Quote:
Originally Posted by mariley85
I have read this thread a handful of times, trying to retain as much as possible from of you who have completed selection.
This feels like common sense, but I figure I should ask the experts on the matter in case there is a reason I can't see. First off, I live in an area where short trails can scale almost 2000' vertical. I incorporate these steep grades (10-17%+) on dirt trails in my my rucking regimen, it skews my times, but this is better than training on low grade/flat terrain, correct?
Thank you.
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Firstly, understand that I am not a medical or fitness professional and that any advice I give is based solely on my personal experience rather than formal education.
That said, I believe you are correct. Specifically, your ability to handle steep grades on rough terrain over an uneven surface will strengthen your body over a wider spectrum of motion and make you more resilient than training on flat, paved ground. There are guys who can bang out a 12-mile ruck in ~2 hours who fall apart once the loads exceed the standard ruck weight or the distances get crazy. Personally, I'd rather be the guy who needs 2:45 for the 12-miler but knows his feet, hips, and knees can sustain continuous abuse under an excessive load for 20+ miles. But I'm kind of tooting my own horn because there ain't no way in hell I'm covering 12 miles in 2 hours, period.
I did the vast majority of my ruck training in the southern portion of the Catskill Mountains without ever setting a time target. I would hike 6-12 miles per session, usually with several ~800 foot elevation changes over rocky, uneven trails. I never got a single blister or injury during SFAS or phase 1 of the Q. On the other hand, my mile split during ruck events is mediocre (13:30 to 14:00). If I had done more "ruck running" while training I probably would have performed better on the timed marches, but I'd also have increased my chances of injury.
I would still recommend doing at least one "full dress rehearsal" 12-mile ruck march on a relatively flat course just to see where you stand, if possible.