This year marks the fifth 200-mile relay team I have organized in the last six years. Typically funded by our generous supporters at the Schriever Air Force Base Fitness Center, we’ve only had to take one year off due to last year’s budget cuts, which was actually a blessing in disguise because the organization of such an event can sometimes be very frustrating and time-consuming, so one year off was probably for the best. However, as much work and consternation goes into organizing twelve bodies, two vans, three volunteers and desperately trying to match ability and individual desires with corresponding running assignments, I’ve always found the races to be incredibly worthwhile.

We’ve recruited all kinds of runners over the years from ultra runners to sub-3-hour marathoners, mid-packers and even some folks who’ve never run much further than their fitness test requirement. All are welcome on our journey and we continually stress that the idea is to inspire, challenge and celebrate the camaraderie and friendships that form through exercise and fellowship.

Over the years, even my own reasons for embarking on such a journey have changed. What started as just a fun outing at the peak of my physical fitness has turned into a benchmark each year to ensure that I don’t stray too far off the fitness path. I’m much slower than I used to be, but I believe I enjoy the run so much more and respect my body in ways that I hadn’t ever considered in years past. There is something about peeling your sleeping head off a sweaty van bench at 1:30 in the morning for a 7-mile jaunt in the dark down an empty highway, with a headlamp, that really makes you question your dedication and sanity in life. But the truth is that it’s much easier to do when you feel like you are part of a TEAM and it is that team that needs you to fill your role, whatever it may be, in order for the rest to succeed. It is about so much more than running and I find it marries up nicely with everything the military has taught me over the years. Every time I run the relay, I see perfect examples of loyalty, duty, respect, selflessness, honor, integrity and personal courage. Sometimes you have to look past a giant pile of smelly socks, melted power bars and sweat soaked reflective vests to see it, but it is still surely there.

I see relays as an annual weekend refresher in not only physical fitness, but mental fortitude, teambuilding, problem solving, mediation, compassion and generosity. Because it is a team event, it can’t be about any individual. It’s not about the fast runners, or the slow runners, or the smelly runners or even the flamboyant runners. It’s about the whole, not the parts. It’s about teamwork and coming together to achieve a goal that is larger than any one person or contribution. It’s about helping each other through the tough parts, cheering them on when they feel alone and defeated and of course celebrating and sharing high fives when everything finally comes together. And naturally, at the end, it’s about the best damn beer you’ve ever had. Cheers to the Schriever Striders this year – it was a blast and I can’t wait to see what craziness we’ll drum up for next year! Many thanks to the incredibly generous and supportive Mr. Seth Cannello and the amazing staff of the Schriever Fitness Center because without you, none of these fun-filled weekends of reflection and growth would have been possible. You simply ROCK. Thank you.