Yeah so finally getting around to posting a back blast for Ghost Runner last week. I left Vinter’s that night, drove home, packed a bag for an early Friday flight to visit the in-laws for the weekend. The in-laws – otherwise known as the house with the most useless internet connection ever. I am fairly certain AOL dial up has better service these days. Does anyone have one of those AOL CD’s lying around I could load up and try?
Anyhow – 25, count ’em, 25 PAX showed for Ghost Runner. 10 higher than previous records. I am really not sure if the BRR is getting close or everyone just likes to drink beer on Thursday’s. But really, it’s sort of like asking if the pretty girl is with you for your personality or your money, sometimes you just don’t care about the answer.
There is a designated 4 mile and 6 mile route, but after the intersection of Raintree and 51 I really have no idea where everyone heads off to. Some guys do 4, 5, 6 and things in between. Tiger Rag runs some of it backwards. Radar takes a phone with him, but no one would know how to find him if they actually needed it. But in the end, I think everyone made it back in well under an hour.
Moleskin:
After last week’s name postponement of FNG – Dan, I knew it wasn’t going to happen 2x in a row. Apparently Radar had filed some sort of text grievance to Tiger Rag that some by-law was broken and the situation must be remedied without hesitation. So in a slow and painful naming session where Dan told most of his biography and questions started flying about TV shows and names of first pets, it was finally settled on Fault Line as his nickname. This was due to his proximity to the epicenter of the San Francisco earth quake in 1989-ish.
There was also a motion made by Radar, the previously named F3 by-law expert, to move beers to Chili’s due to the size of the crowd, and maybe he wanted some potato skins. Motion was vehemently denied by a sweaty mob of fancy craft brew loving beer snobs who wanted nothing to do with 32oz mugs of Miller Lite. To Vinter’s we went.
There may have been some announcements but they are likely dated and irrelevant by now. Thanks to Mr. Brady for the send off.
-Alf
So I have never before posted at Stonehenge. Not once. Never even really considered it as after waking up early all week, the idea of waking up at 5:something is not interesting to me. Interestingly enough I am Scottish. Well by last name only. My gramps was raised in Arkansas and I figured the accent had to be dropped there for fear of being run out of the state. But Mr. Bean is consistent with his requests for me to come Q there, so why not, and 16 other men figured it would be a good idea to join me. Suckers.
My only other experience posting from the Vine is the Brave where I pretty much followed Champagne around and really had no idea where I was. I tried to do a little research but all your back blasts are in Scottish and not English. Where is Loch Ness? What is Ben Nevis? And how is their a bull ring in Scotland? Whatever, a little google maps survey and I had a plan.
The Thang:
Run down Brigham Hill Rd and up into the office park. I wanted to circle up in the nice grassy area I saw online. Turns out it was a putting green and I figured it wouldn’t hold up to the COP.
COP on pavement: IW, Mountain Climbers, Low-Slow Squats.
Run to the edge of what I found is the bull ring. 10 8-Count Body Builders in cadence.
Run 90 degrees around the ring for 10 8-Count Body Builders in cadence. Repeat 3 more times to get all the way around the loop and back to the start. 5 sets total.
Run over to the hill by the pond. You know, the one covered in dew and goose crap. Apparently Canadian geese also crap in Scotland. Who knew?
Run up the hill and touch the bush (the hedges at the top of the hill you sick-o’s)
At the botton 20 merkins. Repeat with 19 heels to heaven. Repeat with 18 merkins. Continue down to 1 with even number merkins and odd number heels to heaven.
Mosey back to bull ring for 2 more sets of 10 8-count body builders in cadence.
Run one lap around the ring. At each left (inside) entrance to the ring stop for flutters. 1 flutter each leg on 1st entrance. 2 on second. All the way up to 20 flutters each leg on the last entrance, one full circle around the ring.
8-count body builders in cadence while we wait on the six.
Mosey back to The Vine
8-count body builders in cadence while we wait on the six
Smoked.
