The Running Play List

There is a debate out there in the running world as to whether or not it is better to listen to music while you run.  Some people need the beats to keep them going.  Others actually feel that the music can make you go faster.  I even found an app in the App Store that suggests a play list based on the speed you are hoping to run.  And there are the group of runners that believe that you cannot achieve "flow" while listening to music.  Me?  I'm a waffler.  I do not take a firm stance either way.  I have run with and without music and I've had good runs (and bad runs) while doing both.  I usually make the decision whether or not to turn on my play list at the last minute, or even after a mile or two.  As a general rule I try to do my long runs without because most races strongly discourage or prohibit running with headphones.  Today was a super cold and windy day so I decided to use the beats to keep me moving.  Last weekend I had the privilege of running with my brother, Mark. It was by far the best run I've had during this training program. It's because of this I feel compelled to make a confession about my own play list.
I realize I give my brother a hard time about a lot of things.  His shoes are dorky, his high school summer job was absolutely adorable, etc.  But last weekend I did something so wrong I must make amends.  While we were running and even after our run I teased Mark relentlessly for his play list.  Here's the truth.  Even though I laughed that we ran (and danced) to Party in the USA I must admit that I can counter him with MMMBop.  I might even say that The Power of Love is a better choice than John Denver's Thank God I'm a Country Boy (or Country Girl...which is how I like to sing it).

I try to hide behind the likes of TV on the Radio and The Black Keys but the truth is I'm a dork too.  But the great thing is I'm totally ok with this fact.  As my friend Alliree says "Dorks are cool!"   I'm willing to bet that some of my readers out there are dorks too.  I can't imagine a hipster ever having any interest in my blog.  The running play list is about getting you moving and keeping you moving.  Hanson accomplishes that goals for me and if Miley Cyrus does it for Mark than that is awesome.  So I'm wondering what's on your play list?  What is your secret guilty pleasure that gets your butt moving?  What is your MMMBop? I might be tempted to add it to my play list. 

I'm a dork and I love it. 

And so is my little brother!

Maniac #2794

Webster defines maniac as a person with an inordinate or ungovernable enthusiasm for something. 

When I tell people that I am training for a marathon I sometimes get a surprised reaction.  Some people just don't get it.  They want to know why any sane person would want to run 26.2 miles in one day?  I guess they might think us marathoners are a little crazy, maybe even maniacs when it comes to running.  There are real maniacs out there, I'm not one of them.

To be a Marathon Maniac at a minimum (bronze level) you have to run two marathons in a 16 day period or three marathons in a 90 day period.  There are ten levels of Maniacs though.  The highest level, Titanium, requires the runner to run fifty-two Marathons or more within 365 days, or thirty Marathons in 30 US states, Countries, or Canadian Provinces (any combination) within 365 days, or twenty Countries within 365 days.  I would say that the term maniac is fitting for these folks.

You will know a maniac by their singlet.  It's yellow with red and black lettering and they wear them proudly during races.  The next race you attend as a runner or supporter give the maniacs the credit they deserve.  I usually like to yell "Hey Maniac!  You rock!" 

10/3/10 - At the start line of the ME marathon, the second in my

dad's double that weekend.  This was the last marathon he ran.

When my dad first got sick he was pretty down in the dumps.  Just weeks before he had run two races in one weekend (a double in maniac terminology) and now he needed help getting out of bed.  I wanted to send an email to the Marathon Maniacs community and let them know what was going on with him.  I figured maybe some of his running friends could send him a get well e-mail or two to lift his spirits.  The response we received was overwhelming.  People that had never met him before sent cards, emails, gifts, medals and shirts.  They offered to run a mile or a whole race in his honor.  He received letters from runners in South Korea, Afghanistan and all over the US.  While my dad was in the hospital I read his emails to him which always brightened his day.  In the weeks that followed I would call him to ask how his chemo was going and he would share with me the letters and cards he received.  The response from the Maniacs made me proud that my dad was a part of such an amazing group of people.

My brother Mark will qualify for the Marathon Maniacs after finishing the race in Canton, OH.  I'm really excited for him, I know he has been working hard to get to this point.  I can only imagine how emotional it will be for him.  This is a race that our whole family plans to attend in my dad's honor, to qualify at that race with our whole family present will be awesome.  I'm so proud of our Markie!

The whole family, especially my mom is hoping to meet some of the maniacs in person at the Canton Marathon.  Maniacs are busy group of people as you may imagine.  I remember when my dad was running races all the time he would plan them months in advance, so he also knew how to train for them.  I hope little Ol' Canton will make their calendars. 

My dad's Maniac number was 2794.  I will wear that number proudly to honor him and all Marathon Maniacs in all the races I run for the rest of my life.