SGPT Interviews Carl Chin GORUCK Star Finisher

Its easy to hang your head and quit after a failure. But Warriors know that the path is hard and it will be full of obstacles. Fall down 3 times get back up 4. It is what we make of our failure is what really matters.

Check out Carl Chins recent journey as he overcomes failure to get back on the horse and finish the drill on his terms.

SGPT: Tell us about yourself? Where are you from and where do you train?

CC: Born and raised in New England. Married with an 11 year old son. I train in my basement. I’ve got a treadmill, elliptical, dumbbells, sandbags, etc. Occasionally, I will train with my son at his Ninja obstacle gym.

SGPT: Did you have an athletic background growing up?

CC: Growing up I played all sports recreationally. Took up cycling seriously after college, rode about 20 miles four times a week.

SGPT: Tell us a about your recent finish of the GORUCK Star event?

CC: GORUCK Star is 12 mile course, carrying a 20# ruck, with several waypoints you must meet in 5 hours or less. You can ruck individually or with a team. I registered as an individual, but met others during the event who were also rucking as individuals so we decided to ruck together.

SGPT: How did you get the inspiration to try an event like this?

CC: I did my first ever endurance event at SEALFIT 20x a year ago. I was medically dropped, but what I thought was a complete failure on my part for not finishing, I soon realized that I had learned a tremendous amount about myself. I needed to get out of my comfort zone, be comfortable being uncomfortable. After returning home from 20X I signed up for a Spartan Race and then GORUCK.

SGPT: How did you train for the GORUCK Star event?

CC: I completed the SGPT 150 day Mental and Physical training, and Project Thor. I also did some of the daily workouts.

I worked out 5-6 days a week. Strength, cardio, core, calisthenics, and rucking. The only day I had time to ruck was Sunday, so I started rucking a 5 mile route with my 80# German Shepard, and 36# rucksack, then increasing by 1-2 miles each time I rucked.

Right before the GORUCK event I had only been able to complete 9 miles, no matter how hard I tried to finish 12 miles.

SGPT: What was the hardest part of the GORUCK Star event?

CC: Knowing in the back of my mind that I never completed 12 miles during my training. I started to doubt myself that I could finish the event before it even started.

SGPT: What kind of trail running shoes did you use for the GORUCK Star event?

CC: I had been rucking with an old pair of running sneakers that fit well and did not have any hot spots and or give me blisters. I stuck with them for the event.

SGPT: Did you use body glide on your feet to prevent blisters? Trail running specific socks?

CC: I used body glide between my toes and wore two layers of socks, a sock liner and regular cotton socks.

SGPT: What kind of ruck did you use for training and the actual event? Did you use sand bags in your training?

CC: I used a regular backpack for both my training and the event and carried sand bags.

SGPT: What is one thing you wish you would have done to get ready for the GORUCK Star event?

CC: I would have liked to have completed rucking 12 miles during my training.

SGPT: Any tips for up and coming athletes that want to finish a GORUCK Star event or start training for one?

CC: Sign up for the event so you’ve made the commitment, then figure out your why. When you train and how you train will be the easy part.

SGPT: What good book or audio/podcast are you listening to?

CC: I just finished reading Ricard Marcinko’s book, Rouge Warrior, and about to start Drive, by Larry Bird.

SGPT: Thanks for the interview Carl. Much appreciated.

CC: Thanks Coach Brad!

About the Author

Are you interested in training for an endurance event like SEALFIT 20X, GORUCK or a Spartan Race? Do you want to increase your human potential so that you can move faster to your goals?