Submitted: Dec. 2, 2005
It's seems like forever since I wrote last. I have been extremely busy between work and other things though. You would think when you start to reach the end of a deployment that things would start slowing down, but instead I have my hands full and people still handing me stuff. Here lately I have varied my exercise greatly.
I play basketball twice a week at least. I have also started integrating boxing into my training. For those of you who don't know me personally, which is probably 99.9 percent of every person reading this, I used to box. I joined a small team back at base before I deployed. I was no Mohammed Ali or Jack Dempsey by any means but I enjoyed the sport and it kept me in shape.
So I have started hitting the heavy bag and speed bag out here. I believe that it builds cardio along with upper body strength at the same time. It's only an added plus that it takes away stress at the same time by being able to hit something as hard as I want to and not having to worry about it hitting me back. I am sure there are some of you who may be reading this wondering what my progress is thus far. If I have succeeded and made progress in this time in Iraq I have had or if I have only managed to break even.
Well, I have good news to a response like that. I have improved. I know because I scored what I believe to be a very impressive 290 score on my last pt test.
For those of you who may be wondering what I am talking about the pt test is a test that tests a person's endurance and strength. The test consists of two minutes of push-ups and sit-ups and a two mile run. I scored a 100 percentile on push-ups and sit-ups. I scored a 90 percentile on the run. I ran a 13:42 two mile. I know some people will not find this very impressive but you must also consider the fact that I have gained a lot of muscle weight since joining the army. I came in weighing 142 lbs. and I now weigh 169 lbs.
So getting back up to good speed is a slow progress. I continue to work out whenever I get the chance. I have even started incorporating a 5 to 6 mile run in my week when my schedule permits. Right now though, nothing makes me happier than the thought of almost being done with this deployment and getting to go home and see loved ones.
I still have a goal though of being able to run a marathon when I get home in the near future. I hope to run a few 5k's first and work my way toward this goal.
For all the people who have read my articles and wrote back I send my greatest gratitude out to you for taking time out of your day and sending your thoughts and prayers. I have come in contact with a lot of people who say this article gave them motivation and for this I am very thankful. This will be my last article and my last run will be my fastest because it will be my run to the big silver bird taking me home.
Thank you for your time and I will continue to run and think of all you back home and be thankful that I can do my part for my country.
Running out of time in Iraq,
SPC Norwood, Allen
E-mail john@scrunners.com if you would like to send a letter to SPC Norwood.
It's seems like forever since I wrote last. I have been extremely busy between work and other things though. You would think when you start to reach the end of a deployment that things would start slowing down, but instead I have my hands full and people still handing me stuff. Here lately I have varied my exercise greatly.
I play basketball twice a week at least. I have also started integrating boxing into my training. For those of you who don't know me personally, which is probably 99.9 percent of every person reading this, I used to box. I joined a small team back at base before I deployed. I was no Mohammed Ali or Jack Dempsey by any means but I enjoyed the sport and it kept me in shape.
So I have started hitting the heavy bag and speed bag out here. I believe that it builds cardio along with upper body strength at the same time. It's only an added plus that it takes away stress at the same time by being able to hit something as hard as I want to and not having to worry about it hitting me back. I am sure there are some of you who may be reading this wondering what my progress is thus far. If I have succeeded and made progress in this time in Iraq I have had or if I have only managed to break even.
Well, I have good news to a response like that. I have improved. I know because I scored what I believe to be a very impressive 290 score on my last pt test.
For those of you who may be wondering what I am talking about the pt test is a test that tests a person's endurance and strength. The test consists of two minutes of push-ups and sit-ups and a two mile run. I scored a 100 percentile on push-ups and sit-ups. I scored a 90 percentile on the run. I ran a 13:42 two mile. I know some people will not find this very impressive but you must also consider the fact that I have gained a lot of muscle weight since joining the army. I came in weighing 142 lbs. and I now weigh 169 lbs.
So getting back up to good speed is a slow progress. I continue to work out whenever I get the chance. I have even started incorporating a 5 to 6 mile run in my week when my schedule permits. Right now though, nothing makes me happier than the thought of almost being done with this deployment and getting to go home and see loved ones.
I still have a goal though of being able to run a marathon when I get home in the near future. I hope to run a few 5k's first and work my way toward this goal.
For all the people who have read my articles and wrote back I send my greatest gratitude out to you for taking time out of your day and sending your thoughts and prayers. I have come in contact with a lot of people who say this article gave them motivation and for this I am very thankful. This will be my last article and my last run will be my fastest because it will be my run to the big silver bird taking me home.
Thank you for your time and I will continue to run and think of all you back home and be thankful that I can do my part for my country.
Running out of time in Iraq,
SPC Norwood, Allen
E-mail john@scrunners.com if you would like to send a letter to SPC Norwood.