Jul 18, 2007 Training For a Marathon Iraq Style By Doug Kurtis :: Views- 265
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Training for a marathon can be tough. Now, imagine training for a marathon in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Honolulu Marathon has supported satellite races in the Middle East for the past three years, with one in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. All took place on the same day as the Honolulu Marathon -- last year's race was Dec. 10 at a base in Iraq's Sunni Triangle.

Honolulu organizers put me in touch via e-mail with Army Capt. Nicole Powell-Dunford, a flight surgeon originally from Albany, N.Y., who worked with Capt. Matt Yiengst and Maj. Rich Gordon to put the events together.

QUESTION: What were the temperatures while you trained?
ANSWER: Over the summer, the temperature on the flight line got to, no joke, 130-plus degrees during the daytime, with temperatures well into the 90s before dawn. In the months closer to the marathon, temperatures dropped considerably -- as chilly as 40 degrees. Summer months, we trained almost exclusively in the very early morning.

Q: What kind of clothing did you wear?
A: All Army participants pretty much wore our standard Army physical fitness training uniform -- black shorts and a reflective gray top along with a reflective belt. We used lots of sunscreen and stashed water all along run routes. Race day, most participants wore a commemorative T-shirt from TAPS -- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (http://taps.org). Most of us were running on behalf of fallen service members through this organization. We raised over $25,000 in donations.

Q: Any tips for runners on heat training?
A: Gradual acclimatization; do not run at midday in extreme temperatures; hydrate until your pee is clear every two hours or so; always run with a buddy. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke -- as well as the importance of early treatment.
Some individuals who are predisposed can develop heatstroke rapidly in temperatures that are not considered to be extreme. These issues are serious business that can lead to death. Get educated and take the heat seriously -- no run is worth it. If you have a chronic medical condition or take medications, make sure your doctor is aware -- certain medications and conditions can put runners at real risk.

Q: How many miles per week did you run?
A: For the deployed marathon in Iraq, I was able to run about 12 hours a week. In Afghanistan we were very short-staffed on flight docs, so it was more like five to 10 hours a week, if that. Deployment work schedules are so tight; many soldiers have 15-plus-hour duty days, seven days a week, so running has to be squeezed in wherever you can. My run time was just over 4:30 in Iraq and super slow in Afghanistan, but I am glad I was able to complete both events, given my limited training.

Q: Did you train with other people?
A: One of the physician assistants who also ran in both deployed marathons, Maj. Karl Kisch, and I would alternate work shifts so we could each do some long runs. Even though we did not run together, he is an extremely dedicated runner, a real inspiration to me.

Q: Was it dangerous running in Iraq?
A: We mitigated the risks of being wounded by indirect fire by maintaining situational awareness; i.e., not blasting the iPod or being off in (la-la land) during the runs, so we could react right away. Running actually helped us maintain our morale, endurance and strength much more than (it) put us in any greater danger, being where we were. There were many extra security measures taken on race day.

Q: Can you describe the tie-in to the Honolulu Marathon?
A: Honolulu's marathon staff is simply outstanding; they embraced the 25th Infantry Division soldiers like their own 'ohana (family) -- waiving the full registration fees in both deployed marathons, sending out hundreds of finisher medals and leis. They provided volunteer and race finisher T-shirts and incorporated us into their online finisher lists -- even sending out official certificates of completion.

Q: Can you describe your experience running the marathon?
A: Words cannot describe what a powerful experience both deployed marathons have been.

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Doug Kurtis can be reached by clicking here!

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