“He clearly does not know where Piper Glen is!”

“He clearly does not know where Piper Glen is!”

22 pax set out this morning to venture through streets we have not yet traversed at FT (at least not over the last year or so).  I advertised in a pre-tweet yesterday that it would be all Piper Glen.  False advertising is everywhere people,…don’t be so naive!   It took us a while to get to PG, but once we did it was worthwhile (I hope……I think…..feel free to sound off).  This is the route we took:

The Thang:

After a quick disclaimer and a foreshadowing that we would do a few merkins for those enrolled in the 10K challenge, we did a warm-up run to Davies Park.  Once there:

• 20 SSH
• 20 MCs

Then, partner up and cross 51 into the Windswept development.  Nora’s Path has two cul-de-sacs at either end of the street.  Partner #1 runs to one cul-de-sac while Partner #2 runs to the other.  Each does 10 merkins OYO in the cul-de-sac then comes back to do 10 hand slap merkins with partner.  Repeato via flapjack direction.

Head out of Windswept toward Calvary Church.  Stop twice to gather the pax and to conduct some working recovery via LBC’s at Rea Rd and 51 and low-slow-squats at Elm Rd and 51.  Turn left on Elm and into Ballantrae Village development (the first true sign of Piper Glen).

At Nuthatch Rd, another cul-de-sac, but with a nice peak and valley  feature, we did 10 jumping lunges twice at the “summit” and two other times at either end of the street/valley (total of 40).

Head out of Ballantrae Village to the entrance of 4 Mile Creek Greenway at Bevington and Rea Rds.  Merkin receovery while we wait on the pax.

Head across Rea to “Piper Glen Proper” to Enclave Circle.  Partners run in opposite directions and when they meet at halfway mark and finish, they trade off planking derkins (10 counts).

Head back out to Bevington and hang a left.  Mosey to the intersection of Coburn and Bevington.  Catch Me If You Can down Coburn with 10 merkins for the prey.  Once at Brownes Pond, indian run back to SCMS.  

That’s a wrap! Final tallies:

• 60-90 merkins (depending upon how often you got “caught”)
• 6.2 miles (I have heard anywhere from 6.1-6.5)
• 6 minutes OT

Moleskin:

So, let’s address the two elephants in the room!  1) Yes, I know we didn’t exactly hang in the truest boundaries of Piper Glen all morning….we experienced the dangerous, edgey atmosphere of both Windsept and Ballantrae.  I am glad a few of you packed mace!  It took a long time to make the 6.2 mile rounder, but I was itching to use that Nuthatch hill. 2) We finished 6 minutes overtime.  I know this not from just my watch, but via the comments “You suck, dude!”, “You’re lost!” and “Ever look at a map?”.  All valid comments and questions, frankly.  I promise when I clocked this originally it was 5.8 miles, but maybe it’s time to take my Tahoe in to check the tripometer.

Y’all crushed it this morning and it was a real pleasure!  We had a few moments waiting on the six, but honestly the pax stayed together really well overall given the mileage.  I did ask Mr. Brady at one point, “Did I bite off too much here?” while we were coming down Elm Lane.  Mr. Brady gave me his best smooth voice and responded with “Well, that depends on the rest of the ride home”.  Thanks for being cool to me Mr. Brady, but I think I goofed a little.  Please forgive boys!

Haze and Turkey Leg, thanks for letting me lead!

Mr. Brady, thanks for the great take-out prayer!

Announcements:

• Remember to bring food donations for the Calvary food pantry this week and next.  They are in need!!  Collections will be at several A51 sites and each site has a designated food to bring (check backblasts and ask your site Qs).
• There is a trail Half Marathon on 6/19 at The Whitewater Center.
• F3 Dads starts this Saturday.  9:00 at Colonel Beatty Park in Weddington.
• Registration for F3 Dads Camp in August is open.

Hopper