Posts

“Hey, What running club are you guys with?”….something something something…

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

FNGs: Not this time
Warm Up: 20 SSH, 15 Frankenstein, Next exercise….10 The Windmill (YHC brainfart holding hands over his head on remembering Imperial Walkers), 187 – “I’m laughing because the Q forgot Imperial Walkers”, 10 IMPERIAL WALKERS. Let’s get to it.
The Workout: EC: Well there was a bunch…. Old U-Turn 5: Warbucks, U.T.I, Cupid, Pikachu, Browns to the Superbowl – 3?: Lipstick . 2.5: Aquaman, 2: ShamWow!, Webex, Dahmer, Sparty. I’m pretty sure there were others out there….Let me know who and I’ll update.   Thanks all those picking up the 6 today. I think there was about 10+ PAX who turned near the movie theater and then over and over again – some logging more than 7 miles on the turns…That’s awesome.

Mary: She was left waiting
Announcements: BRR Training runs – Skidmark posted routes and sign-ups in Slack. Crablegs – follow HIM on social media.
T-Claps (Recognition): All those EC’rs out there today. Starbucks lady made a comment: “you guys are all over town today”
Prayer: YHC took us out.

Is there a Big Dipper?

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Rinse and Repeat

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , ,

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

A 5-Pack and it’s only Monday

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , ,

Was great to be back after vacation and after several weeks of late arrivals for EC, YHC rolled in at 0502.  Saw the chatter about Paradise City the night before so was not expecting a crowd – tough to compete with the big name AOs, but sometimes the small groups can deliver on strong accountability.  I set up the flag and headed out for a solo EC of 2.2 miles with a slower but steady run to Womble and back.  It was muggy as heck and by the time I sloshed back to the start I was drenched but pleased to see 4 #HIM at the ready to push themselves and each other to a strong start to the week.

We waited to make sure nobody was coming in hot at 0530 and I offered what turned out to be a partially false pre-blast.  I claimed this would be minimal running, but we ended up getting in a solid 1.5 including 1 climb of Library Hill.

FNGs: None today, but I had not recalled posting with Pigpen so we went around while we started stretching and each announced our real name, F3 name, and how long we have been posting.
Warm Up: Regular lap, followed by a series of regular w/u exercises in the lot
The Workout: On the jog to the traffic circle at top of Library Hill we stopped and did SSH ICx20 then we did 3 sets from a plank, all 10 count or ICx10 – hold regular, shoulder taps, hold reg, nipplers, hold, mt. climbers, hold, recover.  On the jog down Library Hill down to the pool, not for a swim though, we set up in the lot for SSH ICx20 then Jack Webs 1:3 up to 10:30 and we kept a slower cadence.  Was very impressed because on the slower cadence and with a small group there was all accountability and pretty sure each of us did each rep.  On the jog back to top of Library Hill where we stopped for, you guessed it, SSH ICx20.  On the jog to…The Parking Deck!  We set up down below, each man to a space in a shoulder-to-shoulder line.  We did some shoulder burnout work rolling through fazio arms, seal claps and overhead claps, along with holding out to the side.  Man on the end dropped and did a bear crawl to far end as we kept working through the sets.  Each of us took 4 turns on the bear crawl and we covered the length of the deck – great work.
Mary: 2 quick sets of LBC-6 hold-low slow flutters-homer to marge-American Hammers
Announcements: Q sheet sign up, keep the support going for Meg’s Smile
T-Claps (Recognition): Pigpen for Breathtaker on a muggy Monday, Coal Ash for stepping up to Q Downtown Train next week
Prayer: We prayed for the family in Wescott that lost their husband/father, and for H1N1’s pastor and family for dealing with the death of their 3-month old.  YHC took us out

Uncle Rico Meets Paul Bunyan

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , , , , , , ,

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!

If you don’t read any backblast, I would read this one for sure.

