A Long Way To Go...

So here we are, at the end of the year. Since we are all staying here for a few weeks, physical training takes up a large part of our free time. So while 3rd and 4th years are repelling out of helicopters, the first years go on ruck marches. Carrying 55 pound rucks, we march from 7-13km in a day. It's a great exercise. Most of the time.

As I hold ice on my right knee while typing, I remember the expedition that our platoon had. Our group had already done a couple of marches during the week and our bodies are still getting used to the stretch. After five minutes of walking, I get amazing shin splints. Man, does that hurt (especially when your carrying an oversized backpack with dead weight). After losing the ability to bring up my toes, my paces get smaller and smaller as my feet drag. I ask around and some people were dealing with the same problem at varying degrees. Ok fine, I'll live with it, only 5km to go. Then our platoon commander gets the great idea to increase the speed. I decided to start jogging and I didn't stop jogging until the end. The pain and fatigue was tremendous. I was in the front and the people behind me started to lag behind. Soon another group formed behind us with people walking at normal speed. I stuck with the first group, slightly twisted my ankle (again), and made it to the end. I guess the platoon commander either 1. Did not heed to the fact that he lost half his people, or 2. Decided he didn't care. Being short does not help keep up with these kind of people. I am glad I made it to end with the original group.

During the cool-down stretch I was talking to the Franco cadet that was behind me for the whole march. I respect her and her determination for keeping up and running the whole way while carrying the same weight. The reason I say this is because she is probably the smallest person there (a bit smaller then my shoulder height). She kept going while the larger more athletic lagged behind. I remember her remark about the platoon commander: "Making us run all that way makes us tanks and him a jackass." I found it kind of funny as I stretched out my overworked ligaments.
Moral of the story: Don't run for a couple kilometers while carrying a 50+lbs of weight. It does a number on your knees, ankles, and lower back.