Monthly Archive October 2018

Ignition sharted with Recalc and ended without him

Now usually I don’t do this but uh, Go head on and break ‘em off wit a little preview of the remix we got 15 for ignition…

So Recalc give me a toot…toot…and now we got a little more than a fart in the shorts and time to break off and join Flash where the stench will fit in with Doughboys Gloves….And it’s the remix to ignition and we now got 14 pax left…

Warmup:

  • 2nd F pace jog from start to High School Parking and circle up
  • SSH
  • Imperial Walkers
  • Mt Climbers
  • Calf Stretch

Thang:

Four Corners – Run to 1st corner and do 10 x exercise and return to start and do 10x exercise.  Run around to 2nd corner do 20x exercise and return to start and do 10x exercise.  Run around to 3rd corner and do 30x exercise and return to start for 10x exercise.  Run to 4th corner and 40x exercise and return to start and do 10x exercise.    Each round is approx. 1 mile.

Round 1: Merkins (corners) / Squats (start)

Round 2: Speed Skaters (corners) / Merkins (start)

Form 2 lines for Burpee Indian Run from parking lot to front of middle school.  Last guy in line drops and does 1 burpee and runs to front.  Once passes last guy he drops and does 1 burpee.  Half way through increase from 1x burpee to 2x burpees.

Front of middle school do a lap around parking island and once complete begin individual count of burpees until 6 is in.  Once 6 is in partner up and now complete a catch me if you can lap.  P1 head start is determined by subtracting difference in burpee count of 2 partners.  Q decided to bail on additional rounds due to pax inability to complete simple subtraction without taking off shoes and socks.

Finish with partner work of 200 squats/100 step ups/50 derkins combined while completing laps around the island.

As time winds down circle back for 6 and head to start.

Survey shows we reached right around 5 miles today – Good work men!

Moleskin:

  • Ignition really seems to be taking off as 15 arrived early and were ready to get in the designated 4+ miles today
  • Gerber jumping right back in and pushing the pace and catching the lead pax
  • Only time Bottlecap can be referred to as the Hare as he continues to push the pace and pull others to front with him
  • Briarcrest contingent of runners growing and making presence known at Ignition
  • Dancing Bear/Banjo/Deadwood saw making push towards front – must be getting ready for something on Nov 10th
  • Rubbermaid fogometer showed we completed the designated distance so appreciate the assistance as YHC’s watch battery died ½ way through workout. (Nothing worse than not getting credit for mileage)
  • Recalc had a “shart” workout at ignition, but was able to finish at Flash so kudos

My mama says that stupid is as stupid does at Flash – #Respect to Tom Hanks and a Silver Alert

10 men enjoyed a full homage to perhaps Tom Hanks’ best work, Forrest Gump. The 11th wandered in the middle of the “Something Bit Me” scene. Here goes:

Warm-up:

Short mosey to front of school. Disclaimer given

20 SSH

Jimmy Dugans Middle/Right/Left

10 Merkins

The Thang:

Scene 1: Magic Shoes- Moneyball says they’ll take me anywhere

In lieu of my lengthy absence, I needed to test out the ol’ calf. Pax had the privilege of joining me. Light Mosey up to entrance of Middle School and Back to Light posts along front drive (approximately .6 of a mile). At this point some of the Clydesdales began to balk at “all the running” and “thought the running group already left”. I paid it no mind as Zinfandel and Dough Boy were flanking me left and right. Dough Boy said, “If I’m up here, it ain’t too fast.” On we went to complete the scene.

Scene 2: Something Bit Me- Forrest Gump takes a bullet in the butt cheek

At each light pole do 10 Speed Skaters. Be sure to touch the ground so you get that real burning feeling like Forrest had when he took the bullet. Do these all the way to last pole just past Moneyball Hill (I like the name, don’t like the hill). It was at Pole 10 we picked up a pax. My Life Alert pager buzzed letting me know we had a Silver Alert. No sooner had it buzzed did Recalculating show up. Turns out the urge to talk to a man about a horse at Transporter’s office came up during Ignition’s opening mosey. Upon conclusion of said negotiations, he decided to join the Flash mob instead. From what I gather in what Foundation put them through, you made a wise choice.

Scene 3: Forrest and Bubba taking fire in the jungle – Deconstructed Burpees in the alcove

All together – 10 Squats, 10 In/Outs, 10 Merkins, 10 In/Outs, 10 Squats – do this progression until complete. Modified to only even numbers because I was gassed conversations were being affected.

