Run It Fast®

June was another month with some awesome race bling. We’ve narrowed down the medal submissions to 16 medals for the June vote. Not easy, but we did it. 😉 I already know which one I’m going to vote for!

The medal chosen as the Best Race Medal for June 2012 will be included in the contest for the Best Race Medal of 2012 at the end of the year.

By the way, the vote for the Best Race Medal – May 2012 is still open and you can go here to vote for one more week:

VOTE: Best Race Medal – May 2012 

It’s a close race between the Safari Half Marathon Medal and the Divas Half Marathon Medal right now!

The Best Race Medal winners so far this year:
January – Inaugural Louisiana Marathon Medal 2012 
February – Surf City Marathon Medal 2012
March – Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Half Marathon Medal 2012
April – Flying Pirate Half Marathon Medal 2012

Ready to vote for the best June 2012 race medal? Choose the one you think is best out of these 16:

Thanks for voting!

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

Here is the finisher’s medal for the Endure the Bear 50K that took place on September 8, 2012 in Big Bear Lake, California.

The same medal was given to finishers of the 30K and 15K as well.

Below you will see a photo of a 2nd place finisher’s medal that was presented to RIF #5 Lisa Gonzales for placing second in the 15K. Congrats to Lisa on her stellar accomplishment.

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[medal photo submitted by RIF #5 Lisa Gonzales. Follow the race on Twitter @runlikeacoyote]

Michelle Walker #124

This week’s RIF – The Club profile is Michelle Walker #124. I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle at the Leading Ladies Marathon in August. I also got to see her take home some age group bling at that race! It was at that race that I also realized Michelle is a Marathon Maniac (and I heard she reached Platinum/ 8 -Star status – Woo! Congrats!) so she obviously runs A LOT of marathons. I thought it would be fun to see which ones were her favorites…and how she finds the time.

Meet Michelle, the marathoning machine:

INFO

Name: Michelle Walker
RIF #: 124
Twitter: MarathonMomof6
Facebook: Michelle Moreland Walker

STATS

Years Running: Marathons – 5.5 years, Half Marathons – 8 years, Shorter Distances – 25 years
Favorite Race Distance: 26.2 – The marathon distance never fails to provide me with a challenge, even after running 48 marathons.
Favorite PR: Leading Ladies Marathon – 3:35:20
Favorite Race: Missoula Marathon
Favorite Bling: Minneapolis Marathon (2011), Leading Ladies Marathon (2012), Rock n Roll Mardi Gras (2012)

Next Race: Omaha Marathon – Sep 23
What Makes You FEEL Fast? Breaking race time barriers I once thought to be impossibilities.

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

What’s the most beautiful place that you’ve run? Missoula, MT: I love the West and its jaw dropping, natural beauty.

Have you ever worn a costume during a race? What was it and for what race? The 2011 Marine Corps Marathon was held the day before Halloween. Thinking many runners would be in costume, I dressed up as a bumblebee. To my dismay, very few runners were in costume. Once the race started, so many people (spectators, Marines, and other runners) were cheering for the bee that I felt like an entertainer rather than a runner. The positive reinforcement I received from the bumblebee costume encouraged me to dress up more. I helped pace the 2011 RnR Las Vegas Marathon in a Mrs. Claus outfit.

What is the thing you splurge on after a race? Starbucks’ Mocha Light Frappuccino! Actually, I’m addicted to Frappuccinos and have one almost daily after a workout. (Who needs chocolate milk when you can buy a $5 Frappuccino? :)) After a race, I really indulge – adding the whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.

Why do you race? I have six kids! Yes, that’s right: a half dozen! Being the mother of six is often stressful and overwhelming. Training and participating in races not only serves as my stress reducer, but it fulfills my need for accomplishing measurable goals. My family and I have greatly benefitted from my passion for running.

Big races or small races? Why? I prefer mid size races. I enjoy the social experience of the marathon. A medium sized race allows me to meet and connect with people, without feeling lost in the crowd.

What is the one piece of running gear you can’t leave the house without? My iPod Shuffle! Music motivates me! My running playlist is filled with fast, upbeat music. I have opted not to pace marathons because I am too reliant upon my music to get me to the finish.

