8 men were awakened at 3:30 am with a monsoon hitting their window and still chose to post at Devils Turn fully knowing there are no parking decks for shelter at this AO. Luckily, the rain had stopped by 5:15 and all was ideal for a trip back to The Hills called Lauren Conrad (LC for short).
We are lucky that our own Hairball introduced us to this gem a few weeks ago. We are even luckier because the alternate hill route through Piper Glen is currently closed due to road work on Old Course. YHC personally likes the LC route better since it offers more opportunity for seeing the other PAX which offers additional encouragement/ribbing possibilities. The loss of PAX in the hills is also reduced at LC (less complicated route).
So the workout was simple. Run at warmup pace north on Rea Rd for 1.1 miles, turn left into Five Knolls subdivision, run to the cul-de-sac at the end of Five Knolls Rd., and run back to the entrance. Repeat the ~1.0 mile Five Knolls Rd. out-and-back as many times as possible until time to run the 1.1 miles back to start.
Once reaching the entrance of Five Knolls, there was an optional dynamic stretching session waiting on the 6. Bunker and Outback opted for more running and skipped the session. Those guys are machines which need no dynamic stretching.
Haggis was practically giddy that dynamic stretching was being performed when he arrived at the entrance. He didn’t even have to complain to get the session started. It is our gift to you brother. Get well and breathe.
Utah made his debut at DT and made an impact. Huggy Bear and Strange Brew battled it out with him the whole time for who would dominate the hills in the most dominant manner. From the looks of it, they all did. You are welcome any time at DT Utah!
Stumphugger returned to the PAX after a hiatus for work. Although this probably was not the optimal return workout after an absence, SH did not let that show and powered through today. He even broke out the guns to show he meant business. Glad to have you back brother!
As always, the running is hard while we are there but it is always a good memory looking back. Thanks for making DT what it is!
Announcements:
With the full moon shining and fresh pollen on the boardwalk, 11 men set out on the 4 Mile Creek Greenway for some extended threshold pace running. The plan was for a 1 mile warm-up, 20 minutes at threshold pace going out, 3 min recovery coming back, then 20 minutes at threshold pace the rest of the way back.
That was the plan… This is how it actually went down:
After a late arrival and a haphazard introduction to the plan, the PAX still decided to follow YHC out onto the greenway. Haggis soon started lobbying for a dynamic stretching session at the end of the 1 mile warm-up. His talking points included “I’m old”, “Frasier will beat me if we don’t do it”, and some other incoherent facts. His lobbying eventually worked, and he was allowed to Q jack the workout after the 1 mile was complete.
Hairball was having none of that and continued on into the night. When we saw him again, he was busy contemplating the next GIF to be hurled into the twitter dome. The man is a machine.
While dynamically stretching on the boardwalk above the marshland, Bratwurst notified us that a full 20 min at Threshold pace would put us too far from home and the plan was modified to a 15 min out, 5 min back, 3 min rest, and 20 min back. The PAX was briefed and we were off on the adventure.
Bratwurst likes to call threshold pace “comfortably hard.” To that, I say “horse crap.” It was just hard today. Haggis came for business and didn’t talk much (competitive advantage), Frasier set a ridiculous pace, and Bratwurst’s geometric triangulations worked well for the overall distance/time.
Bunker’s new watch must have done as promised on the box and made him faster today since he got back early. After seeing that thing in person, it is a downright sporty instrument. #watchenvy
Welcome to Icicle who was an FNG today to Devil’s Turn. Thanks for coming out and getting some miles with us!
Ironsides gets the medal for overall push as he stretched it to the limit before turning around. Welcome back to DT brother! Way to push it.
Baracus is steadily getting back into this running thing. From the looks of it, he may now be on vaca though. I guess this morning was a downpainment on some relaxation. Enjoy the rewards.
Hannibal and Huggie Bear are clearly going to have a severe jump on their BRR teams with all the miles being put in. These sessions at threshold pace will pay dividends come September.
This morning was awesome men (even better when it was finished and the pain subsided)! It is always fun to be out there pushing the limits of reason with you guys. Thanks for pushing!
11 men showed up on time and 1 just a little late for a blustery Devil’s Turn. After some instructions and warnings, the PAX were virtually chomping at the bit to get going (mostly to get warm through exertion). Strange Brew and Outback actually took off first with the PAX in tow. They had enough of the Q jibber jabber and set out on their own.
The plan of the day was to head north on Rea Rd until we crossed 51. This was the start point and the turnaround was where Colony Rd. begins at the light. This route is affectionately called the “Danger Zone.” It got this name from the originator of the route, Stump Hugger, who slipped and fell in one of the many mud holes on the way and busted up both knees. Thus, danger.
Today had even more elements of danger since there were many downed tree limbs strewn along the sidewalk. There was a lot of what sounded like mumblechatter on the way to 51 which turned out was actually just the PAX warning each other of impending doom on every step.
It was a great day of running with everyone pushing the pace up and down the hills. It seemed as though the wind was also against us in both directions. Is that even possible? Most PAX completed between 6 and 7 miles today.
Thanks for the push fellas. It is always a good time running at Devils Turn with you!
