Volume 8, Number 8
NEWSLETTER CONTENTS
White River 50 2
Park City Marathon 3
Half Fanatics 3
First Call Summer Marathon 4-5
Social Networking 5
Maniac Art #2 6
ET Midnight Marathon 7
My First Marathon! 8-9
Beast of Burden 10
Maniac Poll 10
Marathon Show Marathon II 11
Cascade Crest 100 12
Report from InSane AsyLum 13
Promotions 14
Coming Up in August 15
New Maniacs 16
Note from the Editor 17
Discounts 18
Rhetorical Revelations from “The Rev” 19
Share the story of your first marathon! See Page 8 Shawna Thompkins
White River 50 (7/30): Jenny Appel, *Hotrod*, Eric Barnes, Tracy Brown, Carsten Buus, Francesca Carmichael, Kevin "Captain" Carrothers, Paul Grove, Matt "Pooky" Hagen, Francie Hankins, Bob Hearn, Rob "Rattler" Hester, Genia "Tiptoes" Kacey, Dean Kayler, Scott Krell, Ashley "rogue wave" Kuhlmann, LoneWolf, Deby Kumasaka, Sonny "Tranquilrunner" LaForm, Stevie Ray Lopez, Mike Mahanay, Sara Malcolm, King Arthur Martineau, Janice Moyer, Bob 'BobO" OBrien, Ryan Ordway, Kristin Parker, Cliff "quack, quack" Richards, EatDrinkRunWoman, Rob Stretz, Karen"Evil Twin" Vollan, Francine Weigeldt, Karen Wiggins Rob Stretz
Cliff Richards Ashley Kuhlmann
Daniel Kuhlmann
Mike Mahanay
Sonny LaForm
Bill Barmore
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 2 Sue Mantyla
Teresa Baker
Park City Marathon (8/20): Teresa Baker, Tomer Benyair, John Bozung, Earl Fulcher, Galen Garrison, Liz Gotter, Scott Hardy, Ted Hobart, Steve Kissell, Franz Kolb, Stevie Ray Lopez, Vincent Ma, Bill Mandler, Sue "Italian Stallion" Mantyla, John Oster, Laurie Osterberg, Blaine Phillips, Angie Whitworth Pace
Vincent, Sue and Angie Angie Whitworth Pace and Galen Garrison Larry Macon and Vincent Ma
Marathon Maniacs running half Elaine Green marathons… HALF-MARATHON CRAZY YES, it’s true!
Tired of running marathons and ultras (HA!!)? Need to back down on that weekly mileage and concentrate on getting faster? Then join the Half Fanatics (halffanatics.com). There are currently over 1200 members in the Fanatic Asylum, and I’m sure you’ll recognize a few names in the group. So jump on the bandwagon now, get your qualifying races in and join this new, zany group!
www.halffanatics.com Fanatics at Virginia Beach http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 3 Rob Brian Pendleton Jill Hudson Rich Menzel Stretz
Margaret Gorog First Call Summer Marathon (8/6): Shawn Aebi, Patrick Barnes, Margaret Barrett, Monica Bloom, Jim "Ol' Jimbo" Boyd, Adrian Call, Taylor Call, May Cheng, Jerry Desmul, Bob & Lenore Dolphin, Margaret Gorog, David Hamilton, "Insane Jane", Steve Jensen, Jae-Byung Jung, Jon "Coconutboy" Mahoney, Rich Menzel, Cyndie Merten, Pete Nicholson, Monte Pascual, The Programmer, sLuG, Scott Sebelsky, McGyver, Rob Stretz, Linda Walter, Dan Whitaker, Courtney Willson
Linda Walter Bob Ryan Dolphin McKnight Jim Boyd
Pete Nicholson
Jane Herzog
Bob Satko
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 4 Diana Robinson
Guy Yogi Adrian Call Deb Evdemon
May Cheng
Scott Sebelsky Cyndie Merten
BJ Farish Jon Mahoney
Michael Hsu
Francesca Carmichael
Ray Shaw
From Facebook to Twitter, the Maniacs have a presence in the world of social networking. Whatever social network your prefer I’m sure the Maniacs are there, so check them out!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8904689204 LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/1843119/ MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/marathonmaniacs Dailymile: http://www.dailymile.com/groups/1403-marathon-maniacs RunningAhead: http://www.runningahead.com/groups/MMs
Jae-Byung Jung http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 5 You may want to print this out and take a closer look. Over the last few months, I have been working on creating this piece of art. The entire logo is made up of about 300 names, words or phrases related to the Maniacs! Your name maybe included! Coming very soon you will be able to purchase an 18x24 poster of this in the Maniac store. Enjoy!
