Nathan Pennington Running in The Distance

How to Join Indian Army & Run a Faster 1600m

Are you seeking how to join the Indian Army and run faster on the 1600m run? I know that Indian Soldiers are seeking to run faster over 1.6km. We run 2 miles or 3218m on our Army combat fitness test. So, I do understand when military members are doing the best they can to get accepted.

Yes, you will have to be in superior shape to join Indian Army. One of the biggest challenges in how to join the Indian Army is to get in outstanding physical shape.

You will need to be doing consistent push ups, sit ups and running sufficient mileage. Remember, it isn't about the volume as much as it the quality of the training you are putting in. Higher mileage, if spent running too slow, will only make you a legitimate long, slow distance runner.

Male Indian Soldiers need to run a minimum of 5:45 for the 1.6km run. Females need to run at least a time of 8 minutes or faster. Of course, you may be going for 60 marks. If so, males need to run a time of 5:30 and females a time of 7:30 or better, respectfully.

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What Qualifications Do You Need to Be in the Indian Army?

Applicants seeking to join the Indian Army need to score 50 percent marks in aggregate. In addition, a minimum of 40 percent in each of their Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and English subjects. The Indian Army applicant can apply for two specific posts. You can aim for Soldier Tradesman or General duties.

You will also need to pass your medical test, passing the Services Selection Board interview and a written exam. There are two ways to join the Indian Army. You can either attend the National Defense Academy or via technical entry scheme (TES). It usually takes about 4 years to attain the rank of Lieutenant in the Indian Army.

How Can Women Join Indian Army?

Women first started serving in the Indian Army in 1992. The Indian Army has now commissioned over 1200 female cadets. Women can join the Indian Army in a variety of sections such as:

  • UPSC Entry or Short Service Commission ( Non-Technical ) 
  • UPSC Entry ( Technical )
  • Short Service Commission (NCC)
  • Short Service Commission ( Judge Advocate General)
  • Non UPSC Entry
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There are eligibility criteria that women have to meet such as:

  • Be unmarried and between the ages of 19 to 25 to apply.
  • Be the graduate of a recognized board or university.
  • Must pass the Combined Defense Service Examination. The exam is conducted twice per year by the UPSC.
  • Every 6 months, based on merit, 12 women will be inducted for training.
  • Undergo 49 weeks of rigorous training in Chennai at the Officers Training Academy (pending clearance from the CDS)

Can Anyone Join the Indian Army?

You have be between the ages of 18 to 42 to join the Indian Army. In addition, be a citizen of the country in order to join. Here in the states Soldiers have to be a US citizen in order to go on active duty. Soldiers can serve in the US Army reserves if they have a green card.

So, we, too, have our own standards like the Indian Army. One of the biggest challenges for most military seeking to join the military is physical fitness. I didn't see a resource online for military members seeking to run faster. So, created the new Army combat fitness 2 mile course.

Air Force PT test 2022
MAJ (ret.) Pennington finishing as the top American and in 4th place overall at the 2007 California International Marathon in 2:19:35 (3:18 per kilometer for 42.2km or 5:19 per mile for 26.2 miles)

It is comprised of 9 modules and 58 video lessons. In addition, concludes with a 16 week training plan built specifically for your goal time. I cover every tactic and strategy I learned from 3 of the world's top distance running coaches. Also, the fundamentals that helped me run 4:22 for 1609m, 9:27 for 2 miles, 14:18 for 5K and 2:19:35 for the marathon.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARMY ACFT 2 MILE COURSE

How to Qualify 1600 Meter Running?

The first recommendation I can give is to focus on building easy, aerobic fitness for 4 weeks first. The reason is so your body will be strengthened to handle the faster, anaerobic workouts. You should be doing strides twice per week.

For example, 5-6x100m stride reps. Strides are too short to build up any large amounts of lactic acid. That being said, they are great for working on your form and acceleration. I see far too many military members trying to rush their fitness.

US Army 2 Mile Run Time

Remember, it takes between 3 to 4 weeks for the body to adapt any stressor being placed on it. So, you can't get in superior shape to race 1600m in a matter of a couple weeks. 16 weeks is a legitimate time frame and 20 weeks even more so.

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One, you won't be in a rush and you will allot sufficient time to adapt to the harder training needed. Pace sustainment is one of the biggest hurdles Indian as well as other military members face.

One major way to get better is to train at faster than goal race pace. Of course, we know that we can't spend but a few seconds to a few minutes at this intensity.

That being said, doing 1, vo2 max workout per week will get that goal 1600m race pace to feel easier. Also, work to lengthen your tempo runs out to around 3 to 4 miles in length. You are running triple the distance at your anaerobic threshold.

Why Longer Tempo Runs Matter

We run between 85 to 89 percent of our maximum heart rate at the anaerobic threshold. So, the longer we can spend at this intensity, the better. It will, like doing speed workouts, help improve your body's lactate tolerance. Again, it takes about 4 weeks to adapt to each intensity and duration. So, work to adapt to a 2-mile tempo run at this effort before gradually extending out to 4 miles. Yes, it will hurt and take time but is well worth it.

Anyone searching for how to join Indian army and need to get in better race shape should consider this. I have created training plans, running courses and coach runners online here at RunDreamAchieve. So, have worked to create value for the athletes I consult with and help.

My overall goal is to help you to use leverage, get better results and work smarter. I already know you know how to work hard. Are the hardest working athletes always the ones who get the best results? No, not always.

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How Do I Clear My Army Run?

You will have the zig-zag balance, pull ups and the 1600m (1.6km) run to tackle. So, my best advice is to think long-term and utilize a legitimate training plan or course that will help set you up for success. Proper pacing is also absolutely essential if you want to clear your Army 1600m run.

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Don't try to win that race in the first 2 laps. I always tell my athletes to focus on a negative split. So, run the second half of your 1600m faster than you run the first half.

You don't want to go into oxygen debt too early and be forced to slow down in the latter stages of the race. There are also other tactics one can do I talk about in the course without having to do any additional training.

As mentioned above, the athlete needs to be doing at least 1, speed workout per week. The worlds top runners are running between 35 to 40% of their weekly volume at or below anaerobic threshold effort. Again, the end goal is to teach the body to clear clear lactic acid faster than it is building up.

Closing Thoughts

So, if you are seeking how to join Indian Army, follow your service's protocols. That being said, be sure to be in the best possible shape you can get yourself into. I have shared some strategies here to help you.

My best recommendation is to check out the Army combat fitness 2 mile course. Also, consider looking into one of the training plans I have created for 1600m (1-mile) up to the marathon distances.

How often are you focusing on mental rehearsal? Do you take time out of your day for mental training? The world's top runners combine both physical as well as mental training to produce superior results.

So, start taking 10 to 15 minutes out of your day and mentally visualize yourself performing well. Also, passing people and crossing the finish line in your goal time. Mental preparation is a very powerful tool to help take your running to the next level.

Remember, focus on a longer build up and consider the resources that are available to you here at RunDreamAchieve. Would you like to keep in touch? If so, make sure to subscribe to the RunDreamAchieve YouTube channel.

My aim is to create 2 new videos each week to help runners such as yourself drop significant time off of your current personal bests.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARMY ACFT 2 MILE COURSE