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The Best 1st, 2nd, and 3rd F

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6 Pax showed up and put forth some quality effort for a full body workout. Lots of mumble chatter up front but none at the end.

FNGs: None
Warm Up: SSHx59 We went until Gump did one more. 5 burpees.
(Fozio arm circles x 10 F/R, Overhead claps x10, Seal claps x 10) x2
10 merkins
5 burpess
Mosey to the pit

The Workout: Start with Burpee Bull Ring
11’s up the hill in the Pit…Lunges at the bottom, merkins at the top.
Jacobs ladder with squats
Mosey back to tennis court for Plank hold and merkins to Thundestruck

Mary: Michael Phelps, Arms stretch, Good mornings
Announcements: Run the Quay defer email coming soon. Virtual run by PYRC with money going to shoes for frontline workers. Sign up and run your 1/2 marathon. Rams is in 2nd place so far.
T-Claps (Recognition): Rams racing Pikachu up the hill
Prayer: Lots tonight. HSRC and the Holly Springs Community with the passing of Heather Prince, Wallaby, Fanny Pack’s daughter, Wrangler’s daughter, Triple Lindy’s father, Forceps (who ironically texted Lipsync when we were praying for him). Our friends who are small business owners. The Holly Springs Community. It doesn’t get easier, you just get stronger…we continue to try to lift this community and each other up.

12 PAX for some miles

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YHC was back on the Q at the John after an extended absence. I arrived to several PAX in the parking lot, hopped out of my car to plant the flag and was immediately hit with that familiar smell that you get at the John. We had a good group ready to get some miles in and Emeril was all fired up. Great to be back in the gloom!

EC: Aquaman, Pikachu, Skidmark

FNGs: Not today

Warm Up: 10X SSH and 10 Daisy Pickers

The Workout:

Turkey Leg was in play this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Mary: MIA

Announcements: Check Slack and FB

T-Claps (Recognition): Everyone for picking up the 6 throughout the route.

Prayer: Wallaby, Fanny Pack’s daughter, Wrangler’s daughter, unspoken

Dumbo took us out.

Always an honor to lead.

Dear Mom…

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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)

Ivan Second Week Back

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Yoga EC: Dawgpound, Pikachu, Pumpkin Spice, Skidmark
FNGs: None
Warm Up:

Did a quick lap to get the legs moving. Circled up for the following

Foot traces 5 each direction each leg
Hip Barrels
Staggered Hinges
Spinal Twists
Ringers
Neck Turns

The Workout:

3 Rounds

10 Sprawls Jump rotates — This was meant to get the heart rate going, Sprawl is pretty much a burpee without the pushup. Jump and turn 180 degrees. Two jumps are one rep.
10 Alternating Lunges Each Side
10 Push Up on the Bells
10 Pistol Rows
10 Midget Love Handles

2 Rounds

10 Balls to the wall Push Up — Feet against the wall. Push-up. Climb feet up to the wall until vertical. Climb back down and repeat. The second round it was difficult getting vertical. My angle was probably 45.
10 Kick Throughs — Loaded Beast position. Opposite arm and leg are moving together. Kick leg through and pull the arm back. Similar to the breakdancer.
10 Strict Press
10 Deadlift one leg bent Switch each side
10 Halo Each Direction. Alternate direction after each rep

Finisher:

10 Minutes on the Minute: Do the reps and what remains from the minute is your recovery.
5 Snatches each arm
20 Swings

This was tough. I started with my 35 lb bell. I finished with 3 seconds to go before we started again. I switched to the extra 15 lb bell I brought. 20 lbs lighter improved my time by 4 seconds. 15 lb bell was probably to light. Needed a 25 lb bell today.

Mary:

It Ivan there will be some stretching

Downward Dog into Pigeon. During Pigeon, we rotated the hips by turning to each side.
Then we proceeded into a Kneeling stretch reaching with the hand overhead and then back.

Announcements:

If I’m Q’ing the workout expect a Finisher. That means if you have a lighter bell bring it.

