FORT GORDON, Ga. (Sept. 19, 2014) - The Army Ten-Miler is fast approaching, and Fort Gordon is keeping pace, eager to make its presence known.
For the first known time in history, Fort Gordon is sending teams to represent the installation in the annual Army Ten-Miler, to be held Oct. 12 in Washington, D.C.
Considered one of the largest races in the nation, the Ten-Miler attracts more than 35,000 runners from all over the world, along with thousands of spectators and volunteers.
Officials organizing post runners' participation say the decision to send teams from Fort Gordon came largely as a result of the garrison commander's belief in the value of physical fitness and wellness through running.
A qualifications race July 26 helped determine participants in the upcoming race. Two teams -- one with four women and three men, the other with three women and three men -- will travel to D.C. for a weekend centered on esprit de corps and competition.
The teams have been training under the leadership of Ralph Gaines, an Army retiree and Ten-Miler veteran. Having participated in 14 Army Ten-Milers -- several of which he earned medals -- Gaines has a solid grasp on the race and what it takes to prepare.
His experience includes coaching teams comprised of runners from Fort Gordon -- teams which he and other runners took upon themselves to create by solicitation.
With the installation's qualification race to determine teams, Gaines said he expects this year's race will be different from those he coached in the past. Putting a team together oneself doesn't guarantee fast runners, he explained.
"Having trials gave us a good pool of runners," Gaines said. "We're going to have runners pretty close to the front this year, and that's something we haven't had in previous years."
Gaines is very pleased with all of the runners, but one in particular stands out. Pvt. Alex Gomes, 551st Signal Battalion, finished first at the qualifier race, and more recently, placed second overall in a half marathon held Sept. 13 in Evans. And despite a demanding schedule that often keeps him from being able to train alongside his teammates, the Advanced Individual Training Soldier has high expectations for the Army Ten-Miler.
"I'm hoping to run between 50 and 52 minutes," Gomes said.
It's a realistic goal, Gaines said, considering Gomes'fastest time to date is 53 minutes.
For Capt. Karen Munoz, 35th Signal Brigade, meeting a designated finish time is a small part of her motivation for competing. Making the team has been a godsend since learning of her husband's brain cancer diagnosis in May. It will be her second time running the race. She first competed as an individual in 2008.
Munoz said she initially started running to get back in shape after giving birth in November. She credits training for the Ten-Miler with getting her back to prepregnancy weight, but more importantly, it has become a coping mechanism.
"With everything that's been going on, I lost complete focus of everything," Munoz said.
Running has allowed her to regain focus while gaining support from her teammates; most whom aren't yet aware of her husband's diagnosis.
"I never knew how much a group of positive people can impact my entire day," Munoz said. "It's an amazing group, and I'm learning so much about running."
The teams train six days a week with one day of rest. Most of the runs step off at dawn and wrap up while much of the installation is beginning to rise. Gaines makes a point to include tidbits of information about the race each week in an effort to maximize performance and keep runners motivated. From nutrition and footwear to what to expect at the starting line on race day, the race is about more than completing 10 miles -- something Sgt. Cherise Harrow of 63rd Signal Battalion quickly learned. Harrow started long distance running when she joined the Army about five years ago. She has since learned a lot from Gaines, including the importance of proper running shoes.
"I learned the hard way that minimalist shoes are not the way to go long distance," Harrow said.
She also discovered the advantage of running alongside someone.
"You feed off others' energy," Harrow said. "When you have someone to run with, you have someone to push you forward."
It all boils down to one thing: teamwork. And it's the epitome of military, Gaines said. The Army Ten-Miler is about so much more than completing 10 miles. Runners start preparing months in advance for a race that thrives on teamwork.
"Teamwork, discipline, focus, dedication … all that stuff you teach in the Army is being combined to make them the runners they want to be," Gaines said. "You're part of a race that represents so much of what the Army is about."
Fort Gordon is about to be part of that representation. As Fort Gordon experiences growth and makes headlines as the future site of U.S. Army Cyber Command, sending teams to represent the base is another way to bring about positive attention and pave the way for future Fort Gordon teams.
Sgt. 1st Class Greg Wyrobek, U.S. Army Signal Corps Band, has participated in the Army Ten-Miler 16 times, and like the rest of the team, is excited to be part of Fort Gordon history.
"Just about every major installation has a team," Wyrobek said. "It's a really big deal and a great feeling to be able to represent the whole installation."
"Fort Gordon has so much to offer as an installation, but we don't project it as much as others," Gaines added. "This is Fort Gordon's chance to show everybody what we're all about."
Team uniforms, travel and accommodations are being provided by Fort Gordon Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. The teams will depart Fort Gordon Oct. 10 and return Oct. 12. They will also be sending a contingent from the installation to man a "Hooah Tent" near the race finish at the Pentagon. The tent will be instrumental in getting the word out about Fort Gordon.
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