The heat and humidity at OCS

[BackOrdered]

I just finished running my annual BDCP PFT with the command at NAS Jax FL. The state is overwhelmed with smoke right now that makes for a pleasant overcast :icon_wink

Seriously, it's not that bad since you will do PFTs in the mourning and it isn't very hot at all in the mourning. I finished up around 9:30am on a day high of 85 and it felt fine.

 

[Goober]

That thing looks awesome. Unfortunately, I think I'll have to go with scoober and get the casio. Plus, John Candy wore one in Planes, Trains, & Automobiles.

And it was a really nice Casio.

As for the treadmill, if you're dead set on using it and if it has an inclination option, throw a couple of degrees on it to make it more difficult than normal. Standard for the Navy PRT if run on a treadmill is run on it with 1 deg incline to offset the benefit of the motor.

Or, you could just do it the easy way and run outside as mentioned several times.

 

[Thisguy]

For what it's worth, pre-OCS, I couldn't run it any faster than 12:20. At the in-PRT though, I ran it in 11:27. I think it was a mix of fear of failing, chasing people faster than me, and the "last man off the line rule" that helped.

 

[CaptainRon]

"last man off the line rule"

What's that?

 

[JLockheed]

What's that?

In the AF it meant that the timer didn't start until the last person crossed the starting line. - I can't speak from a Naval Standpoint since I'm still jumping through the hoops trying to get in.

When I went the basic our Drill Instructor used to threaten us that if he saw any of us in the back there'd be hell to pay....:icon_smil

 

[BigIron]

For what it's worth, pre-OCS, I couldn't run it any faster than 12:20. At the in-PRT though, I ran it in 11:27. I think it was a mix of fear of failing, chasing people faster than me, and the "last man off the line rule" that helped.

Yes, the fear of failure makes people go all out. It should. Being rolled back the first week for fitness stuff is unsat. Come to OCS prepared to train.

It's been awhile since I went to OCS, but the IN-PRT used to be Tuesday afternoon. It was the same day we met our DI. Folks were tired and stressed out. The DIs running the thing were in our faces. Good times.

Regardless of the heat and humidity, Captain Ron, you need to go as fast as you can. The last man off the line thing is when they start the clock when the last person leaves the starting line. I have seen it done when the fastest guy hangs back, but in recent years I haven't seen the practice done much. I wouldn't count on it.

Enjoy the chaos.

 

[purduenavy]

I think this is the best advice I've ever been given about running...run as fast as you can as far as you can, and when you can't run any further keep going (not on a treadmill), pain is mental.

I started NROTC in the fall of 2003 at a 11:40 run and I just ran a 9:20 with out trying (because I was running the Indy mini the next day). Don't think about how fast you are going, just go as fast as you can and push past any pain you feel. The human body is capable of so much more than you believe.

 

[jamnww]

I think this is the best advice I've ever been given about running...run as fast as you can as far as you can, and when you can't run any further keep going (not on a treadmill), pain is mental.

I started NROTC in the fall of 2003 at a 11:40 run and I just ran a 9:20 with out trying (because I was running the Indy mini the next day). Don't think about how fast you are going, just go as fast as you can and push past any pain you feel. The human body is capable of so much more than you believe.

HUGE caution on this advice, if you actually do this and you just "push past any pain" you could potentially seriously injury yourself. While the body is very capable of great things it is not too tolerant of going from low workout levels to extremely high workout levels and you could end up with any number of physical problems...

 

[BackOrdered]

HUGE caution on this advice, if you actually do this and you just "push past any pain" you could potentially seriously injury yourself. While the body is very capable of great things it is not too tolerant of going from low workout levels to extremely high workout levels and you could end up with any number of physical problems...

I'm pretty sure he meant to push through the fatigue. The fatigue and the feeling that you think you are done vs. what your body really has left in it is what you have to moderate on the run. But I agree, if you are in legitimate pain, you may want to take it easy.

 

[HeyJoe]

I think this is the best advice I've ever been given about running...run as fast as you can as far as you can, and when you can't run any further keep going (not on a treadmill), pain is mental.

I started NROTC in the fall of 2003 at a 11:40 run and I just ran a 9:20 with out trying (because I was running the Indy mini the next day). Don't think about how fast you are going, just go as fast as you can and push past any pain you feel. The human body is capable of so much more than you believe.

Otherwise known as the Forrest Gump method.

 

[jamnww]

I'm pretty sure he meant to push through the fatigue. The fatigue and the feeling that you think you are done vs. what your body really has left in it is what you have to moderate on the run. But I agree, if you are in legitimate pain, you may want to take it easy.

He may have meant fatigue but he said pain...not being a d!ck but they are different things, which is why I brought up the caution...

 

[nugget81]

Fatigue, pain...whatever. You'll learn to push through both at OCS. And FYI, the OCS PFA is not a BDCP or ROTC PFA. If you are barely meeting minimums for your college program PFA, be prepared to fail the in-PFA and spend a few extra weeks at OCS. Give your best all the time....

 

[BACONATOR]

Dude, try running in Palm Springs. I ran 4.4 miles the other day in probably 105 degrees. It was pretty much the surface of the sun out there. I had a water bottle with me (and I never drink on runs) otherwise I would have died. I was crawling through the run. I wasn't even winded, it was just the heat. Do your best to PT before OCS without killing yourself in the home stretch, and when you get there, the fear of god instilled by the DIs will give you all the motivation to give it 110%.

As for treadmills, you lose the benefit of momentum when running on a treadmill, but you also gain the benefit of no wind resistance, so it is probably a bit easier to run on a treadmill. Also, people can usually push themselves a bit more on treadmills by dialing in a speed and working to run at that speed, whereas on the road, u slow when you tire. I use the treadmill to run at speeds I can't sustain for long runs to help increase speed, but nothing beats overall endurance like a nice long run on the road. If you can run 4-5 miles at like an 8-9 minute pace, then you should easily be able to push out a passing PRT run.

 

[Pags]

I agree with jamnww...push through fatigue, not pain. If something is really hurting, stop running. Who cares if you run an 8min run and then injure yourself and can't run for several months? t

hat being said...1.5mi shouldn't be the hardest thing you've ever done. 1.5mi is short. as is 4mi. you want to train for the 1.5mi run? run 3+mi a several (3+) times a week.

 

[Slammer2]

I agree. I pushed some injuries that I got at OCS only because I didnt want to leave and have to do it all again a year later. I was messed up for about 7-8 months before I could really run again. Emphasize the training while fatigued if you want. Its good to get your body used to doing stuff when you're tired and really "dont want to", but pushing through injuries is only making things worse if you dont have to.