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.

Endless miles

Lately I have been successful at getting back into shape and living healthy. I been walking the cross country track at the university at least once a week the distance is around three miles depending on the path you follow. Also been walking the small track located near work every morning after I get off of work, some mornings I even have coworkers accompany me. We usually do two or three laps not knowing to the actual distance of each lap. One coworker paced it out and said each lap was roughly 1800 feet. I have also just started going to the local state park and will try to do all three traipsing adds up to doing 3.25 miles.

With company I can tolerate doing the small treks to nowhere. Even when I'm alone as long as I have my earphones I can complete my task of walking the same path over and over again. I haven't worked up enough strength or endurance in my legs to starting running or even jogging, although I can do short distances. I have considered buying a bicycle just to another means of exercising. But I think I will grow bored with it, there are no places to enjoy riding a bicycle in my area other than along side of the road.

Small update on the vitamins I have been taking. The hydroxycut sx-7 has been returned to GNC after only three days of use. No problems with them other than the severe heartburn I will get even on a full stomach and horrible aftertaste from burps that taste like mustard.