Marathon Maniac #4986

You may have noticed in the pictures for my last two half marathons that I was wearing a shirt that said "Marathon Maniacs". For those of you who aren't marathon runners, you probably thought this was a cute shirt that clearly explained that I was crazy. BUT .. that is not all that it is!

The Debut of the Maniac Shirt

Marathon Maniacs is a running club that I first heard of a little over a year ago. In order to qualify you need to run a number of marathons in a short period of time. The full requirements and qualification levels can be found here, and for me - I was able to qualify at the minimum level of Bronze by completing 3 marathons in less than 90 days. Um, that's the minimum requirement? That was barely achievable!

Being someone with an insatiable need to achieve, I'm always looking for the 'next' goal. First it was to run a marathon, then to run one under 4 hours, then it was to qualify for Boston (which I've given up because to be honest I don't want to train as hard as I'd need to to qualify), then it was to do a triathlon... but then, what next? When I heard about the Marathon Maniacs and what it took to qualify, I knew this was something that I wanted to do.

Last year I ended up running four full marathons after previously having sworn off marathons for good. Oh marathon running, I can't quit you! I ran the OC Marathon in May, the San Francisco Marathon in July, the Marine Corps Marathon in October, and the California International Marathon (CIM) in December. The CIM race was a last minute addition when I realized that the Marine Corps Marathon would be a slower race that David and I would run together. I was itching to do a race and try to PR, and signed up for CIM in October. 

2011 Marathons - All in Tutu!

 Tutus Courtesy of Glam Runner

Once I was signed up for CIM though I realized that my July, October, December races were pretty close together, but not close enough to qualify as a Maniac. I looked at a race calendar though and realized that if I completed another marathon in January, my October, December, and January races would qualify me. Hmm ... what race to do in January? Hmm, but what race to do? The Carlsbad Marathon was in January and local, but it was sold out. I looked around online a bit though and found  a bib for sale on the Tri Club's classified ads. Before I could think twice, I was registered. Maniac status here I come!

Running four marathons in 2011 and then a fifth in January meant that I was basically in marathon training mode for almost a year straight. I really started getting tired of weekend after weekend after weekend of long runs towards the end of the year. Every single Saturday I had to get up early and get out and run for hours. I love running, but sometimes I was just tired and wanted to sleep in. I cut myself a lot of slack towards the end of the year and skipped a few long runs here and there or cut them short, and in the end it didn't really hurt me.

Running Carlsbad with Tara

As the Carlsbad Marathon approached and Tara and I started doing long runs together, we decided that we would run together and I'd try to pull her into the finish with a sub 4:30 PR. I knew the pace would be pretty comfortable for me and my goal for Carlsbad was to just finish. I didn't care what my finish time was, I had already just PR'd in my previous race, and if I crossed the finish line I would be a Maniac!! We ran the whole race together (in tutu!) and had a lot of fun, and I'm so happy to say that as of January earlier this year I qualified! I was a Marathon Maniac!!

Pure Joy & Happiness Crossing the Finish Line

I don't have any full marathons scheduled until July when I run the San Francisco Marathon. I'll be doing San Francisco, Marine Corps, and CIM again this year just like last year. I'm just starting my training for San Francisco this week, and I can't wait to get started with my long runs again. Next weekend I will be running the Vancouver Half Marathon and will of course be wearing my obnoxious yellow Marathon Maniac shirt. 

Marathon Maniac Shirt & Custom Glam Runner Tutu

I feel so proud to have earned Maniac status (even if its at their lowest level), and love all of the greetings and cheers from fellow Maniacs that I see along the course. When my cousin and I ran the Hollywood Half a few weeks ago I felt like a celebrity! I had so many other Maniacs or Half Fanatics yell out "GO Maniac!" or they'd say Hi and shout out their number to me. I felt like I was in a special club of fellow crazy and friendly people!  

 Making Friends at the Hollywood Half Marathon

Upon being accepted you are assigned a number, and I'm proud to say I'm #4986. To date there are over 5000 crazy runners out there who have also qualified and applied. Go Maniacs!