Tortoise & Hare – Final Run for Class 2025-01

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: hambone, Michelin Man, Decaf, Barney, Whoopi (Franklin), Big Rig, Toadstool, Toots, Square Root, Airball, Yes Chef, D Pole, Jackie Moon
FNGs: None
COUNT: 14
CONDITIONS: Perfect running weather – 30 degrees with a nice cold breeze.

WARMUP: Standard pre-run warm-up – SSH, Squats, IWs, Stretches

THE THANG: RUN!!! We had 4 PRs today! We had 5 of the 8 men from 4:13 Strong finished sub 30:00 and we had an “all in” time of 32:12.

Since we finished the run so quickly, there was plenty of time for Mary – Burpee + Squat Apocalypse.

MOLESKINE: Thank you to the F3 PAX that joined us on Tuesday mornings. Your participation was a huge encouragement for the 4:13 Strong men and made a meaningful difference in the journey. Sometimes the little things we do mean a lot more than we know.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Signing Day this Friday at 11:30am. All are welcome to join.

COT: Prayers for family, discernment, strength and healing.

Tortoise & Hare #5

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Decaf, Barney, Right Said, Crawlspace, Whoppi (Franklin), Big Rig, Toadstool, Wolverine, Mane ‘N Tail, Sax Man, Toots, Square Root, Airball, Yes Chef, D Pole, Jackie Moon, Danny (to be named when he returns to our Thursday workout)
FNGs: 1 Danny (to be named when he returns to our Thursday workout)
COUNT: 18
CONDITIONS: WET and COLD – a nice cold, constant rain for the entire run – 39 degrees

WARMUP: Standard warm-up – SSH, Squats, IWs, Stretches

THE THANG: RUN!! 3 soggy miles followed by some fun in the circle. Spent time on the ground to make sure that everyone enjoyed the moisture.

MOLESKINE: Despite the less than ideal conditions, we had one FNG and 4 PRs this morning. What a fantastic Week 5 showing.

COT: Prayers for strength, guidance and healing.

Tortoise & Hare – Run #4, See it Through

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Chunks, hambone, Right Said, tampalibra, Crawlspace, Decaf, Barney, Whoopi (Franklin), D Pole, Yes Chef, Airball, Sax Man, Jackie Moon, Wolverine, Mane ‘N Tail, Big Rig, Toots, Toadstool
FNGs: None
COUNT: 19
CONDITIONS: 61 degrees with a light mist in the air

WARMUP: SSH, Squats, Tappy Taps, IWs, Stretches

THE THANG: Partner Up and RUN!!

MOLESKINE: We had several PRs today – Wolverine, Mane ’N Tail and hambone!

Today we put into practice the last line of the poem we have memorized…“eyes front, head high, to the finish, see it through”. Several PAX failed to see it through this morning, opting to take a break after the run rather than join the circle. To make sure that everyone finished together, a surprise 1/4 mile was added in before COT.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Only two more runs remain for this class. Signing Day is Friday 2/21

COT: Prayers for healing, family, strength and guidance.

BurpeeClock-Alypse

AO: thestronghold
Q: Natural Ice – CBO
PAX: bluemule, Shocker (Mark Holmes), Dan and Dave, toga, Chunks, Chyna, Young and Restless, Red Skull, Mullet, Right Said, Skeet, Decaf, Natural Ice – CBO, Airball, Yes Chef, Square root, Toadstool, Mane ‘N Tail, Saxman, D Pole, Big Rig, Duece and a Half, Jackie Moon, Take 3, Toots, Wolverine
FNGs: None
COUNT: 25
CONDITIONS: Fantastic

WARMUP:
– SSH
– Squats
– Merkins
– Arm Circles
– Air Press
– Seal Claps
– Moroccan Nightclubs
– Stretching as needed

THE THANG:
PAX set off on a mosey toward the Helicopter Pad. However, YHC quickly grew deeply disappointed at the sluggish pace, so the mosey evolved into a series of sprints to keep things honest.

Burpee-A-Clock-Alypse – Round 1
– 5 burpees on the minute, every minute, for 15 minutes
– Between sets, YHC generously provided “active recovery” through squats, SSH, and LBCs
– Total burpees: 75

After finally feeling properly warmed up, we took off on sprint intervals back toward the StartEx. Along the way, we peeled off for 5 more rounds of burpees to bring the total up to a nice, even 100.

Upon returning to the StartEx and realizing we still had time left, YHC—ever the gracious leader—gifted the men with an opportunity to complete 5 bonus burpees (you’re welcome).

COT:
Outstanding effort from the men of 413 Strong today. The grit, attitude, and willingness to push through the suck were truly impressive. Proud to lead this crew!

Tortoise & Hare – Run #3

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Right Said, Crawlspace, Chunks, bluemule, Michelin Man, Skeet, Young and Restless, Decaf, Tater (Skeet 2.0), Whoopi, Aquaman, Big Rig, Toadstool, Wolverine, Mane ‘N Tail, Sax Man, Toots, Square Root, Airball, Yes Chef, D Pole, Jackie Moon
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
CONDITIONS: A beautiful 30 degrees

WARMUP: Regular warm up – SSH, Squats, IWs, Stretches

THE THANG: RUN!! Asked every 4:13 Strong man to partner up with someone that would push them and it worked. We have 9 out of 11 4:13 Strong men set PRs today!

Wolverine set a new class record today with 26:02; our “all in” time was 37:25.

MOLESKINE: A great showing from F3 Pax and a great effort by all. To have this many men set a PR in week three shows that they are pushing to get better. Thank you for being a part of their transformation!

COT: Prayers for strength, courage and guidance.

