Category: The Stronghold

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Tortoise & Hare – Week 5

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Decaf, Young and Restless, Michelin Man, Right Said, Crawlspace, SalPal, Chunks, hambone, Ol’ McDonald, Crockett, DreamCast, C Sharp, Vera Wang, World Tour
FNGs: None
COUNT: 15
CONDITIONS: Our first cool run of the season – 46 degrees

WARMUP: The warm-up was hijacked by World Tour who seemed to short-cut everything in an effort to get to the run. We stretched the right side more than the left which resulted in some lopsided running.

THE THANG: RUN!!! Three miles around the campus. We had a couple of PRs this morning. Those that are training for the half marathon are coming into the home stretch.

MOLESKINE: It was great to have a good showing this morning to offer encouragement to the 4:13 Strong men. Thank you to the faithful PAX that continue to show up and make a difference.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Struggle 003 is coming up in just a couple of weeks. This Struggle will be on a Friday night so work won’t be an excuse. Hit up Ginger if you would like to get you name on the list. You will be glad you did it.

COT: Prayers for strength, guidance and focus.

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Wolverine

AO: thestronghold
Q: tampalibra
PAX: Red Skull, Chunks, Dan and Dave, Ponzi, Ripcord, toga, bigbang, Grape, Patty, Right Said, Ginger, Crocket, C Sharp, Catfish, Zorro, Snapper, Old MacDonald, Pearl, Humble Boxer, Filet O’Fish, Dreamcast, Big Country, Vera Wang, Slab, Ten Pack, Speedway
FNGs: None
COUNT: 27
First. We didn’t finish the workout and that drives me crazy. I’ll take that as poor leadership there are a few things I should have adjusted BUT I’ve done this workout solo and even Q’d it a few times (starting at 200 reps) so I know it can fit in. I don’t like not finishing things, personal pet-peeve of mine :sweat_smile:

Exercises are to be done in sets of 25 reps. After completing 25 reps, run to the designated spot and do 3 burpees. After the 3 burpees, run back and continue with exercise.

175 curls
150 big boi situps
125 Overhead Press
100 Kettlebell Swings
75 Merkins
50 We’re not worthy’s
25 Blockees

The 200 rep set would have been Bonnie Blairs but I knew that was not going to happen and I’ve been doing Squatober so my legs barely work anyhow and decided to cut it :joy:

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Tortoise & Hare, S5E2

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Papa Bear, Pop-A-Lock, Chunks, Crawlspace, Right Said, Young and Restless, SalPal, Hair Band, Speedway, Zoro, Filet O Fish, Ol’ McDonald, Crockett, DreamCast, C Sharp, 10 Pack, Pearl, Snapper, Slash, Vere Want, Humble Boxer, World Tour
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
CONDITIONS: 66 degrees and humid

WARMUP: Standard Pre-Run Warm-Up: SSH, Squats, IWs, Stretches

THE THANG: Get into assigned pace group (led by at least one F3 man). We had a total of five groups: 26:00, 28:00, 30:00, 32:00 and 34:00. Things went even better than expected with 10 of 14 4:13 Strong men reaching a new PR, one of which was a new course record for the class of 25:12.

MOLESKINE: It is much easier to push yourself and do hard things when you have someone doing them with you. Thank you to my F3 brothers for slowing down and encouraging the 4:13 Strong men. We had a huge lift in confidence today with so many new PRs.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Struggle 003 is 11/1. This is a Friday night so no need to worry about work the next day. Stay tuned for more details. If you are ready to lock in your spot, let me know.

COT: Many prayer requests for endurance, strength and perseverance.

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Always have a buddy!

AO: thestronghold
Q: toga
PAX: Chunks, Dan and Dave, Red Skull, Right Said, Dan Tanna, toga, Skeet, Decaf, C Sharp, Snapper, DreamCast, Old McDonald, Coon Skin, Slash, Pearl, Vera Wang, Big Country, Old G, Humble Boxer, The Raptor(Miami), Zorro, Speedway, Filet O Fish, Ten Pack
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
CONDITIONS: Glorious!

WARMUP: Mosey to the gravel lot for some calisthenics and the always fun, scorpion stretch amongst the rocks.

THE THANG: Partner up with instructions to spend the rest of the workout with you partner. Work together and finish together!
Part 1: Execute Bear Crawls and Polar Bears down the gravel lot and back. Form up in 2 columns and mosey to the lot across from the STEM school.
Part 2: Partner carry across the slot, flapjack and return to the other side of the slot. Execute the same with wheelbarrows and repeato 2x more.
Part 3: mosey the entrance to the STEM school where P1 executes 12 rows on the bar while P2 hold people’s chair. Flapjack and repeato 2x more times. The PAX (RA!) did this without starting till everyone was holding the chair and mounted the bar and could not complete until everyone was done.
The finish: mosey back to the home lot, quick marry and done!

MOLESKINE: It’s always humbling to lead and know that the PAX (RA!) will follow your lead for the duration of the workout. This is always a gift, but it’s especially humbling when you realize all the change these men are dealing with. RESPECT!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: It’s been 6 years of our F3/4:13 symbiotic relationship. YHC can only hope that the men of 4:13 are getting as much out of this as the men of F3. Here’s to 6 more!

COT: Prayers for Chunk’s grandmother who is in hospice and for the strength, health and will of the men in 4:13. Let’s keep the 40 days rolling!

Stay Classy,
Toga

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Tortoise & Hare, S5E1

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Young and Restless, Focker, Skeet, Michelin Man, Hair Band, Natural Ice, Right Said, Crawlspace, Chunks, Tater (Skeets 2.0), Dopplerganger (F3 Smokies), C Sharp, Zoro, Pearl, Snapper, Speedway, World Tour, Ten Pack, Crockett, Slash
FNGs: None
COUNT: 21
CONDITIONS: 75 degrees and humid with a nice mist for the finish

WARMUP: The standard pre-run warm-up: SSH, IWs, Squats, Stretching

THE THANG: RUN!! Three miles plus more to pick up the six

MOLESKINE: It is great to be back at it after a two week break. It is a little heavy knowing that 15 men are counting on 4:13 Strong to help them rewrite their future, but the load is much lighter knowing that my F3 brothers are here to help. Thank you all for showing up this morning.

COT: Prayers for family, healing, strength, focus and growth.

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The Standard

AO: thestronghold
Q: Chunks
PAX: Dan and Dave, Salami, hambone, Schnauzer, Young and Restless, Hair Band, Pole Dancer, Dan Tanna, Shocker (Mark Holmes), toga, Skeet, Spinal Tap, Grape, Right Said, Natural Ice, caprate, Red Skull, C Sharp, Snapper, DreamCast, Old McDonald, Coon Skin, Slash, Pearl, Vera Wang, Big Country, Old G, Humble Boxer, The Raptor(Miami), Zorro, Speedway, Filet O Fish, Ten Pack,, Big Bird
FNGs: 1 Big Bird
COUNT: 36
CONDITIONS: Pleasant

WARMUP: No warm up. Gave a 5 min warning to do some stretching.

THE THANG:

Circle up and partner up 1:1 F3 – 4:13
Welcome with Disclaimer and the standard: Push yourself

Then explain that during the workout the F3 & 4:13 men are to get to know each other with the F3 man prepared to give the 4:13 man a nickname at the end of the workout.

Right Said recited the Mission of F3.

Then we run in two lines with the F3 man on the left and his partner to his right. The partners sprint to the front as a team when I call out Front. We ran a mile around the campus, Train caused a little pivot to get the whole mile

At 1 mile we stopped and did a set of BOMBS starting at 5 and each exercise increasing the reps by 5 to 25 Squats. Then I talked briefly about how Mental Toughness is perishable. Just because you finished mental toughness week doesn’t mean it lasts forever, you must requalify every day.

Then we ran again following the same method I yelled Front and then stopped for another set of BOMBS starting at 5. Then talked briefly about 1 second decisions. Between now and the end of the 40 days they will have to make a lot of 1 second decisions. It only takes one of those to lose everything. You must gain control of your mind when all you want to do is quit. Cause at some point you will want to quit.

Ran back to start ex with a detour out onto foster ave and around the corner following the same method for a final set of BOMBS starting at 5. Then talked briefly on Performing without Motivation. Right now you have a purpose to finish the 40 days, but there will be times when you don’t have an easy goal like that and you have to Perform without Motivation, you just have to do it. Use these next 40 days to gain control of your mind and body. All these men here and the others that will take this journey with you want to see you succeed and win. But it’s not given without work. This program will push you, but will also support you. Take advantage of this opportunity, forget about your past and live in the present.

Circled up for the naming ceremony. The PAX did not disappoint with some good names this class.

We had and FNG that Red Skull named Big Bird.

Thanks to everyone that came out and the atlantis men.

Always an honor to lead you men.

Strength and Honor,
Chunks

COT: C Sharp asked to lead the closing prayer in the ball of Man.

