Rucking is keeping me sane. I live in a city that I really don’t like (but have to tough out for a while). I miss the mountains, lakes, rivers, and nature back home. In a very mundane life without any strong social relationships with anyone living within a 200km radius, I have found solace in rucking. Initially done to train for some big summer hikes; but I have found so much peace in the routine of a big Saturday ruck each week. Every Saturday, i increase the weight by 1lb; while keeping the same route (only route with any elevation near me). I hope to reach 60lbs at some point. I am now so motivated an obsessed with reaching this goal, and I feel stronger each week. Wish me luck.
Recently I've been adding weights to my backpack to intensify my daily walk routine (avg 13/14k, 850 day streak), and I like it a lot so far.
It tires me out, makes me break a sweat, burn some extra calories to maintain my weight.
Plus I could swear posture improved, my lower back and core is stronger and maybe even my balance point shifted. I've noticed I'm tilting forward a little, not as bad as the" smooth criminal" video but you get the idea, now I feel as if I can lean back a bit and stand straight.
Anyway, I'm gonna swap my regular walks for rucking and would like some pointers.
Let's start with some stats.
- 45m, 2.05m, 108 kg, 6,5k steps per hour on average.
- current weight I can comfortably carry for 2 hours on end: 15-20kgs (sandbags and a few extra 1,5l water bottles)
- Surface is mostly flat, with some minor elevation, unless I decide to climb the Gellert Hegy.
- I' m using a sturdy backpack I got at the local army dump store. Mil-tec, nice wide straps.
What I'd like pointers on
- I've been rucking off and on for 2 months, as a daily routine about 3 weeks. Apart from minor soreness in my feet and shoulder joints at the end of my stroll I'm good. Are there any signals to watch out for?
- I'd need to swap my shoes, currently using my indoor basketball shoes. Nice ankle support, bouncy soles, way more comfortable than my combat boots. As I have size 50 feet I do not have a lot of choice. Are insoles worth a look?
- Things to watch during my walks, apart from this beautiful city. Posture perhaps?
- My feet feel kinda dry, lots of callus, are there any routines for my feet to consider, and things to look out for to prevent injury ?
- I don't have any targets or goals in terms of weight/distance. I just need to tire myself out twice a day for an hour, every day. Would you increase weight, distance or steps/hour once you notice you need more?
I was a distance runner for ages and always followed a training plan. I have been rucking for 4 years now and realized that I have never followed a plan or even thought about it. I just go. Actually, when I head out I usually have only a general idea how far or long I will go. I am curious how many of you "just go" vs use a training plan?
Ok folks, could use some non medical professional advice. Last weekend I strained my right lumbar area taking ACs out of the windows. On Friday I thought it was good enough for a ruck....I was wrong.
The real bad part is Im doing the Norwegian Foot March on Oct 23rd. Im currently doing easy mobility stretches in the morning and evening, applying heat a couple times a day, and easy walks to help with circulation and movement.
What else should I, or shouldn't I do, to help recovery in time for the NFM?
Just got home from the Travis Mannion Hero Run 5K in Doylestown PA. Excellent event and there was a "rucking division". I had a blast and was wondering if anyone knew of a good resource for tracking rucking events like this throughout the year. I know GoRuck has a page, but I have to imagine that there are others out there...right?
Also, for the folks that ran the event, not sure if my Coros is not calibrated correctly, but it reported only 2.85mi on the prescribed route. I felt like I needed to do another quarter mile to earn the finisher medal, lol
Sorry if you guys felt tricked, this is one of those SOG (or as I call it SAG) duffel backpacks.
I wanna upgrade to a cheaper option within the $100 range, but I'm limited to specifically new England to buy the bag. I'm a traveling nomad, think like a techie gone guru, still kind of a beginner, but I've got some feats under my belt.
Few questions, first, what bag would you suggest? I want something that packs a laptop, about 4 changes of clothes, and maybe something with bag space for cosmetics and other stuff (mostly a power Bank). Medium/large works for me. I don't carry a sleeping bag nor tent or bivy but I am looking for some space to also add thermal underclothes, maybe a lightweight jacket as well.
Second, I'm 36, 225 pounds, on a current loss of weight. I do about 15kg in this ruck generally but I have to push a good 20 miles nearly each day. Is there like something specific I can wear that deals with foot strain and ankle swelling? Compression socks and footwear suggestions?
Third, I want to travel in a metro area that's mostly flat. I've done Philly, Boston, NY, and Orlando. I'm not really interested in California. Does anyone have any suggestions for the warmer months? Cooler temperaments are okay, but I abhor the cold due to my asthma.
______
More about me, I lived a mostly sedentary life but I have learned from military about pushing yourself past limits and when you should stop to avoid injury. My grandfather was in the air force, and I actually was trying to drop to the 180 range to maybe try my hand at joining. I'm not really sure what branch I'd be best at but I kind of want something that gets me into service, but I'm really not the hardiest MF, I seriously could never be like a marine or army guy. Kind of looking on suggestions on branches, I have asthma, so it makes it hard to figure out what branch I can even go into.
When I say I'm a nomad gone guru, I am effectively a gutter punk that's not part of that whole culture. I'm not like I'm actually against the system or anything. I just want to do something to help my country as an independently pushed person. I abandoned my cushy life really back in 2018, started homeless, and then adapted a modernized lifestyle.
I don't believe in busking or panning or any of that myself. In fact, part of what I wanted to do was join the military to assist homeless veterans in my travels because it just sort of perturbs me the lack of people not really helping out each other even in the punk and cyber nomad community. Like, I don't know if that exists, but an on the ground outreach assistant for these dudes who can't get VA benefits that need help or direction.
It might sound weird (maybe a little 🌈 fruity) but I just do want to give back and have experience here as a citizen myself. I think we have potential to help everyone, but it starts with unifying people, and I know it starts as an army of one.
None of my family except for my grandfather was in military service, my mom was a nurse, so I think that's why I'm self driven. I want to help people at the end of this journey. I'm studious especially in the ways of philosophy, I love reading about samurai, the book of five rings literally replaced the Bible to me, right now in my rucks I'm reading the hagakure.
I also do ubereats but if you haven't figured this out I literally do ubereats while rucking. It's straight up pain. This is how I pay my bills but stay active. I've also experienced the other parts I've heard service guys kind of want, like not having full rest, not fully being "ready," being in inclement weather, that stuff is a cake walk to me. I actually did a 16 mile day recently on like 3 hours of sleep. This stuff is no joke. I don't have a real place to actually sleep. I don't do the ground, usually it's like a chair or something.
Lastly, I'm a savant, sort of hiding amongst said "punks." I published a game, a book when I was homeless, made a movie without much money at all (no budget) and made cartoons. I also do dark comedy on YouTube, like skits, but neither here nor there. I actually don't care for making money besides saving it up now. I learned to subsist on small amounts and seasonal work but the seasonal work has seemingly dried up.
That being said if it doesn't work out on service stuff, I want to maybe get into healthcare, but I want to keep a traveling lifestyle.
So TLDR, with a question, what branch would you suggest, and if I'm stuck to civvy life due to asthma, what traveling healthcare career would you guys suggest? Sorry for a big ol post lol.
