Posts

Dear Mom…

Dear Mom,

I’m writing this letter this morning as I woke up early to get a jump start on my day and also because you taught me the importance of being accountable. Like every Sunday for the past 2 years, I’ve been Q’ing this thing called ‘Any Given Sunday’ as part of a group called F3. Sometimes its just me, sometimes we get 4 and as many as 10 out there to run miles around town because that’s what is prescribed and hold each other accountable. That’s what showing up is and thankful you taught me the value of accountability and for you continuing to show up for patients during the time of this pandemic through your 50 year career as a nurse.

So as I rolled out of the driveway this morning to head to Womble, I thought of all those early mornings you woke up early to start your 2nd shift after working til 9pm the night before. Probably half awake, raising two kids on your own, but you did it because you had to and wanted to be sure my older brother and I didn’t go without. I also remember during the summers when I was twelve, you first brought me to your medical office to pull weeds in the parking lot where you worked to learn the value of money and earning a honest wage. When we do these F3 workouts in the summer, as oppressive as they can be with the humidity, it doesn’t hold a candle to the 90+ degree weather you had me in doing manual labor at the age of 12, but I’m better for it and mentally stronger in the gloom because of it. Fortunately, you also taught me the value of being versatile and the importance of communication, which eventually landed me a job inside your medical office and secured a job throughout high school and college. Later landing me my 20+ year career in Healthcare IT. You showed me the value of working from the ground up and for that I thank you.

As I entered the parking lot this morning, I saw that I was not alone. This guy we call Pikachu was there, fresh off a few miles prior to the 5 miles I have planned this morning. He’s a bit of an overachiever and not sure he sleeps, but he’s a solid runner and I’m sure he is gonna make me go faster than I want to go, not because he means to, but it’s a given that we will go faster because of how competitive you and I can be to try and keep up. I then turned around and 2 more guys rolled up. There’s these guys Oboe and Vasoline. Oboe is kinda quiet usually and a silent leader, kinda like you when you want something done and you don’t really say it, you just kind of do it and then based on your actions I usually follow suit and do what you do and I try to keep up. Vasoline is one of the new guys in the group. Been running the past few months on the weekends and through quarantine. He’s battling some issues now with his IT band after overextending on some of his runs, but is doing his research and studying up on how to get stronger to run injury free. You and I both know what burn out can do and always good to take a step back and reassess corrective measures.  A reminder of when you always tell me to breath, especially when presented with challenges. Then there is Coal Ash. Might be the one guy in the gloom that seems to get the most out of me on Sunday’s when he posts. Not really a runner by trade, but a soccer player that is conditioned to run long distances, and can inspire intermittent speed when he wants to drag it out of you, especially up hills. Kinda like the time I didn’t want to take that AP Bio exam in high school because I thought it was too hard and wasn’t going to pass it. You made me stay in all weekend and accelerate my studying on all things amoeba and branch chain amino acids. I eventually passed like you knew I would and actually allowed me to get a jump start on college credits my freshman year. “Don’t put off til tomorrow what you can do today”….yeah I get it.

FNGs: No new guys, but that’s ok, they’ll show soon enough.

Warm Up: With these guys already warmed up, I figured I’d pick up where they left off with a hot lap around the lot. We circled up for some exercises that are gonna sound a bit unusually so I won’t bore you with the details, Good Mornings X10, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Moroccan Night Clubs X10, Phelps, Fazios 10F/10B, Prisoner squats X10. We then squatted while I explained today’s route

The Workout: Since you are many miles away, I figured this morning’s route needed to be special, but also let you know that I was thinking of you. With that, I decided on a route that in the end when viewing on Strava would look like NH, where you currently live with the end point being close to where you live at the bottom. I even forced Pikachu to run an extra lap with me at the end to accentuate the point. He thought I was trying to finish up and get the extra mileage, but I was actually trying to make the picture on Strava look better. That’s the perfectionist in me that I learned from you and also a tribute to you for always instilling in me the importance of a plan, while also encouraging my creativity.