10/8/6/4/2 Mosey to parking lot lines

Scene 4: The Jenny’s – Jenny’s life always seemed like 1 step forward and 2 steps back

Start at 2nd to last parking line. Shuffle up 1 line and back 2. Be sure to touch the lines. Turn and face the other way after each touch and go . Up 1 Back 2. I thought it pretty simple, but perhaps not.

Scene 5: “But you ain’t got no legs Lt. Dan…” – Lt. Dan Taylor Time

Think of it as a more sadistic Jack Webb. 1 Squat and 4 Walking Lunges. We made it to 7 before I audibled we ran out of real estate.

Scene 6: Waiting at the Bus Stop – People’s Chair with Jabs and Overhead Presses

Simple as it sounds, chair it up. First 30 seconds jabs, second 30 seconds air presses. 1 minute total sit. Funny thing was, an actual bus driver walked past us while we were doing it. I thought it was funny, anyway.

Scene 7: I Started Running (Admittedly this scene title is a stretch)

Starting at Transporter’s Office, alternate at each light pole, 10 Squats and 10 Merkins back to lot

Scene 8: Ping Pong (Q-Fail) – Squat-O-Rama

Tried to initiate what was in my mind to look like a ping pong match of dueling squats. It turned out to be a disaster. Pax opposite one another. Didn’t work. Worth a try. Audibled to 1 minute of continuous squats as Ignition boys pulled into the garage.

 

FlashSkin:

Great effort by the Flash Mob this morning. Minimal (but expected) complaining during some of it. Fuse Box beat me during Scene 2 and Zinfandel beat me during Scene 7. The Clydesdales’ weight loss efforts are having significant positive effects on pace and push. Keep up the great work, men.

Personally, it was great getting back out there with you guys. F3 is good for the soul…at least it is for mine. I hated not being in the mix (as evidenced by my blatant #NoPostNoPost GroupMe violations late last week). Keep showing up. Win that war between the ears today and every day. If you can force yourself to get up to work out at 5:30 in the morning, you can force yourself to accomplish just about anything!

That there is an RV.

The pax mustered at RockZero among the scores of other folks showing up for a conference of some sort at Calvary.  No SF, but then again, there’s so few of those including the AO at which YHC is one of the site Q’s….#noexcuses

Anyway, the pax launched for another Saturday morning assault on this fantastic AO after a feeble disclaimer from YHC.

Ye Olde Moleskine & Thang

An eclectic combination of pax this morning to be sure…which made it fun..and interesting.

First random thing of the morning was seeing two, late-model RV’s parked in the voluminous parking lot — odd & a bit creepy.

So we circled up for COT near the tenements on wheels…should have used whisper cadence so not to wake the denizens.  Again – creepy.

H-R merkin x 15 IC

MC x 15 IC

Slow squat x 15 IC

Flutter x 25 IC

Jog over to the rocks near the ballfield.  Partner up & grab a rock for the the following:

P1 runs 70’ish yards down and back while P2 does overhead press.  Flapjack.

Squats and thrusters as well.

At some point, the overly-rucked Hoover disappeared into the church to take care of some paperwork.  Not sure when he re-joined us, frankly….might have been at coffeteria.

Plankorama.

Mosey to the picnic tables near the pavilion.

20 double-squat step ups. 20 derkins

20 little baby Haze’s L & R, 20 derkins

Jog over to the other rock quarry near the circle drive and 51.

Everyone grab a rock.

Split into 2 groups.  group 1 runs down around median at 51 while 2nd group does Louganis with rock.  Flapjack.

Other exercises: American Hammer, Squats, Thrusters, Rockies

Mosey over to the gym building for 3 sets of Walthar N’Djaiye’s x 15 IC; People’s Chair with 25 overhead press, aka air press according to Gummy; also did some other People’s chair variations.

Run around the church and down to the bottom of North Face.  There was much mumble chatter about this, particularly from Nemo as we headed down there.  When YHC called 10 H-R burpees, there was much gnashing of teeth.  We then ran up NF with Strange Brew channeling his inner Braveheart and leading the charge.

We then found a lot that had less traffic barreling in for 6 MoM.

Rosalita, Cumberland County Viaduct, Boone Crunches, and something else x 13 IC

Jog back to launch lot.

13 burpees OYO.

Done

COT w/Strange Brew taking us out.

Announcement: Area 51 Christmas Party on Dec. 1st with Uncle Rico catering.

