Guts, Grit and Gold
Story by Lt. Cmdr. C. T. O'Neil, D7 Public Affairs
MIAMI -- They traveled from Seattle, Providence, Cleveland and Haiti to form the Coast Guard team that would, at the end of three, long days and six, grueling events, emerge from the rugged wilderness of West Virginia as the top competitor among 54 military teams at the 2006 Wilderness Challenge in Fayetteville, W.Va.
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| FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. -- Tethered together to keep up their blistering pace, members of "Team Duckie Fuzz and The Masters of Rubber" pass the halfway point of the Wilderness Challenge 2006 14-mile run/hike. The team went on to win gold, beating 53 other military teams in the annual competition. Photograph courtesy of Team Duckie Fuzz. |
"Our training time together was absolutely minimal, we just never had much time to do this," said Lt. Cmdr. Dan Deptula. Fortunately, three of the four members of "Team Duckie Fuzz and The Masters of Rubber" have either worked together or raced together over the past three years, according to Deptula. "Only Lt. Maggi was a new member of the team, but his cool demeanor, superior fitness and leadership were an instant asset. Team Duckie Fuzz welcomed him with open wings."
As with any military operation, logistics played a key role and according to Deptula, it was the biggest challenge in preparing for the event.
"Each team member had to make a long journey just to compete," said Deptula.
Coordination and management were key to ensuring each team member had all the right gear, and that their equipment was in race condition. Deptula said when the team was exhausted, having some adventure racing friends and supporters made the difference when it came to getting laundry done, grabbing sandwiches, tuning-up bikes or just shuttling the team around.
For other Coasties wanting to give Wilderness Challenge 2007 a try, Deptula recommends visiting the Wilderness Challenge website for forms and information. To get the team started Deptula suggests starting training with a co-ed team of five or six adventurous bodies. The team will need to seek sponsorship opportunities, command support and most of all, develop a strong sense of teamwork. Despite "Team Duckie Fuzz and The Masters of Rubber's" success, Deptula strongly discouraged potential team members from training apart.
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FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. -- Coast Guard "Team Duckie Fuzz and The Masters of Rubber" paddle their way to a first place finish in the "Duckie" competition during Wilderness Challenge 2006. The first place finish in the event helped "Team Duckie Fuzz and The Masters of Rubber" win the overall competition. Photograph courtesy of Team Duckie Fuzz. |
"The last mile of the 14-mile run/hike was the toughest part of the competition," said Deptula. "At this point, each team is walking, straight up Burma Road toward the Class VI outpost finish line. Any team that can maintain composure, stay together, endure the physical and mental pain of the previous 52 miles of competition coming to a focus, is a winner and a true Wilderness Challenge competitor."
"If the race course itself isn't enough, the quality teams from all the services, particularly the Marines, give no ground when it comes to moving on their feet," said Deptula. "I imagine there are many people in the world today who would agree that being chased by a group of U.S. Marines is a scary thing. Catching them on a run is almost impossible."
Yet somehow, "Team Duckie Fuzz and The Masters of Rubber," managed to catch their competitors and eventually construct a 15-minute margin of victory to vanquish teams with names like "Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead" and to take their place in the pages of Coast Guard sports history.
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