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NB:i've posted this on 'Joining the Army' before I realised there was a dedicated Para section...


I've passed intial selection at RSC Pirbright (april 1st, anyone from that group here?) for Para, having done my mile and a half run in 8:52 (I'm sure somebody's going to tell me it's crap, but I think its not too bad considering I couldnt run a mile and a half in less than 13min 7 weeks before )

Trouble is, I had to cut down a bit on training for various reasons beyond my control and now am recovering from a slight knee injury (which stopped me training for a bit) and basically don't know if I can repeat that time when I head up to Catterick. I've concentrated more on 3 milers (22-23min) and strength training since then.

Will we be doing that mile and a half best effort as soon as we arrive (as I've heard) or after a bit of training (which would be much better) and what if I don't quite shine in that run... will I be backsquadded/chucked out/something worse ?

Cheers


Matt

Wookie could you tell me what training you have done to smash that mile and a half run of yours because i need to get fit.I start basic traing in september .cheers

I was lucky enough to meet an ex military fitness trainer, who was working at my local gym. I dont know about you, but me being a lazy b*stard, I need someone to push me and to keep me company on boring long runs

basically the training was something like this:

Monday:0530 ->boxing circuit (3min on the bag, 3 minutes on treadmill at 11km/h for half an hour) Weights.

Tuesday: Either 1.5 mile best effort followed by max reps pressups, situps, squat thrusts, tricep dips,burpees in one minute (aim for a total of about 200)
or 3 mile run followed by super circuit (consisting of weight runs with weight exercises intserspersed)

Wed: Rest

Thurs: Boxing ciruit like monday

Fri: 3 miler + super circuit

Sat: either rest or circuit training, depending on how you feel

Sun: Rest.

I wish I could've stuck to that after selection..

yeah, the mile and a half plus max press ups and max situps (BPFA) is like the first thing you do.

Have you read "Fighting Fit" by Adrian Weale? That's a brilliant book for anyone training for the forces. It's got the fitness requirments for the PARA's, RM, SAS, . And some navigation and survival tips. I was told if you don't know already learn the alphabet code thing (alpha, leema etc.)

WoOkIe,piece of advice mate.You say that you are a
bit of a lazy b*****d,may I suggest that you change your attitude a bit, as I know that the training staff will weed you out in no time at all, they just love lazy b*****ds and they will make your life hell I can assure you.

You either want to be Airborne or Chairborne what will it be. :grab: :grab: :grab:

cheers for the honest advice twentyone
I think I gave the wrong impression...I'm 'lazy' when I can afford to be i.e. playing the waiting game for as long as I've been (which was pretty dispiriting at times). When it was necessary, I've always done what was required of me or more (most recent eg being RSC).

I can't wait to start, I've wanted all my life to be a soldier and I'm not about to screw it up for a few extra minutes in bed or somesuch.
My competitive streak will do the rest (esp on the runs)..I'm no racing snake but I'm not giving in infront of the lads!

Have you got any last minute pointers for me? Last minute nerves and all that.I'd really appreciate any advice!

The JaCkAl wrote:Have you read "Fighting Fit" by Adrian Weale? That's a brilliant book for anyone training for the forces. It's got the fitness requirments for the PARA's, RM, SAS, . And some navigation and survival tips. I was told if you don't know already learn the alphabet code thing (alpha, leema etc.)

Yup, got that. Shame about the title "The Complete SAS Fitness Program" or something to that effect...makes one look like a bit of a walt, if you know what I mean! I dunno if I'll be taking it with me to Catterick

I know what you mean:

Day 1: Run 1 hour at 100% up hill + Super Circuits 1 hr 45mins

I suppose if you've been a para or RM for 3-4 years doing that sort of thing wouldn't be much of an issue. I just copied one of the charts in the book onto Excel and filled it in to suit me. The author seems to think you have to be fitter to be in the RM's than the para's, as there is quite a difference in both the programs for the RM's and the Para's. My mate joined the para's last year sometime, he came second out of 30 people in the fitness. He was seriously fit, he'd run 12 miles every two days and lift some serious weights.

Excuse me while i pick up the fragments of my confidence...


12 miles? argh! The most I've done was 9, and that was jogging not running.

don't worry about this bloke was a pervert, and the bloke who he came second to must have been a fitness geek as well. As long as you show you've got a pair of bollox it'll be fine (obviously not literally). I'm thinking twice about the RM's I quite like the idea of jumping out of planes, in the dark, at high altitude, with heavy bags of sh*te on my back...Got to make my mind up soon..

It takes a particular breed of person to want to join the RM and muck about with big rubber things for a living... :p

wOoKiE wrote:It takes a particular breed of person to want to join the RM and muck about with big rubber things for a living... :p

Also takes a particular breed of person to voluntarily jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane

You can have the best of both worlds, mucking around with rubber things and jumping out of perfectly good aeroplanes. I have always wanted to sky dive, and you can earn your wings in the RM. Although I will have to try to arrange some charity jumps (maybe next year?) if I want to experience the rush, as the RMR unit i wish to join does not specialise in it! (sods law).
Good luck with CIC wookie.

when you start?
this monday?
a new platoon starts this monday? you start then? 1st thing you do is a 3 mile run, then the BPFA a day or 2 later