Definition of "running hard"?

I run “hard” in spurts, But I found it’s a recipe for burn out and in the long run you probably don’t make much more money. If you’re driving 3500 miles a week 52 weeks out of the year you’re gonna burn out. Lol then the guy driving 2500 miles a week is going to catch up to you and probably pass you up and do so with a smile on his face. Now as a favor to my company or if I want a fat check every now and then, i’ll push dispatch and run as hard as I can and save every second as possible but I only do it random weeks. Once or twice a month usually.
But that’s me. I try and eat healthy, get out and walk 4-5miles per day etc as I want to stay healthy enough to keep driving into old age.

And if you’re willing to pee in a jar while driving in the driver seat to avoid stopping, you probably know how to drive hard. Lol

 

This. I used to think I was was running hard until I started doing it. My formula is commencing the day at between 2300 and 0100, not dicking around anymore than needed to grab the largest coffee they have, slam the door and throw down the miles until the solar folks start hitting the snooze. Just run.

 

Running hard is when you have less than an hour left on the log at the end of the week, no matter the miles, if that makes any sense.

PS: and yes, there are times when there is no time and/or place to stop on the highway rushing for a pickup or delivery, and you just have to "do it" while driving, no shame it that.

 

Running hard in pictures.

 

To me running hard equates to one thing...
Being tired all the time.

 

118 hours in a week…..

 

When you add up every single thing we do that Has to do in some capacity with the trucking job, 118 hours is about right. I got up at 5 AM this morning and started driving. It’s now 9 PM where I’m at. I’m just now laying down. They will be calling me at 3 AM to tell me what dock to back in. and from there it’ll be off to the next load. Sure I stopped for an hour break once today, but at the end of the day everything is about trucking. “On duty” yeah right. Lol we are always on duty unless we are snoring.

 

Running hard doesnt necessarily mean running 600+ miles a day on elogz. For me it was 10+ loads a week in 5 days and 69.5 hours.... In my opinion , 600+ miles everyday is a heck of alot easier then getting in 2 or 3 loads a day and making sure ur picking up and delivering on time, using your time outside the truck in the most efficient way possible to be able to maximize loads for the week, and have a dispatch team that can efficiently plan that many loads out on you everyday.. When doing regional or local work you come to realize how important that extra 10 or 15 minutes is you spent jacking around or talking to someone... By friday afternoon i was always a heck of alot more wore out than i ever got running otr

 

Pulling reefer will get you into that running hard attitude. You could drive for k&b and they'll work you like a dog.

 

Refer to my “adult diaper” post.