Of course. In 120 degree heat with a cloudless sky the pavement can suck in so much heat that my thick soled combat boots turned into tiny foot ovens. I have stepped on tacks, nails, lego, glass, and so on. These cuts and punctures are brief and relatively forgettable compared to walking 32 miles on that blistering hot surface. Making that road the most painful thing I have ever stepped on.
32 miles is like a full days walk nonstop. If you were there on military business what led to your situation in which you didn't have a vehicle to carry you such a long stretch?
I was Volunteered to do it with the Squadron Command along with a few hundred others. While difficult to carry a full ruck with a few days of supplies/sleeping equipment and an M249, it was worth it; I got a belt buckle. I think, of those that finished, took as long as 15 hours. The fastest was 7 and my group was 9 hours.
Yep, there is great satisfaction in overcoming any hardship. Even the self imposed. Also, it's one of those things that randomly come up in conversation. Story ends with me and 2 friends staying up and floating a keg over the next 48 hours. It was good times. I still cycle quite a bit these days, so I'm active, but I live a different life. The stories are good to have.
Of course. In 120 degree heat with a cloudless sky the pavement can suck in so much heat that my thick soled combat boots turned into tiny foot ovens. I have stepped on tacks, nails, lego, glass, and so on. These cuts and punctures are brief and relatively forgettable compared to walking 32 miles on that blistering hot surface. Making that road the most painful thing I have ever stepped on.
32 miles is like a full days walk nonstop. If you were there on military business what led to your situation in which you didn't have a vehicle to carry you such a long stretch?
I was Volunteered to do it with the Squadron Command along with a few hundred others. While difficult to carry a full ruck with a few days of supplies/sleeping equipment and an M249, it was worth it; I got a belt buckle. I think, of those that finished, took as long as 15 hours. The fastest was 7 and my group was 9 hours.
So it was purely for honor? Sounds rough. You really do think it was worth?
Yep, there is great satisfaction in overcoming any hardship. Even the self imposed. Also, it's one of those things that randomly come up in conversation. Story ends with me and 2 friends staying up and floating a keg over the next 48 hours. It was good times. I still cycle quite a bit these days, so I'm active, but I live a different life. The stories are good to have.