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.
Randy Riley(MM14470, DA3218, HF16432) – Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Run for Home Half Marathon in New Philadelphia, OH. The weather was miserable. Rain, wind and 35F according to the digital sign on the bank. Add to that running through mud and standing water and I was thinking, there have to be better hobbies!
I took today cautiously since I had cataract surgery less than a month ago and was restricted from running for three weeks. Physically I wasn’t quite ready but mentally I was stir crazy. Healing was a little slow since the surgeon nicked the left eye and left it bloody. Just one of those things. Oh and after surgery he tested positive for Covid so another one of those things. I thank God for a strong immune system so that didn’t get me.
Last year I finished this race with a bloody eye from a fall and this year I started it with the same eye bloody. If only the race was pirate themed I’d be all set! 2nd place AG. Half Fanatics 100 Half Marathons Club #medalmonday.
Amy Sea(HF18410, DA3652, MM15648) –Today I finished half #172 Cheap Half Marathon in Derry, NH. This is one of my favorite local half marathons! It has a cheap registration fee and is an out and back on a mostly flat but very pretty rail trail. Production by Millennium Running is excellent and it’s back of the pack friendly. The only downside is not much swag but you did get a funny finisher ribbon. I was also happy to have a sub 3 hour finish which I haven’t been able to do since I slipped on ice and injured my back in early February. I definitely recommend this race to locals and it’s a solid choice for 50 staters if you don’t mind the lack of medal (you can pay for a shirt if you want one).
Carla Champ Marie Simon (HF13789, DA3133, MM14304) – I’m back to racing today. It’s the first Wisconsin race of the year, but not a new state for me since I live in the state and race here a lot too. I ran in the Think Spring half-marathon this morning as an athlete with disabilities with My Team Triumph. I finished in 2 hours and 34 minutes. I was glad to see everyone again and had a fun time with my race Angel. Yes, I did fall again. I mention this because in the last De Pere half-marathon race in November, I did the same thing, but at least this time it was at mile 13 and there were no chipped teeth. However, the same medics helped me again and bandaged both my knees up. I guess I’m becoming a familiar client, although that’s not necessarily a good thing.
Katie Galvin(MM15882, DA3721, HF18478) medalmonday post for half#52 – The Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon
I really wanted to love this race because of how close to home it was and I used to have a summer job kayaking out of Sleepy Hollow’s Kingsland Point Park. But, overall, I was disappointed in it. I knew it was going to be hilly, but it was a bit more than what I expected. It was really warm after days of cool weather which would have been fine. My disappointment was mainly in the organizational aspect. They said that there would be water and Gatorade at aid stations but there was no Gatorade (or substitute) anywhere. Water stops were pretty spread out and the stop that was supposed to be at 9.5ish wasn’t there. I always have my handheld water bottle but for people who don’t, especially when it’s warm and sunny, that’s not good. My guess is the volunteers for that stop were no shows. There were supposed to be toilets at mile 9 but I didn’t see anything anywhere near it.
Great views, I love the medal, got to hang out with some running friends from high school, run along the Hudson where I used to be a kayak guide, but not a race I have to repeat.
Charlotte Corriher(MM3514) – YAY ITS MARATHON DAY !!!
The Country Mile Race (48 hr) started Friday afternoon. This was the fifth year running and the first time about the dozen of us were eligible for the 500 mile buckle.
The race is also known for his “dinner plate” sized 100 mile buckle. This year they started offering a smaller version if you want it, which is easier to wear.
We joke that we typically get a taste of every season at this race. This year it was dominated by summer as the temps reached mid to upper 80s.
It’s a fantastic race, and with the generous time limit and flat, fast dirt packed coursr a very easy one for a first time 100 miler.
#MarathonCostumeChic
Dr. Bryon Solberg (MM12350, DA3819, HF18903) – I finished my 50th State of Marathons last June, so I have planned to do only 2-3 full marathons a year and focus on half marathons (working towards 50 States).
**Half Fanatics just let me know that I have reached Mercury: the 8th Level, and the level below Sun.
**I completed the 2nd and 3rd options below in the last 6 months. I will try to complete Sun within the allowed 365 days.
++++
Half Fanatics just let me know that I am now at Level 8 (Mercury). I did the 2nd and 3rd criteria over the last 6 months…I am going to try to finish Sun (the highest level) within the 365 day allowed time period.
