Run It Fast®

Here is the medal for the Luzhniki International Half Marathon that took place on June 23 , 2012 in Moscow, Russia.

The medal was submitted by Michelle Mitchell who took 3rd Overall in the Half Marathon. Congratulations Michelle! Her 3rd place medal:

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[Medals submitted by RIF #133 Michelle Mitchell. Follow her on Twitter @runnerchickey]

Here is the medal for the Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole Half Marathon that took place on June 23, 2012 in Milwaukee, WI.

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[Medal submitted by RIF #107 Scott Gorski. Follow him on Twitter @scottofwindlake]

Here is the medal for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon that took place on June 23, 2012 in Seattle, WA.

They changed it up a little from last year’s medal but kept all the main elements of Seattle in it. I like it.

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[Medal submitted by Michael Miller. Follow him on Twitter @spaceneedl]

Here is the medal for the inaugural Trail Marathon Wales that took place on June 23, 2012 at Coed y Brenin in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales.

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[Medal submitted by Gavin Reeves. Follow him on Twitter @GavinJReeves]

Here is the medal for the Mayor’s Half Marthon that was held on June 23, 2012 in Anchorage, Alaska.

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[Medal submitted by Ruth Rickey. Follow Ruth on Twitter @RuthRickey2U]

Here is the medal for the HFM Maritime Marathon that was held on June 24, 2012 in Manitowoc, WI.

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[Medal submitted by Arturo Moreno. Follow him on Twitter @marathonarturo]

Laura Raeder #20

This week’s profile is Laura Raeder #20. Laura is on a mission to run in every state and she’s more than half way to her goal. My goal is to run in every state as well so she is really inspiring to me. Who/what is inspiring to Laura? Check out her profile below and find out!

Meet Laura Raeder…

INFO

Name: Laura Raeder
RIF #: 20
Twitter: @LauraRaeder

STATS

Years running: 6

Favorite PR: Boston Marathon 2010 3:37 I wish I would have appreciated this more, instead of wondering how to shave 7 more minutes off my time! (see photo above)

Favorite Race: Chicago Marathon 2009. The temperature was 32 at the start–perfect for this South Dakota runner. The race has great crowd support! Plus, my sister and Brother-in-law ran this race with me ….and my parents came to cheer!

Favorite Bling: I don’t have a favorite medal…I feel like I birthed them all and just can’t pick a favorite child!

Next Race: Seattle RNR marathon June 23rd.

What makes you FEEL fast?: Every Wednesday, I run with my former trainer. We run 5 miles and each time we run …she asks for a walk break. 🙂 (However, I think I have persuaded her to train for a fall marathon! Good-bye Wednesday recovery runs…Hello mid-week long runs!)

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Who inspires your running and why? Every other runner. Honestly…perfect form speeding past, hunched over and shuffling…new runners with passion and questions…experienced runners with passion and answers. I am motivated by each person…why they run…their goals…their stories.

Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why? There is a piece of our Bike Trail that goes around our airport. There is no shade, no wind breaks, and no water…so, not many people. I love running here. There is a 1.5 mile straight stretch that can feel like 3 miles some days or .25 miles other days…it all depends on how many problems you have to solve!

What is the thing you splurge on after a race? Airport pizza! Ha! I am trying to run a marathon in all 50 states before I am 40…I have 27 states and 24.5 months…so, I fly in the day before the race, get my packet, sleep, race, shower, and fly home. So, by the time I arrive at the airport after a race I am craving something salty and heavy…pizza it is!

Why do you race? For the feeling of crossing the finish line. My response is extremely selfish…but it is the truth. The fatigue, accomplishment, nausea, strength…the nirvana.

What running moment are you most proud of? My first 1/2 marathon. I ran it with my sister. I was exhausted and she stayed with me encouraging me to finish. Of course she ran backwards…did cartwheels…and high-fived all the kids on the course…but, we finished together! I was hooked!

Laura with her sister and brother-in-law before her first half marathon.

Running it fast at a 4 miler!

***

Laura is inspired to run by everyday runners like you and me, by her sister and her family, and by pizza! Most of all she’s inspired by how running makes here feel. Find what inspires you and use that to go farther or faster or longer than you ever have before. And don’t forget…you might be inspiring someone like Laura without even knowing it!

Thanks for sharing Laura! Good luck at Rock & Roll Seattle!

