Pickup trucks and flags

It was a cold but beautiful morning.  There were many options on the menu today but most involved running various distances.  Stroganoff took advantage of the Ruck option and left out at a good pace at 0600.  Gastone did some extra running early as did Defib.  Hipaa did his own thing that involved getting in some miles.  No one knows for sure what route he took.  The rest did the normal Coconut Horse loop for five miles.

YHC arrived at 0625 to see a sweaty Gastone and a cold Dr. Seuss waiting for the clock.  Boudin emerged from his truck and then Defib showed up, finishing his first eleven miles.  He asked who the Q was.  “I am”, I replied.

Defib responded, “which route are we taking?”

“The normal route”, I replied.

“Let’s go”, said Defib.

“Yes sir”, I replied, and off we went.

The pace was quick with a sub 8 first mile.  Then Sargento passed us, then Gastone and Boudin took off.

We saw Breaker Breaker getting in 9 miles.  Madoff was getting after it too.  Eventually we all ended up at the same place with at least 5 miles completed.  Stroganoff had rucked a really good pace.  He was already done.

Before we could hit coffeerama we were awaiting Hipaa.  YHC called him on the phone.  “Where are you?”

Hipaa, “a quarter mile out”.

Ten minutes later we see “Hipaa” running back to the group.  He was too late for the team photo but we made up for that with a solo glamour shot later.  Sargento remarked that Hipaa has a funny running stride.

We recited the Pledge of Allegiance in unison with the flag hung from the back of Gastone’s pickup truck with duct tape.  (“Redneck”, declared an unnamed PAX)

Prayer requests for Nicki Bailey who is fighting cancer.  Prayers for safe travels during the holiday and for those who have lost family members during the holidays.

It is true that the holiday’s can be a sad time for people.  Isolation, depression, and shorter days can be tough on people.  This should be the season of the emotional headlock.  Get those isolated guys out to the Gloom.  Invite them to join and post with them.  Gastone was putting a solid EH on a school teacher after coffeerama.  This should be a season of joy and gratitude.  Make it happen and bring others along.  Reach out to friends and family and check on them.  They will remember.

Speaking of coffeerama.  There was some gallows humor but the highlight was listening to Sargento and Boudin talk about their M’s fitness contest the day before.  Apparently these two took their shirts off in the parking lot of the fitness competition and were posing down with each other. (Not sure if they oiled each other up first).  However, Boudin was challenging the jacked male bodybuilders to a burpee contest.  No starved, dehydrated, and weak bodybuilder took him up on the offer.  Good work!  #HIM.

It was a great day to be a part of F3 Gastonia and run the #horse.  Until next time.