hydration – Ruck and Field Fitness

Continuum Part 1

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When I look in the mirror, I see that time does not slow down, nor does it stop. No matter how much we may wish for it to slow / stop. How often do you look in the mirror, and just wonder how much time has passed and what choices in life you have let slide thinking that tomorrow would be a better time to begin that new endeavor?

Well, health is not something that should ever be overlooked by anyone in any time frame for its decline is visible, and so are its effects on your body, and mind.

Movement, hydration, sleep, and nutrition (not in any specific order) are monumental for every human being. Healthy mind, healthy body, and you will benefit so much more than being idle and eating processed foods.

I’ve spent more time since the last time I wrote on this blog moving, resting, teaching, learning, and helping others reach their goals. How has it turned out? Heck, I’m blown away by it. Does it warrant me to post before and after pictures? Nope. The following will have to do.

Endurance athletes, with weights is what my crew should be labeled as. Neither the body builder, heavy weightlifter, endurance only athleticism is a type of mold or cookie cutter label they’d fit under or into. They are all around athletes and enjoying life because of it.

Work on them abs people! Six packs, Big bi’s, large tris, and the like is not what I hear when listening to them tell their tales of success, or work that needs to be accomplished to get to where they need to be for Goal success!

What I do hear is – “I ran without stopping”. “I was able to squat lower and did more reps too”. “I have never run that distance in my life before, much less entered any race prior to today!” “I am moving more weight, and not being broken down by it during the exercises, and I’m able to recover better because of it!”

“I ran today what you had programmed, and since I felt good with the amount of running previously, I decided to go a little further, and I ended up doing 4 more miles than I had planned for”.

These are some of the quotes I have received this past year. I am blown away by them (clients) with them putting in the work and trusting me with their health I am humbled. I’m very appreciative of each and every one of them.

They show up, I program, and we all get it done!

Here are some highlights – No certain order:

Summer heat, sweaty mornings

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Amongst the throngs of people working out early mornings I’ve ascertained that not many really can be comfortable being outdoors for prolonged periods of time due to the weather. Yes, fair weather athletes come in all shapes and sizes.

Not judging at all since they give a good ribbing as well as take it. Once the frost clears, the grass is growing with flowers to boot. So the interest of doing work outdoors increases. The next step is getting them to commit to a schedule and then to commit to the varied weight loads and types of movement included while wearing a ruck.

We typically use the ruck as primary tool for resistance and exercises, and not limited to sliding down muddy slopes without much of a second thought since it’s a benefit added once we get rainfall (dry now), while working out at our favorite hill. Going up is tough, going down fun. So it’s a ying yang type of thing. We adapt accordingly.

Recognizing that every time there is a plan of action we must be fluid enough to adapt to a plethora of circumstances like construction here. Our staging area is beside an under pass where we get some of our work done. It’s being fixed and bricks, rock, and steel can fall on you so we’ve staged further away to keep our nuggets safe.

Then, there is bright sunshine! I love it. Early light means no headlamps, and no reflective clothing for our dreary dark workouts. Shorts, tanks, and bug spray has replaced much of our attire. Not complaining one bit. Except for areas near the river where we ruck the mosquitoes are huge! So, spraying bug juice will continue until we’re comfortable with the bugs everywhere. Then spray some more so you don’t get mugged by them.

Am I the only one that looks forward to a hot cup of coffee on a Hot day, with my favorite cigar to boot after a workout? What is your go to post workout in any temperature or time of year. I’ve been very consistent without losing a beat on endurance.

There is heat then there is-Humid heat! Sweating while thinking of working prior to getting to our workout location is something to ponder if you consider going outside in the summer. In the Midwest, more like Chitown there are two seasons, 1) Winter, + 2) Construction.

You fight the battle in front of you one at a time. Keep hydrated, and smile knowing you can do the things many more can only dream of doing. Complete each evolution, set, rep, workout in the knowledge the the discomfort you’re experiencing is temporary and the benefits outweigh your exertion. Heat subsides, sweat cools you down unless it gets in your eyes then it’s a blistering paragraph of expletives! Speaking from experience here.

Oh let’s not forget the little snags or cuts out in the field you get while crawling around like a mad person doing your thing. Searing hot burning is a threshold you need to learn to appreciate. Swear, scream, laugh, cry, just don’t quit! The high fives and funny post workout pics are well worth it.

I’ll leave you with this.

