Thursday, October 31, 2013

Detroit Marathon

Here is a great picture of one of our fellow "Walkers" running the Detroit Marathon! Rachel Myers is supporting Bravo Company and is logging lots of miles for them! A huge congrats to Rachel on finishing the marathon! Awesome job! Keep logging those miles!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Which one?

 There have been some questions about which company to log miles under with Marines moving to different companies and/or getting attached to other companies. Please contribute your miles for the company your Marine was originally with when they deployed. Thank you!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Company Running Totals

Alpha Company is currently in 1st place with a total of 1448 miles! Awesome work Alpha Walkers!

The other companies are not far behind. In fact, there are only a couple of hundred miles between Alpha and the other companies. Here are the running totals for the other companies:

1st Place: Alpha logged 1448 miles
2nd Place: Charlie logged 1285.6 miles
3rd Place: Bravo logged 1140 miles
4th Place: H & S logged 1109 miles
5th Place:Weapons logged 1097.62 miles

We have logged some serious miles as a battalion! Each company is well on their way to getting to Afghanistan. We have to keep up the awesome work! As the weather starts to cool down, we have to push ourselves to get outside, stay active, and log those miles! Keep on walking with us!
 


It's Only Fair

There has been quite a lot of concern expressed over the unofficial start versus the official start of the walk and what date miles can be counted from. When the word first was sent out about the program, some Marines had already left to deploy to Afghanistan so I thought it would be okay to let people log their miles from that point in September.

Looking back, I was wrong to say that because it was known all along the program would officially start on October 1st. I am so sorry and I should have thought more carefully about the unofficial versus the official start date.

In an attempt to be fair, since the program officially started on October 1st, the miles should only be counted from that point forward. As suggested, I am going to keep the September miles and in the event of a tie, I will use those miles to determine the winning company.

I apologize and I know this might make some people angry but I do think it is fair to all participants involved to count only the miles logged from the official start date forward. I really hope you all can understand.

Once again, I am so sorry for any confusion and I should have thought about things more carefully. It is completely my fault. I everyone can understand why we will only be counting miles from October 1st forward. Thank you for your support and your kind words. I hope you all are enjoying yourselves and you keep on walking.

Please keep on sending your pictures! We love to see them!

Ideas to Get Moving

Here are some places and things to do to get moving in the local Jacksonville area. Megan Grissom, who has been graciously helping me out, found a few things to do in the area to help get you all moving! Thank you so much for all your help Megan!

Onslow County Parks
 
Trails & Greenways
 
http://www.jump-in-jax.com/
(Place for kids to exercise)
 
Special Events in the area
(ideas for things like Zumba in the Park & Walk with the Doc)
 
Also, check the Facebook page "Recreation & Parks, Jacksonville, NC" - There are good local activities posted here.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Beirut Memorial 10K Run

Robin McMurray, an super motivated runner and supporter of the Walk to Afghanistan, has been logging lots of miles! Recently she ran the Beirut Memorial 10K at Camp Johnson on October 12th. She sent us these awesome pictures!

Thanks for the great pictures and keep on running! You make it look so easy!

October 1st-October 14th Results

The miles are quickly adding up. I cannot believe how many miles we have already logged. If we all keep going at this rate, we will walk to Afghanistan & Back as a battalion in no time at all.

Then we can see how many times we can walk to Afghanistan & Back before our beloved Marines and Sailors return. Are you all up for the challenge? Another drum roll....we have logged a total of

 12,332.45 miles

In just a few short weeks we have made it to Afghanistan and almost back! The individual companies are doing amazing. Here are the results from October 1st-October14th for each company:

October 1st-October 14th Total: 6080.22 miles
Alpha logged 1448 miles
Charlie logged 1285.6 miles
Bravo logged 1140 miles
H & S logged 1109 miles
Weapons logged 1097.62 miles


September Total: 6252.23 miles
H & S logged 1696.83 miles
Bravo logged 1644 miles
Charlie logged 1324.1 miles
Alpha logged 1237 miles
Weapons logged 350.3 miles

Friday, October 18, 2013

Awesome Kick Off Walk Turn Out

A huge thank you to Laura Ferreira for taking some awesome pictures at our kick off walk on October 5th. 1/9 is very blessed to have such an active and supportive wife! Thank you so much Laura!