The route started down Stinson and all the way up the hill to Bass Lake where we took a left to Holly Springs Road and straight up through Rhamkatte Village. It’s that place I took you to look at townhouses when you visited. I kinda knew you wouldn’t relocate down here, but I appreciate your willingness to try even though I know deep down you are a creature of habit. A quality I have gained genetically and battle with every day as I strive to try new things. To continue this morning’s route we headed left through Rhamkatte and caught Skymont all the way down to the greenway. From the greenway, we took a right onto the back end street, which is the opposite route of this other run we do at another workout called Paradise City. Continued on that and then looped it by taking a left on Arctic Ridge and back the way we came via the greenway. I told the boys with the hills coming up, that I’d need a piggy back ride, but unfortunately that is frowned upon these days with the current pandemic. I’d have to push through from a distance. The good news is that these dudes came back on every turn. There is a name for it and it is called picking up the six.

It’s kinda like that time I had a few too many the night before you planned to drive me back to college for my sophomore year. You had worked through the night on a private duty nursing case and told me that I had better have that car packed and ready to go when you got home. Instead, I was passed out on the bathroom floor with the car only have packed. Yeah- you didn’t let up that morning, forcing me to scrape myself off the floor, finish packing, and force my way through the hangover. To this day I do not drink Southern Comfort and have your voice in the back of my head every time I see it.

With all these pick ups by the guys this morning, I started to say I was sorry for dragging behind, but when I looked at my watch I was running a sub 9. Sorry not sorry… These guys were flying this morning. Finally made our way back, and added a little distance at the end as mentioned. We then circled up and we do this thing called COT, which is a circle of trust. I told each of them to call their mom’s because if you were there, that’s what you’d tell them to do. As many are married and with kids, I also advised and challenged each person to make this day special, take care of their wives, spend time with their kids and enjoy the day. Alot of special women in each and every one of our lives on a daily basis, deserving more than a one day celebration. We need to take time to thank them and for me personally I need to do a better job of that to include those daily thank you’s.

Announcements: I additionally told these guys to make breakfast for their wives, give virtual hugs\real hugs where applicable and check this thing called Slack where we organize the workouts and intel for the week ahead.

T-Claps (Recognition): I gave some additional praise to all the guys in attendance this morning, helping to keep each other accountable, some with PR’s- Vasoline, Oboe, YHC (myself) included. I told you we’d run faster this morning. Again, not because we wanted to, but because of competitive nature, and more importantly because these guys showed up.

Prayer: In the end we offered some prayers for some of our F3 brothers like Wallaby and Wrangler and their families, as well as all of our front line healthcare workers helping others through this tough time with the Covid health crisis. Even though you aren’t here physically in NC, please know I am thinking of you.  As well, I know the guys in attendance this morning and the other F3 Southwake brothers, like Deadbolt and Redenbacher (who we missed at the workout this morning) will be thinking of their moms today. I will call you later.

With Love, your Son (aka- F3-Mookie)

Avoiding Crop Dusters at TBD

ToBeDETERMINED reopened today with 9 pax plus a Poopeater ready to get after it! YHC and Doc collaborated to be sure we had a plan for both the workout and how to keep social distancing order among the Pax. After all, this is TBD, so YHC had 3 separate plans for work today and let the pax choose some options during warm-ups. POTS chose the number 25. Doc chose a hybrid workout (rather than running/no running), and hardy chose the track (rather than bandshell or tennis court). These choices led us to a BLIMPS workout. How’s that work??? Only YHC knows…

FNG’s: None

Warm Up: Good Mornings, Fazio Arm Circles, Frankenstein’s, Windmills, and Imperial Walkers. Mosey on over to the track.
The Workout: BLIMPS. Exercises and each of the four “corners” of the track as we successfully moseyed roughly 2.5 miles during the workout. Exercises were: 5 burpees each corner, 10 lunges IC each corner, 15 IWs IC each corner, 20 merkins each corner, 25 plank jacks, and 30 Squats each corner. YHC told various pax to call cadence on our travels and they did a fine job. Also learned an important rule…DO NOT follow Pikachu on the left…he may “crop dust” you!  Just sayin.

