Has anyone done the 2.5 mile walk for PT? What exercises should I do to get ready for it? Was it hard?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 17:30:48 -0500

I have been on profile since late september for my legs and feet. At first i didnt have to do the pt test at all but now they want me to do the 2.5 mile walk on jan 5th. I just found out last week. Ive heard its hard and i tried to walk myself and im in severe pain. I honestly rather run. I cant afford to fail this test so i need pointers. Please help!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2018 6:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 18:53:08 -0500

I've seen people do the walk and it looks God awful painful.

On a side note, if your profile restricts you from running or walking for the APFT, then you should not be doing those events. It's not a matter of what "they" want, it's a matter of what your profile limits you to. If you can't physically do it you need to revisit your provider.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Dec 22 at 2018 7:27 PM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 19:27:22 -0500

I had been an escort a few times when i was stationed at Ft Lewis. The course we used put runners/walkers out of site of the graders so the walkers had to have an NCO escort with them. I hated the walk. I can walk for miles at my own pace, but I would rather run it. You don't have much time to train for it. Read the regulation/FM for physical fitness and learn what the standards are for the walk. Do NOT try to jog a portion of the course. If you are caught jogging part of it, the event could be terminated and you could fail the test.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 22 at 2018 9:23 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 21:23:09 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member you may want to remove the tag for Exercise Planner...not really what you are looking for unless you’re planning a military exercise (like a Corps Warfighter, Ulchi Focus Lense, etc) May try APFT, alternate event, etc.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2018 9:32 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 09:32:17 -0500

As a walker of the 2.5 mile for the APFT, I can honestly say that there is no real exercise that you can do to "get ready for it." This is one of those things that you just have to get out there and do it. And yes, it does suck and it is painful. One foot has to remain in contact with the ground at all times. Here are some helpful tips I can give: Swing those arms, use those hips, focus your breathing. Also, watch your time. Here are the times needed per age group for women: Age 17-21 is 37:00; 22-26 is 37:30; 27-31 is 38:00; 32-36 is 38:30; 37-41 is 39:00. So, when I say to watch your time, I mean to say that you need to know what your time allowed is and what time you should hit the 1 mile and 2 mile mark. For you, I would recommend that you try and keep your pace at no slower than a 16 minute mile. This way, you will give yourself plenty of buffer time. I've been doing this thing for years. If you have any other questions, let me know.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Dec 23 at 2018 11:12 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 11:12:37 -0500

https://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/TIP_No_12-054-0616_LoadCarriageandMarching.pdf

TIP_No_12-054-0616_LoadCarriageandMarching.pdf

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2018 7:34 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 19:34:55 -0500

I've done the walk 1-time in 21 years. It sucked...you have to have the arm and hip-swing in-synch or you'll be hurting after. I would rather run 5 miles than do the 2.5mile walk...for real! Practice walking fast, with the proper form...for 2.5miles regularly if this will be your alternate event from here on out. Seems like no big deal - but just going out there and winging it the day of the PT test isn't going to work.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 7 at 2019 1:09 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 13:09:48 -0500

The walk can be what you make of it. Don't dog it, the time goes by quickly. practice walking and see how long it takes you to do a mile, then move up from there. I retired at age 52, had been doing the walk for about 10 years. I routinely could do it in 29 minutes and some change. Did in combat boots once as I had forgotten my shoes and it is a 80- mile drive form my home to my NG armory. I did that one in just over 31 minutes. My personnel best was 28:43, I have seen it done faster, but I have seen people fail it as they didn't prepare themselves. practice, practice, practice. For me the single biggest drive, is seeing some out of shape 18-21 year old fall out the run and walk it. Nothing Like smoking a kid half your age or more and they can do nothing about it. It drove me like dog on the trail of some game, I would force myself to walk faster so I could catch them. If I beat them to the line, I would talk trash till the next PT test and see if they could redeem themselves.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 3:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 15:33:01 -0500

There is really no exercise but to go out on the track in spare time to walk it. As long as you make each lap in 3 min and few change, you will pass the test. I know your feet may hurt, but I would find another walker that you are buddies with and have a good conversation during the walk....... it will help take your mind off....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2019 3:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 15:59:21 -0500

If you contently do your walk everyday for physical training, your body will get used to it and it becomes natural to you, it's all in the head.

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Jan 7 at 2019 4:07 PM

1SG Michael Farrell — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:07:11 -0500

Practice speed walking. Also, do it with a 20 pound rucksack. It will make that very screwy experience a helluva lot easier...running is far easier, but you can't break into a run. So, try to road march it. Good luck.

Response by SPC John Waisman made Mar 23 at 2019 9:56 PM

SPC John Waisman — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 21:56:39 -0400

I'm so sorry about the pain. I hope it all works out for you.