Some other random observations from the morning:

  • Flipper wants to “Make Backblasts Great Again”…not sure I started that initiative with this
  • Hoover pre-rucked, had lots of food with him at coffeteria as well as a 40 oz. Old English 800
  • Fletch sort of resembles Conor MacGregor with his beard, minus the neck tattoos
  • Can we agree Big League Chew (R) is one of the top 5 nicknames in all of F3?  The nickname coupled with his deep voice and accent are just unparalleled.
  • Floor Slapper made it to the workout prior to launch #miracle
  • Boerewors exclaimed to SafeLite – “surprised to see you here!”  To which SafeLite responded: “me too!”  Kotters to SafeLite
  • T-claps to Nemo for posting after a soccer match last night and he had one today at 1PM as well
  • Due to his thick accent, I couldn’t determine Viking’s age, but suffice it to say he’s a Respect and then some…also he’s Boerewors’ father.  3 generations represented as Jimmy Dean, Boerewors’ 2.0, posted for his 3rd time

That’s all.  Sound off with any other flavorful additions.

Always a pleasure to Q.  Appreciate Flipper giving me the privilege.  I need this thing called F3.  Grateful for all you knuckleheads.

 

COPYCAT

This BB is for any newer F3 PAX looking at doing your VQ.  I have been doing F3 now for almost 4 years, conservatively speaking I have q’d over 50 some times.  That said I want to make two points.  1.  I still get nervous before every Q as I always want to ensure everyone gets a good work out  2. I am still not ashamed to steal someone else’s weinke,  sometimes verbatim.  I’ll come back to this later.

WU- Mosey across the str…..  Oh wait first lets dodge the speeding bullet that almost took 4 pax out like a bowling ball on a 4 pin split.   Oh,  its Escobar,  a complimentary circle back to pick up the man that threatened to kill us… I digress,  mosey across the street.  Easy warm up,  5 Squats at each island and 5 merkins on the way back. Mosey up the parking lot a ways circle up for the disclaimer.  (Should have asked Escobar do it…Work out at your own risk:)).  20 SSH, 10 Carolina DD,  10 Merkins, 10 Carolina DD. Mosey

The Thang: Almost Carbon COPY of Alf’s work out on Monday.  3 Directions,  worm burners, smash balls and KB’s.  Broke up in to 3 and 2. Do each of the 3 legs.  Set of 5,10,15,20,25.  Adding 30 burpees between sets for team of 3 and 20 for team of 2.   Once done the team of 4  (oh wait, where did Bucky go) circled the lot with a plate,  3 burpees at each transition.  mosey back some American hammers to finish the morning.

Moleskin:  Bottom line,  don’t be afraid to take and existing work out and run it again,  even if it is only a couple days old.  Often times newer pax try and be too creative and make the work out too complex.  Causing more confusion and more anxiety then necessary. If I was to challenge any newer pax it would be to practice your cadence exercises on your own before you are in the center of a circle with 15 guys around you and utilize exercises everyone knows already.  As you progress in your Q’s you can add more complexity and improvise but until you really become proficient at leading a pax, stick to the basics. Last,  leverage the pax that have more experience than you and don’t be afraid to lead from behind.  Caveat, if you lead from behind give clear instructions to whoever is done first to lead something while the pax catches up.  With that,,, Thanks Alf for letting me steal your Q,  Thanks Bucky for the coffee.

 

Ohh and commentary.  Doc as usual, busts my chops for not having the gear out prior to the work out, yet he couldn’t comprehendo the 3 leg work out with Burpees, Bucky had to explain?  One niner pushed through the sets like a champ.  Bucky rebutted my form policing and Escobar… Well, he tried to kill us.

Great seeing you all this morning for the rest of you Michelangelo followers you should have been there this morning!!!

 

Post Hurricane Beatdown

The crisp fall air finally arrived and the hot air  from Glass Joe was punishing poor Double E for an early run… thanks for taking one for the team E2!! This was the start of a perfect morning according to Hoffa!!

Off we go for a Hair Band mile into COP

COP: how else do we start a Bernanke Q… 20 Hillbilly’s/12 Peter Parker’s/13Parker Peters/enough slow windmills to annoy Shep/17 SSH’s

The Thang:

Stage 1

15 – Reverse supine pullups

15 – Lawnmower’s each arm

15 – curls

15 – Upright rows

Run a HB mile then repeat x3

Stage 2

15 – dips

15 – diamond Merkins

30 – flutter press

15 – skull crushers

Run up the hill, tag the stop sign then return and repeato x3

Stage 3

15 – step ups each leg or 30 times off the ground (whatever math works for you)

15 – Squat/curl/press

30 – calf raises

15 – good mornings

run a half of a Hair Band mile and repeato x2

Whats that noise and why is Hoffa cursing again? Oh, Glass Joe and Double E decided to join us after “running” in the dark behind the schoolhouse?

