5 men showed up at 5:00 am for a 15 min pre-run to a running workout. Just couldn’t get enough. Actually one came in on two wheels, circled the median twice, and jumped out of the truck ready to lay down some miles. #fashionablylate #withflare
An additional 7 to 9 men showed up at the normal 5:15 start time and joined the pre-runners for a circling of the Danger Zone. The reason for the range in numbers is it seemed the quantity of PAX were fluctuating throughout the workout. At COT, there were (eventually) 14 heads. So we’ll leave it at that.
It was decided during mull-o-rama between the running that it would be safer to go the “long way” to the corner of 51 and Rea. This entails running west on Bevington Pl, right on Elm, and right on 51 until reaching the proper intersection. This round-a-bout way avoids the jagged sidewalk, closed sections, and mud holes on the way up Rea which give this route its name.
Most got in 2 full laps of the Danger Zone before heading back to COT. Gumbo, who is currently fighting his way back from IR, did one lap but he has a valid Dr’s note allowing that.
Moleskine:
– The gentle mist that fell on the early group was gone by the main event. Since there was no rain, the temperature was great during the workout making short sleeves very comfortable. However, it was just cool enough to keep Abercrombie (OneNiner) shirted up (Tolkien was not here to lead the shirtless charge and apply peer pressure).
– The wind was strong today and seemed to be in the face coming up the big hill heading back to 51. This was like a slap in the face and angered Tiger Rag.
– Stomach issues seemed common this morning leaving Fletch on the doorstep of Dunkin Doughnuts at 5:55 am crossing arms, legs, and sphincter staring decisively at the poor doughnut workers. Bunker also high-tailed it back to the parking lot port-a-jons. It is lucky he has that hand sanitizer in the car. #thatsgross
– Out Cold travelled all the way from Lake Norman to join the PAX today. We are glad he didn’t continue down to Rock Hill this morning and made it in time to join us.
– Frasier, Thin Mint, and Fletch (before his bathroom run) were pushing the pace today and making it look easy.
Announcements:
– 10-miler with Bunker in Feb
– F3 Dads
– Feb 25 18:00 – JRR Tolkien is arranging a hockey game for dads and 2.0’s. Message him soon to get your tickets. It requires a HC since he will be buying tix in the next few days.
– Feb 4 9:00am – YHC is arranging a 2.0 workout including pain stations, tickets, and dollar store trinkets. Should be a good time. Location is the Bull Ring in Ballantyne. Will be going out on Slack next week.
– Swiper is going to be a dad!
18 men showed up for the newly dubbed #F3Swirt (YHC making the most of a momentary typo by Bratwurst yesterday on Slack) ready for a jaunt up Ben Nevis and through the rolling hills of Ballantyne Country Club. 6 or 7 arrived early for extra credit at 5:00.
During the extra credit, the crew kept a keen eye waiting for Bratwurst to pop out of the bushes at full on T-pace to join us. However, the pre-run came and went without our illustrious leader. Then during mull-o-rama prior to 5:15, no tan Tacoma was seen anywhere. Oh no, it’s 5:15! It was 5:15, time to scramble. After some bumbling remarks, a rough agenda was pieced together and we were off.
Haggis was keen on a warmup routine and led the group in the typical exercises at the entrance to BCC. The intervals then began and continued through the full Ballantyne CC loop. The intervals were 2 min @ 2 mi race pace (1 min rest), 1 min @ 2 mi race pace (30 sec rest), 30 sec @ 2 mi race pace (30 sec rest). It was awful since it seemed that all the intervals were run up hills and the rest was spent running down the same hill just ascended to regroup. Devastating…
Thanks to Hairball who programmed the intervals in his arm computer for this morning. It seems to be the first time he has ever done this and it was a great time to start. Thanks also to Strange Brew who still had it programmed from long ago. However, his programming led us to less rest than desired (flexible constraints…).
It was a big group this morning and everyone was pushing hard through the hills of the CC. Overall, everyone made it through the whole CC loop and arrived on time at COT. Great work on that front men. That is a long route and it has been a while since we have run hills. Ouch…
Thanks guys for the group effort to keep this workout on the rails this morning. Let’s not forget all that Bratwurst does for us. We would be much worse off (and much slower) without his guidance.
