Ben Sloot

I planned to get faster in 2022. Originally, the idea was to take a baseline on my 1 mile time and then see how fast I could get over the course of the year. I modified the goal, after some consideration, and will break up the year in to training periods to get faster at both the 1 mile run and also the 2 mile run. The Army still requires a 2 mile run for the new and improved fitness test, so I figured I better keep that in mind while I see how fast I can go.

I conducted my baseline test today (tonight actually). I didn’t do myself any favors with my schedule. It was 7 degrees below zero this morning, so instead of getting it out of the way early when I was fresh I stayed in bed. Instead, I worked 13 hours, ate dinner at the dining facility and conducted my baseline test before I could get any of my food digested… I’m surprised it stayed down.

Early analysis of the effort: I’m out of shape. I ended up with a 7 minute 30 second mile time. I went out way to fast in the first half mile and practically limped home with a half mile split of 3:30 and 4:00. The 10 degree evening air burned my lungs; I couldn’t feel my fingers by the end and had to lay down in my room to recover… 7:30 is a minute slower than I used to run the first mile of the Army Physical Fitness Test 2 mile run.

Excuses:
Age – 39
Kids – 2
Weight – 200(ish)
Cold – 10 degrees

But it’s an honest effort baseline, so now it’s time to focus actually training instead of my usual jogging around town (or on the treadmill) focusing more on a podcast than a workout. Here’s what the next 4 weeks look like:

Do it.