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , , ,

Do what you want……..  YHC is not a marketer and prefers not to preblast. (unlike our friends at TBD…I hope you got your moneys worth over there this morning, they need some revenue to pay for all the marketing expense)  You all know where to find me on Wednesday’s and if you don’t, check the South Wake site for AO time and place.  EC was on for 0500, YHC arrived at 0501 to pass by a good group of ECers making there way to Bridgewater.  The pace was steady and YHC was almost caught up when _____ well you know what happened.  EC group made it back to Ting to greet Nemo who was ready for some running.
Warm Up:  Consisted of half the ECers still out and about doing there thing and the remaining group sharing there thoughts on what route to take.  YHC had enough and declared the AO as “Do what you want and be back here at 0615”.  YHC did tell the group the planned route and kicked off some warm-ups.  SSH x12 Good Mornings x6 Stationary Butt Kickers x8 Frankensteins x7 and Phelps
The Workout: Leave Ting and head into Bridgewater. Take the right that leads you to the greenway to sunset ridge and follow the sleepy hollow path.  Turn left on Crossway and do and out and back.  Come back through sleepy hollow greenway and back to Ting.  Various distances were accomplished this morning 5-10 miles
Mary: She is still waiting
Announcements: R4TJ will no longer be a people pleaser.  When YHC has the Q don’t expect a preblast or giving in to PAX request on route options (I do except bribes). I will commit to posting the route the night before on the R4TJ Slack page.  We will be doing what I want to do from now on and you can either like it or leave it!
T-Claps (Recognition): Redenbacher! This guy is killing it. He has been committed to the run and is showing some great GAINS!
Prayer: Crablegs and his ALS Summer Tour

Have a great day! Lipstick

 

PS: This is all fun and games.  Take it with a grain of salt.

Rise of the Dodo Bird

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

20 Pax showed up for a beatdown by YHC after a week of being downrange. It was good to be back in the gloom with these HIMs and this morning was no different. A strong crowd for EC on a hot and muggy morning, the definition of gloom. Breathtaker made an appearance after the reassurance that running was not the focus of the morning. There were chafed nipples, a malfunctioning light vest, and a Skidmark. As 0530 hit, with no FNGs and 1 self proclaimed Kotter, we were off

ECEC: Warbucks, Skidmark, Redenbacher, UTI
EC: Warbucks, Skidmark, Redenbacher, UTI, Axe, 187, Plex, Dahmer
Skins: Skidmark, UTI, Warbucks

Warm Up:
SSH x30 IC
imperial walker – 10 IC
hillbilly 10 IC
squat 10 IC
sir fazio arm circles 10/10 IC
moroccan night clubs 10 IC
seal claps 10 IC
overhead claps 20 IC

The Workout:
Everybody was warm, so we moseyed to the Path to nowhere for:
People’s chair – 5 count by pax. This took a really long time, resulting in mumble chatter about partner leg massages and 187’s strong legs from carrying so much weight around.
Ascending testicles – 1 round
mosey to better wall for round 2

Mosey To loading dock grab 2 rocks
Curls were done while the 6 arrived

Circled up for 2 rounds of:
Overhead press
Triceps extensions
Dodo bird – 187 gave history of the dodo bird
Curls for the girls

This circuit was going pretty smooth, but got way off track when 187 gave Pax a history of the dodo bird. Apparently they are extinct, can’t fly, and ate rocks to digest berries. Pax stopped counting, so many dodo birds where done until we got to a 15 count. This mumble chatter approached Carpex status.

With tired arms, we moseyed to guard rail for 2 rounds of:
Dips
Derkins
Underdogs

Mosey back toward start, stopping at far end of lot. Pax grumbled when YHC told them to partner up based on leg weight. We
Wheelbarrowed back to start with burpees when switch, increasing each time.

Mary:
With Mary awaiting, we moseyed back to the flag where Dahmer led the following while I retrieved my phone:
LBC
LSF
Freddy Mercury
PicklePounder
Homer to Marge

Announcements:
See social networks.
1776 convergence on 7/4
Umstead trail run

T-Claps (Recognition):
Redenbacher with lots of good work lately. Keep it up and you’ll get that sub-2 half in November.

Particle board on his ability to avoid Qing a workout. Hope to see you leading one soon.

Prayer:
Crablegs on his journey to all MLB parks making memories and spreading awareness for ALS.
Follow him here: http://challengelarry.org
Unspoken and injured PAX.

Is “Mini EC” the new thing?

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , , , , ,

It’s been a few good months since launching Downtown Train. To date, the biggest (and only) disappointment has been watching the construction of the parking deck.  I was really excited about the idea of a true multi-level parking ramp right in our very own downtown, having posted a few times in Hendersonville at a great parking ramp spot.  Sadly enough, it is now clear our deck will have no ramp, no multi-level with slope.  Oh well, at least it will provide some walls and some coverage if we need to seek shelter in the rain and cold.