- Steve Walters
Poster coming to the Maniac store very soon!
In the mean time if you want to see if your name is in the art see the list here:
http://marathonfreak.com/mmart2/names.pdf
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 6 Violeta Lopez DEO
ET Full Moon Midnight (8/14): Hector Aleman, Jill Bidwell, Lan Bui, Marathon Mitch, Casey Chernesky, Martha "Ginger26.2" Corazzini, Jessica Deree, Kay "Dirtball" Evans, Traci Falbo, Jasmin "La Tortuga" Flores, "Kansas-IronClyde" Guadalupe J. Galindo, Matt "Pooky" Hagen, Maria Hernandez, Todd Hine, Donna Jacobs, DEO, John "Mad Hatter" Kinnicutt, Duane "Dewey" Kroeger, Keely Linn, Violeta Lopez, Ed Loy, MM Diva #7, Denis McCarthy, Diane Adele, Steve Moisan, Jessica "Wabbitz" Montoya, Rocco Morales, Andy Naumann, Sonja Normann, Don "Wait For Me!" Pemberton, Jeff "Slice" Pettett, Christian Pratt, Pascal Radley, Michael Rasmussen, EatDrinkRunWoman, Nadia Ruiz, Vicki Schumacher, Luke "Skywalker" Jessica Montoya Shumard, Nancy "sign us up!" Shumard, Crystal Simmons, Roni Slye, Rebecca Steven, Jeff "I want Ed Loy Nadia Gonzalez more stars!" Venable, Dick Vogt, Gary "Ben Franklin" Walker, Lacer the Racer
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 7 We are Marathon Maniacs, which means we have run at least two marathons. Some of us have run hundreds, others have run just a handful. Some have been running for decades, others less than a year. But one thing we all have in common is had a FIRST marathon. For some it was an addicting experience, others it took years to do the second. I want to hear the story about your first marathon. Please write a short (500 words or less) story about your first marathon. If you have a picture to go along with it feel free to e-mail that to me.
Submit your stories here: http://marathonfreak.com/mm/mystory.htm
I started running marathons with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training in October 2010. Many of my friends and family were able to help me to support the LLS’s lifesaving cancer research.
In August 2011, I became a Marathon Maniac by completing 3 marathons (Country Music Marathon, Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon and Tijuana Marathon) in 72 days.
Becoming a Maniac has allowed me to become part of a bigger running community. Here, we hear different experiences from members from all over the world. These inspirational runners Susie Chan encourage me to run… run… and run some more. #4205
"38 years Ago" I moved to Hawaii a few months before the first Honolulu marathon and started running. I made the decision to wait for the second marathon in 1974, but still was increasing distance far too fast with little knowledge or information. I started that marathon (with about 300 others) at my usual sub 8:00 pace. I worked through most pains, but eventually my knees did me in. I walked the last 6 miles, finishing in 4:27 and my knees were extremely painful to bend for the next week. I continued running with more speed work and less distance. Four years later I ran my second Honolulu marathon in 3:24. I have run marathons at least once per year since my fourth in 1992. Joining the Maniacs after finishing the Tahoe Triple gave me the attitude that there are no limits. I have since done two 100 mile races, recently finished my 38th state, marking 135 marathons and ultras. At age 64 I am still doing more each year. Tom Craven #515 http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 8 "The Boston Qualifier That Almost Wasn't" Training for my first marathon had it's ups and downs: I was feeling good and winning some local fun runs and then BAM! an IT Band injury left me sidelined for weeks right before the marathon.
