Damn!
I started this journey with a Band post and then a Band text group with the hope many of us would accept the challenge.
For the Basic, 4 PAX registered (with someone will need to do their own AAR).
For the Tough, 3 PAX registered. 1 PAX dropped due to injury. 1 PAX couldn’t arrive due to car issues which started within an hour of go time.
35 people registered for the Tough – only 14 arrived – 21 did not come to the Tough.
This was part of an HTB weekend. 4 people stayed for the Tough from the Heavy. The Heavy group ran out of water with hours to go and that apparently really wrecked everyone.
Admin
One of the Heavy guys told us to line up alphabetically. Both Cadre (DS and Steve) walked in the garage doors promptly at 10 pm. No introductions – just told us to bring inside all of the sandbags piled outside.
Our team was 12 guys and 2 ladies. Both ladies were experienced GRT’s – one was completing her 100th event with us.
We then stood by our bags, alphabetically. Cadre asked our names (one by one) and we had to explain our “why” in 8 words or less. Mine, “To honor my grandfathers who served.” Others had cool sayings – that was all I had.
We then had to show the items on the packing lists – one by one, as instructed. Thank you Sandlot for screwing us – as the secondary packing list was only on FB, while 2 people didn’t have FB. This turned into a 2 minute rant by the Cadre about Sandlot and Jason’s (owner of GORUCK) stupid adventure that is failing and making their jobs harder.
We then had 20 seconds to repack our bags. No one was successful. We were then given 20 seconds again – only 2 of us were successful. We then had time to arrange our rucks better.
When 5 of us completed the dump challenge, we were then allowed to back a winner. I cheered my guy on and he was the only one to complete the next round.
We then both supported the youngest member, a 19 year old kid, who was a disaster. He did complete the Heavy (and later the Basic), but he needed everyone’s help.
After we were all packed, we received a lecture about people wasting FREE EVENT CODES and they are likely going away.
Evolution One
As 21 did not arrive, we needed to do 21 team centipede push-ups. The guy by my feet was unprepared and only completed 2 – which kept a Cadre near us. The guy in front of me probably only did 7 or 8. By the time we got to 10 – which took FOREVER – I was gassed, pissed and ready to quit. I was next to my ruck and was already planning how to pick it up and just walk out. When we got to 20, DS told the guy behind me, you’ve only done 2, if you don’t do this one, we are starting over at zero. I willed him to completion. My heavy feet on his shoulders clearly didn’t make it easy for him.
Evolution Two
We learned we were honoring our 156th Memorial Day and learned the background. We were instructed to get a team mate and as a team, we needed to complete 156 burpee sandbag throws. So, burpee and then a partial coupon complex, but you drop the bag behind you. My partner a 60 year old, with 2 bad shoulders. He was a tough guy! We came in 2nd to last place – the ladies were last (only completed 122 of them).
Evolution Three
We were told to surround DS and listen. He taught us how to capture a punch, twist and if necessary, break the attacker’s wrist. We would practice on each other – probably 4-5 times each.
Evolution Four
We were “gifted” (per Cadre Steve), with limited coupons. We had a 2-100,2- 80, 3-60 (sandbags), 55 jerry can sandbag, 1 water jerry can and 2 flags. This means, the Team Lead and 2 did not have a coupon. Cadre Steve thought we “impressed” DS and he went light on us.
We rucked with DS to a local park (and got lost as no one knew where the basketball or sand volleyball courts were located. The sand volleyball courts were 2 courts wide.
After compiling the coupons, we lined up and we needed to follow directions.
We low crawled to the other side. When many simply crawled, we were told we’d all be dead, so we needed to low crawl with our nose on the sand while pushing our rucks in front of us. Then backwards lunge back.
Slowly, things get fuzzy here.
We needed to somersault the other side – mine was a controlled forward roll to the side.
We then needed to bear crawl to the other side.
Next partner bear crawl. So, in bear crawl position, which your partner beneath you, holding around your waist or shoulders and they drag you to the other side.
We then transitioned to a wheelbarrow to the other side.
I am gassed at this point.