What running moment are you most proud of? I was the third overall female to finish the 2012 ET Marathon. I am especially proud of this accomplishment because I wasn’t feeling well during most of the race. I had forgotten my headlamp, as well as the suggested hydration. Despite feeling dehydrated and nauseated, I met my goal time. When I crossed the finish line, I realized I had a mental toughness that I previously didn’t know existed.

***

So…Michelle has run 48 marathons so far…and she has 6 kids! It kind of makes any excuse about not running I might have fly right out the window! What I find very cool about Michelle is that even after 48 marathons, she is still excited about running them, having fun (like the bee & Mrs Claus costumes!), and pushing hard at each marathon. She’s setting PRs and bringing home age group awards. Here’s one more of Michelle at the Tupelo Marathon with some of that very bling:

Thanks for sharing Michelle. Good luck and I know you’ll Run It Fast at the Omaha Marathon!

If you’d like to join Run It Fast – The Club or would like more information about it, please click this link:

Run It Fast – The Club (JOIN TODAY)

[All photos submitted by Michelle Walker and Joshua Holmes]

Here is the finisher’s medal from the Wasaga Beach Half Marathon that took place on September 9, 2012 in Wasaga Beach, Ontario (Canada).

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[medal photo submitted by Azifikare. Follow on Twitter @Azifikare]

Here is the finisher’s medal fromt he Rail-Trail Council of NEPA Half Marathon that took place on September 9, 2012 in Forest City, Pennsylvania.

The medal is hanging from a coffee mug that was given to Run It Fast member (RIF #134) Robin Mancinelli for winning her age group. Congrats!

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[medal photo submitted by RIF #134 Robin Mancinelli. Follow the race on Twitter @robinm1022]

Here is the finisher’s medal from the Chicago Half Marathon that took place on September 9, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois.

Congrats to Run It Fast – Club members (RIF #10) Dianna Seda, who ran her first half marathon at Chicago, and (RIF #180) Brian Gardner who set a new PR at the race.

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[medal photo submitted by RIF Member #10 Dianna Seda. Follow her on Twitter @DiannaSeda]

“The medal features “Scribbly,” the event’s running mascot-slash-graphic icon. Smaller versions of this 42.2K full marathon medal were presented to the half marathon finishers, relay teams and mini-marathon participants.”

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[medal photo submitted by Doug Russell (volunteer RD). Follow the race on Twitter @runQCM]

Here is the finisher’s medal from the Sioux Falls Marathon (and Half Marathon) that took place on September 9, 2012 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[medal photo submitted by Brandon Duwe. Follow him on Twitter @brandonduwe]

Here is the finisher’s medal from the Bacchus Half Marathon that took place on September 9, 2012 in Dorking, England (United Kingdom).

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[medal photo submitted by Lizzy Muggeridge. Follow him on Twitter @lizzyjm]

U.S. Olympian Ryan Hall Withdraws from 2012 ING New York City Marathon

                   Injuries Force Him Out of November 4 Race

New York, September 10, 2012- The 2012 ING New York City Marathon men's 
field will lose previously announced Ryan Hall due to a series of small but 
stubborn injuries, including plantar fasciitis and tightness in his legs, 
which have caused him to lose too much training time, it was announced 
today by New York Road Runners officials.

"I am very disappointed to not be able to run this year's ING New York City 
Marathon," said Hall, 29, of Redding, CA. "I was hoping that after some 
time off and treatment after the Games, the string of nagging injuries I've 
been dealing with this year would be behind me. After trying to run 
through, I came to the realization when keeping the big picture in mind, 
that I needed to take a longer break to let things heal and not rush the 
training. As much as I would love to still race after taking the break, my 
integrity will not let me show up to the line if I'm not fit."

Hall started the Olympic Marathon in London last month, but was forced to 
stop due to injury. The men's field features Hall's U.S. Olympic Marathon 
teammates Meb Keflezighi and Abdi Abdirahman. Other top Americans include 
Jason Hartmann, Brett Gotcher, Nick Arciniaga, Scott Bauhs, Andrew Carlson, 
and Ryan Vail.

[press release]