Available in: Life, Forward, Endure, & Advanced

*Please note, this Challenge is significantly different than the PATHFINDER Stirling Back to Back Challenge. If you are in Stirling, please go here.

Challenge Purpose

This Challenge is designed to build sustained resilience through three consecutive days of rucking. The back-to-back format stresses your body progressively and asks you to show up tired, sore, and still willing. We want you to push your limits with intention, though, not recklessness. The real work is in your discipline, consistency, and attention to detail.

• Physical conditioning: Simulates the toll of multi-day events or long-distance trail efforts. Excellent preparation for testing gear, learning about your foot care needs, and dialing in endurance readiness.

• Mental conditioning: Builds tolerance to physical fatigue and sharpens the mindset required for extended evolutions during events, training cycles, or ruck-based adventures.

Challenge Requirements

• Three consecutive days of rucking are required.

• This Challenge must be completed on three back-to-back calendar days. Skipping a day (regardless of reason) voids the Challenge attempt.

• There are no time requirements per day. Move at the pace appropriate for your body and terrain.

• You may not stack multiple rucks into fewer days.

Daily Terrain Recommendations

Each day should be intentionally programmed for challenge and variability. Choose terrain that rates a 5–7 out of 10 on your personal effort scale -- something that pushes you but doesn’t break you.

• Mix it up: trail, urban, hilly, or technical -- whatever is safely accessible and appropriately difficult.

• Elevation gain and descent are excellent additions if preparing for event work.

Training Suggestions

• Day 1: Moderate pace and volume. This is your baseline effort. Don't blow your legs out too early.

• Day 2: Tired legs and tested feet. Focus on hydration, fueling, and body management.

• Day 3: Mental game day. Expect discomfort and keep moving with intention. Refine your gear choices and foot care strategy based on what you've learned the previous days.

Recovery & Foot Care Considerations

• Prioritize immediate post-ruck recovery: Hydrate, stretch, elevate feet, and get off them when possible.

• Inspect your feet daily. Treat hot spots and blisters right away.

• Wear tested, trusted shoes. This is not the time for a new experiment.

Challenge Parameters

• This Challenge must be completed over three consecutive days.
  No skipped or substituted days. No exceptions.

• A weighted ruck must be worn for the entire Challenge. (See Weight Requirements below.)

• All miles must be continuous and uninterrupted each day.

• Frequency: Challenge must be completed in full duration as outlined above during the 12-week Program. The roster must complete the miles in order as written, without swapping miles out (ie: 8 miles on Day 1, 10 miles on Day 2, 6 miles on Day 3).

• Day 1: 2 Miles
• Day 2: 4 Miles
• Day 3: 6 Miles

• Day 1: 4 Miles
• Day 2: 6 Miles
• Day 3: 8 Miles

• Day 1: 6 Miles
• Day 2: 8 Miles
• Day 3: 10 Miles

• Day 1: 8 Miles
• Day 2: 11 Miles
• Day 3: 13 Miles

Ruck Weight Requirements

• Life / Forward / Endure: No required weight. Choose a weight that’s appropriately challenging for your fitness level.

• Advanced:

  • 45 lbs dry if bodyweight is 150 lbs or more

  • 30 lbs dry if bodyweight is under 150 lbs

Not Approved For

This Challenge is not available for:

• Stirling (Use the Stirling-specific version instead)

• Compete

• Horizon

Challenge Safety & Restrictions