Groups did plank hold to wait for the six at the end…much to certain pax chagrin. Yogurt was very focused as it seemed to demonstrating a technique to Sprinkler at the last stop. A few calls of “take your time fellas” and it was back to the flag.
Mary: Only time for 20 Pickle Pounders IC
Announcements: We’re back baby!!!!
T-Claps (Recognition): Doc and his leadership as site Q showing me the ropes this week!
Prayer: Our leaders with important decisions to be announced Friday. Military and first responders. My daughter Julia, stomach virus last ten days….seems to be recovering.

So thankful… to lead, sweat, and mumblechatter alongside you mighty men!

AGS Sunrise Services resume

After a long hiatus from the gloom, AGS reopens to perfect conditions and a dramatic sunrise. Rolled into the lot 5 minutes before the start. Oboe and Boy George were already waiting for YHC. No ruckers this morning and no Redenbacher, who had HC’d the night before. 6am hit and we were off with the following warm-up

Warm Up: Mosey to the side lot adjacent to the baseball fields and circled up to the first corner for Imperial Walkers X10, butt kickers to the 2nd corner, stopping for Hillbillies X10, mosey to the 3rd corner for Good Mornings IC X10, mosey back to the main lot. Proceed with a set of Frankensteins to the middle of the lot and then a mosey to the far end. Circled up for one last set of prisoner squats X10.

The Workout: As we were officially reopening AGS this morning, we decided to do standard loop with counterclockwise route around the lake. Strong work by Oboe and Boy George pushing a good pace to the lake. Special shout out to Oboe for carrying YHC up the hills around the lake and pulling mediocrity out of the mud with several circle backs for the six…(that would be YHC). Plenty of social distancing at miles 4-5 and appreciated the pick ups. Arrived back to the main lot for Mary.

Mary: Not sure where she was this morning. Think she is still following stay at home order, but hoping to find her next time.

Announcements: AO’s reopening.. check your local listings and sign up on Q sheet

T-Claps (Recognition): PAX getting out this morning. Dumbo for completing his first half yesterday.

Prayer: Prayers for continued health both personally and financially in this tough time of Covid-19. Prayers for essential workers and leaders that will be making decisions in the upcoming months. YHC took us out.

Leg Day

It was a record day at Containment Area this morning with two PAX on the live steam working out along side me.  With the previous two days being very upper body focused I decided today would be a day for legs.  If I could make my legs hurt half as much as my chest was hurting then I would have felt accomplished.

FNGs: None

Warm Up:

SSH x20 IC

Squatted Moroccan Nighclubs x10 IC

Windmill x10 IC

Sir Fazio Arm Cirlces x10 IC forward and reverse

Alternating Toe Touches x10 IC

Daisy Pickers x10 IC

Butt Kickers x10 IC

The Workout:

The structure of this workout wasn’t too dissimilar from yesterday’s.  I had a set of leg exercises to do, followed by some rest which was really just working other muscle groups, and then repeating back through it.  I had a few routines for the end in case we had extra time.

The leg routine went as such:

Bolt 45s.  Much like yesterday’s Colt 45s but with squats.  We did 15 squats to the halfway point, then 15 from halfway to all the way down, and then 15 full squats.

Lunges x10 each leg

No Surrender x10

Air Squared x10 IC – Basically it’s a wall sit but without the wall, so you’re just holding squat, while doing overhead claps in cadence

Al Gore x10 IC

Apolo Ohno x10 IC

Box Jumps x10

Slow Squats x10 – Down slowly on the 1, 2, 3 count and then come back up on the 4

Monkey Humpers x10

To take a break we worked in some shoulder work:

Plank routine – Started by holding normal plank for a silent count, then brought our hands together for a diamond plank, back out to standard plank, then to wide grip plank, then back to standard plank.  About 30-45 seconds total.

Air presses x10 IC

Plank routine

Air presses x10 IC

After the shoulder work we rinsed and repeated it all.  This got us to around the 30 minute mark.

The last routine we did was something I found on  the exicon called Sleep Walkers 1 2 3.  We started with 1 squat, 2 toe touches with each leg, and 3 lunges. The second set was 2, 4, 6 and then 3, 6, 9 and so forth until we were at 10, 20, and 30.  This took a lot longer than I was anticipating and brought us to the 45 minute mark.

