Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Well, I start the academy next week. I have a general idea of what to expect and I'm not as concerned with the yelling as I am with the PT. I passed 2 PT tests in the past year but I still feel like I'm lacking. And even when I took the PT tests I almost felt like giving up at the end of the run. And although I have been running for the past couple of months, I really don't feel like I'm getting any faster. I don't want to be the slowest runner there :o . The fastest I ran 1.5 miles on the track is 14:05 and on the treadmill in 13:00. I have to do it in 15:00 in order to pass.

Maybe I'm just freaking out for no reason. I mean I know this academy works you from a 1.5 mile run to 5 miles over the course of 4 months but I can't help to feel like I'm am going to struggle with the whole running thing. I know there has to be someone out there that felt the same way and went through it. Or anybody for that matter, did you get used to the running? Were you able to increase the distance with few problems?

Thanks for letting me vent, I feel a little better now. Oh...if I come back here in a week crying because I don't think I can last in the academy, someone please tell me to shut up and stick with it. :D

They'll pace you up to 5 miles. I wouldn't worry about that. You'll probably be running in formation anyway and that is the easiest way to run so long as your instructors keep it at a slow and steady pace. My distance increased the most in my department's post academy, where I went from 3 miles to 5 miles in less than 6 weeks. I never thought I'd see the day that I'd run 5 miles. Running was never my thing and still isn't. I really hate running but I still do it because, well, it's a nature of the job and we have foot pursuits often. Remember, hot baths are your friend!

Otherwise, stay below the radar and be a good sponge! You'll be firehosed with information, but it's all good.

Thanks for that. I do feel a lot better now. At least I'm not the only one who hates running. I'll try not to psych myself out, instead I'll try to do updates on here to ensure that I will stick through it. I want this more than anything and I don't want my wandering mind to get in the way.

I won't wait til next week...shut up and stick with it! If you want it bad enough, you will just eat up all they shove at you!

I won't wait til next week...shut up and stick with it! If you want it bad enough, you will just eat up all they shove at you!

hell yes, we have all been there done that. Its part of doing the job.

Will power is important and probably the main determinant of the 1.5mi test.


But... 14 mins is pretty damn slow.

Suck it up, go hard, it'll be over soon enough

Unless your bones are broken, there is no reason to NOT keep taking the next step and finish the runs. Tell yourself "I didn't come to fail." You can always do more than your body wants to, it is all a choice, and your success in that department rests squarely with you. Your after action report that you write to us should reflect back that you did well in the run. Best of luck, one foot in front of the other, and do not quit.

There's a good chance that, when you feel like quitting, there is a guy next to you still running who is hurtin worse than you.

Thanks for the encouragement. I know I'm a pretty slow runner :o , the only thing I have going for me is that there is another girl in the class that seems to be running the same pace as me ( ran with her at the PT test).

I'll keep my head held high and when I feel like I can't run anymore, I'll run harder.

When you are running with a group of people that have the "team" attitude it's easier to get through the runs. I hate running with a passion but I continued to do it (until I broke my ankle) because it was hard. If exercise is easy then what's the point. As others have said it's all in your mind. Your mind will play tricks on you and try to get you to give up WAY before your body is ready to throw in the towel so persevere and hang in there.

Watch your diet as well, if you are 20lbs overweight it can make a HUGE difference in your speed. Also maybe your training is wrong. Try intervals to build your power and endurance.

I ran the 1.5 in 11:30 and I swear they were going to have to call me a medic:) There were others running it in 7:xx but they can't bench press 450lbs either :p

Everyone has their strengths. Running was the worst part of PT for me too so don't feel bad.

If you can run 1.5 miles you can run 5 miles. It's all mental. I probably "couldn't" run 5 miles by myself, but put me in formation with the rest of my academy class and I routinely ran 5 mile runs without stopping. Some of them at a pretty good pace. It's all will power and determination.

Find someone in your class that always seems to run just a little bit faster than you and focus on staying with them. Make it a goal to finish before them within 2 weeks. Then find the next person just a little faster than you and repeat. Within 90 days you'll be closer to the front of the class than the back. Then you just have to push yourself one step farther than you think your body can handle every day, and never take a step back after you achieve a new time or distance.

You will need good running shoes though. This is not an option, if you're going to do a lot of running you will be in constant pain if you don't get a good running shoe that's fit to your feet. I went to a running store and let their foot doctor guy make a recommendation. He told me to buy Saucony shoes and I did. My shin splints went from excruciating to almost non-existent in a matter of days. Get the good shoes.

I hate to run, and I'm a poor runner. At 35 years old and carrying 10 extra pounds of beer gut I ran the 1.5 mile in 11:30 in my academy (and I was not proud of that time). If you're under 30 years old you shouldn't accept less than 12:00 for the 1.5 mile time as a bare minimum, and that's really not good. I should be in the 10's and people in their 20's should be in the 9's at the very least.

There's nothing in PT that can kill you or make you quit, that's only in your mind. Don't ever allow the idea of quitting into your head again. Never. Thinking about quitting is almost as bad as doing it, you'll just torture yourself thinking about quitting.

When I started the academy I could barely run one mile. Within a month and a half they had us running in a 10k charity race in formation. You can do a whole lot more than you think, just keep your heart in it and you'll do great.

I feel you Mellow Yellow. I started academy on 11/30 and Monday is the first day of PT. No matter how much you train you will feel inadequate. I'm trying not to think about it too much because I can't do anything to change it.

Just expect the worse and hope for the best, that way if it's easier than you thought, you'll be pleasantly surprised. ;)

Everyone has their strengths. Running was the worst part of PT for me too so don't feel bad.


That's the best thing I've heard all week. :)

+1 with what Mike Romeo said.

