Academy running?

[USAF]

I start the academy 22 Apr. I am in good shape, but will get in better shape before the academy. My question is how much running do you do in the academy? I was told by recruiting to enter the academy capable of running 3 miles. Should I expect to run 3 miles a day, 3 times a week? Let me know what you are/were running for PT at the academy. Thanks in advance for your input.

[996s]

I think we did like 2 miles Mon and Wed, and then 4-5 on Friday. But it kept changing the longer we where there the more laxed they got, then they would hit us agian with a long run. Stay in shape though.

Try to be able to run about 3 miles in around 25 min. If you can do that you will be fine. Its not a track team.

[Ranger337]

At my academy in Central California we started off a little slow in the running. Meaning we had slow paced short runs. They split the class into 2 teams one was the good runners, and the second team was the not so fast runners.

Sometimes the instructors had us do endurance building runs, and sometimes we all just went for a 2-3 mile jog (in 40 degree weather)

Likely your runs will start out slow paced and progress to faster longer runs to get everyone where they need to be.

Best of Luck!

[ThomasAckerman]

My experiences in both a municipal and federal academy have been very close to Ranger's characterization, above, although we were not split into two teams. This sort of program is fairly typical. If you really want the straight skinny, however, give the recruiter another call and you should have your answer.

TOM

[alamo]

Hey USAF, what academy are you going to? Napa? Los Medanos?
I grew up in Farifield, and I can't think of any others near Travis AFB.... Just wondering.

In my academy, the running gradually increased over time. We started off with distances that almost everyone could handle. If you are in good shape now, I think you'll do fine. I think you'll discover that there are about 3 levels of fitness going into the academy. Probably much like military basic training, there's the super-fit, fast people, the average, mid-range people, and those who will bring up the rear. Even the slowest runners did ok, as long as they put forth the effort.

[USAF]

I am going to Los Medanos. About half way through the academy, it will be moved to the marina in Pittsburg. The long term plan is to move the academy to the Concord Naval Weapons Station.
At the orientation, (while in suits) we had to run from our formation grounds to the class room and back 3 time in about 10 minutes, and do 12 push-ups. I was very suprised at how many people were struggling after that little amount. I know I am ahead of those people. I hate to run, so I mix in riding the stationary bike and the stairmaster before I run 1 - 2 miles.

[Joe159]

At my academy, it depends on your assigned pt instructor. Some instructors loved to run while others did not run much at all. Actually, I wish I had done more runing when I went through the academy.