@runitfast Gibson Guitar 5k in Memphis on Beale Street/Riverside loop.Robin Robbins
@runitfast I’m running the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Raleigh, NC for my BFF since first grade, Rebecca Newsome.#cancersucksMary Williams
@runitfast half marathon by lake health in painesville, oh. #runitfastWilliam Jordan
@runitfast Utah Valley Marathon, Provo!Laura Raeder
@runitfast girls on the run 5k with my 16. Third graders!Kristine Nader
@runitfast 1st annual CASA 5k in searcy Arkansas! Supporting a good cause :DRaquel
@runitfast @Trinona sprint tri on Sunday in Winona, MN. My debut triathlon!Laura Gulso
@runitfast long run on Sunday in Bozeman.elizabeth v rehmer
@runitfast LuLu 5k on Sunday to benefit Girls With Sole!cmillsmt
@runitfast ladiesfest 8k in Lethbridge Alberta CanadaCarmen H
@runitfast Texas City, Tx Run By the Bay 10K Sat! My 2nd 10K & 9th race since March! Look forward to #runfast @RunHouston @snapfitnessmotxVanessa Goodman
@runitfast Muddy Buddy in GA!Elizabeth Kalifeh
@runitfast Running my first marathon on Sunday! Edge to Edge in Tofino/Uclulet, B.C.!Mary Grieder
@runitfast Tremont IL. At the Tremont-Turkeyfest 5K on Saturday 🙂 #readytorunDalton
@runitfast Heritage Half Marathon, Dover, De on SundayShawna
@runitfast Lakes Calhoun, Harriet and Lake of the Isles :)Red
We thought it would be fun to profile club members on Run It Fast so we could get to know each other a little better. Marj Mitchell, RIF Club Member #4, was kind enough to be our first interview. I haven’t met Marj yet but I have seen her interactions with other club members on Facebook and she is one of the most supportive and positive people in the RIF Club. I am very happy we get to shine the spotlight on Marj and give back just a little of what she’s given to the running community.
So, without further ado…meet Marj Mitchell.
RUNNING STATS:
Name: Marj Mitchell
RIF Club: #4
Years Running: I began running in 2008. 4 years running
Favorite Race Distance: marathon
Favorite PR: 1:35:25 Chikasaw Chase 10 miler run on 8 January 2011
Favorite Race: Andrew Jackson Marathon
Favorite Bling: 2nd place trophy Andrew Jackson Half Marathon April 17, 2010.
1st place age group medal Chickasaw Chase January 8, 2011.
Finishers medal, my first marathon, Andrew Jackson Marathon April 9, 2011.
Next Race(s): Marathon For Memories, Trenton Tennessee September 8, 2012 and Winchester’s Southern Tennessee Plunge Marathon October 6, 2012
What Makes You Feel Fast?: When I have had a good night’s sleep, when I have hydrated adequately, when I have had my breakfast, when I know my running form is spot on for the day, when the gun goes off and my adrenaline kicks in and I am in the mood then I sing softly to my heart this little mantra “I will win, if I cannot win, I shall be second, if I cannot be second, I shall be third, if I cannot place at all, I shall do my best….”.
FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS:
Where is the most beautiful place you have ever run?
The most beautiful place I have ever run is Mikon Farm in Sudwala South Africa, owned by my niece and nephew who began a mountain biking resort there as well. It is called Mankele Mountain Biking www.mankele.co.za situated along the Mpumalanga escarpment with tropical forests, open grass lands, rivers, dams, ravines and mountain ranges. My brother and I took a long vacation there in 2009 to visit family and my brother rode his mountain bike up the trails and I ran on them.
Which of your running routes make you the happiest and why?
Pinson Mounds State Archeological Park – when I first introduced pace runs into my 18 week winter training at the beginning of this year, I tested the waters in this beautiful park where deer were plentiful and I could focus without distraction of any kind and try to run the speed I thought I should be running in the marathon. I had so much fun with the pace runs and will always in my mind associate the park with marathon training.
Chickasaw State Park – It was here that I did all of my long runs and explored the vastness and beauty of the one of the most beautiful state parks in Tennessee.
