Rucking with 37.5 kg in scorching heat is the most exhaustive and challenging task I’ve ever done.
I have no doubt about it. Today (I wrote this text on the 10th of August, 2025) and yesterday, I was rucking with 37.5 kg on my back and shoulders in scorching heat. In both cases, I took over 10k steps and took over 100 photos on Warsaw’s streets. Were these photo walks pleasant experiences? No, they were not. In fact, these walks were literally backbreaking. Did I regret I was rucking in scorching heat? Yes and no. Yes, because while walking, I was literally wet (of course, from sweating), it was hot (I did not drink water during these walks!), my muscles hurt, and I did not have the energy to walk.
When I was walking, I was literally praying for the end of my walk (not life!).
That’s why I was taking two to three breaks on benches during these strenuous walks. But why didn’t I regret doing this hectic activity? It was because I felt tremendously powerful and happy after returning and taking a cold shower. After drinking cold water in my house and stepping out of a cooling and refreshing shower, I felt literally alive. I have no doubt I will be doing rucking with such a heavy burden in the days to come. In rucking, I trust. I feel that the quality of my life, including my sleep quality and cognitive functions, has significantly improved since I started rucking almost a year ago (on August 18, 2024).
Rucking was one of the best things I could do for myself.
I remember that I was thinking whether I should return to swimming, train in martial arts, or go to the gym. I felt I needed more effort for my muscles, but I knew I would be doing it at the cost of street photography. Today, I can walk, taking pictures on Warsaw’s streets and carry heavy weights – all in one – the best option I could choose.
