Urgent FAO anyone thats done foundation

[JM]

Im suppose to start foundation this monday (7th) but I have had the flu for 2 and a half weeks and lost alot of fitness and strength. Should I still go down or rebook and get the fitness and strength back ? How tough is the phys for the first 3 weeks and if you are struggling what will the do? Would they help me get my fitness back or send me home to do it ?

[dannyd]

I haven't done Foundation mate, but I'm doing a uni project on RM training (plus I want to join myself) so know a fair bit about the syllabus.

if you are struggling what will they do? Would they help me get my fitness back or send me home to do it ?

At the end of week 3 you will do a PT assessment. If you fail you will be recycled through Foundation again, although you will do a slightly different syllabus focussed more on PT.

As to whether you should postpone it or go ahead, the best bet is to speak to your AFCO. They will advise you on the best course of action. Besides, I doubt you will have lost too much fitness in 2 weeks. You will probably find that once you are well you will very soon be at the same level as before.

Best of luck.

Dan

EDIT: Whereabouts in London are you from?

[JM]

2 weeks in bed and half a week recovering You do lose alot of fitness :/ I have spoken to my AFCO and SHE said, "well do you think your fit enough to go down ?" To which I replied I dont have a clue. I said I'm no where near the fitness I had to pass the PRMC and all she said was well the phys is progressive. As you know the syllabus do you reckon you need to be PRMC fit otherwise one will struggle ? (Im not taking about the end fitness test, I mean the phys they do dueing the first 3 to be able to pass that test).

Im from surrey

[speed freek]

Its really up to how you feel mate, I mean just with your PRMC experience you can almost guarantee there will be a few bottom fields in the first few weeks, Could you face that with your current fitness ?

If not, then rebook for 4-6 weeks time or whatever

[dannyd]

JM,

My advice (and this is not based on first-hand experience but what I've been told & what I've researched) is that if you think your fitness has dipped significantly from PRMC then you should postpone your start date. You do have a legitimate excuse after all.

When you start they will expect you to have progressed from your PRMC scores (which they will have to hand). Failure to do so may mean a mark against your name. Plus, if you do join now, you might make all your oppos in your troop ill as well - not a good start.

If it was me, I'd postpone it. I don't think starting the hardest and longest basic training in the UK (possibly the world?) with a dose of 'flu and low fitness levels is a good idea. You want to be tip-top & raring to go. The feeling like sh*t part comes later

Hope this helps.

Dan

[JM]

Bah I heard you dont touch bottom field in foundation. Yeah thats what I thought danny, the flu has gone, but I dont want to be struggling behind everyone in my troop. Its just a shame, met a loads of people in the PRMC and we all choose to go back down on the first monday of feb K thanks for the advise ill think about it over night.

[Daveb]

JM, I'm in the same boat as you mate. I've had a hip ligament injury for the last 2 months(!) and am due to start foundation on the 21st Feb. I was/still am VERY worried about my fitness levels.

My AFCO says I will be fine. There was a Marine who had just passed the 32 weeks there and he said that I should be ok if I go balls out. He said it is all Gym work, you dont touch bottom field until later on (after week 4 I think.....but not 100%).

Still though, I'm worried about the fitness level of me but really dont wanna delay my entry again (I delayed from 24th Jan due to injury).

I dunno what to do!

[JM]

After careful consideration I decided it would be stupid to go down on my current fitness level. I will have enough to worry about as it is down there without struggling to do the phys and getting a mark by my name.

Unlucky there daveb, I say dont make any rash decision untill the week before you go down, review your fitness level then.

[mike_neon]

i to have been put off a previous date of 10th january, due to a torn muscle, and i have left around a month for it to get better (which it has done now). I now have around a month and a half to make sure i am fitter than my PRMC before i start training.
I believe its best to go down there feeling 110% knowing you are at a good advantage in fitness, as alot of people have mentioned on here its determination that will get you through in the end, and if you feel like crap or are unsure about your self, that says to me it will affect your determination.

[Darren82]

bottom field begins after week 13. don't get so stressed about losing a bit of phys, 2 weeks isn't that long and a few camp circuits will soon get you up to speed!

[speed freek]

bottom field begins after week 13. don't get so stressed about losing a bit of phys, 2 weeks isn't that long and a few camp circuits will soon get you up to speed!

So up until week 13 all the fitness is done in the gym and with troop runs and marches etc ?

[Darren82]

So up until week 13 all the fitness is done in the gym and with troop runs and marches etc?

pretty much mate, i wrote a post on this a while back which i'll re-post and see if that helps... i'll dig it out now

daz

[Darren82]

ok found that post I wrote, it's on here now as 'Phys, Gym & Bottom Field (Re-Post)

best of luck with training mate, it's a good crack

[Benw]

I was scheduled to start Foundation on 21st Feb but have put it off until March 14th now - I have had the same flu and been in bed for a week. It is not worth going down to CTC feeling ill and weak. It would be totally counter productive. My advice to anyone with an illness just before starting training would be to postpone it.

[willgoodman]

My advice would be that everyone gets colds and flu, niggly injuries. Your gonna get them in training, you can't postpone 2 weeks during training because you feel a bit ill. Pick yourself up, stop winging and crack on, thats the attitude they want to see.

Will