My workout
Captain Lucy Hammett (RAMS) recently became the first female doctor to pass P Company – the infamous selection course for airborne personnel.
Soldier grilled the 26-year-old on how she trained for the challenge…
Why did you put yourself forward?
I work with a lot of airborne personnel in the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team and felt I’d be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t try.
What was your phys routine like prior?
I started getting really into fitness a few years ago so already trained six-to-eight times a week – two or three strength-focused days, alternating upper and lower body, plus three or four runs, as well as two or three Hyrox sessions.
How did that change once you’d applied?
Tabbing was a big area of weakness for me, so I dialled back the running and started working on that, building up from carrying 10kg to 17kg. I also focused my strength training more on injury prevention – as a doctor I was aware of the types of injuries people tend to get on P Company.
Was there any point during P Company that you worried about failing?
Every single day. It felt like such a huge thing. So I chose to take it week by week and test by test rather than thinking of it as a whole.
What was the most challenging part?
Definitely the tabbing, in particular the ‘Paras’ Ten’ which is a ten-mile route with lots of hills that you have to finish in under 1hr 50min.
How did you fuel your body?
I had to up my calorie intake massively to the point where I struggled to eat enough so I also used high-energy protein shakes and bars alongside four big meals a day.
Did you feel added pressure as a woman?
There were four women on the course and we did stand out, but I didn’t feel like I had anything to prove other than to myself.
How did it feel to pass?
There was a massive sense of relief. I am extremely proud of myself because it’s a big achievement and I went into it not knowing whether I would be successful.
Any advice for others?
I wish I’d done more hill training. But the other thing I would say to women specifically is not to be put off by potentially being the only female on the course. We’re in the double digits now for women who have passed and it would be great if that became a normal thing, not worthy of comment.
This features eight assessments, including three timed marches up to 20 miles and carrying 17kg; the trainasium aerial confidence course; log race (1.9 miles); steeplechase (1.8-mile obstacle course in 19min); stretcher race (five-mile team event); and milling (boxing-style fight).
