Dear RuninRich,
Here is the Behind the Scenes story of SFC Marc Dolphin, who wanted to run in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k while he was on duty in Iraq. Here is what he emailed me very early on Saturday morning after completing a 10k in Baghdad in 57 minutes 11 seconds, good enough for 651st in the men’s 35-39 age group.
Mike,
I completed my run this morning. I started at 0700 my time (midnight E T). My run time is attached (57:11). It’s not great, but we had tremendous wind gusts which in turn produced a lot of dust in the air. Attached are a few pictures taken after my run and the run results from the Nike+ website. Thank you for the opportunity to run your race from here.
Marc
And this is how Marc originally contacted us on February 27th:
To whom it may concern,
I am a U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command stationed in Tikrit, Iraq. I enjoy running competively (5K, 10K and half marathons), but because of this deployment, I am without that opportunity until I return to the United States in September 2008. I would enjoy participating in your scheduled event(s), but would obviously have to do so from this location. In the past, I have run “virtual marathons”, where my times were recorded using the nike+ system and e-mailed to race directors for verification. If the opportunity to participate in your event(s) is possible, it would be my honor. Thank you
Marc Dolphin
Special Agent Marc Dolphin
Tikrit CID Office
So of course, we were honored to have Marc enter, which he did. And we shipped him a T-shirt and told him to train as safely as possible. We also advised him that since we were having the USA Men’s10k Championships, he wouldn’t be an official entrant in that. Here’s what he wrote:
Thank you for the invitation. I just completed the registration process. I look forward to having a fun race. As I have just started racing competitively, I do not believe I would place for a medal anyhow. My main goal is to combine to passions: running and donating money to worthy causes.
I will run the race on 5 April, but a little early in the morning. And I assure you, I will be safe. I’m stationed in Tikrit, which is pretty quiet and very uneventful. I’ll have a co-worker take some photos after the race in front of our unit sign (depicts Tikrit, Iraq). Please let me know when and where these would be posted - my family would love to see them. Thank you again for the invitation. And you are welcomed back anytime....
Marc Dolphin
Next came the unwelcome news that he was being transferred to dusty and dangerous Baghdad. But he kept a sense of humor about it. Of course we gave him an invitation him to speak to the press along with another T-shirt choice for his new post.
Mike,
I would like the grey shirt please. As for speaking to the press, I’m not sure my communications equipment here is capable of that. Also, I have been re-assigned to Baghdad, Iraq; which doesn’t affect my running at all. Actually, I’m so close to the wire I might run faster.
Well, as we had become pen pals, it seemed fitting to ask Marc a few questions. We also started an inside joke about a visit I’d made to Iraq with a previous job. Like he said, he’d save a seat in the helo—
Mike,
Thank you for the offer of the other shirt. My new mailing address is: Special Agent Marc Dolphin, HHD, 11th MP BN (CID), Unit 42232, APO AE 09342. Here are the answers to your questions. I hope they suffice and thanks again. I look forward to the event.
Where is your home, how long have you been in Iraq?
I was born and raised in southern New Jersey, but since getting married in November 2003, my home is now in Massapequa, Long Island, NY; where my wife (Randi) and son (Cooper) reside while I’m away. This time, I have been in Iraq since August 2007. Previously, I’ve visited this area in a temporary duty status 15 times; totaling 461 days.
Are you active duty Army or Army Reserve ?
I have been on active duty since 14 April 1992 when I was assigned to Fort Drum, NY as a military policeman.
How often are you able to fit a run into your daily schedule?
I try to run at least two miles every day (our distance for our Army Physical Fitness Test), though I try to run farther. However, due to my profession (criminal investigations), my operational tempo dictates my workout schedule. In this theater, the threat factor and weather (sandstorms) also play a large role in my ability to run or go to the gym.
Do you have to carry a rifle or sidearm when running?
It is advisable to do so; however I do not this time. I have on previous assignments to this area. I have also had assignments where it was mandatory due to providing personal security for senior military leaders.
What makes for a good run in Iraq?
The heat. The hotter the better for me. I notice a tremendous difference in run times during the change of seasons. I do not recommend running when it is 140 degrees outside during the day, but 85 to 95 degrees feels like the 70’s at night; my preferred running time. Also, seeing the younger Soldiers running and exercising is a great motivator for older Soldiers like myself (I’m 38). And it motivates Soldiers to see senior leaders conducting physical training just as they are at 5:30am.
Do you ever have company?
Occasionally , I’ll run with a fellow agent from my office; but most of the time it is just myself. I like to take the time, run alone, and reflect on what I’ve done that day and what I have to do tomorrow. If allowed, I enjoy running with my iPod and catching up on news I’ve missed through various podcasts.
You mentioned your passion for running, what’s the biggest running event you’ve entered?
Annually, I run in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. It varies in distance (farthest was 11 miles, shortest 4 miles) and I always complete the run in its entirety. Recently though, I just completed my first half marathon.
What is it that you tell yourself that helps you push past those occasional times when might not want to get out for a run?
I’m 38, a senior noncommissioned officer and I have to set the example for other Soldiers; both officer and enlisted. Plus, it is very difficult to perform at your optimum level in this theater without being physically fit. I tell my Soldiers the day they slack off from physical training could be the difference between dying and living that day. This is the real thing here. Not being physically fit is a hindrance. Not “could be”, but “I “. There is no other way to lead, either in the military or any other profession, than from the front and leading by example.
What does being able to join in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k mean to you?
An honor first and foremost. Anytime I have the ability to participate in a worthy cause where the results are quite evident, it is an opportunity that cannot occur without taking action. Since I have acquired the hobby of distance running during this deployment, participating in the Ukrop’s Monument 10K is a great way to test myself and provide to those who need it most.
Mike - thank you for the opportunity again to participate. And remember, I always have one more available seat in the helo for you!!!
Marc
Joking aside, Marc was very aware of his surroundings, as were we. We were getting ready for our race, he for his.
Mike,
I received the t-shirt yesterday; thanks a lot. I look forward to the run on Saturday. The locals have been a little restless lately. The course I am going to run was hit twice yesterday with mortar rockets fired from outside the gates of our post. Luckily, a few people only received minor wounds. HOPEFULLY, they do not provide that sort of motivation for me to run faster.
Marc
Truly, Marc’s commitment to the safety of his troops and himself by sticking with this running is amazing. Just another inspiring detail from Behind the Scenes in the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. For more Behind the Scenes stories, check out the OurSB area of the Sports Backers website linked on RuninRich.com: Click Here
- User submission from Mike McCormick, Sports Backers Communications Director
