5 PAX met up at the fountains of Blakeney for a Monday morning run. A few went on a pre-run and one made a detour. But all were happy that it was about 20 degrees warmer this week. With no headlamps or disclaimer, we were off:
THE THANG:
Down Rea Rd (towards Blakeney Swim & Racquet Club) a right onto Lindahi Lane, right onto Hirsch Dr, left onto Hanworth Trace Drive, left onto Albury Walk Ln, right onto Castlebay Dr, left onto Tonawanda Dr, right onto Bumside Ln, then somehow we ended up on Community House Rd from Tamarron Dr and made a right onto Ardrey Kell and then back to launch where Wingman led the stretching.
MOLESKIN:
It was another Monday of staying with the core group for about a mile and then the separation occurs. A few times they thought they lost me, but I could see the shadowy figures in the distance. There was concern from Wingman when they returned for broga and Paper Jam was no where to be found. Little did he know that coming down the Ardrey Kell hill a gastrointestinal detour was about to happen. Harris Teeter was not an option. Since this is my hood, I knew two things, Kirby’s house was just thru the woods and a construction site was not too far in the distance. Knocking on Kirby’s back door before 6am did not seem like a good choice, so I opted for plan B. Much to my delight, there was a big blue box at the construction site. Mission accomplished with not a second to spare. As I raced back to launch, there was Bratwurst coming back to find me and I rejoined the crew. Never a dull moment at Blakovery.
7 PAX ignored below freezing temperatures to heat it up at Blakovery. This week it was time to return to the Providence Country Club. With no disclaimer and headlamps set, we were off.
Out to Ardrey Kell, up to Tom Short Rd a quick left into PCC and then left onto 3 Lakes Drive, right onto Congressional Club Dr.,right onto Colonial Country Lane, right onto Lundin Links Ln., right onto Pine Valley Club Drive and a long run to Tom Short Rd. Right on Tom Short then left on Ardrey Kell and we were back home for frozen yoga led by Paper Jam.
MOLESKIN:
Today Bratwurst convinced me to wear a headlamp (trying to get me prepared for BRR) On the home stretch down Ardrey Kell, while adjusting my hat, the headlamp fell off. It only tool me about 25 yards to realize it was missing and I had to backtrack to find it.
Thanks to Wingman for hanging with me, it may be time to recruit some slower guys to stay in the 6 with me.
5 PAX were not afraid of a cold Saturday after Thanksgiving and posted da Vinci.
We did alot of arms, alot of abs and not alot of running.
We discovered a new exercise called the Mongolian Ab Chopper. If you want to know what it is you could ask the guys who showed up or have JRR Tolkien demonstrate.
Thank you for the take out Cul-De-Sac, y’all enjoy the rest of your weekend.
16.2 PAX from SOB, Area 51 and UC gathered at the fountains of Blakeney Shopping Center on a chilly Thanksgiving morning in anticipation of Devil’s Jam. A disclaimer was given and we were off. Mosey to the back parking lot near 131 Main for:
COP:
SSH x 10, 5 merkings OYO, IW x 10, 10 merkins OYO, LSS x 10
MOLESKIN:
Mosey to the corner of Fieldcroft Drive and Blakeney Heath Rd. This was our base for the boot camp portion of the workout. At base, diamond merkins (6 reps), run up Blakeney Health to the rock pile, grab a lifting rock for curls (16 reps) then run to the playground on the corner of Blakeney Dr for pull ups (6 reps). One way back to base stop to for set of rock curls (16 reps). At base, 6 more diamond merkins. Repeat for 3 rounds.
After the lifting stuff was done, it was time to get in some miles. Run down Blakeney Heath Rd, to Ardrey Kell, left on Ardrey Kell to Rea Rd, make a left and go up Rea Rd. and try and make it to Parks Farm Lane. At each street corner stop and do 6 merkins.
At 7:15 everyone turn around and return to the fountains for mary. Exercises chosen by various PAX. Haggis (heels to heaven) Crab Cakes (American hammer), Wingman (dolly), Bratwurst (side plank leg lift) and then someone chose some merkin type activity (I had to run to get my phone) and we were done.
MOLESKIN
As promised we would lift things, and run at least 3 miles. We made it to 4.5 miles. Everyone pushed hard. It was great to see 2.0s: Messi (Bunker) and Howie (Bratwurst). I was able to keep up with Howie for a short while but there was no way I could hang with Messi. The next generation of F3 looks strong.
