Why We Run: Serenity - Maryland Marine runs to free her mind, boost self-confidence

Photo By Cpl. Katherine Solano | Sgt. Jasman Anderson, a supply administrator with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), does pull-ups in the Griffin Gym aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, during a training routine Oct. 18. Anderson, who is planning on running the Marine Corps Marathon Oct. 30, enjoys strength-training more often than logging miles.  

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

10.22.2011

Story by Lance Cpl. Katherine Solano 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Sgt. Jasman Anderson admits that she does not like running. She never ran competitively in high school or pursued marathons in her home state, but at the end of October, Anderson will join hundreds of others aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, in running the Marine Corps Marathon.

The Fort Washington, Md., native will run her first marathon, not only while deployed, but without formal training or any history of long distance competitive runs.

With the odds stacked against her, Anderson, a supply administrator with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), would be hard-pressed not to be discouraged. When asked if she is nervous or unsure though, her answer is quick and assured.

“I’m pretty confident,” she began. “Last week I ran about 15 miles and I was perfectly fine. That just gave me more ammunition for the race itself. I started thinking I can definitely do this.”

She has no time goal, but will be happy finishing anywhere but last.

“Running a marathon is an accomplishment in itself,” she said.

Anderson has a different training program than that of many other marathoners she has come into contact with. She prefers gym workouts to running since they are more dynamic and can be changed easily. In fact, according to her, even while preparing for this marathon, she has still spent most of her training hours in the gym as opposed to on the road.

Anderson may not be a prototypical marathoner, but her passion and confidence pushed her to try something new. She will complete this marathon with one thought in mind: her own self-worth.

“I’m going to prove to myself that I can,” she said.

As an admittedly reluctant runner, Anderson cites two reasons why she set running a marathon as a goal for herself.

First, she said that running a marathon is the ultimate endurance test.

“What better way to see what kind of physical shape you are in than by running a marathon? … You never really know what you are capable of until you just do it,” Anderson said.

Secondly, Anderson says that she runs for inner peace. When she runs, she says her mind empties.

“Stress floats away,” she concluded. “Everything flows away. My mind clears. I run for the serenity.”

Editor’s Note - “Why We Run” is a three-part series highlighting runners of various backgrounds as they prepare for the Marine Corps Marathon aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Oct., 30, 2011.

• Date Taken: 10.22.2011
• Date Posted: 10.23.2011 05:42
• Story ID: 78872
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF