One hundred and fifty National Guard members representing 40 states and two territories were among 13,500 marathoners registered for the 2017 Lincoln National Guard Marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 7. Not only did the number of registrants make it the largest event in the past 40 years, but runners also saw temperatures soar to the low 80s throughout the course of the day. Regardless of the crowds and the heat, the National Guard members present worked to earn one of the 61 positions available on the All Guard Marathon Team.
Sgt. Sarah Myrick, a photojournalist with the Maine Army National Guard’s Public Affairs Detachment and Sgt. Jhustin Welch, a survey team member with the 11th Weapons of Mass Destruction- Civil Support Team, represented Maine at the marathon. This was Welch’s first marathon, and the second year that Myrick earned a spot on the All Guard team.
This year, Myrick bested her previous marathon placement, securing an 11th place finish for females. Last year she placed 12th. Only 15 females are selected for the All Guard Marathon Team, the remaining spots are awarded to the males.
“I started running competitively in high school because I had friends on the track team,” said Myrick. “I fell in love with the sport. I ran cross country and track in college because I wanted to continue being part of a team and I wanted to challenge myself.”
Welch, who also competed with the Maine National Guard Biathlon Team this year, had heard individuals in his unit talking about the marathon team and running in the past. Interested to learn more, he called then team coordinator, Col. H. Jay Brock, and found himself not only signed up for the marathon, but also an offer to take over as team coordinator.
For his first marathon, Welch focused on running consistently, but not necessarily for long distance. Even though he didn’t run much over 12 miles during his training, he was still able to complete the entire 26.2 miles.
“It felt good to complete my first marathon and make it to the finish line,” he said. “I started out a little too fast, especially for how hot it was that day. The last few miles seemed like they were never ending, but my legs didn’t feel anywhere near as bad as I thought they would.”
Welch would often take his dog on the longer runs to help him keep pace, or even help him pick up some speed. He would also rest a few days before a long run so he wouldn’t get sore.
Myrick runs about 60-70 miles per week with at least one 18-22 mile run per week and has now completed six marathons. Two weeks before the Lincoln Marathon, Myrick completed what would be her fastest marathon ever, 26.2 miles in 3:31:04 at the Gettysburg North vs. South Marathon back in April 22, 2017.
Even though the Gettysburg Marathon earned her a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon, Myrick said she is not done challenging herself.
“I love a challenge and I always have a new goal,” she said. “I want to run a marathon faster than three hours and thirty minutes. I also want to start running longer races. I have signed up for two 50 kilometer (31 miles) races and maybe I will run a 50 miler this year…maybe.”
Welch said that this won’t be his last marathon either.
“I have already signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon in the fall,” he said. “Like many others that run marathons, I want to see how much I can decrease my time at each marathon.”
When asked about what motivated them to just keep running for that distance, Myrick said that her long runs were her “personal time.”
“I love running,” she said. “For me, it is my alone time, and my time to be ‘unplugged.’”
As far as anyone who may be interested in trying out distance running, Myrick says to just do it! “Just sign up for a race,” she said. “Having a goal will help motivate you to keep training. Start slow and don’t get discouraged when you are sore or tired, that happens to everyone.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2017 14:03 |
| Story ID: | 234494 |
| Location: | LINCOLN, NE, US |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Maine Guardsmen Pound Pavement at Lincoln Marathon, by SSG Angela Parady, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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