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100 8 Count Body Builder Finale

AO: thestronghold
Q: Natural Ice
PAX: Young and Restless, Ripcord, Dan and Dave, Dan Tanna, Shocker (Mark Holmes), Chunks, toga, Red Skull, Natural Ice, Longway, Fivepoints, Speedwalker, Skidmark, Baby Boy, Trajectory, Tempertantrum, Lightweight
FNGs: None
COUNT: 17
CONDITIONS: Perfect

WARMUP: SSH, Merkins, Squats, Imperial Walkers, Arm Circles, WHaze, and a nice Mosey

THE THANG: Each of the men from 413 Strong, took turns sharing lessons learned over the last 7 weeks in the program and then lead the group in a set of five 8 count Body Builders. Red Skull kick us off and I closed out the set for a solid 50.

Pax took a mosey toward the startdex and repeated the format, this time the men shared Goals for the future with Red Skull closing out with a challenge to push through the next stage of the program.

MOLESKINE: Trust the Process, Set Realistic and Attainable Goals. Do not sell yourself short and Do Not Give Up

COT: Prayers for Health, Future Jobs, and Perseverance

I am thankful to have gotten to know this group of men and I am looking forward to catching up and hearing about their progress.

-Natty

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The Final Tortoise & Hare

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Crawlspace, Right Said, Chunks, Michelin Man, Focker, tampalibra, hambone, Judy, Young and Restless, Skechers, Speed Walker, Baby Boy, Light Weight, Five Points, Temper Tantrum, Skid Mark, Long Way, Trajectory
FNGs: None
COUNT: 19
CONDITIONS: 72 degrees – perfect running weather!

WARMUP: Standard T&H warmup routine – SSH, IWs Squats, Leg Stretches

THE THANG: Partner up and RUN!!! Five PRs this morning and two others beat their six week average time. Overall a great effort by this group of determined men.

MOLESKINE: It is always easier to do hard things when you are doing it with someone else. Thank you for the consistency in coming out to run with this class. It made a huge difference. I think this is the fastest class we have ever had, and a lot of that credit goes to the running partners that encouraged the 4:13 Strong men to keep going.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Signing Day is this Friday, 8/30 at 11:30am. All are welcome. It is a fun way to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of these 8 men.

Reminder – No Tortoise & Hare for the next 3 weeks. We will have our first run with a brand new class on Tuesday, 9/24

COT: Skid Mark closed us out in prayer this morning.

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Trivia Time

AO: thestronghold
Q: Chunks
PAX: bluemule, Skeet, Decaf, Right Said, Red Skull, Dan Tanna, Natural Ice, Ripcord, Young and Restless, Lightweight, Speed Walker, Trajectory, Baby boy, Longway, Skid Mark, Temper Tantrum. Five Points
FNGs: None
COUNT: 17
CONDITIONS: Nice

WARMUP: Gave a 5 min warning to stretch, cause we had a lot to cover

THE THANG:
5 rounds of Questions with running and burpees in between

Round 1 – F3 and 413 Values
Round 2 – Bible
Round 3 – Financial Literacy
Round 4 – Workplace
Round 5 – Requirements to graduate

Team Concrete was victorious.

On our way back to the Startex we stopped at the stop sign. I gave bluemule a 7 second head start and the rest of the PAX had to catch him or do burpees.

A couple of men caught him and gave up right at the end and didn’t finish strong. bluemule gave a rousing speech about not quitting when you see the finish line.

I always make a point to tell the 413 men at this point that I love them and am proud of them. Then implore them to keep working hard cause the next phase is the hardest.

Always honored to lead here.

This is a big week for the 4:13 men. Final run on tuesday, final workout on Thursday and Signing day on Friday.

Mark your calendars now and make it a point to come encourage these men this week. They will be fielding job offers and can always use a sounding board to make the best decision.

SYITG, Chunks
MOLESKINE:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COT:

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Tortoise & Hare, Episode 5

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Crawlspace, Right Said, Michelin Man, Focker, hambone, Longhorn, Decaf, Young and Restless, Chunks, Speed Walker, Baby Boy, Light Weight, Five Points, Temper Tantrum, Skid Mark, Long Way, Trajectory
FNGs: None
COUNT: 18
CONDITIONS: 66 degrees – a perfect morning for a run

WARMUP: Five Points led us through the warm up this morning. SSH, IWs, Squats, Leg Stretch, WMHs

THE THANG: Find your Pace Group and RUN!!! We had two PRs this morning: Temper Tantrum at 26:40 and Five Points with a new PR and class record 25:36. This is the fifth consecutive run that Five Points has brought home a new PR!

MOLESKINE: The F3 participation in our morning runs is making such a huge difference. I don’t think that we have ever had a class with so many sub 30 runners.

Next Tuesday is the final run with this class. I am expecting to see 8 PRs to close down this installment of Tortoise & Hare. Make plans to join us for the final run.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Signing Day for this class is Friday, 8/30 at 11:30am. Join us for this fun celebration and stick around for a great lunch.

COT: Prayers for strength, endurance and thanks for new life.