The run was modeled on the various stages of the Tour de France:  prologue, sprint stages, climbing stages, and hopefully time for a sprint finish back at the Champs-Elysees (aka Hooker Fields) in full view of the sun-dappled Arc de Triomphe (aka the infinitely more glorious Carmichael Arena).  PAX were instructed to wear cycling jerseys.  Only YHC complied with YHC’s request, which, well, lesson learned.

Warmarama

Dogwood led PAX down Laurel Hill to the stoplight and across the highway to Finley Track.

The Thang

For the sprint stages along the gusty Brittany coast and through the lowlands, PAX ran 4x1K loops on a five minute interval.  That is, we departed every five minutes for the next loop.  Each runner chose his own pace, thus giving himself more or less recovery time.  For form week, we did 15 perfect merkins OYO after lap 1; 10 after lap 2; 5 after lap three.

Transition stage mosey to softball field parking lot.  Perfect squats while waiting for the six.

Patchy, tempo-pace run uphill through the Pyrenees (disc golf course).  Waited for the six at the base of Alpe d’Huez/THWM/Tarheel Warrior Mountain/The Hill Without Mercy.  PAX were instructed to give their best efforts up this last climb, all the way to the pinestraw.

Buffay led a brisk mosey back to the AO; there was no time for a sprint finish.  Subprime claimed the polka-dot jersey on Alpe d’Huez.  YHC went over time by about sixty seconds.  Strava reported a distance of 6.4 miles.

COT

Prayer requests for Wawa and his family after losing his mother-in-law, and to Buffay’s friends after a tragic car accident.  Cycling benediction from YHC:  keep the rubber side down.

Moleskin

YHC is grateful to Arthur for the EH in January 2021, to the F3 Churham community for welcoming me and inspiring me and challenging me, and for all 18 PAX who participated with effort, trust, and patience in my VQ.  Aye!