Except ours started us out at 3 miles, and had us running 5 by the time it was done with. Our pace varied. Sometime's we'd do 3 miles of Indian Runs, or 3-4 miles of running through the parking lot jogging the curves, and sprinting the straight aways.

If your doing your 1.5 in 14:00.. You'll be fine. Just get ready to run your *** off.

When I started the academy I could barely run one mile. Within a month and a half they had us running in a 10k charity race in formation. You can do a whole lot more than you think, just keep your heart in it and you'll do great.


You have NO idea how much I needed to hear this!!! :cool:

I am feeling soooooooo guilty about slacking on my running. I never have liked running, but I'll do it if I have to. I can't run for an entire mile without stopping to walk or trot. Being anemic and having poor blood circulation doesn't exactly help either (dizziness). Hopefully I can do this without getting dizzy or passing out. :o

Wow! This has been one of the best RP threads I've ever read. Damn near brought me to tears. You all are amazing with your support and encouragement! :)

Good luck Mellow Yellow. If you find support at the academy as sincere as this...I've no doubt you'll make it...and make it big! Best wishes.~CJ~ :D

I feel you Mellow Yellow. I started academy on 11/30 and Monday is the first day of PT. No matter how much you train you will feel inadequate. I'm trying not to think about it too much because I can't do anything to change it.

Just expect the worse and hope for the best, that way if it's easier than you thought, you'll be pleasantly surprised. ;)

Hit the nail right on the head. This is exactly how I felt on day one...and a few in between lol. This is how you are going to feel. It will not be easy at any point. If it was, everyone who came in would graduate and there would be no pride in it when you finish. My first day was on 10/31. By week 6 something in you clicks and every hard day you have (that you live through ;) ) makes you so much stronger and gets you to push to the next level. Good luck!

One motivation saying that we chant is "I will not quit! I will survive!" Say that to yourself while training. Or say it to someone who looks like they need it too.

Thank you all for the encouragement! The first week was painful but manageable. The first day naturally was the worst and I hated it. The PT sucks but I'm dealing with it day by day. For the most part I like the academy, even though we get in trouble for everything, and I mean everything.

The only thing I'm having a problem with is the weekend going by so fast! :D

LOL. Get used to "non-existant" weekends. It stays that way. :)

I may be chiming in late, but this thread is motivating!
I'm starting to get into the swing of running again, and I'm really starting to like it!

I used to get shin splints too, but now its okay, I got me a good pair of running shoes and it make a world of a difference. I get a cramp usually in my knee pit on my right leg (where the knee bends). But I usually run through it by slowing down, but that too is gradually going away.

Running is nothing more than "Mind over Matter". You don't mind it don't Matter!!!! Just a quick "WAR Story". When I was in the Army I hated to run. We had a section chief, that demanded that all of us, "Be All You Can BE", we would run 3 - 5 miles on Monday & Wednesday and 6 miles on Friday. We started at 8 minute miles and in approx 4 months we were doing 6 1/2 - 7 minute miles... Needless to say when it came time for our Semi-Annual PT Tests almost every-one maxed the run. Good luck with your run...

We are now in our 6th week and the running is not that bad anymore. I realized that it really is all in your head. I think we're running about 3-4 miles a day now. It's really just something that you adjust to. A good pair of running shoes and a lot of Bengay will get anyone through it! ;)

Mind over matter. The human body can literally run forever as long as it has adequate nourishment and hydration. When I was in the 82nd Airborne, we used to run approximately 40 miles a week. Ten miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 5 miles Tuesdays and Thursdays. This was on top of doing muscle failure on the ten mile days. (Yes we spent a couple of hours working out lol) When I first got there and realized I would have to run 10 miles in formation, (that means without stopping at all or slowing down) I was nervous. I found out that there comes a point where the pain is at its worst and your personal will power at its lowest. At this point, if you can will yourself through it, there comes a type a runner's high. You can literally get to the point that you feel absolutely NO pain and sometimes it even feels GOOD! Just will yourself through any physical difficulties and you CAN accomplish any physical feats you set your mind too. Glad it's gettin better for ya :) Good luck with the rest of it.

hell yes, we have all been there done that. Its part of doing the job.


So far, its the most fun I've had in my career as a Law enforcement officer. I got a late start in this field where I used to actually work for a living. It's also great when you get paid to get in shape.

Well let me chime in ... I began our Basic Academy and like many who have posted I was in terrible shape. The formation and distance runs helped me out. I did pass my PEB ( phsycial efficiency battery) always thining about my family and the investment they made in me ... For me the trick is not to stop but keep moving ...

Good Luck on your run and passing your Basic ....

1.5 in 15 minutes is GENEROUS! Our academy wants 11:57 for the 1.5. Like everyone said, it's mind over matter.

A few of the academies here only require the 1.5 in 16:28 or less.... I can honestly walk 1.5 miles in 16:28.

The basic requirement for the Army is 2 miles in about 15:36 or so. When I was in my best shape, the 2 mile was usually run in under 12:30. (can't do that now though lol)

... For me the trick is not to stop but keep moving ...


That was always how I got through running. I wrestled and ran cross country in high school and I made it a point to never stop and never walk. If you must, just slow down, but never slow down to the point where you aren't at least jogging. If you stop and walk for a while, your brain will always be telling you, "okay, can't go anymore, gotta walk." If you at least jog, then you will end up thinking, "hell, I might as well be running, then I would at least get done faster." I also would always end with a sprint. It was a way of telling myself that no matter how much it hurts, I can still go further, and I can still go faster.

Now obviously if you are running in formation, you run how they tell you to run, but I have always found this helpful when training. In the races, I would always love to see people ahead of me start walking, gasping for air. I wasn't about to be one of them because I wouldn't let myself. I knew I could take it.

Anyway, I'm rambling.....hope this helped.....