Moleskine:
Lots of chatter on twitter about my Q at Stonehenge. Namely by Champagne and MT, who didn’t post. Come on man, if you are going to talk about it, you should post. MT might have an excuse as he was putting a beating on Myrtle Beach locals. Champagne on the other hand….
Strong work out there by Turkey Leg, Big Dog, and Fire Hazard smoking up and down the hills. Big Dog has 3 posts under his belt and is crushing it with the leaders!
Thanks to Fireman Ed for the watch. It was a little slow, but I think I got us back nearly on time.
Thanks Mr. Bean and the rest of the crew for letting me lead. It was enjoyable.
Thanks to Big Tuna for the send off.
-Alf
15 idiots PAX decided it would be a good idea to hit their 2nd workout of the day and run 4-6 miles in 96 degree heat. It was a slog but we made it through. The temptation of some fresh beer at Vinter’s is likely the true driving force to get these guys out, but either way…
The Thing:
Just like last week, and the week before, and the week before that: Run. 4-6 miles of hills
Moleskine:
Someday, someone will catch Brady on this run. Yesterday was not that day. Apparently Turkey Leg and Dan (FNG) hung with him until 4 Mile Creek, and then it was over.
Seemed like a big group taking a few random routes today to get 4-5 miles total, the heat must have kept them from the full 6, that and trying to avoid 4 mile creek.
Mr. Bean and Cheese Curd had a solid 6 mile run coming in right behind the leaders.
Slim Fast was there at the beginning and not to be seen at the end. His car was gone, so I assume he wasn’t abducted in broad daylight.
During some BRR email chatter it was recommended Dan (FNG) who is on Mercury’s Minions should not be named until the middle of the night during the race, hoping for some good fodder by then. Radar seemed outwardly angry by such a move and might consult management. Either that or Radar is just generally outwardly angry, I am not sure. There seemed like enough ground swell that I doubt Dan will get away with another post and not being named.
Thanks to Mr. Brady for the send-off
Next week: Same time, same place, same weinke.
-Alf
We started off with a mosey around the school and finished up out front.
COP:
20 SSH
20 IW
15 Merkins
The Thang:
We started off celebrating the second day of our nation’s 240th year by partnering up and hitting a combined 240 of said exercise.
Partner 1 runs around the parking lot including the front circle, while Partner 2 performs called exercises. Flapjack until number is reached. 160 Merkins, 80 monkey humpers (240 Combined)
Partner 1 runs same route, while Partner 2 performs called exercises. Flapjack until number is reached. 140 Wide Arm Merkins, 100 Backward lunge with leg kick (240 Combined)
Then we headed over to the back parking lot hoping for some more exercises, and unfortunately the Pax got more running. Each man attempted to kick a soccer ball all the way across the parking lot into the goal, with no goalie, and I think our success rate was less than 20%. The intent was to perform the called exercise if the shooter made the shot, or run a lap if the shooter missed. After Squid hit the first shot, it went down hill from there.
First goal: 25 dollies
Second goal: 15 burpees
And a total of probably 10 laps.
The ball was moved closer, and after more misses, Alf called an audible, and we began performing the called exercise if the shooter missed, instead of running. Cold Cuts was kind enough to call 30 burpees. And I think he missed on purpose.
Then we dropped down on our 6 for some Mary.
COM
20 x Flutters
20 x LBCs
10 x side crunch right
10 x side crunch left
10 x right leg can opener
10 x left leg can opener
20 Dollies
My attempt to celebrate our Women winning the Cup last night somewhat backfired. The good news is we got 2.33 miles in, the bad news is we probably will not have a competitive soccer team anytime soon. We need Arena or Bulldog to come out for some lessons. Thanks Younglove and Floorslapper for appreciating my ancient technology. This is my second Q where I have been called out for having a blackberry. I think people are jealous that I have a sweet keyboard on my phone.
Announcements:
F3 Dads at Panthers Practice field Saturday, June 11 from 1-3
Usually not much story to tell on a Ghost Runner backblast. A dozen+ guys show up on Thursday evening and run. It’s hot, hilly, and apparently filled with hecklers.
