SITREP THREAD. Post your Progress Here.
- Thread starter Tropicana98
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comrade-z
Unverified
Alright, so here is my first post in this thread - Currently I am talking to just a USMC enlisted recruiter, but feel I really should talk to Air Force and Navy recruiters as well. Just yesterday I took a practice ASVAB/AFQT at the office, and simply put, I nailed it. Main thing I am working on right now is to get all the medical documentation in - technically I have asthma and ADD, however neither have proved to be an issue in the last several years (e.g. no asthma attacks in well over a decade). The recruiter said that those two things won't affect me, but I still need the basic documentation for both, as well as general medical history. Once all the medical goods are in, there's the hard part; choosing an area to enlist in. This is especially difficult as, if I decide to go into the military in technology, the Navy or Air Force might be better choices.
In other news, the "getting in shape" bit is going well! As of last week, I am running 5 miles a day as my warm up. The goal now is to find a place to swim and maybe do some martial arts a few times a week each, as well.
All in all, I am pretty excited! The overall goal of being in the military and actively doing work there seems so far away, but each week it seems like I am getting closer, inch by inch.
In other news, the "getting in shape" bit is going well! As of last week, I am running 5 miles a day as my warm up. The goal now is to find a place to swim and maybe do some martial arts a few times a week each, as well.
All in all, I am pretty excited! The overall goal of being in the military and actively doing work there seems so far away, but each week it seems like I am getting closer, inch by inch.
You're running 5 miles a day as a warm-up for what?
How many days a week are you running 5 miles?
What kind of times?
How many days a week are you running 5 miles?
What kind of times?
comrade-z
Unverified
Warm up for working out/other physical activities, but not more running. I generally try to run 5 days a week. Unfortunately, the times aren't exactly stellar - I'll generally do it in 2-3 sections at 6mph with 3-5 minute walking in between. Still building up the strength in my legs. Goal is to get to the point where i can run for 1-1.5 hours straight, and then up the speed steadily until I can do consecutive 8-minute (or better) miles. Local recruiting office wants 12 min, 30 seconds for 1.5 miles, and I feel it is sort of cheating to just work on my 1.5 mile time only. Plus from what I've heard, it'll be well worth it to be able to do distance running.
Red-Dot
Verified Military
OK, I hated running when I first started. Shin splints, improper shoes, 30# I ended up losing...you name it, I sucked at it. You can find my first ever PST score in here somewhere if you want to. It includes my run time.
Now, let me see if I understand your post.
You're running 5 miles a day and trying to run 5 days a week. During those 5 miles/day you're running at a 10min/mile pace and having to walk for 3-5 minutes 2 or 3 times.
I'll address that first. Why not start out with short distances and build from there? You're not doing yourself any good run-walking 5 miles at a 10 min/mile pace. Look up interval/tabata running or Fartlek. That will increase your conditioning much more than what you're currently doing. Nothing is easy at first, but you'll start to see progress.
Why in the world would you want to run for 60-90 minutes straight?
Consecutive 8 minute miles sounds like a good 50m target.
Crawl before you walk. Once you have your 1.5 mile time where you want it, then you can start to worry about stretching it out from there.
You have the right idea in trying to train beyond just the minimum standard, but it sounds like you're trying to do too much at once. You have to allow your body some recovery time as well. 5 miles a day (regardless of how slow or fast it is) for 5 days a week is a lot of mileage for someone starting out. I'm not sure if I could run for more than 5 minutes right now. Starting off slow sucks because we all want to be the best at everything as soon as we pick it up. For most of us, that's just not possible. Small bites, baby steps. Assuming you get whatever SOF contract you're lusting after, you'll be training for a marathon, not a 100 yd dash.
You can take the running advice or leave it. I hope it helps. It's all based on my experiences and the research I did when I was training to get my junk kicked in every day.
At MARSOC ASPOC, there was a quote by a CSO about improving on run times. I dont remember the exact wordage of it, but he basically stated that the best thing he did for improving his 3 mile run for the PFT was ditching long distance running.
