Marines

Photo Information

Petty Officer 3rd Class Lawrence Montoya, an aviation electronics technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, soars throught the air as he conducts a standing long jump for distance May 18, 2015, at Pop Warner Field. Lawrence attempted the jump three times and used the longest jump of the three as his assessment score. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Khalil Ross/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Khalil Ross

Semper Fit 5k training kicks off

22 May 2015 | Cpl. Khalil Ross Marine Corps Base Hawaii

A workout session for anyone interested in bettering their 5-kilometer time began the evening of May 18, 2015, at Pop Warner Field aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Active-duty service members and their dependents are eligible for this class, taught by two fitness specialists at the Semper Fit Center.

The class is held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Pop Warner Field from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. At the end of the seven-week training class, participants will be able to test their progress in the upcoming Runway Run 5K, scheduled for July 4.

Wayne Halbert, a fitness specialist at Semper Fit, has run multiple races, ranging from 5 to 12 kilometers.

“We will be doing different types of training that is fun and keeps (attendees) engaged,” Halbert said. “(The goal is) to improve and strengthen (the attendee’s) mobility.”

Halbert said the first day was just an assessment.

“(We wanted to assess them) and see where they are because no one starts at the same level,” the Arlington, S.D., native said. “(We) also wanted to give them a taste of what kind of training we will be doing.”

Many Marines, Sailors and their spouses may not be able to fit the sessions into their busy schedules. Halbert said a good workout that anyone can do alone is interval training. According to him, this type of training involves working for a set amount of time and resting for a certain amount of time.

Monday’s workout ended with interval training, as participants ran, skipped or lunged for 30 seconds and walked 60 seconds over the course of a 10-minute period.

“As time goes on and people improve, they can shorten or lengthen the time as they need to,” Halbert said.

Sgt. Casey Horton, an aviation technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, who came to the class with a friend, said the workouts are good for other types of races as well.

“We’re training for a Spartan Race and were trying to find something that had a lot of cardio and running,” Horton said referring to he and his buddy. “It was a good workout (and) everyone was able to go their own pace.”

Horton said his main focus is to enhance his endurance but running is a boring way to do so.

“No one really likes to run,” the Avon, Ind., native, said. “If you get a couple of buddies and go into it with a positive attitude, (however), you can enjoy it.”

Horton said that running is a very important aspect of the Marine Corps. Having to run the physical fitness test and combat fitness test is a big reason, but those are just to maintain fitness levels for the rigors of combat, he said.

“Our job is to, basically, endure,” Horton said. “We need to be ready for the longest fight and outlast everyone else.”

Anyone with base access interested can register at Semper Fit along with paying a nominal fee. For more information, call the center at 254-7597.


Marine Corps Base Hawaii