Dodging raindrops at the Dreadnought

13 men ignored the warning from the weatherman last night and showed up to post at the dreadnought. Either that, or they looked at the Futurecast, which said that the bad stuff was going to hit Morehead city at 7 AM. We dodged a bullet with only a light sprinkle during the work out, but it hit hard on the way home.
Countdown started at three minutes, with Pasquale rolling in hot. With a hard start at 5:25, we did a warm-up lap around the student parking lot. We then lined up for a little dynamic warm-up: Laps of high knees, butt kickers, and Frankenstein‘s, with some IC hillbillies, sun gods, and windmills in between. The sprinkle started, and we ran around the backside of the school to the curb along the front entrance.
AMRAP for 30 seconds: alternating curb toe taps. Followed by 20 urkins. 30 second alternating curb toe taps. 20 durkins. 30 second single leg line jumps. 20 uneven merkins. 30 seconds other leg single leg line jumps. 20 Opposite arm uneven merkins…     Each AMRAP with a palate cleanser lap in between (around the parking lot).
We then took off down the bike path. We ran to Swinson Park, with three stops along the way for ATM: Alternating shoulder taps IC X 10, tempo merkins IC X 10, Merkins times 10.
At the tennis courts we found a spot along the fence for 10 donkey kicks. Then, on the sideline for three rounds of 10 Broadjump’s, backpedal, and five star jumps. Back to the fence for 10 donkey kicks. Then, partner up for for a wheelbarrow around the largest square on the tennis courts: always facing the same direction so you get in forward, sideways, backwards, sideways. Switch partners and repeat. Back to the fence for 10 donkey kicks.
At this point, time was running short so we headed back down the bike path to West Carteret HS, with three stops along the way for a little 4 x 4: Down into Burpee position, 4 Merkins, 4 IC mountain climbers, pop back up into standing. Repeat sequence 4 times each stop.
Pasquale sprinted out ahead on the last leg, and at that point YHC realized that he was the only one with a little mumblechatter this morning. This crew is usually very thick in the mumble chatter. It’s puzzling why they were so subdued this morning(?): Not enough coffee? Preoccupied by this weekend‘s race? Or just short of breath?
As we entered the student parking lot, some of the pax picked it up with a sprint to the flag. Great push gentlemen! YHC could feel Lassie breathing on the back of my neck the last 40 meters.
It was great to see Blart show up in full Homeland security gear as we circled up at the flag. One and a half minutes remained, so we went on our six for 35 IC low slow flutters, until a hard stop.
Count off, namarama, and a few announcements of upcoming workouts and the happenings at the Methodist Church this afternoon. We also wished the Palmetto crew good luck, and hope that everyone is able to stay out of jail in Charleston on Saturday night. Prayer concerns were expressed for a teacher at White Oak Elementary that suffered a brain aneurysm this past weekend and is in critical condition. YHC also wanted to lift up my father-in-law and his family for the time they are going through with his health. YHC took us out in prayer with Blart able to join us.
Rambling moleskin: I love the pace and intensity of the dreadnought, and it was an honor to finally Q. Thank you ram for the opportunity, we missed you today. Thanks Laettner for the supportive clown car.
More rambling moleskin: As research has evolved with runner’s race training, more and more emphasis is put on core strength and building up the arms as well. Olympic level marathon runners now spend two days a week just working core. Many runners just hit the pavement and neglect the other critical parts. Cross training is key for injury prevention, and fortunately F3 emphasizes that philosophy.
More rambling moleskin: Fighting off allergies and sinus issues, YHC almost messaged ram to switch out the dreadnought Q today. Two nights in a row of hacking up a lung in the middle of the night was pretty discouraging. But, I’m glad I went through it. My lung capacity felt like was cut in half, but the pax motivated me to push through. I appreciate it guys.
More rambling moleskin: We are all stressed. As people, we need a stress outlet. Stress outlets can be positive or negative things. Many people have a negative “crutch” that they turn to. In recent months (besides turning to the Lord in prayer) F3 has become my stress outlet. I consider that a positive thing, and I hope my F3 brothers are in the same boat. Keep EH’ing those guys out there that you know need it. You know there are guys that have negative stress outlets that need a positive influence in their life.
Griswold.