Police Academy

[AliciaKaye]

Just want to start off by saying that this forum offers alot of info. that will be very useful for me during my time in the academy.
One thing if I may ask is what distance do I need to start running? I start the academy in august here in Houston...well Spring. Ant info will be appreciated. thanks Alley

[aj0538]

Congrats on getting into the academy. My advice (from someone who is not all to fond of running) is to vary your running workouts. I usually will run 3 to 5 miles one day at a comfortable jog and do a 1.5 mile run at a faster pace on my next workout. I sometimes do speedwork including all out sprints followed by slow jogging to catch my breath followed by another sprint. I also found that sprinting up hills has helped with my speed. I will usually sprint up the hill and walk down and repeat several times. When I started out at the academy I could barely do the 1.5 mile run in less than 13 minutes. I recently did 10.5 minutes on the same run. I know this is not a fast time but keep in mind I am 5'6" and 210 Lbs (I powerlift more than I run, Did I mention I really don't like to run?) If I dropped 20 or so Lb's I could shave another 30 seconds off that time. The only way to improve your running endurance and speed is to run. I imagine ten different people will give you ten different formulas for success. My advice is to try them all and pick what works for you. Also, try to find out what your departments qualifying run consists of. Learn to pace yourself and you'll do fine. Originally posted by AliciaKaye:
Just want to start off by saying that this forum offers alot of info. that will be very useful for me during my time in the academy.
One thing if I may ask is what distance do I need to start running? I start the academy in august here in Houston...well Spring. Ant info will be appreciated. thanks Alley



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In Valor There Is Hope.

[FLLawdog]

I'd start out running a distance that you're comfortable with. Don't kill yourself to reach a magical distance. As you feel that's no longer a challenge, stretch it out. I think the standard for most academies would be 1.5-2 miles, but I have no idea what the time is.

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FLLawdog
"Never try to teach a pig to sing...it wastes your time and it annoys the pig."

[cajuncop]

In the academy I was in, as with many others you will find that there is no set distance to run.

For time, we always ran 1.5 miles. However, during the academy, we ran on average anywhere from 2 to 5 miles at a time.

I suggest that you at least be able to run about 2 miles to prepare for the academy. Believe me, once you start the academy, they'll keep you running.

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Without the support of our fellow officers, sometimes we have no support at all.

[Blue_Chameleon]

For me, we had a timed 1.5 mile run...which I believe the time to run it in was under 13 minutes.

But as cajuncop pointed out, during the academy, they'll make you run...just to run. I had to run around the campus, around this huge ol' lake we had, up the hills, down the hills, etc.

[AliciaKaye]

Thanks to all of you that replied to my posting....it helped alot....and lord knows I'm gonna need all the help I can get. lol thanks again. Another question, do we have a chat room for the rookie corner? Well thanks agian and have a good one.
Alicia

[Buddingnovelist]

Good luck to you at the academy. I managed when I was 44 and just sent a 43 year old recruit. I'll bet you are a lot younger. Just exercise. You'll be fine.

Chris

[unhappycop]

Congrats on your entry to the academy. From your handle I'm assuming you're female. I offer the following advice FWIW.

In addition to running and general fitness, female trainees should pay particular atention to their UPPER BODY STRENGTH, as this is typically an area that causes problems during the obstacle/pursuit courses. Poor upper body strength causes problems with lifting yourself through windows and over fences etc, and may present difficulty in gaining "compliance" from beligerant instructors (and the odd "angry man" out on the street). This isn't due to proportionate strength, but body physiology. It just means you have to condition the upper body a bit more than the rest, to compensate.

No need to pump up like Arnold Schwarzenegger, just work on it a bit.

This is ABSOLUTELY NOT A FLAME at female cops (my fiancee' is one) but as an FTO it is an area I have seen cause problems in the past. I'm not a fitness instructor, just relaying what I've seen on the street, and what was told to my class at the academy.

Good luck!!!!!

[This message has been edited by unhappycop (edited 05-14-2001).]