I'm blessed with great friends!

One more "thanks" to Jeff for saying "I got your back" a year ago when I said I wanted to run this.  Neither of us knew what we were getting into - whether the challenges of the course or the patriotism felt from being part of this.  Jeff's had my back since I've known him...which is becoming an awful long time!

I am also glad that Jeff talked the "other" Jim Brown into joining us as well.  It was great getting to know you, Jim!  I'm amazed at what you've been able to do given the physical challenges from your accident.

I had a ball, guys!

I promise to never make fun of your extensive pill collections again, as it's now apparent that your superior science trumped my obviously superior physical condition!  :-)

I've already started my training for next year! 

The Race

Being in the civilian group, we were last to take off. It took 15 minutes for us just to get to the start line.  The first 6 miles or so were relatively flat to downhill.  We ran the first two in approx. 9:30 (right on plan!)..had our 1st bio break adding a minute+ to mile 3.  2 more miles in approx. 9:30 and a slightly faster 8:49 at mile 6...then another bio break adding 3 minutes to mile 7.  Apparently, Subway is not the ideal meal the night before a race. 

Back on the course, we ran a strong 9:44 for the beginning of the uphill climb.

While this stretch of the course was relatively easy regarding elevation, the footing was a lot looser (sand) than I expected.  This comes into play later.

The next mile got a bit steeper, but I felt good and just went heads down through it in good time.  There is a water stop at this point where the full marathon splits from the short course and goes onto pavement. 

The pictures above are Jeff and Jim coming through this water stop...obviously I was way ahead of them since I had time to water up and take pictures!  :-)  Collectively, we ran a 12:25 mile to this point.

I'm not sure if this is considered part of Hell Hill or not, but it certainly was a challenge.

Still feeling good, I plowed into the next part...which is definitely Hell Hill.  My whole goal was to aggressively run the Hill knowing the guys would catch me on the down hill.  Mile splits were 11-12 minute pace. 

...poor strategy, in retrospective, on my part...

This picture (above) is at mile 11, and there was still a few miles of climb to go!

At the top of Hell Hill (13? miles in), my calf knotted up but I was ultimately able to loosen it up enough to run again after Jeff caught up with me.  15 minute mile for that one  and a 13 minute slow jog as we came around the other side of the hill going down.

I think the sandy surface had an impact on my lower legs.

Unfortunately both calves knotted up and it actually was less painful to jog than walk for a while. the next 6 miles ranged from 10-13 minute miles on rolling, but mostly downhill terrain, that had even looser sand, rocks and then back to pavement.  I ran/walked with Dave from Castle Rock and "Miss Congeniality" Rachel from Iowa on and off during this section.

I did also run with a soldier (Tim Timmons - got his autograph on my shirt!) for a few miles, which kept my attention off of the growing pain.

Jeff slowed up during this stretch to try to reel Jim back in.  At about mile 20, when my calf cramps spread to nearly every muscle in my legs, Jeff comes running by looking fresh as a daisy - this will be the last time I see him until after he finishes.

I don't have any pictures during this stretch as all my focus was on putting one foot in front of the other.  Cramps got so bad that at times it hurt too much to take a step.  Thankfully, a nice gal named Mari gave me some sport beans that helped loosen the cramps a bit.  16:50 mile.

...then, the Sand Pit! 

Over a mile incline with foot-thick loose sand.  How did anyone actually run this section??  22 minute+ mile.  We took the picture above as we were driving off the base.  If the resolution was better, you could see marchers in the distance.  This, I believe was the Sand Pit.

Memory is a bit blurred at this point, but if I remember correctly, as we got out of the Sand Pit we could see what looked like a mile or two of nice flat, gentle down hill course...bringing hope

...until we got to that stretch, which also included a stiff headwind!

At the next water stop, I looked so rough that one of the medics asked if I needed treatment!  I just refilled my water bottles ate a bunch of bananas and continued my limp forward.  My pace for mile 23 was down to 18 minutes.    The water and banana's kicked in and I could at least walk consistently again.  Mile 24 in 17 minutes.

