JB's March to Bataan: Is it too late to sign up for a 5K instead?

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Is it too late to sign up for a 5K instead?

I re-looked at the elevation chart over the weekend - it's in METERS, not feet!! Whose idea was it to run this thing?! feeling of impending doom... :-o

4 comments:

Steven SchwartzFebruary 28, 2012 at 1:20 PM
Keep your head up. Just think for every meter you run up, that's another meter you get to run down!
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Jim BFebruary 28, 2012 at 3:38 PM
Thanks for the motivational thought, Steven! Unfortunately, Danny Downer would say that the pain on the legs going down is worse than the lung pain going up... somehow I'll survive!
:-)
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Bret GibbsMarch 5, 2012 at 8:12 AM
Jim you got this my friend. The first 7-9 miles is definitely running territory. You start off on the base on concrete then run on a trail that is packed sand. When you get to the base of the never-ending hill, you may want to consider reserving some energy and walk part of that. It's that hill your grandparents talked about when they walked to school uphill both ways. Then around the mountain, then back down the hill. As you said, the pain of going down the hill is hell on your shins. I actually ended up walking backwards some to rotate the pain to my calves. I was in good physical shape (muscle tone) much more than I was at cardio when I did this event. Even walking my heart rate stayed WAY up. You have to have both (cardio and muscle strength) to be effective at this race. As you round out these last few weeks, concentrate on hiking some hills (plenty of that in CO) and do a bunch of off road. Nothing will prepare you for mile 21 or 22 where you walk through a mile of thick beach-like sand. Then the never-ending wall around and finally the finish. When I did this event, I was around 205 and I am 5' 10". With your lean body mass and cardio, you will nail this. Rooting for you!
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Jim BMarch 5, 2012 at 2:26 PM
if "lean body mass" means skin and bone, I'm there. :-)

Thanks for the coaching! I ran a hilly course in the wind this weekend and the wind was brutal on the small muscles...hopefully this will prep me a bit. Did you have much wind the year you ran it? (I'm hoping not!)

As a friend of mine recently reminded me - pain is temorary, but achievement is forever. I'm looking forward to crossing that finish line...in whatever condition I'm in!
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Bataan Death March Memorial - background

I've never met Sgt 1st Class Todd C. Gibbs, nor will I ever given he gave his life for his country on December 7, 2004. While he may not have been a member of my family, he certainly was part of a loving family back home. While he did not directly impact my life, his actions - and those of his fellow soldiers - have allowed me and my family to lead the lives we live.

Todd's brother Bret told me about a challenge here at home called the Bataan Memorial Death March. This VFW sponsored event has - for the last 23 years - recognized the WWII soldiers from Bataan, and was originally a military-only event but now has teams and participants from all branches of the military, Wounded Warriors and now civilians participating in the Memorial. The Memorial is a marathon distance endurance challenge at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

As described by a recent participant "The hardest aspect of this event is that even though it is considered a marathon it has far too great a diversity to be considered “just” a marathon. Changing from hard pack to asphalt back to hard pack and then desert sand is enough to buckle any athlete’s knees...dusty conditions and a five-mile long hill under full sun separates the weekender from the diehard athlete...I believe the last four miles of the event is the most difficult for three reasons. First, the sand is unstable, rutted and your feet are well on there way to becoming lumps of clay. Second, you are able to see the finish line that doesn’t seem to draw any closer because of the route around the base and psychologically is depressing.. Finally, the wall creates an air block that soaks up the heat and wind which just adds to your fatigue..."

To me, this event recognizes and memorializes ALL of our military personnel - past and present - who have volunteered themselves for the greater good putting themselves at risk of injury or death on a daily basis.

I get the privilege of working in an air-conditioned office and sleeping in a comfortable bed thanks to the sacrifices of our military. As feeble as it is, I would like to say "Thank You" by putting a bit of a challenge on my own physical capabilities and participate in the 2012 Bataan Memorial Death March.

I'll use this Blog to whine about how tough it is being middle-aged and soft, but more importantly hope to use this as a platform to raise donations for noble causes supporting our troops. I am far from being a "social network" expert - having never created a blog or website before - but hope that the power of internet and our extended networks can make a difference for these charities.

Help me out! Post a story or comment. Share the charity links with your network. Recommend another charity. Let's prove that the value of the internet and Facebook is more than getting updates on Aunt Edna's bunyons! Most importantly, say “Thank You” next time you see a soldier or veteran!