My lungs burned as I pushed up the steepest hill of the route, trekking poles digging into the frozen ground for leverage. Heart rate is easily mid-zone four now. The 25 pounds on my back seemed to double with each step upward. For a moment, I questioned my decision to commit to the full 10K instead of cutting it short.
But then again, that's kind of the point.
The Decision to Go
It was later in the day than I'd planned to start. Part of me felt the pull to just head home instead. But with training for the Allegheny ahead, these loaded rucks in challenging conditions are exactly what I need. Today's setup: 25 pounds in the pack, trekking poles for assistance, and temperatures hovering around 28 degrees.
I settled on attempting the full 10K loop, knowing I could reassess at the halfway point if needed.
Finding the Right Layers
The cold presented its own challenge, but I've learned that movement generates plenty of heat. Just a base layer under my fleece was enough for my upper body in the still air. For my legs, I added a base layer under my Rainier pants - those $25 Eddie Bauer finds from Costco that continue to impress across various temperature ranges.
"I'm warm, but not overheating," I noted to myself after the first climb, a good sign that my layering strategy was working.
The Rhythm of the Poles
The trekking poles made all the difference. From the first mile, I maintained a steady 3.5 mph pace - respectable with a loaded pack. The poles provided the perfect counterbalance, especially on the uphills where the pack weight threatened to pull me backward.
By the second mile, I was just starting to warm up. The poles synchronized with my stride as I approached the second biggest hill on the loop.
The Mid-Point Decision
Reaching the 5K mark at 52 minutes and change, I felt strong. The consistent pace was holding. My body had found its rhythm. The decision was clear - push on for the full 10K.
"I'm moving very well today," I realized, the poles continuing to provide that extra efficiency even as fatigue began to settle in.
The Steepest Challenge
Four miles in, still maintaining that 3.5 mph pace, I faced the toughest climb of the route. My heart rate spiked into mid-zone four territory, breathing heavy but controlled. The weight on my back seemed to intensify with each vertical foot gained.
This is where the mental game kicks in. Focus on the next step. Plant poles, push up, repeat. Breaking the climb into manageable segments rather than staring up at the entire hill.
After cresting that final major climb, I knew the hardest part was behind me. Just the fire road remained, with one more steep but shorter section before the finish.
Gear Revelations
One thing became clear during today's outing - my pack setup needs some adjustment. The fast pack sits a bit too high, making it difficult to reach my water bottle. The pack seems designed for those tall, thin liter bottles rather than my standard 750ml sport bottle.
"Might try lowering it and see if I can reach it better," I considered, though I generally prefer having the pack higher on my back for better weight distribution. Sometimes gear optimization is about finding the right compromises.
The Final Push
The second 5K took 53 minutes flat - remarkably consistent with the first half considering that final hill climb. I felt surprisingly good at the finish, confirmation that my current training approach is working.
The Olympus 4s I've designated for fastpacking handled the terrain well. With about 200 miles on them, they've got plenty of life left before I'll need to break in a new pair before the Allegheny.
Looking ahead, I've been seeing more mountain bikers on the trails. That means it might be time to get my bike back out, though I'm debating whether to swap the clip-in pedals for flats given the technical nature of these particular trails.
Final Stats
Here's the breakdown for those keeping score:
Distance: 6.32 miles
Time: 1:47:17
Average Pace: 3.5 mph
Elevation Gain: 885 feet
Heart Rate: Avg 141 bpm
Heart Rate Zones:
Zone 1: 42%
Zone 2: 38%
Zones 3+: ~20%
Training Effect: 3.7 aerobic, 2.6 anaerobic
Max Speed: 4.4 mph
Can't complain about a loaded ruck where I kept over 80% of my effort in zones 1-2. The training effect numbers confirm it was still quality work without the strain of pushing too hard. Another step closer to being Allegheny-ready.
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