In researching training for the Ironman, I became intrigued with the SEALs. The SEALs have a long history in the Ironman and were among the first people to do the Ironman triathlon. I once tried to get into the Navy, but was not to get in due to ear problems that I had had from childhood. I had done extremely well on the ASVAB, scoring 72% or more on everything except perceptual speed in which I scored a miserable 6%. I didn’t really know about the Navy SEALs until college when one of the black belts from our karate school became a SEAL. Since then I have kind of wondered if I could have been a SEAL under different circumstances.
I was never a swimmer due to the various childhood ear problems. With the various ear surgeries, and infections, etc, I just wasn’t allowed to go swimming. I avoided water for most of my life. On my honeymoon I went snorkling, and had no problems. On later cruises I went snorkling and had no problems. But during these snorkling excursions, I stayed on the surface, and tried to minimize the amount of water in my ears.
With my more recent goal of doing an Ironman, I took swimming lessons, and have been swimming a mile or more 2-3 times a week. I did learn that water in my ears could cause some disorientation. But this was solved by wearing earplugs. I have even swam to the bottom of the nearly 10 foot deep pool no issues. I am slowly becoming a stronger swimmer.
Anyway, I started looking into SEAL training techniques to maybe become a stronger swimmer, and came across the SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST). This is a test required to enter the SEAL training. Looking over the test, it became a goal to do it. I haven’t tried swimming 500 yards doing only breast stroke. I will have to give it a shot. I am thinking I will have to improve my technique to make the 12 1/2 minute time. I have never done sidestroke, but it is only my list of things to learn.
I have done 42 pushups in under 2 minutes. I am sure I can improve here. I know I can do 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes. The pull-ups will take some work.
Running 1.5 miles in 11 minutes is no problem, though I have never done it after doing all this other stuff. There is also mention of running the 1.5 miles in long pants and boots. This is also something I have never tried.
So my goal is to successfully complete the SEAL Physical Screening Test. Just for fun. At 45 years old, I have no fantasies of ever becoming a SEAL. But it would be an interesting challenge to complete the test. And I might be able to find some various SEAL exercises to use in our karate classes.
The SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST) is as follows:
500-yard swim using breast and/or sidestroke in less than 12 minutes and 30 seconds
10-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 42 push-ups in 2 minutes
2-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes
2-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 6 pull-ups (no time limit)
10-minute rest
Run 1 1/2 miles wearing RUNNING SHOES and SHORTS in under 11 minutes
* While at RTC the SEAL Candidate will transition to Boots and Long Pants for the Run portion of the PST. To remain qualified for the SEAL training Pipeline, the SEAL candidate must perform the 1 ½ mile run portion of the PST in Boots and Long Pants in 11 minutes 30 seconds or less.