Training with bricks

With getting ready for my backpacking trip coming up I needed a way to get my back and legs accustom to the idea of wearing a thirty pound load most of the day. Back at basic training each time we went to the field or to a range, we would usually travel there by road march, each time we would go out the distance was further and the weight we carried increased. I had another bag I wasn't using for anything so I decided to take a idea from Go Ruck and use bricks for my weight.

Go Ruck challenges are events put on by former military for civilian and veterans to participate in. They seem like one day mini boot camp. The challenges help build Teamwork, leadership, camaraderie.would love to participate in a event sometime but I know I have a long way to go before I able to keep up.

Each brick weighs between four to six pounds, depending on age and manufacturer. I needed to wrap the bricks to prevent abrasion damage to the inside of the pack.

Bricks selected and cleaned.

Pair is taped together.

I started by taping the bricks together with one wrap of tape. This is just to hold them together while I try to wrap them. I start from one in and wrap the bricks with one complete layer of tape.

First layer of tape done.

I then work on the ends, first by taping each corner and then each edge, this adds extra layers to where the bricks can do the most damage.

Corners reinforced.

Edges covered.

Once the corners and edges are covered I wrap the bricks with one layer end to end and a final third layer just like the first but in opposite direction.

Three pairs of bricks finished, three layers of tape per pair.

Bricks added to pack, towels surrounded the bricks to prevent movement.

Before adding the bricks to the bag, I padded the bottom with a old poncho liner I had, this protects the bottom from the bricks and lifts the weight up higher on my back. The bricks are added stacked on top of each other, I only used two pairs for now, will work my way up to the third pair. Old towels were stuffed in around the sides of the bricks to prevent movement and to help fill up the pack.

Pack ready to go.

All compress straps are tighten down, water bottles added to the external pocket and away I go to the designated route. Pack was comfortable overall, not use to this pack anymore so I had to find the sweet spots. Completing three miles I noticed my feet were hurting the most, no blisters but the joints in my feet were sore.

I need to continue to lose weight to help off set the extra weight I will be carrying. Will be carrying the weighted pack at least once a week along with my other routines.