Any advice about navy basic training for me from people who have completed it?
The first answerer is very right. Your RDC's are not the enemy. Their job is to make you into a sailor and that basically means someone who can take orders and not freeze up when the ship is on fire (literally). Don't stop moving during your runs. I was a terrible runner and even injured my ankle during basic training but my RDCs never demoted me because I never stopped trying (even a fast walk is more acceptable than sownright quitting/stopping which is a no-no unless you're dying. Try to practice running a 12-minute mile before you leave. That's not a problem for most people but like I said, I'm a terrible runner. Also, many recruits don't know this but if you try to get into one of the 900 divisions, you won't have to deal with galley week which I've been told is one of the most horrible parts of basic training. While other recruits were busy sweating in the galley with little to no sleep, us 900's were busy rehearsing songs and drills for our graduation performance ; ) You get into a 900 division (especially triple threat) by either being good with drills (twirling a baton (fake rifle), playing a band instrument or being able to carry a tune (the birthday song, Star Spangled Banner, etc) or if you've had an especially high ASVAB score. That's how it was up until I got out of the Navy in '04. I don't think things have changed that much since then. Practice treading deep water too and remember that it could always be worse: you could be in Marine bootcamp instead. : D EDIT: If you're not from a cold-weather state, try your hardest not to go to bootcamp during the winter time. Great Lakes gets some brutal snow and it sucks to have to shovel that stuff off the grinder much less march through the cold (the walkways are usually shoveled clean too though there may be ice sometimes forms on them).
What strength training should be done in preparation for an ultra marathon?
First recommendation for any runner is to perform a ton of hamstring, upper back and glute work. Stronger hamstrings will help maintain your knee health, generally runners over develop the quadriceps while running and the hamstring is ignored, this can cause a lot of knee pain in the future. Stronger upper back through the use of a variety of rowing movements will help with maintaining posture over the long run. Most runners, after a certain point, will fatigue in the upper back and traps area and start hunching over while running. Being hunched over can create an undue amount of strain on your spine, your knees and your lungs. A stronger upper back will help keep your shoulders pinned back and your head up straight. Glute work will help prevent lower back issues as well as supplement the hamstring work in helping to prevent knee problems in the future.
What does it take to train for an ultramarathon?
In training for my first 100 miler, I worried a lot that I wasn't putting in enough miles. At most I was running 80 per week, on a good week, but my average was closer to 60. I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that if I had a hard time running 100 miles in one week, how could I expect to do it in one day. And then my friend said, "It doesn't matter how far you run. It only matters that you spend as much time as you can on your feet." If you've got the base of a marathon or two, then training for an ultra is more about wrapping your head around the idea of it. 100 miles! Holy cow! Once you get in a mental place where it doesn't feel that long, then the rest is just preparing your body for the nutritional requirements that moving for that long will require.Here's what I tell people who, when I tell them I run 100 miles look at me like I'm insane: if you can run 26 miles, you can run 50. And if you can run 50, you can run 100. Because the first half of the race is all in your legs. The second half of the race is all in your head. Tell yourself you can, and you can do anything.
Marathons, ultra marathons, and triathlons.?
So I've taken a huge liking to running since I started many years ago. I've run a good few 5K and 10K races over the years but I keep wanting more The majority of my 5K times are under 21 or 22 min and the 10K runs are usually around the 50min or less mark. I've heard about marathons many a time and triathlons also. I work with a guy who recently qualified for his 3rd Ironman (HOLY SH*T!) and he talks it up like it's the best thing since sliced bread. Not 2 days ago I sent in my registration form for the Oklahoma City Memorial marathon in April (which is a Boston qualifier). I'm very confident that I can finish the run and within my own personal alotted time of 4:30:00 and I wouldn't mind qualifying for the Boston marathon which means finishing in less than 3:11:00. I'm also considering entering the Redman triathlon in September which is an Olympic distance triathlon. Also just this month I discovered something that pretty much made me melt, the ultra marathon. I have to get to that point. Being able to run a 50K or a 100 mile race would be the most awesome feeling in the world. I'm also entering the Hotter Than Hell 100 in August with my dad for the cycling. It should be pretty easy since me and my dad have been riding for years and the 50 mile rides are getting way too easy. Currently I'm maintaining a training schedule geared to get me though Navy SEAL training. Monday's are my long run days since I'm coming off a light workout and swim on Saturday and Sunday's are my off day. This Monday I ran a comfortable 8 miles, only stopping becuase it was 11pm and I couldn't feel my hands anymore in the sub-freezing weather. Next Monday I'm going for 10 and I'm thinking I'll do a half-marathon on MKLJ day since I'm off work. Thursdays are my long swim days and my most recent was a quick mile in a little under 45 min. Can anyone help me figure out a way to train for these events while still keeping the tight training schedule I'm already on or should I start a new one and make personal adjustments as I go. Also is my weight going to be a factor. I have a heavy bone structure and I'm fairly top heavy (6'1" 185...mostly centered in my chest) so what kind of diet and weight control plan am I looking at. any helpful tips and hints are welcome and greatly appreciated.
How is running an ultramarathon different from a marathon?
