Tag Archive for: Pikachu

MOMENTUM!

Today’s runs were about maintaining momentum. With races 1 or 2 weeks away for most, PAX were logging miles at a target pace. Nine PAX rolled in from a 5-mile EC about 6 am. Cupid and I had discussed a 3-mile EC at Cletus the day before, but the extra couple of miles were too tempting, so he had joined them. Turns out Alpine joined them too while en route from home. Bernie too, who was following his duration program. Note that Lipstick had a working headlamp at this point. I finished up a 3-mile EC solo just before 6 am to find Dawgpound, Dumbo, and Abe ready to warm up.

EC = Pikachu, Skidmark, UTI, Double D, Lipstick, Martini, Cupid, Alpine, Bernie, Yogurt

ME = Above plus Abe, Dumbo, Dawgpound

Warm Up: Because most PAX were already warmed up, I focused on warming up those starting cold, literally and figuratively. SSH 25x, GM 10x, hammy stretches, running in place. The warm PAX waited patiently while we warmed up. Bernie joined us for a quick COT. I did all this quickly so everyone could maintain MOMENTUM.
The Workout: Before you knew it, we were off! All PAX chose the regular 6-mile route. Richmond group set their target pace. Alpine and I basically run the same pace, although it seems effortless for him and effortful for me. We circled back regularly to pick up the six.
Mary: Second F instead. I went out and picked up Martini. Apparently I didn’t do a very good job looping back to pick up everyone. Got a text from Lipstick asking me to look for his headlamp, which he left on UTI’s hood as they drove off. Nothing. Then, while driving out, I saw something in the road that looked like a dead possum. Oh no, roadkill right here in the shopping center. Oooooops, actually it was Lipstick’s missing headlamp, smashed to smithereeeeeeens. I shared the bad news. Bummer!
Announcements: Check your Facebooger or Slack for Frosty details
T-Claps (Recognition): Martini started training for HSHM months ago. He’s stuck to his plan and made tremendous “strides.” Way to go! Also, Abe has graduated from 3 miles runs to 5 mile runs. Good work!
Prayer: New family members

Celebration of CFP!

Since August, YHC has been putting in 20-30 hours a week studying for my Certified Professional Planning exam.  Thankfully, yesterday I successfully passed.  That means today’s workout was a celebration of studying and finally passing!

No FNG and Da Business looked cold, so we got started a few seconds early.

FNGs: Nope
Warm Up: Quick lap around the lot, SSH, Mountain Climbers to the get the blood flowing
The Workout:

At First, Studying Seems Insurmountable: Bear crawl the length of the lot to remember that even large tasks can be taken down one step at a time

Studying Is Lonely: Long days and nights with just a book.  Partner carry around the lot to remember life is better as a shared endeavor

Sometimes it’s one step forward, two steps back: Wheelbarrow suicides on the painted lines, with increasing merkins (1 line; 1 merkin; backwards; 2 lines; 2 merkins; backwards) up to 5 lines / 5 merkins.  This sucked, don’t do this

Feels like going in a circle: I was informed Da Business doesn’t like the non-PC-named “Indian Run”.  So we Warren Walked to the track for modified Bombs.  5 burpees, 10 merkins, 15 squats, 20 WWII, adding an exercise at each corner.  Repeat in reverse (running and counting backwards)

And sometimes it’s like standing still: Head to the playground for chin-up holds while the other group does Merkin / WWII / Blue Devil Timers

But it’s all fun and games when it’s over: Warren Walk to the overhang, then “Floor is Lava” bunny hop on the Tiger Paws to the end

Mary: Random assortment of fun, ending with the Russian Twist Trump Truth

Announcements: Frosty CSAUP, #2ndF at Whole Foods after work today, #2f2f at Drive Shack tomorrow, Christmas Party at Peak Week Midget’s House

T-Claps (Recognition): Thanks for coming out.  That was a fun one.  Blue Hen made his first appearance this month, and he was glad he did
Prayer: BABIES! (Pigpen / Warbucks / YHC)

Circle of Abs

Who needs abs anyway! Well, we all do and I can promise you the more water that has passed under the bridge for some of us fellas the more difficult it is to keep that core in check. With that in mind these last couple of days I decided to focus on core work as Q today for the not yet named TBD there in the Holly Rock. Arriving a little early set up 4 four stations with cones in the back parking lot then drove on around to find several vehicles in the parking lot but only one other PAX there waiting. Planted shovel flag and within 4-5 minutes of go time the rest of PAX either ran & rolled in.

Core Goonies GIF - Core Goonies Abs GIFs

EC: I know there were several but since I’m too lazy to get up before the butt crack of dawn to run EC I don’t keep up with ’em. I know, fire me!!

