Pre-AGS blast set the stage with a simple concept, “Turn your ‘should do’s’ into ‘must-do’s’ and raise the standard.” Does anyone remember when our AO’s were just the workout, and not EC + Main Event or EC+EC+Main Event?  It is ritual now that EC has become the standard in the South Wake AO’s with usual 5+ guys who “just show up.” Over time, we collectively raised the standard, and in turn, have built one heck of a community with all 3F’s clicking on all cyclinders.

After a hiatus last week for the morning edition of AGS last week, YHC was looking forward to a nice lake run with 56 degree temps, making this a recipe for some great running weather. A quick check of ‘Alexa’ reaffirmed the reports I was seeing from the weather reports, but she was somewhat off in her questioning about rain as was later found this morning.

With the Bruins game beginning, took one last look at Slack and FB for any HC’s for Sunday morning. Saw a quick Yogi ‘HC’ on FB and an ‘SC’ from Lipstick on Slack with a DM from Deadbolt that read, “I’m gonna try and run tomorrow.”  To this reply, I added…”All about Standards. Time to raise them,” with the instruction that YHC would be in his driveway at 5:43, but to let me know if that changes. Turned off the phone and proceeded to watch what would be Double OT kick in the nutts by the Blue Jackets on my B’s. Luckily, I didn’t stay up for the finale as YHC had a ‘must do’ on the Sunday list.

Pan to 5:17am scan of Slack, and sure enough Deadbolt was up and rose from the fartsack. He was in!

Arrived to Womble and pulled up to Maybelline, who was parked next to Yogi, and further down the lot, H1N1 and Messi arrived to the gloom. One last vehicle emerged and in it was Nemo. That made 7. Originally had plans to go around the lake, but after additional consideration and a look of half disbelief\half ‘not a good idea’ by Maybelline, we decided to keep it dry and to take it to the streets.

Warm Up: 1/2 mile warm up-light mosey around the soccer fields with exercises at each corner. Corner 1- SSH X10, Corner 2 (Ivan Parking Lot)- Carioca L over R\R over L. Corner 3- Hacky Sacks, Corner 4- Imperial Walkers X10

The Workout: Route took us down Stinson, Right on Bass Lake Road, Left on Salem Ridge, Left on Linksland, Left on Holly Springs Road, with an option for gazelles to get an extra mile up and back through Rhamkatte before joining the 6 at Lowe’s before making the push down and up Stinson to the lot. Good mumblechatter throughout the run with all PAX pushing up and down the hills. A big shout out to H1N1 and Messi, who took the road less traveled this morning and navigated Rhamkatte. An additional shout out to Maybelline who continuously picked up the six this morning onto a 7 mile stroll.

Mary: Stretches OYO

Announcements: New JoCo AO- Jelly Stone Park- Clayton Community Park 5:30am

YHC shared the backdrop for the pre-blast and today’s message which was centered around raising the standard. In order to be successful, one must realize what needs to be sacrificed in order to achieve that success. Here we are on a Sunday morning at 7am, 6 miles in and pushing each other to be better. The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.  YHC was not just talking about fitness, this translates at home, in the office, and through fellowship. The ‘should do’s’ need to become ‘must do’s,’ becoming daily rituals which fosters the positives that lead to success and raising the ‘standard.’

T-Claps (Recognition): Maybelline for picking up the six. H1N1\Messi tackling Rhamkhatte, Deadbolt avoiding the fartsack, Nemo holding Deadbolt accountable throughout the run with a solid pace. Yogi for wind sprinting on the decline and pushing up the rolling hills of Bass Lake and Salem Ridge.

Prayer: Prayers for Azul from Carpex and Yogi’s friend Tony, who are both battling cancer. Prayers for health of all PAX and those traveling this week. YHC took us out!