Week 14(I) - Gear Update!

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Concord, NC - Some of you have asked about my ruck sack, so I thought I'd share some of the details of my very close friend here.    Okay, actually, none of you have asked about my ruck sack but I'm still gonna share details because it's cool.

I use a modified 5.11 tactical ruck, meaning it's designed for heavy use in the field.  Its reinforced at all the seams and designed for quick on and off.    It's not the only ruck out there, but until someone sponsors me, I'm not going to name them off.   Anyway, I like this one alot and I've added a few modifications:

* Quick release chest and waist strap (amazingly, these were not part of the original gear)
* Front and back flashing lights
* Zip-tied phone carrier 

I need to add an accessible carrier for liquids.   The ones on the side work well if you are hiking, but when I'm rucking they are just out of reach and I look ridiculous flapping my arms to the side trying to move the bottle up enough for me to grab with the other arm behind my back.    I also need to add a clip on or strap for a walkie-talkie, which will be crucial for the ruck itself.

Training Update I
I got up at 3 am this morning with not too much difficulty and headed out by 3:30 for a 16 mile ruck.   We've increased mileage by one mile, so this weekend I'll have to do back-to-back 16 mile rucks as well.   My legs don't feel terrible but I kept a pretty slow pace of 12:45 for the 16 this morning.   With 2 stops for liquid, food, and a visit to the woods, I'm at 3:45 total.   This means that within the next 2 weeks I'll have to get up at 2:30 am for the weekday ruck.  I don't really mind getting up, but it does mean I am toast at the end of the day, and of little use to my family.   I feel bad for Cheryl because I can't help with Daniel, so everyone please remember that she is working harder than I am.   Being a mule is easier than being a parent. 

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