Medal Monday brings many stories of achievement for our members. Here are recent stories from the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics, as told by you, as posted on the Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook pages.
Congratulations to all of our members who ran this past weekend!
Clyde Shank (MM1383)
Clint Burleson (MM1318, DA2374, HF14456)
Mainly Marathons New England Series day 6 of 6 finishing 11 Marathons in 11 days in 11 states for me, as well as finishing a marathon in all 50 states for an 8th time and lifetime marathon #650. Course almost all asphalt paved with 80% shaded with some hills. Temps started mid 60’s and finished mid 70’s with high humidity but with a nice breeze. What a wonderful series!!! Congratulations to Clint Burleson for finishing the 50 states for the 8th time as well.
Pascal Radley (MM2051) – That’s a wrap for me at the New England Series completing marathons in 3 states:
Monday – CT #468
Tuesday – RI #469
Thursday – VT #470
Next up – The Super Marathon in
Snoqualmie Pass, WA on June 22
Karen Johnson Derrick (MM12489, DA3640, HF18426) – Got my trifecta belt buckle. Finished 3rd round of states for Idaho and Wyoming! Completed a half in Laketown Utah! #181 total marathons..
Robert Manon(MM6700, DA431, HF3646) – I ran the Long Beach Classic Half Marathon this morning. It was a pretty cold morning, and the humidity was a bit high for my liking. This was the 3rd year this race has been put on, and it’s my 3rd year participating. Many friends were here, and I was able to catch a few of them pre race for some selfies. I spoke to Emil, and his plan was to stick to the 1:50 pacer. I told him my plan was to finish under 2, and I would be happy with a 1:55. Well, the race started, and the pacers were going faster than what a 1:50 pace should be. Haha. I stuck with them for As long as I could and gave a pretty solid 5 miles. After that, I dropped back to a more comfortable pace. At about the 6.5 mile mark, we were on the bike path and fighting the head wind. The pacers were slowly pulling away. Around the 10 mile mark or so, I looked at my watch and realized that I could get the sub 1:50 as long as I held my pace. When I hit the 11 mark, I tried to pick up the pace. When I hit the 12th mile, I picked it up even more. I figured just give it all you have left in the tank. When I crossed the finish, I was almost a minute under 1:50. It was my fastest in a while. So I was happy with it. Maybe my speed Will come back. Although I was complaining in my head about trying to stick with the 1:50 early in the race, I’m glad I did. So thanks, Emil, for making me suffer and getting the sub 1:50.
This was my 554th Lifetime Half Marathon.
Merry Mullins(MM15936) – Estes Park, CO so hard to put my feelings into words. Phase 1 of my journey ✅. 50 marathons in 50 states from October 16, 2021-June 16, 2024. This marathon was rough. We started at 9500 ft elevation. They told us we would be running with the wildlife and the wildlife will have the right of way. WHAT!! I had no clue what that meant. Well about mile 12 I unfortunately found out. As me and a few other runners rounded a corner there was a momma and a baby elk directly on our path. We did exactly what they had told
Is to do. We stopped and were waiting for them to cross or just go away. Well, then here came a few runners in the opposite direction. They spooked the momma Elk. She decided to charge me. All I could think is this was going to be how my marathon journey would end. Me not finishing my 50th state because a momma elk killed me. I got away but barely…. For those of you who follow me, know I always have a story. My goodness!! The rest of the marathon was fairly uneventful until mile 17 when I was surprised by my youngest grandson Owen. He was so excited to run with his grandma in Colorado. Then at the end the race directors let him give me my medal. Memory I won’t ever forget. Thank you Estes Park Marathon. Although my time wasn’t the best, I still took 3rd place in my age group. So what a great way to complete 50th marathon in my 50th state.
Karen Murray Anderson (MM8075, DA576, HF5492) & Glen Anderson (MM2674)– The Newport Oregon Marathon was absolutely breathtaking, and Glen and I can confidently say it’s our favorite Oregon Marathon to date. This marked my 6th Oregon marathon and Glen’s impressive 9th. The picturesque Yaquina Bay provided the perfect backdrop for our race – though Glen seemed to be thriving more than me. He joined the runners at 7am while I opted for the walkers’ group at 6am.
