Next big event: GORUCK Tough (1 Dec 2023)

So, I haven't actually registered yet but... I'm gonna. The event is the GORUCK Tough Challenge, to be held on December 1, 2023 in Charleston, SC. 

Rucking is a sport with military roots, specifically the Special Forces. You carry a pack with a heavy weight (along with other gear) over some distances/terrain, and are given tasks (i.e. exercises) along the way that you must complete. Things with heavy sandbags, logs, jerry cans, pushups, situps, flutter kicks, etc. It's a team event and you don't really know what you're getting into when you arrive (unlike the Spartan events where there are very specific obstacles at known intervals). Speaking of the Spartan races, I got talked into this by the same teammate who talked me into the Spartan Trifecta a couple of years ago. 

So I've spent the last month or so doing a little bit of prep work... some ruck walks here and there (just put on the 20# pack and go for a walk or hike), some strength workouts, and finally been buying gear more recently. 

Sternum strap and hip belt accessories

New trail shoes

Heavy plate

For my training, I selected this 10-week plan that has a combination of strength workouts and rucking distance included. Seems like a good variety of workouts and gives me the structure I need for training. 

 Definitely a different kind of challenge, but I'm excited for it!

I got even more inspiration this weekend following the Selection event - basically the top tier event in the field of Rucking. It's a 48+ hour event where the Cadres are trying to get you to quit. After the first night, there were only 2 remaining - one male, one female. After 33 hours, the male was eliminated when the leaders determined he was not meeting the performance standards. The woman kept on, made it through the second night, and then was subjected to the final hour of the "shark attack" which involves about a dozen Cadres throwing everything - verbal attacks, demands to perform tasks and exercises, all sorts of craziness. It was honestly hard to watch, but MAN what a rush when she was finished! She became only the second woman to finish Selection, and the first one since 2013. Absolutely inspiring!

Some links:

Mid-event interview

The Long Walk

Shark Attack

FINISHER!

So yeah.... here we go???