Having missed my chance to attend Dogpile, I decided to try that rucking that all the kids have been talking about. I grabbed my work backpack, filled it full of stuff, and off to Byrd Park.
I threw the backpack on, and rucked it for an hour on the Buttermilk. I can see why people really like rucking, next to running, it really clears the head. I probably could’ve gone a little heavier, but I would like to try it again to be sure.
When I got back to my vehicle, I found myself wanting to go further but had to get back. I even tried to sit down in the driver seat with my backpack still on. I said jokingly as I took it off, “You know you can put it down, dummy.” I drove home thinking about this poem:
Equipment
Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You’ve all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say “I can.”
Look them over, the wise and great,
They take their food from a common plate
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes,
The world considers them brave and smart.
But you’ve all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if only you will,
You’re well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen, great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.
You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go.
How much you will study the truth to know,
God has equipped you for life, But He
Lets you decide what you want to be.
Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win,
So figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began.
Get hold of yourself, and say: “I can.”
by: Edgar Guest
