It's possible to earn 24 medals (and then some) in your 1st year of running...

From Thanksgiving 2010 to Jan 15th, 2012, my goal was to complete at least 10 5Ks.  I did 13 5Ks. My goal was to complete 18 halfs, and I did do this from Dec 4th, 2010 to Dec 31st, 2011. My goal was to complete 2 fulls, but I was only able to complete one full (the Chevron Houston marathon), since I had 2 labral tears on the inside of my hip and 2 DVTs in my right calf.  I completed a total of 30 races in 2011 and earned 24 medals and 4 trophies in a little over a year.  From the Turkey Trot 2010 to Jan 15th, 2012, I did 319.13 miles in race distance alone.  During this time period, I did 18 halfs, 1 full, 13 5Ks, two 5-mile runs, and one 11K.  

In my 1st year of running, I qualified for the Half Fanatics Membership at the Saturn (3 Moon) Level with 17 half races in 365 days. 2011 was an amazing journey.

I will not do as many races in 2012.  Now I want to run with injury prevention in mind, and I'd also like to beat last year's time records.