Running the distance ... 26.2

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashley Crawford
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
The weather was perfect. It was a cool 69 degrees in Baltimore, Md., where 3,000 runners crowded the streets anxiously awaiting the sound of the gun at 8 a.m., marking the start time to the 7th Annual Baltimore Marathon. 

"Hearing the gun go off and the crowd explode with claps and yells gives you a sense of excitement as you run past the spectators and over the start line," Master Sgt. Shayne Sewell, 459th Air Refueling Wing public affairs non-commissioned officer in charge said. 

Preparation is key to completing a 26.2 mile marathon. 

"I trained for six months running two short runs during the week and long runs on weekends, Sergeant Sewell said. "I started out running three miles at the beginning of my six-month training period, gradually increasing it each week by one mile until I ran up to 12 miles." 

At the mile 12 point, Sergeant Sewell started adding two miles each week until she got up to mile 17. Then she began alternating short and long runs up to mile 23. "One week I ran 17 miles, the next week I ran seven, the next week 18, the next week eight and so on. This alternating builds your endurance and strength while giving your muscles time to heal from the long runs," she said. 

People who do not train properly may experience such symptoms as mental fatigue, cramps, dehydration and shortness of breath, said Staff Sgt. Amica Albritton, 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron physical exam manager. 

The physical and mental strain is not all that draws the athletes toward the finish line. "I run for the challenge of going a long distance," Sergeant Sewell said. 

Although the marathon was difficult and left Sergeant Sewell exhausted and sore, crossing the finish line helped ease the aches and pains of running the long distance. 

"By far, the best moment of the day was crossing the finish line. My legs and feet were extremely sore, but as I came within 100 yards of the finish, I stopped feeling the pain and felt the pride and excitement of finishing my fourth marathon," she said.