May 17, 2005
Well this was a great day. I started off the morning by going on a road trip. One of the guys I worked with was supposed to drive some high ranking person to Camp Jackson tomorrow so he asked me if I knew where it was. I had an idea but had never been there before, so I told him t meet me at my office and we'd go see if we could find it. We drove up there and found the place and had lunch.
It tuens out that this is also the place where all of the KATUSA's go do their basic training. I guess it's pretty rough for them because all of the KATUSA's hate the place. I decided to play a little trick on Jung when I got back, so I took the picture above and wrote "My favorite place in the world" above it and made it his wallpaper on his computer. He came in and cringed when he saw it. He thought it was funny though but told me " I don't want to ever see that again. I am trying to remove that place from my memory."
So when I got back, I was checking my emails. A few weeks ago I had emailed a guy named Dean Karnazes. He's the guy I've mentioned in here a few times; The one who ran 262 miles non stop, and a 135 mile race through death valley. Anyway, I had emailed him a few weeks ago and just wanted to tell him that I though he was a great role model and how much I liked his book, etc. Well I got an email back from him! He actually took the time to write me. I just though that was so awesome. I thought I'd share it with you:
Hello Tony (or should I say, “Marathon Man),
Thank you for writing such a terrific message. I’m glad that you enjoyed my book, and I am delighted to learn of your story. You sound like a remarkable person, and your drive is evident.
Please take care, and I wish you the very best in all your endeavors. See you at Badwater soon!
Warmest regards,
Dean Karnazes
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From: Marchant, Tony K. SPC 41 SIG BN HHD [mailto:Tony.Marchant@korea.army.mil]
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 9:30 PM
To: info@ultramarathonman.com
Subject: Mr. Karnazes
Dear Sir,
I first read about you in an edition of Runner's World Magazine a few months ago. On the cover was the statement that you hoped to cover 300 miles non-stop. I was so moved by the article that I immediately threw on a pair of my running shoes and headed out the door. Now I was just an average runner and ran about 35 miles/ week at best. Since then I have increased to 12 miles/ day and improving. I have since read your book "Ultra Marathon Man" and was even further inspired by the great stories inside. I just wanted to write you this letter and say thnk you for the inspiration that you have been to me.
It was only about 6 months ago that I was placed under the weight-control program for being 1 pound overweight. You see, I am serving in the U.S. Army and currently stationed in Korea. I was not the fastest runner by any means, but since then I have received the nickname marathon man myself. I tell everyone who will listen about your book and testemonial. Hopefully one of these days in the next few years I'll see you at Badwater. I'm originally from California myself. Again, I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me to want to be an "ultra Marathoner."
V/R
TONY K. MARCHANT
SPC, USA
Chaplain Assistant
HHD 41st Signal BN
Unit 15258
Camp Coiner
APO AP 96205-5258
work: 724-6993
Cell: 010-8671-7435
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 1 Cor. 10:13
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