Stations of the Cross

AO: pain-train
Q: G-string
PAX: DintyMoore, Timber, Pebbles, Sooie, Cheeks, Half Lyfe, morning stār, Wolfpack, Siri, Grizzly, FLO, Pitmaster
FNGs: None
COUNT: 13
CONDITIONS:

WARMUP:

THE THANG:
1 Jesus is condemned to death: Jesus is wrongfully judged by Pontius Pilate and sentenced to death. 
Warmup: 5 minutes of stretching and active warmup
2 Jesus carries His cross: Jesus is given the cross and begins his journey to Calvary. 
Lap around the track with logs
3 Jesus falls the first time: Jesus, burdened by the cross, falls for the first time. 
25 Burpees over log
4 Jesus meets His mother: Jesus encounters his mother, Mary, during his suffering. 
Mary: Twenty-Five Leg raises, Heel Taps, Hollow Hold
5 Simon helps Jesus carry the cross: Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus carry the cross. 
To the stage and back
6 Veronica wipes the face of Jesus: A woman named Veronica wipes Jesus’ face with her veil. 
1 minute Rest
7 Jesus falls the second time: Jesus falls again, struggling under the weight of the cross. 
25 Burpees over log
8 Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem: Jesus consoles the women of Jerusalem who weep over him. 
21s 3 sets
9 Jesus falls the third time: Jesus falls a final time, nearing the end of his journey. 
25 Burpees over log
10 Jesus is stripped of His garments: Jesus is stripped of his clothing before being nailed to the cross. 
WLS to the cones and back X2
11 Jesus is nailed to the cross: Jesus is nailed to the cross, suffering the ultimate sacrifice. 
Rows 2X15
12 Jesus dies on the cross: Jesus dies on the cross, fulfilling his promise to redeem humanity. 
 Ring of Fire shoulder press 1/2/3
13 Jesus’ body is removed from the cross: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take Jesus’ body down from the cross. 
Buddy Carry
14 Jesus is placed in the tomb: Jesus’ body is laid in a tomb, awaiting the resurrection. 
Drop weight and recovery lap

MOLESKINE:
Taking time to think through the individual moments of Jesus’ passion is a great way to start off Good Friday. Old school covenants required the two people entering the covenant to walk between the halves of animals who had been sacrificed. This symbolized the promise to uphold the covenant lest they suffer the same fate as the animals. When God made His covenant with Abraham, he was the only one who passed between the animals. Abraham never did. This means that from the beginning, God promised that if we ever broke the covenant, He would bear the penalty. Only the sacrifice of Jesus could satisfy justice while also offering immeasurable mercy.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COT: prayers were offered up

Thank y’all for letting me lead!

(B)Easter Egg Hunt 2025

AO: the-knoll
Q: El Capitan
PAX: Wolfpack, Derby, Papa Bear, AAA, Sooie, El Capitan, Ex-Pat, morning stār, Pebbles, Timber, Half Lyfe, G-string, Pitmaster, Étouffée, @GoldDigger, @Rubix (2.0), @Schmaltz (2.0), @Bumblebee (2.0), @Grizzly (TBD)
FNGs: 1 @Grizzly (TBD)
COUNT: 19
CONDITIONS:

Mid-50s, lovely sunlit clouds at 6:15

TUNES:

Young & Heavy

WARMUP:

Climb routine
Back stretches
Willie mays hays
Good mornings!

THE THANG:

– Circle up around the lamp in field
– 22 eggs to find in playground, each with an exercise & follow-up hold exercise
– Each PAX will search for an egg with the lamp, all PAX will perform the exercise upon opening & perform hold exercise while next PAX searches.
– Wash, rinse, repeat

Ended with MARY: a 3-round Ring of Fire & American Hammers

MOLESKINE:

Life is constantly changing & you change and grow as a man each passing year. I asked the PAX to take some time to reflect, with a moment of silence, on one aspect of change in their lives and one aspect that has stayed constant. I then asked everyone to think of one person (spouse, mentor, friend) who has been a source of strength & stability in their lives. Ended with a prayer of thanksgiving for these individuals.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

– Tax Day got moved to November 3rd(?!)
– Check slack for upcoming Night Moves & extra free workouts!

