Marathon more than just running

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mary Hinson
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La. --  Every journey starts with a single step. In a marathon, that leaves 138,335 feet to go. But with each step, it is more than just running - it is putting one foot in front of the other and never giving up.

The 26.2-mile run is a challenge like no other that cannot be undertaken lightly - just ask the members of the 917th Wing who were among the record-number of participants who recently competed in the Air Force Marathon events at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

For Tech. Sgt. John Donelson of the 917th Maintenance Squadron, his quest toward the marathon began with the Air Force's fitness program.

The fitness program requirements got me running," said Sergeant Donelson, who was an avid cyclist before he started running. Once he started, he set a goal of running the Dallas marathon in 2008 because he wanted to "do it before I got too old."

Maj. Bryan Bailey of the 93rd Bomb Squadron agreed. "A marathon has always been on my 'bucket list.' Although I have always tried to run some to stay in shape, I've never run consistently. Signing up for a marathon forces you to train consistently if you want to complete the race."

Dedicating the time and energy to such a task is no easy feat. For Sergeant Donelson, in order to be ready to meet the challenge, he wanted to get the basics of having a steady running base and attaining the right weight to begin.

"If your body is at the weight it is designed to be at, it can do what it is designed to do," said the sergeant, for whom this marathon was his second. Once he had gotten to where he was running three miles comfortably, he began an approximate five-month regimen that directed him toward his goal. This included a steady increase in distance to a 20-mile run and a strict diet. "You have to be very disciplined."

"By far the most difficult part of training for a marathon is finding the time needed to train properly," said the major, who had only run 5K races (3.2 miles) prior to this. "Also, training for the AF Marathon requires you train in the middle of the summer in the Louisiana heat."

For Lt. Col. Robert VanHoy of the 93rd BS, he makes running part of his normal, daily route, incorporating short, mid-distance and long runs into each week. He even gets his family involved - training with his wife for a half marathon, having his kids run 5K and 10K races with him and pushing the youngest one in a stroller as he runs. As an event gets closer, he continues to increase the distance on his long runs to prepare for the race.

As with any journey, there can be unexpected obstacles that sometimes stand in the way to success. When training for the 2008 Dallas marathon, Sergeant Donelson recalls having to train amid hurricane weather because he couldn't afford to take the time off. Although it was quite grueling, this instance taught him a valuable life lesson. "There are a number of hurdles, some can be pretty high...you just have to go over them."

Luckily for Sergeant Donelson, the training for this year's Air Force Marathon went a little smoother, and he is even preparing for the New Orleans Marathon in February. The colonel wasn't as lucky, experiencing a sprained ankle a month prior to the marathon but still managed to complete the race.

"Many things are possible though they sometimes seem impossible," said Colonel VanHoy about the getting through the challenge.

For the major, this marathon offered a special memory as the B-52 was the showcase aircraft for the year. "Our crew did the flyby for the opening ceremony and the finisher's medal is engraved with the B-52," he said.

Besides the physical benefits, training for a marathon offers many intrinsic rewards.

"I learned a lot about myself...what motivates me," said Sergeant Donelson. It also motivated him to make other changes in his life, such as getting more involved in the squadron and going back to school.

"It may not be easy but if you want to make changes in your life, it is up to you."

Sergeant Donelson also said he wanted to be a role model for his three kids - "I want them to know they can do whatever they put their minds to."

The colonel agrees that setting an example for his children was important. "My wife and I home school our four children and we try to impress the three things - mind, body and soul...and running helps us complete that idea."

"Anyone can run 26.2 miles if you commit yourself to the training and stay injury free," added Major Bailey.

Sergeant Bailey, an Air Reserve Technician, also credits the leadership of the 917th MXS and the lessons learned from Air Force Reserve with helping him complete his goals. On days when he had long runs, his supervision was good about working with his schedule. "My supervision was cooperative and helped me achieve my goal. I (also) learned from the Reserve to establish goals - whether completing a mission or crossing the finish line - and complete them no matter what."

"What a great accomplishment for the Reserve!! And to those that helped make this happen, everybody did an outstanding job," said Colonel VanHoy of the support him and his running crew received.

For those who are considering taking on the challenge, Sergeant Donelson says, "Go for it. When you cross that finish line for the first time, it is life-changing. You feel you can do anything.