I have not run an entire mile since four years ago. I tested myself earlier today and was disappointed in my current shape. I had run a 6 minutes 38 seconds mile. As I have several months before I will take the CFA, what is a competitive mile time I should train for?
Competitive Mile Time
- Thread starter iotw
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- Jan 15, 2009
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- 13
6:40 is the average for the CFA, so aiming for under 6 probably would not hurt.
usna1985
15-Year Member
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What works for the CFA and what is needed to be successful at USNA aren't the same thing. Seriously.
The CFA is a lengthy test where they recognize that you're tired out. It's also more of a "minimum standard" approach -- the fact you pass the CFA does not mean that you're in shape for plebe summer.
For CFA purposes, males are probably OK if they are sub 7:00 and females if they're sub 8:00. Not saying that a slower time won't be ok (although not much slower) and faster times are clearly better.
For USNA purposes, males should be able to run at no slower than a 6:30 pace over 1.5 miles (passing is a BIT slower) and females no slower than a 7:30 pace over 1.5 miles. You're MUCH better off if you're in the 6:00/7:00 range. AND, for plebe summer, you should be able to run 3-4 miles at a 6:30/7:30 pace.
The above will make your life a LOT easier. Folks who are slower (and I was one of them) will struggle and you don't want to struggle.
The CFA is a lengthy test where they recognize that you're tired out. It's also more of a "minimum standard" approach -- the fact you pass the CFA does not mean that you're in shape for plebe summer.
For CFA purposes, males are probably OK if they are sub 7:00 and females if they're sub 8:00. Not saying that a slower time won't be ok (although not much slower) and faster times are clearly better.
For USNA purposes, males should be able to run at no slower than a 6:30 pace over 1.5 miles (passing is a BIT slower) and females no slower than a 7:30 pace over 1.5 miles. You're MUCH better off if you're in the 6:00/7:00 range. AND, for plebe summer, you should be able to run 3-4 miles at a 6:30/7:30 pace.
The above will make your life a LOT easier. Folks who are slower (and I was one of them) will struggle and you don't want to struggle.
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- Feb 9, 2009
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- 102
I know a former Marine who wasn't too fit when he enlisted. He said that he was the one who had to run circles around his squad while they ran to make him stronger.
If that's not motivation, I dunno what is!
If that's not motivation, I dunno what is!
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- Feb 16, 2009
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I've witnessed this first hand. It's called the Satellite. When someone is not cutting it, they are pushed to the exteme, either get up to speed or get out of the way.
We had two guys like that in boot camp. DI would call out "satellites in orbit", the platoon responds with "sir, satellites in orbit, aye aye sir", and the ones that were not in formation due to having fallen behind had to catch up, and start running "orbits" around the formation.
They almost immediately stopped falling out of runs. It's amazing what the body can do when the mind wants it to.
JB
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2008
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- 98
Several-mile-runs are not out of the norm for Plebe Summer...nor are they unusual for Saturday Morning Training.
If you were disappointed in your ONE mile run, get a-moving! You have much training to do!!
If you were disappointed in your ONE mile run, get a-moving! You have much training to do!!