Buffalo Alley 2011

This morning Camp Pendleton’s Marine Corps Buffalo Alley’s race, honoring the fallen and the wounded, commenced.  I ran Buffalo Alley in honor of Tyler Holtz, who at age 22 was in the special forces, an Army Ranger.  A 2007 alumni of Mater Dei (an OC Catholic  high school) Tyler gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country last month.  On September 24, 2011, Tyler Holtz was killed in Afghanistan. 

I hope not to upset anyone who knew him by placing his picture here.  I did not know Tyler, but I very well may have stood next to one of his parents or three brothers in a grocery store line without even knowing it.  We live in the same town.  My heart goes out to his family and those who knew him. 

Tyler Holtz

   

Today was the 4th year in a row I have run Buffalo Alley.  And I do not run it so much for my passion of trail running.  I run it because I am also passionate about honoring and respecting the men and women who sacrifice so much for their country. 

Though this race is full of smiles and laughter, there’s a solemn moment at the Start Line.  I can’t help but think of the hardships soldiers face as we run up that first mile long hill of this 10k race. 

I ran as fast as I could the entire race.  I never stopped, even when I grabbed fluids from the aid stations.  I drank on the run.  I took pictures on the run.  My ipod’s battery drained about a mile into the race, even though I thought that I had fully charged it the day before.  So, I ran without music today and focused on Tyler’s memory.  The image of a four-leaf clover flittered into my mind off and on.  I’m not sure why.  Perhaps because I am so very fortunate to have my sons to hug today. 

Elevation Profile:

Scenes from Buffalo Alley 2011:

This year’s time:  1:11:07

Last year’s time (2010): 1:18:42