Mary:

OYO today.  Out of respect for PAX’s time I didn’t want to keep them past time.  I read the list of exercises I was planning on doing for Mary and told them they could do them on their own if they wanted.

Announcements:

None this morning but between then and now Wake County has issued the stay-at-home order.  We all know about it by this point, I’d hope.  Tomorrow morning will be the last day for outdoor AOs.  This AO has been added to the Q Sheet and we’ve already got one HIM signed up to Q on Monday.  Let’s share the love and get creative with our workouts.

T-Claps (Recognition):

H1N1 has consistantly been watching the videos of the live feeds later at night and getting his work in.  He thanks me but, really, thank you brother.  It’s you guys that are the driving force behind me doing this.  I’m glad it’s been helpful and am hopeful it’ll continue to be in the coming weeks.

Prayer:

All of our healthcare workers that are out there fighting  the good fight.  They’re running low on protective gear so pray that they get all they need.

 

Lets finish this week off strong tomorrow.  I’m up for the 5 pack Q!  I’m also really looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday.  See you in the virtual gloom.

 

010000

Looking for Some Normalcy at TBD

FNGs:  None

EC:  Deadbolt, others?

Rolled into Womble with a ton of weight in the back of my SUV, ok actually about 300lbs of iron.  Planted the flag and secretly set up the dumbbells and kettlebells at the other end of the parking lot opposite from the gathering of PAX.  Fog was thicker than pea soup.  @Deadbolt grabbed an epic picture of Old Glory.  I had a game plan in place for contingencies of 2-12 PAX showing up.  I personally was in a fog from the recent social post form the G.O.A.T. saying his goodbyes to all New England Patriots fans.  It had to come to an end at some time. I would honor him during the warmup.

 

Warm Up:  Nice and easy lap around Womble tennis courts and soccer pitch.  POTS was moving like a HSHS XC kid.  Nice speed!  Circled up in the parking lot for the following 12 count cadence exercises in honor of Tom Brady:

SSH, Seal Claps, Overhead Claps, Good am, Fozio Arm Circles (F/B), Ospreys (F/B), Daisy Pickers, Michael Phelps, Karaoke (alternating) to the opposite end of the parking lot.

The Workout:

PAX found the surprise of 7 sets of dumbbells and two Kettlebells on the sidewalk with index cards listing three exercises.  The exercises were broken down in 3-4 main areas:  legs, arms, abs and back/lats.

8lbs:  seal claps, overhead claps, straight front arm curls – palms down

10lbs:  American hammers, WWIIs, Straight arm Tricep extensions

15lbs:  Bus drivers, Tricep curls, Ground pounders

20lbs: Lunges, step-ups, 2 arm overhead squats

25lbs:  Curls for the girls, single arm lawn mowers, Upright rows

30lbs:  Goblet squats, while on your six, hold dumbbell over your chest while holding 6”, hello dollies

40lbs:  PAX Choice – 1 Arm, 1 ABs and 1 Leg exercise

16lb KB:  Lunges, Goblet squat, midget love handles

20lbs:  thrusters, swings, halos

Two PAX with no weights – TIME Keepers – Run around the parking lot twice.

Once the PAX completed their run, the remaining PAX rotated two positions.  EachPAX member got to do each exercise card at least once while running two separate times.

After last PAX finished running, PAX helped Dauber load his car up.

Mary:  Mosey to the tennis courts for 12 counts of pickle pounders, homer to marge and box cutters.  It appeared we had an audience of some “Golden Seniors” getting their cardio on next to us under the pavilion.  Thought those three exercises brought some of the best moves from F3 to the non-indoctrined.

Announcements:  I honestly do not remember any with all of the cancellations.

T-Claps (Recognition):  All the PAX who came out for some normalcy in the fog this morning.  And special recognition to Fanny Pack for earning a free breakfast beverage (compliments of YHC) for reading yesterday’s BB and following up with my request.

Prayer:  All of our families, especially those traveling (Pumpkin Spice’s kid flying from Chicago today).  We will get through this COVID-19 stuff.

 

Honor to lead – Dauber.