COT:

Countorama, Nameorama, coffeteria.

It was a pleasure leading y’all this morning, men!

I’m ready for a nap. :yawning_face: :el-capitan:

Block It to Me

AO: pain-train
Q: Sooie
PAX: G-string, Half Lyfe, Pitmaster, Pebbles, Timber, Cheeks, FLO, Sooie
FNGs: None
COUNT: 8
CONDITIONS:
A brazen red caboose looms impudent beneath a purple sky, tinged with orange heralding the approaching dawn. A waxing gibbous moon, luminous and low, bathes the field in amber glow. Across the dew-drenched grass, cinder blocks lie in wait behind the stage, their silent heft a promise of struggle. The air bites with cold, each breath a fleeting wisp before the heart’s next beat.

0530 strikes, and seven of eight who :hardcommit:’d stand ready in the gloom— G-string yet to grace us. Despite his absence, I resolve to begin by easing our fellowship into the crucible, lest we rend bone from sinew too swiftly.

WARMUP:
Good Mornings (OYO)
– Joint Movements: From head to toes, we loosen the mortal frame, neck to ankles, in solemn preparation.
Now, to rouse the blood!
– SSH (in cadence): 27x, an odd number chosen to vex the orderly mind.
– Merkin Medley: 5 Merkins, 5 Fingertip Merkins (ferkins, perchance?), 5 Knerkins, 5 Diamond Merkins.
We mosey, a purposeful trot up the path claim our cinder blocks from their stage-side lair. Uponst our return journey, two piercing orbs breach the dark—headlights heralding G-string’s arrival. Whether he hath remained on F3 Franklin time or whether he believeth that F3 has no stretching, F3 needs no stretching, we know not. Yet he is here now; the fellowship is whole. Blocks in hand, we align as one, facing cones set at 10 and 20 yards. Dew seeps through our soles, squishing and squelching with each step, yet our hearts burn for battle.

THE THANG:
Each PAX, in turn, braves a block-laden pilgrimage to the cones, while brothers grind AMRAP on exercises decreed by the returning hero. The cone movements, fierce and varied, are thus:
1. Plank Block and Roll: In plank’s rigid embrace, roll the block end o’er end, crawling 10 yards to the near cone and back—a test of core and cunning.
2. Suitcase Carry: Hoist the block as a valise, striding to the 20-yard cone, swapping hands for the return, shoulders screaming fealty.
3. Murder Bunny: A fiendish hop, hands to block, feet to follow, bounding to the 20-yard cone and back, cursing gravity’s pull.

The AMRAP block exercises, called by each returning PAX, reveal a tapestry of torment. I stood aghast at their masochi..err…creativity in the choosing of our exercises. Among them:
– Block Curls
– Block Rows
– Block Presses
– WW2s with Block
– Murder Bunny Bunny Murder
– 21s (7 curls low, then high, then full)
– Alternating Hand Merkins
– Single-Hand Curls
– Goblet Squats
– And sundry others too nefarious for gentle ears.
At this stage of the battle, I would be remiss if I did not record here an account most unfortunate. During the traversal of the plank block roll, an ejaculation of agony rent the dawn. Our beloved Cheeks, in his exuberance and enthusiasm, thusly rolled the block in a manner where, for but an instance, the block and his hand doth occupied the same time and space. I shouted encouragement and promised that this episode would be entered eternally into the digital annals of our struggles. Aside from this minor imprecation, all PAX completed this portion with dignity and aplomb.

The Finale: Hot Squat Block Brigade
Three cone cycles complete, we muster for the rite of closure. I inducted each PAX into the “Hot Squat Block Brigade”. Blocks are stacked, a cairn of conquest, and we form a line, brothers shoulder to shoulder. In low squat’s fiery grip, thighs quaking, we pass each block hand to hand, forging a new pile at the line’s end. Eight minutes hence, through rotations of grit and groans, every PAX has tasted each station. With final heaves, we restore the blocks to their stage-side crypt, our battleground now hallowed by effort.

