This is a ruck-intensive, 6-week, 6x day/week training program specifically designed to prepare athletes for the Norwegian Foot March. The Norwegian Foot March is a 30K (18.6 mile) event carrying a 24# ruck. It can be walked or ruck ran.
This training plan also includes a weekly recovery run and core strength training, but its focus is on rucking.
This training plan is designed to be completed the 6 weeks directly before the Norwegian Foot March. Weeks 5 and 6 in the plan are unload/taper weeks into the event. Schedule it so complete the event the weekend of week 6.
This is Version 1 of this training plan, built March 2025.
Ruck Pacing
This plan deploys three different ruck paces, and a progressed increase in weekly ruck volume and weekly long rucks to sport-specifically train you for the event’s 18.6 miles of rucking @ 24#.
(1) Threshold Pace – Monday’s in this plan you’ll compete either a 3-mile ruck assessment for time, or threshold 1-mile ruck repeats based on your most recent 3-mile ruck assessment. All of this training will be at a threshold pace – as fast as you can move.
(2) Moderate Pace – You’ll complete rucks weekly at a moderate pace in this plan. Moderate Pace = comfortable but not easy. The distance of the moderate pace ruck increases as you work through the plan.
(3) Easy Pace – You’ll complete 1 easy pace ruck this plan. Easy Pace = you can speak in complete sentences while moving.
Ruck Volume
The total weekly ruck volume/distance in this plan increases weeks 1-4, and then begins to taper weeks 5-6 into the event. Saturdays each week is your “long ruck” and these also increase in distance weekly until weeks 5-6, when they also taper into the event. Below is the weekly ruck volume and distance of the Saturday’s long ruck:
Week Total Weekly Volume Saturday Ruck
1 13 miles 4 miles
2 15 miles 6 miles
3 17 miles 8 miles
4 19 miles 10 miles
5 14 miles 8 miles
6 6 miles None – event week.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
- Monday: 3-Mile Ruck Assessment or 1-Mile Ruck Intervals
- Tuesday: Total Rest
- Wednesday: Easy-Pace Moderate Pace Ruck
- Thursday: Recovery Run + Core
- Friday: Moderate Pace Ruck
- Saturday: Long Ruck @ Moderate Pace
- Sunday: Total Rest
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
- Stopwatch with repeating countdown interval timer (smartphone will work)
- 24# Ruck
- Foam Roller
- Optional: GPS watch to use to measure ruck mileage
COMMON QUESTIONS
How Long will the sessions take?
Monday’s threshold or assessment ruck sessions should take 60 minutes. Other ruck sessions will push past 60 minutes, and depending on your ruck speed, may take up to 3 hours. Saturday’s long rucks may take several hours.
Should I ruck run during this plan? I heard ruck running was hard on your knees/body?
This is totally up to you and how competitive you want to be at the event. The goal of this training plan is to train you to complete the event as fast as possible. You’ll take a 3-mile ruck assessment for time several times during this training plan, and follow-on 1-mile repeats at a threshold pace. At MTI we ruck run for assessments/intervals, and often also ruck run for longer rucks. We’ve not seen research to prove/not prove that ruck running is harder on knees/body than walking. The offical event can we walked or ran.
Can I see a sample of the programming?
Yes – click the “sample training tab” to see the entire first week of programming from the plan.
More questions? Email coach@mtntactical.com
- Stopwatch with repeating countdown interval timer (smartphone will work)
- 24# Ruck
- Foam Roller
- Optional: GPS watch to use to measure ruck mileage
MONDAY SESSION 1
OBJ: Threshold Ruck Assessment
Warm Up
3 Rounds
-
5x In-Place Lunges
-
5x Hand Release Push Ups
-
Run 100m
-
Instep Stretch
Training
Ruck 3 Miles
-
Ruck 3 Miles for Time, 24# Ruck – Flat course
RECORD FINISH TIME
2 Rounds:
-
Hip Flexor Stretch
-
Instep Stretch
-
Pigeon Stretch
TUESDAY SESSION 2
OBJ: Total Rest
(No Warm Up or Training)
WEDNESDAY SESSION 3
OBJ: Easy Ruck
Training
Easy Ruck
-
Ruck 3 Miles @ 24#, Easy Pace – Hilly course if possible
"Easy" = you can speak in full sentences while moving.
2 Rounds:
-
Hip Flexor Stretch
-
Lat + Pec Stretch
-
Foam Roll Legs, Low Back
THURSDAY SESSION 4
OBJ: Recovery Run, Low Back Fitness
Training
Recovery Run
-
Run 25 minutes, Easy Pace – increase load each round until 4x is hard, but doable
"Easy" = you can speak in full sentences while moving.
3 Rounds:
-
20/20 Standing Founder
-
20/20 Low Back Lunge
-
20/20 Kneeling Founder
-
10x Face Down Back Extension
2 Rounds:
-
Foam Roll Legs, Low Back
FRIDAY SESSION 5
OBJ: Moderate Ruck
Training
Moderate Ruck
-
Ruck 3 Miles @ 24#, Moderate Pace – Hilly course if possible
"Moderate" = comfortable but not easy
2 Rounds:
-
Toe Touch Complex
-
Foam Roll Legs, Low Back
SATURDAY SESSION 6
OBJ: Long Ruck
Training
Moderate Ruck
-
Ruck 4 Miles @ 24#, Moderate Pace – Hilly course if possible
"Moderate" = comfortable but not easy
3 Rounds:
-
Foam Roll Legs, Low Back
COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete's Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.
Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.
You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes' mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.
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What Equipment is Required?
Click the "Required Equipment" tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.
What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com