Because You Showed Up…

After a very exhausting week, YHC was looking forward to some miles this weekend. Earlier in the week, PAX received word of race cancellations, as well as a series of domino effects that will soon impact the current day to day in the weeks to come related to COVID-19. For YHC, Sundays are that time of reset and reflection. Certainly a lot to think about and how different the last few weeks have been from what we knew several weeks before that.  Toilet paper has somehow become the staple of choice across the country, while social distancing is now a ‘thing.’ All sporting events have been cancelled, schools are cancelled, business travel is becoming suspended, and now working from home has become the new norm in our daily lives.

The one thing YHC knows that does not change is Sunday’s at AGS. Today was one of the more memorable for YHC as it reminded me how important ‘showing up’ can be, not only from an accountability standpoint, but also the impact you can have on each other and not even know it. You probably have heard this a dozen or so times, but “Who is pushing who?” Today, whether they knew it or not, each PAX had a significant impact on one another in that light 52 degree drizzle.

The day before, Redenbacher had asked YHC if I was still running a half tomorrow even though the Tobacco Rd 1/2 was cancelled. We were both signed up several months back. When the race turned ‘virtual,’ my attitude turned from doing it to eventually getting to it.  Having done 8 mi with Deadbolt at U-Turn yesterday, it did not seem like a good idea considering I was at PT getting dry needled that previous Monday.

My response was maybe. I’ll pre-blast it as an option for an insomniac 7.1mi EC and see who shows. Farva also mentioned a 6mi Ruck starting at 5:30am and Dauber also wanted to Ruck, but didn’t want to start that early, so offered a 3mi at 6:00am. This would be the start time for those running the 6mi Main Event as well. With the crazy EC option on the table, now ‘my eventually getting to it,’ turned into a ‘will have to do it,’ if someone shows. Goes back to the “if you can’t Q it don’t do it” mentality. If someone showed, we’d have to run it. It’s that simple. That’s how YHC rolls and when its out there and someone shows, you do it because someone else is just as crazy as you are and you don’t let them down.

Out of some type of miracle, YHC rose from the fartsack ahead of his 4:05am alarm as if the Sky Q planned it that way. Exactly at 4am woke out of a dead sleep. Scrambling for my iPhone 3, I noticed the time and elected not to hit snooze, but rather put on my gear and head to the garage to lace up my Hokas. Flag packed in the backseat, I muttered something that rhymed with “Truck Me.” Rolled into Womble at exactly 4:30am, planted the flag and no cars to be found….4:35am hit which was the meeting time for the Insomnia EC. At that point, no cars and YHC was reserved to sleeping in Knight Rider until Farva arrived at 5:30 to tap on the driver’s side window to wake me up. As I went to look down at my phone one last time, lights started to appear in my rear view mirror from Stinson. He showed up…

“Sorry, I’m late Mookie,” says Redenbacher

“Yeah- so am I”…”I was hoping you wouldn’t show. This might be a terrible idea, but let’s do it.” I strapped on the headlamp and the light up vest. After a series of forgetful moments…did I lock the car, I don’t need my earbuds, it was starting to drizzle a bit.

Redenbacher says, “Hang on one second…sorry,” from his trunk. He’s ripping off some much sought after 2-ply, knowing that there could be some emergency gross weight adjustment later in the run. Honestly, have never experienced the need to drop a few sharks in the woods during a run…until this morning. We’ll get to that later. With that, Redenbacher and I went straight down Stinson and across the street to the neighborhood that abuts Holly Grove. As we were not running Tobacco, we figured we’d pay tribute to the flat route of ATT and the track was a perfect mix of flat concrete surrounded by trees. After about the 3rd lap, Redenbacher had to investigate a space behind the white shed, while putting his 2-ply to use. YHC continued around the track and was later rejoined with Redenbacher until we were at about 4 miles. Exited the track and then back out to Holly Springs Road and that is when I felt it.

Informed Redenbacher that we may need to stop at Lowe’s, but unfortunately was still too early and was not open. Picked up the pace and proceeded down Earp and then a left on Raleigh, back to Womble. Never knew how the extreme need to R4TJ could be until I reached Raleigh St. and had to tighten my gait for fear of letting a kit kat loose. Stopped the watch, took a quick pit stop and noticed we were about a little less than a mile short of the 7.1mi needed. At that point, it was 5:50am and PAX started rolling in. Bufford and Dauber, followed by Oboe, Vasoline, Nemo, and Slide Rule. Java’s car was already parked along with Farva’s so must have been on their Ruck.

