Moody athletic team seeks avid runners for AF Marathon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Schloeffel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  With the Air Force Marathon scheduled for Sept. 15, some of Moody's most dedicated athletes are preparing for the grueling and rewarding task of running in the event. 

But as the competition nears, the Moody Marathon Team is asking runners to consider trying out for a slot, said 1st Lt. Manny Hauck, team captain. 

"We'd like to get another 10-15 people to train with us regularly," he said. This will give us a larger pool of athletes to pick from to participate in the marathon," he said. 

The Air Force Marathon, held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, includes a full-length 26.2-mile marathon, 13.1-mile half marathon, relay competition and five kilometer race. The Moody team will participate in male, female and coed events. Moody's top few runners also have the opportunity to represent Air Combat Command at the marathon. Moody's team is open to all Team Moody Airmen, civilians and spouses. 

In order to take part in the action, runners should already have trained extensively to reach a peak fitness level, said Lieutenant Hauck. To help prospective participants, Moody's Marathon Team trains twice weekly. 

"I've heard of people who try to run full marathons after only building up to 13 miles," said Lieutenant Hauck, who has attended 10 Air Force marathons. "By doing this, you are setting yourself up for some major hurt. It's important people train for at least 12 weeks prior to participating in these events, and that's advice for somebody who is already in decent shape before starting." 

The team practices speed work at 6 a.m. Mondays at the track, which includes intense quarter-mile runs followed by half-laps of either walking or jogging. Speed work is crucial for relay events, said Lieutenant Hauck. 

They also meet at 6 a.m. Thursdays at the trail by the Military Personnel Flight building to practice endurance-testing long runs. The team will soon include Saturday meetings to train for the hilly terrain they will encounter during the Air Force Marathon, he said. 

"We currently have a good number of people who are right around the 10-mile mark, so the group will bump the runs up to 11 miles on our next run," said Lieutenant Hauck.
For many runners, the completion of a marathon is unparallel to almost any other physical feat and provides a feeling of accomplishment, said Staff Sgt. Rodney Elliot, Moody Marathon Team member. 

"Most people don't think they are capable of such an accomplishment but almost anyone can do it with the proper training," said Sergeant Elliot, who has run six marathons. "The sense of pride you feel reaching the finish line after running 26.2 miles is indescribable. It really puts everyday challenges we all face into perspective, and you feel like you could accomplish anything." 

Sergeant Elliot's personal goal for this marathon is to beat his previous record of 3 hours, 25 minutes. But even if he doesn't beat the time, running with fellow Moody Airmen will still make it a positive experience for him, he said. 

"It's very important for me as an Airman to compete in the Air Force Marathon," said Sergeant Elliot. "Marathons are a great metaphor for life - the more you put into it, the more you get out." 

For more information about Moody's Marathon Team or the Air Force Marathon, call Lieutenant Hauck at (229)460-4608. Information about signing up can also be found at the Freedom I Fitness Center or on the Air Force Marathon Website at http://www.usafmarathon.com/.