Convergence Ruck in Washington, NC

About two weeks ago the Washington guys contacted some of the Darkside Ruckers about helping them with the whole rucking idea. After talking with Piper and Goose, we decided that we can run a convergence workout one morning as a simulation of how a basic GoRuck event is done. The event would run about 3 hours and consist of many of the same elements that you will experience when you go to most all GoRuck style events.

Goose, Piper, and I arrived early on the waterfront around 04:30 so we could strategically place some coupons about two miles down the road in Washington Park. Once we drop his truck and the coupons up we roll back to the start point and hop out. Fertile knew what was up right when all three of us got out of one truck, but nobody else did. Hiding the coupons: success.

0530 arrived shortly thereafter and we were off.

Admin:
Goose gave a basic run down of what we were planning on doing for the next 3 hours. He briefly explained that we are NOT GoRuck cadre and did not want to pretend to be. We were Q’s and this is an F3 event, we just wanted to share with some of the newer guys what they can expect when they sign up for the event in March that is in Greenville. A few more things just to clean everything up and get everybody on the same page and then I took the welcome party.

(Oh and the admin was all introduced while rucks were held overhead. Not a huge deal though.)

Welcome Party:
After explaining what a welcome party is and assigning a team leader, I introduced a sample of a couple exercises that might happen. Goose did a really good job of really making sure the TL kept everybody together at all times in the welcome party.

-Pushup position with rucks out in front on the ground. The PAX had to unzip their bags and show us that they had proper weight and water.
-Bear crawl to the tree that is roughly 20 yards away, 5 merkins, then crawl bear back, 10 merkins, bear crawl back to tree, 15 merkins, crawl bear back, 20 merkins.
-Everybody circle up, rucks on the ground in front of you. Duck walk around the circle (quack quack quack). When I said to halt the PAX picked up the ruck in front of them and completed different exercise IC that I called out.
-Partner up, peoples chair with you back on your partner. The man on the end low crawled under everybody while dragging their ruck with them.

Evolution 1: Ruck to Washington Park
The TL was pulled to the side while everybody else got some water and did whatever they needed to do. We explained that their were going to be heavy coupons (a bunch of sandbags, water jugs, a kettlebell, a stretcher) and that it was up to the team how to get them from point A to point B. The coupons were lifted and the team was off. The destination was Washington Park about 2 miles down the road. There was a time hack that they had to meet and they were very aware of this.

A half mile in, when a coupon hit the ground everybody stopped and had PT. Lesson learned: no coupons hit the ground anymore, good job team. A mile in, Goose stopped the team and gave them a learning lesson and tips on how to move as a team. We also had them practice buddy carry, firemans carry, and buddy drags. Coupons up, keep rolling 5 minutes after.

Washington Park finally was reached and within the time hack which was awesome. Right before the coupons we had hid earlier, there was a sandy area leading to the water. The PAX were instructed to go get knee deep in the water to become a little more uncomfortable. While in the water, Goose and I explained how at 80-90% of GoRuck events involve water someway or another, get used to it.

Evolution 2: Ruck back to the flag
The TL was fired and another was assigned. We dropped the sandbags and picked up two 6 feet wood posts and put a person on the stretcher then rolled out.

We noticed that the team was starting to get the hang of how to rotate and the order to get the coupons in to make it easier on everybody. This showed me we needed to do a little more PT. A mile into the ruck back we stopped and did some PT led by the TL.
-Crab walks with rucks in front
-Hallelujahs
-Overhead squats
-Merkins
-Probably some more I just cant remember my bad.

5 minutes after PT, rucks and coupons up and out.

Got back to the flag and everybody thought we were done, nope. Keep going past the flag. We went about a quarter mile past the flag then returned to it around 07:45.

Endex: More PT
-Rucks up, 25 hallelujahs IC with the TL.
-Bear crawl to Goose and back
-10 man makers IC with the TL
-50 flutter kicks IC

DONE.

Prayer Requests:
Jokers family
Friends who have cancer

Moleskin: This was easily the most fun event that I have Q’d and Goose said the same thing. When we were asked to do this we were excited from the very first minute. Goose nor I are professionals at this whatsoever so it did take some thinking and planning. Through it though we really wanted to show everybody that at the end of the day, being uncomfortable is where you will see the most growth as a man. If we always do things that we feel comfortable doing we will never see growth in the areas of deficiency in our lives. Rucking is hard, rucking after doing PT is harder, and rucking with coupons after doing PT is even harder. I sent out that for today you really had to rely on the man to the left and right of you and each person today did that. Be proud of what you guys did today, take note of it, and know that you can push your body much further than you ever thought was possible. Put your mind to it and DFQ. Watch what can happen when this effort translates over to everything that you do…..untill next time. Jock itch OUTTTTT.

AND GO GET AFTER IT!!!!!!