GORUCK Simulation: Part Deux BackBlast

With the GORUCK main event quickly approaching, 46 PAX convened on north steps of State House to embark on the sadistic adventure of simulating the suck that waits on November 21st.

YHC volunteered for BackBlast duties, perhaps suffering from a little Dunning-Kruger effect, YHC underestimating how grueling the event would actually be. At some point in the middle of the Congaree Baptism, YHC forgot to remember what was happening. Focused turned to YHCs nearly uncontrollable shivering and trying to remember the signs of hypothermia.

What follows is YHCs best recollection of the evening and its splendor. The exact reps are an approximation based on my cold, wet, foggy memory.

Preliminaries

Learning from the previous simulation, Robber organized the PAX into two groups (Red and Blue). This was tremendously helpful, improving the coordination and efficiency of movement once the even formally began. Lots of the 3^rd F on display at this point – names and stories being exchanged, discussion on gear, overall good will being expressed among the PAX. Everything you’d expect from a group of F3 guys.

BOM

• Count off – 46 PAX
• Sway – slightly modified motivational reading from Patton with some colorful language to get the PAX in the right frame of mind for the suck that waits
• Prayer – Neck brace
• PAX fall in line in two groups (Red & Blue)

Cadre Leaders Arrived – White Shoe and Jonny Utah

Disclaimer/Instructions

Ruck Check

Fall out in two single files towards Assembly with shovel flags and team weights.

Coupon Pick-Up (1) off Assembly

• Battle rope x 50 feet
• Sand bags x 7
• Heavy kettle bells x 4 (40-50 lbs each)
• Some weird handled weight x 1 (Hee Haw)
• Slosh tube filled with sand x 1

Ruck back across State House grounds to Senate Street and Chasers Truck

Coupon Pick-Up (2) off Senate

• Telephone poles x 3
• Railroad rail x 1 (very heavy and awkward)
• 1 box of sweet potatoes (put these back for fear of the Ms reaction)

The game plan for the evening quickly became evident – get the coupons and get to the river.

Team Leader Selected – Robber

Robber did a great job getting the groups organized and a system in place to keep the pace moving. Not an easy task with dealing with 46 anxious PAX. There were a lot of coupons. Most PAX were carrying something of additional value beyond the Ruck. Those who were not carrying weight initially were anxious and quick to hop in, providing relief as needed.

Destination Bicentennial Park

With coupons in tow, the group rucked down Sumter -> College -> Lincoln -> Gervais -> Williams -> Senate -> Bicentennial Park

According to Google Maps – 1.6 miles

Many strange looks were had as the PAX moseyed through the Vista. YHC couldn’t help but fantasize about his favorite Ale from the Liberty Tap Room as we passed carrying the railroad rail, with Chaser waving at folks through the window.  

Upon arrival the coupons were promptly put down in a very organized manner. However, some PAX hydrated a little too much and took off to the woods. We know the rules – you can’t be by yourself and must be within arms length of another PAX at all times. One PAX that will remain unnamed forgot this rule and ran off by himself to take a leak. Bad idea – now he’s dead and his team had to carry him and his Ruck. Luckily this was short lived as the destination ended at the river, just 100 yards or so from the infraction.

The Congaree Baptism

The moonlight glistened off the slowly moving water with the Gervais St. Bridge in the background, creating an ambiance worthy of an Ansell Adams photograph. Then YHC came to a stark realization – we about to get in the water. The putrid smell of gasoline and muck replaced the quaint picturesque scene and reality set in. This is going to suck – bad. Into the water we go for a 30-40 minute baptism.

Here we go:

• Wade out to knee-deep water -> face the shore -> 15 push-ups on command (the cadre leader made sure everyone didn’t cheat themselves by making sure faces were in the water)
• Out of the water -> rucks off and overhead -> squats on command -> made it to 4 before getting back in the water for our inability to follow instructions
• Back in the knee-deep water with rucks overhead -> 15 squats on command
• Rucks back on -> on your back -> 75 flutter kicks in cadence
• Roll over to plank position -> alternate right arm left shoulder/left arm right shoulder taps 15 in cadence
• Out of water to the shore -> on back with ruck on chest -> 50 flutter kicks in cadence
• Back in the water -> 75 flutter kicks in cadence (poor performance on the short flutter kicks)
• Turn over -> 100 push-ups on command

At some point during the Baptism a figure emerged from the deep, I think I heard someone call him Pajanimal. Sadly by this point YHC was only concerned about surviving the cold and was marginally aware of surroundings.

Despite the total suck, there was lots of positive encouragement coming from the water. Nothing will bring a group of guys together like 30 minutes in freezing cold water on a cool November evening.

Finally! Out of the water -> bear crawl two lines single file back to parking lot (~100 yards up hill)

Fall into line

• 15 Burpees

10 Minute Recovery – hydrate, eat, and change cloths

Team Leader Selected – Chaser

Picked up coupons and headed towards Amphitheater. Perhaps time became a factor, so we didn’t hang out at the Amphitheatre long before heading back to the State House.

With coupons on tow, the group Rucked strait up strait up Gervais St. back to Cadre leader vehicle on Assembly (~1 mile).

Chaser did a great job getting the groups organized and on track. We were having trouble hitting our time marks, so Chaser set up system of rotation to keep fresh guys on the logs so we could pick up the pace. This was particularly challenging given everyone was cold, wet, and tired. This is something we probably need to work on a little before prime time.  

Coupon Drop-Off (1) – Assembly

Ruck across State House grounds

Coupon Drop-Off (2) – Senate

Fall in line – 15 Burps

Kind words from cadre leaders and the offer of liquid nutrition at Whigs

COT

Prayer – Chaser

Event Concluded

YHC Personal Reflections: Words fall short of expressing the physical and mental anguish experienced over a four-hour period, which felt like an eternity. In the spirit of openness, YHC was not mentally prepared for the challenge. YHC knew we would get wet, but underestimated the toll of an extended period of time in the water on the mind and body. As much as YHC wants to be a tough guy, everything about YHCs being said – this is absurd. There’s no way in HELL I’m doing the full event. I’m a 37 year-old Professor, husband to a beautiful wife and father of three great children. I can Rx Murph in <50 minutes, I have nothing to prove.

Therein lies the problem. Now YHC does have something to prove. By virtue of admitting potential defeat I set a new mountain in front of me to climb, but not one I’ll have to climb alone. Perhaps that’s what it’s all about in the end.  

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. – Theodore Roosevelt