One of the neat things about the blog software I use (Wordpress) is that you can install widgets, gadgets, and other neat tools. One of them that I use is a Blog Stats gadget, that tracks what search engine terms people are using to find my blog. One term that has come up a number of times is “max the USMC PFT” I suppose this came out because I talked about the last time I took the PFT (Physical Fitness Test). Apparently people are searching the internet for the secret on how to max out the USMC PFT. Well, I will tell you the big secret on how to max out the PFT:
Ready?
Sure you’re ready for the big secret?
Really ready?
Ok, here it is:
There ain’t no secret! I mean, come on, the test is composed of three events: a set of dead hang pull-ups, in which 20 is the max, a 2 minute timed set of crunches, in which 100 is the max, and a 3 mile run, in which 18 minutes is the best score. So, how do you get better at this? Simple, just like anything else, you do pull ups, crunches, and you run. I mean, if I wanted to get better at basketball (which will never happen, my hand eye coordination is severely lacking), I would play lots of basketball. I wouldn’t go out and golf, hoping that would make me a better basketball player. Similarly, since I want to be a better triathlete, I swim, bike and run on a regular basis I don’t expect my weightlifting to help me get better at swimming, biking, and running, nor do I expect my participation in motor-sports to make me better at triathlons, either.
So, don’t expect there to be some secret exercise that is not pull ups, crunches and running, that will make you better at pull ups, crunches, and running (PFT). Just go out and do those three things, over and over again, with some rest time in there, and you will eventually max out the USMC PFT, with enough training, that is.
On another note, it was 33 F on my bike in this morning. That, my friends, is dayum cold! It might not be Antarctica cold, or even Chicago cold (where it was -15 F when I visited my brother there this Christmas), but it sure is cold, especially when you are cruising along at 20 mph on your bike, and your cold weather gear is meant to keep you warm down to about 45 F.
