Back on the grid – sort of!

It has certainly been a while – hasn’t it?

 

I’m currently a few weeks into Officer Candidate School. I finished up Basic Combat Training a few weeks ago at Fort Jackson.

 

Basic Combat Training was an adventure, for sure, and a lesson in patience! Depedning on the perspective I choose, I can make it seem awesome, boring, easy, tough, or life-changing. For entertainment’s sake, we’ll stick with awesome.

 

But first, a performance recap:

 

APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test) Score: 348 on the extended scale. 58 pushups, 98 situps and a 13:23 two mile run time. Highest score in my platoon!

That’s right – I ran two 6:42 miles back-to-back. I ran with Alpha group (the fast kids) during my time at BCT. I alternated between hanging in and feeling awesome, and falling out after the first 1.5 miles – on those days, I called myself “A minus” and considered it a victory to not get lapped! My speed definitely improved, and I managed to avoid injury. I’m no longer afraid to run hard on a regular basis, but I’m very glad I had a relatively solid running base entering BCT.

 

Some BCT highlights:

 

The grenade range. It was somewhat anti-climactic because you don’t actually get to watch the grenades you throw go off – you’re taking cover behind a thick concrete wall. But, I got to throw two live hand grenades, which is pretty awesome.

 

Advanced Rifle Marksmanship. This included using scopes, lazers and – my favorite part – night vision goggles. We also did some close contact drills, which involved shooting “controlled pairs” (a.k.a. Double tapping) targets at close range.

 

Urban Operations. We were trained on the proper techniques of breeching and clearing a room. It was super fun. It’s a lot like what you see SWAT teams and military personnel do on TV when they kick in the door and rush into the room. I was usually the door-kicker. It seemed complicated at first, because there is a lot that happens in a really short period of time, but as long as each team member understood their objective and performed it, it was actually pretty smooth and easy.

 

Field Training. We had three different field trianing events – the last one being 5 days long. At the last one, we got to execute a lot of the different things we had learned and work as a squad. My squad was great and we worked well together. We did drills that tested our ability to react to contact, react to snipers, identify IEDs, break contact, search and clear areas, and even treat/rescue injured friendly forces.

 

OCS is going well so far! It’s very competitive. We’re all ranked on a points scale, and the points count towards two things:

1. Branching. All of the Active Duty people are competing for their desired officer branches. As a National Guard member, I already have my branch, so this doesn’t matter to me.

2. Class standings. The top 20% will be considered Honor Graduates. This is what I’m shooting for.

We get scored on physical events, tests, leadership and field activities. So far, the physical events have been a huge factor in separating the top OCs. I’ve never been happier to be a runner. Seriously, if anyone out there is thinking about OCS, start running now. There isn’t much training time here to really improve run times. Our timed 3, 4, and 5 mile runs are in the first 5 weeks. When you’re with a bunch of smart people and they’re scoring 100s on their tests, your running can really give you a bump to the top of the class standings.

 

OCS comes with much more freedom than BCT. I’ve been off-post once for a volunteer event, and I’ve gotten to go to the gym on post – which contains a pool (YES! SWIMMING!), a rock wall, a few spin bikes, and the usual gym equipment. I’ll have to track down a few good spinning workouts… I’d be lying if I told you I hadn’t spend time on craigslist looking for a cheap bike to buy… but having to go everywhere with a battle buddy makes adventures like that seem unlikely.

 

So, what’s on the horizion?

 

First of all, kicking butt at OCS. LOTS of studying, additional running/exercise when my training allows – phsyically as well as what permissions I’m allowed through my cadre.

 

Second, working out a rough plan. I’ve got one school left after OCS, and I’m trying to work a tri schedule around drill weekends and school. I’m also still on contract with my job – and that is up in September. So, there’s a lot to consider, many different plans to be formed, and probably a large number of decisions to be made.

 

Third, get my butt back to Tucson and jump in with both feet – socially, with training, and with life in general. Things have been so restricted for me since January, and will continue to be through June. I’m itching to get back to the freedoms associated with real life, even it if means sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day again to facilitate my fun, or until some alternative can be put in place.

So, what have I missed??

Ragnar Relay Florida Keys 2013 Race Report

Well, despite every possible effort to foil my team’s start, every member of Ludicrous Speed showed up ready to run!

My first run was through the crappy section of Coral Gables. I started out way too fast because the sun still wasn’t up. The running route was through an interesting neighborhood – and because I was slightly afraid of getting lost – I ran HARD to keep up with the girl in front of me. I lost her anyway. I kept reminding myself that Carolyn (my sister, who ran that leg last year) had commented that it was through the ‘hood. So, if it was sketchy, I MUST be on the right path! I eventually found my way to the outskirts of the University of Miami campus that I knew would lead me to the end of my run. It was a great run, solid effort, and fun start to the weekend!

