It was an impromptu decision of me to take my IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test) today. Impromptu because it was only two weeks ago I made the decision to clear my IPPT. My previous attempt, I booked one month in advance to give myself time to train. But this time round, I did not have one month. Simply because I felt I should clear my IPPT before I start internship next week. Because once I start working, I believe I will not have time to play basketball, swim or even run. Hence my fitness level by the time I end my internship would have dropped like mad. And by the time my internship end in Feb 2011, I barely have only two weeks before my windows to clear IPPT for this year expires. Hence for the past two weeks, I went swimming and running with so little basketball action. And I am glad all my time spent training paid off when I attained the silver award I aimed for.

Let me compare both my IPPT I took this year.

The Broad Jump station scared me. When I had my first (and by right only two attempts), I failed to jump the required distance of 221cm at least to attain 3 points. I jumped only 212cm. Hence I only got 2 points and my award of silver was dashed! I was so disappointed with myself. I felt I trained so hard on swimming and running that I overlook my broad jump thinking that because I play basketball, I should be able to leap well. But I was so wrong. I stood around the station a while, thought about it and finally decided to approach the instructor if he could give me another chance to try jump for a better score. Instantly he said, “I can do that.” As glad as I was, he reset my score but I knew I only had two tries. Low and behold on the very first jump, I jumped 225cm! Instantly I was delighted and told the instructor it was good! And with the possibility of silver award again, I knew I had to run well in my 2.4KM.

Weather was dry. And the wind was blowing against the runners. Before leaving home for IPPT, I went online to read about running 2.4KM. Learned that breathing technique is very important. Taking two breathes in from the nose and one breathe out from the mouth. So I tried that. And it was a mistake I made me struggled through the run. Because I have not been training using that breathing technique, hence I should never have tried it on the actual test! Because of that, I was grasping for air even after the first lap. Compared to while running in gym, I would not grasp for air even after laps! Still I had to go on, pushing every step of the way. My mentality was to keep chasing the person in front of me so I know I am always playing “catch-up” in order to run better. And when I cleared my last lap and saw my timing of 11:32 minutes, I knew I made it!

End of the day, I am delighted with my results. Set out to aim for silver and I attained it! Because it also meant free $200 incentive from government! :) While warming down, this guy came over to ask me if I got silver. I replied “Yes” and he said, “Yeah you look so fit.” Haha! I almost died on the track without him knowing. :)

Related posts:

1. IPPT Results 2011
2. Passed my IPPT with silver award!