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 completed an event this month!
Randy Riley(MM14470, DA3218(HF16432) – Mayberry Half Marathon 10K and 5K. You just know that racing a half marathon in Mayberry is going to be fun and it doesn’t disappoint. The first picture L-R are Half Fanatics @Teresa Hensley, me, Anita Burns, not HF but very tipsy Otis and Charlene Mercer Board. The race starts behind the classic sheriff’s car in downtown Mayberry aka Mt Airy, NC and soon transitions to a nice paved greenway. Excellent aid stations, large detailed and solid finisher medal and what may be my favorite age group (3rd) medal- a Mayberry Sheriff’s badge. Donna and I were able to join Anita and Charlene for a fun dinner the night before. Donna Riley and I toured Mayberry after the race. Many interesting stores and old fashion restaurants.
To running friends, if you liked the show put this race on your bucket list. Half Fanatics 100 Half Marathons Club Member Group #MedalMonday
Jorgina Sanders(HF16456) – Half #138
New Braunfels Half
Heather Jammeh(HF17397) – Sundays half marathon Silver Falls Trail Race. Missed posting on Monday.
Eileen Duchane(HF18413, DA3635, MM15593) – Missed Medal Monday due to delays on my return home. But, along with many other fanatics, I ran 2 very wet half marathons over the weekend. First was Salina Crossroads and the second was Kansas Half Marathon (in Lawrence, KS). Kansas was state #35.
Julie Marshall Wyngaert(HF13354) – It wasn’t a half but the New York City Marathon was 26.2 miles of awesome
Scott Pearson(HF18577) – At the airport so I have a minute to post. I ran Disney Wine and Dine 5k 10k and half marathon this weekend. I had such a fantastic time despite the heat and humidity. Even the locals commented on how crazy humid it was. The races were a blast and then I ran around the parks all day eating riding and eating some more. When I got there everything was all decorated for Halloween and then literally overnight it was Christmas in the magic kingdom. I stepped out of my comfort zone at animal Kingdom and went on a safari that included crossing two bridges over the hippos and crocodiles. I was definitely nervous but such fun. I may have been running a little light on sleep but it was so worth it.
Jessie Lovette Abraham(HF9690)- Medal Monday! Completed lifetime #118 at the Alpharetta Women’s Half Marathon. Great race with lots of challenging hills.
Vicki Sue Merry(MM888, DA23, HF67) – This past weekend I was at Walt Disney World for the Wine & Dine races. I did the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday.
Katina Green (HF12236, MM15380, DA3564.)
Amanda-Paul Hoskins.(MM7214, DA2081, HF13638) – MedalMonday…Knocked out my last double digit (#99) half marathon, at the Ocean City running event on Saturday. Participants were taken to the start line via shuttle buses from Ocean City, MD, to Assateague State Park, in Assateague Island. We headed out the park right away, ran over the Verrazano bridge soon after and then down a local highway for several miles. We then ran over our second bridge, which took us back into Ocean city. Once we were back in Ocean city, we ran down Philadelphia Avenue and then hit the boardwalk soon afterwards, where we knock out our last 5k. The course was a fun, scenic route, with great organization and support from the facilitators. I definitely recommend this event. HF#12236, MM#155380, DA#3564.
Heather Broyles(HF18438) – Inaugural Las Vegas Marathon (half) on Sunday. This was my 50th half marathon! Perfect weather, great support, and a flat course.
Brenda Folkerts(MM15695, DA3674HF18068) – Santa Barbara Half Marathon:
I “pre-ran” the race route the afternoon before the race and then had an amazing time as the Sweeper for OnPace Race on Sunday. 26.2 miles in the warm California sunshine! My heart is happy!
Patti Randall Krebsbach(MM2584, DA99, HF629)-Marathon #160 complete! There is nothing like running the New York City Marathon. Crazy logistics getting to the start with lots of waiting around, but walking from the corrals to the start line and Sinatra singing “New York, New York” blasting over the speakers makes it worth every second and every penny! Ran, walked, ate snacks 😆, snapped some photos, and loved the entire 5+ hour journey. Can’t wait to run again next year!
