Tag: GTE 47

Grow Ruck

  • Lovin’ on the Shaved Log

    With GTE#47 close to 3 weeks away 9 HIM’s beat the fartsack to wrap their arms around a shaved log and get a little better prepared for the unexpected. Here’s what we did:

    • 0530 Kickoff from The Forge location
    • Down Love Hill, Lunge a Bit, Bear Crawl one of Mt Chaplain’s hills, Ruck back up
    • Embark into the Hood to DTH’s house we go
    • Discover large shaved log and shoulder it out to the back yard
    • Brief review of log carry methodology and safety
    • Shoulder log for an uncomfortable loop around the property, trading places as needed
    • Leave the log and move out for 30+ min left of rucking
    • Hit the BIG hill on Stratford a couple times up/down, then complete two hilly neighborhood loops before heading back to Huguenot SH
    • Similar to the start – down Love Hill, Lunge a bit, BC up part of Mt Chaplain
    • Stop for some Mary – rucks off, in hands, for x15 Sit&Press OYO
    • Shoulder carry rucks in small loop BTTF
    • BTTF for COT (#9, Names, Announcements, Prayer)
  • GTE #47 – River City

    GTE #47 – River City

    Get ready for the River, Richmond’s rich history and diverse terrain provides the perfect backdrop for this GTE #47 leadership adventure.  F3 men from Richmond and across the east coast will converge on the River City May 3-5 for an unforgettable bonding experience and personal challenge.  Traversing the city’s streets, parks, and trails, they’ll not only test their physical endurance but also strengthen their resolve as men to live right, lead right, and leave right. The city’s cultural landmarks and scenic views will offer moments of reflection and inspiration along the journey from sunset to sunrise. Ultimately, this overnight ruck event promises to be more than just a physical feat—it’s an opportunity to forge lasting memories and deepen connections in the heart of Virginia’s capital.  

    There is still time to sign up for the overnight event or just the GrowSchool.

    What do we do during a GTE? 

    There are 4 phases to a GrowRuck Training Event:

    1. The Rally – The Rally is the Friday night gathering that initiates the GTE.
    2. The King Builder – The KingBuilder is the Saturday morning workout.
    3. GrowSchool – GrowSchool (G3LT) is a Schooling session during which the four quadrants of Preparedness (Get Right, Live Right, Lead Right, Leave Right) are taught in a classroom environment by the GrowRuck Qs. 
    4. The Ruck – The Ruck is the CSAUP (Completely Stupid and Utterly Pointless) Event during which the Leadership Skills of the individual GrowRuck Participants and the Teamwork of the Class is Accelerated through Pain and Chaos.

    Weekend Schedule

    Rally

    Friday, May 3 1800 – 2100 – Bon Air Community Center – 8725 Quaker Lane, Richmond, VA 23235

    Open to all F3 RVA men, out of towners, and GTE Trainers and Cadre.  BBQ will be provided, donations requested to cover the venue and food for the event.   BYOB

    Kingbuilder 

    Saturday, May 4, 0700 – Dogpile – Dogwood Dell Parking

    This will be a one-hour convergence bootcamp at Dogpile led by the GTE trainers.  It will be open to all F3 men with FNGs welcome. This will be a great opportunity to bring an FNG or Kotter to show them what F3 is about

    Growschool – registration is open for the Growschool only, sign up to get a lesson in leadership

    Saturday, May 4 0900-1200 – Relay Run warehouse 

    2720 Decatur Street, Warehouse 29, Richmond, VA 23224

    GTE #47 – Overnight Ruck

    Start – Saturday, May 4, 1800

    GTE #47 Endex – Sunday, May 5, TBD

    GEAR

    Below is a partial packing list for the event.  **Additional items posted on GTE Registration Page

    Required Gear

    • Rucksack (20L minimum suggested volume) 
    • 30lb weight
    • 4L of water (combined total between hydration bladders and bottles). 3L needs to be fresh water without any drink mixes or additives
    • Headlamp w/red light capabilities + 1 full extra set of batteries
    • Reflective bands (minimum of 1) attached to Rucksack
    • Additional items per GTE PreBlast on registration page

    Prohibited Equipment

    • Phone
    • Watch
    • Garmin
    • Other Electronic devices 

    What if I want more detail, or have questions not answered above?