Like Skrewz said, look up interval or Fartlek running. Doing sprints instead of running stupid number of miles is way more beneficial. At the beginning of ASPOC my 3 mile time was 21:20, three weeks later it was 19:41. The longest run we did was a six miler once.
Like Skrewz said, look up interval or Fartlek running. Doing sprints instead of running stupid number of miles is way more beneficial. At the beginning of ASPOC my 3 mile time was 21:20, three weeks later it was 19:41. The longest run we did was a six miler once.
NBC-Guy
Verified Military
Here ya go. Credit goes to Stew Smith
comrade-z
Unverified
First off, thanks NBC, Skrewz and Moto for the heads up on interval training! I had heard of it before, but didn't know much beyond just what it was. I did some reading about the various implementations of interval training that you all mentioned, and I know more about its benefits now, so thanks for that. I'm going to ask one of the trainers at the gym about which he thinks would work best (it seems like there are nearly a dozen different types of interval training), and plan my running/cardio work to focus more on that.
As far as the interval running goes, it's not that difficult. Choose your interval distance or your time and choose your overall distance and/or time.
For example:
8 x 400 @ 90 seconds. 1:1 work ratio
You run 1 lap (400m) in 90 seconds or less then you rest for the same amount of time you just ran
Tabata sprints
Run 20 seconds, walk 10 seconds, repeat for 8 minutes total
Sprint the straights, jog the corners for 2 miles, no time. Or I'd sprint > jog between street lights if I was running on the streets.
If you start burying yourself in the details, you're going to hate it. Get yourself some good running shoes, nice running socks (I LOVE SmartWool), que up a good play list on your iPod and go run for 15 mins. Every now and then just run with no regard to time or distance, just adjust your speed by feel. My best times were always when I left my watch at the starting line and didn't check it until I was finished, vice checking my split times every 1/2 mile.
For example:
8 x 400 @ 90 seconds. 1:1 work ratio
You run 1 lap (400m) in 90 seconds or less then you rest for the same amount of time you just ran
Tabata sprints
Run 20 seconds, walk 10 seconds, repeat for 8 minutes total
Sprint the straights, jog the corners for 2 miles, no time. Or I'd sprint > jog between street lights if I was running on the streets.
If you start burying yourself in the details, you're going to hate it. Get yourself some good running shoes, nice running socks (I LOVE SmartWool), que up a good play list on your iPod and go run for 15 mins. Every now and then just run with no regard to time or distance, just adjust your speed by feel. My best times were always when I left my watch at the starting line and didn't check it until I was finished, vice checking my split times every 1/2 mile.
NoiseOnMars
Unverified
I've bought Nike Running socks in the past and they made my feet sweat after a few miles, possibly because of the material. I can't remember if it was wool or cotton - does this happen with the brand you mentioned SkrewzLoose?
Your feet will sweat regardless of your socks. It's the sock's job to wick the moisture away from your feet.
I've been using SmartWool socks for 3 years in the heat of AZ and here in San Diego and I absolutely love them. They keep your feet cool and do an excellent job of wicking moisture. As a matter of fact, I ordered yet another pair just last week. I'm quickly approaching an unjustifiable number of running socks. :-"
comrade-z
Unverified
I do the whole "run and see where you end up" thing now and then - will definitely make that happen more and more. That description of a basic interval training setup looks like what the trainer at the gym came up with, so yeah, as of today, the interval training has started!
As for the shoes/socks, that seems fine - haven't had any issues with blisters yet, and no soreness that a simple self-given foot massage couldn't fix.
Also, while on the topic of fitness, anyone have any advice on how to increase the number of pull-ups (from dead-hang) I can do? I have been doing them, either underhand or overhand, every 2-3 days depending on how my muscles feel, but even that + working out has still left me only slightly better off than I was when I started a few weeks ago. I have been using both a standard pull-up bar, as well as an assist-machine.
Keep doing pull ups. When you've reached muscle failure for the set you're working on, jump to the up position then control the negative for 4-5 seconds on the way down.
DB rows
Cable rows (varying grips)
Cable pull downs (varying grips)
Check out MWOD for some good tips on hand/arm/shoulder positioning.
