Florida Guardsman earns spot on National Guard marathon team

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 30, 2012) – Three hours, 52 minutes and ten seconds. In less than four hours, Sgt. Courtney Webb completed the Lincoln Marathon May 6, 2012, in Lincoln, Neb., and earned a spot among 54 others on the 2012-2013 All Guard Marathon Team.

Webb is a member of the Florida National Guard who works full-time as an administrative non-commissioned officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment and drills part-time with Camp Blanding Joint Training Center’s Range Control section. This year was her first time trying out for the All Guard Team.

“I set my personal record in February at the Donna Marathon in Jacksonville,” said Webb. “I’ve never run two marathons in one year, let alone two in eight weeks. It was pretty rough for me in Nebraska.”

Webb was one of three runners from the Florida National Guard to participate in the qualifying race in Nebraska. She started running during her senior year of high school and completed her first marathon in 2008.

“It’s a really good time for me to just think,” said Webb. “All day long there’s 100 different things running through my head and it’s kind of my time. It puts a lot of things in perspective for me.”

Florida National Guard Sgt. Courtney Webb is among 55 National Guardsmen from across the country on the 2012-2013 All Guard Marathon Team. Courtesy photo

Webb says she doesn’t have an elaborate routine she follows while training for a marathon or a specific ritual for the day before or day of a big race. She recently started doing Crossfit and is beginning to incorporate more sprinting into her workouts.

“I don’t really consider myself a runner,” said Webb. “I kind of wing it. I usually hit about 30-40 miles a week leading up to the marathon and tail it off a month before the race.”

One of the things that keeps Webb going throughout the 26.2 miles of the marathon is the support she receives from her husband, Brandon, who is also a Florida Guardsman.

“I think my husband is my biggest fan,” said Webb. “He’s so proud of me and so excited. He’s my biggest motivator. I picture him along with me every step of the way.”

Webb has been in the National Guard for seven years and plans to attend nursing school this year. She’s looking forward to representing the National Guard in several races over the next year as part of the All-Guard Marathon team.