Welcomed everybody and got going with the following workout.. As we were doing a quick lap around the lot, we see UTI coming in hot and made it just in time for the following exercises..

Warm Up: Lunge walks, Frankensteins, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Daisy Pickers X10, Good Mornings X10, Prisoner Squats X10, with a squat hold as I explained the route.

The Workout: Dauber was the solo 3-mi rucker this morning and had a route picked out that would get him back to the lot in time for Mary. For the runners, we’d stick to pavement as YHC didn’t trust the footing at the lake with the early morning rain. We’d do a modified NH (the graphic on strava kinda looks like NH). Took PAX the long way left around the baseball fields of Womble and onto Grigsby. From Grigsby we would head up Raleigh Street to Jones Park and then on to Veterans, heading to the back side of Ting EC, around Artic Ridge and then back onto the greenway, proceeding straight up Skymont. As we ventured up Skymont through Rhamkhatte Village we’d make a right back onto Holly Springs Rd, then onto Raleigh back to the flag.

At the start of the run, YHC was just starting to settle in with Redenbacher not far behind. Really good group of PAX this morning, each with varying speeds which made some good pairings throughout the run. Big shout outs to all PAX, especially Nemo, Oboe, and Vasoline for continued pick ups of the six. Honestly, that was the only way I think Redenbacher and I finished the last few miles this morning. Also shout out to Buford who provided a nice even pace through Jones and Veterans. Legs were getting fatigued as we approached Skymont and keeping the light up vests within eye shot made all the difference.

Mary: Arrived about 13min late to Mary, but were greeted by PAX upon return. Dauber I think wanted to hand me a bottle of geritol, noting that i’m slowing down in my old age.

Announcements: Banana Seat and Pikachu ALS challenge. Check out slack
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting out there today for ruck and running miles. Redenbacher for holding me accountable to get that 13.1 in this morning. PAX picking up the six as well as Dauber, UTI, and Slide Rule for making sure I did not miss out in conducting Name-O-Rama.

Prayer: All those affected by COVID-19. Continued health to PAX and families. Continued prayers for Crab Legs. Prayers for Forceps and his family. YHC took us out.

2nd F held at Sir Walter, where Redenbacher and YHC had to run to as we were about 1 mi short of the 13.1. After a series of loops in front of the library, DownTown Train, and Main Street we wrapped up what we set out to do this morning and were greeted by PAX and some quality mumblechatter. Skidmark even came out to join us.

A solid morning, Men! Thanks for the opportunity to lead.

Will We Get Wet Today???

A quiet workout among the pax this morning. Lots of reasons I suppose… but, whatever the reason, the pax showed up ready to work. Some rain came in earlier this morning and altered YHC’s plans for significant ground work along with a few elements YHC wanted to refrain from given the whole COVID goings on lately. (ie. we laid off the picnic tables and playground equipment) It’s ok…more up the sleeve and after a few LSF’s on the back, YHC opted to keep the pax dry today. Flag planted. 5:30. Go!

FNG’s: Not this morning.
Warm Up: Circled up for Frankenstein x 20, then 10 counts of: GM’s, Seal Claps, Overhead Claps, IW’s, Hillbillies, and Windmills all IC. Mosey over to the old Ivan lot.
The Workout: 3 rounds of some 4 Corners.

Round 1: 3,6,9, & 12 count burpees in the corners. Run long stretches, lunge walk the short ones. OYO. LSF’s for the six. This is where 187 tried to get some mumblechatter going.

Round 2: Repeato above but 5,10,15, & 20 count shoulder taps on the corners. Round done IC.

Round 3: OYO again. 5,10,15, & 20 count star jumps at the corners. Bear crawl short ends instead. 187 unsuccessfully tried to get mumblechatter going all along the way. Hardy was blowing the entire pax away during this series. Acceleration in the making!

