Training for my 10k Biathlon

kilosierra83 · December 2014

So in about a month and a half I am doing the "Oklahoma Run-n-Gun" it consists of a 10 kilometer course with obstacles and a rifle and pistol stage every 2k or so. I don't plan to do a lot of running but I do need to get some training in before it gets here. Thought I would start a thread to track what I am doing as well as get tips from you guys. I have the opportunity to do trash pick up walks as part of my job, so I did that, but with a new and "improved" trash poker. Basically I made took a piece of pvc pipe and filled it with metal so it simulates carrying a rifle. The rifle I will be carrying is an M1 Garand, weighs about 9 pounds, plus I will have my pistol, ammo for both (like 80 rounds of rifle and 20-40 of pistol) water and snacks maybe? Anyway I did 3.5 kilometers today and feel really good. Plan to mix in some running and jogging where I can. Anyone ever done anyway like this? Would love some tis and pointers.

kris3b · December 2014

Very cool! That is beyond any mud run I've done. Sounds like the Special Ops Race my friend wants to do.

Hmrjmr1 · December 2014

Start thinking/working on breath control. Key to good shooting at each stage. Too late to go into it now but will over the weekend. good simulator for the M1

Hmrjmr1 · December 2014

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Sy-4LR86Y6A

Here is a sampling of how bi athletes do it. Keep in mind they are the elite so some of this stuff you may not want to try at home.

Hmrjmr1 · December 2014

https://youtube.com/watch?v=SXnZLhH1dIk

Good Breathing technique, Start the Warrior Breath as you approach shooting station, then move in to belly breaths for the shoot, will help a lot with trigger control and aim.

kilosierra83 · December 2014

Did 3.5 kilometers today cross country with a 30 pound pack. Wasn't bad, I like my boots, and my confidence is building.

kilosierra83 · December 2014

Did about 8k today. And one thing I know is I need new shoes.... I have a good set of boots for the event or for hiking, but need something for walking on concrete.

Hmrjmr1 · December 2014

Kevin - I like New Balance for hard surface stuff. 600 series are pretty cost effective.

carolssalva · January 2015

Your run/gun/obstacle race sounds amazing!! Keep posting updates

kilosierra83 · January 2015

I did 9.2k yesterday in the cold and some rain, with my Camelback, pistol and a few magazines. Not as much as I will be carrying but about as much as I can carry walking through neighborhoods. Add a 9 pound rifle and about 100 more rounds of ammo and I would be there. Pretty happy with it, not sure what to expect obstacle wise. I know they have had hay bales to climb (the big round ones) barb wire to crawl under, and they intententionally make the trail go into ravines and such. Should be fun!

kris3b · January 2015

Dang! That is a killer workout. Great job!!!

heronh · January 2015

Sounds like satisfying workout! Way to go Kevin!!

kilosierra83 · January 2015

After action report. First off my primary goal was to finish it. That may sound lame but a little over a month and a half ago that would have not likely been the case. I trained pretty hard for this and it paid off. Second, since it's a shooting match as well I wanted to be satisfied with the way I shot it. Satisfied is a relative term for a reason. When I went shooting yesterday to get ready for the match I discovered my ammo had a serious flaw. It just would not group tightly. A rifle that with my hunting ammo I reload will shoot groups just slightly larger than an inch at 100 yards was shooting groups over 6 inches in diameter at 100 with the less expensive ammo I loaded for this match. Major problem. I tried to find a different rifle to take but there was no way to get another one ready. I actually shot pretty well. Knowing the rifle was not shooting well I had to accept that I would not get the number of hits on the longer range targets required, but I did want to at least get a few hits on all the targets. I did with only one exception. The steel at 500 yards required 3 hits to clear the stage, I hit it once. The steel at 250 required 7. My second hit broke the targert hanger and to save time I just moved on while they fixed it. The last 200 yard targets were side by side on the last stage I hit one, moved to hit the other and got a severe cramp in my left arm. Shold have been able to hit it but used all the rest of my ammo trying. Just could not hold the rifle steady with my arm cramping up. My pistol shooting went pretty well, except one spot where I had to shoot my 1911 laying prone shooting through a barricade. Not sure why but I could not get hits from that awkward position and used way to much ammo trying.

I have some pics I will try and post. The shooting stages were timed and I could not really get good pics there but I got several of the trails and such.

kilosierra83 · January 2015

Myself and the best rifle ever made!

There was about 4 miles of this...

Approaching one of the shooting stages

kilosierra83 · January 2015

Hard to see but there is about a 5 foot bank we had to climb to get out of that creek. They made excellent use of the terrain. And by excellent I mean they found the worst parts and said "yeah, that's good make them go there"

Started the day freezing, but not long after the first stage it warmed up.

kilosierra83 · January 2015

Caution tape marks the trail, what you can't see is the 4 foot drop into a creek where it looks like the trail ends and the rocks start.

500 yard stage. The target is about 3/4 of the way up that cleared out section in the distance. Was amazing to get a hit on it, I can't wait to see what my gun can do with properly dialed in ammo.

Looked like a good spot to stop a refill clips. We went up the cliff by way of a rough path off to the side of this pic and then walked along the top of this outcropping for 2-300 yards.

kilosierra83 · January 2015

see the little dark bump on top of the far hill? that's the final stage..... The finish line is off pic to the right.

Stage 3, 250 yard target. My second hit broke the target stand....

I always wanted one of those mileage stickers for the car window. This works.

beerbikegirl · January 2015

Nice job Kevin! Congrats. Enjoyed the pictures.

Hmrjmr1 · January 2015

Great Job Lad. WTG!

carolssalva · January 2015

Wow Kevin!! What a great experience! And how cool that you took all those pictures so we could kinda experience it with you. The terrain does look challenging and I know it's worse in a person. Beautiful but tough, I'm sure.

Love the sticker for your car too!

Congrats!!!