-
I’m Going To Do GORUCK Selection
It’s been a while since I wrote. I’ve been busy training and figuring out life right now.
GORUCK Selection
If you don’t know what it is. It’s a 48-hour endurance event with a 45lb rucksack doing 80 miles or more. Nonstop physical training and 1 hour of rest at the 24-hour mark.
Basically a shit show, but I love doing these types of events. This is going to be mentally and physically exhausting.
I can’t wait.
Training For Selection
For the last couple of months, I have just been training for this event and letting my ankle sprain heal.
My training plan right now.
Involves a 60lb rucksack, aka the bag of burden.
I train about 4-5 hours a day. Each day I alternate between upper body and lower body.
I always start my workout StairMaster. I’ll be there for 30 minutes with the rucksack.
Full Upper Body Day:
Strength Exercise Sets Reps Rucksack Push Up 3 8 Chest Press 3 8 Back Row 3 8 Shoulder Press 3 8 Biceps Curl 3 8 Endurance Exercise Sets Reps Distance Dips 3 15 N/A Sit Ups 3 40 N/A Push Ups 3 25 N/A Pull Ups 3 10 N/A Butterfly Kicks 3 45 sec N/A Shoulder Press Static Hold 3 1 min N/A Rucksack High Plank 3 45 sec N/A Rucksack Bear Crawls 4 N/A 30 to 50 feet Full Lower Body Day:
Strength Exercise Sets Reps Leg Press 4 8 Calf Raise Machine 4 Till Failure Adductor Machine 4 8 Glute Machine 4 8 Leg Extension Machine 4 8 Endurance Exercise Sets Reps Rucksack Lunges 3 on each leg 25 Rucksack Squats 3 25 Sit Ups 3 40 Butterfly Kicks 3 45 sec Wall Sit 3 45 sec Rucksack High Plank 3 45 sec I planned to add a 1 hour rucking or running session this week. Since my ankle feels a lot better, I’ll continue adding or removing stuff to my workout.
Each week I’ll write an update on my progress.
-
Running Your First Obstacle Course Race (Here What You Need To Know)
Running your first Obstacle Course Race can look daunting at first. However, when you complete one, it will be something that you never forget and regret doing.
Look At The Obstacles
Every OCR event has different obstacles that you will encounter. I recommend going to the OCR Website and seeing the obstacles. Also, how to complete those obstacles.
You don’t want to be an obstacle, not knowing what to do. Damn, this happened to me when I first started. I would look at one be like, what the fuck do I here.
Study The Course Layout
This will help you know what obstacles you will encounter throughout the course and what routes to take so you don’t get lost.
Getting lost is something that happens once in a while to me. I remember the time I took a penalty loop in a spartan race. I was in my zone, but I heard in the back, “You’re heading the wrong way!”
Oh Shit!
So remember the course layout, so this doesn’t happen to you.
Learn The Rules
Every OCR event has its own rules. Some have penalties for failing to complete a course. Some allow you to skip the course if you don’t complete it. So learn it so you don’t get a penalty or an opportunity to skip a course.
What to Expect And Bring
Expect to get wet and dirty. Throughout these courses, you will be climbing, jumping, crawling, and using your upper body quite a lot.
Some of the courses will be challenging or freezing. However, expect to have a lot of fun even though you may feel uncomfortable and exhausted at some of the courses.
Most importantly, bring:
- Extra Bag For Dirty Clothes
- Towel
- Bring Cash
- Extra Pair Of Clothes
- Reliable Pair Of Trails Shoes
- Bag or Backpack to Carry Your Gear
-
Beginner Guide To Hiking In The Dark
Hiking in the dark, don’t I love it. Even though sometimes people try to discourage me from it, or I become paranoid in the dark.
I love it, and I believe everyone should try it once in their life.
Here are some experiences I learned from hiking in the dark.
Planned Your Route
Go on Google Map or AllTrails and observe all the different routes in that area. Once you select what paths you will take, start marking them. After that, print it out or save a PDF copy to your phone.
I recommend using AllTrails to plan your hiking routes. They have an option that allows you to create a map and smarting route software that makes it easy for you.
Compared to drawing lines everywhere and making the adjustments.
Explore
Hike the route you planned during the day because this allows you to see the environment and how difficult the routes are.
Once you have done your route, make the small adjustments before you decide to hike it in the dark.
Wildlife
You should know what type of wildlife you will encounter in that area. This will help you with how to treat them in order to ensure your safety properly.