After thrice weekly visits to the Physical Therapist, I was ready for my last long run before the marathon but when I got to the marked, shady trail I normally trained on, it was closed because of "high chance" of possible fire (oh, yeah, did I mention it was about 82 degrees at 7:00 a.m. that morning?). My anticipated 21-miler was instead a barely 18 miler on a dusty 3-mile loop with no water and no bathroom.
Michelle Ladcani Not feeling very confident that I would do well after weeks of no running and an 18-mile run from #2109 hell, I showed up at the (now defunct) Sacramento Marathon feeling nervous.
On the first of the double loop, I was feeling pretty good though it was mid-80 degree weather. I was out of water but knew my coach/father-in-law would have my 2nd water bottle at the turnaround....or so I thought. When I got to the turnaround, instead of a water bottle he was beaming with pride and taking pictures. Another 13.1 miles with no water.
Though it was my 1st marathon, I had a lofty goal of qualifying for Boston. I needed to run in 3:45. I knew I was close on pace when the pads of my foot began to blister again. I had tried new shoes a few weeks earlier and now the blisters were back and extremely painful.
A 1/2 mile from the finish, I stopped. I was out of gas, out of water and in extreme pain. A Joints-in-Motion cheerleader came by on his bike and said, "No! Don't stop! You can do it!" So I started hobbling and saw the clock as I finished...3:45:45...my heart sunk. I missed Boston by 45 seconds. I was in pain and now disappointed.
Then someone told me, “Boson doesn't count the seconds; you qualified." Elation! Until the race times were posted: my time was listed as 3:50 - a full five minutes off! How could that be? Turns out the "ticket tape" (no timing devices back then) had broken right before I crossed so they had guessed at my time. Again, disappointment! How was I going to prove I actually had qualified for Boston and get them to change my time?
I never loved my husband more than when he said, "Oh, well, I videotaped you crossing the finish line...and I taped your time on the clock." Whew!!
I later sent the racing company the video from that day and 6 months later I was running the Boston Marathon :)
"New Love" I was dating a lady who was training for a marathon. Like most, I asked how far that was. It was much farther than any distance I had ever run. Since I liked her, I liked spending time on training runs with her. She introduced me to her running club; I didn’t know such a thing existed. I loved it. Eventually, I decided to run her first marathon with her, which would be my first as well. A friend of hers who regularly ran Ironman’s ran with us to “coach” us through. It was so much fun. I followed all the instructions of those more seasoned and had a wonderful time. The relationship ended shortly thereafter, but I fell in love with marathoners and the marathon. That was 7 years and 51 marathons ago. My life has never been the same since, and I am so grateful to her for it. Galen Garrison #1381 http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 2 Kino
Jacqueline Choi
Beast of Burden 100m/24h (8/20): Jacqueline "Choisauce" Choi, Debbie Haynes, Steve Hughes, Hideki "Kino" Kinoshita, Bart Muzzin, Jackie Ong, Tony Portera, SSG Silverback, Edward Soldo, Kenneth "Just Running", Gary Thompson Rick Thiounn
Kino Marco Snarf
Edward Soldo
Each month there will be a “Maniac poll”. This poll will be posted online. Please take a few moments to answer this poll. I will post the results in the next newsletter.
This month’s question: When you run a marathon you run for time or for fun?
Please vote online between now and October 9: http://www.marathonfreak.com/maniacpoll
Last month’s question: Which do you prefer, trails or roads?
Of the 64 votes, 53% prefer running on roads and 47% prefer trails. Thanks for voting!
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 10 The Marathon Show hosted its second marathon of 2011 on Saturday, August 27. The event was held in Newport Beach, CA on a 3 mile loop course that winds through a tree lined neighborhood. True to form, the race was different, fun and free. There was no registration fee. "As Maniacs who pay so much money in race fees, we just can't have enough legitimate events that are free," said host Joe Taricani. Participants all started at different times with a goal of finishing at 10:00 am in a community park. Maniacs Eddie Hahn, Yen Nguyen and Peter Bennett ran this race as the first half of a weekend double. We also crowned two new Maniacs in this race. Congratulations to Shawna Wentlandt and Stacey Brennen for qualifying as Marathon Maniacs. Other people running the event were: Ed Ettinghausen, Jessica Deree, Christian Pratt, Ryan Launder, Theresa Hoff, Meg Montgomery, Duane Staley, Henry Yoo, Brady Wentlandt and Joe Taricani..
