Rising above the fitness challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
  • 509 Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  National championship - these two words can push an athlete to their physical and mental limits, but exactly what does it take to make it to the nationals?

Staff Sgt. Brian Frank, 509th Communications Squadron, knows what it takes.

Sergeant Frank will compete against an elite group of off-road competitors in the Xterra U.S. National Championships Oct. 1 near the shores of Lake Tahoe at Incline Village, Nev.

The Xterra U.S. National Championship consists of a 1.5-meter swim, 32-kilometer mountain bike ride and a 10-kilometer trail run.

It took Sergeant Frank years to achieve this level of competition.

"I started when I was stationed at Utah in Jan. 2002," said Sergeant Frank. "Since then I have kept my fitness level up so I can have a good time and partake in these events."

He trains year-round primary varying from the three activities involved in triathalons - swimming, running and biking.

"I minimally run six miles with unit physical training twice a week, bike to work and generally go on a couple of four hour rides and a  swim at the lake or at a pool once a week," he said when talking about his preseason routines.

When asked about Sergeant Frank, Brendon Jenks, a fellow competitor said, "Brian's a phenomenal athlete." 

"He swims like a fish, can put the hammer down on the bicycle and has had a much improved run over the last three years I've raced with him," Mr. Jenks added.

Even with the extensive training, Sergeant Frank still had to qualify for nationals.

To get an invitation to the championships athletes have to earn enough points in your age bracket by participating in at least three races in their region, Sergeant Frank said. "I placed pretty well in this region so they gave me an invitation to nationals."

He says he is looking forward to competing with the few hundred of the best off-road athletes in the nation.

"It's cool to see all the people you watch on television and their times, and get a chance to go out there and see how you stack up with them," he said.

Sergeant Frank will start the off-road championship by jumping into to the cool waters of Lake Tahoe and swimming 1.5 kilometers before transitioning to the mountain bike portion of the race.

Then he will start the bike ride out on short paved section through Incline Village before going off-road and climbing miles only to descend sections that will either showcase his skills or throw him over the handlebars during the 32-kilometer mountain bike ride.

Upon finishing the biking portion Sergeant Frank will end this off-road adventure by running the 10-kilometer trail run.

Fitness isn't only a priority for aspiring athletes, but also senior Air Force leadership.

"Our mission requires us to be physically fit. Being fit can prove to be the deciding factor between life and death for Airmen and their fellow Wingmen when combat actions require extreme physical exertion," said Chief Master Sgt. Rodney McKinley, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force. "Airmen must constantly hone their physical abilities to withstand and overcome the demanding rigors of deployment and combat."