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RUN MORE IS WHAT'S IN STORE FOR 2009.
2009 started as a long road trip. I found myself in the middle of the country after a return to The Run for the Ranch in Springfield Missouri which takes place in late December (2008). I realized it was a short drive to Humble Texas for the Texas Marathon held every year on January first. So 12 hours and 645 miles later I started 2009 by running with Steve and Paula Boone. Their race kicked off my 2006 year of 50 plus sub 3 marathons and it certainly acted as a catalyst for the early part of 2009. The goal this year is to simply RUN MORE and motivate a multitude of others, whether they are beginners, novices, or experienced runners, to RUN MORE!
THE ADDICTION CONTINUES
2008 allowed me to win back to back marathons again. The first was in Grand Isle Michigan and the second on the following day in Saginaw Michigan. In September I was able to put together two triple marathons. I ran Pocatello Idaho on Saturday followed by Tupelo Mississippi and Columbia Missouri on Sunday and Monday of the same weekend. I managed to finish in second, first and second places respectively with each race under 3 hours.
Later, in the same month, I was able to complete my second triple marathon in the same month by running (and winning) the Lake Tahoe Triple Marathon which is a marathon a day for three days around Lake Tahoe.
THE PR YEAR!
In 2007, just after my 50 plus marathons in 2006, I spent time focusing on a little more speed and managed to put together four weekends of back to back marathons in the 2 hours and 30 minute range. Running and winning two marathons in the same weekend was another accomplishment that moderate speed training allowed me to achieve. My latest PR occurred at the Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio in mid September of 2007
THE ADDICTION BEGINS -the early years.
Running has always been a part of my life. 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. I continue to run in college where I earned 3 All Americans.
My running continued post collegiately in Mississippi. I earned my masters degree in Biology/Chemistry and ran in local 5K's and 10K's and the occasional half-marathon.
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. I attempted my first marathon in 2000 at Tupelo, Mississippi. 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 the marathon.
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