Yolanda and Jessica Bling!
The Marathon Show (hosted by Maniac #1817, Joe Taricani) was first broadcast in June 2010. It’s a one of a kind show that spot lights the marathon and marathon runners. Maniacs have found a safe haven with this great show. A few times a week Joe broadcast the show live online, the shows are then made available to download from iTunes (via Podcast). Each week Joe features a marathoner, and often does shout outs to marathoners from all over. Another great part of this show is the “runners chat”, in these shows Joe gets three marathoners together and does a round table discussionElaine about Green many great topics. So if you have already come across the show, please do. Check it out and tune in! http://www.themarathonshow.com
Ryan Launder
Shawna Wentlandt ran her Marathon Maniac qualifying race at Stacey Brennen shows off the bling that The Marathon Show Marathon II. earned her Marathon Maniac status. Christian Pratt http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 11 Fresh off Badwater, Jess Mullen
Arthur Martineau
Terry Sentinella
Cascade Crest 100 (8/27): Jenny Appel, Tracy Brown, Matt "Pooky" Hagen, Claude Hicks Jr., Genia "Tiptoes" Kacey, King Arthur Martineau, Jess Mullen, Terry Sentinella, Francine Weigeldt
Linda Barton Van Phan
Matt Hagen and his Jonathan Bernard belt buckle!
Robert Lopez
Female winner Shawna Tompkins
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 12 Dean Jess Mullen Kayler Josh Owen
Matt Hagen
Elaine Green, Patrick Finney, Greg Goebel, Bettie Wailes and Greg Goebel
The following is a statistical update on the growth of the Marathon Maniacs. It may not mean much to you, but I find it very interesting. Monthly Growth
Month ► Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Yearly Averages ► 34.4 30.4 32.4 27.7 46.6 40.8 27.9 16.0 20.0 44.6 52.9 61.1 372.7
2010 ► 105 81 90 67 127 111 78 38 50 131 171 190 1239
2011 ► 95 101 113 94 209 128 77 50 - - - - 867
State MM Pct% Washington 799 18.9% New Maniacs in August 2011 50 California 454 10.8% New Maniacs in 2011 867 Texas 294 7.0%
Illinois 180 4.3% Total Maniacs 4221 Florida 160 3.8% Oregon 141 3.3% Virginia 137 3.2% New York 126 3.0% Ohio 103 2.4% Oklahoma 91 2.2% http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 13 Please let me know if you reached a higher Maniac level and want the recognition in the Newsletter!
Titanium (10 star) Maniac: None
Platinum (8 star) Maniac: None
Palladium (7 star) Maniac: None
Osmium (6 star) Maniac: Karl Leitz
Ruthenium (5 star) Maniac: Andrea Spohn, Alya Takeichi
Iridium (4 star) Maniac: None
Gold (3 star) Maniac: Jessica Fetter
Silver (2 star) Maniac: Melissa Chen, Shirley Shaw, Liz Santos
Milestones: Daniel Lieb 100 marathons, Robert Lopexz300 marathons
Leading Ladies Marathon
David Holmen and Bryndis Svavarsdottir at Reykjavikur Marathon
I decided to do some pavement diving about 300 yards from the finish of the Santa Rosa Marathon on August 28. Andrew Ewing (#4130) came to my rescue and accompanied me in even though he was setting a 14 minute PR at the time. You can see the rest of the spectators were less than interested.
He could tell right away that my yellow singlet had too much red on it.
I am fine by the way except for embarrassment and a nice black eye (don't ask me how I did that). I've gone on a couple of short runs and decided my running parts are OK enough to sign up for another marathon next month.
