<p>What are your kids doing in order to prepare for their upcoming USNA adventure (including and beyone I-Day)?</p>
<p>Like, going to the gym, taking flying lessons, sailing, that sort of stuff? Keeping their grades up?</p>
<p>RUN FOSTER RUN!!!!!</p>
<p>They can't run enough.... so get going!!!!!</p>
<p>Amen to that! Question: Do they run in boots like USAFA and USMA? If so, what kind? Can you get them ahead of time, so that they can get broken in, or what?</p>
<p>And I want to address the White tennis shoes at USNA for Plebe Summer? I understand they can bring their own if they meet the standards. Please elaborate someone if you know. THANKS!</p>
<p>Good running shoes and have them broken in. Mine is a runner, his are not "all" white, always has run in one brand. Had no probalem taking them. Make sure those are the shoes she wears to IDay. Don't show up in pink sandals.</p>
<p>I do think Lola may own a pair of pink flipflops. LOL
And we will begin a quest for new running shoes so she can get them "broke" in.</p>
<p>Do you know what they actually issue at USNA for running shoes? the brand?</p>
<p>I remember in a prior post some where it was a New Balance 565. I will run out to the Shoe Station and look for that shoe this weekend. 20% of coupon in the paper today.</p>
<p>AHH! Thanks! Please let me know what you discover!</p>
<p>No Don't... they will be issued that shoe on IDay. If there is a favorite running shoe that son/daughter has they have the ability to bring that pair to Plebe summer. The New Balance is not really a "running" shoe.</p>
<p>Don't tell that to Boston Billy. He ran the Boston Marathon and won it in those shoes.</p>
<p>Maybe so, but if they are going to be issued and kiddo has another fav go with the fav and let the Navy pay (actually your plebe) for the issue as that will be worn for many other things than running.</p>
<p>What about combat boots? A few years ago, one of our friend's daughter went to USAFA and was able to buy her boots in advance, break them in, and take them with, so she didn't have foot rot and horrid blisters.</p>
<p>Will they let you do that?</p>
<p>Recommended exercise schedule for 8 wks prior to I-Day:
<a href="http://www.usna.org/handbook/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna.org/handbook/index.html</a>
Photo of apparently acceptable "mostly white" shoe:
<a href="http://www.usna.org/images/zets43.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna.org/images/zets43.jpg</a></p>
<p>My son @ NAPS (which of course isn't USNA, but shares some characteristics) was mighty glad he adhered to a tough running schedule before his I-Day last summer. It's also a good idea to tune up swimming skills. There's so much you can't prep for -- best to be ready on the stuff you can.</p>
<p>Spider is:</p>
<p>*Adding 15 pounds of muscle to his formerly biafra-boy wrestler frame
*Learning chemistry (really) for the first time
*Getting swim lessons (he's a sinker) or he's supposed to but I'll bet he's putting it off 'cuz he hates to swim
*Running lots using his new Nike + shoes, the ones Santa brought that connect with his iPOD.
