Top of Iraq run helps Soldiers track training for TF Marne 10-Miler

Courtesy Photo | (Center) Sgt. Maj. Charles Friend, the senior signal non-commissioned officer for Task Force Marne, crosses the finish line in the Top of Iraq 10K run held at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Sept. 24. The Top of Iraq run was the second of a series of three runs ending with the TF Marne 10-Miler which will be held Oct. 10. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Johnathon Jobson, TF Marne Public Affairs)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

09.24.2010

Courtesy Story

United States Division-North

By Sgt. Johnathon Jobson

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Task Force Marne service members and civilians have spent the last three months running – rather training for the Task Force Marne 10-Miler, to be held Oct. 10, 2010. Approximately 60 people are pre-registered and close to 300 people are expected to run the race on Contingency Operating Base Speicher.

The 10-miler, which shadows the Army 10-Miler to be held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 24, is the last of three. The preceding 5K “Why Not Run” and 10K “Top of Iraq” run were set up as training events to help prepare the soldiers that are planning to run the TF Marne 10-Miler.

Lt. Col. Maria Biank and Sgt. Maj. Charles Friend are the TF Marne G-6 leadership team and are using the runs to set the example for soldiers and show that there is always time for physical fitness.

The series of runs was designed to give soldiers intermediate goals to build up to the 10-Miler.

“A lot of soldiers have said that they want to run [the 10-Miler,] said 1st Lt. Emily Baldo, a clinical staff nurse in the 21st Combat Support Hospital emergency room, and officer in charge of all three runs. “The shorter runs give them smaller goals to meet on their way to the 10-Miler. They also give the soldiers something to look forward to.”

For Friend, running is a passion, and the upcoming 10-Miler is something he looks forward to.

“I first started running long distance in 1996. I tried out for the 35th Signal Brigade Army 10-Miler team. I made the team and have been running ever since,” said Friend, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich. “Every year, I try to do the 10-mile run, no matter where I am at. This will be the third time I have run the 10-Miler in Iraq.

“There isn't real a difference running here, in a deployed environment. You just have to make sure you have more breaks and rest stops and stay hydrated,” added Friend.

Biank is using a 12-week training program to get ready for the 10-Miler.

“I am very much a novice when it comes to training for longer runs and races, said Biank. “I use a 12-week training model. It starts off with two- and three-mile runs and increases one week at a time. It gradually increases the distance so that you don’t hurt yourself by going out and running 10 miles when your body isn't used to it.

“I run about four days a week. I usually do one long run, seven, eight or nine miles, each week because of where I am at in the training model. The other run days are just a bit shorter. I also do two days of cross training. I use the treadmill, the exercise bike, or a similar exercise to get away from the [impact], and use different muscles,” she added.

This is also not Biank’s first 10-Miler. She is an Army 10-Miler Veteran.

“I have run two Army 10-Milers,” Biank, a Williamsburg, Va., native said. “It’s just a fabulous race; a lot of people, a lot of great energy there. It is a great route through Washington, D.C., seeing all of the monuments and the sites.”

Since there are no monuments at COB Speicher, and the landscape is rather barren, soldiers will be setting up “spirit stands” to help keep morale high.

Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, the TF Marne commanding general, wanted water points at every mile marker along the route, explained 1st Lt. Baldo. After 10 miles the route would get boring, so they came up with the idea of spirit stands, she said.

“Units that are located near the mile markers were tasked to run the spirit stands,” said Baldo. “They can decorate the stand as extravagantly as they wish. There will be awards for the most spirited stand with the most people out to cheer on the runners.”

Soldiers wanting more information about or to register for the TF Marne 10-Miler should contact Capt. Peter Attilio via email at [e-mail] by Oct. 9.

• Date Taken: 09.24.2010
• Date Posted: 10.03.2010 12:48
• Story ID: 57431
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