Jessi Stensland - Adventures in Endurance Performance

Insight from Afghanistan // Path to the port-a-potty

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...

Saluting SEALs: LT Dan Cnossen + LT Mike McGreevy

LT Dan Cnossen lost his legs last month, but certainly not his spirit:

"I've been thinking about all the things I'm going to do when I get my new legs. I've decided I'm just going to mess with people. I'm going to wear pants and shoes so nobody can tell that I've got prosthetics...and then I'm going to get them in all different lengths. One day, I'm gonna be 7 feet tall. The next day, I'm gonna show up and be 5'2". I'm trying to decide how tall I want to be, and I think 5 foot would be best because I'll have a lower center of gravity and will be way faster than anybody else. But then other days I'll want to be gigantic."

Thanks for making me laugh out loud Dan!  Looking forward to seeing you back in San Diego, whatever height you happen to be that day!!

Dan received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor.

His friends and family are rallying around him and we all got to feel the effects yesterday!  What an amazing time at an aquathlon held in support of Dan.  Hundreds of people flocked to La Jolla Shores for a 500m swim, a 5km run along the beach, lots of inspiration, smiles and shout outs to one amazing guy. 

Dan's hanging out at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD these days, but he was ever-present at the event yesterday.  It was all a testament to who he is and what he stands for and where he'll be going next.  It may not be the same, but in my experience, those who decide life can be great no matter what the challenge, make it happen.  And I'm sure Dan will!  Read more on his website HERE.

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And then there is TEAM GROOVE, going strong.  Another amazing example of our soldiers never being forgotten and continuing to inspire others.  TEAM GROOVE was created from the inspiration of Lt Mike McGreevy, a Navy SEAL, father and husband of a close family friend of mine.

A little about Mike and the Mike McGreevy Memorial Fund:

Mike was killed in action on June 28, 2005 in Afghanistan while he and seven other SEALS were attempting to rescue four fellow teammates under enemy fire on the ground. This fund is established to ensure that Mike and the traits that he stood for are remembered and honored in future generations. Mike McGreevy made a remarkable, positive impact on the world and the creators of this fund wish to assist individuals in living their lives with the same integrity that he did.

The purpose of the Mike McGreevy Memorial Scholarship Fund is to award an annual merit-based scholarship to two eligible recipients who exemplify Mike’s positive spirit and dedication to serving others.

About TEAM GROOVE:  "For those of you who don’t know, ‘Groove’ was Mike’s nickname in college because of his reputation for tearing up the dance floor on occasion! He was also a gifted runner and all-around athlete. Team Groove was formed as a way to honor Mike by bringing people together to do something positive for themselves and others."  

The next TEAM GROOVE event is the

Wicked 10K in Virginia Beach on Oct 31st! 

Read more about it HERE.

Love being surrounded by greatness!  Let's carry it on!

Hats off to ITPMAN going GREEN big time!

In this day in age of fundraising dollars being down far below what non-profits have counted on in the past, the race organizers of the ITPMAN - which benefits the ITP Foundation - surprised even themselves by managing to overcome their nearly $20,000 deficit solely by implementing GREEN initiatives.  Amazing!

Here's how they did it...

RideShare - PickupPal - Eco-rideshare program

Organic Bib Numbers - Plantable paper bloom black-eyed susans.

Tyvek Bike Frame Numbers - Will be collected and recycled.

Promotional Posters - Printed on recycled paper

Race Bags - Made from recycled paper

Biodegradeable Products - Used on race site

ITP Foundation Recycled Shirts

Composting Bins / Recycling Receptacles operated by ITPMAN volunteers.

Reducing Carbon Footprint - Athletes will learn how.

Nike Reuse A Shoe Program on hand at the event.

What's in a soldier? Personally it blows my mind...

It's Veterans Day - and as I went to find a great tribute video to link to this blog - i got another idea - to highlight a bit of the nitty gritty of what our soldiers do - especially two that i'm closest to. 

My cousin Randall Harvey shipped off to the Middle East on Friday with an Air Force Maintenance Crew.  Not only that but he had JUST completed the gruelling selection process to be a Special Tactics Officer.  He was selected and i'm so freakin proud of him!  So after his 4 months overseas he has 2 years of training to look forward to to be one of the most technically trained leaders in our military.  Highly recommend clicking on the link above to see what he CHOSE to go through, just to get selected.  Wow.

My friend Chad Senior is an Air Force ParaJumper and ships overseas this week as well.  After a stellar career as a professional athlete (2 x Olympian and World Champion) he chose one of the most self-less careers (if there is such a thing as 'most' in this case) in the military.  Their motto is:  "So Others May Live."  As he says:  "A good day for him is a bad day for somebody else."  Here's a glimpse into their lives done by a PJ himself.  Blows my mind...

God Bless you guys!!!!

NOTE:  I wish I knew your official titles...they sound so good :)

Lotsa love from homesweethome.