The Ultimate Challange

This fall will mark my 12th consecutive year of competing in marathons. When I started doing these grueling endurance 26.2-mile-races my sole goal was to finish, but as I became a more experienced marathoner I began to train harder and set higher goals than just finishing. Over the past 12 years, I have raced in and under almost all conditions, but this October I will be faced with my largest challenge to date. I will be attempting two marathons in a span of just two days, the Breakers Marathon in Middletown, RI on October 21st and the Mystic Marathon in East Lyme Conn. On October 22nd
In the past I have raced with a wide variety of obstacles, but none have stood in the way of the finish line and me. My first marathon was the1994 Ocean State Marathon. That day I dealt with unseasonably warm temperatures for 12 hours to cross the finish line in total darkness. In 1996, I braved 28-degree weather to complete the New York City Marathon. In Boston in 1997, I raced with third degree burns on my foot from an accident at college. I could go on and on but I think I’ve made my point. I never back down from any challenge.
Because of my disability I rely on guides to steer and brake my racing chair on the downhill portions of the courses. Throughout my entire marathon career I’ve only done five marathons without the guidance of my best friend from college Randy Spellman. Not only is Randy my best friend, he is also one of, if not my fastest guide runners that I race with. Usually each October we choose one local marathon to do and then a couple of weeks later we head off to participate in the New York Marathon. Earlier this spring I learned that this year would not be the usual yearly routine. Randy came over and gave me the good news that he and his wife Jenny would be expecting their first child some time in October. I was very happy for them, but I knew, without Randy, New York would be out of the question for this year. This forced me to go on a hunt for another local marathon this fall.
After weeks of searching and asking around I found a marathon where I could have one of my other college friends accompany me. It was the Mystic Places Marathon. This marathon is a great race but the only drawback about this year’s race is that it’s going to be held the day after the Breakers Marathon This means I have to run 52.4-miles in less than a 36 hour span.
I have run two marathons in a week, but I’ve never attempted a task so ambitious as this. Climbing Mount Washington, qualifying for two International track meets, and completing 35 marathons are all accomplishments that I’m very proud of but this will show everyone the type of training I put myself through for each of these races. Not many able-bodied athletes would attempt back-to-back marathons, so I feel when I complete this it truly will be something special.
Everyone is always asking me, “When are you going to do the Iron Man?” Well I can’t swim, so I guess in a sense this will be my personal Iron Man!