Lessons from failure
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2018 11:32 am
Had a rude reminder over this week about the importance of sticking to TB principles for my own personal training, and I thought I would share.
Prior to my last training block, I tried to stick to the "Easy Week" principle as prescribed in TB2. Even if it was just doing one workout less that week or adjusting my training slightly, I made an effort to program in more recovery so I could keep training steadily. Until, of course, most recently when I "thought" I could push harder for a while and then take it easy once I reached my objective. My rationale was I was preparing for a GORUCK Heavy (a 24+ hour endurance event which mimics aspects of military training) and after it was over I was going on vacation so it "should" be okay.
Just to give you an idea of the work I was putting in, between July and August I rucked 130 miles with anywhere from 35-50# in my rucksack, 19 ruck-specific workouts using the same, and several intense training sessions (a 15 mile overnight session with lots of PT while carrying a 50# sandbag among three other friends; a GORUCK Tough and Light back to back; a 10 mile ruck where three other friends and I carried about 200# between us; and a 30 mile ruck over 10 hours carrying 50#). But, again, I "thought" I was going to get more rest after the event so I was pushing hard. Too hard.
Friday August 31st was game day, the start of the GORUCK Heavy. I felt strong and ready, and I was even thinking of doing the 6 hour Light on Sunday to support some friends of mine who were doing the HTL challenge (where you do the 24 hour Heavy event, have a few hours off, do the 12 hour Tough event, have a few hours off, and then finish up with the 6 hour Light event). We started off moving at a quick pace, hustling a few miles to where we would start our physical fitness test. I got on the team weight (a 50# coupon) right off the bat and stuck with the same few guys up front who switched it out up to our first objective. So far, so good.
Then it was time for the PT test: 2 minutes timed push-ups, 2 minutes timed sit-ups, and a 12 mile timed ruck. I was either the highest or one of the highest for both events (66 push-ups and 72 sit-ups) and was looking forward to the 12 miler as we had to finish it in under 3 hours and 30 minutes while wearing my ruck (30# plate plus water and some personal items) and I have done under 3 hours before. But, this is where my failure came back to bite me. I have had some back issues in the past, but as long as I was sensible with my training and incorporated in proper rest, no problem whatsoever. In fact, TB has been fantastic for me in that respect. By the time I hit the turn around point, my back was tightening up badly and I was walking lopsided. I made it about 3 more miles but then I was done. I had to drop out. Fortunately my doctor said it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be, but I will definitely be down for a week or two more.
So now I'm licking my wounds and disappointed in myself, as I knew better. Unfortunately hindsight is always 20/20, but I'm hoping someone can learn from my mistake. If anything, it's a good time for me to reset, heal up, and once I'm good to go I'm thinking a Base Building block to ease back into things.
Long story short -
TB has worked tremendously well for me in the past, provided I stuck to the basic principles. I began to stray from those principles, began working too hard, and injured myself on the day I had to perform. Now I see it was a programming error and all my fault.
Prior to my last training block, I tried to stick to the "Easy Week" principle as prescribed in TB2. Even if it was just doing one workout less that week or adjusting my training slightly, I made an effort to program in more recovery so I could keep training steadily. Until, of course, most recently when I "thought" I could push harder for a while and then take it easy once I reached my objective. My rationale was I was preparing for a GORUCK Heavy (a 24+ hour endurance event which mimics aspects of military training) and after it was over I was going on vacation so it "should" be okay.
Just to give you an idea of the work I was putting in, between July and August I rucked 130 miles with anywhere from 35-50# in my rucksack, 19 ruck-specific workouts using the same, and several intense training sessions (a 15 mile overnight session with lots of PT while carrying a 50# sandbag among three other friends; a GORUCK Tough and Light back to back; a 10 mile ruck where three other friends and I carried about 200# between us; and a 30 mile ruck over 10 hours carrying 50#). But, again, I "thought" I was going to get more rest after the event so I was pushing hard. Too hard.
Friday August 31st was game day, the start of the GORUCK Heavy. I felt strong and ready, and I was even thinking of doing the 6 hour Light on Sunday to support some friends of mine who were doing the HTL challenge (where you do the 24 hour Heavy event, have a few hours off, do the 12 hour Tough event, have a few hours off, and then finish up with the 6 hour Light event). We started off moving at a quick pace, hustling a few miles to where we would start our physical fitness test. I got on the team weight (a 50# coupon) right off the bat and stuck with the same few guys up front who switched it out up to our first objective. So far, so good.
Then it was time for the PT test: 2 minutes timed push-ups, 2 minutes timed sit-ups, and a 12 mile timed ruck. I was either the highest or one of the highest for both events (66 push-ups and 72 sit-ups) and was looking forward to the 12 miler as we had to finish it in under 3 hours and 30 minutes while wearing my ruck (30# plate plus water and some personal items) and I have done under 3 hours before. But, this is where my failure came back to bite me. I have had some back issues in the past, but as long as I was sensible with my training and incorporated in proper rest, no problem whatsoever. In fact, TB has been fantastic for me in that respect. By the time I hit the turn around point, my back was tightening up badly and I was walking lopsided. I made it about 3 more miles but then I was done. I had to drop out. Fortunately my doctor said it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be, but I will definitely be down for a week or two more.
So now I'm licking my wounds and disappointed in myself, as I knew better. Unfortunately hindsight is always 20/20, but I'm hoping someone can learn from my mistake. If anything, it's a good time for me to reset, heal up, and once I'm good to go I'm thinking a Base Building block to ease back into things.
Long story short -
TB has worked tremendously well for me in the past, provided I stuck to the basic principles. I began to stray from those principles, began working too hard, and injured myself on the day I had to perform. Now I see it was a programming error and all my fault.