Also, you know how properly reacts if you encounter an animal that poses a threat.
Gear
Depending on how far you are traveling, weather and goals. You make those gear adjustments for that situation.
Here is a basic list you need for Night Time Hiking:
- Headlamp
- Extra Batteries
- Small First Aid Kit
- Hydration Backpack that fits all your gear
- Hydration Bladder
- Electrolyte Packets or Tablets
- A Map and Compass
- Extra Water Bottles (Just In Case Your Bladder Breaks)
- A pair of your best-hiking boots or trail shoes
- Snacks and Food
- Pocket Knife
Safety
Tell someone what you are going to do that night and where you are going. Also, you can give a map of the routes you will take.
Just in case shit goes south, at least someone will know the location where you have been.
Always bring a self-defense tool that is easy to carry and lightweight because sometimes you will encounter something that poses a threat to you and have no choice but to defend yourself or give you a chance to run away.
Trail Etiquette
When you are hiking, sometimes you encounter someone doing the same thing. Make sure to point your headlamp down because you want to get blind and distorted by your ass.
I feel like I don’t have to tell anyone this but pick your trash.
Time
Timing is everything when you are hiking.
You always check the weather for the next couple of days in that area and know what season you are in. Make those adjustments on what time you should leave and expect to finish that hike.
I recommend hiking in the dark during a full moon because there is a lot more visibility.
Overall
Go out there and experience it. Don’t let fears hold you back from seeing the beautiful night sky.
I have a question for you guys if you ever hiked in the dark, have you ever experienced something crazy or scary. If so, feel free to share because I would love to read about it.
-
Three Peak Challenge
The Journey
I was second-guessing myself because I was like, why do I want to do this so late when I could be sleeping that night.
Since I’m writing this, you already know I said fuck it and did it.
I left around 8:00 pm. My goal was to reach the peak of five mountains; however, as you can see in the title, I only did three mountains due to a time limit.
The gear I was carrying was :
Rucker 3.0
Headlamp
Windbreaker
30lb Ruck Plate
Tylenol
Hydration Bladder 3L
Fruits and Snacks
Other Stuff
A few miles later, I arrived at the park. I decided to rest for 5 minutes at one of the tables. Damn, taking off that bag felt amazing, and when I was done resting.
I was dredging putting that bug of burden back up, but I had to. Several miles later, I arrived at my first mountain. I decide not to use my headlamp.
Since, the visibility that night was pretty good.
When I reached the first mountain peak, my knees were hurting a lot. So I took off my rucksack and rested for a tad bit.
Took out the painkillers and a snack. That helps for a little bit.
I was about to reach the top of the second mountain. I saw lights down the hill next to a building. I was like, oh shit.
So I hurried my ass up that hill and reached the peaked. My plan was to reach the parking lot and follow the trail straight towards the fence. Once I reached the parking lot.
I prayed to god nobody was there, and the parking lot was cleared. After that, I quickly checked my phone to make sure I was heading the right way.
Once I reach my destination, I start heading up the third mountain. Off in the distance, I hear coyotes; I wasn’t in the mood to deal with coyotes right now.
When I was going up the third mountain, I was very paranoid for some reason. Every time I heard a noise or every few minutes, I would stop to look around for anything that looked like a threat.
When I made out those mountains, I felt relieved because it was a straight walk from now on. A few minutes later, I saw an animal crawl out of the sewer drain.
I was like, is that raccoon? I saw it go back into the sewer drain. That was something.
However, a few minutes later, I turned around and saw a cop car pass by. Then the cop car decided to do a u-turn and slowly approached me.
Are they going to offer me a ride or what?
NAH
They turned on the high beams, blinded my ass, and sped off. Son of bitches, they couldn’t let me suffer in peace. When I arrived home, I fell asleep.
Overall Experience
I rucked 17 miles within 10 hours. My knee caps were worn out, and I was surprised that my back wasn’t worn out. Thank god I brought that windbreak because it was windy and cold up those mountains.
All I want to do is rest up and get ready for a race tomorrow.
-
Bataan Memorial Death March (Virtual) AAR
Total Rucksack Weight: 48.09 lbs
The March
I left my house at 12:04 am and I was a little bit tired. I was debating in my head if I should go through with it. However, I keep ongoing.
A few minutes later, I started to feel it on my right shoulder blade. I tried to adjust the rucksack, but I was having issues. One of the straps on the bag was stuck.