+++++
MERCURY
**45 – 51 Half Marathons within 365 days (or)
**23 Half Marathons in 23 US states, Countries, or Canadian Provinces (any combination) within 365 days
**(or) 28 Half Marathons within 183 days
Jun Ulama(MM12617) -A whirlwind visit to the Empire State for the 10th Anniversary of the Queens Marathon in New York City. This makes NY the 40th state done for 4th round, 8th marathon YTD, and my 269th.🇺🇸🇵🇭
newyork #I💙NY #weekendvibes #50statesmarathonclub #marathonmaniacs #doublemarathonfun
Karen Johnson Derrick(HF18426, DA3640, MM12489) – At the Savin Rock Marathon in West Haven, CT, I completed marathon 205 and achieved state 40 for round three on Saturday. This year, we benefited from great weather. With only a medal photo available, I obtained an additional image from another runner. My goals were met, as I got to visit with friends, new and old…
Jennifer Clark(HF16743, DA3643, MM15623) – Late entry for Medal Monday!
This week it was 7 races in 7 days across 7 states! David and I participated in the Mainly Marathon’s Gulf Coast Series which included TX LA MS and FL then continued on to the first three days of the Appalachian Series which was AL GA and SC!
In the Gulf Coast series I did Halfs but In the Appalachian series I did a Half and a 5K each of the three days!
Some much fun and lots of bling!
Half Fanatics at the Blue Bell 13.1 Run, Brenham, Texas
Half Fanatics at the Run the Rainbow for Children’s of Mississippi
Susan Werner(HF4572) – Some races you kill some kill you.
Half #126
Sleepy Hollow half
If you love hills and a hard course that should be used as capital punishment then this is the course for you. Do you enjoy beautiful views but also have a death wish? Then I highly recommend this one.
Did I debate quiting yes. Did I debate cutting the course also yes. Did I do either of these things no I did not. Ahh the pre race optimism
Fanatics and Maniacs in Fredericksburg running the Wanderlust race in the Texas Hill Country.
Jorgina Sanders(HF16456) – Wanderlust Half #148
Jackie James(HF17621) – Hey fam. We out here on the move at the T-Town Half! Thanks to Fleet Feet & all of the volunteers. The DJ was awesome! Enjoy your Saturday
Rachel Ross(HF6506) – Philadelphia Love Run for me:
Patti Randall Krebsbach(HF629, DA99, MM2584) – 1AG at Savin Rock Half in CT. Lots of hills, but beautiful along the coast of Long Island Sound!
Day 2 of a double weekend at Love Run Philly.
Samuel Z. Lafaye(MM14775, DA3342, HF15562) – 85th half marathon on the books, in the Oakland Half Marathon in California, 35th state.
Robert Manon(HF3646, DA431, MM6700) – Valencia Trail Race Half Marathon and San Diego Half Marathon this past weekend.
These were my 608th and 609th lifetime half marathons.
Eddie Hahn(MM184) – Beer City Half Marathon Long Beach CA US. 220 Pacer. Lifetime Half Marathon #19.
Amy Sea(HF18410, DA3652, MM15648) – So I am back in civilization and surprise I completed not 1 but 2 new continents on my Marathon Tours trip to Antarctica! This is a 2 week trip through marathon tours. The first 3 days are spent in Buenos Aires and (usually) the remaining days are spent on a ship exploring Antarctica but we had quite a surprising and fortuitous adventure. The first surprise was the date of our race. The Antarctica race was initially scheduled for Saturday, March 15. The race takes place on King George Island on mostly gravel/dirt roads between research bases. While we got a big surprise that the race was switching to Friday, March 14 as we were going to arrive to King George earlier than expected and weather was beautiful Friday and dicey on Saturday
So on Friday, March 14 I completed Half #169 Continent #3 the Antarctica Half Marathon. Marathon Tours did an amazing job setting up the race in about 30 minutes to get the race done on Friday. While it’s super cool to be running on antarctica and amazing to be greeted by penguins when you come on the Island, the race itself is just fine. But it’s not like there are a ton of options for holding a marathon on antarctica. The Half was 3 out and back loops and the full 6 out and back loops. It is hilly and you have to dodge some mud and rocks but especially compared to my next race it’s not too hard for a trail race. Weather was actually lovely and much warmer than New England this winter with temps just above freezing. I finished about 30 minutes slower than usual which seemed to be the consensus for most runners. There is a 4.5 hour time limit for the half to account for this. After the race you are supposed to spend the next ~ 4 days going on excursions in Antarctica. The excursions we went on were magnificent and I saw so many penguins and seals! However unfortunately there was going to be a big storm on the Drake Passage and we learned we would have to leave Antarctica early. It was a rough couple days on the Drake Passage and we ended up docking in Ushuaia, Argentina yesterday. This probably sounds quite disappointing but then something amazing happened. The marathon tour team learned that UTMB was hosting races starting Thursday in Ushuaia less than a mile from the dock. Even though the races were sold out and you were supposed to pick up your packet early, UTMB agreed to open slots up for us and delivered our packets directly to the marathon tour team so we could get them race day morning
As a result today I completed half #170 continent #4 South America at the Power 22K which is part of the Valholl Fin del Mundo by UTMB. It was tough as it wasn’t even really 22k as it was 15 miles. Also UTMB produces mountain races and this race had 3000 feet of elevation gain and was straight up a mountain. I was not sure I was gonna make it but I was gonna try. This was by far the hardest race I have ever completed and that includes a 50K ultra. I had a little altitude sickness, a tumble and my shoe got stuck in the mud (I did recover it) but I somehow made it to the finish line. It took me longer than all of my full marathons and I was technically over the time limit but they were nice and kept the finish line open. There were also beautiful views and horses on the course. I don’t foresee any mountain races in my future but I’m glad to check off 2 continents this trip. Since I did the half in Georgia I have completed 3 half marathons in 3 continents in 13 days this vacation!