Mary: 25 Dolly’s/a bunch of back scratchers/uphill and downhill Freddy Mercury’s followed by a Superman/Banana with a contest to see who could give us a better countdown – Tar Heels (Kilt) or Wolfpackers (GJ and Double E)… naturally the Tar Heel won!!

Mokeskin:

An honor to lead a great group of dudes… Woody, Shepherd and Hoffa continue to show how Respects can still kick butt!!

Kotters to the Kilt and glad he didn’t pass out or merlot on anyone’s shoes.

Appreciated GJ and EE for gracing with there beings during Mary.

Crypto, thanks for taking us out.

2nd F at McD’s was great with EE, B, Shepherd and Kilt.

playlist: Scorpions, Molly Hatchet, AC/DC, Van Halen

Thanks for letting me lead gents. Until we meet again… Bernanke Out!!

Fall has arrived at Ascent

Has the hot weather from summer finally disappeared? Arrived at the AO 6:50 at a cool 55 degrees and Snoopy was already there, that’s some kind of dedication! Or maybe he’s an insomniac? Stretched while waiting for the other PAX to pull themselves out of their fartsacks but it must have been to cold for them? Or maybe their power is still off from Hurricane Michael and they can’t get their alarm clocks working? As all dedicated Qs do started on time with the disclaimer and dived into the warm ups.

10 each SSH, IW, Hill Billies, Mt Climbers, Peter Parker, Parker Peters them moseyed from parking lot to track and proceeded with Bear Crawl, Crab Walk, Backward Lunge then Forward Lunge.

Onto the thang: proceeded from track to nearby benches for 10 each of stepup/squats, dips, derkins and incline merkins. Run to back playground for 5 slow 5 count pull ups. From there to benches right of the school for more bench work. Ran to Old Providence Neighborhood stopping at each light pole starting with 10 merkins down by 2 at each pole. Hill work 10 burpees bottom of hill decrease by 2 each lap and 2 LBCs top of hill increasing by 2. Out of neighborhood stopping at each pole 10>2 squats. Bench work right of school run to do more bench work left of school. Find a nice clean curb for calf raises 10 each in, straight, out then 10 Mike Tysons repeat calf raises to MT. A little Mary with Oblique Crunches, Dollies, Rosalitas and Flutters. Phone showed we went about 2.5 miles.

Weather was perfect for an intense beat down, so all of you that thought it was to cold you were wrong. Anybody who couldn’t get your alarm clock working because the power was out, buy a clock that uses batteries.

Great 2nd F with you Snoopy while doing the 1st F.

 

 

SFN Komen Race For The Cure 2018 Recap

RACE RECAP:

To get a sense of how the race went, first you should find a quiet spot and watch the Event Video.

Says it all, right?  You would think so, but our Track Commanders have provided their individual recaps below and you really need to read them all to get the full experience ‘from the ground’.  Stick around to the very end, where we inserted a PARTING SHOT from our own Wexler.  Not gonna spoil it for you.

Just read it

Trust us.

 

Dawn Rippy-Brunton (SILVER) –

Dawn was diagnosed in July then major surgery in August then chemo and radiation since.  She rallied from not being sure she would be able to ride days before due to side effects to being there and enjoying her experience!

I think Dawn summed up her day in her comment in the video: 

“Cancer may be bigger than me,
But my God is bigger than cancer.” 

What I also remember about the day was when Dawn was talking about her dream of retiring in Hawaii and opening a restaurant.  Big Hopes & Big Dreams, for someone who was modest about her fight. Just her being there yesterday was a big challenge which was not going to stop her from showing her thanks to Molly for the kindness she had for Dawn.  It was a great moment to see her on stage with Molly telling her story at the end!

Honored to serve,

Carrier and Orlando

 

Catherine Gomes (RED) –

I spoke with Catherine over the phone the day before the race and from that conversation I knew it would be a special day for her. Her doctors finally removed all the cancer recently, but she still has to continue with the chemotherapy. Due to all the treatments, she hadn’t been out the house in a year.  

I picked her up from her car in the chariot before the race and from that moment she was ready to GO. During the run she gave us so much strength to push on saying, ”Don’t worry about me, I’m not fragile. Let’s GO!” All that joy and strength from her, I have no words for it.

Shake N Bake

 

Lynn Marie Longo (BLACK) –

Lynn Marie Longo is battling Stage 4 breast cancer.  She is an amazing woman who has been through a lot these past couple of years along with her husband, Dean.  Through all of the ups and downs, she has steadfastly held onto her faith in Jesus Christ.  It’s awesome to see how God uses Lynn Marie and Dean to help others grow in their faith.   

