Advice Please

[KStoney]

Hi Everyone,
I've been an avid reader of these forums over the past few months since I applied for Royal Marines Officer, I've been to my RMAD today and I have some concerns now, I don't know what to do and would like some advice!

Basically my POC is at the start of April, so two months away, and at RMAD I got the following:

Situps: 72
Pressups: 40
Pullups: 6 (they stopped us at 6)
Bleep: 10.2
1.5mile: 12:20

So as you can see, where I fall short by miles is my running ability.
Now, I train hard and I believe I will be able to get that time down but I'm now sat here asking myself, do I want to turn up in April, and just be able to run the minimum?

I'm toying with taking a year out and training for next years officer wave of applications?

My question to you lot is, with heavy training (running/swimming/cycling) what can I reasonably expect to achieve as a mile and a half time in two months time.

i'm 5"11, 160lbs.

Any advice or tips or general slating to put me in my place is more than welcome!

Many Thanks,
Karl.

[Spence]

What is your current programme?

What is your training history?

Any injuries (previous or current?)

With a tad more info we might beable to help.

But as a quick answer to your question of what you could reasonably acheive: everyone is different. There is no set amount I'm afraid.

[eagleeye]

What I say mate is train more focused around running.
Plain and simple.

Do sprints,3 milers in a time limit and 10/12 mile jogs
Then do the odd 1.5 to test yourself.
2 months hardwork and a passion to achieve is what will get you in.

[Spence]

Just another quick point. I'm sure anyone else who has completed a POC will tell you, the RMFA is the easy part. It's what comes after that you really want to be training for.

[KStoney]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies, in answer to your question:

What is your current programme?
- I current train Mon/Tue/Thurs/Fri/Sun, this consists of either a 2.0 mile fast paced or 3mile slightly slower pace. following the run i circuit my situps, pressups and pullups, then finish off with either a 30min bike ride, or a 30min swim.

What is your training history?
- I was fairly fit until i went to uni, and then didn't do bugger all excersise for two years - just ate pizza pretty much, before uni i did 3 years of thai boxing etc, so its more of a goal to get back to where i was, not to achieve somthing completly new.

Any injuries (previous or current?)
- No injurys whatsoever.

Spence - i believe the RMFA would be the easiest part, but i'm very determined to complete this course i only see my running as an obstical.

Thanks again for any advice.
Karl.

[KStoney]

Thinking about it, all I can do is push myself as hard as I can for the next two months and see where I stand then. If I'm ready, go.

Reading this forum is very motivating!

[KStoney]

Yes I agree, and I don't plan to attend this year unless I feel I'll be able to put forward a worthy effort, but that does not mean I'm going to give up now either!

Worst case scenario I knock it back until next year, which gives me absolutely ages to get in top shape.

[803troop]

It is very possible to do on three times a week over 8 weeks.

PM me for a program.

Baz

[druadan]

As Baz says, you've got plenty of time. If anything you're slightly light than ideal for your height for military training (I'm 5'8" and 11.5st, and I'm a skinny bassa), so you've got no worries there, you just have to learn to run. 2 months is a long time; I'm sure others will give you more specific advice, but scrap the short runs, do 3-4 milers regularly, and toss in some longer stuff (7-8 miles) once a week. Fartlek etc can also help if you start to plateau. Outside obviously, not in the gym, and make sure you've got some decent hills in there for leg strength. I used to find that doing the first mile of a 3 miler up a big f-off hill made the whole run that much more of a workout.

And give yourself a week's rest before POC, recovery is the key to strength, from personal experiene.