The Marathon Show's "Fun Run" Progerssive Saga- Episode 3!

The Marathon Show started a progressive saga to be passed around for other listeners to continue. In Episode #2 Endorphin Dude tells the investigator to come find me! Here is what happened when he did!

To see all the Episodes of "Fun Run", click the title of this post!

My Knitting Turns Maniacal!!

This weekend for the first time in ages, I missed my Saturday run. I can't even think of the last time I missed a weekend run or race. I was really looking forward to it too since we were running in Park City, but the rich food served at David's work Christmas party Friday night played havoc on my stomach on Saturday morning. I was not well.

I woke up early to get ready, but it was not going to happen, so I plopped myself down on the couch, turned on the TV and began to knit. By Sunday night I had finished my own version of a Marathon Maniacs hat!

I figured, if  I can't run, my knitting will at least have a running theme to it! Right? 

I Love Secret Santa!!

Every year I participate in the Runner's World Secret Santa. You exchange small gifts with other runners from around the country (or the world in some cases). I was very excited when I got home from work and found a box waiting for me. Here is what was inside:

A mug with my Marathon Show photo contest submission and my Marathon Maniac number on it! I love it!

I thought it was very clever and my Secret Santa did her/his homework! THANK YOU SECRET SANTA!

I Am A Marathon Maniac!

Viva Las Vegas!!

Wow! What a fun way to finish the year! The Las Vegas Rock & Roll Marathon was not originally on my list. I did the half-marathon last year and it was so cold I wasn't sure I wanted to sign on to do the full this year, but since my sister was going to be there with her team (she is the endurance manager for the Georgia chapter of Team Challenge), I started thinking more about doing it. All it takes is one friend to say they are in and I'll cave! When Teresa Baker said that her husband Bob was taking a Cafe Rio team down to run the half-marathon, we began talking about it more seriously. When our friend Kathleen needed one more race to qualify for the Marathon Maniacs, that was it. The three of us signed up for the 26.2!

Race weekend in Las Vegas always starts with the Great Las Vegas Santa Run on Saturday morning. Over 9,000 Santas run the 5k for charity. I didn't get in town in time to do this last year, so I really wanted to do it this year. Thanks to fellow Maniac Jackie Gulino, I was able to fly in Saturday morning and still run the race! She and her husband Dan, picked up my Santa suit Friday night and dropped it off at my hotel so it was there when I got in! THANKS JACKIE!

Is this Vegas or what?

Dig those crazy (or should I say Maniac) Santa Claus!

Jackie and I at the finish!

The Santa run was fun. I was a perfect little warm up for the marathon. It was so crowded with walkers there is no way you could go to fast and burn yourself out! It was really fun to do it with so many Maniacs as well!



After the Santa run, I went with my sister to the expo to pick up my race packet. It was insane! I lucked out as there was nobody in line at my pick up window, so I got my packet right away. Then I went to look around the expo. Right away I saw Scott Jurek (champion ultra runner) and I had to get a photo!

Scott Jurek and I

I walked around the expo for just a few minutes and got the heck out of there! I couldn't believe the stuff people were willing to wait 20 minutes in a line for. I'm sorry but, I will not wait in line for a piece of a Power Bar or a teaspoon of rice! I do wish I would have waited in line to meet Josh Cox, (because he won the men's race the next day)  but I just didn't have the patience. I hate lines.

After the expo, I came back to the hotel and chilled with my sister for a bit. She was so busy the whole weekend with meetings and such, that we didn't get to spend a lot of time together. I am really proud of her. She works soooooo hard to help other reach their goals while raising money to find a cure for Crohne's Disease. YOU GO SISTER!! I LOVE YOU! 

While my sister went to work, I met Teresa at the her hotel and we headed over to the Rio for the Maniac/Fanatic Dinner!

Dave Mari, Teresa and I at Dinner.

Teresa, Stephanie, Tony (aka Endorphin Dude) and I.

Maniacs and Fanatics after Dinner.

After dinner it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for the big race! One thing I was looking forward to wearing was the dangley rhinestone earrings Teresa bought me! She gave them to me at dinner and said "Since this is Las Vegas and we are Maniac Diva's, we need to wear a little bling". She was right! They were AWESOME! 

My sister and I on race morning (notice my bling)!

My sister and I were up at 4:30am ready to get this show on the road! I had some breakfast, got ready and headed downstairs. She had to meet her team for photos and I went to meet the Maniacs for photos. It was so GREAT to see so many Maniacs/Fanatics show up for the photo (though there were some key folks missing)!

