Run It Fast®

This is the 2nd place age group medal (along with the very cool colorful race shirt) for the Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital 5K Run that was held on August 18, 2012 in Reed City, Michigan.

Congratulations to RIF #108 Mark Sikkila for getting 2nd place in his age group! Way to Run It Fast!

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal submitted by RIF #108 Mark Sikkila – follow him on Twitter @MarkSikkila]

This is the 1st place medal for the IAU World Cup 50K that was held on August 19, 2012 in Daugavpils, Latvia.

Congratulations to RIF #133 Michelle Mitchell for the win! Wish her luck as she heads to the 50K World Championships in the Fall!

Here is a photo of the back of the medal:

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal submitted by RIF #133 Michelle Mitchell – follow her on Twitter @runnerchickey]

This is the medal for Pikes Peak Marathon that was held on August 19, 2012 in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

The marathon starts at 6,300′ and climbs to 14,115′ at the summit before the runners return back to the start! Insane! It’s America’s Ultimate Challenge all right. I like how the medal incorporated the mountains into the shape and that it declared the marathon’s bada$$ery on the back.

Congratulations to RIF #83 Brad Box and RIF #1 Joshua Holmes for completing such a tough marathon!

Here’s one last photo of the medal:

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medals and photo submitted by RIF #1 Joshua Holmes – follow him on Twitter @bayou]

This is the medal for the Moose’s Tooth Marathon and Bear Tooth Marathon Relay that were held on August 19, 2012 in Anchorage, Alaska.

The marathon and relay are part of the Big Wild Life Runs that also includes a half marathon, 5K, and kids 2K. Cool medal that incorporates the shape of the state, the moose, and the bear. Quintessential Alaskan wild life.

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal submitted by RIF #40 Scott Stader – follow him on Twitter @scottstader]

This is the medal for the Leading Ladies Marathon that was held on August 19, 2012 in Spearfish, South Dakota.

The theme for this year’s women only marathon was The Lead Mare and the medal was based on a painting of the same name by Sarah Rogers. It’s a colorful and unique medal for a fun, fun, fun race! Seriously… it’s my new favorite marathon and I highly recommend it for the views and the support and bling! You can read my recap of it here.

By the way…Run It Fast – The Club had 3 members representing at this marathon!

Lisa RIF #5, Diane RIF #159, and Michelle RIF #124

Congratulations to Michelle Walker RIF #124 for getting 3rd place in the 40-44 age group!

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal submitted by RIF #5 Lisa Gonzales – follow me on Twitter @runlikeacoyote]

Joshua Holmes  (RIF #1) has taken the lead in the Extreme Racer Standings with 889 points thanks to his epic 314 mile run at Vol State 500K in July!  Hideki Kinoshita (RIF #88) is in second place with 813.2 points.

In third place overall is Emily Conley (RIF #24) who is leading the women with 426.4 points.  She is followed on the women’s board by Diane Bolton (RIF #159) with 377.8 points and Laura Raeder (RIF #20) with 340.8 points. David Wingard (RIF #101) is in third place on the men’s board with 365.4 points.

Each runner is awarded 1 point for each race mile. (More details HERE)

Top Ten Overall
1.   Joshua Holmes – 889  (RIF #1)
2.   Hideki Kinoshita – 813.2  (RIF #88)
3.   Emily Conley – 426.4  (RIF #24)
4.   Diane Bolton – 377.8  (RIF #159)
5.   David Wingard – 365.4  (RIF #101)
6.   Laura Raeder – 340.8  (RIF #20)
7.   Scott Stader – 304.6  (RIF #40)
8.   Heather Shoemaker – 303  (RIF #44)
9.   Robin Mancinelli – 298.3  (RIF #134)
10.   Rick Jarvis – 296.8  (RIF #18)
 
