Have I got the running requirement correct for the navy?

monkai666

monkai666

monkai666

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I have decided to become a submariner in the navy and I've been told that with my HND in engineering I am more than a good candidate for the job, apparently they're in need of them too so I'm quite lucky. I was told that I should be able to run 1.5 miles under 12 minutes and 20 seconds. I gave this a good shot today and found a need to keep up about 7.5 to 8 miles and hour to do it but this seems really fast and even the trainer in the gym is slightly surprised at the pace. Have I got it wrong or is this about right?
 
1.5miles, it's easy to do in less than the required time unless your pretty unfit.

I'm down to like 9:30 and I know for a fact I can get down to early 9mins possibly under if I really really go for it.

Might need to run a bit faster overall than 8mph.... I think
 
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That's about right.

I started running home from work last year and was getting 1.5miles down from 12.30 as a starting time to about 10.40-11mins in a matter of a couple weeks.

Then I realised it was pointless and needed to increase the distance if I want any real benefits.
 
1.5 miles in 12 minutes? That's an 8 minute mile, even I can do that. If you're in half-decent shape it should be a doddle.
 
lemonkettaz said:
1.5miles, it's easy to do in less than the required time unless your pretty unfit.

I'm down to like 9:30 and I know for a fact I can get down to early 9mins possibly under if I really really go for it.
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Guess I'll just have to keep getting the times down, at the moment I'm nearly getting 12:30 but that's with all I've got and a bit extra. I go to the gym 5 times a week, admittedly mainly doing weights, and usually do half an hour on both the running machine and cross trainer. When the F1 is on I like to watch it in the gym and run for the whole race. It's just getting the pace up. I can do 6.5 mph pretty well but 7.5-8 is killer!
 
Just focus on your stamina.

Run a few 3-6milers then time a 1.5mile flat out once a week, the more longer distance runs you do the faster you will get the 1.5mile.

I'd of though a core training routine would be better for this than getting bigger with weights

edit: Also do your running outdoors, I think running machines aren't that good. I guess if you can nail a 1.5mile time running on cross country type terrain you will be class :)
 
lemonkettaz said:
Just focus on your stamina.

Run a few 3-6milers then time a 1.5mile flat out once a week, the more longer distance runs you do the faster you will get the 1.5mile.

I'd of though a core training routine would be better for this than getting bigger with weights

edit: Also do your running outdoors, I think running machines aren't that good. I guess if you can nail a 1.5mile time running on cross country type terrain you will be class :)
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I'll start doing this, I've mainly been focussing on weights for the last 3-4 months because I got laid off 5 months ago and need something to keep me going while I searched for jobs. It's going to more towards running now though.
 
lemonkettaz said:
Oh right, I thought you'd just left college with your hnd engineering :p

Why the Navy? :)
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I've been looking into the forces for a while and none of the jobs really took my liking but I met a submariner in the gym and he gave me the idea. So I read up on it and went to the army office and i'm quite excited about it now. I love the responsibility of it all, if I get the degree in nuclear wonders (I believe that's its technical name) I have a real possibility of doing maintenance on the reactor. One of my mates called me weird but nearly everyone who knows me thinks I'd suit the life quite well.
 
The application form is in and they're going to call me in for the interview any day now. The guy in the office is quite good at keeping contact and talks about the whole joining process like it's a done deal. He assures me I'll have no problems and should be in training in February. I know I'm not very far in but I can't help but be excited!
 
Dont practice on long runs, that'll just train you to run a long way slowly. It wont do you any good if you fail the BPFA(1.5 mile test) and try to defend it by saying "but I can run for along time just not fast". Also remember when you do the BPFA test you'll first do about 50 push ups then 55 sit ups (those situps will hurt as you use a lot of leg power on them) so try to fit that into your training.

I train for BPFA by doing 3/4 miles (half distance) as fast as i can, then just do a steady run for 500m, sprint for 100m and so on until the end of my circuit which is 4 miles. I do this test in 8mins - not bad for a 33 year old.

You must train your body to run fast for this test. It is a silly test though, fairly unlikely that you'll ever have to run 1.5 mile round a submarine in your trainers.

Long runs may help with your general fitness if your carrying a little extra fat and if you need to do some fat burning just stick it on the end of your speed training, if your hurt or soar though stop running and go home if you hurt yourself you'll end up doing no fitness while you recover and end up worse than you started.

Good luck.
 
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I wonder if i can do that time running backwards :p

1.5 miles in 12:20 is a joke, its not a fitness test, its a test to see if you are actually alive, and not being moved by the wind.
 
Building up stamina will definitely help.

Obviously still run the 1.5mile flat out regular to beat your current best, but with longer runs as well it will help you with your stamina so you won't be totally dead after a 1.5mile run
 
I_M_Weasel said:
Dont practice on long runs, that'll just train you to run a long way slowly. It wont do you any good if you fail the BPFA(1.5 mile test) and try to defend it by saying "but I can run for along time just not fast". Also remember when you do the BPFA test you'll first do about 50 push ups then 55 sit ups (those situps will hurt as you use a lot of leg power on them) so try to fit that into your training.

I train for BPFA by doing 3/4 miles (half distance) as fast as i can, then just do a steady run for 500m, sprint for 100m and so on until the end of my circuit which is 4 miles. I do this test in 8mins - not bad for a 33 year old.

You must train your body to run fast for this test. It is a silly test though, fairly unlikely that you'll ever have to run 1.5 mile round a submarine in your trainers.

Long runs may help with your general fitness if your carrying a little extra fat and if you need to do some fat burning just stick it on the end of your speed training, if your hurt or soar though stop running and go home if you hurt yourself you'll end up doing no fitness while you recover and end up worse than you started.

Good luck.
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Good advice IMHO. I take it you're serving?
 
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