Deployment 5k races

From August 2009 to July 2010 I was deployed with the US Army to Camp Buehring, Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  My job there was to provide medical care for the Military Working Dogs.  The combat stress was low but the stress from sexual harassment was always high.  Unfortunately, the incidence of sexual harassment in the military - especially against females - is very high, basically "the norm".  Anyway, I dealt with the stress and anxiety it caused me by getting out and running as much as possible.  I started the deployment at 148 pounds and I came home at 127 pounds.  (I am 5' 8'' and was 25 years old at the time).  The MWR offen sponsored 5k races and I often took first female overall or first female in my age group.  There was a male soldier there who could run it in 15:48!!  My best time was 22:08.  Since then I have gotten out of shape, but I am excited to be getting back on track.  Time to smash that old 5k PR to pieces!!