- Craig Newport (MM #983)
Greg Goebel and Elaine Green http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 14 Saturday, September 3 Marathon Hocking Hills Indian Run 60k Badgerland 24h/12h/6h Little Grand Canyon Marathon NFEC Madison 50m/50k/26.2 Beaver Island Marathon Lost Soul 50k North Coast 24 Hr Endurance Run CAR Run Into Fall Marathon Marathon du Medoc Oktoberfest Marathon Evening Canadian Marathon McKenzie River Trail Run PAU Tagaytay to Nasugbu 50k Grand Teton 50m/50k/26.2 Mid-Mountain Marathon Run for the Red Marathon Iron Mountain Trail Run 50m/30m Moose Mountain Marathon Tamarindo Beach Marathon Tour de Trail 12h Marquette Marathon Mount Robson Marathon Top of Utah Marathon TrailRunner Ultra Race of NWTR Soaring Eagle 50k/26.2 Odyssey Trail Running Rampage Ultramaratona Fuzileiros Navais - Rio 24h Champions 100k/50k PCT Bunker to Bonneville 50k Plain 100 Trails 4 Tails 40m Pocatello Marathon Rio Del Lago 100m/100k/50k Sunday, September 18 Virgil Crest 100m/50m Tantalus Triple Trek 50k Run for Remembrance 9h11 Autumn Equinox 32m Woods Ferry 24h Run Woodstock 50m/50k/26.2 Cape Breton Fiddlers Run Sunday, September 25 Salmon Marathon CAR Rock the Canyon Marathon Adirondack Marathon Sunday, September 4 Superior Trail 50m Erie Marathon Austin Marathon Relay CAR Run the Marina Marathon Evergreen Lake Ultra 50k Bear Chase 50m/50k Flatlanders 12h/6h Sunday, September 11 Fall Creek Falls 50k Bellingham Bay Marathon Kauai Marathon American Heroes Run 9h11/26.2 Fox Cities Marathon Berlin Marathon Labor Pain 12h Bozeman Marathon Fox Valley Marathon CAR More Marina Madness Roots Rock Trail Run CAR Patriots Day Marathon Maui Marathon Marathon Ross Marathon Ironman Wisconsin Montana Governors Cup Marathon Clarence DeMar Marathon Sunriver Marathon for a Cause Lehigh Valley Marathon NorCal Marathon Half Moon Bay International Tupelo Marathon Patriots Run Pisgah Mountain 50k Marathon American Discovery Trail Marathon Queen City Marathon Rochester Marathon Honest Abe Trail Run Revolution 3 Cedar Point 140.6 Tri Rock Cut Hobo 50k Huffin Puffin Marathon Monday, September 5 Robin Hood Marathon Sydney Running Festival Kenai River Marathon Boulder Marathon September 11th 50k Yonkers Marathon Lake Tahoe Marathon CAR Labor Day Marathon Sioux Falls Marathon Mad Moose Marathon Heart of America Marathon Skagit Flats Friday, September 23 Montreal Marathon Labor Day Marathon Tallinn Marathon Bear 100 Mooathon! Labor Day Marathon Team Ultra Trail Runner 50k Commonwealth Champion.24h Ocean to Sound Relay Turtle Marathon Two Bear Marathon Emerald Bay Marathon Omaha Marathon Oslo Marathon Friday, September 9 Tuesday, September 13 Saturday, September 24 PCTR Santa Cruz Mountains 50k Lost Soul 100m/100k Atacama Desert Marathon Akron Marathon Quad Cities Marathon Run Woodstock 100m/100k Cal-Neva Marathon River Jungle Marathon Superior Sawtooth 100m Saturday, September 17 Dances with Dirt Hell 50m/50k Run for Heroes Marathon Flagline 50k Wasatch 100 Air Force Marathon Elaine Green Run From the Ducks 8h Autumn Color Run Flatrock 50k Salina Bob Ardrey Marathon Saturday, September 10 Bismarck Marathon Georgia Jewel 100m/50m/50k Too Slow for Boston Marathon 12-h Adventure Trail Run Bohemian Alps Endurance Run Hamptons Marathon Vermont 50 Bartlett Park Ultras 50m/40m/50k Cle Elum Ridge Run Hinson Lake 24h Virgil Crest 50k Dowackado Trail Run 50m/50k Enviro-sports Big Sur Trail Jackson Hole Marathon Warsaw Marathon Endure the Bear 50k Marathon Kathmandu Marathon Winthrop Marathon Jungfrau Marathon Equinox 60k/26.2 NWTR Middle Fork 50k Katy 50 Frosty Mountain Trail Race Priest Lake 50k/26.2 Lake Chelan Shore to Shore Great Lake Walk Sundance Trail Run