Men’s Leader Board
1.   Joshua Holmes – 889  (RIF #1)
2.   Hideki Kinoshita – 813.2  (RIF #88)
3.   David Wingard – 365.4  (RIF #101)
4.   Scott Stader – 304.6  (RIF #40)
5.   Rick Jarvis – 296.8  (RIF #18)
6.   Alvin Lee – 250.6  (RIF #30)
7.   Jason Howard – 242.7  (RIF #150)
8.   David Donald – 203.96  (RIF #54)
9.   Wade Anderson – 170.6  (RIF #22)
10.   Jonathan Bobbitt – 154.4  (RIF #3)
11.   Kevin Leathers – 143  (RIF #12)
12.   Trent Rosenbloom – 141.6  (RIF #57)
13.   Nicholas Norfolk – 139.01  (RIF #116)
14.   Rick Thiounn – 125.4  (RIF #111)
15.   Perry Ligon – 123.3  (RIF #146)
16.   Dennis Arriaga – 86.56  (RIF #140)
17.   Mark Sikkila – 84.1  (RIF #108)
18.   Naresh Kumar – 83.4  (RIF #2)
19.   John Hudson – 79.6  (RIF #63)
20.   Brian Wooldridge – 74.8  (RIF #141)
21.   Robin Robbins – 71.9  (RIF #33)
22.   Victor Fleitas – 71.12  (RIF #21)
23.   Scott Lochridge – 65.5  (RIF #32)
24.   Stewart Crouch – 64.8  (RIF #89)
25.   JD Leman – 39.3  (RIF #139)
26.   Steven Reagan – 31  (RIF #157)
27.   Nathan Bass – 29.5  (RIF #174)
28.   Scott Gorski – 25.5  (RIF #107)
29.   Mark Watson – 24.9  (RIF #173)
30.   Kevin Ronayne – 19.3  (RIF #11)
31.   Chris Nelson – 19.3  (RIF #135)
32.   Patrick Johnson – 10  (RIF #87)
33.   Josh Liggett – 9.32  (RIF #147)
 
Women’s Leader Board
1.   Emily Conley – 426.4  (RIF #24)
2.   Diane Bolton – 377.8  (RIF #159)
3.   Laura Raeder – 340.8  (RIF #20)
4.   Heather Shoemaker – 303  (RIF #44)
5.   Robin Mancinelli – 298.3  (RIF #134)
6.   Nadia Ruiz Gonzales – 267.1  (RIF #69)
7.   Mikki Trujillo – 250  (RIF #13)
8.   Lisa Gonzales – 233.5  (RIF #5)
9.   Michelle Mitchell – 230.4  (RIF #133)
10.   Jennifer Whitley – 184.9  (RIF #160)
11.   Alicia Eno – 173.4  (RIF #126)
12.   Daniela Obregon – 107.7  (RIF #49)
13.   Nicole Knutson – 104.8  (RIF #47)
14.   Donna Pittman – 102.7  (RIF #181)
15.   Amber Goetz-Bouchard – 64.55  (RIF #15)
16.   Christy Bowers – 57.2  (RIF #60)
17.   Marj Mitchell – 48.8  (RIF #4)
18.   Lisa Edwards – 44.9  (RIF #122)
19.   Natalie Torres – 42.4  (RIF #72)
20.   Meredith Yox – 24.7  (RIF #128)
21.   Debra Jacildo – 17.39  (RIF #98)

Thanks to everyone who submitted their points so far! It’s exciting to see how much everyone is running!

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)

It’s time to vote for the best May 2012 race medal! May was another busy race month and we received a ton of submissions but we whittled it down to 15 for you to to choose from. I voted for my favorite already!

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

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 May 2012 race medal? Choose your favorite from these 15:

Thanks for voting!

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

RIF #134 Robin at the Vermont 100 with RD Julia Hutchinson

This week’s RIF Club Member profile is Robin Manicinelli #134. Reading Robin’s answers reminded me that you don’t always have to play by the “rules”. What rules did she break? Read her profile to find out!

Meet Robin:

INFO
Name: Robin Mancinelli
RIF #: 134
Twitter: @Robinmrr2
Facebook: Robin Balint Mancinelli

STATS
Years Running: Not quite 5
Favorite Race Distance: 100 miles, I’ve only done one, but it was a blast!
Favorite PR: Hmmm, probably 24:31:54, for the Vermont 100.
Favorite Race: Expedition Everest, my sons ran it with me.

