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Race Rules
PFC Holden Embraces Running Challenges; Qualified and Set to Compete in ATM with Army Team Korea
Shortly after arriving at his first duty station - Camp Humphreys in the Republic of Korea - U.S. Army Private First Class (PFC) D. Germain Holden saw a sign that said: Army In Korea Army Ten-Miler Qualifier One and Two. While the first qualifier had taken place in April, PFC Holden registered for the second qualifier slated for mid-July.
Growing up in coastal North Carolina, Holden - who lost his mother at just 6 - says that in his primary school years he tended to be on the chubby side, was not a very active child, and he continued gaining weight as the years went on, so that when he was 15, he weighed an unhealthy 230 pounds. He knew he had to take positive steps to change his path and his life, and with his father providing constant support, he made a plan.
Before this realization, his elementary school physical education teacher encouraged him to participate in a Color Run 5K series that she hosted, and this is when running came into his life. Color runs provide an environment in which everyone, no matter age or ability, feels comfortable getting active. It was a fun atmosphere, but it also sparked something in Holden, whose initial goal was to just to finish the 5K. Building on that, he set a second-year goal of finishing the race without stopping, and for the next few years he focused on finishing the run and having fun.
However, when he hit 230 pounds, his goal shifted to seeing a healthier version of himself, and from his sophomore year in high school, he buckled down and focused on tackling nutrition plans, fitness groups and daily running, finding himself – in the summer going into his senior year – having taken a healthy journey to reach 145 pounds. At that point, he decided to try out for his school’s cross-country team, and see what goals he could work towards next. He made the junior varsity team with a sub-30-minute 5K time, but within one month he would earn his spot on the varsity team and go on to compete at regional and state championships, ending the season with a 5K time of 19:16.
By that time a committed runner, Holden continually sought new challenges and set new goals, eager for competition that would improve his times. As he moved to the North Carolina mountains to continue his education – majoring in Forensic Anthropology - he ran every 5K race held at Western Carolina University during the school year, and along the Carolina coast during summer, winter and spring breaks. He increased the challenge early in 2021, participating in a sevenmile mountain race and finishing among the top 10.
He followed that with the Spartan Race series, competing in a Spartan Sprint 5K, followed by his first Spartan Super 10K that summer.
That same summer, Holden signed his U.S. Army contract, following in the footsteps of his parents, both of whom had been active-duty Army Soldiers, while his grandfather had served in the Navy. Prior to leaving North Carolina for BCT, Holden checked off yet another goal – completing a 5K with a sub-18-minute time.
This would serve PFC Holden well at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he completed both Basic and his Advanced Individual Training. He quickly made a mark for himself with his running prowess, competing his first half-marathon with a time of under 90 minutes during the holiday block leave. Not surprisingly, he crushed every one-mile held for the practice Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and every two-mile for his official ACFT. Leadership encouraged Holden to try out for the Army Ten-Miler team when he reached his first duty station. Following AIT, Holden volunteered for Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP) training at Fort Benning, Ga. “I did not make it through RASP, but I learned much from this experience and was able to continue making my mark as a runner. I was the fastest, running their five-mile run in under 30 minutes and winning two 5K races held by Fort Benning,” says Holden.
Not being selected also ended up a blessing in disguise, as he received orders for Camp Humphreys, assigned to the 23rd Chemical Battalion, in time to register and run in the second ATM qualifier for Team Korea.
“On July 16, I would place second overall and become the third-ranked member on the team, thus earning my spot to compete in ATM in Washington and bringing me to tears,” Holden shared. “I can’t begin to express how humble and grateful I am for this opportunity to compete with the best of the best runners. The person I was ten years ago is not the same person I am today.”
PFC Holden is one of eight members of the Army in Korea Team, four male and four female Soldiers who will travel to Washington and compete on October 9, 2022, with the team members from Camp Humphreys, Camp Casey, Camp Hovey and Camp Walker. On Camp Humphreys, team members have had mandatory team training 2-3 times a week, and members maintain training schedules throughout the week. Each is expected to run 50-70 miles a week in preparation.
Beyond running, Holden is enjoying his time at Camp Humphreys and finds MWR’s BOSS (Better Options for Single Soldiers) programming especially beneficial, providing cool opportunities to explore the culture, take a free class or go on inexpensive trips. ATM training has undoubtedly cut into any time for that as October nears, but with running as his passion, that has not been an issue.
Beyond the experience of running in ATM, this will mark Holden’s first visit to our nation’s capital, and while he will quite literally be running, he will also have his two biggest supporters in life on hand as his father and grandfather plan to travel from North Carolina to cheer he and his team to victory. “I want to share my running journey as it has changed my life for the better. I can confidently say that running has not only forever changed my life but has saved it.
The person I was ten years ago is not the same person I am today. I have had to put in the work to evolve into the competitive runner I am today. I have sacrificed parts of myself to grow and recognize my full potential. I had scratched, clawed, fought, and ran to the top even though the odds were stacked against me. Ten years ago today, I didn’t see myself competing in Washington, D.C. Still, and it shows that with commitment, dedication, and passion, you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. My message to everyone is to never give up on yourself or your dreams because as long as you believe in yourself, continue to push yourself, and stay fearless, believe me when I say that dreams come true.
PFC Holden used his Army training for competitive running