MOLESKINE:
YHC shared my appreciation for the bonds of brotherhood forged in the crucible of trial.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SPRING FLING APPROACHETH!!!!
April: The Month of the FNG, find an FNG near you!

COT:
Prayers mentioned and offered. Sooie Brewie enjoyed by all.

Epilogue:
The PAX, forged anew in the crucible depart stronger, bonded by shared strife. The red caboose stands silent, the moon fades, and the sun claims the sky.

Who’s on Deck?

AO: the-knoll
Q: Sooie
PAX: AAA, Sooie, Phillip Lee, Pitmaster, Stubs, Half Lyfe, Gold Digger, Eagle (2.0)
FNGs: None
COUNT: 8
CONDITIONS: Perfect, slight spot of rain at the beginning.

WARMUP:
Woke up. Wanted to go back to sleep. Checked slack. morning stār and Bumblebee have to be DR! I’ll Q. Get the trusty deck of cards. Go to the knoll. Greet PAX.
– loosen up the neck
– (Rain…let’s get that heart rate up)
– Motivators from 5 (hat tip to Bumblebee)
– (Mean streak)
– Baby arm Circles (keep ’em up)
– Back BAC (keep ’em up)
– shoulder taps via bicep curl (keep ’em up)
– Shoulder press (keep ’em up)
– Seal claps (end scene)
– Hip gyrations (don’t make eye contact)
– Walk out merkins
– WMH (review F3 Mission, Core Principles, Credo)

Speaking of “Credo”, *cranks up Creed “Human Clay” (the whole album)

THE THANG:
Hit the Deck
R1:
♣️ = pull-up
♠️ = squat
♦️ = WW2
♥️ = (I know what I have to do but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it) burpees
🃏 = mosey around back stop.
R2: “y’all wanna switch up the exercises or keep em?” 4 hands go up (YHC first). 4 hands stay down. AAA does the “right” thing and raises his hand. (Relief)
R2:
♣️ = merkins
♠️ = lunges (none this round)
♦️ = American hammers
♥️ = SSH in cadence
🃏 = mosey around back stop.
(No drama)
R3:
♣️ = dips
♠️ = lunges (frfr)
♦️ = flutter kicks
♥️ = Mtn climbers

Finished the deck at 0612. Time for Mary.
– hollow hold (hat tip to G-string)
– Low plank (thanks Stubs)

MOLESKINE:
Creed got me nostalgic. Shared a conversation I had with my daughters about the importance of cultivating friendships at an early age (Listening to “Old Friends” by Ben Rector as I’m typing this. [I’m not crying, you’re crying]). Encouraged PAX to reach out to an old friend and be aware of opportunities for new friendships.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SPRING FLING THIS SUNDAY!!! Signup if you haven’t.

COT:
Prayers offered. Half Lyfe homebrew thoroughly enjoyed!

Good Grief

AO: the-knoll
Q: morning stār
PAX: Pebbles, Sooie, Stubs, AAA, Pitmaster, Half Lyfe, El Capitan, morning stār, Papa Bear, Derby, Malibu, clay hoover, Phillip Lee, Gold Digger, She told me, Sardine
FNGs: 2 She told me, Sardine
COUNT: 16
CONDITIONS: Chilly yet spring-like.

WARMUP: Mosey to tree line and back. Ground movements on the way. Avoid the puddle (YHC wasn’t in the mood to get wet this am), avoid posts. Circle up for low slow squats and SSH.

Mosey to 2010 flood memorial bench.

THE THANG:
31 rounds of 15 seconds of work, 45 seconds of active recovery.
Exercise one: 3-2-1 ladder of power erkins and dips
Exercise two: 3-2-1 ladder of jump squats and squats

Modify up option: finish the ladder instead of stopping at the timer.

Each PAX took turns walking around the back stop with a 30# ruck and 30# kettle bell while considering a loss they have not grieved.

Mosey back to the startex for an extended COT.

MOLESKINE:
If we keep the momentum up we the knoll may be ready to spin off another AO … which on one hand, I don’t look forward to because of the great connections we have growing here. And yet, this is how we grow and provide more opportunities for men to accelerate.

Welcome to She told me (formerly “My wife told me”) and Sardine!

