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Army reservist trains for 3rd half marathon

Deputy auditor races in uniform to pay tribute to other veterans

Photo submitted by Matthew Livengood Matthew Livengood participates in last year’s half marathon in Parkersburg. He’s currently preparing for his third half marathon in Marietta.

Those who have walked, run or even lined the streets during the Marietta McDonald’s Half Marathon have likely noticed a racer not wearing shorts, a T-shirt and running shoes. Instead Matthew Livengood, an Army reservist and Washington County deputy auditor, completes the course in an Army uniform, combat boots and loaded backpack.

Livengood, 47, of Marietta, said the gear is a way for him to privately pay tribute to other veterans, particularly those who gave their lives.

He’s already training to be ready for the half marathon, taking place this year on Sept. 15 and winding its way through downtown to the scenic hills outside city limits.

“I really can’t recommend this race enough,” Livengood said. “It’s a great course.”

Question: Is this your third year participating in the Marietta half marathon?

Answer: Yes, I’ve done it each year they’ve held it. I’ve also done the Parkersburg half marathon at least twice.

Q: Tell me about what you wear and what you’re carrying on the route.

A: In my opinion, it’s not as much as some people may think. I wear a regular field uniform, combat boots and a backpack–we call it a rucksack–that weighs in at 40 pounds.

Q: Do you need to train a lot ahead of time?

A: This year has been a little different. Because of the campaign (for Washington County Auditor) I have not been able to dedicate as much time as I usually can. I usually start preparing for Parkersburg in May but I’m not able to participate in the Parkersburg one this year. I try to start at least two months prior and I usually start at three miles and then tack on a mile every week. The weight doesn’t change. I start with 40 pounds.

Q: Do you walk or run or is it a mix?

A: It’s a mix. I try to break it into quarter mile segments. It’s a little more walking than jogging.

Q: Is the Marietta course challenging? I know it’s pretty hilly.

A: It is. I think it’s even hillier than Parkersburg and they’ve got a couple of nasty hills. But especially when you get to Glendale Extension, I think the scenery more than makes up for it. It’s absolutely gorgeous. And walking in historic Marietta as part of the route is also really cool.

Q: What inspired you to do this?

A: For the practical side of me, being a reservist, the Army likes me to stay fit, and this is another way to do that. That being said, beyond the physical aspect, those who have seen me know that on my backpack I’ve got an American flag and a POW/MIA flag. I was fortunate. I deployed and I came back home. Others do not. I do it for them.

Last year, someone in Parkersburg asked me a question that made me think about doing it as a fundraiser. For the Marietta race last year, through Facebook I directed people to a Cincinnati nonprofit, Warrior Enpowerment Foundation. They provide financial assistance to veterans in need. I did raise some money but this year I’m not going to do that. The proceeds for the Marietta half marathon are going to the Gold Star Park (which honors those who lost loved ones in the service) and I want the efforts to focus on that.

Q: What sort of reaction do you get as you’re participating in the race?

A: It’s sort of embarrassing because I don’t really like attention but people see me coming and particularly if they’re veterans, I can kind of tell. Because I have the American flag, folks will stand up. I get a lot of that. Some people will applaud. There’s a tremendous amount of positive feedback. When you get to mile 10 or 11 and you’re tired, it helps you go on.

People tell me I’ve been an encouragement to them in the race. In Parkersburg last year at mile 8, a woman was in front of me walking. She was on the phone with her daughter saying “I’m tired, I’m done, pick me up at the corner.” I started to pass her and we started talking and she just kept going. She finished the race. She told me “If it hadn’t been for you, I would have quit.”

Q: How exhausted are you by the end?

A: Yesterday I did four miles with a friend and I was telling him that as soon as I take the pack off, it’s like “Oh, I can stand up straight now.” When you take it off, you feel kind of whole again. The downside is that you have to put it right back on to get to the car.

I’m not going to lie, I get very tired. I definitely feel the effects physically for a few days. Last year with both the Parkersburg and Marietta races, I lost both my big toenails. The year before, I lost one. At the end, I’m tired but not really thinking about it. There’s just this sense of accomplishment.

Q: What’s your military background?

A: I joined in 2009, straight into the Army Reserves. I had basic training and officer candidate school in 2009…I deployed in 2011 and took command of a 52-man unit. We went to Kuwait in 2011 and 2012 and the unit was responsible for all the ammunition that came in and left Kuwait. Our timing was such that we were there when our troops were coming out of Iraq. All that ammunition coming out of Iraq, we were responsible for. Kudos to the guys and gals that were there with me. It was a big deal. I came back in the summer of 2012 and headquartered a company in West Virginia. Two years ago, I transfered to where I am now–Columbus–with the Civil Affairs unit. I’m a Civil Affairs officer, with the rank of captain.

Q: What made you initially want to join the Army?

A: I wanted to go to West Point out of high school…I had extremely bad eyesight as a kid.

So, I had a 20-year hiatus and then on a whim I went into a recruiter’s office. I was 38 at the time. I said “What are my chances of joining?”

I did have to get an age waiver and a vision waiver but in 2009 we were fighting a war in Iraq and Afghanistan and they were happy to have anyone join. It was a dream come true. Six months earlier, if you’d told me I would be in the Army, I would have said you were joking. It was a 20-year dream.

Marietta McDonald’s Half Marathon

– When: Sept. 15.

– Where: Races start at Don Drumm stadium.

– Races: Half Marathon, $55; 10 K, $50; 5K, $35; One mile run/walk, $20.

– Benefits: Marietta’s Gold Star Park.

– To register or for route information: runsignup.com/Race/OH/Marietta/McDonaldsHalfMarathon or find Marietta McDonald’s Half Marathon on Facebook

Kate York conducted this interview.

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