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Is That a Jockstrap On Your Head?

EC:  Vasoline

FNGs:  None

Warm Up:  Rolled into Panera Bread parking and saw Mookie in the Patriots mobile.  A quick hello and asked if he had the Q.  Nope, he was willing though.  Also commented, where is everyone?  Virtual half and full marathon running at Womble, ATT, and other places.  Today WAS race day – Wrightsville.  Ugh.  COVID-19.  A lot of PAX had trained hard and were determined to run today.  Great job PAX!  Those folks running shorter distances needed to stay hard and I volunteered to Q.  I had a shovel flag in my car and planted it while I saw Vaseline jog in from his his early run.  Alpine made it four and the clock struck 6:00 am.  PAX and YHC did a quick jog around the parking lot and circled up for Good am, Frankensteins, Imperial Walkers, Hillbillies and Open Gates (for the hips).

The Workout:  Learned Alpine and Vaseline were running the full U-turn.  They agreed to run together.  I was thinking of doubling down at GP and opted for a 5K.   Mookie joined me.  As we ventured down the hill as a four ship, I noticed something on Vaseline’s head.  I asked him if it was a jockstrap?  See picture.  I meant no harm.  It was a shirt sleeve cut off helping his headlight stay in place.  Genius idea – well done.  The mumble chatter led to the iconic movie, Weird Science.  Kelly LeBrock – good memories!  OK, lmk your thoughts after you google her.  Tempo was faster than normal.  Why were Mookie and I keeping up with these gazelles?  Then Mookie took off up the hill. I tried my best keeping up.  Once to the first traffic light, we slowed down.   I think I heard Alpine chuckle and he switched gears from 2nd to 3rd and took off with Vaseline close on his six.  It was about this time I had THAT feeling.  Yes Lipstick, I needed to adjust gross weight.  Mookie was having his own issues.  Something about a steak and cheese from last night not settling well.  Then the feeling went away.  Our pace continued faster than normal for me.  I felt good.  Mookie kept striding faster.  I kept up.  Mumble chatter was good.  At the half way point, Mookie called out a time that was 60 seconds faster than normal for me.  Ran some more on and off.  Then I had to take care of business.  I broke a rule and had not carried supplies with me during this run.  YHC had to improvise.   Made it back to the car for a quick change and thanked God for Clorox wipes.  Way too much info here.  On the way back, we ran into POTS.  He started at 6:30 am and said he was going to run a 5k.  Did some stretching and more mumble chatter.  Alpine and Vaseline finished up with a great time.  Mookie and Alpine went back and picked up POTS. Thank you men.

 

Mary:  Static Stretches.

Announcements:  See Slack/FB.  If using WebEx or similar conference call numbers POTS suggested dialing the local number rather than the 800 number.

T-Claps (Recognition):  Vaseline for EC and keeping bottled water on our shelves with his job.  Also all the PAX running their virtual marathons.  Great work!

Prayer:  First responders, military.  Our families.  Our leaders.  Everyone impacted by COVID-19.


2nd F at Panera – TO GO.

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.

Standard U-Turn with Minimal Kisses and Hugs

FNGs: Not Today
Warm Up: Various stretching called out by the Q and some wanna be Q’s, as YHC was stalling with the staggered departures 🙂
The Workout: Standard U-Turn
Mary: Stretching during announcements
Announcements: F3 Wilmington Race is a go. Check the webs and signup on google sheet.
T-Claps (Recognition): 28 men for still hitting the pavement hard with all that is going on.  It’s been a rough week for the world, a lot of disruption in our daily life and races cancelled. This is the time we need each other the most. The strong friendships are what will get us through this and make an impact on community where we can.
Prayer: All effected by Covid-19, Moby’s Father back in hospital, Aqua’s Father in-law, Katniss Co-worker/Long time friend passed, Crablegs.

 

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.

3 Ring Circus at U-Turn, but No Dumbo…

Q Tour rolled into U-Turn this morning. Nice brisk temps. Pre-Blast went out late last evening from YHC after assessing the multiple feeds on Slack to determine what many of the PAX were thinking heading into their Saturday runs. Saw many were looking to get in some early morning miles, some looking for 5 as usual and others feeling nostalgic, looking for the ‘old school’ U-Turn route. For YHC, the plan was to start em off with warm-up and close em down with COT, but lead a 3 mile route for those looking for shorter distance. The combination of age setting in, my stupidity on Monday ‘getting way after it’ at PC, as well as my unfortunate lack of common sense trying to make Emeril all salty during Indian runs has earned YHC a well-deserved hip issue. To that existent, YHC had to rely on the strength of the PAX to push each other during their 5 mile runs.

Lots of PAX rolling in from EC and also many rolling in for Main Event. Planted flag, exchanged pleasantries with several PAX. Around 5:58am, Pablo was seen coming in hot, but no co-pilot in the form of Dumbo to be found. After seeing some early morning feeds from Slack on my porcelain throne this morning, it appeared that a great evening was had by many PAX at the NC State game last night. Dumbo’s morning scratch, however, was about as disappointing as Danny Manning’s .411 winning percentage at Wake Forest to many PAX in attendance,  including DawgPound, Pablo, and Emeril.

