Think YOU have it tough when trying to find a port-a-potty pre-race?
Here is one of those makes-you-appreciate-what-youve-got stories, an excerpt from an email I got last week from a friend of mine in the US Marine Corps, Major Lauren S Edwards, who is currently stationed at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. Lauren and I went to George Washington University together. She was a varsity cross-country runner and is now a part of the All-Marine Running Team. On a brief side note, she recently organized a satellite Marine Corps Marathon in Afghanistan. About 11 hours prior to the start of the
Washington, D.C. event, Lauren and more than 230 runners headed out
in a puff of moon dust for the first ever Marine Corps
Marathon Afghanistan. The course wound around Camp Leatherneck, Camp Bastion and the fight line. “I was skeptical as to how it would be
received due to our very high op tempo at the time," Lauren reported, "but the (commanding
general) was extremely enthusiastic about the idea. Not only did he
give me the green light, but he also encouraged me to make the event as
big as possible.” How cool is that??
**photos courtesy of
DVIDS and taken by Gunnery Sgt. Kimberly Leone**
With Lauren's permission, here's the scoop. The trials and tribulations of...having to pee in the middle of the night at Camp Leatherneck...
Things are well here. The rain has begun which usually means the place is flooded and where there isn’t gravel, there is MUD. I think the mud is most effective at night – in the middle of the night – when I have to pee. I race out to the port-a-john, trying to carefully dodge massive “peanut butter” mud – and search aimlessly for the port-a-john that has toilet paper (since I always forget to carry a roll with me.) Usually by this time I am doing “the dance" while still half asleep and trying to dodge additional puddles in the area. I usually am able to trip my way into the shower stalls (since the power is often out,) turn on my flash light and grab some paper towels. I usually “dance” my way back – jumping over mud and puddles in one step and trying not to slide around the inside of the port-a-john (muddy shower shoes) – while I attempt to lock the beaten up and bent door. But, so far, success. I make it.
Other than that and the fact that our power is out many a night lately in my tent (so I just keep hitting the sensor in the Christmas Lights my sister sent – very cool how they light up my corner of the tent) and I wake up to see my breathe...things are good. And not to worry – that little hassle is easily mitigated. I have no less than four flashlights, headlamps, a lantern, or other light sources strategically stored around my little corner of the tent – all can easily be found in the dark – as well as my watchcap to keep my head warm. I finally capitulated – and moved to the bottom bunk. (I graduated to bunk beds after my cot kept breaking. literally. I fell to the floor more than once…sheer comedy.) My tent was collapsing so much and after I could feel the tarp from the top of the tent on the edge of my nose when I slept – coupled with getting caught up in the wire of the light when I rolled over – decided it was time to move. Good news, though. The maintenance crew came in and made a brace on the inside – so it’s fixed. Sort of. It's worked out. In the frame of the rack above me I have wedged all the Thanksgiving photos of the family my Mom sent and other good little pics of my new godson as well as homemade Christmas cards from my nephews.
she continues...
We’re tired…but we’re doing well here. The additional troops will keep us moving in the right direction – and I think we’ve remembered some of our hard-earned lessons from Iraq…we’re partnering and training with the Afghans now…instead of years from now…living and training side by side. There are still some tough places where we haven’t quite “cracked the nut”, but in most places where we are, the Marines are welcomed. We’ve been aggressive…and sometimes we’ve barely kept up, but hopefully, Inshallah, it will all have made a difference.
THANK YOU LAUREN!! YOU ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL!!
Want a visual?? Here's a great highlight video ... had me rolling...