Initially, I was hesitant to participate in yet another event. However, the inclusion of a walk division in the marathon convinced me to go for it, to support Glen’s ambitious goal plan. The coastal ambiance made this Long Island native feel right at home. While it may not boast towering Pine trees like Northport and the north coast, the seaside atmosphere was comforting and kept me distracted throughout the day.
I utilized the stunning scenery to stay focused and power through the inevitable discomfort. Some may question why I didn’t take a break, but I wanted to really try not to mess with the current schedule Glen worked so hard to create for us. Running marathons may seem insignificant to some, but for us, it’s a testament to our strength and determination. Life throws curveballs, but with unwavering resolve and a positive attitude, we can conquer any obstacle in our path. 😊💪
On Friday we visited almost all of the popular stops in the area. Nye Beach, Yaquina Point Tidal pools, Lighthouses,
If you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest, make sure to add Newport to your must-visit list for a serene seaside experience.
Oh, and we hit up the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA on our way back to fly out of Portland — it is fully equipped with a great pool and hot tub! Oregon YMCA ✅
Hope y’all are having a fabulous weekend!
Amy Michele Lambert (MM12758) – 50k finish
Summer Trail Festival, marathon or greater #185. My husband ran the half and we both had age group awards.
Just keep showing up.
Ed Del Favero(MM11749, DA2901, HF16046), Debbie Del Favero(MM16104, DA3782, HF18611)– Mainly Marathons Independence and New England Series
Plus 2 x Bear Naked (no medal) 13 in 13 marathons for Debbie Del Favero and I. Deb achieved Titanium and Everest this series.
Bryon Solberg(MM12350) – States 47, 48, 49, and 50. I completed marathons in MD, NJ, RI, and NH with MainlyMarathons. I am an incomplete quadriplegic from an upper neck injury, and I use a cane and leg braces.
Lisa Vezzetti(MM4467) – medalmonday, 3 in 1 week for me! CT MA NH with the New England Series of Mainly Marathons. Fun time and I used the setup to try different strategies. Was happy with nice negative splits and 3 solid days of running!
Rikki Bogue(MM963) – I wanted to post this fun picture from the Coeur d’Alene marathon on May 26th! John Shangin and myself at the finish. A beautiful day to run and sport the MM gear!
Mary Carolyn(MM14657) – Mainly Marathons Simsbury, Connecticut with a wrist fracture ✅
Melinda Langlois (MM12242, DA2065, HF13464) – Hatfield McCoy Marathon is my 48th state marathon. ✅
Carrie Kelley(MM16054) – Bear Lake Trifecta — My motley collection of medals or non-existing medals from the Bear Lake Trifecta. They ran out of Idaho medals so instead, I got the blue bear Trifecta completion medal from a few years back. I don’t think I’ll ever get the ID medal.😭 Then the UT medals were either all gone or they we’re lost in shipping. I might get the UT medal since they took my address. 🤞 At any rate, all 3 marathons done in the hot sun at Bear Lake. 🥵
Sarah Modlin(MM16050, DA3774, HF18797) – I can’t believe I did it! Fargo on June 1st in ND (4:27:13) + Governor’s Cup on June 8th in MT (4:26:37)! I met a couple of other people that had the same plan as me!
Next stop: Anchorage, AK on June 22!
Gilberto Sosa (MM7904, DA1598, HF12046) –Marathon #166 completed!!! Very tough but beautiful and the weather much better than the last time I did it!!!
Eileen Duchane (MM15593, DA3635, HF18413) – I ran Mainly Marathons New England Series last week and made it to Sun status on the last day of the series.
Karen Flynn (MM4024, DA158, HF1043) – MedalMonday #MotivationMonday from my 15th YTD race, 10th YTD & 208th lifetime half marathon in the sweltering heat at the Sugar Daddy Half Marathon in Santa Clarita, CA on 06/15/24! The Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck at the finish line made it all worth it!
Katina Green(MM15380, DA3564, HF12236) – MedalMonday….HM #92 was completed on Saturday at the Love to Run St. Charles race event, in St. Charles, MO. The course really wasn’t enjoyable, since it took place on boring and unattractive parts of the Katy Trail, where I really had to push through mentally to finish. On the more positive end, the MSE course facilitators were very friendly and encouraging, as well as the volunteers and spectators. Also, being able to finish it with a friend and the wonderful post race stretching session by Stetch U, made the event more enjoyable. HF#12236, MM#155380, DA#3564.
