GRE56: The Summit FAQ: 

I’ve heard about a GTE but what is a GRE?  

The Mission of the GrowRuck Training Event (GTE) is to reinforce the F3 Mission Formula, Teach Leadership Principles and Transfer Positive Habits in order to Accelerate Regional Growth. The GrowRun Training Event (GRE) will accomplish the same objective as GTE, but with a different work demand / physical stressor…running rather than rucking.  GRE is for F3 pax who favor running over ruck-based fitness training. Like GTE, the GRE is a team event.  During a GRE, we leave no man behind and leave no man where we find him.  Together we strive to become better men for our families and our communities.

What events make up a GRE weekend? 

1 - RALLY - Friday evening - a fellowship gathering to kick off the weekend - first break the ice then break bread (food details TBD) with fellow GRE participants - meet your GRE Trainers and get fired up by their message - ask any last minute questions of the F3 Cadre

2 - KING BUILDER - Saturday early morning - an F3 convergence-style workout (open to FNGs!) - a beatdown with a lesson - led by GRE Trainers

3 - GROW SCHOOL -  Saturday late morning - includes breakfast and coffee - an intense classroom-based leadership seminar covering Q Source The F3 Manual of Virtuous Leadership

4 - CRUCIBLE overnight running episode - Saturday evening until Sunday morning - the MAIN Effort of a GRE - individual's Leadership Skills and the Teamwork of the Class is Accelerated through intense physical and mental adversity - Expect to be challenged and transformed - expect to push through the limits of your perceived thresholds - expect to bond deeply with your fellow team members and to be moved  during the Sunriser - approx duration 14 hours - approx distance covered 25 miles

What will we be doing besides running given we are out all night but only moving 20ish miles? 

A variety of stressors other than running will be included in the overnight.  For example, the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) will be included which consists of Push-Ups (max reps in 2 minutes), Sit-Ups (max reps in 2 minutes), and Five mile run, for time.

What if I’m relatively new to running and 25ish miles sounds intense?  Can I possibly prepare in time?  

This event will be very different than going out and running a half / full marathon.  That said, training for the event is still recommended.  Anyone that is actively running DD’s and consistent with F3 already has a base level of fitness able to prepare to be ready for this event.  Even PAX just starting their running journey have time to prepare.  We will leave no man behind.  The earlier you sign up, the more committed you’ll be to your training and preparing.  

I’ve heard GTE events have a bit of a military command and control approach and cadre leading the event can be hard on the PAX?  

PAX generally enter the event with uncertainty about this question, but they leave the event thankful that the Cadre pushed them to achieve something unique together.  If you’re unsure about how you’ll look back on the event, read some of the Katy GTE testimonies from the event in the fall of 2022: 

GTE34 (Katy) Testimonies: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lsRa1tTP0jlGUb4yNoyT9lhu6iUsptzhpJQvqPmMDd4/edit

How will support be provided at the overnight event? 

A support crew will be in place with at least one support PAX for every 15 runners.  Much like a half or full marathon, you’ll be able to check a gear bag so that you can have access to clothes, shoes, unique nutrition, etc.  Nutrition support will be a large focus of the event and it will be our goal that every PAX goes home in the same condition they arrived. 

What does my registration fee cover? 

Your registration fee includes your attendance at Grow School, participation in the overnight event, and a finishers medal for that event.  In order to make this a landmark event, we are bringing in some of the Top Cadre and Trainers from F3's GrowRuck Department.  By attending Grow School, then experiencing the leadership principles throughout the overnight portion, your main takeaway from this event will be a deepening of your understanding of F3 and the men we’re called to be in our community, our homes, and for our brothers.  F3 FTX will make no money from this event. 

How can I learn more?  

We will be doing alot of promotion within F3 FTX for this event.  In May, our FTX luncheon will feature GRE.  Red will be our host Q with a strong team supporting him.