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Local men meet their match at Navy fitness competition

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Jake Erlien strains to do another sit-up as John Paquin of the Navy holds his legs during the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge in Traxler Park on Monday. Participants tried to match the Navy SEAL standards for push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a 1.5-mile run that are part of the screening test for SEALS.

JANESVILLE — They panted. They grunted. They yelled.

They sweated. They scrunched their faces. They gritted their teeth.

No matter what they did, it seemed they were no match for the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge in Traxler Park on Monday.

Dozens of local people competed in four tests of strength and endurance to see if they could meet (or beat) Navy SEAL standards for physical fitness. The challenge, which includes push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a 1.5-mile run, mirrors the physical screening test given to those who want to become Navy SEALs.

Among the first to test their mettle in the competition was a group of middle-aged men including brothers Michael Livengood, 36, and Carl Rabe, 45, both of Janesville.

First event: Push-ups.

The men had two minutes to do as many push-ups as they could.

"Are you ready?" bellowed the camouflage-clad Navy SEAL, who towered over the men.

"Always ready," replied the men.

"Go."

Livengood and Rabe powered through about 10 push-ups before their arms and legs began to wobble. They slowed down, faces red and sweat dripping. And then they stopped, unable to push their bodies up from the muddy ground.

The score? Livengood did 27. Rabe did 26. Navy SEAL standard is 42.

Second event: Sit-ups.

The men again had two minutes to do as many sit-ups as they could.

Livengood and Rabe raced through the first several sit-ups without much trouble. But as they tired, they lost momentum. They scrunched their faces and gritted their teeth, trying to muster the strength for another two or three sit-ups.

"Keep going," the Navy SEAL encouraged. "You can do it."

The time limit hadn't completely elapsed before the men came to a screeching halt, abdominal muscles weary, necks strained and breathing labored.

The score? Livengood did 29. Rabe did 22. Navy SEAL standard is 50.

Third event: Pull-ups.

The men had to do as many pull-ups as they could before letting go of the metal bar.

Livengood and Rabe completed only one pull-up apiece in proper form before the Navy SEALs started correcting them.

"Keep your legs straight," one said. "Don't swing your legs."

Livengood and Rabe were audibly frustrated they couldn't finish more than a couple pull-ups before dropping to the ground with a heavy thud.

The score? Livengood did 2. Rabe did 3. Navy SEAL standard is 6.

Last event: Running.

The men had to run 1.5 miles as fast as they could.

Livengood and Rabe started out running at the back of the pack, but it wasn't long before their pace slowed significantly, stopping a few times to walk and catch their breath.

The score? Livengood finished in 15:37. Rabe finished in 17:21. Navy SEAL standard is 11:00.

The Janesville brothers said they didn't participate in the fitness test to prove anything.

"It's just a friendly challenge between brothers," Rabe said.

"Yeah, I mean, we're not concerned about how we do," Livengood said. "We just wanted to do it."

The brothers said the competition, more than anything, was a personal test. They just wanted to see how far they could push their middle-aged bodies.

"I didn't even do half of what I thought I'd do," Livengood said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, we haven't done anything like this since high school," Rabe added.

The top four competitors from challenge events at each of five local high schools and the top four competitors from the challenge Monday will compete in the finals Saturday at Southern Wisconsin AirFEST.