NO SHOWS: M4L  – I received a text last night he would be running to the workout and needed a ride back home. Of course I would’ve given him a ride. You gotta love him though!!

PAX: Aquaman, Dahmer, Doc, DoubleD, Fanny Pack, Farva, Florence, Hardy, Katniss, Pikachu, Popinski, POTS, Sprinker

4 legged PAX: Poop-eater

FNGs: None

Warm Up:  A series of mostly ab exercises all in cadence. El-lowboes, Box cutters, LBC’s, Flutter Kicks, Smurf Jacks, Mtn. climbers.

The Workout: Circle of Abs – Pax not at one of the 4 work stations are all circled up and continue an in cadence Ab exercise led off by Farva. Evenutally each PAX in the circle of Abs will lead an ab exercise or two. Station 1 is the timer who starts off with 3 burpees and then carries 2 tall five gallon buckets with 2 cinder-blocks in each bucket a 100 meters, drops buckets for 3 more burpees and then returns to base. Rotation takes place when bucket carrier returns to base. Station 2: jump ropes, Station 3: 40lb. barbell thrusts, Station 4: Battle rope arm swings.  Remaining Pax are on their six in the Circle of Abs and 1 rotates to the stations each time the bucket carrier returns. All PAX were able to get through all 4 stations at least once, some more so. After last PAX worked his way through all 4 stations we then split up and circled the parking lot in opposite directions to meet and complete 10 broke back derkins each. Met back at the stations to form one line of PAX across the parking lot on one parking space line. Completed 1 merkin on that line, bear crawled to next line completed 2 merkins, continued forward to the 6th line with 6 merkins, crab walked back to start line.

Mary: We’d had enough of her during the workout!

Announcements: CSAUP Frosty coming up in Decemeber.

T-Claps (Recognition): All the PAX this morning for putting in extra effort concentrating on those abs

Prayer: Pikachu’s M fighting cold and unspoken. Fanny Pack took us out in prayer.

Peace out, YHC

Nov-4 Murph

Pax of four for our first murph of November.  No EC, No modifications.

Warm Up:  Run 1 mile

The Workout:  100 pull-ups, 200 merkins, 300 squats

Mary:  Run 1 mile

Announcements:  Christmas party Dec-14

Prayer:  Healing and new opportunities

Rarin’ to Go!

FNGs: none
Warm Up: SSH, butt kickers, high knees and Frankensteins.
The Workout: YHC attempted to wrangle everyone for warmup. After warmup and a haphazard name-o-rama, it was apparent people were rarin’ to go. So YHC released the reins and PAX were off. A few PAX were running 5/5+ and finishing back at Starbucks while others continued across 55, up Library Hill to Pace Yourself’s grand opening.
Mary: Mary who?
Announcements:
T-Claps (Recognition): Emeril and Dumbo for pushing YHC, everyone for circling back for the six. Thanks HIM.
Draper for going for 26 miles!
Prayer:

Everybody Was Kung-Fu Fighting

Ten PAX joined me for some Kung-Fu fighting around the school. I believe Da Business was there but he had on too many layers to confirm.

FNGs: None
Warm Up: Circle up for GM, SSH, IW and stretches
The Workout: It is fun to mix it up a bit so we started with Donkey Kicks, Side Kicks, Front Kicks and Squat Kicks…those kicks were fast as lightning. We Mosey’d over to the back of school for some Dwight Howard wall jump shots, wall push-offs with a back clap, tricep push-offs, BTTW and People’s Chair…it was a little bit frightening. Around to the playground for normal, close, and sumo squats, jump squats and swing kicks. Each PAX fought with expert timing at the front of the school with jab/cross punches, upper cuts and elbow swings.

We needed to practice a bit more so we repeated the training. By the end, everybody was kung-fu fighting.

Mary: Around the horn with Mary.
Announcements: Holiday Party at M4L on Dec 14, Frosty CSAUP Dec 7. We need more PAX to sign up to Q workouts.  On a personal note: As I listened to testimony for two weeks in trial, I just want to remind you to hold your children close, notice acute changes in them, listen to them, and, more importantly, be there for them.

Prayer: Unspoken.

Thank you for letting me lead this workout.

(ab)/(a+b)

It’s been a long time since YHC and Pikachu co-Q’ed a workout together so we figured we give it a shot. Some mumble chatter about how many miles we were going to get in.

EC: Emeril, Dawgpound, Warbucks, Full House, Pablo, UTI, Skidmark, 187 (a little late)

Fartsacks: Mookie with the HC last night. Much like the Patriots last night he didn’t show up.

FNGs: None
Warm Up: 1 lap around with SSHsx10, Good Mornings x 10, IW x 10, Hillbillies x 10.
The Workout: Indian Run Merkin Mile with 12 merkins every quarter mile.

