From swimmer, runner to missileer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan McElderry
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

Throughout her life, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Kimberly Davis, 742nd Missile Squadron missile combat crew member, used swimming and running as a way to stay physically fit.

Davis has competed in several events, from swimming in the 2012 U.S. Olympic team trials in Omaha, Nebraska, to running in the 2016 Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio.

“This was my first year running in the Air Force Marathon,” Davis said. “I’ve never done anything like it before and thought it would be neat to see thousands of people from all over the country who I didn’t know, yet still had a connection with through the Air Force.”

Raised in Brentwood, Tennessee, Davis swam competitively since she was 12 years old and ran since her freshman year of college.

While in college, Davis participated in a 50-mile race, which she jokingly called one of the worst decisions ever made.

“It took me 13 1/2 hours to finish and I will never do that again,” Davis said. “It was definitely a memorable experience.” “We ran and walked 50 miles throughout the course of one day which was very difficult.”

Davis not only considers exercise a great way to stay fit, but also considers it a good stress reliever.

“Whenever I’m worried, mad or upset I’ll go to the gym and let it all out,” Davis said. “I love exercising, it clears my mind and I can have fun while being able to relax.”

While Davis loves running and swimming, she admitted both come with a fair share of challenges.

“One of my biggest running challenges is time,” Davis said. “Sometimes it’s difficult to find enough hours in the day for the long runs when training for a marathon.”

Davis also mentioned the ups and downs of swimming.

“Swimming is a blessing and a curse,” Davis said. “I’m alone with my thoughts, it’s peaceful, but it also forces me to think about things, so I use this to clear up my mind.”

Davis, initially not excited to come to a missile base, changed her opinion in the short nine months after arriving.

“I love it here and I was really surprised because the base exceeded all my expectations,” Davis said. “Coming here was truly a blessing in disguise, I feel fortunate to be doing something so important and valuable.”

Whenever she isn’t working at a missile field, Davis is training for a half Ironman triathlon in April 2017, which she claims to be both excited and nervous to experience.