AGC Associate Safety Director, Gert Grohmann, recently raised money for St Jude’s Children’s Research hospital by doing the David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge. This means that Gert had too complete 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. Below you’ll find Gert telling his story and experience doing the challenge.
4x4x48 Challenge – Gert Grohmann
David Goggins is a retired Navy Seal and an ultra marathon runner. His autobiography, “Can’t Break Me” was an inspiration to me, I listened to portions of his audio book throughout the event. I love this quote of his.
“I’m a big believer of doing something that sucks every single day of your life. I believe it’s a key component into strengthening your mind.”
–David Goggins
I have always been a supporter of St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and when I heard about the Goggins 4x4x48 challenge, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to run a FB fundraiser for them. My supporters helped me raise $1,060. I started the challenge at 10 PM on Friday March 5 and rucked 10PM, 2AM, 6AM, 10AM 2PM, 6PM and repeated the cycle Saturday. I wrapped up Sunday at 6PM with just over 50 miles rucked with a 40 pound pack.
While the challenge is to run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours, several years ago I broke my leg while on duty with Mequon FD, so my leg won’t take running anymore, so I started rucking, which is walking with a weighted backpack. Last year I walked around 2,500 miles between work and my rucking. I initially started rucking to lose weight and I joined a local group known as the Goodland Ruck club. Members of this group were an amazing support during the challenge and I did a number of the rucks with local members.
My German Shepherd, Bear and I, rucked 28 of the 50 miles together. I gave him some shifts off, as he started to wear down a bit on Saturday afternoon. For me the key to the entire event was to take it 1 ruck at a time. Saturday morning I ate something for breakfast I ate something that did not agree with me and so my 2 PM and 6 PM rucks were tough because I really did not feel well. But after that I felt great for the rest of the event. The coolest/creepiest thing that happened was on Sunday morning at the 2am ruck, Bear and I got followed by a pack of Coyotes for about a mile. We never saw them, but we heard them yipping in the woods just off to our left.
Overall, I will do it again next year, it was a amazing experience and people’s generosity was very inspiring. Next year it will be even bigger as I am recruiting member of my rucking club to join me in raising funds!
Here is a link to my FB fundraiser page for more info.
Here is a link to the Goggins page