(Posted on behalf of Picasso. Tardiness is all responsibility of Abacus.)
Shovel flag was planted early this week as Abacus showed up for a pre-run prior to start of this week’s edition of Area 51. Passed Picasso and the 2 FNGs (Hoot & El Guapo) he and Croissant brought along, but no one elected to join YHC for the run back to McKee Rd Elementary. Saving it up for the main event.
With everyone gathered at the launch point Picasso indicated it was 0700 and led us out for the start of his 60 minute beat-down. Ensuing smokefest went as follows:
Let’s Get Warm:
Burpee Relays:
Rocky Round Robins:
Return the rocks and double-time back to launch
COT
Moleskin:
(Posted on behalf of Lobsta Roll)
7 PAX showed up at McKee Road Elementary for another weekly addition of Area 51. SF was planted firmly in the ground and once we had everyone in tow and determined Slapshot would not be joining us, Lobsta Roll led the crew for a lap around the school. Gathered up in the upper parking lot area near the soccer fields for COP:
Mosey over to the midfield of the soccer pitch for some Starfish.
5 locations/stops in the Starfish with 10 burpees after each return to midfield light pole
PAX completed LBCs while everyone finished
Mosey to the rock pile and find a lifting rock
Set your rock back on the rock pile and the PAX headed out for a little jog to the Fire Station on McKee for some Mary:
Continue jog back to the school through a couple of the adjacent neighborhoods, stopping along the way for various exercises:
Continue jog back to the school through the back of the neighborhood and circle up at the lower fields for some Mary and Plank.
Finish the jog at the playground at the front of the school and wrap it up with 10 pull-ups
COT
NMM:
Announcements:
4 PAX made it out to McKee Rd Elementary to post at Area 51 AO. YHC was first one on site and planted the SF in the soil as the others started to pull into the parking lot. Large pile of limbs in the parking lot as school recently cleaned up the landscaping along the front entrance to the school. Fortunately for the PAX, no logs and other coupons that we could utilize. No worries as YHC had plans to introduce everyone to a friendly game of Pinball, as recently unveiled at the Commitment AO by Ice 9 and/or Stump Hugger. BB always provide fertile ground for work-out ideas.
With everyone on site that was to post for a humid June morning, YHC inquired of the other PAX as to the time as my Timex is currently out of operation. With confirmation that 0700 start time was upon us, YHC led the PAX on short jog over to the track and we made one loop with some high knees, backwards run, and butt kickers mixed in.
Circled up in the track infield for COP:
Time for everyone to try their hand at the aforementioned Pinball. Idea is that Q will indicate the next destination for a set of exercises. PAX will head off for the called destination at pace each feels comfortable with. Early arrivals will then circle back to the 6 and take off again for the destination. Idea is to keep the group together while also providing stronger runners a little extra mileage if they so desire.
First destination was the NC Landmark play area at the back of the school. PAX set out and we met up at the logs for the 1st round of exercises, as follows:
Next destination was the playground at the other end of the school around back. PAX took off once again and we met up at the called destination for the following:
Getting warmed up now, so we headed out once again for the front of the school and met up at the front wall near the bus parking lot. Time for a round of People’s Chair and Balls to the Wall:
One more playground on the premises that we had not visited, so we headed over to the front of the school. Once there, we completed the following:
With everyone having so much fun, YHC decided we had time to visit one more destination. PAX were instructed to head over to the rock pile by the soccer fields. With all the PAX gathered around we each grabbed a lifting rock and circled up for a little heavy lifting:
Deposit your rocks back on the rock pile and mosey down to the end line of the soccer field. Line up along the goal line. Karaoke to midfield with left shoulder leading and then flapjack with right shoulder leading for 2nd half to the other goal line.
5-6 minutes left, so we headed back to launch point for 6 MOM, PAX choice and led:
COT
NMM:
Announcements:
(Posted on behalf of Cold Cuts)
13 PAX made the decision to test their quads endurance level at Area 51 for Cold Cuts VQ. Rumor has it the Q had no intentions of burning the PAX’s quads, it just happened that way. So SF was planted in the soil at McKee Rd Elementary and the day went like so. . .
Q took PAX for a short mosey through the local neighborhood (mixed in some high knees & butt kickers) with an Indian Run to get the competitive juices flowing. Had enough time to allow O’Tannenbaum to catch up to the group and join in. Next we circled up for the COP:
A quick stroll over to the soccer fields and Cold Cuts delivered the bad news. He had a deck of cards and somehow pain was to follow. Each PAX would have an opportunity to pull a card from the deck for a called exercise. The value of the card x 3 determined the number of reps to be completed and the suit drawn dictated the exercise. Rumor has it there were 4 exercises: Merkins, Burpees, Plank Up/Down (aka Makhtar N’Diaye), and Ninja Squats. In between each draw the PAX would run from soccer goal to soccer goal (60-70 yards). The PAX quickly learned the “Law of Averages” was not working in everyone’s favor. Over and over and over again the Ninja Squat suit (Clubs) was chosen. Screams of “Audible” or “BS” could be heard as we over and over again muscled through the Ninja Squats. After 13 rounds of called exercises it was time to head off again.
