Run It Fast®

This is a special edition of the finisher’s medal for the Tacoma City Marathon that was held on May 5, 2013 in Tacoma, Washington.

The Marathon Maniacs held their 10th Anniversary “party” at the Tacoma City Marathon and this is the medal to commemorate it. Oh yeah, and it’s a bottle opener!

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

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

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]

There has been a lot of filth to come out the the 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and 1/2 Marathon that took place this past Sunday night in Sin City.

A lot of it has been true while some other tidbits seem exaggerated, distorted, or simply false.

Here are a few of the more scandalous rumors that I’ve come across in the past couple of days:

1. “read the comments on the rnr page. Kate (Gosselin) didn’t run the race. She was on the sidelines and riding to the checkpoints on someones tomos scooter and at every checkpoint, the announcers gave platitudes to Kate and none of the other runners. Pissed many of the committed runners off.
   It was a paid appearance to garner support for a race and a charity that isn’t a 501c3 organization and like everything in Las Vegas, what happens there, stays there. Her bodyguard didn’t walk the entire course carrying a pink handbag. He was on a scooter pacing her for 3 miles and then picking her up and pacing the race to keep the shoe tag legit. When they came to a checkpoint at 500 feet, Kate jumped off as the crowd and contestants were too busy to notice. Kate made all the check points. She actually completed the marathon but she didn’t do it toe to heel. – Comment by Kim left on Reality TV Star Kate Gosselin Finishes RNR Las Vegas Marathon
2. Shenanigans by the Competitor CEO and his wife, in taking 1st Place AG for the Half! As exposed by journalist Don Pemberton – “calling Shenanigans on the CEO of Competitor Group and his wife. They ran the Las Vegas half marathon together, as a wedding couple, supposedly attended the run-thru-wedding chapel on the course, and somehow both managed to win their age divisions with a 6:31 avg pace. They wore each other’s bib numbers – technically you can be DQ’d for wearing someone elses number. They have NO split times for the 5k and 10k marks. AND – their bib numbers indicate that they should have started in the last corral. How did they manage to run a 1:25:16 half marathon, starting in the last corral thus having to weave thru all the walkers, and attend a wedding?!? SHENANIGANS!!!!!!!” – Marathon Maniac FB page
3. The bananas were green! 😉 – Stated by 578 running divas on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Facebook Page

The above are just rumors being floated out there and haven’t been verified except for #3.  Although, some have stated that bananas had turned yellow by the time the last of the half marathoners had reached them.

Everything else that we know went wrong and made this event sub-par can be found in this post: The Nightmare on the Strip: Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Full of Sin

Have another dirty rumor from the most scandalous marathon of 2011? If so then drop it in the comments.

The 49th Annual JFK 50 Mile ultramarathon was run on Saturday.  Here is the finisher’s medal from the race.

David Riddle won the race with a very Run It Fast time of 5:40:45 (Full Story).

MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES

[Medal photo submitted by Hideki Kino of the Marathon Maniacs. Follow him on Twitter @RunKino]

I recently met marathoner Dana Casanave at the Tupelo Marathon back in September.  She is an extremely impressive woman, mother of three; who transformed her life by losing 70 lbs by running.

Now she is helping transform the lives of South African orphans.  Dana is in the process of running 52 marathons in 52 weekends for 52 different South African AIDS orphans (read more here).

Dana is our first runner profile on Run It Fast.  We are thankful for her taking the time to sit down and answer our questions about running and her 52 Beginnings.  Her story will inspire you.

Have you always been a runner?

Absolutely not! I used to despise running with almost the same intensity that I now love it. I never would have imagined I’d become a runner! I started having weight issues at age 7.  I was never involved in sports in school. I was overweight until I was in my early 20’s and it wasn’t until after I gave birth to my second child that I finally decided to get my act together. I’ve lost about 70 pounds and running has totally transformed my life

So what got you into running?

I honestly just wanted to get in shape and lose weight. As the weight came off, I gradually found that I enjoyed running, especially as I built more endurance and could run for longer periods. It was a great outlet, especially for a mom of 3 little kids.

What made you decide to run your first marathon?

After a year of doing half marathons, I did my first marathon in 2007 because I thought it would be really cool to do my first 26.2 while I was 26 years old. Plus I was completely amazed that people could run that far! I wanted to prove to myself that I could too.

