Silent Facade

I went to take my annual fitness test earlier this evening and it was well worth the time and effort made to travel to Khatib Camp for it.

Although Maju Camp is so much nearer to home, I had forgo it this year due to the lousy running route (unless they'd changed it). At Maju Camp, I had to run 3 rounds on the road and have to make 6 right angle turns each round, which I feel will have a major impact on my overall speed, given that I'm not a fast runner to start with.

So Khatib Camp became my choice, given the knowledge that I'll be running on a track. The only thing about running on a track is I've to run 6 rounds. That itself is mentally breaking for me as I'll be seeing the same view over and over again for 6 times. I need variety.

In anycase, Khatib Camp employs the Electronic IPPT Scoring System (ELISS2). This is the first time I've taken my fitness test under this system and I must say, it looks sibeh technologically advance.

A information board claims that with this 2nd generation ELISS, test time will be cut from 2.5hrs to just 70 minutes. When I read this, I was so happy I don't have to waste time waiting around.

How wrong was I. Test was supposed to start at 5pm, the briefing only started at 5.40pm. When the test start, while the first batch was doing the test, the Fitness Specialists informed that there was a 'minor techincal glitch that needs to be remedied'. Another round of waiting.

I must agree though, the time taken to go through all the static stations seems to be faster than under the manual system once everything goes smoothly.

My only concern for the static stations was the chin-up. I'm heavy, but my arms only have the strength of beansprouts. I awaited for my turn in trepidation. As I watch the one in front of me doing it, I thought to myself it will be much easier than previously. At least the Fitness Specialist was standing behind, so he can't deduct points just because the chin doesn't go above the bar. If the sensor sense it, be chin above or below the bar, it's counted. No issue of parallax error here.

Imagine my delight when the one before me, even before his nose is past the bar, the sensor sense it and counted as one. Ahh...a technological glitch to be exploited to my advantage. And yes, I managed to bottom scraped through and got the minimum required points.

All that was left was the run, which I was only worried about not having enough mental discipline to run under the time rather than not being able to make the time itself. I was also worried about losing count of the number of laps as the display board is not functioning (another technological glitch) and I did lose count.

At the track, there was another two rounds of waiting. One, for the rest to complete the static stations so that we can start together. The second, was to wait for the medic to arrive.

This made me wonder, it is a regulation for a medic to be present throughout the entire test, not just the run. However, there wasn't one at the static stations. Why? It is because there had been cases of people collapsing from runs but none where people get injured doing sit-ups or standing board jumps?

By the time I completed my run and collected my scores, it was already 5 minutes after 7pm. Hmm, yes, ELISS2 is faster than manual recording, but definitely not much faster given that the 2hrs it took was closer the the previous 2.5hr than the 70 minutes claimed. This test had put too much a strain on my body and I was already feeling it after the run. Without a doubt, I'll definitely be waking up with a wrecked body tomorrow.