Conquering the Charlton 5k Ruck Race Wearing 45 Pounds

Taking on the Charlton 5k Challenge

Running a 5k race is a great goal for many athletes. Covering 3.1 miles on foot tests your speed and endurance. But some people like to up the challenge even further by wearing extra weight during the run. This style of weighted run is known as "rucking."

I recently completed the Charlton 5k while wearing a 20 pound weight vest and carrying 25 pound kettlebells. It added an extra dimension to an already demanding race. In this post, I'll share my experience taking on the charlton 5k with 45 pounds of added weight.

The Difficulty of Rucking a 5k

Running while carrying weight forces your body to work much harder with every step. The extra pounds place more resistance and impact on your muscles, lungs, and cardiovascular system.

Most 5k runners aim to complete the 3.1 mile distance as fast as possible. But when you add heavy weights into the mix, your pace is significantly slowed down. Just finishing the race while carrying the weight becomes an accomplishment in itself.

My Weighted Race Day Setup

On race day I wore a 20 pound weight vest strapped tightly to my chest. I also carried a 25 pound kettlebell in each hand down by my sides. This added 45 pounds of total weight for me to lift with my body.

The set up slowed me down but worked well for distributing weight close to my core. The vest put extra resistance on my upper body while the kettlebells taxed my grip, shoulders and legs with every running stride.

The Brutal Challenge of Moving With Weight

I thought I was ready for the extra weight, but it tested my limits. What is usually a moderate jogging pace turned into a physically grinding march.

The opening 1.5 mile uphill climb was extra punishing. My breathing became labored as my leg muscles burned from dragging the weight. Each running stride turned into a strenuous effort.

Psychological Boost From the Supportive Crowd

Just when I thought about slowing down, the cheers of the crowd pushed me forward. I was amazed by all the people lining the streets to support the runners.

Seeing the smiling faces yell encouragement as I lumbered by gave me a huge psychological boost. I decided not to let my community down by walking or stopping early.

Gritting My Way to the Finish Line

The final mile was all about mental toughness. By then my body was exhausted and ready to quit. But hearing the crowd chant "You can do it!" willed me to press on.

I felt overwhelming relief as I saw the finish line ahead. Crossing it while carrying so much weight felt like securing a hard-fought victory in battle. What a great feeling!

The Takeaway: We Can Do More Than We Think

Completing the charlton 5k ruck march taught me that the body and mind can persevere through immense challenges if the spirit pushes them. Even when every part of me wanted to stop, something deeper said to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I hope my experience inspires others to push beyond their perceived limits. Sign up for a tough mud run, Spartan race or marathon. Grab a weight vest and ruck a 5k. You might surprise yourself with what you can accomplish under difficult conditions.

FAQs

How much total weight did you wear for the race?

I wore a 20 pound weight vest and carried a 25 pound kettlebell in each hand. So the total weight was 45 pounds.

What was the most difficult part about running with weight?

The uphill climb during miles 1-1.5 was extremely challenging. Fighting gravity while carrying all that extra weight made my breathing very labored.

Did wearing weights cause any injuries?

Fortunately I did not suffer any injuries. I focused on maintaining good form and posture despite the extra weight. Building strength ahead of time through training was also key.

Would you recommend a weighted race to other runners?

I would only recommend it for very fit runners who are up for an intense challenge. Make sure to train with weights first and slowly increase distance over time to avoid injuries. Expect it to be significantly harder than an unweighted race.