Posted: 2/3/2003 5:22:19 PM EDT
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Now that I have my arsenal up to speed, I think I need to get my fitness up to snuff. Right now I run 3 miles per day.I was just curious how many miles does the U.S.Military run on a average day during P.T., and what kind of pace is generaly kept. Thanks for any input. BASE-RIGGER |
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I was a Marine Air Winger. It depended on the unit (read CO) and the ops tempo, but in general 3 times a week, 3-5 miles @ 8 min per mile in formation. When I was with MALS-26, my OIC was a PT fanatic and the SNCO's ran with the Captain (the run for lunch bunch, 6, 9, or 12 miles) 3 days a week, and with our Marines the other 2 days. The Sgt's (E-5) PT'd the junior Marines unsupervised one day a week while we were with the OIC. Capt. Pennock {Avionics OIC, MALS-26) was a Mustang and a former Drill Instructor. You never knew what he would come up with. A few times, he split us up into 4 man team and had us foot race to the Marina, about 3.5 miles, where he had canoes standing by. We would then paddle the canoes from the air station across the New River over to the Officer Housing Area at Camp Lejeune and back (about 6 miles round trip), then foot race the 3.5 miles back to the shop. We did not have a single SNCO who could max a PFT (300 points) but none of us would score less then a 280 and the slow ones ran 3 miles in 22 minutes. The only thing I run for now is a beer in the fridge! |
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I hate running. Running is for when you are out of bullets. But, you do it anyway, cuz ya know what? Sometimes, ya runz outa ammo. Seriously though, for me right now, it's 3-5 miles, 3x/week, + PT (weights, bag, swimming...) Not so hardcore these days but... [creaking bones]Getting old.[/creaking bones] |
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I am currently in the most poque REMF unit I have ever been in - so let me give you a taste of life here: 3-5 miles max, at a 9 min/mile pace - sometimes slower. I tried ability group runs, but found myself unable to manage the "slow group" slugs. They would always get my 1SG in trouble, no matter who we stuck with them. I have maybe 20-30 troops that can and want to run faster, but another 100+ (that actually show up to PT and don't ride profiles) that stretch out behind company runs in and embarassing fashion. I am in the worst shape I have been in years. Still, I am in a Division - and a forward deployed one at that. It gets MUCH WORSE in the rear - and that culture is where most of my slugs were trained. My soldiers coming from better disciplined units, like the 82nd Airborne, are rarely a problem (once they get over not being at Bragg). Adam |
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I'm in the same boat, sort of. I have quite the arsenal, but my health is lacking. I'm 32, 5'6" tall and 140 lbs. I have degenerative disk disease and get no exersize. My wife bought a treadmill for her diet so I have started doing 1 mile at a time, 3 days a week. I can only do it at about 3.5 miles/hr tops. I am trying to get in better health for my heart mostly. My brother is 36 and has a pacemaker, and my father has had 4 bypasses. Heart disease runs in the family. Balming |
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Base line fitness for me was 12 miles a week. Go up to 20 if getting ready for something else. Sometimes that was 2 six milers. Sometimes 4 three milers. Just whatever was required. If you want really good fitness, hump. Takes a lot longer, but a 12 miler with 50 pounds in about 3-3.5 hours will measure your fitness. |
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I think the most important thing to remember when increasing your running is SLOWLY increase the distance,ie 1 mile per day per week, preferably two weeks at each distance. Don't try to start running 50+ miles a week over the course of a month, you will break down, guarenteed. Shin splints, hip/joint injuries, foot fractures, ankles, knees etc etc etc. Running is one of the best things one can do for endurence and physical fitness but build up slowly so one can stay healthy. I have heard recomendations to limit it to 36 miles a week when running in boots, more than 6 miles a day change your running shoes out every 2-3 months. I know some may disagree and may be able to find an example that does not fit within my suggestions but in general this is the regimen that several long distance runners use and I have used in the past when training for various marathons. Vary the routine, ie run 5 miles as fast as you can one day, then back off to 7-8 minute miles for 8 miles the next or something along that line. Run with 35-40lb pack, do a 10-12 mile run, but rest adequatly for a day or two afterwards, or run slowly the next day. Push hard then rest, push hard then rest. Its ok to make your legs so sore that you can't walk up a flight of stairs, just don't try to do it 5 days a week for 3-4 weeks, you will break down, been there and done that. Your rest days are vital for reinforcing the bones in your lower extremeties, carrying away all the lactic acid, strengthening muscles etc etc etc. Something else you will notice is a gradual decrease in your heart rate as your heart gets stronger as well. |