Why is Battle Creek man running after a goal of 100 marathons? 'Have to be a bit crazy'
BATTLE CREEK - In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Brian Schneider had been competing in local runs, some 5ks here or there, and maybe some 10ks. Making the jump to training and signing up for a marathon was a goal, like it is for a lot of runners.
He didn't realize at the time, it was going to become a passion.
Since he ran his first 26-mile race in 2000, Battle Creek's Schneider has competed in 91 marathons and is on track to run in his 100th sometime before next year.
"That first one, my brother and I trained for it and it was kind of a bucket-list sort of thing," Schneider said. "Somewhere along the line, it became a bit more than that. There is a sense of accomplishment in running marathons, so I guess that has become part of it. But, I admit, to do as many as I have been doing, you also have to be a little crazy, too."
An overall goal is for Schneider is to run a marathon in each of the 50 states and he is more than halfway there with 39. On his trek to 100 overall, marathon number 92 for Schneider is coming up soon with the Kalamazoo Marathon scheduled for May 5. On his current pace, the 54-year-old, will hit the century mark late next year. Even in the extreme sport of marathon running, that is impressive.
"I am in a circle of good friends that I run with, train with, that all shake their heads at me when I start talking about doing that many," Schneider said. "When you talk about triple digits, when it comes to marathons, you get in to somewhat refined company. It's a small group, an odd group, that have done that many, I would say."
Fernando Rosa belongs to a running group with Schneider, called the B.C.O.D (Butt-Crack Of Dawn) Runners, because that's when they hit the road every day. Rosa has run seven marathons in his lifetime, so to consider 90-plus is a lot to take in.
"I have to give it up to him. I am not as passionate as he his about that. That's a special form of crazy, with the amount of marathons he runs," Rosa said with a chuckle. "I hopes he gets to that magical 100. I am envious of him. To do that many, it takes a life of its own after awhile. Your goals shift, your purpose shifts. You have to have that grit and will to keep going and he has that."
Rosa traveled down the self-described crazy trail with Schneider last year when the two competed together in the Last Annual Heart Of The South Road Race - a 351-mile run that can last 10 days.
"We trained together for that one and did that together last year," Rosa said. "You have to wrap your head around the training aspect for something like that. You are dealing with endurance issues, but also mental fatigue, all the way down to the blisters on your feet.
"It was good that we did that together. You can quit anytime. Why don't you quit? That's the question most of the time. That's usually the defining moment of that race. We had plenty of chances to quit last year. I know, if it wasn't for him, I would have bowed out. And, if it wasn't for me, he would've bowed out. But that was what made it special. It was 24/7 together, as we finished in nine days. I don't know if I could even spend nine days, 24/7 with my wife without conflicts. But there was a bond between us on that run and that's how we were able to finish it."
Schneider is making plans to do the Heart Of The South run again this June. And this time, he is doing it alone, however Rosa will help along the way with some coaching via cell phone, "It can get lonely, but he knows he has a crew back home helping him," Rosa said.
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The only supplies for the runners for the North Georgia ultramarathon are what they can carry or obtain along the way. Competitors are not told the route ahead of time and are basically doing a 50-mile race each day and then looking for somewhere to sleep and eat on the road.
"We found some hotels on about four of the nights. Other nights, we were sleeping under a park pavilion at one point or on some church steps - it just depends on where you are," Schneider said. "But I learned a lot last time, and I think that will help me this time."
Schneider's training schedule for marathons and ultramarathons are about the same. He runs 40-50 miles over the course of the business week, adding 40 more miles total on the weekend from Friday-Sunday.
"I know marathons, and races like HOTS (Heart Of The South), are not for everyone, but it keeps me active. All of us marathon runners are a bit crazy, but it is so much fun as well," Schneider said.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek man is passionate about running marathons with 91 so far
