Monday, January 07, 2008

Introducing "MARATHON MANIAC #788"

It's official tonight I've made it into the InSane AsyLum for Marathon Maniacs!!!!!! Newest member #788. Wow this is so incredible, I'm excited and amazed that I was able to pull this off and on top of it all, I didn't even realize that I had done it...doubly incredible. 2007 was truly a wonderful and wild year for me. Three marathons, two half marathons, a 15k, and numerous other "smaller" races....all I can think of writing is wow...Wow...WOW!!!!!

Oh my God, I can't believe I can't think of anything to say....that's not entirely true because I can think of something very special that I need to write about and share with this group. You guys and gals have been the best support group, cheerleaders, mentors, and fans that a person could ask for. Without your backing almost daily from so many of you I don't think I would have continued to where I am today and to each and everyone of you I am indebted and owe a tremendous THANK YOU!!!!!

I'm also thankful to the members of the Edmond Running Club that I've had the privelege of running with over the past year. Special thanks to Clyde, Rachel, Lissa, and Cindy my frequent training and race partners. It's been a very short year but there have been so many "stories" that evolved in that time frame. I so appreciate your training knowledge, your patience, your concerns with my health at various times, but most of all your total support and backing that I could set out to accomplish such a crazy and insane goal. I also want to thank my coach/trainer/mentor James who has done his darnedest to get me into a pair of motion control shoes but I've resisted...but I know you are right that I need to go that direction and will promise to work in that direction for 2008.

My biggest thanks I save until last and that goes to Bonnie "the woman in red", that beautiful lady that I formally met in 2000 in the Fargo, ND airport where she stood waiting for me dressed in red...so that I would recognize her...see we met on the internet..but that is a whole other post or two or three. She was there with me when I had my open heart surgery (quadruple bypass) in April 2005, and she's been there either physically or in spirit with me for every race. She's even begun to run her own races and I am more than just thankful for all her wonderful, I'm so very proud of her own efforts. You see when we met and when we were married she wasn't a morning person and she definitely wasn't a runner. Well today she is both. In fact I may have a designation as a Marathon Maniac but she's my "trophy bride". She will be so very quick to tell you that for all my efforts in 2007 I've brought home t-shirts and medals, but I have yet to bring home a trophy. She did that in her first effort at a 10k run, finishing first in her age group. She means so much to me and is so special...I'm so proud to call her my bride.

Yes I can go from nothing to say to needing to have someone shut me up. I feel like I'm on top of the world tonight. What a wonderful way to culminate 2007 as my first year as a runner. Thanks again to one and all for the support.

16 comments:

Wes said...

Awesome Randy! Congrats to you for both the designation and your "trophy" :-) I actually prefer those kinds of trophies over the material ones any day!!

So, Houston is a victory race for you then. No pressure? How about a BQ? LOL!!

Arland said...

Congratulations Randy! Being a Maniac is an awesome feat. There are people in my running club here that would lock me in the house if I tried to run three marathons in three months. Your an inspiration and just goes to show others that if you want to do something bad enough you can do it. Good luck at Houston but take it easy with the knee. Nashville will be my next attempt at a full. I'm still thinking about being a Maniac though:)

Molly said...

Congrats...and great post!

I agree that Houston should be your victory race...have fun!

Take Care

Jess said...

Congrats on such a great 2007, Randy!

Marcy said...

GO RANDY!!!! CONGRATS!!! You are definitely a Maniac! ;-)

Backofpack said...

Randy,
I hope you saw my comment last night on the last post! If not, it said - Congratulations #788! Way to go!

#402

Darrell said...

Welcome to the club, from #440. Wear that crazy yellow jersey proudly!

Darrell said...

OOPS Randy, I just went back an read Michelle's comment on the last post. Now I sound like a copy cat. Oh well. Enjoy your Maniac status anyway!

Michelle said...

Awwww, Randy. What a sweet tribute to the wonderful Bonnie!!! Gotta break out the Kleenex....... *sniff*

Congrats on an awesome 2007. May your 2008 be even better!

J~Mom said...

What a wonderful post to read!! Thank you for being such a wonderful person and so inspiring to all of us in blogland!

teacherwoman said...

Congratulations, Randy! How exciting is this! :)

Unknown said...

AWESOME
Congrats
WaY tO Go!
You Freakin' ROCK!

TX Runner Mom said...

Great post Randy!! BTW, good luck in Houston this weekend. I'll be at the GRB on Sat from 10 to 2 volunteering with the PR folks and on Sunday, I will be at Commerce & LaBranch downtown at the start of the race...it will be pretty crowded at that point, but I will keep an eye out for you!

Axe 'em Jacks said...

Congrats Randy and Good Luck on Sunday...I will think about you while I am running out West Rock 'n Roll style. Tell Bonnie I said 'hello' talk with you soon!

Mary Gee said...

Congrats, congrats, congrats. You are an inspiration to me.

runliarun said...

Hello, fellow maniac. There's nothing like good company.