The jury may be out on how TR’s effort to align the finish times worked out. We’ll have to hear from the 4-mile group. The intent was for the 6 milers to take off at 7:30 and the 4 milers at 7:45 so that everyone finished at the same time, no one skips out on COT, and no one gets named Gadget.
10 6-milers – the largest group this summer headed out at 7:30 leaving Iron Horse and Dear Abby to wait 15 more minutes for any other guys showing up at 7:45.
The Thing:
Run
COT
Moleskine:
At a minimum we had drive by heckling by Fireman Ed, Dolphin and Busch. I think Busch even swung around again so he could roll down his windows and let his kids have a turn bashing our form and pace. Not sure what their excuses were for not running tonight, something about having to take care of the kids I guess. Parenting 101 tip here: Leaving your kids in a crowded parking lot, in front of a liquor store, for 45-50 short minutes while you go run is perfectly A-OK in the eyes of child protective services. What could go wrong? Besides, they have a hill and a busy street to play on.
6-milers – Easy pace only lasted for about a mile until Brady took off, then Fletch gave him chase on the Providence Rd down-hill. Solid finish by Purple Haze, Buttermaker, and Hairball, who motored up the hill on Raintree at the end. The rest of the 6 milers weren’t far behind.
I think the 4 milers ended up taking off closer to 7:40 and leaving Tootie solo coming in for the 7:45 start. Hopefully the 2F at Vinter’s afterward made up for it.
Thanks to Brady for the send off.
-Alf
Ghost Runner is on tonight at Arbo ABC. There was a motion to move the 4 miler start time to 7:45 and keep the 6 mile crew starting at 7:30. This way everyone finishes at the same time and we get one COT. We’ll try it this week.
Here are the maps, as the 6 mile crew will be gone before the 4 milers launch. When in doubt, just run up and down Rain Tree Lane a bunch.
6 Mile route – http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/723568587
4 Mile route – http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/723571175
26 PAX decided today would be a good day to go post at Anvil. They could have chosen tomorrow, or yesterday, but they picked today. So the Q rolls in at 5:27 with Mermaid looking a bit nervous as if he was going to have to audible this one, at 5:29 the disclaimer was given to modify if necessary or if you are afraid of heights and off we went.
Mosey to 51 and out to the front lawn of the church for COP.
Some SSH, IW, and a few low slow squats. All exercises were led while Q was slowly rotating to look at all the PAX #VeteranMove
During COP and ambulance flew down 51 with lights and sirens. Some may regret not jumping on that ambulance figuring that was a better alternative than what was about to go down.
The Thing
Run over to the picnic tables close to the North Face church entrance for instructions which were:
Moleskine musings:
So that sucked. My legs felt like jelly halfway through round 2, but 5 cycles were already called. Too late to back out now.
I don’t think TR likes me anymore. And not sure if its me with the plates or short people in general? See at one time he was the primary controller of all things hairburner. So he either brought the plates, or generously loaned them to others who would use them. Either way, he knew when and where hairburner’s were going down. Now there are surprises! And who really likes to be surprised with hairburners? On the other hand, it may be that he just hates short people. Like Donald Trump’s plan to put up a fence to “keep out Mexico,” TR may campaign to build a fence to keep out short people. And he will sell it as inexpensive, you know, because you won’t really have to build it very high.
One of these days I will plan a workout that will actually slow Lobster Roll down. Today wasn’t that day, but the reality is if I did, every other PAX may merlot and/or die before it’s over. LR was smoking it and Hops wasn’t too far behind.
O’Tannenbaum and Mermaid were keeping a steady pace as was Cane. I just tried to keep up with them. All the PAX were really hustling.
2 New FNG’s – Kris Kross had his hat cocked to the side after it was all over, not sure if it was his style or just exhausted and couldn’t get it back on straight. We’ll assume it was his style.
