Barksdale Airman prepares for AF Marathon

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La., Sept. 8, 2011 — The site has a ticker, counting down the last few days until the "blast" off. It boasts "event sold out" in bold red letters and even has last minute preparation "tips".

The Air Force Marathon, celebrating its 15th anniversary Sept. 17, has grown to more than 12,000 participants over the years. This year,a participant from Barksdale is attending for the first time.

Capt. Rob Burlison, 2nd Bomb Wing assistant staff judge advocate, hasn't been running long, but is excited for his first full marathon.

"It's one of those things on my bucket list," he said. "I mean, it's great conditioning for our Air Force physical fitness test, but it's also a great motivator- to prove to myself I can go through this physical and mental test as well."

In February of this year, Burlison, along with several others from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., ran the Rock and Roll Half-Marathon in New Orleans.

"It hurt," said Burlison with a laugh. "But we had an absolute blast and I definitely decided right then and there that I would run a full marathon next."

Training for the 26.2 miles hasn't been the easiest, said Burlison. He joined a training group run by 2nd Lt. Justin Ball, 2nd Communications Squadron, for the Rock and Roll Marathon and continued his conditioning with him for the Air Force Marathon.

"Ball is well-conditioned and does phenomenal work," said Burlison. "There have been long-run days where he's driven our running course ahead of time to put out hydration stations, and drove back to then run it with us. He e-mails us every week with motivators and reminders for upcoming training runs."

Ball has run three full marathons with this year being his third Air Force Marathon.

"It's great to start training for a marathon five months out," he said. "I've found that to be successful because it helps to run with a team and have an actual training plan. In the beginning, you start out with a long run of five miles, four to five times a week. You'll slowly build up to run the 26.2 miles of a full marathon."

Though only about one percent of the world has actually finished a full marathon, Ball and Burlison are confident about the run.

"Sure, after 16 miles I think, 'Man... 10 more to go', but it's my goal to finish and if I can do it around or under four hours, I'll be more than pleased with myself," said Burlison.

"It's also a fun marathon to run," added Ball. "While you're running the AF Marathon, they have an air show going overhead you get to watch and they always have some of the best finisher medals."

To commemorate the Air Force's rich history of flight, there is one aircraft chosen every year to be highlighted during the marathon and on the unique finisher's medal presented to each race participant.

This year, the AF Marathon will feature the B-1 Lancer.

"It's unique to us this year, since the B-1 bomber has been a large part of the bomber force in AF history and we're also representing the 2nd Bomb Wing under the Global Strike Command," said Burlison.

Even when the race is over and medals have been presented, Burlison said he won't be finished.

"I have one more goal," he said. "I want to do a half Iron-man. Then I think I'll be done because I'll probably be broken."