Tag: running

General OCS Advice, OCS Tips & Training

Know Your Most-Recommended USMC OCS Boot Socks: Fox River vs Thorlo

Blisters are caused by heat, moisture, and friction. Foot care and boot sock choice are important factors in preventing issues with your feet. Taking the extra time to care for your feet is worth losing sleep or gaining the attention of the Sergeant Instructors. Two sock brands that are common at OCS are Thorlos and Fox River. Personally, the Fox River socks are my go-to … Continue reading Know Your Most-Recommended USMC OCS Boot Socks: Fox River vs Thorlo

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Fitness

The Wall: A Distance Runner’s Perspective on Mental Toughness

By Kristen Schafer Let’s talk about Mental Toughness and running. If you’ve ever trained for a running event then you have probably heard of it before. At the Boston Marathon it is known as “heartbreak hill”, at the 25k national road racing championships it’s called “the green monster”, at the biggest road race in the U.S., Bloomsday, it’s called “Doomsday hill”, but most runners just … Continue reading The Wall: A Distance Runner’s Perspective on Mental Toughness

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Oct. 26, 2004 U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, run to a building after detonating explosives to open a gate during a mission in Ramadi in Anbar province, Iraq.
OCS Preparation Workouts, PFT

The 7-Week OCS Prep Progressive Running Program

This program is designed to get you comfortable with longer runs, while also building the speed you’ll need to crush a 3-mile PFT or sprint through an obstacle course. We’ll test your PFT time twice, once at the end of the 3rd week, and again at the end of the 7th week. If you find it difficult to push yourself, try to time this program around … Continue reading The 7-Week OCS Prep Progressive Running Program

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Fitness, OCS Tips & Training

Tale of the Tape: A Cheap, Easy Way To Prevent Blisters

The most common injuries at OCS which derail candidates’ performance are shin splints and foot blisters. A combination of excessive running and marching, sweaty or wet feet, and adjusting to combat boots lead to the perfect storm for blisters. Luckily there seems to be real progress made by science on solving this issue–pioneered by Standford scientists who work with runners covering over a marathon per … Continue reading Tale of the Tape: A Cheap, Easy Way To Prevent Blisters

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General OCS Advice, Leadership

Lessons Learned for the Mental and Physical Challenges of OCS

Thanks to a recently graduated OCC candidate who volunteered to share his advice and thoughts on the physical and mental rigors of OCS! My personal experiences at OCS Every selected candidate on his or her way to OCS will be understandably nervous. Whether that be at the airport when you arrive, when you first meet your sergeant instructors , or when you first get selected in … Continue reading Lessons Learned for the Mental and Physical Challenges of OCS

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Fitness

Updated: How to Choose Running Shoes Infographic

Courtesy of Walk Like a Butterfly, this infographic should be very helpful for new runners, such as many candidates. Whether you are newcomer to running, an occasional weekend warrior who wants to complete his first 5K road race, or a veteran marathon runner seeking to break the 10K barrier in 40 minutes, or anywhere in between, you got to have the right pair of running shoes … Continue reading Updated: How to Choose Running Shoes Infographic

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Fitness, Q&A

What’s the Best OCS Workout for Me?

Candidate Question I’m a rising sophomore in the NROTC program in addition to being an applicant for PLC as well (not currently on scholarship). This summer, one of my goals has been to gain around five pounds, while not losing any cardio. I’ve been doing a powerlifting program 3x per week and am just starting to use creatine. With this being said, I also want … Continue reading What’s the Best OCS Workout for Me?

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Q&A

Packing List Discussion: “Go-Fasters,” or “Running Shoes”

Candidate’s Question Two questions about the packing list: Is there a specific brand of running shoes they want us to bring to OCS? Is it really necessary to bring two pairs of go-fasters to PLC Juniors or seniors considering they are both only six week segments? Answer First, very moto use of the term “go-fasters.” No need to use that OCS-specific word for “running shoes” … Continue reading Packing List Discussion: “Go-Fasters,” or “Running Shoes”

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Fitness

How to Choose Running Shoes Infographic

Courtesy of REI, this infographic should be very helpful for new runners, like many candidates. Much of OCS running is on trails, but they are almost paved they are so flat and beaten down. No need to go for heavy “trail running” shoes just for OCS. Much of the running is now in boots, anyhow. Obviously, running shoes are still important to your own PT … Continue reading How to Choose Running Shoes Infographic

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Q&A

Candidate Q: Swimmer’s Running Preparation

Candidate: First off I want to say this blog is fantastic and has so much helpful information on it! -I’m a competitive swimmer, I swim six days a week (meets are on weekends so it can end up being 7) and do weights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I want to get in shape but frankly have little to no time to go running, even on … Continue reading Candidate Q: Swimmer’s Running Preparation

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