PLEASE RENEW YOUR ANNUAL MANIAC DUES (ON YOUR MANIAC BIRTHDAY) YOUR DUES HELP MAINTAIN THE CLUB AND KEEP THE COVETED MANIAC GEAR IN STOCK!! A REMINDER IS SENT WITH THE MONTHLY E-FLASH AND SOME OF YOU ARE OVERDUE!! http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 15 Brian Raub (#4186) Susie Chan (#4205) Chris Jones (#4187) Paulette Kosinski (#4206) Yisroel Pupko (#4188) Camilla Eng (#4207) Tim Troxel (#4189) Shaun Curry (#4208) Loren Janke (#4190) Gary Girten (#4209) Quang Pham (#4172) Wendy Jelinek (#4191) Doug Osterberg (#4210) Brenda Gutmann (#4173) Ken Kamper (#4192) Brett Upton (#4211) Jason Brandenburg (#4174) Lauren Cox (#4193) Scott Esposito (#4212) Taharka McCleave (#4175) Trina Poppe (#4194) Peter Pourzand (#4213) Tina Heil (#4176) Seiichi "Lucky" Saito (#4195) Kimly Arroyo (#4214) Micah Nash (#4177) Carla Zweigart (#4196) Shawna Wentlandt (#4215) Susan Kanvik (#4178) Dan Barkley (#4197) Stacey Brennen (#4216) Jenap - Catwoman M. Said (#4179) Tonya Pavek (#4198) Jim Higgins (#4217) Michelle Day (#4180) Giovanni Guevarra (#4199) Theresa Hoff (#4218) Kristina Funseth (#4181) Agnieszka Dargiel (#4200) Mark Cartwright (#4219) David Ong ( HappyFeet ) (#4182) Angela Batten (#4201) Sumalee Sangsurasak (#4220) Keith Clemens (#4183) Rebecca Walker (#4202) Vanessa McClimans (#4221) Nick Barrett (#4184) Jeffrey Farrier (#4203) Dan Friesen (#4185) Gary "Ben Franklin" Walker (#4204)
Elaine Green
Pascal Radley, Patrick Finney Hanging out in Alaska!
Kim Gray and Jason Brandenburg (#4174) Rikki Bogue Nadia Gonzales http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 16 Cinderella 50k Big Wildlife Marathon
Grannie Annie Singer
Kim King
Patrick Finney FROM THE EDITOR…
August is a tricky month for me. It’s the summertime in the US and the amount of marathons is very thin. This made it hard for me to create a large newsletter. I had to really search for photos. Remember you can send me photos or a link to your photos to make it easier for me. I do my Steve Walters and John Lui best to find photos, but you can help make this even better!
I’m starting a feature this month wanting to hear about your first marathon. We all had a first. Some went well, some went bad, but at some point you got addicted like we all have. Tell your story!
Sad to stay that summer is just about over, that means the Fall marathon season is coming upon us. Happy Running!
- Steve “Marathon Freak” Walters MM#338 http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 17 Jeff “Boneman” Bollman (#1058)
The Discount Dude is back in force with a number of new discounts. The new discounts have a * in front of the race name. Don’t forget the old ones though, still some good deals to be had there too. Also, don’t forget that we have a discount at Running Skirts www.runningskirts.com and The Running Warehouse www.runningwarehouse.com for all your non-Maniac branded apparel and shoe needs and at TRY Chips www.trychips.com for your healthy snacking needs.
