Who has done a GORUCK Challenge? What did you think?
I just did one and had a blast. Being a skinny triathlete made me a little nervous when I signed up because it looked like there is a lot of emphasis on pure strength in the event. But, as it turns out, endurance training (and long heavy rucking) paid huge dividends as the event dragged on . . . and on and on. . . .
I’ve done two of them. I was part of classes 057 in NYC and 077 in Providence. I had a great time doing them. They’ve changed the event quite a bit. I wouldn’t do one during a build up for long course tri with the risk of getting injured carrying the weight, but I would do one again probably. The community though behind GR has gotten a bit too cliquey and into themselves toting themselves as bad asses it seems. It may have toned down, but when I had a facebook account, that was the sentiment it gave off as they grew. It went from being a bunch of cool people…to people who complained about everything and bragged to no end about who was better. Sometimes that’s not that far removed from the triathlon community.
I’m glad I did them though and fondly remember my first in NYC on the weekend tenth anniversary of 09/11.
Shane
Have not done the challenge but the backpacks are great. Absolutely bulletproof, real quality. The ride nice on the shoulders with 30-50 pounds as well. I like to do a bit of ruck training.
Interesting to see love for GORUCK on Slowtwitch with so much attitude towards other obstacle/adventure races…
Rucking? Maybe I’ve spent too many years as a rugby coach…
After google-ing (and meaning no disrespect to the participants in asking) aren’t these just team races “carrying stuff” ?
I think you are going to get the attitude that Shane describes as the culture around challenging event grows. … except for maybe a Color Run. I did class 801 in Madison and we had a very diverse group. But every last person in the group set their egos aside and pulled together.
What attracted me to it was that it’s about pulling your own weight and doing your part for the group to all accomplish sethimg together. That’s a nice change from just racing for yourself all the time. And it’s not hokey like a mud run.
Some hard-learned long-course tri lessons carried over well (nutrition is critical) but it also exposed other weaknesses that i havent focused on in tri (like shoulder strength).
All in all it was a great way to change things up in a year that I couldn’t justify a ton of time working out.