Wounded Warriors among runners at Myrtle Beach Marathon events this weekend

William Schenfield’s shoulder injury in an Army training exercise cost him more than the use of an arm.

He lost his sense of direction, too.

“I was really depressed,” said the 38-year-old Richlands, N.C., native, one of 22 Wounded Warriors scheduled to participate with their significant others this weekend in a “Runmantic” couples getaway at the Myrtlebeach.com Myrtle Beach Marathon on Saturday. “I didn’t know where to go. I was depressed. I was lost.”

Challenged 18 months ago by Wounded Warriors Project physical health and wellness regional specialist Chris Uggiano, Schenfield took up running.

And he doesn’t want to stop.

“Forrest Gump had it down pat,” said Schenfield. “I just run because I want to run.”

Through running, Schenfield found a sense of purpose. He began regular training, set goals then strived to realize them.

Now Schenfield, who served in the Marines prior to his 10 years in the Army, is studying to become a health and wellness regional specialist to help other Wounded Warriors.

With only 50 percent use of his left arm, Schenfield must overcome a limited stride that he admits “doesn’t look pretty, but definitely gets the job done.”

In last year’s Myrtle Beach Marathon, Schenfield completed the entire 26-mile-plus course.

“There’s no way to explain the feeling,” he said. “You find out a lot about yourself over 26 miles.”

On Saturday, Schenfield is running the half marathon with wife Lacy as part of his training for an April marathon in Raleigh, N.C.

He points to the Wounded Warriors logo, which depicts one soldier carrying another on the battlefield, when describing his personal transformation. When he’s not running, Schenfield often volunteers at Wounded Warrior events near his home in eastern North Carolina.

“Running saved my life,” he said. “I went from that guy being carried to now I'm the guy carrying fellow warriors. Now I'm the first guy to lend a hand.

“I found a new way to serve my country.”

Uggiano, who works with about 5,000 Wounded Warriors in the Carolinas from his office in Fayetteville, N.C., said the Wounded Warriors Project, a non-profit, service organization for post-9/11 wounded veterans, provides valuable hope and support.

Though he makes visits throughout two states, Uggiano relies on emails, texts and social media to maintain contact with his warriors and make sure they are staying on track.

“We’re able to show that whatever your disability, if there's a will, there's a way,” Uggiano said. “They find out, ‘Hey I can still compete and be involved and do this.’ We show them that together we're going to figure out a way to do it.”

Byron Ballard of Myrtle Beach, who injured his knee in Iraq while serving as an Air Force aircraft mechanic and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, said running has improved his mental and physical health.

The Denver, N.C., native, who will run in Friday’s Neon Night 5K, also started running in response to a challenge from Uggiano.

“I get to release a whole lot of things and that helps clear my mind,” Ballard said. “I've been trying to stay in shape.”

Ballard said he is trying to organize a local softball team and develop an aquatics program in North Myrtle Beach for Wounded Warriors.

In Myrtle Beach, Uggiano said the Wounded Warriors group has received strong support from the Grand Strand Running Club and the Myrtle Beach Triathlon Club.

With Valentine’s Day on Saturday, Uggiano has organized a fun weekend for the Wounded Warriors couples.

On Friday night, about half the couples will participate in the 5K while others relax at Broadway at the Beach.

After Saturday’s races, the couples will have dinner and then see “Jersey Boys” at Palace Theatre.

This story was originally published February 10, 2015 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Wounded Warriors among runners at Myrtle Beach Marathon events this weekend."