After consuming a few too many pre and post-Derby adult beverages the night before, which parlayed into a few more during a pivotal Bruin win, YHC woke up a little groggy this morning. A quick check on instant messenger showed a text from Deadbolt, who HC’d the day before. A little rain continued outside as I grabbed my gear. Would we be running, would we be making the most of the shelters at Womble? Picked up Deadbolt and exchanged some good mumblechatter as we clown car’d to Womble. “What are you thinking, DB?  You think the rain will let up long enough to run?” and also “Who do you think will show?” The rain is always an interesting element that can have impact on AO attendance. It takes a very strong commitment to pull one’s self from the fartsack on a Sunday, especially if its raining.  Pulled up to Womble and would have thought the Town of Holly Springs was hosting an early morning soccer tourney with cars lined across the lot. The rain caused a “mogwai” effect this morning, with 9 PAX looking to raise their standard. Lots of gazelles and AGS virgins this morning- Pikachu, Skidmark, Maybelline, ShamWow, Aquaman, Dahmer. Oh yeah, and a Slide Rule, who was looking to raise his standard and join us in the drizzle. Arrived 2 minutes before start and the rain had let up. Planted the flag, exchanged some pleasantries, and then went to work for the following warm-up.

Warm Up: YHC took off and led the 8 PAX to the first picnic shelter for a round of 5 Burpees OYO. Continued the mosey to the Crazy Ivan Lot, squat hold for the six. Once all PAX were accounted for, YHC lead the group with 5 more Burpees in cadence. Continued to the other side of the lot with a series of Carioca L\R-R\L & Butt Kickers. Squat hold for the six, and performed 5 more Burpees in cadence. Light mosey back to the originating lot, with alternating lunge walks. At the last corner around the soccer fields, performed 5 more Burpees, leaving one remaining Burpee. PAX mosey’d back to the originating lot. Performed the last Burpee in cadence. 9 PAX x 21 Burpees= 189 Total (in honor of Riley Howell).

The Workout: The second week in a row putting the Lake out of play. Had to opt for a ‘dry’er’ route. Decided on the opposite route of what was run last week, which led us down Stinson. PAX would then proceed left on Bass Lake Road, with a quick up and back through Rhamkatte, with a left on Holly Springs Road onto a Right on Linksland, Right on Salem Ridge, Right up Bass Lake Road, and then left back onto Stinson to the soccer fields. Before the run, YHC had reiterrated the message from last week about raising the standard. Lots of speed out there this morning, so advised PAX that if they felt up to it, to push a little with the accountability partners we had running this morning. With that, PAX took off from Womble and headed down and up Stinson. Great mumblechatter through out, even with the hills that were served up throughout the route. The Sky Q held the rain off long enough to allow PAX to get their miles before he ordered the rain back on, while YHC (the six) finished along the soccer field fence

Mary: Stretches OYO in the shelter, with great exchanges centered on a lonely ‘participation’ trophy that was left behind from yesterday’s games. We wanted to give it to Bullseye, but had heard he was not able to claim independence from the fartsack this morning. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Announcements: Memorial Day Murph in the works..more to come.

T-Claps (Recognition): Dahmer, Aquaman, and Slide Rule making their AGS debut with solid runs. Alot of Iron Sharpens Iron going around at AGS this morning with Pikachu pushing Slide Rule to a 10K PR. Maybelline pulling ShamWow up Bass Lake on his way to a Bass Lake Rd PR. SkidMark, well….being SkidMark in picking up the six along the route and positive encouragement on the hills. Deadbolt for holding me accountable and getting me out of the house this morning and on time.

Prayer: Continued prayers for Shredder, CrabLegs, and marriages. Aquaman took us out.