What is the toughest challenge of running a marathon every weekend?

I have to say that traveling is honestly the hardest part and trying to keep everything organized with my schedule. I know that if I make it to the start line, I will finish the race, so the real challenge is just getting there.

Do you run or train any during the week between marathons?

I do and the amount of running varies from week to week, but I find that active recovery allows my body to perform better. I keep my runs short (usually 3-4 miles a day) and also do upper body weight training to keep my core and back strong.

What is your favorite marathon to date?

I’ve had so many people ask me this question and I honestly don’t know that I could pick just one marathon. For small marathons, I love the Garden Spot Village Marathon in New Holland, PA. It’s through rolling hills in Amish countryside and it’s challenging, beautiful and peaceful. Leading Ladies in Spearfish, SD offered some of the most beautiful views for a woman’s only marathon event and Mesa Falls in Idaho was breathtaking as well. For you guys (or football fans) you must do the Sunburst Marathon in South Bend, IN. You get to start at the College football Hall of Fame and finish on the 50 yard line of the Notre Dame Stadium! The San Francisco Marathon has been one of my favorite big races this year and of course I love the Marine Corps Marathon, that I’ll be running for a 3rd time this year. Sorry, I didn’t do too well with picking just one did I?!

What marathon would you recommend to a fellow runner as a ‘must-do’ marathon?

I would highly suggest the Vermont City Marathon, Akron Marathon and Richmond Marathon along with the one’s listed above. They are all top notch events, with great support.

What is the toughest marathon you’ve done?

As far as physically challenging, I’d have to rank the Enviro-Sports Golden Gate Headlands Marathon up there. It’s 2 loops with some intense hills on trails near San Francisco. I’m not a trail runner by nature, and it was quite a challenge!

What is your hydration and nutrition like before, during, and after a marathon?

I don’t have a set standard for my nutrition habits. I try to eat as healthy as possible, but I don’t always eat pasta the night before a race, or have the same foods for my pre-race breakfast every time. I usually go with what sounds good and try to make sure I get a decent amount of carbs and salt. I drink whatever is offered on the course and will bring either a couple gels or a bag of candies in case I need it. I don’t have a system or plan for my eating, but I am careful to hydrate at every aid station regardless of how I feel. I will say that I’m a big fan of chocolate milk for pre-and post race recovery. I am a firm believer in getting protein as soon as possible once you cross the finish line and I find that’s a easy and quick way to do so.

So what made you decide to run 52 marathons in 52 weekends?

I wanted to be able to use my running to do something positive for others because running has changed my life in so many positive ways. I wanted to challenge myself to a physical height that very few people have accomplished, especially women. I also hoped it would inspire people to do what they are called to do, whatever that may be, to help others through something that they love. We all have something to give, we just need to go out there and do it!

Tell us more about your charity and where we can donate to it?

I’m running these marathons for the Virginia based charity 25:40. Their mission is to help orphans in South Africa, many of whom are orphaned because of the AIDS epidemic. I am trying to raise $26,000 for these children who live in severe poverty. All the money raised goes straight to help these children and will benefit over 1,500 orphans. You can go to my website at www.52beginnings.com to donate and follow along on my journey.

Will you still run marathons after completing your 52 in 52 weeks?   If so, how often do you plan to run them?

Most definitely! I’ve already been struggling with the fact that next year I will have to cut down. It will be very bitter sweet to end this year of marathons. I look forward to not having to travel and have all the insanity that this year has been, but I know I’m also going to be doing a lot less. I’m still trying to decide what type of goals I want to set with running next year, and it may lead me in different directions (ultras or even trying to BQ) but I can’t see myself running much less than 12-20 next year.

What advice would you give to someone that is wanting to run their first marathon or half-marathon?

Train for your distance,  and listen to your body. Go out and have a good time. If you enjoy it, you will most likely come back to do it again, and regardless of what the clock says you will get a PR! For the first 10 miles of the half, or 20 of the full, run at a pace that you feel like you could do all day. You will finish strong and pass people on your way to the finish line.

Favorite Running Shoes: Asics 20150’s

Click HERE to Check Out Dana’s Website 52 Beginnings

Photos of Marathon Maniac Dana Casanave

List of Dana’s Marathons on Marathon Maniacs (#2774)