5k with 100 lb pack

dndavis11 wrote: »

Hello! I've been using MFP to track for a while, but just recently started becoming more interested in fitness. Tonight I committed to doing a 5k in July with a 100 lb pack (Camp Patriot.)

Any recommendations for gearing up for it from anybody who has done something similar or trains with heavy weighted vests? I put on a 25 lb. vest tonight and tired pretty quickly. Thanks!

Height: 5' 10
Weight: 135 lbs.

So 100lbs on your shoulders is a lot, for your weight, although you do have a decent height there. You'll need to spend time on your upper body strength, and core strength, to keep the bergan stable, and keep yourself upright.

Three miles isn't far, but you're carrying nearly your own bodyweight again, and that will take its toll.

In terms of endurance, train to about 15km unloaded, or with limited load, to develop the endurance. And build up the wight gradually or you'll injure yourself.

dndavis11 wrote: »

Hello! I've been using MFP to track for a while, but just recently started becoming more interested in fitness. Tonight I committed to doing a 5k in July with a 100 lb pack (Camp Patriot.)

Any recommendations for gearing up for it from anybody who has done something similar or trains with heavy weighted vests? I put on a 25 lb. vest tonight and tired pretty quickly. Thanks!

Height: 5' 10
Weight: 135 lbs.

Since you say you have recently become more interested in fitness, I'm making the assumption you don't work out very much. What sort of exercise have you been doing and for how long? Have you ever a 5k without carrying any weight? The Couch to 5k program someone mentioned is a 2 month program to run the 5k, without added weight.

Unless there is some back story that isn't coming out in your post, it doesn't sound realistic for July of 2016.

Wow that sounds brutal. Not undoable, but brutal.

Going to assume you're going to be doing this with the weight on your back and with a real backpacking backpack. If that's not right, well, adjust accordingly.

If the weight is going to be on your back I would make sure almost all your training is with the weight on your back. If the weighted vest has the weight evenly distributed I'd suggest buying yourself a good sturdy back-packing backpack and start with 15-20lbs and start hiking.

Its ~23 weeks until the start of July so if you started with 15-20lbs and added 5lbs every week or so you should be fairly well prepared.

If you can't hike similar terrain to what you're going to be doing for the event, start using a treadmill while wearing the backpack and high incline or at least the "rolling terrain" option.

You probably want to do some upper body work too. Strengthening your shoulders, your core muscles and your back.

But honestly just doing a lot of work with the pack and progressively upping the weight is probably your best bet.

I dunno if this is the best way to approach it but this is how I'd do it at any rate. Good luck!

Keep in mind that this article is about Marines who are generally in excellent shape and strong and bigger than you. Yes, they are also dealing with rough terrain, but you've set a very lofty goal for yourself.

they do stuff like this in the tough mudder type events, but they have to carry a person on their back, or a log carry or something. But its not for 5K distance. It sounds doable and brutal, I'd be very scared of the toll it will take on your body, joints, lungs, heart etc. I personally wouldn't put my body through that, there are way safer ways to build strength and fitness and participate in challenges. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Look into Go Ruck. You're going to need to do a lot of training, unloaded and with increasing loads. 5k really isn't much for a road march, but if you haven't completed it with a 25lbs vest, you need to get to training.

Get a good pack, it will make a world of difference.

dlm7507 wrote: »

Has anyone in this discussion ever carried 100 LBS for 3 miles?

And body armour, helmet, across rough terrain and carrying a personal weapon system.

Whilst not insignificant it's unlikely to put the originator in a situation of developing the chronic lower limb injuries regularly seen in those who have 20 or so years of military experience.