DS then asked us, what we learned when we were kids to do when we were on fire. Stop, drop, roll. We were simply to roll to the other side. Sounds fun, right? Nope! After 3 rotations, my world was very unhappy. I would make a rotation, or 2, stop and hope the world would stop spinning. It didn’t. By the time I made it to the other side, I was dry heaving and very wobbly while on all 4s. Others were asking me if I was ok – I wasn’t. I knew I couldn’t do anything else like that and was ready to go tell DS I was out (again). As I was weaving my way back to my ruck, DS told us to ruck up and move out to the basketball courts (wherever they were). Thank goodness!
Evolution Five
We rucked around the park, searching for the basketball courts. Once finally located, we were able to de-ruck and told to surround him to listen. He showed us how to deal with someone who pushes you, capture his hand, into a hold where their wrist could be fractured. Again we were able to practice on a partner – several times. We were told many times, tap out before it actually fractures – he doesn’t want any paperwork!
We were then given five minutes for priorities of work.
Evolution Six
We were given a time hack and we left the park and rucked about an hour to a park with a HUGE hill – think sledding hill – but it wasn’t. At the top of the hill, there was a picnic area. We were given the choice to attack the hill – or figure out an easier way up. We were gassed and just pushed straight up the hill. We learned the other way up was stairs. Oh well. DS told us we killed the time hack.
Mind you, since we started, I kept a 60 lb sandbag the entire time. I let others handle the big bags, as my back wasn’t happy when we started (thank you softball warm-ups Thursday night).
After given time for priorities of work, DS returned and gave us a bio and it was story time / questions / answers. I let others ask their “short questions”. When there were gaps, I’d ask questions that would take chapters to answer. Several times DS would look to see who asked the question and said once, he’d never been asked that before. One fellow team member mouthed to me, “That is a good question”, I responded to her “I know”. I learned later she is a psychologist. We stretched that rest to about an hour. We learned how DS received his F3 name – ask me if you want to know.
Evolution Seven
DS instructed us to go down the stairs, without rucks or our gear and complete the mission. We were all confused. He told us it would make sense when we arrived. What did we find? We found a Ninja Warrior course in the park. Mind you, there was dew on the equipment, so most could not be completed safely – but it was a fun side distraction.
Evolution Eight
After returning from our Ninja training, we assembled our gear and went down the stairs and left the park, our destination was the library on 95th. None of knew where we were. The Team Lead never told us the time hack. Half way there, DS and Steve swapped out.
Steve then asked us if any of us could drive. We all could. Apparently none of our road guards knew what to do or where to be positioned. So we had to practice crossing the road, several times.
We arrived at the library, where the ladies were promised we would find proper restrooms. Cadre Steve said there are – but they are behind locked doors and suggested we shouldn’t go on the library grounds, or the school next door, as we would be labeled sex offenders and he doesn’t want to deal with any police tonight.
We then had story time with Cadre Steve. Same situation – I let others ask their questions, then I would ask mine in periods of silence. If the Cadre is telling stories, we aren’t working. I clearly stumped him a few times – which was fun. Now the others knew I was just having fun with the Cadre and many times having them answer the same question from their own perspective.
We then rucked back the way we came to a Speedway, where 10 people invaded their 2 bathrooms – the look on the clerk’s face was priceless.
Evolution Nine
Looking back on it – we rucked about 2-3 hours, in a HUGE rectangle. We were supposed to visit a golf course, but of course, we arrived before they opened. But, we did take a nice team photo with the sunrise behind us. Hopefully he posts it sometime. After missing out on the golf course bathrooms, we found a construction site off the road. Bathroom break! However, we woke up all of the small flying bugs. At this point, I told Cadre Steve my friend Paul (Editor) was coming to the Basic and gave him some background. He remembered Editor! He called him “strong, tough, good beard and can be very social.” I said, “yep, that’s him.” Cadre allowed us time for priorities of work. I just laid on the path, stretching, as the buys didn’t bother me on the pavement.
We then continued along, until we arrived at a high school (which was next door to the library we were at hours earlier).
We were allowed a short, story time again with Cadre Steve. He then gave us 15 minutes of priorities of work, before we all got wet. Mind you, in the distance, we were watching lightning.
