Tough Ruck 2018

Ruck On...26.2 miles walking can't be that bad...Right?  

On November 11th, 2017 I decided to sign up for one of the most mentally challenging races of my life; The Original Tough Ruck.   Little did I know how a click of a button would change my life.      

Now, I am not new to endurance sports or events, I have run a marathon, more than I can count 1/2 marathons, and completed three Half-Ironman Races (70.3 miles), so walking 26.2 shouldn't be a problem, right?  My body is used to performing on tired legs and has been trained to take in nutrition over a long distance.

Shortly after signing up I put together a training plan with my coach, to make sure I could make the distance and the cut off.  My training officially began the first weekend of January! I was super excited to get out and walk my first 3 miles with my rucksack!  Over the next few months my training went well, I wasn't able to get outside to ruck as much as I could weather dependent. By March, the weather had broken a bit and I was able to get outside more often to ruck with my RWB family and other friends.    

10 Mile Ruck with Pete Brown

My last Ruck of 10 miles led to the beginning of my blister problem.  That ruck covered my feet for the first time in blister. I found that my boots were too big for my feet and I needed to make a change right away.  But first, I had to run the Love Run with my sister, her first 1/2 marathon, and my fellow Eagles the next day with blister covered feet. Not knowing that running on my blistered covered feet would only help my mental endurance to help me finish the 26.2 mile Ruck on the same blister feet.  

My Sister and I

My sister finishing her 1st 1/2 marathon

RWB family

RWB Family group at the Love Run 

Post Love Run, I gave my feet time to heal and recover before the big day that was quickly approaching.  I knew in my heart that I would be able to finish, but knowing what happened to my feet after 10 miles gave me great worry and doubt.

Race Weekend is Here!!

Donna and I driving to Massachusetts. 

Race Weekend finally arrived...I was excited and nervous all at the same time.  I knew it was going to be challenging, but I felt ready. We arrived in Massachusetts with plenty of time to pick up our bibs and race ribbons.

Pre-made Race Ribbons of Fallen Firemen and Soldiers! 

After picking up our stuff, we heading off to dinner, grabbed a drink at the bar to calm our nerves and then headed to bed. It was going to be an early morning with a long day ahead of us.  

Our new friend from the hotel bar Fireman Nick. Rucking for his fallen friend.

Race Day!!

Donna and I woke up at 4am to make sure we had time to eat and check our packs.  Then headed to the race. We got in line and immediately made friends with these two gentlemen while waiting for the bus.  They were rucking for the one guys son who died in combat! This is where the amazing stories began!

These guys were rucking for the one guys son who died in battle

After exiting the bus we saw a sea of soldiers in uniform.  It was a beautiful sight to behold. All of us out there for one great cause and honor.  

Arriving at the Start- Soldiers everywhere 

Immediately, we got in line to get our packs weighed.  I went first, the scale read 40 lbs, and the soldier said, "So you want to be in the heavyweight division?" With wide eyes, I said, "No!"  and asked if I could take something out and re weighs my pack. The kind soldier said, "yes" and I was able to take my 20 lb weight out and reweigh my pack.  21 lbs for 26.2 miles sounded way better than 40 lbs. Donna was next and her sack was 31lbs, she felt confident and comfortable with that weight, so we went to wait for Alan to arrive.    

Finally, Alan arrived, and I gave his wife Martha my 20lb weight, so I didn't have to worry about it. We knew that today was going to be a day that we needed to commemorate, so we went and took pictures at the photo wall.  

My RWB Family

Alan, Donna and I with our Rucksacks and Ribbons! 

The race surprisingly did not start on time, but that was okay we were having a great time just all hanging out.  Talking to people and taking everything in. Before the race started, I began talking to a Marine who was wearing his running shoes for the ruck.  He said he actually brought two different pairs of shoes, because he wasn't sure about the terrain. This is when I started to wish I brought my running shoes for this race.  

Alan and I waiting to start

The horn sounded and we were off... The send off was amazing.  As we started our ruck we were surrounded by re-enactors and music!  It was so beautiful and built the excitement we had as we began this experience.  

As we rucked on we met so many amazing people, one of the first amazing people was Michelle from the RWB Lehigh Valley chapter.  After a few minutes, we both realized we were the Athletic Directors for our chapters. As we rucked, we began to talk and make plans for a join chapter event of course!  Great things happen when you are rucking! Eventually, we parted ways. Alan and I were off trying to keep our pace going.

