Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Sean Meberg and Capt. Todd Stanford, the chief of future operations...... read more read more
By Spc. Robert England
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – Cool, dry air filled the lungs, filtering oxygen into bloodstreams flowing directly to the thumping hearts, of more than 200 anxious, adrenaline-fueled competitors. Each prepared to embark on a grueling journey that would test their mental toughness as much as it would challenge their physical endurance – until a voice broke the silence.
“On your mark, get set, go!”
Stopwatches clicked as the racers launched forward in a mass of heaving chests and calculated breaths leaving the starting line in their dust.
In the spirit of a U.S. Army tradition, soldiers and Department of Defense contractors competed together in the Army Ten-Miler at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Diyala province, Iraq, Oct. 24.
The first Army 10-miler took place in Washington, D.C., in 1985. It was a way for runners to show their support for the Army, build esprit de corps and maintain physical fitness.
This year, for two soldiers in particular, it meant something more.
Capt. Todd Stanford, a Huntington, Pa., native, and the chief of future operations, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, and 2nd Lt. Sean Meberg of Park River, N.D., request for information and daily tactical update manager for 2-25th AAB, said their motivation for running the race was a little different than the others – they wanted to make a statement.
While the majority of the participants donned sports attire, either the Army Physical Training uniform or civilian running gear, Stanford and Meberg ran in their Army Combat Uniforms, wearing Improved Outer Tactical Vests and carrying their weapons.
“The reason Lt. Meberg and myself wanted to run that way is we wanted to honor our fallen comrades, our brothers and sisters in arms that have died fighting the three campaigns we’ve been in since 9/11,” Stanford said.
Stanford said they also ran in their gear for soldiers that are currently deployed.
He said it was important to acknowledge the fact that there are things that soldiers have seen and experienced that can be difficult to cope with, but that soldiers possess an inner strength that helps them press on and complete the mission.
The primary function of the IOTV is protecting its wearer in potentially hostile environments. It also allows soldiers to conveniently carry and access enabling tools such as canteens of water and extra magazines for their weapons by attaching them directly to the vest.
The vest, coupled with heavy, bulletproof plates, padding and the weight of the accoutrements, made for a substantial load.
“With our weapons and plates, 200 rounds of ammunition and canteens of water, it was about 50 pounds,” Stanford said.
Completing the race with an additional 50 pounds attached to their bodies required the Warriors to physically prepare for the rigorous undertaking.
They trained for the event by running while wearing their IOTVs, increasing the distance incrementally throughout the month leading up to the race.
“About once a week, Lt. Meberg and I would go out and do IOTV runs,” Stanford said. “We started out with two miles, and for the last one we did about ten days before the event, we did seven miles.”
Although these soldiers were preparing to run in their IOTVs, Meberg said they still wanted to get a feel for how long the race would take without the vests.
“We increased the distance and the time, and about a week before, we did the whole ten miles in just PTs to see how long it would take to do it that way.” he said.
The goal in most races is to finish first. Stanford and Meberg, however, knew they would not be setting a competitive pace, and adjusted their goal accordingly.
“The idea was to finish, not to actually place or win the event,” Stanford said. “We wanted to finish the way we were and finish strong.”
Though they were nowhere near the front of the pack, they never quit, constantly pushing toward the finish line. In the final minutes of their race, they even managed to pass a few other competitors.
“We passed three people up in the last mile, and in the last 200 meters, we sprinted in and passed three more people up,” Stanford said. “It just felt pretty good to finish strong, sprint it out and complete it.”
The conditioning prior to the event seemed to pay off.
Meberg said his knees and ankles were a little sore, but for the most part, his muscles felt strong and remarkably, he had no blisters.
By achieving their goal of finishing the race in their tactical vests, Stanford and Meberg said they felt they had demonstrated the true resiliency of the American soldier.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.02.2010 13:25 |
| Story ID: | 59292 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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