Courtesy Photo | Capt. Connor Roche, a company commander assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. – Capt. Connor Roche, a company commander assigned to the "Panther Battalion," 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, competed and placed in the top 50 at the Berlin Marathon on Sept. 26 in Berlin. The Berlin Marathon is one of six races that are part of the World Marathon Majors. The other races include Chicago, Boston, New York, Tokyo and London. This year marked the 47th edition of the annual race hosting over 25,000 competitors from across the globe.
According to Roche, this race was a long time goal and was one of many he has conquered, beginning with his time at the United States Military Academy.
“I wasn’t fast enough to run cross country or track, but then I realized I could run until everybody else gives up,” Roche explained. “I made the marathon team and ran for four years and ended up staying with it after commissioning.”
The Berlin Marathon was his 17th race. During the challenge, runners routed through the city for 26.2 miles, starting and finishing in Tiergarten (Berlin’s most popular inner-city park). This was a challenge that Roche was ready for.
“I knew going into the race the amount of prep and workouts I had done prior to entering and this helped me know what time I was going to be able to run,” said Roche. “It was hot that day. So I had to adjust expectations a little bit, but I ran exactly the time I thought I was capable.”
Roche, a native of Darlington, Wisconsin, completed the race with a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 57 seconds ranking No. 43 – a feat he never expected to accomplish – and was the second American to cross the finish line.
“Doing well in this race made me a lot more excited for the next one and to see where I can take this and how far I can go in running,” added Roche.
Roche’s passion for running marathons not only helps him to stay in shape, it also helps him as a commander by ensuring Soldiers are a top planning priority.
“The Army has forced me to plan out all of my time and set realistic goals of what I am going to be able to accomplish,” said Roche. “There is a lot of planning that goes into running a marathon, whether it’s training or working around Army training cycles. Planning also gives Soldiers the time and opportunity to reach their own goals.”
Roche expressed that it’s the job of leaders to allocate resources and accommodate Soldiers the best way one can and give them the time they need to pursue their own interests.
“Pursuing your personal goals outside of work is essential to maintaining your mental health, so protect time every day, even if it's only 20 minutes to do something you are passionate about,” asserted Roche. “I find working every day towards a goal keeps me grounded and brings me more joy than the actual accomplishment of the goal. So never stop improving and remember to help someone else along the way."
Currently, Roche is already planning his next race. He qualified for a spot in the National Championships Half Marathon in Hardeeville, South Carolina, in December 2021 and plans to complete in the last of the six World Marathon Majors in London this coming spring.
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.01.2021 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 408467 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | DARLINGTON, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 189 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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