Running Through the Garden

After hiking up.  Way up.  To get a better view!
This was mile 4-ish.

After a very long extended weekend at the ER I'm assigned to while here for Army Reserve Annual Training at Ft. Carson, Colorado, I got to enjoy a much-needed day off.  I had planned to meet-up with some of the other RNs from the ER, but those plans washed out after I spent the entire morning and early afternoon on Post trying to schedule an appointment to get my required official Department of Army photo on Thursday.  Without that photo, I can't sit for Captain's boards.  But after meeting face-to-face with the supervisor for the photo lab and pleading my case, he was able to squeeze me in for an appointment first thing Thursday.

I picked up my newly purchased and altered-to-perfection dress uniform (and it's gorgeous) and found dry-cleaning services to get it completed by Wednesday evening.  Then I grabbed some lunch at the D-Fac (can you believe the chow hall had humus?  I was uber happy!) and decided to head to one of my favorite places I've found since arriving here:  Garden of the Gods.

I've now been in Colorado Springs (elevation 6500 feet) for a little over a week.  I thought it would be a relatively easy acclimation and gave myself just two days last week before going on my first run.  My first run was three miles and I completed it in about 33 minutes.  I was happy with that; given the altitude, I expected it to take longer than my usual time (30 minutes).  Two days later I embarked on a four-mile run.  LUNGS ON FIRE!  That is all I can say about that run.  I was only about a half-mile in to the run before I realized I was out of my league.  No matter how deep the breaths, I just couldn't seem to catch my breath.  My legs and arms felt like jello.  Even when walking I was huffing and puffing and miserable.  But I still did four miles, even though it took me 51 minutes and enjoyed the view of Cheyenne Mountain, and moved on.

Then two days later (Mother's Day!) I went on a sweet little three mile run.  It was 85 degrees outside, and I had just finished day three of my long work weekend.  Exhausted, I performed poorly as compared to my usual pace (39 minutes!).  But, I still did it, so I moved on again.

Still on mile 1.  Check out how far out I am
from the Garden of the Gods main area!
You can also see Pikes Peak in the background.

Bringing me to today...I drove out to Garden of the Gods with no expectations except to run and hike.  I planned for five miles, and figured I would just see how it went.  It was an amazing afternoon to run/hike.  Perfect weather, sun shining bright.  The first two miles I ran (and at my usual 10-minute-mile pace!) along the paved trail.  The next two miles, I mostly hiked, taking the less-traveled trails, and tromping through the Gardens on the rough terrain.  Magnificent views everywhere. I allowed myself to stop and enjoy the views to Pikes Peak.  Breathtaking.  I can't get enough of it.  I can officially say that this is now my second-most-favorite place I've been to.  The first of course being SoCal (Love my San Diego and L.A. - ocean view to the west, mountain views to the east.  Starbucks on nearly every corner.  Amazing running weather year-round.  Pure perfection to me).  My lungs didn't feel nearly as beat-up today, and my legs didn't jello-out on me.   The last mile I ran.  I finished out my five miles at 1:08:17.  Only about 15 minutes longer than I would have done at sea level at a full-out run.  Before I had baby #3.  I really ought to cut myself some slack.  Kellen is only 6-months old!

Here's what I've learned in one short week of living here and running:

1.  Give yourself more time than you think you'll need.  The altitude really does make a difference.  Don't be so hard on yourself if it takes you WAY longer to do the distance that it usually would.  Tell your brain to shut up! and enjoy the run and the view.

2.  Hydrate.  And then hydrate again. (I forgot to bring my H20 along with me, and the last 20 minutes were spent day-dreaming about a drink.  Thankfully, I had a triple soy latte waiting for me in the car!)

3.  It's terribly dry here.  Hydrate again.

4.  The sun is closer.  I got sunburned AGAIN today when I thought I had done a good job covering up with a shirt.  Nope.  It didn't cover my neck or my forearms.  Guess what got burned.  Must. Buy. Sunblock.

5.  Hydrate.  Again.

Enjoy the photos (sorry about the quality - I only had my iPhone on me!).  This place is truly amazing.

Only about 1/2-mile to the Garden of the Gods!

Mile 2 complete!

Pikes Peak way in the background!

Magnificent Garden of the Gods.

View to Pikes Peak.  I'll be trail-running the base
of that bad boy on Thursday!

The final mile back to my car.  Paved and FLAT!

View from the paved trail back to the car...

Beginning mile 5!

Finishing the last mile.
So thirsty!  Thankfully, the
BFF Starbucks Latte is waiting for me
in the car!

Farewell, Josh

U.S. Army Captain Josh McClimans was killed in Afghanistan on Friday, April 22, 2011.  His funeral service was held today in his hometown of Jamestown, Pennsylvania.  I had the honor of knowing Josh, just briefly, but he still impacted my career as a nurse.

