Every day’s run is a new opportunity

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Benjamin Joslin from Melrose, Mass., earned his spot on the eighth Army Ten-Miler team, giving him the opportunity to travel to Washington to compete in the Army Ten-Miler this year.  

PYEONGTAEK, 41, SOUTH KOREA

11.13.2014

Story by Capt. Jessica Tackaberry 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea - Being a member of a team is part of the Soldier’s Creed. It is a creed that every Soldier can recite, and all U.S. Soldiers are part of the Army team. However, Soldiers will learn during their service that they are part of many teams; some simply requested and others earned.

Capt. Benjamin Joslin from Melrose, Massachusetts, earned his spot on the eighth Army Ten-Miler team, giving him the opportunity to travel to Washington to compete in the Army Ten-Miler this year.

“There is nothing better than being part of a team. Especially a running team. It helps motivate me to do my best,” states Joslin.

Joslin has been serving in the Army for 15 months and is an administrative law judge advocate for USAG Humphreys Legal Center working for 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

He completed the Army Ten-Miler in 59:28. He came in slightly under his goal of less than one hour.

“I feel lucky every day to be given the opportunity to have been part of this team,” Joslin said.

Joslin is not a novice runner when it comes to racing. He competed on two NCAA cross-country teams at Flagler College and Yeshiva University while in law school and completed numerous marathons to include the Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Tel Aviv and Seoul marathons.

In his spare time, Joslin enjoys traveling around South Korea on his 49cc scooter, and exploring the beautiful country where he is currently stationed.

Despite his demanding Army career, Joslin still finds time to train. He believes long-term consistency is the key to success in running.

“Consistently challenging yourself to run more and to run faster while training,” he said.

Running has helped Joslin get where he is today.

“In addition to helping me meet many close friends, running kept me in college, sent me to law school, and helped me find a job in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the Army,” he said.

He has run over 20,000 miles since he started running, which he did to impress a girl at the age of 16. He runs to explore, have adventures, make friends, seek purpose, work towards goals and challenge himself.

“Every day’s run is a new opportunity to experience the world in a beautiful way and I am grateful for every chance to run that life provides”, said Joslin.

His advice to fellow Soldiers and family members is that running can benefit in numerous ways.

“If we train consistently, we will not just improve our run times, but we will also improve our lives as whole,” Joslin said.

He encourages Soldiers to run more.

“Stop looking at running as something you just have to do. Look at it as a fun adventure where you can challenge yourself and improve yourself,” Joslin said.

This is something he does every day.

He encourages others to increase their average weekly mileage. Even if it is slow or requires walking breaks. Simply running more will increase your running ability, Joslin said.

Joslin represented 2nd CAB, 2nd Infantry Division and Eighth Army well at the Army Ten Miler this year.

Being a member of a team is what being part of the U.S. Army is all about. It requires hard work, setting goals and achieving success. Capt. Joslin demonstrates the consistency of what training can amount to. He evokes inspiration with his determination by finding time to chase his goals and earn his spot on a team.

• Date Taken: 11.13.2014
• Date Posted: 11.13.2014 21:32
• Story ID: 147800
• Location: PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR
• Hometown: MELROSE, MA, US