It All Started...

Our cherished 1/9 Marines and Sailors are on their way back to Afghanistan for another deployment. We will all soon begin counting down the days, hours, and minutes until our Husbands, Fathers, Sons, Brothers, Nephews, and Cousins will be back on good ol’ USA soil and wrapped up in our loving arms.

Inspired by Marine wives, past and present, this deployment we will have a fun and active way to stay connected with our Marines and Sailors. We will commit to staying healthy, spending more time outdoors, building lasting friendships, and connecting with our 1/9 Family and Friends by running, walking, swimming, or biking (any type of aerobic activity) to Afghanistan and back!

Not one person could do this alone during a deployment cycle but together with our 1/9 Family, we can walk the miles to Afghanistan and back. It is approximately 7,200 miles from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to Afghanistan. That means we need to log 14,400 miles to get to Afghanistan and back. It sounds like a lot but if only 100 people commit to being active for only 5 ¼ miles a week, we can easily get to Afghanistan and back during the deployment.

BUT…I think that is a bit too easy...so…we are going to make it a bit harder.

I think each Company, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Weapons, and H & S, can walk to Afghanistan and back. If you need a bit more motivation, the Company who walks to Afghanistan & Back first will get a little P-A-R-T-Y! More information on the party will be announced later.

If you are interested in joining the program all you need to do is email your name, email, and the Company you are supporting to 19walktoafghanistan@gmail.com.

An email will be sent out on the 1^st of every month and you will be sent a link through Google Docs to log in your miles and the Company you are supporting.

Shirts are also in the process of being created so more info on ordering will be posted. This blog will be updated with the progress we are making so be sure to bookmark it.

Thank you for making the walk with 1/9. Please check out the links on the page for some helpful worksheets.

Our thoughts and prayers are always with our 1/9 Marines & Sailors. Come home safe and soon.

1/9 Walk to Afghanistan & Back Program

The Program

The 1st Battalion 9th Marines Walk to Afghanistan & Back is a program designed to promote an active & healthy lifestyle, well being, relieve stress, and build cohesiveness among the 1/9 family. This program is one more way we can support our brave Marines and Sailors while they are deployed to Afghanistan.

Participation
The program is open to any spouse, child, family member, or loved one of a 1/9 Marine or Sailor. October 1, 2013 is the official start date of our Walk to Afghanistan & Back.

Friendly Competition

There is nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, right? We will be tracking miles by Company and the Company who completes the most miles will get a Winners party! More info on the party will be coming soon.

Getting Started

Please email your name, email address and Company you are supporting to 19walktoafghanistan@gmail.com

 

Then get up, start moving and logging those miles. Each month on the 1st, an e-mail reminder will be sent to collect your monthly mileage total into a Google doc spreadsheet. A link will be provided in the email and you can log in your miles under your Marine or Sailor's Company. You can keep track of your daily miles with the Monthly Mileage Tracker located under Important Documents.

Look for monthly progress reports and updates on any happenings on this blog.

Going the Distance
The total distance from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to Afghanistan is roughly7,200 miles and going there and back is 14,400 miles. Collectively, if each person commits to walking, running, biking, or swimming several miles each week, we will have "traveled" to Afghanistan and possibly back! Please check out the Aerobic Conversion Chart for all sorts of aerobic ways you can “walk” to Afghanistan. I encourage you to come up with more unique ways of achieving your fitness goals.

I encourage everyone to set a personal goal based on their fitness level. Remember, this is fun- walk with friends, take your dogs out, push those strollers, hit the trails with your bike, go to pilates or zumba, play soccer, go on a nature hike, jump rope, skip, swim when it's hot...BE CREATIVE!

Keeping in Touch
To submit your progress or if you have questions or comments about the "1/9 Walk to Afghanistan & Back" program, please write to 19walktoafghanistan@gmail.com

FAQ

1. How and when do I give you my miles?
If you have sent me an e-mail I most likely have sent you a link to a mileage chart to track your own miles. If you would like one- please send me an e-mail. Be sure to be tracking your own miles. On the first of every month an e-mail will go out requesting your monthly miles.  For example: On October 1st... an e-mail will be sent asking for your September Miles. (all miles are important and help- so please send what you have for that month no matter what.)

2. Do I have to live in Camp Lejeune to participate?
Absolutely NOT! You can be anywhere and participate! The more the merrier! We want to see how many times we can get to our loved ones and back! We are a diverse group from all over the country and you can do this program whether you are here or in Timbuktu. All you need are some good tennis shoes and a motivated heart.

3. I want a t-shirt! When and where can I get one?
We are working on t-shirts. As soon as they are finished you will be notified via e-mail and on this website how to order. You do not have to order a t-shirt to participate!

4. Is this a fundraiser?
NO. This is not a fundraiser, the basic point is to show support for our Marines and Sailors and keep healthy while our men are away.

5. It's almost December- is it too late to join?
No- it is never too late to join. Any and all miles will help!! Send your name, email, and Company you are supporting to 19walktoafghanistan@gmail.com

6. I don't like to run- do I have to run?!
No- you can walk, bike, swim, or run, Zumba, Crossfit, pilates, row, paddleboard, yoga, your way to Afghanistan... got something even more creative to chart your miles- let us hear it. The miles can be accumulated through any type of intentional physical activity. For instance walking from your car to your office desk doesn’t count. Please check out our aerobic conversion chart on the right side of the blog titled Aerobic Conversion Chart under Important Documents.

7. Do I have to be a wife to register? Can my parents join?
Any and all family members are welcome, as well as, friends and other sources of support for our guys are encouraged to join as well. As said before- the more the merrier! We want our Marines and Sailors of 1/9 to know we are thinking about them.