Yeah I’ve heard before that if you are in good shape then boot camp is physically not too bad. So my goal is to be in the best shape that I can be and I’m busting my fat ass to do so.
I haven’t played a sport since high school but yesterday I played a game of pickup basketball and I worked up a good sweat so I think I’m going to add that into my routine occasionally.
I don’t have any shin splints. I’m blessed with solid shins so I’ve never had pain in them and I’ve done front foot lifts with weight on and off so I think that has helped out. Actually when I run especially when I’m pushing it my feet/ankles start killing me so I’ll have to look into that.
I planned on switching out pushups and dips but I haven’t got to the point with my pushups to drop them for 4 weeks to work on dips so I’ve been putting off the exercise. I’ll just add them into my morning PT and see how it goes.
So have you noticed any major changes as in the way you feel throughout the day or in the way you see your self/ confidence or even just feeling healthier all over?
And how is the Poolee PT going? Are you doing better than you were at first and are the instructors saying anything about it?
It may seem like I exercise a lot and that it would tire me out but the opposite is true. I have more energy everyday.
When I first DEP’d I was in terrible shape and I struggled through Poolee PT but now I excel.
My recruiter Sgt. Eslinger has begun to call me “Beast” because of the intensity and effort I give during group PT.
I have even requested tougher PT but we are only as strong as our weakest link I guess. Actually last night we were doing some calisthenics after the run and I was not straining so Sgt. asked me if I thought our PT was “Bitch PT” and I agreed so clearly he notices that I do not struggle like most other Poolees.
Sgt. Eslinger has told me that he thinks I will succeed in the fleet. I enjoy his compliments but I know nothing will be given to me and I know that I will have to earn everything and I am going to be ready.
Everyday I get closer to leaving I feel the fire burning inside of me more and more. I want the challenge and I will be ready to meet it head on.
I was supposed to run 3 Miles today but I thought I wasn’t going to because of severe DOMS. Well I did some walking and worked up to running the straights walking the curves on the Y track for 1.5 Miles
Well as far as nutrion wise the only progress I have made is I have cut out alot of my fast food consumtion. I haven’t monitored my protein intake in a long time but I can tell you its not enough. I aslo don’t get enough vitamins and minerals from whole foods so I need to work on that.
At least you know where you stand on your nutrition and you aren’t bullshitting anyone and more importantly yourself. Getting your nutrition down pat will defintitely help you in the long run. However, when you are there…(at boot) eat everything in sight. I did that 3x a day and still ended up losing upwards of 30lbs with some severe muscle atrophy. Lets face it boot camp is not about being more physically fit.
Its about creating Marines that can meet the “standard”; albeit a low standard in terms of physical achievement, thats what its designed to do. Don’t be tempted to cheese dick easy boot PT, just do your best. SOI PT doesn’t get much harder either; just watch out for humps.
My nutrition does suck and I need to get it in order so I can stay healthy while I’m in. I’ve heard that about Boot Camp. I weigh in around 197 right now and I can only image I’ll lose as much weight as you did if not more. My legs carry a lot of mass and without regular squatting they are going to shed muscle like crazy.
The only thing I haven’t trained for is humps and since I only have 4 months lefts I should probably start.
I guess as far as training for humps its just a matter of throwing some weights in a back pack and quickly walking several miles.
Hopefully I’ll never “cheese dick” any PT. I hear stories about recruits who just fucking sleaze by only doing the bare minimum and that fucking pisses me off. People like that only earn anything because of how the system is set up not because of merit and that makes me sick.
Auty
I want to say congratulations on all the progress that you have gained. I just read up on everything you have posted. I apologize for not reading sooner but i have been on missions like crazy lately. Anyways… by the way u talk you seem pretty committed to becoming a U.S Marine. That is what i like to hear. Just keep up the good hard work and it’ll be over before you know it.
Hello,
I’ve read your training blog and I started out the same way, a lot of motivation, strong desire but a little out of shape and not lean at all. Now I am going to Commission in less than 5 months and a great E-7 once told me that the path behind you is always greater than the one in front of you. If you can meet your goals before going to boot, you will be more than ready.
severed
I appreciate what you said. I believe it about being over before I know it.
I can’t believe I’m down to a 114 days. I started counting at 160 days and the last 45 has flown by and I’m sure the remaining days will also. I am dedicated to becoming a U.S. Marine and I can’t wait to go to Parris Island so I can meet the challenge head on and earn that Eagle, Globe, and Anchor with my sweat and blood.I’m sure some recruits will just sleaze by but I want to EARN that title and I know the price is my very best.
pdm362
I’m glad to see the path I’m traveling has already been blazed although since you’re in the Army you probably blazed it a lot slower and less aggressive than a Marine would. (Just a little friendly branch ribbing.)
I agree with that E-7 and I appreciate you posting that. I want to go into Boot well prepared so I can give everything my best and to further that when I get in the fleet I can give my best. I joined to serve my country and how anyone can give any less baffles me.
If you don’t mind pdm362 could you tell me how you went from where you were to where you are now. Did you focus mostly on running and body weight endurance?
Actually if anyone reading this with military experience could give me some tips on training for humps that would be great.
Also congratulations Sir on your Commissioning.Its good to know there are good men on both the enlisted and officer sides. I appreciate you taking the time to read and post in my log.
I don’t mind the Army comments, it was actually a Marine NCO that pushed me the Commissioned route.
I did almost the same thing you are doing (running and body weight exercises) but I threw in some road marching in a pair of boots. I feel like body weight exercises are key for a good foundation but once you have a solid base you need to add a little bit extra (ie flutter kicks with boots instead of sneakers).
One thing that helped me with humps is to first do them and then add squats after each mile. Plan your route ahead of time because it teaches you how to actually understand route planning which will be crucial in land navigation tests (ie road distance questions, etc.).
Finally a little lesson learned. Nutrition will help your goals more than anything. Hydrate, you run out of steam if you run out of water. Drive on and stay motivated.
What about the mileage times? Are we ever going to see those on here? And how are you feeling when you do your dips? Which set do they really start to burn? Are you using wraps for knee raises and pullups?
The mileage times will come when I’m not embarrassed enough by them to post them.
I’m actually quite surprised by how easy my dips feel. I haven’t done them in a while but I can knock out 5 sets of 10 will relative ease. So I’m going to do them with my regular every day stuff and just go up 2 rep per set per week. By wraps I assume you mean straps?
If you do then no I do not use wraps. I also do not use the arm slings for the hanging knee raises I just grab hold of the bar and do them.
yea i meant straps, and atta boy for not usin’ ‘em. i like seein’ the time for the mile and a half. it looks good especially because i know you couldn’t do that just a month ago. i think the half jog and half intervals is a pretty good method.
bout time for that 11th pullup on the first set. i’ll be waitin’.
Draper
Your right about the mileage time. There’s no way I could have done that a month ago.
My last two IST 1.5 Miles times were
13:30
11:15
and last night I did it in 10:30
so I’m improving.
Oh and I have always hated straps. I feel like they are as pussy as the tampon pads I see guys using when they squat.
Once again I feel like no one actually reads my log but just posts in it.
I am currently doing Recon Ron’s Pullup Program and that dictates how many pullups I do per week.
Here’s the link once again in case you missed it the first time. http://webpages.charter.net/bert/reconron.html
I am currently on week 7
I should be doing week 20 when I leave which will have me doing 19 12 11 10 10
So thank you for your encouragement just be patient.