A few miles later, I stopped at a bus stop and decided to rest for a bit and take some painkillers. I could describe the rest of this journey as painful, exhausting, and looking for a bathroom.
Damn, the bathroom situation was something else that night. I felt like a fucking zombie that night roaming down the streets.
A few hours later, I reached the mountain.
I was resting for a bit; however, the app glitched. I believe it added more miles. That was some bullshit. A few minutes, apparently, I was finished.
I couldn’t do anything about that glitch. So I was done for the day.
Arriving home, I couldn’t walk for jack shit, and taking off that rucksack felt amazing. I was exhausted and fell asleep.
Next time, I would rather do the event in person. I would have finished in 12 to 14 hours if that damn app didn’t glitch.
Overall Injuries
My forefoot was in pain. It felt like I had a meat tenderizer and decided to whack my foot for a couple of hours. Damn, it was painful going downhill.
I was surprised I didn’t get any blisters. My shoulders were worn out, and I felt it more in the right shoulder blade.
-
A Tale Of My First Endurance Event
This was all new to me because I had never done an endurance event.I was excited and nervous about this race, but damn, don’t I remember that day.
My car gear shift broke, and I had to borrow someone else’s car. I left in a hurry because I thought I would be late, but I arrived in the nick of time.
The gear that I bought was a backpack with five bottles of water. Even though it was a 6k, what was I thinking back then? Damn, that was a mistake I soon found out during the run.
The race was about to start, and all I could think about was the race’s route. I was clueless about where I was heading once the race began.
Looking back at it, damn, why was I overthinking it. Since I was clueless, my game plan was to follow the runners.
I know right simple and basic.
Here we go, the race starts. I go at a fast pace initially; however, it’s a great not idea as I learn in the future.
However, those damn water bottles shook my bag up and down like there was no tomorrow. A couple of minutes later, I was tired of going up those hills.
Once I reached the finish line, I was happy because I never thought I would be doing this in my life.
My Advice For First Time Runners
- Buy yourself a hydration backpack instead of carrying water bottles in a bag.
- Eat and hydrate two hours before the race starts because you don’t want to be shitting or peeing yourself mid-race—that one worse feeling during a run and your couple a miles away from the restroom.
- Study the layout of the route
- Pace yourself; don’t go full-on sprint
- Have fun out there
The Night Shift
I volunteered for this event as a sweeper because it allowed me to hike those mountains at night. My job was to collect the marker on the short trail. My shift started at 1 am and ended at 3 am.
Once I stepped back into those mountains, it was pitch black and windy ass hell. It was gorgeous that night, but damn, wasn’t I paranoid.
I was constantly looking behind when I was up those hills. I only saw two people throughout that walk. I thought I was it take longer, but I finished within one hour.
Race Results
-
AZ Spartan Race Super AAR
That Morning
I woke up at 4 am.
I got everything ready, wrapped my ankle, and put on compression knee sleeves. Going into this race, my knee caps were worn out due to yesterday’s rucking session.
I left around 6 am because I knew it would be an hour’s drive.
Course Thoughts
The race started, and the first obstacle was the 4-foot wall. Once you pass it, the trail becomes very compact.
That’s where I lost my shoe because someone stepped on it. I had to hurry my ass up and put on my shoes.
I was holding up a lot of people. You only had like 1 foot of space to run through. You had a fence on your left and a medium-size bush on the right.
However, this won’t be the last time I lost my shoe in this race.
After completing the Olympus, I headed the wrong way, and almost did the penalty looped. The two obstacles I failed were the Hercules Hoist and the Spear Throw.
The issue I had with the hoist was lifting it. At the Spear Throw, I overshot it and ran the penalty loop.
The second time I lost my shoes was at a mud pit. I was walking through the mud, and my left foot got stuck. So I tried to remove it, and my foot slipped out of my shoe.
I tried to put it back on but fuck my luck.
I lost my balance and placed my foot in the mud. You got to be fucking kidding me. Once I passed that mud pit.
I had one shoe on and a muddy sock. I knew if I placed my shoe back, on the inside shoe would be covered in rocky mud. At that very moment, I was like fuck it.
So I remove my muddy sock and place it in my chest pocket. After that, I continue with the next course.
Finishing
I had fun; however, might as well run this shit barefoot next time.
My Results
-
My First Tough Mudder
Early Morning
I decided to do something different since I knew that this would be a fun run. I might as well ruck my first Tough Mudder.