Although he was a fellow soldier, I knew Josh only in my civilian life.  He was an agency nurse working frequent nights at St. Elizabeth's ER (Youngstown, Ohio) when we met in early-2007.  I had just come off orientation as a new nurse and worked afternoons.  Our shifts typically overlapped in the late evening, and often when I would stay to pick-up extra hours into the night.

Josh was an amazing RN.  He seemed to have a way of dealing with the common ER stressors that few seemed to master:  low supplies, heavy patient loads, mega traumas, and disastrous codes.  He was liked by all who met him, was great at teaching, and would always lend a hand when asked.  His humor was dry and he made jokes all through shift about just nearly everything.  He never seemed to take anything too seriously; yet, he was extremely precise and methodical in his work.  He had been in the Army previously and had served in Iraq.  I told him I had been enlisted in my younger years, and we swapped Army stories.  His stories were always way better than mine.  I would later take my officer commission in September 2007, after asking him numerous questions about being an RN for the Army.  I can't say that he either encouraged or discouraged me from joining, but he answered the questions I had truthfully.

On a personal level, Josh had a sweet little boy, Max, and he was always quick to show pictures of his little guy.  My son, Owen, was just a bit older and we used to swap stories about the insanity of parenthood.  He obviously loved his son very much, and was so proud of his little guy.  He was single dad, and he worked hard to make life good for his son.

Many of my fellow nurses, especially those on night shift at St. Elizabeth's, worked with Josh for a considerably longer time and knew him much better than I.  Still, I hope that I have done well in portraying a glimpse of the great man that was Josh.  I wish that our paths would have crossed again.

Josh was killed by indirect fire at FOB Salerno in Afghanistan.  He had volunteered for the active duty assignment with his Reseve Unit out of Cleveland.  He was dedicated soldier, nurse, and father who will be greatly missed.

Thank you for your service and dedication, Captain McClimans.  May you rest in peace.

Captain Josh McClimans, 1980 - 2011.

Values to Live By

When I was 20 (yes, a long time ago), I enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard on a whim (yes, a whim) one weekend during winter break when I was in college.  I went through basic training at Ft. McClellan, Alabama during an obnoxiously hot summer, running my 2-miles in 15:13 (my shining moment) while just barely passing my M16 Qualifications (and the phrase "Born to Miss" was forever etched onto my reflective strap on my kevlar).  I developed a healthy fear of First Sergeants, was terrified of my female Drill Sergeant, and I would [im]practically hyperventilate every time I saw anyone wearing shiny metal.  A Full Bird (Colonel) would nearly make me wet my pants.

Here I am years later wearing the shiny metal.  Sure, it's not a bird (nor is it likely to ever become one, although I am working toward my Captain's promotion), but I earned it.  However, I also have a great realization that First Sarg or nearly any of the NCOs (non-commissioned officers) are a great resource --- their extensive service time provides a wealth of knowledge and they truly know how the Army works and how to get tasks completed.  They are fiercely protective of their soldiers and always seem to be tireless, no matter how long the misson.

But no matter what, I still have that healthy fear of the metal bird.  Each time I report for duty at post, I have to meet with the Hospital Nurse Administrator - who is almost always a Colonel.  As I prepare to meet her, and it almost always is a 'her' - nursing is a female-dominated profession! - I get a bit queasy at the thought.  I don't think that will ever change.

As I travel daily to post on this annual training at Ft. Carson, Colorado, whether in uniform or civilian clothing, I have to pass through the MP-guarded gate and provide my photo ID.  Here I am 15 years later, looking at the faces of young enlisted at the gate.  And being saluted TO.  And oh, does it bring back memories.  I was once that fresh-faced barely-an-adult soldier.  I remember the feeling of pride and the snap of the salute when I saw an officer, eager to prove myself (even if I did feel queasy each time I saw metal).  The feeling of being a part of something bigger, something better than myself.  It's moments like this that I remember the Army Values.  No matter how young or old; no matter if enlisted, officer or civilian...these are values that speak to all of us.

Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage

These are the values I would teach my children even if I had never served as a part of the armed forces.

Tonight I am missing my family very much.  I've been gone less than a week and I really miss the kiddos.  I didn't expect that it would be so hard leaving the baby - but he's just six months old, and I've never spent a night away from him.  I didn't anticipate that I'd feel this way, being a seasoned-veteran mom of eight years!  And I miss my husband.  This separation seems never-ending sometimes (even though he is going to be home for Leave in just 2 weeks!) and while the distance from Baghadad to Colorado isn't significantly further than the distance from Baghdad to Ohio, it's harder to get to talk with him because of the time difference and my work schedule at the base hospital.  And, oh, I just miss him.

I hope that as they get older, my kids will understand why I serve in the military, even if it is just part-time. It is important to give of yourself and your time to something that is truly bigger and worthwhile.  I hope they grow to appreciate the job my husband does, even though it does take him away from us often.  I hope they appreciate the world and all it has to offer.  And I hope they follow those seven seemingly simple Army Values, whether or not they choose to serve in military.