GORUCK Stealth training tips?

DragonBallZeke

I'm most likely going to do Stealth Ops in Madison. I'm not sure exactly what all it entails and what I should do to be prepared. At the moment, I'm planning on weighing down my backpack and going for runs with my dog, climbing stairs, stuff like that. Anybody who has participated in one of these events have any tips to share for a noob?

IllIllIlllIIIll

Sure! We have a pretty active xfac telegram, but really, the answer is to concentrate on cardio and core.

If you're not doing the monthly ruck challenges, go to alldayruckoff.com/tag/goruck-monthly-rucking-challenge/ and start the ones there.

Beyond that, check to see if you have a local rucking club and start doing what they do.

JimboMX

@IllIllIlllIIIllhow can i join the Telegram xfac?

@DragonBallZeke i havent done a Stealth yet, but i plan to train using GORUCKs Tough program, check goruck.com to get it.

PhoenixEnigma

Miles under weight is a good start, as many as you can reasonably do. I'd highly recommend training at more than your event weight if possible (but work up to it in a sensible way, of course) - at some point, you're almost certain to be carrying more than just your ruck, so it's good to be prepared for that.

The monthly ruck challenges are a great way to train, too, plus there's some incentive for completing them. Personally, I find the upper body stuff by far the hardest and what I most need to focus on, but going through a few of the recommended workouts will quickly teach you what you find the most difficult, and therefore need to work the hardest at.

Digitalis

when we did stealth in mke way back when, we did not do a water challenge because we couldnt get through enough ice to find water 😎

friction is what makes blisters. wet socks create more surface area for friction to occur in part by swelling your feet.

protip: coating your feet in vaseline prior to putting your socks on right before the ruck reduces friction and eliminates blisters.

best prep you can do is wear the damn shoes you are going to wear for the ruck enough to break them in before the ruck happens.

VAIN

Welcome to GORUCK x Ingress @DragonBallZeke! A few others in this thread have already given a few key tips that I like to reiterate to beginners but the most important thing in my opinion is getting use to the weight on longer duration rucks. Through this process you'll learn what works/doesn't work for you in terms of clothing, packing, blistering, fatigue, recovery, etc. I'd suggest checking out GORUCKS website and reading through The Rucking white paper under the rucking menu, lots of quality beginner tips there.

Also in no particular order some of my personal tips to beginners for Stealth Ops.

• Pack light. Stealth Ops is now six hours and not twelve. You really don't need extra items beyond the required packing list other than a few high energy easy to eat snacks. You'll likely have to dump your ruck out during the roll call admin phase for inspection of Required gear. The less you are carrying the easier this task will be when you have a few seconds to pack your bag before moving.
• Don't wear cotton! Even if you don't have a water Challenge during your Stealth avoid cotton and you'll save yourself a lot of blistering and grief. Speedwicking fabrics are your friend.
• Nothing new on game day! Purchase any gear you intend on rucking with early and get out there and practice with it. Bonus points if you get use to rucking during rain/weather. Don't show up to Stealth with new shoes unless you want some serious blistering.
• Rest and eat well while you train. It's tempting to to hardcore with training right up to the start of your first ruck. It's very important both physically and mentally that you rest and eat solid meals at least 2-3 days prior to an event.
• Get to know your teammates. I'm not sure if you're ENL or RES but this goes for everyone. Get connected to Stealth team and trade tips, training talks, etc. Stay accountable to each other. After all you'll be putting in some serious work together during Stealth.

Anyway I'm always happy to chat about rucking so feel free to reach out! This list is mostly just a few things off the top of my head.

P2063

just show up with your weight requirement, other items on packing list and wear weather appropriate clothes. spare socks and fast drying shoes are useful.

it's just an 6 hour event and not even remotely as challenging as the old 12h format was. really everybody can do this. if you want to be on the pro side, train to keep a 6min/km pace for 4-5km, do some pushups and flutterkicks, know what a bear crawl and crab walk is, then you are already overprepared.

RoselessThorn

Similar training for a GORUCK Light event. If you go to GORUCK.com they have some sample training guides.

Knowing most of the PT basics will help you feel less nervous on event day.

Test out some fast movements under weight (do not run, you will **** your knees; shuffle from the hip)-- for me this is crucial because I'm one of those folks where exercise starts making everything a-bubble in my GI tract if I have eaten an actual meal within four hours of strenuous exercise. Everybody is different, but figuring out how to avoid these issues is really important to making sure your head is ready to go with no distractions. It's hard to hold a plank if you're also trying not to vomit.

Dirtyjoe619

Pack extra shoes and socks in a watersealed bag. Food saver bags are your best friend.