OK for those deployed in Iraq, how do you guys conduct PT that mainly helps toward a PT test. For my unit, we do individual PT where everyone goes to the gym and do whatever they want. But the thing is, I don't like to run on treadmill because to me, it doesn't seem accurate. I want to run outside but it's SO DAMN HOT. I wake up early in the morning to run and it's still freaking hot. Also, where I'm at, there's a burn pit that gives off horrible pollution. So running outside isn't the best option. Are there any tips for me to improve my run for my future PT test? I can easily work on push ups and sit ups, but it's the run that's so hard to train on.

The IET Standardized PT drills include some great workouts/ excercises for improving explosive stregnth and speed. It recommends doing 30/60s (sprint full out 30 seconds and walk 60) and move up to 60/120. It also mentions the agility drills. You can do the speed play on the treadmill, and ensure you put the incline on your treadmill to at least 1 degree to simulate road running resistance.
I have to do my PT at 0530 to beat the heat and to be ready for early work days. Afterwords there is evening PT on the treadmill. Sometimes there is no time for a full workout, so I will do what I can and then do another in the evening. Even doing that (or my favorite of jogging to chow, or around the pad every time I have to go on an errand) will keep muscle memory and your heart strong. Don't get discouraged and not run since coming back sucks! The Running magazines have some great tips too.

Give the treadmill another chance. Play with it a bit, it doesn't have to be accurate to give you a good workout. Try the hill settings. It may not be like running down a road, but it'll still kick your butt.

I'm also a big fan of 30/60's and 60/120s. Never tried them on a treadmill before though... that doesn't seem very smart or productive...

Hey thanks for the input guys. See I would run early in the morning but for some reason, they like to light up the burn pit in the morning. I'm trying to find a way to train my running indoors and I seem to be very limited on types of exercises. I'll give the treadmill a shot by raising the elevation. Yea I don't know if I can do 30/60 on the treadmill because it's hard to run real fast and then try to press the button in madness to slow it down. I saw someone did some jump roping so I'll try that.

How about is there is a step aerobics class on the FOB? I know a lot of guys don't want to try it for one reason or another, but I guarantee you you will be smoked by the end of the class!!

On the treadmill you could get creative to fix the boredom factor and you don't even have to be running on it. You could skip sideways to the left and right, and walk backwards. Also putting it on the steepest incline and walking uphill.

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I saw someone did some jump roping...

Wow...awkward.

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Originally posted by cYnic:
OK for those deployed in Iraq, how do you guys conduct PT that mainly helps toward a PT test. For my unit, we do individual PT where everyone goes to the gym and do whatever they want. But the thing is, I don't like to run on treadmill because to me, it doesn't seem accurate. I want to run outside but it's SO DAMN HOT. I wake up early in the morning to run and it's still freaking hot. Also, where I'm at, there's a burn pit that gives off horrible pollution. So running outside isn't the best option. Are there any tips for me to improve my run for my future PT test? I can easily work on push ups and sit ups, but it's the run that's so hard to train on.

Run despite the pollution. I used to run three times per week in Afghanistan, unfortunately right past the burn pit. It sucks, but, if you want to make sure you are fit you will get up early or stay up late. Why can't you run in the evening?

Nothing wrong with jump roping. I did it the other day and it really brought up my heart rate. I would run in the evening but my 12 hour shift kinda makes it hard. I don't know how you can run pass the burn pit. I'm not a smoker and I hate the smell of the burn pit even if I'm just walking. Also, I don't think it's safe to run while the burn pit is burning because of the carbon monoxide in the air.

I ran a marathon and a half marathon in Iraq on my last deployment. For PT my company did PT by Platoon in the early morning. The heat is pretty bad once the sun comes up, but running the marathon during the early hours of the morning really wasn't all that bad (temperature wise). I suggest running at night time after your shift and before you go to sleep. You won't have to deal with the burn-pit and you'll be nice and tired before you get some sleep.

There is a 2.2 mile loop around my FOB. The road takes me right past the burn pit, but usually when they are burning stuff I'll hit the treadmill. If I do get caught by the burn pit though, I just try to contain my breathing a little bit. Maybe it will make my lungs stronger...or I'll pass out. I guess we'll have to see.

I did PT in Iraq at 0930 (12 hr shift, 2100-0900), I would just run 2-3 miles, and do a decent amount of pull-ups, and that would keep me well-maintained, without killing all my time. Towards the end of the deployment, we went to 8 hr shifts (0100-0900), which was great. I did PT at 0930, and then again at 2100, which was fantastic. I highly preferred doing PT at night.

There were a bunch of old Iraqi weapons bunkers that my buddy and I would run up a lot..great workout for the thighs.

I'm at a cop site and we have a gym for lifting and ab work but how do I keep up for the run???? There is not where to run and no treadmills pretty much nothing and no where to do anything at any exercises that would benefit me?

Invest in a jump rope to help you get some cadrio taken care of.

Everyone is different, but I've always found that if I maintain my core, then the run generally falls in place. Everyone is different though. I was pretty huge on lots of pushups, pullups, and ab workouts in iraq.

If all you want is to pass a pt test, I find the easiest way is to give yourself a mock pt test every day or every other day. It's gets your body used to going through the motions of a pt test, and for me it helps me be less nervous on test day, because I'm already used to doing it on a regular basis. As far as the poo burning goes, try to find an alternate route, or try to figure out when theyre not burning stuff. Also, just because you run on the pt test doesn't mean you have to run all the time. I may only run the 2 mile once a week. Other times I smoke myself on the bike or the stairmaster or the elliptical. Any cardio is good cardio. And the treadmill is not your enemy! I know a soldier who ran on the treadmill all the time and it messed her form up so bad she failed her run my several minutes. So if you do get on the tredmill, i wouldn't suggest doing it all the time, but if you can't run outside, then by all means jump on it and sprint your heart out!