The second run was along a dirt path, down a road, and onto the gravel road next to a canal. I started in a light rain, which eventually let up. The humidity hit me HARD! My diaphragm was cramping because I was apparently breathing a little funny. Around mile 2 it cleared up, and I started to feel much better! I wanted the run to go on forever because the longer I ran, the better I felt.

My final run was the run I was waiting for – the Seven Mile Bridge! I ran about 2 miles before hitting the bridge. My run was slow, but really awesome. I was so happy to finally get to run this leg! I started in the dark, and the sun started peeking over the horizon when had about two miles remaining… so I got to see stars and the sunrise! The shoulder is narrow, and I was worried that passing trucks would scare me. As it turns out, the breeze left in their wake was the only relief from the warm, humid air, and I welcomed the passing of every large vehicle!

The exchanges and course support were much more strictly executed this year – I’m guessing the jump from 350 to 550 teams required it. Sometimes it was a bummer to not be allowed to stop where you wanted to, but the entire event went so smoothly that I cannot complain.

And, that’s the short version!

Ragnar Relay – Pre Race

I woke Wednesday morning to a text from my mother…

“Dad and I are both sick now. Best case, we fly down and don’t run. Unless we have a miraculous recovery I think we need to consider alternative plans.”

Well, crap. That’s not exactly good news.

So, I contacted my team. I told them that we might be down two runners. Within an hour, 8 of the 10 remaining teammates responded and offered to pick up some extra mileage! Plus, my brother, who is volunteering instead of running, said he’d take one or two short legs.

Nothing is better than having people that love running on my team!

By Thursday, both parents were on a plane and headed to Florida.

Our pre-run travels saw a lost wallet (found with no missing contents), lost ID (recovered), running clothes left on the plane (delivered to baggage office), missing reflective vests, and most of the team rocking some sort of illness. Later, we’d lose (and find) a cell phone and van keys (but those would not be found until I climbed in a dumpster)… and we’d lose some sanity and a little dignity that would never be recovered. But, one can live without them.

Van 1 BARELY made it to the race start on time. Van 2 went to pick up a van, but Enterprise screwed us over – apparently having a reservation doesn’t guarantee a vehicle. Avis rescued us, and Van 2 made it just in time to meet us at Exchange 6.

It’s a freaking miracle that all of that resulted in a near-flawless execution of a 197 mile relay race…

2012 in photos

January:

Entire family at the Florida Keys Ragnar Relay

Post-first-ever-marathon. 4:22.

February:

Dry Tortugas trip

March:

The move to AZ with Duke!

April:

Discovering awesome trail running in Tucson

May:

At the top of Mt Lemmon with the Fuji

June:

At Rev3 Quassy!

I enlisted!

July:

New rides, new friends, new adventures.

August:

Rev3 Maine

Ireland!

September:

My first Xterra

October:

Alburquerque Balloon Festival

Channeling Wonder Woman

November:

In VT with the family

December:

Snowboarding Tucson!

When I turn Type A…

This only happens a few times a year, if that.

My Type A take-over for the past few years has been the Florida Keys Ragnar Relay. For the first two years my family did it, I lived in Florida. This year, Ive still planned the entire event without being local. Airport pick-ups, rental vans, hotels, airport drop offs, and general logistics are up to me. I dont mind, really, as long as my team doesnt mind getting a 3 page spreadsheet including the budget, approximate run times based on pace, and airline arrivals and departures. I LOVE that when race weekend rolls around, everything is set and ready for execution.

Ive even gone all Type A while packing for certain events, like the time I climbed Kilimanjaro.

Now, I ship to Basic Combat Training and Officer Candidate School in one month. Ive found a variety of packing lists, and gotten conflicting verbal advice about what to bring from nearly every person Ive talked to. For Basic, heres a list from the Army, heres one from the National Guard, and heres yet another from the Army. Theyre all similar, but different. Knowing that the second I step into training, my bag will be dumped on the floor and the contents rooted through, Im a little stressed. Do I bring my running shoes? Do I bring 6 pairs of socks or 1? Shoe polish? I was told by a soldier who just came back from Basic to not worry about anything but the paperwork and a change of clothes and I can (and will be forced to) buy the rest there, including running shoes. A different soldier who also just returned said that his platoon was allowed use the running shoes they brought from home. But, the resounding advice is to pack as little as possible, because youll be issued/forced to purchase so much stuff.

Right after Basic, I head to OCS, which has a pretty extreme packing list. Lucky for me, my boyfriend will be coming to my BCT graduation and will be able to bring things Im leaving at home, like my cell phone and my laptop and a few other items like 3 pairs of non-uniform dress pants and shirts. But, as for the rest of the list, what will I be issued at BCT? Will that cover my OCS packing list? Will it be too much?

My packing list of BCT and the list of things Ill pack and leave for Patrick to bring between BCT and OCS are works in progress. I will post here what I end up bringing.