Linda Hale(HF12980) – 🏅🏅Medal monday 🏅🏅
States #36 Vermont ✅
#37 New Hampshire ✅
#38 Maine✅
New England Series Mainly marathons
HF#12980
Stefanie McKinney-Holliday (MM14386, DA3313, HF17442) – Ran my 50th half today in my home state of Colorado with the
Estes Park Marathon and Half Marathon. A beautiful course, but I am biased! My beagles are always the best cheerleaders for not just me, but every runner!
Training race before a marathon the next weekend in Maine. Definitely recommend this race for anyone who has not run it!
Krista Shuler(HF18421) -Jorgina Sanders(HF16456) – and I ran the SARR Texas Sun Showdown Half Marathon this morning. We were twinning in our 100 Half Marathon Club shirts! We ran our 💯th half together last year but we just got the shirts and couldn’t wait to wear them for a race!
Scott Pearson(HF18577) – My first international Half marathon today. I completed the Manitoba Half in Winnipeg. I was distinctly worried as I woke to lightning and a torrential downpour. But the rain passed by the time we started and it was a mostly nice day for a run. I say mostly as it was very humid. The course is a mostly flat course running through interesting neighborhoods and parks along the red river. The crowd support was fantastic. Everyone was so friendly. Wet sponges and wet towels were available at several water stops. The finish is pretty cool as you run out onto the field of a Canadian football league stadium. And of course I may have managed to find some tasty food.
Jolanta Thorburn(HF18464, DA3742, MM15959) – My Lifetime Half no. 65 was an ‘inner-island’ tour of San Juan Island in Washington – a challenging, scenic route through forests and lakes full of water lilies, passing by English Camp NHS and an Alpaca Farm. Despite being a small local event, it was well-organized with good course support and marshals. The race started and finished at Lakedale Resort, where we had been camping since Thursday, making it easy to get to the 10am start. The weather was perfect today and I loved seeing my hubby and pup at the finish line! ❤️ 👩🏻❤️👨🏻🐕🏕️ Beautiful handmade medal!
Amy Seagroves(HF18410, DA3652, MM15648) – Half #136 repeat state Mainly Marathons New England Series Day 6 Half Marathon in Maine. These are always fun social events and have no time limits. This course was a nice, pretty shaded trail. It was 7 loops which gets a bit repetitive but it’s fun to see everyone so many time and there is an epic aid station you pass each loop.
Pamela Truelove-Walker(HF14860) – I just completed 4 half marathons in 4 days in 4 states (CT, RI, MA, VT)! This gets me to Earth which will probably be the highest level I achieve. Only 6 states left in my quest to complete a half marathon in all 50 states🥰
Susie Beck(HF9457) – Trophy Tuesday (sorry couldn’t think of anything for Tuesday 😉)
Completed Rhode Island in the MainlyMarathons New England Series. This is where my journey ends with this series…I already have Massachusetts, and will be doing Mad Marathon’s HM for VT and Maine Marathon’s HM for Maine. Today was tough…very hilly but I consider it training for upcoming races. Loved seeing so many Fanatics on course! Good luck to those continuing the series or joining in on an upcoming State!
Lisa Brookover Moore (HF9134) – medalmonday. Half marathon #93 done at the Zip Code 07662 Half Marathon at Rochelle Park in NJ. This was part of the Tri State Challenge. The course was on a flat paved bike/walking path that looped over the Saddlebrook River. The path was shared by the public walkers and bikers alike. Porta potties were at the start/finish area (but we’re not the cleanest being in a public park) and food /water was ample at the start/finish. This event also featured a full marathon. Bling included a short sleeve cotton t-shirt and a medal.
Gregory Rouson (MM12723, DA2354, HF8068) – Lifetime half marathon #223…DONE!!! After going out way too fast, I had to stop and walk after the first mile. I had pretty much called my race, at that point. I was perfectly ready to settle for a 2:30ish finish. After a few tough miles, I settled in at around the 5K mark and just started running disciplined intervals for the rest of the race. I focused on picking the runners ahead of me off, one by one. After I crossed the finish line and stopped my Garmin, it read 2:21…which was an entire 3 minutes faster than I ran this same trail (in reverse) one week ago. 🤯🤯🤯
Oh…and the airplane in this pic was NOT intentional. ✈️ #HF8068 #MM12723 #DA2354 #bishopsevents #Roustance
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook Pages
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