Running has been my number 1 passion since 96'. I was named Rookie of the year in Claremont High in 1996. I have always enjoyed running even when injured. I ran for Mount San Antonio Community College from 98' through 2000' I red shirt my first year of cross country @ Mount SAC in 98' I joined the Army spring of 2000 so i left Mount SAC in the middle of my second year in track. After three years of active service i got out.
I joined the Army Reserves in spring of 2004' changing my job status from infantry soldier to Operating Room Specialist( "scrub" technician). I returned to Mount SAC in fall of 05'. I was able to run for the Cross Country team that year, but suddenly had to drop out of the team later in the season. I joined the "Southern California Road runners" of Walnut in 06, and was named the rookie of the year in spring of 07. I had a blast running my first marathon in 07" and running in the Army Ten Miler in 06'representing the 63rd Regional Readiness Commannd of Los Alamitos Base in California.
I Have know been deployed overseas for a little over 13 1/2 months in support of OIF 07/09. I was innitially deployed with my unit the 1872nd Head and Neck MED DET. I was Tasked out to Task force 261 MMB were in part i was assigned to work for 332nd EMDG,
"Expeditionary Medical Group" aka Red Tail Medics. Was 1 of 3 Army "Scrub" techs assigned to the LSA Anaconda Theater Hospital as part of the "Neuro Surgical Team". Most of the personnel in the hospital were Air Foce staff. I enjoyed my stay in LSA Anaconda, Balad Airbase. I joined the "Anaconda running Club" while i was in Balad. I was lucky to participate in close to a dozen races there. I won most of the races placing second in four of the 5k in which i participated in. I was the lucky winner of the Mini Marathon they hosted on May 3rd of this year. I Re-enlisted in April of this year and volunteered to stay and additional 6 months in country. I wanted to stay in Balad but they had the required amount of techs there so i was sent to Ibn sina Hospital in Baghdad. I don't mind my stay in Baghdad so far. I love what i do, to help others. I do get a bit frustrated because I havent participated in an actual 5k since i left Balad on june 23'rd. There was a fun run that i ran in the beggining of Sept, but nothing else has developed since. I will be heading back some time in the middle of December.
Can't wait till im in the states. Im here to meet new friends and athletes. you can find me on runnerspace.com under Anaconda16.
sincerely,
SGT Vela Godinez, Mario M
86th CSH IBN Hospital
O.R. Tech
DSN#-(318)239-7646
AKO: mario.velagodinez@us.army.mil