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Staffers Robert Reese and Christine Fennessy head to the Pentagon to take the Air Force Physical Fitness Test. The unusual opportunity provides them some surprising insight into their individual fitness regimes (plus an update since we first aired this segment). (1:37)

Conversations with two members of the Air Force—a female B52 Bomber pilot and a pararescueman, a member of the military’s elite special operations community—about how running helps them better do their jobs. (34:32)





Doing PT in the Pentagon

After the pair both aced their measurements for height and weight, they began the test with the pushups. For his age group (male, 30-39), Robert had to do at least 27 pushups in a minute to pass that portion of the test; completing 57 or more is considered excellent. For Christine's age group (female, 30-39), 14 is passing while completing 46 or more is considered excellent. Ed Gulick

Back in April, the Air Force invited RW staffers Robert Reese and Christine Fennessy to the Pentagon to take their physical fitness, or PT, test.

It was a unique opportunity for a lot of reasons—not many civilians get to see the Pentagon’s massive subterranean fitness complex, and few of us get to see how our training routine stacks up to what’s required of some of our service members.

After the pushups, both Robert and Christine moved onto the situp portion of the test. For Christine's age group, a minimum score of 29 situps completed in a minute is required to pass; 45 or more is considered excellent. For Robert's age group, 39 is the minimum; 54 or more is excellent. Capt. Olivia Korte (in gray) administered the test. Ed Gulick

The pair were under strict orders (from our very smart producer, Sylvia Ryerson) not to train for this test; the idea was for them to show up as the runners they were—to see how their very different approaches to fitness would measure up.

They’re both pretty fit, but in different ways, and they both came to the test with specific hangups. Robert was dreading the situps, while Christine was dreading the run. And neither one wanted a satisfactory score. No way. If they were going to be scored and watched by an audience of active duty Air Force personnel, they wanted to crush the test.

The 1.5-mile run was last. Robert had to complete the run in at least 14 minutes to pass; a 9:34 or faster is considered excellent. Christine had to complete it in at least 16:57; running 10:51 or faster is considered excellent. Ed Gulick

We aren’t going to give away what happens. But we will say, it wasn’t quite what we expected. (And stay tuned for an update on their test a year afterward.)

Check out the standards for your age group here (charts begin on page 83).

The Role Running Plays

The day after taking the physical fitness test, Christine had the opportunity to talk briefly with a couple of very busy members of the Air Force about the role running has played not only in fortifying them for their high stress, high stakes careers, but how it’s helped them build camaraderie and trust with their brothers and sisters in arms.

If you want to learn more about running groups that bring veterans and civilians together, check out episode 16 on Team Red White, and Blue and episode 27 on Wear Blue: Run to Remember.

Episode Credits



Host: Brian Dalek

Producers: Sylvia Ryerson, Christine Fennessy, and Brian Dalek.

The Runner's World Show is a proud part of Panoply.

Got a story idea for the show? Send it to rwaudio@rodale.com.

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