David Chiu

Here are my final results for the Navy Seals Fitness Challenge:

*breast stroke or side-stroke only

Not too shabby since my only preparation was a 250m swim and 500m swim the previous week. My only complaint is that I was stuck in a swim lane with 2 slow swimmers ahead of me. I passed one guy but couldn’t get around the second guy which cost me making the SEAL standard time of 12:30. The running on the other hand, is something I knew I would have problems with. In the end, I was the last competitor on the track, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to complete the course no matter how long it took me. Plus, I have never run a 7min mile in my life - which is about the pace I would have needed to run in order to meet the standard. My running is awkward to begin with. I’m a total “heel-striker”, which according to my Google research, is the most bio-mechanically inefficient way to run. So I really need to work on my running. But overall I had a great time. I’ve caught the competition bug. Next stop, Ironman.

Last week I signed up for the Navy Seal Fitness Challenge. It’s a free event sponsored by the Navy to see if you can pass the initial fitness test for entrance into the Navy Seals. Everyone thinks I’m crazy especially since the event is next Saturday, but I think I have a chance. The Seal standards are: 500m breast-stroke / side-stroke swim in 12.30min, 42 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, 6 pull-ups, and a 1.5 mile run in 11min. It’s been years since I’ve swam laps, but I’m pretty confident in my swimming. I can complete 42 push-ups and 50 sit-ups without too much problem (and even without resting), but I’ve never been a good runner so the 1.5 mile run in 11min would be a problem for me. I’m going to hit the pool this week just to re-acclimate myself to the water. It’ll be fun to compete. I want to start competing in athletic events like this anyway so this will be a good introduction.