Why do you race?
I race because race day is exciting and I am addicted to adrenaline. I love the camaraderie of meeting up with my friends at local races and sharing our race experiences and talking about everything running related. The sense of being completely understood by these friends instead of sometimes being considered quite crazy by other people in my life as to why I get up at 5am to run and train in all kinds of weather encourages me to keep going.
What running moment are you most proud of?
The day I went from being just a 5K runner to becoming a marathoner when I finished my first marathon, The Andrew Jackson Marathon on April 9, 2011.
***
So, that’s our first profile! What did you think? I hope you enjoyed getting to know Marj as much as I did. She is the embodiment of what it means to Run It Fast. She is out there, pushing her boundaries, bringing home the bling, and most of all…having fun!
Thank you for sharing Marj! Good luck with your races and don’t forget to Run It Fast!
P.S. If you aren’t part of the Run It Fast Club yet and would like to know what it’s all about, please click this link:
We asked you via Run It Fast’s Twitter (@runitfast)for examples of some of the worst things you’ve witnessed other runners do during races and many of you replied.
The list of things ranged from cutting courses to numerous mentions of runners leaving bodily fluids and excrements along the course, in front of you, or too close for comfort.
Take a look below and see if you agree or have an experience that can top these:
Worst Things You’ve Seen Other Runners Do During Races
Storified by Joshua Holmes · Wed, Jun 06 2012 13:31:06
@runitfast I ran the Disney marathon and a lady crapped her pants- she tied her shirt around her waist and it seeped through that too #grossKonstantine
@runitfast A guy peed right in front of me in a race. Didn’t even move off trail/go behind a tree, just whipped it out. #didntneedtoseethatLisa Gonzales
“@runitfast: What is the worst thing you’ve ever seen another runner do during a race? Responses will be used in a RIF post.” losePedrosRevenge
@runitfast cut flags!!!! <<<ashley
@runitfast during a hot half a runner .25 miles in front of me collapsed. no one stopped, I did. We were pacing a 1:55 so not a winning paceKimberley Hill
“@runitfast: What is the worst thing you’ve ever seen another runner do during a race? Responses will be used in a RIF post.” Quit.MIA
@runitfast take short cut!!!!!elizabeth v rehmer
@runitfast Spitting in the wind while I’m running behind them. Gross!Tanjie K
@runitfast watched a guy cut through a neighborhoodand come out in front of race officials. He didn’t win.Rich Thibault
@runitfast A woman pull down her shorts and do #2 in a parking lot in a marathon…Phil Min
@runitfast Farmer’s blow RIGHT in front of me on a very windy Ambassador Bridge from Detroit to Canada, 2011 Detroit Marathon. Really?Lisa Edwards
@runitfast ran by a guy in INGMiami who was talkin on his phone.. I mean really??Jason Orlinsky
@runitfast Bi-lateral leg cramp. He stopped, straightened up, staggered a bit, and fell right on his butt. That’s all I got.Brooks Gatlin
@runitfast I saw a pace leader just whip it out and pee all over himself… I’ve heard similar stories about dropping deuces as well. YikesE.B.
@runitfast Take a shortcut(in more than one race) then try and cut me off in the finish chute. Caught on video at the finish. Witch with a BMichelle Mitchell
@runitfast blow their noise on the ground….disgusting…Julie Armat -Bowles
@runitfast Throwing a half full cup of water behind him, hitting me in the face. WAIT – that felt pretty good!Tanjie K
@runitfast poop on the trail!Life as a Convert
@runitfast I once was spit on during a race. It was an accident but the dude deserved to be passed and beat by a girl!Melanie Hebert
@runitfast Worst? At Hot Chocolate 15K, Nov 2010, lady couldn’t wait for port-a-potty! Dropped it right out it the open! What? No bush?! :)Dianna Seda
Pee by the roadside. In full view of everybody @runitfast worst thing you’ve seen a fellow runner do during a race?Aleah Phils
@runitfast Seeing @Samuel_Pogue poop his pants during the mile of an indoor track raceRyan Arthur