The beginning...

Three days ago I started training to join the Army.
Through this blog I shall share all the ups and downs of my stuggle to get fit, and what will hopefully be my successful attempt to join up.

I'm not the fittest person in the world, and heaven knows how many injuries and illnesses I've had. However I'm determind not to let this hold me back.
A strong desire to join the forces has burned within me longer than I can recall. No matter what career path I've started down, something's always called me back to Army.

The training plan I'm following is the online Armyfit one, which can be found at http://www.armyfit.mod.uk/. Here they give you a conditioning program which lasts 2 weeks. Then they move on to the main program which has three levels of difficulty, each lasting 12 weeks. Making 38 weeks (including the conditioning).

Each training day is followed by a rest day. Giving my body time to adapt and recover.

I'm no fan of running and my upperbody strength is beyond a joke. It really is going to be a challenge completing this.

I started on the 19th August. My days exercise consisted of a 20 minute jog (walk 2 jog 2) and a cool down. I have to say it was pretty tough. The weather was cooking me and I'm on the tail end of a cold. I finished it though so I was pleased.

Today I had interval running (also called shuttle running). A good warm up to start and then out into streets for some road time. I had to run fast for 30 seconds, followed by 2 minutes rest. Repeated 5 times.
As much as I dislike running, interval running is even more unpleasent. I find I'm ok for 20 bursts, but after that it's horrible. I'm not a fast runner. Even when I was at a really good physical fitness level running was never my thing. I kind of have one speed and plod along. I'm going to find my progression really interesting.
After the running I have a cool down, which today I followed by a stretch session. Due to various injuries over the years my hamstrings and lower back muscles are pretty tight. So I have some serious work to do.