• The Kauai Marathon (HI) 9/4/11: www.thekauaimarathon.com/ • Skagit Flats Marathon (WA) 9/11/11: www.skagitrunners.org/skagitflats.shtml • Top of Utah Marathon 9/17/11: www.topofutahmarathon.com • Omaha Marathon (NE) 9/25/11: http://omahamarathon.com • Bellingham Bay Marathon 9/25/11: www.bellinghambaymarathon.org • Fox Cities Marathon (MANIAC REUNION!!) 9/18/11: www.foxcitiesmarathon.org • Tahoe Triple Marathons (NV) 9/23, 24 & 25: http://www.laketahoemarathon.com • New Hampshire Marathon 10/1/11: www.nhmarathon.com • Wineglass Marathon (NY) 10/2/11: www.wineglassmarathon.com • Long Beach Marathon (CA) 10/9/11: http://runlongbeach.com/ • Indianapolis Marathon (IN) 10/15/11: www.indianapolismarathon.com • Hartford ING Marathon (CT) 10/15/11: www.hartfordmarathon.com • Mount Desert Island Marathon (ME) 10/16/11: www.mdimarathon.org • Amica Marathon (RI) 10/16/11: www.amicamarathon.comElaine Green • Atlantic City Marathon (NJ) 10/16/11: http://acmarathon.org/ • Des Moines Marathon (IA) 10/16/11: www.desmoinesmarathon.com • Grand Rapids Marathon (MI) 10/16/11: http://grandrapidsmarathon.com • Toronto Waterfront Marathon (ON) 10/16/11: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com • Columbia River Power Marathon (OR) 10/22/11: www.columbiarivermarathon.com • Cape Cod Marathon 10/30/11: www.capecodmarathon.com • Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (IN) 11/5/11: http://monumentalmarathon.com • Fort Worth Marathon (TX) 11/13/11: http://fortworthmarathon.org/ • Malibu International Marathon 11/13/11: www.malibuintmarathon.com • OBX (aka Outer Banks) Marathon (NC) 11/13/11: www.obxmarathon.org • Williams Route 66 Marathon (VIP Tent) 11/20/11: http://route66marathon.com/ • *New Years Double Marathons (Limited time discount) 12/31/11 & 1/1/12 (TX): www.newyearsdouble.com • *First Light Marathon (AL) 1/8/12: www.firstlightmarathon.com/ • Melbourne Beaches & Music Marathon (FL) 2/4/12: www.themelbournemarathon.com • *Myrtle Beach Marathon (SC) 2/18/12: www.mbmarathon.com • Arizona Marathon 2/19/12: http://thearizonamarathon.com/ • Big Sur International Marathon 5/1/12: www.bsim.org • *Tacoma City Marathon 5/6/12 (WA): www.tacomacitymarathon.com
Details on how to obtain the discount/perk are in the Discount section of the Bulletin Board on the Maniac web site. I post new ones on the Bulletin Board as the details are finalized, so keep an eye out. If you have any questions, shoot me an email at: [email protected]
http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 18 RHETORICAL REVELATIONS AND W(RITES)… FROM THE RAMBUNCTIOUS REV
Your Majesty of the Maniacs, Mr. Yee,
Hiya Stevie! How ARE you?
It has come to our attention (see the July, 2011 newsletter, 14-18) that seven out of seven Maniacs who started the Badwater Ultramarathon, finished the Badwater Ultramarathon. To put this into perspective, that sentence is 26 words. They covered One Hundred … AND … THIRTY … five … miles. Incredible. Odd they don’t tack on the “point-two” to these things just for kicks. Yowser. Some of us (not saying who) are thinking, “A good training month, there.” But our Heartiest Congratulations to them!
Really? 135 miles, and one just gets a “heartiest congratulations?” You have very dedicated groupies, Yee. My head swims at the thought of 135.
