Pamela Woods and Tracy Bettencourt cross the finish line during the Brutal Fitness 5K Challenge, Saturday at the Division Parade Field. The Brutal Fitness 5K Challenge was the sixth of 10 events scheduled in the 2013 Eagle Challenge Fitness tour with...
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation along with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, held the Brutal Fitness 5K Challenge, Saturday at the Division Parade Field.
The Brutal Fitness 5K Challenge was the sixth of 10 events scheduled in the 2013 Eagle Challenge Fitness tour with the motto, "If it doesn't challenge you -- it doesn't change you."
The challenge motto fit perfectly for one participant, Tracy Bettencourt, an advocate for helping people "conquer adversity; no matter what obstacles [they] have in life."
In 1992, Bettencourt was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa that would later cause blindness in both eyes.
The inability to see caused her to fall into a deep depression for six months -- she eventually gained another vision that freed her from self-pity.
"Instead of saying why me, I just asked what my purpose was," the single mother of two daughters said. "The next day, I don't know what it was, I had an awakening and called the Department [for the] Blind and was on my way to becoming independent."
It was willpower that led Bettencourt to participate in the event consisting of nine physical challenges -- testing the strength, endurance and stamina of each participant.
Since Bettencourt is an avid exerciser, completing the push-ups, box jumps, kettle bell swings, burpees and the other strength training wasn't difficult -- it was the bumpy pavement that gave her trouble and slowed her down.
"It was more challenging because we had to run on gravel," explained Bettencourt. "That slowed me down a little bit because I had to be a little bit more cautious."
Another change for Bettencourt was the strength training included after completing a certain number of miles.
"The fitness challenge in between [the 5k run] made that very interesting," she said. "We not only ran one mile, we had to stop at a station and do certain things."
"It was really fun," she said. "I really enjoyed it."
Bettencourt said her friend, Pamela Woods, a military spouse, asked her to participate in the Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour.
"I know that she is really into fitness and nutrition," said Woods. "I knew that she runs and that she had a trainer, I just figured that she would probably really like this."
Out of 42 female participants in the beginner's level, Woods placed 35th at 52:59 and Bettencourt placed 36th at 53:01.
Bettencourt said the challenge gave her inspiration and awareness about Fort Campbell's events that convey healthy lifestyle messages to Soldiers and Families.
"In participating I found that a strong sense of community and positive reinforcement of health and wellness is relayed," she said.
Bettencourt also said the jumping box course was tough, but the fitness challenge was a "very positive experience."
"Participating in the Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour gave me the opportunity to continue pushing past mental barriers in which new found strength is gained mentally and physically," she said.
Bettencourt is usually seen with Wilhelmina, her guide dog, but for safety concerns, she asked Woods to assist her using a Pilates band between them during the 5K run.
"I didn't feel like it was necessary for me to have my guide dog since Pamela would be a little bit more safer and easier," Bettencourt said. "I'd never done anything like that before; it was a little different from the training I do."
"[The bands] gives [Woods] her own space and it gives me my own space." "She would describe things to me; it was a lot of mental work for both of us."
Motivation from Soldiers created an even greater experience during Bettencourt's physical challenge.
"They were very positive and motivators," she said. "I could hear them cheer each one of us through."
Because she exercises regularly, Bettencourt said that she could have pushed herself more by signing up for the intermediate level.
"I wasn't sure what the obstacle course was pertaining to," she said. "I think I could have went a step higher maybe and done the intermediate [course] for a little bit more challenge."
Woods, who has participated in five of the events to occupy her time while her husband is deployed, said it seemed as if she was walking with a celebrity during the event.
"It was like I was running with Elvis," she said. "Everywhere she went, she was getting standing ovations from people and they would say that she was inspiring them to do more just by watching her."
Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Marketing Director Melissa Schaffner said Bettencourt helped inspire other participants and people watching.
"She was a huge motivator for so many other people who were participating and for the Soldiers from 1st Brigade who were working the event," Schaffner said.
"That she was willing to take on that challenge being sight-impaired, really made somebody who can see and says 'oh I don't think I can do that,' think twice."
Participants completing eight out of 10 of the Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour events will receive a Commander's Gold Medal. Participants completing six events will receive a silver medal and people who complete four events will receive a bronze medal at the end of the year.
For more information about the Eagle Challenge Fitness Tour, email MWR at ECFT@fortcampbellmwr.com.
Bettencourt enjoyed participating in the Brutal Fitness 5K Challenge and is ready for another test.
She plans to participate in the next Eagle Fitness Challenge Tour -- a canoe and kayak race called Rally on the Cumberland scheduled for Aug. 24.
"I'm always looking for a challenge for myself," she said. "It was an amazing and enlightening experience and I am looking forward to participating in future challenges."
"I think if I can overcome my blindness I can overcome anything in life."
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