Most marathoners talk about "hitting the wall" somewhere between mile 20 and 24.  At Bataan, there is a physical wall at mile 24! 

The Wall has a big psychological effect.  You can see what you think is the end of the wall...providing hope.  Unfortunately, that's not the end, it's just a corner on the wall.  But, you soon see what looks like the end again...until you get to it and realize that it's just another corner.

2 more miles walked along the wall - at 16 minute pace.

Finally!  you see the fence line and the finish shoot.  After crossing the line, you walk under this tent where all of the actually Bataan Death March survivors are sitting shaking hands with all of the finishers.  These guys have lived through hell, are 90+ years old, but are enduring what is now 90 degree heat to support the racers...and they are thanking me?!!?

Having run the first half in 2 hours 22 minutes, I had visions of breaking 5 hours "with ease" - pretty funny!  I ended up at 5 hours 34 minutes, a broken man.  Jeff nearly broke 5 hours @ 5:02, and Jim was just a few minutes behind me.  What's amazing to me is that at 5 hours and 34 minutes, I finished 402 out of over 3800 marchers.

This course is insane!  It masterfully combines a variety of painful challenges while consistently providing false hope that the worst is behind you. 

I must be insane as well, because I'm already thinking about returning next year!

As rude as the course is, the people are amazing - the course workers are great (even the goofy guy with the cowbell dressed like Will Ferrell in the SNL skit!), the soldiers in their 35 pound packs are inspirational and the other Marchers become friends by the end of the race.

Pre-Race Ceremony

The pre-race ceremony was impressive!  Seeing the giant American flag waving in the otherwise darkness, the sea of camo, etc. that early was cool.  Then they had a demonstration by the Black Dagger paratroopers.  Trying to pick them out of the black sky with their all black gear was tough, but they landed right on the spot, followed by more paratroopers with flares.  The last 2 dropped like rocks (apparently going over 200 mph) before pulling their chutes.  The sunrise was spectacular as well.  cool way to get hyped for the race...

Bataan Survivors

Dionisio Perez - Phillipine Scout from Bataan Death March.  If you don't know the full story the Scouts were specially trained Filipino units that were amazingly tough and held the advance lines so the rest of the military could continue falling back toward Bataan.  Tough dudes!

Bataan Survivor - Harold Bergbower.  Knocked unconscious on 1st day of combat and woke up in the morgue!  KIA notice sent to his family who didn't know he was alive until he returned home - weighing 78 lbs - 4+ years later!  survived near-death multiple other times.  Shoveled coal in a Japanese steel plant and had funny stories about how the POW's got back at the Japanese...urinating on coal before it goes into a blast furnace apparently has quite a reaction!

I didn't get a good picture of it, but all of the Bataan Survivors sat in a row at the end of the race shoot and shook hands with all of the Marchers as they finished.  An amazing end to hours of physical challenge.

Activities leading up to the race

Challenge coin display - early on Saturday

Jeff trying the paratrooper simulator.  I landed closer to the target!  (at least I won something!)

Blackhawk that airlifted injured runners during the race.  Jim got dusted by one during the race.  We made friends with Capt Dave Marshall and Capt Kimberly "Dustoff" Adams the day before the race...wanted to make sure we had priority pick-up if they saw us in a ditch on race day! 

Our home for the weekend.

Jeff & Jim in our luxury accomodations

2012 Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon

 

The race is finally complete.  An amazing experience.  On the personal level, I have now lived through the various challenges on the course that people have tried in different ways to describe.  Two things are obvious - 1.  words really can't describe the insane hurdles thrown into this course.  2.  while it was all difficult, everyone has a different perspective on what was most painful.  There hasn't been anything in my life that remotely compares to the physical toll I felt going through this.  That finish line was one welcome site!