Glenn Richardson(MM14162, DA3076, HF16007) – I got to pace the 5 hour group at the Louisville Marathon today. It was a nice morning for a run through the Parkland’s. I didn’t see too many familiar faces but did get to meet some nice people along the way. It was getting pretty warm by the time I finished. I ended up a few seconds fast based on my chip time but I was good based on my watch. Oh well, I helped push some people to the line for their sub 5 finish.
Lea Reyes(MM13731, DA2891, HF16015) – 107 Inaugural Las Vegas Marathon.
Sleepless night even with ear plugs. The Vegas noise just wouldn’t turn off. Got six hours of sleep but it wasn’t a good rest. Up at 3:00, ate my oatmeal, banana, and protein shake. Shuttle bus at 3:45. Stayed at hosting hotel and all the necessities were right out the door. Very convenient. Driver made wrong turn but I didn’t mind. We got 10 more minutes of warmth. The big shuttle buses make me nauseous so my stomach was upset. Very cold at the Red Rocks. Thank God I picked up some goodwill clothes because I was cold. Two pairs of gloves, long Jammie pants, arm warmers, long sleeve, and sweater. Could still feel the bone chilling cold. Yikes! Course was good. Beautiful in the morning. Jammie pants were off after a few miles but arm warmers and gloves were on the whole race. A little boring in some spots. Had my music though. Pushed hard first half and took it easy 2nd half. Three Ucans, one applesauce pouch, one protein bar, four orange slices, and electrolytes plus water. Didn’t want to overdue it considering Revel Big Bear is in two weeks. Saw a lot of fellow maniacs along the course. Finish was one block from hotel. Loved it!!
Great race and lots of fun.
Sandi Googs(HF9218) – Lifetime Half #154 at the Spooky Sprint this morning. I’ve been struggling with illness and injuries all week so it was amazing I finished today. I’m thankful to my amazing packmate Lauren for keeping me company today, Beast Pacing for letting me pace another race and for Karen (RD for Bodies) for being such a great friend 🧡 #LifetimeHalf154 #100halfmarathonsclub #TeamRWBColumbus #MRTTColumbus #MITWolfPack #HF9218 #HRCGryffindor #RunJunkees #ColumbusBAMRS #50StateHalfMarathonClub #BeastPacing #BodiesRaceCompany
- Kerri Haskins(MM1336, DA836, HF8724)
- Glen Anderson (MM2674)
- Denis McCarthy (MM853)
- George Southgate(MM3240)
Great day with running friends at Narragansett RI Marathon. This group probably has 2500 marathons among all of us and are located all over the country 🙂
Sathy Gunawardhana(MM15385) – Marine Corps Marathon 2024 (#15) in the books!
Deborah Coleman (HF10247) – Nebraska done ✔️ state 37 complete!
Lynne Kilirnr(MM12242, DA2065, HF13464) – 4th New York City
Abbott World Marathon Majors and last #awmmajors of 2024.
Claire Gladstone (MM12421) – Happy #medalmonday on Wednesday 😂NYC- that’s the race for me!
Mick Cullen(MM11705) -Medal Monday! First 26.2 in almost 5 years. I was about to do my 20th (in my 12th state) when Covid shut everything down. I’m finally back, fellow Maniacs!
Dailyn Valdez (MM15916, DA3732, HF18660) –
Tony Valdez(HF18746) –
Inaugural @vegasmarathon started with a 5,000 feet elevation windy& chilly with a gradual descent down the Red Canyon mountains. Pretty through out the neighborhoods ending at Fremont street. Friendly spectators with lots of volunteers and runner support. Love the medal and dri fit shirts . Nevada is ✅#medalmonday #DoubleAgent #halffanatics #marathonmaniacs #50statesmarathonclub #halfmarathonclub Phil4:13
Gysel Parajon(MM8995) –This past weekend I had planned to run another double marathon in Salina, KS Saturday and Kansas City, MO Sunday but the universe had other plans for me.
I arrived in Salina Friday night mentally and physically prepared to run in the rain or so I thought. I stayed somewhat close to the start/finish and ran in the rain to pickup my bib and then met with other runners from the running clubs I belong to for photos, which is always fun, stopped to use a potty, and I mention that because it was the only time I stopped for that purpose before and during the race. I know, I can’t believe my insides behaved that day! Soon after we were told to line up and then the race began!
