My first update! Though this isn't really much of an update and I feel very far behind after reading through this thread. Even still, that just feeds the motivation. I feel as though I've stepped onto the road to my goals instead of simply wanting them.
1. Dec 8th, 2014
Went to Recruiter. Have since edited my enlistment application for AF, goal being PJ. Sent off the final revision on Thursday.
2.Dec 15th, 2014
My recruiter took us PJ hopefuls to a practice PAST. I Mentally prepared for the session forcing myself to remove the term 'practice' from my mind. My goal was to see where I am at physically, right now, so chose not to perform any PT outside my norm during this past week. There was no one berating, pushing or trying to psyche me out. Still, I went into the session trying to pretend it was INDOC(with my limited view from many videos and articles/personal stories). The practice test involved a great deal of coaching that, to me, was a wonderful surprise. The Trainer was extremely helpful, positive and very patient. We ended up not doing the PAST to the letter and instead our Trainer chose to teach us proper technique and push us hard after modifying the curriculum to still be difficult. Even with a downgraded version of the PAST, my ass was handed to me!
Numbers:
25m x2 Underwater - Rocked both laps, easy. Didn't know there was a rest afforded in between lol
500m Freestyle - Trainer afforded 30 sec rests after each lap. Started at 1:35, was taught proper technique and got it down to 1:10(I was splashing like a toddler at the public swim class). My technique would waver on the return in all areas, but by the final lap our Trainer said "you were 100x times better than when you started".
1.5m Run - Trainer reduced to 1 mile. Was running 1:40-1:55 laps with end time of 7:16. Though a bad time for the real deal, this was a major surprise for me since my cardio is severely out of shape. Apparently not as bad as I thought. Side cramps...motherfu... That anger is just fuel!
Chin Ups - Dissatisfying 8. After that we did 5 rounds of knee highs(I forget the specific name). Each round consisted of knees to chest, down, knees to side, down, knees to other side.
Flutter Kicks/Pushups - We did not do flutters. Our Recruiter and Trainer skipped
flutter kicks saying we didn't need to do them(they did
not say they are not required). I found this last week after looking for more than an hour.
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/airforcejoin/a/parapast_2.htm If someone has verified, up-to-date info, please share.
In lieu of flutter kicks
and standard pushups we instead did pushup running man's? I forgot the name. Start in pushup position, bring knees to chest 10 times total then do 5 pushups. We did 5 reps.
Sit Ups - We did not do situps. Oh well. Instead, earlier, we did 4x 100m sprints with 10 pushups after each.
We also did 5 reps of sidewalk pushups into a burpee. The way our Trainer explained it made me think we had to do 10 reps, not 5 lol Worth it!
There are many things I learned about myself from this test and the mentality I worked to maintain. However, one lesson soars above the rest...
Be humble, but do not allow humility to transform into self-doubt
I went into the exam - anticipating to run the real PAST - knowing I wasn't going to pass and expecting to bomb every area. Hard. Finding the balance in there is tough for me to do since I don't like to put myself on a pedestal and have hammered that mentality into my head my whole life. Physical fitness is easy when compared to working on mental strength. A reminder I never get tired of. Though it was a simple practice, I was able to see a mental weakness and identify it in a way that helps me see the solution.
I feel proud, humbled and progressive.
