Justin Fanatia
Where are you from?
I currently live just outside Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Been here about 9 years now. Originally PCSd here to go on ADOS as an instructor to teach NCOES for the Reserve Engineer School and when I came off orders I became a DA civilian and stayed in the local area.
How did you get into rucking?
I have been in the military for over 20 years now as an Engineer so rucking has always been something I have done. It became an even bigger part of life when I destroyed my knees and running became less and less of a regular activity.
Why do you ruck?
Rucking has always been a part of fitness within my career. It has also helped with mental health, staying active, being outdoors, and a forcing function to explore new places. Here recently, it has been a chance to reconnect back to why I love being a part of the military. At some point in your career you get to a spot where you no longer feel like a Soldier, and start feeling like a parent and politician. Getting back to the basics like rucking makes you feel the joy of why you started in the first place.
Favorite ruck so far?
I wouldn’t say I have a favorite ruck necessarily, but my favorite location where I have hoofed it all over with a pack was Masada in Israel by the Dead Sea.
What has been the hardest lesson you’ve learned under a ruck?
The hardest lesson I hard learned while doing a ruck and life in general is it doesn’t matter how fast, strong, weak, or slow you are. We all carry the same weight for the same distance. The question really becomes more about whether or not did you enjoy the journey to the end or did you miss everything in between? We are always so wrapped up life rushing to the next thing or trying to be the best we forget to stop and acknowledge what has already been achieved. 20 years have went by and I honestly have no clue where it went. I feel like I missed so much focusing on the wrong things. Slow down and enjoy the scenery around you once in a while. You might actually see something worth witnessing.
What is your go-to ruck setup?
Honestly, I pack my ruck as high as I can and compress it as tight as possible. If it not a mandatory packing list it is usually a weight plate surrounded by pillows to keep it from shifting and bouncing and then I pull the straps as tight as I can get them. Boots, I have had just about every pair the Army issues and they all have their pros and cons. Find what works for you. Recently I have been trying out the toe socks to help with blisters. After 20 years of crushing my feet in Army boots my toes no longer want to separate and after 10-12 miles they start mashing on one another. Figured toe socks would help keep them separate but so far the ones I have tried tear the webbing between my toes apart. To this day, a worn in pair of boots, powdered feet, dress socks inside of standard issue wool socks and staying hydrated seems to be the go to solution to keep the hot spots and blisters down. If blisters come moleskin is your best friend.
What is your advice for new ruckers?
One piece of advice when starting out is to take it slow and with small weight. It’s not a race. Build yourself up over time. You already carry the burdens of life.
What event are you training for next?
In Oct I am doing the Spartan race and Tough Mudder two weeks apart from one another. I wanted to do one of each before I got too old and broken and couldn’t do them.