The Salina Crossroads Marathon is a double looped course for the marathon and a single loop for the half as well as flat I was told. I tried not to think about that as I’m not particularly fond of flat races so when some hills appeared after mile 6 I was pleasantly surprised! Yes, I had neglected to look at the elevation profile for the race and that’s ok. Ignorance is sometimes bliss.
I’m really grateful that the race was not canceled because the rain was no joke. I have not ever in any other race where it has had rained not taken off my layers. I tried to stay warm and dry underneath but alas my running jacket was not waterproof. I was soaked before the end of the first loop as was everyone else. Everyone, everyone. I continued on and tried to keep pace with pacers from the 5:30, 5:45, and the 6h groups but I ultimately couldn’t keep up. The weather made me experience pain in places I don’t usually experience it. Even so I kept going, even though I dragged my feet at the end, met some cool people at the back of the pack and stayed at the finish until everyone was done. And did mention I finished State #21 about 25 min faster than the last two races?!! Thank you to the RDs, the amazing volunteers, people of Salina, and my fellow runners for an epic wet day!
The second day of racing eventually did not happen as the driver for the bus I took arrived over an hour late. I was disappointed but not upset as I would have gotten soaked again. I will return to Missouri next year to run that state
David Blas(MM13968) – Medal Monday
Boundary Bay Marathon (B.C. Canada)
November 03, 2024
Marathon #43 (4h and 34m). My fourth time participating in this race. Lucked on the weather except for the strong winds.
Sameer Khurana(MM13642, DA2835, HF15807) – Medal Monday – TCS New York City Marathon! My 5th time doing this race and so much fun running all the 5 boroughs with such an electrifying atmosphere!
Gregory Rouson (MM12723, DA2354, HF8068) – My fourth (and final)
TCS New York City Marathon…DONE!!! There’s nothing I can say about this race that I haven’t said the three prior times that I’ve run it. It’s magic. It WILL move you. The City is like no other. I came for the poncho and finisher medal and I was not disappointed. 👍🏾😎 #MarathonManiacs #MM12723 #DA2354 #WMMajors #RoadtoSixStar #tcsnycmarathon #GoBlue #ForTheFallen #purposefulsteps #wearblueruntoremember
Joline Cox(MM15462) – Had a great time in Springfield, MO running the Bass Pro Conservation marathon today. Marathon number 22 ✅
Eric Tunquist(MM16044) – Tough day in Missouri, but the medal is huge!! Marathon #19 for the year! At least 4 more to go!
Nick Polanowski (MM16057) – Salina Crossroads Marathon is now in the books!
My alarm was set for 5:15am, but was awaken to the clap of thunder at 4:40am as the weather front had made its way to Salina. The Weather Channel was SPOT ON!
Amy & I laid there listening to the thunder before rolling out of bed at 5:20. We worked through our morning routines as we always do the morning before a race. But something was off; there was a slight rumble within my guts. This was not a good sign nor what a runner wants the morning of a race.
Fast forward, we made our way to the start line. By this time the rain had fully moved in. Thankfully it was still somewhat light at this point, but nonetheless, we were WET!
Starting gun sounded and we were off. I decided to start the race with my rain jacket on. Kept my upper body fairly dry through mile 9, but by this time I was beginning to sweat. Then Mile 11 rolled around and my stomach was not fairing well. It was definitely off and in knots.
At the Half I saw Amy and tossed her my jacket, stripped my shirt off; Ahhh now I was FREE!!!
I pushed through to Mile 15 only losing about 30sec/mile off my pace. At this point I was around a 7:40 pace. Then at 15 I started feeling my snot get thick and energy began waning. Yup, I would say I’m on the front end of catching a cold.
Before I knew it my pace had fallen off to 9min/mi and my shoes felt like I had 5lb dumbells strapped to them as the water & wet began weighing me down. So, I just dialed it back to cruise control as I was also having a hard time keeping my HR below 170, which has become very abnormal for me as my last few marathons I’ve been able to stay in the 140-150’s. So I now knew I was most certainly not 100% and fading fast. I pushed through l, GRINDING!
I made the left turn and there it was, the FINISH about 1000yds away. So, I dug deep, picked my pace back up and made the SPRINT to the finish. As I crossed my left hammie had had enough and said OK, we’re DONE & began to cramp. Perfect Timing as I had MADE IT!
Marathon #15 & State #9.
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook Pages
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