Progress Toward the Goal: A 608-Mile Challenge for St. Jude

If you missed the original post about my commitment to ruck 608 miles by my 40th birthday (October 16, 2025) to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, you can catch up here. That post lays out where this challenge came from, and why it matters.

Where Things Stand

So far, I’ve rucked 29 of the first 43 days since starting this effort. A stubborn summer cold knocked me out for a full week, seven straight days off the road. That setback cost me a bit of momentum, and as a result, I’m slightly behind my pacing.

After the cold, I created a revised plan and hoped to hit 111 miles by July 13. I’m currently at 101 miles. Not far off, and certainly still within striking distance. From here on out, though, I’ll need to average around 37 miles per week. That’s a lot, but it’s doable. I’ll need to be smart, patient, and disciplined.

Physical Check-In

Overall, rucking has been rewarding. There’s something grounding about the rhythm of walking under weight; it’s meditative, even when it’s difficult. That said, I’ve started to feel some discomfort in my heels and Achilles, which has slowed me down a bit.

I have a long history of pushing too hard and ending up injured, so I’m trying to be cautious. I’ve implemented a regular stretching routine and am starting physical therapy focused on the heel and ankle areas to keep me moving forward safely. Most of my rucks so far have been done with a 30-lb plate, but over the past week I’ve scaled back to 20–25 lbs to reduce strain, and it seems to be helping.

Support That’s Keeping Me Going

To everyone who’s checked in, offered encouragement, donated, or joined me for a ruck: thank you! Your support has made more of a difference than you know. On days when it’s felt hard to get going, your support has often been the nudge I needed.

One of the best parts of this journey so far has been seeing how my family has gotten involved. Whether they’re rucking beside me, helping me with social media, or cheering from home, I carry their support with me.

A Surveillance MRI & Memories Resurfacing

I had a surveillance MRI last week. While I don’t know the results yet, I feel good. Still, these routine check-ins bring their own weight for me and for those closest to me. There’s always some tension and unease that comes with scans.

As I’ve been rucking through that mental space, I’ve found myself reflecting on 2019. On my diagnosis, surgery, and recovery. It’s stirred up memories, including one moment that’s stuck with me ever since: being in close proximity to a young pediatric cancer patient during my stay at MD Anderson. I wrote about that moment in a 2020 post. I can no longer picture his face, but I remember the feeling I carried out of that room. That feeling has not left me, and it’s part of what’s driving this entire effort.

More miles ahead. More chances to honor this path, to raise awareness, and to give something back. Thank you for walking it with me.

Nick