Medal photo from the final race
On April 1, 2006 I did my very first 5k, the Running of the Horns, on the University of Texas Campus. I walked the whole thing. I was also hooked on this racing/ running thing.
On June 30, 2019 I ran/walked (mostly walked) the Missoula Half Marathon in Montana. It was my last race in my quest to run any race 5K and above in every State plus Washington, DC.
While I counted races starting in 2006...I really decided that I would try to run them all around 2008 when I realized Id already run in 5 different states.
SOME STATISTICS
If you count the FIRST race I did in every state I did twenty eight 5ks, one "yearling" (3.65 miles), one 4-miler, six 10ks, Ten Half marathons, two marathon relays (with Glenda), two duathlons and one triathlon.
If you count the LONGEST race in every state, I did nineteen 5ks, one yearling, one 4 miler, one 8k, one 5.5-miler, eight 10ks, two 10 milers, twelve half marathons, one full marathon, two marathon relays, two duathlons and one triathlon.
And MORE than 51 great races and stories, some of which are below.
BECAUSE IT WAS THERE
Not all of my races were done on planned race weekends, at least 3 of them were just because there happened to be a race near where I was on a "non-race weekend" trip.
The first of these was the Cupid Chase in Albuquerque in February 2012. It just happened to be the same weekend as the SWPACA conference, so I sneaked out to do the 5k at the balloon park.
Not all of my races were done on planned race weekends, at least 3 of them were just because there happened to be a race near where I was on a "non-race weekend" trip.
The first of these was the Cupid Chase in Albuquerque in February 2012. It just happened to be the same weekend as the SWPACA conference, so I sneaked out to do the 5k at the balloon park.
The hot air balloons were neat to watch during the race
Thanksgiving week 2012 we attended the Maui Classic, a basketball tournament in which our Longhorns were playing. A few weeks before we left we found that there was a 5k race nearby...so of course we ran!
A very Maui panorama from the race start
In March of 2016, I attended the TASP conference at Rutgers University. Since I had not yet run New Jersey, I searched around and found a St. Patrick's race.
The day was chilly, the course was hilly and the Shamrock chapeau was a hit
ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT
A few of the races were chosen and done with almost no notice...
A few of the races were chosen and done with almost no notice...
For example, in 2013 we lived in Texas and were training for long races. One Saturday after our long run, we looked at each other and said, "there is no way I can do one more long run at the temperature of the surface of the sun." So the search began for a cheap flight and race distance that would fit our training in a state we hadn't done...for the following week! We ended up in Provo, UT where Glenda did half marathon plus and I did the 10K. I met Claudia, Mary Jane and Kristen that morning...and I'm still in touch with Kristen after 6 years.
In December 2014 we had money on account with Southwest Airlines and they were having one of their very good sales...so of course we had to find a place to race (again on short notice) and ended up in St. Louis doing the Hot Chocolate 5k and 15k.
In 2015, we found ourselves needing a few more miles and segments to reach the next level on American Airlines...so what did we do? Why looked for an inexpensive flight to get those points...and a race to get a state. Voila! The Road Hawg 5k/10k in Battle Creek, MI.
Claudia, Mary Jane, Kristen and me...ready for the 10k in Provo
In December 2014 we had money on account with Southwest Airlines and they were having one of their very good sales...so of course we had to find a place to race (again on short notice) and ended up in St. Louis doing the Hot Chocolate 5k and 15k.
It's all about eating the chocolate afterwards
In 2015, we found ourselves needing a few more miles and segments to reach the next level on American Airlines...so what did we do? Why looked for an inexpensive flight to get those points...and a race to get a state. Voila! The Road Hawg 5k/10k in Battle Creek, MI.
Here we are...Thing 1 and Thing 2 :)
IN COSTUME
Over the years Glenda and I have become infamous for running in costume, a trend which began when we ran Florida for the first time in 2010. It was also our first Disney race...the Princess Half.
Tinkerbell runs the half
It was 2014 before we wore costumes for another state. But how could we not? It was the Hare Hop 4-miler in Illinois
A couple of bunnies ready to run Illinois
Later that same year, we did a half in Kansas...I didn't feel entirely prepared (and I wasn't OH THE HILLS!), so I wanted to remind myself to have fun. Thus, Dorothy and Glinda return to Kansas
We are in Kansas, complete with bubbles!
Early in 2015 The Little Rock Half marathon had a pirate theme, and so did we!
ARR-Kansas!
In the Fall of 2016 we ran in King's Island park in Ohio, including the Peanuts kids area. We ran around and under the roller coasters dressed as Peppermint Pattie and Marcie
Marcie and Pattie after the race
The summer of 2017 took us on our first running cruise to Alaska. Our first run was a friendship 5k in Anchorage with a moose theme. We were happy to oblige!
A couple of crazy "Bullwinkles" before the race
Easter weekend of 2018 we were in Kentucky running the Run the Bluegrass as none other than jockeys.
My colors are Seattle Slew and Glenda's are American Pharaoh
December of 2018 had us channeling Elvis at the St. Jude's 10K in Memphis...complete with a peanut butter and banana milkshake post race.
