Abbreviated post, extended exertion
23 men entered the gloom for a new tempo route for DT. To YHC’s knowledge, only one PAX was momentarily lost and that was on the way back in known territory. #notmyfault
The numbers at DT keep growing as BRR gets closer. It is great to see everyone out for a good old fashioned run.
As in weeks past, YHC only has a limited view of the happenings of the morning. Frasier and Haggis are fast, Bratwurst is faster and likes to pass people for sport. But you all know that already.
What did you see out there today?
Preblast: Devil’s Turn – New Tempo Run Course
As you may have heard, the SCMS track is torn up and gone. We can not let that stop us from good old fashioned tempo running though. So here’s the new course to meet our extended exertion needs.
Since the distances are different, here is the updated Progressive Difficulty Matrix.
All other details are the same. See previous preblasts for pacing considerations. The idea is to run at a comfortably hard pace for an extended period of time. See you tomorrow!
Where’s Bratwurst?
At 5:15am in the parking lot of the Vine in the heart of Ballantyne, 5 men stood awaiting the arrival of the Q of the morning. Since Bratwurst is known for showing up last minute and dressing on the go, the PAX patiently waited until 5:15:42 and even then ran 2 lengths of Conlan Cir. before giving up and winging it sans Q.
Luckily the rough plan was known which was 200m at R-pace followed by a 200m recovery. What was not known was where the h— we were going. So an impromtu vote was held between the B-tyne CC loop or the “road to nowhere” loop. The “road to nowhere” loop (Community House) was selected and the PAX started into the 1-mile warmup.
After some dynamic warm-ups in a parking lot by B-tyne Corporate, the PAX started the 200m repeats. Again some discussion ensued on how to properly track the repeats and it was discovered that Strange Brew owns a technological device rivaling Bratwurst’s arm computer. With that we were ready and off we went.
Due to the small number of PAX, the 2nd F was good. Haggis was pushing the pace to an unwise level as usual and Boomer Sooner was there to keep the pace honest when Haggis and YHC were flagging due to an ill advised all out race during one of the 200m repeats. Not sure if the race was iron sharpening iron or just hard headed stupidity. Probably the latter.
Speaking of Boomer Sooner. Great second post at #Swift. Glad to have you and keep on like that and you will destroy that 5k PR. The man’s got speed.
Outback and Strange Brew were looking strong as usual. Outback seems poised to conquer the upcoming mud run with team mate Mr. Bean (in absentia). Speaking of, they are looking for 2 more to round out the team. C’mon lets get a SOB team out there. Signup is still open, contact them with intent.
As already said, Strange Brew’s watch was a lifesaver. It even makes those beeping noises to say it is time to go fast again that I have grown to dread. #unpleasantindications SB had a strong day out there today and at times YHC was a little unnerved to see the scary fire scull shirt coming out of the gloom. Perhaps it was a good indication of the intensity level which was off the charts on those repeats!
Until the bitter end, we expected Bratwurst to come out of the bushes like some kind of magic show or come running past us like we were standing still. We even discussed that we wouldn’t even hear him coming since he likely doesn’t breathe (the myth, the legend). But alas, no Bratwurst. Apparently free alarm clock apps are not all they are cracked up to be. Who knew?
Well it was a pleasure to somewhat lead this morning. Really more of a group think activity I would say. Effective none-the-less. Thanks brothers!
The BRR’s a comin’
Based on the 22 PAX at Devil’s Turn this AM, BRR must be on the horizon. Whatever the reason, it was great to see the men of Area 51 assembled in such a big group at a running workout.
It is hill week at DT so we headed for Piper Glen for the 4 mile or 6 mile option. It was pointed out that these loops end up being ~3.5 mi and 5.5 mi but this discrepancy is easily overcome with an extension down Bevington Place or on the greenway if desired.
Because of the high numbers, good running groups formed and it seemed that there was a good 2nd F component during the run. While Bratwurst chastens for excessive jibba jabba (means you are not pushing hard enough), YHC finds that talking helps to take the mind off the pain of hill running. Hopefully, the PAX found that to be the case too.
