My DS was accepted at VMI. How much running do the rats do there on a daily or weekly basis? Is a 5k (3 miles)a normal run there or is it longer than that? He has had some stress fracture issues from running XC and track (about 30 miles/ week) and is worried about too much running at the academies or at VMI. He has also applied to the USNA as plan A. Do they do other cardio besides running? Any help or insight would be appreciated. Thanks!
How much running at VMI and the USNA
- Thread starter caesarbc
- Start date
Both VMI and USNA have 4th class systems that include a lot of physical activity and lots of running. This includes running from place to place, obstacle courses and "regular" runs. Often Plebes/Rats lose significant amounts of weight, even those that show up in good shape, due to the level of physical activity. Annapolis is not very hilly, but Lexington sure is. Read past posts about preparing for VMI and USNA and almost all include advice to show up in good shape and run, run, run to prepare. I'm saying this to show the level of running and physical activity, not saying your DS is not in good shape - if DS runs XC and track he is probably in good shape.
Not sure the level of concern with the stress fractures, but DS will definitely see pretty high levels of physical activity, including running, as a Plebe or Rat.
Good luck to your DS and congratulations on the VMI acceptance. Has he visited VMI?
Ever hear of a sweat party at VMI?
Not sure the level of concern with the stress fractures, but DS will definitely see pretty high levels of physical activity, including running, as a Plebe or Rat.
Good luck to your DS and congratulations on the VMI acceptance. Has he visited VMI?
TheZooElCid
Banned
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Good running shoes, good boots and good low quarters
Maybe a preventive trip to a ortho guy?
Maybe a preventive trip to a ortho guy?
I'd highly recommend getting lightweight combat boots (Rocky, Oakley, Danner, etc.) for running because you'll be doing a lot of running in "boots n uts" (ACUs, no blouse) as a RAT. The Belleville boots VMI provides are sturdy, durable, and great for FTX. However, when running in them, their heavy weight (7lbs in total I believe) turns them into bricks not to mention a sure-fire way to get shin splints.
I assume you'll be doing similar activities in boots n uts at USNA.
I assume you'll be doing similar activities in boots n uts at USNA.
emwvmi01
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If he has run cross country competitively he will be fine. The running at VMI probably peeks at about 10-12 miles a week. I think (anecdotally and personally speaking) a lot of high schoolers experience shin splints when they take on heavy running regimens while they are still growing. That seems to even out once they get over those final growth spurts if they have good fitting shoes/boots. For running at VMI or USNA I would focus two areas, running in formation 3-5 miles at a 8-9 minute mile pace and for PT tests (service specific they vary from 1.5-3 miles) at a 6-7:30 pace for a male depending on body size. Good luck!
A1Janitor
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My son runs an average 6 minute mile for three miles. He runs under 5:30 for 1 mile pace.
He is about to finish basketball and wants to start running and working out to prep for plebe summer. He will still play tennis in the spring ... he will get up at 5:30 to workout before school and he will run 5 to 6 miles every night like he did in cross country.
The question I hope someone can answer ... what is the best workout regime he can do? Should he take supplements or creatine? Are they legal?
He is about to finish basketball and wants to start running and working out to prep for plebe summer. He will still play tennis in the spring ... he will get up at 5:30 to workout before school and he will run 5 to 6 miles every night like he did in cross country.
The question I hope someone can answer ... what is the best workout regime he can do? Should he take supplements or creatine? Are they legal?
FMHS-79
Parent (no longer active on SAF)
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IMHO, focus on distance over speed -- if he can comfortably run 6 miles consistently at a 7:00 pace he should be okay for the rigors of plebe summer (it will likely be hot and muggy, so showing up in shape will help). I would avoid all supplements as he will likely not be able to use them during plebe summer.
I would caution about buying boots prior to matriculation. I have fairly credible info that we will be transitioning to the new ACUs. These include a different color of boot. FWIW, VMI issued me Rocky boots with my ACUs, not the heavy Bellvilles, which do suck for running. Air Force issued me the Bellvilles and I promptly bought a pair of ABU rockys instead. No guarantee VMI will stick with Rocky when we transition though.
A1Janitor
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His 6 mile pace is currently 6:45 to 7:00.
He wants to get stronger. He knows how to handle the running from cross country.
I think he really is scared of getting beat up by a girl!
. He isn’t a wrestler or boxer. Not a fighter. One of his regrets was dropping JKD. His sister got up to a purple belt.
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During plebe summer, stress fractures are common. Plenty of plebes on crutches. But they do not escape PEP. Rather than regular PEP, they’re assigned to Pool PEP - which is much more demanding than regular PEP. The plebes want to heal fast so that they can escape Pool PEP. No kidding!
We visited VMI yesterday with DS#2 (for football) and loved it as well. Since we are OOS and he is not getting a football scholarship (preferred walk-on), we are in limbo until we see how much financial aid he gets before committing. I'm trying to talk him into applying for a sideloaded ROTC scholarship but he is resisting.
Whats_my_MOS
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VMI is a bit different. We don't have PEP (for the time we are allotted), but every morning for the first nine days the rats are formed up in front of barracks for morning PT, which involves a little over a mile of running to the PT fields. More will get shin splints and stress fractures as PT amps up with ROTC PT or other ratline events, culminating in the 20-mile march in late January and Breakout (Date TBD??)