‘50 States‘ has been on my radar for months, joining Marathon Maniacs was never even buzzin’ until after Monument.
Why Maniacs? 10,000 members strong so lotta chatter on FB. Aside from general encouragement & motivation, have received nutritional & fitness tips; as well as, upcoming race advice – important insider info (location, reputation, course info/why, why not). Networking within the community has reduced travel costs via shared rooms & rides. Biggest benefit is real time race encouragement – “Let’s go Maniac”, “Come on Maniac”, “Push up the hill, Maniac” – afforded to anyone running the group’s trademark yellow n black race shirts.
I’m a quiet runner. I generally train solo, stay headsetted throughout a race, not a lotta chit chat after Finish – I’m coiled tight. That said, I share many Maniac experiences – those of us who ‘26.2’ don’t eat 12 hours prior to a race, have go-to airlines, slept overnight in rental cars & trained our bodies to void 15 minutes to a starting gun. We’re a small unique group of athletes.
Maniac Disclaimer:
Marathon and ultra marathon training and racing can also be a highly addictive sport, especially when trying to achieve a higher star level in the Insane Asylum. Not only can there by physical setbacks, but mental, psychological, social and financial setbacks as well. The Marathon Maniacs will not be responsible for any of the above conditions incurred by you. Examples of these, but not limited to, the following actions: On the verge or getting into financial ruin, including bankruptcy, by participating in so many marathons; Loss of a significant other, due to your addiction in this sport; Neglect of your residence (inside and outside, especially the yard) because of your constant absence due to participating in marathons; Any damage to personal property due (or property of others) when driving to and from events, especially when you’re tired and have to drive quite a distance to another marathon the day after you completed one (or the same day!); Withdrawal symptoms when you can’t participate in events due to injury….
Mountaineer first, but Maniac is my new title claim.
13 marathons in 13 different states within 365 days!
Keenan Haga
I am not defined by age. I am not defined by the past. Little by little I am eliminating boundaries.
What this pic does not show? PR’d, my second sub-4 & earned a 5th star, MANIACS! 13 marathons in 13 different states within 365 days – 3 more races & one more star left in me this year.
Absolutely anything is possible! #9947 #feelinglimitless
Up early & in the hotel lobby at 530am. Met-up with my sis & walked a few blocks over to today’s marathon start. Crazy cold morning, 20° & windy. I’ve run in winter before; it’s the dramatic temp dive that made acclimating difficult.
Today’s start near Indiana’s state capitol dome marked my 5th state capitol start (preceded by Baton Rouge, Austin, Atlanta & Des Moines). ALSO first time running with my sister – & Tammy travels with a pack so there were 10+ of us. Awesome day!
Super crowded start – full and half marathoners lined up together. Five minutes back from the Start Line, I spent 6 miles weaving in & between runners. Thankfully half marathoners peeled off after mile 7, where I picked up pace.
3rd straight marathon [purposely] going out fast. Slow n steady hadn’t been working – found I’m just as tired at mile 19-21 whether pacing steady or racing hard.
Goal was to locate a pace group. Quickened my clip to 7-minute miles & caught the 3:55 group at mile 8. Too many bunched together so picked up speed again & caught the 3:45 pace group at mile 12.
Running thru Butler University 17 miles in & still felt strong. Pleasantly surprised hills at miles 11 & 17 were only slight inclines – Indy was a fairly flat course. Nice! Fatigue finally set in at mile 22 – but dang, only 4 miles to go.
SUB-4 started running thru my mind. Didn’t think this possible ‘til 2015.
Never saw the 3:45 guy but was lapped by 3:55 pacers just after mile 25. Passed Sailors & Soldiers Monument & kicked hard.
Ice in my veins: SUB-4 AND a PR!
K R HAGA – finish at 3:55:21
— at Downtown Indianapolis #BeMonumental
Finishers’ medal, Mylar wrap & chocolate milk, then secured a spot near the Finish – not just me marathoning this day. Watched my sister cross 30 minutes later – SPECTACULAR!
Folks, I come from strong stock. Better than running a marathon? Marathoning with family – nothing like it.
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- Good Mornin’ from crazy cold Indy!
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- booyah – new PR & 2nd sub-4 finish
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- we come from strong stock – Go Sis!
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- 13 marathons in 13 different states within 365 days
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- Indiana State Capitol
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- Soldiers & Sailors Monument
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- sharing cocoa w/ my sis: post-marathon celebration
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- haggard, early morning start — good to be home 🙂
Two weeks between Iowa & Indy marathons, re-focused on nutrition. I’m marathoning more often but no longer training three disciplines concurrently [Ironman], so no good reason why I can’t pick up my pace.
Started a food journal to better understand intake & track good fuel days. Adding turkey to salad & eating lamb in race weeks for protein pick-up. Upping my spinach & kale usage – for increased iron. Rotisserie chicken makes me feel ick. Bread & white rice are not food friends. I feel mentally down the following day, which leads to inconsistent training.
When the body feels blah, best to take a day off. When the mind feels blah (poor nutrition), it’s a wasted training day (also spills over into work – less productive).
Learning to listen to my body. Been running consistently without injury since October 2013 – wanna keep that streak alive thru 2016 (50 state marathon goal).
*BIG NEWS* 26 marathons scheduled in 2015 (2 races are lotteries – fingers crossed)
- 11/01/14 Monumental Marathon IN
- 11/16/14 Rock N Roll Las Vegas NV
- 11/23/14 Route 66 Marathon OK
- 12/06/14 Rehoboth Beach Marathon DE
- 01/10/15 Mississippi Blues Marathon MS
- 01/25/15 Miami Marathon FL
- 02/14/15 Myrtle Beach Marathon SC
- 02/22/15 Hyannis Marathon MA
- 03/01/15 Little Rock Marathon AR
- 03/14/15 Montgomery Marathon AL
- 03/29/15 Ocean Drive Marathon NJ
- 04/12/15 Go St Louis Marathon MO
- 04/18/15 Garmin Oz Marathon KS
- 04/25/15 Kentucky Derby Festival KY
- 05/02/15 Wisconsin Marathon WI
- 05/09/15 Fargo Marathon ND
- 05/24/15 Vermont City Marathon VT
- 06/07/15 Casper Marathon WY
- 06/13/15 Rock N Roll Seattle WA
- 06/27/15 Charlevoix Marathon MI
- 07/26/15 San Francisco Marathon CA
- 09/20/15 Morgantown Marathon WV
- 09/26/15 Adams County Marathon OH (Amish Marathon)
- 10/03/15 New Hampshire Marathon NH
- 10/10/15 Hartford Marathon CT
- 10/17/15 Baltimore Marathon MD
- 10/25/15 Marine Corps Marathon VA (Lottery)
- 11/01/15 New York City Marathon NY (Lottery)
- 11/22/15 Philadelphia Marathon PA
- 12/05/15 St. Jude’s Memphis Marathon TN
Gonna be a busy year – Go Big or Go Home. Would leave only 7 states remaining for 2016. ALSO, secretly have 2 big international adventures, one in 2015, one in 2016 — good to have dreams, better to make them happen 🙂
Planes, trains & automobiles…off to Indy for marathon #14.
Welcome to Indianapolis!