In the broader view of the event, it's hard to describe the pride in our country that I have from being part of this.  Our soldiers are amazingly tough, yet quality people.  The people running the event not only ran the event with precision, but were super nice...and I've never run a race before where I've bonded with more runners as we worked thru the pain - from David from Castle Rock who kept coach me to run the downhills, not the uphills, "Miss Congeniality" Rachel and my savior Mari with the sports beans to Tim Timmons, Division Chief at Joint Interoperability Test Command, who ran with me from mile 18 to 20, to General John Ferrari, Commander of White Sands Missle Range, who not only hosted the event but also ran in it  (I didn't catch him until half way up Hell Hill).

I'll post more pictures and stories shortly, but want to finish with how I started - with a plea that you show support for our military.  The U.S. Army is not a nameless, faceless corporation, it is a bunch of tough individuals who have put themselves at daily risk of incredible physical challenge, torture or death...so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.  They are real people with real families, who while proud of their commitment worry daily for their safety.

If you don't have a favorite cause, consider giving to the Sgt. Todd Gibbs Scholarship - the link is on the right side of this webpage.   He was a real person with a real family who sacrificed it all so that we can live at home in peace.

The ULTIMATE Sacrifice

Given the Lenten season, there is one more soldier who must be recognized.  There is one who sacrificed himself for all of mankind.



Jesus of Nazareth, also referred to as Jesus Christ or simply Christ.

A Jewish teacher from Galilee in Roman Judaea, who was baptized by John the Baptist, and was crucified in Jerusalem on the orders of the Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire.

Born of the Virgin Mary, performed miracles, founded the Church, died sacrificially to achieve atonement, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, from which he will return.

Navy roommates shared their lives, now lie together at Arlington

Travis Manion and Brendan Looney, who became great friends at Annapolis, occupy neighboring graves at Arlington

May 28, 2011|By Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun

That Travis Manion and Brendan Looney ended up side by side should surprise no one.  Loved ones had always been struck by the similarities between the Naval Academy roommates — both family men, both rugged athletes, both warriors who yearned to reach the heart of action.

Now, they needed to be together again. It was the only bit of comfort Amy Looney could fathom as she watched white-gloved soldiers carry her husband's casket from the back of an airplane at Dover Air Force Base last September. Three years earlier, a sniper had shot Travis in Iraq after he exposed himself to enemy fire so he could drag wounded comrades from an ambush. Now, Brendan was gone as well, killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
Confronted with that cruel reality, Amy Looney was sure what had to happen next: Brendan, the absurdly tough Navy SEAL she had fallen for back in Annapolis, would want to spend eternity beside Travis in Arlington National Cemetery. In life, they laughed at jokes that only they were in on, blended into one another's families and talked quietly of their hunger to fight where they were needed most. Amy Looney wanted all of that to endure beyond terrible loss.
"It was the only peace I could find in the whole situation," she says.
When she made her thoughts known, the Manions agreed that the men belonged together, even though that meant moving their son from a Pennsylvania cemetery. Travis was reinterred at Arlington on a Friday in early October, and Brendan was buried to his left the following Monday. There they lie.
Though undeniably tragic, the culmination of Travis and Brendan's bond is more than that for the people who loved them. It's a story of bravery, of goodness, of two men who died doing what they were put on the earth to do. "They're probably the two best guys I've ever known and the two best guys I ever will know," says their friend and academy classmate Ben Mathews. "I think it means something that they're together. It's terrible that they had to give their lives, but they're shining examples of what Americans can strive to be."
Brendan was days from beginning SEAL training in San Diego when the news of Travis' death tore his world asunder. His sister, Erin, had always viewed him as indestructible and was taken aback to hear him hurt so badly. "That was the toughest part," she says. "It was the first time I ever saw Brendan in a different light. Not that he wasn't still tough, but maybe he was a little more vulnerable."
The Navy would not allow Brendan to leave for the funeral. In his fury, he briefly considered quitting. Instead, he dedicated his training to Travis and won the coveted "Honor Man" spot as the top graduate of his class.

full story at http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-05-28/news/bs-md-naval-academy-friends-20110529_1_brendan-looney-travis-manion-arlington-national-cemetery

- Brendan Looney, Naval Academy Graduate and son of  former HDS employee, Kevin Looney

Rest In Peace, Pfc. Jones

A soldier from Marble Falls was killed in Afghanistan Thursday, March 15th.


