Diana and Maricar's Marathon Adventures
Diana and Maricar met on April 16th 2002 during the NJRRC ceremonial run. It was love at first sight and the two have been best of friends ever since. At first, the two were just running a marathon or two together per year. Then, when Diana turned 60 years old in 2006, Maricar came up with the idea that they should run 6 marathons in 2006 for her 60th birthday. Maricar is obsessed with numbers and figured she'd throw the idea out there to Diana. So the two set out to run 6 marathons in '06. Diana also qualified to run the Boston marathon that year, making the victory that much sweeter. Before 2006, they had only run a couple of marathons together (NYC, Flying Pig in Cincinnati, and Steamtown). Now, they are inseparable and can be seen running marathons with their Lady Liberty crowns as their trademark "costume." The hats were born when the LLs ran a half marathon called the "Liberty Waterfront Half Marathon." They decided to wear the hats because they wanted to educate the runners around them that the statue was originally made of copper and was copper colored. The reason the statue turned green was because of the patina that formed around the copper to protect it. The LLs learned two things from that race. First, that they were becoming superstars with all the attention and second, it was really easy to find each other in a big massive crowd. Thus, the crowns were born. They started traveling to different states wearing the Statue of Liberty crowns. Besides looking cute while wearing them, it has become an easier way for their friends to find them when there are 1000s of runners. The hats have drawn lots of attention and have even landed the LL on some TV interviews, newspaper coverage and lately as billboard advertisements for marathons! It has become their trademark.
The LLs have quite a resume. Diana has ran 58 marathons in 37 different states and 2 ultra marathons (50K). Maricar has run 52 marathons in 30 different states and has zero desire to do an ultra marathon. Their philosophy is to enjoy the journey and learn about our country 26.2 miles at a time. Their is no rush for them to finish 50 states as their resume reveals from all the repeated states they have done. The LLs are all about destination marathons, touring, going to presidential libraries, walking tour of cities, museums and smelling the roses. The LLs do not want to be run and fly marathoners. They want to learn about the cities they run in. That is why Diana has a trip report made for all marathons so she can offer touring tips for all. Both are members of the 50 States Club, 50 States plus DC club and Maricar is a Marathon Maniac (#1315-Ruthenium level for 13 states in one year).
2006 marathons 1. Boston (Diana qualified for Boston) 2. Vermont 3. San Francisco 4. Hartford 5. NYC 6. Palm Beach
Well, it didn't stop there. 2007 was around the corner. To celebrate 2007, they decided to play with the numbers again and run 7 marathons and 7 half marathons for 2007. To kick it off, they did the Goofy Challenge in Disney (run a 5K Friday, a half marathon Saturday, and a full marathon on Sunday). To finish the year, they celebrated in Las Vegas for their 7.7.7 year and a Guinness Book of World Record for running a 5K in a Santa outfit along with 4,000 other Santas.
2007 marathons: 1. Disney 2. New Orleans 3. Oklahoma City 4. Delaware 5. Marine Corps 6. NYC 7. Las Vegas 8. Reykjavik-D only
Of course, since we realized we were able to do 7, the only logical thing to do was try 8 marathons and 8 half marathons for 2008. However, overachiever Diana did more than that. She finished 2008 with marathons.
2008 marathons: 1. Myrtle Beach 2. Shamrock 3. Atlanta 4. Frederick- M only 5. Seattle 6. Rhode Island Breakers 7. Philadelphia 8. Charlotte 9. Nashville - D only 10. Green Bay - D only 11. Leading Ladies - D only 12. San Antonio - D only 13. North Central Trail - D only
And again, 2009 came around and both Liberty Ladies lost their crowns! Diana finished with 18 marathons and Maricar with 16. Apparently, their math skills weren't very good since all they had to do was run 9 in 2009.
2009 marathons: 1. Moblie 2. Miami 3. George Washington 4. Little Rock 5. Kentucky Derby 6. Buffalo 7. Lake Placid 8. San Francisco 9. Albuquerque 10. Lehigh Valley- M only 11. Omaha 12. NYC 13. Indianapolis 14. Richmond - M only 15. Philadelphia 16. Dallas - M only 17. Tucson - D only 18. Illinios - D only 19. Capon Valley 50K Ultra- D only 20. Turkey Swamp 50K Ultra - D only 21.
So what will 2010 bring us? 20 of course if you are Diana and have to multiply everything by 2. Maricar will be back on track with her math skills, running 10 in 2010.