Q had no sympathy for the group as we next went to the school from some wall sits and planks. 13 PAX lined the school wall, shoulder to shoulder, and began:
By this point the quads were asking each of its owners “WHY????”.
Cold Cuts then gave us a nice walk over to the school playground set and had us partner up for a team mini-Murph. Each team completed the following:
Followed the mini-Murph up with a group run around the school. Q then lined us up for one final AYG sprint down the parking lot. Cold Cuts requested every PAX to give 100% and finish strong and each of the PAX answered the call.
Finished up with a few LBCs and the clock mercifully hit 0800.
NMM:
Announcements:
Yes, the humidity is high. Yes, it is a little warm even at 0700 hours these days. That did not prevent 6 PAX from deciding to post at Area 51 this morning. We gathered around the SF prior to the launch and wondered if Floor Slapper would join us at his customary 0701 hours. With the clock showing it to be 0700 and no sign of FS coming in hot, we headed out for a warm-up run around the soccer field while mixing in some high knees, butt kickers and backwards run and then circled up for COP:
With everyone having now broken a sweat, we headed over to side field for the Devil’s Work-out/Beast. Line up at the end line and then instructions were given to run to first tree/marker, complete 6 reps of called exercise, run to 2nd tree/marker, 6 reps, 3rd tree/marker, 6 reps, and then bring it back with 3 additional stops for 6 reps at each stop/marker. This was repeated 5 times for total of 6 rounds. Called exercises were:
Planked between each round to wait for the 6 and keep us all together.
Circle up for 6 MOM:
Having caught our breath after a hot start, we headed over to the NC Landmark play area behind the school. Plan was for a little circuit work, but we would be completing circuits at 2 locations, as follows:
Time for a little People’s Chair, so we relocated just slightly south to end of school wall:
Time to get moving again, but with the sun out and the humidity high YHC had us stay in the area behind the school to at least get the benefit of the shade. Line up on one end for 7s
4 minutes left, so we circled up for final 4 MOM:
Head back to launch point for COT
NMM:
Announcements:
5 PAX posted at McKee Rd Elementary for another Saturday edition of Area 51. Shovel flag was planted firmly in the soil by the picnic tables and quick abbreviated version of disclaimer was provided to experienced group before we headed out for another 60 minutes of fun. First 4 headed out at 0700 and then we circled the lot to allow O’Tannenbaum to join us. Headed over to the track and ran a lap with some high knees and butt kickers worked in for good measure. Circled up on the track infield for COP:
With warm-up complete, YHC led PAX back to his car near launch point and opened up trunk to reveal 12 x 12 pavers for all. Each PAX member was instructed to take 1 paver to be carried with them the rest of the work-out. With that we headed over to the soccer fields and lined up along the sideline near the sidewalk. Instruction was given to complete 3 exercises with the paver and then complete called movement (approx 25-30 yards) with jog back.
Mosey over to playground at front of school with paver in tow. Complete the following:
With 1st half in the books, we headed over to front of the school for session of People’s Chair:
Time to get moving again, so we took our pavers and headed back down to the track infield for a couple rounds of suicide ladder.
Caught our breath and then we mosied around the back of the school and made our way to the stumps at the NC Historical Landmarks area for another round of circuit work:
A little time left on the clock, so we circled up on the grass for 3 MOM:
Grab your paver and return it to YHC’s trunk as that’s a wrap
COT
Moleskin:
Announcements:
14 PAX made the wise decision to post on a muggy May morning at Area 51 for Picasso’s VQ. Don’t think anyone left disappointed. SF was planted in the soil at McKee Rd Elementary and YHC gave the disclaimer with a few new faces in tow for our weekly Saturday edition of Charlotte South’s “Original”, “Granddaddy” (you get the picture) work-out.
YHC had the first half and so we headed out for a warm-up lap around the soccer fields, mixing in some Karaoke, Backwards runs, and Forward runs before circling up for the COP:
With the joints warmed up and everyone ready to roll, we headed over to the side near the lower parking lot and lined up on one end for a Suicide Ladder:
Mosey over to the playground at front of school for a little circuit work. With Salt Lick in attendance, had to make sure we worked a few pull-ups in during our 60 minutes.
