Fitness Month also means warmer weather for outdoor activities Published May 22, 2007 By Senior Airman Grant Hagman Air Force News Detachment 12 MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Since 1983, May has been observed as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Its purpose is to promote awareness of the value of physical activity in the pursuit of happier, healthier, more productive lives. Most servicemembers stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan, participate in physical training with their units, but some servicemembers like Airman Kristoffer Chacon, 35th Services Squadron, go above and beyond. Airman Chacon runs between five and 10 miles a day five days a week. He says fitness is important especially since Airmen are expected to be fit to fight. "I believe that running has a lot of benefits to a person's body and it benefits the military more because we're out to deploy and now that it's sunny we can take advantage of the weather," Chacon said. As well as being National Fitness and Sports Month, May is also the month where Misawa begins to warm up after winters that average between 120-150 inches of snow. From baseball mitts to golf sets, Misawa's Base Exchange offers many ways for base residents to enjoy the weather and get active. Bicycles are one of the hot items this spring. "We're selling about 100 bikes a week," said Greg Toomer, AAFES BX sales area manager. Airman Chacon said people may be eager to get out and get active with the improved weather, but they should take it slow. "Don't compare yourself to other people because everyone's body is different," said Airman Chacon. "Just because someone can run two or three miles doesn't mean you have to."