(no subject)

[aadler]

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I did go to visit the Russian lady, and told her of my upcoming departure for the year-and-a-half at the Defense Language Institute. That was pretty much all that was said. I’ll see her again next week, which may be (probably will be) the last time before I leave.

Assuming I go at all. I let myself get pretty badly out of shape when I was in Iraq; remembering that, I put more effort into maintaining general fitness during the Afghanistan deployment, and started training back up as soon as we returned to the States. I thought that should be sufficient — it always has been — but I’m having problems.

My run time just isn’t improving. I’ve been at this for weeks now, and I simply don’t seem to be getting any faster. I can tell my overall fitness is better, but the Army doesn’t care about that if you can’t pass the APFT. I’m nearly 80% on push-ups, approaching 100% on sit-ups (60% is passing), but I can’t run two miles quickly enough to meet the minimum standard.

This bothers me. I’ve been dreaming about DLI since I first heard of it, four years ago. I’ve finally acquired a slot there, by dint of working hard, showing I deserve it, and making sure that those in charge of making the decision are aware just how much I want it. Now there’s a very real chance that I won’t be able to go at all.

I still have almost a month. I’ve managed before. But this is beginning to alarm me.

PS: sroni just posted a very quick story here. Yes, she’s my daughter. I’m reasonably pleased with her effort anyhow.

Comments

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Do you think a treadmill would help? I know it helps me maintain a constant pace, it might help you maintain a faster one. I'd hate for you to lose out on something you've wanted for so very long.

I'll need to read the story a little later.

[aadler]

I’ve done training on a treadmill — and, because you can program in a set pace — generally do better than on a free run. The test isn’t done on a treadmill, though, and I have to accustom myself to doing it the way I’ll be tested.

I’m actually feeling a little more encouraged now than I did yesterday, for three reasons.

First, I was especially concerned because I always do more poorly on the test itself than I do in training, so I felt I needed to have at least a minute of margin; finding myself unable to make even the minimum during training alarmed me when I thought I had to do much better than that just to pass. However, I’ve come to realize that the training/test discrepancy came from the fact that the APFT is done all at the same time: push-ups, followed by a rest period of at least ten minutes; sit-ups, followed by another minimum ten minutes’ rest; then the two-mile run. When I do that, I have less wind than when I just go out and run … but I’ve been training according to the APFT schedule, so I don’t need the margin I thought I did.

Second, I looked over my personal training record and discovered it hasn’t been near as consistent as I thought. I’d run for a week or ten days, then take off for a week or so (for one reason or another, but still time off), then get back to it eventually. A month of unrelenting training will produce more improvement, more quickly, than the way I’ve been doing it.

Third, I went out today and did the run within ten seconds of qualifying time, on an uneven track with several slight-but-significant uphill stretches, at 1,400 feel altitude. The place I’ll actually test is 200 to 500 feet closer to sea level (not a big difference, but still enough to help), and the track will be level and smooth. And I’m not taking anything for granted now, I’m pushing as hard as I can in every run. It’s the extra push that will force my body to improve.

I’m not out of the woods yet, but I’m feeling better about things. Thanks for your concern.

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

Very cool. Sounds like you have the situation well in hand. :)