Hand the baton off to Picasso for his VQ as he took the reins for the 2nd half. He had promised a smoker in a series of e-mails with YHC and Cold Cuts (not able to attend due to 2.0 ball game at 8 a.m.) and he did not disappoint. Led the PAX back down to the soccer fields and had us count off into 3 groups. Each PAX would stay with his group the remainder of the work-out.
Started us off with Bear Crawl Indian Run relay race. Each team lined up at end of soccer field in a line with each PAX member in Plank. PAX at back of line bear crawled to front and completed 5 merkins. When completed, next PAX went. Continued this until each team made it to light pole at midfield. It was sucktastic.
After that fun, Picasso announced that it was time for the Bruce Jenner/Dan O’Brien Decathlon Challenge. Each team completes 10 reps of posted exercise at light pole at midfield and then runs out and back to designated light pole across the field. Stay together as a team.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the team aspect, so Picasso led PAX across the lower parking lot to lower field at back right corner of the AO. Staying with your team, one PAX member ran loop up the hill and around while other PAX completed called exercise. PAX running loop stopped for 5 wide-arm merkins, 5 diamond merkins, & 5 regular merkins before returning to launch point.
Exercises completed while PAX running:
Head back to launch point. 1 minute left, so PAX were instructed to jog to other end of teacher parking lot and then AYG back.
COT
Moleskin:
Announcements:
(Posted on behalf of Floor Slapper & O’Tannenbaum)
With the QIC out of town visiting family, O’Tannenbaum & Floor Slapper answered the call and agreed to co-lead at Area 51. 6 PAX gathered in the Gloom around the VSF before heading out to make their weekly downpainment at McKee Rd Elementary.
OT led the PAX on a warm-up run through the adjoining neighborhood (Cold Cuts stomping grounds) and brought them out on the lower field for a little field work:
Mosey to playground at the front of school for the following:
OT hands off to Floor Slapper for 2nd Half:
Head over to the wall at front of school for some PC:
Time to partner up for a little Catch Me If You Can:
PAX stops at the rock pile for a little heavy lifting, with some cardio mixed in:
Return your rocks for another day and head over to the soccer field for 7 MOM
Head back to launch point
COT
NMM:
(Posted on behalf of Lobster Roll & Slapshot)
With YHC on a hiking trip with the 2.0, Lobstah Roll & Slapshot graciously stepped up and volunteered to lead the PAX at Area 51 for a Saturday morning stroll. With 5 PAX reporting for duty around the virtual SF, Lobstah Roll led the crew out into the Gloom for the start of the fun.
Mile Loop with Stations (IC):
Block work & sprints ( 2 sets/IC)
Slapshot takes over the Q duties
Mosey to front of the school for 3 sets of:
Mosey to playground at front of school for some circuit work
Finish it up with 6 MOM
COT
NMM:
Announcements:
12 PAX joined YHC at McKee Rd Elementary for a tour of the campus that serves as host AO of Charlotte South’s elder statesman of work-outs, Area 51. YHC was looking forward to getting back into the Gloom on a regular basis after being an infrequent participant due to a little 4/15 deadline that seemed to occupy most of my time. The morning brought the promise of a nice day for 60 minutes of hard work to get the weekend started off right.
Greeted two visitors, Rebel, who was up from the Fort, and Boo Boo, who is an Area 51 resident who has worked out with Metro crowd in the past as he works Uptown. Glad to have both of them out and would welcome them back anytime.
Led the PAX off on a light jog through the lower parking lot, around the 1st island and then back to the lower parking lot at top end of the soccer fields where we circled up for the COP:
After nice warm-up it was time to head over to the rock pile to pick up a pet rock. PAX was instructed that we would be taking our coupons along with us for a good while during the work-out, so pick accordingly. YHC would have been well served to have heeded his own warning. Live and learn.
With rocks in tow we headed over to the soccer field and lined up along the sideline for the following:
Grab your rock and let’s head over to the stumps behind the school
Head over to the grass and find a somewhat dry area for 6 MOM w/ our pet rocks
Leave the rocks in the circle and we headed over to the entrance of the nature trail
Time to head back to pick up our pet rocks before someone tries to steal them. Bear crawl up the hill at the entrance to the trail and then mosey back to our rocks.
Quick repeat of our 6 MOM
Back to the stumps for two more rounds
Enough quality time with our pet rocks, so we headed back to the rock piles and dropped off our friends. Headed back to the playground at the front of the school for a little circuit work
Head over to the wall at front of the school for People’s Chair
Short mosey to launch point and wrap it up with 5 Burpees OYO to keep DK content
COT
NMM:
Announcements: