Introduction

[Rednovember]

Rangers, conducted a PT test today on 20170416. I was unable to yesterday, due to helping a friend move.

60 push-ups
65 sit-ups
10 pull-ups
14:25 2 mile run
Disappointed with my run time, I need to incorporate some speed work into my run training.

[Rednovember]

SITREP 20170421
Meant to post this last weekend, my apologies.
Met up with Arch51 on Friday, 20170414, for some PT and lunch afterwards. Had an awesome time working out and chatting with a fellow 11x candidate that shares the same ship date as myself.

Continuing to train hard and smart, while progressing through my task list.

[Disinfertention]

SITREP 20170421
Meant to post this last weekend, my apologies.
Met up with Arch51 on Friday, 20170414, for some PT and lunch afterwards. Had an awesome time working out and chatting with a fellow 11x candidate that shares the same ship date as myself.

Continuing to train hard and smart, while progressing through my task list.

Really cool you guys got to link up. Hopefully you'll class up together through OSUT and onward.

[Rednovember]

Ranger Disinfertention,
It is definitely a blessing that the two of us live somewhat close and have the opportunity to train together! I am sure there will be many more before we leave for Fort Benning. I believe that knowing somebody else this early in the process will benefit us both in the long run.

[Jim]

Excellent SITREP. Keep working on your task-list. Never, never quit!

[Rednovember]

Thank you, Ranger Jim, roger that!
Ranger xray, we are enjoying where we are now, for sure. But at the same time, recognizing there is always room for improvement.

PT test conducted on 20170501
Push ups: 64
Sit ups: 54
Pull ups: 11
2 mile run: 13:58

Felt much weaker than normal today, I'm not sure why. Somehow managed to squeeze out my best 2 mile time to date, first time breaking 14 minutes. Was pretty happy about that, as I've always been strictly a weight lifter until about 6 months ago.

SITREP 20170501

These past few weeks have been interesting. My grandfather and dear friend passed away just over a month ago. As I reminisce on the times we had, I will never forget the lessons he taught me. His recent passing has fueled me like nothing I have experienced before. I strive to honor him by doing better, in all aspects of my life.
Just over 4 months to go until I ship out. I would definitely say that I am falling in love with the process. Though I still have a steep climb ahead, I am conquering mental barriers that I never thought possible. One step at a time.
This coming weekend, Arch51 and I are meeting up again for training and hopefully some work in the pool. He is considerably shorter and lighter than me, but don't let him fool you, he can buddy carry like a pro!
As we have a few other DEPs leaving this month, I wish them nothing but the best and look forward to hearing about their journey.

[Jim]

Will, impressed with your demonstrated leadership skills. Keep up the good work and never, never quit!

[Rednovember]

PT Test results from 20170515
54 push-ups
63 sit-ups
12 pull-ups
14:00 2 mile run

I did not push myself as hard as I could have on the run. I also have not been touching the ground with my chest on push-ups until recently. Next week I will be starting an APFT improvement plan. The current I am on has little to no calisthenics, zero run interval training, has me lifting 3 days a week, running twice at a moderate pace, and rucking once. It has built up my ability to move under load i.e. weighted vest/sandbag, but not so much without weight. My rucking is decent. Holding a sub 15 minute mile pace for several miles while walking is very doable.

Rangers, if I may ask, is ruck running in training a bad idea? I have dabbled with it, but I don't want to destroy anything, particularly in the lower extremities, before I ship out. I have my ALICE pack set to about 35 lbs and usually carry a 10 lb sledgehammer for a rifle substitute. Thank you in advance.

[Disinfertention]

There probably isn't much good about Rucking in general. I've always been told that walking with weight uses different muscles... I really doubt there is much truth to it. But like the APFT, the only way to get better at walking with a Ruck is walking. When doing a forced march, you aren't supposed to run. You are supposed to walk. Train to walk for now. If you do other things in the military you can train to run as well. Just my two cents.

[Rednovember]

Ranger Disinfertention,

Thank you for the advice. I will continue to walk. I've noticed a big improvement in ankle strength and flexibility so far. A Marine buddy of mine suggested to put bed sheets under the sandbag I use in my pack to get the weight up higher. That seems to help tremendously with posture. I will get in at least a 12 miler before I ship.

[Disinfertention]

Most rucks, or good rucks anyway, have a means to put weight or items higher on your back. Very true it seems, that the closer the weight is to your shoulders the better it is.

[Jim]

Good to see that you are working on your task-list. Never, never quit!

[Rednovember]

SITREP 20170601
No APFT this week, I am taking a recovery week off training as part of my transition from lifting heavy with compound barbell movements to doing mostly calisthenics and endurance. I think I have a good strength base thus far. It is driving me crazy not to be training... I can't wait to hit it hard on Monday.

It has been a good month of May. Mentee Arch51 and I have now met up a total of 4 times, twice this past month. Once at an air show, and also over Memorial Day weekend for a solid PT session at the beach.

Being just shy of 3 months out from my ship date, it's slowly starting to become surreal that this is actually happening. I am so ready to begin this new life in the Army. Supposed to be getting a new guy next week at my current job that I'll have the opportunity to train and will have him squared away by the time I leave.

I'm enjoying Ranger IntelToad's map reading class thus far with the help of Ranger fatboy. College may be put on hold for me for a little while, but I think it is awesome that they are doing this for us mentees. It's not only allowing us to go into the pipeline with a leg up, but also a way to keep us occupied on Ranger knowledge and such when we aren't working out.