I don’t think any of us know what to expect when we start a new AO (and there have been plenty in South Wake recently) but for me this has been a great experience.  Each week we have had a strong group always ready to put in the work, and also patient about exploring the opportunities in the downtown area.  Today was no different as we had a strong group of 9.  I have been taking requests lately and recognizing the interest in a workout that is not quite as run-centric as others.  We have had some guys coming back from nagging injuries, become a popular spot for breathtaker, and hosted many a #HIM who has pushed themselves on runs Fri/Sat/Sun.  Although the constant temptation of both Library Hill and Cemetary Hill constantly linger on the near outskirts of the starting lot, I am all about offering up an early week alternative that fits well with the PAX.

I will say, the EC streak is alive and well.  If you recall my tenure as Disney site Q, I was proud of the fact the EC streak extended in perpituity through my transition both on and off of that role.  There is a disclaimer for Downtown Train.  In the early days, Coal Ash and I were holding down the fort with dark, cold runs down to 55 and back.  There were several days I held down the streak on a lonely loop down to Womble and back.  Now, we have Brexit and sometimes Bernie getting the EC on the run from home.  This morning, and last week as well, due to some delays getting out of the joh…I mean, house, YHC was running late.  The good thing is, there were a few other late for EC but way early for the main event, so YHC, Redenbacher, 3rd Cousin, Abe and I headed out for a nice 1 mile jog.  A little EC is better than no EC at all, and full credit to Redenbacher for coining the phrase “mini EC”.

FNGs: Not on this Monday
Warm Up: Jog around the big block but stop short and circle up in the church lot for a basic run through of w/u exercise with some stretches as well.
The Workout: On the jog up to HS Road we found a spot on the wall of the shut down drug store and we dug in for 5 sets that went as followed:  all 10 count or ICx10, no breaks – BTTW, People’s Chair, Plank Hold, Merkins, Plank Hold, Shoulder Taps, Plank Hold, Mt. Climber, Plank Hold, Squats.  4th and 5th sets we dropped the plank holds but upped the count to 15.  Finished with a bonus BTTW 20 count..  On the jog back to start we did 3 full sets of a shoulder burn as follows and all to 10 count or ICx10 – hold arms out, fazio arms front and reverse, hold arms out, seal clap, hold arms out, overhead clap, hold arms out for a final 10 count.  After 2nd set I asked that everyone think of someone who they know is taking on a bigger challenge in their life – clearly more challenging than pushing through a burn out set.  With this focus in mind, everyone stepped up and pushed through the final set.
Mary: Round of plank-o-rama
Announcements: Need a Q for DT next week, 1776 convergence workout
T-Claps (Recognition): Great to see Deadbolt out there this morning as I had not posted with him in a couple weeks, Mookie for breathtaker (doing the workout but also supporting the cause), and I want to say Redenbacher has been killing it, he shows up, puts in the work and brings a great presence every time
Prayer: Friend of 3rd Cousin, I believe her name is Marilyn, diagnosed with and now battling cancer.  Deadbolt took us out.

I Only Have One Pace

/in /QIC:
PAX: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today was all about interval training. Q put the Pax through several interval runs at which he was quickly informed by several that “I only have one pace.” Overall, the group covered about 5 miles.

Two for EC: Redenbacher and Skidmark

FNGs: None
Warm Up: YHC encouraged everyone to warm-up OYO before we got started but if you want to identify a warm-up it would 1 lap around Ting in 4 or 5 man Indian Runs.
The Workout: After the Indian Run mosey Q called out a location and a pace with which to run, once at location they turn back for the six.  At the stop sign below the basketball court Pax ran at half marathon pace to the stoplight.

After the intersection Pax ran half marathon pace up the hill in Bridgewater. Repeated 2x but on the second once Pax crested the hill they ran at 10K pace to the first road on the right.

Two runs at 10K pace up the hill within Bridgewater to the stop sign. Second one crested the hill 5K pace to the bottom by the Red warning flags. Pax ran three times back up the hill at 5k pace and ran recovery pace to the bottom. Last one up we picked up the six. From the peak of the hill in Bridgwater we did a progression of 1/2 marathon pace to the bottom at the hard right of the EC route, 10K pace to the powerline road, and 5k pace across that road to the end. Circle back for the six.

From this location two group indian run back to Ting with a jailbreak call at the intersection of Main St.

Mary: Some light stretching.

Announcements: Bring water if you need it.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Prayer: Be safe when running. More likely to die running a 5k than a half marathon. Know your limits and modify when you need to.

Dumbo took us out.