JB's March to Bataan

Thursday, March 8, 2012

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...

Monday, March 5, 2012

More Pictures of "Sgt Dad"

Saturday, March 3, 2012

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.

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

Progress?

Twenty-miler on Sunday...couldn't get to eight today.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Fat Tuesday

Last day to load up on goodies before the Lenten carbo-sacrifice. No potatoes, bread or processed sugars after today...maybe I can shake another 10 lbs off the frame before Bataan...(of course, 5 of the 10 will be from the weight I gain pigging out today!)

Friday, February 17, 2012

Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY. Murphy was killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Redwing, June 28, 2005. Murphy lead a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds.

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!