First time is the easiest

AO: thestronghold
Q: tampalibra
PAX: Red Skull, Decaf, toga, Dan Tanna, bluemule, Shocker (Mark Holmes), Spandex, Speed Walker, Baby Boy, Light Weight, Five Points, Layup, Temper Tantrum, Bumble Bee, Peso, Unc, Tampax, Skid Mark, Long Way, Soft Soap and Trajectory
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
First. We’ve got 160 PAX in this channel and only 6 at the workout. 4 if you take out Red Skull and Decaf who are there by default. I personally cant come every time so I totally get it but I really cant overstate the impact y’all have on these men. I’d really encourage you to commit to coming at least once per class, more if you can. 4:13 speaks directly to the heart of the mission of F3.

CONDITIONS: Cool

WARMUP:
SSH x 30
Squats x 10
LBAC x 10 each way
Jack Webb 1/3 Merkin+Air Press up to 10/30

THE THANG:
Grab a block at mosey

Line up in 2 groups of 11. bluemule was kind enough to Q some 4-count flutters while YHC set up cones.

Sprint relay – grab a cone bring it back, next guy grabs the next and brings it back, so on and so forth until all are picked up and then reset back out.

Group 2 won the first round with Red Skull someone getting stuck with 3 legs of it! To the winner goes the spoils so I gave them the choice of burpees or block thrusters. The team chose thrusters so 15 thrusters while Group 1 did 20 burpees.

Rinse and repeat. Group 2 again took the W. They chose burpees this time so YHC obliged with 30 burpees. 20 thrusters for Group 1.

YHC had some other things planned but wasn’t super pleased with the sprints, the lack of full reps, etc. SO we lined up and every man ran 125ft sprint down, and 125ft back. Immediate rinse and repeat again.

Grab the blocks and mosey home for burpee-apocalypse. When we got to 6 YHC promised we could be done once every person completed every rep. @Tampax stepped up and called out the reps for PAX, awesome leadership.

MOLESKINE:
Barely Legal (repeat 413’r) asked me 3x for a new name. I told him no and that it only gets worse. I finally obliged after insisting several more times. Being at a Tampa Q, and the bright pink shorts, Barely Legal has been officially renamed Tampax. Dont let Red Skull put any of this Tampa-X nonsense out there. It’s Tampax. Period. (pun intended)

I had something a little different dialed up but last second changed it up. I thought it was important for the PAX to experience a team focused challenge. It was interesting seeing them only focus on the dude next to them and give only just enough effort that was required and forgetting about the bigger picture. Some good lessons in that for sure.

COT:
Lots of prayers for safety for the men, resiliency, and their families.

Spandex has a sister getting some cancer scans this week.

Final Tortoise & Hare for Class 42

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Skeet, Right Said, Hair Band, Chunks, SalPal, Longhorn, baggervance, bluemule, Natural Ice, Decaf, Cabana Boy, Moon Walk, Tealfin, Midnight Club, Practice?, Night Light, Chef Boyardee, Cruise Line, LifeSaver, Dr. Seuss, Skechers, Double Flush
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
CONDITIONS: 70 degrees – perfect weather for setting a PR

WARMUP: Circle Up 1 min late as YHC lost track of time while pairing pace setters with runners. Standard warm-up of SSH, IWs, Squats and stretching.

THE THANG: Every 4:13 Strong man was assigned an F3 man who was charged with setting and holding a pace. The pairings and pace assignments ensured that every 4:13 Strong man would be able to set a PR if they stayed with their pacer.

The pacers did a fantastic job. The 4:13 Strong men not so much. We had two reach a new PR and two that came very close. The other eight turned in a pretty pathetic final run.

MOLESKINE: You may be set up for success, but succeeding still requires effort. The 4:13 Strong men had everything they needed to turn in their best run of the class…the only thing lacking was the attitude and the effort.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Signing Day for this class is this Friday (6/28). We will gather at 11:30am. The ceremony will begin around 11:40am and will last less than 30 minutes. Lunch and fellowship will follow. Come join us and help celebrate what these men have accomplished.

COT: Practice? jumped in to close out our morning. Following the COT he shared that was his first time leading a group prayer.

Class Trivia

AO: thestronghold
Q: Chunks
PAX: Red Skull, Decaf, Skeet, Telecaster
FNGs: None
COUNT: 5
CONDITIONS: Hot and Humid

WARMUP: Announced to the group at 5:26, to stretch and warm up OYO, because we will be right to it

THE THANG:
Divided the PAX into Concrete and Steel teams

Round 1 – Must do a burpee and touch my hand to answer the question.
Mission of F3?
4:13 Core Values?

Mosey with each team doing an Indian Run while I set the pace. Pass me and that’s 5 Burpees for the group.