Well done welcoming the new men, PAX! Hospitality is one of my favorite things about F3 and we excel at it.

I used to try to come up with a new, creative BD every time I Q’ed. I’m enjoying not having to think much about it and intending to run the “power rounds” for the rest of my days. Let’s see how long that lasts.

Here’s a quote on the danger of not facing our sadness that I didn’t share:
“”Sadness does not sink a person; it is the energy a person spends trying to avoid sadness that does that.” “- Barbara Brown Taylor, From theplacewefindourselves.libsyn.com/17-what-it-looks-like-to-actually-grieve-your-wounds of Adam Young’s “The Place We Find Ourselves” Podcast: “What it looks like to actually grieve your wounds”.

I pray we all find the courage and space to face the losses of our past and present.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: skipped them; check slack or come back Thursday.

COT:
YHC shared that learning to grieve what is, what was not (or what has not come to be) has been the most effective way to grow as a man.

Shared about the 4 achetypes of masculinity: Warrior, Lover, King and Sage. Each has an entry emotion … anger for warrior, sadness for lover, joy for king and fear for sage. In YHC’s experience growing as a lover has helped mature as a King.

YHC read the an account of the passing of Eric Liddel’s life from For the Glory (by Duncan Hamilton). This is a gut wrenching account as Lidell died withough meeting his youngest child.

When I was growing up, I chased after many things. Now, at 41, I am to live in the moment and pour out as much delight on my family and those close to me as I can.

Stay curious my brothers,
-m*

Spring 2025 9-Square Tournament

AO: pain-train
Q: Wolfpack
PAX: Timber, Cheeks, Stubs, Siri, Pitmaster, G-string, The Merchant, Sooie
FNGs: None
COUNT: 9
CONDITIONS: Cool and calm

WARMUP: SSH, Merkins, Squats, WMH, Mosey

THE THANG:
Bearcrawl Battle for starting King

9Square
– Two 15 minute halves
– Halftime run around the track
– Corners did 10 merkins between rounds
– Middles did 10 squats between rounds
– King does burpees equal to amount of points between rounds
– If King gets out he has to run to the buses and back

Congratulations to THE Timber who has been crowned our new Universal 9-Square F3 Champion of the Woooorrrlllddddd! And also now owns the record of 15 points!

MOLESKINE: Mumblechatter was consistent and glorious throughout.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Spring Fling April 6th, Merchant Hot Wings April 26th, PainTrain Merkins Madness March 31st

COT: Moment of silence and reflection, especially for those prayers unsaid we keep close to our hearts. Give us the strength and courage to bring those up with honesty to ourselves so we can bring them to others when help is needed.

Spontaneous Combustion

AO: pain-train
Q: El Capitan
PAX: Wolfpack, G-string, Stubs, Cheeks, El Capitan, FLO, Pitmaster, Siri, Waffle, @OfficerDangle
FNGs: 1 @OfficerDangle
COUNT: 10
CONDITIONS: Crisp + chilly

WARMUP:

– Downdog, Cobra, sprinter stretch both sides
– 10x three-count merkins
– Back stretches
– BACs & BacBACs x7
– Imperial walkers
– Mosey to grab two cinder blocks with some high knees & butt-kickers thrown in for good measure

THE THANG:

Station Work at playground

80 seconds on, 20 sec. Rest. (Three complete circuits, adjusted to 60 seconds of work for circuits #2 & #3)

– Pull-up / Hangs
– 20 merkins, then hold plank
– Jump rope or Knee Taps
– “Psycho” squats with coupon (goblin goblet, straight-arm, above-head)
– Bear Crawl Plank hip-knee-toes
– Swims :sweat:
– American Hammers with weight / Reverse burpees (sit-up to jump)

Ended with two burpees.

MOLESKINE:

Reading from Every Moment Holy, Volume 1: “A Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee” while drinking coffee. :coffee:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

March Merkin Madness continues! (We knocked out 70 today).

COT:

Nameorama, Countorama, named our FNG Wes @OfficerDangle (welcome aboard!), and closed in prayer.

I enjoyed our time together, men! :el-capitan:

Hazzaah!