Due to groups forming, YHC only has a recollection of the events of running with Haggis and Splinter (and a little with Hops). The discussion was good and YHC found that discussing things that piss off Haggis makes him run really fast. So note to self, speak calming words if you are ever being run into the ground by the hoss that is Haggis. Also, Splinter was pushing (should say pulling) the pace all morning. It was a struggle to keep up. It is hard to believe that BRR will be his first organized running race. If there was money involved, someone could accuse him of hustling due to his skill at running quickly for extended distances. #hustle&flow
Bratwurst was doing something this morning. Not sure if it was with DT or not. He was spotted going this way and that multiple times during the morning. One thing is for sure, he was running faster than anyone else out there so he can do what he wants. #masteroftheflyby
As said, YHC did not get around to all the groups so please add any interesting events in the comments. With the characters in attendance this morning, I am sure there are some good stories.
Pre-Blast: Devil’s Turn – Hill Week
Two words: Piper Glen. For some, this may cause rejoicing and for others, trepidation. Regardless of your persuasion, it is hill week again and we are headed there for Devil’s Turn.
Meet at the greenway parking lot at the corner of Rea Rd. and Bevington Place to leave for the 4 and 6 mile routes at 5:15 am. We will head out together for a 0.75 mi “apartment loop” and then proceed for the main event through Piper Glen. YHC will have chalk to mark the way for both the 4 mile and 6 mile options.
For those that return to the greenway parking lot earlier than 6:10, feel free to add a little extra distance by turning right down Bevington place for an out and back. Time it properly to return for COT at 6:15 am.
If you would like a little extra running, show up at 5:00 am. We can launch simultaneously with the RFYL folks for a little warmup run down Bevington Place.
If you are into knowing where you are going, see the following post for some pertinent info.
http://f3nation.com/2014/06/18/devils-turn-preblast-time-to-hit-the-hills/
See you in the AM!
One for the record books…
As YHC got to the greenway parking lot with nearly all spaces taken, there was a thought of “what the heck is going on this early in the am?” The answer was apparently Devil’s Turn.
19 PAX (that’s right, 19!) showed up to get their endurance on this morning at the ‘Turn. Let’s just call that a record. As Haggis noticed, we have come a long way since the brave 4 who would show up in the dead of winter. However, it is now summer and BRR is upon us. Welcome brothers!
Today was Tempo day which means a warm-up mile followed by 40 to 45 more minutes of comfortably hard running. From the greenway parking lot, we headed 2.2 miles out to the S. Charlotte Middle school track, around the track for a variable number of times, and headed back the 2.2 miles to COT. PAX logged between 4 and 8 miles in the 55 minutes allotted.
Moleskin:
The Mouth conquered a PR today with 7.13 miles logged at a sub 8 min/mile pace. Strong brother! That is the Swift/Fast Twitch/DT/Rumrunner effect at work right there. This stuff works!
Skywalker was out running today after an appendectomy only 2 weeks prior! Ok, that is just toughness right there pushing through not only the agony of tempo running but also recovering from surgery. He mentioned that its not the incision that hurts, its more the inside parts. Yeah that’s your innards bouncing around against each other! Incredible effort and continue your healing brother.
Bratwurst didn’t like YHC’s warm-up speed. It probably was a little sporty, but there were some thoroughbreds out there chomping at the bit. Next time we may reign it in a bit though.
At 0.99 miles into the warm-up mile, Haggis said an inaudible, “GO!” and was off to the races. Once the rest of us knew what happened, he had a 50 yard head start. Frasier and YHC tried to give pursuit, but were not able to catch him by the track. To ensure we could not catch him, Haggis decided to close and nearly lock the gate to the track. Either that or he jumped the fence (entirely possible). From there, he was lost in the darkness only to be found at COT sitting on a bench. Such are the ways of a Scotsman.
With so many people and everyone getting spread out during the run, please add anything YHC missed. It is always a pleasure to run with this group of men!
Announcements:
– If someone wants to drive for BRR, contact Champagne or Alf
Preblast – Devil’s Turn – Tempo Run
Yep, tempo day again at the ‘Turn. We will be headed to the South Charlotte Middle School track and back.
We will start promptly at 5:15 am from the greenway parking lot at the corner of Rea Rd. and Bevington Place for the warmup jog toward the school. After a 1 mile warmup, we will accelerate to tempo pace, reach the school, and circle the track until each person needs to leave to return to the parking lot by 6:10 am.
Look up your “Marathon” training pace at http://runsmartproject.com/calculator/. After the warmup, keep it pegged on that or faster for at least the next 40 min (blue pill) or until you return to the parking lot (red pill).
If you need help calculating when to leave the track, see the progressive difficulty matrix.
