Hey everyone,

Whether you just wrapped up Bragg or you’re staring down the barrel of a new training program, there’s one crucial step you absolutely must take before diving into the grind.

And—I’ll be honest—you’re probably not going to want to.

I get it. I’m guilty of this too. We all chase that initial dopamine rush that comes with a fresh start. The new WODs, the shiny new program, that feeling of momentum—it’s addictive! We just want to jump right in.

Been there, done that. But listen to your trainer, listen to those of us who’ve been through the wringer a few times:

Take stock before acquiring that front sight focus.

Look, you don’t have to. But the benefits you’re going to receive are absolutely worth the time investment.

Read that again. “Going to receive,” not “could receive.” One of the biggest reasons to collect some data upfront is that in just a few weeks, you’ll have a much clearer picture of how far you’ve actually come – even when it doesn’t always feellike it.

I remember, just weeks before Bragg, referencing a conversation with a fellow GRT where I once thought a sub-18 minute ruck mile was simply out of reach.

Fast forward, and now that GRT and I are crushing sub-15 minute miles. Looking back at my journal entries from that time and seeing how far I’d come was incredibly rewarding.

More than just motivation.

Yes, tracking that upward trend in your progress is a huge motivator. But taking stock at the beginning serves other critical functions:

• It helps prevent burnout.
• It optimizes your training, especially weight training.
• It helps you identify your weaknesses.

Okay, so what should I measure?

To get the most out of your training, you need to log not only objectively, but subjectively as well. Taking stock is no different. So, for those who just completed the Bragg HTB, ask yourself:

• What went well? And how can I replicate it?
• What went wrong? And what changes can I make?
• What surprised me? And how do I prepare for similar unknowns moving forward?
• What did I learn about my own limits? And how can I push them safely?

Now, for the hard part: What to measure objectively? Ask ten different trainers this question, and you’ll get ten different answers. So, here’s my take:

First, if you’re prepping for any rucking event, you need to know your one-mile event weight time. (Down the road, you might also want to track a 12 or 5-mile time when prepping for longer events, but start with the one-mile.)

Beyond that, pick three exercises you enjoy and three exercises you wish your trainer would forget about (sandbag lunges and burpees, I’m looking at you!). Or, think about what we measured at the beginning of Bragg. If you can’t quite recall everything, it’s all on the second page of the SFAS Handbook.

If you’re incorporating barbell training, figure out or estimate your 3RM or 1RM for your key lifts. Safety first, always!

Now go learn from the grind.

I know these initial assessments aren’t the most thrilling part of training. And trust me, I’m not suggesting you turn your life into a giant Excel spreadsheet. Just jot down some notes now, and I promise your hard work will pay off even more when you have a clear snapshot of where you started.