There was a cross section of SOBs, UCs and Area 51 guys. It was good to see Crab Cake again, I forgot how much he complains about running. The UC was well represented and as always the SOB guys were in force.
The .2 were calculated as Haggis and Frasier. Apparently they had their own “track” workout that started at 6am and Haggis joined us for mary and the COT.
We ended the morning with each PAX expressing what they were thankful for: God’s faithfulness, a new set of twins on the horizon, F3 fellowship, and family topped the list.
As always, it is a humbling privilege to lead a great group of men. Happy Thanksgiving y’all. I am ready to eat!!!
Below freezing temperatures could not keep 6 PAX from showing up at the Blakeney fountains this morning for our regular 5 mile run. At 5:13 we climbed out of our heated cars, wondered why we got out of a warm bed this morning and then it was time to go.
This morning was the Flat Branch route. Cross the parking lot, right at the McDonalds, cross Rea Rd, to Tolleson Ave then right on Bullock Greenway Blvd, right on Alexander Martin Ave then over to Darcy Hopkins for a little while, then left onto Dennington Grove Lane, right onto Bryant Farms Rd., a quick left onto Lanken Drive, left onto Provincetown Drive until we reach Williams Pond Rd. Then up to Elm, left on Elm, down Parks Farm Lane, right on Rea and back to base for stretching by Paper Jam.
MOLESKIN:
In this weeks edition of Blakovery we learned that Tuck really wanted to be a fireman when he was young. He lived out that childhood dream as an adult, living in one of the neighborhoods we ran thru. One morning at 4am, he awoke to the sound of a crashing car. A drunk driver ran into a house and severed the gas line and caught the house on fire. Tuck, the first person to arrive, seeing the fire and smoke, broke down the door to save an elderly woman, dog and cat from the burning house. He accomplished this heroic feat all in a guinea tee (if you are not sure what that is, ask one of the other Italians in F3) and still post at Swift.
Everyone have a great week and remember Devil’s Jam Thanksgiving morning workout launches from Blakeney Shopping Center at 6:30am on Thursday. Rebel Yell and Devils Turn are closed.
With Devil’s Turn and Rebel Yell shut down (and probably every other Thursday AO) it is time for the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving morning Jam led by QIC. Help justify all that Thanksgiving Day food you will eat and feel better when you fart sack your favorite Black Friday workout.
We will launch from the fountains in Blakeney Shopping Center at 6:30 am.
Which Paper Jam with show??? The runner #notarunner, the Brogie, or the one who likes rocks #imnothaggis??? Show up to find out. We will cover at least 3-miles, do some other fun things, and we may even stretch at the end.
This morning 6 PAX showed up bright and early for 5 miles of fun. One of the Blakovery faithful did a pre-run to Harris Teeter and when he returned, reported in 3 pounds lighter and we were off. Up Ardrey Kell, past the high school, right onto Zachary Ave, right onto Pomerane Place and right onto Old Ardrey Kell Rd. Avoiding the sprinklers but not the puddles, a right on Honeynut Dr, left onto Hazelview, left onto Linden Tree Ln, right on Torrelle Drive, left onto Society Dr. to Community House Rd. 4 PAX went across the street onto Highgrove to complete a loop around Highgrove-Fortbridge-Summer Club, Pemswood and then back to Community House while the other 2 went back to base. Broga mats for all to concentrate on the IT band and calfs stretches led by Paper Jam.
MOLESKIN:
The definition of recovery run continues to be elusive for the Blakovery faithful but today there was a clear distinction. While 2 of the PAX were trudging up the hill of Ardrey Kell, they saw up in the distance 4 lights straight across the travel lane. At first, we thought it may be the bright lights of the 4 horseman of the apocalypse, but alas, it was the sprinters circling back for the 2 who were the six.
We closed the morning our with a riveting discussion about orthopedic shoes and lululemon gear. We are just waiting for the first person to show up in yoga pants. Thank you Tootie for pushing me to get my 5 miles in when I thought I was done 1 mile in.
The long anticipated return of QIC to lead the faithful of Bagpipe inspired 20 PAX to show up on a warm November morning. After butchering the disclaimer by adding things about caring, pushing and trees we were off for a short mosey to Duckworths parking lot for:
COP:
SSH x 15, 5 merkins OYO, IW x 15, 5 diamond merkins OYO, LSS x 15, 5 wide arm merkins OYO, 15 LBCs 5 burpees OYO.
