(no subject)

– – – – – –

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.