By KATIE WISELEY
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
A veteran in Hamilton County took a month-long health and fitness challenge and turned it into a 24-hour mission. The goal was to run 100 miles in one day while raising awareness around veterans’ issues.
It’s something that takes a lot of training and practice. The point is to promote cardiovascular health, and it started at Camp Taji in Iraq 10 years ago for soldiers to try and stay active while deployed. Now, people all across the world are signing up.
Johnson
Dustin Johnson spent 10 years as a human resources specialist in the Army. He serves as the Indianapolis chapter captain for Team Red White and Blue, a non-profit group that connects veterans through physical and social activities.
Johnson ran 100 miles last year in support of Taji 100 but decided to start a new challenge for himself this year. He runs five miles a day, sometimes even 20. Johnson says it can be difficult to find the time because he’s a full-time dad and a full-time ground operations agent for Southwest Airlines.
But he says if those overseas fighting to keep us safe can, then he can surely find the time to give back.
“One of the things that makes this challenge special is that it’s for a higher purpose,” Johnson said. “It’s a commitment that’s beyond me and using that and with the training that I’ve had from the military, just with having that perseverance to keep going no matter what to accomplish a task, I think that’s what will really carry me through.”
Johnson wasn’t alone. His running group was by his side. His route took place in Westfield near the Monon Trail. He finished Sunday morning and has raised more than $200.