PT other than required APFT

[XNikkiX]

I ship to Ft. Jackson in Oct. and I would like to know how intense the PT is there. Right now I pass the 1-1-1 APFT. I am in serious pain from all the smokings we had, and I am upset thinking I may not be able to handle it. What is the longest run they make you do? I could do 2 miles max at 1 time, i've heard they make you do 8 and i've read it can be up to 5 miles at a time. I'm confused there. When we did a 1.5-2 mile run, at slow pace, I thought I was going to DIE, but I only walked for a few seconds right at the end, then I started the jog again.
Long story short is AM I GOING TO MAKE IT OR AM I WASTING MY TIME? My boyfriend who was in Ft. Leonard Wood thinks i'd better find a way out of this, I never was the physical type, but AGAIN I did pass my 1-1-1 APFT & I can pass the sit and push ups part of the 2-2-2, just not the 2 mile run yet.
From all of the PT we've done the last 2 days, I couldn't even do 1 sit up today, it burned and my muscles are popped out in my core part, abdomin, slightly. I can feel it when I tighten my stomache. Can use some help here, I think i'm in for a world of major hurting...**** I cried about it tonight, just depressed, I thought I could take it better. Thanks guys.:(

[Mooch]

Not a health expert, and havent been to Jackson, but just a bit of encouragement..

If you have not been very active in the past, and even if you have been, starting a new exercise program can really ****. Usually, the first couple of weeks are the hardest. Muscles are sore, your confidence will be shaken, and you will start to doubt yourself. At this point you really need to keep your confidence up, and remember why you are doing what you are doing. Dont give up on yourself, and keep going. When I started running, I could barely do half a mile...and I thought I was gonna tip over. But I kept at it even though it hurt to walk and my feet ached...and now, 3-4 miles is no problem. Bottom line, your mental state will dictate what your body will be able to do. Dont give up. You can do it.


Mooch

[Jemmons]

I second that, but want to add a couple of things.

First off, take it slow. It sounds like you were talking about the RSP drills, which are going to be a lot like BCT . . . but you still have a few weeks before your next one, so take that time to improve yourself and get ready for it. Don't let that be something that beats you down, let it be a benchmark to see how far you've come. You don't have to, and SHOULDN'T, try to do what you did at RSP every day between now and then.

Every day you work out, push yourself to the max, and then go an extra 10%. As has been said here time and time again, your brain will give up before your body really has to (it'll hurt like the dickens, but just power through). What you'll find is that your max will start creeping up slowly but surely. When I started out running a few weeks ago, I was about to die after a third of a mile; now I'm up to 2 miles after about 2 weeks, just by adding a little bit more each time. It CAN be done, but remember that if you go to your max every time and then stop, you will get all of the pain without any of the benefit. Just go a little farther than you think you can, and you'll see the results.

The other big thing is to REST. Don't try to run every day - run every other day. That way, your body has a chance to rest, rebuild, and get stronger. If you go out there every day you won't see improved times; in fact, you may see your times (or your max distance) drop off. Go every other day and you'll see the results very quickly. Same thing with push-ups and sit-ups - you need to give yourself time to recover. Alternate workouts so that you're doing SOMETHING every day, but not the same thing every day.

It sounds like you got the snot kicked out of you at RSP - you could see it as a harbinger of doom, or you can look at it as a challenge. "I didn't make it in July, but come back in September and see how far I've come!" You know what you're up against now, so use that as motivation. Every time you get to the end of your run, think about how running another quarter mile now will help you at your next RSP drill, and use that to push yourself past your old max. Take a day or two off to recover, then start hitting it nice and steady - I can guarantee that by the time October rolls around, you'll be in good shape to start BCT (and probably have a leg up on a lot of folks who thought they were ready and didn't prepare like you did!).

Keep it up, you'll be fine. Don't let anybody (your boyfriend and your body included) talk you out of what you want to do. :)

[josborn1012]

Thanks for all of the awesome advice. I've been trying to get in better shape to make tape and to improve my running abilities altogether. I don't want to just BARELY squeeze by so Ive been working extra hard. Encouragement of any kind is always helpful since it seems I'm in this alone for now. I haven't had anybody to train with and sometimes I think it would just be nice to have somebody there to kick my butt every once in a while. Giving up is easy but reaching your goals will really be worth it in the end. I'm doing what I can, I've got another meeting on the 4th of September so wish me luck! As for everybody else in the same/similar position, don't let others get you down and don't let YOURSELF get you down either. It's all a mind game, you just gotta power through it. Your body is a lot tougher than you give it credit for. Use the discouragement others (and sometimes yourself) give you and turn it into a reason to push harder and achieve more, even if it's just to prove them wrong. It'll all be worth it in the end and you'll be very very proud of yourself.
Good luck everybody.

[andrew.tischner]

You are trying to compare what you did in just 2 days to what will happen to you in 9 weeks of training.

you will be sore the first 2 weeks, that is what basic is supposed to do. and if you boyfriend is doubting you so much just tell him to back off. Dont let anyone tell you you cannot do anything. Cause simply you can. Its all in your head, if you say to urself i can do this you will, if you keep doubting yourself and saying i cant i cant i cant, well guess what? you wont.

[Gojeero]

I couldn't even pass the 1-1-1 test before I shipped, AND I was on profile for a looong time (stress fractures), and I passed the final APFT. Also, the longest run we did was 5 miles in 45 minutes. Not too bad. For some it was a breeze. You will make it, trust me, when it comes down to "pass this test or I get recycled" you will find it in you to push yourself until you feel like yer gonna die.

[Eddie]

You are trying to compare what you did in just 2 days to what will happen to you in 9 weeks of training.

you will be sore the first 2 weeks, that is what basic is supposed to do. and if you boyfriend is doubting you so much just tell him to back off. Dont let anyone tell you you cannot do anything. Cause simply you can. Its all in your head, if you say to urself i can do this you will, if you keep doubting yourself and saying i cant i cant i cant, well guess what? you wont.

Great answer! Finally someone who doesn't sugarcoat it. You got to want this more than anything. Andy is right! Never let anyone tell you you can't do it or your not going to make it. It is no mountain for a hill climber. It is a dog eat dog world (no offense Mike Vick) but it boils down who wants it the most!
There is a piece of meat on the floor two people hungry....No you don't share! Yea thou I walk through the valley "I'm the baddest mo fro in the valley" attitude. You got this! Just keep your eyes on the prize. We are talking about min pushups/situps and 2 mile run. Even if it is longer "**** IT UP" Your going to be apart of the World's Finest Army!!! Remember your a Soldier first and specialist second. Now get your head out your azz and "GET SOME" Hooah!!! :D