It’s been a while since I last posted, but not because I haven’t been training. Instead, I’ve been doing some deep reflection on how I approach my ultra training. For a long time, I’ve tried to fit myself into the traditional ultrarunner mold. But despite successfully completing a respectable number of 50Ks and trail marathons, I never really succeeded in becoming a good runner.
What I did notice, however, is that with each training block, I became a stronger and more resilient hiker. I really enjoy rucking, and it has always been a core part of my routine. I’ve finally decided to stop spending cycles trying to become something I’m not, embrace the fact that I am a solid rucker rather than a poor runner, and lean heavily into ultra-distance rucking. Looking back, that’s effectively what I’ve always ended up doing anyway—each of those past ultras was power-hiked with a backpack full of gear.
To test this pivot, I spent the last six weeks running two cycles of 5/3/1 Boring But Big alongside frequent rucks with a 30lb pack. The results spoke for themselves: my strength metrics went up, and the combination turned out to be incredibly recoverable. Traditional running always left my joints feeling beat up, but covering the same distance with a 30lb plate feels entirely sustainable. It’s time to stop chasing a running standard that doesn’t fit my frame and start leaning into my actual strengths.
Surviving Ultra 
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