The Department of Defense says Private First Class Payton Jones, 19, and another soldier from Denver, Col. were shot and killed by two Afghan soldiers and a literacy instructor.
The somber news hit Pfc. Jones’ hometown of Marble Falls late Friday night.

Pfc. Payton Jones

As a fellow soldier, the death of Pfc. Jones troubles Army veteran and Marble Falls resident Walter Hagen. Hagen joined the U.S. Army in 1946 and served for 30 years.


"It must be really bad if you can't trust the guy sitting next to you or working next to you,” Walter Hagen, retired U.S. Army, said. “You are trying to train somebody, and he turns around and shoots you."







- friend & neighbor of Mark Atchison

Thanks, Nancy Brown!

As the countdown approaches hours, not days, there is one more person that I need to thank - my lovely bride, Nancy!  Thanks for putting up with months of me groaning about the aches and pains; whining about how much more work I have left to do; etc.  Thanks for letting it be 'all about me'...even when my squeaky shoes kept waking you up before my 5AM runs, and when I fell asleep on the couch at 9PM (which rarely happened more than 3 times...per week). 

Thanks also for letting my run go public so I had no ability to back out!  :-)

I do appreciate your patience over these last 12 months and hope I can return the favor somehow!

I am blessed!

Much luvies...

Every day I run into someone who is willing to put their life on the line

I'm willing to accept the extra chaffing from a cotton T-shirt on the run...  :-)

The Clock is Ticking!

One week to go!  Looking forward to some time with Chris in Lubbock and then down to White Sands.

It always seemed like a year away and now it's almost here!

Thank you!

Samuel Wassall VC (July 1856 – 31 January 1927) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Samuel was a relative of co-worker and friend, Tom Wassell.

Thanks for supporting Sgt Gibbs cause, Tom!

Thanks, Bill...and the many other Veterans from KoC 13131

Ret. MSgt William H (Bill) Remy
USAF 1965-1985

Philipines  '67-69
Germany    '69-73
Japan         '74-76
Germany    '79-83

Temporary Duty:
Vietnam - '68
Thailand - '68-69

Korea - '68 - during USS Pueblo Incident

Thanks for you service to the country over all those years, and for your ongoing service to your church and community via Knights of Columbus Counsel 13131!

More details and pictures of the many other Council 13131 Veterans as soon as I can get a functional camera when the crew is around.  Thanks to all for their commitment!

Gone, but not forgotten

 


Marine First Lieutenant Dan Thomas Malcom of Brinson, Georgia, a 2001 graduate of The Citadel. 
 
Died of gunshot wounds in Iraq during the battle against insurgents in Fallujah in 2004.
 
"He liked his job, he believed in his troops and he cared for his troops," said Kevin Bates, a classmate and friend.  While at the school, he was a dean's list student and held rank in the Corps of Cadets. He was Lima Company executive officer during his senior year, The Citadel said in a statement.   "He was a great student," said Bates of Richmond, Va. "He was on The Citadel's College Bowl team. He was a very intelligent person."
 
Friend of my friend, Mick McGilloway. 
 
Thanks to all of the crew from Lima Company for their sacrifices. Lieutenant Malcom may be gone but he is not forgotten.

The Reason...

Reposting the picture of Sgt. Gibbs, as his scholarship fund is the purpose behind this run.  His story and instructions on how to donate are both linked on the right side of this blog page under "important pages".

...Pretty decent runs so far this week.  If I can finish this week strong there is hope, as the taper starts on Monday...

More Pictures of "Sgt Dad"

Thanks, "Pops"!

Staff Sgt. James "Tim" Brown - U.S Army - Ft. Knox, Turkey, Korea, etc. - 1950's

Thanks for serving, Dad - both in the Army and all those long hours as a civilian contractor over the the years after!  I owe everything to you.