Bottlecap

 

Cindy Adkins (ORANGE) –

Cindy Adkins is an amazingly strong woman. She battled cancer 14 years ago, but it has now returned, and she is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Cindy is not deterred though, and is facing this new challenge with a determination and spirit that greatly inspired McBeast and myself. She had a large contingent of family and friends there for support, and we felt the love these folks had for Cindy, and she for them.

Cindy and her friends are runners, and we all shared many racing stories as we made our way along the jam-packed route. Before we knew it, we had completed the 5K loop and had arrived at the finish line. The most memorable moment of the morning came then when Cindy got out of the chair and walked hand-in-hand with her friends across the finish line to the loud cheers of the crowd. The phrase “Who Pushes Who” printed on our pink SpeedForNeed T-shirts could not be more appropriate. McBeast and I will forever remember the small part we played in enabling Cindy to participate in this marvelous event.

SS Minnow

 

Jacqueline Leaf (YELLOW) –

YHC had Team Jackie in “The Smoker” YELLOW chair.  Supported by her daughter, brother and sister, this was Jackie’s 1st 5K she has ever been able to participate in.  Eight months cancer free, the spirit of Jackie was contagious as she encouraged her family and me to keep moving forward.

Gypsy

 

Diane Scharin (GREEN) –

Doc McStuffins & I were honored to assist Diane Scharin in this year’s Race for the Cure.  Diane was recently diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing treatment.  Joining her this morning were her daughter and her daughter’s friend.  They provided a lot of encouragement to her before we got started and during the event.  They joked several times with Doc & I that we should take off & go as fast as we can.  That she would be fine & absolutely love it.  With the crowds being heavy at the start this wasn’t possible, but later in the event we did pick up the pace a bit.  Diane was able to meet several other ladies over the course of the morning who shared their experiences and gave her a lot of encouragement.  One of the riders from last year emphatically told her “I rode in the chair last year and I’m walking the whole thing this year – you & me will walk it together next year!”  Incredibly inspirational. 

As we approached the finish line, Diane walked the last 50 yards or so with other track commanders & her daughter.  She had a big smile on her face as the crowds yelled their support.  After crossing the finish line, Diane participated in the Survivors Parade and watched the events conclude from the main stage.  Again, Doc & I were honored to be a part of the day and have the opportunity to meet Diane and help her enjoy the event. 

Ponytail

Diane was diagnosed on January 2015 with metastasis to her bones, her first symptom was pain to her back and went for an MRI and that’s how it was discovered. She has been on hormone therapy since her diagnosis, she also had radiation all over her spine, humerus, pelvis and femur. They also had to put rods in her spine and right humerus. Currently she is on her third line of treatment which she had been on for a little over year and so far is going well.
As for her family she has two grown children Gregg who is 32 he lives nearby and has three boys, Diane also has a daughter Emily, 28, who actually came to the race with her.  Her kids are her world and they have been her support through this whole thing, she said  “I don’t know what I would do without them”.
She has never done anything like SFN before and wouldn’t have gotten involved actually if it wasn’t for her friend Julie Stone who unfortunately passed away a few weeks before the race, she said she did it in her honor, as well as many others that she knows who are either dealing with it or have passed. She is very grateful for SFN  as she would not have been able to participate otherwise as walking distance is difficult for her.  She had an absolute blast and met a lot of great people.
And as for me goes, this race was very emotional, last year I pushed Julie Stone on the same green chariot I pushed Diane, and I was looking forward to push Julie again this year, unfortunately her cancer was very aggressive and she died a few weeks before the race, I got to see her a couple of days before she passed, got to meet her parents, sister and ex-husband. I have participated in many SFN events, but I have never realised the impact that we can make not only on the people we pushed but also their loved ones. I never met her parents before, but I felt they already knew me through Julie, they told me that she talked and talked about last year’s Susan G Komen and Speed for Need to everybody, and she would watch and show the race video to people all the time. As Julie, her family was also looking forward to this year’s race, sadly Julie was not with us any more, but her family made it as they were planning before she passed and it was great to see everyone at the race. I talked to her dad after the Susan G Komen, he told me that although is heart was full from all the love everyone showed for Julie, this was probably harder for him to go through than her funeral, but he assured me that they will be there again next year. My heart breaks for her parents, her sister, ex-husband and this precious boys that will grow up without their mother, Julie was a total stranger to me a little over a year ago, and although it was painful to see her in hospice, and see her family’s suffering, I can only hope I was a little bit of support to them in this difficult time.
Doc McStuffins

Beth Lawing (BLUE) –

Beth was recently diagnosed with breast cancer just before school started this year. In fact, Saturday marked the completion of her first week of radiation treatments, so she’s still in the early stages of her battle. Beth is strong and very optimistic. She could’ve most likely pushed me over the entire 5k at this point, but we convinced her to enjoy the ride and scenery.  The enthusiasm, positive energy, and support throughout the race was very uplifting and impressed all of us in Beth’s corner.  We made some friends along the way and shared our stories with them and they shared theirs with us. 

