Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Francis | Master Sgt. Ginger Wuebker, Logistics Plans Craftman from the 200th REDHORSE Squadron,...... read more read more
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MANSFIELD, Ohio - On a social media post, dated Oct. 11, 2017, Master Sgt. Ginger Wuebker wrote a post reflecting on her eighth triathlon.
“Race morning is perfect! Beautiful sunrise and it’s in the mid 60's. I was able to relax, calm my nerves and focus on the day ahead. I’m in the 1:20-1:30 group, expecting a slow time because I have not swam regularly this year. I was nervous about those jellies [fish]. I was nervous about swimming in my wetsuit. I was nervous about doing a swim distance that I hadn't swam in two years. In my head I heard, ‘Face it head on; rely on years of swimming experience. Pace yourself. Don't drown.’ Most of the swim went well, but the current had really picked up on the second loop, making the turn for the finish quite a challenge. I finished with a big hickey on the back of my neck from the wetsuit, no jellyfish stings, but with a 1:21. Not my best swim, but, I'll take it.
Transition swim to bike went well. The first half was perfect...17.6 average. Second loop did not go well at all! I was having some issues with my saddle, so I had to stop and move my seat. Already past the point where chamois butter would help, I rode most of the second loop out of the aero position. Then I dropped my Swedish fish! That was my only ‘real’ food so I was stuck with gels and electrolytes for the rest of the bike. Then the wind came, blowing three directions, I swear, at 15 mph, gusting around 20 mph. At one point, I had to get off and walk because I was whooped! My back was cramping, my non-mentionable’s were hurting, and my big toes were hurting! I finally made it back into town with a 15.46 average on the second loop. 112 miles at 16.33 mph average overall. Not my best time, but I needed to give myself 8 hours for that marathon!
I got back to town with 8 hours 20 minutes until midnight. Changed in the transition tent and out I went for a marathon. 8 hours, 10 minutes left. I am terrible coming off the bike, so I walked the first mile and then walked most of the second mile. I started my Ironman shuffle. Run, walk the aid station, run, walk at the mile marker. Run, walk, run walk, run walk. Walk, walk walk. Run, run, run. Run. Run. Run. Walk walk walk. Hopefully, halfway! I made it to mile 15 and felt like I was running out of time. You only get 17 hours! Then the doubt sets in... ‘I don't have enough time left.’ That wall comes for me at mile 17. Mile 17, I wanted to quit. The very same place I did last year. Dang that number! I start running the calculations in my head, 9.2 miles left to go, and what my pace needs to be in order to make it. What if I ‘Do Not Finish’ because I am over 17 hours. Dang that mile 17.
My friend yells out ‘You have four hours left! You got this!’ So I kept that Ironman shuffle going until mile 20. At that point my mental state changed...anyone can run a 10K, run the 10k. So I ran. Then I walked with 4 miles left. And when I got to 3.2 miles, I thought, just a little more and I have only a 5k left. Anyone can run a 5k. So I ran. Then I had a little over a mile and a half left and was in the park with the Base Salt crew dancing and partying it up, and I knew I had it! I walked! And I relished every single step of that last mile and a half!
Ironman Maryland finisher: 16:20.06. 2.4-mile swim. 112-mile bike. 26.2-mile run. And the tally stands: Ginger 5, Ironman 3. Next up: IMCHOO 2018!
My Ironman sticker reads: ‘There will come a day when I can no longer race Ironman. Today is not that day’,” said Wuebker.
What makes someone a good athlete or a good leader? Why do some people accomplish their goals while others fail? The genes you were born with might make a difference but it comes down to mental toughness. Mental toughness, perseverance, and passion impact your ability to achieve goals and this is something that Master Sgt. Ginger Wuebker has cultivated within herself, even if she doesn’t know it.
Wuebker is a Logistics Plans Craftsman at the 200th REDHORSE Squadron, Camp Perry, Ohio.
March is Women’s History Month and the 179th Airlift Wing is highlighting women making history across the unit and the Ohio Air National Guard.
"I am responsible for preparing all the people and equipment for any deployment or state mobilization; worldwide, humanitarian, military or state missions. We go anywhere they need us and provide construction capabilities from start to finish. I make sure they get there and that they get home. I love watching them go out the door and I love watching them come home,” said Wuebker.
In every area of life, from education to work experience and even health experience, it is mental toughness, and perseverance that predicts your level of success. In other words, talent is overrated. Wuebker states often that she’s not even that good of an athlete.
“I think that reason why I keep doing it is because one day, I won’t be able to. But like my sticker says, today is not that day,” said Wuebker. “Ironman keeps me focused. I love running because it takes all of your worries of the day away and reduces stress. I find it fulfilling for me.”
Through tough physical training, proper mindset, and a high level of maturity is when mental toughness is born. This toughness is what propels military women through long workdays, long deployments away from family and days of heavy, dirty work. Mental toughness does not grow over night; it’s built every day.
“Ironman takes a lot of discipline. It takes a lot of commitment. To prepare for an Ironman, I start working out about seven hours a week in early spring and I build that up to 20 hours weekly by the end of the summer,” said Wuebker. “That in-itself takes a lot of discipline just like being in the military, being physically fit makes you more mentally fit and it helps prepare you for whatever the military has to throw at you.”
Throughout the Air Force, commonly found traits in the women are their abilities to play with pain and the mental determination to never quit on themselves or their Wingman. Women who join the military raise their right hand ready to compete and win not to merely survive. Wuebker is a shining example of sheer determination.
“I set that goal high and I ask myself; what’s next? Don't be stuck, always get ready for the next new opportunity, even if it means going outside my comfort zone," said Wuebker.
In this new era, brave women are volunteering for the most physically demanding tasks in the armed forces. Some are succeeding, but of course, women are just built differently than men and strength causes most female failures. By contrast, women have good endurance, mental toughness, incredible fortitude and commitment to effort.
“Men and women are different. We bring different ideas, views and strengths to the table. Where a man might have the strength, that’s where I like to shine and show my endurance,” said Wuebker. “I think women are more determined in the long run. Men might beat us to the finish line but I’m going to keep on running for an hour after he’s finished.”
After 31 years in the U.S. Air Force, active duty and reserves, serving at six different locations all over the world, in three different career fields, Wuebker said "A woman should never stay in a single roll and think that she has to stay in the same position and endure one job her entire career. There are so many opportunities, she should always look forward to taking advantage of those opportunities.”
"As women, we have so much influence over the things that we do and the jobs that we hold. It's important that we encourage other women and inspire them to be successful, said Wuebker. “When I found out that an everyday, average person like me could do it. Any woman, who sets her mind to it, will do it. It’s all do-able. You have to put forth the effort."
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2018 12:49 |
| Story ID: | 271401 |
| Location: | MANSFIELD, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 515 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Women Making History - Wuebker Story, by SMSgt Lisa Francis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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