Deployed Airman sets sights on marathon Published May 11, 2007 By James Baker Skywrighter staff BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq -- Though he is deployed half a world away defending freedom at Sather Air Base, Baghdad International Airport, James Scott already has his sights set on this year's U.S. Air Force Marathon. Scott has already begun his quest by running in the Baghdad Indy 500 mini-marathon May 5. "The mini-marathon worked out great as a training event for the Air Force marathon," said Scott. "I felt good out of the gate and didn't fatigue at all until around mile 8." Scott, who is stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, said he has been training three days a week despite Middle Eastern temperatures that consistently climbed into the high 90s. "I knew I needed to continue to run for optimal performance on race day, despite the conditions" he said. The Paducah, Ky. native said he trains on a continuous 2-mile loop that offers few distractions, but invokes a challenge of dodging holes and unexpected dips. Running in this year's event is special for him, he said, because it marks the fifth year since he ran his first marathon as part of a relay team at Wright-Patterson. "I would love to enter and complete the Air Force Marathon this year," he said. "It would mean a lot to run in the same year I deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Air Force's 60th anniversary. My goal is to start my full marathon career where my running career started. I just think there is something nostalgic about that." Scott said he began running as part of the relay team at the 2002 Air Force Marathon, finishing fourth in the Air Force competition. He followed that successful venture by completing a 10k and first half-marathon where he took first place in the military category. He has also run with a top three group in the Sawtooth Relay in Idaho, which is over a 61-mile relay run with a 3,000 foot elevation change. Scott said the key to running for him is to go out and just do it while reaping its rewards. "I like to run because it is great stress relief while providing some of the best health benefits," he said. "I enjoy the competition of races because I like to push myself against other runners and against myself striving for new personal bests each time out. "I don't feel my legs hurting or think about how far it is when I am running. I just take off and think about whatever else comes to mind." Scott said he only has a week left out on his four month tour in Iraq and is anxious to get back to Lackland to continue preparing for the 2007 Air Force marathon. The marathon will take place Sept. 15 on the grounds of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and is part of the Air Force's 60th anniversary celebration.