It was a blessing and honor to be part of something so meaningful to people who need it most. It was like a shot of adrenaline and you could see it in both Beth’s and her husband’s faces and demeanor as the miles added up.

Mr. Bojangles

 

Jenny Klamforth (PINK) –

Jenny Klamforth has Stage 4 Breast Cancer.  She was first diagnosed in 2014, fought like crazy, and was declared Cancer free by the end of 2017.  During an unrelated back surgery, they found the Cancer had returned with a vengeance spreading to her skull, spine, and breaking her pelvis bone leading them to put a metal rod in her femur to secure it. 

Jenny is the breadwinner of the family and has had to continue to work through all her treatment to support them.  While we were in the race, Jenny kept asking us to stop to wait for her friends and family.  Even with her difficulties, Jenny was always the mom being more worried about her family than herself.

Wexler

 

PARTING SHOT FROM WEXLER –

I just wanted to thank you all for letting me be a part of this.  Words can never truly justify what it meant to me or just how much I was affected by it.   When Exit 54 first approached me about the race in February and pushing my mom, she was battling her own Stage 4 Breast Cancer.  I showed her the video from last year and she was so excited and couldn’t wait to get in a Chariot.  She couldn’t believe she could have that opportunity after not being able to walk the previous seven months and was just so grateful.  She kept asking me to thank everyone involved and make sure they know what it means to her.

My mom had been diagnosed in 2014 with Appendicular, Colon, and a small dot of Stage 1 Breast Cancer.  She fought like hell and beat it and was declared Cancer free in Feb of 2017.  Her leg started hurting her in August of 2017 and an MRI showed her Cancer had returned to her bones as Stage 4 and broke her Femur Bone.  She had a metal rod inserted in her leg to stabilize it and started back up on Chemo.  Her new scans showed that her cancer spread to her skull and her spine.  The first chemo drug she was on didn’t touch the Cancer but made her very sick.  She was hospitalized in December 2017 with double pneumonia and blood clots.  She fought and beat that too.  

The new Chemo she was placed on was great and she started returning to her old self.  Her hair started growing back and she was infused with a new sense of hope.  In March of 2018, her leg pain became unbearable and a new scan showed the metal rod in her leg had broken.  My mom had additional surgery to replace that rod and she was put in a special Cancer rehab that she worked her butt off in.  After 3 weeks, she was very excited to get out and be back home.  Unfortunately, she had contracted a rare form of pneumonia in the rehab center.  We raced her to the hospital the night before Easter and within 36 hours she was gone.  As shocking as it was, I take great pride in the fact that Cancer wasn’t what ultimately beat her.

When I first met Jenny, she spread her arms out wide and said ‘I’m a hugger’ and wrapped me in a big hug.  My mom always met people by declaring she was a ‘hugger’ and hugged everyone she met including me every time she said hi or bye to me.  Jenny and my mom’s diagnosis and stories were almost identical.  This week Jenny’s son had to go to the school counselor because he was so upset Jenny would get hurt during the race.  Jenny just kept telling me how she knew she would be fine and that she was more worried about him.  I felt that was exactly how my mom would feel and probably feels about me right now.

Before the race, I had written my mom’s name in one of those pink squares that say ‘I am Celebrating Pat Glennon’ today.  I had it pinned on my back but I never really thought it would stay on for the race but I figured I could at least start with it.  It stayed on all day and right at the end of the race I heard a voice behind me say ‘Pat Glennon?  I know Pat Glennon, how do you?”  I told the woman I was her son and asked how she knew her.  Apparently she was my mom’s grief counselor after my dad passed and they had stayed in touch and became good friends.  She told me how much she loved my mom and how all my mom talked about were her kids, how proud she was of them, and how much she loved them.  She then went on to say ‘to be fair though, her favorite topic was her grandchildren and how much joy they brought to her life.’  

I was in a state of shock but the woman hugged me, gave me the biggest smile and continued on.  Jenny turned to me and said ‘you do know that that was your mom saying hi, letting you know she is with us today and that she is ok, right?’  I just smiled as I knew she was right and I wasn’t really able to say or do anything else in that moment.

