Editor’s note: This report was sent in by MTA fan Stephen Johnson.
Greetings MTA community! I have been listening to MTA for the pat two years and Trevor has inspired me to share my race experiences. Therefore: Now is the time for my first ever Not-Quite-So-Famous Race Recap.
On Labor Day this past September I ran the Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, Missouri. This a smaller race with only 142 runners who finished this year.
The race was well supported for its size. Continue Reading →
My first two 50Ks, just 10 weeks apart, met a goal a year in the making and also paved the way for new challenges.
By Henry Howard
Last year, I had the opportunity to interview one of the most inspirational people I have ever met, Noah Galloway.
Best known for his amazing performance on Dancing With the Stars, Galloway is a double amputee from injuries he suffered in the Iraq war.
During our interview, Galloway told me “everyone should do something that scares them.” I decided to accept his challenge, upping my ultra ante — doing my first two 50Ks just 10 weeks apart. Continue Reading →
Jon Lepley of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, knew he wanted to be a runner and started out creating a training plan in which he would run three or four days a week, with progressively longer runs.
But he soon developed bad habits — running every training run as hard as possible — and developed running injuries. “I was never fully following a structured training plan, instead just generally trying to increase distance on a weekend long run, and recover in the days in between,” he recalls.
Lepley set a goal for himself: completing a marathon. And he needed help, so in stepped Marathon Training Academy.
At the Finish of my First Ultra
Savage had been in and out of the hospital, getting treatment for Crohn’s Disease.
His diet and exercise habits were bad, to put it mildly.
“I thought a workout involved lifting a double cheeseburger versus a single. It was U-G-L-Y. It was at this point I had one of those life changing moments – you know where ‘your want to,’ wants to change? I just told myself, if I wanted to see my kids grow up and see any grandkids, I need to change, and change now.”
And so he did, joining the Marathon Training Academy, and becoming more active and improving his diet. Now when he looks in the mirror, he sees an ultra marathoner! Continue Reading →
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Ryan Deguzis is a classical violist and music instructor from Hartford, Connecticut. He just finished a seven day stage race (155 miles) through the Atacama Desert in Chile, a placed he describes as otherworldly.
Ryan first heard about this race from MTA podcast episode #109 our interview with Samantha Gash.
In our conversation with Ryan you will hear why he started running, how much time and energy went into training for this race, what his family thought about it, and the gritty details of sun, wind, blisters, and sleep deprivation. It’s epic!
See the photos . . . Continue Reading →
Greg running the Munich Marathon in Germany
Greg Cheek is a combat veteran who served in the US Air Force and as an officer in the United States Army. He’s a college communications professor, motivation speaker, and author of the book Three Points of Contact -12.5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Life and Weather Any Storm.
Greg trained with us for his first half and full marathon in 2011-2012. At that time he was celebrating one year of being cancer free.
His enthusiasm is contagious . . . Continue Reading →
Looking good and loving life. Colleen and Lee Staats with Meb Keflezighi before the Columbus Marathon.
In this episode we bring you a marathon success story with Lee and Colleen Staats, two Academy members from Galion, Ohio, who are transforming their lives through running.
They have both lost weight since starting to run and recently completed the Columbus Marathon.
Colleen set a PR in the half and Lee qualified for Boston by running 3:21:52.
They have both battled through injury and a busy work load to achieve their goals.
It has been my great honor to be their running coach. Continue Reading →
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In this podcast episode we talk with Jeriod Turner a member of the Academy who has been on a life changing transformation in his health and fitness.
He has lost 50 pounds in the last six months. He recently ran a 1:31 half marathon and is currently training for his second full marathon in September.
Jeriod works as a commercial lender for Commerce Bank he is married and has two kids and lives in Hannibal, Missouri.
His progress has inspired us all!
See before and after picture. Continue Reading →
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In this episode we bring you success stories from four people who ran their very first marathon this year (and one ultra marathon).
All four of these runners are loyal MTA fans and it was a huge treat to talk with them. They are everyday people like you and I who took on the challenge of the marathon and changed their life for the better.
No matter where you are in your running journey be sure to celebrate the successes, dream big, and never give up! Continue Reading →
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In this podcast we interview Angela Coulombe, who came back from a debilitating bout of Lyme Disease to train for the 2010 NYC Marathon.
I connected with Angela several months ago through the MTA Facebook page and was able to encourage her through her marathon training. In the process I’ve come to admire and respect her.
Lyme Disease is an infection that is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. The infection often attacks the joints, nervous system, and can even damage the heart.
At one point Angela was bedridden and needed help to complete the simplest tasks. How did she overcome so much and cross the marathon finish line? Find out in this inspiring interview.