Switch off to Pikachu:

We did some running backwards up the ramp with a variety of exercises at the top including squats, Step-ups, box jumps, Russian Dips. 1 time we did a bear crawl up the ramp. Made our way around the park and did a set of Erkins, Derkins, Dips.

Mary: Plank hold. Side crunches. Have a nice day.
Announcements: CSAUP Frosty Dec 7, Christmas Party Dec 14, Oakwood 24 hour Dec 22.
T-Claps (Recognition): Midget posting after running long on Saturday and attempting 50 miler.
Prayer: Full House’s aunt.

 

We got 3 miles and Pikachu took us out.

Double Feature, Double D Birthday, and a Double Dose of Fellowship @ Dunkin

Lots of miles in SouthWake again this week as many PAX are locked in with focus on the HSHM, while some are also tapering headed into this week’s Richmond Full. YHC got a mid-morning message from Pikachu on Saturday, looking to co-Q a 3mi option with some Yoga and asked if we could include that in the pre-blast. With that, a double main event was in play, along with some EC and 6-mi run.

With the extra hour of sleep, surely there would be new faces showing for Sunday’s installment of AGS. This morning managed to bring out a few…

Arrived to Womble about 9 minutes late for the 4mi EC that started at 5:10am. UTI was already in the lot staying warm inside the confines of his Corolla. Pulled in, planted the flag, gave a quick apology for my tardiness and then we were off. Headed up Stinson, then on to Grigsby following the HSHM greenway to the back of the new development and then back up the other side of the neighborhood near Sugg before heading back to Womble. Exchanged some great mumblechatter with UTI on a wide array of topics. As we arrived back to Womble, I lost feeling in my thumbs and instead of stretching, quickly reached for my gloves that I left in the car. Quickly began resuscitating my thumbs by breathing life into my knuckles. Damn it was cold this morning… A balmy 37 degrees.

Paced a bit back and forth and like clockwork in the lot, while Master Shake rolls in and then immediately followed by Pikachu. At that point, a rare Slide Rule appearance starts to take shape. Then Oboe and hey wait a minute…Coal Ash? Quiver got the memo on the 3mi and yoga and decided to join the party. Finally, DoubleD rolls in to start his birthday off right with a run and some fellowship.

6am hit and we were off around the soccer fields for the following warm up.

FNGs: None

Warm Up: Led PAX to the back Ivan lot to circle up for sets of 12 of the following exercises: SSH, Prison Squats, Good Mornings. YHC’s cadence count was a bit quick this morning, likely the result of the cold weather. Butt kickers to the curb, where we switched to Frankensteins to the end.

Circled up one last time for Fazio Arms 12F\12B. Led PAX back to the flag with a squat hold, while explaining the route.

The Workout: For the 6mi run, PAX took Stinson to Holly Springs Road and then onto Jones Park, through Veterans, and then out to the neighborhood that is on the EC route for Paradise City. YHC instructed PAX that when they entered the neighborhood, we’d take a sharp right along the power lines and then circle around to the side street-Arctic Ridge Way they use as part of the Half Marathon route, and proceed back put to the greenway onto Veterans and Jones. When we made it out of Veterans and onto Jones, PAX took the new side path up to Rhamkhatte. When we conquered Rhamkhatte, we then proceeded down Bass Lake and a right onto Stinson before meeting back up at the parking lot.  Pikachu and Quiver joined us for the first 1.5 miles and then headed back to get about 25 minutes of Yoga. Strong runs by all PAX with frequent circle backs to pick up the 6. As we arrived onto Stinson, YHC mentioned to Coal Ash if he remembered the time before Deadbolt had a boat and ran regularly on Sundays, but specifically the time he pulled both of us up Bass Lake at AGS and then decided to incite a jail break up Stinson to the lot.

He says, “yeah- I remember that,” just as he eyes UTI, Slide Rule, and Double D about 100 yards ahead. He then says, “You think we can catch them?” To which I knew I had a little left in the tank, but probably not enough to go full blast. After about 70 yards, YHC died off but kept an 8:45 pace up the hill, but saw Coal Ash get after it and before I knew it, he was running along side of those gazelles. He caught em, and upon later Strava review had me PR’ing that segment. Always get a great push from Coal Ash, especially up the hills. Coal Ash then circled back one final time to pick up Master Shake.