Mosey to the bandstand. YHC wanted to throw some credit to 187 for breaking the silence a lot this morning, so I thought 1+8+7=16. 16 counts of dips, irkins, and step-ups/boxjumps (for those who see well in the dark, not me). Repeated this cycle twice. Also, hit up 16 count for each pax while doing People’s Chair x 2, and spilt it up for 8 count each pax doing BTTW x 2. Mosey over to picnic shelter.

Pax splits into 2 groups. Group 1 does SSH AMRAP, while group 2 calls on ‘ol Jack Webb up to a 5 count on the down, 15 count on the up IC. Switch Groups.

Repeato except group 1 does alternating lunges while group 2 does the Webb’s.

Burpee Indian run around the track until we got into the Cletus cage for Mary. Pax grabbed ahold of some fence for 20 count fence squats and 5 count each pax People’s Chair once more.

Mary: About 2:30 of regular and chill cut planks closed us out.
Announcements: Pay attention to Pikachu’s guidelines for AO’s and COT’s. Listen to the NAN TAAN!

YHC shared a minute. At times like these and other personally crazy times in life, we can feel surrounded by chaos and we look for peace…no matter what side of this COVID thing your mind has taken you to. This morning, the blood, sweat, and tears that I left out on this pavement and in these parking lots and the brotherhood of the pax brought peace and familiarity back to me. I hope it did for all pax today too, regardless of where you posted, who you posted with, or the miles a lot of pax banged out. #stayhard.
T-Claps (Recognition): All the pax getting out there today.
Prayer: Flojoe’s dad recovery from surgery, Katniss co-worker who passed and his family for peace. Our Nation, the sick, the injured.

A Rucking Headlock… 9 PAX spring forward at AGS

Pre-blast for AGS called for a main event ruck with a running option. A few Slack posts revealed that Coal Ash would be getting running miles for those not wanting to ruck. With the time difference, YHC didn’t know what to expect, but did expect a few PAX to show. Rolled into Womble around 5:50am to find a few dudes with headlamps fleeing Womble on foot (no cars) getting early miles.  Parked and quickly saw Dauber on the right side of Knight Rider.  Planted the flag and then saw a few trucks started to roll in and quickly had a Sprinkler sighting, then followed by Oboe. Master Shake rolled in as well. I haven’t seen him in several weeks and having missed his appearance last week. It was good to see him back in the gloom.

Double D also came ready to ruck and later discovered that he was the recipient of a Brutus “the Barber” Beefcake-sized headlock\sleeper hold by Sprinkler. Exchanged a few fist bumps with Double D and Sprinkler before Double D inquired, “who’s truck is that?”… “Oh, that’s Vasoline…”

Boy George also came rolling in. This dude was on the second to last leg of a 48hr Goggins challenge. Not sure if he was awake, but his eyes were open and he was responding to visual cues and verbal commands. To round out the field, Midget came rolling in equipped with 3 ruck sacks ready to go. 6am hit and we were ready to go.

Warm Up: Boy George did a solo mission run around the soccer fields, while YHC lead PAX with a light mosey to the opposite end of the parking lot, with alternating lunge walks to the center. Circled up for SSH X10, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Morocan Night Clubs X10…Midget, nice of you to join us, Fazio Arm Circles 10F\10B. Prisoner Squats X10 on YHC’s up\down. Squat hold for the routes.

The Workout: Only 2 runners. No sign of Coal Ash, unfortunately. Master Shake and Vasoline did the standard loop around the lake, while rucking PAX took the greenway to the lake (bypassing the lake segment) and continued through the backside of Sugg Farm. Lots of great mumblechatter along the way. Did not have an opportunity to get in between Sprinkler and Double D until the end of the ruck as we made our way down Grigsby, but that is when we discovered that Midget’s texts in a group chat got a 1-way ticket to vibrate on Sprinkler’s phone last night. Hopefully, more rucks will be planned in the future at AGS. Great fellowship and a great opportunity to connect with PAX at a different pace than a standard running or high-intensity AO. Arrived back to the flag about 2 min past 7am and performed a series of stretches, while waiting for Master Shake and Vasoline to come in. Great 2nd F followed at Sir Walter, where Oboe, Midget, and YHC got a visit from Skidmark.

