Welcome to combat in the 21st century. This is a time when typical garrison activities are carried forward to the war zone. In my short time as a forward soldier I have been exposed to some activities which are typically assumed to be limited to garrison. I sometimes wonder if the chain has forgotten that we're at war and in a combat zone. I have been instructed on some camps to salute, wear a reflector belt after dark (isn't it an objective to stay concealed at night?), stand in formation, be subject to in-ranks inspection, attend a board, and even put vehicles "on line". I do understand the purpose of C2 [Command & Control] and some of these things are safety related or traditional or developmental activities, but the one that I find most frustrating is the PT test, albeit a diagnostic.
I can respect the fact that PT is a required activity and is pushed heavily by the chain. I acknowledge that the chain has to push because otherwise soldiers are going to be lazy and attempt to sham out of it, unless they are really into lifting and/or body building. I am not a fan of either, yet I respect the fact that I need to maintain my physical fitness or my ass will get fat again [and not really my ass, but aside the point]. Also, if I fail to maintain my training, I will slide backward in my pursuit of maintaining a level of training which commiserates with the requirements of the APFT [Army Physical Fitness Test]. I have test failures which haunt my army career and I wish to quash any further shortcomings.
So, for a while since arriving at my camp of assignment, I was using Insanity as my training of choice. I successfully completed Phase I before scheduling conflicts and technical issues prevented further progression to Phase II. Anyway, for those not familiar with Insanity, it is another video workout routine as distributed by Beach Body [the distributers of P90X and others]. This routine is 100% cardio and personal resistance; there is not a single weight or apparatus required to complete any workout. As with P90X, there is a periodic test to evaluate one's progress in the system. From the first week to the 5th week, there was a massive change and that would have continued thru the 9th week except that we hit an insurmountable wall. Anyway, from the time that we stopped using the routine to the PT test was between 2 & 3 weeks. When I stopped doing Insanity, I stopped doing PT entirely except once the PT test was announced.
What? PT test? Who takes a PT test in the combat zone? Anyway, the unit in which we are UPCON [not exactly attached, but we report up thru their chain regarding operations but not for administration] to required that we participate. I thought that this would be an interesting test to see exactly how much Insanity lent to the testing requirements. From November 20th thru Nov 30, I may have run 4 times. This is significant as I would soon learn. November 20th was a camp wide 5k run for charity to celebrate Thanksgiving. I had high hopes for my time for this run. My hopes were dashed early. We were running a 3 lap course and my lap times were as follows:
- 9:45
- 20:30
- 33:02
Thirty-three oh two? WTF? What happened to when I could run 4 miles in 35 minutes? Well, apparently that was long gone. Anyway, I would soon learn during my next training run that we had run further than 5k for that run. 2 laps around the course was 2.25 miles according to my carefully calibrated Nike+iPod system. This gave me hope since that time was not up to my standards. Then again, neither was our running surface.
The route we used to conduct our 5k "fun run" was the main road in the camp. However, this road is only marginally better than running in sand; it is compacted gravel. By compacted gravel, I mean that it was a gravel road created by the engineers and frequently driven enough that there are some ruts which are more solid than others. It is not uncommon to walk or run on the road and roll an ankle because you've stepped on a rock or something uneven. So, as you can likely see, we're not talking about a finished asphalt or concrete road. This surface leaves much to be desired for the purposes of training for the 2-mile run let alone test on it. For the 5k, the course was circular with one leg in a less driven section which was especially shifty underfoot. For the PT test, this section was avoided and the course was configured to be a U under the there-and-back premise.
So, now that you know what I've been doing for my physical training and what kind of conditions we have to work with, let's talk about the PT test which was conducted on 30 November. The test was initiated at 0700 and it was a blustery morning. We were all in our winter PT uniforms to stay warm. However, during our turns for the push-ups and sit-ups during the test, we'd remove our jackets. Therefore, I would say that the low temperature certainly wasn't extreme, instead I'd say inconvenient. By the time that we started the run, the temperature had raised enough to make my short sleeve shirt barely inadequate while we were standing around waiting for the start command. I wanted to wear my long sleeve shirt but I couldn't find it. Anyway, while I was running, I had realized that I may have wanted to remove my long pants as well, but it was too late for that then.
I woke up this morning in plenty of time to nonchalantly prepare myself and move to the testing location. My mental status would have qualified as determined and optimistic. I would characterize my physical status as marginally prepared. I was concerned about the push-up event because of not explicitly testing myself previous to the test. Likewise, I was concerned about the run because of my poor results in the 5k and subsequent runs. Although, I felt that if I were able to put down a good number of push-ups that I would be able to muscle thru the run on sheer determination.
