Michael Anderson has reached 125, 557 miles (Dec. 21, 2016)


Michael Anderson
Tucker, GA
DOB:  12/4/1957
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On March 8, 2015 I reached 120,000 total miles and celebrated with a ten mile run which included 20 of my running cohorts (as of September 20, 2015 I was up to 121,594 miles). I also finally found my 1991 logbook so that is now in my total for good. I have found some unexpected momentum after running my fastest 5K, 10K and 15K in over a decade this year, so will give the marathon another try in December with Boston to follow next spring. You aren’t old until age becomes your excuse! (Joe Friel).
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I was able to log 2735 miles in 2013 to bring my lifetime total to 116,347 as of 12/31/13. Due to work travel those miles happened in 3 countries and 19 states. Missed about eight weeks with various injuries, but completed my 50th marathon in July at the 26.2 mile mark of my first ultramarathon (on a small island in Maine) although at that point my pace barely qualified as running.  I am looking forward to being at the starting line in Boston this year and getting another crack at the 50K distance in August.  As the famous running hod carrier Walt Stack once said, "start out slow and slow down."

I have been running since the mid 1970's , but didn't start keeping detailed logbooks until 1978 (the year of my first marathon).  As of the end of 2011, I had reached 110,623 miles. Through 6/3/2012 I had an additional 1263 miles, giving me an official total of 111,886.  This does not include 1991 because I cannot find my logbook (!) so I do not feel I can (honestly) include that year even though I was averaging about 70 miles per week at the time.  That comes out to around 63 miles per week for the past 34 years (minus 1991 mileage).  My all time highest year ever was 5143 miles when I was trying to break 2:30 for the first time. My all time highest week waas 142 during the same period. I ran 20 miles that Sunday morning during the summer in Ohio and then went to the track in the PM, simply because I had read that Benji Durden did that once. Needless to say I ended up straining my knee and having to take a week off, but I did finally breatk 2:30!!
I have never been what I would consider a super fast runner but do have 47 completed marathons under my belt with my fastest in NY in 1981 (2:25:02/102nd). I was able to win a few marathons over the years including the Maui Marathon (3/8/81 - 2:39:11), Vulcan (now Mercedes) Marathon ( 11/20/83 - 2:32:16), Kiawah Island Marathon (12/13/86 - 2:31:49) and the Upstate (SC - no longer being run) Marathon (12/29/90 - 2:34:51). I have run marathons in nearly 20 states and Canada and have run sub-3:00 hour marathons in four decades starting with my first one in NYC (10/22/78 - 2:50:05).  Recently I stepped up my training/mileage in the hopes of joining the five decade club (which you are a member of)!  After about 9 months of serious training I posted a 3:19:48 in SC.  I have a long ways to go but I am hopeful I can get close to 3:00 again by 2013 (In NYC on the 30 anniversary of my first one).