Week 3

7/26-7/30

Mental strength defines how great of a firefighter you can be.

This week was a blessing in more ways that one.

Studied with some of the guys on Sunday night with a yummy BBQ.

Mon- For PT we did 46 burpies. Burpies are a 5 count exercise. 1- crouching down. 2- popping your legs out behind you into a push-up position. 3- going down in a push-up. 4- going up in a push-up. 5- popping your feet back in and standing up. The burpies helped my knee get the blood flowing. My knee has been giving my some problems. This is my problem.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/osgood.html

I wear a knee brace underneath my knee to help support it whenever we do a lot of exercise involving my knee.

We went and ran a little more then 4 miles right after that. The burpies helped so much. At the end, I felt like I could easily run at least another mile.

I was feeling good!

Tues- A girl a little older then me, walked into our class during lecture. Asked the teacher a question in the front, and then walked back to me in the last row of the classroom. She said to me, “Hey, can I talk to you when you get out?”

During my next break, I went to speak with her. Turns out she is a previous graduated cadet. She came to ask if I needed any help with anything. As soon as I understood why she was there, I wanted to just jump and give her a hug. I felt as if she was an angel to come and help with the load. That night, her and her friend (also female graduated cadet) came to my house and helped me study for the first big test on Wed. Block #1 has to score 80% or better. They really helped a lot. We talked not only about the test but other small tips of how to get through it. Tips on instructors, tips on topics, and how to live through the academy as a female.

Wed- Block test, no PT , and a full day in the classroom…..really? Yup. Pretty boring day. Before we were dismissed the cadre told us, ” Make sure you all get enough sleep tonight. You will need it for tomorrow.”

Thurs- PT…boy were they right about getting sleep. I was so happy I was ready for the day. Super confident mentally. If I didn’t have my confidence I DOUBT I would have made it through the day alive. Hose drags, sprints, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, step-up, step downs, and a set of exercises with a 45 lb bar. I really had to push myself hard that day. The hose drag is the most difficult for me. It is with two 50 ft long 2 1/2 hoses. The other guys can use their weight to help with the weight. I am so light that I have to use ALL of my legs to just get the hose 100 meters. The cadre (instructors) were screaming in my face trying to get me to give up. I would never give up. No matter what. It may take me a little longer, but I WILL finish it. When I finished the 3 sets of hose drags, the instructor that was screaming at me gave me a high five. It felt so good to make them proud. Their yelling is truly just a mental game that you have to ignore and keep pushing and keep going no matter what.

Fri- Pt was a challenge but my body was more prepared for it. It consisted of many Plyometrics (a system of exercise in which the muscles are repeatedly stretched and suddenly contracted). It was tool day. We went over the hand tools, the name that goes with each tool, and how to use it. I had some fun practicing my nailing by making our class number. (75) We took apart a chainsaw. We also got to get used to starting up and stopping generators, both motor and engined fans, chainsaws, and rotary saws.

Funny story: As one of the guys were sticking their heads down to look inside of the oil in the generator, a not so attentive student pulled the cord to start. The student on the ground got oil sprayed ALL over him. He was a good sport about it and it was quite comical.

I learned all about how a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke engine work. I really enjoyed the time given by the cadre for us to learn it. I like learning how things work. It is amazing how such a little piston can energize such a powerful tool.

Sun (8/1): I got to go and see Ryan in the Hospital. (Friend who got into a serious motorcycle accident on 7/1) It has been a month since I had last seen him. I was speechless to see his progress. He is a true miracle. Within a month, he has had all tubes removed from him. He is now eating and breathing on his own. He is up on he feet relearning how to walk. He can talk very easily. His memory AMAZED me. He has a better memory then I do, with OUT an accident. He has so much energy and is extremely positive. God has really made a miracle out of him. All of us will continue to pray for him. Thank you to those who may not know him but have been praying for him.

Advertisement