Rucking is boring - and I love it!

We were never being boring

I used to be the kind of runner who couldn’t hit the trail without some form of on-board entertainment. My phone was my constant companion. Whether it was the latest podcast episode, a perfectly curated playlist, or even the rhythmic ticking of a metronome to improve my cadence, I needed something to keep my mind occupied. Running in silence? No way. That sounded like the ultimate recipe for boredom.

But then I stumbled upon Michael Easter's book The Comfort Crisis, and everything changed. Easter's idea that modern life has perhaps become a little too comfortable struck a chord with me. We’ve engineered out all the discomfort and we don’t “appreciate” boredom anymore. We don’t allow ourselves to sit in that discomfort, embrace it and see where it takes us. Instead, we reach for our phones, our apps, anything to distract us from the dull moments. Easter argues that in doing so, we’re missing out on something fundamental to our well-being and creativity.

That got me thinking: maybe the boredom I’ve been avoiding isn’t something to fear. Maybe it’s something to embrace. Especially when doing cardio like running (often very boring).

So, I ditched the headphones and started rucking. If you’re unfamiliar, rucking is walking with weight—usually a backpack filled with something heavy. It’s simple, unglamorous, and, yes, it can be boring. But so far, this could be the reason why I love it.

The "Boring Mile"

Daniel Ketchell, known for his work with Arnold Schwarzenegger, mentioned the concept of a "boring mile" a while ago. It’s that part of your workout that feels monotonous, where your mind starts to drift, and you just want to get it over with. But Ketchell believes that the boring mile is where the magic happens. It’s where you push through the discomfort, where you stop relying on distractions, and where you really start to connect with yourself. You don’t even have to do 100% boring runs or rucks, you can always split your time between music and nothingness.

When you’re rucking, the whole experience can feel like one long boring mile. There’s no room for distractions. It’s just you, the weight on your back, and the world around you. The steady pace gives your mind a chance to wander, to dig into those thoughts you’ve been avoiding, or to just exist in the moment. The way the wind rustles the leaves, the birds are singing (and the rucking pace even allows you to use birdsong ID apps during the workout), the subtle changes in light as the day progresses.

Embracing the Boredom

This experience reminded me of the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. The idea is simple: spend time in nature, fully present, absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. It’s a practice rooted in the belief that just being in nature already can have benefits for our mental and physical health. And it works. Studies have shown that forest bathing can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve mood. When I ruck, I feel a connection to this idea. It’s a way to immerse myself in the natural world, to let go of the constant need for stimulation and just be.

Running or rucking without the noise—without the music, the podcasts, the metronome—has become a similar experience for me. It’s no longer about pushing myself to achieve a certain pace or distance (well, sometimes it still is, I have to confess). It’s about the journey, the process, and the way it makes me feel. I’m more in tune with my body, more aware of my surroundings, and more connected to the present moment.

Boredom has become a kind of fun meditation, a way to quiet the mind and find clarity in the chaos. It’s a space where ideas can bloom, where creativity can thrive, and where I can simply be. Rucking has taught me to embrace the monotony, to find beauty in the repetition, and to appreciate the simple act of moving forward, one step at a time.

So yes, rucking is boring—but that’s precisely why I love it. It’s a reminder that not every moment needs to be filled with stimulation, that there is value in the quiet, the slow, and the steady (and also in the weight that’s pulling on your shoulders). In a world so defined by FOMO, maybe a little boredom is exactly what we need. Don’t miss out on this.

BK