26.2 miles the distance of a marathon
Altus Air Force Base (Okla.) Patriot
February 17, 2003
If you've always wanted to go the distance, now's your chance.
"Oprah did it, Al Gore did it, President George W. Bush did it, and Col. Bob Settle did it 17 times. They all finished a marathon," said Mike Retallick. "With only eight months to go until the U.S. Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, that's plenty of time for people who want to make the commitment to run the Air Force Marathon."
Retallick said he is forming a running club to help individuals achieve this goal. The club will share information on running, marathon training tips, team requirements and transportation.
"Everyone knows running is one of the best aerobic exercises for increasing stamina and losing weight," said Retallick, who runs a three hour and 30 minute marathon. He said, "Studies have shown the health benefits to be enormous with the likelihood of reducing everything from the common cold to cancer."
Retallick first ran the Air Force Marathon in 1997, the first year it was held. He said it started out as a topic of conversation that turned into, "Why not." Since then, he hasn't looked back, keeping one stride ahead of the other, running in 11 marathons.
Laurie Mayer also made it a goal of hers to run a marathon and completed the feat in 2000. "If you're thinking about running a marathon the Air Force Marathon is definitely the one to do for a first time, due to the great organization and support provided to all the runners along the course.
"I've run it once as part of a JAG team and once on my own. I tell people that if I can do a marathon, anyone can do a marathon. This event is mind over matter. I never thought about the distance as a whole and concentrated more on maintaining a reasonable pace," said Mayer.
"Like all forms of exercise, running is a great release for stress and emotional strain," said Retallick. "Running does not require any elaborate gear except motivation and a pair of well-cushioned shoes that conform to your feet."
Mark Eberhart, who started running track and cross country as a junior in high school, said he switches running shoes every four or five months. Running has turned into a way of life for him.
As soon as Eberhart saw an Air Force Marathon advertisement in The Patriot in 1999 he started looking for a team. He said, "It started slowly with training runs once a week on Saturdays."
Eberhart has run in the Air Force Marathon twice as part of a Civil Engineering team. "The race is well organized, plenty of pre-race activities, a pasta dinner, a clothing sales room set up with promotional gifts. The race course is beautiful with the finish line located at the end of the static display aircraft."
Eberhart said if a marathon sounds like it's too much to run, then try running one leg of either a four-person team or a two-person team. He said his goal is to run the Air Force Marathon by himself before he retires, but for now he likes helping people get started off on the right foot.running.
Settle said he has the same philosophy when it comes to running a marathon. He ran his first marathon in 1987 and was inspired by a friend's 60-year-old marathon-running father. After his first marathon Settle said he kept running because it's about being successful in life. "I like running in a group and mentoring first time marathoners. After months of training when you see the person reach the finish line, the feeling of success you share with them is overwhelming."
To train for a marathon, Settle said he prefers to run with a group of people. "I know if people are counting on me, I don't want to let them down." It's also a great way to solve problems.nobody has all the right answers."
For marathon training, one of the most important aspects of running is distance. "There is a limit to how many miles you can safely add and how fast you can add them. Modest and consistent training is important, and the slower you build, the better," said Retallick.
He said he has known people to start off on a team and then change their mind to run the Air Force Marathon.
According to Retallick, the most important and often underrated component of any running program is rest. He said, "The body adapts and gets stronger only if you give it a chance to recover, and smart training means responding when your body says it's time to do less."
Retallick said even if your goal isn't to run the marathon, the new club can help you with a training plan or place you on a team if you don't have one.
Leslie McPeak, who ran as part of the chief's group in 1999, said, "One of the best Air Force sporting venues I've ever attended."
As part of the first sergeants' team, Seth Alexander ran the final leg in 1999 and he ran the first leg of the team he organized in 2000. He said he was surprised in 2000 to see Stephanie Gill, who had run the final leg in 1999 when she was stationed here. "She ran the first leg in 2000 and it was invigorating to see Air Force friends each year all charged up and staying fit."
Alexander said, "It's and Air Force tradition, and some people go back every year to take part in it. Some will run it as part of a team the first year, but when they see the feeling of accomplishment on a marathoners' face at the end of the race, they want to experience it, too."
If you're interested in training as a marathoner for the Sept. 20 Air Force Marathon or are interested in joining the running club to train, contact Mike Retallick, 418-7173, Jim Dereus, 481-6567, or Seth Alexander, 481-6260.
For more information about the Air Force marathon visit the website at http://afmarathon.wpafb.af.mil.