T-Claps (Recognition):

Lucky and Pikachu. I saw them out of the corner of my eye during the BTTW Push-ups. they were still getting vertical during the last set.. I’m sure there were others. Congrats to all for trying new things.

Chaps for coming to Ivan. Two F3 workouts in his first week. Great start man.

Prayer:

Wallaby

Soaking it in

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FNGs: None tonight – a shame given all the shananigans.

Warm Up: Mosey to the corner of the track by the white fence (wishing someone in the pavilion a happy birthday along the way). Circle up for SSH, Daisy Pickers, Windmills, and Hillbillies x10 IC. 5x burpees thrown in since the pax were chatting quite a bit (and justified because Brexit joined us slightly tardy).
The Workout: Mosey to the rock pile as it continues to drizzle on us. Pax were instructed to grab a rock they were comfortable becoming well acquanted with.

Line up each pax at a parking block. 10x IC Curls for the Girls, followed by bearly curling to the other side. At that side we did 10x IC Curls and 15x IC Overhead tricep extensions, then bearly curled back. Repeating this we added 20x Overhead press, 25x Homer to Marge (added because the pax were having far too much fun and because the rain was really coming down on us at this point), and 30x Ruh Roh.

It seemed like we had had enough of the rocks, so we returned those and then moseyed over to the pavilion in the middle of the figuer 8. But that was just a tease of try ground, because we kept moseying right past it over to the pavilion where we did:

15x Alternating left right step ups, Irkins, Derkins, and Dips

10x Alternating left right step ups, Irkins, Derkins, and Dips

5x Alternating left right step ups, Irkins, Derkins, and Dips

 

The rain finally relented, so YHC decided we were allowed under the pavilion at this point. We held People’s Chair and balls to the wall for 30x and then moved into Mary where we were.

Mary:

30x Low slow flutter

30x LBCs

30x Imperial Walkers

20x Diamond Merkins because YHC was too spent to pull off 30 🙁
Announcements:

Run the quay deferment email should be coming out soon
T-Claps (Recognition):

All of the men doing so much to maintain our community during this difficult time. It’s obviously difficult, but it’s so imperative that we keep encouraging one another and allow guys to resume working out in person at the pace that works best for their families. All of us at Thunder were clearly greatly enjoying being able to be back out working out in person.
Prayer:

Unspoken.

Avoiding Crop Dusters at TBD

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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!

Ground Pounder Reopened for Business

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FNGs: None

6 HIMs showed up to GP this morning. 

WarmUp:

10 Good Mornings, 10 Daisy Pickers,  20 Fozzie Arm Circles, 10 Emperial Walkers, 10 Hillbillies, 10 Willy Mays Haze, 10 3 ct Windmills,

The Workout

Mosey to the Rock Pile. Rotate around rocks between sets.

  • 3 sets of 20’s – Curls for the girls
  • 3 sets of 20’s  – Overhead Overhead Tri-press
  • 3 sets of 10’s – Ground Pounders
  • 3 sets of 10’s – Trunk Twists
  • 3 sets of 10’s – Bus Drivers
  • 3 sets of 10’s – Rutrows

PAX who chose puny rocks swapped out to small boulders

  • 4 sets of 10’s – Standard Bench Press
  • 10ct  Windshield wipers
  • 30ct 6 inches
  • 10ct Scissor Kicks
  • 10ct Box Cutters

Mosey to the Wall of Pain

  • 2 sets of 60ct Wall Sits (Prisoner and Al Gore style)
  • 1 set of 30 count BTW and 1 set of 30 ct Ascending Testicles

Return Rocks and mosey back for Mary

Cards of Pain

  • 2 sets 10 x 3ct Plank Jacks
  • 2 sets of 10 x 3 ct American Hammers
  • 2 sets of 10 Dips
  • 2 sets of 10 Rockies
  • 2 sets of 10 x 3ct Split Jacks
  • 2 sets of 10x 3ct Mountain Climbers
  • 2 sets of 10  x 3 ct Lunges
  • 2 sets of 10 Merkins
  • 2 set of 10 Burpees (courtesy of Pikachu who chose Jokers)