13.1 mile done and still smiling! 

At the halfway point we were feeling good. For me, I was already dealing with blisters, but I knew I needed to finish.  Not just for myself but for the names that I was carrying on my back. It also helped that soldiers and other participants that passed us encouraged us to keep going. This just goes to show that even though this was a race, everyone out there was there to make sure we all finished.   

Within a few miles after the 1/2 way point I lost my smile I had across my face and it turned to tears.  The pain of a blister popping, stopped me dead in my tracks and I knew I needed more help then I could do.  The tears were not just from the pain, but the fear of failure. The man (I believe a General) that was standing next to me when I stopped had concern on his face for me and I knew I needed medical attention.  He informed me there was medical just up the path. So of course in true tough girl fashion, I headed on to the medical tent.

As I approached the tent, they asked if we needed help and I replied, I needed help with blisters.  They said not a problem. My main fear as I took off my boots was not being able to finish. The lovely people that took care of my blisters and wrapped my feet promised me that they would help me to get to the finish.  

The wonderful people who feed me pickles and wrapped my feet!

This is how they wrapped my feet so I could finish.  

After about 30 minutes of treatment and wrapping my blisters, Alan and I were on our way again.  Knowing we had used our extra time we builtin we needed to keep a steady pace to finish on time.  So of course, we rucked on.. talking and listening to people's stories of why they were out there rucking 26.2 miles.  I spoke to soldiers and civilians alike. Every story was more amazing then the other. We met several people who were rucking on broken or sprained ankles, saw a woman rucking pregnant and met countless military men and women who just encouraged one another to keep going, helping each other all the way to the finish.  

The biggest take away I got from this ruck was talking to the military soldiers who were rucking, they often asked Alan and I if we served.  Alan served for 5 year in the Navy, and my standard answer was I server in a different way, "I'm just a teacher." All of the men and women in the military that heard me say I was a teacher turned and thanked me for my service and what I do.  I was dumbfounded I didn't know what to say to them, because I couldn't see myself doing anything different.

Soon the amount of people on the two loop course started to dwindle and Alan and I made mini goals.  One of our goals was to make it to see his wife and baby boy! They were going to be about 3 miles from the finish and a much welcomed sight.

Alan with his wife Martha and his son Finn! About 3 miles to go!

About an hour to go and the finish line was coming closer.  At mile 23.5 my Garmin watch crashed! So, I lost my way of pacing and knowledge of how close I was going to be to finishing before the 9 hour cut off.

This is the screen my watch froze on! :(

Those last 2.5 miles became the roughest miles of the whole race.  I was tired and became very emotional. I knew I was going to finish, but would I finish and get my medal.  Every step was full of pain, but that pain was a constant reminder that I was alive and able to keep on walking, unlike the men I carried on my back.  

As we crossed the a street one of the volunteers told us one mile to the finish, I never thought I would be so excited to hear that, but I also knew that it was still a long walk away.  One foot in front of the other with my friend and biggest supporter Alan by my side. Over a bridge, and up one last hill, before re-entering the park. As we entered the park, I knew I had to stop holding Alan back, so I sent him on his way knowing that I was only going to be a few minutes behind him.   As I turned the corner to the finish line, I caught sight of the clock it had just click on to 8:59:00, I began to sprint to the finish line...I was going to finish within that 9 hour cut off. I did, as tears ran down my face! I finished in 8:59:20!

Finish Line Selfie! Exhausted! Emotional! Done!

2nd to last finisher 

As I crossed the finish line, I cried for the last time that day!  I had done it! The most mentally challenging event I have ever done.  As I received my medal the girl who gave it to me, congratulated me and said she saw me getting my feet worked on and couldn't believe I finished.  I hugged her and asked her to thank them one more time for me.

After having my pack weighed once more and coming in at 20 lbs.  I walked with Alan towards the bus, but stopped to thank the guy who wrapped my feet, so I could finish.  I told him my medal is as much his as it was mine! He helped me finish the race and I will be forever grateful to him.    

Hardest Medal I have ever earned!

The support on this race course was top notch!  From our RWB Massachusetts family cheering and caring for us on the course to the aid stations and other people that came out to cheer and support.  I am thankful and proud of my accomplishment, but I'm more honored that I was able to do it! Until the next time...