Get up, go outside and move. No matter how uncomfortable you become just keep moving. The chemistry involved between your ears is what we’re trying to change. Change it will, and for the better.

Below

1) 210611 – RED Friday partner WOD at our hill. Video included of my partner in crime and I

2) 210604 – RED Friday WOD at our Sandlot

Partner WOD 1 mile ruck, hill lunges, hill ruck, dive bombers, push ups, 400m run, bear-crawl ruck drag, candlesticks, and sweaty high fives!

Got pretty sweaty, scratched, itchy, and encouraging everyone to get it done!

Sandy WOD with squats, sit ups, bear crawl ruck drag, low crawl-ruck press, flutter kicks, leg levers, walking lunges, mtn climbers, hello dolly’s, 200m ruck run, prone flutter kicks, crab walk. Yes, hot, sweaty, and sand everywhere!

Get some!

See you out there! Hopefully with us soon!

A last minute ruck

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I went ahead today to complete a challenge that was cancelled in the early part of October. It was the 12mile time trial ruck.

I expected to do it alone, but decided my boy Gunner would be bored at home so I decided to feed him well, and hydrate him prior to leaving the house.

Beautiful trail day with overcast sky, slight cool wind blowing at my back for the first half of the trip. The colors are what get me moving outside even more this time of the year. I’m a fall baby and it shows. I had conversations With people at certain times this year about training in different temps, and found myself coming back to solidify my stance on the Fall/Winter time of the year where I can train harder and much longer.

Nature changing and preparing itself for darker, cooler, and icier days ahead. Those changes are what I love about this time of the year. Cooler temps means wearing wool tops, and a windbreaker even when it’s in the 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s. You’re gonna sweat, so wear the proper clothing and just enjoy yourself.

Well, walking with a dog is no big deal really. All you have to consider is time, distance, people and other dogs especially the untrained ones. Other than that it’s great! Speed rucking, and with me loaded down with 50+ pounds on my back, and him on a leash makes it a very interesting day on the trail.

He kept up really well until we saw a Big buck crossing the trail, and all he wanted was to chase it. Umm, nope! We trudged towards mile three where the video below was taken. He’s enjoying life, and loves the outdoors. What dog doesn’t?

Once we got to our turnaround point we sped up just a tad more, from 3.5 pace to 3.9 pace. Man oh man I’m feeling that decision right now. Everything’s aching, swollen, and lost two nails one on each foot, and they’re from the same digit respectively. I’ve lost toe nails from those toes before. No big deal, just get over the fact that your hurting on the ruck march, and suck it up.

You’ll live, and the good thing is that a Hot epsom salt soak helps immensely after such an event. Yes, the nails are off, and before you ask why? This is why – It hurts to walk with nails that have been pulled upward of the nail bed every step you take.

So, I take them off. Simple. Fast. Clean. No more pain, or discomfort. They grow back, and most of the time growing them back isn’t a pretty thing since they don’t grow back perfect.

Well, back at the trail from beginning to end:

Trail – Salt Creek Trail

Start – Brookfield Woods
Halfway point – Wolf Rd
Finish – Brookfield Woods

Once complete we walked way slower, had him do his business then back home.

Once home, he drank water like he’d never had a drop over a week. Funny, I took a bowl, and water for him to drink out of, but instead he just turned his head in disgust! It made me laugh. Should’ve taken the pic of that. I was just spent.

We ate lunch at home, 4 eggs, and a bowl of barbacoa taco meat that was left over. Heck, it was gourmet for me!

Until next time kiddos! Kicking my feet up while he snores! Will need more food also!

Oh, just might take a dram or two of Rum. Why not? 🥃🤔🤫

P.S. Hydration is key to seeing something like this through, and so does electrolytes from Cranksports. It helped so much! Get on it people!

Winter Preparation

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Beginning 4/2/18

Dressing for the weather:

a) windbreaker Men / Women
b) synthetic thermal top
c) any reflective clothing / tights / gloves
d) hat – winter synthetic or wool
e) gloves-running gloves preferred
f) bring towel(s)
g) water bottle(s)
h) shoes- running shoes, CF shoes, trail runners – No boots

Or you can decide one morning and wear shorts:

Mandatory –

PMA – Positive Mental Attitude trust me it’s going to make a difference

Change of top and shoes just in case

Meeting location:

RuFF Hill

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We will use the hill and the area around it for our training.

See you then

Mi A Gi