A 3-Pax broke free from the Fartsack this morning and gathered at an alternative AO for Ruck It. We assembled at Forbes Mobile Home Supply in James City for the purpose of using the Pedestrian Bridge over US Hwy 70. YHC broke out the 40 lb. sandbag (SB) and we got started with:
WARM-O-RAMA (without Rucks)
- SSH, IC, 10x
- Cotton Pickers, IC, 10x
- Down Dog Calf Stretch
THE THANG
Pax rucked up with Q sporting the SB and we convened at the base of the steps. At this point, the day’s evolution was explained – easy concept, difficult execution. One Pax would do 10 SB Cleans while the remaining Pax would do 5 Diamond Merkins and then hold a Plank while waiting until all SB Cleans were performed. The Pax with the SB would then hoist and place said SB on his shoulders and the entire group would transit up the steps (was it 35 or 36 steps?), across the Bridge and down the steps on the other side. Once back on ground level, the same iteration was repeated with same Pax performing 10 SB Cleans while other 2 Pax performed 5 Diamond Merkins plus Plank. Re-route back up steps, over Bridge and down to starting point where SB was handed off to a different Pax. Rinse & Repeat until each Pax completed 3 full rotations. Due to time constraints, our 4th time was modified. This time, after the SB Cleans/Diamond Merkins, etc., the Pax utilized the ramp for an up and over, with YHC underneath the SB. On the return trip, McRib was the SB Sherpa and called an audible for a backwards walk up the ramp, standard walk across bridge and backwards walk down the ramp. With just a minute or two left, our final trip consisted of using the steps to ascend and the ramp to descend, also in a backwards alignment. Hilfiger was the load bearer for this final trip.
All told, each of the Pax did 75 Diamond Merkins and 70 SB Cleans (rough SWAG here), all the while being rucked up with their individual load ranging from 30 – 40 lbs. No Mary as the core was engaged for most, if not all, of our morning.
COT
Closed with Name-O-Rama and Prayer. Felt good to deruckify once it was over.
What did we learn? The SB makes a huge difference in going both up and down the steps. The extra 40 lbs. was no joke, especially as the event wore on. Heart Rate was way up early and stayed there until completion. YHC was wishing for more Pax at about the halfway point in order not to be subjected to the burden yet another time, but alas, it was not to be. Rather, all Pax embraced the suck with gusto and carried on, as it were. View from the top of the Bridge was great, with the Neuse River providing appropriate natural beauty.
Reminder that Black Ops has a Rucking option.
In the words of McRib, “It is a great way to start the day.”
Bitcoin out!