small victories - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 05-14-2008, 05:28 AM

not that this is travel related, really, but I wanted to give myself some props over here cos I've been busting my ass!

so most of you know I'm in the military (if you don't... well, I am), and I'm in a unit that loves to run and has a different standard than the rest of the army (army standard is passing your pt test, our div standard is 250 pt score and the ability to do a 36:00 4 miles), and as much as HATE to run, I got stuck in this unit. I've never been able to run a 36:00 4 miles. I can run an 18:00 2 miles but I can't keep that pace for 4 miles. I have zero ability in pacing myself and usually run out of gas too early.

my whole division has this huge thing going on next week and it's kicked off by a "division 4 mile run" on Monday which is terrible because our unit is towards the end and so this is like 2000 people running in a formation so it's like the front finishes before we even begin. and it's like an accordion... sprint, slow down to almost a halt, sprint again. but it's this huge fucking deal and if you fall out pretty much your life sucks because your whole chain of command will yell at you and you're this big dirt bag.

I've been worried about it cos I've never ran a 36:00 and I don't want to be that guy to fall out of the division run because I've seen what happens to that guy lol.

well today we did a practice 4 mile, like ran the whole route on our own, timed. and side note, I'd been busting my ass running when we were deployed in a high altitude, but I haven't ran at all since I've been back (maybe 5 times) cos there's so much going on, and I was thinking "god this is going to be ugly". let me also point out miles 2 and 4 are UPHILL. as usual, I busted m guns and ran out of gas the first 2 miles, but pushed it anyway, hard, and finished at the grass of my unit, to see I did it in 33 and some change!

so yeah it may not sound like that big of a deal but to someone who has struggled with running since she's been in, and hates every second of it, this is a small victory in my life.

**c0urt** · 05-14-2008, 05:43 AM

I used to run distances. so I understand what it is like to train for them. and I used to have to train with a gorup. so i understand what a btich that can be,

I am proud of you hun good job

**aliz** · 05-14-2008, 06:28 AM

Yay! my brother is in the air force and he couldn't stand the running in his first year - and he had to run A LOT, so if you're in a unit that does more running than others.... no wonder you're driven to listening to Celine Dion!
I hate running too, and I really love that doing a design course means that I never have to do any sports. not even backyard cricket, cause all my friends are the same. and we're all too poor to have backyards.

**pinknic38** · 05-14-2008, 06:36 AM

I might like it if I could listen to music and run! In the Army we're not allowed to have in ipods and stuff. I think our Air Force is if they're not in formation, but we're not allowed at all. Which I guess makes sense cos you don't want to get run over by a car you didn't hear but during PT hours they close down the roads and you wear a reflector belt anyway so I don't see why we can't if we're not running in a formation but whatever. If it makes sense, we don't do it.

**raoulduke** · 05-14-2008, 06:46 AM

Running sucks pretty bad. Well done.

I'm going to get into shape eventually, I really want to walk the Kokoda Trail at some point so I'll need to put in some work.

I do enjoy a game of backyard cricket though.

**expatben** · 05-14-2008, 07:53 AM

As someone who cannot run much at all-BIG congrats to you!

<---protein shakes

**simply_angelic** · 05-14-2008, 10:22 AM

awesome! congrats!

**maracle** · 05-14-2008, 11:13 AM

A 9 minute pace is great, nice job!

**BelfastFlyer** · 05-14-2008, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliz

Yay! my brother is in the air force and he couldn't stand the running in his first year - and he had to run A LOT, so if you're in a unit that does more running than others.... no wonder you're driven to listening to Celine Dion!
I hate running too, and I really love that doing a design course means that I never have to do any sports. not even backyard cricket, cause all my friends are the same. and we're all too poor to have backyards.

australia has an airforce?!

**jengt** · 05-14-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinknic38

I did it in 33 and some change!

That's freaking awesome Nicole!

I do like to run, but I keep it at an easy 9:30-10:00/mile for 4 miles unless I'm training for something.

**space virgin** · 05-14-2008, 05:40 PM

Congrats!!

I fucking HATE running for a lot of reasons, so you get big kudos from me. I only run when chased (I'm pretty damn fast for a fair distance, but that's motivation for you).

**travelpunk** · 05-14-2008, 05:41 PM

Yo, I am all about celebrating small victories! In fact, I was just writing about it in an article for the blog, to be posted soon.

I find running to be tough, so congrats

!

**MolsonGirl** · 05-15-2008, 06:36 PM

I also hate running, and but give me a ball or something to chase and I could run forever. I suppose that's why soccer works for me... so kudos to you!

**travelchick75** · 05-17-2008, 06:13 AM

Congrats Dude! I also hate running...I think its fair to say that running hates me as well lol WAY TO GO !

**Canadian Bacon** · 05-17-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinknic38

so yeah it may not sound like that big of a deal but to someone who has struggled with running since she's been in, and hates every second of it, this is a small victory in my life.

Small victories are the ones that matter =) CONGRATS!!!

**mish99** · 05-17-2008, 01:48 PM

Congrats!!!

Seems like most people on here hate running....add me to the list!! Haha

bluewaveted · 06-19-2008, 10:28 AM

Wow. Just read your story today. It's a real wonder how we don't really appreciate things until we understand 'em. Kudos to your run. Happy trails!