A Passion--Continuing to go the Distance Published May 4, 2010 By Michael P. Kleiman 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- Space Vehicles Directorate member and three-time Boston Marathon participant loves to run During the 2010 Boston Marathon, Mark Scherbarth approached miles 16 to 21 covering the four hills from Wellesley through Newton to Brookline, Massachusetts, a difficult portion of the world-class contest even for the most experienced distance runner, with confidence due to an extensive training regimen and a 24-year competitive race career. Scherbarth finished the 26.2- mile trek in 2 hours, 44 minutes, 58 seconds, averaging 6:17 per mile, just 10 seconds overall more than his best time to date in the same event achieved six months earlier at the Chicago Marathon. "I have been running since I was 10 years old and it is an important part of my life. I do it almost every day," said Mr. Scherbarth, who serves as the Demonstration and Science Experiments (DSX) program manager with the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate. "If I do not go for a run, I feel out of whack. It is a stress reliever. It is a habit and something I need to do." A native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Scherbarth discovered his passion for running during his formative years. From the 5th through 8th grades, he participated in numerous cross country and mini-marathon races, featuring distances from 1.5 to 2 miles. While in high school, Scherbarth earned a spot on the varsity cross country and track teams as a freshman and for four years, he participated in the mile, two mile, and 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) competitions. Desiring to continue his athletic adventures in college, Scherbarth joined the Marquette University cross country and track teams as a walk on in his first year, but due to part-time work, commuting back and forth from home, and increased course workload, he decided to forego the opportunity to concentrate on earning a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Following graduation, Scherbarth visited the Air Force Research Laboratory's headquarters and other facilities at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and that trip sparked his interest in joining the Air Force. He subsequently attended Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, earning his commission in July 1999. Scherbarth had kept in shape throughout college and in his initial few months as a military member, so during his first duty assignment at Los Angeles Air Force Base, he decided to pursue running a marathon. In 2001, Scherbarth ran in the Los Angeles and Death Valley Marathons, finishing in 3:37 and 3:21 respectively. In the past nine years, Scherbarth has competed in 16 other marathons. He usually participates in two marathons annually, one in the spring and another in the fall. In between, Scherbarth runs in other distance (i.e., 5K, 10K (6.2 miles), and half marathon (13.1 miles)) races. After leaving Los Angeles AFB in October 2003, Scherbarth served another five years at the Space Vehicles Directorate before ending his active-duty career. He then joined the organization as federal government civilian employee and 8 months later, continued his military calling as an Air Force Traditional Reservist assigned to the 310th Space Wing, Schriever AFB, Colorado. His training for a marathon normally kicks off four months from the event date and includes up to 90 miles of runs six days a week. Scherbarth's running routine starts early Sunday morning with a 13-to 24-mile run. On Monday, dubbed "recovery day," he runs 4 to 6 miles. Tuesday features an interval workout, which involves Scherbarth's only participation each week with other runners, and involves several repeat ½- mile and mile "sprints" alternated with recovery jogs at the University of New Mexico's Johnston Field. Mid week has him covering another 10 to 16 miles and on Thursday, Scherbarth decreases the distance to 8 to 12 miles. By Friday, he completes a tempo run consisting of a 2- to 3-mile warm-up jog immediately followed by a 3-to 12-mile jaunt not at race speed, but at a comfortably hard pace, termed, lactate threshold pace. Finally, on Saturday, he takes a day off. Diet also plays an important role in Scherbarth's fitness regimen and it includes a heavy emphasis on carbohydrates (pasta, bread, and rice), lots of lean meats and consumption of fruit and a salad daily. In addition, he espouses the importance of consistent sleep and rest in helping his body rejuvenate from the mileage-- physically and mentally. "The benefits of exercise to your health and wellbeing are huge. For example, it can lower blood pressure and relieve stress. Another advantage to my running is that it allows me to plan, organize and think (especially on the Sunday long run) about tasks associated with both life and work," said Mr. Scherbarth. "While running hard, there is often a need to mediate on a phrase like Nike's Just Do It or a quote as it motivates me to dig deep and reach the finish line no matter the distance." For Scherbarth, that distance, insofar as competitive races are concerned, could increase with the only stipulation being his remaining injury free. "I would like to do an ultra-marathon - 50K (31 miles) or up. I am a runner and running is what I do," Mr. Scherbarth said. "It's a passion."