SGPT GoRuck Interview with Dave Merriott

SGPT: Tell us about yourself?

Dave: Im currently an IT support person with no military background that has recently found a passion for fitness.

SGPT: Did you have an athletic background growing up?

GoRuck Challenge Toronto 2013

Dave: No. up until 2.5 years ago i was a couch potato who was overweight and would of never thought about stepping foot into a gym or trying a GORUCK event. I ended up getting laid off from work and decided this was the time for a change. i started doing crossfit and eating healthy. I heard about the GORUCK challenge at my crossfit box and thought this sounded crazy and was something id give a shot.

SGPT: How did you train for GoRuck?

Dave: For my first GORUCK Challenge i did crossfit, ran twice a week (one night for distance and the other doing track sprints and hill repeats) and one short ruck march each week.

SGPT: Tell us a little about the event? Where and how many events?

Dave: My First GORUCK Challenge was Class 659 – Toronto. It was by far the hardest most challenging thing ive ever done. (at the time) The class was a unique one due to an incident that took place, we ended up staying on the beach or in the lake for 8+ hours of the event doing PT and moving sandbags and logs around.

Right after the challenge and a few days after i said i would never do another one again, but was i wrong! within 2 weeks i had already signed up for more events. 8 Months later i have completed 4 challenges, Nasty, and a light.
I am currently signed up for 15+ events this coming year including selection.

SGPT: What was hardest part of the event?

Dave: getting through the suckage factor and fighting away the urge to quit.

SGPT: What is one thing you wish you would have done to get ready for GoRuck?

Dave: Doing more event specific training while wearing the ruck such as bear crawls, man makers etc

SGPT: What boots did you wear? Double socks? Bodyglide or another type of anti-chafe balm?

Dave: I actually wore Columbia Drainmaker Water Shoe shoes. They were great but wore out pretty quickly. i have recently starting doing training in Nike SFB boots and am liking them so far.

As for socks i wear merino wool socks for colder weather and double layered “no blister” running socks for warmer weather. I also spray my feet with arid spray. no body glide but suggest wearing a tight base layer such as under armor

SGPT: What kind of pack did you use? How did you like it?

Dave: GORUCK GR1 its a great ruck and would highly recommend it to anyone. its well worth its price and lifetime warranty.

SGPT: Any tips for up and coming athletes that want to do GoRuck?

Dave: DFQ! Dont F@cking Quit! You can train physically for any event but you need to have the right mindset as well.

SGPT: Thanks for the interview Dave.

Dave: Thank you.

Do you have a big event on the horizon and you want to finish the drill?