10 Years, 45 Candles

The BackBlast:

PAX: Waffle House (Q), Cold Cuts, Canary, Funny Farm, GOP, Abacus, Last Man Standing (Site Q, 44 years young), and FNG Springfield

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The Thang

A regular crew gathered at Huntingtowne Farms on a cool October morning to celebrate milestones: 10 years of The Valley and 44 (or 45?) for Site Q Last Man Standing. Numbers became our guide — 10s and 45s all morning long.
• Warm-Up: 10 SSH, 10 imperial walkers, 10 low slow squats, 10 merkins, 10 mountain climbers.
• Goneaway 100-Merkin March: 10 merkins at 10 stoplights, stopping at Burnt Mill.
Forest Hill Church Tour:
Prayer Circle benches: 45 dips, 10 split squats.
Main loop: 45 Apollo Onos, 10 bird feeders — caught LMS mid-walk for his birthday lap.
Picnic benches: 45 step-ups, 10 incline merkins.
Playground debut: 10 pull-ups, 45 side lunges.
Rock pile finale: 10 thrusters, 45 calf raises / tib raises.
• Goneaway Return – Catch Me If You Can. Partner 1 moseys while Partner 2 performs 10 arm circles (any direction — freestyle welcome) before chasing.
• Mary at Launch: 45 reverse crunches and 10 roll-up roll-down Turkish getups (“Immortality Edition”).

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Moleskine

Excellent crew, good chatter, and one confused Q still trying to confirm whether LMS is 44 or 45. (Accountants hate uncertainty; Abacus nearly filed an amendment.)

Speaking of Abacus, my man was on count patrol, ensuring reps were even. When YHC tried a “45 total” split squat, he politely insisted on balancing things out. Even numbers, even keel.

One injury and much reported lingering soreness from prior activity, which explains the expressive calf raises.

Slow controlled movements, easy pace, and sub 2mi were largely approved, at least by Canary, yet gave questionable first impression. Funny Farm on the other hand…

GOP found a lost bell and told a signature story (he’s got lots) of Birdman (not that one) who will appreciate it. Hearing is believing #PolarExpress.

Funny Farm, Cold Cuts, and Canary traded steady banter at roughly a PG-13 level. We were on a church playground after all.

Possibly the first-ever CMIYC featuring arm circles. But zero collisions this time!

Also Canary requested a different partner. Not sure why. Maybe the smell?

Our FNG Springfield got the full, unfiltered Valley experience and handled it like a vet. When asked afterward how the morning felt, he reportedly said, “Like I joined a cult that does lunges.” Welcome aboard, brother.

Some reflection on the future of The Valley: gear? running? splinter groups? Maybe all of the above — variety keeps men coming back, and that might be the real secret to longevity.

Did Well: Clear theme, no wipeouts.
Do Differently: Better fact-check birthdays and fewer stoplights.

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Announcements & Prayers

Prayers:
• Diego’s ongoing recovery and miracle progress in speech.
• GOP’s sister and family amid hardship.
• LMS’s mom, thankful for successful surgery.

Announcements:
• The Valley 10-Year Celebration next Saturday
• Double Trouble BBQ fundraiser at Rama Elementary.
• Six weeks until Turkey Trot. Let the training begin.

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Acknowledgements

Welcome Springfield — strong debut, better judgment than the guys naming you.
Thx to LMS for leadership and milestone inspiration.
Thx to AssIstant Clark for help with comz.
Thx to pax for push, chatter, and feedback—it’s a gift.

YHC – Waffle House