around 2 parking medians. We left the basketball court and made a left.
Then down past the cars and made a right. Ran past one aisle then the next aisle turned
right up past the median then right and ran back to the basketball court.

Mary:

We where too busy adding up scores for Mary. Maybe next time.

Announcements:

Picnic October 12th

T-Claps (Recognition):

Congratulations to all who did the Paradise City Fitness Test. Awesome job Katniss improving the most.

Prayer:

Shredder
All Pax with injuries

I Read the Article, So I Decided to Try It….

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Pre-Blast advertised a 2+ mi EC, leveraging the new greenway behind the newly developed homes along Grisby. It’s time to up the mileage being offered at AGS with HSHM just around the corner. Today’s Main Event would be a review of the Womble escape route along the 1/2 Marathon Course, were YHC would be taking PAX through Jones and Veteran’s Park, including the neighborhood that encompasses part of Monday morning’s Paradise City EC route. 3 out and 3 in….

Rolling in for EC, I see a dry UTI parked and ready to go. I stress the ‘dry,’ as what I witnessed today after the run may have been quite possible the most unbelievable display of ‘ringing out your shoes and socks. Could have filled a kiddie pool, no joke. The man works hard out there, that is for sure. EC was a nice even paced route along the new greenway. Halfway in, YHC forget to press play on his Garmin, but after everything was said and done, 2+ miles as promised. Did some light stretching as PAX started to roll in. We had DawgPound with Cowboy riding shotgun. And then a car I had never seen before….

Out of the car emerges an FNG, who had read the recent article in Holly Springs Magazine. He said, “I read the article and figured I’d try it to see what it was all about. I figured if I didn’t show up today, I may never try it and this morning was as good a day as any.” As we were getting to know the FNG a bit better, in rolls Oboe and then followed by Nemo. With a few minutes before 6, YHC delivered the disclaimer. All signed sealed and delivered were were ready to go with 25 seconds left.

6 o’clock hit and we took off with the following warm up.

Warm Up: Light job to the back of the lot. Lunges to the middle of the lot. Circle up for the following…. GM’s X10, Hillbillies X12, Imperial Walkers X10, DawgPound Mountain Climbers X10 (as re-learned at Ivan this week…YHC still did them wrong according to Dawg), Fazio Arms 10F/10B, Prison Squats X10. Squat Hold, while explaining the route.

The Workout: Womble Holly Springs 1/2 Marathon escape route, with slight Main St.\Raleigh St. detour. PAX headed out of with a left on Stinson, followed by a right on Raleigh St. Followed that all the way to Holly Springs Rd, where we headed through Jones and then onto Veterans Park. As we ventured out and into the Paradise City EC neighborhood route, PAX were seen periodically picking up the six. Did a quick loop, and DawgPound, FNG, and YHC exchanged some quality mumblechatter. During the run we learned that the FNG is an avid reader, works for the same company as Cowboy as a Technical Developer for Flu Vaccines. Additionally, we learned that his longest run prior to today was a 5k a few years back. Well today, he got his money’s worth and put in a solid effort. At the conclusion of the run, he even indicated interest in running the 1/2 as his company is a sponsor. He now has plenty of instant accountability. Whether he knew it or not, he had it the moment he stepped out of his car this morning. Strong finish at the end by PAX picking up the 6 and remaining PAX as we entered back on Stinson. DawgPound and I trailed a bit behind as we were confirming characters from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. YHC had never seen it before, but apparently since our FNG’s name is Carl, this triggered recall for Dawg specific to this cartoon. Hence, the makings of another quality name in F3-SouthWake.

Banana Seat, Princess Cut, Oboe are some of my favorite names ….but this one this morning from Dawg may be up there….Welcome- Master Shake.

As we arrived back, circled up for COT and watched in awe as a now very saturated UTI began ringing out his socks and shirt. It was a humid morning, but a solid run and can’t wait for the upcoming Fall training runs to start. Today was the first of many tours of the route as we set our focus on November’s Half.

FNGs: Master Shake
Mary: Stretches OYO as we did count off and name-o-rama
Announcements: Paradise City tomorrow 5:45 Fitness Test
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX, especially our newest member Master Shake, showing for his first workout getting a mileage PR.
Prayer: Prayers for Shredder and his family. Additional prayers for UTI’s co-worker, Carolyn who is battling cancer. YHC took us out.