Great Time in Evansville!

[Kirk Freeman]

Many thanks to Major Balbach at the University of Southern Indiana and his ROTC cadets.

Thanks to their hard work, the Norwegian Foot March was a great success. Great to see over 500 participants from all corners of the military.

I finished but did not make time. MM14 every molecule of potassium left my body at once (I buckled but did not fall over). My 15 minute per mile turned into 22-25 minutes. From MM14 to the end I THOUGHT about quitting with each step but did not (because I am stupid). Tried to run it in but it must have looked like I was running in slow motion.

Lessons learned:

1. eat bananas before and during march.
2. Take some Lbs off the airframe (me).
3. those boot socks they sell at Atterbury PX are awesome, buy more of them when down next
4. My ancient, but modified, ALICE worked out well (better than I thought). My chest strap worked great. Taping the load (I used 20 lbs of rice) to the radio pocket like my 18C friend told me worked well. Need to look at those high speed Mystery Ranch/Dana Design framed rucks like SOCOM is using. (The frickin' new Ranger ruck is, what, like 7 bills?). Camel back loaded with ice was nice. I rubber banded the spout to my shoulder strap.
5. No issues with my boots. The Rockies (S2Vs) did a great job, no hot spots, no blisters, did not need to stop to treat my feet. I got those Belleville Kyber Pass for my birthday, but did not think I had broke them in so glad I went with Rockies.
6. Training schedule should be more regular and should include hills or inclines on treadmill. Big hill on MM7 hurt many marchers.


We fail so we can get back up!

 

[Brad69]

A daily muti vitamin helps quit a bit seems to build up what you need over time.

Did your calves start first?

Did you hands cramp?

Glad you didn’t fall into the fetal position and start Bawling !

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Yes, calves first, I "twitched" forward, buckling at the knees. Did not fall but was close.

Hands cramped up later. Thought I had frost bite. Cold morning, first time I took my patrol cap off it was covered in frost.

Yeah, multi-vitamin is going back in the pill line-up.

I thought about the fetal position and crying . . . every single step to the finish line.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

From elsewhere:

"Me: (after doing Norwegian Foot March and losing every molecule of potassium in my body) What do you think the smart lawyers are doing now? Out with their mistresses or playing golf?

Anon JAG Officer beside me: Well, it's not, collapsed on the ground eating a banana."

 

[johntheplinker]

But did you get your passport stamped once you got past Vincennes? I heared they got a special stamp just for ya'll marchers, it would have been a shame iffen you done missed it.
You really aren't feeling very good are you? Not a single aboot or hoser or eh in a single post!

Seriously, good job, been about that bad and it SUCKS, bad!

 

[Tactically Fat]

Ah yes. USI. West-Side High School to the locals.

My old stomping grounds. A great deal many fond memories from there.

I'd like to get back and get a tour since it's changed so much.

 

[indiucky]

Here's a pic.....

 

[shootersix]

Training schedule should be more regular and should include hills or inclines on treadmill. Big hill on MM7 hurt many marchers.

what...hills on the west side of Evansville...NOOOOOO!!!! that's impossible!

next time you're in town, please let me know, if possible we could grab a bite to eat, shoot, or both! im sure I could get another ingo'er or two to join (one might even be a purdue grad)

that go's for anybody on ingo, not just kirk!

 

[Kirk Freeman]

what...hills on the west side of Evansville...NOOOOOO!!!! that's impossible!

next time you're in town, please let me know, if possible we could grab a bite to eat, shoot, or both! im sure I could get another ingo'er or two to join (one might even be a purdue grad)

that go's for anybody on ingo, not just kirk!

We ate at the Logan's by USI on Friday night.

We'll be back. This was just a spotting round (although we had a Captain make time, 4h, 12 min). Going to train for Purdue NFM next. Join Planet Fitness over the winter and set the treadmill at 4.75MPH.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Here's a pic.....

Yeah, you laugh, but after yoga last night (which felt amazing) I went to Kroger (Payless up here) and bananas were the FIRST thing in the basket!

Stopped by the Mexican tienda last night by the house and got a 12 pack of Goya apricot juice too.

 

[Alamo]

So this: https://usi.edu/footmarch

Congratulations on finishing and managing to live.

I did the Four Days Nijmegan March when I was in Europe. I was in my earlier thirties, march gave me first indication that I was getting older. My legs hurt from up past my knees by the end. Was clear indication that joining the Air Force rather than the Army was wise decision for me.

Happy training.

 

[Brad69]

Kirk,

So I looked up the standards 25 LBS ruck 30 km / 18.9 mi and I have 4:50

Did the Manchu mile back in 1989 25 miles of hell.

Normal 180 day standard in most units I was assigned to.

12 mi in 3 hours with

Pistol belt with suspenders.
Ammunition pouches (2) with M16 magazines (6).
Canteens with water (2), canteen covers (2).
Canteen cup (1).
First-aid packet and case.
Poncho.
Kevlar helmet or steel helmet.
Bayonet and scabbard.
Protective mask and carrier.
M16 series rifle or an M4 carbine, with sling and magazine inserted.
Rucksack with load weighing a minimum of 35 pounds.

I wonder if I could do it?

Once my lower body goes numb about the 2 mi point I am good!

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Kirk,

So I looked up the standards 25 LBS ruck 30 km / 18.9 mi and I have 4:50

Yes, that was my standard. I was over 5 hours because of the . . . whatever one calls it when you run out of potassium and sodium.

It's OK, my goals were threefold:

1. Do not have stroke. Check.

2. Finish march. Check.

3. Make time. Big red X.

It is OK. It was about doing it, not so much getting the badge. Lead my doing. I'll be back and I will succeed next time.

 

[johntheplinker]

Kirk,

So I looked up the standards 25 LBS ruck 30 km / 18.9 mi and I have 4:50

Did the Manchu mile back in 1989 25 miles of hell.

Normal 180 day standard in most units I was assigned to.

12 mi in 3 hours with

Pistol belt with suspenders.
Ammunition pouches (2) with M16 magazines (6).
Canteens with water (2), canteen covers (2).
Canteen cup (1).
First-aid packet and case.
Poncho.
Kevlar helmet or steel helmet.
Bayonet and scabbard.
Protective mask and carrier.
M16 series rifle or an M4 carbine, with sling and magazine inserted.
Rucksack with load weighing a minimum of 35 pounds.

I wonder if I could do it?

Once my lower body goes numb about the 2 mi point I am good!

That's the kind of stuff that makes me glad I was a treadhead.

 

[Nazgul]

Kudos Kirk. Good job!!

Don