Meet the CARA Member with 300+ Marathon Finishes (Yes, you read that right!)

Heather Zeigler - CARA Training Spotlight

Heather Zeigler, who has been part of CARA Training since 2011, has served many roles in her time with the organization, including group leader, training partner, track workout coach, and race pace leader. Most weekends, you can find Heather running with her CARA Darien training group or jet-setting across the country for yet another marathon. 

She completed her first marathon in 2007, and since then has continued to rack up the miles and medals as she approaches over 330 marathon finishes. We caught up with Heather a few weeks ago to share her running and marathon journey with us. 

Q: Tell us about your running journey! How did you start running?

A: I had to run in Navy ROTC in college and I hated every minute of it! It wasn’t until the end of my Navy career that I lost over 50 pounds from running that I learned to love it! I still kind of have a love/hate relationship with running. 

Q: What got you started on this marathon quest? 

A: I first started running marathons in 2007 to maintain my weight loss after having my daughter in December of 2005. I only did one marathon in 2007 and then another one in 2008. In the Fall of 2010, I thought that it would be reasonable to do 50 marathons before I turned 50 (I was 30 at the time) and thought that would be an even better way to keep the weight off. I quickly realized how obtainable that goal was and have far exceeded it and I'm not even 45 yet!  

Q: What number marathon would you consider your biggest milestone? 100? 200? Etc…

A: I always celebrate any of the big numbers. Heck, I even celebrate the 50's. Who doesn't love a reason for a celebration?!

Q: What is your favorite marathon?

A: I have always had fond memories from the marathons that I have done well in but recently my answer to this is any of the downhill marathons. There are a handful of them like this and they are all wonderful.  Not only are they beautiful, but they are also still pretty fast for me!

Q: What is the hardest marathon you have run?

A: I have only dropped out of one marathon, and it was the Leadville Trail Marathon. It was a week after I had done a downhill marathon in Colorado, and I wasn't fully recovered but that course was also a bit too much for this flatlander!  

Q: You have run marathons in all 50 states and how many foreign countries?

A: I have done the World Majors - so, Tokyo, London and Berlin. I ran Rome last year. That's all so far! I do plan to branch out and do more of those - and now I have to do Sydney!  

Q: Do you have a particular number in mind of how many marathons you want to complete?

A: My next goal is 333 marathons. That's the number that you have to have to qualify for the Hall of Fame in the Marathon Maniacs club. 

Q: What's your advice for staying healthy through all the training and racing you have done?

A: I think that cross training has helped me. I do light weights a few days a week - I think this is important because it has kept everything strong and balanced!  

Q: What advice would you offer to a new runner or someone who wants to start running?

A: Take it one day at a time and enjoy the journey! It’s not easy for a reason - it’s worth it!

Q: Anyone you would like to thank or give kudos to that has helped you on your running journey?

A: Everyone from CARA - Darien. They are all fantastic!