Runner's Diaries
The marathon extends far beyond race day. At the 2010 Santa Barbara International Marathon 5,000 participants will arrive in Santa Barbara, each with a different story, each having experienced his or her own journey to the start line. Below you will meet runners who are members of the Santa Barbara Athletic Association (SBAA)*, ranging in ability, experience and reasons for running. Click on the names or pictures below to read the Runner Diaries.
Enjoy reading the blogs from the runners of the SBAA!
Andrea "Drea" McLarty
Drea McLarty is a 30-ish mother of two and female winner of the 2009 Select Staffing Santa Barbara International Marathon. Drea has been running for 21 years, starting with track camp at age 10. Drea ran her first marathon at 16, and has completed 5 more marathons since. She was a collegiate cyclist and is now an accomplished triathlete. Drea runs between 20-50 miles a week. “My running goals are always to first have fun and then maybe get better along the way.”
Stuart Sato
Stuart started this blog as a training log during his preparation for Ironman Canada in 2006. Check out his 2006 entries if you want to know what kind of training it takes to gear up for an Ironman race. Stuart swims, bikes, runs, races triathlons, dabbles in mountain bike races, and even jumps into an occasional adventure race. He enjoys the challenge of racing, but most of all loves the slow burn after a long training day.
George WilliamsGeorge has run in such far flung places as the deserts of Madagascar and the rain forests of Brazil. Most typically, he runs approximately 55 miles a week in these Santa Barbaran climes. He has completed 4 marathons and intends to run his first 50 miler in July, 2009 in celebration of his 50th birthday. Next on George’s calendar is the California International Marathon, which will make marathon number 5!
Maggie Mason
Maggie Mason, 51, is an adult-onset athlete. At age 42, after a knee injury caused by cycling too strenuously during 40 MPH Santa Ana winds, her doctor suggested she try long distance running instead. She immediately began training for her first marathon, and has since completed 14 marathons, including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Twin Cities, running her personal best last year at the California International Marathon in 3 hours and 16 minutes. She also placed second in her age category at the 2007 USA Masters Marathon Championships. Maggie runs an average of 45 to 60 miles per week, and peaks in the 70’s during marathon training. She is still trying to nail a sub-3:15 PR.
*The Santa Barbara Athletic Association has supported local distance running since its inception in 1953. Membership is unrestricted. The SBAA provides a web site, three major road races and a couple of niche events, including a cross-country race and a 65-mile trail relay. The SBAA-sponsored Grand Prix encourages age-group competition in local races. Every year the SBAA donates its proceeds to support local school running programs and other community-based running activities.
