I'll start with background about myself, I am 23 years old, graduated from UNCA in May 2016 with a bachelors in Mathematics and currently reside in WNC. Back in my final semester in college I was planning and training on going to Pararescue upon graduation. I also wrestled all throughout middle/high school and coached while I was in college. I was weighing 220lbs and made it through 12 weeks of this plan
Pararescue-Fitness-Preparation-Program.pdf. I lost about 15lbs and then got distracted by my engineering friends and their jobs after college, and my retired military friends telling me if I didn't go officer I was a fool. I then let my training go and started applying to jobs, with little likelihood of a sound career I started graduate school June 2016 in Big Data and I graduate at the end of June 2017. I got a $50k job with the grocery store i've been with since 2010, however I quickly found that the money I was now able to start saving didn't give me anything, and I was also working 60 hours a week minimum, with one week working 87 hours. After three months of that I reevaluated my priorities and stepped down from that position. Also from that job I went from weighing 210 to weighing 175.
Back in March, I began training again this time not following the plan I shown above but just doing PAST components. I haven't done a full PAST workout but from individual workouts I get:
- 500m Swim: 9:30
- 1.5 mile: 10:30
- Pushups: 65
- Situps: 50
- Pullups:7
- underwater: Haven't began training for this yet.
I also now weigh 185 and would like to see myself at 170-175 by the time I take the PAST/ship for BMT. Also I plan on taking the PAST when I reach the level of:
- 500m Swim: 8:30
- 1.5 mile: 9:00
- Pushups: 75-80
- Situps: 70-80
- Pullups: ~15
- underwater: 25m at a solid interval
As far as my mental strength I feel like I am strong as from wrestling the "never quit" mentality was pounded into me, and was a characteristic I embodied well for that level. I was never physically strong ( and I mean like 25th percentile strong), so I relied on my technique, mental fortitude, and endurance, and although I never qualified for the state tournament I still was a threat on the mat. I do recognize that the water confidence from Pararescue is a different ball game but I am confident in my ability to adapt well once I reach my training goals. I also love being apart of a team, the camaraderie I had in wrestling is something I miss, and I know Pararescue has.
Pararescue is a career that I admire and one that I keep thinking about (like that one love that got away), and I know that if I don't go for this I will regret it. I watched every video on youtube about it I can find, and each one gives me chills of excitement. I look at the pipeline of Pararescue and I am not afraid, I truly see it as ~two years of self development and team shenanigans, and I do also recognize the threat and challenge that the training will be.
Currently Pararescue training fights for my 25m target between my final two months of graduate school, working 40hrs a week, and holding wrestling club practice 2 times a week. I am making slow progress just not at the level I would like. I understand the time it takes and am ready to make sure I approach this right. I do not need a workout buddy although that would be nice (WNC area), however just messaging (here or over text) with a mentor can help me with accountability and some questions I may have.
ont do that! That is exactly why most of us get injured. But I can't give you too much crap, I did the same thing when I started to pt myself and winded up pushing too far too fast. Start slow, crawl, walk, run. And even when you do get injured(and you most likely will, its a matter of when and how bad) don't loose hope. Take your time, recover, drive on.
