8 PAX at Devils Turn for some running around the hood.
With the Smokey Mountain Relay crews on full rest Thursday, and Meatloaf fart sacking at home, the numbers were more on the low side, but the quality was still high.
This is a new route for Devils Turn (as far as I know). So with some descriptive chatter (including a picture of the loops as show and tell), and a detailed ‘don’t run in front of cars’ and disclaimer… we were off.
Commute: Head down Bevington, Elm, 51, Rea, to the entrance of Carmel Estates. The Loops: 2 loops, 2 miles each, in Carmel Estates going counter clockwise, and then head back, straight down Rea for COT.
Some mole:
Upon our commute to the hood, Stone Cold asked if there were hills on these loops. YHC responded… “only a small one at the end of the loop”. I was of course incorrect. The first portion of the route was quite nice, with most of the PAX staying together at a relatively brisk pace and with some friendly chatter as we selected Woodson’s future homestead. Upon reaching the larger loop-within-the-loop, I realized I may have in correctly judged the bumps in the road (aka random hills). Nevertheless, we pressed on and started the 2nd round through the estates. You learn a lot about someone as you run in a group. Lessons learned: Enron’s skills in estimating home values may need some help, or the volume of pollen in the air was throwing off his senses. Pop Tart actually knew this route and neglected to fess up that there be hills. I don’t think Woodson ever noticed we were on a hill. At least his pace did not show it.
Thanks all for the solid effort out there. And thanks for closing us out Stone Cold
Announcements: Keep Bout Time’s family in your prayers. Enron on Q next week.
13 PAX at Devils Turn today for a relatively warm run compared to last week.
Today’s route included the end of the Charlotte 10 miler route with the famous ‘Nut up or Shut up’ Strava segment. The route (a new route for DT, and henceforth referred to as the Nut up or Shut up Loop): Down Bevington, Elm, Creek Bend, Ridgemore, Hickory Forest, Prince Edward, Endhaven, Comm House, Johnston, 51, Baybrook, Bevington to the finish. Make it long… loop in the village. Make it short… cut back on the greenway from Johnston Rd.
With the new route in mind and low lighting in sections, as well as the jaunt down Elm being not well protected for runners, the request went out on Slack for headlamps today.
The Mole: A rare (but increasingly likely) sighting of Paper Jam at a 2nd running workout for the week happened today (running like a champ), only to be forgotten with the realization that Madame Tussauds, was in our midst (a rare-er-er sighting at running workouts). It would appear that some of our SOB P200 teams are getting their mileage ramped up this week. Glad to see it!
Today offered some options in distance with the chance to shorten the route and head down the Greenway for ~4.5miles. Madame T, Goonie, Paper Jam, and Tootie opted for this diversion. Running with the group, Benny, not realizing it was the shorter option, also headed down the greenway. But not wanting to shorten a good run, he added some distance at the finish… and also had the pre-run under his belt.
Turkey Leg and Chin Music led the pack on the prescribed route, with Mr Brady, YHC and Alf not far behind. Meatloaf, Das Boot, and Wild Turkey were finishing off the lineup at a good clip as well.
At the COT, it was clear that this route is a keeper! It has its hills, but all agreed it was a great route… although many may have just been grateful we were not running 5 Knolls again.
All and all, today was a great run, and a great effort by all, with new scenery and hills to boot.
Thanks for allowing me to lead today gents.
Gumbo
Announcements: Keep Bout Time and his family in your prayers.
8 frigid souls at Devils Turn this morning for some casual running to work off the that chubby hubby.
Today’s route: Head over to 5 Knolls using the back entrance (Bevingon, Elm, 51, Clavemorr Glenn, then 2+ laps on 5 Knolls). We also took a minor detour when crossing 51 early for a short ‘trail run simulation’ on the way to Clavemorr – no side walks on that side. Lesson learned – stay on the right (Calvary side).
The Stuff:
Except for Frasier, Chin Music, and Turkey leg, the rest of the PAX stayed together for today’s run. Wild Turkey even decided to not venture off to new realms, opting to stay on course.
5 Knolls was greeted with the expected ‘uhhhh it’s cold’, ‘when will the wind stop’, and ‘why are their hills’. But after the first couple hills, the chatter reduced to normal intellectual levels. It was great running with a smaller group today!
Thanks to Enron for closing out COT.
With a number of us not working today, and those that are, were feeling like some warm beverages, so we headed over to Starbucks for coffeeteria after COT.
Always appreciate the opportunity to lead you guys.
Gumbo
9 souls at Devils Turn today
Per posted plan on Slack (a.k.a. the official run channel): Easy 20min, Tpace 20min, Easy 20min, and a route conducive to this agony.
The actual execution:
The take aways:
9 eager runners headed out into the cold for some laps around The Village and a little threshold pace interval in the middle. After the easy pace lap, Bunker and others opted for a more gentle pace on the old legs, while the balance of the crew continued on for some beloved threshold pace miles.
