That was cool, since I would run it in the morning when it was cooler (it was 30 on the 14th). So when I got up on Saturday it was a nice 20 and I was well rested and ready to go. When I got to the gym it was like walking into a brick wall. I don't know how it can be +20 outside and +35 inside. WOW. I was sweating just standing in line(and I have to run the Physical in this?!!) Anyways I got in line and had my medical clearance with me (that I got two weeks before, costing me $100 for 10 minutes of testing!) They take your blood pressure and heart rate before they let you run and if you are not within the range they have, you don't run. I was one over on the blood pressure count, but he decided that I was OK to run.
Then the instructor described what to do, explaining all the stuff that has to be done. Here is a diagram of the PARE.
The explanation and testing of the blood pressure and heart rate took about and hour to do, then it was time to go. Some people had already run the PARE in the past (once you run the PARE you have to re-run it every six months until you get in) went first. I was around the 6th to go.
I went at a good pace and finished the course in 3:53. The required time is 4:45. So I did pretty well, only 2 people did better than I did that day, everyone except one girl passed the test.
After I ran I had the "PARE cough". It is this blood tasting tickle in the back of your throat that makes you hack and hack. I nearly threw up from it, but they give you some ice scrapings to chew on and that helped out quite a bit. After about 20 minutes I was able to finally breathe normally, then I got tested again to make sure my blood pressure and heart rate were within limits before they would let me go home. Like before I was one over on the blood pressure but they let me go.
I saw a couple of people from the pyscological exam again. I am starting to know these people by name now, maybe someday (hopefully) they will be in the same troop as me.......
