Erin didn't pass her second PT test.. this is my response to her

[Sharon-Erin's Mom]

I got a letter from Erin today. She failed her 1st and now 2nd PT test. She wrote "I could use some Momma-PT-conquering stories right now :) "

This is my - her Navy Veteran Mom's -  response..

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I am going to give you Mom's Recipe For PT Success..

One massive dose of determination. Make your MIND UP that you WILL pass. You are gonna do it, no matter how hard it is. Mom says you can do this and you are gonna prove it. You may not have a clue how you are going to pull out those extra sit ups or push ups or run fast enough.. but you don't have to know how.. you just gotta know you WILL.
One small dose of commitment..28 years ago I promised my RDC and my mother that I would PASS. I knew my parents had made travel arrangements, work arrangements and they were counting on me to not let them down at the last minute. I will be honest,, I was more driven by the fact that I couldn't let them down and screw up their travel plans. I couldn't let them NOT be proud of me. I was going to see my mom and dad, no questions asked.

Now, let me remind you that I spent my 4th week (where you are now) on bedrest with shin splints and stress fractures in both legs. My RDC asked me ' if I don't set you back 2 weeks.. will you pass your final PT?' Yes Ma'am!!

Erin, other than sheer determination in my mind, I didn't have a clue how I was going to do it. I was on light duty and couldn't PT like you are,, getting that extra exercise and conditioning. I was gaining weight, smoking. I had not ever successfully ran 1 1/2 miles without stopping.. let alone at an acceptible time. But I made my mind up that I WAS going to pass. And when the final test came.. I just kept telling myself I wasn't going to quit, I wasn't going to let myself down, I wasn't going to let my parents down, I gave my RDC my word that I would pass.. I was going to pass. Failure was not an option. And I don't know where the strength came from, but I found depths in myself I didn't know I had. I dug deeper than I knew I could dig. I endured pain like I have never endured.. but I told myself.. this will ONLY last 14 1/2 minutes.. all I had to do was RUN. I ran like my bootcamp life depended on it.. because IT DID! And while I was running I focused on everything I had endured just to get to this final test.. I wasn't going to endure all of that just to fail now. That was simply not an option. Which meant I had to RUN all out for 14 1/2 mins. I collapsed at the finish line,, but I did it. My division was SCREAMING me on! Those screams helped carry me. They kept me moving. They helped deafen the pain. My Mom and my PIR were at the finish line.

And scared? Youbetcha! Every day leading up to the test, the hours leading up to the test, all the way through the test..I was petrified. I just knew that I HAD TO DO IT. And when I did do it, when I crossed that finish line.. I can't even find the words that fully describe the overwhelming feelings if pride, accomplishment, amazement at what I had done. At that very moment, my self esteem was born. I had proven to myself I could do something that I didn't think I could do, didn't want to do (running is hard, hated it), didn't know how I was gonna do it, and Lord knows, I didn't want to get set back 2 weeks and have to take it again! I did not want to get set back.. put in a division 2 weeks behind me. A division who all knew each other and I would be the newcomer..the one WHO GOT SET BACK. I was determined that would not happen.. and the only one who could prevent that from happening WAS ME.

Hundreds of recruits pass this final test every week. I say this, not because it is easy, it isn't easy.It's one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. I say it because it is DOABLE! It is not a physical impossibility. You will survive. I promise. And when you do it, when you pass, it will be the single most thing that will impact the rest of your life. You will have proven to yourself that you can do anything.

You don't hold back for anything, don't pace yourself thinking you are saving energy for the end because then you will start too slow to catch up on time and still be exhausted anyway. Think,, I am gonna feel like I am gonna die while I am doing this but it will only last 14 1/2 minutes and then it will be over. I will either pass or be dead.. there are no other options. Push thru the pain, know there will be pain, just accept it and run thru it. Know that the prize at the finish line is worth every ounce of sweat and tears. I promise. And I promise,.. you have what it takes to pass this. Mind over matter.. your body will do what you tell it to.. tell it to run fast and don't stop. endure 14 1/2 minutes (of what feels like torture) and you will feel things that right now are just words on a paper. I think the biggest feeling of accomplishment I felt,,and still feel all these years later.. it isn't that I passed.. it was that I DIDNT FAIL. I had what it took to pass. I had earned the right to be proud. You have studied well, young grasshopper.. time to show what you are made of. You will do it.

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I shared this privately with a 'friend' here on N4M's. She encouraged me to share this to help inspire others. I hope this can help you inspire your SR. Especially if they are not athletic, this is the hardest thing they will have had to do, and the most rewarding.

[Figgie125]

Just this morning, My DEPper and I were discussing the physical challenges of boot camp. She's got 6 months to get into shape. Right now, she cant do a SINGLE pushup, running is just not happening. I encouraged her to start slow and work her way up, but she cant wait until boot camp to start. We agreed to begin working out together. It will be good for me to get more exercise and it will be a motivating factor for her, since as you know "mom's are old"... LOL!! Thanks for this, I'll be sure to shar your words with her. And best of luck to your SR!!

 

[ebigirl]

Sharon, thank you for posting this. Many SR's do not realize just how much it takes physically to get through bootcamp.

Figgie125, great positive role model in you mom! Don't forget about swimming, and mix the workout routines up everyday. Your daughter will be running to RTC in 6 months. She WILL be so glad she went to bc physically prepared. One less stress for her! Good luck!