#F3Swirt
13 men showed up not knowing what to expect at this week’s Devil’s Turn. Would it be Piper Glen? the LC? the track?
Nope, none of those were correct. This week, DT headed for The Village. Due to YHC’s impeccable planning and preparation, there was no chalk applied to the route and the street names were not described. The instructions were reduced to, “Run west on Bevington Place. When it seems like it is ending, go a little further until it really ends, then turn right. Go on that road until it dead ends, turn right and continue until it is time to run back to start.” Clear right?
Well despite the vague directions, everyone followed the route and fell into some good groups. It was great to see Ice Sickle and Early Bird out at DT again. Margo was also out for his first DT after BRR. How long ago was that? Well don’t be a stranger. It also seems like Swiper hasn’t been out in a while. Welcome back if so. If not, YHC’s fault (also haven’t been that regular).
Depth Charge and Rebar are becoming regulars and are strong out there. If you need something run into, knocked down, and then run on for an extended period of time. These two are your guys… Strong.
Overall, it was a great run today. Thanks for coming out and putting in the miles. It pays.
13 men showed up to Devil’s Turn this morning despite the warnings of “wet leaves of death” from TR and most left glad they did.
The plan for the day was to hit the greenway and its boardwalks today. This is where the current incarnation of Devil’s Turn began long before Piper Glen route, The Track, Danger Zone, The Village, and Lauren Conrad. Some remember the even older days when Devil’s Turn met at the McAlpine Creek greenway. Although not that far back, we’ll say today was a return to the roots of DT.
Not long into the warmup mile, TR and others began their grumblings of the slick surface that had formed on the wooden portions of the path. Despite his grumblings, TR proceeded to take off after 1 mile of warmup with the DT FNG – Rebar in tow. This FNG is obviously no FNG to running. That guy’s got some speed on him. He blamed it on joining the Marines, and it seems he is right.
Soon Fletch and One Niner got a wild hair and ran fast like TR and Rebar. What about an easy fellowship pace day guys? Unwelcomed iron sharpening! Fletch was fresh off of a back strain situation. It didn’t show.
It was good to see Ironsides back out at DT. The man’s a beast. Alf was also back out to DT after some time off to recover from BRR. Wait, that was a long time ago. Oh well, good to see him again. Mr. Bean was also back at DT. Not sure where he has been but it doesn’t seem to be at DT. Don’t be a stranger.
Overall, great day in the slippery foggy gloom. Just use the non-ideal conditions to work on your groinoidals. Come race time, you will thank me.
Announcements:
– New Year’s 17k
– Joe Davis Run
– Sign up for them and dominate DT style
There’s just over a week to go until the Kiawah marathon/half marathon and the hay is pretty much in the barn. Bratwurst’s calendar shows 8 miles for December 1 with no details how to get there. Let’s assume that means run at an easy pace.
There are two options for start times.
1) 5:00 am – Meet at corner of Rea Rd and Bevington Place. Run on Bevington out and back for 14 min.
2) 5:15 am – Meet at same starting location and run north on Rea Rd until across 51. Repeat out and back on Rea Rd between 51 and the start of Colony (the stoplight) until it is time to return the 0.7 mi to the start point by 6:15 am.
So there’s the plan. If you have alternate speeds which you would like to run, there is plenty of flexibility for that.
11 men including 1 FNG launched into the darkness for this week’s Devil’s Turn. Some started earlier and ran further than others. Some ran different routes. In then end, all ran and that is what matters at Devil’s Turn.
The route of the week was The Village. It offers gentle climbs, wide roads, and this week, a herd of deer. The deer hung around in the entrance to a neighborhood for the duration of the workout. There must have been something really delicious there. Luckily they did not stampede like TR’s clip on Twitter.
Speaking of TR, he was on a mission to break the weight class record for number of rounds of The Village which he did handily with 3 full rounds at sub-7:00 min/mile pace. Strong!
We welcomed FNG Super Dave (Chris) to F3 this morning. He was there to become official before the upcoming soccer arms cup. Great running with you and we hope you come back!
Overall, it was a great day in the gloom. Thanks for sharpening iron out there!
Announcements:
– Operation Sweet Tooth – see preblast
– Joe Davis Run – sign up and take JRR Tolkien up on the challenge
For tomorrow’s Devil’s Turn, there are no planned early starts. We will all meet at 5:15 am at the corner of Rea Rd. and Bevington Place.