I have only run one ultra race, the 50 Mile North Face Endurance Challenge in SF in 2014 and 2015, but I have trained ultra distances before and even paced in a 200 Mile race. In my opinion, ultras are a completely different experience from regular marathons. In a marathon I have a time goal, a target pace, and I try to keep it more or less constant during the 26 miles. Ultras are completely different. My only goal in the 50 miler was to finish it. There was no way I could have any goal time or target pace, and even less keep it constant. There were brutal climbs were you had to walk and then long descents. To make things even more fun, it had rained the week before so the trail was muddy and slippery.The goal in an ultra for me is to finish, in a marathon it is to finish in a given time. That actually makes the ultra a very different mental game. I like the fact that you don't need to push your heart rate or pace above the natural training level. On the other hand, the sheer duration of the events makes it psychologically and physically challenging. In a marathon, I finish and I can say for sure if I did well or not and that depends on the final time. In an ultra my only goal is to finish and make the cut. The rest doesn't matter much.Again, two very different experiences that share one common goal though: having fun.
Once you've run an ultramarathon, does running shorter distances (5-10 miles) feel easy?
Well, yes and no. It depends on whether you are just “out for a run” or “racing” (as in pushing yourself to your limits).As an ultra runner, your normal training miles tend to go way up and seem…well, “normal”. The shortest training runs that I do now are about 6–9 miles. They do seem so “easy” that, unless I am in the middle of a taper, I won't bother running if I don't at least have time to do 6 miles at a minimum. 12 miles is really my sweet spot for training. I do several of them every week and always feel great when I finish them. Once a month, I do a long run of 18–22 miles. Depending on where I am in my training calendar leading up to a race, I might be running them slow and easy, or doing fartleks, or tempo runs. I'll add that during a 50 mile ultra, 26 miles feels like nothing.Somehow, though, pushing myself always seems to feel the same to me. A 5k pushing me to the max of my ability feels exactly like a 10k, a half marathon, full and ultra. They are all run at different paces but the act of testing my limits always has the same feel to it.
Have you ever thought of training to run a marathon?
When most people find out I am a runner:“Oh, you're a runner! Do you run the marathon?”When I respond no, they seem deflated. To non-runners, if you don’t run the marathon, then what are you doing?I always have considered running the marathon, I know physically I could do it, but that’s not why I run. I run to compete and to run a good time, not to just complete the distance. To me, there is no fun in completing a marathon. That’s easy. Running a marathon competitively, that is extremely hard.After years of explaining I run shorter distances to strangers and their deflation, I decided to just do a marathon, so I could finally answer that dreaded question the way people want me to. But of course I didn’t train for it, I did it by accident.I thought I signed up for a 5k, but the race turned out to be a 50k. FUCKKKKK. 3.1 miles vs 31 miles. Since I had already paid, I just decided to do it. No training.And to add to it, the race I signed up for was called the Apple Cider Donut Challenge (AC/DC (Apple Cider Donut Challenge). Which consisted of running to 6 local apple orchards and eating two donuts at each orchard, and of course running 31 miles.Mile 15 I felt great. After about 22 miles my legs hurt, after about 24 I was barely holding on. At mile 27 I was toasted and threw in the towel. 12 donuts and 2 glasses of hard apple cider to go with it.I have considered maybe one day I might actually train for a marathon, but then I look at this picture and think “eh better not”.So when someone asks “Why don’t you run the marathon?” Just say no.
How to train to run a marathon...?
I will expect you do your long term on a weekend day (such a lot folks do it anything day the race will probably be on), absolutely Sunday. The day after will have to be a quite practical recuperation run. Probably approximately 30-forty mins on the identical speed you probably did the longer term. The speed should not harm, however your muscle mass could also be sore. This will have to permit you to get well and do a exercise run on Tuesday. The day earlier than relies a bit bit extra in your agenda. Most schedules have difficult days on Tuesday and Thursday (and the longer term on Sunday). This approach friday is a recuperation day. So saturday's run does not ought to be a recuperation, however can not be too difficult. I might suggest an handy decide upon up run, wherein you begin slowly, however slowly decide upon up the speed and cross type of difficult for the final couple miles. Not difficult ample that you just harm, however fast. Then perform a little strides. This will have to depart your legs recent ample for the longer term. Good good fortune.
What are some mental tricks/tips for running a marathon?
Before the mental part… if you still have some time, you could build more distance in your training. That will give you confidence and mental ‘muscle’. When I first started crossing the half marathon barrier in my long runs, it was super tough. At km 22- 23 I would feel terribly tired. I’d make excuses to stop, like I ran out of water, or the day was too hot, or I was hungry.Then I thought “I need to put in these miles in so I can be prepared for the marathon. If I don’t do this now, I ‘ll have a bad experience the day of the race”.That idea of future pain changed the way I approached the long runs, relaxed me and prepared me for the race better. I would advise to do a 30 km long run 3–4 weeks before the race. You’ll feel exhausted at the end, but that will give you confidence.The day of the race, when things get tough, try thinking:“well, I’ve already done 30 km. That’s 3/4 of the race.I only need to worry about the last 1/4…”.Think of all the training and sacrifice you have put inThink and know that you’re much stronger than you realizeHave a powerful playlist for “the wall” momentsFocus on the people cheering. Look at the scenery or buildings. Try to clear your mind from the burning feeling to stop.The last 10–12 km, you can ask a friend to run beside you. That will help you tremendously.I did all of the earlier, and succesfully finished my first marathon last Sunday.