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Sailor rededicates herself to physical fitness

  • Published
  • By MSgt Ryan Kruse
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
6/12/2012 - SOUTHWEST ASIA --  A week before her 30th birthday, Petty Officer Sol Benavides was in the middle of another late night run on a dusty 2.5 mile gravel track in Southwest Asia. As she glanced up in the sky and admired the full moon, she had an epiphany.

"I told myself, "I'm going to run 30 miles for my birthday," said Benavides, who works with Air Forces Central as an assistant to the senior air defense officer. "It just came into my head."

Even though she had already completed eight marathons and averages 30 miles a week, this one required additional preparation due to the harsh conditions.

"I planned my route and strategically placed water bottles," said Benavides. "I had a locker in the gym where I stored energy bars. The first 20 miles were good and I was happy with how I felt. The last 10 miles were painful because at 2 a.m. the wind really hit."

Although she told only one coworker about her feat, the news traveled fast.

"Word got around that I'm the crazy person who ran 30 miles," said Benavides.

"Establishing such an ambitious and personal goal like running 30 miles on her 30th birthday is just inspiring," said Maj. Marlon Strickland, the senior air defense officer who supervises Benavides.

The California native spent a majority of her seven-year Navy career aboard ships working on missile systems. During this deployment, she's working for an Air Force officer and helping manage the air picture for Afghanistan and the Arabian Gulf at the combined air operations center.

"I'm more of a wrench turner and mechanic that does maintenance," added Benavides. "They've never had a Navy person here before, so that's kind of cool."

"She brings an outstanding attitude to every task," added Strickland. "Her 'pay it forward' personality is contagious and has had a tremendous effect on the entire joint team. She has motivated Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and our British airman to challenge ourselves."

A few days after Benavides completed her run, she was already thinking about her next challenge.

"Personally, I want to do 50 miles before I leave," said Benavides. "I'd like to do something with charity this time. The 30 miles was for me."