Does cross training in the Air Force slow your promotion time to E-5?

I am a first term airman (E-3) and want to cross train at the end of my enlistment into weather. This tech school is 8 or 9 months and is followed by 18-24 months of on-the-job training. I am worried that I will be stuck at E-4 without being able to test for E-5 due to the lengthy tech school for weather. Can someone give me information about how testing for promotion works when you cross train (retrain) into a new job?

winter training for track and cross country?

During the cross country offseason I try to run 3-4 miles 4-5 times a week, but now that winter is here i’m finding it harder and harder to train outside. I was wondering if it would be ok to start running on the treadmill until the weather gets better?

What running clothes should I wear in cold weather?

I’m running a half marathon next month in December here in Texas. Typically, the weather then is anywhere from 40 – 50 degrees.

What type of running clothing should I have for a winter half marathon? I tend to warm up after about 15 minutes running, so don’t want too much clothing. Any advice?

My friend and I are going to start training for cross country…how do we start?

As the weather is warming up, me and my friend are going to start training for cross country. It starts in august or late september. We are starting Saturday. How many times should we work out a week to get in shape? It will be some workouts in the park and some in the gym. What should the treadmill speed be? How should we start out? Do you have nay running shoes that you suggest? What other things are great to have?

How long should a pair of running sneakers last?

I run probably 12 miles a week in all kinds of weather, but mostly dry, and also use this pair at the gym. I’m an adult, 195 pounds. How long should running sneakers last?

5 Tips to Protect Your Feet When Running In Cold Weather

When it comes to running outdoors, you never know what Mother Nature is going to surprise you with. Ask any marathon runner and they will tell you that as much as they'd like it to be so, not every day will be 65 degrees and sunny.

When I ran the 2009 Chicago Shamrock Shuffle, the weather the week leading up to the race had been great running weather, in the mid-fifties and sunny. When it came to the morning of the race, I woke up to find a blizzard outside my window! It had snowed a couple of inches overnight and the temperature had dropped to freezing. Being the die-hard runner that I am, I decided I was going to run the 8k race blizzard or not. By the time the race began my shoes, socks, and feet were soaking wet from standing in slushy snow puddles and I felt as if I had lost circulation in a couple of my toes.

I began the race assuming that my body temperature would rise and I would get better circulation to my feet. At the 3 mile mark I felt a throbbing pain in the toes in my right foot and I had to actually stop and take off my shoe because I thought I had broken my toe or gotten frostbite. I was terrified that my foot was going to look like Adam Sandler's foot in the movie Mr. Deeds, but fortunately my toes were just swollen from the running conditions. I did manage to finish the race but I realized after finishing that I should have take the proper precautions to make sure my feet stayed dry and warm before and after the race.

There is nothing wrong with running in cold conditions but if you do you must make sure you take the proper precautions to take care of your feet. Here are 5 tips for running in cold and wet conditions:

1) Wear quality waterproof socks

Everyone knows that shoes can make a huge impact on the health of your feet, but socks are just as important. Make sure that you have a good hardy sock, not any of those thin shear cotton socks because they don't help get rid of the moisture on your feet fast enough in wet conditions.

2) Bring an extra pair of socks

If you are going to run a race in cold or wet conditions then consider bringing an extra pair of socks that you can put on immediately before the race begins. This will ensure that your socks are fresh and dry.

3) Try Using Waterproof shoes

Many shoe companies now make shoes that are either partially waterproof or completely waterproof. They help to keep your feet dry which will help prevent blisters from forming.

4) Try to stay indoors as long as possible before the run

The longer you stay outside in cold weather the greater chance you have of get frostbite on your toes or other areas of your body. Try to limit the time spent outside to as little as possible. If racing in cold conditions try and find a warming tent to stand in for as long as possible before your race.

5) Avoid running in slush, puddles, or deep snow

Always try to take the cleanest path possible on your runs even if this means going a little out of your way. Trust me it will pay off at the end of the run because when your feet, shoes or socks get wet you have a great chance of getting frostbite or blisters.

Frostbite is serious business. However if you ensure that you do all you can to prepare for the cold weather, you should still have an enjoyable and successful run.

What weather is best for running in a practice track meet?

Just wondering what weather is best 4 running in a track meet?
Is it better to run in a drizzle in the 50′s/60′s or on a partly cloudy day in the mid 50′s?

How can I start to ease into running?

I wanted to start running since the weather is starting to get nice but I need some tips. Does anyone know how is the easiest way to like start and get better at it? (Because I’m not the best at it). Like how long should I run for?? And is better to run around your neighborhood or on a track? If anyone has any other advice please let me know!

Choosing Socks for Warm Weather Running

The type of sock that you wear when you run is crucial to the comfort and health of your feet. It is important that you are running in the right type of socks that can stand up to whatever weather condition you may be running in. If you are running in cold conditions you will want a sock that will keep your feet dry and warm. In warmer conditions you want a sock that can keep your feet dry and cool. If you are a trail runner you will want a thicker more durable sock If you are a short distance runner you are going to want a more lightweight sock.

The warm weather of summer causes you to sweat more when you run. It is very important to have a sock that has certain characteristics to deal with the heat. It is essential for the sock to be able to wick the perspiration away from your foot; otherwise you will trap excess perspiration against yours skin, which can cause blistering.

The material the sock is made from is the most crucial factor in choosing which sock is right for the warm months of the year. You want to stay away from anything that is made of mostly cotton. Cotton is a great lightweight material but does not dry quickly. Cotton socks absorb the moisture from your feet and remain damp. This can cause blisters to form from the rubbing of the wet socks against your feet as you run. Some better materials for socks to use during warmer conditions are polyester, acrylic, and CoolMax. While the socks made from synthetic materials are more expensive than cotton socks, they really are able to stand up to the heat. These materials will help to wick away your perspiration while keeping your feet cool and blister free.

Another thing to consider when buying warm weather running socks is to look at the design of the sock. Most quality running socks is comprised of two layers. The inner layer of the sock should help to wick the moisture away from your feet and the second outer layer should remove the water from the first layer and aid in evaporation. This design will keep your feet as dry as possible so blisters will not form.

Runners are so concerned about running in the right shoe, they don't give much thought to their socks. The next time you go to purchase running socks, make sure that you check what the sock is made of and its design. All socks are not created equal!

will running on the treadmill during the winter help me keep my running fitness?

I usually run outside but the weather is making it impossible.
I’ve been running mostly on the treadmill for the past month. I try to make them hard runs, when I go back to the road will it be hard to run?