26 PAX for the fourth annual AO to AO goodness.
During these "difficult" times we had tough time determining when the right time to have this event was. The committee finally said enough is enough, in 2 weeks we march. The NC governor must have heard the battle cries as he shortly provided the confirmation we needed in granting phase 1 release of house arrest. An outpour of support for our efforts where HCs and SCs came in.
Clown Cars abound and we rendezvous at mustang to ensure the shuttle cars were available for the trek to the other Denver AO.
19:45 – Lots of PAX in the SVU parking lot chatting it up , taping it up, lubing it up … familiar faces were greeted from past battles looking forward to what lies ahead.
20:00 – Circle up . KAZ leads us in a series of warm-ups that border lined mutiny from those of us that hadn't posted to a workout in a while and the chatter was lit. Ruck Merkins, ruck squats, ruck press flutters and he finally takes the hint allowing us to commence on the journey ahead. Teams were formed ensuring everyone had a battle buddy within their squad.
Team 1 – ZIP’s Bags
Team 2 – Kaczynski’s Bombs
Team 3 – Hefty’s Sacks
Team 1 leads us out, grabbing the coupon that could be described as nothing less than spectacular … 2 x 6 Steel beams that were 6 foot long (for distancing purposes) with 4 welded handles and weighed in at 69# — you guessed it they were built by Clark, Solid work bro. We head up Burton to Blades while informing the newbies they better be on guard as the 25 MPH speed limit was rarely adhered to and the screech of the minivans and sedans taking the curves stood as evidence. Spirits were high and the team began to move at a steady clip. Onto Golf Course N and to Lake Shore N we reach our first POI – Zips yard where we swap out the steel beam for a 60# sandbag. Team 2 it’s your turn to lead. Important note that if you stop for a fraction of a minute be prepared to use your big boy voice to get the PAX moving again.
Team 2 takes us up Fairfield Forest, past Westport Baptist and onto the Wood hill Cove which will smell of testerone infused urine until we remark our territory next year. Give directive that the midway point is near and we are to be silent operatives or at least don't wake up the neighborhood.
Break time – 30 minutes to revisit the prep on the feet, eat a snack and enjoy a brewski, my were they good. PAX socialize enjoying the hiatus … 22:45 We march with Team 3 leading us out.
Team 3 takes us through SmithStone, crossing Bus16 into the Villages of Denver raceway. I'd imagine this was the point from past participants where they expected the infamous out and back to the right or further down to the left … Oh we had bigger surprises in store. We head towards new 16 stopping for some fun on the tracks. Split the PAX in half and derkins on each side and if you ain't derkin ,you planking and if you ain't doing those you are moving to the front of the line. honestly I have no idea what the order was only that I was tired of doing any of these. Well that was fun, but it's about to get funner (should be a word if it isn't )
PAX has been informed that we will not have to cross 16 instead we will be taking the tracks the rest of the way. Also Team 3 hasn't carried the coupon yet and we have a sister beam hiding out waiting to be carried. Form up and move out … my how the pace suffered while having to watch each and every step and the obsessive compulsive side of me was driven mad by the total lack of regard in proper spacing of the railroad ties. We continue on what felt like 20 miles before we reach our exit point. Now I do realize that we haven't done an out and back so we knock out a quickie. PAX is instructed to tag the sign so I could get a head count which they fail miserably. Kaz restores order and we take off towards endex.
As we head up South Little Egypt spirits were high as the PAX will be forever grateful that they are no longer working on the railroad. We still have more miles to gain so we scoot left through Cougar town and take the Exploration Blvd loop. Crossing 16 we enter the Mustang AO from the rear around the back of the school to the launch pad. There's your EndEx.
Good times men and sound off on any of the shenanigans and mishaps that weren't mentioned.
Yeah you read right … We had a FNG (who does that ? ) Retread's buddy Luke decided to join us for a casual weighted 13.1 mile stroll as his first post, sick. Couple names bounced around and we land on Sooner …. hope to see you out before 2021. War baby is Wrangler and War Daddy is Pressure Point ( I think)
The mumblechatter was non-stop and PAX agreed that the full 13.1 on the tracks is a deal breaker.
YHC,
Ziploc
P.S. The patches will be the envy of schoolgirls ages 4-12 ….