Army 10 Miler

Sunday 5 October

I notice from the latest Club newsletter that the nights are drawing in and that reflective gear, and no doubt long sleeves and Ron Hills are required.  No chance here in the southern plains of Afghanistan of needing to wrap up warm.  The temperature overnight has dropped to about 16 degrees but it remains in the high 30s during the day.  Consequently today's big race, the Army 10 Miler, started at the unearthly hour of 0600 with registration at 0515.  Seemingly the Army 10 Miler is the United States largest 10 mile race.  Starting and finishing at the Pentagon it is open to all comers, but unfortunately for us an all expenses paid trip to washington to participate was out of the question.

The Afghanistan 'shadow race' attracted about 250 runners, which was a bit disappointing given that there are over 13000 people in Kandahar at the moment.  The route was round the airfield's perimeter road as far as the Australian's compound and then turn and retrace your steps.  As flat as a pancake the taxing parts of the run are the large broken stones that make up the roads and the never ending moon dust that coats everything, including your teeth and tongue as you inhale rapidly.  That and the fact that massive Antanov 124 aircraft pass just above your head as you cross the approach to the runway at the two and a half and seven and a half mile points.

An hour and six minutes later and I am classified as the ninth placed finisher.  The bonus of out and back races is that you start to feel better as you pass the slower runners who have yet to reach the half way point and you know that you are on the way back in.  I know it is not in the Corinthian spirit of ERC but it made me feel good.  Better news than a top ten finish (i had managed a seventh place in the US Marine Corps' 8k race two weeks ago) was that my training partners, who are a pair of military dentists, one from the RAF and one from the US Navy, managed to place third and sixth.  With three in the top ten that made us the highest placed team so a place on the podium and a prize to boot.  I am now the proud owner of a 101st Airborne cap with the legend 'We have an appointment with destiny' emblazoned on it.  Hoooha, as our American cousins are want to say.  Don't you just love em.

Next week is the Music City Marathon, Kandahar edition.  There is a choice of a 10k, half or full marathon.  Half marathon for me.  The thought of over 3 hours round a dusty airfield is enough to test even the most patient of runners.

Have a good week, and wrap up warm.

All the best

Gus