How difficult is the running portion of SEAL training?

Also, is triathlon training perfect training for Navy SEAL wannabes?

The guy at 5:15 in the video says he trains 150 miles a week...jeez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_ix0u5H0oA

bartholomew_maxwell wrote:

Just wondering if the running aspects are obtainable for most distance runners.

Over the past several months you ask a lot of questions regarding U.S.M.C. basic training and special forces training? Did your big brother sign up for U.S. military and you are wondering what your brother is experiencing? Are you just bored?

None of the running of SEAL training or of any of the spec ops units is difficult by any means of the imagination if you are a runner. It's pretty easy. It's a joke actually if you are a runner. The issue is the other parts of the training that make it unpleasant in order to weed out not the weak per se, but those who REALLY DO NOT want to be there.

I think they make you do a 40mi run at one point

Military training often is not considered top secret, but you keep asking these questions. Are you working for Israel? Are you working for China? Are you working for Russia? Next you're going to ask how U.S. military picks out talented code breakers.

If all you were doing was running, it would be fairly manageable. Unfortunately for the average distance runner, you will need to be able to do all of the mileage wearing a full pack or while carrying an alternate load or while alternating heavy resistance movements and planning/executing mission objectives. (I hate to say it but a high level cross fitter might be better prepared for this type of training than a distance runner).

During hell week, rest (including most sleep) is eliminated or greatly reduced. Operating effectively when every cell in your body is screaming to stop and/or sleep is not normal.

Most, of not all, of my SEAL (and Ranger) friends have told me that the physical training is challenging no matter your athletic background but the mental strength component it what truly separates those that make it and those that wash out.

bartholomew_maxwell wrote:

Just wondering if the running aspects are obtainable for most distance runners.

One of my college roommates who was on my D1 team is wrapping up seal training. About 90% through at this point. He is older than most in training, late 20's at this point. The seal's program is tough but he felt anyone with a D1 background should be able to make it through, noted he did get rolled for an injury at one point although that wasn't really fitness issue.

He has obviously bulked up a huge amount over his running days to make it through all the aspects of the program. He said the running is a joke for anyone with a competitive running background, even with the exhaustion of everything else is going on. He ran 6 miles of a run with me when he was on break partway through the training and for a guy who was on our team that went NCAA's in XC he was struggling at around 7 min pace due to how much bigger he is now. According to him the pace/distance they are required to run in boots on the sand is greatly exaggerated. Like when you ran 8 miles at 6 min pace in high school but go back years later and realize it was actually a 5.5-mile loop.

There are aspects of being a distance runner that will make Seal training much harder. And if you throw a skinny distance runner into Coronado bay they'll freeze their butt off. But for a distance runner who takes a period of time to prepare for the seals, it is doable and the running portion won't be that tough.

The longest continuous run that SEALs currently do during phase is about 14 miles.

The running portion is easily achievable by decent runners. Swimming, surviving the cold, lifting boats in the surf, rolling around in the sand, sleep deprivation and other feats of strength are probably harder. Read Lone Survivor if you really want to know more about the training at Coronado. That being said, distance runners are better suited to the training than football players or body builders (show muscles are no good for endurance).

If he does, I am amazed. If he doesnt but wishes he did, ok. Call me whatever, but I really doubt it.

Or maybe my experience with 120-130 mis per wk was just wimpy.

jamese1045 wrote:

If he does, I am amazed. If he doesnt but wishes he did, ok. Call me whatever, but I really doubt it.

Or maybe my experience with 120-130 mis per wk was just wimpy.

People usually want to just complete the running part of all of the stated physical tests to pretend they're good enough. But my experience with people doing SEAL training/testing is they exaggerate too. Like when they go and do 1.5 mi laps or whatever the race is and they have no idea the track is really 367m when you could clearly look it up or track it with a garmin.

I think in general any decent runner, or hobby jogger, would be just fine with the running aspects of any military training. It's not their goal to make good runners.

Most of you would freak out in the CS chamber, but you'll get through it.

Most will suck at weapons qualification, but you'll get through it.

As far as more difficult schools or badges....

German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge....most will fail the combat swim.

Ranger School....most will fail combat water survival or night land navigation.

Air Assault....most will fail the obstacle course (precise standards matter).

Long ruck marches will suck for a lot of runners without any sort of upper body or back strength, but cardiovascular wise you should be fine.

Alan

joedirt wrote:

That being said, distance runners are better suited to the training than football players or body builders (show muscles are no good for endurance).

Football training is not really muscles just for show. There is a lot of endurance in a sense, mainly the start-stop kinda needed during a football game. 1 minute heavy play, rest for 2 minutes or however long the next play call takes, then 1 minute intense again. Actually, most players are shorter than a minute.

bartholomew_maxwell wrote:

The guy at 5:15 in the video says he trains 150 miles a week...jeez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_ix0u5H0oA

Doubtful

One reason they take young guys is that physical feats have to be performed under orders from a senior man.

A lot of people only like running because it’s an individual sport with a lot of creativity in how you choose to prepare.

Runningart2004 wrote:

Ranger School....most will fail combat water survival or night land navigation.

Alan

LOL not sure where you get this from. CWSA takes out the fewest out of any event and there is no night land navigation. It’s just land nav- night into day combined.

I just graduated Ranger School class 08-19 on August 30th.

We started with 450 candidates and graduated 180. Of those, only like, 2 or 3 failed the CWSA or Combat Water Survival Assessment.

The majority of failures come from the RPA or Ranger Physical Assessment. I finished the 5-mile run in like, 30 flat and was one of the top 5 finishers. Most finished in the 37-38 range. Land Navigation took out a lot, followed by the road march. Patrols in any of the phases would be the next big killer.

Running at Ranger School is easy. You do the 5-miles for the RPA, then have to do short runs frequently with boots. Other than that, it’s all basically hiking with heavy packs all day.

Congrats on the tab my guy. I left the army a year ago, and a couple of the soldiers I worked with have gone on to pass Ranger school. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s next for you?

And to OP, I think no one singular aspect of the mentioned selection/training programs in isolation are overly difficult. The real challenge lies in accomplishing everything in conjunction. It’s not too bad to go out for a 12 mile ruck with 45 pounds when you’ve had a full nights rest, healthy breakfast, planning your own route, and going home to recover afterwards. It’s another thing to do that ruck on the heels of several days worth of sleep deprivation, stress, and other physically challenging events.

In Norwegian sf selection you are not allowed to walk. Even runners gets chin splints because of the running on top of all the hiking