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THE ADDICTION BEGINS.
Running has always been a part of my life. At a very early age I can recall running from my older brother. I believe he deserves some of the credit for my addiction. He does, after all, recall my times and stats from every marathon I have raced. Thus, I know he has a sense of pride in his little, and far too often slower, younger brother. Sometimes you have to get caught to learn how to run faster. It is a good lesson.
I ran so much that it just became part of what I did during the day. I ran track and cross country in high school. My high-school coach, Todd Clark, has always served as my mentor. His notebooks and teaching methods were practical and filled with common sense running principles that applied to daily life. There are no shortcuts was one of his many quotes that he would write on our weekly handouts. I missed qualifying for the state cross country meet my senior year and Coach Clark, sensing the extreme disappointment in my eyes, told me that "there are bigger races ahead". With those words and the guidance of another strong mentor, John Homon (Head Coach of Mount Union College) I would go on to earn 3 All American Awards.
My running continued post collegiately in Mississippi. I earned my masters degree in Biology/Chemistry and ran in local 5K's and 10K's. I would jump into the local annual half marathon as a reason to do a long training run.
In 2000, while training with other athletes I began running two-a-days. Soon, I realized that I was running 20 or more miles a day. A friend who was training members of Team In Training mentioned the idea of running a marathon. I attempted my first marathon in 2000 at Tupelo, Mississippi. Most people would call this Hell especially for your first 26.2 mile race. I ran, won, set the course record (2:34) and qualified for Boston all in that first marathon - how could anyone not be hooked? My first taste of the 'thon and I was ready for more. The euphoria and emotions I felt afterward push me still... It cannot be explained, it must be experienced.
I completed 29 marathons in 2003, just to see if I could. I averaged around 2:37. The phrase "marathon junkie" was officially coined in Omaha, Nebraska after a spree of 18 marathons on back to back weekends. I was definitely hooked.
I managed to run just a few in 2004 and 2005. But the word was out that I had done some relatively fast runs consecutively in 2003. I was asked if I could run 50 in a year at that same pace. Enthusiastically I said "yes". 2006 went by in a rush and 50 marathons under three hours in the same year proved my addiction and love for running.
I spent time focusing on a little more speed in 2007 and managed to put together 4 weekends of back to back marathons in the 2 hour and 30 minute range. I managed to win two marathons in the same weekend and set a PR at the Air Force Marathon in Dayton in September of 2007.
I am still running and perhaps an ultra will be somewhere in my future.
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