Mary: Good Mornings X10 IC, Right over Left\Left over Right. Planked Calf Stretches. Downward Dogs and quad stretches.
Announcements: Mule next Saturday. Tobacco Rd. Half Marathon next week
T-Claps (Recognition): Master Shake and Vasoline holding each other accountable on the run this morning. Boy George completing the Goggins 48 hr challenge. All PAX battling the time change to post this morning.
Prayer: Prayers for Forceps and family. Those battling health issues. Sprinkler’s friend, Laredo, who has battled recent tragedies. YHC took us out.

Oh! It’s a car thing!

Abe was set up to Q Cletus, but his 2.0 was under the weather and he needed to stay home to be a good husband and father.   YHC stepped into the void to lead this AM.  Much to Da Business’ disappointment, I did not popcorn the Q and instead went for a regular Cletus beatdown.

FNGs: Nosir
Warm Up:
Run the lines on the courts
SSH, Imperial Squat Walkers, Mtn Climbers, Merkins

The Workout:
Bear crawl the lines, then repeat-o the other direction (star jump x10 between)
Hop the lines, both legs, both directions (merkin x10 between)

Burpee-indian-run, then double-burpee-indian-run
Plank Hold for indian bear crawl
Indian run to lot

Grab a fence, 10x derkins on the low run, 10x derkins on the high run
Sprint to end of fence, 10x sumo squat jumps, sprint back
Repeat 8x, 6x. etc

2 line indian run to the playground for
PULL UPS (and 90 degree hangs)

Mary: POPCORN! (just for Da Business)
Announcements: Please make Wrightsville a priority.  Also, 2.0 workout tomorrow
T-Claps (Recognition): we all had fun.  not a lot of chatter, so appreciate everyone pushing themselves this morning
Prayer: FloJo’s accident; Crab Legs, Forceps, Lipstick’s sister, lots of others

Wake Up Call

EC: Emeril, Axe, Lipstick

FNGs: Not today

YHC took a stroll behind Teeter on his EC route and noticed a couple things. 1) 3 giant tires he could incorporate into his workout 2) The beer man sleeping in his van.
Warm Up: 10 Burpees since Daddy Em was late coming back from the little boys room in Teeter. Mosey to Porta Potty behind Teeter to enjoy the smell during our warm ups. SSH x50,IW x10, Hilbillies x10, Morocan Nightclubs x12, hold squat for FAC x10 Fwd/Rev, Overhead Claps x10
The Workout: Mosey over to the guardrail behind Jiffy for sets of Dips x10 regular, left leg up and right leg up, Erkin sets x10 regular & Diamond, Derkin sets x10 regular & Diamond. Mosey over to wall behind dry cleaner for sets of Peoples chair 10 count around, BTTW 4 count around Pax. We repeated guardrail/wall combo twice. This was our second encounter with the beer man, as he was sleeping behind the dry cleaner, which was a different location than YHC saw him during EC.  Next we mosey over to Goodwill for sets of Aligator Merkins across parking lot, Squat Jumps x10 and reverse crabwalk the parking lot back, Squat Jumps x10. We repeated this twice.  We continued to Mosey over to the tires YHC found behind the Chinese Restaurant for what would have been 3-way Patty Cake Merkins while 3rd wheel flipped tires a few times and rotate. However, a delivery truck had come and parked right in front of the tires spoiling YHC’s final event.  YHC quickly took us over to the trail to no where behind Teeter for the same 3-way but substituted 3rd wheel run out and back on the trail. YHC didn’t remember the trail was about .25/mile out and then back…The patty cake merkins got tiresome and we modified to patty cake squats when our arms gave out.  On our way to the trail we encountered the beer man for a third time, sleeping behind the Pizza shop now.  By the time we got back from the trail he was gone again.  I don’t think he was happy with us breaking up his morning cat naps….
Mary: Low Slow Flutter, American Hammers, Boat Canoes and Pickle Pounders with chill cut hold in between for about 2 minutes.
Announcements:  See the interwebs
T-Claps (Recognition): Java! Nice work since the new year. We can finally remove him from the milk carton.
Prayer: Wallaby, Wiggly/Father, Forceps/Leahy Family, Crablegs