# May Fitness Challenge tests employees’ rowing, running skills

/ Published May 24, 2018

Defense Logistics Agency employees earned bragging rights as some the fastest rowers and runners working in the McNamara Headquarters Complex during the May Fitness Challenge, sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation, May 14-17. 

The monthly challenges are hosted by the HQC Fitness Center and encourage employees to take advantage of exercise equipment and group classes available each workday. The May challenge highlighted the Army’s annual Strong BANDS observance by testing participants’ strength in rowing and running. Strong BANDS brings awareness to the importance of health and nutrition by highlighting balance, activity, nutrition, determination and strength. 

Husband and wife Chris and Carrie Boeding from DLA Energy were inspired to participate in the challenge by Tim Weatherspoon, also of DLA Energy. They’ve been working out with Weatherspoon for about a year.

“He always gets me out of my comfort zone when it comes to fitness challenges such as this rowing competition. I’ve never really done rowing before, and it was fun to learn a new skill and complete,” said Carrie, who works in the Lorton facility but exercises at the HQC Fitness Center in the morning. 

Carrie and Chris take turns staying home to watch their children so each has a chance to work out in the center, a 10,000 square-foot facility that features an array of strength-training and cardio equipment as well as personal training, locker rooms, saunas and towel service.

Rowing is an ideal challenge because it’s a total-body workout, Weatherspoon said.

“It gives you cardio and strengthens the legs, upper body and core. I make sure it’s part of our workouts about two or three times a week,” he said. 

Weatherspoon uses the HQC Fitness Center to relieve stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In addition to offering a variety of equipment, the facility also saves him money he’d otherwise have to spend on a gym membership.

“Even on the weekends, I come in because they have everything I need to get a good workout,” he added.

All May Fitness Challenge participants received a T-shirt with the Strong BANDS logo. The winners are:

500-meter row, females:
      - 1st place, Patty Beyer, 1:48
      - 2nd place, Bisloye Bolarinwa, 1:50
      - 3rd place, Carrie Boeding, 1:58

500-meter row, males:
      - 1st place, Chris Boeding, 1:32
      - 2nd place, Alex Cano, 1:34
      - 3rd place, Tim Weatherspoon, 1:36

1000-meter row, females:
      - 1st place, Carrie Boeding, 4:12
      - 2nd place, Bisloye Bolarinwa, 4:30

1000-meter row, males:
      - 1st place, Brian Polser, 3:27
      - 2nd place, Chris Boeding, 3:30
      - 3rd place, Tim Weatherspoon, 3:34

400-meter run, females:
      - 1st place, Briana Malik, 1:44

400-meter run, males:
      - 1st place, Andre Whisonant, 1:07
      - 2nd place, Matt Wroten, 1:15
      - 3rd place, Charles Mutinda, 1:19

1-mile run, females:
      - 1st place, Rotanda Yarbough, 14:00

1-mile run, males:
      - 1st place, CJ Burdon, 5:20
      - 2nd place, Matt Wroten, 5:55
      - 3rd place, Brian Gabriel, 6:45

The June Fitness Challenge will involve planks, and in July employees can show off their pull-up and push-up skills. For more information, call the Fitness Center at 571-767-2107 or email hqcfitnesscenter@dla.mil.