AO: the-knoll
Q: Pebbles
PAX: Stubs, Wolfpack, Half Lyfe, El Capitan, Malibu, Sparrow, morning stār, Pitmaster, Bumblebee
FNGs: None
COUNT: 10
CONDITIONS:
Cool trending toward cold

WARMUP:
Mosey to retrieve coupons
Bacs
Bac Bacs
Don Quixotes
Slow Squats
Stretch OYO – Mission stated, 5-core principles

THE THANG:
Split into two teams. One team completes 100meter MOT while the other works. 2 rounds for each exercise.

Exercises with coupon:
Deadlift
Snatch
Overhead Press
Floor to Ceiling

MOTs:
Lunges
Bear Crawls

Mosey to return coupons
3 min of Plank Ups/Ring of Wolfpack
2 min Mary

MOLESKINE:
Super impressive to watch the evolution of PAX from FNG to seasoned PAX. Everyone was bear crawling like a champ today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Lot’s of opportunities to socialize on slack

COT:
I was up most of the night worrying about things. Money, job, housework, etc. It’s been a long time since I’ve worried. I blame it on not being able to workout for a week. Working out is critical to overall wellbeing.

Prayers offered for families and those without shelter.

Go to church or the devil will getchya!

AO: pain-train
Q: Wolfpack
PAX: Stubs, Siri, G-string, Pitmaster, Wolfpack, FLO, Waffle, Cheeks
FNGs: None
COUNT: 8
CONDITIONS: Shorts are back on the menu!

WARMUP: The usual suspects.

THE THANG:
Run to Bellevue Church of Christ
10 rounds of:
10 second high plank hold
10 merkins
10 second rest

Run to Bellevue Baptist Church
10 rounds of:
10 second low squat hold
10 squats
10 second rest

Run to Cross Timbers Freewill Baptist Church
10 rounds of:
10 second hollow body hold
10 big boy sit-ups
10 second rest

Run to Bellevue Presbyterian Church
10 rounds of:
10 second low plank hold
5 burpees
10 second rest

Run back to red caboose

MOLESKINE:
Loved the counting rhythm we organically fell into. I think it really helped us lock into the workouts and push it together.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: biscuit run march 1st. Boardgame night Feb 28

COT: My mom sent me a book of daily devotions as she felt it may be good to bring into our COTs when I lead. The thoughtfulness of wanting to share something that was meaningful to her because she felt it would help me too really made an impact on me this week. It made me ask myself the question, am I actively listening to others and am I actively supporting and providing for them based on what I hear? Encouragement to PAX (including myself!) to listen more and take action to better the lives of those around us. Thanks Mom 😀

2 minutes is short for a song but long for an exercise

AO: pain-train
Q: Stubs
PAX: Wolfpack, Pitmaster, Half Lyfe, FLO, Siri, Stubs
FNGs: None
COUNT: 6
CONDITIONS: wet ground, warm air

WARMUP:
IC
SSH x 20
BACs x 10
BACBACs x 10
Moroccan Night Clubs x10
Mission of F3
5 Slow Mercans for each principle
Slow Squats x5
Willie Mays Hays OYO
Mosey to get coupons

THE THANG:
I put together a playlist of songs that are 2 minutes or less
Broke it up into three 5 song segments with a minute of rest in between.
Each round was around 9 minutes of work.

Round 1
Incline Mercs
Step ups with Coupon
Dips
Flutter Kicks with Coupon
Bear Crawl around gazebo

Round 2
Goblet squats with coupon
Bent over Rows with Coupon
LBCs
Floor to ceilings with coupon
Plank jacks

Round 3
Incline Mercs
Step ups with Coupon
Dips
Flutter Kicks with Coupon
Bear Crawl around gazebo

Mosey to Return coupons head to play ground
Ended with Ring of Wolfpack
All pax hold plank while each takes turns doing ascending # of pull-ups
We got to 3

MOLESKINE: Sticking with the theme for the week. We’re not in this alone. Lean on each other.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Approaching final stretch of LeanPax
Franklin Biscuit Run
Upcoming Game Night
Check Slack

COT: silent prayer and coffeteeria