    Reach out to Rosie, DTH or Gomer Pyle

  • 9 share the Hoebag

    The Growruck gang converged for another Rock&Ruck CSAUP with Sandy making an even 10 heavy weights for gloom glory. The PAX started with a wide loop detour around the AO to observe the Latina Market getting set up (oh goody, they’ve got a coffee truck!). Sandy was passed around the PAX like the good little hoebag she is, and there were a couple stops to stretch. Halfway through our time, the PAX were directed to remove their rucks and carry them in some other manner – baby cradle, over head, single shoulder, etc. Carrying both Sandy and an untethered ruck proved a formidable 100+ pound challenge. Photo shoot completed with single file rucks overhead. For the last half perimeter, State Farm suggested we restore rucks to our backs and army shuffle run to the end. Awesome challenge, enjoyable chatter, and decent warmup for the Big Rig slaughter fest to come. Welcome aboard to RODEO CLOWN who’s now registered for GYE#47, and MELVILLE is one step closer to registration! Love being with you guys! Yours, DTH

  • Huge Logs

    Nine GTE brothers converged for a short OTB ruck and to do some experimental hefting of new logs. We brought Sandy and passed her solid 60 pounds around the PAX while rucking a big neighborhood loop. The PAX ended up in the woods behind Casa de DTH to discover a freshly felled dead pine tree with 16’ and 19’ trunk segments waiting for a ride. The PAX shouldered the 16’ segment and carefully maneuvered her out of the woods into the back yard. The PAX were ordered tallest to shortest and each PAX had 1-2 guys to rotate with, leaving 5-6 guys shouldering the log. It was manageable, but some good lessons learned just taking the log for a walk around the property. The PAX then made an effort with the heavier 19’ log but didn’t get it fully off the ground. The plan is to chainsaw off the bottom 5’ to see whether 14’ of this thicker piece of trunk might serve as our 2nd GTE log option. TCLAPS to my brothers showing up to help assess the log situation. We’ll do this again real soon. Yours, DTH

  • Vertical & Hairy

    The night watch nine assembled at the Bell Isle parking lot just as the last light of day descended to the West and the skyline of City lights welcomed the night. With a refreshing Spring breeze stirring our spirits these GTE HIM’s conquered the following terrain:

    The THANG: 

    RUCK-FREE WARMERAMA: 

    • Form up at the base of the Grass Hill
    • Variable movement up and down the hill a few times – run, burpees, run, bear crawls, lunges, run, bernie, etc
    • Rucks ON
    • Welcome & Disclaimer
    • Let’s GO!

    THE INITIAL RUCK:

    • Quick march across the swinging bridge to Bell Isle and proceed 1.5 times around the broad gravel outside loop

    COP INTERMISSION:

    • Rucks Off, Stretch
    • Don Q’s & Imp. Squat Walkers IC
    • Variable Upper Body reps holding rucks

    THE VERTICAL & HAIRY RUCK:

    • Biodome led the PAX up some steep treacherous muddy rooted trails around the central heights of Bell Isle – no hobos or psychos encountered, and no PAX slipped into the quarry. 

    RETURN RUCK:

    • On the double back around the island, over the bridge, stop for pictures, and back to the parking lot.

    THE GRAND FINALE:

    • Find a tiny rock at the bottom of the hill with “John 3:16” painted on it – verse recited for the PAX 
    • Run up the hill, walk around the pond, run up the 2nd hill, cross the road, run up the third hill to the war memorial, take a Rocky style picture of the conquering warriors
    • Stopping time at just over 90min total

    COT:

    • Counterama # 9
    • Namerama
    • Meaningful words shared by YHC regarding patriotic and religious freedoms, the power of CSAUP bonds, and enthusiasm for the GTE to come
    • YHC took the PAX out in Prayer

    NMS:  It is a powerful experience to be accompanied by such a faithful band of brothers enthusiastically achieving new heights together. And just think, this amazing 90 minutes was just a fraction (about 1/8th to be precise) of the real deal happening in 32 days! With the right men beside you, nothing is impossible. Yours, DTH

    Announcements (SEE SLACK!)

    • Wed 0530 RUCK from Huguenot HS – among other rucking fun, we’ll be hefting a large log a short distance. Come on out… it’ll be fun… 😎💪🔥

  • Sandy pushin us over 100

    8 gloom warriors took to the Rockwood trails for a 1 hour ruck training opportunity – today’s challenge were two sandbags, one 50 pounds, the other 60 pounds, which were passed between the PAX every 100-200 yards. For those of us already carrying 50+ pound rucks, we definitely went slower than usual also hefting the Sandies. McRib found us toward the end having enjoyed the surprise blessing of prayerful solitude. I appreciate this perspective – while he could have been disappointed to be unable to find the PAX for most of the hour, he instead embraced the opportunity as a blessing to get some quiet time with the Lord. If we look at life, no matter the hardships or frustrations, Jesus always provides a silver lining – we just have to maintain a Kingdom perspective to perceive it. As always, appreciate your company and conversation brothers. Yours, DTH

    #SOJ 💪 !!WHUA WHUA!! 🔥

  • Bearing Burdens

    8 macho men took the trails of Machismo’s backyard for a multi-wooded ruck. We started heading through waterlogged fields, crossed a damn, over the hill, through the woods, but to Grandma’s we dare not go. No, there on the return, there was yet another log. This one weighing in at a speculative 800#s together we hoisted said burden to varied shoulders and marched near 300 yards. Maybe this log is better left in the woods.