*Getting really good at rifle/close order drill (he's at NMMI)
*Getting the infamous, heinous tattoo lasered off (at Spring break...so much more fun than Ft. Lauderdale)
*Getting set up with NFCU and USAA accounts (OK, this is a bit much since he doesn't have the appointment yet, but he qualifies through me and it's good finances anyway)
*Watching "Top Gun" and "An Officer and a Gentleman" (There's nothing else to do for fun in Roswell that he hasn't done 64 thousand times already since August)</p>
<p>That's about it. The prep year has been huge for him. He's really figuring out the time management thing and studying harder than he ever has.</p>
<p>Don't need to run in boots for USNA.</p>
<p>What about stuff during Plebe summer and Sea Trials?</p>
<p>they do run in boots, but they'll give you the boots when you get there</p>
<p>what kind of stuff do you mean nurseypoo?</p>
<p>spidermom.... sounds like little spider is off to a great start!!! Not too much longer to go!!!</p>
<p>as for boots.... if you are going to USMA, you will be issued your boots ahead of time.... as for USNA, don't worry about it.... and yes, you will do some running in your boots, but by the time you get to do that your feet will be so calloused it won't hardly matter anyway.... (only kidding!!!)</p>
<p>
[quote]
And I want to address the White tennis shoes at USNA for Plebe Summer? I understand they can bring their own if they meet the standards. Please elaborate someone if you know.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In the permit to report packet, you will be advised to get a good pair of running shoes, mostly "white" in color, and have them "broken in" before I-day....and bring them with you. While you will be issued white sneakers (new balance for the class of 2009 and 2010).... having a broken-in pair for running events will cut down (so they say) on blisters and the like.... don't buy them too far in advance.... if you are running a lot, they recommend changing them out every 6 months or so...</p>
<p>having said that...</p>
<p>our Thorpedo, the little darling, bought a new pair of running shoes 3 months before I day.... and broke them in proper, he did, running 3-4 miles 5 days a week- religiously. </p>
<p>Fast forward to I-Day:
T-2 days we have 16 "houseguests" and 8 "others" all packing up for the treck to USNA and the "fond farewell." Suitcases everywhere. The thorpedo packs his megar backpack.... 6 pairs tighty-whities, 6 white tees, toothbrush and paste, deoderant and razor. And running shoes.</p>
<p>T-1: up pre-dawn for the trip down....there is a caravan going.... 23 fans and one plebe-to-be. 15+ suitcases and 1 backpack. We're off!</p>
<p>I-Day, 0530 hrs:
"Mom, where did you put my running shoes?"
"Son", I say, "they are where you left them."</p>
<p>:eek:</p>
<p>frantic search through 6 cars and 12 hotel rooms. No running shoes.
They are 5 1/2 hours away- at home.
No one wears a 12.5.
Oh my.</p>
<p>0700 hrs: all assemble in hotel lobby.<br>
Thorpedo shuffles in with flip-flops.
"Mom," he says, voice raised 2 octives higher, "I can't go."
"Why not," I ask (as if I don't know)
"Because I am not walking in in flip-flops."
"Son," I say, "no one is going to notice your flip flops."
"Mom, I'm going to get in so much trouble and I am not even there yet. I'm not going."
"Yes you are."
"No, I'm not."
Mom starts to cry...."where am i going to find running shoes at 7 o'clock in the morning???" (obviously we have yet to discover the Midstore offerings).</p>
<p>Enter girlfriend.
She spies an upperclassman in hotel lobby.
"excuse me", she says, "but my bf has to report in 30 minutes and he forgot his running shoes."
"Not to worry," says wise upperclassman, "they will give him shoes when he gets there."
She is a kind upperclassman, and walks over to sulking thorpedo. "Don't worry... no one is going to notice. Good Luck!"</p>
<p>We board shuttle for USNA.</p>
<p>Arrive at Alumni Hall.
He I-spies everyone else around.
"Mom," he says, "I'm the only one without running shoes."
"No you're not," I tell him, lying through my teeth...
"Yes I am mom...."
"shhhh!" I tell him..."no one is going to notice. Now stop."
He is met on-line by BGO and president of parent club.
"What happened to your shoes?" they inquire.
Dirty stare at mom.
"Mom, people are noticing" he mumbles.</p>
<p>We get within 20 feet of alumni hall. Lots of Navy-guys walking around.<br>
"Nice shoes" someone comments.
"that's really great," the thorpedo mumbles to mom, "did you notice all the stripes on his arm?"
the time has come.
he flip-flops his way to the door.
"Nice shoes" the cadre comments, holding the door open.
"like the shirt too," he says. (it's a polo, white, with blue rim).
"yup," the cadre continues, "we are going to give you one just like that- only ours don't have the guy on the horse."</p>
<p>"never let them see you sweat," I whisper....</p>
<p>he got issued new running shoes.</p>
<p>weeks later, they returned all of their "civilian" clothing, et al, that was collected and stored from I-Day.
Everything returned- minus one pair of flip-flops.
To this day, they remain MIA.</p>
<p>True story-</p>