Worthy of mention today: Great to see Hairball and Pop Tart coming out more and more. Depth Charge was only seen in the first mile until he disappeared from sight in front of the PAX. Laronda, while not having a watch that worked today, still managed to pull Enron and the QIC around the threshold pace laps.
Thanks for bringing us out today in prayer Hairball.
Next week Enron is on Q.
Thanks for allowing me to lead you guys today.
Gumbo
Announcements: Keep BoutTime and his family in your prayers. You can read their latest updates here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jenningspalmer
18 PAX at Devils Turn this morning for some hills and dripping sweat.
The Thang:
After an adequate disclaimer, the week we continued with the theme of hill, hills, and more hills… the route today took us to 5 Knolls: Down Rea Rd, left at 5 Knolls road, and then as many repeato loops as needed to satisfy that running itch before heading back for COT.
Moleskin:
IT IS HOT… IT IS HUMID… WE BE SWEATING
Only 3 at the early miles option this morning for a 5a pre-run (Hairball – emerging from a baby coma, Depth Charge – the faithful pre-runner, and YHC – wanting some miles).
The rest of the PAX launched from the parking lot at 5:15, with at least 1 experiencing the joy of 5 Knolls for the first time today (Thanks for joining the crew today Shock and Awe). Today, the group maintained a semblance of an actual warm up until reaching 51 (Turkey leg must have been off his game). After negotiating the red lights, everyone settled into their normal pace groups. The run at 5 Knolls can be deceiving as it lulls you into a comfortable pace early on and then hits you with a steep hill just before the u-turn — as Wild Turkey aptly noted from his last experience of smoking the legs on the first loop… a lesson learned which made his run today a much better experience. JRR Tolkien should take some notes here. YHC still feeling the damage from Swift earlier this week, took on a “moderate” pace for today. Others, clearly feeling recovered from their respective workouts this week, took on a whole different approach and gave their best impressions of Olympic athletes.
Thanks to Das Boot for taking us out today at COT.
Announcements: Several BRR teams looking for drivers. If you’re not running the BRR, please consider helping your fellow PAX out with your driving skills.
20 PAX this week at Devils Turn. Now the better-late-than-never back blast.
The Thang:
The original plan was to head down the greenway for some off-road miles. After a short pre-run revealed that the ‘off-road’ included ‘the great flood’, YHC decided the South Charlotte Middle track sounded like a better option
Moleskin:
It seems like the warm-up mile has turned more and more into an acceleration to full speed these days. Perhaps one day we will actually try a warmup.
After the ‘warm-up’ the group was ready to go. Tiger Rag, Haggis, Thin Mint, and Woodson made off to an early lead this morning. Apparently, having arrived at the track, Tiger Rag opted for an alternative route out and back down Woodfox Dr. The rest of the group enjoyed some rounds on the track with Cheddar and YHC taking a few salmon laps in the reverse direction to balance out the legs. It would appear that not all the group was as excited about the track today as Haggis. Thin Mint and Woodson left for a side-walk stroll down 51 before rejoining the group for the trek back to COT.
Great effort by all today. We continue to pick up a few more faces each week as we get closer to to the BRR.
8 men committed themselves to personal improvement today at DaVinci.
A thorough but brief disclaimer was given and we headed off for some COP.
The Thang:
Head across to the bank parking lot for some warm up. Squats, Merkins, Reverse lunge, Windmill
Commute Trail #1: Head down the trail in back of Best Buy. On your 6 once in the neighborhood, LBCs on your own while getting instructions.
Headed right and down Bullock Greenway Blvd: 5 merkins at each break between houses and at the corner (30 total), plank it up, wait for 6.
Commute down Trail #2 – Mosey, then kick it up to a full run at the 1st split. After exiting the trail, head down to the stop sign at Beaver Brook way. 5 burpees at every other driveway on left (65 total), plank exercises at next left turn (Alma Blount Blvd) while waiting on the 6.
Partner up and head to the power lines (forevermore renamed to Gnat Hill).
Round 1: Start with 5 hand slap merkins, Partner 1: American hammer, Partner 2: run out and back…Flapjack
Round 2: 10 Hand Slap merkins+Flutter, Round 3: 10 Hand Slap merkins+LBCs, Round 3: 10 Hand Slap merkins+wait for the 6. (35 total hand slap merkins)
Mosey to Tomlin Green for some 4 corners. Instructions:
Leg 1: lunge, 10 squats at corner
Leg 2: shuffle facing South, 10 squats at corner
Leg 3: reverse run, 10 squats at corner
Leg 4: shuffle facing South, 10 squats at corner
Repeat with 10 jump squats, then 5 burpees at the corners
…Still time for some extended elbow planking – clearly a favorite.
Head over to the Best Buy parking lot for some modified Suicide Latter with 5 burpees, 10 merkins, 15 dying cock roach, and finish with burpees until the 6 returns.