Announcements:
Da Vinci and Commentment convergence this Saturday
Balrog on March 12 – Signup
5 year Anniversary Party – Signup
On Sunday, you will have options if you are itching to get in some LSD (Long Slow Distance) miles on your feet.
Option 1 (Honey Bee Q): 6:00 am at the Vine American Kitchen – 13735 Conlan Cir, Charlotte, NC – 7, 9, and 12 mile options
Option 2 (Strange Brew Q): 7:00 am at the Anne Springs Close Greenway Recreation Complex – 971 Tom Hall St, Fort Mil, SC 29715 – Many distance options
See you there at whatever option you choose. Tweet said Q to let them know you are coming so you don’t get accidentally left if you partially fart sack.
12 men joined the skins team and headed off to lay down some blistering Strava segments this Devils Turn.
The challenge of the day was the Murderhorn in the back yard of the Maul and Rebel Yell. The later took hold of the challenge via Twitter and vowed vengeance.
After the obligatory “bring it” and “it’s already been broughten” were exchanged, it was time to get down to business.
A 2.2 mi warmup was completed on the way to the Murderhorn. We then proceeded 3 times up and down the Horn. FNG Citgo held constantly fast throughout while most everyone else tapered off after the preliminary irrational exuberance wore off.
The 4th time up the horn was called off due to time but FNG Citgo was determined to get in the full workout and headed back down for a fourth (he forgot his shirt). Respect was gained all around and we headed back in unison the 2.2 miles.
It was an excellent run with you guys and it looked like an all out effort by all. See you next week.
Sign up for the 5 year party!
We started with 8. Dropped to 7. Increased to 10. Then at the last moment before COT, we were 11. Even though it was a strange day numbers wise, it was a straightforward plan. It went like this.
Run out to Piper Glen somewhat together, run up and down a nasty double tiered hill 4 times then go find a nastier hill to run up 3.5 more times. We then ran back to the start.
Its been more than 2 years since we have run hill repeats at DT. That is just too long judging by the satisfied looks on all the PAX.
It was great my brothers. Thanks for the all out efforts!
13 men arrived at #F3DevilsTurn with one thing in mind. That thing was getting after it in a real way. And that is what we did.
We started with a one mile warmup. Haggis talked us into some Brat style dynamic stretching and then attempted a Q jack mosey while YHC was jibber jabbering.
After wresting control back, we started the main event which consisted of 1 mile at threshold pace and 0.25 miles at easy pace repeated for the rest of the workout.
We went out to the track, around the track quite a few times, then headed back for COT. Most got more than 6 miles under their belt today.
It was a great day for running and as always, it is great to have you guys to suffer and get better with.
So the Joe Davis run is behind us and we have now turned our sights for 1-mile speed. However, at #F3DevilsTurn, we run non-stop for the whole hour. No rest periods planned.
Therefore, the plan for tomorrow is to begin running at 5:15 from the greenway parking lot at the corner of Rea Rd. and Bevington Place and proceed to run the apartment loop.
After passing the parking lot again and picking up stragglers, we will head South on Rea toward Piper Glen. Once the 1 mile of warmup is complete, we will run at a faster rate of speed until we return to the parking lot at 6:15. There will be 4 mile and 6 mile options.
YHC will have chalk to mark the route. We may need to bypass Old Course and go in the main Piper Glen entrance if the road is not yet fixed.
7 men showed up to Devil’s Turn this Joe Davis Memorial Run eve to get in a few miles before the big day. This turnout was somewhat unexpected since some are already tapering for Saturday’s race. It was great to have the company!
The plan was basic. Run out and back on the greenway. There was a gentle nudge toward 20 min at Easy pace then 20 min at Threshold pace followed by a cool down jog. By most accounts on Strava the mileage was 6.0 to 6.5 miles.
The disclaimer of the morning consisted of “you’re on your own…don’t get lost and don’t turn right on the way out.” Yeah, that should do it and so we were off.
Gumbo didn’t get the message about the Easy pace coming first and set a salacious pace on the way out. It appears he came to his senses a little on the way back, but wow, the training miles are paying off. A PR is definitely in his future at Racefest which will also be his first half marathon. PR is a given, but with that pace, it will be a very pleasing time as well.
Strange Brew took the disclaimer advice quite seriously and veered left at the fork which sent him out to Pike Nursery and LA Fitness. He neither purchased daisies nor stopped in for some weight training. Instead he ran down to the Swift stomping grounds, looked around and returned. He was also on an intriguing pace this morning. Likely stewing about the poor advice given at the beginning of the workout. #cobains
Bunker was out for his 3rd post of the week which coincided with his 3rd post with F3. He is definitely bought into this thing at this point and is also on top of the F3 SOB leaderboard in miles run this week. We have another #runner in our midst!
Ironsides, Mr. Brady, and Cheddar were working it today and managed not to have any head on collisions with the large masses of RFYL runners out this morning. They were coming in droves and it was a welcome sight to know that we were still in civilization.
As always, it was great to run with you guys today. It was great to be able to do our cool down run together at the end and commiserate about end of marathon blues. Sorry Brew that you were still on your blistering pace to arrive on time.
Until next week…