We call this photo "We Three Kings"
By June of 2019 we came to the next to last race by running the Cornfield, Cornfield 10k in Omaha. So what do you find in a Cornfield...scarecrows and crows of course!
I guess Glenda's scarecrow wasn't scary enough, because my crow finished with her
Not included here are 3 or 4 races where we wore themed skirts, but not necessarily full costumes.
THE PRETTIEST
This is a tough category. I have run many races in beautiful places...Colorado, Wyoming, West Virginia, Washington and on and on. But below are probably my favorites.
In June of 2015 I made my second (and successful) attempt at South Dakota (see below) with the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Half Marathon. It was far from my best half...but it was extremely pretty with a new and beautiful scene around every turn.
In 2017, Glenda and I were celebrating our 20th anniversary on an Alaska Running Cruise. ALL of the races we did there were scenic. Below are a couple of photos from the first two.
This is a tough category. I have run many races in beautiful places...Colorado, Wyoming, West Virginia, Washington and on and on. But below are probably my favorites.
In June of 2015 I made my second (and successful) attempt at South Dakota (see below) with the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Half Marathon. It was far from my best half...but it was extremely pretty with a new and beautiful scene around every turn.
Scene...
After scene...
After scene...
To the finish
In 2017, Glenda and I were celebrating our 20th anniversary on an Alaska Running Cruise. ALL of the races we did there were scenic. Below are a couple of photos from the first two.
Friendship run...the first race of the trip...How do you beat this scenery?
Maybe with the scenery from the second race.
June of 2019 I finished my quest with Missoula, MT Half marathon...and what a way to go out! Gorgeous and well-supported course.
So pretty in Missoula
as you can see
This bridge was a highlight
THE "WORST"
Of course, not every race can be perfect or scenic or wonderful....and at least 3 of them weren't.
I did a duathlon in Arizona to get that state. It was a friends and family add on to USAT nationals and it started at 10 minutes after high noon in Oro Valley (which you can guess is hotter than the surface of the sun). I struggled, but I finished.
The second crazy bad race took place around Easter of 2013 in Denver, CO. The race we had come for was cancelled by a blizzard...but this one went on. I've never done anything more "stupid" for fun! We did have a good time, but thought I'd freeze completely to death.
The final one was also a duathlon, but it was bad for opposite reasons. It was COLD and rainy in Louisiana in February of 2014.
THE ONES THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN
In all the years of doing this only two races were ever cancelled, both by blizzards. Colorado, as mentioned above had a snowstorm in March of 2013 that cancelled a race that we had come for. Fortunately in the case, we found another race nearby and got it done.
Not so in South Dakota the next October. Who expects a major blizzard (over 30 inches) the first weekend in October? But we got it. The snow was hip deep on the trail race morning, also the power was out and the interstate was closed! We barely got out the next Monday...and had to do a do over to get the state in.
Of course, not every race can be perfect or scenic or wonderful....and at least 3 of them weren't.
I did a duathlon in Arizona to get that state. It was a friends and family add on to USAT nationals and it started at 10 minutes after high noon in Oro Valley (which you can guess is hotter than the surface of the sun). I struggled, but I finished.
I was happy to finish
But I admit to wondering why I did it
The second crazy bad race took place around Easter of 2013 in Denver, CO. The race we had come for was cancelled by a blizzard...but this one went on. I've never done anything more "stupid" for fun! We did have a good time, but thought I'd freeze completely to death.
View on race morning
Yes we were that bundled up!
The final one was also a duathlon, but it was bad for opposite reasons. It was COLD and rainy in Louisiana in February of 2014.
It was cold on the run
And colder on the bike! BRRR!
THE ONES THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN
In all the years of doing this only two races were ever cancelled, both by blizzards. Colorado, as mentioned above had a snowstorm in March of 2013 that cancelled a race that we had come for. Fortunately in the case, we found another race nearby and got it done.
Not so in South Dakota the next October. Who expects a major blizzard (over 30 inches) the first weekend in October? But we got it. The snow was hip deep on the trail race morning, also the power was out and the interstate was closed! We barely got out the next Monday...and had to do a do over to get the state in.
This is almost 3 feet of new snow on what was to have been race morning
FINDING WHAT'S NEXT
So proud that I've finished this quest...but now I have to figure out what's next. And it isn't easy. Anyone got a favorite running race 7k-10 mile distance? How about a favorite duathlon? or super sprint or sprint triathlon? Because I'm going to keep going.
I'm working through the counties in Wisconsin and the Provinces in Canada...but open to all kinds of suggestions.
To see more of my quest and other running things...check out my website here
So proud that I've finished this quest...but now I have to figure out what's next. And it isn't easy. Anyone got a favorite running race 7k-10 mile distance? How about a favorite duathlon? or super sprint or sprint triathlon? Because I'm going to keep going.
I'm working through the counties in Wisconsin and the Provinces in Canada...but open to all kinds of suggestions.
To see more of my quest and other running things...check out my website here