Names sometimes provide clues about us (cf. “Sneezy,” “Doc,” “Bashful”…), so let’s see if we can understand the Badwater Bunch. Ben Blessing … perhaps looking for a blessing, or received one … or is one, having inspired who knows how many people to enjoy life to its—oh fercryinoutloud—well beyond its fullest. Tony Portera’s surname, clearly derived from the ancient “port,” or “transportable,” has been working on him for decades at a subliminal level, the poor fellow. (“I’m portable! I’m portable! Beam me up! Or across! Somewhere!”). Surely around mile one hundred and eleven, his conscious mind kicked in and considered reconsidering those instincts, given the mountain and all. Lorie Alexander the Great had already posted a fantastic career of 23 marathons and an astounding 66 ultra-marathons, suggesting a genetic link to the emperor who never let distances or rotten terrain disturb his goals either! Smiling Connie Dockendorf (smiling? Connie, just between us, after nearly two all-nighters, wouldn’t the grin subside just a little?) and Ed Ettinghausen have long names, so a psychological clue is in there somewhere for us, Stevie. Officially changing yours to “Yeezowitzenparkandride” might be just the ticket, eh? In Ed’s case though (and do see his picture), the whole event may have been merely a marketing technique for running apparel he may get a commission on? Better be some commission. 135 miles. Hire that man.
Terry Sentinella stated the logic in taking on the event with the question: “What happens when running one, two, three, or four marathons a weekend just isn’t enough, it’s too easy?” Now Terry, I’ll be boldly honest with you, my distant friend, but that is a question Rev not yet considered. Taking a stab it, if I really needed a harder challenge: starting a Blue Angels Fighter Jets Wing-Walking Team? I am often energized, impressed, and stunned when I read the words and ideas Maniacs string together! Let alone “four,” Terry’s phrases “Two, three marathons a weekend…” and “too easy” fit together for me about like the phrases “Son, while I’m gone, please pick up your peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” and “vacuum cleaner.”
So, Hello, Jess Mullen! Maybe we can talk without your driving me dizzier than 120 degrees on a desert road would. You wrote, “I absolutely loved it. All of my expectations of misery were met! … I would do it again in a heartbeat.” There’s a HUMAN in there somewhere. I believe you loved it, I really do. The challenge, the experience, the conquest, you all met and captured the extraordinary, and you’ll remember it the rest of your lives. Our hats are off to you all!
Hey Prez, keep this between us: I learned something tricky from these folks! See, after 72 marathons, I STILL don’t have a PR! (Aw, you know, one a guy can say to people.)
But Ms. Mullen left me a clue! She wrote, “It was much more a team event than a solo run, and I had an amazing team!” See? I gotta get me a marathon crew! I figure I need eight folks. One drives ‘em places, gives ‘em tips. I’m thinking Van Phan there. Then seven more meet me twice each, every other mile. At mile 2, Lassoe hands me Saltines, then at mile 15 a slice of cheese, a burger, side of fries, some chocolate ice cream (note to Allison: waffle cone please), a splash of Amaretto, and I’m good to go. Best, it all subtly suggests a “complete” snack, a good word to be pondering, you see?
At mile 4, King Turtle Ellis reminds me to take a Galloway walk break, and then at mile 17, reminds me not to take so many Galloway walk breaks. At mile 6, you take my picture, then at 19, comparing it to my failing stride, you demonstrate proper form. Man, that oughta work. At mile 8, Korecki says “pick up the pace.” Then at mile 21, Korecki says “pick up the pace, Old Man.” At mile 10, Bob Dolphin tosses a rag with ice, and coaches me with the words, “If I can do it, Rev, you can do it.” The man lies, but that’s what we need. At 23, hiding his disgust as politely as he does, he wisely dumps the cooler on my head. At mile 12, Mrs. Rev. impersonates “Wellesley College Girl with ‘Kiss Me’ Sign” (did I tell you, Prez? I’m not allowed to run Boston anymore), but at 25 she excitedly shouts, “You’re not looking so good!” Then, realizing her error, she sheepishly slips me a Stewarts Root Beer, which, astonishingly, I’ve never seen at a marathon before. And at mile 26 AND, in a break from Yakima tradition, at mile 13 as well, I get hugs from Lenore.
I’m telling you, Yeezowitzenparkandride, there’s hope for us yet. Luvya, Rev ([email protected]) http://www.marathonmaniacs.com 19