We had a great turn out at the Kick Off Walk and the Wallace Creek Trail is perfect for everyone. We had a great walk with great company and made new friends! We cannot wait to meet again for our next walk! Let's get those miles logged!




Baby Petra

We have one adorable little walker, Baby Petra (and mommy) are supporting their Uncle Andrew all the way from Denver, Colorado. Stephanie and Baby Petra are logging lots of stroller miles for Uncle Andrew. Thanks for your support and thank you for sharing the adorable picture!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Walk with Us on October 18th

Calling all Walk to Afghanistan Walkers! Do you want to log some extra miles? Please join us at the Wallace Creek Trail across from Marston Pavilion on MCB Camp Lejeune, Friday, October 18th at 5:30pm.

Please remember to bring a flashlight and water. There is a 2 mile trail or a 4 mile trail! We hope to see you there!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Amazing Charlie Company Support

Joe Smith of Havertown, PA, walks everyday in support of his great-grandson in Charlie Company. Joe is 91 years old and I was told he hopes every little bit helps and he feels honored to be doing his part.

Joe, I think you are amazing and we are honored you are a part of our Walk. Thank you for showing your support! Your great-grandson is blessed to have you. Here is Joe getting ready for his daily 1/4 mile walk in his Walk to Afghanistan t-shirt!

Adding a Bit of Color

Jason Enochs, one of our avid supporters, completed a Color Run in his Walk to Afghanistan & Back shirt on October 5th. It looks like it was a blast and so much fun. I love the color added to the shirt! Thanks for the pictures Jason!
Before Pictures:

During the Run:
 
 
 
After the run:



Wish I Was There...

Vanessa Strange, a fellow Walker, sent us a picture of where she walks in Spruce Run State Park, NJ.  I think I would be walking a lot more if I had a view like that! Thanks for sharing Vanessa!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Kick Off Walk - Marston Pavillion Oct. 4th at 6pm

Our 1/9 Walk to Afghanistan & Back Kick Off Walk is tomorrow, October 4th. We will be meeting at 6pm at the Marston Pavilion on MCB Camp Lejeune. There is a two mile loop or a 4 mile loop. Children are welcome! Please bring your flashlights just in case! We hope to see you all there!

For those of you not in the Camp Lejeune area, please send us pics of your own kick off walk! We would love to see them! We will all be walking together in spirit!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

On FIIIRRREEE! September Results

We are on fire! Do you know what our official total is for the month of September? Please keep in mind, the Walk just officially started today. If you had been keeping track of your miles before October, you could log them. The grand total of miles walked to Afghanistan is...drum roll please (I know, I know, cheesy)
6,252.23 total miles
I am in complete awe at how many miles we have already logged. It is only 7,200 miles from Camp Lejeune to Afghanistan and 14,400 miles there and back. With this amazing start, we will have no problem getting there and back!

Remember, there is a friendly competition to see which company can get there and back first.

Here is the breakdown:

H & S logged 1696.83 miles
Bravo logged 1644 miles
Charlie logged 1324.1 miles
Alpha logged 1237 miles
Weapons logged 350.3 miles

As you can see, H & S is in the lead but not by much. There are some extremely active supporters in H & S logging some insane miles! It is awesome. Keep up the good work and continue logging those miles. Keep on moving!

Project Lifting Spirits

Jason Enochs, one of our avid runners and supporter of Bravo Company, completed a 10K this past weekend The 10K raised money for Project Lifting Spirits, a non-profit organization that raises money for the Wounded Warrior Project.

Jason not only completed the 10K but recorded his personal best 10K time. Jason represented the Walk with his awesome sign as well! I just love it. Thank you for sharing!