We will then proceed to The Village to run until it is time to run the 0.7 miles back to the start by 6:15. The Village is running west on Bevington Place until it meets Baybrook Ln. Turn left on Baybrook Ln out to 51. Right on 51 and next right onto Carswell Ln. Carswell Ln dead ends back into Bevington Place. A right on Bevington Place starts the fun all over again.
That’s pretty much it. There may or may not be chalk on the course. You’ve been warned.
15 + 1 partial credit chose their poison and showed up to party at this week’s Devil’s Turn. Here’s a few of the things that happened:
3:50 am – Hairball and allegedly also Tolkien took off from the launch point and ran for a long….long time
4:45 am – Bunker and HB confirmed to be both hairstyle and shirt color compliant set off west from the launch point and ran for 15 minutes
5:00 am – The bald guys returned to find Bratwurst and Baracus in matching shirts. While not the official DT color, it was excused because it was just funny. Frasier may or may not have had his shirt on at this point.
5:15 am – All arrived back and after a babbling description of the general route for the day, Tuck presented the new site Q for DT. It seems Bunker and YHC have been replaced by a cardboard sign that says “RUN.” It seemed like a good thing to do so we complied.
6:15 am – Everyone except for Tolkien was accounted for. We will take Hairball’s word for it that Tolkien was actually there. #partialcredit
The Moleskine:
1) Hawks apparently fancy Turkey Leg since one swooped out of the dark trees and attacked his head on the way up Rea to 51. TL thought he brushed a tree branch but Frasier spotted a large bird of prey grab TL’s head. – shocking…
2) Monk joined us today from Gastonia (Gas House). We are glad you joined us although I am sure you are ready to be back in the house after the renovation saga is over. Good luck brother!
Announcements:
1) Gastonia is having a CSAUP event at Crowder’s Mtn in November. Check the website for details. It sounds like it is an overnight thing. Pretty cool.
2) Sign up for the Christmas Party. If you don’t, you will be publically shamed on Slack by Mr. Bean
With marathon training in full swing, people need options. We, the bald and beautiful management of Devil’s Turn, are here to deliver.
This week’s Devil’s Turn will offer all the options a PAX could ever desire. Just read below and choose from our selection:
All options meet in the greenway parking lot at the corner of Rea Rd. and Bevington Place.
1) Hairball’s little bit of crazy – meet at “stupid early hour” and run at marathon pace until 6:15 am. (contact Hairball if you are actually interested)
2) 4:45 am option – Out and back to the west on Bevington Place (will come back to pick up next group)
3) 5:00 am option – Out and back to the east on Bevington Place (will come back to pick up next group)
4) 5:15 am option – Head north on Rea Rd to the “Danger Zone” and run between 51 and the beginning of Colony Rd. until time to head back to start at 6:15 am
See you there at whatever time you choose. There are no bad choices here…
20 men + 2 on their own plan entered the gloom this AM to run some miles. Like last week, there were 3 optional start times. Here’s how it went down.
4:45 am: YHC arrived and prepped the audio book for sad clown action. After starting, two concerning figures (Beaker and Hairball) arrived out of the darkness to join. Audio book was put on pause and a 15 min out and back was executed on Bevington Place going west.
5:00 am: The original 3 were greeted by ~6 – 7 others including Tiger Rag (noted due to the near constant mumble chatter) and Rock Thrill (noted due to his extended absence and the bleeding elbow at the conclusion of the run). Another 15 min out and back was executed this time heading north on Elm and West on 51.
5:15 am: 19 total congregated in the parking lot and headed out toward the SCMS track. Baracus met us at the track and Mall Cop and Wolfman were allegedly on the roads this morning.
This total of 22 PAX at Devils Turn post-BRR is nearly unprecedented; magical even. The Ragnar, CLT Marathon, and Kiawah Marathons must have people in a running mood. Regardless, it is great running with so many guys out there.
YHC is also currently #deadtohaze. This is ok since this seems to be a term of affection. He was even seen smiling happily while circling the track in the dark.
Announcements:
Ragnar volunteer opportunities are available, contact Honey Bee for details if interested
Joe Davis Run registration coming soon (Oct 4th signup is open)
Saturday and Sunday long pace runs are scheduled this week, contact Bratwurst for details