00:18:25 - Conquering myself
Today is exactly the 44th day of our Beast Barracks. Nothing’s new in the training except that we had our first quarterly Physical Fitness Test (PFT). The last time I remember undergoing this test was during our PE101 class in 2nd year college. The only difference now is that instead of gauging our fat levels and time spent for a 1 km run, we must pass the exam. Or else, orders will be sent and we’ll say goodbye to our comrades at the garrison. We’ll be assigned the field duty, and worse, be brought to the Mindanao area. And God knows what happens in Mindanao.
The past weeks, more than 1/12 of our day is devoted to physical training. Jogging, sit-ups, push ups, army dozen, drills, not to mention cleaning, which includes sweeping the grounds, mopping the comfort room floors, scrubbing the toilets, watering the plants, etc.
I didn’t have problems with most of the given tasks except when it comes to the jogging/running part. I dread the mornings when we have to wake up early, perform revellie, then jog to the Fort or to Libingan ng mga Bayani. And almost always, the platoon would return to barracks without me for I had given up running in the middle of the jogging course.
The worst dreaded moment came when the office announced that we’d be performing with the rest of the personnel in the Physical Fitness Test. The passing time for females who belong to our age bracket (17-25) in the 2 mile run is 19 min & 29 s. I barely finish 3 rounds at the oval (equivalent to 3.2 km or 2 mi) in 23 minutes.
I wouldn’t elaborate on the feelings of fear and anxiety that plaqued me during the entire course of the test. Major B was heaven-sent as he jogged with me during from the first to the third lap around the oval. There were moments when I felt like giving up. My feet hurt, my leg muscles are close to having cramps, I could barely breathe, etc. But my conciousness has left guilt and shame at the back of my mind if I fail the test.
Long story made short - I conquered the 3.2 km run in 18 minutes and 25 seconds.
People came rushing to me when I finished the course. They tought I would bog down from fatigue. I just really needed space to breathe so I pushed everyone away (including the one who helped me defeat the test :D).
The feeling was so great and it took me to new heights. Now, I feel more confident with the things I could do, knowing that I could extend my physical powers. 