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Extreme AFrequency h, the marathon. For
many runners, this is an
annual event. A yearly
feat for which they train
for six to eight months
and allow a little recovery time afterward
before planning another one many, many
months away. Sounds reasonable enough.
But some runners become so enamored
with the race, they want to do it again
and again, and can’t wait a whole year.
Charlotte Corriher is one of these — a
serial marathoner.
“I did my first marathon in January
of 2006 and my second later that year in
November,” she recalls. But the days of a
six-months prep period are well behind her
— now Corriher and her running partner
run a marathon every month or two. And
this last year, Corriher logged a total of
eight during the season (October to May).
“You get to the point, when you’re running
these marathons back to back, where
the marathon itself becomes just part of
the training,” Corriher explains. “So, in a
way, training is easier and takes less time.”
And, her motivation is quantity, not quality,
so she doesn’t get too caught up in
beating her time every race. Just in completing
as many as she can.
Corriher started running at age 36 to
try to get in shape. She started out with
a training group and found she loved the
sport. She moved on to try a 5k, then
a 10k and half-marathon before going
completely crazy for the rush. “Running
with a group really inspired me,” she says.
“You get the camaraderie of the team,
and it feels good to run with people who
share similar goals. Plus, knowing there
are people waiting to run with you is
very motivating.”
Oh, and did we mention the costumes?
Corriher and her running partner, Tara
McKittrick, always run in costume
— themed to the race they’re in. They’ve
dressed as Tigger and Winnie the Pooh,
pink flamingoes, jockeys, even crabs
and lobsters. “The costumes are made as
much as possible out of technical gear,
so they’re fairly easy to run in,” Corriher
adds. The props are the challenge — like
the cardboard surfboard they ran with
for the Wrightsville Beach marathon.
Hang loose, Corriher!
Extreme Running
Think you’re nuts about
the sport? Check out
these self-described
“addicted” runners who
just can’t get enough.
Don’t think running can be fun? Serial
marathoners Charlotte Corriher and running
partner Tara McKittrick strongly disagree.