WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Staff Sgt. Steve Sobieraj is an Air Force reservist and member of the 452nd Security Forces Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. He flew to Wright-Patterson AFB on Sept. 16 with 92 other runners from March to participate in the Air Force Marathon weekend races.  Here, he describes running the 13.1-mile Air Force Half Marathon.

0522: Woke up late and the bus leaves at 0530.

0523: Panicked, then looked at the schedule and realized the bus doesn't leave 'til 0630. Definitely not a good start to my day!

0602: Ate a banana and half a bagel. Took a five-hour energy shot and watched the end of Rocky IV, perfect motivation.

0646: On the bus heading to the marathon. I have not heard a bus this quiet since going to Basic Training at Lackland.

0729: Finally arrive on site. The weather is a bit cold, but I'm looking forward to finally starting the race. (It's my first half-marathon).

0830: At the starting point. The gun fires and startles everyone. At least I don't have to use the bathroom anymore.

0845: The first mile is rough. Everyone is bottlenecked and I spend the first mile weaving past people.

0900: Mile four. My strategy so far is to pick a person ahead of me and try to pass them. I am running well ahead of my desired pace and feeling great.

0935: Mile eight. I see a hill up ahead, my weakness. I put my head down, grit my teeth and roar like a beast. Got to get through it.

0950: Mile ten. My hamstring starts hurting. It takes my speed but not my heart. Have to finish strong. I take my shirt off and wish I would have incorporated sit ups in my running training.

1005: Mile twelve. All the people whom I passed before are starting to pass me. Time to dig deep.

1013: I see the finish line, hear the claps and a sense of national pride runs through me. It's like the end of the movie "Cool Runnings."

1020: After the marathon, my body hurts, but it's nothing a little pizza and Gatorade can't help. Now it's time to redeem my beer coupon with the March team.

1506: Back in the room, grateful for everyone back home in my unit who helped me train. I feel like I represented the fighting 452nd and March very well. I am thankful Colonel McGregor gave us the opportunity to succeed under the bright lights of Wright-Patterson.

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