    Prayer requests for DTHs acquaintance going through detox from Alchoholism. Dad’s family bearing the burden of his father’s death. Also add Machismos neighbor Kerri at the time of the ruck YHC didn’t know she had passed on from her battle with Cancer.

    We bear each other’s burdens.

  • Prodigal Prostitution

    9 Prodigal sons including 7 FNGs spent 2 mornings (8 Saturday, 4 Sunday) of their Men’s retreat prostrate and visiting darkened corners multiple times. The statement was made “To plant, grow, and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership.” Our core values were shared: Free of Charge, Open to All Men, Outdoors (rain or shine), Guys lead in a rotating fashion, and ends in the circle of trust. A disclaimer was given if not believed.

    Warmerama: YHC led the pax through various renamed and demonstrated exercises including SSH, UKS, Copperhead Squats, Lunges (why doesn’t this have a name?), WWIIs, Merkins, Heels to Heaven, LBCs.

    Q1 (Saturday) Thing one: 8 Pax Ran to the Elders lodge in the pouring rain and led a four corners prostitute workout with American Hammers, SSH, WWIIs, and Merkins. Various fart sackers heard the herd rumble past their rooms and one sleep walker came to see what the commotion entailed.

    Q2 (Sunday) Thing one: 4 Pax led a prostitution ring moseying to the four corners of the tennis court with 5 Burpees, 10 Merkins, 15 Squats, and 20 WWIIs.

    Q1 Thing 2: Pax moseyed weaving around the four corners of the remaining two lodges with lunges, bernie sanders, high knees, reverse lunges, and Karaokes alternating as they passed rooms of sleeping men.

    Q2 Thing 2: Pax moseyed to the dining hall for 11s with UKs and SSH.

    Q1 Thing 3: Pax moseyed through the rain to the picnic shelter and did a dora. 50 dips, 100 squats, 150 monkey humpers.

    Q2 Thing 3: Pax greeted the sun with a trip for a triple check including incline merkins, and squats.

    Q1 Pax finished with 5 minutes of merry.

    YHC had the pleasure of introducing F3 to 7 FNGs this weekend including 2 repeat customers. Multiple Middle Eastern Patriarchs who, unlike Luke 15s father, decided not to run to greet the sun; expressed a desire to engage. Gentlemen Richmond needs more pax. The call from Flight Nurse was put out, we want pax in the gloom we want pax at grow school, we want pax at grow ruck. If you don’t believe you are prepared we will carry you! Let’s get the GrowRuck up to 47 let’s start maxing out AOs. Let’s continue sharing the mission!

  • Monsoon Ruck

    Six SOJ studmuffins donned their rucks and embraced the soaking suck as they put in a full hour of Rockwood speed-rucking. Two stops were made to first exhaust the quads with ruck squats, then later Mudslide led the PAX working the upper body through a variety of ruck-holding reps. TClaps to these HIM’s not only embracing the monsoon ruck but then going on to conquer the flesh with a truly challenging Florence beatdown. Getting stronger TOGETHER! ~DTH

  • A Small Bell and Big Sacks

    The Friday morning gab session at Bettie Weaver had 7 members today started with rounded iron that was sharpened throughout the morning. YHC put out the call to the GTE crew to hit the KB bootcamp with some extra ruck weight on their backs and 4 of them, Chaplain, Boberry, House Party and OC, answered the bell. Last Call didn’t have a ruck but had a sufficient bell while Honeymoon picked up what must be one of his kids toys disguised as a kettlebell.

    After a sufficient non-weighted warm-up behind the school and a prime number of PAX we opted for a station rotation. Timer carries the a bell to across the pavement and back, other stations – around the world, shoulder press (with Boberry’s vintage barbell from the original Rocky), squats, halos, high pulls, and rows. Things we learned – according to House Party the Wizards-Hornets is still a decent draw, OC loves buying boats, Honeymoon gave away his real kettlebell, and benign familial macrocephaly is a real thing to be careful with when doing halos.

    A couple rounds of swings, cleans, plank pull throughs and merkins before wrapping up with some Mary w/ KBs.

    Announcements –

    There is still time to sign up and train for the GrowRuck – after a couple meetings with the leaders of the event I am convinced this is not a CSAUP you want to miss. Opportunities for growth, bonding, and a little pain abound. There’s a reason why guys are coming from out of town to do their 2nd up to 9th GTE and it’s not to see if State Farm carries the logs solo. If you still don’t want to join in the overnight fun, put Friday May 3, evening rally and Saturday morning May 4 convergence on your calendar, all are invited so let’s get a big turnout for both.

    Next Friday lunch – Rusty Taco March 29

    Prayers for those experiencing loss and those that need strength to push through tough times ahead.

    Thanks for going with the flow and letting me feel my way through a ruck KB workout.