Jolanta Thorburn(MM15959, DA3742, HF18464) – Lifetime Half no. 82 State no. 48/50 – Hawaii in the books!! #50before50
Valley to Sea Half Marathon – the best part of this race in Maui was sharing the road with friends, whom I met along the way during my 50-states half-marathon journey. Kudos to all; it was a challenging course! Hot, humid, and exposed in some parts with no shade. Small production, low key local race. I snagged 2nd place in my age group and ran my second fastest half. We turned this trio into a mini vacation, Maui is beautiful 🌺
West Virginia is next!
Gregg LeBlanc(HF4564, DA2537, MM13039) – BlingAndBrew
Shamrock Half Marathon Run Fest presented by Toyota
Baby Leprechauns
Session India Pale Ale
Fat Orange Cat Brew Co
North Haven, CT
Linda Hale(HF12980)- Medal Monday
State#42, North Carolina
Sharon Sunshine Sou(HF12010) – medalmonday HF #12101 VHB Tobacco Road Half Marathon, Cary, NC. was done on Sunday. I am thankful that they did not cancel the race due to the expected storms. I had been feeling anxious about the weather and also recovering from a hip injury. I really do like how organized this race was and the communication leading up to race day. The volunteers were wonderful and also plenty of water, gatorade, snacks, porta-potties all along the course. This is a local race for me, so I have run it many years now. I am in the 70-74 female age group and got 2nd place. It gets easier as you age. I was not expecting to get anything for 2nd place but they actually had a light blanket with the name of the race on it. Beautiful Bling, racing belt, and race shirt.
Brenda Bonnie(HF17979) – LTHM #24
Time to Paddy in Tulsa for the Lucky13.1!
Laurie Weiner(HF9266, DA3668, MM15681) – Today was a catered training run as i recover from total knee replacement in September. I ran Get Lucky 50/50 25k. I was able to run 8 miles at 18/30 intervals, 7 miles at 25/3:30 intervals. I finished 1st in age group.
Mannetta Piggee-(HF17093)- STATE #42 ✔
Danny Terpstra(HF18888) – 6 in 6 months; whoop!
Loo Phoenix(HF8011) – Time to Paddy Half Marathon #beastpacing #bodiesrace for half marathon#241 worth traveling from Massachusetts to Illinois
Darlene Schuman(HF17507)- medalmonday. Half #142 done. God is good!
Charlene Mercer Board(HF7024) – I have the best run crew
It’s medal Monday and I ran The Myrtle Beach Half this past Saturday. The weather was amazing and with my HF Run Crew, I did really well. I knocked over 8 minutes off my time from last weekend.
Thanks Anita Burns and Randy Riley for always pushing me to be better.
Carol Alvarez Brown(HF18859) – I got my second 2025 half done yesterday in Napa! It was so beautiful and highly recommend the experience. The race was so organized and community was supportive. I would love yo come back and do another half in the area! #medalmonday
Brian Johnson(MM8807, HF7287, DA707) –And then this happened
State 28 (Georgia)
Marathon distance or longer race #53
The hills will brutal.
My cold got the better of me in the second half.
And the wind sucked!
But it’s done.
Next race in 13 days, then another in 18 days.
Freezing Fanatics club photo at the One City Half Marathon, March 2
Photo and Post Credit Marathon Maniacs/Half Fanatics Facebook Pages and the individual members listed above.
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