Reserve marathon team member winning with life balance

  • Published
  • By Ann Skarban
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Colorado native, Dr. (Lt. Col.) Audrey Hall is one of 10 Air Force Reservists who has been selected to be a member of the Air Force Reserve Command’s Challenge Team in this year’s U.S. Air Force Marathon.

Hall, an Individual Mobilization Augmentee and staff pediatrician assigned to the 21st Medical Group here, has been an avid runner throughout her life.

“I have run recreationally most of my life. I run more for exercise and to keep within Air Force standards. It’s always something I’ve enjoyed and done as part of my life to stay fit,” she said.

The Citizen Airman, part-time civilian pediatrician and mother of three is set to run the Air Force Marathon’s half-marathon course of 13.1 miles during the September 17, 2016 race held at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Overall balance in her life’s roles and consistent training have been essential to Hall’s daily and running successes. Hall credits staying connected with other local Colorado moms who are runners as well as her AFRC Challenge team members along with participating in her local community’s running events and races as the staples to her Air Force Marathon preparations.

“I’ve stepped up my base line running. I’ve been in a lot of races and running groups in Colorado Springs, it’s a really robust running community.” One of Hall’s recent races included participating in the Pikes Peak Ascent which took place on Aug. 20, 2016. The Ascent is a half-marathon, 13.32 miles, where runners ascend, or run from Manitou Springs, Colo. up to the 14,114 foot, above sea level, summit of Pikes Peak. The run includes a 7,815 foot vertical gain to the mountain’s summit and is considered one of the most difficult marathon courses in the world.

“We [AFRC team members] have been emailing and trading training diet and lifestyle tips,” said Hall of the AFRC runners from across the country who will be representing the 70,000 Air Force Reservists as AFRC Challenge team members.

Life balance, which serving as an IMA in the Air Force Reserve allows, is another key factor for Hall. “I work to maintain a good balance in life to include running, taking care of myself and eating well. And, my kids motivate me, they are active in sports.”

Hall who served 14 years in the Active Duty Air Force before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve said, “I feel a sense of patriotism. It’s [being an IMA] a great way to maintain a balance and continue to serve your country and do what you are trained to do.”

Of her civilian career, Hall is thankful for the support of her civilian employer who in her words, “Has been wonderful. It’s been a good balance and I’ve been able to maintain everything working together.”

While Hall was part of her cross country team in high school, she said she has never run competitively. This will be Hall’s first competition as part of the AFRC team competing against the 11 other U.S. Air Force MAJCOM Challenge teams.

“I’m honored to be chosen [for the AFRC Challenge Team], I’m hoping to get my personal best time for this half marathon. I’m excited to go to Dayton and run closer to sea level,” she said.