Tortoise & Hare, Run #4

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Touchback, Laces Out, DintyMoore, Judy, Hipster, Right Said, Chunks, Barney, Decaf, SalPal, Salami, Wham-O, Bruh Bruh, Mater, Dinky, Mosh Pit, Puppy Chow, Shred-It, Cuties, Go Fish, Speed Date, Comic Book Guy, Raisin, Old Man River
FNGs: None
COUNT: 25
CONDITIONS: Wet, warm and dark

WARMUP: Standard pre-run warm-up: SSH, Squats, IWs, stretches, WMH

THE THANG: Partner up and RUN!! We were teased by the rain this morning…it held off until we got started and then somewhere along the route is started up.

SalPal hosted the After Party this morning, inviting everyone to join him at the picnic tables for some split squats, dips and decline merkins and more spilt squats.

MOLESKINE: Some how we were able to run 3 miles in the rain and attend the SalPal After Party but couldn’t execute the count in the circle. Life can be hard so at least get the easy parts right!

COT: Prayers for focus, consistency and endurance.

Tortoise & Hare, Run #3

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Wham-O, Judy, Young and Restless, Hipster, Laces Out, Chunks, Right Said, Brown Slip, Touchback, Decaf, Barney, tampalibra, Mater, Dinky, Mosh Pit, Puppy Chow, Shred-It, Cuties, Go Fish, Speed Date, Comic Book Guy, Raisin, Old Man River, Nap Time
FNGs: None
COUNT: 25
CONDITIONS: 64 degrees and dark…perfect running weather!

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

THE THANG: Partner up and RUN!!! Like usual, half the 4:13 Strong men took off like they were being chased. Several kept the pace up for the whole three miles and finished with sub 25:00 runs. We had four 4:13 Strong PRs this morning plus several F3 PRs. Everyone was so fast today we had five extra minutes of Mary for all!

MOLESKINE: What a great morning at The Stronghold. Thank you to the F3 PAX for strong showing and the great coffeeteria!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Struggle 005 – still time so claim a spot. I promise The Struggle 005 patch will be your favorite patch. Earn it and wear it with pride.

Tortoise & Hare, Run #2

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Wham-O, Squatter, Crawlspace, Right Said, tampalibra, Chunks, Barney, Decaf, Touchback, Brown Slip, Laces Out, Mater, Dinky, Mosh Pit, Puppy Chow, Rocket Man, Shred-It, Cuties, Go Fish, Speed Date, Comic Book Guy, Raisin, Old Man River, Nap Time
FNGs: None
COUNT: 25
CONDITIONS: Dark, Damp and Humid – Where is fall?

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

THE THANG: Partner up and RUN!!! Despite the conditions, the 4:13 Strong men showed out this morning. We had 8/13 PRs and a new fastest time for the class of 21:06 (Raisin).

For the first time in a couple of classes, we had everyone in under 40:00…now we are shooting for an “all in” time of 35:00.

MOLESKINE: Despite the great effort on the run, the effort and attitude for the COT was lacking. As a reminder to work all the way through and not get sloppy on the easy things, we took off on a “reminder run” before trying to get in the COT again.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Struggle 005 10/24. Let Tampa know if you are in.

COT: Closing prayer let by Comic Book Guy.

Tortoise & Hare – The Last Run

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Chunks, Barney, Decaf, Michelin Man, Strutter, bluemule, Young and Restless, Touchback, Speechless (Bryan), Hair Band, Baby Bop, Step Back, Purple Rain, Napoleon, 1 Star, Black Jack, Cow Pie, Cool Runnings, Clorox, Big Mama
FNGs: None
COUNT: 21
CONDITIONS: 77 degrees and HUMID!

WARMUP: Black Jack was invited to lead the warmup due to his demonstration of poor effort and poor attitude. He brought the poor energy into the circle and offered an uninspiring warmup. After a couple of attempts, the warmup responsibility was taken from him and order was restored.

THE THANG: Partner up and RUN! The final run for this cohort before they move into the Work Phase of the program. Five out of Nine 4:13 Strong men set a PR today! Also posting a new PR was Young and Restless!

MOLESKINE: As men approach the finish line, they have the tendency to let up and coast to the finish. The challenge was made today to not be those men…to give the best effort of the six weeks today for the final run. We had five men accept that challenge!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Signing Day is Friday, 8/22 at 11:30am. Come celebrate with us and enjoy some Hot Chicken and Mac & Cheese.

COT: Prayers for guidance and wisdom as the men are interviewing and considering job offers.

Tortoise & Hare, Run #4

AO: thestronghold
Q: Red Skull
PAX: Young and Restless, bluemule, Chunks, Right Said, Wham-O, Barney, Judy, Decaf, Wendy’s, Ice Box, Stir Fry, Road Trip, Bobby Hill, Mutt, Singlet, Touchback
FNGs: None
COUNT: 17
CONDITIONS: It is starting to get warm and humid. 66 degrees except by the barn where the temperature is noticeably cooler.

WARMUP: Road Trip was tapped to lead our warm up. While he switched up the order on us, he hit all the usual warmup exercises.

THE THANG: Partner up and RUN!! A great morning for a run. The F3 PAX were a huge source of encouragement to the 4:13 Strong men. For the first time ever, every 4:13 Strong man turned in a new Personal Best time! Thank you for all of the encouragement that you provided today.

MOLESKINE: Based on past experience, this is the hardest week of the 40 Day Challenge, not because we do anything different but because this is the week that things start to become a grind. The men have to dig deep and find some source of encouragement to keep pushing. Today, we saw 7 men who have done just that!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Struggle 004 is this week. The 4:13 Strong Clay Shoot is this Friday. Spots are still available for anyone who would like to participate. DM me and I will get. you hooked up.

COT: Everything about the COT went in reverse order this morning, but we got it all in! It was a great start to the day at The Stronghold!

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.