DB rows
Cable rows (varying grips)
Cable pull downs (varying grips)
Check out MWOD for some good tips on hand/arm/shoulder positioning.
Been a long time since I've updated anything here, been at Corps school for just over a month and a half now. I've been mulling over volunteering for Recon, but I've been told by a handful of people in SOCP that the pipeline is full and they arent taking anyone for recon. Right now I'm more focused on my GPA, currently I'm #1 in charlie and I think #2 in my whole class. Hopefully they'll have FMF billets when it comes time to pick orders
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- Jun 2, 2008
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NoiseOnMars
Unverified
Hey folks, here is a progress update:
Three months ago I went to talk with a local recruiter about getting an 18X contract. He told me there was not any available at the time so I waited it out. A week ago I decided I needed to get the ball rolling because I will be graduating in May. After talking with the recruiter, he scheduled me for a trip to MEPs. On the day of the trip, I asked if my recruiter could check for any available 18X contracts again and as he looked, miracles of miracles, an 18X contract popped up and he reserved it for me - luck of the draw! Now all I had to do was pass the physical, airborne phys and asvab. I had studied furiously for the ASVAB and I knew I needed a 107 GT and 98 CO. After the test, I thought I absolutely bombed it, but I actually got a 120 GT and 118 CO, passed my physicals with flying colors and then enlisted with an 18X contract! I'll be headed to Ft. Benning in July!
This forum has a wealth of information that I have used to prepare myself for what to expect during the next few years. I only just started using it in January, but the search function is awesome. Nearly every question I have had has been asked before, often to my surprise.
With all that being said, I’m completely aware of the fact that I am very lucky to have this opportunity. I feel an immense responsibility and privilege to be given a chance at something like this and I won't be squandering it away, in fact just the opposite - I will be taking full advantage of it. College has given me a great academic platform to hone my learning skills, and I am extremely anxious to start absorbing all the training and advice that anyone has to offer me.
Side note: I started a workout routine three months ago and I have progressed at a constant, yet unsatisfying pace. Last attempt at the AFPT was 48 pushups, 70 Sit ups, and 1528 2-mile. My current goal is 70 pushups, 80 sit ups and 13:00 2-mile.
Three months ago I went to talk with a local recruiter about getting an 18X contract. He told me there was not any available at the time so I waited it out. A week ago I decided I needed to get the ball rolling because I will be graduating in May. After talking with the recruiter, he scheduled me for a trip to MEPs. On the day of the trip, I asked if my recruiter could check for any available 18X contracts again and as he looked, miracles of miracles, an 18X contract popped up and he reserved it for me - luck of the draw! Now all I had to do was pass the physical, airborne phys and asvab. I had studied furiously for the ASVAB and I knew I needed a 107 GT and 98 CO. After the test, I thought I absolutely bombed it, but I actually got a 120 GT and 118 CO, passed my physicals with flying colors and then enlisted with an 18X contract! I'll be headed to Ft. Benning in July!
This forum has a wealth of information that I have used to prepare myself for what to expect during the next few years. I only just started using it in January, but the search function is awesome. Nearly every question I have had has been asked before, often to my surprise.
With all that being said, I’m completely aware of the fact that I am very lucky to have this opportunity. I feel an immense responsibility and privilege to be given a chance at something like this and I won't be squandering it away, in fact just the opposite - I will be taking full advantage of it. College has given me a great academic platform to hone my learning skills, and I am extremely anxious to start absorbing all the training and advice that anyone has to offer me.
Side note: I started a workout routine three months ago and I have progressed at a constant, yet unsatisfying pace. Last attempt at the AFPT was 48 pushups, 70 Sit ups, and 1528 2-mile. My current goal is 70 pushups, 80 sit ups and 13:00 2-mile.
NathanT0512
Unverified
Looks like a great program that will provide great progress. Would it be too much to combine this program with the MARSOC 10-week program?Here ya go. Credit goes to Stew Smith
That all depends on your physical ability. If youre struggling with the ten week program, then yes adding this speed workout would not be beneficial to you.
