Keesler nurse in training for Marine Corps Marathon Published Oct. 6, 2010 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Kristin Reed, a nurse in the 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron, is training for the Marine Corps Marathon being held Oct. 31 in Washington, D.C. To prepare for the 26.2- mile run, she has been following the Hal Higdon marathon training program. The 18-week program consists of four short runs and one long run each week, increasing in distance weekly. "I also cross-train one day a week, usually ply metrics, sprints or interval runs, and rest one day per week," Reed explained. "I got into running track in high school and did a few 5Ks. I started running longer distances in 2009. "I think the key to running is to find a partner and motivate each other," she suggested. "You'll actually work out if you are accountable to someone else; start small and increase in distance slowly. If you feel like you need to take a day off, do! But don't stop entirely, because it is difficult to get started back up." Reed completed the full Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, in September 2009. She also completed the Marine Corps Half Marathon at Fredericksburg, Va., in May 2009, the Mississippi Coast Half Marathon at Stennis Space Center in November and Toys for Tots Half Marathon in Mobile in December. "I also ran a half marathon in June while deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar," she added.