Beyond the 1.5 Mile...?

[JakeMassey]

Hello everyone,

I am currently a student but I would like to join the Light Infantry as an Officer when I finish college. I used to be a very active runner, and ran for my school, but since then my fitness has dropped. When I decided I wanted to join the LI I thought I could start training now, that way in a couple of years (when I do go to join) it'll be as easy as piss. I've been running the 1.5 mile every day for the past two weeks now and my time has gotten a lot better, and I can now run it with not too much effort (I think it's actually a bit over 1.5 miles because I set my stride too short in the pedometer), my question is: should I increase it to maybe 2 miles and so fourth or should I just keep on practicing the 1.5 mile every day I can until I go to join? Will there be other runs on training of a greater distance?

My push-ups (que collective sigh) are not really coming along that great, I've been doing 3 sets of 20 every morning and they're not really getting any easier, so I threw in some weight training too. Should I perhaps do these three sets twice a day?

[MikeB]

If i were you mate id throw in a couple of 3 milers and make sure you complete them in a reasonable time. Therefore if you are asked to run more than 1.5mile you wont struggle, besides you'll really boost your fitness levels.

[lew]

Mike b is right, put in some longer runs...

If you can run five miles in a good time you’ll easily be able to run 1.5 miles in a quicker time than you would if you just practiced the standard 1.5 miles...

Alternatively, you could give your self a set time to run to, say 30 minutes, and as you get fitter you’ll cover more distance in that time, every few weeks add 10 minutes and you’ll be laughing in no time, this is what I’m doing at the moment and its working a treat...

Good luck...

lew

[JakeMassey]

Thanks guys

[MikeB]

have a go at something like this www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/fartlek.htm and before you ask fartlek has nothing to do with breaking wind.

As a general guide you should be able to run 3 miles in 24mins.

[Sig657]

Just really push your self further than you thought possible in training in 3 months ive gone from not being able to do 1.5 miles without stopping smoking 20 fags to smoking no fags and running 1.5 miles in 8:10 and can do 4 miles in 28 mins. Just really push yourself give first couple weeks to addapt to it though so you dont do any damage mate... weights dont go mad till couple weeks in i generally drop down and do 30 every time my watch bleeps... every hour but maybe its a bit extreme to meet entry standards

[mr-cooper]

One other thing to add to the wise words already been said - It's not reccomended that you do pressups EVERY day, if so you'll never see an improvement as your muscles have no time to recover and get stronger. So it may be worth making sure you get two full days of rest in your programme.

Coops

[liverpoolirish]

Will there be other runs on training of a greater distance?

My push-ups (que collective sigh) are not really coming along that great, I've been doing 3 sets of 20 every morning and they're not really getting any easier, so I threw in some weight training too. Should I perhaps do these three sets twice a day?

At the Sausage Factory there will be 8 milers and 5 milers with webbing and rifle. The thing you want to do is throw in some longer runs at a slower pace.

Press ups are awkward, especially as the PTI's make you do them "elbows in". Are you reaching temporary muscle failure? That's when extra muscle is built. Try doing pressups until you can't push yourself up any more (for me this is about 40, I need 44 and am trying to build up), rest (or do something else) and try again, and again.

Try and alternate what you do. I used to run one day, do circuits (40 p-ups, 60 s-ups, 35 burpees, 5 heaves x3) on the alternate days. Sadly I'm not that fit any more. As the man says, you need to break the muscle (new muscle tissue forms in the tears ISTR) , let it heal for a day (or two) then break it again.

Bryn