When YHC asked Goat and Canuck if they’d like to bang on Friday morning, the horned one deferred for a possible FNG at General while Canuck suggested we switch to a later start time. Knowing there was a good chance I would be up late mourning a bowl loss, I agreed and posted a PB.

In the time it took to post said tweet, Canuck pulled a classic Canuck by making alternate plans and bailing on me entirely. Luckily, The Force had already responded on X to let me know someone(s) were open to a post KB run so at least I would get to see someone pass me at some point. 

I awoke at 0500 and briefly considered posting to Cauldron as well, but decided I didn’t need that much fitness (I would learn later at coffeeteria that I could have just posted for 2/3 of that workout like some pax). By not choosing to take the red pill until 0630, I was rewarded with a text from Caesar saying he would be joining me for my two business park loops. Hooray!

At 0630, Caesar, The Force and Tammy Faye were all waiting for the green flag. Jersey Boy was also present, but clearly had no idea what was happening and summarily left us for the warm confines of Lowes Foods to share his AI-inspired, printed Monet art with Popcorn. After a brief request that Hotwax put in our coffee orders ahead of our return, we were off.

The Dardstan (a newly coined term for a post-workout standard) crowd held back for Toby as Caesar and I started our walk. At the half mile mark, the TF bros passed us on the hill and inspired us to pick up our pace as well. Caesar and I managed to keep stride about 30 yards behind until I stopped to tie my shoe. We would not see the duo again until coffee.

Following 2 loops — and informing Caesar that there was only one hotel in the park — we returned to the parking lot and eventually to coffee. TF had two cups ready for us to enjoy. He offered to coat a nipple in mayo (I can add that here since no one reads these things), but we politely declined. When talk eventually turned to Carolina basketball, we knew it was time to depart. There was an effort in the parking lot to draw out our time together by talking about sobriety, double downs and dieting in 2024, but the chill in the air took precedence and we all opted to get on with our day.

All in all, it was a great morning spent with great fellowship…and a dash of fitness to boot.