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Does anyone have any advice on running with a weighted bergen in prep for TA sas selection,I only ask this as I have heard in order to make the checkpoints on selection on time requires running with the weight.A couple of my mates in the RMR who are going for SBS selection have started to do bergen runs,I thought this could lead to injury hence the post.

apologies for long thread

yoz wrote:Does anyone have any advice on running with a weighted bergen in prep for TA sas selection,I only ask this as I have heard in order to make the checkpoints on selection on time requires running with the weight.A couple of my mates in the RMR who are going for SBS selection have started to do bergen runs,I thought this could lead to injury hence the post.

apologies for long thread

Only advice i have read (which made sense) was to initially start with a very light weight to identify hotspots and potential sore spots. Make sure it's correctly fitted and balanced.

I cant emphasise balance strongly enough.

As for advice on TA SAS selection i'll leave that to someone more experienced.

Sonne

hi yoz.

running with a bergen....? to be honest we were told not to... however most of us ignored them and cracked on, but then most left the course through injury. they did say that if we had to train dont carry more than 25lbs and keep on the soft stuff as much as poss to reduce the impact on the joints. to make the rv's didn't really require large amounts of running, but more of a tab/power walk... when do you start

Running with a Bergen.

I havnt done SF selection but I did carry a bergen with 55lb over a period of 6 months while training. So if your happy with the advise below great.

Full on running with anything over 35lb for a period of a few hours or more over tough terrain is just not going to happen.
You cant run or jog up a mountain with that kinda kit plus rifle and you certainly cant run or jog down.
Yes its possible to run up sections but you burn vast amounts more energy for gaining a few extra seconds. Bollock to that.

My best advice for you and this may sound very obvious but dont stop, never stop on a slope ever. As long as you keep going at a steady pace you'll get there on time. This sounds easy but can only be achieved if you get out there on the hills with the weight, dont settle for anything less than proper mountains. Anything that makes you feel like shit as you look up is great. The longer you have it on your back the better your neck and back muscles will loosen and strengthen. The burning you feel after the first 3 hours when you first start to train, that will go away with contiunued training and never return.

i have some advice for running with a bergan and its simpley this DONT
athelites that train with a weighted vest etc do so when they come to race they can cover distance faster with out the weight (probs psychological more than anything else)
you should run lots, short fast runs, long steady runs as your body adapts ie you create more blood vessels between the heart and lungs to maximise oxygen uptake start to incorporate hill sprints into your training and some tabs maybe 1 a week(as in fast march slow jog with a bergan (35lb)over undulating terrain ala the airborne shuffle)
for the most part get up the hills working on nav
getting good times on the hills is all about the rythem you walk at ie big long steady strides on flat what ever gets you up hill i personaly find just attacking it with lots of small steps works for me and letting the weight on your back push you down hill litteraly just throw your legs out infront of you
running with weight will just f**k you up and you wont last the course you dont have to run with weight on selection so why do it in training? its all about the hills work on all aspects of fitness strength(gym work) power(circuits)speed(run) and endurance (swim, hills,long runs) throw in a bit of skipping as well to work your calfs and hey presto you got a good programme as long as its progressive that will see you through selection

cheers for the replies fellas,thought it would be a bit drastic to run with the weight...im still recovering from injury now but once i get the green light from the doc's im gonna crack on and get in the hills as much as possible

What is it with you guys? Why do you want to run with a Bergan, even before qualifying?
It is absolutely stupid !! Just get yourself fit.

Do a daily training regime. It could be a run, gym work or weight training but do not try to replicate SF training. Just get fit!!

They don't want people to fail, so get yourself fit and let the rest of SF training fall into place. Most of it, is in the mind!!
Go for it,

Sneaky

sneaky beaky wrote:What is it with you guys? Why do you want to run with a Bergan, even before qualifying?
It is absolutely stupid !! Just get yourself fit.

Sneaky

I think they need to understand the difference between tough and hard.
Way too many assumptions, and fantasizing too.

Frank S. wrote:

sneaky beaky wrote:What is it with you guys? Why do you want to run with a Bergan, even before qualifying?
It is absolutely stupid !! Just get yourself fit.

Sneaky

I think they need to understand the difference between tough and hard.
Way too many assumptions, and fantasizing too.

Run with weight repent at leisure. Don't even try it. Slipped Disc's, Knackered knees, are just two of the things that will result in doing this foolhardy excercise. Oh and a nice long stay in your local hospital with your back in traction is a definite option as well.