The sun is barely creeping over the horizon. It's 5 a.m. aboard the deployed aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (GHWB), and the motivation is already in high gear in one of the ship's designated fitness rooms.

Stationary bikes hum in unison, tucked in a space off the portside weatherdecks, as Senior Chief Religious Programs Specialist Terence Newton leads a group through a grueling evolution. Sweat-covered fouled-anchor t-shirts fill the front row.

It's called "124 in 24" and it's a way for the chiefs aboard Bush to showcase pride, as well as a little fitness, in celebration of the 124th birthday of the chief petty officer (CPO).

The collective challenge is to achieve 124 miles (or reps) in a 24-hour cycle through various exercises, explained Chief Yeoman Cat Jones, reactor department administration leading chief petty officer.

"It's a nice way to showcase not only our pride as chiefs, but to also lead by example; to be out there doing something to promote fitness," she said.

Jones' idea for "124 in 24" was immediately embraced by the GHWB Chiefs Mess as a way to kick off a week filled with CPO birthday events. Chiefs from across the deckplates tackled the challenge from a variety of exercises including bikes, treadmills, situps, pushups, elliptical machines and weights. Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Andy Salzman and Senior Chief Operations Specialist Jason Wilson hit the weights as their way of saying "Happy Birthday."

"This is another example of pride and teamwork in action," said Salzman.

"It's a great opportunity to enhance the fellowship of the CPO Mess," Wilson added.

By mid-morning, Newton and his team had easily collected more than 138 miles.

"It wasn't too brutal," said Chief Information Systems Technician Allison Risner. "It was a lot of fun."

"Just a walk in the park ... more like a 'pedal,'" Newton laughed.

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