Tortoise & Hare, run #2

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: hambone, Chunks, Judy, Barney, Decaf, Take 3, Big Rig, Toadstool, Wolverine, Mane ‘N Tail, Sax Man, Toots, Square Root, Airball, Yes Chef, D Pole, Jackie Moon
FNGs: None
COUNT: 18
CONDITIONS: 16 degrees and dark!

WARMUP: Regular pre-run warm-up: SSH, IWs, Squats, Stretches and WHM.

THE THANG: RUN!! We had only one PR this morning. Toots broke 30 mins for the first time and finished with an impressive 27:30!

MOLESKINE: Spirits remain high with this class. Thanks to Chunks hambone and Judy for joining us this morning.

COT: Prayers for healing, courage, strength and guidance.

Tortoise & Hare – Run #1

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Chunks, Hair Band, Right Said, Crawlspace, hambone, Young and Restless, SalPal, Skeet, Take 3, D Pole, Jackie Moon + 9 FNGs waiting to be named on Thursday
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
CONDITIONS: A chilly 19 degrees

WARMUP: SSH, IW, Squats, Stretching

THE THANG: Pair up and RUN!!

MOLESKINE: What a great first run for the new class. Everyone finished sub 40:00 today. Thanks for the great F3 support this morning.

COT: Prayers for strength, courage and wisdom

Tortoise & Hare #1

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: bluemule, Longhorn, Hacker (Franklin), Right Said, Chunks, Decaf, Young and Restless, Big Country, Wookie, D Pole, Mix Tape, Milli Vanilli, Comeback, Army Surplus, Frozen, For the Girls, Westside, Pacer, Trajectory, C Sharp, Triple Sevens, Blitz, Sgt. Meatball
FNGs: None
COUNT: 24
CONDITIONS: Very cold 27 degrees

WARMUP: SSH, IW, Squat. WMH, stretches

THE THANG: RUN!!! 3 mile loop around the campus. Not bad for the first official run. Fastest time for the new class was 28:23, and all in at 40:18. Had a little time at the end for some Mary.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Happy 37th birthday to bluemule. Thank you for starting your day at The Stronghold!

COT: Comeback closed us out with a prayer.

First One – Done!

AO: thestronghold
Q: Right Said
PAX: Dan and Dave, moneyshot, Betty Ford, Cowboy, Shocker (Mark Holmes), Skeet, Young and Restless, Decaf, Minnie Pearl, bluemule, Red Skull, Sunshine, Bill Dance, Wookie, D Pole, Comeback, Army Surplus, Yak, Frozen, Pacer, Mix Tape, Milli Vanilli, For the Girls, Westside, Trajectory, C Sharp, Triple Seven, Blitz, Sergeant Meatball
FNGs: 9 Mix Tape, Milli Vanilli, For the Girls, Westside, Trajectory, C Sharp, Triple Seven, Blitz, Sergeant Meatball
COUNT: 30
CONDITIONS: Absolutely perfect at 57 degrees

WARMUP:
Mosey to the front parking lot for:
– SSH, LBAC, R-LBAC, Seal Claps, Good Mornings, WMH
– Partner Up – 1 F3 PAX to 1 4:13 Strong Participant (we had the perfect number to get to our 1:1 ratio!)
Mosey to the basketball court with a quick stop at the Block Pile to pick up one block per pair.

THE THANG:
Assemble along the baseline – Partner 1 works while Partner 2 moves the length of the court and back, swap and then hold plank for all in.
– Round 1: Block Curls, Suicides
– Round 2: Block Squat, Lunge
– Round 3: Overhead Block Press, Suicides
– Round 4: Block Wings, Suicides

Circle up for the Doomsday Circle (Ring of Fire) – Each man does one merkin, advancing around the circle until 500 merkins were completed. If a break was needed, complete 15 SSHs and then re-enter the circle.

Mary – Flutter Kicks, Hello Dolly, Freddy Mercuries,

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The newest class is off and running. Thanks to the PAX from greenmachine who joined us this morning. It was great to have you out!

Six more weeks with this class. Come out and join them.

Boops

AO: thestronghold
Q: baggervance
PAX: Skeet, Minnie Pearl, toga, Dan and Dave, Mullet, leatherneck, Decaf, Red Skull, Bill Dance, Casual Friday, Dantana, Woodpecker, D Pole, Wookie, Goldie Locks, Army Surplus, Yak, Lost & Found, Evel Knievel, Sunshine, Neanderthal, Peach Pie, Prince’s Hot Chicken, Tatter Tot, Iron Flush, Mittens, Mr. Krabs
FNGs: None
COUNT: 28
CONDITIONS: A Perfect 43 degrees

WARMUP: Disclaimer followed by SSH, IW, HW, Squats and creative stretching

THE THANG: Partner Up followed by a long two column Indian Run around the campus and to the basketball court.

Partner 1 does a stationary exercise while Partner 2 does a shuttle run, then switch: Round 1 – Side Lunge; Round 2 – Squat; Round 3 – SSH. Mosey to nearby building and hold wall sit while receiving instructions.

Mosey to the block pile. Partner 1 does a movement with the block x 10 while Partner 2 does a movement without a block, then switch: Round 1 – Block rows with opposite leg in the air + Up Downs; Round 2 – Bulgarian Split Squat with block + Reverse Up Downs; Round 3 – Block Step Ups + Peoples Chair

Mosey to the Gravel Lot and then line up for various modes of transportation – Bear Crawl, Crawl Bear, Side Shuffles, Skips and Boops.

MOLESKINE:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
This class is two weeks away from completion of the 40 Day Challenge.

COT: We were reminded of the importance of locking arms with other men who can help encourage us and lift us up when we need it.