Air Force Reservists train to complete Florida Rocketman Triathlon

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Natasha Dowridge
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A key component in becoming and remaining a world-class Air Force Reserve Airman, especially in the Air Force Reserve's only combat-search-and-rescue wing, is being physically fit. All Airmen are required to take a physical fitness test at least annually to ensure they're meeting the Air Force's minimum fitness standards.

However, a dozen Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing in Cocoa Beach, Florida are doing more than the minimum pushups, sit-ups and 1.5 mile run that comprises the fitness test, they're pushing themselves to their physical limits with extreme sporting events.

The upcoming RocketMan Florida Triathlon scheduled Oct. 12 at nearby Kennedy Space Center on Florida's Space Coast, will provide them yet another opportunity to push their fitness to a higher level and get up close and personal with the rocket launch pads that they support during all Space Coast rocket launches.

THE ROOKIE

Every person is motivated to exercise for different reasons, but for Master Sgt. Robert Carcieri, becoming more fit and stepping up to a challenge was his. Carcieri, an aerospace medical technician with the 920th RQW, started participating in races last year.

The RocketMan will be a new experience for Carcieri. Understanding the importance of training early and correctly, he trains four to five times weekly to include running, biking and swimming.

Carcieri said he has not yet been on the RocketMan Triathlon race path, which for him is different since he typically trains on the route of the race. Although this may put a kink in his usual routine of training, he remains positive.

"I think this is a good opportunity to see a place I don't typically get to see and a chance to experience them while challenging myself," he said.

Although he invests quite a bit of timeserving with the 920th RQW as well as his fitness training, he still has time to incorporate his 11-year-old son into this upcoming experience. Carcieri said he and his son run and swim together.

"I want to be a good mentor for my son in fitness and help him live an active lifestyle," Carcieri said.

Carcieri said he is proud to be participating in this event, which Air Force Reserve Command is sponsoring.

"The Air Force Reserve being a sponsor is an amazing thing, said Carcieri. "I think they are trying to promote being healthy."

Carcieri's advice to new racers is "being consistent finding some motivation in something."

Carcieri praised the 45th Space Wing's fitness program at the gym for offering certain fitness programs including a monthly 5K race.

THE NOVICE

Challenging. That's the word Master Sgt. Danielle Heuper uses to summarize triathlons. She is currently training for the upcoming RocketMan and said she thinks it is awesome that the Air Force Reserve is sponsoring such a competitive event.

"I think people associate the military with fit people," Heuper said. "It's great that they [Air Force Reserve] are tying together the Reserve with fitness, health and competitiveness."

Heuper not only completes in local marathons and triathlons; she is also the wing's fitness program manager.

"I deal with fitness all day, every day," Heuper said. "Whether I'm training new [physical training leaders] or helping train someone to pass their PT test, I live fitness."

Heuper said that the most challenging but important part of being successful for a triathlon is finding time to train. She dedicates one to two hours a day, four to five times a week to training for this upcoming event. Heuper has implemented brick training. A brick in the triathlon world usually refers to a bike-run workout but would also include a swim-bike workout. Brick workouts are important in triathlons since the sport is made of up of three consecutively run legs: swim, bike and run, in that order for the most part.

Heuper, who wakes up at 4 a.m. every day to train works full-time at the 920th RQW as well as attends school. Time is of the essence for her, and she makes good use of it.

"I have swum for a whole hour before, biked 60 miles and ran 17 miles," Heuper said.

Heuper said she does not stick to any particular diet while training. Instead, she tries to make overall healthy eating decisions, but admits that she loves candy.

This will be Heuper's fourth triathlon in a year. The trails on this race are usually off limits to visitors, so Heuper said seeing something new is part of the appeal for her.

"It'll be great to explore the area while doing something so challenging," she said.

So what keeps Heuper motivated to do all these races?

"I hate running, but to put your mind to something and work towards that goal to finally cross the finish line come race day is the best feeling in the world," Heuper said. "I remember thinking after running my first 5K course in its entirety, 'everything hurts but I feel amazing.'"

The 2014 RocketMan Florida Triathlon course will have cyclist riding past the Kennedy Space Center's iconic space structures, while the swim will be in the Indian River. The run will take athletes past the vintage aircraft of the Civilian Air Command Museum, creating a race that embraces the history of aeronautics from the World War I era all the way through the current space program.

No federal endorsement intended.