I’m gettin’ too old…

16.Oct.2006

This weekend was another Guard weekend, and to make it extra special we had to take our annual APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test). I don’t think I ever went into this during Basic and AIT, but it seemed like every time I turned around we were taking another PT test. When all was said and done we took four tests in Basic and another four in AIT.

The test isn’t difficult, you just feel ragged at the end if it. There are three events: push ups, sit ups and a 2 mile run. You have two minutes to max out the repetitions in the first two events and then of course you just run as fast as you can for 2 miles. Each event has a max score of 100 and it’s weighted by age. On a side note, I’ve always found it odd that my age range, 27 to 31, has the highest repetitions and shortest time to max out the test.

To make a long story epically longer, I slacked off after getting out of training back in July so I wasn’t quite the same physical specimen. I was most worried about the run and how much time I would add since my best of 13:24 back in AIT. Apparently, the worrying worked because I only added 20 seconds and that ain’t too shabby for carrying an additional 15 pounds!

The down side? My calves have filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. They each feel like a rubber band stretched as far as possible with a nail dragging itself lengthwise across the band with each step I take. I look like Frankenstein’s monster every time I get up and try to walk until my calves relent enough for me to at least look like a low grade looney walking down the hall. And wincing through my head with each step, “and you’re going to run a marathon in February?”

I went for a 5 mile run today and stretched the calves back out. They’re a bit tight still, but better I think. It always amazes me how any aches and pains I have at the start of a run go away within the first quarter mile. I guess tomorrow morning’s crawl out of bed will be the presiding judge in this corporeal suit.

Buried in Basic Training, Running, The Guard | 5 Village Idiots have spoken

5 Village Idiots have spoken

  1. I hit the gym yesterday for the 1st time in over 6 months.. It’s rather amazing, if not amusing, to see oneself do the ‘on the heels only balancing act’ down the hallway to the can because all yer joints and muscles are locked up !!
    And, I hold you totally responsible for all this pain!
    I was most happy with my life pre that 1st 5k.. Now I’m popping tabs of 200 mg ibuprofen like candy..
    So, when you coming by for another run along the beach ? :)

    Blurted out by No Look – 17.Oct.2006

  2. cry me a river, princess…

    i see where you got your “whining” gene from, tho… :)

    Blurted out by tk – 17.Oct.2006

  3. Maybe your body is trying to tell you something, No Look. Like, I don’t know, hang up the running shoes? As for you TK, I seem to remember YOU bitchin’ a stormfest in prepping for the Mud Run, you wuss!

    Blurted out by Shoup – 17.Oct.2006

  4. yeah, ok… i give you that. i shouldn’t have picked on you, i guess. as un-luck would have it, there was a fire drill in my building yesterday. now i can barely feel the two noodles that just a day ago were called my lower extremities… uck! :(

    Blurted out by tk – 19.Oct.2006

  5. A fire drill wore you out ?! hahhaa… Oh yeah, there’s some realllllllly tall buildings down in the Long Beach area.. I’m surprised you guys all made it out ok ? Did they provide snacks and water stations along the way ?
    Geezo.. You should have called.. We could have sent a stretcher team to help get you back up to your floor..
    Actually, I have it on good authority that there was a Blackhawk hovering near by.. (On their way to visit the Hollywood sign, or some such taxpayer funded secret mission ?)
    Imagine the look of envy on you coworkers faces as you fast-roped down to the roof ! Uoooo rahhhhh baby !!

    Blurted out by No Look – 20.Oct.2006

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