December 15, 1998
Dear Master Chief,

It is beyond my comprehension as I write you this letter that I can now run 6 miles without stopping. When I started in week one of Boot Camp I could not a run a mile without stopping and having to walk part of it. I feel that I’ve accomplished more than I ever imagined I could and I have you to thank for inspiring and motivating magic!

I also know that I could not have done it without making the commitment and showing up every morning at 5:30!?!?! Believe me, there were days when it was all I could do to drag myself out of bed. The hardest part was getting up. Once I got there it was so much fun that before I knew it I found myself hooked on Boot Camp.

The true test was the morning during thee first few weeks of camp when it rained. I heard the rain against thee window and got excited. I remember you saying that if it were pouring that camp would be cancelled. I threw on a pair of boots and a baseball cap and went outside to check. Unfortunately, it was only drizzling. I was exhausted as I was kept awake the night before by noisy neighbors. I went to camp anyway. That was the day that something clicked inside of me. Once I was dressed and out the door I wanted to go to Boot Camp more than I wanted to go back to bed.

Boot Camp was a birthday present to myself for my 30th birthday. I had put on 20 extra pounds over the past few years. Once very active, I had become sedentary and had turned from a social smoker into a habitual one without realizing it. Even though I could barely fit into my clothes and I knew what I needed to do, I was in denial. I had a huge sweet tooth and when I’d indulge I figured that I had already eaten one candy bar and blown it so I kept going and proceeded to binge. I was in a rut and wanted desperately to get out. When I went on a hike before Boot Camp and found myself huffing and puffing it scared me. I was determined to be fit at 30. I couldn’t do it alone though.

Signing up for Boot Camp and completing six weeks is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. In addition to meeting new people and having a great time every morning, I have changed my life. While I did meet my weight loss goals, I have gained more that I ever imagined I could. I have gained confidence, motivation and accomplishment in every area of my life. My life is happier, richer and better due to the past six weeks. I am now doing things I’ve always wanted to and I’ve stopped procrastinating. Being finished with my workout at 6:30 in the morning sets my day in a beautiful way and allows time for things I previously wanted to do and didn’t want because I could barely get out of bed.

I was in the worst physical shape I’ve ever been in when I came to camp and it was challenging. The first time I ran a mile I didn’t know if I’d make it. The first time I ran up the hill to Castaways, I didn’t know if I’d make it. What keep me going day-by-day and week by week was a mantra that I’d repeat to myself when I was running up a hill that seem insurmountable. I would say the following words over and over: "Consistent, persistent effort will get me where I want to go." It worked and eventually I was able to run six miles without stopping.

Thank you for your encouragement, spirit and motivation. Thank you for holding Boot Camp a mile from my apartment. Thank you for being there in the right place at the right time and for playing a huge part in forever changing my life.

Thank you!
Private Sarah Steinberg