Um, where are the Baker's? Hee Hee!

After the photo, we all headed to our corral. Teresa, Kathleen and I were in the same corral, but there were so many people, I didn't think I would find them, but I found Kathleen, then we found Teresa! The race could start now!

  Party in Corral 19!!

Kathleen, Teresa and I at the Start!

Tina Turner, Elton John and I at the Start! ;-)

The cannon went off and the race began! It took us 30 minutes to reach the timing mats, so we spent the time posing for pictures and dancing to the Blues Brothers band playing over the start line. It was really fun!

The first half of the course is great! It was really crowded, but they did a good job this year keeping the corral starts spaced out. There were only a few spots between miles 10-13 where it got a little congested with walkers. We were wishing that we could just do the first half again, but at about mile 12.5 the marathoners split off and we were met with a hill for the first time in the race! 

Teresa, Dave Mari & I

My Sister Cheering on the Course!

The second half was a lot more quiet than the first half, but we still were having fun. It was here that we saw our friend Patrick leading the 5:00 hour pace group.

Kathleen, Teresa, Patrick and I

One thing that made me laugh (and I kick myself for not taking their photo) was the group of drunk/high homeless looking guys standing in front of this motel cheering! It was sooooo funny (and so Las Vegas)!

Hey! I still look happy!

I felt really good the whole race. Teresa ran with Patrick a while and Kathleen and I started having a conversation. It is amazing how fast the miles fly by when you have someone to talk to! The last 6 miles came and went. We wanted to finish under 5:00 and we did! I finished in 4:58.04 and my first negative split! Whoo Hoo! It was great! Kathleen finished and before we even got 10 feet from the finish line, she had her phone out and sent her Maniac application in! Welcome to the Insane Asylum Kathleen!

Finished!

Kathleen, Patrick and I at the Finish!

Brett Michaels "Rocked" the after race concert.

After we finished, I wanted to find Teresa and get to the finish line to see Yolanda Holder break the world record for the most marathons run in one year by a woman (101)! She did it! It was pretty cool to see!

Yolanda all blinged out for her big day!

Congrats Yolanda!

I had a great time in Las Vegas! The race was fun, the weather was perfect, I got to see my sister and hang out with a lot of good friends! I would say I won big in Las Vegas!

Getting Prepared for My Last Marathon of the Year!

Las Vegas will be my 13th marathon this year (18th overall). Let get inspired with the King!!

 

The Marathon Show Photo Contest! I'm in the Top 10! Please Vote for Me!

The Marathon Show is having a photo contest! The subject being your 2010 medals. The most creative photo of you and your 2010 medals wins. The contest is being judged by YOU! So check out the top 10 photos then go to http://www.themarathonshow.com/contest/contest.html and vote for me! Hee hee!

Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I know I'm a day late, but I was a little busy running and cooking yesterday!! I hope you all had a GREAT day!

When to Keep Perspective and Not Get Obsessive!

I have been having a really tough month. The thought of not doing a November marathon was FREAKING me out! My last marathon was the Marine Corps Marathon on October 31st. I REALLY wanted to do The Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa OK on November 21st, but I just didn't have the cash to make the trip. I was so desperate, I even thought of revisiting the Mesquite marathon on November 20th, which was on my worst marathon list from last year! When nothing seemed to pan out I called my twin sister. Angel has 12 marathons under her belt, so I knew she could relate. The phone call went like this:

 Me: I am feeling a little nervous about Las Vegas as I failed to book a November marathon.
Sis: You just did MCM.
Me: But there was nothing I could get to in November.
Sis: You are still running regularly though right?
Me: Yes.
Sis: OK, get some perspective! NORMAL people don't run one marathon a month!
Me: You don't know my friends!


Thinking about what she said, I realized, yeah there are friends out there who have the means, be it money or time to run more than I do. I am not rolling in either. My goal is to run the 50 States, have fun and not go bankrupt doing it. I have time. I don't need to finish in one or even 2 years! My sister is right. The average person won't run one marathon in their lifetime let alone one a month!

It's time to take a chill pill. I'll be fine for Las Vegas, but I must admit, I am getting a little antsy not having anything booked after it yet!

NYC Marathon Registration #648784!

OK Universe, do your Stuff and get me IN for 2011!!

I'm a 4 Star General in the Maniac Corps!- The Marine Corps Marathon! Oo Rah!

Maniac Group Shot at the Start!

