Conditions : 62F and cloudy. Rain expected later, but only a few drizzles at 0530.
Q : Spike
It was YHC’s 49th birthday, so he was pretty hyped and excited to Q today! Disclaimer was given earnestly, as usual, with special attention paid to “we will be running over uneven pavement and through darker areas today, so take that into consideration…”
Had a good crew as YHC put the shovel flag into the ground, and by the time 0530 rolled around, 11 men had showed up. We had one late addition, just as we were moseying away from the flag, but no penalty was requested!
Warmup :
- 10x SSHs IC
- 10x arm circles IC
- 10x chinooks IC
- 10x circle arms IC
- 10x sprinklers IC
- 10x Daisy Pickers IC
- Plank Position – push down on toes (heels to ground) into Cobra stretch
- Best Stretch Ever – right leg 10 seconds, left leg 10 seconds
The Thang : A Tour of Phoenixville / Pearls on a String / Trip down Spike’s Memory Lane
YHC had this plan for a while, but wasn’t sure if he could pull it off. It was a lot of running for a 45 minute beatdown (2.5+ miles) and through some streets and neighborhoods we don’t normally travel, but as it coalesced in YHC’s mind, he figured “let’s go for it.” Then when it started to drizzle, YHC had some second thoughts, but once again gave a “let’s do it anyway” attitude, and off we went!
Moseyed from the flag to Locust Drive to visit Spike’s first house after he got married.
In front of said house, we waited for the 6, and did 10 Monkey Humpers IC.
Moseyed to the former Second Avenue Elementary School, where Spike explained he attended from Kindergarten through 6th grade! After circling up, we started spelling something (which only a few of the PAX picked up on anyway, but it was fun for YHC) :
Flying squirrels – 13X IC
Outlaw – 13X IC
Moseyed over to Carson Street, where we did another 10 monkey humpers in front of Flipper’s current house (he’s moving this Saturday!).
Moseyed down Carson Street to Cedar Drive, where we stopped in front of Spike’s childhood house, where he lived until he got married. Another 10 monkey humpers IC!
Moseyed up to the ACME parking lot, where we did :
Updowns – 13X IC
Rosalita – 13X IC
Moseyed up to Nutt Road, where we hooked a right, and stopped for a few streetlights until we got to a Blinds store on Manovon Street. YHC thought to catch his breath here, as he said “This Blinds place makes me realize how we can become blind to those around us. Let’s be on guard against that!” as we did another 10X Monkey Humpers, this time facing traffic!
Moseyed down Nutt Road to the location of a former barber – where Spike had his first haircut!
Moseyed down Nutt Road until we stopped in front of the Bank where Spike had his first bank account (still has the same one!), and across the street from the hospital where he was born. While there we did :
Tempo Merkins – 13X IC
Y-Squats – 13X IC (No, YHC didn’t make these up, but they’re not in the Exicon yet!)
Moseyed down Gay Street until we stopped in front of the Medical Office Building where Spike had his first set of braces, where we did 10x Monkey Humpers IC.
Moseyed down Gay Street until we came to Spike’s first apartment after he was married! Where we stopped and did :
Never cross Dolly – 13X IC
Imperial Walkers – 13X IC
Moseyed down Gay Street until we hooked a right on First Avenue.
Moseyed down First until we hit the end, where we came across the former Medical Office Building where Spike’s first doctor worked (very cold hands, that guy). Honestly forgot what we did here, but one of those letters above?
Moseyed back up to the corner of Reeves Park, where we did :
No surrenders – 13X IC (on the nice soft grass).
Moseyed up the hill and to the flag where we finished up with :
E2K – 13X IC (each side)
Which spelled = FOURTY NINE
Approximate mileage : 2.5 miles running distance.
YHC was so excited for his birthday Q that he totally forgot number-ama and name-o-rama until Hall Pass reminded him! Solid dozen men out this morning.
Again, YHC had to get to work and LEFT THE SHOVEL FLAG BEHIND! (Not the first time!). Thanks to Humboldt for picking up afterwards! Is that a 50 burpee penalty?
As always, it was a pleasure to Q for these fine men at the Blast Furnace. Some of them I’ve known since the start of my F3 journey, and others only for a few weeks. Each man is there for a reason, and they have each encouraged me in one way or another, and YHC hopes to do the same for them.
Bring on the LAST year of 49! Already looking forward to my RESPECT Q next year!