THE THANG:
Leave Duckworth’s parking lot and mosey towards the Lab Corp pond, find chairs or a wall and perform 3 rounds of 20 dips, 15 incline merkins, 10 decline merkins.
Once completed, it was another short mosey to Synchrony Financial parking lot for 4 corners. 2 corners of toe tap crunch the other 2 corners diamond merkins. 3 rounds, 10, 20, then 30 reps each corner. Perform various mary waiting on the six.
Another short mosey to the lost fountain and partner up. At the fountain, 10 throw down abs, then run around the row of trees and meet in the middle for 15 hand slap merkins. 2 rounds then return to base for mary.
On the way back stop at various places for more merkins.
MOLESKIN:
My goal today was to take us to an unfamiliar area of Ballantyne Corporate Park. In the 2.5 years that I have been posting on Tuesdays, I don’t remember going to that part of the park. This AO has so many interesting nooks and crannies. One day I will find the elusive rock pile.
When culling through the list of names from the COT, QIC realized that there were more PAX attending Bagpipe than Swift. A few theories were postulated: Loogie and Patent Pending surmised that a PJ Q equates to an easy one, so that is why so many came out. I think from the number of PAX breathing heavy and Fire Hazard mumbling about the amount of merkins, that theory was proven wrong. Bratwurst summarily dismissed he PJ effect by stating “par for the course this time of year.” Since there is clearly cognitive bias at work, we can discount that idea. While others may have been confused and thought it was a running workout. But #imnotarunner.
Either way it was good to see Yogi, Loogie, Patent Pending and Tuck return to Bagpipe.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Balrog. Be there this Saturday: https://f3southcharlotte.com/2017/11/01/preblast-balrog-ii/
Thanksgiving Day Jam: workout led by Paper Jam 6:30am launch from the fountains at the Blakeney Shopping Center for those who want to justify all that they eat later that day. Preblast soon.
Prayers for Kirby’s M and his family.
As always, I am humbled to be given the opportunity to lead.
Although the temperature dropped, it did not discourage 4 PAX from following a new route conjured up by Bratwurst filled with sprinklers and hills. At 5:15 we launched and tackled the menacing hill of Ardrey Kell to go past the high school. A right onto Zachary Ave, right onto Pomerane Place, right onto Old Ardrey Kell Rd (where we found the sprinklers), then through some other neighborhoods (I cannot remember which ones) and we ended up on Community House Rd. A quick left onto Highgrove to complete a loop around Highgrove-Fortbridge-Summer Club, Pemswood and then back to Community House. Down to Adrey Kell and a left back to base. The broga mats and a towel came out for stretching led by Paper Jam.
MOLESKIN
As a person who is often looking at the backs of other PAX in workouts, I sometimes get discouraged because it seems like some guys never struggle. They show up to a running workout, knock out 5-6 miles at some incredible pace or they show up at a boot camp and are always in front. It can be quite intimidating. They make it look easy. So when Gumbo relayed to us this morning his latest marathon story, one that documented how he successfully fought through physical battles with his body and second thoughts about running the marathon, for me, it was not only inspiring to hear about his triumph but also encouraging to know that I am not alone in the mental and physical struggles of our F3 workouts. It makes guys like me, who may never run a marathon, feel like we belong at an F3 workout with someone who can. Thank you Gumbo for a great start to my week.
With the threat of a new route and rain, 3 brave PAX showed this morning for Blakovery. With Bratwurst choosing the comfort of home and not knowing his new route, an audible was called. QIC took Enron and Depth Charge on the now famous PJ route. So off we went at 5:15. Run up Rae Rd, left onto Williams Pond, then left onto to Elm, over to Community House, down Ardrey Kell and back to the launch point. A good stretch and we were done.
MOLESKIN
This morning I found out I was running with a former track star/college football player (Depth Charge) and an ultra athlete (Enron) who gets 50k advice from Haggis. No wonder Bratwurst decided to fartsack. He blamed the rain, but it ended shortly after we began and so did his excuse. Maybe next time we will get to run around the high school.
This week was a true recovery run (at least for the Enron and Depth Charge) 5 miles at about a 9:15 or so pace.
Shout out to Bunker and Gumbo, two Blakovery regulars, for their marathon work over the weekend. It must have been a tough one, since both showed up the Monday after BRR.
As always, thank you for allowing me to lead especially since #notarunner