Thunder Road leaves with a strong handle as he is White Lightning’s brother and apparently those are the 2 original Carowinds roller-coasters. And Drop Thrill wasn’t even there to bring up that little fact nugget!
Thanks to Young Love and Mermaid for the invite to Q. It was fun. And thanks to Champagne for the take out.
-Alf
Announcements – All (except Stonehenge) converge at The Rock on Saturday. Centurion converges at The Brave on Friday.
A new modern era record of 27 PAX showed up for the last Matrix of June. I hope everyone enjoyed the cool weather, because I don’t think it will the case for the next few months.
After the disclaimer was given and O’Tannenbaum parallel parked at the end of the lot because there were no spots left, (we might need to install some HOV spots to encourage car pooling), off we went for a warm up lap around the school.
COP: Some SSH’s, IW’s, and Merkins
The Thang:
El Moleskino:
So the time change from the west coast caught up to me last night and I had very little sleep and most of it restless. Plenty of time though to think through the weinke for today. Well that weinke had to get tossed as more and more guys came filing out of the dark. I had a plan for 10-15 guys, but 27 required something a little different. I wanted to get a little extra running in today and I think that was accomplished, even on the revised plan. O’Tannenbaum did roll in late but in his defense he has gotten much more timely in the past couple of month’s so we can let him slide now and again.
Crabcake was concerned that I called for a Living Rock and not a Lifting Rock. Not sure if he left his rock in the pile or took it home with him, either way, I am not judging. Much.
Lots of guys flying around on the partner work, I should have increased the count from 100 reps as most of you were crushing that in 2 runs. TR had enough left to overhead hoist his stone on the walk back to the pile.
Good to have Salt Lick making his way back into the gloom on a more regular basis. I hope that back is treating you better. The pull-ups at the end were a homage to your return. The run before hand was just to separate everyone out because 27 guys don’t fit on that playground. Lobster Roll, Back Office and Orange Whip were cruising on the last lap around the school.
Happy brought his two boys out as FNG’s Hello Kitty and Milky Chance. If you wear a tank top with a cat on it to your first post then I guess Hello Kitty was the only choice. Apparently Bryce is called Casper at school and on the football team. We weren’t going with that and I know Spackler has been itching to use Milky Chance on someone, so there it is.
Convergence at The Rock on Saturday.
Centurion combines at The Brave on Friday.
Thanks to Uncle Si for the send off,
Alf
12 men gathered for another episode of the Day Zero. As promised there was cake.
Run to back of field for COP
SSH, IW, Merkins, Mountain Climbers, Rock Stone Hoppers, & more Merkins.
Run to Carswell and Bevington. Run up Carswell from Bevington to, well, Bevington. At the top do 10 jump squats at stop sign 10 heels to heaven. Head from Bevington back to Bevington. Jump Squats then heels to heaven. Repeat from Bevington to Bevington and back to Bevington. Look at a map if this confuses you.
Run back behind school, grab stone, wall sit with overhead presses, then stone presses straight in front, the overhead press with stone press straight in front. Then 20 thrusters with stone (squat with overhead press)
To the loading dock. Groups of 3.
P1 – Run around front parking lot. P2 – Jump ups (step ups) on loading dock. P3 – stack the cake. i.e. move all 4 plates (45 lb, 35 lb, 25 lb, and 5 lb) , one at a time like a shuttle run from one end of lot to other. When done do 3 burpees and repeat the process returning the cake.
Repeato, but P1 – Declined dry docks on, you know, the dock. P2 – run to playground for 10 pull ups. P3 – stack the cake.
Carry plates to front of school for 2 rounds of 15 split squats each leg an 20 derkins. When done lunge walk to parking spaces and mosey back. Carry plates back to cars.
Grab stone and head to field. 21 6-count burpees, LBC’s, 19 6-count burpees, flutter with press.
Return stone to pile and head to COT.
Moleskine
Announcements
F3 Dads was at 9am, but you already missed it if you are reading this. Try next week. Lex Luthor Q’ed a good one.