Sill women train for 'Bataan'

FORT Sill, Okla. -- Inspiration fostered in a fitness class led a group of Fort Sill women to train for the 2011 Bataan Memorial Death March on March 27 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

Meeting up at a boot camp workout about 18 months ago, four women bonded together and competed in last year's death march marathon. Encouraged by their success, they continued to train, working in long weekend runs up to 18 miles, sprinting, weight lifting and cross-training exercises to get ready for this year's trek through the high desert terrain.

Cathy Walker is one of the returning ladies from last year's march. The lean, lithe quality assurance specialist for U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command said Fort Sill's fitness programs have reacquainted her with the level of fitness she enjoyed in college. Appearing like she could run to Wichita Falls, one would never guess just a few years ago she carried 30 additional pounds on her 5-foot, 3-inch frame. But then work, family and other matters seemed more important than maintaining her physical fitness. Now, Walker is co-leading seven women who will take on the arid New Mexico landscape in a race that could draw more than 6,000 competitors.

"We decided to do this one because of the challenge, the esprit de corps it builds within us and of course to honor those veterans who endured the actual World War II Bataan Death March," said Walker.

The memorial march, now in its 22nd year, features either a 26.2-mile route or a 15.2-mile half marathon. Once the Sill women line up for the march they will encounter hilly terrain, sandy desert trails and washes at elevations ranging from 4,100 to 5,300 feet.

To prepare for the trail runs, the women logged miles in the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. As for the elevation gain, they took on Mount Scott hiking up and running back down. In time, they hope to run up the lengthy incline.

Along the way other women joined the workouts, some to compete in the march, others for personal reasons such as to lose weight or increase their fitness. Cassandra Horne is one of these newcomers, though she's a veteran to boot camp workouts having attended one more than a year ago. Approaching her 40th birthday, Horne was overweight and found basic tasks hard to do.

"Little things like squatting down to pick up something I'd feel pressure behind me knees," said Horne. "But those days are behind me, I feel younger and more able to do the things I want to do."

One of those activities she enjoys is working out with the other women in this group. She's committed to her new lifestyle and said she won't go back to how she was before. Though she's not going to this year's march, she hasn't ruled out a trip to New Mexico next year if her schedule permits it.

Layla Bugado is the other co-leader of the Sill contingent. Like Walker, she ran in last year's march but the two women were not acquainted as Bugado's husband was still stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. She said other women joining their training inspires those preparing for the race

"Many of these other women have lost a lot of weight and have stayed with us, even doing the long runs on weekends," she said.

The Sill women won't compete as a team, because rules require all teammates to finish together. Bugado said because of differing fitness levels they all decided to train and compete at levels comfortable to each of them. And, when race day arrives, they will start together and see each other after the race.

Lisa Van Brunt will compete in her third memorial march. She said meeting and shaking hands with the few remaining Bataan survivors is an incredible experience as is the moment of silence for those who died in the last year. As for the Sill women, she estimates the group has run about 5,000 miles collectively. Doing the long weekend runs has shown many women what they are capable of.

"Knowing you have the strength and stamina to go the distance is probably the most difficult aspect of this race," she said.

Other Sill women who will compete in the march are Adel Sandoval, Janine Reid, Jessica Bennett and Bernice Kuch. Walker said some of the women have never completed a half or full marathon, but they have thrown themselves into this training and are motivated to do their best. She added completing the race will feel great, but the added joy of training with these women will be realized once the finish line is behind them.

"To see the look of accomplishment on their faces will be worth all of the hard work we put in. It will be, without a doubt, the best feeling ever!"