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Running reservist pursues passion

Ten reservists out of 100 applicants where selected to represent the Air Force Reserve command in the MAJCOM Challenge during the 2016 Air Force Marathon on Sept. 17 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Ten reservists out of 100 applicants where selected to represent the Air Force Reserve command in the MAJCOM Challenge during the 2016 Air Force Marathon on Sept. 17 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --

Reservist, Major Brian Cummings will represent nearly 70,000 Citizen Airmen in the 20th Air Force Marathon Saturday at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where out of 100 applicants, only he and nine others were chosen to represent the Air Force Reserve Command.

 

Cummings, a C-17 instructor pilot with the 732nd Airlift Squadron here, discovered his passion for running three years ago.  “I've always been a good runner, yet never really appreciated it. The Boston Marathon bombing (in April 2013) actually stimulated my interest in taking on the challenge of training for a marathon,” he said. He felt driven to one day run across its finish line.

 

Months later he accomplished his goal by finishing his first marathon in Philadelphia in November 2013, and finding it addictive, has been hooked ever since. 

 

After finishing his first marathon, he created a bucket list of marathons.

 

The Air Force Marathon was among the top.  When he became aware of the opportunity to represent the Reserve in the MAJCOM Challenge, it was a no brainer.

 

The MAJCOM Challenge is made up of 12 military teams comprised of members of the Air Force’s functional and regional major commands. Each team is made up of 10 members: 4 for the full marathon (3 male, 1 female) and 6 for the half marathon (4 male, 2 female). Anyone in the MAJCOMs can apply to be a part of the team, but the best times submitted with the applications are the runners chosen to be a part of the team.

 

This will be his first Air Force Marathon and he said he’s excited for it and hopes to do well and contribute to an already solid Air Force Reserve Command team. 

 

A couple of milestones he’s reached is completing the Boston Marathon this April and running his best time to-date during the Delaware Marathon in May 2015 with a time of 2:59:48.  His goal for Saturday is 2:57. 

 

 “I love the personal challenge both physically and mentally.  I appreciate the honesty of the marathon.  You can't fake it.  Marathon performance is a reflection of training, strategy, and will power.  I learn something about myself with every race and I'm still trying to master it all,” he said.

 

“Being healthy and in shape is a lifestyle, Cummings says, you don’t have to be a marathon runner to be fit to fight.  It takes a commitment to a routine and a balanced fitness plan, healthy diet and adequate rest.  If you find yourself challenged for motivation, pair up with a training partner, join a fitness group or schedule yourself for an event like a 5k, 10k, a triathlon, or tough mudder race.  Get creative with your schedule and get up earlier in the morning before your busy day starts distracting you.”

 

Cummings practices what he says as some mornings he’s required to attend an early morning flight simulator training before his air reserve technician job begins.  He’s been known to wake up as early as four a.m. to get a run in before his duty day starts.

 

As a full-time Air Reserve Technician his job as the squadron’s chief of training requires he manages the ground and flight training of approximately 100 C-17 aircrew members in addition to maintaining his own proficiency as an instructor pilot. 

 

The experienced pilot is a family man as well.

 

He and his wife, Rebecca, have two boys, ages two and four.  As a military spouse, Rebecca has been supportive and endured the instability of multiple deployments, temporary duty assignments and relocations during their 14 prior years on active duty he said.

 

Transitioning to a more stable Reserve career two years ago was important, he said. “Rebecca continues to be the foundation of our family, as a stay-at-home mom, while I'm busy with my military career,” Cummings said.  “She’s also been supportive of my love of running.”

 

In addition to inspiration and support Rebecca also gives practical care. She is a physical therapist and provides his massages, treats his running injuries and recommends different exercises and stretches.  

 

Cummings acknowledges balancing training with work and family is extremely challenging so he does his best to fit his training in between work and family commitments.  Using lunch breaks or getting a run in while TDY on a mission is not uncommon.   During the summer months, he typically accomplishes his running in the early morning before work and his long runs on the weekend at home.  

 

Waking up, again, at four a.m. on a weekend is required to fit a long run in before the family wakes up. Running in the morning is by far his favorite time to run, he said.  It's typically cooler, quiet and peaceful. It's a great way to start the day - awake and alert, with a feeling of accomplishment.