2010 marathons: 1. Jackson 2. B and A Trail 3. National DC 4. New Jersey-M only 5. Green Bay-M only 6. Alaska 7. Bar Harbor 8. Manchester, New Hampshire 9. Gobbler Grind, Kansas 10. Hawaii 11. Austin-D only 12. Idaho- D only 13. Pacific Crest, Oregon-D only 14. Capon Valley-D only 15. Twin Cities-D only 16. Ocean Drive-D only 17. Waco- D only 18. Tampa-D only 19. Salt Lake City 20. Rio de Janerio-D only 21. Colorado Springs 22. S. Dakota-M only 23. Idaho -M only 24. Kings, SC-D only 25. Casper, WY-D only 26. Greece D only 27. Hartford, CT D-only
The LLs have quite a resume. Diana has ran 58 marathons in 37 different states and 2 ultra marathons (50K). Maricar has run 52 marathons in 30 different states and has zero desire to do an ultra marathon. Their philosophy is to enjoy the journey and learn about our country 26.2 miles at a time. Their is no rush for them to finish 50 states as their resume reveals from all the repeated states they have done. The LLs are all about destination marathons, touring, going to presidential libraries, walking tour of cities, museums and smelling the roses. The LLs do not want to be run and fly marathoners. They want to learn about the cities they run in. That is why Diana has a trip report made for all marathons so she can offer touring tips for all. Both are members of the 50 States Club, 50 States plus DC club and Maricar is a Marathon Maniac (#1315-Ruthenium level for 13 states in one year).
2006 marathons 1. Boston (Diana qualified for Boston) 2. Vermont 3. San Francisco 4. Hartford 5. NYC 6. Palm Beach
Well, it didn't stop there. 2007 was around the corner. To celebrate 2007, they decided to play with the numbers again and run 7 marathons and 7 half marathons for 2007. To kick it off, they did the Goofy Challenge in Disney (run a 5K Friday, a half marathon Saturday, and a full marathon on Sunday). To finish the year, they celebrated in Las Vegas for their 7.7.7 year and a Guinness Book of World Record for running a 5K in a Santa outfit along with 4,000 other Santas.
2007 marathons: 1. Disney 2. New Orleans 3. Oklahoma City 4. Delaware 5. Marine Corps 6. NYC 7. Las Vegas 8. Reykjavik-D only
Of course, since we realized we were able to do 7, the only logical thing to do was try 8 marathons and 8 half marathons for 2008. However, overachiever Diana did more than that. She finished 2008 with marathons.
2008 marathons: 1. Myrtle Beach 2. Shamrock 3. Atlanta 4. Frederick- M only 5. Seattle 6. Rhode Island Breakers 7. Philadelphia 8. Charlotte 9. Nashville - D only 10. Green Bay - D only 11. Leading Ladies - D only 12. San Antonio - D only 13. North Central Trail - D only
And again, 2009 came around and both Liberty Ladies lost their crowns! Diana finished with 18 marathons and Maricar with 16. Apparently, their math skills weren't very good since all they had to do was run 9 in 2009.
2009 marathons: 1. Moblie 2. Miami 3. George Washington 4. Little Rock 5. Kentucky Derby 6. Buffalo 7. Lake Placid 8. San Francisco 9. Albuquerque 10. Lehigh Valley- M only 11. Omaha 12. NYC 13. Indianapolis 14. Richmond - M only 15. Philadelphia 16. Dallas - M only 17. Tucson - D only 18. Illinios - D only 19. Capon Valley 50K Ultra- D only 20. Turkey Swamp 50K Ultra - D only 21.
So what will 2010 bring us? 20 of course if you are Diana and have to multiply everything by 2. Maricar will be back on track with her math skills, running 10 in 2010.
2010 marathons: 1. Jackson 2. B and A Trail 3. National DC 4. New Jersey-M only 5. Green Bay-M only 6. Alaska 7. Bar Harbor 8. Manchester, New Hampshire 9. Gobbler Grind, Kansas 10. Hawaii 11. Austin-D only 12. Idaho- D only 13. Pacific Crest, Oregon-D only 14. Capon Valley-D only 15. Twin Cities-D only 16. Ocean Drive-D only 17. Waco- D only 18. Tampa-D only 19. Salt Lake City 20. Rio de Janerio-D only 21. Colorado Springs 22. S. Dakota-M only 23. Idaho -M only 24. Kings, SC-D only 25. Casper, WY-D only 26. Greece D only 27. Hartford, CT D-only