So I packed some brick bags into my Rucker instead of a plate because of electroshock therapy. Once I got everything ready, I left my house and headed towards the events.
Once, I arrived and got out of the car. I got hit with a cold breeze, and holy shit, wasn’t it windy over here. I was glad I brought that windbreaker.
I checked in then went to the information booth because I didn’t know if they allowed bags onto the field.
He said yes.
So I went off and started my warm-up. A few minutes later, I headed off to the start line.
Courses
These obstacles were all new to me. I knew that some of them required teamwork.
The crawling obstacles beat up my knees, and blood ran down my leg. I enjoyed the teamwork throughout some of the courses.
Pitfall was a team effort because your foot would sink up to your calves. One person would get up and pull the other. Damn, I had a lot of fun in that course.
The one that gave me the most trouble was the cage crawl because I decided to take off my rucksack and pull it with me.
One of the worst mistakes I made that day.
Once I got in the water and under that fence. I thought my rucksack would sink, but no damn thing was like a life vest. So, I had only one hand to pull myself forward.
I kept on sinking and struggling to breathe. I was glad when I made it out of that course.
When I approached the Arctic Enema, I stopped and took a few seconds to take it in because I knew I would hate it.
So I got in this damn ice bath as I dunked my head to get to the other side of this wall. My rucksack got stuck on the other side.
I was freezing my ass off.
I had to dunk my head again and push my bag down to go under this wall. I knew after this that the next obstacle would probably be worse than this.
Electroshock therapy was something else.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to run through it with this rucksack. So my new buddy and I decided to walk straight through it.
Holy Shit, Man!
When I got shocked for the first time. I said Son Of Bitch. I knew at that moment that I would never forget this experience. Each time I got shocked, I felt it mostly in my calves, and my leg almost gave out halfway through the course.
The End
I had fun though and met new people throughout the way. I volunteer later that day.
-
Range Meal Bar Review:
Fresh Tracks
As I was looking for a meal bar for my next endurance event. I stumble across this and decide to buy it. I bought a six pack which cost me $40.
Each bar has 700 calories, 32g of Total Fat, 91g of Total Carbohydrates, and 19g of Protein.
When I took the bar out of the package, I thought it might taste decent at first glance. However, it tasted fucking good. I ate about three of them within two days.
I’m sad that I’m almost finished with them.
I love how compact it is. It made it easy for me to place it in my rucksack when it was full and there wasn’t enough space.
Plus, it gives me the extra nutrition that my body needs to go even further with one bar.
Compared to other meal bars, I have to take two or three.
I give it a 5/5. I wished it had come with more bars instead of six.
I would recommend it for anyone getting ready for an outdoor event, adventurer, or who wants to carry less weight or doesn’t have enough space in their bag.
-
AZ Spartan Race Sprint AAR
Early Morning
I was running late that morning. It takes me an hour to reach the park. By the time I arrived, I was rushing my ass off towards the registration because I only had 30 minutes before the race started.
Once that was done, I hurried up and opened up the packet, attached the stuff I needed onto me, and dropped off my bag. Then I started my warm-up. A few minutes later, I head off to the start line.
Thoughts In The Beginning
I was at the start line and felt pumped. The first thing that pops in my head, hopefully, my shoe doesn’t come off or step on again. My goal was to pace myself and enjoy the event.
Now the race was about to start in a few seconds.
My Thoughts During The Race
I flew through the first few obstacles like a breeze. However, my pacing was slow though.
The obstacle that gave the most trouble was Hercules Hoist. I was having an issue lifting that bag, but I managed to do it. I had to pull and push with my leg; it took so much effort from me.
I was done; I felt pretty drained.
As I approached the bare wire crawl, I got low and dove in, but damn shoelace got caught on bare wire. I was like, you gotta be kidding me. So I took a few to get my shoelace undone.
I started to crawl and roll. Once I reached the end, I was a little bit dizzy from that. Then proceed onto the slip wall.
At the atlas stone carry, I knew I couldn’t lift off the ground. So I kneeled and rolled that stone up my knee. Proceed to stand up and carry that damn rock.
I was glad when I dropped that rock back in its place.
Then I proceed to finish off the race.
Finishing
I was worn out, and I had to get ready for my next event in a couple of hours. I got to work on my endurance, pacing, and obstacles proficiently.
Results
CHASING PERSEVERANCE 