After the race, I was frustrated that I had not asked the woman’s name or remembered it if she had told me.  I wanted to reach out to her and thank her and let her know how much it meant to me that we randomly ran into each other like that.  I just watched your video Tolkien and there, smiling in it and being interviewed, was the woman, Amy Thomas.  I pointed it out to my wife who said, Amy Thomas?  I actually have the phone number for a Grief Counselor named Amy Thomas.  Apparently our church had recommended Amy to my wife if I any of us ever wanted to speak to a grief counselor.  

My family calls ‘coincidences’ like that God Winks.  Just small (or in this case pretty big) things that let you know there is a higher power out there and those who have passed on are doing great and are still with us.  

My apologies for oversharing but I am still processing everything from yesterday as it was such a powerful and moving experience for me.  I will also be giving Amy a call tomorrow to thank her.  Thank you all for letting me be a part of it!  And per my Mom’s instructions back in Feb, thank you for letting her be a part of it as well!  It truly meant a lot to her!

See you in the Gloom,

Wexler

 

The Brave ain’t SWIFT!

Summary:

14 men made it to the lot at 0515 for the toughest workout of the week in SOB-land, The Brave. Mario and Doc McStruffins missed the launch and either went back to bed or to Centurion, and Rock Thrill and Turkey Leg smart/no-power sacked after inquiring the night before.  YHC actually led a workout without coupons, AMRAP, or a parking deck… imagine that! Well, it was mostly a run today… 6.1 miles +/- which YHC needed with NYC26.2 approaching in 24 days.  Good group today, and everyone had their game face on, and gave it their all from  the get-go. #Tclaps

Thang:

  • 0515 … No warmup… Let’s go racing boys!!!
  • Segment Hunt the new “The Brave Mile (uphill)” on Community House to the entrance of Morrison Family YMCA (.95mi)
    • Get & encourage the 6, circle up, ad do several variations of merkins
  • Head to the soccer fields for a handful of AYG sprints, 6″ LBCs, burpees, side shuffles, squats, backwards runs, CDD’s, and shenanigans
  • Segment Hunt the new “Make America Great Segments” (0.37mi)
    • Partner up… AYG sprint in diff directions on the track 400mm… x 4 rounds . Hand-release merkins or full situps in between laps.
  • Segment Hunt the new “Make Segments Great Again”(0.37mi)
    • Set of merkin variations
  • Segment Hunt the new “The Brave Mile (downhill) from Morrison Family YMCA back to Ballantyne Commons Parkway on Community House (1.00mi)”
  • 1min WW2 situps at launch, 1 sprint around the parking lot, and jog it out to see how many miles you can get. YHC with 6.1mi
  • Finito! Thanks Chunder for stepping up to take us out at COT. Way to go buddy.

Moleskine:

A lot of running today, and the required 4 miles was covered in the first 40 minutes. YHC was out of breath most of the morning, evidenced by dry-heaving three times on 4 segments, and didn’t get a chance to mumblechatter much.

  • Tuck got 8 miles with his 2 mile warmup… not too shabby considering he has 13.1 tomorrow.
  • Chunder is a rising star.  He challenged Purell on a tough segment on Tuesday at Fast Twitch, and despite not being used to running 6 miles… did it twice this week.
  • Keri was showing off in the mirror of Brazwells doing some handstand acrobat work pre-launch. Then he showed off his speed during parts of the workout.  Keep it up.
  • Fat Fire Hazard  is now cocky Fire Hazard as evidenced by his trash talking during field sprints… but like his typing, noone really understood what he was saying.
  • Purell won all the segments… period. Thin Mint wasn’t far behind, and it’s possible wasn’t even competing. Both threw down some sick mile times, especially on the downhill back to launch.
  • Wild Turkey claimed to be smoked on Slack… which reaffirms the strong effort that was seen out there on the course
  • Kirby has come a long way, and can now hang at The Brave as a regular is the rumor. Keep it up, and BELIEVE  you belong!
  • Now that Paper Jam is a runner, with a fancy GPS Watch, YHC expects him to take the speed governor off and start to put the pedal to the medal more regularly.

Love it or hate it, it was truly a pleasure to lead this morning. It’s been a while since YHC has been fit to Q, and the support and effort today was much appreciated, and YHC tried to reciprocate by my effort this morning. #WHOPUSHESWHO

Announcements:

  • Crane Relay… talk to Frasier ASAP if you (1) are interested in participating, but live under a rock and haven’s seen details about it (2) need to bow out of the relay.  They are in the final stages so speak up now!
  • Watch this… so proud of all teh guys who participated and helped these cancer survivors that YHC feels compelled to share, and hope you’ll be part of SFN soon. Just come to one race.

