RAF Mildenhall athlete picked for Air Force team to run Armed Forces Cross-Country Challenge

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Senior Airman Trasy Rincan, 100th Security Forces Squadron Pass and Registration Flight, has been selected as one of 15 Airmen worldwide to represent the Air Force in the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship in Derwood, Md., Feb. 5 through 8.

In September, she ran the Air Force Marathon's half-marathon in 1:37, placing second in the Air Force female category and second in the open category for her age group. She ran her first half-marathon in 2:02.58 in Southwest Asia in October 2007, and shaved 24 minutes off that time during her second half-marathon at RAF Mildenhall in August, where she placed first out of a field of female participants.

The 100th SFS Airman also participated in USAFE's central regional 5K event at Ramstein, Germany, where she placed first in the women's category and qualified for the USAFE cross-country team with a time of 21 minutes and 20 seconds.

Her next race was at Brandon Country Park, close to RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath, which was another 5K run for people from bases throughout England. Following that, she competed in November against runners from the British Royal Air Force, Belgian Air Force, Polish Air Force and German Air Force as part of USAFE's cross-country team in Poland.

"I was grateful to go and experience the camaraderie," she said. "It was probably the hardest race I've ever done - just straight mud."

After being told to call Headquarters Air Force Sports at Randolph Air Base, Texas, Dec. 29, Trasy found out she was one of five women in the Air Force selected for the Air Force cross-country team.

"I had to keep asking them if it really was my name on the list, and if I really was on the team!" she said excitedly. "I'm very humbled and honored to represent the Air Force in such a positive way."

As part of the Air Force's cross-country team, Rincan will be competing against top athletes from the Navy, Marines and Army, along with the best of the best USA track and field athletes.

"It's a lot of pressure, but I feel positive," the 100th SFS troop said. "My leadership has been very supportive, especially since I'm not only supporting Team Mildenhall, but USAFE and the Air Force as well.

"This is going to be a lot more competitive - cross-country is always more intense," she added. "It's muddy, hilly and you get dirty when you run. It's not like a road race. It's crazy, but I have to make sure I give it my all."

The 22-year-old credits her family with motivating her to achieve as much as she has.

"They've always thought I have the potential to be on this team. (It was because of them) I tried for the half marathons here and in the states," She said. "But, I also wanted to be able to represent the Air Force in a positive way and show others that fitness is important and affects your life in many ways. As a security forces member, my job entails being fit-to-fight, and I have to ensure I'm ready both physically and mentally."

Rincan also has an online coach - a former Olympic marathon runner - who she says has pushed her to work to the best of her ability.

"I'm learning from people who have a lot of knowledge about running," she said. "I believe it will help me beat my personal record every time, and become a better runner by constantly improving."

The online coach has encouraged Trasy to incorporate other activities than running into her schedule. Training six days a week, she now does circuit training and cross training as well, and says the benefits of maintaining her fitness level are huge.

"It has helped me become who I am as a person," she said. "It gives me more energy to deal with my job, to make sure I give 110 percent every day, no matter what type of mood I'm in."