By 1st Lt. Keith Wolowodiuk and Staff Sgt. Bryant Maude
1st Sustainment Brigade
CAMP SLAYER, Iraq – "THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD," is the sound you hear when entering the Camp Slayer Fishbowl Gym when Spc. Ruben Martinez, an infantryman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry, is working out. A runner to the core, Martinez will run for fun and sport.
"It comes easy for me," said Martinez. "It's something I am naturally good at."
He first started running in high school and his skills and dedication earned him a scholarship at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he is pursuing a double major in criminal justice and business management.
Currently, Martinez runs around Victory Base Complex, Iraq, any chance he gets. On average, Martinez runs 50 miles a week to stay in shape and has managed to burn through two pairs of running shoes. On his most recent Army Physical Fitness Test, Martinez was the fastest runner in the company scoring 11 minutes, 40 seconds on his two-mile event.
He also likes to compete. Martinez has managed to participate in seven 5K and 10K runs while being deployed to Iraq. And he doesn't just compete, he wins. The lowest he ever placed was third, and that was a race held at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, a few days after he arrived in theater. His excuse for third place was jet lag.
He made up for the low showing in Kuwait by winning a number of silvers and golds over the next several months, to include a second place finish in the Camp Victory Navy 10K Run, a first place finish in the Camp Victory Air Force 10K run and during his R & R he participated with his team mates in the UCLA All Comer's Meet where he placed 5th overall. Now that's Army strong!
This was not his first time running in Iraq; he racked up eight prizes during Operation Iraqi Freedom III. He is also remembered as the guy who broke five treadmills.
"I was banned from using the treadmills for a month by the Moral Welfare and Recreation staff," recalled Martinez. "They were afraid I would break all of them!"
Martinez plans to return home, graduate college, and try out for the U.S. Olympic Team.
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