T-Claps for Dumbo running his first half marathon and for all those who joined him in support. T Claps for Fanny Pack for doubling down posting U-Turn prior to posting GP

Announcements:  AOs now open for business keeping rules of 6 ft spacing and circle of COT in place.  Run the Quay cancelled (virtual run available),

Prayer Requests:  Prayers for  Fanny Pack’s 10 yr old daughter recovering from a bout with stomach bug, prayers for Flojo’s wife recovering from a fall.  For our country’s leadership and for all those suffering physically or financially from the COVID crisis.

 

Battling the stuff!!

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FNGs:NA
Warm Up:10 pax’s up and at it this morning to find room in their garage and workout.  If you were there and I didn’t see you I apologize for leaving you out.
SSH, good mornings, fazio arm circles, hillbillies imperial walkers
The Workout:

3 sets – 20 swings, 10 lunges each side, bent over rows

3 sets – 20 sumo squats, 10 press each side, 20 ic count figure 8s

3 sets- 20 side bends, 10 side lunges each side, 20 triceps

10 one leg dead lift each side

20 ICAmerican hammers

20 IC Lsf

Mary:She was sleeping!
Announcements:see slack
T-Claps (Recognition): 16 bit for getting AO containment setup and all the pax’s continuing to get at it while stuck at home!!!
Prayer: we can take the time to enjoy this slow pace and family time. Guidance for all Americans on how to be safe and do their part to slow the virus.  All the medical workers on front line

No show and a late show

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FNGs: N/A

EC: Emeril, Dawgpound, Buford, Deadbolt, Nemo, Redenbacher

No Show: M4L

Tardy: Dumbo

Warm Up:  Foot rolls, Hip Thrusts, Arm back with circles, Fozzy Arm Circles

The Workout: Based on some HC’s I received I figured we’d have a good group of PAX show up so planned a workout that would break us up into 4 groups at 4 different corners surrounding the plaza/parking garage.  Prior to running EC I put 2 exercises written in chalk at each corner.  1 exercise focused on upper body and 1 focused on core.  Legs were feeling the affects of a lot of running this week and had plans to run longer Saturday so felt giving the legs a break was in order.   No @M4L at the workout. Apparently he’s the only person in Southwake that turns his phone off at night and has no other way to wake himself up.   As usual Dumbo rolled in right as the workout as about to start so threw in 5 burpees as a penalty for his tardiness.

Corner 1:  KB Swings.  Halos
Corner 2: Bridge Press. Midget Cookie Pouch
Corner 3:  Rows. Midget Side Bends
Corner 4: Figure 8.  Pass Through

When walking from Corner 1 to 2 and Corner 3 to 4 John Cusack with you KB.
When walking from Corner 2 to 3 bicep curls
When walking from Corner 3 to 4 tricep extensions.

First time around do exercise 1 and then move to the next Corner. Repeat until all 4 corners are done.
Second time around do exercise 2 and then move to the next Corner. Repeat until all 4 corners are done.
Third time around do both exercise 1 and 2 and then move to the next Corner. Repeat until all 4 corners are done.

Once done we headed back for extended Mary with stretching.

Mary: LBC’s, Box Cutters, Freddy Mercury,  Merkins, Calf stretches, Runners pose, shoulder stretches, Pigeon pose.

Announcements: Deadbolt running a 1/2 at ATT tomorrow. See slack for info.

T-Claps (Recognition): Skidmark for pushing DB to do the 1/2

Prayer: Deadbolts co-worker (John), Pikachu’s boss and his bosses wife, Dawgpounds sister

SPELLING PAX NAMES in the RAIN

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FNGs:  None

EC:  Dawgpound, Buford, Pikachu, Emeril

Warm Up:  Planted flag early fearing I was going to be late for my virgin Paradise City Q.  Saw two vehicles with F3 stickers and new I was in the right place.  Planted shovel flag and donned another shirt.  It was 44 degrees and moisture was in the air.  I had a bathing suit on in lieu of shorts.  I thought for sure we would be getting wet (puddles, ground, or rain).  Lots of chatter as the clock struck 530 am.  I had asked Doc how far PAX normally ran knowing this was a high-intensity AO with a lot of running.  I had visions of doing an entire lap around Ting for part of my warm-up.  Doc gave me an estimate on the distance and I opted to run around the front parking lot area before executing some exercises in front of the flag.  More mumble chatter and a history lesson around Don Quixote.  10 count Exercises included good am, Daisy Pickers, Don Quixote/Windmills, Seal Claps, O/H claps, Sir Fazio arm circles, Hillbillies and Imperial walkers. Finished up with 25 SSH.  Asked the PAX to hold Al Gore while I retrieved my “Spelling Lesson Plan” for the workout.  See picture below:

 

The Workout:  As we gathered up at the bottom of the ramp, PAX members noticed “my files” under my arm.  I handed each PAX the workout (printed sheet with the entire alphabet with a correlating exercise and exercise # of reps in a plastic sheet protector) and gave them the following direction:  SPELL out your full name and then SPELL out your F3 name.  Time permitting, begin SPELLING out “Paradise City”.  No initials like BJ were permitted.  It would be WILLIAM, etc.  The list of exercises were randomly assigned based on the first letter or a letter found in the name in the F3 exicon.  For example:  A = 10 Australian Mtn Climbers, B = 10 Burpees, C = 15 Carolina Dry Docks, etc.  Conspiracy theories immediately were thrown out, accusations were made, when certain letters of the Q’s name had no burpees.  Here are examples of what the PAX ending up spelling:

CRAIG JOSEPH NELSON DAUBER

MATHEW JOSEPH TAGUE EMERIL

DAVID DEREK ADAY DOC PARADISE C

CHRISTOPER LEE ADKINS  PIKACHU

DAVID MORTON KEY DEADBOLT

MICHAEL HOLLAND EDWARDS BUFORD

RYAN BAILEY HOOPER DAWGPOUND

DANIEL ATKIN SNAP (still waiting on his middle name via Slack message)

So, in order to get our miles in for this HIGH-INTENSITY workout, one exercise was executed at the bottom of the ramp.  PAX ran to the top and then executed next exercise.  Some modifications were allowed.  Performing an exercise earlier because a wall was at the top vs at the bottom.  Once exercise was completed at the top, PAX ran back to the bottom.  New letter, new exercise.  Rinse and Repeat until names were spelled out completely or we ran out of time.

Everything was going well UNTIL the skies opened and COLD RAIN came down.  That sucked.  With 6:08 on my watch, PAX gathered under the cover of the building at the top of the ramp and got ready for Mary.

When all was done, I thought I heard 3 miles from a PAX that were covered during this AO.

 

Mary:  Without stopping, PAX knocked out the following 10 cc exercises:  H2M, H2M Left leg up, H2M Right leg up, Pickle pounders, Freddie Mercury, Hello Dollies, Box cutters, 6 inches, Heel taps, and Have a Nice Day.

Dawgpound wanted Buford to remove the metal post barrier and drive up the ramp to pick him up.  Not happening today.  PAX all took off running to their vehicles.

(I told my daughter about the workout today.  And she was spot on.  She told me although the weather had been awful, I had experienced something I would not forget and I had done it with some F3 guys.  Lot of wisdom from an 18 year old.)

Announcements:  See Slack and FB.  Be mindful of new rules in play re: playground equipment.

T-Claps (Recognition):  PAX who got out in the RAIN today.

Prayer:  Pikachu’s boss/boss’s wife – both ill and admitted to the Hospital, possible COVID-19 Dx; Deadbolt’s friend, John F., recently placed in hospice with cancer spreading through his body.  All family members.  Leaders.  YHC took us out.

 

An honor to lead! – Dauber

 

If you plan on going to Purple Cobra tomorrow, you may see this workout again.