Typically when I take a PT test, my goal is to put down 25-30 push-ups before I feel the NEED to rest. Well, I started out strong, as I typically do, and kept pushing. I quickly got to 20, then 25, and I wasn't feeling the fatigue that I was expecting at that point. However, I did slow my pace a bit. With a slowed pace, I pushed until I had to rest. That put me at 35 repetitions. For my age group, I'm required to complete 39 reps to score the event minimum of 60 points. Well, 35 reps done and just now thinking to rest was an awesome sign. Well, I didn't use a rest position here; instead, I stayed in the front leaning rest and caught my breath. Once caught, I progressed forward to complete the next 4. With my 39th rep completed, I arched my back and took another breather. Since I had plenty of time and still felt good, I pushed out 3 more reps to get to 42 and called it quits. I could have done more but I was happy with what I had completed.
With approximately 10 minutes until my turn would come around again, my mental attitude was bolstered by this profound showing. At this point, I was pretty certain that I would manage a go today. The next event would be the sit-ups. Once my turn would arrive again, I was ready to go. My minimum requirement for this event is 45 reps. I knocked out 51 reps before I needed to stop and rest. Granted my pace changed from the start point to there, but I had already crushed the minimum. The soldier holding my feet encouraged me to push out 5 more and I took this under advisement and didn't see the harm since I wasn't feeling any strain. With the count now up to 56 he requested 5 more. I took a brief rest, set my mind to it and knocked them out. I finished the event with a few seconds remaining and 61 reps completed. What was more impressive to me was that I was able to stand by my own will. Historically, when I would be completed with this event, I would have to roll out of the position and strongly encourage my body to stand. Today, this was not even an issue or a thought. I'm impressed. Don't get me wrong, there was some tension that indicated that the reps were done, but nothing I felt I need to worry about going into the run.
By the time we relocated from the PU/SU area to the 2 mile start/finish line, the tension was gone and I was ready to start. We were given several more minutes to prepare/cool before starting the run. I had convinced myself that game day would bring me the extra time that I was lacking during previous trials. When they started the prep calls for the run, I was mentally & physically ready for this event to start. I would have to run this 2 mile route under 17 flat to pass the event and, subsequently, the test. The timing was good. At the command of "GO!" I was off. I felt good. Unfortunately, I was suddenly concerned. From the start line to approximately the 400m mark, no one had passed me. I would estimate that I reached a good 550-600m or so before I was passed for the first time. I tried to keep my pace but it was tapering off despite my desire to the contrary. Once I was passed, it was like the flood gates had been opened, the stream of passers kept going for a bit. Once the bulk of people passed me that was the last time I would be passed. I got to the turn and the news wasn't exactly great but it was discouraging either. I completed the first mile in 8:25. This would give me exactly 8:35 to complete the second mile. That would be a daunting achievement but I didn't think it was impossible. I know with how my training runs go that my speed is continually decreasing thru the entire run session. The first mile is always the quickest. Would I be able to will myself into achieving this goal?
On the trip toward the start/finish line, I would encounter another runner that was a spurt runner. It appeared that they were doing their best to stay in front of me. Each time I would get close to them, they would kick it up and run away from me. Then, once they reach a certain point, would drop to a brisk walk again until I would catch up. This lasted the entire back stretch until their pace dropped below the average of my pace and I overtook them at the first turn. This first overtaking didn't last long, for they pushed to pass me once again. By the time that I reached the second and last turn, I had managed to complete the pass and keep them behind me. Knowing that I was around 800m from the start/finish line, I started to extend my stride again and begin my kick. I have been training enough at known distances as of late (last year or so) that I've learned how to progressively build up my kick over a longer distance. From the 800m point to the 300m mark I was smoothly transitioning from my distance speed to my finish speed. At the 300m mark was when I attempted to get from jog/run to run/sprint. As I approach the finish line (< 50m), I can hear the time keeper reading off times. I can hear the numbers are in the single digits, but I didn't catch the whole minute. So, I push out the last bit with everything that I have left. The only number I hear clearly when I cross the line is 13. What 13 is it? Could I have really run the 2nd mile so that it was 16:13? Doubtful. I'm thinking, come on timekeeper, what minute? Well, there wasn't anyone on my heals, so I had to ask. Gah! It was 17:13.
So, again, I have managed to fail yet another PT test. Was this failure really my fault? Was the course the correct distance? Was the course fair? Regardless, it didn't matter. It was only a diagnostic test. Pass or fail, it didn't count. Well, was it my fault? I guess I could have run independently more such that I would have known that I would have passed. No training can adequately replace the act of running; not Insanity, not P90X. According to my Nike+iPod says the distance was correct. Therefore, the only variable left was the condition of the course. It wasn't unduly hilly. The only thing that I can say is that it isn't a solid surface like asphalt or concrete. Overall, we've seen people's run times reduced by as little as a minute to as many as 3. I honestly feel that if I were to retake the test right now on a concrete or asphalt route that I'd pass. Well, not this moment because I managed to pull a muscle during the test which would severely hinder my ability to do push-ups. Am I disappointed in failing, yes. Am I discouraged due to this failure, no. I think I'm in as good of physical condition at this time as I could have asked to be if I were at home; likely better.
So, in summary, I'll get it beat next time regardless of location. And, if I'm lucky enough to get to take my next test after April 6, I will certainly pass. As I get to move up to the next age brackets with my next birthday. How exciting!
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