[Books]

First off, lest there be any confusion, I am not a Doc, a PA or a foot expert. I have walked far less than many on this board. I'm a new 18D who, knowing that joints tend to be injured in this line of work, spends a bit of time thinking about these things. I haven't seen your foot, how you walk, etc and this in no way constitutes a diagnosis. As with all things, consider the source.

1. Get off the road/sidewalk if you can. Trails/cross country require greater mobility in your feet and ankles and, over time, will strengthen your entire foot. Walking on asphalt both requires less movement in your foot and transmits greater energy back through your body/joints. Plus, you get the illusion of moving fast (no obstacles).

2. Dude, I thought I was poetically inclined. "Darker than Hell. . . Beset on both sides. . . that kills me.

Seriously, sounds like a nerve injury, created by ligaments shifting in your foot from a bad stride. As they shift back, the pain goes away. If it becomes constant, consider tarsal tunnel compression syndrome (carpal tunnel for the feet), wherein repetative motion elicits pain.

Rucking shouldnt be a pain free experience; all the advice is how to mitigate what pain there is. It isnt natural to walk great distances with a lot of weight (oh, don't train with greater than 50-55 pounds). So, when it hurts, you should expect that. If your hands dont swell up, your shoulders and feet hurt, then you might not be doing it right.

Have fun and go talk to a podiatrist if this keeps up.