Our dental command, the 502nd back in Balad, sponsored 9 runners to join the Fallen Soldier Half Marathon held in Camp Taji last weekend. It was a great and inspiring event!
With a wink from SPC Jason Villar, in the chopper we go on an early Friday morning flight. Notice the pavement? Forecast says... get ready for lots of wet stuff!
A quick glance south, on the way out, to check BIAP and its commercial runways. The raindrops are starting to accumulate...
We land, safe and sound, in Camp Taji only 30 miles north of Baghdad. A 7 minute flight is all it took!
Here's my new digs for the weekend, my very own CHU (containerized housing unit). Nicely sandbagged on all sides, just in case! Here's another view from inside... quite roomy!
The bathroom is conveniently located across the gravel road... with stalls, sinks and showers. One-stop shopping for the basic 3-S's.
After a tasty pre-race spaghetti dinner on Friday night, runners all need a small dessert to tide them over for the evening. Two kind souls--SPC Anderson and PFC Costly from Taji's CSM Sam Cooke Dining Facility--offered an entire box of "Black Cherry Almond" Clif Bars to munch on!
On Saturday morning, the opening FSHM ceremony memorialized our recent OIF fallen and comments were broadcast live from Vancouver Winter Games by former US Alpine coach and NBC sports commentator, Robi Powers. BG Kevin Mangum, Deputy Commanding General was Grand Marshall.
With ceremonies over at 0700 it was go-time for some 400 strong! Ready for the rain, wind, mud... and pain. Remembering with each stride as race organizer, CPT Brent Lindley put it, "Our fallen never quit and neither will we!"
I dedicated my run to the memory of a close family friend, SGT Bravie Soto who died on September 5, 1967 in Ap Binh Son, South Vietman.
Here's the post-race 502nd contingent... me, LTC Kalish, SPC Villar, SGT Marinez, SPC Diehl, PFC Simpson, SSG Severa, SSG Castillo, and CPT Bannion. We went out hard and finished strong, DENTAL WARRIOR STRONG! Hoo-ah!!
One more wink from Villar says, "There's no place like home!"
For the record, my goal was to run a BQ pace or 1:46. Ran my first 9 miles at 8 minute pace and the last 4 at 7 minute for a 1:41.15. Despite the wind and mud, I felt really good. But could I do another 13.1 is the question now...
