Air Force spouse achieves marathon goal Published Oct. 19, 2006 By Senior Airman John Gordinier 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Beep ... beep ... beep, the alarm clock is going off. Cari, spouse of Maj. Scott Boehne, 20th Fighter Wing deputy staff judge advocate, leans over and hits the snooze button. It's Tuesday, 5 a.m. After waiting five minutes while trying to wake up, she turns the alarm clock off and jumps out of bed. She gets into her usual workout outfit and ties her sneakers. Hoping not to wake her three children, she sneaks out of the house and starts her usual five to eight-mile run in preparation to run a marathon. "This is how I prepared for the (2006 Air Force Marathon)," Mrs. Boehne said. "In four of the five weekdays, I ran anywhere between four and eight miles. I had to get up early to train, because I have three children to take care of and my husband would watch them until I got home. When I finished my run, he would go off to work. Besides, if you're going to run in the summer, it's better to run in the morning before the sun comes up, because the heat can be unbearable. "On one day of the weekend, I would run about 20 miles at one time," she said. "During the whole week, I would only take two days off from training. I followed a basic 18-week schedule from Hal Higdon's 'Marathon Training Guide.' Although grueling, it's not that bad for me, because I have been running on and off since junior high school. I actually enjoy running, which makes my husband a little confused. He always asks, 'How can someone actually like to run?'" "Running a marathon has always been a personal goal of hers," Maj. Boehne said. "She was very dedicated and I certainly support her in achieving that goal." Sept. 15, Mrs. Boehne traveled to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and ran the 26.2-mile race the next day. "The Air Force Marathon was different than what I expected," Mrs. Boehne said. "I expected everyone to be in outstanding shape and able to run the whole thing competitively, but I was wrong. It turned out that there were people of all ages participating in the race. Some were running five minutes then walking five minutes, alternating until the race was complete. Some ran the whole thing and pushed themselves as best as possible. Some walked most of it, because they just wanted to get outside and meet new people. I met many different people during the marathon and it was nice to talk while walking with new friends. It was a great experience and I finished the race in 4:54. I received lots of gifts for participating in the event from sponsors and even received a T-shirt. "I plan to attend next year's Air Force Marathon," she said. "I may also participate in the Myrtle Beach Marathon in February or run in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C."My ultimate goal during this marathon was to finish the race, since this was my first Air Force Marathon," Mrs. Boehne said. "Now that I finished one, it will not be my last."