On October 31st, I got to do five things I LOVE doing:

1) Seeing/running with old friends; 

2) Meeting/running with new friends;

3) Dressing in a costume ( I dressed as a Maniac Devil);

4) Running a marathon; and

5) Getting another Maniac star!!

On these points, The Marine Corps Marathon delivered big!

I decided to sign up for the Marine Corps Marathon when I didn't get into New York this year. When my old friend of 20+ years, Chris said he was going to run. I signed up right away! The last time I had seen Chris was about 10 years ago in NYC. He is now an attorney in Washington D.C. and is currently in the Army Reserves and recently home from a tour in Iraq and I couldn't wait to catch up!

I flew into Washington Friday late afternoon. Chris's lovely parents, Tom and Jan were in town visiting as well. They were sooooooo sweet to pick me up from the airport. We met Chris when he got off work and went to a German Beer Garden (complete with oompah band) for dinner. It was great! We headed back to Chris's house (where he so graciously offered up his room to me) for a good night's sleep. 

Saturday morning Chris and I headed over to the expo to pick up our race packets.

Heading into the Expo!

Marines at the door.

Chris with Oprah!

Me with Oprah!

Chris picking up his race packet.

Marines are COOL!

My new friends and my MCM shirt!

After the expo we headed down to the National Mall for the Colbert/Stewart rally. It was so crowded! Chris went to work and his parents and I went back to the house for some R&R until dinner. We all went to Georgetown (which was also super crowded) to a little pizza/pasta place for some carbo loading! Then it was back to the house to get ready for race day and get some sleep.

Chris and I waiting for the Metro on race morning.



A few of us Marathon Manics were trying to organize a group photo at the start, but with 30,000+ people, it was a little challenging. Chatting with Dave Mari, we decided that balloons would be the best way to mark where the group would meet up (between the 4:30 & 5:00 pace groups). I just happened to find a black cat sitting on a pumpkin balloon (both Maniac and Halloween appropriate)! While we didn't get every Maniac in the photo, we got quite a few!

The Starting Line!

After the Maniac photo, I ran back to find Chris at the port-a-potties and we made our way to the the starting line. Chris's parents came with us and we handed the cat cat balloon over to them so we could find them after the race.

After the National Anthem the cannon sounded and we were off! It was so crowded it took a while after we crossed the mats to get moving.

There were all kinds of costumes on the course, which made the race even more fun.

 Captain America

Me, Gumby, Elmo and Chris

Hot Dog Man!

Thing 1 and Thing 2!

Blue Guy!

You know I HAD to get my photo with the DEVO guy!

One of the most AMAZING parts of this race was seeing all the Marines out there. They manned every water stop and mile maker shouting encouragement to all the runners. It always made me smile when we would pass them and someone in the crowd would yell OO RAH!, then they would all yell OO RAH! back. 

Marines cheering on the course.

 These Marines were medics running with full packs on. There were about 20 of them!

Running past some of our Nation's most beautiful monuments was incredible! One runner said "This is the best tour of Washington I've ever had!" I agree!

 In front of the US Capitol!

My homage to my Manac pal Dave Mari! Hee Hee! Ouch!

Chris & I in front of the Washington Monument!

The Lincoln Memorial

 There were lots of Maniacs out there!

Me!

Annette, Dave Mari and I!

Floyd and I!

He is a REAL Maniac! He carried that flag the while race!

Then there was just the fun of running a huge race!

Chris running!

Chris & I with a blow up doll!

The course was pretty crowded at times, but fun!

The finish was the best! After you pass the Pentagon at mile 25, you head for the finish at The Iwo Jima Memorial. When you hit mile 26, both sides of the chute are lined with Marines shouting "TAKE THAT HILL!!" as the final .2 goes straight up. It was the longest .2 of any marathon I have ever done, but it was the best! You don't even think of walking that hill! While even the finish was congested, it was AWESOME to finish.

We did it!

The Famous Dave Mari and I at the Finish!

I went into this race knowing I would not PR, just for the mere fact that I knew I just wanted to enjoy this race, but I must admit I was a little disappointed and surprised at how slow we finished! I felt great the whole time and Chris didn't look like he even broke a sweat. But once we analyzed the race it made sense. We lost a lot of time due to congestion on the course and the fact that I demanded we stop 5,000 times to take photos was bound to slow us down. Oh well! I wouldn't change a thing! I had a BLAST and I am taking stairs like Superman today! Oh yeah, I GOT MY 4TH MANIAC STAR (for 9 marathons in 9 states in 365 days)!! Whoo Hoo!

HUGE Thanks to Chris and his parents for being such lovely hosts!