Here's a bit of an unusual question. I'm giving some serious thought to the Army HPSP and one of my biggest issues is that I hate to run. Now I'm not in horrible shape, and am within the height/weight. I'm confident with a few weeks of training I'll be able to do the required # of sit ups/push ups. It's just the running that concerns me. So this leads to two questions: 1. I'm sure that during OIS one of the things you'll do a lot of is running. How much running, at what kind of pace, and how much running is required down the road. 2. Anyone have any advice to take a non-runner and turn him into a runner? Even if I don't join the military I'd like to one day be to the point that I enjoy running.
you can a: join the Navy and do all your PRT on the treadmill or elliptical or b: join the Air Force and do basically nothing/whatever you want for PRT. direct quote from Army OBC: "The Army likes their doctors smart and fast." i.e. lots and lots and lots of running.
Seriously, if a little running is enough that you're hesitating about whether or not to take the scholarship, then don't.
PT PT everyday... build your body the Marine Corps Way. Actually after taking a few years off from PT since I was discharged from active duty, I'm getting back into shape. I'm trying to get my mile down to 7 min, so far I'm at 22:10 for 3 miles. Pushus and situps I have to work on. But when I finally go to OBC I'll be back in shape. If you want a good set of pushup workouts google pushup workout and you'll get results.
I joined the Navy before I was a runner (always a swimmer) but then knew I had to get in shape for OCS. I had decent cardio from swimming, but just was a slow runner. It really just takes consistency to turn it around. Commit to it and do it. Also, now that I'm a runner (have done 3 marathons this year), I still find myself occasionally not motivated. There was an article that I read in runner's world several years ago that has stuck with me on those days. The woman said that she just tells herself that she'll go out for 10 minutes (anyone can do 10 minutes, right?) but the truth is once you warm up, you usually feel like doing a few more. Bottom line, just get out there. It will come.
Let me guess what the Navy 3 Mile Club is... is it for people who only run 3 miles a year, 1.5 miles a time at the two PRT sessions? I've known a lot of people who do not like running. Just running 2 miles a few times a week can keep you in shape for the run. Try and do it as fast as you can. Some of my friends would do that and they did well on their tests. As long as you do some sort of other cardio exercise like biking or elliptical to keep in good CV shape.
At OBC you'll take a non-record PT test that stratifies everyone based on their running times. Group 1 are the gazelles. Group 5 plays cards and walks around the track. You will then do PT with these people for the duration. You'll be among people of similar abilities. So don't worry too much about it. You won't even take a real PT test until internship. At that time, passing becomes somewhat important, but on my ADT's I saw a lot of out-of-shape residents. Before you go to residency the Army actually sends you a memo stating that failure to abide by height/weight guidelines and pass PT tests will result in "termination of GME training" and a forced GMO tour. Seems to me the BN Surgeon types are the ones you'd want to be in shape...
Thanks GMObound. For what it's worth I've decided to pick one of these 8 week programs that I googled and teach myself to run regardless of what I choose to do with the HPSP. I think part of my problem is I'll go a year or two without doing any serious running and then decide to go try and run two miles without breaking to walk. EPIC FAIL. I'm going to ease myself into it and see if my results are better.
1. this is also going to vary by branch, your specific class, and who is in charge of you. there was a lot of inconsistancy between what my med school classmates and what I did as far as PT was concerned at our respective OIS/COT what have you, programs. A lot of it was self paced or you were placed in groups based on your speed when I was there. 2. This is just personal, but I hate running. I have run at an "outstanding" pace, but I hate doing this. I love playing sports though, so Ill get most my conditioning in that way. Soccer, basketball, rugby--something where you are always moving and even if you have the option of taking a break, just keep moving. Its more interval training than distance running as far as PRT preparation, but its better than nothing...and sometimes more fun. If you want to just get into running, then, well, go out for a run. see how it feels, if you have a friend who is a real runner, ask him/her for pointers maybe on form or pacing. There are so many different ways to train when it comes to varying your pace, the terrain, timing, etc, but just putting some running sneakers on and using them is always a good way to start.
