How can I prepare for taking an APFT at higher elevation?

2019-07-21T21:23:16-04:00

I'm PCSing to Fort Huachuca, AZ in October. I run my 2 mile normally at around 1500ft as opposed to 4700ft. How can I prepare for taking the APFT at the higher elevation? PFC Private RallyPoint Member SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" LTC Stephen F. CPL Dave Hoover SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth PVT James Strait SSG Private RallyPoint Member Capt Dwayne Conyers CPT Jack Durish

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 9:29 PM

2019-07-21T21:29:38-04:00

Training mask helped me. Set the elevation and get used to sucking at life. Builds character and a better physical profile, though.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 21 at 2019 9:41 PM

2019-07-21T21:41:31-04:00

Well, my friend SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member it seems you are a self-starter which does not surprise me.
1st, I would contact Fort Huachuca, Arizona and explain your situation and desire to be best prepared to take the APFT at Fort Huachuca. [It is great that you are PCSing in October and not July.]
2nd since the APFT is taken twice a year and it can be taken for record every four months, you generally have 30 days to prepare for an APFT after you PCS.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 9:52 PM

2019-07-21T21:52:51-04:00

Just run a lot more, swim, and work on intervals. Your tidal volume will improve signicantly and make up for the altitude difference.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 10:08 PM

2019-07-21T22:08:49-04:00

Running at altitude is a stressor to the body. Interval training and running in warmer temperatures adds physiological stress to the body, so training with more rigorous conditions where you are should prepare you to run at altitude a little easier. Also, work on controlled breathing while running to habitualize your technique. Good luck!

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jul 21 at 2019 10:42 PM

2019-07-21T22:42:19-04:00

Here is something you need to consider. The APFT is being phased out and the new test is scheduled to go live in October so it is a good chance that you will be taking your first ACFT at Huachuca. That said, they should not have you taking one straight off. They should give you some time on station depending on when you took your last one for record.

If it is just the run that you are worried about, start off by acclimatizing yourself to Huachuca. Do some test runs and such and build up speed. Get with your CoC and apprise them of your concerns. More than likely they will have you doing Unit PT long before you ever have to take a record test and you should be good to go.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 21 at 2019 11:23 PM

2019-07-21T23:23:34-04:00

Train with an elevation mask available at major sports outfitters

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 11:34 PM

2019-07-21T23:34:27-04:00

I'm here now, if you get decent scores on your APFT already then don't sweat it. You'll be fine.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 11:35 PM

2019-07-21T23:35:58-04:00

Acclimation period is 30 days. I'd take one prior to the PCS and ensure its uploaded into DTMS. Also bring the hard copy 705. That should buy you the 3-4 months it takes to fully acclimate

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2019 12:02 AM

2019-07-22T00:02:40-04:00

I just move to Utah (ele 4603ft) from Alabama (240ft) in October. I took a PT test the week after I got here. I was pretty smoked at the end of it but it wasn’t THAT bad. It should only take a few weeks to acclimate.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 22 at 2019 1:22 AM

2019-07-22T01:22:10-04:00

Have fun! I went from going PT at -1feet to Huachuca. Will it take some adjusting? Of course. But don't sweat it. Seriously. You will be able to pass without too much of an issue. And then you will be back up to excellencein no time, as long as you work at it.

Response by SGT Nate Cobble made Jul 22 at 2019 7:21 PM

2019-07-22T19:21:34-04:00

I was stationed at Ft. Gordon (136ft elevation) running two miles at approximately 13" and change. PCSed to Ft. Carson, CO (6000ft elevation) and lost about one minute on the 2 mile run. Trained hard, running twice a day at Ft. Carson. I was back down to 13" and change within six months. By the time I left, I was running six minutes a mile. The key here is training. Train hard where you are at now, and go into Ft. Huachuca smokin'. You'll be just fine.

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Jul 24 at 2019 6:44 PM

2019-07-24T18:44:44-04:00

Your unit should give you time to acclimate. I was at Ft Carson and they had a PT program designed to bring you up to standard. It doesn't take long just steady increases in speed and distance. The first time you try to run 2 mi, you'll wonder what happened to all of your stamina. It's normal. Your body WILL adjust.

Response by SGT Mark Barner made Aug 16 at 2019 4:45 PM

2019-08-16T16:45:24-04:00

Coming from Santa Fe, NM and living and training at 7,000 feet for years, I can say that you can only prepare so much at lower elevations. I've seen this again and again from people who come to visit and jump into a long run or a century bike ride. They do not prepare and end up puking or passing out and they are often dehydrated from the thin air and low humidity.

Being in good shape to begin with is a start. Push a little harder at lower elevations and work out in your performance range for your heart rate. When you get to AZ, throttle back and don't go for performance! Reduce your pace, hydrate better and (most important) is get your sleep--your body will acclimate faster and you'll see the gains quicker.

The really good news is that when you have acclimated, you'll outpace any and all of those sea level people and your body will be a more efficient engine!