Be Sure to Tip Your Tour Guide

Be Sure to Tip Your Tour Guide

YHC was working on his workout plan the night before Q’ing Bagpipe when Cooter gave me an idea.  On Slack the night before Cooter promised YHC would provide a tour of the Bagpipe AO.  While the Bagpipe site is quite expansive with several directions to go YHC decided to focus on an area with some of the “named” landmarks.  5:30 hit and 14 Pax had gathered ready to go.  A disclaimer was given and we were off.

The Thang:

Mosey to the parking lot of a nondescript office building across from the Bull Ring (1st named spot).  Fun fact, YHC used to work at said nondescript office building 10 years ago before beginning the uptown commute.  Here we warmed up with SSH x 15, IW x 15, Potato Pickers x 12, Peter Parkers x 10 and Parker Peters x 10.  Some Pax were struggling with balance on the Parker Peters so it was time to move on.

Moseyed over to the pond affectionately known as Loch Ness (2nd named spot).  As we all know there are three workout areas as you run around Loch Ness.  At the first do 10 derkins and 20 American Hammers, at the second do 10 box jumps and 20 American Hammers and at the third do 20 dips and 20 American Hammers.  Repeat for a 2nd round and plank for the 6.

Saunter over to the rock pile and grab a lifting rock.  Overhead carry your rock through the parking lot to the base of Bagpipe Hill (3rd named spot).  Put your rock out of the way where you will know where it is but yet out of the way of cars.  Run up Bagpipe Hill with 10 low and slow squats and back down Bagpipe Hill.  At the bottom find your rock for 15 right hand offset merkins with right hand on the rock.  Repeat up and down the hill with squats at the top and then 15 left hand on the rock offset merkins at the bottom and repeat a 3rd time with squats at the top and diamond merkins on the rock at the bottom.  As guys finished (mainly Sweetwater, Cable Guy and Midriff) there was time for some good ab work with the rocks.  YHC called flutter with rock presses, Tagalong called chippy cross with the rocks (which was sneaky tough) and I think YHC called American Hammer with the rocks.  Carry your rocks overhead back to the rock pile and return them.

Start back towards launch stopping at the Wells Fargo parking lot for some various Mary called by various Pax.  Then AYG sprint back to launch with a minute plank to hit 6:15.

Moleskin:

While running up Bagpipe Hill someone mentioned Ben Nevis being one of the other Bagpipe landmarks (the long hill up Ballantyne Commons heading towards Lancaster Hwy).  Midriff asked how it got its name.  YHC was not sure but asked Tagalong since he is a grizzled F3 vet of many years.  Tagalong did not know but got home, did some research, and forwarded a description to YHC that Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles.  Since it is located in Scotland common sense would dictate that it was named by Haggis.  So there is your Bagpipe trivia for the day.

Strong work by all.  Loch Ness is a scenic spot and Bagpipe Hill is no joke and provides for an extra challenge rather than just running.  It has made more than one Pax spill merlot in its history.  All pushed through and finished the circuits admirably.

Announcements:

• Mighty’s blood drive is on for late October.  Save your blood for then.
• Happy Hour this Thursday (8/20) at Bradshaw’s outdoor patio at 4:30.  Sort of a welcome back HH since Bucky is back for a couple of days for work.
•  YHC is still volunteering Loogie’s new, fancy beach house for a F3 getaway…Loogie just doesn’t know it yet.