As far as phones go, Ive suspended my smartphone account with AT&T for the duration of BCT. No sense in paying for data while Im away. I ordered a phone from PlatunimTel, which will be loaded with $30 in credits. At $0.05/minute for talk, and $0.02 for text, it should be more than enough for the small amount that Ill see my phone in those 10 weeks. Plus, the total cost (phone + sim + minutes) is less than the cost of a month of my AT&T plan. Well worth it. If/when I get to use it, Im hoping that the no smartphone/no camera/no touchscreen/no data allow my battery to last quite a bit longer as well.

My focus right now: Paperwork. I want to make sure I personally have 5 copies of all required documents. The last thing I want is to show up prepared to go, and find out that they are missing a copy of my High School Diploma

Guard Update – I have a job!

After what seems like a lifetime of waiting – which was really only three weeks – I’ve been assigned my branch. I’ll be joining the Army Corps of Engineers.

This shouldn’t be a surprise to those of you that know I AM an engineer. But, to those of you who were aware of my preference list, you might notice that I got choice 4/5.

So, why was Engineering 4th on my list?

Simple. I had a meeting with a great Chief Warrant Officer who helps place Officers in the AZ Guard. He informed me that Engineering doesn’t offer leadership opportunities that are available in some other branches, thus making it potentially harder for promotion. So, I kept it on my list, but ranked it lower.

Am I happy?

While I’m not looking forward to 20 weeks at Fort Leonard Wood – which is about 140 miles southwest of St Louis, MO – that’s about the only part I’m NOT excited about.

I think I’m going to love it. My recent jobs as an engineer have left much to be desired, and I think this will help me to fall back in love with engineering, and get a better idea of what I’d like to be doing on a daily basis.

I won’t be going for quite some time. I will be commissioned at the end of Officer Candidate School, and will report to my unit in Florence, AZ in July. When I arrive there, we’ll be scheduling my BOLC – Basic Officer Leadership Course. Judging by current enrollment, I doubt I’ll be headed there in 2013.

BOLC is also a lot more like a job than like Basic. I won’t live in the Barracks, and I’ll get to go “home” at night and on the weekends – unless training is scheduled. I also get to bring some stuff with me (read: bicycle). Anyway, I will cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, the focus is on showing up at Basic healthy and prepared!

Buying thoughtful gifts for athletes:

The newbie runner:

-Race entries. Try to stick within their current fitness level, and make it something that they’ll be able to train for properly. Or, better yet, pick a race you can run together!

-Nice socks. When I started running, I thought spending more than about $3 on a pair of socks was silly. As the miles increased, I realized the importance of dry, comfortable, chafe-free feet. Worth every penny!

-Membership to a local running club

The newbie triathlete:

-Entry to a Rev3 Race – they made it super easy –just click here!

-Bike jersey featuring their favorite sports team / university / beer / state / anything they love.

-Yankz, Lock Laces, or other elastic shoelace

-Starter flat kit, multi-tool, spare tubes, or even a gift certificate to a basic bike maintenance clinic at a local bike shop

-Membership to a local triathlon club – I know that my yearly membership with Tucson Tri Girls has paid off big time in the form of events, clinics, raffles, training partners, and camaraderie.

The experienced triathlete:

-Entry to a Rev3 Race! Maybe for a tough course like Quassy, a new distance, or a fun long weekend trip!

-TriSwim products, including TriSlide! TriSlide is a great lube for those long workouts – and it’s more hygienic than rubbing the same stick of lube in your crotch, between your toes and under your arms. Really. TriSwim helps restore skin and hair after swimming.

-Sweatproof/Waterproof headphones, if they like to work out with music – or even a waterproof mp3 player! I use X-1’s Interval for swimming and running. It was nice to stop at showers along the beach and stick my head underneath to cool off without worrying about my iPod.

-Computer-based cycling programs for the bike trainer. I like TurboCrank – which is great for when I want to get engrossed in a movie – and Sufferfest or Spinervals – for when I want to feel more involved in the cycling workout.

-USAT, USAC or USMS Membership – depending on what they’re into this season.

The triathlete who’s going long next season:

-Nutrition! Find out their favorite by asking what they like to train with, or check out what will be offered on course at their next big event, and go with that.

-Sunscreen – the nice stuff – like Kinesys or Bullfrog

-Trial sized containers of Chamois Butt’r to stash in their saddle bag for those long rides.

The athlete who has everything:

-Sporthooks – especially if you’ve never seen their medals proudly on display

-Tri Bling – super awesome jewelry that’s subtle enough to not be ridiculous

-Gift cards for gear – TriSports, TheClymb and your local cycling or running stores are great places to start.

-Music or Audiobooks – Amazon, iTunes, Audible subscription, Pandora subscription…

-A weekend training session! It doesn’t have to be anything huge – maybe paid campground fees, mapped bike routes and trail runs, and a load of healthy food for the weekend. Or, plan something where they can ride the course for their big race this year!

…now, what did I miss? What would you add?

-From James: Race photos!