The 2021 Rucking Challenge for January posted and it was to complete a 20.21 mile ruck. Dates were hard to lock down so PAX decided on doing it on two dates; January 9^th and January 23^rd. 11 PAX met at the Starbucks on Greenville Blvd at 0500. It was a very cold morning but for the most part, the weather played nicely the night before so road conditions were not that bad — little bit of a snow/ice mix made it tricky in a few areas. Two 10 mile loops were mapped out (T-Claps to Noonan for preparing the final route), allowing those PAX who just wanted to do 10 miles the opportunity to get back to Starbucks. It allowed the rest of the PAX to reload and get more food/water before the next 10 mile loop. 11 PAX did the first 10 mile loop which consisted of a trip downtown (Vanilla was not at MPourium yet), through the Town Commons then through Brook Valley (took a pic in Lynyrd’s front yard) and Tucker before getting back to Starbucks.

We lost Booty at this point as he had more important things to attend to; his little girl’s first gymnastics meet, so 10 PAX headed out for the next 10 mile loop which took us through Bedford/Lynndale and over to Paramore Park, then through Club Pines (we did not see 4-Leaf or the other two members of the CPRC; Yoda and the family dog) and then back to Starbucks where we clocked in at 20.20 miles so the first challenge was complete. NoIDeer got his 20.21 patch and headed out leaving 9 PAX. At this point, YHC thinks a few PAX had second thoughts about the last 6 miles but peer pressure is real and all 9 PAX set off for the final push. The last 6 miles took us down Charles Blvd towards Downtown where we got onto Reade Circle and then on Evans. Abu met us at the corner of Evans and 10^th and for a little motivation, dropped off the 26.2 patches but gave them to Noonan ;) The final “Noonan Special” (at the 23.5 mark) was a right hand turn onto 10^th and we made our way up the nipple. Over the nipple to Dickenson, then a right onto Evans and a left onto Arlington and then the final push to Starbucks. Hit 26.2 in the parking lot!

Out of the 11 PAX, there were 7 PAX that completed the marathon for the first time (2-Stop, Show Boat, Corncrake, Ricky Bobby, Panther, Cousin Eddie and YHC). Personal mileage records were also set by 8 PAX. Major T-Claps go out to Cousin Eddie… he just started rucking and the most miles he ever logged at one-time was just 3 miles and that crazy fool decided to crush 26.2… very impressive!!! Also major T-Claps go to 2-Stop’s M and Show Boat’s M for meeting us at the breaks with goodies and Gatorade/water and to Noonan’s M who met us at the finish with ice cold beer.

Great day overall and great completing such a challenge with your brothers! Until next time…

Stabler Out