A Maniac’s Adventure in Cowtown
By Keith C. Rinehart, Staff Running Dork
I’m not a “limelight” type of guy who seeks attention. I’m slow and don’t consider myself as someone
important in the running community. I run because it’s fun and rewarding to me. When I qualified to
become a member of the Marathon Maniacs, I wasn’t anticipating any special attention. I just wanted to
run and be around those who also loved to run. While that happened, I also became a revered runner
when I wasn’t expecting it.
Last year, I wrote about a previous experience of how I learned what it was like to be an Ultra Marathon
runner. The crowd, the other runners, and even the race organizers recognized my existence because
not many people run the Ultras because of the distance and preparation involved. In late-2011, I also
wrote about my experience and attempt at becoming a Marathon Maniac. At the Tulsa Marathon in
November 2011 around mile 12, I ran with three Marathon Maniacs. We talked a little and I told them
about my quest to become a member of their exclusive group. They were very friendly, supportive and
very excited for me. At the 2012 Cowtown Ultra-Marathon, it was my turn.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning in February. The temperature was in the 40’s, a few clouds in the sky,
and a brisk breeze blowing the trees and flags around me. My wife, son and his girlfriend were by my
side for moral support. This was my inaugural race to proudly wear the Marathon Maniacs singlet jersey
that I earned. The blustery wind could not blow away the anticipation in the air. At promptly 7:00 a.m.,
the gun fired and we were off. Over 18,000 elbows were jockeying for position in three different distance
races that morning. I felt great and found my happy-place easily. As the miles passed at a comfortable
pace, I began to hear the “great job Ultra” shouts from the crowds and other runners as I paced forward
just like last year. But this year, I also heard “way to go Maniac” shrieks too. It was an awesome feeling
knowing they are cheering for me because only 361 Ultra runners and 24 Marathon Maniacs were
sporadically strewn in the field of 9000+ runners.
One of the hospitable things about the running community is that 99% of all runners are very supportive,
motivating and friendly to each other. Around mile 10.5, I met a guy who caught up with me. He
recognized that I was a Marathon Maniac and said he was trying to become one too. He just needed to
finish this marathon to be qualified. I congratulated him for his potential forthcoming accomplishment. He
asked many questions and we talked about the Marathon Maniac Club for another 2.5 miles until I slowly
pulled ahead of him.
Around mile 14, I came across George. There is a sub-category of Marathon Maniacs called the “50
States Club”. To be in this club, you must run a marathon in all 50 states. He earned my respect for his
accomplishments because he’s run at least 50 marathons! I’ve run 7. We talked about his journeys and
adventures in different states until I moved passed him when he stopped at the mile 15 water station.
Once I reached the mile 18 mark in the Texas Christian University area, it was down-hill and tree-shaded.
A weathered man in his late-50’s from Ireland ran alongside me and we talked a bit about the Cowtown
course and the Marathon Maniacs. He had never heard of the club so I answered his questions. He was
very hard to understand due to his “heavy” Irish accent so it forced me to really concentrate on him. It
was his first time to run the Cowtown course so I gave him a verbal tour of what to expect up ahead. We
ran side-by-side through the 20 mile mark.
Just past mile 25, I was headed to the “Pit of Despair” for the next 5 miles. “The Pit” is what I call the area
past the Marathon/Ultra Marathon split where it is just Ultra runners on the course. No cheering crowds.
No bands or uplifting music. There’s nothing remotely interesting to even look at. It’s just uninspiring
land with a small hand-full of fatigued runners moving very slowly. As I struggled forward, I would
occasionally pass a Marathon Maniac either moving in the direction that I just came from or where I was
headed. I noticed that many of them looked terrible until they saw me (another Maniac). Then, they
suddenly smiled and shouted enthusiastic words of encouragement as though they felt great! Even the
other Ultra runners that weren’t Maniacs took notice of the bond between the Maniac runners.
At mile 27, I met Robert who was wearing a 2007 race shirt from Washington state. We ran together
hardly speaking due to collective pain and exhaustion. However after the mile 27.5 water/aid station, the
conversation gates opened a little. He declared to me that his legs died around mile 27 and I concurred.
He also referred to my Maniac race uniform and asked what number I was (my membership number). I
told him that I was #4683. Since he asked my “number”, I knew I was talking to a Maniac so I asked him
his number. He said, “111”. Then, I knew he had been a Maniac for a number of years with many
marathons under his belt. I shared my name, offered a hand shake, and Robert told me his name. It was
then I knew who he was…a board member of the Marathon Maniacs. I was running with well-known
royalty from the running community. He welcomed me into the Maniac Club. We talked a little and
headed to the finish line. I did manage to run with him briefly before he pulled ahead of me.
Fortunately around mile 29, I found my second wind. I think it was then I realized that only death, serious
injury, or being plucked by a giant fire-breathing dragon named “Murphy” would keep me from achieving
my goal of running the 31.46 mile race course in less than 5 hours. So, I refocused, picked up my
running pace, and strongly cruised on to the finish line. Right next to the 31 mile mark, I saw my lovely
wife, brawny son and his girlfriend who patiently waited for my return. I conquered the Cowtown Ultra
rd
Marathon in a personal record time of 4 hours 48 minutes and 1 second. I placed 63 out of 361 Ultra
runners. Goal achieved! After the race, my cell phone was going crazy. To my surprise, several of my
friends, family and colleagues were keeping track of my progress throughout the race. My daughter’s
soccer coach ran and finished the half-marathon course, then immediately started checking my progress.
After I finished the race, I slowly wobbled into the runner’s cool-down corral. I picked up my finisher’s
medal and shirt, a banana, a bottle of water, and found the nearest wall to sit and lean against. I had only
been seated for less than a minute when a man wearing a Marathon Maniacs (MM) uniform came over to
me, congratulated me, asked my name, and took my picture for the next MM newsletter. I felt like a rock
star. There was no red-carpet, just a cold, gray, rock-hard concrete floor. But it was comfortable to me.
It suited me just fine.
Keep Moving Forward,
KCR