VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Some people are addicted to caffeine, others are addicted to adrenaline. Maj. Michael Molesworth, 30th Space Wing Inspector General director of inspections, is one individual who is arguably addicted to triathlons and fitness competitions.
As a result of his fitness lifestyle, he set a goal to max the Air Force physical fitness test every year. So far he has maxed the fitness test 14 years in a row, with no sign of letting up.
“I still actively compete in triathlons, running, biking and swimming – so I stay in shape for that,” said Molesworth. “Because of training for the triathlons I always do really well on the PT test. I have also made it my goal, for my entire Air Force career, to try and get 100 percent on every PT test.”
Molesworth’s fitness passion started young. When he was in middle school he took a physical fitness class which led him to his love of running. From there he ran cross country and track throughout high school.
“The biggest reason I am a runner today was because we had a morning fitness class when I was in middle school,” said Molesworth. “One of my PT teachers was formally a nationally ranked marathon runner, at one point he was ranked in the top ten in the country. Starting from when I was 12, he was my coach all the way through high school. Having that kind of coach along the way really inspired me to excel. From such an early age it was impressed upon me that I wanted to be active and fit.”
After Molesworth commissioned and was assigned to a base, he was introduced to triathlons by other competitive lieutenants.
“I got into triathlons when I was stationed at Eglin AFB as a new lieutenant. I always used to just compete in running races before that, but some of the other lieutenants got me into competing in triathlons. I got hooked on it, you could probably say I was addicted.”
Training for Molesworth never really stops. He simply adjusts his daily workout regimen to reflect his upcoming goals.
“I take the winter time to run longer distances with a slower pace,” said Molesworth. “And during the summer I start to work on speed, working on interval training. I usually run four or five competitive races a year. I spend an average of 12 hours a week training, an hour a day during the week and three or four hours on the weekends. I will take a long run on a Saturday and maybe a bike ride on Sunday.”
According to Molesworth, staying fit is about setting goals and finding a reason to train.
“The easiest way to get fit is to set a goal, like signing up for a race,” said Molesworth. “Some people live a very active lifestyle and are up at 4:30 in the morning and running or going to the gym, but for the people that don’t have that motivation in your life, signing up for a race and paying for it is a great way to be motivated. When a lot of people complete that first race, they find that they are excited to keep competing, and then you have your next goal to keep working towards. Using races as goals is a good way to stay active.”
Having been stationed at numerous bases, Molesworth encourages other Airmen and civilians to take full advantage of their surroundings.
“Take advantage of California while you can,” said Molesworth. “I have been stationed in Ohio, where it is much more difficult being active during the winter when it is cold and rainy and icy outside. Just enjoy what the Central Coast has to offer. This area is great, there are a lot of great abandoned roads for biking and running. You can easily get in a 50 or 60-mile bike ride without ever leaving the base or even seeing a car. We have over 40 miles of amazing coastline. If you want to be fit, find like-minded people and join the running club in Lompoc or the biking club. A lot of people here do it for fun, you don’t have to compete, make it a social activity.”