Time is running short!!! Audible sprint to the stop sign at Ardrey Kell, while dodging cars in the lot, before crossing to Chick-fil-a for some COT.
Totals for the day (excluding warm ups):
3.25 miles
~100 Burpees (depending on how many you got in the final round)
40 Squats
40 Jump Squats
40 Merkins
35 Hand Slap Merkins
Several Mary and planks
Moleskin:
Notable comments: “We did a lot of burpees.” “Man those are a lot of gnats.” “Are you sure he’s an FNG?” “Where is that left turn!!!, I think we will exceed the 50 burpee estimate.”
It was a great morning for a workout today. And as promised it was a runner friendly regiment. The general consensus was that our legs were smoked. But that’s what you get when you let a soccer arm, no upper body endurance, runner, Q take over the workout.
The trails were a successful diversion today for the commute. And even though I have used this same route through the community before, no one in the PAX today were around when we took this loop the last time. Several of the PAX noted the over abundance of gnats at the power line out-and-back runs today. We have affectionately renamed that segment as Gnat Hill. Inevitably many gnats were consumed which I am sure added to the high spirits and overall energy of the group. Mighty Might was in full beast-mode today and was at the head of the group for most of the workout. Auger (a.k.a FNG) came out of the gate with a surprising hunger for punishment. Must be something in the water up in PA. It was also notable today that Bucky’s got game. During the quad burning jump squats, he schooled the group in form and height. Overall, the entire group laid down some serious work today. While focusing on the not so popular major leg muscles, all the PAX embraced the F3 spirit of the day.
Great start to the day this morning guys. Thanks for letting me take the lead today Tuck and Triple 7!
Announcements:
Convergence on Monday. Meet at the upper parking deck in Ballantyne Village.
15 PAX today at Devils Turn.
The Thang:
Last week Bunker and Honey Bee threw down the challenge: Find a new route for Devils Turn. Today’s route headed to Raintree Ln… with the following targets provided on Slack (I am a challenged Tweeter).
Route: http://www.strava.com/routes/8633508
PAX pick a target:
– Down hill sprint (6.2mi),
– Top of the Hill (7.2mi),
– the Promised land (Providence Rd) (8mi) round trip.
More specifically we headed down Bevington, up Colburn, down 51, and as then head up Raintree with a challenge to touch Providence Rd. As Alf pointed out, there were some Strava segments ripe for the picking.
Moleskin:
With a short rattling off of the route for the day by YHC, the PAX headed down Bevinton.
Only minimal chatter and a little mumble this morning. With a short “warm up” the head of the pack was off to the races to touch Providence road and get back.
The normal suspects flashed to the Providence Rd 8 mile target: Turkey Leg, Fletch, Frasier, Depth Charge, and Bunker. The rest of the PAX, clearly having a more sane approach to running, settled into their own aggressive but steady pace. Strong effort by the entire crew this morning.
Upon returning for COT, a quick poll was taken. This route will stay in the DT route deck for a future return.
Some items of notable mention:
Frasier took the top of the leader board for at least one of the Strava segments. Had his GPS realized he was not on the golf course, he would have certainly crushed another segment or two.
Turkey Leg shot to the top of the Raintree 5k board today.
Many others are dually noted in the Strava ranks as hitting several PRs this morning.
Great to see that DT is getting more attention from Fault Line, Tootie, and Goonie more and more these days.
The milage is paying off. Hope to see you guys again next week.
It was an honor to lead today and run with the DT crew.
No announcements this morning.
15 PAX at Devils Turn this morning for an out and back, “how far can you get” type of run.
We showed up, we ran, we turned, we ran.
Today’s route was a modified version of the original run up to Colony, a.k.a. Danger Zone XL addition. Rather than heading up the sidewalk of doom on Rea, today’s route headed out Elm, to 51, before heading up Rea and Colony. But the concept was the same. Run as far as you dare, but be back by 6:15 for COT.
Based on Strava, it appears Hairball was hungry for some early miles this morning prior the the rest of us arriving. For the rest of us, after rounding the corner onto Rea, Frasier and Depth Charge set a sporty pace not to be matched by others.
Depth Charge gets the “most improved since joining Devils Turn and Swift” award this week, although he’s not on Strava so it doesn’t count.
The majority of the group settled into a spread of mid-7ish pace groups for our out and back run.
One Niner, having pushed the human limits already this week, wisely opted for the injury free 4.5 mile route. Also of notable mention was Fault Line who returned to Devils Turn this week, and led the group out to Rea road. Upon reaching Rea, he saved the leaders from certain death by a beast of a Jeep that would make Tiger Rag’s run home to mommy.
All and all, great turnout today, with some solid miles by the entire PAX.
It was an honor today to pick up the reigns from Honey Bee (who by the way was a no show – something about dog eating homework, with a promise to be back next week).
No Announcements, but show up to BROlympics for a good time this weekend.