Major proves age, injury no obstacles to fitness

  • Published
  • By Crystal Toenjes
  • Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFPN) --  Maj. Jeanne Frazier could not run, and she was dreading the mandatory physical training and fitness tests.

Three months later, the 50-year-old major assigned to the 552nd Operations Support Squadron here was not only running, but she finished the required run in 16 minutes and 46 seconds. All together, she scored an 87 on the test.

“The older I get the more I realize if I don’t workout, then my body is just too tired to do all the other stuff I need to get done,” she said.

The person who was unable to run and preferred to exercise at home alone now runs at least once a week and exercises with her squadron at least two days a week, sometimes as squadron fitness leader.

Major Frazier said the biggest change has been her attitude toward running.

“I’ve always liked to run; I just haven’t been able to do it,” she said. “Now I realize I can go out and run without doing any more damage [to my knee].”

Major Frazier said running helps clear her mind and energizes her for the rest of the day. She said for some people it is the only exercise they get, and it gives them an important break from jobs that can be very demanding mentally.

“It gives you both a mental and physical break, and gives your body a chance to get out of your chair and do something different,” Major Frazier said.

She credits her success to the encouragement she received from the health and wellness center, her commander and the camaraderie within her squadron.

When Major Frazier was selected to attend the fitness leader training, she was afraid of what might happen when they found out she had not run “10 times in the past 10 years” because of the arthritis in her knees.

“I thought they would kick me out of the (class) because I couldn’t run,” she said.

After the major received some positive support from the center’s staff and their assurances she could start the program walking, she said her outlook began to improve.

“It not only wasn’t so bad, it was kind of good because they were showing us how to modify things for different fitness levels,” she said.

For the major’s squadron, made up of an older work force, the modifications were especially important. She said they were given excellent instructions on how to slowly increase their fitness level, prevent injury and not get discouraged.

“They promote how to build up to improve your running time and improve your strength, and [they explain] ways to do it that keep people motivated,” she said.