Now knowing what I know from last week, Master Shake found another gear I hadn’t seen before. Almost as if someone clicked another speed on his blender setting for the last 1/2-1/4 mi. Today, YHC knew enough that he wanted to see someone else chase him down at the end, so I stopped my morning run at the lot. After exchanging a few fist bumps with Oboe, UTI and Pikachu, I see Slide Rule, Coal Ash and Master Shake jockeying in for the last strides of their run, with Master Shake having a Glengarry Glen Ross moment…This dude is closing and getting stronger week in and week out.
Mary: May have taken our great group birthday pic with DoubleD. Didn’t catch her name so not sure.
Announcements: CSAUP-Frosty Dec 7th
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting miles this morning with the time change.
Prayer: Prayers for M’s who are expecting, those PAX with new infants. Continued health to those PAX training for races. Prayers for Slide Rule and his upcoming exam on Wednesday. Another year older and another year younger\stronger, special prayers for a great year ahead for DoubleD. Happy Birthday! #respect.

2nd F at Dunkin. Good mumblechatter. Slide Rule enjoyed a fritter. Thanks for the coffee, UTI!

Mumble Mumble Mumble

I arrived and Pickachu and Skidmark where finishing up EC.  Instead of staying Skidmark need to go home and hit the john.  Understandable.  He did make it to 2nd F.  This morning the workout was a bit less intense.  Working more on developing muscle.   Therefore there was a lot of mumble chatter.   Like a lot.  I stalled sweet.  There was no Salty Dawg today.

EC: Skidmark, Pikachu
FNGs: Nope
Warm Up:

Quick lap around the lot then it was time for teaching

5 Series with three different versions

Halo Series

  • Halo Alt
  • Halo Alt Reverse Lunge
  • Halo Alt Reverse Lunge with rotation

Figure 8 — Working on keeping the back upright. The shoulders back with a proud chest

  • High Figure 8 with Squat
  • Figure 8 to Hold
  • Figure 8 to Hold Reverse Lunge

Bridge Press

  • Bridge Press
  • Alternating Bridge Press also known and Boobity to the Boobity
  • Crush Alternating Bridge Pres

Swing

  • Swing Bell against Belly
  • Two Handed Swing
  • One Handed Swing

Push Press

  • Two Handed Press
  • Single Arm Press
  • Single Arm Press Reverse Lunge

The Workout:

Tabata workout with 20 seconds one 10 seconds off for 8 rounds. 30 seconds off between series. You picked the version of each exercise. We did 8 rounds of the same exercise before moving to then next.

Mary:

E2K
Toe Taps
Homer to Marge
Toe Taps
E2K

Announcements:

Frosty December 7th
Christmas Party somewhere over the rainbow December 14th

T-Claps (Recognition):

Pikachu for completing the Fritter. The leader board has been updated

Prayer:

Fritter Favorites

I got asked to Q Thunder.  I was excited for it is a zero run workout and I didn’t have Kettlebells.   It allowed us to do some rock work and create some new exercises.  I asked some of the Fritter boys what are their favorite Chest, Back and Leg exercises.  This set the agenda, but I did modify them.  I cannot say how much having accountability in F3 makes F3 easier and enjoyable.  About a year ago part of my shield lock formed without me knowing what a shield lock was.   A couple of us gravitated to each other looking for hard workouts and pushing each other and holding each other accountable.  Just like this Q things are easier when you have a group of guys to depend on.

FNGs:  None
Warm Up:

Jog to the rock pile and circled up
Good Mornings
Fazio Arm Circles
Hillbillies
Imperial Walkers

Grab two small rocks you can hold in each hand.  Partner up and head to the Amphitheater.

The Workout:

3 Rounds of the Emeril Flow:
10 Fruity Peebles (This is  new exercise.  Emeril said T Merkins.  This is a modification of T Merkins with the rocks.  Staring with the rocks next to you hands in a plank position go down for the push up.  Do a hand release and grab the rocks.  Extend your arms out to the side.  Bring them back in and extend them  forward, in front of your head.  Bring the rocks back to their starting place.  Finish the pushup.  That my friends is a Fruity Peebles   — New Exercise

10 Goblet Squat Press (Emeril said Jump Squats, but with my achilles I’m not doing them)
10 E2K each side

3 Rounds of the Dumbo Flow:
10 Broke Back Derkins
10 Cliffhangers (Go to the edge of the Amphitheater  have your upper body hang over the edge. Do a big boy sit up)  — New Exercise

3 Rounds of Pablo Flow:
10 Bulgarian Split Squats Each Leg
7 Mickey Mouse Push ups
15 LBC

3 Rounds Dawgpound Flow:
5 Each Leg Front to Back Lunge Holding the rocks
20 Alternating Chest Press in Bridge Pose
Batwing with Ralphies
Fazio Arm Circles Forward/Backward
Seal Claps
Overhead Claps
Ralphies

Mary:

Staying at the amphitheater:

2 Rounds of
Homer to Marge  (Dumbo Favorite)
Midget Cookie Pouches
Toe Taps

Jog to the rock pile

Circle up for some light stretching

Announcements:

The Frosty is a coming!!!   Mark your calendars December 7th

T-Claps (Recognition):

Prayer:

All pax health
All unspoken prayers