Evenin' All,

I just read the monthly newsletter from Sensei Tom, and one of the main articles was about "Training Harder or Training Smarter" And it got me thinking about Prom's suggestion of using a deer cart to haul bug-out gear. Now if you are in top condition, the aid of a cart, bike, trailer, etc., only expands your carrying capacity from 100 lbs on your back to 50 lbs on your back and 300 lbs on the cart, bike, trailer, etc. Now, I know, 250 lbs of extra gear could make a big difference if you have to bugout on foot.

Now for those out there in poorer health or at a lower fitness level the addition of a cart, bike, trailer, etc. could make the difference of getting out of the city with basic gear and not getting out of the city, ever.

Harder or Smarter??????

Mountainman.

Harder now, smarter later. It would be much easier to push a shopping cart if your in shape before, then it would be to get in shape by pushing a shopping cart after!

No matter what kind of shape I'm in, there is not much chance I can carry even 50 lbs for any distance. I ordered one of those carts as soon as I read the post. Even if I can push or pull, another 100 or so lbs on the cart, that is alot more supplies. If there is more of us we can take turns with a cart, so then 300 lbs. for sure, as we all benefit from the additional stuff. They fold small so it should ride in BOV as long I do.

Hi ladyboomer - If it can serve as any form of inspiration for you, my wife is 5'3", 115 pounds, and carries a 45-50 lb expedition backpack (depends how much water she carries) when we go winter backcountry camping, sometimes up to 25 km a day up whenever we're up in Caribou Mountain Wildlands in northern Alberta. That's with dehydrated food for 12 days, camping supplies, warm clothing, snowshoes and other things.

Cheers

No matter what kind of shape I'm in, there is not much chance I can carry even 50 lbs for any distance. I ordered one of those carts as soon as I read the post. Even if I can push or pull, another 100 or so lbs on the cart, that is alot more supplies. If there is more of us we can take turns with a cart, so then 300 lbs. for sure, as we all benefit from the additional stuff. They fold small so it should ride in BOV as long I do.

You might be surprised how much you can carry in a pack ,if the pack is fitted for your body frame properly..A pack that is fitted properly sits on your hips and the shoulder straps really hold very little for weight...this makes it very comfortable and allows you to carry a larger load...

Great post, very motivating. I worry about my fitness level a lot considering I have gained over 50 lbs in the past 3 years. It's going to not only be a physical journey for me, but a mental and emotional one as well. I KNOW that by getting in better shape I will be able to take care better care of my family NOW AND in the event that something terrible happens.

RT, I am very inspired by your 10 k runs 3 times a week. hope you've been keeping it up. 🙂

RabbitTeeth, Buggie and others,

I have been reviewing fitness through my mind (A virtual workout??) and wanted to put a thought or two out there for others to contemplate........

The difference between being in the military and being a civilian, when it comes to fitness and when the SHTF. The biggest difference I think comes down to weapons familiarity. I am not just speaking of handling safely, operating - loading, unloading, stopages, & shooting. I am thinking about the actual weapon, spare magazines, webbing/gear vest, cleaning kit, etc. All that stuff weighs something.

The soldier in garrison, may or may not be issued their weapon on a daily basis. If you are on basic training, you bet your a$$, you and matilda, become the best friends in the whole world, you know her better than you know your girlfriend. But a seasoned soldier in garrison will likely have contact with their weapon at the very least weekly, possibly during morning PT, or patrol practice, or range time or prep for giving weapons leasons to the new guys. But, even in garrison soldiers carry their weapons around a bit.

Now lets go to the field, for an exercise - whether a day of field training - patroling, scouting, advance to contact, force on force, navigation, survival review, landmine identification, cam and concealment, AFV recognition, etc. Or a week long, month long or multi-month field exercise - in country or out. The weapon is always within arms reach, 24/7.

The top of the list, operational deployment - in theatre. It does not matter if you are war or on a UN tasking. When in theatre you have your weapon and a combat load of ammo. A basic load may consist of a C-9 LMG with a 200 round belt, optical sights, maybe a night sight, and 4 extra 200 round belts. That is the very basic load, now add in water, 24 hours of rations (IMP's), rain gear, ranger blanket/poncho liner, helmet, body armour, gloves, cleaning kit for the C-9, canteen cup, heat tabs, brew kit, gas mask and if required a full NBC suit. Now you have to be able to run all over Hell's half acre, repeatedly, to just do your job.

A civilian on the other hand........may take their weapon out of the locked cabinet on weekends, may go to the range - once a month?? once a year?? once a decade?? A dedicated marksman may, with the aid of snap caps, practice holster draw, cock and aim, fire drills agaianst commercials on TV every night. But would it be safe to say, most civilians who own firearms do not handle them on a daily basis???? If that is true, then a big part of your physical fitness program may be to just carry your firearm around your house with you, everywhere. Do this to the point, that you feel naked without having your preferred weapon within reach at all times.

Once the SHTF, you will expect to need to have at least some form of defence with you at all times. Might as well get use to that extra weight now, while doing all of your other preps.

Hope that gives some food for thought to those who need an extra challenge.

Cheers,

Mountainman.