If you require even more help, see Bratwurst’s benchmark for most descriptive preblast. http://f3nation.com/2014/07/09/f3devilsturn-preblast-tempo-day/
See you in the gloom!
Where’s my arrow?
17 men decided that running for an extended period of time over the hills of Piper Glen sounded like a good idea so they posted at this week’s Devil’s Turn to suffer together.
It was good weather with lower humidity than the rest of July. However, due to the level of exertion required for the hills, it looked like the PAX were mostly soaked by the COT. Just a sign of good hard work.
Due to the format, YHC only has limited insight as to the events of the morning. Sound off in the comments with anything that I missed.
Turkey Leg was on his 11th straight post. Yep, that is every day of the week with a Night Train thrown in for good measure. The man is a beast!
Frasier, Haggis, and Turkey Leg were flying out there today. Impressive pace over that kind of terrain. Other groups formed and seemed to be pushing it hard.
There was some controversy over the application of the chalk arrows to mark each turn. After COT, TR was adamant that YHC left the PAX to fend for themselves at the furthermost point on the route. An engineer’s quarrel ensued. At the the end, it was determined that for standardization purposes, the arrows will be applied on the “against traffic” side of the road at the plane tangent to the hypotenuse of a vector drawn concentric with the stop sign at the apex of each turn. This should clear up any confusion in the future unless we run out of pink sidewalk chalk. Alternatives were suggested however like shaving cream, bread crumbs, and road flares. We’ll see if it comes to that.
Haggis is now back from the mother land. He was ashamed to admit that he only ran 45 miles instead of whatever other un-godly number that he was originally intending. 45 miles?!?! For shame! Next time take it up a notch please. j/k Awesome job!
Welcome to the Devils Turn FNG’s Thurston and Hairball. Good work out there and we hope to see you back next time. Cotters to Fletch who was back today with a nagging leg. Hopefully, it treated you well on those hills!
Cotters also to those we haven’t seen in a while like Baracus, Stagecoach, 49er, and Mighty Mite. Hopefully, it is not as long until we see you again.
As was said earlier, please fill in any good info I may have missed.
It was fun fellas!
Preblast: Devil’s Turn – Hill Week
So YHC is a delinquent and is posting this plan a little late. If you are a Devil’s Turn regular (and you follow these things), you will know that this week is Piper Glen hill week again.
Meet at the greenway parking lot at the corner of Rea Rd. and Bevington Place to leave for the 4 and 6 mile routes at 5:15 am.
If you would like a little extra running, show up at 5:00 am. We can launch simultaneously with the RFYL folks for a little warmup run.
I will bring the chalk as usual to mark the route.
If you are into knowing where you are going, see the following post for some pertinent info.
http://f3nation.com/2014/06/18/devils-turn-preblast-time-to-hit-the-hills/
New Faces – Same Extended Exertion
11 men showed up in the steamy gloom ready for some tempo running out to S. Charlotte Middle school around the track for a variable number of laps and a return run back to the greenway parking lot. It was as simple as that. The only minor twist was that the PAX circled the track clockwise instead of the boring counter clockwise. You could sense the excitement in the PAX as this announcement was made prior to starting the run. (clear sarcasm here – nobody cared, but complied anyway to appease the Q)
Today was newcomer day at the ‘Turn with Mr. Bean (not an old-timer himself to DT) bringing Outback and Madame Tussauds bringing Fried Okra. Since Outback and Fried Okra have only posted 3 and 2 other times to F3, respectively, it took some stones to post at a running workout so early in their F3 careers. I think they both found that DT is for everyone though and there is nothing to be afraid of at a running workout. The workout is scalable based on what you need and we are all out there for a good time. Fried Okra put in an extraordinary effort on the last hill and absolutely crushed it. Keep coming out!
Splinter asked some good questions during the warmup mile about proper running form and Bratwurst bestowed some wisdom on us regarding upper body and arm position and proper foot strike, etc. YHC did not, however, hear the part about having to run shirtless in order to go fast. Apparently this is an important tip since once at the track, Bratwurst literally started running laps around us (sans shirt). Maybe when you go that fast you generate heat… who knew. Something to try, I guess.
The Devils Turn stalwarts were out in force today too and put in solid work. It is great to see a steady running group forming with Swift/Fast Twitch, DT, and Rumrunner each week. Getting more efficient and quicker at running will serve you in many ways. See you next week!