Warriors run to fitness

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sergeant Harry Kibbe
  • 374 Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  A new program recently implemented here is changing the mindset of more than 40 airmen by teaching them to use rigorous exercise to meet their fitness goals.

Warrior Run was designed to ensure airmen at Yokota are prepared to meet and exceed Air Force fitness standards by requiring them to meet regularly for intense group workouts.

Ken Lucero, the fitness program manager at Yokota's Health and Wellness Center, collaborated with Major Joseph Williams, a physical therapist, here, to create Warrior Run.

"The minimum [passing] score for the Air Force PT test is 75," said Mr. Lucero. "We're trying to make them exceed that, and potentially knock on excellent's door at a score of 90."

As the name implies, the eight-week program does involve running laps around the Yokota High School track. However, the program's creators say Warrior Run is about more than running.

"We wanted to make sure that it's a program not just about sprints, but about overall fitness, with push-ups, crunches and the run," said Mr. Lucero. "This, in turn, is going to help with their abdominal-girth circumference as well."

Increasing fitness scores will benefit airmen when it's time for promotion, but Major Joseph Williams believes the goal of Warrior Run is to prepare airmen to accomplish the Air Force mission.

"In terms of deployments and in terms of mission success, having that healthy body and healthy mind is critical," said Major Williams.

The first group of airmen to participate in Warrior Run graduated in February, with some increasing their PT scores by up to five points.

"One airman came up to me and said, 'you saved my career,'" said Major Williams. "That made all of the early mornings and all of the hard work worth it."

For more information on Warrior Run, contact the Health and Wellness Center at 225-8322.