Soon we heard, “DROP! DROP! DROP! YOU’RE DEAD!”
WTF?
Well, one of our guys walked off alone to the port-o-potty (which he didn’t know was behind a fence). That is a no-no. He was now dead. We had to carry him, his gear and the rest of the gear. So we are down 2 people. Lesson learned.
Evolution Ten
We were assembled and led into the high school, given five minutes to change into our swimming trunks and goggles, and to be on the pool deck.
Cadre Steve told us DS would arrive soon, so warm up with a simple 500M swim. NICE! I loved it. 1 of our guys couldn’t swim, 1 had 2 bad shoulders and 2 guys could swim, but never did laps. Cadre told us it would be PR day for us! The non-swimmer was put into a separate lap pool, that was only 4 feet deep. The rest of us were in the 9-12 foot deep pool. I don’t know my time, but it was fun swimming laps.
When DS arrived, he would “sneak attack” us as we were swimming laps, and pull us to the bottom of the pool. Cool / not cool.
DS then taught us how to find a mask on the bottom of the pool / lake, and put it on and clear the water, all while under water. We all got to practice several times. Won’t lie – that is a cool parlor trick.
DS and then Steve each demonstrated how to travel across the pool to the other side – 25M – with one breath, without strokes and little kicking. After 3 attempts, I could only make it 75% of the way. Something to practice later.
Evolution Eleven
We all then went to the diving end of the pool – 15 feet deep! We learned a dolphin swim and how to sink and rise. I don’t sink well – I need to learn to expel more air first.
Next up – all on deck, flutter kicks – 103 in cadence – OUCH! He wanted us to have our ankles tap the water (that never happened for me).
We then transitioned to partner water sit-ups. Calves/feet on deck – partner holding them. Your butt and body in the water. This reverse sit-up happens when your back hits the wall, then you return back to the surface. Back must hit the wall. Important to hold your nose – for us regular people. We would do 5, switch with our partner – for a total of 3 sets each.
Finally, we were given 3 water bricks. Keep as along as you can – above water – then pass to a teammate. Lots of kicking each other underwater and gulping of water. Fun – but the fun lasted a long time.
During this time, it was storming bad outside – we could hear the thunder.
Cadre Steve told us we had 5 minutes to change and get to the hallway and don’t let him beat us. None of us brought a towel (who cares – it is pouring outside). Guys were bitching in the locker room about no towel, being cold and the like. In any event, Cadre saw me finish and walk out with a buddy (we were the first 2 out – we both got an approving nod). 4 people didn’t beat Cadre out – he asked the Team Lead for their names – but fortunately never did anything about it.
Evolution Twelve
We head outside and watching a storm. Raining sideways, thunder, lightning – all sorts of fun. Steve leaves and DS tells us to head back to the start point. None of us know where we are or how to get back. He told us to figure it out – fortunately one of hosts (not a participant) was still around and gave us instructions and told us we “weren’t far.” Biggest lie of the day!
We rucked 2 hours in the storm to get back. The rain made everything heavier. Sorry Basic – your bags are heavy with rain water.
When the Heavy returned, they did the Murph – which we were all now dreading. The Heavy were also told, if it storms during the Basic, they would do a triple Murph.
The pool and the rain cleaned all of us – we really didn’t stink and both got all of the sand off of our bodies.
Endex
We returned to our start point. We assembled the sandbags, our rucks, received closing remarks and took a team picture. A big case of Old Style awaited and our host allowed us to use their ice bath / sauna. However I needed to split and head to a basketball game in Highland.
Moleskin
We are all stronger than we think we are. I was hoping for a big crew – but in the end, I was just a member in a team of 14. All good people, with their own skillsets. It was a fun adventure. Not sure if I want to do another. I’m still recovering (as of Wednesday afternoon when I am finishing this AAR).
Important things to remember – train – carry heavy things – expect the unexpected – be prepared. Follow the packing list. Always bring a buddy. The proper nutrition is key! I forgot to mention, I was the candy man for a while – I had a bottle of Advil.
Always arrive early – some didn’t get the packing list – but since they were early, they borrowed gear from others. By arriving early, I was able to get some recon from those working on the HTB.
Until next time.
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