6:00am hit and after confirming no FNG’s we were off with the following warm-up.

Warm Up: Light jog around the lot with alternating carioca R\L, L\R. Continued on the light jog and circled up for SSH X15, Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Good Morning X 10 IC. Squat hold while YHC explained the options.

The Workout: Old School U-Turn with Dauber and Doc, Newer School (current standard U-Turn) route with 10min\mi and higher starting first, and a 3 mile with YHC, heading in either the New School or Old School direction. After explaining the route options, YHC sent the 10min pace groups first, but then Slide Rule said he’d have to be back before 7am, so would head out with the 10min group and then at that point after witnessing his long strides, the gazelles got triggered and just headed out all at once. They all knew what to do so…run pick up the six, repeat for 5 miles.

Boy George, Vasoline, and YHC stayed back, did some additional exercises to continue limbering up and to burn some time at the beginning so our 3mi route would end around the same time as some of the 1st PAX starting to filter in from their run. We chose new school route and headed up about 1.5 mi and just circled back to the lot. 15 PAX at the start and about 21ish PAX on the return for COT, accounting for those that headed out for early EC. Definitely didn’t lose anyone, but gained a few along the way.

Mary: OYO
Announcements: Dad-2.0 Workout with Mr. Terrific at 9am Womble.
T-Claps (Recognition): Deadbolt shaving 20seconds this morning compared to last week’s U-Turn post. Kudos to DawgPound with a strong finish at the end in picking up the six onto a solid 5mi run pacing around 9:13. All those getting extra miles out there this morning and pushing each other

Prayer: Continued prayers for Forceps. YHC took us out.

Where My Dogs At? Good Guy Miles for 4 PAX at AGS..

No Q Tour travels this morning for YHC. It’s Sunday and as site Q of AGS, there was planning involved, but nothing that would require a walk through. Pre-Blast offered ‘Good Guy’ miles, nothing too crazy, no hill repeats, no Crossway, no slippery bridges…just straight flat road miles for all those in need of a shake out run from the day before, figuring there may be a need given the Strava feeds. A 3 mi EC was also planned for those in need of extra mileage. Certainly, YHC was in need of more miles this week having traveled on Monday and Tuesday, but who else would show?

Only received an Aquaman “SC” from the night before and a M4L- “Asking for a friend” rucking request, but you probably know how that ends.

Arrived to Womble around 5:20. Redenbacher was already there. Planted the flag, grabbed the light up vest and we were off. A nice even paced jaunt up Stinson to Rogers St. and then onto Main past Sir Walter (where M4L would have stopped for coffee if he showed for the ruck) and behind the parking deck where Ivan meets. Have big plans for that AO this coming Friday after taking a closer look at the surroundings this morning. Proceeded straight past Downtown Train and then a right on Earp, following all the way to a right on Bass Lake and then Stinson back to the flag. Arrived back to see 2 new cars parked in the lot.

Oboe had just pulled up and the owner of the other vehicle was stretching on the curb. At first YHC had thought it was Sprinkler. As I arrived closer, I didn’t recognize the face and did a double take. Could it be? “Hi, I’m Keith,” he said.  The past 3 weeks have yielded 2 new FNG’s at AGS. Shout out to Farva for headlocking “Keith” this morning to join this thing we call F3.

5:28 and still no sign of any other PAX. Where my dogs at?….YHC gets it. There were alot of miles yesterday and Sunday’s are typically a day of rest for many, but would like to see some more folks on Sunday over the next few weeks. Gave our FNG the disclaimer and warmed up with the following series of exercises

FNGs: Welcome Vasoline. YHC, Redenbacher, and Oboe had a tough time with the naming ceremony this morning. We really needed Dawgpound on this one. Vasoline works in the beverage\soft drink industry with Farva and tried to come up with obscure soda references to start. After a few minutes between teetering on Shasta and Fresca, and a beverage called Moxie that YHC came up with that neither Oboe or Redenbacher had heard of, we then started asking about sports teams and favorite bands. Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots came up and we settled on the STP classic- Vasoline.

Warm Up: Light jog around the lot. Frankensteins and lunge walks to the middle. Carioca L\R, R\L. Circled up for Imperial Walkers X10, Hillbillies X10, Morocan Night Clubs X10, GM’s X10, Fazio 10F\10B, Prison Squats X10, Squat Hold while YHC explained the route.

The Workout: From the tennis courts, PAX would proceed the long way around the baseball fields and up Grigsby to the neighborhood on the right of the Sugg Farm gate. Follow it down to the greenway and then a right to follow the newer greenway extension back to Grigsby. Followed Grigsby past Stinson and a left on Rogers St., past Main and behind to Earp (just like the EC route), but a right back on to Raleigh St. and then Stinson back to the flag. PAX got between 4-5mi with several pick ups of the six.

Mary: Stretches- Pigeons, Downward Dogs, Right over Left, Left over Right.  All while watching a tremendous sunrise.

Announcements: Forceps’ son’s memorial service is Saturday, Feb 29th at Hope Church from 12-2. Check Slack for updates.
T-Claps (Recognition): All PAX getting out this morning in the cold and putting the work in.

Prayer: Prayers for Forceps and his family. Wallaby and those battling substance issues. All military and first responders. YHC took us out.