Getting 100 Points in IPPT: Why and How?

In the first few years of my SAF journey, I would struggle with getting Gold for IPPT. Clocking the timing for my 2.4km run seems so impossible. With the Gold standard at below 9:15 minutes, and my best timing at 9:27 minutes, it almost seemed like a physical limitation was what stood between me and IPPT Gold.

IPPT used to consist of 5 stations: chin-up, standing broad jump, sit-up, 4 x 10 metres (m) shuttle run, 2.4 kilometres (km) run. Each station consisted of 5 points.

In my first IPPT in Basic Military Training, I did not manage to do a single chin-up. My 2.4km timing was 13:34 minutes

To make it even more challenging, I eventually converted to the Guards vocation. Therefore I would need to fulfil two criteria to get Gold. That is, 25/25 points, and my 2.4km run needs to be below 9:15 minutes. Each year, I struggled with the 2.4km run. To achieve Gold, I would need to run every 400m (1 round of the track) at 1:32 minutes.?It was not easy. Closest I have gotten is 9:27 minutes for my 2.4km run.

In 2015, IPPT was updated to 3 stations: push-up, sit-up, 2.4km run. You would have 1 minute to do as many push-ups, and 1 minute to do as many sit-ups. Getting 60 push-ups/sit-ups would give you 25 points each. 2.4km run would contribute 50 points, totaling 100 points.

In order to get gold, I had to get a total of 90 points and above. For my age in 2015, I had to do 60 push ups, 60 sit-ups, and run below 10:20 minutes (actually it is just 58 push/sit-ups would give 25 points, but in my unit no one would stop at 58, we would just do the full 60.

When it came to preparing for IPPT in 2016, I decided that I would challenge myself to achieve the highest score possible - 100 points. Why?

Sense of Achievement & Spirit of Excellence

On top of the personal achievement, I wanted to be an inspiration to those I led, to lead by example

This meant that I had to do 60 push ups, 60 sit-ups, and run 2.4km below 8:50 minutes (8:30minutes is the timing to get 50 points for the younger people, older people like me get a few seconds extra).

Now bear in mind that I used to struggle to run below 9:15 minutes. So how and why did I do it? First of all I was in a unit that puts a lot of pride in their fitness culture. The environment motivated me to push myself to my limits. Getting 100 points is not easy, and few people achieve it. As an officer, I also wanted to be an inspiration to the men I lead.

In order to do so, I needed to put in my best efforts. So, I joined the cross country team in their training, daily. Their training consists of workouts that improve speed, endurance, and overall fitness. We did intervals of 10 x 500m, 10 x 300m hill runs, distance runs, static exercises which improve core strength and flexibility, and on our cross training days we would do swims. Rest days are also planned, these are important as part of the whole training.

Initially, I struggled to keep up with the team, and as the fatigue started to kick in, I saw my timings and performance start to drop.? This was while having to undergo our normal military training, and it was tough. However, my performance would improve after we had recovery days. After a few weeks, I started to be better than I was before and that was encouraging.

Eventually, I was given the honour of being part of the team that represents our unit for the Guards formation IPPT challenge on the 1st of April 2016. The team with the highest accumulated IPPT score would win the challenge. So obviously everyone in the team would strive for 100 points. This meant more training.

Despite these, I never ran 2.4km under 9 minutes. I could not break the barrier. When the day of the challenge came, I was determined to run below 8:50 minutes and get 100points. For personal achievement as well as for the team. Unfortunately, I ran a time of 8:54 minutes, missing the full score by 4 seconds.

Our unit did get the highest total score as all of us were above 98 points with the majority getting 100 points. With a score of 99 points, I was slightly disappointed, at the same time, it was the first?time I ran 2.4km under 9 minutes. Being so close to my goal, I knew I could do it.

Immediately, I registered for IPPT the next week, got some rest and maintenance, and tried again. Till today, I still remember how it felt in my 2nd attempt, as I pressed on in my final lap, out-of-breath, hurting, but I knew I had to speed up till the end, and of course the feeling as I passed the line and my timing was read out was indescribable! “8:44” was the sound I heard.

Along with me, the rest of my platoon had also achieved their Gold for IPPT, and we were the first platoon to complete this. The feeling of happiness that I hit my target, along with the pride I had for my entire platoon, I was over the moon. Some of the guys would eventually tell me that they saw me trying my hardest everyday for months, and they felt inspired and motivated to at least get a Gold. Although I still think that the credit goes to them and their own efforts.

In the following years, I continued to maintain 100 points for IPPT, achieving 4 consecutive 100 points during my time as a regular officer. When it comes to fitness, running 8:44 minutes this year does not mean that you will automatically be able to do the same next year. In my article "Training for IPPT - 100points", I share the tips I have for doing well in IPPT (even with the ELISS), and how I maintained 100 points each year.