Training & Packing For A GoRuck Tough Event
Rucking is becoming mainstream and for good reason. It’s a fantastic form of exercise that most people can do.
GoRuck is the company to thank for gaining mainstream appeal. I had never heard of rucking until I did my first GoRuck event back in 2014.
One of my friends convinced me to sign up for a GoRuck event a few months after we completed a Spartan Race.
Unfortunately, I didn’t even look at what he sent to me and signed up for the event. I didn’t realize that I needed a backpack and was going to carry 30 lbs of duct-taped bricks in my pack.
During the entire event, I wanted to quit. Every fiber of my being didn’t want to do this anymore. Shortly after, all I could think about was signing up for the next one. This would become a trend in my life as I felt this way about many of the endurance events that I completed.
It’s a good reminder that the things we do not want to do are often the things we want to achieve most in this world.
Training
When I trained for my first GoRuck event, I panicked as I was training for this event did my normal workout routine and started to ruck a little bit more. I went on a few test rucks, ran, and weight-trained.
If I could do it all over again, I would have done these things.
Ruck More Than You Run
If you’re going to do a rucking event, you need to ruck. Try to set aside time to ruck. If you’re going to the grocery store and it’s a mile away, try to ruck there. Every mile counts.
Do A Lot Of PT
Pushups, sit-ups, flutter kicks, and squats are all a part of doing GoRuck events. Oh yeah and also carry that ruck over your head a lot. Shoulders are often the weak points of most people doing the event.
Carry Things
A 60 lb sandbag at the hardware store costs like $5. You don’t need to buy a fancy sandbag to carry a sandbag for a long time. Throw the sandbag in a duffel bag and get used to carrying it for a while. Your teammates during the event will be grateful to have you if you do.
How Much Should You Train?
I would say that you can start off training 3-5 days a week to every day if you are rucking. Rucking has a lower impact on the body and is just added resistance to your walking.
I wouldn’t smoke myself everyday if you are training but it is important to build consistency if you are training for an event.
If you’ve never been on your feet for 10-12 hours at a time before, you’ll be in for a nice surprise full of cramps.
Gear List
This is the gear list that GoRuck has on their website:
WHAT TO BRING - REQUIRED
A rucksack (Rucker recommended) - must have reflectivity
Ruck Plate (or equivalent) in your rucksack = to your weight requirement If you weigh >150 lbs = 30 lb. Ruck Plate If you weigh < 150 lbs = 20 lb. Ruck Plate
Water/Hydration. 3L minimum required. A hydration Bladder and a Nalgene are recommended.
Any medication you might need
Photo ID
Smiles
RECOMMENDED (BUT NOT REQUIRED) ITEMS
Gloves (1 pair) Not medical gloves, working gloves
Extra layers of clothing. Think merino wool socks and a shell. Pay close attention to the weather — if it’s gonna be cold, make sure you have a windbreaker
Dry Bag (or equivalent, such as a contractor bag) for keeping everything in your ruck dry.
A full change of clothes and shoes/flip-flops for after the event. Apres-Ruck is much nicer in flip-flops
Supportive footwear. GORUCK recommended because it’s the best for people who carry weight and live on their feet.
Food, snacks, electrolytes as desired
Even though the items in the RECOMMENDED (BUT NOT REQUIRED) field are not required, bring them. Gloves are an absolutely essential for an event like this.
I would also get a dry bag. Put your stuff in there instead of a Pelican case because it takes up less space. If you need protection for your phone, go ahead and bring a Pelican case.
I’ve never brought a full change of clothes to an event before for afterwards as you can leave that in your car.
Use whatever shoes are most comfortable for you and have ankle support.
If you haven’t signed up for a GoRuck event, what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy the fun.