Leyton Dunford, a 20-year-old Vidalia, GA resident, begins a training run through his neighborhood as a part of his daily routine. He is preparing to leave for U.S. Navy boot camp in April 2026.
Dunford sets off on a training run, focusing on endurance and mental discipline as he prepares for the training that is to come.
He runs past familiar streets, turning ordinary surroundings into a training ground for something much bigger.
His feet hit the pavement in a steady rhythm, reminding him of the discipline required to train consistently.
Each run is an intentional part of Dunford's preparation for boot camp where his physical and mental limits will be tested.
Sweat begins to build as the run continues. The sweat signals the physical intensity of his preparation.
The miles add up as he pushes forward. He is training his body for long periods of constant effort.
Dunford's worn running shoes tell a story themselves. They represent the toll of months spent preparing for boot camp.
Dunford maintains his focus while running uphill, using the resistance as strength.
Breathing heavily, he keeps moving, relying on mental toughness to carry him through the rest of his run.
He wipes sweat from his face during a short pause in the run. He takes a moment to reflect on the reasons he will keep going.
He makes mental notes of the challenges ahead as his departure for boot camp approaches.
Training alone gives him the opportunity to prepare mentally for the demands of U.S. Navy training.
After the pause, Dunford begins running again. He returns back to his routine and finds his rhythm.
He passes the same streets he has trained on for months, building strength through repetition each day.
Dunford disappears farther down the road, beginning the final leg of his run.
The run nears its end, but his training is far from over.
Dunford finishes his run in the neighborhood where his preparation began, knowing his next journey of joining the U.S. Navy will take him far from home.
