Conquer the coast without leaving the desert

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  From Crescent City in the north, the California coast follows the Pacific Ocean for 958 miles to the southern town of Imperial Beach just above the Mexican border.
 
Although the Antelope Valley is without scenic coastal vistas, members of the Edwards community can traverse the coast of California without ever leaving the base.

Run the Coast of California Incentive Program, created and sponsored by the Rosburg Fitness Center, was designed as a way to promote physical fitness while motivating each participant to work toward a common goal.

"It is a simple program to start and everyone can participate," said Anne Tierney, 95th Force Support Squadron fitness specialist and program creator. "There is no requirement to finish in a certain time. So if participants complete one mile or 10, they are all working toward the same goal."

Each participant can walk, run, bike or use the elliptical machine to accrue 958 miles, recording their completed mileage in a log kept at the front desk of the fitness center. Although, walking, running and biking can be done both indoors and outdoors, in order for the miles to count, all outdoor cardio must begin and end at the fitness center.

"Something as simple as keeping a running log can encourage participants to show up at the fitness center," said Ms. Tierney. "Participants feel a sense of accountability to accomplish the challenge."

For Marine Cpl. James R. Reyes, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 CH-46 crew chief, the mileage incentive was enough to encourage him to participate in the program.

"I figured I run anyways, so I might as well sign up and keep track and get something out of it," said Corporal Reyes.

Although participants who complete the challenge are awarded with a t-shirt, Ms. Tierney stressed that the main incentive is to improve physical fitness and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Many people seem to agree with her.

While there are over 100 participants on base actively keeping track of their mileage, the initiative's influence has spread beyond base borders.

"The JROTC program at Antelope Valley High School has adopted this program," said Ms. Tierney. "They've adopted it to encourage students to improve their physical activity levels as well."

In addition to promoting healthy lifestyles for the base community, Run the Coast of California helps Airmen adhere to the "Fit to Fight" motto, a Team Edwards initiative that supports Airmen in their mission to maintain physical fitness for deployment.

"Fitness is an important part of our everyday life," said Senior Airman Priscila Vazquez Perez, 95th FSS personnel readiness technician and program participant. "We need to be prepared for any kind of emergency that may arise.

"A program like the Coast of California allows members to see how far they can really go," she continued. "Little by little we can go a long way."

The Rosburg Fitness and Sports Center is open Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information call the fitness center at 275-4961.