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!