Photo By Spc. Jason Jordan | Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Williams, telecommunications chief with Company C of the 1st...... read more read more
By Pfc. Jason Jordan
1st BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Williams" feet hit the ground in a rhythmic, measured motion. The sound of his steady breathing fills his ears. Williams absorbs it all and continues on his mission " running to meet his goal.
Deployed Soldiers lose themselves with movies, music, letters to home and other forms of recreation.
Williams, a telecommunications chief with Company C, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, chooses to spend the majority of his personal time running.
"Running is my "me" time," said Williams. "It is that time when I am not bothered by everything in the day, and I can just relax and be free."
Williams is training for the upcoming Boston Marathon in the United States, the world's oldest annual marathon and one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. The race is limited to 20,000 participants from around the world.
To enter the 26.2 mile race, entrants must run a qualifying time at a certified marathon that meets certain strict guidelines.
Due to his deployment status however, Williams has not been able to run in a qualifying marathon to meet the marathon's requirements within the specified time limits. Race officials agreed to waive the requirement for him since he has credentials from past races to back up his qualifications.
Fellow unit members are both impressed and inspired by Williams" passion for running.
"He is quite a dedicated, Soldier and he is excited about not only the marathon, but the whole aspect of running as well," said 1st Sgt. James Jackson, Co. C, 1st BSTB. "He runs almost a hundred miles each week. He is a great Soldier."
Williams began running marathons in the early 90s, competing in four while stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.
He said being deployed has helped him concentrate more on dedicating himself to running.
"I run a lot more over here than I did back at home," he said. "When I came home from work back in the States, I would much rather spend my time with my wife and kids. But over here, I don't have that option " so I run."
His wife, he said, is very supportive and is disappointed when he slacks off in his dedication to training.
When it comes to training for a marathon, "mileage is king," he said.
"I run about 10 miles a day, Monday through Friday, and then I take a break on Saturday," said Williams. "On Sunday, I run 20 miles slowly " just to get the miles logged."
Williams began training more seriously in October, when he participated in a satellite extension of the Honolulu Marathon here.
"Just the fact that I am a Soldier helps me stay in shape and ready to train for these marathons," he said. "The physical training we are required and encouraged to do helps maintain a steady energy."
Williams stays focused not only for himself but also for his fellow Soldiers, encouraging others to become more active as well, said Jackson.
"He is an inspiration to younger Soldiers," said Jackson. "His platoon has the highest PT scores in the company. He doesn't force his Soldiers to train hard, but they do so because he sets a fine example."
Williams is planning to take his two weeks environmental morale leave for rest and recuperation in time for the Boston Marathon.
Once he completes his deployment in Iraq this summer, he said he plans to train-up to compete in the Toronto Marathon, which is held in the fall.
"I love to run. It is peaceful and relaxing and a good way to exert energy," he said. "I would encourage everyone to dedicate themselves to some type of exercise or training. It is a positive outlet, and it is very healthy for the body."
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2006 10:47 |
| Story ID: | 5490 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 69 |
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