Round 2 – Bible
How long were the Israelites slaves in Egypt?
Name Noah’s 3 sons?
Round of BOMBS – Starting with 10 Burpees and adding 5 reps to each exercise

Mosey with each team doing an Indian Run while I set the pace. Pass me and 5 Burpees for the group

Had to modify the original plan because of the train. Only way home was the long way around.

Round 3 – Financial Literacy
4 Walls (Expenses to be covered first)?
When is the best time to start saving?

Mosey! – Indian Run fell a part because of the amount of running. Stopped half way to pickup the six.

Round 4 – Construction Skills
What does OSHA stand for?
What are 2 free things to take to your job?

Mosey back to start Ex – Some on passed me so we had to do 5 burpees.

Stopped at the stop sign before getting back to the Startex.

I gave Red Skull a 10 sec head start and anyone who didn’t pass him owed me 5 Burpees.

Round 4 – Graduation
What are the requirements to graduate 4:13 Strong?

Had some healthy debate about who got the last question right, but in the end everyone won.

4:13 has become a core part of my life. I’m so glad I showed up to my first run and workout almost 2 years ago. These men have been such an encouragement to me. I just hope I’ve been able to give them half of what they have given me.

Signing day is 6/28, this friday. Block your calendar and be there at 11:30 to encourage these men as the begin the next and most difficult phase.

As always an honor to lead.

MOLESKINE:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COT:

Tortoise & Hare v5

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Hacker (Franklin), Judy, baggervance, SalPal, Chunks, Right Said, Decaf, Cabana Boy, Moon Walk, Tealfin, Midnight Club, Practice?, Night Light, Chef Boyardee, Cruise Line LifeSaver, Dr. Seuss, Skechers, Double Flush, Pick Me!
FNGs: None
COUNT: 20
CONDITIONS: The summer humidity finally found The Stronghold. It was a sticky 77 degrees at 0530.

WARMUP: Circle Up for the standard pre-run warm-up: SSH, IW, Squats, Stretches, WMHs.

THE THANG: Partner Up, Set a Goal, RUN!! Today we saw 5 new PRs! The runners were “All In” by 40:17. Our Rucker was in by 50:00.

MOLESKINE: It is easier to do hard things when you have a partner to encourage you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Signing Day for this class is next Friday, 6/28 at 11:30. Come join us, celebrate the accomplishments of this class and enjoy some Hot Chicken and Mac & Cheese.

COT: Prayers for clear minds, strong hearts, wisdom and courage.

The Return of Bagger Vance

AO: thestronghold
Q: baggervance
PAX: Chunks, Hair Band, Natural Ice, Skeet, Shocker (Mark Holmes), Red Skull, Decaf, Dan and Dave, Mayday (F3 Omaha), Cabana Boy, Moon Walk, Tealfin, Midnight Club, Practice?, Night Light, Chef Boyardee, Cruise Line, LifeSaver, Dr. Seuss, Skechers, Double Flush, Pick Me!
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
CONDITIONS: A perfect 63 degrees with a beautiful sunrise. Rumored to be the last nice day for a while.

WARMUP: Circle up in the parking lot for a standard warm-up consisting of SSH, IW, HBW and some fancy stretching. Take off for a brief run which included some side shuffle and skips.

THE THANG:
Meet on the basketball court for some movements to half court and back. Bear Crawl + Crawl Bear x 2, Inch Worm, Worm Inch.

To the block pile, every man grabs a block. Block work included Merkins with feet on the wall, Murder Bunnies, Redrum Bunnies, Blockies, OH Press, 1 arm OH Press, Block Swings, Lung Walk, Rifle Carry, March back to block pile to drop off the blocks.

Meet in the circle for a little BV Yoga before time was called.

MOLESKINE: Good energy this morning. It was nice to see some of the 4:13 Strong guys push hard and complete the work instead of giving up and stopping short like they would have done a couple of weeks ago. Progress is being made!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Signing Day for this class will be Friday, June 28 at 11:30am.

COT: Prayers for fallen 4:13 Strong men, families and our city.

Tortoise & Hare v4

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Hacker (Franklin), Natural Ice, Chunks, Right Said, Hair Band, Decaf, Longhorn, SalPal, Cabana Boy, Moon Walk, Tealfin, Midnight Club, Clean Plate, Practice?, Night Light, Chef Boyardee, Cruise Line, LifeSaver, Dr. Seuss, Skechers, Double Flush, Pick Me!
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
CONDITIONS: Absolutely Perfect. 57 degrees with a beautiful sunrise.

WARMUP: SSH, Squats, Hill Billy Walkers, Stretch, WMH.

THE THANG:
Partner up and RUN! We had three PRs this morning, and everyone was in by 45:10. Cruise Line did 1.6 miles with a 30lb Ruck and was waiting for everyone at the finish line.

