Photo By Sgt. Brian Johnson | Members of the Ohio National Guard Marathon Team pose for a photo before running the...... read more read more
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – For many runners, it is an achievement to run a whole marathon, 26.2 miles. For Chillicothe native Chris Edwards, it is an accomplishment that he has taken to a level that many people can only aspire to. Edwards is a member of the National Guard’s Marathon team.
Edwards is a Specialist with the Ohio National Guard’s Chillicothe based 1194th Engineer Company. He attended school at Ohio University in Athens.
To get to be a member of the team is not an easy feat. The All-Guard marathon team is comprised of; the top 40 male finishers, the top 15 female finishers, and the top 2 masters, 50 and older, finishers in the Lincoln National Guard Marathon which is held in Lincoln, NE every May. A traditional marathon can take between 2 and ½ and 4 hours to complete.
Edwards’ journey to become a member of the team began more than 12 years ago, when he was at Unioto Junior High.
“I began running as a sprinter on my Jr. High track team,” Edwards explained, “Once I reached high school; my cross country/track coach convinced me that I was a natural distance runner and not a sprinter.”
Edwards said that his coach, Coach Paxton, worked with him for his entire high school career.
“He taught me a lot, and if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be the runner I am today,” said Edwards.
Edwards ran his first marathon in October 2007 in Columbus, the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon.
“For me, running a marathon is an experience that is mentally and physically challenging,” Edwards said. “I love it when I reach mile 20 (the make or break point) of the race. The last 6.2 miles takes you to an unknown zone where you must confront your true self. It's a very rewarding experience!”
Since that first marathon in 2007, Edwards has run six marathons and more than 20 half marathons.
For Edwards, this kind of racing is fun.
“I wouldn't have continued running marathons if I didn't think they were fun,” Edwards stated.
All of this running has been very rewarding. It has afforded him many opportunities, not the least of which is becoming a member of the All-Guard Marathon Team.
At that same race in 2007 was when Edwards first learned about the National Guard Marathon team.
The All-Guard marathon team competes in races across the United States throughout the year. They also attend and staff race expo booths designed to help raise interest in the National Guard, physical fitness and long distance running.
The race expos ford the opportunity for soldiers and airmen to interact with the public by sharing their military experiences, provide training advice and encouragement to participants and of course, advocating for recruiting and retention.
“The All-Guard marathon team had a booth set up at the Nationwide Marathon expo in Columbus where I ran my first marathon,” said Edwards.
It was there that Edwards spoke to a member of the team, Capt. Varinka Barbini Ensminger. She gave him the information that he needed to get involved.
Then in 2008, Ensminger was reunited with Edwards as they set out to become part of the 2008 All Guard Marathon Team. The rest is history.
“I knew Spc. Edwards had great potential after seeing him run in the Columbus Marathon,” Ensminger explained. “He has grown into a tremendous distance runner and asset to the Marathon Program.”
One of the bet parts of the team is the friendships that are built. The team members become part of a person’s extended family, as in the case of Ensminger and Edwards. They not only compete against each other in races, but they also join forces for team competitions.
For Edwards, being a part of the team has allowed him to travel to many locations to run marathons that he wouldn’t have normally been able to travel to. Some of those include Memphis, Tenn., New Orleans, La., White Sands, N.M., San Francisco, Calif., and Kauai, Hawaii.
“We, as a team, took 5th overall in the team placing out of 50 states and two territories, which I believe is the highest placing ever for the state of Ohio,” Edwards exclaimed.
For Edwards, his experience with the team has not been without its challenges. The biggest challenge has been remaining injury free with the year round training.
“I've had to miss out on a few races due to injuries,” said Edwards.
What does the running future hold for Edwards? Running even further and longer.
“The longest distance that I have ever run is 26.2 miles, which is a full marathon,” explained Edwards. “I hope to compete in my first ultra-marathon during the upcoming running season with the All-Guard marathon team.”
An ultra-marathon is as any race longer than the traditional marathon. The most common ultra-marathon distance is 50 miles.
Is there any advice that Edwards can give to an aspiring runner?
“I always tell others to listen to your body and don't overdo it.
Running too much too soon can lead to injuries and they are not fun,” said Edwards.
For all those that want to take up running, Edwards stated that it gets tough at times.
“You will experience soreness. If you find ways to make it fun and keep it as a regular part of your life it can truly become a rewarding passion.”
This type of racing has not been without its rewards. For Edwards, there has been one big reward.
“For me, the biggest reward is having the opportunity to compete across the nation representing the greatest organization in the world, the United States Army,” Edwards said.
| Date Taken: | 05.31.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2013 14:39 |
| Story ID: | 107869 |
| Location: | CHILLICOTHE, OH, US |
| Hometown: | CHILLICOTHE, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 341 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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