JRR Tolkien

Grab a lifting pumpkin

15 Men posted at Cerberus this morning.  An offer to Q was sent out last night.  No takers.  I reiterated the offer prior to launch.  Still no takers.  That just means you are stuck with me, so deal with it.

Thing.

Mosey to Whole Foods.  No camp gladiator.  Circle up for SSH.  Call was made to grab a lifting pumpkin from the huge pile in front of the store.  The youngest PAX, Job, reminded us this wasn’t a good idea.  Raising him right Astro!

Mosey around back for Low Slow Squats.  Bank around to the front for IW.

Head to the path and railing behind the bank.  14’s of Decline Merkins and Supine pull-ups.  With nearly 100 reps of each, form was failing quickly.  People’s Chair while everyone finished.

Mad dash to the parking deck and up the ramps.  Line up against the side wall.  Lunge Walk to railing, 10 old school sit ups, reverse lunch walk back to wall.  Repeat for 4 rounds.  Peoples Chair.

Mad dash to the 2nd round-about.  A little mary.  Find a crack (ahem “Expansion Joint”) around the circle and plank up.  10 merkins, plank walk right around circle to next crack, 9 merkins.  Plank walk left, 8 merkins.  Repeat to 1 merkin.

Mad dash to the Bankrupt Mattress Firm (RIP)  20 8-count body builders IC.

Mad dash to cars for 6 minutes of Mary – McGee happily jumped in to cover this.  He loves the official 6MOM at the finish.

Moleskine:

Finally the humid 70 degree mornings are gone.  It was great to have a solid group out this morning.  I can say this is my first post ever with two PAX having the same handle.  And both RESPECTS!  A strong effort was provided by everyone this morning has we covered most of the primary areas around Waverly.  One Star is going to need a bigger car if he keeps all this EH’ing up. Welcome Krusty who, like a good boxer, took a good beat down then looked at the PAX, smiled and said, “That’s all you got?”

Thanks to Astro for the take out.

-Alf

Announcements – Area 51 Christmas Party – December 1st – Seaboards in Matthews.

 

Centurion-Nest

An amazing day for work as the temps dipped and the grounds dried out.  15 were ready for the Friday beat-down.  As follows:

Mosey up to Panera shopping center

COP:

Imperial squat walker x 10 IC

Mountain Climbers x 15 IC

SSH x 10 IC

 

Partner circuit work:

P1 run the shopping center circuit while P2 performs called exercise (flap jack)

Aggregate to:

Round 1: 200 HR merkins

Round 2: 200 squats

Round 3: 250 Freddy mercury

 

Mosey over to planet fitness shopping center (where Haze and myself truly feel at home/accepted)

 

Partner derkins 20 each

 

Palatine hill

7s: jump squats at top and bottom

 

Mosey back to school

 

Partner up again:

P1 called exercise at benches by school entrance while P2 runs to parking deck staircase 1, up to top and back down (flapjack)

Derkins AYG

Dips AYG

Done

 

Moleskin:

Morning temps were pristine for sweating out the work week.  Happy I was in CLT to Q as my flight getting back from NY last night was iffy at best.  Good amount of chatter today, most of which was either Q hazing or just calling out one another on form.

Champagne got us started with a request for Q to increase the volume in COP.  I admit, a bit weak on the imperial squat walkers….hey i’m just trying to keep in rhythm.  Swiper was well pleased with the IWs…”you don’t call IW in metro”.  Well, this ain’t metro, south CLT loves the IW.  I agree though, IWs are weak, but the squat adds some redeeming quality.

Champagne kept it rolling during the partner work, wrongly accusing the Q of stealing from Bananas Q at Hawks Nest this week, and then brazenly calling out Bugeater on his freddy mercury count. Good stuff.  By the way, HR merkins are brutal.  We should make all merkin calls as HR.  You can’t cheat if you do them correctly.

Club 9Round was on point this morning.  Complete with a bouncer at the door.  The thumping music was a good distraction for the pax.  I’m not positive but I think Swiper went in for at least 1 drink; “1 chocolate martini please, extra sweet”.

Swiper commented on why he doesn’t eat at Jack n the box as we passed by, “because of the owner in the commercials wearing the big head”.  I thought everyone just didn’t eat there because the food is garbage.

Enjoyed seeing the old WWII hero/security guard again this morning.  As he watched us struggling up and down the deck stairs Runstopper vaguely overheard calls to “pick up the pace” and “you should have seen me in my day”.  Appreciate the encouragement.

 

Announcements: 1 chair left for the Charlotte Marathon/Speed for Need (5k portion); continue to keep Cooter in your prayers as he goes through radiation; pray for those affected by hurricane Michael