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 Laura Raeder]

Scott Stader #40

This week’s RIF Club Member profile is Scott Stader #40. Scott became a Marathon Maniac in 2008 and a Half Fanatic in 2009. He has run 39 marathons/ultras in 23 states and 46 half marathons in 7 states. That is a lot of running! By the way, in the photo above, Scott was on his way to a PR in the New Johnsville Charge 5 Miler. Way to Run It Fast Scott!

But Scott isn’t just about the statistics listed above. Running is more than just a number or a PR to him as you’ll find out. Now, let’s jump right in…meet Scott Stader:

INFO

Name: Scott Stader
RIF #: 40
Blog: www.scottstader.com
Twitter: @scottstader
Facebook: ScottStader

RUNNING STATS

Years Running: 7

Favorite Race Distance: Marathon

Favorite PR: Marathon! A blazing 4:53 at Rock n Roll New Orleans…and a 24:33 5K – both this year at age 40!

Favorite Race: Kauai Marathon (Tie for 2nd – The Middle Half & RUTS – any race with tons of my friends running too!)

Favorite Bling: RUTS (Run Under The Stars) ultra medal – My first Ultra – HUGE confidence booster!

Marathon Medal Christmas Tree

Next Race: Run Jackson/Jabari Greer Campaign 5K in my hometown of Jackson, TN

What makes you FEEL fast?: I feel and actually am fastest when I’m totally FREEZING my tail off.

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Who inspires your running and why? Dean Karnazes was actually the first person to truly inspire me. Reading his books showed me that I wasn’t alone in my weird fascination for running. Then I met some incredible folks that were like me – regular, if not too incredibly athletic, folks that run copious amounts of marathons. Larry Macon, the late Angela Ivory and others who run just because they love it. Not for a medal or recognition but because they truly enjoy the challenge, the travel and meeting folks. I want to be like them – someone who invites others to join in on our secret society…and keeps it anything but a secret!

What is the strangest/funniest thing you’ve ever seen while running? Well, I was passed by two jogglers, a dozen hamburgers, a nekkid dude, Minnie Mouse and Elvis at Boston. Nice!

What is the thing you splurge on after a race? Mexican! That’s if my stomach is feeling ok – if not, a huge hamburger from Five Guys…or a 3 x 3 at In & Out Burger.

Why do you race? In the words of Pre – “A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts…” That’s just part of my story. I’m not fast but I love pushing myself to see how much I can improve…and to show others that they can get up off the couch and improve their lives like I was lead to seven years ago. Mostly, I race because I get to run with, laugh with, suffer with, encourage, and be encouraged by my running buds. The running community is so supportive and caring that it’s been one of the hugest blessings in my life.

Getting our funk on at the Middle Half 11′

What running moment are you most proud of? Seeing my friends run their first marathon/or any race…and not hating me because I may or may not have coerced them into it 🙂 Other than that, my first marathon sticks out. Country Music 07′ – I was consistent in my training but had a totally unexpected and VERY tough day. One of my worst times out of my 39. I didn’t have any close friends who had done anything like this and it unlocked something inside me. The physical exhaustion is a given but I wasn’t prepared for the mental exhaustion. My family and some great friends were there to cheer me on and I kept going…and I finished…and then I signed up for another one soon after! “To be able to go further than you thought you could – well that is living a full life.”

Encouraging poster at the St. Jude Marathon

Bad Apple Ultra – 40 Miles (farthest to date)

***

As you can see, Scott is pushing himself to run farther and faster but what we really appreciate about him is how much fun he’s having with his running adventures. He loves running for the sense of community it brings and he wants to share his love of running with everyone. He is living the Run It Fast philosophy and that’s why we are happy to share his story with you.

Thanks for sharing with us Scott! Good luck at the 5k and don’t forget to 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 Scott Stader]

This is the medal for the Run Under The Stars 10 Hour Endurance Run that was held on June 9-10, 2012 from 10pm to 6am in Paducah, Kentucky.

RUTS is held on a 1/2 mile horsetrack and the runners do as many laps as possible within the 10 hour time limit. This is an awesome medal which incorporates all of the elements of the run with the horseshoe, the moon & stars, and a place to put the miles the runner completed. Very sweet bling!

Congratulations to Dani for completing her first ultra!

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[Medal submitted by RIF #49 Dani Obregon – Follow Dani on Twitter @Nanyob]

This is the medal for the Dover Air Force Base Heritage Half Marathon that was held on June 10, 2012 in Dover, Delaware.

Bright, colorful and patriotic!

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[Medal submitted by Shawna Block – follow Shawna on Twitter @ssulax33]