Hi, Kawigirl. I can relate to a lot of what you have posted. My boyfriend/fiance is an officer in the air force and I just applied a little over two months ago. I've been working out for a few months in an attempt to get into kick-ass shape for basic training and the career that awaits me (I hope) in the CF. I'm 36 and a mom, and I am also changing careers after several years of doing something else, so we have plenty in common.
In the beginning, I did not have the strength to lift myself up to do ONE push-up. It took me well over a month of attempting every day (really!) to be able to do ONE. Currently, I can do 12 consecutive push-ups and not easily. My goal is to be able to do 20+ push-ups by August. I don't just want to pass the express test; I want to be exempt in every category. I do 30 sit-ups at a time, but haven't timed it. I'm sure it's probably about a minute as I don't rest in between. As for running, I started out with a walk/run routine until I could do a few kms without stopping. Now I am running approximately 6.5 km four times a week and aiming for 8 km starting next week. It gets easier, but it never really gets easy. Working out at the gym is something new to me and I started less than a month ago. However, I have found that it has made a difference in my upper body strength, which has helped me get to the point of doing 12 push-ups (I think I was doing 5 consecutive when I first joined the gym). I'm not overweight, but I have lost 11 lbs in the past few months and feel that my endurance, flexibility, and strength have all improved significantly. What am I forgetting? Oh yes, I swim a couple of times a week (30 laps) and I do tae bo once a week, which is an AMAZING workout. I'm thinking if I can't handle PT and obstacle courses at basic after all this, there is something wrong. ;D
I was given some great advice by members of this site a while back to run outside rather than on a treadmill (as I was contemplating buying a used one at the time), and I feel it really did/does make a difference. When I do run on a treadmill (usually only when visiting my bf), I don't feel like I get the same workout as I do running outdoors. My mother thinks I am nuts because I run when it rains, when it snows, when it's cold, anytime at all. I said to her that if/when I go to basic training, I will not get to opt out of PT because of the weather, so I might as well get used to it now!
Great idea for a thread, by the way. I get a little intimidated by all those 'how to do 50 push-ups' type posts as well.