Circle up for some Mary while we waited for the six to come in. We did PAX choice and made it about 1/2 around the circle before calling “Time”.

COT: Prayers for perseverance, wisdom and courage.

Tortoise & Hare v3

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Decaf, bluemule, Hacker (Franklin), Chunks, hambone, baggervance, Michelin Man, Hair Band, Longhorn, Right Said, Judy, Cabana Boy, Moon Walk, Tealfin, Midnight Club, Clean Plate, Practice?, Night Light, Chef Boyardee, Cruise Line, Skechers, Double Flush, Dr. Seuss, Pick Me!
FNGs: None
COUNT: 25
CONDITIONS: A perfect 72 degrees with a beautiful sunrise over The Stronghold

WARMUP: Some extra encouragement was needed to get the circle formed this morning. Once we were all in the circle, we did our simple stretches and warmup: SSH, Squats, IWs, WMH, Stretch

THE THANG: Partner up and RUN!

MOLESKINE: Despite having an F3 partner who was tasked with setting the pace, most 4:13 Strong men took off on a 1/4 mile sprint and left their partner behind. Once we made the first turn past the smoke stack, 4:13 Strong were out of gas and had trouble keeping up with their partner. What a great example that being consistent is more important than being fast.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Struggle 002 kicks off tomorrow night at 9pm. We have 10 4:13 Strong men and 10 F3 men that are embracing the challenge.

COT: Prayers for encouragement, strength and consistency

Tortoise & Hare v2

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Thunder Duck, baggervance, bluemule, Right Said, Chunks, Michelin Man, Hair Band, Decaf, Cabana Boy, Moon Walk, Tealfin, Midnight Club, Clean Plate, Practice?, Night Light, Chef Boyardee, Cruise Line, LifeSaver, Double Flush, Dr. Seuss, Pick Me!
FNGs: None
COUNT: 22
CONDITIONS: Perfect running weather – 63 degrees with a beautiful sunrise.

WARMUP: Circle warm-up with some SSH, IWs, Tappy Taps, stretches and squats.

THE THANG: Pair up and RUN!!! We had three 4:13 Strong PRs this morning. We also recorded the slowest 3 mile run since the inception of the program – 59:17. Thanks to Chunks for sticking it out with Cruise Line and offering some encouragement along the way. We have plenty of room for improvement.

We managed to work through a Burpee Apocalypse with an equal number of squats plus some good core work while waiting for the six.

COT: Prayers for family, strength, wisdom and encouragement.

Tortoise & Hare, v1

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Chunks, Skeet, Hair Band, SalPal, Natural Ice, Hacker (Franklin), Michelin Man, Longhorn, Decaf, baggervance, Touchback, Cabana Boy, Moon Walk, Snooze, Clean Plate, Practice?, Night Light, Chef Boyardee, Cruise Line, LifeSaver, Skechers, Pick Me!
FNGs: None
COUNT: 23
CONDITIONS: Perfect 70 degrees with a beautiful sunrise just as promised.

WARMUP: SSH, Imperial Walkers, Tappy Taps, Squats, Stretches

THE THANG: RUN!!! – The first official three mile run for this class. Hair Band set the pace and the rest of us tried to keep up. The first 4:13 Strong finisher was Practice? at 25:03. We had one more 4:13 Strong man finish under the 30:00 (LifeSaver). All in time of 51:28 so there is a lot of room for improvement.

MOLESKINE: Thank you for coming out and helping the new class figure out what it means to run 3 miles. Before our next Tortoise & Hare, this group will have some opportunity to practice their running. We will run penalty miles Wednesday and Friday morning at 0530. Same distance and same course as today. All are welcome to join.

COT: Closed with a prayer for strength, courage and guidance.

Final Tortoise & Hare for Class 2

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Chunks, Right Said, bluemule, Decaf, Michelin Man, Longhorn, Skeet, Hacker (Franklin), Detective Pikachu, John Deere, Yak, Frozen, Westside, Pacer, C#, Triple Sevens, Blitz, Sgt Meatball
FNGs: None
COUNT: 19
CONDITIONS: A perfect morning for a run. 43 degrees, a beautiful sunrise, a train and a locked gate.

WARMUP: Westside took us through our warmup – SSH, IW, Stretches, Squats and Tappy-Taps

THE THANG: Pair up – each 4:13 Strong man picked an F3 running partner and set a goal time for the run. The pairings seemed to work well as today was our fastest run of the class. We were “All In” by 34:00 with 7 out of 8 4:13 Strong men setting a new PR.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Signing Day is this Friday, 11:30am. Come celebrate what these men have accomplished and stick around for some lunch and fellowship. It is one of the best ways to spend your Friday lunch hour.

COT: Red Skull closed with a prayer.