Even The Revised Course Wins
QIC: Starfish
Date: 4/6/2023
PAX: BAM, Dr. Toot, Ink Spot (WD), Frostbite (WB), Burlap, Chomper, Mongoose, Offsides, Bevo, Starfish (QIC)
On Thursday (4/06/23) at #DashWIB, we ran the 4th Marble Arch Marathons. It has become a biennial tradition in these parts. At the inaugural event back in May 2017, 10 #DashPax attempted and 0 finished, although @Zima and @RustBucket came close but just barely missed the 45 minute time cutoff. At the second event in March 2019, we had 18 #DashPax attempt and 6(!) finish! @LitterBox, @Vig, @Zima, @Huckleberry, @Greenspan and @Offsides finished all 5 loops in 2019. So, in true Lazarus Lake fashion, we made the third one a bit harder. And the third core principle was in full effect (#RainOrShine #HotOrCold) as 13 pax attempted, 0 finished and 10 completed a #FunRun. In this 4th version, 10 strong men answered the call of the conch and were there for the lighting of the cigarette at 0530.
The Thang
Think of this as a much abbreviated version of the Barkley Marathons, the sadistic race in East Tennessee which is made up of 5 loops of 26ish miles and 20K feet of elevation gain per loop. We attempted to run 5 loops (or 3 loops for a #FunRun) of Marble Arch Road. Each loop is 0.83 miles and 61.7 feet of elevation gain. At each intersection we came across, we stopped and performed an escalating number of perfect form reps OYO of the called exercise:
Stop 1: Merkins (1st loop = 5x, 2nd loop = 10x, 3rd loop = 15x, 4th loop = 20x, 5th loop = 25x)
Stop 2: Alternating Side Lunges (each leg, so 1, 1, 2, 2, etc) (1st loop = 5x, 2nd loop = 10x, 3rd loop = 15x, 4th loop = 20x, 5th loop = 25x)
Stop 3: Russian Twists (each side, so 1, 1, 2, 2, etc) (1st loop = 5x, 2nd loop = 10x, 3rd loop = 15x, 4th loop = 20x, 5th loop = 25x)
Stop 4: Burpees (1st loop = 5x, 2nd loop = 10x, 3rd loop = 15x, 4th loop = 20x, 5th loop = 25x)
Stop 5: Lunges (each leg, so 1, 1, 2, 2, etc) (1st loop = 5x, 2nd loop = 10x, 3rd loop = 15x, 4th loop = 20x, 5th loop = 25x)
Stop 6: Elbow Plank Jacks (1st loop = 5x, 2nd loop = 10x, 3rd loop = 15x, 4th loop = 20x, 5th loop = 25x)
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2433706189
First loop was clockwise. Second loop was counterclockwise. Third loop clockwise. Fourth loop counterclockwise. On the fifth loop, the leader chose his direction and then the PAX will alternate directions.
3 completed loops within 45 minutes = #FunRun. All 10 completed the #FunRun.
5 completed loops within 45 minutes = #Finisher. 0- finished but we had 7 finish 4 loops and a few get started on the fifth loop.
Virtual conch blew at 0526. Virtual cigarette was lit at 0530. 5061 Marble Arch Road at the NW corner of Marble Arch and Cedar Trail (aka #TheTopOfTheD). We were supposed to park either on the stub end of Cedar Trail or in YHC’s circle driveway, but in keeping with a tradition unlike any other, @Mongoose parked wherever he damn well pleased.
COT/BOM: YHC took us out.
FIN.
NMM
We had a few #MarbleArchMarathons rookies out this morning: @Bevo and @Frostbite who were both out front and served as our rabbits/pacesetters since @Zima was unable to rally @WhiteClaw and his brother to be there. It was also great to have #Kotters return of our #WarDaddy, @Inkspot who has been enjoying retirement and therefore the ability to workout in the middle of the day “like a sane person”. Tclaps to @Burlap for EHing our elder statesman back out to join us.
There may have been a little bit of controversy over whether @Offsides was complying with the doublecount requirement on the alternating side lunges and lunges. @BAM was there to make sure we were all using good form. @DrToot lived up to his name and was also out there working hard again, fresh off his outstanding MVP performance at #Mayhem yesterday.
Thanks to @Mongoose for hanging back with YHC and forgoing his shot at a glorious finish.
And thanks to @Chomper for buying YHC breakfast this morning at Biscuitville afterwards. We had half of the field join in for #SecondBreakfast there (@Burlap, @BAM, @Chomper, @Frostbite, YHC).
@VanPelt was a soft commit but woke up early so ran on his own and was already in the office by the time were were finishing up. #BankerHours.
@Burns thinks HC stands for Hot Chocolate.
@Spicoli had to withdraw due to a mishap at #Conspiracy earlier in the week. #RollinRollinRollin.
Thanks for being there for me this morning. The support of this group of guys for me and my family has been amazing. If you weren’t able to make it, you were missed. Who knows? Maybe we won’t wait another 2 years to run the next one.
Your friend,
Starfish
