FitFool

Is it a sign of old age that when I had originally written down my target dates, I looked up the wrong age groups because I had forgotten how old I was? I would've passed all three areas if I were in the 32 to 36 age group. But alas, as a member of the 27-31 group, I didn't pass the 2-mile run. I can't really blame my age there...I haven't run since my last PFT update in December when my watch died. I guess I'm really motivated by being able to collect data and if I can't measure it, I can't get myself to brave the cold. But I said I would join in this challenge from marathoner452 so I got my watch battery replaced and timed a 2-mile run today. The track was covered in 1-2 inches of snow so that slowed me down a bit. And I've lost my endurance too...I had to run/walk it and my lungs burned and my ears hurt from the cold. Enough excuses. The good news is that I did more pushups than I've ever done. Still no sign of defined biceps but at least my muscles seem stronger. And my situps have improved a lot too. The final breakdown?

Two-minutes Situps: 70 situps --> 87 points
Two-minutes Pushups: 42 pushups --> 83 points
Two-mile run: 21:03 --> 55 points (needed 60 to pass)
Total points: 225

I think I'll have to try again in a few weeks so I can pass all 3 sections.

( links to the standards for the different age and gender groups )

I've only gone running once in the 3.5 weeks since the marathon. At first I basked in the sore muscles and creaky joints and didn't mind not running. After about a week I started looking at the schedule of local races for the next 2-3 months. After 2 weeks I ran a quick 4-mile run but found my ankle and knees still protested. So I figured I'd rest some more and run over Thanksgiving. Nope...just lazed about and cooked, ate, read, and slept.

Now I'm itching to go for a run but am reluctant to run in the cold and dark. So tonight I decided to run the stairs in my apartment building. Up to the 4th floor. tap tap tap tap back down. Up-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-Turn!-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9...winding around and around until I felt kinda dizzy. But I did it. 20 times up and down.

Felt so good to get back in my body that I gave myself a mini-physical-fitness test. So for all you military people, would I pass? Or do I need to try again? I'm a 30-year-old female.

2 minutes push-ups	36 (regular kind, not modified)
2 minutes sit-ups	59 (if toes were hooked under the couch) 40 (with toes not anchored under anything)
2-mile run	18:00 (estimated by taking the times of the first 2 miles in my marathon training runs)

It was nice to feel strong but now I'm tuckered out and will go to sleep at a decent hour.