Favorite Bling: NJ Trail Series always has cool bling!  And extras! (Thanks to Rick and Jen)
Next Race: Right now, registered for the Steamtown Marathon, then JFK 50.  But I’m hoping to get at least one more in before Steamtown.  I have a few on the radar.
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: I don’t think I EVER feel fast.  But the great RIF shirt forces me to try harder! 😀

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Who inspires your running and why?  It is not so much “who” inspires my running, as it is “what” inspires my running.  I run: when I am happy, when I have a problem I need solved, when I had a bad day at work, when I have the time, when I don’t have the time, when it’s the first snowfall of the year, when it’s raining, when it’s a beautiful autumn morning and the leaves are changing, when my training schedule dictates I run, when I have a friend to run with, or when I just want to run and smile.

Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why?  I LOVE running trails!  I was a hardcore road runner, then a friend of mine was talking about off road running.  Since I started, it has become something I really look forward to.  People say I run with a smile on my face, the atmosphere is laid back, the trees, streams and wildlife tend to do that.  It also explains the bugs in my teeth!

What is your favorite go-to pre-race meal?  Pre-race meal is a banana, Special K chocolatey delight (dry, no milk) and a Gatorade-AM Tropical Mango. No substitutes.

Why do you race?  I race to test myself.  I was running a few months, registered for my first marathon and someone told me that I should run it just to finish.  This person was an experienced runner, and someone I admire, but I took that as a challenge!  I ran that marathon AND qualified for Boston, after taking up running within the year!  I immediately crossed the finish line, grabbed a phone, and called them to say, “Look at the clock!!!!!  I Boston qualified!”, ( as a side note, this person has still not BQ!)  I also love meeting other runners, especially at ultras.  I have made some great friends by racing.  My dream races: Western States and Badwater.  I better RIF, I’m not getting any younger!

Big races or small races? And why?  Oh, that’s hard.  The big races, like Disney or Boston, for example, have the excitement, the bands, entertainment, crowds and such.  It’s a good thing once in a while.  But I think I prefer the smaller races.  It seems the other runners are friendlier and the atmosphere is relaxed.  It’s when the RD knows your name and is not afraid to use it!

Robin at NYC Marathon and the Princess Half

***

People tell you there are “rules” to running. You shouldn’t try new food or gear on race day. You shouldn’t go out too fast in a race. You shouldn’t “race” your first marathon/ultra/etc. But some rules are made to be broken! I love that Robin qualified for Boston in her FIRST marathon and then ran 24 hours and change at her FIRST 100 miler. She is not letting anyone put limits on what she can do and that is really inspiring. Rules are there to help us when we start out, that’s true. But I think the great thing about running is that it really is an individual sport. What works for one person may not work for another. And NO ONE knows what you can do better than YOU. The most important thing I’ve learned is to trust myself and my body. Robin obviously knows that too. I bet that’s another reason she smiles so much. 🙂

Thank you for letting us get to know you, Robin. Good luck with your races this year! Run It Fast!

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 Robin Mancinelli]

Here is the medal for the Area 13.1 Half Marathon that was held on August 18, 2012 in Roswell, Georgia.

Okay, the medal is little on the small side but it is kind of cool. I like how there are runners reflected in the alien’s eyes! It seems fitting since this night race challenges you to “escape the invasion”. I like the shirt too.

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medals submitted by Oliver Vagner – follow him on Twitter @Oliver_Vagner and Leigh Marsh – follow her on Twitter @MsPrincessLeigh]

This is the medal for Madison Mini Marathon that was held on August 18, 2012 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Cool beer mug medal! The photo also shows the medal that RIF #107 Scott received for completing the 2nd half marathon in the M2 Challenge. The 1st half marathon was the Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole Half Marathon held in June. You can see Scott’s medal for that half marathon here.

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal submitted by RIF #107 Scott Gorski – follow him on Twitter @scottofwindlake]