Training Log Archive: WileyKyO-T

12 mile ruck march for Sapper train-up competition. Minimum of 35lbs, mine came out to 40. This is my fastest 12 mile ruck ever (as far as I know). Not a hard course; there were a couple hills but definitely easier than the FLW 12 mile course. I came in behind the one cadre who was rucking (2:03!), but I was the fastest of the 8 of us competing for slots. Since I was 2nd on the OML after yesterday's Land Nav, I'm either 1st or 2nd now, which means my chances of getting a slot are pretty good. Essayons!

Sapper train up competition Pushups. Scored 56 with some not counted. My pushup score is usually higher, but I expected a lower score since standards are usually higher at these kinds of competitions. When I attempted an APFT during the Ranger train up competition, we had to basically go all the way down to the ground, and I only got 41 pushups, which put the brakes on that attempt. This time the standards were strict but fair, so I did ok.

Sapper train up competition APFT Situps. Scored a 77, which is lower than what I usually get by a few. I think failing to work out over several days of ranges may have contributed, but it wasn't such a bad score.

Sapper train up competition APFT 2 mile course on a track. While I normally will register 2 mile splits faster than a 12:30, I didn't do as well this time after max effort on situps. I was in the lead the first mile but was passed in the 5th lap and never recovered, coming in 2nd. 1 mile split of 6:25. I don't like running the 2 mile on a track and hopefully we'll run on the road for the company APFT next month.

After the 2mi run, the next events in the Sapper train up competition were pullups (palms facing away) and a rope climb. I didn't do so well on these events, indicating a need for improvement. Out of six needed pullups, I only could muster 4. These were harder than usual pullups because the cadre running it called up, waited a couple seconds, and then called down, waited a couple seconds, etc.

Immediately after pullups, we all attempted the rope climb. I started out strong, but towards the top it was apparent that the pushups/pullups had taken a toll on me. With about 2 feet left from the top, my arms hit muscle failure and my hands started sliding as I raised my locks on the rope, so I wasn't making progress. Lacking confidence, I slid down the rope and probably got a second NO GO. Despite these struggles, I was still 4th of 8 after all of the morning's events (which also included stations like plotting a point, assembly/disassembly of the 249/249, etc. and a demolitions test).

Sapper train up competition land nav course in TA Bravo on Ft. Carson. ACUs with FLC. Distance is approximate based on Map My Run, but most points were at least a kilometer apart. Had to bag 4 points with lensatic compass, protractor, and 1:25k map and return to start point in 3 hours. Ended up having the fastest time. While I of course found the azimuth and distance for each point, I relied heavily on terrain association since the terrain was recognizable and often prevented straightline movement. For each point, I could identify a good attack point, backstop, and route, so I was never lost and chose logical routes, except for one point where a route choice involving a series of draws slowed me down unnecessarily.

Run with another LT (the one from the hike the week before).

Easy hike with a potential new hiking buddy and his girlfriend from the Gold Camp parking lot to Kineo Mountain and back. On the ascent, took the Buckhorn drainage shortcut up to Cpt Jack's trail, veered off trail at the spur for Kineo and climbed to the top. Left the summit at 2 hours continuing west to Jones Park, veering left until we hit Seven Bridges trail. Took Seven Bridges back in.